She stretched her arm, index finger pointed up. "Do not Marly-girl me, not right now. I'm confused enough without you adding to it," she said. "Of course, I know all of that. Really do you think I'm this stupid? And don't even bother answering, because I know you don't."
Marlene's thought were like an avalanche, and she took a few breaths, trying to organise what she was trying to say. She stopped in front of Alastor, and put her hands on his hips. "Affection doesn't begin to cover what I feel for you. I told you, you're the friend that comes before everyone, the man everyone else has to measure up to. I know I love you. That has never been an issue. Am I in love with you?"
She shrugged as she let out a deep breath. "I don't know. They might talk about breathing, heartbeat, smell. I just know that it's how I feel around you, which is unlike what I feel around everyone else. it's also the most normal feeling for me, because I've never been without you. I'm still not sure, and I didn't want to say anything, because I don't want to put this on you. I know you don't feel the same, and it really doesn't matter, but I can't lie to you. That I won't do. I might not know if this is what being love means, but you should know what I'm thinking."