"Uh... oh," he murmured, and he very delicately moved Quen's arms off and away as he stepped back. Oh no. Oh, this was... this wasn't good. It was true, he always did see Quen as a little sister he never had and never realized he always wanted, but what she was talking about... it was clearly not that, and Merrion didn't have the words to say what he needed to say in a way that would not hurt her. How could he say it? He knew how much it would sting; he'd been on that end himself. But he didn't want to hurt her feelings, all the same, so he tried.
"Quen," he started, words flying around his head. "Are you... sure? Because I do love you like a sister and you're not supposed to be in love with your sister or your brother and love? Are you sure? Because, well, I mean..." Oh, Faram, there was no good way to do this, was there? "I... I'm very sorry. But... You're a nice girl! And kind and fun and... Well, any boy should be happy to be with you and... I'm sorry? I'm so sorry!"