With the captain's arms wrapped around him, Merri could only blush and avert his eyes as far down as he could given their lack of space, which only served to make him flush hotter. His hands rested on the captain's biceps, and only tentatively so, as he fumbled for an answer to what was most likely a rhetorical question.
"I, um, I don't think anyone was ever interested before," he said, eyes still downcast. "I can't imagine why they would be, and... and yet... here you--" He gulped. "Here you are. You... do you... I mean... I don't... That is I..."
He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath to start over, cautiously and bashfully meeting the captain's eyes. "I don't understand why-- what you see in me, but I know better than to question maybe the best thing that's ever... I don't know what you see in me but I-- I'm really glad that you do." He managed a sheepish smile. "There's nothing special about me and yet... somehow,,, someone as amazing and incredible as you..."