"Well, you're still very welcome," he replied laughing. He couldn't imagine what things would be like around here without people like Gabby. Like Gabby and Thomas and Penny. So kind and giving. Their presence soothed him.
Leaning back in his chair he took another sip of his tea and nodding, smiling at her willingness to help. "Of course you can help," he paused for a moment, thinking, then, "I'm sorry I didn't ask you earlier! How thoughtless of me. It is your brother after all." He shook his head, the simplest of things escaped his sorcerer brain sometimes.
Vaan attempted to keep up with her train of thought, his face twisting into a mixture of confusion and concern by the time she had cut herself off. "Awkward? I would never want you to feel awkward around me Gabrielle," he said, his voice softer than he'd used before. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Sorcerer's aren't supposed to do a lot of things apparently." Getting up from his chair his smile fell quickly as he leaned against the mantle over the fireplace. "Gabby I--" he started, staring down into the flames, "--I have felt things I've never felt before around you and its utterly and frustratingly confusing." He didn't look up as he continued, his eyes blinking slowly, "I did not kiss you by accident. I care for you. Very much." Finally Vaan tore his eyes away from the crackling fire and looked into hers, "I...I think that I might possibly be...falling in love with you Gabby."
He couldn't believe the words that had just escaped his mouth and he turned back toward the fire, "I'm sorry. That was very forward of me. Its only that I don't think I could hold it inside of me much longer." A small, half hearted chuckled came from him, "I think you humans are beginning to rub off onto me."