[he kisses her back, matching her in enthusiasm as a way to channel some of these confusing and troubling feelings into an expression of his love for her, and to reassure her that he does indeed love her. He holds onto her tightly, standing on his tiptoes a bit to lessen the amount she has to bend to reach him.]
[the confetti falls—but he lingers for a bit, giving her mouth shy, desperate little nibbles after they part from the kiss, his eyes shut tight.]