Aster hadn't called him a slut and that was about as well as Timothy had expected that conversation to go. He smiled a little at what Aster said, the suggestion on the tip of his tongue but bitten back by many tiny reason-teeth; who knew if Aster liked him enough to embark on a relationship with him? Would he even be good enough for Aster? Likely not. Was he the kind of person who should be in a relationship? Not as far as he was aware. He'd be rushing into things and it would be the same as every other relationship he'd ever had, friendship or otherwise, pushing too far and too fast and too hard in too short a time and scaring people off, disgusting them with his desperation.
He needed this closeness with Aster, trapped here as they were under a bubble, the threat of sickness and monsters in the dark hanging over their heads, his friends scattered and quiet and so divorced from him that he felt like he barely knew them anymore. He needed to see Aster's smile and feel the way Aster touched him like he had feelings too. He needed this and he wasn't about to ruin it all with his stupid mouth and his overlarge heart.
He was going to point that out when Aster resumed petting his tail and that gentle touch along with the closeness of the other boy had Timothy squirm against him with a surprised little mewl, his pupils blowing wide and his face red with an embarassment and something else that he couldn't voice.