Faelan shook his head, resisting an urge to reach over and put his hand over her knee. "No, don't...don't apologize to me. I think it's nice that you find stuff interesting. I like to read, too. I was trying to learn some Shakespeare, but now Gaius has me reading--" He cut himself off, only just catching himself from saying that Gaius had assigned him some books on magic for beginners. "--some other stuff."
"Um...listen, Padma," he began, turning on the couch to face her. He forced himself to lift his eyes to meet hers, which were suddenly full of vulnerability. She looked apprehensive, like he was about to say something bad, and he stared at her, biting the inside of his lip. He couldn't do it.
"I, um...I know it's Valentine's Day. I got you a present. I didn't know what I should get, so..." Reaching into his pocket, Faelan pulled out his shrinking bag, opening it to pull out a box. He had wrapped it himself, in silver paper with a red bow. "I hope you like it," he said, holding it out to her.