"No, not at all," Faizel assured her. "It's more you smile like that and brush off the worst in life so easily that I can't help but wonder how queer I am- Or if you're simply so much stronger than I. I survive by going cold, but you burn warm always," he said softly, pushing his hair back and looking at her for a long moment.

"It's admirable. ...Enviable, even."