Vlad pulled the door closed again, turned, and said almost wearily, "Do you really want to have this conversation right now?"

"May as well," Teige answered, his expression unreadable. "I'm on a streak tonight."

Vlad came back over to the bed and sat down again, and Teige sat up some, propping his horned head on one hand.

"A'right, this part is always awkward," he said. "Go on, then."

Vlad sighed and took off his glasses. "Okay...it's not you, it's me."

Teige didn't say anything, but his face crumpled down into an unbelieving, almost scornful look.

"No, I'm serious!" Vlad paused, and then continued gently, "I really like you. I think that you're hot and funny and fun to be around. But I think we might want different things out of...this, you know?"

Teige stared at him, and he glanced away almost guiltily. "I'm not in love with you, is what I'm saying."

"Hm." Teige laid back, tucking his arms behind the pillow and behind his head. After a long moment, he said, "Well, that's okay, ent it?"