[His ears flick back in...confusion is a bit strong of a word. But yeah, maybe it's confusion, mild and muted. Leo's obvious nervousness puts him a little off-center - sure, this is Leo holding back again, but there's something else about this that feels important enough to frustrate that he can't...quite pick it out by name?
(It's the sense that Leo genuinely wants his approval. Gladion can identify what having the power to disappoint or inconvenience or intimidate someone looks like. Feeling that someone wants to get in closer like this is almost completely unfamiliar.)]
It's not. [As in, not too much. Although that thought, oh so this just doesn't mean much, is wobbling wildly now with doubt. Then...what? He feels pinched in some kind of contradiction. And reluctant to be harsh in trying to sort it out - and, really, he can be better by now than to turn his own uncertainties into accusations - but also not keen on trying to lie and say it's nothing when obviously Leo has seen something in his face.
Augh! This is stupid and awkward!!! Gladion has glanced away for a second, or perhaps two or three, resisting the siren song of his own stupid distraction bait until it's been just a little too long to back out of Saying Something. His small, pensive frown persists, becoming more pensive without becoming more frowny. There's seriousness in his face as always, but not...severity.
"I'm not sure why you consider me 'real friend' material" (insecure, ew) -> "You're not very selective huh" (this is an insult. behave) -> "Your lack of standards for your 'real friends' worries me" (noble but uncool) -> ???? ]
It just feels more like I should be asking you that.
no subject
(It's the sense that Leo genuinely wants his approval. Gladion can identify what having the power to disappoint or inconvenience or intimidate someone looks like. Feeling that someone wants to get in closer like this is almost completely unfamiliar.)]
It's not. [As in, not too much. Although that thought, oh so this just doesn't mean much, is wobbling wildly now with doubt. Then...what? He feels pinched in some kind of contradiction. And reluctant to be harsh in trying to sort it out - and, really, he can be better by now than to turn his own uncertainties into accusations - but also not keen on trying to lie and say it's nothing when obviously Leo has seen something in his face.
Augh! This is stupid and awkward!!! Gladion has glanced away for a second, or perhaps two or three, resisting the siren song of his own stupid distraction bait until it's been just a little too long to back out of Saying Something. His small, pensive frown persists, becoming more pensive without becoming more frowny. There's seriousness in his face as always, but not...severity.
"I'm not sure why you consider me 'real friend' material" (insecure, ew) -> "You're not very selective huh" (this is an insult. behave) -> "Your lack of standards for your 'real friends' worries me" (noble but uncool) -> ???? ]
It just feels more like I should be asking you that.
[yay.]