[ He hasn't looked away during that time, completing his quiet study, and when she does look toward him he only braces his elbow against the edge of the chair, dropping his hand into it. ]

I had one or two brushes with it, yes. I understand it's expected for two humans to kiss when they find themselves beneath the mistletoe, but it never occurred to me that the mistletoe might force the matter.

[ He could fill in the gap with a nugget of information about emotion-devouring plants on the outer arm of the Milky Way galaxy that might learn something from this particular strain, but it would break the mood. Instead he inclines his head slightly to ask: ]

Strategy or honest curiosity? I promise not to be offended.

[ Not that he ever really was, despite his act. ]