'I'm sorry too', he wanted to add but he held back even though his eyes gave it away. She had already been through so much that he couldn't place another burden on her. He tried to be the strong treasure hunter that had rescued her all that time ago.

He attempted to hold his smile for her sake. "It's ok. How could you know?" The earring all but forgotten stayed tucked deep within his pocket as all his awkwardness around Celes returned. He couldn't tell her how much it reminded him of when they met. Maybe he'd be able to give it to her as planned, but for now it would have to stay safely hidden deep within his pocket.

He really didn't want to leave on a sad note and without thinking of the consequences blurted out, "Maybe, we could go treasure hunting sometime."