It breaks his heart to see the way she droops but he could not, in good conscience, keep this fact from her. She knows him too well. She would know by his reactions to seeing it that something has been left unsaid.

"Not... entirely."

This, he tells himself, will be one of just many cultural differences they are going to have to navigate if they are serious. It's only the beginning.

"I don't want to take something important from you. And this is important. But I need you to know in case I... react a certain way. I never liked that custom in vampire culture. I was forced to wear a collar, myself, when I was still human. It made me feel sick every time I asked Max to put his on. I don't know how easily I can put such emotions aside, even though I know it does not mean the same thing. For you, I would try."