Ah, no, no, that wasn't what I meant, professor-!

[ He was defaulting to the title now. Maybe because he was flustered by the sudden suggestion. Images of Byleth without any of that bothersome armor or clothing in the way flash through his head and he has to take a deep breath and hope that his cheeks burning up can be explained by the cold. ]

...I mean - I -

[ Deep breath. This is now how he imagined this coming up. ]

...I mean that I have... feelings for you. Beyond that of friendship.