[He thinks he can see something like hurt flit across Winter's features, and that is quite the opposite of what he had intended to do. Gods, is he making this worse? Spit it out, you idiot vampire.]

Backfired because feelings got involved.

[He had wondered if, the moment he admitted to it, it would feel like a weight lifted. But now, he foolishly realizes it just makes anticipation spike uncomfortably in his chest, and he just has to push through, letting the words come as they may.]

Because I ended up falling for you, Winter. And hells if I know what to do about it now.