116 Reason

Reasons

"I–I... "

"Jareth!" She said as she quickly covered his lips with her hand. "Please, stop."

"Astrid," he said through her hand. 

"No, no, no. Don't say it. I know you feel bad about what just happened. I don't know your reasons but I respect your earlier decision. Friends, nothing more. I won't think about it, so please don't say anything further."

"There it was, she beat me to it. Now I was a jerk making her hurt. Who would apologize and kill such a moment after having what he wanted? I know it wasn't easy for her to say those words to me, but she did irrespectively. I guess it's her way to blocking out the pain. It may hurt more if I say it," Jareth thought. 

With her hands on his mouth, he could only nod in response. After some seconds, she removed her hand from his mouth and wanted to turn away, but he held her hand.