[This is where he pulls back, if only to turn his device on so he can see her better. He can hear that heartbeat, and now that he's said it out loud...]

But it's more than the sappy shit. [Stefan takes a deep breath.] You're sure you're okay with the fact that I can't really love you like most boyfriends? Even kissing - sometimes, that's a bit more than I can do.

[Plus, there's the lingering, giant issue that he hasn't even begun to address.]

And as for Elena... I still haven't talked to her about this. Us. I think we're friends? That'll never, ever change - but right now, you're my number one. [He intertwines his fingers in hers.] I don't see that changing anytime soon, either.

[Unless I become Salvatore again, but he leaves that unsaid. She knows how much he's resisting the pull of his past life already.]