She squinted before resting her forehead against his chest again. "I'm so glad you're my friend, Baze."
Her brows furrowed, but she didn't seem upset. She more seemed confused. "...feelings? Like you're cross with me or something?"
She laughed too, but it felt like how a child laughs when their parents make a joke they don't understand. "Love... which one is love?"
He looked confused, tilting his head slightly and squinting. "Love..? Love is like.. Hm. It's deep admiration. It's like.. Well, it can be as small as spending time together for lunch and going on little adventures and laughing at movies to as big as being a shoulder to cry on, saving each other, being the other persons biggest supporter and yet an honest critic. It's staying up late with someone when they're sick to make sure they're okay, and bringing the other person to bed when they fall asleep on the couch. It's a lot of things, but it's something between people who's are really close."
This explanation seemed to confuse her even more, but she reached up again, brushing her fingers through his ashy blond hair gently, her fingertips brushing his temple. "Love. Hm..." She tilted her head, considering him for a moment. "Deep admiration. I deeply admire you." She looked up at him. "Is that the same thing? If I tell you that I deeply admire you? Is that the same as loving you? What does it feel like?"
He sighed, shaking his head. "No, it's not the same. Deep admiration feels more.. cold, you know? Not as intimate."
She frowned, sitting up slightly and resting her head on her hand. "How do you know if you love someone? Why is it..." She hesitated, struggling on the word. "Why is it different than being angry or being happy to see someone? Or liking someone's company? Why is it different?"
Basel seemed to struggle a little too, looking conflicted at her questions. "I.. I'm not really sure if I can properly explain this one, Anya."
She tilted her head curiously before sitting up, still quite weak. "That is no problem. I can go ask Trevor what it means; he talks quite a bit, and I think he likes explaining things."
She squinted, looking down at him curiously. "But I want to understand what you're thinking," she said earnestly. "I want to understand what you think."
She seemed a little agitated, tilting her head with a frown. "How am I supposed to understand, Baze? I don't know what it is. I don't know what you mean."