[ this is way too much information at once, and he doesn't have the time to parse through all of her words by the time she gets to the end. he interrupts her anyway as his hand darts out for her arm when she wobbles. the concern reflected in his eyes can't be faked, but he doesn't try to prevent her from taking another drink. ]

That's not what I meant, Karen. [ it's as lame as ever but he lets go of her, even if his instincts make him want to vault the bartop right now. he knew, right? he had to have known she had feelings for him otherwise she wouldn't have asked him. but having it said so baldly like that - he wants to pretend he never heard it. he wants to take back the last ten minutes. no other man has ever bothered. he swallows, feeling as sober as she looks wasted right now. ] You didn't misread anything.

[ wait, did he just-- nevermind. it's not the point. ]

But you should raise the bar. [ some more dry humor, surprise surprise. ] I do respect you, but that should be a given, right? You're smart, you're some bigshot at a newspaper, you know superheroes. [ he's smiling now, obviously trying to lighten the mood. ] Come on, you're Karen Page. A very... drunk version of her, but you're still her.

[ and in any state she's better than he could ever be. ]