[ He eyes the counter for a moment, debating hitching himself up to sit there but then opts to take a chair like a normal person and not risk Hunk coming into the kitchen and staring despairingly at him. ]

I never wanted to bring it up until after the mission was over because we still had to be on a ship together for a year. [ Another bite of the protein bar and he washes it down with a glass of water, rising only to refill and kill that one, too. ] I didn't want things to be...awkward, or for you to feel like we had to get along on the ship if something happened, or--

[ He trails off, not quite sure where to go. They're both interested but they're both doing very separate things. Much as he wishes he could convince Matt to stay here, safe on the ship, they both know that's not where this is going. Matt has his own things to do, his own priorities, his own role to play in this fight against the Galra. Expecting him not to would be ridiculous at best. ]

Realistically -- I don't know what we could do. Until this is over. I don't expect you to stay here; I know you and Pidge have to work on finding your father, and the work you're doing is good. It's important. It...wouldn't be like back home, you know? There's no way to go out to a restaurant for a date or do...normal things like that out here. So if that's too much, I understand.

[ But, if not, he's willing to try. ]