[ asriel shoots him the sort of look that has made lesser men wither, and that's before he's even offered asriel his hand. he suspects it will be somewhat less effective, but it's not like john is his enemy anyway.

far more subtle is the way he glances for an instant in stelmaria's direction at the mention of touch, though. make that two last-ditch plans, because it's debatable which option would be worse.

compared to what he's thinking, the offer to hold hands is just funny. ]

... You're serious.

[ he still hasn't accepted, however. ]

A troubling thought if the Pthumerians are interpreting seasonal traditions literally.

[ he has a point here, but this could also be considered stalling. ]

Is the poetic outcome all they ever want? Some people would kill to get out of this situation.

[ because it's not like it's any less true if he didn't point it out. it likely says something about him that asriel automatically assumes bonds will be used to manipulate, but given his track record could anyone blame him. ]