[Maya is actually pretty content to stay like that, for a moment. She feels safe like this, but she also feels a lot stronger. Perhaps a long ways from the girl who proclaimed she "wants to protect everyone's smiles," and today she's felt further from that than ever before.

She pulls back a little bit as Alicia speaks again, her face heating up more, heart jumping a little as she realizes just how close they are and how much she's just kind of lingering. At the smile though, her own becomes a bit more genuine.

She sniffles and nods, giving a small laugh at her own stupidity.] Mm... I'm... I'm happy to hear that...

[Her eyes shift a little bit away, embarrassment rising even as she doesn't budge.] Smiling's better! I'm just... glad I got given a reason for one, tonight... Thank you, Alicia.