Also, Delilah might be a bit like Padma in reacting to things very spontaneously without thinking about whether this might be insensitive and hurt someone.
Beat me to it! This is very similar to Padma's reaction to Marten attempting to dance...
Also, count me in with the people that think he was seriously joking, but would have been totally for it if she agreed. I think it's sad to see him trying so "hard" and fail. I say hard, because now on a second read-through, I can't help but continue to read it as awkward. And I probably read it as awkward the first time, because it's Marten. Wonder if I would reread it with more confidence in his words if he had actually succeeded.
On the topic of Delilah, I really do think she must like men to some degree or another or else Tai would have said SOMETHING. Or if not said, at least had a less positive reaction than "
". And it sounds like they've discussed relationships before, since Delilah knows of Dora, so I imagine she'd at least know some of her history (though perhaps not).