I think the latter approach is fine. You're not pressuring so much as just expressing how you feel. Communication is essential and stating your feelings, wants, needs in a direct way is a damn good start. Pretty much, in my opinion, if your stating things in a direct way, you're not coming off as needy or wishy-washy.
"Achieve success, but without vanity; Achieve success, but without aggression; Achieve success, but without gain; Achieve success, but without force." Lao Tzu
