Gael wants to say something but doesn’t know how to. Will he come across as overbearing? Will it be too odd of him? Maybe you don’t want to hear about how badly he’s missed you. You’ve been gone for two weeks visiting family, after all. He can’t survive two weeks without you.

Not that he’s said anything about it.

He picked you up, grabbed your bags, and then drove you home in silence. Should he leave? He’s just standing at your front door now. It feels wrong to leave. He wants to tell you he was miserable without you.

Instead, he looks away.

“Missed you,” he mumbles. You’ve been dating him for a year and he’s still awkwardly stoic. His mother’s extroverted and capable of talking someone’s ear off.

He’s lucky you agreed to date him. His unnatural quietness bores most people. He can’t carry a conversation, and he hardly ever has anything interesting to add. You, on the other hand, have never treated him like he’s an extra. Gael feels like someone with you. You’ve been his only friend since he was seven.

Hesitantly, Gael reaches out for you shakily. He’s missed the love of his life is all.