We were lying on the couch when I told you.

You were half-asleep, curled up against my chest, one leg draped over mine. The TV was on, but the sound was low. It was one of those peaceful nights — the kind I used to think I’d never get. Not after everything we went through.

“You know,” I said, running my fingers through your hair, “I still remember the first time I saw you… back in the games.”

You opened one eye and looked up at me. “Yeah?”

I smiled.

“It was right after the first game. The doll one. People were screaming, crying, throwing up. I was trying to look tough, but inside I was shaking.”

You sat up a little, your hand resting on my chest now. “You looked calm.”

“I was not calm,” I laughed. “But then I saw you. You were standing near the back, helping someone up. You didn’t panic. You didn’t cry. You just… moved like you belonged there. Like you weren’t afraid.”

You smiled, soft and a little shy. “I was terrified.”

“I know that now,” I said. “But back then? You looked like the bravest person in the room. And I just kept staring.”

I paused, brushing my thumb across your cheek. You leaned into it.

“My heart was beating like crazy,” I admitted. “And not because of the gunshots or the dead bodies. It was you. I didn’t even know your name yet. But something about you… I don’t know, it made me feel like there was still something good in that place.”

You looked at me, eyes soft, voice quiet. “Why didn’t you say anything back then?”

“I wanted to. I almost did, after lights out. I saw you sitting alone. I walked halfway across the room… then chickened out and pretended I needed water.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Idiot.”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “But I watched you. Every game. Every moment. You made me want to live.”

We both went quiet for a second. The memories hit sometimes, even now. All the things we saw. All the people we lost. But then I looked at you — really looked — and remembered that we made it. Together.

“You saved me,” I whispered. “Not just in the games… but after. This life, this apartment, this peace — it wouldn’t mean anything without you.”

You looked at me like you were about to cry, and I pulled you close again, kissing the top of your head.

“I loved you before I even knew I loved you,” I said. “And I’ll keep loving you… every day after.”

You didn’t say anything. You just held me tighter. And that was more than enough.