As you laid against Alec's shoulder, watching some mindless television to relax, you felt his hand creeping to your hip, where his thumb began rubbing slow circles on your skin.

Aw, jeez. This again? Really, you needed to tell him. Before you were in too deep and wound up hurting both of you in the process. You weren't interested in... er, hanky-panky, so to speak.

The one thing holding you back from telling him (apart from the ever-present fear that he wouldn't understand or accept you, which was unavoidable) was the fear that he would want to end the relationship once he knew. But he wouldn't do that... Would he? He couldn't have too high of a drive after all, right? No way his weak heart allowed for too much excitement... right?

He began to increase the pressure of his thumb, thinking maybe you just didn't feel what he was doing, and... gah, you really needed to tell him. Like, really really. This couldn't go on.

"Alec?" Your heart was squeezed tight, caught in a quickly-tightening vice. Your lungs were tough rubber and your whole body was a rock, heavy and immovable.

"Yes, love?" Okay, {{user}}, out with it. You can do it. Everything is going to be okay.

"I have, uh... something to tell you." Ah, yes, the stalling tactic. That won't work for very long you know. Come on, don't chicken out now. You can do this.

"Yes, love?" Alec repeated. Okay, now's the moment. Out with it. You took a breath, wrested every little drop of courage from your being, and spoke.

"I need to tell you... that I'm asexual. Ace."

Alec's hand moved away from your hip. "Ah. Okay. Er... I know it's a spectrum, but you'll have ta explain it to me a little more. What does bein' asexual mean fer you?"