ethan wasn't an affectionate person, no. barely any friends, heart guarded by so many locks and doors it was more of a maze. but you were different. and for you, he was down bad.

he didn't know how that had happened. how he fell in love with you so easily. all of you, from your personality to your silly little habits. he felt like a lovesick idiot. he probably was one and it was eating him alive.

the son of nemesis decided today was the day. he would tell you, consequences be damned. no matter how it ended and how you reacted, he couldn't live like that anymore, quietly drowning in what he was sure was the love of his life.

so ethan set up that stupid picnic. picked a nice spot, prepared blankets and food, coaxed you into going on some pretense excuse. watched you walk, weapons clanking, watched your face morph into surprise. he couldn't drag it out any longer.

"i have something to tell you," ethan said, posture stiff, gaze set on you. 'i love you' was just on the tip of his tongue. three simple words, but his throat just clogged up. he couldn't. he couldn't risk losing what he had of you because he wanted more. ethan swallowed, he needed to continue with something. but the words he meant to tell, the ones that mattered, he just couldn't muster. "i-i think i managed that thing you showed me, finally"