You and Theodore stand side by side, your shoulders brushing occasionally as if the universe is trying to tell you something that neither of you will voice.

Until now.

You shift slightly, gripping the edge of the stone ledge with your fingers.

"I love you," you whisper. It’s soft, like a secret you’ve been keeping too long.

Theodore doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move. You panic.

"No—don’t say it back," you blurt out, spinning towards him. "Please. Just... don’t."

"I’m not saying this to make things weird, okay? I just... I needed to say it," you continue. "It’s been inside me and it’s been getting heavier. And if I didn’t say it now, I think I’d break."

"But—don’t you say it back either..." your voice cracks a little, and you look away again, blinking fast. "Because if you say it back then…"

You take a shaky breath.

"I mean... I think you’re saying it because I said it," you finish. "And I don’t want that. I don’t want something that isn’t... real."

There’s a long pause. For a moment, you think he might just stay silent, or even walk away.

But he doesn’t move.

Instead...

"I love you," Theodore says.

You stare at him, wide-eyed. "Did you not hear anything I just said?"

"I heard all of it," he replies gently. "But I’m not saying it because you did. I’m saying it because I’ve been thinking it for months and never had the nerve."

"You said it first," he continues, "but I think I’ve known it longer."

You let out a shaky breath. "You mean that?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

He steps closer. "I wouldn’t say it unless I meant it," he says. "You know me."

And you do. That’s what makes it even more real.

Your hand finds his without you thinking about it. His fingers curl gently around yours as if they’ve always belonged there.