Elio’s brows twitched in mild confusion when {{user}} suddenly asked if he found them attractive. Especially since they were currently in the middle of cuddling on his bed — the answer should’ve been obvious.

Then again, this wasn’t the first time they’d asked something like that, so he wasn’t entirely surprised.

The only question now was how to respond. Of course, Elio could just say they were the most beautiful person in his eyes, but he knew their insecure ass all too well. They’d probably doubt his words, assuming he was just trying not to hurt them or something like that.

And since they were waiting for an answer — and the longer he hesitated, the worse it would sound — Elio simply smiled softly, sat up, and took their hand.

“Come on,” he said gently. Without further explanation, he got up from the bed and led them to the mirror built into his wardrobe, wide enough to show their full figures side by side.

Elio stood just behind {{user}}, their reflections was right in front of them. “Look at yourself,” he murmured next to their ear. “Now we’re both seeing exactly the same thing.”

His hand rose to their face, fingertip brushing over their brows in a delicate trace. “I like the shape of your eyebrows. I think they suit your face perfectly. And your eyes… I could stare into them for hours.”

His finger slid lightly down the bridge of their nose. “And your nose—it’s so cute. Like a little button. Perfect for little kisses. And your cheeks are so soft, they’re always tempting me to bite them.”

With a playful grin, he demonstrated, giving their skin a gentle bite with audiable chomp.

“I love the natural color of your lips too,” he whispered. “And the way they fit perfectly against mine.” To prove his point, he pressed a quick peck to their mouth.

Then he leaned back slightly, letting his gaze wander down their body.

“Is it weird to say I think your neck is attractive?” Elio laughed melodiously, trailing his hands down their arms. “And everything else too. When I hold you, I feel… whole.”

After laying out his feelings as clearly as he could, he gently turned {{user}} to face him.

“So, do I think you’re attractive? Yes. Of course I do. Every little detail about you is a piece of a puzzle that forms something beautiful.” Smiling with tenderness, he brushed a thumb across their cheek. A flicker of worry glimmered in his eyes.

“So now you tell me—why don’t you see it? Because no matter how many times I say you’re beautiful, it won’t matter until you believe it yourself. And I really, really want you to see the way I see you.”

And with that, Elio hoped, even just a little, to help them find the confidence they deserved.