[ Cullen can't help the look of confusion when she corrects him. It isn't that he has not been suspicious of... Something blossoming between them. Certainly, he has been sure of his feelings for her since their shared dance in Halamshiral. But he's kept those feelings to himself, at least the very word, for her sake. For fear of her taking off, being angry with him, feeling burdened even if she has told him time and time again that his feelings are not a burden at all. He's hardly experienced in romance, only knowing what he has read in books or seen from a distance. ]
[ It is so difficult to focus right now, to not feel his mind drift off to those thoughts that guide him elsewhere. But he still finds himself hanging on every single word, fighting for his mentality despite the deterioration of it through his withdrawal. Perhaps that is why he had misunderstood. ]
[ But she continues, speaking of what she has considered of her future. Of their future, and Cullen can't help but find relief in knowing that she has pictured one with him there. He doesn't deserve it, not in the slightest, but he is so humbled to know that there is at least a possibility of something. ]
Whatever depth such care runs, know that I would only feel honor. You've no reason to fear my--
[ She says it before he can pry. I love you. Three words he hasn't heard from anyone in so, so very long. And they echo in his mind, almost seem unreal in the midst of his struggle to hold on to reality. But he watches her lips form the words, the way her eyes shut to prepare herself for it, and Cullen's heart swells. His stomach flutters, the rest of him feeling somehow warm and comfortably so. ]
Maker--
[ Cullen's eyes widen, lips parting in bewilderment to hear her say such things. He exhales, and it sounds like shock. He swallows thickly as he scoots forward yet again, taking her hands just a bit closer to him. ]
I love you too.
[ He manages a smile, the words falling from his lips effortlessly because he has wanted to tell her so badly. His hands squeeze hers, despite how weak they are, how much his joints ache. ]
I love you. Neria, I've wanted to say that for so long.
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[ It is so difficult to focus right now, to not feel his mind drift off to those thoughts that guide him elsewhere. But he still finds himself hanging on every single word, fighting for his mentality despite the deterioration of it through his withdrawal. Perhaps that is why he had misunderstood. ]
[ But she continues, speaking of what she has considered of her future. Of their future, and Cullen can't help but find relief in knowing that she has pictured one with him there. He doesn't deserve it, not in the slightest, but he is so humbled to know that there is at least a possibility of something. ]
Whatever depth such care runs, know that I would only feel honor. You've no reason to fear my--
[ She says it before he can pry. I love you. Three words he hasn't heard from anyone in so, so very long. And they echo in his mind, almost seem unreal in the midst of his struggle to hold on to reality. But he watches her lips form the words, the way her eyes shut to prepare herself for it, and Cullen's heart swells. His stomach flutters, the rest of him feeling somehow warm and comfortably so. ]
Maker--
[ Cullen's eyes widen, lips parting in bewilderment to hear her say such things. He exhales, and it sounds like shock. He swallows thickly as he scoots forward yet again, taking her hands just a bit closer to him. ]
I love you too.
[ He manages a smile, the words falling from his lips effortlessly because he has wanted to tell her so badly. His hands squeeze hers, despite how weak they are, how much his joints ache. ]
I love you. Neria, I've wanted to say that for so long.