Author's Note: I'll continue Sophomore Slump, don't worry, but this was stuck in my head and I needed to do something about it lol!

It had been a couple of weeks since the Lowardians invaded Middleton. The Stoppables were kind enough to invite the Possibles to stay with them until their home was renovated. It was tight confines with nine of them under one roof, but they made do. Kim was struggling internally with several things: college, how close she came to losing Ron and vice versa, and something that had been nagging at her since their half-a-versary.

As usual, she bottled these things up, feeling like she had to be the strong one in such times. Ron needed her, and the tweebs needed her. She couldn't afford to break down…not after all that had happened. It wasn't until the night she decided to sleep in the tree house for an escape that she lashed out…Ron just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ron was worried about Kim. He knew she was feeling crowded with both of their families living under one roof temporarily. Climbing the ladder of the treehouse, he wasn't sure what to say to make her feel a bit happier, but he figured he'd at least try to comfort her.

"KP?" Ron asked, popping his head up into the small wooden structure. She jumped a bit at his voice, burying her face in her arms, stealthily wiping her eyes with her sleeves.

"Hey, Ron," Kim replied devoid of any emotion.

"Are you okay? I know it's been a bit smothering lately, but I thought I could stay here with you for a while," he explained.

"I just want to be alone right now, actually," Kim responded curtly. She hadn't meant for it to come out that way, but everything was frustrating her lately…even the man she loved.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Kim retorted. "I'm feeling smothered from being under one roof, and I'm being smothered by you! Can't I just have a moment's peace!?"

"This isn't like you, Kim. What's really going on?" Ron pressed on.

"Do you love me? And I don't mean platonically. I mean, are you in love with me?" she questioned him, tears threatening to spill over.

"After everything we've been through, you still don't think I love you?" Ron asked, shocked.

"You never said it once to me. I told you I loved you, but I've never heard you say it back, Ron. What am I supposed to think!?" she began crying now. "Just go…please." Kim wiped at her tears angrily, hating that she allowed herself to cry in front of him.

"But—" he began.

"Please," she interrupted him, speaking firmly.

Without a word, Ron climbed down, leaving Kim to her thoughts.