A/N: Written and titled for the "Shiny Surface" challenge over at thetape.blogspot.com
She is shy but hopeful, happy and too relaxed. Contemplative without being self-conscious, frowning a little, biting her lip a little, trying to find the words. She's been thinking about this, about what she wants to say, but hasn't considered how until just now.
Which means she doesn't know. If she did, she wouldn't need to look for words. "I --" she starts, then stops, realizes that it's silly, that this shouldn't be so hard to say. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."
Neither has he. He's never felt this way before. He doesn't feel this way now.
"I mean -- there were times, when I thought...." She frowns, shakes her head as if to clear the doubt away, and steps closer. Clutches his arm. "I love you," she says, repeating it like a mantra, like the words will chase away the uncertainty.
"I love you, too." The words come easily, automatically. She expects them. He doesn't look at her as he says them. Deftly suppresses the urge to shake her off his arm.
Doesn't want to hurt her, after all.
She smiles brilliantly at him. Gives his arm a little squeeze.
He says nothing.
"It..." she bites her lip, "just seems like there's been something troubling you lately. You've been... quiet. Well, of course you've been quiet," she amends with a little smile, "But.. quieter than usual."
She hasn't known him very long. "Just thinking," he shrugs. She shifts her grip on his arm.
Her smile is teasing. "I knew you were going to say that."
He gives her a look, and she misreads it. "I miss your smile," she says.
So he smiles a bit. I didn't want this. I never asked for this.
For some reason known only to herself, she frowns at him. He smiled -- that was what she wanted. What was the problem now? "I'm serious," she says, seriously. "If there's anything bothering you, you can tell me. I'm here." She's here. She's always here. "There shouldn't be any secrets between us."
There's nothing between us.
He says nothing, and pulls her into his arms.