"I love you," he says, quiet and low and this shouldn't be so hard since in truth he's said it so many times before now. He's said it with "Be more careful", with "I trust you", with "Stay". He's said it with carefully chosen gifts of tools and sword lessons, with long nights spent entwined and eager kisses. He's let her into his life, his secrets and goals and failings, in such a way that he's not sure he could ever root her out. He's said it over and over again, in a million little, different ways, was saying it long before he even knew he was.

So when he finally actually has the courage to say those three specific words, Gaige just turns to him and smiles. "I know… you idiot." She leans in to kiss him, her expression fond, "Took you long enough."