He shook his head, still staring at her a little forlornly and like a little boy. Mostly because he can. "My blood sugar hit a really, really low crash," he said, speaking softly, like he didn't want to get overhead. "Between that and the blood loss, I'm..." He gave a laugh, almost surprised. "Well, I'm sort of freezing."

He stared at her, reaching over his right hand to brush her hair away and to lean in and kiss the corner of her lips, very slow and delicate and gentle. When he eased away, he hadn't stopped looking earnest. "Gwen, I love you," he swore. "I know I suck at saying it, but I do. You're amazing to me. You act like an actual friend and like you like me and aren't just putting up with me and I love you for it."

He'd learned. He'd learned to say what was underneath.

And then he hugged her. Tight.

And didn't let go.