“Summer-Raine,” Auden’s warm hands take mine, “is that okay? I know it’s kinda terrifying, fuck, it scares me so much I can’t sleep at night. But I needed you to know, you know? And you don’t have to say it back, not right now, not until you’re ready. I know how you feel without needing to hear those words from you, but I wanted you to hear them from me. So, is it okay, baby? Is it okay that I love you?”
