When you don't say "I love you" back
note: I'm so back but still on writer's block. Here's this anywayš©·š©·š©·
He pauses at the door, blinking behind his shades.
āI love you,ā he says, sing-song, lips curled in that usual grin.
You smile, distracted, just saying āMhm, bye!ā
āMHM? Thatās all I get? No āI love you too, my beautiful, all-powerful, most eligible man aliveā?ā
He turns back, leaning against the doorframe like a wounded theater actor.
āYou donāt love me anymore? Is this it? Are we breaking up?ā
You sigh, laughing. āYouāll be late, dumbass.ā
He walks off backwards, arms spread. āFine! But just know⦠Iāll cry on the plane.ā
Heās halfway out the door when he says it, soft and sure. āLove you.ā
You hum distractedly, checking your phone.
He watches you for a moment. āThatās it?ā
He chuckles under his breath, walks back in, wraps his arms around you from behind.
āYouāre lucky Iām patient,ā he murmurs in your ear. āBut donāt do that again.ā
You feel the warning in his voice, the teasing weight behind it.
āIāll kiss it out of you next time.ā
He straightens his tie, briefcase in hand. āI love you.ā
You nod. āHave a good day.ā
āDid I forget to say something unclear?ā
He walks over, kisses your forehead, then leans in close.
āI said I love you,ā he murmurs, deliberately. āAnd I expect a proper reply, darling.ā
You bite your lip to hide a smile.
He hums. āThank you. Now I can leave in peace.ā
He shyly mumbles, āI love you,ā clutching his coat.
You wave. āOkay, be safe!ā
He stops mid-step, visibly deflating.
Turns to you slowly, with a deeply betrayed look.
āā¦You forgot something.ā
You stare blankly until he stammers, āYou didnātāyou didnāt say it back.ā
Your heart breaks a little.
When you finally say it, he looks so relieved itās ridiculous.
āā¦Donāt scare me like that,ā he mutters, hiding his face in his scarf.
He doesnāt say āI love youā often.
So when he does, and you donāt say it back?
Heās glaring, jaw tight. āExcuse me?ā
āI just risked emotional death and said those three stupid words, and you justāwhat, wave me off?ā
You snort. āWow, youāre sensitive.ā
He growls, pins you to the wall. āSay it.ā
āā¦Iāll ruin your whole night if you donāt.ā
(He definitely ruins it. Lovingly.)
āLove ya,ā he says casually, keys in hand.
You yawn, curled on the couch. āMm. Later.ā
āā¦You didnāt say it back.ā
You peek open one eye. āSo?ā
He squints. āYou tryna piss me off?ā
Walks over, lifts your chin.
āSay it back, doll,ā he drawls. āI donāt care if youāre half-asleepāI wanna hear it.ā
You grin. āFine. I love you.ā
He says it brightly, all sunshine: āLove you!ā
He freezes, stares at the floor.
He slowly looks up, eyes wide like a kicked puppy.
āYou didnāt say it back.ā
Your heart melts instantly.
āNo no itās fine,ā he says, dramatically walking to the door. āIāll just cry a little on the train. No big deal.ā
You call out: āI love you too, idiot!ā
He spins around beaming. āAwww!ā
Heās quiet about it. Just a mumbled, āLove you,ā as he heads out.
He pauses, looks back. ā...Seriously?ā
You blink up from your book. āWhat?ā
āYou didnāt say it back.ā
Your brows rise. āI didnāt think you cared.ā
He looks... mildly betrayed.
You grin and call after him, āI love you too, Gumi.ā
He tries to hide the smile tugging at his lips as he shuts the door, ears a little red.