i'd seen that "i love you" "it'll pass" line from fleabag a hundred times but never known it in context. so i always assumed the "it'll pass" was dismissive, self-deprecating, the speaker using it as a complete rebuff to the confessor because they don't imagine themselves to be capable of being the object of an enduring love, and all the confessor has to do is prove them wrong
and good God is it so much worse in context. the confessor says a fact that is already known, knowing there's no hope. and the speaker replies so softly and encouragingly, hand in hand with the confessor. and it's not because the speaker doesn't want the love but knows they cannot have it. the two words are themselves also a declaration of love, because the speaker knows dragging it on will only cause pain for the confessor, wants to let the wound scab over as soon as it can, to let the confessor heal
it isn't a battle to be overcome. it's a war that's already over
















