What compelled him to ask such a thing? He doesn’t know. Nor was he expecting any sort of answer from him. They’d gone on a date and nothing had really changed between them, and now he was even staying at Barraca Mansion. So maybe all of these combined factors were making him want to know more about where they stood... either as friends or otherwise.
The compliments that spill forth first are unsurprising. J was never shy when it came to speaking about the DJ’s intellect, and on more than one occasion both had managed to word feeling blessed about knowing the other.
The surprises came after the groan of resistance.
The DJ was used to hearing his praises sung but.. well, it was sufficient to say that he was never sung praises of the kind that J was now singing. People tended to speak of his mind, never of his physical traits. His formative years were spent being bullied for his looks, so to hear them being complimented was enough to make the man freeze up a little.
In fact he’d have been content to hear just that... but J kept going, down a rabbit hole of feelings. Feelings that J couldn’t word, but seemed to feel. Feelings that the cyborg wanted to hide and pretend didn’t exist.
Nova eventually reaches out, slowly at first, and only after J is completely done talking. He isn’t sure what to do, or how to think, but he knows one thing: if he left then and there, there would be no going back. He would need to confront this... or else.
The reaching hand finally comes to rest on one of J’s shoulders. He still hasn’t said a word since, and he’s unsure if he even should say anything, but the silence stretching between them doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should.
“J... I’ve said it before that I feel blessed to know you. That sentiment will never change, because you’ve brought a light into my life that I never want to see extinguished. You’re...”
He pauses to consider everything said to him. He needed to address everything, especially J’s opinion on his physical self. “You’re one of the first people to see something beautiful in me that isn’t simply my intellect. You see me and you don’t see anything strange... and for that I can never truly express my gratitude.”
“I... I cannot fathom a life without you in it now that you’re here. This may seem out of nowhere, but I thought I’d been clear about my.. feelings. Your reaction to my pick-up line was adorable though not the intended one... and I thought perhaps that the last time I felt compelled to confess to you how much I enjoyed your presence that I was being clear enough. Though... I suppose that blame is all mine.”
“To put it bluntly, I want you to know that I meant what I said in that letter I sent to you on Valentine’s Day. I love you. I really, truly do. I can only read your expressions so much, but you said that you were feeling something... and I can only hope it’s the same as I feel for you until you feel the time is right to tell me.”
He sighs, but his hand stays on the shoulder. “Until such a time, I will continue to be around you... because you mean a lot to me and because I cherish your friendship more than you might realize.”
