After he had finally finished, and you couldn't think of any other probing questions to ask, you finally said, " and... what do you think about what I told you? I assume you said last night, and I just don't remember, but I want to know."

Changbin kissed your head. "I did. I said that I would always be there for you, whether or not you're employed at a crazy high-paying job, or you're unemployed, or just working at home. Whatever you're doing, I want to be there with you, because I-" he stopped himself, ducking his head. You could practically feel the heat of his blush emanating from his face.

"You what?" you prompted him gently, leaning against him in support. "If you told me last night, you can tell me tonight, too."

"That's just it," he chuckled, but you could hear the wavering of his words. "You said some things to me last night and... I didn't say them back. Because I wanted you to remember them when I did."

You tilted your head to stare at him, an inkling of what he was saying starting to bleed through. "Do you mean...?"

"I love you, Hua." He tilted your chin up to meet his gaze, brown eyes reflecting the thousands of stars in the night sky. He was beautiful. "I've been wanting to tell you all day, but I've been too damn scared. But as scared as I've been to say those words, I've never questioned how I feel about you. I think I've loved you since the day we met, back on the beach. You're the woman for me, and no matter where we end up, I want us to work through it together. No more running, no more secrets."

Your heart stuttered in your chest, as you struggled to breath. "Th-that was so beautiful," you managed to say, trying to collect your thoughts. Had you really told him you loved him last night? It sounded absolutely crazy, and yet...

"I love you too, Bin." Your lip trembled as you said the word, sudden emotions threatening to burst forth. As crazy as it felt uttering those words, you knew they were true. Your drunk self had known it before your conscious self did, but you felt it deep in your soul all the same. "I know I'm bad at sharing when I'm struggling, but I want you there with me when I am. And I hope I can be that for you, too."

He pressed a kiss to your cheek, smiling against you. "You have no idea how good it feels for you to say that, Hua," he murmured. "And you've done more for me than you can imagine."

You tilted your head inquisitively. "There's no way I've been there for you any more than you have for me. You're a lifesaver."

He smiled pensively, and you gazed rapturously upon his handsome features, so clear you could almost count the constellations reflected back at you on his skin. "You've made me feel worthy of your love, Hua. And I think that's the biggest gift of all."

laska's note —
no because why do these two continue to make me soft asf, over and over again?? is that even legal?? 😭 they've both said i love you now! i guess it's really serious! and hua is all filled in on the drama from the night before. i guess we're still watching the fallout though. poor han and robin, they're having a hard time. and how was riley and chan's date? and what's up with mya and jeongin? you know what time it is... girl talk 🤪🤪 buckle up y'all, there's a lot to unpack.

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟯𝟰 - 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀
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