Because I love you.' It was easy to say it this time now that I understood what it meant. Then I quoted his own words back to him. 'Not just when it's easy. All the time.

But wishes were empty thoughts, cast down a dark hole. They didn't come true unless you worked for them. I'd learned that about the world, if nothing more.

But courage wasn't an absence of fear; it was fighting despite the knot in your stomach.

Finally, I understood what else was going on. I might be slow, but given time, I put the pieces together. "You have no reason to be jealous, I promise. We talked... and trained. You're the only boy who gets close like this."
"Oh." A long, slow breath escaped him. "I feel so stupid."
I put my lips to his cheek and whispered, "Don't. I love you, Fade.

Beautiful. And ugly. The world is always both.

I want to drag you off and hide you away,” he whispered.
“Why?”
“I always knew you were beautiful, but now everyone else will too. I won’t be able to keep other boys away from you, and it’ll make me crazy.