Tony thinks to a conversation he had with Alex in which she asked why he loves her

  But it began to remind of him of his own insecurities

  And he wonders why Alex loves him

  Because many people “love” him because he contributes this or he accomplishes that

  His value comes from what he is and what he can do for other people

  And without that…

  What is he?

  What makes him matter?

  Without all that, what’s left to admire or cherish

  Alex shuts this down, like the way he shuts down her anxieties.

  > > > > (AT THE CLIMAX OF SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS VERY TOPIC)

  (ALEX POV)

  Why would he have any question of why I love him? And why would he think it’s attached to what he can do, when there’s so much more to him than that?

  I let the air of the room stay heavy and quiet and I think of the best way to express my feelings.

  I start by letting out a small sigh. “I hope you aren’t serious.”

  That snaps him out of his spiral. “Excuse me?”

  “I hope you aren’t serious, because then that would make you a hypocrite.”

  “How so?”

  “You told me I see so much in others that I fail to see myself? Well so do you.”

  Tony just looks at me, his eyes telling me a hundred things.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  It’s kind of intense, but I don’t stop. He needs to hear this.

  I soften my tone a bit. “I deeply admire all the hard work you do. And the work you have done. I mean from the sports team to the highschool newspaper then student council… then coming here and working in such a complex university track? Amazing. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

  This is all stuff Tony has heard before- Alex knows this.

  That’s why she adds, “But… I can also see that past all these awards and trophies and documents and whatnot… you're still the boy I met that day in summer camp.”

  He looks at me amazed.

  For some reason, I nod a little as I keep talking. “Even as a young man, you’re still you.”

  His voice is soft. “What do you mean?”

  I prop myself up on my elbow, and so does he, and now we are properly facing eye to eye. “You know, the way I think of Colton Ebare… the way I think of you… it's not all the big things I mentioned earlier. I definitely admire what you do, but …”

  I put my free hand on his shoulder and I focus on his eyes, which look so vulnerable right now.

  “I think of your kindness and your empathy. I think of the way you treat everyone with compassion and you really mean it- it’s not just politeness. I think of the way you encourage and inspire others. Even me- I don’t know if I’d be here if you hadn’t made me believe so much in my own dream.”

  Tony glances down briefly, but I rub his arm, wanting him to know I mean every word. “I think of the amount of goodness in your heart that you have had since the day I met you. And I met you so young, there’s no way you could have faked any of that.”

  He releases an audible exhale.

  But I don’t let him go. “That caring nature? THAT is Tony Ebare, to me.”

  His facial expression can’t hide how much he's really hearing what I’m saying.

  I conclude, “You work hard because you care deeply about everything and everyone. And you do not need your family name or your roles in the world or your accolades or your popularity…”

  I tenderly move my hand down his arm as I try to lighten the weight of the words and the world. “…or even these muscles you forged in sports… for me to see just how deserving of love you already are.”

  And then I let the silence return.

  But it’s a much more comfortable silence now,

  Like some grand and wonderful transformation has taken place.

  Like the air is the first flower of spring blossoming after a long winter.

  For a brief moment, I wonder if I did something wrong, because Tony is being so quiet.

  His blue eyes are completely focused on me, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking anymore.

  I’m about to consider backtracking, but then he pulls me into his arms tightly.

  I’m shocked for a moment but I immediately wrap my arms around him too.

  His voice is the most tender and raw I’ve ever heard it in my whole life. “Thank you.”

  That’s all.

  That’s all he's able to say, it seems.

  “Any time…” I change my response. “Any time you feel down, or need me to remind you that my love isn’t conditional, or just let you know you always have value, I’d drop everything to hold you like this and remind you as many times as you need. Even when you remember it all on your own, I’ll still remind you so you never forget.”