A/N: Hey guys! Back again, hope you like it!
The first time she doesn't really know the weight the words carry. To the young, love is free, love is unbounded, overflowing.
Love is handed out to anything that brings a warmth in their chest, a book, a movie, a friend.
A crush. A boy who smiles at her in a way that always makes her smile back. So standing by her locker, she says the three little words. He gives her one of those smiles that she loves so much. She all but skips to her next class.
-.-
The second time, they are tentatively spoken over a dinner. Love is more sacred now, clutched closer to the heart and there is an impact behind the words.
Love is spoken with care and reverence, given only you fear losing.
To her boyfriend. On their one-year anniversary dinner under the dim light of a nice restaurant, she says those three big words. He smiles warmly at her, grabbing her hand, and tells her he cares too.
She holds it together until she gets to her dorm, and then the mascara drips down her face as she cries in her bathroom wondering how he could not say it back.
-.-
The third time she thinks she's finally got the idea. Love is free and sacred and unbounded yet close to the heart. It's everything all together at once.
But most importantly love is to give.
This time it's broad daylight and her friend is cheering on the bakers on the tv screen as they race the clock. His smile is wide, and it brings the familiar tug in her heart that's become a regularity around him.
Her gaze falls to his lips ad she briefly wonders what it would be like to kiss them.
But ultimately, just being here to be a part of his happiness and excitement feels good.
He looks over at her, tearing his green eyes away from the screen, and they're so bright that she is bursting to say the words.
Those three words.
"I love you."
Her heart rate picks up but there's a sense of relief at the words.
His eyes widen impossibly. "Really?"
She can't help but laugh, already feeling lighter having said them and nods.
He smiles so bright that she can't help but smile back.
He doesn't say them back, but it's okay.
Love is giving.
-.-
A year later, she's just finished washing the dishes when she turns around to find him standing right there. Her hands automatically come up to his chest, an expanse she's already had the pleasure of exploring, and her eyes find his.
He's got a strange look on his face and his green eyes are unreadable. She's about to open her mouth when he speaks.
"I love you too."
AN: Telling someone you love them can be nerve-wracking but I believe that there are different kinds of love and when you get to a certain point, just telling them is enough, even if they don't say it back. Because at that point love is something to just give.
And of course it can still hurt, but maybe not as much if you get to that point.
This series is all about exploring different things so in this one I thought I'd explore this kind of deep love.
Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
And as always, thanks for reading!
See ya! :)