prompt: the first "I love you"
prompted by: arianakristine
They've been together a month when he says it. She doesn't know how to react at first; it had slipped from his mouth during a goodnight kiss as they were to part at Mary Margaret's front door.
The last time she thought those words were even relevant, she had said them first, and Neal had left her, sent her to jail when he didn't have to – the police never could've known about their meeting spot, about that last watch, if he hadn't set her up. The leaving she maybe could've dealt with, but he'd betrayed her even more deeply than that.
This time, Graham's said them first, and he's not acting like he expects them back, continuing to kiss her gently, lavishing attention on her neck when his words have caused her to freeze instead of kiss him back.
A part of her, her heart, longs to respond to him, to tell him that she loves him too. Best thing that's ever happened to me, that part of her wants to shout for all the world to know. But a larger part of her is still that broken, untrusting girl that Neal left in his wake. Oh, that part grows smaller every day with Graham, every moment with him. But right now, it is still in control.
I love you, her heart screams out inside of her, I love you, I love you, I love you, Graham Humbert, I love you so much it hurts.
But her stupid head is yelling at her to look what happened last time. To not say those words because nothing lasts and there are no happy endings.
"Goodnight, Emma," he whispers in her ear after a little longer, turning to leave soon after.
No, she thinks, reaching out instinctively and catching his arm.
"I love you too," she whispers when he turns to look back at her curiously – because damn it, with him, her heart is more important than her head. She's not sure she's ever seen him smile so widely, and it is perfect, and he takes her in his arms again, just holding her to him.