“I just.. I need you to listen for a moment, okay? This is going to sound weird and might be… uncomfortable, but I need you to just let me talk. Please. Okay, uhh— I like you. I like you a whole fucking lot and I don’t know or expect if you feel the same but I just need you to know. You are… loved. I know how much you struggle every day and I am so honored that I have been able to be there for you to talk to and to help in that way but… It’s not just out of friendship that I do it. I want to be something more, I think I can DO more, I want to help you in those moments when no one else can and I… I just need you to know that I love you. So much. And I never want to see you in pain, doubting that anyone loves you again because it isn’t true. I love you.”

“I love you”, he repeats, as he turns from the mirror, one hand upon the glass. “I love you,” he says to no one.