Even my issues have issues [was private but is now apparently a free-for all party xD]

All she did was to smile even wider. "Heh. I wouldn't want you to, either."

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," he told her softly, if rather sappily, looking at her hair between his fingers.

Her smile softened, and she kissed the top of his head. "... Glad to know. I thought I wouldn't be good enough for you," she chuckled.

He chuckled a little to himself, because that was just absurd. "You are. More than good enough, much more. You're perfect."

"I'm not." she muttered, but still, she smiled, and kissed his cheek.

Gently, he rolled them over to lie on their sides, close together on his narrow bed, his hand on her hip and tangled in her hair. He stared into her eyes and opened his mouth, then closed it again and licked his lips nervously.

She still kept smiling - but then, she slid a bit further down his body, to simply have her ear close to his chest, listening to his heartbeat, the soft smile widening a little as she closed her eyes.

"I love you." The words were soft, barely above a whisper, and his heart sped up as he said them. Maybe it was too soon, but at that moment, they were impossible to contain.

A surprised glance upwards, eyes wide as she blushed.

He met her eyes earnestly, if nervously, biting his lip.

The blush rivaled the red of her hair - then she ducked her head again, face hiding in his chest, even as she smiled, a warm feeling blooming inside.

Was that bad or good? he wondered. "Is it... are you alright?"

She nodded, slowly. "I... It's just... Nobody's ever... Told me that before." besides her parents, of course, but well, that was a matter of course.

A broad grin slowly spread on his face. So he finally got a first... "I'll tell you again.."

The small smile and the deep blush were still there hen she looked up at him again. "... I'd... I'd like that." the smile widened just a little bit.

This time, he was (mostly) looking her in the eye as he told her, "I love you" again, with a blush that didn't quite rival hers, but came close.

Another widening of that smile - then she slid back up to claim his lips once more. She couldn't say the words herself... Not yet, at least. But she made sure to pour her feelings into the kiss, instead.

Maybe he was a little disappointed that she didn't tell him in return, but he quickly forgot that small insecurity against her lips. She was here, with him, and that was enough.

She was still smiling, still blushing when the kiss broke, and she looked deep into his eyes, as the smile widened, into a full-blown grin.

"I... guess that was okay, then," he said with a shaky laugh, his heart swelling with enough happiness to burst his ribs.

"Mmm." she was still grinning, and nodded, then rubbed her nose gently against his. "More than okay. Just like you."

He didn't think he was, not at all. But for her, he'd have to be - and maybe, he'd start believing it himself, just a little. Softly, he took her lips again, the kiss slowly turning more passionate with all the emotions he couldn't contain.

It was returned in the same fashion, arms sliding around his neck, pulling him closer.

A small noise at the back of his throat as he felt her eagerness, and he bit her lower lip with a grin.

A small chuckle, and one of her hands slid up to play with his hair once again.