"I Need You (Piano version)", Jalen Ngonda

After Valentina and Mattie left, I put some music on, brought us some snacks, and sat beside Aidan on the couch.

We talked again about this project I had. He was very supportive of the idea and I had decided to gather everyone soon to announce it. He listened to me, smiled, and responded to all my ideas, suggesting some very relevant ones himself but there was a shadow in his eyes from time to time.

"What is it, my love?" I asked.

He shook his head and smiled. "Nothing. It's stupid."

I reached for his hand. "Nothing you feel is stupid."

"I..." He took a deep breath. "Sometimes, I'm scared. But I know it will pass."

I waited for a few seconds before asking, even if I knew what his answer would be. "What are you scared of?"

"Of losing you. Of not being worthy." He averted his eyes.

I squeezed his hand. "I could tell you that you will not lose me, but it would not ease your mind. So come here, my love, and feel what you have to feel, but in my arms, where you are safe, and loved, and cared for."

He lifted his head, and his eyes glistened. "I'm sorry. I don't want to be a burden."

"No, that, you are not allowed. You have nothing to apologize for. And you are not a burden. You are so precious to me. Come here, my love."

And he did, nestling his body against mine, and I tried to curl around him as tightly as my height allowed me to. "Breathe," I added.

His body relaxed slowly. Still in my arms, he spoke to me. "With Lucas and everything that happened, I... I don't know. I'm spiraling." He sighed. "Again."

"I know." I stroked his neck. "And it is understandable. You need time. Give yourself some slack. Just do not close off, alright? I am here for you."

"I..." I knew he was on the verge of adding something self-deprecating, but he stopped himself. "Thank you."

"You know, you inspire me," I whispered against his skin.

He chuckled. "Yeah, sure."

"I am serious." I kissed his temple. "Meeting you, James, and then with Amaury's back, it changed my life. It changed me. For the better."

Aidan stayed silent, and I continued. "And your love, the beauty of you. You are magical to me, my Aidan." He lifted his head, his eyes misty and his lips quivering. "I hope you could see yourself as I see you."

Our foreheads touched, and he brushed his lips over mine, before kissing me deeply.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too, Aidan."