The words come easier today - he knows how it feels to need to hear them, hear the truth in them, and he gives it, with full earnestness. His forehead is pressed against Jesper's and he lets his hand slide up to cup at the nape of his neck, holding him there, anchored against him.
"And sweetheart, 'tolerable' is so far from the truth, far too weak to reach you. You are... everything. I have never known a truer heart. Your openness, your honesty. How you see those around you so clearly, so deeply - even if you can't always see yourself in the same way. So let me see it for you, if that will help."
"Focusing on the what-if's are never comforting, love. And for all your struggles, I think you've come out stronger for it. More understanding. Many of us wish we could change who we were, who we are, but I would not trade you for anything, love." His hand slides around to dup against Jesper's cheeks now as he holds his gaze.
"You were the first person to ever look at me and not see a failure. A shallow imitation of a person. To see more than just my flaws, to see that maybe I could actually be someone beyond them. If it weren't for you, love, I would still be a shadow of myself, afraid to let myself trust, afraid to let myself feel. And I know for a fact that I am not the only person you have drawn into the light, helped them learn to be a better version of themselves, because you know how hard that struggle can be, firsthand. Even if we may always struggle with it, even if we stumble over it, I know you'll be there to help me back to my feet - as I hope to be for you."
"We are, all of us, better for having you in our lives, love."
no subject
The words come easier today - he knows how it feels to need to hear them, hear the truth in them, and he gives it, with full earnestness. His forehead is pressed against Jesper's and he lets his hand slide up to cup at the nape of his neck, holding him there, anchored against him.
"And sweetheart, 'tolerable' is so far from the truth, far too weak to reach you. You are... everything. I have never known a truer heart. Your openness, your honesty. How you see those around you so clearly, so deeply - even if you can't always see yourself in the same way. So let me see it for you, if that will help."
"Focusing on the what-if's are never comforting, love. And for all your struggles, I think you've come out stronger for it. More understanding. Many of us wish we could change who we were, who we are, but I would not trade you for anything, love." His hand slides around to dup against Jesper's cheeks now as he holds his gaze.
"You were the first person to ever look at me and not see a failure. A shallow imitation of a person. To see more than just my flaws, to see that maybe I could actually be someone beyond them. If it weren't for you, love, I would still be a shadow of myself, afraid to let myself trust, afraid to let myself feel. And I know for a fact that I am not the only person you have drawn into the light, helped them learn to be a better version of themselves, because you know how hard that struggle can be, firsthand. Even if we may always struggle with it, even if we stumble over it, I know you'll be there to help me back to my feet - as I hope to be for you."
"We are, all of us, better for having you in our lives, love."