When you don't say "I love you" back
note: I'm so back but still on writer's block. Here's this anyway🩷🩷🩷
He pauses at the door, blinking behind his shades.
“I love you,” he says, sing-song, lips curled in that usual grin.
You smile, distracted, just saying “Mhm, bye!”
“MHM? That’s all I get? No ‘I love you too, my beautiful, all-powerful, most eligible man alive’?”
He turns back, leaning against the doorframe like a wounded theater actor.
“You don’t love me anymore? Is this it? Are we breaking up?”
You sigh, laughing. “You’ll be late, dumbass.”
He walks off backwards, arms spread. “Fine! But just know… I’ll cry on the plane.”
He’s halfway out the door when he says it, soft and sure. “Love you.”
You hum distractedly, checking your phone.
He watches you for a moment. “That’s it?”
He chuckles under his breath, walks back in, wraps his arms around you from behind.
“You’re lucky I’m patient,” he murmurs in your ear. “But don’t do that again.”
You feel the warning in his voice, the teasing weight behind it.
“I’ll kiss it out of you next time.”
He straightens his tie, briefcase in hand. “I love you.”
You nod. “Have a good day.”
“Did I forget to say something unclear?”
He walks over, kisses your forehead, then leans in close.
“I said I love you,” he murmurs, deliberately. “And I expect a proper reply, darling.”
You bite your lip to hide a smile.
He hums. “Thank you. Now I can leave in peace.”
He shyly mumbles, “I love you,” clutching his coat.
You wave. “Okay, be safe!”
He stops mid-step, visibly deflating.
Turns to you slowly, with a deeply betrayed look.
You stare blankly until he stammers, “You didn’t—you didn’t say it back.”
Your heart breaks a little.
When you finally say it, he looks so relieved it’s ridiculous.
“…Don’t scare me like that,” he mutters, hiding his face in his scarf.
He doesn’t say “I love you” often.
So when he does, and you don’t say it back?
He’s glaring, jaw tight. “Excuse me?”
“I just risked emotional death and said those three stupid words, and you just—what, wave me off?”
You snort. “Wow, you’re sensitive.”
He growls, pins you to the wall. “Say it.”
“…I’ll ruin your whole night if you don’t.”
(He definitely ruins it. Lovingly.)
“Love ya,” he says casually, keys in hand.
You yawn, curled on the couch. “Mm. Later.”
“…You didn’t say it back.”
You peek open one eye. “So?”
He squints. “You tryna piss me off?”
Walks over, lifts your chin.
“Say it back, doll,” he drawls. “I don’t care if you’re half-asleep—I wanna hear it.”
You grin. “Fine. I love you.”
He says it brightly, all sunshine: “Love you!”
He freezes, stares at the floor.
He slowly looks up, eyes wide like a kicked puppy.
“You didn’t say it back.”
Your heart melts instantly.
“No no it’s fine,” he says, dramatically walking to the door. “I’ll just cry a little on the train. No big deal.”
You call out: “I love you too, idiot!”
He spins around beaming. “Awww!”
He’s quiet about it. Just a mumbled, “Love you,” as he heads out.
He pauses, looks back. “...Seriously?”
You blink up from your book. “What?”
“You didn’t say it back.”
Your brows rise. “I didn’t think you cared.”
He looks... mildly betrayed.
You grin and call after him, “I love you too, Gumi.”
He tries to hide the smile tugging at his lips as he shuts the door, ears a little red.