[There is admittedly a novelty to it, to saying the words— he's never felt this way about anyone before and so never had the opportunity to say the words, and while it's never bothered him, would not have bothered him either to not say it here, well! The experience! The opportunity!
And he can see in Viktor those shades of himself, quieter, more withdrawn; so too is there a measure of saying it because Viktor should get to hear it. Not saying it back isn't a problem either, for honestly most of the same reasons... and because Viktor has already kissed his cheek, and made his choice, and so ardently defended Octavian's right to exist without, hm, caveats. All of those things paint a pretty clear picture.
And they are holding hands, something Octavian feels almost... giddy over? He isn't sure; he's never been giddy, he doesn't know what it should look like, but he knows this: he likes the way Viktor's hand feels in his, wants after so very long to let someone in. If that's giddy, wonderful; if not, it doesn't matter.]
Good. [He almost says he's glad Viktor is glad, but no, let's not be silly. But almost.] Would you like to see Mars now?
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And he can see in Viktor those shades of himself, quieter, more withdrawn; so too is there a measure of saying it because Viktor should get to hear it. Not saying it back isn't a problem either, for honestly most of the same reasons... and because Viktor has already kissed his cheek, and made his choice, and so ardently defended Octavian's right to exist without, hm, caveats. All of those things paint a pretty clear picture.
And they are holding hands, something Octavian feels almost... giddy over? He isn't sure; he's never been giddy, he doesn't know what it should look like, but he knows this: he likes the way Viktor's hand feels in his, wants after so very long to let someone in. If that's giddy, wonderful; if not, it doesn't matter.]
Good. [He almost says he's glad Viktor is glad, but no, let's not be silly. But almost.] Would you like to see Mars now?