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I grinned. It was that, or full on laughing, and I didn’t think Claude would appreciate the latter. I was a considerate person, first and foremost. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means my life would be less of a roller coaster of feelings and stupid hormones if I hadn’t stopped to quote-unquote greet a fan.” They huffed. I snorted. They glared up at me, but it didn’t last long, blue eyes brimming with affection two seconds later. The fiery red hair dye they’d gone for this month just made every glance look more alluring. “But that wouldn’t be a good thing.”

“I love you.”

The words were there before I could fully process what they were saying. It didn’t matter.

“I love you through actions more than I do through words,” Claude said. The gravity of their words hit me right away, making me both want to melt into their arms and jump to the moon. “I don’t want you to be overwhelmed just because you realize what that means for me.”

“That’s not…” I stopped. Claude didn’t need to interrupt me this time. It was kind of what had happened, wasn’t it? They quirked an eyebrow, waiting as if they could tell the conclusions I was reaching. “I love you.”

Those were the only words that made sense in response.

“I love you.” Claude kissed me quick before pulling away. “Now get your ass in the bath if you don’t wanna know mean.”

I laughed. I couldn’t hold it in this time, the kind of laughter that had me almost doubling over.

“Yes, Claude.”

Whatever they said.