altar-cation?

i hate to bring this up, but i think i love you.

why would you hate to mention this?

i was hoping you'd say it. i'd rather not undergo the suspense around your decision.

so you are afraid that i will say no.

afraid? terrified!! mortally so!

but i thought we'd come to know each other fairly well after all this time we've spent.

you're saying that i should already know your answer?

something like that.

i can guess to a fair degree. but this is something where the smallest of uncertainty can kill me.

is it so?

i've never been more certain of anything in life than this love for you.

but you said you think you love me.

that was because i was nervous.

is that the only reason?

no, it's not.

out with it!!

i thought that if i began so and you refused, i could hide behind the fig leaf of confused emotions.

but what purpose would it have served?

that way, i could have remained friends with you.

you really think you could have done that?

i know i couldn't. but i would have tried.

why?

because i can't bear the thought of not talking to you. of not able to tell you things when i want to.

you love me so much?

yes, i do.

and you think i'd have let you reach this stage if i didn't love you myself?

you love me too?

yes, i do.