He flushes and shifts, blinking a bit. The words make him feel a bit warm, even though she's sad - should they? He swallows, his mouth a bit like cotton.

He hasn't really felt loved - that he remembers, since his Mum- no that lump better not turn into tears. He doesn't want to cry.

"I-am I supposed to say I l-love you back?"
Because he does, it just feels ... strange. Foreign. Not bad, though. New.

She loves him. He knows it now. No. Don't cry. Don't cry. It's not supposed to hurt.