[. . . What? He doesn't have to what? Joseph hasn't done anything wrong, not really. That's what you're supposed to say, isn't it? When you're trying to get someone into bed.]
[Except they're already in bed, and Joseph never was trying, never lied, Joseph never lies, so why . . . ? People have called him handsome before, but beautiful? And here, now?]
[He's never been here or now. Not just in the obvious way. If this is love he thinks he hates it, with the way he feels so wrecked inside, like he wants everything but his ribcage isn't broad enough to hold it all. He feels warm and frozen and pained and immortal and he thinks if Joseph ever stops touching him or looking at him he might cry.]
[He doesn't have words. Just pulls his wrist up to his mouth and bites down on it a little to keep from asking again - You love me, don't you?]
[It never mattered before, but it does now. That's what beautiful means. It means I love you, which hurts, even though it shouldn't.]
no subject
[. . . What? He doesn't have to what? Joseph hasn't done anything wrong, not really. That's what you're supposed to say, isn't it? When you're trying to get someone into bed.]
[Except they're already in bed, and Joseph never was trying, never lied, Joseph never lies, so why . . . ? People have called him handsome before, but beautiful? And here, now?]
[He's never been here or now. Not just in the obvious way. If this is love he thinks he hates it, with the way he feels so wrecked inside, like he wants everything but his ribcage isn't broad enough to hold it all. He feels warm and frozen and pained and immortal and he thinks if Joseph ever stops touching him or looking at him he might cry.]
[He doesn't have words. Just pulls his wrist up to his mouth and bites down on it a little to keep from asking again - You love me, don't you?]
[It never mattered before, but it does now. That's what beautiful means. It means I love you, which hurts, even though it shouldn't.]