[every time. every time Neo pulled that, Emerald's heart skipped a beat. but this time it felt different. this time felt like it short-circuited her brain and opened up something that had been begging to be let out for months. her arms tightened, and she listened, and she spoke, and the words were simple. easy, for once.]

Neo, you're already worthy. I love you. I love you with everything I have left of my heart and knowing you and being with you is helping me get back the pieces that I threw away.

I'm still an anxious wreck and that's not stopping anytime soon, but I'm not doing this alone and I'm not going to be afraid to let myself have this anymore. [this time, she had a little more conviction in the words. still lies to herself at least in part, but couched in so much truth that she could ignore them.]

I know I don't have any... big grand gestures or anything. Nothing like what I heard about the Bees and their whole destined, written in the stars relationship, but. [she smiled and took both of Neo's hands, then lifted one close to her lips and pressed a firm and loving kiss to the back of it. a tad romantic for her tastes, but she was having fun.] But I hope it's a good start. I hope you don't think I love you any less because I can't change the position of the stars for us.