"No," he cuts me off, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. "You're not broken, Mads. You're human. You've been through things no one should have to go through, and you're still here. Still fighting. Still trying. That's not broken—that's brave."
I shake my head, unable to accept his words. "I don't know how to do this, Jax. I don't know how to be what you deserve."
His brows pull together, his lips parting like I just gutted him.
Then, without hesitation, he shakes his head. "Mads, you're already what I want."
I blink at him, my throat burning.
"How can you be so sure?" I ask, the question I've been afraid to voice finally slipping out. "How do you know you won't wake up one day and realize this—me—is too much work? That I'm not worth it?"
He's quiet for a moment, his thumb stroking my cheek, his eyes never leaving mine. When he speaks, his voice is low, steady, certain.
"Because I've known you since we were kids, Mads. I've seen you at your best and at your worst. I've watched you push people away when you're scared, and I've seen the way you love—fiercely, completely when you let yourself." He pauses, his gaze intensifying. "And not once, not for a single moment, have I ever thought you weren't worth everything."
The sincerity in his voice makes my chest ache.
"But what if I mess this up?" My voice cracks. "What if I run again?"
Jaxon's lips curve into a soft smile. "Then I'll come find you, every time."
I let out a shaky breath. "You can't just say things like that."
"Why not? It's the truth."
"Because it makes me want to believe you," I admit, the words barely audible.
His expression softens. "Then believe me, Mads. I'm not going anywhere."
I swallow hard, my hands fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. "My dad said that too, you know. Before he started drinking. Before everything fell apart."
Understanding dawns in Jaxon's eyes. "Is that what you're afraid of? That I'll change? That I'll leave?"
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
Jaxon sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I can't promise life won't get hard, Mads. I can't promise we won't face challenges or that we won't ever hurt each other." He takes my hands in his. "But I can promise you this: I will never stop choosing you. Not when it's easy, and especially not when it's hard."
He leans his forehead against mine, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You don't have to have it all figured out, Mads. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you and let me love you the way I already do."
I suck in a breath.
His eyes go wide for half a second, like he just realized what he said.
But he doesn't take it back.
He just holds my gaze, steady and sure.
And God, he really means it.
He loves me. He always has.
"What if I can't say it back yet?" I whisper, voicing my deepest fear.
Jaxon's expression doesn't change. "Then you don't say it, not until you're ready. Not until you mean it."
"And you'd be okay with that? With not knowing?"
He smiles, a gentle, knowing smile that reaches his eyes. "Mads, I've been in love with you since we were seven, maybe six. I think I can wait a little longer for you to catch up."
