[ He’s always making her cry. Jesse brushes her tears away, the same as he always does, and wishes he knew how to be a man that didn’t bring tears to her eyes. He thinks—he hopes—he can learn. ]

That means a lot. I know it’s not easy.

[ His voice is tight, like the honesty of that statement is threatening to overcome it. It does mean a lot. It means the world to him that she’s willing to try. He squeezes her hands back, his smile hesitant and somehow fragile. It’s a far different expression than his usual, rock-solid grin. ]

I want us to have a future. Been so long since I thought about one at all… but now I can’t picture one without you in it.

[ His hands squeeze hers again as he hesitates to continue. All this talk about the future scares the hell out of him, even if he won’t say so. ]

I know I’ve not been somebody you could count on. I’m not good at this. But I’m willin’ to try, if you’ll be patient and give me a little time too.