"I love you."
"I love you more."
"Ahem."
The voice cut through the phone's tinny speakers, sharp enough to make Yeon glance up.
Rose stood at her elbow.
"Captain, we've completed the dungeon raid," she reported, her expression caught somewhere between professional deference and mild exasperation.
Yeon nodded. "Mm."
Then she noticed Rose's face.
"I'm getting used to people saying 'I love you.' It's weird." She perked up, the thought catching momentum. "When do you think it's the best time to say it? And what do you do when someone says it when you're not ready to say it back?" A pause. "Is it worse when the person doesn't say it at all?"
"Captain." Rose's voice cut cleanly through the spiral. "Calm down."
A small smile softened her mouth.
"Breathe."
Yeon stilled, lips pressing together.
Rose sighed, softer now. "You're thinking too much. 'I love you' isn't a tactic. You don't say it because the moment looks right. You say it when it's true."
