[The concept didn't really need to come up. What they have is technically as casual as it can get; admitting their feelings and the initial commitment was all they needed, and it evolved subtly as time passed. More and more little displays of affection. Becoming content to be in public as well as private. A bigger display, here or there, when comfortably alone with each other. The bigger steps were almost always initiated by Anabel (moving into one bedroom the most recent...), but he did his part, consciously or otherwise. If it didn't need words, they weren't used. Casual. Normal. Honestly, how the hell Nanu didn't expect this to be the next stage of evolution is beyond him. It's so painfully obvious.]
[And then, she admits it. With that caveat he figured had to be at play, screwing with their own thoughts like they'd been put near a microphone. She'd thought it. They'd both thought it.]
[The icy streak that had gone through him unnoticed, settling heavy in his heart, is suddenly, instantly relieved. Nanu can't refute it or play it off. Not this time. Not when it's something this serious and real, and with Anabel surely feeling that fear he was just relieved of.]
[He swallows, voice low.]
I, uh-- didn't exactly say it...out loud, either...
put on your glasses
[And then, she admits it. With that caveat he figured had to be at play, screwing with their own thoughts like they'd been put near a microphone. She'd thought it. They'd both thought it.]
[The icy streak that had gone through him unnoticed, settling heavy in his heart, is suddenly, instantly relieved. Nanu can't refute it or play it off. Not this time. Not when it's something this serious and real, and with Anabel surely feeling that fear he was just relieved of.]
[He swallows, voice low.]
I, uh-- didn't exactly say it...out loud, either...