Enzo's smirk faded, and his arms hung awkwardly in the air, momentarily caught off guard. Slowly, he lowered his arms, wrapping them securely around her in return. He tilted his head, resting his cheek atop her head as he murmured, "You don't need to thank me, cupcake. I promised you I'd help you expose them. And that's simply what I did."
She shook her head against his chest. "No. Thank you." She squeezed him a little tighter. "And you have to accept it."
He sighed, surrendering. "Alright, alright." His hand trailed up and down her head gently, his fingers running through her blonde strands.
A comfortable silence settled between them, and then, almost in a whisper, she said, "I love you."
He had heard her perfectly, but, being Enzo, he couldn't resist milking it. A mischievous grin spread across his face, and he hummed, pretending as if he hadn't caught those three words. "Hmm? What was that? I didn't quite hear you. Mind saying it again?"
