#(( Adam don't use an insult when having any emotion ever challenge: impossible ))

[bullsh1tterz]

If faces could boil themselves into oblivion, Adam's would have melted right off his neck. For better or for worse, though, it certainly can't. Which leaves the photographer with a knot in his stomach and a gaping, aching ball of emotional turmoil in his chest. This doesn't feel real. It's one of those dreams, isn't it? The lucid sort that start off all nice and end with a sike! and a kick in the balls. That's what this is. That's what it has to be. There's so much sentiment flickering in his eyes. That disbelief, that fear, that love. Yet all he can muster is a "Fuck..." because what other word has his mouth automated itself to spit?

He puts his hand on his chest, where the dog tags hang, and he breathes, brows furrowing with the intensity of what lies beyond that hand. "... The hell do I say ta that!?" He asks, genuinely desperate to know. "I've never..." Nose scrunches up, this time semblative of a bunny's to match the stream now bubbling 'round his doe eyes as they take their full, deeply touched form.

He reaches up to wipe his tears, head lowered into his arm. "No one has ever..." Has ever what? He doesn't even know how to describe this. He has the words, but they all pale. They don't feel enough. Nothing feels enough. He doesn't know how he's done any of that. Make him feel seen? Did he? If he did, he's proud. Beyond it. Aching with it.

"I fuckin' love you." He just blurts, looking Steve straight in the eye and drenching every bit of complexity in him into that one simple phrase. And then he muddles it up, retreating to his shell just a bit with a final, meaningless "you tacky bitch ass motherfucker." before he pulls him into a long, affectionate kiss, the likes of which he doubts America's deeply misunderstood darling in tights could ever muster on his own.

At first Steve thinks he's fucked up. Then he realises that they're happy tears, joyful emotions and his anxiety eases a little. The last thing he'd ever want is to make Adam uncomfortable. His brow softens, taking his hand and gently prising the dog tags from them. "I'm going to be sappy and you're going to hate it but I need you to listen to me." His hand lifts to Adam's jaw, tilting it so that he can hold his gaze. "I have never been more sure of anything. You are the most incredible person I've ever met. I spend every day in awe of your strength. You make me laugh, you're intelligent, talented, observant - You have this beautiful soft side that I'm blessed to experience." He takes the dog tags, placing them over Adam's head and gently laying them around his neck. Hand rests on them, pressing them against his chest. "These belong to you." His eyes are wide with sincerity, desperate to prove his love to this man who deserves it more than anyone.

"You're the only person who sees me. You make me feel like myself again. You've reminded me about parts of myself that I'd forgotten and you just have me waking up every day with this stupid grin that I can't get rid of." Lips curve into a bright smile. "So, yes - I'm sure. They're yours for as long as you'll have them."