Chapter 254

"Ryu, do you love me?" he whispered against Ryu's skin. "Do you really love me?"

"Yes," Ryu replied without a second of hesitation. "I love you Aito."

He sat up then gently peeled Aito's head from his neck and stared into his beautiful tear-filled brown eyes. "I love you Aito." He breathed. "I love you from the very depth of my soul. I love you with everything I have."

If it were five years ago, Ryu would rather be skinned alive than say those words but now, now that he was at peace with his feelings for Aito, now that there was nothing holding him back, he could freely say them as much as he wanted. He could even scream them to the world if Aito demanded it.

He took Aito's small hands in his and planted a kiss on them. "I love you more than I love myself Aito. I love only you and I would do anything for you. As long as you don't leave me-"