Sky just stared at Alex for a second. Was he serious? "Don't-" Sky began as his brows furrowed, but he was quick to bite his tongue. Wincing at his tone, he took a breath before continuing. "I love you." Sky repeated, staring deeply into Alex's eyes. His breath quickened for some reason. Did Alex not love him back? Why wasn't he saying it back? Fighting back the urge to say more, he clenched his jaw as he pulled away from Alex's hand. His brows were quick to furrow again as he waited for Alex's response. Taking a deep breath, he tried to stay calm.

(kill me now, brain no work)

Alex's heart was racing so wildly and thundering so loudly within his chest that he was certain Skylar would be able to hear it even with the distance between them. When he heard Skylar repeat it, heard him say once again that he loved him he found himself smiling before he was entirely aware of it. It wasn't small, or one of those faint smiles he so often handed out. No, this one was real and genuine, clearly giving away how happy he was at that moment. It only struck him that he hadn't responded or returned Skylar's words of affection with his own when he felt him pull away from his hand. He paused as he looked at him, noting then how he had clenched his jaw and how his brows were furrowed. "I... love you too... Sky." He said softly and almost timidly as he looked up at him. Moving to take hold of the hand that Skylar had just pulled away he kept his gaze on Skylar's own before bringing his hand to his lips and placing a light and gentle kiss to the back of it.

Sky kept his brows furrowed and his jaw clenched when Alex said it back. Was he just saying it because he felt forced to? The negative thoughts still flooded his mind until he felt the soft kiss that Alex placed on his hand. His expression softened a bit, but he was still worried that Alex felt forced to say it back. There was something about his tone. He just stayed quiet because he knew anything he would say would be stupid, and he was overreacting. As the seconds went by, his expression softened, but the emotions he was feeling didn't leave his face. Taking in a deep breath, his gaze fell from Alex's as he slowly and hesitantly pulled his hand away from him again.

Alex could tell that something was wrong almost instantly when instead of looking at him with a softened expression or even smiling, Sky clenched his jaw again. He paused and furrowed his brow as he watched him and then when he began to pull his hand away again he tensed. What was wrong now? Instantly he figured he had done something wrong. After all, why would Skylar's mood have soured so quickly if he hadn't done something to upset him? Maybe it was because he hadn't responded immediately. "I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing you say that..." He said softly, attempting to make amends and to explain why he had been quiet for so long. If he had known that Sky was worrying about the possibility that he had felt forced to say he loved him, then he quickly would have said something to stop him from thinking that. He did love him... though it was the first time he'd said it to him. And the timid tone in which he'd spoken had been because this was the first time he had told someone he genuinely cared about that he loved him and the first time that he'd said it back to Skylar.

Sky didn't make any attempt to meet Alex's gaze as he spoke. "Mhm." He replied, not knowing what to say. Stop being like this. Skylar couldn't look back up at Alex at that moment, so he kept looking down and began fidgeting with his own hands. You're being a dick. He doesn't love you. He didn't mean it. These little bugs in his head kept biting him and filling his brain with negative thoughts. He didn't want to think this because Alex did love him, Sky was just hesitant to believe it, but it doesn't give him a right to be a dick about it. His breath quickened a bit as he forced his gaze onto Alex's.

(Bleh pretend its longer)

Concern was steadily building in Alex as he watched Sky. It didn't go unnoticed how he seemed to be refusing to look at him or acknowledge what he said, aside from that short reply. Had that not been it? Perhaps he should have said something different? He was still a moment before he moved to sit up, his gaze resting on Skylar as he did so. "You seem... upset... did I.. do something wrong?" He asked after a moment as he looked down at him. He wasn't at all sure what he was expecting for an answer, or even if he would receive one. Furrowing his brow and biting at the corner of his bottom lip, he moved his hands to his lap and clasped them together. He wanted to look away, hell at this point he felt embarrassed and awkward enough that he had half a mind to get up and leave the room if only to try and collect his thoughts and still his nerves. It had been the first time he'd said he loved someone he was dating and meant it and it wasn't going at all like how he had hoped or expected it would.

Sky was quickly pulled away from all of his negative thoughts after Alex sat up. He completely disregarded what Alex had even asked, it went in one ear and quickly out the other. He was quick to lift his head before holding himself up with his hands. "Don't leave!" Sky said, his voice louder than it was before, but it was laced with fear. Fuck did I ruin things. His breath only began to quicken even more, and his heart began to beat rapidly. Worry and fear filled his veins. "Im sorry Alex, please." Sky spoke quietly, a whole new expression painting his face.

Alex jumped slightly when Skylar quickly moved to prop himself up with his hands and requested he not leave. He hadn't expected that, hadn't expected to hear the fear in his voice. He swallowed thickly and shook his head. "I'm..." He started and tightened the hold his hands had one another as they remained tightly clasped in his lap. "I'm not leaving..." He continued. And then when he heard Skylar's apology and the expression he wore when he said it he gave him a pained expression before looking away. "You don't have to apologize..." He said, and while he made no move to get up off the bed he also didn't move to lay back down either. "I'm... gonna go get my drink from the kitchen." He said after a long moment of silence, and only then did he move to stand up off the bed.

Only a small sense of relief washed over Sky when Alex had said he wasn't leaving, but the fear immediately crushed him again. His thoughts began to race again. "Alex." Sky said, almost inaudible as he almost reached out to grab his hand. What was happening? Sky watched Alex with defeat and panic in his eyes. Swallowing thickly, he took a deep breath to try and calm his rapid breathing and pounding heart. He couldn't say or do anything as he stayed frozen, watching Alex's every move.

(sorry for this short ahh reply)

Alex was frustrated and irritated, hurt and confused. Honestly, he wasn't sure what he should be doing. He had thought things had been turning around for the better and then... well then he wasn't entirely sure what had happened, aside from the fact that Skylar had become unhappy again. Standing he moved to take a step from the bed and towards the door of the room but was quick to stop in the middle of his departure when he heard Skylar say his name. He shouldn't be acting like this, he was supposed to be here for Skylar, offering him the support he needed. So what if things hadn't gone the way he'd expected, or if his "I love you" had been brushed off... Forcing himself to let out a breath and easing the tension in his body he turned back to the bed and offered Skylar a warm smile. "I'm just going to get my soda. I can get you yours if you'd like." He offered, letting his gaze fall on Skylar as he waited for an answer.