If all it is is eight letters, why is it so hard to say?
1899
Gellert, to Albus, is simply the most breathtaking person his eyes had ever laid upon. His captivating aura that’s impossible to ignore, a force of nature that drew Albus in like a moth to a flame. When he spoke, Albus found himself wanting to listen for hours on end, captivated by the rhythm of his voice, the way his words painted vivid pictures in Albus's mind. He radiated power and confidence, a strength that was both alluring and comforting. And that mischievous sparkle in his eye, that hint of playful mischief that never quite went away, it only added to his charm. His grin, that devastatingly charming grin, his sharp jawline, the way his hair fell just so... Gellert was everything. He was the sun that warmed Albus's soul, the moon that guided him through the darkness, the very air he breathed.
Albus knew how he felt about him, he wanted to tell Gellert. Let those feelings spill out of his mouth, the way his heartbeat paced as if he was being chased at the sound of Gellert’s laughter, the way his breath hitched each time their eyes met.
I love you
He wants to say, the weight of these unspoken words lingered in his chest, waiting to be said. Albus is trapped in a labyrinth of his own making, the walls closing in around him with each passing moment. The words were trapped inside him, echoing, and yearning for release, yet he couldn't bring himself to utter them.
As he listens to Gellert’s plan for the greater good, Albus found himself mesmerized, not just by Gellert's grand vision, but by the way he spoke, the way the sun hit his face, highlighting the angles of his cheekbones, the way his mismatched eyes burned with an intensity that seemed to consume the very air around him, he found himself wanting to say how he felt for the other boy.
"Gellert," he began, his voice a mere whisper, his heart pounding against his ribs. "I-"
But before he could finish, Gellert, his gaze that was on the distant horizon, suddenly fixed on him , spoke with his voice echoing with the conviction of his vision. "Albus, I-"
Gellert and Albus looked at each other, a chuckle escaping the both of them. "You go first," Albus said, his voice barely a breath.
"No, you go first, Albus," Gellert replied, a playful glint in his mismatched eyes.
"No, you go first. I insist," Albus insisted, his cheeks flushing with a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun.
"Well, if you insist," Gellert said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It just came to me that I haven't really been vocal about what you are to me, Albus."
A flicker of hope bloomed in Albus's chest. "Go on," he breathed, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Gellert looked at him, his mismatched eyes holding a strange intensity. "I admire you, Albus," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Albus' spine. "For your strength and wisdom, your brilliant mind is a valuable asset. You'll be a great support on my path to success. With you by my side, we can do anything.”
The hope that bloomed on his chest withered, replaced with a crushing disappointment. He knew Gellert saw him as a partner, a collaborator, but not as someone he loved in the way Albus loved him. He wanted to be more than just a tool for Gellert's ambitions. He wanted to be the one Gellert turned to for comfort, for solace, for love. He just wished Gellert could see him, truly see him, beyond the brilliance of his mind and the value of his contributions.
He hoped that one day, Gellert would see the love that burned in his heart.
"So, what was it that you wanted to say, Albus?" Gellert asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
Albus, startled out of his thoughts, forced a smile. The words he had been about to utter, the confession that had been trembling on his lips, suddenly felt impossible. "I just wanted to say that your visions sound amazing," he said, his voice a little strained. "And I promise to always stand by your side until we accomplish it. For the greater good.”
"For the greater good," Gellert echoed, a smile curving his lips. It was a smile reserved only for Albus.
And for the first time, Albus thought it hurts to look at.