"Aquiver, I.. I have something I want to... A confession of sorts.."

My heartbeat is heavy.

"I.. I love.."

She looks alarmed.

"I.. Love our friendship. I value it. A lot. And I hope that when we're alright and unscathed in the City of Aurora, we'll be as close as we are now."

I can't tell her that I love her. She's aromantic, and repulsed by the thought of herself in a romantic relationship. I'd ruin this for us if I told her.