Matt & Julia
Matt, being Matt and doing what Matt could do, heard the moment he caught her off guard. But she didn't feel angry to him. And so he pulled back enough that she could see his face, even if he couldn't see hers.
"Of course I did," he said, softly enough that only the two of them could hear. "I would have thought it was obvious. I love you."
Every part of him was on edge at that moment, his breath caught in his throat, waiting. She didn't have to say it back. He'd lived through far worse than that. As long as she didn't turn and storm out of the room and lock him out of their cabin. That would be helpful.