It's not even the traditional meaning of "three little words" but in many ways these particular three mean so much more, and although he initially latched on to Helix so he wouldn't fall and crack his head against the tiles, he now finds himself clinging to the younger boy for entirely different reasons. He knows that Helix loves him. He's known that for a while now, just like he knows that he cares about him and wants him to be happy.
But he never expected Helix to take care of him. That wasn't part of the arrangement.
Right now, when he's at his most vulnerable in every possible way, that is more than Aidan can handle. Even more so, he doesn't want to just handle it and so he tightens the embrace on the younger boy, burying his head against the others shoulder. He's trembling, almost shaking with exhaustion and emotion and lingering fear. Never before did he feel this raw.]