[The absolute last thing he thinks is that it's dumb.]
Keith...
Ha, geez, now I feel even stupider for trying to give you any sort of relationship advice before. Turns out I was just talking about myself. [fff. He's an IDIOT. Wow.]
[But in seriousness... His free hand settles against his chest again, his touch gentle, resting over his heart.]
[The confirmation is a lot. Again, it feels like so much even in its familiarity, even when everything makes sense in hindsight. But also, thinking about everything they've been through-- understanding Keith's feelings in those moments-- it's a lot. There's that feeling of guilt again, of course, despite himself. He hurt Keith, whether intentionally or not. He understands, too, why Keith wouldn't have said anything over the years, if he was sure his feelings weren't returned. Still, there's something like regret there, or a certain kind of understanding.]
Keith... That you feel this way about me-- that you've always felt this way about me... [He breathes out, voice quiet, almost shaky.] I'm... so much luckier than I ever realized.