[Whatever he thought Keith was going to say, that wasn't it and it-- it leaves him breathless for a moment, lips parting as if to say something and instead just looking taken aback. A moment later, his expression softens into something gentle again, disbelieving but-- wanting to believe him. He trusts Keith, of course. He trusts his feelings. He knows that saying something like this, that being this open with him, this vulnerable, is a precious thing, knows it isn't Keith's default. Has always said that anyone who earns Keith's loyalty and feelings should treat that gently. It's a big deal that Keith can say something like this to him-- and it leaves him utterly breathless, bowled over by the veracity of his own love for Keith, in turn. He might doubt his own worth, might doubt that he could be worth it to Keith, in the end, but... well, he's never been without his own selfish wants, and being loved by Keith is what he wants.]
Keith...
[His voice is breathless, wrecked, but his smile is gentle as he looks at Keith, his thumb brushing along his cheek, his other hand pressing to his heart, where he can feel the way Keith's heartbeat kicks up.]
I'm-- I'm glad. [It's inadequate and he struggles, for a moment, to put it into words properly.] Love is-- You deserve to be loved hardship. You... you deserve to be happy.