God, it's a wonder that Leonard can't hear Mick's heart hammering in his chest as he stands in the doorway of their room. This is heartbreaking and a little terrifying as well. Mick has never been what you'd call good with words or good with talking about how he feels. He steps inside, closing the door behind him and leans back against the door.

"I got some things I gotta say. I may not be as pretty with words as you are, but you gotta let me get this out first, just this one time." So no interrupting him. The closed door also means that neither of them are leaving until he says his peace, no matter what happens.

Mick swallows. "I know that you trust me, Lenny." A quiet huff. "Sometimes I don't know why but I know you do. What I didn't get was why you didn't want me close all of a sudden."

The words taste like ash on his tongue and his chest feels like it's full of lead. "Lise told me why. Lenny you're the best guy I know, best thing that ever happened to me, ever. Okay? You gotta know that too." He folds his arms across his stomach to keep himself from reaching out. "Nothing's ever gonna change that."

A hard swallow. "I love you. That'll never change."

"I'll try and be better Lenny. For you."