First

Adorable.

That's the only way I can describe my boyfriend Dick Grayson as he sits beside me on the couch in Wayne Manor telling me about his latest trip out of town. Wait, country. He'd been gone for the past week (unbearable) for this fundraiser in some country in Africa. I swear this is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. He's telling me about the happy children, the elephants and tigers and a bunch of other animals with names I don't remember, and the dude that slipped into a pile of you-know-what. But ya know what?

I'm barely even listening.

I'm paying more attention to him instead of what he's actually saying. Sounds horrible and incredibly thoughtless, right? But he's speaking and moving with such enthusiasm that I can't take my eyes off him for even a moment. His electric blue eyes are bright with laughter, tiny lips stretched into a brilliant smile, and arms flying through the air with such animation and vigor that it makes me smile back at him before my brain can even register it.

I could do this forever. Seriously.

But then his words start to slow down and his hands stop flying and he looks at me with dark, raised eyebrows, head cocked to the side in question.

"Wally? You okay, dude?"

"I love you."

Wait. Did I just-?

His face starts to redden immediately and his jaw drops to the floor. I seriously didn't mean to say that. I mean I did but not like that, at that exact moment. It just sorta...slipped out. And I know I had that daydreamy half-awake stare I always get when I'm looking at something awesome. But in a way, I'm glad it did. We've said "I love you" before but not like that. More of a "love ya bro," type thing. And when we wanted to express how we felt about each other, it was usually with a small kiss or something. This is the first time either of us has said it with a deeper meaning and I have no idea how he's gonna take it.

He just sits there for a bit, stunned by my words, struggling to find something to say back at me.

Oh shit, did I mess up?

He swallows deeply and blinks. a lot. Then his lips separate into one big-ass smile and he says three words that make my life have a lot more meaning.

"Love you too."

I didn't think my lips could stretch any wider.

I reach a hand up to brush away a few strands of onyx-black hair away from his face before cupping his cheek and leaning in close to kiss him because there is nothing I'd rather do at this very moment. He leans in too and before we know it our lips meet in a sweet, gentle, and slow kiss that's the best we've ever had. Ever. I feel all tingly inside. My arms reach around his slim waist on their own to pull him closer against me as we separate and Dick steals one last peck from me with a mischieveous grin.

"Thanks, Wally," he says as he rest his cheek against my shoulder.

"No problem," I reply, nuzzling his soft hair. I'm on top of the world and floating on clouds right now. It's the first time I've ever felt this happy.

And I don't think it will ever be the last.