Roadtrip Imagines

Three Little Words|Randy

It's only three little words.

But no matter how many times Rye tells himself that, he can't get the words to leave his mouth.

He loves Andy with his whole heart. Every fibre of his being adores the blond haired boy he fell for all those years ago when Roadtrip was just a duo. Before the trialists came and went. Before the bunk beds arrived in Blair's flat. Before the duo eventually became a five-piece band. Before Rye and Andy became a couple.

But it's been three years now, and still those words haven't been vocalised by Rye.

Andy doesn't mind. He tells Rye he loves him and doesn't press for a response. He knows the words will come in time.

But until then, Rye vows to show Andy in other ways. Unmistakable little acts of love for the love of Rye's life.

He shows it through early morning cups of tea delivered with a wake-up kiss before Rye goes for his morning run.

It's making sure he warms Andy's side of the bed before Andy clambers in, eyes heavy with sleep.

It's surprise purchases of guitar strings, or books he thinks Andy would like to read.

It's knowing when Andy needs to just cuddle in the darkness and when he needs to laugh in the light.

But it's still not enough.

Rye takes to tracing 'i love you' in the air between them as Andy soundly sleeps, tiny snores escaping his mouth every so often, but lately even that hasn't been good enough for Rye.

Then one night, when he's feeling brave and he knows Andy is sleeping deeper than ever, Rye lightly traces the words across Andy's exposed skin, tattooing the words over and over on Andy's back, arms and torso and suddenly Rye feels content, like he knows that somehow, in his conscience, Andy would have felt those words traced into him.

Then Andy turns and Rye silently mourns the loss of Andy's skin.

"I love you too, Rye" Andy mumbles, drowsiness lacing his voice but the words are clear enough to tell Rye that Andy is awake and aware.

"I-i" Rye stutters, his voice cracking thanks to his tiredness and the nerves that have suddenly come over him. But he swallows it down and finally:

"I love you, Andrew Fowler."

Three little words, finally free.

This is super short and fluffy but I love it so I had to share it. Inspired by a prompt off Pinterest.