"Don't say that. You know how much you mean to me. I'm sorry it's not in the way that you want, but that's just how it is. You're my best friend. At least, you used to be. And still sometimes are . . . when you let your guard down."
He smiled the old smile that I loved. "I'm always that," he promised. "Even when I don't . . . behave as well as I should. Underneath, I'm always in here."
"I know. Why else would I put up with all of your crap?"
requiem