"Goodness, was that a real worry for you back home? That you could actually die?" It isn't the first time he's made things sound dire, but I can't remember him really talking about death before. Just stuff about controlling his magic and his somewhat unhappy home life and his possibly evil roommate.

We're going at a pretty steady speed now and Simon only seems to falter a little when we pass over gouges in the ice. He's still not letting go of my hand though and I'm sure as heck not about to.

"I'm... I guess I really don't know much about that myself," I admit quietly, my thoughts slipping to Derek for a little too long. The kind of love he's talking about is the mutual kind; not the unrequited crushing of a stupid kid. "But I don't see why wanting a happy ending is wrong. Just, maybe it's not with her." Giving his hand a light squeeze, I smile over at him. "The good news is you have plenty of time to figure out how to be a good boyfriend. How old are you anyway? When's your birthday?"