"But you never will," Eddie replies softly. He doesn't mean it cruelly, wonders if he even means it say it aloud at all. Billy has been dealt a shitty hand, and there's nothing he can do about it. That alone drives him crazy, makes him wish he could reach back through time and somehow change things, make them better. Even if it might mean he would never meet Billy at all. But all they can do is move forward from where they find themselves, however difficult that might be.

"I love you though, Billy," His voice is only just above a whisper. It's something he's thought many times now, never felt it was the right time to say it. Now is definitely not the right time, and yet he says it, hopes it means something to Billy. "Have for a while. Think I always will."