*looks up from the book he’s reading and smiles* Hey, Summer. What’s going on?
He gently rubbed her back as he listened to her, clueless about what to say at first. Listen to me, he replied softly. You are not a failure. You will find someone someday, someone who will love you with all of their heart and whom you will love with all of yours. It will be worth the wait.
She nodded, face still hidden in his shoulder. “Patience is hard,” she muttered. “I want someone now.” Summer forced herself to pull away from Merlin, realising that if she kept leaning on him, in this kind of conversation, things would start being awkward very quickly.
He sighed quietly. I know… He was a bit surprised when Summer pulled away, but he soon realized how awkward that might have felt. I’m sorry. I wish I knew of some way to help you.
“Merlin, I — you — just — ” She stopped hard, and had to clear her throat. “Please don’t say that. Okay. Because I might say something stupid, and I don’t want to say something stupid, and I don’t want to do something stupid. I can’t lose you as a friend.”