At that moment, Lucas is pretty sure there is nothing better than that laugh, that smile. The curve of it. The broadness of it. The fact that...they're outside, it's mid-morning, and still somehow it makes everything seem brighter. His stomach does a flip when he sees it.

But then the words that follow are even better, and they still him. Externally, at least. Lucas' smile softens and the laughter peters out, but the buzz in his chest dials up to a roar so loud he wonders if others can feel it. It's not unpleasant, but it still makes him want to knot himself up, and its a fight to keep his fingers locked with Bash's. Lucas gives his hands a squeezes, for strength.

"I, um, same," he begins, uselessly, squinting and knocking his head to the side. Talking seriously feels a bit like scaling a cliff and Lucas has trouble finding all the footholds. "I think you're incredible," he reiterates. "You make me brave. Or, like I'm...something? Instead of nothing. Being around you is...I just want to be around you."

Oh boy, you are not doing so hot, Lucas. And this is not the greatest place to have this conversation. But where else are you going to go at this point? Lucas swallows, feet bouncing. "It'd be cool, maybe, if--um, do you want to be something more official?"