The way he's phrased that remark is telling — As if it's some kind of cosmic force making this choice for both of us, as if it's beyond either of our control when really it's just beyond his. I have a choice. I made it when I first stumbled across Major in the woods and again now, and knowing the two of us, I'll probably have to make it again. But I made it: I could have broken it off with Bucky and I didn't. Can't, because I love him.

...oh crap.

Yep, didn't really realize that until this moment right here. If you would like to know whether it's painful being a bad romance novel cliche, the answer is yes.

"We've always made it work, even when we were just friends," I point out, because I just don't have the heart to shatter the little illusion he's got going there. Ravi would probably tell me I should, and he'd be right, but... It's Major. I can't explain it any better than that. He falls under a different set of rules.