"yes," he replies softly, but with a tone that's not hiding it anymore. he's completely honest with you and no longer trying to keep things hidden. "i like you. i care for you. i've been like this for so long, just by your side, and i need you to know how much that's meant to me." he sounds happy and excited, but also nervous, as if he doesn't know how you might react to what he's saying. you mean a lot to him, and he wants you to know that.