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Ok so you know how the EC says Andreil doesn’t say I love you? Ok like I see that cuz like I love you has always been hard words full of hidden meanings and bruises. But I’ve seen something where Neil needs things spelled out for him canonically so Andrew would say it once. Now here is where my headcanon comes in. I don’t think Andrew would just *say* it. Once Andrew gets more comfortable he gets really into talking about hypotheticals (like the zombie convo) and one night after maybe talking to the foxes during movie night or something Neil casually says that Andrew doesn’t love him. And Neil really believes that and is fine with it. He loves Andrew and it’s ok that Andrew doesn’t cuz love for Neil had always been his mom’s nails digging into his arm or pulling out clumps of hair. So he understands it isn’t for everyone, even if his opinion on the matter has (privately. in his head) changed his mind. But Andrew. He does love Neil. And he realizes that Neil needed to be *told* that Andrew “would blow” him. So he probably would need to be told about this too. Because Neil (impossible Neil) takes most of Andrew’s words at face value. Looks for deeper meaning sure. But if Andrew says no Neil take the no. If Andrew says nothing Neil takes nothing. So that night lying in bed Andrew starts the conversation… but it’s not zombies or aliens or “What if worms were electrified” It’s “Would you still love me if I were a worm” and Neil has to take a minute to process and Andrew keeps talking about his stance on still loving Neil if he were a worm. And Neil feels all fuzzy and warm bc this is easy. Bc it doesn’t matter if Neil would or wouldn’t still love Andrew if he were a worm. All that matters is that they both love each other *now*