I drew in a breath, let it out slowly, and forced myself to speak before I lost the courage.
"This is beautiful," I said quietly, still watching the stream rather than looking at him. "Thank you for showing me."
"You're welcome."
His voice was warm, pleased, utterly unaware of what was coming.
I steeled myself.
"But I think we need to discuss something," I continued, keeping my tone carefully neutral, practical, the voice I'd used in council meetings when delivering difficult decisions. "Something we should have addressed more thoroughly before now."
I felt him shift slightly beside me, his attention focusing with that same intensity he brought to everything he cared about.
