When he's close enough, Rhys will pull him into a hug, one arm wrapping around Elijah's neck, one leg hitching up to wrap around his waist.

Only when Rhys is safely in the nape of Elijah's neck and neither of them have to look at each other again, does he say:

"You know I love you, right?"

Probably you don't, since Rhys has absolutely never said this out loud, or even thought about it very hard before.