You don’t always have to say those three words (eight letters) to get your message across.
Some characters prove their love with words and others prove it with their actions.
Either way, it doesn’t make a declaration of love any less special.
We’ve put together a slideshow below of 17 times a character declared their love without actually saying “I love you.”
Brandon Foster – The Fosters
Brandon loved Callie from the very beginning and he even said as much. However, they had a very unique situation once Callie was adopted into his family. This moment showed that Brandon did still love her, and he wasn’t quite ready to let her go.
Commander Lexa – The 100
While she stopped herself mid-sentence, it was obvious from this moment that Lexa was in love with Clarke. Even though we never got to hear an actual “I love you,” from Lexa, anyone with eyes could see how she felt about the leader of the Sky People.
Lydia Martin – Teen Wolf
Before being taken by the ghost riders, Stiles used his last words to tell Lydia he loved her. When they finally reunite, she doesn’t even have to say it back because Stiles already knows.
Casey Gardner – Atypical
While these two aren’t together yet, it’s pretty obvious that Izzie and Casey have feelings for each other. This incredibly sweet moment made us realize that the love they feel for each other is a little more than friendship.
Andy Dwyer – Parks and Recreation
Andy is a light-hearted type of guy who expresses his love in some very interesting ways. When April says “I love you,” to him for the first time, he says it back simply by saying “awesome-sauce.”
Oliver Queen – Arrow
This one may be cheating, but he doesn’t actually tell her “I love you,” so it counts right? Olicity is just too good not to include.
Willow Rosenberg – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow finally admitted that she loved Tara simply by saying, “I mean.” Who would’ve ever thought that two words could hold so much weight?
Leo Fitz – Agents of Shield
Trapped at the bottom of the ocean, Fitz decides to make the ultimate sacrifice. Before he does he tells Jemma that she’s much more to him than just his best friend. But let’s be real, we knew that since episode one.
Beaumont Rosewood – Rosewood
There’s so many times Rosie obviously loved Villa it was impossible to narrow it down to just one. Whether he was comforting her, helping her, or being her partner in crime there was no mistaking what Rosie’s actions were really saying.
Jake Peralta – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
As Jake himself has admitted, he’s always had a problem expressing his emotions. When Amy tells him that she loves him, he replies with a simple, “Noice, smort.” It was clear that he loved her as well and was saying it in his own way, but he did follow it up with an actual, “I love you,” after seeing Amy’s face.
Conrad Hawkins – The Resident
When Nic finds out that the ring Conrad gave her belonged to his mother, he tells her that he was supposed to give it to the love of his life. When Nic offers to give it back Conrad says, “no, you earned it.”
Korra – Legend of Korra
It was clear when Korra wrote to Asami over the course of three years that she loved her. The ending scene of the series finally gave us the confirmation we’d all been waiting for.
Clary Fray – Shadowhunters
After calling upon the angel and being granted a wish Clary could’ve had anything in the world. But with Jace lying dead next to her, there was only one thing she wanted. When a resurrected Jace appeared shocked by her choice she tells him she doesn’t want anything else in the world but him.
Ruby Lucas – Once Upon a Time
Ruby saves Dorothy’s life by waking her up with true love’s kiss. If that’s not an awesome way to confess your love then what is?
Lucas Scott – One Tree Hill
For Lucas, it’s always been Peyton. And he makes it very clear how much he loves her when he tells her that when all his dreams come true, she’s the one he wants next to him.
Kate Fuller – From Dusk Till Dawn
While Kate may have said the world love she could have been talking about anyone. However, when she and Seth meet each other’s eyes it’s obvious that the words are meant for him.
Michonne – The Walking Dead
It may have taken seasons, but Rick and Michonne finally realized their feelings for each other and this moment helped lead them there. Even though she may not have loved him romantically at the time, Michonne did love Rick which she proved by sticking by him through thick and thin.
