Vincent and leo gazed into each other's eyes before slowly parting.
"Vincent, I... I..."
Leo didn't know what to say.
He wanted to say that he was sorry, that he hadn't meant for this to happen and that he would somehow find a way to get home, but nothing came out.
All that came out was a sob.
"I'm s - sorry... I..."
"It's okay, Leo," Vincent said, with a bit of a chuckle.
"You did everything you could.
You made me remember everything and make me happy.
Now, just relax."
He took Leo's hand in his and sat down on the couch.
Leo nodded and tried to calm himself down.
Vincent softly stroked Leo's cheek and then held him in his arms, as if he were a little boy.
Leo cried some more and rested his head on the boy's shoulder.
Vincent, having already become used to Leo's tears, simply cradled his body.
His head fell back to rest on his shoulder and he let his body relax.
Vincent realized what he was doing and looked up to see a serious and mature Leo gazing into his eyes.
"I've loved you since the first moment I saw you," Leo said.
"I always knew I wanted you, but I was afraid.
I told myself that it would never happen and yet, here we are... I love you so much... I want to be with you for the rest of my life.
Can I, Vincent?
Will you marry me?"
Leo looked down, slightly embarrassed at the fact that his words had all come out so quickly.
"It's the least I can do," he said.
"After everything you've done for me, I want to do something for you."
"Let me get back to the shop," said Vincent.
"I'll be back in a little bit.
Now, why don't you get some sleep.
You've had a long night."
"I have a question for you," Leo said.
"Why was all of this happening?
When I was in the alley, I wanted to die, Vincent.
I thought I was never going to see you again."
"That's a long story," said Vincent.
"But there's no time to explain right now.
Now that I've got you back, I have to go.
I need to get back to the shop and get things back to normal."
Vincent headed outside with Leo in his arms.
He turned to the door of the alley and stepped inside.
Looking around, he saw that the door was now locked.
He could still hear Leo crying and whimpering, however.
Vincent silently entered the stairwell and ascended to the second floor.
Before walking down the hallway to his apartment, he stopped in the shower and washed himself with a washcloth and fresh, clean water.
