behind the glass

don't let it be true

The figure on the edge of the porch was slouched, a cigarette between his fingers the only nearby source of light until the beam of a flashlight flooded over him.

"Vincent," Scott called out from behind him, quiet enough that only Vincent could hear. "Vincent, you can talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about." Vincent shrugged, not moving when Scott sat down next to him. "It went well. Everything's good with us."

"If it really went that well, why are you sitting out here alone?"

Vincent let smoke pour from his lips as he looked up at the sky, his eyes wandering around the stars that were still visible with all of the light pollution.

"It's peaceful. I feel like I belong."

Scott turned off the flashlight with a soft click. He gently held Vincent's arm. "You belong inside with us, too. I can't let you sit out here all night."

"It's such a nice night, though." He continued to stare up at the stars.

Scott looked up, too. "Yeah, it is..." He took a breath before gently pulling Vincent's arm toward him. "Come on, we can go inside and sit by the window-"

Abruptly, Vincent stood up, pulling away from Scott's grasp. "I should probably be getting home soon."

"But-" Scott stood up, following Vincent as he paced toward the darkened street. "Please, stay, at least for another hour."

"Scott, I can't." He turned around to stare up at the house, watching as shadows occasionally brushed past the windows.

"Why not?"

"I feel out of place here." Vincent glanced at the ground, noticing how the grass was trimmed perfectly even. "I can't help it. I know your mum doesn't like me."

"My mom doesn't like anyone, Vince. That's not something to worry about." Scott took Vincent's hands again, holding them tightly. "But I feel out of place, too, and that's why I need you to stay with me, Vincent. Please..."

After a moment, he spoke softly. "I'll stay for the night." He walked back to where they had been sitting on the porch before, dropping the butt of his cigarette on the stone in front of it. "Can we sit out here for a few more minutes, though?"

"Yeah, of course." Scott stepped toward the porch, taking a seat next to Vincent.

"I..." Vincent wrapped his arm around Scott's shoulders, drawing him closer. "I don't know if I'll ever be a part of your family, Scott. I know I'm supposed to get along with your mum and sister, but I don't think I'll ever be as close with them as I should be."

"I don't expect you to be close with them. They're difficult people. Besides..." Scott turned to face Vincent, their faces only inches apart. "We can make our own family."

"Yeah..." Vincent gazed into Scott's eyes, the idea alone making him smile. They could make their own future. "We can."

Scott leaned in after that, kissing Vincent softly as the lights in the house began to turn off behind them, leaving them in complete darkness.

"Do you want to take this inside?" Vincent muttered, his lips brushing against Scott's.

After that, Scott wrapped his arms around Vincent, holding him tightly. It gave him a sense of hope to know that, finally, Vincent was here to stay.

Vincent stepped out of the shower, noticing how Scott was still wrapped in blankets, just waking up.