Is This Enough ||MxM || Lgbtq+ [ON Hiatus]

Chapter 34

Leonardo's P.O.V

The serene moon hung in the sky, extending a warm welcome to me as it revealed that the hour had struck midnight. As I fixed my gaze upon the ceiling in the living room, the blanket haphazardly draped over my body, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of thoughts that consumed my consciousness, rendering me indifferent towards my comfort. I wasn't ready to bump into him while grabbing a late-night snack or using the bathroom, you know?

Avoiding romance was a piece of cake, especially in the city of Acrima. While the relentless grind of the hustle culture loomed over us, the pressure to holy matrimony didn't bear down with the same force. For someone as myself, this was a heaven-sent gift.

Vinnie was good to me. But sometimes, I just wanted to mess with his feelings. While I had grown accustomed to dismissing such inclinations in my romantic endeavours, yet, jeez, it was like trying to shake off a stubborn poltergeist after he let those words slip from his lips.

I mean, deep down in the depths of my soul, I knew that my actions were messed up beyond belief.

I needed to sort this out. Rising from the comfort of the couch, a sudden surge of unease left me breathless. Standing by the door, a tightening sensation in my stomach amplified, intensifying the growing knot of apprehension within me. Struggling to grasp the handle, I managed to pry it open, revealing Vinnie about to knock. His eyes appeared swollen, and his hair lacked its usual vibrant lustre.

"So, um... about us. I've been thinking..." As I began to utter my words, Vinnie interjected simultaneously, not allowing me to finish my sentence.

"Yeah, me too." Vinnie paused, contemplating his decision, before gracefully settling into the plush embrace of the adjacent couch.

"I mean, maybe I... overreacted." I said.

With a hint of sarcasm, he responded, "You think?"

"Yeah, I mean, breaking up was a mistake, right?" I said.

"I. . . um, I think so." His curt responses summoned sharp blades of doubt, ones that I couldn't help but feel responsible for. I didn't want to believe I was a lost cause, but my parents were the architects of my first heartbreak. They exposed the notion that love could be conditional and fickle in nature. As much as I craved closeness and intimacy, the very idea also sent shivers down my spine.

A palpable sense of discomfort enveloped the living room as an awkward silence settled in once more. Desperate to break through the unspoken tension, he mustered the courage to break the ice. "Hey, wanna hop in the car and go for a drive? Maybe it'll help us loosen up and have a chat?"

"Yeah, for sure." I was the first one to leave the room and headed over to see how our little furball was doing. In a state of tranquil slumber, he laid in his bed within the confines of his playpen. A sense of bliss enveloped him, as his beloved teddy bear resided next to him.

A voice from behind asked me, "How is he?"

I swivelled around, catching a glimpse of him. His luscious lips, ever so slightly parted, sent shivers down my spine, igniting an irresistible craving within me. His piercing eyes, like a laser, penetrated deep into a hidden corner of my being that I never knew existed.

"He's good, ready to go?" He nodded in agreement and made our way to the car.

"Where are we headed?" I asked, getting comfy in the front seat.

Shifting into the correct gear, he said, "It's a surprise. I know surprises aren't really your thing, but trust me, this one's gonna be good."

As we pressed on towards the 'surprise', the night sky above us shimmered with twinkling stars. Amidst this ethereal backdrop, we shared stolen glances, our eyes meeting fleetingly yet filled with hidden emotions. The fragile thread that held our bond together hung in the balance; its future filled with a sense of uncertainty.

With a sudden stop, he parked the car right in front of the abandoned clock tower. As I emerged from the vehicle and approached the towering structure, the shattered windows, revealing fragments of glass, and the worn-out brickwork presented a surprising and intriguing scene. We shared a common appreciation for broken objects, recognizing the inherent beauty of their past functionality.

After Vinnie double-checked that the car was locked, I asked, "What are we doing here?"

"This spot has a lot of memories for me. Wes and I would come here whenever we needed some comfort during tough times."

With a mixture of hesitation and curiosity, I cautiously entered the space. The walls, decorated with graffiti and worn-out paint, serving as a visual reminder of the passage of time.  As I took each step, the floor reverberated, causing even the slightest sound of our hushed breathing to be magnified.

"Hey Vin, could you please switch on your phone flashlight?"

He nodded but looked disappointed, tucking it back into his pocket. "My phone's dead."

Letting out a weary sigh, I said, "Mine too." While the darkness itself didn't fill me with fear, it was the creatures that lurked within it that unsettled me.

As we got higher and higher, an unexpected and piercing squeal reverberated throughout the tower, causing an eerie sensation to course through my body. Instinctively, I clung onto any available support, and to my relief, my quivering hand found Vinnie's.

Although unintentional, this unexpected touch ignited a peculiar and soothing feeling amidst the enveloping darkness. His touch on my hand was delicate, emanating a soothing sense of solace without uttering a single word. Our interlaced fingers formed a delicate bond, as if suspended in time.

As we reached the top, the cityscape laid before us. The distant glow of the city lights beneath us created a tranquil and picturesque backdrop. Vinnie then turned towards me, "So, about us..."

Releasing my grip on his hand, I cautiously retreated a single stride, my voice trembling as I articulated,  "Look, things got pretty messy, and I. . . um,  don't think I'm ready to say "I love you" back just yet. Maybe in the future, who knows? But my parents really messed me up, and I have no clue where to begin talking about it or even how to deal with it. Deep down, I still think there's hope for us to fix things and find our way back to each other."

In the midst of a gentle wind's melodic whistle, its cool touch enveloping us, he said, "Totally. We gotta be honest with each other and tell each other how we feel, no matter what, okay?"

I nodded and as I inched closer to him, my hand gently gliding across his shoulder, I mustered the courage to express my deepest fears, whispering softly,  "Honestly, I'm just scared shitless of losing you for good. "

Nestling closer to my gentle caress, he whispered, "So, maybe we could... give it another shot?"

With a sudden surge of enthusiasm in my voice, I said, "Really? I mean, yeah, sure, I'd like that."

Moving away from him, the atmosphere around us once again became filled with silence, that offered solace and understanding without the need for any spoken words.  In a gentle gesture, I extended my hand towards Vin's, not driven by any sense of fear, but rather as a profound assurance of unity and support.

He said, "We need to take it slow though."

"Slow sounds good."

Hand in hand, we made our way down the spiralling steps of the majestic clock tower. Down below, the vibrant city lights appeared to sparkle with renewed vitality, illuminating our path and infusing our hearts with a sense of optimism. The night, once filled with uncertainty, now held the promise of a new beginning for us. Amidst the countless hookups I've indulged in, where passion ran rampant and connections were fleeting, I never could imagine that I, of all people, would stumble upon a soul who cherished me, flaws, and all.

Thanks for reading. Let me know you think!