Fashioned For Sin

Chapter 25

My heart skipped a beat. I could feel the tension in his body, the way he seemed almost nervous. I turned my head slightly to look up at him, trying to read the expression in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” I asked quietly, even though I already knew. I could feel it in the way he held me, the way his gaze lingered on me like he was afraid I might disappear if he looked away.

He smiled, a small, tentative smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I mean… I want to be with you, Blair. I want to be the one you lean on, the one who’s there for you—not just as a friend or a stupid colleague from work, or your fuck buddy.” He paused, swallowing hard. "Do you want to be my girlfriend Blair Scarlett Ames?"

The words hung in the air between us, and I felt a rush of emotions—surprise, fear, confusion, and something else I couldn’t quite name. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. It wasn’t the right time—I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel like there was a right time. I still felt so broken, so lost.

How could I be with someone when I didn’t even know how to be with myself?

“Leo…” I began, my voice catching in my throat. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I wasn’t sure I could give him what he was asking for. But I want it just as much as he does, somewhere deep inside I've been waiting for this moment.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that. I don’t know if I can be… enough for you right now.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “I know,” he said quietly. “I know you’re not ready because this is the worst timing. But, I want you to know that I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I’d never felt so wanted, so cared for, and yet I was terrified—terrified of letting him down, of not being able to give him what he needed.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I don’t want to drag you into all of this. It’s not fair to you.”

He shook his head, his hand moving to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped. “Blair, I want to be here. I want to be with you, whatever that means, however long it takes. I’m not afraid of your darkness Blair, the darkness haunting you now is because of me.”

I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. It felt so good to be held, to be wanted, but I was still so scared. I didn’t know how to move forward, didn’t know if I could ever truly heal. But maybe, with him by my side, I could try.

“Okay,” I said softly, opening my eyes to meet his. “Okay, Leo. I… I want to try. I don’t know how, and I don’t know if I’m ready, but… I want to try it with you, I wouldn't feel right with anyone else.”

His face broke into a smile, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to lift. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “That’s all I ask,” he murmured against my skin. “That we try. Together.”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. For the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe I wasn’t as broken as I thought. Maybe, with Leonardo by my side, I could learn to be whole again.

We sat there for a while longer, holding each other close, watching the sun as it dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the lake. And for the first time since I’d been freed, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.

Leonardo shifted slightly next to me, I turned to look at him, seeing that he's wondering about in his mind.
Leonardo clears his throat a bit, his fingers gently brushing against mine."You know my sisters wedding, she wasn't joking when she said she wants you as one of the bridesmaids Blair, the wedding is on the 29th of august and she'd love for you to come.

The thought of being a part of such an important event was both exciting and overwhelming. “I’d love to go. It sounds amazing. But right now, everything feels so chaotic. I’m exhausted from everything that’s been happening.”

Leonardo's expression softened as he looked into my eyes, "you've been through hell, Blair. No one deserved that, I hate myself just knowing that I couldn't be there for you, that I couldn't kill them for touching my baby. But, maybe in a month, everything will be alright and settled."

"Of course, the scars, the pain inside your heart will remain. It'll take time to heal, but look now, we have something to look forward to, something positive."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. “I really hope everything will be alright. It’ll be nice to have a break from all the craziness. Who knows what could happen in a month."

“I think I’d like to head back to your place tonight,” I said, my voice tinged with fatigue. “I know I said I wanted to sleep at my apartment, but I’ve changed my mind. I just need to be close to you right now.”

Leonardo looked at me with understanding. “Of course, Blair. I’m glad you feel comfortable staying at my place. We can have a quiet night, just the two of us.”

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief. “I’d really like to take a shower, and maybe we can watch a movie together? I just need something calming to help me unwind.”

Leonardo squeezed my hand gently. “That sounds perfect. We can pick out a movie, make some dinner, and just relax. It’ll be nice to have some downtime.”

As we got into the car, I felt a bit of guilt for changing my mind. “I’m sorry for being so indecisive. I just feel a bit on edge being alone in my apartment, I thought maybe I could handle it but sleeping there alone scares me. I hope you don’t mind.”

Leonardo’s gaze was warm and reassuring. “You don’t need to apologize. The fact that you are able to speak about your feelings, and the way you're taking in all of what happened, Blair, it's amazing. I'm so proud of you. I’m here for you, and we’ll make sure tonight is just what you need.”

When we arrived at Leonardo’s penthouse, the familiar surroundings felt like a sanctuary. I took a long, relaxing shower, letting the warmth of the water help ease the tension in my muscles. When I emerged, wrapped in a soft robe, Leonardo had already set up the living room with blankets and pillows, creating a cosy space for us to unwind.

Sometimes, I thought if I could trust Leonardo. My heart beats in a weird way when he gets near me, I get scared, but I know I can trust him.

He never gave up hope of finding me even though I kind of did.
I love him.

He looked up as I walked into the room, a comforting smile on his face. “Ready for a movie night?”

I nodded, feeling a bit lighter. “Definitely. Let’s find something that’s relaxing and funny.”

Leonardo picked out a romantic comedy called, and we settled into the couch together, the soft blankets draped over us. As the movie played, we laughed and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together.

Leonardo’s presence was a soothing balm, and for tonight, it was enough to find solace in his company and the comfort of his home.

The world outside felt a little less overwhelming, and I cherished the quiet, peaceful moments we shared.