Because I'm scared to say the truth - Landoscar

·Chapter 7·

Oscar and Lando stayed on the bed for a while longer, the silence between them less heavy than before. The chaos of the earlier confrontation had left them both emotionally drained, but there was a sense of calm that washed over them now. In this quiet moment, they began to understand each other in a way that words could never convey.

"Lando," Oscar started, his voice softer than before, "why did you always feel like you had to be like them? Why did their opinion matter so much to you?"

Lando took a deep breath, staring down at his hands as he thought about how to explain himself. "When I first joined their group, I was just trying to fit in. I wanted to be accepted, to feel like I belonged somewhere. They were popular, and they acted like they had everything figured out. I thought that if I followed them, then I'd be accepted too. But every time I did something cruel to you, I felt this... this guilt grown in me."

Oscar nodded, watching him intently. "And when did that change?"

"It didn't happen all at once," Lando admitted. "But the more I got to know you—the real you—the more I realized how wrong I was. You were everything they weren't—kind, smart, and so much stronger than any of them. And I hated myself for treating you the way I did. I was scared, Oscar. Scared that if I showed them how I really felt about you, they'd push me away."

Oscar's heart ached as he listened, but he felt a strange sense of relief too. It wasn't easy to forgive someone who had caused so much pain, but seeing Lando now, vulnerable and genuinely remorseful, made it easier to understand. "You know, I never wanted to hate you," Oscar said quietly. "But you made it so difficult. Every time you joined in with them, every time you laughed at me, it felt like a knife in my heart."

"I know," Lando whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "And I hate that I made you feel that way. I swear, Oscar, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you'll let me."

Oscar took a moment to process his words, feeling the sincerity in every syllable. He reached out and placed his hand over Lando's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I forgive you, Lando," he said, his voice unwavering. "But you have to promise me that from now on, you'll be yourself. Not the person they wanted you to be, but the person you truly are."

Lando nodded, tears slipping down his cheeks as he squeezed Oscar's hand back. "I promise," he said earnestly. "I promise I'll be the person you deserve."

Oscar gave him a small smile, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "Good," he said softly. "Because I really like that person."

The tension that had hung between them for so long melted away, and for the first time, they felt like they were standing on even ground. Lando pulled Oscar on his lap into a gentle hug, holding him close as if he was afraid that letting go would make him disappear. They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other's warmth, finding solace in the fact that despite everything, they had found their way to each other.

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As the evening grew later, Oscar knew it was time to head back home. Lando insisted on driving him, and they made their way to Oscar's house. The drive was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. This time, the silence was filled with unspoken promises and a new sense of understanding.

When they arrived at Oscar's house, Lando parked the car and looked over at him, hesitating. "Are you sure you want me to come in?" he asked nervously. "I mean, what if your mom doesn't like me?"

Oscar laughed, shaking his head. "I'm sure she'll like you, Lando. Besides, I want her to meet you."

Together, they walked up to the front door, and before Oscar could even knock, the door swung open. Nicole stood there with a warm smile, her eyes lighting up when she saw them together. "Oscar! I was getting worried," she said, pulling him into a hug. Then, her gaze shifted to Lando, and her smile widened even more. "And this must be the one that got me worried. Hey Lando."

Lando's heart skipped a beat, nervousness bubbling up inside him. "Yes, ma'am. It's nice to see you again." he said, trying to be as polite as possible.

"You don't have to be so formal... call me Nicole," she chuckled, pulling Lando into a hug that took him by surprise. "You're welcome here anytime, Lando."

Oscar's mother released him and stepped back, giving them both an appraising look. "I had a feeling there was something different about you lately, Oscar," she said teasingly. "And now I can see why."

Oscar blushed, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. "Yeah, Mum. Lando and I are... more closer now," he admitted, glancing at Lando with a soft smile.

Her face lit up, and she clasped her hands together. "Oh, I knew you to will be together from the moment you first complain about him! I could always tell that there was something special about you two," she said with a knowing grin. "I'm just glad you finally figured it out."

Oscar's eyes widened when he heard his mother say "Mom! We're not together, we're-"

Lando let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, relief washing over him. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "For being so kind."

"Nonsense," she replied with a wave of her hand. "As long as you make my son happy, that's all that matters to me." She stepped back, gesturing for them to come inside. "Now, come in. I've made enough food to feed an army."

They spent the evening around the dinner table, sharing stories and laughter that filled the house with warmth. For the first time in a long time, Oscar felt like everything was falling into place. Lando fit right in, and Oscar could see the way his mother's approval gave him the confidence to be himself.

Later that night, as they sat together in Oscar's room, Lando reached for his hand. "You know," he began, his voice soft, "I was so scared that your mom wouldn't accept me."

Oscar smiled, shaking his head. "She's always wanted me to be happy. And you make me happy, Lando. That's all she's ever needed to see."

Lando leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Oscar's forehead. "I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy," he whispered.

Oscar looked up at him, his eyes shining. "You already do," he replied, leaning in to capture Lando's lips in a tender kiss.

As they pulled away, Lando rested his forehead against Oscar's, his heart swelling with emotion. "I love you," he murmured, the words slipping out before he could stop them. It was the first time he'd said it out loud, and it hung in the air between them, fragile and full of promise.

Oscar's breath hitched, and for a moment, he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. But as he looked into Lando's eyes, he saw nothing but sincerity. "I love you too," Oscar said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

The words felt like a weight lifting off their chests, freeing them from the chains of their past. And as they held each other close, Oscar knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

For the first time in his life, Oscar felt completely and undeniably loved. And that, more than anything, made every painful moment worth it.