Warning:Smaller Vincent
Manon Vacher wasn’t the jealous type. She had dated Rody Lamoree long enough to know he was loyal, practically to a fault. She liked his goofy humor, his unfiltered kindness, and the way he always went out of his way to make her smile. But no matter how much she cared about him, there was one thing—one person, rather—who was pushing her to the edge.
Vincent Charbonneau, Rody's roommate—and his ex-boyfriend.
At first, she’d thought little of Vincent. Rody had mentioned him casually as “a friend from way back,” someone who had needed a place to stay. He didn’t elaborate on the “ex” part until they’d been dating a bit longer, and by then, she figured it was ancient history. But every time she visited Rody’s apartment, Vincent’s behavior made her more uncomfortable. He was just…too close.
Tonight was no different.
Vincent was curled up next to Rody on the couch, practically in his lap, his head resting on Rody’s shoulder with an almost childlike dependency. His small hands fidgeted with the hem of Rody's shirt as he sat tucked into his side, leaning close as if he couldn't bear to be anywhere else.
“Hey, Vincent,” Manon greeted, forcing a polite smile as she stepped into the apartment. “How are you?”
Vincent looked up, meeting her gaze with his wide, dark eyes. “Oh, hi, Manon!” He sat up slightly but made no effort to put more space between himself and Rody. Instead, he clung tighter, his arms slipping around Rody's waist like he was some lifeline. “I’m good. Just hanging out.”
“Manon!” Rody said, grinning as he pulled her into a quick hug, though he didn’t move Vincent from his lap. “Didn’t think you’d get here so soon. Want to watch this show with us?”
“Oh, I—” Manon bit back her words as Vincent nuzzled his head against Rody’s neck, burying his face there with a contented sigh. Rody chuckled, reaching up to ruffle Vincent’s hair as if this behavior was perfectly ordinary. To her, it was anything but.
Vincent didn’t move, didn’t even seem embarrassed by the intimate contact. Instead, he curled up closer, one hand slipping beneath Rody’s shirt, absently tracing patterns over his lower back. It was something she might have done herself with Rody—if they were alone.
“Vincent, aren’t you tired?” she asked, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. “It’s late, and Rody and I…we had some things to talk about.”
Rody shifted, glancing between her and Vincent with a puzzled expression. “Oh, it’s fine, babe. Vincent’s just hanging out. He’s…kind of a cuddly guy, you know? Doesn't like being alone”
Cuddly. That was one way of putting it. But watching Vincent gaze up at Rody, she was sure there was more to it than that. “Don’t you think it’s a little…much?” she asked carefully.
Rody laughed, clearly oblivious. “What, this? Come on, it’s cute! He’s adorable, don’t you think?” He squeezed Vincent’s shoulders, earning a soft, pleased hum from him.
Manon shifted uncomfortably, glancing away as she felt her cheeks heat up. “Rody, I just…think maybe it’s a bit strange. He’s not…he’s not a kid.”
“Vincent is just clingy like a cat, aren't you, Vin?” Rody asked, tilting his head as he looked down at Vincent.
Vincent’s face fell, and he shrank slightly, looking as though her words had wounded him deeply. “I…if I’m bothering you, I can go,” he murmured, eyes dropping as he moved to pull away. His shoulders sagged, and he looked like a kicked puppy, making Manon feel a pang of guilt despite her frustration.
“Vin, wait,” Rody said, pulling him back gently. “You’re not bothering anyone. I like having you here, you know that.”
Manon bit her lip as she watched them, feeling like she was the outsider in her own relationship. Rody’s arm was wrapped protectively around Vincent, who settled back into his embrace with a soft, relieved sigh, burying his face back into the crook of Rody’s neck. Rody didn’t even blink, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Manon cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “It’s fine, really. I just…wasn’t expecting to, uh, interrupt.”
Rody seemed oblivious to the tension as he patted Vincent’s back. “He just likes being close,” he explained casually, like that made everything perfectly acceptable.
But watching Vincent’s arms wrap around Rody's waist and his fingers linger in small, idle movements against his skin, she couldn’t help but feel her patience wearing thin. “So…you two are just…roommates?”
Rody laughed. “Of course. Vincent’s been here for a while now, haven’t you, Vin?”
Vincent’s gaze lifted, meeting hers for just a moment before he dropped his eyes shyly. “Yeah…Rody’s been so good to me. I don’t really have anyone else.”
The words sounded innocent enough, but the way he looked at Rody was anything but. His eyes held a soft, yearning intensity that made Manon’s stomach twist. She knew that look. She’d seen it in her own reflection when she looked at Rody, that soft, vulnerable need.
“Well,” she managed, struggling to keep her voice even, “I guess I’ll leave you two to it. Maybe we can talk tomorrow, Rody?”
Rody looked up, his brows furrowing slightly. “Leaving already? But we just got cozy!”
Vincent glanced up, his expression a mix of hope and worry as he clung to Rody a bit tighter. “You don’t have to go,” he whispered softly, his voice barely above a breath. “I…I don't want to be in the way. I just…”
His voice broke slightly, and he looked away, biting his lip as though fighting tears. Manon felt herself soften despite her discomfort. Vincent really did look fragile, like he was terrified of being cast aside. And Rody, naturally, looked at him with a comforting smile, rubbing gentle circles on his back.
“Hey, it’s alright,” Rody murmured, “You’re never in the way, Vince. You know that.”
“Sorry,” Vincent mumbled, burying his face back into Rody’s shoulder, his fingers curling into Rody’s shirt as if he were afraid to let go.
Manon watched them, feeling like an intruder. It was clear that whatever Vincent felt for Rody was anything but platonic. And, perhaps more unsettlingly, Rody didn’t seem to notice—or maybe, just maybe, he didn’t care.
She forced a smile, giving Rody a small wave. “Goodnight, Rody. I’ll, um…see you later.”
Rody flashed her a confused look but nodded, still rubbing Vincent’s back soothingly. “Alright, night, Manon. Let’s catch up tomorrow?”
She nodded and turned to leave, feeling the weight of Vincent’s gaze on her back as she shut the door behind her.
