I See Through You

Chapter. 14

I had to hold myself back as she used her fingertips to see me. They were a bit rough from her using them so much, but they were still so soft.

When her hands reached my face, her touch was so warm and smooth, I couldn't help but closing my eyes the whole time she analyzed my face.

My heart was going wild. I couldn't help it. She was finally seeing how I look like. The freak I look like. I was sure she was going to turn away from me after this. Or at least not talk to me like she used to.

That's why I didn't want to let her do it at first. But since I knew how much she wanted to, I just couldn't say no.

When she stopped and pulled back, I opened my eyes and looked at her only to see her with a huge smile on her face.

"You are more handsome than I imagined you'd be." She said.

My eyes widened and my heart stopped as my cheeks burnt more than ever.

She... Thought I looked... Handsome? Even after seeing I'm not a human being?

Guess she said that because she sees the people's interior, not what they look like.

That only added to her beautiful and cheerful personality.

Then, it clicked. Everything I've been feeling around her just hit me like a huge wave as if it never had before.

The happiness I felt whenever she was just smiling, the worry I had whenever she was sad, the concern and panic I felt when she was kidnapped, the relief I felt when she woke up and was okay considered what happened, the peace I felt whenever she played the piano, sang or just talked, the feeling that I was complete whenever she was around, all of it.

Yeah, she makes me feel completed. Like she's all I need. The calm I seek whenever I'm angry, the joy I look for whenever I'm sad, the light I see on my chaotic world of fighting the crime in the darkness.

That made me finally realize it. Finally accept it. She was on my head these last weeks more than before, and now I'm certain of why that kept happening.

I love her. I want her to be happy, I want her to be safe, I want her to always be by my side.

"Leo?" She asked, making get back to reality.

I wasn't thinking. I cupped her cheek and as I saw her lean into my touch smiling, I knew I couldn't hold back anymore.

I lowered myself to her level and kissed her soft lips.

A second or two later, I heard her gasping a bit. But then, she relaxed and kissed me back.

I'm so happy that I cup her other cheek and rub my thumb on it softly while I feel her hands lay on my plastron.

After pulling back, I placed my forehead on hers.

"I love you, Valentina." I whispered with my eyes closed.

I hear her giggle, which makes me smile.

"... I love you too, Leonardo." She whispers back, and I feel my heart jump out of joy.

I had to pull back. "R-Really?"

She nodded. "Ever since I first heard your voice, I felt... Different. Calm and happy, in this boring and stressful routine that I call life. You're kind, honest, brave, strong and loyal to your family. And whenever we're together, you make me feel happy and safe. And most of all, you treat me like a normal person when I'm different. You make me feel like... I'm myself again."

I smiled. I had no idea just being around her made her feel like that.

I could only pull her into a tight hug. "You make me feel like that too, Val. Like I don't have to change at all to be accepted."

She hugged me back. "And you don't have to. I love you, Leo. With shell and all."

"And you don't have to change either. I love you too, Val. No matter what you can or cannot see."

We shared a tight hug before I laid my forehead on hers again.

"I was wondering... Will you be my girlfriend?"

She pulled back, cupped my cheeks and pecked my lips. "I'd love to."

We kissed again and again before hugging some more.

I'm the happiest turtle ever tonight.