Chapter 92 - Will it be the same again?

Notes:

- DPR IAN supremacy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Also... HAHAHAH FINALLY WE'VE FINALLY REACHED THE POINT THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOR THE PAST 250K+ WORDS. It's kinda corny but whatever. There'll probably be one more small chapter (although knowing me... it might not be so small xD) with just pure fluff to somewhat round things off. You will also hear about the update with the second couple in that chapter notes so stay tuned ;) ... Also my dumbass forgot to mention through my description that Nero wears glasses. And I think it's because I've been wearing glasses for so long, I assumed everyone would just think the same. Except that isn't the case and not everyone thinks that glasses are like a second organ. So like yeah... majority of the time, Nero is wearing glasses... except for the times wear it doesn't make sense to. I'd go edit that in everywhere but bro... that'd take ages. Just take my word for it yeah xD I'm a shit author remember. That hasn't changed these past 3 years

- As a reward for being so patient with me, here is a super long chapter (the longest yet oops, which means more grammatical mistakes) as thanks for sticking by and an apology for taking nearly a quarter of the year to update... unless you really hate long chapters. In that case, my bad but also, you really should not be reading this story as it literally would be the bane of your existence. But you would probably know that by now if you're at this chapter :))

- disclaimers: very brief mentions of panic attacks, depression, anger issues and suicidal thoughts. like super brief.

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POV: Nero

...

It stopped for you

Then the world came crashing down

And it's pulling you in now

You know all the words to the play

But all I wanted was you to stay

Your time is running thin

'Cause I'm falling through the cracks under your floor

How does it feel to be alive again?

Stop holding on with your dear breath

You're one step closer to me

On the ballroom extravaganza

I know you won't find me anymore

I tried to reach for you once more

But the world came

Crashing to the ground

...

Ok so maybe I was feeling a tiny bit more dramatic than usual and had to blast a depressing ass song but can you really blame me?

I had an emotional overdrive where I experienced a clusterfuck of emotions unexpectedly in a very inappropriate setting. It doesn't help that the last person who I wanted to see, saw me in such a vulnerable position without my consent.

And I'm usually no coward. Yes, shy but no coward. I would not be bolting out of the premise for such a reason as personal drama but I was and am a mess so screw what everyone thinks. I'm going to be a damn coward if I want to be a damn coward.

After zooming away into the night sky, I initially hadn't got a clue where I wanted to go. Aiden did pop up in my mind for a bit but I'd pestered him enough with my sulky attitude these past two weeks. Plus, it wasn't a big deal.

I just broke down in front of the love of my life while he was on a date at a very fancy restaurant.

Yeah, I can cope with that alone.

I then recalled one place that  I hadn't been to for a long time.

A hidden cliff that had a pretty good view of the city, just out of the city. I found the place a couple of years ago and I was glad that I did. It wasn't any special other than the amazing view it had over the skylines. But there was still fresher air and the quiet the city could never manage. It was impossible to get to unless you fly there (as there was no trail) and by the looks of it, it blended in well with the mountainside for other flying Oddity users to notice its existence. I only found it because I was bored and just casually flying around the mountain to kill time. The cliff obviously had no safety fencing but there was enough empty space for three people to stand on. Otherwise, it was surrounded by green trees attached to the mountain. There's also a whole lot of colourful fauna scattered around, with almost all of the colours of the rainbow present.

It was my place to go if I needed a break from the world and just, breathe for a minute or two. I told Aiden about the place soon after and he respected my decision on making it a "me" place and not an "us" place like we usually would've done.

I hadn't needed a proper breather for a long time now as I had been coping with life just fine but then Leo happened and I was not coping fine anymore.

The light breeze gently danced and made the trees dance to the music blasting on the phone, destroying the natural serene atmosphere. But the sad undertone of the music made it a sad atmosphere, even though the music itself is more or less upbeat. The night sky was somewhat cloudy, making the illusion that it was an average day but we all knew it was nothing but average.

It had been ten minutes since I had arrived at the cliff of escape and I had only prevented my puffy, red eyes from getting puffier about two minutes ago. Turns out, I was not done sobbing my eyes or heart out from all the stress that I had been enduring and the tipping point that had caused the embarrassment scene.

I was left with listening to my very sad playlist, with confusing thoughts running through my head.

Why did I have to run into him today out of all days?

Does fate hate me?

Why did he look so distraught when he saw me break down?

Did he not move on from me?

Why did he chase after me after I ran away?

Does he still care?

Why would he still care?

(I'm just a nobody)

Do I want him to find me?

(I think I do)

I had come for a breather but all that ended up happening was me trapping myself in a prison of self-deprecation. Apparently, being by myself is just as toxic as being around someone who causes me constant pain.

There was no escape.

I breathed out a heavy sigh and tried to wipe out all thoughts from my mind. I just focused on the music – singing to it – and watched the view in front of me – with the city skylines lighting up the night sky, hiding the shimmering stars and creating an artificial painting that had a different sort of appeal.

I was so focussed on humming, I had not noticed the sudden change in the wind and along with that, a shift in the atmosphere.

What I had noticed quietly landing behind me was a presence that had once again been the last person I had expected. It was quiet for a while, minus my humming and the music sounding out from my phone.

But I felt my shoulders stiffen up and my heart leap out of my chest in shock, anticipation and fear – all from a single line.

"Finally... I found you..."

POV: 3rd Person (I'm going back to this POV because I didn't like 1st person)

Nerovsky jumped up and spun around fast enough to give himself whiplash – out of sheer disbelief and to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. After all, I've been through, schizophrenia is not out of the question.

Lord and behold, Nero was not making shit up and somehow, Leo, the man he was actively avoiding, was right in front of him. He looked relieved but more importantly, Nero had never seen him so... not-in-control of himself. His hair was flying all over the place like he had been running through it a hundred times. His tie was half falling off and two of the top buttons of his dress shirt were unhooked. He still had his blazer on but even that looked like it was half about to fall off.

What the hell happened between now and when I left the restaurant? Did he get mugged?

Never mind that, however. Nero needed to run away. Leo seemed to pick up on his next few moves because he quickly and desperately shouted,

"Wait! Don't you dare-" before dashing in front of Nero in a blink of an eye and got a firm grasp on his forearm. The action caused his blazer to meet the ground.

Nero's brain was white static and he froze on the spot at the sudden development. He was fucked.

Leo sighed in relief and used the opportunity to have his say. "I swear the name of the queen and her ancestors that you are the slipperiest person I've ever met? Did you know what I had to go through for the past hour- no, this past few weeks to finally get us face to face and bloody fucking talk?!"

Nero had not comprehended a single word that came out of his boss's mouth and let his own mouth run off with his own set of questions. "How the fuck did you find me?"

Leo released a sigh of frustration. "Seriously? I just got it from-"

Nero still wasn't listening. "Oh my god, did you put a fucking tracking device on me?"

Leo's eyes widened in surprise and a hint of offence slipped out. "What? Where- how did your mind go to that conclusion first? I obviously-"

"OH GOD, YOU DID HAVE A TRACKER ON ME! WHY WOULD YOU DO-" Nero was falling into hysteria and insanity with the constant turn of events that had been occurring the entire day. Looking back on it, Nero was not being completely rational and was clutching at non-existent straws, trying to prevent the inevitable talk between his unrequited love and him.

"Nero, if you shut up FOR TWO SECONDS, I can explain how I found-"

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW FUCKED UP THAT IS? FOLLOWING ME WITH A TRACKER LIKE A-"

"NERO! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LISTEN TO ME, YOU UNREASONABLE TWAT!"

Nero finally listened to the demand and did the instruction accordingly. Both men were puffing and panting from the sudden shouting session and from the now-disappearing adrenaline rush that both men had experienced. Only sounds of forceful exhales sounded out on the cliff, both men just staring at each other and trying to get their emotions under control.

Give it a couple of minutes and Leo calmed down first, starting what would be considered the longest conversation they had in weeks.

"Now that we are both not completely mad and running on fumes, I'll answer your question first. I found you because I had an external source that told me. That's all I'll say so said source can't sue me for saying his name and throwing him under the bus."

Nero's eyebrow twitched in disbelief. You don't have the say the name but at least do a better job at trying to not make it obvious who told you. Nero sighed out his response. "I'm going to kill him"

"I have no idea who you are talking about but please do not get yourself into prison when I finally caught up to you. Now can you do the act of common courtesy and answer my own set of questions?"

Nero deflected his eyes away from Leo and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking out into the view of the night sky, the city skylines and the nearby forest that resides. Leo still didn't trust Nero to think he wouldn't just fly off without warning again and quickly moved after him so he was standing by his side, facing Nero's side profile.

"And what are those said questions?" Nero tried to keep his voice neutral and show that he was completely unaffected, but still, his voice slightly trembled in dread.

"Why did you run?" Leo got straight to the crux of the issue, a bit of desperation and frustration seeping out of his voice.

Nero wasn't expecting that line of questioning, eyes widening in shock. His hands began to tremble and he quickly stuffed them into the pockets of his pants. He still refused to look in Leo's direction and continued to look out at the view. "I- why else do you think people would run? I literally crashed into a waiter, had water doused all over me and began breaking down in the public. To make things worse, it was in front of my own boss. Obviously, I would fucking run."

Nero saw in his peripherals that Leonardo shakes his head, still leaving his piercing gaze on the side of his face. "That's not what I was talking about," the latter calmly clarified. "I'm talking about why you ran away from me all those weeks ago." Leo took a step closer and Nero's breathing hitched. "I'm talking about the night when you decided to put up a huge wall between us out of nowhere." He took another step closer and Nero became close to not breathing. "I'm talking about why you metaphorically ran instead of coming to me and talking to me about whatever I did wrong."

Nero's eyes widened and he finally whipped his head in Leo's direction in panic and the urge to defend himself as well as defend Leo. Leo was a lot close than Nero had anticipated and took half a step back in surprise, but he still quickly responded in panic. "It's not your fault! You didn't do anything wrong. It's me, not you... ew, I can't believe I just said that." Nero paused to scrunch his face in disgust and Leo's mouth twitched upwards before it went down back to his solemn frown. Nero shook his head and got back to the point.

"Anyway, my point is that you weren't obligated to... no, never mind. You just didn't do anything wrong. I just needed to get out of your life."

Leo's eyes narrowed and the frown grew deeper in clear anger. "Obligated to what? Why did you need to get out of my life? Because I sure as hell never wanted you out and to my understanding of how a relationship works, it involves two people and if one person wants something, the other person should know what it is they want or need and why. You've left me without a single speck of a hint why and made me more confused than I ever been before."

Nero's mouth dropped at the sudden confrontation and began to fidget in flusterment. At the back of Nero's mind, his resident devil was cackling at the turn of events and enjoying the drama. Nero's nausea came back in full force and wanted to knock himself out but as much of a coward as he was, he refuses to stoop down to the level of going unconscious to avoid his problems.

"I- well see-" Nero stuttered out broken words before he finally took a deep breath in and attempted to calm himself down to talk in coherent sentences. He tried to look Leo dead in the eye but found himself getting nervous by the minute and looked away again "Look... I... had my own shit going on and you could say I got overwhelmed and the best way I could deal with it was running away from my problem."

"Are you saying I was the problem then?"

Shit, I slipped up. Nero quickly looked back at Leo and defended himself. "No! That's not what I meant. It was my problem but being around you just kind of made me overwhelmed. Being around anyone made me overwhelmed."

Leo crossed his arms over his chest. "And why couldn't you have come to me for help? I was under the assumption that we were more than acquaintances, that we were really good friends."

Nero avoided Leo's gaze again and clenched his fists. "Good friends... right..." He bitterly spat out.

Leo's eyes widened at the hostility and felt a sensation of hurt attack his chest. "You... didn't think so?"

This time it was Nero's turn to be shocked at the sudden vulnerability displayed by the other man but still didn't look over. "No... it's not that I don't agree."

"Then why the bitter tone?"

Nero remained silent momentarily and Leo was about to push him again but the former answered before he could.

"What if I didn't want to be good friends?"

Leo's pretty sure he felt his heart shatter into pieces. "What...?" He couldn't help but ask.

"... nothing." Nero wasn't meant to voice the question out loud but it's too late to do anything about it. It was inevitable. Leo felt a surge of anger rise through his body due to Nero's deflection again. "No. Not bloody nothing. What do you mean you didn't want to be good friends?"

Nero was already done with the conversation and felt himself also getting frustrated and vexed. "I meant it the way I said it."

"Does that mean you've been leading me on?"

Leading? "Le-leading? What on earth do you mean leading you on?"

"I meant it the way I said it," Leo parroted back in anger. "Are you telling me you got along with me and gotten close to me for some sort of hidden agenda? Just like all the other shallow people?"

See now this would be the perfect opportunity for Nero to cut Leo out permanently of his life. All he had to do was lie and agree to the accusations that were made against him. Then they would mean nothing to each other and Leo would hate him and avoid him. But Nero found that he didn't want that. He had his damn honour, ego and pride on the line and no way in hell was he going to be belittled like that. Plus, there was also the fact that he didn't actually want to be hated by Leo and what's more, he didn't want him completely out of his life. He found that his own needs and minds are toxic to himself.

Nero quickly snapped back. "Of course, I didn't fucking fake my time with you. That's not feasible. Did everything we do and talk about seem fake to you? You fucking know the biggest secret that I have and you'd think I'd let you find out just because I wanted to shallowly get close to you? Who do you think I am? Yes, I never meant to get close to you but I never regretted getting to know you at all." Because as much as Nero told himself that he did regret it, the reality is that Leo was the best thing that ever happened to him, standing at the same rank as Aiden.

All of Leo's anger seemed to flow out of him in one big exhale at the sudden confession but he still sternly asked, "Then what do you mean that you didn't want to be good friends with me? Please, stop playing with me like this."

Nero faltered at that and felt his nails dig into the palms of his hands. "I'm not playing," Nero grumbled out, "Anyway, why do you care so much? I feel like a CEO like you would have other more concerning issues to deal with."

Leo's face morphed into disbelief, astonished about what was coming out of Nero's mouth. "You- You're kidding right?"

"What?" Nero was very much confused.

"Nero. Just how much do you think you're worth to me in your own eyes?"

Nero had no idea where he was going with this but he was not liking the direction of it regardless. "I don't- I don't know what you're exactly asking me here?"

Leo took half a step closer, causing Nero to tilt his head up to look into the former's eyes. "Yes, you do. I'm asking you what your assumption is on the thoughts I have on you and our friendship. Humour me if you will because something is telling me there is a huge misunderstanding that needs to be addressed."

Nero gulped and humoured him. "Well... I... I'm not dumb enough to know that we weren't mere acquaintances (Leo: "Thank fuck for that.") and I even know we weren't exactly shallow friends either. We were... pretty good friends but I assumed that was it. I mean like you probably didn't consider me your best friend or a super close friend of any sort. Just the type of friend where it would be fine if we happened to distance ourselves one day and stop talking."

Leo was shocked, distraught and livid at Nero for completely undermining Leo and more importantly, belittling Nero himself and assuming he wasn't worth more than a 'pretty good friend'. He was so livid; he couldn't help but grab onto Nero's forearm and tug him even closer so there were mere centimetres between their chests. Nero gasped at the sudden shift of positions and tried to tug his hands out but Leo did not let way. He refused to let the man go till he had his say.

"Listen here. I have no fucking idea where you got the absurd idea from or who planted that utter bullshit in your head but I need you to get that shit out of your mind now. We both know, even if it's subconscious on your part, that you were more than just a 'pretty good' friend to me. You were damn near Erwin's level and you probably would've been on that level by now if you didn't decide to cut me out of your life. I've told you things I've told anyone before. You've made me laugh harder than I have in decades and you've made me smile an imaginable number of times. You were there for me when I needed comfort and just being around you made my day so much better."

Leo took a risk and put his right hand on the right cheek of the now silently stunned Nero. "How could you ever think you weren't more than my very closest companion?" A thought flashed through Leo's mind and he slowly retracted his hand. "Is it because YOU saw me like that? Just someone who was a bit more than a friend?" Leo knew that Aiden had told him that Nero was in love with him (that's why he was pushing him so hard) but what if Aiden was wrong or what if Nero had changed his mind over the short break period? Leo didn't want to think about the worst-case scenario but it was becoming more of a reality every second.

Nero could physically see the sadness overtake the features of Leo's face, his eyes dulling, his mouth turning downward in anguish rather than anger. Hopelessness was the last emotion Nero was expecting out of this man in this lifetime but alas, here he was, witnessing that exact emotion. Nero never wanted Leo to feel any sort of negative emotion, especially not because of him. Nero genuinely believed that being out of his life wouldn't mean much and that he could move on after a couple of days. He had his best friend Erwin and his ex-soon-to-turn girlfriend by his side. Why would he need anyone else? Why would he ever need Nero?

This time, it was Nero who grabbed Leo's hands and squeezed them. He shook his head as he frantically tried to explain himself. "No! Never! You weren't just some nobody for me, nor were you just an acquaintance of some sort. You have no idea how much our relationship meant to me and how much lo- I mean how grateful I was to have you in my life. You've changed it in many ways and made it so much more colourful than it could ever be. I-I'm sorry if it seemed that way but truly are... one of the best things that happened to me... truly."

The suffocation in Leo's chest immediately dissipated from Nero's words and all the gloomy thoughts disappeared. Instead, a small, genuine smile settled on his lips and he found himself squeezing back Nero's hands in relief. He then gained the courage again to pull Nero forward, this time leaving no gap between them and wrapping one arm around his waist. Nero gasped in shock but didn't try to pull away, opting to look away from the piercing stare instead.

"Then why did you leave it all behind?" Leo asked, an undertone of desperation never leaving his voice.

Nero was reluctant to expose the truth and kept his mouth zipped up. Leo ignored the hesitance and asked one more question that had been running through his mind. "One more thing. What were you about to say before you changed your sentence midway? Something that started with lo...?"

Nero flinched hard and Leo's eyes shot up, tightening his grip on Nero further. Nero was hoping that Leo hadn't noticed that slip-up but knowing his luck, he was not surprised. "I-I can't..." Nero managed to stutter out, pointedly staring at the taller man's shoulder.

Leo could see Nero's resolve beginning to crumble and felt as if it was time to push him harder. "Why? You can't what? Why can't you?"

The smaller man trembled in Leo's arm and refused to open his mouth. Although this conversation inevitably needed to occur, that the rejection was necessary for Nero to move on, that didn't mean he wanted to hear it. That didn't mean he couldn't delay the said inevitable.

Nero's silence was making Leo impatient but the latter understood why Nero was hesitating. Confronting feelings was never an easy thing to do, especially when they aren't sure of the other person's emotions. That's why Leo decided that enough was enough and he would take the leap of faith first.

"You know..." Leo looked up into the night sky and released a soft exhale. "I lied about one thing I said earlier."

"Huh?" Nero let out softly. Leo looked down at the man he was holding and tried to give him a soft and comforting smile. "When I said you were a very good friend to me, I may have been lying."

Now Nero being Nero obviously jumped to conclusions and thought of the worst-case scenario. He immediately thought Leo never considered him a friend and instead someone to toy with because as intelligent as he is when it comes to undercover missions, he has an emotional intelligence of a goldfish and has non-existent self-esteem. Leo quickly noticed Nero's gears turning in the wrong direction and immediately explained himself.

"What I mean by that is I didn't see you as just a good friend because... I saw you as so much more. Nerovsky... although it was obvious to everyone but you, I have something to confess. Nero... Nerovsky..." Leo put his forehead to Nero's and quietly declared to him, "I love you."

Nero was hallucinating. This could not be reality. That is the only explanation for what he just heard. It had to have been an auditory hallucination. Nero could also not breathe. Everything was ringing and his mouth trembled at the unexpected turn of events. He felt his eyes beginning to sting and his throat dry up. Nero was completely frozen in shock. Leo slowly moved away and patiently waited for Nero to catch up to speed, all while never letting go of his grip on him. Both his arms were secured around the smaller's waist, making sure he didn't run away.

Nero opened and closed his mouth, trying to say something but not knowing what to say. He had to say something. He had to confirm that this was reality. With his mental capacity compromised, he was completely running on fumes, which meant no filter.

"Y-Y-Y-You w-w-what?" Nero finally managed to stumble out.

"I said I love you Nero," Leo repeated, patiently.

"I- wuh- no you don't?" Nero finally pushed at Leo's chest and took a step back. Leo complied but not without many complaints in his head.

Leo crossed his arms over his chest and raised a single eyebrow at him. "And who are you to tell me how I feel?"

The black-haired man pointed at the other man confidently yet with tremors running through his entire arm. "I- well- I SAW YOU KISS SYDNEY! H-How's that for proof?"

"Ah yes, the trigger for both of our demise. Say, did you stay till the very end of... whatever that was?"

Nero blinked a couple of times. Looking back on it... he may have just immediately run off... but he can't be blamed. He got his heart completely shattered. "W-Well no but that doesn't change the fact that you guys kissed."

"No, I guess it doesn't change the fact that we kissed. However, does it change anything if one of the parties of the... exchange wasn't consenting?"

Why did this suddenly turn into some formal debate? Also... how does he know I saw? Nero couldn't help but think that to himself. "I-I guess? Um, can-can you um just get to the point, maybe? My-My brain can't handle the plot twists and conversation shifts that have been occurring tonight."

"My point is," Leo took a step forward and Nero took one back instantly. Leo frowned in discontent but didn't comment on it. "It was Sydney who suddenly kissed me out of nowhere. I was under the assumption we would be having a civil conversation but, according to her agenda, no. I had no desire to kiss her whatsoever and if you stayed even a couple more seconds longer, you would've witnessed me pushing her away from me and going off at her. You also would've seen me confess that I had someone else I liked and which was very obviously you."

Nero was fucking stumped. You're telling me... all of this... was because of a misunderstanding... ON MY PART?! He was embarrassed to the maximum limit and wanted to die, with his head buried into the ground like an emo. Nero slapped both his hands to the front of his face and screamed into them. Leo was very concerned and thought that maybe, he may have made his love crazy. He'd love him but if he could, he'd rather prevent Nero from turning crazy. He didn't know if he could touch the other man or not but as he was about to pull Nero's arms away from his face, Nero looked up at Leo with furrowed eyebrows and pointed at him again. Leo flinched back in surprise at the sudden shift.

"Yeah ok that's on me but you still can't l-l-l-love me!"

Leo felt his forehead throb in frustration again. "Why the fuck not?!"

"Y-Y-You just can't!" Nero's voice cracked at the end and he turned his face away to prevent the other man from seeing his watering eyes.

Leo took a deep breath to calm himself from the emotional high. There was no point getting agitated. Leo moved forward till he was right behind Nero and softly asked, "Nero, what's this really about? Why can't I love you."

Nero's heart warmed at the three words again but he quickly doused it with cold water again. "Nothing. You just can't."

"Why?" Leo desperately pushed.

And with that, Nero finally turned around and snapped, angry and sorrowful tears streaming down his cheeks. "BECAUSE I DON'T DESERVE LOVE. I-I-I'M NOT LOVABLE. LEO, I'M SO FUCKING B-BROKEN. I-I-I'VE GONE THROUGH SHIT THAT HAS COMPLETELY SCARRED ME PERMANENTLY AND I WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM IT. I H-HAVE MILD TO SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS, I HAVE B-BAD DAYS WHERE I'M SO DOWN, I JUST... DON'T FEEL LIKE DOING LIFE ANYMORE. I PUSH PEOPLE AWAY WHEN THEY GET TOO CLOSE WITH ANGER AND THAT HURTS PEOPLE. LEO, I'M NO PEOPLE P-PERSON, LET ALONE SOMEONE WHO CAN BE IN A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP!

I absolutely refuse to let anyone deal with the fucking mess that I am, especially when it is not their problem. L-Let's not even get started on me as a person. I'm no fucking saint. I'm more devil than angel if we w-were to do a c-com-comparison. Yeah, I'm some sort of vigilante but I only do that shit for fucking Aiden. If I had the choice, I wouldn't let a-any of them survive. I'd murder them because that's who I am and I have minimal faith in humanity. The only thing that isn't turning my history into some sort of villain backstory is the people I do have in my life. They're the only ones that made me realise it's not all that bad. Doesn't change the fact that I'm a boring cynic who hates a lot of things in life. To this day, I question why any of you guys are by my side because you shouldn't be. You all should've left ages ago. Leo, I'm not worth anyone's love, especially yours. I'm toxic to everyone." Nero was panting heavily by the end of it, lightheaded from the sudden confession and physiological response. His glasses were fogging up from breaths and strayed tears were clinging to the inside of his lenses.

Well bloody fuck there's a lot to unpack there, was the first thought Leo had but he was no quitter. He knew that Nero had issues and scars when it came to himself but he never realised that they were that deep. He promised himself and Aiden that he would convince Nero that he was worth all that and so much more, and that was what he was going to do.

Leo brought Nero into a sudden hug, catching the other off guard. "Thank you... for venting and sharing all that with me. It must've been hard on you." Nero's eyes widened at the other's words before they began watering up again. He buried his head into his boss's shoulders, trying to catch as much warmth as possible. Leo was more than generous and didn't hold back any sort of affection.

Rubbing Nero's shaking shoulders, Leo continued to give his reply. "While I'm grateful for the vent, I agree with barely anything you said and you are going to listen to me silently while I finish my part. First of all, bull-fucking-shit you aren't lovable or that you do not deserve love. I am the prime example of someone who loves you romantically. Aiden is the prime example of someone who loves you platonically with a hint of romance I swear to god. You guys are on the line of friends and lovers."

Nero couldn't help but let out a little giggle but went silent, opting for the other to continue.

"Anyway, even Erwin loves you in the admiration sense. Don't tell him I said this to you but he really does admire what you and Aiden do as your underground job. I'd call him a closet fan honestly."

At that Nero, looked up at Leo in surprise, only to find the other man with a smug smile. Nero also couldn't help but snort as well. Leo brought Nero's head back into his shoulder as he got used to comforting the other man in that manner and found it more daunting to say his words with Nero's piercing stare.

"As I was saying, everyone deserves love, except rapists and serial killers but you don't all under that category so shut the fuck up with that shit. Love is open to everyone, regardless of what they've been through. In terms of your mental health, it's ok to feel what you're feeling and it's justified why it is the way it is. If you let me in, I would not and will not ever mind being with you every step of the way. It's clear you have a lot of issues, which caused your lack of self-esteem but we have time to work on it. Nero, I want you to understand that I want to be with you for the entire journey, regardless of how hard it is. I want to deal with what you call a 'fucking mess' and I've already accepted that it's a part of you. If you have a panic attack, I'll be by your side to help you out. If you feel down, I'll try to make it a bit better and if you need the space, I'll give it but at the end of the day, I'll always be back. If you try to push me away, you won't be able to. That's it. Good luck with that. My point is, I'll never leave and I'll never want to leave. Hit me with your best shot."

Hard sobs wracked Nero's body and he tightened his grip on the back of Leo's shirt, crumpling it into oblivion. He couldn't breathe properly from the hard wails and probably half-drenched Leo with his tears (and glasses uncomfortably mushed against his face) but regardless, he didn't want to move away. Leo also didn't want to let go, holding Nero tightly to himself, trying to avoid cracking his own heart at the sorrowful noises Nero was making. It was easier since he still wasn't done with what he had to say.

"Now don't get me started on the personality shite. Nero, I know you're no saint but none of us is. I'm pretty sure you cannot run a successful business without being a little evil. Just because you're a little more diabolical than others doesn't mean that you're on the same level as a psychopath. You have the ability to empathise and care for others. You have human emotions that you can express. Yeah, they may be limited and you may express them to a limited range of people but who cares? I don't. Yes, you want to kill but you don't. You have amazing self-control and I commend you for that, even if it's for your friend and it's because it's a hassle dealing with the aftermath. On top of that, the last thing I would describe you as is boring. I mentioned said it earlier. You make me smile and laugh like there's no one in the room and you never stop. Your cynical humour and nature were what made me fall harder than you can ever imagine. Your intelligence is what got my attention in the first place. Nero, you're so amazing and you don't even realise it. I'll make sure to engrave into your head every day how astonishing, amazing and incredible you are. You're worth everyone's love, I and everyone in your life can agree we have and never will regret being by your side, and if you still think you're 'toxic', I'd gladly be poisoned for the rest of my life in the long run."

Once again, Nero was stunned speechless. Never in his life was he expecting a lecture on how worthy he is. Sure, Aiden's tried a multitude of times but he wasn't exactly the love of Nero's life. Ok, now he's making it seem like Aiden's words mean jackshit to him. That's not what's happening here. Nero found it difficult to believe in Aiden's words mainly because he knew how biased the man was when it came to Nero, so it was never an objective opinion in Nero's eyes.

On the other hand, Leonardo was known for being objective and subjective when necessary and these are the moments where he would be the most honest, not sugarcoating anything and telling the blunt truth. While Nero was still having a hard time believing Leo, he found himself unconsciously wanting to believe the other man for the first time. He found himself wanting to take the leap of faith and put his full trust in Leo.

But it wouldn't be Nero without any hesitation (and a red face). "Y-You don't know what you're saying. You don't understand h-h-how big your words are." Nero said as he shook his head in doubt and disbelief.

Leo returned a comforting smile. "Nero, I'm no idiot. I know the extent of my words and commitments I would need to undertake."

"A-And you still want to do them? Go through them? Suffer through them?"

"They wouldn't be suffering in my eyes but yes. I want all that and more."

Nero was completely floored by what he was hearing. In no universe had he been expecting the night to take this sudden turn. He was prepared to be rejected and left to the side for good, not fucking get confessed to by the only man who made his heart warmer than the sun. Being overwhelmed was a fucking understatement.

Tears kept streaming down his face without stopping and Leo was getting distressed by the minute. He couldn't figure out if it was happy tears or bad tears. Apparently, his discomfort was displayed on his features because Nero let out a wet snort before he began cracking up, all while sobbing at the same time.

Leo was very, very distressed at this point and assumed he managed to break Nero. He didn't know whether to keep patting the other man, laugh along with him or take him to the hospital.

Nero calmed down from his sudden outburst of laughter but kept the tears running down his cheeks. He managed to rasp out, "did you really mean all that...?"

Leo was still concerned for the smaller man but answered his question anyway. "Of course I did. When do I say anything I don't mean unless to intentionally deceive someone into a dodgy business deal?"

That made Nero laugh again but he kept staring at the other man. Leo was an unexpected encounter and an unnecessary factor in his life. He could've lived without ever knowing the man but he's glad he didn't because Leonardo Covell was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He made Nero feel alive and made dealing with the bad times a little easier.

Maybe... it was time Nero stopped being so hard on himself.

"I-I don't know what t-t-to do o-o-or say." Nero nervously stuttered out.

"For now, please respond to my confession. I love you, Nerovsky Poston. Will you be my boyfriend and long-term companion?"

Nero sobbed a bit harder. "I-I-I-"

Leo interrupted, "I hope you know, if you reject me because you don't love me, I'm going to spend the rest of our days trying to woo you and make you fall in love with me. Until you, unfortunately, happen to fall in love with someone else. Although, that would leave me completely shattered and I may lose the ability to love someone else."

Nero stared at Leo and could see his imaginary golden retriever ears droop down and the former couldn't help letting out a happy chuckle. Nero's lip formed a wobbly smile as he moved his arms up to Leo's shoulders to grip them. "I don't think you have to worry about all that, considering I fell in love with you months ago."

Leo's eyes brightened and his heart beat a bit harder in anticipation, hands sweating due to nerves as well. "Does that mean...?"

Nero shakily nodded his head and shyly whispered, "Yes... I would love to be yours..."

Leo smiled with his beaming teeth out before letting out a yelp of elation. "OH MY GOD YES! FINALLY!"

He laughed out loud in joy before tightly pulling Nero into a tighter hug. The laugh was apparently contagious because Nero found himself laughing/sobbing into Leo's chest. All the months of pining and painful stares-from-a-distance had finally come to an end. Leo nuzzled into Nero's neck, still laughing but the latter felt his shoulder becoming damp. Nero didn't say anything, opting to just pull the other man closer by the shoulders.

They stood like that for a long while, coming down from their high but not completely. Leo stopped laughing in elation every two seconds and Nero stopped sobbing. The tear ducts had completely dried up for the night. It was a long emotional ride.

Leo moved away from Nero first but remained close enough so Nero had his arms around Leo's nape and Leo had his arms around Nero's hip. They both stared at each other with love and affection, all while heavily breathing in excitement.

No one made a move until Nero's eyes strayed down to Leo's lips. The latter immediately took it as permission to bring his boyfriend closer and plant the long-anticipated kiss on his lips. It was a chaste kiss, a simple pressing of lips together but to both of them, it was magical nonetheless. Nero fluttered his eyes shut and just felt the sensation, promptly ignoring Raziel cheering like a fucking psychopath at the back of his mind. He immediately made it so the demon couldn't see anymore, garnering loud complaints from the latter.

Leo moved away again, nervously observing Nero's reaction to the sudden kiss. The latter found it fucking adorable how the biggest man in the commercial industry was scared of the reaction of a mere employee. Well, I guess he wasn't all that mere now was he?

Nero gave his wide grin before flinging his glasses from his face to the side, cupping both of the taller man's cheeks and bringing him in for a deeper kiss. For a second, Leo was frozen at the unexpected boldness before he quickly got with the program and brought one of his hands to the back of his lover's head, smiling against his lips.

They moved rhythmically against each other, tilting their heads so they could get closer and deeper. Surprisingly, it was Nero who first swiped at Leo's bottom lip with his tongue, asking for permission. No way in hell was Leo stupid enough to grant said permission and he soon felt the smooth, warm muscle moving against his own. The pacing wasn't too slow but wasn't too hurried either. They comfortably explored each other's mouths while feeling the sensation of ecstasy.

Nero couldn't help but let out a muffled moan of pleasure, which did wonders to Leo if the twitching in his pants said anything. Leo responded back with his own groan originating from the back of his throat. Nero had also felt that and he felt his face warming to sun-level temperatures but he still let out a smug smirk against Leo's lips.

The smirk, however, was quickly turned into a squeal when Leo wrapped his arms around his lover's midsection and lifted him slightly off the floor. Nero couldn't help but giggle at the shift of position but quickly went back to making out with Leo.

They were addicted and couldn't stop. Clutching, grabbing, pulling each other, never wanting to stop. That being said, Nero let out another surprised gasp that broke the rhythm when he found that Leo had actually lifted both of them up in the sky and nowhere making out while floating.

It was fucking hot and while he wanted to look out into the view again (and look at Leo's gorgeous face) from the new vantage point, his lover wasn't done with his lips and quickly brought his attention back to kissing.

It was passionate and hot, both pouring all their unsaid emotions and words from the past few months into their kisses. It was suffocating but neither man wanted to stop the euphoria.

It was Nero who finally broke away to fucking breathe and spent a minute staring at his newly formed boyfriend. He smiled his sweetest smile and said the one thing Leo was waiting for since the first time he realised he had fallen for the other man. "I love you, Leonardo Covell."

Leo beamed his biggest grin at the confession before biting onto Nero's lips again.