The air in the correctional facility was stale, thick with the weight of time. But today, the air felt differentâlighter, charged with anticipation. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might break free from my chest.
I stood just outside the prison gates, shifting on my feet, my fingers curling into fists, then releasing. The past nine years had been longâpainfully longâbut today, they ended.
A loud buzzing noise filled the air as the heavy metal doors creaked open.
A guard's voice echoed in the hallway behind them.
"You're free to go, Mr. Mangione."
And then I saw him.
Luigi stepped out, the warm sunlight hitting his face for the first time in nearly a decade. He stood there for a moment, breathing it in, his eyes closing like he was trying to absorb the feeling of freedom. His hair was shorter than I remembered, his face a little older, but he was still himâstill my Luigi.
He turned his head, searching the crowd, until his eyes locked onto mine.
I didn't think. I didn't wait. I ran.
Luigi barely had time to react before I crashed into him, my arms wrapping tightly around his neck. A choked sob escaped my throat as I buried my face into his shoulder, inhaling the scent of him, warm and real.
"Luigi," I breathed. "Oh my God, you're here. You're really here."
His arms wrapped around me just as tightly, lifting me slightly off the ground. I felt his chest rise and fall against mine, his heartbeat racing just as fast.
"I missed you," he whispered, his voice raw, thick with emotion. "God, I missed you so much."
I pulled back just enough to look at him, my hands cupping his face. His brown eyes were glossy, filled with something unspoken, something heavy. I didn't hesitate. I kissed him.
Luigi let out a quiet sound, half-surprised, half-relieved, and kissed me back instantly. His hands cradled my face as if he was afraid I'd disappear, his lips moving against mine with so much love, so much longing. It was deep, urgentâyears of waiting poured into one moment.
When we finally pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine, both of us catching our breath.
"You stayed," he murmured, his fingers brushing against my cheek like he was memorizing me all over again. "After all this time."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Of course, I stayed. I told you I would."
He exhaled sharply, like the weight of everything was finally settling. "I love you."
Tears slipped down my cheeks as I smiled. "I love you more."
Luigi laced his fingers through mine, gripping my hand tightly, like he never wanted to let go.
"Let's go home," I whispered.
For the first time in nine years, he noddedânot to a guard, not to an order, but to me.
"Yeah," he said softly, squeezing my hand. "Let's go home."