14

Brushing his hand through his hair, Fiat watches his reflection. He straightens out his shirt and tilts his head side to side.

"Going somewhere?" Fiat turns his head to find his roommate looking back at him with a questioning brow. Fiat rubs the back of his neck and nods. He holds out his hands to present himself and asks if he looks alright. "Wow, I can't believe it. You're actually going on a date? Thought you were about that solo life, but congrats! You look good. Just enough to say you tried, but not overdone."

"Great," Fiat looks back at his reflection and smiles. His phone rings and Leo is waiting for him downstairs. Fiat thanks his roommate before rushing out. Just before he meets Leo, he takes a deep breath and straightens out his clothes. Without his approval, Fiat's lips pull to a smile the moment he meets Leo's eyes. "H-Hi."

"Hey, there. You look amazing," Leo chuckles at Fiat's little stutter causing the latter to flush and glance away. Slowly, Fiat's eyes trail back to Leo to find himself admiring the other man. Two fingers on his chin to capture his attention bring his eyes to meet the other pair. "Do I live up to expectations? How was your day at work?"

While Fiat answers, Leo opens the door for him and the two of them settle into the car while Fiat speaks about his less than exciting day. Fiat hardly realizes the drawl of overly shared information as Leo responds actively all throughout the drive. If Fiat did not look out the window, he would not have noticed that they have arrived as Leo simply just parks the car and turns to him to let him finish talking. Fiat shuts himself up and the two walk over to join the crowd of the night market on the outskirts of the city. The street lights are mixed with the shop lights even before the sun sets. Fiat glances around excitedly while he walks beside Leo. To the outsiders they pass for two friends hanging out, but the two of them know how nerve-racking it all is as their hands brush as they walk and the light touches Leo gives Fiat when they pass a group of people. Fiat feels his heart swell as Leo actively protects him from behind bumped into and away from the road as cars pass. It is something Fiat never expected to want, but after being stuck to fend for himself for so long, it feels nice to be able to depend on someone and turn off his mind. "This place is amazing, Leo. I saw some stall that has those ice cream waffle things. Let's get it after dinner?"

"Whatever you want, love," Leo smiles while Fiat's eyes grow wide. He gulps and quickly averts his gaze to the different options they can have dinner at. Small tables scatter around the area as locals and visitors chatter with a spread of food across the tables. Trying to ignore the nickname, Fiat points out a few items that seem appetizing to him and try to gauge which one appeals to Leo, but each time he gets the same response. "Whatever you want, love."

"Okay! I can't handle it. Please stop calling me that. I'm going to go crazy if you keep at it," Fiat stops in front of Leo and pleads. Leo starts laughing and pulls Fiat into a hug and hums, giving in. Fiat pouts and lightly hits Leo's chest as he pulls away mumbling, "Not in public at least. I'm shy."

"Alright, Fiat. Not in public. So, you picked out a bunch of things. Do you want to order one of everything and share it or do you have a specific one or two you want to get?" Leo smiles brightly and Fiat reflexively mirrors him. Fiat picks out the dishes that stood out to him the most and Leo nods, leading him to the stalls to order the food. While they juggle the food and drinks, they search around for a free table and rush over to grab it before someone else does. They chuckle between themselves as they nearly spill everything, too excited to get a table and feast on their food. This time around Leo shares a bit of his own stories of his week. "My mom sometimes still treats my like a child. It's honestly embarrassing, but in a way that you can't help but just love her."

"Your mom sounds like a great person. Both of your parents do based on the stories you've told," Fiat gives an honest smile even though a part of him feels a bit of jealousy. Leo must have caught on it as he tries to sell them short. Fiat sighs causing Leo to pause. "You don't have to do that, Leo. If your parents are great people, then they're great people. You deserve to have an amazing pair of parents, Leo. I just got the short end of the stick and until this day I hope that they'll come around one day."

"I hope they will, Fiat. You deserve all the same love. One day, you can meet my parents and while they aren't yours, I'm sure they'll love you like their own. Heck, I'm sure they'll love you more than their own. You're everything they'd hope for, but their settling with me." Fiat knows that Leo is trying to lift his mood, but it only resulted in him feeling overwhelmed with the idea of meeting Leo's parents. "You're overthinking aren't you? Fiat, I'm not saying you'll meet them right now. I mean eventually you will, right? Hopefully as my boyfriend and not just a friend and classmate?"

"I didn't even think of that," Fiat's brows furrow as he hears the suggestion of being introduced as something other than being Leo's boyfriend. The idea is tempting to Fiat.

"Good. I won't let you. Not a single chance will you be introduced as anything other than my boyfriend." Leo's seriousness alarms Fiat and he nods, completely ignoring the fact that he once thought it was a tempting idea. Leo takes Fiat's hand and pushes the empty dishes away as he fumbles with their fingers. "I know I shouldn't be talking about a past relationship especially when we are just starting, but the reason why I had never been known to be in a relationship since the start of college was because I was with someone my first year from high school. It started and ended as a secret. I hated it and it caused a lot of arguments between us. That's why I hope that eventually we will be open about ours. You don't know how happy I was that you actually accepted me to be your boyfriend right in front of Ann and Fern. Fiat, from the moment we met at the freshman orientation, I've known that you are absolutely amazing. You make me happy."

"You make me really happy, too, Leo. One day. I promise. One day, I will shout to the world that you are my loving boyfriend," Fiat grins. Leo squeezes Fiat's hand and they take a moment to just smile at each other. A screech of an amp makes them flinch and everyone looks around to find musicians setting up. Exchanging glances, the two clean up their mess and rush to grab their dessert before settling in front of the makeshift stage. The bass is felt within them and their adrenaline rises with the music. Familiar songs fill the air and voices sing and hum along with the musicians.

Leo and Fiat sway with the music. Everything felt dreamlike as they exit with the crowd. Few lights remain as the market closes. Fiat continues to hum the last song of the last set while they walk back to the car. He nearly falls as he balances at the edge of the curb and Leo grabs his hand. "If you keep walking along the edge I'll keep holding this hand."

"And if I stop, will you let go?" Fiat asks as he turns to face Leo. Leo's brows shoot up and Fiat blushes before turning back and attempts to walk forward, only to be pulled back by the hand that is still in his.

"Then will you keep holding mine?" Leo asks while Fiat refuses to turn to look at him and give him an answer. "Hm? Will you keep holding mine even if you're safely away from the edge?"

A small squeeze is all Fiat gives him. Fiat does not know how Leo reacts, but the returning squeeze on his hand and the following form as he walks is enough for him to know that he gave a good answer. Fiat smiles as they continue to hold hands. Even as they reach the car and Fiat sits in the passenger seat, they fail to release hands and Leo just stands outside the door. "You'll have to let go if you want to be able to drive."

"I don't want this to end yet," Leo frowns as he swings their hands together.

"I said drive, not drive me home. We can go to the riverfront or to one of those bridges that look out into the city," Fiat smiles triumphantly as a look of excitement appears on Leo's face. His smile suddenly disappears at the sudden peck on his cheek. He hardly notices the loss of hand in his, the shutting of the door and the start of the car. He only comes back to the present when a smirking face suddenly appears in front of him. "W-what are you-?"

"Wouldn't want anything to happen to you," Leo smiles and the click of his seatbelt fills the silence, "Love. You did say not in public, right...Love?"

"Whatever," Fiat mumbles as Leo chuckles and returns back to his own seat. Fiat huffs and looks out the window as his ears turn red because of the hand that slips into his. "Good you know where your hand belongs."

"You're so cute, love," Leo mumbles as he raises their join hands up to his lips. Fiat's eyes follow shyly and without words. The rest of the ride, they stay silent. Only moments of gentle squeezes against each other's hands are sent here and there. They were content, happy and full. Leo pulls into a spot and the two make their way to a bridge over the highway. The city is just ahead and the lights fill through the night. Behind is the outskirts, lit faintly amongst the trees. The moon shines over both. One would think that the city lights ruin the beauty of the moon, but for the both of them at this very moment, they can agree that the moon is beautiful tonight.

There is no verbal confirmation and there is no need for any. They can tell by the way that they look at each other. They are alone on that bridge and Leo encases Fiat between him and the bridge in a warm embrace. The air is warm,  but the breeze is cool. Fiat turns his head to look at Leo. "Thank you for today, Leo. Thank you for every day, really. I know you say that I've made you look at things in a better and different perspective, but you do the same for me. You proved to me that the things I've come to believe in are false. You've reassured me in way more one else has. Thank you, Leo. I really appreciate you."

Leo turns Fiat all the way around and cups his face in his hands. Fiat stares up at Leo's eyes and was amazed to see himself in the reflection. Leo kisses Fiat's forehead, cheeks and nose. All while Fiat closes his eyes to remember the feeling. When there is a pause, Fiat opens his eyes to find Leo looking down at his lips. "Can I kiss you on the lips, Fiat? Love?"

Fiat is too stunned to move and his head barely moves to nod, but it is enough for Leo to see as he brings their lips together in a long awaiting kiss. They both relax the moment they kiss as if it pulled the wedge that held the tension. Fiat barely feels Leo's thumb brush against his cheek as his own hands grip tightly onto Leo's shirt. Fiat's back presses against the bridge railing as his chest meets Leo's. Time seemed to pass with in an unconventional way as they pull away in the need for deep breaths. Fiat's eyes go from his to his lips. They are plump and full of blood. He is sure his look exactly the same. Before he even catches his breath, Leo swoops back down and nibbles on his lip. "Didn't you eat enough at the market?"

"But these are so much better," Leo mumbles against his lips. Repeated pecks cause Fiat's chest to rumble with laughter before he throws his head back to get away as he bursts out into laughter. This does not seem to bother Leo as his chin and neck get tackled with ticklish touches. The nights air is full of Fiat's laughter and Leo finally stops his attacks as he nuzzles his face into the crook of Fiat's neck. He takes a long deep breathe causing Fiat to cringe away, but Leo holds him still. "Can we just stay like this for a while?"

"Not too long. I don't want to turn in too late and wake my roommates," Fiat responds, wrapping his arms around Leo's shoulders. His hands run through Leo's hair and find joy as the touch is soft against his fingertips. Leo hums with his touch and they really do stay like that for a while. Much to Fiat's surprise, Leo is the first to pull away, but keeps a close reach on him.

"As much as I'd love to spend the entire night like this, I don't want you or myself have a bad reputation with your roommates," Leo explains. Fiat smiles and nods. He feels touched by Leo's consideration. "Let's get you back home, love. I'm sure you're exhausted as well. Promise me you'll wash up and lay in bed as soon as you get back. Can you promise me that?"

"But I have-"

"Time for that tomorrow and every day after that. It's exam week soon and there's nothing more that our instructors can teach us," Leo cuts Fiat off with a proper reason for Fiat to just relax. "Tell me, Fiat. How'd it feel to just stop thinking tonight?"

"It felt amazing, but I can't do that every day," Fiat confesses.

"And I don't expect you to. Just when you need to. Tonight, you need to. Doctor's orders," Leo chuckles.

"Last time I checked, you are not a doctor," Fiat laughs. Leo playfully rolls his eyes and Fiat nods his head to appease the other. "Fine. I promise. I promise to relax tonight. Tomorrow, however, is a different story. I don't like taking breaks between days for reviewing before an exam, but I'll make the exception for you. Are you ready for the exams? Why do you look so relaxed?"

"Because I have a smart boyfriend, who would be more than happy to help me," Leo's cheeky grin is met with a glare. "You'll help me right? We can do study dates during the week."

"I'll help you if you really need it, but I don't want distractions, Leo. It'll probably be just like it was before when we studied," Fiat makes Leo stand at a more appropriate distance as they talk about schoolwork. Leo pouts and tries to return back to his previous position, but Fiat stops him. "I'm serious, Leo. You want a study date, it's study before date."

"But that's not fun," Leo whines like a child and Fiat has to will himself not to smile and give in. "What kind of study date is that?"

"If you follow my study plan I'll make you a deal," Fiat tries to bargain and a look of joy fills Leo's face. "For every A you get, I'll grant you one wish. Don't abuse the wish though. I'm not Superman."

"DEAL!" Leo agrees faster than Fiat expects and reacts more excited then he was ready for. Leo lifts Fiat in his arms and twirls him around. The shorter man seems weightless in the arms of the taller. "I will ace every exam. That's seven! I'll get those seven wishes, love. Just you wait!"

Fiat starts to dwell on what he has unleashed as they drive to his place. Leo is far to determined to do well and be granted those wishes that he starts reciting random things from their classes. At first it made Fiat laugh, but now he is not too sure on what he should be expecting for his these wishes. Only when Leo pulls up, does he stop. "Thank you for tonight, Leo. I enjoyed every bit of it. Even the drive home. Apparently I will be able to rest without a worry. I just had my study session for the night."

"I hope to do this again, Fiat. Even after the school year ends. I really don't want to see you go," Leo pouts. He shut off the engine and has turned his body to face Fiat who is mirroring him. "Do your roommates know you went out on a date with me?"

"Me and my roommates don't really talk beyond the necessary, but the one I share the room with knows. He saw me as I got ready. Well, he knows I was going on a date. I don't think he knows who let alone that it is with a guy," Fiat answers. A shadow quickly looms over Leo's eyes, but Fiat catches it. "If he finds out, then he finds out. I just hope he is okay to have been living in the same room as me for the past couple of years. I don't really parade my orientation. I just worry that if he or any of my other roommates are bothered by it, I'd have to look for a place to rent on my own."

"I got a spare room, you know," Leo responds simply causing words to get caught in Fiat's throat as panic fills his eyes. "It's just if you need it. I'm not gonna force anything on you. I promise. It's an open offer to you if you need it or want it. The room kinda just goes untouched since I moved in and my parents helped me furnish it. It's suppose to be for guests or if they ever decide to visit, but they never do stay for the night. They claim that I need a love life. Little did they know that they've already met some."

"Well, eventually they will know when they meet one. Just not now. Eventually," Fiat rambles as he feels flustered from his own words. He does not stop until Leo holds his face and covers his lips with his thumbs.

"One day they will meet my amazing boyfriend and be well aware of what he means to me. They've known my orientation since before I even came out. It was underwhelming to say the least," Leo chuckles as he glances between Fiat's eyes. "I look forward to where our future leads, love. Will you dream of our future tonight?"

"Can you have a serious conversation?" Fiat laughs and throws his head back. He squeals with laughter as Leo attacks his exposed neck. "Leo! Leo! Love! Stop!"

"Say that again," Leo pulls away and stares at Fiat with wide eyes and a creepy smile. Fiat feigns ignorance and looks at him confused. Leo shakes his head with a frown. "No, no, no. You know what you said. Say it again. Please? Please, for me? I won't be able to sleep until you say it again. Please, love?"

"You are really threatening your sleep?" Fiat asks with a questioning brow. Leo pouts and nods his head. Fiat rolls his eyes and sighs. "You're really lucky that I love you...."

"I love you, too." Leo kisses Fiat and smirks. "But that's not what I wanted to hear, love. Please?"

"Do you really want me to call you that?" Fiat asks as if Leo's words and actions are not enough confirmation. Leo nods in quick, short, repeated nods and Fiat takes a deep breath. "Text me when you get home, love. I'll see you next time, love."

Fiat quickly pecks Leo's lips before bolting out of the car and up to his building. Before he disappears, Fiat turns back around and waves his arms around. He turns back and rushes in bashfully. He can barely contain his emotions as he slowly enters his silent apartment. Just as promised, Fiat washes up for bed and settles his head on his pillow. The moment his phone lights up beside him, his hands move fast and he finds the message he is waiting for.

Leo:

Just got home, love. I hope you kept your promise.

Fiat:

Good. I did. I've just waited until your message.

Leo:

....

Fiat:

???

Leo:

Your message is incomplete, LOVE.

Fiat:

Good night, love.

Leo:

Good night, love. Sweet dreams.

*******

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

thoughts??

/o.o\ this chapter though...

How are we feeling? Have your fingers and toes finally stopped curling from all of the cute and cheesy moments? Were these satisfying enough? Were they lacking in any way?

A lot of things were touched and yet not a lot happened this time around. I feel that Fiat is really letting himself relax around Leo when they are alone, away from the city and the world around their usual lives.

Do we like this Fiat? The Fiat that is so pure and free from his trauma? Fiat's been a bit more forward as he tries to match Leo's energy.

How about Leo? Do we like that he kind of takes on the role that takes care of Fiat? Do we want Fiat to also show parts where he takes care of Leo, too?

I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Again, I don't have a schedule and write as I can, so I apologize if there are mistakes in-between or long intervals. Don't forget to vote, comment, and interact with the chapters. Feel free to talk in the comment sections even. The space is  as much yours as it is mine for conversations and discussions. However, I do hope for a kind and peaceful environment. If the story is not up to par, I fully welcome constructive criticism. You can even leave a comment as such and stop reading if it really is not to your liking. I like improving my writing, so I don't mind. I may or may not take your advice, but that's on me.

You are loved. Stay safe everyone.

xxdctuan