“What?” He gawked at me. I had a hard time reading the expression on his face completely.

I didn’t understand what he was so shocked about. I mean it wasn’t news that I wanted to show him off. I loved the idea of people knowing we were each other’s. I stared back at him in confusion. Which he must have clearly seen that I was so confused.

“Did you even hear what you just said to me?” He whispered.

“That I wanted to show you off to the world because I’m madly in lo - … ooohh…” Realization finally hit me like a freight train. That was the first time I’d ever said that I love him. At least, out loud.

“Please tell me that you meant to say it.” Vincent closed his eyes as he tried to calm himself.

“I mean… It may have slipped out like no big deal, but I definitely meant it with all my heart.” Suddenly I was feeling much too hot. Nervous. Hoping I hadn’t said the big “L-word” too soon… I’d never said it to anyone after Charles… I didn’t take the word lightly. “I love you, Vincent.” I said definitively.

Vincent’s face turned such a bright red, as tears built in his eyes. Now I was feeling even more nervous…

“God,” He gave a wet laugh, using his napkin to dry the tears before they could even spill, “who knew you could be so cheesy and oblivious at the same time.” He sniffled.

I stayed quiet. Just staring at him. Unsure of how to continue from here.

“Ciao, Vinny. Is everything okay? You’ve barely touched your food.” The woman from earlier, who’s name I couldn’t remember in this moment, came back to us.

“It’s delicious, as always, Zi’Rosa. But could you give us a moment? We were just having a very personal conversation.” Vincent ask in a very kind tone.

“Of course, paperotto. I only wanted to check on you, please excuse me.” She smiled then dismissed herself.

“Look, Vincent. I don’t know if it’s too early to be saying it, but that’s just how I feel. I know we started off rocky, but you make me happier than I’ve ever been, I want to be a better man for you and for us, and I really enjoy being with you. I’m not looking to make you say it back to me if you don’t truly mean it right now. It’s okay if you aren’t there yet.” I kept eating nonchalantly because I was actually really hungry still, but also because Vincent looked like he needed a few minutes to really process the whole situation. Eating was just the best way for me to keep myself distracted from all the nerves of this situation. Vincent also finished his meal in silence.

When we were finished eating, Vincent surprised me by suggesting we go for a ‘little stroll’ down the street to walk off some of those carbs we just ate. Holding hands, we walked past many of the cottage-house-like businesses, not speaking to each other. I wasn’t speaking because I had no idea what to say in this situation. I didn’t know how Vincent was feeling, or what he was thinking, right now. I didn’t know if he felt happy, or overwhelmed about my feelings. I didn’t know what was going on in his mind that was making him so god damn quiet right now. It was a nerve wracking silence, and I didn’t enjoy a single bit of it.

Finally, after what felt like a millennium, Vincent finally spoke, “Roy, do you want ice cream?” the question caught me off guard.

“Uh… I guess, sure. Why not?” I gave a weak, uncertain smile.

“What’s your favorite flavor?” He asked, stopping us in front of a small squared off, wild west looking building that was surrounded by the cottage-house-like shops.

“I usually like coffee flavored sweets. I don’t particularly care for overly sweet anything. What about you?” I answered.

He chuckled, “Ironically, I like vanilla.” I looked at him and laughed.

“You never struck me as a vanilla guy.” I elbowed him playfully. We both laughed together.

“But I usually get some sort of topping to add more flavor. Depends on what the shop I’m at has. They all almost always have chocolate or caramel sauce, but if you find the right shop they have some of the best unique toppings. I always aim for the most unique flavor that particular shop offers. Like this place. They also make cannoli’s, so if you know the right person, you can sweet talk them into chopping one up and whipping it into the ice cream.” Vincent gushed happily.

“And I assume you know the right person?” I rose an eyebrow at him.

“Of course I do.” He smiled.

We walked in, and Vincent was immediately greeted by a loud Italian man, “Vinny! Rosa just called to tell me you were there for dinner with a very handsome man, I was hoping to see you here too! And is this the handsome man?” The man asked in a thick Italian accent, as he pulled Vincent into a very enthusiastic hug.

“He is. This is my boyfriend, Roy.” Vincent smiled introducing me confidently as his boyfriend. It must be nice to be able to be so confident with everyone about being a gay man. I’m not the type to be ashamed of who I am, but my family was never quite as supportive.

“Ah! What a handsome man! A handsome couple!” He smiled big.

“This is Tommaso, Rosa’s husband. Their family owns the restaurant we just ate at, and this café. She manages the restaurant, and he manages the café.” Vincent told me as we made our way to the ice cream counter.

“That’s pretty cool. Family business in all the best Italian foods.” I smiled in a friendly way.

To be honest, my chest was still feeling tight with anticipation… or maybe it was aching from the uncertainty that I felt with Vincent blatantly avoiding talking about what I’d said at dinner. It was strange feeling like this. I told him he didn’t have to say it back, and I meant that. But I’d at least like to talk about it instead of avoiding it like the plague. I really didn't give a fuck about ice cream, or meeting new people right now. But I wouldn't admit to that out loud.

“Roy wants the Irish coffee flavor. I want Vanilla, with one of your delicious cannoli’s chopped up and mixed in.” Vincent ordered our desserts.

“Not much of a talker, is he?” Tommaso asked, noticing how I didn’t order for myself.

“Nah he talks plenty. I’m sure he’s just distracted right now.” Vincent answered nonchalantly, waving his hand as if to dismiss the idea that I wasn’t a talker. “We’ve got something important to get back to after we get our dessert.”

“Ohoho, you think you can come here after not visiting for ages, introduce a man, and demand quick service?! Vincent Seung, I thought your parents taught you better than that. Where are your manners young man?” Tommaso scolded Vincent, which made me snort out a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Vincent whipped around to give me a reprimanding look.

“Nothing at all.” I stopped immediately. Tommaso snickered at our interaction.

“A big man like you is scared of a little guy like Vinny?” He looked back and forth between the two of us. I kept a poker face, but inside I was screaming with embarrassment that he made a comment on the interaction. I’m not scared of Vincent. I’m scared of the punishments waiting for me. Because I knew very well that me laughing at his dispense, not once but TWICE tonight, was only adding to the punishment I already had waiting for me for teasing him earlier.

I went silent again, not really knowing how to continue in this situation. I could feel the heat of my embarrassment filling my cheeks, which earned me a smirk from Vincent as he passed my ice cream to me. After a few more minutes of chatting back and forth, Tommaso passed Vincent his over the top dessert, which honestly would have been enough to share for both of us. Vincent’s face looked like he’d just struck gold as he drooled over the ice cream.

“On the house boys. This is the first time Vinny has brought a guy to meet us, it’s a great a reason to celebrate!” Tommaso smiled brightly at us. My cheeks heated even more, and Vincent’s face turned red too.

“Oh, stop! Don’t tell all my secrets, you’ll ruin the fun of my mysterious character!” Vincent said in a very stereotypical feminine male gay tone. Extremely unlike him, but he was clearly joking around with Tommaso.

“You think you’re mysterious?” I teased.

“I am a man of many mysteries, thank you very much.”

“Many mysteries? Vincent, you’ve been an open book since the day I met you.” Tommaso laughed.

“I think ‘surprises’ would be a better word choice than ‘mysteries’ for you.” I smiled, and kissed his cheek. The aura finally became so much less awkward, and I was able to relax a little.

We said our thanks and goodbyes to Tommaso and left the café. We walked back toward where the car was, silently eating our ice cream. For such a small guy, Vincent could really eat. I mean, he ate a huge dinner, and now he’s eat a dessert big enough to share between two people. The only real mystery of Vincent was how he could pack down so much food, and still be so incredibly small and well-toned.

“Hey, Roy?” Vincent spoke up just before we got to the parking lot.

“Yes?”

“I’ve never said it to anyone before. And the thought of me finally finding the man I can say it to, scares me. Love can be a fickle thing. I don’t really know what to do in this situation, all I know is that I don’t want to lose you. Ever. But what would you say if I told you I’m not ready to say it today? Or that I might not ever be ready to say it back?”

I took a long moment to take in all that information. I understood how he felt. That uncertainty he had to trust what his heart was feeling. If his heart was even feeling it. He was right, love can be fickle, so if he needed time to trust his feelings, then I could respect that. Who am I to judge him, when I’m struggling with my own ability to trust too.

“I would say that I don’t mind waiting to hear you say it. I told you earlier, you don’t have to say it back if you don’t really mean it. I’d rather you wait to say it until you can mean it.” I answered honestly.

Vincent’s eyes found mine and he stared hard at me. Like he was searching for something. But I didn’t know what. Instead of telling me whatever it was he wanted to say, he grabbed me by my belt buckle and yanked me into him. Our lips crashed into each other in a fit of cold, delicious lust. We’d finished our ice cream well before making it all the way back to the parking lot, but our lips had yet to warm back up after the cold treat.

“I do, you know… Love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to answer you.” My heart instantly began pounding in my chest. Blood rushing through my ears. Pure excitement. Happiness. Love. All I could think of in this moment was how the man I love felt the same way about me, that I did about him. I kissed him again, with far more passion and energy than our first kiss.

“Get in the car.” He smiled at me as he pulled away panting, “It’s time to go home and receive your punishment for being such a naughty boy all day.”

“Yes Sir.” I smiled happily, obeying without any hesitation.

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A/N: Just a little cheesy sweet moment, before we get into the hot and heavy spice.

I'm curious, is anyone interested in a Markus POV scene in the future?