The night air clung to her skin, cool and sharp against the warmth of her tears. Leona sat curled up on the edge of the balcony, arms hugging her knees to her chest. The faint glow from the estate's garden lights barely reached her face, but it was enough for Valerio to find her.
He paused in the doorway with a glass of water, observing her quietly. Her back was turned to him, but the slight shake of her shoulders betrayed her attempts to hold back tears.
"You're going to catch a cold," Valerio's voice broke the silence, softer than usual.
Leona jumped slightly, wiping her face quickly. "I'm fine," she mumbled, her voice thick.
"You're clearly not." He stepped closer, draping his jacket over her shoulders. "I know you don't like people fussing over you, but… don't freeze out here."
Leona didn't argue, fingers curling into the soft fabric of his jacket. Its warmth seeped into her skin, comforting in a way she hadn't expected.
"Why are you here?" Her voice was quieter now, softer.
"I could ask you the same." He leaned against the railing beside her, watching the dark sky. "But I think I know."
A shaky breath escaped her. "I just… I don't know what's wrong with me." She rubbed her hands together, her fingers trembling. "I yelled at you guys like… like I was them."
Valerio turned his head toward her. "Them?"
"My foster parents." Her voice broke slightly. "They always fought, always screamed. And when things got bad… I started doing the same. I swore I wouldn't end up like them." She looked down at her hands, like they carried the guilt she couldn't release. "But I did. I acted just like them."
"You're nothing like them." Valerio's voice was firm, his gaze unwavering. "You were frustrated, upset… but you're not like that."
"You don't know that." Her eyes glistened. "I'm just… a mess."
"You're not." He shifted closer, his arm brushing hers. "You're the one who's held this family together when things fell apart. You're the reason Alessia is still smiling, the reason Dante doesn't drive me insane, and…" His voice faltered slightly. "You're the reason I don't feel… empty."
Leona's eyes widened, her breath catching. "Valerio…"
"I don't know what you've been through," he continued. "But I know you. You're strong — stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"I don't feel strong." Her voice shook. "I feel… exhausted. I've been trying so hard to smile, to act like everything's fine. But it's not. I'm scared all the time… and I hate it."
"You don't have to do that with me." His hand reached out hesitantly before resting on hers. "You don't always have to be strong."
For a moment, Leona just stared at their hands — her smaller fingers tucked beneath his larger palm. The warmth spread slowly, comforting her.
"I miss you," she whispered. "I kept telling myself I was fine without you… that I didn't need you. But I do."
His fingers curled slightly around hers. "I've missed you too."
A soft breeze brushed past them, carrying the faint scent of rain. Leona shivered again, and Valerio shifted, pulling her closer. She didn't resist when he gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Instead, she sank into his warmth, resting her head against his chest.
"I thought… maybe you didn't care anymore," Leona murmured. "You were just… gone."
"I thought you needed space." His voice was low. "I didn't want to push you."
"You're an idiot." She let out a shaky laugh. "I kept hoping you'd show up… that you'd just… be there."
"I'm here now," Valerio said softly.
They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in silence — but it wasn't uncomfortable. It felt right, like the tension that had followed them for weeks had finally lifted.
"You should get some sleep," Valerio said eventually. "It's late."
"I don't want to be alone," she whispered.
"You won't be."
He stood and held out his hand. After a moment of hesitation, Leona took it.
Back inside his room, the air was warmer, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the space. Leona sat on the edge of his bed, still wrapped in his jacket.
"You can sleep here," Valerio said quietly. "I'll stay on the couch."
"You're being dramatic," Leona muttered, tugging off the jacket.
"I'm being respectful."
"Since when?" she teased, a faint smile on her face.
Valerio huffed a dry chuckle before sitting on the couch. "Fine. But if you start snoring, I'm kicking you out."
"I don't snore," she shot back, her smile widening.
The light dimmed as Valerio switched off the lamp. The faint glow from outside barely reached them.
For a while, silence settled again. Leona shifted beneath the blankets, but her mind refused to calm. Memories of her foster parents still lingered — their shouts, their slammed doors — each moment echoing in her head. Her breathing quickened.
"Valerio?" Her voice was small.
"Yeah?"
"Can you… can you just…" She struggled to say it. "Can you stay closer?"
Without a word, Valerio moved, slipping beneath the blankets beside her.
"You're okay," he said softly. "I'm here."
She turned toward him, her head resting near his shoulder. His arm instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her securely. The warmth of his body, the steady sound of his breathing — it grounded her.
"You're safe," Valerio whispered.
For the first time in weeks, Leona believed it.
Her hand found his chest, fingers curling into his shirt as her eyes drifted shut. And just before sleep claimed her, she felt it — his lips pressing gently against her forehead.
"I've got you," he whispered again.
And this time, she knew he meant it.
The Morning After
The morning sun crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Dante, still half-asleep and nursing a headache from a restless night, stumbled down the hallway toward Valerio's room. He hadn't planned on disturbing his cousin, but curiosity gnawed at him — especially after seeing Leona storm off the night before.
Better check if the idiot made things worse or not.
Dante reached the slightly ajar door and peered inside.
What he saw froze him in place.
Valerio was still asleep, one arm draped protectively around Leona. Her face was tucked against his chest, peaceful and relaxed for the first time in what felt like weeks. Dante's gaze shifted — just in time to see Valerio press a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Dante muttered under his breath, grinning like he'd just found gold.
He knocked loudly against the doorframe, making both of them jolt awake.
"Morning, lovebirds!" Dante's grin widened as Valerio shot him a death glare.
"Get out," Valerio growled, his voice still rough from sleep.
"Oh no, no. I have to stay," Dante teased, leaning against the doorway. "Did I just witness our ice-cold Valerio Moretti being… affectionate?" He clutched his chest dramatically. "I never thought I'd see the day!"
"Dante…" Valerio's voice carried a warning, but Leona — still half-buried under the blankets — let out a muffled laugh.
"Oh! So now I know why Leona's been glowing lately," Dante continued, winking at her. "If I'd known all it took was a forehead kiss, I would've tried it years ago."
"Don't." Valerio's sharp tone was enough to wipe the grin off Dante's face — but only for a second.
"I'm just saying," Dante chuckled as he backed away, "if you two are gonna act like a couple, at least warn me first."
He turned and strolled down the hallway, his voice carrying back to them.
"And Valerio? Next time, maybe close the door!"
Leona's face turned crimson the moment Dante's footsteps faded down the hallway.
"Oh my God…" she groaned, pulling the blanket over her head as if that could erase the embarrassment.
"Relax," Valerio muttered, sounding far too calm for her liking. "It's just Dante being… Dante."
Leona peeked out from beneath the blanket, her face still flushed. "He thinks we… you know…"
Valerio's brow arched, a teasing smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "And?"
"And that's not what happened!" she blurted, pointing at him like she was building a case in court. "We just… talked!"
Valerio leaned closer, propping himself on one elbow. "I know that. But if Dante thinks otherwise…" His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "I don't really care."
Leona swatted his hand away, her heart pounding faster than she'd admit. "Easy for you to say! I'm the one Dante's going to tease nonstop."
"Well," Valerio shrugged, his smirk deepening, "you did end up in my bed. Can you blame him?"
"I didn't end up in your bed!" she snapped, flustered beyond belief. "I— I just… I was tired, and you said— and then I…"
Valerio chuckled lowly. "Leona…"
"What?"
"You're still in my bed."
Leona groaned again, burying her face back into the pillow.
Leona's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Valerio. His dark eyes were still teasing, but there was something else — something softer — lingering in his gaze.
Just do it, she told herself.
Taking a shaky breath, Leona leaned forward, her fingers gripping the sheets tightly for courage. Before she could second-guess herself, she pressed a quick, feather-light kiss against his cheek.
"There," she mumbled, pulling back almost instantly, her face burning.
For a second, Valerio didn't move. His expression froze, eyes wide, as if she'd just flipped his entire world upside down. Then, slowly — dangerously slowly — a smile stretched across his face.
"That's it?" he asked, voice low and husky.
Leona's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'that's it'? I—"
Before she could finish, Valerio's hand cupped the side of her face, warm fingers grazing her skin.
"You can do better than that," he murmured.
Leona's breath hitched. "You're impossible," she whispered, her voice barely steady.
"You like it," he shot back, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.
And maybe she did.