Vinny grins widely, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. “Aye, aye, Captain Galli. Just kidding... fuck off,” he jokes.
I can’t help but laugh. “Good. Now we can get to work. We’ve got a city to save... and a wedding to plan.”
I look at Elio, and at that moment, I know—everything will be okay. It’s not just a fleeting thought; it’s a deep, undeniable certainty that fills every part of me. It’s us.
His eyes meet mine, the same fierce, steady gaze that’s always anchored me, even when I wasn’t sure of myself, even when everything was falling apart. But with him... everything makes sense.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he says.
I smile, the warmth inside me spreading, pushing away the remnants of fear, the remnants of everything that’s come before. “I know.”
He steps closer, his hand finding mine, fingers lacing together.
My breath catches. I lean in, closing the space between us until his lips are inches from mine. I can feel his heartbeat, feel the pull, like magnets drawing us together.
It’s not a simple kiss. It’s slow and intense, a promise, a vow. It’s everything we’ve been through, everything we’re going to face, all wrapped up in one moment. I feel his hands pull me closer as if he’s afraid I might slip away, as he needs me to stay just as much as I need him. His lips are gentle, then urgent, then gentle again. The world around us fades, leaving just the two of us here together.
I pull away just enough to catch my breath, my forehead resting against his.
“I love you,” I say quietly.
“I love you, too. More than you’ll ever know.”
I feel safe. I feel loved. I feel complete, as if I’ve finally found the piece of myself that was missing, and I know—I know—we’ll face whatever comes next together. Because it’s us.
Always us.
