"You can, Rava. And I’ll be right here to remind you of that whenever you forget."
"But what if I fail—"
"You won’t," I say firmly. "But even if you stumble? You’ll stand the fuck back up. Like you always have." He blinks hard, his throat bobbing as he tries to swallow the lump forming. I smile softly, leaning closer. "I don’t care if you’re on the other side of the world or sitting right here beside me. You’re still my Ravioli. And you’re still gonna make me the proudest bastard on this damn planet."
"You’ve changed so much, Gio."
I tilt my head a little, wiping a tear off his jaw. "What does that mean?" He takes a shaky breath, eyes locked on mine. "You once said you didn’t know how to be there for people who needed you." He smiles weakly. "And look at you now."
"Yeah, well," I whisper, kissing his forehead, "turns out I just needed you to teach me how."
He buries his face against my chest after that, arms wrapping around my waist.
I’m not gonna get to do this all the time anymore. Every hug now? It’s a fucking countdown. One less. Each time I pull him into me, it’s another step closer to the last time I’ll get to.
So I hold him like I’m starving.
I want to stockpile hugs.
I want to overdose on him. Because I’m in love with a man I can’t keep in my arms forever, and I just want as many moments as I can steal before the clock runs out.
"I want you to call that lady tomorrow," I tell him, brushing my fingers through his hair. "And you’re gonna tell her not only are you going, you’re gonna fucking crush it."
He smiles weakly, and I lean in, dropping my voice. "You’ll be the most badass, sexiest teacher they’ve ever seen. I’m talking jaws on the floor. Parents will want parent-teacher conferences just to stare at you. Students will actually want to show up to class for once. You’ll ruin education for everyone else, baby."
Rava laughs, shaking his head as tears still cling to his lashes. "You’re ridiculous."
"Damn right I am," I grin. "But I’m also right."
I press my forehead to his. "I’ll wait for you. For us. As long as it takes. No one’s taking my filthy nerd from me." Rava laughs again, but softer this time.
"How would you even wait for me? You’re Gio.TheGio. Theno-relationships-everGio."
I pull back, pretending to be offended. "Dude. Don’t make me start. I shared my pies with you."
He bursts out laughing, but I keep going, dead serious now. "I’m wearing a colorful bracelet with your name on it.Your name, Rava. I cried on your shoulder, man. I showed you the fucking box. I let you borrow my gear on the bike because if anyone’s gonna get hurt, it’s me, not you."
His eyes widen.
"I even got a fucking ravioli tattoo while I was completely fucking wasted!" I throw my hands up. "I punched and threatened a guy at Sophia’s party for you."
"Wait—what?!" he blinks. "You said the fight was about old crap?!"
"Eh, long story. Not the point right now."
I smile softly, taking his face in my hands again, my thumb brushing away the last tear. "The point is, I fucking love you."
He collapses against me after that. "I love you too."
We brush our teeth after a while, wash our faces, and leave the bathroom. We’re both lying flat on the bed, staring up at the ceiling like two idiots. Then, out of nowhere, I roll and climb on top of him, my body draping over his like a blanket. I need to feel him. Right now.
"Gio," he laughs, breath catching slightly. "Babe. Oxygen. I kinda need it."
I smirk against his collarbone. "Your father hit me, Rava. This is the family tax. I get to crush you now." He snorts, his hand finds my hair, fingers threading gently through it.
"Can’t argue with that."
I close my eyes for a second. Fuck, I love when he does that. His touch can glue me together, no matter how messy everything is. I know his father. That bastard won’t let today slide. But I’m not about to say that. Not now. Not tonight.
