Title: The Wall Between Us
Fandom: Viola come il mare (category: tv)
Author: veronyxk84
Pairing: Viola Vitale/Francesco Demir
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: some coarse language
Word count: 525 (Ellipsus)
Spoilers/Setting: Set in an alternate early S2.
Summary: Paralyzed by insecurities he can’t shake, Francesco must face the consequences of standing Viola up. Again. But if he keeps building walls between them, this time she may walk away for good.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.

Challenge: #512 - Obstacle

—

Francesco slipped into his apartment without making a sound, not wanting to disrupt the strange quiet of the wee hours.

A quiet which turned into a tight knot in the pit of his stomach when he saw Viola on the terrace.

She was curled up on his rocking bench, knees pulled to her chest, staring past the horizon.

He knew he’d screwed up—big time. But he couldn’t keep avoiding her. He had to face what he’d done.

He ran a hand through his hair and stepped outside. “You already up? It’s dawn.” His voice wavered, unable to fake a lightness he didn’t feel.

Viola stayed silent for a few seconds that seemed endless. “I know,” she said at last, still not looking at him. “And you spent the night out after standing me up again. With a text.”

There was no anger in her voice, just disappointment. Which was even worse.

Francesco swallowed hard. “Yes. I’m an asshole.” He took a hesitant step toward her. “And before you jump to the wrong conclusions… I slept on Turi’s couch.”

Viola finally looked at him, but squared her shoulders as if bracing herself. “Why do you keep running away, Francesco?”

He opened his arms helplessly. “I don’t know.” And the worst part was that it was true.

Viola hugged her knees a little tighter. “It’s frustrating, you know? Every time it feels like we’ve taken a step forward, like you’re letting me in… you build another wall. Thicker than the last one. And you run. And you leave me here feeling like an idiot.”

He reached for her shoulder, then pulled back before touching her. “You’re anything but an idiot, Viola.” His voice cracked. “I’m the one who… who doesn’t know how to let go.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, as if fighting the tenderness she felt for him. “I know, Francesco. I really do. But this constant push and pull hurts. And I’m tired of chasing after you.”

His heart lurched painfully and he stepped closer, searching her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Viola drew a slow breath, picking words that she wouldn’t want to utter. “It’s your fears and insecurities that keep getting in our way, Francesco. If you can’t figure out how to get past this obstacle… I don’t think we’ll ever be able to be together.”

The silence that followed was cold enough to freeze the air. Francesco opened his mouth, but his voice died in his throat and he looked at her as if the ground had just vanished from beneath his feet.

Viola stood, and as she walked past him she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, so gentle it burned.

He turned slightly, just in time to see a tear slip down her face. And he froze, still trapped in his own contradictions.

He wanted to pull her close. Tell her everything he felt for her. But that wall felt insurmountable even to him.

So he just stood there, watching her walk back inside, disappointed once again by his insecurity.

“I’m the only idiot here,” he whispered to himself, shoulders sinking under the weight of it.


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