Title: Tearing Down the Wall
Fandom: Viola come il mare (category: tv)
Author: veronyxk84
Pairing: Viola Vitale/Francesco Demir
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none
Word count: 490 (Ellipsus)
Spoilers/Setting: Set in an alternate early S2.
Summary: A sleepless night leads Francesco to figure out that his fear of losing Viola is much stronger than any of his commitment issues.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.

Challenge: #513 Amnesty 85 + #127 Sleepless

—

Francesco hadn’t slept at all.

He’d spent a sleepless night tossing on the couch, staring at the ceiling, because every time he closed his eyes he kept hearing Viola’s voice.

“I don’t think we’ll ever be able to be together.”

That sentence was pounding in his head almost like a verdict; one he didn’t want and couldn’t accept. Not because of his stupid fears.

When the first rays of sunrise slipped through the curtains, he sprang to his feet. No, he couldn’t lose her like this.

He walked to the bathroom to splash water on his face, ran a hand through his hair, then went to the kitchen to make coffee for two. Sharing coffee on the terrace had become their morning ritual, and it would be the perfect excuse to talk to Viola.

With both cups in hand, he stepped outside and crossed the terrace until he reached the glass door to her room. He used to walk in without knocking, but this time was different. This time he had disappointed her, and he wouldn’t take for granted his right to enter like he always had.

He took a deep breath and knocked softly on the glass.

The door opened a moment later, and Viola appeared on the threshold; messy hair, groggy eyes, the oversized shirt she slept in.

“Good morning. I made you coffee,” Francesco said, offering her the steaming cup, anything to break the ice.

She took it with a faint smile. “Thanks.”

“Want to sit outside?” he asked, gesturing toward the terrace with some hesitation.

Viola nodded. “Sure.”

They sat at the usual table, sipping coffee in silence. A few minutes that felt endless, especially to Francesco.

“I don’t want to run anymore, Viola,” he said at last, gathering what courage he had. “But that’s all I’ve ever done, you know? Running from feelings… and now the idea of letting myself fall scares me. Then last night, when you walked away like that… I realized nothing scares me as much as losing you.”

Viola lowered her gaze, arms wrapped around herself. “Francesco…”

“I don’t know how to do this,” he went on, leaning forward. “I don’t know how to be with someone without ruining everything. But I know I want to try. With you.”

“Are you sure?” Viola asked, biting her lip. “Because I’m done chasing you, Francesco.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and nodded. “I’m sure. But… you’ll need to be patient with me,” he murmured. “A lot.”

Viola lifted a hand and brushed his cheek. “I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you not to slip away every time something scares you. Just... Tell me. Talk to me.”

Francesco took her hand between his and stroked it gently, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’m not good at expressing what I feel. But I’m trying.”

She smiled at him. “Then you owe me a date, Inspector.”


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