Elio didn't think he was going to hear from Oliver again after what had happened, but Oliver had sent him a text the next morning asking him if he was still up for hanging out that weekend. The flirting had stopped, and Elio could sense that Oliver would cut off the conversation whenever he mentioned Marzia or Chiara. He hadn't mentioned anything, but it was obvious that he hadn't actually forgotten about it.

It would have been easy enough for Elio to explain what had actually happened, but he feared he would only make it worse over text, and every time they had spoken over the phone, Oliver had been so cheerful that he didn't want to bring it up.

Elio had assumed that Oliver wouldn't want to come visit him anymore, but just last night he had sent him a photo of his bus ticket. Elio hadn't actually mentioned the visit to his parents before, but luckily when he had asked them, they were okay with Oliver coming over - but refusing to let the teenager stay at a B&B by himself.

"You didn't have to do this," Oliver says as they watch the bus drive off. "I know you had work today, so…"

"My parents gave me the morning off," Elio explains, still feeling a little awkward because he had almost gone in for a hug. Oliver had just smiled at him though, turning away to pick up his bag the second Elio had stepped closer.

"Awesome." Oliver smiles, but his smile feels different. It doesn't seem genuine.

"Are you…?"

"So this is where you live?" Oliver interrupts, avoiding Elio's eyes. Elio almost wishing he had blown the whole thing off. But he answers Oliver's question and starts telling him about growing up there, trying his best not to mention Marzia or Chiara.

Elio had shown Oliver around town, Oliver finally warming up a little by the time they had come to the Perlman's home. They had had lunch, Elio blushing and nearly choking on his sandwich as he had caught Oliver checking out his bed. The bed he had seen the night they had done… stuff, as Elio still calls it every Marzia playfully teases him about it. The bed they will have to share tonight because his parents wouldn't let Oliver stay at the B&B.

"I'm sorry for earlier," Oliver says, picking at the crumbs on his plate. "I ehm… when I found out that you and Marzia…"

"There is no me and Marzia."

"Right." Oliver nods, still avoiding Elio's eyes. "Well, when you said… that thing, and then took it back. I guess I was a little embarrassed."

"Sorry," Elio mumbles.

"Me and my big ego, eh?" Oliver laughs embarrassedly. "Thinking you were talking to me."

"I…"

"It's obviously way too soon for that. We're not even…"

"Together," Elio confirms, realizing by the hurt look on Oliver's face that that was definitely not what he was going to say.

"Right." Oliver nods, flashing a smile to try and hide the hurt and disappointment. "You should probably go into work, right?"

"Yeah… you'll like the shop. It's…"

"Oh, I'm a bit tired. I think I'll stay here and rest, if that's okay?"

"Sure," Elio says, wishing he could just tell him what had really happened. But he knows he would only mess it up again, so instead, he gets up and grabs his things. Leaving Oliver there in his room, hoping he will still find him there by the time he gets back from work.

Elio had tried his best to focus on his work at his parents' flower shop - while still managing to avoid them in case they would ask him about Oliver - but when his mother is going on a break, she takes his hand and leads him into the back.

"I thought Oliver was supposed to come see you this morning?" she asks. "Did he not show up?"

"He did." Elio shrugs, quickly realizing he will have to explain what happens or why the hell he left this stranger alone in their house. "He was tired. He wanted to sleep, so I let him…"

"He's back at the house?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let him stay. I know he's a stranger, and…"

"No, darling," Annella stops him. "Why are you not with him? You could have called to let us know, and we'd have managed without you. This boy came all the way here to see you."

"I know…"

"What happened?" she sighs, a knowing frown on her face. "Did you two get into a fight?"

"Sort of."

"I only have a ten-minute break, Elio."

Elio chuckles, his mother flashing a smile as she grabs his hand.

"I said something to him, but I didn't mean to say it. Not yet, anyway. So I said that I was talking to Marzia."

"What did you say?"

"It's not important." Elio shrugs, his cheeks flushing.

"Elio…"

"I said 'I love you'," Elio admits, before quickly adding, "But I didn't mean it. And now he thinks I'm with Marzia. I told him I'm not, but he's acting all… hurt, I guess. Or maybe he just doesn't like me anymore."

"Did you tell him what happened?"

"No."

"Then go home and talk to him," Annella says, giving his hand a squeeze before letting go. She gets up to return to work, but before leaving, she turns to face him. "And Elio?"

"Mhm?"

"Stop telling yourself that Oliver doesn't like you. He's here, isn't he?"

Elio had grabbed a bunch of flowers on his way out of the shop, but when he enters the house, he throws them in the trash - thinking they are way too much. He goes up to his room, expecting to find Oliver gone. But Oliver is sat up in bed, reading a book he must have found among the dozens that are strewn across the room.

"How was work?"

"Can we talk?"

"Of course." Oliver nods, flashing a smile as Elio sits down next to him.

"Marzia is not my girlfriend, and when I said… that, I wasn't talking to her. But I didn't mean to say it to you, so when it came out… I don't know, I just freaked out and told you I was talking to her."

Oliver gives a small nod, a smile forming on his lips.

"What?"

"Just you… why didn't you just tell me? The way it happened, I did kind of think that you and her…"

"I told you that would never happen. I like you, Oliver," Elio sighs. "I'm just not very good at all of this. Everything was so perfect at camp, and…"

"It's been one big disappointment since?" Oliver teases, nudging him in the leg. "I don't know, man, I had fun texting you… calling you…"

"Watching?" Elio blurts out, burying his face in his hands - too embarrassed to face the other teenager. "I don't know why I said that."

"It's fine," Oliver laughs. He hesitates before placing his hand on Elio's thigh - Elio a little nervous that he's about to make a move - but he just leans back against the wall, that smile still on his face.

"Are you still upset with me?"

"Nah. I was upset with myself, more than anything," Oliver admits. "I told you about the guy I… dated, I guess, right?"

"Mhm."

"I lost him because of what happened between us, and I guess I was just scared that I had already fucked it up between us and that I was going to lose you too."

"Do you miss him?"

"Of course, but I told you, I hurt him. Some things can't be fixed, you know?" Oliver shrugs.

Elio places his hand on Oliver's, before resting his head on his shoulder.

"Do your mom and dad know that we're…?"

"Two guys who had a drink together?" Elio teases. "My mom knows. I haven't told my dad yet."

"Do you think he'd mind me being here if he knew?"

"I don't think so. I'm not sure we'd be allowed to share a bed though," Elio chuckles nervously. "But I think he'd be okay with us… with me being… you know…"

"I know." Oliver smiles, before leaning in to kiss him.

"I'm sorry if that makes things weird, him not knowing. I didn't mean to lie or anything," Elio quickly says when Oliver moves away from him. "I'll tell him if you want me to."

"You think I'd make you come out to him?" Oliver asks, a little offended. "I only asked so I know what to say - or what not to say."

"I want to tell him… I think."

"And you will." Oliver smiles, giving a reassuring pat on his leg before getting up. "When you're ready to."

"Yeah…"

"Now how about we prepare dinner for when your parents get home?"

"Trying to make a good impression?" Elio teases as he gets up too. Oliver takes him in his arms and he kisses him again before hugging him as though he hasn't seen him in years.

"I've missed you so much," he whispers, his voice barely audible. But Elio hears him, and the words make the butterflies flutter like never before.