Francis's door felt intimidating.
Lovino was terrified of knocking. If he did this, it would mean revealing what had been going on, what he had been doing…he knew he had no choice, but it didn't make it any less scary. He took a deep breath, shutting his eyes and forcing himself to knock before he could change his mind. He listened and heard nothing but silence. No footsteps, nothing…maybe he wasn't home. Maybe he had gone out, and Lovino could act like this had never happened…
And then Francis Bonnefoy swung open his door, looking just as surprised as Lovino was.
"F-Francis!" he stammered, shocked that anyone had actually opened the door. He had been hoping that no one would be home…
"I…Lovino? What are you…" Francis laughed weakly, wiping his eyes and sniffling. "I'm sorry, I was expecting someone else—"
This was it, his chance!
"Me!" Lovino interrupted, meeting Francis's eyes. "I, um…you were expecting me." He took a step back, standing up straight and staring at Francis with wide, scared eyes. "This, um…this…I mean…" He sighed softly taking a deep breath as he pulled the bouquet of roses out from behind his back. "…my name is Vado Andare. Or, that was my fake name that I used on Omegle one night because I'm cautious of strangers. I was too afraid to say it before, but now I'm here to tell you that…well, Vado Andare isn't real, because I am him. I was too afraid before to make friends with you, but when Vado…when I got to know you, and when I realized how much we had in common…well, I wanted to tell you the truth. Because you deserve better than all of the pain I've given to you." He gave Francis a weak smile, the man's fallen expression and tears saying enough. "I know it doesn't mean very much now, but…I'm so very sorry, for all of this. I never meant it to go this far."
"…you're Vado? You are Vado Andare?" He realized now that Francis probably wouldn't have processed more than that – this was a lot to take in – so he nodded.
"It's a fake name and email I used to use." He pulled out his phone, went to his email, and held it up for Francis to see. "These…this…it was all me. Vado Andare was never real."
Francis continued to stare at him, tears still rolling down his cheeks as he looked Lovino over. He wasn't sure whether to be shocked or angry or upset or happy or…anything at all. "…I see," he managed quietly. "So, this means…was any of what Vado and Francis had real?" He could see Francis's fear growing as he remembered the love confession. Then he saw the sadness in his eyes growing, real sorrow filling him as he realized that his love would never be returned…
"Yes. All of it." Lovino continued to stare at Francis, hands shaking as he continued to hold the bouquet of roses out in front of himself.
Francis stared at him, shaking just a bit. He'd never seen the other man like this – Francis was always brimming with confidence and smiling brightly at meetings. To be alone with him like this…he looked so much more vulnerable, open in a way that Lovino couldn't have imagined was possible for him.
"And that's why we couldn't meet in person before…" Francis said, things finally making sense to him. They were both silent, Lovino's arm slowly falling back to his side as Francis puzzled through things. "Well, then…I suppose that's that…"
Lovino shook his head a bit, staring at Francis sadly. "Hey…even though the emails said 'Vado', all of the conversations and reactions were me. It was always me you were talking to, even though you didn't know…"
Francis met his eyes, trying his hardest not to cry. "But why did you lie? I thought I had finally made a friend, I thought there was finally someone who I connected with, Lovino!"
"There is!" Lovino frowned, sniffling a bit. "I-I know I lied, but that's because I was really insecure about speaking to you! And I thought if I told you who I was, you wouldn't want to speak to me anymore…and you don't now, do you?"
Francis sighed softly, looking away. "…it just won't be the same," he admitted sadly. "Especially not after what I said…even though you're not really Vado Andare, my feelings for you haven't changed. And I doubt that's something you're comfortable with, Lovino—"
"Hey!" Lovino grabbed his hand, staring him in the eyes. He could feel himself, and Francis, trembling. They were both so…confused by the situation, but Lovino knew what he had to do. No matter what response he got from it…
"Everything we talked about and did…I h-had so much fun talking to you, and making friends with you! It…you made me so happy and I don't want to lose that, and I know it sounds ridiculous after what I've done and I know you won't want to continue, but this is the happiest I've been in a long time, a-and…" He wanted to say it, but the words wouldn't leave his throat and he looked away. Francis was still staring at him, he could see him in the corner of his eye, but there was no way he could admit this now…
Francis touched his cheek gently, turning Lovino's face back to his and meeting his gaze. His eyes were wide, like a deer caught in headlights. "And what, Lovino?" he asked, voice fragile. "Please, tell me…"
Lovino stared at him, their breathing the only sound in the room. If he said it, there was no going back. Francis had already said it, he didn't need to now, but if Lovino were to return those feelings…would it be so bad? After all the hiding and lying…enough was enough.
"Francis…" His voice broke, and he could feel the tears falling down his cheeks and his nostrils were burning and his cheeks were on fire but fuck it, he was tired of holding back! "Francis, I'm in love with you! Really, really in love with you, s-so please don't end things now! I-I want to be with you, and not as Vado anymore! As Lovino! Please, just…please give me a chance, okay?!" He sniffled, crying in full now. "I-If you loved Vado…you should love me, too. I-I've heard we're a lot alike," he joked weakly. Francis was dead silent, and Lovino thought for a moment that no, telling Francis had really changed what they had…
And then Francis had pulled Lovino into his arms, leaning in and gently kissing him on the lips. "I do," he said, smiling. He was crying too now, Lovino saw, but the smile on his face told Lovino that they were no longer tears of sadness. "I do love you. A-And, if it's alright to ask…" He took Lovino's hand, squeezing it lightly. "I'd like to take you out on a date…preferably as Lovino." He smiled slightly. "I want to get to know the real you."
Lovino smiled, nodding slowly. "Yes…I'd like that. A lot." He looked away shyly, realizing that he was still holding Francis's hand. "But, um…" He shrugged a bit. "Can I kiss you again? Because I really want to."
Francis smiled then, pulling Lovino back into his arms for another slow, gentle kiss.
(AN: Ah, yes. The chapter I've been dying to write since the start of this story. This was incredibly gratifying to finally put down.
Stay tuned for the epilogue, and thank you again for your reviews and favorites. As a note, the name for this pairing is 'Framano'.)