Breaking barriers

The air in Milo's apartment was heavy with an intensity that neither could ignore. Victor's presence, closer than usual, had been lingering for days. It was subtle, but Milo noticed-the way Victor's eyes followed him, the way he leaned in slightly when they talked.

Milo, unsure if he was overthinking, decided to brush it off. Yet tonight, it felt different.

Victor leaned closer, his gaze steady and piercing. "Milo," he said softly, his voice low and deliberate.

Milo froze, his pulse quickening at the proximity. "What is it?"

Victor hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How do you want your partner to be?"

The question caught Milo off guard. His eyes widened as he stared at Victor. "What?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper. "Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?"

Victor leaned in even closer, a small smile playing on his lips. "I just... wanted to know," he said.

Milo's cheeks flushed, his thoughts scrambling to make sense of the moment. He shifted uncomfortably but answered, "I guess... someone who loves me for who I am. Someone who accepts me completely."

Victor smiled warmly, his expression softer than Milo had ever seen. Then, slowly, he reached out and took Milo's hand in his own.

Milo's breath hitched as he looked down at their joined hands, his mind racing. "Victor..." he began, but Victor interrupted him.

"Can't you see it?" Victor asked, his voice tender. "The love I have for you?"

Milo's head shot up, his eyes wide with shock. He quickly pulled his hand back, shaking his head in disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

Victor leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "You heard me, Milo."

Milo's heart raced as he stood up abruptly, creating space between them. "Stop joking around, Victor," he said, his voice firm but laced with nervousness.

Victor stood as well, his expression turning serious. "I'm not joking, Milo," he said, his tone resolute. "I'm being serious. I'm in love with you."

The words hit Milo like a tidal wave. He shook his head vehemently, stepping back as tears welled up in his eyes. "No... Victor, no. You're straight. You've always been attracted to women. Why are you saying this now?"

Victor took a step forward, his voice growing more intense. "Why do you think I'm saying this?"

Milo's vision blurred as a single tear slipped down his cheek. "I'm gay, Victor. You're not. This... This isn't possible."

The sight of Milo's tears was enough to break something inside Victor. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair before his emotions boiled over. "What am I, then?" Victor yelled, his voice trembling. "What am I if I'm standing here, telling you that I love you?"

Milo's breath hitched as he stumbled back, overwhelmed by the moment. Before he could retreat further, Victor stepped forward and pulled him into a firm embrace.

"Milo," Victor said, his voice cracking, "I love you. I'm in love with you. And I know you feel the same way."

Milo struggled against Victor's hold, his mind screaming for him to push away, but his heart betrayed him. "Victor, let me go," he choked out, his voice trembling.

"No," Victor said firmly, tightening his grip. "Please, Milo. Don't push me away. I want to be with you. I need to be with you. I don't care about anyone else-I'll go against the whole world for you. Just... don't shut me out."

Victor's voice cracked at the end, and his grip trembled slightly. Milo froze, his struggling stopping as Victor's words sank in. His heart ached, the raw emotion in Victor's plea breaking down his walls.

Tears flowed freely down Milo's cheeks as he let out a sob, his body going limp in Victor's arms. "Victor..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Victor pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Milo's tear-streaked face. "What's wrong, Milo? Why are you crying? Please, don't cry," he said, his voice filled with concern.

Milo shook his head, his hands clutching Victor's shirt tightly. Unable to speak, he rested his forehead against Victor's chest, his sobs muffled.

Victor wrapped his arms around Milo, holding him close as if he could shield him from all the pain in the world. "It's okay," Victor whispered, pressing his cheek against Milo's hair. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, the sound of Milo's soft sobs filling the quiet room. Victor's hold never wavered, his arms steady and protective.

For the first time, Milo allowed himself to feel the comfort of Victor's embrace, his walls slowly beginning to crumble.