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sedonalace · 5 years

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I like me better when I’m with you

I started writing this so I could post it by Christmas but then I didn't. And I almost let this get unposted until after Valentine's day but teehee surprise I stayed up until nearly three in the morning finishing this so I could let @deliverychicafresa read this before it wasn’t Valentine’s day for her anymore. I hope it’s worth the surprise,

Anyways, I didn't proofread this for obvious, previously stated reasons. Also, I had combined two prompts I saw on here to make this but I lost the post to credit it. Anyway, double Valentine's day fic I guess. This one is twice as long though so enjoy, I hope.

She really didn't care that she didn't have anyone to spoil with flowers or chocolates or fancy dinners or intimate nights of candles and champagne and privacy with this holiday. Sure Valentine's day was meant to be spent with your partner to show them your love. But Luna likes to look at it more as an opportunity to spoil her family and friends with all of the love she has for them. And it's one of her favorite holidays because of that reason. There's nothing that gives her more joy than to show her appreciation, in this case, cookies.

Getting home from a long day of classes at the university, Luna was still in the warm and cheery mood to dive right into her cookie bonanza. She planned to make at the very least 6 dozen batches of cookies for her best friends to give the next day, and it was going to take her all afternoon to do so.

Not even an hour after getting home, already elbows deep into making her first batch of cookies that were already in the oven, she suddenly remembers the bag of frostings she had bought from the grocery store before returning that she had left in the car. Luna looked over at the timer, seeing that she had about six minutes left on her cookies. It would take her about four minutes if she sprinted all the way downstairs, to her car, and back up, so she figures she would be able to make it in time if she hurried quickly.

Yet alas, when she makes it back up to her apartment, with two minutes to spare like predicted, she realizes that her front door was locked and closed and that she didn't bring her key with her. Leaving her totally screwed.

Of course, pulling on the handle and kicking the door repeatedly, and so hard that it made her toes throb, did nothing to help. Especially when her new next-door neighbor approached her looking rather wary as she basically attacked her front door about to rob herself. She stops while looking between him and the door rather sheepishly. While he looked pretty terrified, to say the least.

"Is there a reason why you're trying to knock down your door like that?" he asks of her. Luna sighs while grumpily whines at her failed attempts of entry, as well as greeting impression. "I accidentally locked myself out, and now I have cookies that in the oven that are about to burn any moment now, so I am just praying no one has to evacuate from a burning building right about now," she hastily explains herself.

The guy nods more understandingly as she frantically looks at her door for some answer to just spew out right in front of her eyes magically. He taps her shoulder as she does so. "Uh, you don't happen to have a spare like under your welcome mat or anything like that? Luna shook her head. She did actually, but two weeks ago when she had Simon drop off her skates in her apartment while she went to take a test, he had left it inside and she forgot to put it back under the mat, leaving her back up, backfired.

"No, I forgot to replace it. I need to get in there fast though, I seriously think something can end up burning soon,"

Thinking extremely quickly he points toward the window right next to the door. Sure it's not a huge one, but with Luna being tiny and all, she could definitely be able to fit through there easily.

He points it out to her and together they try to find a way to open it up. Luckily Luna hadn't set the lock in place from the inside, yet it was still hard to slide it open. But somehow with a little bit of patience and nimble fingers, they got it open. However, with the screen still on there, they needed tools. So he went back inside to grab a screwdriver and such. Meanwhile, the timer of the oven went off repeatedly, and the scent of burnt cookies becoming stronger making Luna slightly more tense than before.

But he comes back quickly and is able to unscrew the corners of the screen, gently removing it, and putting it to the side. While giving Luna a boost into the window as she hurriedly scrambles to the front door to turn off the oven in time.

Luna comes back to the front, where he's still waiting for her shyly. "Thanks for helping me Matteo," he shrugs a bit murmuring you're welcome as he peers inside shyly at the smoking pan of burnt cookies. Luna notices and decides an offer. "Do you want to maybe come in? You saved my apartment and all. It's the least I can do. And I'll even make you cookies, not burnt ones of course," Matteo chuckles at her remark as he nods his head yes as he follows her into her kitchen.

She leads him through to the kitchen and motions for him to sit down on a bar stool and pours him a glass of lemonade from the fridge. As he lifts the glass to his lips, Matteo peers over at Luna taking her oven mitts and blowing away the huge cloud of smoke that emerges from the burning oven, trying to air it away as fast as possible to get to the pan. "Is everything okay?" he questions her warily at the smoky cloud. He hears Luna cough a few times and is finally able to see her when the air clears. "Yeah, all good," she chokes out as she sets the burnt to a crisp pan of cookies on the stove rack. Luna, looking completely disheveled and disappointed. Matteo can't help but chuckle at the charred mess.

"Is burning your food a common occurrence around here?" he can't help but cheekily ask. But Luna can't be amused. "For your information, I bake pretty often," she states before pausing. "However, unfortunately, I forget and lose things a lot so this social experiment of combining my best and worst habits was not my finest moment, but we all make mistakes, right?"

She dumps all of the remaining crisps into the trash while scrubbing the remaining char with a spatula. Matteo still looking very amused. "Well, not all of our mistakes have the potential to burn down a building but, whatever helps you sleep at night," he points out before taking another sip. Luna rolls her eyes but can't help but agree with a smile.

"Anyway," she takes the opportunity to change the subject while scrubbing the baking sheet in the sink. "You go to the same university as me right? What are you studying?" Luna hardly knows anything about Matteo besides that he's a year older than her and comes from a rich family in Italy. She'd at least like to get to know the guy she impulsively invited into her home.

"Music Composition," he simply puts. "I'm trying to become a big-shot producer one day. But I also write and sing my own songs. And have helped out a few people writing some of their songs too," Luna nods her head interestingly. "That's really cool. Have you ever worked or interned with a record label yet?" she asks him intrigued.

But he only shakes his head. "Nah, I've applied so many times to the local ones. And even some in Italy. But none of them have gotten back to me," she smiles sympathetically at him and reaches out with the damp, wrinkled fingers from the water and places them on his, looking up at him. "The opportunity will come soon I'm sure of it."

Those few seconds a flame shot up his skin. The warmth of her fingers electrifying to the touch. He only noticed how strong he felt it when she pulled away. The feeling still tingly on the back of his hand. A smirk twitched upon his lips, quickly wiped away once she laid his eyes on his for a brief moment before going back to her baking. What an intense moment for two practically strangers, it boggles Matteo's mind.

"And you," he clears his throat. "What are you studying?" Luna looks up from rolling a ball of cookie dough in her hand before placing it in on the sheet. She ponders over it a bit, grabbing another chunk of dough before rolling it in the palms of her hands. "I don't know yet. I haven't decided yet. It's complicated," she tries to explain. But it only makes him appear more confused. "I mean, I have until the end of the year to decide. But truthfully, I haven't found my passion that I want to study yet. My parents have been pushing me to be a teacher, my grandfather wants me to take up business, my best friend says I'd be good as a pastry chef...."

"Here's another question," Approaches Matteo. "What do you want to do?" Luna looks at him dazed. "Me?" she points to herself, somehow waiting for him to slowly nod back. "I guess my one true passion would be to skate for the rest of my life, but that's not exactly realistic." Matteo frowns at her. "And why not?"

Luna looks over at him like he couldn't be serious, "There are many reasons," she explains while rolling the last ball onto the plate and popping it into the oven. "It's not like I've been doing it my whole life. I wouldn't be able to do the Olympics or anything. Plus what would my family think of me for quitting school to pursue skating? I mean what else would I skate for? I just do it for fun." Her justification isn't enough for him.

"Who says you have to quit school?" He shrugs. But Luna is still confused. "Huh?" "I mean, what if you could find a major that lets you revolve around skating in some way?" Luna chews on her bottom lip. "What major involves skating?" Matteo tilts his head back trying to reach into the back of his mind for answers. "Marketing? For sporting events maybe? Management for teams? I mean there are ways, you just have to really think it through."

Maybe his rant wasn't something wastefully inspiration with empty promises. Maybe there was a fulfilling and realistic point he had given. Something she had encountered before.

"It sounds somewhat appealing to me, I'm just not sure..." "Hey," he calls to her attention. "Whatever it is whenever you decide, I'll be great regardless. You have a bright future ahead." When he says those words he looks straight into her eyes so deeply, she feels so flushed and speechless she can't move. Completely entranced by his brown eyes searching for some sort of acknowledgment which words fail her to give. Only when they ding of the oven calls her to attention does she move and break from the spell, does she process everything going through her brain.

As she lays down the cookies on the cooling rack, she finally looks back at him after a few, long silent seconds of none of them saying anything to one another. "Thank you, Matteo. Your words really help," He smiles back smugly yet as much as to not overstep. "Then, I'm glad. You're welcome."

Luna pushes the bowl toward him and offers him an apron. "Do you wanna help me finish the rest of the cookies?" she asks with an excited smirk. His face reflects her as he takes the apron from her hand. And joins at her side, grabbing a piece of dough, rolling it together as one.

Hours later they've made all of the cookies she planned to make for her friends now that she had the help from Matteo, who just so happened to be an excellent decorator as well. To reward their hard work, he went back to his apartment to swap out their lemonade for chardonnay and finish talking through the night.

One conversation to another, one hand placed on an arm to a leg to a hip, one risque comment to another, bouncing lightly yet flowing gracefully throughout. It was clear to both of them that they felt connections so strong it would be hard to resist one another even if they tried. Alcohol consuming, conversations flying, words that sounded like poetry singing a song when came to those quiet stories that they both intently shared with each other. And both of them to themselves over and over thought the same thoughts, flying through their minds.

Maybe she was in love. And maybe he was in love with her too.

And it came to no surprise when he kissed her so gently that it wasn't enough, that he wasn't content with that either. She straddled his hips and suddenly she was taken to another paradise far away, surrounded by him and only him and that's all she ever wanted. But she never realized it until now.

He left in the morning before she could wake up, leaving a note by her bedstand and all. Smelling the cologne on her pillow was enough to make her wake up bright and happy for once in her life, she may never want to leave her bed.

He comes back to his apartment after his classes on Valentine's day, the taste of her lips still tingling on his tongue. At his doorstep laid a box of cookies that he recognizes and a card, letters all loopy and messy and no doubt in his mind where it came from.

"I know we just met and all, But I really had a ball, will you be my Valentine, and maybe give me a call?"

Matteo snorts laughing. Poetry is definitely not her strong suit given the terribly cheesy poem. But he'd still take her cookies and number any day.

24 December

Ten months can turn into a whirlwind of chaos and bliss by some miracle. Luna never expected to see herself nearly a year later, changed into not necessarily a whole new person. But changed into a new personality, someone older and wiser and maybe just..... more in love?

She also never expected a random Valentine's Day eve spent with a neighbor she rarely talked to, to turn into the next night, into the next consecutive nights. Into making out on her couch one late evening, into dates, and gifts, and all of the sudden titles and meeting family and going on a trip together, etc. All in all, having a relationship happen so fast and so deep was never on her agenda. But what wonders and happiness did it bring her to life.

And as magical and blissful as that all sounded, to now have a wonderful boyfriend who she loved with all of her heart and got to see every single day, as he lived one door down, today was not as magical as it seemed sadly.

Maybe she was just spoiled rotten that she got to see Matteo almost every single day of this year so far and that she is so in love with him she can't picture anything else. But this one holiday, or a few days really. These few days of Christmas, she just couldn't seem to find a cure to dull the ache in her heart living without him.

They had talked about it for weeks now. Both already have met each other's parents, who quickly adapted and adored to one another. They couldn't come to an agreement on who to spend the holiday with, no matter how hard they tried. Still being a relatively new couple and navigating their relationship, compromises just couldn't find its way in the middle. And with both sets of parents begging their children to come home for Christmas, it was naturally decided that they would go their separate ways for the holiday. Leaving both of them a little heartbroken.

Now with Luna back in Cancun for the holidays, and Matteo back in Buenos Aires with his family, it was the furthest they had been from each other. And they tried to make the distance for the short period work. And they did. However much to the annoyance of their families.

Christmas Eve, when they should be sitting with their families and eating together, conversing joyfully all around, exchanging gifts and what not. It wasn't necessarily the case here. With a 3+ hour phone call still ongoing. Cooping with distance was just something not on their agenda apparently.

"How is the food not still ready yet, hasn't been like all morning and afternoon since our grandma and aunts started cooking?", Luna asked Matteo. He was in as much disbelief as she was. "Give them some credit, babe. They bust their ass to make a wonderful dinner here. It'll be ready soon." She hates how much he's right. But patience has never been her strong suit either. "You know how hungry I get, ok?" She hears him chuckle on the other end of the line. "I know, I know. That's why I love you of course." "Mhm," she sounds through content.

Although she can hear voices on the other side of the phone. "I have to go, dinner's ready here. I miss you," Matteo sighs. Luna mimics him. "I miss you too. Call back later, yeah?" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course, I will. Bye," "Bye." Luna hangs up feeling defeated. She really misses him. And she missed her family too of course. She loves being with him. But her soul can't help but feel a little hole missing without him here celebrating this day with her.

Not too long later, she gets called for dinner. Where she gets pulled back into the serenity but also chaos of her family. She definitely missed this. And feels much happier being surrounded b the love of her beloved family, it's like the hole is not replaced but, feels lighter in a way.

A little after midnight, when the stroke of midnight comes, everyone wishes each other a Merry Christmas, and everyone begins opening their gifts, she gets a text from her beloved boyfriend.

Matteo 00:09: Merry Christmas, Luna

Matteo 00:09: Your present is waiting for you outside

At first, Luna smiles at the first text he sent, Even if it's hours past the time he should be sleeping, her heart bursts at the thought of him staying up to text her that. Although when the second one gets delivered to her, she becomes curious and concerned. It just can't be possible.

She hesitantly puts on her shoes and walks outside to the brisk air in the early morning hours of Christmas day. And before she knows it, she's come standing face to face with Matteo, quickly followed with tears in her eyes.

But her only instinct is to scream at the top of her lungs, neighbors be damned, and run straight into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, fully embracing his body.

"I really can't believe you're here," she cries into his shoulder. Once she gains a bit of air, she pulls back and cups his face in her hands. "How is this possible? I thought you were back in Buenos Aires? I mean, what-" He cuts her off by kissing both of her hands. "I changed my mind two days ago. I bought last minute tickets to come here. I couldn't get a direct plane to Cancun so I had to go to a way further airport and take an express bus that took a few hours here. That's why I was able to call you But I made it," he breathes out heavily. But Luna keeps shaking her head in disbelief, unable to quite grasp that he's here, with her right now. On Christmas. Just like in fairy tales. "I really can't believe you," Luna cries. But Matteo is there to wipe the tears away.

"I love you, so, so, so much," Luna whispers against his lips. "I love you too," he mumbles before finally closing the bridge between their lips. He kisses her fiercely and savoringly, finally at the conclusion of his long journey to get there. And it's never felt so good before as it does now.

Going through hundreds of obstacles just to be here by her side, it all makes it worth it to feel her lips on his. To feel her arms around his neck, feel her hands in his hair. The tears falling down their cheeks, the smiles and laughter erupting from their lips in between kisses. Every single thing makes it worth it. And there's nothing he'd trade in the world for it than to be there with her safe and sound, the happiest they've ever been.

Who would have thought being distant neighbors would become so much more than that, bridging gaps and making love bond unbreakable. In a world that is lost, there's always love and hope to be found.

#OK IM GONNA FUCKING SLEEP NOW #I def need it #I need t get up early #but im so fucking glad this fic is done now #finally #ok goodnight #and happy valentine's day #lutteo #sl #soy luna #luna valente #matteo balsano #sl ff #mywrittenworks #valentine's day #valentine's day fic

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