Anxiety filled Tobi as he drove to the café where he and Emilio had had their first date. He had been so relieved that Emilio wanted to talk, but now that it was actually going to happen, all he could think of were the ways this could go horribly wrong. Nothing had been discussed through text except for where and when they would meet.Of course, Tobi had texted Mattias instantly, filling him in on what happened.

When he finally arrived at the café, he considered bailing.

No, he thought, shoving the nerves down, you came here to fix things and you won't leave until you've tried.

The bell on the café door chimed pleasantly as he walked in, looking around for Emilio. Seeing that he was the first one there, Tobi took a seat at a table in the back of the restaurant. He pulled out his phone to check and see if Emilio texted him that he was running late, but there was nothing.

Tobi's foot tapped anxiously. Emilio wasn't late. There was no reason for Tobi to be as nervous as he was. Yet a voice in the back of his mind kept repeating, he's not coming. He's stood you up.

Tobi anxiously checked his phone again, desperate for something to distract him from the building nerves urging him to leave.

The bell to the shop door rang softly and Tobi's head shot up. He immediately let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Emilio gave him a soft smile and made his way over.

"Emilio!" Tobi said, realizing he wasn't completely prepared for this conversation.

"Hello, Tobias," Emilio greeted pleasantly. He didn't seem nearly as anxious as Tobi as he sat down across from him.

They ordered drinks and then awkward silence filled the air between them, both unsure of where to begin.

"I'm sorry," Tobi said after awhile.

"Why are you sorry?" Emilio asked.

"I shouldn't have been so closed off."

"Well, I shouldn't have pried. I should have let you tell me when you were ready."

"Maybe..."

"What did your father say?" Emilio asked. "About me telling him that I was your boyfriend?"

"I don't know," Tobi answered. "I left and didn't go back. Mattias hasn't said anything about it."

Silence overtook them again as they considered what had happened.

To Tobi, it seemed that they were getting nowhere towards fixing things between them. Did Emilio even want to go back to what they had? Maybe he didn't. Maybe he had come here to tell Tobi the two of them were better off out of each other's lives.

Anxiety sparked fresh inside Tobi. He had to try to bring back what they had.

"I missed you," he admitted, not looking Emilio in the eyes. "Things haven't been right. It's felt... empty."

"It has," Emilio agreed, reaching across the table tentatively to take Tobi's hand. To his pleasant surprise, Tobi didn't flinch away.

"Can we try again?" Tobi asked. "Do things differently, without the secrets?"

Emilio smiled. "I would like that."

Relief and joy flooded Tobi. There were still things that needed to be dealt with, but Tobi was willing to try, and it was a start.

"There is more I would like to discuss," Tobi said, looking Emilio in the eye with newfound confidence, "but I'd prefer if it wasn't done here. Can we take this back to my apartment?"

Emilio smiled, nodding. Tobi seemed different, but not in a bad way. Perhaps the time apart had don't them some good. Both had had ample time to reflect. "So we're dating again?"

Tobi returned Emilio's smile. "Yes."

"Vanessa will be pleased."

"As will Mattias," Tobi laughed. "How have you been?"

Emilio shrugged. "Alright, I suppose, but I had a lot of internal conflict. I wanted to talk to you again but I was nervous."

"It was the same for me," Tobi admitted. "Lord knows how much longer it would have gone on had Rudolph not convinced me to contact you."

Emilio's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You're the friend he was visiting?"

Tobi raised an eyebrow. "He mentioned it to you?"

"Carmelo did," Emilio explained. "He convinced me to reach out to you."

Tobi chuckled softly. Being with Emilio again felt right. He ignored the voice in the back of his mind trying to convince him that this was all too easy and things never went this well for him. It's about time they start to, he thought to himself. It is possible for good things to happen without a catch.

"It really is good to see you again," he said earnestly.

"Shall we go to your apartment, then? Finish discussing everything?"

Tobi nodded, standing and offering Emilio his hand. Emilio gladly took it, standing up as well and walking with Tobi out the door of the café, the bell tinkling softly.

Tobi quickly texted Emilio his address, before turning to him and pulling him down by the shirt collar into a sweet kiss. Happily, Emilio returned it, cupping Tobi's face in his hands.

"I'll meet you at my place," Tobi said once he had pulled away, blushing heavily. He turned and headed to his car, smiling triumphantly to himself.

Emilio watched him go, a love-struck look on his face.

In the car, Tobi's thoughts rushed to formulate what he was going to say. There was a lot he needed to explain that he hadn't spoken to anyone about before. But he and Emilio had agreed: no more secrets this time, so he had to try. He'd gotten a second chance and there was no way he was screwing this up by making the same mistake he had last time. Emilio was going to know the truth and the whole truth.

Don't overthink this, Tobi, he told himself. Just tell him the story in order. He'll be able to handle it. Emilio won't run away from you.

All of his doubts were coming from his nightmares. This was reality. Things were different. Emilio cared.

Emilio parked next to Tobi and followed him to his apartment. Tobi didn't say anything, still gathering his thoughts, and Emilio allowed him. Tobi unlocked the door and gestured for Emilio to enter.

"So, what are we here to discuss?" Emilio asked.

"The truth. You deserve to know. About the scar, the nightmares. Everything."

Concern flashed in Emilio's eyes. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"No," Tobi insisted resolutely, "I'm telling you because I love you and I don't want my secrets to cause us to break up again."

Emilio smiled. "I love you, too."

Tobi paused. He hadn't realized he's said that part aloud, but it didn't matter because Emilio loved him back and everything was going to work out.

"It's a long story, though," Tobi warned, "so would you like to stay the night?"

A/N Happy Wednesday!!! And it's actually a happy Wednesday this time. The penultimate chapter. Next week is the finale. Are you guys excited? I know I am. I'll be glad to not have to worry about it being Wednesday and I still haven't finished writing the chapter. Chapter title this week from "Heaven's Gates" by Fall Out Boy. I really love this song. It's so pretty. Please vote and comment! I'll see you next week!