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Vincent Charbonneau sat in his dimly lit studio, the soft glow of his laptop casting long shadows on the walls. His YouTube channel, known for its culinary brilliance and dry humor, had amassed a devoted following. Yet tonight, the glowing screen displayed not accolades but a flood of disparaging comments.
He sighed heavily as he scrolled through the barrage of messages, each one a reminder of the harsh reality he faced.
“Vincent doesn’t deserve Rody,” one comment read. “Rody and Manon are perfect together. How could he steal Rody from Manon?”
The same theme repeated over and over, driving a dull ache into Vincent’s chest. It wasn’t just the fact that people were speaking ill of him; it was the way they romanticized Rody’s past relationship with Manon Vacher, another popular YouTuber. Vincent tried to ignore it, but the comments made it increasingly difficult.
“Vinny! Are you in here?” Rody’s voice, full of exuberance, echoed from the hallway, pulling Vincent from his troubled thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m here,” Vincent called back, trying to muster a semblance of normalcy. He closed the laptop and took a deep breath.
The door swung open, and Rody burst into the room, his energy a stark contrast to Vincent’s somber mood. Rody’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he held up a pair of ridiculously adorned cooking utensils. “I’ve got a new idea for our next video! It’s going to be epic!”
Vincent forced a smile as Rody approached. “What’s the idea this time?”
“A ‘Cook-off Challenge’ where we make dishes using ingredients that start with the same letter,” Rody explained, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. “I was thinking ‘L’ for lemons! What do you think?”
Vincent managed a genuine smile despite the heaviness in his chest. “Sounds fun. But I don’t want a repeat of last month’s pineapple disaster.”
Rody laughed, a sound that always managed to lift Vincent’s spirits, even if just a little. “Deal! I’ll get everything set up.”
They spent the next few hours cooking, their banter punctuated by laughter and playful teasing. Rody’s boundless energy was both a blessing and a challenge. As they prepared the final dishes for their video, Vincent struggled to shake the thoughts of the negative comments from his mind.
In the midst of setting up, Rody stopped and looked at Vincent with concern. “You’ve been off today. What’s up?”
Vincent tried to brush it off. “It’s nothing. Just the usual stress.”
Rody didn’t buy it. He took Vincent’s hand, his touch warm and comforting. “I can tell something’s bothering you. Talk to me.”
Vincent hesitated, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. “It’s the comments. People are saying… things about us. About you and Manon.”
Rody’s face fell slightly. “Oh. That.”
Vincent nodded, his voice cracking a bit. “Yeah. They’re relentless. It’s hard to ignore, especially when they keep saying that you and Manon belong together and that I’m just…”
Rody’s eyes softened, and he pulled Vincent into a tight embrace. “Vincent, I get it. It hurts to see that kind of stuff. But I’m with you. Not Manon. Not anyone else.”
Vincent felt a lump in his throat. “I know, but it’s hard when it feels like the whole world is against us. I’m constantly trying to prove myself, and it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough.”
Rody pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Vincent’s. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not to your viewers, not to me. We’re together, and that’s what matters.”
Vincent’s eyes filled with tears. “But it feels like I’m constantly fighting to keep what we have. People love to tear us apart.”
Rody cupped Vincent’s face in his hands, wiping away a stray tear. “I know it’s hard. But look at us. We’re here, together. That’s what counts. We’ll get through this. As long as we stick together, nothing else matters.”
Vincent took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his insecurities lifting slightly. “You’re right. I guess I’ve been letting the negativity get to me more than I should.”
Rody smiled softly. “Let’s not let them ruin our day. How about we finish up this video and then go out for dinner? Just the two of us.”
Vincent’s heart warmed at the thought. “That sounds perfect.”
As they wrapped up the video, Vincent found himself more at ease. The connection between them, their shared laughter, and the genuine affection they had for each other were more powerful than any comment or criticism.
The evening was spent in a cozy restaurant, their conversation flowing easily as they enjoyed each other’s company. Vincent’s earlier concerns seemed distant, overshadowed by the warmth and closeness he felt with Rody.
Later, as they walked back to their apartment, Vincent took Rody’s hand, feeling a renewed sense of strength. “Thank you for today. For helping take my mind off things.”
Rody grinned, leaning in for a quick kiss. “Anytime, Vinny. We’ve got this. Together.”
As Vincent and Rody returned to their apartment, the comforting familiarity of their shared space wrapped around them. Vincent felt a renewed sense of calm, bolstered by the evening’s moments of intimacy and connection. Yet, the shadows of the comments lingered, a distant echo in his mind.
The apartment was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating the room. Rody headed to the kitchen to get them both a nightcap-a ritual they’d developed over the past few months. Vincent settled on the couch, pulling a blanket around himself, lost in thought.
Rody returned with two glasses of wine, a mischievous smile on his face. “One glass of wine, coming right up.” He handed Vincent a glass, then plopped down beside him, their shoulders touching.
Vincent took a sip, savoring the warmth that spread through him. “Thanks for tonight. It really helped.”
Rody snuggled closer, his head resting on Vincent’s shoulder. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m here for you, remember?”
“I know,” Vincent said softly. “It’s just… sometimes it feels like we’re fighting an endless battle.”
Rody’s fingers lightly traced patterns on Vincent’s arm. “It might seem that way, but we have each other. That’s something a lot of people don’t have. The negativity will fade, but we’ll still be here.”
Vincent sighed, leaning into Rody’s touch. “I guess I’ve been so focused on the comments that I forgot what’s really important. You.”
Rody tilted his head up, capturing Vincent’s gaze. “And you. We make a great team, don’t we?”
Vincent’s eyes softened as he looked at Rody, seeing not just his partner but his rock. “Yeah. We do.”
They spent the next few hours talking about everything and nothing-Rody’s latest video ideas, Vincent’s upcoming projects, and their plans for the weekend. It was a welcome distraction, a reminder of the life they had built together away from the harsh glare of the online world.
As the clock edged toward midnight, Rody’s playful demeanor shifted to a more serious tone. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
Vincent looked up, curious. “What’s that?”
Rody hesitated, then took a deep breath. “I know things have been tough with the comments and everything. But I want you to know that no matter what anyone says, you’re the only one I’m with. I chose you.”
Vincent’s heart ached with emotion. “I know. And I choose you, too. Every day.”
Rody’s smile was soft but sincere. “Good. Because I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”
Vincent nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. “I won’t. Not anymore.”
They shared a quiet, tender moment, holding each other close. The world outside seemed to recede as they focused on the simple pleasure of being together.
Eventually, they made their way to bed, their usual routine of winding down for the night accompanied by light-hearted banter and affectionate touches. As they settled under the covers, Vincent felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that their bond was stronger than any external criticism.
“Goodnight, Vinny,” Rody murmured, his voice soft with sleepiness.
“Goodnight, Rody,” Vincent replied, pressing a gentle kiss to Rody’s forehead.
As they drifted off to sleep, Vincent felt a renewed sense of clarity. The comments and criticism would always be there, but they were only a small part of their lives. What truly mattered was the love and support they gave each other, the way they faced challenges together, and the joy they found in their shared moments.
Vincent wrapped his arms around Rody, his worries melting away in the warmth of their embrace. In the quiet of the night, he knew that no matter what the world threw at them, they would face it together-stronger and more united than ever.
—
**End**
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