"What are you doing, Damiano?" you asked in annoyance.

"Dancing with you?" he replied, his gaze intense.

"No, I meant, what are you thinking? What will the paparazzi say? I don't want to be linked to you again."

"To hell with the rumors," he declared with a dark gaze. It was a stark departure from his previous concern about public perception.

"Wow, well, that's new. You always used to care about what was being said," you remarked, observing the change in his attitude. This time, he looked away, visibly clenching his jaw.

"You look good tonight," he said, his compliment catching you off guard. You scoffed a little.

"You don't look too bad yourself. I always told you a white wedding outfit would look marvelous on you," you teased, remembering a past conversation. He smirked at that.

"Yes, you did," he acknowledged, lowering himself next to your ear. "Tell me, y/n... did you dream about seeing me dressed that way?" The question hung in the air, laden with memories and a complexity that transcended the dance floor.

You felt a shiver as Damiano's breath lingered on your ear, prompting a momentary closing of your eyes. Regaining composure, you quipped, "You wish."

"No, you wish," he countered, and your eyes met, locking into a world encapsulated by his beautiful brown gaze. Before you could continue, a sudden voice pierced through the intimate moment. "Amore!"

Startled, you jumped as the presence of Damiano's current partner became apparent. So, she was there, approaching your dance spot with an unusual speed. Damiano frowned noticeably. "What are you doing here? You aren't on any guest list," he almost sneered.

"Come on, dear, we all know that you can't keep me out. I'm your girl after all," she retorted, unflinching under Damiano's glare.

"You were," he corrected her, glaring, but she remained undeterred. "Y/n! Didn't see you there. How do you find the tuxedo I chose for him?" she addressed you, and you glanced back at Damiano, who avoided making eye contact.

"It's nice, isn't it? I always told him white would look good on him, and he listened to me." Her words stung - he listened to her, not to you. You felt another crack in your heart.

"Come on, Amore, I want to dance," she said, attempting to grab Damiano's arm, but he snapped away from her grasp. "No, leave me alone. I have been clear last week. We've never been together, so don't consider me as your partner." The scene drew everyone's attention, and she must have felt humiliated because her next words aimed to regain the upper hand.

"Oh, really? Because I think I'm more of a partner than she is," she asserted confidently.

"You certainly are not," Damiano refuted.

"Really? Then why don't you tell her what you told me that day?" she taunted, a smirk playing on her lips. Confusion and distress painted Damiano's face. "What are you..." he started but cut himself short, growing visibly pale. "No, don't," he pleaded.

"Dam, what is she talking about?" you finally asked, the tension in the air palpable as everyone's eyes turned to Damiano, awaiting an explanation.

The air grew heavy with tension as Damiano's pleading eyes met yours, and you couldn't escape the gravity of the moment. "Come on, Damiano, tell her what you said that day," she urged, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. Your frown deepened as you shifted your gaze to him, awaiting an explanation.

"Y/n, I..." he began, but she interrupted, eager to expose the wound she had inflicted. "Come on, I'll help you. How did it start again? Oh yes: 'If it wasn't for her not being here before, I would have gotten better sooner. Maybe I never loved her truly.'" The words hit you like a dagger, and the gasps from those around you echoed the shock that reverberated through your heart.

"No! I was high that day! I couldn't think straight. Y/n, you have to believe me," he pleaded, desperation in his voice. He held you by the shoulders, but you took a step away, tears beginning to blur your vision. The weight of those words hung in the air, a betrayal that cut deeper than any previous wound.

"No... please tell me you didn't say that," you whispered, your voice shaking with disbelief and hurt. Damiano, caught in the crossfire of his past actions and the present consequences, couldn't bring himself to deny the painful truth. The revelation sent your world spinning, leaving you grappling with the shattered remnants of trust and the reality of a love that had been called into question.

The weight of Damiano's admission hung heavily in the air, each word slicing through your heart like a dagger. "No... Please tell you didn't say that..." you pleaded, your voice cracking under the emotional strain.

He didn't deny it, and the reality of his words hit you with a force that left you breathless. The room seemed to close in on you as tears blurred your vision. The pain of betrayal, the revelation of the words he uttered in a moment of vulnerability, it all overwhelmed you.

"I was high that day! I couldn't think straight. Y/n, you have to believe me," Damiano implored, holding onto your shoulders as if trying to anchor you in the storm of emotions.

Your gaze remained fixed on him, but the trust you once had in his words had crumbled. The world around you spun, and you took a step back, distancing yourself from the reality that unfolded before you.

The gasps and murmurs of those around you became distant echoes as you grappled with the magnitude of Damiano's confession. It felt like the ground beneath you had shifted, and the person you thought you knew so well had become a stranger in that heartbreaking moment.

In the midst of the swirling emotions, you felt a hand gently on your arm. Turning, you found Leo, his eyes reflecting concern and understanding. "Y/n, let's get out of here," he suggested, guiding you away from the unfolding scene.

As you left the venue, the night air provided a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere inside. Leo, ever the supportive friend, gave you the space to process. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said softly, acknowledging the depth of the wounds inflicted by Damiano's careless words.

"Let's go to the after party," you insisted after an hour spent outside the venue, needing to face the challenges awaiting within. Leo, ever understanding, hesitated before conceding. "I don't think it's a good idea-" he began, but you cut him off. "I need to do it or I'll never be able to look at myself."

He sighed in reluctant agreement, "Fine." A taxi was called, and soon you both arrived at the after party. In a strategic move, you changed into darker clothes, letting your hair cascade down. Midnight had already arrived, and Måneskin's exclusive video clips were being revealed every thirty minutes. The first four songs had likely unfolded, and you braced yourself for the storm of rumors and videos circulating on social media.

Entering the room with Leo by your side, you couldn't ignore the hushed whispers and curious glances. Aware that misunderstandings and assumptions might have colored the perceptions of those around you, you scanned the room. Thomas, in white attire slightly more comfortable than the earlier ceremony, looked genuinely surprised to see you.

"Y/n, I didn't expect you to come. Are you okay? I'm sure there has to be a misunderstanding. Because Dam loves you," he expressed with concern. You brushed it off, a shrug masking the emotional turmoil within. "I don't want to hear it right now... But right now is about you guys. I'm sorry I missed a few songs."

Thomas smiled sadly, understanding the weight of the situation. "It's okay. I can't wait for you to see the others." The warmth of his hug conveyed a support that nearly brought tears to your eyes, a simple gesture in the midst of a tumultuous night.

Amidst the crowd, you spotted Damiano, and he, in turn, noticed you. Walking up to you, he started, "Y/n, we need to talk. What she said earlier-"

"Was true. I'm sorry, Damiano," you interrupted, taking the blame upon yourself. His expression shifted to confusion as you continued, "I wasn't there enough for you. The blame is all on me." It felt easier to shoulder the burden alone, a slow but complete path to healing.

He stared at you incredulously, as if you had sprouted an extra head. Putting the responsibility on yourself was a way to ensure your healing, even if it took longer. "No, Y/n, you are not to blame. You were there for me, but I was too big of an idiot to see it. I love-"

"Don't! Don't say it. Because then it'll be too hard," you interjected, tears welling up from a mix of rage, sadness, and loss. Emotions flooded through you, threatening to overflow. "And yes ! You were the biggest idiot. How could you go out with her ? You knew exactly what you were doing." Your hands started to tremble from all the anger you bottled up. He looked at you in slight annoyance. "We weren't together. We just let at my lowest and she was there to help me. It's illegal to go out with your patients." He lectured you.

"Oh, I'm sure she was very well aware of that with her Amore." You ironically spat back, taking pleasure in imitating her tone. "You weren't better with you always next to my best friend. Like you were glued to him." His rolling movement of eyes made you understand his feelings. "Are you jealous?" "No ! I'm hurt ! Hurt because not only you both danses in front of me after acting like a total fucking stranger. But also because you danced to our song." The pain was visible in his eyes.

You really did hurt him. You could see he was about to leave so you grabbed his hand. He visibly flinched form the slight yet simple touch. You let it go hastily, standing at a respectable distance. You two were somebody that you used to know for each other. And it was partially your fault. You pondered for a few question. "Y/n I didn't mean to hurt you-" He was about to speak up again but you interrupted him.

"Damiano, please let me have this. You took my love, my pride, my heart. So please, at least let me have the blame so I can leave with peace. I can't live on like this anymore," you pleaded, hoping the cracking in your voice would be drowned out by the surrounding noise.

"Y/n, please don't-" Damiano reached out to grab your shoulders, but you were quick to move away.

"I think you've done enough," Leo interjected, pulling you towards him. The brotherly glare he shot at Damiano held a weight of unspoken warning. If eyes could kill, Damiano might be a murderer by now. "We were talking, Leo. Can you leave us be?" Damiano's voice held a touch of irritation.

"I think you guys talked enough in one night. Why not take a short break?" Leo's tone matched the intensity in his gaze. "Boys, no," you interrupted. Refusing to let your personal turmoil destroy friendships, you asserted, "I'm asking you. Please don't fight. Leo, leave me a minute with him."

Leo stared at you, searching for any lingering doubt on your features. After a few seconds, he sighed, shooting a stern look at his best friend that seemed to say, 'Hurt her, and you're dead Italian meat.' He walked away through the crowded room.

Turning back to Damiano, he began, "Y/n-"

"No. I'm talking for now. Listen. Our breakup must have been the worst thing I've endured since the loss of my mother. And I thought I had recovered from it, but seeing you the other night... It all came down like a wave on me. Ever since we met again, I've endured betrayal on betrayal. So... I think it's better we definitely part our ways." He remained silent.

He knew that what you said held a painful truth, a truth he couldn't deny. It was his mistakes, primarily his, that led to this point. If your happiness meant a life without any traces of him, then he reluctantly accepted it. He simply nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

"I only want your happiness. But I won't give you up," he uttered, a sentiment that you tried not to scoff at. "You gave up a year ago, Dam. I tried to hold the two ends together, but as you said yourself, it made you happier," you responded, blinking away tears.

He had more to say, but halted mid-sentence. "I only want your happiness too. I know now: I should've left earlier because you would've healed sooner." Your words hung in the air, a mix of regret and longing.

"I told you I was high," he tried to explain, but you cut him off. "I don't want to hear it. You said it, and to my worst enemy at that. I can't believe a part of you loved me when... Never mind." You turned to leave.

"Goodbye, Damiano David. I hope you have the life full of dreams you used to tell me about. Just erase any details if there was me in it. If it happened at all," you declared, disappearing into the crowd.

Left standing there, he felt as if you had taken a piece of his heart, and the sting was akin to it being ripped off.
Damiano's mind raced as he concocted a plan to salvage the situation. He snapped out of his reverie when Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder, concern etched across the drummer's face.

"Hey... You okay? The next clip is about to be revealed in a few moments," Ethan inquired, noticing Damiano's sense of urgency.
Damiano blinked, realization dawning on him. "Which one is it?"

"Um, 'Baby Said,' I think?" Ethan responded, puzzled by the urgency.
"Edgar! I need you!" Damiano exclaimed, gripping him by the shoulders.
"Anything. Tell me," Ethan replied, eager to help his distressed friend.

"We need to switch to another clip," Damiano explained swiftly, outlining his plan. Ethan, although skeptical, recognized the urgency and the desire to make things right. "Worth giving it a try. Go tell Vic and Thomas to change the clip. While I hold back y/n. Hurry."

With a shared understanding, both men sprang into action, hoping to salvage what remained of the night.
You were in search of Leo to let him know about your decision to leave when a panicked Ethan intercepted you. "Y/n!" he exclaimed, catching up with you. "Oh Ethan, I was actually looking for one of you. I'm sorry, but I can't stay."

He stood right in front of you, pleading with a desperation you hadn't anticipated. "Please don't leave. He needs you," he implored, and you couldn't help but look down. Saying no felt like another betrayal, but you were resolute-this was your final encounter with Damiano.

"Ethan, please don't... Not you too," you sighed, feeling the weight of your decision.

"Listen to me. I can't let you do this. It's like having the opportunity to save Romeo and Juliet from a tragic ending. You two are made for each other!" he exclaimed, his words filled with conviction.

"Ethan, you may be wise at times, but you're wrong about this," you replied, standing firm in your decision. "I've made up my mind."

"I'm not. Because I may not know much about what happened on your side, but I was there when he was going sober. I've never seen anything so heartbreaking than when he was crying and mumbling your name," Ethan confessed, the sadness in his eyes reflecting the pain of those memories. "He what?"

"Yes... When he was on the verge of breaking, I would hear him whisper, 'For her, for Y/n, you can't give up now,'" Ethan revealed, and the realization of this revelation caused your eyes to sting with emotion.

The revelation of Damiano whispering your name during his challenging moments left you in disbelief. Could he have cared more than you thought? Yet, you pushed away the conflicting emotions, reiterating your resolve. "Either way, I'm not going back. Goodbye, Ethan," you declared, turning away from him.

However, your exit was interrupted by Vic's urgent voice. "Y/n! Something happened to Damiano. He asked for you! It's bad." Her horrified expression mirrored the gravity of the situation, instantly dropping your heart into the pit of your stomach.

Without a second thought, you followed Vic, maneuvering through the crowd with a newfound determination. He needed you, and perhaps, deep down, you still needed him. Countless thoughts raced through your mind, each more ominous than the last. What if he was badly hurt? What if tonight marked the end of any chance of reconciliation? The sounds around you started to muffle, almost deafening, and your mouth went dry as you struggled to breathe and focus your vision.

The relentless barrage of "what-ifs" heightened the urgency in your steps, your anxiety escalating with every passing moment. The possibility of losing him forever became an unwelcome reality, overshadowing any lingering resentment.

Vic's sudden intervention left you bewildered, her sad smile and firm grip on your shoulders adding to the confusion. "Okay, girl, I need you to trust me. Stay here and don't move!" she instructed before swiftly disappearing into the crowd. The abrupt sequence of events left your feet rooted to the ground, unable to comprehend what had just occurred.

Without sight of Ethan, Thomas, or Leo, and especially Damiano, uncertainty gnawed at you. The abrupt cessation of music and the subsequent cheers signaled the beginning of the next clip's reveal. You shifted your attention to the large screen as a familiar voice resonated through the speakers.

"Now, there has been a little change concerning the order of reveals. We decided to put this one now because it has a specific meaning for me," the voice announced, and recognition set in as you realized it was Damiano.

"During the last few months, I've made many mistakes. And one of the biggest was letting go of you. I blamed you for something you weren't responsible for..." His words struck a chord, and your heart tightened. Was he talking about you?

"And I want you and the rest of the world to know that if not for you, I wouldn't be here today." The venue plunged into darkness, leaving only the screen illuminated, heightening the anticipation for the revelation that followed.

As the screen flickered to life, showcasing glimpses of Damiano's past, from his pre-teen years to his 15th birthday, the lyrics of the song he chose for the occasion resonated through the venue.

'There'll be no summer
There'll be no spring
If not for this love of mine
Thorns without flowers

The visuals portrayed a younger Damiano, exploring his passion for music, and you couldn't help but reminisce about the time when he discovered his love for the art and the moment he entered your life.

'All the lights
All the parties would just fade out
Shut them down'

The scenes shifted to his 15th birthday, just hours before your official meeting. Photos of Damiano embracing someone filled the screen, though the identity remained purposely veiled. You wondered if it could be you, but the uncertainty lingered.

'If not for you, I wouldn't sing anymore
(Da-ba-ra-ba-ra, ta-ta, da-ba-ra-ba-ra)
If not for you, I couldn't get off this floor
(Da-ba-ra-ba-ra, ta-pa)
If not for you, hell would be knockin' on my door'

The lyrics reflected pivotal moments, like when he wrote the first verses of Coraline, and scenes flashed depicting your intertwined lives during his graduation.

'If not for you'
The song continued to unfold, painting a vivid picture of Damiano's life, capturing the moments that defined his journey.

'No more Nirvana
No Billy Jean
No dancin' if you were