(Untitled)
Who: Lovi, Toni
When: 26th December, morning
Where: Centralia Apartments, then in Liberty somewhere
What: Romano's present to Toni. An entirely platonic outing between two gay men *cough*
Rating: PG? No idea?
( This is not a date. This is hell. /Denial )
Romano watched as his friend hurried out of the room; it didn't take a genius (thankfully) to realise that Antonio's feelings had been hurt.
Had he been too harsh on him? This certainly hadn't been the first time Romano had snapped at him, but that event was a sensitive topic for both of them...especially for Antonio.
Romano had been too drunk at the time to see the repercussions it had on the Spaniard, but compared to how the other acted normally, even he wasn't stupid enough to realise it was a regretted action.
Sighing he pushed the thought out of his mind, slipping off the bed to approach (what had become) his part of the closet.
Without bothering to shower, Romano took out a shirt, hooded jacket and jeans, as well as a pair of gloves in case it got colder later on. He quickly changed and headed towards the door, hesitating.
Outside he could hear Antonio in the kitchen, busying himself until they were ready to go.
Shit, why was it so hard to just step outside? The Spaniard was bothered, Romano knew better than to be tricked by that stupid smile of his.
This was going to be so god damn awkward...but if he didn't go outside Antonio was probably just going to sulk.
Dammit, this was a Christmas present. Christmas presents aren't meant to suck.
And with that thought in mind Romano stepped outside.
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"Here, You'll probably need these" Antonio said with a smile, one that just happened to have a small mischievous hint behind it. He had the whole day planed along with several back up plans in case the Italian rejected some of his ideas.
He then tossed a pair of thicker gloves and a scarf at the Italian along with his coat. Without another word, Antonio grabbed his keys and wallet from the shelf where he put them every time he came home and slipped his wallet into his jeans pocket.
He gently hummed to himself as he opened the door and held it for the Italian, locking it once they were both in the hallway. Once the lock clicked into place he slipped the keys into his coat pocket and then headed towards the elevator, knowing Lovi wouldn't want to walk down the stairs.
"We're probably going to be outside most of the day" He explained with a gentle nod, still smiling as if nothing was wrong.
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Romano caught the scarf and gloves, looking up at the Spaniard with a raised eyebrow. He'd already grabbed gloves of his own from the closet..why on earth would he need thicker ones?
And that smile...it wasn't forced, nor was a neutral Antonio smile. Just what was he planning?
Discarding his own gloves over the back on the small wooden chest he obediently followed the Spanish man outside, still watching his every move with spiked curiosity..and concern.
There was basically nothing one could do outside in this cold; everything was covered in sleet and most attractions closed due to the weather.
A part of him had sincerely hoped they would just go to a restaurant or something. However the reality was, this was Antonio, and Antonio had a very unique and strange imagination.
He knew now that something that normal was simply out of the question.
"Hey, you gonna tell me where we're going or not?"
Romano wasn't sure which was more concerning; the Spaniard sulking or overly happy.
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"You'll know soon enough. Don't worry" He said happily. He then pressed the button for the ground floor and hummed to himself once more. Once they had made it to the ground floor the Spaniards cheerfulness faded slightly when he noticed the wind and nasty looking sleet.
"Well that changes things" He said with a frown, tilting his head lightly. However, he simply shrugged and his smile was back as another idea popped into his head. He headed over to the elderly guard person that was supposed to check people in or out when they left the building.
"Can you get me an address please?" He asked the man with his best smile. After a few moments Antonio had the address and the Italian was still in the dark as to where they were going.
"Perfect timing!" He said happily as a taxi honked outside. The spanish man lead Romano to the taxi and handed the man the address once they were inside. He flashed another smile at the Italian and began his humming once again.
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Okay, this was getting ridiculous? What was it with outings and being kept in the dark about the location? Certainly something Feliciano, Lenna and Antonio had in common.
Climbing into the taxi Romano shot the Spaniard another disapproving look. He was going out of his way to keep the location a secret, as if this whole day was a game Antonio was enjoying just a little too much. Romano on the other hand, was not as impressed.
"I am worrying," he muttered, turning his attention towards the window. It seemed a few others had decided to brave the weather today, Idiots , if he had any say in this they'd still be in the apartment..sleeping.
Antonio was flying solo on decision making here, and that was rarely a good thing.
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"Fine, When we leave here I'll tell you everything we're going to do alright?" He asked, tilting his head lightly and offering a sincere smile. He didn't want to annoy the Italian any more than he had already and really hoped that he would like what he had planned. Secretly he was more worried about the fact that Lovi wouldn't like this than he rightfully should be. Especially seeing as Lovi hated nearly everything they did.
After another moment and a glare that basically said 'GTFO of my Taxi' from the driver, Antonio left the car and headed into the building with Romano beside him. Once inside they entered a small room and the Spanish man pulled out his wallet. He paid a rather reasonable entrance fee and soon both males had a paper wrist band on signifying that they had paid.
"Size 11 and Size 8 please" The Spaniard provided when prompted and then was promptly handed two pairs of ice skates. Before Romano could protest, Antonio lead him into the main room through a pair of double doors.
And to be honest his breath was taken away for a moment.
The main room was beautiful. To say the very least. And all around the rink were small stands for food and hot chocolate. Antonio beamed widely and turned back to Romano once he had found a place to sit and put his skates on.
"I've never been but I heard its a lot of fun and figured if I tried it I'd want to have someone to try with me" He explained quickly, his nervousness showing through slightly.
(and the picture is very dark XD I'm imagining better lighting haha)
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As soon as they were handed the iceskates his heart sunk. Romano had never been iceskating before and it wasn't something he'd really wanted to try either.
He knew he'd be hopeless at it as anyone was to begin with, and it would be embarrassing..and Antonio would want to help him and..
Romano looked down at the ice skates again with dread, suddenly wanting more than ever to be back at home in bed. He was just about to grace the Spaniard with some snide remark when the other stepped past him and towards the main room.
Reluctantly he followed, opening his mouth to resume the verbal assault..and stopped.
The rink was...amazing, to say the least. Were they still in Liberty? Surely the small town wasn't housing something like this..
There were a few other people iceskating, but not too many- mostly parents and their children, and a few elderly couples.
Couples...
T-that's the kind of rink it was! The atmosphere, the ceiling decor..the lighting. It was all very romantic. Too romantic.
Romano's grip on the skates tightened, pouting at the room before him, almost hesitant to go any further.
He'd offered to go out for one day with Antonio, because the Spanish man was always doting on him. No, let's be blunt, because he was insanely in love with him and Romano knew that, beyond all else, a day out together would please Antonio the most.
Especially considering they'd hardly seen each other beyond work at the Pizzeria.
But Antonio...did Antonio take the gesture as an act of submission?
Did he think this was a date?
Was he really that stupid?
If Antonio was nervous, Romano was terrified.
Great, so even the Spaniard didn't know how to iceskate. They'd already paid admission too..
"You've got to be kidding me.." This was not going to end well.
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Then it hit him. Romano honestly thought this was just a day out between friends. Antonio's heart and stomach seemed to drop out.
"I'm sorry. I knew this was a bad idea. Lo Siento. Lets leave. It wasn't too much money" He said, talking quickly. Far too quickly for someone who was spending time with someone he liked as much as Romano. He shook his head, muttering sadly under his breath in his native tongue.
The spanish man promptly turned on his heels, turning back around and leaving his skates on the counter. Without another word he headed outside and hailed a taxi. Cutting what he assumed was Lovi's suffering short.
Even if it took every ounce of his will to do it.
Once he had gotten a cab he waved back at Lovi, motioning for him to come back out.
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Romano studied him as he fumbled, apologised and turned to make a bee-line for the exit without another word. What had just happened?
Yes, the Italian was uncomfortable about the idea of a date, and yes he probably should have expected an interpretation like this but..never before had he seen Antonio give up on one of his own ideas, and never this quickly.
Hell, he wasn't even pretending to be happy now..
"W-wait!" Without thinking Romano dropped his skates where he stood, hurrying back through the foyer and ignoring the looks he got on the way.
Antonio was already outside with a cab, ready to leave just like that.
Romano was slow, but not that slow. It had all happened in an instant, the moment the Italian hinted towards being at all unhappy Antonio had quickly reacted to rectify that..
God he was a fucking idiot.
Slowing down to stand before the Spaniard Romano placed a hand on the open cab door and looked up at him before slamming it shut.
"Bastard, don't fucking just run off like that."
He swallowed hard. As uncomfortable as this was, it was Antonio's Christmas present and he was going to enjoy it dammit!
"I said...I'd go wherever you want. So..." he swallowed again, understanding without a doubt the implications of his actions, and still going through with them. Dammit Antonio owed him for this. "Get the hell back inside and stop fucking sulking already."
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That was one of the things he absolutely hated. The cold. Being from such a warm country he had never really gotten used to the biting cold of Liberty and probably never would. Thus, every chance he got he would stay inside or wear as many layers as he possibly could.
Once out of the cold, Antonio turned back to Romano, letting go of his shoulder and taking a deep breath. He forced a smile to his face, at least pretending this was what he wanted now.
"You didn't know what I wanted this day out to be" He explained, using hand motions to try and get his point across.
"It wouldn't be fair to ask you to stay" He said, having to forcibly keep the smile on his face now whereas usually it came naturally. He ran a hand through his hair, slipping his other hand into his pocket and looking anywhere but the Italian.
"And besides. If your not going to enjoy yourself than I'm not going to force you too" He said with a small fake laugh that anyone could probably see through.
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For one foolish, foolish moment Romano thought he had won. Well won in the relative sense of the word at least, he'd never admit (even to himself) that he was- in any way- arguing for Antonio to remain on the date.
But once they were back inside the Spaniard faced him again, and Romano knew his luck had just run out.
Really, he didn't understand why Antonio even bothered with the fake smiles anymore. They'd never been all that effective, at least not on Romano.
Antonio spoke to him bluntly and Romano could feel the colour rise to his cheeks (though he'd argue later that it was the sudden change in temperature).
He really just didn't get it, and it was becoming harder and harder to tip-toe around what this day really was; a present, a way of showing gratitude that Romano didn't even realise himself that he was expressing.
And Antonio was ruining it.
"God you're an idiot.."
Digging his hands into his pockets he drew his gaze down, keeping his voice low so as to not attract unwanted attention.
"There is no asking or forcing to stay, I said I would so-"
Romano faltered again, eyes widening as yet another realisation dawned on him.
Agreeing to stay --> accepting the date --> going on a date --> dating--> fucking dating
He stuttered, the pink in his cheeks now becoming a very noticeable red.
It was almost as if he were arguing..no, demanding that they stay.
"B-but...if you want to go somewhere else..look I don't care alright!? Do what you want!"
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"I'm sorry" He whispered so quietly that it could barely be heard over the gentle music playing in the background. He knew he honestly shouldn't be apologizing anymore since Romano was arguing in favor of staying even though he knew the implications of staying. His smile grew slightly wider as he noticed the gentle hue to Romano's cheeks and felt his own turn a gentle pink.
Though, he was better at hiding it than his Italian love interest. He headed back to the rink, grabbing his skates off the counter and picking up Romano's and waiting for the other to catch up before heading to the sidelines where there were benches they could use to lace up their skates.
"Thank you" He said happily, his mood drastically improved now that he knew at least that Romano was trying to make him happy. That meant more to him than the Italian actually enjoying himself. Well...maybe not but it was close.
Once he had his ice skates on he shakily walked over to the ice, clinging to the sides to keep from falling and waiting for Romano to finish.
As he did this he realized that this was probably a bad idea. He had never been ice skating before, or even roller blading before so he was probably going to fail badly. However, in his mind he figured that it honestly couldn't be that hard.
Oh how wrong he could be.
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Damn Antonio's mood swings were incredibly hard to gauge (not so much as Romano's, but still quite close). At least he'd managed to get the point across, and effectively enough to avoid any corny confrontations or admitting things Antonio wouldn't let him forget for years.
Reluctantly lacing up his ice skates Romano looked out across the floor where an evidently more cheerful Spaniard was making his way (or at least trying to make his way) to the ice. Romano had to resist facepalming; hell he wasn't even on the cold surface yet and already Antonio was falling.
If nothing else this was going to be damn amusing.
Gradually and shakily the Italian balanced himself to his feet. He'd never exactly had the sort of family environment to go ice skating before, but he remembered watching it on tv once. Feliciano had been next to him then, and explained (in a way that made Romano suspect with envy that the younger had been before) how you were meant to lean forward and shift your balance.
Remembering his brother's advice Romano made his way to the rink, taking a firm hold of the side and placing one foot tentatively on the ice.
It was slippery...very slippery.
He frowned, retreating his foot again and looking up at Antonio with doubt.
Then, once again he stepped, one foot after another into the rink, still clinging for dear life to the side.
Lean forward lean forward lean forward. Good, okay. Now let go of the barrister...let go...For god's fucking sake let go!
Looking back over his shoulder he pouted at the Spaniard,
"You go first."
Well, at least Antonio was there. Surely he couldn't fail more than him. Surely.
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"Si, I'll try my best" he said, taking another deep breath. He gently pushed away from the wall, his arms flailing and doing large pinwheels in an attempt to keep from falling. However, his attempts were in vain and he fell to the ice, hard. Thankfully, the only thing besides his pride what little he had managed to retain over the years was his bum.
"Thats going to hurt in the morning" He laughed, letting himself fall back and lay on his back lazily. He didn't want to get up yet seeing as he had the feeling that he was just going to fall again. However, he forced himself up as he was not one to let something get him down.
"alright, I can do this" He whispered beneath his breath gently. He rolled over onto his knees, staying on all four limbs for a moment before pushing himself up onto the skates once more. After pinwheeling arms once more he managed to balance on shaky legs.
Once he was sure he wasn't going to fall he turned back to Lovi.
"Look! I did it!" He laughed happily, his smile wider than it had been in a long time. He even managed to stay on his feet for a whole thirty seconds before falling on his backside once more.
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