~Rosso~

"Of all the senses, sight must be delightful"

-Helen Keller

The autumn breeze embraced him and sent familiar shivers through his body. The crisp air filled his nostrils and pinched his cheeks to a rose color. His eyes were closed and his lips curving into a bright smile that emphasized his features. He had no scarf, nor a good jacket, and was left a fish out of water compared to the girls wearing boots and the men in elegant coats with warm scarves. It earned him glances from people who didn't already know him since he took the same street and went to the same place, never once making a modification to his schedule.

It wasn't like he lived in a small town either. While the area he lived in was rather secluded and he knew all of his neighbors, the place he traveled to was not in that area. It was a very urban area where the bustling people always shoved around and moved in a hurry—never stopping like he did despite knowing his university was a good mile away now and that he had to get walking or he would be late on normal days. However, today was not a normal day. He had much more time and his only class for the day wasn't for hours. As he walked, his feet joining the tapping of many others, he decided to enjoy the day. It was autumn, it was beautiful, and the bakery was tempting him with a sweet aroma that danced through his nostrils, luring him in and seducing his stomach.

Of course, he gave in. Antonio was never a strong person when it came to fighting off the cravings of baked goods (or food in general). He walked inside of the welcoming bakery, the sweet-scented goods tempting him without a second to waste. Admittedly, his mouth watered a bit and he walked over to grab a menu. There were many reasons for why Antonio adored this place in particular. There was the soft music that soothed him and sent his mind in a calm state, there were the baked goods that always melted sweetly on his tongue and felt orgasmic in the end. There was also the fact that it was a good place to go to when he had other assignments to do and needed to accomplish them. However, the main reason Antonio always came to the particular bakery was because it was the only one that carried menus in braille.

Antonio had been a normal child up until age six when he had taken a horrible blow to the head in a car accident and was left blind. It usually didn't bother him, he was fine with it. After all, there were so few memories of when he could see that it didn't matter. At least, that is what he told himself over and over in the steaming shower as scratches littered his olive arms. However, he would never forget colors. He loved them all, mostly red. Vibrant colors that sang and shouted off of mountain tops, Antonio adored them

He ordered a few of things which included a cupcake, an eclair, and an espresso. The cashier who saw Antonio a lot these days took note of a few things such as his lack of a prominent white cane or sunglasses. He was stubborn that way, refusing to back down and use things such as those unless his very life depended on it.

Finishing his treat up, Antonio reached his hand along to graze the outside of his watch where the nub poked out to tell him the time. Sadly, his small break and period of enjoyment were cut short with the realization that he had a class to go to and then a job to attend to. Often times, Antonio desired to be a child again simply to avoid responsibilities and enjoy everything. Of course, that was not the case and he had adult tasks to attend to.

Standing up, he moved smoothly to get out with his leftover cupcake that he wanted to save as a snack for later. The crowd had died down a bit, which made sense. That was good. It meant that he could push the white cane back and almost live as if he did not need it. However, not even a few steps outside of the peaceful place he had accepted as a second home and he was on the ground.

Antonio winced for he has scraped his hands and got nervous when he felt his cupcake squished beneath his palm and his white cane nowhere on his pants. Yet, that didn't distract him from the scent that he was picking up from another person who must have tumbled down to the cold ground with him. His mouth opened but closed just as quickly. He had no idea what to say and this was an embarrassing situation for him.

It wasn't pleasant like daisies but it was not unpleasant. It was pizza, cheap pizza. The smell of grease was strong but there was also something else that was a little less present. It was something sweet, something with great spice and silky sweetness. He tilted his head up towards the where the second smell was more present.

"Some manners you have. Are you just going to sit there like an idiot, or are you going to stand up and apologize for smacking into me?"

Antonio's heart froze for a moment. He wasn't sure if he had gotten himself into a bit of trouble and it concerned him. The voice, though an octave or two higher than his own, remained intimidating and rather frightening with the manner that he was spoken to in.

"Are you mute? Come on, stand up, here, have your things," the voice seemed to be losing patience. Irritation but also curious as to why this man refused to stand up. The new man, who failed to notice everyone staring at him held the cane out to Antonio who seemed to only look at him dazed. The stranger puffed his cheeks and rolled his eyes. Was this guy stupid? Why wouldn't he take the stupid cane? Why did he even need a cane, did he have back problems? Judging by the lack of standing up, most likely. Lovino did not glance down to the type of cane that it was or he might have noticed the reason that Antonio needed it.

Antonio cleared his throat and tilted his head down, his hair brushing against the bridge of his nose lightly while he gave a forced laugh, "I'm not mute, but if you don't mind, could you possibly place my white cane in my hands so I do not have to embarrass either of us as I search for your hands?"

Blinking a couple of times, he cocked his eyebrow and then he noticed it. Those green eyes that seemed full of life could not see and it surprised him at first. He had never bumped into a blind person—or at least not like this—and now the stares he was getting were starting to make sense. His face went scarlet as he helped Antonio up and placed his things in his hands.

"C-Crap. I didn't realize you were...blind," he muttered bitterly but meekly as he pulled Antonio up; or at least tried to.

"Ah, it's alright. You didn't know, after all, I don't look very blind. It was an accident. Thank you for helping me up however. I'm sorry for running into you."

He shook his head, "It's - whatever. Uhm -you have cupcake all over your hand?"

Antonio shrugged and dusted himself off, "I'll be fine. I'm a bit sad that I have no cupcake, but it was all an accident."

Lovino blinked in confusion for a moment before shaking his head, "Whatever. I have to get going. Bye uhm..."

"Antonio," his voice was rather smooth and relaxed despite Lovino expecting a hint of irritation from him.

"Goodbye Antonio," he nodded and turned to leave.

Antonio lifted his other hand up wanting to ask what the stranger's name was even though he knew that the stranger was already leaving. Slowly pulling his hand back, he turned to the way that he knew took him to the campus.

Antonio opened and closed his fist for a moment as he began to walk and then proceeded to regret his choice to not ask for a napkin or something of the sort from the stranger because cherry filling and chocolate frosting were not a lovely mix.

He sighed, brushing it off and pulled his white cane out grudgingly. Perhaps—he would need to use it for a bit so that he could avoid situations similar to the one that had occurred. Random strangers getting embarrassed was not his idea of a pleasant afternoon. Although, that was him.

Removing his thoughts from the incident, he thought about the project he needed to finish for his sculpting class and departed into the small crowd of people, not paying any mind to anyone else or the fact that he still technically has a smooshed cupcake smeared on his hand.