A/N: This is a companion piece to 'A Failed Serenade' but you don't have to read that to understand this piece. Also, dedicated to The Illustrious Tama for the idea!
Romano wishes there were more days like this to escape to, where the sun shines brightly and the breeze tickles his face. He takes advantage of the beautiful weather by stretching out on a blanket in the middle of his yard to simply relax and play his beloved guitar.
(Not many nations knew he, the impatient and angry Romano, was able to be passionate about something. He noticed that not many nations ever really associated music with him, anyhow.)
He mindlessly strums on his guitar, not really caring about the notes. But the careless notes turn into something else, something more thoughtful in just a few minutes. He is humming along with the guitar, unfocused on the rest of the world, unaware he could have garnered an audience of one: Antonio, silently but intently listening to Romano on his guitar.
"When did you get here?" Romano asks, startled.
"I've been here a while."
"How long is 'a while'?"
"Not very long, I promise you." They both become silenced. Romano is noticeably nervous, twitching and fidgeting under Antonio's stare.
"What do you want, Antonio?"
"For you to keep playing your guitar." Romano is reluctant to take up Antonio's request but does so in order to break the silence. He becomes intense and focused and enthusiastic with every chord he plays, eyebrows furrowed almost as if he was thinking about something Antonio will never understand. Antonio remains fascinated by Romano's fingers strumming the guitar strings.
"Why are you staring at my fingers like that?"
"It's interesting to see you play."
"But it's creepy to see you stare at my hands so freaking closely."
"Should I not look at them? I'll turn around when you play so I won't be tempted to look at your hands."
"That works." Romano momentarily puts down his guitar to stretch and to check his watch, almost as if he was afraid to miss something important.
"It's dinnertime. You wanna stay? I could make you dinner or something," Romano states. Antonio nods furiously to indicate yes, he wants to stay for dinner. Antonio manages to steal Romano's guitar. He plays a song loudly and out of key. Unsurprisingly, it is about how delicious tomatoes are. Romano normally would have punched Antonio for singing off key and at an obnoxiously loud volume. For now, Romano allows himself to forget his normal perfectionism when it comes to music and happily sings along with the Spaniard.
