So… much… work…! So many fanfictions I want to write and too much school work… worst combination for fanfiction author… also… I need to work on "Why Love Romano" and "Tomatoes, Pasta, and Bittersweet Chocolate" and… I want to write more fanfictions… why… T^T
But I had to do a chapter of "A Turtle and A Ring" for all you of you guys reading!
So due to majorly voting for the chapter title… the title is…
Chapter 3: Common Grounds
"Roma…? Roma! …ROMA! Where are YOU~!"
"Damn it bastard! My fake name is Romano! Ro…. Ma… NO! Not damn Roma!" Romano yells, giving off the direction of where to go.
Antonio chuckles while Toby just somehow rolls his head and eyes. This is the very first day where Antonio gets to meet his love and actually going to… hang… out… with… HIM!
Toby just rolls his head and eyes as Antonio begin to do a girly thing… squealing… Toby just hopes that Antonio doesn't crush the basket with the mystery gift hidden by that picnic blanket with the pattern of red and white squares. Toby didn't really know what's inside of the basket but it has to be something good right? Antonio sure is enthusiastic and excited to show what's inside of the basket…
"Coming Roma! …No!" Toby rolls his eyes once again, it seems his owner has a thing for nicknames or isn't that great with remembering names…
Of course, Antonio unintentionally left Toby by running to where Romano is with the basket. If Toby was human, he could have chuckled on Antonio's actions. Toby has never seen Antonio act like this before, even similarly with a toy he first get on the holidays. Antonio looks he is absolutely happy, actually he looks the happiest Antonio could have ever been. Is this what true love does to a child…?
"You're late you bastard…" Romano grumbles, pouting and puffing up his cute round cheeks while crossing his arms. "What took you so damn long…? I would have left you if you didn't come soon Tomate… bastard…"
"Oh! Lo siento! Lo siento! I'm glad you didn't leave yet Romano!" Antonio shouts as well as trying to catch his breath. The woods are simply too big for a kid like him. "I really, really, really had to get this for you~!"
Romano raises both of his eyebrows and had his eyes widen. It seems like he didn't suspect Antonio to give something to him. Then, Romano narrowed his eyes as he looks at Antonio, who is catching his breath as well as something. Then, Romano looks away and blushes, leaving Antonio confused.
"Fine…" Romano mumbles, still starring away from Antonio with a blush dusting on his cheeks. "Show me what you're giving to me… Tomate… bastard…"
Antonio soon laughs, a huge smile that goes from ear to ear and his eyes shining brightly. He couldn't wait to show Romano what he has just for him and Romano to share just in his basket. Even Romano is now looking at the basket down to the ground and lets out a chuckle.
Finally Antonio grabs on the blanket and pulls it off the basket. However, due to the picnic blanket being too long for a kid in Antonio's age… So Antonio soon trips and falls on his back as he keeps pulling on the blanket… which causes the blanket to fully cover over Antonio…
But Romano didn't really get see what's happening with Antonio since the picnic blanket finally got off the basket and the surprise is… weird round red things with weird leaves on them…?
"Ta~! Da~!" Antonio cheers with the biggest smile that Romano has seen. "This is a tomate! I named myself after these! I hope you like them as much as I do, Roma~! …No~!"
However, Romano at first looks at the tomates as if he seriously didn't know or have seen tomates before with his eyes widen up like that. Antonio could feel his heart being the same as it beats hard and fast in a bad way when meeting those stronger adults that his parents introduce him to from time to time in those weird fancy parties that Antonio had go into. Soon, Romano begins to extend his arm out… and grab one tomate on the top… and…
"It's squishy…" Romano soon says, after grabbing tight on the tomate and now looking at it if it's a strange thing he hasn't seen before. "So you named yourself after these…?"
"Ah! Sí!" Antonio immediately nods. "Mi Madre gives them to me from our gardens as a snack! They're really, really, really tasty and yummy and all!"
Romano narrows his eyes on the tomate he just has on his hands, it must of remind him of apples or another type of red fruit, for Romano then opens his mouth wide and… takes a big bite out of the tomate. However, it became messier for Romano since there's tomate juice spilling out of the tomate and Romano's mouth… Antonio couldn't help but chuckle as Romano slowly chews, with his face like his parents when they're working and little bitty bits of tomate juice escaping from his mouth. It somehow… looks cute…
Then Romano swallows and then blinks at the tomate that he just took. Antonio could feel his heart beating hard and really painfully as Romano just examines the tomate, which finally stopped dripping out tomate juices. Now when Antonio looks at him more, he really didn't see Romano's eyes at all and he couldn't believe he really didn't pay attention to them! They are very pretty! The color (or was it colors…?) of his eyes is hard to choose and it kind of looks like the kitty's eye or something that his mother sometimes wear except more… green… and more pretty as well…
Antonio soon snaps out of his awkward staring when soon Romano quickly takes another bite and chews faster than the first time. Then does it again… and again… and again… and…
"Gimme another." Antonio jumps a bit and blinks a little when he sees Romano's arm and hand extended for… maybe another tomate…? "I-It's good d-damn it… gimme another me… bastard…" Soon Romano's eyes soon went to the side and his cheeks soon turn reddish.
Antonio soon feels really happy and his smile turns big and wide. Romano likes them! Romano likes the tomates! Yay~!
"Ah!" Antonio says, remembering why he even had but the blanket not to cover the tomates but to also… "Say Romano, do you like picnics? I thought I could use the blanky to do a picnic here! You know, with the tomates and sightseeing and all."
Romano then stares at Antonio and then he blushes. Strangely, Antonio couldn't help but believe it's cute. Romano then looks away and Antonio pays close attention as Romano mumbles, "I-I have s-seen this before in a-a-a m-movie… N-Nonno said that it is r-r-r-romantic a-and r-romantic is something t-that p-people who –who r-really… u-um…" Romano then takes a big breath though his face is completely red. "WHO!" Antonio couldn't help but jump in surprise when Romano suddenly yells out. "R-REALLY! …"
"…?"
"…."
Antonio began panicking. Oh no! Could Antonio make Romano uncomfortable? Oh no!
"I-I'm sorry Romano! I-I didn't mean to make you feel–"
"N-NO!" Romano interrupts, causing Antonio to be surprised. His face looks like it is glowing bright red similar to Antonio's nightlight that's a tomate… "I-I-It's just… just… Ah! Screw it!"
Romano just waves his arms in the air and this causing Antonio to jump in surprise. And something that Romano did made Antonio surprised even more and Antonio could never really guess that Romano would do this…
With a still glowing red face that Antonio couldn't help but remember his tomate nightlight and think it's just cute, Romano stomps onto the picnic blankets and… sits on the middle of the blanket! Even though Romano is pouting narrowing his eyes, and crossing his arms altogether, he is actually… sitting on the blanket! Antonio just had to hop and join on sitting with and next to Romano on the picnic blanket!
"H-Hurry up a-and give a t-tomate damn it!" Romano mumbles and grumbles at the same time and has his one of his hands open, ready to have another tomate to eat. "W-We'll do this if you give me the t-tomates, o-okay! W-We'll a-agree on this, o-okay!"
Antonio blinks, not really understanding Romano's… um… what exactly is it…? Well, Romano did say he'll sit with him on the blanket (well… that's what Antonio thinks) if Antonio gives him more tomates… Isn't that called a deal that Antonio has heard a few times, especially on the big magic box with moving pictures and lights… Ah! So that means it's a good thing! He just gets more tomates from the huge garden that his parents said that it theirs and Romano would sit with him on the blanket again! Yay~!
Antonio giggles and finally gives the tomate to… a very hungry Romano…!
Wow, Antonio didn't know anyone who can eat that fast and wanting another tomate… And Romano even beat Antonio's record!
That... is… so cute~!
"Okay!" Mister Hector claps his hands once more. "Now that the introductions are done, we'll start our very first cooking review~! And… start!"
Lovino rolls his eyes and sees almost all of the damn students already being dramatic and frantic and act like complete morons that the world is somehow ending… They are actually running around in a circle and screaming… well… sort of…
Lovino sighs, really, this is damn easy. He just needs tomatoes, mozzarella, sea salt, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar… That and a knife, a sharp and fine knife that Lovino is sure that this class surely has…
"Excuse me, Mister Hector," Lovino soon says, immediately catching the attention of the smiling teacher, "Where are the ingredients, sir?"
Lovino didn't know what the fuck had happened or what the fuck he did wrong but… why the fuck is everyone fucking damn quiet now! He knows for damn sure that everyone is now damn sure staring right at him… Cazzo… What the hell did he do wrong…?
"You…" The teacher soon gasps, finally breaking the damn silence especially the unwanted attention and atmosphere for Romano. "You… You… You are asking f-for ingredients… already!" Lovino didn't know why but somehow Mister Hector looks like his airheaded fratello when he found an all-you-can-eat buffet of pasta… He is smiling huge and incredibly wide with his damn eyes filled with happy tears…
Well, Lovino could guess that he did something supposedly "amazing" by already coming up with a dish while the rest of the students whine and "think" about what dish to do. Before he could do anything, Mister Hector actually begins crying happily and actually begins clapping as if applauding for Lovino! And to make things worse and more awkward, students began to join and applaud for him!
Lovino really is trying to hide the cursed and stupid blush that is damn spreading on his face… Seriously, he just asked for ingredients!
"You are so gifted, my dear student!" Mr. Hector coos, still clapping for the very flustered Lovino. "You are like those chefs in food competitions in the cooking channel! I am proud to have you!"
"J-Just tell where the ingredients are…" Lovino stutters, not really looking anyone and more on the walls, ceiling, and the floor time to time… Damn this is embarrassing!
"Romano! How did you eat that many tomates in such a short time…?" Antonio questions, his eyes turned big and are big as dishes. "I always want to eat tomates that fast! But I always get tummy aches…"
Romano tries to hide his face as Antonio pouts with his cheeks all puffed up and arms crossed against his chest. Of course, being the curious person he is, Antonio leans to see what Romano is trying to hide from him… and why Romano is covering his mouth with his hands… and why is Romano shivering…? And as Antonio gets closer… and closer… and–…
Antonio feels his eyes going really, really wide and he have a good reason why. Antonio got close enough to see… well… an opening between Romano's fingers and… a curve! A curve! T-That means…
"Romano! Are you smiling?" Antonio blurts his question out loud. Though that might not be the best idea… since Romano stops shivering and that lovely curve that goes up went down… Oops…
Suddenly Romano's face turned straight at Antonio's face. Well, since Antonio got so close, they had actually… um, what were those words…"butt heads"…? Well, let's just say Antonio's head hurt because of Romano's head… Though Romano seemed to not really get hurt even when they… uh… hit each other with their heads.
"Hell no!" Romano yells with a red face, though Antonio believes it was blushing. "I was not smiling! Hell no I wasn't! There's no way I was smiling because you complain of getting tummy aches! Nope! Not at all bastard!"
Though Antonio couldn't do anything due to the pain on his forehead, it really hurt a lot! Antonio wants a kiss on his forehead! It always helps make the pain go away!
"…Uh…Hey… Tomato… A-Are you o-okay…?" Romano said in that voice that Antonio's Madre always give when Antonio accidently gets himself injured.
But Antonio couldn't really say something, he's busy trying to stop the pain and make it go away. It really, really, really hurts! Antonio tries to put it down like how those characters did in those really cool cartoons he watches and –Ay! It didn't work… It made the pain even worse! Antonio couldn't help but sniffle, the pain really hurts…
However, a familiar warm and wonderful thing soon grabs Antonio's hand. Gently, the wonderful things that are Romano's hands soon set down Antonio's hands but still holding them tightly and nicely. Antonio then looks up to see those beautiful pair of eyes that are sparkly and looking right at him. Well, Romano's eyes weren't exactly looking at Antonio's eyes… but rather on…
"That's a stupid looking bump on your damn forehead…" Romano mumbles but his eyes are strangely the same like Madre when in situations of finding an injury on Antonio. "Stupid bastard… you got yourself damn hurt…"
Antonio sniffles once more, his eyes are definitely teary for sure. He couldn't help it, it hurts~! Antonio shuts his eyes as he tries to make sure no tears would fall. Men aren't supposed to cry! That's what one of his maids said! Well… does that count with boys…? Antonio doesn't know, maybe he should–
Suddenly, another wonderful thing had happened now. Antonio could feel something press against his forehead and… it doesn't hurt… No, it is like Madre's kisses… except… this one seems more… special…? Antonio opens his eyes slowly and first thing he sees is… Toby…? Well, Antonio did put his head down and perhaps that's why Romano saw his bump and why he's kissing it… Though strangely, Antonio didn't seem to want to raise his head and stop Romano from kissing his forehead. Maybe it's because his weird symptoms are coming back…
Lovino grumbles in embarrassing as well trying to hide his damn cursed blushing face as he skillfully cuts both tomato and mozzarella with students completely staring right at him. The worst staring were definitely from his stupid supposedly roommate that's a damn senior named Antonio and the ditzy and really uncomfortable admiring from the supposedly teacher that's Mr. Hector. Why? Because they're fucking closest to him that's what!
"Ah…" Mr. Hector coos, "Such elegant on cutting… and fantastic speed as well!"
Lovino could hear a damn chorus of agreement in the whole fucking class! What the fuck! What is this! Why the fuck is everyone fucking watching him! Sure it made Lovino a bit happy –A BIT DAMN IT! A FUCKING BIT! –that he is actually getting attention and not Feliciano but… THIS IS TOO FUCKING MUCH!
"Uh…" Lovino croaks out, just wanting the attention of the teacher but of course unfortunately caught everyone's attention. Seriously, people are actually leaning in to hear what he wants! "…Where are the plates…?"
And of course, everyone is fucking damn gasps… As if in a quick fucking second, plates are now presented to him! What do they think he is! A FUCKING GOD?
"Please take this bowl! It has a nice rose pattern!"
"No! Take this marble plate! It's fancy!"
"No! No! This looks more expensive!"
"Hey! I was here first!"
…Yup, they think Lovino is a fucking damn cooking god… fucking perfect… And seriously! Lovino is just making a simple dish of a salad of mozzarella and tomatoes! A simple dish needs a simple plate. Meaning none of these fancy dishes that girls present him as if it was an offering to him!
"Ladies! Girls!" Mister Hector saved Lovino's life as he shoos the girls away…however… "The great Lovino needs to choose his rightful plate for his amazing dish!"
DOES EVERYONE IN THIS FUCKING CLASS THINK HE'S DAMN GOD!
"Follow me Lovino!" Mister Hector coos. "I shall show you where the dishes! Look carefully class! For the plate Lovino chooses is the chosen one!"
…Really…?
AND WHAT THE FUCK IS THE CHORUS OF AGREEMENT FOR!
"…There..." Antonio could help but pout that the kiss was over, even though it was only on his forehead… "Usually my Mamma does that to stupid Feli when he gets damn hurt and all."
Antonio raises his head and then tilts it. "Who's Feli?"
Strangely, Antonio is curious about this Feli person but there's a strange thing going on inside of his tummy that seems familiar to what happens before a bad tantrum… But it doesn't fell like a tantrum is coming…
Romano puffs up his cheeks, narrow his eyes, and crosses his arms like how some of the tough guys do in those movie pictures that Antonio can't see, saying it's M something and too old for Antonio to watch.
"I'm not telling you!" Romano mumbles and now looking down on the ground like Antonio once did. However, Romano stop puffing his cheeks, his eyes now widening, and his face is turning colors that are getting lighter and lighter and–
"DEMONE!" Romano screams, causing to Antonio to jump in surprise again except now he falls to the ground with his butt hitting the ground.
Meanwhile Romano is backing away really fast from Toby, who just tilts his head as if confused of what was going on. Though it seems Toby had a clue that he knows Romano is scared for some apparent reason, Toby couldn't help but somehow still like him and want to be close to Romano. Perhaps it's because Romano makes Antonio happy and not so lonely in the big house he lives in…
"W-Wait! Romano! P-Per favore!" Antonio panics, luckily picking up Toby before Romano could do anything to him. "T-Toby isn't dangerous! P-Please don't hurt him!"
It seems Romano stopped panicking and actually just stared at Antonio. Then he locked and stares at Toby… And then he looks up and stares at Antonio… Then he tilts his head.
"…How can you be so sure…?" Antonio blinks at Romano's question. "I mean… How are you so damn sure that… thing isn't a damn demon…? I mean, I never damn see something like that and Nonno did say demons are scaly creatures that are evil… You know, your… Toby looks a bit like a demon…"
Strangely, Antonio is somehow relieved like the times when his parents forgive him for a few accidents that he didn't mean to do except more happy feeling. Also Toby was relieved as well that indeed Romano didn't hate or really fear him but just really conscious on demons. However, Antonio laughs cheerfully that it both surprises Romano and Toby. Antonio couldn't help it. He is relieved and happy~!
"H-Hey! D-Don't you dare start laughing at me b-bastard!" Romano yells with a blushing red face that both Antonio and Toby found cute. "I-If T-Toby," Toby smiles and glees in a turtle way as Romano actually said the name, "I-Isn't a d-damn d-d-demon… THEN WHAT IS IT!" Romano shouts out the last four words, blushing even more.
Antonio giggles a little bit more, "Silly Roma–"
"ROMANO!"
"Okay, okay!" Antonio giggles even more that perhaps Toby maybe joining the giggling in his own turtle way. "I-I'm sorry Romano! I-I'm not laughing at you! R-Really! II am laughing w-with you!"
Romano narrows his eyes and waves his arms in the air, shouting, "You're damn laughing at me you bastard! Stop it damn it!" and other lines similar.
Luckily Antonio stops giggling and altogether laughing when he finally sees Romano uncomfortable. So, Antonio did both an apology and invitation for Romano. He lifts up Toby for Romano to see him more closely (even though Romano went a little lighter and took a few steps back) and…
"Here! Pet Toby!" Though Antonio glee fully suggests this, both Romano and Toby are completely shocked on what he's actually offering! "Really! Toby really likes to be petted! He's harmless! He doesn't bite!" Lies! Toby knows it! Toby does not like people! So of course Toby bites any unwanted person that tries to touch Toby! But…
Toby cowers a bit while Romano is just looking at him with a scared face and really, shivering. The face on Romano is really that pleasant as well –but not in a scary or bitable way. No… this face is something that Toby couldn't help but… hope that Romano would actually pet him… a-and not, well, fear him as well…
Toby goes into his shell a bit as he soon sees the trembling fingers of Romano getting near him… Toby couldn't help it. Toby isn't used to being petted by people (except for Antonio) but Toby just couldn't and wouldn't bite Romano. Inch by inch, the finger gets slowly and slowly closer and closer to Toby's head but Toby still wouldn't bite Romano… And just only a little, tiny centimeter left between Toby's head and Romano's finger, though Toby is just trying to stop going inside of his shell… And… And…
Finally Romano's finger is touching Toby's head and… it feels soft and warm and… really nice…
Antonio just smiles as he witnesses Romano awkwardly petting (well, actually just touching Toby's head softly repeatedly like patting than petting) Toby. It seems Romano is getting less scared of Toby and a bitty bit more comfortable. Then Romano begins to actually pet Toby and Toby actually like it!
Unlike stupid people who try to pet Toby, their fingers would roughly touch him as if trying to push his head in or out of his shell that it cause a habit for Toby to bite anyone who even tries to touch him. But with Antonio and now Romano, they pet Toby right and… Toby couldn't help but get out of his shell bit by bit and lean to Romano's finger…
Antonio couldn't help but giggle (luckily both Romano and Toby aren't paying attention due to what they are both doing) of the really super quick bonding of his pet turtle and his love and all because Antonio offer Romano to pet Toby. And unlike what happened before, Antonio kept his mouth shut as much as he can as he enjoys watching the cute bonding…
"Here," Lovino looks over his shoulders and sees what he might have been looking for, a plain plate. Mister Hector did show him the thankfully respectable size of the storage full of plates –seriously! Lovino is thanking Dio for this –and let Lovino find his so-called "chosen plate". And the plain dish is a nice white dish that's shiny to look like it is made out of marble yet it isn't and a little tilts on the edges to keep liquid from spilling…
"Sì." Lovino simply replies, taking the plate and elegantly as he can so he won't leave fingerprint smudges on it. Lovino could hear gasps and ahs from really the unnecessary audience he has. "That's the plate I want."
"Gracias~." Lovino freezes and stiffens in place. Oh you got to fucking right at the ass kidding me! Lovino slowly and slowly turns and see… Damn it! "So Lovino, do you need anything else? I mean we are partners!" His damn bastard of a roommate and cooking partner… Oh well, he's better than the damn bitch.
Lovino rolls his eyes but of course he needs some necessary ingredients to finish and finally display his dish, with still time to just do something else. Really, what Lovino is supposed to do for the rest of the class? Well… maybe he could make himself a meal for lunch because he knows hell for sure that he has to pay some damn expensive or overprized school lunch and Lovino can be a stereotypical Swiss at times, AKA wants and loves to save money. Damn, Lovino hopes the damn bastard knows how to damn cook…
Lovino then finally fully turns around to Ant– I mean, the roommate bastard!
"…I'll need… balsamic vinegar…" Of course, somehow people actually "ooh" or "ah" on this… "And… do you have sea salt…?"
"Ah! Sì!" Antonio cheers damn enthusiastically as if Lovino gave him the lottery or something that rich kids want or whatever. And really, before Lovino could fully tilt his damn head or raise his damn eyebrow, Antonio ran straight out of the damn storage…
"Is there anything else you would like Lovino?" Mister Hector asks in a voice that has that worshipping tone and the tone when his damn Nonno is proud of something that Feliciano or Lovino (well… it's mostly damn Feli…). "I was wondering… is it okay if the whole class copies your wonderful piece of art? Of course after Antonio eats it and I get to try it as well!"
Lovino couldn't help but blush and dart his eyes away from the damn admiring eyes of the supposedly damn teacher. Damn… This guy shows more affection and attention than his own damn Nonno… Um… Is that fucking normal…?
"Uh…" Lovino begins, really uncomfortable of the whole fucking attention… but happy –DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! HE IS NEVER, AND HE MEANS FUCKING NEVER, EVER GOING TO SAY IT OUT DAMN LOUD! However…
"O! M! G! She is actually wearing that top! That is sooooo not going to impress Gilbert!" Well, Lovino knows not everyone is fully paying attention to him on cutting and choosing his so-called "destined" or "almighty" plate of his.
Well, Lovino just needs to get out of the storage and finally begin plating…
Of course, when Lovino begins walking out, almost everyone made a fucking path for him that reminds of those really royal people who either have a thin word or those damn weird long… uh… bugles…? Ah fuck it! Lovino is getting out of damn topic! Lovino is being fucking damn worshipped and is walking to his damn kitchen (the size of it is a bit bigger than a tree room apartment or a big apartment to be basic) while there's people admiring him from either side… To tell the fucking truth, it was uncomfortable of course but… it's fucking damn creepy as well! Seriously, people are fucking staring at him!
Grazie a Dio that Lovino finally got to his damn kitchen! And finally putting the white plate on the edge where it won't fall off or be a damn nuisance. And Lovino could see no one damn messed with his damn sliced mozzarellas or tomato slices and of course there's olive oil as well pepper and table salt shakers… but Lovino needs…
"Tada~! I got the vinegar and the salt!"
Well, Lovino has all the ingredients and has everything damn ready. And somehow Lovino's oh-so wonderful audience of his has gotten braver and is actually sitting down as if it was a damn kid's puppet play! Well, even the audience try to shush and quiet down the oh-so terrific bitch and her damn clique from texting and talking loud as if they're deaf or don't have a single fucking brain cell.
How is this damn high school for rich kids! These damn kids supposed to have first-class chefs catering them like they are fucking slaves or something! And the teacher! I mean sure, Lovino might have liked all the praising, admiring, and compliments but that guy is supposed to be a teacher!
Lovino tries to ignore the damn facts that are incredibly fucking important and begins his damn plating. He first put a mozzarella on the edge of the plate (where again, it's safe enough that it's still all fully on the plate) and then put a tomato slice over in way like dominoes do when they collide each other. And this was fucking pattern for the slices of tomato and mozzarella as Lovino places until he is out of them and the last slice is like the first one, on the safe edge where it's fully on the plate.
Lovino looks at Antonio who still has the awe look on him when he first begins plating and still holding the bottle of balsamic vinegar and the container of supposedly sea salt.
Of course, Lovino puts out one of his hands, signaling the damn roommate to give him the vinegar or the salt, Lovino doesn't really care. Then Antonio hands him the bottle of balsamic vinegar.
Lovino takes the bottle and professionally but roughly takes out the bottle cap (seriously, even though the container for balsamic vinegar are similar shapes to wine bottles at times, but they still have those damn caps that you can screw off) and… Everyone fucking awes as Lovino professionally pours the right amount of vinegar on the domino stack of slices of mozzarella and tomato. Lovino then switches the bottle of balsamic vinegar with a container of olive oil, which Lovino just delicately sprinkle unlike the vinegar.
Finally, Lovino puts down the olive oil with the bottle of brown colored vinegar and puts out his hand again for the container of sea salt. Turns out the damn roommate bastard, Antonio, is actually obedient… Okay… that's plain too fucking weird…
But Lovino finally finishes his plating by sprinkling the sea salt on top of his dish.
And no surprise, the audience awed and applauded thankfully for one last time. The white plate made the food look brighter, radiant, and more delicious with the sea salt somehow sparkles a bit and making it looks like art. Even though it seems so simple, it is simply great to look at.
"It's mozzarella and tomato salad." Lovino says, as if telling and answering people of his lazy Nonno's version when he's tired and wants something cooked quickly. Of course there are many different versions that are fancier than what Lovino has that looks like real art that's fancy. But hey, it's the first fucking day of school.
"Oh~! I get to eat this?" The damn roommate asks as if not believing he's going to eat it. "I mean, are you serious? I mean, we don't get any help wince we're living alone and all!"
…Okay, Lovino completely didn't suspect the roommate to say that out loud… or people actually agreeing with him out loud!
…Well… Lovino now knows why everyone is so damn impressed with his cooking and all… Though Lovino might –MIGHT YOU BASTARDS! MIGHT! –have been a bit disappointed for what the whole audience is being impressed for…But…
"Mm~!" Lovino in a quick second turned his head and seethe roommate with a happy face and have something in his mouth, most likely some of Lovino's salad. "Delicioso!"
"Alright class!" Mister Hector claps his hands together and catching all the audience's attention. "Time to make what Lovino did!"
Soon, the audience went to their kitchen while others went to get their ingredients which leaving Lovino alone with a still eating his damn lazy mozzarella and tomato salad, his damn roommate, Antonio.
Romano had the cutest –no… the most beautiful expression that Antonio has ever seen…
Romano didn't puff his cheeks and show they are definitely chubbier than Antonio's, his eyes aren't narrowing like those times when his parents are angry at him and more like the times when his parents are really proud of him, and finally what makes it the most beautiful expression… a smile… A small but visible smile…
Those symptoms that Antonio has had sky-rocketed and his heart is feeling wonderful as if flying but painfully beating too hard that it's ready to get out or explode! It seems that now Antonio is falling even more in love with Romano… Could that really be possible or even happen…? Maybe after, Antonio could go home and ask his parents about it…
"Okay bastard…" Romano finally says, looking up from Toby to Antonio's eyes, which is causing the symptoms getting bigger than before. Romano still has that smile on his face… So… So hermoso –no, Bello! No! Precioso! Bonito! Lindo! Guapo! "I guess… Toby," Toby soon lifts his head and in a turtle way, smiles for Romano actually saying his name. "Well… maybe she isn't a demon…"
"…She…?" Antonio questions, though his symptoms are still working.
Romano's little smile shrinks a little but still is there. "Well of course! Girls can be pretty when they want to be and are very gentle as well! So, Toby is a girl!"
Antonio blinks in confusion on this but… oh well! At least Roman likes both tomates and Toby! Meaning both of them like two same things! Madre did say common grounds (whatever that means…) are the best to have for a good relationship.
For a really, really, really good first day hanging out with Antonio…
Antonio couldn't wait for tomorrow!
Lovino must say something…
This… roommate… just gave him tomato slices as his dish… and really, that's fucking damn it…
"I hope you like tomatoes! I mean, you don't have to force yourself to like them or anything but well, I really don't want to do work in the first day but I want to do something for you as well…"
"Che!" Lovino clicked his tongue and looks away with him just blushing a just a very little fucking tiny bit. "Of course I love tomatoes! Only bastards hate tomatoes!"
Antonio chuckles and giggles at the same fucking damn time. It seems he's relieved at Lovino actually liking tomatoes. "Oh good! So, will take this dish of sliced tomatoes as forgiveness and thanks to that muy sabroso salad?"
Lovino tries not to look at the puppy-eyed (SERIOUSLY! Does everyone that Lovino knows or now fucking encountering is masters of puppy eyes!) Spaniard but… Goddamn it! Lovino just had to foolishly take a peek and there it fucking is! A pair of fucking damn pair of emerald puppy eyes with glints of hopes begging for Lovino! Damn it!
Though Lovino loves tomatoes and all, this roommate bastard of his is a bit… well, he gave Lovino a simple dish of tomato slices after telling him that fuck yes, Lovino loves his damn tomatoes. But strangely enough, Antonio offers the dish as both thanks for the salad and an apology (took the damn bastard long enough!) for laughing at him (well… Lovino actually had to damn tell him why after the damn bastard whining an answer (luckily quiet enough that no one hears…) for why he beat him the fuck up). But even more strangely enough, Lovino actually forgives him!
"…Alright…" Lovino mumbles but said it clearly enough for Antonio to hear and understand.
Lovino could actually feel the radiance of the damn roommate Spanish bastard smiling off his damn face off. Oh Dio, what has Lovino have done…
"Ah! Really Lovi! Maravilloso~!" Antonio says, actually he coos, "How about we become friends?"
"What!" Luckily no one is paying attention and is too damn focused and noisy to hear Lovino shout. "Why the hell do you want to become a damn friend with me? I kicked your sorry ass!"
Antonio then laughs as if it wants a fucking problem and no! It did not make Lovino fucking blush or do damn anything with his goddamn heart! "Silly Lovi~, you made me a magnefico dish and even if you did beat me up, you put me on my bed! And mi Madre always say, "A common ground, a basis agreed to by all partes for reaching a comprensión to one another, is the best to have a good relationship!" I mean we both love tomatoes and are roommates!"
And strangely, Antonio couldn't put his finger on it but… there's something else that he just want to be close to Lovino…
"D-Damn it…" Lovino admits and now looking away once again from Antonio's smiling face. "I-I guess I-I'll be y-your g-goddamn friend and–"
Then Lovino discovers something.
"…WHAT THE FUCK IS A FUCKING GODDAMN LOVI!"
…
…All I want is the Winter Break to be here now, damn it… It seems in my school, the tradition is given out many and hard tests, assignments, and homework right when the school breaks are near… Brilliant…
Oh yes! By the way, Chika is actually motivation and based on someone in real life that is one of spawn of Satan that I just had to make her suffer without her really knowing or me pummeling my fists down to her throat. So as the quote goes, "The pen is mightier than the sword". :D
Well, since I am done with this chapter, I'm going to do "Why Love Romano" and possibly "Tomatoes, Pasta, and Bittersweet Chocolate" and something else (if I'm not dead yet…).
So, thank you for reading, favorite, and/or alert this, it means a lot to me! And please! Review~! Ciao for now!