𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Singing In Venice

Leon got into the gondola first with a grace, then reached out a hand for me to take as I followed him in a little less carefully. I smile, sitting down on the bench as Leon speaks in Italian to the gondolier, then we were off. The ride is a romantic dream, with Leon's arm wrapped around my shoulders and the picturesque canals of Venice looking so beautiful, I felt like I'd never been happier. The sun was casting a warm glow over the ancient buildings lining the waterways, and the gentle sway of the boat was soothing to me to the point where I had to rest my head on Leon's shoulder in case of falling asleep.

"This whole place is gorgeous, I still can't believe you brought me here." I whisper as another couple in a gondola pass us. Leon leans over, kissing my forehead with his lips lingering on my skin, his silent declaration of love. 

"Anything for amore mio, I'm glad you're having fun." He murmurs back to me, both of us lost in our own world. Just as we lean in for another kiss our gondolier, a jovial Italian man with a glint in his eyes decides to serenade us with his operatic talents. My brows raise to the sky as I stare at the man, who's shamelessly singing his little heart out, his voice echoing off of the ancient stone walls, meanwhile Leon's staring at him as if he's a madman. I bite back a laugh, partially enjoying the quirky moment, but when the gondolier soon shows us that he's nowhere near done, I can't help to stifle a giggle, especially when he begins an off-key rendition of 'O Sole Mio'. 

It's oddly romantic, albeit peculiar. Leon looks like he's ready to dive into the water whilst I sit back, watching the gondolier's hand movements whilst he steers the gondola. "I think he's trying to outdo the pigeons. Gesù Cristo " Leon whispers lowly to me, referring to the cooing birds perched on top of the buildings. I snort, but cover it up with a cough, nodding in agreement to him. 

"I think he's winning too." I whisper back. Despite dealing with the event unfolding and trying to contain ourselves, the gondolier's passion heightens to a point where Leon and I can't help but to grin at the charismatic man. 

"Signore, la sua voce è... piena di talento." Leon says to the man, who turns around and presses a hand to his heart, a delighted look crosses his features, then his eyes widen with an idea as we continue to float down the canal, earning strange looks from the public in sight. 

"You two, join in! It will be magnifico!" The gondolier insists, and I can't possibly shatter his happiness. Leon looks to me, but I'm already nodding, his joyful mood infectious. 

"Sure, but I don't know much Italian." I reply. Leon sighs, shaking his head at my new enthusiasm. 

"I'm not sure we could match your passion anyway." Leon politely mumbles, but the man shakes his head, belting out a deep laugh that echoes and scares a few pigeons above. 

"Senza senso!" The gondolier exclaims, "We can sing something together." He lists a few songs, then I finally find one I know. The man and I begin singing together, confidence through the roof as I grin and let my voice blend with his, as Leon holds a hand over his mouth, shoulders bouncing with laughter. I tug his hand away from his mouth, shaking him to join in, then by some miracle Leon actually begins to mumble the words, until in time we all are singing together. There has never been a funnier yet joyous moment in my life, and I know that this memory will stay with me forever. We reach the end of our gondola ride sooner than I'd wanted, the gondolier expertly steers us to the dock, his face red but his mouth wide in a cheerful smile. 

"Thank you for the wonderful ride," Leon says, stepping off the gondola and extending his hand to help me back onto hard ground. I jump, clutching Leon as the gondolier bows graciously to us, pressing a hand over his heart. 

"È stato un piacere amici!" He exclaims, then he looks to me. "May your love continue to sing as sweetly as the canals of Venice. Ciao!" With a final shout he pushes away from the dock, disappearing into the fading light leaving Leon and I shocked yet amused. We look to each other, then finally burst out laughing, letting out all of the pent up laughter explode. Leon then takes my hand again, and leads me up some stone stairs as we continue to explore the winding streets of Venice, and I'm sure I can hear the gondolier's singing from here.