After wandering through winding streets and finding myself more lost by the minute, I finally gathered enough courage to ask for directions. My attempts at Italian were clumsy at best—practically tragic at worst—when I spotted a man with an easygoing smile and a shock of auburn hair. His name was Feliciano, he not only knew English but seemed delighted to play the part of my knight in shining armour.
Gathering what little courage I had left, I approached him, mumbling a rough, "Uh, scusi...mi sono persa...lost? Lost-a?"
His eyes sparkled, and a grin spread across his face as he caught on immediately. "Ah! Lost in Firenze, bella? No problem—I am Feliciano, at your service! Let's see, where are you trying to go?" His English was tinged with a rich accent that made every word sound musical.
"Oh, thank goodness. I'm looking for the...um...Hotel Brunetti?" I stammered, feeling self-conscious as he leaned in, his smile only widening.
"Hotel Brunetti! Bellissimo!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "You have chosen well! But you are far off, cara mia. Allow me to escort you—it would be a crime to let such a lovely traveller wander the streets alone." He winked playfully, and though I laughed it off as typical Italian charm, a warm flush crept up my cheeks.
We set off together, and he chatted endlessly, pointing out landmarks and offering fun tidbits about the city as we walked. "You see that fountain?" He pointed with an exaggerated wave, his arm nearly brushing against mine. "Legend says if you make a wish there, it will come true! But only if you truly believe."
"Really? And what would you wish for?" I teased, giving him a curious smile.
He looked at me thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing just a bit, and then he said in a soft voice, "Ah, bella, that would be telling, wouldn't it? But maybe..." He paused, letting his gaze linger on me for a beat too long. "...maybe I'll tell you later if you're curious."
My heart did a little flip, but I forced a laugh. "A mystery man, I see."
"Oh, I am full of mysteries! Every Italian man has secrets," he said with a grin, adding, "And every Italian man knows how to make a woman smile." He chuckled, and I couldn't help but join in, rolling my eyes at the flirtation that, at this point, seemed more playful than anything.
Finally, we arrived at my hotel. I turned to thank him, feeling a little more comfortable and grateful for the detour.
"Well, Feliciano, thank you for saving me. I honestly don't know what I'd have done without you!"
He gave a small bow, his hand pressing over his heart. "Ah, a pleasure, truly." Then he tilted his head, giving me a curious look as if making a decision. "But I cannot simply let you go without a proper goodbye."
Before I could reply, he took my hand gently and brought it to his lips, pressing a warm kiss to the back of it. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks immediately.
"Perhaps, bella, you would like to join me later at my favorite gelateria?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper, his eyes never leaving mine. "It is best enjoyed with good company."
I hesitated for just a moment, thrown off by how sincerely he seemed to be asking, the laughter and teasing gone. But as I looked at him, I found myself nodding. "I...well, I'd like that. What time?"
His face lit up, and he gave my hand a final squeeze. "Fantastico! I shall meet you here at three. Prepare yourself—it will be the best gelato of your life."
As he walked away, tossing me a final grin over his shoulder, I couldn't help but smile back, suddenly feeling like Florence had a little more magic in it than I'd originally thought.
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Hetalia Oneshots
FanfictionEver want to imagine yourself with a country? Well, I compiled a collection of oneshots based on the characters from Hetalia just for you. Requests are welcomed. Characters belong to Himaruya Hidekaz. Cover art by Anri (Pixiv539475): https://www.zer...