I'll Never Call You Maestro

I'll Never Call This Chapter 9

No no no! This cannot be happening. This has to be some sort of crazy dream. I'm dreaming, right? Please tell me I'm dreaming!

"Tell me!" Romano pounded on the wall, a frame of his grandfather was hung above the fireplace and trembled and shook with the motion of his fists. He glowered at the photo of Romulus. The old man just kept grinning that same old happy-go-lucky smile, it aggravated his eldest grandson.

Dammit!" Romano cursed as tears threatened to burst through the dam. "If you had been here... If you hadn't.." He sighed heavily and grabbed a chunk of his bangs, pulling it in a frustrated attempt to wake himself up. All the pain did was make him groan loudly at the uncomfortable sharpness on his scalp.

"Fratello, you're scaring me. You're cursing under your breath and making weird noises." Feliciano came up from behind him with wrinkled brows and biting his lip. Romano watched him out of the corner of his eye. Feliciano had a whole inch over him. Wasn't it just ridiculous? Romano was older so how the hell did his younger brother outgrow him? Just another mystery of life, he supposed.

Romano pushed him aside and his younger brother stumbled, but didn't fall. The Vargas was not in the mood to talk. Today was THAT DAY. The highly anticipated and impending TUESDAY. Romano shivered, just sounding the world aloud in his head gave him goose bumps. The second he awoke in his bed at seven in the morning, his blood began to boil. He wouldn't have to look at Antonio's stupid face for an hour, no, he would to look at his stupid face for THREE. It was... THREE! THREEEE! AND EGBERT WAS HIS NA-

His ideas for exacting his revenge died out completely when his poor, beautifully designed Tomato Launcher was crushed to death by the shoes of an anonymous shit face. Lamentable, lamentable contraption, you will be avenged.

Feliciano whined, "Ow! That was uncalled for, you know how weak I can be." Romano's olive gems went north, then east. Of course he knew his fratello was a tender, fragile thing. But he didn't care, or at least, he acted like he didn't.

"That's why I decided to shove you instead of completely knocking you to the ground, idiota." Romano said bitterly. Feliciano pursed his lips and was ignored as Romano opened the front door and left. He heard his brother call out to him about who was going to drive him to school. Feliciano could drive himself today. Romano was walking to school.

I- it's not like I was thinking about what fratello said about walks, I just felt like doing it today is all! He reassured himself in his mind. And besides, being alone felt nice.

The school was not that far from his home, only seven blocks away. That may sound a bit like too much walking for most people, but Romano was a young guy with a healthy body and lots of time to spare. Lots of time.

He saw a patch of long green grass and kicked at it without much thought, it was a childish thing to do but in what ways are seventeen year olds not childish? Castro Pretorio had a busy scenery playing out like always, delicious aromas of international breakfasts beckoned Romano to come and dine. He hadn't eaten that morning, and it was tempting.

A wave ran up his spine, and as he turned his olive eyes met a pair of lusty blue ones. He squinted. The bastard was grinning when Romano screwed up his face and flipped the man who was polishing a plate outside of the French restaurant off without a second thought, having the sense that he recognized that pervert from somewhere. Church, maybe?

Romano was reluctant to go to school for obvious reasons. Dammit, I should have faked being sick today. He mentally scolded himself for making the poor choice to go to school that day. There was probably enough time to run back to the home and lie to his brother that he didn't feel well, probably.

What the hell, did he actually want to see Antonio today? Romano's pulse jumped at this startling revelation. No way. The Italian shook his head in stark disbelief. Maybe he just wanted to make the bastard cry today, and that was it. Well, whatever the reason, he was going to school.

By the time Romano had arrived, he was so hungry that he was going to keel over. Cafeteria food did not sound appetizing. In fact, it made him want to barf, so he was steering clear of that area until it was time for lunch. Meandering the hallways, there wasn't much to look at besides the other students who were hanging around like flies on the walls. He resented them. He resented their friends. He resented they had friends.

The older Vargas stopped in his tracks. Something so unimaginably delectable had purged the air of any other scent. This spice, this savory and irresistible aroma. He needed it.

The heavenly fragrance emanated from a small office on Romano's left. But this was no ordinary office. Not at all.

Romano gave a startling lurch as his eyes were plastered to the golden lettering on the wooden door. In the plate the unspeakable name was carved into the metal. His name.

"Oh my God, I can't believe this!" Romano bitched aloud. This office was Antonio's office! Which meant that whatever scrumptious, mouthwatering goodness sitting in there would definitely not being going into Romano's stomach. Period.

The pit of him rumbled a loud objection, he needed food or he would probably die. Romano backed away slowly and pretended he hadn't noticed the office or swore loudly after he read the words on the door. Romano cautiously peeked left and right to assure himself the coast was clear. He couldn't let himself starve to death, but he couldn't let himself get caught by some unsuspecting teacher or student either.

He kept his presence under wraps by edging slowly and stealthily toward the room when there were no passing witnesses. Romano made a grab for the handle and choked when it didn't turn. The idiot had actually remembered to lock his own office. That bitch.

The lock didn't pose a problem, if he could pick pocket people without having them feel a thing then he could most definitely pick a lock. It was the higher percentage in his chances of being caught in the act that made him have palpitations. Romano already figured he would need to unlock doors in his early childhood, so he always had a stash of hairpins to cover him. He withdrew a pin from his duffle bag, then peaked around hesitantly once more.

Am I really going to do this?

He must! For his stomach! Romano fiddled methodically with the pin in the small opening of the knob. He shook the bent pin and kneaded it in the lock until finally his ears heard the slight click. This click almost brought tears of joy to him, but the reward inside was calling for him. Come to me.

Romano slipped into Antonio's study. There was simple furniture and the whole space was littered in papers. Romano never expected that Antonio would be disorganized, though it would make sense considering Antonio was such an airhead. But it wasn't like he was interested in his cleaning habits or anything! What interested him was what lay on the desk. He began to melt. It was food. Delicious, angelic food... which was made by Antonio? He still couldn't believe he was stealing a bite of what the bastard had touched with his bare hands.

It was a simple dish of round potato balls with savory pork stuffed within, and greens on the side, commonly known as Cuchifritos. Romano was sure the flavor was exquisite. He wasted no time in pulling a piece of the dish off and plopping it in his mouth.

"Holy mother of Go-"

His tastebuds exploded with flavor. He squealed in delight, sighing and wondering why the hell Antonio's cooking was so good. "It's too good, you bastard... too good even for you." Romano mumbled crisply between chewing. He pulled out a few more Cuchifritos to devour, but they didn't come close to his lips.

There were footsteps near the door.

A/N
I added a little Homestuck reference there hue hue hue. Gomen, I haven't updated in like four months, I'm just as bad as Witty_Name on AO3 xD. Here it is though! Exciting stuff coming up I assure you, but for now, enjoy this little cliff hanger.
Remember to vote, comment and follow!