Convince Me

Chapter 1: Hello, I'm...

"You're very beautiful, you know that right?" the customer flirted. Romano flushed, looking past the him, past those intimidating eyes.
"If I wasn't at work, I would call you something rather foul," he responded. The green eyed customer winked.
"Ah, is that flirting where you come from?" Romano rolled his eyes.
"No, it's me being as friendly as I can without cursing," he said, wrapping the flowers up in a nice bouquet. He added up the total.
"I'm Antonio, by the way," the customer smiled, giving Romano the cash. "Keep the change."
Romano is a bit hesitant. "I'm Romano," he said at last. Antonio's smile grew wider.
"I think that name suits you rather well," he winked. Romano could feel his face turning red. Antonio took the flowers, his eyes looking mischievous.
"I've kept you for far too long. Have a nice day, Romano," he said, the r rolling off his tongue. Romano let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Maybe now he could relax. Antonio wasn't the first customer to flirt with Romano and he probably wouldn't be the last. But how did he sound so innocent as he flirted? How did he make the words sound so genuine and make them sound like words Romano had never heard before?
Romano shook his head, sighing. It was enough that Antonio had held up the line, but now the man was in his thoughts as well! What a jerk. It didn't matter anyway. Antonio was most likely a one time customer and Romano would probably never see him again, which didn't bother him in the slightest. But he was so very wrong.

The next day, Antonio came in, all smiles and bright eyes.
"Fancy seeing you here, Romano," he said, a laugh playing on his lips.
"I work here," Romano deadpanned. Antonio didn't look fazed. He strolled around the shop, picking out various flowers before meeting Romano at the counter.
"Why do you need flowers again?" Romano asked as he wrapped the chosen flora up.
"That's a secret, bonito," Antonio winked. Romano flushed.
"I can speak Spanish you know and I am not beautiful," he frowned. Antonio's smile didn't falter.
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," he said, paying for the flowers. "Keep the change." This man confused the hell out of him. Antonio took his flowers and left, but not before flashing a big grin at him. Romano's face grew hot.
"Bastardo," he mumbled.

Antonio came by every day for three weeks straight, buying the exact same flowers and always incessantly flirting with him. Romano would be caught dead before admitting this, but the Spanish man made work a little easier to bear.
The work day began and Romano caught himself counting down the minutes until Antonio would show up. And show up he did. Romano's heart leapt at the sight of him, mentally scolding himself for being so excited.
"Hola, Romano," Antonio grinned, his eyes always so bright, his copper curls always a mess.
"Bongiorno," Romano blushed, tapping his fingers against the counter. Antonio did his usual sweep around the flower shop, this time picking out a different bunch of flowers. He took them to the counter.
"Special occasion?" Romano asked. Antonio winked.
"Mm, pretty special," he said, watching him wrap the flowers up. He paid in cash like he always did, telling him to keep the change.
"Have a nice day, bastardo," Romano murmured, but Antonio didn't leave. He held the pretty flowers in his hands. They really were so pretty.
"Bonito," Antonio began, looking unsure of himself. Romano was curious. Why did Antonio look nervous all of a sudden?
"Can I ask you something?" he whispered.
"You just did." Antonio smiled just a little. The silence was uncomfortable and Romano fiddled with his nametag.
"Are you okay?" he questioned. Antonio still hadn't moved. He definitely wasn't acting normal. Then again, Romano didn't know much about him so perhaps the Antonio he was seeing now was the real one?
"Hurry up, you jerk. I have work to do," he said rather impatiently. Antonio jumped slightly, seeming to remember where he was.
"Lo siento, bonito. I wanted to ask if perhaps you wanted to go on a date tonight?" he blushed, actually blushed. Romano's hand flew to his mouth. Wait, what?
"I... uh...." Antonio stammered. Romano had never seen the Spaniard so flustered before. If his heart wasn't beating so loud, he might've found it cute. He couldn't find the words.
"You hardly know me," Romano said at last, taking a deep breath.
"I want to though," Antonio murmured, still red as a tomato.
"I don't think I can say yes," Romano apologized. He could see the Spanish man's shoulders fall and he felt a stab in his chest. But this was for the best. Antonio didn't know him, didn't know a damm thing.
"Lo siento," he apologized, thrusting the flowers into Romano's hands before running off. Romano looked at the flowers. They were his favorites. Lavender and honeysuckle.
The Italian was thoroughly confused. Sure, he wasn't too unattractive, but why did Antonio want to date him? He wasn't exactly the nicest to him. Romano shook his head, putting the flowers behind him. He tried to tell himself that his decision was for the best, that no one could get close to him, but he kept seeing the hurt in those mossy green eyes and the guilt overwhelmed him. Was it really that great of a decision? Romano didn't know anymore.