Convince Me

Chapter 4: Confusion

The sun shone through the open window. Fuck. Did Feliciano forget to close the shutters again? Romano rubbed his ebyyes, stretching. That's when he remembers. Feliciano wasn't here. His sweet brother was at the hospital. But he was okay. That's what mattered and it relaxed him.
   The shower was hot. Like a certain Spanish someone. For fuck's sake. Couldn't even shower without the damn bastard creeping into his thoughts. Romano scrubbed furiously at his scalp, trying to go through his plans for the day. He rinsed himself off, stepping out of the shower, looking at himself in the mirror.
  What the hell was so attractive about him? The only thing he could think of was maybe his eyes. Yeah, that had to be it. He avoided aforementioned eyes in the mirror, getting dressed. The house was eerily silent without Feliciano and Romano didn't have the heart to fill the emptiness. Instead, he got ready for work, expecting a long and dull day.
   He was absolutely correct. Business was slow. In fact, he could count how many customers that came in on one hand. But the day was done and now he could see his precious brother. The bus was as all public buses are: smelly and crowded. It was so worth it for Feli though. This time, he had no trouble finding the hospital room, hugging his brother tight.
"Lo-Roma!" Feliciano smiled, hugging him back.
"Are you all right, Feli?" Romano asked, cupping his cheeks. Feliciano giggled, loving his brother's concern.
"Yes, I'm fine. Luddy came and a pretty man got me flowers!" He pointed to the flowers in a vase on the window. They definitely were beautiful but Romano was suspicious.
"Pretty man? What did he look like?" he asked. "You can't just accept flowers from strangers."
"Oh, fratello, don't be such a worrier! The pretty man said he buys flowers all the time for the patients here!" Feliciano said. Romano didn't know what to say to that.
"What does he look like?" he said at last.
"Oh he had really pretty green eyes. I think maybe he was Spanish and he had very messy curls," Feli grinned. "He asked me my favorite flowers and got them for me!" But Romano was in another world. That had to be Antonio, it couldn't be anyone else. And that was the reason he bought flowers every day, for the patients. His heart felt light. That was actually really fucking cute.
"Earth to Romano?" Feliciano called, knocking on his brother's head. Romano jumped, looking surprised.
"What?" he asked. Feliciano smirked.
"You know the Spanish man, don't you, Roma?" he asked, his eyes knowing. Romano looked away, totally not blushing or anything. Feliciano adjusted himself to sit up more, pretending to be his brother.
"I'm so in love with Spanish guy. He's soooo dreamy!"
"You shut your damn mouth, bastard!" Romano hissed through clenched teeth. "I-I'm not... not what you said." Though his face said otherwise.
"I think you're bullshitting me," Feliciano pouted.
  "Watch your mouth," Romano said automatically. He stared at the ground, face unbelievably red.
  "Why are you so upset? Love should be a happy thing, Lovi. And you do not look happy. Isn't he someone you only ever dreamed of?" Feliciano asked, head resting on his hands.
  "I-I don't know? I mean, I barely know the damn bastard. He just... came in one day and bought flowers and flirted with me. But almost all the customers do that. And then he asked me on a date!" Romano said, still in shock about that.
  "How romantic. Did you say yes?" Feliciano murmured, eyes dreamy.
  "Uh... no, I didn't," Romano said, embarrassed. His brother gasped.
  "You must've broke his heart, you dumbass," Feliciano frowned.
"Watch your mouth," Romano murmured, his heart not in it. He shouldn't feel bad, but he does. Antonio was nothing but nice to him and he was an asshole back. Perhaps he was the bastardo and not the Spaniard.
  "Well, you'll see him at work tomorrow maybe. If I see him again today, I'll tell him to go see you," Feliciano promised, wanting his brother to find love too.
  "You are too perfect for this world, Feli," Romano smiled, kissing his forehead. Feliciano blushed.
  "You should go home and get rest. I'll be home when you wake up, promise," he said. Romano agreed.
  "See you soon, fratello," he said, waving goodbye as he left the hospital. He couldn't believe his luck honestly. Antonio had met his brother and Feli would make sure he went to the flower shop tomorrow. The question is, would he listen? And would Romano stop being an asshole for once in his life to actually convey to Antonio what he'd been feeling these last few weeks? Everything relied on Antonio showing up. Romano would figure out what to do when he saw the Spaniard in person. No use making plans only to have them ruined by something as simple as one person not showing up.
   The bus unfortunately smelled the same on the way back as it did on the way there, but for once, Romano was grateful. He needed distraction. This damn Spanish man was causing so much trouble. How did he even know what his feelings towards Antonio were? Love? Is that what it was? Romano had never been in love before, had never been given that opportunity. So how was he supposed to sort these things out? He got off the bus, walking home from the bus stop. Why him? Why did Antonio even like him, if that was even the case? Why did he deserve love? It was like everyone said. "Romano is too bitter" and "Romano is so rude." He hated those people, hated those things they said. And it only made him even more resentful and bitter.
   The house was just the way he left it, dark and brooding. But Feliciano would come home today and fill the quiet house with his singing and his loveliness. Romano rubbed his eyes, taking his shoes off. His brother was right; he needed to sleep and be well rested for work tomorrow. Subconsciously, he found himself thinking that he wanted to look beautiful for Antonio. Let him see a brighter part of him. Yeah. Good idea, Romano. And with the thought of things maybe working out, he fell asleep.