Piero Barone Imagines

Italian lessons

"Buongorno (y/n)!"

Piero's mother had entered unnoticed and her greeting made you jump up with a slightly raised heart beat.

"Buongorno signora Leonora", you replied with a smile.

At least you knew the basic greeting, you thought. Even that, however, seemed alien coming from you. Month after month you had tried to learn Italian, especially after you met Piero, but no matter how hard you tried, nothing seemed to be working, not Duolingo, not even private tutoring. Everyone was noting that, since you were fluent in Spanish, Italian would be a piece of cake, but it seemed that your tendency to prove people wrong had taken over your linguistic skills.

She sat across from you and looked away at the Sicilian coast, starting an awkward silence you were thankful and simultaneously regretful of.

Piero had woken up too early -jet lag taking a toll on him- and had left you a note saying he was going to take a walk around his hometown. Mariagrazia and Franz, the only two people who spoke English in the house at that time, were still asleep.

You had only met the Barone family the previous day. The ice had somehow already begun to break with Piero's siblings, considering you could hold an actual conversation, without someone needing to take the role of an interpretor. His parents, on the other hand, could barely form a sentence in English, making it impossible to get to know you better. Piero had joked that you were blessed among the girlfriends of this world to avoid his mum's interrogation so easily. However, this didn't stop you from feeling somehow ashamed for not being able to answer all the questions they might have asked you.

You made eye contact with her and smiled awkwardly.

"[Do you want breakfast?]"

She was asking you something you had absolutely no idea what meant, so you shrugged and threw a questioning look at her. She looked around biting her lip, trying to spot anything that would help her be understood. In the end, she resolved to sign language and said "coffee". When you nodded in understanding, she smiled contentedly and stood up to go make some.

You weren't left alone for long. Mariagrazia and Franz had just woken up and walked in the balcony, yawning and stretching.

"Buongiorno (y/n)", they greeted you simultaneously. You returned the greeting and watched them take their sits around the wooden table.

"Have you been alone for long?"

"No, actually your mother just left to make some coffee. Mind you, it took me five minutes to understand that she was asking me if I wanted some. I'm hopeless, aren't I?"

They both burst into giggles inviting enough for you to join them. Soon enough, Piero's mother entered carrying a big tray with all kinds of goodies. While his sister bid good morning and started speaking rapidly in Sicilian with her mother, Franz informed you that what she had asked you was probably about breakfast in general and not just coffee. Nearly whispering, you pulled him closer and told him you wanted to thank her properly in Italian.

"You know this can't work out for ever, don't you? You will eventually need to learn Italian, even the basics."

"I told you, Franz, I'm hopeless! I've tried everything!"

Your hand gestures caught Mariagrazia's attention. She looked at you and her brother inquiring and Franz motioned for her to come sit back with you.

"You're not hopeless (y/n). You haven't tried with us."

Franz had a satisfying smile on his face, while his sister sat on his lap and tried to understand what it was all about.

"We'll teach (y/n) Italian!"

"Il professore is taking over him (y/n), don't worry, it's just a phase. It will pass as soon as he has some breakfast."

He playfully punched her upper arm and shushed her, turning back to you.

"I'm serious! What could go wrong? You can't get any worse!"

"Are you sure about that last one", you asked jokingly.

"Oh come on! You can't be that bad!besides, you've already mastered the hand gestures part."

You took a minute to think about the proposal, biting your lip and looking at their encouraging and expecting expressions.

"Alright, I'll do it."

"Yes!", he cheered. "We'll begin with some basics. When you're alone with Piero, you should tell him this."

He covered his sister's ears, receiving a glare, and told you something you suspected was too dirty for your liking, erupting to giggles afterwards.

"Whatever he told you don't ever say it to Piero", Mariagrazia advised you, throwing a disapproving look at her oldest brother.

"Of course I won't", you assured her. "But seriously now, if we are to do this, we will be serious. Oh, and don't forget, not a word of this to Piero. It will be our little secret."