Chapter Text
The blonde woke up to the sound of his alarm buzzing. It was about 6 AM, and he had a lot of things to get done today…unfortunately. He was still a bit hungover from the party, and he definitely felt the after effects. His head was pounding.
Unfortunately, it was Monday which meant morning lectures. Maybe it would be a good distraction. Maybe one day he could be cured of these feelings…But that would never be possible with him around. He was the temptation in Caesar's life, dragging him deeper and deeper until he could not escape.
He rolled out of bed, staring into the mirror on his cluttered vanity. Who was looking back at him? Was it the real him, or was it just someone he created to please others? He had been many things. When he was younger, he was a proud Zeppeli still living in Italy. Then he became a juvenile delinquent… During that time he denounced his family's name, leaving behind his hometown. What was he now?
The blonde picked up a picture frame from his youth, all of his siblings standing around with his parents right behind him. He brushed his hand against the dusty glass, revealing the image underneath.
If Caesar were a girl, things would be different. He wouldn't have the burden of being the first born son, he wouldn't be expected to step up to take care of his family when they had nothing, and he would be with Joseph right now.
It was too late to rectify his mistakes. Even if he chose Joseph now, the brunet already wanted nothing to do with him. To the Brit, he was probably just an experiment, just a 'new experience' but to the blonde? He was the North Star to guide him through hardships.
There was no point in pondering what ifs anymore. He made his bed. It was time to lay in it.
The sun peeked through the curtains of Joseph's bedroom, forcing him to finally awaken. He felt like he had just awoken from a 10,000 year long slumber. Just how long had been asleep for? When he checked the time on his phone he realised it was 9:00 AM! He would be late for his morning lecture if he didn't hurry up, although he was never one for punctuality.
Usually he would be woken up by a very upset Italian who would hit him with a pillow until he got up. Talk about tough love.
The brunet got out of bed reluctantly, running to the washroom to attempt to tame his bedhead and to brush his teeth. If he made it out the door fast enough, he could probably bike to his lecture… But he never had a good history with transportation. Last time he tried to use his bike, it somehow ended up sending the wheel all the way up and almost hitting a poor kid in the head! Luckily, Joseph was able to save the guy in time, but he always seemed to have that kind of curse on him.
He got out of the washroom as fast as he could, throwing on his white dress shirt and wonkily doing his tie and belt. The Brit could not be bothered with the 'proper' culture his Granny had raised him with. As he ran out the door he swiped his red bomber jacket and bolted to class. If she had seen him scrambling out the door he'd be hit with a lecture for sure about etiquette and old people stuff he didn't give two shits about.
While running out the door, he remembered that he completely forgot about the bike! Well, no use for it now anyways, he just had to keep running. He probably looked like a madman with the way he was moving, but it was New York so who's to say anybody even looked twice?
When he finally made it onto campus, he could clearly see the building where his lecture would be held in the distance. So close yet so far, time to pick up the pace! Good thing that his mom had put him through so many training drills when he was younger. The Brit had found a use for it.
At this rate, Joseph was about to arrive five minutes early miraculously. But before he could mentally celebrate he fell into some guy who walked right in front of him and they both came tumbling onto the floor. Seriously? What a jackass!
The dude had pink birthmarks right on his cheekbones like Caesar, and a scowl like him too… Hold on… "Oh my God! Caesar, are you okay?!" He asked, immediately rushing over to check the other for injuries, who was now clutching his head.
"I'm fine. Do you ever watch where you're going?" The blonde sighed, brushing away Joseph's concern like he always did.
"No not really. But I'm so so so so sorry dude, I didn't see you coming and I woke up late and was about to be late for class and—" He stopped as the Italian's hand covered his mouth.
"Right, sorry." He chuckled nervously, helping Caesar up to his feet. The blonde looked sleepy with the way he rubbed his eyes. And yet, every time Joseph saw him, he was definitely reminded why he was considered a ladies' man.
"What made you finally come to class early?" He asked while brushing off his jeans, which were slightly dusty from falling.
"Well… Thought I'd do something different I guess." The brunet shrugged, pushing back his hair. Why did he come early? Was it because he wanted to get to class? Certainly not. So then why?
"Wow. That's a first."
"Yeah… So… How are you feeling, after last night? Are you okay?" Joseph expressed a bit of concern. He still didn't dare look into the other's emerald green eyes, he could only bring himself to fixate on the triangular pink birthmarks on his cheek bones. They always made his eyes pop.
"I'm better I suppose… And my scarf is clean."
"Great. So um… I'm just gonna head out now." The Brit said awkwardly, running his fingers through his hair. He wanted to look at anything but Caesar.
The Italian didn't even respond, just turning around and walking away, leaving the Brunette along with his racing heart and spiralling thoughts.
Once again, a hand tugged on his clothes. Would Joseph ever stop doing that?
"What." The blonde asked, unamused.
"I still like you." He blurted out, before the other could even react. His hand was still on Caesar's, eyes never leaving the other man's.