Chapter Text
Rome in spring was, in Ermal’s humble opinion, the most beautiful the city could be. Gone was the cold winter, thick jackets and clouds and here came the flowers blossoming and the warm sun rays tickling your skin.
And was there any better way to sunbathe then laying in the grass at the right bank of the Tiber, tired yet satisfied from a criminally delicious lunch? Ermal certainly couldn’t think of any. Not when the birds chirped around him, the waves of the Tiber softly hitting the shore and not one single thing to worry about. Even with closed eyes, he sensed the man lying next to him turn towards him but Fabrizio did not spoke immediately. No, he just stayed silent for a bit, Ermal wasn’t quite sure what he was observing but before Ermal could ask, Fabrizio broke the silence.
“Enjoying yourself?”
The younger man snorted. What a silly question.
“After that great pesto, I sure am enjoying myself. Seriously, Fabri, where you always find those tiny places with that divine food is a mystery to me but I’m glad you do find them. And most of all, bring me along”
He felt the man next to him chuckle, a few tones higher than his normal deep voice.
“I’ve been enjoying myself too. In fact..” He heard Fabrizio suddenly take a deep breath and he could have sworn Fabrizio swallowed as well too before continuing “In fact, I’ve been enjoying all our meet-ups. A lot. More than with other people. And- and y’know, Ermal, you’ve been very dear to me from the beginning and- Fuck, I have no idea what I’m doing here, it’s been quite some time since I’ve done that but-”
“Fabri, get to the point!” Ermal laughed.
“Okay, good, so tomorrow evening- there’s this restaurant and- and- would you like to go out with me?”
And then the only sound between them was the chirping of the birds and the noise of the kids passing by. Ermal let the words run through his mind once more, huffed a laugh before smirking.
“Sure.”
“Wh- Really?” Fabrizio whispered almost too quiet to be heard so Ermal finally opened his eyes and turned to him but was met by an incredulous expression.
“Yeah, really! Why is that so surprising?!”
“I- You-” Either Fabrizio was badly trying to suppress a grin or he had some serious muscle issues, in any case Ermal was concerned. “Shit, I don’t know. You didn’t exactly give off the vibe that you’d say yes, so I never considered asking, but-” He rolled onto his back and stared at the blue sky above. “I was edging for it, y’know. I was slowly going insane, I just had to have it said out loud.”
“You’re being more ridiculous than usual, Fabri. Honestly, I cannot believe you were wrecking your head about a non-issue.” He sat up and observed the still laying man who looked at him in something Ermal almost didn’t dare to call awe.
“So, tomorrow evening then?”
Details and addresses were exchanged, a time set when Fabrizio would pick him up and soon after they parted ways but not without Fabrizio once more mentioning how much he’s looking forward to tomorrow.
And as Ermal made his way back to his hotel, he huffed a laugh. It sure felt strange to see his friend be so nervous, especially when it was about nothing more than going to a new restaurant together. And the fact that he assumed Ermal would not come along?
’You didn’t exactly give off the vibe that you’d say yes’
“What the fuck does that even mean? I don’t give off the vibe?!”
A small pebble on the street found itself to be the victim of Ermal’s irritation.
“When haven't I agreed to go to a new place with him?!”
But maybe his annoyance was unjustified. Could the restaurant really be that fancy that Fabrizio felt too anxious to go alone and wished for his friend’s company?
“Well, food better be worth it….”
In hindsight, Ermal realised later, the evening had been doomed to be unusual from the very beginning.
Exhibit A: A certain Roman showing up at his doorstep looking like he'd belong to the Milan Fashion Week.
A tight grey shirt whose top three buttons almost begged to be opened (yet remained miraculously, in Fabris case, closed!) clung nicely to the body underneath it. A very fine silver chain hung around his neck that perfectly fit with the rings and the watch on his hand.
Instead of ripped denim, now tight & shiny dark jeans were worn and to round this look up, an impeccably tailored black, suit jacket was thrown over him.
He…. looked stunning. Yes, okay, Fabrizio always looked beautiful, we know that, but one could only rarely see him this elegant. If it wasn't Sanremo at least, or events of similar importance. Ermal normally dressed nice, but in this instance he almost felt underdressed, and that in comparison to Fabrizio Moro.
The car drive was relatively quiet except of the radio that played news and Ermal would have found been interested in hearing about those new tax cuts the government was planning to implement if his attention wasn’t drawn to the fact that they were entering a rather fancy neighbourhood. And it didn’t stop there, soon they were pulling up to an even fancier restaurant.
’So that must be the infamous place, huh?’
Why Fabrizio had insisted on going here was still a mystery to Ermal, after all they'd usually get food in simpler places. But this restaurant was so high class and so unlike anything Fabrizio seemed to like.
Not that Ermal disliked it, oh no, in fact he was mesmerised by the soft piano sounds, the luscious furniture, the dimmed light and the wonderful roses everywhere.
If Ermal didn’t know better, he’d almost call it …. romantic?
Funnily enough, the younger man’s awe was in stark contrast to Fabrizio’s own attitude. The Roman seemed quite nervous, terribly shaky and his cheeks even sported a little flush.
“Well, well, Fab. Gotta say, this place is on a whole different level“ The curly haired man commented as he flipped through the menu.
“You like it?”
“How could I not?”
They put the menus down as a waiter took up their orders and it might be only Ermal’s imagination but it seemed like Fabrizio relaxed a bit.
Not only that but he seemed to be incredibly focused on Ermal as well, not that he usually dismissed him but today Fabrizio was a bit more attentive, his eyes more consciously searching for Ermal’s. He laughed at every single one of his jokes, smiled brighter at Ermal than usual. It felt.. nice. The whole evening was quite nice, Ermal had to admit, even with the unusual ambient.
The dinner had been phenomenal, and when Ermal saw their mousse au chocolat approach, he knew it would be just as good.
And indeed, the moan he couldn't suppress after his first bite was proof enough.
“This is outstanding, honestly.”
“It really is good.”
“Only good? It's amazing. I don't even have much of a sweet tooth, but this mousse is the sweetest thing and I love it”
Fabrizio tilted his head and was it the candle light or something else, but a intriguing shine filled his eyes.
“I'd know something sweeter than this.”
In the next moment, everything turned upside down when Fabrizio suddenly took his hand and intertwined their fingers, his thumb gently brushing over the back of the younger man’s hand. Ermal's eyes went back and forth from their locked hands to Fabrizio’s face. What......is happening?
Ermal cleared his throat.
"Fabrizio...?"
But the second the word left his mouth, Fabrizio froze, the small smile of his vanished before he withdrew his hand.
"Too much? Shit, I just thought-"
"Fabri, is something going on?" Ermal tried to clarify but that apparently only confused his counterpart more.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't know. You suddenly grasped my hand. That's not something you usually do."
Fabrizio avoided his eyes now and scratched the back of his neck.
"I just thought, y’know, I don't know, I just - I really wanted to hold your hand. I mean, I have wanted to hold it many times before but- but given the circumstances I thought it was appropriate. But if you're not fond of that kind of public affection or if it's too much for the first date, I understand."
Ermal’s eyes widened and his hand clenched the napkin laying on the table. The voice that finally escaped his mouth was rather high pitched and shaky.
"D- Date ?!? What?!"
Fabrizio blinked. Ermal blinked. They both blinked at each in utter silence with only the piano softly playing in the background until it dawned on Fabrizio who slapped a hand over his eyes in shame.
"Oh my fucking God. Oh Jesus Christ, no, no, no, fuck, no"
Not knowing what to do, Ermal simply continued staring at the now red Fabrizio hiding behind his hands.
This all didn't make any sense. At all. Some part of Ermal could understand what has just happened but another larger part just kept repeating that this couldn't be real. Paralyzed by shock, he just kept blinking at the man across from him as if an answer to this mess would magically appear. But the silence was becoming so suffocating that Ermal had to break it, he had finally muttered anything at all.
"Fabrizio...."
"BILL PLEASE"
The older man however had other plans as he quickly got the attention of the waiter passing by. The younger man couldn’t even protest, because Fabrizio was already hastily paying for both of them, too eager to flee as fast as possible.
The Roman got up then without even looking at his companion and Ermal kind of felt obligated to do the same and while one avoided the eyes of the other they made their way to the car together where Ermal had a terrible realisation.
In all this time he has known the other man, he could not remember ever feeling this awkward around Fabrizio as when they drove in complete uncomfortable silence. His eyes way too focused on the road ahead and his lips pressed into a thin line. This was not the man he always could laugh and have fun with. This certainly wasn’t the man from half an hour ago.
They slowly approached Ermal’s hotel and the younger man felt like this was his chance to fix whatever this mess was. He cleared his throat and turned to his friend.
"Fabri..that earlier...I didn't know, I- I didn't realise.."
"Yes I noticed that you didn't know." Fabrizio gripped the steering wheel tightly as he spoke with clipped tone that, Ermal assumed, disguised deeper emotions underneath it.
"Just... remember this evening as the nice dinner we had together, nothing more, okay? Just forget anything else. Please." The car stopped and while he knew this was his cue to get out it didn't feel right to leave it at that note.
"But-"
"Ermal, please."
The embarrassment in his voice was overwhelming and the urgency definite. So Ermal did what he had to do: Slowly get out of the car, saying goodnight to his friend who only mumbled something in reply, still not meeting his eyes before he started the engine again leaving Ermal helplessly watching him drive off into the dark night.