Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Oh, c’mon, do you need me to grab your hand every time? We’ve done this before.”

The pair was used to climbing up on rooftops to watch the clouds. The shorter boy hesitated before jumping from one balcony to the one where his friend was. And yes – he did grab his hand to make extra sure he wouldn’t fall off. Despite the teasing, Romeo couldn’t find words to express how much Carlo mattered to him.

“Do you need to care about me as if I was a toddler every time?” Carlo whipped his reply with faint irritation on his face.

“Feisty, feisty!” The blond let go of him, taking the sass as a common trait of Carlo’s personality. “We are almost there. If you need uppies, I’ll carry you on my shoulders.”

“Shut up!” Carlo pushed him out of the way and climbed ahead to the rooftop.

When his hand touched Romeo’s chest, he could feel something was bothering Carlo. He knew how family and especially his father was a touchy subject to the boy, and most of the times he guessed right to assume this was the root of the bad mood, today felt different. It was more personal.

Romeo watched his back. The fluffy, wavy-curly hair danced as the wind blew; he turned back just enough to check if the taller one followed, and his pouty lips showed. Romeo felt so divided because, of course Carlo was cute, but also… “Did I do something?” was the thought he couldn’t get out of his head.

No provocative words, no gestures. Carlo simply looked at him and continued his way. Silence wasn’t a stranger between them, and sometimes was encouraged. Speech wasn’t necessary to solve every problem. But today felt different.

“What’s gotten into him?” the young man shook his head and caught up.

Once on the same level, Romeo gave Carlo some seconds to pick a spot to lay down and bask in sun while the clouds painted the sky above them. That didn’t happen. How unusual. Carlo sometimes even argued because Romeo took the cleanest spots on the roofs!

Romeo gave him some time, expecting to hear an explanation or at least that he’d be comfortable enough to start a conversation on a completely different subject. However, the absence of noise prevailed.

Now anxious and starting to worry, Romeo dug into his memories for something that could get Carlo’s attention. Didn’t he call Carlo a “puppy” when they were kids because he cried every night?

“Hey, puppy,” Carlo heard him and his face blushed bright red. Luckily he was not facing the blond! “Let’s break the silence, yeah? Bird chirping is good and all, but I’d rather listen to your voice.”

“Surely you like other voices better.” He shrugged.

“Eh?” Did he mean Romeo liked his own voice or what?? “Did I speak over you at some point today or something? Why are you mad at me?”

“Just don’t feel like talking with you.” Carlo sheepishly shrugged with a false tone to his answer.

“And yet, you agreed to come relax on our usual spot.” Romeo smirked.

Carlo sat down. Leg bouncing and clenched teeth gave away how agitated he felt.

“I would hate to know you kept it to yourself and then bawled your eyes out, all alone, on a cold, cold night.” Romeo’s exaggerated satirical drama could be perceived from miles away. Carlo’s response wasn’t leashing out, and that was enough for Romeo to switch his tone to serious yet approachable. “You know you have my ears and my shoulders should you need to get something outta your chest.”

Romeo was almost getting through on Carlo’s emotional side. It pained him that Romeo was so naturally charming, fun and gentle, and yet, he could never be more than a best friend.

Much to Romeo’s unawareness, Carlo noticed those blue eyes desperate to exchange glances with Lea’s, pleading for her attention. Carlo shivered to the thought that, more than this, Romeo’s body longed for her touch. He wanted Romeo to look at him that way. The boy craved to drown on that sea of blue; have his curls wrapped around his long fingers; entangle their rosy lips together; sleep on his arms and pretend the clock is turning slower so the feeling lasts longer.

But Carlo was at a loss of words to explain all of this. If Romeo liked women, what could he possibly do? The only solution would be accepting a man could never be his Juliet.

Maybe Carlo should’ve confessed earlier. Everything was coming down at the same time now like a snowball that grows larger by the second when it rolls down a white mountain.

The boy whined a gibberish complaint.

The taller boy respected his personal space, even with the distance between them on the current situation being agonizing. But if Carlo wasn’t comfortable, now was not the best time to push a conversation on him.

Chapter Text

Thin clouds traveled leisurely above them. Laying on his back, Romeo closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the Sun. Carlo and his secret issue were still on his mind, but he figured just staying close would do better than poking answers out of him.

Carlo only moved when something clicked: if it hadn't gotten to Lea’s ear that Romeo liked her, then he still had a chance. He approached his friend trying to keep silent because he wouldn’t know what to do in case his eyes opened.

“This is ridiculous, I never felt so nervous around him before.” Carlo tried to get his thoughts together, but his legs trembled and made him lose balance.

So much for not making noise or disturbing Romeo’s peace.

Carlo aimed his body to the opposite side from the ledge of the roof, falling on his knees and hands, pinning Romeo under him.

Startled, the young man widened his eyes, meeting Carlo’s immediately. Both panicked but none moved.

“I, uh… “Carlo babbled, his hands getting sweatier.

“Now, now, puppy. If you wanted to lay down on my lap all you needed to do was ask nicely.” He tried to play it cool, but his heart was almost hammering out of his chest.

“Maybe I do!” Carlo spurted out his words without masking any feeling. The future Stalker was so repressed and frustrated that his expression looked angry and his eyes watery.

Carlo Geppetto, the promising man people expected to follow suit to his father’s achievements, couldn’t help but feel his entire body shake in anticipation and embarrassment. “All I gotta do is say it!” He thought, trying to muster up courage to continue.

“Maybe I want to lay down on your lap. Maybe I want you to look at me!”

Romeo was so confused. He was saying those sweet lines, but his deliverance was full of rage.

“Look at you? What do you mean?”

“I saw you looking at Lea!” Carlo wanted to stop himself from accusing the blond as if it was his fault for falling in love. “You are ALWAYS in awe when she’s around. You don’t even listen to me or to our friends! Always trying to find out what she likes, where she goes… I bet you even know what her favourite brand of wine and perfume are!”

Seeing his dear Carlo so on edge, Romeo beamed as in to comfort him. It’s been years that Romeo had fallen for someone, sure, but it wasn’t for Lea.

“Why is it wrong if I want to learn more about her?”

“It’s not. You’re not wrong. But I guess I am.” Finally, a few tear drops fell on Romeo's shirt. Carlo got ready to get up as he dried his face with the coat’s sleeve.

A sudden weight on his back stopped himself from getting up. Romeo pulled him towards his own body, positioning Carlo comfortably between his legs, with his head leaning gently over his chest.

“You think you’re wrong because you like men?” Romeo knew the answer, but waited for his confirmation. “And the man you like is me?” asking that lift a heavy weight from his own heart, since he loved Carlo so dearly for so long and yearned for reciprocation. Carlo nodded enthusiastically, rubbing his forehead on Romeo’s damp shirt.

“… I think I’m sick, I am so sorry that I’ve fallen for you.” He mumbled.

“Hey. Don’t say that. There, there.” He caressed Carlo’s hair, entangling fingers on his curls. Hugging him tighter, he realized the faint shaking on his body.

They’ve been together for such a long time, and still, whenever Romeo saw Carlo vulnerable and scared he couldn’t help it but want to protect the boy. His hands slid to his lower back, tightening the grip as if to reassure he wasn’t alone.

The message reached Carlo, who sobbed and held onto Romeo's shoulders.

“But I— you like her and I ruined our friendship, I am sorry,” Romeo gently shushed him before he kept going.

“No, don’t apologize for loving someone. I’m with you, all is going to be fine, Carlo.” This line seemed to resonate with the shorter one, whose body relaxed a bit now. “And I cannot even start to say how glad I am that you told me that.”

Carlo held his breath.

“Because love is a beautiful emotion. And I am happy to feel it with you.” Romeo said, lips rubbing against his hair, tickling his ear.

This time, Carlo froze thinking of how close their faces were, given the situation. The only visible movement were the tears still streaming down his cheeks.

“What do you mean?” He had a feeling he knew what Romeo wanted to say, but was so appalled by the idea his first love liked him back.

“Oh, you silly puppy, “Romeo laughed. “I like men as well. And you are the man I love.”

Chapter Text

Disbelief took over Carlo’s sense of time. How long did he stay like that, hugging his beloved under the Sun? His body was completely relaxed after hearing the words he hoped one day would be said by the blond.

Romeo, however, was still tense. Not because he said what he did, but because Carlo was too quiet. He decided to break the silence,

“You know I admire Lea, right? Not as my love interest. I think she’s amazing and I wish she would take us as appendices. I thought learning more about her would make us grow closer.”

The curly haired felt like the biggest fool in Krat. All this time, his crush was trying to ask Lea to be their teacher. Not only Romeo thought of his own future, but also of Carlo’s. A future where both would be Stalkers together.

Butterfly wings flapped inside of Carlo’s stomach, his blood ran hot and cold at the same time. Romeo felt similar, but with a dash of relief. So his best friend wasn’t mad at him, but at an imaginary problem. But because of this they both got to confess their feelings, and by the stars! What were the odds that they wanted to be each other’s boyfriends!

“Want to be Stalkers together under her wing?” Carlo lifted his head to face Romeo.

“Want to be boyfriends together under the… blue sky?” Romeo improvised, his pale cheeks turning crimson. Carlo reacted just the same.

Eyes wide open, he couldn’t believe Romeo asked this just like that. How much charisma could that young man have to coat his anxiety with charm?? That was insane! Carlo stuttered a bit before collecting his thoughts and exclaiming, “Yes!”

Romeo’s smile was warmer than the Sun. He yanked Carlo, shoving his face back on his chest and lifting his feet from the roof. They both giggled as they rolled to the side, Carlo being the one on the bottom now. He reached for Romeo’s hair, tucking it behind the ears, so he could watch him better. In return, Romeo closed the distance between their faces. Carlo moved his head to reach him faster, until their lips met in a soft, warm, long kiss.

They were anxious, but eager.

Scared, but relieved.

Heads in the clouds, bodies on each other’s arms.

This moment could last forever, alas, it was impossible. When they were done, their eyes locked and both smiled, not embarrassed by being out of breath and blushing. Carlo smiled and jumped onto Romeo’s arm, forcing their position into sitting.

“So the puppy does want to sit on my lap!” The blond gasped.

“Stop pestering me with this puppy thing!” Carlo laughed, punching his arm lightly as a joke.

Romeo ran his thumb around Carlo’s hair, while Carlo placed his head against him to hear his soothing heartbeat.

“Then you stop doing that pouty face all the time. Or I’ll have to kiss the sadness away.”

“I dare you." Carlo teased, in a calmer voice.

“Do it again and I’ll show you. “

“I could be doing it right now and you wouldn’t know. You can’t see me clearly.” Carlo was smiling so much there was no way Romeo wouldn’t notice.

“You’re smiling now, though!”

“Because you love me.” Carlo looked up barely believing this was happening.

“Mhm, I love you.” Romeo reassured. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world for having you as my boyfriend.”

“Liiies, that’s me!”

That back and forth continued for a few minutes, until the owner of the house whose rooftop they claimed as theirs opened a window, broom and a bucket of water in hand ready to scatter them like noisy cats.

They got up faster than light and ran in opposite directions, eventually meeting on solid ground. Carlo grabbed Romeo’s arm so they wouldn’t lose each other while escaping, Romeo slid his hand down and held his boyfriend’s.

Still on the run, Carlo asked seemingly out of the blue,

“So, what is Lea’s favourite wine?”

“Huh, what’s that now?”

“Let’s grab her a bottle!”

“Not sure we can afford that. But you know what? Surprise date at the gallery!” Romeo looked back and winked with a devious smile. This moment of genuine joy could last forever.

Carlo laughed and tried to catch up with Romeo’s longer legs. No, he didn’t ruin their friendship, but by being honest he found out the love of his life was also his best friend. No matter the type of relationship they had, luck was on their side if they were together.

The tale of Romeo and Carlo had started long before they even realized, and would continue to be written as long as their dear memories were kept safe and sound.