Romano X Reader: Bigger Than Love

All enter this world with a full heart, a perfect and untainted beat that keeps time with innocence. As time marches on, the heart begins to lose pieces of itself; it is cut, burnt, ripped, torn, scratched, marred, and imperfect. Everyone carries this heart within them, a heart that is begging for someone to help heal it. But most go on with ignoring, some believing that it will never be healed.

 

However, every once in a while, someone comes along to help you put it back together again.

 

 

 

The sun had long set, dusk slipping through the large open windows, the scent of the salt water beyond twirling with the fragrance of the multitude of rose petals that had been scattered across the floor. She had laughed at the sight, poking his cheek as he grumbled in annoyance, hiding his bemusement.

 

He should have known that they would have gone all out for the two of them.

 

The house was finally quiet, the guests having finally left the two alone for their first evening “together.” She had flushed at something the Frenchman had whispered in her ear, the blond sending a wink and a wave over his shoulder as the poor girl tried to formulate a comeback.

Lovino had eyed (Y/n) warily for a bit after that, her aloofness causing him concern. But as the last few stragglers meandered away, her mood seemed to improve, Francis’s words long forgotten.

 

He and she both released sighs of contentment as they finally kicked off their shoes, the freedom a necessary indulgence after an evening of entertaining their peers. He immediately started to remove his tie, his jacket long abandoned. She had disappeared upstairs, practically running to get herself out of the torture chamber many called a dress.

 

He had laughed at her, her frustration with the tradition making it all worthwhile.

He hated wearing his tuxedo as much as she hated wearing the dress, but his siblings would have killed him had either of them tried to weasel out of it.

 

When he finally felt mildly comfortable once again, he made his way to the kitchen, a craving for something other than cake rumbling within his stomach. It wasn’t long until the aroma of frying fish, peppers, and oregano wafting into the air around him, a content smile settling itself on his lips as he maneuvered the ever-changing kitchen. This was his haven, and his small patch of Heaven.

 

Nothing could go wrong while he was in here.

 

A song kept playing with his conscious, demanding his attention, bits and pieces of the lyrics passing through his lips and reflecting in his hips as he lightly sang along to the beat in mind. For once, he was happy.

 

Completely and incandescently happy.

 

He heard footsteps behind him, and turned to acknowledge his companion, who smiled slightly as she picked up her own tools, securing her apron around her waist and diving right in. He growled at her, frowning at her pout as he stole the cutlery from her hands.

 

“This is my treat to you, dammit.”

She smiled and giggled at his protest, her eyes immediately indicating that she knew better. “Always the charmer, Lovino.”

He rolled his eyes, hazels focusing on his fish and allowing her to claim the knife once again. “I must have done something right, otherwise we wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

 

A musical laugh came to his ears, one that still flustered him from time-to-time, but his smile reappeared, recognizing her real laughter, not the strained faux humour she had used earlier that day.

 

The two worked side-by-side for some time, the only sound that of the grease within his pan, and the sound of her blade working quickly on the remaining vegetables.

 

“Hey, (Y/n)?”

 

She paused, immediately recognizing his tone. Worried (e/c) shot to his figure, which was still seemingly focused on his food, but at the same time she could read his eyes, telling her more than he would ever know.

 

“Sì?”

“You are… You’re happy with me, right?”

She cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

He sighed, flicking his wrist to turn the sizzling fish again. “Exactly what I said. Are you happy with me?”

She could feel her forehead crinkle in her confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because I’ve known too many people who aren’t.”

She chuckled slightly. “Am I like people?”

A snigger met her in response. “Valid point. You are really weird, ragazza.”

“Hey! That wasn’t nice!”

A smug grin came to his features, one that even now made her heart skip a beat. “Consider it payback for putting tea bags in my underwear drawer.”

“Wha...” Her jaw dropped, shock and guilt clearly written on her features. “How did…”

“Because Tonio has better pranks, and Marcello isn’t quite that clever.”

She huffed, annoyance clear in it. “If it means anything, it was all Feli’s idea.”

Amusement filled him at her pout, and his smirk was aimed directly at her. “Of course it was.”

 

She said nothing for a time, her focus going back to her vegetables, and a peaceful silence settling over them. He started to hum again, the words slipping past his lips and making her (e/c) eyes widen slightly, and then soften in recognition.

 

“It’s kind of funny…”

The presence of her voice made Lovino’s hazel eyes flicker down towards her, straining for the next part of her statement. “Che?”

(Y/n)’s eyes met his, disbelief in them. “That a simple song was what ended up drawing us together.”

 

He scoffed slightly, memories of that evening flowing through his mind, softly and carefully, and a soft smile followed them. “Almost seems unreal…”

 

“I thought you were the biggest asshole that I had ever had the misfortune of meeting.”

 

His head snapped towards her, his jaw dropping slightly. “I was nothing but polite to you.”

 

She frowned, (e/c) orbs narrowing as she cocked her eyebrow at him. “To me, yes. But I was watching you before you even spoke to me. You were being a total spregevole to Tonio.”

He tsked. “Watch your mouth, bella.”

“I’m only being honest!” She paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. “And isn’t that just the pot calling the kettle black?”

He chuckled, leaning down to meet her at eye level, a playful spark in his eyes. “What are you going to do to stop me, Signora Vargas?”

A slight smirk came to her own lips as she shifted somewhat closer to him. “This.”

 

And suddenly she was gone, her attention once again on her vegetable platter. Romano growled at her, his eyes narrowing at the cruel twist of fate. “Bitch.”

 

She merely grinned, and began to hum the song that had been haunting him earlier, shooting him a wink. “Love you too, Lovi.”

 

Silence, save for the final preparations to their meal, as well as her voice, once again embraced the kitchen. Despite the small injury to his pride, it was peaceful, and Italia would not have asked for it to be any other way.

 

 

Dinner passed uneventfully, the two playfully bickering with each other like the old married couple they were on their way to becoming. Instead of eating in the dining room, she had requested utilizing her coffee table and the couch for some “much needed snuggles and relaxation.”

 

At first, he’s not sure why he agreed. But then as she shifted against him and let out a content sigh, he was reminded on why he constantly allowed her to win.

 

 

The stars were finally out, precious jewels displayed against a velvet background. The moon’s light played on the waves, jumping and diving into the dark abyss in a mesmerizing dance. Lovino heaved a sigh, pulling (Y/n) a bit closer to his chest, weariness seeping into his bones.

 

She grumbled. “Lovi… We need to wash the dishes.”

 

Irritated, he nuzzled his nose into her hair, forbidding himself from losing his last grip of reality as her scent surrounded him. “No. Dobbiamo godere di questa serata insieme.”

He chuckled as she shivered, and she moved to make another protest, but his grip was unrelenting. She finally heaved a sigh, a curse under her breath, and relaxed in his arms.

 

 

A content smile crossed his lips as she turned to face him, not leaving his grip and meeting his drowsy gaze with her own. “You know what we haven’t done as a couple yet?”

He grunted, bringing his hand over to lightly push a strand of hair behind her ear.

“We haven’t had our first dance together.”

 

He frowned slightly. “Mia stella… We dance all of the time.”

 

“But, Lovino… This is our wedding night. Please?”

 

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. He could feel her (e/c) irises analyzing him. Pleading with him. Demanding him. With a sigh, he opened his eyes again, meeting those probing bright (e/c)s dead on. “You better have a song in mind, ragazza. I was this close to be being asleep.”

 

She giggled, enthusiasm lighting her eyes, and excitement propelling her from the couch to their stereo.

 

He sat up slowly, groggy and running a hand through his hair. With a sigh, he gathered their abandoned dinner, and made his way to the kitchen, at least saving some time later. He quickly washed the remainder of the dishes, frowning at the miscellaneous lumps that his fingers brushed as he maneuvered the dishwater. He had never been a fan of dirty water, and he was even less amused when it came to the unidentified formerly edible objects.

 

“Oh, Lovi-kins!” He scowled at her playful tone, glaring at his reflection in the window above their sink. The hazel eyes that stared back at him seemed to be alight slightly, almost as if they were happy with the stupid nickname. “Why the hell did we marry her again,” he questioned in a murmur.

 

“Lovino?” He turned, startled by her concerned voice as the door. Neither said anything as she came closer to the sink, a question in her eyes. “I thought we were going to wait on them…?”

Her (e/c) irises showed confusion and guilt as she stared at the now drying dishes. He rolled his eyes, turning and letting the questionable water down the drain, and quickly moving to dry his hands with a towel.

 

She still remained for a moment, her eyes unreadable as she stared at the dishes. He sighed, worried about how far away her mind wanted to carry her this time. Placing a quick kiss to her shoulder, he guided her back to the living room, and chuckled as she came home, reality flooding her system again.

 

She nearly danced over to the sound system, the music flowing around them soon after. She turned around, her expression pensive and content. He chuckled as the lyrics began, immediately humming along with the words.

(Y/n) made no move to come closer, and he immediately grasped the subtle hint, his feet going into motion instantly. Less than a meter away from her, he bowed, grasping her hand and bringing it to his lips. “May I have this dance, amore?” His eyes flickered up to see her reaction, a smirk forming on his lips as she blushed slightly and sent him a playful scowl.

“If you must…” The words hung on the air for barely a second when she was suddenly squealing, shaken by how quickly he had spun her and caught her in a perfect dip.

Her breath came in short spurts, fueled by the sudden adrenaline rush. He snickered at her growl of annoyance, and pressed his lips to hers lightly. “Oh, I must, (Y/n). You no longer have a choice.”

“Asshole.”

“But you love every minute of it.”

She frowned, her fingers going into his hair as she shifted to ease the pressure on his form. “Don’t patronize me, Vargas.”

“Too late.”

 

And suddenly they were in flight again, a laugh of excitement escaping her lungs despite her determination. He smiled in response, enjoying every move as he teased her.

 

Very few knew of this side of the Italian. Years of living with his elder half-brother had exposed him to multiple forms of dancing, and it was one of the few things he was skilled at. Cooking was his freedom, but dancing was his passion.

 

It had been this song, this dance, that had brought them together to begin with. They had been two strangers in a crowded room, both alone and both looking for something to do. It had been an offer, and it turned into an obsession.

 

(Y/n) had never danced before she had met Romano, not properly anyway. It had been those mischievous eyes that had won her curiousity, and it was irritation and annoyance that had formed her response. She wished to get even for the Spaniard that the Italian had been harassing all evening.

 

And then he took her hand.

The song began.

And she soon forgot everything.

 

The chemistry between them never ended, and it often seemed that their best means of communication had been through nearly tossing each other across the floor. Their moves were sporadic, unpredictable. At first, it had taken all of her concentration merely to hold on. But as time went by, she began to lead in part. No one dominated in their dance, the two figures claiming a partnership that was never content, a fire flowing between them that no one else could ever come between. Each touch, each swish, each flick revealed something about the other, a whole legion of secrets shared between the two while the music played.

 

But tonight… Tonight the song was different.

 

The fire was still there. The passion lay just beneath the surface. But tonight was special. He had given himself to her completely, permitting her to fix his broken heart. Somehow she had entered his life, forced him to acknowledge his scars… And then she helped to heal him.

 

He smiled as she returned to his embrace, her (h/c) tresses splaying in a waved mess behind her shoulders. A smile danced in her eyes, the endless (e/c) searching his hazel with curiousity. “Lovino?”

 

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and a full smile crossed her lips. Her eyes closed for a moment, memories trickling through her stream of conscious, memories of how, through his sarcasm and insults, he had answered all of those questions she had been afraid to ask. He had forced his way through the walls around her heart, shoving and pushing his way inside.

 

They were mutually stubborn, mutually broken, and somehow they had found each other.

 

Somehow, they had fixed each other.

 

She smiled, he pulling her closer to him again, her eyes still closed and her soul embracing the memory of the moment.

 

The soft puffs of his breath. The warmth of his hand on her back. The small ache in her right toe from stubbing it on the couch earlier. The pleasant wave of the piano notes from the stereo. The feel of her heavy hair flowing around her neck…

 

She made certain to lock this moment in her recently repaired heart.

 

Her eyes opened as the song drew to a close, the final note lingering as the song began to change. The two newlyweds said nothing, no longer acknowledging the presence of the music around them, lost in each other’s eyes. He opened his mouth for a moment to speak, but she merely smiled and placed a gentle finger against his lips.

 

I know, Romano… I know.

 

A gentle smile shone in his eyes, making them a warm spring green that caused her heart to skip a beat. He pressed a soft kiss to her finger and pulled her upright again. Her hand lowered, their eye-contact unbroken.

 

He smoothly pressed his lips to her own, the kiss chaste and soft, almost as if he were afraid of breaking the spell. The moment was calm, serendipity caressing both of them in its tender grasp. She nearly allowed moisture to escape her (e/c) orifices, somehow restraining herself as she melted into his arms, allowing him to steal the lead. All she had ever wanted, all she had ever needed, was his love.

 

And now that she had claimed it… she would never release his heart.

 

After all… You’ll always have mine.