Mio Caro

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"Oh, mio ​​Dio--" Romeo had said before he fell flat on his face.
     Romeo groaned, seeing his groceries had scattered out across the brick sidewalk. He scoffed, rubbing his nose. As he picked up his groceries, a pair of legs stopped in front of him. Romeo blinked as there was a handsome man before him, giving a worried look and offering his hand to help Romeo off his hands and knees.
     "H-Hey, are you okay? I-I could help you pick up those," the man says, smiling. Romeo's brows raise at the mans stutter. Then the smile the man had faded quickly and the man looked very concerned. Romeo flinched as he felt a dampness over his lip and tasted an iron-like taste.
     "Oh," Romeo mutters, and the man helps him up. "That looks p-pretty heavy," he huffed, taking out a beige handkerchief. Romeo hesitated before taking it, and watched as he picked up Romeo's groceries too.
     "Hey . . . I can handle that," Romeo says in a hushed and polite tone, but he's shushed by the mans dismissive wave of his hand. Romeo stood there awkwardly as he pressed the blood soaked handkerchief over his nose.

     "Th-There you go!" The mans voice was light and happy as he held out Romeo's bag. "You sh-should be more careful . . ." He trailed off, tilting his head expectantly. "Oh, uh . . . I'm Romeo," Romeo said, and the man brightens. "I'm Antonio! Funny, you're n-name is Romeo, is your Juliet at home?" Antonio's joke made Romeo process if it was harmless or an insult. "I'm gay," he'd blurt, clenching his grocery bag in his hand. Antonio jumped. "O-Oh! I'm sorry," he'd apologise quickly. "It's fine, there was no way you could've known," Romeo reassured.
     Antonio stares Romeo in the eye, and Romeo stared back. Both of their faces tinge a bit red and they awkwardly look away. Antonio chuckles, "you're a p-pretty cool guy, Romeo, we should hang out sometime. Do you use any social media platforms?" Romeo had a silent gasp, and he put the bag of groceries down. "Uh, yeah, I use Instagram." Romeo took out his phone, and Antonio snatched it to find his own page.
     "Here," he gave the phone back and Romeo saw that he now had a pending friend request to Antonio. Romeo couldn't help but give the smallest smile.

      Antonio and Romeo said goodbye and went on with their own business.