It was another quaint afternoon for Le Petit Amour, a cafe owned by Francis Bonnefoy, a former pastry chef at a famous restaurant in Paris. The cafe was neither too quiet nor loud; nor was it too crowded nor empty. There was just the right amount of noise and quiet with the right amount of people, and Antonio liked it that way. He was glad that Francis offered this a day job when he first moved into Russia, and he's been very thankful for it. Despite being a principal dancer at the ballet company for nearly half a decade, he managed to balance his time to work part-time at Francis' cafe. 

Le Petit Amour looked like a hub for international students, and for foreigners who were looking for jobs or to ask questions on places were they can stay. The Russian patrons they had even joked with Francis that he should consider putting up a school behind the cafe, due to the majority of the foreigners being students studying in his cafe. Antonio nearly jumped out of his skin when Francis actually did reconsider the joke, he had to stop him right there and remind Francis that the intentions of his business was to be quiet and relaxing for him--not like the work he had back in Paris.

Antonio's head perked up from the counter as he saw Feliciano and Lovino entering the cafe with smiles and the bickering. It seemed strange for Antonio to see Lovino smiling  brightly when his shift is about to start. Hell, it's unusual for Lovino to take the night shift that ends at three in the morning. 

"What's with the good mood today, mi amigos?" Antonio added the whip cream on the frappe he was making. 

"It's Student Night!" Feliciano cheered. "And fratello's crush is going to be doing some poetry."

"Ohhh?" Lovino blushed red at Antonio's tone. "Who is it?"

"I'm not telling you who the ragazza is, dammit." 

"It's that Belgian girl, isn't it?" Francis popped in as he added new desserts inside the bakery case for display.

Lovino's faced turned redder as he started to stutter whatever comeback he was trying to think of. The three suppressed their laughs before they can get a taste of Lovino's signature headbutt. It was a delight for Antonio to see the two Italians in a good mood at the same time, it hardly happens unless it's a special occasion like Christmas or birthdays. The calmest days for Lovino would be Sunday mornings when the three would go to church together.

Antonio sticks in a blue and white straw on the frappe and rings the bell before calling out the customer's name.

"Well, that was my last customer for today's shift." Antonio stretched his arms. 

"You're not staying?" Feliciano looked at Antonio sadly as he tied his apron around his waist.

"No, I've got some errands to do at home." 

Which was half of a lie. Antonio just wanted some time for himself. The entire month had been socially exhausting for Antonio. He took three days off from the cafe since he had to fly to China for a two week dance workshop, then when he went straight to Spain to attend a family reunion that lasted for three days and attended his brother's wedding on the Friday of that week as his best man, and last week he had to teach some kids at a local college with matching interviews from them for a report that was assigned to them. Besides, he had some of his shoes to fix before practice tomorrow morning at the studio.

Antonio stepped out of the cafe and into the snow-filled streets of Moscow. Winter in Russia was beautifully dangerous for Antonio. He loved the thick blankets of snow that filled the city, but he never liked the loads of laundry he had to do every winter. He didn't think that he could feel an attachment for Moscow, or consider the place as his home. It rarely snows where he comes from, Granada and Moscow were two different personalities. 

"FUCK!" Antonio snapped out of his thoughts on what he was cooking for dinner.

Not far ahead of him was a girl on the group groaning. Her face was covered by the large object she was carrying. 

"Oh my!" He rushes to her quickly. 

"Fuck, fuck, fuuuuck!" She continues to groan on.

Antonio knelt next to her side, mildly panicking, before patting her shoulder lightly. The girl stopped groaning and freezes for a moment. 

"Hey, I'm here to help, okay? Don't be scared." The girl responded with a sigh of relieved.

"Please be careful with this." She tapped the large case she was carrying. 

The case was covered with stickers. There were stickers that had the names of countries, unfamiliar chibi characters, and some that were sort of artistic or too radical for his taste. Antonio thought that whatever was inside this case was important, so he does what the girl asked him to do. 

Once he placed the hard case down gently on the side, he looked at at her with worry. She was looking into his eyes, unfocused (e/c) orbs were having trouble on where to look. She didn't seem sickly pale to him, which he thinks that happens to people who slip on ice. Her hands were moving earlier meaning she wasn't paralyzed on something.

"Are you alright, miss?" His emerald green eyes seemed to bring color to the streets besides the obnoxious case she was bringing.

"Yeah, I guess? " She was so not flirting in this situation. "I don't think I hit my head."

The strange girl laid still after that. Somehow, looking into those eyes made her feel like writing again. A storm of words crashed into her mind in attempt to describe those emerald green eyes. Comparing them to a stone didn't felt quite right, she couldn't just compare them to an object with colors. As cliche as it sounds, Antonio just stole her breath away from that one look. Having a crush wasn't new to her, but having a crush on someone who is staring right into her eyes? That's a whole different story. She could never look into the eyes of her previous crushes, except for that one time where she was pissed at one during high school because they were paired up for a project and he didn't do shit. Like, dude, really?

She took a deep breath and gathered her strength to sit up. Her vision was alright, but that landing on her back made her feel like a grandma. She was glad that her keyboard was fine.

"Okay, I feel like my grandmother." The girl stretched a bit and heard her bones pop. It didn't hurt, it actually lessened the pain.

The strange girl let out a laugh and shook her head. Relief washed over Antonio as soon as he heard her laugh, and at the same time found it adorable. Not that he found her accident funny, but he found her comeback from that accident heartwarming. She didn't complain about it, or even acknowledged the pain very well. It just makes him want to wrap her around a blanket and give her some hot chocolate or coffee. 

"Let me help you up." Antonio carefully helps her gain her balance. 

"Thanks," The girl giggled, "I'm probably late for my gig."

"A gig?" Antonio raised an eyebrow with interest. 

"Yeah, and I'm kinda lost as well." The girl scratched her head and took out a damp piece of paper from her back pocket. "I'm looking for this place called Le Petit Amour? Did I get that right? Ah shit, the writing's all smudged."

"Actually," Antonio started, "I just came from that cafe. Do you want me to show you the way?"

"Uhhh..." The girl stood awkwardly, not really sure if she should accept it or not.

"Oh, how rude of me." Antonio chuckled and scratched the nape of his neck. "My name's Antonio, I'm sorry if I didn't introduce myself earlier."

"Antonio..." It seemed to roll off her tongue with some awe. "I-I'm (Y/n)! I just moved here a few weeks ago."

Her cheeks were red while she smiled sheepishly. She noticed that Antonio had picked up her keyboard, she panicked a bit.

"Wait--shit, sorry, I can carry that." She looked over at her case.

"No, no! It's fine." Antonio insisted. "I'll help you carry this all the way to the cafe, you slipped after all."

Antonio flashed a sweet smile that could've made her squeal, only if he was just on screen. The fated encounter with this strange man made her feel a little better as they walked down the street. (Y/n) was still nervous though, she could've been helped by some guy who had perverted intentions or something but she was glad that luck was on her side today; and, boy, did luck lead her to one she felt like she could trust.

Hopefully.

It felt kind of funny that they conversed along the way like two friends who haven't seen each other for years. Antonio learned a few things about her. (Y/n) moved to Moscow since she was planning to audition for an orchestra she had been dying to join, and that she was there to study a little bit more on music. (Y/n) learned that Antonio was a worker at the cafe and that he was a dancer at a ballet company that she has probably seen on YouTube before.

As the two walked in the cafe, the two Italians behind the counter looked at the newcomers with a subtle look of shock. The newcomers, oblivious to the looks they were being given by the staff behind the counter, were still in their own little world of small talk and giggles. Antonio still had a hold of (Y/n)'s case that made the two Italians raise their eyebrows. Their eyes then moved to the girl he was with.  

To them, she was very familiar. They knew her, but not personally.

"I bet you fifty rubles that Toni stays and then falls for her tonight." Lovino whispered to Feliciano.

"Double if they start dating the next month." Feliciano snickered, but stopped when he felt someone's hand on his shoulders.

"Triple if they actually meet at a place they would never expect." The two turned their heads to see Francis with a smug smirk on his face. "By Friday."

They gawked at Francis for making the most daring bet. 

"Deal." The three shook hands.

Francis quickly retreated back into the kitchen as the giggling couple made their way to the counter. Feliciano went away and made an espresso. Lovino stayed at the cashier and took out his phone make it seem like he was busy, his advantage on eavesdropping.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Antonio." (Y/n) pulls a lock of her hair back behind her ear. 

"Please, call me Toni." Lovino's eyes looked at Feliciano who looked back at him nervously. They turned their eyes back to the couple.

"I guess this is where we part then." (Y/n) looked up into Antonio's eyes. "I'd like my keyboard back please, Mr. Toni."

Antonio lets out a soft chuckle. Her eyes seemed to shine, a bit pleading, as if they were telling him not to go yet. He felt his heart skipping a beat. He didn't see the harm in staying to watch, and those errands he needed to do can wait. He realized that he lost that social fatigue he had earlier.

"I..." Lovino and Feliciano listened closely. "I should get going."

The two Italians screamed internally.

"But I think I'd stay and listen to you, any day." The Italians had their thoughts screaming even louder as they communicated through their own rendition of Italian sign language. 

"You would?" (Y/n)'s face seemed to lighten up.

"I'm right here in front of you now, aren't I?" 

The Italians were now on the edge of their asses as Francis popped his head out of the kitchen to watch and listen. The three felt like this was their telenovela night at Antonio's apartment, but this time Antonio was a character and, hopefully, there was only a good ending ahead for everyone.

"I'll help you set up, you're the opening act after all."

(Y/n) gladly accepted Antonio's offer as they made their way towards the small stage in the corner of the room. 

The three shared a light bulb moment.

"He doesn't know?" Feliciano asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Of course he doesn't know!" Lovino exasperated. "He's clueless of her identity."

"She looks so lax with him, it doesn't seem obvious that she's famous." Francis pipped in with a fresh batch of cookies. "This is why I made that bet."

The two Italians raised an eyebrow at him.

"That they have no clue of the other being famous like them." Francis smiled. "They're going to meet again at the company this week, I can feel it."

"Hmph, we'll see." Lovino crossed his arms.

The two were still completely oblivious to the fact that their the subject of the bet. They were too preoccupied on setting the stage up. 

It wasn't long until the cafe started to fill up. Student Night was usually meant for college students and the graduate schools, but they weren't the only ones present tonight. At least ten high schoolers came in the cafe with a camera and markers ready. Some middle schoolers were present as well, but were a bit shyer and took their seats a little far from the stage. Soon, the rest of the regular patrons of Student Night came in, a little confused with the younger audience with them tonight.

Antonio plugged in the amplifier for the coral-colored keyboard and left (Y/n) to adjust it to her liking. Antonio adjusted the mic to her height and does a soundcheck. Once it was good, he gave her a thumbs up. 

"Good luck!" Antonio whispered as (Y/n) smiles softly at him in return.

Antonio takes his seat on a bar stool next to the counters. He couldn't control his heartbeat from how quiet the place suddenly turned into. He was even surprised by the amount of people that filled the cafe, and he thought that Vintage Wine Night had a lot of patrons.

"Hello? Good evening everyone!" (Y/n) spoke softly through the mic.

Antonio heard a few squeals and shushes from the audience, but his attention quickly averted back to (Y/n) who let out a laugh.

"I didn't know that the place was going to be this packed tonight, wow." She gulped. "I'm not here for myself actually, I'm covering up for a friend who got chicken pox and couldn't make it.

"And I'd like to thank him, Toris, for giving me this opportunity tonight since I've been wanting to get out of my apartment for days since I moved here." The audience laughs. "Been kinda scared, actually, like yo—new country, new faces, and new language... yikes, but it's actually nice to meet new people once in a while. Like today, it's a good day to bump into an angel in disguised."

(Y/n)'s gaze met Antonio's who was chuckling silently. He raised a hand, signaling her to go on.

"This'll be my first song in Russia, and my last one for tonight since I've got a baby to take care of—she's a Tibetian mastiff, and she needs to be fed y'all!" She laughed with the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, Tiny Love by MIKA."

Everyone cheers as she started to play the keys.

https://youtu.be/GmVOp7mqjP8

(Imagine an acoustic version of this since I couldn't find one.)

Antonio started to fall into a trance. The gentleness of her voice lulled him in like a siren in the middle of the sea. He watched her moment under the spotlight as she closed her eyes to feel the song. It moved his heart as she smiled through the chorus. The place felt like it was only between him and her now. The people seemed to disappear around him as his eyes were all on her. His heartbeat became his metronome. Antonio felt like dancing along with the music she was playing, as if he was a rattlesnake coming out of a wicker basket somewhere in the East. He has never felt so invited by someone's music before, let it be covers or originals. 

Once she finished, everyone started to clap; a few cheers here and there and someone just whistled. Antonio snapped out of his trance when Lovino smacks the back of his head.

"Are you done gawking at her, stupido?" Lovino wiggled his eyebrows at Antonio.

This time, it was Antonio's turn to blush red. He didn't know that it would only take him one song just to have strong feelings like this for someone. He has dated a lot before, but they didn't have an impact like (Y/n)'s impact. It got him confused because he knew that he wanted to take you out. It felt too cheesy, yet too good to be true.

"Hey!" Antonio's head turned to the girl he fell in love with under less than an hour. "How'd I do?"

(Y/n) had already fixed her keyboard back into her case. As Antonio was about to respond, Feliciano pipped in with the most starstruck expression on his face.

"It was really an honor to hear you live!" She raised her eyebrows in surprise. 

"T-Thank you!" She smiled bashfully. "I didn't know you were fans as well."

"I would be a shame if we weren't." Feliciano looked at Antonio "innocently" with a sad smile.

Antonio gave him a scary look that made him back down. He never thought that she was famous, let alone a singer as well. He doesn't meet a lot of people who are in the classical profession of music while they balance their interest with a touch of modern as another side of their job.

"Well, I'll see you soon then?" (Y/n) looked at Antonio hopefully.

"Until next time then, (Y/n)." For the first time since high school, Antonio felt shy in front of a girl.

"Oh right!" She took out a pen and a notepad from her coat and write something. She then rips the page. "Here!"

Antonio took the paper from her hand, on it was her number.

"Hit me up soon, I'll be waiting." She said her goodbyes and left the cafe.

The three crowded on Antonio who was standing still with the paper in his hands. His face was all red, and it has seemed that he has stopped functioning. It wasn't unusual for him for a girl to give her her number, but it was her. In less than an hour, she stole his heart with her small talk and one song. He was so dead. 

And so were Feliciano and Francis, who lost Lovino's bet.

"Francis, Feli, where's my money?"

WELL HELLO EVERYONE! PLEASANT SURPRISE EH? 

It's been a while, and I'm so glad to tell y'all that I'll be staying for a while. It's been months since I have announced that I will be dropping a new one-shot, but here it is y'all! It's kinda sloppy since this isn't the story I intended to drop, and I wrote this shit under five hours or less without editing my grammar since it's 2AM here now. 

Anyways, this is due to be a full length fanfic. Soon. But it ain't another reader insert since I want to kinda change my style a bit, especially with third person. And speaking of full length fanfics, The Troll Hunter finally has its sequel! AIGHTTTT!!! 

I'd like to thank those who supported it in the past and to those who are reading it now, and I know a lot of you are dormant Hetalians and I would like to thank you guys as well for checking it out after two years of not releasing the sequel.

And I'm also sorry for this three year hiatus hehehehe...

Auf Wiedersehen for now!

-Pumpkin