#mighty-opal

The warm Italian sun beat down on your skin as you sorted through the various produce set askew in the street side vendor. The mix of the coastal breeze and golden rays making for some of the best weather Venice had been graced with in a long while. Hoping to take advantage of this lovely day, you had begun to go about completing the errands you had since delayed. After gathering your purchases from the first vendor, you made a move towards the next storefront, but not before a familiar tuft of blonde hair stopped you in your place.

Your relationship with the man known as Caesar Zeppeli was complicated, to say the least. He was a charmer. A kind, goodhearted man that could work his way into anyone’s heart… or pants, if he so desired. His reputation had preceded him, but you couldn’t help but still feel drawn to him.

As you regained control of your senses and continued to move on to the next stand, you realized that you hadn’t gone unnoticed. The man in question was now smiling brightly in your direction and making his way towards you. Your heart seemed to leap at every approaching step he took, until he finally made his way to your side.

“Ciao, bella! Isn’t the weather today beautiful? Fitting that I’d see you, then,” he smirked as he slowed his pace to meet your stride.

“Hello, Caesar. It’s nice to see you too,” you replied rather curtly to the bubbly man.

He didn’t seem to notice though, as he continued to follow you through the marketplace; making small talk to pass the hours. Once your shopping had ended, you found yourself back at your doorstep with the affable man still in tow. The sun had since begun to set, giving way to the golden hours of twilight. As you looked back to Caesar to bid him goodbye, you couldn’t help but notice just how handsome he looked in this lighting. The aureate hues reflected off of his own yellowed hair, making it appear as though it were made of gold itself. His skin seemed to glow in the light, making his features even more entrancing. He was almost an ethereal image to behold, and you couldn’t help but take it all in. It wasn’t until a deep grumble ruptured from his chest that your deliberations came to an end.

“Something catch your eye, cara mia?” He teasingly smirked, leaning closer to your now blushing form.

“Forget it, Caesar. I appreciate that you spent all of this time with me today, and even walked me home, but I think it’s best you go now,” you huffed, turning back to face your door.

I told her, “Don’t rush girl, don’t you rush

Guess it’s all a game of patience.”

“Y/N, is it alright if we talk before you go inside? I know it’s been a long day, but I just need to answer some questions that have been bothering me for a while now,” his voice came out in an unfamiliarly sincere tone. There was no flirtation hid behind his words, only his raw self. You turned to find him within arms reach of yourself; staring down at you with lightened pools of melancholy. “Did I do something wrong? I know we spent the whole day together, and that was wonderful, but I can’t help but feel you distance yourself from me. I would never intentionally do something to hurt you, Y/N, so please, tell me what’s wrong.”

Though it may have been difficult to confront the directness of the question, it was clear that it truly seemed to bother him. His normally bright smile had been replaced with an almost childlike pout, giving him an air of comforting innocence.

Weighing your options, you decided it would be best to be forthright. Staying silent forever certainly wouldn’t help your situation, and if your feelings were unrequited, then you would cut your losses. “If I tell you, do you promise not to laugh?” You sigh out, turning now to face him fully, but still not completely able to meet his eyes.

He stared at you quizzically and shook his head. “I would never laugh at you for your honesty, tesoro.” Matching his gaze, you took a deep breath before letting out all of your grievances.

“If you want the truth, Caesar, I have grown quite fond of you. You are a very sweet, handsome, and amicable man, but I am clearly not the only one who notices this. I sometimes think that things could grow between us, but when I see you with other people, and you treating them the same way you treat me, I lose hope. I know that you practically have others lined up to date the Caesar Zeppeli, but I just sometimes don’t think I’d make the cut.”

His look of confusion was quickly replaced with that of shock. His silence was deafening in response, and you quickly turned back to your door, fumbling your keys haphazardly into the deadlock. Before you could force the obstruction open you felt a firm grasp on your shoulder.

“Bella,” he mournfully spoke. “Why would you ever think that you don’t stand a chance? It would be an honor to be able to love someone as magnificent as yourself.”

Though his words seemed sincere, you couldn’t help but let your thoughts get the better of you. The man had a notorious reputation, and he had to know that.

“Caesar, your words mean a lot, but I can’t. I’m not talking about a one night stand here, I want an actual relationship from this, and, frankly, you don’t seem like you want the same.”

She said, “What if I dive deep?

Will you come in after me?

Would you share your flaws with me? Let me know”

“Do you not think I’m capable of being in a relationship?”

You turn to face him fully, once again, only this time you look directly into his eyes. “Caesar, I know you may think that this can work out between us, and I hope that maybe one day you mature enough to where it can, but right now, your reputation would vouch for that not being a possibility. I don’t want to go into this looking like an idiot who fell in love with someone who could never feel the same way.”

I told her, “Thinking is all wrong

Love will happen when it wants

I know it hurts sometimes, but don’t let it go”

‘Cause I want you, I want you, I want- I want you

'Cause I want you, I want you, I want- I want you

Every word that was spoken could clearly be seen sinking in to Caesar’s now hardened exterior. He tensed his jaw, not in annoyance, but consideration, as he thought of the implications set before him.  

“Y/N. I respect your honesty, as not many would choose to be so direct. It’s one of the many things that sets you above the rest, in fact. It’s true that I may have spent my fair share of time with a fair share of people, but I don’t think that should reflect upon my willingness to be with you? My past is behind me. Those encounters, while lovely while they lasted, are all they’ll ever be: encounters. Granules of time that have since passed on. My future, on the other hand, is ahead of me; and I can guarantee it to be a marvelous thing if I have you by my side through it.” 

She said, “What if I tell you all the things I’ve done?

Would you run away from me?”

Through his cliched sentiments, a small grin managed to play itself upon your lips. Seeing this sent a wave of relief over the piteous man, and galvanized his spirits enough to risk taking another step towards you. Emboldened, he placed a ginger hand under your chin, tilting it ever so gently. “Do you believe me now, Y/N, when I say that I would like nothing more than to have the opportunity to be with you?”

Though the offer was oh so tempting, the pestering thoughts in the back of your mind made it impossible to follow the coaxing words. “I want to believe you, Caesar, but I just can’t bring myself to do that right now. I mean, you could have nearly any Venetian tourist under your arm in a heartbeat, and I’m supposed to believe you’d pass up on that for me? I’m nothing special, Caesar; I’m not even that great of a person. Why should I believe that you’d stay with me no matter what offer may arise?”

I told her, “Baby, we all got bags full of shit that we don’t want

But I can’t unpack it for you, baby”

“Cara, I’m no perfect man either; no one is. I’ve done things I’m not proud of in my life, and I definitely have some things that I have to work through. Why would I expect you to be held to standards that I can’t even meet? Every single person that was put on this earth has had obstacles placed before them. I will never look at you differently for those difficulties that were placed upon you, and I suspect that you will do the same towards me. I want you for you; faults and all.”

She said, “What if I dive deep?

Will you come in after me?

Would you share your flaws with me? Let me know”

You mulled over his offer and looked up at him. His eyes shown with pure desperation and adoration.

“You’re not perfect? I think half of Italy would agree to disagree,” you teased, throwing him a sideways smirk.

He smiled sheepishly and looked down upon himself, “Maybe one day, I’ll tell you, bella.”

I told her, “Thinking is all wrong

Love will happen when it wants

I know it hurts sometimes, but don’t let it go”

“Caesar, do you promise that you won’t leave me if we start this? I need to know that you’ll actually be willing to try at this,” you shuffled your feet.

Regaining his confidence, he griped both of your shoulders reaffirmingly and gazed lovingly at you. “Y/N, I can assure you that if you are willing to take this chance with me, then I will put my all into this.” He placed a tender kiss upon your forehead, before turning around and walking back towards the plaza. “If you want this as much as I do, meet me for breakfast tomorrow, tesoro. I’ll be here waiting for you in the morning. The choice is yours.”

'Cause I want you, I want you, I want- I want you

'Cause I want you, I want you, I want- I want you, yeah

I want you, I want you, I want you