Title: First Date
Fandom: Viola come il mare (category: tv)
Author: veronyxk84
Pairing: Viola Vitale/Francesco Demir
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none
Word count: 440 (Ellipsus)
Spoilers/Setting: Set post S2.
Summary: Their first official date should be easy—after all, they’ve known each other for two years. Instead, anticipation hits hard as Viola and Francesco prepare for their first night out as an actual couple.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.

Challenge: #508 - Anticipation

—

Viola stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror; she had changed her lipstick three times, discarded two dresses, tried four hairstyles. Ridiculous.

It was just a date with Francesco. The same Francesco who had seen her in far worse conditions: sweaty, eyes puffy from crying, nose red and runny from a cold, in pajamas right after waking up—messy hair, no makeup.

And yet… suddenly none of that seemed to matter.

Because they were going out together. Because it was their first official date as a couple. Not “a quick bite after a case,” not the usual “I’m stopping by because I’m starving… and my fridge is empty.”

No, this time it was a real date. With Francesco. Who was now her boyfriend, other than being the charming neighbor who lived two steps away.

Her heart was racing. “Calm down,” she muttered, fixing her hair one last time. “It’s just Francesco!”

But the knot in her stomach refused to loosen.


In the apartment next door, Francesco had already changed his shirt three times, and none of them felt right. The white one was too formal. The blue one too “inspector.” The black one… too “I’m trying to look mysterious.”
He finally settled on the light blue one—casual enough for a first official date, but still decent.

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, then stopped in front of his apartment door as if an invisible barrier was holding him back.
He let out a laugh at his own ridiculous nerves. After all, it was just Viola. His Viola.

Even if they were going out as a couple for the first time.
“Breathe,” he told himself. “It’s just a date.”

But deep down he knew it was also the beginning of something he had anticipated for months—something that terrified him… and made him incredibly happy.

Francesco straightened his clothes and hair one last time, then stepped outside. Once at Viola’s door, he lifted his hand to knock, but the door opened a second before his knuckles touched it.

They looked at each other for a moment, almost holding their breath.

Viola smiled first, a shy, bright smile. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Francesco looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “You look beautiful.”

Viola blushed. “You’re not bad yourself, Inspector,” she teased lightly. “Nervous?” she asked, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Terrified,” he admitted with a quiet laugh.

Viola took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. “Me too.”

“Then it’s official, we’re both idiots,” Francesco said with a smile, feeling the tension finally melt.

Viola smiled back. “Yes. Case closed.”


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