A Light in the Dark (Spain)

[Lovino Vargas]

When the waitress had left that Lovino directed his attention back at the Spaniard, already prepared to have his ear talked off. He fiddled with his fork as he listened, shrugging at his question. "They were alright. Better than the sorry excuses for what those other grocers in this city call a 'tomato'." The Italian leaned back in his chair and looked out the window at the reddened sky. "B-besides, it's not that we enjoy your tomatoes that much it's just that I-we love tomatoes and you sell the best in this damn city."

The waitress came back and set two glasses of water down, along with some wine glasses before walking off again. Lovino didn't look at her after she left, he actually was curious about something. "You said you grew those tomatoes, where do you grow them? It can't be in Granor/"

[tomatepirata]

“Well I’m glad you like the best tomatoes in the city and it’s just a coincidence that they’re mine.” He nodded, grinning at him. He picked up his glass of water and sipped it, thinking about his answer. He liked Lovino, quite a lot, and it wasn’t really a secret that he lived outside the city. Most of the people he knew were aware he ran a small farm outside city limits. He didn’t think Lovino would come all the way out to his farm either, though the idea was more than a little exciting for the ex-pirate.

Coming to a decision, he cleared his throat. “I own a small farm outside the city. Everything I sell I grow.” He tilted his head, expression friendly and maybe a little eager. “If you like, you could come out and pick some fresh tomatoes for yourself. I try to bring the best into the city, but sometimes others buy the best ones before you get there.”

He chuckled and sat back against his chair. “You could get some other things too if you like. You’re my best costumer after all.”

[Lovino Vargas]

Lovino sat quietly, drinking some of his water (which really marked this to be a decent place, as many places you had to ask for water) while he listened to the grocer's response. His eyes wandered a little as he spoke, out the window, back inside the restaurant, over to look at Antonio's smile... He quickly broke that train of thought, lowering his eyes to look at the silverware instead. When the man finished he carefully sat his water back down, acting as normal as he could.

"You work outside the city huh..." He crossed his arms, contemplating his offer. The waitress came by with a bottle of wine just then, pouring the two of them a nice burgundy red. Immediately he put on his warm demeanor. "Grazie bella, your taste in wine is as fine as your beautiful eyes." He winked at her, making her blush and hurry back to the kitchen. Lovino smirked as he turned back to Antonio, picking up the glass and swirling it, sniffing it before taking a sip. "Where were we? Right, your farm. If I'm your best customer why don't you save the best ones for me anyways? I don't have all the damn free time in the world to be going outside the city for produce I can buy in it."

[tomatepirata]

Twitching as Lovino flirted with the waitress, Antonio reminded himself that Lovino really was a ladies man. The younger male had always been flirty and sweet with Antonio’s female customers, so why should it be any different just because he was taking Lovino out to dinner? It wasn’t like they were on a date or anything. Lovino likely wasn’t even interested in other men. Antonio was a fool twice over for always falling into the jealous little trap he set for himself.

The rejection hurt more than the flirting though. He hadn’t really though his offer would work, but he had still stupidly hoped Lovino would be interested in seeing the place his tomatoes came from. Antonio certainly would have been interested to know where his food was coming from if he didn’t grow it all himself. He’d even had a peak around the bakery, which was one of the only places he ever bought food at.

Sipping his own water to help him swallow the disappointment souring his mouth, Antonio managed a smile. Maybe it was a little less bright, a little less optimistic, but he couldn’t help wanting to make sure Lovino still enjoyed his evening. “I do sometimes, but there are a couple people who know I save the best for you and give me a hard time about it. It’s usually better to just give in when they do since thy’re valued customers as well.”

[Lovino Vargas]

Oblivious to the other man's internal drama the Italian took another sip of his wine, savoring the taste in his mouth, rich and with a fruity undertone to it. Their waitress really did have good taste, though it wasn't quite as good as the wine some cousins of his made.

Lovino put his glass back down before frowning at the grocer. "Who gives you a hard time about me being your most valued customer? I just buy food from you there's nothing to give you shit about." The Italian tsked and leaned back in his seat. "You have some asshole 'valued customers'. Besides you should just tell those douchebags to fuck off and save the best tomatoes for me anyways. I'm more of a valued customer than they are."

By the time he was finished with his little speech the waitress had come back to the table holding two plates of food, setting them down in front of the respective party and quickly leaving before he could say a word to his disappointment. He looked down at his food, and at least from sight alone couldn't find much to complain about so he cut a piece had a taste of the pork. It was actually... pretty good so he cut himself another bite before looking back at Antonio expectantly as he was chewing.

[tomatepirata]

He couldn’t help it, he smiled. Lovino had no idea how true what he’d said was. He couldn’t possibly. If he didn’t enjoy talking to all the people that came by his stall he’d definitely tell them to accept what he had on display. As it was, he was considering just waiting until the last customer of the day to give away his best. If Lovi didn’t show by closing then he didn’t want the good veggies and fruit to be wasted! He smiled at the waitress, and her hasty retreat.

That in mind…”You have to promise to come by every day then. That way the best won’t go bad before you get it. I hate wasting food if I don’t have to.” He took a bite of the duck and sighed happily. He really did love the food here. If he wasn’t a supplier he’d probably go bankrupt just eating here as often as he did. “Ah, you like it? I know the man who raises the pigs and lambs for this place. He’s really good with animals and they’re always well cared for so the meat is usually very tender and juicy.”