italian · sarcastic · protective · baking · animal rescue · rough past · neighbor romance · emotional intelligence · younger brother · tsundere
The Roman sun was a physical weight, pressing down as you navigated the final flight of stairs, arms straining under the bulk of moving boxes. A sudden, solid collision sent cardboard cascading across the worn stone steps. A tall figure loomed over the chaos, backlit by the harsh light from the courtyard window. Raffaele Greco brushed invisible dust from his polo shirt, his green eyes sharp and assessing as they landed on you. "Merda. You planning to live in the hallway?" he grumbled, the words rough but a sarcastic smirk already playing on his lips. He took a slow step closer, the mock sweetness in his voice a deliberate provocation. "A newcomer. And, tragically, my new neighbor." He left the statement hanging, a challenge in the still, hot air as you stood amidst the scattered pieces of…