Summary: It was time for a well-earned vacation in Italy for Santino and John. But it was a special one, John planned to propose Santino, and it wasn't as easy as he thought. Talking with Gianna, trying to get Santino's ring finger size, keeping his plan a secret from his partner. It was the most important moment of their lives, one that both will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Rating: Mature
Relationship: Santino D'Antonio/John Wick
Note: Hello! I'm very happy to say this is my 34th fic with Santino x John, which makes me have the most fics on ao3 with them! After 2 years, almost 3 years of officially writing them and after so much effort I reached my goal! And I thought that a proposal fic was the best idea for this special moment ^^.
I love this ship so much, Santino and John have been with me for so long and they feel like home to me. Santino is my favorite character from all John Wick movies, yes John too, but he's a main character haha. Santino x John has a special place in my heart, and I'm very happy and honored I managed to create so many fics with them. I, at some point, thought I wouldn't be able to continue writing overall, that I'd quit, but I was very persistent and I still am. I was going through a lot throughout these years and while writing. It's been very difficult, some things had very heavy impacts on me, I was worried it would have an impact on my writing. But I'm still here, I'm trying my best despite everything happening. I write for this ship because I truly love them. I love these two idiots, and I'll continue writing them!
This is a big milestone for me, and I have more fic ideas with them! ^^
That being said, while I'm celebrating this big moment, they are celebrating their important moment! Their engagement! I really love writing them being so soft, the domestic fluff with them while they also tease each other. They deserve a vacation after everything!
I want to continue improving my writing and I hope I'll manage to write more often and maybe shorter fics because this was unexpected 12k words haha, but until then, here they are at a vacation in Italy!
Please enjoy! :)
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Snippet
Summer just started a few days ago. Days were getting hotter and hotter, which was perfect for a plan John thought of. He knew Santino loved summer, and they were going for a short vacation in Italy, but also to visit Gianna, see how things were there. And it all aligned perfectly with John's plan.
John had been with Santino for a long time now, two years since they officially started dating. They both knew pretty much everything about each other. Looking back at it all, at the beginning of their relationship, they learned so much about each other. Growing up while being a part of the High Table had its strict rules. Santino was a Camorra heir, and John grew up in the Ruska Roma. Feelings were meant to be held back, it was important to be respected, and respect was often earned by fear. So it took them some time to understand that the way they were raised wasn't exactly the right way. Together they learned how to show their emotions and feelings, that they were allowed to love and be loved. It was all worth it, of course, and it all brought them here, John planning to propose to Santino in Italy.
D'Antonio's owned multiple houses there, and Santino loved having a house near the beach. It was where they would stay for some time. He seemed happy about it, he would occasionally miss Italy while being in New York, so every chance they'd get, they'd go to Italy even for a short time. Gianna knew that they'd come, she was informed by Santino and later by John. However, John asked to meet with her privately to discuss something important and she already suspected what that could be.
Time zones. Well, they had an impact on them for sure no matter how many times they did this. On first days it would feel the hardest, manageable but exhausting. And it was very hot in the house, especially while they were getting their things out.
“I feel like it's hotter every time we come here,” Santino murmured while taking out their clothes from the suitcases.
“Yeah, it really feels like that,” John agreed, helping with the clothes but also having to set the AC to a lower temperature. It would take some time for the house to cool off a bit. “Wanna take a shower after we settle everything?”
“Mm, if I don't pass out asleep. Time zones and the flight always mess me up.” He stretched a little, feeling the back of his neck that also hurt from being stiff.
“I know, I'll help you feel better,” John murmured, walking up behind him, hugging him over his waist and pressing a tender kiss on his cheek. Santino hummed softly, melting into his touch.
“Then let's finish this fast so we can finally relax,” D'Antonio suggested, already feeling slightly better just being held like this for a few seconds.
They unpacked their suitcases, sorting their clothes and some of the weapons they took just to be safe. Nothing too big, it wasn't necessary. After unpacking their stuff, John went to the grocery store to buy some food and whatever else they needed. The flight made them tired, but also hungry. But also, coffee was a must have. Especially for Santino who had a whole routine with it. When he returned back, Santino literally dragged him to the bathroom to take a shower together. The shower felt better than ever and it was very much needed. It felt refreshing in this hot weather and after the flight, it was just what they needed.
The rest of their day was relaxed, resting, taking it all easy. John was sometimes in his head, thinking about how to… try to measure Santino's finger for the ring. Also, suddenly he really felt nervous when he remembered that he was going to talk with Gianna D'Antonio about proposing to her brother. He shouldn't feel nervous, it wouldn't be the first time he'd talk with her, but this was a little different.
“You're in your head again,” Santino said, snapping him out of his thoughts. They were both drinking their coffee while relaxing on the sofa.
“Hm?” John blinked, getting back to reality, noticing how Santino raised an eyebrow and smiled a little to encourage him to talk. “Sorry, I zoned out.”
“I noticed. Something on your mind?” Santino asked softly, rubbing a hand over John's thigh.
“Ah, not really,” he huffed a little laugh. “Just tired and was thinking if I got everything from the store.” He hated how obvious he sounded like he was lying. And knowing Santino, he read right through him.
“Hm… okay.” Santino shrugged. “I think you did. Even if you didn't, we can go to the store tomorrow after visiting Gianna.”
“Tomorrow?” John blurted, it caught him off guard. He thought he'd have a bit more time before having the talk with her.
“Yes, we won't be for too long. Unless you'd wanna go some other day?” Santino asked since he noticed how surprised John looked.
“No, no. Tomorrow's fine,” John reassured, giving him another little smile to convince him.
“You've been acting weird ever since we got here. You know you can tell me anything.” That was true, but John also couldn't tell him what he was thinking about. Usually he would, but this was different.
“Yeah… just… the usual worries when we go somewhere. I don't want anyone to ruin our vacation.” That was also true. Going anywhere for them meant possible danger of someone trying to take them down, even if it was on vacation.
Santino hummed in understanding, taking one sip of his coffee before placing the mug on the table.
“Don't worry about that. We're here to relax and if someone tries to stop us, they'll pay.” Santino smirked, pressing a kiss on his cheek.
The other man chuckled, kissing him in return. “You're right.”
As long as Santino didn't know his plan, it was okay.
Around the evening, while John was massaging Santino, he thought about how to measure his finger. The classic way with a paper strip. He just had to wait for him to fall asleep. They were both exhausted, taking short naps that would somehow make them even more tired. But finally the night arrived, and Santino was the first one to fall asleep. He was facing John, hugging a pillow, looking so beautiful even in his sleep. John admired him for a while, also making sure he was fully sleeping. Well… he seemed exhausted enough to be knocked out asleep.
He prepared his paper strip and a pen to mark the size, he just had to be careful and silent. Santino's fingers were relaxed around the pillow, occasionally flexing when he would slightly move. John felt like he was in his assassin mode, but not for murder, but when he'd control his breath and movements like he wasn't even there. He was very careful, trying not to move too much, sometimes Santino had a lighter sleep and any movement could wake him up. John gently lifted his ring finger, observing Santino's face at the same time before he slowly started to slide the paper strip.
Slowly, very slowly, almost getting past the first knuckle.
C'mon… just a little more.
But he instantly froze when Santino stirred up a little, making a tired hum as he shifted.
“Mm… John?” Santino mumbled, his eyes half opened, disoriented from sleep.
John hid the paper strip under his own pillow before he gently took a hold of his hand. “Just… thought I heard a bug.” That came out funnier than he thought. But it was believable, especially for the mosquitoes.
This post was made on 22nd July 2025, and I posted my 34th fic on 14th July this year, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, I did it in less than a year! Almost a whole year, but YAAAY :33
Hello! This is my special announcement for a goal I accomplished on ao3! This is important to me and it means a lot.
I'm having a small celebration with pastries and snacks :]
If you read this, thank you so much!! I appreciate it a lot! 💙💙
I posted my first fic and my first Santino D'Antonio x John Wick fic on ao3 on 31st August 2023, and after 2, soon to be 3 years of writing for this ship, I'm happy to say that with 34 fics with them, I have the most fics with them! I am THE Santino x John writer on ao3!!
AFTER 2 YEARS OF HARD WORK I DID IT!
I wrote those 34 fics even while going through so much in my life. And I went through a lot, so many unexpected things, I was worried I'd quit writing at some point, I was very close to doing so, but I snapped myself back from that and told myself I'll continue because I love Santino and John, and I won't let anyone take that dedication and love away from me.
My love for this ship started all the way back while I was in middle school, I think I was 7th grade? I'm not sure. Either way a lot younger than now. And they followed me all the way through the last years of middle school, through the whole 4 years of high school and now I'm a second year of college. So yeah, they've been with me for a very long time, probably 8 or 9 years. I really got attached to them and especially Santino, he became my favorite character as in THE favorite character. I love putting these two into different scenarios, AUs and anything I think of. I like to think I'm creative X). Also, all this time I've been writing on my phone! I find it easier for myself to write on my phone, also I can write anywhere lol, I used to write when I was college as well, that was fun.
It's been a long journey of reaching this goal. There's been happy moments and sad moments that will forever stick with me. I hope it'll eventually be more happy moments! I hope to get better at writing overall, I think I can do better, there's always room for improvement.
I also know I write things that is not to everyone's taste. That's okay, we are all different. I really don't mind as long as people are kind and respectful towards me. I really wanna continue writing them and improving my writing overall. I have so many ideas for these two!
So yes, this is a big deal to me. I'm honored. I'm so happy I did this, I love these two so much, they've been a big part of my life, through the worst and best moments in my life. They're my comfort characters, I know it sounds weird considering who they are, but it's just like thst for me :P. I will also try to draw more, draw them.
I write Santino x John because I love them. I know that ship isn't popular anymore and it gets discouraging seeing so little kudos and bot/scammers comments. But I keep writing for Santino and John because I love them and I want to continue doing something I love for the characters I love despite the low interaction. These two have a special place in my heart and I'm so glad I was able to create things for them.
Did this fanart with my irl bestie! She helped a lot, literally made it so much better! It wouldn't look this beautiful if it weren't for her! She is teaching me how to draw, how to do colors, and shading ^^. We had a great time doing this! :]
