Ten-Faced
Chapter 1 – The First Face
Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I don't own any of it; I'm just in it for the Romerica ;)
Warning: MPD/DID!Lovi, male x male pairings, harsh language, and AU.
Holy crap, what am I doing starting another story with four others already in the works? Oh, well. I finally heard the Nico Nico Chorus version of GUMI's 10 Faced again and this had to be done. Luckily, I have just about all of it outlined, so I don't have to worry about it giving me writer's block~
Oh, and as this academy is located in the U.S. (at least in this fic) I'm going to be calling the sport that Lovi took "soccer" over "football" for most of the time. Sorry if this offends any hardcore football fans, I had a difficult time switching between the terms since "American football" will also be appearing and called "football."
Please forgive the massive background info dump in this chapter. There will be much more character dialog and interactions in the following chapters. Gratzie~!
oOo
Lovino Vargas walked the halls of World Academy, a school well-known for its gifted and talented students. Graduates in the Arts classes went on to become world-renowned musicians, idols, and actors. Those in the Athletic program very rarely played in anything less than a National league after graduation. Likewise, it was only a matter of time before everyone in the Math and Science dept got their own PhD. Even the Culinary students went on to work in 5 Star hotels & restaurants the second their diploma was in hand.
Yet even with all its programs and categories, Lovino never felt like he quite fit in. In the puzzle that was World Academy, Lovino was the stray piece that didn't fit anywhere because he was from another puzzle entirely.
He had tried many things over the years, never quite succeeding at any of them. First he took Culinary classes, but was quickly overshadowed by his younger brother, the gourmet. Then he took Arts classes, but dropped them after hearing his teachers talk. They were happy to have a Vargas in their program, except they would have preferred the other twin. Lovino had some talent, however his style was a little lacking when compared to Feli's.
Eager to get away from his brother's shadow, Lovi took soccer. He had played on a children's league when he was 6 and played the occasional game since. But more importantly, it wasn't something his brother played at all. Unfortunately, he had the speed and could steal the ball like nobody's business, but his team didn't like him and the sons of bitches made his time in the program a living hell.
His so-called teammates would often hide his gear, intentionally kick the ball at him after class was well over, and relentlessly target him while class was in session. After his fourth brush with a leg injury resulting from a teammate's "accident" he decided to drop the Athletic program entirely.
He had gone back to the Arts program after, where he remained for the last two years with his violin. For once he was grateful that his Nonno made Feliciano and him learn an instrument as kids. Lovino felt he wasn't anything special, but was able to fade into the shadows during class and concerts. Nobody knew he was there, but nobody targeted him either.
His Grandfather and parents had gone to World Academy and graduated top of their class. The same was expected of himself and Feliciano. While Feli would have no problem doing anything he wanted with his art or cooking skills, Lovi was in a tighter spot. He was never as good as his brother at any of those things. Even his violin skills felt sub-par at best, if the way his teachers looked down on him was anything to go by.
Maybe it was better his parents had died in a car crash all those years ago, so they didn't see him now. He recalled that they were even stricter than Romulus, which meant they would be even more disappointed in him. The day they passed away, Feliciano had been with their grandfather, but Lovino had been with them. His carseat being located in the backseat was the only thing that had caused him to survive. Both his parents were in the front and killed instantly before his very eyes. He grimly thought that the others must have felt so cheated it was his parents that died and not him, worthless little thing that he was…
But Lovi had one thing that kept him going and always managed to brighten his days – Alfred. Befitting of his bright personality, Alfred was much like the sun to Lovino. He drew him in with his warmth, raised his spirits, and was a source of endless energy. Alfred was the kind of person the entire school admired and adored. Well, the entire school, save for a couple rivals, an arch nemesis or two, and a few bitter teachers.
Lovino had met him during his time on the soccer team. Alfred was the star of the football team, who used the practice field after the soccer team each day. Alf would often show up early to practice and occasionally spoke to him, despite his status. Even just a few words of encouragement from Alfred were enough to make everything his teammates, corrupted teachers, and school in general worth it. As long as he got to see Alfred, he was happy. Had his personal well-being not been threatened in more ways than one, Lovino would have stayed on the soccer team just to have the slimmest of chances to talk to the blonde. Sometimes he still wished he'd risked it and stayed.
"Ve~ fratello?" his brother's familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"
"Che…nothing."
"But you had such a serious expression!" Feliciano insisted.
"I said it was nothing, dammit!"
Lovino sounded pissed, but Feliciano was a professional. He leaned towards his brother and rested his light auburn head on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Lovi…" he began. "I think I know what this is about…"
"Really?"
"Mm-hm. You're upset that I ate the last of the bruschetta at dinner yesterday, aren't you?"
"…What?"
"I'm reeeeeeally sorry, fratello!" Feli latched onto his twin's arm. "So, forgive me? Please? I'll make you more tonight if you want!"
Lovino was silent for a moment, and then cracked a smile.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone hold a food grudge like you."
"So…you're not mad?"
"Not at you."
"Promise?"
"Sure, I fucking promise."
oOo
Alfred was a fairly popular sophomore at World Academy, where he had attended school since he was five. His earliest obsession had been and would always be football, but lately he found a new 'obsession' in the form of an Italian junior.
Although he wouldn't quite call it an 'obsession' the signs were all there. Alfred practically had the older boy's schedule memorized (but wasn't able to see him often, due to the Music/Arts wing of the school being on the opposite side of the Athletics), he took Advanced Algebra a year early just to have one class with him, and he was becoming a master at asking others all they knew about the mysterious boy without sounding like a complete creeper. Although it was in his power, Alfred drew the line at having Lovino bugged for the sole reason of being able to listen to his voice whenever he wanted. He didn't want to be a total Belarusian about it.
The problem is that Alfred had no idea how to approach Lovino without coming on too…strong? From what the blonde could tell Lovi had the unique problem of being incredibly shy, yet short-tempered at the same time. The brunette tried to cover up his cutene—shyness with a sharp tongue and a dictionary's worth of English and Italian curses at his command. It kept people away from him, which might have made him feel safe, but that also seemed so incredibly lonely to Alfred.
Oddly enough, that's what his friends were talking about at that very moment.
"K-Kiku!" Arthur furrowed his caterpillars/eyebrows. "I'm not a 'spoondere' or whatever the bloody hell you called it!"
"Tsundere, Arthur," Kiku politely coughed, correcting him. "A 'spoondere' sounds like something Francis would come up with."
"What's he got to do with any of this barmy nonsense?!" Arthur blushed slightly.
"Arthur!" the American placed a hand on each shoulder. "Why. So. British?"
"Off, idiot!" the Englishman shoved him away. "You wouldn't even have the slightest idea of what we're talking about anyway."
"Care to enlighten me, King Arthur?" Alfred grinned, using the dreaded nickname his friend earned during the Theater Division's showing of Camelot.
"Why waste my breath?" scoffed Arthur. "Kiku, handle this if you will?"
"We were discussing character stereotypes," the black-haired boy smirked slightly. "Arthur's a classic Tsundere."
"I am not!"
"Which means that he has a tendency to run 'hot and cold' with his moods."
"Geez, I could have told you he was moody since Elementary school…" the tallest of the three laughed.
"Cram it, Alfred!"
"So, he has two distinct moods – a 'tsun' or 'irritable' mood and a 'dere' or 'loving' mood," Kiku continued his explanation.
"Really?" Alfred asked, ignoring the smaller blonde's snarling. "'Cause all he ever does is yell at me."
"Yes, the classical Tsundere like Arthur here, is one who hides a sweet side by being openly hostile at first," nodded Kiku. "Although nowadays, Tsundere can also mean a person who flips between both moods at the slightest provocation. Let's see…who would be a good example…?"
Francis interrupted the conversation by slinging an arm over his boyfriend and instantly providing an answer.
"Lovino Vargas."
As if on cue, the tsundere in question rounded the corner and saw the group a few yards away. He quickly ducked behind a row of lockers before the others saw him. Lovino didn't mind Kiku, but didn't want to get anywhere near Alfred with Arthur there, that guy was fucking crazy. And he didn't even want to get started on the perverted bastard he was dating.
"Lovino?" Alfred repeated.
'Great,' the Italian squeezed his eyes shut. 'They're talking about me now too? Just fucking great…'
"Just now in the hallway, he crashed into Antonio and myself, but blamed us for it!" Francis exclaimed.
"Get off me, fool!" Arthur growled, not interested in whatever the Frenchman wanted to whine about…not that it stopped him or anything. Francis only dabbed a handkerchief at invisible tears and feigned hurt.
"Yes, and when 'Toni was even kind enough to help him up, he slapped his hand away and cursed him out in Italian," Francis sighed. "I swear, 'Toni is probably fluent in Italian swear words from all the years he's put up with Lovino. I don't know how he does it…"
"I wonder why he was so upset," Alfred scratched his chin.
"Does it matter? That boy is just rude!" Francis shook his fabulous golden locks. "Too bad he couldn't have been sweeter like Feliciano…"
"I guess so…" Alfred shrugged.
Lovino's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wow, can you imagine him acting more like Feliciano?" the American laughed. "I'd like to see that!"
"I think that's even theoretically impossible…" Arthur frowned, mentally comparing both twins in his head.
"I guess Lovino will be Lovino then," Alfred grinned again. "Too bad!"
Lovino began to feel a sinking feeling in his chest. Not willing to let Alfred's words make him feel more miserable, he ran off before any of the group could see him.
"But to be honest, I think that's for the best," Alfred smiled. "He's way more interesting the way he is now, isn't he?"
"I would say 'borderline-psychotic' but our terms have differed before," Francis waved his hand dismissevly.
oOo
Lovino ran and ran. He ran until his throat was raw and his heart was pounding a rhythm in his head.
I really am pathetic…Even Alfred thinks so…
Tears burned at his eyes, but he continued to run down the sidewalks. They blurred together into one cracked, gray path.
He hates me the way I am now…He's just like everyone else! He wants me to be like Feli!
His neighborhood came into view, but Lovi took little notice in it. His feet kept pounding beneath him taking him further and further away from Alfred's stinging words.
Why am I such a fucking failure that even Alfred hates me?! What the hell is wrong with me?! Why am I never good enough?!
Lovino burst into his house and raced up the stairs. He slammed the door behind him and fell to his knees, clutching his temples. His head felt like it would explode if he didn't do something fast.
"I can't breathe…I can't breathe…"
All he could see were visions of all the people disappointed in him – his deceased parents, his grandfather, his brother, his teachers, his friends…All he could hear were the voices of everyone who ever compared him to his brother, Alfred's was the loudest voice of all. He couldn't do this, he didn't want to go on living like this. Why couldn't anyone just see him for who he was? What was so inherently messed up with him that made people dislike him so much?
If people don't like me the way I am now…
He managed to drag himself over to his bed. It felt like his very blood was on fire.
If Alfred won't even acknowledge me the way I am now…
He collapsed to the floor and brought his knees to his chin, full-scale migraine blasting through his head. It pulsed with his racing heartbeat.
Cazzo…What can I do?!
Lovino closed his eyes.
How can I make him see me? How can I make them all see me? If I'm so broken now, how do I change that? How do I become someone else?
Lovino's emotions began taking turns to work. He stayed in his room the entire weekend to sort himself out. The brunette didn't understand what was happening to himself anymore, but he'd long since stopped caring. He didn't want to be the twin everyone looked down on. He was tired of being the angry bastard that everyone avoided. He was done being 'Lovino.'
oOo
Later that night, his family tried to reach out to him, but he refused to answer them. He barely ate and spoke even less. Romulus decided to let him be, as long as he wasn't starving himself to death. Feliciano tried to get his older brother to open up to him, but it was a lost cause by then. Lovino wanted nothing to do with them.
The weekend came and went. Soon it was Monday, with no sign of Lovino emerging from his room. His Nonno took some pity on the boy and let him stay home from school that day. He knew something was wrong, but Lovino would work it out on his own, the way he did everything else in his life.
So, Lovino sat alone in his room. If he stayed the way he was now, no one would ever be able to accept him. Emotions spiraled through his mind like a storm, cursing him, soothing him, scolding him, and encouraging him.
He emerged from his room on Tuesday as a different person.
oOo
A/N – Angry Lovino is angry, but mostly at himself, poor guy. Please note it was written as more of a self-evaluation for Lovi's sections. He's actually quite talented, but doesn't see it himself. We'll see if Alfred can help with that ;)
Any guesses on the first personality to emerge?
Translations:
Barmy – Madness (Brit.)
Tsundere - …See Kiku's explanation above (Jp.)
Cazzo – Damn/Shit/Fuck/Standard Curse Word (It.)
