The problem with translating

(I'M ALIVE! Hello! I'm back, school is killing me but I found time to make a story! This is a human AU, so it's gonna be cool! I'm trying again on making a multi-chapter story and finishing it! So keep the comments coming in and I will continue this! In my notebook I'm already in chapter 2, but I hope I'll finish this one, wish me luck! :D)

Chapter 1

The light was bright in the waiting room, the atmosphere was tense as people waited eagerly for their names to be called. All but one, a young man, about 21 years of age, sat fidgeting. His gaze downcast, a lone curl jutted out from his head, his suit neat and pressed, and his confidence…gone. 'I need this job!' he thought nervously. His love for languages brought him here, to an interview with the United Nations. Behind the glossy wooden doors in front of him were 26 men and women, waiting to judge him. He was sure his Italian accent would be a bit thick from nervousness. The job was translator, he would hear the speeches, and recite it to the representative of a country in their native tongue.

"Lovino Vargas?" Letting out a deep breath Lovino stood up. His auburn hair was neat and combed perfectly, except for the damn curl, but he gave up on that years ago. He followed the older man into the large room; it was at least ten times brighter in there than in the waiting room. A 'U' shaped table sat twenty-six men and women, he examined all of them curiously.

Noticing the representative for Italy, he felt some hope. A man sat next to him - tan, brunette, smiling, emerald eyes, not bad looking - and he was staring at Lovino. And smiling. Widely. 'Oh God, why, why! Why is he here!?' he moaned to himself internally. That Spanish man was a childhood friend; it's been about two years since they have seen each other. To the right of him a blond haired, blue eyed man was laughing VERY loudly, and claiming that he had the best country. 'Alfred F. Jones….he would be for America...' he thought. He counted down the line. England, Japan, China, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Germany (he twitched a little at that), Belgium, Netherlands, France (shudder) Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Libya, Iraq. He was surprised to see he knew most of the people here.

They all got quiet and looked at him, the Spanish man across from him giving an encouraging smile.

"So, Lovino, I see you attended college for two years, taking language courses, and then you were recommended by the representative of Italy for this job?" The man asked. Nodding he replied, "Yes," trying not to let his nervousness show.

"How many languages can you speak fluently?" Lovino took a deep breath, this was going to be a long list.

"Italian is my native tongue sir, but I can also speak English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, and Icelandic." he replied, feeling quite proud of himself. He saw a lot of the people smile wider, the boss patting his back.

"Well, well, why don't you meet at this address tonight? Your business partner will meet you there." Feeling relief Lovino shook the man's hand happily.

"Si, si! Grazie mille! You won't regret it!" he smiled.

"I don't think I will Mister Vargas, have a nice day." With that, he called the next person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PASTA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the drive home Lovino couldn't stop smiling. He had gotten the job! Fishing for his phone he turned on the ear set, telling it to call 'Fratello'.

"Ve~? Lovi? What happened?" His brother sounded a bit nervous.

"I got the job!" he laughed.

"Really!? That's great! Did you see fratellone Antonio there? And Alfred, Arthur, Kiku Ludwig, Ivan, Yao, and Bella?"

"Si, the whole UN club from high school and college was there, including Antonio," he shook his head, pulling into his brother's neighborhood.

"Weren't you happy to see him again?"

Lovino rolled his eyes, "Che, no. That bastard probably doesn't even remember me," he muttered.

"Aw, does Fratello still like Antonio that way?"

His face turned red. "N-No! Idiota! I'm hanging up; I'll be there in two minutes." With that he pressed end and sighed, pulling into the long drive way. His brother's yard was perfect as usual, the large house looked magnificent, almost like it had come out of an old Italian painting. Feliciano worked as a head chef a local five star restaurant. Lovino was proud of his little brother. Getting out and enjoying the garden as he walked to the front door he thought of what his little brother had said. Do you still like Antonio that way? Did he still love him? Maybe…it had been two years. Lovino knew he had loved the Spaniard once, but wasn't sure now. 'I'm sure he's straight anyway'. He thought bitterly.' I….I don't mind dying alone. Less stress for me anyway.' Knocking on the door he pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He could hear his brother's footsteps approaching the door. Upon it opening he was met with a scent that made his mouth water. Pasta. His brother's pasta at that.

"Ve~, ciao Lovino! I'm so glad you came over!" Feliciano smiled and hugged him, Lovino only patted his back in return, he wasn't much of an affectionate person….often that is.

"Si si, I came over." He said. The two brothers made their way inside the huge abode, heading straight to the kitchen.

"I made pasta! So we can have lunch, why don't you sit down and I'll be there in a minute." Nodding Lovino took his usual spot, the oak table feeling cold under his arms. Only once his brother had brought the food over and the two were eating did Lovino bother bringing up the interview.

"So you're meeting your business partner tonight?" Feliciano asked after swallowing a huge mouthful of pasta. Nodding, Lovino cleared his throat.

"Si, s-so I was wondering if I could borrow a suit of yours…I'm not that rich yet," he chuckled. His little brother's eyes lit up, and Feliciano smiled, nodding.

"Ve~ of course! You can shower and get ready! Take as long as you need! I'll find you the perfect suit!" he exclaimed. Lovino cleared the table, chatting with his brother and honestly having a good time.

"Hey Lovi! I saw Ludwig today, he was at your interview, and he knew you'd get the job!" he chirped.

"Like I need a potato bastard to give me confidence," Lovino muttered.

"Aw! Lovi! Ludwig is really nice! Just because he's German doesn't mean he's bad!" Lovino only rolled his eyes in response.

"I know he's a goody guy. I just don't like him."

"Ve…but why?"

"Because I don't…"

"Por che?"

"Because."

"Whhhhhhyyyyyy?"

"Drop it Feli!"

Pouting, Feliciano sighed.

"…Mia dispiace…." Lovino muttered. He hated saddening his brother. As he pushed the 'start' button on the dishwasher he felt arms around his torso as he was hugged.

"I'm sorry Fratello, I really do like Ludwig..but..but I'll stop seeing him If you really want me to…." Lovino felt his chest tighten. 'God dammit Feliciano, why must you always make me feel guilty?' Turning around, Lovino gave Feliciano a quick hug.

"Geso Cristo…you can keep seeing Ludwig, you know how I am around him. He looks like that kid who abandoned you, so I get protective alright? As long as Ludwig doesn't hurt you I'm fine, Okay?" Feliciano nodded, smiling softly.

"And would you stop with the hug therapy already!?"

"Hahahaha! Nope! Fratello needs lots of hugs!"

Hours later, after the two had finished a movie; the older Vargas brother went upstairs to take a shower. He shed his clothes in the bathroom and stepped in, glad to have the hot water relaxing him. He had one hour to take a shower and get ready.

'I really don't care who my partner is, all I ask, Lord, is that it's not Ivan or Arthur, anyone but those two, anyone! Just love me for one night and give me someone I can handle!' He hoped he didn't have Ivan because honestly, he was scared of the Russian! He was nice yeah, but he tended to be a little violent if things went wrong, or if someone pissed him off. Arthur had a habit of being temperamental; he'd go insane within a week!

Washing the conditioner out of his hair without catching his curl Lovino hummed a tune, continuing to hum it as he got out, blew dry his hair, and got dressed. He pulled on the suit his brother gave him, it was a dark gray pin striped suit, and Lovino quite liked it. The white button up shirt underneath looked very well with it and the shoes made it look professional.

After checking his appearance one last time, Lovino walked downstairs, his brother was warming up the extra pasta from earlier for dinner.

"Ve~, you look very handsome Lovino! Will you be home tonight? Or at your house?" Lovino shrugged.

"Depends on how tired I am; I'll try to make it back here okay? Ciao~" He grabbed his car keys and open the front door, stepping out.

The night was cool and brisk; it gave the young Italian goose bumps. He turned the heat on immediately after he shut the car door. The radio played softly as he drove to his destination. Nervousness clawed at his stomach, what if he got a jerk? He could only hope his business partner would someone he could work with.

Lovino stared at the Italian restaurant in front of him. It was one he came to often, cheap, good, Italian, family owned. He had even worked here in high school. The cool night helped his nerves, cooling him down as he stepped through the familiar doors. The scent of garlic flooded his senses, it made his mouth water.

Stepping to the side, he waited. Lovino let his mind wander; he couldn't believe he was an adult now, where had the time gone? It seemed just like yesterday he and Antonio were playing hide and seek in his grandpa's tomato fields.

"Lovino Vargas?" Eyes snapping open, Lovino nodded. He turned to the side to see a tan man, emerald eyes, brunette hair, and a smiling face.

"A-Antonio Carriedo?" he asked surprised. Smiling, Antonio nodded.

"Si~! My boss thought that you would be good choice because you know two or more languages, including Spanish and Italian. And since Italian is similar to Spanish, that's even better!" Lovino's eyes widened. 'No, No, I won't survive, not with him as my business partner!'

"Well….I guess I'm stuck with you….." He muttered. Antonio only smiled and pulled the Italian to a table.

Sitting down, Lovino felt his face heat up. 'Stupid Spanish bastard.' He growled internally. He looked up at Antonio sitting across from him. He more mature, but still young and energetic.

"It's been a long time Lovi~ I missed you." He chuckled. Lovino only rolled his golden brown eyes.

"Che, it's only been two years, are you really that lonely bastard?" His partner only laughed.

"Still the same old Lovino! Hahahaha! I'm not lonely anymore now that I can see you again~" His eyes held a soft look to them. Face red, Lovino only scowled, he hadn't changed at all either. 'Damn it, why do I feel so damn happy around this idiot of a friend?'

"Ciao~ Welcome to Amore de Pasta, do you want any drinks or starters?" The waitress was a woman he knew well.

"Ciao Chelsie~, can I have some red wine?" he asked.

Chelsie smiled widely, nodding and turning to Antonio.

"Ah….the same for me too, gracias~" Chelsie jotted down the order and looked at Lovino.

"How's Francis?"

"Oh he's good Lovi~, still trying to win over that Arthur…So, is this the 'friend' you were talking about last week?" She winked, causing Lovino to blush.

"U-Uh, no! O-Of course not!" he defended.

"Suuuuure Lovi, well, all I can say is, he's a keeper." With that she skipped off.

"'Friend'? Lovi, what did she mean by 'friend'?"

"N-Nothing, just a conversation we had last week…." Lovino often asked for advice from Chelsie. She was staying with her brother Francis Bonnefoy, her French was perfect and she was smart. So when he told her he still might slightly, might still love Antonio, (only a little though!) she gave him some small advice.

"S-So, how have you been Lovino?"

He looked up at the other, "Good I guess, and you?"

"Bueno! I love my job, and at Christmas I'm going back to Spain, maybe you can come!" he chirped. Lovino was surprised, a trip to Spain!? 'Will wonders never cease with this man…..'

"Maybe I will, I'm a busy man." He huffed.

"You may be a man Lovi~, but you're still just as cute! If not more so from when I last saw you!" Face red, the small Italian pouted.

"I am not fucking cute…..bastard." he heard the Spaniard only chuckle in response.

"You deny it~, but it's true." Huffing, Lovino averted his gaze out the window, looking at the traffic. After a couple minutes their drinks arrived, and soon Chelsie arrived with their orders. Taking a sip, Lovino decided he might as well be somewhat kind.

"So, where have you been up to these past few years?" Antonio set down his glass and smiled.

"I've been working part time at a café, serving coffee, only on weekends though, I work from ten am to six pm."

"That's full time Antonio….."

"Oh! It is? Hehe, oh well, it's good pay." Lovino was confused.

"Don't your parents lend you money? Last time I checked you were rich and your family deemed you and your idiot jerk face of a brother perfect." Antonio sadly shook his head, his smile forced.

"No, they decided Alvarez was a better choice after a conversation the whole family had. They cut me off. My brother is a jerk though~" He chuckled. Lovino ignored the last part.

"Why?" His friend only smiled and gave no reply.

"I live in an apartment down the road from here, the UN pays a lot, but not enough for me to get a house, it's a nice place though, I like it, it's well taken care of. I spend my money on food and taxes mostly; the café gives me spending money for nights like these. It's a good job." The small Italian could only blink; his parents had cut him off? It sounded like the Spaniard was struggling.

"He He, I shouldn't be complaining though! I'm getting along at least, it's not that big of a dea-"

"I'll help." Antonio stared at him, eyes wide.

"Q-Que?"

"I'll help you dammit, come to my house every night. 7819 Chinawood Avenue, I'm not having a business partner dying from hunger…." He said looking down, his blush reaching his neck.

"L-Lovi? Really?"

"Si, just…don't worry about it okay?" he met the Spaniard's gaze right as their food came; and the two thanked the girl and began.

"Gracias Lovino, I really appreciate it." Lovino only nodded.

'What have I gotten myself into?'

(Alright! Chapter one folks, sorry if it's confusing, I own nothing don't forget and I know nothing about the UN really, so no flames on that please. The next chapter does move a little fast and I apologize in advance for this, but I thought it went kind of well. I would love comments and favorites and follows~ Love anyone who reads this! Ciao~)

~Batz

[a]

[a]Josie Wren:

I mainly just corrected grammatical and spelling errors, but to do so I had to fix a few sentences and even delete a couple.