A/N Ashes back with another story! Alright, so since my other stories are all based on rps, and therefore have no guaranteed update times or even promises of being finished, I decided to go ahead and write this one for you guys. I'm hoping to update at least once a week, if not more. Let me know what you guys think, or any mistakes, or improvements I could make. As always, thanks for reading, and reviewing and the like, for both this and the others. It means a lot to me, you guys encourage me a lot! I love you all! -Ashes
Twenty-six year old Antonio Fernandez- Carriedo sighed as he walked up to the dorm room, reaching out to feel the number. A smile sat on his lips, the Spanish man wasn't sure if he was nervous or excited. His bag was slung over his shoulder, brunette locks messy as he reached out and knocked. Antonio was a teacher at Hetalia Academy, mainly of languages. However, his boss, the headmaster of the school, Romulus Maximillus Vargas, had asked him to be a mentor over a young student, a seventeen year old by the name of Lovino Vargas. The grandson of Romulus himself, Lovino had been blinded two weeks before in a car accident and needed help learning and adjusting. The boy had been lucky to survive, he had been the only one in the car, and his seatbelt had prevented him from flying through the windshield when he hit the tree. However, glass fragments had embedded themselves in his eyes. The doctors at the hospital had tried everything they could to save the young Italian's vision, but their efforts had been proven fruitless. Other than that, he had escaped relatively unscathed. Some cuts, some bruises, and he was now walking with the slightest limp, but nothing severe, save for his eyes. Upon his release from the hospital, he had proceeded to lock himself in his dorm room, curling up in his bed, unmoving. At first, Romulus had told himself his little grandson just needed some time. A bit of space to accept what had happened to him. But soon, he had grown concerned with the teenagers increasingly distant behaviour and self-isolation. Since Antonio himself had been born blind, Romulus had decided there was no better person to help his grandson, and Antonio had been informed that he'd be moving into Lovino's dorm, and the teen would be transferred into all the Spanish mans classes. He was not to leave Antonio's side until he learned how to safely care for himself.. However... the twenty six year old wasn't unhappy with this decision. He had had Lovino in just one of his classes before, and Antonio thought he had seemed like a very sweet boy underneath the cold front Lovino put up. He nibbled his lip as he knocked, the nervousness in his stomach growing as he waited for Lovino to answer.
Lovino scowled from underneath the blankets, letting out the tiniest growl. "Nonno, Feliciano, I already told you to fuck off and leave me alone!" He snarled from his hiding place. His face was dirty, his hair dishevelled. There were tracks in the dirt from the tears that had been falling relentlessly since the accident, the sadness feeling like it was absolutely unending. He was terrified, although he would never admit it to his grandfather and fifteen year old brother. Why worry them more with his problems, he had already put a hole in their savings from his hospital bills. Lovino remembered the crash, remembered the feeling of falling as the car rolled down the bank, remembered hearing the sickening crunch as his brand new convertible had wrapped around the tree. He remembered pain, starting first in his legs, before an exploding white light in his emerald eyes and then- nothingness. All that for the life of a stupid rabbit. The next thing Lovino remembered was waking up in the hospital, in utter darkness. He had been scared, pleading with his grandfather to turn on the lights. The boy could have sworn he heard a soft sob, as Romulus took his hand and squeezed it gently, breaking the news to him. But Lovino hadn't believed it at first. The tears had come from the unseeing orbs without restraint, the teenager had pleaded, sobbed, begged for his grandfather to tell him it was just a mean prank, for him to turn on the lights. But that wasn't happening, and the boy was plunged into a blackness. He was alone in it.
Hearing the knocking continue, he groaned. Who the fuck was it? Grandpa and Feli would have at least answered him. "It's open!" He finally shouted at the door, clutching his head. Anything to get that fucking knocking to stop!
Finally having been given permission to enter the room, Antonio cautiously opened the door. "Hola, is this Lovino Vargas' room?" He asked, rather unneededly. The teacher had recognized the boys voice instantly. "This is Señor Fernandez-Carriedo, I'm coming in, niño."
The moving from under the blanket instantly stopped as Lovino went rigid. A second later, a brunette head popped up. Señor Fernandez-Carriedo? That was definitely the last person Lovino would expect to find in his room, although, in retrospect, perhaps it honestly should have been the first. "W-what are you doing here?" He spat. "No doubt my Nonno sent you!"
Antonio stepped into the room, using a wall for leverage as he followed the sound of Lovino's voice to the bed, feet hitting kleenex, food wrappers, and dirty clothes as he went. The smell in the room was noxious, Antonio could tell the teenager had not left the bed since he had returned from the hospital. "Si, you are right, niño. He has reassigned me to stay here with you, and help you learn how to live without your sight." He explained nervously. It had been his experience that Lovino was prone to fly off the handle in fits of irritation, so he was braced to have things thrown at him, to be hit. Finally, he reached the bed, sitting on the edge of it, near the teen, but being careful not to touch him. "I can teach you how to do all the things you did before, how to look after yourself. I'll teach you how to see without your eyes-"
"Shut up!" Lovino screamed, effectively cutting the older man off. "Just shut up…" The smallest whimper escaped him in spite of himself, as he clutched his head, lightly tugging at his auburn locks. "You're lying… spouting all these pretty words to try to comfort me, like Nonno, like everyone else. Seeing without my eyes, how is that even possible!?" He sobbed. "All I am now is a waste of space! Everyone hated me before, but now they'll pity me too!" He wailed.
Gentle, calloused hands lifted, moving forward until they had found what they were looking for. Slowly, as to not startle the boy, they brushed over soft, full cheeks, removing any tears they found. Antonio fumbled to find the boys hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He knew how scary it was to learn. "Please. Trust me. Let me teach you, and if it doesn't help, I'll tell your grandfather." He swore.
Lovino had honestly never been more grateful his teacher couldn't see than at that moment, God, he could feel his cheeks heating up at the gentle touch to his face. The blush never faded, intensifying as the older man took his hand. "A-alright bastard… if it'll shut my Nonno up, you can teach me." He finally agreed. "Just to shut him up though! N-not because I trust you or anything! So what's first bastard?"
A grin broke out across Antonio's face when the boy gave in, and, squeezing his hands once more, he lifted the others hands, placing them on Antonio's own face. "I want you to feel ok? Memorize every detail and tell me what you "see". See with your hands, paint a picture in your mind. Make sure that if I pick you up or touch you, you are going to know it is me. I don't want you to panic." He explained.
Squeaking in surprise, Lovino fought the urge to pull his hands away. This was too weird! Still, after a moment, he relaxed, doing as he was told, shy fingers traced over Antonio's jaw, memorizing the shape, his high cheekbones. Next they slid across his nose, and eyelids. He hesitated only a moment before brushing his thumb over the soft, slightly wet, full lips in front of him, trying to ignore his ever intensifying blush. Finally, he had an image of the others face in his mind, his memories giving the picture bright color, as his fingers slid into chocolate curls, before moving downwards. They brushed over the dip over his throat, over Antonio's Adam's Apple, the Spaniard swallowing and causing it to move, a smile on his lips as the boy laughed in spite of himself. Lovino paused, frowning as he brushed a small patch of skin that was different at the base of Antonio's throat, just above the neckline of his shirt. He brushed it again, silently asking. "A scar." Antonio answered. "Good job noticing the difference, you're doing such a good job, niñito! I'm so proud of you!" He meant it too.
"S-shut up!" Lovino snapped, but there was no venom in his voice, just a touch of embarrassment. Still, he felt pride swelling in his chest at the praise. He was doing good? The words gave him a bit more confidence, as he traced out the others shoulders, feeling the firm muscles beneath his touch, and down his arms, before moving them to his chest. Lovino slowly memorized every contour, every valley, until he had it all memorized.
By this point, Antonio's own cheeks burned crimson, but it was mostly because he too was shy. "That was very good, Lovi!" He chortled proudly. "Do you think you'll be able to recognize me now?"
"...what the fuck is a Lovi?" If he had been able to, he would have glared, but he simply had to settle for a scowl the older man wouldn't even see. "Stupid Spanish bastard…" He mumbled, moving away from the other slightly. "Yeah, jerkface, I think I'll be able to."
Antonio just laughed warmly, reaching out to ruffle the boys hair. "Good, because I think first off, we should give you a bath! You stink." He teased. He didn't even flinch when the boy swatted his hand away, huffing. "I don't need you to help me, bastard, I'm not a five year old, I can bathe myself!" Lovino spat.
"Is that so?" Dear God, Lovino fumed, the bastard had the audacity to sound amused at his anger! "Well, niñito, it's been two weeks, and until you learn how to walk without bumping into things, how to fill a tub and know when it's full by sound alone, and how not to miss your shampoo bottles, or face for that matter, I think you need the help." He pointed out, and even without seeing, Lovino could tell the bastard was grinning. "Fine…" He finally grumbled.
"Brace yourself." Antonio warned. "I'm picking you up." He did so with ease, carrying him bridal style as he stood. Romulus had explained to him the basic layout of the dorms, and so if he was correct- yes. The bathroom would be just right of the beds. His smile only grew as the boy got over his hesitation, winding an arm around Antonio's neck. He just didn't want to fall, it wasn't like this jerk was warm and nice!
Lovino pouted slightly when he was set down on the counter, reluctantly letting go of his hold on the others man neck. He was silent as Antonio began to run the water, humming lightly and adding bubbles. As the tub filled, his fingers slid up the walls, finding everything he needed. "Are you alright?" He asked Lovino, growing concerned with the boys silence. Was there something wrong?
"Fine bastard." Lovino said quietly. Mostly, he was thinking. Why was this man being so kind to him? Admittedly, this was the first person since the accident to treat him as though he was still a person, capable of anything, the first one to not apologize for his loss. And he knew Antonio wouldn't. After all, the Spaniard had never had his sight. Had never experienced color, had never seen trees. Antonio was firm in the classroom, and Lovino knew he would not allow him to wallow in self pity, but would push him to do his best to learn how to cope, how to live a full life. Honestly, Lovino was grateful for that. Maybe he could give the man a chance, he decided.
Antonio helped him off the counter, patting his head. "Can you undress yourself niño? Just remember, see with your hands." Lovino gave a nod, although neither could see it. "I can manage." He told the other, but most of the attitude was gone from his voice as he removed his shirt and pants, fighting the urge to cover his nudity. He knew he didn't have to, Antonio couldn't see him. "S-señor Fernandez-Carriedo?" He said timidly. "C-can you help me into the tub? I'm scared I'll fall." He confessed. Antonio smiled, taking the boys hand and guiding him in, telling him when to lift his feet. "Of course, niñito. But you can call me Toni, ok? It'll be a bit easier since we're living together." He laughed, ruffling the boys hair, before beginning it delicately wash it for him.
"Alright… Toni." He repeated, smiling as he tilted his head up at the man. Antonio let his fingers touch the smile for a moment, smiling himself, before lathering up a cloth as he began to wash across the boys face, shoulders, chest and back, making sure to get of all the dirt. When he was done, he carefully closed Lovino's fingers around the cloth. "You can wash your own lower half, si?"
Lovino nodded without hesitation. "Si… I can." He replied, fingers clutching the cloth. He took his time, his movements a little awkward at first, as Antonio set Lovino's hand on his own tummy. "Lovi, I want you to try to feel everything, memorize each detail alright? Feeling is very important when you can't see." Lovino paused, before focusing as Antonio told him to. He could feel the water brushing in small waves against his skin, just a few inches up from where his fingers touched. The bubbles tickled his chest softly, and he had to confess the wet warmth was quite soothing. The scent of the apple shampoo the teacher had used to wash his hair drifted into his nostrils, and he sighed softly. He was cautious at first as he began to run the cloth over the soft tanned skin of his stomach. He washed his most private places, before moving on, focusing on the feel of the rough cloth as it brushed his smooth thighs. He could feel the bumpy ridges that marred the otherwise perfect skin, scars, he knew, that remained from his accident. Slightly bumpy knees were next, before his hands slid the fabric of his calves and ankles, towards his feet. He giggled to himself as he wiggled each toe, feeling the water slosh around each, conforming to the empty, moving spaces like a glove. It was almost a relief in itself, to feel that everything was still there, was still working. He hadn't lost everything.
Finally he finished, Antonio helping him out and wrapping him in a fluffy towel. Lovino could feel each finger tip against his skin, could feel the callouses, so rough, and yet every touch was so incredibly tender that he couldn't help but warm up to this man. He wanted to ask what had caused the rough pads on the others fingers, it was obvious it was from years of hard work at something. He took a small breath, his nose allowing him to memorize even more of Antonio. Although the other spent all day in a classroom, he smell of the earth, of dirt, and the sweet scent of- was that flowers?, and sweat, although it was anything but unpleasant. Antonio once more lifted the thin boy, careful that the towel stayed in place as he carried him back to his room. Lovino found himself relaxing into Antonio's chest as he was carried, pouting once more as he was set him on the bed, before rummaging through the nearby drawers feeling or a long nightshirt. It was worn and soft, Antonio figured it'd be comforting. "You should try to get some sleep." He told the teen as he got it on him and tucked him in, stroking through his hair softly, before pulling away.
"Si.. buona notte… Toni…" Lovino mumbled sleepily, curling into his pillow and drifting to sleep. And with that sleepy little whisper of his name, so akin to an angel, filled with such innocence, Antonio's heart melted.