The Wife of a Pirate
"He comes and goes. He is as free as the wind. I can never catch him. So I'm eternally waiting." It was the song that Lovino sings after the last time that Antonio left him for the seas: mainly Spamano, with hints of Gerita, HRE is Germany theory, PruHun, etc.
Rated for future chapters.
Yet another multichapter fic from me! But I actually finished the story in paper already. I just haven't typed it yet.
Since college is starting tomorrow (for me) I might be updating slower. Starting this week, hopefully, I will be updating my fics on Friday nights to Sunday mornings on Pacific timezone.
Happy reading~
By the way. I patterned the setting of this story to some One Piece styles... (like, Lovino's hometown is like the LogueTown while their restaurant is like the Baratie) since that's the closest pirate adventure I could ever have. (bows deeply)
(Other notes: shifting from first person to third POV in timeskips [present: first person, flashbacks: third person], the usual inevitable OOCness and probably the lack of expected pirate adventures since this is actually the other side of every voyager's story... so please be warned)
Fluff fluff fluff and away~
.::.
(Lovino's POV)
We all live in a place where we are told that we are free, but not everyone actually is. Take me for example. I'm 23, youthful and full of energy. I live in a town where even snotty 15 year olds can stow away in the numerous pirate ships that stop over in our place yearly. My grandfather used to be a very famous pirate and many believed that his grandsons (Feliciano and I) would also be like him. I also believed that. However, my brother didn't. Instead, he decided to live a humble life of not leaving our town for all his life. Now my grandfather died even before I could be of age as a young pirate crew (which is 15, as I've said before) and left us brothers behind. And being a good old brother that I was, I can't just leave my cute fratellino all alone in the place, despite the fact the nearly everyone in the town wants to keep him, the pretty thing. So young Lovino and even younger Feliciano opened a restaurant using their inheritance from the great Romulus Vargas. There goes my dream to be a pirate.
There goes my freedom to choose what I wanted to be.
I should have known that the moment my brother turned out to be a wimpy mess, I would get tied to him forever. And while I was dreaming to someday spread my wings and fly out of this town, my brother was already deepening his roots in here. I realized too late that I wasn't a bird at all, but a simple and boring tree branch that will eventually wilt once I get detached from the trunk of the tree. So I held on and discarded my dream.
Our restaurant turned out to be a success, by the way. With our cooking (though mainly mine) and my brother's trading skills, we reap in the gold almost equaling our grandfather's treasures. The visitors just love our food and perhaps, the two of us in one way or another. Like, how a brunette musician suggested that he adopt cute little Feli as his child. It was back when we were just starters in business and both still not of age (I'm 12 and Feli's 9). I was instantly against it, because fuck him, where will I go, dammit (I didn't say this reason though... I just told him to go to hell as politely as possible). And then there's a scary and very German stalker that Feli had who I supposed believed that my brother is a girl. Stupid. That's what you get for eating too much potatoes, sucker! We haven't heard of him for a long time now, though. He just didn't return after he left when Feli was 11. There's also this perverted fucktard who just obviously wants to get in our pants. He really scared the shit out of me, that bearded bastard! To think that it was the first time that someone decided that he also wants me and not just Feli... Why did it have to be a creepy fuck? After we called for the local police, I decided that I won't trust in blonde pirates ever again.
However, thanks (but no thanks) to that French fuckface that I met Antonio.
.::.
Eight years ago.
"Ohonhonhon," Francis aka wine bastard laughed creepily. He chugged down his second bottle of wine (hence the nickname, care of the one and only Lovino Vargas) and slapped the elder Italian brother's butt as he passed his table. "Pretty, very pretty..."
"P-Pervert!" Lovino threw his order at the Frenchman, soaking the blonde with more wine. "Get off here!" the Italian pointed the door. "Feliciano, call the police!"
"Vee, okay fratello!"
"Ohonhonhon... Not until I take your pretty face with me on my ship!" the bearded man tried to grab Lovino who backed off. Suddenly, he felt his back hit a hard surface. He closed his eyes in helplessness as he felt hands touch his shoulders.
"Francis, that's enough," a man's voice with a Spanish accent, if Lovino wasn't wrong, murmured dangerously. The Italian opened his eyes and found himself leaning on the Spaniard behind him. "Get back to the ship and don't come out until you're fully sober."
The blonde seemed to be afraid of the stranger and he followed the order without further ado.
"D-Don't ever come back here!" Lovino said harshly at Francis's retreating back.
"Oh no, he has to come back," the man pushed Lovino back to his feet and made the Italian face him. "He needs to apologize to you properly for his misdeeds," he grinned at the Italian who just scowled at the tan brunette. "Though I guess I have to pay for him this time."
"I don't need his apology, I don't ever want to see his face again!" Lovino cried, though he accepted the Spaniard's payment and shoved it in his pocket.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure not to let him touch you again," the Spaniard smiled assuringly. "So, that means I'll be back here again for sure. I suppose we should get to know each other!" he proclaimed. He then held out a hand. "Antonio. You?"
The Italian scrutinized the man. He looked decent and perhaps, a bit good-looking and he must be strong as the French fuckface seem to be scared shitless of him. Maybe he couldn't be that bad since he saved him from Francis. So Lovino took Antonio's hand.
"I'll tell you when you come back, moron."
.::.
Antonio fascinated Lovino, no doubt about that. Maybe it was his simple but elegant clothing (compared to Francis's extravagant one and some other pirates's tattered ones). Or maybe because he seem to be someone respected and dreaded at the same time (still talking about the Frenchman's reaction to his command). Maybe because Lovino can't deny that the Spaniard is handsome. But maybe, it was mostly his carefree attitude which the elder Italian didn't and perhaps, couldn't ever have. Whatever it was, it made the Italian anticipate Antonio's return to their restaurant.
However, it took a whole year before Antonio set foot at the restaurant again.
.::.
Lovino was not pleased. Feliciano forgot to wake him up early so now he got late for the elusive tomato vendor across the town. Result? Obviously no tomatoes! Which is a bad as no pasta for stupid Feliciano.
.
.
.
That sounds like a good idea at that moment, actually. Lovino Vargas, you genius. Maybe the elder Italian should hide all the pasta supplies so Feliciano would realize what it was not to have tomatoes. Yeah, he'd do that.
The door bell rang signaling an entering customer, drawing Lovino out of his reverie.
"Ciao," Lovino greeted automatically as he grabbed his little notepad and pen to take the customer's order. (This is the time when their business was booming and they had hired a Hungarian big sister as a cook so Lovino only helps in the cooking in the evening when most customers come. Feliciano was usually on the counter unless someone orders pasta, which is rare)
"What's your order?" the Italian asked like he usually do, ready to have his hand writing.
"Your name! I bet it's as pretty as your face," the man cheerfully said. Lovino raised one of his eyebrows and looked up from his paper to glare at the man.
Bright green eyes met amber-colored ones. The tan Spaniard grinned at the Italian.
"I'm back," Antonio said.
"So what?" the younger brunette said harshly. "Do I fucking know you?"
The man's smile instantly faltered. "You mean you've forgotten about me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Lies. Of course Lovino haven't forgotten about Antonio. It has been a year, yes, but the Italian never forgot those emerald eyes, those chocolate curls and that promise that he will come back. But like hell he would act like some friendly little sweetheart just because he knows that the man's name was Antonio. He hadn't even forgiven the man for not telling Lovino that he won't be back until a year later... Though, it's not like he has the right to know. It's a pirate's life to simply come and go wherever the seas carry him. A mere restaurant owner would never understand that, though as a grandson of a pirate, Lovino did know of that unspoken rule, though it did not help him accept just being left hoping like that.
So the best come back he could do is to act like nothing happened between them the year before... And let's face it, it's a natural happening! Everyday, new pirates arrive to bother his thougts off the Spaniard. It was even a wonder how he actually remembers everything he knew about him and vice versa. Surely, even Antonio would have met new people and places in a span of a year. At least, that was what Lovino believed during those days without him around.
(Not like he actually make time to think about the Spaniard's whereabouts, dammit. The thought just entered his mind since their Nonno always bragged about those escapades whenever he goes home)
So why is the elder brunette looked like a kicked puppy right now?
"Ahh... Is that so?" the Spaniard scratched his head embarrassedly. "Well then, I guess I have to start from the beginning..." Once again, he held out a hand. "Antonio. You?"
"Why do I have to tell you? Jackass," Lovino snapped. No, he won't fall for that trick, not before and definitely not now. "Just tell me your order, dammit."
"Ehhh... But I really want to know you! Can't I just order you?" he saud playfully.
If Lovino wasn't blushing the moment he realized that the new customer was Antonio, then he definitely is right now. He almost felt steam puff out of his ears! W-W-Wha...
"P-Pervert!" was all Lovino could stutter. Damn tongue. Damn Spanish bright green eyes which are gazing at him like he is the most interesting jewel in the seas.
Then, the door bell rang once again, signaling another new customer. The Italian hastily waltzed to the next guest, leaving a gaping Antonio behind. Serves him right, the bastard.
Or not.
"Ohonhonhon."
Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck. Another person that Lovino forgot to forget is that perverted wine bastard. Oh, how he dreaded those laugh.
"GYYAAAHHHH!" the little brunette jumped (yes, jumped) backwards and was about to fall down when two strong hands held him in place.
"Franny, what did I tell you about scaring the boy?" Antonio asked, helping Lovino back to his feet. What a familiar scenario.
"I haven't done anything yet, mon cher," Francis wept dramatically. "And since he has forgotten about you from what I've heard from your conversation, I supposed he had forgotten about me, as well."
His blue eyes flicked meaningfully at the Italian.
"Seems like I was mistaken, non?"
Now, Lovino is faced in a situation... On one hand, he told Antonio that he has no memory of the Spaniard. On the other, the bearded fuckface saw through his act. What is he supposed to do now?
"Veeee, fratello, are you okay? I thought I heard you scream?"
Never in his whole damned life has Lovino ever felt grateful of his brother. He quickly run to hide behind the still confused Feliciano.
"Ve?"
"Just shut up and make them leave," the elder Italian hissed. But Lovino need not hide behind Feliciano the moment that the little Italian entered the same room as him because let's face it, his fratellino always makes him look dim when they stand next to each other. Now that the cute Feliciano is here, no one would ever bother with the less cute Lovino anymore.
And just like that, Francis and Antonio literally drooled for the younger Italian.
"How cute! Come with big brother, oui?"
"Fusososo, be a part of big brother's crew, si?"
How blunt. Lovino stopped hiding and raised his eyebrows at the usual "we want Feliciano" scene and just walked to the next customer since his brother can now take the orders of the perverts himself. He need not worry of his brother. He won't come with those pirates anyway.
But he can't help but wonder. What if it was Feliciano who got to know Antonio the year before? Then that scene this morning wouldn't be directed to him.
Annoying. That thought was annoying.
"Ciao."
Lovino is still having a mental argument with himself. After a year, Antonio haven't forgotten about Lovino. But just a glimpse of Feliciano erased all those kept memories of him.
"What's your order?"
Really, what was he expecting?
The person, with his face covered with a black cape murmured incomprehensibly. The Italian had to stoop closer to make out his words...
"What?"
But as he leaned to the man, he felt rough hands grab him and a cold metal touch his neck.
"Give me all your money!"
"Fratello!" Feliciano shrieked. Antonio and Francis grabbed their weapons but the man carelessly slashed the dagger on Lovino's cheek, leaving a shallow gash enough to draw blood.
"Don't come closer!" the man screamed, backing to the kitchen but suddenly a loud clang echoed through the place. The next thing they knew, the hostage taker was knocked out by Elizabeta's frying pan.
"Dear, are you alright?" the Hungarian went to fuss at the Italian's wound.
"It's just a shallow wound. Just give me bandages," Lovino answered weakly, trying to stop the bleeding. "He's an amateur, the idiot."
"Fratello!" Feliciano gasped and went to hug his brother but was kicked before he could do so.
"I have blood all over my clothes! You'll get dirty!"
"Veee!"
"I got the bandages!" the Hungarian went to clean Lovino's wound. The Italian felt insecure being watched by Antonio and Francis like this.
"This often happens," he said, as if explaining. Lucky that it was him and not Feliciano. Just thinking about it makes Lovino shudder. "Tie him up."
Francis helped Elizabeta in tying the man up. With his cape removed, it was revealed that the man has white hair and pale skin. They dragged the man to the back of the restaurant where the police will be picking him up. Feliciano was calling for them now, leaving Antonio with Lovino.
The Italian felt uncomfortable with the set up... But then he noticed that he was still holding his notepad and pen.
"So... What's your order?"
.::.
Business went back as usual. Like Lovino said, those kinds of thing often happen in that area. They are a big and rich town afterall, with different persons coming and going almost everyday.
After the lunch hour, the restaurant empty except for the two bastards since that morning, Lovino finally had the time to rest. He cooked some carbonara (no tomatoes, dammit!) and placed a generous amount on his plate. He then went to the back of the restaurant to eat in peace. But then he heard an unpleasant sound.
*growl*
He spun around and saw the albino from that morning, still tied up to an olive tree on the yard. So the police are yet to pick him up.
"Ciao," Lovino greeted boringly. "You awake?"
Grunt. Okay, so he was awake.
"What's your name?"
Grunt. The Italian raised his eyebrows.
"Hmp. Not like I'm actually interested in your name anyway. I bet it's something silly like Hilberto or Gilberto," the brunette said nonchalantly. "I bet you're hungry."
Grunt. Well, at least that stomach growl a while ago confirmed it.
"You know what, the police here are very cruel. There are many cases of crimes done by foreigners here, so they are not very kind to criminals."
The albino flinched at that remark.
"Say what. Tell me the reason you did that and maybe I'll forgive you and let you go. You're obviouly new to hostage taking. Why would you even try doing it?"
Sniff. Oh, so he's crying now?
"I... I need money to buy a ship."
"A ship!" Lovino was amazed. "Why would you even want a ship, you idiot?"
"I... Two years ago... My brother got lost in the sea... I want to find him."
"Do you understand what you're talking about? The sea is big! You don't even know if you're still looking for a living person!"
The man glanced reproachfully at Lovino, his eyes bloodshot and filled with tears. He looks like just a bit older than the Italian.
"I still want to find him..."
Lovino frowned. "Then, why don't you just stow away at other ships so that you don't need to buy your own ship anymore?"
"I... I didn't think about it..."
"DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT! You almost killed me, you ass!"
"I'm sorry... I wanted to find my brother as soon as possible," he sobbed. "It's been two years... I also can't help but think that if I find him too late-" he choked and just continued weeping.
That love for his brother. That, at least Lovino understands. He went closer to the albino and kicked him hard in the stomach. "That's for wounding me and scaring my little brother."
He took a knife from his pocket and cut the ropes. Then he left the untouched carbonara in front of the man.
"I can't give you money. You have to earn it like us. But eat before you try to run away. Your growling stomach sounds annoying."
The man cried like a baby. Lovino walked back to the kitchen.
"Oh, just leave the plate and fork there. They're my favorites. I'll go get them later."
"G-Gil...bert," the albino sobbed. "My name's Gilbert... Thank you."
Lovino couldn't help but let out a small smile. That is a silly name.
.::.
Antonio couldn't get the earlier happenings off his head. No matter how the elder Italian brother says that it was a usual event in this town, it sure was still very unnerving. The man almost killed the Italian, and it would definitely devastate his brother. And also, there was the thing that Antonio noticed when the elder Italian brother took his order. He was shaking. So it means that he was definitely scared. But the way he tried to act tough in front of Felicito was commendable.
Suddenly, he remembered that same boy trembling at the drunk Francis. It was really a wonder how he managed to look strong when he is in front of his brother. Is that an elder brother's pride?
It was the same thing that drew the Spaniard to him the year before, actually. Though he doesn't deny that it must be just a part of teasing him.
Well, Antonio never fully grasped when he is ever serious or just playing around.
"Veee! Toni, what are you thinking?" Feliciano asked as he delivered the food. He turned to see where Antonio's eyes were lingering. It was where Lovino was standing, ready to pounce at a customer.
"Oh," Antonio snapped out of his thoughts. He now also saw Lovino's attempt to attack the customer with a spoon. "He looks like he wants to eat someone."
"Veee! I think fratello is just pissed because there was no available tomatoes today," Feliciano answered.
"Oh, is that so?" the tan brunette said, making sure to remember this fact about the eternally PMSing Italian brother. "Don't you really want to come with us to join our crew?" Antonio asked once again as Francis came back. They actually have a vacancy for their crew and he really wished that either Italians would come with them since the boys are really cute. Well, he would have wanted to ask his brother first but since Feli looks like he'a easier to talk to then maybe he'll just hit on the elder Italian later.
"No. Not at all!" the young Italian cheerfully answered.
"Uhm... Well then, what about your brother? Do you think he could come with us?" Francis asked, licking his lips as he stared at Lovino walking to the kitchen.
"Veee... I think fratello might want to be a pirate... He was usually tagging along with Nonno, but..." Feliciano sadly said. "But since I won't, he wouldn't either."
"Why?" Antonio frowned. "You two are both welcome to our crew."
"I can't leave. Sorry," and the Italian didn't elaborate further. They just chatted over trivial things through the lunch.
"Hey Felicito, can I go to the CR?"
"Of course, it's on the back of the kitchen!"
The Spaniard stood up and went to the CR and did what he was supposed to do there. As he gets out, he heard Lovino's voice from the backyard.
"Ciao. You awake?"
Antonio found himself listening throughout the conversation. He also felt a bigger respect for the elder Italian brother afterwards. Even then, he was still thinking about Feliciano. What a kind brother he was. When the shorter brunette went back inside the kitchen, the Spaniard was amazed to see him smiling.
He looked utterly beautiful.
When he was sure that the Italian was off to the dining place, he sneaked to the albino.
"Hola! Say, want to join my crew?"
.::.
The next morning, despite being on his usual time for tomato shopping, Lovino was told that all the stock was bought and pre-ordered already and there won't be any available fruit until next week.
It was an understatement to say that Lovino was pissed. Damn it. It was all Feliciano's fault for not waking him up yesterday. He should have bought at least a crate for himself! Now he won't have any tomatoes for an entire week. Fuck his life.
"God fucking damn it!" he screamed at no one in particular as he passed the harbor.
"Hey!"
The Italian spun around. He recognized that voice. And all he heard from him was "How cute, Felicito!" the entire day yesterday. Yes, the French fuckface and Antonio spent the whole day at the restaurant probably trying to get Feliciano join their crew, leaving all the work to Lovino. Sure enough, the Spaniard went running to him.
"Hola!" Antonio greeted as he neared the Italian. Lovino just raised his eyebrows at him.
"I'm not my brother, though I guess I look like him," he grumbled. "So stop bothering me."
"I know your not Feli, silly," Antonio brushed it off. "Felicito won't swear loudly like that."
Lovino felt a nerve snap. He hates it when he is compared to the angelic, lovable and innocent little Feliciano.
"Then stop bothering me, fucktard!"
"Where have you been?" the Spaniard asked, obviously not listening to the Italian's earlier statement.
"Why should I tell you?" Dammit, Lovino wants to go home now!
"Did you go to the market? What did you buy?" How the hell can Antonio manage to continue chatting with someone who obviously isn't interested to do so?
"Do I look like I've managed to buy anything?" the Italian swing his empty hands in the air.
"Oh, right," Antonio smiled sheepishly. "But what were you supposed to buy anyway?"
Why the hell is this man giving a flying fuck to Lovino's whereabouts?
"Just what really do you want from me, asshole?"
Antonio just continued grinning stupidly. Well, that means Lovino just have to guess the answer himself.
"You like Feliciano, don't you?"
Remembering the events yesterday, Lovino felt that it was the most probable answer to his question. Besides, numerous persons had done this before: befriending Lovino just to get to his brother's pants. Whenever that happens, the elder Italian brother would flip the bastard over and tell his brother not to come near him. It earned him a very bad reputation to everyone in town. Like he cares. No guy good enough for his brother should ask for Lovino's help. That's just so pussy.
Anyways...
The Spaniard blushed at Lovino's assumption. So he was right. He felt a sinking feel in his stomach which he usually feels whenever this kind of situation happens.
"No! No! No! It's not like that! I decided to stop asking him to join our crew yesterday since I've already found a willing and suitable person-"
"Enough. Do I look like I care?" the Italian snarled. It's not like that his ass. He walked off and tried to leave the babblering Spaniard behind.
"Eeehhh... Wait up!" Antonio grabbed Lovino's shoulders desperately. "Are you angry?"
"Why the hell would I not be angry when a stupid Spaniard just decided to disturb me from going home already?" the Italian shrieked, his face redenning still in rage.
"You... look like a tomato..."
Another vein snapped.
"Cute..."
Arrrggghhh!
That was it for Lovino Vargas. He spun around and headbutted the annoying piece of shit hard before stomping off cursing loudly.
"Wait up! I have tomatoes!"
Sneaky bastard.
.::.
I think that this will be five chapters at most. See you all later~