Okies. I got some pretty good feedback on the last oneshot. My friend absolutely adored it, apparently... because she glomped me the instant she saw me... Ha. And then she started to insist that I get started on the next one... and kept on bugging me about that... and wondering when it would be out... and if she could read it or know what the main plotline is... and if certain characters would be included...

Honestly, Alorix. Chill. XD

Started March 12th.

Completed March 14th.

Authoress: Desperatembrace

Disclaimer(s): I do not own Hetalia Axis Powers. Plain, black and white. The end.

Warning:

Possible OOC-ness

Yaoi

Language

Sexual Content

Alternate Universe

Oneshot Genre(s): Humor, General, Romance

Calculator


Work was too redundant. Day after day, he was shoved in this cramped little office, with only a pathetic artificial plant to keep him company from the corner of the room. Numbers were a constant companion to him during his entrapment. Bland walls and a dreary desk were a second home to him and it was tiring after the two years that he'd spent here.

He felt that it was time to consider a change in profession.

Restraining a weary sigh, Antonio shifted slightly to the left, focusing his attention on the computer as he logged in and pulled up a file labeled 'Client Schedules'. Scanning through the depressingly long list, he checked the time slots, finding that there were only a small handful of people that he would have to see for that day.

Just as he closed out of the file, his office door was thrown open with a dramatic flair, a pair of males waltzing in as if they owned the joint. Rather used to this treatment, Antonio only proceeded to log out of the system before finally fixing his eyes on the intruders. Really, would they ever learn?

Gilbert was stretched out on one of the chairs across from his desk, feet resting in a kingly fashion upon Francis' lap (who glared at the offending extensions of his friend's body with a sort of scowl) in the neighboring chair. Smiling slightly from the typical antics of his two long-time friends and coworkers, Antonio leaned back comfortably in his chair and allowed his eyes to crinkle up in amusement. "So what brings you guys to this boring office a few doors down?"

"Why, we're here to make sure our freakishly cheerful country-bumpkin doesn't fall into the dooming pits of despair guaranteed in this bland hell," Francis said, hands plastered against the side of his face, a goofy sort of expression painted across his features.

He rolled his eyes playfully, not offended in the slightest at the nickname. He had come to the city from a more rural region of the country and was instantly branded a country bumpkin... not to mention, many people noticed his abnormally optimistic and cheerful personality. When he met these two... well, it just stuck.

A smile stretched across his face like it usually did when he was around these two. He was honestly doomed to be constantly cheerful if his best friends were forever so amusing. It wasn't his fault. Really.

Shaking his head, he pointed at the door. "Well, you guys need to get back to work. Those financially-dimwitted people aren't going to help themselves, you know." Francis let out a dramatic cry, fake tears already running down his face as he jumped out of his chair (dropping Gilbert's feet to the ground with a grunt) and darted for the door and called behind him, "Fine! I can see we're not wanted!" And with that little act of drama, he had disappeared around the corner and into the neighboring door containing his own office.

Gilbert rolled his eyes at their friends dramatics before slapping a pout of his own upon his face. Directing it to the man on the other side of the desk separating them, he childishly threw his head to the side and muttered, "I'm too awesome for this kind of job..." With one last glance at Antonio, he stomped to the door and paused, as if in thought, before making his way a little further down the hall and disappearing in the door opposite of the one Francis had run into.

A chuckle bled past his lips. Really, it was the same old routine every day, but... it never did get old with those two around. In fact, they were really the only reason that he was sticking around at this point. With a quick shrug, he mentally sifted through the organized files in his mind, recalling the schedule for the day. With a quick glance at the computer screen's clock, he settled for resting his head on his palm, elbow planted firmly against his desk.

Only a few more minutes before his client should show up.

Without even realizing it, Antonio began to nod off, the crushing boredom causing a thin tiredness to creep upon him. In his light sleep, however, he heard footsteps clacking across the wood flooring from the hallway in front of his office, and was forced from the light doze. Blinking his eyes to allow his pupils to adjust to the light, he paused when there was a slight knock on the wall next to the entrance of the small room.

Looking up, he found his gaze landing on a young male of brown hair, a single curl protruding slightly. Antonio's already sleep-hazed thoughts jolted to a half, stuttering on the handsome man lingering in his doorway. The male in question watched him for a moment before cautiously asking, "Mr. Carriedo?" Blinking a bit more to bring himself fully back to reality, Antonio stood up from his seat hurriedly, the chair rolling back with a loud squeaky-clank. He reached out a hand, beckoning him forward and saying, "Yes, that's me. Come in, Mr..." he trailed off, his memory of the man's name failing him.

The younger male stepped into the office and securely grabbed hold of his hand, giving it a short, but firm shake and nod as he said, "Vargas. Lovino Vargas." The financial advisor nodded in return and introduced himself. "Yes, Mr. Vargas. My name is Antonio Carriedo, but you can call me Antonio." He flashed him his signature smile, an expression of pure sincerity. Pushing his wavy brown hair out of his eyes, Antonio turned his attention back to the computer as he sat down in his leather chair, not noticing the light flush that stole across his client's face.

After quickly pulling up the needed files, he got down to business, casting all unprofessional thoughts aside. "So Mr. Vargas, you have a decent paying job, but you are looking into purchasing a house... and due to this, you are going to need a regulated payment plan in order to keep up with your finances, correct?" Antonio looked up from the monitor, eyes pinning onto the man across from him.

Mr. Vargas seemed to shake himself from an internal debate before giving a sharp nod, accentuated by an off-putting scowl. "Yes, that is correct."

Nodding once more, the wavy-haired man began to ask him a few essential questions--like his average pay, if he was paid weekly, biweekly, monthly, yearly, etc. Did he have anyone else that was going to live with him? Was there any outside jobs or payments that would attribute to income? How much did he need to pay on his car? Basically everything. After a good 2-3 hours, they had finally put everything down on paper. It was at this point that Antonio pulled a scientific graphing calculator out of his desk drawer and slid it across to the handsome client. When he was only given a bemused expression, he stated, "Please follow along and do the same calculations that I do. Feel free to correct any numerical mistakes that I make." It was sort of an odd quirk unique to their company. This particular feature had always been a huge attraction to their clients, allowing them to double check the advisors to make sure that no mistakes were made.

They continued with the calculations and spent the better part of an hour working out a few specifics on the plan. Before long, a fairly simple financial plan had been drawn up, viewing and taking care of all aspects of payments--whether it be for groceries, bills, or emergency money.

With a quick glance to the clock on the monitor, Antonio allowed himself to fade from the stiff professional persona that always took over him when he was with a client. He aimed another blinding smile aimed at Mr. Vargas and then stood up and held out his hand amicably. There was a brief, wide-eyed hesitation, Mr. Vargas abruptly shook his head before standing up, scowl firmly back in place as he took the advisors hand and gave a sharp shake. Ignoring the urge to frown back and chastise the man for his childish behavior, Antonio continued to smile and said, "Well, I do believe that we are done here today, Mr. Vargas. But if you ever have a change made financially--such as earning either more or less income, bill payments going up or down, feel free to come back and have your plan changed according to the new developments."

When the tan-skinned young man had made his way to the door and was about to shut it behind him, Antonio called out with his best tone, "Thank you and have a nice day!"

He didn't bother to hide his frown when another scowl was directed over the man's shoulder.

Over the course of the next few days, Antonio couldn't help but think about the young man with the petulant scowl. What exactly was wrong with him? Why did he seem to be in such a bad mood at the most random of moments? Granted, he had only seen Mr. Vargas and spoken with him over the course of a few hours, but still.

He would look up at the younger man and he would have a relaxed expression. It looked really nice on him--he was a really gorgeous man. His features were really defined and made him stand out. But when Mr. Vargas realized that he was the subject of scrutiny, his expressions immediately turned sour.

So why did he frown so much?

Before long, a week had rolled by and Antonio began to grow angry with himself. What did it matter? It wasn't like he was going to see him again.

Oh how wrong he was.

About three weeks later found Antonio behind his desk once more, cursing how boring Fridays could be on the job. He had absolutely no scheduled appointments, and had therefore been given the assignment of taking care of all walk-in cases.

Nothing was more boring than staring into outer space over a course of 8 hours. He almost considered talking to the plastic fern sitting in the opposing corner of the room in order to pass the time.

When he saw a red flash from the phone sitting on his desk, he almost let out an explosive sigh of relief. Pressing the button and yanking the corded phone up, he held it to his ear and internally prayed that there was a walk-in client, unknowingly there to take up the position to ease his boredom.

The woman from the front desk said the magic words and Antonio almost pumped his fist. Apparently, one of the gods up there was looking out for him.

Except not really.

His thoughts abruptly jolted to a stop when a familiar head of hair appeared in his doorway--the same head of hair that belonged to the same man that had been plaguing his thoughts for the better part of a week almost a month before.

Without even realizing it, his mouth had moved of its own accord, addressing him with his name (that he should, by no means, remember). "Mr. Vargas. Take a seat."

Brown locks of hair swayed slightly as Mr. Vargas stepped into the room, shutting the door snugly behind him before he made his way to one of the two seats in front of Antonio. Pulling up a file that seemed more familiar than it should be, he turned his attention back to the client, watching him in silence before he asked, "So, I suppose that your financial circumstances have changed?"

Mr. Vargas gave a sharp nod, that frown that seemed to define him still set firmly upon his face. After a few moments of silence, Mr. Vargas seemed to finally understand that he was expected to reiterate. His frown deepened, lips practically twitching as he obviously forced himself to say, "I got promoted." Immediately after the words had left his mouth, the young man turned his head away, locking his gaze on one of the bland walls as if it were one of the most interesting designs he had ever seen.

A few moments were spent staring at the curious display before Antonio shook him from his bemused thoughts. He couldn't get too interested. This man was a client and he was here to ask him, Antonio, to do his job in helping him.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The adjustments were a rather brief affair, only resulting in Mr. Vargas getting a little more spending money for his leisure. Bidding the man a goodbye, he felt a wave of deja vu wash over him as the handsome client did the exact same thing as before, aiming a quick scowl over his shoulder before allowing the door to click shut behind him.

Antonio spent a moment contemplating, eyes staring unseeingly at the door. Really, what exactly was wrong with him and those frowns?

Before long (or actually, after quite a while--a good hour or so had passed while he was locked in his thoughts he later realized), he was snapped from all contemplation when his office door was slammed open and in walked his two best friends, marching straight up to his desk. Locking his eyes on Francis (he had learned that he was the less trustworthy of his friends and required a watchful eye at all times), he didn't notice Gilbert making his way around his desk until a hand had wrapped around his upper arm, dragging him from his chair. Eyes darting over to the red orbs of his friend, laughter dancing through their depths, he wasn't able to formulate words until he had been dragged halfway across the room to the door.

"What's going on..?" Two grins were his only answer before he was being pulled down the length of the hall, out into the lobby and out of the smudged glass doors of their building. When he had been taken into the parking lot and shoved in the back of Gilbert's car, only then did he get his answer.

"The work day is officially! over and now we are going to drown ourselves in extensive amounts of booze!" Francis said with an obvious excitement, practically bouncing in the front seat. Gilbert eyed him in the rear view mirror, his own grin bordering on maniacal. "Awesome idea, huh?"

Antonio, blinking a bit in confusion at the way his day had played out, could only stare for a few moments before his own grin spread across his face.

"And that!, my dear friends, would make us the Bad Touch Trio!" Francis raised his mug, the glass catching the dull light of the bar before he sloppily brought it back to his mouth, foul brown liquid sloshing over his shirt.

Gilbert looked over at his blond friend, his face the picture of disgust. "'Bad touch'? That is so not awesome... makes us sound like pedos," He slurred, frown deepening when Francis gave a drunken giggle. "Bad Ass Trio. Now that is awesome." He brought his own mug to his lips and took a gulp, choking a little as it went down the wrong pipe. Antonio rolled his eyes at their antics before leaning forward and lightly patting the silver-haired man's back. With a bit of a grin, he said, "Jeez, slow down a bit, Gilbert. I think you just ran off those guys that were eyeing you a moment ago." The tease was accentuated with a dramatized glance up at the bar, grin growing as if he had seen a couple of guys walking away in revulsion. Glancing back down at his friend, he jolted his head in the direction of the bar, before grinning and saying, "You aren't going to get a date like that."

The next few moments were silent for their group, an odd tension settling between them. Antonio, confused as to where this came from, glanced worriedly between his coworkers. What was wrong?

Finally, Francis looked up, eyes locking onto his own and he said, "Speaking of dates..." The serious look changed to one that spoke of merciless teasing, lips morphing into a grin. "What about that cute brunette that's been in your office twice now?"

And suddenly, his two best friends weren't so drunk anymore.

They were out for blood, and they weren't going to rest until they got it.

Antonio felt his eyes widen, thoughts immediately swerving before settling on one Mr. Vargas. It was unreasonable for his thoughts to settle on him so quickly--after all, he wasn't the only brunette client that he'd seen to twice. So why did he automatically think of him?

Gilbert and Francis had twin smirks on their faces, having already analyzed the expression on his face for what it was. Before Antonio had any time to open his mouth to deny anything that they had to say about that client, Francis immediately cut to the chase.

"You like him, don'tchya?"

The wavy haired Southern didn't really register anything after that, his glass of water clanking to the table (he was the designated driver for that night, sadly) as his thoughts rushed over him. Switching over to a totally unbiased perspective as a professional would, he allowed himself to turn the facts over in his mind, mulling over the days that he had met with Mr. Vargas and the days he had thought about him.

When a quick image of the younger man flashed through his mind, scowling and staring at the wall, Antonio couldn't help but smile.

Like? Perhaps that is what it is...

For the rest of the night, Antonio thought about his client, and mourned over the fact that the chances weighed heavily against them meeting again.

Antonio could honestly say that he was in total awe with how things had been working out for him lately, when, a week later, found one Mr. Vargas sitting across from him for the third time.

Honestly, Antonio Carriedo couldn't help but wonder if he had been some sort of saint in a past life, because karma certainly seemed to be working to his advantage. When the younger man was comfortably seated across from him, he said the familiar words once more.

"Your financial circumstances have changed?" He couldn't help but add on the teasing tone, his eyebrow raising all on its own. Antonio hoped that he didn't scare him off with the subtle flirting.

Instead of scaring him off, however, the scowl (it was going to need a little trademark sign next to it, soon)took form across the perfectly shaped lips, claiming them as Mr. Vargas shifted his gaze away like he had the meeting prior. There was another moment of silence before he replied, "Yes. I was given a raise."

Thoughts of flirting dimmed slightly as the words registered in his brain. Good lord, a promotion and a pay raise, all in the span of a week? The man before him must be damned good at what he did... He gave an internal groan, irritated with the sexual turn his thoughts had taken. Why did the whole hard-working persona have to be such a turn-on?

He'd obviously been hanging out with Gilbert and Francis too much.

Burying a sigh deep down, he got down to business, shoving the calculator across the table without any explanation. He cracked a grin when his client picked it up, already having become used to the way things worked for the planning.

Unfortunately, the adjustments required only a brief amount of time once more, and before long, Mr. Vargas was sliding the calculator back across the desk and standing up to excuse himself. This time, however, Mr. Vargas paused at the door and looked over his shoulder at Antonio, features carefully neutral as he seemed to be waiting for something. After a few moments of Antonio deliberating on whether or not to ask him out, the young man shook his head and walked out the door without a single word.

And Antonio couldn't help but regret his indecision on allowing someone so interesting and handsome to get away.

A few days later, Gilbert had decided to pop up in Antonio's office, seeming to sense the depression that had overcome his friend. Careful glances were shot his way as he settled into one of the seats that the clients would usually sit in, only further serving to remind him of his melancholy mood. Why did he have to be such a coward? After all, there were such little chances of seeing that man again...

Before he realized it, Gilbert had reached for the calculator provided to the clients and busied himself typing away on it, a grin slowly coming over his lips. Antonio, breaking away from his thoughts, found himself watching his friend, a feeling of foreboding crawling along his skin.

The grin turned wry when Gilbert finally pushed clear and then retyped the seven letter word. Turning the calculator upside-down, the silver-haired man proudly showcased his work in all its glory.

At first, Antonio had no idea what he was supposed to be looking at. His professional side had immediately set into action and regarded the numbers from a numerical perspective, turning them right-side up in his mind and puzzling over their significance.

5318008.

What..?

An uncharacteristic frown sweeped across his lips for a moment before he chastised himself for letting his bad mood force him to act in a bad manner. Rolling his eyes, he aimed a dry, "Boobies?" at his friend, chuckling slightly when Gilbert's grin grew in size. He allowed the man to have a few moments of reveling in the immaturity of the act before he said, "Alright, alright. Now clear that so my next client doesn't have to be subjected to your juvenile sense of humor." He made a swishing motion with his hand, ignoring the pout that stole across Gilbert's features. A few more minutes of pretending to not hear his childish whine, and finally his coworker was out the door.

He hated to be so moody, but honestly, he just couldn't help it. He had basically lost any guaranteed chances of getting the man that he found himself so enamored with to go out with him. The regret was just excruciating.

With a bit of a sigh, he pulled up the client list once more, pausing before he even had a chance to scan through the names and time slots when he heard a knock at the front of his office. Turning his attention to the newcomer, his jaw became slack when he found the man that he had been thinking of not even a minute before standing in his doorway.

It was official. Someone up there really loved him.

Mr. Vargas seemed to fidget with his stare, the confident exterior that had been masking him only a few seconds before crumbling beneath his gaze. He seemed to be warring internally before he stepped in with a prominent scowl, taking a seat in the same chair he always sat in.

The words rolled off his tongue without any beckoning. "Your financial circumstances have changed, I presume?" The lilting of his words at the end added a teasing effect, clearly showing that he was rather happy with the man's arrival. Mr. Vargas' scowl deepened as he seemed to consider his words carefully. Finally, he was presented with the answer of, "I got demoted."

Eyebrows shooting past his hairline, Antonio regarded his client curiously, wondering what exactly had happened. Before he even had the chance to slip up from his professional act and ask, the younger man replied to his unspoken question. "I got lost in my thoughts too much."

Lips quirking in a lopsided grin, Antonio couldn't help but feel that the same thing had happened to him a few too many times ever since meeting this mysterious enigma of a man. Pushing the calculator to Mr. Vargas from where Gilbert had left it, he busied himself with digging through his drawer to find his own calculator. When he finally pulled the device from where it was sandwiched between two bulky files, he turned his attention back to the man, about to ask if he was ready to start but paused. Mr. Vargas was staring at his calculator with an odd sort of expression, not sparing any attention for him.

"Um... Mr. Vargas?" The man in question snapped his head up when he heard his name being called. Antonio glanced at the calculator for a moment before resting his eyes back on alluring hazel orbs. "Is there something wrong?"

His eyes followed the young man's tongue as it ran along the seam of his lips, wetting them in a nervous gesture. He maintained silence before: "Is it customary for you to input 'boobies' in your calculators?"

Antonio felt horror grip him when he realized exactly what was wrong, and before he realized it, he was babbling, a blush stealing over his cheeks in mortification. "Oh God, I am so sorry. That must have been Gilbert, I mean, he did that earlier but I guess he didn't clear it and besides, I'm not like that, hell, I don't like boobs, I mean, after all, I am ga--" His jaw snapped shut when he realized what exactly he was saying, eyes widening, waiting for what the young man would say.

For a moment, Mr. Vargas stayed silent, watching him with a careful, analytical gaze. Then, he said in a casual manner, "Really? I'm attracted to males, too."

Blinking in a bit of a comical fashion, Antonio felt his brain stutter to a halt. Was it just him, or did that sound like a total invite? Wincing a little internally, he felt determination hold him in its grip. Well, he thought, only one way to find out.

Sucking in a quick breath, he forced a bright smile on his face, and said with a bit of caution, "Would you like to go out to dinner tonight, then?"

The man in front of him didn't even ponder the offer before he bluntly said, "No." Feeling himself deflate, Antonio allowed the smile to slip of his face, an expression of neutrality immediately taking root on his features. So it seemed like the attraction wasn't mutual...

"I've got to work tonight. But tomorrow would be fine."

The words almost didn't register in Antonio's mind, requiring a few more seconds than normal to be processed. When he finally realized the implication of the words, a grin split his lips, eyes sparkling in delight. So that meant...!

Mr. Vargas seemed to ignore his revelation, standing from his seat and saying, "Well, I think that this meeting will have to be postponed for another night as I need to go get cleaned up for work." His words were accompanied by a pointed glance to the watch on his wrist. He pulled a slip of paper out of his jacket pocket along with a pen and hastily scrawled a series of digits upon the slip before tossing it on the desk and tucking the pen away. "Feel free to call me in order to set up the dinner and inform me of the date of the meeting." He turned away and made for the door, forcing Antonio to snap from his rose-colored thoughts.

"I'll talk to you soon, then, Mr. Vargas," he said earnestly after his client. The man in question paused in his steps and looked over his shoulder, a bit of a frown tugging on his lips as he said, "Lovino. Call me Lovino."

His smile grew. "Lovino, then."

And as he watched Lovino exit the room, hand held over his face to cover the blush that threatened to overturn his characteristic scowl, Antonio felt a grin creep over his lips as a revelation hit him.

Huh, he thought, glancing over to his monitor with his schedule flashing at him over the bright screen. So that's why he frowns so much. Because he's embarrassed.

Staring at the door as it slammed shut, he chuckled quietly to himself.

How cute.

Battery power running low. Please change batteries.

It's weird... but I get that scene where the wife calls her husband at work in the Incredibles in my head when writing (and reading) the part where Francis says "the work day is officially! over.."

Anyways. I really had fun with the whole plotline of this one. I just thought it was really cute. I'm thinking about maybe rewriting this from Lovino's point of view, because I do have reasonings behind each of his actions and all that jazz.. and I think it might add to the effect of the story. -laughs and shrugs- I'm not really sure though, yet.

Here we go, Alorix, week two finished.

Wanna share your thoughts, criticisms, and compliments?

Well,

Review,

Review,

Review!!