Two in one day :D I'm so proud!
I'm not rushing into things, right? I always feel as if I'm moving too fast.
It's not as if I don't know what I want to do with this story...I just don't know how to get there...WHY AM I GETTING WRITERS BLOCK IN ONLY THE 2ND CHAPTER!? DX
I feel a difference between the first chapter and this one...
The beginning of this chapter hurt. This whole chapter hurt. (Spamano is one of my OTPs)
But then the nice NedSpa fluff made it all worth it
ACK! THE FLUFF. THE CHEEEEESE.
Ah, Antonio. I hate when people say he's just an oblivious idiot. There's so much more to him than that.
And my headcanon is that Daan is totes a sweetie-pie-cutie-patootie to things/people he lo-
*cough*
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. Or Treasure Planet. Or Alex Ubago.
Chapter 2: Confessions and Karaoke
Antonio was briskly walking to the abandoned classroom that he and Daan shared. It was like their top secret hide out. Antonio chuckled at the thought. His teacher had let the class out ten minutes early for lunch since they had finished their lesson early. He all but ran out of the classroom.
Antonio reached the room he liked to call "Secret Tomato Base."
Daan argued, saying that if it was a secret place, the name shouldn't be so obvious.
"It should be more undercover, like 'Rabbit's Den.' That's mysterious. 'Meet me at the rabbit's den.' No one would know what the hell you're talking about," he had said.
Antonio smiled at the memory and entered the classroom and was about to sit when he heard voices.
"This way."
"I don't think this is a good idea...What if the teachers get mad?"
"Don't worry about it."
W-Was that...
Lovi and Femke!? Antonio thought. He had a moment of indecision. The voices were too close for him to leave with out being seen. He really didn't want to be discovered, either. The voices were almost at the door. Quickly, Antonio grabbed his bag and jumped into the storage closet at the back of the classroom and closed it, leaving only a tiny sliver open. Just as he closed the door, Lovino and Femke entered the class. The two looked around before Femke turned to Lovino.
"Okay, so what was so important that you would bring me to an abandoned, dirty, gross classroom?"
Antonio grimaced. It wasn't that bad. Daan was a complete neat freak. Antonio and him had actually cleaned the place up a little. Antonio held back a sigh and continued peeking out of the door. Lovino looked nervous. Antonio quickly guessed what he was going to say.
Oh God, I don't want to be here.
He instantly regretted his decision. He would rather face an awkward confrontation, than have to witness this. Antonio looked down at his lap.
He didn't want to listen. He didn't want to love Lovino. Funny how for both, he didn't really have a choice.
"W-Well...uh...um...Femke, I...I've l-liked you for a really long time, and I was, um, wondering i-if you wanted to...y'know...go out?"
It was silent. Antonio swore he could hear his heart breaking.
"What about Antonio?"
What!? Antonio's head snapped up and he saw the red tint in Lovino's face drain to white and his sheepish, embarrassed expression melted to anger.
"A-Antonio?! What does this have to do with Antonio!?"
Femke looked confused. "Doesn't he like you? Antonio's a good friend, Lovino. I don't want to hurt him."
Antonio couldn't believe his ears.
"What the hell makes you think that?! Antonio doesn't like me! We're just friends. Even if he did, I don't like him! I'm not fucking gay! Just because he practically emits rainbows and glitter, doesn't mean I do!"
"Are you sure, Lovino? It's pretty obvious by the way he looks at you."
"Bullshit!"
"The eyes are the window to the soul." Lovino ready to punch something. He took a deep breath and then calmed down.
"I'll prove it to you. Antonio is not gay and he doesn't like me."
Femke looked flabbergasted. "What are you going to do? Demand that he becomes straight?! Or tell him just to act normal? You can't do that!"
"Then what do you want me to do!?" Lovino grabbed his head frustratingly.
Femke took several deep breaths. "Just...don't hurt him..." Lovino sighed. He walked forward and grabbed her hand.
"I'll talk to him, okay?" Femke nodded.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Femke looked up at Lovino.
"Yes." They hugged, then left, holding hands.
Antonio was already half-dead by now.
Or at least, wishing he was.
Daan entered the classroom. It was empty. Strange. Antonio usually got there first. Daan walked to the either end of the room thinking about the weird thing he saw. Femke and Lovino, holding hands. What was even stranger, was that it seemed like they were coming from the empty classrooms at the back of the school. Daan was so caught up in thought, that he barely heard the sniffling coming from the closet. Then there was a small sob. Daan looked up. He walked to the closet, and began to open the door. "Anto-"
"No!" Antonio threw himself at the door, keeping it shut. "D-Don't come in." Daan listened to Antonio's muffled voice inside the closet with slightly wide eyes.
"Antonio," he began again,"you're...crying."
Antonio didn't speak.
"Why?" Daan asked, though he thought he had an idea. He knew about the Spaniard's crush on Lovino, though it wasn't really something he worried about. And now he saw Lovino holding hands with his baby sister. Hmm. That was something he should worry about.
When Antonio didn't speak, Daan sighed and walked to sit against the wall next to the closet. "I'm not going to force my way in, but it would be nice if you came out of the closet."
"I can't! I can't come out of the closet! Lovi will hate me!"
"What? I meant come out of the closet literally, idiot."
"...Oh..."
"...?"
"...No!"
Daan sighed. "At least tell me what happened."
Antonio released his grip on the door. He swallowed. "...they came in this classroom. I don't know why. They could've used a different one. I heard everything. He confessed. But then she brought me up. They argued over me. Then they officially became a couple and hugged. They left...that's it..."
Antonio didn't use any names, but Daan knew who he was talking about. Daan sighed. "I'm sorry." A muffled sob came from the closet. "I'm here, Antonio. Always have been, always will be." Antonio nodded, though Daan couldn't see it. It was silent for a minute, then the closet door opened and Antonio came crawling out. His eyes were puffy and red, his eyebrows were furrowed, and a trembling frown was on his face.
Daan and Antonio stared at each other for awhile. Then, suddenly, Daan held out his arms. Without missing a beat, Antonio surged forward, wrapped his arms around Daan's waist and reached up to grip his shoulders. He tucked his head into Daan's scarf, where his neck would be. Antonio began to softly sob. Daan wrapped his arms around Antonio,and rested his chin on Antonio's head.
"Don't cry..." Daan murmured.
Antonio choked out a laugh. "I'm confused, Daan. First you say to be upset if I feel upset, and now to be strong."
Daan snorted. "It is confusing, huh? Maybe what I'm trying to say is that being strong is different from hiding behind a smile. It's difficult to word."
Antonio hummed in agreement. "Maybe you're feeling too much."
Daan's eyes widened. Then he chuckled. "Yes. I think I am."
Especially around you.
They stayed like that, until Antonio was calm. By that time, lunch was over. Antonio guiltingly apologized for his behavior. Daan told him not to.
"I'm here because I want to be, not because you're making me."
Antonio chuckled. "Behind all of that indifference, you're a really caring person aren't you?"
Daan shrugged. "Only with certain people. Two, actually. One is my sister."
He liked to think that the pink tint of Antonio's cheeks was not from rubbing tears away.
Antonio looked down. "Gracias," he whispered. They both separated, returning to class.
The day passed quickly. It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining, yet it wasn't too hot. Students hurried to the doors of the school, happy to be freed at last.
"I have a great idea!" Antonio heard as he approached were Femke, Femke' s best friend Elizabeta, Lovino, Francis and Daan were standing. Antonio caught Lovino looking at him with a slight glare, as if was expecting to be pounced. Well, he was in for a surprise, then. Antonio ran and jumped Daan from behind and wrapped his arms around Daan's neck. Antonio let himself enjoy Lovino's shocked expression, while Daan look unaffected, as if having Antonio on his back was the most normal thing in the world.
Maybe it is. Daan is my closest friend now.
"Hola~" Antonio smiled at everyone. "What was your great idea, Femke?"
Femke, who was busy looking between her brother and Antonio, jumped slightly. She smiled. "We should go to the karaoke house!"
There were murmurs of agreement. Antonio nodded. "That does sound great!"
Elizabeta clapped. "Okay! I'll invite some more people! How about we meet at Rome's Karaoke House in an hour, kay?"
Everyone nodded, and the group disbanded.
Antonio giggled and turned his head towards Daan. "Karaoke, huh? Sounds fun~"
Daan still managed to shrug with Antonio's weight on his shoulders. "I guess. If your idea of fun is embarrassing yourself in front of a crowd. I'm already leaning towards staying home."
Antonio pouted. "You have to go! It won't be fun without you! I...," Antonio's frown deepened, "I need you there..." He said in a small voice.
Daan groaned inwardly, and hesitated.
"I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Daan." Antonio said nothing else, looked Daan in the eyes and put his pouty face on full blast.
"That's cheating."
Antonio only stared.
5. 4. 3. 2-
Daan sighed. "Fine. But I am not singing."
Antonio laughed. "Great~"
Daan was about to complain, but decided the smile he was awarded with was worth the suffering of karaoke.
At was the decided time, and the group of friends were entering the karaoke house. It was owned by Lovino and Feliciano's grandfather, which got them a nice discount. Everyone called him Rome. He was cool, and loved to live life, which was part of the reason he opened the place. You were never too young or too old to have a good time. (The other reason being that he enjoyed hitting on younger women)
Rome's Karaoke House was a restaurant with a stage that held microphones. There were spotlights illuminating the stage and a giant disco ball in the middle of the room. Flat screen tv's were spread around the restaurant to ensure that the audience could see the lyrics of the song they were singing. A cool feature was the tv's would also show the translation of foreign songs, so everyone can understand and enjoy themselves.
Once everyone was inside, the kids spread to sit at tables, get drinks and order food. Eventually everyone was settled. The kids were quietly mingling while people took turns singing. Antonio took the time to look around. Elizabeta was scolding Gilbert while Roderich watched in content, until Elizabeta started to yell at him, too. Alfred and Matthew were cheering for Arthur, who was currently singing on the stage about an American Idiot. Berwald, Tino, Matthias, Lukas, and Emil were sitting and chatting. Feliciano was dragging Ludwig and Kiku to the stage to sing a trio. Rome was flirting with Femke, much to Lovino's annoyance. And Antonio was sitting between Francis and Daan in one of those one bench/booths facing the stage. Daan was reading, so Antonio turned to Francis. "Are you going to sing Francis?"
"I was banned." Francis smiled.
"What?!" Antonio asked, shocked. "How!? How do you get banned from karaoke!"
Francis smirked. "I was singing 'I'm too Sexy' by Right Said Fred. Well...let's just say things went a little too far." He winked.
"Wow..." Antonio said as he looked back to the stage where a very embarrassed Kiku and Ludwig, and very happy Feliciano were singing.
"What about you, Antoine?"
"Hm? Me?" France nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! You must sing! The heavens blessed you with the voice of an angel! You have to use your gift! Show these...amateurs the workings of magic! The voice of Antoine! Ah! My heart throbs with the yearning for your music upon my ears!"
Antonio raised an eyebrow and flicked a french fry at Francis. "You're so dramatic. I'll sing later."
Francis helped and tossed the fry away. "You'd better hope that didn't stain my name brand blouse, Toni."
"Yes, yes. I'm shaking in my boots." Antonio giggled and stood. "I'm gonna go get a refill."
"You shall not pass!"
After struggling with Francis for awhile, and then struggling again when Gilbert joined the jump-Antonio-party, Antonio managed to escaped to the soda machine. He was refilling his cup, humming the current song playing to himself.
"Antonio."
Antonio stiffened and didn't move, causing too much soda to fill the cup and overflow.
"Ah!" Antonio quickly moved the cup poured some excess soda out and replaced the lid of his cup before finally turning to face the person behind him.
"Lovino."
Lovino's eyes widened at the lack of Antonio's annoying nickname. He shrugged it off.
"We need to talk."
Lovino wanted to go somewhere private, so he led Antonio to the pantry where Rome kept his ingredients. Antonio followed reluctantly.
"Are we allowed in here? What if Rome gets mad?"
"Just don't touch anything. God, you and Femke have no guts." Antonio winced remembering how he might've sounded like her.
"I don't think this is a good idea...What if the teachers get mad?"
Antonio shook the memory away. "Well? What do you ne-"
"Do you love me?"
Antonio grimaced. "You're...pretty straightforward, huh?"
Lovino frowned. "Answer the damn question."
Antonio looked down. "What if I did?" He whispered.
Lovino breathed out. "What?"
Antonio looked up, more confident. "What if I did?" He asked louder.
Lovino was shocked, then he laughed. "You're an asshole for messing with me like this. You're joking, right?"
Antonio didn't answer.
"R-Right?"
"I'm not. Or at least, I wasn't."
"What the hell? You actually-no way! I don't..."
"Stop denying it, Lovino. You heard me."
Lovino regained his composure. "Femke was right."
"Femke..."
"Listen, Antonio. You can't. I need you to stop."
"Stop!? You act as if I can just magically change myself!"
"Why can't you?! If you loved me, you would at least pretend, so I can get the girl of my dreams!"
"Wha-That's unfair! You know it!"
"Femke doesn't want to hurt you!"
"And this doesn't hurt!?"
"I never asked to be dragged into your feelings! I can't love you back, stop expecting so much from me!"
"I never expected you to love me in return! All I have ever wanted was for you to accept it! For you to appreciate my feelings and respect them! Not trample all over them!"
"W-Well-"
"You know what, Lovino!? I'm starting to realize that it isn't worth it. You're mean! And cruel! You only care for your own good! You hurt those who care. All my life, all I've been is a nuisance. A burden. You don't give a damn about me or my feelings! T-That's why...I don't even think I love you anymore!" Without a second thought, Antonio turned and fled from the room. "G-Good!" Lovino called after him, but he wasn't listening.
Antonio ran back to the table, where Daan was reading by himself. He ran up to the booth and slid in next to Daan, who had looked up from his book.
"Wha-AGH!"
Antonio reached forward and yanked the scarf of Daan's neck and quickly wrapped it around his own head, and placed his head on the table.
"What the hell, Antonio?" Daan rubbed his neck where the friction of the scarf had burned him. "What was that abou-" Daan stopped when he heard sniffling. He sighed.
"You sure have been crying a lot today."
"I knoooow!" Antonio sobbed. "I'm s-sorry. I'm trying to stop, but I c-can't!"
"Hm."
"I'm d-done with Lovino. I t-talked to him a-and...it - I can't. H-He - so mean - I don't!"
"What? Okay, calm down." Antonio nodded and Daan waited until all he could hear was the occasional sniffle. Antonio raised his head and unwrapped the scarf from his face. He handed it to Daan.
"Here you go, gracias."
Daan nodded. "What happened, Antonio?"
Antonio sighed. "I don't know. It's too much. I can't explain it. I can never explain." Antonio dully watched Tino singing with Berwald. Huh, Berwald unexpectedly had a nice voice.
"Voice...words..." Antonio murmured. Suddenly, his eyes brightened with an idea. He turned to Daan. "I know! I'll sing it."
Daan raised an eyebrow slowly absorbing the idea. Suddenly, he burst out laughing. Antonio jumped, startled.
"W-What!?"
Daan relaxed into a small smile. "You're a walking cliche, Antonio."
"..."
"What?" Daan's smile turned back to a frown, becoming defensive.
Antonio smiled sheepishly, "Your laugh is kind of beautiful."
Daan stared at Antonio, stunned.
Antonio's face flushed and he hurried on, "I-I mean...um...I'm gonna go sing now bye bye!" Antonio ran off.
Antonio flipped through the song catalog. It wasn't long before he found the one that suited his emotions most right now. He sighed and walked towards the stage. He was singing a song from the Spanish version of one of his favourite childhood movies: Treasure Planet. He walked onto the stage and sat on a stool that was in front of the microphone. Everyone was chatting calmly, not paying to much attention to Antonio.
Just the way I like it.
The first chords of the song played and Antonio took a deep breath, calming himself. Singing always gave him a strange excitement. He felt free when he sang. He could be himself, with as much emotion as he wanted. He began, soft and smooth.
"Soy la pregunta del millón
Siempre la interrogación,
No respondas que sí porque si."
Antonio opened his eyes and looked around. As he began singing, everyone grew quiet. He noticed some looking at the tv screens for translations. He had their attention now.
"Y qué, qué podrías tu decir?
Si yo no te voy a oir,
No me entiendes..."
Antonio stood and held onto the microphone stand, getting more lost in the music. He looked around and made eye contact with Lovino.
"...Y nunca seré lo que esperas de mi..."
He knew that Lovino knew what he was saying. Lovino knew enough Spanish.
"Jamás ya me vas a conocer
Niño y hombre puedo ser
No me uses y apartes de ti..."
Antonio looked away from the now red faced Lovino and looked across the crowd again, making eye contact with anybody and everybody.
"Y vi cómo alguien aprendió
Lo que nadie le enseñó,
no me entienden,
No estoy aquí."
He raised his arms and sang to everyone in the room.
"Y yo solo quiero ser real
Y sentir el mundo igual que los otros
Seguir siempre así.
Por qué yo tendría que cambiar?
Nadie más lo va intentar
Y no entienden que
Sigo aquí"
This time, Antonio looked at Daan, who had put his book down and was staring right back.
"Y tu ves lo que ellos nunca ven
Te daría el cien por cien
Me conoces y ya no hay temor.
Y yo mostraría lo que soy
Si tu vienes donde voy
No me alcanzan si eres mi amigo mejor."
Now he sang to himself, for himself, with all the emotion he could muster.
"Qué sabrán del mal y el bien?
Yo no soy lo que ven
Todo el mundo durmiendo y yo sigo soñando, Por que?
Sus palabras susurran mentiras que nunca creeré.
Y yo solo quiero ser real
y sentir el mundo igual que los otros,
Por ellos por mi.
Por qué yo tendría que cambiar?
Nadie mas lo va intentar
Estoy solo y sigo aqui
Solo yo
Estoy aqui
Sigo aqui
Sigo Aquí..."
The song slowly faded, and everything was quiet. Then there was clapping and cheering, standing, whistling and even a few watery eyes; a standing ovation. Antonio stood on the stage with a smile. It was strange how certain things could touch a person's heart, even if they don't understand it. He wasn't all that amazing at singing, but he loved it with a passion and he put emotion into every syllable and note. Maybe that's what made music so beautiful, no matter what what language it's in.
Antonio bowed and walked of the stage. Everyone quieted and returned to their seats, calming down. The evening carried on. Antonio returned to the table where Francis and Daan were sitting. Francis smiled at him.
"Truly amazing, mon ami, truly amazing. You have a gift." This time Antonio smiled and thanked Francis, who went to go rejoin Arthur, Alfred and Matthew. Antonio chuckled to himself and slid in next to Daan. "So?" he asked.
"You're a great singer, and yes I think I understand." Daan replied.
Antonio sighed. "Lovino...really was special to me. I realize that he is still my friend. I don't want to be angry with him on the last year of high school, you know. I want to make up with him. It's true. Since I loved him, I wanted him to be happy, I still do, and Femke is that happiness. I won't get in the way of that."
Dan nodded. "That's a very kind, mature decision."
"Thanks." Antonio smiled. "I am still very angry though, so I'll talk to Lovino later on, when we've both cooled down."
Daan chuckled softly. "That would be wise..." he grew serious. "So do you love him still?"
"Of course," Antonio responded absentmindly. "I won't get over him overnight. I know what's best now, though, so it'll be soon. It's already less, but it's still there. After all this, I will still love him, it'll just be in a normal platonic way." Daan nodded in agreement.
"Well, you have many friends supporting you, alright?"
"Yeah, thanks." Antonio smiled.
Antonio lay back on his bed at home and thought about the day. It certainly was interesting. He thought about what he'd say to Lovino so they could be friends again. He'd have to think hard over that one. Lovino wasn't a very forgiving person, but Antonio would try, for Femke and for Daan.
Link for the song and an english ?#/watch?v=_1KdbfGIu2k
4:03 in the morning. Sooo tired. Sorry for any errors.
Goodnight, or actually good morning~
*collapses and sleeps*
