"Kiku, is that you?"

A cheery voice sounded from just outside the front of the cafe. Soon after, a smiling Feliciano came out from around the corner. He smiled sweetly and excitedly, maybe too excitedly.

"Oh my gosh, paisano I'm so glad you made it! It feels like forever since I last saw you, and—"

Feliciano looked up at Alfred, and back down to Kiku again, now with a suggestive look on his face.

"You two, you know, how do you say… fottere, no?"

Alfred titled his head like a confused cat, and Kiku just raised an eyebrow. As if an alarm had gone off, Ludwig appeared out of seemingly nowhere to explain.

"He think's your dating. And nice to see you guys again, it's been a while."

Ludwig was tall, but shorter than Alfred nonetheless. He had very light blonde hair, and very light blue eyes, even a symmetrical face. Kiku often thought about how that was possible, but he never came up with a solution. Feliciano on the other hand was short, but not as short as Kiku. Brown-Red hair and a terrifyingly positive outlook on everything. The only person who could actually read him was Ludwig. Kiku thought, if soul mates really did exist, they were a prime example.

"Oh, well, no… And nice to see you too, congratulations."

Kiku smiled daintily with the last few words, and Alfred smiled as well, not really wanting to say anything and ruin the moment. Whatever that moment was. Feli gestured for them to follow him to the table, and Ludwig followed closely behind. The tables were set simply with white cloth, and a flower vase at each setup. But, that was nothing compared to the rest.

Most of the seats were outside, on a balcony overlooking the water. A few people had already made it to the restaurant before them, but it was mainly family. Gilbert, Ludwig's brother sat at one side of the table in a deep conversation with Antonio. Antonio was Feliciano's Brother's boyfriend. At least that's what everyone thought, but nothing was ever official. Lovino was Feli's brother, who was always mad at something. But that was just him, and everyone loved him anyways. Finally, Eliza and her ex boyfriend, Roderich. They were just as good as siblings to Feli and Lovi. Family friends. Eliza had become friends with Gilbert as well, in a weird, love hate kind of way. But that was just their family. It was messed up, chaotic, and strange, but it was oddly welcoming and kind at the same time. The Beilschmit's and the Vargas's, a european pot of crazy people.

Alfred recognized his old college roommate anywhere. Gilbert and him were pretty similar, and got along well. Kiku on the other hand knew everyone there, but didn't really fit in enough to talk to anyone.
As much as he enjoyed their company, he felt alone. As a child, people told him that someone would be able to open him up one day. Once he got past thinking that they meant that literally, and that someone was going to tear his chest open, he shrugged it off. Loneliness was not a big deal. But in a situation like this, in a time like this, maybe it wasn't something so easy to shrug off. Staring into space, he felt a very light tap at his shoulder.

"Kiku? Yeah, I knew it was you… Nice to see you again."

A warm smile greeted Kiku as he snapped out of his daze.

"Matthew, I didn't see you here, I haven't seen you in too long,"

Matthew sat down in the chair next to him and agreed. More and more people began to arrive until the table was full of about 13 people. Or maybe more. Everyone was too busy to count, after all, it was a special occasion.

"Oh if it isn't lil' bro!"

Alfred loudly addressed Matthew, messing up his hair like a 12 year old would. Matthew slapped his hand away and looked up at his brother, standing behind Matthew's chair.

"Yeah, hi Al. Sorry if you minded me talking to your boyfriend for a moment, I thought, ya' know, cause you were talking to mine…"

Matthew's tone got strangely darker and more sarcastic. As if they were about to get into a verbal fist fight. But they stopped, and laughed at each other.

"We're not dating, got it?"

"Whatever you say, asshole."

Kiku watched as if it were a nature documentary. When he did speak up, his voice was still quiet and unsure.

"Wait, did you say you were dating—"

Matthew made some loud noise that sounded like a trumpet to cover up what Kiku realized. Then he leaned closer to Kiku and whispered.

"I dont think Al realized I said that, so lets just be quiet about that, yeah?"

Matthew looked incredibly embarrassed, so Kiku agreed easily. Matthew was so nice, but even with his quiet nature and kind words, Alfred just seemed to stand out. Sometimes Kiku wondered if that ever effected them as kids. The thought of it made him laugh, but filled him with concern as well. Was he in favor of someone? Maybe it was just him who thought that. If that was the case, there was a lot to be afraid of. He hoped, he prayed he wasn't falling for Alfred Jones, of all people.

— — —

foterre: fuck/screw

paisano: homie/bro/friend

same message as last time
review, favorite, and questions .com
Thanks!

-kevin