Still In Love
I do not own Hetalia or parts of The Parent Trap that I used
Chapter Four: Nobella Prize Plan
"Hi Antonio," Lovino said shyly. Antonio grinned.
"Hi Lovi." Lovino's face flushed darker.
"How've you been?" he asked but Lovino shook his head and sat down on a chair, Antonio sat opposite him.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not here to...do whatever it is the girls are hoping. I'm here to switch them back. Noella said that she wants to see me and Elisa regularly and vice versa so I was thinking they can come to your house for Christmas and-" It didn't seem possible but Lovino's face became a shade darker as Antonio sandwiched his hand between his.
"Lovi, you know you haven't changed." he said smiling. Lovino gulped. No, not this, I can't let this happen.
"Ne-neither have you." he replied simply, trying to get his hand free.
"Don't do this Lovino, don't push me away again."
"It's for the best!" Lovino snapped, tears now threatening to fall. "You and I both know it will only result in me getting mad at you or doing something else horrible. Let me go!" he wrenched his hand free and stood up.
"If you're not going to handle this the sensible way, I'm leaving. We'll arrange the meetings through call, I'm flying back with Elisa tomorrow morning."
"But-"
"Shut up!" Lovino shouted, attracting unwanted attention from onlookers, he gasped as Antonio had that painful hurt expression he wore every time Lovino said something too harsh. Lovino gulped and wrenched his eyes away, unable to look at him directly. There was an awkward silence between the two before Lovino finally opted to leave.
Elisa and Noella, who was looking at them from afar sunk in their seats sadly.
"It's okay," they said together. "We still have plan B."
"Girls you can't be serious, stop this right now." Lovino said huffing. His two daughters had just came into his room wearing the exact same dress.
"Well, we think you should reconsider your decision," Elisa chimed.
"Yea, come on Dad! At least do one more thing for us, just one! Then you can happily go back to Rome with thoughts of seeing the awesome me again." Noella said, grinning.
"I don't need you to tell me what to do, I can tell you apart myself." Lovino glared at them and they immediately started spinning.
"Well Dad, I don't really think you can tell us apart." Noella said, acting out her sister perfectly.
"Papa tried earlier and you know, he gave up rather quickly and he said he'll do what we want." Elisa added, grinning broadly. Lovino sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"One thing, just one."
The twins cheered and brought their hands together in a victorious double high five. Sighing again, the brunette sank into one of the chairs in his room.
That evening the twins led their parents into a taxi who were requested not to ask questions and follow them to somewhere blindfolded. Lovino grumbled as Antonio sat expectantly. Noella sat in between them while Elisa sat in the front seat. The journey was rather long and no one spoke until the car stopped.
Noella paid the driver then helped Lovino out of the car. Elisa helped Antonio. They were all dressed comfortably, with plain t-shirts and shorts. Lovino felt a cool summer breeze ruffle his hair as he breathed in the sultry smell of the sea. The girls finally took off the blindfolds.
"Taa daa!" they said together. Antonio and Lovino opened their eyes into their daughter's' smiling faces and saw that they were at the Madrid Beach. What was a normally crowded area was now totally empty as the sun started to set slowly. It was where the picture was taken.
"We heard that a certain couple had their wedding and honeymoon at this part of the beach where it's reserve-able so we pooled our savings and reserved it." Noella said proudly. Lovino raised an eyebrow.
"Alright fine, Grandpa Rome chipped in his savings too but it doesn't matter right now. We'll tell you who's who after you walk from here all the way to that table and have a nice meal." Elisa said cheerfully, pointing to a small dinner table a few meters from them. Lovino sighed.
He walked next to Antonio, his heart hammering painfully. They said nothing as they walked side by side, hand in hand because Noella and Elisa insisted. The water was calming as it came and left rhythmically.
"Do you remember that day Lovi?" Antonio said after a while. Lovino felt a smile tugging on his lips. Of course he remembered that day; it was the happiest of his life. The day they got married. How he would give anything to return to that time, the music and the dancing and most importantly he was not his irritable self that made Antonio hurt. They were approaching the table faster than Antonio had hoped. He stopped walking and turned to Lovi.
"Remember our song?" he asked, grinning brightly. Lovino couldn't help but smile. Antonio started humming 'Island in the Sun' it and swung Lovino's arms back and forth in an invitation to dance. Lovino fought his grin but he smiled happily after a while and chuckled. His laughter was like music to Antonio, so rare and so beautiful.
"I don't even know why you chose that song, we're not even on an island." Lovino said, eyes lit. Antonio smiled and continued humming. He brought their bodies closer and danced. Lovino gave in to that smile. He rested his head on Antonio's shoulder and let his body be guided by him. I missed this, I missed you. His heart said painfully. Lovino shut his eyes tightly to prevent the tears from spilling. His heart hurt from the influx of contradicting emotions swirling around it. They didn't stop dancing until the sun set all the way down. Lovino gasped as he looked around. It was dark and the only source of light was from the candles at the dinner table and the thousands and millions of stars above them.
"Aren't they beautiful?" Antonio said, staring into the auburn eyes he knew he could never get over. The stars were reflected in his eyes.
"Antonio, we need to go. Let's just have dinner and they'll be satisfied. We'll discuss when and who will be coming over for what when eating." Lovino said quietly and he moved away from Antonio's grasp.
"But, Lovi I thought…" he trailed off as Lovino sat on the table and looked at his food intently. Katyusha had just filled it with soup a couple of minutes ago so steam was still rising off it. Antonio was crestfallen.
He too sat down at the table, although a lot more reluctantly.
"Lovi…" he began but Lovino was resolute this time.
"No bastard," his voice cracked as he swallowed his tears in. "Just eat…"
Antonio felt the familiar wave of pain spread throughout his body from his heart once more as he forced Katyusha delicious tomato soup down his throat. It was the same pain he felt months after he and Lovino divorced. He still felt them from time to time but Noella made the pain easier.
"You can have Elisa during Christmas since your family is smaller. My father and I can just go to Feli's for the holidays. I'll take Noella for the summer, you'll be busier then and summer in Rome is more beautiful." Lovino mumbled plans that Antonio did not pay attention to. Instead, the taller man was trying to enjoy Lovino's presence, no matter who painful it was, he would cherish this as a memory.
They ate in complete silence afterwards and only spoke to thank Katyusha who came with more food. Noella and Elisa wanted to ask what was wrong when they met them back at the road but their pained expressions rendered them speechless. The family of four and Katyusha returned to Antonio and Noella's home. Their bags had already been transported there by Adrian and when they got there Lovino was met with some unexpected news.
"You're going on a trip?!" He asked exasperatedly. Adrian and Katyusha had just told their employers they were planning to go on a weeklong trip to another part in Spain. The two had become infatuated with each other since spending the afternoon at the pool and were now what most people would call, sickeningly in love.
"Don't you think it's a bit fast?" Lovino tried, shocked.
"W-well, I may not be coming back, it's good to just live in the moment sometimes Sir."
As Lovino was drowning in temporary sorrow, both Adrian and Katyusha gave the twins the thumbs up. Their brown eyes lit up with new fire as they returned the gesture with mischievous grins.
"Come on Lovi, just stay another week, what's the harm." Antonio said happily, a little too obvious about his intentions.
"Don't call me that!" Lovino hissed, his face red.
"Noella and I want to stay together for longer too! And we also want to spent time with you too!"
Lovino looked as if he wanted to say something then, realizing defeat sighed and just went inside the house without saying anything. Antonio and the girls high fived then followed Lovino into the house, all three with grins on their faces.
"Let's cook for Dad and Papa!" Elisa said, once she saw the kitchen. "I want to try teaching Noella how to cook!"
"I'll try not to explode anything." Noella said scratching the back of her head.
"It's okay, I'll help you." Elisa said brightly, making her papa chuckle.
"Alright little chefs, what are you going to make?"
"Ooh, let's make some eggplant parm." Noella said, almost drooling.
Lovino grumbled but after the mention of his favourite food he agreed to sit and wait with Antonio while Noella and Elisa cooked. The two parents sat in silence, Lovino refusing to talk. When the kitchen started to fill with the sweet smell of baked eggplant Antonio and Lovino went to the kitchen to eat.
"God bless your cooking skills dear sister," Noella said, taking a bite from her plate.
"Mmmh," Antonio relished in the bite, a goofy expression on his face. "You make it just like Lovi does." He said and took another large bite. Lovino flushed deeply and stuffed it down his throat to avoid talking. Elisa grinned with a pink face at the many praises and enjoyed the small lasagna she made for herself as she disliked eggplant.
Lovino couldn't help but smile at the scene, it was just as he imagined, so warm and bright.
"Girls, after you eat, brush your teeth and go to bed, it's late." He said, finishing off his last bite.
Noella pouted and refused but unwillingly did so when Lovino glared at her. The twins gave their parents a kiss on the cheek each and when they left, Lovino picked up the plates to wash them.
"Lovi, why did we split up in the first place?" Antonio asked suddenly, making Lovino stiffen. "And none of that vague stuff you always say, I want some good reasons." Lovino sighed as he walked over to the sink and dropped the plates in. He tried to fight down a blush as he answered, his back towards Antonio.
"You know I can be harsh with my words sometimes and because of that, y-you had a really hard time living with me. I didn't believe your love for me and to this day I still wonder why you did."
"Why I do," corrected Antonio and enjoyed the fresh tomato colouring flushing over her dad's face.
"S-shut up, don't lie. It's been thirteen years."
"Thirteen years of me thinking about you and Elisa. Everyday of my life, Noella reminded me of Elisa and her personality reminded me of you."
Lovino gulped down a lump of saliva.
"I've…thought a lot about you and Noella too." Lovino mumbled, his blush reaching his ears. Antonio smiled.
"Lovi, I have somewhere I want to bring you, will you come with me?"
Lovino looked away but Antonio walked over to him and placed a hand over Lovino's.
"Please."
The shorter brunette followed Antonio down to the basement. Its door creaked opened to a musty room with bottles lined neatly in racks.
"Wine?" Lovino asked, blushing as his hands were still held tightly in Antonio's.
"My private store," the Spanish man replied.
"For you to drink with that Frenchwoman of yours," Lovino mumbled under his breath but Antonio caught it.
Antonio smiled.
"Jealous?"
"D-don't count on it asshole." Came Lovino's immediate reply but Antonio just laughed. They continued walking and when they got to the corner of the room, there was a small box that looked as if it was cleaned regularly. Antonio opened it and took out a bottle.
"I've never drank this with anyone, I only make one type of wine here."
He rubbed the label, revealing –insert some wine here-
"Want some?" Lovino nodded meekly, his face flushed.
Antonio poured some glasses and handed one to Lovino. They drank silently until Antonio reached out his hand to caress Lovino's cheek. The latter choked on his sip and flushed darkly, trying to stay calm.
"You're so beautiful," Antonio whispered and before Lovino could stop it, his lips were on his. He whimpered in the kiss, feeling weak in his knees. The kiss escalated into something more passionate, more desperate. Lovino had no choice but to put his glass down as he ran his fingers through those chocolate brown locks he loved so much. Moaning slightly, Antonio set his glass down too and placed his hands on Lovino's waist, pulling him closer.
"I can handle it," Antonio said through a kiss. "I don't care what you call me or say to me because I know you don't mean the bad things."
When Lovino didn't say anything he continued.
"Back then, when we were dating I felt that you were moving further away from me, I don't know why I thought getting married would make it better. I was so happy when we got married though, I thought he's finally all mine but when it started to go downhill, I made the same mistake of assuming that adopting children would make it better. Although I don't regret one bit that we adopted those beautiful girls, I think by that time our relationship just couldn't handle it anymore…"
Antonio's eyes glistened with tears. "I'm sorry but, please stay with me, please. I can make any sacrifice you want." He pleaded, hugging Lovino tightly while burying his face in the small shoulders.
"Shut up idiot," Lovino growled, though the ill intent behind it was lacking. He pulled away from the embrace and placed his plams on both of Antonio's cheeks. He had finally realised why he was running away, why their relationship wasn't working. He understood now.
"This was the problem, what was wrong. You said you'd do everything for me but I don't want that. You need to stop assuming things like I can't compromise, I can Toni, and I can try."
"And I, I can't imagine life without the girls, both of them. And now…You."
Antonio couldn't help the new wave of tears from spilling from his eyes.
"I-I love you," Lovino breathed out, Antonio smiled broadly before diving in for another kiss.
"I love you too, mi tomate."
Lovino could only chuckle at the nickname before becoming entangled in another passionate kiss.
Sounds of bird chirping fluttered through the windows. It accompanied the light sunrays that shone on two lumps on a bed, sound asleep. Lovino stirred but couldn't move out of the tight embrace he was in. He blushed as he came face to face with a strong tanned built chest that belonged to Antonio. It was rising and falling gently and Lovino leaned closer, enjoying the calming heartbeat of his lover.
"Good morning mi amore," came a deep voice from above. Lovino's face became a shade darker.
"Good morning bastard,"
"So sweet so early in the morning," Antonio cooed and shifted his body to engulf Lovino into a tighter embrace and the lighter brunette felt cloth. Antonio was wearing pants and so was he.
"Did…Didn't we do it?" Lovino asked, too embarrassed to look at Antonio.
"Mmm, we did. You were so sexy~" Antonio cooed, giving the Italian small kisses down his neck. "I put our pants on in case the girls stumble in." Before Lovino could say anything about it however, the door burst open.
"Good morning my dear fathers!" Noella greeted cheerfully, a large grin on her face. Elisa was behind her, also smiling.
Lovino, shocked beyond words, acted on instinct when he kicked Antonio out of the bed.
"G-girls! Why are you up so early?!"
"Oh my god! Papa are you okay?" Elisa asked concernedly, rushing over to her papa. But Noella just grinned more broadly.
"I, Noella the Great, woke up early to tell you all that our Nobella Prize Plan has succeeded!"
Elisa burst out laughing with Noella and her papa while Lovino sat in bed, mortified to the point where his chest was also red with flush.
"Come on Lovi, just give in." Antonio said through chuckles and he scooped Elisa up while Noella jumped on the bed. All three of them engulfed Lovino in a big hug and showered him with kisses before he couldn't contain the happiness. Tears spilled out of Lovino's auburn eyes as his family grinned. Lovino grinned and sniffed, and for the first time since the twins had seen him, his face resembled the shining portrait of him in front of the beach.
A/N: Well, that's it! Hope enjoyed the story.