A/N: Hmm. I'm sad. :( I don't know why, but I just feel so sad. These past couple of days have been both good and bad, I'm not feeling well with the headache and stuff. :( I hope writing this chapter will cheer me up. Spain and Romano made their debut! This chapter is dedicated to the Italy brothers :D
Rating: M for language and suggestive themes.
Main Pairing: USxUK
Side pairings: GiriPan, RoChu, FraNada, GerIta, SpaiRoma, DenNor, SweFin, and others.
Ares--Arthur/England
Heracles/Hercules--Heracles/Greece
Zeus--Francis/France
Apollo--Vash/Switzerland
Artemis--Lili/Liechtenstein
Athena--Elizaveta/Hungary
Dionysus--Feliciano/N. Italy
Demeter--Katja/Ukraine
Poseidon--Ivan/Russia
Hermes--Lovino/S. Italy
Hephaestus--Berwald/Sweden
Hestia--Natalia/Belarus
Hades--Lukas/Norway
Warnings: M-rated contents, and language. Some stuff are made-up, plots based on Grecian myths. This story is purely fiction.
Chapter Seven: Mesmerized
Hermes swore he would kill his bastard of a little brother for getting him into this mess.
He was on a duty, for Zeus's sake, in fact he was supposed to have arrived in Hades's palace by now, but the news about his retarded little brother went missing without a trace had reached his ears earlier on his way to the Underworld. He had always known Dionysus was slow in the head, he had a short attention span and often wandered on his own, getting lost in his way or forgetting his works altogether when seeing festivals or lively events and the like nearby. He wouldn't miss it for the world and would go straight there without a second thought. But to go completely missing on a duty without even calling him first? That wasn't normal. Hermes had to return to Olympus as soon as he heard the news. He had abandoned his duty as a messenger just to check if the news had been correct.
And after he had gotten home, his cell rang and Dionysus had been as cheerful as ever as he greeted his older brother across the line, "Hermes! I have found a new love!" and Hermes had replied with a tone more annoyed than he had ever been towards his silly younger brother. "What the fuck did you mean by love, you little wine bastard! You're supposed to go on duty not date! Where the hell are you? What are you doing?" And when the cheerful God of Wine tried to explain to him shakily, in a careful tone as not to make the older more angry, but after he did, the Great Messenger of the Gods snapped.
"Sweet fucking motherfucker Zeus! What the fuck are you doing!" He had exclaimed in great rage, berating and scolding at the poor younger God until he was out of breath, then ten minutes later he had flown out of the Olympus in his winged sandals, and declaring. "I'll bring home your sorry ass, Dionysus!" And then he flew towards the human world in the speed of a lightning. On his way, he called on his father to tell him he wouldn't be able to finish his job on tim, but the damned old man just gave him another headache-inducing task.
He threw on the most uncomfortable clothes he had ever worn. The suit was too tight, it bit into his skin the moment he wore it. It was leather, a goddamn leather. Why in the hell of all suits, Hermes just had to wear a one piece leather suit. He looked like a fucking motor-GP racer he watched last week! Goddammit. He didn't have the time to pick his disguise and he pick it out randomly, before flying off to the human world. Why the hell that suit got into Athena's disguising clothes closet was beyond him. He had a suspicion it actually belonged to the Goddess, by how tight it was around his rather slim figure. He thanked that his size was almost the same as Athena's, else he would have to go buy another one in the mall, and while wearing his traditional Grecian garment like a loony. Just great.
And he wondered just how on earth a clever God like him could be twisted on the palm of an idiot like Dionysus so easily, when he had been the one who tricked Apollo centuries ago.
With irritated sigh, Hermes slammed the public restroom door open without bothering the looks on other people's face as they stared at him. He went to the parking lot, where he had parked his tortoise shield that was transformed into a big red bike. If he was going to look like a racer, might as well going all out. Clicking his tongue, he hopped on the bike and started the engine. Then he rode off to the streets with a speed that should've been fined, if only the cop could catch up with him. He skillfully and shamelessly avoided other cars and things on the road, uncaring of the siren and call the patrol shouted at him. Hermes was the Messenger of Gods, for heaven's sake, speed was his job.
He twisted and turned, avoided obstacles and entered the wrong roads, ignored the traffic light and caused traffic jams and a few minor accidents, he even went as far as riding on the pedestrian's walk. Thankfully, no one was injured, because the bike was supposed to be a shield. Hermes had made sure his bike was incapable of hurting humans, though he didn't know about the traffic. The plaza his brother was talking about was just around the corner. Speeding up, Hermes sharply turned on a corner. He took sight of a small parking area just in front of the plaza and the restaurant rows, he parked his bike and glanced up at the many billboards of the restaurants.
Now what was the name of the cafe that stupid Dionysus told him?
Hermes was reluctant, but decided to just screw it up and check every nook and cranny to seek out his idiot little brother. He got off of his bike, randomly slammed open the door of a random cafe despite the 'closed' sign hung right in front of the door, while shouting out in an earsplitting voice. "Is my stupid little brother here?"
He looked around and found a very confused brunette wearing a white apron who halted the rag he was holding to wipe a wooden table in the middle of the room. Hermes glared at him, and the brunette stared confusedly at him. There was exactly ten seconds of awkward silence between the two, before the brunette raised his voice to break it. "Ummm… we're not open yet." He said in low, hesitant voice.
"Are you that German fucker!" Hermes spat out demandingly as he strode towards the brunette, taking a tight grip at the front of his white apron and shirt. "Where the fuck do you hide my brother? What the hell have you done to him!"
"I have absolutely no idea of what you are saying! I don't know your brother!" The brunette responded, the rag fell to his feet as he lost his grip on it in confusion. Then he quickly added. "And besides… I am Spanish!"
Hermes raised a disbelieving eyebrow. He glared straight at dark brown eyes, slowly trailing his gaze down to his neck and chest and arms. He looked rather skinny and short, though just about the same height as him. Then he suddenly recalled Dionysus told him that his new, so-called 'love' was very tall and muscular, had blue eyes and short, but tidy blond hair, and a scary face. He remembered it because the younger God went on and on about him for a full ten minutes and just wouldn't shut up. But the mortal in front of him was nothing like he described.
"Fuck, you're not him." Hermes released his grip roughly. Damn that Dionysus, he made him get onto the wrong guy! It was all his fault! A hand went through chestnut colored hair in frustration.
The Spaniard coughed lightly, caressing his neck. He glanced at the frustrated God, tilting his neck in curiosity. "Hey… by German, do you mean the German brothers who owned the Italian restaurant next door?" He hesitantly asked.
Hermes snapped his head at him. "It's gotta be him. Where's he?" He asked menacingly.
"I don't know. They usually take a day off on Mondays. Both of them live a bit far away from here, but I don't know where exactly." He shook his head.
"Damnit. Dionysus lied to me. He's trying to protect that bastard." Hermes grumbled, furrowing his eyebrows. The he turned to the Spaniard. "When are they going to be here again?" He asked.
"Umm, I think they'll open the restaurant tomorrow morning. The younger brother's diligent, so he'll be there early, around seven I think." The Spaniard said, bending his back to pick up the fallen rag.
Hermes rubbed his chin, deep in thoughts. "…I got only less than two days to slack off. I've to go back and deliver the dead spirits to the Underworld quickly before they escape the cage… dammit, that bastard just makes things harder for me! What should I do?" He pulled a chair and flopped down onto it, resting his elbow on the wooden surface as he pondered with a hand supporting his chin.
The human Brunette only stood and watched silently at the pondering God, unsure what else to do.
Then Hermes suddenly lifted up his chin, a look of realization hit him as he turned to the Spaniard. "I'm gonna stay here until they get back." He declared.
The Spaniard seemed reluctant. "Uh, sure. go ahead. I'm just… going to open the place anyway…" He said, before quickly adding. "But please… stop threatening people at random. It's not good for the business, so…"
"I get it, I get it. I won't do it again. I'll be invisible until I get my hands on that fucker. Go and do your job or anything, I don't care." Hermes sighed, staring off into the empty space.
The Spaniard sighed in relief. "Okay then…"
Hermes waited without a sound. Only the ticking clock filled the silent space. He was bored, an he had been trying to call Dionysus many times, but the little fucker didn't answer his calls. He probably did it on purpose, Goddammit. What on earth was he thinking? Abandoning his duty for a human? Hermes knew Dionysus's main job was to spread merriment and joy and he didn't have to work all that hard, unlike Hermes who had to go back and forth between Olympus and the Underworld. Of course he had his fair shares of human lovers, but nowadays Hermes was too engrossed in his job to have one at the moment.
His job made it hard for him to spare some time for lovers. It was a job with no vacation whatsoever, else the world would be filled with roaming dead spirits who couldn't go to the Underworld because Hermes the Messenger didn't do his job. He was always busy and almost never at home. And Dionysus just had to screw it even further. He gritted his teeth as he looked up at a clock hanging on the cream-colored walls. Forty minutes had passed. He wondered if Hades had gotten tired of waiting him. The guy was cold and cruel, but he was actually quite patient. No wonder he could put up with the constant nagging of his two messed up brothers; Zeus and Poseidon.
But he was certain even Hades would snap if he took his sweet time too long.
Hermes's train of thoughts was disturbed when a bowl of red liquid, some dried bread, and a clear glass of water was placed before his eyes. He blinked.
"It's on the house, since you look so bored." Came the voice of the Spaniard who owned the place. He smiled at the God who only stared at him back with an eyebrow raised in question.
Then he lowered his gaze towards the red soup that emitted such an appetizing smell. "…what's this?" He asked, taking the spoon and stirring it a bit.
"Tomato soup. It's my specialty."
Hermes stared at it, swallowing hard. He remembered he hadn't eaten anything since he was too preoccupied in thinking of kicking a certain German's ass. Without even a word, his stomach gave away his hunger. And he blushed in embarrassment at the noise he made. The Spaniard only chuckled. "Try it, it's better when it's still warm." He persuaded.
Hermes hesitated. He stirred the spoon a bit before lifting it, thick reddish soup dripped from the spoon. He gulped again, then slowly leaned closer with his mouth puckered to blow on the still steaming soup. He shut his eyes and clamped down his lips as the head of the spoon entered his oral crevice, then the spoon slid out of his mouth. Tasting the soup, he swallowed it down his throat.
Hermes blinked.
"It's…" He gaped, staring at the soup with eyes filled with disbelief and amazement. "It's so… good!" He exclaimed, not believing of what he had said. Then he proceeded taking another spoonful of the soup and putting it in his mouth. He swallowed. And then did it over again, dipping the dried bread in and chomping on it vigorously. "What the hell is this? Why is it so good? Zeus! It's… it's heavenly!" He exclaimed as he sped up his eating pace.
"I'm glad you like it." The Spaniard laughed. A blush crept onto his shy, happy face. Hermes halted the spoon as soon as he took the sight of his smiling face, eyes fixating at him.
"Oh, do you want another?" The Spaniard offered, eying at the already empty bowl.
Hermes was suddenly pulled back to reality, "Huh? Oh yeah, I'll pay for it." He absently said, staring at the man's face as the Spaniard took the empty plates onto the tray.
"Thank you, it'll be ready in a few minutes." The brunette smiled politely, he turned on his back and was about to go to the back kitchen, when suddenly Hermes caught a hold on his arm. He turned at him with wide eyes, the God was staring at him with strange gleams in his eyes, he didn't seem to be aware of what he was doing. "Is there anything else?" The Spaniard asked.
Hermes finally realized what he had done, but strangely he didn't want to let go of the mortal man just yet. "…name." He murmured, still looking at the perplexed man.
"Yes?" The Spaniard didn't seem to heard it well.
"What is your name?" The God asked more clearly.
He looked taken, the Spanish man went quiet. His eyes shifted from the floor to the young God again. "It's… Antonio. Antonio Fernandez Carriedo." He told him without thinking.
"…Antonio…" Hermes released his grip. The Spaniard subconsciously caressed the spot it was grabbed at. "Antonio… your cooking is delicious. I'll remember you. I'm--" He hesitated. "I'm Lovino Vargas."
Antonio smiled. "Well, I'm very happy to hear that you like my cooking, Mr. Vargas."
"No. Not Mr. and not Vargas." Hermes quickly said.
"It's Lovino. Call me Lovino."
"Um… you don't have to do this for me."
The brunette glanced at the hesitant German, two big bags filled with groceries and cooking ingredients were stuffed into his slender arms. They were so big and fat, Ludwig doubted Feliciano could see what was in front of him. Though he didn't seem having much difficulty, the bags fitted perfectly in his arms without having to readjust it and he was carrying them while humming cheerfully. He wondered where the smaller man got that that strength, he didn't seem very strong and yet he was. Even Ludwig had difficulty in adjusting another two weighs in his arms, stopping occasionally to prevent the corn cans from falling from the top of the pile.
"It's alright. I can do it just fine." Feliciano had assured him again, and he wasn't lying. He was capable of handling them better than Ludwig do.
"But this is for the restaurant… you're a costumer. I can't let you do that." Ludwig tried to reason. But the Italian (Ludwig assumed he was from his accent and name) just shrugged.
"I want to do it, and besides, I want to spend more time with you." He flashed that ever-charming smile at the German again, rendering his will weak.
There his bluntness went again. Ludwig didn't know what to do or say when Feliciano said or did something so unexpected and bold. He had verbally and practically claimed he was interested in the German (in which Ludwig had absolutely no idea why he did), and had been following Ludwig on his own accord, whether the German liked it or not. Honestly, Ludwig felt very confused. It was the first time someone had acted and treated him this way. No one had ever openly told him they were interested in him, the scary tall guy who had been mistaken as a criminal countless of times, much less in that way. He wasn't exactly opposing same-sex relationship, but he had never been into nor interested in that. But he strangely didn't mind Feliciano clinging onto him.
Why was that? He had yet to understand. It might had something to do the the man's personality and actions that were completely the opposite of his own. After all, opposite attracts. And Ludwig couldn't help but to feel attracted to the Italian, although not in that way. He was actually glad that there was actually someone who could look at him without being scared, his older brother aside. Feliciano was like an odd friend. And he actually enjoyed being with the guy. Ludwig secretly smiled.
"S-since we're nearby the area, why don't we go to the restaurant to drop these off so we won't have to carry it around all the way to my house?" Ludwig suggested, turning at the brunette.
Feliciano suddenly went pale. "N-No! I'm fine, I really do! I can carry these to your house just fine! I-I can make it!" He said in hurried tone, strangely glancing back and forth at their surroundings.
Ludwig rose a curious brow. Why was he suddenly panicking? "If you say so…" He said, deciding not to press the matter.
The God sighed in both relief and exasperation as the German walked ahead of him. He knew his older brother Hermes had begun searching for him at the plaza. His cell had been ringing since a little while ago, so his guess must be true. If Hermes met Ludwig now, Dionysus could just imagine what horrible things his brother would do to the mortal. And he would drag him back to Olympus and make sure he couldn't meet Ludwig again, if the man was still alive then. He had just realized it was a big mistake to tell him about what had happened. Dionysus shook his head.
No, he mustn't think of negative things. He knew Hermes loved him, he was sure he could make him understand! Juts not now. He had to wait until Hermes calmed down, and then he could start explaining things and maybe even introducing the German he was seeing. Yes, until then Feliciano had to make sure Ludwig and Hermes didn't meet. At all cost. Feliciano heard his name was being called by a stuttering voice, and lifted his gaze to see the German was waiting for him ahead of the road. It seemed like he had stopped on his track without realizing.
Feliciano wore a bright smile as he ran towards Ludwig.
"I'm coming!"
As long as he avoided meeting Hermes, everything would be fine, right?
TBC
Some notes:
1. Hermes once tricked Apollo in giving him his cattle willingly with a lyre. He is known as a deified trickster. There are lots of other stories about him tricking other Gods and Humans alike.
2. Hermes's job is to guide the dead to the afterlife/underworld. He also helps travelers and blesses them safe journeys. He can travel to the Underworld without difficulties.
3. Three Great Gods who are also blood siblings: Zeus the King of the Gods, Hades the God of the Underworld, and Poseidon the God of the Sea.
A/N: So… just to make sure, do you want it SpainxRomano or RomanoxSpain? I don't really care about positions and I can even make them both. . Just asking for your opinion.