Toni's Lovino's teacher? What?
Chapter Seven
The Love Letter, Johannes Vermeer, 1669-70. Oil on canvas. (Part Two)
(Antonio's POV)
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"Ah, amigos…can you remind me what happened? I can't seem to remember much haha," I laughed and tentatively got up from the ground.
"Man, you don't remember anything? It was such a great night," Gilbert chuckled and mussed his silver hair.
I tried to search my memories again, but everything seemed so fuzzy and shaky and so incredibly faraway. The last thing I remember was maybe the…sixth bar we went to? After that, it's all sort of a blur.
"Well mon cher, after a few bars you finally started to loosen up and you kept tell Gilbert and I, 'I have to go see Lovi, I have to go see Lovi.' Gilbert and I were unsurprisingly very enthusiastic about your idea, so we kept jumping bars that were on the way to his place," Francis paused to look at me curiously. "I'm very surprised you could remember the address in the state you were in last night. I find that a true testimonial to your amour."
I blushed slightly and sat down on the bed. I guess I kind of remember suggesting that. I certainly remember thinking it the whole time; I just didn't think I would say it.
"Well anyway, after the twelfth bar, I believe, we walked into this wonderful building. I handled the lady at the desk, and before you knew it you were in Lovino's arms and Gilbert and I were fast asleep in the living room."
"Oh," I said and reddened a bit more when I recalled more of what happened. "Oh, no. Ay, I was so stupid. Lovi probably hates me." I buried my face in my hands and sighed.
"No, no Toni! I wouldn't say that! He's just embarrassed! Lovino's already so shy as it is. He's probably just a little scared," Feliciano exclaimed and I peaked through my fingers to look at him.
Scared. That sounds familiar. Didn't Lovi say something like that last night?
I-I'm…scared of everyone.
Oh, si. That's what Lovi said. Why would he say something like that?
"Come on mon cher, why don't we join your little Italian in the kitchen?" Francis gestured towards me and I nodded my head in agreement.
As I stood up I caught a glance of myself in Lovi's mirror and I couldn't help but gasp.
"Dios mío! Is that what I look like?" I inspected my hair and it was standing up all over the place. Fortunately my eyes looked pretty normal, but everything else – my clothes – was just crazy. "Ay, haha, I look a bit messy, don't I?"
"Well, no more than usual," Francis said casually and walked out the door.
"Yeah, you're about the same to me," Gilbert added and followed Francis.
I looked back at the mirror and paused.
"Feli, do I usually look like this?"
"Vee~ Si, I would say you do! But that's okay. I think it's cute!" He giggled and glanced past me at something else. Then his eyes glittered and he said, "And I don't think Lovi minds either."
I looked at him in confusion and he motioned behind me with his hand, so I turned around and tried to find whatever it was he was gesturing to.
Oh, the sketchbook!
I hurriedly picked it up and opened it.
After flipping through a few pages I exhaled slightly and breathed, "So that actually happened then?"
"You already saw this?" Feli asked, and I looked up at his face.
"Yeah, well Lovi actually showed me last night," I muttered, and I tried to recall anything else he said.
"Wow, I'm surprised he did. He told me he would never show you," Feli smiled with twinkling, brown eyes.
I laughed half-heartedly and replied, "Haha, I'm sure he only showed me since I was drunk. He probably regrets it."
Feli didn't reply right away, and just filled the silence with a thoughtful hum.
"So, this is Lovi's room, huh?" I said absentmindedly and looked around.
Somehow, this space is so fascinating to me. Now I can imagine where Lovi draws and listens to music. I would say it's a cute little bedroom, but "cute" or "little" don't seem to be the right words. It's actually a rather grand room, with an impressive stereo system, a plasma screen TV, a beautiful wooden drawing desk and rolling chair, and a comfy king-sized bed.
"Wow, it's like a little palace in here, huh?" I laughed and started walking around the room.
"Well our grandpa likes to spoil us. Lovino's room is actually pretty modest compared to mine," Feliciano admitted sheepishly, and I tried to imagine a bedroom even more spectacular than this.
I opened one door, and peaked inside. When I stepped inside the space, immediately all of the lights turned on and I realized I just walked into Lovino's closet. And it was grande!
"All of these are Lovino's clothes?" I asked and heard Feliciano's light footsteps follow me inside.
"They are!" He said and kept quiet as I looked through the different hanging shirts and jackets.
"They're all so pretty," I mumbled and stopped when I saw the jacket I had spilled tomato sauce on.
I held the sleeve between my fingers and replayed the events of that day. I feel like I'm missing something. The whole day went by so fast. The art critiques, Feliciano's worries, and then seeing Lovino a little bit stranger…Ay, I wish I were smarter. It seemed like Francis understood right away. Why can't I?
"Hey Toni, I think I'm going to make lunch for Lovi. Do you want some?" Feli asked and I dropped the jacket at once.
"Oh, sure! That sounds nice!" I smiled and clasped my hands behind my back awkwardly.
Feliciano smiled and skipped out of the room.
I walked out of the closet and closed the door again. I didn't really want to leave his room yet, but I know if Lovi caught me here, I would be in trouble. Ay, I just know it.
Maybe I can just look in his bathroom. If he comes in, I'll just say I needed to use his bathroom. That's reasonable enough, right?
So I quickly veered my path to the bathroom and shut the door quietly behind me.
"Dios mío," I breathed and stared in awe at the place. This bathroom was even bigger than Lovi's room! I took a few steps across the perfect white tiles and looked around the corner. Wow! The bathtub is huge! And the shower seems so complex. There are so many different faucets.
Lovi must be even wealthier than I thought. How amazing.
I walked up to the cabinet over the sink and opened it. Everything seemed rather ordinary inside. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions, face washes, floss, razors, and shaving cream. So I closed it and wandered over to the other side.
Lovi had a variety of nice perfumed shampoos and conditioners; it made me smile how fancy all of his bath things were. There was even one of those spongy things.
Near the shower was another larger cabinet and I opened it too. Inside were some of the regular things – like a lot of extra lotions and body washes – but then there was a rather large collection of first aid things which made me pause. Then without thinking, my hands found themselves searching through them and wondering at the variety of different bandages and gauzes and tapes and wound closures…there was a lot. Next to that were a few bottles of antiseptic, one of them close to empty.
That familiar, tingling feeling returned in my hands and stomach – like the time I first saw Lovi's arm, and when Francis said those things – and I felt like something's off. I just can't understand what it is. I mean, it's not out of the ordinary for someone to have bandages and stuff in their bathroom, right? I don't have some, but I think Gilbert's brother does. And well, he might be pre-med, but I know other people do that too!
But it's not just the bandages though. I can't even explain it. There's just something that feels strange about all of this.
I gave the cabinet one last glance, but I didn't see anything else of interest, so I closed it with a sigh and tried to erase any evidence of me being there.
I took one last look around Lovi's fancy bedroom, then wandered out into the hallway.
As I took my time glancing at the framed artwork hanging on the walls my mind started thinking again. Maybe I'm making this too big of a deal. I'm probably blowing this whole thing way out of proportion. I'm sure Lovi just had some sort of accident when he was little and doesn't like talking about it.
Si, si, that sounds right.
Right?
"Toni! There you are! I was about to come get you!" Feli popped up in front of me and twirled in his blue apron.
"Oh, lo siento," I smiled apologetically and searched for Lovi's face in the room.
I saw him sitting down at the counter like he was that day, his arms crossed over the marble counter, and his molten brown eyes watching my carefully.
"What happened to you, bastard? Did you get lost or something?" He asked, and I saw his thumb rub his wrist automatically.
"Nope! I just needed to use the bathroom and I got caught up smelling all of your nice shampoos!" I lied smoothly and laughed when Lovino's face reddened in a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
"You went into my bathroom? Damn it, who gave you permission to go in there?" He yelled and pounded a fist against the counter.
"Oh, don't worry Lovi! I didn't steal anything, te promeso," I winked and sat down at a stool across from him on the island counter.
Lovino pressed his lips together thoughtfully, but didn't say anything. Then he looked down at his phone and let his hair fall over his eyes.
For a moment I just let him sit there as he aimlessly scrolled through the phone with his thumb. It didn't seem like he was actually doing anything. He was probably just trying to ignore me.
All the same I liked watching Lovi be. It was interesting to watch the way his face was when he wasn't scowling at anyone. His long eyelashes brushed against his tan face, and his lips weren't twisted in a scowl, but just thoughtfully pursed. He really was quite beautiful. There's sort of a darker, more alluring beauty to him than his brother. And I find it rather fascinating.
Briefly he glanced up, and I met his confusing, gold eyes for half a second before he turned his chin down again, and shielded himself with his bangs.
I wish I were a better artist. Then maybe I could show him what I thought of him. Alfred has a talent for that. But I'm not as skilled with pencil or paint the way he or Lovino is.
I've always liked photography though. I wonder if that's a way for me to capture Lovino.
"Oh, yeah Toni. I'm just warming up some of the lasagna Lovi and I made yesterday. Is that okay with you?"
I turned around and saw Feliciano setting the table with pretty white plates.
"Of course!" I said easily, and saw Francis and Gilbert had already moved from the kitchen and were lounging in the living room again.
"How long do you plan on staying here, bastard?" Lovino asked quietly, and I caught him blushing again.
"Ah, well I don't really know. I guess you probably have things to do, huh?"
Lovino bit his lip then said a little more forcefully, "Of course I do damn it! I don't just lay around eating churros like you probably do. I have to draw…and stuff." His voice trailed off and he curled his fingers near his mouth and looked away.
"Yeah, I thought so," I answered with a soft smile, and stared down at the counter. "A-actually Lovino," I started again on impulse, and stopped when Lovino turned around as wide-eyed as I probably was. "Um, maybe we can hang out sometime. You know, like…outside of school." I finished lamely and stared at him hopefully.
Honestly, I don't even know what I was asking. Was I asking Lovino out on a date? Or was this more like a friend thing that Francis and Gilbert suggested? I can't even tell!
I think Lovino was trying to figure out the same thing I was because for the longest time (at least it felt like) he just looked at me, and his eyes darted around my face – I guess searching for some deeper motive that I may or may not have.
As his face started heating up, I could feel mine was too, and it made out awkward eye contact that much more awkward; but for some reason, neither of us had looked away yet so we just kept staring at each other.
"Uh," Lovino started, and I held my breath in anticipation. "I – well, um, i-is this like a…teacher thing?" He asked and flicked his eyes down shyly.
"I, uh, I didn't mean for it to be," I answered honestly with a quick laugh. Then I added hurriedly, "Unless you wanted it to be, of course!"
At that Lovino furrowed his eyebrows and looked back at me.
"W-Why would I want that?" He asked passionately, and stopped when the last word left his mouth. Quickly, he continued, "I just – I already have to deal with enough of you as a teacher at school. I-I don't think I could handle more of that outside of school."
"Oh, okay," I replied, and caught Francis and Gilbert smiling in our direction briefly.
Gilbert waved his hands encouragingly and Francis mouthed something urging me to continue, so I clenched my jaw and tried again.
"So…maybe we can like hang out as…strangers?"
"Strangers?"
"Oh, wait. That's not what I meant," I clenched my eyes shut and frantically searched my find for the words I wanted. What were the words I wanted? Friends? Lovers? What?
"You know, you're a lot more suave when you're drunk," Lovino commented, and I looked up a bit surprised.
"Really?" I asked, and tried to understand Lovino's reddening cheeks.
"W-well, for a stupid bastard like you anyway," He clarified and tapped his fingers against the marble.
I figured I had once more chance to ask this, so I clenched my fists and leaned in closer.
"Do you think we can just hang out Lovi? And then I'll figure out what we are," I tried to keep my eyes level and set my mouth in a less-goofy, more serious type of smile.
Another blush made its way over Lovi's cheeks, but he didn't look at me for long before he retreated his hands from the counter and set them in his lap.
"Fine…As long as we don't do something stupid," He mumbled, and I grinned ridiculously anyway.
"Aw, Lovi! Gracias! I promise we'll have fun!" I exclaimed and leaned over the counter.
Lovino immediately retracted and bent his back as far away from me as possible.
"F-Fine. I get it! Just stay back!" Lovi frowned, but I saw his cheeks were still that adorable shade of red and I couldn't help but smile anyway.
"Aw, Lovi! Are you two going out on a date?" Feliciano cooed and both Lovi and I turned around to see him sitting down at the table watching us.
"It took a few falters mon ami, but you finally got there. We're so proud," Francis said, and Lovi and I whipped around to see he and Gilbert watching us too.
"Yeah, man. Even if you lose your job, it'll be okay. Maybe you can join my band and we'll make it big," Gilbert added with a chuckle.
"Oh, thank you," I said nervously as I felt Lovino's energy grow considerably more violent in the past few seconds.
"God, you guys are such…idiots!" Lovino yelled and stomped out of the kitchen.
"Lovi, wait!" I shouted after him, and kept on his heels as he made his way back to his bedroom.
To my surprise, Lovi did wait, and he stopped against his door to turn slightly in my direction.
"Um, we should decide what to do!" I said and saw Lovi flush another shade of red.
"Alright," He replied hesitantly, and I grinned automatically.
"Would you like to go to Central Park?"
"What would we do in a park?"
"I don't know. There are lots of things," I answered awkwardly and saw Lovino's dubious frown. "Or we could go see a Broadway play!"
Lovino laughed lightly, and I felt my entire body go light at the sound. I forgot how even more beautiful he was when he laughed! For once his eyebrows weren't crossed, and his lips were turned in a reluctant smile.
Eventually, Lovino managed to twist his lips down, and say, "I doubt you can afford that. Let's just go to the dumb park."
Lovino turned around to open his door, but something came over me and I grabbed his arm to make him face me. Maybe just from sheer surprise, Lovino let spin him around, but then I was left with the problem of what to do.
Ay! I wanted to kiss him, but now I don't know if I should! I mean, I am his teacher after all, right?
Then I made the mistake of looking into Lovino's eyes again, and for once they weren't angry or confusing – for once I think I'm able to read them quite clearly, and, call it my Spanish impulse, but it felt like he wanted me to kiss him.
Who cares about being a teacher anyway?
I quickly grasped the back of Lovino's head with one hand and his back with my other, then leaned down to his smaller frame and kissed his lips passionately. Lovino's lips were soft and delicate, and I could feel the slight fear as he tentatively pressed back. His hands wouldn't move from their place at the door, but I didn't mind. The very fact that Lovino would let me kiss him at all made my heart so incredibly full to bursting.
I could tell Lovino wasn't comfortable kissing, so after a few moments, I pulled back far enough away so that I could look at him. His eyes were sparkling and dark, and there were so many emotions running across them I couldn't tell what he was feeling anymore. But the light blush over his cheeks, and the slight gape to his lips made me feel as if he wasn't entirely displeased so I smiled lovingly.
"Ah, lo siento mi querido. I probably should have saved that for the park," I chuckled, and retreated my hands back to my sides.
Lovino didn't say anything and just kept looking at me with this strange, intense glare.
"Don't apologize, it makes you sound like an idiot," He said evenly and twisted the door knob to his bedroom.
Before he could dive into his bedroom, I made the third impulsive move of the day to grab Lovi's hand and stop him from leaving just yet.
I suppose now's my chance to be romantic, right?
So with a smooth smile, I kiss the top of Lovino's hand and say, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
Lovino flushed perhaps the darkest red I've seen yet, and snatched his hand away.
"W-whatever," He muttered and slipped away into his bedroom. Before he shut the door completely however, I caught another glimpse of his face, and he mumbled, "S-see you later."
He slammed the door loudly, but I didn't mind. Actually, I barely heard it over the sound of my heart.
Maybe...Lovi does like me?
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Ah, short chapter. I'm sorry. But it's kind of short and sweet? In a sweet/fluffy kind of way? Argh - at least we made actual progress! That's a thing! And I want to update soon, so hopefully I won't leave you in such an awkward place for long.
In any case, thank you so much for reading! Reviews are welcome!
Til next time :D
