Loving a Stranger
Chapter nine: If You Don't Take a Risk, You will Never Love ~By: Francis Bonnefoy
(A/N: As the title suggests, this chapter is in Francis' POV)
"Lovino Vargas might think he has gotten rid of us, but what he doesn't know is that I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," I muttered, shoving the key into the lock, twisting it until I heard a distinct click. I smiled and pulled the key out and returned it to the safety of my pocket, turning the door knob and pushing the door open. I was alone this time around, for Gilbert had gone gallivanting off with Elizabeta for another date- those two were so adorable. Lovino would be at work until six, so I had an hour to get what I was looking for and slip away.
I entered the quiet house and crept towards Lovino's room with a wide grin on my face. He would most definitely kill me for breaking into his house, but it wasn't my fault he never took that extra key away from me! And I was doing him a favor!
I entered the elder Italian brother's room and looked around. If I was Lovino, where would I keep my love letters?
Somewhere hidden, somewhere normal people wouldn't go through. I spotted the drawers of the cluttered desk and smirked.
I quickly opened the first drawer, which was filled with a neat stack of papers. "Ah-ha!" I murmured as I recognized my friend's handwriting all over those letters. Well, Toni deserved credit for persistence, I noted as I scanned them. Not once did he forget to express his love, he never gave up on begging Lovino to write him back. It was clear to me that the Italian was giving him the cold shoulder, but he had kept all the letters, so he wasn't completely blowing him off. "That boy confuses me," I muttered with a shake of my head.
That was when I saw it, a folded paper at the bottom of Antonio's letters. Curious, I picked it up and examined it. Hey! This is Lovino's handwriting! Alright, I am definitely reading this! I thought with a smile.
Oi, Tomato Bastard,
You wanted me to write you back, but dammit I'm not going to send this to you! I'm only writing this to figure things out for myself, so if you end up reading this, you and your asshole friends have been getting into my things. I will find out too!
I just...have some questions for you, bastard. I tried ignoring them, but they keep tugging at the corners of my mind, so I'm just going to write them down and hope for the fucking best. You claim to love me. My question is why? Why the hell do you love me out of all the people in the world to choose from? You could have anyone if your mind to it and flashed them your damn smile. Why me? I treat you like shit, you do realize that don't you? You know I'm far from cute, I'm not sweet, I'm not a nice, lovable person like my brother. There is nothing good about me! What the hell do you see in me?
This isn't just a lie to get me to treat you better, is it? Because I swear, if it is I will kill you and stuff tomatoes up your ass. Because whatever you're up to, it will not work, got it?
Lovino Vargas
I couldn't help but smile as I read Lovino's letter, remembering our misadventure the night before. Deep down he wanted to trust Antonio, I knew he did, but the past was holding him back- he was scared. "This is something Antoine needs to read," I figured. "That way he can answer Lovino's questions and put an end to these ridiculous doubts." Lovino will be beyond pissed, but when is he not? This is for the greater good.
With that, I shoved the letter in my pocket.
My phone starting ringing suddenly, causing me to jump slightly as I pulled it out. Why did people insist on calling when I was in the middle of- My eyebrows shot up at the recognition of the caller I.D. as I hurriedly answered the phone.
"Arthur!" I said as cheerfully as I could for trying to keep my voice hushed. "Whatever did I do to deserve a call from you, mon cher?"
I could practically hear him frown at me. "Shut up, you bloody Frog," he huffed. "I would have called someone else if I could, trust me. Listen, I need you to do something for me-"
"Oh honhonhon," I chuckled with a smirk. "There are many things I would do to you."
Arthur must have been in the middle of drinking something, for he suddenly choked and started coughing. "I said for me, you idiot!"
"I see no importance in that small detail," I whispered as I leaned back in my chair. "So what do you need? Me to drive all night to get to your school so I can-"
"Shut the hell up!" The Brit interrupted before I could get detailed. "And actually I do need you to- say, why are you talking so quiet?"
The smile on my face quickly vanished. "Oh. Well, I may or may not be sneaking into Lovino's house to look through Toni's letters..."
"You're doing what?! Francis, that's illegal!"
"It's not like I'll get caught," I protested. "Would you care if my pretty face was behind bars?"
Arthur bit out an awkward laugh. "Not in the slightest, you git. Now tell me why you're sneaking around again?"
"For love!"
"That doesn't give you the right to snoop about."
"But scientists always use 'for science' to gain access to everything!"
"That's because they're professionals," Arthur scoffed.
I smirked. "I am a professional! Just you wait and see, Eyebrows: Antonio and Lovino will become the most adorable couple- second only to us of course," I added with a wink I knew he couldn't see.
"Gah! Wanker, I should honestly just hang up on you I swear!"
"You're not denying anything!" I sang.
"I hate you so much. Now listen, you were actually right for once."
"Excusez-moi?"
"About the whole driving over here thing. I kind of need you for something..."
I had never been more confused in my entire life. Arthur wanted me to go to his college, which was located a good seven hours away, and for what exactly?
"I'll explain later," was all he said. "You can bring Gil and whoever else. Just hurry...please."
That was strange too; Arthur never, ever said the word please to me. Whatever this was about, it had intrigued me. "Alright," I submitted. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
After he hung up I quickly dialed Gilbert's number, hoping he would pick up. "Francis, what the hell?" He hissed after the third ring. "You know I'm out with Elizabeta, don't you?"
I huffed dramatically. "I need you to pack some clothes for today and tomorrow. Arthur called."
Gilbert didn't seem to understand the urgency in my voice. "So what? We don't have to go running every time he calls. What is this unawesome thing about anyway?"
"I have no idea..." I said truthfully.
"Ha! That was a great joke, Francy-Pants, but I'm seriously busy right now!"
"Gil!" I insisted. "Do one thing for me, alright? It was my idea that got you and Lizzy together in the first place! You at least owe me this! And you can take Elizabeta along with us!"
Gilbert paused and talked someone- my guess was Lizzy- for a moment. "Fine," he submitted. "We'll go."
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!"
"Merde..." I whispered.
"Wait. Was that Lovino in the background?" Gilbert questioned.
I glanced at the shocked and pissed of Italian standing at the door and waved to him. "Oui. I have to go. I'll pick you two up in half an hour."
I hung up and smiled. "Hello Lovino!" I said cheerfully.
His eye twitched slightly. "How the hell did you even get in here?"
"Um...the extra key?" I mumbled sheepishly.
"Now I know you are a fucking creeper," he accused, holding out his hand and forcing me to give up the key. "Tell me why you're here, bastard."
I had to think of something before he realized all of Antonio's letters were not in their drawer but on the desk in plain sight. "I came here to tell you to pack up! We're going on a little road trip!"
Lovino shook his head. "No way in hell. I will not get into the car with you and that other bastard for who knows how long." He grabbed my collar. "Now get out before I-"
But the more I thought about bringing Lovino along on our excursion, the more I liked it. What better way to bond than to be stuck in a tiny car for hours upon hours? I suddenly shot up so quickly Lovino lost his grip on my shirt and fell promptly on his ass. "Non!" I exclaimed. "You must come with us! If you do not, then I would love to send this to someone!" I ripped the letter out of my pocket and watched as the Italian paled from his place on the floor.
"How the fuck did you get that?!"
I chuckled. "Relax chéri. It's not like this is a love letter, unless of course it is. Then you might be in some trouble."
Lovino pounced, but due to our height difference, I was able to hold him back. "Ti odio, you fucking snail-slurping bastard!" He shouted. "Give it back right this instant!"
"Not until you pack up your bags and get into the car." Lovino stopped attacking me and huffed. "Where the hell are we going anyway?"
I smiled. He had said we, and that was a good thing. "To Yale University; we are going to pay our dear Arthur a visit."
"I have work tomorrow," he said lamely.
"You don't even work on Sunday," I pointed out.
He glared at me for a moment, then sighed tiredly. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll fucking go. But I'll tell you one thing: I'm going to make sure you regret everything."
"Why the hell are we going to listen to this entire thing again?" Lovino griped from the passenger seat, crossing his arms tighter as he slouched lower.
I shot him a sideways glance as I turned up the volume, smiling as the introduction to the musical Les Misérables started to play for the second time. "Because it's-"
"Awesome!" Gilbert exclaimed from the back seat.
Lizzy rolled her eyes from her place next to her loud boyfriend. "I would have said something along the lines of glorious, or outstanding, but that works too."
"But we already listened to the hour-long soundtrack," Lovino complained, glaring at me. "I already had to endure you and Elizabeta belting out every single song while Gilbert did some lame ass background crap and acted like he was crying every two seconds. Can we listen to something else?"
I sighed in submission and turned off my music. "Fine. Put something on."
Lovino smirked in a malicious way as he plugged his phone into the audio and searched for a new selection.
We had already gotten one hour under our belt; it was nearing eight pm and the sun had set long ago. We had barely endured a fast food restaurant- well, Lovino and I hardly survived, but Gilbert and Elizabeta hadn't seemed to mind. We had listened to the entire deluxe version of the Les Misérables soundtrack, the couple in the back had gotten into a rather heated debate concerning 'I Dreamed a Dream' and 'On My Own', and that brought us to the present.
Lovino's music wasn't bad, some obscure yet not untalented band that had Gilbert rocking an air guitar like it was his life's purpose, and I even caught the usually grumpy Italian singing softly. "You have a beautiful voice, you know," I noted. "Why do you hide it?"
Lovino blushed and jerked the plug out of his phone, putting an abrupt end to the music. "Shut up, bastard," he muttered, shielding his face with his sleeve. "My voice is far from beautiful."
Things settled down after that, and we listened to the lulling sounds of the car. After a while I heard soft snores coming from the back, and when I glanced in the rear-view mirror I saw Elizabeta curled up into Gilbert's chest, sleeping peacefully while her boyfriend laid sprawled across the seat, an arm draped over her shoulders, his mouth wide open and his lips twisted into a smile.
I brought my eyes back to the road for a moment, then sneaked a glance to my right. "You awake, Lovino?" I whispered, not wanting to wake up the sleeping couple behind us.
The Italian stirred and turned away from the black window, glaring at me. "I am now bastardo."
I chuckled softly, knowing he hadn't been sleeping to begin with. "He's not messing with you, you know," I said.
Confused eyes blinked up at me, tints of hazel were illuminated by the headlights of oncoming cars. "Huh?"
"Antonio," I said simply. "I read that letter, and I can assure you that I've never seen my ami so in love in my entire life."
Lovino stared at his lap, probably blushing to the tips of his ears. "You shouldn't have gone through my things, you nosy bastard. And I'll have you know that I don't give a shit about that tomato."
Another lie, and this time I was going to address it. "If that was the case, why did you write that to begin with?" I challenged.
"I just...I wanted to...I just wanted to ask some questions, dammit! Is that illegal?" He snapped, jerking his head back up. "All my fucking life I've only heard people say that kind of crap to my brother. Feliciano is the cute one, the one everyone loves and adores, and I'm just a lazy, rude disappointment. So when Antonio suddenly says he loves me..." his voice nearly gave out for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. "...wouldn't you be suspicious too? If I don't care I won't get hurt. Simple as that."
I risked taking a hand off the steering wheel to rest it on Lovino's slightly trembling shoulder. "You can trust him," I said firmly. "He would never do anything to hurt you." He sniffed softly, but didn't respond.
"And also," I added as an afterthought. "If you never take a risk, you will never love. And that is a fate even worse than pain."
We woke up the next morning in our hotel room in New Haven Connecticut, only a few minutes from Arthur's school. I didn't know why, but I was nervous. As we made the short trip to the University, my heart pounded so hard I feared the others would hear it. But Lovino was preoccupied with his headphones, and Gilbert and Lizzy were lightly bantering, so I was safe with my thoughts.
Why does Arthur want me here? I wondered. He isn't normally so vague.
I decided to get answers, so I called up the Brit. "Hello?"
My breath hitched subtly at the sound of his voice, but fortunately no one caught it. "Bonjour, Arthur. We're in New Haven..."
"Oh, really? How close are you?"
"A couple minutes, mon cher. Now listen, why exactly did you want me?"
The was a pause on the other end. "I- uh...alright..." He stuttered. "Some of the lads and I went out to get a drink and...well you know what happens when I get drunk, I always blurt out something stupid and it comes back to haunt me. So I said some things involving you and now I have to prove myself. Simple as that."
My brows were furrowed. "That wasn't simple at all," I complained. "What did you tell them?"
"You'll find out soon enough. I'll be out front, alright?" Came the mysterious reply.
"Uh...sure..." Then the line went dead.
We soon arrived at Yale University, and found Arthur at the front like he had said, pacing a bit and chatting with a few guys who were with him. I set aside my worries and slid up to him, smoothly wrapping an arm around his waist. "You called me, so I flew to you," I said dramatically, in hopes of making him bristle and turn red like usual.
But this time he actually leaned into my touch and nodded to the strangers, who I noticed all bore different shades of red hair and matching green eyes- brothers most certainly. "Well chaps, this is my boyfriend Francis."
My jaw dropped and I heard Gilbert suddenly shut up behind me in a 'say what?' manner. I was going to ask the same thing, but Arthur looked at me with his emerald eyes silently conveying the message, 'just go with it.' A smile spread across my face. I was so taking advantage of whatever this was. I leaned over and brushed his cheek with my lips in a light kiss, feeling the skin grow warm at my touch.
Arthur squirmed and pushed me away. "Fro- er... Francis, not here!" He stammered, blushing.
I chuckled and winked. "Don't worry, mon amour, I'll save it for later," I whispered before turning to the others.
"What he said is true, I am his boyfriend," I announced with a smile, managing to get an arm around Arthur once more. "Francis Bonnefoy, at your service." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gilbert with his jaw nearly on the ground, Elizabeta with her camera pointed right at us, and Lovino standing off to the side with a bemused look on his face.
One of Arthur's friends, the one with a more orangish tint to his hair, smiled and stuck out his hand. "Woah. When Artie told us he had a hot French boyfriend I thought it was the alcohol talking, but you're actually here!"
I felt the Briton tense and glanced over at him, noticing how he lowered his head in hope that his messy honey-colored locks would hide the dark red flush on his face. "S-shut up Conner," he huffed. "Of course it wasn't the alcohol talking!"
I raised an eyebrow at him, a playful grin on my lips. "So you brag about me, mon cher?"
"He sure does!" This time it was the guy with lighter, reddish-blonde hair. "He kept going on and on about how wonderful you are, how great your cooking is, how affectionate you are-"
Arthur suddenly jerked his head up, glaring. "Alright, I wasn't that sappy, Dylan!"
The guy who had been dubbed with the name 'Dylan' laughed along with the guy named Conner, while the third guy- the one with hair so bright I wondered if it was even natural- looked at us curiously. "How do we know you guys are actually together?" He questioned skeptically, raising a fiery red eyebrow at us.
Conner stopped laughing and looked at us suspiciously. "That's a good point, Allistor. They could be making this whole thing up."
"How do we know you guys are really dating?" Dylan wondered, the thought rolling from brother to brother. "Arthur is a sneaky one."
The Brit glanced up at me, practically begging me to help him out; lucky for him I had a plan. Without hesitation, I leaned forward and connected our lips, kissing him for everyone to see. I felt him tense up for a brief moment, then seemed to realize that acting so stiff would only lead to more questions and quickly loosened up. Like I said before, I was using this to my advantage. I hope he'll enjoy trying to live this one down!
Introductions:
Conner: N. Ireland(I've heard something about Southern Ireland being a girl..?)
Dylan: Wales
Allistor: Scotland
Translations
Mon cher(French)- My dear
Excusez-moi?(French)- Excuse me?
Merde(French)- Shit
Oui(French)- Yes
Non(French)- No
Chéri(French)- Darling
Ti odio(Italian)- I hate you
Bastardo(Italian)- Bastard
Ami(French)- Friend
Bonjour(French)- Hello
Mon amour(French)- My love
A/N: A little bit of a side plot sneaking in here. Ah, those two are so adorable! Don't fret, Lovi's POV will be back next chapter, I promise. I miss it a lot actually…
If you liked the chapter, don't hesitate to let me know! Reviews are welcome!
I love you all!
altera vita mea
