Usual disclaimer goes here. Alright loyal readers, the new chapter is finally up! We get some tomato throwing, ignorant chibis ruining a little would be date, and feels towards the end! Not too much feels, those are for later. Thanks for reading, be sure to read the author note at the bottom, and enjoy the chapter!
The kitchen was in complete discord, mostly because of Kiki and Lovino, but my chibis weren't helping either. Tomatoes, which had somehow magically appeared since I don't remember buying them, were splattered on the walls and floor. Kiki and Lovino were on opposite sides of the kitchen; each armed with tomatoes, and had their own teams. Mattie and Al were currently standing behind Kiki, completely distraught with the situation. Lovi and Feli, probably putting Italian roots first, were standing beside Lovino with tomatoes at the ready. "What the hell did you idiots do to my damn kitchen?!" I yelled at them.
Apparently the yell had been more forceful than I intended, as even Ludwig flinched. Kiki and Lovino dropped their tomatoes and stood straight up. They looked over at me, fear in their eyes, and hung their heads in shame. Mattie slowly backed out of the way and sat at the counter by the garage door. "Mama, you're scaring me," Feli whimpered. My eyes widened as I noticed the three kids cowering in fear behind a table.
"Oh, I'm so sorry guys, I'm just angry at Kiki and Lovino for making my kitchen a mess. I didn't mean to scare you," I explain. I walk over to their table and get down on my knees, holding my arms out to them. They all run to me, assuring me that they weren't scared anymore and they were sorry. I picked them up and balanced all three in my arms, I was getting better at it too, and turned towards Kiki and my newest unit. "Do you want to explain what happened in here?"
"HE/SHE STARTED IT!" they shouted together while pointing at each other. Both realized what had just happened and glared at each other before huffing and turning away. I really wanted to rub my temples, but couldn't so I looked at Mattie instead. He noticed and got up, coming towards me to explain the situation.
"Everything was ok at first, but then Lovino started complaining about not having any tomatoes. Kiki told him to get over it, to which Lovino started cursing like a sailor. Al said that wasn't very nice, but then Lovi started cussing him out for always hogging Feli. Somehow Lovino got a hold of tons of tomatoes, so Kiki threw one at him. A full on war started and tomatoes were flying everywhere. We were forced to take sides or be pummeled by both. Then you and Ludwig came in and everyone stopped," Mattie explained.
I think for a moment, but then come up with the perfect punishment for them. I hand the kids over to Mattie and pull Ludwig over to Lovino and Kiki with me. "Your punishment is to clean up this mess and, since it is 5:30, you also get to cook dinner. Also, to ensure that everything gets done, Luddy here will supervise. Have fun while you think about what you did," I said sweetly. I walk out of the kitchen and smile evilly as I hear Ludwig going into commander mode. "All taken care of, we even get dinner in a little bit," I say excitedly to the chibis and Mattie.
"You know, I think you make a good matriarch Maple."
"Yeah Mama, you were really scary back then. I wanted to do anything you said if it meant you went back to normal!"
"I must admit, you were admirably terrifying Mutti."
"Yeah, but those damn bastards deserved to see Mama in rage mode."
"Aww, you guys are so sweet. Thanks for the compliments," I say. I walk over to the couch and plop down between the chibis and Mattie. I glance over at Mattie and start to feel kind of guilty. I know I went to school with Mattie and all, but I felt like I wasn't spending as much time with him anymore. It sounds weird, but I can't help but feels it's true. Lovi, Feli, and Al crawl into my lap and overlap into Mattie's, pulling me out of my thoughts. I smile down at them and wrap my left arm around Lovi and half of Feli while Mattie does the same with Al and the other half of Feli. "Hey, Mattie, do you want to hang out on Saturday, just you and me?" I ask him.
His cheeks flush a bright red and he nods, averting his gaze away from me. "Mama, can we go too?" Feli asks me. He gazes up at me expectantly along with Lovi and Al. I don't really know what to say, since it was supposed to be just Mattie and me, so I glance at Mattie to get his input. Mattie gives me an adorable smile and nods his head.
"Ok, since Mattie said yes, then you can come along with us, but you can't complain about any of the places we go," I tell them. They all nod their heads and Al even does a little salute.
"Hey, scary ragazza, dinner is ready, so get your asses in here!" Lovino shouts from the kitchen. "Don't talk to Mama like that you bastard!" Lovi shouts back. He jumps up from the couch and runs to the kitchen, most likely to try and beat up Lovino. I giggle and roll my eyes, standing up with Feli in my arms and Al in Mattie's.
"Come on, let's go, I'm sure Lovino and Kiki made an amazing dinner," I say to them. I am happily surprised to see that not only has everything been cleaned and dinner cooked, but the table is also set for dinner. We end up having a really good dinner, which consists of true Italian pizza, and we get some plans for tomorrow cleared up. After much debate it is decided that Lovino will stay home to look after Lovi, Feli, and Al while Ludwig comes with us to school. I can only reason that the kids still don't completely trust Germany, but I know they will eventually come around. Once dinner is over it is pretty late at night, time for bed really.
"If you give me a second to get the kids to bed, I'll show you to your room Lovino," I inform him. He nods and grumbles something along the lines of ok ragazza. "Mattie, can you help me? My arms are tired from carrying all three," I ask him.
"Sure thing Maple," he replies. I smile at his nickname for me and even feel a slight blush. I scoop up Lovi and hold him close, causing his face to turn a deep red, but he still giggles anyway. As I walk by I can't help but notice Lovino staring at us, but I shrug it off. Mattie and I get the kids into my room and he says good night before going into his. I get back to the kitchen and find out that Kiki and Ludwig have gone to their individual rooms, leaving only Lovino.
"Follow me and I'll show you to your room. I got to warn you though, you're going to absolutely love it," I warn him as we walk down the hall.
"Ragazza, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead Lovino."
"Why do you treat little me so well? I mean, wouldn't you rather hold Feliciano over me?" he asks quietly. I don't respond for a while; only continue walking down the hall. We finally reach a door that has a big S on it. I put my hand on the knob, but turn back to face Lovino instead of opening it.
"I wouldn't rather hold Feliciano or even Albert. I like to hold Lovino, because the others have each other. Who does my little Lovi have if not me? I understand that kind of loneliness and I don't want Lovi to go through it. Being compared to a sibling, it absolutely sucks, especially if that sibling is put in the better light. Lovi doesn't deserve that… and neither do you. Feli will always be able to make friends, but I want to be the one that Lovi is able to count on if he needs it, since I know he will. I'll never compare him to Feli, because that is cruel and he isn't like Feli. You are too unique to be like anyone else," I whisper. I feel tears in the back of my eyes, but take a deep breath to combat them. "Anyway, this will be your room. Welcome to the Southern Italy room," I say as I throw the door open.
The inside reveals red, white, and green everywhere. Adorning the walls are various flags, some mafia photos, and even a few tomato photos. In one corner I included a darts board, but included a small rifle instead of darts. The gun, of course, can't be loaded with real bullets, but use tranquilizer darts as ammunition. I step aside and let Lovino walk into the room and take in the surroundings. I make a move to leave, but Lovino grabs me and pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank you, bella," he whispers into my hair.
I pull away and smile up at him, causing a blush to spread across his face. "It's no problem Lovino. I'm going to go to sleep now, so good night," I say cheerily. I hear him mumble a good night back as I close the door. I get to my room and collapse into the bed, disturbing my chibis just enough for them to crowd around me as I fall asleep. I drift off into dreamland as my tired body rests in preparation for tomorrow, Friday.
Ok, so as you may be able to see, I have set the stage for possible romance between Sarah and two of the units. Now, what I want to know is simple. Do you guys want romance with Lovino, Matthew, Ludwig, or do you choose to wait and see what other units have to offer as they come? I wan't to know the input from y'all before I make any official decision, or I might just do character endings, I'm not really sure yet. Anyway, tomorrow's chapter is going to have a flustered Ludwig meeting Carlson. I can see this going just peachy. Thanks for reading and look forward to the next chapter.