The House on the Other Side
Late upload is late. The author is very sorry. (hides)
I promised that I'll take requests of the reviewers for the chapter last week. Miss Maximilia Evergreen's prompt was a fic featuring the red-string of fate myth which resulted to the oneshot "Red Thread." If you have time... please read it ^^ (Shameless plugging accomplished!)
For the other two awesome reviewers, Lovi's Tomato Lover and Gir'sdoomsongofdoom, (thanks to both of your advice about the cat bite by the way) I've sent you PMs about the requests ^^ aaand as I've said in there, you can ask for fanarts (you can check them at this DA: shisheilarie . deviantart . com ) or send me fic prompts. Thank you so much!
Some of you might think that I am a snobbish person... Because I only just realized that most authors reply to reviews and/or alerts and/or faves... I'm really sorry for not doing so before. I swear I wasn't trying to act so stuck-up... I was just very ignorant... Please forgive me. Those reviews, alerts and faves really make me feel so blissful inside... I can't even thank you all enough. (bows deeply and repeatedly)
This chapter has some shifting POVs and timeskips... (because I thought it would make this look more dramatic) I hope you won't find them too confusing...
Whooping 4500+ words. Haven't written something this long for a while.
Enough of my rant.
.::.
(Feliciano's POV)
It has been a month since Antonio's departure. To Lovino, it was one whole month of not seeing Antonio again. And no matter how the Italian tries to act as natural as possible, Feliciano couldn't help but notice the dullness in his brother's eyes. Those fleeting moments when the grumpier brunette would just stop and stare blankly into space when he thinks no one was looking...
That silent suffering alone... Feliciano hates the fact that he can't do anything about it.
Of course, he's still not allowed to tell their Nonno about Antonio's sudden disappearance from their lives... It's so annoying. Can't he just blabber about it once and for all and have Mr. Vargas send his troops to Greece and literally drag the Spaniard back to where he belongs? To where Lovino is? Apparently, his brother has a different opinion. Whenever the issue is put up, the elder Italian brother would tell Feliciano not to fuck up their supposed to be secret.
It's so hard lying to their Nonno about it.
For one, their birthdays are coming and since it is also a coming of age for Lovino, their Nonno decided to make it something big, much to the elder grandson's dismay. No, Lovino does not need extravagant celebrations inviting those 'big' persons he doesn't really know. Lovino wants to spend the day with his 'actual' friends... But then the topic about a certain Spaniard was brought up.
"He's definitely coming, isn't he?" Mr. Vargas asked threateningly. Yes, because he could. "He's definitely be on your special day or else I'll gladly get someone else, someone better for you."
With that remark, Feliciano got quite sure that their Nonno is already suspecting something... That or he really is still wary of the Spaniard and still wants to find a reason to cut him off Lovino. Surprisingly though, Lovino agreed with Mr. Vargas for once.
"He'll come. He'll definitely come."
From where that confidence came from, Feliciano has no idea. As far as he knows and remembers, some time ago last month, his brother fell asleep crying in his chest and he also did so the next day. Though it stopped after that, only to be replaced by those staring into space incidents. Well maybe, Lovino is being a good actor just so Mr. Vargas won't be gathering his crew this very moment. Yeah, that must be it.
But Feliciano can't help but wonder... What if big brother Antonio never comes?
What will Lovino tell Nonno?
What will Lovino do?
.::.
March 16 Night.
Feliciano sneaked in Lovino's bed.
"Fra-tel-lo," Feliciano whispered for the third time already that night. He knows Lovino is not yet asleep, he just wrapped himself in a blanket but the younger Italian could see a cellphone's backlight shining through the fabric.
Tomorrow is their birthday (Feliciano, 17. Lovino, 18) and Mr. Vargas went on with his plan of inviting a bunch of 'important' guests for them. Feliciano didn't mind as much as Lovino, after all, he wouldn't be the 'star' of the next day's celebration but he also considers a simple friends' outing as a better choice. But what troubles him the most is that there is actually an opening dance number for the birthday celebrants... And it's not just a simple dance number but a very exquisite and passionate ballroom dance number. They aren't latinos for nothing, their Nonno definitely knows what the word 'romantic' mean.
When the old man first voiced out this plan a week ago, Feliciano couldn't help but protest.
"That's very out of character of you, my boy," Mr. Vargas raised his eyebrows at him. "I was expecting Lovino to be the one to object, really."
It was his thought as well but seeing that his brother doesn't seem a bit fazed, he has to be the one to do something.
"What's your complains, Feli? You would be dancing with Ludwig."
"But what about fratello?"
"Well he could do with that doctor if he wants to. It's his day, I can't really complain."
It must have been because Lovino just really hates any other guy but his supposed to be boyfriend (Feliciano still doesn't know if they are still together like this) that he really holds firm to making Mr. Vargas believe that big brother Antonio would come. They were practicing the dance piece for days but the Spaniard wasn't even showing up... And now that the big day is tomorrow, the younger Italian can't hold his anxiety anymore.
"Fratello!" he called once again, louder and more urgent this time. Lovino stopped ignoring him at last.
"What the fuck do you want?" Lovino hissed, finally uncovering himself with the blanket.
"I decided to ask Ludwig-"
"I'm not interested about what you want to ask the potato bastard."
"But it's very important, fratello!"
"I don't consider any of the potato bastard's crap as 'very important.'"
"Please don't be mean to Ludwig fratello... And listen!"
"Tsk," Lovino merely clicked his tongue. Feliciano took it as a go signal.
"About the opening dance, fratello, I think it would be better that we dance with each other," the younger suggested.
"Why? I thought you were so excited to dance with that macho potato...?"
"Eeehhh... I don't want to sound mean but... If big brother Antonio doesn't come, wouldn't it be weird if only Luddy and I would be dancing?"
"You know what Feliciano? I wasn't planning on embarrassing myself at all," the elder scoffed.
"Huuuhhh? So you really wasn't planning to dance in the first place?"
Lovino gaped at Feliciano as if he was a very boring fungi growing on a random sock.
"Veee! I'm just worried about you fratello..." the younger Italian admitted. His elder brother blushed at that remark.
"Y-You don't have to worry about me, silly..."
"But..."
"I'm okay... Really," Lovino awkwardly wrapped his arm around his younger brother and rubbed circles on his back. "Now sleep. We'll need energy tomorrow."
Whatever anxiety Feliciano was holding has left him as he felt secure inside his brother's embrace.
.::.
(Matthew's POV)
March 17.
"Alfred, Arthur," Matthew called. "Aren't you done yet?"
"In a moment Mattie. This git can't do anything by himself," the Canadian heard Arthur respond from his shared room with the American.
"What'ya talkin' Artie? I definitely dressed myself nicely before you stripped me!" Alfred complained irritatedly. They just went out of the room, now both sporting smart looking tux.
"Nice? You call that... That horrendous outfit 'nice'?"
"That's just my sense of style!" the taller blonde snarled, obviously referring to his jackets and rubber shoes... Speaking of rubber shoes, no, Alfred F. Jones refused to change his sneakers despite wearing a sleek suit. It doesn't look half bad, in fairness.
"Your so-called sense of style, for your information, is not appropriate for the party we are supposed to attend! You'll look ridiculous! You'll stand out silly!" the shorted snapped just as heated.
"Well, it doesn't matter! Since I am the hero, I think I need to stand out!" Alfred childishly whined. "This tie is really tight!"
"Aaarrrgghhh! I'm tired if fixing that whenever you loosen that up!"
"You don't have to 'fix' it anymore!" and with that, the American ceremonially removed his tie around his neck. He even unbuttoned the upper part of his long sleeve polo, revealing a black tee beneath.
"Y-You bloody wanker!" the Brit stared at Alfred in disbelief, and two seconds later, he stormed out the house sulking. He refused to acknowledge the American all afternoon as they walked to the Italian's house.
Now, Matthew is used to be the middleman while his brothers are clashing, so this silent treatment is a nice change for the Canadian. Now, he can contemplate in peace as they walk inside the Vargas household.
Like Feliciano, Matthew also feels nervous about Lovino's well-being in the upcoming party. Since last month, it seems that none of them has heard of Antonio again. In his case, even Gilbert is out of reach... Not that he needs to contact Gilbert! It's just that the albino is the closest person to 'spy' the Spaniard for him to tell Lovino. But just like the Italian's boyfriend, he also just disappeared from the picture.
Though... He suddenly received a mail from the Prussian last night.
It was just a simple good night greeting, okay? Don't think too much about it! Am I clear to you? Good.
And Matthew isn't getting too caught up by that.
Anyway...
He haven't contacted Gilbert though. It has been a month after all so just suddenly hearing from him doesn't make Matthew want to contact him at once. Nope. Not at all. Okay, maybe just a bit since the Canadian wants to hear about Antonio. Though still, he didn't mailed Gilbert back. He doesn't want to sound too desperate.
So he will just text the albino right now!
"Who are you texting, Mattie?"
Great. Now that Arthur isn't fussing over Alfred, his loud brother decided to bother him instead. Where is you invisibility power when you need it the most?
"Please, Alfred, mind your own business," was all Matthew could murmur. No matter how tough sounding he wants to be, he always end up requesting and pleading.
"Who's that 'Birdie'?"
"It doesn't concern you..."
"What's with that nickname?"
"Please Alfred, I need some privacy..."
"So... Who's that guy who nicknamed you 'Birdie' whom you need privacy when texting?" the American obnoxiously pressed on, obviously not listening to any of Matthew's plea. Damn selective hearing skills.
"Arthur, help me!"
The Brit frowned a bit before saying, "You bloody git, stop harassing your brother!" And Alfred happily skipped to the shorter blonde, finally gaining his attention.
The Canadian sighed in relief and continued his private messaging in peace...
*Beep*
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Vargas greeted from the microphone. "We will now proceed to the opening dance."
"Huh?" Matthew gasped softly at Gilbert's reply.
.::.
(Feliciano's POV)
Feliciano and Lovino suddenly appeared from their mansion's lobby and started walking to the center of the dancefloor in time with the intro music. There, waiting was Ludwig who seemed to be glancing at the gates every once in a while as the Italian brothers approach him. In no time, Feliciano has positioned hinself and Ludwig while Lovino stood alone. The guests murmured to each other about this irregularity.
On the first note of the dance routine, Feliciano glanced worriedly at his brother before getting steered by Ludwig into the dance. Lovino was standing still. The whispers grew louder. The younger Italian wished for the time to stop just this once...
But he didn't get his wish. The crowd continued to get reckless, Mr. Vargas was rubbing his chin dangerously, Matthew was seen crouching down the table, frantically speaking on the phone. The song went on with no hint of a brunette with green eyes.
"Ludwig..." Feliciano whispered through their dance.
"It will be alright, Feli..."
"But..."
"Lovino will be fine. He's not even faltering a bit. We shouldn't as well."
"But still..."
The German blonde held Feliciano close.
"Your brother is doing his best to be strong in this situation. We should also be strong for him."
Feliciano gazed gratefully at his boyfriend. Ludwig glanced at the gate one last time.
.::.
(third person POV)
"Fucking hell," Mr. Vargas hissed angrily, grimacing as he watched his elder son in that shameful situation. "I'm going to kill him. I'm going to fucking kill him..."
"Please restrain yourself," the butler reminded. "Your blood pressure..."
"I don't give a damn at my blood pressure! I'm going to kill that Spanish bastard-"
Mr. Vargas stormed out of his seat to go to Lovino when the gate suddenly opened.
.::.
(Lovino's POV)
"Lovino..." a raspy, short-of-breath-ish voice said.
The Italian suddenly perked up at the sound of that voice coming from the gate. Even without looking, he knows that voice too well, craves for it even. As tears fall down his eyes, Lovino did not hesitate one bit and made a run to the Spaniard.
His Spaniard.
.::.
(Antonio's POV)
(One month ago, at the same gate)
"Siempre, te amo."
With him finally finished saying his part, Antonio walked away from the Vargas residence. He still doesn't think he deserves to see and be seen by Lovino so he immediately took off. However, as he turns in a corner, his cellphone beeped. He paused his tracks.
Fr: The Annoying Dutch
Sub: Plane ticket
Message: Seems like your
flying late this afternoon.
Return to the hospital ASAP.
It was such a good decision to leave. That way, he could stray his thoughts away from Lovino more easily. And this one month, once it's done, then hopefully, he will be forgiven already. But he won't expect that much. After all, Lovino has all the rights to hate him as much as he wants for as long as he likes now.
"Antonio!"
The Spaniard flinched at the call.
"You bastard!" the Italian gasped for air.
All of a sudden, he felt weight shot to his back and lanky arms wrapped around his stomach. Lovino buried his face deep on the Spaniard's back and let out a sob.
"Did you... Did you mean all of that?" the Italian choked.
All of that? Those words...
"Of course... I meant everything."
"I'm sorry," Lovino said.
"No! I should be the one sorry! You did nothing wrong!" Why? Why is Lovino stooping too low for someone like him? A stupid bastard such as him?
"Ti amo..." the younger admitted. "Ti amo!"
The Spaniard felt tears trail down his cheeks. He doesn't deserve this... He doesn't deserve any of this... He made a gesture to get out of Lovino's embrace but the Italian just held on tighter.
"Don't leave me..."
"I'm not going anywhere," yet, he added to himself. "I want to look at your face right now. I've missed you so much."
"N-No... I don't look any good right now..."
"You are always beautiful, mi amor..."
"NO!" Lovino snapped. "I... If I see your face right now, I'd want to kiss you. B-But... No puedo."
The Spaniard felt a sudden pang of longing at those words. Is that how Lovino always felt whenever he avoids his advances?
"I... I'm going to Greece for a month."
Lovino did not speak, but Antonio knows he was shocked. So he continues...
"I'll be back after exactly a month so... If ever, if ever you still feel the same for me... Then... Besame. On that day, that is."
They stayed in that position until the Italian finally let go. When he was freed, Antonio only walked forward... He so wanted to look back but, he held firm to the fact that he'll be seeing Lovino's face again after a month.
His eighteenth birthday to be exact.
.::.
(Lovino's POV)
March 16 night
Damn stupid birthday parties... All Lovino wants is a certain Spaniard! Not those 'important persons' that his grandfather was talking about. But lo and behold, Nonno wants it big and special for his day. Special my crap. He doesn't want to be the center of attention of any person, it's not in his character. If anyone should be the star of any celebration, it should be Feliciano, not him. Speakingof Feliciano...
"Fra-tel-lo..."
Why did he sneak up in Lovino's bed? He has his own bed! Lovino needs the whole be to himself! He decided to ignore his idiot brother. Maybe he'd give up and leave... But then he receive a text message.
Fr: Matthew
Sub: Gil texted
Message: Gil said they've
landed. I think they could come
tomorrow. They knew about the
party, right?
A sudden flashback hit the Italian. That afternoon, the potato sucker told him that he'll fetch his brother from the airport and asked if he should be the one to invite them at the party. That was the first time that Lovino acknowledged Ludwig as a bit of a nice person like Feliciano says.
He tapped a reply to the Canadian, inwardly celebrating that his present seem to have arrived early. Antonio's finally back.
"Fratello!"
Feeling a bit in a good mood, Lovino finally stopped ignoring his brother...
"What the fuck do you want?"
.::.
(Gilbert's POV)
March 17
"Bruder, I'm going now," Ludwig told his brother who seemed to be having trouble on where to put his pet chick.
"Yeah, yeah, okay West. I guess I'll go get Toni as well," Gilbert said as he gives up on making Gilbird hide on the top of his head. His cellphone suddenly beeped and he couldn't help but smile at the mailer's name.
Fr: Birdie
Sub: The party
Message: Are you coming
to Lovino and Feli's party?
.
.
.
I've missed you.
"Well then, remember you only have thirty minutes to spare. Please hurry up," the younger reminded.
"Yeah. Don't worry. We told him to prepare thirty minutes ago, rememeber?"
"Yeah but-"
"Go on, go now and don't worry about us. Feli must want to see you so badly already," the Prussian teased, making his bruderlein blush pink.
The two of them drove to the Italian household, Gilbert taking a detour to Antonio's first. He let his brother take the car since from the Spaniard's mansion to the Vargases is a mere walking distance.
"Yo, Toni! Open up! The awesome is here!"
Gilbert should have known that the Spaniard had slept in.
(thirty minutes later)
"Gil, where are you now?" Matthew asked from the phone, his voice panicking. Judging from the background music, the dance has started.
"We got held up! Toni unawesomely fell asleep! We're running now!"
"Please hurry up... Lovino's (static)"
"Lovino's what!" Gilbert asked back.
"Lovino's what?" Antonio was suddenly alerted at the remark. His pace suddenly increased. When the albino finally managed to catch up, Antonio was already opening the gate.
"Lovino..." the Spaniard said, panting.
.::.
(third person POV)
Lovino shakily approached the Spaniard, as if disbelieving. Antonio couldn't help but let out a reassuring smile at his Italian. Tears stained the younger brunette's face but he also smiled as he broke into a run to Antonio.
Antonio spread his arms wide and caught Lovino when he jumped onto his arms.
"You're here..." the Italian said as he embraced Antonio.
"Yeah..." the Spaniard patted the Lovino's back. But the Italian quickly withdrew himself to look at Antonio in the face.
"You're here!" Lovino held Antonio's face in his hands, and made a teary smile.
"If you still feel the same way as now... Then... Besame," the Spaniard had said month ago.
Lovino captured Antonio's lips on his own...
It was a chaste kiss. Which was understandable since the one who initiated it was still inexperienced. But the Spaniard isn't satisfied. He had been restraining himslef for years! He hadn't even seen Lovino for a month! No, this is nowhere near enough.
Just as Lovino started pulling away from Antonio, the Spaniard immediately and hungrily pushed his lips once more on the Italian's while pressing his body closer against his own. The younger whimpered in surprise, and the elder brunette took no time to deepen their kiss as Lovino unknowingly made a better access for the Spaniard. The Italian's hands found their way to Antonio's curls, holding them for dear life as a foreign but not at all unpleasant feeling overwhelmed him when he tried to respond to the Spaniard's skilled tongue with his own.
It was... an amazing feeling.
When finally, the kiss ended (they needed to breathe, too bad), they realized how red each other's face had become and how puffy and red their lips are now. But all of these doesn't matter as a better realization filled them.
Antonio's back. Lovino still loves Antonio.
"Te amo..."
"Ti amp troppo."
Both broke into a smile at the same time, which turned into laughter - a laughter of relief and laughter full of their love.
None of them seem to have realized that they are now the center of attention of the shocked crowd. The music has long stopped.
Well, not until Mr. Vargas coughed loudly.
"You have many explaining to do, Mr. Antonio," the elder Vargas said dangerously.
Lovino disentangled his limbs from Antonio and scowled at his grandfather. He then took Antonio's hand in his and whispered...
"Let's run."
"I think that is a good idea, mi amor."
.::.
"Those two are really craving for each other," Gilbert commented as the crowd watched the reunited lovers run hand in hand from Mr. Vargas's wrath. Though the elder Italian didn't made an attempt to follow though. He merely mentioned that one can only be a youth once. Feliciano was crying tears of joy on Ludwig's chest for a while now. Alfred was cheering loudly something that sounded like, "That's like some Hollywood chick flick!" Arthur was trying to quiet Alfred down but smiling nonetheless. The other visitors were dumbfounded or as happy as Alfred about the situation.
"G-Gil!" Matthew gasped at the sudden appearance of the albino from behind him. The Prussian grinned at the pale blonde.
"Yo," he said.
Matthew blushed. He didn't realize that the seeing the albino again would be two times as embarrassing as just talking on the phone? Speaking of talking on the phone... Why did he even texted something shameless as 'I've missed you?' The Canadian never wanted to slap himself so bad as now.
"Hey... Are you alright, Birdie?" Gilbert was shocked to see Matthew suddenly cry.
Meanwhile, Alfred was alerted at the familiar nickname. He tried to glance back but Arthur pulled his face away from Matthew and Gilbert.
"Don't disturb them," Arthur whispered, not looking at the American. Alfred merely shrugged but then he put one of his arms on the Brit's shoulder pulling him close.
"I guess it's just the two of us now, huh?"
"Oh, do shut up," Arthur hissed though he made no sign of not liking their sudden intimate closeness.
Back to Matthew and Gilbert...
"Why are you crying?" the Prussian asked increduously. He so wanted to wrap an arm around the Canadian but his reasoning was against it. But then Matthew suddenly tackled Gilbert in a hug.
"I thought I'd never see you again... You didn't even say goodbye before!"
(A/N: Matthew and Gilbert became close during their planning stage to set Antonio and Lovino up last Valentines... They also comforted each other when the plan backfired)
"Uhhhh," Gilbert was shocked at the sudden embrace but once he recovered, he immediately returned the hug. "There there... I'm sorry for not saying anything... I... I didn't say goodbye because I know I'd still see you again."
"Don't... Don't do that again..."
Gilbert smiled. "Yes..."
I won't leave you again.
.::.
"Did you see his face?" Lovino said loudly as they run. "Hah! I should have taken a picture!"
"I thought he was going to shoot me," Antonio grimaced.
"Are you an idiot? He would've already when you first gatecrashed. Though I suppose you still need to be careful next time..." Lovino's voice faltered in the end.
"Well, I don't care really. As long as I can have you," the Spaniard grinned at the Italian who blushed deep scarlet.
"Where are we going anyway?"
The question was immediately answered as their feet brought them to the familiar archway full of spring flowers that had just started to bloom. Soon enough, Antonio's house came into view.
The two paused at the tomato garden entrance. The very place where it all began.
"Hey, Antonio."
"Hmmmn?" Antonio glanced sideways at the Italian.
"Remember when you first taught me Spanish..." Lovino fidgeted.
"What about that?"
"You taught me 'Dame un beso'... I immediately thought that you were a pervert back then..."
"Ehehehe, sorry about that."
"Did you ever thought that maybe, I'll be using those words on you?" the Italian gazed at Antonio in the eyes.
"Eh?"
"Dame un beso."
Lovino's face was flaming. For Antonio, it was the most beautiful face he has ever seen. And it's even more beautiful when he is kissing him.
Fin
I finished it! God I finally finished it! This really is the end of this fic. I guessed I made enough closures for now. The next time I'd write about this verse would be in a sequel fic. Thank you very much to those who were with me in this until the very end. You all know who you are and I love you all very much... I hope to see you all again later... ^^