Disclaimer:Animerockchic does not own Hetalia or Beauty and the Beast
Lovino ran through the trees, his heart pounding frantically. He stopped and leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. He shivered; in his haste to leave he had forgotten to grab a cloak.
A low growl echoed behind him. He turned around, expecting to see a still furious Antonio. Instead he was greeted with the sight of wolves slowly advancing on him. Within seconds he was completely surrounded. The pack moved to pounce when something large and furry leapt into the circle in front of Lovino.
One wolf dived towards Lovino, teeth bared. Antonio gave a thunderous roar and slashed at the wolf. It fell back with a yelp and the pack turned its attention on Antonio. The pack pounced as one upon him. Claws slashed and teeth tore at flesh accompanied by ferocious snarls and feral howls, but Antonio was able to overpower them. They slunk away in defeat with their tails tucked between their legs. Antonio watched them leave with a gaze of steel then collapsed; overcome with wounds the wolves had managed to catch him with.
Lovino moved to run away, this was his chance! After taking only a few steps, he hesitated and turned to look at Antonio's fallen form. Pity stabbed at his heart. Lovino pulled Antonio as gently as he could to his feet, wrapped Antonio's arm around his shoulders and curled his own arm around Antonio's waist and began half-dragging, half-carrying him back to the castle.
Lovino pushed open the castle door, glad to be inside once again. He saw Ciara, Francis and Arthur out of the corner of his eye scurrying down the stairs with worry painted all over their faces.
He brought Antonio into the other room and set his down in his armchair. He turned around and saw the trio waiting behind him, Ciara pouring hot water into a bowl. Arthur took the bowl from his sister and handed it and a clean white cloth to Lovino.
Lovino kneeled down beside Antonio and dipped the cloth into the hot water. "Let me see. Don't do that, dammit!" Antonio glared at him and resumed his licking of his wounds. Lovino grabbed his wrist and pulled it out of the reach of Antonio's tongue. He put the cloth against the wound to clean it.
Antonio let out a furious howl of pain, stomping his feet like a child. "THAT HURTS!"
"Well if you'd hold still, it wouldn't hurt so fucking much!" Lovino shot back.
"Well if you hadn't run away, this wouldn't have happened!"
"If you hadn't fucking frightened me, I wouldn't have run away!"
Antonio opened his mouth to retaliate then closed it again, realising he had a point.
"I... well you shouldn't have been in the West Wing!"
"Well you should fucking learn to control your shitty temper!"
Antonio froze, he'd been told that before. He looked up from Lovino's death glare and over at the trio, who pointedly looked away as if to say, "You can't say we didn't tell you so."
Lovino dipped the cloth back into the water and resumed his cleaning of Antonio's wounds. Antonio winced and hissed but held as still as he could.
"By the way..." Antonio opened his eyes and looked at Lovino, who was focusing very intently on Antonio's arm, his whole face beginning to turn tomato red. "Thanks, I guess, for saving my life."
Antonio stared at him in surprise. "You're welcome."
Lovino ducked down his head to hide the small smile that was slowly creeping onto his face. "Hn, whatever, bastard."
Antonio smiled slightly. "With that cute little blush, you look just like a tomato."
Lovino headbutted him hard in the arm. "FUCK YOU STRONZO, I DO NOT LOOK LIKE A FUCKING TOMATO!"
"But you do~!"
Ciara smiled happily at her two companions. "Well that's more like it! I knew they could get along if they tried."
Francis mopped his forehead. "So the ice is broken. At last!"
Arthur nodded. "And not a moment too soon either. Have you taken a good look at the carnation lately? It's losing petals at an alarming rate."
"Not to mention the fact that I can hardly bend over anymore." Ciara added. Francis snickered. Ciara gave him a good hard smack on the back of the head.
"All joking aside, it is clearly time for use to give them a little push, non? We need a nice, romantic way to bring them closer together."
They fell into silence after Francis's words, thinking hard. Ciara beamed, an idea striking her.
"I've just the thing." She turned to Lovino and Antonio, still smiling. "How about we warm you two up with a nice bowl of soup?" Arthur and Francis stared at each other, befuddled. "Soup?"
Ciara smiled back at them. "Trust me."
Francis and Arthur looked at each other as if to say "There is no way this plan could work" as a tea cart with two steaming bowls of soup and Peter wheeled itself into the room and came to a stop in front of Lovino and Antonio. They took the bowls of soup and raised them to their lips.
"Cheers!" sang Peter.
Lovino sipped carefully at his soup while Antonio on the other hand practically shoved his face into the bowl and noisily inhaled the hot liquid.
Ciara hopped over and gently nudged Lovino with her spout."Come along pet; let's get you out of those wet things."
Lovino allowed himself to be led out of the room but as he reached the door, he turned back to Antonio and gestured around his mouth.
Antonio hastily wiped his face with his paws. Lovino smiled slightly and followed Ciara out of the room.
Antonio continued staring at the door, a stupid smiled painting his face.
"I... I've never felt like this before." He whispered to himself.
Arthur and Francis looked up at him. "Like what?"
"Like...like...I can't really describe it, but when I'm around him, I get all choked up, my heart starts pounding and I can't breathe or even think!"
"Good!" grinned Arthur.
"That's good?"
"Excellent!" nodded Francis.
"I've never felt like this before," mused Antonio. "I want to give him something, but what?"
Arthur thought for a moment. "Well, there's the usual things. Flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep..."
Francis shook his head. "No. This is no ordinary boy. It has to be something special, something that sparks his interest, something... Ah!" His candles lit up as he was struck with an idea.
He whispered into Antonio's ear who drew back looking apprehensive. "Are you sure? Well..."
Arthur hurriedly cleared his throat to announce Lovino's return. Antonio stood up to see Lovino hovering at the door wearing a pair of dark trousers and a pink shirt that suited him surprisingly well.
"Say something about the shirt." Francis hissed to Antonio.
Antonio pointed at Lovino and half-shouted, "It's pink!"
Francis and Arthur facepalmed. "A compliment!"
"Oh. What a ...nice shirt."
Lovino looked slightly unsure at the compliment. "Um, thanks."
"Hey, Lovi. I've got something to show you but first you have to close your eyes. It's a surprise~!"
Lovino scowled. "I thought I told you not to fucking call me Lovi." He closed his eyes anyway. "What are you going to show me anyway, bastard?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it~?"
Antonio went to leave the room, forgetting that he kind of needed to bring Lovino with him. Francis and Arthur gestured violently at Lovino and Francis hissed "The boy! Get the boy!" at Antonio. Antonio turned back to Lovino, took his heads and began guiding Lovino.
Antonio led Lovino carefully through the halls.
"Can I open my eyes yet?"
"Hang on a second." Antonio opened the door in front of them and brought Lovino inside.
"Open them."
Lovino opened his eyes and was instantly rendered speechless. He was standing in the biggest library he had ever seen with bookshelves crammed full of books extending high towards the ceiling. He stood there with his mouth wide open like a fish, drinking in the wonder of this room.
Antonio stepped beside him. "Well? Do you like it?" he asked uncertainly.
"It's wonderful" breathed Lovino, unable to say anything else.
Antonio smiled. "It's yours."
Lovino spun rapidly to face him, eyes shining with ill-hidden joy. "Really?"
Antonio nodded. Lovino scampered (in an incredibly manly way, I'll have you know) off to browse the shelves.
Once safely behind a bookshelf and having found some of his favourite books, Lovino peeked out at Antonio who was flicking randomly through a book.
'Maybe...maybe he's not so bad after all. I mean, he's still a bastard ...but this is something I didn't see in him before.' Thought Lovino as he walked over to see what Antonio was reading. He tilted his head, trying to read the name on the spine.
"Oh this is one of my favourites!" Lovino turned the book in Antonio's hands so that it wasn't upside-down. "It's 'King Arthur', have you ever read it?"
Antonio shook his head. Lovino took the book out of Antonio's hands and gazed at it fondly. "Then you don't know what you're missing. I'd love to read it again." Lovino looked up at Antonio, an idea suddenly hitting him. "Wait. You can read it first."
"Oh, that's alright. You can." Antonio said hurriedly.
"No really, you read it."
"No, you."
"No. You."
"NO!"
Lovino took a step back but recovered almost immediately. "WHY NOT, BASTARD!"
"I..." Antonio looked away in shame. "I can't."
Lovino's expression softened slightly. "You...can't read?"
Antonio shook his head.
"And you never learned?"
"I-I learned a little, but it's been so long..."
Lovino grabbed Antonio's wrist and dragged him over to two armchairs by the window. Lovino plonked himself down on one and looked up at Antonio expectantly. "Are you just going to stand there like a retard or what?"
When Antonio didn't move, Lovino rolled his eyes. "I want to read this again, you haven't read it yet, so I'm going to read it to you and you're going to fucking enjoy it. So sit beside me, dammit!"
Antonio sat down obediently. Lovino opened the book and began reading.
Ciara and Francis watched them from the slightly ajar door, smiling happily. Arthur stood behind them trying to get a closer look.
"Well who'd have thought?" breathed Francis.
"Well bless my soul." Smiled Ciara.
"And who'd have guessed they'd come together all on their own?" said Arthur.
"Maybe we will get to be human again!" said Francis excitedly.
"I'd give it a few days before saying something like that. But I have to admit there's something there that wasn't there before."
"What's there, Auntie?" asked Peter who had been wandering along the corridor.
Ciara smiled as she watched Arthur and Francis happydance away. "I'll tell you when you're older. Now, come along Peter. Let's give them some privacy."
"Auntie?"
Ciara looked down at him. "Yes?"
"Will I ever get to be... a boy again?"
Ciara hesitated, unwilling to promise him something that might not come true. "I...I hope so."
"When will I know?"
"Soon." Ciara looked back at the library door. "If it's to be, it'll be very soon now. Come along now."
Back inside the library, Lovino was still reading. Antonio was leaning over Lovino's shoulder, completely engrossed in the story.
"...Knowing not that this was indeed the legendary sword of Excalibur, Arthur tried to pull it from the stone. He tried once, to no avail." Antonio growled softly in disappointment.
"He tried a second time but still he could not pull it out." Antonio growled again.
"Then, for the third time, Arthur drew forth the sword..."
Antonio jumped up in excitement. "So that must mean, he's the king!"
Lovino laughed at his antics. "Wait and see!"
Antonio smiled softly. "You've got a really nice laugh; you should do it more often." Lovino immediately stopped laughing and looked away, his face turning as red as a tomato.
"Hn, whatever."
"I never knew books could do that."
Lovino looked up at him. "Do what?"
"Take me away from this place, make me forget...for a little while."
Lovino's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Forget?"
"Who I..." Antonio stopped and bitterly corrected himself. "What I am."
Lovino stood up, carefully holding his place in the book with his finger. "We...we have something in common, you know."
Antonio turned around in utter shock. "Que?"
"In the town where I come from, people think I'm... odd."
"You?" Antonio asked in disbelief.
"So I know how it feels to be... different." Lovino reached out and took Antonio's paw. "And I know how fucking lonely that can be."
Their eyes met. Everything else seemed to fade in importance as green gazed into hazel-gold.
After what seemed like an eternity, Lovino took his hand out of Antonio's and looked away, clearing his throat. "A-are we going to finish this story or what, bastard?"
They both sat back down and Lovino continued reading. "For the third time, Arthur drew forth the sword and there arose from the people a great shout, 'Arthur is king'."
Antonio smiled. "Told you so."
Page break
Francis had resumed his post at the door, keeping a close eye on Antonio.
"They're still in there?" Francis turned slightly to see Ciara trying to peer in over his shoulder with Peter at her side.
"Yes, and so far, he has been a perfect gentleman."
"You know what, Auntie?" They both looked at Peter. "I've got this funny feeling inside. I don't know what it is but it makes me feel kinda... bubbly!"
Francis and Ciara shared a knowing look. "It's hope, I've been feeling it too."
Francis smiled. "Ah, oui my little friend, the day we have waiting for may be at hand!"
Ciara smiled wistfully. "If only that were true, Francis."
"Ah, human again. Think about it!"
Ciara closed her eyes. "Human again. I can't wait."
"I'll be cooking again, be good-looking again! With a mademoiselle on each arm!"
"Careful now, you old flirt."
Francis laughed. "Well, what about you? What are you looking forward to most?"
Ciara thought about that for a moment. "Being able to touch things, to feel things..."
"Careful now, you old flirt."
Ciara hit him gently with her spout. "Not like that, you pervert. But just... being human in general is what I miss most."
Francis flagged down a passing Arthur and brought him into their little group. "What about you, Angleterre?"
Arthur released himself from Francis' grasp. "What about me?"
"What are you looking forward to most about being human again?"
"I'll unwind for a change."
Francis scoffed. "That'll be strange!"
Arthur pushed him. "Can I help being tense being around a frog like you for years? I am going on holiday once I'm human. In a shack by the sea, I'll sit back sipping tea and I'll celebrate being finally away from fools made of wax!"
"Je t'aime aussi, Angleterre." Said Francis drily.
"Whisht, will ye? I'm trying to listen!" At Ciara's words, they all pressed themselves against the door's opening, trying to listen.
"...When Guinevere heard that Arthur was slain, she stole away to a convent and no one could ever make her smile again." Lovino closed the book. "That's the end."
Antonio continued staring at the book, clearly moved by the story. "What a beautiful story."
"I knew you'd like it. And I... umm... dammit."
Antonio looked in curiosity at a tomato red Lovino who was fiercely glaring in the opposite direction.
"I w-want to ask you for something."
"What's that?" asked Antonio, intrigued.
"A...a second chance. W-w-w-would you h-h-have..." Lovino took a deep breath to steady himself. "Would you have dinner with me tonight?"
Antonio stared at him, gobsmacked. "Dinner? Me? With you?"
"Well, if you don't want to, I mean I..." muttered Lovino.
Antonio cut him off. "I'd love to have dinner with you."
"N-now let's get one thing clear. I'm not a-asking you because I fucking like your company or anything, I-I just don't like eating by myself, dammit!"
"Aw, you look just like a cute little tomato~!"
"SHUT UP, I FUCKING DO NOT!"
"Oui." Smiled Francis from the door. "It'll be any day now."
A/n: AW Lovi, your tsundere is showing :) And can I just say the whole laughing at "I can hardly bend over anymore" actually happened when my group did it. No of us had thought of it that way before but a group we all knew showed up and pissed themselves laughing at it and their dirty minds. :)
Next week will be back to normal update day so it'll be Saturday not Thursday/Wednesday. And y'know those little yellow toy chicks you can get around Easter. I've managed to train my little cousin (by example and putting one in my hair) to call them not chook-chooks, not chicks, but
GILBIRD! I'll make a fan of her yet!
Ja!
-Animerockchic
