Title: Love in Unusual Places
Author: Himuro Miharu
Pairing: Antonio/Katirina (Spain/Fem!Romano)
Genre: Romance
Rating: T
Warnings: Katirina's language
Summary: Love isn't always the easiest thing to find, and sometimes, it shows up where you least expect it. Admitting it though, is harder than finding it, especially for Katirina Vargas, a teacher with a history of pushing others away. Antonio Carriedo however, has no problems admitting it, getting his Italian to accept him however, is more difficult than he ever imagined.
Notes: I have a poll on my page talking about a sister fic to this, it would be a GerIta version, starting from when they met, to the time this fic ends. Hey y'all~ I decided to cut this chapter off a bit early, because the next one has some major events. And I decided since I didn't post a chapter last week I'd post this one a couple days early, and see if I can possibly churn out a new chapter for Wednesday. I'm not promising anything, but I'll try. It might be short though~
Disclaimer: Hidekaz Himaruya owns them~
The next few weeks passed in a flurry of excitement, the occupants of the house slowly getting used to the new edition and everything that came with having a child in the home.
Antonio came around to take Katirina out, quite often taking the woman out on simple dates like to the mall or for lunches, due to her wishing her brother not to know about their forming relationship.
"A-Antonio."
The woman's voice was soft, the two were standing in her room, the petite Italian's face nestled in the Spaniard's chest as his arms encircled her waist.
"Yes?"
"Will you come to the doctor with me this week?"
Looking down at the Italian he noted a blush was once again staining her cheeks and he smiled, nodding enthusiastically.
"Of course I'll go querida. You don't need to sound so shy. I promised I would stay with you throughout all of this and I meant it."
Katirina's blush darkened at his words, and shyly she smiled up at him, still trying to get comfortable with the notion of hugging and being shown romantic affection.
"Kitten…can I kiss you?"
Looking up she nodded, raising up onto her toes to meet his lips. Antonio smiled softly and leaned down, gently kissing her as he pulled her closer, smiling into the connection when she wrapped her arms around his neck. They stayed that way until the need for air over came the want for connection and they pulled away reluctantly. Pressing his forehead to hers Antonio smiled softly.
"I love getting this close to you Katirina. I love you."
Looking away in shame the woman sighed.
"I like this too but…I can't say what this is that I feel. I can't handle all this at once. I don't even know what it is I feel." Stepping away she whimpered, ashamed of her weakness.
"Hey, don't do that." Antonio softly eased, pulling her back into a hug, before forcing her gently to arms length, dropping his arms.
"I'm not asking for 'all this' now. I just want to know we have a future together. Some semblance of a chance. Do we have that?" Antonio asked, taking her hand, eyes filled with hope, but also hidden fear. Looking up with a shy yet determined smile, nodding her head, her curl bobbing with the motion.
"I…I want to say yes. I want to say we have a future."
Antonio sighed, knowing something else was bothering the woman.
"When you speak like that there's usually a 'but' in there."
"It's…it's nothing Antonio."
"Can we talk now?" He asked softly, once again pushing her to arms length.
"About what?"
"Katirina you know perfectly well about what. You mentioned you were scared when Alize was born, and promised you would tell me what it is you're scared of when it was just us."
The Italian turned her head, biting her bottom lip, nearly drawing blood.
"Please don't do that. You'll hurt yourself querida." Rubbing his thumb gently across her lips, leaning down to brush his own across.
"Antonio…I'm scared…I'm scared you're going to get tired of me. It wouldn't surprise me honestly. I'm moody, rude, I don't show emotion well, all I do is yell. I just don't trust anyone, and I'm…I'm not anything special. There are women who have the perfect bodies, perfect personalities, and I'm…not any of that."
Antonio pulled her close, placing gentle kisses to her forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks, and finally her lips, pulling away to look her in the eyes.
"You are perfect. To me Katirina, you are amazing."
"I wish I could change myself to be who you deserve." She whispered softly, not intending for the Spaniard to hear her.
"No Katirina. The only thing I ever wish I could change would be your self-confidence. I wish you could see beautiful you are; how completely wonderful, amazing, and just…perfect you are. I love you, how you are now, and I would never change a single thing."
Olive eyes met emerald, hope flickering within them.
"How…how do your others feel about that?"
Antonio smiled softly at the change, kissing her cheek.
"Tatsu likes you, he says you're a pretty lady and you're nice. Mika says you're okay, she doesn't like your language and attitude, and Spain…well I'm not really sure. But I rarely know what he thinks, so don't look too far into that one."
Katirina smiled softly, pulling him down so their lips met in a gentle kiss, their mouths moving in gentle synchronization. When they pulled apart Antonio reached up, stroking the woman's cheek with his thumb.
"Do you want to go out somewhere tomorrow? Not just a mall or lunch date either, a real date."
Katirina's eyes darkened and she pulled away, shaking her head.
"I…I have something I have to do."
"Oh can I help?"
Shaking her head she looked up, eyes begging the man to understand.
"I'm going to visit my son."
"Oh…I see."
"Tomorrow is his 6th birthday…had he lived." She whispered, hiding her face on the man's shirt.
"I'm so sorry Kitten. God I…I wish I knew some way to help you, to comfort you."
"I'm fine. I've handled it this long on my own Antonio, I don't need anyone's pity."
"It's not pity! I just want to help you!"
"I don't want your help Antonio! Why can't you understand that?! You always stick your nose where it doesn't belong and you're constantly getting in my business and asking personal questions! Why can't you just shut up and stay out of my business for once?!"
Green eyes widened, pain flashing in them before Antonio nodded, silently turning to leave, forcing a broken smile as he passed Feliciano and Monika rushing out the door.
Katirina fell to the ground, arms wrapping around herself as she cried, hating her habit of pushing everyone away, silently praying the man would come back so she could apologize. The door opening made her look up and quickly wipe away her tears when she discovered it was Feliciano, trying to make herself look presentable.
"Katirina what happened?!"
"Nothing. Everything is fine Fel. We had a small argument."
"But you were-"
"I said it's fine!"
"But sorella-"
"Shut up Feliciano! Get out so I can get some rest. I'm tired and visiting Silas tomorrow."
Feliciano nodded, slowly leaving the room, eyes downcast.
Katirina woke, a sob tearing through her throat, the past month and the knowledge of what the day was weighing heavily on her. With a sniffle she stood, getting herself ready before going down stairs to make breakfast.
"Hey."
Jumping she turned to see Monika sitting in the kitchen, feeding Alize.
"You're up early."
"Going to visit my son."
Bleu eyes widened and she nodded, silently watching as the woman prepared breakfast, shifting Alize into place to be burped.
"Have you eaten?"
"No but I'm really not hungry."
"You need to eat."
"I'm really not that hungry Katirina…maybe just some eggs?"
"Whatever." Making them both breakfast she lowered herself into the chair opposite the blonde, beginning to eat silently.
Monika stared at the woman, looking to her daughter before realizing tears were welling up in her eyes at the thought of losing the baby who was so precious to her, and knowing the man who killed her was still free and held no remorse. She was happy when Feliciano stepped into the kitchen, hair in a disarray, yawning before padding over to the table and dropping down beside her. Katirina passed him a cup of coffee, chuckling softly when he gratefully took a large sip, coughing when it scalded his tongue.
Sitting at the table for a few more minutes the woman sighed before standing, grabbing her purse.
"I'll be back later today."
"Katirina…be careful…ti amo."
"Ti amo.."
Once in the living room Katirina opened the front door, nearly dropping her purse at the sight of Antonio with a hand raised to knock.
"What are you doing here Antonio?" She asked, glaring, attempting to hide her own feelings of guilt at the sight of him. The Spaniard sighed, he had a feeling she was still mad at him.
"I…this was to be his birthday si?"
Olive eyes widened, staring at him in shock, slowly she nodded, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Why do you ask?"
Antonio sucked in a breath, looking at the woman he had unintentionally fallen for.
"I…I was wondering if I could accompany you to visit him. I'll stay in the car, or away, I just…no one should be alone during a time like this." The Spaniard finished softly, studying the woman. Her stare was beginning to unnerve him, and he found himself shifting from one leg to the other uncomfortably.
"I-I'm sorry. I overstepped my boundaries and-"
The woman cut him off, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug, her need to show her gratitude to him overpowering her sense of pride.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry Antonio." She whispered, burying her face in his shirt, trying to hide her tears that were rapidly forming. Wrapping his arms around her he gently stroked her back, smiling softly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for querida. Whatever it was it was my fault entirely."
"I was flying off the handle. That's all it was and I said so much that I didn't mean. I didn't mean anything I said. I'm so sorry."
"It's alright Kitten."
Feliciano peeked around the hallway, curious what had stopped his sister from leaving. Golden eyes widened at the sight and he found himself blushing and quickly walked back to the kitchen.
"What's the matter Feli? Your face is bright red." Monika commented, standing up and making her way to him, Alize waking up and making noises, reaching her tiny hands out to her father.
"Sorella…is hugging Antonio in the doorway." Feliciano said softly, before gasping, a grin overtaking his face.
"Sorella is hugging Antonio!" He whispered excitedly, smiling brightly at his fiancé and taking the tiny child from her arms, hugging her close.
Monika stared at him before a small smile made its way onto her lips.
"I'm happy for her. But…what does that mean?" She asked softly.
Feliciano shook his head, looking back into the hall with a soft smile.
"I don't know…but maybe it means she's finally moving past Daniel."
Pulling away from the man Katirina blushed, looking down at the floor in embarrassment.
"I…I would very much appreciate you coming with me today. I…I realize I don't want to be alone."
"You won't be I promise. Gracias Kitten."
The woman bristled, punching his arm.
"Don't fucking call me kitten god damn it! Don't make me change my mind about allowing you to go." She snapped, her words lacking no conviction, she loved the name, and the man knew it too.
Antonio smiled softly, nodding and following the woman to her motorcycle. Handing him a helmet she stored her purse in the compartment below the seat and climbed on, motioning for him to do the same.
"Hold on tight bastard. I need to stop at the store and I don't need you falling off. I'd have to leave you there and go on my own." She snapped, but the small smile on her face gave away the fact that she was enjoying herself, despite the sadness of what they were doing.
Stopping at the local market the Italian purchased a tiny teddy bear and a small bouquet, looking around at all the mothers with their children, feeling herself on the brink of tears.
"If I may…what exactly do you…do?" Antonio asked, drawing her from her depressing thoughts.
"Hm? Oh…I give him this and I just…sit and talk to him a little bit. I do it at Christmas as well." Katirina answered, glancing at the Spaniard before looking away quickly, wiping at her eyes. Cautiously Antonio reached out, taking the woman's hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing the back.
"You know no one thinks you're weak if you cry, don't you?"
Katirina looked away, sniffling softly. She didn't want to believe Antonio's affection was real. She couldn't afford to.
'If I get close to him, he'll use me and then throw me away, hurting Miguel and I both. Or, he may be too nice to throw me out, and then he'd pretend he liked me for Miguel's sake and went and slept around.'
Looking at the softly smiling Spaniard she tried to believe what she was thinking, but deep in her heart she knew it was impossible. She recognized the feelings, and knew she was falling hard for the man. As hard as she fought it, she knew it was a losing battle the second he smiled at her and she saw his eyes full of affection; affection just for her.
Giving a rare smile, she linked their fingers together and continued back to her bike. Putting the small gifts in the compartment she mounted the motorcycle, passing Antonio the helmet before heading towards the cemetery.
_
Antonio dismounted the bike and handed the Italian her things before moving to sit under a near-by tree, looking over his shoulder in shock when the woman grabbed his hand, looking away shyly.
"I-I would appreciate…you being there…i-if you want to of course bastard."
The Spaniard smiled softly, grasping her hand and following behind silently. Ahead he saw a tombstone with a small angel, noticing a small flower already lay on the ground before it.
"Julchen and Francis sometimes come by…but they know I do this alone usually." Katirina explained softly seeing the look Antonio's face.
"May I ask why?"
Katirina took a breath, kneeling down and setting down the flowers and small bear in front of the grave, her head bowed.
Antonio was silent, standing beside her not wanting to disturb the prayer. A sound similar to a muffled sob drew his eyes to her form and he quickly fell to his knees beside her. Reaching out a hand it was nearly on her shoulder before he thought better of it and slowly pulled away.
The woman's sobs slowly grew louder and more frequent, and before he could talk himself out of it, Antonio pulled her close, allowing her to cry as much as she needed.
Katirina shuddered and for the first time in years she sobbed unreserved in front of someone, with someone's hands on her back rubbing small circles comfortingly. Slowly her sobs became soft sniffles and finally stopped altogether, but she didn't pull away, choosing instead to stay nuzzled in the Spaniard's shirt, finding his presence comforting.
"I come alone so no one can see how weak I am." She answered finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Antonio locked a finger under her chin, pulling her face so their eyes met his usually playful green eyes serious.
"You are NOT weak for crying Katirina. If anything ever happened to Miguel, I don't know what I'd do. I would be an emotional wreck, and I honestly don't think I'd ever be normal again. Crying over a lost child is nothing to be ashamed of."
The woman stared at him before burying her face in his shirt once more, hugging him tight. Giving a sad smile he held her close, rocking back and forth as fresh tears poured down her cheeks.
"Kitten…didn't you want to talk to him?" Antonio spoke softly, nudging her. Nodding she pulled away, wiping her eyes before looking back at the small grave.
"Silas this is my…friend Antonio. I hope you don't mind that he accompanied me today. I just…didn't want to come by myself."
Antonio watched silently as the woman spoke to her child, feeling tears well up in his own eyes at the raw emotion in her voice. When she turned to him he blinked and offered a smile, surprised when he received one in return.
"I-I'm ready to leave now. Are you?"
"O-oh yes." Standing he looked back to the small tombstone and smiled.
"I hope you don't mind me Silas, I'm not trying to over step any boundaries, I promise."
Turning he jogged to catch up with the woman, shivering at a sound like children's laughter on the wind.
"Kitten…would you like to go out like I offered last night before you go back home?"
Blushing she nodded and allowed him to take her hand, linking their fingers together and giving him a small, but true smile.
"I would like that more than you know Antonio."
Smiling the Spaniard pulled her back to the motorcycle stopping to press a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"I love you Katirina."
The Italian hugged him tightly, still not able to say the words she so desperately wanted to utter. It didn't seem to bother Antonio however, who simply held her close, content to stand with her wrapped up in his arms in the cemetery entrance.
"Come on, let's get going."
The doctor smiled softly, looking at the couple.
"You seem to have healed up quite nicely. I'm releasing you for work as of Monday. Rest up during the weekend."
Nodding the Italian left, Antonio behind her humming softly when the doctor caught his wrist.
"You seem very important to her. She wasn't the same after what happened 5 years ago. Don't hurt her, please. I don't want to see my patient go through anything she did prior to all of this."
"Don't worry, I don't plan to. Now let me go." Cold green eyes regarded the man as he snatched his arm out of the man's grasp, following the Italian who was scowling down the hall.
"What the hell bastard? What were you doing?" She asked softly, glaring at him.
"The doctor wanted to talk to him. I wanted to get out of the room. I don't like hospitals." Spain explained with a shrug, starting to walk out of the building ahead of the Italian.
Catching up with him the woman slowly reached out, taking his hand.
"Why don't you like doctors?" She asked, her voice uncharacteristically soft and gentle, looking up at him with innocent eyes.
"I just...they hold bad memories, for both Antonio and myself. It's not my place to talk about it."
Katirina smiled, leaning her head on the Spaniard's arm for a moment, still astounded by the change the violent man had undergone in just a few weeks.
"Kitten do you want to go home now?" Spain asked, wincing softly.
"Sorry, I mean Katirina."
Katirina smiled softly, shaking her head.
"It doesn't bother me anymore that you call me Kitten. No I...I need a break from home. Is there anything we can do?"
"Well...we can go to the apartment if you'd like. Miguel is there with Julchen, and I know he'd like to see you."
Katirina blushed and nodded, smiling shyly up at the man.
"I would like to see him too. I haven't seen any of the children in a month."
Nodding the Spaniard started for his car, a light blush on his face.
'Why did I have to fall in love with her as well? She'll never accept me like she accepts Antonio.'
Katirina climbed in the car beside him, sending him a sweet smile, frowning when she realized something was wrong.
"Spain? Is something wrong?"
"Hm? No it's nothing. Are you hungry? We can stop and get something if you'd like."
"I'm a little hungry...but I'm alright. I'd much rather go see Miguel."
Nodding he drove, the pair were silent, Katirina wondering where he lived, eyes widening when an old apartment complex came into view.
"You live here?"
"It's not very glamorous, nor is it big, but yeah. This is home for us."
Sensing the defensive undertone she gave a sheepish laugh.
"I'm sorry I wasn't meaning to be rude."
"It's fine. Not everyone has family who can leave them a large house."
Katirina scowled, glaring at him.
"Shut up! It's not like I asked for the house! I'm not even going to be living there much longer. I need to find my own place."
Spain looked over at her in confusion once the car was parked.
"What do you mean? You told me the house was given to you."
"I'm giving it to Fel as soon as I can find an apartment. I don't need the space, he does, he's got a growing family. Me I'm...well I'm not right now. There's no telling if I'll ever need that much space."
"That...that's really nice of you."
There was silence before Katirina spoke up.
"Can we go inside now? It's getting kind of awkward out here."
"It's about to get even more awkward...what are we doing at my apartment?"
It was all Katirina could do not to start laughing and coo at the face of completely confusion he was making and how adorable she thought it was.
"Spain invited me back here."
She could see a blush creep onto his face as his eyes hardened, anger filtering in.
"Not like that you perv! He invited me back to see Miguel!"
The man blinked, suddenly blushing even more.
"S-sorry...he's always been known to be uhm...well...he always made me look like a man whore. He slept with pretty much anyone he saw. It's just...it's a natural fear of mine, that he's going to take everything from me. You included."
Reaching for his hand Katirina smiled softly.
"No matter how much he tries, I would never sleep with him. Ever."
Giving a tense smile he nodded, pulling the keys from the ignition and opening his door, quickly going around to open Katirina's door as well. Taking his hand she smiled and stood, allowing him to lead her to the small apartment. When the door opened there was a loud exclamation of 'Ms. Rina!' before she was tackled to the ground in as crushing a hug as a small 5 year old could give.
Hugging the child tight Katirina held back the urge to wince, smiling and kissing his cheek.
"I missed you Miguel!"
"I thought you were never coming back! I missed you so much!"
"I'm sorry Miguel, I was sick and couldn't work."
"I know. Papa told me. He's been taking care of you, right?" The child looked up with large green eyes and Katirina could see the unspoken question within their innocent depths.
'Are you going to marry papa?'
"Yes Miguel. Your papa has been helping me a lot. I'm very grateful for him."
Standing up the Italian set the child on the ground, smile fading when she caught sight of Julchen, a smug grin on her face as she watched from the kitchen entry.
"Something amuse you Witch?"
"No not at all. What are you doing here She-Devil?"
The Spaniard watched in silence as the women interacted, chuckling softly, knowing they were much closer than they had been when he first met the Italian nearly a year prior, nearly to the level of calling each other friend.
A tiny hand gripping his turned his attention to his son, the young boy pulling on his hand.
"Yes Miguel?
"Are you going to marry Ms. Rina?"
Taken aback the man stared at the child before smiling softly, kneeling down to his level.
"I don't know to be honest Miguel. I'm not going to say yes, because that's years from now. Don't ask that question now okay?" Hugging the boy close he smiled softly still watching the bantering women.
"I was just making dinner, you staying Witch?"
Looking at the man behind her Katirina nodded.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
Letting down her guard the eldest Vargas twin found she could enjoy a simple dinner with her boyfriend's family, enjoying the German woman's presence. When the man took her home that night she smiled, suddenly feeling like a school girl all over again.
"Thanks...for tonight. I really enjoyed it."
"I'm glad, you're welcome whenever."
Nodding she turned, hand on the door knob when he spoke once more, stopping her.
"Katirina...what are we?"
Looking back she took in his unsure expression, quickly throwing her arms around his neck before she could talk herself out of it, kissing him softly. Pulling away she blushed red, smiling shyly.
"As school girl silly as it sounds I...n-never mind. It's stupid."
"Kitten nothing you say is stupid. What was it?"
"I...I was hoping you would be...m-my...my boyfriend?" Blushing even deeper she burried her face in his chest, feeling like a child. Hugging the woman close Antonio withheld a cry of happiness, content to hold her.
"Of course I will!"
Pulling away from his chest she pushed up on her toes, kissing him softly. Breaking the kiss she smiled, opening the door.
"Ciao bastardo."
Closing the door behind her she smiled, leaning against it. She decided Monday couldn't come fast enough.
Translations:
NONE THIS TIME :3