"You drive a motorbike?"
Gilbert really hadn't expected this. Not that he'd been expecting anything, but if he had been this wouldn't have been it. Lovino had told him they were going on a daytrip, and Gilbert had grabbed his things and followed him outside. He'd been a little confused when the Italian had headed towards the garage instead of to the car, which was sitting in the driveway like usual. Gilbert had always just assumed he couldn't be bothered putting it away, but now he knew better.
In the centre of the garage sat an impressive, red motorbike. It was well looked after, Lovino obviously cared about it a lot. Gilbert was honestly surprised he hadn't seen it by now, although he'd never thought there'd be anything interesting in the garage so why would he have come out here before?
"Don't act so surprised," Lovino said, smirking. "Ducati, remember?"
Gilbert didn't have time to process that statement before a helmet was being shoved into his arms, and for some reason it fit perfectly. He wondered how long Lovino had been planning this, but again his thoughts were cut short as Lovino mounted the bike, staring at him impatiently.
"You coming or what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What's the hurry?" Gilbert asked, sliding onto the bike behind Lovino.
"It's a long drive," Lovino said, then looked down, even though Gilbert was behind him and couldn't meet his eyes. "And I like driving the bike, okay?"
Gilbert chuckled and wrapped his arms around the Italian's waist. Lovino started the bike, engine roaring to life before settling into a quiet hum as they drove out of the garage. Lovino had to pause to close the garage door, turning to Gilbert.
"You holding on?" he asked, voice betraying his excitement despite his neutral expression. Gilbert tightened his grip in response.
The second he did the bike shot forward, tearing down the long driveway towards the quiet streets of Segni. Gilbert was still amazed at the ease with which Lovino navigated the streets, taking only a few turns before they were out of the town and heading along a mountainous path at incredible speeds.
"Where are we going?" Gilbert asked, struggling to be heard over the engine.
"The Amalfi coast, it's a few hours away but the trip's half the fun," Lovino yelled back, turning his head slightly towards Gilbert.
The Prussian shrugged and nodded, then remembered Lovino couldn't see him and settled for resting against Lovino's back as he drove. The entire experience was exhilarating, from the speed to the incredible view in the valley below to Lovino in front of him, handling the bike as easily and confidently as if they weren't travelling as fast as some of the most powerful cars on the road.
After a while, the mountains gave way on one side to the ocean, shining a spectacular blue in the midday sun. By the time they reached the Amalfi coast, and Lovino began to slow down to drive through the first of many towns along it, Gilbert had a new appreciation for travelling by bike.
"How come I've never seen you drive this thing before?" Gilbert asked as he pulled off his helmet, Lovino turning off the bike.
"I don't, not all the time anyway," Lovino replied, setting his own helmet aside and running hand through his hair to smooth it down. As always, his one haywire curl refused to obey gravity.
"Why not?" Lovino shrugged in response.
"I don't like wasting her, I only drive her when I can enjoy it."
Gilbert didn't comment on the bike being a 'her', instead choosing to put an arm across Lovino's shoulders and pull him close as they walked down the main street of the small town they'd ended up in.
"Are we going anywhere in particular?" he asked, looking around. There were a few shops, some cafes and the occasional empty storefront, but he figured there had to be something worth stopping for or Lovino would have rather kept driving.
"There's a gelato shop up here," Lovino said, nodding in the general direction they were walking.
The gelato ended up being pretty good, and so did everything else Lovino showed Gilbert in all the other towns they stopped at. By the time they returned to Segni, it was getting dark and neither of them could deny they were tired after the massive day, as much as Lovino would've protested it if it meant he could keep driving.
"That was awesome," Gilbert said as Lovino unlocked the front door, grinning down at his Italian.
Lovino smiled proudly in response, for once a genuine expression rather than his usual forced scowl. Gilbert couldn't help leaning down to kiss him, catching Lovino off guard. The shorter man squeaked in surprise before responding, smiling into the kiss.
"Idiota," he murmured as he pulled back, but he was still smiling, a light blush dusting his cheeks.