I'm sorry it took so long, but I'm dealing with a lot right now. This is the second to last chapter. I wish this didn't have to end ...
Kismet
Chapter Fifty-One: Long Way Home
"Oh, Lovino … I thought you were dead …"
Feliciano tilted his head, "Y-you did? Ve … you said he was up north … you lied?"
Elizaveta sighed sadly, "Honey … Feli … Roderich received news that Lovino ran away into the wilderness … we … we didn't want to upset you or worry you …"
The younger brother nodded, forgiving her quickly since his brother was safe and sound anyway. Lovino, however, glared.
"You fu-" his eyes caught his children watching and sighed. They were so impressionable, "sell me. Then you lie to my brother about where I was?" he looked away, already regretting his decision.
Elizaveta sat on the edge of the bedding and looked at him, "Lovino … I didn't … I didn't want to separate you two … I wanted you to stay … I knew you could be better than what Roderich made you out to be … you knew that …" she gently reached out to take his hand, carefully watching his reactions, "You were a son to me … it tore me up to hear that you'd gone missing and the only thing we thought was that you were killed out there … I couldn't … I couldn't stand the man Roderich showed himself to be." she bit her lip, "I loved him … but I hated who he'd become."
Lovino watched her. Tears fell from her face and he sighed. He always hated seeing pretty girls cry, "I … I know it wasn't your fault … I was just angry … still am … that you hadn't done anything to keep me there. But Antonio's right, if I hadn't run away, I wouldn't be where I am today. So yeah … stop crying …"
She smiled and hugged Lovino (and Feliciano, whom was still holding his brother) in a surprise hug, "I missed you, Lovino!"
Lovino pushed her away and blushed, "Whatever. But you'd better not bring that pompous ass anywhere near me." he growled.
Elizaveta nodded excitedly, "So tell me, Lovino, you're married? To Antonio over there~?" she pointed to the man cooing at the twins.
Lovino sighed, realizing she wasn't going to just leave, "Yeah."
The woman bit her lip and her cheeks became red. Her hand flew over her mouth and she looked like she was about to explode, "Adorable." she choked out, joy lining her voice.
The queen raised his brow, but she continued.
"And … those children … they are yours as well?" she squeezed out.
Lovino nodded, "Yes …" he said slowly.
She squealed lightly, "Does the surrogate mother stay around to nurse or did she only stay for the pregnancies?"
The queen scoffed, "Surrogate? I didn't need a fu- … a surrogate! I'm a f- … I'm a queen. I have connections to powerful potions masters up north. I carried those babies myself! I'm not about to let some strange harlot carry my children nor Antonio's!" his arms crossed, however he hadn't expected blood to trickle from her nose. She wiped it away with a small handkerchief and smiled brightly.
"How wonderful~!" she said softly.
Lovino raised his brow and found it completely odd, but he rolled his eyes and got off the bedding to go to the babies and pick up Tristán who was crying for his mama to hold him. He bounced the crying toddler in his arms.
"Ve~? So you're saying those twins … are both of yours?"
Antonio nodded vigorously, "Yes! My Lovi is so extraordinary~! I love him so much~!" he lifted Romana from the bed and walked over to Lovino, kissing his cheek softly. Elizaveta squealed again and kept her face covered with the little cloth.
Lovino gave her a weird look, glad he wasn't raised by the weirdo, but a little sad that his brother had been subjected to such behavior. He sincerely hoped his little brother had not picked any of her strange habits.
He whispered in Sverran to his little Tristán, who calmed down. After a short while of her weirdness, Elizaveta hugged Lovino, Antonio and waved goodbye to the twins. She took Feliciano with her because, despite his warning, Ludwig still got scratched up for messing with the twins and he was a little worried.
The queen leaned back on his bedding, holding Tristán close. He looked at Antonio and sent a small glare, "That was … so weird Antonio … I might have to kick your ass."
Antonio laughed lightly, scooting himself and Romana over against Lovino's side, "I'm sorry my love~" Lovino grinned and closed his eyes. He preferred when they spoke in Sverran. He loved his original language, but when Antonio spoke Sverran … it made Lovino feel at peace … and slightly turned on.
The peaceful air faded fast when the tent was ripped open and Gilbert came walking in, "Toni! Guess who I just saw riding up this way?"
Antonio sat up, "Who?"
"Hello, my loves~!" Francis walked in. Michelle and Matthew were right behind him, clutching Jay and her things. The little girl looked so big now that she was over two years old. Her hair was pinned up with little pins and cascaded around her shoulders in little golden curls.
"Aunt Wovi" she shouted, wriggling in Matthew's grasp. The fairy put her down and she ran over to Lovino, leaping up into his lap, despite Tristán and hugged him.
Lovino smiled and hugged her back, "Hi Jay~!" he smiled, slightly irked that Francis taught her to call him 'aunt'.
The little girl giggled and curled up on Lovino's chest. Lovino frowned looking up at the trio talking now about everything Lovino had already heard and more.
Matthew sat down beside him and sighed, "Come back here Jay … it's time for your dinner."
Lovino made a face. It was almost time for his own kids to have their supper. Matthew, Michelle and Lovino sat down to feed the three children.
Francis had to go home the very next day, but he didn't leave without getting drunk along with Antonio and Gilbert. Luckily, Matthew and Chelle were around to help keep an eye an all the babies.
The finally week before their departure home went by quickly. Lovino hated Ludwig. It wasn't only because the man had tried to grab one of his children, but also because the man stole the attention of his brother whenever he came around.
Lovino looked over from his carriage to the one Antonio had set up for Gilbert and his brother since they were headed to the castle as well for jobs, which Lovino was very unwilling to give. Roderich and Elizaveta were going as well, so were sharing that carriage.
The older brother looked to Feliciano, hoping he'd pick to ride with his family, but somewhere deep down, he knew he was going to be second in Feliciano's eyes.
When everyone was finally settled and Lovino in a sour mood, the carriages began their long ride home.
"Lovino, are you okay, my love?" Lovino jumped and turned his glare to the passing landscape to his husband.
"What?" he snapped.
Antonio gave him an odd smile, maybe trying to calm him down, "Lovi … are you still upset about Feliciano riding with Gilbert and the others?"
"No!" he growled, looking down at his lap, where Tristán was sleeping in his arms, "Why should I care if it's always 'Luddy' this and 'Luddy' that? Let him go sit with that potato loving prick instead of me!"
The king sighed, "Lovi, my sweet," he scooted closer to his queen and wrapped the arm that wasn't holding his daughter around Lovino, "I would pick you over my sister … it's love … besides, don't you like this family time? We haven't had much time as a family in a long time." when that wasn't appeasing his husband, he smiled again, "How about this? I have quite a bit of work to do and you'll probably want to get the twins properly bathed, as well as a bath for yourself-"
"I knew that, Antonio. Get to the fucking point."
"Invite Feliciano alone and spend some more time with your brother. It can't be helped that he'll want to spend time with the person he loves. I mean, if it were up to me, I would never let you go." he laughed, but stifled the laugh when Lovino lightly elbowed him in the stomach with a blush across his cheeks.
Antonio leaned over and kissed his Lovino and smiled when his queen laid his head down on his shoulder. Their fingers intertwined when Lovino grabbed Antonio's hand.
"It's good to know he's safe …" Lovino muttered, "but I guess … as much as I missed my brother … I barely know him …"
The king nodded and the both of them dozed off. Lovino awoke to Tristán pulling his hair. He jolted up and looked around sleepily. Tristán laughed at his mama's interesting reaction and Lovino grinned lightly, "Don't pull mama's hair …" he muttered. It was getting dark out already and the sky was lit up pink and orange.
Lovino looked to his side and grinned. Romana was clutched tightly to her father's chest and Antonio was curled up against the corner of the seat, sleeping. It was terribly cute. Tristán bounced himself in his mama's lap, wanting some attention.
"Okay, okay …" Lovino grabbed his hands and clapped them together in some random pattern. The little boy laughed and did it the best of his ability himself. The queen smiled at his little prince and kissed his hands and clapped them together again.
This went on for a few minutes until the carriage pulled to a stop and Antonio woke up with a jolt, "Wh-where …?" he continued rambling in random words.
"At an inn … it's late …" Lovino rubbed his shoulder, waking him up more. Antonio smiled and leaned in to kiss Lovino.
"Ve~" Lovino jumped and pushed Antonio away to look at Feliciano, whom was staring in through the window, "Luddy wants to know why we've stopped here."
Lovino frowned, "Tell 'Luddy' he's either blind or stupid. It's late out and we're staying at an inn!" he shouted the last word when Tristán yanked his bangs again, "Tristán, son, mama said no." Lovino grabbed his little hand and gave him a stern look. Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized he'd upset Lovino and Lovino sighed, "Just get your butt inside, Antonio and I will pay for three rooms for all of us."
Feliciano nodded and skipped off to the other carriage. Lovino glared at Antonio, "Where did he pick up that habit?" he growled, climbing out of carriage.
Antonio shrugged, "I have no clue, my love, I assure you!" Lovino rolled his eyes.
"Let's just go feed the babies."
After handing Feliciano and Elizaveta their keys, Antonio walked into his own room. Lovino set the babies down on the bed and reached for their little bag he fed and changed them, as well as getting them all cleaned up. They were set in the middle of the bed to sleep. Both babies were fast asleep soon after.
"They had a pretty long day …" Lovino smiled softly, running his hand over Romana's dark curls. Her hand rubbed her face and she rolled her head to the other side.
Antonio nodded and rubbed Lovino's shoulders, "So did we, and we still have a long chunk of trip to go before we're home so you'd better get to sleep Lovi~"
The queen yawned and nodded, pulling off his boots and robes. He laid down on one side and Antonio on the other. Their hands linked over the babies and both fell asleep. However, morning was not as peaceful. They were woken early by Feliciano and the babies began crying.
Lovino finally calmed them down and scolded his brother about being too loud. After breakfast was gone, everyone climbed back into their carriages and started another long day of travel.
While Antonio played with the children, Lovino took a moment to write an entry in his almost long forgotten journal. A four month gap was in between a few of the entries, but with Feliciano coming, the babies second birthday, Lovino's nineteenth and Antonio's twenty-third, seeing Femke and Tessa for the first time in a long time and just all around too much to keep in, Lovino couldn't stay away from the old gift, which was on its last few pages.
He finished writing what he hadn't been able to the previous night and tucked the journal away to take Romana from Antonio. She sat silently in his lap and played his the bracelets on Lovino's wrists. He kissed the back of her head and looked over at Antonio. The queen couldn't help but smiled when both Antonio and Tristán were smiling brightly, playing pat-a-cake.
Hours crawled by and a very small lunch was eaten by noon. A small break was taken shortly after, to let the horses rest. Lovino walked around the small dirt road, followed closely by his little ones. They clung to his robes and looked around at the world before them.
Lovino smiled and knelt down, "This beautiful country is going to be yours one day, Tristán." the toddler looked up at him, "Countwy?"
The queen smiled and kissed the top of his head, "Yes, Sverran." he looked out to the stretches of unused land. The sky was blue and clear and the sun shimmered high above them, "All yours, my son."
He rubbed the boy's head and hugged Romana close. She seemed preoccupied with a pretty rock.
Light crunching of rocks and dirt behind Lovino caused him to turn around. Feliciano was walking up, yet … he wasn't smiling. His face seemed devoid of emotion … except pain.
"Lovi … can I ride in your carriage … please …" his voice was soft, very unusual.
The Sverran queen nodded and stood up, "Of course … but … are you okay?"
Feliciano nodded and picked up Romana, whom had wandered over to him, "I'm fine, Lovi … just … want to spend some time with my brother and niece and nephew …"
Lovino knew it was a lie, but he wasn't going to pressure Feliciano into talking. They walked back to the carriage and climbed in. Antonio was already sitting in the seat and looked at Feliciano confused, "He's riding the rest of the way with us."
An odd silence filled the carriage, as Feliciano held Romana and let her play with his precious iron cross. Lovino had rarely, if ever seen him take it off. Maybe Ludwig had been the one to upset him? Lovino frowned, wishing he knew.
TBC
~Lady Pyrien
