ONE BOTTLE OF TEQUILA

Antonio was thankful for the companionship Lovino gave him. At first, he was taken aback by the Lovino's fiesty nature. It contrasted to Feliciano's calm and gentle demeanor. Back then, he thought he was hated by the older Vargas. It took quite some time getting used to Lovino's vulgar speech and rude behavior. Once he was acclimated, he realized that the Italian meant well and was just terrible with properly expressing himself. He found this very cute. From then on, Antonio Fernandez Carriedo looked forward to the time he spends with Lovino Vargas. To be precise, they have only had two meetings but even so, Antonio felt delight every time he was with Lovino.

'Maybe I'm gay?' Antonio thought as he took side glances from his seat mate. His mind was filled with thoughts of Lovino.

In an odd turn of events, Antonio, Lovino, Elizaveta, Gilbert, Feliciano and Ludwig were having dinner. The table was very lively; before Gil and Liz arrived, Antonio was engaged in random conversations with Feliciano. Deep inside, he was thankful to God for being grouped together with the younger Vargas. If it wasn't for that project, he wouldn't have met Lovino. In between his conversations, he wanted to engage Lovino in a conversation but he was busy talking with Elizaveta. He didn't want to cause a scene; since his break up with Bella, there was bad blood between two of them. Antonio decided to give his attention elsewhere at the moment. A right time will come when he can properly converse with Lovino.

The night went on and the liquor rose to Antonio's head. He was getting tipsy. He lost count of the cocktail pitchers they have ordered, coupled with several bottles of beer and one bottle of tequila. Antonio was amazed at how Lovino still looked fine. Thus, the Italian ended up driving them to the Vargas house. He was grateful for the liquor because it became easy to talk to Lovino. His inhibitions were thrown out of the window.

"Mi casa es su casa," Antonio muttered with a grin.

"Idiot. I'm supposed to be the one saying that," Lovino said, blushing.

Antonio was unsure if his host was red because of the liquor or by embarrassment. His sense of judgment was clouded but he still had some control over his speech and actions. Alcohol does make one do stupid things. Unconsciously, he let out a guttural laugh.

Their time together was extended, upon Antonio's insistence. Antonio talked a bit about himself. His life wasn't exciting; it was boring. His parents couldn't shoulder the hefty amount needed for him to finish his studies. They would be drowning in debt by the time he would graduate. A benevolent aunt decided to shoulder the expenses.

"Anyway, thank you for letting us stay here," Antonio grinned and hugged Lovino. "You really are a good person."

"Yeah, yeah. As if I can let you idiots rot in front of the campus's gate," Lovino sarcastically said. "Go to sleep idiot. I'm sleepy already."

Antonio bid the other man good night.

The days passed by in a lull for the Spaniard. He went to classes, passed his assignments, attended meetings of his college's organization, and went to church together with the Vargas brothers.

Antonio never considered himself as a religious man. He only attended masses because he felt a sense of obligation to do so and he didn't want to make a fuss with his parents who were deeply religious. As of the late, he started to look forward to Sundays because he would be seeing Lovino. He inwardly rejoiced when Feliciano couldn't join them for Mass. It was mean to be happy at the expense of others since the younger Vargas was suffering from a fever. However, Antonio wanted to have time alone with Lovino. He didn't have the nerve to ask the other man out because he never had any legitimate reason to do so. They weren't particularly close, yet, but Antonio felt a certain click with Lovino. Contrary to everyone's perception that Lovino was a grumpy, Antonio found him very fun to be with.

They spent that Sunday together. It wasn't the joyous of occasions since Antonio was suffering from a sore throat. It took effort to speak but he does his best anyhow. By the end of the day, he felt tired but satisfied. He felt nervous when Lovino asked if he had someone he liked. Antonio wasn't sure if he did like Lovino, so he gave a vague reply. If he would confess his feelings, he wanted to be sure about them.

As the semester drew to a close, Antonio was busy with his requirements. He didn't keep in touch with his friends outside of his college. When it was the last day of class, he couldn't help screaming his happiness. His classmates laughed then they congratulated each other on staying alive after the hellish week.

Unexpectedly, Antonio met Lovino in the cafeteria. As always, the Italian furrowed his brows; he always looked grumpy, it was such a waste of a handsome face.

Antonio took a sharp breath. He never expected himself to be physically attracted to another man. Lately, he wondered about his sexuality – maybe he was gay? Or, maybe he was only attracted to Lovino? For now, he set aside these thoughts; he was walking closer to where Lovino sat and he didn't want to look distressed.

"Hey Lovi!" Antonio greeted and sat across the man.

"Uh, hi," Lovino replied, his eyes were fixated on his phone.

"Are exams over?"

"Yes, a week ago. I'm waiting for my grades," The Italian replied without lifting his head.

"So, um, are you free this weekend? We haven't hung out lately," Antonio asked. They had an odd-sort of friendship. For the past weeks, the two of them hung out on Fridays or weekends; sometimes with others (Feliciano and Ludwig), sometimes with themselves only.

"Oh, yeah, sure," Lovino was distracted with his reply. Antonio hummed and waited patiently for the other man's attention to refocus on him.

"So..." Antonio broke the silence between them after 30 minutes.

"I need a bottle of tequila tonight," Lovino abruptly said and left the cafeteria.

A bit confounded but Antonio acquiesced to the demand. He went to the supermarket, bought one bottle of tequila, rock salt, and lime. Aside from the liquor, he bought ingredients for dinner. Meat, chicken, potatoes, carrots, and the like. Oh, and there were also various chips. He sent a text to his friend so that he would be picked up. In no time, Lovino replied and Antonio was picked up.

"Why do you have so many plastics with you?" Lovino raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it's the end of the semester and we should end it with a bang!"

"By spending it in my house?"

"Yes... there's no place like home,"

Lovino laughed, "Damn right."

Antonio was thankful that his friend's mood has alleviated. He was used to Lovino's witty and sarcastic remarks but not when he was serious. There were certain occasions that Lovino was too focused and serious such as earlier and when he helped him and Feliciano with their project. Antonio didn't know how to interact with this Lovino.

When they arrived at the Vargas house, Antonio brought the bags to the kitchen. The Spaniard busied himself with preparing dinner and their drink after dinner. While chopping garlic, Antonio was called out by Lovino. His host was busy at the telephone noting the voicemails left for his grandfather.

"What movie would you like to watch?" Lovino asked after he finished his task.

"Um, any old movies?" Antonio replied.

Antonio didn't hear a reply so he continued with his self-appointed chore. Halfway through his cooking, Lovino walked into the kitchen and brought with him five DVDs.

"I don't know your definition of old but I've got the original trilogy of Star Wars and 007 films,"

"Um, 007?" Antonio said unsurely. He wasn't a sci-fi fan, so James Bond films it is. Lovino then left and there was some shuffling in the living room.

It was 11 PM when Antonio was borderline drunk. After they finished the bottle of tequila and two 007 movies, Lovino wobbily walked into his room and came out with an unopened bottle of vodka. The duo weren't afraid to become messes since they were in the comfort of a house.

In the drunken stupor, Lovino started talking about himself. Antonio intently listened to his beloved's story.

From what he could understand, Lovino's father was a married man (to Feliciano's mother) but he had a one night stand with Lovino's mother during one of his business trips. When Lovi's mother died, he was brought into the Vargas home. Enraged, Mrs. Vargas filed for a divorce and brought Feliciano with her. His grandfather admonished Mr. Vargas but he was kind to Lovino, for the first few months... before the young boy proved to be a troublesome lad. It was an authoritarian childhood with his grandfather. Lovino didn't like how his grandfather scolded him but he learned to tolerate the old man. Hell, the old man was more of a father than his biological father.

After the divorce, Mr. Vargas felt guilty and started taking projects from overseas. When he returns, he rarely stays at home and spends time with Feliciano in some exotic part of Europe.

"I hated the little brother who stole my father... but when I saw him for the first time, I couldn't really hate him," Lovino took a gulp of vodka. "In a weird turn of events, Feliciano decided to reconnect with me. The idiot went as far as go to the same university as me. My life's a fucking soap opera."

Antonio hugged Lovino before he confessed his feelings. It was now or never.

"Even so, I love you," It might pass for drunk talk but there is always truth in wine.

"What does it have to do with what I said?!" Lovino treid to move away from the Spaniard's grasp.

"Nothing... but, I love you. PERIOD. No caveats; etc," Antonio kissed Lovino's forehead before he softly placed his lips unto the Italian's.

"Then, aren't I a lucky bastard?" Lovino murmured before he drifted to sleep.

"No, we are lucky men," Antonio whispered to his sleeping lover. " By chance, we found each other, and it's beautiful."


To be continued

A/N: Thank you so much for waiting. It was one roller coaster of a semester but I pulled through. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much I enjoyed writing it. I kept Antonio's side under the wraps because he tells the later half of the story. Thank you for the reviews, alert and favorites. Have a great day!