Chapter VII: Travel.
(Spain. Year 1492.)
A young Spanish girl knocked on her guest's bedroom door ready to change the bed sheets. "Hola, Leo. I came to change the sheets." She overheard a groan and a whine, "uh, hola, Maria . Could you please return later?!" He answered loudly in an exhausting tone. "No, I cannot. Uncle Miguel ordered me to change the sheets. Could you please open up so I can do my chore quickly?"
A sound of him rolling out of the bed to unlock the door, was very audible. "Si, fine. It's too damn early to argue." He said in an annoyed tone, opening the door for her to enter.
She sighed, "Mr. Vargas, it's the late afternoon! How many drinks did you have last night?"
Another groan from the Italian man hinting that of a hangover. "It was my birthday last night, I have a right to celebrate!"
She tore off the messy sheets, huffing in doing so, "That doesn't mean to drink your night away! Listen, you will be traveling to India soon on a ship for months, you think you could drink and party all you like?! Wait until the feel of the sea pushing you around through choppy waters, and the sea sickness pulses through you-" Leo ran out of the room feeling sick to his stomach.
Maria smirked, "That one not so bright," She sighs, "Just like Uncle Miguel."
Leo ran down the hallway spewing in a mop and bucket that was left there. After he felt better, he wiped his drool with his long sleeve. He was in a sense, a true mess. He felt his feelings being bottled up for months inside. First his home, then his grandfather, his brother, and now here on an expedition he was dragged into because of his stupid cousin. What's next to make him more stressed out?
"Hola, Leo!" Interrupted by the Spaniard who gave him a place to stay. A ward to the king and queen of Spain, Miguel truly knew how to be the top annoying person on Leo's list.
"Why the hell are you always in a good mood?! Don't you ever have a bad day?" Leo's eye twitched when he sees Miguel's huge smile and laid back facial features. Nothing ever pisses this man off, or makes him have a bad day.
"No, my amigo. Why should I live in darkness, if the sun will always come out again? That's my motto!" Miguel's innocent chuckle made Leo's eye twitch again.
"What a stupid motto! That didn't even make sense to my question! I'm NOT your amigo, I'm your guest!" Leo shouted.
"Ah, but Leo, it did answer your question on if I ever have a bad day, si? Now, now, as long as you're a guest in my home, you're my amigo!" Miguel chuckled again.
Leo rolled his eyes, "My head is killing me, you bastard."
"I guess we did party a little hard last night. Ah, why did such a great night have to end!"
"Because you were the one passing my vino like its water! How the hell are you okay with no hangover?"
"Ah, now Leo, that's a Spaniard's secret!~~" Miguel chuckled.
"Hopeless." Leo mumbled. 'This guy is getting on my nerves,' he thought to himself. "Time to find my stupid cousin! You coming, you bastard?"
"Si, of course my amigo! We'd be the greatest compadres of the seven seas! You and me, right?"
"Could you stop spewing nonsense and help me find my stupid cousin? Let's go!"
"Si, Leo!"
The Italian and the Spaniard came across a court yard with a beautiful water fountain in the the center. Maria was running behind them trying to catch their attention with a letter in her hand, "Leo! A letter came addressed to you!"
Leo turned to grab the letter, instantly ripping the envelope apart. "Who is it from, Leo?" Miguel asked curiously.
Leo sped through the letter quickly crumbling it up and tossing it to the ground. "News from back home in Napoli. Let's go!" Unfortunately, Miguel picked it back up to read.
"Dear Leonardo," he started, "The fever has gone down, but Alessandro still has no energy or appetite. We do wish for safe travels to you and your cousin Christopher. Your late, Nonno's fortune is enough to help your brother to be treated, so don't worry about his condition! Love and miss you, mama." Miguel started to tear up.
Leo stopped in his footsteps, "bastard." Miguel wiped his tears, "So, your younger brother is critically ill? Your grandfather passed away and left the inheritance to help pay for doctors and medical expenses? Why are you going on an expedition you already hate, if everything is going to be okay back home?"
"You, bastard! That money isn't enough to help cure him! No amount of money in this world could cure him! I'm doing this because he wanted me to finally see the world."
"What do you mean?"
"Alessandro always wanted to travel because of some made up fairy tale bullshit grandpa use to tell him! Since Alessandro is in no condition to travel, he wants me to see the world and tell him about it afterwards, but Columbus bastard wants me to be part of his damn crew! I'm never going to be able to see the world and return home in time before Alessandro is gone. I'm doing this for him, not me, him!"
"That is so sweet! You're doing this for your little brother! Such a good brother you are!"
"Shut up!"
"It's true!"
"Shut up, you bastard! I only have one brother!"
"Awwwww."
"SHUT UP!"
(The present)
While wandering the streets of Madrid, Spain, Lovino and Antonio searched for hours for Feliciano. They came here to open a new exhibit for Feliciano's newest art gallery, "Marukaite Chikyuu." Oddly enough, the name is in Japanese and was created by Italians and a Spaniard.
"Where the hell did that idiot ran off to?!" Lovino shouted sitting on a public bench exhausted. It's been literally three hours when Feliciano was discovered not following the two.
"Si, I'm not quite sure. Last I heard him say, "let's get gelato!" Unfortunately, Lovi, Spain doesn't sell gelato. Odd, right?"
"Of course Spain doesn't have gelato! It's an Italian dessert!" Lovino shouted.
"Would you explain to me why America has it, then?" Antonio smiled.
"Fuck you!"
"Language, Lovino! I don't like it when you talk to me like that!"
"Fine. I'm sorry, you bastard!"
"Much better!" Antonio giggled.
"So, would this small family owned castle,be okay for you to stay in?" Asked a Spaniard man.
"Si, it's perfect! A real Renaissance castle! Big brother would definitely enjoy staying here instead of a modern hotel!" Feliciano exclaimed excitedly. One of the art museum directors approached Feliciano earlier, saying a family wished for him and his crew to stay at their Spanish castle. They said it was an honor.
"Senor Vargas, if I could ask, are you related to the famous Christopher Columbus?" Feliciano turned puzzled.
"Not that I know of? Why, sir?"
"I have seen an article in, "World Wide Art," and noticed in a photo of you and your twin brother. He looks a lot like a cousin of Christopher Columbus. That certain cousin stayed here one night before the famous voyage. His name was Leonardo Vargas, and the original owner of this castle was a noble that personally served Queen Isabella. He fell in love with Senor Vargas and wanted to help him with a request he had to fulfill. Your twin looks just like Leonardo Vargas, so I assumed there was a blood lineage between all of you."
"That is so cool! I wished I knew more about this Leonardo guy!" Feliciano got excited.
"There's a portrait, in the current owner of this castle's, private study. I will definitely ask him to show you it. I truly believe he is your ancestor!"
"Ah, si, si, please!" Feliciano nodded.
The sun has started to go down, and near a fountain in the middle of the streets of Madrid, sat two men waiting for someone to find them.
"Wanna play go fish, Lovi?" Antonio asked holding up a deck of cards.
"No."
"How about old maid?"
"No."
"Hm. How about easy eights?"
"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NO!"
"Si, si, okay. Just it's dull waiting for Feli ."
"Who's fault is that?!" Lovino sighed, "How could he not tell us where he was going?"
Antonio pondered the question, Feliciano did say he wanted gelato and will be right back. That was over four hours ago, where could he ran off to?
"Lovi, I think Feli was kidnapped?" Antonio faced his friend. Lovino jumped up from shock of Antonio's seriousness. "Kidnapped?!"
"Si, why else hasn't he return?"
"Now that you mention it, he is a famous artist known world wide. He has an exhibit opening tonight at the 'Paseo del Prado' that is worth millions of dollars back home. You kidnap him, you have a great ransom for him as a hostage! We need to call the policia, as soon as possible."
"Vhat are you guys doing here?" A familiar german accent came from behind them.
"Ludwig..?" Antonio asked, "Hola, mi amigo!"
"POTATO BASTARD?! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?" Lovino shouted. A group of bystanders watched the Italian shout.
"Calm down, I am here for to see Feliciano's exhibit tonight. I vas invited by email."
"YOU HAVE HIS EMAIL?! STALKER!" Lovino pointed.
"Nein. I am here as a friend viewing another friend's artvork. I do fancy a good art exhibit."
"YOU MEAN YOU FANCY MY BROTHER, YOU BASTARD!"
"Please stop shouting, fratello. You are attracting strangers." Feliciano responded from the other side of the group with a stretch limousine.
"Ah! There he is! We were very worried about you, Feli. Thought you were kidnapped by some sick greedy people wanting a ransom." Antonio waved and laughed.
"YOU THOUGHT THAT!" Lovino shouted at Antonio's carefree laid back grin.
"Please stop yelling." Ludwig sighed.
"How did you get us to stay at a lovely Renaissance castle?" Antonio adored the interior and the exterior. "I always wanted to live in a castle and be treated like a king!"
"No, your majesty. That idea suck balls!" Lovino remarked with a giggle from Antonio.
"That nice museum director at the 'Paseo del Prado' recommended it. He also said the current family that live here are descended to a man who fell in love with the cousin of Christopher Columbus." Feliciano smiled.
"Boring. So, why are letting us stay here?" Lovino asked.
"Because of you, fratello. They say you look like their ancestor's lover." Lovino shook.
"DISGUSTING!" Antonio chuckled. Feliciano tried to calm Lovino down.
"I meant you just look like him is all. Isn't it romantic though." Feliciano blushed.
"If his lover was a woman, and if I was too."
"I still believe it's romantic!~" Feliciano smiled.
"Well, I think it is romantic too!" Antonio laughed.
"Yeah..okay." Lovino mumbled blushing.
Author's Note:
First off, sorry about the long break. I had writer's block and lack of computer for a long time.
This story was supposed to be about the expedition to the America's (by mistake) of Christopher Columbus. However, since Columbus day may be banned or replaced pretty soon, I didn't continue the voyage part of the story. This chapter reflected on the past lives of Antonio and Lovino, as Miguel and Leonardo. Miguel never confessed his love to Leo, but he still dedicated his life to travel with him.
Secondly, there will be more updates pretty soon. Since I didn't have a computer, I still updated the story under notes on my phone. Next chapter, is HongIce. Any mistakes or that I need to correct anything, please let me know. Thank you.
Special Terms:
Napoli (Italian)- which means Naples in Italian, is a town in Southern Italy (My bloodline). Also, the original round style pizza, we all know and love was invented in Naples.
Nonno (Italian)- which means Grandfather in Italian.
Fratello (Italian)- which means Brother in Italian.
Marukaite Chikyuu (Japanese)- If you are a fan of Hetalia, I will not state the obvious translation here.
Gelato (English)- As an Italian American, Gelato and Gelati, is technically the same word. Just one is the American version of the word, and the other is the Italian. Gelato is the much tastier version of Ice cream technically, it's sweeter and melts faster. It is popular as fruit flavors, but could also be enjoyable with regular ice cream flavors.
Paseo del Prado (Spanish)- I literally googled this, it may be incorrect but oh well. It's an art museum in Madrid, Spain.
Policia (Spanish)- Police.
-HetalianPrincess92
