Chapter 7
I am so furious right now. Yeah I've been pissed before, but THIS. The crew seem to sense this isn't my ordinary angry because they are staying far away and not making eye contact. Smart.
"It's them alright. Keep on course, it's not us they're after." Antonio put away his spyglass. I stormed up behind him and wrenched him by his belt to face me.
"You tell me what the fuck is going on right now or I swear to god I will make your pathetic fucking life unbearable!" He winced.
"Right, sorry for leaving you like that..." He rubbed the back of his neck and turned away.
"Look at me while I'm talking to you shit face and fucking answer me!" The few men around us flinched and edged toward the nearest exit in case I exploded. A very likely possibility.
"Ah, well you see that ship..." He nodded to the speck in the distance. "... is the Britannia, a Royal Navy ship captained by Arthur Kirkland, and well, he and Francis knew each other as children but Francis was kinda mean to him, then a couple of years ago they met again and well, things happened and Francis ran away with his ship and its cargo and Arthur is still pissed about it, he knows I'm friends with him and has been chasing Francis ever since, last time I saw either of them was in Puerto Rico, when Arthur almost got him but I helped him escape, with Arthurs ship, anyway he hates me too but he won't attack us, I think, Francis is his top priority; he'll probably ask me if I've seen him and go away!" Antonio took a deep breath having said the whole thing in one.
"You're an idiot." I released my grip on his collar and he scuttled away from me.
"You didn't have to be so harsh; you could have asked me nicely!" He whimpered.
"I did! And you fucking stormed out slamming the door in my face!"
"I'm sorry! It was an emergency!"
"Don't 'it was an emergency' me! How easy was it to tell me just then?"
"You were yelling at me right up in my face! Look! You creased my coat!"
"All you care about is you fucking coat?! Do you know how scared I was, you storming out like that, not telling me what the hell was going on?! It could have been a real emergency!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Like hell you are you little..."
"Sir! The ships gaining on us!"
"We are not done with this conversation." I warn him. Turning around and stomping my way to the kitchens to stab something.
"Lovi!" I flip him off without looking back.
.O
When I enter the kitchens I'm greeted by the cook, Elizabeta.
"Oh, jó reggelt Lovino! Hey, what's wrong?" I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
"I hate him. I really hate him!" I shout through my sobs as she tries to comfort me.
"Oh, Lovi! What has he done now?"
"I-I-I h-hate him, h-he r-really s-scared me."
"Shhh... tell me, how did he scare you?"
"I t-thought something r-really b-bad happened."
"Aw, shh, its okay, nothing bad is going to happen. Antonio can look after us; he's really quite strong you know." I know that. I was being ridiculous now but I just couldn't stop crying.
"Elizabeta, what's going on...?"
"Get out Roderich! Lovi's having a moment."
"Oh sorry..."
"No! Its o-okay, I'm being stupid. Acting like a f-fucking woman."
"Hey!"
"No offence, sorry Liz."
"Grr, you're lucky you're crying or I would beat you with my frying pan. I'll get you something to cheer you up, and then I'll beat you." Although the threat was real she managed to smile warmly as she went to raid the pantry. I really love Liz, she's an amazing woman. We get along swimmingly; she's really tough and doesn't take shit from anybody.
"T-thanks Liz..." I choke out when she comes back with a cup of hot chocolate.
"Don't mention it; happens to the best of us."
"Has Antonio ever cried?" she looked taken aback, but soon composed herself thinking of a reply.
"Well, usually he's always happy, but he can be scary sometimes. I guess that's why he's such a good captain. Antonio was on the ship before Roddy and I came; he was really young when the last captain took him under his wing. I have only ever seen him cry twice: once when the old captain died, twice when you went missing."
"He cried!?" My face must have been a mix of shock, disbelief and awe; Liz cacked herself laughing.
"You should have seen your face! Priceless!" She had long-since fallen off her chair and was gasping and giggling on the floor.
"Hey, I'm serious! He really cried?"
"Of course! He was completely smitten with you! He made us search the whole ship looking for you; when I told him you must have... Anyway, he refused to acknowledge it but he must have known... And he cried." Now I look back; his eyes were a bit red when I saw him at the bar.
"Who has Antonio been with before me?"
"I don't think..."
"Miss Erizabeta, is Mister Vargas in there?"
"What's it to you Honda?!"
"Captain Carriedo requests his presence on deck. I just thought..."
"Well, you can tell him..."
"It's okay Liz, I'll go."
"You sure?" She looked at me with a worried expression. I'd never had a mom before, but if I did, I'd want her to be just like Liz. I could feel the motherly love and protective instincts radiating off her.
"Yeah." I put down my untouched hot chocolate, cold now, and wiped my dried tear tracks on my cheeks.
.O
I stood silent; observing Antonio squirm uncomfortably under my deathly stare. He would occasionally glance at me, pleading; some days I wonder who's really in control between the two of us. Yeah he's bigger than me, but his desire to please like a puppy makes him weak towards my explosive temper. He's pouting again. He looks pretty pathetic. Oh, by the way, the Britannia is right behind us. The whole crew is on edge, fidgeting, pacing, you name it.
"Slow down, let them sail beside us. Don't show hostility but be prepared for a surprise attack." Time slowed and hearts sped up as the other ship inched ahead.
The first thing I noticed was the state of the ship; it was sturdy, but had defiantly seen its share of battles. The second thing I noticed was the captain; apparently all captains are in a Secret Big Obnoxious Feathery Hat Club. As for the third thing...
"Ludwig?!" I ran to the side of the ship, it couldn't be!
"Lovino?!" Holy shit it was!
"Vee~ Lovi?!"
"FELI!" Oh my god! Feli! Feli is here too!
"Feli! I thought I'd never see you again! What are you doing here? Wait... Ludwig what the hell?! Why is Feli here! How could you let him come here its dangerous! You just wait till I get over there! I fucking grind you into the deck! Idiot!..." Ludwig couldn't reply, he was obviously too stunned at the raging lunatic Italian swearing at him in two languages and making rude gestures. A hand was clamped over my mouth and someone grabbed me from behind. I fought against them but to no avail.
"¡Hola! Sorry about Lovi, he's actually very happy to see you." Lack of oxygen caused me to go limp and stop struggling.
"Are you going to behave?" He whispered in my ear. I nodded. When he released me I gasped for breath and kicked him in the shins. He flinched but put on a pained smile and addressed the other ship again taking an iron grip on my wrist. I hissed in pain.
"Arthur, glad to see you're still kicking..."
"Skip the bloody chit-chat, where is Francis." Arthur spat the name with venom. He was quite short; well, standing next to Ludwig. He was probably my height; dirty blonde roughly cut hair and almost-fluorescent green eyes. Not as beautiful as Antonio's of course, but in their own way. Remember when I said peter had large eyebrows, well this guy has the largest fucking eyebrows on the planet! They must be related.
"Ah, you just missed him. Left us this morning."
"Where is he headed?"
"I don't know; could be anywhere. Though it will probably include wine and women..." That seemed to hit a nerve. He physically went ridged.
"Lies; where is he headed or I will blow your ship apart!"
"Let's not be rash here; we don't want you getting hurt now do we?" Tensions were high. The two captains in a brutal battle of wits.
"I have orders from the King for Captain Bonnefoy's head. Withholding information on his whereabouts is punishable by death."
"I swear to you, I have no idea where he is headed." Everyone held a collective breath as the captains stared each other down.
"I'll believe you this time. Lieutenant, what is your relationship with the Italian on board."
"He is Feliciano's brother sir."
"Is that true?"
"Vee~ he sure is captain sir!" Feli saluted wrongly and I internally cringed. What did I do wrong to be related to such an idiot? Ludwig and I exchanged pained glances.
"What is he doing on a pirate ship?"
"Hey! I can answer that for myself bastard!" Everyone looked at me then. Ludwig looked nervous, Feli looked scared and Arthur looked insulted.
"Go on then." He grunted out. Shit now I have to explain. There was a long silence while I collected my thoughts.
"Oh, um, well. He kidnapped me, then I got away and was beaten by drunken people and he saved me. And well, then we met Francis and he's a pervert, and you don't really care about that..."
"So you're a pirate now?"
"WHAT?! No! I just haven't found another opportunity to escape yet. Oh fuck it. Alright, alright I'm staying here 'cause I want to, but I am not a pirate!"
"Does Antonio have anything to do with that?"
"Hey! What exactly are you implying?!"
"That you're in love with him, obviously." All the colour drained from my face, then came back with a vengeance making it purple.
"YOU SON OF A... How about you huh?! Are you in love with Francis!? Why else would you be chasing him this whole time?!"
"HOW DARE YOU! I have orders from the King! Who would ever fall in love with him?!"
"You, obviously." I smirked.
"Why you... I could have you hanged!"
"You'd have to come over here to get me! I'll take you on Eyebrows!"
"Don't you dare call me that!"
"Why? Is that Francis's pet name for you?" What happened next made everyone jump. Arthur burst out laughing. Crazy Englishmen.
"What are you laughing at bastard?!" I demand.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't had a good argument for a long time. All my pent up anger is gone, ha! I like you kid."
"I'm not a kid! And you're crazy." I can't help but smile a little.
"Well I don't want to keep you two brothers apart, why don't you board our ship and you two can catch up."
"Really?! Ye..."
"No. Lovino will stay on this ship." Antonio cut me off and grabbed my arm protectively.
"Is that really for you to decide?"
"I won't let him."
"I want to see my brother Antonio, don't get in my fucking way." I growl at him and pull my arm free. I expected him to do what I wanted but he looked at me with cold, commanding eyes that rooted me to the spot. I'd never seen him look so scary.
"Lovino stays. You're welcome to send his brother over, if you're so determined to have them reunite." Aaaaaand the tensions back. Ludwig pulled Arthur aside and was whispering to him. Feli looked a little scared but was bouncing up and down excitedly.
"Feliciano can go, only if you accept Ludwig and 6 other crew as well. Only for protection." Antonio contemplated this.
"Perfect! I'd be more than happy to have Feli on board. And I'd love to catch up with Gilbert's brother!" Ludwig's eyes widened.
"You know Gilbert?"
"Of course! I spent my most wonderful years with that drunk albino!" When Feli and Ludwig finally boarded (Ludwig had to carry Feli across the plank, he was too scared. I have no idea how he puts up with him.) Feli and I ran straight into a hug.
"Brother! Brother! I was so worried about you! I got your letters and I was so scared they hurt you! Vee~ even though you told me not to worry. Oh, you have to come back with us we won't let the scary pirate bully you anymore!"
"Calm down Feli! He hasn't hurt me. I'm glad you got my letters, I knew you would worry. But what are you doing here? Ludwig promised me he wouldn't let you on the dangerous missions!"
"It's not dangerous! There's no way captain Kirkland could catch Francis; he's been chasing him for years and never really got close. Plus the ships really big and nobody picks on us."
"You're an idiot. But I'm glad to see you."
"But you'll come with us, Vee~?" I paused. I could really leave? This could be my only chance. But...
"No, Feli. I'm not going with you." Feli looked like I had just slapped him.
"But, but, we came to rescue you! You were kidnapped! Why won't you come with us?! He's not threatening you is he?" Feli sneaked a glance at Antonio, who was looking at us confused.
"I'm sorry Feli, I want to stay..."
"But, why?"
"I... I'm in love..."
"Vee~! What, who!? You haven't hit your head have you?"
"No! Of course not stupid! Why would I say something like that if I didn't mean it?!"
"But, but, they're pirates!"
"So?! I wouldn't care if he had a peg leg and an eye patch!"
"He?!"
"Yes, Feli, it's a guy. You can't complain."
"Who is it?!"
"Who do you think?! Here's a clue: he's Spanish, he's captain of this ship and his name is Antonio. "
"The one who kidnapped you?! Vee~ Lovi I've heard about this. People 'falling in love' with their captors. We can help you! Come with us and come home!"
"Feli, I really do love him. Yes he kidnapped me at first, but he saved me too... Ludwig can take care of you now, you don't need me anymore."
"But you're my brother; I'll always need you..."
"I know Feli." We held each other tightly. Feli started crying.
"Shhh Feli, don't cry. This isn't goodbye forever, just for a little while..."
"That's what grandpa used to say, I don't want you to disappear too!"
I knock him on the back of his head. "I'm not going to disappear idiot! Don't compare me to that child-abandoning bastard!"
"I'm sorry..." We just stood holding each other for a while. I patted his hair as Feli slowly stopped crying. I overheard Antonio and Ludwig's conversation.
"... if he vants to come vith us, und you try to stop him. Ve vill not hesitate to fight you."
"I won't try to stop him. But he won't go with you."
"Vhy are you so confidant? If you have hurt him, I'll..."
"I would never hurt him. You wouldn't hurt Feliciano would you?"
"That's different..."
"Would you?"
"Nien, I love him."
"Then we have something in common..." Antonio looked towards me and caught me looking at them. I quickly diverted my eyes and stared at the deck.
"Feli, ve have to go now. Lovino, if you vant to..."
"No thanks. Somebody has to keep an eye on Antonio." He actually looked surprised I said no.
"Okay, if you're sure?"
"Positive." He nodded. Glancing at Antonio for only a second.
"Actually, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Of course." I dragged him away from open ears; which is hard to do since he is so tall and buff. He looked concerned. I spied Antonio staring after me looking really worried. Cute.
"Now you listen to me, I'm leaving Feli in your care from now on. If he gets hurt... Well let's just say I'll fucking kill you. You got that Lieutenant?"
"Loud und clear." He smiled at me. Creepy, he never smiles.
"Good. Dismissed." I walked back over to Feli, I could tell he was gonna cry again. He ran into my arms.
"Get out of here. And be careful!"
"Yes brother. Come and visit us Vee~?"
"Whatever." I huff and gently head butt him. He smiles with tears in his eyes. I watch silently as the Britannia sails away into the distance. Feli waved until we couldn't see each other clearly anymore.
"Lovi?" Antonio came up behind me and put his arm around my shoulder. He was really warm; I snuggled into his chest.
"I'm fine." He squeezed me tighter and kissed the top of my head.
"I know you are." We stayed there for a little while, just like that; him with his arms around me.
"How did you know I wasn't going to go with them?" I look up into his sparkling green eyes.
"I didn't."
"Then why did you tell..."
"Ah! So you were listening."
"I was curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat..."
"Answer the question shithead." He chuckled, making his chest vibrate.
"I don't know. I guess I was being selfish. I didn't want you to go so I willed it not to be."
"Aren't you a cocky bastard?"
"But you didn't go."
"Yeah... I didn't go." I looked back out to sea. I could feel his eyes still on me.
"I love you."
"I love you too. Bastard."
A/N: There you have it! My mushy brotherly moment! (They are actually speaking fluent Italian in the italic bits) I loved writing the argument between England and Romano; I think if they ever got the chance they would be best friends! I can imagine them drinking tea and bitching about their boyfriends :3
So guys, funny story right; I was Googling Spamano and I found this on Urban Dictionary...
Spamano
Refers to the yaoi pairing between the clueless and oblivious character Spain and the hormonal, PMS-y bitch that is Southern Italy (Romano) in the Hetalia fandom.
... This is perfect! I laughed so hard.
The next chapter isn't actually part of the Spain/Romano story, it is actually the story behind France/England's hatred/love? It will explain exactly what happened in Puerto Rico ;)
Stay tuned!
~ WickedBanana
