Author's Note # 1: Wow, thank you to everyone who's been supporting this story. You guys beat Prussia on the awesomeness factor for that! And I finally found a way to make use of most (if not all) of your ideas. But if you still got some, go ahead! XD
Lovi might call it a casual outing, but Tonio and I call it a date. Enjoy!
PART 4: Love and Leaps of Fate
I always thought I'd wind up back in Antonio's bed under... different circumstances.
Lovino turned his attention to the sleeping Spaniard coiled around his torso. Antonio had insisted that he slept in his bed that night, and there was no persuading him otherwise. There was also no denying that the Italian had secretly enjoyed that prospect.
"I have my own room you know."
"But you've been out in the rain all day. Boss is worried about you, Lovi. You might have caught a cold or something."
"Isn't that all the more reason for me to sleep in my room? If I slept with you, you'd catch it too. Not saying I'm sick or anything."
"Please Lovi? I wanna be right there to take care of you. It's the least I can do after I put you through all that."
"Geez, you've been more annoying and clingy since I came back. Fine! I'll sleep in your goddamn room tonight, you bastard."
Lovino might have yielded to that request a tad bit too quickly, but there was no turning back. He was there, lying comfortably on Antonio's bed while his "boss" innocently snuggled him. There was something very nostalgic about that kind of setting. Lovino recalled how he would always find himself sneaking into Antonio's bed when he was a child whenever he found it hard to sleep at night. Whether the boy was frightened, sad, or just seeking company, Antonio would always gladly welcome him even if that meant not getting a wink's rest himself. Even with simple deeds like that, Antonio had done a great deal for him, and the Spaniard's subtle selflessness was one of the things that captivated Lovino the most.
Hear that Antonio? Tik-tok~ That's me running out of time.
Lovino carefully wiggled his way out of Antonio's embrace and longingly caressed the sleeping man's cheek.
"I need to make a quick phone call. Just stay there and stay lovable, okay?"
"Don't ever... leave me... my dear Lovi," mumbled Antonio.
The Italian's face turned red at that unconscious request. "You... You say the dumbest things when you're dreaming. And who told you it was alright to fucking dream about me?"
But I have no right to be mad. I mean, I dream about you all the time...
Lovino sheepishly made his way down the stairs and to the living room where the nearest telephone was. Picking up the receiver, he began to wonder if he was doing the right thing. Somewhere within the monotony that was the dial tone, he heard a faint voice urging him on. And so, he dialled the number he thought he had forgotten.
"H-Hello?" said the half-yawning voice on the other side of the line.
"Uh, yeah. Hey Feli, it's me..."
"Ve~ Fratello? I can't believe you actually called me! It's been so long. But do you know how late it is or is the time zone different there in Spain?"
"I know it's late, you German-worshipping dumbass! Spain and Italy aren't that far apart."
"Ve~ I'm sorry Fratello! Please don't yell at me."
"Whatever. Hey, Feli... I know it's late and stuff but I really need your help with something."
Yeah, I'm doing this 'cause I don't want to wake up one day and find that that nightmare had become reality. I know we're gonna die someday Tonio, but I wanna make things clear before that happens. And when that time comes, I want you and everyone else to remember me as someone besides your friend, your henchman, or your brother. I want to be... special to you.
Antonio wiped a streak of sweat trailing down the side of his face, grinning with satisfaction. He had just finished another honest day's work and he could not have been more pleased with himself. Seeing the rows of fresh tomatoes basking in the sunlight filled him with an unexplainable glee. And he was filled with even greater happiness when he turned around and saw a blushing Italian observing him from a distance.
"Lovi! Where were you? I woke up and you were already gone. You missed breakfast, my little one."
"I'm not that little, bastard," he whined, puffing his cheeks slightly. "I actually went and bought you new clothes."
"What for? I don't see a need for them."
"Do you know how horrible your fashion sense is? I don't want people giving you stifling looks when you stand next to a stylish Italian such as me. You need to look freaking good for our da-... I mean casual outing. Y-Yeah, that's it. A casual outing."
"Casual outing?"
"I've been thinking, Tonio. You're always working so hard, so I thought you needed to relax a little more. And we... Well we haven't spent some quality time in a while. You know, just you and me, and no turtle named Fabio."
Lovino merely blinked and he was already in Antonio's passionate embrace. "Too cute, Lovi! Too cute! I think I'm gonna faint from all the cuteness! I'm touched that you care so much about me, my adorable Lovi. But I feel bad that you had to spend your money. I don't care what people think as long as I'm with you. "
The Italian's face grew redder and he fought back the urge to smile like an excited Elizaveta after stealing a snapshot of Gilbert and Roderich's private moments. "Forget the money, you dumbass. Try to actually exert effort to look handsome at least once. Not saying you're... not handsome... b-because you are. Just saying that... "
"I think you're handsome too, Lovi," Antonio said, cutting off Lovino's statement.
"T-Tell me something I don't know, bastard," the latter managed to say.
He could suddenly feel the Spaniard's hug become tighter—tighter, but more affectionate as well. "You're killing me with the cuteness Lovi! Killing me! So when is our date gonna be?"
"It's tomorrow morning. And don't call it a date, bastard! You make it sound so gay."
"But Lovi, it's perfectly normal for friends to have dates. It's what keeps their friendship intact. I can't wait for tomorrow. I know you're just gonna look absolutely precious!"
He just had to ruin the moment, didn't he? He just had to mention those two fucking F words that I hate so much. Friends. Friendship. I wish Antonio was dumb enough to not know them.
"Lovi?"
"Uh, yeah. Can't wait too, Tonio. I'll... be going now. Be home by dinner time; I'll be the one cooking tonight." With that, the disheartened Italian slowly walked away.
I feel like I've just been hit by a certain Hungarian's frying pan...
TO BE CONTINUED...
*Fratello is Italian for brother. And just in case some of you are not familiar: Elizaveta is Hungary, Roderich is Austria, and Gilbert is Prussia. (And Gilbird is Prussia's bird. LOL)
Author's Note # 2: Just so you know, I have zero dating experience (Yes, I'm pathetic like that, and I know I need to get a life) so I have no idea how the next chapters are gonna turn out.
QUICK QUESTION # 2: How do you start a conversation in a date? What do most people talk about? Or what would Spain and Romano most likely talk about? I really need help with this one. :)
