A Proposal of Sorts

Chapter Three: Introductions to the friends


Nikola eyes Dimitrie wearily as they get ready for classes. Somehow, against all logic, they have a pretty similar schedule time-wise and so they are going in together. It seriously makes him wonder what he's done to piss off god. Or whatever power is hanging around deciding to fuck his life over in every way possible. "Now let's go over the rules again. First-!"

"Under no circumstances mention that I was the fiancé." Dimitrie butts in, sighing. "Second, no doting on you. Third, no unnecessary touching. Fourth; do not, under any circumstances, ever call you maternal whether it is in public or at home."

Nikola nods. "That's right! And what happens when high handed idiots allude to me being a mommy?"

Dimitrie rolls his eyes. "They get beat with a wooden spoon and are forced to eat something they hate the day after for dinner." He groans. "I'm not a child, Nikola; I know how to behave in public. This attitude of yours is highly insulting."

The Bulgarian sighs. "I know you're not stupid. I'm just not taking any chances."

"You know, I hate to be the bearer of bad news…but you realize that Roderich knows of your arranged marriage and when you come to school with me he will connect two and two, right? I'd imagine he's smart, you don't seem the type to have stupid friends." Dimitrie points out and Nikola pales.

"Oh god…he is smart…he will know. He will totally know. I'm so fucked."

"Well you might be if you were more open minded…" The Romanian mumbles under his breath.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Nikola asks and Dimitrie laughs awkwardly.

"I said we should head out! You know! Classes and all!" He grabs his bag, quickly heading to the door.

"Um…right…remember not to give Roderich any reason to suspect!" Nikola hollers as Dimitrie heads down the stairs.

They soon get to school; Nikola making sure to park where he knows Roderich won't see them. However, since god hates him, as soon as they get out a smirking Austrian is standing behind his car.

"So that's the fiancé, hm? Dimitrie Popescu…I kind of thought so." Roderich says and Nikola twitches.

"What are you-? H-how did you-? Damnit Roderich!" Nikola huffs. "And what do you mean 'you kind of thought so'?"

Roderich adjusts the glasses on his face before looking at Nikola. "He's the only one around here with the same last name as your mom's friend." He points out and Nikola blanches.

"…Ah…that's right…"

Dimitrie smiles at Roderich. "You're really smart, huh?" He asks and Roderich smiles back.

"I have my moments. You're pushing for the marriage, correct? Because I know Nikola didn't want it, and I highly doubt finding out you're a boy helped in any way." Roderich muses, looking to his now trembling friend. "Well, you look pretty angry."

"You're supposed to be the voice of reason! Tell him it's a stupid idea! Tell him arranged marriages are retarded!" Nikola commands and Roderich looks at his watch unfazed.

"Ah, we have to get to class Nikola, come on." The Austrian grabs his wrist and pulls him forward. "I'll be taking your fiancé for now, Dimitrie." He says and Dimitrie laughs a little.

"We aren't supposed to use that word, Roderich!" Dimitrie points out before going to the building his first class is in.

"Denying him the fiancé title, huh? That's pretty harsh, Nikola." Roderich says and Nikola pouts.

"We're not fiancés right now. I refuse to be engaged to someone for my mother's convenience." The Bulgarian huffs.

"You sure are stubborn about it, aren't you?"

"Of course I am." Nikola says, looking to his friend. "If I don't hold my ground that guy would have unwarranted hopes and I don't want him to have his heart broken."

Roderich sighs. "Well, it looks a bit late for that."

"He's holding onto a childish dream for childish reasons. It will sink in that I'm not what he thought and he will move on." Nikola explains as they enter the class room.

"And what if he does not?" Roderich asks and Nikola stares at him.

"I don't…know…"

The rest of Nikola's classes are pretty uneventful and soon he is in the food court getting something to eat with Roderich, Vash, and Elizaveta. On his way to the table, however, he notices a familiar face. A face he really didn't want to see right now. Groaning to himself he goes over anyways, looking on as Dimitrie is seemingly glaring at Elizaveta.

"What is this child doing here anyways?" Elizaveta asks and Nikola has a sudden urge to run up to the cashier and thank her for being unable to count out change. "Little boys like you should be outside running around so you can sit still for classes."

"Excuse me, you old hag." Dimitrie growls, surprising Nikola. "I can be here if I want."

"Dimitrie." Nikola says, staring down at the sitting man. "What did you do to piss off Elizaveta?"

"Apparently they know each other from childhood." Vash explains, looking at the bickering duo annoyed. "Some friend they had decided to hang out with Dimitrie more than Elizaveta and I guess they hate each other because of it." He sighs. "Really, she's being just as childish as he is."

"…I...see…" Nikola mumbles, staring at the two as he sits on the other side of Vash. "So they know each other…weird."

"Jealous?" Roderich teases and Nikola glares.

"That's quite possibly the most retarded thing you have ever said."

"Damnit Nikola!" Dimitrie yells, standing up. "I can't take this…this…thing anymore! Can we just go home?"

Nikola pales a little as Elizaveta looks at him. "Ohh this won't be good…"

"You two live together?" Elizaveta asks, a dark smile on her face. "You said I couldn't move in because you wanted to live alone last semester, when I asked, yet you let this stranger move in?"

A nervous smile begins to twitch on Nikola's face. "Heh…heh…Elizaveta…it's not like that…he's staying there…as…a favor to my mother and his, who know each other." He explains, raising his hands defensively. "I-I would love to kick him out-!"

"Hey!" Dimitrie whines before the Bulgarian shoots him a quick glare.

"Anyways…believe me, it's not my choice." Nikola sighs, looking at Elizaveta. "Besides, if I hadn't said no you would never have moved in with Meilin and began dating her." He says, smiling at her. "Remember? The love of your life?"

Elizaveta blushes a little. "Ahh, at that time she was just a beautiful girl from Taiwan who was like my little protégé." She smiles and pats him on the back. "Yes, you're right. Go ahead and live in hell with this bastard. I'm going to go home to my sweet little Meilin who can not only cook, but is incredibly mature."

"Heeeh…now you're just rubbing it in…" Nikola says in defeat. "I suppose I will just take my food and head back with…" His eyes turn to Dimitrie. "That."

"Why doesn't everyone just calm down and take a seat. Nikola, sit between Dimitrie and Elizaveta." Roderich orders and everyone hurries to obey. "Now be quiet and eat your food. Anything that is said better be positive or you're going to be kicked out of the table. Understood?" He asks and the three nod in agreement.

"You always were good at calming children down…" Vash muses as he watches the three eat quietly.

"Well someone has to be." Roderich sighs.

"Don't lump me in with these two!" Nikola huffs and Roderich looks to him.

"Whose fault is it that these two met up in the first place?" He asks and Nikola falls silent.

"What a harsh papa…" Dimitrie mumbles, making Nikola cover his mouth to stifle his laughter.

"D-Dimitrie…" Nikola manages before noticing the pissed look on Roderich's face. "Idiot." He says firmly before sharing a subtle smile with the Romanian.

After the highly awkward lunch, made doubly awkward by Elizaveta and Dimitrie fighting again midway through, Nikola quickly grabs the Romanian's wrist and races off to the car before the idiot can do anything else stupid. The car ride is eerily silent, the only sound being the radio as they drive the, thankfully, fifteen minutes home. Once inside, Dimitrie looks to Nikola guiltily.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make Roderich mad at you…" Dimitrie mumbles and Nikola sighs, plopping down on the couch in exhaustion.

"He's fine. He'll go home, play some Chopin, and get over it. Really though, did you have to be so childish?" He asks and the Romanian beside him frowns.

"I couldn't help it. That witch and I...we never really got along…" Dimitrie explains. "I-I never would have thought you two were friends…I try hard to avoid her on campus but when I thought about eating lunch with you I just…"

Nikola leans back and places a hand on Dimitrie's head. "We eat together at home, why does eating on campus matter?"

"I want to get close to you." Dimitrie admits, staring at the coffee table in front of him. "If I could mix in with your friends, and become a friend…maybe that would help to make you like me."

Nikola looks at the man in awe for a moment before sighing and patting him on the back. "Well, to keep my campus life sane, why don't I just have some friends over for dinner with us every now and then?"

Dimitrie lights up. "R-really?" He asks before his eyes narrow suspiciously. "…Wait a minute…why can't we just keep having lunch together at school?"

"You've already stolen one of Elizaveta's friends from her. I don't intend to be the second." Nikola says, standing up and looking down at him. "Do not make me choose between you and a dear friend, Dimitrie. No matter what you may become to me, I never drop my friends for anyone's happiness but my own. Understand?"

Dimitrie leans forward on the couch and smiles up at him. "You're so cool. This is one of the reasons I like you, Nikola."

A feint blush comes to the Bulgarian's cheeks and he quickly looks away. "Y-yeah, well, just…keep that in mind and don't mess with Elizaveta again."

"Of course. I will keep away from the bitter old-er… Elizaveta." Dimitrie corrects himself, his voice cracking as if saying the word physically hurt him.


A/N: I am ssoooo sorry it's taking so long to update. My Professional Funeral Practice teacher has been killing us with homework. Then, yesterday, the stench of a guy in the class sent me into a horrendous asthma attack that got worse over the day so I eventually had to call a friend to take me to the E.R. which was lovely. You try explaining that cause to the doctors, my friend refused to so I had to and he laughed. It was so laughable a professional couldn't contain himself. Then I had another attack today during Embalming lab, I've never felt so cared for by a group of classmates. Really the whole thing has shown me just how many people actually care. Gotta look on the bright side.