It had been a week since the day at the coffee shop. Romano still couldn't believe he'd agreed to the whole thing. Not saying that he didn't have feelings for Antonio. That wasn't it.
Hell, Romano could remember having a crush on the older man since middle school. But back then Antonio only cared about sleeping, eating, and video games. And then his long string of boyfriends in High School. Even now at twenty-three, Romano still got jealous when men talked to Antonio (which included Feliciano).
The Italian was walking into the more Suburban part of the city towards his brother's, and unfortunately, that potato bastard's home. The two had been married for three years now, and had a nice large home that was way too big for just them. Ludwig payed for most of it. Considering his very well paying job at a Brewery that made one of the highest sold beers in the country it made sense. Feliciano acted as the housewife when he wasn't painting.
When he arrived, Romano took a second to look the house over for the millionth time just this year alone. Tall tan walls stretched towards the sky, and the cement driveway led up to the front door and the garage. Romano found himself at his brother's for everything. When he got bored, off to Feliciano's. When he was hungry, Feliciano was probably making something anyway. When he had issues that he needed to vent, Feliciano never once shut the door in his face. And it made Romano smile a little bit. Never once would Feliciano not be there. He was the only person he could count on.
With a couple impatient knocks, Romano waited for his brother to answer the door. Sure enough, Feliciano was there in a heartbeat.
"Romano! You're just in time! I'm making pasta for lunch!" The younger Italian cheered.
He rolled his eyes in response and motioned for his brother to move aside. Feliciano complied and Romano made his way in. As the older took his shoes off, the younger made his way up the small staircase (only 6 steps) at the side of the entrance. On the second floor there was a kitchen, three bedrooms (2 guestrooms), and a bathroom. Crossing the threshold into the living room, Romano turned right into the kitchen. Feliciano stood at the stove stirring a pot of noodles. Sitting down at the table, Romano watched his brother cook.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I gotta tell ya something." Romano commented boredly, messing with the salt shaker.
Feliciano just hummed in a questioning way.
Taking a breath he finally got it out. "Antonio asked me out a couple days ago."
Feliciano stopped mid stir. He turned around abruptly and smiled stupidly. "Really? That's great! Did you say yes? Did you go out?"
Romano blushed crimson, and looked away from his brother when he answered. "Well yeah I said yes stupid. We did. Just to the bakery. He bought me those cakes I like."
Feliciano was almost dancing! His brother finally found someone, and a long time crush to boot! Maybe this time would work out. Unlike several other relationships that didn't quite make it farther than a month.
And with that thought, a sinking feeling came over him. It had only been a week... Not enough to even call it a relationship. Oh no. What if this didn't work out? What if Romano and Antonio stopped talking? Romano would ban Antonio from visiting and talking to him for sure! And Feliciano couldn't not talk to Antonio. He was like another sibling! And most of all, how hurt would Romano be if it all went wrong? He would be devastated!
"Are...are you serious about Antonio?" The worried brunette prodded softly.
Romano sputtered, slightly taken aback by the sudden personal question. "I – I guess. I mean, it's not like I wanna marry the dumb ass! But I wouldn't of said yes if I wasn't! You know me, I turn everyone down."
The younger nodded thoughtfully, then shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Is the pasta ready? I'm fucking starving and you're questioning me about stupid shit." Romano grumbled, still flustered.
Feliciano laughed and went back to cooking. The sound of the front door opening and closing pulled each of them away from their thoughts. Romano was unpleasantly surprised to see Ludwig enter the kitchen.
"Ludwig! You're home early!" Exclaimed an exuberant Italian.
"Yeah. I had a bit of a migraine so I got off early." The German replied tiredly.
Feliciano bounded over to the much larger man and wrapped his arms around his neck. Romano scoffed.
"Yeah, I bet that happens a lot here at home too." He said agitatedly under his breath.
Feliciano turned his head towards his brother innocently. "What was that?" He asked, not having heard his brother correctly.
Romano held his hands up and leaned back in his chair dismissively. "Nothing."
Ludwig shot him a withering glare, which was returned with an arrogant smirk.
Turning his attention back to Ludwig, the smaller stretched up to kiss him lightly. "It's ok. You know what they say cures migraines~." He commented lightly, letting go of Ludwig and sauntering back to the stove.
"I'm sure Romano would be happy to leave us alone after lunch." He commented, stirring the pasta.
There were a few silent seconds in which Romano had to process just how much of a sneaky little shit his brother was, and how much his mind had been damaged. Then utter disbelief.
"Fuck that I'm leaving now." Romano retorted, feeling disgusted and slightly violated. He couldn't believe how devious his brother could be sometimes! He made his way down the stairs, and heard his brother call an amused;
"You can stop by tomorrow for leftovers if you want to~!" before he could get out the door.
His walk wasn't long before his phone beeped telling him he had a text. It was from Antonio and it reminded him of the time and place of their date today. Romano decided to just ignore the text rather than waste the time answering. And even though Romano acted like it didn't matter, just a little part of him thought it was sweet of Antonio to make sure he knew the plan. But his logic wouldn't let him acknowledge it.
The walk back into the city was short, and Romano hailed a cab to take him the rest of the way. When he arrived Antonio was sitting on an old bench at the park's entrance; waiting. It made the Italian's heart flutter a bit when Antonio smiled broadly as he got out of the cab. Light flittered through the remaining leaves and cast long shadows on the ground at their feet.
"What are you smiling about stupid?" Romano grumbled as he approached the Spaniard.
"Just happy to see you I guess." Was his answer.
The younger man grimaced. How fucking girly.
"You're weird." He retorted.
The idiot just laughed and ushered the other through the wrought iron entrance gate.
The park was familiar. It was one Antonio, Feliciano, and he used to frequent a lot when they were younger. Everything was still the same. The large trees lined the wide brick walkway, keeping the people under it safe from the heat of the sun in the summer and creating an amazingly beautiful vortex of oranges, reds, yellows, and purples during the early fall. A few other people walked lazily along the path immersed in their own conversations. The wind blew slightly and picked up fallen leaves. It made Romano smile.
He could almost see Antonio and himself when they were younger, running around the trees and helping Feliciano up when he fell down and started crying.
"Seems like forever ago huh?" Antonio asked suddenly.
Romano looked at him briefly, then back ahead of him. "Yeah."
For some reason Feliciano's words rang out loudly in his head.
"Are...are you serious about Antonio?"
If he were being honest with himself, he wasn't sure. He sure as hell knew he was serious about him in High School. But now...it was a bit different. He still had some feeling for Antonio. He wouldn't have agreed to this whole thing if he didn't. But something in him kept telling him this wasn't really that big of a deal. And his negative logic always won out. He wasn't like his brother. Romano just couldn't see how everything was so great and sun-shiney like Feliciano. It had been a long time since he held any hope for the world. But as they walked Romano settled into the fact maybe things would never change. As long as he wasn't completely alone, he could live without love from anyone. Including Antonio. As much as it hurt to know that.
Authors Note:
I felt so bad for getting all these subscriptions and stuff then not posting! If I could get on Fanfiction at school it would of been updated a lot sooner! But this chapter is nothing too big, unfortunately I'd like to finish chapter 7 before I post again. I hope I don't turn into a lazy jackwagon this summer. I'll try my best to get things done! Thank you for reading, and stick with me!