Tomato of the Sea
Disclaimer: I don't Hetalia.
Warning: AU, Lovi's way of verbally expressing annoyance, male x male pairings, and a very bipolar Gilbird fluttering about.
Thanks for the encouragement to update this fic! I promise I won't leave it (or you guys) hanging, I just tend to update the fics that are getting the most reviews first. So this fic may update slow, but it will steadily continue. No worries : )
oOo
The next morning, Lovino found himself puttering around his room. It was still too early to start breakfast and he was too awake to fall back asleep. To pass the time, he started poking around at the baskets and boxes leftover from Alfred's brother. He felt less nosy, because Alfred had told him to feel free to use anything in the guest room. Most of it were things Matthew left behind and Alfred never used.
Lovino felt his eyes rest on a slender black case. Was it a music instrument? The brunette slid it out from between the wall and a box to examine it. He opened it to find an old violin inside. It was a lighter color than the one Lovino had seen his mother use, but he was certain it was still a violin.
"Huh, wonder if it's tuned?" Lovino mused, gently taking the instrument out of the case. He plucked at a few strings and satisfied, took out the bow. "Let's see if I even remember how to play this damned thing…"
As a child, Lovino's mother taught him and Feliciano how to play, but it had been ages ago. He racked his brain to think of any song he remembered. Several tunes started to come back to him and he tried them out, finally settling on a simple song from Torre'. He closed his eyes and mentally transported himself to another world, another time, where his family was still alive, his brother was still home, and everyone was safe. The tune picked up a happier note as Lovino continued playing.
Downstairs, Alfred looked up from cleaning his face at the wash basin. He could've sworn he heard Matthew playing his old violin. Geez, how long ago had he heard that? Alfred finished wiping his face and returned to the living room. He could still hear the violin.
"Mattie?" He called out, confused. No one responded, so he followed the sound upstairs to his brother's old room.
Alfred cautiously opened the door, half-expecting his brother to be there instead of Lovino. He was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Matthew's violin, but it was Lovino playing it in front of the large, sunny window. Alfred smiled. It was a nice song. He hadn't heard any like it before. Was it from Torredirosso? He wanted to ask Lovi, but didn't want him to stop playing. It looked like he was concentrating so hard that he didn't even notice the blonde walk in. Alfred leaned against the doorframe and enjoyed the rest of the song.
Lovino felt his fingers fly over the strings, muscle memory kicking in. Even if his brain couldn't recall what notes came next, his hands seemed to remember and eased him back into playing naturally. The brunette had only learned a few songs from his mother's lessons, so he had played those songs hundreds of times. As the song ended, Lovino opened his eyes and readjusted to reality. The sad feeling he got from the image of his family fading away was quickly replaced by shock of seeing Alfred standing in the doorway, huge grin on his face.
"You play really well."
"Sh-Shut up, bastard!" Lovino ignored his face heating up and carefully set the violin back in its case. "Didn't anyone teach you to knock before entering?!"
"But it sounded so pretty!" Alfred pouted. "What was it? I don't think I've ever heard a song like it before!"
"Canta per Me…" he mumbled.
"What was that?"
"It's called 'Sing for Me' bastard," Romano huffed. "It's an old Torre' lullaby."
"It's nice, but I don't know about the name," Alfred laughed. "Should little kids really be hearing a song called 'Sing for Me, Bastard?"
"Shut up," the tsundere huffed and strode past him to the stairs. "I'm getting something to eat, you can starve for all I care."
"Noooo!" the cheerful blonde followed. "Don't let me starve! I'm still a growing boy!"
"How can you still be growing?! You're huge!"
"You're just little."
"I am not, you giant idiot!"
oOo
After Lovino whipped up a quick breakfast, the two sat down to eat. They sat in a comfortable silence for the few minutes it took Alfred to try everything and exclaim how good it all was. Lovino tried to enjoy the peace while he still could.
"I have to go to work today," Alfred informed his roommate. "I'm helping Roderich fix the wheel on his carriage."
"Okay, bastard."
"If there's anything you need, I'll be at the music shop or you can find Bella at the café."
"I'll be fine, idiota," Lovino rolled his eyes. "I'm not a child."
After Alfred left, the brunette began to wander around the house. He was impressed most of the stuff here was built by Alfred's own two hands. The guy could be a bit of an airhead and way too easily distracted, but not with the furniture. Lovino could tell he was very patient and took his time to make sure each board fit just right.
On the walls, Lovi saw several pictures of Alfred and his family, which made his chest hurt a little. Lovino couldn't help but think of his own family – his parents were dead, his Nonno was dead, and he had no idea where Feli ended up. The only family that Lovino was certain of wanted him and his brother dead. Lovino stopped and took a deep breath. He didn't want to be pulled into those dark thoughts again. Glancing out the window, he decided a trip to the beach would help take his mind off things. He didn't actually go there yet, but it was only a few minutes away and in clear view of Alfred's house, so he wasn't worried about getting lost.
oOo
Alfred picked up his tool kit before heading down to the music store. He hoped Lovino would be okay on his own. The blonde had wanted to take him with, but figured it would be kind of boring and that his new friend needed his rest anyway. That, and there was no way he was going to force Lovino to work after everything he'd been through. Lovino still wasn't ready to talk about it, which only made Alfred worry more. He knew Lovino didn't trust people as easily as he did, but he at least hoped that Lovi trusted him.
Alfred arrived at the music store and got right to work. Roderich had left the broken wheel and carriage behind the shop. Alfred looked it over and saw the cause of the problem were the spokes near the hub of the tire. They had cracked over time and must have broke as Roderich had his latest shipment loaded into the carriage. They were just too thin and made of a flimsy wood – probably cedar (which was durable, but less strong). Alfred was glad he brought some solid hickory wood with him. It should be about the right dimensions, he could even make them a little thicker to bear more weight. Of course, it would be better if he could change out all the spokes on the wheel while he was at it. That way, the tire would last even longer. The Hero of Canton quickly looked over the amount of hickory he had brought with him, deeming it to be enough.
While repairing the broken spokes, Elizabeta popped in with a tray of lemonade and cookies from the bakery. Nothing like sweets and refreshments to hide a hidden agenda.
"Alfred! So good to see you again!" she beamed. "Would you like something to drink? Or maybe some cookies? I got them fresh from Tino's this morning!"
"Sure," Alfred reached for a cookie. "Thanks, Elizabeta!"
"Isn't this nice?" she smiled again. "One of these days you and Lovino should come over for lunch!"
Alfred happily munched on the cookies and agreed, delighting Elizabeta. He made sure to eat politely, but quickly. He knew how important repairing the carriage wheel was to Roderich. Alfred had promised him he'd fix it as soon as he could too. A few more nails and it should be good.
When he finally finished, Roderich thanked him for taking care of it at the last minute. He gave Alfred a few extra coins for his trouble.
"Thank you, Alfred. I would have never been able to send out my latest shipment of woodwinds on time, if not for you," Roderich thanked him.
"No worries!" The blonde waved him off. "That's what heroes are for."
"…Of course."
Roderich could never wrap his head around Alfred's obsession with being the hero, but he was still a good kid and one of the handiest people in town. This was a feat in itself, considering the two crazies who raised him.
Alfred debated what to do with his extra coins after his work was done for the day. Arthur and Matthew had always taught him to save his money for practical things, but Francis was always demonstrating the proper way to blow cash on fun things. Alfred passed the general store and had an idea. He walked inside and picked up a sketchbook and charcoal pencils for Lovi. It was perfect! Fun and practical!
Alfred beamed as he exited the store, art supplies in hand. He remembered Lovino saying he liked art. This would make him happy for sure.
oOo
At the beach, Lovino walked for a bit, letting the sand sift between his toes. The beaches here were a little grainier than the ones back home (where it felt like walking on powder some days), but it was just as relaxing. Lovino spotted a small cropping of rocks and climbed up to watch the waves. Something about the waves rushing in and out was soothing to Lovino. He'd often cool off at the beach whenever life was stressing him out. It was lucky Canton had a beach too. While the sights were different than Torre' the smell and the sound of the ocean was identical.
Lovino leaned back and let the sun rays warm his skin. He loved the heat and being out on a sunny day. The brunette allowed himself the luxury of closing his eyes and smiling to himself. For some reason, the sun reminded him of Alfred. Just a bit. Probably because both were giant balls of endless energy that sometimes drove you nuts. Or maybe because both were so warm? Lovino could still remember the warmth of Alfred's hand the stormy day he met him and the blonde took him to safety.
Hmph. Not that I needed his help. I'm perfectly capable of—
"Excuse me, are you a traveler?" a voice belonging to a masked man interrupted Lovino's thoughts.
"Chigi!" the green-eyed boy hadn't even heard him approach. He was so startled, that he even lost his balance and fell in the knee-deep water below the rocks.
"I'm sorry, erkek," the masked man apologized and offered him a hand. "Didn't mean to startle you, there."
Lovino's internal alarms were suddenly set off, making him panic. He looked up at the man in front of him with distrust evident in his eyes. Lovino wasn't sure why he was so freaked out, but his instincts had kept him alive so far. He mentally kicked himself for not bringing the knife his Nonno gave him with to the beach. A lot of good it was doing him now on top of the dresser at Alfred's house.
"Are you alright?"
Lovi chose to run past the stranger rather than answer him. He sprinted all the way back to Alfred's house, locking the door behind him. If he wasn't preoccupied with putting as much distance as possible between him and that masked freak, he would've shoved the couch in front of the door too. Followed by the kitchen table if he was feeling really ambitious. In the end, he settled on retreating to his room to retrieve his knife and change out of his wet clothes.
oOo
Alfred got back not long after Lovino's adventure on the beach. He was glad he brought his key when he noticed the front door was locked. The blonde furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't remember locking it when he left. Did Lovino go somewhere?
"Lovi?" Alfred called out as he walked inside. "Lovi, are you home?"
When he got no answer, he decided to check Lovino's room. Unfortunately, he forgot to knock again and entered while his roommate was changing. Lovino only had his shirt off, but Alfred noted how tan and lean he was. Not that the brunette was scrawny, of course! He'd kill him if Alfred said that out loud. The blonde could easily see muscle tone, despite his sleeker build.
"Hi, Lovi!"
"What the fuck are you doing?!" Lovino jumped into the air in surprise and hissed at him. He reminded Alfred of a cat with its hair on end. Especially with the frazzled state of his ahoge. "Stupido! What did I tell you about knocking first?!"
"Sorry! I was just excited to show you what I picked up at the store!" Alfred tried to distract him with the bag of art supplies. "I'll just leave these here and you can look at them whenever. Seeya!"
Alfred quickly excused himself, leaving the bag behind. Lovino slipped on a dry shirt and opened the bag to see a large sketchbook, several pieces of charcoal, and some oil pastels tied up with a bow.
Lovino was amazed Alfred would get him a gift like this based off one conversation where he said he liked art. He felt his lips curve upwards into a smile.
Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all…
oOo
A/N
Lovi's slowly adjusting to living in Canton and with the hero. The Masked Man will be appearing again, but I'm sure most of you can figure out who he is already. Next chapter Lovi meets another member of Alfred's family. Mostly to make up for how filler-y this chapter felt to me :/
~Rajikka
Translations
Bastardo (It.) – "Bastard"
Tsundere (Jp.) – Arthur Kirkland. Haha, just kidding. (sort of.) A tsundere is a type of character seen in anime or manga known for appearing cold or hostile, but having a hidden sweet side. "Tsun Tsun" is the aloof or irritable side, while "Dere Dere" is the lovey dovey side. Iggy and Lovi are two good examples of this character.
Idiota (It.) – "Idiot"
Stupido (It.) – "Stupid"
Nonno (It.) – "Grandpa"
Canta per Me (It.) - "Sing for Me" a beautiful song by Yuki Kajiura. Not that it's a surprise, seeing as how I've yet to be disappointed with any of her albums. If you don't know her music and love fantasy, I highly recommend looking her up! She composes everything from lullabies to battle themes! :)
Erkek (Turk.) – "Boy"
