Tomato of the Sea

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Warning: AU, Lovi's way of verbally expressing annoyance, male x male pairings, and a very bipolar Gilbird fluttering about.

I recently went fishing, which inspired me to finish this chapter! I'm horrible at fishing, but I like to blame the freaking toddler fishing pole I was using. It did have some cool Star Wars stickers to help redeem itself, but looked ridiculous next to the three adult-sized poles. That'll teach me to let my crappy friends pick the way we spend our afternoon XD


oOo


While digging around in the shed one afternoon for a watering can (Antonio had given him some tomato plants recently), Lovino unearthed Alfred's old fishing pole. It had clearly been collecting dust for awhile, but didn't seem to be in bad shape. Everything seemed to be in place and the line looked strong (albeit a bit tangled). The brunette appraised the fishing pole once more, deciding the damage wouldn't be irreparable. He slung it over his shoulder, picked up the watering can with his free hand, and walked back inside the house.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Alfred poked his head over the cabinet he was repairing for a friend.

"Yep," Lovino held up the watering can. "You ever go fishing?"

"Hm?" the blonde caught sight of his old fishing pole. "Wow, I forgot I still had that!"

"I'll take that as a no."

"Heh, I used to when I was younger, but less often now."

"I see…" Lovino sat down on a nearby stool and began untangling the fishing line. Maybe it was time for him to take up fishing again? He wasn't half bad at it in his hometown.

"You gonna give it a shot?" Alfred asked, curious.

"Sure, why the hell not?" the brunette shrugged and settled into his task of fixing up the pole. He didn't need Alfred to fix everything around the house, after all…And he definitely wasn't trying to prove that by spending the next hour attempting to just untangle the damned thing.

The following morning, Lovino returned to what he deemed as a good fishing spot. It was on the way to the docks next to an old wooden bridge. There was even bench nearby to relax in while waiting for the fish to bite. He had noticed it a few days ago when going for a walk with Alfred.

It was still early, so he hadn't anticipated having to deal with people quite yet. Good, that meant he could let his grumpy personality shine through in all its sleepy glory. It had taken him longer to fix up the stupid fishing pole last night than he would have liked to admit, but it would be worth it when he caught some fresh fish for breakfast. Briefly, Lovino pondered what kinds of fish lived in the area. He hadn't paid much attention to the fish market during his stay. He'd sell his sibling for a bite of fresh baccalà again… Okay, maybe he wouldn't sell Feli for a bite of baccalà, but a plateful…Mmm…

Lovino felt eyes on him again, but figured it was too early in the morning to give a shit (damned fish not following the same sleeping patterns as humans). If worse came to worse, he had his dagger on him and Alfred's house was just a two minute sprint away. The eyes never left his back, but no one approached him either. Lovino hummed to himself (memories of good food helped put him in a good mood) as he strung some bait on the hook and casted. He hadn't fished in years and wondered what kind of luck he'd have today.

The sleepy town was starting to wake up over the next half hour. A few people began spilling into the cobbled road behind him. A pair of brats—er, delightful young children—wandered over to him to see if he'd caught anything. He hadn't, so he shooed the laughing ankle-biters away, before they scared off the fish with their racket. The sweet smell of bread and pastries baking began wafting over towards him.

'Tino must have opened his shop…' Lovino nodded his head absently as he re-casted his line into the blue waters below him.

The brunette considered picking up some fresh bread on his way home and his mouth watered. He couldn't help it! He was from Torre' so he loved bread. With bread on the brain, he hadn't noticed the large man approaching him, toting along a fishing pole.

"What are you doing?" Ivan asked him, some confusion in his voice.

"Fishing," Lovino rolled his eyes. What did it look like he was doing? Dancing? He sensed a weird aura on the man, but could care less after all the shit he put up with back home. Besides, nothing could scare him as much as Arthur's cooking. He mentally shuddered at the thought.

Ivan just stared at the shorter man in front of him. Clearly, he didn't know this was Ivan's Spot. He must be from out of town. Most of the villagers tended to avoid his spot (and him in general).

"Da, I can see that. I mean what are you doing in my spot?"

"I don't see your name on it, so I can use it too, bastard!" Lovino turned around to snarl at him. He hadn't expected Ivan to be so big, but that didn't give him the right to boss him around.

Ivan watched, stunned as the tsundere turned back to the water with a huff.

"I'm not moving, but you can join me if you want to sit here so badly."

The snowy-haired local chuckled and took a seat next to the fiery brunette. They exchanged pointers while fishing, Ivan being unused to anyone he wasn't related to talking to him without fear. Neither had much luck catching any fish that day, but having another person around helped pass the time faster.


oOo


The next day, Lovino returned to the familiar fishing spot by the bridge to find Ivan was already there.

"Come over, Lovino," he beckoned his new little friend. "I have brought bread today."

Well, far be it for him to turn down free bread. Especially since he knew Tino's (who made the best damned bread in town) was the only place open this early.

"Thanks, bastard," he responded, accepting the dark-colored bread. The brunette casted his line and stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth. He chewed it carefully and decided it wasn't typical Canton bread. "This tastes different…It can't be from Tino's."

"Da, that is because I made it, friend."

"You made it?" Lovino didn't want to sound as shocked as he did, but couldn't hide it. He couldn't even imagine Ivan twirling around in a frilly apron, pulling freshly baked bread from an oven while a pair of birds sang songs from his window. Still…at least the bread was decent. A little more vinegar than he was used to (cheese would probably help with that), but it wasn't the worst thing Lovino had eaten before. He finished the rest of his slice with ease. "It's actually not that bad…I hadn't pegged you for a baker, bastard."

"And I had not pegged you for a fisherman," Ivan chuckled, gesturing to his companion's line, bobbing from a fish bite.

"About damned time!" Lovino exclaimed, jumping up and reeling in the fish wildly.


oOo


Not two hours later, Alfred sat in his dining room eating grilled fish with Lovino for breakfast.

"You must be getting good at fishing," he smiled approvingly.

"I used to go fishing a lot with my younger brother," the tsundere shrugged off the compliment. A slight pang of pain squeezed his heart again at the mention of Feliciano. "Just eat your breakfast before it gets cold, bastard."

"Yes, dear…" Alfred laughed jokingly, dodging the spoon Lovino threw his way. "You'll have to take me fishing sometime too!"

"I guess Ivan wouldn't mind," the brunette rolled his eyes. "As long as you don't scare the fish away with that big mouth of yours."

"I-Ivan?!" the hero nearly choked on his fish.

"Yeah, he's the guy who fishes with me sometimes."

"Th-That was Ivan?!" Alfred coughed out in disbelief. "Ivan?!"

"Problem?" Lovino raised an eyebrow.

"Did Ivan catch this fish?! It's been tainted!" the blonde began to freak out. "Oh god, we're gonna be poisioned!"

"Hey, I caught this fish, jackass!" Lovino felt the need to defend his fishing skills. "Why would it be poisoned?!"

"Because it was near General Creepy!"

"Who?!"

"Ivan!"

Alfred regained his composure and gently guided Lovino towards the couch (away from the tainted fish) and sat beside him. He took his tan hand in his own and began rubbing small circles over it with his thumb. Alfred then very calmly explained to his best friend why Ivan is evil and the Lord of Darkness.

"You're being an idiot," Lovino scoffed. "Ivan's a weirdo, but he's not that bad."

"You need to be very, very careful around him," Alfred warned Lovino. "I don't trust him."

"What's he going to do? Kill me with his fishing hook?"

The Hero sighed. If he was going to keep Lovino safe, he had to take matters into his own hands.

"I'm going with you the next time you go fishing with Ivan…and bring your dagger." Alfred added as an afterthought.

"You're being ridiculous, but fine, bastard." Lovino crossed his arms. "Whatever gets you to shut up about it."

"Good!" Alfred threw his arms around his friend in a tight hug. "Now we can head out to get some breakfast!"

"You can find your own breakfast," the tsundere frowned. "I'm going to eat the un-cursed fish I caught this morning while you were snoozing!"

Alfred pouted, but wisely joined his roommate at the table for breakfast. Surely the goodness in Lovino would counteract the evil in Ivan, thus purifying the fish…even if it was in close proximity to the Lord of Darkness. Maybe he should find some holy water just in case…


oOo


Because neither of our heroes could catch a break this morning, they ran into Arthur while running some errands in town. Lovino fought the instinct to flee, with some help from Alfred (who had to practically pin his shorter friend down), but both stood their ground when they realized there was no escape. Arthur greeted them both brightly and invited them over for dinner before they could get a word in edgewise.

"We never get to see enough of you two with everyone's schedules being so busy…" he smiled. If they didn't know any better, he seemed like your average, caring father. But they knew better. "So, I'll see you both tonight for dinner, then?"

"Is that a threat?" the two simultaneously asked.

"N-No!" the blonde tsundere sputtered, blushing slightly. "I've been practicing really hard lately! Even Francis says I'm getting better!"

"Francis says his life is at an end after eating the stuff you call food," Alfred replied dryly.

"Well, do you have anything better to do tonight?"

"We do," Alfred placed an arm on Lovino's shoulder and began guiding him away. "Mattie and his pet albino are coming over for dinner, so we gotta go get the ingredients. Later!"

Lovino breathed a sigh of relief and let the hero guide him faaaaaar away from his nutcase father. It must be warmer out than he originally thought; the brunette could feel heat rising to his cheeks for some reason.

"You're off the hook this time, but eventually you have to come visit!" Arthur huffed, flailing his arms behind them.

"Thanks, bastard," Lovino whispered.

"Anytime," grinned Alfred.


oOo


Because lying isn't very hero-like, Alfred really did go invite his brother and Gilbert over for dinner. The couple was more than happy to oblige when they heard Arthur was on the prowl for dinner-mates. Matthew promised to show up at sunset with a bottle of wine. Alfred huffed (he still hadn't acquired a taste for the stuff), but Lovino seemed pleased.

That evening, they managed to have a relaxing meal that was crammed full of so much flavor and deliciousness; it nearly caused Gilbert and Alfred to cry many manly tears over it. Matthew settled on praising the chef and asking him for the recipe. Lovino scribbled it down for him, having to make up some of the spice amounts, since he usually made do with what he happened to have on hand. At this point in life, he rarely measured anything out either.

"You eat like this every day and you're gonna get fat!" Gilbert punched Alfred in the arm.

"If you managed to stay fit eating Mattie's cooking, I think I'll be alright."

"Yeah, but Mattie can't cook like this! Kesesese!"

"What was that, sweetie?" Matthew's face was a picture of pleasant, but his tone had an edge to it. One that promised needles, knives, and other sharp things.

"I-I, uh, I was just trying to say that Lovi's gonna make somebody a fine wife one day!" Gilbert stammered, not used to seeing the fierce side of Matthew outside the privacy of their home. This was getting scary and the look the wavy-haired blonde was shooting him was definitely not bedroom eyes.

"Che cazzo?! I am not somebody's wife, bastardo!" Lovino raged, a longer stream of colorful Torredirossian curses following this statement.

Crap, now I got two of them pissed at me… Gilbert winced.

"Would you like a shovel for the hole you're digging yourself?" Alfred smirked.

"Please."

Fortunately, Gilbird was there to save his master by dive-bombing what remained of the biscuits in the bread basket. Gilbert half-heartedly tried to stop him, but their feathered friend finally listened to Matthew and flew out the open window. Alfred had very bravely pulled Lovino under the table, where he protected him until the feathery menace was tamed and the coast was clear.

After everything had calmed down a bit, Alfred started a fire in the living room where they gathered and got to talking about other folks and events in the village. Canton wasn't a huge place, so it was only a matter of time before Ivan got brought up. Gilbert agreed with Alfred that the winter soldier was bad news, but Matthew took Lovino's side, saying Ivan's not so bad. Whether this was because of their previous alliance or not was unclear at this time.

"Ivan actually donated lots of money to the animal clinic I help out at," Matthew pointed out. "He's also one of the few people who talks to me on occasion."

"…Wait, you've been talking to Ivan too?!" Gilbert panicked. "About what?! Murder?! Torture methods?! Vodka?! Mein Gott! He's been brainwashing you, Birdie!"

"I can't believe how immature you two are being tonight!" Matthew actually raised his voice to his brother and his boyfriend. They shrunk back against their chairs like a pair of kids who just got scolded. It wasn't too often the soft-spoken blonde used any tone above 'appropriate library voice.' Matthew cleared his throat, turned his cheerfulness back on, and took Lovino's hand. "Since these two are acting like brats, would you like to leave them here to be obnoxious and hang out with me instead?"

"Hold on, Mattie!" Alfred interrupted. "You can't just steal my friend because you're mad at me and Gil!"

"No, no, hold on," the albino shushed him with a wave. He had been watching the scene intently. "I want to see where this goes."

"Dammit…I knew I should have swapped out the biscuits with the scones Arthur sent us…" Lovino muttered, pulling his hand back.


oOo


A/N

You know Lovi has seen some shit when even Ivan can't scare him. That, and I wanted to have one fic where Ivan wasn't particularly villainous. Just misunderstood. VERY misunderstood XD

And for the record, Matthew wasn't trying to steal Lovino away from Alfred. Even though they have their disagreements, Mattie loves Gilbert. He was just trying to annoy/get back at his brother with some tactics he may or may not have picked up from Francis.

~Rajikka

Translations

Tsundere (Jp.) –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.

Baccalà (It.) – Salted cod fish, popular in South Italy, especially during the Feast of the Seven Fishes ("Festa dei sette pesci").

Da (Rus.) - Yes

Che cazzo (It.) – What the fuck

Bastardo (It.) – Bastard

Mein Gott (Ger.) – My God