Okay so, yeah, chapter one. And the world cup. yeah.
1A Italian restaurant Al Capone.
We'll start the story at the bottom of the building, in a colourful restaurant with cheap plastic chairs. It was 13 july 2014, the evening of the World Cup, and Lovino Vargas found himself growing more and more annoyed with his customers, especially a certain white haired German. The man was currently sitting in one of the plastic chairs at less than a meter from the television, red eyes following every movement on the screen, lips moving rapidly. Lovino tried his best to ignore him, focussing al his attention on the table he was cleaning. Then the man began pinching his beer can, producing metallic sounds.
Lovino threw his towel on the table and groaned in frustration. "What the hell are you doing, idiota?"
Gilbert ripped his eyes from the television, and gave him a confused look. ""Huh?"
Lovino resisted the urge to slap him across the face. Gilbert turned his eyes back to the tv again, and continued abusing the beer can.
"He's praying that Argentina doesn't beat Germany too hard.' Antonio jeered from his spot at the lumpy couch in the back of the restaurant.
"Shut it Toni. You're going to owe me a lot of money after this." Gilbert replied without looking away from the screen.
"I highly doubt that, Gil" Antonio replied in a sing-song voice. "Those Argentinans have Spanish blood in them,they were already born with a burning passion and talent for football."
"Your country was beaten by the Netherlands, Antonio. Is die Mannschaft doing well, Bruder?" Ludwig had entered the restaurant and had taken a seat beside Antonio. Antonio hid his face in his hands.
"Was it necessary to remind me of that again? I'm trying to get over it, you know?"
Ludwig smirked. "What was it again? 3-0? 4-0?"
"5-0, Kessesese!" Gilbert chuckled in front of the tv, his brother soon joining in.
"Your Mannschaft of bastardos isn't doing that well either, almost the end of the game and still no points." Lovino pointed out.
The German smirks fell, and they both tended to focus on the game.
Antonio rose his head out of his hands and beamed a ridiculously bright smile. "Thanks for standing up for me Lovi."
"I wasn't standing up for you. I was merely pointing out facts." Lovino told him, lightly annoyed. Antonio blew a clumsy air kiss towards the slightly flustered Italian. 'You know you love me, Lovi."
Lovino flipped him off and disappeared into the kitchen. The three remaining men then watched the game in silence, the only thing heard was the soft buzzing of a fan and Gilberts rambling. The game dragged on and on without any progress on either side and eventually it was decided that there would be penalties to decide the outcome of the game. Gilbert groaned in desperation. Antonio turned his head towards the kitchen. "Lovi, can you make us some dinner?" There was some slamming around with pans before an angry voice replied "Only if you give me the money now." Antonio pouted in the direction of Lovino, even though he couldn't see him. "Ah Lovi, don't be like that, I will pay you back tomorrow, kay?"
Lovino poked his head out of the kitchen. "No idiota, this is a restaurant. You pay for your food. No money, no pasta. Simple as that."
"But Lovi, I'm hungry!"
"Who's hungry?"
A tanned man with dark curly hair had entered the restaurant. Romulus Vargas was the owner of the Italian restaurant, and Lovino's grandpa. How he managed to look so young was secret nobody knew, but everybody knew and loved the cheerful Italian.
"Nonno, can you please tell the tomato bastard he has to pay for his food like everyone else?"Lovino sighed.
"You're out of money again, Antonio?" Romulus asked, slightly anxious.
Antonio shrugged. "Yeah, I got sacked last week. Again."
Romulus sighed. "Again? What's going to become of you? You can't live from other peoples money forever, Toni."
Antonio stretched and yawned. Romulus threw a glance at the tv, then at the lounging Spanish guy. "Ah well." He sighed "It is World Cup day today, si? I guess pasta's on the house then!"
Antonio beamed at the older Italian. "You're amazing."
Romulus gave him a seductive wink, then turned his attention towards the two Germans, Gilbert locked with the tv, Ludwig watching the conversation between the mediteranians rather awkwardly. "Can I get something for you tw-" Gilbert waved his hand in Romulus' direction to shut him up. "Sssshh, they are taking penalties now!"
Ludwig rolled his eyes. "Pasta and beer for him and me please."
Romulus smiled. "Ofcourse, ofcourse. It's all on the house tonight!"
Lovino hissed "We're going to go bankrupt if you keep giving everybody 'food on the house'!"
Romulus patted his grandson on his shoulder. "Only for friends, si?"
Lovino mumbled a soft 'idiot' and walked into the kitchen again. They listened for to the rambling of the sports commentator for a moment, and to Lovino slamming plates down with a little more force than necessary.
Romulus looked around the restaurant. "Are there no other people who want to watch the World Cup?"
Antonio shook his head. "No, everybody already knows the outcome." He replied lazily.
Romulus raised an eyebrow. Antonio smirked. "Argentina."
Gilbert turned to look at Antonio rather angrily. "No. Just no."
"But seriously, nobody else? Not even Lars? I thought he was into football?"
Gilbert snorted. "Lars?"
Ludwig sighed. "Our neighbour. The Dutch guy who always parks his bicycle in front of our door." Gilbert proceeded to think for a moment. "The drug addict?"
Antonio flopped on his back, chuckling. 'That's the one."
Gilbert grinned. 'That guy wouldn't come down here unless you forced him. He's just as my little bruder here. He's got a giant stick up his-"
"Bruder." Ludwig interrupted harshly "It's Argentina's turn again."
Gilbert locked his eyes with the television instantly. "Ohmeingodohmygodohneinohnoohmynoomgohmeingottneinno-"
"Bella said she'd come though." Antonio stated, completely ignoring Gilberts distressed rambling.
"And here I am!" a cheerful voice said. "Am I in time for the outcome?" Bella danced into the room, wearing a red ribbon in her hair, and holding a round box in her hands.
"Ciao Bella!" Romulus cried, running towards her to embrace her.
"The game's still going." Ludwig stated from the couch.
"Not for long." Antonio stated. "Argentina is going to win eventua-"
"Shut it bastardo." Lovino said, walking out of the kitchen with three plates of pasta.
"Bella can I get you something? I've got Belgian beer." Romulus said.
Bella beamed at him. "Yes please!" She flopped down on the couch between Ludwig and Antonio and put the box on the ground beside her. "It's a World Cup Cake." she explained while Lovino gave the customers their pasta. "Feli made the decorations, he should be here any minute with the champagne."
Lovino frowned at her. "I didn't know you were so into football?"
Bella smiled showing him her wrist full of bracelets in flag colors. "Since I was born. I guess my brother and I have something in common after all."
"How's he?" Antonio asked curiously. Bella sighed, her shoulders drooping just a little. "I've got no idea. I wished he would tell me. But I barely see him. Always out, walking around the city at night, always doing shady stuff. It is like he isn't there.." Bella stopped mid-sentence and forced a smile on her face again. "Anyway, look, it's already Germany's turn!."
Antonio groaned. "Argentina hasn't scored!?" The Belgian girl, the silent Germans, the lazy Spaniard, the charming Italian and the grumpy Italian all watched breathlessly as Götze prepared himself to shoot. They all watched in silence as the ball hit the goal. Gilbert jumped up, knocking his chair over in the progress and fist-pumped the air. "GOAAAL GOALGOALGOALGOALGOAAAAL! JAAA DEUTSCHLAND! WIR HABEN GEWONNEN! WELMEISTER!"Antonio hid his face in his knees and whined. Lovino covered his ears and shook his head, and Romulus and Bella cheered.
Then Feliciano walked in. "Ciaoo everyone. Champaign is here! Vee~Congratulations Gilbert and Ludwig!" Feliciano poured everyone champaign and they watched the German brothers do a ridiculous victory dance, roaring along with the German anthem. Bella smiled as she revealed the World Cup Cake, accompanied with a lot of "ooohhhs" and "aaahhs" Her brother would come later, now she just had to enjoy the moment with her friends.
A few hours later.
Lovino and Feliciano were sound asleep, Romulus, Gilbert and Antonia had decided to go clubbing, dragging poor Ludwig with them, and Bella was left with Elizaveta, who'd dropped by later on the evening. Elizaveta inspected her surroundings carefully, before beckoning Bella to come closer. They sat together on the plump couch, the only thing standing in a room full of knocked over chairs, and watched eachother for a minute.
Then Elizaveta said in a hushed voice.
"You'll never guess what I heard." Bella rolled her eyes. Eliza loved gossiping, and always knew everything about everyone. "What is it Eliza?"
Eliza bent towards Bella. "Well, I know that there's been trouble in paradise lately."
Bella tilted her head in confusion.
"For Francis and Arthur," Elizaveta continued "It seems that they have some problems in their relationship."
Bella laughed. "They always have trouble with their relationship. How they ever got together is a riddle to me."
Elizaveta nodded. " I know, but this time it is pretty serious, Allistair told me himself."
Bella leaned in to Eliza, she was pretty curious now. "What is it?" Eliza inched closer, until her lips were a few inches from Bella's ear. "He says that their arguments have gotten heavier. Arthur often locks himself in his room, and Allistair says he's walked in on Francis crying more than once. And it affects the kids to. Alfred's only gone louder, and poor Mattie refuses to say anything."
Bella gasped. "That's horrible. I hope they figure it out."
Elizaveta nodded. "I know. I got to go, otherwise Roderich will probably call the police.""
Bella smirked. "How cute, your husband worries for you."
Elizaveta rose from the plump couch and walked through the trashed restaurant towards the exit. "See you tomorrow!" Bella stared after her. "See you tomorrow.." She mumbled, before forcing herself leave too, to see if her brother was home yet.
That last thing between Bella and Eliza was totally meant to make you curious, and it is meant to introduce you to the story. I know this thing was a little silly but it briefly mentioned some of the characters problems. So...
