Lovino had dreamless sleep last night, nearly screaming at his phone when the alarm went off. He had to go to work. "Accidenti...I hate people..." However, he had made a commitment, so he reluctantly got up and put on his uniform.
Alfred had slept for only around three hours the night before. He had stayed up with his thoughts all night. He got ready as per usual and somehow remained chipper. He actually got to work way early for once, and was sitting there sipping coffee when Lovino entered.
Lovino entered with a slouch, his absolute hatred of the world showing on his face. He immediately went to pour himself a cup of the strongest coffee they had. He sat at a small table by the window, glaring outside at the sunlight.
"Someone looks agitated." Alfred laughed, moving to sit next to him. He pulled out the sugar canister and dumped way too much into his own coffee. "Mmmn, perfect.
"There should be a law so that no one has to wake up before 7 A.M." Lovino yawned and laid his head down on the table, stirring his coffee continuously. "How are you so awake?"
"I dunno... I think I got so little sleep last night I'm getting my second wind, Ahahaha~!" He laughed.
Lovino tiredly chuckled a bit before closing his eyes and letting out a sigh. It was about time to open, and he always hated dealing with customers as irate as he was…
"Why don't I work the front counter today Lovi?" Alfred asked, knowing that Lovino's pay would get docked if he was rude to the customers.
Lovino sighed in relief. "Yes, god, thank you." He stood up, took both of their cups, and headed toward the kitchen with new found energy.
Alfred smiled. For some weird reason, he found satisfaction whenever he could make his male co-worker happy. It must be because he loved helping everyone. Yeah, that had to be it.
Lovino could say that for the first time, he was almost happy at work. He was enjoying his alone time in the kitchen, sneaking grateful glances at his coworker, reminding himself to thank Alfred after work.
Alfred had a pretty tough day at work, doing a job and a half, filling in for stuff that he knew his co-worker wouldn't want to do. He didn't know why he cared so much, but he did. He was sweating when his shift ended. Some of the workers were off that day, so it was just them and the boss, which is why it was so strenuous.
Lovino left the kitchen with a small smile on his face, actually relaxed after a work day. He brought out a small plate with a slice of Alfred's favorite cake, and a cup of black coffee, and set them down in front of the tired blond. "Thanks for today."
Alfred's eyes lit up. "Of course! It was no big deal!" Alfred said, smiling widely, even that looking a bit tired. "I'm glad you could relax," he said sweetly. "You looked kinda tired, so I figured you needed it!" He said, laughing. But even that sounded kind of strained.
Lovino gave him a coarse look. "Are YOU okay? You seem more out of it than usual..."
"Nah, I'm fine!" He smiled again. "Just wanted to help a brother out, ya know?" He laughed, coughing a little. "I just need to sit down for a sec..." he said.
Lovino sat down with his own coffee at the table, a small worried look on his face. "You know, you didn't have to do that."
"It was no big deal!" He smiled, resting his head on his hand. "You looked tired, and I wanted to help! Like a hero, I guess!" He spouted, still smiling.
Lovino blushed a bit and looked away. What was this idiot doing? He was obviously overworked to begin with... "Look, just don't work yourself too hard, alright?"
"It's fine... I've got a lot of energy..." He said, taking a sip of the coffee and a bite of cake. "This is really good! Thank you.." He said, devouring it.
"No problem, it was the least I could do." Lovino was getting a little pissed at the idiot in front of him, acting all strong like that. He was visibly exhausted and he was playing it of like it was nothing!
"I've still gotta clean up the back rooms a little, so you can go on home if you want," Alfred said, shrugging.
"Thanks again." He smiled.
Lovino stood, shaking his head. "You sit here and take a break, I'll go clean the back rooms. I won't hear another word about it." He didn't wait for a reply before turning and heading into the back.
"Wha-!" He called after him. Then he huffed. "I could have done that!" He said to himself, loud enough for Lovino to hear.
Lovino rolled his eyes and spent the next hour cleaning the cafe, only to find Alfred still sitting out front when he was finished. "What are you still doing here? You could have gone home."
"I was waiting for you. Like I could leave you here, that was my job in the first place, you didn't have to do it..." He said, looking up at him from where he had been dozing off while playing Angry Birds.
"Well the register was my job today, so I repaid you. Quit being so stubborn." Lovino waved his hand in a beckoning motion. "It's time to close. It's past eleven now."
Alfred made a face and then looked outside, seeing how dark it was. "Hey... quick question..." he asked awkwardly. "Around whereabouts do you live?"
Lovino shot him a puzzled look. "Not far, I live in the big house next to the park...why?"
"Do you mind..." Alfred looked away and stared at a painting intently before continuing. "Do you mind…walking me home? I'm scared of the...dark..." He said the last word very quietly.
Lovino let out a gentle smile, because he knew his brother had the same problem. "Sure. It's just another thing I can do to repay you."
"No no... You don't need to repay me. It's fine. I just... think of this as maybe a favor?" He asked quietly.
Lovino smiled and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sure. Now show me the way."
Alfred nodded happily. "Thank so much~" he said. He was so happy he gave Lovino a big, unexpected hug. "Yeah, it's right around there too!" He said happily.
Lovino was taken by surprise at the hug. "Okay then..." he was silent on the walk to Alfred's house, still feeling awkward about the hug that probably meant nothing. Stupid American.
An owl hooted in the distance and Alfred freaked out, grabbing Lovino's hand and squeezing it, terrified.
Lovino blushed and gently squeezed back. "It's just an owl idiota. Why are you so jumpy all of a sudden? Where's that brave hero from earlier?"
"I... I... I'm still brave...I just.." Alfred stuttered out defensively. Just then, a black cat ran across their feet. Alfred bristled up immediately. He jumped up, grabbing Lovino in a hug. "A-Aaaah!"
Lovino stiffened at the sudden hug, rolling his eyes. "It's just a cat. Still brave, huh?" He patted the other on the head.
"Y-Yeah! I couldn't be the hero if I got scared of something so easily!" Alfred mumbled into Lovino's neck, not letting go of him because of sheer terror. The owl hooted again and Alfred held him tighter, trembling.
Lovino sighed and gently pushed Alfred off, getting on his knees and hooking his hands behind his back. "Here, get on."
"I...I'm fine, I'm just-" he said, trying to protest. A bird cawed very close to them, and he jumped on his back in terror. "I'm...I'm okay...I'm strong..." He said, tears betraying him as they fell and landed on Lovino's neck. Never before had a such a sentence been said in such complete irony and juxtaposition. But somehow, even in that, it was beautiful.
Lovino held tight to Alfred and was silent the rest of the way home. Once they reached Alfred's doorstep, Lovino gently placed him down on the steps. "There we go, nice and safe at home." He smiled softly.
Alfred hugged him around the neck. "Thank you..." He said, his face buried in Lovino's neck. "You didn't have to do this, you know..." He mumbled, a stray tear or two falling. He was still trembling. "I'm..." He pulled away, looking down. "I'm sorry for putting you out so much tonight. I wanted to help you out today.." He said, embarrassed.
Lovino chuckled and ran a hand through Alfred's hair. "Hey, I wanted to do it, it's no big deal. If you ever need anything, I'm almost always home." He gave a soft smile and turned, walking down the steps.
"Okay..." he said, smiling. "Thanks again... but for the future, if you need a hero... I'm always here too!" He called down the stairs after him. "See you tomorrow!" He waved, smiling wide enough to light up New York after dark.
Lovino put up a hand and continued his walk, a small smile on his face. When he got home, he immediately went to bed, actually sad about the weekend coming up.
A/N I MAY OR MAY NOT be completely procrastinating updating Splatter by doing this fic.. I'm sorry guys! Don't be upset! I'll get there soon!
Poor babu Alfred is adorable. I just want to snuggle him…
