Ten-Faced

Chapter 2 – The Second Face – Shy

Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I don't own any of it; I'm just in it for the Romerica ;)

Warning: MPD/DID!Lovi, male x male pairings, harsh language, and AU.

Thanks to everyone who read and spread the love for Lovi last time.

oOo

Feliciano was surprised when Lovino woke up on Tuesday morning and barely spoke at all. He had stayed home yesterday to deal with whatever it was that made him so upset. Was he really feeling better? Feliciano hoped his brother wasn't mad at him, so he walked over to Lovino and hugged him (knowing full and well it would probably end with his fratello calling him an 'idiot' and shoving him off).

Feli was really surprised when Lovino's face flushed, but he didn't curse him out. Instead, his twin tried to squirm away and asked Feliciano not to do that so suddenly. The fact that Lovi asked him and didn't tell him really puzzled Feli. This might be more serious than he initially thought.

"So, how are you feeling?" the younger Vargas asked cheerfully. "It's good to see you out of your room!"

"…Fine," Lovino replied, munching on a piece of toast.

"I made meatball sandwiches for lunch today!" Feliciano beamed. "That way we don't have to wait in line in the cafeteria!"

A nod.

"I have two tests today!" he pouted. "Do you have any coming up, fratello?"

A shrug. Lovino seemed more interested in eating toast than making conversation. Feliciano furrowed his brows slightly. Time to pull out the big guns…

"Ve, I might be a little late getting home today," Feli began. "Ludwig and I are going on a date at some German restaurant on the outskirts of town. He's taking me there on his motorcycle…the one he and Gil built themselves. From a Youtube video."

"Feli…"

"Yes?!" exclaimed the brown-eyed boy. Did he finally get a reaction out of his big brother?

"…Thanks for breakfast."

Lovino was confused as Feliciano shot past him in a terrified blur to look out the window, completely convinced the world was ending.

oOo

When the Vargas brothers parted ways inside World Academy, Lovino retreated to his locker. He was slightly relieved to be away from his overly-excitable brother. They had a few classes together, but not until later in the day. This would make for a good breather. He piled a few books in his locker and closed it quietly.

Lovino caught sight of Alfred down the hall, but they were separated by a sea of students standing between them. The American was also surrounded by a group of his friends; a few of them Lovi couldn't even recognize. This made him feel nervous. Lovino didn't know how he'd ever navigate this crowded hallway. Everyone was crammed together and far too loud for his taste; he bit his lip in concern.

Even if he made it over to Alfred, he didn't know what he'd say to him to grab his attention. He couldn't exactly barge through his friends without anything to talk about. His heart sank. How was he ever going to tell Alfred how he really felt about him if he couldn't even build up the courage to approach him? It was hopeless.

The warning bell rang and Alfred walked off with his buddies in the opposite direction. Lovino gripped his bag tighter and took off for class. Mr. Edelstein had a strict policy on attendance and tardiness. The Italian was in no mood to get lectured again. It was bad enough that his classmates now associated him with Chopin after hearing their teacher play Étude Op. 10, No. 4 every time Lovino made him angry.

As soon as Lovino rounded the corner, he collided with three other students far too caught up with their discussion about replacing a particular teacher's hair gel with super glue to notice him walking in front of them. The Italian had been caught off guard and landed on his backside. He looked up and inwardly winced – The Bad Touch Trio.

Francis braced himself for an onslaught of Angry Italian while Gilbert complained loudly in German. Antonio immediately apologized, this time it was actually his fault too. He hadn't meant to bump into his friend quite so literally. The trio of pranksters were all in shock when Lovino finally rubbed his head and responded.

"Oww…"

Antonio blinked. Francis gasped. Gil tried to remember if 'oww' meant something like 'asshat' or 'get bent' in Italian.

"A-Are you okay, Lovi?" Antonio helped him up, thinking he must be hurt if he was actually expressing some form of pain like this.

"…I'm fine," Lovino hesitantly stood up. "U-Um, thanks."

This caused the Bad Touch Trio to stare at the boy before them as if he sprouted a second head. Maybe they ran into him hard enough to give him brain damage? That or a doppelganger, because this wasn't the Lovino they knew. He even apologized to them; and Lovino fucking Vargas does not apologize. Finally, Antonio couldn't take it anymore.

"C…C…CUUUUTE!" the Spaniard cried and threw his arms around his childhood friend. "Lovi, you're so absolutely cute today!"

"C…Can't breathe…" Lovino scrunched up his face, feeling lightheaded.

"Ah, mi dios!" Antonio exclaimed, squeezing him tighter. "You're so adorable!"

The others stared in disbelief at the scene before them. Was this some kind of trick? The real Lovino would have swiftly ended the hug with a fist to Antonio's face. Something was definitely wrong here. Neither could figure it out, but when they noticed the Italian's body go slack, Gilbert felt the urge to speak up.

"Uh, 'Toni?"

"Si?"

"I think you just killed him."

"Eh?" Antonio opened his bright green eyes and noticed Lovino hanging loosely in his arms. So he did the only natural thing – shook him vigorously while shouting his name repeatedly in his face.

Lovino questioned if he was walking beneath an unlucky star today or something.

oOo

After the final bell, Feliciano met up with Lovino to walk home together. He had planned on doing so to check up on him. Feli was worried about how quiet he'd been acting all day, it probably wasn't a good sign. He was even more concerned when Lovino gave in right away and followed him out of the building. There was no complaining or reminding Feli that he was perfectly able to walk alone without his little brother.

Feliciano kept up their one-sided conversation the majority of the way home. Lovino just nodded or softly agreed occasionally. He was lost in his thoughts. Today proved that no matter how polite he was, nothing changed. By the end of it, Lovino still felt alone and walked over. People paid him no mind, especially without his frequent outbursts drawing attention to himself. Lovino was afraid that if he stayed like this, Alfred would never see him even if he was standing right in front of him. He couldn't imagine living like that.

"You know, I'd make you a hundred plates of pasta if you smiled again…"

The younger Vargas was content to chatter away to try to make his fratello feel better. He just wished he knew what to say. Lovino had been acting strange ever since last week. He went from angry, to sulking, to nonverbal all within a four day time-span. Feliciano didn't know what was wrong and Lovino clearly wasn't ready to talk about it yet. The amber-eyed boy inwardly sighed. He could remember back when Lovi would talk to him about everything. What had changed since then?

Suddenly, Lovino stopped walking and Feli nearly tripped. When he turned around, he saw Lovi's eyes were closed and he took a deep breath. Instantly his posture shifted upright into a confident position and his eyes snapped open – relaxed and alert.

Then he smiled.

Lovino smiled the brightest, most dazzling smile his own brother had seen in years.

"Lovi…?"

"What's the hold-up, Feli?" he asked, walking past his younger brother and ruffling his hair. "I thought you promised me a hundred plates of pasta?"

"Ve~?" Feliciano blinked. "I…I guess so?"

"Then you'd better get started!" Lovino grinned. "Need a hand?"

oOo

A/N – I felt bad that nobody really comforted the traumatized boy last time, so Feli had a larger role in this chapter. He doesn't mean to make things difficult for his brother and is oblivious to the result for the most part. Lovi never asked him to stop because then he wouldn't be 'Feliciano' anymore. Growing up, Lovi would rather suffer than see his younger brother forcibly change himself and become unhappy in the process. Which is why he never pointed it out to Feli either. So… Lovi for Brother of the Year, anyone?

This chapter was a little shorter, because to be completely honest 'Shy' is not one of my favorite 'Faces' to write. Especially after all the crap Lovi went through last chapter. Any guesses on the next personality?

-Rajikka

Translations:

Fratello – Brother (It.)

Ah, mi dios – Ah/Oh my god (Sp.)

Si – Yes (Sp.)