Ten-Faced

Chapter 4 – The Ninth Face – Sweet

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 again for all the support! I really love reading all your comments, guesses and ideas! Just to clear up a few things about the different Faces/personalities, I wanted to let you know that they are all a part of Lovino's psyche, so they are all technically a part of who he is. However, they are also magnified when they appear as a Face, so they seem a bit over the top or out of character at times. For example, Charisma is made up of Lovi's confidence, optimism, and leadership skills, but he doesn't have Lovi's tenacity, temper, or aggressiveness. Another example is that Shy is made up of Lovi's feelings of insecurity, awkwardness, and timidness, so he lacks Lovi's confidence, bravado, and determination. Right now, there's no dominant Face/personality, all are just trying to get their screen time in.

Hope that helps!

oOo

Lovino was four years old again. His mother was helping him into his carseat. He hated his carseat. He stubbornly climbed in to appease his mother, who offered him a toy to keep him occupied on their trip to the store. Lovino would be starting Kindergarten at World Academy soon and they had to get his school supplies. Romulus had offered to watch Feliciano that day.

Lovino watched his parents click their seatbelts on from the front seat in envy. He wanted to sit in the front seat too! Why did he have to be stuck in this stupid baby seat like Feliciano? He wanted to be a big boy and sit in the front seat!

They drove and drove. They drove until there was a blinding light. Lovino looked up from his toy to see what was shining in his eyes. It was so bright, dammit! A loud roar resounded from outside the van he and his parents were in. Tires screeched, metal wailed and ripped away. Lovino felt himself scream, but he was drowned out by his own parents as the monster outside sunk its teeth into the front seat of the van, shredding them both in its jaws.

The van was roughly flung into the side of the highway, rattling all of the occupants. When Lovino dared to open his eyes again, he whimpered for his parents. Everything was so dark! He reached an arm out for them and realized it was covered in a warm, sticky liquid. It dripped off his hand and landed on the floor of the van's remains. Was he hurt? No…his head felt like it had been nearly ripped off his shoulders from the whiplash, but he was otherwise intact.

Lovino tried to find his seatbelt, but he couldn't. He tried calling out to his parents again, but got no response. Sirens wailed in the background. Where were his parents? Why weren't they answering him? The sirens got closer. Lights started to dance outside of the dark windows. Lovino prayed the monster wasn't coming back.

"Mamma…? Papa…?"

Beams of light bounced around the van, closer and closer. One of them illuminated the front of the van, the place where his parents once sat.

"M…Mam…ma…?!" the small boy stammered in terror.

In front of him was all that was left of his parents, crushed between the glass and scrap metal of the van and the monster's jaws. They laid before him in pieces, blood splattered everywhere. Both were twisted and mangled, their eyes empty and facing Lovino as if they were watching him. He screamed.

Lovino shot out of bed, covered in sweat. He kicked the blankets off and tried to get his breathing under control. It was that dream again. The one he hated above all others. The one where he lost his parents over and over again.

The brunette put his feet on the cold floor, sitting over his bed with his head in his hands. He forced himself to take deep breaths to calm himself.

It was only a dream…You're alright…It's going to be okay…I'm here for you…

Lovino crossed his arms over his chest, hugging himself, and forced his eyes open.

You're going to be okay…I'm here for you…Everything is going to be okay…

After a few moments, Lovino was able to force himself off his bed and to the bathroom. He stripped off his clothes and took a hot shower to wash away what was left of the nightmare. Everything was going to be okay…

oOo

Lovino had gone to school early with Feliciano to start getting ready for the bake sale. Feli had wanted to get the first batches of cookies started ahead of time, just in case there was a problem later. Lovino was a little surprised by his brother's new-found dedication and ability to plan ahead. Ludwig must be rubbing off on him.

Feliciano had gone ahead of him to the kitchens to get things ready, while Lovino headed over to his locker. If he was going to be spending the morning baking cookies with his brother, he may as well grab his books for his first period class. On the way, he had a chance encounter with his most important person – Alfred.

"Mornin' Lovino!" the blonde greeted him with his usual sunny optimism, but Lovino was worried about the nasty cut on his arm. Alfred had pressed a few tissues to it, but the blood had still soaked through.

"Alfred, what happened to you?!" Lovino exclaimed, rushing over to the American and pushing thoughts of his reoccurring nightmare out of his head. He hated the sight of blood.

"Oh, this? Just a scratch." Alfred grinned. "I got it at football practice this morning."

"Let me see it," Lovino insisted, fussing over the injury and pulling out the mini first aid kit out of his bag. Neither Vargas brother was particularly graceful (despite popular belief) and were actually quite clumsy. Both were able to trip over thin air at times, so Lovino had started carrying a small first aid kit around in his bag for when they needed it. "Here, sit down and I'll take care of it for you."

The two sat down on a hallway bench. Lovino quickly and efficiently began treating the cut, not noticing how close he was to Alfred. The blonde however, very quickly took note of how close he was to Lovino. Alfred slowly inhaled his scent without realizing what he was doing. Lovino smelled wonderful, like cinnamon, sweet basil, and other spices Alfred couldn't name. He didn't even know for sure what sweet basil smelled like, but decided it had to be like Lovino smelled now. Alfred felt his cheeks burn when he realized what he was thinking. Quickly, he tried to shake the thought off.

"Alfred, did you hear me?" Lovino asked, looking up, his face suddenly very close to Alfred's.

"W-What?"

"O-Oh, I'm sorry, I—" Lovino felt his own blush rise to his cheeks upon realizing how close they were sitting.

"N-No, you're good! Thanks for taking care of my cut!" Alfred's grin lit up the entire hallway. He rotated his injured arm slowly. "I feel good as new!"

"Good, I'm glad…" the brunette smiled slowly, relieved.

About 30 feet away, Feliciano was standing in shock, watching the entire scene play out. His jaw (and book bag) had dropped when he saw the way his fratello was interacting with Alfred. Mostly because holy pasta, they were having a Moment! Them! His brother! A Moment! Feli rubbed his eyes to make sure what he was seeing was real. After deciding that it was, the younger Vargas worked hard to suppress a squeal of joy.

Dio mio! They're so cute together!

Feliciano bounced on his feet in excitement. He hoped they'd get together, the two made an adorable couple! Oh! If they did, then maybe they could all go on double dates and Lovi wouldn't hate Lud so much. They really just needed time to open up and Feli was sure they'd all get along eventually. If Alfred could help get Lovino to lighten up, it would really speed up Feliciano's plans of buying a villa in Italy for them to all live together in. They could spend time together on the front porch, where they would play cards, eat pasta, and drink wine from a local vineyard. Then they would reflect back on all their fond memories of growing up and growing old together.

Feliciano happily ve'd and turned around to give them some privacy. He had only gone back to see what was keeping his fratello, but this was worth it. The way things were going, he and Lovi could make cookies together anytime. Suddenly, he heard three unmistakable voices headed their way from the opposite hallway – The Bad Touch Trio.

Geez, fratello really can't catch a break, can he?

Feli knew the Moment would be completely and utterly ruined if Gil and the others arrived. Lovi and Alfredo would never hook up and then Feli would never get his double dates and front porch scenario.

And that was unacceptable.

Without a second thought, Feliciano discreetly ran in the direction of the trio of trouble-makers to intercept them.

oOo

When they finally met each other in the kitchens to make the best cookies in the entire world, both Vargas brothers were still a little red in the face. Lovino was still a little giddy from his unexpected encounter with Alfred. Feliciano was downright embarrassed by the suggestion Francis made to him after Gil mentioned that Feli and Ludwig were almost at their 2nd Anniversary.

Both blamed it on the heat from the ovens that were done pre-heating and got right to work.

Feliciano watched his brother curiously. When he was in the kitchens yesterday, Lovino had acted with an air of confidence that Feli had only seen on TV chefs. Today, Lovino was happily stirring a bowl of batter and humming to himself. Actually humming. Lovi never did that, even at home! He seemed so…relaxed. Feli was glad his brother was in such a good mood, but still found it a little odd.

Even as other volunteers showed up to help the two gourmets, Lovino carried on without a care in the world. He even helped a few of the more inexperienced volunteers adjust their recipes, find things throughout the kitchen, and praised them on their hard work. Feli had to admit he was a little jealous. Lovino hadn't done that for him since they were kids.

Was this really his fratello?

oOo

Lovino walked into his Health class and took a seat. Apparently there was supposed to be some kind of presentation today. His current Face couldn't recall what it was supposed to be about, as Charisma was too much of a know-it-all to pay any attention to their teacher yesterday. Sweet was a little miffed, but tried not to let it bother him; he'd find out soon enough anyway.

As the teacher helped an older-looking man set up his presentation boards, Lovino regretted his last thought about wanting to find out. The pictures and text in front of him bombarded his brain with unwanted memories – it was a drunk driving presentation.

After everyone had settled into their seats, the presentation began with a video. It was supposed to give them stats and important information, but all Lovino heard were the sounds. He heard tires screeching, cars colliding, metal twisting, and people screaming.

Flashes of his parents' bodies flashed before the Italian's eyes, but his Face dismissed the thoughts and blocked them out entirely with visions of how his lunch was going to go with Alfred.

As long as he had that to look forward to, he could tune anything negative out. Alfred was going to be so happy when he got to eat all of the treats Lovino had made just for him. The thought of Alfred smiling made Lovino smile as well.

He was sure everything was going to be alright.

oOo

It was a beautiful day outside; so many students had taken their lunches to the numerous benches and table s outside. There was much more room out here than in the lunchroom. This worked in the current Face's favor, as he was able to have more alone time with Alfred. He'd deal with the other jealous Faces later, right now he was going to enjoy his break from nightmares and horrible classes. All he wanted to do was spend time with the boy he'd fallen in love with.

Alfred happily accepted the lunch Lovino made him consisting of cookies, brownies, and other tasty desserts. The Italian had managed to fill a small basket with all kinds of leftover treats from the batches he made for the bake sale. He had also baked a dozen cookies intended just for Alfred.

Alfred took a bite out of the result of Lovino's top-secret cookie recipe.

"Oh my god…" his eyes closed in ecstasy. "This is the best cookie I've ever had! I didn't even know they could taste this good! What do you call it?"

Lovino decided against telling him the working name was 'Sonovabitch' and told him it was a secret instead.

"What's in it? Chocolate? Peanut butter? Caramel?"

"I can't tell you, it's a secret!" he laughed.

"Do you have more?"

Lovino handed him the box. He had made them especially for Alfred, after all.

"Since the recipe's a secret, will you at least promise to make them for me again, sometime?"

"Sure, I promise!" the brunette answered brightly. He knew everything was going to go well today.

Their conversation was simple, mostly discussing how each other's day had gone so far. Lovino talked about the bake sale prep, but left out Health Class completely. No reason to bring Alfred down. The blonde told him about his crazy tea-slurping partner for his History project, who wanted to base their Revolutionary War group project on the British, even after Alfred pointed out to him that they lost! Their teacher took Arthur's side (because multiple viewpoints were important or something) and now Alfred was stuck writing about lobster-backs for the next two weeks. This was almost as bad as the time he had to do a group project with Ivan about the Cold War. Eventually the two began talking about the time Alfred first met Lovino while he was still in the Athletics program.

"Y'know, I always really admired your soccer skills!" Alfred's blue eyes were filled with excitement. "You were one of the most talented players on the team!"

"Th-That's not true…" Lovino laughed, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "The other guys were much better than me."

"But it is true!" insisted Alfred. "Soccer practice was always before football practice, so I'd see you on the field sometimes!"

A surprised and slightly pink Lovino looked down at his hands. He never realized that Alfred paid any attention to him on the soccer field. How embarrassing…

"It was too bad your team sucked so bad," Alfred's face fell.

"Huh? But they were very good," the Sweet Face forced a smile. "They won Nationals, didn't they?"

"I didn't mean that," the American shook his head. "I meant how crappy they treated you."

Lovino was shocked someone else had noticed as Alfred continued.

"Those assbutts were really just jealous of you too, it was lame they took that out on you."

"They couldn't have been jealous of me; they'd been playing their whole lives."

"That's why they were jealous!" Alfred smirked. "They trained hard their whole lives, but you had natural talent and didn't have to work as hard as them to be as good as them!"

Lovi let this set in and could feel another wave of emotions form under the surface of Sweet. He recognized it immediately as anger – how dare those bastards treat him like shit just because he was better than they were. It wasn't like he didn't train or blow off extra practices. He'd always been the first one there and the last to leave!

"Sonovabitch…" he hissed and angrily took a bite out of the cookie bearing that namesake.

He'd be sure to teach them a lesson they'd never forget.

oOo

A/N – Just to clear up the dream, that's what Lovino remembered about the day he lost his parents. He was only 4 at the time, so in his mind, the truck that had collided with his parent's van was a monster. Little Lovi couldn't process a careless driver killing his strong parents, so he believed it was a monster instead (although he later accepted that another human being ended his parents lives). The lights bobbing around were the rescue team's flashlights.

And also, it wasn't the presentation about drunk driving that was bad. It was Lovi's assoholic teacher that was bad. The unpleasant memories would have been completely avoided if the guy used any form of common sense to realize a student like Lovino, who had lost his parents to a car crash would already be well aware of the dangers drinking and driving presented. He should have written Lovi a pass or something, but as Feli pointed out, Lovi can't seem to catch much of a break.

Also, it's just weird to write a Lovino who doesn't swear or curse as much. Thank the gods that'll change next chapter.

Any guesses for the next Face? All I can say is that Lovi's old soccer team is about to get what they had coming for a long, long time :)

-Rajikka

Translations:

Fratello – Brother (It.)

Dio Mio – My god (It.)