Ten-Faced

Chapter 7 – The Fifth Face – Charmer

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 the support! I love reading each review :) Over half of the Faces have been revealed, but I think this chapter's main Face was the most requested. Consider it a New Year's present to everyone who asked about him :)

Here's a list of all the identified Faces so far: 1 – Lovi, 2 – Shy, 3 - Charisma, 4 - ?, 5 - Charmer, 6 - Tactician, 7 – Fighter, 8 - ?, 9 – Sweet, 10 - ?

oOo

Tired of all the fist-bumps and idiotic jocks, Charmer decided it was his turn to take control. He believed that if Fighter kept going, he and Alfred would never be more than bros. Charmer was quick; he was in (and kicked Fighter out) before they had even finished gathering books and closing their locker door. The embodiment of Lovino's romantic side took a moment to close his eyes and readjust to the body before a grin spread across his lips.

"Finally…"

He quickly readjusted his hair (honestly, had Fighter even heard of a styling gel? Or at the very least, a comb?) and tossed the chain connecting his wallet to his belt back inside his locker. While it may seem functional, the current Face knew there were at least two other personalities more willing to use it to strangle somebody rather than ward off pickpockets. Best not encourage them. Charmer fixed his collar quickly and headed off.

It was good timing, as Lovino walked down the hallway and found Alfred and Matthew being annoyed by the Bad Touch Trio. Apparently Alfred had just found out about Matthew and Gilbert, and it had gone downhill from there.

"You're just using my brother!" Alfred growled at the albino. "You're just pretending to like him for some sick joke!"

"I am not, dammit!" Gil shouted back. "I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you telling me what I can and can't feel for Birdie, either!"

"You can try," the American narrowed his eyes. Nobody messed with his family. Alfred hated it when people tried to take advantage of them, especially Mattie, just because he had trouble standing up for himself. He'd make sure Gilbert got the message loud and clear. "But I doubt you have the strength…"

"Do you think you could tell me what true strength is?" Lovino calmly made his way onto the scene. He stood between the two boys, but faced Alfred. "I may be out of line, but hiding your true self doesn't seem any different than running away to me. I would think that embracing the things and people you truly like is worth more than anything. Isn't that what true strength is? Isn't that what true love is?"

Everyone turned to face him, surprised. As the three seniors were expecting a ticking time-bomb, this was completely out of left-field. Even Alfred and Matthew looked at their friend with some confusion on their faces. Lovino's perfectly styled hair, mischievous eyes, and crooked smile revealed no weakness.

"L-Lovi?" Antonio asked. His little buddy was acting so different again. Was he coming down with a cold or something? "Are you feeling okay, amigo?"

"Somebody spike your coffee?" Gilbert raised an eyebrow. There was no way Lovino would stick up for him, even in a parallel universe.

"Do my ears betray me, or is that a hint of charm in your voice?" Francis managed to grin, secretly bracing for the explosion. There was no way the temperamental Italian would let that one slide.

"Jealous, Francis?" Lovino said, affectionately placing a hand on Alfred and Matthew's respective shoulders.

As they were all caught off guard, the Italian was able to peacefully pull both Jones brothers away.

"Sorry, but I have business with both of them," he winked. "I promise to return them when we're done…"

Lovino walked away with both brothers leaving the Bad Touch Trio stunned.

"The hell just happened?" Gil asked, pointing in the direction of the exiting students.

Antonio opened his mouth, but couldn't make words come out. Francis just shook his head.

oOo

Lovino continued to charm the brothers as they walked down the hallway and stopped inside the library. Charmer was constantly seeking after and to be the desire of others. While he may enjoy making others' cheeks blush or hearts race, he saved his real affection for Alfred. Even if the other didn't reciprocate as freely, the Italian loved a challenge. It made the victory that much sweeter. And he fully planned to enjoy this victory.

Inside the library, Alfred slumped down into a chair while Matthew went searching for the books he needed for a project.

"You look exhausted, Alfred…" the Face noted, a hint of concern in his voice.

"It's nothing," the blonde tried to wave off his friend's worries.

But Matthew wasn't having any of that. He poked his head around the shelf, books already filling his arms.

"Al's been doing extra football practice lately…"

"Is that so?" Lovino jokingly chided the football captain. "You need to take better care of yourself."

Alfred was about to protest, but as the Italian began to massage his shoulders and upper back, he decided not to. The blonde closed his eyes and sighed happily. He could feel the stress melt away under Lovino's touch.

"Do you have magic hands or something?" he asked with a grin.

"Depends on what I use them for…" Charmer responded with a chuckle.

Alfred hummed happily and enjoyed the ten minute massage session. The smile that formed on his lips stayed there even when Matthew started walking back over with a stack of books. Alfred couldn't even remember what sore muscles felt like after Lovino was done molding them into an effective puddle of mush. The tension and stiffness had been rolled right out of him, leaving him tingly and content.

"I love it when you smile, but I love it more when I'm the reason behind your smile…" the Italian said knowingly.

Alfred was unsure how to respond, so he just smiled wider.

"I found all the books I need for now…" Matthew said as he approached.

"'Kay, hand 'em over."

"You're such a good brother," Lovino smirked, watching Alfred carry all of the dictionary-sized books that didn't fit in Matthew's bag.

"Some days!" laughed Alfred.

As they approached the librarian's desk to check out all of Matthew's books, the grumpy lady eyed them in annoyance. She readjusted her obnoxiously pink glasses on her razor sharp nose and glared at poor Matthew, who felt his heart squeeze slightly in terror.

"You have too many books," she sneered. "Three too many."

"O-Oh, I-I'm sorry," he felt his throat tighten. "I-I must have miscounted, eh?"

"Inconsiderate boy," she growled. "Who do you think has to put these all back to where they belong?"

"I-If it's a bother, I-I can-"

"You?" she guffawed. "You can't even count properly, why would I let you attempt to file them?"

Alfred had heard enough by then. Nobody picked on his little brother! Matthew was one of the nicest people in the entire world; he didn't deserve to be treated like crap. As he was about to voice his thoughts, Lovino cut him off.

"Surely you can make an exception, just this once?"

His smile was Charmer's, but his icy cold eyes belonged to a different Face. One that promised consequences should his request not be carried out swiftly and immediately.

"Hmph. I suppose just this once…but don't expect this kind of treatment again!"

"Thank you…" Lovino smiled, the demon behind his eyes slowly retreating once the ancient-looking librarian began scanning books to Matthew's card.

As the two brothers behind him shared a quick high-five, Charmer quickly rubbed a small circle on his temple to ward off whatever remained of the intruder. He then ran a hand through his hair to hide the action from the others.

When did Tactician get so strong…? How greedy. It's my turn today. I can handle this just fine!

Charmer was a lover, not a fighter…but even he had to admit he would feel a great sense of self-satisfaction after slamming the librarian's keyboard across her head. Perhaps it would knock some common sense into her as well.

On their way out of the library, Lovino pretended to remember something and dug around his pocket for something. Moments later, he pulled out two tickets with flourish.

"What are these?" Alfred smiled, glancing at them curiously.

"Invitations to the Music Department's annual Winter Showcase," the brunette smiled, handing them each a ticket. "I have a solo and would love for you to be there."

Alfred and Matthew happily agreed. Matthew had wanted to go for ages, but never had anyone to go with or an excuse to buy a ticket. Alfred was just happy to go cheer on his friend. He normally had difficulty sitting still for that long (he was the poster child for restless legs if there ever was one) which is why he avoided going the previous years, but if it was important to Lovino, it was important to him.

oOo

Lovino showed up at the Culinary Club's week-long bake sale a few minutes late. He was still wearing his Charmer Face, so a smile and quick apology was all it took to make several nearby girls swoon.

"Ve, it's okay, fratello," Feliciano returned the smile. "I just got here too."

Feliciano introduced Lovino to the two other students helping out at the stand, but there was no need. After Charisma's stunt in the kitchen demo, there wasn't a single Culinary student who didn't know his name. Instead, Feli offered to demonstrate how to reel in potential customers, but the older Vargas brother told him there was no need.

There wasn't.

Lovino was able to charm several people into buying things within the first ten minutes of his arrival, but was especially effective with the ladies.

"H-Hi, Lovino," a shy underclassmen held up a bag of cookies to buy.

"My apologies," Charmer raised his eyebrows. "Is it possible that I have met a beauty like you and forgotten your name?"

"N-No! I only know you because my sister Anne has music class with you…"

"Ah, finalmente ci siamo incontrati…" He replied effortlessly in Italian, making several hearts melt in the process.

"I have no idea what you just said, but please keep talking," another girl spoke up.

Feliciano was about to translate, when he was cut off by his fratello.

"Sono anni che ti stavo cercando…" Lovino carried on, holding the shy girl's hand after handing over her purchase. Her face turned bright red and she quickly took off. She needed no translation.

"I think I'm in love…" another sighed dreamily.

"How fortunate," Charmer grinned. "Love at first sight is something that lets you waste no time."

Not to be outdone, a long-haired girl snatched up an entire plate of chocolates to buy. She smiled as Lovino rung up her order and packaged it for her. Before she left, he gently touched a strand of her hair and placed a soft kiss on it.

"I hope the rest of your day is as lovely as your smile…" he grinned, letting her hair fall through his fingers like silk.

After another ten minutes, half the contents of the table were sold. Staff and students alike fell to his charms. Everyone was drawn by Lovino's magnetism to the club's table, whether they were hungry or not.

Feli was lost, he knew his brother could be a flirt sometimes (it was a point of pride with most Italian men) but not nearly to this extent. Lovino actually had people swarming to their table at this point. Not even Feliciano with all his cuteness and bubbly personality was that good. Feli could only watch his brother with a sense of awe and a hint of jealousy as he easily chatted with a group of pretty upperclassmen girls from the Theater department.

"So how's your production going?" he asked smoothly. "I love Romeo and Juliet."

"Oh, you've read it, Lovino?" one asked excitedly.

"Of course he has, dummy!" the second nudged her friend. "He's Italian!"

"I'm playing Juliet!" the third said proudly.

"In that case, I can't wait to see it," Lovino flashed them a smile.

Feliciano found this more than a little odd. It didn't seem like his fratello at all. As far as he knew, Lovi preferred reading plays over seeing them 'surrounded by idiots' as he put it. Feli zoned out on this for a minute until he heard them mention his other academic focus.

"That's the thing, the Art Department hasn't been very helpful…"

"Yeah, they said they're too caught up with other projects right now."

"That's horrible," the Face sighed, seemingly interested as he wrapped up the cookies they purchased. "And after all the hard work you've been putting into it too…"

Feeling guilty, Feliciano tried to apologize, but was cut off by Lovino once more.

"What's wrong with it specifically?"

"We have no background paintings for scenery and landscapes."

"Yeah, we have plenty of props, but our background is just a blank canvas!" the middle girl took the cookie bag and offered one to each of her friends. Suddenly, something seemed to click in her head when she looked back up at the attractive salesman before her. "Wait! You're good at art, Lovino!"

"You flatter me," he smiled handsomely again. "But my focus is music right now."

"B-But, you were in art not too long ago, right?!"

"Yeah, I remember seeing some of your paintings! You were really good! I'm sure you still are!"

"Would you help us out, Lovino?" the third girl took his hands. "Pleeeeeease?"

"Well, I'm not nearly as talented as my brother here, but how could I refuse girls as lovely as you?"

The upperclassmen giggled, cheered, and thanked him repeatedly. As surprising as it was, even Feliciano had to admit he was looking forward to seeing his brother paint again. He knew Lovino still kept sketchbooks, but never showed them to anyone. In fact, he hadn't seen a single painting, portrait, or doodle of his fratello's since he quit taking art courses.

"Ti amo!" Feliciano couldn't help but exclaim as he hugged his brother. He was so excited that Lovino was opening up again. He had missed seeing his brother paint and cook and interact with others.

"Awww!" a group of fangirls chorused at the display of brotherly love.

"Oh! I know that one!" a taller girl beamed. "That means 'I love you,' right?"

"Si!" Feliciano giggled. He was so proud and happy for his brother at the moment, he barely noticed the concerned look Charmer gave him.

"True, but you shouldn't be saying it to me, fratello…" the older Vargas shook his head.

"V-Ve?"

"Don't mind my easily-confused brother here," Lovino smiled at the others. "He's been speaking English for so long, that he's forgetting his Italian…"

The others watched him, baffled, but listened intently.

"In Italy, we save 'ti amo' for the love of our lives," he explained. "Whereas in English, 'love' is used to describe everything. How unfair for people to tell a beautiful girl that they love her hair, her eyes, or her pasta…How will she be able to feel special when a man tells her that he loves her?"

Several eyes began to water as he continued.

"That's why we only say ti amo when we're talking to our true love. When you tell your family, girlfriend, or boyfriend that you love them, you would say ti voglio bene…" Lovino finished and ruffled his brother's hair.

"Ve ~ I remember now!" Feliciano glomped his brother again. "Ti voglio bene!"

"Ti voglio bene, Feli."

oOo

After the bake sale was over, Lovino reached for the messenger bag that wasn't there. Realizing he must have left it in the library in his rush to get to get to the bake sale, he told his younger brother he'd catch up with him later at his locker. He returned to the library and found his bag near the back table he had been sitting with Alfred at. The brunette quickly checked it over to make sure everything was still there. Satisfied with the contents of his bag, his eyes flickered up and spotted Alfred and Matthew not too far away.

Surprised, he was about to call out, but stopped short. He heard Matthew talk about needing more books and equating Alfred to a pack mule. Alfred frowned at this, but since he knew Matthew would later help him with his own research paper, he let it slide. The conversation then turned to Lovino, who had ducked behind a bookshelf in order to remain hidden (although Charmer would later swear up and down it was Shy taking over for a minute).

"It was really nice of Lovino to invite us to the Winter Showcase, eh?" the violet-eyed boy smiled. "I'm excited!"

"Yeah, I wasn't really expecting that…" Alfred mused. "Lovi's been acting a little off today."

"What do you mean, Al?"

"I'm not sure…he just seemed a little off or something."

"Off?"

"Yeah, like when he ran into us with Gil and the others earlier," the American's brow furrowed under the mountain of books. "I was expecting him to beat at least one of the Bad Touch Trio senseless!"

"What? Why?!"

"So I'd have an excuse to punch Gil's lights out," grinned Alfred.

"You're such a hoser," Matthew huffed. "This is why I didn't want to tell you about us yet."

They walked past the row of books Lovino was standing in, not noticing him, chatting away about Alfred's overprotective brother tendencies.

Lovino slumped against a bookshelf, eyes narrowing as a new personality emerged. A soft, but annoyed hiss escaped his lips.

"What do I have to do to get this idiot to like me…?!"

oOo

Feliciano had arrived home again without his brother. He wanted to walk home with Lovino, but ended up talking with Ludwig and Kiku longer than expected. By the time he'd gone to his fratello's locker he was gone. Feli felt a little guilty, especially after how helpful Lovi had been lately. He really should apologize…

The younger Vargas made his way upstairs and down the hallway to Lovino's room. He knocked, but nobody answered the door. Felciano glanced through the crack in the door from where it hadn't quite shut. Had he really beaten Lovino home after all that?

"Fratello…?"

He didn't see his brother, but did see an empty coffee mug lying on the floor. Lovino must have accidentally tipped it over. Feli was glad it didn't break, but didn't want his older brother to step on it. The amber-eyed boy reached for it, clumsily bumping it and causing it to roll further inside. Feliciano flipped on the lightswitch and followed it deeper into the room.

"Gotcha!" he beamed, picking up the mug. "Now fratello won't step on you! Ve…?"

Feliciano stood up and took in his surroundings. Or rather how drastically they had changed. It looked like the room was hit with a tornado.

In front of the mirror was a pile of clean-looking clothes, casually tossed aside. The bed was messy, with Lovino's laptop on the foot of the bed. On his desk was an elaborate domino set-up with various pens, erasers, and other desk supplies intermixed. Covering the window were dozens of storm sketches, blocking out the sunlight. The emotion captured on each page was raw fury and turmoil. Lovi's soccer uniform and several work-out clothes were strewn about the floor and his violin case seemed to be tossed haphazardly in the corner, besides his music stand.

It was like a train wreck. The more Feli looked around the more it looked like Lovino shared the room with five other people. He knew Lovi didn't like cleaning, but even he didn't let his room get this messy. Feliciano wondered what was going on with his brother as he bent down to pick up some of the dirty clothes to toss in the laundry later.

"Ve…I should talk to him…"

oOo

A/N - I don't think I quite did Charmer justice, but I've wanted to write the sexy/romantic Italian side of Lovi for awhile now! I also threw in a modified quote of Tamaki Suoh's in there at the beginning. Random trivia, Charmer was almost called Enchanter, but in the end I decided that sounded too mystic for this story and went with Charmer instead.

Any guesses for the next Face?

-Rajikka

Translations:

Fratello – Brother (It.)

Amigo – Friend (Sp.)

Finalmente ci siamo incontrati – Finally we have met (It.)

Sono anni che ti stavo cercando – I have been searching for you for years (It.)

Ti amo – I love you (It.)

Si – Yes (It.)

Ti voglio bene – I want you well (It.) basically wishing someone best wishes or wanting good things for someone. Boyfriends/Girlfriends will often say ti voglio tanto bene, the 'tanto' meaning 'very much' or 'a lot.' Sometimes you'll see this abbreviated as TVTB, especially in text messages.