A/N: Reviews? Finally Things are almost settled.
Antonio was so ready for this. This is my time! He was on his way to the pavilion to meet Lovina, who had albeit, reluctantly invited him to tango, after much convincing from his part. He was going to convince her to be with him, even if it took the rest of the summer. (This was because he didn't notice that she was already. Lovina's denial rivaled the great wall of China.) The dew soaked through his shoes as he made his way towards the small building. The day was wet, very wet. It was still raining lightly, missing his hair and soaking the shoulders of his shirt.
He stumbled into the pavilion laughing. Lovina danced past him, taking a moment to stop and glare. He chuckled, sat down heavily on a bench and began to untie his shoes. As soon as he slipped them off, he moved with the grace of a hunter towards his prey. She had closed her eyes, but as he approached, he noticed her nostrils flare and one of her hazel eyes snap open to look at him.
Antonio met her mid step. The music had reached a peak and he closed his eyes as the guitar once again joined the song. The music was fast and he felt his Italian's warm breaths on his neck as they spun and stomped around the room. The beat pick up and it was like floating, the motions perfect with no practise, effortless on both sides. They took turns leading, dancing around the pavilion, filling the normally quiet space, with the sounds of stomping, clothes brushing, heavy breathing and the music. Even in all of Antonio's dreams, nothing could rival what was playing out in front of him. Her gravitational pull was at its greatest, he couldn't help himself, he stole a kiss, before lifting her off the ground for the last stanzas of the music.
He set her down and took a deep breath. She promptly melted onto a bench and began tying her hair up before a small smile crept across her face.
"That was good…" She stood up and walked slightly dizzily towards him. He reached out a hand and she grabbed it, not caring as he twirled her in. He rested his head on top of hers.
"I brought something I think you might like." He let go of her and walked towards the plastic bag sitting next to his shoes. He set it on the table as she curiously padded towards him, before plopping onto the bench next to him.
"This better be good Spanish Bastard." He chuckled at her affectionate nickname, before pulling out a perfect tomato. Lovina snatched it out of his hands before he could utter a word and began to devour it. He laughed and she gave a cross eyed glare. She stared at the tomato lovingly before popping the rest of it in her mouth and reaching into Antonio's bag to grab another. He smiled.
"I knew you would like it!" She paid no heed and continued eating. Antonio continued.
"While you are doing that Lovina, I have something very important to tell you. Te Amo." She choked on her tomato.
"WHAT?!" She cough/screamed.
This time he felt a little less sure of himself. "Te Amo Lovina."
She stood up angrily. "You are Spanish! You literally come-a from the country of Passion! How can you be so blind-a and blunt?" She whirled to where he was now standing, looking very confused. She glared at him, hoping that the gears in his thick skull would work faster.
Antonio was confused. He began to pick apart her words, until he came to blind, and hit him like a wall. Scenes of them flashed in his mind and he laughed.
"Say it Lovina." He took a step closer.
"Say what?" She asked taking a step towards him.
"You know what." He took another step and looked down at her.
"Fine, Ti Amo. Are we going to dance or what?" She said hands on her hips looking up at him. He grabbed a hand and spun her. The dance began, no music needed this time. They danced to the beating of their too fast hearts.
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It was a cold morning. Breakfast had been dull, and Sakura was glad to escape the suffocating silence of the Mess. Unit 4 had run outside and onto the green space in front of the flag. It was a wet morning as well. Just as they had begun a game of Bull Rush, there was an interruption.
The little red haired tagger, Olivia, stopped mid tag, to stare with mouth wide open at something in the distance. Her fellow tagger Luke, jogged up next to her and she pointed. His expression changed pretty darn fast. Sakura turned to see what they were looking at and she saw it at the head of the trail behind the flag pole.
It was Madeline and Alfred.
Pretty soon her whole unit was charging towards them, arms open, and questions flying. Sakura took the liberty to run the other way. She sprinted through the glass door, glance off of a bigger camper, before bursting into the Mess. She stood there breathless for a moment all eyes on her, even Amelia popped out of the kitchen to watch her.
"They're back." Was all she said before the room was thrown into utter chaos.
Amelia was the first out the door, Sakura close behind, They ran across the field to where the cluster of children was crowded around their beloved councillors. At the sight of Amelia, Alfred brightened, but continued standing next to the Canadian. That was when Sakura noticed how close they were to each other. Madeline was leaning on him, as if… Sakura's eyes reached their feet and she saw the splint on the Canadian's ankle. Amelia reached the two teens, with tears in her eyes.
"Alfred…" She stroked his face and gathered him into a bone crushing hug. All the children fell silent. Sakura pushed her way through to Madeline. She set a hand on her shoulder and the blonde girl's head snapped to her face, eyes showing only a moment of terror, before realizing who it was.
Sakura spoke first. "You should come with me… We need to get you medical help…" She opened her mouth to speak, but Alfred interrupted her.
"I agree completely." He broke the hug with his mother and swept the blonde off of her feet. "Let's go. Lead the way Sakura." The look of awe quickly disappeared off of the Japanese girls face and a look of determination replaced it. This was how she became the leader of a very strange parade. Herself, closely followed by Alfred and Madeline, while Amelia kept peeking over her sons shoulder and Heracles lead the children behind her.
After dropping Alfred, Amelia and Madeline at the camp's tiny hospital, Unit 4 broke off and headed toward the waterfront. It was their fifth time there, so there was no need for instructions, they got their buddies and took to the water like birds, leaving Sakura and Heracles all alone.
Heracles spoke first. "I have a place to show you. It is nearby…" He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the weeds. Sakura closed her eyes, knowing it was better just to go along with it and allowed the Grecian to pull her. So, when they stopped suddenly, it surprised her.
"You can open your eyes now." Heracles said. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking away the spotty sunlight. The first thing she noticed was the trees. The stood in a perfect circle, creating a cage of peace. The floor was perfectly flat and covered with pebbles that made it look mosaic. The place was perfect, she turned to Heracles, who was obviously enjoying face.
"How did you find this place?" She asked.
He shrugged. "By accident…." He spun her. She looked confused at his other hand that now rested on her hip and then up into his face. He gave her a lazy smile and began to waltz.
Sakura was now very bewildered. She stumbled along with his lazy steps, before finally get the rhythm. She sighed. I should be used to his eccentricity by now… She looked down at her feet.
"Do you want to know why we are dancing?" She looked up at him and nodded.
"Its because I couldn't think of a better way of asking you to the End of Summer…" She blushed and looked down again. They stopped dancing and her lifted her face. She kept her eyes closed, hoping that it would make her invisible, that was until she felt his lips on hers. She kept her eyes shut and leaned in. She felt him smile.
Heracles pulled away slightly breathless, and looked down at her.
"I will take that as a yes?" He stole another kiss.
She broke it. "Hai."
He smiled and the dance began once more.
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Alfred was laying on Madeline's hospital bed. It was the late afternoon, but you couldn't see the sun, because a startling lack of windows. Madeline ran her hands through the American's hair and chuckled as he fumed. He sat up suddenly and she watched his face turn into what she called his Cupid smile.
"It turns out, while we were gone, Francy pants finally made his move on Artie and now they're a thing. Also, I was picking up on some Lovina and Antonio action, turns out he learned her secret and now they dance together in the mornings."
Madeline looked at him quizzically. He laughed. "Lovina 'Secretly' goes and Flamencos in the adventure course pavillion every morning. Apparently, Antonio found out and now they not only Tango together, but they are together together." She sighed.
"Anyone else." He nodded sadly.
"Heracles asked Sakura to the End of Summer." Another confused look from the first time councillor. "Its a big dance that's at the end of summer camp, hence the name End of Summer." She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh and when did you plan on inviting me to that?" Alfred looked at her exasperatedly and pouted.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, yes you do."
"Fine. Madeline Williams, will you go to the End of Summer with me?"
"I'll think about it." He looked at her over the edge of his glasses and she snickered.
"Fine. I will go with you Alfred Fitzpatrick Jones." He glared at her.
"You just had to add the middle name didn't you?" She cackled.
"Yes, yes I did." He rolled his eyes, before transforming back to business mode.
"Chun-Yan and Ivan had an in the closet make out session."
Madeline's eyes widened. "Really now?" He laughed.
"Yes, so that's not on the table anymore. Gilbert and Elizaveta have been together forever, since like 10th grade. So that only leaves Feli and Ludwig, only because Ludwig is no good with feelings... But never fear I have a plan!" She quirked a brow. "I think a little bit of music may do dinner tonight some good…" He smiled evilly. It took her a second, but when she did realize, she joined him in his smirking.
Feliciana had no clue what Alfred was about to do, when he hit play. But first, some background. Feliciana had been dying to get in the kitchen all summer and today was her chance, she was cooking an Italian style welcome back feast, while Amelia was looking after Madeline. The other side of the of the island in the middle of the kitchen was Ludwig. His idiot brother, one day after being taken down, wanted to be up and with the kids. Literally everyone told him to lay down, (Especially Ludwig) but he told them to fuck off and told Ludwig to take the afternoon off because he was sick of his pestering. So that was how a certain German and a carefree italian ended up in the kitchen cooking pasta and Tiramisu.
Feliciana had her hair up and her "Kiss the Cook" apron on. Ludwig watched her as she moved around the kitchen with a fluid like grace. She spun and hummed a song quietly as she put an inhuman amount of salt into a pot the size of a bath tub. Ludwig kept cutting up whatever vegetables she gave him, careful not to stare too long, in fear of her noticing. Little did he know, there was no way she was going to notice. Her eyes were shut as she flit around the kitchen, moving in time with the unheard melody and beat of her heart. Ludwig observed her and tried to asses what to do next…
This is where our friendly neighborhood Alfred comes in.
He hit play and began the wait.
As soon as Feliciana heard it, her eyes shot open and she looked around for the music source. That was, until her eyes settled on Ludwig and she gave a cat's smile. She was not going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers…
Ludwig watched as she stalked closer. Her caramel eyes holding something that he had never seen before, and if he would be so bold as to think, he liked. He stood as she approached and she eyed him, before lifting a brow and holding out a hand. He grabbed it. She grabbed his other and pulled him close.
"You will dance with me… Or die… It is your choice…" Her breath tickled his collar bone. Ludwigs ears perked, hearing the sorrowful melody for the first time. He pulled her tighter, trying to ignore the beating of his heart and the knots in his stomach.
"Then I guess I will have to dance." She smiled once more, this time a little sunshine leaking through.
She began to lead. It was slow and the movements were soft. Step, step, step, lean, step, step, spin and repeat. Half way through, Ludwig stepped up and she leaned against his chest and let it happen. He spun her and she giggled.
Soon the kitchen melted away. It was just them, and the music. The gentle ups and downs, the sweeping steps and the sorrow that was erased. As the song went on, the years began to melt away. The steps became wings and they were gone…
But nothing good ever lasts long…
They were all too soon brought back to earth by the last Stanza. She looked into his crystal blue eyes and a deal was made. She smiled and he sighed and it was sealed with a kiss, just as the last note played.
Alfred paused the music, his job was done.
Feliciana broke it, breathless and looked at his blushing face. "You must keep your promise…" He nodded and she smiled, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his nose.
"Now let's finish dinner.
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Madeline was getting sick of laying in bed. That was all she had been doing for the last eight hours and her muscles were beginning to feel like soup. She already had a boot on, she didn't understand why she could not leave. Amelia scolded her every time she tried to get up and she was getting angry, mildmanneredness can only take you so far. That was why she was checking her phone so intently, Alfred had said he would come and get her at 11:00, not that she minded looking at their cave so much. She sighed. Alfred said it was for some sort of meeting. It was now 10:45 and she didn't know how much longer she could take. The knock at her door almost made her scream with joy, and Madeline never screamed.
"Are you decent?" A muffled voice said from behind the door.
"Come in blockhead. It took you long enough." There in the door appeared Alfred in all of his Nerdy glory.
"Are you sure you're not decent… Cause I'm sure I wouldn't mind…" She threw her shoe at him.
"Cheeky hoser aren't ya?" He winked.
"As ever…"
"Get me out of here, before I go nuts." He laughed and grabbed her hand as she stumbled.
"No need to thank me."
"You're right, there is no need. Now let's get to your damn meeting." Alfred made a sarcastic surprise face.
"We're a little bit spicy this afternoon are we…" Madeline smacked him and muttered some things to vulgar to write. Alfred laughed and dragged her out the doors into the night.
Madeline was not often surprised, but she was when she saw who was there. All of the councillors and how close some of them were sitting. Feliciana was actually sitting in Ludwig's lap, looking like it was exactly where she belonged. Madeline shrugged and when Alfred offered her a chair, she looked at with such disgust, you would think it molested her mother.
"To hell if It and sitting down again." Alfred pouted and there was light laughter. Before Alfred went business mode.
"I have gathered you here to discuss the events of the past few days…" He was cut off by Gilbert who smiled lewdly.
"Yes, I know we would all love to know what you two did in that cave together."
Alfred blushed so hard Madeline thought that he would explode. She glared at Gilbert.
"Nothing like that, now sit down and keep it in your pants." Everyone laughed.
By the time they had finished up, Al had regained his composure.
"We have to end this." There was grumbles of agreement. "I say we wait it out until the End of Summer and we set a trap," There was cries of indignation, but he motioned for them to shush. "That is of course, unless someone tries to kill/hurt/harm us in anyway." Nods. He smiled, the bonfire lighting up his eyes like a match lighting a fuse.
"Let me tell you what I have in store for these bastards…."
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They watched the bonfire light up Alfred's as he told a story, they were too far away to hear what it was. They all turned and looked at each other. One spoke. "We are at an end, they have all been taken."
Another spoke. "Not quite yet…"
The last spoke. "On the night of the End of Summer, we strike."
Two cackled and one looked unsure.
Translations:
Te Amo - I love you
Ti Amo - I love you
Hai - Yes