disclaimer: do not own
Where The Heart Is
Chapter seven: Rivals
"Lovi~! Can you feel it in the air?" Antonio exclaims as he runs around their backyard covered in snow. Romano glares at the man as he pulls his scarf closer to his face. "What? The cold? Yeah, I can feel it…" "No, Lovi~! The Christmas spirit! Family, love, joy and peace are all around!" The Spaniard exclaims as he leads Romano out their back gate entrance and onto the sidewalk. "Leave it to you to make something cheesy even cheesier…and I'm not feeling any of those things." "Fratello!" "Fratello~!" Marcello and Feliciano come up and cling to his arms. "Ok…I'm feeling the family part…sadly." Romano groans and Antonio laughs. "I'm glad~!"
"I did not mean it in a good way…" The teen points out as his brothers snuggle up to him for warmth. "Lets go into your house, fratello!" Marcello begs and Feliciano nods. "Ve~! I'm so cold~! Let's go inside!" "Roma! Feli! Marce!" The boys and a now annoyed Antonio look over to see Romulus coming over with Katyusha attached to his arm. "You are right, boys, lets go inside. Now!" Antonio says, trying to push them towards the house. "How are you boys?" Romulus asks as Romano and Antonio gawk at Katyusha. "…He's not a young boy, tomato bastard." Romano whispers to Antonio. "I know, I'm as confused as you…"
"Ve~! What is uncle doing with Katyusha?" Feliciano asks and Romulus laughs. "I am bringing her to her house. It is what a gentleman does." Romano and Antonio raise a brow. "That's all?" They ask in unison. "Yeah, that's all. I asked her out but she said I was to old~!" Romulus explains and Katyusha smiles. "Not to mention I have found someone! An adorable teenage boy." Romano and Antonio twitch. "That sounds about right…" The teen whispers and Antonio nods. "Yep."
Later at Tino and Berwald's:
"Ok…so we just had thanksgiving here…and Christmas is at…Antonio's this year, right?" Tino asks and the other men nod, all gathered in the back room bundled up around the fire place. "So, this weekend is Christmas…when are you all coming over for dinner!" Antonio asks and Tino smiles at him. "Around two, as always!" "Alright sounds good~! I cant wait for everyone to come over and decorate for Christmas!" The Spaniard cheers and Tino nods enthusiastically. "Christmas is so much fun! And it must be doubly special for you Antonio, since you have someone to share it with this year." Francis smirks at Antonio. "Planning to curl up by the fire, cop a feel, and then go crazy in bed? Or…you know…by the firs is romantic to."
Antonio twitches and hits Francis over the head. "I'm not having sex with Lovi on Christmas you pervert! I-I'm probably never going to get him to like me like that, and I did, it would never be in time for Christmas!" He sighs sadly and Francis feels slightly guilty. "Ah…mon ami…" "What are you guys talking about?" Romulus asks, coming out of nowhere. "N-NOTHING!" Thy all yell, except for Berwald who just eyes the man suspiciously. "How did you get in?" Romulus smiles at the man. "I came in the front door. No one was answering so I just let myself in."
Berwald and Tino twitch. "How…lovely…" Romulus nods and sits down next to Antonio. "So, Antonio…will you be spending Christmas with a date? If so I would gladly take Roma for the day~!" Antonio twitches. "I don't date. I would never ditch Lovi for anything in the world. And you have two other nephews! Why are you so obsessed with Lovi!" "Because he's the only one with no parental figure!" Romulus points out and Antonio glares. "That is bullshit! Gilbert is no parental figure! What is the real reason!" The older man remains silent and glares back.
"I don't want my nephew with a man who wants in his pants!" Romulus yells and Antonio snaps. "I would never do that! You son of a bitch!" He yells and goes to punch Romulus as Romano comes over to yell at them. Antonio doesn't notice him fast enough and ends up punching Romano, knocking the boy's cell phone to the ground and shattering it. "R-Romano! No! No! I didn't mean to-!"
Romano rubs his cheek and glares darkly at Antonio and Romulus before walking out of the house. "Nice going, Antonio! You bastard!" Romulus yells and Tino gets, glaring at Romulus in a way that makes everyone in the house afraid. "You get out." As soon as Romulus leaves, Antonio begins to freak out. "Tino! What do I do! T-Tino! Help me!" Antonio pleads and Tino smiles at him. "It's alright. I'll tell you what to do." "You might want to start with a new phone…" Marcello points out.
Antonio's home:
Antonio enters the house and comes up behind Romano who is bundled up on the couch, glaring at the Spaniards poor little turtles. "Lovi…don't take your anger out on my turtles." Romano looks up at him. "I'm not angry as much as I am annoyed. Why must you two fight all the time? You know how annoying that is! And you broke my damn phone! It might have been a crappy and simple phone, but still!" The boy pouts and Antonio looks at him confused. "I'm sorry I hit you Lovi…" "I'm not some little girl, I can take a hit." Romano points out and Antonio frowns. "But I don't want to ever hurt you…I feel awful." Antonio says sadly and Romano groans. "I don't fucking care that you hit me. It didn't hurt. What hurts is that I no longer have a cell phone."
The Spaniard smiles a little and drops a cell phone in his lap. "Wh..? You got me a new phone…?" Romano asks and Antonio nods. "It's my fault yours broke. So I got you a nicer one this time!" Antonio leans over the couch and points to a button. "It takes pictures, goes on the internet, and…" He trails off when he realizes his face is right next to Romano's cheek, which is still slightly red from his punch. "And what?" Romano asks, intrigued. "…And….a-and…a keyboard…" Antonio mutters, staring at the oblivious teen. "That's awesome! Who would have thought the tomato bastard could-! AH!" Romano shrieks when Antonio kisses his cheek. "Ah~! Lovi looks like a tomato~!"
The teen glares darkly at Antonio. "Why did you do that…?" "A kiss helps heal a boo-boo faster! As the one at fault and your legal guardian, it is my job to fix it and make it all better!" Antonio coos and Romano twitches. "Don't kiss me. Anywhere. Don't call it a boo-boo, I'm not five. And quit feeling guilty! Its annoying!" Romano yells and Antonio laughs. "Alright Lovi, I'm sorry. But…are you sure you aren't mad? I understand if you are. I should have controlled my temper and not tried to hit him…" Antonio says sadly and Romano nods. "Adults are idiots…I would like…if you could be nice to each other…or at least not talk to each other."
The Spaniard sighs and sits down next to Romano. "I know…but…he makes me uneasy. I don't trust him anymore than I trust your dad. Not to mention he is far to focused on you." Romano rolls his eyes and looks over to him. "You're jealous…" I-I am not!" Antonio whines and Romano laughs. "Please! You are so jealous! Just because he is here and spending time with me! I mean, seriously, you are so obvious! You're like a jealous brother!" The teen thinks about that for a second before gasping. "You're like Marcello!" Antonio blushes. "I AM NOT! DON'T BE STUPID!" Romano stays silent for a minute, before taking a picture of the red-faced Spaniard while he isn't paying attention. "…Tomato…"
"What was that?" Antonio asks and Romano shoves the phone in his pocket. "Nothing." "Well, at any rate…I'm not jealous. He is a suspicious man and I don't like him. He has an agenda." The older man mumbles and Romano snickers, leaning back on the couch. "Whatever you say." "Oh right…everyone is coming over tomorrow to decorate for the Christmas party." Antonio says, ensuring the subject is changed. "Fuck…why must they come over here?" Romano groans. "Because it's my turn to host Christmas! You don't like our house?" Antonio asks and Romano blushes. "O-our…house…?" He mumbles to himself before shaking his head. "Er…no…I like this place. I just…how about this? I'll behave and not kill anyone, even be nice, if you go and make up with uncle Romulus."
The older man twitches. "Please, Lovi, anything but that…" Romano frowns and points to his cheek. Antonio beams and leans over, kissing the boy's cheek. "WHAT THE HELL?" Romano screams and Antonio jumps back. "I-I thought you wanted me to-!" "No! I was trying to say do it for the bruise you left on my cheek! Pervert!" The teen yells and Antonio whines. "Lovi~! I really, REALLY, don't want-!"
"Please Antonio!" Romano pleads and Antonio's heart skips a beat. "I know you two don't like each other, I know that! But you…and uncle Romulus…you are both…you are…I-I just want you two to at least pretend to get along when you have to be around each other…" Antonio sighs and pulls Romano into a hug. "Ah~ Lovi…if only you were this honest all the time…" "G-GET OFF OF ME YOU DAMN TOMATO BASTARD!" Romano yells and tries to push him away.
"Aw, Lovi~! Don't call me the tomato bastard! Call me Antonio again~!" Antonio coos and Romano goes deep red. "N-no! Sick pervert! I- I wont call you that! Ever again!" He finally gets out of Antonio's grip and grabs the keys to the car. "Unless...you make up with uncle Romulus." Antonio twitches. "How sneaky of you, Lovi. Well I suppose tomato bastard isn't that bad of a name." Romano gawks and drops the keys in shock.
"Come on! Why are you being so difficult! Please just give me this! For the holidays, only through the holidays, then you can go back to hating each other! You're both killing me with this!" The teen yells and Antonio sighs in defeat. "Fine…but you owe me. BIG TIME." HE picks up the keys from the floor and sighs sadly. "Let's go…" Romano smiles happily and follows him out.
Romulus' house:
Antonio gawks at the large house. "What does he need this for!" Romano rolls his eyes. "Your house is big to, idiot…" "Yeah, but his is suspiciously big…like he's doing something illegal." Antonio mutters bitterly and Romano punches his arm. "Be. Nice." "You owe me soooo much for this!" Romano rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah I get it."
They go up to the door and knock, Romulus quickly answering and staring at Antonio in anger. "Get in here and we will be right back." Romulus says before bringing Antonio into a separate room. "What the hell are you doing in my house?" "I'm not any happier about this than you are. But he begged me, actually begged me, to be nice to you and make up with you. So for his sake, I am." Antonio says and Romulus groans. "I see…we have to play nice…"
He brings Antonio out to see Romano sitting on the couch. "Roma~!" "Lovi~!" they both coo and resist the urge to glare at each other. "Yeah?" Romano asks, noticing the awkward tension around them. "We…will play nice." Antonio says and Romulus nods. "For your sake, we will no long fight. But…could you go back to Antonio's house? We have some things to talk about." Romulus says and Romano sighs, nodding. "Fine. Have one last blow out if you must. I'll be at Matthew's." "Be careful of Francis!" The older men yell in unison, before glaring at each other when the door is closed behind Romano.
"You are up to something with Romano and I don't like it." Antonio says and Romulus glares at him. "And what about you? You're in love with him! I've heard all about how when he was small you followed him around like a puppy dog when you're father came to see his! His father told me all about it!" Romulus instantly regrets his words as Antonio glares at him. "You know his father? You spoke to him recently, didn't you?" "What if I did? Its none of your business who I talk to now, is it?" The older man points out and Antonio punches him.
"I know what that man really does, and I know why he really left. If you put Romano or his brothers in danger by somehow alerting the men after his father where he is, I will kill you. Not metaphorically, literally. I. Will. Kill. You. Because I do love Romano, although I would never do anything against his wishes, and since I love him I will do anything to keep him safe. Got it?" Antonio finally calms down a little after saying that and Romulus suddenly punches him.
"He, they, are my nephews and I don't like the thought of leaving him with you! No one will come after them, at least not because of me, and if you do ever touch Romano against his will I will kill you! Got that!" Romulus asks and Antonio glares at him, nodding. "Yes, I 'got that'. I'm leaving now, and next time we see each other we will be civil, agreed?" Antonio says and Romulus nods bitterly.
Matthew's house:
Romano and Matthew sit on the couch, watching some random movie. "So…you asked Antonio and Romulus to play nice, huh? If it really works, you are a miracle worker." Matthew says, eyes glued on the TV. "I know, it's a lot to ask…but it really bothers me when they fight." Romano replies, eyes also glued on the TV. "I understand. You love them both so much it must be difficult." Matthew says and Romano goes bright red. "I DO NOT LOVE THAT TOMATO BASTARD!"
"The lady doth protest too much." The blonde says, staring at the TV still. "I'm not a lady, you maple bastard. I'm also not protesting too much. So shut it." Romano growls and Matthew laughs. "You're adorable when you're so…what does Kiku call it…? Tsundere~!" "You aren't funny…" The Italian pouts. "Oh Romano~! Your man is here~!" Francis coos and Romano groans. "You people aren't-!" "Lovi~! Lets go home please!" Antonio asks sweetly and Romano blushes. "Right…I'm coming…" He looks at the smirking Matthew and flips him off. "See you tomorrow, maple bastard." "Later, Romano~!"
the house:
Romano and Antonio get inside and fall onto the couch. "Grazie…er…thank you…A-Antonio…" The teen mumbles and Antonio blushes, smiling over at him. "Anything for Lovi's happiness…" "D-don't say it like that! I-idiot!" Romano yells, glaring at the man before noticing the bruise on his cheek. "…You two really did fight, didn't you…?" He asks, reaching up to feel the swollen cheek. "No, just a punch given and received. But nonetheless, you still owe me. BIG." Antonio says and Romano sighs as the man continues. "I was thinking, since you're on vacation and all, you could cook dinner for a we…"
The Spaniard goes a deep red as Romano awkwardly kisses his swollen cheek, his own face even darker red than Antonio's. "Th-there! Y-you are paid back! I will not cook for anymore than two days." The boy squeaks out as Antonio just stares at him. "I…I…excuse me, Lovi. I'm going to bed now." Antonio says, trying to keep his cool as he heads upstairs. Romano watches him leave in confusion before leaning back against the couch and sighing, a strange weight pulling at his chest. "Damnit, Matthew…I hate when you're right."
a/n: ahhh yep. another chapter. next is christmas! XD ik the whole antonio punching romano seemed kind of random, but his and romulus' feud had to come to a boiling point and i decided that woul be it. (i just wanted to give antonio an excuse to kiss him on the cheek*cough*) romano might seem a little ooc...but we'll just say...he's growing...? or something? yeeeaaaahhhh that sounds good. poor romulus...being the bad guy...i feel kinda sorry for him. alot. *shrug* oh well. need to have bad guys. right? if disney has bad guys, i need to have bad guys. i cant be fluffier than disney!