A Rose of Passion

A kiss for a New Year

"What on earth do you mean? You still haven't kissed him yet? Have you improved your relationship even one bit? What the fuck was the point of you two being alone in Portugal if you can't even make one single move on Arthur! Antonio! What are you waiting for?"

Antonio moved his phone away from his ear. Gilbert was yelling at him and he could hear Francis giggle in the background. Those two … why was he friends with them again? Arthur was in the shower, getting ready while Antonio was packing the last few things before their flight. Gilbert had had the bright idea to check up on him and was now exasperated to the point of no return. Okay, so Antonio didn't exactly improve much with Arthur but he was satisfied to have solved his issue with his brother João (which was the main reason for coming to Portugal in the first place).

Antonio heard Gilbert's yelling calm down and dared to press the phone back to his ear. Francis had taken over and Gilbert was mumbling in the background.

"Tonio! C'est Francis! Maybe you should try a move on Arthur during New Year? I know you 'ave been busy wiz your brother so now zat ze problem is solved, you should focus on Arthur. Okay?"

"Si but … Arthur is spending New Year with some friends and …"

"Oui, je sais, you told me before but your plane is arriving late, right? So maybe, you could join Arthur as a last minute invitation."

"I don't know …"

"Antonio? Who's on the phone?"

Antonio looked up and his jaw dropped open. Arthur was standing in his room, wearing only a pair of jeans, a black T-shirt of the Talking Heads in his hand, topless with a towel hanging around his neck and his wet, golden hair falling in his face in a very attractive way. His green, jade like eyes sent Antonio an inquiry look. Antonio flushed a bit before looking away and answering, his hand blocking the sound of the phone.

"Just my friends Francis and Gilbert. They wanted to check on me."

"That's nice. Sorry, I interrupted you."

"No! It's fine! I was just about to hang up anyway! Adios Francis! Adios Gilbert! I'll see you when I'm back!" Antonio quickly said to his friends and without giving them time to answer, he hung up.

Arthur looked at his blushing teacher with confusion. Was Antonio … embarrassed? Arthur noticed Antonio's frequents glances at his bare chest and he chuckled. They were both men so why was he feeling embarrassed? Sure, Arthur would feel that way too but only if Antonio were to be completely naked. Topless wasn't a big deal, even in boxers it was fine. At first, Arthur always felt disturbed to share a suite with his teacher but now, he almost felt like they were just friends and so it was fine.

"Sorry. I didn't think I'd embarrass you."

Antonio's face became redder by the minutes. He wasn't embarrassed … he was turned on by Arthur's hot body. In fact, Antonio could barely hold back the urge to pounce on his pupil. Arthur grinned and slid his T-shirt on. As he did so, Antonio noticed a tattoo on Arthur's back. When Arthur was done covering himself he noticed Antonio's curious expression.

"Something wrong?"

"Your tattoo."

"Hm? Oh, that!" Arthur lifted his T-shirt up to show his tattoo on his left shoulder blade. It was the design of an electric guitar, entangled in its cable with horns that ended in a large red rose at the top of the guitar. Antonio stared at it in surprise. He didn't think Arthur had a tattoo. But it suited him so well! Damn, he was hot!

"I got that last year for my birthday. A present from my brothers. I wanted a tattoo before but my parents didn't allow it until I was 18. My brothers had a hard time convincing them but when they did they dragged me to the best tattoo designer in London. It was fun. I guess they wanted to give me something special since I was leaving to come here. They all paid for it. I think that's the best present they ever gave me." Arthur explained.

"It looks good on you."

"Thanks." Arthur blushed slightly.

Antonio kept staring at the tattoo until it was hidden by Arthur's T-shirt once again.

"You're brothers seem nice."

"They are even if they can be a pain sometimes. They especially like to tease me around but I guess that's what brothers do. Honestly, I love them very much but they always get on my nerves."

"I wish it was the same with me and João."

"… I think you're being too hard on yourself. João and you had a bit of an argument but I'm sure with time your relationship will improve. I had a rough argument with my oldest brother, Patrick, but we eventually managed to make up."

Antonio nodded before beaming. Arthur always made him feel better.

"Si! You're right! And maybe next year, I'll be able to spend Christmas with João!"

"I'm sure you will." Arthur laughed before looking at his watch. "The taxi should be arriving soon to take us to the airport. Are you done packing?"

"Si, I'm done!"

"Good. We'll be arriving late … I hope we'll be there before midnight …"

"Where are you spending New Year?" Antonio dared asking.

"Oh, I'll be at my brother's pub and some friends will be coming over."

"Lovino and Belle?"

"Yes but also some friends of mine from London. They're nice. Hey, do you want to come too with your friends? It's not like we lack the space. It could be fun."

Antonio could have jumped of joy.

"But … I'm your teacher … wouldn't it be bad …?"

"Well … it can't be worse than going to Portugal just the two of us. Besides, my brothers will be there. I just worry about that French friend of yours. Belle seems to hate him."

"They're cousins."

"Ah, so that's how she knows him."

"Can I …?"

"What?"

"Can I really come? For New Year?" Antonio could hardly believe it. Arthur was inviting him!

"Sure. I was going to ask you anyway since I wasn't sure whether or not your friends were back. I thought it would be more fun than stay alone. But even if your friends are back you can all three come if you want. If you want to! I'm not forcing you or anything!"

"Si … I'd like to come. Thank you." Antonio whispered with a beaming smile. Arthur felt his face warm up at the smiling face in front of him and he looked away. He liked Antonio's smile but it always made him blush.

"Maybe you should tell your friends. I'll contact my brothers to tell them." Arthur mumbled as he fidgeted with his mobile. Antonio sent a text to his two friends telling them about the invitation and got a "FINALLY! Took you long enough!" back from Gilbert and a "Great move, Tonio! I told you it would work!" from Francis. He glanced at Arthur who was having a last minute check around the rooms, making sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Satisfied, he motioned his teacher to leave for their plane. They got into the taxi and drove off.

"Why did you invite them? Are you out of your mind?" Lovino shouted to his blond friend.

It was half past eleven and Arthur and Antonio had just arrived back from the airport. The first thing that greeted them was two very pissed off Lovino and Belle and two grinning Gilbert and Francis.

"I just thought it would be nicer for An … Mr Carriedo to spend New Year with someone rather than alone. I didn't know his friends had come back but since they did, why not invite them too? They're not that bad." Arthur shrugged as he hung up his and Antonio's coat up.
"They are! Francis is a perverted, annoying bastard!" Belle shouted.

"Aren't you exaggerating?"
"NO!"

"And why did you even go to Portugal with our fucking Spanish teacher?" Lovino asked with suspicion. He didn't like the way Arthur was getting closer to Antonio.

"He had trouble with his brother and since nobody else could help him, I did. I felt sorry for him."

"That's all? You went all the way to Portugal because you felt sorry for our teacher? Let him deal with his problems on his own!"

"Lovino's right! You don't have any obligation towards him!"

"I know … I just wanted to help. That's all."
"Aye, we know yer just a big softy, right Artie!" A strong, gruffly voice said as Scott passed his arm around his little brother's shoulders. The red haired man laughed loudly at the scolding look Arthur gave him.

"So Artie, how was yer trip? Had fun in tha sun?" Scott asked as he dragged his brother to the bar.

"It was nice. And it was actually pretty cold. Antonio managed to make up with his brother."

"Antonio, eh? Ye call him tha now? Not Mr Carriedo? I wonder what else happened back there!"

Arthur blushed under Scott's teasing.

"Nothing happened (at least with Antonio, better not mention João). We visited the town and that was it. There wasn't much time to do anything else."

"Hmmm? Are ye hiddin' somethin'?" Scott's emerald eyes shone with curiosity.

"Fuck off, Scott! Can't you at least give me a break after my flight?"

"Awww! Sorry Artie but I ain't done questioning so ye'll have to answer me before getting' any drinks! So! What did ye do? He didn't hurt ye, did he? Did he rape ye?"

"No! Course he didn't! Where did you get that idea from?"

"Well, it's just tha I noticed he ain't stop to stare at ye tha whole fucking time since ye both came back. See! He's watching ye now!"

Arthur glanced at his teacher. Their eyes met and Antonio blushed before looking away. He was talking with his two friends but kept glancing at Arthur.

"Why?" Arthur wondered aloud.

"I didna ken but what I want to know is why are ye blushin'?"

Arthur suddenly realised that his face felt hot and his heart was pounding.

"No … no reason."

"Aye! Sure! Here, I'm satisfied so ye can drink now." Scott laughed as he handed a pint of beer to his brother. Arthur glared but took the beer none the less.

Belle and Lovino were arguing again. Feliciano had invited his new boyfriend Ludwig, Gilbert's brother, over from Germany. Belle's brother Lars and his boyfriend Matthew (two teachers were there already so what's the big deal in inviting Antonio) were here too, talking with Arthur's brothers. Some loud mouthed American policeman was here, his name was Alfred and he was Matthew's twin brother, as well as Alfred's Mexican friend. There also was Mattias, a friend of Scott. And Arthur's other brother Conan and his younger sister Fiona, who both came over from London while their parents were on a cruise fuck knows where. There was a Japanese teen of the same age as Arthur and his Chinese cousins, a boy with long hair in a ponytail and one year older than Arthur and a girl with a pink kimono of one year younger (friends of Arthur from when he lived in London) as well as the Chinese boy's Russian boyfriend. Finally there was Arthur's cousins from Australia, Kyle and Sam, with Kyle of the same age and Sam one year younger. Sam had brought along his girlfriend from New Zealand (since he often spent his holidays there). Overall, quite a lot of people.

Kiku, Arthur's Japanese friend came over to him with a polite smile. It had been a long time since he had seen his friend. Kiku always liked Arthur as more than a friend but he knew the feeling wasn't returned so he didn't bother Arthur with it and contented himself as being his friend. Arthur smiled at him and Kiku felt his heart pound. If only …

"Kiku! It's been a while! How have you been? I'm glad you guys could come!"

"Thank you for inviting us, Arthur – san."

"Kiku! You know you can drop the 'san'. We're friends."
But if he did, Kiku knew it would only make him grow more and more attached to the blond.

"How's Yao doing? With Ivan?" Arthur asked pleasantly. His voice didn't shake but Kiku heard the hidden sharpness behind it. Arthur and his cousin Yao had been going out until Yao broke up with him last year. It was also for that reason that Arthur left London. To forget the pain and start fresh. Kiku smiled sadly. He couldn't help falling in love with his best friend. The same way Yao couldn't help falling for Ivan and leaving Arthur. Love was complicated and often very unfair.

"He's fine. He's really sorry for what happened but …"

"I know. I'm not mad at him. If he's happy then it's fine. I … I moved on."

Kiku felt the sadness in Arthur's voice despite his attempt to hide it. Yes, he had moved on but some of his old feelings still lingered. Kiku's heart felt like breaking. He wanted to help Arthur. Get him out of this pain and sadness.

"What about you, Kiku?" Arthur asked brightly.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Hey! Potato head! Stay away from my brother!" Lovino screamed at Ludwig who didn't know how to react while Feliciano was snuggling in his arms. Gilbert smirked and join in the fight, defending his little brother.
"Hey, little Italian! Kesesese! Are you jealous of your brother? I know my brother Ludwig is awesome, well not as awesome as me but no one can so …"

"What the fuck are you talking about, Potato head number two?"

"Number two? How could you put the awesome me as number two? I'm always number one!"

"Gilbert … you do know zat he's insulting you, right?"
"Shut up Francis! I'm having a challenge here!"
"Oh, well! Suit yourself. Oh! Belle! Comment tu vas?"

"Francis! Get away from me now! Lars! Matthew! Stop kissing and get the fucking frog away from me! Lars! Are you even listening? AH! François, dégage!"

"Your new friends are … loud." Kiku observed with his usual expressionless face. Arthur sighted but smiled indulgently.

"Yes … but they're nice. And they're not as loud as my brothers anyway." Arthur said as he glanced over at his three brothers with Matthias and that Mexican friend of Alfred's, having a drinking contest. They were the loudest in the pub and didn't give a shit as usual. His sister Fiona was chatting with Mai Wang, Yao's little sister (they were of the same age). Most couples were kissing each other and Kyle was talking with Alfred. And Arthur could hear his cousin telling the young American policeman scary stories about missing people in the Australian jungle and dangerous, poisonous, deadly animals.

"It's a quite animated party. Although New Year for us isn't now, I still enjoy celebrating with friends for once." Kiku stated with a smile.

"Yes. I'm glad you …" Arthur's sentence trailed off as he noticed Antonio, standing alone at the corner near the door. He was watching his friends making a mess with his pupils. But his face wore a sad and almost nostalgic smile. Kiku noticed Arthur's change of attention. He eyed the Spaniard and saw the concern look on the blonde's face. He sighted. He really had a hard time. He loved Arthur but he would never be loved back. First it was Yao and when his cousin broke Arthur's heart, Kiku thought he would have a second chance. He thought he could heal his friend's heart. But Arthur left and someone else healed his heart. Kiku smiled sadly and left to talk with Alfred and Kyle. Arthur barely noticed Kiku's disappearance and walked over to his teacher. Why was he alone in this dark corner? Antonio jumped at Arthur's approach.

"Antonio? What are you doing here, alone? Aren't you going to join everyone?"

"Ah, lo siente Arthur. I just …" Antonio didn't know what to answer. He couldn't say that he had felt jealous of seeing Arthur alone with this Japanese boy especially since he had noticed Kiku's loving eyes when he looked at Arthur. It had made his blood boil and to avoid from causing trouble he had focused on looking everywhere except at Arthur.

Arthur eyed him questioningly. What was wrong with Antonio?

"Antonio, what's wrong? Are you angry at something? You look sad."

"NO! I … I'm very happy to be here! Honestly! I'm very happy to be here … with you."

Arthur didn't know why but the way Antonio said the 'with you' had sounded different. It was more sensual, with more desire and sadness. It made Arthur's blush grow. Arthur knew that his brother was right. He did feel more than friendship towards his teacher. He had understood that after his encounter with João. But he really didn't feel like it was wise to fall in love with a teacher. Besides, Antonio probably wasn't interested in him. The Spaniard was one of the hottest guys Arthur had ever seen. And he obviously has a huge success with girls at school and even boys. There's no way, he'd be interested in him. But he was allowed to hope, right?

Arthur was about to reply when he heard Patrick shout loudly to everyone.

"Hey! It's the countdown! 10! 9!"

Everybody joined in the countdown before midnight. Arthur and Antonio too were counting down but their eyes were locked into each other.

"8! 7! 6!"

Arthur suddenly had a strange thought. This might actually be his only chance and it could work … maybe. He glanced away from Antonio's stare. He felt nervous under the serious, olive green eyes of his teacher.

"5! 4!"

Antonio saw Arthur break their eye contact and he sighted. Obviously, Arthur wouldn't think of that. Antonio had hoped to kiss him on the break of the New Year but … Arthur probably didn't even realise his feelings. For Arthur, Antonio was probably just a friend. Antonio closed his eyes, holding back his tears. He counted the last seconds of this year before the new one.

"3! 2! 1!"

Antonio was going to open his eyes and wish everyone a happy New Year when he felt two soft lips pressed against his own. He didn't move, nor did he open his eyes. Why? Well, because those lips felt and tasted like the ones he constantly kissed in his dreams. It felt like his fantasies of Arthur's lips. It was soft and a bit cold but so sweet with a hint of honey. It only lasted a second. And Antonio honestly thought he was dreaming again and imagining Arthur's lips on his own. He heard the cries of joy and the many 'Happy New Year' bursting around him. But one voice brought him back to reality. He flashed his eyes open at the sound of it.

"Happy New Year Antonio!"

Arthur beamed at him, his face was a bit flushed but that was probably due to the alcohol. Arthur handed Antonio one of the two glasses of Champagne that he was holding.

"Happy New Year to you too Arthur." Antonio smiled, accepting his glass. They drank together and Antonio didn't even care if he had dreamt or not. Arthur's kiss was the best start for his New Year.