Wow, so many reviews! Things are really picking up for this story and to reward all of you who have been here and reviewed and alerted and liked this story ... you'll love this chapter~! And I mean there's a bit of the self-a love in this-a one! Enjoy~!

Kismet

Chapter Eight: The Strange Gift

Home turned out to be a lot less calming than Lovino had hoped. He'd thought Antonio's father had over reacted upon their reuniting, but the castle was ablaze with bustling people, proudly welcoming home their precious prince. He was being thrown a party where he would tell his story about this and that and how he carried the weight of two on his shoulders and still survived the wild until he was found by the fairies.

Lovino was of no use and was tossed aside. The queen hugged her son and cried, thanking the gods he was safe and had returned home.

"Mother, I'm fine! I promise!" he laughed, being hugged by Rosana as well.

The queen turned her gaze on Lovino, "If it hadn't been for you falling over board, my son would not have fallen either! I want him expelled from the castle. Better yet, I want him thrown from Sverran! He could have gotten Antonio killed!"

Antonio frowned and grabbed her arm, "He saved my life, mother. Had it not been for him I would have died."

The Vargas looked on his master in confusion. Saved his life? What was that insane, spoiled prince talking about?

"I nearly died battling a terrible creature and if Lovino hadn't been there, it would have torn me to shreds. He's not going anywhere. This boy has served me well and I'll be damned if you punish him for something he had no control over."

He turned to Lovino and smiled, "You are dismissed, Lovino. Head to the servant's quarters. You have the rest of the day off to recuperate." Lovino opened his mouth to pretest, but nodded and bowed before leaving. Tessa and Femke were probably worried out of their minds since he hadn't let them know he had left and he'd been gone for some time.

Lovino opened the door to the servant's quarters and smiled lightly seeing Femke and Tessa folding clothes. Tessa looked up and squealed, "Lovino!"

Femke dropped her basket and turned, "You're actually here?"

The two hugged him tightly, "When we found you missing, we were worried the queen had done something awful!"

Tessa cried, "Don't scare us like that again! You could have died out there!" she kissed his forehead, "I'll go get you something to eat. You look as though you haven't had a decent meal in ages!"

He nodded, "Okay, miss Tessa."

Femke grinned, "So? Tell me all about it? How was your trip? I'm so jealous! I want to go to the far west, too!"

Lovino sat down and began telling his story, from stowing away (and apologizing for not saying anything) to the serpent to washing up on shore and being attacked by the infected fairy. He told the two about Antonio saving him and the bad fruit and learning to swim, then finally the fairy village that they had been saved by.

"Wow, Lovi~ you're so lucky!" Femke laughed, "I'm definitely going one day!"

Night time came and he trudged to the bathing room and began setting up Antonio's bath. It had been so long since he'd done so and it was nice to have a bit of certainty back in his life.

The Sverran prince entered the room, "Lovi~? I thought I gave you the night off?"

Lovino glared, "You haven't bathed properly in a long time. I'll be damned if your stink seeps through the walls and I'm forced to endure it! So just get in the bath!"

Antonio laughed and nodded, "I see. No scented oils to tide you over?" the Illonian shook his head and pointed to the filled tub.

The Prince grinned, relaxing in the hot water, "This feels wonderful, Lovi~ you've outdone yourself~!"

Lovino rolled his eyes and dipped the cloth to begin cleaning the prince up. After the bath was finished, Antonio stood and dressed, "If you want … you can take one, too … I know … it's not much … but I really want to thank you for staying by my side during that entire … adventure. Good night, Lovi~! I'll see you in the morning~!" and with that, he left.

Lovino looked at the still hot water and shook his head. Even though the servant's, including Lovino, didn't get the privilege of hot baths, there was no way he was going to bathe in Antonio's bath water! He drained the basin and cleaned the sides and put the things away that he'd taken out.

He retreated to the servant's bath room and washed himself with the plan soap and cool water. He let his mind wander to his brother, the lucky bastard, who probably still got to take hot baths with the rose scented oils. Lovino wrapped the thin towel around his head and dried off his dark locks and dressed, before making his way back to his room.

Lovino was stopped at his door by the queen, "I don't know what you've done to twist my son up like that, but I have my eyes on you. Don't think you can continue to get away with making a mockery of my child. Watch your step. Antonio cannot protect you forever." she turned her icy eyes away and had the guard escort her away from the room. Lovino felt tears prick his eyes in fear. She would kill him the first moment he let his guard down, wouldn't she? He slammed the door behind him and ran to his bed, curling deep under the thick covers.

The Illonian sobbed in fear, hoping her promise was empty. He just had to stay good. Not mess up like he did at the Edelstein house.

Four Years Later

"Lovino Vargas! You'd better wake up this instant!" as usual, Lovino was awoken by his best friend, Femke. He frowned. It was his day off, though. Why was she waking him up? "If you think you're getting out of celebrating this momentous occasion, you're sorely mistaken! Come on! Not everyday you turn fifteen!"

Lovino groaned and rolled over. Femke and Tessa always went over board on his birthday, why would the seemingly most important one be any different? "Go away!" he shouted. It wasn't even his real birthday, just the day they had found him and brought him here. He couldn't actually recall when his real date of birth was, so they assumed to make it the day he'd come into their lives.

"Oh, come now Lovi~ I managed to get out of my duties to celebrate your birthday, too!" Lovino's face heated up bright red at the sound of Antonio's voice. He leaped out of bed and began to throw on some fresh clothes. He stepped in front of his mirror and brushed out his bed hair. He rubbed his cheeks, trying to rid himself of his childish blush.

The year before, Lovino discovered something about himself, that he swore to keep a secret until he died. He was … well … crushing on the prince. Each day for the passed four years that Antonio had been considered a man among his people, he'd grown more and more muscled and … sexy. Lovino blushed again and looked down at his lap.

He was ashamed to admit it even to himself, but he'd realized he'd been crushing for even longer than the passed year. He couldn't deny the way his heart pounded heavily against his chest when Antonio looked at him with those emerald eyes and asked for something and Lovino felt all too happy to get it for him. The nineteen year old man was always nice to Lovino, even with his workload doubling in the passed few years.

The king would be stepping down on Antonio's twentieth birthday and everyone wanted the Sverran prince to be ready for that day.

Lovino took a deep breath and put on his normal scowl and swung the door open, "Oi, bastard, who said I wanted you there?"

Antonio laughed and gripped Lovino in a tight hug, which Femke was all too happy to join. Lovino glared, "Okay, okay, get off me now!" he shoved them away and started storming toward the servant's quarters where Tessa would be waiting with his 'party', which was really just a few gifts they'd put together, clothing or something of the like and a cake or meal he liked.

"Lovi~! Wait up!" Antonio shouted with Femke to catch up to the Illonian.

"You two should learn to catch up!" he crossed his arms over his chest and pushed open the door to Tessa's room. The older woman looked up, "Lovino, dear, happy birthday, my boy … no … you're a man now, aren't you?" she smiled, tears in her eyes, "I remember it like it was yesterday … the day they brought you here … You were so small and fragile … an now look! My boy is all grown up!" she hugged him tightly, "I'm so glad to see you all grown up and strong now!" she kissed his cheek.

He laughed lightly and rubbed at his cheek. Femke and Antonio entered and soon the little celebration was on its way.

Femke handed Lovino her gift, which he opened and grinned at. A set of golden arm bands were resting inside, "Femke! These must have cost a fortune!"

She laughed, "Like I said: Not every day your best friend becomes a man! Besides, Daan helped pitch in! Those were crafted by the elves far up north. By the way, Daan wanted me to congratulate you on another year of surviving his majesty."

Lovino smirked, "It's definitely tough!" Antonio pouted, "Lovi~!"

Tessa laughed and handed over her box, "Happy birthday, sweetheart." he tore the lid away and pulled out a new tunic and pants (the newest fashion to hit Sverran), "These are … beautiful … thank you." he hugged the woman he could proudly say was like a mother to him.

She hugged back, "You're welcome, Lovino."

"Oh~! Now it's my turn!" Antonio laughed, handing over his present. Lovino forced his blush and excitement away as he pulled back the ribbon on the box and chewed his lower lip as he removed the lid.

He didn't know what to expect, but he hadn't expected this. Inside the small box was a black thin strip of leather with a pair of strings at the ends. He lifted it from the box and stared at it awkwardly, "A … what is it, tomato bastard?"

Antonio laughed lightly, "It's just a choker, you know? A necklace that hugs your neck." Lovino looked at Femke and Tessa, but both women were completely shocked by the gift. Lovino had seen a ton of people wearing them, the king and queen included, but he'd never bothered to ask what they were about. The Illonian figured it was some sort of strange fashion or whatever. He wasn't truly interested. "Uh … thanks?" he offered a confused smile and set the choker back in the box. Antonio laughed in what sounded like relief. Femke looked at the prince in confusion, "Your majesty? Why would you give such a gift?"

The prince smiled softly, "Because I want Lovi~ to have it." Lovino shook his head, figuring he'd ask later. Femke just giggled and turned to her mother, "Mama, is Lovi's cake ready?"

The woman nodded, "Of course!" she stood up and walked to the other room, "Your majesty, would you care to help me set up? I believe I must speak with you." Antonio bit his lip and nodded, following the woman like a dog with his tail between his legs.

"What was that about?" Lovino shook his head, setting the gifts aside.

Femke tackled her best friend and laughed, "You are so naïve sometimes Lovi~ but that's one of those cute things about you! Anyways, you should try on the armbands I got you! They have magic that shrinks them to their owner's arms and keeps them in place! It's really cool!"

She pulled the golden bands from their box and pulled Lovino's sleeves up to reveal his full arm," There we go!" she muttered, slipping the first one up to the spot where his bicep and shoulder were. The metal vibrated lightly before reducing in size and fitting perfectly against his skin.

He stared at it in amazement and laughed, "That was … that was cool!"

Femke winked and put the other on him, "Best part is they won't come off until you want them to. No one but you can remove them~!" she kissed his cheek, "Happy birthday, Lovino!"

Lovino grinned, "Thank you, Femke."

Tessa reentered the room with a pale Antonio behind her carrying plates. "I've brought the cake. You're lucky today is special because I'm letting you skip breakfast, mister." she winked, "Oh those armbands look lovely!"

Antonio nodded, setting down the plates, "They really do~!"

After singing an embarrassing song to the red faced Illonian, they were allowed to cut and eat the delicious pastry.

Lovino loved Tessa's baking the best. Even Antonio agreed she made the best cakes and sweets in the entire castle.

Antonio had to go to his duties and Tessa and Femke became busy with their own chores. Usually, Lovino spent his days following Antonio around to his lessons retrieving a book for him when he needed it, or bringing him something to drink, but on his days off, he was bored out of his mind. He sighed and wandered into the gardens, heading strait for his personal favorite spot, hidden among the tomatoes. No one ever found him while he was laying out there, and none of the gardeners or chefs missed a tomato or two that Lovino liked to steal off the vines and eat.

The warm yet cool air surrounded Lovino and he dropped into the dirt and looked up at the bright blue sky. He swore it was always sunny in Sverran. Lovino let his eyes close and he placed an old sun hat over his face and began to enjoy the early spring day.

However, the normal peace didn't come to the young man. His mind was caught up over the confusing gift the prince had given him. Why a black choker? Wasn't it just a tad bit too girly for Lovino to be wearing? He growled lightly and decided to think of anything else.

Femke's gift was really neat. He liked that gift. And Tessa's was amazing as well … but Antonio's? He sighed in annoyance and decided on a nice nap instead. It was just one of those few things he enjoyed on a daily basis. Antonio had the tendency to fall asleep around this time on his work, leaving Lovino to nap as well.

The Illonian fell into a nice peaceful sleep, and awoke sometime later as the sun was lowering in the sky. A much longer nap than usual, an all day nap, but definitely made up for Femke and Antonio waking him up so damned early. He stood up and dusted the dirt from his clothing and made his way back into the castle. His stomach growled for food and he stopped by Tessa's to eat a special tomato pasta for his birthday. He thanked her and walked to the prince's bathing room to set up the bath.

Antonio walked in and frowned, "I know you refuse to take a day off, but it's your birthday, Lovi~! Go back to your room and rest, sleep, do what ever … just take a night off!" the prince knelt beside Lovino who glared and looked away, "I don't care. It's just another day I have off."

The prince laughed, "Stubborn, are you~?"

Lovino glared, "And you're a spoiled prince bastard. I'm making good money here to get my brother. It feels like I'm cheating the system if I just take days off from my job."

"Feliciano is that important to you … I know … but you're going to work yourself to death before you can even find him." Antonio smiled lightly, "If you won't go to bed, then at least take the bath instead."

Lovino's face heated up and he shook his head, "N-no! Just t-take the bath, bastard. Shit!" Lovino frowned at the thoughts that came with his words.

"Lovi~? Are you okay?" the prince grabbed his personal servant's shoulder, but Lovino pushed his hand away, "Leave me alone!"

Lovino stood up, trying to hide his reddening face. Antonio stood up and grabbed his arm, "Lovino … I'm sorry if I said something insulting … it's just … I wanted you to have a good birthday … I'm sorry if I ruined it …" his eyes fell downcast.

The Vargas rolled his eyes, "You didn't ruin it, bastard … I'm just tired of telling you that I don't like taking nights off because then I sit in my room bored, doing nothing and earning gold for doing said nothing! And you're being a bastard for not just listening to me." Lovino glared and crossed his arms.

Antonio laughed, "Fine then, let's meet half way then. I want you to relax on your birthday so take a bath with me? The tub is big enough for us both and I won't 'try anything perverted'" the prince grinned, copying Lovino's words of warning he constantly told the prince whenever he optioned they shared anything. A carriage ride into the market, a bed when out of the kingdom on some trip, a plate of tomato slices. Anything.

Lovino glared, "Don't mock me, tomato bastard."

"I wasn't, Lovi~ I swear!" the Illonian stole a glance at the Sverran and blushed. There was no way he could share a bath. Not only was it wrong for him, a servant, to share a bath with the prince, he didn't want Antonio to see him naked, or even in his underwear. His body was nothing special, unlike Antonio's gorgeous well toned body. And that ass-

Lovino shook his head before he got 'The Problem' he'd been trying to avoid for awhile now. Almost every night ended with this problem and he hated succumbing to his sexual desires. Especially with the object of his fantasies in the room next over, just separated by a door. He'd often wondered if he'd been too loud, calling out (embarrassingly) Antonio's name and spilling himself onto his sheets.

"Lovi?" Antonio asked, his eyes softening, "Do you have the gift I gave you with you?" Lovino looked at him. What kind of question was that to be asked out of the blue like this?

"Y-yeah … I put it in my pocket." Lovino reached down and pulled the thin black choker from his pocket.

Antonio smiled, "Good … always keep it there … but for right now …" he grabbed it from Lovino and slipped it over his head and gently tied the ends on the back on Lovino's neck, "Just wear it for a few minutes …"

Lovino looked at Antonio confused, but the prince just smiled and pointed to his mirror, "Look~! It looks wonderful on you~!"

The Vargas looked at it and tilted his head to the side to look at the choker, "It feels girly …" his cheeks were still red.

"Ahahaha~ yeah, a little, but it really looks good on you." he reached up and ran his fingers down Lovino's neck, stopping on the choker. Lovino had rarely seen that look in the royal's eyes. It made him kind of nervous.

"Would you stop being so weird? God, bastard, you're insane sometimes …" Lovino turned his attention to the necklace. Why was it so important to keep on him all the time?

He shrugged and sighed, "Fine … I'll take the stupid bath, just stop being creepy!"

Antonio shook himself from whatever dream world he'd escaped to and smiled, "Yay~!" the man pulled off his tunic and undershirt and looked at Lovino, who had yet to take off anything, "Are you bathing fully dressed? Would it … make you more comfortable to leave something on? I know it's a little odd for two men to bathe, but we've done it before. Remember the island?"

Lovino glared, a blush staining his cheeks, "We were still half dressed, perverted bastard!"

Antonio chuckled and pulled off his pants, but left on the undergarments, "There, how about that?" the tanned man stepped one foot into the water, "You coming?"

The Illonian nodded and peeled away his clothing quickly and bit his lip hard stepping into the opposite side as Antonio. Lovino bit back a sigh of relief as the hot water covered his body. It had been terribly long since he'd taken a hot bath.

"That wasn't so bad, was it, Lovi~?" Antonio laughed, grabbing his wash cloth and lathering it up with the soap, "Come here. I won't do anything, just come here. You think you'd learn to trust me by now." the older man laughed lightly.

Lovino rolled his eyes and moved a little bit closer to Antonio, but not close enough. The prince frowned and reached forward to grab Lovino's arm and pull him closer. Antonio pressed the cloth to Lovino's back and began moving the cloth in little soothing circles, "This feels good, right?" he waited for Lovino to nod hesitantly, "Good … this is the best birthday any man in Sverran can have. You're finally a man on the 'outside', Lovi~!" he joked about Lovino's words always being about how he had been a man since he was nine.

His servant rolled his eyes and huffed, not trusting his shaky voice to say anything. The man he liked so much was washing his back … it was like one of those dreams he'd had a few months ago. However, in the dream … things turned a little heated and he'd awoken with … The Problem.

Antonio finished cleaning his back and took to washing the rest of his body like Lovino had always done for him, "Is this birth day good so far?"

Lovino turned a dark glare on Antonio, "Why do you keep bringing it up? Yeah, I'm fifteen now. Yeah, I'm a fucking adult. Yeah, it's a 'big day'," he growled, slapping Antonio's hand away, causing the cloth to fly across the room, "So the fuck what? I'm tired of hearing about it! If it's not important to me, why the fuck should it be so important to you, huh bastard? Why?" Lovino stood from the water and grabbed his clothes and began putting them on. Antonio jumped up, "Lovi, wait! I'm sorry! I didn't-"

"Didn't mean to upset me? 'ruin my birth day'? Piss me off?" Lovino rolled his eyes and finished dressing, "You've managed to do all of those, bastard. Leave me alone now. I'm going to bed!" he pulled at the choker, trying to take it off, "Damn it, bastard! Take it off! Get it off! I want it off right now!" he reverted to Illonian, something he only did when he was truly flustered, embarrassed, or upset.

Antonio nodded and hesitantly untied the choker, "I was hoping to see it on you for a little bit longer … I'm sorry for all of those things …" he pressed the choker into Lovino's hands and smiled sadly, "Please keep it in your pocket all the time?"

Lovino rolled his eyes, "I'll think about it, bastard!" he stormed away, leaving Antonio to finish his bath alone for the first time in six years.

The Illonian threw himself onto his bed and closed his eyes tightly. He wasn't really upset with Antonio about anything at all, except maybe forcing him into the bath. Lovino only got mad as a distraction so Antonio wouldn't notice 'The Problem'.

The man pushed himself up onto his knees and embarrassingly began rubbing his hand over his throbbing member. Antonio had touched his back … had washed his back … it was such an intimate thing … even if Lovino had been the only one to think so.

He let a soft moan escape his lips as his fingers moved over the cloth of his pants. "Damn it!" they were in the way. The Illonian servant quickly discarded them to the ground, as well as the underwear he'd been wearing.

His mind drifted to the strong arms that had pulled him closer. He imagined those hands wrapping around his smaller frame and pulling him flat against Antonio's chest, then sliding down to grope Lovino's bottom.

Lovino moaned again and pumped slightly faster, thinking of Antonio's hand, slightly calloused from training with his axe, but still soft, doing this act instead.

"Gods … Antonio!" he gasped, feeling another ripple of pleasure course through his body. Antonio would then push his fingers inside and hit that sweet spot, causing Lovino to scream out in pleasure. Lovino groaned, his arousal becoming too much. He let his fingers slide into his entrance to find that spot.

He let out a deep throaty moan and panted Antonio's name over and over, wishing Antonio was the one inside him. The Sverran would have enough of teasing and then he would take his servant.

Lovino hit the spot again and again, each one bringing forth a loud moan. His hand moved faster and faster until his climax was … just … about … to …

"NNNGGG! Antonio!" he called out, as his seed spilled forth. Lovino shook his head, a dizzy, sleepy feeling taking over on top of his pleasured state. He thought he heard an echo of his climax, but ignored it and dozed off, hoping he'd wake up early enough to clean up before he had to begin working.

TBC

Oh La La~!

The first steamy scene and it's Lovino getting worked up over his little crush~! I hope you enjoyed this~ because seriously, I warn you now ... when I start the smut stuff, I can't stop ... -_- I re-read the entire story and lost count ... It's not all smut, there is plot, but this stuff just happens ... lmao XD I hope I did good!

~Lady Pyrien