Chap VI – The Absolute Dream
Romano has never been very good with expressing his feelings. His brother knew this and was the only person able to understand him. The Spanish bastard was just a doting idiot that Romano accepted as family but he never seemed to understand the Italian's true words. Romano lies. That's the way he goes by in life. But it seems that nobody aside from his brother could see through his lies. Nobody could reach into his heart and break open his shell. He knew that. He was already used to it and had long accepted that not even his close friends would see past his lying façade. Not even his nonno could see him.
But he was wrong.
Romano knew this for a while now. Recently, someone else has been able to see through his lies. He didn't understand how or why but it frustrated him. He felt naked when the eyes of that man fell on him. Eyes of blazing red like a demon reaching into his soul and devouring it. It was unbearable yet Romano found it unusually thrilling. For the first time, someone was looking at him. Only him. Not his brother.
"Feli! How have you been? West never said you'd be coming to visit!" Prussia grinned happily as he hugged the Italian on his doorstep.
Romano felt a twinge of irritation and was about to yell at the potato bastard to let go of his brother this instant but instead, he froze still. The evil red eyes were watching him. Narrowed dangerously on the frozen Romano, as if daring him to speak a word. A smirk curled the pale lips of the albino as he squeezed Feliciano tighter in his arms, almost taunting Lovino. It was obvious. It was clear the Prussian had long lost interest in his brother and was only playing around with Romano's reactions. He wanted to make him angry. He wanted to see him lash at him.
Romano glared back angry amber orbs, clenching his fist. The red eyes seemed to lighten in glee at the coming wave of anger Romano was going to unleash but before an argument could break, Germany stepped in.
"Bruder, you're suffocating him!"
Prussia jumped and looked back in his arms, smiling sheepishly at the unconscious Italian that fainted from lack of air. Romano was quick to steal back his brother, cradling him in his arms and glaring viciously at the Prussian. Gilbert's expression was no longer challenging but instead he looked apologetic and offered a small sorry smile. Romano felt his anger subsidize a bit. At least, the bastard knew to apologise when he's wrong. That's more than what Romano could ever do. His stubbornness, pride and his habit of living a lie seemed to make him unable to ever admit his faults. It irritated him the way Prussia could so easily accept his mistakes and still be as proud as a king.
"Sorry, Feli! Didn't mean it!"
"Ve … It's ok, Gilbert! Fratello, I'm ok now, you can let go."
"Tch … if you say so." Romano grumbled but still kept his fingers entwined with his twin's.
Prussia narrowed his eyes on the gesture. He didn't understand it. He himself never acted so touchy and close to his own brother. It would be weird. Maybe it was because of their opposite personality? No, Romano and Veneziano are also as opposite as can be and it still didn't seem to bother them. The link between them was so strong … because they're the same country? But Prussian became the other half of Germany when he got dissolved. He and his brother were in the exact same situation as the Italians. But it still felt strange to watch the way the Italians interact and the way he interacts with his brother.
More than weird … it bothered Gilbert.
The Prussian didn't understand why but recently, he's been noticing Romano a lot more than usual. Of course, Prussia always thought Veneziano to be cute and from the way the Italian and Ludwig interact, he assumed his little brother had something going with the sweet innocent brunet. In an attempt to accelerate things by making his brother jealous and overprotective, Gilbert started to act overly familiar with Feliciano. Plus, it's fun to peeve Luddy!
But recently, the albino began to feel more thrill in peeving Romano, the very same way. Somehow, before he knew it, Gilbert had started to latch on Feliciano in a way to provoke the older Italian. It always fascinated him the way Romano could act so protective and aggressive for the sake of his brother when he's in general incapable to stand his ground in the face of danger. He's not as hopeless as Feliciano and has a lot more spunk to his personality.
Prussia smiled wickedly at his brother scolding him but his red eyes never left the angry Italian glaring golds at him. Gilbert never realised but before long, he began seeking those fiery golden orbs. And he was starting to fear the reason why …
"Gilbert! Gilbert!"
The Prussian jumped awake suddenly as he felt someone shake him and softly calling his name. He recognised his brother in the semi-shadow on his left. To his right, Francis was still fast asleep, buried in his sleeping bag and oblivious to the turmoil his friend was in. Feeling Ludwig's anxious eyes on him, Gilbert tried to grin off his troubled mind.
"Luddy! You scared me! What's with the wakeup call? Can we not have some military style booty camp this early?"
Ludwig frowned in concern. He had heard his brother growl and struggle in his sleep, muttering incomprehensibly while struggling in frustration. He couldn't tell what but something was bothering his brother. Just now, it was obvious from the pale shocked expression Gilbert had woken from.
"Bruder … just now, what kind of nightmare did you have? You were struggling and talking in your sleep!"
Prussia stayed silent a few moments before pulling out of his sleeping bag and walking out of the tent without a word. Ludwig didn't stop him. He knew his brother well enough to know that Gilbert never would show him his weak side. Prussia was too proud for that. He probably went around to clear his mind in a walk. Sighing, Ludwig fell back to sleep, his lazy blue eyes gazing over at the sleeping French nation by his side.
Romano hissed at the mosquitos around him. And the damn weather was too hot! Why the hell did he agree to this stupide road trip! Just because his brother wanted to come so obstinately and Romano will be damned before he lets his brother alone with the potato bastards! Especially the albino potato!
Lovino paused in his track, his mind recalling back on his words. Why was he so focused on the albino bastard? And that dream just now … why was he suddenly remembering pointless memories about the bastard? Scratching his head in frustration the Italian started straying further away from the camp. He didn't pay attention around him and when he found himself lost, Romano nearly felt like dropping to the ground and crying.
"Oi, oi! Are you seriously going to cry?" A cackling voice called from a nearby tree.
Romano looked up and nearly freaked out at the sight of a ghost … before he realised the ghost was just a pale human … an albino pale human … a very familiar and very irritating albino! Gritting his teeth in a hiss and discreetly blinking away the beginning of tears from his eyes, Lovino glared fiery ambers at the relaxed rubies.
Gilbert was lying in the grass, his back against a tree and had been calming himself down when he heard agitated footsteps approached soon followed by the beauty of Rome. All of the Prussian's previous agitation seemed to rush back the moment he laid eyes on the brunet. Damn … and why is Lovino dressed in nothing but shorts? Does he have any idea how defenceless and easy a prey he looks? Any bastard could jump him and the cute Italian would be done for … … Cute? Ok, this needs to stop now!
"What are you doing here, bastard?" Lovino lashed at the unwanted vision of his dream flashing into reality. The potato bastard was just so frustrating! He just seems to pop out of nowhere and torment him with his presence all the time! And there he is now, after infesting his dreams, lying lazily in the grass, perfect snow body sculpted like a Michelangelo statue! Stupid military training! Lovino never managed to get abs and muscles as firm and perfect at the albino. It irritated him. The guy was only dressed in joggings, his pale upper body caressed by the wind as he leaned against the tree trunk.
Gilbert lifted an eyebrow at the acidic tone. He never understood why Lovino hated him so much. He understood Lovino's hate toward Ludwig, considering how protective the older Italian is of his brother. Gilbert was certain that Ludwig was soon going to confess his undying love to Feliciano … and that is the reason why he goofs around, trying to rile up his brother. But Lovino should know by now that Gilbert is no threat to his brother. So why the hate? In fact, Gilbert noticed clearly that recently Lovino has grown more tamed around Ludwig but his aggressiveness increased ten folds in regards of the albino. Why? Did he piss off the Italian somehow? The very thought made Gilbert feel uncomfortable. He didn't want Lovino to hate him. He was hoping they could become friends … … and maybe more. Ok, now, stop this right now! You are delusional from lack of sleep and because the little Roman has a very cute ass and his golden skin looks delicious! It's just lust! Get over it!
"Taking in the fresh air. Couldn't sleep. Why? Are you going to accuse me of polluting your breathing area?" Gilbert teased with a cornered smirk.
Lovino tensed under the smile. He hated the arrogant way Gilbert smiled. It was just begging the Italian to either punch the bastard or kiss him … or both. Damnit! Stop messing with my head!
"Tch! Whatever, bastard! Just stay where you are and don't get near me." The Italian huffed, sitting down opposite to the albino. Gilbert shrugged dismissively, not even bothering to retort to that.
They both stayed quite for a while, listening to the buzzing of insects and the blowing of the wind. Neither dared looking at the other despite being face to face with only a few meters between them.
"So what got you up and about? Nightmare?" Gilbert finally engaged a conversation, curiosity getting the better of him. He peeked in Lovino's direction and frowned at the shifty looks of the brunet. Lovino looked like he was hiding something and wasn't very keen on answering. The soft dust of pink on his cheeks was adorable~! Maybe he did have a nightmare and was too proud to admit it?
Oh, Lovino had a nightmare alright! A nightmare of memories concerning the very person facing him now! Why did it bother him? The dream was nothing special after all … just trivial stuff … about the albino potato. Why was he dreaming of the albino in the first place?! What is wrong with him?! And why is the bastard looking at him now with those devil gorgeous red eyes?!
"Yeah. Something like that." Lovino mumbled, shifting his gaze away from the inquisitive blood orbs.
Gilbert didn't push on. He could see how tensed Lovino was about his dream. Must have been something either really awkward or really scary. Though from Lovino's reaction, Gilbert was more inclined in betting on the awkward. Talking of awkward, nothing can probably beat his own dream and current situation! It's like Lady Fate was toying with him! He just happened to have a strange and sudden dream about Lovino and now, here they are both cooling their heads outside the very same night. Either a strange coincidence or Fate's humour is seriously twisted!
Gilbert ignored the growl of excitement in the pit of his being. He really didn't want to let his dream influence his current situation. Sure, he had felt lustful and wanted to eat up Romano in his dreams … and reality was offering him such a perfect chance that it felt too good. Way too good. Something is off with this scenario! And Gilbert has learned to grow cautious with experience (or occasionally paranoid). And so, the Prussian ignored his internal desire and pretended that the nation in front of him was nothing but air.
"What about you, bastard?"
The albino jumped at the sudden address. To say he was surprised was an understatement. Lovino was actually engaging a conversation with him? That's not just a shady scenario, this whole scene is just out of this world! Had Gilbert landed in a parallel world or something?
The Italian rolled his eyes at the shocked expression of the Prussian. So what? He can be sociable too if he wants! And it's not like he's not curious by nature! After all, Italy is not the country of Paparazzi for nothing! Will the stupid potato head stop staring like Lovino had grown an extra head?!
"Well, it wasn't really a nightmare but more like a weird dream." Gilbert carefully answered. Lovino's head shot up in surprise. A weird dream? Like himself?
"What kind of dream?"
"Hey now, why should the awesome me be the only one interrogated? It's my turn to ask now!" Gilbert teased, waggling his finger at the angry Italian. Lovino rolled his eyes and huffed.
"Fine! If that's how you want to do it! But I'm not telling you my dream!"
"Then I'll just have to guess it! And you'll need to guess mine because, awesome as I am, I am not about to give up on the awesomness of my dreams that easily!"
Lovino stared with a deadpan expression before smirking. A challenge quite interesting there …
"Alright, bastard! Go on with your question!"
Minutes later both Gilbert and Lovino were having a very uncomfortable feeling. Neither wanted their dream spoken to the other because, let's face it, it was truly embarrassing! But as they dug deeper into each other's dreams, they both began to dread the answer and neither really wanted to hear the dream of the other anymore. Why is that? Because some odd similarities had begun to sprout out between their dreams. The more they talked … the closer their dreams grew. In a corner of their minds, both Gilbert and Lovino were excited by the idea of having shared the exact same dream. While at the same time, the very idea of such a situation was both impossible and revolting.
Lovino feared what he might find out if Gilbert had dreamed of their same common memory. He was growing more and more frustrated around the albino and Lovino hated the loud thumping of his heart whenever he crossed the devil rubies. Gilbert too had mixed feelings about this whole ordeal Originally his idea to play this guessing game, he was now regretting it. Why didn't he keep his mouth shut for once? If Lovino really did have the same dream then … what does that mean?
What the hell does that mean?
Before neither could come up with a conclusion, the sun rose, interrupting the couple's sleepless night. Lovino suddenly felt all of the fatigue from his lack of sleep hit him as the sunlight beamed over them shyly. They both got up but due to his fatigue, Lovino tripped over and nearly fell crashing back to the ground. Nearly. He felt strong large arms catch him in time, holding him under his arms and around his waist. Lovino didn't need to look to guess who had caught him and his face blushed all the shades of red possible as he struggled out of the Prussian's grip. He hissed silently and wrapped his own arms around his body, stepping a few steps away from the Prussian.
Lovino expected Gilbert to laugh and tease him about his clumsiness but hearing nothing made him curious. Looking up, Lovino wished he hadn't and could no longer avert his eyes. It was so obvious it frightened the Italian. Prussia's pale complexion makes it hard to hide any kind of blush so the Prussian had grown able to only rarely blush in very extreme situation or emotional turmoil. And right now, the pale pink dusting his cheeks as his red eyes were looking away from Lovino was just so obvious and adorable that the Italian couldn't stop staring.
Damn … Had they really both made the same mistake?
The two walked back silently to the camp from which their friends were waking up from their slumber. Although they didn't exchange any words, both knew already all the answers they had previously sought and more. Maybe even too much more. Because now, it was impossible for them to cross eyes without averting away with a slight blush and nervousness.
As for the dream … isn't it obvious?