Chap XI – The Absolute Match

Lovino felt his body tip off as a larger weight tackled him to the ground.

"Ha! Got you, Birdie!"

"Why the fuck are you giving me stupid nicknames like that?!"

"You don't like them?"

Lovino froze as he saw the Prussian's red eyes look at him like puppy eyes. Holy shit, how can the bastard do that?! Now Lovino is the one feeling guilty! Shit!

"S-Stop that, Bastard!"

"See! You call me Bastard! Why can't I call you something affectionate too?"

"You think Bastard is affectionate?!"

"So you're insulting me?"

"N-No!"

"Then …?"

Lovino averted his eyes away from Gilbert's knowing victorious smirk. Damnit! He hated when the bastard is right!

"F-Fine! I-I … I might feel a little affection for you … uh …" Lovino glanced back at the albino and just snapped as he saw Gilbert's wide grin.

The next second he had pulled the Prussian into a long passionate kiss. Gilbert was so surprised he didn't react at first but then hungrily responded. When they finally broke apart, the albino looked like he was on cloud no.9.

"Screw this!" Lovino growled and licked the corner of his lips, smirking back at his new lover. "Fine, Bastard! You can call me whatever stupid name you want!"

"So you're ok with us being together, then?"

"Do I look like I'm not ok with it? Don't ask stupid questions!" Lovino snapped at him before pulling Gilbert back into a possessive kiss.

"Damn … you're a really good kisser Lovi!"

"Yeah, well let's hope you're good in bed, bastard!"

"I'm not good! I'm awesome!" Gilbert smirked and leaned back to kiss his new boyfriend once more.

They made out for a while until Lovino was struck by a thought.

"I said any nickname but I refuse you call me Lovi Bird! You got that?!"

"Got it, Liebling!"

"Thinking about it …? So is that …? What does that mean? What … are we?" Ludwig frowned, completely lost. Does it mean they were dating or not yet?

"Relax, Lou!" France patted his arm. "We don't need to be tagged under anything, you know! Lovers, boyfriends, friends, I don't think we can fit feelings into a box like that!"

"Yeah, but …!" Ludwig always needed to fit things in boxes! He had a practical mind and was not as easy going as France was. He likes boxes!

"Ok, then let's go out for dinner and see how it goes from there!" France suggested with a smile.

"… It's a date, right? You're not just saying this out of pity?" Ludwig frowned, making sure he was not dreaming this. France glared at the taller man.

"I would never make fun of you like that or go out with someone out of pity! It'd be insulting the other person's feelings! Do you really think I'm that shallow?"

"No. I know you're not." Ludwig smiled softly, leaning down to kiss Francis' lips. He retreated almost immediately, realising his own actions. Francis brushed a hand over his lips, slightly surprised and not really sure how to react. He felt a soft tingling in his stomach and wasn't too sure why but he was getting more and more conscious of Ludwig's presence walking so very near him.

"S-Sorry … um … I got carried away. You can yell at me or hit me if I do something that upsets you!" The German tried apologising and was surprised to see his loved one smile shyly.

"That was so weird … usually I don't get flustered when going out with people … I wonder why I feel so strange when it's you …" Francis looked up and bore into Ludwig's icy blue eyes. Yep, he really did feel unusually nervous, now that he was actually looking at Germany as a potential lover.

"Wow … Actually you're really hot, you know!" France smiled, suddenly realising that fact.

"T-Thanks … I guess?" Ludwig felt a blush creep up his face but he couldn't detach his eyes from the beautiful sapphires of France.

"I'm sorry … I'm making you uncomfortable. Aah! I'm really not fit for relationships!" France broke their eye contact and sighed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and was twirled around to face Ludwig again. Germany leaned down, determined blue eyes and he gently pecked the shorter blonde's lips.

"I don't mind. I'm actually glad because now, you're finally looking at me." Germany smiled softly and even chuckled as France pushed him back, rubbing his hands over his reddened cheeks, deep frown on his face. France could not believe that the little boy he used to take care of was now seducing him! This is unreal! Besides, Francis is usually the one to seduce, not the one being seduced! This is weird …!

"France … Ich liebe dich …" Ludwig whispered the words so softly and so honestly that it made France shiver.

"O-Ok but you know that I can't …!"

"I know. It's alright. I can wait. I've waited this long already, I can wait a bit longer. Especially if I can make you say those words myself." Germany grinned, feeling excited by the idea of making France fall for him. Now he got why Feliciano loved to go around seducing women, this feels amazing!

"Let's just get that dinner already!" France stormed away, not feeling at all in control of the situation and it made him so frustrated! But Ludwig's soft words were still spinning in a loop in his mind and he couldn't help a small smile from gracing his lips.

In the empty conference room save for two people facing each other, Spain and England both were unable to cross eyes with one another. Spain was now aware of England's feelings and vice versa. This caused them both to not really know how to move on from this point. The Spaniard was looking around the room, thinking of any possible way to start a conversation but his mind seemed to have gone completely blank and all he could think of was that England's scent (from their close proximity) was as sweet as usual and he just wanted to hug the smaller man. England, on his side, was glaring at the ground, mentally willing it to swallow him whole, his face red from embarrassment. Having heard the trio talk nonsense about them behind their backs had been quite enlightening on the actual situation but Arthur still could not get used to the idea of being called cute. He's not cute! Only France is crazy enough to think that! What could Spain possibly find cute in him? Or attractive? England is anything but attractive! He's short, boring, not particularly muscly, he didn't have Romano's charm or Ludwig's hot body, he was difficult to deal with and …

"I'm not cute!"

Spain glanced down, surprised that those would be the first words England would speak. The Spaniard couldn't stop staring at England's blushing face and angry frown as he glared at the ground.

"That's not for you to judge." Spain smiled and looked away as England looked up at him.

"Then who's to judge? What is there in me that's remotely cute at all! Nobody ever told me I was cute! Well … except the frog but he's just weird!" England muttered, lowering his gaze again and clenching his fist tightly.

Spain watched with a frown and leaned down to peck Arthur's lips, surprising the Brit. England opened his mouth to argue but was silenced by another kiss, deeper and longer this time. The blonde felt his hands reach up to circle Spain's neck while Antonio's hands held down the Brit's hips and waist. When they broke apart, Arthur was glaring at the smirking Spaniard.

"What's that supposed to prove?" the blonde snarled angrily.

"It proves that you really are cute! Just because nobody says it doesn't mean they don't think it. I know I do! Your blushing face when you're embarrassed … your small smiles when you get shy … your frowns when you get angry … your laughter when you're happy … when your eyes light up of that beautiful green … I find it all cute! And my opinion is the only one you need!"

"That's …! That's … selfish." Arthur didn't think he could blush more but Spain's flattering did exactly that. Antonio smiled, licking his lips.

"Yeah. I'm selfish." He leaned down and breathed over Arthur's neck, feeling the blonde shiver. "I'm so selfish that I can't stand seeing you get along with others. I get extremely jealous. I have no right to be but I just can't stop feeling that I want you all to myself."

"… Why … should I believe you?" Arthur frowned, shaking his head as he felt the Spaniard hold him tighter. He could feel Antonio's lips brush against his skin as Antonio leaned against his shoulder.

"I know that I was unfair to you … To be honest, I didn't particularly like you at first. I thought I could use you and so I did. But before I knew it, I had fallen hard for you but by the time I realised that it was too late and you were out of my reach. It made me so angry that I started pretending to hate you. I never thought that you … also … I thought you hated me!"

"Why on earth would you think that?!"

"You left me!"

"Because I thought you were using me! I felt betrayed and …!" Arthur sighed, pushing Antonio away.

He closed his eyes for a moment before speaking again.

"So you're saying that all this time … it was a misunderstanding?" Arthur opened his eyes and glared at Antonio. "If that's true then … that night in America? You were angry! You looked disgusted of having slept with me! Why?"

"Are you insane? I was guilty! I would never be disgusted by you!" Antonio's eyes widened in shock. Had Arthur really interpreted his reaction like that? But the blonde had looked so cold and distant that Antonio thought Arthur was shocked and angry at him for taking advantage of him.

"Guilty?"

"I thought you were angry because I took advantage of you! I mean, you were drunk so … Uh?" Antonio blinked as he saw the blonde laugh softly.

"I wasn't drunk! I had a couple of drinks but Antonio, if I really were drunk, would I really have been the designated driver that night?" Arthur chuckled at the tanned man's bemusement.

"Uh. I forgot that … So you … you let me? You didn't mind …? I-I didn't hurt you?" Antonio grabbed Arthur's wrists and pulled him close, panic in his eyes as he scanned Arthur's face for any sign that Arthur had been reluctant or forced that night. Arthur shook his head, smiling beautifully.

"I thought I'd take a chance. I thought you hated me and just wanted someone, anyone, to fuck. I wasn't surprised the next day when you seemed angry and when you said to forget it all."

"I was worried about the Out-of-Bound rule! Francis would have killed me!"

"Well that worked out like a charm, didn't it?" Arthur rolled his eyes sarcastically and felt his lips be taken away once more.

"Mhm! Anto-nio!" He let out in a muffled voice as the Spaniard brought their bodies closer and devoured his lips.

"Mine …!" Antonio whispered repeatedly between kisses. "Mine … Mine … Mine …"

Arthur felt Antonio's grip on him tighten possessively and the Spaniard's lips move down his neck, trailing pepper kisses and love bites. Arthur bit his lip, holding back a soft moan. Antonio must have noticed since he immediately stopped and glared up at Arthur.

"Why are you holding back your voice?" The tanned man brought their faces close once more as he whispered over Arthur's ear. "I want to hear you."

"… Cheater." Arthur mumbled as he felt Antonio smile against the skin of his neck. Antonio's smirk grew and he moved back to look into Arthur's beautiful green eyes.

"How so, mi rosa?"

"You're trying to make me forget that I'm angry at you!" Arthur hissed but the blush covering his face made him unconvincing. Antonio let out a lazy smile.

"You noticed …?"

"You lied to me … when I asked you how you felt back then … you know exactly why I left! I thought you sent your armada to punish me! And then last night after the party, you were acting aggressive and angry! Fuck! You're confusing me! Why did you … Why did you pick me?" Arthur shook his head, unable to understand how Antonio could even feel love for him when they had hated each other for so long.

Antonio took his time to answer, sighing softly.

"I was … embarrassed and I suppose I was afraid to admit it myself. I do love you, Arturo. More than anyone. I just … I thought I lost you after the Armada. I gave up on you. Besides, there was the rule …"

"Bloody stupid rule which you didn't consult with us about!" Arthur snarled angrily. The Spaniard chuckled.

"Yeah. I guess we were too full of ourselves. I thought it would be alright even if you weren't mine because Francis always made sure that others could not court you."

"Nobody wants to court me!"

"I wouldn't be so sure. I've watched people try to sweep you away but you always seemed oblivious to it. I thought maybe … it was because there already was someone in your heart. The thought of it keeps me awake at night. It makes me angry and lash out at you. It makes me hate you."

Arthur stayed quiet, listening at the other.

"I get easily jealous, I know that. When I see you with someone it makes me want to kill that person and steal you away. But I couldn't! You hated me. I thought you were in love with my brother. You're so close to him. Not like me and you. You've always gotten along better with him and I always get jealous of that. When I saw you dancing with him that night, it got to me. I had to drink myself silly to forget this! I was so drunk and yet I still could not stop thinking about you! So when I saw you outside alone, I got … I … I didn't really think. I wanted you all to myself."

Arthur felt Antonio's body shiver as he hid his face against Arthur's shoulder, leaning over slightly due to Arthur being shorter. The blonde could feel Antonio's arms around him tighten.

"… You're right." He let out with a smile.

Antonio jumped and looked up, panic in his eyes, as if Arthur was about to dump him. Arthur smiled, gently reaching to caress the other's tanned cheek.

"I was oblivious to others. I already had someone stealing my heart. But it wasn't your brother. Sometimes I wished I could fall in love with Portugal or anyone else. I really did try but you always came back to haunt me. I hated you for this."

"But you …! You're dating Portugal!"

"It's fake. He's trying to help me get over you. I think he might kill you once we're done here."

Antonio laughed, tears rolling down his face as he leaned in to kiss the blonde passionately.

"I'll let him for once! He can kill me as much as he wants! As long as I get to keep you, I don't care!"

"I'm not a prize!" Arthur huffed, pushing back the eager Spaniard. "And stop that! We're still in the conference room!"

"Oh! You're right!" Antonio looked around, realising where he was. After a split second of thinking, he picked up his lover in a bridal manner, making Arthur jump in surprise and letting out a surprised noise. The blonde, latched his arms around Antonio's neck instinctively as he felt his body balance shift and getting picked up. His face flashed every kind of red possible.

"Let me go, you bloody twat! What are you doing?!"

"Taking you home with me." Antonio smirked and carried away his princess.

"What? Now? Hold on … when you say home …"

"Spain. Now. I'm not waiting any longer to hold you in my arms. I've waited too long."

"You're going to drag me on a plane like that? I don't even have anything packed!"

"I'll get you all you need there, Tesoro. Relax." Antonio purred, making Arthur shiver slightly in his arms. How he had missed his little Rose's warm body in his arms.

"Struggle all you want, I'm not letting you go. Not this time. Not anymore."

"… Stubborn git! Do what you want!" The blushing blonde muttered, his green eyes glaring in the distance as he avoided looking at the smiling man carrying him away. Antonio pecked Arthur's lips softly, a low satisfying rumble at the pit of his stomach and his mind high and blanking out from his overdose of happiness and excitement.

"What I want? If you're sure, then there are a lot of fantasies I'd like you to assist me with~!" Antonio purred mischievously and started laughing as he received a few light punches from his lover.

THE END-