Time to get a new laptop! Mine finally gave out and I'm typing this on my Dad's. Technology, eh! Well, on to the next chapter.
I don't own Hetalia!
Demonic Romeo Vol VIII
When the restaurant closed, Rutovu~ihi and Ansonī were still beside their respective Italian brother. Rutovu~ihi refused to leave while Ansonī was still hanging around and that lead to Ferishiāno issuing an invitation.
"Ve~ why don't the two of you join us for a drink?" he asked while Rōman locked up the restaurant but that did not stop him from staring at his brother as if to say What are the bleep are you doing, idiota?
"Si!" Ansonī agreed, immediately. "That's sounds like a great idea." Ferishiāno turned to Rutovu~ihi, hopefully. Rutovu~ihi was powerless against Ferishiāno's pleading face, although he told himself it was to keep an eye on Ansonī who he still did not trust, no matter how many assurances he was given to the contrary.
"Ja," he replied, making Ferishiāno beam with happiness. "I would like that!" Rōman rolled his eyes and accepted that this was going to happen.
"Okay, bastards!" he said, putting the keys in his pocket. "Let's go then. Time's getting on and we have to work tomorrow so if you want a drink, move it!" And after that charming invitation, the group of four made their way to an unknown destination.
Rutovu~ihi was less than pleased to find out that they had arrived at the home of the Vargas Brothers and Ferishiāno invited both demon and arch-angel in. This meant that Ansonī would have unfettered access to the house but, on the plus side, it meant that Rutovu~ihi did as well.
The Vargas home was a modest but comfortable looking house on a quiet street and was comfortably furnished. After being invited to sit down, the arch-angel and demon were offered their drinks and Rutovu~ihi asked for beer while Ansonī was given red wine.
"Ve~ Did you know those four men, Rutovu~ihi?" Ferishiāno asked. "The four who came in for a meal?" Rutovu~ihi thought fast.
"Ja," he replied. "I know Āsā and Mashū. We work together."
"Really!" Ferishiāno said. "What do you do?"
"Protection services," Rutovu~ihi gave Ansonī a hard stare who did his best to ignore it.
"Like hired security?" Rōman asked. With the muscles that Rutovu~ihi had, he could believe it.
"Nein," Rutovu~ihi replied. "We don't protect people who have the money to pay. We protect innocent people at risk, people we're assigned to."
"Is that why you move around a lot?" Ferishiāno asked.
"Ja," Rutovu~ihi replied. "My current assignment is close by." Rutovu~ihi did not clarify HOW close.
"Who was looking out for your assignment while you and your friends were hanging out at our restaurant, Potato Bastard?" Rōman asked Rutovu~ihi. Rutovu~ihi ignored the Potato Bastard part.
"We're a large team," Rutovu~ihi replied, evasively. "It has a lot of members."
"Ve~ What do you do for a living, Ansonī?" Rōman pretended not to be interested in Ansonī's answer.
"Acquisitions," Ansonī replied. Rutovu~ihi nearly choked on his beer. Is that what demons called it these days!
"What do you acquire?" Rōman asked. It would be just his luck that Acquisitions meant that Ansonī was someone who stole valuable items or maybe he was interested in 'acquiring' the restaurant.
"I recruit people of interest," Ansonī replied. Rōman took this to mean that Ansonī was a head-hunter for some company while Rutovu~ihi knew that Ansonī meant he collected souls for Hell and gave him a disgusted look that, fortunately, both Vargas brothers missed. Rutovu~ihi took a sip of his beer as he assessed the situation. He was not leaving before Ansonī, that he was certain about but even if Ansonī left, he could come back any time. He would have to report this to the Higher-ups.
"I think we have kept our hosts up for long enough," he said, hinting at the demon to leave. "As they said, they must work tomorrow. We should leave them to their rest." Ansonī decided not to test the arch-angel.
"Si," he agreed, standing up. "We should go now. I'll see you some other time, Rōman."
"Whatever, Tomato Bastard!"
"Ve~ I'll see you out," Ferishiāno said as both arch-angel and demon went to the door. Outside, Ansonī said his goodbyes and quickly left while Rutovu~ihi breathed a sigh of relief as Ansonī walked away.
"Ve~ Will I see you again?" Ferishiāno asked.
"I'm not sure," Rutovu~ihi replied but Ferishiāno looked a little crest-fallen and Rutovu~ihi did not like that. "But I will try." Ferishiāno lit up at the promise.
"Yay!" he cried, jumping up and down on his front step. He lost his footing and slipped. Rutovu~ihi caught him but was off-balance and both of them fell to the floor and Ferishiāno's lips accidentally crashed down on Rutovu~ihi's.
Rutovu~ihi's eyes widened in shock as he felt Ferishiāno's soft lips on his. Ferishiāno was shocked when he found his lips on firm, warm ones and it took a moment for both of them to realise that Rutovu~ihi's arms were still wrapped around Ferishiāno.
Ferishiāno broke the kiss and look down at the stunned Rutovu~ihi and panicked.
"Ve~ I'm sorry!" he cried. "It was an accident! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm …..." Rutovu~ihi shut him up by kissing him again and this time he broke the kiss.
"You'll will see me again," he promised.
And Ferishiāno kissed him back.
The next day, while Rutovu~ihi hovered in the background, Āsā and Mashū watched as Ferishiāno practically skipped around the restaurant, taking orders with a bigger smile than usual and, generally cheering up everyone who saw him, even if they came into the restaurant in a bad mood.
"He's even happier than usual," Mashū commented as Ferishiāno drew a smile from a little boy who was screaming for ice-cream.
"Ve~ It's called gelato in here, Little Signore," Ferishiāno said, tapping the little boy playfully on the nose. "Let's see what's in the freezer." He disappeared into the kitchen while the little boy jumped up and down excitedly.
"He does seem more cheerful than normal," Āsā agreed.
"Ja," Rutovu~ihi replied and blushed a little which was not missed by the other two angels.
"Did something happen after we left?" Āsā asked and the arch-angel blushed even harder. "It did, didn't it?"
"The Vargas brothers invited the demon and I for a drink," Rutovu~ihi replied, embarrassed. "And then Ferishiāno and I …..." He said the last word too quiet for Āsā and Mashū to hear.
"You and Ferishiāno what?" Mashū probed.
"We kissed!" Rutovu~ihi went bright red. Āsā and Mashū looked at each other. Then Āsā began to laugh and Mashū could not stop grinning.
"So the big, tough arch-angel has finally fallen!" Āsā chortled. "It would take someone like Ferishiāno to make that happen! Well, I'm very happy for you, both of you!"
"It was just a kiss!" Rutovu~ihi denied. "Besides, I'm an angel, he's a mortal!"
"So! He's not your assignment," Āsā replied. "Rōman is! There are no rules about loving a mortal, just not the one you're protecting." Angels could love mortals but it was kind of like doctors not being allowed to have a relationship with any of their patients. Rutovu~ihi, having a relationship with Rōman would be a big no-no but Ferishiāno would be fine.
"He's just grateful that I saved him from that perverted demon," Rutovu~ihi said. "And it was an accident, anyway. He fell, I caught him and our lips connected."
"The arch-angel doth protest too much, me thinks," Āsā quoted to Mashū.
"Me thinks so, too," Mashū replied and Rutovu~ihi blushed again.
"It may not come to anything," he muttered. Ferishiāno came out with a bowl of 'gelato' for the little boy, on the house. Still with the happy smile on his face!
"Oh, it will come to something," Āsā predicted. And if Rutovu~ihi was honest, he was not entirely unhappy at the idea.
Arufureddo was making his way to the portal out to the mortal world with the rest of the Bāto- tatchi- karutetto walking beside him. Arufureddo and Girubāto were looking forward to seeing their brothers and Ansonī would 'stalk' Rōman. Furanshisu would act as lookout.
"Arufureddo!" Iwan's voice called out to the foursome and they all winced but stopped. If they ignored him, he would follow them and they did not want that.
"What do you want, Iwan?" Arufureddo huffed, not wanting to spend any more time in the Russian demon's company than necessary. "We have things we want to do." The Russian came up to the group with the same creepy smile.
"I hear you and Girubāto sat down to dinner with some unusual companions," he said, smile still on his face. "Was your meal with angels enjoyable?" Arufureddo and Girubāto stiffened. How did he know?
"I know one of them is your brother," the look on Iwan's face disturbed all of them. "When are you going to bring him down here?"
"When I get the other one," Arufureddo replied, mockingly. "The one I fooled into thinking I won't corrupt my own brother. 'The Uncorrupted' I believe! You failed twice, let's see what I can do." Iwan's dark aura fell around him and he 'kolkolkol'ed under his breath.
"And I'll even keep my promise," Arufureddo continued. "I won't corrupt Mashū, I could never do that to my brother so Girubāto's going to. So I'll get The Uncorrupted and Mashū. Win, win!" Iwan produced his pipe and waved it threateningly under Arufureddo's nose.
"I'm not finished with Āsā," he warned. "He's still my prey!" Arufureddo took out his pistol and pointed it under Iwan's chin. Girubāto, Ansonī and Furanshisu held their breaths.
"I beg to differ," Arufureddo replied. "Your direct approach hasn't work for you so far. In fact, the last I heard, Āsā hit you with a crane. How embarrassing!" The kolkolkols got louder.
"My approach is more subtle," Arufureddo smiled. "He won't know he's corrupted until it's happened. He already thinks he can trust me and that means Mashū thinks he can trust Girubāto. Face it, Iwan! I'm closer than you've ever gotten!" The dark aura remained but Iwan smiled again.
"Then I wish you luck," he said and walked away. The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto watched as he left.
"That was weird," Furanshisu commented. "Do you think he bought it, mon ami?" Arufureddo shrugged.
"Perhaps we shouldn't go straight to the restaurant, amigo," Ansonī advised. "If he knew about you two having dinner with The Uncorrupted and your brother. Who knows how he found out about that!"
"I think that's a good idea," Girubāto agreed. "In fact, I think we should split up, wander around for a while and meet up at the restaurant, just in case." Arufureddo nodded.
"Good plan!"
Iwan did not go far. As he watched the group move out, he thought about the confrontation and Arufureddo's little act because that was what Iwan believed it to be. An act! It was well performed but Iwan did not quite buy it. He knew that Arufureddo had yet to corrupted a single soul. True he was still a relatively young demon but still. Enough time had passed for at least one corruption but Arufureddo's record was still clean. Iwan did not think Arufureddo's heart was in it so this 'I'm after The Uncorrupted and my brother' did not ring true.
He signalled and Raivis came, trembling to his side, followed by Toriumu.
"Follow them!" he ordered. "But stick with Arufureddo in particular. Any unusual activity, send Raivis to tell me." Both demons nodded and left, leaving Iwan to stare in the direction The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto had taken.
"The American will not get The Uncorrupted! He's mine!"
Āsā was practising with his bow, aiming at smaller and smaller targets, moving ones at that. He felt the need to hone his skills. He had the awful premonition that he would need every ounce of his ability very soon, especially in light of Iwan's rather worrying attention.
Two moving balls of light shot in front of him and he concentrated on splitting his arrow into two and fired. The two arrows hit both targets with expert ease and a new arrow appeared in Āsā's bow, ready for the next shot.
"You're being particularly diligent today," Romyurasu's voice came from behind him. Āsā turned to address the other angel.
"I want to be at my best at this time," he replied. "If Iwan's hanging around, it's not good and I want to be able to keep my ward safe." Romyurasu sighed.
"My suggestion to assign someone else to Rōman was not a criticism of your skills, Āsā," he assured him. "It just that right now ….."
"I'm a target!" Āsā finished. "And Rōman and, indeed, Ferishiāno could get caught in the middle. I understand that, I do! It's just that I don't want to leave my job half done. A new angel won't be as used to Rōman as I am. He can come across as a little …..weeelll..." Romyurasu smiled.
"I know what you mean," he replied. "Rōman can be rather irascible and aggressive. He just doesn't trust anyone easily and you're right! Another angel might not understand that but still..."
"I'll do what it takes to protect both of your grandsons," Āsā promised. "And so will Mashū, I'm sure." Romyurasu smiled.
"I know you will," he replied. Āsā's head suddenly tilted as if he were sensing something.
"I better go," he said. "Rōman's left the house."
"I'll leave you to it then."
Rōman and Ferishiāno arrived at the restaurant and Rōman was a little disappointed that Ansonī was not waiting for him but he shrugged it off as he opened the restaurant and he and Ferishiāno began setting things up for the day. The waiters and waitresses began arriving, ready for the lunchtime crowd and Ferishiāno looked out for Rutovu~ihi, not knowing that he was already there, watching over him and his brother, alongside Āsā and Mashū.
Diners seeking lunch began to drift in and Rōman drifted between tables along with the other waiters and waitresses while it was Ferishiāno's turn to be the chef. It was hard to pick which brother was the better chef so nobody tried. Then the lunchtime rush slowed and they were able to take things a little easier so Romano sat down with a glass of wine by the window.
"He's waiting for that demon to show up," Rutovu~ihi was not happy with that. "He pretends he isn't but he's completely smitten with that devil." Āsā patted him on the shoulder.
"He's not here yet," he reassured him. "You don't have to worry about him right now. So, you can go work your charm on Ferishiāno. I'm here to watch over Rōman, go on." And he pushed Rutovu~ihi toward the exit.
Rutovu~ihi left the restaurant and went into the alley, leading to the back door to the kitchen and took mortal form. Then he knocked on the door and Ferishiāno answered.
"Rutovu~ihi!" he cried in happiness and pulled the arch-angel into the kitchen. Ferishiāno had been cleaning up and had not quite finished so Rutovu~ihi gave him a hand and the kitchen was soon clean and ready for the next rush.
"Ve~ Thank you, Rutovu~ihi," Ferishiāno said. "I'm so happy you came."
"Well, I did promise I would come back," Rutovu~ihi replied. Ferishiāno began to play with the apron he was wearing as he seemed to struggle with what he wanted to say next.
"Ve~ Rutovu~ihi," he began and then he hesitated a little. "Would you, hmm …. I mean …. well ….. I was thinking …...?"
"Yes, I will go on a date with you," Rutovu~ihi was amused at Ferishiāno's nervousness but he took pity on him and jumped in with everything else. Ferishiāno's face lit up and he hugged Rutovu~ihi and Rutovu~ihi hugged him back.
"When?" Ferishiāno asked, hoping it would be that night or, at least, tomorrow.
"I'm not sure," Rutovu~ihi replied. "My work schedule is a little uncertain right now but I promise, I will find time for our date."
"Ve~," Ferishiāno said and hugged Rutovu~ihi again.
Arufureddo sensed that he was being followed almost immediately and even more so when The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto split up so he went in the opposite direction to the restaurant. He found a populated area and made a performance of scouting for souls, hoping that whoever it was would get bored and just leave but they were either too tenacious or too scared. Arufureddo had to go to the restaurant, despite having a shadow. He would have to treat Āsā like he was the angel he was hoping to corrupt by using his own brother. The idea made Arufureddo feel sick but there was no way around it.
He took off and headed for the restaurant.
Raivis and Toriumu had spend half the day following Arufureddo who did not seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary. Just flying around, looking for potential corruptible candidates and then he flew to the restaurant Raivis had followed him to last time and watched him go in.
Inside the restaurant, Ansonī and Girubāto had already arrived. Ansonī was in mortal form while Girubāto remained invisible, as did Mashū and Āsā, watching over Rōman while Rutovu~ihi was still a physical presence in the kitchen with Ferishiāno.
"Hello, Mashū," Arufureddo greeted his brother, barely giving Āsā a glance, making the angel wonder what was wrong but then Arufureddo caught his eye and flicked his own toward the window, making Āsā realise right away that they might not be alone.
"Hello, Arufureddo," Mashū replied when Arufureddo hugged him. He had seen the unspoken message between Āsā and Arufureddo and caught on to what was going on. "Did you have any trouble getting here?" Arufureddo smiled at his brother.
"Nothing I couldn't handle, bro," he replied, letting both Mashū and Āsā know that there had been a problem.
"Don't worry, Arufureddo," Girubāto smirked. "I've been looking after Mashū for you." Mashū went red while Girubāto threw an arm around his shoulder. Rōman went into the kitchen, followed by Ansonī and the invisible angels and demons followed them.
"Yuck," came Rōman's voice from the kitchen. "Why don't you two get a room?" Everyone went in to the kitchen to see the sight of Rutovu~ihi with arms around Ferishiāno. Rutovu~ihi turned to see Āsā and Mashū grinning at him, the two demons smirking and he let go of Ferishiāno.
"I hope all you did was hug, Potato Bastard," Rōman berated the arch-angel. "Anything else is bleeping unhygienic." Ferishiāno came toward his brother with his arms open.
"Any more Hug Therapy and I'll stab you with a spatula," Rōman promised and Ferishiāno wisely backed off. Rōman huffed and turned his gaze on Rutovu~ihi. "Are you going to be here all damned day?" Rutovu~ihi took the hint.
"I'd better go," he replied. "I'll see later." Ferishiāno kissed him on the cheek and he went out of the kitchen door.
"Ve~ Why did you scare him off, Rōman?" Ferishiāno pouted. "He helped me clean everything up."
"But not get anything ready for the next rush," Rōman snapped, pulling out ingredients to prepare more food for the next rush. "Get your lazy ass moving!" Ferishiāno began chopping vegetables ready to be cooked while Rutovu~ihi came back into the kitchen in his invisible arch-angel form.
"You're not getting out of it if you're staying," Rōman said, grabbing Ansonī and giving him a hairnet, a chopping board and a paring knife, making him peel vegetables for Ferishiāno to chop up. Arufureddo and Girubāto were laughing their heads off.
"Makes a perfect little wife, ja?" Girubāto chortled. When the Vargas Brothers were not looking, Ansonī flipped Girubāto off.
And that was the routine throughout the rest of the day, with Ferishiāno stepping in and out with meals, helping the other waiters and waitresses while Rōman kept the food coming. Eventually, the door closed after the last of the diners departed, the waiters and waitresses went home and the kitchen was cleaned. After making sure that everything was turned off and the security alarm was switched on, Rōman, Ferishiāno, Ansonī along with the hidden Arufureddo, Girubāto, Rutovu~ihi, Āsā and Mashū were stood outside while Rōman locked the restaurant.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Rōman," Ansonī promised and to annoy Rutovu~ihi, and because he wanted to, Ansonī leant over and kissed Rōman. Rōman was shocked for a moment and then he shove Ansonī away from him.
"Pervert!" he said, half-heartedly, grabbing Ferishiāno and storming away. Ansonī winked at the others and left. Rutovu~ihi had a face like thunder.
"I swear I'm going kill that demon," he fumed and they all began to follow the Vargas Brothers home. After a trip home full of Ferishiāno ve~ing over Rōman's kiss and Rōman slapping him around his head, they arrived safe and only when they were inside did the angels relax.
"Well, that's us for the time being," Āsā commented and look up at the night sky. "Time for us to go."
"I wish we could spend longer together," Mashū said, wistfully looking at Arufureddo. Rutovu~ihi nodded in agreement.
"That would be nice," he replied, looking at Girubāto. Girubāto thought for a moment and then reached beneath his clothes, undid a chain and pulled out an iron cross necklace. He took his bruder's hand and put the cross in it.
"Look after this for me, bruder," he ordered. Rutovu~ihi looked down at the necklace and closed his hand around it.
"I will!" he promised. The two of them hugged. Rutovu~ihi turned back to Āsā and Mashū.
"I'll see you back in Heaven," Rutovu~ihi replied and, with one last look at Girubāto, took to the sky. Girubāto stretched his wings out and turned to Arufureddo.
"And I'll see you in Hell," he said and turned to Mashū. "See you, Birdie!" And he left for Hell while Arufureddo turned to the two angels.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Mashū," he promised and turned to Āsā. "Can I talk to you before you go?" Āsā turned to Mashū.
"I'll see back in Heaven," he told him and Mashū nodded and hugged his brother.
"See you, Arufureddo," he said and took off. Arufureddo took Āsā's hand and pulled him into the air.
"Come with me," he said and they flew into the sky. Raivis and Toriumu watched them as they rose into the air.
"Where are they going?" Raivis asked. Toriumu gave Raivis an opal stone, a twin to one he had.
"I'll follow them," he replied. "You go tell Iwan and use the stone to find me" The stone would glow brightly in the direction of its twin and would lead Raivis back to Toriumu. Raivis began winging his way to Hell while Toriumu followed the pair, hidden by the dark night sky.
Arufureddo flew around looking for a likely spot and saw a deserted park and flew down, hand in hand with Āsā. They drifted down toward a small lake and landed on the grass. After a look round to make sure no angels or demons were lucking about, Arufureddo turned to Āsā.
"Sorry about being off-hand earlier," he told him. "I know I was being followed. I had to be careful and not give them anything to carry back to certain people."
"Such as Iwan?" Āsā asked.
"Yeah!" Arufureddo replied. "As far as he's concern, I'm after you and Girubāto's after Mashū. I think it's safer that he continues to think so. I've already been challenged as your hunter, I'd hate to think how he would react if he knew about us."
Toriumu was perched in a tree, listening to every word and wondered what Arufureddo was talking about. It sounded almost like …..
No, it could not be that!
"Is Mashū and the Vargas Brothers in any danger?" Āsā asked. Arufureddo shook his head.
"Not right now," he reassured Āsā. "Beside, they have plenty of protection. We need to worry about ourselves. I may have made you an even bigger target than before, Iwan will try to take you from me if only to beat me. I'm sorry, Āsā!"
Toriumu was more and more confused by Arufureddo. He was talking like he was protecting the angel. That cannot be right!
"Can't be helped now," Āsā replied. "We'll just have to take things as they come. Iwan will find that I'm no easy target if he hasn't realised it already." Toriumu jumped when something landed on the branch beside him and he looked round to see Iwan beside him, Raivis and Edo~uarudo in another tree. Iwan stared down at the couple as Arufureddo took Āsā's face in his hands.
"I still worry," he said. "You're as important to me as Mashū now. I love you, Āsā!" And he kissed Āsā deeply and passionately. Āsā was drowning in the feeling of Arufureddo's lips on his and the feeling of his arms wrapping around him and holding him tight. Arufureddo had wanted to do this all day. Now he finally had his angel in his arms, he was going to make the most of it. The moment was perfect.
And came to an end with a kolkolkol!
"Well, isn't this sweet, comrade!"
Oh no! The secret is out and you can count on Iwan to ruin a sweet moment and he hasn't finished, believe me! I've got one more chapter to write and I'm done! Yay!
To Scarlet Phantom – One confrontation, coming up! And Raivis is a good, if unwilling, spy. I hope the finale is everything you're hoping for and I've got something special planned for the last chapter so stay tuned! ;D
To ArtemisIsis13 – Just in time! I feel sorry for them too but I have plans for the Baltic Trio so watch out for that. And what Iwan would do to Raivis if he is found doesn't bear thinking about! D: And, yes, it is the same Tino that Eduard wanted to save. I kind of imagine Ferishiāno as a very sensitive sort and might recognize Mashū on some kind of De Ja Vu level and Arufureddo goes into protective Big Brother mode where Mashū is concerned. What do you think of Girushu? Yeah! Iwan's plan for Āsā! Shudder! I don't think that would sit well with anyone D: Unfortunately, I think more angel/demon dinners might have to be put on hold for a while with Iwan finding out about Arufureddo and Āsā DX And Romonsoni is cute! :3 And maybe Rutiano! It's the best I can come up with and, yeah, Warning! Cliffhangers ahead! (Heads up, next weeks is a big one!)
Things take a desperate turn and all hell will break loose. Literally! And lives will be endangered as the situation turns explosive! Time to raise Hell!
Till the next time,
Hasta la Pasta!