The other day, my dad said something amazing. I walked into the house and he looks at me and says, "Have you ever heard of Night Vale?" I think I almost died. I managed to stay calm and said "Yeah. Why?" His answer: "I saw a picture of that eye with the moon thing and thought it looked cool so I looked it up and I've been listening to it. It's fucking hilarious." So that is how my father entered a fandom that I didn't show him. I'm so proud. *tears*
Lastly, I love how all of the reactions in the reviews for last chapter where something along the lines of: GILLLLLLBIRDDDDDDD! XD
"… We shouldn't be here…." Lovino muttered to himself as he stood in back next to Antonio. Currently, the entire group was on their way to the pet store, since Feliciano wanted to 'look for a new friend too but it wasn't fair not to include everyone'. "Should just turn right around and go back home…. Not too damn late to change our minds now…"
Antonio laughed. "Oh, come on, Lovi. Maybe you'll find something you like!" he said. "You never know!"
Gilbert was talking with Matthew about what kind of pet he should get, while Feliciano had attached himself to Ludwig's arm and was chattering away about adorable pets and pet names.
"Veh~! Pasta would be a good name for a little Golden Retriever~!" he said. "It's fur would be the same color and it would be so cute~!"
"Er…. If you say so…." Ludwig awkwardly said. "But… doesn't pasta come in different colors too….?"
"Si~! But it's mostly yellow so it would still work~!" Feliciano said, almost bouncing with joy that Ludwig knew that pasta could come in different colors.
"Er….. Well…." Ludwig said awkwardly again. Just how did he end up in a conversation like this…?
"It's not that, dammit!" Lovino sighed then moved in front of the Spanish vampire to stop him. Whispering, he said, "Tell me the damn truth. What do me and Feliciano REALLY smell like…?"
Antonio blinked. "What do you smell like...?" he repeated, not understanding the question.
Lovino nodded and glared at the vampire's stupidity. "Si… The damn ANIMAL we both smell like….? And what we 'turn' into once a damn month….? Ring any bells, bastardo?"
The Spaniard nodded. "Si. But... What about it...?" he asked, utterly confused.
Lovino groaned and gestured at the pet store. "That's what we're going to smell like to ALL those damn animals in there. At best, they'll just be wary of us… But…. Most likely those damn things are going to freak out…." He tailed off at that. "We don't belong in there…."
Antonio's eyes softened. "Well, you should still try. You never know. Maybe they'll realize you're friendly."
Before Lovino could respond, Feliciano squealed in excitement. "We're here~!" and rushed towards the door.
Lovino paused then sighed. "I had a damn HORSE try to kick me on a field trip back in Italy. You seriously that 'being friendly' is going to work?"
Antonio took Lovino's hand and squeezed it slightly. "Everything is in cages. Nothing is going to hurt you. Don't worry," he said, then led the Italian into the shop.
Feliciano was crouched by the puppy cages. The little animals were tripping all over themselves to reach him as he giggled and petted them. "Luddy~! They are so cute~!" he squealed.
Gilbert had disappeared into the bird section.
Ludwig walked over next to the Italian and looked down at the puppies. "Ja… They are, aren't they?" He said as he put his hand up against the side to let the puppies smell his hand.
Lovino continued to cling to Antonio as they walked through the store, then jumped a little in surprise as a large tortoise started to approach them, causing Lovino to growl lowly at it.
Antonio, however, had a far different reaction. He gasped loudly and rushed to the animal. "Guys! Guys!" he yelled, scoops the tortoise into his arms. "Look! Look! I'm going to get this one! He's perfect!" The Spaniard's face was glowing with happiness as the little creature in his arms nibbled at his fingers.
Feliciano laughed, gave the puppy in his arms one last pet, then set it back down and stood up. The puppies all began to whine and whimper and the werewolf checked to make sure no one was around before leaning down close and growling gently. Instantly the noises stopped and the puppies simply licked him then curled up in a big pile and fell asleep.
Ludwig blinked then turned to Feliciano confused. "What did you just tell them?"
"Veh~. I just told them not to worry. They're scared of being separated. So I told them that they will all find wonderful homes with new families that will give them lots of love~! So they don't need to be scared~!" Feliciano said, smiling.
"Ah….." Ludwig answered as he glanced at the puppies. "That was very nice of you to do that, then. But... Uh... I didn't know you could talk to dogs…"
The Italian laughed. "I didn't either~!"
"Well…. I guess dogs and wolves ARE in the same family….." Ludwig muttered to himself.
"Oh HELL no, dammit! What the fuck is WRONG with you!" Lovino demanded and backed away from the tortoise holding vampire, ending up backing all the way into the cat cages. "That damn thing so WAY too fucking huge!"
"B-But... I love him... He's so cute..." Antonio whimpered, hugging the tortoise to his chest "I'm going to name him Eltio!"
The cat in the cage Lovino had run into suddenly approached the Italian, meowing at him, somehow managing to sound irritated after being woken up from his nap. It stood in front of the werewolf, it's tail flicking back and forth, a curl coming out of it's furry head that looked strikingly familiar...
Lovino went to retort but stopped when he heard the meow and turned to look at the cat then blinked. "….. What the hell is on that damn cat's head….?"
"It looks like a curl. Like your curl! Lovi! You should get this cat!" Antonio said. Another mew caused both people and the disgruntled cat to look over. There was a second cat in the cage that looked just like the one in front of the couple, only this one had a curl of hair that looked like Feliciano's. It blinked at them sleepily, it's honey amber eyes watching them in confusion. The Lovino-Cat, as Antonio had begun to call it in his mind, meowed at it's brother softly.
"Lovi! You and Feli need to get these cats! They even have the same eye color as you two!" the Spaniard insisted.
Lovino shot Antonio a quick glare. "Hell no! Remember what's in two days bastard? You want us to accidentally EAT them or something?!" He said as quickly and quietly as he could. "And plus," He added as he pointed at the cat with the right upturned curl and put his finger right up against the bar of the cage. "That damn thing hates my fucking guts and you know it."
In the next second, Feliciano appeared at Lovino's side, squealing over the adorable kittens. "Fratello~! This one looks like you~!" he said, scooping the baby animal into his arms and holding him out to his twin. The cat hissed but didn't squirm, and it gave Lovino a look that clearly said 'help me'.
Lovino groaned as he took the cat, but instead of holding it, set him back in the cage. "We CAN'T get these damn cats, Feliciano. Remember what's going to happen in two days?"
Ignoring his brother, Feliciano picked up the other kitten and cuddled it close, cooing at it softly. The fuzzy creature looked up at him with the same sleepy stare it had given Antonio and Lovino a few minutes ago. It mewed and snuggled closer. One look at Feliciano's face and you knew that this cat was not staying in that store any longer. Of course, the kitten's brother was balancing itself against the glass, meowing for it's brother. So if the one Feliciano was holding left, so was it.
Lovino growled then scooped up the one in the cage again. "Fine, dammit! Take the damn thing home! But don't you DARE start bitching at me when you accidentally eat it!"
The cat growled softly then shifted into a more comfortable position, laying his head on Lovino's arm. Feliciano squealed again with happiness and he hugged the kitten close. "I'm going to name him Gino~!" he decided.
"You do that, dumbass," Lovino grumbled with an eye roll then glanced down at the kitten in his own arms. "Guess this bastard's name is Gio… Since they look like fratelli and all," He mumbled and gently pet one of Gio's ears.
The newly dubbed Gio purred lowly and turned his head a bit into Lovino's hand. Feliciano cooed at his kitten happily. "Aww~. Cute little Gino~. You and your fratello are going to come and live with me and my fratello~! It'll be so much fun and you'll like it! I promise~!"
"Dammit, Feliciano. They're both cats, not a couple of damn babies. So knock that baby talk shit off," Lovino muttered with an exasperated look on his face from his twin's actions.
Suddenly, Gilbert was behind Ludwig. "I have found the most awesome pet ever!" he yelled, pointing at his hair where something... yellow was nestled.
Ludwig blinked as he did a double take. "Gilbert….? What is that in your hair….?"
"The most awesome chick ever!" the albino declared, reaching up and gently scooping the little puff ball into his hands. "Ludwig, meet Gilbird!"
"Gilbert…. Why a bird….?" Ludwig sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Because they are awesome! This little guy just recognized my awesomeness and jumped into my hair! I'm keeping him!"
"Feli…? What the hell are you going to do if nonno says no?" Lovino spoke up as he glanced over at his twin.
Feliciano froze for a second then turned so his back was to his twin as he hugged the kitten to his chest. "... He won't say no."
"Feliciano… Think this through will you. What are you going to do with the damn thing on the full moon?" Lovino asked with a sigh in his voice.
Feliciano remained silent as he pet Gino, the tiny kitten asleep in his arms.
"Unless you can think of a damn way to keep them safe and out of the way, then we can't get them," Lovino said sternly, although feeling a little guilty over the fact that he HAD to be like this. "It's too damn dangerous for them otherwise." Then he paused and said, "Unless…. we go talk to the Chinese bastard... He said he can talk to animals…."
Feliciano turned, tears beginning to well up in his eyes, although they hadn't started to fall yet. "W-What good will that do?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"The bastard... can… explain it to them… Maybe get them to understand too…" Lovino answered as he softly petted Gio's head.
Feliciano sniffed. "W-What if he can't?"
"Then we'll find another way, dammit."
"... I want to keep him..."
Lovino nodded and set his hand on his twin's shoulder. "I know, dammit. We'll take care of it."
Feliciano nodded and smiled at his brother. "Grazie, fratellone."
"… Prego…" Lovino mumbled as he glanced away.
Alfred came crashing towards the twins, a lump of fur in his arms. "Look! Look! I'm getting a cat to! Check this guy out! His fur looks like glasses! That's so cool!" he said excitedly.
"Veh~! What are you going to name him, Alfred?" Feliciano asked, moving his kitten out of harms way.
"Probably something stupid as hell…" Lovino grumbled as he moved away and shot a glare at the tortoise in Antonio's arms.
"No I won't! I'm naming him..." Alfred stopped and thought a second before his eyes brightened. "Americat!"
"That's a great name, Al~!" Feliciano chirped.
"What kind of fucked up name is THAT for an animal…?" Lovino deadpanned.
Alfred held the cat in the air, facing Lovino. "It's an awesome name! Just look at this little guy!" The slightly over-weight kitten starred at Lovino's kitten. It mewed over at him, his tail flicking happily.
Lovino stared at it. "Great… It's a fatass. Just like the bastard standing in front of me."
"Hey!" Alfred said reproachfully, hugging the kitten to him. "Leave Americat alone!"
"And you're not even denying it…" Lovino muttered with an eye roll.
"Shut up!" Alfred whined. "Feli! Make him leave Americat alone! He's not fat!"
"Aww, leave the kitty alone fratello. It's so cute~!" Feliciano said, going over to the American. "Look, Gino~. A new friend~." Gino tilted it's head and sniffed at Americat curiously while the other did the same.
"….. You're not going to want to do that shit too... Are you bastard?" Lovino asked the kitten in his arms as he looked down at Gio.
The cat gave Lovino a look and made a noise almost like laughter before adjusting slightly and laying back down.
"Good," Lovino muttered then poked his twin's shoulder. "Hey, dumbass. You want to go see the Chinese bastard now? And we still need to get the cat shit too."
Feliciano made a noise back at his brother, to engrossed in cuddling his new pet. But when Lovino started towards the front anyways, he followed.
"O-Oh… You found something…?" Matthew asked as the two almost walked right into him. But when the twins got a better look, both did a double take.
"Is that… a fucking BEAR…?" Lovino sputtered in shock.
"W-Well… Yes… He looked so lonely in here that I…" Matthew mumbled as he looked down at the bear, who in turn looked back up at Matthew and asked, "Who are you?"
Feliciano squealed and jumped back. "He's talking!"
"I-I know… I thought that was a little different," Matthew replied with a smile. "I already paid for him him… But… For some reason he can't remember my name…"
"Veh. What's his name?" Feliciano asked, over his momentary fright. The little polar bear cub was actually quite adorable.
"It's Kumajiro," Matthew answered then paused. "No… Wait…. Or maybe it's Kumajiki…. Or Kumajaro….."
"Can we GO now..?" Lovino grumbled in a loud enough tone to be heard.
"No, wait! Where is Francis and Gilbert?" Feliciano cried, looking around.
"…. Leave the bastards," Lovino retorted. "Right, Gio?"
The kitten looked up and nodded, mewing.
"Aww~! So cute~! Gio understand fratello~! What about you, Gino~? Do you understand me~?" Feliciano asked, nuzzling his own kitten. Gino licked Feliciano's nose and the Italian boy giggled.
"The little bastard's probably just trying to get you to shut up," Lovino complained. "NOW can we go?"
"No! I still need to find Gilbert and Francis!" Feliciano said, turning and going back to where they had come from.
"Why do you want to even find the bastards anyway? Just leave them here," Lovino grumbled as he followed after his twin.
"Oh~! Gilbert~! Francis~!" Feliciano called, bouncing over to the duo. Gilbert's new pet was again snuggled into his hair securely and the "Prussian" boy turned and smirked.
"Hey, Feels. Check out mein awesome new bird," he said, pointing at Gilbird. Gino blinked up at the animal, his tail swishing while Gilbird watched the two cats carefully.
"Ooh~! I see that you both picked up a couple of new friends~," Francis purred as he held the bunny in his arms. "And what CUTE friends they are~."
"Oh, go die in a fucking ditch, you bastard…." Lovino spat then turned to his twin. "There. You found them. Let's GO already dammit."
"Are you getting that bunny?" Feliciano asked, ignoring his brother for a second time.
Gio's ears went back against his head when he saw the Frenchman and he hissed.
"Oui~! Of course I am. It's very cute, non?" Francis said then pouted at the hiss. "Aw…. He doesn't like me…"
"Good for him," Lovino growled. Then he poked the cat's ear and said, "Gio. When you get the fucking chance, bite BOTH of those bastards will you?"
Gio mewed and licked his hand.
Feliciano smiled. "Okay~!" he chirped. Then he gently took the bunny and bird and started towards the front. The three animals in his arms blinked at each other in confusion as Feliciano walked to the check out. "I'm buying these three~!" he cheerfully informed the clerk who smiled.
"… Feliciano….? What the HELL are you doing?!" Lovino demanded as he stomped over to his twin and grabbed his shoulder. "Well?! Fucking answer me!"
"Veh! Get off!" Feliciano whined, shaking his brother off. He handed over the money, then took the animals back to Francis and Gilbert. The bird instantly settled back into Gilbert's hair. "What did you name your bunny, Francis?" the Italian asked.
"Hmm… How about… Angleterre. Oui… That sounds VERY nice~," Francis purred as he hugged the rabbit close.
Lovino quickly paid for Gio then grabbed his twin's arm again. "Come on, dammit. We wanted to see the Chinese bastard, remember?"
"Si~! Let's go see Yao~!" Feliciano agreed, cuddling Gino. "Ciao, guys~! We'll see you all later~!" After hearing various farewells, the twins took off towards Yao's shop.
"Is… the bastard even in….?" Lovino asked as the two reached the front of the store. "I guess he should… It IS a work day for him after all…"
"Let's see~!" Feliciano said. He went up to the door and pushed on it. The door opened with a soft creek. "Looks like it~! Come on, fratello~!" The younger brother bounced into the store, Gino still held close and gently in his arms. "Yao~! Mr. Yao~!"
"You in here, you bastard?" Lovino called out as he held onto Gio and also covered his own nose so he wouldn't breathe in too much of the air from the store. "We want to talk you about something!"
"I'm in the back, boys! Come in!" Yao's voice called.
Taking deep breaths, Feliciano and Lovino rushed through the front room into the back store room.
Finally, they both reached the back while taking deep gulps of air. "Why... the hell do you always keep your damn store smelling that strong?!"
Yao smiled. "It keeps people out. If I had known you were coming, I would have aired it out for you, aru," he said. The Chinese man had been talking to some plants that were growing. They were growing larger before the twins' eyes.
"…. What the hell are those damn things…?" Lovino asked as he watched.
"This? It's just mint. I wanted tea," Yao said. "But what can I do for you boys, aru? I see you have new friends."
"That's what we're here about," Lovino said then held Gio up so Yao could get a better look. "We just got them, but…. We're not sure how they'll take a few days from now…. With the full moon…. and us... well..."
The nature spirit nodded. "You want to explain to them what will happen?" he asked.
Feliciano copied his twin and held Gino up. "Si, per favore," he said.
Lovino nodded and set Gio down near Yao. "Si. We thought maybe you could do it since you can talk to them. We weren't sure what else to do."
"Alright. I can do that. If you want to, you boys can bring them here that night. I'll leave the door in back open. The back yard leads right into the forest. You can bring them if you want and no one will see you. You can pick them up in the morning or Kiku can bring them over," Yao offered, gently stroking Gio's head. Surprisingly, the kitten purred and nuzzled the hand. Feliciano set Gino next to his brother.
"Veh~. Grazie mille for doing this, Yao~! It's really nice of you~!" he chirped.
"Grazie…." Lovino mumbled as he watched the kittens. Then he asked, "W-Well… Are you going to talk to them now…? Nonno's expecting us back home soon."
"Yes, yes, aru. Don't worry," Yao said to them. Then, the Chinese spirit turned to the to little creature and made a soft sound in the back of his throat. Both animals stopped whatever they were doing and looked up at him. Yao began to make a series of soft sounds, pausing every now and then to let one of the kittens mew. Finally, he straightened. "Alright. It's done. They are ready and know what to expect. You don't have to worry."
Feliciano scooped Gino into his arms and cuddled his kitten close to his chest. "Thanks you so so so so so so so so SO much, Yao~! I'm happy Gino and Gio won't be scared on the full moon now~!" he said, rubbing Gino's belly with the tips of his fingers.
Lovino gently picked up Gio and held him close and started petting him. "They fucking accepted it…? Just like that…? Did you even tell them what we'll turn into?" He asked skeptically.
"Of course I did," Yao said. "They could already smell that you two aren't normal so it wasn't that hard for them to figure it out. And they trust you boys. Cats don't trust just anyone you know."
"Aww~. Do you trust me, Gino~? Do you~? Do you~?" Feliciano cooed, playing with the tiny kitten as Gino batted at his fingers.
"How the hell should I know, dammit….? Never had a fucking cat before…" Lovino mumbled then glanced down at the kitten and gently poked him in the side. "If you can already smell it, then why the hell would you fucking trust me? If I didn't drink that damn potion I could end up eating you, dammit."
Gio seemed to glare up at Lovino, not liking being poked. The kitten turned his head and nipped the Italian's hand lightly, licking the spot immediately after.
"He said, 'Sorry, but stop that.' " Yao translated.
"Whatever, dammit." Then Lovino turned back to look at Feliciano. "Come on, dumbass. We need to get back home." He paused and smacked his forehead with his free hand. "No... Wait... Shit. We need to pick up the potion first. Do you have it bastard?"
Yao nodded. "Yes. It's up front. Shall we get it?" he suggested, moving towards the front of the shop, the twins following after him. The nature spirit had the two wait outside the store while he got the potion.
"Veh~. Yao is so nice to do this for us~," Feliciano said. Gino snuggled down into his arms and fell asleep.
"Si…." Lovino answered as he absentmindedly petting Gio who also fell asleep. "Wonder how nonno's going to take having these two bastards in the house with us."
"He'll love them~!" Feliciano said.
"Of course the bastard will…" Lovino retorted with an eye roll. "Dammit… Wish that bastard would hurry up with the fucking potion…."
"I'm right here, Lovino," Yao said with a small laugh, appearing behind the Italian werewolf.
Lovino instantly let out a startled yelp as he jumped back in surprise. "W-What the hell, you bastard?!"
Yao handed the bottles to the twins and laughed again. "I'm sorry, aru. I couldn't help it. It was to tempting," he said.
Feliciano giggled. "It was funny," he agreed.
"Bastard…." Lovino muttered as he put his away. "Come on, Feli. We need to get home. Grazie again, bastard. Even if you ARE an asshole sometimes…" Then he turned and walked off.