Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia: Axis Powers or Black Mirror. All rights go to their creators.

Chapter 14: Apartment Hunting

Vladimir had scheduled two showings, one for yesterday and another today. The apartments were fine, and in his pay range. Lovino would have to check out the area a bit more before he decided though.

They'd just said goodbye to the realtor when some alarm on Vladimir's phone started going off. They were standing just outside of a brownstone apartment.

"Ah! I'm late! I'm sorry I can't stick around guys, I usually go help out on the Eagle Street farm around right now. I totally forgot!" He said after checking his phone.

Lovino raised an eyebrow.

"Oh! They give out free vegetables, don't they? Luddy likes to go there and help out sometimes. He says he likes to get his hands dirty." Feli chimed in.

"Yeah! At the end of each month they give out vegetables for free! But I usually just go out there to help."

"What? A farm here in the city?"

"You know on the rooftop?" Feli raised his arm to demonstrate.

"What!?" He looked back at Vladimir.

Vladimir gave him a small smile, kindness in his ruby red eyes, "Did you want to come with me to see it?"

"You said they gave out free food?"

Vladimir let out a chuckle and nodded.

Feli gave Vladimir a hug before giving Lovino one too. He said he'd just have Ludwig come pick him up, they were going to pick out a place to host the engagement party.

They took a cab over to Greenpoint, Eagle Street, Vladimir was in a hurry because he was already pretty late. Traffic wasn't too backed up considering it was before rush hour. So they were treated to just a little honking.

Apparently the garden was on top of some kind of theatre sound stage. Vladimir tied back his hair with a band from around his arm, as Loving followed him up the concrete stairs to the roof.

When Vladimir pushed open the door and held it for him to step outside, Lovino didn't expect to see actual dirt with rows of lush greenery. It was like a farm on the ground except it overlooked Manhattan. People were picking ripe tomatoes, some were watering a few rows back, and there were two women kneeled down planting seeds in the front rows.

Vladimir walked over to a tent, where gloves, tools, aprons, and hats were being distributed. Lovino watched as he hugged an older woman and exchanged pleasantries.

Lovino wanted something like this for himself, a rooftop garden, maybe not as big or just for vegetables but for flowers too.

Vladimir walked over to him, now wearing gardening attire, and handed him a basket. "Grab as much as you'd like."

Vladimir walked to the front row and started digging out soil to plant onion seeds.

Lovino walked toward the back and plucked a few ripe red tomatoes off the vine. And imagined having planted them himself.

It was a hot and sunny day. He wiped sweat from his brow, nothing to shade him except his own sun hat. His jean covered knees were covered with dirt from crouching down most of the day. Beside him was a basket of tomatoes he'd just picked.

A stray fly buzzed by his ear, and he swatted the air near it.

Creeeeek. He turned, knowing it was the door to the rooftop balcony, it would need to be oiled.

He didn't live alone, Arthur made his way over to him, holding a platter with a pitcher of lemonade, glasses, and cookies.

"You've been out here awhile," Arthur said.

Lovino stood up and grabbed a glass before pouring in some lemonade from the pitcher.

"Yeah, and I was thirsty, so grazie. And you made cookies?"

"I figured you'd like a snack too," he said as Lovino took a few loud and hurried gulps.

He set it back down on the platter, and Arthur took said platter over to another part of the rooftop terrace that was concrete, where they'd set up a small table and chairs. Lovino grabbed a small shovel and moved over to another plot to start planting new seeds.

"Maybe you should take a break."

"I'm fine. A quick drink was all I needed." He waved him off. And then he felt his shade was gone. He frowned and stood back up. Arthur held his hat out of reach even when Lovino got on his tiptoes.

"Fine, fine I'll take a small break, bastard."

Arthur smirked at him before placing his hat back on his head. Lovino crossed his arms a huffed, but was surprised upon Arthur scooping him up to carry him in a bridal style. He freaked out about it at first, but Arthur just laughed at him.

And soon enough Lovino started laughing too. "HOOONNNK!"

"HOOONNNK!" Lovino shook his head, feeling his cheeks warm considerably. He'd been standing in the same spot for a noticeable amount of time. His ears started to burn. Lovino took what he had in his basket and made a beeline toward the door. Vladimir called out a quick goodbye to him, all Lovino could muster was a quick hand raise.

He ran down the stairs, and made his way toward the subway; the burning in his cheeks only calmed down when he stood waiting for the train. He let out a deep sigh.

He pulled out his phone and started looking for apartments that included rooftop gardens.

00000

Lovino found himself knocking on Antonio's door as it was now the end of the week. He'd checked to make sure no one had followed him here. The door opened and Antonio scooped him up into a tight hug, again as though he hadn't seen him nor done the same thing last week.

"Lovi!"

"You just saw me, bastard! Let go of me!"

"I don't see you enough Lovi, you know?" Antonio said letting him go and stepping aside to let him in.

Arthur had what looked like an acoustic guitar in his hands. He was sitting in a folding chair next to an empty one just in front of Antonio's restaurant style window. He set the guitar down next to his chair and stood up.

"I was just going over some basic chords with Arturo. He said he knew how to play the electric bass but it had been awhile. I said he should learn acoustic because it is more romantic." Antonio wiggled his eyebrows.

Lovino rolled his eyes, "I remember when you showed up to Francis's house back when I was in highschool and played outside his window in his backyard."

"Yeah…I did. The neighbors told me to be quiet or they were going to call the authorities." Antonio had that wistful look in his eyes.

Lovino thought it was stupid and cheesy but secretly wanted Antonio to do that to him back then. This was before Francis and Antonio started dating, apparently Francis was playing hard to get or some shit at the time. Something about being non-committal, but Lovino had assumed he was just not interested.

Lovino met the android's gaze, "Did you do a little singing for him?"

"No, I-I'm not sure I sound the same."

"You can sing, Arturo? This is really advanced stuff Lovi! What else can he do?"

"You didn't explain anything to him?" Arthur asked him.

"It's hard to explain, bastard! Why didn't you say anything huh? You're over here learning guitar and shit!"

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know that "I have all of the memories and capabilities of a dead man because of digital replication" was something that came up in regular conversation, as opposed to when Antonio asked you about it directly!"

Lovino was struck silent. That summed it up, it had been jumbled around in his head, him not being able to word it correctly just led to him not saying it at all. But fuck did it sound harsh when he said it out loud.

"Antonio, could you uh…give us a minute or something?"

"Oh! Sí, I have to ask Francis about something. I'll be really quick." Antonio said before going into another room and closing the door.

"Why would you say it like that, huh?" Lovino crossed his arms, gazing at the android again. He could never really tell what was going on behind his eyes, they were always empty and soulless.

"What are you, my mother? It doesn't fucking matter, so who gives a shite if I say that he's dead? He's dead!"

Lovino knew there was sensitivity to be had when speaking of the dead, Arthur for all his yelling was not that careless.

"I don't know, it doesn't matter to you?" Lovino shrugged, voice quieter than before.

"Bloody fucking hell!" Arthur placed his hands on either side of his head, "I've got this bastard's memories and feelings popping up all the time, and I've constantly got to remind myself that none of that is real! I'm trying to carve a space out for myself here, but it doesn't stop me from missing everything I can't go back to all because he's fucking dead!"

Damn. This was another one of those 'Antonio's better suited to hear this' type of things, but Arthur was telling him so he'd have to handle it.

Arthur was breathing quite heavily…which was weird because he didn't have lungs.

"It's ok that you miss them..his–your family. I uh didn't really give you time to process things either, before we left." Lovino muttered.

"It's idiotic, they're not my family or my friends. It's not even my life."

"Well no, not really. But who fucking cares? They're your feelings and shit!" Lovino hit the android on his shoulder.

And then Lovino was pulled into a hug. Again he was shocked by the cold metal of his neck hitting his skin. He patted the android on his back.

Lovino felt his clothes bunching up, as Arthur hugged him even tighter than before. His cheeks warmed with blush, and a minute or so later he was let go of, lost in not being able to read his expression as the two fell silent. Antonio had then emerged from a bedroom.

Antonio made them some gazpacho, a tomato soup with bell peppers and cucumbers. Arthur couldn't eat of course, but Antonio set a bowl in front of him anyway.

"He can't eat, Antonio."

"I've told him that. He insists that I have some anyway and pretend."

"I eat alone most nights, if Francis is not here. Arturo keeps me company, he likes to smell tea, so why not smell food too?" Antonio grinned.

"That's just wasting food Antonio." Lovino said, taking a spoonful.

Antonio shrugged, and Lovino glanced over to see Arthur bring the spoon to his lips as well. Lovino couldn't help but snort. Arthur flipped him off.

"Have you met Francis?" Lovino asked him

"I have met that French bastard with his ugly beard." Arthur muttered.

"Don't say that! You're just jealous you can't grow facial hair." Antonio said with a chuckle.

"I'm not! Really Lovino you were right about him. He dared to imply I was some kind of maid of yours!"

"For cleaning!"

"You know damn well that was not what he was implying."

Lovino choked on his wine, spitting it onto his plate as he coughed. Arthur gave him a few hard smacks on the back. When he could breathe again he furrowed his eyebrows.

"I don't know what he's talking about Lovi. I told him that Arturo cleans for you right?" Antonio had a look of confusion on his face.

"He does sometimes," Lovino said, his throat a little scratchy.

"So he's like a maid!" Antonio said, waving his hands about.

"Fine, whatever, I'm the one who's hearing things." Arthur rolled his eyes.

Lovino decided he would take Arthur back with him. Kiku hadn't come around at all this week, so they were in the clear for now. Who knows how long it would take to search all the pawn shops in the area?

Arthur had the charging platform in the crook of his arm, a hood over his head, and mask over his nose and mouth.

"Maybe you should get your own guitar." Lovino said as they made their way toward the subway.

"I don't think that's necessary. It's just a hobby."

"You're not going to try to become a singer?"

"No. My motivations are presumably different from his, no overachieving brothers, or a desire to have status and riches beyond my means. Those means don't exist for me, no eating or drinking or need for a home."

They settled into silence after that. Lovino was left to wonder, Should I give him back to Kiku? Is it selfish to keep him?

Because what did Lovino really have to offer him? Would Arthur even want to share a life with him? It was one thing to be platonic roommates, but could Arthur even feel romantic feelings?

"What would you rather be doing if you weren't working for Alfred?" Arthur suddenly asked him.

"It doesn't matter." It didn't matter, he had a good thing going at the cafe. Growing tomatoes seemed less important, and less reasonable because apparently rooftop garden apartments were unreasonably expensive. Fucking a million dollars! He'd never make enough in his wildest dreams to afford one.

"Lovino." Lovino didn't like his scold-like tone.

"Just drop it. I don't have any fucking ambitions ok? I'll work there till I die or whatever."

It was embarrassing to say the least that he'd envisioned them tending to the garden, filled with more than just vegetables, together. And with that being almost impossible…

Lovino sighed, shoulders dropping just a little.

And suddenly he felt a grip on his arm, "Come on, I want to take you some place."

The sun was setting over the horizon, soon the stars and the moon would be out.

They were passing city streets and lights that were just coming on. Turning a sharp right before heading into an alleyway, and stopping at a fire escape for an apartment. A familiar apartment now that Lovino thought about it.

Arthur pulled down the ladder to the fire escape before securing it and looking over at him, "Climb on."

"You wanna break into your old apartment?" Lovino was now holding the charging platform.

"No idiot! There's a rooftop terrace."

"Oh, I guess. That looks like a lot of stairs."

"Just get up on the ladder you twat."

Lovino reluctantly climbed the ladder to the first floor platform. Arthur followed him shortly after and he stared, hesitant at going up all those rickety steps.

"Do I have to carry you like a fucking toddler?"

"I'm not so good with heights ok? And that shit don't look sturdy!"

He let out a loud sigh before turning around and kneeling down in the position to give him a piggyback ride. Lovino didn't know if the android was strong enough to carry him at all.

But ultimately he did allow the android to carry him, good thing it was dark, and Lovino was reminded of when he was little and Papa would carry him like this, before it was all about Feli, before Feli could talk and showcase how special he was. In this moment, he felt a sense of safety that he was a bit nostalgic for.

"Don't get used to this, alright?" They started their ascent on the stairs.

"This is fucking embarrassing, who do I look like letting you carry me around? Like I'm a little kid or some shit." Lovino was happy Arthur couldn't see his face, his cheeks warm with blush as he was reminded of his daydream once again.

"Right, exactly."

The rest of the trek was in silence mostly, with Lovino feeling uncomfortable the higher they went. Creak, creak, creak. He could see straight down to the concrete alleyway below through the gaps in the steps.

"Whoa!" Arthur said.

And then he felt them going backwards, he had no choice but to hold onto the android even tighter, and scream, while hoping they didn't fall all the way down to the ground.

"Ahhhhh!" They screamed in unison before Lovino realized they weren't actually going anywhere. He looked around, and they were still in the same spot.

"Fuck, I got you good." And then that bastard was laughing at him. "It's never not funny." He said through bouts of chuckling.

Lovino gave him a few punches on his back, "Fuck you, you fucking bastard."

"I couldn't resist." Arthur said, amusement still in his voice, before he resumed climbing up the stairs.

When they got to the rooftop, Arthur kneeled down again and Lovino got down from off of him. They walked over to the edge and leaned on the terrace wall, overlooking the city's smaller buildings and shops. He could see the cafe from here.

"I don't have any alcohol, but he used to come up here and look at the stars. He'd cry up here too. Maybe it made everything a little less shite, I don't know." Arthur shrugged.

"What did he cry about?" Lovino set the charging platform down by his feet.

"Probably the fact that he was a fucking coward and that he'd rather run away from shite instead of just talking shite out. He was always fucking shite up that way."

Lovino met the android's gaze.

Lovino tsked. "I'm not running from anything."

"I didn't say you were." He let out what sounded like a sigh, "I didn't want to make the same mistakes he did by not letting the people I care about know I care about them. Getting his family some closure, I think, is the only way for me to do that."

"No way, I'm not having Hedervary send out a hitman on me to break my spine."

"You don't have to do anything, I just need the USB drive with all those documents you took from Lionessolutions back in London."

Lovino let out a groan, placing his chin in his hand, "She'll just give you to Honda if she finds out you're snooping around."

Lovino felt the sensation of dumping a pack of ice onto his hand. He flinched, looking down to see Arthur's hand on top of his. Emerald green eyes met his own.

"I'm not going to leave you, I don't care if I'm 'Honda's property'. We made a promise that I intend to keep." His voice was stern.

Cheeks warm, Lovino felt his heartbeat increase, "I-I uh…" It was right on the tip of his tongue. If he could just say it. "...I appreciate that."

Arthur gave him a nod before he turned his gaze to the stars, removing his hand from Lovino's to rest his chin on his own hands. Lovino leaned his head on the android's shoulder as he gazed upward at the twinkling stars.

Lovino let a breath out of his nose and crossed his arms. "Fine, I'll help you. Maybe there's something in those documents that'll make Honda leave us alone."

Arthur chuckled, a small short sound, but didn't say anything else.

00000

Lovino was at the library, he'd brought the flash drive and human Arthur's test results. Arthur said he (human Arthur) had read an abstract or two to write research papers in college. They weren't his forte, but he'd try his best to make sense of it.

Arthur was at the computer next to him, writing in a notebook. He didn't have a library card so he couldn't use the computer. Lovino instead had the flash drive in his computer.

Lovino was reading over the news articles he had downloaded.

Lionessolutions Wins Controversial Lawsuit

In summary the lawsuit was about using Arthur's likeness for the new app, Iggy Two. This was about four years after the study Liên was a part of. Iggy Two had just launched maybe three or four months beforehand. They had agreed not to use Arthur's real name and gave the Kirklands money as a settlement, but ultimately were able to continue to use his likeness.

Lionessolutions Accused of Malpractice

This article was dated a year after the study Liên was a part of. Really burying the lead in this article, it explains how an accident had allegedly killed a young man apparently working at the facility a few days ago. But it was revealed the young man wasn't a typical employee, apparently he had been in an ongoing study to create new technology in virtual companionship. Lionessolutions denied responsibility in the accident and would be conducting an internal investigation into the cause.

Although the scientific community was skeptical, speculating that Lionessolutions had been performing harmful tests on the young man before his death. Stating that it was peculiar that they only tested one person for this "special" study.

Lovino felt the sensation of dumping a pack of ice onto his hand again. He flinched, looking down to see Arthur's hand on top of his, the one holding the mouse.

Arthur moved his hand and by association the mouse. Lovino looked back over to the cursor on the screen, now clicked out of what he had been looking at. Lovino rolled his eyes and begrudgingly opened another file called "copyright."

"I think I get what they were testing him for. Compatibility. He just kind of fit with different types of people; they had five bots that they tweaked with archetypes to see what reaction they'd get from him. Eventually there was a mutual positive connection established with all of them." Arthur said, voice lowered because they were in a library. "So instead of making the bots from scratch to fit the user, they had someone to draw from, a source, a base if you will."

"So it's like working backwards?"

"I guess you could say that. What did you find?"

"That he'd been going back there for a year after the study to presumably do what you were talking about. I think his death was directly the company's fault, but it doesn't say how.

You know they got some fancy lawyers or whatever to deflect blame."

Lovino looked over to meet the android's gaze, a beat of silence passed. The clacking of keyboards and the whirring of the printer were the only sounds going at the moment.

Arthur removed his hand from on top of Lovino's, he'd momentarily forgotten it was there. "You think he was purposely murdered?"

Lovino's mouth gaped open, "A-ah no? It was probably an accident or something. The article said an accident happened. Faulty tech probably."

"If they reacted so strongly to you trying to get this information, it has to be something paramount to their operations."

Lovino bit his lip, an accusation of murder was no small matter. They'd have to have hard evidence before they went to the police about it.

Lovino groaned, "I'll have to talk to Honda."

"He's not going to talk to you about that. Is there someone else you could ask? Ivan maybe?"

"He gives me the fucking creeps! I don't want to talk to him alone. Maybe I'll ask Francis to help me again."

"Francis?"

"Si, my interview with Liên, remember?"

"Right. That might work, although Ivan's usually a private person. Do you think Francis is charismatic enough to get something out of him?"

Lovino shrugged, "Probably."

00000

Lovino was leaning against a chest of drawers that held some tools in Alfred's garage, one morning a couple weeks later. Alfred's townhouse had a garage attached to it. He used it as a space for fixing up his car, and tinkering with robotic shit. He said it was a hobby he picked up in college upon choosing business instead of engineering as a major.

Lovino was holding Arthur's clothes and shoes. But the android was allowed to keep his underwear and undershirt.

Alfred had Arthur on a table, turned off of course, and was cataloging the types of metal and wires Kiku had used to make him. It was really boring, he assumed Alfred would want to look at Arthur's code or processors or whatever but the kid said he was currently only interested in his hardware at the moment.

The fan was the only source of cool air in the garage, but it was now just circulating the hot air around even when it oscillated.

There was a light knock, and a mop of blonde curly hair and violet eyes peeked in the entryway to the garage, "Oh!" Before it disappeared.

"Just give him his coffee already!" Another voice said, before Matthew stumbled into the entryway.

"I didn't want to disturb him, he's got company!"

Alondra appeared next to him, "Lovi?" She peered in his general direction.

"Yeah, yeah. What are you two doing here?"

Alondra stepped through and made her way over to him, she rolled her eyes.

"Alfred always wants fresh Moon Dollar coffee in the morning. It's right by our apartment, so Mattie drops it off on our way to work." Alondra gestured across the table Arthur was on,"What's all this? Don't tell me you're into that robotic shit he's into."

"No! Of course not! I'm just here so he doesn't fuck up or some shit."

Matthew shuffled over to Alfred and handed him a cup, presumably said coffee.

"You work at a cafe, why don't you just get our coffee? It's free!" Lovino said to Alfred who hummed as he took a sip of coffee.

"I like Moon Dollar, it's pulled me through all-nighters. I can't give up on our bond." He shrugged.

"Well, we'll see you at work Al." Matthew said, hooking his arm in Alondra's.

Alondra was still eyeing the table, gaze flickering back to Lovino's shortly.

"Ok, see ya later Mattie and Lonnie!" Alfred started unscrewing one of Arthur's eyeballs before flipping through a worn book and then scribbling something on a notepad.

"Don't call me that! Only Mattie can call me that! I told you!" Alondra pointed at Alfred as Matthew tugged her arm to pull her away.

Alfred chuckled.

"Are you trying to replace us with robot workers? I know you wouldn't be against doing that! Watch your back Lovi!" She continued as she was pulled out of the garage.

"Yeah, you better watch out Lonnie. He might be doing your job next." Alfred grinned, gesturing to the android.

"Lonnie, calm down please. You know Alfred just likes to tease you."

"But like what is that Mattie? The android takeover is coming sooner than we thought!" And that was the last thing he could understand before she was too far away.

Alfred burst into a fit of chuckling, "I was going to say something else but honestly this is way funnier." Alfred turned to him briefly, "I never thought you would be the type to be attached to…well a machine. I mean besides a phone. Did you break him out of a holding cell away from his evil captor at Lionessolutions or something?"

"No, I didn't do anything like that."

"Well, why'd you steal him? It can't be a monetary thing, he'd be sold by now. I'm sure whoever built him, wants him back. Were they doing something horrible, like making him a weapon for the government?"

"What? No. It's not anything like that."

"I saw a movie like that! I don't know why they would give her morality and intelligence if they wanted to have her be a killing machine. Maybe so she would know what side she was on? They wouldn't have had to send soldiers in then; honestly I didn't see the downside."

Lovino furrowed his eyebrows, he wasn't familiar with whatever movie he was talking about.

Alfred pushed the "on" button where Arthur's collarbone would be. The android sat up, "Did you get all that you needed?"

"For today, yeah!" Alfred grinned, "I just have one question, are you some kind of killing machine? Like you got weapons?"

Lovino threw Arthur's clothes at him, and his shoes on the floor by his feet. His sweatshirt hit him in the face. The android sent him a glare that he pretended not to see.

"I don't think I have weapons, but it doesn't mean I couldn't kill you if I wanted to. I could burn your house to the ground and trap you inside."

The room fell silent for a beat, except the whirring of the fan.

Alfred let out a loud boisterous laugh, "I see why you wanna keep him around Lovino!" To which Arthur rolled his eyes. Lovino rolled his eyes as well.

Lovino begrudgingly said goodbye to Alfred and that he'd see him at work later this afternoon. He'd had a bit of coffee and he planned to take a siesta before going in for his regular shift.

Arthur muttered, "Your boss is a bit odd," on their walk back to the subway.

"No shit, Sherlock."

The sun was beaming down on them. Lovino wiped sweat off of his brow, no hint of a breeze in the air.

"I wouldn't be able to work under him, I'd be fired for throttling him two seconds in."

They went down into the subway, paid, and had just stepped onto the train going to their apartment. Lovino hummed in agreement.

"Did you end up finding a place you liked? You said you visited another apartment earlier in the week?" Arthur asked, hand gripping the above handle. Lovino gripped the one next to him.

"Nah, I didn't like this one, but I'll call Berwald and ask him if he's willing to rent out a room for me next week. Feli moves out at the end of the month, I fucking feel like I won't find a place in time!" Lovino started biting on a hangnail.

The train jostled them around, the car was quite full, and there wasn't much room.

"I'm sure you'll find something. If not, I'm sure Antonio wouldn't mind housing you. Or hell, even your brother's boyfriend should."

"I'm not going to do that. Francis is almost always around, and I can't stand Ludwig. He'll definitely want me to give you back to Honda, fucking narc."

The train screeched to a halt, stopping a bit too abruptly and Loving stumbled forward. Arthur caught him around the waist, preventing him from falling face first onto the floor.

"Are you falling for me, already?" Arthur let out a chuckle.

Lovino felt his ears burning. He squirmed and tried to straighten up and grab the handle with both hands. "Tch, in your dreams."

"I can't even have dreams… or nightmares. I kind of forgot about them actually." Lovino turned to look back at him, "I know that's not what you meant." His hand was still resting on Lovino's waist quite comfortably, he noted.

Lovino let go of the above handle, and leaned back against him, crossing his arms, "Do you have to be so down all the time?" Arthur wrapped his arm around him to make sure he wouldn't be jostled around too much; their stop would be coming up soon.

"I didn't say I missed having them. Besides, my dreams are already real."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Constructive criticism welcome.