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

Chapter 9: Butterflies

Arthur was doing some overtime, having taken over Lili's shift. Lili had given him a rolling pin, and Arthur decided he would give her a gift next Christmas.

Lovino was eating a blue frosted flower shaped cookie from the display case. They were leftover from the morning shift. Valeriu was running late.

Arthur had started noticing a few idiosyncrasies of his fellow barista. He liked two packets of sugar in his coffee, was prone to biting his lip when in deep thought, and had a bit of a slouch to his walk.

Lovino met his gaze, causing him to look down, and twist the ring on his middle finger. He felt Lovino boring holes into the side of his face, and tried not to move. Arthur hoped he wasn't blushing, as seconds felt like hours in this stifled silence. He'd been getting caught like this for a while now, but usually if he ignored Lovino long enough a customer would come in and break the tension.

Apparently it was a game of chicken, Lovino stopped asking why and decided he would just stare back probably because it made Arthur visibly uncomfortable. Anything was better than having to continue to come up with excuses as to why his gaze lingered on the brunet longer than it needed to sometimes. So he'd endure this weird little ritual.

The bell, above the entrance to the café, jingled and in walked Valeriu. He looked out of breath as he walked up to the counter.

"I'm sorry I'm late! I didn't think it would take that long, but guess what!"

"Your tarot cards said you'll finally get a boyfriend?" Lovino asked.

"No, I didn't read mine…for romance yet. But don't you see something different about me?" Valeriu fluttered his eyelashes, hands on his cheeks.

"You got new contacts?" Lovino guessed and Valeriu shook his head, grin on his lips.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and studied his face for anything different about him…a little diamond on his left nostril.

"You got a nostril piercing."

"Bingo! Just like you! Now we're twins!" Valeriu pushed their cheeks together, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

Lovino pretended to gag, "Now you both look stupid."

Arthur looked over at Valeriu. "He's just jealous, Valeriu." His gaze flickered back to Lovino, "I bet you're scared to get your ears pierced."

"Im not fucking scared! I don't need them pierced!" Lovino's cheeks were a dark scarlet hue.

"It'll take a few months to heal, they said," Valeriu said, letting Arthur go. "I definitely don't want it to get infected. But I'm so excited!" Valeriu let out a giggle before going back into the locker room.

Lovino gripped his earlobes, "They're fine the way they are, bastard." He muttered.

Arthur grinned, "Did someone tell you how painful it was or was it the risk of infection that got you?"

"Neither! Leave me alone!"

"How's your pain tolerance? Are you scared you'll burst into tears in front of everyone?"

Arthur reached over and pinched Lovino's arm, causing him to flinch, "Ow! Ow!" Arthur dodged an oncoming slap.

Arthur felt stares and realized they had customers. He turned to hear the order of a short raven haired man wearing sunglasses, a "Kiku" before sliding the matcha latte order to Lovino.

And then a woman wearing glasses ordered an iced vanilla latte, named "Janet." She wanted a toasted bagel sandwich. Arthur had to go to the kitchen and let Valeriu know about the sandwich.

00000

Lovino had gone on break, and it had been almost two hours, so Arthur had gone to find him. It was almost time for Arthur to get off of his shift.

"I don't get how a guy like Antonio could become "boring." Lovino said, from a supply closet, presumably on the phone.

Curious, Arthur listened by the door.

"Fuck I don't know Feli, it's been about a couple of months, probably not. You need to come up with something to say to him! Damnit I'm at work!"

There was a pause.

"And that's why it's so hard to just kick him out! I don't want him throwing a fit at me! Get your damn boyfriend to throw him out!"

Another pause.

"I thought he'd be over that shit by now. There's more options in the sea and shit."

A final pause.

"Shut your damn mouth, Feli."

Arthur decided that he'd done enough eavesdropping and knocked on the door. "I-I was looking for something! I'll be out in a second, damnit."

Soon the door opened to Lovino, who had what looked like a package of napkins in his hand.

"So…how's your friend Antonio doing?"

"Fine or whatever." Lovino moved past him and returned to his station at the counter. He refilled the napkin holder.

"I heard that you're having a bit of a problem with him being on your couch." Arthur leaned back against the counter.

"Fucking nosey ass bastard," He muttered, beginning to grab more cups out of the bottom cabinet.

"The only way he'll leave is if he knows he's a burden on you."

"Did I say I needed your advice?"

"Or I could force him out myself."

"No offense but aren't you like 90 pounds soaking wet?" Lovino said, stacking the cups onto the counter, his back to him.

Arthur wrapped his arms around Lovino from behind and hoisted him up a little.

"Let go of me you bastard! Alright! Kick him out for me!" He squirmed and wiggled around before Arthur set him back down. Lovino was heavier than he looked.

When Lovino got off of work and they shut down the cafe for the night, Arthur joined Lovino on his trip to his home.

"Do I owe you for this too?" Lovino asked as they walked to the subway.

"No, not for this one. Let's say I felt bad for bearing witness to such an embarrassing display of public rejection."

Lovino let out a dry snort out of his nose, "Grand gestures are stupid huh?"

"Yes, they are."

"At least we can agree on one thing."

Silence settled between them, as the stars twinkled above, the moon just a sliver of a crescent above in the sky. Arthur stuffed his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket as he stepped around some broken glass.

He was going over to Lovino's home as though they weren't at each other's throats just a little while ago. Do you typically let someone who you have mutual hatred for into your home? Maybe Lovino really was desperate.

"You really think Antonio will respond better to me throwing him out than to you just talking to him?"

"I've never seen him like this before…I don't want to break him, he's all fragile right now." Lovino stuffed his hands into a hooded jumper he was wearing.

"He's not a vase."

"Shut up, you know what I mean!"

Arthur didn't really, he was never afraid to speak his mind if something was bothering him, not something in the realm of romance mind you but certainly annoyance.

And then silence was brought upon them again. Lovino was biting his lip, seemingly pensive. Arthur had to increase his pace to keep up as Lovino started trotting down the stairs of the entrance to the subway.

Arthur dug into his pocket for his phone to load more money onto his card. Lovino swiped his card and walked through.

It took a minute or so to go through, by then a crowd of people were waiting for the train.

Lovino pushed himself off of the tiled wall when Arthur went through the turnstile.

"It's usually crowded, it's the last rush before midnight, so we most likely won't get a seat." Lovino said.

"I don't have a problem standing."

"Oh right, you're not going to be dwarfed by everyone, so of course it's not a fucking problem."

Arthur wasn't tall by any means, but Lovino was a bit shorter than average.

Arthur clicked his teeth, "What happens if I lose you in the crowd?"

Lovino rolled his eyes, "Pray that you don't."

They were packed like sardines, forced to hold the overhead rails, as they were jostled around by the train. Arthur was a bit nervous to lose Lovino with the people surrounding them being at level or an inch taller than himself.

He gripped the man's hood.

Lovino was so close, Arthur could smell whatever cologne he was wearing. Something warm and earthy like cedarwood. He wouldn't dare ask what kind but would remember it as distinctly Lovino's.

Lovino told him that the next stop was theirs and he followed the disgruntled Italian out of the train car.

"You can let go now, I'm not your damn bambino." Heat warmed Arthur's cheeks as he hastily unfurrowed the hood bunched in his fist.

Arthur tried to think of a retort but Lovino had already remarked on his small stature. "You were really scared we'd get separated?" Lovino's expression was now a shit eating grin.

"I would've gone back home if we had. I'd rather not waste my fare."

His grin didn't fade, "I think you just want to see where I live, you creep."

"I do not! I'm doing you a favor!"

They walked about a block to Lovino's flat, he let them in, after fumbling with his keys for a moment, and they stepped into an elevator.

When Lovino opened the door to his flat he saw Feliciano eating popcorn on the couch in front of the telly.

"Lovi! Oh! And you brought Arthur with you? Ciao!" Feliciano waved frantically.

Arthur gave him a nod in acknowledgement.

"Since you're not gonna deal with the problem, I will." Lovino motioned for Arthur to come in and led him to what looked like a bedroom.

After Lovino flicked a switch by the door, light flooded the dark room with clothes strewn about. There on the bed huddled in a lump under multiple blankets was Antonio, probably.

Lovino pushed Arthur into the room, and stood peeking in from the doorway.

Arthur frowned and stalked up to the bed. This is ridiculous. Arthur gripped the sheets and gave them a hard yank, causing the bundle to fall onto the floor with a loud thump!

Antonio's scruffy head of hair, and T-shirt clad chest were exposed to him upside down.

His eyes were red, probably from crying, but he looked understandably shocked to see him.

"Why did you do that? Lovi, what's this maldito doing here?"

Antonio looked past him at Lovino who shrunk back behind the door frame.

"They're too scared to say they don't want you bumming around here anymore. So I'm doing it now."

Antonio scrambled up from the floor, "That's not true! I'm not a burden!" He looked quite manic, dark circles under his eyes, sloppily shaved mustache, sweat gleaming off his skin. He also smelled like a sweaty arse.

"You've been here for two months mate, you've got to move on."

"I can't go back there! Francis's stuff is there and everything reminds me of him!" Antonio dropped to his knees, and gripped the bottom of Arthur's shirt. "Don't make me, por favor."

"Hey now, you could throw that shite right in the rubbish bin. Or burn it. That'd be therapeutic as hell."

"F-francis is A-ah th-therapist!"

"…Oh fuck." Antonio started crying and Arthur realized his mistake in his choice of words.

"You're making shit worse bastardo!"

"Get your arse in here!"

"What did I bring you here for then?"

With a frustrated grunt he pried Antonio's hands from his shirt. Antonio crumpled onto the floor in a pile of limbs. Arthur crouched down. He grabbed Antonio and hoisted him across his shoulders in a fireman's carry.

"Are you fucking happy now?" Arthur was breathing quite heavily, and both siblings were staring at him with wide eyes as he stepped out into the living room.

"Did you guys really want me out this much? Lo siento." Antonio muttered against Arthur's right shoulder. "I really have been a terrible guest."

"I uh gave Francis his stuff back weeks ago." Lovino crossed his arms. "I didn't clean or no shit like that, just dumped his shit in boxes."

"Oh Lovi. Gracias."

"Could you maybe put Antonio down please?" Feliciano spoke up then.

Arthur's back was going to give out any minute so yeah that probably was a good idea. He leaned over and Antonio planted his feet on the floor. He ran over to Lovino to hug him.

"I didn't mind you staying but you can't just stop going to work idiota! You can't just lie in Feli's bed forever." Lovino continued.

Arthur took this as his cue to leave, once he was out in the hallway he was halted by a tug on his jacket sleeve.

"I made some cannoli earlier, want to take some home?" Feliciano asked, "Don't tell Lovi I let you take them," he whispered that last part.

Arthur took the plastic bag handed to him.

Feliciano smiled at him before he went back inside. How…nice, but the little bugger still weirded him out.

Arthur took the elevator down and was about to leave when he heard some loud breathing sounds. "Fuck! Shit you were just going to leave without us exchanging numbers."

Arthur slipped the cannoli into his jacket before turning around to face Lovino. He raised an eyebrow.

Lovino was leaning heavily against the wall, slumped over trying to catch his breath. Arthur could assume he ran down the stairs to catch him.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "You're really out of shape, you should lay off the cupcakes, yeah?"

Lovino seemed to ignore his comment. "I-I just wanted to make sure you got home ok. It's really fucking late, you know? I don't want to have to cover your shifts cause you went missing."

How thoughtful of the little weasel.

Arthur dug into his pocket for his phone, "All this time, and you could've asked earlier." He handed it to Lovino who patted his pockets and realized he'd left his phone upstairs.

"Fucking shitballs. I'm not going back upstairs to get it." He added himself as a contact. Arthur could see the slight reddening of his ears as he handed the phone back.

"Bye idiot." Arthur swiveled on his heels, leaving the other man in the lobby who blew a raspberry at him in response.

Arthur took the subway home, there was enough space to sit this time around. And when he walked up the steps to his flat, fag between his teeth, he texted Lovino that he'd made it back in one piece.

00000

Arthur was on his couch on a Sunday morning eating a bag of cheesy crisps and watching his DVD of Doctor Who season 10. His phone dinged, he checked his phone to see he'd gotten a text from Lovino.

Lovino: My idiota of a brother is dragging me to an art show, Francis would usually come but he's decidedly out of "our" friend group for now. I know you don't have anything else better to do.

Arthur: You don't. And what makes you think I want to?

Lovino: You like crafts, and you look like an artsy bastard.

Arthur doesn't really know what that means. Because he's punk? And queer? And a musician? Is that artsy?

He's never been into professional art, it seemed like a place for snobs. Where they discussed symbolism and the abstract in a convoluted way to other those who "don't get it."

Arthur: Don't you have literally anyone else to ask?

Lovino: No. Gilbert is forcing Antonio to help him build a few birdhouses and I'd rather die than do that shit.

Alonda has a hair appointment.

Arthur: It's still a no.

Lovino: I'll just cash in my other favor.

Arthur let out a sigh and leaned his head back against the couch.

Arthur: What time should I be expecting you?

At least these favors were over, they wouldn't have to be in contact with each other outside of work ever again.

And so Arthur, Lovino, and his brother Feliciano took the subway to the Metropolitan Art Museum. They managed to catch seats, Lovino being in the middle of them. Feliciano asked him how the cannoli were before remembering that it was supposed to be a secret.

"You said you gave them to Antonio! You promised I'd have next batch, but I'd let it go cause…you know. What'd you do that for huh?"

Feliciano wrung his hands together, bashful in nature. "To say 'Grazie.'

Arthur ate those cannoli quicker than he would have liked. They tasted heavenly, and he found himself licking the bottom of the bag for some leftover cream like a starving dog.

"What are you trying to do huh?"

"I can't be nice to your friend Lovi?"

"We're not friends!"

"I'm actually here against my will." Arthur said, leaning over Lovino.

Feliciano scrunched up his face. Arthur wasn't sure what expression that was.

"Did you like the damn cannoli or not?" Lovino elbowed him in the chest.

"O-oh yes, I ate them. They were…" Magnificent, delicious, mouthwatering. "... adequate."

"They were?"

"Don't get your hopes up Feli, he'll eat anything."

"That's not true!" Arthur flicked Lovino on the side of his head.

"Whatever you say." Lovino leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

00000

The Metropolitan Art Museum, or "The Met" for short as Feliciano had referred to it, was showing the works of some French artists that apparently had a rivalry.

Uni students got a discount, and Feliciano, through a surprising amount of persuasion and flattery, was able to get them all the discount. The receptionist, a blonde woman with an upturned nose, was turned into a giggling blushing mess after a few minutes of talking to him.

At Arthur's bewildered expression, Feliciano just winked at him.

He turned to Lovino for any sort of an explanation, but he didn't say a word. Arthur followed the two siblings into the exhibit, there wasn't a large crowd in the space they were in.

Feliciano said he was always more partial to Degas than Manet. His more domestic works and unusual croppings were fascinating to him.

Arthur gave him a nod, although he thought works from either artist were beautiful…although they were French so he'd never admit that.

Lovino was looking at two paintings that seemed to be similar, of a naked woman fixing her hair.

Feliciano then pulled him over to what looked like sketches. Feliciano squealed over being able to see their sketching process and what works they drew inspiration from. Arthur wished he could be a more engaged companion, able to match Feliciano's excited energy, but alas he was not. Offering a polite smile as Feliciano talked about the artists' possible thought processes.

And this happened at every painting Feliciano was excited about to waffle on about to Arthur who had to just stand there like he understood, as they walked around the exhibit.

"Arthur? Feli?" Arthur turned to see Francis in the entryway to another section of the gallery.

He looked rather worse for wear, a slight sadness in his gaze, bags under his eyes.

Feliciano raised his eyebrows, "What a coincidence that we're here at the same time."

Francis let out an airy chuckle, "Oui it is. I didn't know you two knew each other."

"Oh! Oh, Lovi's here too."

"Well I will leave you two alone. I do not want to intrude."

"No-no, no! You wouldn't be!"

"I really don't want to spoil–"

"I'm going to find Lovino, he's probably looking for us. Why don't you walk around with Francis?" Arthur nudged Feliciano.

I'm a bit peckish, as well. Anything to stop looking at paintings. Maybe Lovino wants to get something to eat now too.

"O-oh ok!" Feliciano let go of the grip he had on his wrist.

Francis gave Arthur a knowing look, and Arthur rolled his eyes before walking back the way he and Feliciano came.

Arthur didn't see him in the main room and went through the adjacent entryway. Lovino was looking at a painting called The Ballet read from the card beside it, which depicted what looked like ballet practice between a group of women.

Lovino flinched upon noticing he was next to him. "You ditched Feli?"

"No, I left him with Francis."

Lovino whirled around on him, "What? I told you we don't hang out with him anymore!"

"Do you really want to have to do this again? If not, I suggest you let them talk."

Lovino puffed out his chest, all ruffled feathers like a rooster. "I'm not gonna betray Antonio like that just because Feliciano doesn't have a sense of loyalty."

"I think it's kind of idiotic to choose sides when no one was wronged."

"You don't know Francis, he can't keep it in his pants long enough to even consider marriage. Antonio was stupid to think he could "fix" him. And it came back to bite him in the ass, once a whore always a whore."

Arthur doesn't know Francis really, so maybe he should just stay out of their business.

Arthur shrugged, and Lovino sighed,"They're probably gonna be a while, I skipped breakfast so I'm fucking starving."

Lovino also said that the cafés in the museum were very expensive so they would have to walk to Moondollar. Which was a few blocks away, a quick search found that most surrounding

eateries were expensive as well.

The walk there was mostly silent, except for the one instance they heard Lovino's stomach growl. Arthur saw Lovino's cheeks color pastel pink as he met Arthur's gaze.

"So how long have you been in N.Y.C.?" Lovino asked, presumably to change the subject off of his growing hunger.

"Four years."

Lovino shrugged, "You like it here? Or is this temporary?"

"You want to know if it's worth the effort to get to know me." Arthur smirked at him.

"Si, I don't like to waste time."

"It all depends on if I can make something of myself. If not, I'll have to go back home."

"I think you're past that point, eh? Four years and you're just a barista who plays guitar on the street."

"You want me gone then. And here I thought you hated overtime."

A car honked at another just beyond them, and Arthur looked toward the street to see them continuing on the adjacent road.

"I didn't say that! It's just….don't you think it's too late to change your direction? Like you're gonna be stuck with this forever?"

"No. I don't run on the arbitrary milestones set by society."

Lovino pursed his lips and was silent as they came up to a crosswalk for a busy intersection.

Arthur took out a fag to light.

"Is that part of your image or do you really just smoke cigarettes willingly?"

"It's either this or be down right pissed on the pavement. Take your pick mate." He said as he lit it between his teeth.

Lovino seemed to consider this for a moment, biting his lip. "Hand me one."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "They're not cheap you know, and I can't have you wasting it on one puff because you don't know what you're doing."

"I've smoked cigarettes before you dumb bastard." Lovino rooted around in his pocket and presented him with a dollar.

Arthur gave him one, and stuffed the dollar in his pocket.

He flicked his lighter, and Lovino leaned down, fag between his teeth to catch the flame. Lovino's hazel eyes looked up at him through long eyelashes as he pulled back, taking a drag.

Arthur felt something stir in his stomach, rumbling, unstable, like freshly distressed butterflies.

"I get it, life's shit. But I don't want lung cancer, so this will probably last me for another six years." Lovino stuffed one hand into the pocket of his jean jacket.

Lovino's down suspenders bounced a bit as he walked, and Arthur wanted to grab one, twisting it in his fist to pull the other man close. Arthur wanted to taste the smoke Lovino exhaled from his mouth.

Ok maybe he was attracted to Lovino, but it didn't mean anything, and settled for just exhaling smoke out of his nose.

They had to snuff out the butts when they got to Moon Dollar, no smoking allowed inside.

Lovino ordered a sandwich with a hot latte and Arthur got a sandwich with some kind of neon pink lemonade. The colour kind of scared him, but was also intriguing in a way.

Lovino was surprisingly controlled with eating his sandwich despite the increased sounds his stomach made while they waited for their sandwiches to be toasted. Maybe because Arthur was watching him eat, he should stop doing that.

Arthur averted his gaze to his drink, wrinkling his nose at the beverage.

"Why'd you get it if you didn't want it?" Lovino asked through a mouthful of his sandwich.

"Who said that I don't?" Arthur swiped the drink and took a large gulp. A mistake, because all of the flavors had settled to the bottom. Arthur grimaced, as it tasted like bitter water. "Are you getting your brother something?"

Lovino clicked his teeth, "Hell no. He's with that bougie French fucker, they're probably gonna eat a $50 platter of wine and cheese at the museum."

Arthur left it at that. And they ate and drank in relative silence. Although Lovino's gaze drifted across the room every so often to the group of women giggling amongst themselves.

"I think those chicks are into us. We should go talk to them."

Arthur looked around to them, briefly making eye contact with a raven haired woman who looked away quickly, cheeks pastel pink.

How did he notice that?

"I'm fine, you go ahead."

Lovino made a face at him before he shrugged, "Suit yourself." He got up, leaving his rubbish behind.

Was it not tiresome to need the attention of women all the time? To have them in his thoughts constantly?

What was the end goal? Did he date any of them? Shag any of them? Arthur wasn't sure, but watching Lovino peacock in front of this group of young women, pricked at his skin. Especially since the women were eating it up like a free buffet. Arthur threw away their rubbish in the bin and made his way outside.

Lovino joined him shortly after, looking down at his phone, "Feli's wondering where we are. So I guess we have to head back."

When they met back up with Feliciano and Francis, Francis offered to take them all home. He had a car, although it wouldn't do much good with how crowded the traffic was. Lovino said his feet were starting to hurt so they were forced to take Francis up on his offer.

"This doesn't mean I suddenly like you or no shit like that. You're still on thin ice baguette breath!" Lovino threw open the passenger side door.

Arthur climbed into the backseat, and Feliciano slid in after him.

"So Lovi, it seems you have made a new companion to replace moi."

"We were never friends, Francis. I only tolerated you because you stuck your tongue down Antonio's throat and convinced him you were in love with him."

Francis made a noise in the back of his throat.

"Now that we know the truth, I'm happy to tell you to fuck off." Lovino crossed his arms.

Feliciano tried to bring up something they'd seen at the museum, but Arthur couldn't bring himself to engage. It was too tense for forced pleasantries.

The atmosphere had soured.

Feliciano and Lovino were dropped off first. And once they got out, Lovino slammed the car door so hard it shook the car. Arthur could see Francis's shoulders droop. Arthur sat in the passenger seat, still a little warm from when Lovino was sitting there, making sure the car door wasn't broken.

Arthur told him his address and Francis shook his head, and the gloomy expression faded away.

"So you're closer to Lovi now, aren't you?"

"This was a one time thing, a domino effect from the mess you caused, might I add."

"It is juvenile! All of it! Giving moi the silent treatment. I have been labeled the–the big bad wolf!"

"You didn't think they'd take sides?"

Francis rubbed the steering wheel, "No one even asked me how I felt being proposed to so publicly. I tried to apologize for embarrassing Antonio, but I couldn't get through."

Arthur shrugged, "Well you can't really do anything except wait it out."

Francis pulled in front of his block of flats. "I suppose you are right, mon ami. In the meantime, maybe next time…" Francis reached over to unfasten Arthur's seat belt.

"We could make plans for two." His voice was low, and they were nose to nose.

Arthur felt for the door handle, pushing it open and tumbling out the door. He was all flailing limbs as he fell onto the pavement. Francis leaned over, his elbows on the seat. Hooded cobalt eyes stared down at him.

"Absolutely not." To which Arthur scrambled up and dusted himself off. Then he closed the car door.

Francis gave him a mock pout, "You're no fun."

"Go bother someone else."

"Au revoir! I'll be seeing you around." Francis blew him a kiss before sitting back up to grab the wheel.

Arthur rolled his eyes as the man drove off.

A/N: Thank you for reading!