LittleMissOddball

it's herreeeeeeee! My next update for my Gimmick Game Fic. Just a heads up guys, I might have gone a little bit overboard with the scenes and all so I think you must fancy a tissue box? You guys know the drill! comment and kudos! <3

Again you’re off in a different world, where only you are satisfied,
So why do you say you love me and pretend not to know?
Today your, ‘I love you’ is rotten again
Because---(I can’t love anyone but you)
There at your nape, look, I can see your lie.


Mathias returned after a couple of minutes. Lukas had finished bathing and was on the couch, typing away at his PC, notes and leaflets strewn around him. Mathias came over and gave him a little peck on the cheek. Lukas’ hands ceased all action and faced the smiling Dane.

“Thesis? I’ll make you some coffee.”
“Ah, yeah thanks.”
“Sit tight, babe.” Mathias gave him another kiss then moved to the kitchen while the Norwegian’s eyes followed him work his way around the area of pots and pans. Lukas rarely saw Mathias in the kitchen. But on some special occasions, when he did, Lukas would admire his slender fingers as he flipped pans and spatula and whip up an amazing dinner. Of course, the main dish would always be served in bed, but food made by Mathias was always a welcome luxury.

He closed his notebooks and then walked towards the Dane who was busy making finger food. He walked up behind him and put his arms around his waist. Mathias’ hands ceased all movements and turned to the blushing Norwegian. He gave a small smile before taking him into his arms then giving him a kiss on the forehead.

“What’s with the sudden attack, babe? Though I must admit, it is quite the turn-on” he whispered. Lukas said nothing in return and instead clasped him tighter. It hadn’t been a while since they last made love, but it seemed like his back got wider and leaner. Being a soccer player, Mathias had trained his body day and night in order to get the necessary body build for the sport. Mathias chuckled. “I’ll join you in a bit, after I’m done here.” He said, kissing him on the forehead.

“Leave me alone. I’m taking a break so let me watch you while you work.”
“Well, I can’t work with a sexy Norwegian holding onto me for dear life, so how about he stands beside me instead so he can get a first class view of his equally sexy Danish lover instead?”

Now it was Lukas who let out a chuckle. “Heh. Sexy is right.” he grinned. He stood on his tiptoes and gave Mathias a quick kiss on the neck, leaving a red mark on a visible part of his neck.

Like chains snapping suddenly, Mathias swerved, taking the Norwegian by the waist then forcefully locking their lips together. Surprised, Lukas squirmed from the attack but then slowly melted into the kiss. With ease, Mathias switched their positions, laying Lukas flat on the counter and continued kissing him, occasionally letting go for breath, his hands working their way under the Norwegian’s slender body and caressing his pale skin. Lukas felt his cold hands moving under his shirt, his fingers encircling, teasing his perk nipples. He arched upward longing for more contact, internally cursing at the layers of cloth that came between them. They let go completely, gasping for breath. Lukas clung onto Mathias’ shoulder while the latter moved down to take off his pants and underwear, Lukas aiding him to hasten the process. The sound of the belt coming off and the rustling of cloth made them both more conscious as well as wanting more for the other. The Norwegian waited in anticipation, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. Then he felt the warm sloppy sensation of the Dane’s mouth engulfing his member.

Lukas moaned, begging Mathias to slow down as he grasped the Dane by his spiky blond hair. Mathias disregarded the Norwegian’s plea and instead hastened his speed. Lukas gasped, removing his hands from his lovers and bringing them to his mouth in order to stifle the dirty sounds he was making. “You seduced me first, Lukas. I would be a madman to resist you.”

Lukas was putty in Mathias’ hands. Just down there and he was already feeling so much. As always, the Dane knew what made him feel good, it was infuriating to know that all his efforts to hide the obvious pleasure from the Dane’s tongue would be futile. All he could do now was let himself drown in the ministrations and let himself reach climax while Mathias explored every inch and corner of his body, leaving not a single space untouched, permanently etching his touch so that Mathias is the only thing he’d ever feel.

Just when he thought he had full control of his climax, Mathias hovered his tongue over Lukas’ hole, tracing its shape then slowly inserted a finger, followed by his tongue. Lukas gasped at the invasion and the broken control. He could feel himself coming, try as he might to control it any longer.

“Mathias...I don’t want it here...ahh...on the counter...” he said between gasps. “...bed...please...”
“Are you close, babe?”
“N-no way...”
“You’re not so honest, are you?” Mathias gave a small flick at the tip of Lukas’ member. That was all it took to break the bonds of Lukas’ control as his vision blurred followed by the familiar warmth of semen spreading on his belly and on his face, a few amounts spilling onto the gray counter. Lukas shuddered from the release. Mathias locked lips with his lover, licking from his lips the taste of Lukas and savoring the bitter taste. “Your body certainly knows its pleasure, doesn’t it Lukas?”

“Idiot. Look at the mess you made.” he pulled a tissue from the box Mathias placed beside him and wiped off the patches from the surface. Mathias gave him a small peck on the forehead, slightly grinning.

“Isn’t that fine? The kitchen smells of you. I like it.”

Lukas then grabbed him by the collar and once again crashed his lips onto the Dane’s, locking them into another heated kiss. “Idiot Dane. Now I’m turned on. Hurry up and bring me to bed already.”

Mathias looked at him lovingly, lust growing steadily in his eyes as he lifted Lukas into his arms. “I will show no mercy. We were rudely interrupted a while ago but I’m doing my best keeping myself in check.”

“Don’t do that, please.” Lukas sat up and wound his arms around arms around Mathias and putting their foreheads close together. “Wreck me. Mark me. Do whatever you want. I belong to you.”

Mathias crashed lips with Lukas and walked briskly towards their room, the smaller one cradled in his arms princess style. Lukas felt nice to the touch. Warm like any human being but as fragile as any porcelain glass. Mathias wanted to very much turn him into a mess, make it that Lukas never let anyone touch him again. Lock him away so that his beauty was all for his to keep, to behold. But he could not do that. Not when he loves him this much.

He skillfully opened the door then threw Lukas onto the bed and ripped off the only piece of clothing that stood between him and his lover’s pale chest. He roamed his tongue on his bottom lip then proceeded to leaving marks Lukas’ neck, to which the other lustfully responded with gasps and moans. Lukas kept himself busy with the buttons on Mathias’ shirt, desperate for the extra contact. He shuddered as he felt Mathias’ hands roam his chest, making him let go of the buttons and completely ripping of the Dane’s shirt.

“A bit aggressive aren’t we?” Mathias growled.
Lukas could only nod silently, cheeks burning red under Mathias’ steely gaze.

Mathias removed his hands from the Norwegian’s side and fumbled with his pants to reveal a very much erect member.

“Now just relax, babe. I promise it will feel good in a while, so hang onto me.”
Even when I tell him to be rough, he’s still so gentle.

Is he like this too with Emil?

Like a flash of lightning cutting through the sky, Mathias entered him, filling him up slowly, then hastening his pace. Lukas wound his arms Mathias’ neck while the other held him by his waist, desperate to go deeper and hit him at the spots he knew was best.

That’s it, Mathias. Harder. Faster. Deeper. More than anyone, mark me with your scent. And then, as I overwrite my brother’s scent, remember.

Remember whom you belong to.

---------------------------------------------------

Lukas was stirred by the warm touch of the morning sun and the soft breeze that entered the small opening by the windows. He moved on his other side to avoid the ray of light reflecting in his eyes, bumping into a figure beside him. He was greeted by a naked Dane snoring soundly his head buried face down in his pillow, a trail of saliva pooling just beneath the edge of his lips. Lukas moved slowly so as not to wake Mathias, letting the smooth blanket slip down and revealing his pale and naked torso.

Last night had just been perfect, as was any other night when the Dane held him so strongly yet so gently in his arms. He reached out for his phone lying atop the nightstand, wincing at the stinging at his bottom and checked the time. It read Tuesday 6:00 am but his first majors class would not start till late this afternoon. Mathias on the other hand only had three hours left until he had to go. He swiftly got up and moved to the other side to gather up his clothes. He remained by the Dane’s bedside while putting on his clothes when he noticed a bright red mark on his nape. He tried to recall if he had left that mark over there from last night but failed. And Mathias was a little overpowering last night that all he could leave was that one lousy kiss mark from when they were down in the kitchen.

There was only one other possible person close enough to have been able to give him that mark. And Lukas did not like it.

Suddenly, he felt a violent churning in his stomach. He rushed to the bathroom, releasing everything he had eaten from yesterday down to the last drop of water into the urinal. He felt sick, disgusted and downright violated. It was not the first time he had seen such a thing. They both left marks on each other where it was visible for everyone to see, but perhaps because it was a mark he had not made, but it was Emil’s, his own brother’s, that it made him sick. It was a special mark he thought only he could have the right to leave, but Emil had taken part of that special privilege.

When the thought struck him, he felt the violent churning again.
----------------------

Eggs and sausages sizzled in the pan and the coffee maker buzzed turning the kitchen into an orchestra of the early mornings. Lukas was still half naked with only his pants to cover him allowing his chest to feel the morning breeze. He was so engrossed with his cooking as well as his own thoughts that he didn’t sense Mathias’ presence creep up to him and then kissing him. He nearly dropped the spatula and called for help when he turned around to see his lover also half naked with only his boxer shorts on, grinning like an idiot as he wrapped his arms around the Norwegian’s thin waist feeling him up.

“Good morning, babe. Don’t you smell good?” He kissed him one again on the cheek and once on Lukas’ nape.

He wanted to say something sweet in return, but held back when he remembered the kiss mark on his nape. He looked away and returned to his chore not making a sound and praying that the sizzle of the pan was enough to douse the awkward atmosphere floating about him. “Don’t be stupid. That’s the smell of oil, idiot Dane.” He said, managing the quiver in his voice.

Mathias was surprised at the sudden cold shoulder and wondered what he could have done so early in the morning. Before he could even ask, the doorbell rang cutting the silence between them. Mathias reluctantly let him go.

“I’ll get it.”
“…thanks.”

Mathias grabbed his shirt then moved towards the door and opening it to welcome a good friend of theirs from college, the Finnish Tino and his Swedish lover Berwald,

They paid their greetings and Mathias let them in.

“Lukas! We’ve come to visit.”
“Tino, Berwald. Good morning. I was just fixing up breakfast. Care to join us?” Lukas walked in with an apron tied around his waist, his upper part of the body now clothed in a gray house shirt that belonged to Mathias. In his hands, he held two plates of newly cooked breakfast, steam rising from them.

“It’s fine Lukas. We won’t be long anyway. Here are the materials I promised you!” Tino handed him a white paper bag which Lukas gratefully took as they continued talking. Mathias stared at the exchange, mostly because Lukas now seemed to have a different demeanor compared to the one he had three seconds ago. A spark of jealousy rose in him but he repressed it while reminding himself that Tino was only a friend and Lukas would never cheat on him. Not with Tino and not with anybody.

Even if he was.

“-th’as. M’th’as!”

He quickly snapped out of his reverie to the deep baritone sound of Swedish English. He turned to the taller, blond Berwald whose glasses gleamed sharply with the rays of the sun. He was wearing a white woolen sweater over a blue shirt, with the cuffs and collar sticking out. His pants were khaki in color that wrapped around his legs just right. Even in plain daylight, those blue eyes seemed as menacing as ever adding to his ever emotionless face. Mathias knew the kindred spirit in the man, other than the connection of having male lovers of course.

“I’m sorry, what?”
“Y’r m’nd ‘s fly’ng. I ‘sked ‘f you’d come with ‘s t’ uni.”
“Is it? I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Lukas was a little too irresistible last night.” He chuckles as he recalled last night’s Lukas begging him to enter and letting out moans of pleasure like it was the most natural thing in the world.

But it hadn’t even been 24 hours and he had ticked the Norwegian off again.

Berwald opened his mouth to say something but clasped them shut when Tino grabbed his arm. He shook his head in defeat instead.

“I‘ll g’ ‘nd get th’ c’r.”
“Thanks Ber.”
“I’ll see you guys out.”
Berwald left ahead while Tino went back to the kitchen to get their things and chat with Lukas for a bit while Mathias ran upstairs to retrieve the keys at the top of the drawer beside their bed. He then escorted Tino out their condominium apartment.

No one roamed the carpeted hallway except for the cleaning people in charge for that day. He led him through the lines of doors to the elevator until the basement parking. In the elevator, Tino was unusually quiet and the only sound between them was the silly elevator music. Mathias decided to ask but thought otherwise reasoning that maybe his thesis was just getting to him again. He had one question he was quite eager to ask, though.

“Say, Tino. Where were you last night?”
Tino flinched, the question catching him by surprise. “Why”
“Nothing, just thought you look this tired so early in the morning.”
“O-oh. I was out last night.”
“…alone?”

The elevator sounded and the doors swung open to the concrete basement parking. A blue Porsche was parked just few steps away from the elevator with Berwald at the wheel. The two of them stepped out of the elevator and walked to the car, Mathias opening the door for Tino. The stared at Mathias for a while as if deciding whether or not he should answer his question. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak.

“Yeah I was alone…”
Mathias’ heartbeat hastened, as he felt a heavy burden drop on his shoulders nearly making him miss the Finnish’s next words.

“…with Lukas.”
“W-What?”
“I was alone with Lukas in the library last night. He called me and asked if I could help him out with his thesis. I was here to bring some reports he had left with me. Is there something wrong, Mathias?”
“O-Oh. Okay. I see. Thanks.”
Tino chuckled a bit before entering the car and closing the door behind him. He rolled down the window and Mathias stooped down. “I never took you for someone so protective, Mathias.”
“This is Lukas we’re talking about. I have to be extra everything. Including protective.” Mathias replied, jokingly.

Tino gave him a small smile and Berwald tipped his head before rolling up the window then maneuvered them out of the parking and onto the streets, leaving Mathias alone with the rest of the parked cars.
--------------------

The ride was silent. The radio had been turned off and no amount of sunlight could bring back the life in Tino’s smile.
“Wife.”
“What have I done?”

“Tino, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Wh’t c’ ‘ld y’u h’ve d’ne?”

“Sure! What is it?”
“If anyone asks, tell them you were with me tonight.”
“Huh? Sure, but why?”
“Please, Tino.”

Berwald said nothing and continued driving. One hand gripped the stirring wheel, absorbing all the anger he had pent up while the other held his lover’s tightly, unsuccessfully trying to coax him into holding back the tears.
---------------------

Mathias opened the door to the apartment, expecting the Norwegian eating silently at the table with the same frown on his face. Instead, he sees Lukas all dressed and ready to go, his bags and his things on the couch waiting for him while he gulped down a bottle of milk from the kitchen fridge. It struck him as odd, especially knowing that Lukas’ class wasn’t until this afternoon. The Norwegian on the other hand spoke not a single word and continued on with his routine task. The silence was deafening.

“Babe, leaving so early? Have breakfast with me. And you put so much effort into making it.” Mathias said, trying to keep his voice cheerfully in check.

“Don’t worry, I had my fill while you escorted Tino and Ber downstairs. If I feel hungry, I’ll just grab a few bites from the canteen. I have to rush to the department and get my thesis done.” The Norwegian replied, never taking his eyes off what he was doing and never even looking the Dane in the eyes and simply walked past him, letting Mathias a whiff of the snowdrop shampoo he used on him. The taller blond willed for his hand move up to grab Lukas and take him again, make it that he couldn’t leave the room today and make a total mess of him. But it seemed like he had become unable to move.

“Jeg elsker dig, Lukas” Was all he could utter softly before the door slammed shut behind him "It can't be anyone but you."

He buried his head in his hands, fully aware that the words would never reach him now and that he had lost all rights to even utter that person’s name
---------------------------
Lukas lingered at the door for a while before leaving. His heart ached. It screamed for him to burst through the door and forget all that was going on and start anew.

But he would not lose. Two could play at this game and right now, he was entering a crucial moment.

He lifted his sights to the window overlooking the campus town, cloaked by the oceanic sky.

“Jeg elsket deg, Mathias.”

I'm telling you all, this fic is already up in my AO3 account, but I completely forgot to put it here, lol. That's why I'm churning out all the Gimmick Game chapters.

This just means I won't be posting anymore chapters (unless I get some wild idea for another oneshot, but I highly doubt that. Lol) until I get part 2 done. So anyway! Here's chapter 1!

P.S. I'm not gonna lie. I was blushing the entire time I wrote it. Read away and find out why! HAHAHA
Notes: Hansa Lettol is a famous beer brand in Norway
           Hornindalsvatnet is the second deepest lake in Norway
         Va Pensiero=Chorus of the Hebrew slaves. It's the Third Act from the opera Nabucco
-------------------------------------
I wonder why only I can see how filthy your fingers are
So please don’t caress my body with those dirty fingers.

“Don’t--not here, Mathias. My brother will be here soon.” he allowed a small moan to escape as the Dane slid his hand under the Icelander’s blue striped shirt, tweaking one erect nipple with his finger. Mathias simply hummed in defiance.

“I’m not kidding, stop it already.”
“Hmmm. Nope.” He removed his hands from underneath the shirt and grabbing the bottom of the shirt, pulled it upwards, revealing the pearly white well-chiseled chest of the man beneath him. He started peppering his belly with kisses, giving attention to both nipples with the use of his hand. Mathias felt something poke at his lower region. He smirked, lifting a little bit of his weight off Emil. “Besides, do you seriously wanna stop with this, babe?” With his right hand, he tweaked one of the younger man’s nipple while his left traveled downwards, pulling down the undergarment that hid the aching erection and took it in his palm caressing it gently. Emil tried to control the moans of pleasure slowly escaping his lips. He placed his hands on Mathias’ shoulders trying to push him away.

“Seriously...stop...ugh...”
Mathias ceased playing with his nipples and looked up to him, a frown on his face. “Come on, what’s the big deal?”
“My brother is coming back! We can’t let him see us like this!”

Mathias glanced at the clock. Instead climbing off of him however, he slid downwards and took Emil’s erection in his mouth. Emil let out a loud moan.

“Stupid!”
“Don’t worry. Lukas said he’ll be home late. So...” he said between sucks and licks. He removed his mouth from the dripping member and grabbed the lube in the drawer and sprinkled a generous amount in his hands.“…we have all the time in the world.” Mathias hurriedly took off the rest of his clothing. The soft sound of his belt hit the floor, along with the rustle of his pants. Emil squirmed in his position, trying to pry himself from the Dane’s hold. No matter what he did, Mathias never listened and always let his lust get in the way.

“But the door--mmph!” Mathias cut him off with a kiss as he slipped in two digits easily, earning a moan from the Icelander’s sweet lips while he scissored him slowly. Emil’s erection throbbed, but as his hand moved to help Mathias give him some release, the latter stopped him and pinned him to the bed. “No can do, babe.”

Emil looked at him with disbelief and a hint of annoyance before finally giving in. Mathias felt the other one relax and let go of him, his hands leaving a mark on Emil’s wrist. He leaned down on him and peppered Emil’s neck with kisses before whispering in his ear.

“This’ll be over in a bit. Relax.”

Before Emil could retort, he was silenced by a kiss followed by a violent thrust at his bottom as he felt himself get filled up by the Dane. Mathias released his lips and let the sweet moans of pleasure escape the Icelander’s lips.

The sheets shifted underneath them as their movements, filled with lust and longing hastened and their kisses deeper and deeper. The smell of sweat and sex along with their gasps and groans filled the room completely, seeping into the small cracks on the walls and out of the four corners of the bedroom.

Outside, the main door was shut. But another set of keys on the counter suggested someone had entered just a while ago and had heard the sounds coming from the second floor bedroom. He had thought of going up there and stopping them, but instead went for the fridge and grabbed a can of beer and took it down in one gulp.

He stood by the bar counter for a while, savoring the bitter metallic taste of the Hansa Lettol. The aroma of the beer had not been enough to douse the disgusting of smell now surrounding the room but it gave him enough sting to silence the clenching pain starting to build up again.

He held onto the beer can and decided against throwing it into their trashcan. He couldn’t leave any evidences that he had been here and Mathias would never notice one less can from the beer stock so instead he would throw it outside on his way to wherever. Maybe he should stay at the library or go to the bar Tino had recommended a few days ago.

He retrieved his keys and the things he had with him when he entered and quietly went out the door, leaving his brother and his lover to dive deeper into their lust.
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It ended after quite a lot of rounds. The room had been in a mess, like a tornado had swept through. White blotches of semen had splattered in random places across the wall, on their clothes and on some of the things that were present to witness the lovemaking affair. There were items on the floor that looked more than it had participated in something other than being witnesses. It took a good while for them to clean up. The bathroom was no less different. A few minutes after getting into the tub, Mathias and Emil were at it again like rabbits in heat. It was no surprise that when they got out, Emil was sore at the bottom and the sun had already set. In its place, the bright taciturn moon hung in the middle of the sky surrounded by thousands of stars unmasked by the absence of clouds.

Downstairs was empty and there were no signs of anyone who came in and came out. Both internally let out a sigh of relief. Emil asked if he could grab a can of Hansa Lettol from the fridge. Mathias told him to indulge.

While Emil went to get beer for them both, Mathias sat on the white couch of the wide living room area of their condo apartment. He glanced at the clock and wondered where Lukas could have gone. It was way past 7. He said he would be back by this time.

He took out his phone to check for new messages.

Not even a single call.

Normally, he would’ve called or at least left a text. Not even a single memo to be found. But the place seemed to be empty and devoid of people when they left the bedroom. As he pondered upon calling Lukas, Emil called out from the kitchen.
“Aren’t you missing one can of beer in here?”

Just as Emil had ended his sentence, the hinges of the door creaked as the door swung open to reveal Lukas who had just arrived home.

“I’m back.”

Mathias felt his heart leap from his rib cage as the soft voice of the Norwegian rang in his ears, and invade his inner being, sending shivers down his spine. For a while he lost the ability to talk.

I-It's finally done! The final chapter of my Spamano fic is done. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to sulk in my emo corner now please //*sniff sniff*// I hate myself for having to do this. ;;___;;

BUT!!!!!!!!

Here's the thing: I've got something in mind. //*cough* sequel *cough*// But I'm not sure if I should go through with it cause I'm very much satisfied with how this ended..oh dear, please excuse me. //*obnoxious nose blowing*// So tell me what you think guys! Comment or message or gimme at least 25 kudos if you think I gotta do what I'm planning.

Also, despite me saying I'm happy how this turned out, I still have much to learn and I can only learn if I receive structured comments about my work. Imagine yourself as my prof and me the lagging student in class. Critique my work as harshly as you can and I will respond to that to the best of my abilities.

To those who have read this far and to those who gave it a try and are thinking of giving my work a try, all the same, you are all beautiful beings. Don't forget that //*wink*// So much love to you all!

I think I've said enough. NOW! Onto the Chapter! <3
-Chien

“Oi!?” The loud yet muffled squeal of Lovino’s outcry made the others downstairs swivel their heads towards the direction of Lovino’s floor.

“Haha! Man, that Lovino sure can yell! Yeah! Here’s to New Year, Lovino!”
“Liz, shouldn’t we go check on them?” The Austrian turned to the Hungarian with an obvious look of concern. Elizabeth, who was engrossed in her drink, didn’t seem to mind.

“Leave them alone, Roderich. They’re probably patching things up over there.” she said before taking another sip of her beer. Roderich stared at her in question. What was there to patch about? He thought. His eyes move away from the girl and returned them to the Italian’s floor, deciding whether to go up there or not when a heavy tug from the Prussian brought him straight to the dance by the town square.

Back inside the apartment, the hallways and rooms were empty except for the two misplaced gentlemen on floor 2. “Dammit, Tonio. Have you forgotten how heavy you are?” he grunts. “This would be so much easier if you had just moved your damn garden in the ACTUAL garden.” More grunting sounds escaped the young man’s lips as he moved the Spaniard towards the end of the hallways, continuously mumbling at how the Spaniard always caused trouble for him.

The gap between their rooms had widened a little bit over the past year due to a few malfunctioning wires and drainage pipes in Antonio’s room. When the techs came over to check them out, they found field gerbils and a few eggs all over the place. All eyes turned to Antonio’s mini garden out on his balcony. While it was a mystery as to how those creatures had entered the water stream, management had decided to move Antonio to a place insusceptible to any entrance of any other creatures. As a result, the once 'two-room gap' between the two widened to an 'end of the hallway' gap and the techs changed the course of the water pipes so the water flowing to the different rooms wouldn’t have a trace of the foreign creatures. The garden stayed as it was impossible to move all that dirt to so Antonio would still be around the old room to tend to his ‘piccolovini’ or “little Lovino’s. Lovino blew a fuse after finding out why he called them that way until he just got used to the idea of round juicy red tomatoes being named after him and (in Italian no less).

They reached Antonio’s room and Lovino started feeling the former’s pockets for his room keys. When he realized it wasn’t in any of his pockets, he decided to go upstairs and grab the spare keys from the administrator’s office but stops when he sees a faint light coming from the small crack between the door and the door frame. Lovino sighed at the usual blunder of Antonio forgetting to even close the door of his own room. He pushed the door open and moved the heavy Spaniard safely inside before closing the door behind him. He grumbled first in complete disbelief at the Spaniard’s weird taste for interior decoration then shakes his head and tells himself to think about the incapacitated Spaniard at his feet.

The layout of the apartment rooms were all relatively the same for every room so it didn’t take long for Lovino to locate the bedroom where he literally just threw the Spaniard in. Even that didn’t get him to wake up. Lovino then set to prepare the things to clean Antonio up. Despite being the blunderhead he always was, he seemed prepared for emergency cases like this, which of course made it easier for Lovino to get everything done.1 While in the middle of making soup, footsteps were heard coming from the bedroom which meant the Spaniard had roused from his sleep.

“Don’t come near me, bastard. I might burn you or something.” he said, not looking up from the pot of bubbling soup.
“Is that my Lovi?” Antonio replied in a dazed tone. “Is this a dream? Lovi’s cooking for me, I’m so happy~!” Without a sound, arms engulfed the Italian from behind. Lovino paid it no heed and continued silently stirring the bright red soup. Antonio’s face fell. He held the shorter man tighter and buried his face on one of his shoulders. “Hey Lovi. Talk to me.” he said in tone already inaudible.

Silence.

“Scold me. Be annoyed with me.” the gurgling of the liquid was all he heard in return. “Please don’t be mad at me.” Antonio’s voice was quivering now. “I won’t leave tomato juice whenever I want. I’ll ask you first. I don’t like you not talking to me, Lovi. Not you.”

Lovino remained indifferent to the taller man. This Antonio felt and slowly let him go. Lovino, after a few seconds, broke the silence by telling him to go grab a seat. Antonio humbly obeyed. After a while, Lovino joined him at the table with a tray of steaming hot tomato soup and a cup of brewed coffee.

“It’s hot. You might burn your tongue so blow, okay?”
“S-si.”

Lovino hung his head and said nothing. All that was heard between them was the flow of water from the faucet and the clanking of plates and stainless steel. He took off the apron and proceeded to leave the Spaniard’s room.

“Get more sleep okay?” he said without making eye contact with Antonio. “I’ll take a picture of the fireworks or something if that’ll make you happy. See you around, bastard.”

He had already gotten a hold of the knob when another hand was on top of his. “O-Oi...” his voice quivered to a point where it was a miracle he had gotten those words out of him. Antonio’s other hand kept the door in place by pushing it outwards, making it impossible for the Italian to open the door. “What do you think you’re doing, bastard?” Lovino tried to push the Spaniard back, but it was no use. It was like the Spaniard had latched his whole weight upon the door.

“Won’t you stay, Lovi? It’s so lonely being alone on New Year’s Eve.” Antonio whimpered in a tone as if he was begging. He lowered his hands to his sides and shut his eyes while we stood in wait for the sound of the door opening and shutting at his face, forever separating him from the Italian. “I’m sorry. Don’t mind it. You can go. H-Happy...New Year.”

This isn’t going too well for me, Lovi. Leave before you see the un-Antonio side of me.

“What is this, bastard?” Lovino said in a small tone, his eyes looking down at his feet.

Antonio hesitantly raised a hand and held him by the chin, lifting Lovino’s gaze back to him.“Look at me, Lovi. You’re so cute when you’re shy.” he brought his hands to Lovino’s cheek and caressed it. One of his fingers hovered under his eye. “You have such beautiful eyes, mi amor."

“Stop calling me that.” the heat from Antonio’s touch was unbearable despite the sharp cold of December.

He rested his head on the shorter man’s shoulder.“You’re not struggling anymore, Lovi. I’m glad.” I’m glad you stayed.
“Shut up.”
“Hey, can we stay like this for a bit?”
“Can’t we at least sit on the couch? I had to carry you all the way here.”
“You could have just brought me to your room.”
“Shut up. I panicked.”
Antonio chuckled. “Okay let’s sit on the couch.”

Without letting go of his hand, Antonio went into the kitchen and took out a wine bottle. Lovino stared at the Spaniard who was clumsily cutting the cheese with only one hand. He breathed a deep sigh. “Let me go.”

“What? But you said...!”
“I won’t run away. So cut the cheese with both hands, will you? I’ll pour the wine for us.”
Antonio looked at him, conflicted at what to do. “You promise you won’t run away?”
“I promise.”

Antonio let him go in surrender. Only after his hand was released did he realize how tight Antonio had held him.

“Lovi?”
He snapped out of his reverie and came into contact with those dazzling emerald eyes. “Right. The wine.” he moved to the cupboard and grabbed the nearest wine glasses he could find. While he worked, he could feel the Spaniard’s eyes follow him making him red to the tip of his ears.
“...you’re not leaving?”
“Do you want me to?” He had meant it as a joke but at this, Antonio was quick to grab him again, making Lovino nearly spill the wine over the counter.

“Oh what the--”
“Please don’t! Don’t go Lovi!”

All desire to tell off the Spaniard vanished just like that. He relaxed in the hold then patted the other's arms. “Relax, bastard. I won’t. Now get back to the cheese. Go on.”

“O-okay. Gracias, Lovi.” he said with a smile. Lovino tried to return it with even just the sliver of a smile, but for some reason, it just wouldn’t come to him. He just went back to preparing.

After getting their snacks ready, they moved the couch to a spot near the window to an angle that would give them the best view of the fireworks then they sat in silence while ‘cuddling’ which was just Lovino wrapped around one arm of Antonio as they sipped from the wine and cheese.

Lights played outside the window and the loud boom of the speakers was loud enough to break the windows. However, the silence that enveloped the room was more than enough to drown out the sounds from the outside. One could just hear everything as an individual sound. The giggles of the children, beeping horns and obnoxious singing. The sound of two heartbeats; they all came together as if one melody to create the perfect New Year orchestra. It wasn’t all as muddled as it used to be compared to the time when Lovino would be alone in his own room, mulling over whether he should go visit the family then deciding to leave it for another year when he was brave enough to face them. Back then, it was a chaotic silence. Silent, yes, but very chaotic, as if the voices in his head would break the silence every now and then, causing him to retreat further into a world he thought would keep him away from it. When it started, he could not tell. Looking back, it was most probably the reason why he ran away or at least he thought it would end if he ran away.

But we can never run away from the silence that devours us all. Pushing it aside seemed like a more viable option but running? Futile.

The sudden movement of Antonio caused him to return to the real world. He looked at the Spaniard whose face was painted with a huge grin directed at him. “Wh-what the hell are you looking at, bastardo?”
Antonio huffed. “Nothing.” He held Lovino closer and rested his head on the smaller man. “I just thought I’d finally gotten to you.”

“The fuck is that?”
“D’awww. Don’t say that, Lovi. I had to go through great pains just to have you like this. Don’t ruin the moment for me.”

Lovino smirked. “Yeah okay. Whatever.” he said then returned to looking outside the window where he could see the others still out drinking at the far left, just a few steps away from the doorstep. He took his glass and took a sip.

“They’re having fun, why did you---”
“Lo siento, mi amor.”
“What’s this now?”
“You’ve heard something you should not have.”

It didn’t take him long to realize what he was talking about. Lovino wisely said nothing and continued sipping from his wine glass and munching on a few cheese bits.

“Liz told me to explain to you. But now I don’t know how to start. Funny, even though I had always been the talkative one between the two of us, suddenly I’m the one at a loss for words.” Antonio gave out a small huff.

For someone Lovino had always seen as an easy-going person and seemed not to have a single care in the world, to see this side of Antonio in the quiet boom of the night, it seemed like he neither knew this person or was simply floating in a dream. Lovino still wouldn’t say anything, so Antonio continued.

“I’ve been dreading that call, you know. I knew it would come, and it wouldn’t come at a moment’s notice. And when it would, I’d have readied my bags and left. Even before a second call could come in. Sorry, the air got a little heavier. Say something, Lovi. The usual.”

“You’re making me sound like the bad guy here.” Lovi said sulkily. Antonio chuckled at the response.

“Au contraire, mi amor.”
“Only a cold-hearted beast would put Spanish and French in one sentence.”
“Then warm me up, Lovi?”
“Continue already.”
“Alright. Now where was I? Oh yes.” he held the Italian closer and buried his cheek in the brown ruffled hair of the smaller man then sighed. “Things don’t always go as planned for me. I was supposed to run my family. I was to marry big-chested Ukrainian. Or was she Belgian? I saw her picture you know. Blondie. Your type, Lovi. I’d like you to meet her someday. Anyway, things were supposed to go that way. Then I’d hold the vineyard in the palm of my hands. Have healthy kids. And die with a heck load of money in the bank, I could feed the world’s homeless and even build a home for each one. However, aside from feeding the homeless, I wanted none of that. So I ran. I moved from place to place, and every time I was found I’d run again. Until I came here. Luckily, Liz was someone I knew from childhood and had been closer to her than anyone in my family. So she offered to put me up here and with Roderich, she created this homely place. Hey Lovi, ask me what Liz was to me.”

“What was she to you?”
“A childhood friend. A supposed fiancee who, like me, had enough of that scene and ran. But unlike me, she was brave enough to stand against what was expected of her. And she just vanished from their lives. Roderich was someone she was seeing at the time. But things got a little weird. But that’s a different story altogether.”

“Well, this explains a lot.” Lovino had had a third glass and was starting to feel drowsy. His head tilted a bit to the side and Antonio had caught it. “Sorry. Keep going.”

“Just a little bit more, mi amor." he gave him a mischievious wink before continuing. "Well, she said I could hang here for a bit and she made sure to keep my family’s dogs away from me. Can you believe it? Even after renouncing her family, she kept hold of the benefits it gave her and used it to hide me. It’s been going on for the past 3? 4? It’s been so long, I can hardly tell anymore. But the same condition couldn’t stay for too long could it? And I knew I had to leave sooner or later so I made it a pact to myself never to involve myself in things that would keep me from leaving. Like, maybe...” he slid a hand to Lovino’s chin and with great care locked their eyes together. Antonio gently smiled, his emerald eyes filled with the same sadness Lovino always heard from his playing that cold November night. “...falling in love with someone.”

Lovino’s cheeks reddened all the way to the tip of his ears. Antonio gave a small laugh as he pushed some hair away from the Italian’s amber eyes. “I miscalculated Lovi when I saw you coming home from work one day. You know those Spanish soaps with all the ‘I should have stayed away’ kind of plot? I thought it would never happen in real life because really, what connection does reality have with something out of the imagination? So when you opened your door to me that day, something imagined had become real. You were always something out of a painting for me, Lovi. Even when you felt like nobody wanted you, it took all my willpower to keep me from pushing you down and taking you then and there.”

While he talked, Antonio cupped Lovino’s face with his free hand ever so gently, caressing the sides of his face every now and then as if to leave a mark of his touch on the Italian as well as impart on himself the feel of what it was like to hold his face. “Eyes are the mirror to our souls, right Lovi? But for me, it was like and endless guesswork of what you saw with these eyes. I wanted you to see me, but I didn’t want you to see all of what made me. Otherwise, I...”

Antonio’s hands fell to the couch, their eyes no longer in contact. Lovino squirmed in his seat at the sudden loss of contact, as if he had grown accustomed to the touch. He gazed at Antonio drinking from his glass, eyes glowing with a different light. “...Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to leave me?”

Antonio turned to him slowly, the look in his eyes making the answer ever so clear. For the first time that night, in the darkness that surrounded them, Lovino truly saw him as what he had always tried to hide: Defenseless, unsure, and afraid. Who was this Antonio in front of him? Hey tomato bastard, don’t give me that look, he thought. What’s with all the drama? I bet you’re gonna go all ‘Got you again, Lovi~! Now let’s drink the night away!’ You’re not the helpless one here. I am. Unconsciously, Lovino raised his hand, touching the Spaniard’s left cheek. Antonio held Lovino’s hand and buried himself into it, kissing the palm in short intervals.

“Te amo, mi Lovinito. Mi amor. Mi corazon. Te amo.” He was silently crying and yet the smile he always wore never left his face. Lovino held his head in the palm of his hands and moved closer, pressing their foreheads together. “Idiota. This night was supposed to be fun.”

“You saw what was coming, don’t lie.”
“Can’t say I couldn’t.”
“See?”

Silence followed but not one broke the hold, like each other needed the sensation of another human being. “Listen, you’re not wrong for wanting to leave so go.”

“But...! Antonio’s head jerked upwards.
“I’m not leaving. I promised you, didn’t I? Italians, we keep our promises. That’s why...”

Lovino gently caressed the Spaniard’s face. As how Antonio had moved a few hair strands from his eyes, Lovino did too to reveal the beautiful emerald green eyes. On impulse, Lovino slowly brought his lips towards the Spaniard’s, locking them both in a kiss. When the Spaniard returned the kiss, it wasn’t forceful or anything, Lovino thought. It was rather gentle, childish if he were to describe it. There was no tongue, no biting. Nothing. Just that, it was a little sad, like a child feeling love for the first time as if he had been deprived of it all his life but was now sharing a sort of love he never knew he had exactly because. Little by little, Lovino melted into it. He closed his eyes to the world and felt his arms wound themselves around the Spaniard’s neck. The faint bittersweet taste of the soup was still there along with the lingering aftertaste of what was supposedly alcohol. The strong scent of earth enveloped them both. Antonio broke the kiss, heavily breathing and in need for air. Their eyes are on each other, lust growing steadily in them. Lovino broke the eye contact and looked away, his ears red to the tips.

“Damn it, Lovi. This makes it even harder to leave.” the Spanish said in between breaths.
“Show me, Antonio. What do you see with your eyes?”
“Are you sure?” Antonio’s thumb hovers over the Italian’s bottom lip.
“Yes.”

Outside, the fireworks had begun to fly to the air, coloring the night sky. People yelled with glee, horns honked even louder and beer mugs clanked with one another.
Lovino and Antonio remained inside the apartment, with each other, letting the wine do its work.

The next morning, the sun was out to greet the first day of the New Year. Lovino opened his eyes to familiar surroundings. It must’ve have been 10 in the morning from the feel of the heat of the sun shining on him. He looked around. It was his room. It was the same bed. It was the same window and view he looked out from every day. Next to him, on his nightstand was a tray with a single glass bottle of red liquid, flashing as bright as a ruby in the late morning light.

He took it from the tray held it in his hands just as tears started dripping onto the transparent glass. He held it close to him, quivering as if to contain the sudden overflow of emotion.

No, it just wasn’t the same anymore. Nothing would be.

Alone in a room he was not supposed to be in, he shed his first New Year’s tears while calling out a name that seemed to come from a distant past.



Your face
Lovely as the rose in your hair
The passion in your eyes
Fills me with the songs of love

So tell me when will I know.
How can you tell?
When love is near
For I love you so
Un baile del corazon.

(Took a few while to get it up. I wanted to have it posted around Sunday but I was getting settled in my dorm and the net was also crappy the other day. Thank goodness I got this up today. Anyway, here's part 2, my lovelieees~ <3 )

Your smile.
A kiss from the morning sun
Like whispers in the breeze
Words of love and mystery

After that, they never talked again and Lovino was back to living his solitary life and going on with his life.

Or at least that’s what our protagonist had hoped.

Right after that incident, Lovino woke up one day to the sound sizzling in the kitchen and the smell of tortillas filled the room. Concerned his kitchen had turned into a giant mess with clutter all over his beautiful floor, he flops out of bed and bounds for the kitchen where he sees and tanned man in a white apron and humming a lively tune whilst playing with condiments and a pan. Lovino gapes at the scene for a while before fully registering the tomato bastard in HIS kitchen.

“Bastard, what are you doing in my room!? At 6 in the morning!?” he yanked the spatula from the other’s hand, surprising Antonio and looking his way.

“Good morning, Lovi! I made you breakfast!” he grinned then plopped a piece of tortilla into the Italian’s mouth, taking him by surprise. Red, he downs the crunchy and flavourful(less) tortilla.
“GET. OUT. What?”

Antonio turns to switch the stove then pushing Lovino a bit to the side, grabs utensils and puts them on the table.

“Breakfast.” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “You’re going to need it if you’ll be doing anything productive today, si?”

Lovino stared at the table as if he had never seen it that beautiful. The utensils have been arranged in a Russian Style table arrangement with the exception of wine glasses and goblets and the napkin folded in a bird’s wing. There was a white cloth draped all over the round table. The utensils used were of cheap quality but for some reason, they gleamed with the rays of the sun hitting them. In the midst of this, Antonio stood by the side, still wearing his waist apron and holding a makeshift tray carrying steaming hot chocolate, bread, biscuits and pineapple juice: Italian breakfast? You gotta admit, the boy knew the twists behind the restaurant. Did he used to work in a restaurant he wonders?

Despite the fact that the stupid tomato bastard completely barged in without his knowing.

Lovino smirked. “Nice try. What do you want from me now?”
“I just wanted to make you breakfast.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Oh how silly of me.” Antonio gasped then put down the tray and ‘escorted’ Lovino to his seat, pulling his seat back for him. He then placed the food in front of the still amused and completely surprised Italian. “A man must act like a gentleman at all times and provide the best for his muse...”
“I am NOT your muse.”
“...therefore, I offer unto you, my MUSE, a big feast of tomatoes!”
“Que?”
“Everything on the menu is tomato! Except for the juice. That’s pineapple. Remember I told you, I’d give you tomatoes in exchange for everything that happened yesterday.”
“I expected a single tomato. Not the whole package.”
“Please just take it. “

Antonio simply smiled. Lovino looked away. He couldn’t be swayed now, no matter how friendly or how kindly Antonio was treating him so far. After all, he could probably doing this as a neighbor.

Lovino sighed and took the knife and started working his way through the bread. “I’ll let this one pass by.”
“Yay~!”

From then on, it wasn’t just breakfast.

For something beyond him, Lovino had become accustomed to expecting breakfast made by the Spaniard. If not in bed, it’d be another one of Antonio’s flashy breakfasts; with table arrangements that did not match what he had made. Often times, there would be no breakfast and Lovino would have to cook for himself, but while he’d be dining, a knock on the door now either meant, the morning paper or Antonio leaving tomato juice at his doorstep. Of course the Spaniard would’ve fled by the time Lovino had opened the door, and the unpredictability made it difficult to catch him in the act so Lovino would take the treat, finish off his morning routing then bound to the other’s room where he would be carrying a long speech of not leaving things at his doorstep. However, the preparations to mercilessly scold him for such would vanish the moment he would be enveloped in the fresh scent of newly tilled soil and vegetables as he is wrapped in the bed haired Spanish’s arms. Good mornings and cussing, rejecting Antonio’s pleas to come and sleep with him for a little bit then Lovino leaves for work. At work, his colleagues would notice Antonio’s scent on Lovino and would ask how he smelled like a mix of fresh barn and nature. How could Lovino possibly say it was from a warm hugging tomato bastard? For the sake of it, he had a perfume bottle with water then tell them he’d gotten his hands on decent parfum. If they bought it then good but for how long though.

The road back to the apartment was the same as always Same train station, bus stop. Same cobblestone roads and busy restaurants and cars parked at their same space the day before. He’d be walking alone of course. It was still cold and this he had to endure for he had left his car back in his family home. For the next two months, nothing much changed in his scenery until a cheery voice from above would call out to him gently.


“Lovi!” Antonio would shout from his balcony stopping Lovino just before he’d inserted the key in the keyhole. Lovino would look up to Antonio waving and smiling in his usual white V-neck shirt and brown khaki shorts, his figure against the moonlit starry sky He’s holding a guitar in one hand as he greets the newly arrived Lovino.”Welcome home!”

“Shut up, bastard. People are asleep.” then he’d enter the apartment building, climb up the flights of stairs all the while silently listening to the echo of Antonio strumming away at his guitar while trying to calm down the fast beating of his heart.

It was definitely a good change. At the thought, he froze.

Stop it, he mumbled to himself as he arrived at the door his apartment room. You can’t possibly be letting him in, are you Vargas? Trust is not something you were blessed with the moment you were born and friendship is a luxury you will never attain, no matter how much you dream. You break, not mend remember?

But was it too late?
Lovino shakes off the thought. Maybe this was temporary. If he talked it over with Antonio, he could probably get his act back together. Just a little talk to end whatever feelings could brewing in him, or hopefully not in both of them. But not now. Antonio might not want to hear any of it, and it’s not something to talk about before Christmas starts. But that was fine for Lovino.

After all, they have all the time in world.

Fire burning deep into my soul.
With your body close to mine.
I promise you the moon and stars
So tell me what should I say
How can I show you all that I feel?

A year of tranquil living and lively neighbors with a side of tomato dishes and running from nuclear kitchen bombs ensued. And before they all knew it, it was that Christmas time of the year again. Last year’s Christmas festivities went off without a hitch. And just like last year a party was held, as was the tradition, a hot pot party. A few of the borders were not present but left their own dishes before leaving. Francis and Arthur along with their sons, Alfred and Matthew went off for a vacation to London. Ivan, the Russian who lived in one of the rooms at the top floor also went to visit his family in the Motherland. Those that remained were Roderich and Elizaveta, the landlord and his wife. Gilbert, surprisingly stayed in the apartment. According to him, his little brother, Ludwig was off being all lovey-dovey with his lover back in Germany. Supposedly staying was an act of sulking. A few other people whom Lovino was not acquainted with, including a pair of siblings from Switzerland, third floor occupants, a Polish male who was definitely not male, according to Lovino who also lived on the third floor and a silent Japanese named Kiku who lived right next to Lovino. To the surprise of everyone who came was Lovino, who had not usually joined in the festivities, did so too this time around. But only because he was dragged along by the Tomato Bastard.

Right before taking a warm bath with hot choco in hand.

It looked like a comical skit to anyone who had witnessed it. The idiota simply barged in on Lovino (no surprise there) as he was taking off his boxer shorts, shouting gleefully that there was a party downstairs. Before Lovino could even refute, he was yanked by the arm, still half naked and dragged downstairs. Antonio was scolded right after he realized that Lovino was still in his boxer shorts and offered to accompany Lovino back upstairs. The latter knew he need not accompanying, but he could not say no when it was the former who was offering.

Curse his inability to say no to the bastard.

So for the first time in the long while he had been living there, he had attended something with people he lived with under the same roof but never found the time nor the courage to talk to.

It’s not so bad being with these people, he thought. He turned to his side as he watched the Spanish laugh himself out to a gag by Felix, the Polish. I guess it’s all thanks to him, huh.

“Lovi?”
Lovino jerks. “W-What?”
“You’ve been looking at me for a while now. Is there something on my face?”

Shit, he noticed!

“It’s nothing. You just happened to have bed hair.”
“Oh, thank you Lovi~!” he grinned at the other then proceeded to fixing his ‘bed hair’ then mumbling, “I don’t remember going to sleep though.”

“Don’t be so happy over something so little, idiot.” Lovino grunts and goes back to his drink, looking away to hide the obvious the red spreading through his face.
After the drinks and the exchange of gifts, the group decided to call it a night and moved to disperse and save their energy for the upcoming New Year’s Party. Lovino too starts to leave, slung over his shoulder the disposed Antonio who was obviously too drunk to even walk.

The bastard is heavy. No wonder he could pull me down easily.

His load suddenly became a lot lighter when the opposite unsupported side suddenly raised itself up. Eyeing Antonio’s other shoulder, he sees sweet Ms. Hedevary supporting him.

“Ms. Hedevary!”
“Oh, call me ‘Liz’ darling. We’re all friends here. I see you need help.”
“Grazie, bella.” Lovino gives a small smile in gratitude which was generously returned.


The two carry the Spanish to his room and tucks him to bed then leaves quickly.

“Thank you again, Liz. I never thought he could be that heavy.”
“With all those tomatoes? I doubt he could be anything but heavy”
“I guess so. Would you like to come over for a little tea? I believe you only had water to drink?”
“Oh, that would be wonderful, thank you Lovino.”

They stride towards Lovino’s room. While Liz got comfortable, Lovino got the stove starting and the tea boiling. Once the water had boiled, Lovino poured generous amounts in their teacups then joined Liz who was standing by the couch, eyeing the very few photographs Lovino owned.

“My family back in countryside Italy.” Lovino started after putting down the tray filled with plates of biscuits and their cups of tea. “The one standing beside me is my twin, mi fratellino, Feliciano.”
“You two look so alike. You even have the same curl.” she giggled at the black and white photograph of Lovino and his brother standing in by a hedge, Lovino looking away from the camera wearing a wide blush and his brother with the biggest grin that reach from the edge of his lips to the lower tip of his ear.

“Oh, thank you. It smells heavenly.” she says as she reaches for a cup.

“And we’re both flirtatious. I figured it runs in the Vargas family, if there is such a thing. It’s chamomile. I hope you don’t mind.”
Liz takes a sip and sighs. “It’s delightful.” she takes another sip then turns to Lovino, to whom she gives a small smile

“Thank you, Lovino. This was such a wonderful Christmas. “
Lovino raises a brow in question. “You think so?”
“Well for one, the building has never been this rowdy. Suddenly seeing our boarders interacting and having fun with each other. Having Christmas parties, birthday celebrations and many more, I just feel blessed this time around.”

“There have been a lot of parties even before this one. “
“But not as special as this one. For once, it felt like a genuine Christmas. A shame it is that many of you were unable to come this Christmas time, but I look forward to more celebrations like tonight. I hope I see you in all those celebrations Lovino.”

“I’ll see what I can do. I don’t want to have to run from the abomination that is Eyebrows’ cooking.” he snorts.

Liz was suddenly quiet as she tapped on her teacup, a serious face washed over her.
“Liz?”
“You’ve become friends with Antonio too. I’m glad for that.”
“Hah. More like I’m his babysitter. That kid can’t even stand two seconds without bumping into things.”
“Good. Please continue to be friends with him. He might need you more than ever in the future, and I believe you are the only who will ever be qualified enough to be his shoulder.”

Lovino knew better than to say anything. How could he ever be the support anyone needed when he couldn’t even support himself? But Liz looked at him with so much conviction and confidence that he decided to give a small nod in understanding. Liz once again smiles. She then puts down her half empty teacup and stands to leave. Lovino follows suit, but Liz tells him to remain seated and she will see herself out.

She bids him once more a good night then closes the door behind her leaving Lovino to a deafening silence.

Hello my lovelies! Here's another USUK for all the USUK shippers. <3
Help me grow in my art by giving me comments and suggestions as to how I can improve my technique.
Criticism is the best teacher after all.
Love lots! <3
-Remi

July 4th

Dear Diary, (is that how the youngsters say it?):

So I got myself a little something. It’s been a while since I ever got myself anything for my own use except for when I really needed it. Aside from all the magic books and spells I have, this is basically a luxury I don’t always have. Well, as you can see, it is the fourth of July. I’m pretty sure that fat arseed wanker is drinking himself to no end as of the moment. I always remind him not to drink to much. But who am I to say anything when I basically drink and get as wild as much myself. But I worry about the idiot. I happened to only be the person that raised him to what he is now. Speaking of drinking, I should go visit him two days from now to give my greetings. As well as check up on him as I’m sure his home is a mess from all the parties. Will I ever tire from taking care of him? Will we ever be more than just personifications of landmasses with history?

No matter how much we try to deny it.

Funny, how I got this on his birthday. OR maybe I wanted to give it to him on his birthday, but again I was to cowardly to give it to him because of what we’ve become.

What we’ve become huh?

It’s quite strange when I think about it. Back in the old days when he was still holding on to me, I could remember every single day as being fun and always filled with many things to talk about. He would make me tea and he would eat the food I made him, no matter how much he resented my cooking. Of course he resented my cooking back then. He was a little child. He hadn’t developed his taste buds yet. He still hasn’t, the little twat.

Ahem

Back then, when technology was as old as I am, and I would be out to war, he would write to me every second of every day. How he was able to send so many letters all at once was beyond me. But not once did I complain, for I loved him as much as he loved me and I loved rereading those letters every time I would feel lonely. Sometimes I didn’t even have to reread them because I would be too busy reading his new letters, or I would be too busy replying to each one while simultaneously working on battle strategies. And the talking would never end on simply asking me how I was. When I would come home, we would spend the night sleeping together (not in the that way, idiot). He would ask me the same questions he did in the letters and I would ask him how his days were without me. No matter how big he grew, that never changed.

Until now I would ask myself, “what went wrong?”
1777?

To me, it was a silly idea to think everything ended because of that. I still worry about him and he would “worry” about me whenever Francis calls him up to take care of me while I’m drunk (or at least pretending to be). More often than not we would fight during world meetings but that’s because the fatherly figure I had and have will never fade for he will always be my little America, my star spangled son. My best friend. My love.

It pained me to see him grow, yet proud that he is becoming what we had always dreamed he would be. He has quickly surpassed me which saddened me as I realized he no longer needed me. He was walking down the road I couldn’t go, making friends and going places; seeing the world as he see fit and ruling it with an iron fist (and with burgers and fries).

I remained the same, old, Great Empire of Britain that didn’t want to face those facts. I remained bitter when he left me to be independent. Why did he do that? Did he grow tired of me? Was he sulking because I didn’t reply to his letters?

I wanted to believe it was simply the trivial things and that someday he would come back to me. But I knew somewhere, at the back of my mind, I knew why: I was no longer the center of his world. I felt betrayed, yes. I felt like all the effort of raising him, showering him with affection and loving him despite the idea that he would be much happier, safer and more comfortable in the care of France; all of that, gone in a flash, thrown aside and forgotten. Like it never happened. I can still recall the sleepless nights even after many years of separation. Strong torrents of run are a constant reminder of that fateful noon. And as always, my bed felt and still feels like it was too big.

But again, it was in his growing up that reassured me that he was fine. I can’t properly face him as the pain is still there. But I hope that day will come soon. And I mean SOON. This diary thing should be able to record all my progress until that time comes.

And then I’d like to look back on this after that happens.
Hopefully, with him smiling beside me.



Arthur Kirkland
Great British Empire



{~Present Day~}

Arthur leaned back on their bed, his cheeks a thousand shades of red. His eyes remained focused on somewhere else as Alfred flipped to more pages of the brown and wrinkly pages of the Brit’s diary, his smile unfazed and his eyes wide as platters.

“I...don’t know what to say about this, Artie.”
“Then don’t say anything, wanker. “
“But I have to say something. This is your heart speaking through words on paper.You’re never EVER gonna say this to me. Even during sex!”
“SH-SHUT UP, YOU TWIT! Oh, just hand it over!” The British jerked upwards to grab the bounded papers but Alfred yanks it backwards and throws it to the ground. He then pushes Arthur back down on the bed, a grin spreads through his face as he watches the naked blond man squirm underneath him.

“Unhand me this instant, Alfred!”
“No!”
“How dare you defy the Great British Empire!”
“You said the same thing to me after 1777!”
“And I’m saying it again: UNHAND. ME.. “
"Do you really want that?” Alfred’s eyes darkened his gaze growing steely and his grip tightening around Arthur’s wrists. “Do you really want me to let you go, Artie?” he growled in the smaller man’s ear. Arthur tried his best to stifle back a moan but is powerless against the pleasure and pain of being underneath the blond American. He manages a few words but the rest were all a mumbo-jumbo as he reduced into a puddle.

“S-Stop it...I can’t...Al...” he squirmed at the feel of Alfred’s hands tweaking his nipples and sucking on his neck.
“Can’t what?” he pushed inside deeper making Arthur scream. “Oh is this it?” He hit the same spot and Arthur screams even louder and his body shudder violently. “Remember this, Arthur...:” he thrusts again, this time harder at the same spot “I let you go once. I am NOT letting you go again. Understand?”

“Ah! I’m...ah..please...”Arthur pleads as he reaches for Alfred’s back and digs his nails into his the latter’s flesh. Alfred winces at the pain but continues thrusting into him,slowing at times to mash their lips together sending their tongues in a violent clash for domination, their moans getting louder and louder as they feel the release coming closer and closer.

“DO YOU UNDERSTAND, ARTHUR!?” Arthur stops his thrusting and Alfred groans at the cease of action. His body was hot and he was aching from the inside and the bloody twat had to stop now He let loose all his pride and closed his eyes.
“I UNDERSTAND! Now please...ah! Let me come. With you, Alfred. Please!”

Alfred smirks. “Good. Hang onto me tight, babe.”

He grips the Brit by the hips and thrusts hard a few couple times and releases it all inside him as Arthur spreads his white all over their stomach. They remain lying on the bed together panting after that third round, their hands still intertwined. Alfred cups his lover’s cheeks with one hand and turns Arthur’s face towards him to give him a kiss. Not the adult kind of a kiss. The gentle kiss full of love and affection. They released after a while for air then snuggled under the blanket. Arthur sighed.

“Bloody hell, I just wanted you to let go of my wrists because it was getting painful.” The blond Brit scrunches his brows together in a V-shape. “You take things too literally.”

Alfred just laughs. “I just wanted you to understand a few things.”
“As if I didn’t understand anything, you little shit.”
“What?’
“Nothing!” Arthur turned his back on the American and slumped himself in one of the pillows just to hide the even redder than before red across his cheeks. “Just saying goodnight to my friends.”

“It’s actually good morning, Artie. “
“Whatever. Shut up already.”

Heh. He’s so bad at acting cool. Arthur thought. He leaned over the British, whose eyes were sealed shut after feeling the bed sink to the weight of the American. “Good morning Artie.” he says lovingly as he plants a kiss on Arthur’s forehead and goes to sleep as well. Once he felt like the American had finally dozed off, Arthur rouses from his position and stares at Alfred’s sleeping face. He can’t help but smile and hover over him giving him a small peck on the lips.

“My heart is yours, my star spangled love. Back then, now and forever.”





Alfred simply smiles.

March 17:

Lovino sat at the far end of the couch hugging a throw pillow, his head against the window pane as he stared blankly outside and watched as passerby’s traversed the cold brightly lit sidewalk of his two floor apartment home. Every now and then he would silently scowl with much disdain towards those who would be walking, linked arms with their lovers or those with brightly wrapped packages as they excitedly talked on their phones while stubbornly telling himself to amuse himself with something else around the house rather than sit and sulk and scowl all evening. He’s surprised his face muscles survived the entire day since the moment he had woken up, his face was etched with lines of disappointment. It was bad enough he had woken up alone with a sore bottom and aching muscles from last night’s play, he had to find out that for the entire day, he would be alone as the stupid Tomato Bastard had to run back to Spain to finish a few things in his House and would not be home until late at night. In effect, Lovino remained alone in his House with silence enveloping his every being. And it had to be today, on March 17, of all days. While he had always been invulnerable to any kind of loneliness and the feeling of being number two even in his own family, today was that one day where all his defense would be down, making his physical and emotional body vulnerable to any kind of attack. He would repeatedly tell himself to start getting used it. More often than not, he would remind himself that this was not the first time he was rejected still on the day of his own birth. Well, who can blame them? He was just another Italy. In fact, he’s not even allowed to carry the name; he was simply Romano. Just Romano, while his brother Feliciano would always carry with pride the Italian name. At one point, while everyone would be out talking with Feliciano, he would be in his room, flipping through his aging books and escorting himself into a world where he would be more or less be happy.

This kind of treatment was something he was used to at the same time hated the fact that he had gotten so used to it. And Toni was no exception.. For all he knew he could have told him that he would be at the House taking care of his stupid, failing and undeveloped economy when in fact, he is at the Potato Bastard’s home where Feliciano was temporarily staying permanently (Yes it means what it means. And no, I did not allow it. He just came out of the blue telling me he was at “Luddy’s” place. ) along with the other personifications that got along well with Feliciano. His lie was too transparent since he’d always heard the same lie over and over again. Promising they would be with Lovino on his birthday then calling him up saying they had changed their plans and were at Feliciano’s then would offer him to come over. Of course Lovi would decline, no matter how much he wanted to go. After all, no one would be left to eat the dinner he had (un)excitedly made nor drink the wine he had painstakingly stole from his grandfather’s basement. He knew Toni is the same. No matter how much he said he loved Lovi; or how tight his hold around him would be while Toni thrusts slowly in and out of him, whispering and moaning Lovi’s name softly in his ear as he brings Lovi to the peak. Even just the idea of being held by him after one of the nightly sessions seemed like an illusion Antonio had created in order for Lovino to trust the Spaniard while the latter tried to latch himself on the other brother.

A whiff of a cold draft of wind entered a small slit on the window pane, softly hitting the side of Lovi’s face that was leaning on the window. But he didn’t mind. Instead, he let the cold run through his body, down to his spine and deeper into the layer of his skin, willing it to freeze the tears threatening to fall. He removed his eyes away from the sight outside and directed them to the clock, reading it as 10pm. He sighed as he returned to staring but then decided it was no use moping around as waiting up for the bastard would only grant him Chanel under his eyes. He puts the throw pillows in order and locates his slippers then moves towards the stairs when the sound of a telephone ringing in the far corner of the room stops him in his tracks. Lovino contemplated on not answering but figured it was important so instead he takes a detour to take the call.

“Hello. Lovino Vargas here. “
“Lovi, mon amour~!”
He knew that voice.

“Just my luck. It’s Fuckface Francis. What do you want? Make it quick because I was about to go upstairs and sleep.”
“What?!” The tone on the other voice sounded surprised and panicky at the same panicky, Lovi noted as Francis murmured something on the other side. He coughed and returned to the call.

“Listen, I am not in a mood to listen to anything you say, Francis. I just want some sleep. Tell me what you want in the morning when Toni gets back. At least I won’t be alone in breathing the same air as you.” Lovi remarks annoyed and begins to put it down when Francis shouts in the other line surprising the former.

“Wait! You’d regret it if you do that.”
“And why would I regret going to sleep?”
“Just stay up for 20 minutes, oui?"
“Are you crazy?!”
“...do it for Antoine.”
“...”

The things I do...

“Shit. Fine. 20 minutes. Once it’s gone past 20 minutes, I’m hitting the hay.”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll have to wait 20 minutes, love.” A voice from behind caused Lovino to drop the telephone and turn around only to have his lips taken by someone else’s. For some reason the lips felt so familiar and in not time he found myself drowning in the familiar kiss, not too passionate, heck there wasn’t even a tongue. But the kiss was gentle, warm, and loving. It was the kind of kiss only HE could give. Slowly the other lips released Lovi’s and he found myself staring at emerald green eyes and inhaling the faint and sweet smell of freshly picked tomatoes. Lovino’s breath hitched as he realized it was Antonio and his arms holding him up.

“What the heck was that, idiot?”
“Am I not allowed kiss you, love?”
“This is fucking unfair.”
“I never play fair, love. Especially not with you.”
“Shut up already.” I might get the urge to kiss you again.

He simply chuckled at me. I was trying my best not to look unaffected but my face is too uncooperative.

“I thought I wouldn’t see you tonight.”
“I got finished early~!” Toni flashed him a smile then gave him a quick peck on the lip. And another. And another.

“Can you not tease me with all these sorry excuses for kisses and give me an actual one? Not that I’m waiting for it.”
“Oh, Lovi. If I didn’t have anything planned for tonight I would have taken you right here right now.”

Lovino blinked for a few times, trying to digest what is lo---partner had just said

“What?”
“But I have something planned. So,” Toni moved a little from Lovi and took his hand in his, their eyes never leaving each others. “Come with me.” he said with a smile.

Butterflies a-flutter in his heart and in his stomach, he gripped Toni’s hands tighter, muttering some cuss word unsuccessfully trying to cover up the ecstasy swimming in his head. How could they not? How do you react to someone who had gone so far as to turn his entire House into a tomato themed patch all for the sake of making silly old Romano Italy happy? It was never the nature of someone who, for so many centuries had once thought him to be a nuisance. Of someone who once was one of the people who had chosen his little brother over him. It just doesn’t happen very often. And it certainly doesn’t happen to Lovino. That’s why the moment Antonio opened the white marble doors to his House, he found himself, crying and laughing at the same time. Cursing Antonio while unnaturally saying sweet things to the Spaniard, was something rarely seen by anyone.And although Lovino would never admit it, he was glad for the extra noise the other two members of the Bad Touch Trio and the rest of the personifications. He let the potato bastards in because 1) Gil is Toni’s friend and the tomato bastard had earned his fair share of a good reward and 2) It was also Feli’s birthday and because he was a fucking awesome big bro, he gave the floor tonight for Feli despite the fact that he had always been treated as...okay enough with the depressive mood.

And the best part?

He turned to one end of the room by the glow of the fireplace with emerald eyes gleaming, stood a tall and tan Spaniard in his red pirate clothes, red boot and feathered pirate cap. Toni looked his way and smiled. Lovi quickly turns away Again. Lovi found himself stuttering and panicky as he feels Antonio move to his direction. He braces himself as Antonio takes him by the arm and whispers close to his ears.

“I think it’s about time for the main event, love?”

Lovino simply smiled. “Spoiling me tonight, I see?”
Antonio smiles back and gives Lovino a peck to the forehead. “For you love, anything.”

“Hey Toni?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“Happy birthday, Lovi. I love you too.” Antonio cups Lovino’s face and stares into the latter’s almond eyes slowly making his way to his lips. The kiss was gentle at first, and going to the slow rhythm of the jazzy music playing over the dining hall until it became hotter and more needy. They broke the kiss reluctantly, both panting. Lovino takes Antonio by the collar and whispers in his ears.

“I want my present, Toni.”
“As you wish, love.”

Hand in hand they move silently out the door leaving their guests to themselves. Away from the party and the loud music, all to themselves and with no one else. Basking in each others warmth, feeling the others heartbeat next to theirs. Screaming each others name and then waking up feeling sore yet satisfied.

“I’m hungry, bastard. Let me go.”
“I can’t let you go, Lovi. I never will.”

Lovi let a small smile pass. “You better fucking be sure of that.”
“I know I am.”

I felt a throb in my head as I began to regain consciousness. My eyes slowly fluttered open and my nose tingled as the smell of rusting metal and old man smell penetrated my nostrils. Once I had gotten my eyes to open, I tried standing up, but found that I couldn't. This was because I was tied to a chair, with something rough like a heavy rope to my wrists.

Where was I? How did I get here? Wasn't I supposed to be at home, resting after that dinner with Aiba Masaki? Then what? Nino woke me up, we got into a fight.

That's right, he tried to take me. He was on my bed, and he started ripping me off my garments. I looked to my side and realized I was still clad in my coat and just wearing my trousers. My white shirt which had been clean a while ago was now covered in dirt. Wait, what happened before I got here? Ah, after that, I ran out the mansion and out to the garden...

It had all come back to me. I was kidnapped!

But who? I had made too many enemies in my lifetime, it could be anyone.

I was now fully awake and trying to get out of my bounds when I heard footsteps creeping closer and closer. Two? No, six footsteps. 3 people were inside. The sound became louder and louder until it came into a stop. The place I was being held was dark saves for the only light that shone on me like a spotlight. The footsteps had stopped in front of me, and I could see the tip of a gentleman's shoe.

"Look at you. You look so beautiful from where you are, Sho-chan."

My blood curled and my stomach churned. I was still groggy, but I could never mistake that voice, or that pet name. Only one person called me that, much to my disgust.

The figure moved forward, revealing my dinner party just tonight: Aiba Masaki. Accompanying him was two of his lackeys, bodyguards at his rear.

The anger rose in me as I found my voice. "Let me go, right now Masaki--mmmph!" He quickly swiped from his tux a piece of cloth and gagged me. With my hands restrained, I couldn't take off the gag, even if I wanted to. All I could do now was listen and watch.

"I wanted to talk it out, Sho-chan but you so rudely left in the middle of our little dinner date." He leaned down, our faces inches from each other. "Frankly, I was a little insulted." He moved his head to my right and licked the outside of my earlobe.

Muffled sounds came from my mouth instead of the screams of disgust.

"Ah, you're quite sensitive, aren't you Sho-chan? But be patient. We'll get there later." He moved away and snapped his fingers. His guards came to me and started beating me up, slapping me and hitting me, taking a hand-full of my hair and pulled my head back. While it was all going on, he stood there at the side, just watching the inhumane way I was treated by his own.

I could feel myself lapse into another unconscious state of mind when he snapped his fingers again and the beating stopped. I was glad enough to be able to take a breather.

I was badly beaten up, and I was aching everywhere. I couldn't see them, but I could literally feel the bruises where they were. My wrists too were starting to ache from the course rope. Aiba took me by the hair and pulled my head back to look at me. He eyes were red. From what, I wouldn't know. But I do know one thing: He wanted to kill me.

"Don't lose your consciousness now, little master. This is nothing, compared to what my father went through with you and your sorry excuse for a father." He growled, and jerked my head backwards. "You don't know the pain my father had gone through before he died."

He began to beat me in the stomach and each time I would yelp in pain, he would strengthen his blows. "Your family pushed him to do what he did. Partnership? Hah!"

He landed another blow, this time I could feel my insides churning inside me. "What 'partnership'?! You put all the liabilities on my father's shoulders so of course he would try to get a little asset. But what happened!? Huh!? You called him a thief and hunted him down! All for getting a measly number from your gigantic company! You buried us in debt, you freaking sons of a bitch!"

He landed his last blow and I in turn, lost whatever I had eaten that night. It was silent then he took off my gag. "I rose up from the poverty, after father died. I supported my mother alone. But she died too. I was alone. And now you're going to pay on behalf of your father. I'm sure he loved you dearly. So this will probably send him to the brink of death as well.

"My father...?" I managed to get out.

"That's right. I'll kill his precious son, and then when the news gets to him, he'll be so depressed to run any of his businesses. It's killing him psychologically."

"Then you're doing it the wrong way."

"Huh!?"

"That arse...he doesn't even look at me. Not once...did he ever...ever play with me. He was no father to me."

"Really now? Then you don't care if he died, then."

"BUT." I continued in between gasps. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have gotten then chance...to be normal. If he held me close enough I would probably be trapped in the own confines of my home."

While all the beating had been going on, I had been busy trying to undo the ties on my wrists. I didn't retaliate, until now when the ropes had finally been undone. I should thank my scoutmaster for this.

I flailed my hands to the side. Aiba’s eyes widened with shock but quickly tried to recover. He must not have expected the ropes to be undone that easily. Fortunately, the metal chair I was tied to had wooden splinters sticking out, probably from when it was still being constructed. A little friction was all I needed under the watchful angry eyes of my captor. With his focus and composure gone down the drain, it gave me a chance to tackle him down. I lunged forward taking all the strength I had in me and pushed him down. His wrists I kept down with my hands and with my lower body, kept him from using his legs from kicking me off.

From both sides, I could hear his lackeys come at me. I had nothing on me to keep me safe and I thought for sure that would be my end when suddenly, one of them were thrown across me, in effect throwing down the other.

In one fell swoop all three perpetrators were on the floor, two of them stacked on each other. I looked to the direction where the first guard had come from and saw Nino standing there, behind him were the rest of the Sakurai family guard.

I had never been relieved to see anyone in my life.

"Sho! Sho!"

But I had no time to celebrate now. The fatigue that had left me somehow managed to find its way back and I found myself spiraling into the abyss of sleep. The last thing I remember was being cradled in the warmth of familiar arms and the deep baritone voice that kept calling my name.

"Ni...no."

Aiba Masaki, son of late President Masaki of Masaki Corp. ran to meet me with a giant grin on his face just somewhere close to the ushering counter. The male, although probably in his mid-30’s had this aura of youth, yet somewhat alluring charm. It must have been the suit he wore, I noted. His hair had a clean cute and, from where I stood as he came closer to me, he had a good scent on him. What was it? LouVui? Calvin?

“I’m so glad you could make it, Sho-chan~!” His arms suddenly enveloped me and then he was snuggling me. I swear my face became a thousand shades of red, as the stares of once peaceful diners were on the unsettling scene of two males in professional uniforms hugging each other inside an otherwise professional restaurant. He must have felt me struggling as he let go of me, but not my shoulders and was now looking at me with concerned eyes. “I was about to call the cops if you didn’t arrive within 5 minutes!”

I straightened my suit and tie and cleared my throat, returning to my usual demeanor. “I would appreciate it if you weren’t so rash, Mr. Masaki.”

“Don’t be so formal with me Sho-chan~ Aiba is good enough!”

“Uh-huh.”

He then took hold of my coat and case on one hand and took my hand with his available one, while dragging me to his table.

The table he chose was secluded spot where private talks were possible without the intervention of third parties or prying ears around. I took note of my surroundings and the ambience of the restaurant. It felt so much like a South Mediterranean themed restaurant, with jazzy music and a breathtaking view of the city. And outside balcony provided an outlet for smoking or lazy chats over dinner as they felt the breeze from 5 storeys high. It was a wonderful restaurant.

At the same time dangerous, as I realized that this night wouldn’t be so pleasant as the air around the restaurant.

“Well?”

I stopped surveying as my companion cut off my train of thought.

“Well what?” I asked, looking at him questioningly.

“Don’t I have just the best taste in restaurants? I was here a few days ago with a few political friends and when I first stepped in it, I knew I just HAD to get you in here! I have to know what you think, Sho-chan. Do you like it?”

The waiter came to pour us a drink and to hand us the menu. I opened it and took in the dishes before replying. “I’m honored you thought of me. It is indeed a fine restaurant, and the food is no less exciting.” I put down the menu and gave him a small smile. “You have a fine taste for restaurants.”

His face suddenly lit up and let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad! Ah, have you chosen your order?”

“Yes I have.” The waiter came and took our orders. I had eaten during our campaign planning stages so I settled for something light, just raw herring and dessert.

The waiter left and came back with our wine. As he poured the wine, I made sure our eyes would not make contact. Only when he left again, and I was sipping on my wine, did he start a conversation.

“You’re so wary of me, Sho-chan. “

“I would also appreciate it if you wouldn’t put thoughts in my mind, sir.”

“Then look me in the eye! You’re so cold tonight. It’s like you don’t know me, after all we’ve been through.”

“Cut to the chase, Masaki.” I soon regretted saying that, when I finally made contact with his eyes and I see that his expression has changed to the verge of the playful smile at the beginning of the night to something more cunning and calculating.

Aiba rested his chin on his clasped hands and let out a mock smirk as our eyes locked onto each other. “I’m glad you liked my choice, Sho-chan.”

The way he emphasized ‘Sho-chan’ made me shiver internally. “It fits its name, no?” I fidgeted in my seat as he continued his sentence.

“Sta. Monica.”

We both knew what it meant. The mere mention of the word was once taboo in our company, after the incident. Neither party had any intention to relive such an adversary.

I was now eyeing him suspiciously inside. If he thinks this is intimidating me, he’s got another thing coming. He then held up his hands as if in surrender to his crime.

“Don’t mistake me, Sho-chan. If you’re thinking about that then rest assured, I have no intention to make us both think that way, though I must admit, the name is a nostalgic sound.” He stopped to take his pocket handkerchief to dab at the imaginary tears in his eyes. “I found myself tear up at remembering my dear old man visited by Death himself.”

“There you go again, putting thoughts in my head.” I carefully took a sip of my wine, keeping my head focused downward.

“Am I wrong?”

“I am a man of politics. A businessman’s world is the least of my concerns.”

I could just feel him grinning at me. “You truly are a formidable opponent in talks like this.”

I maintained silence on my part as the food finally arrived in no less than an hour. I was glad for the intervention of the heavenly scents piercing my nose.

The tension was rising faster than I expected it to go.

I glance up quickly to see that his expression hadn’t changed or at least reverted back to its usual cheerful demeanor. In fact, his eyes were now those of a predator lying in wait in the shadows watching his prey, unaware that it was slowly making its way to enemy territory.

And I just happened to be that prey.

It was silence between us, saves for the sounds of utensils clanging against each other, and murmurs giggles from either sides from the diners. The operatic sound of Italian music filled the room. I jerked inwardly as the as the voice across me sounded.

“Shall we move onto business?”

I didn’t look up but continued to cut through the herring on my plate.

“I’ll set it straight: Leave the Mayoral run. Forfeit and hand over the office to me. “

I knew it.

“This is quite a shrewd way of telling your enemy off, Mr. Masaki. I took you to be more than this.”

“Indeed.”I pause for a second before responding. I put down my utensils and heave a sigh.

“I understand. “

His face was blank but I could tell he was taken aback by my response.

My response that I wasn’t done with.

“I understand now how imperative it is for me to win the Mayoral seat once again and to make sure it doesn’t fall into the hands of the wrong. Cowards do not deserve that office.” I made sure to emphasize the word ‘coward’ just to provoke him.

I fumbled in my coat for my wallet and took out three hundred bills and lay it on the table and stood up, my case now also in hand. “Thank you for the evening, but I have campaign plans to attend to. Elections are just around the corner. “

And with that I turned and left the man and my unfinished dessert. I called for the car to be brought in front and I exited the restaurant, without looking back.



Only when I was safely inside the confines of the Montero and was driving away from the scene did I sneak a peek at the restaurant from the side mirror. Looking at it now, I was able to admire the simple exterior of the restaurant in comparison to the extravagant interior.

At the back of my mind, I was reminded by my dinner companion. He was indeed the twin of his predecessor: Unpredictable.

I’m glad I didn’t let my guard down by that cheerful demeanor. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to spot the death glare he had been giving me when I stepped out the car. The Masaki family was like that of the restaurant’s build: Sparkling on the outside, but rotten to the core on the inside.

-----------------------------

Back inside the restaurant, the man left behind by his companion remained at his seat, punching in a few numbers in his mobile. A few seconds later, men emerged from within the crowd of diners and surrounded him as he cut his last piece of meat.

“Leaving me was rude, Sho-chan. I was planning to talk it out peacefully, but now you leave me no other choice. “He carefully popped the piece of meat inside his mouth and savored the meat’s juices as it flowed and filled his mouth with flavor.

And just like that meat, he was going to savor every last bit of moment he would be spending with his precious Sho-chan.

“Get the plans ready. The deal is off.”

A sound of a fork piercing through well-done was all that echoed in the empty cubicle.