Why so serious, ve? {Lovino/askB4join}

[Feliciano Vargas]

Saturday. It had to be just about the best time of the week for everyone. 'Finally, ve.. Out of class! I thought I was going to die from all that work!' Of course, in the academy, Feliciano couldn't just lag behind in his work and not care about anything; it was college! Along with that, he also had a bit of a fear that if he dropped behind, he was going to be kicked out of the school. 'Ne.. That would be horrible! I would have to go home and be yelled at.. And Lupe! I can't just leave her either, ve! Then I wouldn't be able to go to her house in Mexico for the summer and visit..' Yes, so many things were riding on his stay at the university, some more than others. But though it all, the occasionally missed siesta was worth it.

Today, he decided to take a break and visit the shopping centers. 'It's so weird to see all this stuff though, ve!' The Italian felt a little bit of homesickness as he walked along the storefronts, seeing all the strange things the stores had to offer; this was certainly not Italy. 'Ne.. I kind of miss it back home..' Feliciano sighed quietly and stopped along one of the stores that offered some sort of weird special on.. what did it say.. Suufe? He was probably wrong, but whatever.

"Ne.. I should have asked Lupe to come with me." His amber eyes lifted from the sign to look around, hoping to miraculously catch the Mexican student walking along the shopping center as well. Of course, nothing. 'Probably studying again, ve, or writing those long letters.' Feliciano had been slowly getting to know a few other people, but out of them all, his best friend had ended up being an accepting Mexican girl by the name of Lupe. 'I wonder what Lovino would think of her, ve?' Wait.. Lovino? The Italian frowned to himself; he hadn't seen more than a glimpse of his brother since he got here. 'Ne, where is he anyways?' he thought sadly. As luck would have it though, he saw a familiar reflection in the store's glass.

Quickly turning around, Feliciano didn't bother to check twice and see if it was a stranger. He waved his arms and tried to get the figure's attention. "L-LOVINO? VE? IS THAT YOU?" he called happily. It certainly looked like him from here.. Still, the Italian decided not go to over, yet, in case it was another bully from school. "It's me, your brother, REMEMBER?~"

[Lovino Vargas]

So far so good. His life in this place seemed to have taken a good turn, despite what he thought at first. Sure, his roommates... are a bit unexpected but hey, he's still alive and breathing till now! That should be a good sign enough. And he hasn't met anyone he knows from his, let's just say, rough life back there in Italy.

So yeah, Lovino is happy and content with his life. He might not have the best grades, but everything is certainly better than before. And though the place is nowhere as nice as Italy (the food is acceptable, the people is agreeable, the weather is pretty nice... and the girls don't look that bad...), he's pretty sure he can live through several years in this place.

Humming, a rare smile plastered on his face, the Italian skipped lightly on his steps, curl bouncing as his eyes scanned what's offered in front of him. Today is such a good day. He doesn't regret going out and skipped on his daily siesta today.

"L-LOVINO? VE? IS THAT YOU?"

And he promptly freezes when he realized what he just heard. Wait, can it be... it can't be him, can it...?

"It's me, your brother, REMEMBER?~"

Goddammit, he really hope he is hearing it wrong now... Please tell him he's just hearing it wrong... That that voice he just heard didn't really call his name out loud in front of many others and that it doesn't really belong to someone he knows pretty well. There's only one person he knows that have no shame and never thinks twice when doing things like this...

He slowly turns around and hopes to not confirm his fear.

Too bad for him, it really was as he feared.

His stupid, idiotic little brother who's always everyone's favorite is standing not far from him. I know I've forgotten someone, the Italian mildly cursed at himself. Holding back an urge to just run away from the scene and pretend nothing ever happened, Lovino murmured a small acknowledgment of Feliciano's presence, waving at him weakly and carefully approached the other.

"What are you doing here, you idiot?" He finally asked when they're close enough to each other, voice low so it's just the two of them who can hear their (not so) secret exchange.

[Feliciano Vargas]

Feliciano watched as the figure froze, confused as to if he had mistaken the person like he feared. He waited a moment, then smiling when the figure waved back. The Italian felt like shouting out his brother's name, but figured he had already gathered his attention, and that he could just tell him everything he wanted when he was close enough. When Lovino walked over, Feliciano rocked back and forth on his heels slightly. But, his moment of happiness didn't last very long when he saw the look on his brother's face. They were never exactly close, but, wouldn't be he happy to see him after all this time? Feliciano knew he missed his brother. "Lovino, is somethi-"

Oh. That. What kind of a greeting was that? And why was he talking so hushed? It seemed Lovinio always had this thing of being ashamed of being seen with his brother or something. Was there something wrong with him? 'I'd gladly show the world my neat older brother, ve,' he thought slightly confused as he thought of a response. Feliciano was never the kind to snap back, although he was a little hurt.

A frown appeared on the younger Italian face, his disappointment apparent. "Ne.. What do you mean? We go to the same school so.. This is close by and I just wanted to get out for a bit, ve," he explained quietly. Usually he wasn't one to be able to read the atmosphere or get the obvious vibes given off by others, but when it came to his brother.. 'Ne, what's wrong with me saying hi?' he thought dejectedly.

Feliciano pushed away his momentary disappointment and smiled, pulling his brother into a warm hug. "But still, ve! I missed you~ Didn't you miss me?" he asked, expecting for Lovino to reply the same way; the past experiences when it came to his brother and his affections never deterred him, and he still hoped he would come through one day. After all, how could you not love your own brother? The student, of course, loved his brother to death no matter how rude or verbally short he was; although Lovino never showed it, Feliciano thought he had to care for him back, somehow.

"Ne, how's school been? It's kinda hard, ve, but I like being here~" he added in his normally loud tone of voice.

[Lovino Vargas]

Lovino can't help but let a small smile slip into his face upon seeing his brother's smiling face. Damn Feliciano, his smile is contagious. But still... he felt something warm in his heart knowing that his brother is excited to see him. Or at least, he appeared to be excited, what with his rocking back and forth. The smile on the older Italian's face doesn't stay for too long though. He quickly dropped his smile as soon as he realized the sides of his lips are upturned, praying quietly in his heart that no, his brother didn't just catch a glimpse of that smile.

"Uh..." Lovino coughed awkwardly, shuffling his feet before looked the other straight at his eyes, feeling a bit guilty when he noticed the frown on his brother's usually cheerful face. "I-I don't mean anything, Feli. Sorry. It's just..." I don't expect to see you here? I've been avoiding you all this time I'm in the academy...? Does he really need to tell him that he had gone to this place to start his life all over and that he had tried his best to avoid those he knows before...? Fate seems to be hating him on that part of his quest though, seeing as the first thing he found out upon arriving here was that he would be roomed with Antonio, the number one person in the world he would like to avoid with reasons he would like to keep to himself for now, thank you.

He gulped before deciding to just lie to his brother. He might be terrible or less better in everything than Feliciano, but he can't be that bad in lying too, right? There must be one thing he's better at. "I'm just surprised to find you here, out of all places. That's all--"

He never gets the chance to finish his sentence though, as suddenly, out of nowhere, Feliciano decided that hugging him is the best thing to do. Lovino flailed, trying to push his brother away at first, his face blushing deep red as some passerby raised their eyebrows at the scene before them. Ugh. Hesitantly, the Italian tried to ignore the look they're receiving and hugged the other back. He better be doing the right thing... "I missed you too... Well, uh, kinda. Dammit. Do you really have to ask things like this in front of a lot of people...? It's embarrassing. And I'm okay. Everything's been okay." Except for the fact that he failed in avoiding people. "It's good to hear you like being here though. You didn't haven't gotten yourself into any problem, right?"

[Feliciano Vargas]

So he missed him too? Feliciano couldn't help but grin happily, even though not all of his response had been exactly joyous. "Ve, well I'm glad you weren't avoiding me~ And I'm surprised too. Ne, don't you take your siestas anymore?" The Italian himself was scheduled for one a bit ago, but had decided instead to see what the surrounding town had to offer; after all, how could one go to a whole new place without seeing what it was like? The point of travel was to look around, not stay sheltered in a room all day. Feliciano finally let his brother out of the hug, oblivious to any of the odd looks they were getting. It was probably for the best though, because he would probably save and say something like 'Hi! This is my brother, Lovino! I just found hiim..' and so on so forth.

"Sorry Lovino," he replied brightly, "And I'm glad to hear that, ve." 'At least he's okay after all this time.' The Italian was so happy that his brother was no longer missing that he failed to make a note of the rare smile on his face when he first came over. "Nooooo, I've been really good!" What to talk of first. Roommates? School projects? Homesickness? The younger Italian bit his lower lip slightly in thought, pondering what would be an acceptable thing to talk about in public.

'Ne, he was talking about being in public right?' Feliciano grabbed his brother's hand in his own, swinging it back and forth happily and without regard to anyone walking by. "Maybe we should go somewhere else if you're worried about other people, ve?"

Of course now that he had finally found Lovino, he would have to tell him everything; however, Feliciano also knew that his older brother wouldn't want to sit and listen to all his ramblings, so he would have to but it down a bit. He couldn't help laugh quietly and embrace his brother again, though this time backing away quickly. "Sorry, ve, but I feel like I haven't seen you in forever~ Ne, but do you want to go somewhere else still?" There had to be a cafe of some sort around here, or maybe even a furniture store where they let you sit on the couches? The Italian caught a passerby's gaze and waved with his free hand, receiving an odd stare in return. Eh. He was used to it. Quickly, he turned back to Lovino to listen to what he was saying.

[Lovino Vargas]

Okay, so he’s doing this right, hopefully… if that grin on Feliciano’s face is anything to go by. “No, of course I wasn’t avoiding you, Feli.” Lies. “You’re my own brother, why would I avoid you?” He shrugged, chuckling and patted his brother on his head lightly. “Don’t get strange ideas into your head, Fratello. Okay?” His own amber eyes gazed straight at the other’s, his foot tapping at the ground as he waited impatiently for the answer.

“I still take my siesta daily, don’t be silly.” Though with the amount of work he had to do, and his avoiding a lot of people, his siesta hasn't been particularly peaceful. Well, at least with this he doesn’t need to try and avoid his brother anymore. It’s been exhausting, doing that.

See…? He told himself. There’s always a good side to everything that happened.

The older Italian took a deep breath once he was released from the hug, quickly stepping backwards just in case Feliciano decided to hug him again. The other can hug empty air for all he cares. Lovino is never one fond of showing his affections publicly, after all.

“You better be good. No one can really protect you here if you screw anything.” He paused for a bit, before adding quickly. “Not even me.” It was pretty clear to him that his brother was thinking of something, though what the other is thinking, he can never be sure. Feliciano gave him an impression of someone who thought of a thousand things (over-exaggerating again, shut up) at a time before those thoughts are quickly changed with another thoughts that are of complete difference with what he thought before.

“O-oi!” He stuttered a little when the other just suddenly grabbed his hand and swung it back and forth. In front of a lot of people, no less! If his face isn’t red from the previous sudden hug, then it must be red from what just happened. “Goddammit…” He muttered quietly at the embrace, which, luckily for him, doesn’t last too long. “Must you always be so touchy-feely, Feli…? And no. I don’t want to go to somewhere else. I’ve been planning to go back home after this trip but to my misfortune, I meet you.” He shot his brother the same look the passerby gave at the younger Italian when he waved his free hand at the poor guy. Sometimes, Lovino envy his brother’s vigorousness and cheerfulness, but this time is definitely not one of those ‘sometimes’.

“I guess there’s nothing wrong with going out with you sometimes though… Especially after such a long time. Let’s eat? The bill’s on me.” Ha! Take that, idiots who always thought of him as the bad big brother. He can be nice too! Now, if only Feliciano would behave…

[Feliciano Vargas]

"Ohh.. Sorry Lovino," he quickly apologized, feeling even happier (if possible) than before at his brother calling him his brother in their native tongue. It wasn't very often he did that, so Feliciano treasured those tiny moments. He felt like hugging him again, but felt that would kind of be overdoing it; this was one of those times he felt like finally listening to the voice in his head that told him tot slow down. 'Well it's good to know he's not missing his siestas,' he told himself mentally, 'Because it's unhealthy!' Feliciano had once tried to go a week without siestas as a dare.. he doesn't' remember a single minute of that week.

Wait, no protection? 'Ne, but that's the whole reason I came.' The Italian's mind suddenly stopped spinning circles as he stared at his brother with a confused look. His parents had said that Lovino would watch out for him, and in fact, that was what had finally convinced him in coming to academy, since he didn't want to be surrounded by a bunch of intimidating strangers. Though, instead of arguing about it or asking why not, he simply gave a a quiet "..Okay.." and decided to think about it some other time.

"Ve?" He turned back to his older brother, a little surprised from his response. "Ne, why is your face so red, Lovino?" he asked with a curious gaze. 'Did he see something funny?' Feliciano glanced to see if the stranger was wearing a funny hat or something he had missed, but he had walked off by now. Turning back to his fratello, he was met with a bit more scolding before being surprised with an offer.

'Mistfortune..?' "Ah.. Sorry again, ve," he said quietly with a nod. 'He probably just meant something else,' the Italian decided. When confronted with something unpleasant, he usually brushed it off or thought of ways to make it so the other person's words had gotten messed up somewhere along the way. After all, didn't he just say something about not getting weird ideas into his head? Why start worrying now? 'Ve, something like that.' As always, he was half-paying attention, but that was more than he gave anyone else on a given day. Quickly, Feliciano dismissed the previous words and brightened at the idea of food.

"Yea! Okay!" he beamed. 'I haven't had anything really good since I got here,' he thought happily, 'I mean the food's not bad, but it's not really good either.' "So where though? I don't really know anywhere around here, ve." The younger of the two started to lead them through the shopping area. "I don't think they have pasta here, ve, but it might be really gross.. Have you tried a scone? Some kid gave me one he said he got from someone else. It was really gross, ve.. I think i had nightmares about it!"

[Lovino Vargas]

"Mmhm. Apologies accepted. Kinda... Just don't you do it again." Ugh. He's bad at this kind of talk. Small talks and its friends. Too much wasting time, in his personal opinion, but sometimes, one can’t be too direct with their words. Or they might get themselves into trouble. And Lovino wants to stay away from trouble as far as he can, thank you very much.

There’s an uncomfortably long moment of silence that stretches between them right after he told Feliciano the truth. Was the other surprised? Was he regretting his choice to come over to the Academy now that he knows about the truth…? He can’t read mind, dammit, and Feliciano being quiet is really creeping him out. Though… It’s not like he’s that tough really. He just acted all high and mighty. Bluffing is one of his best abilities. That, and running away from problems and then having them coming back at him all at once. He shuddered at the memory. Definitely one of the darkest moments in his life.

When Feliciano gave him a weak ‘Okay’, Lovino doesn’t know whether to feel relieved or not. It’s one of those rare moments when his brother actually is not answering with an exclamation mark following his every sentence… That, or a ‘ve’ following after his words. It’s one of the other’s strange habits he had grown up with and never decides to question.

“It’s—“ He was about to say something else about the other and his apologizing too much. It’s what, two apologizes in less than an hour? Did Feli just eat something bad or…? But anyways. It seemed like the idea of getting food had cheered him up (and got his mind off from something bad… he doesn’t know. He can never know), as the younger Italian just beamed at him.

He shook his head and shot him a questioning look. “You don’t…? I thought you would.” He had never been an excitable kid after all… Not even when he was a kid with all their wanting to know new things. Discovering something new was all Feli’s job. He is just there to receive the end result.

A frown appeared on his face at the prospect of not having pasta. How can this be?! Pasta, of all things, goddammit, it can’t be. Maybe Feliciano just haven’t explored around that much yet. Although… he must agree with his brother. The thing might taste really gross… Well, not exactly gross, but just… Ugh, he has yet to find any food that is up to his taste here.

No, he is not picky, shut up, dammit.

“No, I’ve never tried a scone. And I doubt I ever want to try one now. “ He winced at trying to imagine the taste. “We can try other things…” His eyes caught a sign with burger picture on it. Must be a burger joint then. Or something that serves fast foods. Those aren’t exactly his favorite, but they taste the same everywhere, right? So they’re not taking any risks of eating bad-tasting things should Feliciano agreed on going to eat there… And besides, they’re cheap. “Hey, what do you say to some burger…?”

[Feliciano Vargas]

"Well I haven't really gotten away from school that much, ve," the younger Italian began with his usual cheerfulness, "It's been kinda hard to go anywhere.. with work." Ew. Work, As much as he hated it, he'd rather not have to go home and explain to everyone why he came back from school so early; that, and Lovino was here! It would be so boring waiting for him to get out of school, and he didn't like the idea of being separated from his brother again. 'Ne, it already seems like forever!' Usually Feliciano would have some doubt settle in his mind at this moment, but since the older of the two already said that he was happy to see him, that doubt was gone.

"Ne, what's that look for, Fratello?" He returned his odd look with a curious one of his own.

He saw his older brother's frown and smiled at him in hopes to cheer him up as they walked by some of the strange stores again."It's okay~ We'll get some good food, ve~" 'But what kind of food is there around here if there isn't pasta, ve?' he wondered to himself

Hamburgers? That was new. Feliciano stopped walking and glanced toward where Lovino was looking, spotting the large sign quickly. "Ne.. I don't know Lovi.." Besides the scones of doom, the Italian had also had a rather horrible run-in with a place called McDonald's. Fast food they said; good and fast. 'Well it was, ve, but..' That was the last time the student ever put quickness over taste, and he felt a little silly afterward. After all, pasta wasn't even don't that fast! But back on track, it was disgusting. Feliciano ended up crying in Italian with the whole restaurant staring at him. 'Ve... I think that I actually liked the scones better..'

He found feel his appetite fading away just thinking about it, so he pushed it out of his mind.

This place didn't look like McDonald's, with the giant 'M' on the front, and there didn't appear to be a creepy plastic clown sitting on a bench inside. It took him a few seconds of this realization before he turned back to the older Italian and nodding happily. "Actually, yea! This place doesn't look too bad, ve." Without another word Feliciano pulled his brother inside the burger place and looked around. Where to sit.. A suddenly memory came to mind. "Oh! Ne! Lovi, do you know Lupe?" It isn't to say Feliciano had a short attention span (which is true), but more like he got bored on subjects much quicker than most.

[Lovino Vargas]

Oh, work. Of course. So it’s impossible evern for a Feliciano to skip on his works now, huh…? “I bet those damn teachers just don’t like seeing us students rest.” And now he really hopes the ‘damn teachers’ aren’t anywhere within the earshot (not going to get into problem this early, thanks). Especially that damn Frenchman who teaches…. What did that pervert teach about again? He forgets. One thing though, he’s not looking forward to that class. Not at all. He’s actually hoping to skip that class if he can.

Lovino waves his brother’s question and curious look with a scowl, knowing pretty well that the younger Italian probably won’t push him for an answer or anything If he already had this look on his face.

Eyes scanning as they passed through various places, he smiled at his brother’s display of optimism. “Good food, yes. Cheap food is always good too though…” His frown slipped back into his face, and he stopped talking to look where Feliciano had gone to. Seconds ago, he was talking to the other normally, like how brothers would usually talk to each other and the next thing he knows, the bouncy Italian is off from his sight.

“Feli…?” He turned to the source of the sound and found his brother looking at where he had been looking at before. “Mmm? You don’t know? That’s exactly the reason why we should try it, yes? Burgers are pretty good-tasting” … even though he must remind himself to not eat them too much or he might get fat “And they’re cheap too! The perfect food.” For a moment, he forgot that Feliciano probably is more of a gourmet than him.

He nodded happily at the answer his brother finally gave him on the matter of eating the burgers and, before he knows it -he should have expected it, really, how many times had this happened when he was with Feliciano?- they’re already in the burger place and the other is already talking about…

Lupe? Is he talking about the same Lupe he got roomed with?

Finding a seat near the glass windows, he seated himself before waving at Feliciano, waiting for the other to be fully seated before finally replying to the question. “I know a Lupe, but I’m not sure if it’s the same one with the one you’re asking me about. Unless this Lupe of yours is some…” Mexican…? Yeah, Mexican, if he’s not wrong. “Mexican chick. Cute looking too. She’s my roommate.”