Definitely, Maybe (Hetalia Fanfic)

Chapter Ten

"So, about that get-together, to clarify: it was not a date. Anyways, it wasn't really much, we only went out for a little walk in the park. Nothing special. Tonio was bugging me to look decent for it; it was either I looked good or he'd cut my tomato supply. I almost murdered him for that"

-

Lovino stood in front of a, about four foot mirror that leaned on the wall behind his door, which was closed. "Tonio, I told you, it's nothing special." Tonio sighed and continued to look through Lovino's closet filled with button-ups, jeans, dress pants and ties. "I don't understand, Lovino... You like to dress up yet when it's a date-"

"It's not a date." Lovino corrected Tonio mid-sentence. "Fine, a get together," The Spaniard corrected himself while rolling his eyes. "You don't want to dress up."

"I told you it's nothing special. It's a thing between friends, I mean acquaintances." Lovino sighed and buttoned the top Tonio had given him. He looked at his reflection, turning 180 degrees. "See?" Tonio glanced at Lovino with a smile. "You look fine."

"Yeah, whatever." Lovino huffed and took the tie that was laid out on the bed and put it on. "I'm leaving now, I'm going to be late." He turned to walk out the door. "Are you picking them up? Like a good gentleman?"

"No, god no, we're meeting up at the park." The Italian replied and walked out of his room, grabbing his keys, wallet and phone before slipping on his jacket and shoes. "Oh, okay, well, have fun!" He heard Tonio shout from his own room before he stepped out of the house. Thank heavens that fashion show was over, not that Lovino minded getting all fancy, but for something as little as a meet-up? It wasn't even classified as a date. The Italian sighed as he quickened up his pace, he didn't want the other to get mad at him for being a little tardy.

Once making it to the park, where they had agreed to meet up, Lovino sat beside the Brit, startling the other slightly. "Sorry I was a little late, my idiotic roommate was, uh, being an ass."

"I see." Artie laughed and smiled. "No worries, Lovino. I don't mind." He straightened out the wrinkles on his t-shirt. "As long as you're here, it's all good."

"Yeah, uh, right." Lovino put an arm around his stomach, feeling it get all... sick again. He put on a small smile. "Do you want to walk around now, Artie?" He asked, earning a nod from the other. Lovino stood up and offered a hand to help Artie stand up; there was his 'gentlemanly' manners kicking in. Artie took his hand and stood up, bowing his head like he was thanking him without using words. "So, tell me about yourself."

"About me?" Lovino asked quite flabbergasted that people, other than Tonio and Alfred, wanted to know about him. "Well, uh, I like to cook meals and paint... Sometimes I write poems..." The brunet had started, thinking about really vague things about himself to share with the blond. "And I grow tomatoes since they're my favorite fruit."

"Tomato counts as a fruit?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Hm, I didn't know that.." Artie looked up at Lovino as they walked together, side-by-side. "Well, now you do." Lovino made himself smile a bit, not wanting to act like he didn't enjoy this get together, which he did, very much. It wasn't often he did things with other people. Alfred did not count, or Tonio. "How about you, tell me about yourself, Artie."

"Alright." Artie chuckled and looked away. He started to talk about himself, adding in a little joke every so often. Lovino felt a little happier hanging out with the Brit. It almost felt like the thing he was missing was this very person beside him, talking about random shit. Maybe just... maybe.

-- Definitely, Maybe --

Lovino and Artie sat down under a tall, oak tree, taking a little break from their walking. It was a rare thing that Lovino would exercise this much, then again, it depended on who he was with and the reason why they were doing it. "So this childhood friend of yours.." Artie brought up as he looked up at the cloudy sky, a small smile was present on his adorable, ahem, not adorable, peaceful face. "You keep mentioning him every so often, Lovino."

"Have I?" Lovino hadn't noticed how much he's slipped Alfred's name into their conversations. Well shit. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Sure you didn't..." Artie said in a teasing manner. Using his peripheral vision, Lovino could see Artie rolling his eyes. "You know, to me, you sound lovesick."

"Fuck no!" The Italian had shot down that idea long ago. He huffed and crossed his arms. "If anything, I miss him. Love is stupid." He replied, calming down a bit. He didn't want Artie to see him get all worked up. "Miss him?" Asked the Brit, earning a nod from the other. "Yeah, we don't hang out that much anymore... Something about being super busy with his shitty job and stuff..."

"Ah..." Artie nodded, holding in a smirk. "Sure."

"Damn right." Lovino quickly replied. "I think it's overrated."

"Overrated?" The blond cocked an eyebrow, he seemed a little interested in this. "How?"

"You have to do so much shit for the other, I swear! I don't have time spending all my money and whatnot just for this one person who I care for?! I mean, I'm already broke, as it is, I don't want to lose more money!" Lovino explained, using hand gestures to exaggerate his idea. "That's your opinion." Artie replied, keeping his cool. "You should experience something like that, Lovino. You'll see how amazing love really is."

"Oh really?" Lovino scoffed and bit his lip, trying to keep his composure. "Why is that?"

"People like you already have experience it, you just didn't realize it." Artie mumbled and turned to face Lovino, leaning in. Lovino squeaked and clamped his eyes shut, his lips almost touched Artie's. The Italian raised his hands up and placed them on Artie's chest, pushing him away. "Saving your kiss for someone of importance to you?"

"I-It was for defense!" The brunet opened his eyes and put his hands by his sides. "So you would have kissed me if I was the person you want?"

"No!"

"Don't worry, I was just testing something." Artie smiled and pat Lovino's shoulder. "Trust me. I wouldn't want to kiss you without asking."