Inbound 'til 2020

How to Try and Ignore an Overly-Friendly Spaniard

It had been a full week since they picked Antonio (or as Feli, who had taken an immediate liking to him, had begun to call him, Toni) up from the airport, and Lovino still had a solid resolve. Despite the bright, August morning calling him, he really didn't want to get up and see that bastard. Unfortunately, just like last week, he didn't have a choice. Today, August 24th, was their highschool's 'open house', a.k.a., when students come in to get their schedules and lockers. This year would be Lovino's third year at the school, being in grade 11, and Feliciano's first, being in grade 9.

And Antonio's first, too.

Lovino had almost forgotten he'd have to deal with him at school, too. At least Antonio wouldn't be in his grade, being a year older than him. Pulling himself out of bed and to his dresser, he tried to prepare himself for spending the day around Antonio. Yesterday evening, Lovino had been pulled aside by his grandfather, and told, with no room to argue, that he would at least try and get to know Antonio, and that he was to spend the day around both his brother and the Spaniard. Now, Feliciano wasn't the problem here, yes, he could get quite, quite annoying after a while, but Lovino had been dealing with him his whole life. No, it was Antonio that was the issue. Lovino did feel a little bad for him, going to a new country without knowing a ton of the language is something Lovino had to go through too, but he wouldn't let that get in the way of his dislike for Antonio. He can't just come into their home, make his grandfather and brother like him, have the nerve to go to their school, and expect Lovino to like him.

Tugging on a clean, striped t-shirt and jeans, Lovino wished he could continue to ignore Antonio and scowled, knowing that wasn't an option, if Grandpa Roma's tone and expression last night said anything. Hesitantly, he tugged the white door to his bedroom open and stepped out.

Golden sunlight streamed in from the bathroom window, the door to it left open, with transparent white curtains fluttering in a soft, cool breeze. The morning itself was peaceful, the kind of morning Feliciano would beg Lovi to come and paint with him outside. The kind of morning where Lovi would like to tend to his garden in the backyard or just sit and play his guitar.

Trotting downstairs, he emerged into the living room, where his grandfather was sitting, reading. Light from the long, large window above the sofa made Roma's mousy brown, gray-streaked hair glow lighter than it was. Roma looked up, smiling slightly when he saw Lovi.

"Ah so you finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh?" Roma asked, tone teasing.

"Not by choice, and you know that." Lovino stated, trying to tell his grandfather just what he thinks about all of this.

Roma straightened up a little bit, sighing, "It's for your own and Antonio's good. There's coffee in the kitchen. Feli and Antonio are in there too. Be nice."

Lovino crossed his arms, just mumbling"Yeah, bet."

"What was that?" Roma quirked an eyebrow, tone telling Lovino to just shut the fuck up and comply.

Lovino took the hint and replied, "Yes, nonno." and started towards the kitchen.

Opening the half-door to the kitchen and stepping in, Lovi heard Feli tiredly greet him, with quiet 'buongiorno'. Lovino hummed in response, then grabbed a mug from the dishrack and stepped towards the coffee machine. That's when Lovino's morning was tarnished as he heard a bright voice from behind him.

"Ah, hello, Lovino!" said Antonio, waving lighty and sitting beside Feli, with a demeanor way too happy.

Lovino turned around slightly to make eye contact with him, scowled and slowly mumbled a "Yeah, hi." then turned around, rolling his eyes.