[Fanfic] - Any Other City - December
Title: Any Other City - Chapter 6
Rating: PG-15?
Characters: Ensemble
Parings: France/Spain, Austria/Liechtenstein, Germany/Japan, France/Norway, England/fem!Netherlands, Prussia/fem!Romano, Norway/Japan
Summary: Derpy AU where the nations are hipsters.
In This Chapter: Roddy fails at life, Ludwig and Natalia gossip in the metals workshop, Matthew comes home, Antonio meets Francis’ crew, Gilbert and Alfred annoy Nils, New Year’s plans are made.
Warnings: Language, drinking, drugs, mild sexual situations.
---
DECEMBER
---
Kiku heard the phone line pick up followed by Ludwig’s matter-of-fact greeting. After a politely minimal amount of small talk, he got to the reason for his call. “Ludwig...I apologize for being so blunt, but I don’t think we should strive to take our relationship in a romantic direction any longer.”
“Ah - you don’t?”
“No...I was not feeling any “chemistry” between us, as they say. I am sorry.”
Ludwig nodded and realized Kiku couldn’t see him over the phone. “Oh, no then, continuing a romantic relationship would not be prudent,” he conceded. “I...”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t...I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
“No, Ludwig. You did not,” Kiku reassured. “You’re a good person. Smart, capable, cultured - many admirable things. I simply think we work better as friends...” here he trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
“Okay.”
“I...”
Ludwig waited; Kiku could hear him breathing softly, waiting for him to go on.
“I mostly realized it...ah...while spending time in the company of Nils,” he finally said, hoping Ludwig would understand what he meant.
“Oh.” Apparently so.
“Yes. I would like to date him - I do not mean to be callous, saying this, I just thought -”
“I would rather hear it from you,” Ludwig finished for him.
“Yes,” Kiku affirmed, relief that Ludwig understood pushing aside his annoyance at being interrupted.
“Well, good luck to both of you, then.”
“Thank you.”
---
“Ughhhhhh, Ludwiiiiiig, why do we hafta work now?” Alfred whined from the other side of the table.
“Finals are coming up,” he tersely replied, engrossed in his own problem - sketching out various designs for chairs, trying to find angles that worked. “And I am sure you are behind.”
Alfred pouted. “So?”
“Do you want to fail?” Ludwig frowned.
“Hey! I won’t fail! I mean, I might make a C or something - I’ll still pass!”
At this Ludwig nearly glared. “You are more than able to pass with an A. So start catching up, now. If you don’t, I will call Feliks.”
“Feliks!?!” Alfred squawked. “Noooo, please, don’t call him! He’s so mean - he gets all Mathematics Drill Commander crazy! You know he does! You guys tutored together - he does, he does, agree with me, Ludwig, you know he -”
“I know he does,” Ludwig sighed. “Which is why I threatened to get him here if you don’t. Start. Now.”
“You could just not bother at all,” Alfred groused, resuming work on a problem that had already taken up half the page. “I’d still pass.”
Ludwig glanced up at Alfred through his eyelashes. Not bother? He couldn’t imagine ever wanting to “not bother” with Alfred.
Alfred wasn’t ever serious - at first it annoyed Ludwig to no end, but he found that, well, maybe he was too serious, just like Feliks accused him of being. Alfred was so bright, and silly, and enthusiastic, and kind, and liked everyone...becoming friends with him had lightened up Ludwig quite a bit. Had lightened his whole life quite a bit. Most of the time, they balanced each other out. Sometimes, though, it was like this - Ludwig being frustrated that Alfred couldn’t be serious for just a little bit, at least.
“Hey, dude,” Alfred laughed, tossing a crumpled ball of paper into his head and interrupting his musings. “And you’re bothering me ‘bout not studying, Mr. Let’s-Just-Space-Out-for-Five-Minutes.”
---
The Nutcracker let out, and Roderich and Lily were slowly making their way down the front stairs of the theater. Roderich was unsure if he should hold her arm as they went, as it was the gentlemanly thing to do - but he looked at her stepping lightly down the stairs and lost his breath. She looked lovely in the golden lights around the entry - she had worn that pink dress -oh God, that dress - with gray wool tights and darker, suede, architectural heels. Her long, ruffled coat whipped around in the wind as she tried to button it up and keep hold of her lightweight scarf at the same time, while some blonde curls escaped from her loose updo and blew everywhere.
“Would you like to go to a café?” he asked, instead.
She looked up at him with a smile. “I’ve got a better idea. Hot chocolate at the park?” She grabbed his arm and led him there without waiting on a response. There were Christmas lights strung along the branches above the paths, white and otherworldly, and he listened to her marvel over them and voiced his quiet thoughts.
They grabbed hot chocolate and a bench a bit away from the path, sheltered from the wind - him leaning forward and watching families, carolers, and revelers go by, her talking.
He also watched her, his legs crossed, elbow on one knee, as she talked about stars and hiking and how she used to sneak out to lay out on her trampoline as a kid in the winter because the stars were beautiful in the cold. They were better, brighter, more easily seen, in the small town she was from, too.
Roderich looked up through an opening in the swaying trees - he couldn’t really see anything except for the orange glow of the city and a few dulled dots scattered around. “I’ve never been hiking,” he murmured.
“You haven’t? We should go when summer comes around, then,” she smiled. “Then you could see real stars, not these,” she threw her hand up to the night sky.
Roderich blushed at the implication of staying all night, anywhere, with her.
---
Under the faded glow of the subway station’s entrance they hugged goodnight; he tried to pull away but she only let him go half a step before she tightened her arms around him, looking up.
“I had a great time,” she said, soft.
“Ah, yes, as did I.” They stood there awkwardly for a few more moments, her looking up to him. “So...” he started. “Will I see you again before Christmas?”
She pulled away and sighed, a wry smile on her face. “Probably not. I have finals, and then I’m going home for the holidays.”
“Oh. Well. Look at some stars for me?”
She laughed a little. “Yes, I will.”
---
“So let me get this straight,” Francis stated, hand on his hip, scrutinizing Roderich. “You dressed up. She dressed up. The two of you met, and went to the ballet, together. Then you went on a romantic stroll through the park - and when it was time for her to go, you didn’t even kiss her?!”
“Wh- well - ah, no?” Roderich replied, sinking into himself, sheepish.
“My darling, I love you dearly, but you are hopeless when it comes to love.”
“Ah - sorry?”
“Well, no use now,” Francis sighed. “Still - you must follow this up! Ask her to do something, this moment! Here, get out your phone,” he said, moving to snatch it from Roderich’s vest pocket.
“I can’t,” Roderich frowned and twisted, shooing Francis’ arm away. “Not until she’s back home from winter break.”
Francis gave Roderich a curious look. “She’s still living in the dorms? How old is she?”
Roderich looked to him, surprised. “...I...I don’t know. It never came up.”
---
It smelled like it was going to snow, Ludwig noted. He sighed, trudging to the front door of the college workshop and jerking it open in his frustration. He had a final tomorrow, but he really should be finishing up his chair - so here he was, ten o’clock on a night before a final, and it was probably about to snow.
Ludwig was unsurprised to see Natalia under her gloves and mask, welding two twisted swords into one another, surrounded by knives and blades of various lengths. She’d been working on her sculpture project off-and-on all week between her other finals. Now that it was almost finished, she had it hanging and he could see that it was a mobile. Knives, swords, and thin metal blades twisted and slid in and out of each other, spun around on their threads - in and out, around and around, it looked like a cross between a flitting school of fish in the sun, the heat of an ancient battle, and the lonely dance of the stars at night.
He wanted to comment, but she was too busy, so he resumed his project. When she finished she waved to him and he paused and sat beside her on the floor.
“It looks great,” she nodded to his chair.
“Oh,” he looked over to it, flustered. “Thank you. I was going to say the same about your mobile.”
She smiled.
“It’s late,” Ludwig stated, frowning. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
She looked at the clock and then waved a hand. “Nah, Eirik should be here in a few minutes. I told him to swing by at eleven.” She looked at him. “And now we can catch up! I don’t think I’ve really seen you in a few weeks, outside of this place. How are things with Kiku?”
“They...aren’t?”
“What?!”
“He’s with Nils now,” Ludwig said, tone neutral.
“That guy?! He just fucks up everything, doesn’t he?” she scowled.
“Not really.”
She shot him a flat look. “That was rhetorical, Ludwig. Well, obviously that Kiku guy is an idiot - a blind idiot, you’re a cutie -” she winked at him - “because Nils is a dick.”
Ludwig let out a small chuckle at her fury. “Hm, he can be...aloof. But he’s not that bad once he decides he wants to get to know you.”
Natalia was instantly thrown back to her conversation with Eirik the other week, and frowned. Did people see her like she saw him?
“I’m happy for both of them,” Ludwig concluded. Natalia looked affronted that he could forgive something like that so easily. “Really,” he said, serious. “Kiku and I were...awkward.”
“It was cute!” she scowled.
“I want someone I can be comfortable with,” he blushed, looking down.
“That’s hard to find,” a quiet voice said from behind them.
Natalia sharply turned around. “Eirik!” she swatted at his feet, “don’t do that!”
“Sorry,” he replied, not sounding sorry - not sounding anything, really - at all. He raised an eyebrow at her, then gave a small smile and sat down in front of them, placing a bag in front of Natalia. She peered in, looked up at him, and laughed. “Chocolate chip?” He nodded. “Thanks, Eir,” she smiled.
Ludwig watched Eirik return it - he looked completely different smiling so openly, so different from the flat or gloomy look he usually wore. He leaned over to Natalia and commented on her progress, eyes bright.
Natalia looked to Ludwig and asked if he wanted a cookie; Eirik immediately snapped back to normal. His eyes only shine for her, Ludwig thought.
---
The lock to the front door rattled, and Ivan and Kiku looked up from the kitchen table, Kiku in front of his laptop and swamped with papers, Ivan with tea in hand. The door opened and a haggard-looking Matthew stumbled in, dragging his suitcase behind him. “Hey, guys,” he looked up to the clock - three AM - “why are you up?”
“Finals,” Kiku replied, nodding to his laptop. “Finishing up this short film.”
Matthew looked at Ivan. “And you?”
Ivan mumbled “Still awake,” and resumed drinking his tea.
“Glad to see everything is normal around here,” Matthew smiled, settling down at the table. “Is Tina asleep?”
“Yes,” Ivan said, getting up to pour Matthew some tea. “How was it?”
Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Great. But I’m too tired to get into it tonight.”
“Tina will probably want to hear all about it anyway,” Kiku commented, still looking at the computer screen.
The three sat quietly for a while, sipping tea, Kiku clicking away at his computer, before Matthew and Ivan started talking about the welfare of Matthew’s plants, which had been moved to the kitchen in his absence.
Tina walked in, sleep-tousled, and let out a soft sound when she saw Matthew at the table. “Matt,” she murmured, hugging him from behind and burying her face into his hair, “I thought that was you. Welcome back!” She kissed his hair before sleepily stating that she’d be hearing all about how life in France as a pescatarian was in the morning, and walked back to her bedroom.
---
The next afternoon, Tina and Matthew were seated at the kitchen table, waiting for the Christmas cookies they’d made to cool.
“So! You’ve told me about what you did...” she smiled. “But did you get a girlfriend?” she winked.
He blushed. “Er, no...not really.”
She smiled and jumped up in her seat. “Not really? So you did have some kind of relationship! Who did you hook up with?!”
He blushed even more. “Ah...a few girls, actually,” he replied, hiding his face.
“Matthew!” she squealed, then tackled him and shook him around in a hug. “I’m so proud of you! Were they babes?”
“Umm..” he trailed off. “They were cute.”
“Alright! Now we just need to find you a domestic girlfriend!” she laughed.
“I should move to France,” he sighed. “French girls liked me better.”
“Nah, they just probably hit on you first.”
His blush was answer enough.
---
“Sure is quiet with all the university kids gone,” Mathias commented, casting a glance around the bar.
“I hope New Year’s Eve isn’t like this,” Heracles sighed. A few heads bobbed in agreement around the table.
“It is a weeknight, ya dopes,” Sadiq said, taking a drink. “There’ll be plenty of hot girls around that night.”
“What is everyone doing for New Year’s?” Jens asked. He turned to Berwald. “I assume you have to work.”
Berwald nodded.
“Man, that sucks, ya poor bastard,” Sadiq smirked. “Always havin’ ta work on the best party nights. But nah, I haven’t heard of anythin’. Francis?”
“Yeah Francis, have you heard of any good parties? I haven’t,” Alonzo stated, turning in his seat.
“Actually, no,” Francis frowned. “I will probably just go wherever Antonio wants to, if nothing comes up.”
“Ehhh Antonio? How’s the boy-toy?” Mathias leaned over the table and asked, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
“We’re - ah, how would you say - official?” Francis smiled, a small thing with a slightly lecherous twist to it.
“Really?” Heracles murmured at the same time Sadiq let out a loud “No way - ya mean our lil’ lovebird has settled down?”
“The world’s endin’,” Mathias muttered, shaking his head and chuckling.
Francis threw his head back with a laugh. “Yes, yes, the lovebird has found a nest,” he shot to Sadiq.
“Well hey, invite him here!” Alonzo exclaimed, banging his beer on the table. “I wanna see the guy who can make you settle down. He’s gotta be hot,” he smirked.
“Ya mean ya haven’t seen ‘im? Where ya been?” Sadiq snorted.
“He’s a looker,” Mathias laughed. “Anyhow, we need proper celebrations! Get the boy-toy here!”
“Yeah, apparently I’m the only one who knows the guy,” Sadiq agreed.
---
Antonio stood at the front of the bar with a slightly confused smile, looking around before he simultaneously saw Francis waving and heard a loud wolf-whistle from Sadiq.
“Shew, he is a looker,” Alonzo laughed, elbowing Francis while watching Antonio make his way over.
“So, these bastards wanted to meet the dude who’s so special he’d make Francis settle down,” Sadiq loudly informed Antonio as soon as he sat down on the booth side of the table, by Francis.
Berwald’s snort into his drink was barely audible over Antonio’s light “Oh! I’m not that special.”
“Aww, lookit you,” Mathias grinned, reaching over and pinching Antonio’s cheek. “What a cutie.”
Francis and Jens simultaneously rolled their eyes while Heracles asked Antonio what he did. Berwald got up to get him a drink - it seemed like drinks were always made instantly when Berwald was the one ordering, so he was the one they always sent to the bar.
“Hm, well, I work for a CSA,” he smiled. “There’s not much to do in the winter though.”
“Eh, not your work,” Alonzo cut in. “What’re your hobbies?”
“Oh! I - oh, thank you,” Antonio laughed, turning to Berwald to take the beer in his field of vision. Upon seeing an intimidating, bearded, six-and-a-half-foot man, his eyes got wide and he let out a squeaky chuckle. The rest of the table let out a roar of laughter while Berwald just nodded and sat back down.
“You were saying?” Jens prompted.
“Ah! I skateboard, and really like cooking, and experimental film...” he trailed off and Heracles nodded for him to go on. “Annnd, hm, I volunteer at the children’s art museum - help them with painting and coloring and things - and I’m also a singer-songwriter.”
“You would like that, Francis, you sap,” Sadiq snarked, rolling his eyes.
“Well, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” Alonzo asked.
Antonio took a drink before grinning and stating “I’m probably going to my friends’ house - Alfred, Gilbert, and Nils - they’re having a small party. I don’t really know who’s going but they’re a lot of fun, so -” he cut himself off with a shrug and laughed. Francis grabbed his thigh under the table and pulled him a little closer.
“Huh, wanna go to that?” Mathias asked the table.
“Eh, sure, we’re not doin’ anythin’ else,” Sadiq agreed into his drink.
Alonzo and Jens looked to each other, then shrugged and nodded.
“I’d like to go out to a bar, actually,” Heracles stated. “I think some of the girls wanted to go.”
Mathias and Sadiq started griping that bars and clubs were tired and worn-out options for New Year’s, Heracles began debating back, and Alonzo took both sides - he wasn’t one to discriminate against parties of any type. Jens and Berwald started a quiet discussion about something else entirely. Francis interjected his thoughts from time to time, but spent most of the time twining himself around Antonio, gradually bringing his hand further up Antonio's thigh. Antonio appeared not to notice, just laughed along at the argument, until Francis’ hand reached his crotch and gave a light squeeze.
His eyes widened and he jumped a little before he turned to Francis and gave him a light kiss. He pulled away but Francis followed, and soon they were making out in the booth.
“Eey, you two,” Sadiq tossed an empty can their way and broke them apart. “’S a nice show and all, but take it out back if it’s gonna get any further.”
“D’aw, they’re cute, Sadiq,” Mathias teased, wrapping an arm around Sadiq’s shoulders.
“Shove off, ya perverted bastard,” Sadiq growled. “Yer worse than Francis over there.”
---
Nils was going to murder his roommates.
Gilbert was making breakfast at the stove, flipping pancakes, while Alfred was bouncing around him, spilling coffee, eating batter, and generally being a nuisance. They’d seen Nils’ neck when he’d come in this morning, and were both laughing back and forth about -
“Oh, Kiku, please, yes, more!” Alfred moaned, exaggerated, while Gilbert cackled away.
“We don’t sound like that,” Nils sulked.
“Nah, you curse way more,” Gilbert agreed, expertly dodging the spoon that flew his way. He turned to Alfred and grabbed him, then winked at Nils and loudly said “Jesus - fuck, Kiku!” while grinding against him with a sneer.
Alfred caught on, and threw his head back and moaned, failing to stop the laugh that broke it off. Nils ignored them and continued sipping his coffee. They took this as reason to amp it up. Alfred slid his hands and body down Gilbert’s front, tracing his mouth down his neck, saying “Oh, please, Nils -” and breaking off into giggles. Gilbert’s performance was more convincing.
“F-fuck, yes, like that -” he grabbed the back of Alfred’s hair and a smirk slipped onto his face for a moment before he straightened it back to pretend passion. “Ooooh,” he let out a loud, overly-drawn out moan, before running his hands down Alfred’s back and bucking up into him. “Kikuuuuu-” Then they dissolved into hysterics, clutching one another to keep from falling.
Nils scowled and muttered “Sometimes I think you guys secretly want in each other’s pants.”
“Hey, I can get into his pants anytime I want!” Gilbert exclaimed - then promptly shoved his hand down the front of Alfred’s jeans.
Alfred yelped and shoved Gilbert into the stove, yelling “Don’t do that!”
“Hey,” Gilbert said softly, then grabbed Alfred by the ass and pulled the other flush against him. “I can do it if I want to,” he winked.
Alfred’s fist connected with Gilbert’s face, and it was beginning to turn into the usual brawl when Nils shouted “STOP IT!” in a voice that came close to rattling the windows. They turned to him, Gilbert scowling and Alfred confused. “Jesus, what crawled up your ass and died?” Gilbert asked.
“Awww,” Alfred smiled, slapping Gilbert on the arm, “you know Nils gets pissy around Christmas!”
Nils glared at the two of them. “Yeah, well you would too if you had to go to church with your family every year and hear about how you’re a sinner and worship the devil and are going to burn in a fiery Hell for eternity -” he cut himself off and took a furious gulp of his coffee before getting up and stalking out of the room.
“Huh, forgot about that,” Gilbert remarked. “His family really sucks balls.”
“Hey, dude - we should get him something awesome for Christmas this year! Maybe that’ll cheer him up?” Alfred asked, nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
Gilbert raised an eyebrow. “Like what? I’m not gonna get him some sappy shit just because he’s a goddamn emo kid during the holidays.”
“How ‘bout,” Alfred yanked him closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratory whisper. “A new set of inks and brushes? Ya know, for his drawings.”
“That’s actually a decent idea, Alfredo,” Gilbert frowned. “Plus his drawings are disgusting and violent and kickass. That’d be sweet to add more to the living room.”
Alfred nodded enthusiastically.
“Okay, but you’re paying for most of it.”
Alfred crowed in victory, nearly punching out the light fixture when he jumped up.
---
It was Christmas night, and Francis sat on the couch with a bottle of wine while Antonio built up the fire in the hearth.
“I still wish we could have celebrated at your place,” Antonio said, back turned. “You have a tree!”
“But you have a fireplace,” Francis pointed out.
“True!” Antonio cheerfully agreed. “It still doesn’t seem Christmasy enough, though,” he tilted his head, looking around the room.
“It’s fine,” Francis waved. “Open your gifts,” he gestured to a pile of exquisitely-wrapped packages on the floor, “and it will be soon enough.”
Antonio tore through the packaging even while commenting on how pretty it was. “Wow, you kind of went overboard,” he laughed, lifting a shirt, nodding appreciatively, and moving on to the next. “Oooh, and a coat - great! Mine’s kind of old.”
“Yes, you certainly needed a new one,” Francis smiled. “If you don’t like anything, you know, it is easy for me to replace.”
Antonio hmm’d and pulled off his shirt in one fluid movement; Francis’ gaze became substantially more interested. “Let’s see,” Antonio mused, grabbed something with tiny red and white stripes, and slipped the new item on - a thin long-sleeved shirt with a hood. “Wow, this is so soft, Francis!” he grinned, running a hand along the sleeve.
He went through the rest, modeling a form-fitting, almost military button-up, a deep green v-neck tee, and finally, the dark charcoal parka. Francis cursed himself for not getting his lover new pants. He’d be getting a nice pair of jeans for his birthday, Francis decided. And maybe some shoes to go with that parka.
Antonio, now in the v-neck, smiled up at him from the floor. “Well, I didn’t get you anything...” He got up and headed into the hallway, leaving Francis confused on the couch. Francis shrugged and drank more, nearly finishing his glass in the time it took Antonio to return with his guitar.
Antonio lifted it and beamed. “...but I did make you something.”
---
AUTHOR’S NOTES + DECEMBER MIX TAPE
---
D’aww Antonio you sweetheart.
RODDY YOU FAIL SO HARD *headdesk*
Oh, and Alfred and Gilbert want to say that they are totally cool with making out with each other, dude, ‘cause they’re true bros, and it’s not like they’re gay - the Black Lips do it all the time!
Next is NYE - it’s a ton of fun and all but OMFG YOU GUISE I am so excited for January youdon’tevenknow. Because Feliks is a genius. There is a debate about modernism versus postmodernism. My favorite relationship arc begins. And other things that are too spoilery to put here.
/exciteddddddd
MIXTAPE LINK: http://www.me diafire.com/?fpaod f0ofsy4u
Kiku and Ludwig call it quits:
Deerhunter - Agoraphobia
Alfred and Ludwig study:
Idiot Glee - All Packed Up
Roderich and Lili go on a date:
Yo la Tengo - Center of Gravity
Matthew comes home:
The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning
Boys night at the bar:
The Strokes - Hard to Explain
Gil and Al annoy Nils:
Weezer - My Name is Jonas
Christmas with France and Antonio:
My Bloody Valentine - I Can See It (But I Can’t Feel It)
Vince Guaraldi - Christmas Time is Here
O hay also: This is Nils. Bein' a Nils.
Imagine he's wearing shades of black, grey, and charcoal.
Rating: PG-15?
Characters: Ensemble
Parings: France/Spain, Austria/Liechtenstein, Germany/Japan, France/Norway, England/fem!Netherlands, Prussia/fem!Romano, Norway/Japan
Summary: Derpy AU where the nations are hipsters.
In This Chapter: Roddy fails at life, Ludwig and Natalia gossip in the metals workshop, Matthew comes home, Antonio meets Francis’ crew, Gilbert and Alfred annoy Nils, New Year’s plans are made.
Warnings: Language, drinking, drugs, mild sexual situations.
---
DECEMBER
---
Kiku heard the phone line pick up followed by Ludwig’s matter-of-fact greeting. After a politely minimal amount of small talk, he got to the reason for his call. “Ludwig...I apologize for being so blunt, but I don’t think we should strive to take our relationship in a romantic direction any longer.”
“Ah - you don’t?”
“No...I was not feeling any “chemistry” between us, as they say. I am sorry.”
Ludwig nodded and realized Kiku couldn’t see him over the phone. “Oh, no then, continuing a romantic relationship would not be prudent,” he conceded. “I...”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t...I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
“No, Ludwig. You did not,” Kiku reassured. “You’re a good person. Smart, capable, cultured - many admirable things. I simply think we work better as friends...” here he trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
“Okay.”
“I...”
Ludwig waited; Kiku could hear him breathing softly, waiting for him to go on.
“I mostly realized it...ah...while spending time in the company of Nils,” he finally said, hoping Ludwig would understand what he meant.
“Oh.” Apparently so.
“Yes. I would like to date him - I do not mean to be callous, saying this, I just thought -”
“I would rather hear it from you,” Ludwig finished for him.
“Yes,” Kiku affirmed, relief that Ludwig understood pushing aside his annoyance at being interrupted.
“Well, good luck to both of you, then.”
“Thank you.”
---
“Ughhhhhh, Ludwiiiiiig, why do we hafta work now?” Alfred whined from the other side of the table.
“Finals are coming up,” he tersely replied, engrossed in his own problem - sketching out various designs for chairs, trying to find angles that worked. “And I am sure you are behind.”
Alfred pouted. “So?”
“Do you want to fail?” Ludwig frowned.
“Hey! I won’t fail! I mean, I might make a C or something - I’ll still pass!”
At this Ludwig nearly glared. “You are more than able to pass with an A. So start catching up, now. If you don’t, I will call Feliks.”
“Feliks!?!” Alfred squawked. “Noooo, please, don’t call him! He’s so mean - he gets all Mathematics Drill Commander crazy! You know he does! You guys tutored together - he does, he does, agree with me, Ludwig, you know he -”
“I know he does,” Ludwig sighed. “Which is why I threatened to get him here if you don’t. Start. Now.”
“You could just not bother at all,” Alfred groused, resuming work on a problem that had already taken up half the page. “I’d still pass.”
Ludwig glanced up at Alfred through his eyelashes. Not bother? He couldn’t imagine ever wanting to “not bother” with Alfred.
Alfred wasn’t ever serious - at first it annoyed Ludwig to no end, but he found that, well, maybe he was too serious, just like Feliks accused him of being. Alfred was so bright, and silly, and enthusiastic, and kind, and liked everyone...becoming friends with him had lightened up Ludwig quite a bit. Had lightened his whole life quite a bit. Most of the time, they balanced each other out. Sometimes, though, it was like this - Ludwig being frustrated that Alfred couldn’t be serious for just a little bit, at least.
“Hey, dude,” Alfred laughed, tossing a crumpled ball of paper into his head and interrupting his musings. “And you’re bothering me ‘bout not studying, Mr. Let’s-Just-Space-Out-for-Five-Minutes.”
---
The Nutcracker let out, and Roderich and Lily were slowly making their way down the front stairs of the theater. Roderich was unsure if he should hold her arm as they went, as it was the gentlemanly thing to do - but he looked at her stepping lightly down the stairs and lost his breath. She looked lovely in the golden lights around the entry - she had worn that pink dress -oh God, that dress - with gray wool tights and darker, suede, architectural heels. Her long, ruffled coat whipped around in the wind as she tried to button it up and keep hold of her lightweight scarf at the same time, while some blonde curls escaped from her loose updo and blew everywhere.
“Would you like to go to a café?” he asked, instead.
She looked up at him with a smile. “I’ve got a better idea. Hot chocolate at the park?” She grabbed his arm and led him there without waiting on a response. There were Christmas lights strung along the branches above the paths, white and otherworldly, and he listened to her marvel over them and voiced his quiet thoughts.
They grabbed hot chocolate and a bench a bit away from the path, sheltered from the wind - him leaning forward and watching families, carolers, and revelers go by, her talking.
He also watched her, his legs crossed, elbow on one knee, as she talked about stars and hiking and how she used to sneak out to lay out on her trampoline as a kid in the winter because the stars were beautiful in the cold. They were better, brighter, more easily seen, in the small town she was from, too.
Roderich looked up through an opening in the swaying trees - he couldn’t really see anything except for the orange glow of the city and a few dulled dots scattered around. “I’ve never been hiking,” he murmured.
“You haven’t? We should go when summer comes around, then,” she smiled. “Then you could see real stars, not these,” she threw her hand up to the night sky.
Roderich blushed at the implication of staying all night, anywhere, with her.
---
Under the faded glow of the subway station’s entrance they hugged goodnight; he tried to pull away but she only let him go half a step before she tightened her arms around him, looking up.
“I had a great time,” she said, soft.
“Ah, yes, as did I.” They stood there awkwardly for a few more moments, her looking up to him. “So...” he started. “Will I see you again before Christmas?”
She pulled away and sighed, a wry smile on her face. “Probably not. I have finals, and then I’m going home for the holidays.”
“Oh. Well. Look at some stars for me?”
She laughed a little. “Yes, I will.”
---
“So let me get this straight,” Francis stated, hand on his hip, scrutinizing Roderich. “You dressed up. She dressed up. The two of you met, and went to the ballet, together. Then you went on a romantic stroll through the park - and when it was time for her to go, you didn’t even kiss her?!”
“Wh- well - ah, no?” Roderich replied, sinking into himself, sheepish.
“My darling, I love you dearly, but you are hopeless when it comes to love.”
“Ah - sorry?”
“Well, no use now,” Francis sighed. “Still - you must follow this up! Ask her to do something, this moment! Here, get out your phone,” he said, moving to snatch it from Roderich’s vest pocket.
“I can’t,” Roderich frowned and twisted, shooing Francis’ arm away. “Not until she’s back home from winter break.”
Francis gave Roderich a curious look. “She’s still living in the dorms? How old is she?”
Roderich looked to him, surprised. “...I...I don’t know. It never came up.”
---
It smelled like it was going to snow, Ludwig noted. He sighed, trudging to the front door of the college workshop and jerking it open in his frustration. He had a final tomorrow, but he really should be finishing up his chair - so here he was, ten o’clock on a night before a final, and it was probably about to snow.
Ludwig was unsurprised to see Natalia under her gloves and mask, welding two twisted swords into one another, surrounded by knives and blades of various lengths. She’d been working on her sculpture project off-and-on all week between her other finals. Now that it was almost finished, she had it hanging and he could see that it was a mobile. Knives, swords, and thin metal blades twisted and slid in and out of each other, spun around on their threads - in and out, around and around, it looked like a cross between a flitting school of fish in the sun, the heat of an ancient battle, and the lonely dance of the stars at night.
He wanted to comment, but she was too busy, so he resumed his project. When she finished she waved to him and he paused and sat beside her on the floor.
“It looks great,” she nodded to his chair.
“Oh,” he looked over to it, flustered. “Thank you. I was going to say the same about your mobile.”
She smiled.
“It’s late,” Ludwig stated, frowning. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
She looked at the clock and then waved a hand. “Nah, Eirik should be here in a few minutes. I told him to swing by at eleven.” She looked at him. “And now we can catch up! I don’t think I’ve really seen you in a few weeks, outside of this place. How are things with Kiku?”
“They...aren’t?”
“What?!”
“He’s with Nils now,” Ludwig said, tone neutral.
“That guy?! He just fucks up everything, doesn’t he?” she scowled.
“Not really.”
She shot him a flat look. “That was rhetorical, Ludwig. Well, obviously that Kiku guy is an idiot - a blind idiot, you’re a cutie -” she winked at him - “because Nils is a dick.”
Ludwig let out a small chuckle at her fury. “Hm, he can be...aloof. But he’s not that bad once he decides he wants to get to know you.”
Natalia was instantly thrown back to her conversation with Eirik the other week, and frowned. Did people see her like she saw him?
“I’m happy for both of them,” Ludwig concluded. Natalia looked affronted that he could forgive something like that so easily. “Really,” he said, serious. “Kiku and I were...awkward.”
“It was cute!” she scowled.
“I want someone I can be comfortable with,” he blushed, looking down.
“That’s hard to find,” a quiet voice said from behind them.
Natalia sharply turned around. “Eirik!” she swatted at his feet, “don’t do that!”
“Sorry,” he replied, not sounding sorry - not sounding anything, really - at all. He raised an eyebrow at her, then gave a small smile and sat down in front of them, placing a bag in front of Natalia. She peered in, looked up at him, and laughed. “Chocolate chip?” He nodded. “Thanks, Eir,” she smiled.
Ludwig watched Eirik return it - he looked completely different smiling so openly, so different from the flat or gloomy look he usually wore. He leaned over to Natalia and commented on her progress, eyes bright.
Natalia looked to Ludwig and asked if he wanted a cookie; Eirik immediately snapped back to normal. His eyes only shine for her, Ludwig thought.
---
The lock to the front door rattled, and Ivan and Kiku looked up from the kitchen table, Kiku in front of his laptop and swamped with papers, Ivan with tea in hand. The door opened and a haggard-looking Matthew stumbled in, dragging his suitcase behind him. “Hey, guys,” he looked up to the clock - three AM - “why are you up?”
“Finals,” Kiku replied, nodding to his laptop. “Finishing up this short film.”
Matthew looked at Ivan. “And you?”
Ivan mumbled “Still awake,” and resumed drinking his tea.
“Glad to see everything is normal around here,” Matthew smiled, settling down at the table. “Is Tina asleep?”
“Yes,” Ivan said, getting up to pour Matthew some tea. “How was it?”
Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Great. But I’m too tired to get into it tonight.”
“Tina will probably want to hear all about it anyway,” Kiku commented, still looking at the computer screen.
The three sat quietly for a while, sipping tea, Kiku clicking away at his computer, before Matthew and Ivan started talking about the welfare of Matthew’s plants, which had been moved to the kitchen in his absence.
Tina walked in, sleep-tousled, and let out a soft sound when she saw Matthew at the table. “Matt,” she murmured, hugging him from behind and burying her face into his hair, “I thought that was you. Welcome back!” She kissed his hair before sleepily stating that she’d be hearing all about how life in France as a pescatarian was in the morning, and walked back to her bedroom.
---
The next afternoon, Tina and Matthew were seated at the kitchen table, waiting for the Christmas cookies they’d made to cool.
“So! You’ve told me about what you did...” she smiled. “But did you get a girlfriend?” she winked.
He blushed. “Er, no...not really.”
She smiled and jumped up in her seat. “Not really? So you did have some kind of relationship! Who did you hook up with?!”
He blushed even more. “Ah...a few girls, actually,” he replied, hiding his face.
“Matthew!” she squealed, then tackled him and shook him around in a hug. “I’m so proud of you! Were they babes?”
“Umm..” he trailed off. “They were cute.”
“Alright! Now we just need to find you a domestic girlfriend!” she laughed.
“I should move to France,” he sighed. “French girls liked me better.”
“Nah, they just probably hit on you first.”
His blush was answer enough.
---
“Sure is quiet with all the university kids gone,” Mathias commented, casting a glance around the bar.
“I hope New Year’s Eve isn’t like this,” Heracles sighed. A few heads bobbed in agreement around the table.
“It is a weeknight, ya dopes,” Sadiq said, taking a drink. “There’ll be plenty of hot girls around that night.”
“What is everyone doing for New Year’s?” Jens asked. He turned to Berwald. “I assume you have to work.”
Berwald nodded.
“Man, that sucks, ya poor bastard,” Sadiq smirked. “Always havin’ ta work on the best party nights. But nah, I haven’t heard of anythin’. Francis?”
“Yeah Francis, have you heard of any good parties? I haven’t,” Alonzo stated, turning in his seat.
“Actually, no,” Francis frowned. “I will probably just go wherever Antonio wants to, if nothing comes up.”
“Ehhh Antonio? How’s the boy-toy?” Mathias leaned over the table and asked, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
“We’re - ah, how would you say - official?” Francis smiled, a small thing with a slightly lecherous twist to it.
“Really?” Heracles murmured at the same time Sadiq let out a loud “No way - ya mean our lil’ lovebird has settled down?”
“The world’s endin’,” Mathias muttered, shaking his head and chuckling.
Francis threw his head back with a laugh. “Yes, yes, the lovebird has found a nest,” he shot to Sadiq.
“Well hey, invite him here!” Alonzo exclaimed, banging his beer on the table. “I wanna see the guy who can make you settle down. He’s gotta be hot,” he smirked.
“Ya mean ya haven’t seen ‘im? Where ya been?” Sadiq snorted.
“He’s a looker,” Mathias laughed. “Anyhow, we need proper celebrations! Get the boy-toy here!”
“Yeah, apparently I’m the only one who knows the guy,” Sadiq agreed.
---
Antonio stood at the front of the bar with a slightly confused smile, looking around before he simultaneously saw Francis waving and heard a loud wolf-whistle from Sadiq.
“Shew, he is a looker,” Alonzo laughed, elbowing Francis while watching Antonio make his way over.
“So, these bastards wanted to meet the dude who’s so special he’d make Francis settle down,” Sadiq loudly informed Antonio as soon as he sat down on the booth side of the table, by Francis.
Berwald’s snort into his drink was barely audible over Antonio’s light “Oh! I’m not that special.”
“Aww, lookit you,” Mathias grinned, reaching over and pinching Antonio’s cheek. “What a cutie.”
Francis and Jens simultaneously rolled their eyes while Heracles asked Antonio what he did. Berwald got up to get him a drink - it seemed like drinks were always made instantly when Berwald was the one ordering, so he was the one they always sent to the bar.
“Hm, well, I work for a CSA,” he smiled. “There’s not much to do in the winter though.”
“Eh, not your work,” Alonzo cut in. “What’re your hobbies?”
“Oh! I - oh, thank you,” Antonio laughed, turning to Berwald to take the beer in his field of vision. Upon seeing an intimidating, bearded, six-and-a-half-foot man, his eyes got wide and he let out a squeaky chuckle. The rest of the table let out a roar of laughter while Berwald just nodded and sat back down.
“You were saying?” Jens prompted.
“Ah! I skateboard, and really like cooking, and experimental film...” he trailed off and Heracles nodded for him to go on. “Annnd, hm, I volunteer at the children’s art museum - help them with painting and coloring and things - and I’m also a singer-songwriter.”
“You would like that, Francis, you sap,” Sadiq snarked, rolling his eyes.
“Well, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” Alonzo asked.
Antonio took a drink before grinning and stating “I’m probably going to my friends’ house - Alfred, Gilbert, and Nils - they’re having a small party. I don’t really know who’s going but they’re a lot of fun, so -” he cut himself off with a shrug and laughed. Francis grabbed his thigh under the table and pulled him a little closer.
“Huh, wanna go to that?” Mathias asked the table.
“Eh, sure, we’re not doin’ anythin’ else,” Sadiq agreed into his drink.
Alonzo and Jens looked to each other, then shrugged and nodded.
“I’d like to go out to a bar, actually,” Heracles stated. “I think some of the girls wanted to go.”
Mathias and Sadiq started griping that bars and clubs were tired and worn-out options for New Year’s, Heracles began debating back, and Alonzo took both sides - he wasn’t one to discriminate against parties of any type. Jens and Berwald started a quiet discussion about something else entirely. Francis interjected his thoughts from time to time, but spent most of the time twining himself around Antonio, gradually bringing his hand further up Antonio's thigh. Antonio appeared not to notice, just laughed along at the argument, until Francis’ hand reached his crotch and gave a light squeeze.
His eyes widened and he jumped a little before he turned to Francis and gave him a light kiss. He pulled away but Francis followed, and soon they were making out in the booth.
“Eey, you two,” Sadiq tossed an empty can their way and broke them apart. “’S a nice show and all, but take it out back if it’s gonna get any further.”
“D’aw, they’re cute, Sadiq,” Mathias teased, wrapping an arm around Sadiq’s shoulders.
“Shove off, ya perverted bastard,” Sadiq growled. “Yer worse than Francis over there.”
---
Nils was going to murder his roommates.
Gilbert was making breakfast at the stove, flipping pancakes, while Alfred was bouncing around him, spilling coffee, eating batter, and generally being a nuisance. They’d seen Nils’ neck when he’d come in this morning, and were both laughing back and forth about -
“Oh, Kiku, please, yes, more!” Alfred moaned, exaggerated, while Gilbert cackled away.
“We don’t sound like that,” Nils sulked.
“Nah, you curse way more,” Gilbert agreed, expertly dodging the spoon that flew his way. He turned to Alfred and grabbed him, then winked at Nils and loudly said “Jesus - fuck, Kiku!” while grinding against him with a sneer.
Alfred caught on, and threw his head back and moaned, failing to stop the laugh that broke it off. Nils ignored them and continued sipping his coffee. They took this as reason to amp it up. Alfred slid his hands and body down Gilbert’s front, tracing his mouth down his neck, saying “Oh, please, Nils -” and breaking off into giggles. Gilbert’s performance was more convincing.
“F-fuck, yes, like that -” he grabbed the back of Alfred’s hair and a smirk slipped onto his face for a moment before he straightened it back to pretend passion. “Ooooh,” he let out a loud, overly-drawn out moan, before running his hands down Alfred’s back and bucking up into him. “Kikuuuuu-” Then they dissolved into hysterics, clutching one another to keep from falling.
Nils scowled and muttered “Sometimes I think you guys secretly want in each other’s pants.”
“Hey, I can get into his pants anytime I want!” Gilbert exclaimed - then promptly shoved his hand down the front of Alfred’s jeans.
Alfred yelped and shoved Gilbert into the stove, yelling “Don’t do that!”
“Hey,” Gilbert said softly, then grabbed Alfred by the ass and pulled the other flush against him. “I can do it if I want to,” he winked.
Alfred’s fist connected with Gilbert’s face, and it was beginning to turn into the usual brawl when Nils shouted “STOP IT!” in a voice that came close to rattling the windows. They turned to him, Gilbert scowling and Alfred confused. “Jesus, what crawled up your ass and died?” Gilbert asked.
“Awww,” Alfred smiled, slapping Gilbert on the arm, “you know Nils gets pissy around Christmas!”
Nils glared at the two of them. “Yeah, well you would too if you had to go to church with your family every year and hear about how you’re a sinner and worship the devil and are going to burn in a fiery Hell for eternity -” he cut himself off and took a furious gulp of his coffee before getting up and stalking out of the room.
“Huh, forgot about that,” Gilbert remarked. “His family really sucks balls.”
“Hey, dude - we should get him something awesome for Christmas this year! Maybe that’ll cheer him up?” Alfred asked, nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
Gilbert raised an eyebrow. “Like what? I’m not gonna get him some sappy shit just because he’s a goddamn emo kid during the holidays.”
“How ‘bout,” Alfred yanked him closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratory whisper. “A new set of inks and brushes? Ya know, for his drawings.”
“That’s actually a decent idea, Alfredo,” Gilbert frowned. “Plus his drawings are disgusting and violent and kickass. That’d be sweet to add more to the living room.”
Alfred nodded enthusiastically.
“Okay, but you’re paying for most of it.”
Alfred crowed in victory, nearly punching out the light fixture when he jumped up.
---
It was Christmas night, and Francis sat on the couch with a bottle of wine while Antonio built up the fire in the hearth.
“I still wish we could have celebrated at your place,” Antonio said, back turned. “You have a tree!”
“But you have a fireplace,” Francis pointed out.
“True!” Antonio cheerfully agreed. “It still doesn’t seem Christmasy enough, though,” he tilted his head, looking around the room.
“It’s fine,” Francis waved. “Open your gifts,” he gestured to a pile of exquisitely-wrapped packages on the floor, “and it will be soon enough.”
Antonio tore through the packaging even while commenting on how pretty it was. “Wow, you kind of went overboard,” he laughed, lifting a shirt, nodding appreciatively, and moving on to the next. “Oooh, and a coat - great! Mine’s kind of old.”
“Yes, you certainly needed a new one,” Francis smiled. “If you don’t like anything, you know, it is easy for me to replace.”
Antonio hmm’d and pulled off his shirt in one fluid movement; Francis’ gaze became substantially more interested. “Let’s see,” Antonio mused, grabbed something with tiny red and white stripes, and slipped the new item on - a thin long-sleeved shirt with a hood. “Wow, this is so soft, Francis!” he grinned, running a hand along the sleeve.
He went through the rest, modeling a form-fitting, almost military button-up, a deep green v-neck tee, and finally, the dark charcoal parka. Francis cursed himself for not getting his lover new pants. He’d be getting a nice pair of jeans for his birthday, Francis decided. And maybe some shoes to go with that parka.
Antonio, now in the v-neck, smiled up at him from the floor. “Well, I didn’t get you anything...” He got up and headed into the hallway, leaving Francis confused on the couch. Francis shrugged and drank more, nearly finishing his glass in the time it took Antonio to return with his guitar.
Antonio lifted it and beamed. “...but I did make you something.”
---
AUTHOR’S NOTES + DECEMBER MIX TAPE
---
D’aww Antonio you sweetheart.
RODDY YOU FAIL SO HARD *headdesk*
Oh, and Alfred and Gilbert want to say that they are totally cool with making out with each other, dude, ‘cause they’re true bros, and it’s not like they’re gay - the Black Lips do it all the time!
Next is NYE - it’s a ton of fun and all but OMFG YOU GUISE I am so excited for January youdon’tevenknow. Because Feliks is a genius. There is a debate about modernism versus postmodernism. My favorite relationship arc begins. And other things that are too spoilery to put here.
/exciteddddddd
MIXTAPE LINK: http://www.me diafire.com/?fpaod f0ofsy4u
Kiku and Ludwig call it quits:
Deerhunter - Agoraphobia
Alfred and Ludwig study:
Idiot Glee - All Packed Up
Roderich and Lili go on a date:
Yo la Tengo - Center of Gravity
Matthew comes home:
The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning
Boys night at the bar:
The Strokes - Hard to Explain
Gil and Al annoy Nils:
Weezer - My Name is Jonas
Christmas with France and Antonio:
My Bloody Valentine - I Can See It (But I Can’t Feel It)
Vince Guaraldi - Christmas Time is Here
O hay also: This is Nils. Bein' a Nils.
Imagine he's wearing shades of black, grey, and charcoal.