When I disappear 3
Title: When I disappear - Chapter 3
Character(s) (in this chapter): Austria, Prussia, Hungary, Germany - South Italy
Rating: T
Summary: Hungary comes to visit. And Lovino has some business to do.
The next day, after lunch, Gilbert returned. Roderich had expected this. Actually, he had even looked forward to this. But only a bit. He was still angry that he had been saved. But at least Gilbert was the only person he had talked to in a long long time. Roderich hadn’t even known why he had talked to him on the day before. He had just been so happy to have someone who knew him.
Gilbert was accompanied by Elizabeta. Roderich had trouble recognizing her. She looked so much older, like she was worried sick. He wondered what Gilbert had told her about his imprisonment. He hoped not too much. This wasn’t the sort of thing a young woman like Elizabeta should know about.
Roderich tried to smile at her. He was really happy to see her, though he just didn’t feel like smiling. Also, he tried to ignore the grumpy look Gilbert was displaying again today. That man … Roderich didn’t know what to make of him. Maybe, he was just moody.
“H-hello,” Elizabeta said as she sat down by the bedside. Gilbert had chosen to sit by the window and watch the outside world. She didn’t look at Roderich, but down on her hands resting in her lap.
“Hello,” Roderich replied. “And … thanks. I’m glad to see you.”
Elizabeta blushed. “I missed you, you know?” she said hastily. Maybe a little bit too hasty but Roderich ignored that, he was just happy to finally see her again. Maybe being alive wasn’t that bad or at least not only bad. There had to be good sides like seeing his old friends again. He placed his hand on hers.
“I never thought you didn’t, dear,” he answered. “You look awful.”
She chuckled. “Not half as awful as you do. Have you looked into a mirror lately? You look like death himself. There’s a reason you’re in hospital, you know?”
Roderich shook his head. “I’m fine.”
By the window, Gilbert snorted.
“You look like you haven’t eaten in months,” Elizabeta noticed. She pulled his cheek to prove her point. “I can see you bones through you skin. What on earth has happened to you?”
Roderich noticed, that Gilbert suddenly sat up straight. Of course, the police would want to know what had happened to him. What Lovino had done to him. And Roderich wasn’t ready to tell him - or Elizabeta that was.
“I was lost,” he said.
“You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?” Elizabeta asked. “Not even you get that lost. I was searching for you! Where have you been?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Roderich said, trying to make it sound like he was calm.
“Where have you been? Please, tell me,” she repeated.
“It’s enough, Elizabeta,” Gilbert suddenly said. “You heard him, he doesn’t want to talk about it so let him be.”
Elizabeta pouted. “But I want to know! And I should know. I’ve been searching for him for weeks. Months. And so did Ludwig. We tried everything we could. We even made you search! And Anto-“
“Don’t say that name!” Gilbert hissed.
Roderich had watched this short exchange of words bemusedly. But at Antonio’s name, he flinched. “What’s with Antonio? How is he?” he asked. He knew the answer. Antonio was fine and happy and with his new boyfriend. Tears welled up in his eyes. He wanted to be back together with him so much. He wanted to see him again. Alone. He wanted Lovino to be forgotten. But that would never happen.
Elizabeta looked at Gilbert for help. She didn’t want to tell him, of course, Roderich understood it. He wouldn’t want to tell himself either. But he already knew. Knew, that he hadn’t a boyfriend anymore, he knew that the man he loved had left him for another man, for the man who had imprisoned him for over a year.
Gilbert shook his head. He already knew. Roderich had told him yesterday. He had told him most of the things Lovino had done to him. Deep inside, Gilbert was more shocked about how composed Roderich had seemed while telling him these things than about the things themselves. Moments ago, he had been crying and then, when he had started to tell him about everything, he had become awfully composed. It had sounded like Roderich hadn’t been talking about himself. Only about Antonio he hadn’t wanted to speak much. He had looked so hurt when he was talking about him. Gilbert knew that poor man was missing his boyfriend far more than being hurt by what had happened during the past year.
“Antonio’s fine,” Elizabeta finally said. “He … I … we talked yesterday, over the phone. Yes, he called me and, well, he sounded like he was fine.”
“Elizabeta,” Roderich said softly. “I know.”
“You know about what?” she asked. She looked at Gilbert for help who only shrugged. Her voice dripped of worry and she had suddenly become very pale.
“I know about his new boyfriend,” Roderich went on. “I’ve seen them. Together. I was made to see them. I’m just worried about him. All I want is for him to be happy.” Well, that was a lie even though it wasn’t that far off the truth. He wanted Antonio to be happy. But he wanted Antonio to be happy by his side even more.
They all remained silent for a while, with Roderich’s quiet sobs as the only noises.
Then, still without saying a word, Elizabeta wrapped her arms around him. Sitting down on the bed, she held her crying friend in her arms, rocking to and fro. Gilbert was standing aside, watching them with mixed feelings. When Elizabeta started humming an old lullaby, he left the room. He felt like a disturbance.
“How is he?” Ludwig who had been waiting for them in the hall all this time asked.
Gilbert shook his head. “Even worse than yesterday,” he answered. “I doubt he wants to see anyone right now. Shit, I should have told Elizabeta not to mention Antonio!” He added a few curses to this.
Ludwig patted his brother’s back. It was rare to see him care this much about someone he didn’t really know. “You should rest a bit,” he murmured. “You haven’t slept much lately. Not since you found out that Antonio was dating this mafia-guy you’re searching for. I don’t want to have to visit two people at the hospital, you know?”
Gilbert shook the hand off. “I don’t need rest,” he said. “I need to get that bastard for good. Maybe that will open Antonio’s god damn eyes. Or switch his brain on if he had any.”
“Brother, why are you mad?” Ludwig asked. He looked at Gilbert like he suspected something. “Are you mad at Antonio or at that mafia-guy?”
“I’m mad at your stupid friend,” Gilbert snapped. “He’s seen them together! He has seen his stupid, beloved Antonio fuck that brat. And yet he acts like he can’t wait to forget about this and forgive Antonio everything. It’s not like he tried to kill himself because of Antonio, no!”
“Gilbert …”
“Don’t ‘Gilbert’ me,” Gilbert hissed. “I know he’s in love but … It’s not like there is any chance for the things to go back at where they have been a year ago. Someone who had lived through this shouldn’t act like he does. He just shouldn’t! He should cry and be angry and try to fight. But he, he just endures it. He waits for everything to be over. As long as you don’t remind him of Antonio. Then, he cries. Or worse, he goes all silent. So don’t Gilbert me! I know I’m acting up.”
They waited for Elizabeta. Neither of the brothers said a word. Gilbert was still sulking and Ludwig drew his own conclusions from the words he just heard. When Elizabeta finally stepped out of Roderich’s room, both were glad to be able to leave.
~~~
Lovino was sitting in a barely lit room. He was waiting. A knife danced in his right hand. Since yesterday evening, he was in a particular good mood. Even his anger at that bastard Beilschmidt couldn’t take it away. The date with Antonio had been great. His dear had no idea that his ex had been found. On the contrary, Antonio had been all over Lovino himself yesterday.
The day had had everything Lovino liked, great tasty food with lots of tomatoes in it, romantic atmosphere and great sex afterwards. Oh yes, that was a good thing about Antonio Lovino hadn’t even guessed. As stupid as he was, Antonio was great in the bedroom. They hadn’t slept that often with each other yet - the time he had made his prisoner watch had been the first time and completely unexpected on top of that - and yet Antonio did already know where to touch him and how to make him enjoy it most.
Oh, and on top of that, Antonio was a great person to talk to.
Lovino was looking forward to many more dates with him. No way would he let anything come in between them. Ever. Even if he had to kill someone to keep Antonio for himself. Or maybe more than one person. He would kill Beilschmidt anyway, so having to kill one person more wouldn’t hurt.
He smiled. That customer that he was waiting for was late. Not that it would change anything. That guy was in trouble anyway. Lovino had had issues with this part of town lately. He needed to make an example and this guy was just the person to be made an example of. He was two months late with his protection money. That wasn’t acceptable.
When the front door to the shop opened, one of his men stepped behind the guy Lovino was waiting for and blocked the door. Lovino got up, still smiling.
”Welcome, my friend”, he said. He took some steps forward to the guy. “Don’t even think about running. There’s no place you can run to. And you don’t want me to hurt your sweet little girl, do you?” He still played with the knife.
The guy shook his head, a bit to fast for Lovino’s liking. The knife was at the guy’s throat in less than a second.
“Where’s my money?” Lovino hissed.
The guy didn’t answer. He shook like a leaf. He just pointed towards the register.
“Took that in there already, try again,” Lovino smiled. “You’ve got 30 minutes to get my money or I’ll take your daughter instead.”
The guy rushed outside as soon as Lovino’s man had stepped aside. Lovino knew this wouldn’t take long. The next bank was 5 minutes away, 2 by the speed that guy went. Getting the cashier to give him some thousand Euros would take additional 5 to 10 minutes, so Lovino expected the guy to be back in 12 minutes, maybe 15.
Ten minutes later, the door opened again. Of course, it was the guy. He handed Lovino a big envelope filled with money. Lovino took it with a big smile.
“Thank you very much,” he said. “But, you see, I need you to pay for the delay. So, if you would just hold still.”
The man Lovino had brought with him stepped behind the guy and held him in place. Lovino took up the knife. He held it in front of the guys eyes so he could see it. “Be thankful that it’s at least sharp, bastard,” Lovino smiled.
Then, he started to cut the guys skin. This was one of the things he enjoyed most about his job. So he took his time.
First chapter: Link
Next chapter: Link
Previous chapter: Link
Character(s) (in this chapter): Austria, Prussia, Hungary, Germany - South Italy
Rating: T
Summary: Hungary comes to visit. And Lovino has some business to do.
The next day, after lunch, Gilbert returned. Roderich had expected this. Actually, he had even looked forward to this. But only a bit. He was still angry that he had been saved. But at least Gilbert was the only person he had talked to in a long long time. Roderich hadn’t even known why he had talked to him on the day before. He had just been so happy to have someone who knew him.
Gilbert was accompanied by Elizabeta. Roderich had trouble recognizing her. She looked so much older, like she was worried sick. He wondered what Gilbert had told her about his imprisonment. He hoped not too much. This wasn’t the sort of thing a young woman like Elizabeta should know about.
Roderich tried to smile at her. He was really happy to see her, though he just didn’t feel like smiling. Also, he tried to ignore the grumpy look Gilbert was displaying again today. That man … Roderich didn’t know what to make of him. Maybe, he was just moody.
“H-hello,” Elizabeta said as she sat down by the bedside. Gilbert had chosen to sit by the window and watch the outside world. She didn’t look at Roderich, but down on her hands resting in her lap.
“Hello,” Roderich replied. “And … thanks. I’m glad to see you.”
Elizabeta blushed. “I missed you, you know?” she said hastily. Maybe a little bit too hasty but Roderich ignored that, he was just happy to finally see her again. Maybe being alive wasn’t that bad or at least not only bad. There had to be good sides like seeing his old friends again. He placed his hand on hers.
“I never thought you didn’t, dear,” he answered. “You look awful.”
She chuckled. “Not half as awful as you do. Have you looked into a mirror lately? You look like death himself. There’s a reason you’re in hospital, you know?”
Roderich shook his head. “I’m fine.”
By the window, Gilbert snorted.
“You look like you haven’t eaten in months,” Elizabeta noticed. She pulled his cheek to prove her point. “I can see you bones through you skin. What on earth has happened to you?”
Roderich noticed, that Gilbert suddenly sat up straight. Of course, the police would want to know what had happened to him. What Lovino had done to him. And Roderich wasn’t ready to tell him - or Elizabeta that was.
“I was lost,” he said.
“You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?” Elizabeta asked. “Not even you get that lost. I was searching for you! Where have you been?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Roderich said, trying to make it sound like he was calm.
“Where have you been? Please, tell me,” she repeated.
“It’s enough, Elizabeta,” Gilbert suddenly said. “You heard him, he doesn’t want to talk about it so let him be.”
Elizabeta pouted. “But I want to know! And I should know. I’ve been searching for him for weeks. Months. And so did Ludwig. We tried everything we could. We even made you search! And Anto-“
“Don’t say that name!” Gilbert hissed.
Roderich had watched this short exchange of words bemusedly. But at Antonio’s name, he flinched. “What’s with Antonio? How is he?” he asked. He knew the answer. Antonio was fine and happy and with his new boyfriend. Tears welled up in his eyes. He wanted to be back together with him so much. He wanted to see him again. Alone. He wanted Lovino to be forgotten. But that would never happen.
Elizabeta looked at Gilbert for help. She didn’t want to tell him, of course, Roderich understood it. He wouldn’t want to tell himself either. But he already knew. Knew, that he hadn’t a boyfriend anymore, he knew that the man he loved had left him for another man, for the man who had imprisoned him for over a year.
Gilbert shook his head. He already knew. Roderich had told him yesterday. He had told him most of the things Lovino had done to him. Deep inside, Gilbert was more shocked about how composed Roderich had seemed while telling him these things than about the things themselves. Moments ago, he had been crying and then, when he had started to tell him about everything, he had become awfully composed. It had sounded like Roderich hadn’t been talking about himself. Only about Antonio he hadn’t wanted to speak much. He had looked so hurt when he was talking about him. Gilbert knew that poor man was missing his boyfriend far more than being hurt by what had happened during the past year.
“Antonio’s fine,” Elizabeta finally said. “He … I … we talked yesterday, over the phone. Yes, he called me and, well, he sounded like he was fine.”
“Elizabeta,” Roderich said softly. “I know.”
“You know about what?” she asked. She looked at Gilbert for help who only shrugged. Her voice dripped of worry and she had suddenly become very pale.
“I know about his new boyfriend,” Roderich went on. “I’ve seen them. Together. I was made to see them. I’m just worried about him. All I want is for him to be happy.” Well, that was a lie even though it wasn’t that far off the truth. He wanted Antonio to be happy. But he wanted Antonio to be happy by his side even more.
They all remained silent for a while, with Roderich’s quiet sobs as the only noises.
Then, still without saying a word, Elizabeta wrapped her arms around him. Sitting down on the bed, she held her crying friend in her arms, rocking to and fro. Gilbert was standing aside, watching them with mixed feelings. When Elizabeta started humming an old lullaby, he left the room. He felt like a disturbance.
“How is he?” Ludwig who had been waiting for them in the hall all this time asked.
Gilbert shook his head. “Even worse than yesterday,” he answered. “I doubt he wants to see anyone right now. Shit, I should have told Elizabeta not to mention Antonio!” He added a few curses to this.
Ludwig patted his brother’s back. It was rare to see him care this much about someone he didn’t really know. “You should rest a bit,” he murmured. “You haven’t slept much lately. Not since you found out that Antonio was dating this mafia-guy you’re searching for. I don’t want to have to visit two people at the hospital, you know?”
Gilbert shook the hand off. “I don’t need rest,” he said. “I need to get that bastard for good. Maybe that will open Antonio’s god damn eyes. Or switch his brain on if he had any.”
“Brother, why are you mad?” Ludwig asked. He looked at Gilbert like he suspected something. “Are you mad at Antonio or at that mafia-guy?”
“I’m mad at your stupid friend,” Gilbert snapped. “He’s seen them together! He has seen his stupid, beloved Antonio fuck that brat. And yet he acts like he can’t wait to forget about this and forgive Antonio everything. It’s not like he tried to kill himself because of Antonio, no!”
“Gilbert …”
“Don’t ‘Gilbert’ me,” Gilbert hissed. “I know he’s in love but … It’s not like there is any chance for the things to go back at where they have been a year ago. Someone who had lived through this shouldn’t act like he does. He just shouldn’t! He should cry and be angry and try to fight. But he, he just endures it. He waits for everything to be over. As long as you don’t remind him of Antonio. Then, he cries. Or worse, he goes all silent. So don’t Gilbert me! I know I’m acting up.”
They waited for Elizabeta. Neither of the brothers said a word. Gilbert was still sulking and Ludwig drew his own conclusions from the words he just heard. When Elizabeta finally stepped out of Roderich’s room, both were glad to be able to leave.
~~~
Lovino was sitting in a barely lit room. He was waiting. A knife danced in his right hand. Since yesterday evening, he was in a particular good mood. Even his anger at that bastard Beilschmidt couldn’t take it away. The date with Antonio had been great. His dear had no idea that his ex had been found. On the contrary, Antonio had been all over Lovino himself yesterday.
The day had had everything Lovino liked, great tasty food with lots of tomatoes in it, romantic atmosphere and great sex afterwards. Oh yes, that was a good thing about Antonio Lovino hadn’t even guessed. As stupid as he was, Antonio was great in the bedroom. They hadn’t slept that often with each other yet - the time he had made his prisoner watch had been the first time and completely unexpected on top of that - and yet Antonio did already know where to touch him and how to make him enjoy it most.
Oh, and on top of that, Antonio was a great person to talk to.
Lovino was looking forward to many more dates with him. No way would he let anything come in between them. Ever. Even if he had to kill someone to keep Antonio for himself. Or maybe more than one person. He would kill Beilschmidt anyway, so having to kill one person more wouldn’t hurt.
He smiled. That customer that he was waiting for was late. Not that it would change anything. That guy was in trouble anyway. Lovino had had issues with this part of town lately. He needed to make an example and this guy was just the person to be made an example of. He was two months late with his protection money. That wasn’t acceptable.
When the front door to the shop opened, one of his men stepped behind the guy Lovino was waiting for and blocked the door. Lovino got up, still smiling.
”Welcome, my friend”, he said. He took some steps forward to the guy. “Don’t even think about running. There’s no place you can run to. And you don’t want me to hurt your sweet little girl, do you?” He still played with the knife.
The guy shook his head, a bit to fast for Lovino’s liking. The knife was at the guy’s throat in less than a second.
“Where’s my money?” Lovino hissed.
The guy didn’t answer. He shook like a leaf. He just pointed towards the register.
“Took that in there already, try again,” Lovino smiled. “You’ve got 30 minutes to get my money or I’ll take your daughter instead.”
The guy rushed outside as soon as Lovino’s man had stepped aside. Lovino knew this wouldn’t take long. The next bank was 5 minutes away, 2 by the speed that guy went. Getting the cashier to give him some thousand Euros would take additional 5 to 10 minutes, so Lovino expected the guy to be back in 12 minutes, maybe 15.
Ten minutes later, the door opened again. Of course, it was the guy. He handed Lovino a big envelope filled with money. Lovino took it with a big smile.
“Thank you very much,” he said. “But, you see, I need you to pay for the delay. So, if you would just hold still.”
The man Lovino had brought with him stepped behind the guy and held him in place. Lovino took up the knife. He held it in front of the guys eyes so he could see it. “Be thankful that it’s at least sharp, bastard,” Lovino smiled.
Then, he started to cut the guys skin. This was one of the things he enjoyed most about his job. So he took his time.
First chapter: Link
Next chapter: Link
Previous chapter: Link