Chapter Text
When times are desperate and people are hungry – but not for food, no – for power and massacre, because their own moral is so low that it does not matter anymore, war happens. A real World War, where even the most innocent souls are facing huge crisis in their identity and self-knowledge. Of course, you can still have fun and hang out with friends, but there will be always that sour taste in your mouth that you can not explain fully, just hope that others feel it as well. And you really cannot feel safe anywhere in this world, expect from a few countries which still remain under good hands: Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Italy. The other countries are under attack, or attacking, or too close to warzones. As I mentioned, this is a massacre, not ideologies, religions, ethnicities are involved. Just brute hunger.
The one who started the whole thing is Lajos Héderváry, a power-hungry man of Hungary what once was Europe’s heart, or so Hungarians had that egotistical statement once in history. Lajos was a charismatic youngster with bright future in politics and democracy, but everything changed when he actually got elected as the president of a once was great country. His mind got corrupted by others and could not take back his will to conquer, to kill. So he made himself the King and deleted all democracy from the country. Even his family decided to turn their backs at him. This happened 7 years ago. From that point Lajos made the worst decisions of his life: annex Slovakia and whip Romania off of the maps. But why were these things his biggest mistakes?
For to answer this question, we have to go back to March 6, 2097 and to a smaller Italian town, Mantova where the famous Publius Vergilius Maro was born, however that happened B.C. 70. so this information is not that important to the happenings behind Lajos’s fall. In this town lies the centre of the Forze Dell'Ordine, for short FDO. This system stands for all people who want to find shelter away from the war and in most European and near Eastern countries there are hospices for these people. And there is another duty for this organization: to keep the rest of the safer countries safe from war and guns and non-necessary deaths. This affiliation's head is a famous Italian man, who descendants from a partisan family, who were very affectively and actively against the German suppression in their country back in the days. Thus, all folks expect this man to be firm and precise with his work, which he is with. However, all tough men has their soft spot. For Iulius Vargas, since this is the name of this officer, it is his two beautiful and charming grandsons.
Iulius looks at an old picture of the sprouts when they were just little kids, before the war. He holds the frame tight in his hand and places it back on his desk. He has still work to do, paper work. He hates that part of his job, but he knows this helps people in need of a home. He knows better from anyone else what is like to have nothing, but you, your friends and your hopes of a better future. He had to climb up, he had to make sure his kin will have the best life.
“Oh, my dear Luciana, I wish you were here, with the boys.”
He takes a deep breath and looks on a letter, a formal letter that he still needs to check, it seems important, especially since it is on paper. No one would send a paper-based letter anymore these days, but only if it is meant to be hidden form all malwares and viruses. He takes a smaller knife in his hand and opens the letter carefully. There is nothing on its envelope, just his own name. But the letter, oh dear Lord, it does have a ton of ink on it and it is German. Iulius does not know crap in German, so he searches for some English at least, but nothing.
“They expect me to read this. Morons.”
Frustratedly he powers up his mind monitor, which is a little computer connected to your head. You can obtain this kind of utensil when you are born with your parents’ consent, but since it is a fresh invention, most of the population of Earth wear it in their ears, or necks. People who were born after 2070 actually have these gadgets attached to their brains.
As the screen pops in front of his eyes he chooses the translator app and a camera like screen appears. He puts the letter in the little box and waits for a few second. Now he sees the letter in Italian.
“Dear Iulius Vargas. We were informed that you still the head of the FDO… we need more help…military… We are hoping in your cooperative work, and your alliance… Please… Truthfully, the German Government.”
He growls and put the letter in the bin next to his desk. He needs to take some rounds around his surroundings to calm himself down.
“They always beg for these things. When they will realise, that I can’t… That I won’t…”
But before he can get too deep into his thoughts, he hears some knocks on his big wooden door and a faint ‘Are you free now?’.
“Yeah, yeah, come on in.”
A short lady comes in, with a long, brunette ponytail on his head and a pink bow to keep it still. Her eyes are sparkling from youth and ambition. Her uniform is nothing special, plain blue jacket and jeans with a few pockets to them.
“Your grandsons wish to visit you. Can they bother you?”
“Sure, just give me a few seconds. I am actually at the end of my shift in the office.”
The lady leaves and Iulius sits back in his chair and moves his jacket that lies on the back of the leather chair, to make it extra comfortable. He slicks his hair back, but it is curly so it does not have any specific effects, only the one, that his grey hair is hidden now under the still brown hair. This is the moment when the two boys swing the wings of the heavy door open and raid the huge office. They look slightly the same in genetics, wonder why, but their styles are a bit different. The one, with the green eyes wears a black shirt, grey trousers and brown, shiny booth under his trousers. The other, with the amber eyes wears a huge green t-shirt, a grey jumper on top of it, basic jeans and black sports shoes. Both of them take seats in separate armchairs. The old man looks at them and smiles.
“It’s nice to have you here boys. Although, what is the reason behind your visit?”
He has a wide grin in his face, which he covers up with his fists. The younger one, who wears more practical clothes tries to speak up.
“We thought that… wait. Did you forget?”
The old prankster laughs as loudly as possible and wipes away a tear in his right eye’s corner.
“No, no, I just wanted to see your reaction, Feliciano. Lovino, did you book the table at Marcello?”
“Nonno, are you at your sane?! Y’know we have a table ALWAYS at Marcello. We are loyal guests of him.”
Iulius knows his oldest grandson does not mean it actually, he just had a rough day at work. Obviously, Feliciano is ecstatic as always, since he did nothing but gardening. Does his nonno care? Not really, due to the fact, that Feliciano makes great profit out of flowers and small trees. He owns his private business since he was 14, so for almost 2 years now. He quit school with his parents consent and they supported him since the beginnings.
The weather is nice and sunny in this Italian early afternoon in the spring. Birds are chirping, the essence of the flowers filling the air everywhere, on the other hand this spring is not that lovely as it should be. Soldiers and police officers are taking patrols, of course only to protect the innocents. So, people are casually taking walks to their favourite shops and restaurants and boutiques, they do not mind the military presence.
The youngest Italian of the trio goes to a grocery store that only opened a few days ago. The products here are all bio and fresh and proofed of any chemicals. He takes a few glances at the red apples and decides he tries one, they look nice. And one apple will not ruin his appetite from lunch. Therefore, Lovino and Iulius decides to sit down on a bench and take a few stolen breaths. They would never admit, but Feliciano can walk pretty fast.
“Nonno, how was your work today? You seem more stressed than usual.”
Iulius tries to play it of cool, but how could he. Usually he only pretends to be chill about the war, because he does not want to Feliciano to be worried or to be influenced by this nonsense that is going on. He is too pure to this cruel world.
“They wrote again. And… your old man is getting really old, dear Lovi. I don’t know if I can keep this up. Dovremmo arrenderci.”
Lovino raises his voice up and shouts an ‘Ey!’, but he turns it down and sits back on the bench.
“You can’t be serious. Sei fuori di testa! Those Germans just want to get us into their war with Hungary. We do NOT fucking need that right now. Our hospitals…”
“I know, I promise, I know. However, we can’t stay neutral for forever… and… No, you’re right, we should stay strong. The USA promised this is going to end this summer.”
He ruffles his grandson’s hair and puts back his bright smile.
May 19, 2093, Republic of Hungary
It happened too fast and sudden, no one would have guest this would happen now. One of Hungary’s best president past away – the cause is unknown – and the folks are mourning a great man who stopped the Starving of 2080.
May 24, 2093
A new president was elected, Lajos Héderváry. In his student years he proved himself to be a loyal and kind man, who cares about others’ opinions. Especially his Chief Adviser’s words and thoughts. He met Feliks Łukasiewicz back in college. They were both studying Sociology and History and are great friends since their first day when on accident Feliks bumped into Lajos when they were both searching for the right classroom.
He is in the parliament and all media and news are gathered here today to make an interview with him. Feliks hands over a microphone to him.
“Köszönöm, my brother.”
They shake hands and the president steps out, in front of the crowd. He was waiting for this for years, to make this step. He knows, it will not be easy, but when you decide such things as Lajos, you must have strong pneuma.
March 6, 2097
Mantova’s park is a huge one and it is surrounded by community places, where people can party and dance when there is some occasion to it, or without any reason, just to shake off the stress of nowdays. And at this park you can find the Un filo di margherita, which is Marcellos’s restaurant. It has tables even outside and has a little garden with some very rare flowers, and these include marguerites. The war is not only cruel to people, but to the wild life as well, and plants. These last marguerites considered as symbol of the town itself, but Italy as a whole, looks at those as real treasures. From the inside you can hear authentic Italian songs and remixes, but at the night times, when most people come here you can actually perform anytime and any song you what with any method. Marcello wants his costumers to feel happy and free at his place.
As they go in they immediately head for the counter at the front where Marcello washes away some glasses. His hair is average, but a little bit redder then for a regular Italian, and he has pretty dark green eyes.
“Buon pomeriggio, Marcello. How was your day so far?”
“Hello to you too guys! Ahhhh, it was long, but luckily I had more help today then usual. But honestly, I am glad that my business is doing well. And I am more thrilled then ever to serve you. I actually got new vines from Rome. You have to try it Iulius. And you to Lovino.”
They just node, while Feliciano looks at them with hope.
“No, you are still too young for this.”
Feliciano did not even have a chance at all, huh. Well, it does not matter actually, since it is only a few nights until his birthday, and when he turns 16, he is acknowledged as an adult, at least in Italy. Most places in Europe actually have more strict legal age rules. For example, in the UK you have to be 22 to buy alcohol, but with parental supervision you can drink as much as you can at the age of 17, but it is still a pain in the ass there.
“Feli, what would you like to have for lunch? I assume that’s why you came.”
“Ohoho, don’t think my friend that only Feliciano eats. We need somethings as well.”
Marcello puts on a playful face and puts away the last glass. Now some plates are on line.
“Oh, I thought that you can wine and dine only on some drinks. On this wise, what are the meals, signori?”
Being a little ‘does-not-care-about-nothing’ Lovino, he takes his leave from Marcello and walks away to their typical table and takes a seat next to the window. He likes to think and visualize in this spot. But unfortunately, this is not the right time for him, because some tipsy middle schoolers pass by the window and Lovino growls at them. Of course, they do no hear anything from it, but Feliciano does, who just sat down in front of his brother. He has a mysterious smile that he does not bother to hide.
“How was your day?”
His voice is sharp and has something in it, that Lovino can not put his finger on, but he does not like that one thing. He exhales and stares at the table for a minute before actually answering his little brother.
“There a lot of them, and most of ‘em are around my age or even younger. They fled away from their own countries in hope to find cure and medication here. But I am afraid that Italy will give up…and nonno as well. He…”
Feliciano grabs his fratello’s hand and looks calmly at him. There is that stillness and serenity in his amber eyes that can calm Lovino at any state.
“I’m sure you can help them. And you just need to take some exams to be a full-time surgeon. I think this is something great. And I am sure your mother looks at you from Heavens with proud eyes. I wish I met her.”
Lovino snorts and grabs his stomach.
“You idiota. If she would be still alive, I wouldn’t have the most amazing fratellino in the whole universe.”
Feliciano turns a little red but starts to giggle as well. This is the moment when Iulius and Marcello arrive at the table finally and they brought some glasses too, Marcello pours some wine to the adults, this includes him as well.
Slowly a small group forms around them and they are just chatting about general stuff: schools, jobs, love life and children. Naturally Iulius talks proudly about his daughter who passed away sadly after a few years Lovino was born, but she was beautiful and talented in arts, mostly dance. Iulius loved watching his little girl on those little school competitions. And obviously he was grieving for years, but life goes on and now he has his two handsome grandsons to look over, while their parents are at work and travelling a lot.
Suddenly Marcello’s phone starts to ring and without thinking he picks it up.
“Dove sei?”
The woman’s voice is loud and in this instant Marcello turns down the volume and switches to private mod. But all the men and women decided to go silent and listen to the call.
“Sono al lavoro, amore mio.”
However, he realises his audience and chooses to walk away into his little private room.
They do not know for how long they were talking, but Lovino had a bad feeling. Almost as he forgot something. ‘But what was it.’ He looks at his watch that he got from Antonio, a… childhood friend and current co-worker.
“Merda! Antonio! Feliciano, Nonno, we have to go, now!”
He runs out of the restaurant, without saying goodbye to anyone and his family looks after him with concern. They do not bother hurry after the crazy Italian, they say politely goodbye to everyone and leave the building with cool. They can see Lovino at the other side of the park, but should they really give a damn? If he wants to hurry, he can.
“Why does he never learn? Antonio always hours late from meet ups.”
Feliciano says this fact to his grandfather who just shrugs it off, he does not either understands Lovino’s sudden hurry.
As they leave the town they are welcomed by a calm countryside. Just as they step into the tall grass some birds fly out of the sedge, and their shadows over cast them. Feliciano can only see the birds, if he makes a little salute with his hand, because this late afternoon is rather too sunny. He even has to borrow Iulius’s jacket, so he will not get sunburnt.
In front of them is a hill and top of it a faint Lovino, but from there it’s only 5 minutes to their house. Howbeit Feliciano makes up his mind and goes under a near tree to make a flower crown. He acknowledges all flowers around him. White chrysanthemums, hydrangea and some pink hyacinth. These are the perfect flowers for Feliciano now. And as he picks each he thinks about their meanings. ‘True love, coolness and… desire. More specifically envy, the green one.’
“I still need one more. Oh, there it is.”
He tears down a narcissus and place it in the crown. It fits so well and he puts it on his head.
Iulius is sitting not too far away from in, at the same oak tree. ‘Mio Dio, just give us hope and help. I want my grandsons to be healthy and strong. They must find their happiness. And it’d be really cool if I had some great-grandchildren.’
Lovino appears on top of the hill again and shouts from the top of his lungs.
“Come on guys! The guest won’t wait for you! He is starving!”
The two dull men decide to get up from the ground and actually make it home.
As they arrive on top of the hill, they see Lovino and Antonio have a casual talk by the fence of the house, but Feliciano notices something more. ‘Azalea… Hmmmm, our friend decided to actually make a move on Lovino. Nice. But he should’ve picked something else, like naked ladies, or as wise people call them, colchicum. Those are pretty too.’
“Antonio! You actually made it this time!”
Iulius shouts and starts to run a little bit to greet a long not seen friend. Surely, Lovino sees the Spaniard at work, but the rest of the family sees him pretty rarely.
As Lovino manages to open the front door they are all try to enter at the same time, since for some reason it got really hot the past few minutes.
“It feels like that I was away for years, but it was actually just 3 months.”
Antonio says this with an awkward smile.
“Yeah, more truly you spent New Year’s Eve here, like you don’t have your own family, or shit. I dunno.”
Lovino takes a seat in front of Antonio who managed to sit down on the couch in the big hurry, next to Feliciano. Iulius went into the kitchen, maybe he brings out something.
“You’re right, but there is my favourite mentor, the most cheerfull and the most pretty Italian boy I’ve ever met in my entire life.”
“Antonio, if you going to flirt with my oldest, Imma castrate you!”
Iulius yells from the kitchen.
“Me? I would never.”
He blinks at Lovino and Feliciano is sure now. These two have something going on. ‘Good, good.’
“I was actually thinking. Since your birthdays are at the door, what would you like as gifts.”
“Uuuuh, I would like some flowers, seeds or onions to be more specific. Please.”
Feliciano is talkative as ever, but Lovino just stares not at the Spaniard, but something on him.
“I am old for this. Buy me chocolate, and we’re good, okay?”
“But Lovi, you must ask for something.”
“Don’t call me that, you idiota!”