Work Text:
Light danced across the floorboards as the sun set through the trees and their still bare branches. New growth had already sprouted among the roots despite the chill in the air. Spring was on its way, but the remnants of winter were still clinging to the valley. A chilly breeze blew through the cracked open window and Lovino sneezed. A shiver cut through him and he quickly crossed the cabin to shut it tightly.
It was warmer during the day, but bone chilling still as night crept over the hidden sanctuary in the woods.
He rubbed his arms and pulled his sweater a little tighter around him. A new fire crackled in the hearth, giving a warmth to the room that Lovino was taking a moment to enjoy.
He crossed back to his chair and sat down to wait.
Lovino dodnt have to wait long, though. Moments after curling his legs underneath him, the door opened and a tall man with beautiful sun warmed skin and sparkling green eyes walked in. Dark brown curls framed his handsome face.
“Lovi~” he cooed in his singsong voice.
Lovino scowled, but his cheeks went red, “I told you not to call me that.” He said, his voice holding no malice, nor irritation.
Antonio closed the door tight behind him, noticing Lovino curl up a bit tighter into his sweater. He kicked off his boots by the door and dropped the bundle of firewood into the wire basket. It would be enough for two or three more days, which was perfect. By then, their little bubble would be popped and they would be back to real life.
“I made dinner. It's just about ready.” Lovino said, getting up to greet Antonio with a soft kiss.
Antonio leaned into the kiss, his arms snaking around Lovino's waist to pull him flush against his chest.
Lovino's fingers curled into the thick wool of Antonio's shirt and he pulled himself up onto his tiptoes to deepen their kiss.
They broke apart, their breaths mingling in shirt pants. Lovino quickly pulled back before Antonio got any funny ideas and dinner burned. After all, Lovino pouted his heart and soul into a delicious meal!
His hand slid down to catch Antonio's. Their fingers slotted together perfectly and they walked hand in hand to the kitchen to enjoy a hearty meal by firelight.
Lovino glanced over at Antonio maybe only an hour later. Antonio had a book in hand and a content smile on his lips.
Lovino's heart fluttered and he couldn't stop his own smile. Years ago, he would have called anyone crazy if they suggested that he of all people would be curled up next to the man he loved with his entire being, feeling even a fraction of deserving of it.
And yet…
Here he was, basking in the warm glow of the hearth, but also Antonio's love and devotion.
Despite everything, they were here and they were together. Best of all, they were both happy.
It had been a long two weeks out in the middle of nature, phones turned off and tucked away in some luggage somewhere. They had nothing but a few books and each other for entertainment. Tomorrow, they would be heading back to civilization where real life would resume.
Lovino loathed to admit it, but he preferred it there, in the cabin. He loved having Antonio's complete and unbroken attention on him, not that he lacked it much in their studio apartment. However, work still split them apart more than Lovino would have wanted.
Antonio looked up, their eyes meeting. His smile grew wider, “Do I have something on my face?” He asked, his voice annoyingly smug to Lovino.
Lovino rolled his eyes, “Just trying to figure out how many times you were dropped on your face.” He clicked his tongue.
His husband of five years laughed and leaned over, the book now forgotten. He had long since learned Lovino's words spoke a different meaning deep in his heart. His insults hadn't had a true bite to them in years, even when they argued.
“I love you, too.” He said, burying his face against Lovino's neck.
Lovino half heartedly shoved against him. He very quickly gave up, acting like it was such a chore to hold his husband close and cuddle agaisnt him.
“It's our last night here.” Antonio mused.
Lovino just hummed in response, his cheek pressed into the silken curls which still smelled like citrus shampoo from the morning shower. He didn't want to keep thinking about going home.
Antonio pulled away, earning a pathetic whine from Lovino.
He just smiled and pulled him off the couch, “Let's make the most of it.”
Before he could even ask, Antonio snatched a remote off the side table and clicked a button.
The room was suddenly filled with soft, romantic music.
Without an ounce of hesitation, Antonio pulled him close and began swaying to the song.
Lovino snorted, “Sap.” He muttered, pressing his head to Antonio's chest. He knew he was just as sappy, though. This was exactly what he wanted. It was exactly what he needed.s
Antonio laughed, his chest rumbling in such a pleasing way.
The song faded away and another replaced it.
Lovino's head shot back and he stared at the sound system before looking up into Antonio's deep emerald green eyes.
The taller man just smiled at him, pouring every bit of love into that look.
“Our song…” Lovino said, around the lump in his throat.
“Mmhm, the one we danced to at our wedding.” He tucked Lovino's head back against his chest and he rested his cheek agaisnt the soft brown hair.
“The one that was playing in the bar where we met.” Lovino added, overcome with emotion. He both loved and hated that Antonio could make him feel like this. Remembering a stupid song that played when their hands touched across the bar made Lovino so stupidly happy.
“The very same.” Antonio whispered into his hair, “The one that played when I knew I was going to marry you one day.”
Lovino laughed and gently smacked his chest, “Oh fuck off, no you didn't.”
“Mm I dkd, though! I saw you, scowling at me for even thinking about grabbing that shot glass and it was over! I heard wedding bells!” His grin was so wide, “Well, wedding bells and this song, that is.”
Lovino pulled back to look up at him, “Toni, if you keep saying sappy shit, I'm gonna assume you're just a tree that took my husband's place.”
Antonio laughed. That sound was Lovino's entire reason for existing. He knew that he was only put on the Earth to make Antonio laugh and to hear it every day. It could chase away storm clouds, heal the sick, end wars! Well, okay, maybe not all that, but it helped chase away the storms inside Lovino's head. And! His laughter made Lovino feel good about himself on days where work weighed on his shoulders and life didn't feel great.
He loved Antonio's laughter, even when he would never admit it to anyone but himself.
“I spent all day fighting trees that dared think they could take my place.” Antonio said, eyes thinking with pure joy. “They stood up to me and called out, ‘Antonio! Tis I who deserve Lovino's hand in marriage! Fight us to the death and the winner shall have his heart!’”
Lovino couldn't stop the stupid lovesick laughter, “Don't I get a say in this?”
“Well, you already said yes to me.” Antonio said, “But that's beside the point. Anyway, I stood I front of them, axe in hand, ready to tear them branch from branch! They put up a good fight, but nothing can stop me from loving you, Lovi.”
Lovino was full belly laughing, burying his face in Antonio's chest, “You're so dumb!” He said, though to Antonio, those words were so easily interchangeable with ‘I love you’ when Lovino said them.
A few more songs and a few shared danced later, Antonio shut off the music and just stood there, holding Lovino in his arms. He listened to his heartbeat and let the mood wind down.
The two meandered back into the kitchen and made two cups of hot chocolate.
Lovino's cup had dark chocolate with a bit of cinnamon, while Antonio preferred milk and extra whip cream.
They grabbed a thick blanket and bundled up toghether underneath the moon and the stars. The air was still chilly, but Lovino couldn't be bothered to care. Antonio tucked him in close to his side. He gently pushed his foot against the ground, rocking the cushioned swing they were seated on.
Lovino turned his head up to stare at Antonio. He admired his perfect round cheeks and strong jaw. There was a few freckles acattered about here and there, only truly visible up close like this. Oh how lucky Lovino felt to be able to count them every night.
Antonio turned to him, “Yes~?”
Lovino sighed and rolled his eyes, “Just admiring your face, that's all. Why are you so stupidly hot?”
Antonio snorted and tilted his head to rest on his own shoulder. He wore a lopsided grin, “I was made that way, just for you.”
Lovino snorted and finished his cocoa.
Now that it was gone, the cold seeped in again.
They called it quits and went back inside.
Antonio changed first, getting comfortable in his turtle themed pajama pants and a plain t shirt.
Lovino slipped into the bathroom right after. His heart was pounding agaisnt his ribcage and his ears and cheeks were a deep shade of red at his plan. He clutched the outfit in his hands and almost decided against it. But he had bought this specially made for him to wear on this vacation and by God, he was going to wear it!
Lovino slid out of the bathroom half an hour later. Antonio's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of his husband. Lovino was wearing a skin tight, lacy green piece. Parts of the lingerie were translucent, leaving nothing to the imagination, like the tattoo on his left hip, other parts were covered in thick clustered of embroidered flowers.
Antonio wheezed and clutched the comforter to ground himself. The imagine before him could have made him ascend right to heaven if he let go. He heard a strangled moan that might definitely have come from him.
“It's stupid, isn't it?” Lovino asked, his confidence quickly waning as silence stretched between them.
“No!” Antonio wheezed, “It's… wow!” He said. He jumped out of the bed and crossed the room faster than he'd ever moved before and scooped Lovino up to press him against the bathroom door.
His hands hooked firmly under his thighs and their lips crashed together in a bruising kiss.
Antonio turned and carried Lovino to the bed, where he collapsed the both of them into the sheets.
He bit and nipped at Lovino's kiss bruised lips before sinking lower to bite and mark Lovino's beautiful perfect throat and collarbone area. He needed to leave a mark on him to remind himself that this was real and Lovino was actually his husband and not some years long fever dream. After all, he could hardly be convince this stunning god of a man was his.
Lovino threw his head back, “Toni!” His voice was barely above a hoarse whisper and his fingers dug into Antonio's t shirt. His legs wrapped tighter around Antonio's waist to pull him closer.
Antonio growled against his husband's skin, a rare rough side he rarely let slip. This only excited Lovino more, encouraging him to keep teasing.
Antonio sunk lower and lower still, consuming everything Lovino had to offer, feasting on the incredible noises and sounds he let slip.
His t shirt and pajamas hit the floor and Lovino's lingerie joined them.
Antonio buried himself in the taste of Lovino's ecstasy and pleasure and swallowed his moans right off his lips. He could feast on the sounds forever and never be full.
Lovino dug his nails deep into anything he could reach, lest he float away. He gripped the sheets, Antonio's arms, his back. He left his own marks behind, not terribly different from the lovebites that he wore like a necklace now.
As they gently came back down to earth, pressed back to chest, the fire glowed, illuminating sweat soaked skin with soft ambers and reds.
Lovino felt the weight of sleep tugged on him. He absentmindedly traced little hearts onto Antonio's arm.
Antonio smiled and kissed the back of his neck, “Good night, Lovino. I love you.”
“Mmm I love you, too, Antonio.”
Sleep overcame them both as the fire slowly died into stubborn embers, which refused to disappear.