Work Text:
Despite having lived together under some time and having worked for the same person for said amount of time, Romano always considered Lithuania a stranger. They didn't much about each other before meeting in America's house but they never truly met, only a basic introduction from America.
"You know, you have to do some work other than mopping the floors whike complaining in italian all the time..." Lithuania wouldn't dare look Romano in the eyes, even though he's taller.
"Yeah yeah, now fuck off, would you?" Romano made a hand gesture shooing Lithuania away instinctively.
"But you still have to do something!" Lithuania tried to threaten the Italian but his voice cracked as he spoke which caused the other man to laugh in his face.
Not long after he left, the words stuck with Romano There's no way I'd do something for that bastard American without him asking. But, even for a tiny moment, he considered it. Maybe he'd get a better pay and be able to return to Italy if the economy gets better and he has more money.
Maybe I should at least go help out that Lithuanian, he seemed better than all those other bastards I've met. And with that, the young Italian man decided to make some coffee and dessert for his Lithuanian coworker.
America was gone which left Lithuania with all the paperwork and phone calls their boss would usually take so he had barely any time for anything outside of work, even if he wanted to. Knowing that, the dark haired man decided to not even knock when dropping off what he had prepared.
"You better like it, bitch." Romano rolled his eyes, pretending he isn't actually really excited to see how his friend coworker and man he couldn't give two shits about would react.
"This is really nice! Did you make this? I really needed some coffee. How did you know how I like it?" Lithuania asked without hesitation, this is a man who he'd never interacted with who knew exactly how he liked his coffee and his favourite italian desserts.
"Too many questions, just enjoy it before I change my mind and take the stuff for myself..." Romano knew he'd never do that but he sure hoped it ensured the other would enjoy it.
The Lithuanian pleasently enjoyed the coffee and dessert and went back to work immediately after thanking him but that just pissed off the Italian.
"Take a break for God's sake! I swear on your fucking life I'm dragging you out of this office myself if you don't comply." Was Romano more threatening than helpful? For sure but that's how he was.
"But all the work! Who's gonna do it?" Lithuania seemed stressed out at the thought of the work being left unfinished and America returning to half finished work.
"Who gives a shit? That bastard's gonna have to deal with it in his own! So, what do you say now?"
A little break never hurt anyone, right? He thought to himself before nodding in agreement and walking out together with Romano.
As they walked to the garden, there was more than one "accidental" instance of their hands touching, Lithuania ignored it as Romano wasn't saying anything so he didn't want to make a big deal out of it either.
They ended up sitting on a bench and talked for a couple of hours, about life before working for America, family, what their countries were like, with Romano glazing the hell out of Italy, and romantic partners.
"On the topic of life before this, did you have any partners?" Romano wanted to know if he's dealing with a virgin dude with no experience or not.
"Haha, I did actually! I had a pretty big crush on Belarus, only thing is she likes her brother... But I was also in an allyship with Poland or a "marriage" as he likes to call it. And you?" Lithuania admitted, he figured it was good for them to know each other.
"Oh me? Not many people liked me back, surprisingly. They mostly cared from the inheritance from grandpa Rome and couldn't give two shits about me as a person." Romano tossed his hands up in defeat and disappointment remembering all the failed relationships due to people wanting what he had and not who he was. On top of everything, there was this is weird feeling of jealousy that he hadn't felt over someone talking about past relationships before.
"That's unfortunate but I'm sure someone will want you for yourself! You're so talkative and open and extroverted and people love those traits." Lithuania reassured him that everything would be okay and that some girl out there wanted him.
Someone. That specific word. It stuck with Romano. Why that? Did Lithuania think he wasn't worthy of him? He started spiraling and stopped when the man next to him gave him a quick hug. Maybe he thinks I'm worthy of his attention after all! the Italian thought, not noticing the slight blush on his face but who cares, it was hot out he'd just use that as an excuse, just like he'd done a million times before.
"Why the hug?" Romano really pretended the hug didn't alter his brain chemistry into falling in love right then and there but it was pretty obvious.
"You just seemed a little down and I figured a hug would help. Did it not?" Lithuania was confused, why wouldn't Romano suddenly meet his gaze?
Romano nodded and got up, Lithuania followed along, going back to his work. Both men started working after their break which lasted longer than the Lithianian would've liked.
They went back to work, one occupied himself with office work while the other picked up the cleaning duty while also cooking something in case he got hungry. They mutually ignored each other which Romano considered to be for the best until he got bored of being ignored and he wanted the be the centre of Lithuania's attention that is. That led him to assume that he should get all personal and invade any personal space.
And with that, Romano went over to his coworker and started talking, maybe waiting for a response. Not like he'd stop talking unless directly told to.
So, while Lithuania was actually doing his work, Romano was talking away, bringing up anything that came to mind, anything to avoid actually working –also working alone got boring for an extrovert like him–.
"You really don't shut up... But keep talking if it makes you feel better!" The Lithianian was annoyed at the constant talking in his ear but he was too nice to shut it down completely and he couldn't deny the company was enjoyable.
"Hope you learn to deal with it." The Italian rolled his eyes as he kept talking about food, history or anything really.
Lithuania kept working with Romano practically sitting on his desk at that point with no sign of wanting to leave. That sure prevented him from doing his work but it was bearable.
"Don't you get tired of working for a bastard like America? He wouldn't even appreciate my leftovers! What a bitch..." Romano started complaining about his own troubles while hoping to stop monologuing.
"Lithuania's in a pretty shitty state economically so I'm not looking forward to returning or going to work for Russia... Compared to my other options working for America is pretty nice. Also I don't think anyone would appreciate being fed leftovers... I'd take it but you never know." He looked at the almost finished work before looking at the man next to him again.
"Yeah, now that I reunited with my brother the southern parts of Italy especially are pretty shitty but that doesn't mean that bastard shouldn't appreciate my authentic Italian cooking!" His complaints grew louder by the minute.
After another 20 minutes of this back and forth Lithuania finally finished his work and decided to not attempt to push Romano to actually do anything. They sat in silence, for the second time that day. More comfortable than last time though. Almost an intimate silence, it felt nice. For Romano at the very least.
"You know, you don't look half bad, you had quite a few bitches from what I caught so how come you're singlt?" Romano said shamelessly, kind of a normal conversation topic in his mind. He won't care I called him good-looking, will he? Why did I do that? He told himself.
"Well, not really... I liked a girl who was into her brother so yeah... Also there was something with Poland but it wasn't entirely romantic so I'm not that experienced, haha." He tried explaining himself from the other's misconceptions.
"What the fuck was that laugh?" Romano stared at Lithuania in disgust and confusion.
"That's what you kept from that?" Lithuania was worried for whatever Romano had going on in his head for whatever reason.
"Of course!" Romano retorted, he couldn't say much else.
"You're interesting, you know that? Not in a bad way!" He said to the Italian. It was nice having someone to talk to freely.
"And what does that mean?"
"I don't know but it's a good thing, okay?" Lithuania tried reassuring him.
"If you insist." Romano raised his shoulders and left it at that.
They stood there again, in more silence. This time is was uncomfortable, they didn't like it. To break the silence, someone had to say something. And Romano did just that.
"So... For 10£, would you suck my balls?" Very interesting choice of words to break the silence for sure but it worked.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT QUESTION?" Genuinely concerned, he shouted.
"THAT'S NOT A YES OR A NO!" Romano was expecting an actual answer instead of an argument.
"You want an actual answer!?" The concept of Romano actually wanting an answer seemed almost out of this world to Lithuania.
"Yes, I do!" In his mind, why ask if not looking for an answer?
"Well, yes! Happy?" After actually answering his face flushed with the implications of whatever that entire discussion had led them to.
"Really..?" It was an answer but not an expected one, that's for sure.
"Did you just want to mock me?" Lithuania seemed disappointed knowing he looked like an idiot blushing like a teenage girl being noticed by her crush.
"Look, I have 5£ on me currently." Romano tried fixing the situation but that made everything worse.
"Hand them over and follow me I guess..." No way he was serious about this, this was way too stupid for someone like him.
That shut up Romano fairly quickly and it got him to comply. He followed the other man to wherever he was being taken, he was almost afraid but it was worth the risk.
They reach where Lithuania is leading Romano to which, much to his surprise, is a bathroom. Wondering if anything's gonna happen or if Lithuania wanted to piss or take a shit, he stood there, waiting. Despite the other man opening the water and letting it run, he did nothing.
"Are you gonna take a shower?" Romano asked, in case he should leave.
"I'm kinda tired and I think you might be too so I thought a hot shower would help." Lithuania responded calmly, that's not all there is to it, since he just took Romano's 5€, but it was good enough for now.
After the water got hot enough Lithuania took his clothes off and stepped in the shower. He signaled to the other man to do the same.
Not so reluctantly, Romano agreed and entered the shower, not asking any questions. They were officially closer than they'd ever been before. They were cleaning themselves together, even washing each other.
"What's this for?" Curiosity won over Romano, potentially ruining such a moment was what it took to receive the answer he wanted.
"I didn't know what to do for that money you gave me so..." He trailed off, not wanting to finish what he started.
"You're making it sound as if you're a prostitute, we're just sitting in a bathroom together..." Romano rolled his eyes so hard they probably got stuck there.
Lithuania chuckled as he brought Romano closer to him. They were close, almost too close for two friends. Why did such a relationship develop? Neither knew, both cared, not enough to ruin the moment though. Their breaths were one. They were holding each other, enjoying each other, taking the moment in for as long as they could.
"This feels nice, doesn't it..?" Lithuania mentioned, this was peaceful
Romano nods as he decides to pull the man below him into a kiss. It was his best shot and it was best not to put it to waste. He wanted to hold the other, to touch him, to feel him.
This was the first moment they had together and hopefully not the last. They wanted needed each other. It was quick but they felt it was fine. They didn't think they needed more time.
Each passing moment their eyes filled with more love while starting right at each other. The kissing got more loud, the biting, the marking, everything became more apparent as time passed.
Every good thing must come to an end though. Even for them. This couldn't last forever, unfortunately. They had to go their own separate ways. They could at least still see each other.