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Taking care of his shop was one of his top priorities, other than all the work he had to do for the government of course. Sure it was rather empty and he used cheap products, but that still didn’t mean that he wasn’t a business owner! A shop still needed repairs, someone to carry in deliveries, to be clean, and the most important factor, promotion!
“Ah, Guten tag! Would you like to try some delicious Spanish treats? We have delicious coffee!”
“Nein danke.”
He never said the promotion was successful, but it was something. He had the entire night— the meeting had ended around 16:00 and he really didn’t mind being out so late. Yes he had papers and assignments but getting tourist money was also beneficial to his economy so his government should be thankful— even if it seemed like he was just wandering around doing nothing. There were so many people, he was bound to get someone to want to travel eventually.
“Still trying to get customers?”
He knew that voice, it was one he wasn’t always happy to hear. He loved his cousin— he really did— but being ridiculed wasn’t on his plan of things to do for the day.
“Ah, João… What are you doing here?”
The other simply shrugged and walked around, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. It wasn’t like they were particularly close, he could never enjoy his company knowing how he always had some dirt on him. He couldn’t trust him, especially around Arthur, he didn’t know what he was telling him and how it could backfire on him.
“Looking for you, meu amigo!” He happily answered, “Arthur had invited me out drinking later today with him and his friends but I declined, I’m spending time with Abel tonight.”
“Ah I see…” He wasn’t sure what that had to do with him, he wasn’t planning on staying in Berlin for long. Not only for his business, but also he just really loved his home. Ludwig’s place was nice, yes, but he couldn’t stand being away for a long time. “Why are you telling me?”
“Because I said you would go. I’ll text you the information, ok?”
“What? You can’t just say I would go without asking me first!”
“Well would you go?”
“Yeah—“
“Then it’s ok!”
He would’ve continued to argue with him but it was useless, he could only sigh. “Who else is going exactly?”
“Ludwig, Veneziano, Gilbert, and Francis.” The other smirked. “I know you want to spend some time with Francis, no?”
“What is that supposed to mean?!” He could feel his face get warmer. He hated talking to João when it came to the topic of Francis. He honestly missed the days when him and Abel weren’t together, then he had something on him. Now it was back to before when he would constantly be made fun of for falling for someone he fought for years. It wasn’t his fault! The man was beautiful— he thought he was a woman at first! For a couple years actually. Sure he should’ve known that he was a man when he heard him speak but it didn't connect to him that he wasn't a girl with a deep voice! But even after he found out he couldn't stop liking him. It was something about his beauty that would take over his mind and wouldn't let go.
The other only shrugged as his smile grew. He could only sigh and accept his fate. “Well I’ll talk to you later, ok?” João patted his back and walked off before he could say anything in reply. He decided to move on and continue to promote his business, after all it was only around 17:20 and according to the text message he received from João, they would meet up around 21:00. That would give him way too much time to do absolutely nothing. He knew he should’ve been finding a place to stay soon yet he couldn’t be bothered— he would figure it out later!
——————
“Ah, Hola Lovi!”
“What do you want? I'm busy.”
He loved talking to Lovino! He loved the boy like he was his own— which was technically true but not really. He could still remember when the boy was little and would hesitate to come to him at night. They were certainly an interesting duo, he was glad he never traded him for Veneziano. It wasn’t like he disliked the younger brother— he loved him— but he couldn’t say that raising Romano was a regret of his.
“Ah, I just wanted to pass the time! I have to go drinking later! What are you up to?” It wasn't like he wasn't already passing the time, he was already trying to come up with a list of things to do when he got back home.
“I’m cooking dinner. We just arrived back from being outside and we’re all hungry.”
“We?”
Lovino sighed before seemingly moving around for a bit, “Me, Alfred, and Tolys?”
“Oh! You guys are hanging out after a meeting? I’m surprised doesn’t Tolys usually have work?”
“Eh, he doesn’t today at least.” He could hear the presumably sauce bubbling on the stove. Romano was a good chef, he couldn’t tell if it was because of him but he was proud of his ability to cook. He knew the italian could support himself and the other two he would stay with. A lot. He could remember the time in the 20’s when they were living together and just wouldn’t separate from that point. “Why are you going drinking? Aren’t you home?”
“I’m right outside of Berlin! João invited me but he’s not going… So I'm just in a random hotel.”
“Oh you’re going with Feliciano and those German bastards? Aren’t you going to be late then?”
“What do you mean?”
“Its 20:54. Feliciano said that he was leaving at 20:40 to make it on time so I know you'll definitely be late.”
He glanced at the time on his phone— Lovino was right! By the time he left he would be fifteen to twenty minutes late! He never stood up with such urgency in such a long time that it almost hurt, but he had to get ready.
“Oh dios mío! Thank you Lovino I didn't even realize!”
“Of course you didn't. Do you ever pay attention to the time?”
“I do! I just get a little distracted—”
“A little is an understatement.”
“Aye you're so mean…” He mumbled. He didn't really mean it but it wasn't like it was a total lie. He was so quick to dismiss him! “Well I'll call you tomorrow, ok? Bye Lovi!”
“Yeah yeah whatever, bye Antonio.”
He was so lucky the trip to the bar wouldn't be too long if he sped walked it. He never enjoyed walking fast, especially if he didn't have to, but it would if necessary, and now was definitely one of those times. He couldn't even get distracted by his surroundings, he barely even looked at them! Obviously he watched out for people walking— he wasn't going to be that disrespectful— he was just walking with a quick pace and might've bumped into a few people here and there. He was just grateful he hadn't received a call from any of the people that were probably— no definitely— already there. He knew there was no way Gilbert would let himself be late to going out to get a drink while Ludwig and Arthur were people who just preferred to be on time all the time. He honestly envied them a little— he could only dream of being as punctual as they were. Though he wasn't that late, only about ten minutes late rather than twenty!
It was a bit of a struggle to let the waitress know that he was part of a group and not just a walk in. He knew he should've started refreshing his knowledge from earlier in the day but this moment was really a struggle for him. What made the situation even worse was the fact that space Gilbert had dragged them to wasn't a tourist hotspot so even speaking Spanish or English wasn't helping him. He managed to explain himself though and approached the table, who had already started drinking in the ten minutes of his absence.
“There you are! We were wondering if João had just lied!” Gilbert greeted him with a huge smile. He let out a small chuckle and sat next to Francis. It wasn't like he had much of a choice— he wasn't really planning on sitting in-between couples… He wasn't even sure how Gilbert managed to convince Arthur to go out with him considering how different they were but he couldn't help but be happy for them.
“No no, I just got a little distracted is all!”
“You should really try to be more punctual…” He heard Arthur mumble. “You always just make yourself look lazy.”
“Maybe he just wants to make himself have a dramatic entrance, there's nothing wrong with that.”
“No one asked you, frog. Just because you are comfortable being late doesn't mean anything.”
“Being late’s not bad all the time!” He was glad to not be alone but the only two people defending him were people who didn't mind being late. Well, Veneziano didn't mind being late, Francis was a bit more confusing when it came to being on time. Though their defense didn't make him feel particularly good, the look in Gilbert and Arthur's eyes was all too familiar. It was the same one he and Italy were often met with during the meetings whenever they had a point to bring up. It felt a little bit bad to be a Mediterranean country but he couldn't do anything about it.
“How does being late benefit anyone?”
“Come on enough about being on time, can't we just drink for now!”
——————
He was not the biggest fan of beer. He wasn't surprised that the couples had gotten themselves drunk. They were all used to the taste but there was something about him that would never get used to it. He also wasn't the biggest fan of the way he acts under the influence of specifically beer. It wasn't like he became a rude or dangerous person, he just wasn't the best and he knew not everyone would be able to handle it. He would glance around at the Frenchman and see how red his cheeks were. He was incredibly drunk, it was a little cute. He wasn't really listening to the conversation— drunk people were incredibly hard to follow. Especially with Gilbert, Arthur, and Veneziano talking. Ludwig always got extremely quiet so there was no real conversation he could have with him.
He was honestly thinking about leaving the bar. It wasn't like he wasn't having fun— he was intoxicated just not nearly as much— he just wasn't feeling it anymore. He loved spending time with everyone but it was getting late into the night and he really did want to just get some rest. He couldn't help but try to escape and slowly slipped away yet as soon as he tried he was met with an arm wrapped around his neck and another beer clanking against his empty cup. He knew the cup from Gilbert, he had been bringing them more and more beer as the night went on; the hand on the other arm was not from Gilbert, rather it was Francis.
“Allez mon ami… You've barely drunk anything this night… Profiter de la vie (Live a little)!”
“I'm living plenty… I'm just not that thirsty anymore.”
“Juste un peu plus (Just a little more)…” The other pouted and he couldn't stop himself from giving in.
“A little more” turned into another two and a half cups split between the two of them. He wasn't even aware of the conversation between everyone else— all he knew was Arthur was all over Gilbert and Veneziano and Ludwig were talking about whatever. Everyone was incredibly intoxicated, him to a lesser extent, and it was definitely time for him to end the night. Francis was practically on top of him so with a slight struggle he freed himself from the other's hold only for him to grab onto his hand.
“Antonio… Ne me quitte pas (Don't leave me)…”
“Eh? Don't you have a hotel to get back to?”
“Hôtel?J'en ai pas (I don't have one)…”
He could only sigh. Of course he didn't have a hotel. Yet being such a good friend he decided he would just bring him back. It did seem a little inappropriate; he couldn't deny that he would get dirty looks from the receptionist if he brought back a barely functional Frenchman to his room after saying it was for just him but he had already embarrassed himself during the day, one more time when he was drunk wouldn't’ve hurt.
He struggled to support the other's weight against his own but he managed it anyway. He somehow got Gilbert’s attention just long enough to gesture to the fact that he was leaving with the Frenchman before he actually walked out. The walk was actually much harder than he thought it would be. He had wanted to just quickly walk back but with how intoxicated the other was that seemed to be something rather difficult. He was constantly misstepping, wanting to slow down to look at something, and would just ramble on in French he could barely understand. His French was definitely better than his German— he could actually follow a conversation— yet this was something completely different. He understood not a word the other was saying. He had just hoped anyone else hadn't noticed either of them as they struggled. Last thing he would need was someone attempting to pick a fight or just even attempting to just have a conversation with either of them.
When he had arrived back into the hotel the receptionist didn't question him and allowed him to struggle up to his room. The other man had stopped his yapping so he assumed he had fallen asleep. Upon opening the door he placed the other on the bed and went into the bathroom. He thought he had to use it, however he just stared at himself in the mirror. He looked not a total mess— he definitely didn't look good but he wasn't like Francis. He was actually functional! He was able to change his clothes into something more comfortable— literally just his wifebeater and boxers— before leaving the bathroom and going to lay down next to the other—
“¡Dios mío! Francis what are you– where is–” He couldn't even figure out the words to say, he was in too much shock to say anything. It felt as if his eyes were locked on the other’s chest. “You’re a girl?!”
“Hm…?” Francis only sleepily looked at him. He was surprised that he was able to even take off his shirt or pants and he was definitely more surprised to see breasts rather than pecs! Une fille…? Non… Je suis un homme (A girl? No. I'm a man).”
“You're a man with… With breasts??”
“Oui…”
Antonio could only blink. He knew it was probably a long story but he was still a little shocked. What was he supposed to say?
“Join me…” Francis beckoned him over with a pout yet he couldn't move from where he stood next to the bed. He couldn't stop staring at his chest. It made him feel a bit perverted— he wasn't trying to be, truly! “Antonio…”
“Ah uh sí sí, I'm coming ok…?” He reluctantly laid down before being immediately spooned and by the Frenchman. He could feel his chest pressing against his back and he couldn't relax. The other was also extremely cold— probably from how his country was known for getting extremely cold, especially in the winter— he thought the alcohol would've warmed him up but he guessed not. “Francis, you're cold…”
However all he got was a hum and the other resting his head on his shoulder. Now he was sure he was asleep and he wasn't quite sure on how he felt. He was cuddling with someone who he had beaten multiple times in battle. He could perfectly paint the expressions of pain and determination on his face. They were expressions that he couldn't forget. His serious expression was something that honestly did strike a little bit of uneasiness in him. He didn't see it often— the last time he had seen it was the peak of the Cold War whenever Alfred or Ivan would talk to him. Other times his face held a much more beautiful and soft smile. He could get lost in that expression for hours. It was like it cast a spell onto him, making him get lost in the violet ocean of his eyes. If he was a siren while he was at sea he probably would've fallen for his song. Just thinking about the other was enough to make him drift into a relatively peaceful sleep.
——————
Waking up to an extremely loud scream was not something he had expected but upon sitting up he was met with an extremely red faced Frenchman.
“Ah, Francis… Buenos días!”
“Good Morning— What did we do?!” It was a little amusing to see the usual confident and perverse man cover up his chest like a woman after she realized she was being watched by a peeping Tom.
“Nothing nothing! Breathe! We went straight to bed!”
Francis paused before pulling the cover back down. He seemed to be thinking about what to say and Antonio was going to give him that.
“I’m sure I did not explain last night… I am just going to say it now. I am not a woman ok? I am simply…” He paused. He wasn't quite sure what to do other than wait so he just rubbed small circles on his back.
“I was born intersex. I hid it for quite a while. I got a few surgeries a couple years ago and I haven't told anyone but you now.”
The silence that took over the room was tense, he was aware of that. He could feel the other staring into his eyes, it was almost like he was trying to take his soul.
“Well I'm glad you told me!” He smiled. “It doesn't change much though, you're still my friend, yes?”
“Yes…”
The two sat in comfortable silence. He couldn't deny he took the opportunity to lean against the other man. Francis was full of surprises, and likely not the best influence on him but he didn't mind. He just wanted this moment to last forever. He didn’t have the courage to say “te amo” but he felt like he didn't need to, the feeling was in the air. And he was sure that Francis picked up on it. He was the nation of love after all.