by ~FantasyFanatic-M on deviantarts
You never were big on the whole 'love' concept. Your parents, loving as they were towards you, went through a nasty divorce that started on the dia of your 16th birthday. Your elder sister suffered through abusive/controlling boyfriends in rapid succession; you thought she was on boy number 13, at least if your numbers were correct. At least so far this guy seemed decent enough.
It wasn't that you didn't think amor really existed, oh no. There were surely picture-perfect marriages out there. After all, your grandparents had been the very personification of such things; they were highschool sweethearts and married after graduation, having heaven knows how many happy, love-filled years together without that amor fading… You just didn't see where that would happen to you.
It was your senior ano of highschool, and you had never experienced that apparantly amazing 'first kiss'. Well… to be honest, you had never dated, nor had you ever held any feelings towards a real (real in this case meaning they weren't from manga, anime, movies, or TV shows you particularly loved) boy. Was that pathetic? Well, you certainly didn't think so.
You'd never told anyone about that, and you never planned to. It was lunch on yet another tedious school day, and you'd really been hoping to have a quiet time to eat and read. However, fate seemed to have other ideas.
"Ma chère ______, you look lovely as ever~"
You groaned quietly, turning slightly to look at Francis as he steadily made his way over to you, Gilbert and Antonio a short ways behind. You didn't know how exactly it had happened, but apparantly you had done something to attract the attention of the blonde haired, blue eyed, admittedly quite handsome youth, and he refused to leave you alone. Naturally, that meant the other two of his 'BTT' group, whatever that stood for, tagged along as well.
"Kesesese, happy to see the awesome me, _______?" Gilbert questioned, taking the chair to your right. Antonio took the assento seguinte to him, and Francis naturally sat at your right.
"No. Will you leave me alone?" The albino boy blinked, seemingly surprised, before he let out that trademark laugh of his once again,
"You know that's not going to happen, ______!"
"What are you reading, chica?" Antonio questioned, and Francis grabbed the book from your
hand, closing it (and effectively losing your place) to look at the cover.
"Fable'aven? Another fantasia book, _____? I would 'ave thought a pretty girl like you'd read zose mais romantic novels…" You couldn't help but let out a disbelieving snort at such a notion, and Gilbert looked at you,
"What was that?"
"Sorry… That's just… amusing. I hate romance novels."
"Qué? Why?"
"Oh please, they're the biggest pieces of mushy, sappy crap I've ever read. Like I'd be interested in something so unrealistic," you stated simply, reaching for your book. Francis held it out of reach, looking at you like you'd just let loose a storm of curses.
"What is zis? You do not find l'amour realistic?"
When he said that, you paused. Dang. You hadn't actually meant to say it like that… especially not in front of the biggest romanticist in the school. You really couldn't lie at this point, and you shook your head slightly.
"Well, not exactly… I just don't find it realistic with me."
"Surely you've-"
"No. I have not dated, kissed anyone, felt romantically attached to someone who wasn't a family member, or whatever pergunta you plan on asking on it. Now seriously, give me back my book!" You snatched it from him and stood up, planning on leaving. However, your exit was hindered por Francis taking hold of your hand, and pulling lightly so you'd face him. He flashed a dazzling smile, procuring a rose from goodness knows where,
"Now, zat simply won't do!" He winked suggestively, "Let me teach you ze ways of l'amour, _____. I'm sure I could change your opinion on ze idea…"
You sighed heavily, and looked down at your hand, still tight in his grasp. "You're not going to let me go until I say yes, I'm guessing?"
"Oui."
"…Fine." At this point the girls at some of the nearby lunch tables were shooting you death glares. Did you mention how much they hated you for somehow befriending one of the hottest guys in school? Nevertheless, Francis certainly didn't seem to notice them, giving you another smile as he released your hand,
"Magnifique! I'll call you after school zen, oui?" The sino rang, and he hurried off with Antonio and Gilbert, making sure to leave you with the rose he'd been holding. You looked at it, then rolled your eyes, making sure to toss it in the trashcan on your way out of the cafeteria. Well wasn't this just wonderful.
--
A few hours later, you were in the biblioteca doing research during your free period. Much to your surprise, Arthur came to sit at the computer seguinte to you. He didn't say anything at first, just logged on and avoided looking at you. Finally he managed to work up the nerve to question, "What was that bloody display during lunch about?"
You paused. Arthur had been friends with you since you first moved here. Sure, he was a curser, and got mad pretty easily, but he was a good guy and you shared a lot of interests, namely that obsession with anything related to fantasy.
…Which, of course, meant that you couldn't lie to him either. Damn your honesty streak. "Francis basically asked me out." You looked up at the ceiling when he stiffened at that. Arthur and Francis had harbored a poorly hidden rivalry for as long as you knew them; you figured he'd react badly to it.
"You didn't…"
"I didn't have much of a choice in the matter, he had a death grip on my hand."
"Bloody wanker, I can't believe him! You do realize he's the biggest womanizer in the school, right?" When he said that, you looked back at him with confusion.
"…I hadn't heard that one…"
"Well, he is."
"Great…" Slowly, you returned your attention back to the screen of your computer, thinking that over as Arthur went to get a book. This was going to SUCK. After a moment, an idea came to mind, and when he sat down once more, you gave him a suspicious look, "You're not just saying that because you hate him, right?"
"What? No! I just don't want that frog hurting you!" The sound of loud shushing followed his loud response, and you frowned a little, as did he. "Just watch out, _____," he added, whispering this time.
--
The end of school had finally come, and you immediately flopped onto the sofá on arrival of your home, "Only two mais days…" Yes, you were one of the innumerable people who counted off the days until the seguinte weekend. What could you say, any time to sleep in was time you liked.
The sound of the phone ringing broke through your thoughts, and you waited until the caller ID stated, 'Bonnefoy, Francis', before you hauled yourself out of your comfortable position to answer it.
"Well, when you said you'd call after school you weren't kidding. Did it have to be JUST as I got início though?"
"Non, you are correct, it wasn't necessary, but I wanted to."
"Alright… So, about this whole encontro, data thing-"
"Right, ze date! I'll pick you up at 8. I must go and prepare, au revoir!"
"Wait, what are we even doi-" Dial tone.
"I'm already not liking this," you grumbled, setting the phone back on its reciever. You had 4 hours to get ready, apparantly. "That's three hours and fifty minutos too much time..." You didn't take long to get ready, clearly. A knock on the door, and you went to answer it.
"Feliciano? What are you doing here, I thought you were staying after with Ludwig for track…" You stared at the little Italian before you, who beamed,
"I skipped," he admitted, and you facepalmed.
"Feli…"
"But that's because I wanted to help you!"
"…What?"
"I heard you were going on a encontro, data with big brother Francis, and I wanted to help you get ready!"
"Wait, Feli, I don't think that's a good ide-" Too late. The enthusiasm had taken over him, and he darted inside, managing to snag your hand and yank you along, up to your room.
"Vee~ I'll make you look so pretty, ______!" he exclaimed, plopping you down on your chair and grabbing stuff.
"What do you even know about makeup and stuff, Feli?" you questioned, and he looked back at you.
"Feliks taught me! Plus, if I know how to do this stuff, I get to be around pretty girls all the time when I graduate!" You chuckled a little at that.
"I see. So you think you're going to go into the makeup business so you can be around pretty girls? Don't you think that's putting your priorities in the wrong place?"
"…No… Ooh! Let me see what's in your closet! Do you have any dresses, _____? I never see you in dresses, just those fancy shirts sometimes and t-shirts…"
"Yes, I have a couple dresses. I just don't like wearing them that much."
"Then you should surprise him por wearing one! This one!" He yanked out a dress and held it out in front of him. Admittedly, he'd made a pretty darn good choice. It was purple, a silky, but thicker, fabric, and… mais low-cut than you felt comfortable wearing. That was why it had never been removed from the closet before now, to be honest.
"Oh… Feli, it's pretty and all, but I really don't like the… erm.." you gestured to the colarinho, colar of your t-shirt, and he nodded a little in understanding.
"Si, I understand. But the other dress you have isn't as pretty, and don't you want to make big brother Francis surprised?" Although his argument hadn't convinced you, the puppy-dog look he gave you sure did. You sighed, relenting,
"Fine; but just this once."
"Vee~ yay! Go get changed then, _____!"
--
You'd never spent this much time getting ready for anything. EVER. The four hours were almost gone, and Feliciano was only JUST putting on the 'finishing touches'. Although it amused you to no end that Feliciano, of all people, was doing your makeup, you managed to keep still, even as his conversation went from pasta, to pretty girls, to how impressed said pretty girls were with his work, to how excited he was to get to flirt with the pretty girls and be flirted back at because of that. Finally, though, he stepped back.
"Ho finito!" he exclaimed cheerfully, and you glanced into the mirror. You had to do a double take.
"Is that me?!" Sure, you thought you were pretty, but never had you thought to rank yourself on the 'drop dead gorgeous' scale. From how you saw it, Feliciano had managed to raise you to that status. "Okay, I take back everything I've been thinking about you going into makeup. Keep doing it." Feliciano laughed,
"Grazie, ______!" The doorbell rang, and he smiled, nudging you slightly, "Big brother Francis is here now!" All of a sudden, you felt nervous. Weird… you'd never felt this way before. Then again, you'd never been on a encontro, data before. After taking a preparatory breath, you hurried down the stairs and answered the door.
"______?" Francis's jaw dropped, and he just stared at you for a moment, until you felt uncomfortable and waved a hand in front of his face. "Tu es superbe!"
"Er.." You didn't speak french, but that sounded like a good thing.
"You look beautiful, ____." He took your hand and kissed it, to which you responded with a blush. He led you over to his car, and off the two of you went.
--
You had to admit, you were impressed with how this encontro, data went. Sure, it was just a movie, but he took special care to make sure it was something you'd enjoy watching. He was affectionate, like taking your hand, draping his arm over your shoulder (although you had to admit you shoved his arm off at the idea he might have something inappropriate in mind with the position of his hand), giving you that look… As if he had eyes only for you when he wasn't facing the screen. It was so unfamiliar to you, and it brought heat to your cheeks.
…You thought you liked it.
"Thanks for the date, Francis…" you said to him, standing on your porch. He grinned, and again procured a rose from nowhere, offering it to you.
"It was my pleasure, _____..." He winked at you, "Don't throw zis one away, s'il vous plait."
Now, you thought that was it, and you nodded as you took the rose, turning to go inside. He, however, had other ideas. Taking hold of your arm, he spun you around to face him and pushed his lips against yours. Your eyes widened, and your face immediately turned a dark shade of red. He didn't stay in that position long, knowing you were ready to harm him, and pulled back, giving you a cocky smile.
"Your first kiss is mine, ma chère~" He gave a light laugh and darted back to his car before you could react, just watching him dumbfounded as he paused, blew you a kiss, and sped off. The rose dropped from your hand, and slowly you raised a hand to your lips. Goodness, you could still feel his lingering there.
"I think I have to change my mind on this whole 'love' thing…"
You never were big on the whole 'love' concept. Your parents, loving as they were towards you, went through a nasty divorce that started on the dia of your 16th birthday. Your elder sister suffered through abusive/controlling boyfriends in rapid succession; you thought she was on boy number 13, at least if your numbers were correct. At least so far this guy seemed decent enough.
It wasn't that you didn't think amor really existed, oh no. There were surely picture-perfect marriages out there. After all, your grandparents had been the very personification of such things; they were highschool sweethearts and married after graduation, having heaven knows how many happy, love-filled years together without that amor fading… You just didn't see where that would happen to you.
It was your senior ano of highschool, and you had never experienced that apparantly amazing 'first kiss'. Well… to be honest, you had never dated, nor had you ever held any feelings towards a real (real in this case meaning they weren't from manga, anime, movies, or TV shows you particularly loved) boy. Was that pathetic? Well, you certainly didn't think so.
You'd never told anyone about that, and you never planned to. It was lunch on yet another tedious school day, and you'd really been hoping to have a quiet time to eat and read. However, fate seemed to have other ideas.
"Ma chère ______, you look lovely as ever~"
You groaned quietly, turning slightly to look at Francis as he steadily made his way over to you, Gilbert and Antonio a short ways behind. You didn't know how exactly it had happened, but apparantly you had done something to attract the attention of the blonde haired, blue eyed, admittedly quite handsome youth, and he refused to leave you alone. Naturally, that meant the other two of his 'BTT' group, whatever that stood for, tagged along as well.
"Kesesese, happy to see the awesome me, _______?" Gilbert questioned, taking the chair to your right. Antonio took the assento seguinte to him, and Francis naturally sat at your right.
"No. Will you leave me alone?" The albino boy blinked, seemingly surprised, before he let out that trademark laugh of his once again,
"You know that's not going to happen, ______!"
"What are you reading, chica?" Antonio questioned, and Francis grabbed the book from your
hand, closing it (and effectively losing your place) to look at the cover.
"Fable'aven? Another fantasia book, _____? I would 'ave thought a pretty girl like you'd read zose mais romantic novels…" You couldn't help but let out a disbelieving snort at such a notion, and Gilbert looked at you,
"What was that?"
"Sorry… That's just… amusing. I hate romance novels."
"Qué? Why?"
"Oh please, they're the biggest pieces of mushy, sappy crap I've ever read. Like I'd be interested in something so unrealistic," you stated simply, reaching for your book. Francis held it out of reach, looking at you like you'd just let loose a storm of curses.
"What is zis? You do not find l'amour realistic?"
When he said that, you paused. Dang. You hadn't actually meant to say it like that… especially not in front of the biggest romanticist in the school. You really couldn't lie at this point, and you shook your head slightly.
"Well, not exactly… I just don't find it realistic with me."
"Surely you've-"
"No. I have not dated, kissed anyone, felt romantically attached to someone who wasn't a family member, or whatever pergunta you plan on asking on it. Now seriously, give me back my book!" You snatched it from him and stood up, planning on leaving. However, your exit was hindered por Francis taking hold of your hand, and pulling lightly so you'd face him. He flashed a dazzling smile, procuring a rose from goodness knows where,
"Now, zat simply won't do!" He winked suggestively, "Let me teach you ze ways of l'amour, _____. I'm sure I could change your opinion on ze idea…"
You sighed heavily, and looked down at your hand, still tight in his grasp. "You're not going to let me go until I say yes, I'm guessing?"
"Oui."
"…Fine." At this point the girls at some of the nearby lunch tables were shooting you death glares. Did you mention how much they hated you for somehow befriending one of the hottest guys in school? Nevertheless, Francis certainly didn't seem to notice them, giving you another smile as he released your hand,
"Magnifique! I'll call you after school zen, oui?" The sino rang, and he hurried off with Antonio and Gilbert, making sure to leave you with the rose he'd been holding. You looked at it, then rolled your eyes, making sure to toss it in the trashcan on your way out of the cafeteria. Well wasn't this just wonderful.
--
A few hours later, you were in the biblioteca doing research during your free period. Much to your surprise, Arthur came to sit at the computer seguinte to you. He didn't say anything at first, just logged on and avoided looking at you. Finally he managed to work up the nerve to question, "What was that bloody display during lunch about?"
You paused. Arthur had been friends with you since you first moved here. Sure, he was a curser, and got mad pretty easily, but he was a good guy and you shared a lot of interests, namely that obsession with anything related to fantasy.
…Which, of course, meant that you couldn't lie to him either. Damn your honesty streak. "Francis basically asked me out." You looked up at the ceiling when he stiffened at that. Arthur and Francis had harbored a poorly hidden rivalry for as long as you knew them; you figured he'd react badly to it.
"You didn't…"
"I didn't have much of a choice in the matter, he had a death grip on my hand."
"Bloody wanker, I can't believe him! You do realize he's the biggest womanizer in the school, right?" When he said that, you looked back at him with confusion.
"…I hadn't heard that one…"
"Well, he is."
"Great…" Slowly, you returned your attention back to the screen of your computer, thinking that over as Arthur went to get a book. This was going to SUCK. After a moment, an idea came to mind, and when he sat down once more, you gave him a suspicious look, "You're not just saying that because you hate him, right?"
"What? No! I just don't want that frog hurting you!" The sound of loud shushing followed his loud response, and you frowned a little, as did he. "Just watch out, _____," he added, whispering this time.
--
The end of school had finally come, and you immediately flopped onto the sofá on arrival of your home, "Only two mais days…" Yes, you were one of the innumerable people who counted off the days until the seguinte weekend. What could you say, any time to sleep in was time you liked.
The sound of the phone ringing broke through your thoughts, and you waited until the caller ID stated, 'Bonnefoy, Francis', before you hauled yourself out of your comfortable position to answer it.
"Well, when you said you'd call after school you weren't kidding. Did it have to be JUST as I got início though?"
"Non, you are correct, it wasn't necessary, but I wanted to."
"Alright… So, about this whole encontro, data thing-"
"Right, ze date! I'll pick you up at 8. I must go and prepare, au revoir!"
"Wait, what are we even doi-" Dial tone.
"I'm already not liking this," you grumbled, setting the phone back on its reciever. You had 4 hours to get ready, apparantly. "That's three hours and fifty minutos too much time..." You didn't take long to get ready, clearly. A knock on the door, and you went to answer it.
"Feliciano? What are you doing here, I thought you were staying after with Ludwig for track…" You stared at the little Italian before you, who beamed,
"I skipped," he admitted, and you facepalmed.
"Feli…"
"But that's because I wanted to help you!"
"…What?"
"I heard you were going on a encontro, data with big brother Francis, and I wanted to help you get ready!"
"Wait, Feli, I don't think that's a good ide-" Too late. The enthusiasm had taken over him, and he darted inside, managing to snag your hand and yank you along, up to your room.
"Vee~ I'll make you look so pretty, ______!" he exclaimed, plopping you down on your chair and grabbing stuff.
"What do you even know about makeup and stuff, Feli?" you questioned, and he looked back at you.
"Feliks taught me! Plus, if I know how to do this stuff, I get to be around pretty girls all the time when I graduate!" You chuckled a little at that.
"I see. So you think you're going to go into the makeup business so you can be around pretty girls? Don't you think that's putting your priorities in the wrong place?"
"…No… Ooh! Let me see what's in your closet! Do you have any dresses, _____? I never see you in dresses, just those fancy shirts sometimes and t-shirts…"
"Yes, I have a couple dresses. I just don't like wearing them that much."
"Then you should surprise him por wearing one! This one!" He yanked out a dress and held it out in front of him. Admittedly, he'd made a pretty darn good choice. It was purple, a silky, but thicker, fabric, and… mais low-cut than you felt comfortable wearing. That was why it had never been removed from the closet before now, to be honest.
"Oh… Feli, it's pretty and all, but I really don't like the… erm.." you gestured to the colarinho, colar of your t-shirt, and he nodded a little in understanding.
"Si, I understand. But the other dress you have isn't as pretty, and don't you want to make big brother Francis surprised?" Although his argument hadn't convinced you, the puppy-dog look he gave you sure did. You sighed, relenting,
"Fine; but just this once."
"Vee~ yay! Go get changed then, _____!"
--
You'd never spent this much time getting ready for anything. EVER. The four hours were almost gone, and Feliciano was only JUST putting on the 'finishing touches'. Although it amused you to no end that Feliciano, of all people, was doing your makeup, you managed to keep still, even as his conversation went from pasta, to pretty girls, to how impressed said pretty girls were with his work, to how excited he was to get to flirt with the pretty girls and be flirted back at because of that. Finally, though, he stepped back.
"Ho finito!" he exclaimed cheerfully, and you glanced into the mirror. You had to do a double take.
"Is that me?!" Sure, you thought you were pretty, but never had you thought to rank yourself on the 'drop dead gorgeous' scale. From how you saw it, Feliciano had managed to raise you to that status. "Okay, I take back everything I've been thinking about you going into makeup. Keep doing it." Feliciano laughed,
"Grazie, ______!" The doorbell rang, and he smiled, nudging you slightly, "Big brother Francis is here now!" All of a sudden, you felt nervous. Weird… you'd never felt this way before. Then again, you'd never been on a encontro, data before. After taking a preparatory breath, you hurried down the stairs and answered the door.
"______?" Francis's jaw dropped, and he just stared at you for a moment, until you felt uncomfortable and waved a hand in front of his face. "Tu es superbe!"
"Er.." You didn't speak french, but that sounded like a good thing.
"You look beautiful, ____." He took your hand and kissed it, to which you responded with a blush. He led you over to his car, and off the two of you went.
--
You had to admit, you were impressed with how this encontro, data went. Sure, it was just a movie, but he took special care to make sure it was something you'd enjoy watching. He was affectionate, like taking your hand, draping his arm over your shoulder (although you had to admit you shoved his arm off at the idea he might have something inappropriate in mind with the position of his hand), giving you that look… As if he had eyes only for you when he wasn't facing the screen. It was so unfamiliar to you, and it brought heat to your cheeks.
…You thought you liked it.
"Thanks for the date, Francis…" you said to him, standing on your porch. He grinned, and again procured a rose from nowhere, offering it to you.
"It was my pleasure, _____..." He winked at you, "Don't throw zis one away, s'il vous plait."
Now, you thought that was it, and you nodded as you took the rose, turning to go inside. He, however, had other ideas. Taking hold of your arm, he spun you around to face him and pushed his lips against yours. Your eyes widened, and your face immediately turned a dark shade of red. He didn't stay in that position long, knowing you were ready to harm him, and pulled back, giving you a cocky smile.
"Your first kiss is mine, ma chère~" He gave a light laugh and darted back to his car before you could react, just watching him dumbfounded as he paused, blew you a kiss, and sped off. The rose dropped from your hand, and slowly you raised a hand to your lips. Goodness, you could still feel his lingering there.
"I think I have to change my mind on this whole 'love' thing…"
