Fate's Compensation || Spain Ending

SpainxReader

~~~*A Few Weeks Later*~~~

After that night life seemed to drag on as normal. Things started to get better. You could look at the boys and they could look at you without there being an awkward moment. There were quick glances in each other’s direction and small conversations during work without the slightest bit of tension. Together with friends you would go out to a movie or coffee and just talk and laugh and enjoy life. The problem of who you would end up with faded into the back of your mind for a while. It was like they say, ‘Ignorance is bliss’.
Reality always had a way of slamming itself back into your face. It can this time in the form of a simple question:

“Hey _____... Would you go to a movie with me?”

The question was mumbled from the lips of a young Spanish man in an apron. As everything – the awkwardness, the tension, the problems – came screeching back into your mind you nearly recoiled. For a moment you stood dumbfounded, just staring into the beautiful eyes of the Spaniard in front of you. His face was as red as the tomatoes he loved so much and his eyes watched his hands worry the edge of his apron.

Finally you managed to piece together a sentence that was relatively understandable, “S-sure… I’m free tomorrow.”

The smile on his face and the look of relief in his eyes was undeniable. After agreeing on the time and place he quite literally skipped into the kitchen, leaving you among the many tables that were just witness to the question. Had people been in those seats you would have died. Deciding it was better to busy yourself than sit and ponder things you continued to clean the tables. The dishes you collected were dumped into the sink and washed diligently. In the silence of the kitchen you could hear someone whispering in the back room. It took a couple moments before you could make anything out.

“She did?!” It was Lovino. You could tell he was smiling. “Honestly boss… I’m happy for you.”

“I honestly thought you would have hit me and started yelling and cursing…” Antonio seemed to be very flustered.

“No boss… She’s your type… I mean, she’s cute and I’d really like to have her as a girlfriend but…” there was a pause in which he probably shrugged, “I just think that you’re better for her than I am. She’s too sweet a girl to be stuck with me and my apartment and my friends.”

“Aw… Lovino…” There was some squabbling from Lovino which you guessed meant that Antonio had hugged him.

You smiled warmly. What a sweet guy Lovino was. Even you had thought he would have put up more of a fight, but no. He was willing to give up the fight because he felt that he wasn’t fit for you. In a way you wanted to run in there and kiss him for his kindness but you would settle for a hug later. The excitement for the next night began to overwhelm the anxiety and tension. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Things were working out in all situations.

~~~*Next Evening*~~~

Antonio had showed up on time in his car wearing a very attractive red silk button up, an open blazer and trousers. You took note that he even completed the outfit with a matching black and red fedora. Looking at him made your simple black and white dress looked lacking. Even when it was obvious that he quite enjoyed the skin revealed by the short skirt and the little-more-than-needed cleavage. In his hand was a white rose hair pin, which was probably the most practical and sweetest thing you had ever heard a guy buying for a girl. With a smile he slipped it into your hair near the bobbypin you were using to keep back your bangs.

“You look gorgeous chica,” he commented. If it hadn’t have been for the slightly lower than normal tone in his voice you would not have blushed so profusely.

“You don’t look half bad yourself,” you replied weakly.

With a chuckle he took your hand and led you to his car. As he opened the door he insisted that the two of you grab a bite to eat before heading to the movie, as it started later than he had thought. Having not eaten anything for supper thinking that you would be having popcorn, you readily agreed. Food was not something you were going to turn down.

The restaurant he took you too was much like his; a small building on the corner of the block. It was quaint and simple but a little overwhelmingly romantic with candles and lowlighting. The name was in French so it did not take a rocket scientist to figure out that there was a reason for all the romance. When you entered you were greeted with the smell of fresh baked bread, an assortment of cheeses, wine and other French foods. The waiter looked up from his table and nearly cheered. He was a middle aged man - maybe in his mid-30’s - with wavy blond hair, blue eyes and the slightest bit of stubble along his chin and jawline. He all but sashayed over to the two of you and took your hand, kissing your fingers and greeting you in French. All you did was smile and giggle.

“Francis…” Antonio had a warning tone in his voice.

“Hon, hon, hon, you jealous mon ami?” The stereotypical French laugh set you off in another fit of giggles. Francis winked at you. “But, this is your night, right this way~” He led you to a small table for two near the back of the restaurant. “Your waiter tonight will be my son Matthew. Please be kind to him.” With a wink and a blown kiss he gracefully danced away to the other tables he was waiting on.

Antonio glared after him.

“He’s funny…” you muttered absently.

“Do you think he’s attractive?” Antonio asked suddenly.

“Wh-what?” You didn’t know how to respond. Yeah, the guy was attractive but how could you say that to Antonio? You were on a date with him for God’s sake. “Um… I guess… but he’s too old for me,” you said with a giggle, trying to relieve the tension between you two.

It appeared to work as Antonio leaned back a little in his seat. Not moments later a young man with hair much like Francis’ shuffled up. An odd curl hung down in front of his face and his cute blue eyes sparkled nervously behind a set of glasses.

“Hello, I’m Matthew…” he greeted. Above the quiet drone of conversation you could barely hear him. “What would you like to drink?”

“Pleasure to meet you Matthew, I’m _____,” you replied with a smile. The blonde man looked shocked but smiled a small smile. He was cute. “I will have water please.”

Antonio looked at you confused. He didn’t say anything.

“What would you like to drink Antonio?” Matthew asked.

Antonio kept his eyes trained on you, as if he had not heard the young man speak.

“Antonio, Matthew is asking what you’d like to drink,” you informed him.

“Who are you talking to?”

Matthew sighed and sniffled a little while you sat dumbfounded.

“He’s right there.”

Antonio looked right at Matthew and after a few seconds he turned red, sputtering apologies.

“Nononono! It’s alright, really,” the young blonde said with a smile, though it wasn’t a real one, Antonio seemed to buy it. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’ll just have some water as well,” he replied.

With that, Matthew shuffled into the back again. The poor guy, you thought. People didn’t even see him sometimes – though you didn’t understand how or why – so it must be difficult to run any kind of business. The rest of the dinner was typical and quiet. It was rare that you say Matthew outside the back area of the restaurant unless he was taking care of your table. Otherwise, it was Francis prancing around tending to everyone’s needs. A short goodbye and small payment later the two of you were off to the movie.

It seemed innocent enough right?

Once there, Antonio bought the tickets to the romantic comedy [insert movie title here] and the popcorn and pop. The theater was relatively empty so you had a wide choice of seats. The commercials ran their course until finally the movie began. There were some laughs and some ‘awe’ moments but you became distracted from it all when a hand took yours. You tried not to make it obvious when you looked down to see the slender hand of Antonio holding your own. You could feel the calluses and soft pads of his fingers, the strength and the gentleness of his hold, every bump and plain of his hand. It was odd to have such a large hand entwined with yours but it was comfortable. As the movie continued you sighed and placed you head on his shoulder. His shoulder moved in a near silent chuckle as he kissed your head.

For the first time in a long time you felt comfortable and safe with a guy.

The movie ended with a witty comment from the now girlfriend of the protagonist that sent everyone into fits of laughter. For the first time you noticed how Antonio’s smile really did light up the room and how his laugh, now being so close to him, did sound like light yet deep ring. When you two were leaving the theater there was exchange of thoughts on the movie and other things. The whole time you didn’t realize he still held your hand. As he drove you home you hoped, above all else, that this would turn out alright.

~~~*Months Later*~~~

Nothing of note happened over the first few months of your relationship with Antonio but that was not a problem it seemed. The two of you seemed comfortable at the moderate pace and neither made a move to speed up or slow the progress. That is, until the night Antonio invited you to his friend Gilbert’s party. You thought nothing of it. Gilbert and you had become good friends over the time you had known the Spaniard and you did not mind being around that overly entitled man. He was really a sweet guy when you got to know him; he just tried not to show it.

So, Antonio and you arrived at Gilbert’s place the night of the party. Everything was already in full swing so no one really noticed the two of you slipping in late. Needless to say there was a lot of alcohol – Gilbert was German after all – and people were already starting to look a little rosy in the cheeks. One particular blonde haired man with an odd cowlick and a stars and stripes t-shirt, who was already rowdy to begin with, was currently occupying the karaoke machine singing ‘Star Spangled Banner’ – if you could call what he was doing singing.

Gilbert managed to find you in the crowd as his younger brother Ludwig dragged the blonde off the ‘stage’ they had set up.

“Hallo! Velcome to ze Awesome Gilbert’s party! Wie geht es dir? How are you?” he greeted.

“Just fine Gilbert, how are you?” Antonio just rolled his eyes and smiled.

“Just fine frau, I do hope you’re enjoying yourself?”

“Actually we just got here.”

Gilbert looked at you in mock astonishment before grinning and pushing the two of you towards the snack table. “Vell, zis won’t do at all! Drink! Party!” he cheered before slapping you two hard over the shoulders and walking back into the crowd of people.

After a short chuckle the two of you did as you were told. The night was still young and you intended to make the most of it – and remember it all. So long as you kept your head on straight and drank responsibly, you’d get out of here alive. Of course, when you are at a party with friends – and your boyfriend – things never seem to go according to plan.

~~~*Next Morning*~~~

You woke to a pounding ache in your head that threatened to knock you out the moment you came back around. A groan left you as you rolled over in the bed. There was a slap of skin on skin that caused you to scrunch your eyebrows. Why? Slowly, your hangover ridden mind worked out a few key details of whatever was going on. There was a heartbeat that was not your own, alcohol and vomit scented breath ghosting over your face and a chilled chest against your hands. You could almost hear the click, click, click… of your brain working until the final ding that sent you jolting up out of bed and toppling onto the floor.

Frantically you looked around despite the throb of your head and sighed a little. You were at home. Then you shivered. Looking down at yourself you froze in horror. No shirt and no pants. Staggering to your feet you dressed as fast as you were able before looking around. There were some clothes piled at the door that reeked of vomit, smoke and alcohol; some damp towels at the end of the bed and puddles of water leading to it from the bathroom; a sleeping man in your bed with no shirt-

You did a double take and found yourself staring at the awfully peaceful face of Antonio. There was a sinking feeling in your stomach. Rushing to the washroom you vomited. Your mind was racing, trying to rationalize and come up with some explanation other then the one you were already thinking of.

“He couldn’t- He wouldn’t--,” you mumbled.

There was no way that Antonio would take advantage of you. No way! …Right?

The two of you had talked about this kind of thing not long after a steady relationship had been formed. You didn’t want him to be thinking he would be getting any from you until you were sure. Absolutely sure. He had promised that he would not. In the overwhelming surge of emotion you started to sob. The cool tile soothed your warm cheeks as you lay down. Every sob makes the throbbing more insistent and painful but you can’t stop. You tried to close your eyes against the pain of the light and the realization that it probably did happen.

Suddenly, there were two strong arms around you, holding you close and a voice hushing you. The shoulder of the man was almost as cold as the tiles. Within the cold-hot embrace you felt safe. Then you remembered who it was and what he had done. Against your heart, your mind forced him away with your hands. He was just as shocked as part of you was but it did not matter.

“Y-You promised…” you muttered. Antonio seemed confused as he didn’t say anything. After a few moments he reached for you, only to have his hand batted away. “No! Don’t touch me!”

There was a look of realization on the Spaniard’s face and he sat back on his heels. You wanted to yell and scream at him, demand he leave your home and never come back. But nothing came out of your mouth. You wanted to hit him and shove him. But you could not pull yourself away from the tub you had pressed yourself against. You wanted to glare daggers at him. But your gaze would not match his, only stare at the floor.
An awkward silence formed in which the two occupants of the bathroom avoided looking at the other and tried to come up with something – anything to say.

Antonio finally managed to break it. “_____...” he said quietly.

You did not look up at him.

“Chica… Whatever you think I did – I didn’t! I would never! Not in a million years would I have touched you if you didn’t want it! I made a promise and I always intend to keep it! You have to believe me…”

Most of his words had come out louder and harsher than he had intended. He was desperate. If you really thought he had taken advantage of your drunken state and had his way with you, he would do anything to disprove it. Anything. Antonio reached out again and lifted your tear-stained face. Slowly he leaned in and kissed you lightly. You did not pull away.

“_____...” he pulled away. “Let me explain…”

You nodded.

With a deep breath and a shake of his head he focused his gaze on you for as long as he could manage. “Last night you got very drunk – thanks to Alfred who insisted you needed to ‘Have a good time!’” using a failure of an Alfred imitation that made you giggle a little. His back straightened at the sound. “It was late – well, early, and I insisted on taking you home because I didn’t want to have you waking up on some stranger’s floor. On the way home and during the time between arriving at your house and putting you to bed, you vomited more than a few times…” Both of your faces were red at this point. God, you were embarrassed. “It had gotten on most of your clothes and my shirt… so I had to get them off before I put you to bed… Then you insisted on taking a shower and wouldn’t leave the bathroom until I allowed you to. Needless to say I allowed you,”

“You had gone in with your undergarments on and had stumbled out without towelling off to get changed. I tried my best to get you dry without it being awkward-er than it already was. Then I finally managed to get you to get into bed, at which point you chose to drag me in with you and fall asleep. So I stayed. What choice did I have? I wasn’t going to leave you alone…” With that his stumbling words came to a staggered halt. His gaze was now elsewhere as he allowed you time to process everything.

A dark chuckle filled the room. “Man, I’m stupid…” you heard yourself mumble as you ran your fingers through your hair and stared wide eyed at the tiles. “To think… God, I’m an idiot…” Your head lulled back and you laughed again.

Antonio crawled over and pulled you into his arms again. “You’re not stupid chica… just human…”

You began to cry. He held you there in calm silence until you stopped. In the strange quiet of the apartment the two of you sat in a warm embrace just enjoying the others company. It was peaceful. You felt safe.

Then your stomach growled.

A dark blush coloured your cheeks as Antonio smiled and chuckled. “Let’s go get something to eat shall we?” Without awaiting a response he picked you up bridal style and carried you down to the kitchen.

Together you shared a peaceful meal, a couple warm cups of coffee and the true beginning of a very long, loving – though not always perfect – life together.