Chapter Text
It was a bad idea to try and get Lovino and Toris on wild mustangs. Alfred finally agreed, after Toris nearly got bit by a mare, that maybe the wild mustangs for the two amateur western riders was a bad idea. While both had ridden horses many times before, it had been a while and these horses were very different from what they had back home.
“I hear these are the ancestors from some Spanish horses left behind,” America told them while taking the tack off the wild mares, “Mexico told me she kind of remembers when Spain first brought them here, and then left them.”
“Sounds like the Spanish bastard,” Lovino sighed, “He tried to get me to ride when I was little.”
“Really?” America asked, looking generally intrigued.
Lovino chuckled, “Yeah, but I was-- how do I put it-- a ‘twitchy’ kid. It was hard for me to stay still and ride.”
America nodded, “I get that. England tried to get me to learn a lot of things while I was still small. But I always wanted to be doing something else or just not staying still. If I remember correctly though you had less control or something? I’m sorry it made things difficult.”
Lovino hummed in acknowledgement, but refused to say more. It was nice to talk to someone who understood what it was like being under someone else’s authority. Toris kind of got it to, but still not totally right. He wasn’t still young when being watched and told what to do (as far as he knew).
“Uhm, Alfred?” Toris finally spoke up, “Which horse are you riding?”
“Oh I’m taking Molasses,” Alfred said without hesitation.
“I think not, American bastard!” Lovino hissed.
Alfred snorted and raised his hands, “Kidding! I was kidding! Geez, I’m not that dumb. Molasses would probably try to run off and kick someone. I’ll take Guapo Junior.”
At that moment, Alfred put his fingers to his lips to give a sharp whistle. Before the two countries knew it, a dark brown horse came galloping from the stable and pushed his head into Alfred’s back, who laughed.
“Guapo?” Toris asked.
“Junior,” Alfred nodded, “I rode his grandfather, basically. When I had to move back east, McKinley made me leave Guapo here with the Davis’, who were nice enough to care for him. Guapo had a daughter, and then she had a foal. When I came back to stay a while, I trained Guapo Junior. Teddy even let me take him to the White House! That was so cool.”
Lovino eyed the horse over, “he seems...nice.”
“Would you like to pet him?” Alfred asked, grinning.
Lovino rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile. He reached out to gently pet his nose, to which the horse pushed back a little.
“Aw, he likes you Vinny!” Alfred teased.
“Of course he does,” Lovino smirked, “Us handsome men understand each other.”
Alfred seemed to look him over carefully before smirking, “Ah, that must be it. You two are very handsome.”
Before Lovino could reply and stop himself from looking like a lobster, Toris coughed loudly to hide his laughter.
“Well, not that I want to ruin this,” Toris chuckled, “But I would like to see more of the farm. Should we get ready?”
“Yeah, of course,” Alfred nodded, “Let me just get your riding gear and some calmer mares.”
The Europeans watched the American pat Guapo and then headed back to the stables. When he was out of earshot, Lovino turned to glare at the other nation. Toris just gave a small smirk.
“What?” Toris asked.
“It’s not like that and you know it,” Lovino hissed.
Toris just raised an eyebrow, “You both aren’t pinning so painfully that the horses could even tell?”
“I’m not pinning!” Lovino snapped.
“Sure, Vinny,” Toris rolled his eyes, “But, just so you know, it doesn’t bother me if you do like America. He’s handsome, and nice. I get it.”
Lovino felt himself deflate, “But it’ll bother a lot of people,” he sighed, “And besides that, he probably is just overly friendly and lonely. And it would be wrong to want to be with our host country or whatever.”
“One, those feelings are definitely mutual,” Toris crossed his arms, “Alfred has never called me handsome like that, or ever has become as close to me as he is to you. And second, I don’t think he sees it like that--we’re all friends working.”
“Ha,” Lovino scoffed, “Yeah, cause friends come over and crash into your home and beg for work.”
“Some friends, yeah,” Toris shrugged, “Romano, I really think you’re overthinking it. What’s wrong with wanting to be a little happy?”
“Because maybe I don’t deserve it? Maybe I’m actually just really selfish?” Lovino spat.
Before Toris could deny any of these claims (and assuming some sort of weird guilt, odd Catholics), they both spotted Alfred coming over with horses tacked up.
“Hey, these two should be good to use. They’re retired from the ranching days, so they should be good for the slower pace,” he paused, looking at the two, “Everything ok?”
“Of course,” Lovino interjected, “We were just discussing politics.”
Alfred scrunched his nose, “No politics on vacations, please.”
Toris just hummed, but side-eyed Lovino. Based on that look, he assumed that he wanted to continue this conversation later. But, to be honest, Lovino really didn’t want to. He’d rather just pine in private.
He was so deep in thought he almost did not realize Alfred was trying to give him a leg up onto his mare. Embarrassed, he quickly got onto the horse.
“I was telling Toris his mare is named Sweetness,” Alfred started rambling, “And that she’s very sweet -- hence the name. Yours is named Bella.”
Lovino chuckled, “Did you do that on purpose?”
Alfred gave a small smile, “Can’t say,” he shrugged, “But Bella is a good horse. She’ll get you where you need to go and will follow along nicely.”
Lovino nodded, getting comfortable in the saddle and grabbing the reins with one hand, and grasping the horn on the saddle with the other for balance. Bella didn’t seem to mind the weight and just shifted slightly to get more comfortable.
“So, are you guys good?” Alfred asked both, who both assented, “Great!”
Alfred turned and started walking a bit down the path behind Guapo. Before either country could ask, Alfred started running and jumped up from behind Guapo to get in his saddle.
Said horse, who seemed somewhat startled, reared up on his back legs. Alfred, the fool, just gave a yodel and grabbed the reins to start forward.
“Show off,” Lovino mumbled.
Toris whistled, “Still, pretty impressive.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Lovino replied, trying not to smile.
“Let’s move out!” Alfred said, grinning like an idiot, “Let’s go see some cattle!”