Lunch between frenemies~ (Finished~)

Alfred followed the Cuban along, the offer of a free lunch too tempting for the American to pass up. Even though they never really got along Al had to admit, the man had some nice food in his country, for a commie, that was. He stayed close by as they made their way to where ever the hell it was they were going to eat, he hadn't really been listening to Carlos.

"Carlos we there yet?" The blond whined. He was hungry and he wanted to eat. Right NOW! If he'd known it was going to take this long he would of just gone to Macca's....

Carlos sighed heavily as he made his way down the boulevard. What possessed to him to offer lunch to this loud know it all braggart? He shook his head, a promise to another spectacle wearing blond, thats what. A quick lunch, outside...where he could smoke and he would have fufilled his promise. Nothing more. Nothing less. Idiota......

He spun around at the question, urge to lay out the little man at its peak. "We will get there soon, stop whining....like a spoiled child..."

A moment later they stood outside a small cafe on the corner. "Satisfied?"

Alfred pouted hard. He had just been asking...there was no need to snap at him like that! He was about to shout back when he saw that they had arrived at a quiant cafe. It looked nice. "Very~!" He grinned widely, the promise of a meal now closer than ever!

"Now, if you'll find us a table,I'll join you shortly Alfredo.....I want to say hello to Nestor. Outside please, so I can smoke" he explained,his voice slightly condescending. "If the waitress comes order two Maltas.....she'll know what it means"

And with a turn he walked into the bustling cafe with a smile.

He frowned. It was obvious Carlos didn't want to be here with him. He betted his life that he was only doing this for Mattie's sake...which meant Al should probally be nice back too. After all, Matthew WAS his brother and he SHOULD be nice to his brother's friends. With that in mind he found a nice table outside and sat down, waiting for the Cuban man to come back.

After a few moments of chatting he wandered back outside to find the American sitting. He could follow instructions? What a feat! Still....he was a guest. Pretend to be nice.

With a casual ease he sat at the table where a raven haired waitress approached them. "Carlos? Matthew again? With a hair cut?"

The moment the waitress had finished speaking he was reminded of one of the reasons he hated to go anywhere in Cuba, especially with Carlos: because they all mistook him for his little brother. Really, they looked NOTHING alike! How could people keep mistaking them for one another? We're they all blind and stupid? Still he smiled up at the waitress, being as nice as possible. "No miss, I'm Alfred, his older brother."

Carlos resisted the urge to burst out laughing. Of course he'd come here with Matthew, unlike his brother he actually liked the guy. He had a quiet strength and will that was rare and special. If only Alfred could see that. Maybe he'd be a little more tolerable.

The waitress blushed with embarrassment. "Oh! I am so sorry Mr. Alfred, you look so much like him, again I am so sorry."

Carlos waved it off. "Nevermind that Gina...two Maltas and a double order of beef empanadillas please, put it on my tab"

With that she scribbled the order and walked off with a smile. Casually, he pulled out a small cigar and lit it up. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair and puffed away. "Penny for your thoughts Alfredo."

Alfred sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Was this going to happen the entire time he was here? He certainly hoped hot, hated being mistaken for other people...even though it didn't happen often.

But for now he would let it go. Carlos had ordered for them which meant he'd get food soon! So he shook it off and sat up straight, deciding to make some small talk.

"So Carlos...how have things been lately?"

Carlos took a long drag from his cigar and contemplated the question. Simple as it was, he had to be careful in its response.

"Ah, things are fine Alfredo. Not much going on in particular. What about you? Economic recovery going well?" a vague answer,purposefully so. Having been so colorfully called a commie bastard earlier made him even less forth coming.

Gina, the waitress brought their drinks and Carlos eagerly took a sip after setting his cigar down on the ashtray. He swallowed and let out a refreshing sigh. "Excellente.....come now, try it. Its good."

Alfred decided that he would just ignore the comment about his economy and answer the question about how he was. "I'm fine, mostly I guess. As good as I can be..."

The drinks arrived soon after he answered the question. He picked is up and carefully took a sip. It was good...quite good indeed. "It's nice." He grinned a bit before taking a larger sip.

He sidestepped the question. So things were not as good as he previously thought. If they had no doubt the other would be bragging like a child with a new toy. Interesting. Very interesting.

"Good to know, its a malt beverage we drink in place of beer. I find it good with finger foods. And Nestor's empanadillas are impeccable. What foods do you enjoy besides hambuerguesas?" He finished his drink with a hearty chug and raised his bottle for another.

He took another sip, enjoying the drink at a strangly slow pace. There was no need to rush really, he needed a bit of a break anyway. He turned to the Cuban as he asked about foods he enjoyed.

"Foods besides hamburgers? I'm cool with a lot of food actually, minus british food and really weird ass stuff!" It was true, he liked a lot of different foods~!

The waitress brought his next drink, flashing a warm smile and a ginger touch on his shoulder. "Gracias"

He took a long drought from it and grinned. Very good. So good on a warm afternoon like this, it even made the less than favorable company a bit more tolerable.

"Weird ass stuff?" he repeated "Do you mean anything that isn't greasy and slathered in mayonnaise?"

He sighed about to ask another inane question when the large platter of food was brought before them. Carlos grinned, taking one in his hand and biting into it. "Ah...Nestor does it again."

He frowned deeply, wanting sooo badly to yell at Carlos right now. That was NOT what he meant when he had said weird ass stuff! He's meant shit like those snails Francis seemed to love to eat...THAT was weird ass. Not hamburgers and his other awesome fast food.

Alfred almost yelled at him until he thought of Mattie. No. He was going to be nice today, be the bigger man. So he let it go, not replying to the comment made. The food that had just arrived gave him a great new thing to talk about.

"So what are we eating today?"

Carlos shook his head, sharp words already forming on his tongue. He was treating to a meal and he didn't even know what it was?! How greedy, how gluttonous.

"Beef empanadillas, Alfredo. I mentioned it twice already." He took another bite, the savory meat filling making him smile. "They are very good."

He could tell he'd annoyed the other with his question almost immediantly...it wasn't HIS fault that he'd been too deep in thought to hear it the first time and too busy looking for a table the second. Again, the want to hit him rised and fell again with the image of his brother. Why did Mattie have to be such a good brother that he felt the need to get along with his friends, at least sometimes?

He took one and took a bite, surprised but how good it tasted. "...They are very nice" He said as he took another bite.

"Nice? Only nice?" he asked a perplexed look on his face.His shoulder slouched, why did Matthew have to be kin to this.....person. He had to treat him kindly or he may never see his friend again. The things he did for his friends. He truly hoped he appreciated it. "Nestor has been making them for years. A true culinary feat."

He bit again, devouring it. "And they are addictive." he added picking up another. "So Alfredo, after lunch...would you like to walk along the beach? Its lovely this time of day then a beer at the bar, the game is on this afternoon."

Did he expect to praise them like they were the best food on earth? Carlos was being rude, very rude! But he HAD to let it go, he was being nice to him today. So he nodded in agreement. "I agree, they are really great and real addictive too~!" He finished the one he was eating and started another, enjoying the taste greatly.

Beach...the beach sounded nice, so did a beer at the bar and if he was being nice he should accept the invitation. "Alright, sounds like a plan Carlos~!" Al grinned over at him as he finished yet another beef empanadilla.

Carlos knew his reaction was calculated and forced. He was being nice for Matthew's sake. It was fine, so was he. As for Carlos, he was easily on his third. They were delectable. Of course despite his lack luster reaction he was savoring the food. It was delicious, he couldn't deny it.

"Perfecto. We shall head over there shortly. Matthew loves the view. I am sure you will too."

Alfred had his fill of the delicious food, sipping his drink all the while. He was sure both of them were playing the nice act, wanting to do so for Mattie's sake.

Well Mattie was easy to please but...if he loved it he was sure he himself would love it too. "I'll take your word for it Carlos."

He could sense the sarcasm dripping from every syllable, but he let it go. This was for Matthew.

He finished his food and signaled for the waitress. "Put it on my tab. Oh and tell them I'll be back tomorrow. I cannot miss Felipe's famous soft tacos"

He stood up, lighting a smaller, thinner cigarillo then grinned. "Let us be off."

He sighed. Carlos seemed to be offended...great. He hadn't even been sarcastic when he'd said 'I'll take your word for it Carlos'. But of course the man took everything he said as an insult. Because obviously Alfred was only capable of being a horrible jerk to everyone and he couldn't be kind at all. He resisted to urge to groan as he nodded in respone. It was best they be off now.

He was being quiet. It was a little refreshing but he knew it was polite behavior. He puffed on his cigarillo, letting the sweet smoke filter out of his nose. Leading him as they walked down the boulevard he could see the sea moving closer to them. "Welcome to the Malecon. It is one of my favorite places to come. Here I can watch the waves and relax. Do you have places like that in your home?"

The moment Alfred saw the beautiful scene he instantly relaxed. Sure loved the bustling city life, raging parties and awesome night clubs...but places like this were so nice. "I do, I love places like these~ They're so relaxing..."

He sighed in contentment as he watched the waves crash in. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad idea to let Carlos treat him to luch. It was kinda nice here in Cuba, it was probably why Mattie loved it so much here.