((Quick note: There is mentioning of bullying in this chapter and might be a theme as this story continues. Thank you and I will speak to you again at the end of the chapter. Happy reading! ^.^))

Chapter 9

Antonio's POV:

Lunch was always one of my favorite hours. I love to eat as bad as that sounds. I am getting off topic I may or may not be completely ignoring Francis right now. He said something about Teflon or something. What is that? Something about… Lions? Eh it doesn't matter.

I was trying to scope out Lovino's table I was curious as to if he had lunch with us or not. It took me a moment, but I ended up spotting him. I slowly got up, "I'll be back guys."

"Save yourself while you still can!", Gilbert groaned as Francis must have been boring him too.

"You two 'ave no taste in fashion." Francis flipped his hair sassily at us. I couldn't help but laugh quietly. I left our table and walked over to Lovino's. I placed my hands on his shoulder and I felt him tense up really quickly.

Lovino's face was really pink, were they making fun of him? I whispered to him that I wanted to speak to him. Lovino reluctantly stood and I pulled him into the hall.

"What do you want?", Lovino spoke bitterly.

"Well uh… um. Huh. I actually don't know… Maybe I just wanted to talk to you." I smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck.

Lovino rolled his eyes, "Can I go then?"

I sighed and pulled a tomato out of my backpack. I planned on saving it got later, but I think Lovino would really like it.

When I handed it to him he looked at me confused, "Wha—why are you giving this to me?"

"I saw you didn't eat lunch…" I smiled weakly and turned to walk back into the cafeteria. Quickly I went to my seat.

Francis seemed to be curious where I went, but Gilbert was too busy talking about something so he didn't ask. The bell rang and we all moved on to our next class.

After school ended I chose to sit by our favorite tree. I noticed a familiar boy walk by; I waved to him and as usual he did nothing but scowl at me. I took this as an invitation to get up and walk after him. Lovino mumbled something I didn't hear before sighing.

I walked up next to him, "Hola Lovi~"

He continued to look at his feet. Maybe I missed something shiny on the ground. Well whatever it was Lovi found it really interesting.

After a while of cold silence, I got worried, "Lovino? Are you okay amigo?"

Lovino didn't answer and didn't look up. I stopped walking and put my hand on his shoulder almost immediately I felt him flinch, "Lovi…?"

He tilted his head slightly up at me I only smile at him before he grabs my arm to pull me forward again.

We walked back to his house. I saw Lovino sigh painfully; he pulled his head up completely my eyes were greeted with Lovino's face a darkened spot on his cheek drawing my attention.

I pull his chin towards me with my thumb and index finger, "Lovino what happened?"

He jerked his head away and shrugged, "It was an accident." He avoided his eyes from mine.

I don't know why I did this, but I pulled Lovino into a light hug. To my surprise Lovino rested his head into my shoulder. Once realizing what he did he jumped slightly and pushed me away. Running to his front door, the adorable blush covering up most of his bruise.

I waited until I saw him enter his house then I started my way home. I entered my own home immediately going to my room. The only think I could think about was Lovino and his bruise…

Who could have or what could have happened to result in it. Something must have happened, Lovino seemed shaken and pained in his thoughts. No one will ever hurt my Lovi… I don't want to see him hurting if I can help it... I will protect him. I just got to convince him to let me in.

Lovino's POV:

The second I walked into the door of my house I ran straight up stairs to my room before I made it to the landing Romulus stopped me, "Ciao Lovi! How was your— "

Before he could finish the question I slammed my door shut. I went right to the mirror in my bedroom and examined my bruised cheek.

I recalled the incident and shivered only seconds after I stopped poking at my newly forming discoloration on my face I laid face down on my bed. Completely giving up.

I heard my door open, but I chose not to look up at the intruder. "Lovino… Why are you so upset? Normally you at least pretend you're with talking to me." Romulus' Voice boomed in my room his voice carried greatly.

Sadly a trait I have received, well only when I'm angry at least… Im not mad all the time, but it happened occasionally. Anyway I only mumbled a "go away" to my Grandfather, but we both know he wouldn't leave…

I rolled over not really uncovering my face. "Again Lovino?", his voice turned aggressive in an instant.

I sighed, he saw it… "Nonno I didn't do anything okay?"

"Like you 'didn't do anything' last time?"

I growled quietly, "I didn't… it doesn't matter you don't ever believe me anyway." My last words were faint, but I know he heard me.

He refused to speak so she stood against the door frame in thought, "if you want to explain what happened I invite you to come find me."

And with that he left closing my door as he turned swiftly. I curled up onto my bed holding my head against my knees knowing he wouldn't come back to bother me.

I finally allowed the silent tears to stream down my cheeks, a few droplets grazing the pillow I desperately clung to as it was the only thing keeping my feet on the ground.

Minutes, seconds, hours passed who knows. I heard Romulus call me down to eat, but I didn't stir or stray off of my protective cocoon that I consumed myself in.

I heard a faint and gentle knock on my door without a word or even a glance I heard the door open slightly, due to the gentle manner I knew it was Feliciano.

He came in and sat next to me as I laid in my bed. Quietly he spoke up knowing that aggression was not the smartest Idea, "Lovi… are you okay? Nonno and I are very worried…"

I sighed, "Go Feliciano."

Feli kept on being soft If I were to get angry the whole thing would become a lot more of a problem.

I rolled over to tell him to leave upon our eyes meeting Feliciano's eyes softened greatly, "Fratello… again?"

"No. Not again Feliciano. Leave now!", I was so angry I didn't notice the continuous stream of tears going down my red and purple tinted cheeks.

I firmly jumped up and pushed him out of my room, slamming the door on him. I sank to the floor my back resting against the cool grain of the door.

I knew Feli would go tell Romulus of my aggressive actions, but I didn't really care. Nothing he could say would hurt me anymore.

Suddenly my phone started rapidly buzzing startling me. Reluctantly I crawled over to my phone to look at my notification. Yet again it was Antonio, that jackass… he was worried about me, but I could so open and ignore his pleas.

Upon unlocking my phone, I read the message from Antonio, 'Look outside'
I rolled my eyes, my cheeks tinted lightly as I walked to my window, pulling the blinds to the side just enough to peek outside into the front of the house.

Part of me was hoping it was a prank, but there the idiota was… standing out in the middle of my yard. Bastard…

I grabbed a sweatshirt and pulled it over my head, walking down stairs. Feliciano's voice stopped me as he smiled wide, "Is Fratello feeling better?"

I nodded slowly, "Just uh… going to get some air…" and with that I exited my house.

Antonio's POV:

I could hardly breath. Why was I even trying? I don't know, but here I am outside Lovino's house praying he walks down to me.

I chuckled quietly to myself Lovi is like a princess in the tower, oh or like Romeo and Juliet, but I don't really want Lovino to die… but if he did for me that would be cute. I was released from my thoughts when I heard the door the door open.

Lovino stood in front of me quickly moving to close the door. He slowly walked over to me hands shoved into the pouch of his sweatshirt carefully shuffling his feet through the fallen leaves that clutter in the grass.

After a few seconds that took on hours Lovino finally stood in front of me, "What are you doing here idiota!?"

I can tell his voice was less hostile than normal, "well uh… I brought Cannoli…"

Lovino surveyed the area and grabbed my wrist pulling me somewhere. I chose not to question it. We stopped a good 10 feet away from his house, "Now really. Why are you here?"

I sighed, "I was worried… I know you don' like that I do, but I do so I thought I would come and –cheer... you… up?" My last 3 words were elongated die to the sudden arms wrapped around my chest. I was completely confused with this action, but as soon as it started it was over.

Lovino let go clearing his throat, "Grazie or whatever." All I could do was smile "Oi bastard don't stare at me like that… We going to eat those or not?" Lovino pointed to the box in my hand.

I blinked out of my trance and nodded, "I hope so. I got them for you."

We found our way to a park bench and sat down. Opening the box, I handed Lovino some cannoli. He smiled slightly though it was hard to catch.

"How did you know?", Lovino glanced towards me.

"Know what Lovi?", I flashed him a smile.

"the Cannoli…"

I chuckled softly, "Wild guess?"

Lovino raised an eyebrow at me.

"Okay Emma told me, but I picked them out!" I heard a very light chuckle come from Lovino which filled me with delight. I got him to laugh! We ate quietly, but something seemed weird about the silence.

"Uh Antonio?", I heard Lovino speak lowly as if he was trying to keep it a secret.

"Hmm?", I responded happily.

"Did you only do this because you wanted to know what happened?" I knitted my eyebrows together as I watched Lovino stare absently into his lap.

I shook my head, "Well I was worried, but… I can do nice things for you for no reason can't I?"

Lovino sighed, "Sí, I guess…"

I smiled softly at him, "I wouldn't make you do something you didn't want to do."

Lovino seemed to be off in thought. Contemplating on the words he would use next. He opened his mouth slightly, "It was Sadik…" he kept his voice almost at a whisper.

"Who? Sadik? Why would he hurt you?"

Lovino cleared his throat, "I-it doesn't matter. It just happens."

I frown in concern at Lovino, "This has happened before hasn't it?"

Lovino's head was kept low as he nodded slowly, "a couple years."

I sighed, "Lo siento Lovi… I could talk to him— "

"No.", Lovino cut me off mid-sentence.

"Can I at least watch out for you?"

Lovino looked up at me, "You want to protect me?"

I smiled softly at him, "Always."

Lovino's face was slightly pink and he rocked slowly on the bench obviously nervous about something. Lovino moved over and kissed my cheek gently, "Say anything and I'll kill you, but… Grazie…"

A moment after Lovino got up and sprinted off back home. I couldn't stop smiling it should be illegal to be this cute.

I stood slowly and walked passed Lovino's house to get home. As I walked by I saw Lovino entering his house. The moment we made eye contact his face turned a light rose before he slammed the door.

That went really well surprisingly. Take that Gilbert! You owe me five bucks!

Author's Note:

Hiya guys! I hope you are all still enjoying this story. Slowly Lovino is starting to trust Antonio. I'm super excited to see how this story continues as I am not yet done writing the next chapter. I am hoping to start making myself a deadline to get these out so I can keep somewhat of a schedule. So far I would like to post a chapter once a month. I'll try my best to keep it up. Thank you again for reading and feel free to shoot me a message or a favorite! Hope to see you again soon! ^.^