Lovino woke in a large bed, surrounded by covers and something a little heavier across his chest. He somehow found the strength to open his eyes and look next to him to see Antonio sleeping soundly, arm draped across him. He was exhausted and felt very lonely. Though seeing Antonio's face made him feel warmer inside. He smiled and cuddled close the Spaniard, thinking it was all a very good dream.

Antonio woke the small movement of Lovino moving in closer to his on the bed. After he had fallen asleep, he helped Feli get him into bed and then wrapped his right hand, the cut wasn't as deep as it had seemed and both he and Feliciano deemed it alright without stitches. After that he had crawled into bed next to Lovino, the tiredness from the night before catching up again, and fell asleep holding him. Though he woke to every little movement or sound. Feliciano coming in to check on them, a bird singing outside, Lovino moving in his sleep. He didn't want Lovi to wake up and try to do anything harsh again.

But this time was different, Lovino was moving like he was awake, and moving closer to him, cuddling into his side. A wave of relief washed over him and he held the other male closer, tighter.

Lovino's eyes fluttered open once more and looked into Antonio's worried green eyes. He was about to settle back down and go back to sleep when he remembered… he needed to get away before he got swept up again. He began to move to get off the bed but Antonio held him closer.

"I finally have you in my arms again, I don't plan on letting you go until you talk to me at the very least." Antonio spoke softly.

Lovino turned to face him, then looked away in shame, remembering what he had tried to do. "What is there to talk about?" he asked, trying to avoid the inevitable subject.

Antonio paused, "Why'd you try to do it, Lovi?"

Lovino didn't answer for a long time. He didn't know how reply to that. What words to use. But he finally said, "Because I would rather the hurt end completely instead of enduring it for the rest of my life. I would rather you actually be happy in a relationship with someone instead of tolerate it."

Antonio pulled Lovino to his chest and hugged him tightly. Lovino resisted at first but finally decided to indulge and gave in to the embrace. "Lovi, if you're hurting, come to me. I will make it better, I promise. I will take away any pain you have. I will take care of you. I want to take care of you for the rest of my life. And I never once tolerated our relationship. I loved every minute of it. Being with you made me happy. Being with you now still makes me happy. But right now I'm more worried about you. Lovi, do you have any idea how much you scared me? I could have had a heart attack right there when I opened that door. My heart almost stopped."

"It was the only thing I could think of to do. I knew you were going to come in. I knew what Feliciano said was right. I was trying to think of a way out. And at that moment that was the only thing I could think of to do." Lovino explained.

Antonio finally pulled back from the hug. "Lovi, I will not ask you to forgive me. I couldn't after all this. But I do want you to know I am very sorry. I am never going to forgive myself for what I put you through. If I hadn't said that in the beginning, then this never would have happened and neither of us would be hurting so much right now." he paused. "And after this I don't even feel I have the right to ask you to take me back."

Lovino had to stop and think of what to say to that. "W-what if I want you back….?" he whispered, almost too soft to hear.

Antonio could have started to cry tears of happiness just then, but he didn't and instead just smiled warmly. "I'm not pressuring you. Think a bit longer. I want to make sure you'd be happy." he released the other male and sat up. "I love you." he whispered and left a lingering kiss to his forehead. He then moved to leave the bed but Lovino held him from it.

"No. I want you back. I want to trust you. I want you protect me. I want you to love me. I want you to smile those stupid annoying smiles you always do to me. I want you with me. I need you. I want to love you," he paused, "and this time I want to do it right." he confessed, looking deep into Antonio's deep emerald green eyes.

Antonio smiled, tears gathering in his eyes. "I believe you, Lovi. I believe in you." Antonio stroked his cheek. "And this time I won't let you go." A single happy tear rolled down his cheek.

Lovino sat up and wiped it away. "Crybaby." He smiled as he said the word, with no venom behind it, only to lightly tease. As Lovi leaned in to kiss Antonio he muttered something along the lines of, "I love you anyways."