Author Notes: This is the last chapter. It's been 5 years coming. I'm sorry. Been falling in and out of fandoms and looking back, I need to wrap up what I started. So, here! Sorry if the writing style is a sudden change. It has been quite some time. Hope the ending is at least a little satisfying. I did my best.

~!~

Don't Tempt Me

Chapter 5

~!~

It was hard to drive when Lovino was in the passenger seat. Even before all this Lenten drama, it was hard for Antonio to focus on driving. He should have taken a train. That would have been the smart thing to do.

Then he could've stared at Lovino all he wanted. For the entire trip from Rome to Madrid if he was so inclined. Stare at that soft hair with its one defiant curl. Stare at the pouty lips. The puffed up cheeks that looked so much like a tomato when he blushed. The eyes that betrayed the truth of his feelings despite what his mouth proclaimed.

Yeah, he should have definitely taken the train.

"Stop staring at me, bastard."

Romano's complaint was a whisper. Well, command more than complaint, but that was just the way Lovi talked to people. Antonio had been around him long enough to really understand him. He'd delved deep into the other country's heart in an effort to understand him more. So he knew the staring might have made Lovi a little uncomfortable, but he also enjoyed having such loving attention. Not many others gave him such attention, after all.

Maybe not anyone else, though Spain couldn't see why anyone wouldn't want to hug this adorable man. Cute as a kid, absolutely precious as an adult, even with those insults and aggressive, snappy words. It was just Romano's way of acting tough because of his early sense of abandonment.

Well, Spain had promised to never abandon him. To never let him go. So he was here, hoping Romano could remember the words he'd made Spain promise one late night after the throes of passion. Ah, hopefully he would remember and come back. Respecting Lovino's wishes was so hard sometimes because there was so much conflict behind them.

"Are you even watching the road at all?" Lovino snapped. "You're going to get us killed."

"Ah hah," Spain laughed lightly. "Sorry, Lovi. I'll focus on the road. Don't worry. I won't let you get hurt."

Romano didn't say much in response. Just a tight lipped grunt. He was back to staring out the opposite window, slouching in his seat, curl bouncing along with every bump in the road.

Spain reluctantly turned back to face the road. Romano was right. He should be paying more attention to where he was going. He was driving. He couldn't stare.

He could sneak glances, though. That was almost as good. And Lovino hadn't said anything against glances.

After a long while of silence, Romano eventually broke the awkward bubble between them to ask a question. "Are you really going to drag me around to the parades again this year?"

Antonio blinked. "What? You don't like them?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then of course we're going."

"Damn it."

Antonio chuckled. "What's wrong with it, Lovi?"

"Stop calling me that!"

The sudden harsh shout almost made Spain slam on the brakes. Almost. It had been a while since he'd had Lovino in his car, after all. He did prefer trains. Why hadn't he taken the train this time? Oh, right, he'd been too impatient to get to a train station.

"Ah, lo siento, Lo-"

"Nevermind," Romano mumbled, attention going back to the passing scenery outside his window. "I didn't mean to – ah, whatever, we'll do whatever you want. I don't even know why I agreed to come with you anyway. Must be losing my mind."

Spain smiled and turned his attention to the road again. "Losing your mind 'cause your heart is winning, maybe?"

He didn't get a response.

~!~

Feliciano Vargas stood beside Ludwig as the German held up a phone for the both of them to watch a stream from Francis. He'd gotten a phone call from Gilbert first. Well, Ludwig had gotten the phone call and come over immediately.

For some reason Prussia and France were hanging around a Spanish parade in the middle of Holy Week. And they wanted Germany and Italy to watch with them. Francis obviously had the better more up to date futuristic phone, since Gilbert was stubborn about keeping his old razr, so France was streaming video to them while chatting. Italy wasn't even sure which app Germany had used to make this work.

Regardless, here they were, watching a parade in a random town in Spain. "Ve, Ludwig, why are we -?"

Germany gave a semblance of a shrug. So he didn't know exactly why either. Or wasn't explaining. He had to know. Why else would he come here so fast? They weren't supposed to meet up for supper for a few hours yet. So…

"Italy," France said over the line. "Why don't you help us scan the crowd? Gilbert is practically hanging from the roof edge here while he's searching. I have half a mind to kick him off."

"Huh?" Italy blinked. "What do you mean? Search for who?"

A scream answered him. "Francis, you asshole! What would you do if I really fell?"

"Oh, mon ami, no worries. You're resilient. Like a cockroach, you are."

"Fucking asshole. I was pretty sure I had them, too!"

Italy sucked in a breath of air. Them? Could they be looking for… Well, it was true that he hadn't heard from his fratello in so long. How many days? Romano had gone out to meet Spain and talk and then he hadn't come home.

He'd just assumed his brother wanted some time alone after a harsh break up of sorts. Romano did like to sulk. A lot. So he hadn't bothered him. Hadn't called or wondered where he'd gone. He wasn't planning to call until Easter at least.

But if the "them" that Gilbert and Francis was talking about were Romano and Spain then that changed things, didn't it? It changed things a lot.

"Oh!" Feliciano said, clapping his hands as he turned to his big buff German lover. "Germany, I think they're talking about Antonio and Lovino."

"Most likely, Feli," Ludwig said. "Though I'm not sure how I feel about spying on your brother like this."

"Ve~" Italy hopped a bit in his excitement. "It's fine. I want to know. Do you think Francis and Gilbert tracked them out there? Is that what this is about?"

Another cry came from the phone. The view of the crowd fell to reveal the sky above. A clear, sunny day over in Spain, completely with blue sky and puffy white clouds. That had to mean good things. No more rain meant good news for Antonio's mood, right? Oh, it had to be a good sign!

And then a man with white hair and red eyes picked up the phone. "Yo, brother, Italy. France almost kicked me off the roof. Did you get a good look of the crowd? Spy anyone familiar while you had the chance?"

"No, not yet," Feliciano answered while Ludwig shook his head. "Turn it back on the crowd. I'm sure they're there somewhere."

"Oh, they're definitely there. We followed them to the parade route."

"Yeah and then Gil here almost picked a fight with a group of Spanish guys!"

"Shut up about that! Ludwig's gonna lecture me again!"

On cue, Italy could hear Germany's sigh. He giggled just at the interaction between them. He loved Germany's relationship with his brother. The crazy albino and his friends. Or just friend in this case. Of course the whole trio of Prussia, France, and Spain was lots of fun – and lots of trouble – but watching from a safe distance was most definitely entertaining to say the least. He could practically feel Ludwig's worry for his brother from here, too.

"Just be careful," Ludwig muttered. "I don't want to bail you out of jail again."

Prussia cackled and then cut off with a grunt, the phone dropping to the ground again. It was a wonder that thing wasn't cracked. Or maybe it was. It probably was, come to think of it. They wouldn't be able to see the cracks of the other phone from here, would they?

Giggling lightly, Italy waved at the screen as France came into view again. "Sorry about that, Italy. You know how that idiot is. Let's return to searching for your brother and Spain, shall we?"

"Please do."

With the ridiculous playful antics finally winding down, the video streaming view of the parade came back to the screen. Italy focused hard to search for his fratello. They could be anywhere. And there were so many people!

Parades were already a big deal, but Italy hadn't expected such a turn out for what was supposed to be an outlying town. Not the capital, he knew that much. Romano had once, long ago, mentioned the best places for Holy Week parades since Spain absolutely had to go to them every year. So where were they anyway?

He shook his head. That didn't matter. All he needed to do was spy them in the crowd. Where would Spain stand? He was with Romano, so that might change his position. If it were the troublesome trio they'd no doubt be causing problems somewhere down the line. But, Spain with Romano was different. He'd find a place to keep Lovino comfortable.

So… not in the center of the crowd. Far away from the danger of being pressed by random bodies of strangers. The front edges then? There was tape and sometimes metal rails set up to separate the float routes from the crowd, for safety. Italy kept his eyes trained in that direction. Looking up and down the route, even with the phone shaking in France's hands.

"Oh! There!" Gilbert's shout came, more muffled than it had been earlier. "Francis, there!"

"Where, Gil? You can't just point from down there and expect me to -"

"By the flags on that older building!"

"Flags?"

"Oh!" Italy exclaimed, covering his mouth. "I see them, too!"

Right there where Prussia had indicated. Underneath the Vatican City flag. A flag all Catholics knew well – or at least should know. An older building for sure. One with a completely different style of architecture than the others around it. Maybe a courthouse? You'd usually see flags in places like that, right?

Italy shook his head. No, that didn't matter. Focus, Feli.

Once France was able to spot the couple, too, the phone finally stopped shaking and moving around so much. Feliciano was able to get a good enough look. Spain looked good. Bright. Standing tall. One hand clasped in Romano's.

He smiled as soon as he saw it. His brother didn't look too happy at first. His face was full of his usual grumbling, annoyed persona. Probably not too pleased at holding hands with Spain while around so many people. While under the Vatican City flag of all things.

But, there. There. A smile as Lovino turned to look at Antonio while the Spaniard's attention was caught elsewhere.

So, he was happy.

Good.

Beside him, Ludwig took a deep breath and let it out slowly before he whispered in Feli's hair. "I think they're going to be just fine."

He nodded, feeling his heart bounce in excitement. Good signs everywhere. Good news. Romano had gone to Spain, and was obviously enjoying himself, at least on some level. Like how Romano did.

He heard the sound of hands smacking together as if in a high-five, then caught mumbled congratulations from Gilbert and Francis. They were no doubt glad to see their buddy at peace once more. So, all around, they were all happy again. In the end, everything had worked out after all.

Now, they could all relax.

~!~

Romano sat in Spain's house the morning after Easter. He was the first one awake. Understandable. Spain had been drinking and partying and celebrating with his country once the big Easter mass and all those holy week parades were over. Romano had gone back to the Spaniard's house on his own after a while. He'd still needed time to think.

Strange. He had already made his decision, hadn't he? He'd made it as soon as he accepted the bastard's gift.

With a glance down, Romano stared at the small golden crucifix hanging on a chain around his neck. Stupid bastard. Ruining his Lenten sacrifice with a philosophical argument on love of all things. He clicked his tongue between his teeth. Why couldn't he ever win against this guy?

Thinking about it now, a whole week later, Romano still didn't know why he'd been done in with such a sappy argument. It certainly didn't work for most Catholics he knew. He should have scoffed it off and turned away.

And yet…

Romano let out a sigh as he leaned against the sofa back, eyes focused on the man – lovable bastard of a personified country – sleeping across the cushions. Him? Turn away from this asshole? His heart was too much of a weakling to handle anymore separation from the love of his life.

So here he was.

Accepting the relationship, and feeling relaxed and better than he had felt all Lent. Sacrifices were supposed to be for your good. He'd been so sure that as a Catholic, he should look for someone else to love, someone else that wasn't another guy. But…

He clearly couldn't do it. Not ever again. As frustrating as this idiot could be, as embarrassing as it was to admit it out loud to anyone, Romano couldn't leave him for good. It just wasn't good for his heart to even attempt. He'd learned that the hard way.

The man on the sofa shifted in his sleep and then yawned loudly, green eyes slowly blinking awake. Romano took a moment to stare and appreciate the depths of those eyes. Spain had been through so much more than he had, been around as an adult country longer. Heck, all (most) of Lent had been hell on earth for him, since the idiot was such a lovesick fool.

It was nice to see true brightness back in those eyes. Nice to see the sleepy face he had woken up beside so many times over so many years. Nice to see that smile.

Of course, Romano had to grit his teeth and glare. "Well took you long enough to wake up, bastard."

Spain just smiled wider. "Aw, were you watching me sleep, Lovi?"

"Wha-?" He spluttered, feeling the heat warm his cheeks. "N-no! Definitely not that! Never that! Why would I want to watch a dumbass like you sleep the day away?"

"It's good to have you back."

Successfully flustered, Romano turned away and crossed his arms with a huff. "Yeah, whatever, bastard, just hurry up and cook breakfast. I don't have all day."

He could hear the Spaniard chuckle. And secretly he had to admit he loved the sound of it. One of their typical morning banters, even if it was dangerously close to noon. When did Spain shut down for a siesta anyway? Not that it mattered now since he'd been sleeping so late, but still -

Damn, he really had tried to erase every memory of Antonio from his mind, hadn't he? Not able to remember even the most common of basic details like that. Well, he wouldn't be trying to do that again, that was for sure. Not that he'd be clinging to Spain or anything anytime soon, either. Though he'd try not to complain so much when Spain decided to do the clinging like he usually did.

As if the thought summoned the action, Spain had his arms around Romano in the next heartbeat. As their faces rubbed together, Lovino fought the urge to punch the bastard away.

Not this time. Let him have it this time.

Besides, it felt good and made his chest warm to know that he was well and truly loved.

"Aw, Lovi, you're actually smiling-"

The reflexive punch couldn't be held back anymore, followed by the typical shout of "tomato bastard" and of course, Spain laughing with a sparkle in his eye from his new spot on the floor.

It was good to be back.

~!~

A/N: Well. Hope it's okay. I think I panic about endings being good enough so I put them off and then before you know it, I'm in a different fandom entirely. Ah hah. Terrible. Ahem.

To those who have been following it all this time and waiting for and update: wow, thank you so much

To newcomers: hope that style change isn't too jarring and thank you for reading it all the way through!

Love and appreciation to everyone, reviewer or not.

~Reda