" Arthur please, no need to apologise! I'm just glad you're here" Antonio took the other's hand in his and gently planted a kiss on it. Arthur's gaze softened, Antonio loved when it did that. He took his time, taking all of Arthur's beauty in. Oh, how he had missed him. His essence, his beautiful accent, and his amazing personality. Everything about Arthur was so perfect, it was hard to understand.

The doors to the room suddenly flew up. A kitchen girl came in, her face was twisted with absolute terror. "Mr. Carriedo, there seems to be something wrong with Lovino, I think he might be…" her voice disappeared like sand between fingers. Antonio stood up, brows furrowed in confusion "you reckon what?" She looked down at the ground "I'm afraid he isn't breathing, but of course I'm not sure, I just-" however she was cut off as Antonio rushed past her. When he reached the corridor, he realised he didn't know where to look for Lovino "where is he?!"

"Antonio dear, no need to panic, she is not a doctor, he is probably all right" Arthur placed a reassuring hand on Antonio's shoulder "now, as she is a kitchen girl I expect he is-"

But also Arthur was cut off when Antonio hurried past him, heading for the kitchen. His heart pounded so fast it hurt. All Antonio could think of was ensuring Lovino's safety. He ran through the seemingly endless corridors. Everything around him was a blur.

He opened the doors to the kitchen. The sight he met was the one he feared the most: Lovino laid lifeless on the floor, surrounded by staff. Antonio walked past them and kneeled before the body. He pulled Lovino into his arms, behind him he heard Arthur gasp. Tears blinded Antonio as he repeatedly whispered no. "Who did this?!" He yelled loudly as though it wasn't clear like the sky outside.

It was his own fault.

Silence fell over the crowd as the priest finished his speech. Antonio looked at the grave with stern eyes. However behind those steely eyes, was a sorrow worse than any he had ever experienced. Agony ached through his body, both physically and mentally. Antonio felt all eyes on him. He took a step forward. "Shortly after the death I asked who had done such a horrible thing. Since that, I have had a terrifying realisation. The blame is upon me" Antonio didn't even wince as everyone around him started to mumble curiously. "Lovino was a brave man… he managed to do something most of us struggle to, even me. He supressed feelings for a long, long time. Nevertheless the results of bottling up feelings can be cruel, and this case is no exception. This man loved me, and I played him like an instrument. I knew all along that he felt this way and I… I…" the tears pressed on. Antonio fought sobs and his voice shook as he continued: "I was so selfish. I didn't even tell him I appreciated him. All I did, was use him to cope with my own loneliness. I should be six feet under the ground, not him… I-I'm sorry, I just need a moment" Antonio's voice broke. He sat down and laid flowers on grave. "I want to apologise to Lovino because he is the only person who has always been loyal to me. I cannot believe that I preferred someone who cheated on me over someone like Lovino. Someone who really loved me for who I am. Only few of us ever meet people like that and I took it for granted."

Silence fell over them once again. As time passed, people left and at last Antonio was the only person left. He let his fingers run over Lovino's engraved name. Antonio reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny box. He opened the box, inside it was a marvellous golden ring. Gently he placed it between all the flowers. "I am sorry that it took your life for me to realise that I love you too"