Te quiero's are things that Lovino can handle, and sometimes(not often, though) even return. Te quiero's are soft, and sweet, and gentle, subtle nonintrusive things.

Te amo's are fiery, erotic, and bold, and Lovino doesn't know how to handle them yet. And though Tonio's never been one for much patience, he's sure he could learn to wait for him. It is for Lovino, after all.

.

Antonio wakes up from their daily nap, one lazy afternoon. Strangest of all the strange dreams...

"What would you do if I wasn't human?" He easily wonders aloud. Lovino opens one eye and blinks.

"What?" He yawns lethargically. "What are you talking about?"

"I dunno, like, what if I was the embodied spirit of Spain, or something?" Lovino stares at him like he's lost his mind. "Eh heh.." Antonio chuckles weakly, losing his resolve. "I-it was in my dream?" Lovino rolls his eyes.

"If you're special enough to be the country of Spain, then I get to be South Italy, dammit." Antonio laughs outright at this.

"Ok, ok, Lovinito. But that wasn't the point. Digo, what I mean is... esto..." Antonio rests his chin in his hair gingerly. "...Aún me amaras?" Lovino stiffens uncomfortably.

"If we were countries like you said, then we wouldn't really get a choice now, would we."

"No, I don't really think that's true, Lovi." Antonio pauses pensively, as though in actual, rational thought. "We might have the mindset, and the character, and the essence of our people, but I think that somehow, on the inside, there'd be a little bit of us still there." He smiles drowsily to himself.

Soo..." he continues, peering slyly at Lovino. "Would you still lo-"

"Don't be stupid," Lovino quickly cuts him off, cheeks tinged with pink. "Hypothesizing something so ridiculous as that. How can you be a country anyways? That doesn't make any sense."

"I j-"

"Go back to sleep, idiot." Antonio closes his eyes obediently, but doesn't miss the hint of affection in his voice.

"Te quiero, Lovi," he mumbles sleepily. Lovino makes sure he's not looking before allowing himself the smallest of smiles.

"Lo so." They drift back to sleep.

Spanish:

Te quiero- I love you (family, friends, significant others)

Te amo- I love you (serious relationships only)

Digo- I mean (literally "I say")

Esto- Um (filler word, literally "this")

Aún me amaras?- Would you still love me?

Italian:

Lo so- I know