A/N: Ah, this is so short ;_; but I like it. I'm much happier with this than with alot of what I write :/

But anyway! The important stuff: I wrote this about a month ago, and it's half a birthday present for Antonio, half for my dear, awesome Hero. She is amazing. You know who you are ;) Happy birthday to you both, my darlings!
And to the rest of you beautiful readers: Please enjoy! Also I love reviews, so...feel free, y'know. If you wanna. *shrugs*

Antonio was not perfect. No matter what people thought, no matter how he tried to present himself, he was not always happy. Not even, perhaps especially not, when he smiled. He smiled to make people believe in his happiness, because if Antonio was not happy, what was he? He smiled so that the people he loved would smile, because he knew that they were his strength; believing that maybe, just maybe, someone smiled because of his fake, 100 watt grin, was at times his reason for living. Only one person was allowed to see this, however. Only one person knew the whole story. There was only one person to whom Antonio could not lie.

Lovino was not perfect. Of course not; that was his brother's job. People didn't bother with him, and when they did, it was only because they wanted something, or someone, else. Never because they wanted him. In spite of being older, he was the childish one, the brat. Lovino pushed away the people he loved, out of a well-concealed and haunting fear. He cared too much, loved too deeply, and fell too hard. He had grown used to being alone, liked it even, so he was surprised, cautious, when one person stuck around of his own free will long enough to see past the harsh line of defense he had set up. That one person saw through Lovino's every lie.

Together, they are not perfect. They both make mistakes, but Antonio is patient and finally, truly, happy, and Lovino is passionate and more deeply attached to him than anyone, even they, can fathom. They always forgive, because, although neither of them is perfect, and they are both scarred, perhaps, somehow, these two broken halves can join together to make something complete. And though it is broken, and jagged-edged, and ugly at first glance, what is inside is strong, and true, and pure, and enduring. Perfection may be out of reach, but there is unspeakable beauty in the knitting together of two broken souls, the understanding between two people who have a bond of confidence and a love that most people never see. No, they are not perfect. But then, perfection was never something either of them believed in.

A/N: Okay, I know I usually don't talk after a peice but-I am. So what. I hope this brought some character development, for Tonio especially I just love my baby so much...But thank you for reading! I'm honored!