AN: So, an awesome weekend..and now sunburn. Fuck. So. Here's a new little drabble..that will probably also be posted on my quotev account so that Cora and Gayla can read it.

Prompt: "A true friend is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else believes the smile on your face." – Unknown.

So, yeah. Enjoy.

By the way..this probably does tie into Strength and Survival a bit. I dunno, I'll let you know at the end, ja?

It was weird, seeing a smile on Lovino's face. But there had been one there for the longest while. Ever since he started being around his brother more, he'd been a bit happier. But Gilbert noticed something off with his friend. His smiles, which had always been rare but genuine, were faked. They held only half the emotion they should. And it bothered him.

Hallowe'en eve was when Gilbert decided he'd had enough. Feliciano was walking with Ludwig up ahead, so he dropped back to speak with Lovino, who was staring at the sky blankly. "Lovi."he said.

Lovino glanced at him and gave a half-happy smile. But there was pain in his eyes that betrayed him.

Matthew had mentioned before how you could always tell when something was wrong with Lovino because he'd say everything was fine, but his eyes would be basically pleading for someone to call him out on his lie. And now Gilbert understood it. Because he could see Lovino asking for someone to mention it.

"You okay?"

Lovino nodded. "Yeah, 'M fine."he responded.

Gilbert gave him a look, before glancing ahead to Feliciano and Ludwig, then pulled Lovino to a stop. "Tell me the truth, Lovino. Mattie's said something about you seeming off. Feliciano's mentioned it, even Luddy has."

Lovino met his gaze before he shook his head. "I'm fine. Just been thinking."

Gilbert groaned. "C'mon, we've talking about this, Lovi."he said.

Lovino glanced at his watch before he spoke. "I gotta go, man."he said, starting away, but Gilbert caught his shoulder.
"Whatever you're planning on doing, it can wait."Gilbert said.

Lovino shook his head. "No, it can't."he said, voice pleading for the Prussian to let him go.

Gilbert gave him a look. "Lovino, you say you're okay, but your eyes say you're not. So which is it? Are you okay? Really, honestly okay?"

Lovino hesitated before he shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose. Now, I really have to go."

Gilbert sighed, shaking his head in amusement. "Fine. We'll keep an eye on Feli until you get back. Be careful."

He had to yell the last bit after Lovino, because the elder of the Italian boys had taken off immediately after the reassurance that the Prussian and his brother would keep an eye on Feliciano.

"So, did he say anything?"Ludwig asked after Lovino had came back for Feliciano a few hours later and had left for home.

Gilbert sighed. "That's the thing...he says one thing, but his eyes and actions say something completely opposite."

"Maybe you should take from both, then."

Gilbert shrugged. "Maybe."

The next week, Gilbert did a quick intervention with Lovino, and had managed to pick up on a few injuries he knew the elder Italian hadn't had before Hallowe'en. It worried him, but he didn't say anything.

Matthew spoke with Lovino constantly, trying to get him to open up.

And eventually, he did. Just a bit, but it was better than none at all.

Yeah, it is kinda tied into Strength and Survival, the year before Antonio shows up.