A/N: It's me again!

Greetings all, I'm so glad to be back writing some more fun fics, this time it's the turn of Spamanoto get a shot of the spotlight! I'm actually really excited to get going, I think this is gonna be a long one...
And remember, if you get tired of waiting for updates (once a week) you can check out my other works (shameless self promotion)...
So without further ado...

Chapter One

Six Months

It was a little known fact to me that wheelchairs are kinda different to office chairs.

Really, I should have expected this, wheelchairs don't go very fast when you want to ride it down a long empty hallway, the wheels are actually quite stiff. Stiffer than I ever expected.

It had been a long day, first work all day long and then I managed to get lost in this place... I had never been good with directions and this hospital was like a maze! It was impressive how huge it was, I had been wandering for at least ten minutes and still hadn't been in the same place twice. I hadn't even changed floor!

So when I found a wheelchair at the end of one hallway it was the most exciting thing all day! It was really a dream come true, nothing could have prepared me for it. There weren't even any doctors or nurses in sight. So of course it was the perfect opportunity to have some fun, I had even ran over to grab it and sit down, hoping to zoom down the hall on it.

Sadly, I wasn't given that wonder and I was heaving myself along, past all the rooms, trying to finish what I started... I have to admit, wheelchairs were harder than they looked to move around on... Especially when you wanted to go fast.

"Nyoom..." I murmured under my breath. No nyoom for me, not today.

But I struggled along, I couldn't let my excitement I had when I saw this thing go to waste, ever if it did mean a lot of pushing out with my legs.

I was even breaking a sweat... Yikes.

Heave... Heave... I was almost half way!

Suddenly, before I could reach that crucial halfway point, a voice came from one of the rooms, "The hell are you tryna achieve? Idiot, you look constipated."

Surprise caught in my throat and I stood suddenly, looking around. All the rooms were dark, who said that? Was it a ghost?

I still laughed at his remark, even if whoever he or ghost-he was sounded a little grouchy; "You know these things don't go as fast as you might think!"

There!

Even though I was looking for him I was surprised when I suddenly noticed the voices owner... All alone sitting one of the beds, his room dark except for the pulled back curtains that let city light in was a silhouetted figure.

He was slumped over, sat upright in bed, his bed head so wild that it could be seen as part of his outline and he was sort of tiny in figure... He wasn't exactly short but he was still small. Except his big mouth which loudly called over,

"What? Of course they go slow! Are paraplegics just supposed to roll around at top speeds and get themselves killed? Pft. No."

I blinked once, my lips parted, "Yes..." I slowly nodded, "I guess that's true."

I could feel the figures confusion all the way over here, "Y-You do want them to die?"

My eyes widened and I quickly realised how what I said sounded, "No!" I tried to recover, "I just mean you're right! They shouldn't go fast!"

Silence...

Oh no. Had I freaked him out?

"Pssht!" I was almost startled as suddenly he came out with a half laugh, "Idiot!"

I smiled; thank goodness I was understood... I hesitated and left the wheelchair to step into his room,

"What are you doing?" The stranger barked the moment I was over the threshold.

"Mm?" I wandered in further, "I'm coming closer so that our calling doesn't disturb the other patients." I looked around the darkened hospital room, "Isn't it pretty dark? I'll turn the light on..." I offered, fumbling for a lamp.

My hand went to his bedside stand but he was immediately thwacking my hand away, "Don't turn them on!" He covered the general area of the switch with an out stretched hand, "Quit it!"

I withdrew, blinking in confusion, "You don't want some light?" I looked to his shadowy face, "But I can hardly see..."

He huffed, wriggling down under his blankets, "So what are you doing here anyway? You realise visitors shouldn't be around right now. Why the hell do you think the lights are off? No one's meant to see me, fuck."

I raised my brow at his language but was also caught off guard by the boy's question, "Me?" I looked around the room. I had been too busy engaging in conversation to think about my current situation, "I'm lost!" I smiled cheerily, "I just came from an appointment. I was getting antibiotics for my urinary tract infection." I smiled, "It's pretty much gone now, it really hurt to pee!"

Before I could go into detail a pillow was thrown at me, "Shut the fuck up! I don't care about your damn UTI!" Another loud huff and he turned over, lying on his pillow less mattress, curled up away from me, "How old are you anyway? Those things are for old men."

I laughed, "Well it looks like I'm old enough! The nurse did say it was rare for my age... But there was really no doubt about it! It was my urinary tract!" I grinned, now sitting on the end of his bed, "Did you know, that they only happen to around 3 in 100 men over the age of 60? That's three percent! The nurse told me that today when I asked. She was really nice, she's getting married next month, her ring was gorgeous!" As much I wanted to carry on I was interrupted,

"Do you ever shut up!? I don't care!" The boy... I think he was no more than a boy, maybe 17, pulled his blankets right over the top of his head and let silence reign again.

I looked to the pillow in my lap, he never took it back after throwing it at me...

"Would you like a pillow there?"

There was a long pause and then some shuffling and I smiled when I saw an arm pop out from under the duvet, "Give it." He said sharply. I placed it in his open hand and couldn't suppress a chuckle as it was pulled in and disappeared back under with the hand.

There was more silence, but this one was more comfortable. I didn't really like silences, but I'm not sure... Something told me that this guy wasn't a fan of too much talking.

I watched the lump under the covers intently, I wondered if he was getting a little warm in there...

Eventually, before I could get too tempted, he broke the silence, "Why are you still sitting there?"

I frowned. I supposed I really didn't have any particular reason to... "You seem nice." Is what I came out with.

"Ha. That's bad news." He retorted.

I placed my hands on my knees and leaned forward quizzically, "You're acting pretty angry."

Obviously my statement seemed to inspire something because the lump of blankets shifted and the human in them emerged, his hair even more tousled. Like, impossibly tousled. I could feel him glaring over at me,

"Uh huh, no kidding. You would be mad too if you were stuck in here all the time!" He grabbed a half glass of water from the stand and downed any remaining water in a big gulp, "It sucks."

I winced at how cold he sounded... Not that I really thought anyone would like staying here, but he seemed to aggressively hate the place, "When do you get out?" Come to think of it there seemed to be nothing wrong with him... Maybe he was getting out soon, that'd be good.

He looked at the floor and scowled, "When I die."

My eyes widened, shocked by his harshness, "Hey now! That's not a fun thing to say!" I tried to reconcile, "It might seem that way, but you'll be out before long!" I wanted to reach out and give him a friendly touch, but worried he wouldn't like that.

"It's true." He spoke so bitterly that I wasn't sure whether he was actually exaggerating or not, "And I hate every second of it."

I attempted to lighten the mood, "Even now you have me to chat to? Oh!" I suddenly felt a kick at my leg,

"Yes!" He cried out, "Stupid!"

I laughed loudly rubbing what would surely become a big bruise, "I'm sorry..." I looked at him, I could still barely make out his face but I felt like everything about his character was enough to remember, from the presence he had to the way he held himself, "What would make you smile?"

"What?" He asked in a flat disapproving tone.

I inched closer, a smile on my face, "What makes you smile? Tell me something!"

"This sounds fucking gay." He was suspicious.

I just laughed and shrugged, "Just one thing! It can be something tiny. Like a cactus!"

I could feel him wrinkling his nose, "A cactus? What the hell?"

I gave a sigh, "Anything!"

There was a pause, but I didn't push it because he was thinking now. I was getting excited...

"Fine." He smirked in the dark and sat up straighter, "A big black coffee. Not the shit they give us here, but something quality. Real quality. And hot."

I nodded slowly at the request, "Then how about I come see you tomorrow morning with a big black coffee for you?"

The boy snorted, "Why the hell would you do that?"

"To make you smile..." I reached out to put a hand on his shoulder but stopped when he flinched at the even raising or my hand, "It's not troublesome! So why not?"

He just grumbled to himself, I couldn't understand why...

"Unless you want something different?" Maybe he lied because he didn't get that I was going to take him what he wanted.

"I don't care!" His reply was quick and defensive... Maybe just getting a coffee was best after all, it was easy too!

"Well..." I rubbed my hands together, "What's your name?"

They guy suddenly looked up at me, "Why the hell do you wanna know?!"

"Well," I explained, "I need it to order the coffee for you..."

I could sense his eyes narrowing in the dark, "Don't try to fool me..." He hissed before suddenly raising his voice, "Hey you pervert! I don't need to tell you! It's not like I'm picking up my own damn coffee, use your own name!"

I frowned. Goodness, I had never seen someone so violently oppose being asked their name, "I thought you might like your own name on the cup..." If someone was doing this for me, that's what I'd appreciate.

"Tch. Why am I even allowing you to come back and see me again? Jeeze...

...

...It's Lovino."

I blinked, I hadn't really expected him to continue, "Huh?"

He made a frustrated sound, "That's my name you idiot! Listen a little! It's Lovino, now don't go spreading it! What the hell is your name anyway? Do you think you can just take my name and get away with not telling me yours? Ha!"

I so busy taking all that speech in that it took me a while to realise that there was actually a question in there, "M-Me?" I caught on startled, "Oh my name is Antonio!"

I expected another barrage of talking but instead there was nothing.

That was until he finally asked in an uncharacteristically soft voice, "Oh... European, huh?"

I nodded, even in the dark, "Si. Spanish." I replied, "Are you Italian?" The name Lovino sounded Italian.

"Si. Definitely." He answered firmly, "Well good. I don't know many European guys around here except my family and some gut my brother knows." I could tell he was looking at me for once, "Good job."

"Um, y-yes... Thank you..." I faltered, not sure if that was really something I could claim credit for...

"Yeah, whatever!" His fire was straight back, and with a vengeance, "Now get lost! I kinda wanna do some fucking sleeping here!"

I laughed. Lovino certainly was an interesting character. I sort of liked him. But really, he was right. It was late...

So I stood up, "I'll see you tomorrow!" I reminded him chirpily, "With your coffee!" He just rolled back into the covers, I only got some grunts in return. I decided then to just leave him, let him rest up and give him some peace and space.

Now I just had to find my way out of this very interestingly designed hospital...

.oO0Oo.

I made sure that I kept my promise to Lovino. Fortunately it was even my day off work! I ran a small cafe but even though it wasn't big or world famous, it did get pretty busy, and being the boss I couldn't take much time away from it. Luckily I had the slow days and what days of the week they were all figured out, so I just made the slow days the closed days and shut up the place to get some sleep!

But today I got up early. Monday was my first day off in the week, no one goes to cafes on Mondays, and this was usually the day I slept until the afternoon in. Yet today, I rose at nine, my mind was set of my errand.

Truth be told, in the time since I last saw him, though there hadn't been much of it, I had been thinking a lot of Lovino and just about how miserable he sounded. It was a shame for anyone to be so negative! So really the least I could do to help him cheer up was bring him a coffee if he wanted one, right?

It was funny, I had actually been pretty worried about finding Lovino's room after my scare the night before. Even after leaving Lovino's I had taken another ten minutes to finally find the exit... I had wondered if I'd ever get out!

But something must have gotten me to become much more aware of where I had been going that night trying to find the hospital front door because as I stepped back inside I had some sort of idea of what the right direction might be! I got excited as I thought that I could even make it to him before visiting hours ended three hours later!

There was great relief as I took the elevator up and saw a place I recognised when I got off- I had been concerned that even with Starbucks being just around the corner from the hospital that the coffee would have been cold by the time Lovino got it.

I knocked once on the heavy wood of the thick door, but it was already agar. I could see him on the bed, on top of the duvet sprawled out like this was his own bed. He was so used to it. Did he already have some visitors?

"Lovino?" I called out as a greeting, surely enough, there was just him in the room, no other visitors. But the TV was on this time and the kid looked totally engrossed in it.

I smiled as I peeked at the screen. There were two brightly coloured cartoon characters engaged in some epic battle, "Wow!" My smile grew as I watched a little, "What's this? It looks exciting!"

He shot a look at me, "Hey!" I had never seen anyone grab a remote and turn off a TV so fast. It was impressive!

"What the hell do you think you're doing coming in like that!?" He started, "You can't just wander in to peoples damn hospital rooms you-" He stopped suddenly and stared at me, I felt the scrutiny of his eyes... I laughed a little awkwardly to get rid of the tension.

"Wait." He spoke again, a little calmer now, "Are you Antonio?"

It took me a moment but it finally hit me that Lovino had no idea if I was the guy he spoke to! He hadn't a clue as to what I was supposed to look like! I wonder if this is what he expected...

"That's right!" I quickly told him to prevent him getting even more confused and sat down where I was the night before, "Sorry I scared you!"

He definitely didn't have the look I expected... I mean, with the way he had been talking I had started to expect some broody dark guy, with pale skin, piercing cold eyes, dark hair and everything! But he was the opposite! He looked young, I had imagined that, but he had tanned olive skin, incredibly smooth and flawless and an almost effeminate figure, with long slender legs, defined hips nipping in for a narrow waist. He looked angry right then, he had full cheeks that had gone a little red and his small mouth which had become a pout. He had big eyes with great long lashes and his hair was a glossy auburn, even though it was ruffled up wildly and one kink of it was sticking up completely. What a fascinating contrast to my imagination!

"You actually showed up." He gave one of those famous huffs and pushed his hair back from his face with a small hand.

"Of course!" I don't know what he had expected as I held out the black coffee, especially for him, right under his slightly turned up nose.

"Give me that!" He snapped as if I hadn't been dangling it in front of his face and took it.

He took a long sip, closing his eyes and arcing his back like a black coffee was giving him intense pleasure... I suppose after only having the stuff in here I would act a little like that too.

After that long sip which probably barely scratched the surface of the gigantic venti sized cups Starbucks offered he wiped his mouth with the back of his palm and put it down.

I looked between him and the set aside cup a few times... Hm. He didn't seem as overjoyed as I maybe hoped he would.

"Do you like it?" I ventured, "Are you smiling now?"

He glared with his eyes straight ahead and pulled his knees to his chest. He wasn't really dressed like I expected either... He had a bright yellow oversized t-shirt that was made of a really soft material and was obviously worn a lot, and a pair of bright purple pyjama shorts. I gotta say, the outfit was quite different to his personality, but still suited how he looked. He looked so innocent.

I sighed as he absently took another slurp of his coffee, "You don't really seem that happy..." I could feel a little concern... This is what he did ask for, was there really nothing to satisfy this kid?

He blinked a few times, not answering before taking a breath and slowly replying, "It's pretty fucking hard to be Mr. Goddamn Smiles like you are when you get stuck in here."

I sucked in my cheeks, my brow knitted with sympathy. Poor Lovino... I just wanted him to feel somewhat better.

I considered anything that might make a hospital stay seem brighter, "Don't you get any visitors?" I tried. Maybe there weren't any in here right now, but I had only seen Lovino twice, and the first time I wasn't even, meant to be in there!

He snorted and laughed loudly but ironically, "Ahaha! Do you think I would be making conversation with a jackass creep like you if I had a lot of visitors?!" He smirked.

I looked a little sad for him, "No family?" Somehow I doubted that this boy had absolutely nobody, that didn't seem to fit in with any aspect to him... Except perhaps the negativity...

He shrugged, pursing his lips, "I guess they try. But quit judging them! They're busy okay!? They actually work you know. They show up every two weeks."

I almost stood up in fright, "Two weeks!? Lovino, how much do these guys work?!" I couldn't believe that they could only find time to visit a loved one every two weeks...

He rolled his eyes at my shock, "Yeah well grandpa never got us any fucking health insurance until it was too damn late, and the only one who can help him pay for some shitty doctor to do fuck all is my brother... So go figure!" He was scowling as he picked at a graze on his knee.

"That's still..." I began. If my mother, heaven forbid, was ill or something I could never cope with only a visit each two weeks. But I guess I didn't really know what Lovino's situation was... So I decided to ask before getting too amazed at the lack of contact Lovino and his family got, "Why are you in here?"

He turned to me looking totally exasperated, "Becuase I'm sick, dumbass! Do you even know what a hospital is for, duckweed?! Sick people!"

I looked at him as he flew off the handle again with wide eyes before starting to laugh loudly. 'Dickweed'! Gosh, he was so violent! "No, no... Oh Lovi..." I tried again, "I'm asking what sickness you have."

He clicked his tongue in irritation, "Don't fucking shorten my name like you know me. Besides, I told you last night, so you wouldn't have to waste air if you do some damn listening- I'm dying."

The laughter stopped. It stopped right there. "W-What?"

"I'm dying." He repeated louder as if it was just the case that I had misheard, "I have brain tumour and your yaking probably isn't helping! Do you even have any idea where you are? This is the ward for the terminally ill."

I had no idea what ward I was in. I hadn't been paying attention in the slightest bit. My lips were parted as I felt like someone had hit me in the stomach. I hadn't expected this, "Oh my..."

"Yeah." He was sharp, "I only have 6 months left, which is around 15552000 minutes, two of which I just wasted explaining this shit to you because you don't have a fucking attention span, so you better be satisfied! Com-prend-e?"

I didn't know what to say... This couldn't be right, not when Lovino seemed so... Full of life! It just felt impossible that he might- or rather- he would be so sick and have his life ending before he even got to explore it...

'I'll get out of here when I'm dead' is what he told me last night. I hadn't thought much of it, passed it off as him being cynical then.

Ah. So he meant it.