Again
It was cold and dark in the small space where Antonio was huddled, not the faintest rays of light finding themselves able to penetrate the solid walls surrounding him from all sides, sheltering him from the memories that lay outside.
Antonio was ashamed to admit it out loud, but this was where he had been hiding ever since Lovino had left him several hours ago. Deep down, he knew it was pathetic, that, as a nation, he should be able to stand up tall and dignified when Lovino walked out his door that morning with his bag slung over his shoulder and a definite set to his shoulders that spoke volumes of what was occurring. He knew that, not only as a nation but as a man, he shouldn't be reduced to a quivering mess so easily.
But…
Antonio never thought being alone could hurt so much.
Taking in a deep breath he scooted further into the secluded corner, the light material off his shirt riding up his back as the cool wood pressed against his tanned skin. Perhaps it was sad, but with nothing for him out there, he was willing to spend the whole day cooped up where nobody would ever find him, free to mope in his misery.
His long, slender fingers tightened around the vibrant yellow clothe held loosely in his hands, snuggling closer to the warm material, remembering the vivaciousness of its owner. The way the vibrant sheen had blended in so wonderfully with hazel eyes, the way it highlighted the sunny streaks in auburn hair, the way it rested so snuggly upon perfect, golden flesh…
Antonio took in a deep breath and pulled the shirt closer to his face, revealing in the soft sheen as the cloth slid gently against his cheek, the man revealing in the all-to familiar scent of tomatoes and spice that had always accompanied his beloved wherever he went.
Yes, his Lovi…
Nobody was going to take away his Lovi from him…
The bastard was going to pay. Even if Antonio had to sacrifice ever little tomato upon the planet, he'd get that bastard who had felt it right to tear Lovino and himself apart. The scene of his blood would be… would be…
Incomparable to the delicious fragrant that he continued to breath in as if was vital to his very living, but he'd venture to say a dam close second.
A soft smile spread across his lips; the first to appear since the undesirable events of the morning which had seen him isolate himself within the wooden confines that surrounded him.
Antonio allowed his eyelid to drift closed as he focused on inhaling the spicy scent, pressing the fabric close into his face as he basked in the fond memories the garment aroused within his mind.
Somewhere far off in the distance, the Spanish man thought he might have heard the sound of a car engine coming to a stop, but he was too absorbed to care. To absorbed, in fact, to notice the sound of the house door opening, or the sound of footsteps echoing down the hall…
Suddenly there was a loud creak that he did hear and Antonio was thrown into the sharp relief of light. Olive eyes snapping open he peered owlishly up at the unamused face before him as Lovino took in his crouched figure deeply sniffing one of his shirts at the back of the bedroom closet.
It was silent for a moment.
"Welcome back Lovi. How was work? Why did your boss ring you to come in so early this morning?"
Antonio's voice was muffled by the fabric that was still pressed closely against his face, doing nothing to further improve the situation.
Lovino's face remained decidedly blank as he slowly took a step back and slid the door shut, locking away as he did so the sight of his boyfriend greeting him from the usual greeting place.
Lovino thought he might begin investing in locks. And maybe some therapy.
For which one of them, he wasn't quite sure.