Hello there reader~! Yamiyodarknight and ItalianCrybaby are back again with a new dragon story. This story is a companion story to our other story Scálaí Drágon. You don't have to read that story to understand this one. But if you haven't read it yet and are planning to, then I suggest you read it first since there will be some spoilers of it in this one.

YamiyoDarknight: Lovino, Feliciano, Folkert

ItalianCrybaby: Antonio, Ludwig, Romulus, Francis

Neither if us own Hetalia. (oh dear god I wish we did though!)

It was too damned early for a summoning. They should've waited a few more hours for when the daylight was strong; for everyone to be fully awake. But no. They were summoning everyone that they possibly could, or so it seemed to Lovino. He was summoned by a smaller, younger dragon; told that he was being ordered to meet with the Elders.

Normally, a meeting would be made during the late afternoon or evening, when their kin was readily available, unless it was an emergency, in which case they would be summoned as soon as the crisis was identified.

So down the rocky tunnel Lovino went, ignoring the stares he was getting. Why was everyone being so freakishly weird?! He hated the blatant and almost disdainful looks he was getting. What the hell was everyone's problem?

As he entered the room with the rest of the supposedly-summoned dragons, Lovino eyed each individual warily. There weren't many in there.

What was going on?

"Lovino, nipote mio." A the gold dragon Elder, Romulus, called to Lovino. "We've been waiting for you." Romulus smiled brightly. He looked excited to share whatever news it was that they had summoned everyone there for.

Lovino frowned, immediately becoming more tense and on edge. He was never spoken to like that. It was his brother that was so coddled and loved. Not him. "Waiting for me?" He echoed, trying to hide the distrust in his voice. "What could you possible want with me?"

"Folkert and I have some very good news to share with you and Ludwig." Romulus answered his grandson.

Ludwig was standing before the two Elders in his human form. He looked just as serious as ever. Standing erect with his arms firmly at his side. The dragon looked more like he was being called to a military meeting rather than an ordinary summoning.

Lovino scowled. He hated that dragon. Ludwig, as proper and mindful as he was, just always seemed to have a way of irking him. Even the way he stood irked him. It's not a war meeting, lighten up asshole! He wanted to shout.

He glanced at Romulus again, forcing his green eyes away from the other. "What news?" Why should I care?

Folkert joined in, addressing both of the young males. "As both of you know, Romulus and I have reigned as Elders for a long time..."

Lovino did not like where this was going.

"We are getting old, too old to continue as the leaders of our kin."

Nope. He didn't want to hear it.

"Therefore, Romulus and I have decided-"

Don't say it. Don't fucking say it!

"-that we have elected you as the heirs to our position."

Fuck.

Ludwig eyes widened slightly upon hearing the news, but he didn't look too surprised. He probably new he would be chosen over his brother to take their grandfather's position although he didn't expect it to be announced so soon.

Romulus continued to smile and added, "Folkert and I have put a lot of thought into this decision. We thought you two would be best suited for this position. We think you boys will do great things for the Windsong Tribe. Although, there is one thing that we wish to change upon your rise in power."

Romulus' face became more serious and his tone changed slightly. "More and more of our kind are being killed by the humans. We feel that this has happened because there is not much unity in our Tribe and dragons will often go off on their own." He spoke gravely. "We want you boys to encourage our people to be more unified. To do that, we were hoping that you both could be a sort of… symbol of unity to the others."

"S-symbol of unity...?" Lovino growled. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? I don't think any of them are going to want to listen to me. And why didn't you pick Feliciano like you always do, huh? I thought he was your favorite!" He crossed his arms and glared at Romulus. "Everyone else loves him too! So why me?! I don't want to be stuck with that damned potato muncher anyways!"

"Silence, Lovino!" Romulus growled sternly. He gave his grandson a harsh look to quiet his fussing. "I chose you, because I feel that leading the tribe is something you would do better. Feliciano is far too childish to take on this role… as for being a 'Symbol of Unity' we mean that we wish for you and Ludwig to have a strong partnership during your reign. To do that, Folkert and I have arranged a wedding to bind you two together."

He started to respond to how he felt his brother would still be better but then went white as bone. "MARRIAGE?!" He shrieked, desperately wishing he'd heard wrongly. "I am NOT marrying HIM!"

Ludwig, who was always respectful of the Elder's decisions, also became very troubled. "Grandfather, do you really think that marriage is something that Lovino and I must go through? You and Romulus never wed and it has never hindered your rule."

"I understand your concern and confusion, Ludwig. However, as Romulus has already stated, we need the next two elders to be a symbol of unity." Folkert explained, ignoring Lovino's seething glares. "When two leaders are united, they are more trusted because they have more stability. One supports the other; there is no weakness. That is why we want it that way."

Ludwig still looked uncomfortable with the idea but he tried not to let it show. "I-I see… if you and Romulus feel that this is what's best for the tribe then I will be happy to marry Lovino." But the look on Ludwig's face revealed that he was far from being "happy" to be put in an arranged marriage with the other dragon.

Lovino trembled with anger. Everyone else was fine with this but he sure as hell was not. "No. No! I am not getting married to that potato-brained reptile right there!" He shouted furiously. "You are not deciding who I'm going to be with! Especially when you're sticking me with someone like him!"

"That is enough, Lovino!" Romulus thundered. He stood straighter to tower over his grandson. Puffs of smoke came forth from the dragons snout as he looked angrily at Lovino. "Ludwig has accepted his fate willingly. Why can't you?! You must stop being selfish and do what is right for the Windsong Tribe!"

"I'm not being selfish! You are! You're the one making choices for how I'm going to live! You're not even giving me a choice!" Lovino snapped back, hands curling into fists. "Do you even know how that makes me feel?" He bit his lip, forcing back the tears stinging his eyes. "I-I don't want a life that's going to be decided for me!"

"When it comes to the good of our tribe, we must make sacrifices." Romulus snapped. He felt terrible for having to yell at his grandson like this, but he was concerned for the future of his tribe. He had to make Lovino understand that this is what was best for everyone.

Romulus' expression turned softer when he saw tears brim his grandson's eyes. "I know that this is not a path that you would have chosen for yourself, but in time you will understand that this is what needs to be done."

"You really think I'm going to understand your bullshit?! No! You don't even know what you're doing to me!" Lovino shouted. "You say it's for the good of everyone but who wants a leader who doesn't even want to be leader?!"

"How do you know you do not want to be one if you don't even give the idea a chance?" Romulus inquired looking frustrated. "I am done arguing with you. Leave our presence until you have put some more thought into the matter."

"I don't need to think that hard about this! I don't want to marry him! I don't want you deciding my life for me!" The young dragon retorted sharply, eyes blazing. "If you're not going to listen to me, then I'm not staying here any longer!"

Without waiting for a response, he bolted out of the room as fast as he could.

Romulus gave a heavy sigh as he watched Lovino dash out of the meeting hall. He hoped that he had handled this situation the best way possible… and that his grandson wouldn't do anything drastic.

Lovino stood at the entrance of the cave staring over the edge of the cave's edge. He had to leave. He had to get away from it all. If they weren't going to listen-

"Fratello?"

Lovino flinched and slowly turned around to see his younger twin standing behind him with a very concerned look on his face. "What do you want Feliciano?"

"What're you standing there for?" Feliciano asked, walking up to his brother.

Lovino grit his teeth and looked back out. "I'm leaving," he mumbled.

"Oh, are you gonna go hunting?" The smaller dragon chirped. "Can I go?"

"No stupid! I'm not hunting! I'm leaving! For good!" Lovino snapped, immediately recoiling when he saw how sad Feliciano looked. "Look...it's just...I can't deal with some things right now. I'm going to leave. Don't tell anyone okay?"

Feliciano frowned.

"Okay?!"

"O-okay..."

And with that Lovino shifted to his dragon form and leapt into the air, earthen scales glimmering.

The sun hung high in the sky, shining brightly over the land beneath it. Antonio was pleased to see such good weather. Hopefully, it would stay like this. Last week, there had been a bad thunderstorm that wiped out over half of his crop… which was his only source if income.

But! Antonio wasn't going to let this small misfortune damper his spirits. He still had plants that were producing many ripe and beautiful tomatoes; and that's all that really mattered. Besides, he found it relaxing to work in his garden. It was much more relaxing to be outside than it was to stay in his beat up little shack.

Antonio continued to work happily in his garden until he heard someone approach him from behind.

"Dear god, mon ami. What happened to your garden?!"

Antonio turned around to find his friend Francis looking disdainfully at his plot of ground.

"Hey Francis!" Antonio smiled at his friend.

Francis, who was a knight, was dressed in his armor. This was most likely because he was making his rounds around the Village.

"Some of my tomato plants got wiped out by the storm from last week." Antonio explained. "It only took a little over half of them though."

"… But you didn't have very many to begin with." Francis grimaced.

"I know, but I can grow more." Antonio laughed while the knight just shook his head at the optimistic villager. "So what brings you over to this side of the Kingdom, Francis?"

"Just making my rounds to see if anyone needs my help."
Francis replied simply.

"Really? Where's Arthur?" Antonio inquired. Arthur was another knight that Antonio never cared for. "Not that I'm complaining or anything. I'd much rather you be here than that guy… but I thought he managed this area."

An annoyed look flashed across Francis' eyes. "I'm not sure where Arthur has been running off to. He's been acting very odd lately and skipping his duties."

"Arthur?! Arthur 'Stick-Up-His-Ass' Kirkland is skipping his duties?!" Antonio asked wide eyed. "The world must be coming to an end!" Antonio chuckled at the thought of someone as uptight as Arthur neglecting his duties.

"I know. Quite shocking, is it not?" Francis laughed with his friend.

The knight looked around at Antonio's pitiful garden and small rundown home. He frowned slightly and addressed his friend. "Antonio… have you ever thought of reconsidering becoming a knight?"

Antonio's smile became strained. This was not a topic he liked to talk about. "I've already told you and my family dozens of times. I don't want to be a knight."

"But, mon ami, think of all the benefits you would receive if you became a knight." Francis urged. "You would live in a better home, you wouldn't be struggling to maintain a life for yourself, and (more importantly) your family will accept you into their lives again."

"And then I would have to kill dragons." Antonio added bitterly. "I don't want to do stuff like that. It's my parents own fault for not accepting the fact that I don't want to do that. I don't care that they kicked me out. I'm much better off without them."

"Yes, I can see how well you're doing without them." Francis replied sarcastically. "I don't get what your fascination with those creatures are… Maybe one day you'll come to realize what terrible monsters they are."

Antonio just shook his head at the knight and retuned to tending his garden before replying, "Maybe one day you'll come to realize that they're not as bad as you've made them out to be."

He was tired. He felt like he'd been flying for days, but in reality it had only been for maybe 6 hours. Not a short time, but not what he was expecting. He had to stop soon, it was getting dark and cold.

Dragons didn't do too well in the cold. They couldn't use their fire as well since that warmth was used to keep them alive if it were too cold.

He heaved a sigh and lowered to the ground. The trees were clearing up and he started to see human homes in the distance. He couldn't go any farther without putting himself in danger.

Trying to be as quiet as he could, he forced himself to land and the collapsed, shifting back to his human form. He was tired. So tired. He curled up under a gathering of plants and fell asleep to the sounds of their whispering.

Antonio set a small basket of tomatoes on his table. Francis had left hours ago and the sun was setting.

Antonio hated this part of the day. When the sun was up, he could go outside and drink in its warm rays, but now chill night air was coming and his shack didn't hold much heat. Nights like this made him miss the warmth of his old home before his parents kicked him out… but it was better to be independent and cold than be warm and miserable with his family.

His family was very rich and well known throughout the Kingdom. His father and mother were the Duke and Duchess of Hetalia and donated great sums of money to help the King's knights.

His parents made sure Antonio had the best education and training to become a knight and bring honor to their family. When Antonio told his parents he had no desire to become a knight they became very upset with him saying he was ruining the family's reputation and threw him out into the streets.

Antonio shivered, although he couldn't tell if it was because of the hurtful memory or the cold air… perhaps it was a bit of both. Either way, he had to get a fire started.

The poor villager went outside to collect some fire wood, but groaned when he realized he forgot to cut some that day… he had been too busy trying to save his tomatoes. He realized that twigs from the forest would have to do for the night.

He set off and began collecting as many sticks as he could find. These would make a very pitiful fire but it would be a fire nonetheless. It was getting harder to see in the twilight and Antonio was searching almost blindly on the ground for a few more sticks. He felt around and jumped when he touched an icy cold hand.

"Mierda!" Antonio yelped in fright. He scurried back; fearing that he had found a dead body. He tried adjusting his eyes in the dim light to look at the figure before him.

It was a young boy, most likely in his late teens, and he was curled up under some foliage. Upon further inspection, he noticed the boy was breathing, but only barely.

'He must be freezing to death out here.' Antonio thought worriedly to himself. 'I can't let him stay out here to die.' As quickly as he could, Antonio scooped the boy in his arms and brought him back to his small shack.

Lovino woke up the next morning wondering why he felt so warm. He sat up slowly, groaning at his aching limbs, rubbing his eyes. "Ugh...where...?" He looked around and down at the bed he was in. He was silent before jumping up with a shriek of surprise. "Where the hell am I?!"

He stumbled away from the bed and forced himself to start thinking about what he still remembered. He remembered the proposal, fight, and him running away. He remembered stopping under a bunch of plants but not falling asleep in a bed. Why was he here?

Antonio awoke with a start when he heard the distressed voice. He fell clumsily off the wooden chair he had been sleeping on and landed with a loud thump on the floor.

He winced at the aches he felt from sleeping so uncomfortably, but smiled when he saw his visitor was up.

"Oh, good you're awake!" Antonio beamed.

Lovino whirled around to face the other person in the room, completely startled. "Who the fuck are you?! Where am I and why am I here?!" He backed away cautiously. "You're not some kind of pervert are you? Oh my god, if you touched me while I was asleep I'll fucking kill you!"

Antonio laughed as he stood up. "I'm not a pervert, silly! I found you in the woods. You know it's not good to sleep outdoors in such cold weather. You were freezing cold so I brought you here!"

Lovino paused and frowned, eyes darkening. He'd almost gotten himself killed due to how unprepared he was. "And you'd just bring any stranger into your house?" He glared suddenly. "Are you stupid or something?! What if I were a murderer or something?! I could have killed you right now and you wouldn't have even known it!"

Antonio raised an amused eyebrow at the boy. "Well, you looked pretty weak at the time and I didn't see you carrying any weapons so I knew you weren't a murderer." He laughed. "And no offense, but I'm bigger than you. So I could definitely defend myself if I needed to."

Lovino smirked. Stupid human didn't realize who he was dealing with. Wait... Human?!

He paled drastically and bolted past Antonio to the door. He was not staying with a human! Unfortunately, his legs did not want to cooperate and locked, amusing him to fall to his knees with a squeak.

"Are you ok?!" Antonio's smile dropped immediately when he saw his visitor fall to the floor. He quickly approached the boy and helped him up. "You really shouldn't try to move around so fast. You need to give yourself time to regain your strength."

"Don't touch me!" Lovino growled, smacking Antonio's hands away in a panic. "I'm not trusting you at all! Ever! And if you're a knight then I'm definitely not trusting you! Get the hell away from me, bastard!" He forced himself to stand straight so he didn't look so weak. "And don't tell me what to do! I haven't survived this long to be told off by some fucking moron like you!"

Antonio looked at the boy with a hurt expression. He had just helped this boy, so why didn't he trust him?

"I-I'm not a knight." Antonio replied with slumped shoulders making him looked like a kicked puppy. "I don't like what those people do. And I didn't mean to hurt or offend you. I just wanted to help you."

Lovino stared at the man in front do him with a mixed expression of bewilderment and regret. "Y-you're not a knight?" He finally asked.

"O-of course not!" Antonio answered. He don't know why this person didn't like knights but he wan determined to convince him that he never wanted to be a knight. "Knights hurt dragons and I don't want to do that… Besides, if I was really a knight do you think I would be living in a run down place like this?" He motioned to the small living area they were in.

Lovino agreed that the space was small considering a knight was well-treated and admired. But it was the first comments that surprised him the most. All humans hated dragons! That's what they all had been taught and knew. They were cruel and loved to hunt dragons down as a sport.

"Why don't you want to hurt dragons?" He asked, sincerely wanting to know the reason.

"I have my reasons." Antonio blushed. He never told anyone his reasons for not wanting to hunt dragons. He knew if he ever told anyone the reason why then they would think he was weird or crazy. He decided to quickly change the subject. "I never asked you what your name is. Mine is Antonio."

"Humph! Don't go changing topics on me bastard! I asked for a reason!" The dragon complained with a scowl. "You can call me Lovino, bastard, but don't go thinking that we're buddies now or anything just cuz you happened to save me."

Antonio laughed. "Ok, Lovi~. It's nice to meet you… But I'm still not going to tell you my reason just because you asked me. I still have to get to know you better if I want to tell you any of my secrets."

"Who the fuck is Lovi?!" The dragon did my like that stupid sounding version if his name. "Don't butcher my wonderful name like that! I'm not a kid! I'm a lot older than someone like you!" He froze and clamped his mouth shut and huffed, crossing his arms. "I'm not getting to know someone like you anyways! I don't care if you won't tell me. I'm leaving anyways."

"You can't go!" Antonio gasped. He hurried forward to place a hand on Lovino's arm and led him to the bed. This boy wasn't well, especially if he is talking strangely about age differences. Antonio knew he must have been at least five years older than the boy! "You're still not well enough to go out on your own. You should rest… oh and I have some tomato soup you can eat! People are supposed to have soup when they're sick."

"No! I said I'm not staying!" Lovino protested heatedly. "I don't wanna stay! Stop treating me like a damned child, you fucking moron! Listen to me would you?!" He struggled against the taller male's hold. He failed and reluctantly sat on the bed, scowling darkly. "And what's a tomato?"

Antonio gasped dramatically and almost looked offended by the idea of someone not knowing what a tomato was. "You don't know what a tomato is?! You poor thing! You musttry my tomatoes. I grow the best in the whole Kingdom!"

Antonio pulled the protesting boy to sit at the table and quickly served him a bowl of tomato soup. "Here you go… sorry it's kinda cold though. I haven't been able to make a decent fire in a while."

Lovino glanced at the bowl of the reddish sludge looking stuff and raised an unimpressed brow. "This is a tomato? It looks like bloodied mud water." He took a sip and nearly gagged. The cold temperature did nothing for it. Maybe if it was heated. "Oy, bastard. Get me some water. I can't believe you think this would be good so cold." It was merely a distraction that he was using so that he could heat the soup while the other wasn't looking.

"Ok~!" Antonio turned to get water for Lovino.

As soon as Antonio had his back turned, the dragon blew on the soup, effectively heating it up. He took another tentative sip and found it much more to his liking.

"And that's not really a tomato." Antonio explained while he poured a cup of water for Lovino. "Tomato is actually a fruit. (Don't let anyone try to convince you that it's a vegetable because its not!) But the soup is made from tomatoes."

Antonio turned back to face Lovino as he placed the cup in front of him. He stilled when he noticed the liquid was now steaming from the boys bowl. "H-how did you do that?!" Antonio asked in bewilderment. "Are you a wizard?!"

"Hmph." Was all Antonio got in reply to the explanation. Lovino was too focused on guzzling the soup like he hadn't eaten in days. He almost spit it all back out when Antonio asked him how he'd heated the soup. Why did he keep forgetting he was in the presence of a human?!

"I'm not a fucking magician, asshole!" Lovino snapped, bristling. "It's like a type of magic, yes, but I'm not a magician! Don't be stupid." He set the now-empty bowl on his lap, licking any remainder of the liquid off his lips. "It tastes better heated by the way. Why are you having such trouble with getting fires started anyways? It's not hard."

Antonio's expression turned bashful again at Lovino's question. "I haven't had much time to chop firewood. The storm from last week ruined my plants, so I've been busy trying to fix them. Selling tomatoes is the only way I can make money."

Lovino frowned and sighed. "Look, you helped me out (even when I didn't want to be) and fed me. I don't like being in debt to other people so I'll help you chop some firewood. Or something..."

"Y-you want to help me?" Antonio asked with wide eyes. No one ever helped him.

"D-don't think it's cuz I like you or anything stupid like that!" Lovino snapped, face flushing red. "I just don't like being in debt with anyone!"

Antonio grinned widely. He had never felt this happy before. Someone was actually willing to help him!

"So cuute~!" He couldn't help but squeal when he saw the adorable blush on Lovino's face. He was immediately at the boy's side and pulling him into a great hug. "Thank you soo much! I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you want to help me!"

"Hey! What did I say about touching me?!" Lovino squirmed his way out of the hold and brushed himself off. "Don't get all touchy! It's creepy as fuck!" He huffed and crossed his arms and smirked. "And I'm not cute! I'm gorgeous. So get it right!"

"Lo siento. My mistake." Antonio backed away with hands raised, although he couldn't wipe the smile from his face. "But you are cute…"

The smirk faded and Lovino growled. "I said I'm not cute! So stop fucking calling me that! Do I need to beat it into that pea-sized brain of yours?"

"You could beat me all you want, but it won't change the fact that your adorable." Antonio wouldn't back down.

Lovino's face flushed a deep indignant red and he grabbed the bowl from his lap, ready to chuck it at the man. "You really have a death wish don't you? You want this buried in your skull? Cuz I can make it happen."

Antonio stared at the angry boy for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter. For someone of his size to try to act tough and threatening only made him look cuter! How on earth was he supposed to take him seriously?!

"Wh-what're you laughing at?!" That was not the reaction he'd expected or wanted. He was a powerful dragon! Not a weak child! With a snarl he tackled the man to the floor, slamming Antonio against the ground hard. If he had to use his strength to show he wasn't weak, then he would. "Stop laughing at me! I'm not a child and I demand that you respect me!" He ordered, eyes flashing a dangerous color.

"I'm sorry." Antonio chuckled. "It's just that you didn't look very threatening when you were blushing."

He didn't know why, but he loved seeing Lovino blush. Something about it was so endearing… Antonio wondered if he could make his guest blush again.

Taking note of their possessions, Antonio smiled slyly and said in a teasing voice, "Wow. My guest is so bold~!"

Lovino gaped at the man underneath him. He wasn't afraid? "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He frowned bitterly and got off of Antonio, mumbling something along the lines of "humans are so fucking stupid".

"If you don't plan on being courteous to me, I can just up and leave now. I might be in your debt but I'm not helping someone who treats me like a child," Lovino threatened angrily.

That last remark suddenly made Antonio feel worried. "No, please don't go." He pleaded as he stood. It had been so long since Antonio had felt so much happiness. He couldn't bear to see Lovino go because of his own stupidity. "I didn't mean to treat you like a child. I'll try not to do it again. Just please don't go…"

Raising a brow, the dragon looked at the man with slight surprise. "Why are you so desperate to keep me here anyways? Don't you have friends or family or something?"

Antonio shifted on his feet for a moment and looked down at the floor. "I have friends and family… I just don't ever get to see them."

"Why can't you see them?" Lovino asked, brows furrowing as he noticed the depressed look on Antonio's face.

"… My parents kicked me out." Antonio explained. "I didn't want to be what they wanted me to be, so they got rid of me. And my friends rarely come for a visit."

Lovino felt his heart twinge. So he was alone too. "You didn't want to do what they decided for you so they got mad and forced you to abandon your home..." He mumbled. He was the same, though he had chosen to leave.

"Yeah." Antonio ran his fingers through his hair awkwardly. "They were afraid that I would make them look bad… I guess it was kinda stupid for me to go against their wishes, huh?" He didn't think he was stupid for his choice, but everyone else thought so. Lovino would most likely think so too.

"No... It's not stupid..." Lovino replied softly. "It's not stupid at all." He grit his teeth and became angry again. "It's not like they care about anyone but themselves! You'd think that since you're their kid they'd treat you better an let you make your own decisions but they don't! And when you want to, but it's not what they like, then they get mad at you and make everything your fault! They treat you like some kind of disease they'd...they'd rather just get rid of." He bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears he'd felt rise up. "They don't understand."

He went silent after his rant and lowered his head. He never expected to meet a human that had the same problem he did.

Antonio's heart gave a few swift beats in his chest. "Yeah…" he answered quietly as he stared at Lovino in inescapable captivation. "That's exactly what it's like." Never in his life did he think he would find someone who knew exactly what he was feeling… almost like they had experienced it themselves.

Antonio approached Lovino hesitantly. He cupped the smaller man's face. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!"

He didn't even realize that he was being touched, too preoccupied by his own thoughts.

No, he really wasn't fine. He didn't want to be reminded of everything that had happened. Who knew what rage Romulus had gone into when he left? He didn't want to find out and he certainly had no plans of going back at the moment.

But where could he go?

Lovino obviously wasn't "fine". Antonio knew that by the way his guest was reacting.

He lifted Lovino's head so that he was staring into the others eyes. (He didn't notice what a beautiful hazel color they were.) "Lovino…" Antonio spoke gently. "Do you have a family?"

"Of course I have a family, idiot!" He snapped, though the tone wasn't nearly as vicious as before.

Antonio furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "Where are they? Why were you out in the cold yesterday?"

"I'm not obligated to tell you," Lovino growled, looking away. "You won't tell me anything, like why you don't hate dragons, so why should I tell you?"

Antonio also looked away, hoping that Lovino wouldn't notice the hurtful expression on his face. "I guess you're right." He replied. Although he still wasn't willing to share why he didn't hate dragons, he had still shared with Lovino his painful past with his family.

"Anyways… If you need a place to stay, then you're welcome to stay here as long as you want." Antonio turned his back on Lovino and started walking towards the front door. "I need to go out and work in the garden. You can rest a while longer. You may still need sometime to recover."

Without waiting for a reply, Antonio walked out, leaving Lovino alone in the shack.

We hope you like this story so far. Please leave us a review to let us know what you think.

And be sure to check out Yamiyo's other stories. The link to her fanfiction is on my profile.