Chapter 2.

WARNING, FOUL MOUTH AND PROFANITIES.

Lovino's POV.

I had assumed Antonio would have a big house, but I swear this thing was its own country. Not only did everyone have their own room, there were rooms for the servants and guests. There were also rooms they didn't have anything to do with! The main hall was massive and marble. Mammoth pillars supported the ceiling as if they were holding up the gods. A sea of carpet masked the floor and beautiful paintings heavily decorated the halls, their brushed on smiles greeted the new comers and kept the room under a silent surveillance.

"I thought you guys just moved in!" I whispered to my new 'friend', afraid of disturbing the soundless abode.

"We have a lot of help. MAMA! I'M HOME!" He answered simply before shouting for a woman who I presumed was his mother. Duh. Soon, the clicking of heels pitched through the house and a tall woman appeared from one of the many hallways, holding herself like royalty. Everything about her presence made me feel inferior. She was tall, gorgeous, poised, and everything else a perfect woman ought to be. She proudly walked towards us, either unaware or un-bothered by the obvious admirers. When she stood in front of us, I could study her more clearly.

She had the same kind face as Antonio. They shared the big, green, smiling eyes and the soft brown lips. Though hers were coated thickly with scarlet lipstick. Both of them flashed smiles that could stun an adult grizzly. Both wore chocolate curls on their head though hers were loosely pulled into a bun. Both presented some sort of essence that made you feel completely relaxed. The lady looked to be fairly young while sporting a silky red dress with white polka-dot and a pair of matching ninety degree heels.

She saw the two of us and pulled her lips up into a giggling smile before embracing her son. "Hola! Welcome home, sweet bambino!" Her voice sang to him before looking to me. I froze under her overwhelming gaze, not looking very cool at all.

"Hello to you to! Oh, you must be one of my baby's friends! Look how cute you are! Oh, I could just eat you up, you're so precious!" She cooed to me. It was obvious the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Antonio hugged her back for a moment before prying her off and also looking at me. Oh great, now I'm up against the gaze of two, curious, doe eyed creatures. I might have vomited if it weren't for the fear and pressure racking my entire body.

"Yeah, I met him just a bit ago in the market." I silently thanked him for leaving out the whole police chase incident. Mrs. Carriedo laughed lightly to herself, as if enjoying her own private joke.

"Honey, I believe she's a little girl. Might it be that you were thrown off by the short hair?" she examined me. I did not appreciate that and thought it time I speak up.

"I-I'm a boy!" I chirped, not sounding very confident but this, I was sure of.

"What, seriously? But your facial structure, eye lashes, and body." She inspected me more seriously. It was only because of the fact that she was a woman and I was terrified that I didn't cuss her out. Sure, my weight tends to migrate to my hips and thighs but it's still rude to call someone a girl! I didn't even have tits-

Before I could finish my thought, a cool hand slipped under my shirt and pulled it up. Wait- was she seriously checking for tits!? I heard her and Toni let out soft gasps and I knew why. She was revealing my badly malnourished body. You wouldn't have found a picture of it in the dictionary next to the word, healthy. That was for sure. Pigment lacking skin stretched tightly over my prominent rib cage then caved in were I should have a pouch of pudge. I blushed furiously but before I could wretch my shirt away from her hands, she gently pulled it back over my withering frame and smiled kindly.

"You're right, you're a little boy. I'm sorry." She turned her pitied gaze over to Antonio who understood and returned it.

"Why don't you boys make your selves something to eat. Anything. My home is open to you…" She left a questioning silence, asking me to fill in the blank.

"Lovino." I answered without a fight. I cleared my throat to try to mask the terrified sound.

"Right, Lovino." She gently patted my shoulder with her ever gracious hand. "I have work to do but you boys feel free to wander and play. Antonio, your father won't make it home tonight." Antonio nodded, seeming to know a extra little truth to that before his mother walked off and disappeared.

"Play? I'm not a baby." I corrected stubbornly but stuck to the Spaniard's side as he led us to the kitchen. I didn't like him or anything, it's just that this was a new place and I was a little overwhelmed by the threat of being lost. Plus…it did sort of feel better when I was around him.

The kitchen, as I had expected, was bigger and shinier than anything I had ever seen but I found my attention grabbed by a bowl of fruit on the island counter. My tongue suddenly rushed with warmth as my mouth began to pool with drool. Not that I hadn't seen fruit before but these were like a painting. Firm and soft while juicy and succulent inside. The bright assembly of colors made themselves a feast for my eyes and before I knew it, I was hypnotized by a stupid bowl of fruit. Fruit, seriously!

Apparently, Antonio had realized my predicament and laughed.

"Eat whatever you want Lovi. A lot of the fruit is imported from out of the country so it should all be pretty ripe." Antonio offered. My mouth watered with every word but I wasn't really sure I could. A stranger's food from a stranger's house…but…I was really hungry and they did look really good… Oh, fuck it. Hunger trumps modesty and manner. I practically flung myself at the bowl. Not my proudest moment but Antonio seemed to find it really damn hilarious. I'd have to remind myself to choke him with his own hands later. Nobody laughs at a desperate and pathetic Lovino.

I picked up the bright yellow one on top and cradled it in my cupped hands. I had seen one of these before but I couldn't really put my finger on where. What was its name? It seemed memorable but I just couldn't come up with a name. Not a banana, those are long, this was a little bulb. Not a grapefruit, it was smaller than I remember grapefruits being. Maybe I had seen it growing on a tree, which seemed familiar. I dug a nail into its not-so-protective exterior and ripped it free. It looked like a yellow orange but still, nothing came back to me so I did the only reasonable thing and bit out a chunk…which I instantly regretted.

The betrayal fruit was not as candied and sweet as it looked. Far from it. In fact, the fruit was a hateful orb of sin and bitterness. I swallowed quickly, refusing to sacrifice what was left of my pride by rejecting it from my mouth. I was not some spoiled infant; I could finish what I started. Still, I could feel it burn against my throat.

I was interrupted by heavy laughing, rupturing from Antonio who was once again struggling to not crumple into a ball of hysteria on the ground.

"Why the hell didn't you warn me?!" I hissed, chucking the mauled fruit at him with impressive force. It hit him but did no damage as he tried choking words out through his fit.

"Y-y-you looked…you look at the lemon…l-l-like it was a chunk of gold or something but then you actually ate it and…a-and…BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Your face!" He folded in half and clutched his aching sides. I silently prayed that they would hurt so bad that he'd be permanently crippled. Why did this bastard laugh so damn much!?

"Shut your whore mouth!" I scolded again. The laughing subsided a bit at my command but didn't quite stop.

"Lo siento, Lovi. Don't be mad." His wide smile didn't convince me of his apology but I let it slide. It was a little difficult to stay mad at him. It was like kicking a puppy; it left a tingling in your gut. He reached over and picked up a red-orange fruit.

"This one is a mango; you'll like it more than the lemon. I promise." He handed it to me. I scowled at it skeptically then at his face. He didn't seem to be wearing a liar's face. I only ever get promised stuff like that when people want a good laugh. Note: if it's a bottle in a paper bag, don't drink it. No matter how convincing the salesman seems, don't.

I studied his face again. He didn't look like those boys; he looked like he genuinely wanted to give me something I could enjoy. I felt my heart take a sudden jump. What the fuck was that!? Better not have been a fucking heart attack. I wasn't kicking the bucket just yet, not when things seemed to be going in my favor. I bitterly swiped the fruit from his hand and took a little tester bite.

I was instantly rewarded by an explosion of rich flavor. I slowly chewed it, experimenting with the texture and running the sugary fruit over my tongue. My God, it was really good. I found myself brutally ravishing the remainder of the bulb. I didn't care that its sweet blood was running down my face. I honestly didn't care about much other capturing that sweet tanginess over and over again with each bite. I was in heaven until I realized how hard it was to chew through the core.

Antonio, as if hearing my thoughts, pulled out a knife and chopped thought the hard exterior of another trunk-like, yellow fruit.

"Pineapple." He declared and happily handed me a huge chunk of the fruit. I dug my teeth in again and was again rewarded by a new, spell binding taste. I consumed the entire exotic fruit in seconds before stopping to pant and brace myself on the counter. Food…was God. I reasoned that nothing felt better than shoveling food down like a barbarian.

My new friend placed a hand on my back, realizing what a monster I became around food. He looked at me with a bit of worry…it was enough to make me feel ashamed. How could I let him see me like that? And we were just beginning to become friends. God Lovino! Why can't you just control yourself? He probably thinks you're a gross, pathetic, gutter rat. Contrary to my beliefs, the hand only grew warmer.

"I think you should slow down now. It's not good to eat so fast. Common, I'll show you to the tub so you can take a bath." Antonio offered me a comforting smile. What's with this guy? Why does he have to be so damn confusing? Take all of the things I expect and am used to, then do the exact opposite and you're an Antonio. I nodded quietly, this whole quiet thing is new for me, and let him lead be to a giant, beautifully tiled room. Why was I okay with him dragging me around? Why didn't I curse and swear and kick? This day was just too confusing; maybe a bath would be nice.

I approached the giant indoor tub and knocked the wall a bit, wondering how to get the water out. I'd never used one like this before. When I was with the nuns, they heated water and washed me in a metal basin and now I just jumped in the river. Antonio was happy to explain the function of the handles for me. I think he just liked taking to people. The water started to run so I lifted a leg in.

"Lovinito! You have to take off your clothes!" He objected.

"Then how the hell are they supposed to get clean, pervert?!" I complied and pulled the foot out.

"Someone will take them to the laundry room where someone else will wash them." He explained, as if it were some magical force. It must be a rich person thing to have everything done for you. I sighed.

"Fine, but only cause I'm a good guest. Where am I supposed to sit around until they're dry? It's February, mind you so the answer better be in a sauna."

"Uh…anywhere I guess." He answered, a bit of confusion hinted to his voice.

"W-What!? No! I'm not roaming around your house with my kibble and bits hanging out like some a crazy! I know your mom is confused about my gender but that's-"

"No, Lovi! I have clothes that will fit you! Don't worry!" He interrupted me and tried to sooth my nerves with his calm voice…which totally worked. Damn him.

"Aww~ you're so cute when you're embarrassed~" He jokingly mentioned and I was happy to mention how he looks like a hobo with his hair mat and gross face. Lovino: 1.

"Turn around, idiot." I ordered and began to tug up my shirt. He obeyed and hummed a tune often played by the mariachi band in the annual festivals. I found myself smiling at the idiot and and thinking thoughts I wanted to smack myself for. He's a friend Lovino, and a boy, Boy's aren't cute or charming. Learn that before you start thinking more stupid things and get confused.

"Alright, you can turn back around." I informed him once I was finished scolding myself and got into the hot tub. It felt so good. The water in the river was cold around this time of the year so the warm water was as comforting and gentle as that hug that- stop it Lovino! What the hell is wrong with you! You really need to sleep. Like, really need to sleep this off.

Antonio turned around and smiled his big dumb stupid grin. He pulled a strange mesh ball from the cupboard and wet it in the tub before lathering it with soap and handing it to me. I looked at it with confusion and distrust.

"What is it?" I questioned. Instead of answering with words, he gently rubbed it against my bulging spine. He was so gentle and when his hand brushed against my skin, it was so warm and soft that my breath hitched in my throat. It was so relaxing, I felt like I could melt right into the tub- no! Lovino! What are you doing! Smack his hand away! Tell him he's a pervert or molester or anything! Don't just sit there like you like it! What is going on with you!

I swatted the hand, blushing furiously and settled with telling him he was a bastard but he didn't seem to mind at all. My insults were just reflected without any effort, like they had come across as, "Don't clean me, you're embarrassing me" and "You're hand feels nice, almost sinly." Which I was positive I didn't say. What was with this guy!?

"Alright." He handed me the sponge and contently sat on the ground by the tub. I felt my face tingling with blush and my heartbeat coursed my whole body.

"You don't have to sit there, fuck hole. I can clean myself, thank-you-very-much." That was a lie. I had no idea what any of the bottles around me did. What if I used something that looked like shampoo and all of my hair fell out? That would pretty much ruin my day. I didn't use soap unless it was a special occasion and even then, it was a small bottle of dish soap I had found.

"But I don't have anyone else to be around. Don't worry, I'm not looking at you pen-"

"DON'T SAY IT! DON'T SAY IT! YOU CAN STAY!" I interrupted. I wasn't going to let him talk about my…hoo-hoos. Antonio appeared to be very pleased with himself as he adjusted into a more comfortable sit and watched me. His smile wasn't as cheeky as it was when we first met; it was a little bit softer, like he was looking with something other than dumb happiness.

"So, Lovinito, How come you've never made any friends before?"

"Uh…well I guess everyone was just too annoying or petty and self-obsessed. A few people wanted to get me to work for them or run a dangerous errand. Most just pitied me, that was the worst. They treated me like a poor little injured bird, like they were a saint and I should be eternally grateful. I don't need their help." I answered as I began to wash myself and curse myself for again being so loose with information.

He smiled like he understood me, like no matter what I said he would understand. "What about girls? You get with the ladies?"

"Wh-what kind of a question is that!?" I just about choked on bath water.

"I was just wondering." He mused and played with the soaps as if what he had just asked was no big deal.

Here comes river Lovino, private information just dribbling out of his mouth without an end. "No, if it's really so fuck'n important to you. I have more important things to do and nobody really wants to go to bed with a foul-mouthed skeleton except for creepy old men. What about you?" I mentally slapped himself. Why the hell would you ask that!? Now it sounds like you care! Idiot!

Antonio's not caring attitude was replaced with a mild frown. "Yeah, A few times. Pretty much with anybody who asks. I know I shouldn't but when they look at me with hope and desperation I can't help it, they need me. It's like a magic medicine that makes everyone feel better. I can't look at a sick person and not offer them medicine." He kept his eyes fixed on the soaps.

A deep knife plunged my chest. I don't know why it hurt, it shouldn't…but…it did. Maybe it was because he had already given his love to so many people when I, deep deep deep deep down, wished it had been me. Maybe because I knew he was so generous and that had been badly taken for granted by people who didn't care about him. Whatever it was, it hurt physically without any scars or bruises. It hurt like something I had never experienced before, I didn't know what to do other than look at the water and try to block out the blasting loud silence. I tried to wait for a stupid answer from Antonio or some stupid laughing but he once again did the opposite of what I was expecting and remained silent. Soon, the pressure in the room was crushing my limbs and I had to do something I would have never done. Something I never knew exactly why I did other that it felt right. I opened my mouth and let soft song pour out.

I don't know why I did it. I never sing, not for anyone, not ever. The nuns taught me lots of hymns but as I grew and my voice matured, they put a stop to it. They told me that god blesses certain people with certain gifts and we must use those gifts only in worship. Giving away such a blessing is ungrateful so I just stopped singing and never did again until then. I felt like it was the only thing that fit into the thick atmosphere and Antonio agreed. As soon as the last note was carefully breathed out, I was embraced by big warm arms.

I really had no idea what was going on but the way he hugged me was like nothing else. At that moment I knew my feeling of confusion were shared. We had only known each other one or two hours but we both already knew that it wasn't just friendship. Neither of us had the slightest clue what it was but it wasn't just friendship. I was abruptly released and abandoned as Antonio swiftly left and closed the door.

I… I didn't know what to think. Since I met Antonio, everything just got more confusing…d-dammit! This wasn't me. Things like this shouldn't be complicated. I shouldn't be starting at the bathroom wall and questioning everything I thought I knew. I shouldn't be thinking about how much time I wanted to spend with this man who was practically a stranger. None of this should be happening, It wasn't right. I shouldn't be confused; things should be easy, friendly, and simple. I buried my aching head in my hands and tried so hard to make sense of…just anything.

Antonio's POV.

I walked out of the room. Really, I would do anything just to not be in that room any more. Anything to be away from that boy who made my stomach churn and my hands shaky. Did he even know what he was doing to me? It was indescribable…a feeling that made me want to smile and never stop but it also made me want to cry until I wrung my body dry. Why?

Why him? Who was he? What on earth was he doing to me?

Was I dying? No… it was too surreal. I wanted to go as far away from him as possible. I wanted to move that feeling as far from me as I could so I could forget it and go back to how I was before. How I was a few hours ago but I started something really big and now every step I took away, my heart tugged me back. I had to be close to him. I had to be close to that feeling again.

No, I wished that feeling was gone. This was something too big, Too much. This feeling was never going away. This raging fever wasn't going to leave me alone. If only I could go back and never meet Lovi, keep living carefree. As I thought that, it hurt worse. I couldn't regret meeting precious little Lovi! Lovi made me…happy. Not just any happy. It was a new happy that filled my entire body. The feeling was so warm, so pure that I just…I just…ugh! I needed to talk with my mother right away. She would ease my mind and help me out of this awful situation so me and Lovi could be happy friends like I wanted.

I had walked myself to her office before I could even realize that I wanted to go there. I wrapped my knuckles against the softly, not being able to give my usual amount of energy. This brought urgency inside the room and the door swung open, my mother standing before me and wondering what was wrong. She saw my face and smiled kindly, inviting me in. I readily accepted the invitation and found an extra chair in her office. Was she expecting me? Did she know this was going to happen to me. Did she know that in minutes, her son was going to more miserable and also happier than he'd ever been in his whole life? If only she had given me warning.

I sat on the chair and looked at her with eyes that were desperate for answers.

"Oh, my poor baby." She whispered and gave understanding smile to comfort me.

"You know?" I asked. Not as a question, as a submission.

"Si, mi bamino. I knew the second I saw you look at that boy." She softly rubbed my back which I appreciated very much and showed her by lightly pulling up my lips.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…we're not just friends…" I watched my hands fiddle with each other.

"You're right about that. And you should know that little Lovino is going through the same things as you."

My eyes obviously widened. Poor Lovi! I would never with this sort of confusion on anyone, especially not my little Lovi. Wait, my Lovi? Since when did I… God, his was worse than it appeared. I just kept wishing it would go away. We could be best friends and happy together. Damn everything.

"Relax my baby." She cooed and rubbed in big circles. "Lovino doesn't have his mama here to rub his back for him so you'll have to do it. He's probably very scared, right? Try to be gentle with him, act like everything is normal and wait till he wants to talk about it. You two will figure this out together. Alright?" I nodded and buried my face in her shoulder. She smelled so good, so comforting.

"I know that this is very sudden for you. Very scary and unexplained but you should go back to Lovino, he needs you now whether he says so or not." I nodded and took one last breath in her safety before thanking her and leaving.

I wasn't going to let Lovino suffer this kind of confusion on his own. After all, It was my fault he was feeling this.

Lovino's POV.

If I said I was confused, it would be the greatest understatement of my life. Because I wasn't confused, I just knew nothing. Everything I used to know about people, about Antonio, about myself was wrong. I scrubbed my palms into my eye sockets, trying to rub away the pain of all of this but nothing came. No release. No savior. Only me and and my thoughts which could only hurt me more. I didn't know what I wanted, to leave this feeling, to embrace it, to kill it or kiss it. I didn't know-

No. that was wrong. I knew exactly what I wanted and I wouldn't even bother beating myself up over it.

I wanted Antonio.

Plain and simple. I had no idea why, I couldn't even start to make up excuses but I knew for a fact that I wanted Antonio here and now.

There must be a god or at least someone who's listening because at that moment, the curly headed Spaniard pounced through the door and made his way to me. I must have been relieved but at that time, I wasn't processing anything. He sat beside me again and only smiled genuinely.

"Lovi, I want to show you my garden. Are you almost done with your bath?" He chimed, voice as sweet and happy as I had always known it.

"I'm done." I said clearly. I wasn't thinking of anything more than my own breathing. I am breathing. That's a good step. He reached over and tenderly took my arms, lifting lightly and trying to prompt me to stand. I did. Antonio had already prepared a towel and held it open for me. He made sure to protect my dignity and pulling down his head and watching his feet which were doing nothing more than staying planted on the tile.

I walked into the towel and let him hug me with it. Again, I enjoyed the sensation of having his arms around me. Why him? Why me? What made us special…why was this happening?

He made sure the towel was tightly tucked over my shoulders before releasing me and leading me out of the bathroom. The tiles were cold under my feat but I really couldn't care anymore, I just watched the muscles in the Spaniard's back move swiftly as he walked. He stopped in a room that I assume was his. It hadn't been decorated but I could still tell. On the bed was a tomato pillowed that must have been hand sewn by a certain (leggy) mother and given to a certain little giddy Spaniard. It made me happy to be in there and imagine why he had all the useless junk he had while Antonio rummaged in the closet. There were pictures over his dresser with two parents and a child in every one of them. The pictures seemed to end when the little boy was about eleven.

"These are your parents?" I noted. He grunted affirmative. They looked like him…or…he looked like them. Whatever, They seemed so happy so I couldn't help but wonder how my life would be different if I had a family like that…if I was Antonio… my train of thought was put on brakes when I heard,

"Got it! Lovinito, come here, I've got clothes!" Called from behind me. I went over to him and was rewarded when he held out beautiful dress clothes. A light tan button up blouse and a dark brown lace to tie under the collar. The pants matched the lace and there was a white over jacket. The boots were perfect lace up leather boots with riding heels cropped to the back. I was stunned.

"Is it actually okay for me to touch that, let alone wear it?" I questioned. It was a great outfit and obviously pretty pricy. The people who wore outfits like these were the kind of people I walked close to so I might be able to slip out a wallet.

"Of course! It used to be mine but you can have it. It doesn't fit me anymore and I know you'll look much better in it than I ever could." Antonio practically forced the clothes into my arms.

HAVE IT!? No way. This wasn't me. I'm not the kind of person who could wear something like this. It was against my blood. It didn't belong on me. Antonio read my mind.

"Try them on!" He insisted.

It scared me how much control he had over my actions. I obeyed and let the towel slip off. He, of course, looked away and I changed. The clothes were stiff but not uncomfortable. It was a completely foreign feeling, I had never felt like royalty which I did in these clothes.

"You can look now." I shyly murmured. His eyes widened as he turned and he smiled at my new apparel.

"Oh wow! You're a little prince Lovi!" He laughed and stood. I retorted by telling him I wasn't little and he agreed just to please me.

"What's your father like?" I changed the topic finally. I didn't like the attention on me.

Without letting his smile fall, Antonio scratched the back of his head and nervously and replied with, "Oh…well I don't quite remember too much but he was really cool."

He must have read the confusion on my face and decided to enlighten me on this secret. "I lost him when I was eleven. He ran into the middle of the street for god-knows-why and got hit by a car. My mom doesn't like to let people outside the family know so she makes up stories."

I froze.

I knew why.

Memories attacked me, shooting back and forth and causing me pain inside the very walls of my skull. I trying to repress them but this was too much. The floor came to meet me very quickly and my world went black, I could just barely hear the whisper of Antonio's voice calling me before I drifted into those awful memories.

The young Italian pulled the plump red fruit from his pocket, proud of his skills in thievery. He began to bite in as the voice of the shopkeeper ringing behind him. He rolled his eyes and began to take to a run. He just wanted to get to a safe place already so he could enjoy his treat. Be jogged a block and began to slow when he heard a voice call out from behind him.

"Antonio!"

It wasn't his name but it startled him enough to keep going, right across the street. The six year old without street smarts decided that the man must have mistaken him for whoever this Antonio was but he knew if he kept running, he'd see he wasn't and leave him alone. He hadn't noticed anything out of place but he was suddenly shoved from behind very roughly and he flew forward two feet since he was light. He looked back to see the asshole who though it was funny but he couldn't prepare for what he saw. A man laid cripple on the ground and surrounded by a pool of blood. Lovino nearly passed out after seeing the limbs squirming in positions they definitely should not be in. The Italian screamed and ran to him, trying to see if his face showed life. It smiled up at him with a big, goofy smile like he didn't care about his situation.

"Oh, thank god you're alright…Antonio…"

With that, the man released a breath and that was that. He ended. Lovino had no idea what to do. He dropped to his knees and cradled the head in his lap, tears breaking free from his stunned face. He rocked him for a moment before the shopkeeper caught up and met the gruesome scene. Lovino yelped and skittered up before taking off as fast as he could. He kept telling himself, "it wasn't my fault! That stupid idiot! It wasn't my fault!"

With that, he adopted a terrible name and reputation with the memories to match.

Lovino had to leave.

Now.

As soon as he could.

He really didn't belong here.