A/N: Wow, Saya's actually getting things posted on time? I know, it's shocking. I guess this is what happens when I try to avoid my real life problems, no?

My beta didn't get a chance to read over this chapter, so if you notice anything funky, please tell me! Enjoy~!

Fools like Us

2-It Lurks For Those Who Get Swept Away

Antonio frowned at the dusty spines of the books on the shelf in front of him. He couldn't seem to find the book that had been assigned for his class. He was wondering if someone else had already gotten to the copies the library had when he rounded the corner to find a welcome sight.

A boy was sitting alone at the tables, the sun glinting off his dark red-brown hair in soft halo. His beautiful hazel eyes were narrowed at his books and he was gnawing on his lower lip. He tapped his eraser lightly against his papers in time to the bouncing of his feet.

Antonio learned against the bookshelf, taking advantage of a moment when the younger wasn't glaring at him. A tiny smile passed across his lips. Finally, he took the few last steps into the clearing between the shelves, revealing himself to the younger boy.

Lovino's head snapped up, his eyes wide. His hair was tousled from where he'd been running his fingers through it as he worked. A stray lock clung to the side of his face, accentuating the full curve of his cheeks. Antonio's heart fluttered at the disheveled beauty before him.

"¡Buenos días!" he greeted cheerfully, raising one hand in a tiny wave. He smiled fondly at the other, hoping the positive expression would smooth over the shocked one the other still wore.

Instead, Lovino's features morphed into a scowl. "What the hell do you want?" he demanded. His fingers twitched as if he was tempted to grab up all his books and leave the room before Antonio even had the chance to respond.

"Well, I came to the library looking for a book," the Spaniard told him honestly, "but I found you instead! Isn't that a great turn of events?"

"Hardly," Lovino snorted. He sat back moodily in the uncomfortable wooden chair, glaring at everything except Antonio.

Throwing caution to the wind, Antonio pulled out the seat across from Lovino and sat. The Italian watched him suspiciously, but refrained from speaking. Antonio pulled the papers across to himself, looking over them to see that it was homework for the one class they had together. Lovino was apparently having trouble with it, which, luckily for Antonio, gave them a reason to see each other more often.

He opened his mouth to offer his assistance again, but Lovino snatched the papers back before he could manage the first syllable. The younger boy's cheeks flared a bright, almost unnatural red, and he had Antonio fixed with the most malicious glare the older brunet had ever seen.

"If you wanted to work on that sometime-" he began, but Lovino cut him off with a snarl.

"No, I don't, you stupid bastard," he growled, "I can do it just fine on my own; I don't need anyone's help."

Antonio watched silently as Lovino swept everything off the table and into his bag, his cheeks still tinted with a deep pink. Once all the papers had been contained the Italian stormed off, and after a moment's hesitation, Antonio followed.

Lovino glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes when he saw that the taller boy was right on his heels. He stopped and turned, glaring up at the other.

"What the hell is your problem?" he snarled, his accent becoming stronger with his anger. He wasn't used to being the center of anyone's attention, especially not that of an attractive, nosy bastard he heard the ladies gossiping about constantly. He had absolutely no intention of associating with Antonio. For one, he would only be reminded daily that his friends and his brother were better looking than he was, and his ego was sensitive enough as it was.

Antonio blinked at him, looking innocently confused.

"No problem," Antonio told him easily, "I just think we should spend time together." He flashed a bright smile at Lovino, but it only darkened the Italian's expression.

"Bullshit," Lovino grumbled. He flipped Antonio off and turned to walk away again, hoping the Spaniard wouldn't follow. As usual, luck was not with him, and another set of footsteps was quick to follow his own.

He was considering his options for ditching the other when an all too familiar voice called out for his attention. He groaned, his heart sinking, and reluctantly turned to face his brother. Feliciano was skipping up the hallway towards him, dragging his boyfriend, Ludwig, behind him. The German looked about as excited about their impending reunion as Lovino was.

Antonio looked curiously between Lovino and the almost identical boy charging up the hall toward them. He recognized the blond in tow as Gilbert's brother, but he wasn't familiar with the newcomer. Still, he flashed a bright smile. If he had anything to do with Lovino, he figured it was better to make a good impression.

"Ciao," the newcomer gasped out as he reached them, grinning, "Lovino, who's this?"

Lovino rolled his eyes at his brother's curiosity, though he supposed he couldn't blame him. "Some idiot friend of Francis'. Why do you always have to bring that potato bastard everywhere you go?"

Feliciano ignored Lovino's familiar complaining and turned to the taller brunet. His eyes sparkled with curiosity about this person who seemed more than willing to brave his brother's constant bad temper. "Hi," he chirped, "I'm Feliciano, Lovino's brother. Who are you?"

"Hola, Feli," the other smiled brightly, "My name is Antonio."

Antonio extended his hand to shake Feliciano's, but the small Italian brushed it aside and threw his arms around Antonio instead. The Spaniard figured it was just a part of his bubbly personality until a low voice in his ear whispered, "Good luck getting through to Lovi. You like him, si?"

Antonio nodded, gazing fondly over Feliciano's shoulder at the back of Lovino's head. Satisfied, Feliciano released him.

"How are you, Antonio?" Ludwig asked. His tone was characteristically stiff and formal, but the smile that crossed his features was warm and familiar.

Antonio grinned brightly at his best friend's younger brother. "I'm great, Lud! ¿Y tu?" he practically sang.

Ludwig nodded in response, blushing slightly as he glanced at Feliciano. The younger had returned to pestering his brother once he had released Antonio, but, as if he felt eyes on him, he glanced up and smiled at Ludwig, his golden-brown eyes lighting up with warmth that Antonio recognized from association rather than experience. Francis would have swooned at the sight of it.

Lovino looked back and forth between the group, frowning at the happiness and smiles going around. His brow furrowed with frustration. Finally, growling to himself, he stomped his foot and turned away from the group.

"Hey-Lovi!" Antonio called after him. Loud, quick footsteps quickly followed, and a glance over his shoulder told Lovino that they belonged to his brother rather than the Spaniard. Antonio and Ludwig stayed in place, watching quizzically as Feliciano chased his brother down. Heaving a sigh, Lovino slowed and waited for Feliciano to catch up with him.

"Hey, fratello," Feliciano began innocently, "What's up with you? Why would you just leave your friend like that?"

Lovino growled to himself under his breath. "He's not my friend," he tried to explain, though Feliciano's expression told him the other wasn't buying it, "He's just some creep who likes to follow me around."

Feliciano giggled, a sound that never sat well with Lovino. "That's what Luddy thought about me at first," the younger teased, his warm brown eyes dancing with mischief.

"Well, you and that Spanish bastard should get along just fine," Lovino retorted, "Seeing as that's what you are. Both of you."

Feliciano gave him a patronizing smile, bringing another scowl to Lovino's lips. "'Vino," Feliciano began softly in a tone that was both gentle and quietly questioning, "Why do you try to push everyone away? If you would smile more, you would have so many friends!"

Lovino's scowl deepened. "I don't need your positive crap. Smiling is for idiots like you and that jerk," he snapped, gesturing wildly back at the Spaniard, who smiled and waved.

Feliciano frowned regretfully at his brother's reaction, but the damage had been done. Lovino turned and stormed off again, and this time, Feliciano didn't follow him. The older Italian could feel the familiar prick of tears threatening, but he pushed them away like he always did. If he cried every time someone or something suggested his brother's superiority, he would be suffering from dehydration by now. Instead, he resisted the urge and slipped into an empty classroom to compose himself before he had to return to face the world and his next class.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time! I reply to all of them so it's totally worth doing, especially if there's something you want to see in this!

You can also talk to me or request drabbles on tumbr (ne-ne-spoopy-assbutt at the moment).