I'M SORRY! I FELT OBLIGATED TO POST A CHAPTER FOR MY OTHER STORY FIRST, SINCE IT'S BEEN LONGER! And I know a lot of you said MORE STORY BUILDING, but the person I'm writing it for said JUST UPDATE ANYTHING and she likes fluff, so here's my trying to make everyone happy.

Last Chapter:

Romano clutched his now throbbing head and had an arm wrapped around his waist. He had upset his grandfather this morning, and the old man had smacked in the head. It really had hurt. Especially when he fell against the fridge from the impact and the handle jabbed him in the side. Antonio grabbed his hand, and his shirt lifted with his hand. Romano squeaked in embarrassment and tried to pull it down, but the damage was done. Antonio gently touched the bruise on his slim waist. "What happened?"

Brunette boy hesitated. "I…I-I ran into….the…doorknob." Well, at least it was somewhat the truth. Antonio raised an eyebrow. "It looks like you were running really fast into a door knob."

While he was saying this, he was gently rubbing the bruise, causing Romano's brain to go to mush as he was experiencing gentle kindness.

Chapter Three: I'm Strong on the Surface, Not all the Way Through

"It's none of your business, Antonio." He slapped the hand away. Antonio sighed, scuffing his shoe against the ground. "I don't really know what to say right now." He admitted. Romano felt hot tears roll down his cheeks. "This is your entire fault, you damn tomato bastard. You kissed me, and I've been having weird thoughts and an urge to kiss you! You made me into somebody even more likely to get made fun of and beaten up! You stupid… idiot!" he yelled, covering his face with his hands. "I love you, and you don't even know my last name." he whispered, mortified.

Antonio frowned; the facial expression looked foreign on his face. "Your last name is Vargas. You're always feeling put down by your brother, even though you can sing better than him. (1) Your parents haven't been around for a while, and you live with your grandpa, who likes Feli more than you. You live close to the school, but you wish you lived closer so it'd be an easier walk for you. You think you're so dumb, but I've fallen in love with you, and you don't even know MY last name."

Romano looked up at him with bright eyes. "I will always love you, Antonio Fernandez Carriedo. Even if you don't really love me, I can pretend that you do if you play along."

"I do love you, what is it going to take for you to realize that?" Antonio asked desperately. "Damn it, Lovino! You're constantly in my head, and all I can think about is that time I kissed you, and you didn't like it! Why else would you run away? But why did I hit you, earlier in the classroom? Nothing makes sense to me, but all I know is that you are the only one who can make my fake smile turn into a real one, and I get lots of emotions around you! TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING!"

Romano backed up into the wall, getting a defensive look in his eyes. In his mind, it was turning into fight or flight, and no matter what the Spaniard was saying, he was yelling, and getting mad. That meant, from experience, Romano knew he was going to get beat up again. In a choice between fight or flight, it was obvious which one the little petite Italian would chose. When Antonio got too close, Romano breathed in sharply, and took off down the street. It took the older a second, but he gave chase, yelling after him.

Nothing was making sense to the panicky teen anymore. He only heard anger from the older teen, and it frightened. He was trapped in memories and instincts that had been drilled into his head for a long time. When he tripped over a curb, and fell, he started to cry, thinking someone was coming after him to kill him. Antonio caught up soon, to Romano trying desperately to limp away with a bloody gash down his leg. "Lovi!" he panted out of breath.

Romano cried out, whirling around to stare fearfully into Antonio's eyes. When no anger was found in the bright green eyes, he relaxed, There was only concern in his eyes. Concern for…Romano? Antonio stepped closer, motioning for Romano to sit down on the sidewalk with him. "Lovi, please tell me what is wrong. I can help you."

"What's wrong is that I'm scared of everyone, because I can't help but think they're trying to kill me. My grandfather beats me for nothing, the bullies at school beat me up, and a couple tried to molest me…I'm starving, I'm stupid, and worst of all, I fell in love, even though it could never work."

"Why not? I love you, isn't that enough?"

"No, because I'm scared of you, and if my grandfather ever found out… he would kill me…"

"Well, I love you, Romano Vargas! And I have no problem telling your grandfather! In fact, I already have a bone to pick with him, so lead me to your house!" Antonio stood up. Romano stood up shakily. "Are you deaf? He would KILL me! K-I-L-L! What would I do, where would I go?"

Antonio started walking towards Romano's house. "You're living with me, of course. I haven't been entirely truthful. My parents don't ever come around. I live in an apartment type place with my two best friends. Don't you worry your pretty little head about anything."

You ain't that pretty

Romano bit his lip. "Just because you're helping me out doesn't mean you can start kissing me or calling me your boyfriend. I still have people issues, and I can't handle that."

Antonio nodded, and suddenly Romano stopped him. "This is my house." He mumbled. Antonio looked up the steps and into the house. It looked fairly normal. They walked up the walkway, to the door. Romano cowered behind the older teen, glancing around nervously. He opened the door with his key, and led Antonio inside. The television was heard from the living room, and suddenly a frightening loud voice. "Boy! Is that you?"

Romano stuttered out a meek yes, and trembled as he heard his grandfather stomping closer. Antonio pushed him behind his back, trying to hide him from the tormentor. A large Italian man blocked the doorway. "And who is this little fucker? Did you pay someone to be your friend?" Romano blushed from the insult.

Antonio's patience thinned. "Sir, I'm taking Romano. He's going to come live with me from now on. Romano, go get your stuff."

Whew! That was exhausting! It's far too late in the evening, and now I have to go eat some food. Bye now! P.S. Amanda, you better appreciate this.