Chapter 7

Antonio's POV:

We won! Ha ha! I knew I still got it! My whole team rejoiced well minus Tim… that guy was such a prick… anyway me and Gil were now picking on Francis because… I don't really know it just was kind of funny he always got so flustered and annoying. It took me a moment to notice Emma was gone; I turn around to see her talking to… whoa… was Lovi smiling? Time just seemed to stop for a second. He has such a calm and small, but… joyful smile… I actually haven't seen him do that I always only see a frown which in its own way is still cute. I must have been staring for quite some time. I didn't notice Feliciano walk beside me.

"You okay Toni? You have been staring blankly for like five minutes heh." He giggled smiling for some reason Feli's smile couldn't even compare to Lovino's.

"Hm? Oh! Sí, I'm okay just thinking… uh Feli? Does your hermano smile often?"

Feliciano looked at me confused, "Well not really. I mean I see it once and a while, but it's not something very common. It's funny; sometimes he smiled and tries to hide it, but all I need is to see his smile for a second to know I made him happy… oh uh why do you ask?"

"No reason, I thought I saw him doing that, I was probably wrong ha ha~" I smiled scratching the back of my head.

I kept a close eye on Lovino from the corner of my eye. I saw Emma whisper something to him and he started to blush… mi Dio que lindo~… A pair of hands on my shoulders tore me away from my thoughts. I thought it was Feliciano again at first, but he seemed to scamper off to Ludwig again.

"Ohon, Oh Antoni you going to just stand 'ere blushing like a little school girl or are you going to go talk to 'im?"

I started to cough on nothing, "Que? What are you talking about Franny?"

"Vell it's obvious jou have been staring at that Italian forever. Go und man up; if jou can't do zhat at least woman up"

I sighed, "Lo sie,nto I just…Can't wrap my head around it."

Francis rolled his eyes and looked at Gilbert with a smirk Gil got the hint and through the soccer ball he had in his hand directly at Lovino's head. Lovino was getting helped up off the ground by Emma when he was hit. He fell over hitting the ground pretty hard. Emma looked over to them and Francis and Gilbert started running away; Emma was yelling and chasing them.

I quickly went to Lovi's side where he was laying down with his hand on his forehead. "Are you okay?"

"Does it fucking look like it!?" Lovino snapped, but then he held his head groaning, "Why did they do that?"

His voice was softer now and he wouldn't look at me. "I-I don't know. No sé… lo siento. I didn't think Gil would throw it that hard, or at you… or throw it in general." I put my hand out for him to take so I could help him to his feet

Lovino looked at my out stretched hand out of the corner of his eye and slowly took it. I pulled him up to his feet, but Lovi seemed very unstable. He started to stumble backwards, but I caught him just in time. I had my arm around his waist to keep him from falling

"Heh that was close huh?" I smiled widely down at him.

Lovino again put his hand to his head, "So dizzy… gah I'm so dumb! Just let go of me! I'm fine on my own…" he pushed me away and started running at first it was slow and all over the place, but he soon gained speed and was slowly disappearing into the trees.

I was about to go yell at Gilbert, but I see that Emma had that taken care of. Tim had to hold her still as she started to flail and kick at the two very scared boys cowering into each other. Serves them right… Lovino! I have to go get him! So I started running in the direction he went.

XxX

Lovino's POV:

I know it's stupid that I ran, shut up. I panicked that's all I was just being so over dramatic… it was just a soccer ball… fine it was just embarrassing. I quickly ran enough that I started to feel better. I sat on the ground sighing, "I really screwed up… maybe this time they won't come looking for me."

I curled up onto the ground bringing my knees to my chest. I heard faint crunching of leaves as something ran towards me. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be a bear or something.

The crunching stopped as I heard the heavy breathing start and a hand on my shoulder, "Wh-why did you run off? I'm sorry I didn't mean to touch you like that. I just didn't want you to get hurt well more…"

"Why don't you leave me alone?"

"Huh… is that what you want me to do? I'll leave you here all alone if that is what you want."

I didn't answer him and I felt him get up. I slowly grabbed onto Antonio's wrist never looking up from the ground. He stopped and sat next to me, "What's wrong?"

"I… I'm sorry for snapping or whatever…"

"Yea okay… now tell me what's wrong."

He wouldn't give up would he? "I get picked on a lot… okay? I jst need to clear my head."

"They weren't doing that just to bully you… They wouldn't ever do that to you."

I huffed, "Yea right… why else would they do it?"

He started to rub the back of his head, "well you see.. it might have been my fault."

I raised an eyebrow at him and Antonio cleared his throat, "well you see I was… kinda… sorta… I saw you smile y it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen…"

I turned my head as my face started to heat up.

"I guess they noticed I was staring for a moment and were picking on me to go talk to you again, but you were with Emma and I don't want to be all in your face and—"

"I get it. I get it. What does that have to do with me getting hit in the face?"

"Oh yea! Well they thought it would get me to talk to you and here we are!" He smiled but it faded slightly, "Why don't you smile more?"

"Easy. I hate to, besides Feli smiles enough for both of us."

"Sí, I guess he does, but I have to say I like yours way more."

"Why? Nothing special about it…"

Antonio started to laugh, "Oh Lovi I thought you were smarter than that."

"Hey! What does that even mean!?"

"Oh nothing… you need to start to see the beauty in yourself."

"What beauty? You have to be kidding… Feli is perfect you want to look at him go ahead… but the moment you start getting touchy I will murder you"

Again Antonio started to laugh.

"What's so funny!" I snapped.

"Lovi trust me. Once you start to notice how beautiful, smart and amazing you are I know others will too."

I huffed, "More like bad, sensitive, and aggressive… why do you even care? You won't get at my brother by sucking up to me."

Antonio grabbed my chin carefully, "When will you realize I'm not trying to 'get at' Feliciano?"

"What do you want from me then?"

"Why do I need to have a reason to want to talk to you?"

My eyes started to do that stupid thing where they water again when I felt a hand on my cheek wiping a few stray tears. "If you think I'm just going to fall head over heels you got another thing coming."

He laughed, "Sí, Sí I got it. Eventually you will be helpless to my charms."

I rolled my eyes, "yea right, good luck with that."

Tonio stood up and held his hand out to me, "We should go find the others it's almost dark out."

I nodded taking his hand. Then, I did something even I can't explain… I hugged him… Even Antonio was surprised, but eventually hugged me back.

"Don't tell anyone I hugged you…"

"hmm… on one condition."

I sighed and crossed my arms, "What bastard?"

"You let me at least be your friend."

Rolling my eyes I waving dismissively, "Yea sure whatever."

"And!.. I want your cell phone number" Toni smirked at me.

"Fine, but if you piss me off I /will/ block you… got it?"

He nodded happily and pulled me along until he suddenly stopped, "One more thing…"

"What now?"

"You promise me that you will try to see how beautiful you are. No one can change that, no hurt full words, your brother, nothing… You will always be perfect to those who know who you really are."

"No promises… bastard."

He smiled at me and we started to walk back to the rest of the group. I guess this Antonio guy isn't as horrible as I thought he was… come on Lovino stop being so mushy… he's just a stupid, smooth talking Spaniard.

XxX

Antonio's POV:

I'm really proud that I finally got the balls to tell Lovino what I was thinking. I think he might even give me a chance! This has been the best day ever! I practically skipped back to where the others were.

When we found the hill the rest were standing Feli ran over to Lovino quickly, "Fratello! Are you alright? Why did you run away?"

I chimed in on Lovino's behalf, "Don't worry Feli he just head to blow off some steam that's all. He is perfectly fine."

"Oh…well that's good!" Feli hugged Lovino tightly

"Let go of me dammit! Don't make me kick you!"

Feliciano let go smiling, "Fratello is back!"

I frowned and walked over to my friends
"Oi Toni com on don't give u zhat face!"

"Oui! We wanted to 'elp zhat's all!"

I kept my serious look, "I wanted to thank you guys. I am getting his number, y I am one step closer to being with him. Keep looking nervous so they can't tell. Don't tell anyone."

"Sorry ve vont do it again!"

"It was just a 'armless prank after all"

Lovino walked over to us, "What are you three dumbasses talking about?"

Gilbert pouted, "Jou had to go und cry to Tonio, getting us in trouble. It wasn't even zhat hard of a throw."

Before I could process what Gil said, Lovino fist was thrown at Gilbert's face. The force was strong enough to make Gil's head fly back and he growled holding his nose, "Vhat vas zhat for!?"

Lovino smirked, "What? It wasn't even that hard of a punch"

He walked away soon after shaking his hand slightly. I looked back and everyone who saw had their mouths wide open, including me. Francis and I both started laughing loudly, "Well there goes zhe weak Italian theory eh Gil?"

Emma ran over to me pulling my arm, "Can I talk to you?"

I nodded and went with her, "Que pasa?"

"I wanted to say thank you."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "For what exactly?"

"Whatever you said to Lovino when he ran away must have stuck with him. He wouldn't normally have the courage to take on Gil like that… He is usually so hard on himself. I bet if you weren't here he would have convinced himself it was his fault he got hit in the face. Thank you."

I smiled lightly at her, "It was all him. He chose to listen to what I said. It had nothing to do with me. I just showed him who I see when I look at him."

"well whatever you said to him you gave him confidence and hope in himself. I won't ask about what you said; Lovino wouldn't want me to know, but anyway I'm glad you helped. It's not as easy as it seems, but you made it look easy." She smiled her cat like smile at me.

Lovino walked over to Feliciano pulling him away from Ludwig, "We should get home Nonno will get worried if we are out too long."

Feli pouted and whined, "But Fratello!"
"Don't start with me, we are going…Now Feliciano!"

Feli sighed and walked behind Lovino pouting.

Emma turned to me, "Antonio, you should go with them. You can sleep at our house you are family and your parents wouldn't care right?"

I nodded, "Sí, I can walk with them y you know mi madre wouldn't care. Aren't you coming too?"

Emma smiled again, "Tim wants to go for a walk, just the two of us!"

"Oh alright, have fun and be safe okay Emma?" I winked at her.

"I will now hurry before you lose them!"

I went after the Italians, "Guys wait up!"

Feli turned around, "Ciao Tonio, what are you doing?"

"I thought I would walk home with you guys."

"What makes you think we need protection? I think I'm fine on my own." Lovino huffed after hearing it was me.

"I'm sure you are, but I don't care. Guess you are stuck with me!" I smiled wide at the sassy Italian.

"Fan-fucking-tastic."

XxX

Author's note:

Wow I have gotten super busy! I am sorry I couldn't get this out quicker. I was trying to type as much as I could but finding the time was so difficult. I hope to post the next chapter hopefully in the following month if not sooner. Thank you for all who have been supporting my story. I wouldn't have a reason to write at all if it wasn't for all of you. I am trying to make my chapters longer so I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much o(^▽^)o