Lovino took in an awkward breath before he realized he was blocking the entryway and Antonio probably wanted to get inside the house to at least set some stuff down or something. "Ah... um... you can come in" Lovino muttered, opening the door wider and gesturing for Antonio to enter.
Antonio nodded before stepping inside the house. Lovino watched as he looked around, taking in his surrounding probably. Nonno didn't have a small house, that was for sure, they were a little on the wealthier side as opposed to their family home and simple life they had led when their mother was alive. "It's nice"
Lovino looked up, dazed from being pulled out of his thoughts, which Antonio probably took as confusion to what he was referring to. "Your house..." He explained gesturing around him. "It's nice.. big, really big... but nice"
"It's Nonnos." Feliciano imputed.
Lovino glanced behind him at his brother, Feli's face was formed in what he assumed could only be a glare. The sight almost made him want to laugh, Antonios nervous reaction was just about as funny to him, but he figured he might as well save Antonio from his brothers "rage".
Lovino turned to Feliciano "Feli smettere fissando per favore, si sta facendo sentire a disagio." He said glancing warily at Antonio.
Usually he hated speaking in Italian when people were around who he was trying to include, he only used it if something was supposed to be between himself and his brother.
Feliciano gave him a look that Lovino interpreted as 'I want to glare so he knows not to fuck up' and shook his head. Lovino glared harshly trying to get his message across, he didn't want his first date to begin with his brother somehow scaring the pants off his date. Feliciano sighed and moved to fix Lovinos hair again. Antonio coughed nervously. "I, we should get on with the date right? Is uh... Feli going to be there?" He asked
Lovino giggled, yes actually giggled okay "No you idiot, it's a date. Feli and I do a lot together, but we don't follow each other on dates do we Feli?" Lovino asked.
Feliciano sighed. "No... we don't follow each other on dates." He muttered defeated.
Lovino smiled and made a shooing motion at Feliciano. "Stop fussing okay, go play video games or study, I'm fine okay idiot?" He said ruffling his hair.
Feli nodded silently before creeping up the stairs. "So.. where are we going exactly?" Antonio asked.
"Oh yeah, follow me.. You've got a blanket and everything right?" Lovino asked moving in the general direction of their back door.
Antonio smiled and nodded. "Everything is in here!" He exclaimed patting the basket on his arm.
Lovino nodded as he opened the back door. "Okay good, lets go." He said gesturing out the door.
Antonio paused confused. "We're picnicking in your backyard?" He asked
Lovino sighed. "Somewhat, sure. Just go outside for fucks sake and trust me on this."
Antonios laugh followed him outside, the cheerful sound making way for its brighter maker. "You're less defensive today." Antonio said quietly as he walked next to Lovino "It's nice to see you trust me, even a little."
Lovino kept his face forward, focusing on where they were going, definitely not the heat that was rising to his face and ears. Was Antonio talking? Should he be listening? What was he supposed to do? He could hold his hand right, he had the gloves they would protect him. No, they might not, he's nervous he could be worse, more powerful than he is used to.
"Lovino! Look out there's a tree"
Lovino felt hands grasp his shoulders and pull him out of his thoughts and away from a tree he was about to walk into. Dazed he looked up to the person holding him. Antonio seemed concerned, his face was twisted in a worried frown. "Are you okay mi corazon?" He asked softly, turning Lovino to face him. "You seem more in your head than usual."
Lovino nodded "Yeah Tonio, I'm fine. I didn't sleep much that's all don't worry you big idiot." He muttered, removing himself from the other mans grasp.
After minutes of mindless conversation and walking they finally reached the spot that Lovino spent his time at, his spot. The small clearing in the wooded area, one end with a fallen branch to act as a bench or shelter, the perfect spot for stargazing in the middle, climbable trees. This place helped Lovino stay calm, helped him find himself a little more. And now he was sharing it with someone he felt like he could trust.
Lovino glanced over to Antonio who was just stepping in the clearing, having been a couple steps behind him, and watched as his face morphed to wonder and excitement. Antonio usually glowed anyway, but the glow he had now, when his eyes landed on Lovino in the center of the clearing was something Lovino hadn't seen before. Feeling shy and exposed Lovino turned his gaze to the ground before gesturing around him and spinning slightly. "So, do you like it? This is my place, insult it and I'll beat your ass." He said.
"Yes, it's beautiful." Antonio replied, his voice closer than Lovino had expected it to be.
Slowly Lovino opened his eyes to see Antonio in front of him. The basket had been set on the ground, along with the blanket, and Antonio was just staring at Lovino. He froze awkwardly and stopped spinning, moving his arms down to his sides, only to have his hands caught by Antonio. "I don't think I've ever seen you so happy." Antonio said softly, a smile shaping the words.
Lovino looked down, at their hands, their touching hands. Of course Lovinos were gloved, but Antonio was holding his hands and he was looking anxiously for the signs of life leaving Antonio. "I won't hurt you Lovino" Antonio said softly.
Lovino anxiously looked up at Antonios face. "That's not what I'm worried about." He muttered, turning his face away to look at their picnic. "We should start eating yea?"
Suddenly he felt a hand on his face, his eyes widened and he instantly pulled away. His gaze went to Antonio instantly who, besides looking confused, wasn't showing any signs of physical harm. "You're really cold Lovino, do you need a blanket?" Antonio asked moving to grab the blanket under the basket.
Lovino sat down on the corner quickly "No I'm fine, I have really bad circulation, I've always been really cold." he said quickly
Antonio eyed him warily, but sat down across from him and opened the basket; pulling out utensils, plates, and food. He handed Lovino a cup and pulled out a flask of some drink, pouring it for him. "It's lemonade, my mama helped me make it." Antonio said "She really helped me do all of this." He admitted shyly.
Lovino smiled fondly at how Antonio reacted. "You and your mother must get along really well." He said softly.
Antonio nodded "Very well, she was really excited for me actually. I had told her all about you earlier... she actually told me to stop being a chicken and ask you out. She wants to meet you next time we have a date..." He explained, seemingly getting more embarrassed as he spoke.
Lovino listened intently. Is this what mothers were like, would his own be like this? Excited for his new prospect at love, the idea of him having someone? Would she want to meet Antonio too? "-Ino? Lovino?"
"I'm sorry what?" Lovino said.
Antonio laughed slightly. "I was asking about your mom?" He questioned.
Lovino stared for a second, shifting his gaze to the floor. "You.. you haven't heard the rumors around the school about me or anything? At all?" He asked weakly.
He heard shuffling, felt something next to him, not touching him just sitting there. "I've heard rumors about you.. I don't listen to any of them though. What do they have to do with anything Lovi?" He asked.
Lovino took in a breath. "M-my mom... died." He whispered. "She died when I was five in an accident... right in front of Feli and I... We couldn't... I couldn't... It was my fault." He cried softly.
He felt himself being pulled into Antonios arms, he felt warmth around him, rubbing his back lovingly. "It wasn't your fault Lovi, you were little, it's not like you killed her." He said, unaware of how his words of comfort drove the pain deeper.
Lovino sobbed harder hearing that, shaking his head softly. "It was my fault, you wouldn't understand, you couldn't understand." He sobbed.
"Lovino. Lovi look at me amore." Antonio said softly.
The moment Lovino felt flesh on his chin he flinched away and pulled out of Antonios' arms. "Don't." He shrieked
Antonio froze, Lovino watched him move slowly towards him. "Lovino, I promise I won't touch you okay? You need to try to breathe" He said softly, sitting in front of Lovino.
Lovino nodded, his breath was coming rapidly, tears streamed down his face. He felt embarrassed, the date was going so well and then he freaked out on Antonio who probably thought he was weird now. No. Lovino pushed out those thoughts and focused on breathing like Antonio told him. "Do you want to continue the date? Or do you want to go home?" He asked quietly, smiling warmly to Lovino.
"I want to stay, we need to eat the food at least" He said softly. "Besides, this is where I go in this situation anyway." He explained looking around him, trying to take in the peace this area seemed to have.
"I'll get you some food then, si mi amore?" Antonio said moving towards the basket.
Lovino just nodded, not knowing what else to do. He felt like every time he was around Antonio he seemed to let down every defence and break down in front of him, something he didn't want. Lovino wasn't even sure why, if he did he would fucking stop that shit from happening before it even became a full thought.
"I got you a sandwich, guess that makes me a woman" Antonio joked, placing the plate in front of Lovino.
Lovino laughed. "If that's the case you're a pretty manly woman, you've got pretty enough hair though." He replied.
Antonio smiled and flipped his hair to the side. "Of course it is, I'm fabulous!"
Lovino laughed "Fabulously a fucking idiot sure."
Antonio tsked and glared at Lovino. "Don't insult the one who makes your food, it could end badly for you!"
"You couldn't kill me if you tried." Lovino muttered. "Your moms a good cook by the way. Tell her I say thank you."
Antonio huffed. "I made that!"
Lovino nodded "Of course you did, and your mom made you. Really I should be complimenting her on her work."
Antonio scoffed and threw a chip at him, resulting in Lovino throwing something at Antonio, and Antonio retaliating. Soon enough they were in a full scaled food fight, laughing and shrieking. By the time the two of them had walked back into the house most of the contents in the basket were on them.
Nonno laughed when he saw them. "You do know you eat the food during a picnic Lovi right?"
Lovino just glared and flicked him off, walking a messy Antonio to the front door. "You're sure your mom won't mind? You can shower here, I can wash your clothes." Lovino pressed
Antonio shook his head. "No, no. I do my own laundry, it'll be fine." He explained smiling widely.
"What you idiot?" Lovino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I had fun." Antonio said grinning ear to ear.
Lovino laughed at how ridiculous he looked. "I actually did too." He said.
Antonio sighed and glanced down at his phone. "I need to get going, I have mass tomorrow." He said
Lovino nodded. "I'll talk to you later Tonio." He said softly.
Antonio waved as he walked down the driveway. "I'll see you in my dreams Lovi!" He called.
Lovino shook his he closed the door. "You idiot." He muttered before walking upstairs and heading to the bathroom.
He stripped and hopped in the shower, cleaning off the food and grass that covered his body before walking into his room and falling onto his bed, hopeful that tonight he would actually get some sleep.
At least Lovino will get some decent sleep! I stayed up alllll night writing this because insomnia is a fucking bitch and I had anxiety oops. So this was a pretty long chapter, pretty emotional, pretty everywhere... BUT I WROTE CUTIES AND THEY DID THE DATE THING PEOPLE DO AND IT WAS CUTE AND IM HAPPY!
oh also translation of what Lovino had said to Feli right here: Stop glaring please, you're making him uncomfortable.
I hope you guys like this damn chapter, i sacrificed my sleep that i probably wouldnt have had anyway for it! See you next time! I'm gonna go pass out now.