"Hey, Lovi." Antonio called, surprised to see the other at the park at this time of the day. Lovino started to slow his pace on the swing, then jumped off, landing on his feet.

"Bastard, I told you not to call me that." Lovino grumbled as he swept his hair back from his eyes. "Why are you walking from that way, anyway? I figured the bus had dropped you off at the stop half an hour ago."

"I walked home." Antonio shrugged, unable to contain his smile around the other. "I had to stay after school for something." This was an obvious lie. He had actually missed the bus looking for Lovino who he thought had decided to walk home that day. Now he saw that Lovino had been right here the entire time.

"How did you get here so early? Did you ride the bus?"

Lovino seemed slightly embarrassed. "No. I guess I'm just faster than your lazy ass."

Antonio could tell he was lying, but he didn't say anything about it.

"So, what have you been doing here?" Antonio asked.

"What does it look like I've been doing? I'm swinging on the damn swing."

"May I swing with you?"

"I'm not swinging anymore but have fun." Lovino said as he started to walk toward the bench where he had laid his backpack. Antonio followed after, plopping himself right down on the bench.

"So, guess what happened today?" Antonio said, looking for something to talk about -something to keep Lovino's attention.

Lovino rolled his eyes. "What?"

"Roderich slapped Gilbert." At Lovino's face of horror, Antonio continued, "I have no idea why, but Francis and I couldn't stop laughing. Gil was quite embarrassed."

"He probably deserved it." Lovino's horror melted and he picked up his bag, "I'm impressed at the guy, though. Who knew the musician had it in him?"

"Si, I know he snaps at Gil a lot, but I never expected him to slap him. I asked Gil, and he doesn't seem to know what he did wrong."

"Doesn't surprise me." Lovino shrugged and sat on the bench beside Antonio. He slumped against the hard backrest and held his backpack in his lap. "You think he'll get in trouble?"

"I hope not. I mean, for anyone else it would probably just be a day of detention, but with Roderich's program and all I don't know how strict the rules are."

"You think they'll send him home?" Lovino sat up in alarm. Lovino barely knew Roderich as far as Antonio was aware and was touched by Lovino's genuine concern.

Antonio shrugged. "I don't think anyone will snitch, but with how word goes around, someone's bound to hear eventually. I'm hoping he will just get a warning. It's no small thing sending someone overseas for school, anyway."

Lovino nodded and asked, "Have you ever been out of the country?"

"Yes, haven't I ever told you? I was born in Spain."

Lovino's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously?"

Antonio nodded. "I moved here the summer before fourth grade. That very first year was when I met Gilbert and Francis."

"You've been stuck with those jerks for that long?"

Antonio chuckled, always amused at how Lovino could say things so openly like that. It contrasted with how much he wasn't actually saying. "How about you? Have you ever been out of the country?"

"Once." Lovino didn't elaborate all that much, "We went to Italy a couple of years ago to see family."

"That sounds nice. I'd like to see Italy one day." Antonio leaned back in his seat. "I'd like to see all of Europe. When I still lived in Spain, my family went on vacation to France once, but that was so long ago. I'd like to see it all again."

Lovino was nodding, seeming more keen to continue as the conversation carried on. "I want to go back to Italy one day... maybe stay awhile longer. We went for a family reunion and while the family part had been kind of awkward, there was something about the country itself -the landscape, the people, the towns -it all just seemed… right to me."

"Your soul must be in Italy just like mine is in Spain. I haven't been there in years, but I can't help feeling as if some part of me still lies there waiting for me to return." Antonio said, surprised Lovino didn't scoff at the notion. When Lovino didn't reply at all Antonio decided to look around and noticed it was a nice day out.

The cold of the upcoming autumn wasn't present and it was serene to sit and watch the coloring trees and cloudy blue sky and see the occasional tiny brown bird fly in the open air above. Antonio had noticed that Lovino seemed a bit calmer around him recently. He wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Antonio now knew about his PTSD.

"Hey, Lovino, I've been meaning to ask you something…" Antonio spoke up and Lovino looked over, "Um, well, there's this party coming up. It's at Tim and Emma's house, right up the street. Their parents are gone for the weekend to see their brother which is kind of a long story, so Emma convinced Tim to let them have a party. I don't think Tim was too happy about it at first, but since Emma says Vladimir will probably come I think that really changed his mind-"

"Antonio?" Lovino said calmly.

Antonio looked at him, surprised at the interruption. "Yes?"

"Cut to the chase."

"Oh, yes." Antonio chuckled to hide his embarrassment. "Well, I wondered if you would want to come?"

"Go to the party… with you?"

Antonio nodded, hoping he would say yes. To tell the truth, he didn't know when it had happened, but he had grown to like Lovino a little more than just as friends. He had tried to pinpoint it many times. Had it been when Lovino had trusted him enough to tell him his secret? No, it felt much older than that. Had it been the first time they had met and his heart and broken a little when Lovino thought he had only been talking to him per his brother's request? Could it really have been from the very beginning?

Antonio just didn't know. He felt like he had always felt this way, yet it was so new to him that he knew that could not be. He didn't let the feelings confuse him, though. Instead he embraced them and used them and owned them, hoping they would help in showing Lovino how he felt. He wanted that chance, to let Lovino really know and to, possibly, see if he felt the same in return.

"Okay." The voice interrupted the thoughts and feelings pulling through Antonio's head.

"What?" Antonio asked, not quite hearing as he was startled from his thoughts.

Lovino blushed and looked down at the seat of the bench. "I said I'd go, bastard."

The words dawned on Antonio and his heart jumped in glee. He hadn't known how surprised he would be upon realizing Lovino would actually say yes. A smile spread across his lips and he watched the red tinge in Lovino's cheeks deepen as he continued studying the wood of the bench.

"I look forward to it then." He replied, feeling strangely accomplished and altogether thrilled.

-/-

"You're going to a party with Antonio!?" Was Feliciano's response upon hearing Lovino's Saturday plans for the first time.

"Yeah," Lovino said defensively, "So?"

Feli hung upside down from Lovino's bed where he constantly sat whenever he visited his brother's room. "So," He said, practically falling off the bed from widely swinging his arms as he spoke, "Is it like a date?" He was way too excited for this development, Lovino thought.

Lovino sputtered from where he sat at his desk, also his usual spot when his brother visited. "No! Why would I ever go on a date with that jerk?"

Feliciano giggled, "I don't knooow…."

Lovino turned back to his desk where he had been sketching in his free time. He wasn't sure what exactly would come out of the conglomeration of lines scribbled on the paper, but it was relaxing having something to do, especially now that he was trying to ignore his brother.

"What are you going to wear?" Feli asked.

Lovino didn't even look up. "Why does it matter?"

"Well, for an answer that you can actually stand, that's just what people do when they go to social functions. For another answer, so you can look nice for Antonio."

Lovino stayed silent, trying to show his brother that his teasing would do no good. He scribbled harder in his notebook, forcing his eyes to stay exactly where they were.

"When is the party?" Feliciano asked, ignoring his brother's silence.

"We're meeting at six." Lovino said, only half paying attention to the conversation now that he had figured out what it was he was drawing.

"Six!" Feliciano's exclamation had caused Lovino to whip around to look at his brother. Feli was sitting up and his face was flushed from being upside down for so long.

"What's the matter?" Lovino asked, surprised at having been pulled away from his drawing by the exclamation.

"It's 4:45, Lovi! That gives us, like, no time for you to get ready!"

"What?" Lovino started to turn back to his work, realizing his attention had been drawn away for no reason, "I've got plenty of time."

But in a flash his brother was upon him and pulling at his arm. "Lovi, that's not enough time! You have to go get in the shower now! I'll go through your clothes; maybe we can hurry!"

"Feli, calm down!" Lovino said, eyebrows furrowed and refusing to move.

"No." His brother was still pulling his arm, but he had gotten serious about the matter, as if it was of some grave importance. "I'm helping you whether you like it or not, Lovi. Get in the shower; that's an order." He stopped pulling at his arm then, electing to stare down at his brother instead.

"Really, Feliciano?" Lovino sounded a bit exasperated at knowing he wouldn't be able to get out of this.

"Really."

So Lovino got up and walked toward the door to his bathroom, his brother already in his closet going through different articles of clothing. Lovino couldn't help but smiling. A lot had changed these past weeks and he couldn't help feeling so much had turned for the better.

Then his mind traveled to the night ahead of him and he grew anxious. But there was also something else. Somehow, Lovino was also, strangely, thrilled.

-/-

Antonio would have picked up Lovino at his house, but the other had insisted that they meet at Antonio's, saying, "You don't want to deal with my grandfather. Besides, your house will be closer, right?"

Antonio honestly didn't mind meeting Lovino's grandfather, but Lovi had seemed pretty set on meeting him elsewhere, so Antonio sat on his porch and waited. It was almost six and honestly he was surprised he had gotten ready in time for once. He had actually been ready for a while if he was truly honest.

"Ciao, bastardo." Came the voice of the one person Antonio ever looked forward to seeing these days. Antonio grew increasingly happy in Lovino's presence.

"Hola, Lovi!" Antonio said as he stood from his spot on the porch steps. "Are you ready for the party?"

"Would I be here if I wasn't?"

"I suppose not." Antonio replied, not taking Lovino's rude tone to heart. He had gotten used to the way the other boy talked long ago.

The few blocks to Emma and Tim's house was mostly walked in silence as neither knew what to speak of. When they arrived, some random party-goer answered the door and Antonio and Lovino were greeted by loud, upbeat music and a mass of people dancing, sitting, talking, snacking, and whatever else people did at parties.

Antonio walked through to the room on the right which seemed to be the living room, grabbing Lovino by the hand as to not lose him in the crowd. When he looked behind him he found Lovino following closely, hand still in Antonio's and looking slightly nervous. Antonio squeezed his hand and stopped off to the side of the room where there weren't a lot of people around.

"There are a lot more people than I thought there would be!" Antonio yelled over the music. Lovino looked at him with one eyebrow raised. They stood there for a minute until Antonio felt again he should attempt conversation. "You look nice!"

Lovino didn't seem to hear him though. He was looking around the room watching the different people mingle and laugh and dance. A thought dawned on Antonio. "Hey Lovi-" But just then he was interrupted.

"Antonio! We found you!" The German accent of one of his friends interrupted him.

"Hello, Lovino." Came the French accent of the other, "If you would pardon us, we must rudely borrow Antonio for a minute. Really, it will be very quick."

Antonio caught a flash of alarm cross Lovino's face at the thought of being abandoned in this large crowd of strangers before his friends yanked him away. As soon as they were in the kitchen Antonio turned on them in disbelief.

"What was that? Can't whatever it is wait?"

"No, it must be now." Francis told him.

"You'll see! We're actually helping you!" Gilbert said.

"Helping me?"

"Yeah, I mean, what are friends for?"

"Helping me with what exactly?" Antonio felt uneasy. His friends' definition of "helping" didn't always match up with his own in situations like this.

"With Lovino, of course! We're going to see if he actually likes you!"

Before Antonio could protest Francis continued with the explanation. "It's simple really. We stand here and wait for Emma to talk to him. She'll find out in no time."

"Guys, I'm not so sure about this plan…"

"It'll be fine! Look, they're already clicking!" Gilbert said from where he peered out the kitchen door. Antonio walked over to join him and saw that Emma was already chatting with Lovino.

Gilbert stood and walked over to one of the kitchen counters, which he promptly sat upon. Antonio took the chair opposite the one Francis was in at the little breakfast table.

"I suppose leaving them alone for a short while wouldn't hurt." Antonio resigned, still feeling like since he was the one who had brought Lovino he should be the one with him.

"So, Gilbert," Francis said, already moving on to another conversation, "Is the little Austrian still mad at you?"

Gilbert laughed. "Yep. He stays in his room whenever I'm home unless it's dinner time. Dinner at the Beilschmidt residence has gotten quite awkward these days." Gilbert looked down into his hands, "I wish I knew what I did."

Antonio and Francis exchanged a glance. They'd had an inkling for a while as to what was actually between the two. Both Gilbert and Roderich were both the type too stubborn to admit it, but it didn't change what everyone else saw.

"Maybe you should take him out for some coffee to apologize or something?" Antonio suggested.

Gilbert looked at him. "What? Why would I do that? I did nothing wrong!"

"Well, Roderich sure seems to think differently." Francis chimed in, "Maybe this way you could at least figure out what it was."

Gilbert looked at them both in turn with doubt on his face. They didn't get a chance to discuss anymore about it, though, because that was when Emma walked in.

Without acknowledging them she walked over to the a counter in the corner of the room where there was an assortment of liter bottles of soda and a tall stack of plastic Solo cups. After she was finished filling two cups she walked over to Antonio.

"Here." She handed over the cups with a smile, "You shouldn't leave your date out there alone at a party."

Antonio took the cups in confusion.

Gilbert spoke up. "Well? What did you find out from him?"

Emma shrugged, then without another word walked off. The three of them watched after her in bewilderment.

"Mon dieu, I never would have thought that plan would backfire." Francis said.

Antonio shook his head and stood up. "Well, I'm going back in there. Any other clever ideas from you guys?"

Gilbert only clapped him on the back. "Go get him!"

And then Antonio was back at Lovino's side. "Sorry I took so long. Those two are hard to say no to."

Lovino accepted the cup Antonio offered him and took a tentative sip. "Whatever."

The two talked for a while and actually stayed in that same spot for the remainder of the party. Antonio learned a lot of new things about Lovino, such as that he liked to draw and that his favorite food was lasagna. He also learned that he was pretty close to his brother despite how everyone thought otherwise. In fact, when the two were younger, apparently Feliciano was very prone to being picked on by the other children and Lovino would often get into physical fights over it. Antonio couldn't help finding this very sweet, yet also very alarming.

Antonio also told Lovino about himself, about life back in his dear España and how he had many cousins both that he knew and didn't.

At around nine they decided to leave. People were starting to get rowdy and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hear one another. Besides, Lovino was due home soon anyway.

The streets were dark and quiet, prettily illuminated by the street lamps above. They walked in silence, still affected by the sudden change in volume and shy to speak up lest someone hear them.

Finally they seemed to ease into the new atmosphere and began to talk again.

"Did you enjoy the party?" Antonio asked.

Lovino shrugged. "It was okay."

Antonio chuckled. He hadn't expected any less from Lovino. "I'm glad you liked it. Parties can be really boring sometimes but I'm glad you were there. I think talking with you made it a lot more interesting."

Even through the night Antonio could see the blush spread across Lovino's face and without thinking he reached over and took the other's hand. Lovino froze in surprise, looking down at their hands, but Antonio kept walking, pretending nothing had changed. Antonio had held Lovino's hand before, one had been just earlier that night when he had been leading Lovino throughout the crowded house and the other one had been the night Lovino had told him the truth about his past. This time was different though. He wasn't comforting Lovino or holding his hand for practical reasons. This time was just because he could.

Soon they arrived back at Lovino's house and stopped at the short outside gate. Lovino was the first to speak up.

"Thanks for inviting me." This left Antonio pleasantly surprised.

"Well, thank you for coming with." A silence enveloped them then, as if neither were sure what would come next. The next thing Antonio knew Lovino was opening the gate and slipping his hand from his own.

"I'll see you later, I guess."

"Lovino, wait!"

And before he could think about it and before the other could tell what was coming, Antonio grabbed Lovino's hand again, pulling him toward him and pressing his lips against Lovino's. The kiss was short and before Lovino had the chance to respond in any way, Antonio pulled away and stepped back.

Lovino's face was the darkest shade of red Antonio had ever seen it and he looked shocked beyond speech. Antonio felt a little out of breath and, not knowing exactly why, breathed out, "Goodnight, Lovi," as if the kiss had been nothing but a gesture of farewell - a very intimate gesture of farewell.

Lovino opened his mouth as if trying to say something, but closed it upon further consideration. Then he just nodded, turned, and practically sprinted up the path to the front door, slipping inside and disappearing from sight. Antonio stood there for a moment, watching the door and unable to move until a smile started to spread on his face.

He had just kissed Lovino. They had kissed with only that small fence between them and the autumn air twirling the leaves around their feet and the stars shining beautifully above.

Antonio turned his head up to the sky, feeling that same cool air of the evening on his face as he walked away from the gate to take up the mellow pace back to his own house. He couldn't believe what he had just done, but he wouldn't have taken it back for the world.

Hi! So, um, sorry it's been so long... But, hey, they finally kissed! Jeez, took them long enough. Haha.

So, I've noticed that there were a couple of guest reviews on the last update and wanted to say thank you to you guys! Not only that but to all the guest reviews I've gotten for this story. I can't direct message you, so I figured I'd say that here. Thank you and I'm so glad you like the story!

And, of course, thank you to everyone for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing! I'm serious when I say that it brightens my day. Thanks for making me smile!

PS I was looking for a name for Luxembourg. As far as I know, he'll be mentioned in this story but not technically introduced, but I still need a name. I found a few I like(Louis, Neckel) but can't decide. I've done some research on popular names in Luxembourg and I'm kind of leaning toward Louis, but I'm still not sure yet. If you have a preference or have a new one to contribute please let me know! It would help a ton. Thanks!