Thanks to Firekat Archer for beta-ing! (Is that a word? Firekat, tell me! XD)

xXx

Lovino stood by his locker, arms folded crossly. He looked at the clock on the wall for what seemed like the hundredth time, and then started tapping his fingers. Where the hell is that idiot? The hallway was practically empty by now, with everyone in a hurry to get home. At least no one could stare at him like he's a loser for waiting around by himself, now, but still. He wanted to go home, too. He was hungry, dammit!

"Lovino!" The brunet started and then turned around, only to see a blond teen standing next to him and looking mildly frustrated. Lovino blinked.

"Oh sorry, Mathew, I didn't see you there."

"Yeah, I know," the blond sighed. "Anyways, Alfred's in the nurse's office, and- Lovino? Are you listening?"

The normally tan Italian had turned pale. "Wh-what's wrong with the bastard? He's never sick! He ate a bad burger, didn't he? I knew those things would finally show their evilness one day!"

"No, he's not sick," Mathew answered, shaking his head. "He hit his head playing soccer or something and-Lovino!"

But the slender brunet was gone, running pell-mell down the hallway.

xXx

Lovino skidded into the nurse's office and frantically looked around, panting. "Alfred!" he called out, seeing the blond boy stretched out on a couch. "Idiot, what did you do?" He gripped the surprised teen's chin in his hands and tilted his blond head back and forth, looking for bumps. His harsh words were belied by the gentle fingers carded through Alfred's soft blond hair. He paused when he felt a bump; Alfred winced. "Dammit, bastard," the frantic Italian whispered. "What did you do to yourself?"

"Haha, I'm fine!" Alfred laughed somewhat weakly, placing his large hands on Lovino's wrists. "I just bumped my head a little, that's all. I got a little too competitive and ran into the post of the net."

Lovino stared at the boy on the couch. "Are you serious, bastard?"

Alfred gave a sheepish grin. "Unfortunately, yeah," he answered. The Italian shook his head in a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. "You need a keeper," he told the taller boy, and then let him go. "If you're not hurt that badly then let's go already, bastard! You didn't come to my locker." He absolutely did not pout.

"Sorry!" Alfred tried to stand, only to sink back on the couch with a groan. "Sorry," he said again, softly, and put his hand on his head. "I'm just a little dizzy. Hold on a sec."

The Italian's hazel eyes were huge and he had both of his hands outstretched to the blond, ready to catch him if he fell over or something. "Are you sure you're all right, bastard? You don't need to go to the hospital or anything, do you?"

"No," Alfred reassured Lovino. "The nurse just said I got a mild concussion, but it should be better soon. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to drive, though."

"Your brother couldn't?"

"Mattie had to go somewhere. Probably on a date with Beilschmidt," Alfred's look momentarily darkened, but then snapped back to cheerful blue. "I just asked him to find you first to let you know I wouldn't be able to drive you home today!"

Lovino was staring again, this time in disbelief. "And how are you going to get home, stupido?"

The American blinked his blue eyes. "Er…hadn't thought of that one."

The brunet resisted the urge to slap his palm on his face. This idiot was going to be the death of him. "Keys," he demanded, holding out his hand.

Alfred was confused at first, but then said, "Oh!" and fished them out of his pocket. "You're going to drive me home, Lovino?" He grinned.

"Not like I have a choice," the Italian said gruffly, turning to hide his blush. "Come on then."

Alfred still couldn't stand up by himself, so Lovino pulled him up and helped him towards the parking lot. "Just don't fall on me," he warned. "You're so huge I'd never get us up again."

"Haha, okay!" Alfred laughed.

Lovino blushed and tried to ignore the way that the American's arm was draped over his shoulder, and the warmth of Alfred's surprisingly muscular side was pressed against his.

Just friends, he repeated to himself like a mantra.

xXx