Huh. That's strange. Where the hell is Antonio? Francis switched between checking the clock and checking his front window. As it grew closer and closer to the eight o'clock mark, Francis grabbed his backpack. Looks like I'm driving myself. I hope everything's ok. It's not like him to miss school. Francis dug his phone out of his pocket and tried calling Antonio again. Only to get his voicemail again. Might as well…
"Hallo?" a thick, sleepy, German accent groaned on the other end.
"Good morning, Gilbert," Francis chimed, already getting into his car, "Antonio's not answering, so it looks like I'm driving. Do you need me to grab you, too?"
"SCHEISSE!" Gilbert jumped out of bed, "I thought something felt off. Yeah. Take your time. You want me to try and get a hold of Antonio?"
"Don't bother," Francis backed out of his driveway, "I've already tried four times. Either he's overslept or he's not feeling well. And we don't have time to be late to check on him."
"I see that," Gilbert dug through his closet for a clean uniform, "There's always after school."
"I suppose so," Francis sighed, "But I'm worried about him, Gilbert. What if there's something not ok with him? What if he got caught up in some underground mafia?"
"That's me, Francis," Gilbert settled him, looking for his backpack, "And if Antonio got wrapped up in underground mafia business in this town, it'd be Dave. Dave would've told me. He's probably skipping today."
"Alright," Francis still didn't feel right, but for now, he could let that go. He had other things to worry about. Elizabeta's doctor's appointment is after school. Four o'clock. I'm sure we could swing by Antonio's after school before we get to her appointment, couldn't we? I don't see why not.
Francis honked outside of Gilbert and Ludwig's house, waiting for his favorite German to come toddling his way out. Sure enough, Gilbert was still putting his shoes on as he ran across the front lawn with his pants damn near around his ankles. I love this boy, but mon dieu, he's lucky his head's attached. Francis unlocked his doors and let Gilbert in, "Antonio could've given us some fair warning."
"He could've," Francis agreed, "But he didn't. We have to make the best of a bad situation."
"And you can't get a hold of him?"
"I tried," Francis shook his head, "Nothing."
"You don't think…" Gilbert's overactive imagination took over, "Wasn't Antonio at Shigure's last night?"
"Yes…"
"You don't think Antonio…stayed over…Do you?"
"No," Francis clarified, "He called me when he left Shigure's last night. He didn't stay over."
"Well," Gilbert wondered, "If that's the case, did Shigure kill Antonio?"
"Antonio's not dead," Francis could say that with absolute certainty, "He's probably just skipping."
Gilbert let out a heavy sigh, "I'm starving. Do we have time to stop at a gas station?"
"Unfortunately, no," Francis understood where he was coming from.
"This is why I regret not taking a cooking class," Gilbert whined, "Will you slip me something?"
"Meet in the bathrooms ten minutes after class?"
"I love you, Francis Bonnefoy," Gilbert swooned, "You're the only man I will ever truly love."
"Both you and I know that's bullshit," Francis giggled, "But I'll take the compliment."
When they got to school, the picnic table was in even numbers. Ayame and Shigure sat and waited for Francis and Gilbert. And they, too, were both confused and disappointed with their missing friend. Shigure, in particular. He said he'd see me tomorrow, didn't he? Besides, he has my binder. I hope he's alright. Regardless, they treated it like any other day.
"You two seem to be short one," Ayame pointed out, "Where's the pretty Spaniard?"
"Aya…" Shigure took on an authoritative tone, "No. Dibs."
Francis giggled a little bit, having a flashback to his conversation with Antonio yesterday, "Presumably at home. He wasn't our ride this morning."
"And Francis' driving scares the hell out of me," Gilbert wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Bullshit," Francis rolled his eyes, "My driving is fine. Yours is scary as shit."
"I was taught to drive on the Autobahn!" Gilbert defended himself, "Cut me some slack! You want to learn defensive driving? That's where you learn defensive driving. Danke, Vater."
"Alright, boys," Shigure stopped them, "Are you two ok? You're fighting like a married couple."
"We do that," Gilbert shrugged, "It's kind of our thing."
"Je t'aime, Gilbert," Francis rested his head on Gilbert's shoulder.
"Ich liebe dich…"
"Francis…" Feliciano and Ludwig joined them at the table.
"Hello, Feli," Francis melted, "Good morning, cheri. What can I do for you?"
"Do you know where Antonio is?" Feliciano sat down.
"No," Francis shook his head, "I'm sorry."
"Ok," Feliciano chirped, "But I do."
"It'd be great if you told us, Feliciano," Francis insisted, "We're all worried."
"He stayed home with Lovino," Feliciano filled them in, "Apparently, things with Lovino and Sadik weren't great, so he went over to Antonio's house. I talked to him last night and he said he was going to spend today taking care of him."
"Good," Francis let out a sigh of relief.
"Wait," Gilbert wondered, "What the hell would Lovino be doing with Antonio? I thought Lovino hated his guts."
"You'd think he hated his guts," Feliciano smiled, "But whether Lovino wants to admit it or not, he misses him. Being with Antonio made him feel safe and loved. Ever since he started seeing Sadik, he's almost become a different person. And it makes me sad."
"It's alright, Feli," Francis took his hand.
"And his bedroom is next to mine," Feliciano winced, "So, I can hear everything that goes on. I've thought about asking Grandpa for soundproofing for Lovino's room, so I don't have to. Noise canceling headphones can only get me so far."
"Do you know what goes on between Lovino and Sadik?" Francis asked, thanking every deity in the book that Lovino was safe and that Antonio was ok. But I'm sure that once Sadik finds out Lovino's seeking solace in Antonio's arms again, there's going to be a shitstorm coming Antonio's way. Not that he can't handle himself.
"I've heard Sadik yell at him when Grandpa's not home," Feliciano sat in Ludwig's lap, "And it's never anything nice."
"You don't really yell nice things at a person," Ludwig explained, "I mean…With Gilbert and me, we can."
"Why can you?" Ayame asked.
"We're German," Ludwig told him, "Ever hear German spoken at a normal volume? It sounds like a mess. When it's yelled, it comes across."
"That's true," Gilbert agreed, "German is a mouthful of a language. If you learn to speak it angrily, you learn it for life."
"I'm just glad Antonio's ok," Francis relaxed. Good boy, Lovino. You swallowed your pride and I couldn't be prouder of you. There is no one better for you to be with right now on the face of the planet than Antonio.
"I'm worried about Lovi," Feliciano laid his head in Ludwig's chest, "I don't want him to get hurt."
Oh, Feli…Mon cher, doux Feliciano…He's already gotten hurt. You just don't see it. Shigure got up from the table, "About Lovino…Who is he?"
"Mio fratello," Feliciano smiled, "And he's Antonio's ex-boyfriend. Why?"
"No reason." That's what I was afraid of. He saw some of Lovino in Kyo last night. And he had such a light in his eyes when he was holding him back. Should've known, "So, they're probably going to get back together, aren't they?"
"I doubt it," Gilbert assumed, "Antonio never shits where he eats twice. Once he's done with someone, he's done."
"That's not necessarily true," Francis chimed in, "Maybe he's going to be with Lovino like he is with me."
"You and Antonio dated?" Shigure gasped.
"Well," Francis mulled it over, "I wouldn't call it dating. We were kind of a casual thing one summer before I started dating Arthur. But it could happen. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised. Right now, I can guarantee that Antonio and Lovino are still sleeping. Lovino's laying on top of Antonio."
"You think Lovino's the little spoon?" Gilbert scoffed, "Really?"
"Absolutely," Feliciano confirmed, "When Antonio and Lovino were together, he was always in Antonio's lap, never on it."
"Honestly, Gilbert," Francis teased, "It's like you were vacant for the entirety of their relationship."
"Excuse me?" Gilbert defended, "You act like I didn't have my own in my lap."
"Really?" Ayame thought, "I had you pegged all wrong, Gilbert. I thought you were a total little spoon."
"I'm not a little spoon!" Gilbert squeaked.
"We know, cheri," Francis settled him, "Matthieu bottomed."
"Matthew?" Ayame perked up, "And who is this creature?"
"My ex," Gilbert shot Francis a glare, "Thank you, Francis, for sharing."
"You're welcome," Francis blew him a kiss.
Ring, ring.
Francis had the sudden realization that he would be sitting in his homeroom alone. He always had Antonio in homeroom. And now, he'd have to sit there by himself. Even worse, he'd have to deal with Natalia. But he always had that little piece of information that Antonio was so kind to gift him with about her brother. If all else fails, he could always resort to blackmail.
Meanwhile, outside of school and across town, Antonio was just waking up with Lovino in his arms. It's been a while since we've been like this, huh, Lovi? It's nice to be in the same room and not want to kill each other. Even nicer to be sharing my couch. Antonio ran his hand absentmindedly up and down Lovino's spine, making him squirm in the best way under his gentle, loving touch. You're alright now, cariño. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, ok? I know you hate me, but deep down, you know I'd do anything to keep you safe. I bet he'd be down for something to eat when he wakes up. You want something warm in your belly, Lovi? Slowly, but surely, Antonio tried to move Lovino off his chest.
"Mmm…" Lovino's face cringed and his grip on Antonio's shirt tightened.
"Shh…" Antonio settled him, "Shh…It's alright, Lovi. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. Not even to the kitchen."
"Why the hell not?" Lovino mumbled into his chest, slowly opening his eyes.
"Well," Antonio smiled down at him, "Buenos dias, Lovi. Did you sleep well, cariño?"
"Better than what I have in the past month," Lovino admitted, "Didn't you say something about you cooking?"
"Do you want me to make you some breakfast?" Antonio offered, "I just got groceries the other day."
"Ok," Lovino felt much better than what he did last night. That's for sure. Although, he still didn't feel quite right, "Shit! Don't we have to get to school?"
"Don't worry about it," Antonio brushed him off, "We're taking today off. If that's alright."
"If that's alright?" Lovino freaked, "You don't think that if I'm not in school and you're not in school, Sadik isn't going to put two and two together?"
"That's the thing I've noticed about Sadik," Antonio pointed out, "He's not much more than a pretty face."
"A pretty face and a mean right hook…" Lovino mumbled.
"What was that?" Antonio's hyper senses kicked into overdrive.
"Nothing," Lovino shook it off, "We need to get to school, Antonio."
"No, we don't," Antonio kept him on the couch, "Lovi, you came to my house last night hardly able to stand and running a fever. You looked like a puppy someone abandoned under the overpass. You don't need to go to school and I don't need to go to school. Not today. I told you this before. You're safe, Lovino. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Lovino got up from the couch and moved to the chair in the corner, balling up with the quilt he slept with last night. Always the stubborn one, Lovi. Antonio went into the kitchen and got started on breakfast for the two of them. Let's see. Lovi always had a thing for sweet. That's usually Francis' strong suit. But torrijas sound like a hell of an idea. I could do that. With a sort of tres leches syrup? Damn, that sounds good. Not quite like a hot chocolate, but I can do a tres leches syrup. Or both. Both is always good, too.
As Antonio went on with his cooking, Lovino got up, still wrapped in his quilt, and took a seat at the island in Antonio's kitchen. He sat and watched carefully. Every stir, every broken egg, every dipped piece of bread going into the pan covered in egg and milk and cinnamon and honey. And because Antonio couldn't help himself, he had a side of churro batter sitting next to his deep fryer. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, Lovino smiled an honest to God smile. Albeit bittersweet. Why did I ever give this up? Because I wanted to go whore around for a while? Because I thought Antonio's love was smothering me and holding me back? Stupid, stupid Lovino.
"Here, cariño," Antonio slid a plate across the island, "You need to eat something. And carbs are life's greatest hug, are they not?"
Lovino shut his eyes for a moment or two, "I taught you that."
"That you did," Antonio confirmed, making a plate of his own.
"Goddamn, Antonio," Lovino choked a little after his first bite, "I can taste the diabetes in this."
"I'm sorry, Lovi," Antonio reached for his plate, "Do you want me make you something else?"
"No," Lovino shook his head, "It's perfect…It's just the way I like it. You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to," Antonio stopped him, "Besides, you deserve it, Lovino. Let me take care of you. Even if it is just this once. I've damn near resorted to taking care of Francis and Gilbert this way."
"Have you?"
"Saturday afternoon, I did," Antonio nodded, "Last Saturday, after that massive fucking party at Feliks and Magnus' house, Gilbert was super hungover and Francis had almost died, so…"
"Wait," Lovino stopped him, "Francis almost what?"
"Oh," Antonio bit his tongue, "Yeah…About that…Magnus gave him ecstasy and Francis damn near OD'd and died. That's not something too many people know, Lovi, so if you could keep that between us, I'd really appreciate it."
"I won't say a word," Lovino knew when to keep his mouth shut. If I know something like that about Francis, there's no way Sadik won't trace that back to Antonio. And I'll be the one paying the price. I was hardly at that party. When Sadik was looking for me, I was hiding in one of the bedrooms upstairs.
"That party did us all dirty," Antonio winced, "Ever notice the big ass cut on your boyfriend's arm?"
"Yeah," Lovino hated that Antonio was calling Sadik his boyfriend, but for the sake of argument, he let it go, "It was gross as hell and I had to clean it up. What about it?"
"That was from that party," Antonio admitted, "And I'm the one that put it there."
"You cut Sadik?!" Lovino gasped, "I spent half an hour picking glass out of his arm. What did you hit him with?"
"I didn't hit him with anything," Antonio elaborated, "Technically, I hit an empty bottle of Captain on an end table, then I ran it across Sadik's arm. I don't like the way he talks about you, Lovi. Like you're his possession."
"I feel you," Lovino cringed only for him to soften up in the next breath, "You…Did that for me?"
"Yeah," Antonio took his hand, "Lovi, look…I love you. Always will. And I won't hesitate to cut a bitch for you."
Lovino's eyes started to swell as he stared down into what little food he had left on his plate. Why did you leave him, Lovino…? Why would you ever do something so stupid? Before he could start bawling, Lovino shook those thoughts out of his head, "You don't have to do that, Antonio."
"I want to," Antonio squeezed it just enough for Lovino to remember he's there, "Next time he goes to lay a hand on you, cariño, I want you to look at that scar. That long, nasty cut on his arm. And know that I won't ever hesitate to do that for you ever again."
"You know, Antonio…" Lovino confessed, "You really are something else."
"I try," Antonio giggled, giving Lovino's icy heart the warmth it so desperately craved, "I'm going to step outside for a second. Care to join me?"
"Hell yes."
Antonio and Lovino went outside for a cigarette just like the old days. It had been Lovino's first cigarette in a month and a half and he couldn't have been happier. The nicotine flowed in his system like a hug he so desperately needed. And as the two of them smoked in silence, it really was just like the old days. Where not a word needed to be said between them. Just knowing that the other was there was comfort enough. Why did I ever leave him?
Antonio stomped the end of his out and looked up at Lovino, savoring every last bit of his. Why would I have ever let him go? He remembered back to the old days while he and Lovino were still together. When he'd only light the end of his own cigarette, only to share the smoldering embers with Lovino. Like a strangely soothing kiss. When Antonio would smoke a little more than cigarettes and kiss the smoke into Lovino's mouth (which he was more than happy to accept). Damn, I miss those days…
"Antonio," Lovino finished his cigarette and tossed it onto the concrete slab Antonio called his back porch, "I know I don't say this often…Not as much as I should anyway. But thank you."
"You're welcome, Lovi," Antonio smiled, "But there's no need to thank me. You know I'd do this for you any day of the week. I'm glad you came to me, though."
"It's too bad I came to you too late," Lovino's smile was short lived, "I'm so sorry, Antonio…"
"Don't you dare apologize to me, Lovino," Antonio wrapped his arms around him, "You have nothing to apologize for. No, no, no…You didn't know that Sadik was going to turn out to be an asshole. Love is blind, cariño."
"You think what Sadik and I have is love?" Lovino scoffed, "No. You're sorely mistaken. He was just supposed to be a rebound. One night. Just one night. That's it. That's all it was supposed to be. Something to get you out of my head and clear my slate. But then…He started being so sweet to me. He was asking me about hanging out and if I wanted to go here and there for the weekend and the sex was absolutely fucking incredible…"
"Lovi," Antonio winced, "I'd rather not hear that part. I know he knows your spots."
"How do you know?"
"He told me," Antonio gagged, memories of the party flashing through his head like a tape reel, "That's half the reason why I slashed his shoulder with a broken rum bottle."
"Always defending my honor, aren't you?" Lovino laid his head in Antonio's chest.
"Siempre," Antonio kissed the top of his head.
"But then…" Lovino gripped his shirt a little tighter, "Then, he started turning into an asshole…"
"Shh…" Antonio ran his hand down Lovino's back, doing his best to offer whatever comfort he can, "It's alright, Lovi. He's not here. You're safe. You don't have to talk about him if you don't want to."
"Thank you," Lovino buried his face in Antonio, letting his warmth envelop him, the sweet smell of cinnamon bringing him back down. I don't want this to ever go away…