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Step number 2: Never underestimate pester power.

Antonio could do that, Lovi always told him he was annoying...so he was sure that this could work, he knew where Lovi lived now, and he knew his phone number (although it wasn't from Lovi himself, he'd got it from Femke) so he texted him to let him know he was coming over (it was only fair to call ahead). It wasn't that far of a walk and he was sure he could walk it in about half an hour, he'd stopped off to get a drink.

He was nearly there when a voice called out to him "Oi, Mr Carriedo!"

Antonio span around to see Marcello stood in the road "Hola?"

"I need to talk to you"

step number 5: make friends with his family, they're gonna have to get used to you at some point.

Well, it wasn't in order, but never mind. "sure" he grinned taking a sip of water

Marcello fell into step next to him "I heard you like my brother" Antonio spat out his water

"W, what!"

"well, is it true?"

um, um, um...Antonio had no idea what to do or say, he could feel his face heat as he scrambled for an answer.

"I'm taking that as a yes?" Marcello grinned

Antonio sighed in defeat "yes", Marcello shrugged and elbowed him in the ribs,

"Don't look worried, what do you think I'm gonna do?" he chuckled, Antonio laughed awkwardly, truth be told he was a tiny bit scared of Lovi's family, not all of it...Feliciano wasn't scary no matter how hard he tried to be. It was mainly Mr Vargas who scared him...but who knew what Marcello was like.

"Look, my brother's been alone for a long time, and I'm happy someone's showing an interest. I'm prepared to help you...but only if you aren't going to mess him around" Marcello explained.

Antonio looked at the boy for a moment, that was surprising.

"Why do you think I'll mess him around!" he replied indignantly "I love your brother, and I wouldn't ever do that!"

Marcello beamed at him "thank god!, I'd have had to tell Lovino if you didn't"

Antonio paled dramatically, less to do with Marcello's words and more to do with the fact that he'd just announced that he loved Lovino Vargas very loudly in the middle of the road, for the first time ever.

Slowly blood flow returned to Antonio's face, he'd said it, he'd really, actually said it...to his little brother..."You aren't going to spread this around, are you?" Antonio asked nervously, the last thing he needed was for the whole school to know that he liked Lovi...he'd be fine with the world knowing, providing Lovi said yes...

Lovino was at Arthur's house when Antonio texted him...Bastard, did he not think that Lovino would be doing other things, like visiting friends.

Well, maybe not friends exactly. More casual acquaintances, but Arthur was a shit cook and he needed kind, patient teacher...but they were all busy so Lovino would have to do.

He was going to teach Arthur how to not burn pasta and make something edible, he wasn't sure what, but it sure as hell wouldn't be the stew that Arthur had suggested.

He was about to leave when Arthur received a guest.

Well then, Marcello's plan had gone better than he had thought, and he was thrilled for Lovino, he wasn't sure if he liked men or not, but if he did then he really really hoped he liked Antonio.

Because that way he knew they wouldn't worry as much as they did...wow...he could be a caring brother after all...he'd have to stop that, it was weird.

So Antonio had managed to partially complete step 5 on Mathias' list, and he had Lovi's youngest brother's full approval...not bad for a days work

Arthur's guest turned out to be the man with the coffee from the staff room (Lukas or something like that) Lovino was fully prepared to just leave and get home to see what the fuck Antonio wanted,

but the man stopped him "Are you Lovino Vargas?"

Lovino nodded, what the hell did he want!.

"I need to apologize for my idiot-" Lukas pulled a face briefly "boyfriend"

Lovino didn't know Lukas and was pretty much certain that he didn't know his boyfriend by default.

"Why?" he grumbled

Lukas raised an eyebrow "One of your friends, Antonio Carriedo, has been taking some advice from him about asking someone out, knowing Mathias, it's probably mortifying to be seen with your friend at the moment"

Lovino thought for a moment, Antonio could have asked anyone for help, why Mathias (whoever that was) to his knowledge he hadn't asked any of their mutual friends, and he certainly hadn't asked him...what, did he look incapable of flirting...Bastard!, without realizing it he was out of the door and well on his way back to his house. Still trying to work out why he was in such a bad mood about it, besides, it's not like anyone else ever asked for his advice out side of the kitchen...so why should Antonio be any different?.

God dammit this was hard, he eventually decided that it was Antonio's fault, he wasn't sure what it was that was Antonio's fault yet, but rest assured, he'd find something.

Un surprisingly Antonio had arrived at Lovino's flat before Lovino himself did. But he'd decided just to wait, he had no idea what he was going to do or say, but he was already in a stupidly happy mood after his talk with Marcello.

Lovino came skulking up the stairs a while later, he'd not been expecting to see Antonio there already and practically jumped out of his skin, "Bastard!, the fuck do you think you're doing hiding around corners?"

Antonio wasn't hiding, he'd been in plain view, but it was adorable that Lovino had been startled like that. Okay, this time, no nervousness, just some friendly Lovi bothering.