AN: Guten Tag!

Here's the new chapter.

To those who reviewed:

ThatCaveYouCallAChest: Thanks for the song recs. I have been looking for one for Rome's funeral. So that really does help. You're right, MCR does fit.

Spamano4ever: And they shall get lots of love. With that group? There's no way they couldn't get loved.

Mighty Agamemnon: Realistic high school? Thanks, I guess. That's nice to know. And while I do love Lovi, I will agree that he does need to get more used to the snappish nature that people have when they're upset or worried. But, while that is a big character flaw of his, it's because he's so used to being alone that he doesn't know how to deal with other people snapping at him like that, especially if that someone is as close to him as Antonio is. A lot of times, just small things will set him off, but it's because he truly cares about Antonio, just doesn't know how to let him know. He has low self-esteem, but he is admittedly getting better about it, as is Antonio. Both of them..they're a really dysfunctional pairing because they both have their low self-esteem thing with other people, they just act differently because of it.

And that is the most I have ever typed in response to a review. Phew.

Lovino woke up on the morning of Feliciano and his nonno's funeral and sighed. He didn't look forward to this, because after this, it was all so final. Antonio and the others would be waiting for them at home, but Lovino already knew that it was going to be a long day anyways.

He got up and got ready, hesitant to begin his day.
Feliciano, who was normally very smiley and energized in the mornings, was sullen when Lovino met up with him in the kitchen for breakfast.

As soon as that ended, the brothers headed out.

The funeral was hard to sit through. It was a very quiet thing. Even Lovino didn't have the strength to get up and talk. Feliciano kept clinging to him, crying silently. He knew it was hard on his brother, seeing their nonno in the coffin like this. He bit back his own tears, holding himself together by a thread for his brother.

At least, until the burial. Then Lovino let his tears fall as well. Feliciano and him lingered the longest of the small crowd there. Then Lovino led them both home.

As soon as they were home, everyone else giving both of the brothers sad looks, the two seperated to get changed. Feliciano sat down in the floor of the living room after. Lovino came into the room soon after, carrying one of their nonno's old blankets that still had his scent on it and draping it around his brother, who was still crying in silence before he sat down and wrapped his arms around him in silence.

Feliciano once again cried himself to sleep. This time, Lovino let Ludwig take care of his brother while he got up and headed outside alone, not wanting to break around the others.

Antonio got up and followed.

Gilbert tried to stop him, tell him to let Lovino have some alone time, but didn't bother. Lovino would let the spaniard know if he wanted to be alone.

The tears that once again fell steadily down Lovino's face made Antonio wish that he could stop the pain for both the boys. He knew it wasn't easy to lose someone close to you.

Antonio sighed silently, drawing Lovino to him in a hug. The italian turned towards him, and for a moment he thought that he was going to be pushed away. But then he found himself being clung to.

Now, for the first time as he listened to Lovino sob quietly against his chest, he realized why Lovino was how he was. He kept himself shut off to keep himself safe. He didn't get close to anyone out of fear of them leaving him. He was protective of those closest to him because he didn't want to lose them now that they were in his life and so close to him. He snapped a lot, but it was his way of seeing who cared enough to see past that and who would turn and leave the second he got into a pissy mood. He didn't cry in front of others because he was scared they'd turn him away if they thought he was weak enough to cry.

And for the first time ever, Antonio realized, Lovino was still a lost little kid who'd grown up too fast.

After a while, Lovino pulled away, sniffling, and dried his eyes. "Sorry,"he mumbled, looking away.

Antonio turned Lovino's head back to where he was looking at him. "Don't be. I know. It's hard to say goodbye like that. You needed to let it out,"he said softly. "You've tried to stay strong too long not to,"

Lovino shrugged. "I had to keep it together for Feli."he said softly. "He doesn't need to watch me break like this."

Antonio nodded in understanding. "Just know we all love you. And that we're going to help you guys get going again,"

Lovino shook his head. "Don't. Toni, don't, let me handle this. Please?"

Antonio tilted his head but nodded. "Fine. But if you guys ever need some help or something..let one of us know."he said quietly.

Lovino nodded once, leaning up to steal a kiss.

As soon as he pulled away, he gave a weak faint smile. "Thanks,"he said quietly. "Are you guys staying the night?"

Antonio nodded.

"Okay,"Lovino said softly.

By dinner, Feliciano was back up. But he kept himself wrapped up in the blanket that Lovino had placed around him. He let a few tears fall every so often, but mostly kept himself together.

Lovino never let another tear fall in that time. He'd let out what he'd kept bottled inside and that was it.

The group ended up sitting in the living room, talking quietly.

Lovino was one of the first to fall asleep, emotionally and physically drained after the day.

Antonio half smiled, pulling a spare blanket over the italian leaning against him and letting him be.

After that, everyone settled down.

The following morning, Antonio awoke to see Lovino still fast asleep against his chest. He smiled faintly, but didn't move so as to not wake him up.

Gilbert smiled over at him. "I've never seen him so at ease with someone before, Tonio. You've accomplished something just shy of a miracle."

Antonio smiled in response, but didn't answer. Instead, he drifted back into a light sleep.

About an hour later, Antonio woke up again to Lovino's stirring. Lovino blinked his eyes open and raised his head before he mumbled something in italian and laid his head back down, snuggling closer to Antonio, who chuckled.

Lovino looked up at him curiously and Antonio smiled, pecking the italian's lips.

Still, he shifted so that Lovino was pulled into his lap and he could sit up, but Lovino could keep his head on his chest and nap a bit longer.

How sweet, Matthew thought, smiling at the scene. It's not often that something like this happens.

And done. I should apologize for this, but I'm not going to.

Hope you enjoyed!