Ulrich sat in the booth of the fast food restaurant he and his friends were currently in, chin in his hands, eyes locked on Lovino as Alfred rambled on and on about something- Ulrich didn't care to find out what. The color had returned to his cheeks. He look much less sallow, and healthier than he had two months ago. He had even returned to his previous weight.
The German teen had incredibly mixed feelings regarding the whole situation. Six months had passed since he and Lovino had decided it would be best to break up. He had let the only person he had ever loved go so that he could be happy- and Antonio had gone and broken his heart. That fucking bastard. Ulrichs hatred for the Spaniard had grown to almost unbearable levels when he had found out what happened. Lovino had come crying to him. Of course he had, Ulrich was his best friend, and had held him tightly as he sobbed. He was still so incredibly angry at Antonio for that. He was angry at himself- no. Not angry. Disappointed in himself, that he couldn't cheer the Italian up. He'd been unable to convince him to eat, had been helpless against the tears that had streamed down Lovinos face. And most predominantly- relief. It was so good to see the younger boy smiling again. Ulrich found himself not even caring that it was Antonio who was able to do what he couldn't. As long as Lovino was happy.
"Hey Lov?" He questioned, cutting Alfred off. "Can I ask you something?" He paused a moment, before taking a breath, violet eyes flickering over the boy across the table. He still wore Ulrichs ring, something that made the German happier than it maybe should have. "Are you really really happy with Antonio? Like- do you really one hundred percent can't think of anyone else no matter how hard you try love him?" He had been wanting to ask this since the Spaniard came back, needed to get how he felt off his chest before it suffocated him.
Lovino flushed red, fidgeting with his fingers as he nodded. "Yeah, I do. When he was gone, it felt as though everything was surreal. Time moved slower. Everything felt cold, lifeless. Food was unappealing. I have never felt that broken before, and I do mean never." He murmured shyly. "But now that he's back.. when he holds me, my heart pounds so hard in my chest I worry it will break free. When he kisses me, and strokes my hair, all my fears, all my doubts melt away into nothingness."
Ulrich was silent a moment, processing the others words in his head over and over again, as he tried to ignore the pang in his chest. "When he left you… and you came crying in my arms… I was…" He hesitated a moment, trying to find the right words. "I was so incredibly angry. Not at you. Never at you, Lov, you know I couldn't be. But I gave you up so he could have you.. and he threw you away.. and hurt you. I have never wanted to hit someone so badly in my entire life." Ulrich confessed. "Even now.. I'm still so mad at him, because he hurt the one person I cherish- you." The boy shut his eyes a moment, composing himself. "Lovino. I need you to listen carefully to me, alright? As long as he makes you happy, I will absolutely support you in this. But if I ever see one tear in your eye that is not of joy, that he has caused, you are not to stop me from clocking him. Understand?"
The Italian flushed red, nodding his agreement. "I understand, Ully. But I know he won't. I promise. He'll take good care of me." He had not an ounce of doubt in his mind about that. Antonio loved him completely. He was too sincere to lie about that.
"And Lovino?" Ulrich sighed out softly, idly tugging at a lock of blonde hair. "If you ever need me… for anything at all.. you know where I am. I'm always here for you." He swore. "Always."