"Lovino, I understand your Grandfather died, and that can be very upsetting. I'm sure he loved you very much." Arthur said, in an attempt to be as comforting as possible.

However, the other man shook his head and huffed in annoyance. "That's giving the bastard too much credit. He didn't love me at all. When he cared me and my brother as kids, he'd always pay more attention to Feli. My little brother was always more artistic, more social and talented than I ever would be. Feli was definitely cuter than I was, and still is because of his people – loving, happy – go – lucky attitude, and I am nothing like him. I'm stupid to believe if I'll ever be as loved as much as my brother is."

"And that is why you push people away." The Brit stated, mostly to himself. In fact, he was unaware that he even said that thought out loud.

"Excuse me?! I'm fucking pouring my heart out here! This is hard enough as it is without your comments, you stupid jerk!" Shouted the Southern Italian with a pink blush across his cheeks.

Arthur immediately held his hands up in defense and shook his head like a mad – man. "I'm sorry! That's not what I meant at all. I was thinking out loud and I didn't even realize it. I am sorry if I offended you." He finished with a sigh. Comforting this man would be a harder challenge than he initially imagined.

"I know I push them away." Lovino admitted, either to Arthur or to himself. "I just can't help it. "Our parents died in a car crash when mi fratello and I were very young. I was no older than eight at the time."

"I'm sorry. I'm not sure how that feels, but I know you must have been in shock." The Brit commented, hoping he was saying the right things this time and nothing that could tip the Italian over the edge again.

The brunette blinked in confusion, unsure how to respond to the Englishman's remark at first but nodded his head. "Yes, it was a terrible shock. Especially for Feli. Then Grandpa Marcus took us in. At first it was comforting just to know that someone in this world cared about us, but my brother eventually became the favorite, and I seemed to fade away into the background. To say I was depressed was an understatement. First I lose my parents and then it felt like I had no one. That I really was all alone."

"Maybe…maybe he just wasn't sure how to approach you about – you know, losing your parents and everything. Maybe he was scared?" Arthur replied.

Lovino appeared to be lost in thought for a very long time. His bright hazel eyes looking at nothing, yet seeing his entire past right before him, almost like a private movie screen made just for him. "I just don't know. Almost a year ago, Antonio proposes to me. It was the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. I love that man more than anyone could ever know, and I should probably tell the bastard I love him more often."

"I may not have known you or Antonio for very long," The blond began. "But I do know a thing or two about love. I can tell that you really love your fiancé, and from what I've seen I can see it in Antonio's eyes that he loves you back. I also know that you have a very different way of showing love," Arthur chuckled, Lovino raising his eyebrow as though he'd been waiting for him to continue. "But you seem very protective to those that you are close to. Like someone could jump in at any time and take them away from you." The man was lost in thought again, with a lost look that stared off into the distance. "I know that feeling. I never want to lose those that I love."

The Italian shrugged, seeming to have dropped his guard. "I guess I am the protective one in the relationship, even though I'm younger than Antonio. I just can't help that, he's a happy idiot like my brother who trusts everyone."

Arthur was pleased to have made a new friend as he rode the bus home. He was also proud of the fact that he had put three extra hours into his shift that day, which meant he worked a total of eleven hours, and he'd do it all again tomorrow.

The Brit figured that he'd take the bus home from now on while he was working late as to avoid crossing paths with either Ivan or Natalia. Those two were never getting a dime from him again, and he did not feel threatened by the duo anymore as he had plenty of support from friends, Francis, and a newfound confidence in himself also.

It was nine o'clock by the time the bus dropped him off on his street. When he opened the door to the apartment, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Francis kept to his promise earlier. The room was dimly lit with candles, and a trail of rose petals lead to the bedroom he shared with Francis.

The blond Englishman chuckled and shook his head. "That frog sure does know how too go all out when romancing a man." He said quietly to himself with a fond smile. He was also pleasantly surprised to find out that Gilbert was no where in sight, so he and his French lover could moan as loudly as they wanted.

"Well, has someone been waiting for the breadwinner to finally get home?" Asked Arthur in a sultry voice. The green – eyed blond discarded his jacket onto the floor and undid the buckle that held his pants.

Francis, already naked minus his underwear, licked the top of his lips and twirled a curl in his hear. "Breadwinner, you say? I think you are forgetting who tops in the office – and in the bedroom as well."

The Brit feigned a gasp. "Francis Bonnefoy, I hope you aren't suggesting what I think you are. As you already know, I am a very powerful man… and I definitely do not bottom."

Francis quickly grabbed his British lover and forced him into a kiss.

Arthur, already hot, noticed that his lover's breath tasted of fresh mint. "Pulling my hair already? You're cheating." He said when the kiss was broken.

The blond Frenchman shrugged his shoulders with a fake pout. "All is fair in love and war, mon amour."