He didn't miss Antonio.

There was no fucking way! He just missed the house being full! That's it. As Romano walked towards the coffee shop, he tried to ignore the voice in his head.

"You miss the bed being full too. It's too cold without him. The smell of his cologne isn't as strong as it usually is either."

He couldn't shut the voice up, and he was so frustrated with it! If he were younger he'd have broken down by now. He had never gotten quite used to the nagging. He really needed to get that fixed.

For the past two days that Antonio had been gone, Romano was in more or less of a rut. Not even a copious amount of pasta and wine could fix this. Even cussing out that stupid German of Feliciano's didn't even make him feel better. Only for about an hour and then he uncharacteristically gave up on it.

He was pissed at Antonio, but he missed him too. It was a vicious cycle. He wanted to punch Antonio so badly, but he wanted to tell him to stop being stupid and come back home. The stress was building. So he finally figured the only way to relieve some of the stress was coffee. Lots of coffee. Though it wasn't exactly going to be a joy. Arthur was bound to be there, and there was no doubt in Romano's mind that Antonio would tell him what happened.

He stood in front of the shop, hesitating.

"Damn. Why the hell does it matter if Bushy Brows is in there? If I want coffee then I'm getting it!" The Italian muttered,

Gathering all his courage and pride, he swung the door open. It was relatively busy and the brunette could see Arthur talking to Alfred with a smile on his face. He walked pensively up to the bar. Alfred spotted him first, and Arthur's gaze followed his when the boisterous blonde suddenly stopped talking. It was unnerving. Arthur excused himself and approached his new customer as his smile fell.

"What are you doing here?" The Brit asked harshly.

"I can get coffee can't I?" Romano spat back.

The blonde turned around and grabbed a cup. He went about gathering the things he needed for Romano's usual. Just seeing that asshole's face pissed him off. And he knew he should just keep his mouth shut. But the urge to say something was far too great.

"You do realize what happened after your fight?" He asked calmly.

"Let me guess, idiot came crying to you?" Romano rolled his eyes.

"Actually, yes. He quite literally did."

Romano froze. Wait. What?

Arthur poured the Amaretto extract into the cup as he waited for fresh coffee to brew. "Do you realize how much you just throw away?"

Romano grimaced. "What the fuck does that mean?"

The Brit's cold gaze was directed towards him. "Do you know how much he cares about you? And you don't even appreciate it."

The coffee maker beeped, and Arthur grabbed the pot and filled the Italian's cup. He set it in front of the other and turned to grab creamer.

"You hurt him and you don't even care." He snipped.

Where did he get off? "Like you're one to talk! You abuse your dip-shit boyfriend just as much as I allegedly do mine!" Romano snapped.

Just like that Arthur turned around and smacked the creamer bottle onto the counter, and leaned in towards the brunette. His eyes were brimming with anger and discontent towards the shorter man. Several people halted their conversations to stare at the two curiously. Alfred looked on worriedly.

"Don't you dare make this about me! I may poke, and I may push, but never once have I made Alfred cry like you make Antonio! Because despite all my flaws, not only does Alfred love me, but I learned to love myself enough to love him back. And what gets me most is how Antonio loves you too much to let you go, yet you don't seem to have any feelings towards him at all. He's better off without you but I don't know how long he'll take my advice before he goes running to you again. If I had it my way he'd stay away for good!" The British man whispered hatefully.

Romano stared stupidly. What just happened?

Arthur was usually a very grumpy person in general. But this was pure malice! Feeling slightly triumphant in shutting the loud mouthed Italian up for once, Arthur leaned back and went about finishing the coffee. The brunette sat there without speaking. For once, Romano actually let his pride take a rest. Looking back on the situation he was shocked. It was stupid how he acted. It really was. He wanted people to take him seriously, but he went and blew a harmless situation up, not unlike how a child would. And dear God. He was stupid enough to deserve a lecture from Bushy Brows.

Arthur set the cup down in front of him with finality. He didn't know whether to be proud, or slightly disturbed of the look on Romano's face. It was like he actually heard what he said for once. Like he actually felt bad about what happened. Well damn. He was a miracle worker!

Romano slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty. He set it on the table and got up. Arthur cocked his head and raised and eyebrow. That was much more than the coffee costed.

"Just keep the change." Romano grumbled and turned around.

The Italian started towards the door, but turned around before pushing it open, resting his hand on the cold metal bar going across the glass.

"Bushy Brows." He said smirking, then left.

"That little prat!" Arthur fumed.

The nerve of that guy!

"Artie! Now that you're not gonna kill Romano, can I have pie?" Alfred called happily from across the bar.

"What is it with you and pie?" Arthur shot back.

Romano couldn't believe it, but Bushy Brows was right. Not that he was right about everything, but he had a point. And the brunette had no idea how to fix the situation. He found himself walking around the city, knowing eventually he'd spot Antonio somewhere...

"Romano Vargas! How nice to see you again~!" A familiar voice called out to him.

Oh GOD NO.

When he turned around he was met with the familiar face of Francis Bonnefoy. If the world took pity on him at all, it should just kill him now. A runaway bus, a drive by shooting, it didn't matter. Anything but Francis.

He had been one of Antonio's best friends in High School, and usually the one who hooked Antonio up with some of the guys he dated. He had even tried more than once to seduce Romano in his painfully ineffective way. And in Romano's book, Francis was public enemy number one. But he could never avoid him. The Frenchman had quite a fondness for the oldest Vargas twin... If fondness is what you could call it.

"I swear to God if you touch me I'll kick you in the balls so hard you'll see stars for a month." Romano warned; looking like a puffed up cat, holding his finger out as if it was a warning.

Francis looked at him wide eyed, then laughed. "Well, I can't blame you. I did chase after you for a long time didn't I?"

Romano glared at him. "If that's what you want to call it."

Another laugh. Damn he was annoying.

"It's fine. But you really have nothing to worry about. I'm engaged, so I'm officially out of the chasing business." The blonde replied, holding up his left hand, showing Romano a silver ring with a small square Ruby accompanied by two much smaller diamonds at each side, set between two ornately carved Fleur de Lis'.

What was with everyone being in a perfect fucking relationship? Seriosuly this was getting to be bullshit. Jesus, first Feliciano and Potato Bastard, then Bushy Brows and Alfred. Now Francis and...who the hell would marry Francis?

"And who exactly is the person you're "marrying"?" Romano asked, putting air quotations around marrying.

"Mathew Williams. I'm sure you remember him." Francis replied.

Romano did. He just couldn't believe the two were together. The other blonde was nice, and they had been acquaintances during their Senior Year of High School. Mathew was always quiet and never really stood out. But he wasn't exactly forgettable. How did Mathew fall for Francis?

The Frenchman looked on as Romano thought silently.

"I hear you and Antonio are together. How's that going?" He asked slyly.

The words irritated him. He didn't know why, but hearing from someone who didn't know about the fight ask how they were felt like a reminder he was a fuck up. If he didn't need to find Antonio before, he sure did now.

Romano frowned. "I have to go." He stated, then turned around and walked away.

Francis shrugged, then started walking his own way. He'd have to ask Antonio how the apology went.

He'd looked all over the damn city! Where in the hell could that idiot be? There was a possibility he had been at the shop the whole time. But of course with Romano being the kind of person he was, the thought never occurred to him until now. It was getting later in the day, and he had work the next morning. So reluctantly, he headed home.

Antonio grabbed another one of his sports bags and started throwing clothes into it. He had decided to stick with his idea of spending some time part. The Spaniard had really expected Romano to be home, but the condo was inexplicably empty when he got there.

It wasn't that he wanted him there particularly. It just felt strange. Antonio stopped what he was doing for a second to look around the bedroom. Despite all of his clothes being piled on the bed, it looked normal. The dark red walls were starting to dull with the quickly fading light coming in from the window. He dragged his fingertips along the soft bed sheet, and smiled. This condo wasn't filled completely with bad memories. There were good things he remembered. The first night Romano let him sleep in his bed, which then ever since became their bed. The times he and Romano watched a movie and the little Italian accidentally fell asleep against his shoulder. How Romano tried to hide from the hair ruffles and smiles Antonio always had for him. He was lying if he said he wouldn't miss it a little.

A gasp caught his attention. Antonio turned quickly to see a very surprised Romano in the bedroom doorway. He must not have heard the front door opening. Way to go Antonio. Romano's eyes flitted from the bags on the floor, to the clothes on the bed, then back to Antonio uncomfortably.

"What are you doing?" The Italian asked quietly.

Antonio felt like the situation was slipping from his grasp. Romano wasn't yelling. He wasn't throwing things at him. He wasn't even angry. Yet, at least. Strangely enough, Romano almost looked lost.

"Getting some of my stuff. I figured I'd need it." Antonio said hesitantly.

The two sat in silence for a minute or two before Romano spoke up.

"Look. I don't know how to say this." He started, looking torn and uneasy. "But... I figured some things out. I understand I was an asshole. I acted like a little fucking kid. It was stupid and it's my fault. So, I guess what I mean is..."

The shorter stood there looking troubled, and unable to get the words out. He fidgeted and wouldn't look directly at Antonio. The Spaniard waited patiently. He still kept Arthur's words in the back of his mind. But he wouldn't let the Brit's undoubtedly biased opinion cloud his better judgment (or feelings) at the moment.

"Just put your shit away! God I hate you right now." Romano said, hiding his face and feeling awkward.

He didn't know what to think. Antonio was confused, and Romano stood there waiting for some type of answer.

"So... You want my to put my things back? Because... you don't want me to leave?" The older asked slowly.

His answer was an embarrassed whine and a muffled "Fuck, yes that's what I mean!"

Antonio was shocked. He stood there for a few moments, the words reeling through his head over and over. Coming from Romano, that might as well have been a love confession (though he wouldn't push his luck). He wanted him to stay. He was overcome with joy! This was the happiest Romano had made him (including his botched agreement to a date). Antonio practically leaped over to Romano, and took a hold of the hands covering his face. The smaller man was pulled into a firm chest and quite frankly, cuddled. He tried to squirm out of the hold, but gave up as quickly as he started.

"Romano, you have no idea how much that means to me." The Spaniard mumbled into his hair, then grabbed his shoulders and held him away. A part of him knew things still had to change. This might have been a big crack in their relationship. But he would just have to make things clear. Changes would be made for the better. That is if Romano was willing to work with him.

"But if this is going to work this time, we have to be clear with each other Romano. I want to hug you. I want to hold your hand. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms. I don't want you to feel like you have to hide from me. I..." He stopped himself. Romano wasn't someone to take "I love you" lightly. If this was going in a good direction, those three little words would backfire on him and ruin the momentum they had.

Romano knew that. As much as it was embarrassing to admit, he wanted that sometimes too. But it was easier said than done. He just couldn't let someone in like that. You can't just tell yourself you'll let all your carefully built barriers down and let another person see you exposed emotionally like that. But he suddenly realized how fucking lonely it was when the idiot wasn't there.

"Fine." He mumbled, before Antonio could finish.

There was silence. Then...

"Romano... Can I... Can I kiss you?" He asked uneasily. Romano stared at the floor with wide eyes. A dark blush covered his face. He grappled for an answer to the question. But he came up blank. How the hell was he supposed to answer that? The last kiss he had was in Freshman year! Antonio on the other hand was definitely more experienced.

"You don't have to say yes, I just thought, you know..." He recovered quickly, taking his hands off the other. Fuckfuckfuck. Did he just ruin it?

The smaller Italian gained some resolve, and tried to look the other in the eyes, but found himself looking at the wall instead. "Whatever." He said softly. Dear god what was he about to do?

Antonio almost jumped him at the reply. But instead of freaking Romano out, he carefully edged his way closer to the other. He opened his arms and Romano did the same, letting the older man wrap his arms around him. The Spaniard lifted his lover's chin. Romano closed his eyes tightly, and jumped slightly when Antonio's lips pressed softly against his. It was weird, but it didn't bother him as much as he though it would.

But that safer feeling ended when a tongue swiped across his lower lip. He didn't know what to do. Romano never had very good experiences with kissing. The taller man felt the Italian tense, and he pulled away. Romano's face was bright red, and he refused to open his eyes. It made his chest swell with a sharp pain to see Romano looking so uncomfortable in a situation where all he had to do was open up and let himself be loved. Antonio leaned forward again, kissing the smaller's cheek softly and attempted to assuage Romano's fears.

"Trust me." The Spaniard whispered in his ear.

Romano calmed down a bit, and wasn't so shell shocked when the tongue swiped his lip again. Hesitantly, he parted his lips. Antonio's tongue forced it's way in slowly, trying not to scare the other. Romano stood stock still as the Spaniard kissed him, not reacting to anything Antonio did, but certainly not unaffected. His heart was racing. He was scared out of his mind, but not because of the kiss.

He was scared because this man made him feel. He felt happy, and dizzy, and he had butterflies, but he didn't want to feel that. He didn't want to let anyone see him feeling something so weak. But that's how he was at the moment. He hated how that idiot could tear his only protection away like that without even knowing. It was like standing in front of an audience and forgetting your line. Wanting to run away in embarrassment but you're glued to the spot, trying not to cry. Antonio could somehow inadvertently make Romano feel uneasy and safe at the same time. It scared him. That stupid Spaniard had caused him so much stress over the years. And all Romano could do to let out the frustration was let the tears built up in his eyes flow.

Antonio felt the tears against his nose, and pulled away, only to be pulled back quickly. The smaller kissed back sloppily, crying and grabbing the older's hair to pull him in harshly. Romano kissed him helplessly, crying harder as Antonio hugged him tighter. He hated this feeling, but he couldn't live without it either. This love the older showed him stripped him down and covered him up in the same blow.

Antonio knew now that he wasn't the only one feeling lonely without the other. Despite what Arthur thought, Romano could feel something. He wouldn't be doing this if he didn't. Even though the tears broke his heart, they assured him he wasn't alone in this. His adorable Italian felt something for him. And that was enough, even if it wasn't love. Antonio could always work on that. It had taken awhile but he finally got to who Romano really was. He was able to hold and kiss him. So that's what he did after they pushed all the clothes off the bed and onto the floor so they could lay down. They twined themselves together, Antonio feeling uplifted, and Romano feeling shaken, but both of them didn't want to leave that bed in the morning. So they didn't.

Author's Note:

Hey guize look I updated.

But yeah. Told you things get better! I appreciate the reviews about Fix, and hearing your input on things! I'm currently working on chapter 8, but I had to take a while for break because I can't just stay up for 4 hours straight after midnight to write a whole chapter. Not even a plethora of tea could help me there. But, I will admit my best and worst stuff comes out of that.

Writing Overall= Good

Fluidity/Performance = Shit

Oh! And thanks to one of my friends who is the bane of my writing existence, I have a new story idea, which may come out sometime this year (depending on how much of my time is taken up with school). It'll be called "The Hanging Tree".

Keep a look out for it, and reviews are love~!

(They make me want to write!)