wooo~ ^_^ I started a doujinshi of this story~ i've already drawn al the way up to when Lovino and Feliciano woke up in the cage~ ^_^

Kismet

Chapter Seventeen: The Bad Touch Cave

The walk was a long one, but both were prepared for anything. Lovino had his new knife on him, as well as a pack of fruit and bread. Antonio was carrying his axe and a small pack.

Heat rained down on them and Lovino growled at how uncomfortably his clothes stuck to him. After a little bit of walking, they were finally there.

Antonio pulled back some over growth and revealed a large cave. Inside was a bunch of stones and boulders positioned to make it look like a bunch of furniture and a stream of light was coming down from a hole in the roof of the cave. There were drawings all over parts of the wall, in only green, red and blue ink.

Some of them were of stick figures, others were of scenes.

"This cave is where me and my two best friends from my younger childhood used to come to hide out." Antonio muttered, sitting down on a large boulder. The man seemed to become lost in his memories. "Prince Francis of Fayldyr, is blue, and a young knight in training, Gilbert, is red … we would just sit in here and dream of one day becoming an unstoppable trio of fighters. But Gilbert was only here for a short time and left for Illonia. I haven't seen him since. Francis and I occasionally speak, but I haven't seen him in several years."

Lovino dragged his fingers over a drawing of the green figure holding hand with a princess. A bitter feeling crept in him and he turned away to sit down next to Antonio.

For hours, the younger man listened to the king prattle on about the many adventures the trio had. Some were funny, some were sad.

They ate in silence for a while, but Antonio set his bread down to walk across the cave to pick up a stone and move it. He smiled, "I forgot about this until now …" he muttered, picking up a very old piece of parchment. There were childishly written words scrawled on it in the colored blue ink, but the bottom was signed in a dark red.

Lovino took the paper from him and looked over the words of promise that they would be friends forever and let nothing come between them. Their names were scrawled across the bottom.

Antonio Fernandez Carriedo. Gilbert Beilschmidt. Francis Bonnefoy.

"Wait … Francis Bonnefoy? A blonde, blue eyes, creepy?" Lovino frowned, remembering the young boy he and his brother met once. Feliciano had taken a liking to the older boy, going so far as to call him 'older brother'.

"Uh, yeah? Why?" Antonio looked at the paper.

"The Francis I knew was a blonde, blue-eyed creep with the last name Bonnefoy … he used to come visit us all the time to see Feliciano. I didn't know he was prince of Fayldyr …"

Antonio took the paper and set it down, "Yeah, he's going to be crowned king soon and I'll be going to the coronation. One month from now~"

Lovino looked at him, "Am I going, too?" the king looked away, "You can't come."

"And just why not! I'm your servant! I'm supposed to go with you!" Lovino shouted, standing up. Hurt and pain were all Antonio could see in his eyes. He stood to pull Lovino into his arms, but his hand was smacked away.

"I'm sorry, my love, but-"

"Don't 'my love' me. I knew the second I gave myself to you, you'd toss me aside! How could I be so stupid?" he turned away, crossing his arms, "I'm done being used, bastard! If you don't want me as your servant anymore then fine!" he grabbed his bag and stormed out of the cave.

Antonio had no idea what had just happened, but his Lovi had it all wrong! How could he possibly think he was just going to be tossed aside? The king was hurt Lovino would think him that low. He loved the Illonian more than anything he could think of. The man ran out to catch up to his love before things got out of hand, "Wait! Lovi! You have it all wrong!" he pushed through the opening and stumbled forwards, "I'm not going to toss you asi-"

His eyes widened in fear. Lovino was lying in the sand, blood seeping from a wound on his arm. A dragon stood above him, ready to enjoy its meal. Lovino wasn't moving and Antonio couldn't tell if he was breathing. His heart skipped a beat. Lovino … his Lovi … the only thing that made his life bearable … couldn't … no … he couldn't be dead.

At the sight, his blood began to boil. He charged forward and the king gripped the dragon's neck and pulled to the side.

Lovino's eyes opened up and widened, "An … Antonio?"

"Go get my axe now! Go!" Lovino stared in shock for a moment, but blood was leaking from cuts in Antonio's arms and face where the dragon scales were digging into his skin. His mind clinked into place when Antonio yelled again. He dashed to the cave, still slightly dizzy from the attack.

Antonio turned his attention back to the creature. It was only a baby dragon, but still powerful and large. It roared out and shook it's head to the side, launching the Sverran into the sand. He hissed with the sand making its way into the cuts. The man pushed himself up and glared hard at the beast.

It was a winged, southern breed. Not native to Sverran at all. That meant they had been migrating north. Realization hit him. These were the species of dragon terrorizing his men in Illonia and if this one was this far up north of Sverran … more had to be waiting south. How long had his people been suffering? He pulled a hidden dagger from his boot and shot forward, lead by his anger and rage.

The Sverran king dug the blade in between the dragon's hard scales and into the thick flesh beneath them. It roared out in pain as its searing hot blood was released. He pulled the dagger away before the blood could burn him. Luckily, this dragon had yet to learn to use its fire, making it an easier opponent. He dodged an attack from its tail and rolled to the dragon's left side. Antonio plunged the dagger into its other side.

It hissed and growled, lifting its large forearm and ramming it into his side. Antonio yelled out, pain coursing through him from both that attack to his ribs as well as the dragon's blood that splattered across his arms. It burned his skin and he felt the blisters rising painfully.

The dragon turned to him and roared angrily, stomping in his direction. Antonio managed to evade the incoming attacks and turned when he heard Lovino shout to him. He grabbed the axe from the younger man, "Stay put!" he growled at Lovino, before turning to the creature. Now the playing field was even. He smiled his blood lustful grin and charged, dodging a swing of its tail.

He swung the axe and cut the dragon's forearm. The blood spilled onto the ground, and Antonio yelped in pain when the tail swung from the back and knocked him on his bottom. The cut leg rose above him and came down, but he rolled just in time.

"Antonio!" Lovino shouted, his heart racing and panic rising. He stepped forward.

Antonio stood on his knees, "Stay back, Lovino!" he shouted angrily. Lovino winced and wanted to be angry, but their only exit from the area was partially blocked by the enraged lizard.

The king rose and evaded another swing of its tail and aimed an attack at its vulnerable underbelly. The dragon used its underdeveloped wings to push itself back, barely missing the blade. Antonio lunged forward and steadied his breath. He had one shot. He lifted the blade quickly, slicing its belly open. Antonio tried to roll away, but the dragon collapsed on his leg. The man screamed in pain as the searing hot blood burned through his leggings and skin.

Lovino shouted again, but his words were lost in the agonizing shouts he heard coming from his lover. Antonio managed to pull his leg free, but the damage was done. Blood oozed from the massive burns he'd sustained.

Antonio kicked the creature with his good leg, but it didn't react. He'd won. But at what cost? He tried to stand, but his leg gave out underneath him and he growled.

Lovino bit his lip, feeling utterly useless. Had he not stormed out of the cave, he wouldn't have bumped into the dragon, earning the gash and Antonio wouldn't have had to fight it … and … he would always be a failure.

He hit the ground beside him and looked at Antonio, who was ripping strips of his shirt and wrapping them around his leg.

The Illonian quickly stripped himself of his own tunic and shredded it with his little knife, "Here …" he helped him wrap the wounded leg. Antonio's eyes met Lovino's and he smiled.

"Thank the heavens you're safe, my love." he whispered, forgetting his burned leg. He pulled Lovino into a tight embrace, placing kisses on his temple and cheek and finally, his lips. Antonio moved away when he tasted salty tears.

"Lovi?"

Lovino wiped his eyes quickly, "I'm fine, bastard! This is all my fucking fault! And you're stupid for fighting it! You could have been killed!"

Antonio laughed softly and ran his hand down his love's cheek, wiping away some tears, "I was … I was scared to death when I saw you lying there … I thought you were dead …" he pressed his forehead to Lovino's and refused to let go of him, "I wanted to die … but you were alive … Lovi … Lovino Romano Vargas … never doubt my love for you! Ever!" he cried out, "Nothing can replace you in my life, nor would life be worth living with out you. You're my precious Lovi~ I would slay a hundred dragons twice this size if it meant you stayed safe." he kissed him passionately, letting his emotion pour into the kiss.

"Then why-"

"I don't want Francis even looking at you." Antonio glared, "He's a good friend, a best friend, but I don't trust him, especially if he were to see a beautiful Illonian like yourself. That, and I'll only be gone for a few days. I wanted to give you those days off. Your days off are so rare now that I'm king. I worry about you, Lovi~"

Lovino blushed and was completely embarrassed by his earlier reaction. Antonio rubbed his thumb over Lovino's hand and smiled, "We should probably head back to the beach house now …"

The Illonian nodded but his face paled and his heart fell into his stomach. His hazel eyes widened in fear, "An … Antonio … d-dragon!"

Antonio turned and growled. He should have known that the baby's mother would have been close by! The much larger dragon, equipped with her fiery defense smelled the blood of her fallen baby and hissed. Her gaze fell on Antonio, who reeked of her baby and she opened her mouth.

The Sverran king grabbed Lovino and pushed him out the way. The blast of fire hit the spot where they had just been, "Go to the cave and don't come out! She's not leaving until she's dead or I'm dead."

"But-"

"No 'buts' Lovino!" His eyes were full of anger and something Lovino was scared of. He nodded and reluctantly left Antonio to fight the dragon, injured. Antonio hobbled to his axe and picked it up. His reflexes were slowing down, especially with the wound his leg was suffering.

The mother dragon brought her massive paw down on Antonio. He shifted his weight and tumbled to the side, falling off balance but effectively evading her deadly attack.

Unfortunately, Antonio could get no where near her in his slowed state. She managed to swipe at him, knocking him back into the stone. Antonio coughed after having the wind knocked from him.

Lovino bit his lip and wished he could do something. If he even made a noise, the dragon would see him. But … Antonio …

He licked his lip, wiping away his useless tears. Would he even do anything if he could? All he was good at was running away and dodging trouble. But now that his life and Antonio's lives were in danger …

Antonio raised his axe and sliced the bottom of her paw, but regretted it as her blood hit his shoulder. He screamed in pain and the dragon took her advantage to knock the weapon far from him. It landed beside her fallen baby with a loud clang.

Her tail swung around quickly and slammed into Antonio's chest. The Sverran man hit the walls of the cliffs that surrounded them. Antonio fell limp to the ground with a sickening crack echoing off the walls. Blood dripped from his mouth and Lovino stared in horror.

Instead of fear and tears, he felt an overwhelming anger.

"That's it, you over sized newt! Your ass is grass!" he pulled the knife from his side and ran blindly at the dragon. Her tailed whipped towards him, but he jumped over it, suddenly thankful for the unlikely sources of what little strength he was using.

She roared and spit fire at Lovino, but he turned and ran in the other direction. His feet caught a rock and he fell over. He rolled across the ground and hissed at the small gash he'd accidentally given himself by tripping. Lovino stood quickly, realizing he'd need to be more careful.

He lunged at her under belly, where he'd seen Antonio go before. If he could just get that, he'd be happy.

She seemed to expect that and swung her massive paw. Lovino yelped in pain as her paw hit his right hand hard. The knife fell to the ground and he held his broke arm close to his chest. He looked up at the dragon, rearing back to spit her flames at him. He closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Antonio …" he whispered waiting for the flames to engulf him, but they never came.

"Hey, kid! Get out of here, would ya?" Lovino's eyes shot open to see Mathias holding his hands out, blocking the flames completely.

He felt a hand grab his left arm and pull him away from the scene as Berwald came out of nowhere, killing the beast in one strike with his blade.

"You're lucky we needed the blood of these dragons." he heard a faint familiar voice talking to him. He turned his head and saw Lukas opening a pouch and pulling out a vial of the healing liquid, "Drink this, quickly. Emil, set the bone in his arm." the white haired elf knelt to his side and took hold of Lovino's arm, snapping the bones into place.

Lovino let loose a pained cry and a torrent of curses, before Lukas shoved the vial in his mouth, forcing him to drink the foul tasting liquid. After having bathed in a little bit of it, he had no clue that it could taste so horrible, yet smell so sweet.

"You'll feel better in a moment." the elf stared, "Now to take care of your friend there."

Lovino's eyes widened and he turned to the fallen Sverran king, "Antonio!" he shouted, running towards him, his cuts, burns and broken arm already healed up. He dropped to his knees and touched the man's shoulder, but Antonio didn't react. Emil crouched beside him, "He's not breathing."

Tears burned at Lovino's eyes, "NO! He can't be dead! Save him!" Lukas pulled out another red vial and handed it to Lovino, "Just because he's not breathing, doesn't mean he's not alive. You'll need to be quick about it, but help him swallow it … and hope for the best."

Lovino popped the cork and dumped the liquid down Antonio's throat and leaned his head back so the potion was enter his body. The tears fell and he waited. Nothing was happening. Antonio wasn't stirring, nor was he breathing again.

He had been too late. The Illonian let his head fall to Antonio's chest and he sobbed, "Damn it, bastard! You can't be dead! You can't leave me! If you don't wake up, I'll kill you!"

A hand came to rest on his shoulder, and words were uttered, but he didn't hear them. He didn't want to hear them. He'd lost Antonio. He'd lost the very last thing in the world that was his.

TBC

Cliffhanger, no?

~Lady Pyrien