Hello, my lovelies!

Another chapter is up and running!

Okay, so this chapter - I'm just going to say that some of you might really like this chapter - just an FYI.

Also, more stuff goes down - blah, blah, blah.

I'm working on the next chapter, blah, blah, blah.

Enjoy!

Hetalia (c) Hidekaz Himaruya

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery

Chapter 14 - Esto no ha Terminado

Antonio ran his hand through his hair as he stared down at the sheets of paper spread out on his desk. He had been home for about an hour, but he was ready to call it quits. His neck hurt from being slammed around yesterday, and he wasn't in much of a mood to do much of anything. He'd rather take a siesta and forget about the whole thing, even for five minutes.

He leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. He looked out the window beside him and he watched drops of rain slide against the glass. The dark clouds above reminded him of a burnt tortilla. He turned from the window and shut his eyes.

He hadn't gotten much sleep last night. His mind was haunted by that creature that had taken over Gil. The more he tried to forget about it, the more its dark eyes lingered in his brain.

It was the same creature from his weird dream.

He knew it was. It terrified him the first time he had seen it – almost made him soil his pants seeing it in real life last night.

Though he'd never seen it before he couldn't quite understand how the details aligned so well. Its dark clothes, its hollow eyes – it was like a bird, grim-reaper thing!

It almost reminded him of one of those masks those doctors wore during the plague outbreak. But, he knew that thing last night was not wearing a mask!

He shook his head, then rose up from his seat. He stretched his back when he heard the doorbell chime. After he cracked his knuckles he left his office. He could see the door where he stood, and another chime made him walk toward it.

He took a breath as he stopped in front of the door. On the other side could be one angry worker. Why? Because this time Antonio was behind on payroll. This time everyone was going to receive a late check. He held in his breath and peered through the peephole. When he found Lovino there relief washed over him. He pulled the door open and smiled at Lovino.

But Antonio noticed a light circles under the Italian's blazing eyes.

"Mi vida," Antonio tilted his head, "what brings you here?"

"Meh," Lovino pushed past him.

Antonio shut the door and turned to see Lovino sprawled onto the couch.

"Mi vida," He walked over, "how come you always knock on the door when you have a key?"

"Stop questioning me," Lovino glared at him.

"Lov?" Antonio scratched at his wrist, "Are you alright?"

"My freaking head hurts," Lovino groaned.

"Maybe you should take a nap?"

Lovino shook his head, "that thing will get me."

Antonio furrowed his brows, "what thing?"

Lovino shrugged, "just ignore me."

"Lovi," Antonio crouched beside him, "Háblarme."

Lovino sighed, his eyes locked on Antonio's, "that freaking thing last night scared the hell out of me."

Antonio smirked, "scared me too, Lovi."

"What the hell was that thing? I mean, I know that it was a demon, but – it was – what was it?"

"El chupacabra?" Antonio smiled.

"I'm being serious, bastard," Lovino pushed Antonio's chest.

Antonio laughed as he put his hand on Lovino's forehead, "I really don't know what it was, pero it's gone now. So, no more worrying about it."

"Easy for you to say," Lovino looked away, "you know how to ignore that kind of crap."

Antonio forced a laugh as he rubbed circles onto the Italian's forehead. He watched as Lovino shut his eyes, and he felt his heart flutter.

It was adorable how much Lovino still acted like a child, even if he was being a grump.

Antonio continued to make circles for a while as he gazed at Lovino's face. He looked at his closed eyelids, his rosy cheeks, those soft lips.

"Antonio," Lovino's voice made him jump.

"Mi vida?" Antonio asked as he noticed a strange look set onto the Italian's face.

"Tonio?" Lovino questioned, "What's wrong?"

Antonio tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"You look . . . weird," Lovino took hold of Antonio's hand, "are you okay?"

Antonio nodded as he forced a smile, "Of course I am!"

"Don't fucking lie to me," Lovino sat up as he pushed Antonio's hand away, "what's wrong with you?"

Antonio's heart pounded as he tried to come up with something to say.

What really was there to say?

Maybe he could tell him about the dream — No, no. That would worry him!

Or piss him off.

But should he lie?

"I'm talking to you," Lovino's face hardened, "Answer me."

"Lov," Antonio found himself say, "I . . . just didn't sleep well. Don't wo—"

"Don't even start with that shit!" Lovino stood up, "Why the hell do you always do this crap?"

"Lovi," Antonio rose, "wait a min—"

"No," Lovino stepped closer, "tell me what the hell is wrong with you! You think I haven't noticed how weird you've been lately? You're starting to fucking act like Gil! And don't tell me this has anything to do with that money crap, because I know there is something else wrong. I'm not an idiot!"

"Lovi," Antonio lifted his shaky hands, "I'm not acting like Gil!"

"Oh, you're not?" Lovino laughed, "Okay, fine. Then what the hell are you acting like, Antonio? Tell me the damned truth!"

Antonio was then consumed by rage and though he tried to conceal it, it burst like a waterfall.

"Fine," He yelled, "you want to know the truth? I have been worried about everything going on, Lov. I'm worried about Gil and the way he has been acting. I'm worried that thing we saw will come back and really hurt him. I'm worried that it will come after us because we pissed it off. I still haven't found the money that went missing, and now I have to deal with repaying all that was in my safe."

Lovino's face fell, but Antonio couldn't stop himself, "I have piles of paper work to do, and I am so far behind I'm expecting someone to come knocking on my door asking me for their paycheck that is coming late now. And I don't even know how to really explain to them! It's not their fault my house got broken into, they just want their money!

You know what? Maybe I am like Gil! I have been uneasy since the day he told us about his damn dream—"

"Why?" Lovino scowled.

"Why?" Antonio laughed, "Because, Lov, I had a weird freaking dream too!"

Lovino's eyes hardened, "And you couldn't bother to tell any of us?"

"No, and you know why? Because I hate it when you guys worry about me all the time! But you know what? That doesn't matter anymore since you're all doing it anyways!"

"And why the hell wouldn't we?" Lovino barked.

Antonio pulled at his hair, "How the hell should I know?"

"We're your damn friends, aren't we?"

"That doesn't matter—"

"Oh, it doesn't?" Lovino stepped closer once more, "So then it wouldn't matter to you if we left you all alone now would it?"

Antonio's heart skipped, "Lov, that's not what I meant—"

Lovino laughed, "No, I get it. You've got this all under control, don't you?"

Antonio lifted his hand, "Lov, I just don't want you to wor—"

"For the thousandth time, Antonio. I do worry! But obviously you don't care enough about that do you?!"

Antonio's entire body shook, "Lov, listen to me."

"I am listening," Lovino snapped, "And you haven't told me a damned thing. You keep giving me some shit-stained story, and then you make me worry, but no! 'Aye Lovino, don't worry! I've got this all under control even though I look like a got hit by a fucking train—'"

"Lovi—"

"But I'm supposed to just go by your word, right?" Lovino hissed, "But you know what? I'm tired of your stupid games, Antonio. Wake the hell up, already!"

Antonio's body continued to shiver as he watched Lovino's eyes grow more intense.

What could even he say to him?

"You're never going to learn, are you?" Lovino snorted as he turned to the door, "Fine. Figure this out yourself, since you're so good at it."

"Lov," Antonio's voice shook, "where are you going?"

"I'm leaving, genius."

"But, where?"

Lovino pulled open the door and slammed it behind him.

Antonio darted after him. He yanked the door open and noticed Lovino get into his car.

"Lovi," he yelled as he ran over, "por favor, let me explain!"

"I already gave you a chance," Lovino replied as he shut the door and started the car.

"Por favor," Antonio knocked on the window, rain fell onto his head.

Then a sudden crash of thunder caused him to jump – Lovino as well.

"Lovino," Antonio knocked again, "por favor, just come inside and let me explain. You don't want to be out on the road right now!"

Lovino rolled down his window, "Goodbye, Antonio."

Then he pulled out of the driveway and drove off.

Drops of rain slid onto Antonio's face as he watched the car pull further away. He ground his teeth, then bolted after it. He ran as fast as he could – he almost ran into a lady as he went.

He could see Lovino's car yards from him, but that didn't stop him. It wasn't long until he found himself near the shops Downtown. He tried not to run into more people as he went, but when he came up to a busy intersection he was forced to stop.

He hopped from one foot to the other as he waited for his meter to turn green. Lovino's car was far up now – it was getting difficult to see.

The meter lit up, and Antonio sprinted past more people. The rain poured onto his face and his hair, and his clothes clung to him but he still pressed on. As he ran his slick shoes almost made him slip across the pavement at least five times, and he even splashed into a deep puddle of mud.

He pushed himself even though his lungs burned and his breath was fleeting. He tried to find that car, but now there were too many on the street and the rain continued to creep into his eyes. He slowed down, and then he leaned against the side of a store wall.

His heart thumped, his legs shook, and his throat and lungs ached. He tried to catch his breath as he closed his eyes. He let the rain pour onto his face as he listened to it fall against the pavement, and then he heard a woman call out to him.

"Tonio?" She asked.

Antonio opened his eyes and before him stood two women: Elizabeta and Emma, an umbrella above them.

"Tonio?" Eliza asked again, "Are you alright?"

Antonio sighed, "I'm not too sure, to be honest."

"Toni?" Emma asked this time, "You're going to get sick out here. Where's your umbrella?"

"Guess I left it back home," He panted.

"You can use mine," Emma extended the umbrella over his head.

"Gracias, bonita, pero I'll be fine without it."

"Toni," Emma frowned, "you look terrible!'

"Kinda feel terrible," Antonio forced a smile.

Emma pouted, "What are you doing out here?"

"Oh, just . . ."

He wanted to say more, but he didn't know where to start. His mind raced as much as his heart did.

"Antonio?" Eliza placed her hand onto his shoulder, "whatever that is wrong, don't give up. I know you kick yourself around a lot, but pick yourself back up and go."

Antonio blinked a few times, but then nodded.

He didn't know how, but she had a point.

Antonio pulled himself away from the wall and smiled, "Gracias, Lizzie. I'll see you ladies some time later."

The girls waved as Antonio continued to run. By now that car had to be long gone, but something flashed in his mind. He recognized the clothing store beside him, and the bakery across the street.

Lovino went back home!

Antonio sprinted again, but as he crossed a different intersection a car crossed his path. He heard the brakes squeak as his body smacked against the passenger side door. He fell and his back landed on the cold, wet ground. He propped himself onto his elbows and he noticed someone run over to him. He looked up and José stood above him, his eyes were wide.

"Señor," José stretched out his hand, "Are you okay?"

Antonio reached up, "I'm fine, amigo."

As he got to his feet Antonio couldn't help by notice a white tourniquet wrapped around José's hand.

"Amigo," Antonio asked, "que pasó con su mano?"

José sighed, "You can thank Jesus for that. We were out in the fields, and he thought it would be great to screw around in the bushes."

Antonio rolled his eyes, "what was he getting into now?"

José shrugged, "Snakes or something. I tried to get him away from them and he scratched me with the pliers he had. It wouldn't stop bleeding."

"When was this?"

"Yesterday before we finished our load. Hurt like hell."

"I bet it did," Antonio scratched his neck, "Amigo, I'm real sorry about running into your car."

"It's fine, Señor. I'm just glad I didn't hit you."

Antonio laughed, "Now that would be one story to tell the guys!"

"Señor," José looked at him, "If you got badly hurt I would probably be locked up."

"Nah," Antonio put his hand on José's shoulder, "I've got the body of a bull!"

José gave a concerned look as Antonio laughed again. Then he noticed a few bystanders stare, so he figured it was time to wrap things up.

"Amigo," Antonio said, "I better get going before people call the cops."

"Señor, you are okay, right?"

Antonio started to walk away, "Fit as a fiddle!"

Once he was far enough away he dashed once again. More rain blurred his vision, and more puddles soaked his shoes and legs, but it was not long before he stood in front of Lovino's house.

A wave of relief washed over him when he found Lovino's car parked in the driveway.

Antonio approached the house, but once he reached the front door he froze.

What was he going to say?

'Hi, I'm a big pendejo, but I came to apologize?'

He took in a deep breath before he struck his knuckles against the hard wood. He waited for a few moments, but there came no answer. He sighed as he tried the doorbell, but again no answer.

"Lovino," he called out, "Mi vida, por favor. Talk to me. I know what I said came out really bad, but I really need you to talk to me. Por favor, mi vida."

He pressed his back against the door as he continued, "I'm telling the truth – I don't want you to worry. And I know you do, but I can't help but feel that the more you worry about a stupid guy like me the more you'll miss something else that's more importante."

He rubbed his wet arm, "Lovi . . . I'm sorry. I really am. From the bottom of my heart, lo siento, mi vida. I didn't intend for you to get offended. You know me,"

He sighed, "I always say things wrong when I get worked up. Por favor, mi vida. I want to fix this. I know I screwed up, but I really want to correct my ways. Can you forgive me?"

Antonio waited in silence for what seemed like hours. He sighed again as he pulled away from the door.

He wasn't getting anywhere.

The damage was done.

He walked away from the door and approached one of the windows. Cold drops of rain slithered down his neck as he pressed his forehead against the glass. He looked in for a moment when he heard the front door open. He turned and found Lovino in the door way; his eyes were glossy.

"Lovino," Antonio pleaded as he walked over, the rain pounded harder, "can you forgive me?"

Lovino gave a small smile, "You're going to get sick out there, idiota."

"That's fine," Antonio replied, "I'll wait out here all day if I must. I'll take this as punishment for making you upset."

Lovino shook his head, "come inside, Tonio."

"Lov," Antonio fell to his knees, "can you forgive me?"

Lovino laughed, "Antonio, get up."

"Not until I know I've been forgiven!"

Lovino crossed his arms, a bigger smile on his face, "Antonio, I forgive you. Can you come inside, now?"

A grin formed onto Antonio's face as he got to his feet. He walked over to the door, but stopped before he stepped inside. He glanced at Lovino for a moment.

"What is it," Lovino asked, that smile still on his face.

"Do you really forgive me?"

Lovino nodded as he grabbed onto Antonio's wet shirt, "you're soaked."

Antonio scratched his neck, "I have been out in the rain for a while now, mi vida."

Lovino smiled again as he pulled Antonio inside.

"Mi vida," Antonio frowned as the door shut, "I'm going to get your carpet wet."

Lovino's eyes went to the floor, then flashed back up, "wait right there. I'll grab you a few towels."

As he walked away, Antonio leaned against the door once more. Lovino had forgiven him, but he still felt guilty. He didn't feel that he deserved his forgiveness. He should not have yelled at Lovino like he did, but he should not have been forgiven so easily either.

He stared up at the ceiling and sighed. He needed to change; he needed to stop keeping everything to himself, because Lovino had a point. He had friends and he knew how much his friends help each other out, but by bottling up everything he wasn't helping anyone.

Besides, he had made a promise with Lovino. He needed to keep that promise.

A moment later a bright white towel landed upon his face. He pulled it off as he heard Lovino laugh.

"That's not funny," Antonio smiled.

"Then pay attention," Lovino grinned as he flicked Antonio's nose.

"I was thinking," Antonio rubbed his nose.

Lovino gasped, "You can actually think?"

Antonio shook Lovino's hair, "That's not funny, either!"

Lovino laughed once more, and Antonio couldn't help but smile.

He loved Lovino's laugh.

It was like a childish giggle: it made his nose scrunch up and his smile made his eyes even more radiant.

Lovino was like a drug, and Antonio could get high all day.

After taking the first towel and wrapping it around Antonio's shoulders, Lovino held another one and brought it up to Antonio's cheek.

"Do I have to do everything for you?" The Italian beamed.

Antonio's heart skipped as the towel went up to his hair. He tried to pull his eyes away, but Lovino had him in a trance. He could feel Lovino's hands press against the towel. He stopped himself from pulling away the towel – he longed to feel Lovino's fingers tangle his hair. He managed to tear his eyes away, but then they locked onto Lovino's soft lips.

If he could just pull him a bit closer!

"Lov?" Antonio gave a quick laugh, "I know this is probably going to come off as 'weird,' pero there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Lovino's eyes met his, "most of the stuff you say is already weird."

Antonio cleared his throat, "No, I mean, there's this. . . I have this idea— no, not idea, well maybe it is an idea. More like a suggestion—"

"Spit it out," Lovino pulled off the towel.

Antonio looked down to his feet, then back up.

He had this one chance to tell him everything, but it made him nauseous.

He took a deep breath, "Lov, first thing I do want to explain is that I did have a dream too."

Lovino was silent, so he continued, "I had a dream, but it wasn't like – Okay, it was a little bad. El Chupacabra was in it."

Lovino's eyes widened, "That thing was in your dream?"

Antonio nodded, "Something had happened to Gil and his hermano. I don't know what, pero Gil's leg was broken and Chupi kept telling me that I was too late—"

"Too late for what?" Lovino cut in.

Antonio shrugged, "I have no idea. He wouldn't tell me. He just kept repeating it over, and over and then I found myself in some weird cell thing that was really dark, and I was chained up to a wall. And I could still hear that thing yelling at me, and then I woke up."

"You need to tell Arthur this."

"I will," Antonio smiled, "I don't really know what it has to do with anything, pero—"

"Antonio," Lovino scowled, "We saw that damn thing! Obviously there is something behind it, and Arthur might have the answer!"

"I know," Antonio held up his hands, "I said I would tell him, didn't I?"

"Sure, but you say a lot of crap. . ."

Antonio felt his heart pang, "Lov, you don't really forgive me, do you?"

"I never said that!"

"I know, pero," Antonio let out a nervous laugh, "you don't really trust me anymore, huh?"

"I didn't say that," Distress filled Lovino's puffy eyes, "I just . . . I know you put off a lot of important stuff, and then you forget about it. This is very important, Antonio. You can't afford to let this slip by."

"And I won't let it," Antonio locked his eyes onto Lovino's, "No more broken promises, mi vida. I will let him know. I just won't at this very moment – Arturo's still in class right now, so I can't really bug him or he'll hunt me down and pull my ear off."

Lovino opened his mouth, but then shut it and looked away.

"Lov?" Antonio asked, "There's something else I wanted to say."

"What is it?"

Butterflies formed in his stomach, "we've . . . known each other for a long time, huh?"

Lovino rose an eyebrow, "yeah, I guess so."

"A-and we're good friends, right?"

"What, are you dying?"

Antonio blinked a few times, "no, why do you ask?"

"What you're saying," Lovino folded his arms, "either you're dying, or you're still thinking I don't forgive you. I already told you that I do forgive you, so what is it?"

"I'm not dying. I've just been thinking about some other stuff."

Lovino tilted his head, but he remained silent.

Antonio shifted his weight between his feet, "I'm getting older every day, aren't I? I mean, I know I'm not like eighty or something, pero I'm almost thirty. And I know that I've been doing nothing but work recently, but I've come to think that maybe I need to invest myself in something."

"Like . . . a hobby?"

"Not exactly," Antonio rubbed his neck.

Lovino narrowed his eyes, "Then what the hell are you talking about?"

Antonio forced a laugh, "no need to be grumpy, mi vida—"

"Then spit it out," Lovino barked as he grabbed Antonio's shirt, "the hell are you playing a game for?"

"I'm not playing a game," Antonio placed his hands onto the Italian's, "I'm only trying to figure out how to say it without sounding weird."

"Well, you're failing at it . . . what is it?"

Antonio smiled, "Mi vida, how can I get you to stop worrying?"

"Well, you can tell me what it is," Lovino's eyes fell, "Antonio, I really want you to talk to me. I really don't want you to do that same stupid crap by holding it in and then you get all soul-searchy."

"Soul-searchy?" Antonio giggled, "Que esto?"

"You know," Lovino's thumb rubbed over a button on Antonio's shirt, "you get quiet sometimes . . . and you've been doing it a lot more recently. Now I don't know if it's because of your dream, or work. I don't know . . ."

"I do get lost in my thoughts a lot, don't I?"

"You do, so please just tell me what's bothering you."

Antonio rubbed his fingertips across Lovino's hands, "I just . . . I really need to ask you something."

Lovino's eyes flashed up, which made Antonio breathless.

What was it about those eyes that turned him into a fool?

Antonio forced in a breath, "you worry about me a lot—"

"Are you going to bring that up again?"

"You didn't let me finish," Antonio smiled, "You worry about me a lot, but I want you to know that I worry about you too."

"What does that mean?"

"I mean," Antonio grabbed onto Lovino's hands, "I want to be by your side like you are by mine."

"But . . . you already are."

"No, not always," Antonio stared into those smoldering eyes, "I want to be there more often. I want to be there where you have a bad day. I want to be there when you're angry, or sad. I want to be there when you start your own restaurant someday. I want to be there at your lowest, and at your highest."

Lovino's eyes toggled between Antonio's, "w-what are you saying?"

Antonio leaned closer, "I want to be beside you ever single day, mi vida. I want your face to be the first thing I see in the morning, and the last when I fall asleep. I want to be able to just see you when I want to, and not have to wonder when that time will come again."

Antonio waited for a response, but Lovino remained silent. His soft lips were parted, and his eyes continued to bounce. After a few moments, Antonio couldn't bare the silence.

"I know it's a lot to take in," He squeezed Lovino's hands, "pero I really want you to know that the more I am with you the more at peace I am. With you I forget about my problems for a while. Which is why I never liked to tell you my problemas porque I don't want to see your smile fade. I know I'm not very special, and I can be a real pain in the ass, but I want to let you know that . . . you make me feel different. With you I feel alive – incredible, even. Lovino Vargas, what I'm really trying to say is that . . . I am madly in love with you."

"No," Lovino frowned, "Don't be."

"Why not?"

Tears swelled in his eyes, "I'm an asshole to you, Antonio. And I'm fucking annoying. You're better off with someone like Feli."

Antonio shook his head, "I don't want Feli. I want you."

"Why?" A few tears fell, "I left you out in the freaking rain—"

"I deserved it," Antonio wiped away the tears.

"No, you didn't. I didn't even let you explain anything. I'm mean to you, and I complain too much!"

"No, that's not true."

"And I'm a lazy ass!"

"I'm lazier than you are."

"Antonio, why would you want someone stupid like me?"

"Lovi," Antonio smirked, "Don't put yourself down like that, and please don't listen to what others say about you. Sure, you tease here and there, pero that's just how you are. People see what you do and call it as they see it. Pero I know you, and I know you aren't just some heartless jerk."

He lightly tapped Lovino's nose, "You're a sweet, selfless guy. You put the needs of anyone else before your own without a single thought. You care about so many people even when they don't deserve it, when I don't deserve it."

More tears fell from Lovino's eyes, but Antonio continued to rub them away.

"Mi vida," Antonio whispered, "no llores."

He pulled Lovino to his chest and he felt warm tears fall upon his collarbone.

The two of them stood in silence as Antonio rubbed small circles onto Lovino's back.

"Antonio?"

"Mi vida?"

Lovino shifted his head and those amber eyes looked up, "How can you see anything in me?"

Antonio grinned, "Were you paying any attention to what I just said?"

A small smirk formed on Lovino's lips, "Most of the time I zone you out since you talk too much."

Antonio gasped, "I poured my heart out to you, and you ignore me. Mi pobre corazón!"

He started to laugh, and he noticed Lovino's lips were still curled.

"Mi vida," Antonio said once his laughing ceased, "for a long time I have wanted to tell you how much you mean to me, pero I never did porque I never could imagine you feel the same way for a guy like me."

Lovino's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

Antonio looked away, "Well, I don't know exactly how . . . I mean, you like girls so I just never –"

"Antonio?"

He looked back at Lovino, but he noticed something change in that gaze.

It wasn't like a forest fire, but more like a single flame that danced above its candle

The two stared for what seemed like hours before Antonio felt the atmosphere shift. On any other day he would have ignored the feeling all together, but this time he couldn't shake it. Not only was his own heart beat racing, but he could sense Lovino's was too.

The Italian's shaky fingers slid up to Antonio's face.

"Lov?"

Lovino's eyes remained fixed as he slid his fingers down onto Antonio's shirt collar.

A second later Antonio felt himself being pulled forward and before he knew it he felt Lovino's soft lips pressed against his own.

Antonio felt his eyes widen, and his heart was ready to burst from his chest.

Though they trembled Lovino's lips were like two fluffy feathers.

As quick as it started it had stopped, and Lovino pulled away.

Antonio couldn't help but bite his lower lip as he tried to comprehend what happened.

Lovino took a step back and covered his mouth, "That wasn't supposed to—"

Antonio then closed the space between them and gently removed Lovino's hand. His heart beat rang in his ears as he titled Lovino's head up. He planted his lips back onto Lovino's as his eyelids fell he. He kissed the Italian over and over, his hands trailed across Lovino's back.

Lovino's arms wrapped around Antonio's neck, and his fingers tangled thorough the Spaniard's damp, knotted hair – his own lips pressed deeper.

Antonio's mind raced, and his heart continued to thump. He let out a low moan as he let his hands glide down to Lovino's lower back. Then he felt himself being pushed against the door, and his toes curled as Lovino's tongue slipped past his teeth. It was like sweet candy had filled his mouth, and he yearned for more.

Antonio pulled Lovino closer as their tongues continued to roll around. Lovino returned a moan, which caused Antonio's face to burn and his legs to grow weak. He felt his body slide down to the floor, and Lovino fell with him.

Antonio came up from air as he eyes flashed open. He started to pant as his eyes locked onto Lovino's, the Italian's face was flushed.

"Mi vida," Antonio smiled, "you're looking like a cute tomate again."

"Shut up," Lovino gasped as he pressed his forehead against Antonio's, his fingertips traced the Spaniard's lips.

Antonio giggled as he slipped his fingers between Lovino's. Then he pulled Lovino closer and went to kiss those velvet lips again when a loud crash startled them both. He looked past Lovino, and glanced around the room. Aside from his own heartbeat, he hadn't heard much else. Then he turned to Lovino who returned a rather nervous look.

"Lov?" Antonio questioned, "Are your hermanos home?"

Lovino shook his head, "Feli is with the potato, and Luci is at school."

Antonio pulled himself and Lovino up to their feet as he continued to listen out for another noise. Besides the car off on the road, once more he heard nothing else.

Lovino laughed, "Antonio, it's probably Feli's stupid cat. Dumb thing knocks over crap all the time."

Antonio felt his stomach ache as he started away, "I'm gonna check it out."

"Not alone, you're not," Lovino grabbed his arm.

The two of them walked around the house: They checked the foyer as well as the living room. When they came up empty handed, they went over to the dining room, and then the first bedroom at the front of the house. When there was nothing out of the ordinary they walked over to the master bedroom to the left end of the house. They walked into the huge bathroom first, and Antonio noticed how much it shined.

When was the last time he cleaned his own bathrooms?

Back out into the hall they made their way past the two large walk-in-closets on either side of them. Antonio saw all sorts of clothes in each one, and couldn't help himself from walking into at least one. Once inside he marveled at . . . everything! He noticed a number of shoes against the corner wall. All around him hung all types of T-shirts, pull overs, Flannels, Blazers, jeans, trousers!

So much fashion to take in at one time!

"Hey," He heard Lovino call, "get the hell out of there!"

Antonio smiled, "Mi vida, I never noticed how may clothes you had."

"Stop being so nosy," Lovino said as he tugged the back of Antonio's shirt.

Once again in the hall, Antonio's eyes fell onto the other closet.

"What's in that one?" He grinned as he was pushed into the actual room itself.

Antonio looked over to the large bed against the back wall. For a moment he contemplated on a quick rest, but he brushed that feeling away.

Now was really not the time.

He approached the tall glass door on the right that lead out to the patio. He heard the rain beat hard against the patio cover, and watched lightning illuminate the gray sky. As thunder crashed he snapped his head around and found Lovino hugging onto himself – his eyes grew frantic.

Antonio strode over to Lovino and wrapped his arm around the Italian's small waist. The two of them left the room, and reached the foyer once again. Then Antonio led them across the room over to where the kitchen was. Again they were empty handed, and when they walked into the family room that status hadn't changed.

Antonio put his free hand against his hip as they walked down the nearest hallway to the other bedroom closest to the front. As he pulled open the door, he noticed Luciano's things all about the room.

Lovino groaned, "if he does not clean up this crap by the time he's home, I'm going to throw it all out!"

Antonio laughed, "Lov, he's a kid!"

"He's a pig!"

"My office looks worse than this does."

Lovino glared at him before he approached a different door. Once it was opened, Antonio peered into the bathroom. He followed after and then watched Lovino pull open another door, and he found Feliciano's room.

On top of the bed was Feli's cat, Pookie. She looked up and let out a soft meow before she curled back into a ball.

"Mi Vida?" Antonio rubbed his neck, "something tells me la gatita didn't make that noise."

He heard Lovino groan as he left through yet another door. He followed after him and found him standing before a different door.

How did he not get lost in here?

As he looked at the door Antonio believed that that was Lovino's study, and it was the last room in the house.

Antonio's pocket vibrated as Lovino approached the door. He pulled out his phone and saw a new message flash on his screen. He unlocked it, and his heart skipped as he read it.

From:

LOL

Antonio shot his head up and found Lovino standing in the open doorway. He approached the Italian and his stomach lurched at the familiar sight.

Papers and books were littered across the floor. The desk was flipped upside down, and deep scratches carved the walls. On the very back wall stood three large windows – the left one was busted in, but the other two . . .

They stood intact but upon the glass was a message written in messy red . . . paint . . .

The Game Is Far From Over!