AN: Hello, loves.

Here's another chapter for you. Yes, I know. I have no life.

To those who reviewed:

Spamano4ever: Just some extra reassureance - Lovi's gonna be fine. Some trials, sure, but that's normal. That's life. He'll be okay.

GothicKitty1313: That cool pendant can get you in a lot of trouble. Su-san and me did research. It took us two hours to find the necklace in description. They don't sell them. You might could find an Italian flag pendant thick enough to make one, or you could make one from clay, but be careful with it! And as for the Mafia..it's more like Roma got involved in it by sticking his nose where it didn't belong and Lovino got pulled into it to keep Feliciano safe due to some stupid actions on both his part and his nonno's part.

Guest: I'm glad you like the story. But, you do need to get your homework done. Don't hurt your grade! That's much more important! I've just based this off my friend's antics at the beginning and went from there..

Penguin Braginski: Prucan..before I wrote it as a sidepairing here, I had never wrote it before. I'd actually never written any sort of romance with those two characters with anyone before this. This made me do the research and look into their characters, and ironicly they do fit together.

Enjoy.
_

That night, Lovino stayed up after everyone else. He was currently being held like a teddy bear by Antonio, but it didn't do anything but let him know he wasn't alone like he was so used to. Still, it didn't stop the silent tears that fell from his eyes.

The day had finally set into his mind. He'd done what he had to do to keep his little brother safe. And he had paid for it.

At some point around three in the morning, Antonio woke to Lovino's silent sobs and he immediately was wide awake. "Lovi? What's the matter? Have you gotten any sleep?"

Lovino only turned to hide his face in Antonio's chest, hiding his quiet sobs.

Still, it wasn't enough. Not long after, Gilbert flipped a lamp on, looking over at the two quietly. Everyone was up, whether from the lamp or the sound of sobbing depended on the person.

"What's going on?"Gilbert asked, looking at Antonio.

Antonio shook his head, signalling that he didn't know. He kept Lovino wrapped in his arms, though.

Feliciano frowned. This wasn't like Lovino. "Fratello?"

Lovino pulled himself from Antonio's arms, looking over at Feliciano, who got up and moved to hug his brother.

"Why are you crying?"

God, I wish I could tell you, Feli. But it would kill your innocence. Lovino thought.

Feliciano's frown deepened when he noticed the red staining Lovino's shirt. "Lovi? You're bleeding,"he murmured, pulling back.

Antonio got up and went to get the first aid kit again before he returned. "Lovino, could you remove the shirt so that we can get you patched up?"he asked quietly.

Francis was frowning at the scene. It was so familiar to when he'd first met Lovino in middle school when they were only thirteen.

Lovino pulled the bloodied shirt over his head and Antonio let out a gasp. "What the fuck happened?"he demanded.

Feliciano really didn't like the sound of that.

Lovino didn't reply.

Francis got up and wandered over, taking a look at Lovino's back. "Well it's no wonder you're crying. That looks like it hurts like hell. C'mon, up. We can't do anything for you, I'm taking you to a doctor,"

Lovino shook his head. "No."he said. It was the first he'd said since they'd woken up and it was shaky.

Francis gave him a deadpan look. "Lovino Romano Vargas, do not be stubborn right now,"he said. "I mean it. Get up, let's go."

Feliciano tilted his head. "Can you even get up without hurting yourself?"he asked his brother.

Lovino shook his head.

Francis sighed. "Alright, so apparently that's not an option."

Antonio rolled his eyes, opening the first aid kit and setting about cleaning Lovino's back up carefully. Lovino let out a whimper and Feliciano grabbed one of his hands.

"I know, Lovi, it hurts."Antonio murmured. "But it'll hurt worse if I don't do this,"

Lovino nodded that he knew and let Antonio continue with what he was doing.

Silence fell then. It was broken every so often by a hiss from Lovino.

As soon as Antonio finished cleaning the Italian's back, he paused to examine some of the wounds. "What on earth happened?"

Lovino slumped against Feliciano and shook his head, signalling that he wasn't going to answer.

Francis was watching Lovino curiously. The normally fiery Italian was terrified. Even he could tell that much. That was never good. "Lovino..who did this?"he asked. "Because I know you. This is no accident or you wouldn't be so scared to tell us what happened."

"Just go back to sleep, guys."Lovino mumbled.

Antonio rolled his eyes. "Alright, Lovi. Up. Let me finish getting you patched up."

Lovino pushed himself back up fully so that Antonio could continue his work.

As soon as Antonio had Lovino's back as patched up as he possibly could, he stopped and put the first aid kit up.

Feliciano was examining Lovino's expression. While he had a mask up hiding his emotions, Feliciano knew his brother well enough to know that he was scared.

Lovino met his brother's eyes for a moment before he spoke quietly, in Italian so as to disguise his words from the others. "Ricordi come ho usato per essere?"he asked.

Feliciano nodded once.

"Devi promettere che non sarà così. Promettimi che."

Feliciano frowned, but spoke softly. "I promise.."he said. Although his voice was hesitatent, he crossed his heart like Lovino always did and let Lovino relax slightly.

"Good. I don't want you hurt,"he mumbled.

Feliciano nodded that he understood. "Get some rest, Lovi. Because first thing in the morning, someone's driving you to the doctor, and we're going to make sure you get patched up for sure."

Antonio nodded and gently hugged Lovino, who let out a shaky breath.

Francis returned to his spot and Gilbert gave them a look. "Seriously, get some rest, guys."he mumbled, cutting the light off after Feliciano returned to his own spot.

After that, things settled again.

The following morning, Lovino awoke to the sound of quiet chatter. He felt like shit, but it was okay. He had expected to.

Antonio gave him a sad look as he sat up, frowning slightly as he did so. "You need to just stay put,"

"You worry too much. I've had worse,"Lovino mumbled, pushing himself up carefully. Or attempting to. Gilbert paused in his treck across the room, helping him up dispite the arguments that he didn't need the help before he finished what he had been doing.

Oh, that morning was not going to go over well.

I apologize. But this 'filler' chapter is very important to the progression. After this, I promise I will never do something like this again here if I can at all help it. I'm sorry.