AN: Here's the new chapter! Sorry about it taking so long. I had a long day yesterday.

To those who reviewed:

ThatRandomReivew: Nah, it's fine.

Penguin Braginski: Lili is adorable.

Spamano4ever: She is!

Guest: (Hey). Well, I'm sorry to hear you had a bad day, but I'm glad that this helped! I hope things get better for you!

Enjoy.

Antonio rubbed Lovino's arm softly at the end of lunch. "Lovi, wake up,"he said quietly.

Lovino lifted his head slightly and gave him a look, blinking, before he shook his head and laid his head back down.

"Fratello!"Feliciano said.

Lovino huffed, blinking at his brother coldly.

"Why don't you just go home?"

Lovino shrugged once and shook his head.

Antonio ran his hands through the Italian's hair, but didn't say anything.

After a moment, Lovino sighed, pushing Antonio's hand away and sitting up in silence. He rubbed at his eyes before he got up.

After that, the day went by without any issues. Lovino kept Lili from getting hurt and returned her to Vash at the end of the day.

But Vash examined him a bit further and frowned at how tense Lovino was. "What happened?"he asked, moving to making the Italian look up at him. He sighed when he saw the faint bruising on the Italian's face. "Of course."

Antonio came outside then, wrapping his arms around Lovino from behind and making the Italian tense up further. "Whoa, hey, calm down, Lovi. What's the matter?"

Vash backed up again and Lovino looked back at Antonio, letting the Spaniard see the bruising.

His eyes darkened at the sight of the bruises. "Who hurt you."

"It's nothing,"Lovino said quietly. "Just let it go,"

Antonio let his thumb ghost over the bruising before he released Lovino and let him turn. He shook his head, kissing his forehead lightly. "I wish people would leave you alone,"

Lovino shrugged. "Better me than any of the rest of you guys."he said.

Antonio let it go. He knew that his boyfriend was always sacrificing himself for the others. He'd gotten used to it a while back, in fact.

The walk home was quiet for Antonio and Lovino. They let the others go ahead so they could talk in private. Since they were still planning on going out on a date that evening, they needed to work everything out beforehand.

"No!"Lovino said, laughing lightly. They were currently sitting in the corner booth of some restruant in town.

Antonio nodded. "It was hilarious..but it was also the last time they ever came to visit."

Lovino snorted softly. "I would think so,"he said softly. "Man, if someone did that to me, they'd be dead."

"Yes, they would. I'd kill them,"Antonio said.

Of course you would, Lovino thought. He gave Antonio a smile. "I love you,"he offered.

Antonio grinned. "I love you too. And Happy Valentine's Day. I forgot to tell you earlier."

Lovino rolled his eyes. "Happy Valentine's Day."

One of the waiters was listening to this exchange closeby and gave a soft smile.

When the two went to leave, the waiter stopped them to speak with them. "So, you two are out on a date today, yes?"

Antonio nodded, tightening his grip on Lovino's hand protectively.

The waiter noticed and smiled faintly. "No harm meant, I was merely curious. Besides..it's sweet, seeing how you two interact."

Lovino gave a faint smile. "Thank you,"

A nod.

Antonio lead Lovino out of the restruant not long after, smiling faintly.

That had never really happened before. Not since Halloween. Never as direct, either.

But..it wasn't too bad.

Sorry for the shortness, loves. I have something going on at church this evening though, so..here this is.