AN: Here's a new chapter for you.

To those who reviewed:
Penguin Braginski: You'll see why I brought her in. I have something planned, but there has to be a paretal figure there in order for it to work out.

Spamano4ever: It is sad, but after all he's gone through in his life? Completely understandable.

DarkestDangel: No clue. I'll have to figure out where I'm going with it.

ThatRandomReview: Yes, their mom is back.

Evelylamine: ..sorry?

Enjoy.

The following morning, Antonio woke up to Lovino yelling at someone.

"Baby?"he asked, blinking his eyes open to see Lovino sitting up beside him, glaring at his mom.

Lovino glanced back at him. "Sorry to wake you,"he said before going back to glaring at his mother.

Feliciano woke up then and groaned. He looked over to see the glare on his brother's face. "Fratello..?"

Lovino shook his head. He got up. "Forget it,"he snapped, spitting at the ground at his mom's face before disappearing to get ready for school. He was wrong. He'd thought maybe things would get easier with their mom back, but things had only gotten more stressful.

He stopped in the doorway and looked back at his mom. "Oh, and by the way, mother,"he said. "Don't expect me home before dark tonight. I have work."

Then he disappeared.

Feliciano sighed. "I'm sorry, mom."

Emiliana looked back at her youngest son and shrugged. "I just don't get how he could be so cold.."

Antonio glowered then. "He's not. He cuts himself off, but he's not cold. He tries to keep himself safe from hurt emotionally by acting like he doesn't care."he replied, making Emiliana look to him in surprise.
"You seem to know Lovino very well.."she said doubtfully.

"They're dating,"Feliciano replied.

"Oh."

Ludwig glowered at Emiliana at that. He didn't like the tone she had. "And there is nothing wrong with that, because Antonio loves him to death. And Lovi loves him too."he pointed out. "They're happy together. They care for one another."

Emiliana looked back at him for a long moment. "That doesn't make anything right, though, does it?"

Lovino came back right about then and stopped dead in his tracks.

Feliciano glared at her. "It's not wrong! He's happy! He was miserable before. And Toni's so nice and a gentleman."

Lovino shook his head. "Don't bother Feli."he said, his voice emotionless and cold. "Let her think what she wants."

Emiliana turned to look at Lovino, going to speak to him.

Lovino shook his head. "Don't bother, mother. I'll call in and tell my boss I'll be late. I'll be gone this evening. As will Feli. I don't want him around a fucking bigot."

"Watch your language,"Emiliana told him.

Lovino clenched a fist closed tightly. "Fuck you."he said before grabbing his jacket and bookbag and leaving.

Antonio jumped up, disappearing to get changed before grabbing his own jacket and bag and taking off after the Italian.

Francis frowned slightly. "And here comes another breakdown."he grumbled.

Gilbert nodded in agreement.

Matthew was glaring at Emiliana darkly. He pushed himself up and moved to stand in front of her. "You have no right to judge anyone. You left both Feliciano and Lovino. Lovi has abandonment issues because of you, and you dare say anything when he's finally opening up to someone who would give their lives for him?"he asked, voice very quiet. Would you do the same thing to Feliciano?"

"No. Because Feli would never - "Emiliana started, but Feliciano cut her off.

"Actually, I do have a boyfriend."he said. "Ludwig and me have been together since the beginning of the school year."

Emiliana didn't say anything.

Matthew raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Aren't you proud of your sons?"he asked. "Fighting for each other and sticking by those they care about when things get tough, though?"

No response.

"That's what I thought."

Once the group got to school, Feliciano gave his brother a tight hug.

Lovino, who had been sobbing into Antonio's chest, returned this embrace and refused to let go of his brother.

Vash frowned in confusion when Roderich and him came upon this scene that morning. "What's going on?"

Feliciano shook his head slightly, rubbing Lovino's back gently.

Francis spoke. "Their mom doesn't approve of them being gay,"he answered.

Vash gave his brothers a look before he turned around and headed outside to make a call.

As soon as he came back inside, he nodded and spoke softly. "Feli, Lovi, you two are to come stay with Roderich and me for a while, okay?"he said, kneeling down beside the two Italian.

Lovino finally released Feliciano and dried his eyes. He nodded and gave Vash a hug before settling down beside Antonio again, eyes downcast.

Feliciano frowned at his elder brother before he nodded and met Vash's eyes. "Thank you."

Vash shrugged.

Needless to say, that morning was one of the most emotional ones for the group in a while.

Lovino never looked up to meet anyone's eyes. He didn't respond to Antonio's gentle touches or words. He didn't join the conversations around him.

Vash frowned. He could see how much it was killing Lovino on the inside, to be rejected by his mother for who he is.

Things are going to get better, I promise, Lovino. I promise.

Don't kill me, please...

And by the way, yes that does happen. Quite often. In fact, everyone in my family but my mom has outright told me they'd rather me be dead than les or bi. I'm bi. And I'm out to them. Fuck, it sucks.

Anyway...