AN: Hey, guys.

Here's the new chapter. Just letting you know, we do have a Germany in the cosplay group at my school now.

To those who reviewed:

ThatRandomReview: He would. I'm glad it doesn't seem rushed, because I wrote it in, no joke, less than five minutes. I worried it would be rushed.

Penguin Braginski: Alright.

Spamano4ever: For his man and said man's brother. He's protective over those he cares for.

Enjoy.

That morning was calm. Lunch was when things started getting a bit out of hand.

Gilbert blinked in surprise, making Lovino turn and tense up. "What the fuck do you want, bastard?"he asked.
Feliciano glanced over as well and paled slightly. This didn't look good.

"I..." A moment's pause made Lovino narrow his eyes at the jock in front of him. "I came to apologize. To Feliciano and you."

Lovino spat at his feet and shook his head. "Don't bother. I don't forgive douchebags."

Feliciano tilted his head, examining the male before he sighed. He looked up at Feliciano in silence for a moment.

Feliciano thought it over for a moment before he spoke. "I forgive you. Just don't hurt Lovi again."

Lovino looked over at Feliciano in surprise at that, caught off guard.

A nod was all the response he got and they were left alone. Lovino examined his brother before he spoke. "Feli, it's not your job to protect me."

"Yes it is."Feliciano countered. "You've protected me your entire life, Lovi. You've nearly gotten raped trying to protect me. Just...let me protect you for a change."

Gilbert, who had been taking a drink of his water, spit the liquid out and blinked in surprise. "What?!"he demanded, looking between the brothers.

Lovino turned red and hid his face. "Dammit."he grumbled.

Antonio pulled the Italian to him and kissed his hair before he sighed.

Gilbert examined Lovino before he sighed. "Lovi..."

Lovino looked up at Gilbert. Then he looked to Feliciano. "I don't get it. I tried my best to make sure you were shielded from this mess.."

"I'm observant, fratello. You taught me to always be observant."Feliciano said.

Vash came up then and blinked at the tension in the group. "O-kay, what's going on here?"
Lovino sighed, but offered a faint smile. "Good, then use that skill to keep yourself safe."he told Feli before continuing with his lunch silently.

Nobody bothered to fill Vash in. Nobody had to. They all dropped the subject, though Gilbert kept looking to Lovino like he wanted to question him and Ludwig's eyes portrayed horror at what he'd just found out. No wonder Lovino hadn't been keen on him..

Antonio didn't let go of Lovino at all after that while they were at lunch. He just felt better knowing that Lovino was safe.

Toris bounded up at the end of lunch. "Romano!"he said.

Lovino turned around immediately, making Feliciano blink in surprise. He never said anything, though.
Toris calmed down a bit. "Oh, thank god.."he said. "Have you seen Raiv anywhere? Someone...someone stopped by earlier..and I worried something had happened to one of you."

Lovino shook his head. "I've not seen him. He's usually here with us.."he said, then seemed to realize what Toris was implying and shot up. "Fuck!"

He bolted out of the cafeteria.

Feliciano spoke softly. "What's going on?"

Toris shook his head. "Lovi and Raiv both extracted themselves. A death wish. So..we really need to find Raiv."

Feliciano nodded, so Toris left the area.

Nobody saw any of the three again that day.

Antonio had begun to worry when Lovino didn't show back up.

Vash was the one who ventured out to find the three. When he doubled back alone, the others really began worrying. Vash sighed. "C'mon,"he said, leading the others to the Vargas home quietly. He didn't answer any questions. He actually pulled his phone out and called Lovino's boss to inform him that Lovino wouldn't be in, letting him know the situation quickly as they walked. He kept a close eye on his surroundings.

As soon as he got to the Vargas home, he paused, turning to look at the group. "Ludwig, Gilbert, Antonio, I need you three to come with me. Feli, stay here with Matt and the others. I'll call soon, I promise."

Feliciano nodded, swallowing his worry in order to keep tears from showing up. "Do you guys need anything?"

Vash sighed. "You know that old trunk in your nonno's closet?"he asked.

Feliciano nodded.

"Go get that and bring it to the living room, okay?"Vash said. "And stay put. Keep your eyes open. Ludwig, Gilbert..you two need to double home to grab your guns, because this might not end well. Toni..I have an extra gun under the couch here if you want.."

Antonio shook his head. "I'd rather not...I don't like hurting others."

"Alright, then it's your job to get them the fuck away when we get them, kay?"

Antonio nodded.

After this, once they were all set, the four left. Austria showed up with Lili.

Vash made his way through the streets easily, the others lagging behind so he could lead them.

He looked back and raised a finger to his lips, drawing his own gun before he opened the door that he'd stopped at. He winced silently. He could hear who he now knew to be Raivis screaming. That sounded promising. He motioned for the two Beilschmidt brothers to get their guns ready and looked to Antonio, who was tense, but completely ready to get his job done.

Vash entered silently, following the sound until he paused in a doorway, the gun held behind him.

Lovino caught sight of him and made a signal behind the person's back in the room. Vash's eyes narrowed and he nodded. He yelled as soon as Gilbert and Ludwig made it up behind him. "Hey!"

The male looked away from the Latvian to look to Vash, who entered the room calmly. "You need to let them go."

Raivis looked at Vash, frightened tremors going through him. Antonio stayed hidden from view from the male, but Gilbert and Ludwig entered the room behind Vash, both of them with guns at the ready.

The male took in the guns before he looked to Vash. "What has this got to do with you?"

Vash paused to glance at Lovino before he spoke again. "You've got my brothers here. And you have no right to do this to them, either."

Lovino bit back the smile. The male looked at him, making him freeze. "Is this true?"

Lovino didn't meet his eyes. He knew better. He nodded once in silence.

It killed Gilbert to see his best friend acting like this.

Ludwig noticed something immediately. The blade that had been stored in Lovino's necklace charm was missing. He knew he had it behind him, ready to fight.

He knew Vash had noticed as well and said nothing.

The male looked to Vash and spoke. "And if I don't let them go?"

"Then we'll see who's still alive within five minutes of that announcement."he said.

Silence reigned for a moment before it was broken.

"Prove it."

Vash drew his gun around and cocked it. "Raivis, down!"he yelled, firing a shot as soon as the Latvian was out of the range.

Lovino closed his eyes tightly to keep from watching this.

When he opened his eyes again, it was to see that Gilbert and Ludwig had shot at the same time Vash did and the man was dead in front of Raivis.

With that known, Lovino relaxed and immediately started working on trying to unlock the cuffs binding him so he could help the others. It took him a moment before he had one of his hands free and he immediately reached over to undo Toris's while Vash undid Raivis's. After Toris was free, Lovino freed himself completely and rubbed at his now raw wrists. He glared down at the body, but did nothing.

Antonio entered the room then and Lovino immediately noticed the wide eyed expression.

Vash sighed. "Let's get you boys home and doctored up."

Nobody argued against that.

Don't kill me for this. You'll see where I'm going with this, I promise. It'll be fluffy, I promise.