AN: Hey, guys. So..here's the thing, it's been a really long day. So this won't be the best chapter in the world, I know. But...yeah...

To those who reviewed:

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Enjoy.

The routine that the group had developed was definitely one that was different from the one they had gotten used to last year, but it was better than nothing.

Lovino was just glad that they were all still around and relatively safe. That was a nice change in itself.

However, there were still days where things got to be too much for someone. This time around, it was Lovino.

He understood perfectly well that Antonio was trying to look out for him, and that the others were just minding their own business.

As such, while everyone but Antonio and himself were gone off doing something - Feliciano mentioned something about hanging out at the park for a while - Lovino stayed off to himself away from Antonio.

The Spaniard kept giving him worried frowns and trying to pull him into hugs and conversations.

After a while, he just snapped. "Antonio, just..just go away and leave me alone, damn it!"he said, pushing the Spaniard away from him when he tried wrapping him in a hug.

Antonio frowned. "What's wrong, Lovi?"

Lovino shook his head. "I cannot do this right now, okay? I just want to be left alone."he commented. "Which is why I told Feli I didn't want to go to the park. You didn't have to stay behind with me. I've been around you constantly recently. Don't get me wrong, I love you. I honestly do love you. But I need some time away from you, from everyone. I can't handle always being around you guys. It's literally sufficating me. I can't breathe anymore when you guys are around."

Antonio gave him a searching look. "I..don't think I understand.."

Lovino gave a sad smile. "Toni..you remember that spark that we've always had, right? How comfortable we are with one another?"
Antonio nodded in answer.

"That's fading really quickly from being around you all the time. I need time away so I can actually know what it's like to miss you, and I need some time to think things through without people asking me if everything's okay. Because it's just reminding me that no, it's not fucking okay. Just...give me some space, okay?"Lovino said.

Antonio let that sink in before he nodded. "Yeah. Sure. Okay.."he said softly.

But Lovino could hear the hurt tone in his voice. "'Toni..."

Antonio shook his head. "Just go then. If you don't want to be here, I'm not going to make you be here."he said, effectively cutting the Italian off.

Lovino's eyes teared up when he realized that Antonio thought he was leaving. He locked his jaw to hold the tears back. He met Antonio's eyes - green, soulfull eyes - and leaned up to steal a soft kiss before pulling away and walking past him, pausing only to grab his bag and jacket.

Antonio caught sight of the tears beginning to fall as Lovino paused at the door and glanced back.

But nothing was said. Within the next second, Lovino was gone, and Antonio was left alone, the mistake he'd just made with Lovino echoing back at him in the silence.

When the others came back, Antonio hadn't moved from his spot.

Feliciano smiled at him brightly. "Tonio~!"he said in greeting.

Antonio looked to Feliciano and he managed a weak smile.

Feliciano's smile faded. "What's wrong? Where's Lovi?"

"He..."Antonio started, but he trailed off, shaking his head.

Raivis spoke up. "He left, didn't he?"he asked.

Antonio nodded once.

Toris sighed and looked to Raivis. "Old hangout, you suppose?"he asked.

Raivis nodded. "It's where he always goes."he commented, then gave Antonio a smile. "We'll go get him."

"Don't."Antonio said.

This got odd looks from everyone.

Antonio sighed and shook his head. "He said he wanted some time away."he said quietly. "Just leave him be. He'll come back around soon."

Two days passed and the Italian didn't show back up. He didn't show at school, and he didn't go into work, according to his boss. He'd taken time off for the week.

Antonio felt horrible. He wasn't used to Lovino being away, and he missed his fiery boyfriend.

Lovino wasn't in any better a state. He hadn't smiled once since he left. In fact, most of the time he'd been gone had been spent curled in on himself, reliving his worst memories over and over during the night. He'd grown used to having Antonio there as a comforting presence that now that he was on his own, he couldn't function right. He knew that was bad. But he couldn't help that. Antonio made him feel safe. It was something he'd searched for his entire life.

An hour after dark, Lovino showed up at Antonio's door and knocked, silent sobs wracking his small frame.

When Antonio opened the door, he automatically froze. Lovino looked like hell. He gave a small, sad smile and held his arms open.

Lovino dropped his stuff and moved so Antonio could wrap him in a hug.

Everyone else watched this. They hadn't expected this to happen when Lovino came back.

"I'm sorry."Lovino said. "I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't've left.."

Antonio shook his head and kissed Lovino's forehead. "It's okay, Lovi. C'mon, let's get you inside and settled again."

Lovino allowed himself to be led in. Antonio paused to grab Lovino's bag and jacket and put them inside before closing the door again and locking it.

That night was probably the worst in a while for the group. Lovino had nightmares constantly that night. Antonio stayed up with him. The others drifted. They weren't used to this kind of energy anymore, and it worried them.

How could it not, with Lovino acting like someone had hurt him again?

Here ya go. Have some feels...

I'm going to bed now..