AN: Hey, guys. So...the good news is that I'm back in school again now. Break's over. No more sitting around at home listening to arguing. Tensions have been high...unfortunately.

To those who reviewed:

Spamano4ever: Nothing too bad, I promise.

ThatRandomReview: Yeah, they have a role. It took me about a week's worth of planning before I added them in, with the help of a few friends..our Romano included. He came to school last year...his last year...with angel wings on before after we had this planned, the day that I added that into the story. Yeah, it took a bit of convincing to get one of them to let me see their wrist to do so, though. I had one drawn on mine as well. And I'm sorry...I hope you threw them out?

Luvrainluv: Yeah. It is, actually. Because it just portrays that little piece of hope that's not only within his character, but within everyone. Same here. He's always been someone to connect with for me. It's gotten me some weird looks, but I don't care. It does, actually, because if you cut before it's faded away - you can't scrub it off, you aren't allowed, it has to fade naturally - then you kill it. It's...nobody wants to kill an innocent creature like that, so it's motivation not to cut or self harm otherwise, at least until it's gone. You will definitely find out who called soon.

Enjoy.

The group was off and on that day. They were either completely silent or being too loud.

Lovino didn't really get involved in the conversations, either.

When lunch came around and Lovino still wasn't acting normally, Toris merely took the Italian's phone and pulled up the recent calls. He frowned at the number, but said nothing as he handed the phone back.

Lovino looked up and met Toris's eyes for a moment before he allowed Antonio to pull him into a tight hug.

"You should've told us."Toris said softly. "You know that they can't do this to you anymore."

Lovino sighed and spoke up. "Toris...don't start."he commented.

Toris held his hands up but continued. "Well, I'm sorry. You don't like hear this, I know, but Lovi...you've had us all worried sick about you. You haven't reacted to something like this in a long while. Last I remember...the last time, you passed out and it took Raivis and me to get out the hell outta there afterwards. You didn't even remember a thing. Can you blame us for worrying this time? What'd they say?"

Lovino frowned. "It's nothing, Tor."he said softly.

Raivis butted in then. "Damn it, Romano, just tell us. Please."he said.

Lovino gave him a long look, but then looked at the top of the table. "It doesn't matter."

Feliciano looked at his brother. "You're not having to go back, right?"

"They threatened you, Feli."Lovino said, glancing up at Feliciano. "I'm not going back, but I'm not going to let them hurt you, either. I've come too close to losing you once, I'm not doing it again."

Ludwig spoke up. "Lovino, you should've told us this morning. We could've been working on a plan."

"Don't need one."Lovino responded. "I know how to handle this. Listen...I'm going to ask you to take Feli and get out of town for a while, two weeks at most. Just so I know he's safe."

Ludwig gave him a look. "I don't think that's the best idea..."

Lovino met his gaze. "If he's gone, they target me. If they do that, I can fight back. I'm not putting Feliciano in the middle of this."

Raivis spoke up. "Alright, listen to me. You're talking a suicide mission right now. We can handle this, okay? I promise, nothing will happen to Feliciano."

Antonio looked to the younger Italian, who seemed to be working out his own plan. He gave him a few more moments before speaking. "What are you thinking about, Feliciano?"
Feliciano met his eyes and gave a soft smile. "I know how to manage this."he said. "He said that they had threatened me. That's okay, I don't care. It makes this entire thing easier. Fratello? Did they say why?"
Lovino frowned, but nodded. "Yeah. Revenge. You're not getting involved, Feli."

Feliciano rolled his eyes. "Yes I am. Because you're worrying yourself sick, you're making all of us worry, and you broke down about it this morning. It means something to you, so I'm going to help."

"Feli..."Lovino warned. "This isn't something for you to get involved in."

"It wasn't something for you to get involved in when you were eleven, either, but you did. You did to keep me safe. It's time I return the favour and keep you safe for a change. Don't tell me not to do this. I'm going to."

The rest of the day was tense after that, everyone planning so they could regroup and discuss at the restaurant during Lovino's break. They had permission to sit in the restaurant while Lovino was working, so they figured they could start regroup during that time.

The customers seemed to realize something was going on when Lovino automatically headed over to them during his break and skimmed something written on a sheet of paper before grabbing the pencil that his brother had and writing something out beside it, saying something quickly about what he was writting as he did so.

Gilbert wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Didn't work last time..."he said.
The group closest could hear them talking, only just barely, but it was worrisome for them anyways.
When Lovino's break was finished, Elizabeta came out and called across the room. "Lovi, time's up. Want me to help them?"
Lovino looked at the others before he shook his head. "Nah. That's okay, Liz. They can handle it from here."he called back. He paused before he walked away and said a soft, "Nothing stupid. I mean it."

As soon as he disappeared, the group got back to work. Raivis and Toris would make edits every now and then, since they had proper experience with the people they were dealing with and could offer inside information they wouldn't have otherwise.

It was a relief when they finished before Lovino's shift ended.

Lovino seemed a bit relieved to be off work once it did end, and Antonio knew automatically that this was too much stress on the Italian. He gave a faint smile and pulled him into a hug.

Lovino sighed and returned the comforting gesture.

Antonio half smiled. "It's alright. We got this."he promised.

"I hope you're right."

Gr...so...I might have slipped up a bit today with the self harm...Canada's gonna kill me if she sees my arm...