AN: Bad news...

I lost another person a few weeks ago... someone I really trusted. But..it was my fault. Things are...okay..right now. I had a girls night with my school's group's Denmark and my friend Luna, who's like a sister and acts as either Fem!Austria or Fem!2p!Japan. Depends. Kinda both, honestly.

Anyway...sorry for it taking so long, guys.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! By the way, since it's getting so close to Christmas...I'm planning on working on something with the Nordics, particularly Finland!

And by the way, my chorus class goes to Rock City to perform Christmas stuff on Wednesday, the Fourth. Fun? I think so. We get to wear Santa hats! And I plan on going to school cosplaying as Finland, as well! Just for fun. We only have two days left of rehearsal before Rock City, though, once we get back to school on Monday...

To those who reviewed:
Spamano4ever: I know!
Luvrainluv: I've had plenty...too many to count. So many I was glad when my dreams just...stopped. ...and I guess I should have just PM'd you with the response to this...just don't mention it again... And yeah, he is a great brother.

Bookslover21: I'm glad you enjoy the story...and so much for happy, right? Let's just not mention it...

Enjoy.

Things didn't settle much after that. It was weird, having the group on such a weird routine. None of them were sure about triggers around Lovino that day, and it meant a lot of guess work, and that didn't sound promising to them.

Lovino seemed to notice this, because after a while of them trying to be careful around him he spoke up. "If you're going to be so fucking weird around me, then just get the fuck away from me."he snapped. "I'm not in the mood to deal with you all being idiotas."

Antonio sat down with Lovino and wrapped his arms around him.

Lovino glanced at him before he sighed and relaxed into the embrace. At least it was comforting.

That's how Lovino went to sleep that evening, too, was curled up in Antonio's arms. He finally got some rest, and could feel safe again.

Antonio half smiled at the sleeping Italian in his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

Feliciano spoke up. "What do you think happened..?"

Raivis shrugged. "Well...Les Mis is about a war...right?"he said softly. "Something may have triggered some memories for him at practice..."
Feliciano nodded. "Now I feel like a bad brother for getting him involved.

Romeo frowned at Feliciano. "No."he said semi-sternly. But it got everyone's attention. They weren't aware he'd came back.
Vash stood behind him, Lili fast asleep in his arms, frowning at Feliciano. "What's this about?"

Feliciano looked to Lovino.

Vash followed his gaze and nodded. "Tempermental again?"

Feliciano nodded. "Bad night last night. Didn't Romeo mention it?"

Vash laughed. "Yeah, right."he commented. "He was busy playing games."

Feliciano smiled faintly.

Vash nodded. "By the way, Tino called. He wants to know if you guys are going to be able to meet up at the park soon for a bonfire?"

Feliciano nodded in agreement. "Yeah, probably. I dunno. I'll ask Lovi?"

Antonio half smiled. "Forget that. We're going. He needs out of this house."he said softly. "He only leaves for school, work and rehearsal."

Vash gave him a look. "Don't do something stupid and start a fight, Antonio."he warned.

Antonio sighed, but nodded in agreement. "Got it."

Once Vash left, things settled.

Lovino woke up about an hour before Feliciano decided it was time he got up to work on supper. He blinked tiredly and tried shifting only to find himself caught in someone's arms.

Antonio glanced at him. "Hey, love."

Lovino mumbled a tired 'hey' and settled back down against Antonio's chest. "What time is it, bastard?"

"It's getting close to eight."Antonio answered softly.

Lovino sighed. "Great."he grumbled.

Antonio laughed softly. "Still tired, I see?"

Lovino nodded. "Fucking exhausted."he responded.

Feliciano pouted at his brother. "You're not going to work tomorrow."

"Feli, we've had this conversation."Lovino said, pushing himself up. "I gotta work, we gotta have the money to keep the bills paid and keep food in the house and shit. I'm going to work, I don't give a damn what you say."

Ludwig sighed. "Lovino, you are working way too hard for it to be good."he warned. "Why not let Gil or me get a job and help? We've offered before, and you never do let us."

Lovino huffed. "It's my responsibility, okay? You guys pay your half, that's all I'm asking of you. I don't need your damn help,"

Antonio cut in. "Lovino, listen to me."

This got the Italian to stop and look at him.

Antonio sighed. "Just...one day? Please? You'll end up working yourself to death. You've got us all worried about you."

Lovino shook his head. "No."he said.

Antonio threw his hands up in surrender. "I'm done. I'm not fighting with you over this. If you want to work yourself into an early grave, by all means, go ahead. But don't expect me to watch. Why won't you just let someone help every now and again?"

"Because I'm not trusting someone to take care of Feli and me again. It almost got us killed last time, for fuck's sake!"Lovino bit out. "You want the truth? There you go. I'm scared to let people help because I don't want to run the risk of us getting hurt again. We just got in the clear from last time someone tried helping and I had to get involved to keep us safe. Not again."

That made everyone go silent.

Antonio looked at Lovino, who was staring at him like he had just plunged a knife into his back, like he'd betrayed him. It felt like to him, too. "I...I didn't know that's w...why didn't you say something before?"

Lovino shook his head. "There's a lot you don't know. I want it to stay that way. I want it to go away. It won't if I keep talking about it."he admitted.

Raivis spoke up. "Lovi...please. Just...let someone here help. We will never hurt you."

Lovino looked over at him. The person he'd taken to confiding in while he was with the mafia, the one who risked everything for him before by covering for him so many times. The person he would die over should it come to it. He sighed. "Fine."he grumbled. "But we talk about this later, as a group?"

They all agreed to that and moved on. It wasn't that pressing right this instant. They were glad they'd gotten that far.

So...here's the deal. I'm back around to writing after a lot of crap going on. I need this time more than anything.

If any of you want a little drabble for Christmas or something...just let me know. Send me a pm with the pairing/group and stuff and I'll do my best to get it to you as a Christmas gift...

Thanks for being so patient guys.

Love you.

Ciao.