Romano froze the moment he saw Antonio and Feliciano in that doorway. Feli was gripping onto Antonio's neck as if for dear life, shaking weakly. His leg from the knees down was simply doused in blood, and he was still shoeless, his feet black. Antonio looked like he was struggling to hold onto him, trembling, staring out at the world, frantic to escape. His legs where bruised from heavy blows, and it was a miracle he was even standing, much less walking. He could make out raw rings of red around their ankles and wrists, and instantly he felt a pang of guilt in his stomach.

It was his fault for this.

"Romano!" And yet, when Antonio shouted for his attention, it was one of the most amazing things he had heard. They where hurt, but they where there, within reach, and all he had to do was get past the other two in front of him. He stared, his mouth agape, as Antonio moved to take a step forward, closer to freedom, closer to home, and Romano felt better with each shuffling movement. He glanced over at Ludwig, who seemed to be feeling just the same, his cold blue eyes so happy to see Feliciano it was nearly impossible to gauge it.

But he glanced back when he heard a thud. Antonio was on the ground, Feliciano nearby, both of them staring fearfully up at another assailant. There was a gun in his hand. Pointed straight at Antonio.

No. No... No, no, no, no!

Romano surged forward, pushing past the man he was taking on, sending him sprawling to the ground. It felt like ages as he ran forward, and he could see Antonio moving to shelter himself from the shot.

As he watched, eyes widening, he heard the crack of a gunshot.

A single, broken word ripped from his throat as he threw himself forward, too late, frozen mere feet away.

"No!"

But Antonio was fine. Trembling, fear struck, he looked up, Feliciano working to swallow in shock. The assailant collapsed on the doorstep, a bullet hole lodged in his head. For a moment, Romano was confused.

Tino. It was Tino. No wonder Ludwig had called him, he was definitely a good shot, and the town was almost a mile away.

The next few moments where almost too quick to process.

Antonio whirled around. "Watch out!"

Romano turned on his heel just in time to duck the fist of his own assailant. Drawing a knife from his belt, he swung wide, but the man backed off. Romano stepped forward, playing offense, and the two engaged in a dance of dodge and swing, until Romano's blade finally met his assailant's wrist. Within moments, he was down.

Dead.

Romano looked up to see Ludwig sparring viciously within his own fight, and yet a few well placed blows sent him down.

And then Feliciano screamed. It was the same scream he had woken too, and when he turned around Antonio had taken another knife in his hand and buried it into the leg of a fourth. He howled in pain, running off.

And then Romano realized why Feliciano had screamed.

He was gripping his arm, sprawled on the ground, red sliding into the dirt beside him, on him, around him. Romano rushed forward, and he could hear Ludwig running behind him. He slid onto the ground on his knees, reaching forward so he could stop the bleeding. Feliciano was sobbing, trying to hug his brother back, and Romano let him. That was, until Ludwig made his way over, he seemed torn, glancing with wide, tears brown eyes between the two. He reached out for Ludwig, who pulled him onto his lap, allowing Feli to bury his face in Ludwig's strong chest. He cried as Romano reached for his bag, pulling out a smaller bag. Quickly, he ripped a hole in the end, sliding it up his arm, wrapping the rest in shreds of his shirt.

For a moment, he sat there on his knees, staring at Feliciano as he lay curled up on Ludwig's lap, crying, searching for comfort.

Antonio.

He whirled around, throwing himself at him, starting to cry.

"What the hell w-was that!?" He cried, wrapping his arms around the beaten Spainyard.

Antonio didn't respond, but Romano could tell that he was crying just as hard.

For a moment they sat there, crying and hugging each other as if they would never let go.

"I'm sorry... I... I don't know what-"

"Shut up you bastardo." Romano hissed back. "And just let me hug you."

For a while they didn't move.

"I won't ever let that happen again... Okay?" Romano finally said. "Promise."

Antonio simply nodded, and Romano pulled away, wiping his tears with a muddy sleeve. Antonio smiled a bit.

"You're face is all dirty."

"Oh shut up."

But Antonio simply smiled.

"Fratello?" Romano turned to see Feliciano stretching out his good arm.

"Oh... Feli." He shuffled forward, Antonio following slowly. "Mi dispace... Mi dispace..."

He reached forward, hugging him lightly.

Tino walked up, a gun in his hand. He was smiling softly.

"We should go. Before law enforcement gets here."

The group rose, stumbling down the rode and piling into Romano's car.

And Romano swore. He would never let that happen again.