A/N: Hello! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I decided to throw some awkward romance in there. Not that they know it's romance.

...yet ;)

Also you get to know a little more about Lovino's life. And I want to thank you all for your reviews! Really, they inspire me so much. And please, if you have any ideas you want to put in here, go right ahead and tell me. I'm open to (almost) anything :)

Disclaimer: I don't own hetalia. I would be lying if I said I did.

Lovino stared out the window as Francis drove, the leaves of the trees blurring together to form a green smear outside the glass. The car ride was painfully quiet, and Lovino played with the blues sleeves of his uniform as he tried to ignore the multiple glances the Frenchman kept sending his way. Finally, Francis spoke.

"Lovino. Are you going to tell me now why you need me to drive you in for a little while?" He asked in an almost casual tone, slowing his royal blue car to a stop at a red light. Lovino glared at a group of teenage girls chatting and laughing as the hurriedly crossed the street, unable to look at Francis. Damn. Since when did middle schoolers become such sluts? Or where they high schoolers? Lovino couldn't tell.

The thing was, Francis knew. Oh, Lovino knew that he knew. Ever since they had started being partners, they had developed some type of fucked up friend-enemy-I-sort-of-care-for-you relationship where they were almost like cousins. If one of the other was late to work because of flirting or oversleeping or if they missed some papers, they would cover for each other, then bitch about it to their faces later. And if Feliciano got in a car crash where his lower legs were paralyzed, Francis would comfort his panicking older brother and give him the numbers to some of the best physical therapists he knew.

And if an ex boyfriend that Lovino had complained about multiple times before had came back to start fucking with Lovino's life again, Francis would know.

The first few times it happened, Lovino had complained openly. After all, it was just Sadiq being annoying. Francis had smirked and snickered at his stories, but as the damage grew more and more serious and Lovino grew more and more quiet, Francis grew more and more concerned. It wasn't until the French fuckface had somhow stolen Feliciano's number from Lovino's phone while they were on lunch break did he get some of the whole story, and encouraged Lovino to call the police.

Well. That hadn't worked. Yes, like previously mentioned, Sadiq had connections in the police force, and claimed that Lovino was just an overreacting little bitch that was trying to get pay back on Sadiq for breaking up with him (ironic, since it was Lovino who broke up with Sadiq). Only... Lovino hadn't told Francis that. He had reassured the blonde that yes, everything was fine and shit so stop fucking bothering me and get your hands away from my ass.

Unfortunately, Francis seemed to have recognized the unusually quiet and lost in thought attitude of Lovino, and linked it back straight to the former Sadiq incidents. So Lovino knew he knew. He also knew that Francis wanted to hear Lovino say it.

Well, good luck with that. Because Lovino was keeping his lips shut.

"Just needed to get some repairs done for my car," Lovino responded in a just as casual voice, pretending not to notice how Francis tightened his grip on the steering wheel in annoyance. It actually wasn't a complete lie. Lovino did need to get repairs done. And find a way to pay for it. The thought of Feliciano's raising health bill and the car combined with the fact of Lovino's limited pay check caused his lips to form a thin line and his brows to furrow in worry. He would have to start another job again, he supposed. He wouldn't mind being a waiter, he was a pretty damn good one before. Besides, waiters got tips, and Lovino knew that he needed all the money he could get. After all, he was supporting himself, his brother, the apartment's rent, not to mention all the therapy crap that Feliciano needed. He was still recovering from the damn hospital bill for Feli, since he stayed for so long. Not that he was complaining about the stay- no, Feliciano needed to be there, he needed physical therapy, he needed to be cared for. Lovino would spend every last penny he had to make his little brother better again.

"Lovino." It came out as a dramatic sigh, a sigh that, no doubt, many women had swooned over. It was the sigh that Francis used when someone was being difficult, when they didn't spread his legs fast enough for them or didn't want to kiss him or refused to hold his hand in public or didn't let him run his hands through that always messy, but endearingly so, short blonde hair-

Though, when directed towards Lovino, it meant something else. When it was directed towards the Italian it was more of a 'I-know-you're-lying-so-tell-me-now-before-I-moles t-it-out-of-you' sigh.

Lovino promptly ignored the warning tone. "Yes?"

"What exactly happened to your car?" Shit. He hadn't thought this far ahead yet in terms of excuses.

"Um... Just a few minor dents, nothing big." The thought of his poor baby being touched by Sadiq made Lovino shiver. "I'll be out of your fucking car pool in no time," he said in a mock reassuring tone, hoping to steer the conversation away from his beaten up car.

Francis, however, didn't get the message. Or rather he did, but the fuckface ignored it and instead eased around a corner while shooting a sharp glance at Lovino. Fuck. He was going into Big Brother Francis mode.

"How expensive is this, exactly?" He asked, once again in his too casual voice. Now, it was no secret that Francis was rich. He was fucking loaded. He lived in this huge ass pent house by himself (or at least as far as Lovino was concerned), wore gay ass silk shirts all the time, and did a bunch of other things that rich doctors in the city did that Lovino couldn't name because he wasn't a rich doctor living in the city.

Drumming his lithe fingers against the window and refusing to meet the Frenchman's gaze, Lovino let out a non concerned hum before responding. "Enough for me to cover."

The hospital was in view now, thank the lord. But Francis wasn't done with his interrogation. In fact, he even had the balls to slow his car down to a crawl. "Lovino. I know that you don't like to accept help-"

"I do too!" They were in the parking lot...

"-but you know that I care for your well being, as well as Feliciano's-"

"I don't need your fucking concern-" Francis was finding his parking space...

"-and you know that if you ever are unable to-"

"-look just hurry the fuck up-" He was pulling in...

"-afford something, I will always lend money out. You wouldn't even have to repay me, I woul-"

Lovino shot out of the car, even though they were both going to the exact same place. If Francis brought this up in front of Lovino, he would kick him in the balls so hard he would be pissing blood for the next month. He darted past the receptionist, who flashed him the same flirtatious smile she had before, and quickly headed towards Antonio's room.

He two things he hated talking about the most: Sadiq, and money. And Francis, that bastard, bad managed to bring them both up in a single car ride.

Growling profanities to himself, the Italian nurse flung open the door to Antonio's room. The Spaniard, having been dozing in his bed, blearily opened his eyes and rubbed them, yawning. "Lovi...?" He mumbled.

Antonio didn't know this, but he could calm Lovino down in two seconds flat. Lovino himself didn't know why, but as soon as those emerald green eyes landed on the Italian he could feel himself relax. Taking a deep breath, Lovino walked over to move the bed into a sitting position. "Morning, bastard," he muttered as he did so. Antonio offered him a crooked grin.

He had been getting better, so much better. Matthew was a huge help, now Antonio sounded like a toddler when he spoke, but he would form sentences and pronounce words. He knew Antonio had been a bitch about having to mouth the alphabet a shit ton of times before his lips could perfectly form letters, and that he hated thinking about every word he spoke (unless he did, only the important words would fly out of his mouth and usually everyone would end up confused), but it was worth it.

"G...gooooh-duh mohhhrning,"Antonio said cheerfully, his eyes following Lovino as he moved around his bed, his head following as well in snappy movements. Lovino moved the blanket down to the other's waste and got out a brush. Even though with short hair Antonio's head was much easier to manage, his curls still got tangled easily.

"W-where... Is Franny?" He asked, cocking his head to the side as Lovino began to gently brush his curls. Why the fuck were they so soft? Lovino wanted to ditch the brush and just run his fingers thr-

No. No, Lovino did not think that. He was just... Confused from his conversation in the car. That's all. Memories of Sadiq were just rising and Lovino could recall several times where he had played with the Turk's coarse hair. Brushing Antonio's hair was just... B-bringing up memories.

"Lovi? Franny?" Antonio asked. Lovino knew he was supposed to encourage full sentences ('We all know Antonio would rather have you encourage him than me, eh?' Damn Canadian), but really the Spaniard sounded too cute when he spoke like a toddler.

N-not that Lovino thought he was cute! No! He just meant that... Francis probably did. And Bella. And Feliks. And because Lovino was so damn nice and knew how much those three liked to squeal at cute things, he decided to let Antonio be sometimes.

"That damn bastard? He's probably flirting with-"

"Antonio, mon ami! How are you this beautiful day?" Antonio winced as Lovino brushed particularly hard, glaring at the Frenchman who had waltzed into the room.

"Ah... B-bi-ennn!" Antonio offered Francis a smile as Lovino went back to gently brushing his hair, muttering about damn Spanish and how he couldn't understand Antonio when he spoke it. "Wh-yyy's-"

"Why is," Francis corrected as Lovino finished brushing and went to get Antonio some clothes to change into. They had a physical therapy lesson planned today. "My beautiful Spanish friend, you must use those passionate lips of yours to form words!" Francis said dramatically,placing a hand over his heart as all he got in reply for his correction was an annoyed pout from Antonio.

"Whyyy isssssss," Antonio said, dragging the 'is' out longer than necessary, "Lovi m-ahhhhd at yooohu?" He asked.

Lovino snapped his head up from Antonio's small closet area. The hospital provided clothes that were donated (by girl scouts. Again), but they looked like shit so Francis had gone on a shopping spree to buy Antonio a new wardrobe, since the Spaniard had no family to get him his own clothes. Most of the shirts were fairly simple and button down, but for therapy Antonio preferred to wear t-shirts. He had been overjoyed when Francis had found a tomato one and refused to take it off for the rest of the week. That was the one Lovino had picked out. After all, it was comfortable and simple, just black with a red tomato on the front, but it suited the Spaniard. Loose sweatpants joined the shirt in Lovino's hands. "I am not mad at him!" He growled. Dammit. Since when had Antonio been observant?

Francis gave Lovino an unimpressed leer. "Our little Italian is just being too stubborn for his own good. Although... Perhaps you can talk some sense into him," Francis said as he went and rolled Antonio's wheelchair to the side of the bed. "The feisty Lovino always listens to you," he purred. "I'm jealous."

If Lovino hadn't been so incredibly pissed off at Francis, he wouldn't noticed a rare blush on Antonio's cheeks, though it was gone a few moments later. "I-I wi-willl help Toma!" He cheered. Fuck. Lovino could now feel the blush on his cheeks. Damn Francis and his words.

"Good," Francis said as he lifted the Spaniard up by underneath his arms and started to gently haul him into the wheelchair. "Because this is quite serious. You see, our darling little Lovino is being harassed by-"

"Francis, dammit, do not tell him! This doesn't even concern that bastard," Lovino growled as he placed the clothes on the bed in favor of helping Francis with getting the Spaniard into the wheelchair.

The Frenchman's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Lovino, if he can convince you to accept help, than this does concern this. Think of your brother-"

"Do not drag Feli into this," Lovino growled out as he snatched the t-shirt from the bed once Antonio was seated.

"Antonio." Francis turned in exasperation to the confused and concerned Spaniard, who was looking at them with parted lips and his head tilted to the side. "Lovino is being harassed by his ex boyfriend." Both men ignored the furious shriek of Lovino, who was beginning to loudly protest. "And he is ruining Lovino's property, and running him dry on money-" Lovino had now began to try and force the t-shirt around Francis' neck in an attempt to strangle him before he finished explaining his pathetic life situation to Antonio. "-and Lovino is taking care of his younger brother, who you've met-" Francis started talking faster as Lovino tried slapping his hand over his mouth, Francis' hands swatting him away. "-and you, my wonderful Spanish sex toy-I mean, my friend, need to convince him to accept my help!" Unfortunately for Lovino, by the time he managed to slap his hands over Francis' traitor lips, he had already spewed out Lovino's crisis to the Spaniard, who had a look on his face that was between concern and pissed off.

"H-h-hah...rasssed?" Antonio mumbled as Lovino ripped his hands from Francis' mouth after he started licking the Italian's fingers. A dark look flashed in Antonio's eyes, but Lovino quickly explained.

"It's nothing, really, Antonio. Just... Dammit. We need to get him changed and Francis, I am giving your sorry ass the biggest beating of its life," Lovino growled.

"Changed?" Francis asked, a frown on his lips. "We can't change him. He needs a bath." Francis had always been one for perfect hygiene, after all.

"Well, we don't have time for a fucking bath. We need to get to that damn potato bastard before he starts molesting my brother." Yes, the past few sessions, Lovino had fucking noticed how Ludwig's touches and grasps seemed to linger on his fratello. He didn't trust that potato for one second.

"But he is dirty! He needs one!" Francis argued. "And as his doctor, I get the final say. Go run a bath."

"We don't have fucking time!" Lovino protested loudly. "You remember what happened last time we were late," he grumbled. Ludwig had no problem making them do pushups while Antonio and Feliciano giggled at a wailing Francis, who claimed his body 'was built for love making, not this horrible form of torture'.

Francis sighed. "Fine. We'll give him a sponge bath," he said. "Then we won't be late and we won't even have to wash his hair. Go get it set up."

"But-!"

"Hurry, mon ami! Don't want to be late!" Francis said as he ushered Lovino out of the room to get supplies. When he was gone, muttering darkly to himself, Francis turned to Antonio. "I need to help him."

Antonio nodded, his jaw set, eyes dark. "S-Si."

"And he refuses to listen to me. I'll leave you two alone, please, convince him. He cannot go back to working several jobs, it was terrible last time. He is proud, but you, mon ami, you changed something in him. He will listen to you," Francis said with wide eyes, looking down at the Spaniard.

Antonio nodded, his hands clenching and unclenching into fists at his side. "S-Si. Of...

C-cohhhhhrs-e. I'll h-heell-puh Lovi," he murmured, face set into determination.

Pleased by this, Francis seemed to relax and his face melted into a teasing smile. "Now, I know I'll be leaving you alone, but don't have too much fun in there," he teased with a wink. Ohh. Maybe he could convince his darling Arthur to let him give him a sponge bath. After all, the Englishman always took too long in the morning and a bath like this would certainly save time...

Francis' thoughts were broken when Antonio let out an embarrassed sound, head turned downwards and- oh, this was too good, a blush on his cheeks. Francis grinned, a laugh escaping his lips. "Only joking, mon cheri," he purred, a knowing glint in his eyes.

However, before Antonio could respond (or rather, continue to avoid Francis' gaze), they were interrupted by some loud clanging and muttered swearing. Lovino appeared in the door, a bucket with body soap and a large sponge gripped in his hand, a large, fluffy towel in the other. "Courtesy of Bella," he grumbled as he disappeared into the bathroom, rolling his blue sleeves up. "Francis, get his ass in here."

"Oui, mon petite Lovi!"

"Don't call me that!"

"Remember what we talked about," Francis murmured as he took Antonio's clothes and started to roll the other into the bathroom. Antonio nodded. "And loosen up, Antonio! He might get suspicious," he said lowly before straightening up from his slightly hunched position when he entered the room. "Well, I'll be leaving now," he said rather loudly.

Lovino looked up from the tub, the metal bucket he had been using to carry supplies now half filled with steaming water. "And where the hell do you think you're going?"

"To call Ludwig, to let him know we may be late." Lovino's eyes narrowed.

"But that won't take too long," he pointed out, shifting the bucket to his other hand. "You can still come back and help me."

Francis chuckled nervously. "And, well, I still need to confirm the date for our next appointment with Matthew and bring the car around and, oh! I'll get Antonio here something to eat so I may be a while. Have fun!" And with that the blonde scampered out of the room, leaving a nervous Antonio and a fuming Lovino.

"Suspicious bastard," Lovino growled, putting the bucket to the side when it was filled and turning to Antonio, who was giving him a half smile.

Walking over, he tugged off the loose shirt that the other wore to bed each night. "Lovi... W-Whyyy won't-tah yohhhhu acceptah heh-elp-pah?" His nervousness made his speech worse, and it took a moment for Lovino to comprehend what he had said. Lovino paused mid fold, lips pursed and the shirt clenched in his hands.

"Antonio, dammit, I'm not talking about this to you. I'm fine, Francis was over exaggerating as usual," he said firmly, a scowl on his lips as he dropped the shirt and placed both hands on Antonio's hips to lift them up enough for his fingers to tug down on his pants and boxers he wore to bed.

Antonio let out a disbelieving sound trying to help lift his legs so Lovino could take his pants of easier, but they shook too much when he tried so he stopped, not wanting to kick the nurse.

Lovino was currently cursing Francis a million times over in his mind when he realized what he had to do next. "Ok bastard, I don't want your damn wheelchair getting wet, so..." He stood up and placed his hands underneath Antonio's arms- stopblushingdammitheisapatientthisisnormal- and started to move his body into the bathtub. Antonio, for his part, tried to help, but really all he did was loosely wrap his arms around Lovino's neck so he wouldn't fall and press himself closer. Lovino's cheeks were practically melting off his face as he felt Antonio, and every single damn part of Antonio, against him.

"R-relax, Bastardo!" Antonio started to nuzzle his face into his neck, not relaxing his grip in the slightest. "I'm not going to fucking drop you," Lovino huffed out as he dragged the other away from the wheel chair and over the bath. He tried to push him into it, but Antonio let out a whine.

"Lovi'sss war-rm," he sang happily, obviously not seeming to mind that he was fucking naked and clinging onto a bright red Italian.

"Antonio, dammit, get your stupid ass in the tub right now!"

"No!" Came the response, and Lovino could practically hear the pout.

"Antonio..." he growled warningly, but all the other did was squeeze Lovino.

"I-I...ll l-eht gohhh... If yohhhhu ahcept heh-lp," Lovino murmured in a low voice, his lips accidentally brushing the Italian's ear due to their close distance.

Lovino tried to fight his embarrassment with anger. "No, dammit. I won't accept any fucking help, but you're sure as hell going to let go of me or so help me I'll-"

"No!" Antonio's arms constricted, and he pressed himself to Lovino stubbornly. Lovino's face put tomatoes to shame.

On one hand, he could continue to say no. However, he had a feeling Antonio would just continue getting closer until he was wrapped around the Italian like some kind of fucking boa constrictor. And Lovino highly doubted he would be able to get help with a stark naked Spaniard clinging onto him.

On the other hand, he could say yes. He could... He could accept the fuckface's help and avoid working a second job and be able to feed himself and his brother while continuing to pay for his therapy and his car and...

Well, he would say yes or no. And the answer to the choice was pretty fucking obvious, even to someone as prideful as Lovino. "...fine. Fine! I'll accept help from Francis, so get your stupid naked ass off of me and into the tub." Antonio nuzzled against him for a few more moments before he let go of him and slid backwards into the tub, smiling at the other in a perfectly innocent way. "Francis put you up to this, didn't he," Lovino growled as he brought the bucket and the sponge closer to him, getting on his knees in front of the tub and dipping the large, yellow sponge into the water.

All he got in response was a cheeky grin and a giggle that have away the answer pretty damn clearly.

With a sigh, Lovino pressed the sponge to Antonio's tan skin on his arm and pressed down so the warm water would trickle down it. "You two are trouble together. I should never leave you alone again," he huffed, doing the same with the sponge to the other arm. His cheeks were still red and as he puffed them out in annoyance at the thought of what Francis and Antonio would plan if left alone together for too long, he could hear Antonio chuckle, muttering something after that sounded suspiciously like the word 'cute'.

Lovino got out the soap Bella had given to him, rubbing it between his hands first before starting to wash Antonio's arms carefully, his thin fingers massaging the soap into the soft skin. Antonio let out content hums as Lovino did so, a relaxed smile on his face as his green eyes slid shut.

They were silent. But the silence between them was a comfortable silence. Lovino continued to wash his body, although as he got lower and lower on Antonio's stomach (which he had chosen to do last), he could feel a raging blush back on his cheeks. He began to rub the soap in lightly and quickly, wanting to get this part of Antonio's body done with when he heard something that surprised him.

A half suppressed giggle. Looking up in confusion, Lovino was surprised to see Antonio with rosy cheeks, biting his lip with tense shoulders. Oh.

Ohhhh.

Lovino smirked at the other. "You're ticklish?" He asked in a mock innocent voice that screamed trouble. Antonio seemed to realize that too, because he tried to shuffle away with a whine.

"N-no, Lovi..." he said in a desperate voice, green eyes pleading. But it was too late. Lovino's fingers attacked Antonio's flat stomach and sent the other into a fit of giggles, which escalated into laughter as Lovino lightly moved around his skin, causing him to squirm and gasp for breath.

Lovino couldn't help it anymore than Antonio could, though. A grin broke free as he mercilessly tickled the other until he could barely breath, enjoying the care free and honest laughter that poured out of his lips. He sat back after he was done, watching as Antonio struggled to catch his breath with a smirk. "That's what you get for being a bastard. Now hurry up, you need to change so we can get to that damn therapy place."

...Ludwig made them do pushups. A-fucking-gain. Lovino let out a grunt of annoyance when he finished, standing up shakily and glaring at the German. Francis let out a choked cry from his position on the ground. "W-we won't be late again! I promise! Come on, mon ami, let me stop this torture!" He said. Honestly, the little fucker could be on a soap opera. Lovino had to finish his pushups, so Francis sure as hell was going to finish his too.

"Ve, Luddy, I think he's going to pass out!" Feliciano chimed as he peered at the trembling French doctor own worry. Lovino inwardly smirked at this. After all, Francis had seemed all too pleased when he found out that Antonio had managed to get Lovino to say yes (though both of them refused to say how Antonio managed to convince him), and had even muttered a 'Good job' to Antonio when he thought Lovino wasn't looking. He knew the two were planning against him.

"Nein. He is fine. Now they won't be late again," the emotionless potato said. Francis made a sound akin to a dying cat.

"Lovino." The Italian turned when his name was called in a thick German accent. "About Feliciano." The younger Italian perked up when his name was called. "I think he's ready to get off his crutches," Ludwig droned. Lovino's heart skipped a beat and he turned to a proud looking Feliciano. "And he will be be using a cane from now on." Before he could stop himself Lovino had turned to his brother and enveloped him in a hug, which was happily returned. If he was to be honest, after the crash he never thought his brother would be able to walk again.

"Awwww," Francis cooed from the floor, trying to get up. "Finish them!" Ludwig growled and Francis quickly got back down with a pathetic whimper.

"Anyways, the cane will be arriving next Thursday." Lovino looked up from his happily squealing brother in confusion, carefully letting go of him so he wouldn't accidentally fall.

"How much is it? Dammit, I didn't know that you already fucking ordered it," Lovino huffed with furrowed brows. Nobody noticed as Francis quietly crawled up from the floor, slinking back to hide behind Antonio.

"Actually," Ludwig started, looking a little uncomfortable, "It's already been paid for."

"But I thought this company didn't pay f-"

"It doesn't." Ludwig's cheeks turned a light pink and Feliciano beamed at the German. "I paid for it."

Lovino blinked several times in confusion. "Wait. Did Feliciano ask you to? Because he better had fucking not have. We can pay for a damn cane or stick or staff or whatever the hell he needs," Lovino said stiffly.

Ludwig looked even more embarrassed. "Actually, I didn't pay for it because he asked. I-I did it as a friend." He coughed uncomfortably, avoiding everyone's gaze. "I told him... If he did all his exercises for a month I would get him something. So... I got him the cane he wanted," the German said. Francis looked shocked, Feliciano looked like he was about to burst with joy, and Lovino looked pissed off. Antonio was too distracted by fun looking medicine ball in the corner to show any emotion towards the situation.

Suddenly, Ludwig seemed to snap out of his embarrassed state. "Bonnefoy! Finish your pushups!"