If It Looks Ripe, Eat It - 9

It's been ten years, yet it feels like it's been a whole lifetime. Lovino presses himself against Antonio's chest, hugging his neck so tightly he fears Antonio can't breathe. It seems like Antonio has been running forever, as well, and yet he's been running as fast as he can. Lovino doesn't dare move, he needs Antonio. He feels a warm sensation in his chest, now starting to grow that Antonio is holding him so tightly. It feels safe in his arms.

How long has it been now? Half of an hour? Forty-five minutes? How the hell could Antonio be running this fast, for this long…? Lovino would normally ask, but was too tired to. He just wants to sleep… He could probably get his eight-hours and Antonio would still be running, at the same speed. Lovino sighed into Antonio's neck and closed his eyes, tightening his arms around his neck even more. It doesn't even feel like Antonio's breathing, too… God, that guy is such a mystery.

Antonio's running smoothes over, and he stops as quickly as he had broken into a sprint back in the fields. Lovino's eyes slowly open after a moment and he lifts his head to look up at Antonio with sleepy eyes. Antonio had already been looking at him, smiling softly.

Antonio: "Now, we can relax."

Antonio sets down Lovino who rubs his eyes and clears his throat. Lovino turns and puts his back to Antonio, looking at the sight in front of him. Trees, bushes, flowers - all that nature crap - is scattered everywhere around a small, humble-looking cottage. Lovino blinks his tired eyes and looks over his shoulder, up at Antonio who just smiles down at him.

Lovino: "… What the hell is this? Where are we?"

Antonio lays a gentle hand on Lovino's head and ruffles his soft hair - just like it was when he was younger.

Antonio: "Our new house."

Lovino's eyes go wide and he frontally turns to look at him.

Lovino: "O-our house?! Wh-what the hell are you talking about?!"

Antonio slowly stops smiling and looks down at Lovino worriedly.

Antonio: "Do you not want to live with me, Lovi…?"

Lovino's eyes go wide and his cheeks flare, looking from side to side. He fumbles with his hands in front of him, looking down at the floor nervously.

Lovino: "… I-I'll live anywhere, but at that bastard Austria's house…"

Antonio smiles after a moment and steps forward to hug Lovino. Lovino blushes and looks away, refusing to hug him back. Antonio pulls away, his hands still on his shoulders as he stares into the younger's eyes. Antonio turns Lovino around and walks him toward the house, opening up the creaking door for him. Lovino slowly walks into the small cottage, the floor boards squeaking under his small feet. It was fully furnished and decorated, a cozy couch propped up against the wall and a dining table at the other side of the room and a love seat next to the couch and a humble TV sitting against the wall, small plants and paintings scattered around the room. Lovino slowly walks over to the couch and sits down, slowly sinking in a couple inches. He turns his head to look at Antonio.

Lovino: "Is this the same piece of crap you had ten years ago…?"

Antonio chuckles and nods his head, insisting that he can't get all new things. Antonio walks over and sits next to Lovino, putting his arm around his shoulders.

Lovino: "Antonio, what will happen to my brother…? I don't want him living with that bastard…"

Antonio: "He's going to go live with Germany. He'll be safe, too, okay? And you can go and visit him as many times as you want - whenever you want."

Lovino: "How do you know I'll be safe…?"

Antonio: "I made a little agreement with France. We're actually in French territory, right now. He seems to like you a lot, and insisted that he'd help. He'll protect us from Austria, okay? I promise. Now, come here, I want to show you something."

Antonio stands and brings Lovino as well, guiding him into the next room and down the short hall. He walks him into a small room and lets him go while he walks over to the closet in the corner of the room.

Antonio: "This is your new room. You can do whatever you want with it. And look." He opens up the door to the closet and points at the various t-shirts, pairs of jeans, suits, and other casual clothes. "I got you all new clothes. Hopefully most of them fit… I had to guess on the sizes…" He smiles at Lovino. "Ten years later, and you're still wearing the same dress."

Lovino's cheeks go red and he glares up at Antonio.

Lovino: "I-it's not the same one, you bastard…!"

Antonio smiles and rubs his hair.

Antonio: "I'm going to take a shower, okay? You can put on some new clothes if you want."

Lovino nods, and looks away. Antonio turns and goes out of the bedroom. Lovino walks over to the closet and slowly pulls out a pair of baggy jeans and a simple maroon t-shirt. He quickly throws on the new outfit and then walks over to the bed, searching through his dress pockets. He pulls out Antonio's pick and shoves it into his deep pocket before walking out into the living room and laying on the old green piece of crap (the couch).

Antonio walks into the living room soon after. He is also wearing casual clothes. He goes and sits next to Lovino, who now sits up and leans against him, his eyes barely staying open.

Antonio: "Lovi…?"

Lovino: "Yeah?"

Antonio: "You know I love you, right?"

Lovino's eyes narrow and he turns his head to look up at Antonio.

Lovino: "What's that mean?"

Antonio looks at him for a long moment. Seriously? He didn't know what that meant? Well… it's not like he'd ever remember what it meant if he had said it ten years ago. And why would Austria ever say such a thing…?

Antonio: "Loving someone is caring for them unconditionally… Let's say that if Germany loved your brother, he'd risk his life for him. That'd be a way of showing someone you loved them."

Lovino looks up at him then taps his chin.

Lovino: "Ohhh… So that's why you went to Austria's house to get me! You almost died - you were showing me that you love me."

Antonio smiles.

Antonio: "There you go…" He puts a gentle hand on Lovino's head, who slowly starts to smile. A smile Antonio hadn't seen in ten years. "And I'll love you forever, Lovi. And I'll risk my life for you anytime it's necessary." Antonio looks down at the smiling boy, and after a small moment, smiles back in a humbling, secure type of way.


If it looks ripe, eat it.



The End