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Antonio looked up from where he was running a whetstone over the edge of his blade and smiled as Lovino popped his head around the door hesitantly. Setting the whetstone aside and carefully sheathing his sword, he held out one hand, gesturing for Lovino to come over.
Lovino hesitated for a split second before slipping into the room and pressing the door closed behind him, lock catching with a soft click. The morning light poured in in great thick shafts through the high windows, dust motes dancing in the still air. Lovino put his own hand into Antonio's outstretched one, a tiny smile breaking out on his face as Antonio tugged him to stand between his spread thighs.
“Buenos dias, Lovi," Antonio said happily, despite having pressed the same words into the crown of Lovino's head as he'd left him sleeping in his bed chamber just a few hours before. Loathe as he had been to leave him, the morning bell tolling faintly in the distance and the soft sounds of servants moving outside the door had his eyes opening before he was fully aware of it.
“Buongiorno,” Lovino replied, flushing as Antonio pressed a kiss to his cheek and settled his hands on Antonio’s shoulders. “You weren’t there this morning when I woke up,” he grumbled, playing with the collar of Antonio’s tunic, gaze fixed stubbornly away from him and towards the floor.
“Ah, lo siento Lovinito; I heard the morning bell go and had to leave so I wouldn’t be missed during morning exercises,” Antonio dipped his head and caught Lovino’s gaze; bright green meeting hazel. “You looked so cute and comfy; it was hard to leave!”
Lovino rolled his eyes but looked pleased, curl catching the light where it bobbed above his head. The pink-red of his Ace of Hearts dress uniform was dyed coral in the morning light and it made his skin glow. Antonio’s hands flexed where he’d set them on Romano’s hips; despite his padded leggings he could still feel the jut of bone under his palms.
Lovino swatted at him, grabbing his hands and moving them up to his waist. “Don’t go getting any funny ideas,” he scolded. “I’m already risking enough by being down here when I should be inspecting our jousting team before the tournament today.” Antonio sighed mournfully, suddenly loathing his own position as the Ace of Diamonds with a passion.
“I know, I know; I only managed to escape my deputy by making up some excuse that my sword needed sharpening, even though I know she knows I only had it sharpened last night.” He ran a finger up the line of fine pearl buttons that ran up the back of Lovino’s dress uniform, enjoying the shiver it elicited.
“Tch,” he clicked his tongue, though with no real heat behind it. “Knock it off, you horny bastard. You had me twice last night, surely you can’t still be that desperate for it.” A blush climbed up his neck as he spoke; his body leaning in unconsciously to the curve of Antonio’s.
Antonio chuckled lowly, pulling Lovino in a little closer. “Oh cariño, I fear a lifetime of you wouldn’t be enough.” He tipped his face up to where Lovino was staring down at him with wide eyes, breath fanning warm in the space between them. He felt Lovino’s hands clench in the thick fabric of his tunic and let his eyes fall closed as Lovino bent down to kiss him.
Lovino’s lips were warm and soft; tongue a little bitter, no doubt from his morning coffee. Antonio kissed him slowly, deeply, savouring the little bitten-off sounds Lovino made into his mouth. Slowly, Lovino’s hands slid down from Antonio’s shoulders to rest on his chest; in return, Antonio dragged his palms up to cup the vulnerable jut of his shoulder blades where they stuck out under his padded overcoat.
When Lovino finally pulled back, breathing a little unsteady, Antonio chased his mouth, reaching up to press their lips together once, twice more, before letting his hands fall back to Lovino’s waist, thumbs stroking the soft curve there. Lovino’s lips were kiss-dark and a little wet from Antonio’s mouth. A curl of possessiveness burned low in his stomach at the sight.
“A-Anyway,” Lovino said, pausing to clear his throat when his voice came out a little rough. “I came to wish you good luck, you know, for the tournament.” Antonio would be participating himself this year, as he had done every year since before his Mark had manifested itself on his right bicep. As Aces, he and Lovino commanded their respective kingdom’s armed forces, but Antonio preferred a more hands-on role to the purely supervisory role that Lovino took.
“And will my Lovi be watching? Feliciano told me he’d had the Royal Box upgraded for a better view this year.” Antonio squeezed his hands around Lovino’s waist, grinning happily when Lovino squirmed, ticklish.
“Yes, yes, I’ll be there with my stupid brother, Kiku and the potato bastard!” Lovino grumbled. Antonio had spent countless nights listening to his lover rant about how annoying his Ace of a little brother was, how much he hated the 'sentient potato' he had for a King and how if he had to listen to his Queen sigh over another letter from the Jack of Spades one more time he’d be dismantling Hearts’ entire postal system with his bare hands.
“Also,” Lovino cut himself off abruptly, cheeks flushing and averting his gaze again. Antonio leaned in, anticipatory, running his hands up and down Lovino’s back as he waited for him to collect himself. “I have… something, for you…” Lovino began fumbling in his breast pocket, still refusing to meet Antonio’s eyes.
“Something for me?” Antonio tried and failed to hide his surprise; Lovino was usually fastidious to the point of obsessiveness about keeping their relationship a secret. It had taken Antonio months of persuading him to let them even exchange letters, never mind give each other gifts. “Oh, corazón, you didn’t have to!”
Lovino, drawing a wax paper-wrapped package out from his pocket, scowled. “I know I didn’t have to, bastard, I wanted to.” He shoved the package at Antonio’s chest, Antonio almost fumbling it to the floor in his haste to catch it.
He leant back a little to give himself some room and unwrapped the paper carefully. Inside was a neatly folded handkerchief, fabric a deep umber and embroidered all over with little wine-red hearts. Antonio’s breath caught in his throat as he unfolded it to hold up to the light, hands trembling a little. Some of the hearts were a little wonky, others were slightly too big or too small - all signs pointed to the obvious: Lovino had embroidered it himself. Antonio felt his eyes sting, and he looked at Lovino up from the handkerchief, heart in his throat.
Lovino was mumbling something about how he “didn’t need to take it if you don’t want to” and how it was “nothing really, just a stupid handkerchief”, but his grumblings were abruptly cut off when Antonio threw his arms around him, squeezing him tightly and raining kisses all over his face.
“Oh Lovi, Lovi! ¡Muchas gracias! ¡Mira que lindo es! Me encanta.” He dropped a kiss to Lovino’s lips before pulling back to look down at the handkerchief again, running a hand over one of the embroidered hearts. “Will you help me tie it on?” He glanced up at Lovino, who looked a bit rumpled, blush still high on his cheeks.
“You… you don’t have to tie it on anywhere,” he mumbled, but was already reaching to take the handkerchief from Antonio’s hands to fold it. “Where do you want it anyway - somewhere it won’t get in the way?”
Antonio considered, tapping a finger on his chin before brightening. “On my arm, over my mark,” he beamed. “Oh, but then I’d need my armour on before that…” Lovino blew out a sigh.
“The Diamonds’ armour has a gap at the elbow so you can move around easier, right? I can just tie it there,” he fidgeted, smoothing the folded handkerchief over and over with a thumb. “If, if you really want, I mean.”
“Oh, Lovino, you’re a genius!” Antonio exclaimed, scooting back on the table and offering his sword arm for Lovino to tie his favour around. “That way everyone can see that someone from Hearts has captured mine!” He sighed happily, watching Lovino wrap the handkerchief around the swell of his bicep and cinching the knot taught.
Lovino bit his lip, letting his hand linger on Antonio’s arm. He looked up suddenly, eyes a little frantic. “You, you will be careful, right? Don’t go and do anything stupid just because I’m watching!” His voice was stern but the way it wavered at the end belied an underlying concern. Antonio smiled at him and took both his hands in his, pressing tender kisses to the backs of them.
“I will be careful. I will always come back to you, te lo prometo,” he let go of one hand to gently brush Lovino’s hair out of his face. “I’ll be looking for you in the stands - save a kiss for me when I win!”
Feliciano fidgeted again in the seat next to him, sleeve brushing his arm like it had been doing for the past ten minutes, and Lovino had to truly resist the urge to pitch his brother over the stands and into the dirt.
“Can you fucking sit still for five minutes?” He snapped, slapping at Feliciano’s arm. “Your job is literally to sit there and look cute; how can you possibly be fucking that up, huh?!”
Feliciano yelped, wounded, and clutched his arm like Lovino had chopped it off. “Ah, fratello that hurt!” He turned big, teary eyes to Ludwig, sat next to him, who blushed pink in the cheeks and cleared his throat.
“And stop trying to get sympathy from that potato bastard!” Lovino continued, gesturing violently as Feliciano snuggled up against Ludwig’s side. “Have some decorum for fuck’s sake!”
On Ludwig’s other side, Kiku stifled a laugh behind the long sleeves of his formal dress; despite the relatively warm spring day, he was in several layers. Lovino never understood how he did it, but had never heard a complaint pass the Queen’s lips. They had sat for hours the previous night to receive all the visiting dignitaries, and if Lovino’s ass was sore by the end of that, at least he only had his tunic and overcoat to deal with rather than being wrapped up like a Christmas present.
He’d looked the other way when the Spades delegation drew closer, unable to take the moony-eyed looks their Ace and his Queen were giving each other, never mind the way the King and Queen of Spades were all over each other. Their Ace gave a sympathetic shrug when Lovino met his eyes, that weird white bear of his just visible where it skulked behind his legs.
Not that Diamonds had been any better, that perverted rat of a King spending far too long leering over both him and his brother before his Queen had stepped hard on his foot, followed by his Ace jabbing an elbow into his ribs, allowing the rest of the Suit to greet the hosting monarchs.
It had taken everything in him to school his features neutral as Antonio, decked out in all his formal Diamonds regalia, had greeted him as the Ace of Hearts, especially as Antonio had been fighting a smile the entire time, his green eyes shining like emeralds in his stupidly handsome face.
The Clubs delegation always sent shivers down his spine, what with that freaky smile their King had plastered on his face and the deranged look their Ace had on hers. At least their Queen and Jack were relatively normal people, even if they had far too much to do with one of the Jokers, who popped in to cause chaos whenever he pleased.
Thankfully, all had managed to behave themselves and the greeting ceremony and subsequent feast had passed with little cause for concern.
No, Lovino thought grimly to himself, the real concern was whether we'll get through today with no major injuries. There was always an element of danger with any tournament, but by far the worst, in Lovino's opinion, was jousting. He could be convinced to put on against his brother with his rapier, but all the money in Hearts wouldn't be enough to convince him to get on a horse and run it full pelt at his opponent whilst trying to knock them off theirs.
He repressed a shiver, sitting up straight as the first round of knights entered the list field, clad in full decorative armour, the bright colours of all four Suits mingling together as they lined up in front of the Royal Box. Antonio wasn't among them; Lovino sat back in his seat a little grumpily and tried not to look too bored.
Three more rounds passed like that; each time Lovino slumped a little further down in his seat. By the time the fourth and final round started streaming in, Lovino was just about ready to march down there and drag Antonio’s horse in himself.
Then, at last, he spotted him, armour replete in shades of yellow, but the ornamentation of his helmet gave him away as the Ace immediately. Lovino perked up, watching as Antonio gently jostled another rider out of the way to make sure he was lined up directly in front of Lovino. The flash of red at the crease of his elbow made Lovino swallow hard, heart beating double-time in his chest.
The row of knights saluted the Royal Box, holding their lances aloft and bowing their heads. Lovino scooted forwards in his seat, hands twisting together in his lap. Beside him, Feliciano made an interested noise and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“The Ace of Diamonds has a favour from Hearts!" Lovino's heart dropped but he leant in obediently as Feliciano continued. “I wonder who he got it from! It must be someone he really loves a lot to be displaying it where everyone can see!" Feliciano couldn't keep the glee from his voice; Lovino tried for a grimace but knew it came out more of a smile, judging by the startled look on his brother’s face.
“So, Francis has been letting his knight sniff around our women, huh?” Lovino sneered, trying to cover up his mistake. “Tell your potato over there to tell him to keep his Ace under control.” He sat back in his seat, arms folded petulantly over his chest, trying not to smile when Antonio’s helmet turned to face him.
Feliciano sighed, “Oh, fratello, you know Ludwig doesn’t like it when you call him that! And besides, there’s nothing wrong with inter-Suit relationships; if anything, it fosters international relations!” He leant forward in his seat and turned his big eyes on Kiku, who flushed. “Right, Kiku?”
Kiku cleared his throat. “Indeed, it’s not the founding years anymore; all four kingdoms are strong and prosperous and would only benefit from closer relations.” He very pointedly made an effort not to look behind him where the other monarchs were sitting.
“Oh yeah, real diplomatic,” Lovino scoffed, but before he could continue, Ludwig raised his eyebrows meaningfully at them and rose to his feet. Feliciano jumped up immediately and Kiku rose gracefully. Lovino sighed and reluctantly rose to stand as well, immediately tuning out the drone of Ludwig’s voice as he began the Starting Rites.
Fucking hell, it’s gonna be a long day.
Antonio knew he was staring shamelessly, but under the cover of his helmet, he let himself look his fill over Lovino. Normally in public, he had to contend himself with little glances here and there so as not to give away the true nature of their relationship, so he fully intended to take full advantage of this precious opportunity.
Lovino’s dress uniform was rolled up messily at the elbows, partly in deference to the warm spring morning, but mainly because Lovino hated having to wear it. It suited him, though; all reds and corals, and the heart-shaped lapels of his jacket that Lovino despised above all else were, in Antonio’s opinion, adorable. He squinted, suddenly homing in on the neckerchief Lovino had tied around his throat under his shirt and his mouth dropped open in surprise.
The fabric was a complete match to the one Lovino had tied around his arm that very morning; even from this distance Antonio could make out the slightly wonky hand-embroidered hearts. Gripping the crook of his right elbow with his other hand, Antonio couldn’t stop himself breaking into a huge smile as a wave of adoration swelled in his chest.
Lovino was trying and failing not to stare in Antonio’s direction; Feliciano was shooting him suspicious glances where he stood to his left and Antonio bit back a smile. So obvious, my Lovi, he thought happily to himself, turning to the front just in time to hear Ludwig bring his speech to an end. As one, the knights bowed their heads, then began to lead their horses out of the lists and to the holding area until their bout.
Antonio wasn’t scheduled to have his first bout until later that morning, so he contended himself with checking over every inch of his horse’s protective gear, shushing her when she tossed her head impatiently. All around him the other knights were doing their best not to look nervous. It wasn’t unusual for a member of the Royal Deck to join tournaments; indeed, it was Antonio’s fourth year competing since his Mark had manifested, but his status made him a uniquely strong opponent.
He nodded at a couple of knights from Clubs he’d competed against during the last tournament, then slid his helmet back over his head as they announced the next bout. Swinging himself up and into the saddle of his horse, he gave her neck a quick pat, yellow gloves bright against her auburn mane, and steered her in the direction of the list field.
It was a wall of sound as he neared, and his heart began to race. His horse, sensing his excitement, flicked her ears forwards and backwards, tossing her head. Lining up next to his opponent, a young rider from Spades, he hefted his lance upright. The flash of umber at his elbow through the gaps in his armour caught his eye, and he looked down to Lovino’s favour, smiling a little goofily under his helmet. Wish me luck, Lovi!
At the signal, he urged his horse forwards, lining her up alongside the tilt. Her bright yellow caparison, bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Diamonds, as well as his own Ace heraldic symbol, looked resplendent in the late morning light. The crowd fell silent, waiting for the herald to signal for them to begin; Antonio blew a long breath out and adjusted his grip one last time on his lance.
When the signal came, he was moving before he’d realised it; his horse thundering away beneath him as he charged his opponent. Aiming the metal-tipped end of the lance at his opponent’s breastplate, he urged her on faster, laughing a little as the adrenaline coursed through him. He was on his opponent in seconds; dipping his lance just a fraction lower, he slipped it underneath their own outstretched lance, right in the centre of their chest.
There was a colossal splintering sound as the lance shattered against his opponent’s armoured breastplate in a shower of wood; Antonio heard them yelp as the force of it unseated them from their saddle and sent them lurching backwards. He grinned, a little feral, tasting victory, when, in an attempt to stop themselves from falling to the ground, his opponent wheeled his lance arm upwards, Antonio could do nothing to stop it.
The lance smashed against the side of his helmet, sending his head snapping backwards. Blinded by pain, Antonio could do nothing but take in a sharp breath, his body suddenly weightless like he was falling, before darkness swallowed him whole and he knew no more.
Lovino was on his feet before his body realised what was happening, scream trapped in his throat. Next to him, his brother gasped in horror and the crowd grew silent as Antonio fell backwards off his horse and crashed to the ground, where he lay unmoving. Lovino lurched forward, hands scrabbling at the edge of the Royal Box as he all but flung himself over the edge, feeling his ankle bend unnaturally under him as he landed heavily on the ground of the list.
Faintly, he heard Feliciano, Ludwig and Kiku all call out after him in concern, but uncaring of their words and ignoring the daggers of pain shooting up his leg, he ran, ducking under the tilt and throwing himself to the ground next to Antonio. His helmet was caved in from the force of the blow, blood leaking out from the bent visor and staining the ground. Lovino felt the warmth of his soak into the fabric of his trousers, and he choked on a sob.
“Antonio!” The scream that left him felt like it had been torn out of him, he raised his hands, trembling furiously, but didn’t know where he could touch that wouldn’t cause further harm. “No, no, Antonio, please, please, apri i tuoi occhi!” He was crying fully now, great fat tears streaking down his cheeks; Antonio was always so sad when Lovino cried - that he didn’t react to Lovino sobbing only made him cry harder.
Through the gaps in the visor, Antonio’s eyes were closed, eyelashes a dark fan against his pale face. His face was slick with blood - it slid down his face and over the bridge of his nose in thick, dark rivulets. He was still breathing; his chest rising and falling, but slowly. He lay crumpled on the ground like a puppet with his strings cut.
As Lovino begged him to open his eyes through a flood of tears, there was a flurry of movement at his back - the King and Queen of Spades and his brother. “Out of my way!” Arthur snapped, voice frantic, pushing through the guards that had crowded round them. Lovino couldn’t stop crying, agony coursing through his body in great crushing waves. Arthur knelt at Antonio’s head, Spade-shaped pocket watch in hand. “Lovino,” he said, not unkindly. “Let me help him.”
Lovino looked up at him despairingly, trying desperately to swallow his sobs. “H-how,” he whimpered, hands clenching into the dirt beneath him. He felt Feliciano place a tentative hand on his back which set another wave of tears spilling over his cheeks and dripping off his chin to spatter on the dirt.
Alfred stepped next to his husband, his own pocket watch in his left hand; his right, he set on Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur glanced up at him gratefully, then refocused back on Lovino. “With Alfred’s help I can freeze time around Antonio; it will give us time to get him medical attention, otherwise we risk him bleeding out before we can get him there.” His voice was firm and steady; Lovino clung to it like an anchor, nodding mutely.
Arthur smiled kindly at him, then flipped his pocket watch open and held a hand out over Antonio’s body. His emerald eyes flashed green before he closed them, faces of his and Alfred’s pocket watches glowing an eerie blue. His lips moved soundlessly as he chanted under his breath and Alfred’s hand tightened almost imperceptibly on his shoulder, wedding ring flashing. The air around Antonio’s body glimmered faintly, Arthur and Alfred’s combined magic setting in a blue haze over him.
Arthur closed his hand in a fist and the magic settled with a soft pulse. His eyes, when he opened them, were still glowing a bright, unnatural green. He met Lovino’s gaze evenly and nodded. “Right, let’s get him out of here.” Kiku appeared at Lovino’s other elbow, urging him upright.
Lovino panicked, hands shooting out clutch at Antonio’s arm. “Wait,” he cried, “I don’t want to leave him!” He took in a shuddering breath and Kiku gentled his grip.
“We will be right behind him, Lovino-san,” his voice was kind, but firm. “We cannot help him here, right?” He gestured at the two Hearts soldiers hovering anxiously in the periphery, one of them with a stretcher under one arm. On his other side, Feliciano nodded, stroking his hand across Lovino’s back.
“Kiku’s right, fratello. Antonio will be fine, but let’s get him off the floor and inside; our Chief Physician is already on his way.” Lovino bowed his head as another ugly sob forced its way out of his mouth, reluctantly releasing his death grip on Antonio’s arm.
Before their guards could swoop in, he seized Antonio’s limp hand between both of his and pressed a trembling kiss to his knuckles, uncaring of how his lips scraped against sun-warmed metal. “Caro mio,” he whispered fiercely. “Mi avevi detto che saresti sempre tornata da me. Don’t break your promise.”
Then Antonio was engulfed by a flurry of Hearts guards as they lifted him onto the stretcher and bore him away into the palace, leaving Lovino knelt in the blood-soaked dirt with Kiku and Feliciano’s arms around him.
Gradually, Antonio came back to himself; the soft pillow under his head, the cool sheets under his hands and the feeling of warm sunlight on his face. He turned slightly into it, lips parting around a wince as a sharp stab of pain shot through the right side of his head. He heard a sharp intake of breath, and then the voice he loved most in the world spoke hesitantly.
“A-Antonio?”
Ah, Lovi, Antonio thought to himself, he sounds like he’s been crying?
Suppressing a wince as another bolt of pain stabbed through his head, he tried to force his eyes open, but even a slight hint of sunlight had him slamming his eyelids shut with a pained groan.
“Antonio? What’s wrong, a-are you in pain?” Lovino’s voice was high with panic. “Is it the light?” There was the sound of chair legs scraping against the floor and then hurried footsteps as Lovino rushed over to the window to wrench the curtains closed. Antonio sighed as the light receded, taking the worst of the pain with it.
“Mmm, Lovi…?” He murmured, tongue heavy in his mouth. “What… what happened?” He groped blindly across the bedsheets in the direction of Lovino’s voice, hand palm up and searching. He heard Lovino choke on what sounded like a sob before his hand was seized between Lovino’s own, clutching him so hard he felt the bones of knuckles groan in protest.
Forcing his eyes open blearily again, Antonio squinted into the dimness, gaze falling on Lovino’s beloved face. He was knelt on the floor, chair overturned beside him, clutching Antonio’s hand between his like it was the only thing keeping him from drowning in his own tears. He looked a wreck; eyes red and rubbed raw from crying, Ace uniform crumpled and stained with dirt and… blood? Antonio’s eyes snapped open and he moved to sit upright, regretting it instantly when his head swam and a wave of pain left him breathless.
Lovino gasped, pressing his hands to Antonio’s shoulders and forcing him back into the pillows behind him. “Don’t move you idiot!” He snapped, sitting down heavily on the side of the bed. “You’re injured – sit still!” Gripping the front of Antonio’s shirt, he bowed his head to Antonio’s chest, breathing in his familiar scent.
Antonio let out a little laugh, both hands coming up around Lovino’s back, hands over his shoulder blades like always. “Lo siento, mi cielito – don’t cry.” He moved one hand up to cup the back of Lovino’s head, stroking his silky hair. “My Lovi should always be smiling.”
Lovino stifled a sob into Antonio’s chest, basking in the feeling of Antonio’s hands on him after long hours spent in agony at his bedside, watching his every breath. “You stupid fuck – do you have any idea how worried I was? Never do that to me again.” He felt rather than heard Antonio laugh, the vibrations rumbling through his chest; his hand was still stroking through Lovino’s hair, and he was dizzy with the relief of it.
“Can I see mi tesoro’s face?” Antonio said sweetly, hand moving from the back of Lovino’s head to cup the side of his face. He felt Lovino take a deep breath in, hands clenching again in his shirt, before lifting his head up, Antonio’s heart hurting at the state he was in. “Oh, Lovi,” he murmured, running his thumb under Lovino’s eye.
“Don’t you oh Lovi me – you’re lucky I don’t kill you myself for doing something so stupid.” Lovino’s face crumpled as he took in the bruising on Antonio’s face. “I- I thought-!” He cut himself off, touching a shaking hand gently to the bloodied bandages wrapped around Antonio’s head.
“Mi amor,” Antonio said, gently, leaning into Lovino’s touch with a sigh. “I’m sorry for scaring you, but it was an accident. I was just unlucky.” His gaze slipped down to the smear of red all up Lovino’s leg and he frowned. “Were you injured as well? Tesoro you shouldn’t be moving around so much – why didn’t you get it looked at?”
Lovino frowned, handsome face twisted in confusion. “Injured? What are you talking about? The only injured person in this room is you, idiot.” He followed Antonio’s line of sight down to his leg and frowned even deeper. “That blood’s yours.”
“But,” Antonio’s confusion deepened. “How did you get my blood on you? You were in the Royal Box, no?” Lovino blushed deeply and looked away, playing with the collar of Antonio’s shirt, refusing to answer.
“Lovi?” Antonio tried again, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Feliciano popped his head round, brightening when he saw Antonio was awake. Behind him, Kiku looked anxious and Ludwig loomed concernedly.
“Fratello! Antonio! You’re awake!” Feliciano bounded into the room and nearly tripped over the overturned chair, Ludwig catching him by the arm. “I’m so glad! Lovi was so worried!”
Lovino flinched but said nothing; his knuckles bleached white as he clung to Antonio’s shirt for dear life. Antonio laughed, slowly trying to move his hand into a less incriminating position. Feliciano noticed his discomfort and looked puzzled for a second, before understanding overtook his face.
“Oh, if you’re worried about keeping your relationship a secret, you don’t need to anymore!” He chirped. “Everyone saw how much Lovi loves you; he almost twisted his ankle jumping down to get to you! And his neckerchief matched your favour! It’s so sweet!” Behind him, Ludwig pressed a hand to his face and Kiku stifled a laugh into his sleeve.
Lovino puffed up like a cat. “Feliciano, will you shut up for fuck’s sakes!? Why are you blabbering all of this like an idiot?” His shoulders were up around his ears, which were flushed red. He still hadn’t let go of Antonio’s shirt, but turned to shoot his brother a venomous glare.
Feliciano just laughed happily, voice a bright peal. “Aw but Lovi, it was so romantic!” He laced his fingers together and sighed dreamily. “Well, obviously it was awful seeing Antonio get injured, but the way you wouldn’t let anyone or anything get in your way was just like a prince from a fairytale!”
“Feliciano,” Lovino’s voice was strangled, his hands trembling with, knowing him, probably rage. “If you don’t shut up right now, I swear-”
Antonio broke into laughter, then groaned and squeezed his eyes shut when his head reminded him exactly why he was in the infirmary in the first place. Lovino was on him immediately, hands fluttering over Antonio’s head and shoulders like he was scared to touch him.
“Antonio? Are you still in pain?” His voice was high with panic again, Antonio reached out with one hand, sighing when Lovino immediately laced their fingers together. “Get the physician, maybe the medicine is wearing off!”
Antonio shook his head slowly, eyes still closed. “Having mi tesoro Lovi here with me is all the medicine I need.” He said, dreamily, running his thumb over the ridge of Lovino’s knuckles.
Feliciano laughed delightedly before being shushed by Kiku. Ludwig cleared his throat, sounding long-suffering. “Well, Antonio, it’s good to see you awake – you had us worried. We’ll leave you to rest; Francis said he would stop in later, so I’ll let him know you’ve regained consciousness.”
“See you later, fratello, Antonio!” Antonio felt Feliciano gently pat him on the shoulder, then the sound of the door opening and closing, leaving him and Lovino alone in the quiet.
Antonio cracked his eyes open again to see Lovino staring down at him worriedly, bottom lip caught between his teeth. Smiling gently, Antonio pressed his thumb there and Lovino let his eyes fall shut, turning his face into Antonio’s hand. “Mi amor,” Antonio murmured adoringly, stroking his thumb across the curve of Lovino’s high cheekbone.
“I love you,” Lovino whispered brokenly, hand coming up to press over Antonio’s where it cupped his face. “I can’t- I can’t lose you… Please don’t do that to me again.” His eyes welled with tears again and he sniffed heavily.
“I won’t, lo siento, mi joya.” Antonio whispered, drawing Lovino down to press their foreheads together. “Te amo mucho. Tilting his head up just so to press his lips to the corner of Lovino’s mouth, chest full to bursting.
Inhaling shakily, Lovino made a small noise in the back of his throat before fitting their lips together, salty with his tears. Pulling his legs up onto the bed, he kicked his boots off, letting them thud to the floor. Antonio wrapped his arms around him as Lovino laid his head on his chest, face tucked into the crook of Antonio’s neck.
The curtains wafted gently in the light spring breeze; outside the window were faint sounds of cheers as the tournament progressed without them. Antonio pressed his face into the crown of Lovino’s head and closed his eyes, eyes slipping shut. Lovino ran his thumb along the line of Antonio’s collarbone, the repetitive motion soothing.
Antonio let his body relax into the bed, drifting into that honey-warm space between wakefulness and sleep. Lovino exhaled sleepily, nuzzling into the curve of Antonio’s neck. They fell asleep like that, curled around each other, safe in the circle of each other’s arms.