Fools Like Us

Fools Like Us

18- The Cracks Don't Count

Antonio had to admit, he'd been more than a little surprised when Lovino had turned up on his doorstep the morning after the dance.  Of course, that didn't stop him from grinning brightly and grabbing the Italian's arm, pulling him into the house and into his arms. Lovino yelped and protested, as he'd expected, but it took significantly less time for him to calm down today. Antonio smiled as he felt the younger boy slump into his chest, which was as close as he ever got to returning a hug.

"What did I do to deserve the pleasure of your company today?" he asked curiously, pulling back a bit to look down at the blushing Italian. Lovino glanced away stubbornly, a small, familiar pout on his lips.

"I have the day off, so I figured...m-maybe I could come see you without homework for once. A-as a thank you or something. Don't get the wrong idea, dammit!" he huffed, the last few words coming out in a rush as the color of his cheeks darkened considerably. Antonio tried not to laugh aloud at how adorable and energetic he found the other boy, but it was a difficult task.

"That sounds great!" he gushed instead, already pulling Lovino toward the stairs to his room, "Why don't we watch a movie or something? Or we could play a game..."

He continued to ramble on, but Lovino wasn't listening as closely as he might have with someone else. He didn't think Antonio would catch on to his real reason for coming around today; he was always so oblivious to emotional matters...He stole a quick glance at the Spaniard's face, but Antonio wasn't looking at him. He still held Lovino's hand, but his eyes were fixed straight ahead as they climbed the stairs and pushed their way into Antonio's room. He flopped onto the bed, nearly pulling Lovino on top of him. The younger brunet let out a muffled yelp of surprise, his heart pounding at their proximity. His mind screamed at him to kiss Antonio, but instead, he panicked and pushed back until there was more than a foot of space between them. Antonio looked only mildly disappointed-by now, he had a pretty good idea of what Lovino's boundaries were.

"So, what should we watch?" he asked, sitting up as he returned to the conversation he'd been trying to have with his unresponsive study partner-or could they be called friends now? He'd have to ask about that, but maybe once Lovino wasn't so tense.

"Wh-whatever you want. I don't care. I'll probably just fall asleep anyway..." Lovino replied hastily, forcing the words out before he really had a chance to think about them.

Antonio frowned, suddenly concerned, and Lovino cursed himself for speaking so recklessly.

"Ah, are you okay..."?" the Spaniard asked, leaning closer to him with an expression tense with concern, "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have kept you out so late last night..."

Lovino scoffed and rolled his eyes, shoving the older boy's shoulder lightly. "Don't worry about it..." he mumbled awkwardly, "It wasn't so bad..."

At that, Antonio's bright green eyes lit up again. "It wasn't?" he asked excitedly, leaning closer in a way that reminded Lovino of a puppy jumping at praise, "That's great! Maybe we can go out and do something again sometime!"

Lovino's heart jumped to his throat. Did that count as Antonio asking him out? He could only hope so. "Y-yeah, maybe..."

Antonio's eyes lit up again, but he looked a bit surprised as well. Lovino could understand; the Spaniard had probably never expected him to agree with something like that. Lovino glanced away to make it harder to see his blush, though by now, Antonio probably knew him well enough to recognize the creeping pink flush spreading over his ears and across the back of his neck. He picked at a loose thread on the other boy's comforter-he probably shouldn't, but he was feeling defiant at the moment. Even as the thought crossed his mind, he puffed out his cheeks stubbornly.