He hated it when he left. Of course, he would never show it. That was something Lovino would never do. Antonio would announce he would be leaving for a while and all Lovino would do was huff and shrug.


He'd say he didn't care. He'd say that he wouldn't miss the Spanish nation if he was ever asked if he would. He said that he would be perfectly fine alone during that time. He said that he could cope without him.


And he was... for a day or two at least. Lovino loved the freedom of doing whatever he wanted whenever he was alone. There was no Spain to boss him around. There was no Spain to tell him what he could and could not do, to tell him where he could and could not go. No Spain to tell him he shouldn't eat too many tomatoes or he will be sick, no Spain to tell him when he should go to bed. No Spain to tell him to do his chores. No Spain to tell him to stop being lazy and help out once in a while.


This freedom was something that Lovino enjoyed for a while... but soon the small nation found that life just wasn't the same with out his Boss.


When Lovino was sad, there was no one to hold him close and tell him everything was all right. When Lovino was sick, there was no one to take care of him and make everything better. When Lovino had a nightmare there was no one to chase away his fears and make him happy again. There was no one for him to turn to when he was feeling lonely, there was no one for him to talk to and the small child found himself wanting Antonio to come home more than ever.


He missed him. He missed everything about him. The way he would laugh, the way his eyes would light up whenever Lovino did anything but pout at him, the way he would smile warmly whenever Lovino (blushing, might I add) would rarely ask for a hug whenever he was feeling rather needy.


Lovino had decided that being alone wasn't as fun as he thought.


The weeks passed and Lovino found himself just drifting through the days. He kept himself busy by cleaning, even though it was already clean. He took long walks when Spain had told him not to go very far. He went to bed early just so he could sleep for longer and the time would go quicker. He did whatever he could to make the time go faster and Spain would be home.


Because as much as he didn't want to admit it, he missed him and he wanted him home again.


The house was much too quiet.


Lovino found himself taking walks along the coast, always looking to the horizon hoping that one day he would see Antonio's ship sailing back to him. He'd stand and wait for a while, that little light of hope never really fading, even though he would never admit this out loud.


He would always find himself thinking the same thing.


Come home, Spagna...


The weeks turned to months and Lovino sighed to himself. It was a sunny afternoon, as usual in Spain, and he busied himself with housework. Sweeping cleaning... whatever he could think of, even though the place was spotless anyway. He snorted to himself; Antonio would have a surprise when he came home.


If he came home, that is...


Lovino shook his head as fat tears began to form. He balled his small hands into fists and roughly wiped at his eyes before the tears had a chance to fall. His lip quivered and he sniffled harshly and eventually a small sob let itself escape.


"S-stupid bastard..." he mumbled to himself and he harshly pushed the broom aside and sat down on the cold ground. He wiped at his eyes and sniffled once more.


Footsteps sounded behind him and before Lovino had a chance to react, strong arms wrapped around him in a gentle embrace. A soft chuckle broke through Lovino's muffled whimpers and an accented voice that the small nation had missed so much spoke up, "What's the matter Lovino? Why do you cry?"


He was back. Everything Lovino had wished for these past couple of months had come true. He turned around in Antonio's grip and hugged him as tight as he could. Everything he refused to say, the hug said for him. That he missed him, that he was glad he was okay and that he was happy he was home.

That chuckle sounded again and the arms tightened their grip in response. Lovino inhaled deeply, tears of sadness now tears of happiness. He smelt of gunpowder and smoke but there was still that fresh scent of tomatoes and lingering on his person.


Antonio smiled and scooped the smaller nation into his arms, "Do not cry anymore, my Romano, I'm home..."