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Lovino realizes it at Antonio’s graduation, when Headmaster Terra calls out the Spaniard’s name. It’s when he sees his senior friend up on the stage, receiving his diploma with that dazzling smile that Lovino knows he’s screwed; that he’s caught feelings. Despite the newly found epiphany, Antonio remains blissfully unaware, something the Italian is immensely grateful for.
The ceremony is over once Katyusha finishes her speech. Antonio is gone from Lovino’s immediate sight of vision, off to find the underclassmen friends - also known as the Italian brothers. Feliciano is, understandably, the first for Antonio to call out for, seeing as he wears a bright green dress shirt, a stark contrast to the maroon one that adorned Lovino’s torso.
“Feli! Lovi! C’mon, we’re gonna be late!” The tall teenager calls, grabbing both of their wrists before rushing out of the auditorium while tugging the brothers along to his car; a new jeep, a graduation present from Antonio’s grandparents.
Feliciano gasps and half jogs to sit shotgun. Lovino receives a small smile and shrug from the graduate before he too goes to sit in the driver’s seat. The short Italian huffs and ignores the jealous pang in his chest as he stalks to sit in the backseat. To his surprise, there is not one, not two, but three people already crammed in; Francis, Gilbert, and… Arthur.
“How the fuck are we all meant to fit in here?” He asks, annoyed.
Francis pulls Arthur from the middle seat into his lap, much to the Brit’s embarrassment and irritation, before grinning at Lovino, “Bon?”
Antonio knows he has a crush a week after meeting the eldest of the Vargas brothers. It’s only after his and Feliciano’s shared birthday (“A year apart but born on the same day? That’s rough.”) that he loves - no, like likes - Lovino. When the junior stays back at the party, contently watching from afar, as Feliciano garners attention from his friends (apparently only two guests had been Lovino’s; Antonio, and Emma- but she had to go to the dentist with her brothers).
The Spaniard finds himself asking, “Why aren’t you enjoying your party?”
“It’s not mine if you’re the only person here for me, is it?” Lovino shrugs, focusing his gaze on his younger brother, “He’s the one who wanted a party anyway.”
Even though it wasn’t that upsetting of an answer, Antonio still feels guilty, “Do you want to go somewhere else, then?”
“What?” The shorter of the two raises an eyebrow at his friend, “I have to make sure nothing goes crazy here, you doof.”
Antonio laughs, “Ludwig is here, I’m sure everything will be under control.”
The Italian obviously considers the offer, before shrugging, “Why the hell not?