Days went by after the incident until he heard from his brother. Lovino assumed Feliciano was as jarred by his explosive coming out as the rest of the family had been. He expected a call to his cellphone, an emotional and worried voice telling him how upset nonno and everyone else was. What Lovino did not expect was a solid knock at his apartment door early on Friday evening.

He turned to Antonio sitting on the couch beside him. "Who the hell could that be?"

"I'm not sure. Go look, I'll pause the show." Lovino hoisted himself up and padded over to the door. He pressed an eye to the peep hole.

"It's my brother," he said in a voice unsteady with sudden nerves. "Should I open it?" There was another knock.

"Of course you should." His boyfriend went over to the door as well. "Don't worry, Lovi, I'm right behind you."

"Alright…" The lock was undone. "Ciao," he greeted hoarsely. Feliciano said not a word as he rushed to embrace the older brother. The gesture was returned without any hesitation. They stayed like that in silence for some time.

"I didn't know how to tell you," Lovino spoke as he pulled away. "Nonno always said that it was wrong so for the longest time I didn't know what to think of myself. I never told anyone."

"You could have told me, fratello. You can tell me anything." He took one of his brother's hands and squeezed. His usual bright grin came to his face. "I think a part of me already knew. You never had interest in dating any girls while we were in school together."

"To be fair I never had interest in dating at all during high school. Those were terrible times for me." The memories were bitter.

"I know Lovi," he sighed. "Though I'd like to think that you're much happier now." An obvious glance was given towards Antonio who was watching the touching display of love and family like it was the best Hallmark movie ever created.

"Tch. Oh please, it's not like dating this idiota has suddenly caused me to become filled with joy or some shit." He looked over his shoulder. "He's… just really good to have around." Lovino was never one to have his happiness depend on other people. In fact he hardly depended on other people at all. Antonio, however, had somehow become an exception to this. His presence meant something important. It couldn't be denied.

"I am so glad that you have someone in your life. But fratello…" Feliciano wrung his hands nervously. "I haven't been completely honest with you or the family either."

"Don't give me that wimpy expression. I revealed my biggest secret in front of our strict, Catholic grandfather. You shouldn't be scared to tell me anything. Go on, out with it."

"There's actually someone I want you to meet." He turned and scurried out into the hallway. A moment later he returned with a tall, broad shouldered, blue eyed blonde. "This is Ludwig."

"Gutentag," greeted the man in a deep, polite voice. "I am Ludwig Beilschmidt. Your brother speaks very highly of you." Lovino only stared blankly at the large hand held out to him.

"It's wonderful to meet you." Antonio stepped over and shook Ludwig's hand. "I'm Antonio Carriedo, Lovi's boyfriend."

"And just who the hell are you to mio fratello?" snapped the older Italian.

"Luddy is my boyfriend," Feliciano chirped happily.

What the fuck?

This… this was absolutely unacceptable. Lovino processed that his brother liked men very quickly, he couldn't care less about that. But who told this macho fucking potato that he could date his cute, innocent little brother? He was seething.

"But I'm not your boyfriend anymore remember?" Ludwig chuckled. What did that mean?

"Oh! It's so new that I keep forgetting. Ludwig isn't my boyfriend." Feli intertwined their fingers. "He's my fiancé!"

Silence.

More silence.

"I'll kill you!" screamed Lovino, trying to lunge up to claw at Ludwig's face. Sure he was a good half a foot taller and his muscles probably had muscles but he could totally take him! Antonio held him by the back of his shirt collar before that could happen.

"Please don't mind Lovi. He can just get a little bit feisty at times. Why don't you have a seat and make yourselves comfortable while we go have a talk in the kitchen?" He smiled as he hauled the enraged man away. "You were so rude to Ludwig! That's no way to treat a guest in your home. What is the matter?"

"What isn't the matter?" he hissed.

"Are you upset that your brother is gay?"

"I don't fucking care that he's gay!"

"Bisexual, actually," Feli called from the other room.

"You shut your pasta hole in there! I'm upset because some bastard has been putting his filthy hands on my fratello. And marriage? He's much too young." He sighed in distress.

"It isn't your decision to make."

"I damn well know that but I just want him to be safe. Who even knows who that potato is? He could be a serial killer or something." Antonio laughed softly.

"Such an imagination you have. I understand that you're worried but has it ever occurred to you that maybe you should just trust your brother's judgement?" It hadn't, actually. When they were children Lovino would be the one to direct the overly friendly Feliciano away from people who gave out bad vibes.

"But… I've always protected him." Gentle arms wrapped around him in a comforting embrace.

"You eventually have to let him go. I think now is that time."

"What if he gets hurt?"

"Then you'll be there to help him heal. It's all going to be okay." He kissed the top of his head. "And just because there's someone new in his life doesn't mean you'll be forgotten. I know you're worried about that too. You are his brother. He'll still need your support as he goes through his life." Antonio knew just what to say, didn't he? Hmph. Guess he wasn't a total idiota all the time.

"Alright, you've actually convinced me to rethink this," he begrudgingly admitted. "Let's just go back out there before my common sense returns."

They found Feliciano and Ludwig sitting close together on the couch. Lovino stood in front of them with his arms crossed over his chest. "I have something to say." He took a deep breath. Damn this was difficult. "I… trust your judgment in people and will tolerate-"

"Ahem," coughed Antonio politely.

"…will approve of your relationship. Eventually. It will take time. This Lutz guy still seems shady to me."

"Oh Lovi! I'm so glad," Feliciano squealed.

"Actually my name is Ludwig."

"Don't push it potato man. I really don't like you but for some reason you make my brother happy. See how fucking happy he is?" There was a dopey smile spread across his face.

"I do."

"Good. That better not change, because if I see a frown on that cute little face of his and I find out you're the cause of it I will open up a can of Italian mafia kick-ass so fucking intense that even God won't be able to save your stupid, muscly soul. You got that?"

"I got it." Ludwig didn't even seem even remotely concerned by the threat. He played along though just for the sake of humoring him.

"I'm glad we have reached an understanding," Lovino huffed. His glower lessened in its intensity. "Now tell me about how you two met."

I dunno where I got the idea for this but a pissed off Lovi is always funny. Review?