lost ~completed~

chapter 7

The water parted for Romano's form. Silvery drops splashed the concrete.

Opening his eyes underwater, Romano quickly spotted the Spaniards form at the bottom of the pool. His chocolate hair swayed and floated softly as if the waters fingers were gently playing with his hair. Spain's lips were gaped open slightly and his eyes were closed.

Romano's heartbeat quickened in fear, hoping he wasn't too late. Romano swam down to the bottom to where Antonio was and wrapped his arm around the Spaniards thin waist. The pressure of the water weighted down, hurting his head. He kicked up on the bottom of the pool. Antonio was a dead weight in his arms but Romano wasn't willing to let him go. He would save him or die trying.

He kicked his legs and wiggled desperately. Looking up, he could see the surface getting closer. Anticipation and adrenaline coursed through his veins giving him the extra boost to break to the surface and pull the Spaniard to the side of the pool. He pushed the Spaniard onto the side of the pool and then climbed out.

Kneeling over the unconscious Antonio, Romano gently turned his face towards him. Antonio's face was pale and his lips were tinted in blue. Romano didn't even notice he was crying until a sob escaped his lips.

Romano bent over Antonio shaking him roughly. "Wake up!" Romano begged him. Antonio hung limply from Romano's grasp like a rag doll. More tears ran down Romano's face. Oh please God, don't take Antonio!

He gently laid Antonio down. He tilted his jaw back trying to remember the CPR course he took. He put his hands over Antonio's chest and pressed down and up, down and up. He leaned over, gently cupping Antonio's pale wet face as he pressed his lips to Antonio's. He breathed in. Another sob escaped him as he pulled back. Antonio stayed still, irresponsive to Romano's desperate attempts to get the water out.

Romano pressed on Toni's chest again. He pressed his lips to Spain's again. Spain's body suddenly heaved up against Romano's chest, coughing harshly. Romano held Antonio tightly and helped him turn to the side.

Antonio's body wracked in coughs, spitting up large amounts of water. Romano gently rubbed Antonio's back, trying to soothe him. He would take away all of Antonio's pain if he could. Once his coughs subsided, Romano turned him to his back and cradled his body to him. Antonio's eyes fluttered gently, his mouth slightly gapped open. Romano gently brushed Antonio's bangs, smiling in relief. Antonio glanced up at Romano, his eyes full of exhaustion.

"What happened ?" Romano asked gently.

"F...Feli." Antonio said barley over a whisper. His eyes closed and he leaned his head against Romano. Romano checked to make sure he was breathing fine before smiling gently.

Romano stood up carefully, holding Antonio to him, nuzzling Antonio's head in between his neck and shoulder. He carried Antonio to his car and gently laid him out in the backseat. He took off his jacket and laid it over Antonio's shivering body. He got in his car and drove to the hospital. Once there he checked Antonio in and a couple nurses came and quickly took him to an empty room.

After the nurses left the room saying that they wanted to keep an eye on him since Antonio hit his head on something. Romano went inside Antonio's room. Antonio lay on the hospital bed with his eyes closed.

Romano sat down on a chair and grasped Antonio's hand, looking at the peaceful expression on the Spaniards face. He couldn't believe how close he had been to almost loosing him. Despite how Romano always yelled at Antonio, he truly did care about him. He didn't know what he'd do if he ever did lose him.

Romano gently brushed Antonio's face with the back of his hand. Antonio seemed so small and fragile underneath the hospital sheets. A big purple bruise stuck out on Spain's pale forehead. His skin was still pale and paper thin, such a strong contrast to his usually tanned, calloused skin.