Secrets

15

Lovi dropped Arthur down on the ground. He stayed hovering above the man.

"Could you maybe warn me next time?" Arthur grunted out as he stood. "Where are we anyway?" He looked around. Nothing but trees. They didn't go far. At least he thought.

"I want you to jump." Lovi commanded, completely ignoring the other's whining.

"Uh-okay?" He did as told. It was more of a hop than anything.

"What the hell was that?"

"A jump."

"That was pathetic, do it right."

"What exactly is 'right'?"

"Like you're a superhero." Lovi's irritation rose, his voice showing it with the sarcasm.

"Okay." Arthur rolled his eyes. He crouched down and leapt. He found himself going much higher this time. Near the height of the tall pines of the forest. He yelped, realizing how high up he was. Gravity brought him back down with a hard hit. "Fuck!" His back ached terribly from the landing.

"So you still have it in you!" Lovi laughed, landing gracefully on the ground.

"What the hell was that?"

"Your take off."

"Really?" The Brit made something of a whining sound. "Am I going to have to do that again?"

"Absolutely."

~

Toni sat with a frown. An unusual sight. Though, he didn't look mad just concerned. Anxious, even.

"What are you so worried about?" Gil sat down next to his friend.

"Lovi."

"Just as I thought." He closed his eyes and sighed."He was right, you know. He's not a little kid anymore and I'm sure as hell he can handle what's to come."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

"What?" His eyes flicked open to looks at the Spaniard. He found his friend's face burrowed in his arms held by this knees.

"I'm afraid he might hurt himself. He's one to push himself when he wants to. He might face what's coming head on but that's something he shouldn't do." Toni began to shake. "It's what happened last time. I don't want that again."

"Toni," Gil frowned. "that's a real fear you have." He stood up. "I don't mean to be a jerk or anything but you clearly don't see that Lovino's grown. He wants to act more as a shield than a sword." With that Gil walked off to attend to others. Leaving Toni to sob.

"Shit." He breathed.