Accidents Happen

Part 7

It was supposed to be okay, right? He had done everything he set out to do. Hadn't he?

Met his brothers after class. Check.

Ate dinner. Currently doing that, so. Check.

Got moved into his brothers' classes. Check.

What was that last thing again?

His stomach churned so hard when he remembered he had to put down his fork.

Immediately Romulus noticed. It was not often that his oldest grandson displayed his emotions so blatantly on his face. The past few weeks had been a rollercoaster for all the boys but out of all of them, it was usually Lovino usually keeping his emotions in check.

Sulking was usually the first warning sign.

"What's wrong Lovino?" Romulus asked.

Lovino dropped his eyes and just glared at the table.

"Lovi?"

It was a long few seconds between. The war of emotions on Lovino's face was obvious and almost painful to watch. Once they subsided, with almost an imperceptibly low voice, Lovino spoke.

"I was mean to someone today and made them really mad at me," Lovino murmured, eyes never leaving his plate.

"Fratello!" Feli gasped loudly, Romeo's surprise not as strong but still there.

Romulus started at his oldest grandson, trying to make sense of the situation.

"What do you mean?"

Lovino visibly flinched. Not at his grandfather's surprisingly gentle tone, but at the misery his conscience was screaming at him.

"He wouldn't leave me alone and I got really frustrated so I-I yelled at him. Then he wouldn't leave the teacher's side all day."

Taking in this new information, Romulus set his fork down and eyed his grandson sternly. "I see. Is there something you want to do about it?"

The boy nodded meekly.

"Then I will see what I can do. What was the boy's name?"

"I think he said it was Antonio. Then he called me pretty. I think. It was in Spanish. Do Spanish boys do that?"

Romulus had to stifle a laugh. "I think you must have mistranslated, but I think I know who you're talking about. A shy, gentle natured, brunette with emerald colored eyes and a big smile?"

Lovino's eyes widened and he almost fell out of his chair. "You know him?"

Romulus couldn't help but smile brighter. He might have to rethink his thoughts over Lovino's personality.

"Yes, I believe I do. If you boys think you could finish eating without me, I can go call his grandfather and maybe we can go to school early so you can tell Antonio how sorry you are. I can translate for the both of you.

Lovino considered this for a moment, young features twisted into a look of concentration, before looking back up.

"What do I say?"

"Just tell him you're sorry. That you feel bad that you made him sad and you want to be friends."

It took a moment, but soon Lovino was nodding again.

"Okay, Nonno."

After pushing his plate away from the edge of the table, Romulus stood up and nodded to himself.

"If you finish eating, I left the stepstool in front of the sink, please put your dishes in there."

"In the stepstool?"