It was a few weeks into the school year before Lovino and Antonio spoke to each other again. Their fifth period teacher, Mrs. Hedevary-Edelstein, decided it was time for a class project. With partners. At school, she explained the concept. "You will be separated into groups of two, the partnerships are your soulmates, unless you haven't met your soulmate yet, so don't complain. The partnerships are, Alfred and Arthur, Heracles and Kiku, Feliciano and Ludwig, Natalya and Lili, Vash and Francis, Gilbert and Matthew," -"Who?" "Matthias and Lukas, Lovino and Antonio," the list went on a bit longer, but Lovino didn't pay attention. He was pissed because he was partnered with a Bad Touch Idiot. He'd rather be partnered with that potato Ludwig than with one of that Trio. "Each partnership will read one of the selected books and write a collaborative essay about the meaning. You will all read your chosen book with your partner, and will be given time in class to read. It's due in two months. " She explained the other details as Lovino stared, eyes wide. What did I do to deserve this? Antonio looked back at Lovi, smiling as if someone had given him an extra churro. "Everyone will also be sitting with these partners for the rest of the school year." Lovino inwardly groaned. Whyyyyyyyyyy.

Antonio on the other hand was smiling gleefully. He thought Lovino was adorable and loved the idea of them working together. "Lovino~! We're working together!" The Italian only growled and turned away. "Fuck off, Bastard." Antonio winced in mock pain. "You wound me!" Lovi just huffed and took out a marker. He grabbed the Spaniard's hand and started writing. Antonio's hand was warm, Lovino noted as he finished his inking. 'Lovino V. [Insert phone # here] [insert address here]'. "You can only come to my house with permission. And if you randomly call without texting first, I will castrate you and feed your dick to my brother's cat."