Hello guys, it's me again with another fic.. errr.
This fic was actually inspired by a drawing I did two years ago. Unfortunately it's a little creepy and weird. (because I actually like those stuff *cough*) I needed to get this out of my head, and it pretty much wrote itself. ;_;
This will just be 3 chapters.
I promise.
Reviews are welcome.!
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Levi didn't actually like antiques, though he can say he had some liking for fine-looking items. Unlike today, the level of craftsmanship during those late eras (the early 1900s) was very different. Those works were intricate, full of passion and were very artistic. May it be silverwares, glass wares, furnitures, clothing, or even establishments; one can just simply imagine the amount of talent that has been used to create such works of art.
Levi looked at everything and nothing in particular as he wandered through the antique store, leaving his choice to some kind of inner pull. You just know it when you see it, that unbelievably strong feeling of wanting something that you saw for the first time. Even though you don't know what triggers it, you just have to have it no matter what.
Levi was scrutinizing an old Gothic-styled chair when a blond man approached him, giving him a welcoming smile. Unlike the woman in the counter, this man had some kind of look in him, giving off a dignified, smart, and proud aura. His blue eyes were clear and large, unlike his.
"How do you like our collection so far?" The blonde man asked, still smiling.
"Everything really looks nice and well-made. I don't know where you've got all this, because they are all extravagant."
"I have many sources. We've got everything you'll ever need, young man." The blonde replied, his blue eyes twinkling like he just shared some kind of secret.
"Have you made a choice yet?"
"Not really. They are giving me a hard time." Levi replied, giving another look to the chair.
"Well, if you liked to I can give you a tour to our best of collections." The blonde man offered.
"Sounds like a good idea." Levi replied flatly.
He doesn't like company, but he could use some help on this large store. The blonde man gave him a toothy smile as he extended his hand to him, introducing himself.
"You can call me Irvin by the way." Levi shook his hand as he nodded, also introducing himself.
"I'm Levi."
"Very well then Levi, please follow me."
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Levi can't help but look around as they made their way through the sea of items, carefully placed by categories. Even when he looks up, he can see the soft glow of the old chandelier lights that seemed to float amongst the dark ceiling. Some looked like jewels of different colors, its light reflecting against the shelves and items. Irvin made his first stop at an isle of old clock works ranging from pocket-sized watches to grandfather clocks that are made and embellished with wood, precious stones, gold and silver. They were definitely eye-catching and are surely a centrepiece material.
"These clocks came from different parts of the continent." Irvin started, looking at back at him.
"Most are made by well-known crafts men of their era. But what's really exceptional is this one." The blonde man pointed to the grandfather clock beside him, smiling as he explained the origins of the item.
"It is guaranteed to never stop, forever."
"The body might decay and corrode but time will continue to go on."
Levi consciously crossed his arms, eyeing the item up and down. Yes it is interesting and it can honestly fit well in his living room, but it is not what he was looking for.
"I think I would be really interested with this, but not now." He said, averting his gaze to Irvin. The blonde man nodded to him in return, looking patient as ever.
"Let's go the next one." Irvin said, already moving to another part of the store.
"I hope you like paintings." Levi heard him say as they walk past through an isle of granite and marble statues. At the end of it is where the paintings were displayed for everyone to see.
That was it.
It is what Levi felt when he saw it, the item that he was unconsciously looking for. His eyes were transfixed to it as he walked slowly towards where it rested to be admired and appreciated.
"It is beautiful isn't it?" He heard Irvin say.
Indeed it was. It was the first thing that came to his mind when he saw it. The simple frame that caged the being portrayed in the painting only highlighted its ethereal beauty. Even if that said being was a very young man. Or maybe he was still a boy that has the greenest of eyes that he had never seen before. He looked so alive as he stared back at him, and it somewhat gave a chill to his soul. The bloody red roses that he held in his hands were at full bloom, its thorns seemingly pricking gently against his skin. It contrasted against the darkness of his Victorian coat and his background, popping out along his lively eyes. Levi ran his hand softly at the edge of the frame, marvelling his rare find.
"Do you know who the boy in this painting is?" Levi asked, feeling the need to know the identity behind the portrait. It will make him feel better knowing that he existed, and that a long time ago, someone like him has walked the surface of the earth.
If he knew, it is like he still lives, even as a memory.
"Unfortunately, this one had got no records with it upon the time that I acquired it. No name even for the one who made it. But it was something that I felt having and protecting so I bought it, still." The blonde man paused, closing his distance with Levi.
"And I have a feeling that you had just felt the same way." Irvin continued, almost whispering. His eerie smile was back, and it made Levi feel a little uneasy.
"I did."
"I'm taking it."
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Levi felt a little selfish for placing the painting in his room, but after going through every part of his house figuring out where to place it, he ended up deciding to keep it somewhere private. He felt somewhat bothered thinking how people will look and prod him, and if he was in a portrait himself, he would also not be comfortable. He wiped the sweat in his forehead as he finally finished hanging it up the wall of his room. It felt a little creepy as it faced the foot of his bed, but if looked perfect above his ornate antique desk. He could always use some inspiration when he works, anyway.
"Well, welcome home." Levi said, feeling exhausted after his long day. His visit to that newly opened antique store was quite weird, more than anything, but at least he took home another rare find. Maybe it was the blonde owner that was kinda creepy, after all.
"It was quite a let-down that you've got no name though." Levi said, still looking at the portrait, scrutinizing every crook and cranny for traces of dirt that he might have missed upon cleaning it. Seeing nothing, he decided to finally take a dinner and prepare for some late night work afterwards.
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It was past one o'clock in the morning already, and Levi felt his lids become heavy. He still needed to complete a large part of his report, but his mind is already protesting for some needed rest. Hours of going through the company's expenses drains the shit out of him, but it is what he was good at. Nothing gets past his scrutiny and that is why he was assigned as the Financial Analyst of his father's company. Not that he actually liked the position, but he can get the job done so he accepted it. He was not the type to do a half-assed job either, and his father knows it.
Just ten more minutes. Levi thought as he flipped again to the documents he was working on, taking notes as he did so.
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It was two o'clock when Levi woke up, his foggy mind slowly adjusting to his surroundings. He might have fallen asleep while he was still reading the company's monthly report. Stretching his aching limbs, he noticed something odd in his desk. He was pretty sure he was really awake, and that he, in any way possible, don't own any flowers. Levi rubbed his eyes in confusion, making sure that his eyes aren't playing tricks on him.
And they are not.
Surely, in his desk are flower petals, which are red as blood. He hesitantly picked one up to carefully take a good look at it, feeling its silky smooth texture. It glinted a little against the light of his lamp shade, and he slowly realized that they are from roses. Levi can't help the involuntary shiver that swept through him that moment, as he fought the strong urge to look above his desk.
"What the hell is going on?"
He can't help himself so he looked.
There, against the pale skin and the dark clothes are crimson roses that are in full bloom. He can't take his eyes away from it as he stood up slowly, placing the petal he held on his fingers against the smooth surface of the glass.
"What am I thinking?" Levi suddenly thought, feeling ridiculous.
"That's not possible."
He decided that he was just imagining things. But where did it come from? Feeling a little irritated now, Levi decided to move to his bed, crawling his way back to sleep.
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