Lovino Vargas was an ordinary Italian citizen although somewhat pitiable. He and his little brother Feliciano lived in a cheap apartment in the glorious city of Rome. Rome was a lively town and often there are more tourists than Italians on the streets. It was mid-afternoon and Feliciano having no work to do was taking a siesta, snoring noisily while he dozed; His bed sheets sprawled in every direction. Lovino being the older felt that it was his duty to take care of Feliciano since their Grandpa had died 3 years ago. Besides their Grandpa they had no other relatives but themselves. Lovino and Feliciano were similar in appearance only. Lovi and Feli were the same height and had nearly identical faces, their attitudes were the quite different; Lovino was a grump and Feliciano was always smiling and carefree. The only distinguishing feature between them was their hair. Lovino had chestnut brown hair while Feliciano's hair was a light brown with blonde highlights. Lovino looked through the window at the crowded streets below, glancing at families of foreigners wondering what it would be like if their Mother and Father were alive today. They had died when he was 7 and Feli was 4, their Grandpa hadn't told them how they had died just that they died doing business underground. Back then Lovino thought that meant they had died in the underground subway going to work, he knew better now. Lovino checked his watch; it was about time to go to work and his boss wouldn't be happy if he was late. Lovino returned home much later that night to the smell of pasta cooking.
"I thought I told you not to stay up and wait for me" Lovino grumbled making his way into the tiny kitchen.
"But Lovi, that's not fair" Feliciano pouted. "You always work so hard and I want to do something for you! Besides you wouldn't make anything to eat if I didn't." Lovino grunted in response. No matter how many times he told Feliciano not to, Feliciano went and did it anyway. He threw his jacket onto the back of his chair and sat down. Scooping a large portion of the pasta from the steaming pot and onto his plate that Feliciano had placed in front of him.
"Did what's-it-called company accept you for the damn job yet?" Lovino asked while stuffing noodles into his mouth. Feliciano smiled brightly.
"The Italian Artists of Great Rome Company and yes they did! I work from the afternoon to evening which means no more siestas after lunch, but if I can start paying some of the rent, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!" Beaming proudly Feliciano began eating the pasta he had dumped onto his plate on the opposite side of Lovino. He works almost the same hours I do Lovino thought, shoving another large scoop of pasta into his mouth. The rest of the meal was calm as they talked about what they did during the day, although Lovino told Feliciano nothing about his work.
The next few weeks passed by in similar suite. Feliciano had trouble getting to work on time, though he gradually became accustomed to the new routine. It was the beginning of a new week and Lovino had been told by his Boss the previous night to meet again late in morning. That meant one of two things either he was going to get a raise or they didn't want him anymore. He shuddered at the latter. His Boss however cheerful and light-hearted was nonetheless heartless to those he did not want anymore. Lovino pushed his way through the teeming roads and into an alley. In the middle of the alley blocking his path was a group of stray dogs surrounding one lone dog. The separate dog was whimpering and shaking its head back and forth knowing it was outnumbered and that he would probably be ripped apart by the group of dogs surrounding it. Lovino stood back not wanting them to notice him but since he could not pass he had to wait until they left. Survival of the fittest Lovino thought as he hid behind a trash can. Do what you can to survive, even if it means getting your hands tainted. Lovino shivered as a gust of wind hit him and he looked to the sky. Sinister clouds were slowly blanketing the blue and the air was cool. The stray dogs started whining and barking aggressively, then finally it was silent. Lovino peered over the trash and looked to where the dogs had been, now there was only one sprawled in the dirt covered in blood; the lone dog. Lovino crept silently out of the alley in case the dogs heard him and came back. It was about noon by the time he arrived at the planned meeting place, which turned out to be a good looking two-story house in the middle of town. Two of the Boss's loyal henchmen awaited him at the door and lead him through the luxurious house to the basement. Henchmen number one knocked on the door in a particular pattern. Both of the goons left after the Boss opened the door and let him in. His Boss, Spanish in descent, was a good head taller than him with curly brown hair; he was wearing a white collared dress shirt and blue jeans. He was also smiling, a cheerful and unsuspecting smile that hid what he was capable of. The smiling man ushered Lovino to a couch.
"Make yourself comfortable." He said sitting down on a large bed riddled with fabulous pillows and blankets. Lovino sat down on the soft couch adjusting his tie.
"So, what did you call me out here for Boss?" The Boss just smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
"Just call me Antonio, and don't be so tense." He waited until Lovino had relaxed slightly before continuing. "I'm here to offer you a splendid position in my 'family' as my best man." Lovino grimaced he knew that an offer like this meant that he had to do a gruesome task, but if he became the Boss's best man the pay would be handsome. He weighed his options carefully before coming to the conclusion that the money would be worth it.
"You wouldn't be offering me this unless there was catch. So what do you want me to do?" Antonio's smile widened and a murderous glee appeared in his eye.
"Yes but it should be easy for you." He leaned forward his smile growing. "I want you to get rid of a painter in a local company who is threatening my business. Will you do it?" Antonio leaned forward menacingly, his smile reaching from ear to ear. Antonio's emerald eyes gazed almost crazily into Lovino's own.
"Alright, I'll do it." You greedy bastard Lovino thought to himself but he didn't argue. Seeming pleased Antonio leaned back and rang a little bell. A French maid entered the room shortly after carrying a tray with two wine glasses and some red wine. She set the glasses down on a low-table and then filled them up half way with the wine. Antonio smirked devilishly before waving her away and picking up the wine filled glasses, handing one to Lovino. Lovino scowled but accepted the blood red wine.
"Cheers to a new start, hey?" Antonio raised his glass.
"Cheers." Lovino replied solemnly tapped his glass against Antonio's, sealing the deal. Now there was no turning back, Lovino knew of others who backed out because of the pressure and the job they were given. You never saw them again. Antonio drank his wine with ease while Lovi struggled to chug the repulsive liquid.
"Tomorrow I will give you more details. I know you and your brother will appreciate it" He said sadistically and Lovino could feel goose bumps crawling along his spine. He left hastily and wiped sweat off his brow once he was out of sight from the building. Antonio was a frightening man but Lovino wouldn't let anyone know that Antonio scared him. He walked speedily it had started raining when he got here and it was pouring cats and dogs while he was leaving. He went back the same way he came through the alley, this time the alley was empty even the dead dog carcass was gone. He made his way back through the streets which were still full of life. Lovino wondered if there was ever a time when the roads were empty. Shrugging it off, he made his way through the crowds only stopping once after body-checking an angry-looking German. By the time he got back to his apartment he was soaked to the bone. Feliciano wouldn't be home until evening so Lovino had the apartment to himself. He stripped off his jacket and tie throwing them onto the floor. His shirt, shoes, socks and pants followed. Lovino stood in front of a mirror in his white tomato boxers, scratching his head as he contemplated making dinner. He stared at his reflection in the mirror glancing at the scars he had gotten from being involved with the mafia, remembering how many times he had put himself in a predicament. Sometimes the jobs were easy; more often than not they were tedious and you barely got out alive. He shuddered remembering when he first joined and he was attacked by vicious man-eating poodles. He went into the bedroom and put on a dry pair of jeans and a red T-shirt. He then scrounged around the little kitchen collecting the necessary ingredients for spaghetti. After making tomato sauce and boiling pasta Feliciano showed up.
"I'm back!" Feliciano chirped as he pranced into the kitchen always a bundle of happiness he then hugged Lovino from behind.
"Yeah okay, now let's eat." He pushed Feliciano off him to go sit down. As they ate, Feliciano talked about the paintings he sold and the ones he was currently in the process of. Feliciano babbled on about his day and Lovino silently ate his meal nodding and occasionally asking a question or making a comment.
"Has anything happened at your work?" Feliciano asked unexpectedly. Shocked, Lovino almost swallowed his fork.
"Well, I, uh got a raise." Lovino murmured quietly.
"That's great!" Feliciano beamed, although Lovino couldn't help but feel nervous. That night Lovino couldn't sleep. He kept wondering about his target and was anxious to know who it was. Although it was better not to know anything about the ones you murdered lest you gain a conscious and feel guilty. In this line of work any sign of weakness would lead to death either caused by your victim or you're Boss. After awhile his thoughts grew foggy, his eyelids heavy and he fell sound asleep.
The morning and early afternoon passed in a blur for him and as Lovino approached Boss Antonio's house his stomach tied itself into a knot of uneasiness. There were no henchmen around to guide him through the house so he asked the maid instead. She led him to a room on the far side of the house where Antonio was evidently waiting.
"You are finally here my friend!" He said enthusiastically moving from where he was to greet Lovino. The maid left quietly to attend to her other duties.
"I don't have a picture of his face but I do have one of the back of his head." He said taking a picture from his pocket and handed it to Lovino. Lovino took the photograph and studied it. The target had light brown hair with blonde highlights.
"So you want me to kill a brown headed painter, how will I know if I have the right one? There are lots of brown haired painters in this city." Lovino proclaimed, stating the obvious. Antonio shook his head slightly.
"Now don't be like that. Besides he has blonde, almost golden highlights that should help pinpoint him. Also he leaves the down town art-studio he's at in roughly an hour." Lovino almost wanted to punch Antonio in the face for making him feel rushed. But at least he had been provided a picture and some information
"So I am after a male painter, possibly younger than me or the same age. The target has brown hair with golden highlights. He also works in an art-studio down-town and will leave in an hour, any more information?" Antonio shrugged his shoulders lamely.
"I'll have three other of my trusted family members to go with you. They know where his work is at." Or more like have your goons make sure I do the job, Lovino groaned inwardly; He preferred working alone.
"Where are those three?" Lovino inquired suddenly wanting to finish his assignment as soon as possible. Antonio grinned.
"Impatient are we? Well those three are waiting for you outside the back entrance." Lovino instantly headed for the back but was stopped by Antonio's hand on his shoulder.
"Don't fail me." Antonio said. A serious expression lined his features. Lovino gulped and reluctantly nodded, his stomach was in turmoil. Antonio released his grip and Lovino was relieved to leave. He made himself familiar with the three lackeys. The first one who had introduced himself as Alfred F. Jones was an American with blue eyes and short wheat-coloured hair; He seemed to be younger than Lovino but very forceful. The second one, Wang Yao, was Chinese with brown eyes and brown hair that was tied into a loose ponytail; He had more intelligence and common sense than the other two. And the third one was an albino named Gilbert Beilschmidt. All three were wearing suits similar to the one Lovino currently had on. Soon they found themselves at the art-studio with less than half an hour left before their target was supposed to leave. Since they had time they made a scouting position in a passageway beside it. The quartet waited silently until the Albino pointed out a head that looked like the one in the photo and they began to pursue him; they almost lost sight of the target a few times in the crowded roads. Eventually the victim turned to an abandoned alleyway and we found our chance to strike. The American and Albino went right in to confront the painter, while Lovino and Yao stayed behind in the shadows. Alfred and Gilbert cornered the helpless artist as the alleyway turned out to be a dead end. By the sound of things either the American or Albino made the first strike, hitting the victim in the stomach after making sure we had the right guy.
"Please spare me! I am poor and I have no money. Here I'll give you this painting instead!" The painter begged. The American laughed somewhat maniacally.
"What do we need a dumb painting for? What were after is much simpler." Lovino could hear the two beat him bloody without mercy, only when Yao and Lovino stepped out of the shade did they stop and step back. He looked down at the victim he had already developed bruises and his tan shirt was bloody. His head was slumped against the wall and his breathes were fast and rugged.
"Oi, shouldn't we finish him off quickly?" The Chinese man asked. Lovino shrugged, something didn't feel right and he slightly felt like barfing his guts out. The figure lying on the ground looked familiar to Lovino but he couldn't place who it was. Then the victim looked him straight in the eyes. Suddenly it was too much for him to handle when he saw his little brother crying, with blood smeared on his face.
"Lovi?"