The jars and small tupperware rested on the edge of the concrete balcony, just on the other side of the iron railing, under the lip of the roof to catch the steady stream of water. The rain was coming down in sheets, applauded occasionally by a clap of thunder and flashes of lightning. The sky over the city was dark and fluffy, like a favorite wool blanket, and obscured the rising sun. The city lights, however, continued to twinkle and the sounds of traffic below didn't cease their honking.
The wind from the storm was bitterly cold, whipping his hair and howling in his ears. Shivering, he clutched the edges of the quilt closer to his frame, hoping to shield his bones from the chill. If the containers hadn't been already half-way full of water, Lovino would've worried they would tip off the edge from the brutality.
Behind him, the screen door to the apartment slid open. Another gust of wind caught the scent of coffee and strong creamer, and before the other spoke, Lovino knew which of his brothers had joined him.
"Ve, Lovi, isn't it a bit early to be awake?" Feliciano hummed. The younger of the two approached him from behind, dropping his chin onto Lovino's shoulder to nuzzle into the blanket. This earned a stuttering huff, but there were no other objections. Besides, Lovino was enjoying the warmth of the coffee mug pressed against the small of his back.
"Of course it is, but one of us had to collect the rain."
"I could've done it before I went to class!"
"Hmph, no. The storm will let up by then. You know that lightning water is the best."
It was true. Even though water gathered from the rain was already great for cleansing, they were in need of rain water that held a stronger charge. The ferocity of thunderstorms transmitted powerful energies that could aid them during the most draining spells. Plus, in one of his grimoires (he can't remember which), it said that if hot sauce or crushed peppers were added to the rain, it would change the status to fire water. You never know when you need to cast a warding spell or unleash a curse on someone.
Chuckling, Feliciano pecked his cheek and cooed, "Aww, fratello, you're such a good little witch~"
"Well, out of the three of us, you'd figured one of us ought to be, asshole."
"You're right, you're right~" Feli waved him off, taking a long sip from his mug. His hands were hidden deep within the sleeves of his coat, but even Lovino could see his fingernails tinting purple.
"Alright, I think they're ready to be brought inside. Are you ready?"
Nodding, Feliciano placed his mug on the windowsill and joined his side, lacing their fingers together. Lovino bowed his head, eyes fluttering shut, and he began to submerge himself into the world around him. He focused on the cabs honking at pedestrains underneath them; he concentrated on the white noise of conversations from the buildings neighboring theirs; he listened to the rain as it pattered off windows, overfilled the jars and tupperware, and beat off the roof of their restaurant. He could smell the exhaust of the vehicles, the damp earth of their potted plants, and the grounds of his brother's coffee. He felt the vibrations of the thunder, the shudderings of his brother's chilled body, and the bite of the wind as it lashed against his cheeks.
With a deep inhale, they exhaled as one:
"Sacred Rain, you clean the Earth
My mind, body, soul and hearth,
Cleansing drops fall from above,
Making way for wealth and love,
From sorrow and suffering I am free,
As I will, it shall be."