Pretend

Back to back we stood.

Surrounded by a circle of enemies hungry for blood.

Our blood.

Slash.

Stab.

I drove my blade into every gap in their armors I could see.

My blade sank into warm flesh.

Blood splattered everywhere.

I simply blinked the redness away and continued fighting.

Dodge.

Block.

The stench of death was overwhelming.

I pushed down the urge to curl into a ball and cry, and continued fighting.

I couldn't afford to be distracted.

Distractions meant death.

Kick.

Punch.

I didn't know how long we fought.

It felt like hours, but finally it was over.

They were all dead.

That battle changed us.

Feliciano pretended to be a crybaby.

He thought that if others saw him weak, they would not attack.

They still came.

Before, they attacked because we were strong.

An opponent worth fighting.

Now, they attacked simply because they could.

Because we had everything they wanted and we were too weak to defend against their invasions.

Because we were happy and they were not.

During world war 2, I thought Feliciano would become the warrior he was again.

He surrendered.

It hurt to betray my friends, he told me afterwards, but I don't want to fight anymore. So much blood spilled, and for what?

So I pretended.

I suffered their taunts and attacks and did nothing, when I could have felled them where they stood.

I used words instead of blades.

I spat insults and cruel words.

But I never fought.

Because fratello wanted me to pretend to be weak.

So I did.

When the wars were over, everyone loved Feli.

So good at everything, they said.

So obedient and kind.

Not like his brother.

I could never be like Feli.

While Feli was sweet, I was bitter.

While Feli was always happy, I was always angry.

Feli would do anything for anyone.

I would not.

I am bitter.

I am cruel.

I am always angry.

Others didn't dare violate Feli because of me.

His angry brother.

I pretended to be hateful so others wouldn't harm Feli.

I would be Romano Vargas, personification of south Italy.

The hateful twin brother of Veneziano.

It didn't matter that they hated me.

As long as Feli was safe and happy, I am content.

For my brother, I would pretend.

Someone suggested I write angsty Romano and veneziano, so here it is! Hope you like it.