Disclaimer: I don't own any APH characters, and for this story, I don't own Alejandro either.
Warnings:
Swearing, blood, OC's (won't be major), Character Death (OC Deaths really), suicide (Again...OC's), possible OOC-ness but I try not to! AU
Full Summary: Lovino and Feliciano were orphaned when they witnessed their parents murder on a cruise. Now, a year later, certain events begin to happen to them, and dark secrets about their family emerge. But really, who can they trust?
A/N: Damn, I really can't write summaries can I? Hopefully, my story will make up for it! For now, this has no pairings, and is mainly based on Italy and Romano, bromance I guess, but not Itacest. Okay, this AU is sort of Mafia, and hopefully, you'll get it next chapter because it'll be explained there instead!
Enjoy! :)
Prologue
"... And remember to be polite!"
Lovino scowled as his mother reached over to fix his crimson tie. He could do it himself, damnit! Sometimes he wished his parents would just leave him alone.
"Ve~! Fratello looks nice!" Feliciano commented from the side, waiting for their mother, Rosa, to finish brushing up Lovino. He was dressed in a white dress shirt, with a matching white suit and a baby blue tie.
The only response that Lovino gave was a dark glare. Like his younger brother, he too was wearing a white dress shirt. However, he was clad in a ebony tuxedo and crimson tie. Honestly, he'd much rather he had his straight leg dark jeans and his leather jacker. The fifteen year old, was not amused.
"Lovino, you know this is a formal ball. Besides, there will be a lot of pretty girls there and you want to make a good impression!" Rosa lectured, "these girls are all very respectable and come from high families! And you are both very handsome boys!"
A deep chuckle came from the doorway of their bedroom.
All three occupents of the room glanced at the intruder.
Claudio Vargas, stood in a dark suit, with his arms crossed, chocolate eyes glowing mischievously. Feliciano would have been the spitting image of him, excluding the hair. Whilst both Lovino and Feliciano both had more tame hair, which at times was slightly curly like their mother's (and their strange hair curls which stuck out), Claudio had messy auburn hair. Lovino seemed to take after their mother more, both of them having darker hair and hazel eyes...not to mention the temper at times, but Rosa had learnt to control hers after a while.
"Ah, how handsome you boys look! Well, you are my sons after all!" Clauduo exclaimed as he strode ove to his two teenage sons.
"Thank God they didn't inherit your ego." Rosa muttered, straightening herself up and patting down her dress.
"You look beautiful, my dear."
Rosa blushed deeply as Feliciano giggled. Lovino scowled at the public displays of affection that their parents were showing. Sure, they were Italian, and Italians were the best lovers, but did they really have to do it in front of their kids?
Claudio brushed a piece of stray hair off of Rosa's face. She swatted his hand gently away and smiled towards him before turning back to the boys. She was wearing a royal purple, strapless dress with elaborate golden patterns which danced across the waistline. Checking over herself and her family once more before clapping her hands together.
"Right! All ready? Let's go!" Rosa grabbed Feliciano's hand and gently lead him out of the bedroom. "We don't want the boys to be late for their Young Persons Ball. There are two girls, Monika and Stella who we would like you to meet!"
Lovino scowled at the thought of their parents setting them up on blind dates. At least they would be pretty right?
"Cara, would you mind taking Feliciano first? I need to talk to Lovino...in private."
Chocolate eyes shifted instantly to his older son, who stiffened. Great. What had he done now?
Rosa raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. She nodded and ushered Feliciano out of the room, as the young Italian made little "Ve~" noises, excited to meet some girls.
Once they were out of the room, Claudio went over to sit on the bed, patting the space next to him, indicating he wanted Lovino to sit next to him. Keeping the frown upon his face, Lovino plopped down on the bed. Claudio took a deep breath before starting.
"I know I'm a couple of days late, and I haven't even given Feliciano his present yet," Lovino seemed to perk up at this revalation, but waited silently for his father to continue, "but I felt like you should have it tonight." He explained.
Claudio reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewellery box. Lovino scowled, thinking about how feminine it looked. He was a man, damnit! His father noted this reaction and smiled softly. He handed over the small velvet box and pressed it into Lovino's hand.
Cautiously, Lovino traced the lining of the box before lifting it up slowly. He resisted the gasp which threatened to escape as he regarded the object within.
A photo locket.
However, it was not an ordinary one which could be bought at any random store. No. This was custom-made. How could he tell?
The Vargas family was rich for two main reasons. One, their family had a history of dealing with international relations, which was the reason they were on this cruise ship anyway. Two, the Vargas diamonds. They were not the normal colourless diamonds that glisten in the light which everyone craved to have. No. These diamonds could be in any colour and were cut by the most talented hands. At the top of the silver rectangular locket, sat a single sparkling diamond of green.
Lovino's favourite colour.
Clicking it open, he realised that his father had already placed two photos within the locket. On the left, was a picture of their parents, smiling brightly up at him whilst on the right, it was him and his brother. The picture had been taken, perhaps a year ago during their summer holiday in Spain. Lovino wore a small smile whilst Feliciano had one arm hanging around his shoulder, a bright grin upon his face. He smiled at the memory.
Moreover, when Lovino lifted the locket closer to his face, he realised that there was something engraved in an elegant script. One word on each side which made a statement.
Vargas Famiglia.
"Happy Belated Birthday, Lovino" Claudio smiled. Lovino seemed to snap back into reality as he blinked whilst his cheeks rapidly turned red.
"G-grazie papa." Claudio chuckled.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. Turn around and I'll help put it on you."
Lovino complied and let his father place the locket around his neck.
Perhaps tonight wouldn't he so bad after all.
"...And father also wants me to marry a rich man with good judgement. He wants me to carry on with our business of course, but he would also like to have descendents to pass down our name."
Hell.
That was the only way that Lovino could describe wht this experience was like. He supported himself with his head on his arm as he nodded at various different timings.
The young girl sitting across the table from him, was rambling about her life, occasionally flicking her curly chocolate hair behind her. What was her name...Monika? Or was this Stella? It didn't matter. She bored him and her voice was irritating anyway.
His hazel eyes quickly flickered towards the side to glance at what his brother was doing.
Snorting quietly, he spied that Feliciano seemed to be having a good time as he rambled on about something to the blonde opposite. It was probably pasta.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Monika snapped her fingers in front of Lovino's face.
"C-cosa? O-oh! Si!" He realised that the four of them had now finished their meal and that the orchestra was starting to play a waltz.
Lovino tapped his brother lightly on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Both Monika and Stella wore confused looks upon their faces. The two boys got up and walked round the table, holding out a hand in offer.
"Would you care to dance?" They asked simultaneously.
Both girls blinked in surprise but got up anyway. One by one, other couples started to make their way to the dance floor as soon as they saw the two Italians lead. Within a couple od minutes, the ballroom was filled with people dancing and twirling happily to the delightful music.
"Lovino, I'm thirsty. Get me a drink." Monika demanded, adding a shrill giggle at the end. "Get one for Stella as well will you dear?"
Lovino resisted the urge to gag as he heard her sickly sweet voice. Damnit, she was only average looking! His brother always got the better girls too as Stella actually looked charming.
However, he nodded, leaving Monika at their dining table so that he would be able to grab them some drinks as the orchestra began to end their piece.
Lovino poured two drinks as he observed the grand ball room. The orchestra, all clad in a matching black uniform were on the stage coming to the end of the song. The chaperone Ms. Ammirati was a short lady with auburn hair, quite round and had a voice that sounded like cats screeching whilst scratching their claws on a chalkboard. The blur of colours as people danced their final steps. As the music came to an end, the unexpected happened.
An explosion sounded.
Panic erupted throughout the ballroom of the private ship, as the girls screamed desprately, hiding behind the boys. Annoyingly enough, Lovino found that Monika had somehow found her way to him, and was now clinging onto his arm, tears running down her face.
Ms. Ammirati clambered on the stage and snatched up the microphone.
"Young Ladies and Gentlemen. Please remain calm and go back to your rooms with your parents. Please do not panic and remain calm. You shall be escorted by the ushers at the doors. I hope you have had a good night, and please do not worry."
After her speech, she ran off in the direction of the explosion; the same direction as the Vargas' room.
Instantly, people began to rush back towards their rooms. Thinking quickly, Lovino shook Monika off himself and ran to find his brother.
"Ve~! Fratello, I'm scared!" Feliciano wimpered. Lovino squeezed his brother's hand in an attempt to comfort him.
"Come on, we need to get back." Lovino encouraged as they ran in the same way as Ms. Ammiratihad moments ago, their hearts beating in fear.
A few shots rang out throughout the corridor that they were heading towards, but Lovino would not allow that to stop him. He had to get Feliciano safe.
A sharp gasp that escaped caught Lovino's attention, causing him to skid to a hault. Hazel eyes turned to his brother, wondering what had caused him to stop.
"Fr-fratello! Look!"
"What is it, Fel-"
Lovino stopped his sentence as he spied what had spooked his brother.
Lying to the side of the corridor was Ms. Ammirati, with a single gunshot through her head. The blood was still fresh and trickled down her face, eyes glassy and dull. The look of pure fear was still ectched upon her face. He shuddered at the sight.
A scream.
A shot.
The piercing sound brought Lovino back to reality. If this had happened, then what would have happened to their parents? He really didn't want to think about it.
Grabbing Feliciano's wrist, the two boys sprinted towards their room, slamming their door open. They were met with the sight of a sandy haired man, who had their father pinned against the wall, one hand round his neck, the other gripping a pistol. Claudio had a trails of blood trickling down from his forehead and the edge of his mouth.
"Mama!"
Feliciano began running towards where Rosa lay at the feet of the mystery man, lifeless as a plethora of blood began to form around her.
The man scowled as Feliciano approached, grabbing and lifting him in the air and throwing him against a wall, effectively knocking him unconscious.
"Tch. What a brat." He muttered. Lovino glared at the man. He wanted to run, but he couldn't just leave his family like that! But he was frozen, unable to do anything.
Useless.
"L-let me go, Alejandro." Claudio choked out, attempting to pry the fingers off of his neck. "I know you don't want to!" Alejandro visibly hesitated, but kepy his grip.
"I-I have to do this! It's my final assignment!" The sandy-haired man stuttered through his tears. "T-they'll kill my son! Like they did to my..." his sentence was cut off as Claudio kicked him away before withdrawing a pistol.
The man, Alejandro, sprang up from the ground and grabbed Lovino into a headlock. Lovino's eyes widened and he wimpered when he felt the cool metal of the gun press against his forehead. Tears prickled at his eyes as he saw the panic on his father's face. What if he wasn't able to get to him in time?
Growling, Alejandro only tightened his grip on Lovino and raised the hand with the pistol. Lovino struggled against the grip, wriggling around; he had to get out!
"Stay away from imy/i son!" Claudio exclaimed, ready to shoot. Lovino stared as he watched his father run towards them; he was desperate to at least save his son. Alejandro's eyes narrowed as he twisted his wrist so that the gun was now pointing at Claudio.
"Lo siento, mi amigo." Alejandro whispered through his tears...
...and pulled the trigger.
"PAPA!"
As if in slow-motion, the bullet sliced through the air, going in silver and out the back of the skull covered in a disgusting burgandy blood. Claudio's chocolate eyes had tears in them as he stared straight at Lovino with his lifeless orbs.
Lovino wanted to scream. He wanted to hit the man who had just murdered his parents. He wanted to kill him.
"They're...coming for me now."
Alejandro whispered to himself, no longer holding the child in his grip, giving Lovino a chance to free himself. The instant he did, he scrambled over to his father's body. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he reached up to grip the locket. Snapping his head up, he saw the sandy hair man stare at him with deep emerald eyes. He even had the nerve to smile at him! That bastard!
But...why was he pointing the gun at himself? Realization hit Romano and he was about to scream again, when Alejandro held up a hand to silence him.
"Run."
And shot himself.
Lovino looked down, replaying the memory hundreds of times in his head. It had only been about a week ago, and it gave him constant nightmares; the man with the crazy green eyes haunted him. He had killed his parents.
The thought of it still hadn't fully sunk into his head.
Now, Lovino stood side by side with his brother in an orphanage. Although they had only been there for a couple of days, they were already being adopted by a couple of Dutch siblings. Ordinarily, they would have gone into their Grandfather's care, however, no one had been able to trace him down for quite a few years now. The last time that he had seen him, was when Feliciano had been about six.
"This is Bella and Lars Van der Meer. They've decided they want to adopt you." The young woman who ran the orphanage smiled. In front of the Italian brothers, stood a young girl with short blond hair, held up by a simple red ribbon and a stern looking man with hair that defied gravity.
"Aw! How cute!" Bella cooed towards Lovino, bending down slightly to pat his head, causing the young Italian to blush. His brother giggled. "Lars, look how cute this one is!"
"Ch-chigi!"
"Ah~! Aren't they sweet?" Bella continued to fawn over the shorter boy and pulled both younger boys into a hug as her older brother looked slightly awkward
"B-bella, he's not a puppy..." Lars stated, trying to pry his sister off of the young boys.
"I'm Bella, and this is my big brother Lars! I'm eighteen and he's twenty-two! We're going to be like your big brother and sister!"
"Introduce yourselves boys." The woman urged.
"Ciao~. My name is Feliciano Vargas! And this is my big brother L-"
"Romano."
Lovino cut him off. Feliciano shot Lovino a sideways look of shock, which was only returned with a glare that silenced him. This was a chance to start a new life. He would no longer be the little useless boy he was before. He would get his revenge. He would start a new life from now.
As Romano.
Cara - Dear
First of all, YAY! I did it XD
Second, I'd like to apologise to anyone who is called Monika/Monica or Stella! I really hope I didn't offend you! :(
Yeah, I wanted to wait a little longer to get this up, but oh well! Yeah, what can I say about this chapter, I had fun writing it I guess, but really, this story is just like...a background thing for the next story, but it's important I guess. Confused about anything (other than the obvious "Why did he do it?" thing)
So, what do you think? Like it or hate it? What can I do to improve? I'll accept constructive criticism, but please, no flames?
Oh yeah, Happy Halloween! :D
Damn, it's like..1:26am
Goodnight!
Next chapter: The First Attack
Hm, it should be out in a couple of days, I've already started it after all XD And I'm on half term ^.^
~ML
