Disclaimer:
I don't own Cantarella and I make no money from this or any other
fanfic I write.
Pairing: Chiaro/Cesare
Category:
General
Rating: PG
Warning: Yaoi
Title: Promises
Author:
yellowhorde
This was written for the LiveJournal community,
31days.
Aug 1 : Be indomitable, o my
heart
PROMISES
Cantarella…
Chiaro stirred sleepily, yawned then stretched luxuriously beneath the finest linens money could buy. With a sigh he propped himself up on one elbow, eyelids heavy. Dawn's first golden rays filtered in through the leaves outside the bed chamber's window. He blinked owlishly against the pale sunbeams, knowing he had stayed too long, yet loath to leave the warmth of the bed and Cesare's side.
Last night's wine left a stale taste in his mouth but other then that there seemed to be no other effects despite the large amount he had consumed. Dim recollections of laughter and music flitted through his brain like a long forgotten melody. But other memories remained relatively clear - the taste of Cesare's lips, the scent of his dark hair, the satiny smoothness of his pale skin beneath exploring fingers, and the tight heat of his body.
Again the name of that ancient poison drifted through his sleep addled mind. It was a sweet, mysterious poison that paralyzed its victims… and the first time he had encountered it, or something that had reminded him of it, namely Cesare's blood, the sweet scent of it had almost driven him to distraction, making his head spin and his heart race.
Now, as he lay beside the very human embodiment of that ancient poison, he wondered if he had not been simply reacting to a deep yet unacknowledged attraction. How many times had he faltered and stayed his hand when he had had Cesare at his mercy? Too many times to count, that's for certain. He had assumed that what he felt then was merely compassion and the need to protect. But now he knew better.
Heavy bed linens rustled as Chiaro shifted and turned his attention to Cesare who was still sleeping beside him, dark eyelashes like soot against his pale cheeks. He had heard that people looked younger when they were asleep but had never had the opportunity to see if such a thing was true or not. Now, in the thin light, he carefully studied the sleeping man and saw that it was indeed true. Lost in deep slumber, Cesare's face was so peaceful, calm. It held a certain childlike innocence that he lacked during the waking hours.
Seeing such an expression on his lover's face gladdened his heart and reassured him that Cesare was still human… and not the monster he knew he was slowly becoming.
Gently, Chiaro brushed a stray lock of hair from Cesare's pale brow. A wave of tenderness washed over him so strong he thought he might drown. His throat tightened at the thought of ever hurting him… killing him.
Mercy was a luxury no assassin could easily afford and yet time and time again he had extended this very thing to his one time enemy. Mercy… or what had passed for mercy at the time.
Chiaro leaned over and gently pressed his lips against Cesare's then whispered anew the promise he had made the night Cesare had convinced Lucrezia to accept Giovanni Sforza's marriage proposal.
"If you become too dangerous," he murmured heavily, "I will kill you… just like you asked me too."
He had meant those words at the time they were spoken… but now he didn't know if he would have the strength or heart to carry out his promise.
Only time would tell.
THE END