"Try to smile!" yelled the director. "More… Bigger… Brighter… Come on Lovino!"

"I'm trying!" The little Italian boy fumed, his cheeks turning a crimson red in anger and embarrassment, never having had such a difficult time with the camera before. It really wasn't in his character to sit there, smiling for the camera, as he often worked with higher up fashions, walking alongside beautiful, long limbed models, hair the color of the sun, the color of plums, even the shade of a dark scarlet rose. His agent was really to blame. 'Come out of your comfort zone', was her slogan, and he truly despised that, preferring his pouted out lip and shifting eyes as he would look off into the corner of the camera, taking the perfect shot.

Only 10 years of age, and he was already making quite a statement in the fashion world. A natural beauty; able to pose and take a photo so well at the young age. His talent really unheard of, and even more so that he was often able to do them in only the first few takes, as he rarely took more, wanting to stay as little as possible in the uncomfortable wardrobe he would often wear…

However, this shoot was taking a surprisingly long amount of time.

Already two hours in, and not one shot was usable. A new line of fashion for younger children, of course just as expensive as any Prada bag or Marc Jacobs dress, only those on the higher end of the salary would even dare to enter a shop with the attire.

And there was Lovino, gritting his teeth and crunching his fists. He truly hated the director, though who could blame the man for being so upset. Here he was, promised one of the best Italian child models, having brought clothing worth its weight in gold, his best cameras and crew, lighting, even a journalist who would be taking an interview of Lovino once he finished…

"Just… Think of something funny, like… a man slipping on a banana, or… a clown or something."

Lovino thought for a moment, staring straight with furrowed down eyebrows, a crease completely apparent in his forehead. "Those are stupid. They're not funny."

The director pressed his temples down, massaging them harshly as his skin seemed to turn white to red at the spots he touched. "Okay!" He rang, as he jumped from his seat, pressing down on a small button to his large photographing device. "Take a break everyone… we'll be back in –I don't know– 10 minutes." Really, he was the one who needed to relax. His entire being was on fire, having such a stubborn and un-entertained model in his midst.

Lovino was the same however, having such a demanding and childish director taking control of him. He huffed out angrily, shutting his eyes and falling back to sit on the small stage – a backdrop of a winter wonderland, fake snow and mounds for about 20 feet.

His hands began to pick at the false flakes, the glitter getting all over fingers and nails. "I hate this…" he spoke out quietly, and as he was about to fall backwards into the pile of plastic snowflakes, he heard the faint sound of a hand pounding on the vending machine. Eyes darting over to it at the speed of light, he shot daggers at the little boy, who continued banging his hands on the lone candy machine.

Springing to his feet, he stomped in the $400 boots, the white flakes falling from his as he sped through the small crowd of people. "Feliciano!" His voice was filled with anger and detest towards the little boy.

Feliciano was just as startled as he looked over, his unknowing hands waving to him as if he would be receiving a happy hello. "Fratello! Are you done yet? Can we go ho- Oh!" before he could finish his sentence, the soda he'd paid for fell from the machine, to which he bent down and grabbed it, totally forgetting his brother who was now arm crossed in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing? Mamma said you're supposed to be in the dressing room- no leaving!"

Feliciano let eyes travel to his brother's clothes, his own amber orbs dazzling as he stared to the beautiful outfit. Really, Lovino looked like a prince, even his hair slicked and styled; his eyes, usually olive-green, took on an enticing shade of hazel.

"Are you listening? Go. Back."

"But – But it's boring and I already did my homework! And mamma gave me some euro's to get something to drink!" Feliciano shook his head, as he began to work at the bottle cap, finding it much too strong for his fingers. It would have been a nice way to stand up to his big brother, easily opening his drink and walking away, but it didn't work, and so he reached it out to Lovino, hoping he would open it for him.

"I don't care! You're gonna cause problems or something!" he insisted, completely ignoring the bottle handed to him.

"I won't I swear! Why can't I watch?"

And with that, their yelling battle ensued – well, more so Lovino yelling and Feliciano pleading with him. Having such an upstanding brother, he really just wanted to watch him do his magic for the photographers, himself sitting alone in a director's chair, dangling his legs and giving Lovino thumbs up as he would take shot after shot.

Of course, Lovino knew better. This was his. This was something he wouldn't share with his brother. And if – if he'd been a little quieter in yelling, that dream could have been recognized, but as he was beginning to push Feliciano's shoulders, hoping he would return to his room and not tell there mamma what happened- The director caught sight. His eyes looked over the boy's similar figures, his head tilting and eyebrows crooking up as an idea ensued- One much more perfect than having Lovino's angered self on his set.

"Just… Go wait… for mamma!"

"No! I wanna watch! I'll be really quiet and-"

"No!"

Lovino's eyes were squinted shut as he tried his best to push his brother forward, Feliciano's heels digging into the floor and hoping to halt his brother. Eyes squaring in on the dressing room with Lovino's name written on it, he felt a sudden burst of energy help him push harder, his brother not giving up the fight.

"Hey! Lovino!" – His thoughts were shot, as the familiar director's voice caught his attention easily. Letting go of his brother, Feliciano fell backwards onto the floor, hands barely catching him as he looked as well, the voice new to him.

"I'll be back in a minute. I have to get my brother-"

"So this is your brother? I thought you two looked very similar." A look of astonishment crossed his face, as Feliciano was more than confused, looking between them both for answers. The look on Lovino's face however, was a worried kind.

"Yes. And he was just lea-"The director quickly interrupted his sentence.

"Your name?"

Feliciano took a moment to think, seeing the angered face on Lovino, but decided to reply, "... Feliciano... Vargas…?"

It took no more than a second; the director squatted down, leaning his head down to the little boy. "How would you like to take some photos with your brother? We can get you into some nice new clothes? You can even buy some things, if you do a good job." The way the director's voice rang, it was sneaky, going up and down as he waved his hand in the air as though he held a magic wand.

Feliciano saw it however, and nodded his head in utter excitement. His bangs fell to his face as he began to smile widely, taking the directors hand as he helped him stand to his small feet. "I can take pictures with my brother?" Another sneaky nod, as they both somehow seemed to ignore Lovino…

It was hard to believe. That this was actually happening… That he was losing, again to Feliciano. Why was this always so easy? He just wanted to scratch that dumbfounded smile off his little brother's face- but all he could do was clench his fists, holding in his anger as best he could. Instead of losing his cool, he rationalized it, seeing as Feliciano was too nice, too "cute" to make it in this industry. He wasn't strong willed enough, wouldn't be able to handle how harsh and critical people would be. That thought alone caused Lovino to relax and let out the breath he'd apparently kept in. A Feliciano who'd surely be crying and seeking solace in their mothers arms tonight… That's what he was looking forward to.


Ah my first story on fanfic! I hope you guys enjoy the beginning of some Itacest!

Thank you for being my beta-reader JojoSillyGoose !