Title - Love Is For Thieves
Chapter Title - Running Away.
Author - OblivionsGarden
Genre - Romance/Adventure
Disclaimer - I do not own The Thief Lord in any way, shape or form. I only own my original characters and the plot for this fic. (Based off the film not the book.)
A/n - Scip may be a bit ooc in here. Sorry for that.
C.7 Autumn's pov.
I was bored. It had been four days since Hornet and the guys found me and I hadn't left the Star Palace since. Prop wouldn't allow it. I'd given them each a description of Jackson, Allison and Tony so they could keep a look out for them and according to Prop, they were looking for me. I'm not going to lie, in the past four days I'd gotten to know everybody a heck of alot better and even managed to meet Ida and Victor, who came to see what all Bo's fussing was about. Only thing is I like the outdoors and staying in all the time was slowly starting to send me insane, I swear.
So, on this fourth day of confinement, I pulled my notepad from my bag and started to write down a few song lyrics that had been floating around my head this morning.
'I was just trying to be myself, you go your way I'll meet you in hell. It's all these secrets that I shouldn't tell I've got to run away.'
I stared at the page before I pulled my guitar onto my lap and strummed a few chords, trying to find a tune to fit what I was thinking of.
"Didn't know you wrote songs."
I turned and saw Riccio moving to sit in one of the many chairs as he bit down on a larger red apple. I nodded and continued with the guitar.
"My mum taught me." I commented. There were a few minutes of silence before he spoke again.
"What happened to her? Your mum I mean,"
I continued to strum my almost complete tune, avoiding looking at him. "Long story." I shrugged, hating the fact I was lying to someone I'd known for such a short time.
"I'm listening."
"Honestly Riccio, it's a boring story. You don't need to know."
"I won't tell anyone. Prop and Bo are at Ida's with Hornet, Mosca's selling some loot and Scip's at home."
"Why does Scip still go home if he hates his father? Why doesn't he just stay here?" I asked hoping Riccio would forget what he was asking,
He sat back in his seat and put his feet up on the one in front with a shrug. "Dunno. He may be the Thief Lord but part of me thinks he's scared."
"Scared?" I echoed. "Of what?"
"His dad. I presume Scip told you what happened." I nodded. "Did he tell you how we found out he wasn't the thief he told us he was?"
"He just said Prop found out and told you."
"Yeah Prop found out first but I went back to the house. Banging on the door until his dad appeared, dragging Scip behind him."
"Dragging him?" I'd stopped strumming and placed my guitar down now.
"Yeah. His dad insisted that we shut up and leave, shook Scip around a bit and then pushed him back inside and slammed the door. I'd never seen Scip like that before."
"Like what?"
"Like I said. Scared. Made me cry, which is a rarity."
"Where does he live?"
"Why?"
"I want to talk to him."
"You're not allowed out. Not until your foster family have gone."
"Riccio." I fixed him with my best pleading gaze. "Please. I have to talk to him."
"Fine. But if Prop finds out I'm blaming you."
I smiled my thanks and ran up onto the balcony where I slept and pulled out an old cap and hoodie. I wore the hood up over the cap in a hopes to hide my face as we walked through the streets of Venice. Eventually we arrived outside a grand looking house.
"I'll wait over here." Said Riccio shuffling off to sit on the wall. He looked a little scared himself as I raised my fist and knocked. A woman in a maid's uniform answered and started down at me.
"Um, I'm here to see Scippio. I'm a friend." She looked me up and down before nodding once and standing back to let me in.
The gold and white interior took my breath away at it's beauty. I stood in awe, staring around me as the woman disappeared up the stairs, presumably to find Scippio.
"Hornet, how many times must I tell you not to visit me at ho-." Scippio stopped mid-word when he reached the bottom of the stairs and his eyes rested on me. "Storm?" He frowned.
"Hi. I, uh, need to talk to you." I glanced anxiously at the maid who was stood behind Scip, staring at me. "Privately." I added.
Scip glanced at the maid before nodding. He gestured for me to follow him upstairs and through a large white door with golden edging. Inside the room was plain white with a large gold bed frame with crimson red covers in the centre of the far wall.
"Is this your bedroom?" I gasped, unable to stop myself from gawping.
"Yes. What's so urgent you needed to come out of safety and to here?" He was trying to look annoyed but it wasn't working. I could see the anxiety pouring out of him. I took a deep breath and decided to just go for it.
"Are you scared of your dad, Scip?" I caught him off guard. His dark eyes widened and mouth dropped open.
"W-what?"
"I...I was talking to Riccio and he told me what actually happened the night when they found out about this place. He said you looked scared."
He looked speechless for a moment before he stepped back and sat down on his bed. He ran a hand through his hair and rolled the sleeves of his blue jumper up. That was when I actually realized what he was wearing. Black trousers with suit shoes and a blue jumper over a white shirt. Very different to his jeans and converse combo I was used to.
"Yes." He said, finally. "Yes, I am scared of my father." He seemed to be having trouble admitting it, so I silently sat down beside him and let him finish in his own time. "Ever since I can remember, I have never been good enough for him. A mistake he wants to get rid of. Send me to live with my uncle and get his peaceful life back." He brushed his hair back again. "He's never hit me as bad as your foster father but it's always the thought that he would snap. I've had a few bruises her and there but I'm always scared that next time it'll be something more."
"Why do you keep coming back, Scip?"
He paused, staring at his feet before turning his head to look at me with a humorless laugh. "I don't know. I honestly have no idea." He laughed again, louder this time. He kept laughing, until he hung his head, his shoulders shaking. A laugh turned into a choked sob and he swiped a hand at his eyes. I slid a hand across his shoulders until my arm was around him. I pulled him closer into a hug.
"It's OK to cry Scip. It's OK." I whispered until I felt his arms wrap around me and he spilled his tears onto my shoulder.
Eventually he pulled back and wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. I smiled gently at him.
"Sorry. You shouldn't have had to see that."
"It's fine. I'm surprised you kept it in all this time. You're stronger than I am, that's for sure." He smiled a little.
"Thank you, Autumn."
"Anytime." I smiled again as we heard a voice outside the room. A deep, angry sounding, masculine voice.
"Scippio?"
Scip looked panicked for a second as he glanced from the door to me and back again.
"Just a second father." He looked back at me again, wide eyed as he jumped up from the bed. I stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's fine. You'll be fine."
"Scippio, is there someone in there with you?" He didn't wait for an answer, as the door swung open. Scip's father stood tall and red faced in the door frame, still clutching the handle.
"Who are you?"
"Father, this is Au-. Storm. This is Storm." I frowned a little when he used my nickname but knew better than to ask right now.
"And what is Storm doing in your room. What were you up to?" He said my name as if he had a horrible taste on his tongue. Scippio reddened a little at his father's suggestive question.
"Oh, nothing like that sir. I just came to ask Scippio's advice on something, is all." I put on my best suck-up voice I could muster, knowing this was the man that scared Scip.
"Advice on what?"
"I have an Aunt you see, that lives in England and mother thinks I should go and stay for a while. I couldn't decide and thought I'd ask Scippio what he thought."
"Right then." He looked a little put out that he had nothing to yell at his son about as he straightened up. "Well, I think it sounds like a great idea. Leaving the country and all. Now off you go, little girl. I need to talk to my son."
I glanced at Scippio who smiled stiffly. "I'll see you soon." He mumbled and I reluctantly left the room. The door was shut behind me, silence following. I marched on the spot, gradually making my steps lighter before stopping completely. I knew Scip's father was listening until I was gone, it was so obvious. Jackson had done it multiple times when he was waiting until Allison had gone so he could he me again.
"Scippio, how many times do I have to tell you I don't want your dirty urchin friends here." Scippio mumbled something but I couldn't hear him through the door.
"What did you say?" Demanded his father.
"I said, they're not dirty urchins."
"Do not back chat me, young man." There was a pause before a heard someone take a deep breath.
"I will do whatever I want to do, father. I am seventeen years old, nearly eighteen. I am not a child any more and I won't let you push me around as if I were."
I grinned like a fool, having to clasp a hand over my mouth before I made a noise. There was a grunt of displeasure from his father and the sound of moving feet.
"You won't hit me anymore either." Came Scippio's voice. "I'm leaving father. I'll come back sometime for my things perhaps, but I wouldn't count on it." The door swung open before I had time to hide. I was still bent slightly with me ear against where the door once was.
"Autumn?" I stood up to look Scippio in the eye.
"Uh..hi." He chuckled and grabbed my hand.
"Run." He said before pulling me along with him along the hall, down the stairs and through the front door. As we ran down the road, I called out.
"Riccio! Run!"
I heard his footsteps join ours as we ran through the streets, Scippio's laughter filling the air all the way back to the Stella. And what a glorious sound it was.