A Rose of Passion

He's not like you

"So? How did it go? Did you make up?"

"Si! João said he still couldn't forgive me but at least now we talk to each other!"

"That's good."

"I'm so happyyyy! Grazias Arthur!" Antonio said as he hugged his blushing pupil. Arthur inwardly wanted to push him off but he felt his teacher needed support right now so he let the Spaniard hug him for a bit before pulling away. Besides, it wasn't so bad to be hugged by Antonio. Arthur actually enjoyed it although he wouldn't admit it.

"So what do we do now?" he asked to change subject.

"João said he would show us around town, right João?"

"Si. Since I'm not getting rid of you until a couple of days, might as well make your stay worthwhile."

"Grazias hermano! Te amo!" Antonio cheered, making João grunt. Out of politeness, Arthur switched to Spanish to speak with João.

"Thank you Mr Carriedo. That's very kind of you."

João got a bit surprised by the formality. It was strange and unusual but … not unpleasant. He eyed Arthur attentively. He really didn't understand why Antonio had fallen for the boy since he wasn't at all like the usual type of person Antonio likes. Then again, the usual type only ever lasted two weeks at most! And that Kirkland kid wasn't an unpleasant company!

"You're welcome …" the Portuguese mumbled back.

He toured the other two around the city and by dinner time, they headed to a restaurant. They parted after dinner with an invitation of João to have dinner at his place the next day. Antonio was beaming like an idiot. Everything was going smoothly and Arthur felt happy for his teacher. He really much preferred seeing Antonio smile than cry. It made his heart feel lighter.

The next day went just as well. Arthur and Antonio had hung around town, bought souvenirs and enjoyed each other's company. They both headed to João's with grinning faces and the Spaniard noticed how Arthur's pale face was lightly flushed from all the excitement of the day. His rosy cheeks really made him look cute. Antonio was really happy at how things were going. He had made up with João and was now enjoying some private time with his beloved pupil! Everything was perfect!

When João answered the door he heard the loud laugh of his brother after Arthur had told him a joke. Those two seemed to really get along well. He smiled politely to them but his brother had other plans and literally jumped on him to hug him tightly. Arthur just courteously shook hands and João almost wished Arthur had been the one to hug him instead of his idiotic brother.

The dinner went well. Soon, they were all feeling a bit tipsy from their one too many drinks of wine and moved to the sofas in the living room. Antonio fell asleep on the length of one of them while Arthur, who seemed to be the most sober of them all, sat down in the one next to his teacher. He heard João in the kitchen, cleaning and tidying up and decided to help. It was the least he could do for such an enjoyable evening. He went over and knocked softly on the kitchen door. João looked up in surprise at his guest.

"Can I help you with anything?" Arthur offered.

João smirked inwardly. He had planned to get alone with the blond eventually, just not as quickly. This was a good opportunity!

"Please. I'm just finishing putting the dishes in the washing machine. If you could pass me the remaining plates?"

Arthur nodded before obliging. The second they were finished clearing everything away, João grabbed Arthur's wrist and pulled him against the kitchen counter, his other hand holding the blonde's waist. Arthur was caught by surprise and before he knew it, João's lips were pinned on his. Arthur felt his face warm up to several degrees and tried pulling away but the other's grip tightened.

The kiss was long and passionate. João almost seemed like a hungry wolf, devouring Arthur's lips. He hadn't expected the boy to taste so … sweet! He really was being turned on! Arthur could struggle all he wanted, it didn't matter. Right now, João's mind was solely focused on those pink, sweet lips.

When they finally broke apart, Arthur struggled to catch his breath while glaring at his host. He may be Antonio's brother but that was no excuse! He was going to seriously hurt the bastard for what he did! Well, if he was given a chance. João was already leaning in again, his eyes shining with lust, hunger and impatience. He was admiring the flushed face of his victim. An amused smile passed on his lips as he saw Arthur's dark glare. The boy looked so damn hot just now! No wonder Antonio had fallen for him! João's hand was slowly stroking Arthur's hip, feeling and appreciating the boy's body, while the other hand had moved up to his chest, pushing the boy backwards and forcing him down against the counter. João kissed his victim once again but this time a chaste kiss, his lips slowly moved down along his neck, dropping kisses and licks, until it reached the collar bone. God, he tasted so good! João wasn't bothered in the least by Arthur's growls or swears. A bit surprised by how many insults came flooding out of his mouth but it was quite amusing and enjoyable.

"Get the fuck off me! I swear I'll hurt you!" Arthur threatened in a dark growl. João chuckled.

"Do your worst!"

Arthur's fist was about to make contact with the bastard's stomach but he got interrupted by the sudden touch of João's hand underneath his shirt and up his chest. He felt the man's fingers feel him and play with his nipples. Arthur hated to admit it but he was half enjoying this. He held back a moan and tried to focus back on beating up the Portuguese.

João was now unbuttoning the boy's shirt and admired his body. He was well built. It was different from him and his brother but none the less desirable. João eagerly pressed his lips on Arthur's chest, letting his tongue trail down. He smirked at feeling Arthur tremble. His hand was still maintaining him with a firm grip on the shoulder while the other was making its way downwards.

When Arthur felt João's hand grope his ass, inside his boxer, his eyes flashed and he finally felt his body obey him. He threw a knee kick on the other man's balls. João gasped of pain and surprise. But Arthur's wasn't done. He punched him twice in the face (once on each cheek) and gave a final blow to the stomach. He would normally have done worse but it still was Antonio's brother. Wait. Why did he care about that?

João dropped to his knees, cursing in his breath. He didn't think Arthur would react so violently. Maybe he went too fast? Or maybe the boy wasn't drunk enough? Or maybe …

João looked up at the enraged expression on the Englishman's face. God … why is he so gorgeous? It makes it impossible for João to feel angry for getting beaten up like that. All he wanted was to jump back on the blond and finish what he had started. However, he knew the risk and Arthur's imposing and threatening glare was very dissuasive.

"Why did you do that?" Arthur asked his voice leaking with a venomous rage.

"… I felt like it. I wanted you. And I wanted revenge."

"Explain." The order was clear and simple. It made João shiver.

"You're hot."

Arthur blushed despite his already very flushed face.

"You're hot and I wanted you. I also wanted to make my brother feel the same pain he caused me. I didn't want to hurt you, just make him pay. I wanted to steal you from him and make you my own. It helps that I really feel attracted to you." João finished explaining.

Now Arthur didn't know if he was blushing of embarrassment or flattery or humiliation. But what he felt the most vividly was his deep rage. He was angry that João was planning to use him to hurt Antonio especially after all the efforts Antonio had put to make up with him! And he wanted to ruin everything! 'Make him his own'? He wasn't some fucking property and he didn't belong to anyone! Nobody fucked him around!

"I am not yours to claim, bastard! I'm not some damn fucking object! I only belong to myself!"

João eyed him almost pensively.

"So … you didn't enjoy this?"

"Damn right I didn't!"

"Would it have been better with Antonio?"

Arthur was at lost for words. What the hell was he implying? Antonio? Antonio had nothing to do with this! Antonio's his teacher and his friend! He wouldn't possibly and hadn't even considered having such a relation with him! Sure he liked Antonio … very much. But that was only friendly! He didn't have any other back thoughts about this! Okay, he had a hot body and often Arthur felt his eyes drift off and gaze at his teacher during class but it meant nothing!

Arthur hesitated under João's questioning look.

"Antonio has nothing to do with this. Don't bring him up as you please! And he made all those efforts to apologise and make up with you! He cares about you and deeply loves you! Why would you want to hurt him? Even if you still feel sour, there's no reason for revenge! It was you're bloody boyfriend who cheated on you! Antonio didn't know you were still together! He felt so guilty about it! Fuck it! He was crying! He was crying because you wouldn't answer him back! He constantly blamed himself and despite that managed to smile every fucking day! He hated himself for what he had done! How could you not see how sincere he is? How could you do that when he finally has the courage to apologise face to face? He's your brother! I don't care if it's the wine that's making you delirious or that you're blood related! I won't let anyone make Antonio cry like he did then! I won't let you use me to hurt him!" Arthur yelled.

João didn't seem disturbed. Instead, he looked annoyed and was staring at Arthur with wishful eyes.

"I see … You like him a lot."

Arthur didn't think he could blush more but he did. Yes, he did care about his teacher and more than in a teacher / pupil kind of way. Antonio was … a friend … just a friend.

"I didn't want to upset you. I honestly fancy you, I wasn't lying. I just thought I could take you away from my brother. Why is he always the one people like? Why is he so popular? And he doesn't even care about all the attention he gets! He gets bored of his relationships! Why does he still attract people? We're twins! We're the same! I should be loved like he is but he's always the one people prefer! Even my boyfriend leaves me for my brother! And I can't even take you away! Why?"

João was crying now. Arthur's rage calmed a bit down but was still quite vivid.

"You're twins, that's true. But you're not the same."

João looked up into the bright emerald orbs above him.

"You may be physically identical but you're personalities couldn't be any more different! He's not like you. Antonio would never have done what you just did."

João laughed softly under Arthur's glare. No, his brother wouldn't have done that …

"He would have done worse." João explained knowingly. "If I took away what he cared for the most … he would have killed me without a second thought."

Both stared at each other. Arthur knew that João wasn't lying but he just couldn't imagine Antonio hurting anyone. Antonio was so sweet and friendly … and sexy and funny and cute and ... Arthur shook his head and leaned closer to João.

"He's not like you. I trust him."

João's eyes filled themselves with sadness, regret and also envy. He was envious of his brother. He clearly understood why Arthur attracted him so much and he couldn't help but be jealous. He felt jealous of Arthur's loyalty and trust in someone he knew never to have had a decent relationship before. He really wanted to kiss the blond but those emerald eyes seemed to paralyse him. He felt ashamed and sad for what he had done.

"My brother is lucky to have found someone like you."

Arthur's eyes widened. That wasn't something people tend to tell him. Usually, he would get into trouble from fighting or being a bit reckless (not as much as his brothers but still enough). He also was socially difficult since he had a tendency to swear a lot and always spoke sarcastically which for some reason offended other people. His moody personality made him hard to deal with. He cherished the few friends that accepted him and Antonio was a very dear friend.

"I should be the one feeling lucky. I'm not the best friend to have."

"No, maybe not. But you're the best lover to have."

Arthur's face which had just recovered from its various shades of red from before was now back to deep crimson instantly.

"Lo – lover? What are you suggesting?"

"That my brother is very lucky and I wish I was him."

João's hand caressed Arthur's face gently. Arthur didn't move. He felt João wouldn't try anything weird again so he allowed him this much.

"I really wish I was as lucky as him. I feel so jealous yet I still can't hate him. And I can't hate the fact that you stopped me. In fact, I'm almost thankful. Thank you, Arthur."

Arthur nodded slowly. He wasn't really sure what João was talking about but decided best not to ask. João smiled. He really felt grateful for not having gone through with his original plan.

"Antonio … is very lucky. You'll take care of him for me, won't you?"

Arthur didn't understand but nodded nonetheless.

"I'll take better of him care than you ever would!"

"You probably will. I think you don't value yourself enough, Arthur. You said you weren't a good friend … I think, you're wrong. And I think more people care for you than you think. Starting with that silly Antonio who cares more than the others."

"We're just friends and Antonio's my teacher …"

"He is until you graduate at the end of this school year. What then?"

"I … I don't know …"

"You care a lot for him too. I'm glad."

Before Arthur could respond, both heard a sleepy Antonio moan in his sleep. He called Arthur's name in such a panicked voice that it made the person in question jump in worry. Arthur was about to rush to his teacher's side when João stopped him.

"You still haven't answered my question."

"What question?"

"Would it have been better with Antonio?"

It took a few minutes for Arthur to answer and with a bright red face he mumbled:

"I wouldn't know, would I?" And rushed to a moaning Antonio.

João stayed seated on the kitchen floor. He heard Arthur comfort his sleeping brother. How this idiot had managed not to wake up with all the ruckus they had caused was beyond him!

"He wouldn't know … that was a very considerate thing to say, Arthur. You could have just been honest and said yes. I was right … Antonio is really lucky."

The night ended as Arthur was taking Antonio back to the hotel in a taxi. He had forgiven João but swore that the next time he tried that, he wouldn't go as easy as he did on him. João laughed and promised he'd behave. He smiled sadly as the blond led his yawning brother to the taxi car. He really wished he was his brother just now but Arthur was right: He wasn't him. And never will be.