Urg I ran out of medicine and I KNOW my stomach is going to beat the living hell out of me if I don't get my omeprazole soon! D: Somebody help meeee….
Also, sorry for the late update. My computer was taken away from me, and the only access to the internet I had was through my DS, so I couldn't even write the next chapter.
This is a shout to my best-est buddy ever, because I know he reads this. Jerk doesn't review, though. Ass.
The computer whirred lazily, and the bright screen burned into Ludwig's tired eyes. He kept his promise with Veneziano and hadn't gone out on patrol or to arrest anyone since he was released from the hospital three days ago. However, since he hadn't been using his energy kicking doors open, tackling criminals and wasting his adrenaline in high-speed car chases to pull over drunken idiots who thought they were suddenly driving in Britain, Ludwig started staying extra-late at work, researching his most recent interest.
Antonio Fernandez Carriedo.
That man was harder to track than himself, and he spent years tracking himself down. Emigrated legally from Spain, worked in various fast-food and clothing stores, then, just in a month, he disappears. The apartment complex he was staying in didn't file his leaving, but there were no records of rent being paid either. His job said he quit, but no one else seemed to have hired him. However, he must've had some kind of income, since in just a year, he was able to buy a rather pricey house. He was hired by a small business, then. Still, it was a bit strange that he had such an influx of money, even if he was working for a business.
Ludwig rubbed his temples, trying to rid himself of the upcoming headache. He knew there was something wrong with Antonio, he just couldn't figure out what. The blond leaned back in his chair, looking at his computer screen in distaste, wishing it would just show the answer. Then, his hp made a noise he never heard it make before.
Ping.
The German blinked, then leaned forward, spying a little black box that he couldn't exit out of. He growled a little, about to kill the power when green text appeared. He sat up again, watching the screen as a message was typed out.
"I know you are researching Antonio. I can see your screen. Delete your history."
Ludwig was shocked and he didn't move. He didn't delete his history, and more text appeared.
"I told you to delete your history! I can see your screen, now do it!"
Ludwig looked around his room, paranoia creeping into his skull. He complied with the mysterious, Matrix-like text and deleted his history. When all of his browsing was gone, he realized what he just did. Now he couldn't go back and re-read what he found out on Antonio. Of course, he could search for it again, but it was tiring and annoying work. He was about to yell at the screen, but the text came back.
"Don't get mad. I made you do it for a reason."
Ludwig frowned, grabbing his stress-ball in the shape of a cube. As he choked the ball with his bone-crushing grip, the text kept coming.
"What I'm about to tell you is dangerous information."
"Do not write it down."
"Do not tell anyone else."
"Do not record yourself reading it aloud."
"This information is dangerous for you."
"Not for me."
"You will thank me for this later."
"First:"
"Romano is innocent."
"Second:"
"Matthew is as innocent as Romano is. He was forced into this."
"Third:"
"Antonio Fernandez Carriedo is a very dangerous man. If he wants you gone, he will make you disappear without lifting a finger. The rest of his employees have been forced into this, however, they are guilty of crimes of their own."
Ludwig's hands were itching for a pen and paper, but he still felt like the man was watching him closely, and was afraid that he would stop giving him information if he went against his demands. He wasn't sure if he was able to type back, but then he remembered that the man could see his screen. He leaned forward, grabbing his mouse and rolling it over to notepad.
"What're you doing?"
"Stop that. Don't write this down. I can see your screen, so stop it!"
Ludwig ignored the text, and started typing a response.
"Who are you?" The German typed, quickly so the mysterious person wouldn't run away.
"That's personal business."
"It's not like you're going to let me tell anyone."
"I guess you have a point."
Ludwig waited for a minute, then two. He frowned, rubbing his hands together and he typed again.
"Your name?"
"Give me a minute! I'm thinking!"
"Of a name?"
"No! I'm thinking if I should tell you that information!"
"Just tell me."
"Do you want this information or not?"
"Yes"
"Then stop pestering me and let me give it to you."
"I want your name too."
Ludwig bit his lip when the person didn't reply. He started squeezing the stress ball again, hoping the guy wasn't scared off.
"Francis Bonnefoy."
Ludwig's eyes widened, and he dropped the cube, leaning forward and using both hands to type quickly.
"Francis is dead. He died in-"
"France, in the backyard of the 'murderer'. Actually, the body was just a double I got from the mortuary. Looked just like me."
"You can't be Francis." Ludwig typed furiously, upset that whoever this guy was could just type that so simply.
"I can and I can prove it!"
"Oh really?"
"Je le prouve. I have long wavy blond hair that looks glamorous on me because I am the most handsome man on the Earth. One time, when I went over to your house before Veneziano moved in with you, we both did something we weren't proud of."
"I still think you are lying."
"Fine. When I had gone over to your house, I brought up the idea of contacting the dead to try and find that boy Rome you were so eager to locate, and we had to sacrifice a virgin so we could reach the spirits beyond the grave."
"And we couldn't find a virgin so we used a blow-up doll from your place and put a pig's heart in it!"
"Then we 'sacrificed' the thing, and only a few minutes later your house was broken into!"
Ludwig laughed throatily, remembering that night as he and Francis huddled in the very small closet as some thief rummaged through Ludwig's things, making them think the house was temporarily haunted. He shook his head a little, then ran his fingers through his hair, thinking how great it was that Francis was actually alive.
"Wait…. Why did you pretend to kill yourself?"
"I was forced into working for Antonio. However, he recently 'hired' a particular person that I knew I would no longer be able to work with. I needed to tell someone, but I knew that Antonio would be able to find out who did. So, this is my last resort."
"You made a lot of people sad. But I appreciate your sacrifice."
"Merci."
"I have one last thing to tell you, Ludwig."
"Antonio needs to be arrested soon. He is a dangerous criminal, and if he is not arrested, something very bad will happen."
"I can imagine… Is that all the information you are willing to give me?"
"No. What I wanted to tell you is that you'll find your evidence in Antonio's basement."
"How am I supposed to get into his basement? I can't just initiate a seizure on him."
"You are clever. I have to go now. I need tofmgone fidfos aainfof isaoawnmqo123ri49nfczfffami"
Ludwig frowned at the gibberish, and before he could ask if he was okay, the black box with green text vanished, leaving his screen to show the Google homepage. He leaned back in his chair again, thinking about the information he was just given.
"Make sure you keep the merchandise hidden, sí?" Antonio called out his front door as Ivan left his house. He pushed the door closed, turning on his heel and started up the steps, stopping halfway when the doorbell rang.
"Romano!" Antonio yelled, his voice echoing through the house.
"Get it yourself, lazy bastard!" Romano yelled in return, even though he was heading for the door from the kitchen. He pulled the door open, his face lighting up when he saw his brother and Ludwig.
"Ciao!" Veneziano said happily, throwing his arms around the Italian's neck in a hug, laughing a little. Antonio was at the top of the steps, but when he heard the voice, he peeked down again, seeing Romano's brother and that man from the hospital stepping into his house. His grip tightened on the handrail of the stairs, and he started back down again, forcing a friendly smile.
"Romano, quién estan?" Antonio asked politely, going to his maid's side and staring at Ludwig more than he did Veneziano.
"Ah, this is mio fratello, Veneziano, and his bastard boyfriend, Ludwig." Romano introduced the two, watching as Antonio grasped his brother's hand, leaving a friendly kiss on the cheeks, then turning to Ludwig and taking his hand, leaning forward to do the same as with Veneziano. Ludwig leaned away, though, moving their hands between the two and he looked down at his Italian, getting a frown from the Spaniard.
"Well, Gracias for paying a quick visit to Romano." Antonio said coldly, pulling his hand away from the tall blond, staring at him, "I am afraid we are busy, though."
"Ve? Can't we stay for dinner? Romano told me he was practicing his pasta!" Veneziano whined, getting a genuine smile from the Spaniard. Romano looked up at his boss with half-demanding, half-pleading eyes. Antonio let out a long sigh, then shrugged.
"I guess eating la cena together wouldn't be so bad." Antonio gives in, unable to refuse his cute Romano's face, "Go ahead and sit. Romano, start dinner, por favor. I'll be down in a minute." Romano nodded happily, going into the kitchen and putting water on the stove. Ludwig patted Veneziano's back, then followed Antonio when he was already upstairs. The younger Italian watched as he went up the stairs, then went to his brother, leaning against the counter top on his elbows.
"Ve, Romano, Antonio isn't… bad, right?" Veneziano asked, looking into his brother's brown eyes. Romano quirked an eyebrow at him, sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Of course he isn't." Romano answered, shrugging a little, "He's a little like Nonno, but he's a sweet guy. You didn't hear that from me, by the way." He added at the end, glancing out the entrance to the question.
Upstairs, Ludwig stood in the hallway, watching Antonio close and lock the doors to his study, turning to see the blond waiting. He smiled again, straightening out his shirt, "I thought you would sit downstairs?"
"I wanted to talk to you. How did you afford this house? It's so nice, but it looks so costly." Ludwig answered, looking at the wall and fingering a nearby table holding a pot of flowers.
"Ah, I was having a hard time at first, but mis padres gave me some money they got from… business I'm not sure I should mention. Of course, they are in Spain, so I suppose it doesn't matter as much." Antonio rambled, sticking his hands in his pockets and looking over the hallway, noticing how clean it looked.
"Romano does good cleaning the place." Ludwig rumbled, crossing his arms and looking at Antonio, "Would you mind showing me around as we wait for the food?"
Antonio's eyes narrowed a little, and he stood there quietly. His smile never wavered, though, and he tilted his head, "Supongo." He mumbled, looking slightly irked. "Follow me."
He turned and walked down towards the study again, waving his hands at the beautifully crafted door, "My study. It is where I do most of my work, if not all. It is currently a mess, so let's not go in." Antonio said quickly, opening the door just to the right of it, waving a hand toward the bathroom.
"El baño." He mumbled, slamming the door shut, then walking down the hall and pushing open both bedroom doors. "Romanito's room y my room. Sometimes we share a bed, though. But you didn't hear that from me~." Spain purred out, closing the doors after. Ludwig kept up, analyzing each room as best as he could from the doorway. Spain walked further down, pushing open a quite ugly looking white door on the opposite side of the bedrooms.
"El ático." He sighed out, "I don't really want to go up there, but if you want to see it…" Antonio admitted, waving a hand towards the brown steps leading to the attic. Ludwig shrugged, then started up the stairs, pushing open the door at the top of the steps as Antonio waited at the bottom, watching him with a glare. Ludwig looked into the bleak room, frowning at the chairs that waited there. When he came back down, he cleared his throat.
"It is a nice attic." He mumbled, getting a smile from the Spaniard.
"Follow." He said, snapping his fingers and walking down the steps. When they reached the first floor, Romano peeked out from the kitchen and smiled.
"The water is boiling, so the pasta should be done in a bit."
"Bueno!" Antonio cheered happily, leading the German towards the backyard. He slid open the glass doors then stepped outside, taking in a deep breath of the fresh night air. "This is my garden. I'm very proud of it."
Ludwig looked around the large space, impressed by all of the plants growing so neatly. Antonio walked across the stone path set through the grass, and he plucked a fresh tomato, bringing it to his lips and taking a bite.
"You must spend a lot of time back here." Ludwig commented, watching the Spaniard as he ate his fresh tomato in the moonlight.
"Sí. It's one of my favourite places to be when I get off of work." Antonio admits, walking back towards Ludwig and biting into his tomato again. The German watched as the brunette walked back into his house, tapping the bottom of his shoes on the mat in front of the door, then stepping in. Ludwig did the same, not wanting to be rude.
"Do you have a basement?" Ludwig asked, making Antonio glance back at him coldly.
"Sí. Pero, I do not like it. It is muy feo." Antonio said, throwing the finished tomato away, then entering the kitchen to see both Italians working hard on the pasta, chatting away in Italian. Ludwig watched as Antonio went to his maid, hugging him from behind and getting a protesting cry in both Italian and English from the cute boy.
"Ay, Romanito, you are so cute!" Antonio cried happily, getting an angry elbow to the ribs.
"Not in front of people!" Romano yelled back, his attention on the pasta in front of him.
Ludwig waited until the Spaniard moved away from the Italian brothers enough for the German to talk to him again.
"Can't I see the basement? I've been thinking about getting one, and since your house is so big, I figure your basement must look great." Ludwig lied, shrugging a little and watching Antonio's expression turn sour again.
"Fine, but do not look around for too long. Just a peek." He growled, leading Ludwig to the door beside the television. He pushed open the brown wooden door, walking down the creaking steps and flicking on the light. Off in the far right corner laid a glass box with a door-sized opening. It was bullet proof for the Spaniard's games when he got new recruits. He chuckled to himself when he remembered watching Matthew shoot that Brit in the leg. Ludwig walked out to the middle of the room, noticing the blood stains that were everywhere. They were faded, though, and almost matched the unpolished wooden flooring. There were filled cardboard boxes lining the wall, stacked up in towers of three or four.
"There's a lot of blood on the floor." Ludwig commented, getting Antonio's attention again. The brunette stared at the blond, then looked down at the floor, grumbling a little.
"Si, I guess there is." He mumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets. Ludwig started walking towards the tower of boxes, putting his hands on the lowest stack and pulling it open. Just as one flap was pulled away, Antonio grabbed the man's wrist to stop him.
"That is mine. I do not want you looking through my things." Antonio said with a dangerous tone in his voice. Ludwig stared at the shorter man in shock, then pulled his hand away from the box. Antonio pulled his lips up to smile, but it looked more like a snarl. "Gracias."
Antonio kept his eyes on Ludwig's face as the taller man stepped away from the boxes, then he relaxed his glare. He closed the box carefully, then waved his hand towards the stairs that led up to the living room. Ludwig nodded quietly, heading towards the stairs. Antonio walked behind him at arm's length, watching the man carefully. Before the German reached the first step, however, he spun around quickly and grabbed Antonio's collar, lifting him off his feet and slamming him against the basement wall. Antonio let out a yelp in pain, then slid to the ground as he gripped his aching shoulder. Ludwig quickly made his way back to the box that he was about to open before.
When Antonio saw him scurry back to the box, he growled and kicked down a few boxes he was beside, uncovering his assortment of battle axes and swords. He got to his feet and grabbed the nearest axe. It was small, but heavy and the handle was wrapped in red leather and had a few feathers hanging off the sides. He started after the man who had just opened the first box filled with bags of cocaine. Ludwig's eyes bulged at the discovery, and he turned just in time to see Antonio lifting the axe above his head. The German ducked out of the way, the axe swinging down where his shoulder would've been. Antonio's green eyes followed the blond and he tightened his grip on the handle, swinging it back toward the man's chest, slicing open his baby blue button up shirt.
"Veneziano!" Ludwig bellowed as Antonio drew his axe back up to strike again. "Veneziano, get down here!"
"Cállate!" Antonio yelled at the German, swinging his axe down to strike the man's head. Ludwig dove out of the way, falling onto his side and quickly getting back to his feet, running towards the stairs across the room. Antonio let out an annoyed huff and drew his axe back once more, throwing it forward with pinpoint accuracy. Just as the blade twirled through the air, the basement door open and Veneziano's brown eyes widened.
"Ludwig! Scendere!" The Italian yelled, getting his brother's attention from the kitchen. Ludwig obeyed, ducking down just in time for the axe to fly right past him, burying itself into the brick wall. Antonio snarled at the luck the German had and ran over to his plethora of weaponry, grabbing his most favourite axe. The pole was probably six feet long, which made it all the more fun to swing around. The blade at the end had one wide and sharp end and a spike at the tip. The blade was decorated with gold and beads and feathers like the last one, and he marched toward the German man currently crouched on the floor, axe high above his head.
Romano showed up in time to see his boss holding up a long, heavy looking axe like an executioner, and his victim would be Ludwig.
"Antonio! Stop!" Romano yelled, running down the stairs three at a time and tackling his boyfriend to the ground, making the axe land on the ground with a loud thud and slide across the wood.
"Pendejo!" Antonio spat out at his lover, shoving him away and grabbing his axe, pulling it back up above his head and hurrying towards the German who was getting back to his feet.
Romano growled a little and got up too, grabbing Antonio's hands and pulling the axe down, the blade to the side.
"Stop it!" Romano yelled, glaring into Antonio's bloodthirsty eyes and getting him to drop the axe. "Antonio, per favore, calmati…" He said softly, holding the Spaniard's hands.
Veneziano was currently fretting over his own boyfriend, hugging him tightly and glancing nervously over at his brother and Antonio.
"Lo siento… Ludwig…" Antonio finally sighed out, his adrenaline running out and his mind clearing up, "It was unreasonable for me to attack you like that." He said, picking up his axe and hanging it against the wall once again, then walking past the German and plucking the axe from the wall. He went up to the blond, axe still in hand, and he pointed the tip of the blade at Ludwig's face threateningly.
"No matter who you tell, I know what your goal is. There is no way you can jail me, or even get me in court." Antonio growled out, and Ludwig stared down at the Spaniard without wavering.
"I assure you, I will arrest you." He growled out with intimidation, but Antonio didn't waver either. Instead, he smirked daringly and lowered his axe, spinning it around in his hand. Romano crossed his arms, frowning at the two. His Vargas blood always told him to run in situations like these, and Veneziano looked like he was about to, but Romano's Vargas blood also told him to stand up for what he loved, and in this current situation, the latter proved more determined.
"Okay, hold on one minute, you fat potato-eating bastard." Romano sighed out, stepping beside his boss and surprising all three of them. "Antonio may be some asshole testa di cazzo, but he is my puttana, and no matter how much I want to run away right now, I know my Nonno would stand up for a cretino like him." He growled out, thumbing at Antonio and glaring at the still shocked German.
"R-Romano, what're you saying?" Veneziano gasped out, eyes wide and his hands at his mouth in fear. The older Italian glanced at his brother, then smirked. When he smirked like that, Veneziano couldn't help thinking about how he looked so much like their grandfather, who had been a mafia leader.
"What I'm saying, you hot-headed German pompinara… leccami il culo, pezzo di merda porco cane segaiolo." He spat out, every last word dripping with venom neither the German nor the Spaniard knew he had. Veneziano shook his head slowly.
"Ve, Romano, you're going to regret this!" Veneziano squeaked, hoping his brother would just shut up and run away like always. The older Italian looked at his brother again, then sighed.
"Veneziano… I know Nonno taught us to run away when things were tough, but that was because we were children, and he had to protect us. Now, it's my turn to protect something. Just like Nonno did." Romano said, snatching the axe from the Spaniard behind him and swiping it at the baffled German, making him back off. He grip was loose and the axe slipped a little, but he swung again. Antonio's eyes were wide and he wasn't sure if he should try to stop the boy or not. Instead, he smiled a little and shook his head slowly, mumbling to himself, "Esa es mi criada…"
When Ludwig had been cornered by the crazed Italian, Romano's grip slipped entirely and the axe flew to his left, almost striking the cowering Veneziano. Ludwig took this chance and grabbed Romano's arm, twisting it behind his back and pinning him against the floor.
"L-Let go, bastardo!" Romano yelled, squirming and kicking but getting nowhere. Antonio felt his heart leap when the tables turned on his maid, and he quickly grabbed Veneziano by the arm, dragging him back towards his wall of weapons and he snatched a knife, pressing the blade against the now crying Italian's neck.
"Let him go or I'll kill this one!" Antonio said, getting Ludwig's attention. He kept Romano pinned, though, and he bit his lip, trying to think over the situation. Veneziano was shaking in Antonio's arms, clawing at on sleeve in fear and staring at the blade.
"L-L-Ludwig… Ve…" Veneziano stammered out, tears running down his cheeks as the blade pressed against his throat. Romano was panting and no longer struggling, and he also watched the blade in fear.
"Antonio, don't…" He whispered, his arms going numb from the German pressing down on them. Ludwig glanced down at Romano, then slowly got up, forcing the Italian to his feet.
"Trade on three." Ludwig said calmly, making both Italians panic and start sputtering out complaints and excuses and pleas.
"Ve? On three? I'm not a plate of pasta, Ludwig! You can't just trade on three!"
"On three? On three? Who actually ever does on three, you bastard!"
"Sí. On tres." Antonio agreed, lowering the knife slightly.
"Sí? You're actually going to? Ve, this is going to be terrible! Romano, I'm so sorry for setting your bed on fire that one time, now that we're going to die, please forgive me!"
"Antonio you ass! Don't just agree! This isn't going to work! W-what? You set my bed on fire? Veneziano, you little-"
"Three!" Antonio and Ludwig shouted, shoving both Italians away from themselves and towards each other. Antonio grabbed Romano's arm and held him close against his chest. Ludwig hugged Veneziano tightly, patting his hair and checking to make sure he was okay. The Spaniard and the German stared at each other hatefully and Veneziano and Romano tried their best to keep the men calm.
"Voy a matarlo." Antonio growled out, glaring at the blond.
"Antonio, shut up, don't say that, bastard." Romano whispered back, cupping the man's face and trying to get his attention.
"Ich werde ihn töten…" Ludwig grumbled while keeping his eyes locked with green irises.
"Ludwig, please, ve. I know you're angry, but it'll be okay." Veneziano whimpered out, rubbing his boyfriend's shoulders to try and relax him. The two pissed-off men slowly came down from their fury, then Antonio decided to try a new tactic.
"Ludwig…" He said, loud enough for the German to hear, "Why don't we make a deal?"
"You can take that deal and shove it up your-"
"If you don't arrest me, I will give you some merchandise. Absolutely free." Antonio cut off the blond, giving him a forced smile. Ludwig's eyes widened a little, and he went quiet, baffled by the offer. Veneziano glanced over his shoulder at his brother, and they shared a worried look.
"What makes you think I would want drugs?" Ludwig scoffed, glaring daggers at the man.
"No? Pues, if you don't want the drugs, how about the profit? I can always give you some hush-money." Antonio suggested, looping his arms around Romano's waist, making the Italian give an uncomfortable complaint.
"You're not going to buy me." Ludwig growled out, his grip tightening on Veneziano. The brunette in his arms whimpered, looking over his shoulder again.
"Are you sure? I make a lot of money, no?" Antonio chuckled, a sly look on his face. Then, Veneziano and Romano's eyes lit up and they looked at each other.
"Pasta!" They both yelled, shoving their way from their lovers' arms and ditching them to check on their dinner. Antonio and Ludwig stood there, completely emasculated from the sudden event. The Spaniard ruffled the back of his hair, shoving one hand into his pocket and furrowing his eyebrows.
"Come on, Ludwig. I don't want to go to jail, and I'm sure the paperwork is a pain tambien." Antonio tried to persuade the man, but instead got a grunt from him.
"I'm not going to just turn the other way. You're a criminal, and you deserve to be imprisoned for a long time." Ludwig said sternly. They were no longer glaring at each other, but they weren't pretending to like each other either.
"What will it take, then?" Antonio sighed out, going over to the small axe on the ground and picking it up, hanging it on the wall, then hiding it behind the boxes again. Ludwig ended up helping the man out, stacking the boxes, and even re-hiding the cocaine and other various drugs.
"You're never going to buy me out." Ludwig finally answered as they scrubbed the floor clean of the old blood, "I'm going to arrest you. Don't forget to use bleach, or else it won't come out."
"Ah, gracias." Antonio murmured, running upstairs to get the bottle, seeing that his maid and Veneziano were almost done with dinner. He went back to clean, finally getting the floor to look almost brand new. "I am only working, Ludwig. I'm doing what I'm good at."
"You're doing something wrong."
"But I'm not hurting anyone. Up until a few weeks ago, no one who worked for me died." Antonio said, crossing his arms.
"Someone died?" Ludwig asked, forgetting that France was supposed to have been murdered in France.
"Sí. It wasn't my fault, though. He shouldn't have ran away." Antonio grumbles, walking up the stairs of the basement, then getting Ludwig a new shirt. It was a little tight, but it was better than having a gaping hole in the chest.
"But think of all the people who buy the drugs! They're probably mostly children!" Ludwig tries to change the Spaniard's views, but he proved to be stubborn.
"I do not and will never sell to children under the age of sixteen. It is against my morals." Antonio said confidently, straightening out Ludwig's new shirt, then bringing him back downstairs. They sat together at the table, still talking about their work as the Italians served them pasta.
"It's hard to think you have morals." Ludwig complains, getting a scoff from the brunette. Veneziano and Romano sat at the far end of the table, whispering to each other in Italian. Both Ludwig and Antonio were curious as to what they were talking about, but they didn't interrupt them. Instead, they continued talking about business.
"Ludwig, I was an immigrant. It was impossible for me to get a decent job with decent pay. I needed money, and I was able to through this business, no matter how illegal it may be." Antonio said sternly, trying to get the German to see it through his eyes.
"That's no excuse. You could've just worked hard to prove yourself to your previous bosses. I'm sure that in some time you could have gotten a promotion." Ludwig countered, shaking his head and eating the pasta he was provided. Antonio ate too, and while they ate they were completely silent, their minds and taste buds occupied with the brilliant taste of their dinner.
Romano and Veneziano continued whispering though, glancing between each other and their companions across the table.
"Look, he's not a bad person, I promise." Romano said in Italian, putting his hand over Veneziano's on the table to get his attention.
"He attacked Ludwig! How could a good person just attack someone like Ludwig?" Veneziano complained, looking sad and a little scared. Romano lifted a brow at his brother's question.
"I'm sure everyone wants to attack Ludwig at some point in their lives. I definitely do, because he's dating you. He doesn't deserve you." Romano grumbled, glaring at the blonde across the table. Veneziano smiled weakly, gripping his older brother's hand.
"Ludwig is a nice guy too. He treats me fine." Veneziano said, then glanced at the Spaniard, "I'm more worried about you right now, Romano. Ve, I know I got you the job, but I barely know the man. Do you know why he attacked Ludwig?"
"I can guess, and I'm pretty sure I'm right." Romano said sullenly, looking at his boss too. Antonio noticed the duo looking at him, and he raised a curious brow, slurping up the few strings of pasta hanging from his fork. The Italians looked away from him and continued whispering.
"Tell me, then!" Veneziano demanded, looking into his older brother's brown eyes. Romano sighed, shaking his head slightly, then looking back into equally muddy eyes.
"He's doing the same thing Nonno did. He's a drug dealer, Veneziano." Romano mumbled, averting his eyes once more. Veneziano's eyes widened and he covered his mouth, holding back a tiny scream. Instead of screaming, a high pitched whine came from the boy, and Ludwig and Antonio glanced at them again. Veneziano glanced at the two, then whimpered and looked back at Romano.
"And you knew this? Why didn't you run away? Ve… you're going to get hurt, Romano…" Veneziano said excitedly in Italian, the words just flowing from his lips. His hands were on his brother's shoulders and he shook him lightly, staring at his sad face.
"I've only known for a few weeks. And… I tried to run away, but he caught me."
"He's keeping you here? Against your will?" Veneziano asked quickly, his heart pounding in fear.
"No! I'm staying here by myself!" Romano shouted in English by mistake, making the two older men look over at them curiously. Romano reddened a little, looking away from them and whispering to his brother, "I don't want to leave him. I'm worried for him." In Italian again.
Veneziano's eyes softened and he held his brothers hands, rubbing his thumbs against the backs. "Romano, I know you don't want him to end up like Nonno, but he's doing a dangerous thing. He needs to be put away before he hurts anyone, including himself, ve."
Romano looked up into Veneziano's eyes, staying quiet and thinking about what he just said. Then, he turned to his pasta, eating it slowly and still thinking. Veneziano frowned, tapping his chin nervously.
"Ve, Ludwig…" Veneziano called out, getting his boyfriend's attention, "We should get going soon."
Ludwig blinked, then looked at Romano to find him looking sad and confused. He nodded, standing up and going to Veneziano.
"Thank you for dinner." He said to Antonio and Romano, and they left quickly. Antonio just let them, looking out the window to see them get into their car. Then he started looking at the window, and he let out a soft sigh.
"The windows." He mumbled, "They're dirty again."
Romano didn't reply. He continued eating, and he stared at the marble table they were eating on. Antonio looked at the boy, raising a brow. He picked up his own plate, then the plates of Veneziano and Ludwig and started washing them. An hour went by, and Romano was still at the table. He had finished eating a while ago, and he just sat there, staring at the plate. Antonio was worried about him, wondering why he wasn't talking or doing anything. He sat beside him, then pulled his head lightly so he was resting against the Spaniard's shoulder.
Romano let it happen, still staring at the plate. Antonio rocked him back and forth, looking down at his face.
"Romanito… what is the matter?" Antonio finally asked, snapping the boy out of his trance. Brown eyes met green, then quickly ran away.
"Antonio… I'm really sorry." He said softly, surprising the man. Before any more words were exchanged, Romano got up and went upstairs, locking himself in his own bedroom.