ALERT!
50th reviewer will still recieve a one shot of their choice :D YAY! (I must be mad :L)
This chapter is almost 7000 words X_X and took what seems to be forever! Hope it's good! I was going to cut it in the middle because it's double my normal chapter size but I decided I liked the effect of it as a whole :)
Anyway enjoyyy~
Disclaimer- only the plot is mine :(
oOo
"You came!" Alfred sounded pleasantly surprised as he flung open the back door. Lovino scowled at his response and stepped in, standing in the doorway awkwardly as Alfred put the bolt back on with a loud thud. "I didn't think you would."
"I said I would, so I did." He mumbled as the boy turned to look at him, his eyes wide. He seemed to consider questioning the dark look on his face before visibly letting it go out of his mind. Lovino shook off his coat and hat that he was wearing, underneath his clothes as casual as he owned, but Alfred had gone one further and looked as though he was wearing some sort of bed wear. Oblivious to how ridiculous he looked, he grinned and tugged him up the stairs into the flat above.
He had never been upstairs in all the time he had worked in the place and despite the nervous knot in his stomach Lovino was curious. The stairs were poorly lit and small, he struggled with the angle while Alfred charged up them like a mountain goat, looking behind him once to encourage him on. The stairs lead to a small landing, painted a vulgar green colour that did not match the worn carpet.
"Let's go and tell Francis you're here." Alfred said turning to the left where the smell of cooking food wafted out of the room. Lovino turned to follow him but jumped back quickly. At first he thought it was a large golden dog but after a second he realised it was not moving. Nor was it a dog. It was a large statue of a lion that served as a coat rack of all things, the expression on it's face was glum as if it knew it was being used like some sort of camel.
Alfred glanced back at the sudden movement and laughed. "Sorry I should have warned you. Dad brought over this monstrosity from England, Francis wanted to throw it out but we couldn't afford a hat stand so there you are. Here."
He took the thin coat and hat from his hand and placed them on the lion, the hat on it's head as if it was actually wearing it. Alfred chuckled at the sight and lead the way into the small kitchen. It was a pale yellow in here, it was if the whole house had been painted with a child's paint set. It was a long room that had compacted a small kitchen and dinner with a sitting room placed off to one side. A wireless sat on the kitchen counter playing some music to which the occupant of the room sang to. Francis was stood at the kitchen hob, stirring a pot and swaying his hips in time to the beat of the song. As they entered he turned and smiled.
"Ahh Lovino, welcome!" Again with his first name, he must have been in a really good mood or perhaps he saw it as inhospitable to call a guess by their surname in the house. "Dinner is on ze way, I 'ope you like risotto."
"Sì," He replied in Italian without thinking but Francis tittered with laughter as if he had told a joke. Alfred just looked confused.
"'See'?" He repeated. Lovino winced at the brutal murder of the simple word. "Does that mean yes?"
Francis rolled his eyes and smirked. "No mon cher, it means 'risotto is my favourite food ever!'"
"Really?" Alfred said blissfully ignorant. "Well you learn something new everyday, eh?"
Lovino resisted the urge to laugh and Francis' face fell into an expression of the deepest despair. Turning back to the pot he shook is head in disbelief, apparently able to even form a reply to the stupidity that had just fallen out of his mouth.
"Come on, I'll show you the rest of the house!" Alfred continued cheerfully as though nothing had happened. Lovino nodded and followed him from the kitchen, past the lion and to what he assumed were the bedrooms. Without knocking Alfred charged into one room earning a startled shriek from Matthew who had been bent over a small desk, his glasses askew on his face with the sudden movement.
"Mattie! What'ya doing?" The elder boy asked as Lovino took in the room. It was big but a bunk bed and a single bed had been crammed into the space making it look a lot smaller than it actually was. He thought of his own room back home which was twice this size and all his own and felt guilty. He would hate to have to share with Feli, especially now they were older. It was bad enough that he sometimes crept into his bed.
The younger boy corrected his glasses as he smiled bashfully at him in welcome. "I was doing homework Al, I must have nodded off."
His eyes were a little red behind the glasses, a quick glance at the paper in front of him showed that the work was art. Matthew was attempting to draw the vase of roses on the desk before him but he hadn't got very far. Lovino was not as good at art as his little brother but he knew how to draw and couldn't help but offer his services.
"Do you need any help?" He pointed to the blank paper on the desk with a free hand as Alfred threw himself down on the single bed. It was obviously his, the pile of clothes and wrappers was a dead give away. Matthew blushed at the attention but nodded and moved aside to allow him to sit down. He immediately got to work.
"I didn't think you'd be interested in art homework," Matthew admitted in his quiet voice. He very rarely spoke and Lovino was always surprised at the softness of his tone in comparison to his sibling.
"I'm not." He said as he concentrated on the pencils movements. He decided he would draw the basic outline and he would have to fill in the rest himself. "Feliciano is better at art than me. I was always better at sport and maths. But I did like to draw."
"Did?" Matthew asked, his eyes large as he settled across from his brother on the bottom bunk of the other bed. A thought crossed Lovino's mind to who the top bunk belonged to but he pushed it aside.
"I'm too old to mess around with paintbrushes and pencils." He said, keeping his tone even. They were the exact same word that his Grandfather had said to him when he had shown interest in drawing. He had been upset at the time but now he didn't mind too much, however the feeling of the pencil between his fingers and the soft scratching sound it made as it flicked across the page were more than satisfying. He wondered what His Grandpa would think to that-
At the thought of his Grandpa his stomach constricted and another worry came to mind. What if he found out he had come? He didn't want to think about it. But he had been sneaky, no one would think his absence to be suspicious if luck was on his side. He had told Heracles to drive him, that he had got permission from his Grandpa. Heracles was a quiet man and would never question his young master. It had been harder to get rid of Antonio, he just wouldn't leave him alone. But a convenient conversation with Roma had given him a a perfect opportunity to lie that he could not refuse.
"And Mattie is too old for that silly bear but he still keeps it." Alfred said bringing him back to the world, pointing to a tatty stuffed polar bear in the corner of Matthew's bed.
"Because it was from mum and I don't want to throw it out." Matthew defended himself quickly a pink tinge rising into his face. Alfred scoffed as he sat up and rooted around in his draw for something, a second later he brought up a colourful sweet and popped it into his mouth with relish.
"You gave it a name." Alfred argued with a chuckle. "Mr Kumajiro was it?"
"I don't remember, I just say Kuma these days."
A small figure burst into the room in the same way Alfred had done moments before, Lovino jumped but luckily the pencil was not on the page otherwise he would have ruined the picture. The boy who had entered the room was about twelve years old with large blue eyes under straw coloured hair. His face was rounded with youth and his cheeks pink, he must have just run in from outside. At the sight of him he stopped in his tracks.
"Oh it's the rich boy!" He said loudly, his accent was not American but English. Alfred threw a cushion at the boy who dodged it with a defiant look.
"Shut up Peter! And get out!"
Peter stuck out his chin and lower lip. "This is my room too. I'll do whatever the bloody hell I like in it. So there."
"If dad or Francis catch you swearing you'll be for it." The older sibling said crossly but it had little effect. Peter gave him the finger and with one last curious look charged out of the room slamming the door behind him. Matthew shook his head and bent to pick up the cushion off the floor.
"Who was that?" Lovino asked feeling more than confused. He'd never seen the kid before in all his life. Alfred groaned.
"That is Peter, my annoying half brother and my dad's second son to some brawd in England." He took out another sweet and chewed it while he spoke, his mouth working around the words and sweet with expertise. "He lived with dad in England 'cos his mum didn't want him. He had to bring him over here when he moved for his job. He's a right little dweeb. Always thieving my sweets and swearing."
Right, Lovino thought, mentally adding the other boy to Alfred's large and confusing family tree. Alfred and Matthew were half brothers on their mums side, Matthew had lived with Francis for a long time hence why he spoke French. Alfred had lived with his mum all his life because his dad had left and gone back to England, where he'd had another relationship and another kid. After Matt and Al's mum had died Francis and the other guy had brought the dysfunctional family together. It was enough to give anyone a headache.
"Here," he said handing Matthew the finished sketch. It wasn't anything special but his eyes lit up in thanks.
"Merci!" He gasped looking at it as though it was gold. Feeling confused Lovino shrugged, it was nothing and it kept his gaze away from Alfred who was shovelling sweets into his mouth as though he was afraid they would disappear. He felt sorry for the young boy who had to put up with one annoying sibling and another who wasn't even related to him just because his mum had died.
There was the sound of voices in the hall and the thump of someone walking up the stairs. Alfred's face lit up in excitement.
"That'll be dad!" He jumped up, tugging Lovino along with him who had to resist the urge to shake the boy off. "Come on, I'll introduce you!"
A man was indeed coming up the stairs, his face bent wearily to the floor and a hat slung low over his head. He dragged himself up each stair with a tiredness of someone who worked hard and got nothing for it. With a sigh he shook of his coat, pausing at the sight of the unfamiliar garments on the lion rack before turning to look at them. Alfred's dad was a stocky man, with large eyebrows and tatty blond hair like a birds nest on top of his head. His face was tired, he had bags under his eyes and a few days of stubble growth on his chin but his expression was friendly towards the stranger.
"Hello there boys," He greeted them as he continued undressing. His accent was the same as Peter's but more cultured. "Am I meant to assume that we have a guest for dinner?"
"Yep dad," Alfred sang, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement. He was like a little kid. "This is Lovino-"
"I had guessed." The man's voice was stern as he turned to his son but cleared when he held out his hand to Lovino. "I'm Arthur Kirkland, Lovino, I've heard a lot about you."
He took his hand in his own and shook it. His hands were dry and rough. "Lovino Vargas sir, it's nice to meet you."
Arthur's hand around his own spasmed briefly, tightening on his own hand painfully. His face remained frozen in a welcoming smile but his eyes had lost their warmth. He let his hand go quickly as though he had received a shock and took a step back.
"Vargas?" He repeated. Lovino nodded feeling confused but luckily Alfred saved him by jumping in with his usual drivel.
"He's Italian you know dad." He chattered away. "His Grandfather brought them over when they were little so he's never seen the place but he can speak the language. He taught me how to say 'I like risotto' isn't that great?"
"Wonderful Alfred," Arthur said dryly, his expression reverting back to it's previous stern one as he looked down at his son. "Go and wash up before dinner. You have chocolate all around your face again."
He turned back to Lovino with a reassuring smile. "Please come through, Mr Vargas. Welcome to our home."
oOo
The meal was wonderful, it tasted as good as anything he had ever eaten at home and he enjoyed the family's company greatly. It was a welcome change to not have to sit in relative silence at the dinner table and to chat with the others. Alfred spoke the loudest of them all, excited to entertain his guest; he told fabulous stories half of which he had obviously fabricated but it was funny to see him be scolded by the others at the table. Matthew, who was sat next to Lovino on the small round table had faded into the background and didn't speak much. Alfred was next to his brother and his father, little Peter was stuck in between Arthur and Francis who it seemed had some sort of rivalry going on. The mere presence of the Frenchman seemed to touch a nerve in the Englishman who snapped at him over his youngest sons head. Francis seemed to take it all in his stride and laughed it off with a flick of his head. When next to each other the two men were complete polar opposites, Francis so artfully formed and good looking in comparison to the worn down Arthur that it made the Englishman look that little more rough around the edges.
Francis stood up suddenly, taking their empty plates with him. Lovino was warm and comfortable from the food in his belly and smiled pleasantly at him as he took his. "It is a good thing I organised zis meal Lovino, if Arthur 'ad anything to do with it we'd be eating 'is dreadful scones as desserts."
Peter tittered, snorting into his plate of ice cream with laughter as his fathers face went a dangerous shade of purple.
"Can it, frog." He ordered. "Don't forget who brings the most money into this house."
"Of course mon cher, I would never forget." Francis replied lightly, with a weary tone as if he was used to the argument. He gathered up the plates and walked the few feet to the kitchen to set them in the sink. He was just placing the last one in when the phone rang in the hallway and he paused before hurrying to get it.
"So Lovino, we've heard enough of Alfred's stories for one night," Arthur said turning to look at him. They were sat directly across from one another at the table so it was more of a causal roll of the eyes in his direction. "Why don't you tell us about yourself?"
"There's not much to say really," he said as Arthur reached into his jacket pocket for something, bringing out a case which he opened and began rolling a cigarette. "I live with my Grandpa and my brother up town, in an apartment. Feliciano is still at school; he and Matthew are in the same class."
Matthew smiled slightly at the mention of his name probably pleased to have the attention for once. Arthur glanced once in his direction before returning to his work, his eyes focused on the tobacco in front of him. Francis' voice could be heard as he spoke to the person on the phone at the foot of the stairs.
"...I can't tonight...Tomorrow? Per'aps, I shall 'ave to..."
"And what does your Grandfather do?" Arthur asked, making conversation. He finished his cigarette and hastened to light it. He pulled a drag with a sigh of pleasure, the orange light at the tip lighting up the features of his face briefly.
"He's a businessman." Lovino answered. He was comfortable and the wine they had had with the meal loosened his tongue a little as he added, "He owns a laundry and a restaurant. He has good links with our local church too, St. Adelaide's on 5th, do you know it?"
"I think I do." Arthur glanced up as Francis re entered the room looking smug. "Small place?"
"Yes, that's the one. We go every Sunday."
"What's up with you?" The blond asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed in the others direction as he returned to the kitchen to wash up. Francis threw him a dazzling smile but he might as well have not bothered as it only made the slugs that were his eyebrows grow in severity.
"Nothing mon amie curieuse," he all but sang as he turned on the tap to fill the sink. "You don't not 'ave to turn all detective at 'ome you know, none of us 'ere are criminals."
Lovino vaguely recalled Alfred boasting to him about his father's promotion in the forces. He had thought he was just working with the paper work but perhaps not.
Alfred laughed loudly at Francis' statement, leaning over Matthew to blabber rapidly to Lovino; his blue eyes huge behind his glasses.
"Dad is an Inspector! Did I tell you?" He said cheerfully. Matthew pulled a face and stood up so that his brother was no longer leaning on him, he went to help Francis in the kitchen, unfortunately this meant that there was a seat free and he quickly slid over so that he was right next to him. Joy. "He has his own police officers below him to order around it's so cool!"
"Really?" Something about Arthur's even stare across the table jarred him, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Yep!" Peter butted in their conversation, a little gleam in his eye as he stopped Alfred in his tracks. "Dad works on the Mafia cases-"
"That's meant to be a secret idiot!" Alfred hushed him but Lovino barely noticed. The icy feeling in his stomach spread as he stared at the man across the table from him, trying to hide his shock and horror. Arthur returned his stare with equal intensity his hands folded under his chin and the cigarette dangling forgotten under his mouth. The light above the table caught his eyes in an eerie manner, they were green, intelligent and wide as they searched his features. They were not the warm green of Antonio's eyes that seemed as crisp as new apples, but a soft pale green tinged with grey like a mist.
He knew, he had to. Arthur's eyes told him more than his casual stance ever could, there was a triumphant sheen to them like a fox that had just spotted it's prey. Shit, shit! He was the police! No wonder he had reacted in such an odd way to his name. He obviously knew his Grandfather's name. He might has well have handed him his family on a silver platter! Damn it, at least he had not said any more but what he had let slip had been enough. He had an estimation of where he lived anyway- good job his Grandpa didn't like to do work from home.
"Hey, you okay Lovino?" Matthew asked quietly. He hadn't realised he had been shaking before the boy drew attention to it, he immediately scrunched up his hands to stop the movement and plastered a fake smile on his face.
"I'm fine," his voice shook a little. He could not allow himself to panic but fuck, he had to get out of the house and fast. "I've just realised how late it is, I couldn't use your phone for a minute could I?"
"No problem." Francis answered, waving a soapy spatula. "You know where it is."
Lovino nodded and jumped up agilely, trying his hardest not to run out of the kitchen and down the stairs. When downstairs in the darkened shop, the only light coming from the rooms above, he couldn't hold himself back and rushed to the phone his fingers sliding clumsily around the phone so much that he dropped it. He cursed and picked it up and struggled with the dial. The ring tone sounded in his ear. He didn't care if he got yelled at, he needed to get home quickly. He could only pray that Elizabeta would answer the phone. Lovino thanked his lucky stars that his Grandpa would never answer the house phone in his life, preferring to leave it to the servants.
"Hello?" A voice answered on the third ring and Lovino almost cried in relief.
"Antonio!" He spoke in a loud whisper, fearing that someone from upstairs may hear his conversation but by the sounds of it Alfred was talking again and they wouldn't. Still, he did not want to take any chances. "It me, Lovino. I need you to do me a favour."
"Lovi?" Antonio sounded weary for some reason. Lovino scowled at the nickname but didn't rise to it. "What's going on? Is something wrong, I thought you were with your friends?"
"They aren't my-" He didn't want to argue, there was not enough time. "Look I just need you to send Heracles in the car to pick me up from work. Can you do that for me?"
There was something strained in Antonio's voice, it took him a second to place it but after a second he realised that he just wasn't being cheerful; he was being formal.
"I think I could do that." He said lightly. "When shall we pick you up?"
Perhaps Viktor was there, staring over his shoulder making sure he spoke properly. Viktor was a stickler for formalities and rules.
"Set off now." He ordered glancing towards the stairs. They were dark and empty.
"Yes sir." Antonio muttered and hung up on him. Lovino stared at the receiver open mouthed as it buzzed the dial tone mockingly. What on earth was that about? Was his bodyguard in a bad mood with him? Shaking his head he put down the phone more gently than we he had picked it up, he turned back to the stairs-
And jumped because Arthur was leaning in the doorway with his legs crossed. Lovino knew it was him because his messy hair stood out in a halo shaped shadow around his head and he was smoking. There was silence as he looked at him, disrupted only by his steady exhale of smoke which he puffed into the air.
"Leaving so soon, Mr Vargas?" Arthur asked, his tone was polite but there was an amused edge to his words as if he was trying not to smirk. He could not tell in the dark but he was sure a smug grin etched the man's face like it had been carved from iron.
"My Grandfather will miss me, I have already been gone too long." He answered tersely.
Arthur chuckled and sent a wave of smoke through the air. When he spoke his voice was breathless. "Ahh yes, your Grandfather. I am sure he wouldn't want one of his precious grandson's staying at the home of the man who wants nothing more than to see his sorry ass behind bars. Which one are you then?"
"I-" He wanted to scream at him to shut up, to stay away from his family but he was cut across.
"But of course, you told me yourself." Arthur laughed as he languidly wandered down the final few steps and into the back room. Lovino bit his lip but did not retreat. "Lovino Vargas, heir to the Vargas family business, dealing in extortion and murder to line your own pockets."
"It's not like that!" He snapped in response but the older man was closer now and more visible as he entered the light. He was about the same size as Lovino but he made him feel about a foot tall. His green eyes were like a poisonous fog and froze him to the spot. Still he would not allow himself to be spoken to like that. "How dare you say something like that to me?"
"What are you going to do about it boy?" Arthur all but hissed into his face, the smoke spiralling from his mouth like the maw of a great dragon. "Last time I checked your Grandpop was still ruling the roost. I'm sure he would not take kindly to one of his own ratting him out to a police officer; heir or not. Are you willing to risk your life and tell him?"
Lovino resisted the urge to gasp. Of course Arthur was right; he could never tell his Grandfather about this. The blame was entirely his own, he had opened his mouth and said things he should not have, let vital information loose to the most dangerous of sources. His Grandfather hated the police how stood in his way at every turn, what would he do if he knew Lovino had unwittingly said something.
And it was hardly unwitting. He had know all along that Arthur was in the forces, it was his own stupid stuck up nature that made it that he had never asked what department the man worked for. Alfred had spoke about it enough times-
Damn it; Alfred. Even if on the chance that Roma did not hurt him for squealing he would hunt down the officer he had said stuff too. It wouldn't be the first time that he had taken the dirty route and used a person's family against them. It was in his nature, he who knew the value of family knew how weak this vital core was. Lovino's Grandfather could hurt Alfred or Matthew, even little Peter to get at the man before him.
You have to knock down all of the dominoes to hit the final one Lovi, he had crooned one while they were playing with the said black blocks. Lovino had only been small, perhaps five or six because they were in the apartment and his parents were dead. His Grandfather had stroked his head in the usual manner and watched him play the game with a smile on his face but even then Lovino knew he had not been talking about the numbered rectangles before him but something much larger. To finish a job you had to touch all bases, cover every corner and to do that you had to hit people where it most hurt.
He could not allow that to happen.
Arthur must have sensed his victory as he broke into a wide grin, turning away before he could see just how large it was. "Come, you must say your goodbyes before you go Mr Vargas. It would be rude to just leave wouldn't it?"
Lovino swallowed his humiliation and followed the man up the stairs and back into the kitchen. Matthew and Francis were well under way with the tidying and the table was clear of and plates, clean ones gleamed on the side. Alfred looked bored as he sat at the table with Peter who was colouring, swinging his short legs under the chair and occasionally scrapping his brother who pursed his lips. At the sight of Lovino however he seemed to brighten up.
"Hey, you staying for a game of cards or something?" He asked eagerly before he could speak. A drop of sadness hit his stomach that he couldn't, he would have loved to stay and be normal but he had to go home before he caused any more damage.
Arthur puffed out a breath of smoke. "I am afraid Lovino is going home for the night, his Grandpa is expecting him."
Alfred visibly drooped but then perked back up again as an idea hit him.
"You could always come round again! We'd love to have you!" To Lovino's surprise Francis turned and nodded with a smile, Matthew blushed and did the same his head moving in rapid agreement. Even Peter, who hadn't spoken to him since he'd called him 'rich boy' grinned toothily at him. The sight made his eyes water.
"I'll try." He lied hoarsely, his mouth suddenly dry. A car horn outside the building echoed throughout the house in a violent burst making everyone jump. Peter jumped from his chair and padded quickly to the window, his mouth agape as he stared out.
"Look at the car!" He shouted, pointing outside and only stopping when his father dragged him back in by the scruff of the neck. Lovino took that as his cue to leave and went into the hallway to retrieve his coat and hat. The family followed him out to say their goodbyes, Alfred looked depressed that he had to leave so soon and Matthew was surprisingly sad too. He mumbled a quick 'see ya' and hurried down the stairs.
"See you again soon lad!" Arthur called. Lovino looked back to find both him and the lion statue staring down at him with a proud and triumphant gaze, he couldn't stand it for too long and after a quick fumble with the lock on the door he hurried out into the night.
oOo
At the sight of the dark car waiting at the curb his stomach relaxed a little in relief. He was getting away, he was going home and no one would ever be the wiser at what had happened. His musings fell from his thoughts as he drew closer to the car and recognised the driver. It was not Heracles as he had asked but Antonio himself. Lovino could feel his annoyance mounting already and he wasn't even with his stupid bodyguard; what was that moron doing?
Had his Grandfather seen him take the car? Was he even licensed to drive the damn thing? He didn't fancy an accident on top of his otherwise ruined night.
He stomped over to the door and threw it open with the full intention to yell at him but froze. Where he had expected nothing but seat there was a person sat rigid, his back straight as he moved his head slightly to look at him. His golden eyes burned.
"Get in the car, Lovino." His Grandfather ordered softly after he had stood there for a long horrified moment, thousands of thoughts swirling through his head so fast that he didn't know where to start. He almost forgot how to breath. A quick glance in Antonio's direction found the back of his head as he faced stubbornly forward. Apart from him, Roma was alone in the car which was highly unusual as he never went anywhere without his hound dog Viktor sniffing at his tracks. He gulped.
"You are wearing my patience thin..." Roma reminded him darkly and Lovino all but threw himself in the car, barely shutting the door before Antonio revved the engine and set off. Inside the small back compartment of the vehicle his Grandfather was very close and he could smell the lingering scent of cigar smoke clinging to his clothes.
They drove in complete silence for a very long time, his Grandfather not even looking in his direction, a scowl etched into his rugged features. Lovino dreaded to find out what his presence could mean. A paranoid part of him jumped to the conclusion that he must know about Arthur but that was impossible, wasn't it?
"You disappoint me Lovino," Lovino jumped, he had not been paying attention too wrapped up in his own thoughts. He was surprised by his Grandfather's words and tone. He had expected shouting, yelling, anything but for him to sound calm of all things. "Are we not good enough for you? Do you not want us any more?"
He registered what he was saying. "I- what? No Grandpa, no-"
"Then why did you lie to everyone?" Roma asked with more force although maintaining the calm edge to his voice, he turned to face him. It was if they were discussing serious philosophy rather than a little domestic trouble. "Why did you not want to eat with us?"
"I was invited I-"
"You should have said no!" All too late Lovino realised that his Grandfather was at the stage in anger that he sometimes got to when working, the anger where he bottled it up and would vent it on someone. He had seen it happen many times. Suddenly being stuck in a car with him did not seem like a good idea. "Damn it boy! I said you were to quit, not dance around and go to silly meals with the fools that work there!"
He had got into full steam now, his voice was still measured but getting louder with every word. Lovino cringed back into the chair as he glared at him furiously, his Grandfather's hands gripping the seat so hard that the knuckles had turned white.
"How dare you leave the house without telling anyone?" He demanded. "There are people out there who would want to get at me and they would use you. Do you not see how valuable you are to the business, to this family?"
He loomed over him, his hands still grasping the seat like a man holding onto a ledge before diving to a great depth. His pupils were dilated and livid. Lovino's hands shook as Roma tensed like he wanted to grab him and shake some sense into him.
All this for leaving the house, he did not want to imagine what would happen to him if Roma found out about Arthur.
"I pay for a bodyguard to protect you Lovino, yet you do not even take him with you." Roma edged a little closer. "How can the man protect you when he's not even next to you? Tell me this!"
He tried to open his mouth and answer but no sound came out. His Grandfather's closeness was overpowering and the smell of the smoke in his clothes was like a toxic gas impending his movements. Lovino didn't realise he had backed up in his seat until his back grinded into the side of the car which gouged into his bruises. He help back a wince.
"Well?" Roma asked dangerously. For a horrible moment Lovino thought he was going to hit him, something he hadn't done in many years, but then the car door opened. Both of them had been so focused on each other they had not noticed the car had stopped and that they were in the garage at the back of the apartment. The dimness was not the street lights but a thin electric bulb that dangled naked from the ceiling.
Antonio was framed in the doorway, his tanned face unusually pale and his lips drawn together in a tight line. "We've arrived Sirs."
Roma seemed to droop in his seat, the tension going out of his arms at the knowledge that he had an audience. A spark of annoyance flashed briefly across his features before he nodded and climbed easily out of the vehicle. He thrust his hand back inside the cab for Lovino to take, he wanted to remind him he could get out easily enough on his own but the interaction between them just then had been bad enough. It would not be a good idea to antagonise him further. Thankful that it was over he let out a sigh of relief as he closed his hand around his Grandfather's own.
Then with a sudden and violent force, the older man wrenched him from the car. For a spilt second Lovino tumbled through the air but Roma's hands found the front of his shirt, halting his decent to the floor he used his momentum to swing him around so that his body hit the car with a crash. This time he could not stop the yelp of pain that escaped his lips and black spots danced in his vision where he had hit his head. His Grandfather dominated over him once more, his golden eyes furious and blazing as he held his collar high cutting off his air so that he could only draw a small breath. Panicking, Lovino struggled and choked for air but a quick shake of his captors hand put a quick stop to that.
"Never disobey me again, Lovino." Roma growled, his face very close to his own. The cigar scent had not just lingered on his clothes but on his breath too. He was too near to him, he felt more suffocated that even. "Do you understand me?"
He did not answer because there was not enough air for him to do so. With hesitant hands he tried to pry his hands off of his shirt but they were stuck fast. He made a unintentional whine at the back of his throat.
"I said do you understand me?" His Grandfather repeated in a shout, his calm composure dissolving quickly. A few specks of spit landed on his face. Lovino flinched.
"Grandpa, please- I can't-" He croaked his voice barely above a whisper. His legs shook violently, if he was not being held up he probably would have fallen. He was vaguely aware of another voice but his vision was overpowered by his Grandfather's presence.
Another harsh shake brought tears of fear to his eyes. "That is not what I asked boy! Answer me!"
"Yes-" He coughed weakly, anything to get him off him. "Yes-"
As quick as it had happened the hands were off him, letting him droop. Through some miracle Lovino's legs did not fail him and he was able to stand, if some what shakily. His Grandfather's face was still grim but the fire was gone from his eyes as he looked down on him, his hands now safely on his shoulders.
"Good boy Lovi, I knew you would see things in my light." He reached up a hand to stroke his cheek. Lovino flinched but he either did not notice or did not care as he caressed his face gently as though nothing had happened. "This is for your own good, you need to understand this."
Still shaking and doubting his own voice he shook his head quickly in response. Roma bent low and placed a kiss on his forehead with such a passionate intensity that even when he withdrew it was as if he could still feel his lips pressed down powerfully on his head. And then he was gone, casually walking towards Viktor who had appeared in the doorway, looking troubled. The two of them left without a further word leaving Antonio and Lovino alone in the cold garage.
"Shit," he heard the bodyguard hiss as the strength in his legs left him and he slid to the floor. It was the first time Antonio had ever swore and it sounded pained. He hurried over to Lovino's crouched form by the car and put a hand on his shoulder which was quickly flicked off. Sudden rage fuelled his body. How dare he be sympathetic? It was all his fault! He was the one who had taken his Grandfather to meet him, he was the one who had allowed him to bully him. He was meant to be his bodyguard! What happened to protecting him?
"Don't touch me!" Lovino snapped, trying to hide the tears of frustration welling up in his eyes. "Damn it, this is your fault bastard!"
Antonio flinched back shocked but repeated the gesture, his hand gentle on his shoulder. His palm was warm against the coldness of the chilly garage, his smell was fresh in comparison to the musty smell of oil and dust. It was dimly lit in the outbuilding and everything about Antonio's face seemed fuzzy, or perhaps that was the blur of the tears in his eyes. Humiliation and pain rose up until he was drowning in it and he sobbed pitifully into his own hands, refusing to look at the man before him.
"Come on," Antonio whispered kindly in his ear when he calmed down enough to hear, his sobs disappearing into nothing. "Let's get you back inside."
oOo
So it's taken me ten chapter to get past all the introduction stuff :') This is one of the turning points of the story, as you can probably tell by the size xD Sorry if I made your eyes bleed!
So what do you think so far? Finally I'm on double digits ;D yay! I really love reviews and ideas (if you have any) and I always listen to comments and pleas if I think they could help the story :D I want to hear from youuu~
Thank you for all the support so far! Hopefully chapter 11 will be up at some point in the next week or so. I have essays to do (which I should be doing right now) and they need to be in next week so I may be a little busy for a while. But I'm back at Uni so I do have a lot of free time after the essays are in (at least 2 weeks off. Win.) So hopefully more stuff then!
No hints for next chapter you will have to wait and see ;D
Thanks for reading~