Days fell away life snowflakes, disappearing into the snowdrift of time, barely noticed by Feliciano and Arthur. They continue living undisturbed by the world around them, although every night Lovino would run a sharpening stone over his knife to keep it keen; a habit which neither Arthur, nor Feliciano could break him of, or find reason for it.

As the days grew colder, Feliciano and Lovino eventually moved into Arthur's room, because the room they shared had no fireplace. This arrangement kept them more than warm enough, but it took the small privacy of their own rooms away, and caused Arthur and Lovino to sneak away to one of the upstairs bedrooms when Feliciano fell asleep. Lovino seemed content with moving during the dark hours, but Arthur didn't take kindly to sneaking around in a cold house.

Christmas passed with the exchanging of small gifts by a fire after a large dinner. They shared laughter and drinks, talking well into the night. On Christmas day, Feliciano dragged Lovino out of bed to go to Mass at the church. When they returned, Feliciano was beaming and Lovino just looked tired (and a little hungover from all the wine they'd drank the night before).

Arthur was surprised to find both of the brothers avid drinkers when the opportunity arose, as it did during the New Year. Arthur made the unfortunate decision of challenging Lovino to a drinking contest. He still can't remember most of what happened that night, but the head splitting ache in the morning nearly killed him.

"Good morning, love," he murmured, opening one eye as Lovino slipped out of bed.

"Don't let me wake you," Lovino said softly and undressed.

He had come to love these mornings before the sun barely peaked over the horizon and Feliciano was sound asleep. Lovino seemed to have let go of some of his anxiety and relaxed more around Arthur. He was happy to see the Italian finally settling down, even if he still got up at ungodly hours in the morning. Arthur got up and wrapped his arms around Lovino's waist. He felt Lovino lean against him and Arthur kissed the back of Lovino's neck. Seeing Lovino's bare skin and feeling it under his hands set a fire in him.

"Arthur," Lovino whispered and stopped his roaming hands. "Not here."

"I know, but..."

"Go back to bed and rest awhile longer, idiot." Lovino stepped out of his arms, and pulled on a shirt. When he didn't move, Lovino glared and put his hands on his hips. "That wasn't really a choice. Go back to sleep."

"But you're awake." From the way Lovino stood, Arthur knew it was useless to argue. Laying down, he watched Lovino lean down and kiss his cheek.

The Italian let out a soft gasp when Arthur slid his hand to the back of Lovino's head and kissed him fully on the lips. Lovino's lips molded against his and they kissed long and hard. When they finally pulled apart, flush stained Lovino's cheek. "What was that for?"

"To help me sleep." A smile tugged at his lips and Lovino rolled his eyes.

Lovino walked out the door, on his way to carrying out his morning chores, and Arthur felt content with watching the light grow brighter as the sun came up.

...

He must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knows is Feliciano shaking him awake.

"Up, up, up, Arthur," Feliciano sang and poked his cheek repeatedly.

"I'm up." He caught the hand poking him and opened his eyes. Sun was streaming with full force into the room, and Feliciano was already up and dressed. "You should woke me sooner."

"Lovi let us sleep in."

He rose and dressed quickly. "Why would he do that?"

"I don't know." Feliciano bounced out the door with his usual zeal.

Laughing, he followed behind the younger lad to the kitchen. Delicious smells spilled out the open door into the hall and he found Lovino leaning against the counter. "Good morning again."

"Morning. Sit."

"What did you make?" Arthur sniffed the air. Usually the kitchen smelled of bread and sometimes coffee, but this morning, sweet, sugary scents filled the kitchen.

"Something special. Now sit," Lovino ordered, treating him with a smile.

He and Feliciano sat, although Feliciano could barely contain his excitement. Arthur raised his brows questioningly at Feliciano, but the little Italian just beamed at him. "What's going on?"

Feliciano looked at him brother, as if for permission to speak. Lovino just nodded, smiling openly for once.

"It's our birthday!"

"Really?" He blinked in surprise. "Both of you?"

"Yeah," Lovino answered. "Feliciano was born in the morning. I was born at night."

"That's amazing. How old are you?"

"I'm eighteen. Lovino's twenty." Unable to sit still any longer, Feliciano jumped up and danced around.

"If you had told me, I would have gotten gifts."

"Oh, but you're already done so much." Feliciano took his hands and smiled gently. "You've given us a life we never dreamed of having again."

Arthur, embarrassed by Feliciano's gratitude, flushed and pulled his hands from Feliciano's. "But still..."

"Celebrating with us is enough," Lovino said and set a small cake on the table.

"Cake for breakfast?"

"It's what Feliciano requested." Lovino cut thick slices for each of them and set them on plates. "And I didn't think it would hurt us too much."

Feliciano sat down again and dug into his cake, the smile on his face only brightening. Lovino watched in mild amusement, and took his usual seat closest to the door, but he didn't eat his slice of cake with the same vigor as Feliciano. Arthur observed the two brothers before finally taking a bite of his own slice.

It was good cake, although he didn't care much for sweets. He could admit Lovino was a more than adept cook, and everything he'd made for Arthur had been more than delicious. From the first pasta dish Lovino had made, his meals had gotten progressively better as Lovino got back into the way of cooking.

"What is your request?"

"What?"

He rested his cheek against his hand and watched Lovino. "Feliciano wanted cake. What do you want?"

Lovino blinked, surprised by his question. "I...I don't know. What I want isn't that easy to achieve, and I haven't really thought about it."

"I told you to think about it, Lovi." Feliciano nudged his older brother.

"Well, I forgot. I don't really want anything, I guess." Lovino stood and cleared away their empty plates.

"You could actually stop working for a day, completely."

The brunet scoffed. "I could. I doesn't mean I will. There are things I need to do."

"Like what?"

"I need to turn out the horses, because the weather is good and it's going to rain tomorrow. There's a leak in the stable roof, and today would be a good day to start planting those plants in the stable. Oh, and if I can, I should take Mint to get re-shod."

"I can do all that, if it's really so important."

"But—"

"Stop making excuses to work. You're going to take this one bloody day off."

Lovino frowned unhappily, but he let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine, but you're going to let out the horses. The rest can wait for tomorrow."

"I will."

"Now."

Grumbling, Arthur stood and walked out the kitchen door to outside. The grass was springy under his feet and ready to grow. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon in omen of rain, and he hurried across the courtyard to the stable. He didn't know what Lovino meant by "good" weather. It seemed rather poor to him.

As soon as he opened the door, a loud whiny greeted him and Mint stuck her head over the stall door, but when she saw him, she stood erect as if to say, "You're not the one that usually comes around."

"Hello, old girl. It's been awhile since I've come to visit you." Arthur held out his hand. Mint sniffed it and sent him a dirty look.

"So, Lovino has been spoiling you with treats. At least I know he likes you. May I ask if you like him as well?" Mint blew out through her nose and bobbed her head.

"I'm glad, because I'm very fond of him." He brought Mint out and ran a brush over her coat. "I'm a lot more than fond of him, if I have to be honest." He brushed until the dust fell away and her coat shone like it use to when they were younger and lived it wonderful London. Mint held her ears at a loopy tilt with one ear pointed at him and her other facing forward. "You shouldn't do that. It's very undignified of you."

Mint's ears moved forward and she stood straighter. He thought the horse had actually listened to him, until he saw the figure in the door.

"What are you talking to her about?" Lovino walked forward and Mint bumped her nose against his chest.

"Oh, just about how you've managed to steal the heart of both horse and rider. She's taken with you, and so am I." Arthur moved around Mint and leaned to kiss Lovino, but instead of meeting warm lips, his lips met coarse hair.

Lovino burst out in laughter. Mint had moved her head between them. "Damn horse," Arthur grumbled.

"She's jealous." Lovino laughed again and pushed Mint out of the way. His love drew him into a soft, long kiss. Mint bumped her head against Lovino's hand and came away chewing.

"You shouldn't spoil her," he said softly, drawing away slightly. "It's just going to make her unmanageable."

"Cheh, she's fine. I've been spoiling her since before the New Year." Lovino patted his chest. "Hurry up with these horses, and I might let you give me a special gift. Alone. In the bedroom." Lovino smirked at him, giving him a teasing kiss, and walked out of the stable.

He stared after Lovino until the sexy brunet disappeared into the house. Usually Lovino never so blatantly said what he wanted and the fact that he said it so obviously, sent hot shivers through his body. Arthur hurried to release the horses into the pasture, and get back to the house. He went in through the kitchen door, but when he looked for his Italian lover, Arthur heard the soft lull of voices from the sitting room. As he moved down the hall, he realized there was another voice that didn't belong to Feliciano or Lovino

"I'm sad to hear you're leaving." It was Lovino speaking, his voice cold and dripping with false friendliness.

Arthur stopped in the doorway. Despite the pleasant temperature outside, the room was freezing and unbearable. The air hung heavily with unsaid tension and barely concealed hatred.

"Yes, I am sorry to go," Francis said, tight-lipped and frowning. Francis wore a submissive expression Arthur knew Francis reserved solely for his mother.

"Are you returning to France?" Lovino's smile could only be described as icy and malicious. It sent shivers running down Arthur's back and cold fear settled in the pit of his stomach. Arthur didn't know the man sitting across from Francis. He had Lovino's face and voice, but his eyes were devoid of light and kindness, and his smile twisted into something unrecognizable, something cruel. It scared him.

"Eventually. I plan to make a stop in Germany and see a friend."

"Is it Gil?" Feliciano cut in and let out a nervous laugh. He also didn't seem to know what to do about the air between his brother and Francis. "Ah, Arthur! Francis is here."

His eyes met with Lovino's and the cruel smile slipped from his face. Lovino looked away, as if ashamed, and Francis plastered a smile onto his face, but Arthur could tell he was struggling. "Good day, Francis. What brings you here?" Arthur stepped closer and seated himself on a chair where he could see both Francis and Lovino easily.

"I'm going back home."

"You've been here a rather long time." He didn't like the wretched, tightness in Francis's face. "Did Antonio finally tire of your company?"

Francis relaxed a bit. "No, spring is here and the days up North are more bearable. I like to go as the seasons go."

"Or as the hosts force you out."

"Perhaps a bit of both, but I will always return to my sweet Paris." Francis flourished a hand in the air.

"Then hurry up and go. Nothing is keeping you here." Arthur crossed his legs. He didn't miss the way Francis grew serious and glanced Lovino's direction before looking back to him.

"Yes, I'm leaving today. I was just stopping to say my goodbyes." Francis smiled at him.

Lovino stood abruptly. "There are things I need to do." The brunet walked away quickly. Lovino paused at the door and looked back, letting that terrifying smile of before curl on his lips. "My wishes to your mother." And then Lovino was gone, leaving the room a few degrees colder than before.

"Veh, I'll go see if he needs help. Have a nice trip, Francis." Feliciano hugged and gave Francis a kiss on the cheek, then hurried after his brother.

"What was that about?" Arthur stared at the Frenchman.

Francis refused to meet his eyes. "What?"

"Between you and Lovino. You hate each other."

"He doesn't hate me, it's just in his nature to act on a feeling like hate." Francis ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. "But I hate him for doing what he was taught to do."

"That's a strong feeling. Why do you hate him?"

"For reasons that could ruin me and my family." Francis sat back and regarded him seriously. "I'd forgotten that slimy part of his nature. It was not so apparent when he was younger. I should warn you, you've let a snake into your bed."

"That is uncalled for. I will not stand to listen to you slander him in my presence." Arthur moved to stand, but Francis raised his hand.

"I apologize. Sit back down." Francis stared at him. "Don't act so rash for someone you know nothing of."

"And you do?" Arthur glanced at the door. Francis was right and he wanted to know more about Lovino, but going behind Lovino's back was wrong. "Can you tell me about him? The things I don't know."

"I've given my word to be silent." Francis sighed. "I am sorry. I was wrong to push a romance between you two. This won't work out."

"Why? I love him."

"I think he loves you too, and that is what scares me most. He's going to hurt you. He's going to leave. I'm not saying this to be unkind, but I feel I should warn you. That family is cursed, ruthless, and evil. Don't show him a weakness he can use against you, because he will if you cross him." Francis reached out a hand to touch his knee, as if that would make him believe his words.

Arthur stared at Francis silently, and wondered what Lovino had done to make Francis change his opinion so drastically. Although they almost never saw eye to eye, Francis never lied to him and Arthur didn't remember the last Francis openly hated someone. "I'm going to be alright, you don't have to worry. Just take care of yourself."

Francis removed his hand and sat back with an unreadable expression on his face. His old friend glanced at the door, as if to check that they were alone. "You know, Arthur, I use to have family in Italy."

He frowned at the sudden subject change. "And?"

"They were very powerful. You could say they more or less made a living out of killing and silencing certain people for the Church." The mention of the Church caught his attention. Lovino had reference to the Church once, and now Francis was too. "What happened to them? Who were they?"

"There was the head of the house and two grandchildren. Their parents had died when they were barely old enough to walk. Each child was named for the way they were to be raised. The head of the house made a wrong move and was murdered in his bed."

"What happened to the children?" Arthur was convinced Francis was trying to tell him about Lovino and Feliciano.

"Some say the children died in a fire that destroyed their entire estate." Francis glanced at the door again.

"And... What do others say?"

"If they're not dead, they should be." Francis stared intensely at him and Arthur shifted uncomfortably. Arthur never knew Francis to be so serious.

"Are..." He glanced at the door and leaned forward. "Are you talking about Lovino and Feliciano?"

"No, of course not," Francis said in his normal tone of voice, and only then did Arthur realized they'd been speaking in whispers.

He frowned. "Then what does it mean to me?"

"Nothing. I think it's funny how easily people fall." Francis smiled his strained smile. "I really must be going."

"Alright." He stood and walked with Francis out to his carriage. "Tell Gilbert I said hello. He should come down for drinks like old times. You know I'm always free."

Francis glanced back to the house. "I don't think it would be a good idea for him to come here as it is now. Take care, Arthur." Francis climbed into his carriage and was gone. It left Arthur uneasy, but he tried to stomp his doubts about Lovino and went inside.

Lovino was waiting for him by the door. "Is Francis gone?"

"Yes."

A smile graced Lovino's lips, so different from before, and the brunet pressed against him. "Good. I have Feliciano busy and he won't bother us if we go upstairs and..." Lovino pecked his lips in promise of heated kisses to come.

He allowed Lovino to take his hand and lead him upstairs. Lovino kissed and teased him all the way to the bedroom until they fell into bed together.

"What's wrong? You seem off." Lovino ran a hand down his chest, making quick work of his shirt, and kissed his neck.

"Let's play a game." Arthur grabbed Lovino's arms and pinned them to the bed. He was tired of dodging around, trying to spare Lovino's feelings from his curiosity. Lovino had escaped all attempts to divulge into the past, but Arthur wouldn't allow him to elude him this time.

"What kind of game?" Lovino frowned, and Arthur knew he dislikes the position.

"The game where you tell me what you did to Francis." Arthur hadn't expected Lovino to react so quickly. He was thrown off by Lovino and pinned to the bed in a bruising grip.

"What did he say to you?" Lovino asked fiercely and glared at him.

"Nothing about you." The grip on his wrists tightened and Arthur tried to wiggled them free. "Let me go.'

"What did he say to you?" Lovino leaned closer, his eyes cold, and for the first time, Arthur felt real fear.

"He told me a story about some family he had in Italy. He said it wasn't about you."

Lovino got off him and paced around the room. The brunet muttered in Italian, sometimes yelling, sometimes whispering. Arthur watched his lover closely. Lovino reminded him of a panther he'd seen in a circus. It had been a beautiful creature, prowling its cage with its tail lashing back and forth angrily. The cage was only an illusion of safety. It had been easily shattered when a handler fell into the cage. The panther had attacked and killed the handler without any hesitation. He remembered clapping with the rest of the crowd as the handler ran from the beast until it brought him down. Arthur didn't feel like clapping now. He felt like the handler trapped with an angry panther, and no way to escape the razor claws.

"Is it true?" he asked softly.

Lovino looked at him, and dropped his gaze uncertainly. The brunet didn't look so much like a dangerous panther now.

"So, you're really a killer?"

"No!" Lovino sat on the bed with his back to Arthur, and let out a breath. "Does it really matter? My family is disgraced and I am no longer affiliated with the Church."

"Yes, what did you do to Francis to make him afraid of you?" Arthur frowned at Lovino's turned back.

"Nothing. I just reminded him of something he shouldn't forget." Lovino let out a chilling laugh. "Francis thought six years could kill a secret. Such foolish thinking will get him ruined."

Hairs on the back of his neck rose, and he shifted uneasily. "What do you mean?"

"We both know things about the other that need to stay silent. He wouldn't keep his mouth shut voluntarily, so I gave him a reason to stay quiet." Lovino didn't look at him, rubbing a hand through his hair.

"You blackmailed him?"

"To put it bluntly."

"Why would you do that? It's wrong!" Arthur stood and grabbed Lovino's arm, jerking him up.

Lovino moved faster than he anticipated and shoved him down on the bed. "You know what's wrong? The fact that my grandfather is dead, I have no home and no future, and my brother would have died if some exiled noble hadn't taken pity on us. Don't lecture me on right or wrong, I am far past the point of caring. Be grateful I didn't just kill Francis, because from how it looks, that would have been easier!"

He stared at Lovino, breathing harshly out his nose. Lovino glared his him, eyes narrow and unreadable. "Don't look at me like that. I've not killed anyone yet, but God help me when I do." The brunet stood to his full height, cold and imposing, and walked out.

Arthur sat up and rubbed his neck, and let out a breath. What had he gotten himself into? There were sides to Lovino that were just coming to light, and they scared him. This cruel and uncaring side of Lovino made him question everything he knew of the man. Arthur still loved Lovino and he had thought the things he didn't know about Lovino didn't need to matter, but it was becoming clear that Lovino's past wasn't something he could ignored. Already, the secrets between them were driving a wall between them, making him doubt himself and Lovino. They wouldn't last much longer if Arthur continued to pretend that nothing could touch them.

Oh dear, things are getting rocky for our lovers and it's only going to get worse. Stay tuned.

-Windy