He sat on the shore with his feet in the water, and watched Feliciano splash in the shallows. Waves washed gently on the shore and lapped at his calves. It made him relax back on the sand with the soft breeze ruffling his hair and bringing the fresh smell of salt. He loved coming to ocean, which they didn't do often enough. Lovino glanced back in search of Elizabeta and Roderich. They were nowhere to be seen, but he spotted footprints in the sand leading back behind a rock, just out of sight. It made him laugh, because he knew his chaperons were have a private moment together; something they rarely got at the Vargas Estate. If Feliciano had noticed, he probably would try to convince Lovino to spy on them, but his little brother was happily looking for seashells and blissfully unaware.
"Lovi! Come swim with me!" Feliciano waved at him, a bright smile on his face.
"Do I have to?" He glanced back to the missing servants and pushed himself up.
"Yeah! The water feels great!"
Lovino waded into the water. It was warm, lapping around his legs as he walked. Feliciano splashed over to him and pulled him into deeper water. "Don't go out so far."
"But it feels so nice." Feliciano smirked and tackled him into the water.
He shoved Feliciano away from him and came up sputtering. "You idiot!"
No one answered him, and Lovino looked around. He didn't see Feliciano anywhere. "Where'd you go? You better not jump on me again...Feliciano?" Still, his brother didn't answer him. Lovino glanced down at the water. It was growing darker and thicker. It dragged at his limbs, pulling him towards deeper water. Lovino fought against the pull, desperately clawing towards the shore.
"Help me! Roderich! Elizabeta! Help! Arthur!" Lovino struggled, but it was to no avail. Pale hands latched onto his limbs and pulled him under the waves. Red filled his gaze and leaked into his mouth. Out of the darkness, faces surrounded him, twisted in the agonized throws of death. He screamed.
Lovino jerked up and threw himself from the bed. Someone called his name sleepily, but he scrambled up and ran from the room. Panic clouded his thoughts and powered his legs through the house and outside. The light of the moon startled him and he stood frozen. Under the cold light of the moon, his fear and panic melted away, leaving him shaking and breathless. Lovino sat down in the grass and put his head between his knees, taking in huge gulps of air.
The dreams were getting worse. He understood what they were trying to tell him, but he didn't like it. Killing, blood, death. They clung to him, tugging at his mind and dragging him down darker paths. It scared him, and Lovino wondered if one morning he'd wake up and it wouldn't be a dream. He be drowning in a sea of blood, surrounded by the faces of people he'd killed, and Lovino wouldn't care.
"I'm not going to do that. I'll only kill one man," he whispered and raised his head. Lovino looked up at the moon and sighed. "You don't believe me," Lovino said to the silvery disc, "I don't blame you. I don't believe me either... Am I cursed?"
Silence answered him. Not even the humming of insects disturbed the utter quiet. Lovino stood and turned away from the moon. He walked back into the house and back to the bedroom. Arthur and Feliciano still slept, although his brother had rolled over and wrapped himself around Arthur. He smiled slightly and slid in next to Feliciano. The warmth from his two loved ones reminded him of what he wanted to protect and what was truly important. Lovino could only hope he'd never forget that.
...
For the most part, things remained the same after their fight. Lovino acted as if nothing had passed between them, although Arthur had woken to find the two brothers curled together, leaving him to be an outsider. The morning didn't bring much difference. Lovino left him asleep in bed and breakfast on the table, and was gone to where ever he goes without a word. The Italian didn't come back until lunch, when a storm blew in with big, stinging rain drops.
"You really work too much." Feliciano set plates of food on the table. The little Italian had taken to making the meals when Lovino wasn't in the house to do it. "You woke up early this morning. What have you been doing?"
"I planted those tomato plants we've had growing, I put them next to the kitchen door. They'll make a nice garden if we take care of them." Lovino stood at the sink, washing grim from his hands and face. Already, the sun was beginning to darken his skin into a lovely caramel.
"That shouldn't have taken you all morning," Arthur said, and shaking himself from his staring.
"I also took Mint into town to get her new shoes."
"In this weather?" He gestured to the raining beating against the window.
"It wasn't raining this morning, idiot. I wanted to get as much as possible done before the storm hit." Lovino dried his hands and face, and sat at the table. The brunet dug into the lunch set out by Feliciano.
"Did you not eat breakfast, Lovino?" Feliciano asked his brother, sitting down and putting all his attention on Lovino.
"No." Lovino ate slower and glanced away from his younger brother to the door, as if he already wanted to leave.
"It's raining rather hard. It almost reminds me of London." Arthur nibbled a slice of bread and watched Lovino.
"Yes, I nearly got fucking soaked."
"Does this mean you'll be staying inside for the rest of the day?" Feliciano smiled, excited by the thought of spending time with his brother.
"I guess. there's not much you can do in the rain." Lovino smiled slightly for his brother.
"Yay! I got to show you something I made. You'll love it!" Feliciano began shoving food into his mouth until his plates was empty, only waiting for his brother to also finish, and dragged Lovino from the kitchen despite his protests.
Arthur let the brothers go and finished his lunch alone. Where ever they were going, he didn't think Lovino wanted him there at the moment. He poured himself more tea and walked through his house. His feet led him to his cigar room. He could still smell the scent of dozens of cigars. Dust sat heavily on sheet-covered furniture and the ghost of drunken laughter echoed around the room softly. It'd been a long time since he'd entertained any of his 'friends', not that he really wanted to. All the other bachelors Arthur had caroused with in London were just people to drink and smoke cigars with, maybe even play poker with, but never call to do much more than that.
A loud bang startled him from his reminiscing. The banging continued until he realized it was the front door. Hurrying to the door, he opened it. Standing in the rain, under the protection of an umbrella, was someone he hadn't seen in years.
"Ludwig?" Arthur blinked in surprise.
"Hello, Arthur." The young man nodded his head curtly. "I came to employ your help."
"Come in first. It's rude to hang outside and demand things." He opened the door and waved Ludwig in. "Have some tea to warm you, and then we'll talk."
"I'm here on important business."
"And tea won't make it any less important." Arthur closed the door and walked to the kitchen. He motioned for the blond to sit as he got another teacup from the cabinet. "You've certainly grown. It's been a few years since I last saw you. How's your brother?"
"He is well. Gilbert still lives in Germany and looks after the main estate and lands." Ludwig took the tea and pinned him with an intense stare. "How are you? I hope Italy is treating you well."
"Ah, yes. I still don't know much of the language, but I'm sure I'll learn." Arthur sipped the warm liquid. "Alright. What brought you here today?"
"My grandfather is sick and you're the closest doctor that most likely isn't a crook or a drunk." Ludwig seemed to relax with the talk of his grandfather. "We thought it was just a seasonal cold, but he has yet to get over it."
"I received a case like that quite recently. The lad is now healthy and happy."
"That is good to hear. When can you come to see my grandfather? I can promise you good money for it."
"Money doesn't matter. I can come immediately, if you want. It would be best if we treat him as soon as possible, before his body weakens anymore."
"It will be night by the time we reach the house if we left now. Are you alright with that? I'll offer you a room for the night and take you back in the morning."
"That is fine. I'll gather a bag and inform my, er, tenants of my leaving." He set his cup down.
The thud of feet on floors echoed through the halls and steadily grew louder. "Arthur! Protect me! Fratello is going to kill me!"
"You little shit! Get back here!"
Feliciano stopped in the door, his breathless smile morphing into a look of surprise. "Luddy?"
Ludwig stood and the corners of his mouth turned down. "Who are you?"
"It's me!" The bubbly Italian practically bounced to the tall man, undeterred by Ludwig's height or frown. "Wow, you've really grown since we were kids together. But I guess I've changed a lot too. Don't you recognize me?"
Ludwig's face grew distressed, but one could hardly tell without seeing the change. "Kids together, you say?"
"Veh, we were best friends...until I had to go away." Feliciano's smile falter for a moment, but he quickly renewed its bright shine.
"I'm sorry, but six years ago I was involved in a riding accident and lost most of my memories from before then. I don't remember you."
The smile slipped from Feliciano's face and the man stared at Ludwig with sad confusion. "That's not possible...I was there when you fell from your horse. I was there when you woke up! You didn't forget me!" Tears filled Feliciano's eyes and threatened to pour down his cheeks.
"Don't cry, Feliciano," Ludwig blurted out.
The Italian rubbed his eyes, and sniffled. "If you don't remember me, how do you know my name...?"
"I don't—"
"Feliciano!"
They all jumped at the shout and looked to the doorway. Lovino stood with his feet braced apart and his hand hidden in the folds of his clothing. The glare on Lovino's face was dark and cold, focused entirely on Ludwig.
"Look, it's Luddy." Feliciano tried to smile and disperse the tense air, but it only grew colder with Lovino's malice.
"I know. Get over here."
"But..." Feliciano hesitated and slowly went to his brother.
Lovino grabbed Feliciano's arm and dragged him from the kitchen. Feliciano's cries of protest echoed down the halls. Ludwig took a step forward, as if to follow the brothers, but quickly took it back and faced him. There was confusion in his face and his eyes kept drifting towards the hall that Feliciano went down. "My carriage is out front. I'll wait for you there."
"I'll be out in a moment." Arthur walked Ludwig out the door, and then hurried to find Lovino and Feliciano. The two brothers were in his room, facing away from each other. Feliciano was crying and Lovino's face was hard with stubbornness.
"I'm going out," Arthur said, breaking the suffocating silence.
"To where?" Lovino's eyes snapped to him. "Is it with that...German?"
"Yes." He took his leather, black bag from under the bed and put a change of clothes into it. "I'll be staying the night."
"You can't go."
"Excuse me," he growled and met Lovino with a glare. "I am a doctor. I cannot ignore a patient just because you don't like his grandson."
"You're going to help Aldrich?" Lovino's voice rose to a shout and he jumped to his feet. "No! You're not allowed to help that bastard!"
His eyes narrowed. "I did not ask you who I am or am not allowed to treat. I care for people with good money, and the Beilschmidts have good money. If we were to put limits on my practice, you and your brother would fall into the class of people I wouldn't help. Just think of where you'd be if I hadn't helped you, and then ask yourself if you really have any power to order me around," he spat cruelly.
Lovino blinked in shock, but that shock quickly turned into hurt and anger. "I see. You think you're better than us!"
"I didn't say that!" Arthur clenched his hand and cursed internally. Lovino was right. He basically just said that they were below him. "I can't do this now. I don't have time for it. Ludwig is waiting. I'll see you tomorrow."
A hand grabbed his wrist and kept him from leaving. Lovino's eyes cut into him, chilled and apathetic, but the Italian was all smiles as he approached. Lovino pressed his lips to Arthur's cheeks. "Be careful. Tonight there is no moon. Thieves love the new moon."
Any other time, he might have felt warmth in Lovino's display of affection, but Lovino's lips were cold on his cheek and left him filled with dread. "Lovino, I—"
"Go on. Like you said, Ludwig is waiting." A cruel smile curled Lovino's lips painfully. "And Aldrich is not a patient man."
He slowly turned and walked to the door. Arthur glanced back and Lovino waved at him, smiling coldly. Hurrying out, he stopped at the kitchen and got the medicine he needed, and nearly ran out of the house. Lovino's smile scared him, but not in a way that made him fear for himself; but in a way that he feared for whoever would meet the end of that bladed smile.
"You looked pale," Ludwig said upon his entering the carriage. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, it's nothing. Let's go."
He watched his home grow smaller, framed in the light of the dying sun and dark clouds. His house was bathed red. It washed from the roof, dripping down the sides like thick, sluggish blood. He shuddered at the horrifying sight and turned away.
...
The Beilschmidt house was not a house of a wealthy man, although he knew Aldrich Beilschmidt held land all over Europe and controlled major businesses. The house looked like that of a poor farmer. Vining plants grew up the walls and shutter hung precariously from rusty hinges. The yard was taken over by weeds and over grown plants.
Ludwig helped him down from the carriage, telling the driver to stable the horses for the night, and used a lantern to guide them over the broke stone path.
"Grandfather does not allow the servants to care for the property," Ludwig said when he caught Arthur looking at the dubious wood, steps. "He has become very stubborn."
"Understandable. Most old men become stubborn at this age."
The inside was different from the outside of the home. Everything was clean and neat, properly placed about the room. It was the same as Ludwig led him to the back bedroom, where Aldrich waited.
"Ludwig?" The older man sat up in the bed and looked at him. He had the same stony features as Ludwig, but his eyes were cold and older, having seen too much of life and of death. "Who is this? I said I don't want some worthless, Italian doctor," Aldrich spoke in German, turning a slight glare on his grandson.
"Hello, sir. I am Arthur Kirkland," Arthur replied in slightly accented German before Ludwig could speak. Years of having to drag Gilbert Beilschmidt home from the pub allowed him to at least be able to hold a decent conversation in German. "I came here as a favor to Ludwig. He is worried for your health."
Aldrich stared at him, and the corners of his mouth turned down. "Then maybe he shouldn't worry so much."
"Then maybe you shouldn't give him a reason to worry."
An older woman stood from where she sat at the desk on the far side of the room. She stared at Aldrich with sleepy-eyed annoyance. Her face held aged beauty, but in younger years, she must have been glorious with her curly, brown hair and intelligent, green eyes. Brushing back now graying hair, she spoke in soft Italian and placed her hands on her hips in a chiding manner.
Surprisingly, Aldrich looked away and scowled. "Fine. Do as you want."
"Thank you." Arthur glanced at the woman and nodded his thanks. She merely yawned and went back to sitting at the desk. He pulled back the blankets and examined Aldrich carefully. The old man had a fever, and he noted the tiredness that came with being ill.
"I'm going to give you a powder," he said to Ludwig and took a small pouch out of his bag. It was the same medicine he had Feliciano take when he was sick. "Put a spoonful of this in a glass of water and have him drink it after breakfast and dinner. If you do that, he'll be better in a week's time."
"Thank you, Arthur. I will give this to Signora Karpusi along with your instructions." Ludwig took the pouch and handed it to the woman, speaking in rough Italian. She nodded and waved a hand at him.
Ludwig turned back to him. "Let us have dinner and discuss your payment."
"I wish to have a few words with your grandfather first. I'll be along in a moment."
The man glanced from him to Aldrich and called Signora Karpusi to him, taking her out and closing the door.
"What do you want?" Aldrich stared at him coldly.
"I remember your home being better taken care of." Arthur pulled up a chair and sat, although he was not invited to.
"I don't care whether it rots into the ground."
"Why? It irritates your grandson to see it in such a state of disrepair."
"I don't care what my grandson thinks. It's built on a dead man's ashes." Aldrich's eyes narrowed slightly. "But you aren't here to ask about that. What do you want?"
Arthur frowned. He wasn't sure he should even say anything. Lovino and Feliciano showed an obvious connection to the Beilschmidts, and asking Aldrich Beilschimdt would probably answer all his questions about the brothers. "Do you know Lovino and Feliciano—"
"What do you know about them?" Aldrich barked, his cold eyes burning into him.
"That's what I was hoping you could tell me."
"Get out. I don't want to hear those names."
"But..."
"Out! I'm done with you." Aldrich moved to get up, but stopped when he raised his hand.
"I am sorry to have bothered you. Get well soon." Arthur rose and backed away from the angered, old man. He escaped out the door and hurried down the hall. He'd met Aldrich before, and the man had been silent and intimidating, but the man's anger was outright fear-inducing, even if Aldrich was sick.
He found the dinning room relatively easily, and Ludwig sat waiting for him. Signora Karpusi also sat at the table, her hands pressed to her temples and her lovely face twisted with pain and confusion as she spoke to Ludwig. The conversation stopped when he entered the room.
"How did your talk go?"
"Not well. I angered your grandfather." He sat and folded his hands together.
"He is easily angered these days. Don't pay it too much mind," Ludwig said, and waved Signora Karpusi away.
"Her name is Ms. Karpusi, yes?" Arthur rubbed his chin. "That same sounds so familiar."
"She was once a renown tutor of wealthy families, also many men tried for her hand in marriage. I've never understood why she chose to stayed here, but I think it has to do with the graves behind the house. Whatever occurred here happened before my accident, but it still effects my grandfather and Ms. Karpusi. They never let me near the graves." Ludwig poured him a glass of wine, and they drank together.
"Oh—"
A scream shattered the air, filling the home. For a moment, they didn't move until another scream cut through their shock. Signora Karpusi ran into the room, her hands covered in red, and spoke incoherently. Ludwig tried to console her, but she just collapsed to the ground and wept. She crossed herself furiously, smearing red over her dress and spoke in a crazed mix of words, her face turned towards the heavens in pleading agony. Whatever Ludwig had managed to take from the woman's rambling, sent him sprinting from the room. Arthur sat and watched in amazement as the woman let her grief flow into the air in the form of prayers and into the ground as tears.
Hm, what could have happened? Mwahaha!
-Windy