As promised this took a while to do, so kinda sorry about that but you were warned. I struggled with the pacing a little here. It was one of those chapters where I could have given a lot away but I didn't and it was pretty hard to write. If you notice anything off let me know and I'll see what I can do to fix it.

The link to the song played at the being of the chapter is on my profile if anyone is interested. It took me a while to look it up if I'm honest, the records are a little funny from back then but I think this song would be okay :) from the research I did it was in the charts at the time anyway.

Disclaimer- characters are not mine, this is a work of fiction.

oOo

It was late and the radio was playing Al Jolson again, but Lovino had a sneaking suspicion it was Feliciano channel chasing so that his favourite song was always on. Lovino didn't mind too much, he liked the clear melody and the man's earthy tones as sang about waiting for his lover to call him. It was calming in a way, just to sit and listen to the tinny voice issuing from the speakers without having to think too deeply; he was content for once to let his mind go relatively blank. Besides, when his brother had control of the radio it was by far safer to let him have his own way. The room was lit by the golden glow of the fire in the grate that burnt with the odd pop and snap, it had turned into a chilly night in comparison to the warm day and the room needed the added warmth. The orange light flickered lazily over the golden wireless casing and over the blue walls with lazy ease. Lovino and Feliciano and their respective bodyguard's were the only ones in the living room, them and the sound of Al Jolson's voice on the radio. Antonio and Ludwig were seated at the card table by the window, playing a few hands, their voices lost to Lovino's ears.

He sank further into the armchair; his legs sprawled out in front of him as he took a sip of the cooling warm milk Elizabeta had made for them all before retiring off to bed. She had seemed pale and drawn, and Lovino had not complained even though he knew the servants were not meant to sleep until they themselves had gone to bed. She was pregnant after all, he could not be a tyrant to her, and he knew how she felt: this Sunday had been a long one. When they had returned from the church it was back to working, and of course to worrying about the new developments in the business.

The problem with Arthur was only a minor mishap now Lovino had chance to mull over the loss of the Gold Rush Hotel. The enterprise was a source of income and could possibly link the family to the illegal business carried out in its lofty halls. If the police found any links to them it would be very difficult to get out of. It seemed a likely possibility there was a leak somewhere in the business. This information was horrifying and shocking, never before had there been a problem in the business so dangerous to them all. Lovino hoped it would be sorted for his Grandfather's sake, but at the same time he dreaded to think how it would be plugged.

He shivered, and out of the corner of his eye he noticed Feliciano's gaze flick briefly up to him and back down onto his paper. Ever since they had come back into the house they had settled on a silent agreement not to talk about the argument they had; for once the pair were sat without the younger chatting away to the elder. Antonio and Ludwig sent worried glances over their card game as if this new development was strange in some way. And it was, sort of; Lovino knew that he had to allow his brother a cool off period before he could talk to him properly. It was annoying and slow, but necessary. Before then, they would sit together in silence. The younger of the two was currently cheerfully drawing onto a pad of paper under the light of the lamps they had lit in the darkened room. The sound of the scratch of pencil on paper and Feliciano's light voice signing mixed in with Al Jolson.

"All alone, I'm so all alone." Feliciano sang as Lovino took another swig of drink. He could feel his eyes closing involuntarily as the warmth and the music washed over him, the only thing keeping him from dropping off was the thoughts that flew through his head, keeping the gears turning over and over. Lovino felt anxious and on edge, millions of problems and ideas coming to mind each one more horrible than the next. The problems with the police he himself had draw to the family. The hotel. His own workload. And then there was Feliciano who he had upset; how on earth would he fix that one? Lovino sat up straighter and stretched warily at the same time Ludwig split from Antonio to come to stand by Feliciano. His height was intimidating as ever and his face stern as he stared down impatiently.

"Master Vargas, I think it's time you were in bed." Ludwig informed him in gravely tones. Feliciano turned to look at the bodyguard with a grin on his face and his eyes pleading like a puppy begging for food from the dinner table.

"I wanted to finish my picture, Luddy, can't I stay up a little longer?" He half pleaded, his voice coming back to its normal loud volume now he was being spoken to. Ludwig did not seem impressed.

"Nein." The bodyguard shook his head clearly and folded his arms. "It is almost midnight and you have to be up at eight sharp. A body needs the right amount of sleep for you to learn properly and I will not stand for tardiness in the morning. Bed please, Sir."

Lovino had to resist snorting in laughter at Ludwig's sergeant-major like tones, but they did the trick. Feliciano sighed and began the slow process of packing up his art equipment, his lower lip jutting out but without further complaint. In a way Ludwig was suited to Lovino's younger brother, he seemed the only one that was able to handle him any case. If it meant he had to talk to him like he did, Lovino didn't mind. He knew from experience that a cranky, tired Feli was not half as pleasant as one that had enough sleep. Talking of sleep, a yawn flew unbidden from his mouth.

Ludwig glanced at him with a stern eye. "I think you should be off soon too, Sir."

"Let him finish his drink first, Ludwig." Antonio laughed as he came over from his own seat, clapping the tall blond on the back in a friendly gesture a wide smile on his face. He did not look at Lovino but he felt as if there was some hidden message to his next words. "Don't worry; I'll stay up until Sleeping Beauty here has had his beddie time milk. You take Feli to sleep."

"Hey bastard, I'm right here!" Lovino snapped embarrassed, throwing a pillow at the idiot's face who had the audacity to laugh and throw it back, although a lot lighter than he had initially done so. Ludwig watched the exchange haughtily as Feliciano giggled, sealing up his art case with a final snap. He picked it up and deposited it into his bodyguard's waiting arms before waltzing over to Lovino. In a quick movement, his brother had swooped down and kissed him lightly on both cheeks, before leaning back and smiling at him.

"Buono notte, Lovi." He said. "Dormi bene."

"And you, Feli." Lovino replied, returning his brother's smile, if somewhat more strained. His brother was angry at him still, but it seemed he was forgiven enough to merit his kindness and that was enough to rid him of the worry he had been harbouring. "Sogni d'oro."

"Come on now, Master Feliciano." Ludwig grunted impatiently as he moved to steer him away. For a split second Feliciano looked as if he would argue back, but then the grin that had slipped from his face hitched back up like a tie being adjusted around a neck. With a little chatter and a slight skip in his step, the youngest Vargas was ushered from the room and the door closed behind them, leaving only the pop of the fire and the hum of wireless. With a glance in Lovino's direction, Antonio moved to turn it off as his charge rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. When Lovino next looked up the music was gone and Antonio was looking down at him expectantly, the fire lighting him up from behind.

And that was when he remembered their promised talk that he had agreed to at the church. He inwardly cursed.

"Let's get this over with quickly," he snapped, gesturing to the seat opposite him. He chose to pretend he had not forgotten, even though it was bound to happen with everything else going on around him. Another worry to his many piles, what the hell. "I want to sleep sometime today you know."

The bodyguard nodded eagerly and sat himself down on the offered chair. His back did not touch the seat back as if he was considering leaping from it and straight at him. It was off-putting and Lovino found himself sitting backwards to get further away and clutching his glass of milk protectively before him with two hands on his lap.

"I think-" he started at the same time Antonio started: "I'm sorry-". There was a painfully awkward long moment where they stared at each other, waiting for the other to start. Antonio's gaze was long and unwavering, his expression honest. Lovino just felt flushed. Damn it and fuck.

"Why don't you start?" Lovino mumbled quickly, sipping his drink out of need of something to do with his hands even though it churned his stomach. He did not like talking to people like this, especially not with Antonio after what happened before. But the bodyguard had seemed to earnestly want to talk to him. He personally would have been happier forgetting the whole thing. Wasn't it both of their faults?

Antonio took a deep breath. "I wish to apologise for what happened, Lovino. It was entirely my fault and I take full responsibility for my actions-"

"Yes, yes, I've heard this bit already." Lovino interrupted before Antonio could get into full flow. One thing he would not be having is the idiot taking all the blame onto himself, not when it was him too. Now he remembered why he wanted to talk to him. The Spaniard looked at him with wide, confused eyes while he himself blushed. "And it's not true; I played my part in the mess. Let's just forget it ever happened."

There was a pause.

"You're serious?" Antonio sounded uncertain, as if he thought Lovino was testing him in some way. That of course annoyed the hell out of him; he had better things to do with his time than mess around with this idiot. Namely sleep.

"Damn right I'm serious." He growled in response, once again taking a swig of his drink. The milk was going cold again now but he drank it anyway, nervously. "Why would I lie, dummy? I don't like to think about it, remember that-"

He half choked on the words, unable to get the out of his mouth. Antonio looked at him with something close to pity.

"We almost kissed?" He supplied. Lovino almost punched him in the jaw right then, his hand spasming on his lap but he restrained himself from doing anything drastic.

"Do not say that out loud." He hissed, tightly gripping the glass in his hand. He knew no one was awake and that no one could possibly hear their low conversation unless they were stood right at the door but it couldn't not help to be cautious. He did not want his dark secret repeated outside this room: it was too damaging to allow. He listened closely for any sound, his gaze fixed on the door as if expecting his Grandfather to burst in. But there was only silence and guilt.

Out of the corner of his eye, Antonio lowered his head submissively at his harsh tone and Lovino felt terrible. He knew this was difficult for him, but for the bodyguard? Much worse. What did Lovino have to lose as the almost-master of the house? What did Antonio have to lose? Everything: one word from his grandfather would mean that the Spaniard would be out on the street (possibly for the second time) and without a job in the whole city. At least here the guy had a place to stay, no matter how dangerous it could be.

Lovino could have been more considerate, this was just as embarrassing as it was for Antonio as it was for him.

"I'm sorry." Lovino muttered after a pause, Antonio's green eyes finding their way to his own slowly. "I just- I-"

"It's okay." He replied quietly, the smile ever present on his lips. "I understand this might be hard for you."

Lovino bristled at the truthful words. He was the one meant to be understanding here, not the other way around. "Who said it was hard for me, bastard?"

Antonio laughed, once and clear like the ringing of a bell. The sound was music to Lovino's ears; it was so bright and optimistic, something usually devoid from his own life except in his brother who was usually busy these days. Surely he had laughed like that himself once?

"No one of course." Antonio chuckled bringing him out of his musing, smiling broadly at him as he still hunched over himself on the chair. "You know you haven't asked me."

"Asked you what?"

The bodyguard's eyebrows shot up expectantly, a faint smile playing around the corner of his mouth. Lovino felt himself flush in embarrassment.

"Fine, are you-?" He waved his hand in replacement of the alien word. Antonio laughed and settled back into his chair, crossing his legs in front of him. He was much calmer now Lovino was stressing out: the bastard.

"Attracted to men?" He filled in and then shrugged. "I suppose I am, in a way. It's complicated, I like to see the person people really are; not the gender they're labelled to be. Everyone has something to love about them. And you?"

The question caught Lovino off guard, as if he had just been punched in the stomach. He did not want to be asked such a question. It might be okay for backwards Antonio to go against everything that God had said, and that was fine because it was his choice. But him? Of course not- no.

But the words that came to his mouth were not the ones he thought of, and in a way were perhaps more truthful. "I don't know, I haven't thought about it."

A long moment of silence passed. Lovino avoided looking at Antonio, instead choosing to look into the dregs of the milk that remained cool in his cup on his lap. He felt suddenly very cold and empty and shivered even against the warmth of the room. He had never any reason to question himself in such a way; he had always believed he would grow up to marry a woman his Grandfather and God approved of and everything would be fine. He would take over the business, he would run it well. Feliciano would go to school and stay innocent forever, maybe getting a little job to support himself but still relying on his big brother.

But things did not seem to be going this way. Lovino feared the business, the same business his brother wanted despite his best efforts to keep him away from it. And of course there was the problem sat across from him. Lovino could feel Antonio watching him think in silence. He had almost committed a dreadful sin with the man before him; all because Antonio, well, made him feel somehow better about himself. When he really thought about it, the Spaniard was the only thing not against him at the moment. He was keeping him from falling over an edge he was hanging over. It was all he had. It was not surprise he was clinging to him like a lifeline, and it was also no wonder he was questioning himself so much.

"Do you want me to leave this job?"

Lovino's gaze snapped back up violently to look at the bodyguard. The dying fire flickered in Antonio's eyes which showed no fear or even guilt, they were measured and calm as they awaited his decision. The noose was around his neck and he was giving Lovino the handle to pull to make him drop.

"What?" He rasped confusion, looking at him incredulously. Why would he get to chose? What right did he have to that choice?

Antonio shrugged. "If me being as I am is a problem for you I will leave. I know some do not like people like me, it makes them awkward and uncomfortable. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable, Lovino. If you want me to go, I will."

Lovino shook his head, leaning forward as Antonio had done until he was almost in a praying position. The irony of it all almost made Lovino laugh. It was the last thing he wanted to send his bodyguard out of doors just because he felt differently to him. He was not cruel. He didn't approve of it, no; but Lovino could see Antonio was different to him, and that was no reason to send him away. He did a good job, and he was a good man. He did not deserve to be living in poverty just because he himself couldn't control himself and work out what was wrong with his feelings. Sending away one of the causes of his confusion was not the answer to this, it would be running away again and Lovino was fed up of it all.

And frankly Lovino could not see himself without the idiot now. They'd been through a lot together.

"No, you don't have to go anywhere." He said forcefully. Things will be different now, that he knew but it was just something else to deal with. At least they were no longer arguing. "And you know too much now. Besides, do you think I'm such a judgemental bastard I wouldn't be able to stand working with someone who found me attractive?"

Antonio laughed once more.

"Who said I found you attractive?" Antonio chuckled as he leant forward to his previous position. The two chairs were closer than Lovino thought, especially in their hunched positions. Their heads almost butted together. It was a little too close for comfort than Lovino would have liked but there was hint of a challenge in Antonio's eye that he could not back down from. He was not a coward, or at least he didn't want to seem like it. So he kept his face where it was and forced a smirk.

"You all but did." He argued. "And that's fine, not like I care or anything."

Antonio laughed, his breath dancing on Lovino's face. "No. So we're good?"

"We're good." Lovino agreed. Settling back into his chair and breaking away from the moment. There was a slight noise at the edge of his vision, and he snapped his head in that direction but there was nothing there. Antonio hadn't noticed anything and was already chattering away about things. Must have been the fire, he thought.

"So, now that's out of the way," Antonio was saying, bringing Lovino's attention back into the room. The bodyguard was way more relaxed now as he reclined back in his own seat. "Is there any more news on the hotel?"

Lovino shook his head, mirroring Antonio's position. "Not that I know of, but I'm sure Grandpa will let me know if there's any developments."

Antonio seemed thoughtful as he looked at the dying flame in the grate that was now barely filling the room with its light. The warm flickers danced across his fine features, dancing like the brush strokes of an artist over canvas.

"I wonder," he said aloud, bringing Lovino out of his over tired thoughts once again. He blinked out sleep from his eyes and tried to focus on the words at hand. "What happened to Carlos and Markita when the place was taken?"

Lovino considered it. Carlos would have been probably taking stock or cleaning up in the downstairs speakeasy, it was unlikely he would have escaped. Markita on the other hand had managed to get a job as a dancer downstairs, she wouldn't have been needed until the evening but there was always a chance she had been visiting Kyle. Most likely though she had not been caught and it was too early for her to be on the work records. When he voiced these thoughts, Antonio nodded.

"I thought the same." He sighed. "Shame about Carlos, he seemed like a good guy that just needed the money. For now we've just got to hope Markita keeps her head down if she knows what's good enough for her."

"We can only hope." Lovino agreed. His mind trailed off, thinking about Kyle and Carlos sat in prison cell waiting for news. The darkness and the dank and the endless, endless waiting. He had liked both men and it seemed a shame they would be lost now. They weren't bad people after all, just on the wrong side of the law. And the law was sometimes wrong. They hadn't hurt anyone, merely sold alcohol to people on the side of a good business. Lovino couldn't see the reason for them to spend their time rotting in a prison for that.

He was distracted by the steady beat of slippered feet on the entrance hall tiles, and the next second the door opened and a pale face popped around the corner.

"Oh, my apologises, Sir." Roderich said. He was wearing a night robe over a pair of stripped pyjamas, but his glasses on the bridge of his nose made even that look as severe. "I didn't think anyone was still up, I wanted to put out the fire so that we don't have any accidents. But if you're still using this room-"

"No, no." Lovino waved his hand, moving up to a sitting position and stretching until his back popped. It was definitely time for bed now, before he curled up and died in exhaustion. "We're off now too. Would you like a hand with anything?"

Roderich seemed scandalised, his dark eyes widening in disgust and the slightest bit of amusement. "Sir, please. I am a butler. It is my job to clean up your mess, please go to bed."

Lovino considered arguing that he was only the son of a rich man and not the lord of any manor, but then he realised he was too tired for that and merely shrugged the comments away. Beside him Antonio stood up and straightened his own suit with a cheerful look as Lovino all but peeled himself from the chair. How the bodyguard looked so awake was beyond him.

"So," Antonio continued as Roderich tidied up in the far corner where the bodyguards had been sat. The bodyguard made an effort to tidy up Lovino's mess, adjusting the seat while he spoke, totally ignoring the offended looks Roderich threw in his direction. "What happens now?"

"With the business?" Lovino enquired and then shook his head, running a hand through his hair and pulling the waxed strands into disorder. Ergh, and he needed a bath but that would have to wait until tomorrow now. "The Lord only knows. Grandpa will want to deal with this one quick. It's bad enough that the police took the hotel, it's even worse it's a leak in our own ranks. We've never had a leak before, as far as I know anyway."

"Your Grandpa keeps a tidy ship."

Lovino wasn't sure whether Antonio was joking or not, so he scowled anyway. "Wouldn't you if you were in this business? It's best to keep everything under control and only surround yourself with people you trust. Always play it safe, risks cause problems somewhere down the line."

Antonio's smile seemed forced as he puffed up the pillow in his hands. "He's trained you up well."

"It'll be my business one day." Lovino shrugged and then stretched, yawning widely. He was sure the moment his head hit the pillow he would be dead to the world until the morning. "In any case I want this business sorted too. Anything that upsets Grandpa is bad for us all. What with the Ivan business too, who knows how many leaks there are, and where they lead to. A leak to the police is one thing, but to the next gang? Catastrophic. Whoever is doing this is walking on a serious tightrope."

"By the sounds of it they certainly are." Antonio noted sadly. Roderich bustled over to their table and began his wiping down of the surface where Feliciano's white flakes from rubbing out his drawing lay like dust. Honestly, the boy was suck a messy idiot. He never tied up after himself.

"Grandpa won't stand for it." Lovino sighed, carrying on the conversation as Roderich worked around them. The cleaning was certainly getting done quicker with two people working on it, he would have helped himself but he was reminded of Roderich's disapproval and just stood to watch.

"He'll be looking for the person who's done it. I'll be surprised if he doesn't already know who it is-"

There was a shatter of glass as the cup of milk fell to the floor, the shards flying off in every direction. Lovino yelped and stepped away at the same time Antonio moved forward to touch Roderich's shoulder who seemed to be shaking. Lovino forgot the glass on the floor; what on earth was wrong? Had his hand slipped? Was he okay?

"I'm sorry, Sir," Roderich gasped. His gaze was fixed to the floor but there was definitely something wrong with the way his hands shook and his pupils were far too small in his eyes. "How clumsy of me, I will get it cleaned up right away."

"Roderich?" Antonio asked, obviously concerned as Lovino was. He leant closer to the older man in an attempt to read his face. "You don't look well, is something wrong? Would you like to sit down?"

The short titter of laughter that erupted from the butler was so false that it made Antonio and Lovino share a wary glance over the top of his head. The tall man crouched until he could pick up the pieces with his slim fingers.

"Problem, Sir?" He answered shakily. "No, no, nothing is wrong-"

"I refuse to believe that for one second." Lovino scoffed, also kneeling on the floor in an attempt to help. He ignored the small noise of protest Antonio made as he did so, easily picking up the large pieces without hurting himself. "Now, please tell me-"

"I can't."

Lovino looked up but Roderich was not looking at him. He was staring at the floor as though it held some important detail none of them had seen, his whole frame shaking. This was not normal, Roderich was usually so straight forward and reasonable, Lovino had never seen the butler act like this in all the years of knowing him. It felt wrong; it felt like there was something he did not know. Something his friend had not said and that made him feel slightly sick.

What could be so bad he could not say anything?

"Is there something wrong with Elizabeta or the baby?" He probed the worst case scenario first. Roderich just twitched his head in response.

"Please, don't ask. I can't tell you. It's not important." He mumbled. He seemed to gather himself up a little and attempt to pick up the glass. Antonio dropped down onto their level too, placing a hand on the butler's shoulder.

"It obviously is to you. And we care Roderich," the Spaniard looked to Lovino for confirmation and he gave a swift nod in return. "Both of us. We want to help, please let us."

But Roderich just shook his head; his shoulder's sagging and shaking. There was a twitch of his lips before he spoke. "I am only a servant and of little consequence. Please let me do my job and leave me alone. It really doesn't matter, I'm just being stupid."

The butler scoffed slightly and worked at picking up the shards. But he still would not reach his eyes. It was clear he was lying, but why, and what for? If it was something wrong with Elizabeta Lovino would be told, she was his friend after all. They both were. He wouldn't have any of this servant business, not when either of them have ever been anything less than family.

Still if Roderich was going to play the 'servant' card, then he would play the master.

Lovino sniffed harshly. "In that case, I demand to know what is wrong. I'm not leaving this room until you've told me, or would you like me to report you to Viktor, or my Grandpa?"

That made him look up. Roderich's head snapped up so quickly his whole body lurched forward slightly; his eyes were wide and helpless looking, his mouth opening in protest. Lovino moved back a little at the sudden and surprising movement, not expecting such a violent reaction, but he recovered quickly. He could definitely use this to his advantage.

"Sir-!"

"No, Roderich." He stopped him sternly before he could get into a good flow. "I am your boss, or I will be one day. I want to think that all the people I have under me are happy, not worrying or upset when I could have helped them. What sort of person would that make me? So are you going to tell me what it is that's bothering you?"

His indigo eyes went large and pleading. He half shook his head. "No, you don't understand- I can't-"

"Fine." Lovino said abruptly, standing up and dusting his suit off. The movement was so quick that even Antonio looked shocked at his sudden change of heart. Lovino had to fight to keep his features straight as he looked down on the confused pair. "Then I will tell my Grandfather, and he will sort it out."

"Lovi!" Antonio jumped up too, although keeping a firm hand on Roderich's shoulder. "What are you-?"

"Come on, Antonio." He demanded quirking an eyebrow before turning on his heel and heading towards the door. He could literally count the second before the bodyguard hurried to do as he was told. Good, Lovino was banking on his loyalty.

He had a brother after all, and a younger one at that. He knew how to deal with people who were being difficult; after years of handling Feli it was impossible not to learn a thing or two. His hand was on the doorknob when Roderich called out for them to stop.

"W-wait!" He pleaded and Lovino halted, but did not turn around. "Please, don't tell the Master. I assure you it is nothing of importance."

"If it wasn't then why all the secrecy, Roderich?" Why was he still being stubborn and hiding it? Couldn't he see all Lovino wanted was to help? It couldn't possibly be that bad. "You need to understand I can't just pretend this never happened when you are obviously very upset about something. I want to help you, but I can't if you won't tell me what's wrong."

He turned slightly, looking past Antonio to see the butler still on the floor, alone in the centre of the room. He was knelt as if he was praying, his dark eyes wide as he visibly gulped hard enough to make his Adam's apple bob in his throat, painfully restricted by the tight buttons of his pyjamas. The silence was deafening as Lovino waited, Roderich seemed to weigh up his options; he visibly shook and closed his eyes as if in pain. When he spoke it was barely above a whisper.

"You must promise me not a word of this will leave this room." He said, his eyes still closed as if waiting for a blow that would never come. Antonio blinked and looked at Lovino but he ignored the bodyguard's eyes in favour of watching the butler. In all his years, Lovino had never once seen Roderich look so old.

"You have my word." He spoke measured and evenly but his words seemed to break Roderich. The man turned his head away, and it took Lovino a moment to realise he was crying.

"I've done something terrible." He choked out. Lovino was frozen to the spot, staring at the sight. What on earth-? "It was stupid, but I thought it was the right thing for the baby and now-"

He couldn't seem to go on, shoving his knuckles in his mouth so he could say no more, his shoulders heaving. This was far more serious than Lovino had initially thought it to be. He felt lost for a moment, as though he was missing a vital piece to the puzzle. No small matter would make the butler act like this, it was obviously something damaging.

"Watch the door." he commanded Antonio in an undertone and the man nodded in understanding. Antonio's eyes were as concerned as Lovino felt, his eyebrows puckered over them in confusion. It would not do for someone to walk into the room while they were talking; not when Roderich was so distressed and as yet without cause. A cold feeling was starting to spread in Lovino's stomach and for a moment he wondered if he really wanted to hear this. But curiosity and duty got the better of

him: he had to do this.

Roderich calmed a touch with Antonio at the door, but he still looked horrified, his eyes darting around the room as if he expected someone to step out of the shadows. Eventually he calmed enough to gulp and glance at Lovino, muttering a raspy: "You promise you won't say anything?"

"Of course." Lovino was too concerned to be offended by Roderich's lack of trust in him. He moved to the other man and sat on the floor beside him. Lovino was struck with how similar the situation was to when he was a child and the butler had been there to share a word with him when he'd needed it; after Feliciano and he had argued, when school was getting a little hard. They had both watched each other grow old. It was strange that the roles were reversed but he was sure he had never looked as bad as the man before him now. Roderich struggled to take breath never mind speak. Lovino's anxiety increased until the horrible feeling made him want to shake the other man and demand immediate answers. But he held off.

"I've been so stupid." The butler gasped, shaking his head before putting his face into his hands. "I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was too proud and so fucking stupid."

Lovino waited for an explanation. He felt cold and useless. He should have patted the other man on the back, but he was held back by something. Roderich looked like a man on the edge of a cliff, looking down with nowhere to go but the dark depths of the gorge below. To touch him now would be to push him.

"I'm sorry." He rasped, and looked into Lovino's eyes with horror as his lips formed the words. "It's all my fault, I'm so sorry."

He blinked in response. Sorry? He sent a confused glance in Antonio's direction but the bodyguard had his eyes fixed on Roderich in disbelief, his mouth slightly open and the colour draining from his features. Lovino still did not understand but the silence and the mood shifted to an unbearable level and a faint stirring of understanding heaved his gut.

"What-?"

"It was me." Roderich shook. He said the words as if he could not believe them himself, as if the truth was even too much for him to take in. "Oh god, it was me- the police-"

He didn't finish but he didn't have to. Everything suddenly clicked into place and the cogs began to whir in Lovino's head.

It was Roderich who was the informant. Their butler, his friend: he'd sold them out to save his own skin. The man before him was a traitor.

Anger was the first feeling: anger enough that if he'd have let it grow it would have made him lash out. The idiot had endangered them all! Antonio, his brother, damn it even himself! What on earth had he been thinking? What could have possessed him to-?

And that was as far as his anger got because he saw through the red haze and beyond it to the snivelling wreck of the man in front of him. His childhood friend who had slipped him extra snacks at dinner and taught him to come out of himself with music. He'd been a companion and a good man for as long as he had known. In his right mind he wouldn't have sold them out, not unless something was wrong.

Elizabeta? The baby? All of them were factors; Roderich had not been thinking about himself. And he certainly hadn't been sneaky enough to keep himself out of trouble. His Grandfather was out for blood and he would have it. Before Lovino had almost wanted the capture, just to end his own troubles, but now he felt sick to his bones.

Not Roderich- no. He couldn't-

"Lovi?" Antonio asked from the door because he had been silent for too long and both of the other men were looking at him with concern and worry.

"I don't-," he tried to say but his voice had gone. He cleared his throat. His hands were shaking too. "I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything!" Roderich said quickly, panic in his voice. "Please forget I said anything! I was just so worried for the baby and Eliza, if anything were to happen to them-" He choked back a painful sob that almost broke Lovino's heart. His hand reached out into the void between them and without a second thought Lovino took it. "Oh god, I don't want to die- I don't want to die-"

Words failed him. Before him was the man he knew and while part of him screamed traitor the other could not forget almost fifteen years over one act. Roderich had his reasons and Lovino would not question them.

"Tell me what happened." He commanded. Roderich took a juddering breath.

"A man I went to school with, a friend, is in the forces." He explained, relatively easily. Facts, he supposed, the other man could handle. "He was with the lot watching the house. Name of Zwingli, Vash. I called and told them what I knew."

The idea that the police were watching the house was disturbing enough as it was, but part of Lovino knew they had been. It was obvious really; they'd seen him at church. Even the Russians and the Wang group knew where they lived, it was hardly a secret.

"What did you tell them?" Now this was the worrying part.

Another breath. "Everything. I told them about the party, the people there, the deal from the other day. The hotel: oh god the hotel. I thought if they had something, they could catch him. Put him away. Then we'd be free- but if he's already looking- if he's already found out-"

Fear took him once again and Roderich suddenly lunged forward, pulling his hands closer to Lovino's own and holding them together as if he was praying. The eyes that met his own behind the familiar glasses were almost black with panic and watering.

"Help me-" He begged. It was if he had no other choice now, he was placing all his trust in Lovino and the weight of it was crushing. His every word was like a stab in the heart. "You have to help me, Lovino. Your Grandfather will kill me- he'll put Eliza on the streets, or worse. The baby- I can't let it happen, not while I'm still alive. Help me- please, you have to-"

The man before him was overcome and wept in terror, throwing himself on Lovino's lap with little dignity. He himself had frozen at the words.

What could he do? He could not go against his Grandfather, not with this- it was too big.

But this was Roderich, not some unknown face off the street. He couldn't allow it. He might have been a traitor but he was still a friend. And there was Eliza to think of too, how would she cope with her husband, the man she loved being found and, and possibly-

There was no possible way he would be found. It was only him, Antonio and Roderich who knew about this.

His head was moving too fast to think this over properly. Lovino needed to sleep. "In the morning." He mumbled and he felt the others' gazes snap onto him.

"We'll discuss this in the morning." He repeated. Lovino felt dazed, confused. Empty. He was so shocked he could barely speak but the sight of the butler begging was keeping him from going over the edge. "I need to think this over."

"But you'll help me?"

Lovino swallowed hard, feeling like this decision would make or break him. But then memories of childhood would not stand in his way and allow the man before him to be killed, even if it meant going against his Grandfather.

The older man would not show compassion. And Lovino did not want to be the same.

"Yes." He agreed, swallowing against the lump in his throat. "I'll help. But tomorrow."

oOo

Feliciano had been asleep a while, he did not know how long, when something woke him up. He stared with bleary eyes, sticky with sleep, into the darkness of his room. The darkness looked back at him empty. The room still had the cool edge he liked it to have before he slept in it, the one Ludwig made by opening the window and the closing it again for the rest of the night. It was not safe to have his window open after all, and bugs would get in. Once there had been a spider as big as his hand that had crawled under his door and terrified Elizabeta. Ludwig had said-

Feliciano's train of thought juddered to a halt as he noticed what was wrong with his room, a slight difference that had not been there before. It was barely noticeable, but his wardrobe door was open a fraction; the blackness inside seemed to go on forever. When he had been little, so little that Lovino had seemed like a giant compared to him, he had often cried about his door being open in fear that a monster's slimy hands would work their way around the cracks in the door.

These days it was Lovi crying out in his sleep, but now he had Toni to look after him. There were no such thing as monsters and he had nothing to fear from an open door.

With a small shrug, Feliciano reasoned the creak of the door opening slightly must have woken him up. There were a lot of clothes in there, that had probably done it. He lay back down, curling his covers around him so that some of his body was out in the open air to feel the coolness touch his skin. But he was uncomfortable after being laid for so long in the same position. He sighed, and moved to flip over-

oOo

A scream of terror cut through the dark, black of the night like a dagger. Lovino shot up in bed, his covers flying off him as if the alarming sound had flung him upwards from his sleep. His eyes, wide and staring in the dark, were confused and disorientated. His body, still heavy with sleep, responded slowly and with the confusion of someone exiting a vivid dream and waking up to reality. His mind ran at full speed, trying to process what had just happened. What had that noise been? Where had it come from? Why-?

But then there was the piercing echo of a gunshot and the crash of glass, and Lovino was no longer half asleep. There was no way he could have dreamed that. It felt as if the blood had stopped in his heart and his breath caught in sheer horror.

The noises had come from Feliciano's bedroom.

Without another conscious thought he sprang from the bed, flew across the room barefooted and flung open the door. He did not think about himself, he did not consider how stupid the act could be either. He did care that whoever had made his brother scream like that was obviously in the next room and could easily be after him next; all he cared about was getting to his fratellino. Lovino would claw his way through and fight for Feliciano if he had to. He had to make sure he was safe; he had to make sure he was alive-

If he wasn't, oh god-

The darkness was no longer silent, Lovino was distinctly aware of the house coming to life at the shrill scream and shots. Like the pounding of his own heart the noises around him stirred into life. The house woke up, but too slowly for his liking.

Where was everyone? Why weren't they helping?

Perhaps this was a raid? Perhaps they were already dead? Fear griped, ice cold at his heart and he gasped out his breathes as he flung open the door.

As he made to run out and cross the corridor, a darkened figure hurried out of the opposite door and Lovino froze. His throat constricted as he pulled himself to a stop in the doorway, clutching the cold wood to stop himself from sliding. His breath rasped out to be followed by the quick, animal like huffs from the other person. They measured each other up. Where he was expecting masked men, hulking and large, there was a distinct lack of mass. It was hard to make out features in the dark but the small stature and long hair was feminine: it was a woman. The news shocked him into a stupor, broken only when she lunged forward like a cat towards him; the moonlight catching the gleam of her manic eyes and the glitter of the knife she held aloft.

The danger was brief. A shadow shot in front of Lovino, a hand shoving him back through the doorway of his room as a protective shadow pushed the arm of the woman away so that the knife slid across the wall with a shred of wallpaper and the crackle of plaster. The woman hissed like a demon, coming up for another lunge but Antonio, but, had his gun cocked and in her face before she could even turn properly. Lovino stared through the gap in the taller man's arm, hearing the sound of the Spaniard's quickened breath over the sound of his own beating heart, and looked into the woman's eyes. She was beautiful but her face was a twisted foul mask of hate. Her cold eyes caught Lovino's and the cold in his chest tugged tighter at his heart strings, pulling until he felt them draw agonisingly tight. There was no remorse in her eyes, nothing human at all.

At the same time the footsteps and pounding still drew closer, so loud now it would be impossible for the woman to escape. She seemed to be thinking along the same lines, her eyes narrowed in hate briefly before she darted past Antonio, off down the hallway to the staircase. Her shirt flapped up behind her like a cloak and her shadow escaped down the staircase.

She was not alone. Ludwig rushed out of the room the second the edge of her skirt rounded the corner; his face was white and his eyes livid, but his mouth was a calm thin line as he reloaded the handgun in his palm. Out in the staircase there was the sound of shouts and two more shots went off with cursing, the sound of the woman's footsteps on the marble never faltered in her decent. She was fast and soon there was the distant slam of the front door and more cursing. Lovino caught his Grandfather's bellowed voice the most.

"Stay on this floor, in case there's more of them." Ludwig ordered Antonio. Lovino opened his mouth to demand information on his brother but that was when the moonlight caught a silvery wetness on Ludwig's hand that shone in the half light. Everything seemed to stop for a moment and Lovino's knees went weak; then he came to his senses and bolted past the blond man as he in turn hurried to the staircase.

Blood, there was blood on his hands.

Lovino did not care if Antonio was following, or if there might be danger waiting for him in the room. All he could think of was the obvious splash of blood that was covering the bodyguard's hand. Was Feliciano-?

No, no, no-

There was no light on in the room, and the curtains blew open with the fresh bullet hole through the glass allowing the night air to enter the room. It was cold. The few shards of glass that had spat off from the window shone like ice on the floor. It was a mess, and more than usual; the art equipment and clothes were still scattered around the room but there was a discorded feeling to the room as if someone had ran through it and scattered the belongings in their haste to get away.

Lovino's eyes took all this in before noticing the small mound under the covers on the bed. He half ran towards it, not taking his eyes from it. Was that a breath moving it, or the breeze? There didn't seem to be any blood about, but the substance on Ludwig's hand was from something and the man didn't seem injured himself. It felt as if his body was separated from his consciousness as he saw his own shaking hand reach out to pull off the covers surrounding the body.

They fell away and large, tear filled eyes made his heart beat again.

"Oh, Feli." He managed to gasp before his brother practically threw himself around him in a hug. For once in his life, Lovino did not mind the arms clinging around his neck and could only hold him equally as tight as Feliciano wailed into his shoulder. He was shaking, or perhaps they both were. Lovino found himself sitting down, suddenly exhausted, and pushing his brother away to see into his face and check for damage.

At first he didn't notice it, Feliciano's face was so shiny looking in the dark with tears and he couldn't seem to stop snivelling that Lovino did not catch the large cut across his brother's cheek until his hand blindly felt for damages. Feliciano gasped slightly in pain and Lovino withdrew his hand quickly from the wounded area. His brother's blood was on his hand. Anger filled his stomach as he silently held his brother to him, holding onto his hand as if Feli was dangling over the edge of the world.

Lovino felt mad at himself for not being there, but even more mad at the people who had done this. This was not the police as he had thought; it had to be Ivan's lot, chasing them down. What sort of scum would go after a young boy? Feliciano wasn't even out of school. Even for organised crime, that was low. His Grandfather would never deal with things in that manner!

He continued to stroke Feliciano's hair, soothing him as the voices his Grandfather and the servants shouting echoed in the lobby. By the sounds of it the woman had got away, and after what she had done to Feli, Lovino found himself wishing she hadn't, even if it was only for a second. He was aware of Antonio giving them some space by the door, but his focus was on his little brother: the little brother he had almost lost moments before. Cuts would heal, but a knife to the throat would not have been a pleasant way to die at all.

He clenched his teeth at the thought and held onto Feliciano that little bit tighter. Feliciano could have died. He could have lost him. The thought was almost too much to bear.

Feliciano himself seemed more calm now and only heaved deep shuddering breaths occasionally but he was still shaking violently. His smaller hand was tight around Lovino's hold. They both flinched when suddenly the light switched on as Antonio flipped the switch by the door. Lovino tutted aloud in sympathy as he caught sight of his brother's pale features marred by the jagged cut across his face. It was not a deep cut or bleeding too freely, he had been lucky. Whatever had happened the woman had not been successful in her murder attempt, but Feliciano was a quick little kid when he needed to be. He must have moved out of the way just in time.

Trying not to move too much, he shifted so that he was able to pull the blanket free but could not manoeuvre it up and over his brother's shoulders like he had planned.

Lovino blinked in surprise as it suddenly did as he had planned without him touching it. Antonio had moved from the door like a ghost and had placed the blanket over his brother wordlessly, his eyes pitying and sad as he crouched down in front of the younger boy, placing a tentative hand on his pyjama clad leg.

"Feli?" He asked softly. There was a hiccup in response. "Feli, I need you to tell me if you are hurt anywhere else."

Feliciano shook his head a fraction, more like a jerk. Lovino could see eyes were wide and dilated still in terror, his hand jerking pathetically in his own. Lovino knew his own hands were trembling, and his stomach was in knots but he was recovering slowly now he could see Feliciano alive and whole. Poor Feli couldn't seem to control himself; he had to keep it together for him. It was if all the light had gone in him and left him as dark as the room, he held back a sob and mumbled something unintelligible under his breath which only brought on more tears.

"What?" Lovino said, trying to catch his eyes but they were clouded with tears. He mumbled again. "Feli, please, you're going to have to speak up."

"She paused." He faintly heard in a whisper. Feliciano's eyes were fixed on the floor and were slowly welling up again. "She was after you."

Lovino stared aghast as his fresh sobs were covered by the sound of pounding footsteps rushing up the staircase and along the corridor. The doors smashed open and all six foot of Roma Vargas burst into the room; their Grandfather's hair was dishevelled and he had thrown a heavy coat over his shoulders. His eyes scanned the room briefly before locking onto the two brothers and rushing forward, half shoving Antonio out of the way in the process.

"Lovino, oh Lovi." It took Lovino a second to realise that his Grandfather's eyes were fixed on him and he blinked in confusion over his worry. Feliciano was the one who was- "Where are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?"

"I-" He shook his head in confusion but Roma was already searching him, patting him down to check for injuries. With the light on Lovino realised that the blood from his brother's face has smeared onto his own shirt front, the red stark against the dulled white, and then of course there was his hands. But it was Feliciano clinging to him, needing comfort from him; he was obviously the injured one.

"Sir." Antonio tried to interrupt his Grandfather in a measured tone. "It is not-"

But Roma rounded on him like a caged animal, his teeth bared. "You! Why didn't you do your job? Why are you just standing there when that bitch is on the loose?!"

"With all due respect, Sir." Antonio continued in the same voice with a hard crease marring his forehead. "Someone needed to stay in the room with the boys in case there was more than one."

Roma huffed and threw his hand in the air, a sign he was dropping the subject but was not persuaded.

"He is still injured." He snarled to the Spaniard. Lovino watched as Antonio's face flickered with a mixture of confusion and something close to dislike.

"I'm not hurt, Nonno." Lovino managed to say. His throat felt dry and the hand clinging to his own was still shaking. How couldn't the older man see?

"I am." Feliciano's voice was rough and croaky with tears but he still managed the two words. They were spoken with disbelief and sadness, and Lovino couldn't blame his little brother. Roma's attention snapped onto the youngest brother, finally taking in the wound on his face with wide eyes. He visibly let out a breath, clutching his chest over his heart in relief.

"Oh, thank god." He breathed before turning his attention to Feliciano's shaking form. He knelt down slightly before them but his eyes were no longer worried or panicked, he seemed almost relaxed with a hint of anger lurking below the depths. Without permission he grabbed Feli's face to see it properly, tilting it into the light and ignoring his flinch of pain.

Lovino could understand the mistake, but he couldn't believe the older man. Feliciano was obviously in distress and pain, why wasn't he trying to help more and be nice? Sure, the way he was looking him over was thoughtful, but it was cold. Detached.

Perhaps he was just angry. That had to be it, of course, he was mad something like this had happened. Lovino could tell with the crease between his eyebrows and the taunt line of his mouth. It was unsurprising really, he himself was furious. The only thing keeping him in the room was the person he wished to avenge.

"Grandpa, who did this?" He asked quietly as Roma stepped away from Feliciano. The youngest child still had tears in his eyes which he wiped at futilely until Lovino rubbed his head to calm him. Their Grandfather leered darkly as the sound of running came towards the room once again, and this time Viktor, and surprisingly, Roderich came into the room. Viktor looked blank despite the situation and the gun he was holding casually in one hand. Roderich on the other hand was pale and distressed. His eyes caught Lovino's guiltily before he made his way towards them purposefully; there was a first aid kit in his hand which he took to using on Feliciano without really looking at him.

"Ludwig and the men have gone looking for the woman." Viktor murmured, his voice even. "But I don't think there will be much luck. She's a fast one."

"Buttana! That little tart was from Braginski, I know it." Roma hissed furiously. He seemed frustrated with himself more than anything, his hands flying through the air rapidly as he began to pace erratically across the room. "When I get my hands on them, I swear, there will be nothing left. I will tear down that man's business brick by brick if I have to. I will not let him come in my home and threaten my family! I run this town, do you hear me? Me!"

No one spoke, no one dared. The hands that Roderich used to work on Feliciano were unsteady and Lovino could feel his younger brother quaking still beneath his hand. He had not seen his Grandfather so angry since he himself had been attacked, but that had not been at their home, and it had not been an almost successful murder. He could have lost Feli tonight, and he would have to consider that deeply at some point, but for now the danger had past and more serious things were on his mind.

"What do you suggest we do, Sir?" Viktor asked. His tone had not changed but there was a curiosity in his eyes as his cold blue gaze followed Roma around the room. The other man shook his head and scratched at his scalp rapidly before he stopped dead in his tracks to fix the blond with a look.

"We cannot let this lie." He muttered, his eyes wild and far away. "We have to strike back. Take their club, the casino, whatever I don't care. But I want one in my possession by tomorrow. I will not stand for this. I have been more than welcoming by letting them stay in this city; for them to try to take it now is disrespectful. I do not like to be disrespected."

"No. It will be done." Victor agreed, bowing his head slightly. Beside Lovino, Feliciano gave a small gasp as the alcohol laden swab touched the wound on his face; his finger's tightening briefly around his brother's hand before relaxing. But Roma heard it and rounded on the butler as if the younger boy had screamed.

"You watch what you're doing, idiot!" He snapped. Roderich visibly flinched but said nothing, scurrying rat-like to complete the first aid and leave. His hands were almost shaking too much to handle the bandages. Lovino, feeling sorry and more than wary for the man spoke up to distract attention from him. Better him than Roderich who after the discussion early, clearly had lots more to worry about.

"What do you want me to do, Grandpa?"

Roma blinked heavily and looked at Lovino as though he hadn't noticed he was still sat there. His gaze softened slightly when he looked at him, but there was still anger in his voice when he spoke.

"I want you to go to bed." He said decisively. "Viktor and I will take this discussion upstairs. You both need to be up for school-"

He paused, thinking deeply before shaking his head to remove the incorrect statement. It had obviously been a long night. "No, no, Feliciano needs to sleep for school. You will be working tomorrow. I want things to carry on as normal, tonight never happened."

"The window is broken." Lovino pointed out feeling a little useless. He wanted to stay with his Grandfather and hear what he had planned for the Russian's, and everything else for that matter but the hand on his own reminded him that first and foremost he was a brother. He could not leave Feliciano alone after this; the thought didn't even cross his mind. No: he wanted him right next to him where he could look after him. Tonight he would be a big brother and nothing more.

"He could stay with me for tonight. I don't mind sharing and it will be easier to look after us both in one room." Lovino explained as Roderich backed off the now bandaged and miserable looking Feliciano. Without another word he sped from the room as quickly as he had entered. Lovino had to avoid the urge to look around, instead keeping eye contact with his Grandfather who did not seem to have noticed the other man's retreat.

"Yes, of course." He nodded and then waved a hand vaguely in the direction of his bedroom. "Go, now. Tonight will be a long night."

It certainly would. Lovino felt wide awake now, the adrenaline from before heightening his senses. He doubted he could sleep now after what had happened but he would do as he was told. His Grandfather needed time alone; to push him now would be dangerous. So instead he jumped up, pulling his brother with him and half moved to lead him out of the room on his shaky legs.

"Lovino." His Grandfather stopped him before he could go very far, striding forward to catch them. Without another word he kissed both boys on their cheeks before drawing them closer to him in a hug which neither of them resisted, even though the arms around them were tight. The older man's breath grazed against Lovino's ear briefly before he pulled away slowly and motioned for them to carry on in silence.

Not needing to be told twice, Lovino hurried from the room and the short distance across the hall. His main priority now was getting his brother into bed and letting him rest. He did not care that Antonio followed at their heels, he did not care that his clothes were dotted with blood. All that mattered now was his little brother who meant more to him than he could ever say. He had almost lost him and he would not be letting him go again.

oOo

Translations:
dormi bene- sleep well
sogni d'oro- sweet dreams
buttana- Scillian swear word (bitch)

Not keen on this chapter but it was the best I could do. Drop a review anyway :) I'm going to be busy with things for a while but it's gonna be a while for the next update anyway cos I'll be working on a chapter of the Harry Potter/hetalia crossover which should be fun and a break from the depression that is this story :L I love it but it's so blargh all the time :')

Thank you to everyone who reviewed last time or favourited :) let me know what you think and stuff! Hope you're all well!