Just a warning, updates are going to lag within the next few weeks/months due to a second project I have buried myself in with a close friend of mine.

Attack of the killer short chapters! Run for your lives! I'm a little upset I wasn't all that creative with the fight, but I liked seeing Gino pinned tothe floor, handsome and helpless. I'm a kinky kami. Sorry. I would say "sue me" but too many people would take advantage of that. Anywho. Btw, the plot has yet to officially die. twitch I'm hopiing for a steaming, drool-fest, ban-worthy sex scene this chap.

Chapter 8: The Symbol of Power and the Promise of Love

Gino felt empty as he looked over Isle de Gambino. He wasn't cold or lonely as he watched flakes of white fall over the cloudy orange dawn. He wasn't angry or depressed. Just empty. A hand went to his heart, and he felt the gauze of his bandages warm his skin under the plain sweater and jeans he wore. Again he was wounded and recovering, but this wound wasn't for his friends. It burned his chest like a brand from his father's sins.

Father... the blonde thought, bowing his head as the wind blew in his face to dance in his free hair. Though you suffer from your mistakes, I will not do the same. I swear on the death of your murderer...I will become a better man and surpass you in greatness, continue the family legacy, and make Gaia a better place for all...It would be...what you wanted.

"Gino..." The blonde turned to see Ian, carrying a long bundle carefully. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes..." Gino smiled, going to him. He gave Ian a kiss on the lips and hugged him. "How's Rufus?" He asked, letting go of the shopkeeper.

"Well." Ian grinned. "Getting fatter and lazier each day."

The blonde laughed and nodded. His attention went to the bundle Ian was carrying. "What's that?"

Ian moved aside a bit of the cloth to reveal a shimmering hilt. "It's...the rapier you used the other night..."

Gino's face became emotionless as he took the handle and drew the sword from the cloth sheath. The blade rang with morning light and the snow kissed the rapier as lightly as they kissed Gino. It felt perfect in his hand, light and balanced. Memories of the fight against the assassin flashed in his mind, and he remembered how the sword had become a part of him.

"We buried the assassin with his own blade," Ian said. "I wasn't sure what you'd want to do witht he rapier, though. So...I cleaned it and kept it until you were well." He hesitated, watching Gino hold the blade and inspect it. "What do you want to do with it?"

"I wish to keep it," answered Gino. "This rapier killed my father's murderer. It is a new symbol of power for the Gambino family. It will remain on my left side as you stand at my right..."

Ian hugged Gino from behind; his arms around the blonde's waist and hands clasped over Gino's stomach. Gino sighed, closing his eyes as he relaxed against the shopkeeper. He tilted his head to the side a bit as he felt Ian's breath on his neck; a hand on Ian's arm. Gino's body was perfect against Ian's; warm and slender, curving into and taking in his form like a mold. Gino shivered, as if feeling the same thing.

"Ian..." Gino panted. "Please...let go...my body feels...so strange..."

Reluctantly, Ian let go. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, blushing lightly. "Sorry...I don't know what came over me..."

"It's okay..." The blonde chuckled, rubbing his sword arm a bit. "I liked it...it just...surprised me...that's all." He rewrapped the sword and hugged it close, smiling through his own blush. "I'm...going to put this in my room..."

"Do you mind if I follow?" Ian asked.

Gino paused, then answered. "I...don't mind..."

Ian nodded and followed the blonde through the mansion to a beautiful bedchamber fit for a king. It was like a hotel suite; one area for guests and visitors to talk in a living room, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a small study, and the actual bedroom set aside and almost hidden from view. Ian peeked intot he bedroom while Gino set the sword in the study and whistled in amazement. "Pretty big bed..." Ian grinned as Gino joined his side. "Got a girl to go with it?"

Gino winked. "You, maybe."

This made Ian blush brightly, unsure how to reply. The blonde giggled and started to walk off, but Ian grabbed his arm and pulled Gino close. He gasped at the sudden nearness of the shopkeeper and sighed as their eyes stared deeply into each other, Ian's grip lessening to let his hands slip to the teen's side. Gino's arm slide around Ian's neck to pull him closer, a hand on Ian's heart.

Finally their faces met in a warm, sweet kiss. Gino sighed in his nose, parting his lips. Ian's tongue slid past the tender flesh, dipping into the heat of the blonde's mouth. It wasn't their first kiss, but it was as tender and unknowing as if it were their first. Gino pressed himself closer in want, sucking on Ian's tongue hungrily. Ian grunted a bit at Gino's enthusiasm, running a hand through Gino's hair and holding him still. He felt the blonde clutch his shirt and release as a cat would.

Ian broke the kiss, watching as Gino struggled to catch his breath. The shopkeeper took an opportunity that was presented and gently pulled Gino's head back to expose a perfect neck. Gino gasped and groaned as Ian's lips pressed against the nape of his neck, nibbling and sucking on sweet skin. The blonde panted at the feel of Ian devouring him, squirming against him in pleasure. Ian grunted a bit as Gino's hips rubbed against his. He felt as if he would lose his mind.

They froze as the ringing of the doorbell sounded. Gino muttered darkly under his breath and started to let go of Ian, but the shopkeeper held him prisoner. Ian nuzzled his neck and purred in his ear, "They'll go away if you don't answer." His lips caught Gino's earlobe.

Gino stuttered, almost unable to speak through the waves of desire coursing over him. "I...it...m...muh...might be...someone...important..." He groaned as Ian started nibbling lightly.

"I think this is a little more important..." Ian said. He let a hand cup Gino's stiff groin as if to prove his point.

"P...pervert..." Gino panted. He arched his hips into Ian's hand formomre. "You...just wanna screw..."

Ian gave Gino's neck a lick, earning a shiver and groan. The blonde panted against him, clutching Ian's shirt. The shopkeeper smiled. "And you're complaining?"

Gino glared at him, then suddenly pounced. Ian squeeked as he fell back onto the bed with Gino stradling his waist, then groaned as Gino captured him in a fiery kiss and moved his hips just right against Ian's. The shopkeeper hugged him tightly and rolled to the side so Gino lay under him, and Ian could take control of the kiss. Gino grunted then groaned in his throat as Ian's clothed pelvis met his in thrust-like movements.

"If you two keep that up, I'm going to want to join in. Because you two are making me horney, that's how hot you are." Again the two froze, eyes wide open at the voice. Blushing brightly, the two scrambled away from each other to gain their composure. Liam grinned and rolled his eyes from where he stood at the doorway. "Next time, I'll just hop in without notice."

"You wouldn't," Ian said, glaring through his blush as he fixed his awkward-tilted hat.

"Would too," Liam replied, grinning still. "And I won't hesitate next time either."

Ian's blush deepened but he didn't retort.

Gino was braiding his hair over his shoulder, looking casual as he sat on the bed."Were you the one at the door?"

Liam nodded. "I let myself in when no one answered and followed the sounds of...ahem...voices up here." Gino glared weakly at Ian as if to say, "Told you so." The Aekean continued speaking. "It's been all over Gaia. Everyone's been talking about the masquerade ball, asking questions and making threats to the mods."

"Threats?" Gino asked, pausing in the middle of tying his braid. "What kind of threats? What are they about?"

The Aekean sighed. "I really don't know how to put this lightly...but...Gaia suspects Gino and Ian of being lovers and has threatened uprisings against the Gambino house. I'm afraid something bad will happen to you two..."

"Oh..." Gino's eyes went to the floor in thought.

Ian bit his lip, then sighed, kneeling to Gino and placing his hands on Gino's shoulders. "Gino..." Amber eyes looked into sad brown. "I will forever love you...that is my undying promise to you..."

Gino's eyes went wide, knowing what was coming and that it couldn't be prevented. He shook his head, tears filling his eyes. "No...Ian..."

"Shh..." Ian placed two fingers to Gino's lips to silence him. "Your life would be in danger if we became too close...and for your safety, I'd sacrifice anything. I'll never stop loving you...even from the shadows of my shop..."

"And I will forever love you from where I stand, watching over Gaia..." Gino replied, wiping away growing tears.

Ian hugged the teen, petting his hair. "Hey..." He whispered, trying to cheer the blonde up. "It's not like we're breaking up...Just...Taking a break from seeing each other...That's all..."

Gino chuckled a bit, drying his face on Ian's shoulder. "Silly...you don't make any sense at all...but I still know what you mean..." The two reluctantly pulled away, and Gino stood. "Well...if you'll excuse me..." The blonde said as he dusted himself off. "I have work to do...I want to redo the Gambino signet to something greater than just a 'G'."

The brunette nodded. "Yeah...I've been neglecting the shop a little too much, too."

"I'll see you around, then..."

"Yeah..."

Liam could have cut the tension with Gino's rapier as he and Ian left. He patted his friend's shoulder. "Cheer up...Like you said, you didn't break up or anything..."

"I know...but..." Ian shivered as they left Gambino mansion. "It feels like...we did..."

"Don't worry about it." Liam grinned. "If I know Gino, there's no way he'll give up on you that easily!"

Ian smiled weakly. "Thanks...that makes me feel a little better..." He sighed and glanced at the bar when they reached Barton Town. "Hey...I'm feeling a need for a hangover...Care to join?"

"Would I ever!" Liam cheered, nearly dragging him there.