"You guys sure you can fund everything all right?" Lovino asked as the three brothers walked into the mall.
"Yes," Feliciano turned towards Marcello who nodded. "We'll be fine."
"Okay, you got the car keys?"
"Yes." Feliciano held them up. "And I'll be back here at eight to pick you up."
"Alright alright," Lovino said as he started to walked away a bit faster. "Make sure you two stick together."
"Come on Marcello," Feliciano said as the two started walking in the opposite direction. The two walked towards a department store. Marcello staying a few steps behind Feliciano. Occasionally the two would look and each other and exchange smiles at each other. After poking around for a bit the two made their way to the store's women's department.
"Here we go," Feliciano said as he walked over. "There's got to be something we can buy for Mom here."
Marcello quietly walked over. He started to search through some of the racks. Feliciano walked over to a different one and started searching. After a while, he stopped. Looking at the sweater in his hand, he couldn't help but think, is it worth it? Was anything he was doing to make his parents happy worth it? He leaned a little on the rack. He stayed there a little before feeling a tap on his shoulder.
"What do you think of this?" Marcello asked holding up a red sweater.
"I think she'll like it." Feliciano gave him an assuring smile.
"Did you find anything?"Marcello asked, albeit rather quietly.
Feliciano turned towards the rack behind him. "Oh, nothing caught my eye."
"You, sure?" Marcello raised his eyebrow a little.
"I'm sure. Don't worry, I'll find something somewhere else."
As the two stood in line, Feliciano found those thoughts from earlier returning to his mind. Each time he mentally slapped himself. When the transaction was done the two continued walking around the mall for a little bit. This time the two walking side by side. Marcello holding onto the bag tightly. They walked into a few more clothes stores but each time walking out with nothing.
"Feliciano, can we grab food?" Marcello asked as they walked out of one of the stores.
"Okay let's go."
The two walked over the food court and each got lunch. The two ate for a little bit in silence with Marcello looking down as he did.
"Feliciano are you happy here?" Marcello asked after a little bit.
"What do you mean." Feliciano laughed a little but paused for a little bit. "Of course I am."
"But you sound happier we talk over the phone when you're at college." Marcello looked down and Feliciano could tell he was looking at the shopping bag. "Is there something wrong about here?"
"What of course not!" Feliciano thought about it. He looked at Marcello. There were so many things he wanted to say. But could Marcello handle everything, that Feliciano wanted to say? Looking around he saw a bunch of people sitting at the nearby tables. Some talking other remaining silent. He knew at least a few would here. And a few would stare. Now was not the time. "I promise you, Marcello, everything is fine."
"Oh come on," Gilbert said as he, Ludwig, Axel, and Friedrich walked over to the lift. "You can't keep denying it."
"From the last time it's not true," Ludwig said annoyed as he adjusted his snowboard.
"Just admit it. There's no point in it."
"I did not realize I was gay when watching Aladdin."
"You can it all you want but,"
"Hey, Ludwig you want to ride on the lift together?" Axel asked stepping in front of Gilbert, interrupting the latter's sentence. Gilbert had to step back a little.
"I would honestly really appreciate that," Ludwig said as the four got into line. It was for one of the Intermediate hills. A level 6 to be exact. The four of them had been snowboarding since they were preteens. While they were good, they didn't see themselves as experts. Though Gilbert certainly believed it to be the case. Honestly, Ludwig was a hundred percent sure Gilbert was looking for an excuse to show off. He could even hear Gilbert slightly claiming that this one was going to be a breeze. Ludwig chose to ignore him before getting on the lift. Once Ludwig and Axel got off it, they made their way to the top of the path. They stood there for a few moments before Gilbert and Friedrich caught up.
"You guys want to race down this one?" Gilbert asked as he bent down a little getting into a racing position.
"What are we thirteen?" Friedrich asked moving a little closer to the slope.
"Oh you're just mad you've lost more than you won," Gilbert teased.
Ludwig sighed as he moved to the slope. He looked at the others and lowered his goggles over his eyes. Before Gilbert could respond, Ludwig started his descent. He could hear Gilbert yell a little but Ludwig didn't care. The cold wind was blowing on his face and the thrill of the track was flowing through him. Keeping his eyes in front of him he kept looking out for obstacles. Making sure to turn quickly when whenever a tree or something else came in his way. When he reached the bottom he stretched a little as the other three caught up.
"Cheater," Gilbert said as he slapped Ludwig on the back of his head.
"I never said I was racing," Ludwig said as he removed his goggles. He bent down and unbuckled his snowboard off. "I'm taking a break inside."
"Count me in," Axel said following suit. The other two quickly deciding on the same thing.
Walking in they saw the rest area was pretty crowded. Mostly families with children either from or waiting to go tubing. Some older ones had skis and snowboards. Very excited for their next trip down the slope. After a few minutes, they were able to find a small table and sat down for a few moments. Ludwig leaned his snowboard against his chair. Carefully to make sure it would slide down.
"When did our parents say they wanted us back?" Gilbert asked.
"By five o'clock," Ludwig said as he finished placing his snowboard down.
Gilbert looked behind him to see the clock on the wall. "So we got about an hour and a half, maybe two hours to go."
"That should give us enough time for a few more runs down," Axel said with a smile.
"Hopefully the lines won't be too long," Freidrich said looking at the large crowd around them.
"Oh, we'll be fine." Gilbert shrugged Friechrich's concern off. "Let's not think about it and enjoy it."
"Were you and Marcello able to get everything?" Lovino asked as he buckled himself into the car.
"You bet," Feliciano responded with a smile. He started up the car and started on the way back home.
"So what did you get Mom and Dad?" Lovino asked after a little bit.
"I ended up getting Mom a candle and Dad a tie." Feliciano smiled and saw Lovino give him a look. "I haven't removed them from the back if you want to see them."
Lovino turned around and saw a single paper shopping bag. He grabbed it and pulled it close to him. Reaching inside he pulled out the candle and looked it over. It was dark green with pictures of pine trees on it. Afterward, he placed it in an empty cup holder, proceeding to pull out the tie. It was a little blue tie with small pink and white stripes on them.
"What do out think?" Feliciano asked smirking a little.
"Well I think the tie is a great idea," Lovino forced back a laugh. "Not sure about the candle though."
"Read the scent again. But more carefully." The wide smirk remained on Feliciano's face.
Lovino picked up the candle again. "Pepper Woods? Sound rather generic to me."
He looked over the rest of the label. Trying to find anything about it. After seeing a word he opened the candle and smelled it a little. Once he a wide grin appeared on his face.
"Is this a faint mint I smell?" Lovino asked moving the candle a little.
"Oh, you bet it." Feliciano leaned back a little and snickered. "The sale women said it gets stronger when it burns."
Lovino laughed even louder. Quickly he returned the items to the bag. As they were nearing the next red light Lovino raised his hand. When they stopped Feliciano high-fived him. Both were in a good mood the entire ride home.
When they made it home Feliciano grabbed the paper bag. As he opened the door he heard the TV on in the living room. He could see his parents watching a cheesy Hallmark movie. He and Lovino said a quick hello before heading upstairs. Feliciano walked into his room and pulled out his tablet. Turning on his phone he plugged his earbuds in and turned on one of his music playlists.
"Only three days left," Feliciano said to himself think of the date. He looked at the drawing currently being displayed. The line art was all finished and the coloring was about halfway complete. "I can do this."