Chapter IV: Unnatural Butterflies
Crickets chirped amongst themselves joyously, a faint breeze disrupting the still curtains by Lovino's window, which was cracked open halfway, as it typically was in the early evening hours. The red orange flames of the candles in the cottage waltzed vibrantly, they seemed to laugh as they swayed in the wind, not considering the danger the breeze carried with it.
Golden honey irises focused intensely on parchment, a piece of charcoal squeezed between sun kissed fingers dancing across the page. The only sounds the artist heard was his own quickened breath, followed by the tearing of paper.
The hand began again on an unblemished page. After a solitary moment, honey scrupulously graded the charcoal drawing. Long black eyelashes squinted, a nose peppered with freckles crinkling upwards in distaste.
"Damnit!" An impatient hand tore the parchment from the journal, throwing the discarded sketch into a pile with the rest of the rejects he deemed unworthy.
The leather bound book fell under the bed, which almost went unnoticed by its keeper. Lovino's fingers tugged wildly at auburn tresses, a physical sign of the frustration he was feeling. He had recently misplaced the minuscule motivation he had for drawing in the first place. His dreams had become plagued by relentless nightmares. Blood, creatures of the night, unseemly images crept into his unsuspecting subconscious as he slept. The olive skinned man was unsure what to make of his night terrors.
The lack of sleep had become evident. With an annoyed sigh, the Italian's arms dropped in defeat. Golden orbs glanced towards the window, his reflection illuminated in the pane by the dancing flames of his lit candles. Reddish brown hair tousled from tossing and turning all night had lost its shine and luster. Purple bags acquainted nicely underneath dull hazel irises. His primarily golden dewy skin had turned haggard and pale. He couldn't recognize his own reflection anymore. He felt disconnected from his body, his face that of an imposter.
A frown slowly ascended onto his lips as he swept unruly hair behind his right ear. Days ago Lovino had identified two small insect bites that were flush against one of the veins on the right side of his neck. His fingers brushed over the healing wounds, his reflection mimicking every move he made. Feeling the steady beat of his heart through his fingertips he determined that he would be fine. Taking the venture into the town seemed daunting to Lovino, the townsfolk murmurs and rumors swirling in his thoughts.
Shaking his head to rid him of the judgemental townsfolk, Lovino stretched his aching limbs and sprawled his stomach out on his bed. A small sigh of satisfaction escaped his lips, his back popping with the fluid movement. The fallen sketch book was barely in view, but the etched portrait of the Archangel Gabriel was caught in the corner of Lovino's peripheral. Peering over the edge of the quilted blanket he noticed the book had slipped underneath the bed, Gabriel's outstretched hand holding a quill and vial of ink was all the Italian could see as he stretched an arm out to retrieve the lone article .
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Caught off guard by the sudden noise, Lovino jumped out of his skin. His head whipped in the direction of the foreign knocking, surprise washing over him as it came from the door on the far side of the room. His erratic movement cast the book further underneath the bed frame, much to his dismay. Straightening his spine and puffing out his chest, Lovino mustered the courage to place his feet onto the wooden floor. Adjusting to the chill of the floor caused the man to shiver just a bit. Before he could take a step, another bout of rapping engaged with the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Lovino felt one of his eyebrows twitching upward in annoyance. His body began moving on it's own accord, the floorboards wailing beneath his weight as he stomped ruthlessly to his destination. With a firm grasp of the doorknob, the other hand made easy work of unlatching the lock. Vigorously turning the brass handle, Lovino heaved the wooden door open. The swirling candlelight shone brightly on the uninvited visitor, casting an orange glow on the tanned skin of the figure.
Lovino wasn't sure what pissed him off more. The fact that the man in front of him was wearing one of the most foolish looking grins he had ever seen, or that he had actually used the front door for what seemed to be the first time in his idiotic life.
"Good evening, Lovino.~" the older man purred warmly, the candlelight dancing with the dips and curves of his features. Ivory gleamed brilliantly, not well hidden beneath pink lips.
Lovino was a bit taken aback by the overly cheerful demeanor of Antonio, his lips opening and closing due to his loss of words. Not accustomed to many visitors, the Italian allowed his golden eyes to roam over the man. Antonio stood a little over six foot tall as far as the younger man could tell, his long untamed chocolate curls pulled to the side by a deep crimson ribbon. He wore an elegant black waistcoat paired with gray woolen breeches that stopped just before his ankles. A white cotton shirt peeked through the coat shyly. Lovino drew in a breath, feeling embarrassed to be seen only ever in his night clothes.
"Lovino?" a worried voice called, pulling said man back into reality. "Are you alright? You look awfully pale."
Concerned emerald melted into golden amber seamlessly, Antonio rested the back of his hand onto the younger man's forehead. A scarlet hue crept onto Lovino's cheeks, his skin on fire from the limited amount of contact. He felt an unnatural sensation bubbling in his stomach. Defensively he swatted Antonio's hand away from him.
"Get your perverted hand away from me! I'm fine." He scowled, his face ablaze.
Antonio offered a small frown but took notice of the color staining Lovino's cheeks.
"May I come inside?" He asked politely, gesturing inside of the cabin. He retrieved a small velvet box from his coat pocket. "I brought you something!~" he added, the red velvet box nestling in his calloused palm.
The Italian crossed his arms against his chest in defiance, despite the fact hazel irises were shimmering with intrigue.
"Like I'd be bribed with some sort of gift." He huffed, waving a hand dismissively. He turned away swiftly, his bare feet creating prints on the floor as he stamped to the other end of the cabin.
Antonio allowed an amused smirk to play on his lips, interpreting Lovino's curt demeanor and curious eyes as an invitation inside.
"Oh, really?" The elder man hummed inquisitively, latching the door shut behind him. He removed his tan shoes, depositing them next to the door. His waistcoat followed suit, propped atop chair near the front entrance.
"Really." replied Lovino, his voice flat and feigning disinterest. He plopped down on the middle of his bed, fluffing a pillow. He cradled it between his crossed legs. Arms swaddled together, his burning face settled comfortably against the casing that had been cooled by the autumn breeze wafting about the room.
Antonio positioned himself directly across the younger male, his weight causing a shift in the lumpy mattress. He allowed his legs to stretch out, laying one on each side of Lovino. The wind whistled outside, prancing through branches and leaves. He held out his hand that cradled the velvet present, a golden ribbon adorning its frame.
"For you.~" he enticed, his voice as sweet as honey.
Captivated hazel examined the box. Lovino would be lying if he wasn't a bit skeptical and untrusting of the man across from him, having only known him through brief encounters the past few weeks. He felt his hands itching to grab for the box, curiosity was getting the better of him. Sighing in defeat he plucked the gift from the Spanish man's hands. He had expected himself to put up more of a fight, but his body ached from lack of sleep, his joints sore and overworked. Antonio's grin widened, his arms resting on his legs.
"Don't look all smug, bastard," Lovino sputtered, biting down on his bottom lip. "it would be rude of me not to accept." He reasoned, mostly to convince himself.
The younger male eyed Antonio closely, nervous fingers fiddling with the golden ribbon. The nervous fidgeting elicited a chuckle from the elder man.
"Go ahead, quierdo." Antonio laughed, amused. "It won't bite."
"Obviously." Slanted hazel orbs jabbed at emerald, neither relenting or releasing from one another's gaze.
Nimbly, Lovino unraveled the ribbon, discarding it onto the chaotic bedside table. The fabric of the gift box calmed his nerves, even as he felt the prying irises watching him closely. Gingerly he opened the top of the gift box, his heart skipping a beat. His mouth gaped slightly in awe, his fingers pulling an ornate rosary from its velvety sanctuary. Its beads were made from a scarlet stained glass, roses adorned the golden cross surrounding the depiction of the Lord. Lovino turned the cross around, examining it closer. There was something etched into the gold.
"Carriedo." Antonio piped up, his voice heavily accented. "It's an old family heirloom." He explained slowly, taking ahold of Lovino's hand that held the cross. He moved closer to the Italian, traced the last name with his index finger.
"It's beautiful." Lovino murmured honestly, twitching at the sudden touch. His eyes met Antonio's, his breath hitching in his throat.
"It's to replace the one that fell apart." Antonio almost whispered, gazing into Lovino's golden eyes. "And perhaps to remind you of me.~" he teased, a crooked smirk widening across his lips.
Their faces were a few inches apart, the strange feeling pooling back into the younger male's stomach. Lovino could make out the freckles that peppered Antonio's nose, and the small scar just beneath his left eye. The candlelight played with the ambience of the room, flickering off of the walls. He felt his face heat up again, the only sign of any lifelike color that graced his face. Lovino felt frightened by the foreign butterflies in his stomach, knowing well that he should not be getting worked up by another man. But in the moment, he couldn't help but admire the way Antonio's shirt clung to his chest. Or the subtle scent of cinnamon and honey that embraced him as soon as Antonio had taken his hand. Lovino gulped, praying his mind to stop playing tricks on him. He slid the rosary back into its box, successfully removing Antonio's hand from his own. He set the box down into his lap, a pout planted on his pink lips.
"Thank you." He managed, stuttering over his words. He averted his eyes from the alluring green he was so focused on, instead fixating on his fidgeting fingers. His mind wandered dangerously about Antonio, no matter how much he tried not to.
Antonio laid a finger under Lovino's chin, forcing his head up to meet his gaze.
"Anytime, quierdo.~" he purred, swimming in amber irises.
Antonio drank in the sight before him. Lovino's lips were parted slightly, his eyes glazed over with desire and what seemed to be confusion. The nightgown he wore rode up onto his olive toned thighs. His breathing was uneven and Antonio could hear his heart pumping blood into his veins. However, he also took notice of the haggardness of Lovino's appearance. The bags under his eyes, the lack of fight he put up against him. How pasty his skin had become, and how weak his limbs were.
Antonio frowned gently, knowing his hunger had taken over him during the last feeding. He leaned forward, removing the distance between them. His lips pressed against Lovino's gingerly. The younger man shifted underneath him uncomfortably, but didnt fight against him. Antonio ran his tongue across Lovino's bottom lip, asking for permission. Lovino gasped in shock, Antonio slipping into his mouth hungrily. The Italian fell weakly into the bed, kissing back sloppily groaning into Antonio's lips. His fingers twisted into the older man's curls desperately, unsure of how to control his unpredictable emotions. He knew he was going to regret this later, but in the heat of the moment he didn't care.
Antonio pulled back unexpectedly, Lovino letting out a small groan of disappointment.
"Shhh, Lovi." Antonio murmured gently. "Look into my eyes." He demanded softly, the ribbon in his hair unraveling.
Lovini was too tired to argue, emerald shifting into a different shade of green that was almost radioactive. The room was swirling around him, his body glued to the bed.
"Sleep." Commanded a distorted voice, Lovino's vision slowly disappearing.
Black eyelashes fluttered shut immediately, Lovino's breathing soft and gentle as he fell into a deep, much needed slumber.
Welcome back! I would like to thank all of the people who have reviewed and I hope to not disappoint with this chapter. ^ A few notes here:
The Archangel Gabriel is usually depicted with a quill and ink to symbolize a mission for divine communication or a lily to symbolize purity.
Antonio doesn't NEED permission to enter the house each time he visits, I just feel like he would be polite and ask anyway.
Lovino's older rosary was made from bone which was common and inexpensive during the time this story takes place. Glass and gold would be very expensive hence his reaction to the new rosary. (Antonio can touch it as well as crucifixes. And of course garlic won't affect him but that will be explained more throughout this story)
As always please review! I'd love to hear some feedback.