Title: When Gino Met Vino
Series: Gaia Online
Genre: General
Summary: A submission for the Gino's Harem Fanfiction Contest. Gino meets his (mildly) evil counterpart.
Disclaimer: Gaia Online and Gino Gambino are copyright to the admins of Gaia Online and Vino is copyright to Gino's Harem.
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Soon enough, Gino was lying alone on the couch, blankets covering him from head to toe. His fever seemed to be breaking now, but Vino wasn't going to held responsible for the blond being sick when the young man's father came home. He stayed hardy, sitting on a nearby chair while waiting patiently, staying true to his promise. After all, while the wrath of Johnny "Kitten" Gambino was likely a terrible thing – like a hurricane – the guilt that Gino would put on him if he had left would be even worse.
Besides, regardless of everything that had happened that day, Vino had taken a shining to the blond pretty boy. What had previously been a liking for his money had quickly become a liking for the boy himself. Vino smiled to himself as he watched Gino turn about under the blankets, yawning quietly.
There was a quiet rap at the door, tugging the unwilling Vino back to reality. He frowned, tanned skin creasing between his eyebrows gently. Johnny wouldn't knock, unless he was passed out and had to be carried home. So it could be one of a few options: Johnny, passed out with Edmund (something bad would likely come of this), a maid, coming to clean up while her master is out (there was still a minor possibility of something bad, depending on the sort of maid), or, finally, a salesman. Of course, if it were the last option, Vino could easily send him away, or better yet, ignore him.
"Masters Gambino?" A soft voice carried through the house, echoing quietly. Vino winced. Of course it was a maid. He rose from his seat, grabbing a nearby scarf from where a small pile of winter wear was left, and wrapping around his head, in a weak attempt to hide his appearance. After all, what would that maid think if there were two Ginos?
A young woman poked her head into the room, her red ringlets bouncing in their pigtails. "Master Gino?" She asked, upon seeing Gino lying on the couch, still partially feverish.
"He's ill." Vino replied, attempting to disguise his voice by making it higher and raspy, as though he was an old woman sitting in a chair. His back was to the young woman, though there was a mirror hung on the wall. If she glanced up to it, his farce would be over. Still, he could make sure she didn't see him, because he could see her. Fairly cute, actually, with a black and white G-LOL set on and a Nitemare collar. She seemed rather short – a perfect match for Gino's 4'11 stature. "A fever. It's nearly gone though."
The girl nodded slightly, wringing her hands, then pointed upstairs. "Miss Momo will be upstairs then." Vino nodded slightly, watching her retreat upstairs in the mirror. When she was gone, he whipped the scarf off, dropping to his knees by Gino.
"Get better, dammit. I can't be here all night. I had a hard enough time trying to disguise myself for your damned maid; there's no way I could pull the same act with your father!"
"You can…go, if you want." Gino replied, opening his eyes weakly. "I feel much…better."
Vino reached up, laying one hand on Gino's forehead. "There's no way I'm leaving. Who knows when that girl'll come back down, and by then you could have relapsed."
"You care too much." Gino chuckled, rolling on his side to face Vino. "I really feel much better. Could I have a breath of fresh air?"
Vino hesitated. It was a beautiful night, and the fresh air would probably do him some good. The maid wouldn't question it, as she'd likely assume it was the 'old woman' who had been sitting with Gino leaving, if she heard it at all. It would be the easiest way for Vino to make an escape if Edmund or Johnny was coming, too.
"Sure."
"Thank you."
Slowly, Vino helped his lookalike out of the makeshift bed, wrapping him in a single blanket for warmth's sake, though it was always warm on the Isle de Gambino. They headed outside smoothly, Vino leading Gino with one arm snaked around the smaller boy's back, the other holding his hands together for warmth.
Upon reaching a point of the grounds from which one could see all the Isle, Gino stopped, inhaling deeply the smells of the Isle. To Vino, it meant nothing really. He never cared much for the Isle. It was nice from time to time, but he didn't enjoy it all that much.
Obviously, he had never experienced it with a firsthand Islander. Vino would never known to stop at that point, so that one could see all the lights of the residents, in addition to the bright moon floating above, lighting the waters around with a delicate glow. It was beautiful, and nothing was going to change that.
Vino glanced to Gino, watching as the blond smiled to himself, inhaling deeply. His fever seemed to be gone, and he was looking far better now. "How do you feel?" Vino asked him, raising one hand to touch his forehead.
"I told you, I feel much better." Gino turned, beaming at Vino. "Thank you so much, Vino. For taking care of me."
"Anytime, Gino. Anytime."
With that said, the two stood basking in the resplendent light of the moon, gazing down upon the Isle de Gambino.