AN: Four updates in four days, what is wrong with me? I actually have work to be getting on with... I have done approximately none of it. Regardless, this story has got me inspired at the moment and that's something. Thank you to everyone who's been reading so far, please give feedback if you have the chance, it's greatly appreciated! TW for this chapter: physical abuse.

Chapter 4 - The Sixteenth of March

16th March 1989

Tonight Antonio Fernandez Carriedo was out for blood. Well, not blood exactly. He was going in for the kill, and he did want exchange of bodily fluids, just ideally not blood. Because that kind of arrest could really spoil an evening. It was obvious what he wanted - without all the fluff of description - it radiated from him. His walk more of a prowl, his demeanour friendly but targeted. His eyes glowed like a predator. Fortunately, he thought the whole thing was rather sexy on him. But he typically liked to think of himself as a pretty sexy guy. He'd more than had his sexual awakening and was very aware of his charms and effect on others. Tonight he hunted in a pack and that was even better in his experience. The air already smelt of sweat and breath and sex. He lived for these places. Agh, this was going to be such a great night if all went as hoped.

Italy was his absolute favourite place to party. Put simply, it was full of Italians, and God knew he loved them. Sweet and sincere Catholics by day, driven by entirely different motivations by night - much like himself. Sunkissed skin, dark hair, warm eyes... He got a little turned on just imagining. And he'd pretty much already spotted a target. Well, hello beautiful. Prepare to meet your match...

16th March 1996

It was the night before Lovino's birthday. And his brother's coincidentally. And that always meant the same thing these days - Feli wanted to party. He had just boundless energy constantly, and he handled his alcohol way better than Lovino did. Not that it mattered really, Feliciano was in a pretty committed relationship with a guy who.. Well, Lovino would describe him as boring but he didn't like him very much so it was perhaps unfair bias. He didn't really know why he didn't like him. He wasn't exactly one to talk about being fun himself given that he was needing a lot of encouragement to go out. Regardless, Feli's man wouldn't drink if the Italian was choosing to so that there was somebody sober to take care of him. He had to admit that the notion was sweet. He was still a dick though. He was going for Feliciano. He could never say no to Feliciano, not really. It sucked. But it was impossibly hard to be rude to somebody who wouldn't stop smiling. He both loved and detested that about his brother.

But Feli wanted to party up North this time around and... He wasn't so sure. Admittedly there wasn't very much going on where he was. But it was where they'd grown up. A short train ride into a nearby city and there were at least three clubs, one of which was specifically for people their way inclined. It was a bit of a dive sometimes but it was alright. As usual though, his brother was bloody-minded... Wonder where he got that from.. And so Lovino had agreed. But it meant he would have to take Rafaele. Raf didn't like him to go new places by himself. He didn't really like him to do anything by himself. He knew that he was only looking out for him but.. Sometimes it was a little stifling.

They all got dressed up, or whatever it was you called it when you were their age. He would be twenty-one tomorrow. Feli would be twenty. It was mad. He felt like time had suddenly shot forward and left him behind floundering. Twenty one. He had no idea what he was doing with his life. He exhaled, studying his reflection in the mirror. He at least knew what he was doing tonight. His outfit knew as well. It was a little risque but certainly not as outrageous as... Well, pretty much anyone in the club would be wearing. He knew full well that Feli would likely outdo him even, with the sole intention of flustering Ludwig, of course.

He saw Rafael approach him in the mirror. He seemed pleased with his choice. Lovino felt strong arms circle around his middle, and the gentle press of lips along his neck. Maybe it would be fun if it kept heading like this...

16th March 1989

Exactly as expected he had not struggled in the slightest to catch his prey. A couple of dances nearby first - you never wanted to seem too eager. Then was the hardest part, catching the eye. There were various ways to go about this in the kinds of loud and overcrowded clubs that Antonio frequented. One was making a spectacle of yourself. You know the drill, clamouring, shouting, invading personal space of those around you. Not quite his thing. Gil would do a good job of it if desperate but usually they preferred the more subtle approach of making yourself completely available and nearby. Allow whoever's making a scene to go for it, and instead focus on your subject. Hone in as it were. Get slowly closer. You know that thing where you literally feel people's eyes on you? Yeah, we want a hell of a lot of that, baby. He'd study and scan and watch those he was interested in. Not too creepily - though Antonio had to admit he'd been through the ringer on that one in his early days. He'd more or less perfected the technique now to look just the right blend of scary and seductive. He was persistent, people had to give him that.

It took him no more than three tries to catch the attention of his target, who quite clearly was expecting somewhat unwelcome attention. His face lit up when he saw Antonio as his admirer, looking away and then back again with a little grin. Coy. He loved it. He took it as the go-ahead to approach and a few drinks and some pretty close and steamy dances, and mission achieved. He danced behind his new lover for a while before gently pressing his lips along the other's neck, making his intentions painfully blatant. Soon enough he'd got the sweetheart in the corner and was gently pinning his arms above his head against the wall, and leaning in for a series of deep, fervent kisses. He didn't tend to stop for breath either. At least, pretty rarely.

This guy was a good kisser, which he appreciated. Antonio had always been one for kissing. Sex was great and all, but it was even better when accompanied by so much teasing kissing and little touches that you were almost driven wild. He wanted to stimulate and stimulate until his skin practically felt electric, and you were burning up, and every touch after that just sent you both into a wild frenzy of lust and desire.

He pulled back a moment, feeling tapping on his shoulder. He looked up, eyes still clouded in an expression that could only be described as primal, somewhat like a lion being interrupted from feeding. He heard the slight whimpering groan from the body beneath him that he'd stopped and felt somewhat boosted. "What is it?" He tried to remain patient.

"This place is spent." Gilbert announced. "We're gonna go and hit the one on the avenue. You comin'?"

Hm. He did like the spot on the avenue. He swung his head back around, recalling once more that the arms he was holding still were real. The boy was cute though. Sunkissed skin, dark hair, warm eyes, little cross around the neck, exactly as promised. His decision was made pretty quickly. "No, you're alright. Have fun." The others turned to go and he grinned. "Now where we, querido?"

16th March 1996

Feli had promised that the clubs in the North where he was living were busier... And to his credit, it was true. There were loads of clubs around here, seemingly all backed onto one another such that you could leave one and very easily accidentally trespass into another. Nobody would care though - everybody was off their faces on life... Or cocktails.. Or other substances. Regardless, the air was buzzing and the general atmosphere was vibrant and alive. Raf bought the first round of drinks and Lovino was, against all odds, enjoying himself. They danced, they drank, they were merry.

As the evening went on, the room seemed to fill up even more where back home it would normally diminish. People flocked into the place and everybody was pressed together. Normally Lovino hated all of this but he was thriving. The drink was good, the company was good. He and his brother would get out on that floor and dance like nobody else was around. It was fun, it was living. And all it took to get him to loosen up a bit, Feli laughed, was a couple of glasses of red. He definitely would not be driving home. But who gave a shit? He had cab money. And he was young, and alive, and it was his birthday tomorrow - everything that one could possibly celebrate he had going on!

Even Raf was being more fun than usual. He usually detested these places and had no problems declaring such. But tonight he was on his best behaviour. He mostly sat with Ludwig, who was nursing a soda at the bar, but he'd danced a little and everything. Lovino was almost proud of him in a way. He was really making an effort to enjoy this for him. Lovino realised that he did love him really. He just got a little frustrated with him sometimes, that was all. Did that mean he didn't love him? Of course not. Every couple had their issues. Clinginess was just Raf's thing, and in all credit to him, he wasn't being like that at all. Lovino even felt secure enough that he agreed to a particularly sweet guy's insistent request to dance with him. And what harm would it do? There was no grinding or anything like that, he was a good boy, and explained politely that he was taken. There were no issues and the man sauntered off afterwards, thanking him anyway. Then it was back to him and Feli just using the middle of the room as their own personal stage. This was so much fun! He had to go up North more often!

He turned a moment, feeling a tapping on his shoulder. He smiled at the source. "Rafael?"

"Come on." The other hissed and for a minute, Lovino was confused. He felt fingers on his wrist, and then a tightening as he was pulled towards the back exit. "I need some air. You're coming with me."

"Oh.. okay."

16th March 1989

They stumbled out into the alley and Antonio laughed, making sure to keep his newfound companion propped up. "You okay?" He checked, still grinning. "Who knew they put a step there, right?" The pretty little thing giggled and Antonio felt that familiar surge of pride. Tonight had been so much better than expected. And now he was sealing the deal which was always awesome. Well, maybe he wasn't. But there was the opportunity that he might be and that was not to be underestimated. Besides, kissing had him more than satisfied so win-win either way, no matter what happened.

When the air hit them it was cold, which was hardly a surprise. It was a chilly night and there was scarcely breathing room in there between the congregations of people. People gave off a lot of heat as it happened. Fortunately he had prepared for such an scenario, and quickly slung his jacket around the shoulders of his date for the night. "I promise I don't live too far." He took his hand, and they walked off into the streets, bound for his - hopefully much warmer - house!

16th March 1996

Lovino stumbled out into the alley and Rafael laughed bitterly as he fell to the ground. "What are you doing?" He shouted back at him, eyes wide with fear. He had no idea what was happening right now. He'd never been in a situation like this with Raf, with anyone. He didn't know what was going on or if he was misreading. All he could really say was that he was scared. He tried to get back up, only to feel himself kicked back down. All he could think was that he'd bought those boots for him last Christmas. It was such a stupid, irrelevant detail in his current position but it flooded into his head and made him want to cry. He let out a small noise despite his body willing him to stay quiet and that's when the big hands reached down for him, dragging him up.

He convinced himself that this was it now, that it was over and everything would be alright. Whatever weirdness had been about to happen wouldn't. He'd overreacted, misjudged the situation. Rafael hadn't pushed him out the door, he'd fallen. And he laughed because he thought he was alright, he hadn't kicked, it was a nudge. The punch was harder to ignore.

Once, hard into his chest, and then a series of fast, winding shots towards his flat stomach that had looked so good in the shirt, he'd thought, but now just felt exposed. He was faintly aware that Raf was speaking, but every time he tuned in he just heard curses and slurs - 'slut', 'whore', and 'bitch' being a few choice ones. He was crying now, he was certain of it, but that just seemed to spur him on more. He got a few more digs and a slap, finding himself pressed back against the wall firmly.

Where was Feliciano? Where was Ludwig? He hated the guy but he'd have given anything for him to appear right now, for anyone to! He kept his eyes glued firmly on the door, trying to focus hard enough that it would magically open and someone would rescue him. He tried not to think about the searing pain, the words being spoken, and the tears streaming down his cheeks, the pleading spilling from his lips.

And then the door opened! It was the drag queen from earlier. She wouldn't have been his first choice, but she was somebody. He begged through the pain, "Please help me." But he couldn't even tell if the words were coming out. He implored her instead with his eyes.

"Move it along, honey." She crowed instead to Rafael, obviously far past intoxicated herself. "We keep that kind of thing at home."

Lovino could only stare in horror. Nobody was going to help him, were they? People... People didn't even notice, let alone care. One swift punch to the head and he'd blacked out.

The next morning, Rafael was sorry. He explained that he had no idea what had come over him and he'd quickly realised how wrong it was, and he cried a lot, carried Lovino home, put him to bed. And... And he believed him, of course. Anyone could see that he was being genuine, right? Besides, they were both guys, it was... It was different, wasn't it? Because he could fight back and stuff if he wanted to or.. or something. He was sorry. And Lovino said that it was okay.

So this was what twenty one was like, huh?