When Feliciano woke, the space where his brother should be was painfully empty. The cold feeling of fear quickly over took him and he began to panic, looking around frantically for Lovino. Tears filled his eyes when he couldn't see his brother anywhere in the dimly lit barn.
"Lovino! Lovino! Lovino!" He struggled to pull himself into a sitting position.
At the sound of Feliciano's frantic calls, Lovino came running in, expecting to find the worse. "What happened?"
Feliciano had given up on trying to sit up and had curled into a ball, coughing and sobbing. His sobs degraded into violent hacking.
He immediately ran to comfort his brother, holding him against his chest and rocking him gently. He whispered in the younger's ear, "It's oaky, I'm here. Don't cry."
His younger brother clung to him, gripping his shirt tightly, stopping his tears that still flowed in favor of finishing his fit of coughing, until his was reduced to ragged breathing. He laid limp against Lovino, all the energy in his body draining.
Lovino hated it when Feliciano was hurting. He hated it even more if he might have been the one to cause it, or if he could do nothing to stop it. When Feliciano finished coughing, he asked, "What upset you this early in the morning?"
"I-I thought you left me," he sniffed.
"I told you I was never going to leave you," Lovino said gently. "You're my brother."
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, wiping the last of the tears from his face.
"Forget all this shit about me leaving, you're stuck with me," he replied gruffly, remembering to put on his façade of meanness.
Feliciano couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I guess I am. Ti voglio bene, fratellone!" I love you, big brother.
He looked away, trying to hide the blush that dusted his cheeks. "Whatever. Bath time for you." Lovino turned so his back to Feliciano.
Feliciano groaned, reluctantly climbing on to his brother's back. "I don't wanna," he whined, even as he settled himself.
"Yeah, yeah. There's a lot of things I don't want to do, but I do them anyway, just like you have to take a bath. No ifs, ands, or buts," Lovino said, standing up with ease, his arms hooked under Feliciano's skinny legs. Carefully, he picked his way through the dimly let space and out the rotting doors. Behind him, Feliciano giggled softly, pressing his face into the crook of Lovino's neck. He blew on his neck playfully, feeling the shudders that passed through the body below him.
"Stop that! It tickles," Lovino grumbled. "And why are you giggling like that?"
"Because I love when fratellone carries me on his back like this," he answered cheerfully. "Promise you'll still carry me like this when I'm better."
"No," Lovino growled automatically. "Why would I carry you if you can walk on you own damn feet? I'm not a fucking horse, you know."
"W-What? But you like it too when you give me rides," Feliciano cried.
"Shit," he mumbled under his breath, a light flush rising on his cheeks. "That's not what I meant to say, Felici."
"What did you mean to say then?" Feliciano's voice cracked, like he was holding back tears.
"Fuck... Fine! I'll still give you these stupid rides when you're better." He couldn't help but cave to his brother's wants and needs.
"Promise~?"
"Yeah, sure. Whatever," he grumbled.
"Promise," Feliciano said firmly.
"Fine! I promise!"
"Promise to what~?"
Now he was just being fucked with, Lovino growled, "I promise to give you rides on my back even when you're better."
Feliciano gave a whoop of triumph. "I love you so much."
"Because I spoil you," he grumbled, unable to keep the blush from rising on his cheeks.
"That's not the only reason!" Feliciano slid off his back when Lovino finally reached the small pond at the bottom of the hill. "You take good care of me and bring food and clothes and other things too."
"Yeah, whatever," Lovino said as he helped Feliciano out of his clothing, setting them aside in a neat pile before helping him into the shallow water.
"I can get in by myself, you know." Feliciano pouted, but accepted the help, shivering in the water.
Lovino just shrugged, handing him a bar of soap to bath with and stripping off his own clothes. As he stepped into the water, he didn't notice the way Feliciano watched him, waiting to pounce. When he was somewhat in the water, Feliciano used his meager strength to throw him off-balance and dunk him under the water. He came up sputter and coughing, having accidentally swallowed a mouthful of water. "W-What the hell, you fucker!"
Feliciano couldn't answer through his uncontrollable giggles, only to have it transgress into a terrible fit of hacking. When he finally settled down, he gave Lovino a sheepish smile and said, "Sorry, Lovi. But you know I love you."
"Oh just shut the fuck up and hold still," he ordered, attacking Feliciano's hair with the bar of soap.
"Ah, fratellone! Not so rough," Feliciano whined when Lovino gave his hair a sharp tug.
"Then you should stop dunking me every time we bathe together," he grumbled.
"You were more fun when we were younger," Feliciano said quietly.
Lovino pretended he didn't hear that, but his scrubbing turned more into gentle stroking. "Is there anything we need from the market?"
It was usually left to Feliciano to handle inventory of everything they have (Lovino only lets him do it so he won't feel useless, but he already knows what they have and need), telling Lovino when they needed something or if something broke and needed to be repaired by either themselves or bought new.
"Hm, let's see." Felicicano chewed on his lip as he thought. "We don't have anymore candles and cheese, but what we really need is pasta."
"I'll get the cheese today, but I won't make any promises with the candles. And I've already told you, pasta is expensive. We could only get it before because we had jobs."
"That's oaky," Feliciano answered cheerfully, turning and rubbing soap into Lovino's hair. "But, um, could I ask you a favor?"
Feliciano wasn't looking at him with his usual half-lidded gaze, but with his amber eyes wide open. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes in responds, immediately suspicious of what Feliciano would possibly ask of him. "What do you want?"
The smaller teen flinched at his sibling's rough tone, hoping he wasn't too selfish to ask for something. "Well, um... I was just wondering if you could..."
He grew impatient with Feliciano's hesitation. "Spit it out or I won't even consider doing anything for you." That was a false threat, but Feliciano didn't know that.
"Ah, nevermind," Feliciano said quickly, ducking under the water and rinsing the suds from his hair.
Lovino jerked Feliciano back to the surface. "Don't give that crap, Feliciano. Dimmi quello che vuoi." Tell me what you want.
"A-A book," he squeaked.
Lovino frowned, looking down on his brother, and asked simply, "Why?"
"Well, it's so boring to stay inside laying down all day with nothing to do," he said in a small voice.
Even though, he rather have a canvas and some paints than a book, but both those items were so expensive and hard to come by for people who lived like them.
He stared at him sadly, knowing what he really wanted wasn't a book. "I'll see what I can do. Books aren't easy to get." 'But paints are even harder to get,' he thought, not daring to say it aloud.
"Don't steal one."
Lovino opened his mouth to say he wasn't going to, but that would be lying, so he simply kept his mouth shut.
"Please, I don't want something that you stole from someone else," Feliciano pleaded.
"Alright, I'll buy one," he lied.
Feliciano beamed at him, not catching the lie. "Thank you so much!"
He nodded, rinsing the soap from his hair. When did it become so easy to lie to him? Actually, when did I become so good at lying not even my brother, the person I've known since birth, can tell if I lie anymore? You're turning into a fucking bastard. Lovino stepped out of the water, using the towel he had brought down before to dry off, roughly rubbing the thoughts from his head. Beside him, Feliciano also climbed out of the water, although he was more unsteady on his feet. He took the towel from his brother and began to dry himself, but the trembling of his muscles did not escape Lovino's notice as he pull clothes on.
"Sit," he ordered, taking the towel from him. "Now." He cut off any protest from the younger.
Feliciano, seeing it was hopeless to argue (And already too tired to do so), slowly sat on the cool rocks of the ground, letting his older brother dry him and help him into his clothes afterwards. He couldn't begin to pretend that simply bathing had not exhausted him, or quiet the sickening wheezing of his lungs.
Lovino picked him up, choosing to carry him against his chest with Feliciano's legs wrapped around his waist and his arms around his neck. He held the frail, bony body of his dearest brother as gently as he could, afraid of breaking him just by holding him too tightly. Feliciano pressed close to his brother's warmth, hiding his face in Lovino's neck.
Carefully, he made his way up the hill and into the abandoned barn. "How are you feeling?" Lovino set him on the pallet they called their bed, draping all the blankets they had over him.
"A bit tired," he replied sleepily. "Are you going out now?"
"Yes." Lovino watched him closely, suspecting he was feeling worse than he let on.
"Oh," Feliciano sighed softly. "Will you do something before you go...?"
Lovino's natural sense of suspicion bubble up again, and he narrowed his eyes. "Depends," he answered automatically, even though he really would do anything for Feliciano.
"Sing for me? Like Grandpa use to," Feliciano whispered timidly, watching his sibling's reaction.
Lovino stared at Feliciano, his default scowl taking of his features as he took in his younger brother's pale face and gaunt cheeks. Finally, he sighed and said, "Fine, but just this once."
A smile broke over his lips, lighting his face up like sunshine on a cloudy day. "Veh, grazie."
"Just shut up and don't say a word," Lovino grumbled. Pulling up an old milking stool and clearing his throat, he began to sing:
Fa la ninna, fa la nanna
Nella braccia della mamma
Fa la ninna bel bambin,
Fa la nanna bambin bel,
Fal la ninna, fa la nanna
Nella braccia della mamma.
His voice flowed melodiously over the words, floating in the air before settling over Feliciano, wrapping around him like a blanket of fine silk. It wasn't surprising that after repeating the sweet lullaby a few times, his beloved fratellino was fast asleep.
With one last looking over the depressing inside of the barn, he slipped out into the warming October air. It would be winter sooner than he would like, and he'd need to start preparing as best he could if they were going to survive. And with a determined bounce in his step, he set off quickly to the market square.
...oOo...
Lovino stuck to the shadows of an alleyway, mentally going off the things he needed to get. Cheese. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get some hard bread or a few dried tomatoes and fruits. And that...book. He grimaced, that wasn't going to be easy to get. For one, he didn't have enough money to buy one, not that he was planning to, and he was going to use the few coins he did have to buy the cheese.
Oaky. Here's the plan: Get the things you need first and then, wait by the bookshop for someone to come out. Snatch the book they have and get the fuck out of there. Got it? Yep, sounds good. Lovino headed off to the small cheese shop, fingering the coins in his pocket regretfully.
Slowly approaching the shop, he noticed a blonde girl about his age was at the counter, instead of the grouchy Swiss man who usually was there. "Ciao," he called.
The girl turned to him, her two flaxen braids swinging at the movement. "H-Hello."
He put on one of his most charming smiles, choosing to ignore the German accent in her soft voice. "Lovely weather today, yes?"
She nodded timidly. "Ja, it's a very beautiful day."
"The day isn't the only beautiful thing I see," Lovino said cheerily, taking her hand and kissing it.
"O-Oh," she squeaked, a heavy blush gracing her pale cheeks. "T-Thank you."
"Anything for a pretty girl." He knew he must have looked poor and tattered, but she didn't seem like the type of girl to hold it against him. "My name's Romano, by the way," Lovino lied and pressed his lips to her hand again before releasing it.
An even brighter blush colored her cheeks. "I'm Lili. Nice to meet you," she said softly.
"What's a pretty lady like you doing here all alone?" He glanced around, as if he was checking to make sure no danger was near.
"My bruder chased after a thief and told me to watch the product," she replied, smiling shyly at him.
Lovino put on a look of distress. "That's terrible! But that's no excuse to leave you alone, what if someone bad came along," he laced his voice with concern, not feeling it in the slightest.
Lili paled slightly. "I-I'm sure Bruder will be back soon...I hope."
"I will wait with you until he returns. I would hate to see something happen to you." He leaned against the counter.
"I'll be alright! I don't want to be a bother to you," Lili said quickly, she was obviously a very kind-hearted girl and naïve too. Perfect.
"No, I insist." Lovino smiled gently at her.
She returned the smile. "Thank you. You are very kind."
He almost winced, he hated charming truly kind people, but that didn't stop him from doing whatever it takes to get a little extra cheese or a bigger loaf of bread. "No need for thanks. I'm just doing what anyone else would do."
Lili opened her mouth to protest, but closed it quickly. "I'm still taking advantage of your kindness. How can I repay you?"
There were many things he could have asked for as payment for his 'kindness', but he chose the least taxing for her, this naïve little girl knew nothing of his lies and trickery.
"A kiss will do."
He'd never seen someone blush as quickly as this little milkmaid did, her entire face turned a lovely shade of pink. "W-What?"
Lovino smirked, not evilly, just amused. "Yes, a kiss. Unless that is too much."
She shifted nervously, and said in a small voice, "Alright, just make sure my brother doesn't see you. He'll kill you."
"Don't worry about me, I'm a fast runner," he said with a wink, but he still glanced around to make sure her brother hadn't returned, deciding the coast was clear.
Lovino gently cupped her cheek and tilted her face up. 'Green eyes,' he mused. Slowly he brought their lips together in a sweet, innocent kiss, and before pulling away completely, he pressed kisses to her cheeks. "Grazie, bella."
"You there! What are you doing so close to my sister?" A gruff, irritated voice sounded from behind them.
"B-Bruder!" Lili pressed away from him. "We were just talking. Romano here was keeping me company while I waited for you."
Lili's brother narrowed his eyes to glare at Lovino. "Well, I'm back. Now be on your way."
"Actually, I'm not done here." He scowled at the other man. "I would like to buy some of your cheese."
"You got money?" The man glared at him even harder, as if daring him to not have any money.
Lovino dug in his pocket and retrieved a few silver coins. "Here," he grumbled.
Before the man could take the money, a smaller hand clasped over his. "I've got this one, Vash. Don't worry, he'd very kind and won't cheat us."
Vash opened his mouth, but closed it. And with a single curt nod, he moved to the back of their shop. Never once did he take his eyes off Lovino, as if, if he looked away, everything would be gone, including his sister.
"You didn't have to do that," he said softly, feeling sick from the generosity shown to him.
She smiled sweetly. "Bruder likes to hassle people if he doesn't think their money is enough, I'm just saving you from being yelled at." Lili took the money from his hand and counted it, before choosing a round of cheese from the shelf behind her and handed it to him.
"Isn't this—"
"Thank you for chatting with me, Romano. I hope you'll come back soon." She gave him a look, then smiled again.
He shoved the large round into his sack, then grinned back. "Thanks, Lili. Until we see each other again, ciao," Lovino purred and winked at her.
"Ciao," she squeaked, a pale flush tinting her cheeks.
He walked backwards out of the shop, before turning on his heel and walking away quickly. As soon as he was out of sight, he let the smile slip from his face. Was it really oaky to let himself take that girl's kind offering? The sack in his hand seemed to grow heavier, along with that sick, slimy feeling in his stomach. Lovino hated feeling guilty, and the worse thing someone like him could feel was guilt. Fuck that girl, she was stupid and now I have enough cheese to last a while. He glanced back the way he came, silently whispering in his head, 'Thank you.'
Using the many alleyways and crowds of people, he managed to stay away from the bakery where he would most likely be recognized. It was a risk even going to that part of the market, too many people had seen him yesterday, but Feliciano needed food and with winder coming, they would need more than just food to keep him alive.
'He needs a doctor,' the voice in his head whispered as he 'relieved' a man of his coin purse. 'I can't pay for a fucking doctor! Goddamnit... he's going to die, isn't he...'
Lovino was no fool, he noticed the hidden blood splattered hands, a fever that was closer and closer to growing out of his control, ghost-like pallor, hoarse voice that was once sweet and gentle. All Lovino wanted was for his brother to be happy and healthy again, was that too much to ask? Yes, yes it was, apparently. Life simply couldn't give you what you wanted, that would be too easy. 'Unless you're rich,' Lovino thought bitterly. 'But even money has its limits. Fuck.' In the midst of his thoughts, he didn't notice that he had wandered into the flow of people until he nearly got run over by a cart carrying a load of wood.
"Watch it, kid," a burly man yelled at him, not stopping his cart.
"No, you fucking watch it! I'm just minding my own damn business, you're the one trying to fucking kill me! Fuck off." He stomped away, cursing himself for getting distracted like that. Taking his time to calm down, he wandered past shops and carts, barely glancing at the people selling the wares around him. With speed nearly too fast for the human eye, he snatched an apple from the passing fruit cart. As soon as he was a good distance away, he devoured the apple quickly. Oaky, fuck the fruit and bread, I'll get it tomorrow. Let's get a damn book and go back to Felici.
It wasn't long before he found himself outside the shop that sold books. From his place across the road as he wait for his prey, he could see all the precious literary jewels sitting neatly on large wood shelves. To even buy one of the larger books, he would probably have to start selling his body on the street, he mused idly over the idea, letting his face become blank and indifferent.
Ding. The bell over the door announced the arrival of what, or who he was waiting for. An average sized, blonde man exited the shop, a brown paper bag tucked under his arm. Lovino did a quick once over of his 'prey'. Blonde, he is not originally from the local area. Smartly dressed, he must have money. Pale skin, usually only people from far north can be that white. What the fuck are those, caterpillars or a disfigurement? No matter. His prey didn't didn't look like he had any hidden strength. He would have to do, because Lovino didn't have any patience to wait for a different prey.
1, 2...3. He took off at full speed, slamming all his weight into the unsuspecting man and sent them toppling to the ground.
"Bloody hell!" The man's arms shot to to catch himself, sending the book flying quite a few feet.
'Perfect,' he thought with a smirk. Quickly getting to his feet, he scooped up the book and— A large hand clamped on the back of his shirt, shoving him into the wall.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Lovino struggled against that iron strength, but he refused to give up. "Let go, you fucker!" He gasped when his arm pulled painfully behind his back.
"So you can run? I don't think so, little thief," the stronger man purred in his ear.
That voice send chills down his spine, and fear spilled into his blood. It was the butcher, the creep had eyed him since he first walked by his shop. He began screaming profanities at the top of his lungs, hoping the fear wouldn't make it into his voice.
"You might as well let the lad go." The blonde haired man had recovered from his fall and walked over to Lovino and his soon to be tormentor. "No harm done."
"No can do. I've tried to catch this little thief for a long time." The butcher frowned, reaching up his free hand to fix the slightly disheveled, blood flecked mask that covered his eyes. Turning himself to face the smaller man, taking Lovino with him.
"He was stealing from me, and I would like to deal with him myself." The man's eyes darkened into a menacing glare, and his posture radiated authority.
Lovino tried to stop the shaking taking over his limbs and he was sure both men could hear the pounding of his heart. When the green-eyed man's gaze caught his own, he reduced himself to fast spoken apologies in Italian, filled with plenty of cures and swears, all the while glaring as threateningly as he could. He felt tears prick his eyes, but he wouldn't lower himself to tears in front of these bastards.
"Would you shut up!" The man brought his large hand to cover his mouth.
A smirk pulled at his lips and then he sank his teeth into the offending hand, relishing the screech of pain and taste of blood for a split second before he tore himself from the man's grip. But a well placed kick sent him sprawling to the ground before he could get far.
The blood stained, masked man chuckled darkly. "I like them feisty." He picked Lovino back up and drove his fist into his stomach, then let the now unconscious Italian crumple to the ground.
"That was completely unnecessary," the blonde growled, kneeling to examine Lovino closer.
"He's loud and he bit me," the other said, chuckling with a wicked grin on his face. "That's more than enough reason for me."
Swinging one of Lovino's arms over his shoulder, he awkwardly hoisted Lovino on to his back, surprised to find him extrememly light for a boy his age. "I do not care."
"Fine, I'll let you have him this time. I have time to wait." He leered at the little Italian, reaching out and catching a lock of dark brown hair between his grimey fingers. "Just don't break him too much before I can get to him."
The other leaned down carefully and retrieved his book from the ground. "No promises," he said simply and walked away, leaving the other man laughing behind him.
Translations:
Go to sleep, go to sleepy
In the arms of your mother
Go to sleep, lovely child,
Go to sleep, child so lovely,
Go to sleep, go to sleepy
In the arms of your mother.
Sorry the long wait, but you get an extra long chapter from it so it's not all bad. Thank you for reading so far.
-Windy