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arzenpai
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In the In Between Excerpt(s) - Francisco/Lio - Memories


xxxLio let his feet dangle from the docks and glanced up, his olive green eyes taking in every hue Francisco was painting on his canvas. It was full of different shades of blues, swirling and sliding. He had seen a lot of magical paintings -the ones that move- but this was the first time he had seen one being made.

xxx"Is it difficult?" he asked, his tone even. He did very well in keeping his curiosity out of his voice. He wondered if he would be able to do it.

xxxThe painter smiled at him, like an older brother indulging a younger child. "Of course not. If you put your mind into it, I'm sure you'll be able to do it."

xxxLio snorted and rolled his eyes. "I am not some naive child you need to console, Rossi." He stood up and strode over to where Francisco was standing, and traced a finger lightly on the dry part of the painting. "I'm afraid my interest in the arts is not enough to compensate for my lack of skills with a brush."

xxxFrancisco laughed. He took Lio's hand into his and placed the thin brush into it. Lio blinked as the older male guided his hand across the canvas, placing another layer of deep blue to accent the waves.

xxx"Anything can be learned, Lio."

xxx- - - xxx- - -

xxxLio reclined back into his seat and hummed. His so-called parents were flitting around the mansion in an effort to making his coming-out party perfect. After all, a powerful pureblood wizard turning fifty was one of the best to look out for. It was your introduction to the society, and to half of your rights to the coven.

xxxHe wondered, if Alicia would be around. She was a few younger than him, but he was quite fond of her presence. Hm. Perhaps he should remind his father to specifically include her in the invitation. The Lombardi's were strict in terms of their precious one-and-only daughter.

xxxA couple of soft knocks interrupted his musings. He looked up, and said, "Come in."

xxxHe had expected his mother, who would badger him with questions about what specific shade of green and silver and gray he wanted. But instead of her, stepped inside a tall teenager around the age of eighteen with swept-aside light brown hair and hazel eyes. Francisco smiled at him.

xxxLio raised an eyebrow. "Rossi? I did not expect you."

xxxThe older male laughed. "No one did. The Ironworks are awfully strict when it comes to the come-and-go's." He waved a hand. "I wanted to see you before your... debut." He smirked. "So? How is it around here nowadays?"

xxxThey talked for a few minutes, just catching up with each other's changing lives. Francisco was taking his Ironworks apprentice very seriously and would not be back for a few more years, until he finished. Lio, on the other hand, was just lazing around in the manor with his tutors.

xxxWhen it was time for the brunet to leave, he strode purposefully towards Lio and bent down, dipping his head mush lower than it was supposed to go. Those hazel-amber eyes stared at Lio's questioning olive, searching, prying, and analyzing.

xxxLio was just surprised when Francisco's lips suddenly found his own. It was chaste, not even sweet, but firm and purposeful. He pulled away, pressing two fingers to Lio's lips. "Just something for you to think about, Lio."

xxxLio shook his head. "You're too sentimental, Francisco."

xxxNevertheless, it sent both of them into mushiness the whole day, even though they were separated.

xxxIt was Lio's first intimate kiss. It was the first time Lio called him by his first name.

xxx- - - xxx- - -

xxxLio supposed he should have seen this coming. Nothing in this world was ever constant, except change. And he should have learned to adapt when it came to feelings. But he was so used to faking them in front of strangers that he had long forgotten how to cover up the emotions that were awfully important.

xxxFrancisco had his arms around the waist of a very beautiful blonde with green eyes and was intensely kissing her behind the sprays of the one of the Lombardi Family fountains. His hand found the dip of her waist and gripped it tighter, his other hand cupping the nape of her neck to deepen the contact.

xxxLio whirled around and briskly walked away, forcing his blood pressure to calm down, lest Alicia would notice the faintest of static around his ears. It wouldn't do well to lose control of his temper, especially with so many people around.

xxx"So... you saw."

xxxLio sucked in a wavering breath as he faced Alicia, who was leaning wearily on a pillar. They had become a bit distant ever since Dante de Luca's mysterious appearance, and her apprenticeship to Signor Lodovico de Luca. But they were still the same friends. "Si. I most definitely did." He pressed his lips into a thin line. "It does not matter. Not anymore. It was stupid for me to fall for someone half-creature."

xxxAlicia's lips stretched into a sardonic smile. "Like how it was fatal for me to fall for Dante's charms?"

xxxLio chuckled, his fingers finding his black hair and running through them. "Oh, Alicia. This is much, much more complicated, I'm afraid."

xxxShe reached out to take his hand from his head and clasp it between both of hers. "As you said, Lio. It matters not." Her bright blue eyes lifted from their clasped hands to his eyes.

xxxFrom afar, Francisco watched the mute exchange with smoldering eyes.

xxx- - - xxx- - -

xxxLio stood in front of Alicia in a discreet protective stance, but his shoulders were tense. "The deal is simple, Rossi. You will provide us with your services, and you will have full access to the resources of our Families."

xxxFrancisco smirked. "What kind of services will you require from me, Lio?" He raised his eyebrows expectantly, as if trying to get another message across.

xxxLio's lips twisted into a disdainful snarl, and Francisco's expression faltered in the slightest. "Why, your charm-making, of course. Are there any other special talents we should be aware of? Like, double-crossing?"

xxxFrancisco's eyes widened. What the hell was Lio talking about? Sure, he took on some work from the other sect of the coven, but that was because he had been a freelancer until up this point.

xxxAlicia sighed and laid an arm on Lio's shoulders, moving him until they met eyes. "Calm yourself, Lio." She gave a glare towards Francisco, but said nothing.

xxxHe sighed and rubbed his temples. "Alright, alright. How am I supposed to refuse Signor Lio Santi's wishes?"
His wishes are my own.

xxx- - - xxx- - -

xxxTheir current relationship wasn't what Francisco wanted, but he would get as much as he could. He was smitten with the young Santi lord, but Lio had changed so much from their last encounter. Indeed, Lio was much more reserved than any other young wizard for his age, but currently, it was like he couldn't even get underneath that facade; only Alicia Lombardi could, and it made him jealous.

xxxIt meant that when it came to it, Lio was easily choose her over him.

xxxOf course, Lio Santi would choose his beloved fiance over the warm body that occupied his bed every once in a while.

xxx- - - xxx- - -

xxxFrancisco chuckled richly, the sound echoing loudly on the bare marble walls. He leaned back, his slate eyes fixated on the figure standing in front of the mirror. "You seem to be enjoying this too much, Signor Santi."

xxxLio met his hazel eyes through the mirror's reflection, amusement dancing his olive eyes. It's been a while ever since Francisco saw this much emotion in those emeralds. Of course, when they were together, Lio showed a bit of affection and emotion, but not this much. Today, he was positively... glowing.

xxx"Of course. It is not every day that a master charm-maker decides to peruse you as his canvas." Once again, he flexed his lean arms in front of the mirror, watching in fascination as the swirling pattern and flexing lines danced down his bare back and arms, the dark blue shimmering briefly into gray and silver.

xxxFrancisco stood and walked over, running his fingers lightly unto the exposed skin, his lips parted in a breathless sigh. "An artist must leave their mark on their masterpieces." He lifted his gaze to meet Lio's eyes. "It is beautiful.
You are beautiful, Lio."

xxxHe didn't expect Lio to redden, or flush with embarrassment for he was certain that the lord was showered daily by compliments of this sort.

xxxBut when the black-haired male stiffened at the sudden statement, Francisco retracted his fingers, afraid that he had over-stepped the boundary. "...Lio?"

xxxLio turned away, acting nonchalant. "That last part was unnecessary, Francisco."

xxxMaybe, just maybe... that was a sign that things were getting better?






 
 
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