Blog + Action

[loves_pasta]

Feliciano is frantic after the text from Antonio. He drops the bundle of herbs he'd been holding to the floor as he frantically texts back, debating if he should call or if that would put him into hysterics in the middle of the grocery store

Comments

[tomatomatonio]

"Hey, Feli."

Silence for a moment.

"Sorry about this...I just..."

[loves_pasta]

"It's no problem."

He slows down to not lose control of the car. Emotional, fast driving and talking on the phone is not a recipe for good things after all. No matter how fast he wants to get home.

"He'll... He'll be fine. Fratello is very very strong, you know. He won't let them get to him so easily. I'm sure he's far away from them right now and just can't talk?"

He almost wants to ask what the message said but he's not sure it that's the best question for either of them right now.

[tomatomatonio]

He doesn't register that he is pacing. Has been doing so since the disconnect. But he can hear the scared waver in Feli's voice, and uses that to try and calm himself down. Even if he couldn't protect Lovi, he can still protect his brother. There is no way he will lose them both.

"Ha...right. He's really tough, isn't he? I guess I should know better than anyone. I'll bet....I'll bet he's just mad at me for taking so long to pick up the phone the first time he called. And this is payback. A-and...he'll probably give me an earful at dinner tonight."

[loves_pasta]

A few more corners. He's not too sure when he started speeding again but he forces himself to slow as he reaches the residential area, cutting through that instead of main streets to get back to the mansion.

"Fratello is mean enough to do that." He forces a chuckle and cringes at how meek and scared it sounds. "I'm sure he'll be home before we know it." Blind optimism was usually both their specialties but with such a dire situation on hand, how long could they keep this up. Feliciano takes a shaky breath and smiles, hoping it will transfer to his voice.

"I'm almost home. Wait by the door for me?"

[tomatomatonio]

He nods, then remembers that he is on the phone and that Feli can't hear that.

"I will. How far out are you?"

Feliciano will be okay. He will make it home without anything bad happening. And Lovino will come back soon after, safe and sound. Because really, he can handle himself very well even if Toni knows all about his recurring nightmares and how scared they make him. He'll be alright...

[loves_pasta]

He stops longer than needed at a stop sign, taking a deep breath to clear his mind. Feliciano almost doesn't push the gas again because he's scared there will be some letter waiting not so innocently on the porch when he gets home.

"Just a few blocks. I'll be there in less than five minutes."

[tomatomatonio]

"Did you find anything good at the market?"

They would both weather the next five minutes easier with normal conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was fine.

[loves_pasta]

The market. His mind flashes to the cart left unattended by the fresh herbs, and the horrified looking woman he'd nearly shoved aside in his haste to leave.

"Ah, not really. The herbs weren't as fresh as I would have liked, so I figured I'd stop by the small market down on Sycamore instead."

[tomatomatonio]

No sign of the car just yet. Where was he?

"I can go with you, then. Help you carry some of the bags. You do always end up getting more than you can lift by yourself."

Only one more minute and it would be the full five.

[loves_pasta]

His foot taped the beat to the thrumming of his heart as he turned down the street. Just a few more houses...

"I never can say no to what I might need in the kitchen, Toni!" He shifted the phone to his other ear as he pulled into the drive, punching the button for the garage. They rarely parked there but it'd be safer in there where it couldn't be messed with. "We can in a little bit then. I just pulled up and I'm a bit hungry so I can make us some lunch before we go."

[tomatomatonio]

He was at the garage door as soon as he heard it start to open, flooded with relief at the sight of the familiar red car. Feli was safe and sound and at home. Antonio waited until the door opened before he shut off the phone, trying to put on a brave face.

"Afraid it is still breakfast for me. Weird hours because of work, you know. But I'm sure whatever you make will be good."

[loves_pasta]

Feliciano slipped the phone into his pocket, keys following right after as the garage door slid down and the cars alarm beeped on.

"I forget that sometimes. I'll make brunch then!" He smiled and lead the way into the kitchen, keeping close to the one person he had at the moment. They both needed it. "How has work been? Busy? Are the finances good?"

[tomatomatonio]

"They're...okay, yeah. And work is okay too." He stuck to Feli's heels like a needy puppy. Now that he had him under his sight and protection, he was becoming less inclined to keep up the pseudo-happy conversation.

"H-have you called your grandfather yet, or do you want to listen to the answering machine first?"

[loves_pasta]

Feliciano paused, hand lingering on the kitchen door. Did he really want to hear his brother being chased down? Did he really even want to call his Nonno and see what was going on? Risk both of them being ripped away from this life?

"I haven't called him yet. M-Maybe after food? I'll make something sweet to lift our spirits, si?"