The Legendary Red String of Fate

~~The Legendary: Red String of Fate~~ II: If he stays, he's a keeper!

(The past: twenty two years ago)

"Mama!!!" A woman turned around in the crowded streets of Florence, to see a young Italian boy running towards her. She looked confused, never seen this boy in her life. Fortunately, another Italian boy stopped him from running towards her. "Scusa, miss. My idiota fratello confused you with our mother. She has your natural beauty, si!"

"Oh, Si! I understand. You boys should go home before it gets late. Before mama gets angry, Ciao!" She turned away waving goodbye to the Italian boys.

The one who called her mama, turned to face his older brother, "Fratello? Why, did you lie to her?" The older boy had tears streaming down his face, "Because, Idiota, she doesn't remember us. She will never remember us. One day, you'll understand, that not everyone is lucky to know their own mother."

"Why doesn't she remember us?"

"Feli, Papa didn't want us to look for her anyway! I should of never listened to you in the first place! She now knows our faces, but will never know who we are! Idiota!" The older brother cried.
"Lovino, fratello, don't cry!!" Feliciano hugged his older twin brother. Lovino and him both knew, this was the last chance of seeing the woman who, once remembered being a mother of two twin boys. Tomorrow, they will be moving to United States with their father.

~~
~~ Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion
Is nothing new
Flashback warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories,
Time after...~~
~~

Twenty two years later, Lovino Vargas, age thirty six, works two part time jobs in Manhattan. His day job, he is the private assistant to a famous artist world wide. His night job, is just business oriented, as he would say.

The artist has a beautiful manor in the country side of Italy, but prefers to spend his free time in a huge studio apartment in New York City. Wherever he goes, so must Lovino. Lovino doesn't mind the traveling, he just can't stand his lazy boss. No matter how many times Lovino threatens to quit as the assistant to the artist, he never fulfills that threat though. Mostly because you can't quit on family, and Italians know that.

--

Feliciano Vargas was discovered as a talented artist back when he was in high school at World Academy. In fact, the principal called in Giulian Vargas, the twin's grandfather and legal guardian, into his office to discuss the young artist's work.

"Mr. Vargas, your grandson, Feliciano has drawn inappropriate images in his sketchbook. However, the body proportions are incredibly perfect! Similar to Di'Vinci and Raphael. How is he able to draw the naked human form to be exact?" The art teacher exclaimed.

"Si, i'm aware of his talent! Back home in Italia, this was basic art education! I was told that Feliciano was able to grasp the talent quickly than other students in our town. However, Lovino, didn't receive the artistic talent." their grandfather responded.

"Oh, I actually knew that! Lovino can't even draw a perfect circle! Hehee." The art teacher giggled.

"Si, it's true!" Laughed Giulian.

Meanwhile the twins heard it all outside the door, listening to the two talk about Feliciano's talent and Lovino's lack of talent.

"Fratello, did you hear that? I got am talented." Feliciano smiled.

"Apparently, I cant draw a damn circle!" growled Lovino.

Shortly after that meeting, their grandfather chose to transfer Feliciano to an art school in Italy. Unfortunately, he didn't know where to transfer Lovino. A neighbor kid, who also attended World Academy as a senior, enjoyed hanging out with Lovino. Lovino didn't enjoy hanging around the Spaniard, but still put up with him.

That Spaniard offered to take Lovino in, to continued high school education at their school, while Lovino's brother and grandfather returned to Italy. Before Lovino could answer, his grandfather already agreed for him.

"Antonio, you tomato loving bastard! How dare you take me in!" Lovino stomped around in Antonio's bedroom.

"Relax, Amigo. I know you don't have much friends, well any. I do want to be yours, though! Si, we will be the best Amigos!" Antonio jumped around excitedly.

"I am NOT your Amigo! Capische?" Lovino hated his annoying personality. Why this kid?

"Si, we are more like hermanos!" Antonio smiled.

"First off, I have no clue what the hell that is! Secondly, aren't you amigos with that German jerk and French man whore?" Lovino asked.

"Si, Si. We are the three amigos since middle school!" His eyes lit up, "However, you hermano are going to be my roommate and best compadre!"

"No, thank you!"

--

~~
~~ Sometimes you picture me,
I'm walking too far ahead.
You're calling to me, I can't hear,
What you've said.
Then you say go slow,
I fall behind,
The second hand unwinds.~~
~~

Twenty one years later, Lovino is on a balcony of his famous artist brother's apartment, smoking his second cigarette. He is still friends with his only friend, Antonio all these years. They watch sport games together, even the world cup, drink together, celebrate holidays together, and knew everything about each other. Antonio knew Lovino more than Feliciano did.

Feliciano respected Antonio's friendship with his brother, and hired him to help Lovino. He even paid for Antonio to travel with the twins when they traveled. He lived literally next door to the twin's Manhattan apartment. In fact, he was on his balcony right now smoking cigarettes too, keeping Lovino company as always.

"Like I was saying, I really enjoyed the newest art exhibit. Is it stopping in Vegas, any time soon?" Antonio was loyal and didn't stick around for the free lifestyle, in fact he requested to pay for his rent and his personal needs. He really wanted to be there for Lovino, not for Feliciano. How come this man didn't use the twins if they were handing out a free ticket to luxury? Lovino never understood Antonio's way of thinking and kindness.

"Yeah, sometime at the end of the schedule. Why do you want to go to Vegas so badly? Didn't know you gamble."

"No, Lovi. I enjoy seeing scenery, and New York doesn't have natural beauty compared to the mountains and canyons in the west coast. I'd love to see these red canyons the internet mentions a lot!"

"You mean the Grand Canyon? Isn't that in Arizona?" Lovino wiped his cigarette on the ash tray.

"No. I mean the Red Canyons in Nevada. They call them, Red Rock Canyon, because the canyon is literally made out of red rock."

"Sounds stupid, but if it's a must to see, then fine." Lovino shrugged.

"You'll see Lovi, it's amazing! Oh, by the way, my amigos are stopping by to catch up. Please stop by, and bring Feli! We are going to have a wild night!" Antonio winked.

"You're an odd ball, you know that? Fine, i'll bring him. Do know, if German bastard grabs my ass again like last time, i'll kill him. I won't hesitate!" Lovino opened the sliding door and slamming it.

"Of course! Si, I remember. You crack me up, Lovi!" Antonio giggled.

~~
~~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time.
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting,
Time after time.
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time.
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting,
Time after time. ~~
~~

Antonio opens the door to see Feliciano smiling holding a tray of something, and Lovino looking away holding two bottles of expensive Italian wine.

"Speriamo che non siamo in ritardo. Grazie, for the invite, I brought cannolis for dessert!" Feliciano said handing the tray to Antonio.

"No, not at all! Gracias, Feli! Gracias, for the wine, Lovi!" Antonio smiled helping Lovino with the two wine bottles.

"Yeah, whatever." Lovino shrugged.

"Ah, Lovino! Comment allez-vous? It's been too long, no? That Italian olive skin is enticing, Oui?" The french man winked at a quiet blonde standing behind him. Lovino haven't seen Francis since Antonio's high school graduation. Still, he shined with a glow from moisturizers and male cosmetic products. He smelled like a strong men's cologne, with a beautiful floral scented blonde hair that flowed shortly above his shoulders. His blue eyes made the Mediterranean sea jealous of it's color.
Lovino described him as a male whore. Francis flirted with everyone, male students, female students, even both genders of teachers. He seduced many for the love and lust part, not for grades or anything.

Behind him, a younger male around Lovino's age blushed at the wink. Lovino doesn't recognize him.

"SO, THIS IS THE YOUNGER BRUDER, YOU SPOKE OF!!" Yelled an obnoxiously loud German, startling the poor blonde guy.

"Oui, Gilbert, this is my precious Matthieu! Don't we look alike?" Francis said grabbing this, Matthieu?

"NOT AT ALL! AT FIRST I THOUGHT HE WAS A HOT BABE, HAHA! HOWEVER HE'S HOTTER THAN YOU, PRETTY BOY!" Gilbert laughed. Lovino noticed that, that German bastard never changed.

Gilbert spoke too loudly, it echoed the whole apartment. It was his obnoxious personality that scared children.

"Bruder, you are making a scene!" said an unknown German accent.

"FRANCIS, ANTONIO!! MEET MY LITTLE BROTHER, LUDWIG!!" Gilbert pointed out. Everyone turned to see a much bigger German entering the apartment. For once, Feliciano looked surprised.

"WAIT, A DAMN MINUTE! YOU SAYING, THIS BIG GUY IS YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER???" Lovino shouted.

"He looks older than you, you know?" Francis pointed out.

"It could be the height, Francis." Matthew responded.

"I apologize for my bruder's loud speaking. I am Ludwig Beilschmidt."

"Nice to meet you, amigo! Your brother and I go way back! Francis too." Antonio smiled. While everyone, including Feliciano, started chatting with the Germans, Lovino felt left out and sneaked out of the apartment for fresh air.

~~
~~ After my picture fades and darkness has,
Turned to gray.
Watching through windows you're wondering,
If I'm OK
Secrets stolen from deep inside,
The drum beats out of time.~~
~~

It wasn't even five minutes, when Lovino stood down the hallway to think to himself, not knowing someone following him to the elevator.

"You were always kind of anti-social, weren't you, Lovi?"

"ANTONIO???" Lovino jumped of being startled.

"Would you like to have a private dinner instead? I could let them eat in the apartment, and knowing Gilbert, he'll entertain everyone with his logic. hehe."

"What logic?"

"Exactly."

"You would ditch your guests? You are a fool." Lovino mumbled.

"I would, just to be your fool." Antonio smiled.

~~
~~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting,
Time after time
You said go slow,
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds. ~~
~~

"What??" Lovino started to sweat, did he honestly hear a love confession?

"We've been better friends longer than those two ever been with me! I enjoy just spending time with you." Antonio entered the elevator, "Coming?"

"Uh, yeah." Lovino steps inside. "Just friends?"

Antonio nodded, "No, more than friends."

Lovino was afraid to ask, "What's more than friends?" He gulped.

"Compadres." Antonio winked. That's right, he mentioned that before, twenty one years ago, when he asked Lovino to move into his home.

"Right, compadres." why did he feel bad if it was just that?

~~
~~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting,
Time after time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting,
Time after time ~~

~~

Lovino returned home late with Antonio, they unlocked their doors and went inside their seperate apartments. Lovino entered the kitchen, and heard Feliciano giggle from his bedroom. 'It's three in the morning, Feliciano goes to bed at nine every night!' He walked over to Feliciano's bedroom door and knocked.

"Shh..Si, Lovino, is that you?"

"Fratello, why are you still awake?"

"No, No reason." The door wasn't locked and Lovino opened the door to see something he wasn't comfortable of seeing.

--

Antonio was already laying in bed when he heard through the walls, "YOU BASTARD, I'LL KILL YOU FOR STEALING HIS VIRGINITY!!"

"Ay, i'm awake again." He yawned. "Wait, that was Lovino!" Antonio jumped up, ran out side his kitchen, unlock his door, and banging on the twin's apartment door, "Let me in!"

The door opened to see a panicking Feliciano in a bath robe.

"What's going on?!?"

"Lovino saw Ludwig and I....in my bed." Antonio blushed.

"What??"

"It's not how it looks or sounds...you see, Gilbert and Francis was drinking, and they left, well forgot their brothers. Matthew is in Lovino's bed for the night, Ludwig and I shared mine." Feliciano explained.

"I see. I'll fix this." Antonio noticed Lovino running around with a steak knife chasing a terrified German.

"Ve didn't do anything! Stop chasing me and crying!"

"You bastard, think you could steal his virginity! I'll chop off your German Sausage!! Us,Roman Catholics wait until we are married before doing the kinky stuff!!" Lovino waved the knife while talking with his hands.

"Calm down, Lovi! Feliciano explained.."

"Explain what?!?" He shouted.

"What's with all the noise, eh?" Matthew rubbed his eyes walking out of Lovino's bedroom.

"What the hell is that french bastard doing here???" Lovino yelled.

"First off, i'm Canadian. Second off, I speak french and English. Besides, Francis and Gilbert were too wasted to let us know they were leaving and haven't realized they ditched us. Feliciano offered us to stay here until they realize their mistake."

"Ohhh...You swear to me, you didn't take his virginity?!"

"Ja! stop vaving your knife around!!!"

"Fine. You live another night! I got my eyes on you, potato eating bastard!" Lovino said walking away with a puzzled German. 'Are all Italians like this?'

"Lovi, if you need a place to sleep in for the night, you are welc--" Antonio smiled.

"Fine, Whatever!" Lovino interrupted walking out with Antonio.

~~
~~ Time after time
Time after time
Time after time ~~
~~

~FIN~

To Be Continued.....

Song: Time After Time
Artist: Cyndi Lauper