Mio Amore Rosso

Sunburns and a not so unbearable teen

"My uncle was the previous head of security. It would have made sense for me to take up the title, but..." I paused and pursed my lips together in thought.

Damian leaned forward slightly in anticipation. "But, what?" Turning back at him, I chuckled. "Well, I went to school instead. Got my art degree and started selling to some private buyers."

I walked over to a small table and grabbed the crystal bottle in the middle. An amber liquid filled it half way. After grabbing a matching glass, I poured myself some then turned to face Damian again, jestering to a glass to offer him some.

He hesitated and opened his mouth, huffing out softly before just looking at me. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Roy and Jason gave me my first drink at 15." I chuckled as I poured him a small amount.

"This isn't my first." He grumbled a little arrogantly, reaching out to take the glass. "Tim never really cared, but Dick would be furious." He seemed to find irony in his statement as he grinned then took a sip.

He swallowed, then drew in a sharp breath, twitching one eyelid and grimacing. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, piccolo guaio, it's definitely an acquired taste." I took the glass from him, but he pouted. "No, I still want it...please?" My movements paused as I watched him.

Oi vey, I was in trouble.

How he managed to make himself look small like he did, and so adorably pathetic with his bottom lip popped out, was beyond me.

His eyes were a little hazy just from needing sleep, I think, but it added a whole other layer of innocence to him that I couldn't help but want to hold. Cuddle. Kiss.

I seriously needed to stop thinking like this.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and handed him back the glass. "Okay, but don't tattle on me." He gave me a thumbs up as he took another sip, handling this one much better then the first. Though, he still hissed slightly after swallowing and pursed his lips together.

I sat back down and watched him for a moment. I was about to continue my story when he started to speak. "So, you went to art school. Then, how'd you end up here?"

Well he was a persistent one. "Well, Jason came to me personally. We grew up together and he knew how good I was with the necessary technology to create a better security for him."

He nodded, pulling the blanket closer as he set his now empty glass on the end table beside him. "Oh, interesting."

His actions didn't match his words and I felt somewhat robbed of my story, but before I could voice my complaint, he continued. "So art school...are you any good? Paint anything I might have seen?"

Ah, okay. Maybe he wasn't so bad.

"I'd like to think I'm good. Like I said, I sold to some private buyers. As far as displaying my pieces publicly, well, it's really not the type of art I'd want people to remember me by." This intrigued him as he sat up straight and eyed me. "What type of art is it?"

He looked like a curious toddler. Or maybe a puppy that's waiting to have a toy thrown for them. He was hooked. Ready for more information. Information that I wasn't quite sure I was ready to share yet.

"You're a stubborn one with all those questions aren't you?" I chuckled then sipped my drink.

He huffed at me, stood up, then moved over to sit beside me. All the while watching me with determined eyes. "Antonio, what kind of art is it?"

Damn, he had no idea just what he was doing to me.

Sighing softly, I leaned back, watching him with my own endearing look for a moment before finally answering. "Well, perhaps I'll just have to show you sometime."

With the hope that this was the end of the discussion, I took the last sip of my drink. Although, he wasn't satisfied. At this point it shouldn't have surprised me.

He was very thorough at getting the answers he wanted. Not a bad quality for the Mafia. Not that I'd ever let someone so innocent be a part of something like this...but he'd be good at it.

"Why wait? You can show me now. It's not like we have anything better to do. Jason, Tim and Roy are gonna be gone for the rest of the evening. You've gotta entertain me somehow."

He shrugged his shoulders and sighed, giving me a big grin. That same sparkle had intensified as if someone had actually poured glitter into his eyes.

I can think of a few ways to entertain him. A few things that would keep us busy for hours. Shit!

I shook my head and cleared my throat again. "Um, yeah okay. Sure. Let's go now." At least if we were doing literally anything else but sitting here alone, maybe I could keep those thoughts away.

Though, I doubted it.

Damian grinned triumphantly and stood up quickly, pulling me with him. I laughed and watched him grow more excited by the second. "Okay, okay. Piccolo guaio, calm down."

We walked to the door and he seemed to bounce on his feet. I'd never expected this amount of excitement from him, but I definitely wouldn't change it.

Overall, I have definitely decided he's not the unbearable teen I thought he'd be. Sure he's a little dark and brooding, but he seemed to have a happy demaner too.

Although, it seemed like something he didn't share with many people. So I'm counting myself lucky to be seeing it firsthand.

We left the library and I started walking towards the back of the estate where my room was. It was more of a studio apartment setup thanks to Jason. With a small kitchenette and living area.

He wanted to keep me on the property and proposed the idea to me when I started the job. It seemed like a great idea then and the added privacy was something I was very grateful for.

As we walked inside, I watched Damian for any signs that he was uncomfortable or wanted to leave, but he seemed very intent on finding out just what kind of art I painted.

I felt he'd be a little disappointed, but maybe not. Who knows, maybe one day I'd get him to be my muse. If he wanted to anyway.