Antonio's POV
Damian was burnt.
I did feel bad for the kid. It wasn't even that hot outside, but he fell asleep on a floaty.
It probably could have been my fault for not paying attention, though, I don't think making sure he puts on sunscreen falls under my job description...still, Jason was probably gonna be pissed.
We were in the library now and he was wearing one of Jason's T-shirts since his were skin tight, more or less anyway, and some sweatpants. He didn't seem to mind all that much, but I knew it had to be uncomfortable.
Even after applying a generous amount of Aloe, he still looked like a firecracker. He assured me though, he'd just tan nicely in a day or two, so I shouldn't worry.
I figured with him though, I was gonna worry a lot. He didn't tend to get himself into trouble on purpose, but I knew already, I'd have my hands full.
He'd already earned a nickname from me. Not on purpose, it just slipped out when I was chiding myself for not paying attention when he fell asleep.
Piccolo guaio.
It means little trouble. Because, despite what he says, he is definitely trouble. In his own way. "It's not summer, don't kids your age normally have some type of schooling?"
I was still looking at the book in my lap. The same one I had with me outside. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I knew he was listening. "Keen observation." When I looked up, he fixed me with a miffed look.
I chuckled and set my book to the side. "Well, you are what, seventeen right? So either you graduated earlier, or you're taking a rather odd break in the middle of a year." His look changed then to slight annoyance, but I could see the amusement too.
"Fine, yes. I graduated last year. I finished with a 4.0 and, I've completed a full semester of online college courses as well." As he spoke, he pulled a book from one of the shelves. Examining it curiously before sitting down across from me. "Ah, I see." I tapped my chin.
He looked up at me again, seeming to look me over before grinning. It made my heart jump and my stomach flip from the way his lip turned up and his eyes sparkled mischievously.
Oh yes, he was definitely a piccolo guaio.
In some ways though, I think I was okay with that.
"Okay, here's a question for you." He crossed one leg over the other before scrunching his nose and hissing slightly.
I sat up, moving my hand out in reflex, but stopped when he relaxed and fixed me with a hard look. "How are you Jason's head of security at such a young age? You're what, twenty?"
My look of concern quickly changed into a grin at his sparky tone. "Ah, well that's an easy one. When Jason took over the business, most of his fathers men retired. Jason needed to form his own bonds with his own people anyway."
Damian shivered and I stood up, grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch before I walked towards him. Without hesitating, I wrapped it around him, kneeling down so I was eye level with him.
His eyes were wide. Curious, but hesitant. "Sunburns make me shiver too. This will help you warm up." My lips twitched up into a half smile as I watched his cheeks heat up, but maybe that was just the burn talking. We held eye contact for a moment.
Damn. This kid was reeling me in quicker than I realized. No! Stop it!
My hands were still holding the edges of the blanket, so I let go then stood up, clearing my throat. "Anyway," He cleared his too and pulled the blanket tighter around himself before nodding at me to continue.
"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.