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Scipio could not stop thinking about what had happened last night. About what he had done. Poor Prosper. He must be furious.

Why was I so stupid? Why didn't I think about my plan? If I had even thought just a little bit I could have found a different way…

It was early in the morning. That night The Thief Lord was to bring the wing to the conte for the fifty thousand. Prosper would, of course, be coming along with the others.

Currently the best thief in Venice was prowling around the rooftops. His father had a meeting in Rome and would be gone all day. Scipio was full of emotions and trying to think things out, or clear his head- he wasn't really sure which.

He had decided to sit on the sign over hanging the bakery in the main shopping area. It was easy access from the roof.

Scipio settled down and was content to just watch the tourists scramble about, looking at everything and taking pictures.

Prosper had woken up very early that morning, before everyone else. Actually he hadn't fallen asleep after Scipio had left. He hadn't been able to shake the memories of the previous night out of his mind. Unconsciously he touched his lips, a small blush creeping into his pale cheeks. Once he realized that he would not be sleeping, Prosper had snuck out and decided to walk through the shopping area.

Seeing normal people going about normal lives made him feel better, but it also hurt deep inside. Prosper remembered when his mother would take him and Bo shopping with her. He remembered their normal lives, and it hurt knowing they would never have that again.

Without realizing it Prosper found himself walking along the white line that Scipio had everyone along when they were going to see the Conte for the first time.

It was pretty cold, but not too bad. Once winter hit for real it be much colder. The Thief Lord could remember when he was so worried about finding a warmer place for his friends to stay. He had spent many hours sitting in his library at home thinking, reading and looking at places his father owned that had been closed down. He had even considered hiding them in his own basement.

Scipio looked down and was a bit surprised. It was Prosper. He appeared to be alone. He was walking along one of the white lines in the center of the shopping square. Had they both come here to think?

The sight of the younger boy made Scipio's heart skip a beat, and then speed up.

No, this isn't right. I can't have a crush on Prosper. Then with a bit of a laugh he thought, my father would be furious if he knew that his son was in love with a boy- an orphan boy, who was dirt poor. The others wouldn't like it if they found out. They'd probably hate me even more than they do now. Prosper wouldn't like it at all either.

The Thief Lord shook his head sadly and to get the thought from his mind, stood up and climbed back on to the roof. He was going home.

A small smile had crept onto Prosper's face as he remembered following behind Scipio as they went to meet the Conte. He had been nervous, and The Thief Lord could see it in his face, so he began to lead them along the white lines so that Prosper would concentrate on walking instead of what they were going to do.

A movement out of the corner of his eye caught Prosper's attention. A black figure was climbing on to the roof of the bakery.

He squinted his eyes against the blinding rays of the rising sun.

Scipio?

That night on the boat Scipio sat in the very back of the boat, while Prosper sat with Bo in the very front. They had not spoken to, or even gone near, each other. Each time Scipio caught Prosper's eye the gaze would last for a few seconds until Prosper looked away.

Scipio's eyes were filled with sorrow. He desperately wanted to talk to Prosper, but he had no idea where to begin, or even if Prosper wanted to ever speak to him again after what he did to him.

Prosper's eyes and face held no emotion at all when he locked eyes with The Thief Lord. Prosper was good at that. Not letting his emotions show. It was one of the things Scipio had always admired about him.

Bo was sitting on his brother's lap, laying back and looking into the older boy's eyes. The little angel faced boy seemed lost in the beautiful blue of Prosper's eyes. The two were talking quietly. It seemed as if nothing in their world was wrong. They had each other and always would. Scipio was envious of that. He wished, more than anything in the world, that he had someone who would look at him the way Bo was looking at Prosper. He wanted to be able to talk with someone in that tone of voice- so gentle and kind. Scipio wanted to hold Prosper the way he was holding Bo and protect him from all the evils in the world.

"Prosper, is the merry-go-round real?"

"I wish it were Bo. Just think what we could do if it were."

"Yeah."

There was a calming silence that followed. Prosper closed his eyes and let the breeze flow through his messy brown hair. Bo watched his brother's face with a content smile. His eyebrows suddenly moved toward each other as a questioning look came over his little angel face.

"What is it?" Prosper asked with a little smile.

"Do you love Scipio?"

"What!" Prosper turned bright red, and he jumped a bit, at the sudden question. Bo's face held no mischief, for him it was a simple question.

"I love him," He told his brother. The way he said it made it sound as though everyone should love The Thief Lord, so of course Bo did too. "I also love Hornet and Mosca and Riccio. But I love you more," He added giving his brother a hug. "Scip's like a hero for us isn't he Prop?" Bo continued.

"Yeah I guess he is." He means love like a family.

"Scipio's staring at you," Bo giggled. Prosper's face turned red for the second time that night. Bo giggled more at the sight of his brother's bright pink cheeks. "I think he likes you."

Prosper's heart was racing. He didn't dare look at Scipio right now. He could feel the boy's eyes on him anyway. Bo doesn't know any better. He doesn't know that it's not okay for two boys to like each other in that way.

Scipio watched Prosper's face grow red as Bo giggled something to him. Maybe they're talking about me? Scipio thought hopefully. No, it's probably Hornet. Prosper probably likes her. Bo looked over at Scipio with a mischievous grin. Maybe it is me?

A red lantern could be seen ahead of them.

No time to think about that right now. I'll have to get Prosper alone so I can talk to him… but right now is my big moment. Scipio picked up the wooden wing and quickly checked to make sure his mask was on properly.

Pumpkin Pepper: I know this chapter was shorter than the first, but I hope you don't mind. I have the next chapter written I just have to type it on the computer. Please, please review! I want to get three more before I update again.