Chapter XXXIX – R for Red

AN: Sorry for the long wait. This Hiatus took longer than I thought it would. I'm going to start updating this story again though it might not be regular and you might need to wait a bit between each chapter (though I promise, it won't be two years this time!).
Thanks for your patience! Enjoy~!

The Leader and Head Alfa of the Vargas Family blew softly out of his cigarette. With a heavy hand, he pulled out a key from around his neck and unlocked one of his desk's drawers. He picked up a golden brooch of a howling wolf with red eyes. Pinned to his collar, Giulio Vargas always harboured the Soaring Golden Eagle that represents his family. But that is only one side of the coin.

The cubs born to lead will grow and howl as wolfs until their eyes flash red. From the ashes and the spilled blood, the Eagle can rise … alone.

Giulio had tried breaking this curse that has plagued his family for generations. In his youth, he and his brother believed they could end it, the bloodshed and the senseless deaths. They truly did believe it. And from his failure, Giulio learned that destiny is not something one can escape. This is why he had already decided to exclude Feliciano from the Vargas family. He loved his grandsons. He loved them both so much that he could not bear to lose another person dear to him to that stupid curse. So he decided to remove Feliciano from the Famiglia, hoping to avoid any confrontation between his two heirs. Feliciano's personality also seemed like a blessing in disguise. While Giulio knew he would have seemed uncaring and isolating Feliciano, he was glad to see his grandsons to be so different. With a bit of luck … with a bit of luck … Romario won't have died in vain.

And thus was his mistake.

He had forgotten. Feliciano may act like an obedient puppy, but the blood running through his veins has always been one of a Wolf. He should have known. Fate will always catch him off guard to remind him of how cruel it can be. Now, the eyes have clouded themselves in blind red rage. Now, the wolf will bare his fangs. Now, Giulio held little hope to see both his grandsons return tonight.

He removed the Eagle brooch from his jacket collar and replaced it with the Wolf. His eyes turned to the setting sun in a crimson horizon. Why is his life always surrounded by that disgusting colour? Why must everything turn bloody red?

-Flashback-

"Roma, check this out! They make personalised brooches in the shape of animals!"

"You sound like an Omega checking out jewellery, Stupido!"

Giulio Vargas grinned back at his older brother, his amber eyes glittering in excitement. Romario Vargas joined his twin and took a quick look at the shop. It really was a jewellery shop full of stuff Omegas would wear.

"Come on! You've got to admit that those are amazing, vero? Look at the details of the carvings!"

The older twin nodded, unable to argue back. They both had a fascination for art after all. Even if their artistic sense is ignored and pushed aside because it's not "Alfa", the Vargas had always had a keen eye for beauty and fine art.

"Fine, let's take a look."

"I knew you'd come around!"

"Keep up that attitude and I'll turn around and leave just as quickly."

Giulio only hummed as they both walked inside the shop.

"He's cute."

"Low class."

"Still cute."

"Yeah but not worth it."

"How about this one?"

"Giulio, are you trying to pick the commoners on purpose?"

"What? It's not my fault there are so many hot Omegas around!"

"At least have some standards! How many times have you brought home some lowly Omega bitch?"

"You're one to talk!"

"I'm the one driving your drunken ass back tonight. Keep that up and I'll leave you on the streets!"

"Si, si, ho capito! You're too bossy! Oh! They have a live band in this club! Great!"

Romario hummed in agreement as he and his brother both sipped their beers, watching the crowd sway and move to the sound of the newly arrived band. Giulio frowned, focussing his slightly drunken gaze on the lead singer. Where had he seen that scarlet red before …?

"Hey Roma … Do you recognise the singer?"

Romario turned away from the Omega girl he had been chatting up, to look back at the band, squinting his eyes. Despite the bar being not that far away from the stage, the alcohol in the twins' systems has pretty much dulled all of their senses, such that it took a while for Romario's golden eyes to blink in recognition.

"It's Kirkland! The guy that used to tutor us in middle school! What the hell is he doing here, dammit?"

Giulio shrugged but kept watching intently at the redhead. His ever-green eyes shone brighter under the stage light and his hair redder than blood captured the Italian's attention. He wondered why but Giulio had always been intrigued and fascinated by the colour red.

"I heard he's his clan's head now."

"Yeah? Good for him."

Romario turned as he heard the casual lack of interest in his brother's response. Instead, he saw Giulio's eyes trailing the figure of the older man on stage.

"You do know he's an Alfa, right, Fratellino?" the older twin chuckled and his brother blushed angrily, spluttering in his drink from embarrassment and outrage.

"I was not even considering …! Bastardo! There's no way I'd look at an Alfa like that!"

"Why not? It's not a crime." Romario chuckled as he shrugged his words away, not fully grasping the depth of them. Giulio paused for a moment, thinking over his brother's words.

Why not? It's not a crime.

That's true but …

Giulio Vargas turned back towards the stage as he heard the last song end and the group leave, trailing after their crimson haired leader: Merwin Arthur Kirkland. His long red hair fell over his broad muscled shoulders in a fiery hot mess, some braids here and there. His pearly skin was inked with multiple tattoos but in the distance, Giulio could not see them quite well. He wore a skin tight sleeveless T-shirt, a loose pair of trousers seeming to be leather and tucked in hard heavy combat boots with a metal sole. The man looked young as ever, just the way Giulio remembered him from his childhood. At the time, Merwin was a high schooler supplying the twins with Science classes (topics that simply flew past Giulio's head). Now probably in his late 20s, the man still looked fresh out of high school. And he is hot!

It's no wonder all those Omegas are now crowding around him. The Italian glared and clicked his teeth in irritation, turning his back on the music band and faced the bar, his eyes dropping to his drink. He ignored his brother's teasing. He ignored the Omegas coming up to him. He ignored the loud background noises. He ignored everything until …

"Bloody fuck! It's the pasta twins!"

If Fate had nothing against him before, now it definitely does, Giulio thought to himself as he allowed a large familiar hand to ruffle his and his brother's hair. Glancing up, the twin pairs of amber eyes met the vibrant emerald greens of someone the twins both considered an older brother and a role model. They did have Merwin tutor and "babysit" them for their whole time in Middle school. After that, the red haired had left for University.

Romario huffed while brushing away the friendly hand, feeling upset at being treated like a child. Giulio, on the other hand, allowed the hand to keep petting him even if he felt irritated by it. Why? He should just brush it off like his brother did.

"I thought it might be you two when I saw you in the crowd! Wow! I can't believe how grown up you both are now!" Merwin exclaimed happily as he ordered a drink for himself, ignoring the upset crowd of Omega trailing him and watching from afar.

His aura was stronger and more assured than ever before and he used it well to put a safe distance between himself and people he didn't like. The twins gulped silently when they saw a reckless Omega faint after he dared get too close to the Kirkland Heir. Merwin gulped down his beer and instantly asked for a refill. His band mates had already left to change and put away their gear.

"So? How have you both been? Why are you in England, of all places?"

"University, bastard." Romario mumbled in a harsh tone but there was affection in his words.

"Already at Uni! Time flies by! I remember when you were both small and cute! You'd follow me around and call me Fratellone all the time! Now look at you both! I bet you've got all the Omegas around your fingers!"

Romario smirked as he shot a teasing glance at his brother before speaking. Giulio knew from his twin's look that he was going to do something to either humiliate him, piss him off, or both!

"Even if, I don't think little Giuli is interested in those Omegas~!"

Giulio rolled his eyes in exasperation but he did mentally question why his heart skipped a beat when Merwin's eyes turned to look at him.

"So does that mean you have eyes on someone, Giulio? That's great! Don't forget to treat them well! Omegas are just as valuable as Alfas!"

"Che! Still on about that shit? You know your Good Samaritan act is not going to work in the real world!" Romario waved a dismissive hand while preventing Giulio from answering anything. Merwin smirked.

"It's not an act, Romario. If you mistreat others simply based on their status, they'll come back to bite your head off! Besides, if you get too focused on What people are, you forget to see Who they are."

Both twins stared blankly at the older man.

"What the fuck does that mean, bastardo?" Romario frowned in confusion.

"Think about it! Tell me when you figure it out!" Merwin laughed and slammed some change on the bar for his drinks. When had he drunk all that beer? The twins looked horrified at the dozen of empty beer bottles, then back at the performer. Merwin only waved them away as he walked towards the back of the stage to join his waiting band.

"Merwin! Wait!" Giulio suddenly called, reaching out to grab the older man's arm.

"What?" The green eyes looked back. Now, Giulio was finally able to stare at those eyes on the same level. It made him feel a little closer than he was before to the man he has spent his life admiring.

"Your number." The Italian blurted out the words without thinking and could hear his brother laughing hysterically at the bar. Merwin seemed surprised before a smirk curled his lips.

"Are you picking me up, Mr Vargas?"

Giulio's cheeks flamed in shame and anger as he pushed back the green eyed man.

"Dammit, Merwin! You're as bad as my Fratello! Dio! I just want to hang out again! Like we used to!"

"Oh si, you miiiiiissed him soooo much~!" Romario whispered in his brother's ear.

"Fratello … I'm going to kill you when we get home." Giulio coldly replied.

"So you want me to tutor you again? Or you want another big brother?" Merwin continued teasing, amused.

"Seriously! Don't go along with Roma, Fratellone!" Giulio growled before realising he had called Merwin "Fratellone" like he used to as a child.

"Ha! You so want him back! If you want a new brother, just say so, Stupido!" Romario laughed and was joined by Merwin.

"So does that mean you didn't miss me, Roma?" The Englishman turned puppy eyes to the older twin, his teasing far from over. After all, it's not fair if he only tortured Giulio. The older twin spluttered, at loss for words before he blurted out like his brother:

"Of course I did, Fratellone!"

Romario paused as he realised his words and cursed.

"Cazzo! Fratellone Bastardo!"

"Aw! You're still both so easy to tease!" Merwin ruffled their hair again before handing them both one of his business cards each. "Call whenever you want! It'd be nice to catch up! Though maybe not for science classes this time around!" He smiled and walked out of the club, leaving behind two stunned Italians.

"… Fratellone looked bigger and … more mature … davero?"

"Si …" Giulio nodded at his brother's statement.

Giulio smiled as he pinned his wolf brooch on. He glanced down at the other four on his desk:

The Eagle soaring after the sun.

The Serpent sleeping through time.

The Horse racing freedom.

The Lion made king.

Giulio looked through a mirror at his own. The Wolf courting the moon. All of them incrusted with red ruby eyes that gleamed like fire under the light of his room.

His brother walking in without warning interrupted Giulio from his train of thoughts.

"Oi, Giulio! Mama wants to ask you … What are you doing? Why do you have my brooch, Stupido?!" The older twin growled half-heartedly as he reached to take back the Eagle. He briefly glanced at the remaining three, wondering why on earth his brother had bought those extras if he only keeps them locked in a box.

"Sorry, Roma! I just wanted to see how it looked on me."

"The same as what it looks on me, Stupido. Twins! Remember?" Romario grinned and Giulio smiled back in complicity.

Nothing.

There was absolutely nothing that could ever break the precious bond between the two brothers. Even after they had been told of the curse on their family line. Even after their father passed away recently. Even after the struggles and disagreements they had when running the Vargas business together.

Nothing could break them apart.

After all, the moon and the sun have never broken their cycle.

Giulio tapped a finger on his knee in impatience. Next to him, Romario was drinking his fifth espresso in barely 10 minutes. Now both respectable business men in charge of the famous Vargas organisation with businesses across the world, the twins were far from their naïve younger selves.

"Oh! There they are! My macaroni brothers!" came the loud voice of a loud man.

Both Giulio and Romario cringed at the ridiculous name and glared at the red-head man. His green eyes looked wiser than before but also much more mysterious, as if hazed in secrets.

"Kirkland. This is a business meeting. Please refrain from those familiarities." Romario interjected as Merwin made his way to their table at the café. He was dragging someone else with him but the twins only paid attention to their old acquaintance.

"Pshh! You're too young to sound like a boring businessman, Roma! Look! Look! I brought my Omega with me! She's the cutest in the world! Liz, dear, these are the little Italians I used to take care of!"

The Italians finally bothered looking at the woman accompanying Merwin. They were both dumbstruck by her beauty.

Long golden hair plaited in several small braids themselves braided into a larger one, with golden coins mixed with the hair. Her skin was fair and her eyes were of a gentle warm … red.

She smiled charmingly but Giulio felt a frightening shiver run down his spin, as did his brother.

"Hello! My name is Elisabeth Kirkland. It's a pleasure to meet you! Merwin told me so much about you! You're like little brothers to him!"

"Thank you Mrs Kirkland but we are not gathered here to reminisce on the past …"

"Roma! I told you to stop looking so serious! You're going to get stuck with that frown on your face if you keep this up!" Merwin tapped a finger on Romario's forehead, just between his furrowed eyebrows.

The Italian brushed his hand away, glaring at his Fratellone for treating him like a child even now. Giulio cleared his throat and stepped in before his brother spoke a word too much.

"Merwin, we're here to discuss a potential partnership between our two companies, do you remember our phone discussion?"

"Vaguely … I remember you talking about pasta but beyond that …" Merwin shrugged with a teasing smirk, causing both Italians to flush red and face-palm. Would he never stop teasing them about their pasta-loving habit?

"Pasta aside, here's a brief of our proposition regarding our future partnership …" Romario placed a few papers on the café table but Merwin pushed them back in the Italian's hands.

"Oh I'm not signing that." He declared suddenly out of the blues.

"WHAT?" Both twins barked in shock while Elisabeth chuckled at her husband's impulsive business methods.

"Oh, sorry! I was never planning on a partnership! I like managing my own business and I already have partners … kind of a tradition with them but you know …! Don't want to piss them off!"

After a moment of silence, an angry red Romario stood up suddenly and hissed between his clenched teeth.

"If you're not interested in business then why agree to meet us."

"How else was I supposed to introduce my wife to you? You didn't come to my wedding even though I sent you invitations! You don't let visits because you're too busy! And you only talk to me when it's about business! I missed my little brothers and I'm very disappointed that you haven't even asked me about my cute little daughter! I've got pictures of her! Look! Look! Isn't she cute~?" Merwin pulled out photographs from his wallet and started to list the unlimited number of qualities of his baby girl.

The twins didn't know what to answer and it was Elisabeth who spoke to them in a calming voice.

"I'm sorry about this. Merwin has been rather upset that you both seemed to have cut all contact with him since you took charge of your company. He doesn't want to work with you, not because he doesn't consider you both worth his time, but because he is afraid of mixing business with his family life. He cares too much about you to ruin your friendship due to business. I hope you understand."

Giulio stared at his Fratellone and sighs.

"Fratellone …"

Merwin's bright emerald eyes darted immediately on the Italian as he recognised the nickname.

"Sorry for not calling." Giulio blushed in embarrassment under the Englishman's gaze but Merwin's brotherly smile as he ruffled the brown locks of the Italian was so soothing that Giulio didn't care how odd or ridiculous he must appear to the public around them. Romario was glaring away, avoiding Merwin's eyes.

"No worries, Lad! I'm glad to see you both doing so well! Oh, but I am still expecting you both to drop by my place to see my cute little daughter!"

Giulio chuckled and nodded.

"Of course, Fratellone! Whatever you want!"

The rain was pounding out, ringing against Giulio's ears and deafening him. Lightening thundered and hammered the sky. The howls of the wind barely could be heard behind the curtain of rain. The young Vargas was walking aimlessly down the empty streets. His hands bloody red.

He couldn't remember why.

He couldn't remember what had caused this.

He hoped it was something meaningful. Something worth the act. Something worth his own blood be spilled.

He paused in front of a wooden door. Why did he come here? He didn't know. He really had no idea. So he knocked and waited for the scarlet haired man to answer.

"What the …?! Giulio? What happened to you? Is that blood? Where's Romario?" Merwin suddenly questioned with a frown and concern in his voice.

When the Italian looked up, pushing away the dark wet hair from his face, his vicious red eyes frightened the Briton. Red. Bloody painful red. Nothing like the beautiful elegant red eyes of his wife Elisabeth. No. Giulio's eyes are murderous and bloodthirsty. Like the eyes of a rabid animal on a hunt.

"Giulio. Where is Romario?" Merwin asked in a calmer tone but his worry only increased as he saw the young man shrug.

"We had a fight." He muttered quietly.

Really? Is that what happened? Giulio himself couldn't remember. The words he spoke sound foreign and as if spoken by somebody else.

"Who won?" Merwin's tone was hard and he used his dominance to make sure Giulio answers him honestly. Not that Giulio would bother lying. He had come here of his own will to admit his actions. He didn't regret them. He didn't regret. He … didn't regret? Why? Shouldn't he regret? But he didn't. He … didn't …?

"I did." Giulio's tone was casual as if he were discussing the weather.

"Where is he now?"

Giulio shrugged. Somewhere. He couldn't remember.

"Why did you come here?"

At this, Giulio frowned, unable to figure out his reason for coming here. Why did he come? Why here?

The Italian saw his thoughts interrupted when a woman's voice spoke up and the blonde Omega appeared in the doorway next to her husband. She was holding a small ginger haired child in her arms.

"Merwin? Oh! Is that …? What's going on?" She enquired worriedly. Her red eyes filled with concern.

Giulio felt his blood boil and a shiver run down his spine. Again that feeling. When he meets those red eyes … that woman … all he feels is hatred and the desire to kill. He watched Merwin kiss that woman and whispering her away for her safety. It bothered the Italian. It bothered him to see his Fratellone dot on this woman. It bothered him that he didn't fear her red eyes while he clearly was wary of his own. It bothered him. It bothered him. That bloody red colour.

Red.

Very red.

Giulio blinked as he saw Merwin snap a few fingers in front of his face, his scarlet red hair now much closer. So very red.

"Oi! Giulio! Stay with me, lad! Tell me what happened!"

What happened?

How should he know?

Nothing happened.

Nothing worth mentioning.

It was nothing.

Nothing at all.

Just a bit of spilled red.

-Back to Present-

Merwin gazed at the Lion made King. The golden lion brooch glimmered under the sunlight, its red eyes reminding him of his deceased wife Elisabeth. Kind red eyes of a warm gently fire. Not the destructive red of the Vargas blood blazing an inferno of hatred.

He pinned the brooch to his chest, and leaned back against his chair, exhausted. Deprived of food and sleep, the old man didn't even have the taste for his drinks anymore. The struggle to find his grandson has made him remember that terrible night when only one of his Italian brothers had returned … the next day, Merwin had found the body of the second, disfigured and shredded by what would have a been a wild animal … an animal enraged by bloodlust and crimson red passions that can drive any man to madness.

To this day, Merwin still did not know what had happened that night. Giulio has suffered memory loss over this and if time brought him his memory back, he has yet to confess a word to anyone about it.

With a tired sigh, the old head of the Kirkland Clan looked down into the dull brownish red tea in his cup. He didn't have time to worry about the past. He needed to make sure the present won't cost him another precious person.

"Arthur …"