Nerium oleander

Mushrooms

The Vargas manor was strange, at least for Ivan. It had been a place he looked forward to visiting as a child, when the Christmas tree was up and the colorful lights were lit, the smell of cinnamon and pine filled the manor.

They weren't the only children around, most of the town' kids were taken to the Vargas' manor to sing the christmas' carols. Ivan always followed his sisters, not because he wanted to, but because his mother had asked him to keep an eye on them.

It had been confusing at first, unfair, how Katya got sparkly dresses and her hair braided while he merely got a pat on his head and an itchy sweater. The envy merely lasted for a couple holidays as another girl was picked; Lien, Emma, Amelia, Daisy, Laura, and so on, until it was Natalya's turn.

By then, Ivan had been old enough to see, to notice the uncomfortable silence of his parents as Ms Vargas wrapped up his sister in pretty dresses and placed a silky bow on her head. Katya was too old, too humble, too aware of her place in that house, and him, well, he wasn't a girl, and a girl was what Ms. Vargas wanted. Natalya didn't hesitate to take her place, sitting under the Christmas tree with the twins, she looked like a doll, the perfect gift.

Nowadays, instead of colorful lights and decorations, the forest's trees near the manor were adorned with yellow tape, mushrooms growing under them as the silence replaced the choir. The greenhouse stood grimly by the side, rosy flowers screaming for attention as the walls were slowly covered with vines.

There were no sounds coming from the fountain, the lights inside the house shone vigorously, showing the cracks on the once white and smooth stone. Ivan approached it, expecting to see his face on the water, but he was met with the sight of an empty pit, scarcely covered by some fungus that erupted from the cracks; there was no snake under the spear.

The front door creaked as it opened, Lovino's voice greeted him, his brown eyes inspected him as his mouth quivered in a tight smile. He motioned with his hand. "The statue is not going to open the door for you,"

Ivan nodded, averting his gaze and approaching the house. The door was closed, they walked silently through the hallway until Lovino stopped before a door and opened it.

Ivan arched an eyebrow, the room was filled with boxes and furniture. With a heavy sigh, Lovino lowered his gaze. "The last time you were here, I mentioned your sister, I shouldn't have done that." he said, entering the room.

"It's that an apology?" Ivan mimicked his actions, looking around, the boxes were filled with gardening tools and christmas decorations.

"I was worried, Antonio is... was... very dear to me." he said, placing his hands on his shoulders. "You'll find Kirkland soon, right? Is there something we can do to help?"

"I'm sure you can talk about it with Gilbert, he never misses a call from your father," Ivan patted him awkwardly on the back. "Speak without riddles, what do you want?"

"You don't take anything seriously, do you? I know why all of you came. My father is not in the mood for negotiations, not tonight." He said, his hold on Ivan's shoulders tightened. "It's better if you and your colleagues discuss it with me. The old man is tired and undoubtedly busy."

"I take everything seriously," Ivan chuckled, pointing at one of the boxes. "Do you remember the last gift you gave me?"

"No," Lovino huffed, crossing his arms. "What nonsense are you talking about? I never gifted you anything."

"A fire truck, you gave me that with the condition that I had to take the blame for a broken window," Ivan hummed, fishing a hand trowel from one of the boxes, it was damp, stained with dirt. "You are right, it wasn't a gift, you never give out anything for free. So, why are you apologizing?"