BLACK VOSS: ACT 1

13

The evening at the Voss household for the first time in years was not quiet. Everyone in the house erupted into happy chaos, running and screaming. Usually the home was quiet and void of anything during the holidays. The family spent most christmas evenings exchanging gifts silently, and eating dinner in the quiet. But with the family having guests, everything was turned upside down.

For once children ran through the hall laughing and cheering, while adults drank and cooked. It was the one time they were all in the same vicinity having a nice time. (without Dante of course.)

Andre, Remus, Miki, and Isa were stuck in the kitchen. But they didn't mind, it was the first time the Voss family didn't order takeout or catering for the event. None of the adults were good cooks, making just a simple baked chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and vegetables. However, Remus—their test taster—found everything delicious. Essentially the strawberry shortcake his father and Miki were preparing.

Andre had found out that the family's favorite fruit was strawberries, especially Lucio. So he made the cake specifically for him. Call his actions seducing sure, but he wanted the man to like him. So he was pulling no stops to make that happen.

He had given up on fighting his feelings, admitting that he wanted to be with Lucio. Even though their lives were different, in the two weeks he had been there, both of them seemed to adapt to each other's ways. It gave him hope that they would work out. So he was spending the whole day making himself as helpful and lovable as possible. Which he was already doing.

"Dinners ready!" Miki called, and soon everyone came running.

The Voss extended family failed to show up to the holiday, not that they would. But they did send postcards of vacations, and gifts with the names spelled wrong on them.

Andre and Isa plated the dining room table, the glass decorated nicely with red and green decorations, and a candle centerpiece. Everyone took their seats, Genesis taking Dantes spot next to Miki. Isa, Xavion, and Tai sat next to each other. All the kids sat next to Miki, leaving two spots left for Lucio and Andre.

The head of the table sat empty, with a plate of food sitting there going cold.

"He won't show, I know it." Lucio mumbled, over the conversion of the table.

"Who?" Andre asked.

"My father," he said, "He's still stuck in his poker room."

Andre didn't know what to say. He knew about the closed poker room, seeing a man in there every now and then. The man reminds him of Dante, closed off, and bitter.

"Forget him, you have us now." Andre smiled over to Lucio.

"You're right, I have you now." Under the table, Lucio grabbed Andes' hand, and intertwined their fingers.

Andre grew stiff, trying not to draw the attention of the table. This was the first time he felt like Lucio was deliberately flirting with him. He could feel his thumb rub the back of his hand, and all he could do was look away but not let go.

"What's wrong?" Lucio asked, and Andre could almost see the smirk on his face.

"Nothing." He said, trying to play it off.

Lucio just laughed, the sweet raspy one that made the others' hearts skip.

Dinner went off without a hitch, everyone devouring the food and dessert over wine or apple juice. They then traveled to the living room where all the gifts were.

The room was huge, with tall floor to ceiling windows showing the night's snowfall. A large tree sat in one on the corner, where the black coaches had been turned towards it. Under the trees was a white fluffy rug, to look like snow while the colorful presents rested under it.