Aria

Chapter 35

-Aria-

Feeling groggy I rub my eyes and sit up a bit straight. When I peek through my lashes I find Leo laying his head next to where I was sleeping. I smile and move the blue blanket around him a bit closer. 

Nono was right beside me as well so I covered him with my blanket before placing my hand on the back of the couch, pushing myself up.

I hiss and fall back into the soft cushion, my shoulder felt sore and there was a tight pull whenever I moved.

I thought it got better.

Leo's head suddenly shoots up and he turns sharply. I jolt in surprise before being engulfed in a big hug.

"Are you feeling alright my love?" I nod hesitantly and reassure him by tightening my hold.

"I- I do but..." I shift my eyes to him before glancing down quickly. He might get worried if I mention my shoulder. "What happened? You can say it sorellina," I shake my head and fidget with my fingers, it's best to not worry him.

I feel a sneeze build up and quickly grab a tissue before finally sneezing. My head throbs and I lean against the cool couch, "-ah," I gasp before moving away. Why was it aching so much?

"Is it your shoulder Ari?"

I clear my throat before continuing, "...y-yes it got better but I'm n-not sure why it hurts again?" I sniff and wipe my nose.

Leo's gaze holds a question but he shakes his head and moves closer to me. He brings his blanket and wraps it around me. He stands to bring the tissue box closer and rearranges a few items so the table is clear, all while making sure Nono was still covered by the blanket. I smile at his mindfulness and admire just how amazing of a brother I have. Scratch that, brothers.

All going above and beyond to care for me.

A few steps are heard and Zeno walks into the room with a soda. He acknowledges my presence before raising his brow and pointing at the soda, silently asking if I wanted some. Before I can respond a hand snatches it and throws it in the trash, Matteo. He glares at him before walking up to my couch.

Leo rolls his eyes and takes Zeno with him into the kitchen to make some food and grab our cookies.

I lower my head and watch as Matteo steps closer, he bends to reach my level and takes my hand in his. His eyes carefully gaze over my face while his hand gently squeezes mine. Feeling a bit embarrassed under his intense gaze, I shift my eyes and remove my hand, taking hold of Nono instead.

Matteo stills and moves back, that wasn't my intention. As he turns around he says in a gruff quiet voice, "I'll be in my ro-"

I quickly get up and grab his hand to stop him, "Would you li-" My nose tingles and I breathe in to sneeze, achoo*.

"Will you si-" I sneeze again and Matteo quickly moves me to sit on the couch again. He grabs a couple of tissues and moves them to my face. No way am I letting him dirty his hands. I take the tissues from him to clear out my nose before throwing them away. Matteo takes the fallen blanket and wraps it around me, "M-Matteo!" I laugh as he moves to grab another to layer it. He stills and watches my face before slightly smirking and wrapping it around me with my arms stuck inside.

"I ca-can't move!" I continue to laugh as he shrugs and picks me up along with Nono. I gasp before watching Zeno and Leo rush into the living room with a look of excitement. Matteo ignores them and carries me upstairs, where I see Gabe and Alessandro walking out of the office. I quiet down when I see their stern expressions. Before I could ask what was wrong, Matteo mumbled something under his breath and moved towards my room.

Gabe calls out our names and I expect us to stop, Matteo however doesn't. When I try to move out of his hold he just tightens his grasp. I peek over Matteo's shoulder to glance at Gabe's face. He lets out a sigh before turning to Alessandro. When we reach my room he walks in and slams the door shut.

I still as he gently places me on the bed. After a couple of minutes in silence, I open my mouth to ask what just happened-

"It's nothing Aria, just stressed." I watch as he tries to come up with something to say. In a low voice, he meets my eyes, "I'm sorry for slamming the door." I nod slightly.

He peers around the room before moving to the balcony door. He checks the lock before closing the curtains to cover the window.

I don't disturb or ask why he is walking around the room, if it helps him be at ease, that's alright by me. A couple of moments later he meets my eyes and walks up to me. When he sees me staring at him with a questioning gaze, he shifts his focus to the ground. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out fuzzy socks with a cartoon image of a cute pug wearing a strawberry hat. I watch in awe as he places them in my hands, avoiding my gaze.

He clears his throat, "They'll help you not feel cold... I hope you feel better soon."

With that, he steps out the door and closes it gently. When I recover from the shock, my hands roam the socks and find the cutest outline of strawberries at the top. I chuckle before putting them on, smiling at the cute pugs.