A Typical Card Game

Ace of Fire

--------------------------------------------1 year ago----------------------------------------------------------------

Lovino and his brother Feliciano ran through the heavily crowded streets of the Capital. "They wouldn't bother us if you learned to wear regular clothes, you idiota" Lovino muttered looking over at his three- year-old brother who was dress in a long dress and apron.

"But, fratello, is always there to protect me," Feliciano innocently said. Lovino sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, he did always pull his brother out of these situations. Ever since their dad died, he had to protect his mother, Feliciano, and their newborn brother Marcello, and their idiotic grandfather was no help besides praising Feli for his incredible art skills that could rival the royal painter while all he has is that damn mark of the Ace on his neck. "Ve~ Besides, dresses are nice and comfy," Feliciano continued, before they heard excessive yelling and shouting. Feliciano began to quiver and shake, as his older brother grew red with rage, as he heard the bullies they were running from walk to the very alley.

"Run, Feliciano!" Lovino cried, and Feliciano nodded and raced away. The bullies turned to the corner and stared at the four-year-old. They began to chuckle as Lovino grabbed a nearby rock and aim it at the one ahead.

"Looks like the 'big, bad Ace of Fire with the twitch,' is left all alone," the head one taunted as the other bullies grabbed the four-year-old by the arms and shoved his face into the wall of the building. "Now tell us where the little brat is?"

Lovino may be a coward, and currently shaking in his breeches, but he sure as hell was not going to let this bastards know that. "No fucking way, you salt-eyed bastard!"

"Wrong choice," one of the bullies said and kicked Lovino in the stomach, raising him up and hitting him in the face. "Now are you going to be good and tell us where he is or do you need to go home covered in blood?"

"Go to Hell," he insisted, and another punch was sent to his throat causing it to turn hoarse. The boy holding him by his hair, banged his skull against the wall causing blood to seep from his nose and onto his red tunic. Lovino wanted to cry and scream, but who would ever want to help some little, bad-mouthed brat?

Is that really how you're going to go down? a voice said to Lovino as the bullies kicked his tiny form. Pathetic.

"I am not pathetic," Lovino whispered.

Prove it. Show me you know how to fight and we'll see. Show me their blood, the voice continued. Lovino pushed himself up with only his hands and elbows, and glared harshly at the leader. He punched him in the face, and grabbed him by the shoulders and kicked him in the stomach. He let go of the leader who tried to take him out again, but Lovino jumped out of the way as the other two tried to grab the angry South Heartinan. He grabbed an empty, broken bottle and stabbed the two in the arm who kneeled in pain, as the leader tried to grab the boy by the throat and throw him down, but he ducked and hit the leader so hard he fell to the ground in pain. Lovino stood above him and kicked him in the stomach...once...twice...three times, until he was coughing up blood. "And if you ever fucking dare to hurt my fratellino again, I will shove a knife through your stomach," Lovino spat before walking out with a burning fire in his chest. Quickly, he covered up his neck and made his way back home, where he hoped Feliciano was.

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Lovino slipped through the door where he was immediately tackled by his mother, who looked like she'd been crying. Their mother was absolutely beautiful with long brown curls with two strange curls that seemed to stick out like his and his brother's, hazel colored eyes with hints of gold, and olive skin. "Lovino! Where were you?! When Feli came home alone, I assumed the worst," she cried and nearly screamed when she saw Lovino's state. "My gods! What happened to you?" his mother screamed before dragging him to the kitchen, and wetting a towel. She wiped the blood from his nose and the dirt from his body.