Just as Emma had predicted it started to rain later that morning. It had started off as a mere sprinkle at first and gradually worked it's way into a heavy rain. Luckily the hired crew managed to make it back safely aswell as Antonio and the rest of the group.
Although he wouldn't admit it, Lovino had developed a slight cough accompanied by a sniffle but that seemed to be the worst of it, except for Abel at least.
He wouldn't stay inside no matter how much Emma and Antonio pleaded with him to do so. He absolutely refused to stay indoors while his tulips were being mistreated by the storm and insisted on covering all flower beds in a winter blanket to keep the warmth in. Everyone was almost entirely sure now that he cared for those tulips more than any of them, but hey at least he was commited.
Abel would be sick for the next week and a half.
---
Tap. Tap. Tap. He found the sound of raindrops hitting the roof above him soothing in some odd way. The storm outside had gotten much worse within the next few hours after it started, now with the occasional roar or thunder and sound of heavy rain. The rain was so dense it was nearly impossible to see out of any of the homes windows.
"I dont think I'll be heading home today after all..." Lovino thought to himself.
Its not like he had much to go home to anyways. His parents were long gone and his two younger brothers and grandfather irritated the shit out of him. Sometimes Lovino still wondered what had happened to his parents but his grandfather always made sure to avoid the topic as best he could and Romano didn't argue with him on the matter.
The storm thought of a stormy day and his family brought back memories from years ago. The memories were hazy but he tried his hardest to remember everything single detail, no matter how much pain it brought him.
---
The rain had flooded the streets throughout Lovino's home town, but he didnt mind much. It just meant more puddles to play in later on.
"Ve fratello grandpa said to come down for dinner~!"
"Just...give me a minute."
With that simple response his brother left the room and returned to the dining room with his grandfather.
It'd been hours and Romano was still attempting to recreate his brothers drawing of their family. Sofar he had managed little more than a few smiling stick figures with messy hair. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to best his brother at his own game.
There had once been a time when Romano had been the only one of 3 children that could talk, run or draw, and he was always told how great he was at these things. But as soon as Feliciano had been old enough to hold a pencil he'd managed to be better at everything without so much as a "ve".
"Maybe I should just...stop for today" Lovino's small voice whispered, shoving his notepad away into the drawer of his desk.
When Lovino reached the dining table he was met with the realization that he had taken longer than he thought, there was little to no food left for him. To make matters worse nobody else seemed to realize this or even noticed that he entered the room. Almost like an unexpected guest with his own family.
He said nothing though and merely ate what he had, surprisingly Romano was always a rather quiet individual for his age at the time.
---
That night as his two younger brothers were tucked into bed it seemed that Grandpa Romulus had forgotten about him, he was probably just busy again. Yeah that must be it.
Grandpa never tucked him in that night, the faint sounds of giggles from the room next door lulled him to sleep.
I thought he was busy.
---
End of memory
---
