Blank Canvas (A Risotto Nero Love Story)

Snuffed Out (Edited!)

An: Hey, I drew the image up above! Check out my Instagram, Sonru64

Aurora sighed as she sat beneath the shade of a tree. Rusty dashed around, leashless as he played with other dogs. She usually enjoyed going to the dog park, but she had other things on her mind this time around. The sound of a familiar voice broke her from her thoughts, and she smiled brightly.

"Aurora! How are you today?" A man stepped forward, smiling warmly. He went by the name Thomas, and the painter was thankful that he was here. She considered them to be on friendly terms.

"Ah, Buon pomeriggio! I thought you were going to be in England longer," Aurora said, recalling his trip. He was from London originally, but came to Italy on business. He liked to fly back occasionally to visit family. She thought he'd be another week, but perhaps her timing was off.

Thomas seemed delighted that she remembered and sat beside her, resting an arm on a raised knee. "I was going to stay longer but you know, work." He said with a shrug. Aurora grinned, attempting to understand his frustrations. She actually didn't know what exactly it was that he did, but every time she brought it up something would interrupt their conversation.

"You look tired," he said, observing her face. "Not getting sleep again?" He chastised her, waving his finger as though to scold her. The painter laughed softly.

"Ah, signore, you know me so well." She opened her mouth to explain, but then she remembered that she couldn't exactly do that. Anonymous famous painter and assassins. Right. "Work," She said with a strained tone. Thomas, to her relief, took this answer with a nod. Rusty bounded forward, yapping at the familiar face.

"Aha, Rusty! Tulip should be around here somewhere..." Thomas peered around, searching for his own fido. As if on cue, a large and well kept poodle dashed forward, tongue flapping in the wind. Aurora couldn't fight the giggle that bubbled past her lips. She watched in amusement as the two dogs assaulted the blonde with licks of love.

After a few minutes of doggy love, Thomas sent the duo off. The two adults laughed quietly before sitting in the shade in quiet contemplation. It was Thomas that spoke up first. "So, Aurora, I was thinking... did you want to grab a drink later tonight?" The question made Aurora freeze. Was the man asking her on a date? She felt her ears begin to heat up and she laughed nervously.

"O-oh!" She sputtered, shyly looking his way. "Tonight?" She croaked. "Ah...I'd love to, but I'm afraid I'm a little busy tonight." She lied. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about the man if she was going to be honest. Besides, she wasn't really one for romance.

Thomas gave her a lopsided smile, shrugging. "No worries! Figured I'd ask. Next time, yeah?" He asked. At least he didn't seem crushed by her rejection. Aurora smiled, giving him a nod. Shortly after, Thomas left with Tulip, who was trying to jump up onto his shoulders. Aurora let out a deep sigh, smiling to herself.

"That was smart," A sudden deep voice interrupted her thoughts. The painter jumped where she was sitting, shooting a scowl up to where the voice came from. Of course he was here.

Risotto looked down at her expectantly, leaning against the trunk of the tree. He looked surprisingly casual, wearing an actual shirt and jeans. She wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for the blacks of his eyes peering at her, judgingly. She released a sigh. "What do you want?" She asked shortly.

"Just making sure you don't get yourself killed," He replied nonchalantly. "He could have been an enemy." Aurora scoffed.

"Thomas? As if. He's a nice man! I just didn't feel up to drinks tonight." She said, defending her friend. The assassin rolled his ruby red eyes. "Why are you here anyway? Dressed like an actual member of society?" She asked with an accusing tone.