It took Connor a moment to realize he was talking about Gently.
“We knew something had happened. Maria was here, working from home. She cried out, and when we went to see, she was frantic. ‘Luc’s hurt. Luc’s scared’. Scared the hell out of us as well.”
“She was rubbing her throat,” Nana said as she came back and handed Connor his drink. “She didn’t know what had happened, just that something had, but she was rubbing her throat. That connection. It’s not just for identical twins. Then her phone rang, ten minutes later.”
“I know they’re super close. Your whole family is amazing.”
They broke off as the door opened and Maria came in. “Before anyone starts pestering, he’s not allowed to talk for forty-eight hours. Oh good, you’re here,” she added, seeing Connor.
He put his drink to one side, but stayed sitting as a pale, exhausted looking Luc came in. Stefano appeared to be mostly supporting him, but Connor could see Luc make the effort to stand straighter when his grandparent’s moved forward to embrace him.
The excitable four layered Italian was in sharp contrast to the careful handling and gentle touches. Connor almost smiled, he could sense Luc’s frustration at not being able to answer.
Then he did smile as he recognized one word. The minestrone was being wielded again.
Luc cast a desperate look at Maria, who quickly interpreted. “Maybe just some cool water, while Luc rests for a little while, Nana. He’s a little nauseous. He can rest with Con and have some soup a little later?”
“Si, of course. Some water, I’ll get it.” Pleased to have some way to help, Nana rushed off for the water.
Stefano had wandered over to Connor, who stood to shake hands.
“Stefano. So you’re the boyfriend!”
“Connor. I guess.”
Stefano grinned and turned the shake into a hug, patting his back. “Good to meet you, finally. Luc’s told me loads.” He stood back. “Not today, obviously. He’ll be okay,” he added.
Connor just nodded, watching as Luc finally got free of his grandfather and walked towards him.
His eyes were dark and tired. Bruised. But Connor didn’t see anger. Not at him. He ground his teeth at seeing the livid marks around Luc’s neck.
He shook his head very slightly, feeling helpless, and was taken by surprise when Luc just placed both hands on Connor’s chest and shoved him back on to the couch. Maybe he was mad.
“Luciano! Don’t be so rude. You don’t push Connor like that!”
Luc just glanced at his Nana, who was stood holding a glass of water and scowling at him, then crawled right into Connor’s lap.
Maria took the glass, smiling. “He just wants a hug, Nana.” She handed Luc the glass.
Connor wrapped his arms around Luc and held him close as he leaned in and sipped his water. Wincing the first few slips, but then relaxing a little.
After about twenty minutes of Nana watching Luc like a hawk, Maria encouraged her out to the kitchen to make Ciambella. “Come on, Nana. Luc just needs to sit with Con for a while and be quiet. Until he feels safe again. Just a little time.”
“But Luc can’t eat Ciambella,” Nana fretted.
“I can,” Stefano, gave her a winsome smile and she patted his cheek.
“For you I make it.”
Connor felt Luc relax a little more once Nana was safely in the kitchen. He just continued running his hand slowly up and down. Sort of from Luc’s hip and over his back. He was sat at an angle.
“Why don’t we watch the last hour of the match?” Mr Giotto suggested, and soon they were pretending to be distracted by the hockey.
About ten minutes after Nana and Maria had come back in (Nana had calmed down a little), Luc roused himself and stood. After having a stretch and giving Connor’s hand a squeeze, he made his way out of the room.
Maria looked up, feeling her grandparent’s eyes on her. “He’s just gone to the bathroom. Chill!” she said and turned the next page of her book.
Connor grinned and stood too. Indicating he was going to do the same. “Can you actually read his mind?” he asked Maria as he passed her.
She grinned, “Yea, like that was so hard to figure out.” But then added, “And it’s more like emotions, generally.”
Feeling slightly intimidated, Connor made his way to the bathroom. Passing Luc in the hallway.
“Back in a minute,” he advised. His heart skittering with how unhappy Luc’s eyes were. On impulse he caught Luc’s face and kissed him.
It wasn’t a soft kiss. Or friendly. It was passionate and dominating. Luc reached up to grip his wrists for balance, but didn’t pull back.
His face was flushed when Connor released him, and there was more than just sadness in his eyes.
Pleased, Connor gave him a cheeky wink and turned towards the bathroom. Happy to just catch the flicker of a smile on Luc’s face.
When he went back in, it was nearly two hours since Luc had arrived home. 7pm, and honestly, he was starting to think wishfully about Nana’s minestrone.
He sat back on the couch after re-plumping the cushions and then held a hand to Luc, but Luc didn’t sit back down. He shook his head and looked at his sister.
Maria looked up and then marked her page. “You’re ready now?” Luc nodded. “Okay,” she stood and joined Luc.
“Right, well we thought it would be better to show you exactly what happened. Because Luc’s going to be sore for several days and you’ll see him moving and maybe wincing and imagine worse than it is.”
She looked at Connor. “Obviously, Con, you’re going to get a good look when you go to bed, but Luc can’t explain to you, so we thought this was best. Get it out of the way and all of the questions. Okay?”
Connor had blushed red at the acknowledgement that he and Luc would be sharing a bed in his grandparent’s house, but he nodded gamely along with everyone else.
Stefano moved and squeezed in next to Nana. Putting an arm around her. “Just remember bruises fade, okay.”
Connor’s heart fell a bit. Clearly this was going to be bad. Luc must have seen something in his face, he bent down and gave Connor a soft kiss. Leaning heavily on his shoulder. Before he pushed back up and gripping the bottom of his shirt, pulled it up and over.
Connor’s breath left him in a rush, even as Nana gasped.
The bruising on Luc’s neck was extensive, and rapidly deepening. Darker where Liam’s fingers had gripped.
He had scrapes and bruising on his back and arms, and a large dark bruise in the centre of his abs, where Liam had punched the bat into his stomach. It looked almost like a monotone bullseye.
“Ahhh, bambino,” Nana groaned and rose.
Luc’s eyes filled as she kissed both his cheeks, and traced her fingertips over his face. His lips parted, but Maria spoke first. “He’ll be okay, Nana. Here, sit with Con.”
Connor reached up and helped her down, pulling her into a sideways hug. She was trembling.
“So there’s a few scrapes, they’ll heal quite quickly. The bruise on his tummy looks bad, but it is just bruising. They scanned him. There’s no internal damage. He’ll be sore for several days and the doctors said it might be a few weeks before the bruise completely fades. And it might get hard and lumpy for a little while.” She directed the last at Connor and he nodded, understanding.