Chapter Text
Melone stirred, in between being conscious and unconscious as he felt around the bed. Melones senses heightened as his blood ran cold as he only felt the old worn sheets under his palm. Melone drearily sat up, blinking as his good eye adjusted to the dark room that was only lit by a dill table lamp. The other side of the mattress had its blankets shoved to the edge, and a pillow on the floor. Melone swallowed thickly, his throat tight and rough.
Melone slowly rolled off the mattress, reaching down and grabbing a discarded hoodie from the floor and pulling it over his head. Melone stumbled out of the bedroom, rubbing his eye with one hand and holding onto the doorframe with the other. Melone rested his head against it, disoriented as he heard faint sounds of TV chatter down the hall.
Melone trailed his hand along the wall as he walked, hand grazing over the large crack in the wall in their apartment. Melone saw the dark living room walls lit up, walking closer Melone saw Ghiaccio curled up on the couch. Ghiaccios face was pressed into a pillow, curled up with his glasses thrown on the coffee table.
Melone shuffled over to Ghiaccio, sitting down next to his head and gently putting his hand on Ghiaccios head. Ghiaccio stirred, pulling the cushion away from his face as he grumbled. Ghiaccios eyes were puffy, Melones chest tightened seeing him. Ghiaccio shuffled over to rest his head against Melones thighs, Melone silently ran his hand through Ghiaccios curls.
“... I didn’t wanna wake y’ up...” Ghiaccio pouted, folding his arms and pushing his face further onto Melones thighs. Melone laughed weakly, gently dragging his nails against Ghiaccios scalp.
“I couldn’t sleep very well either, G,” Melone assured, looking up at the TV but he could only see colour and white noise. Ghiaccio sighed through his nose, closing his eyes and taking a moment to appreciate the warmth radiating off Melone. Melone let them sit like that for a moment, eyelids heavy and slightly nodding off to the quiet TV.
“Can I lay down with you?” Melone asked, unable to suppress the yawn that come out of him. Ghiaccio nodded silently, getting up so the two could shuffle around. Melone laid down on his side, propping his head up with his arm. Ghiaccio laid down with his back pressed up against Melones chest, Melone draped his arm around Ghiaccios waist, carefully avoiding his chest despite his tired movements “do you... Want to talk about it?”
Melone asked tentatively, feeling Ghiaccio immediately tense against him. But Ghiaccio let out a cold and hollow laugh, voice breaking right in the middle.
“What else is there to fuckin’ say?” Ghiaccio sneered, Melone pulled Ghiaccio in tighter when he felt shoulders start to tremble. Melone knew what was plaguing Ghiaccios mind, parents. Melone had already gone through the song and dance of being kicked out and cut off, it happened as soon as he turned 18. If she was up Melones mother would’ve done it at the stroke of midnight! Nonetheless, to Ghiaccio, this was new .
Weeks ago now, Ghiaccio had his very first win in first place. Sweaty and dishevelled from the rigorous figure skating routine he managed to pull off, but all smiles and tears. Melone had such a dopey smile on his face listening to Ghiaccio boast on the ride home. Melone remembered Ghiaccio was going on about how tricky one of his moves was to pull off;
Then Ghiaccios phone rang.
Ghiaccio answered with that same excited energy he’d had the whole car trip, despite being held up in traffic that usually made Ghiaccio seconds away from blowing a gasket.
Melone could only sit and watch as the excitement slowly faded from his face.
“You can talk about stuff that’s troubling you more than once,” Melone replied calmly, running his hand over Ghiaccios hip. Ghiaccio scoffed, sniffling “I’ll listen again if you want me to.”
Ghiaccio stayed silent, Melone put his hand through Ghiaccios hair again. Ghiaccio cracked.
“I’m just... Tired, yknow?” Ghiaccio admitted, the snark in his voice crumbling. Melone nodded, his nails gently grazing against Ghiaccios scalp.
“I know, G...” Melone said solemnly, pressing a kiss in the very back of his head. Melone gently put his hand on Ghiaccios hip, fingers ghosting his stomach. Ghiaccio shuffled uncomfortably in the silence.
“... Why can’t y’ sleep anyway?” Ghiaccio questioned, trying to shift the topic. Melone hummed with his lips pressed against Ghiaccios hair.
“I can’t sleep with out something in my arms.” Melone answered, yawning part way through “see? I’m already getting tired.”
Ghiaccio pondered for a moment.
“... Bullshit.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you just latch onto something else when you’re dead asleep.” Ghiaccio said, matter of factly “because you’ve pushed me off in favour of your fuckin’ pillow before.”
Melone chuckled lowly, nuzzling into Ghiaccios soft curls. Ghiaccios hair always smelt vaguely minty, he seemly always smelt clean and proper, somehow even after working out.
“... You’re right... I’m... I’m not doing well either,” Melone admitted, pressing his forehead into the back of Ghiaccios head “Its selfish, but everything going on with you... Brought back a lot of feelings I’ve just kind of blocked off.”
“... Sorry...” Ghiaccio said quietly, Melone tutted, playing with Ghiaccios curls gently.
“Nono, don’t apologise G. This isn’t your fault.” Melone reassured, patting Ghiaccios head gently. Ghiaccio tensed his shoulders, folding in on himself.
“... It feels like it. It always does.”
Ghiaccios words stuck heavy in the air, making Melones heart twist. Melone held tighter to Ghiaccio. From what Melone heard, Ghiaccio was an unplanned and less favoured twin. Always a scapegoat and anything good he did was an insult to the golden child. Melone couldn’t fathom ever feeling that way about someone as passionate and talented as Ghiaccio.
“But it’s not, it’s not your fault your parents are pricks.” Melone said, sighing softly “… And it’s… It’s not my fault my momma-“
Melone sucked in the air through his teeth, quickly correcting himself.
“My mother , was a prick either.”
Melone had convinced himself of that for too long, that it was his fault his ‘momma’ hated him, he always listened when she insulted him and he kept it in his heart like it was true for too long. Melone refused to let Ghiaccio feel like that.
“… Your mother’s lucky I’ve never met her.” Ghiaccio grumbled tiredly, Melones lips crept into a smile, feeling like he could predict what Ghiaccio was going to say.
“And why is that?”
“Because!” Ghiaccio yelled, tossing his fist off the side of the couch “I’d kick her ass all the way to Sicily!”
Melone laughed, nuzzling his head into Ghiaccios neck. Ghiaccio smiled, pulling Melones arms closer to him. Melone kissed the back of Ghiaccios neck, feeling him immediately cringe underneath his lips, relishing in knowing he was ticklish and thus hated kisses here.
“I would love that.” Melone cooed, pressing another kiss into the back of Ghiaccio neck and hearing him scream.
“Motherfucker, stop!! ” Ghiaccio attempted to get off the couch, but was pulled back by Melone and given quick kisses to his neck. Melone giggled feeling Ghiaccio toss his head around trying to get away from him, Ghiaccio whined, falling off the couch and onto the floor as Melone giggled.
Ghiaccio stared daggers at Melone, rubbing his neck from the floor. Melone snickered, folding his hands over his chest with a wide smile. Melone batted his eyelashes innocently, leaning over to Ghiaccio and pressing a sweet innocent kiss to the forehead.
Ghiaccio closed his eyes and pursed his lips, soon succumbing to letting out an ugly snort. Ghiaccio pounced onto Melone, messily pressing his lips against Melones. Melone choked out a laugh against him, wrapping his arms around Ghiaccios waist and squeezing him with all the strength he had in his fragile little arms.
“Ooh, strong.” Ghiaccio bit sarcastically, quirking an eyebrow at him as he pulled away. Melone pressed his forehead against Ghiaccios.
“Not all of us can be athletes,” Melone cooed “come back when you’ve graduated med school babe.”
Melone responded with the same amount of tongue in cheek. Ghiaccio cackled, throwing his head back. Melone giggled, resting his head against Ghiaccios neck.
“We should really sleep.”
“We really should.”
Ghiaccio picked up Melone, hearing his fiancé squeal in delight. Ghiaccio brought Melone back to the bed, using all his strength to toss him back into his spot on the bed.
“You’re not really putting me into the mood to sleep, G.” Melone purred, using all his strength not to crack and laugh. Ghiaccio crawled up onto his side of the bed, shooting Melone a look.
“You can do whatever, I’m going to bed the fuck to bed I have an early shift tomorrow.” Ghiaccio rubbed his eyes, pushing his glasses askew before tossing them on the bedside table. Ghiaccio yawned, Melone waited for him to curl up onto the bed before tossing the covers on both of them.
Melone wrapped his hands around Ghiaccios waist, pressing a kiss into his shoulder before his eyelids fluttered closed.
—
Melone woke up drooling on a pillow, the soft morning sun bathing the bedroom in a soft yellow light. Melone squeezed his eyes shut, rolling his shoulders back with a pop before sitting up in bed and stretching his arms out to more cracks and pops. Melone blinked, his eye getting used to the morning sun as he felt around to turn his fairy lights off.
Melone looked over, immediately feeling his heart swell. Ghiaccio was protectively curled over Risotto, the little ones forehead was pressed against his chest. Ghiaccios arms loosely wrapped around Risotto and Risotto was clinging onto Ghiaccios arm. Both of their faces were completed relaxed, a far cry from Risotto last night (and Ghiaccio... Always).
Melone slowly reached over to his bedside table and picked up his phone. Melone started snapping photos of his beautiful husband and child, Melone leant over, trying to get a good picture for a wallpaper.
Melone stuck his tongue out, snapping another photo with a soft click. Ghiaccio stirred, pulling away and rubbing his eyes. Risotto whined, grabbing onto Ghiaccios pillow and burying his face in it instead.
“Aw, no! You two looked so cute…” Melone cooed, playing with his phone. Ghiaccio fumbled around his bedside table with his eyes squeezed shut. Melone leaning over and pushing Ghiaccios glasses closer to him. Risotto whined, sitting up with his hair ruffled in every direction.
“I thought I told you to stop watching me when I sleep.” Ghiaccio grumbled, pushing his glasses onto his face. Risotto shuffled over to Ghiaccio, resting his head against his stomach and tugging his arm. Ghiaccio draped it around Risotto loosely.
“I wasn’t watching you! … I was taking a photo,” Melone corrected with a smile, Ghiaccio scoffed, scandalised. Melone reached down, ruffling Risottos hair gently “you two just looked so cute.”
Melone cooed, a small bashful smile was on Risottos face. Risotto still wasn’t used to being called cute of all things. Risotto hadn’t heard a lot of compliments from his old family, and he didn’t think he was too cute anyway, but the way his dads fawn over him made him believe it. Just a little.
The happy family was taken out of the moment when Melones stomach growled.
“… I probably should make breakfast.” Ghiaccio said listlessly, still adjusting to being awake. Hearing that was all the wake up call Risotto needed, slinking off his dad and carefully climbing down the bed. Ghiaccoo chuckled, sharing a look with Melone before following Risotto downstairs.
Melone helped Risotto up to his chair at the kitchen table, Melone sat next to him as Ghiaccio went right for the fridge. Melone hunched over in front of Risotto, weaving his hands through his hair
“You know, I could make breakfast one of these days.” Melone offered, being followed by a loud biting laugh from Ghiaccio. Melone pouted as he smoothed out Risottos hair, Risotto leaning into Melones hands “what? I could!”
“I’ll eat your cooking, sure,” Ghiaccio took ingredients out of the fridge, holding them in the bottom of his hoodie, using it like a basket before closing the fridge with his hip. Melone cocked his eyebrow, watching Ghiaccio suspiciously “but I care too much about Risotto to let him eat what you cook.”
Melone gasped over dramatically, his hand on his chest. Risotto giggled, hands covering his mouth and kicking his feet under his chair.
That was another thing about Risotto…
Ghiaccio started rambling about a story he had about Melone, something about giving him making food that was raw yet burnt at the same time. Melones face suddenly twisted into devilish grin, reaching over and discreetly pulling a little whiteboard off the family fridge. Melone wrote in flowery cursive “want to see how I used to annoy papa?”
Risotto didn’t express a lot of emotion on his face, Melone and Ghiaccio had learnt it’s just who he is. Risotto was more… Subtle, with showing how he felt.
Melone silently slithered off his seat as he crept up behind his husband, Ghiaccio had just finished putting bread in the oven and was starting to cut some tomatoes. Melone affectionately wrapped his arms around Ghiaccios waist, nuzzling against his back. Ghiaccio chuckled lowly, clearly comfortable. Melone turned his head, smiling evilly with his milky eye visible. Melone quickly pressed his lips against Ghiaccios neck and blew a loud raspberry.
Ghiaccio screamed, jumping out of his skin and batting away Melone as he cackled.
“ YOU -“ Ghiaccio shouted, grabbing his chest. Ghiaccio cut himself off, scowling at Melone angrily like he had many more words in his mouth. Ghiaccio pointed his knife at Melone, who was doubled down and grabbing his stomach “WHILE I HAVE A KNIFE?!”
Melone kept laughing, tears in his eye. Melone grabbed onto the counter, wheezing out:
“I love you-“
“NO YOU DO NOT.” Ghiaccio bit back, his face red with a pout. Risotto sat with his hands over his mouth, trying to bite his tongue. Ghiaccio took a breath, pursing his lips and pointing to Risotto over Melone cry laughing on the counter “… Don’t encourage him.”
Risotto burst out laughing, a wide smile on his face.
They were rare to see… But Risotto had two perfect dimples.
Ghiaccio turned back with a huff, adjusting his glasses before working back on his food with a lot more speed empowered by spite.
“F- forget you both, this is my breakfast now.” Ghiaccio huffed, Melone finally taking a breath and hanging back on his husbands back.
“Oh, how long has it been since I’ve done that?” Melone laughed breathlessly, Ghiaccio let down a particularly hard chop. Melone wrapped himself around one of Ghiaccios arms, cooing gently.
“I’d hoped you’d stopped.” Ghiaccio huffed, wiggling out of Melones grasp to grab oven mitts patterned with cats.
“Noo! Never, you know I love annoying you.” Melone beamed, Ghiaccio snorted as he pulled out his tray of garlic toast.
“I knew what I was getting into when I married you.” Ghiaccio huffed with a laugh, Melone ruffled Ghiaccios hair. Ghiaccio served three different plates of food, putting one in front of Risotto “buon appetito.”
Ghiaccio sat down, followed by Melone who pressed a kiss on Ghiaccios forehead.
“Ti amo.” Melone said softly, ruffling his hair before sitting down at his spot at the table. Ghiaccio huffed, and responded quietly.
“Ti amo anch’io.” Ghiaccio picked up a piece of his bruschetta, taking a bite before realised Risotto had already polished his plate off while he and Melone were talking. Ghiaccio swallowed that bite “jeez, already? Here.”
Ghiaccio put his other piece of bruschetta on Risottos plate as he finished off his own, Risottos eyes sparkled as he grabbed the extra piece and stuffed it in his mouth. Risotto had a habit of eating fast and eating a lot, Melone said that Risotto was going to be big, tall and strong when he grew up. Medically certain of it. It earned many a beaming hopeful smile from Risotto and absolute death glares from Ghiaccio.
“Slow down, I don’t want you choking on me.” Ghiaccio chastised, to Risotto immediately cramming the rest of his food in his mouth because he was 5. Melone choked out a laugh on his own food, that in contrast to Risotto, he was nibbling on it at a snails pace.
“N’yway,” Melone said with his mouth full, swallowing his breakfast and putting the rest down for a minute “Riz,”
Melone had a glint his eyes, they knew it was something good when even his milky eye sparkled.
“Since you had a bit of a rough go of it last night, how about… We have an indoor day? Im sure I can worm my way out of my shift.” Melone beamed, an indoor day implied being lazy and watching TV and drawing. Risotto blinked his dark eyes in surprise, looking over to Ghiaccio as if you ask “is that okay?”. Ghiaccio blinked.
“I think that’d be good for you, Riz. As long as you help me with the dishes at least,” Ghiaccio pulled Risotto away to the kitchen, Melone trailed off to make his call out of work. Ghiaccio ruffled Risottos hair, “don’t snitch on me like that!”
Ghiaccio cackled in a hushed whisper, Risotto giggled and leant into his hand.
The morning light always shone brighter on days like these.