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There is said to be a man with eyes of the sparkling sea and hair as dark as night. They have said he is the most beautiful man to have walked the beaches of Naples, some have said all of Italy. A fisherman’s son with a kind heart and a warm smile, his name was Bruno Buccellati.
Leone hated those who jumped to something because everyone else loved it, it’s a reason why he’d isolated himself far in the woods. But even he had to admit that Bruno was infuriatingly beautiful. Leone had fallen for him just like the others the moment that kind smile fell on him, and that soft laugh reached his ears.
That was the moment Leone knew Bruno had to be his.
No one would love him like Leone did. No one would hold him like Leone would. No one would care for him like Leone would.
He’d already prepared the cabin with things he knew Bruno would like. Leone had fixed his house so Bruno could open windows to smell the salt of the sea, fishing gear to remind him of his family and home, and even a large closet of clothes that matched the pattern he loved to wear. There was only one thing left that was needed, Bruno himself.
It had taken Leone longer than he’d wanted to find all the ingredients, but where does one find a freshly broken heart? Especially one that no one would notice. Leone had left the safety of the small fishing village to find one and every day he’d worried about someone stealing his poor, sweet Bruno away from him. But he’d returned home, and everything was perfectly fine.
The broken heart had also given him the virgin blood he’d needed. The tulips he’d taken from the flower garden by his front door, they’d grown so beautifully and matched the ones in front of Bruno’s house. The tears of joy had been the easiest. All it took was Leone finding a “lost” fishing pole that belonged to Bruno’s grandfather.
He’d had a tissue waiting to give to Bruno.
Leone added the ingredients to his cauldron and mixed them slowly. He knew not to rush this if he wanted the potion to be completely effective. A love to last a lifetime was worth spending hours making the perfect potion.
The sun had set hours ago, and the potion was finally ready. He poured the purplish liquid into his favorite glass vial and carefully slipped it into a pouch around his waist. He covered himself in a cloak as dark as his love’s hair and set off into the night.
Entering Bruno’s room without his knowledge was something Leone had mastered long ago. There were nights he couldn’t wait to have Bruno in his arms, so he’d watch over Bruno while he slept, making sure no one else disturbed or harmed him.
As quiet as a mouse, Leone came into the room. His angel slept beautifully in his bed, his chest rising and falling as he cuddled his pillow.
It made Leone’s heart soft.
As carefully as he could, Leone reached under Bruno’s pillow and pulled out a crystal. Its usual soft purple color was now a deep violet. So, Leone reached into another pouch around his belt and pulled out a fresh one to slip right under the pillow. With Leone around, Bruno would never have bad dreams.
The movement under his pillow caused Bruno to awaken slightly. Leone froze in his spot and waited for Bruno to settle back in. Bruno couldn’t see him before he drank the potion.
Bruno was now sleeping on his back which was perfect. Leone pulled a chair to the side of Bruno’s bed and sat down. He pulled the vial from its pouch and popped the lid off. The glass rested flawlessly on Bruno’s soft lips and Leone poured his potion in.
Bruno drank it easily, almost like he wanted to. Leone loved to believe that he did.
Now all that was left was to wait until Bruno woke and Leone was the first person he saw. He’d love Leone the moment their eyes met, and their life together would finally begin.
Leone would never abandon Bruno; he would hold his heart carefully and treasure it dearly. He would be there for the best things, learning he was Bruno’s first kiss and first love, calming Bruno’s nerves when he introduced Leone to his father, seeing the light in Bruno’s eyes when Leone proposed, showing Bruno that Leone’s house had everything he’d ever need: he’d give Bruno the best life.
He’d also be there for Bruno through the worst things, like when he broke his hand in a fishing accident and couldn’t work for days, or when a crazy storm rolled in and Bruno’s house flooded, or the worst tragedy of Bruno’s father being mysteriously murdered by two deranged thugs which caused Bruno to officially move in with Leone: he would be there for everything.
Bruno was safe and loved in Leone’s arms.