The years nowadays don't pass the way the old ones used to

Antonio Fernández Carriedo Port Mafia "He really had been through death, but he had returned because he could not bear the solitude." - Gabriel García Márquez [Closed Spain RP Blog]

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still wanna RP T-T

like for a starter, been waiting for weeks for some interactions

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@generaticn

With little urgency, he decided to fake a slow jog as was arriving to show his partner he wasn’t just taking his sweet time, and gave the man waiting an apologetic smile once he arrived.  “Lo siento.... sorry about that,” he chuckled, trying to keep the mood light, after all, this mission wasn’t really all that serious. No lives were on the line, no sneaking, no killing. All they had to do watch some boat with guns. That had to be pretty tough to mess up, even for someone as absentminded as Antonio.

Concentrating as hard as he could, Antonio did his best to remember what his superiors told him about the profile of his partner. He was supposed to be blonde, right? Well, considering this man was the only person standing there, Antonio just hoped he had found the right person. “You’re the one I’m supposed to be meeting here, right?,” he asked sheepishly, careful not to give anything away that could jeopardize this assignment.

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so down to rp with anyone like this post and ill write us a starter ;)

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@countfrancula

Francis listened intently to Antonio’s list, nodding and marking off things he needed to buy. “Sounds wonderful, mon ami. And of course, I would never use an imitation in my cooking! Only the freshest of ingredients for you, my friend. Now, let’s not dawdle!” With that, he headed for the store.

The shopping trip didn’t take too long, and soon they were waltzing up to Francis’s restaurant, grocery bags in hand. Francis shifted a bit at the door to get his keys before unlocking the place, holding the door open for Antonio. “Step right in and take a seat, monsieur~ I will be serving you soon.”

Dropping the bags, Antonio casually strolled into the restaurant. It really had been a while since he had stopped by and suddenly he felt guilty for ignoring his friend. “Let me grab the wine,” Antonio offered, pulling out something from the cabinet that he knew Francis wouldn’t mind if he had. He pulled off his leather gloves, letting his now clammy hands finally breathe. 

The cool glass from the bottle of wine felt marvelous on his hands as he poured two tall wine glasses. Surely, Francis wouldn’t mind if the glass was a little fuller than the typical serving side. God knows that he needs this drink right now. He brought the glass over to the man who was cooking.

“Here this one’s for you, I know you like to have a drink while you cook,” setting the glass on the counter. He came up behind the Frenchman and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, showing his friend affection. He hated how people here were afraid to show each other love, and it was really only Francis who allowed him to get the physical contact he so often craved. “Can you still cook if I hold you like this?,” he asked his friend while smiling.

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@engeldermusik

So Antonio had bought the lie. Roderich had expected to feel relieved, but instead, all he felt was that same heaviness, that same guilt he’d felt every time his old friend crossed his mind. Despite his best efforts, Roderich found himself averting his gaze, ever so slightly. The last thing he needed now was for Antonio to spot the hurt that shone through in his eyes.

The words stung just as much as the punch had. “Hmph. Quite a crude way of describing me,” he huffed, gaze still averted away from the other man. “Back then, I was only doing my job. Really you– you should be grateful I chose to spare you.”

Roderich had to flinch at the way his own words faltered. He couldn’t keep up this conversation much longer. If only he really was the Phantom, with its ability to simply disappear. But here he was, in the flesh, no idea if Antonio even knew he was real or not. How weak he felt in this physical body of his. It was almost laughable. All he could do was hide his pitiful, emotional self behind a poorly constructed facade and hope Antonio wouldn’t notice or peak through the cracks.

Antonio could only shake his head and laugh. Laugh at himself for being such an idiot. People always told him he was stupid, too trusting, but he never thought he would be betrayed like this by someone he had loved like his own brother. All this time he had truly hoped Roderich had spared him because he had cared about him. What an idiot he had been. 

With a smile, and a sickeningly sweet tone, all Antonio could say to the other, before the hot tears threatened to leak from his eyes was “Vete a la mierda, Roderich,” and with that, Antonio turned on his heels, hoping to permanently erase the other from his heart once and for all. He never thought he’d say those words to him, Go to hell, Roderich.

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@countfrancula

“Paella? Consider it done!” Francis didn’t even bother acknowledging Antonio’s statement that anything would be fine. His friend wanted paella, so paella he would get.

“Yes, yes, if you are hungry, then we shall go now! And no, you shall not pay for the wine. At least not your first glass. I am quite insistent, mon ami.” He chuckled as he allowed Francis to tug him along. Francis had always been a bit of a paternal soul. He just couldn’t help but take care of those around him.

“If it is alright though, I will stop by the store first. You can point out to me what I need, oui? I want it to be as perfect as possible.”

Antonio blushed slightly at his over excitement, and laughed sheepishly, “Si, si, claro... of course... the store....,” he shook his head, typical Antonio, getting over excited over the silliest things. Well, no matter, Francis promised he was getting paella, and he felt giddy inside. The taste of saffron and seafood came back to him in nostalgic waves reminding him of the times he traveled with gypsies through the country.

He missed his beautiful country, almost painfully so. He looked up at Francis with a bright smile, reminded of the wonderful relationships he has built in Port city. This was his new home. There’s nothing left for him in Spain. “We need saffron... the real kind, not the imitation, and ...”, he started listing off all the ingredients his taste buds could recall from all the times he had his beloved dish, smiling the entire time. “...and anchovies, vale?”, he took a big breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding in, looking at the other with an expectant grin.

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@beherrrscht

As he collected his change, he couldn’t help but notice him yet again.

It was that pale man with the white hair, buying something at the shop, too, though he couldn’t tell what. Trying to not seem too nosy, he stuffed the crumpled bills in his pocket, and the receipt in the other, then taking his goods from the counter and scurried off. 

Antonio kept running into this man, and he always felt those eyes on his body, but as soon as he tried to meet his gaze, he always averted his stare! The curiosity was driving him mad! Who was this guy, and why does he pop up everywhere?

He decided to finally meet this man, and wait by the exit of the store, that wasn’t creepy, right? Antonio and his newfound resolve were going to finally put an end to this mystery and figure out who this man was. He found himself humming as he waiting for the man to exit the store.

Hopefully he was a nice guy, if he was always staring at Antonio, maybe that meant they could become amigos? Wouldn’t that be wonderful! 

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@engeldermusik

Roderich refused to grace Antonio’s first question with a reply. There was no need to let the other know why he’d grasped his gun. Having known Antonio for so long, Roderich knew his strengths and weaknesses enough to know that, in this situation, he was completely outmatched. With his lack of strength, there was no way he could best Antonio, should their encounter dissolve into violence.

The next question though had him pause, his expression shifting ever so slightly. He knew why he hadn’t killed Antonio. He knew quite well the uncertainty that had weighed down his heart that day, when he looked into the eyes of his friend. He just hadn’t been able to bring himself to.

But instead of admitting that painful truth, Roderich forced out a scoff, pushing his glasses up slightly with two fingers. “Yes, why? I wonder that myself. Perhaps I pitied you. Regardless, it was foolish of me to do so. You only get in the way of my work now.”

Each statement was a lie that Roderich desperately wished to believe as truth. It would be so much simpler that way. It would at least help if Antonio believed the lie, made it easier to push him away. But this was the real Roderich, not the stone faced Phantom. This was the real Roderich, who’s expression wavered ever so slightly as he spoke, who’s eyes flickered away, just for a moment. This was the Roderich who tightened his grip on his gun to stop the quivering in his fingers and wished to simply leave this moment behind and forget it.

His eyes followed Roderich closely searching for any hint for the truth. He noticed the bruise darkening even more curious at why he’d pick to take the form of such a delicate pale man. 

Upon listening to his response, Antonio felt his heart shatter. That had been what he had feared most.  Roderich had just thought of him as some pitiful fool. 

Regardless, he laughed it off and ran a hand through his messy hair, something he did when he was nervous. “I figured it was something like that,” he lied, not wanting to show weakness, but it was already too late. He had already been vulnerable in front of the other man. His laughter never reached his eyes, and he couldn’t face the other, not that it mattered, it probably wasn’t even his real body anyway.

God, everything would just be so much easier if he could get his hands on his real body and beat the shit out of him. It just wasn’t satisfying to punch this Phantom, even if it did bleed and bruise. 

“I guess it is true what they say about you”, he mused, to himself, hoping to get a response out of the other, smiling maliciously, “You really do act like you have a stick up your ass,” he laughed to himself, trying to drown out the pain of betrayal. This Roderich was so different from the Roderich he knew, but he had to accept that this was the real Roderich. 

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@engeldermusik

Oh, if only Antonio knew just how much Roderich suffered in turn. He hadn’t meant to care, and in the beginning, he hadn’t. But Roderich always had been the sort to grow easily attached, and before he’d known it, he found he considered the other someone close, someone he trusted.

If only Antonio had known he shouldn’t have trusted Roderich.

Expression still a harsh glare, Roderich batted away the hand poking his cheek, the slight touch sending a soreness through the spot. His face was definitely bruised. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. It really doesn’t matter.” It had become all too easy over the year to mask his hurt with an uncaring gaze. Roderich had hoped it would keep Antonio away, would make him easier to forget if he pretended to not care about him, and yet, every time this happened, he could feel his heart clench.

In a natural movement, Roderich placed his hand in his coat pocket where his pistol sat. Whether or not he could actually bring himself to shoot Antonio, he had to be careful. He was nowhere near as strong or as fast as he was as the Phantom. Hopefully it wasn’t too obvious. “Perhaps I am only creating the illusion that I am injured, to throw you off. Or perhaps this is the true me. Again, it matters not. Whatever face I wear, you will know who I am, regardless.”

Antonio’s gaze followed Roderich’s hand to the pistol and he let out a half-hearted chuckled shaking his head. “What? Now you’re going to kill me?” he asked, his usually cheerful voice taking a cold undertone. He raised his head to look into Roderich’s eyes, trying to find him in there. He just couldn’t bring himself to truly believe that Roderich hadn’t cared at all about him.

“Roderich,” he finally said with an even tone that even surprised himself. He needed to figure out once and for all, what his act of mercy truly meant. He wanted to believe that their bond was rich as Antonio had thought it was, regardless of who they worked for or what they had done. 

“Why didn’t you kill me that day?” he asked, feeling his heart racing again. He hadn’t realized how scared he was to know the answer to that question. He almost wanted to run away and never find out, but the curiosity had been gnawing at him all this time. He just had to know.

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@countfrancula

Francis happily returned the hug, not at all worried about Antonio’s ability. The man was careful, and Francis trusted he knew just how to keep it from activating. “Oh, I’ve been wonderful as always, but that is not important! Of course I will cook for you, mon ami, it is what I do!” He patted his friend on the back with another smile. “I cannot have friends going hungry, after all! Just stop by whenever, and I will make a meal for you.”

There was no better way to lift a spirit than with good food; at least, that’s what Francis believed. And of course, he was quite confident in his ability to cook. One meal and Antonio would certainly be in higher spirits than he seemed to be.

“Is there anything particular you want? I will happily cook off menu for you, if you wish, just let me know, so I can get whatever it is I need to make your request.” Francis winked. Perhaps he was showing off a tad by implying he could make whatever it was Antonio requested, but he was still quite certain he could dish up whatever was requested of him

“Paella,” he said almost immediately with a nostalgic look on his face. He had been feeling rather homesick lately. He immediately shot down the idea and laughed it off. “Don’t worry though, I’ll have anything you make! I know paella is hard to make,” he quickly added. He didn’t want to burden his friend with one of his whims.

“You’re a fantastic chef, I’ll be happy to have anything from you~,”he assured him, taking his hand into his own, tugging him towards the restaurant. “We’re going now, vale?,” he asked, feeling the inkling of hunger gnawing at him now. “I’ll pay for the wine,” he offered, knowing that the Frenchman could never say no to a glass... or 6.... of wine.

Antonio could use a drink too, quite honestly. Anything to get him away from his thoughts these days. Francis was a welcome and much needed distraction.

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@engeldermusik

The punch hurt, but Roderich couldn’t say he hadn’t expected it. Antonio was a man he’d tried desperately to forget for years now, yet every time it seemed he had pushed the man out of his memories, they met again, and the memories resurfaced.

He’d truly been a fool back then, before he was Leader. How could he have known that the man he’d chosen to attach himself to, simply to gather information, would become close to him in a way he had never dared to allow before? It’d been a misstep on his part, yet still, not the biggest mistake he’d made. No, the biggest mistake had been allowing Antonio to live.

The punch sent Roderich falling back again, his glasses knocked askew and a grunt of pain escaping his lips. Already he could feel the bruise forming on his cheek. He wondered if Antonio would notice. All their previous encounters had been when Roderich had been in disguise as the Phantom. Sustaining a visible injury could give his physical self away.

Gritting his teeth, Roderich could only glare up at the man, wiping the blood he could feel pooling on his lip with the back of his own gloved hand. “…I see you still harbor this unnecessary anger towards me,” he stated calmly, with a hint of annoyance in his tone. He stood, dusting off his clothes and adjusting his glasses. “Really, this violence will get you nowhere.”

Usually a patient, peaceful man, his felt his resolve wearing thin. He just wanted the other man to be.... hurt. It irritated him how nonchalant he was about everything they had together, while Antonio cared so deeply. He wanted him suffer like he had.

“It makes me feel a little better,” he admitted childishly, crossing his arms looking away from the other. He felt his heartbeat racing, adrenaline coursing through his veins. So it really was Roderich. Perhaps punching him wasn’t the best way to figure it out, but the way he was acting definitely erased any doubts Antonio might have had.

In an attempt to quell his mind, racing with questions, he tentatively uncrossed his arms and turned his head to face the traitor again. His face was bruised, which brought Antonio a twisted sense of satisfaction. He hoped that bruise remained for a while so Roderich would be forced to think of Antonio for the weeks to come. 

He had a thousand questions to ask, but he could only dumbly ask one for now. 

“So is this the real you? I don’t remember ever seeing you get hurt before you betrayed us,” he poked the forming bruise hard with his leather gloved hand, smiling obliviously. If Roderich wasn’t going to show that he valued their friendship, Antonio wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how much pain the other had actually caused him.

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@countfrancula

“Antonioooo~!”

Francis swung his arm around his friend and coworker, a wide smile on his features. He brushed some hair out of his own face, glancing out of the side of his eyes at the other. “It feels as if we have no spoken in ages! What have you been up to? Work keeping you occupied?” Really, it couldn’t have been more than a few days, but Francis had never been one to keep track of time. Why do so when you were going to live forever?

“Really, you must come by the restaurant more often. You know I will not charge you! I cannot charge a friend, after all.”

“Ooooof,” Antonio let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding when he felt someone fling themselves at him from behind. He immediately recognized the voice. “Ah, Francis! How have you been,” he greeted happily, returning the affection he received. He was careful not to look him in the eye as he hugged him tightly, just to make sure he didn’t accidentally activate his ability.

He pulled away, and thought to himself. What had he been doing these days other than moping around? “I guess work has been keeping me pretty busy!”, he chuckled, lying to his friend. The mention of free food however, really did lift his spirits.

“Oh? And the great Francisco will personally cook for me?,”he pleaded looking up into Francis’ eyes with a needy expression, still being careful to avoid skin to skin contact. Everyone knew that Francis was the best chef in town, so Antonio had to get the best deal he could out of this.

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@engeldermusik

After who knows how long of staying cooped up in his room, Roderich finally got himself out and about. For once, he was feeling quite well, not sick in the slightest, despite it still being flu season. So it seemed only reasonable to take advantage of his health and take a walk, perhaps go to his favorite bakery. After all, though he was, of course, always busy, at least things had been quieter around the city lately.

Having walked briskly down the street, Roderich had paused to catch his breath at a corner, watching those who walked by. His mind wandering, he didn’t notice the man about to walk into him until it was too late.

With a startled yelp, Roderich found himself losing his balance and on the floor, a bit scuffed up, but otherwise alright. Rubbing the back of his head, he didn’t glance at the other at first, simply getting a handle on his surroundings. “It’s– It’s fine, just–”

He glanced up, then stopped. Immediately, he recognized the person before him, and found himself holding his tongue. Had they ever met outside of work, when Roderich was in his vulnerable form, away from the Phantom? He was certain they hadn’t. And based on past experience, Roderich was almost positive that just from a few words, Antonio would recognize the sound of his voice.

_________________________________________________________

The soft quiet voice sent a painful reminder through Antonio’s chest. 

Looking down at the fallen man, he felt the smile on his face fall, and all that was left was a look of confusion. “R-Roderich?” He retracted his hand and bent down to eye level, trying to find a clue, anything to tell him he was wrong. 

But, how could he have known? He had known that the betrayal from the man he once cared about was actually the famous Guild leader known as the Phantom. Who knew what he actually looked like? And it pissed him off. How he trusted him so easily and offered himself to Roderich, yet, he didn’t even know what the man looked like.

After those countless conversations though, Antonio had shared his hopes, his dreams, his fears with this man, he could recognize that voice even from a whisper. His gentle soothing voice felt like nails on a chalkboard. It really was him.

All of his anger, embarrassment, and frustration resurfaced yet he tried to smile at him again to keep from showing that. However, unable to hold himself back, he drew his leather clad fist back and swung without mercy, landing a punch right to his cheek, hoping it stung at least a fraction as much as his betrayal did.

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@engeldermusik

He just strolled down the streets, without much to do. 

These days the streets were pretty quiet, and he hadn’t been assigned to many jobs. He sighed and kicked a pebble down the street. Sometimes he regretted the move here. Sure, he made new friends here, but all of this destruction and dirty work never got easier. He always wondered how other people in mafia got used to carrying the burden of these sins. He brought his leather gloved hand to his silver crucifix, deep in his thoughts.

Unaware of his surroundings, he walked full force into someone who was standing in front of him. “Are you okay? Sorry, I can’t always see the three on the donkey, if you know what I mean” he chuckled, trying to make light of the situation with one of his typical idioms from his homeland, kicking aside his negative thoughts from earlier. He reached out to the fallen person revealing his gloved hand and his usual smile.

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if anybody is interested in doing an rp with Antonio let a homie know :)