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It was a quiet day in the Hotel, mostly everyone was busy with something or out patrolling the areas. Lucio was still recovering from the petrification disease so was ‘forced’ to stay within the confines of the Hotel’s walls. Despite the buildings grandure, Lucio found himself becoming more and more frustrated and bored. He lifted himself off the plush bed in his room, shoved his shirt and trousers back on, not bothering to tie his shirt up properly so it hung open, exposing some of his pale chest. He fixed his black hair in the mirror and prodded at the scar tissue around his eyes from the disease.
He scoffed. “Stupid…”
He turned from the mirror and retrieved his boots that he was sure he had just tossed to one side last night but Claudia had tidied them away neatly for him. ‘Thanks, sis’ He thought to himself as he put the old boots on, reminding himself to find a new (ish) pair once he had fully recovered. Once ready he opened the door and left his room, heading down the corridor towards the grand lobby of the hotel. At least that was the plan until a voice made him practically jump out of his skin. “Mr Volfe! I thought you were meant to be resting, hm?” Lucio turned around to see Hugo standing behind him, mask off and arms folded across his chest.
“I…am resting! I just uh…wanted fresh air?” Lucio lied through his teeth, knowing full well that Hugo was not going to buy it.
“Uh huh.” Hugo hummed. Yep, didn’t work.
“I mean it, Hugo! I was just going to the gardens and then I will be back in my room! No need to tell Claudia!” Lucio practically was pleading at this point, he just wanted to do something other than sit and stare at the four corners of his very nice room. “My eyes are fine, If I just hold onto the walls I can get go where I need to be.” Lucio said before a groan cut him off and Hugo linked his arm with his. “No. I will take you to the gardens and then it’s back to your room.” Hugo reprimanded him. “I am not getting the earful from Claudia when she finds out you haven’t been resting.” Lucio smirked at Hugo and laughed a little, imagining the scene playing out in his head.
“Fine by me then…” Lucio gestured to Hugo to lead the way which he did, walking down the corridor and to the start of the staircase. “Watch your step.” Hugo said to Lucio, guiding him carefully down the huge staircase. Lucio had to admit that this felt…nice. He couldn’t pin point what was nice about it exactly; Hugo’s warmth and company or that it was just nice to be looked after. Lucio shrugged the thoughts away, whatever it was he liked it so he had no complaints. “Its not too cold out.” Hugo’s bright voice brought him out of his thoughts, turning his head to Hugo’s direction. “But here, you can have my jacket while we are outside! Don’t worry about me, I am a lot thicker than I look!” Hugo smiled, letting go of Lucio’s arm briefly to remove his beige jacket, helping Lucio put it on. The Cat Stalker couldn’t help but feel warmth spread to his cheeks, Hugo was…so nice to him. Ever since Lucio and his sister moved to the Hotel at P’s behest he found himself drawn to the Dog mask stalker. Hugo practically radiated warmth and kindness, as expected of Alidoro’s biggest fan, Lucio thought.
“Thanks…” Lucio whispered out, still lost in the warm feeling and the comforting smell of Hugo’s jacket.
Hugo cracked a crooked smile at the smaller man. “Don’t mention it. Now, garden time.” He said as he relinked his arm with Lucio’s and guiding him out into the Garden of the Hotel. The sun was out and the blue sky was peaking out between fluffy clouds, Hugo was right about the temperature; it wasn’t too cold but Lucio was sure he would have felt it more than others. Hugo helped Lucio sit down on the bench facing a overgrown topiary of a bird, at least thats what it looked like to Lucio, but with his eyes as they are, who knows.
“Its nice for a change.” Lucio commented, tilting his head up towards the sun, just feeling the rays softly hitting his face made him almost purr in happiness. Hugo hummed and sat next to him. “It is! Hopefully more days like this are to follow.” Lucio nodded in agreement, feeling himself want to lean in towards Hugo the longer they stayed out there.
“You know, P told me about your little attempt at writing a Landmark Guide.” Hugo chuckled at the memory, P showing him the torn volume full of crude writing and cute cat doodles. Lucio felt his cheeks go bright red and he turned his head in Hugo’s direction. “Banned book! You’re a bad person!” Hugo laughed as he dramatically recalled the contents of the book, smiling widely at Lucio’s sheepish expression. “Okay, so I am no Medoro, so what?” Lucio snapped back and Hugo only laughed harder. “No no! I see potential! But we do need to get your general knowledge worked on!” He teased and Lucio rolled his eyes.
“That’s what happens when someone from the slums writes a book.” Lucio muttered to himself, picking at the sleeves of Hugo’s jacket. Hugo gave Lucio’s shoulder a gentle pat. “I mean well, Lucio. I found it cute and endearing.” Hugo said softly and Lucio nodded, still lost in thought. “Bet you were from a rich family, with all your exploration knowledge.” Lucio said and Hugo shook his head. “Nope, I was born in Malum.” He admitted and Lucio looked at him in shock. “What? I was an alley kid! Okay, okay, I know it doesn’t seem like I was, but I was hopeless at fighting and I preferred reading history books anyways.” Hugo said and Lucio sat up, turning his body to face him. This man suddenly got a whole lot more interesting to him.
Hugo chuckled. “Oh now you’re interested.” He teased and Lucio scoffed. “I always thought you were a toff! You seem too…polite to be from the slums.” Lucio said and Hugo raised an eyebrow at him. “Well you seem too…rough to be from the Volfe family.” Lucio froze at Hugo’s words. “Well, I was a bastard son. They didn’t want me so I was raised in the slums.” He shot back, lies coming quick to him. Hugo hummed in agreement, “I suppose so. Sorry, that was rude of me.” Hugo apologised and Lucio shook his head. “No, I shouldn’t have assumed you were a toff.” He mumbled and Hugo let out a laugh. “I am honoured actually!” Hugo admitted.
The weather started to turn a little and Hugo got up to help Lucio back inside. “Let’s get you back inside before you catch a chill.” Hugo said, helping Lucio off of the wooden bench. “ Yeah, otherwise Sis will kill you.” Lucio teased and Hugo let out a nervous laugh, “Good thing I don’t like being skewered, huh” Hugo laughed and helped the smaller man back inside, back up the spiralling staircase and down the corridor to his room. Lucio felt weird, he wanted to keep talking to him, have Hugo keep touching him. The thought of Hugo just leaving Lucio in his room for the rest of the day made Lucio sweat from nervousness. ‘Oh get a grip!’ He yelled in his head, not realising the pair of them were already back at the door to Lucio’s room.
“Right, I’ll help you back into bed and then see whats available for lunch.” Hugo smiled kindly at Lucio and it made his stomach lurch. Lucio allowed Hugo to help him back into the soft silky sheets of his bed, taking his boots off for him and placing them neatly by his bedside table. “Don’t go.” Lucio blurted out, clouded eyes making direct contact with Hugo’s grey ones. “Miss me already? Why I haven’t even left the room yet, Mr Volfe.” Hugo teased and Lucio shook his head. “Please. I…I” Lucio started, voice catching in his throat. Hugo moved closer to him. “I’m here.” Hugo said, taking Lucio’s lithe hands in his slightly larger ones. “Stay.” Lucio said to the explorer, gripping his hands with all the strength he could muster. Hugo smiled softly and nodded. “I will stay as long as you want me to.” Hugo said, helping Lucio lie back down in the bed. “Just rest, friend.” Hugo said, moving some of Lucio’s dark curly hair out of his face.
Lucio felt his eyes growing heavier and heavier, Hugo’s presence was soothing to him. The constant pressure of Hugo’s hand on his was nice. “Bello…” Lucio mumbled sleepily. “My…bello…” Hugo smiled softly. “All yours, if you want me. Ever at your service, Mr Volfe.” Hugo reassured the sleepy boy, a giddy feeling in his stomach, truly amazed that Lucio had said that to him. Lucio’s breathing evened out until he was fully asleep, Hugo stayed a little bit longer just enjoying his company before tucking Lucio in and leaving the bedroom. He had to get that lunch sorted before he woke back up, otherwise he’d be dealing with a very grumpy Cat. Hugo chuckled softly at the thought before hurrying down to the kitchens.