Matteo was worried for Luca.

She was scared when she reached out to him. Her eyes were glassy but she didn't cry, she was shaking but she didn't bolt away. Matteo tried to scare her away because he didn't want to lie to Luca by saying that he was different from all of those people that was present at the party. He didn't want Luca to be scared of him but he also didn't want her to get hurt because of him.

And she said the most sweetest thing that made his heart swell up with joy. She said something that made him immediately regret all he said. She said something that made him love her even more than before.

He doesn't know where his love really stand. He doesn't know if it was a friendly kind of love or a sibling kind of love or something more. But it's there. It'a growing. It's making its way through his cold heart, warming it up like a piece of blanket. It's the kind of love that makes him want to protect her. It's the kind of love that orders him to shield her away from danger. It's the kind of love that just wails whenever she's hurt, it urges him to comfort her whenever she cries, it urges him to stay by her side, it urges him to make her smile and laugh and just letting him bask in the cuteness of it all. It's that kind of love.

He'll just call it 'Matty's love for Luca.'

He's worried and that's why he's in her room right now, watching her sleep while he quietly settles beside her.

To his surprise, her family had easily let him off to see her. He thought that he'd have to fight them off. He already have a list on what he'll say when they refuse, what kind of threats he'll have to use just to see Luca.

He thinks that it's because of yesterday. He was the one who stood close to Luca while they weren't allowed to stay close to them. Maybe that's why they trust him to some degree.

Now, he'll just wait for her to wake up. He just doesn't have the courage and strength to wake her up. Not when she's looking so peaceful and adorable and so, so cute.

Her cheeks were flushed pink while her brown hair were scattered everywhere on her pillow. He didn't even notice how long her eyelashes are until now. It was cute and adorable! Pillows surrounded her like they were guarding a beautiful angel and Matteo might actually believe that Luca is actually an angel.

The most sweetest angel in the world.

Matteo snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Luca sleepily groan before slowly stirring awake. And he finally got a good look at her innocent chocolate doe eyes that shimmered beautifully under the rays of the morning light that was cascading down upon her windows.

The first thing she did was smile in confusion at Matteo who almost fainted at how sweet and beautiful Luca's smile was.

It was like staring at the sun.

Her smile was just too bright for this world.

Okay, maybe he's got a little crush but that's just so weird! He's so weird! Luca's six and he's ten! But she acts so mature sometimes and she's so sweet and understanding and lovable and kind and smart! When they're together, it makes him feel very aware of the people who takes glances at Luca and he gets very mad at kids who so much breathes around her the wrong way.

But he really likes Luca and he doesn't want to leave her.

After all, he promised, right?

A promise is a promise!

"Matty... " Her voice was even better! It was sweet and comforting that he's willing to talk to her forever if it means hearing it.

Ah! He's so weird right now!

It's so stupid!

"Good morning, vozlyublennaya." He beamed at the endearment. He likes it. He likes it very much.

(Sweetheart.)

Luca looks at him in pure confusion and it was just the most adorable thing ever.

Matteo chuckled. "It's nothing to worry about, don't worry, vozlyublennaya." He teased lightly.

(Sweetheart.)

Luca pouted but she didn't argue about it. She instead asked him about why he was here.

Matteo's smile faltered a bit when he remembered why he was there in the first place. He was worried. After everything that has happened yesterday, he just couldn't forget how frightened Luca was. He couldn't forget the fear and the pain. He could feel the fear rolling off of her in waves and he just wanted to know if she was alright.

He just need to ask and see it for himself if fear was still in there.

If fear was still eating her alive.

Matteo was thankful that it wasn't anymore.

But that didn't mean that it's completely wiped out.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.

Luca smiled even more. She was happy that Matty was worried but he doesn't need to. She was fine. She'll live. Luca was very thankful that Matteo was there yesterday or else she'd completely faint from the fear. She's still a little bit scared but Matty is helping her fight it.

And for that she was thankful.

Luca nodded and slowly sat up so that she could face her friend properly. "I'm super duper okay!"

"Are you sure?" Matteo fusses. "Because you weren't yesterday and you could've cried it all out but you, being the overly friendly mush, you crazy little girl, didn't and instead, you tried to act brave and tough. You know you can cry all you want. You can even scream if you'd want to and I'll have no problem protecting you at all! I'll protect you with my life so—"

"You just have to stay by my side, Matty. It isn't so hard." Luca drawled tiredly but there was also amusement in her voice when she plopped her head down on his shoulder in a lazy manner. "You promised me, didn't you?"

Matteo sighed sadly before wrapping his arms around Luca for a hug. "I did but I still want to help."

"But you are helping... " She answered him while she hugged him back. Matteo feels like he's the one being comforted instead and it made him feel slightly useless.

"How am I helping?" Matteo huffed. Luca was really making no sense.

How was he helping her?

Luca looks at him and gave him the brightest smile that Matteo actually held his breath for it.

The morning light made Luca look like an angel! She looked very pretty even if her hair was a mess. He doesn't care if it was a mess in the first place, Luca was just glowing in beauty for him.

"Just stay by my side, Matteo. That's all I'm asking."

Ah, he's dead.

He died.

How could he have been so stupid to have let himself meet such an angel like Luca?

Matteo forced himself to take a deep breath before giving a breathless laugh. "Luca, you just killed me."

Luca tilted her head to the side with a frown.

"I did?"

Matteo nodded, putting his head on her shoulder instead because he just died. He died of her cuteness.

Luca wrapped her arms around him this time.

"I died because you're cute... "

Luca giggled adorably. "Matty's being weird."

Matteo immediately looked up and glared at Luca. "I'm not weird. You're weird."

Luca brushed the curls out of Matteo's face while smiling brightly. Maybe it's because she missed her friend. It's been such a long time since they've talked this lightly. Matteo being here brings her comfort and security since he was the one who stayed close to her when she was almost about to cry, when she was shaking with fear, when she was surrounded by strangers who could just kill her.

He made her fears cower away and brought her something warm and comforting.

For that, Luca was grateful.

"I think Matty's the cute one." Luca nodded to herself as if that was the best answer ever. "Such a little cute meanie. I think you're the cutest ever!"

Matteo squawked in denial. How could he be the cute one? Don't Luca see how adorable she was? How powerful she could be when if she brings her big brown eyes to use? She could bring the whole world to their knees if she wants to and all she'll use is her adorableness!

"Don't call me cute!" He huffed. "Boys don't get to be cute! I said you're cute, you don't see how your eyes sparkle when you smile or-or how sweet your voice is, even if you frown, it's the most adorable thing ever!"

Luca blinked in surprise. "But—"

You're the cutest and that's final."

Luca glared adorably at Matteo. "You're stubborn."

What?

He was the stubborn one?

"But it's true, moya lyubov'! Your cuteness enough would win everyone's heart!"

(My love!)

Luca looked at him in amusement. Matty was being silly again. "Then I'm super happy I won yours first, Matty."

Ah, he's going to die.

He's already dead in the first place.

Luca was just too smart for her own good.

"See? You killed me again." Matteo mused.

Luca whined childishly. "Matty, if you die then you'll break your promise!"

"Then I'd fulfill them as a ghost." Matteo rolled his eyes. "No biggie."

"Big biggie. S'a big biggie for me." Luca pouted. "I don't want that. I want my Matty to stay with me, not the ghost Matty. I want my human grumpy pants Matty."

Matteo smiled warmly at that. "Okay, okay. I'm now alive. You have your point. Back to the topic at hand. Are you okay? Really okay?"

Luca sighed while rubbing her eyes to remove the sleepiness. "Uh-huh..."

"No nightmares?" He asked while cupping her cheeks to check for anything wrong.

"No bad dreams." She confirmed.

"And you're okay with your family?"

"Matty!" She scolded.

Matteo immediately narrowed his eyes at her. "I'm serious, vozlyublennaya. I don't want you getting hurt."

(Sweetheart.)

"But I'm not hurt."

"Well, that's for me to decide, Lu." Matteo huffed. "Still scared?"

Luca pouted and then whining. "Matty..."

"Are you still scared? Will you be okay? I need to know, vozlyublennaya." Matteo said seriously.

(Sweetheart.)

"M' fine!" She drawled out. "M' little bit scared but I'd be fine. Super duper fine. Meeeega fine!"

Matteo sighed. "I'm just worried, okay?"

Luca snorted. "Matty's being a big worrywart."

"It's because it's you, Lu." Matteo said while kissing her forehead. "It's always been you."

Luca just let him do what he wanted to do and smiled at him before humming happily.

"I know, caro amico."

(Dear friend.)

Matteo looked at her in amusement.

"Did you just speak Italian?"

Luca looked at him smugly. "You spoke a language I don't know."

"That's because I don't want you to know what I'm saying yet." Matteo pointed out, making Luca huff.

"I'll study it." Luca exclaimed in determination.

Matteo shook his head in amusement. "Then I'll study Italian for you too."

Luca nodded. "It's a deal!"

Matteo smiled at that. She really was cute.

Matteo took Luca's hand and kissed the back of it lovingly.

"Dobroye utro, dorogaya."

(Good morning, my dear.)

It seemed like Luca understood that one because she giggled. Luca softly kisses his nose.

"Buongiorno, Matty."

(Good morning, Matty.)

_______

I miss Luca and Matty! I really love their cuteness!

Okay, just to be clear, Matteo is mature and so is Luca in a way. Matteo grew up in an environment where he was forced to grow up fast. Luca, on the other hand, is mature. She knows what world her family lives in and what her family is like. She just doesn't want the violence in it. Remember when she hid a gun? She knew how to use it and knew where it was and she knew where to hide it so that Pierre wouldn't even see it. Her family wouldn't just leave a gun like it's some toy. Luca's observant and careful. In a way, she did grow up a bit fast but she was spoiled and loved. >3 

I dunno why I needed to explain that but I feel like I need to. Think of it as... I dunno, facts? <3 <3

Ahhh!! ANWAYS, how's the sweetness? Did it rot your teeth?

How was it??