@briilliance said : "I, uh..." Taking a deep breath he kept his distance, hands nervously crossed in front of him as the child drew in a long shaky breath. "Are you okay?" Luca knew Ercole hated them, that he wasn't a good person, but no one deserved to be left alone. Even someone like him had a chance to redeem himself. There was good in everyone, right?
being APPROACHED by the young boy was enough to TICK ercole off then and there , when he had PLANNED on a vagrant - free day. everything was PERFECT for some rest and relaxation ―― and it was MUCH needed. it was apparent in his form : TENSE , slightly disheveled , a couple of fading bruises painting some over his arms. nothing he would ADDRESS , even if asked. but luckily , luca hadn’t COME UP to him to inquire about that [ . . . ] he’d asked about a CURIOSITY that came from those things , context CLUES. did ercole REALLY look that bad ? he didn’t think he did , he TRIED HIS BEST to put makeup over the DARKNESS under his eyes.
regardless of that , ercole COULDN’T DENY how the question perplexed him. why did HE care ? ( HE was the one who RUINED his life. ) the concern had STIFFENED ercole some more , SHIFTING in his seat uncomfortably as he GLANCED the boy up and down. a SCOWL present ―― but he BURIES violence. for now. he WASN’T okay , and luca should know EXACTLY why. losing the cup brought MORE DAMAGE to his life than just paining his ego. did luca KNOW this ? was he MOCKING ercole ? of course. there was NO CHANCE he’d let luca in THAT easy.
walls are SHOVED back up rapidly , one hand IDLY coming up to fumble with the sleeve of his wooly sweater. his gaze reads UNAMUSED. ❝ GO AWAY , piccoletto. i’m not in the MOOD for this , ❞ he hissed. ❝ or ELSE. ❞