#rico reckless

Guido taps his fingers on the counter and raises an eyebrow, “I’m guessing you didn’t come in to see me?”

Primo tries to give his brother a glare, but it doesn’t work. Guido just folds his arms and leans against the counter.

“You said to wait three months,” Primo snaps defensively.

Guido narrows his eyes before he sighs, “If you hurt him…”

Primo raises his hands sarcastically, “Yes, Guido I’m terrified of you.”

“Hey,” Guido snaps, pointing a finger at him, “I’m serious. He’s in a good place. He deserves happiness. You do too,” he admits. “Just be careful because I love you both.”

Primo sighs before leaning over to kiss his brother’s cheek. Guido was too good for this world.

“He’s in the back,” Guido waves him off, “He’s taking his lunch break.”

Primo smiles before moving into the back. He sees Rico immediately, picking at a sandwich while listening to music on his headphones.

He stares at him for a little bit. Guido was right, Rico was finally in a better place. He smiled more and didn’t flinch as much.

Primo had made sure that Victor had left not only town, but the country. Rico was safe to rebuild his life.

He moves into Rico’s line of sight, not wanting to startle him.

Rico’s face lights up when he sees Primo, slipping the headphones from his ears.

“Primo, this is a nice surprise.”

“It shouldn’t be,” Primo murmurs, stalking closer.

Rico blushes, but his smile widens. “Three months.”

Primo takes his hand, feeling the electricity from the simple touch traveling up his skin, and pulls Rico to his feet. He steps a little closer, waiting for any sign of discomfort.

“Rico,” Primo purrs, rubbing a thumb over the top of Rico’s hand, “Would you have dinner with me tonight?”

“I would love that,” Rico answers shyly.

Primo should step back, but he’s waited so long. He takes a step forward until their lips are a breath apart and waits. Rico takes the last step moving to press his lips to Primo.

The kiss is worth every minute of the past three months.

It starts soft. Just a test, slowly sinking into each other. But then Rico parts his lips and tilts his head, deepening the kiss. Primo loses his control. One hand moves to Rico’s lower back and the other cradles the nape of Rico’s head. He growls a little as he slips his tongue into Rico’s mouth.

Rico trembles a bit, but it’s a tremble of desire, not fear. His arms wrap around Primo’s back, pulling him closer and pressing their bodies tight together. He sighs as Primo’s tongue tangles with his own.

Rico and Primo are both panting by the time they part. Primo wants so badly to claim this man as his own, make love to him and erase any lingering memories of Victor, but they are in Guido’s kitchen and Rico deserves better.

He grasps Rico’s chin, tilting it to lay two chaste kisses on his lips.

“I’ll see you tonight, Rico,” Primo murmurs.

Rico doesn’t answer, just blushes and nods his head.

When he leaves, Guido rolls his eyes at him, but he thinks his brother is pleased. Guido was a romantic at heart and wanted Primo and Rico to be happy together.

It isn’t the first time Victor has hit Rico, but he hates it when he does it in person. It’s somehow worse for others to see his shame.

This time Victor has him pressed against the brick wall a knife to his throat.

Tears begin to drip out of Rico’s eyes, but it isn’t fear. He’s not afraid that Victor might follow through with his numerous threats to kill him.

He’s embarrassed.

He’s embarrassed by the shocked and horrified looks of the passersby as they try not to make eye contact with him. He’s embarrassed by the pity he sees from a few people who see the pathetic, broken man that Rico has become.

The apologies stream out of Rico’s mouth, but Victor isn’t listening. He’s too busy screaming at Rico, calling him terrible, shameful names.

And then Victor goes flying.

A large, brick wall of a man has Victor by the nape of the neck. He slams his other fist into Victor’s face, making his lover’s face explode with blood.

The man continues his assault until Victor crumples to the ground in a heap.

Rico is expecting a monster. Someone more vicious than Victor. But when the man turns around he has a beautiful face with soulful, grey eyes that seem to peer into Rico’s very core. His face is marred by a scar, but it only seems to highlight the man’s beauty.

“Are you okay?” he asks with a melodic accent.

“Y-yes, I’m sorry,” Rico mumbles, “You didn’t need to help me.”

The man steps further and Rico feels pinned by his intense stare. “He was going to kill me.”

Rico isn’t sure how to respond to that. Victor hadn’t killed him yet, despite Rico’s almost constant failings. And even if he had, Rico probably would have deserved it.

“Thank you for helping me,” he mutters instead. He looks down at Victor’s unconscious body. He should probably do something.

“Anybody would’ve done the same,” the man shrugs.

Rico’s eyes begin to fill with tears, “That hasn’t been true in my experience.”

“This is your… boyfriend?” he asks.

Rico nods, expecting cruel remarks, but the man only spits on Victor. “You deserve better.”

“I really don’t,” Rico mutters.

The man steps closer and tilts Rico’s head up, staring into his eyes, “Never settle for less than you deserve. Do you have anywhere to stay?”

Rico shudders, unused to this amount of attention.

“You’ll stay with me tonight,” the man announces, “My room isn’t much, but it is safe.”

Rico’s jaw drops, he doesn’t know what to make of this kind stranger. “What is your name?”

“Martin Eden,” he says, “and you?”

“Rico.”

“Come, Rico,” Martin announces. His warm hand slides down to clasp Rico’s and lead him out of the alley. Rico gives one last look to Victor on the ground.

He isn’t sure what to make of Martin. But no one had ever treated him with such care. No one had ever told him that he was worth anything.