knightsoflegend | italy ♔ a promise lives within you now

Entry tags:

italy ♔ a promise lives within you now

WHO || Rafael, Buffy [Closed]
WHAT || After months apart, Rafael and Buffy celebrate the end of his tour with a private trip to Italy
WHERE || Italy
WHEN || /truck drives by, blaring horn
HOW || Actionspam.

It hasn't been an easy few months, but then again, it hasn't been an easy few years. Following the night of the Grammy's, Rafael's returned to his tour, aspiring to use his concerts as a chance to try and warn people of the dangers inherent in listening to Blade and company's music, even at the risk of looking like a crazy person. It wouldn't be the first time the world thought it, alright. Meanwhile, Buffy's been dealing with the fallout of what the Mind Master did to Finnick, and by extension, Myri, trying to be there for her friend in every way she can. It would be easier for both of them if they had each other to lean on through it all, but they had to rely instead on numerous phone calls and memories of one night that finally offered them both some hope just when everything had started to seem more impossible than ever.

They also had the promise of this to look forward to: a planned trip to Italy that Rafael insisted be just the two of them, once he was finally free again. He's arranged to meet her at the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa, and when she gets out, there's some Italian chauffeur guys holding a sign that says "Summers".

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Side eyeing the old guy, Buffy keeps close to Rafael's side until they pass through the curtain. Then, she releases his arm, hands dropping to her sides in what can only be described as businesslike. Something about weapons just makes her feel like she should save the PDA for another time.

She glances around the back room when they get back there, eyes flicking around without her head turning much. ]

[ the man waiting for them has dignified silver hair, his eyes hidden by sunglasses. he outstretches both arms upon seeing rafael, chuckling and greeting him in italian, gesturing to a case on a table, and rambling on. rafael responds in his native tongue, but his manner is much more aloof, his affable manner traded in for an all business-like demeanor. he draws out an envelope from his pocket, nods to the case sitting next to the lone table in the room. the man nods in agreement, picks up the case, taps in a security code, and the lid opens, revealing the two guns nestled inside. he turns the case to face rafael, who sets the envelope down, reaching to draw out one of the guns, and look it over, while the guy takes the envelope, opens it and flips through the huge bills inside, counting them. ]

[ When they first start greeting each other, Buffy initially raises her hand like she wants to be introduced to this guy because EVERYONE ELSE FROM THE RESISTANCE HAS BEEN LIKE

A LEGITIMATE FRIEND

NOT A SHADY BACKROOM GUN DEALER WHO RAFAEL IS ALL BUSINESS WITH. ]

Hi! I'm ... [ Except then it's all business and in Italian, and she just tries to smoothly drop her hand like ok nvm. But it's not smooth at all with her sleight of hand check of a whole 12. ] Here for ... Moral support. [ Her voice quiets into a muttered attempt to save face.

So she preoccupies herself glancing around while they shadily exchange envELOPES OF CASH ? ?? jesus. This must be what the wives of drug cartels feel like, except they probably wear more expensive shoes. Once Rafael is handling the gun there's no way for this not to sound like a penis metaphor, she steps over, tilting her head to look it over. ]

The way you talked them up, I was kind of expecting bright lights and angel choruses when the case opened, to be honest. Like Mr. Gray and his pals would just show up and start a barbershop quartet.

[ rafael raises one eyebrow at buffy, the tiniest smirk the only thing betraying his amusement at her commentary as he checks the weapons over.

it's the guy who speaks up in heavily accented italian, looking buffy over. "Such a beautiful signorina. Your new partner, perhaps? It is good to hear that Il Volpe will be back in action again." he cuts a look at rafael. "No offense, of course. But the people had begun to wonder if he had forsaken them." rafael affixes the guy with a frown, replacing the gun. ] It is nothing so black and white.

Il Volpe hasn't forsaken anyone. [ Said snappishly, because she can't help but feel defensive in the face of "HEY I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE A MURDERER AGAIN." ] There's just more than one way to skin a Shadow-hater. [ Not that it seemed like Rafael wasn't handling that super well but. Well. #1 Rafael Giovanni stan. ]

[ rafael handles that comment with impressive stoicism, aight, cutting off the man before he can open his mouth again to do more than laugh with a bit too much enthusiasm at buffy's joke. ] I trust the payment is sufficient?

[ the man waves his hand, gold rings visible on his fingers. "Si, si, it is all here, Volpe. You will be very happy with these, I promise you." rafael nods, snapping the case shut as the man pockets the money and strokes his chin. raf turns to buffy with a nod that says she can head out first. ] Grazie. A pleasure doing business with you.

[ Turning, she gently rests her hand at his elbow, as if to make an apology for firing that off, but it's all built into a smooth u-turn where she heads for the door. ]

How do you even find a gun guy? I need a guy. [ She seems to be under the impression that once she turns away from someone they can no longer hear her. ? ?? And it's ok to be casual and goofy with Rafael again. ] I mean, not a guy because you're my guy. But a weapons guy. Back in September, I got to use this great axe on a dragon that ate Spike, and — [ It was awesome. That much is written all over her face. I mean, she used it on people too, which was traumatizing, but they've already talked about how she feels about that, so she's choosing not to touch upon it. ]

Hey, do you wanna try 'em out? [ She looks over, then quickly clarifies in a quieter voice. ] I mean, on targets. Not people.

[ rafael gently corrals her out of there as she talks, and as they head out of the cafe, he tilts his head and responds: ] Si, I would enjoy a chance to see what they can do, but it may have to wait until we are back at your castle. Anything here may... draw attention we do not need. As for where I found him, he was supplied to me by the Resistance. They have an endless web of such contacts, some more reliable than others.

[ as they head up the street, the case gripped in his other hand, he glances back down at her, and repeats: ] "Your guy", eh? [ in case you thought he was gonna gloss over that, no you're precious ] I am liking the sound of that.

[ Biting her lip, coy and sheepish, she lifts her gaze to meet his. ]

Yeah? [ She tugs at his free hand to stop him so she can lean up and catch him in a chaste but lingering kiss. As she breaks it, she blinks to look up at him again, but keeps her nose close to his. ] Guess we've got that in common too.

[ She threads her fingers through his more decisively then and teases him gently. ] My castle, my guy, my very own chart-topping Rafael Giovanni hit … I've got all kinds of cool stuff lately. [ And for the first time, strolling down the venetian cobblestone, she looks genuinely satisfied. That said, her brow furrows a bit and she looks skyward, thoughtful. ] I always kinda got the impression you liked drawing attention. [ The shit-eating grin creeps through a beat later, of course. ]

[ he smirks down at her, mulling that over, rather than denying it outright ] That depends on the situation, carina. It is rather difficult to be a successful assassin when one does so by drawing a crowd, for one.

[ She seems to pick at part of that sentence, a slight crease in her forehead, then a thoughtful nod. Sticking with the assassin title. All right. ]

Hey, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm just saying you're kind of a show-off. [ Yes let's stick to teasing instead of discussing Rafael's career plans. ]

[ with a nat 20 he catches that expression, frowning slightly but deciding not to press the issue either ] It is 'showing off' to have pride in one's skills?

[ After a pause, she gets mock-serious. ] I'm sorry, is that a rhetorical question? Or is this a language barrier thing because I'm pretty sure that's exactly the definition of showing off. [ But the ensuing laugh at least acknowledges her hyperbole. ]

How lucky for me that you are here to keep this pride of mine in check, then.

Uh oh. If that's supposed to be my job, we're in real trouble. 'Cause, uh. [ nose crinkling like she's getting away with something, she explains, ] I kinda like it when you show off.

[ he draws her to a stop before they exit this off-street, pulling up short in her space as he turns to face her, all heart eyes motherfucker ] Perhaps it is best if we embrace trouble as a part of us, then. [ one hand brushes her cheek, gaze lingering across her face even as he keeps that smirk on his face ] Why fight it, si? [ and he's just gonna steal one last kiss before they wind up in too-public territory. ]

[ Well, she's certainly not fighting this. She draws the kiss out, lingering pleasantly in his warmth, raising one hand to rest against his chest. For a moment, it's to pull him closer, but she steadily turns to trying to help her

stop.

Because they need room for Jesus and can't just stand around making out (unfortunately; from Buffy's perspective, that sounds fairly tempting). ]

Solid embrace. Ten out of ten. Would embrace again. [ She mumbles it absently, brushing her nose against his as she disengages. Well, partly disengages. Her hand finds his and threads their fingers together again. Obviously the hand that doesn't have a briefcase in it. ]

[ a listen check of 15+ is what it takes to hear the shutter noise, and rafael turns his head to notice the woman snapping an image of the two of them, before sliding back around the corner. he frowns a tiny bit, but doesn't look ready to chase her down or anything. ] ... I suppose that was only a matter of time. [ he runs his hand through her hair, focusing back on her, before drawing back, keeping his hand tight in hers ] I am sorry, carina, for any of the... attention you will be receiving. I suppose some of that is unavoidable.

[ She picks up on the sound, but it's not until Rafael's reflexively turning that she really puts it together that oh hey. That's. A sound directed at them. Startled, she glances over as the woman takes off, not really getting time to be uncomfortable even before the small intrusion has passed. She blinks it off once Rafael starts to apologize, looking back up at him. ]

I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into.

[ Her free hand lifts to smooth over his cheek, affectionately basking for a moment, then she moves with him out into the wider thoroughfare and out of the apparently not-so-apparent side street. ]

As people stalking us in Italy goes, wannabe paparazzi? Definitely the low end of the stress continuum. [ See: every other time they've had in Italy ever. ]

I know it may not compare to risking your life, but not all the speculation will paint you and I in a very positive light, I am sure. [ while he includes himself in that, it's clear that he means they'll probably hate on her, b/c sexism ] Whatever you wish me to tell them, I will, and whatever you wish to remain ours, I will do the same. [ he squeezes her hand as they walk ] I would not have your life made more... complicated than it must be.

[ The immediate blank stare is brought to you by a wisdom check crit fail. But given that Buffy literally threw Burt out of their hotel room by his collar like x number of months ago for this exact reason, that wisdom check deserved an action point, bringing it to 18 as she susses out the practical complications here.

Sighing her understanding, she nods, glancing aside. ] Because of Isabella.

[ And Jade. And the trial. And therapy. The more she thinks about what parts of their life have been public, the worse it looks. She and Kat introduced the concert where Jade died. She tried to call herself the Black Scourge at his trial. Rafael mentioned her in his Grammys speech. Then a few months later, he's waxing poetic about her on stage and they're caught snogging in dark corners in Venice. There are a lot of threads to pull at, none of them from good moments.

Though she looks momentarily pressed by the notion, eyes flicking shut, grim resolution tightening her jaw, she does pack it away quickly. ]

It doesn't matter. [ Dragging her gaze back to his, there's trust and confidence waiting there. ] Whatever they say, I know what the truth is. Besides, it's not like they can hound outside my windows snapping photos. I live in a secret headquarters. [ Wait maybe that's just making this more inconvenient because what if they try to follow her there. Her slight grimace is fleeting, dismissed a moment later with the breezy suggestion, ] But given that, if you wanted to teach me how to shake a tail, I wouldn't say no.

[ It's hard to ruffle her feathers outside a life or death situation, ok. ]

That is something I know all too much about, si. [ there's wry humor in the way he glances casually to the side. ] Now seems as good a time as any. [ and with that, he nods into the center of a crowd, smirking at her once, before pulling her that way with a subtle shift in speed.

/ROMANTICALLY TEACHES ASSASSIN TRICKS ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE CAR this is real life

what a beautiful vacation lbr ]

[ Well tbf they just came out of a shady fucking backroom arms deal. It's the only kind of vacation they're capable of. Let's all take a moment to breathe a collective sigh of relief that they got a snapshot of Rafael and Buffy making out and not one of him walking out of a shady backroom arms deal. That's a good way to wind up with more therapy. Which ... wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for him ...

She trails after him, matching his speed and smoothly stepping around the mass of bodies that they shuffle in through (dex 21 ? ?? idk rolls things yolo). Her hand stays firmly in his, as if she's not yet ready to go without touching him in case all this turns out to be a really good dream.

And while they walk, she figures out an answer to his "whatever you wish me to tell them" comment. Because, well, it does bear thought. It's not like the truth is an option. ]

You know, I'm actually pretty surprised Burt didn't walk us into this months ago. I might actually have to thank him next time I see him. [ Beat. ] ... Okay, maybe nothing that extreme. But I'm serious. Maybe he'll have a good idea of what to say and not say. This is his thing.

That it is, I suppose. [ it's a grudging acceptance, b/c no one ever really wants to be gungho above putting any power in burt's hands lbr ] He will... probably know how to handle this.

And you know how to handle him.

[ AKA we don't need the undiluted Burt Becksworth plan of attack let's be clear. On the other hand, that sounds sexual (or maybe it only sounds sexual to me because I wrote so much NOVA porn), so after a quiet pause, Buffy adds a little defensively, ] ... Professionally.

[ Obviously. ]

It'll work out. And if it doesn't, I give up my rollicking life on the road and resign myself to midwifery with Myri. [ Another pause. ] Wait. It's ... not called that anymore, after the baby's born, is it? Midwifery is just such a cooler word than nanny. [ This is approximately how seriously Buffy takes paparazzi problems. Be that ignorance or perspective, we just don't know. ]

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