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Diavolo strolled down the path in the Vatican’s bamboo forest, whistling. It was summer, so he’d forgone the long-sleeved clerical shirt in favor of the short-sleeved. Even that wasn’t enough to beat the heat, so he’d rolled up the sleeves into a makeshift tank top. His tattoos shone in the sun.
A hand shot out and grabbed his forearm. Diavolo yelped as he was yanked into a clearing and shoved against a stalk of bamboo. Pain sprouted in the back of his head. A red-faced Voiello grabbed two fistfuls of his young intern’s shirt and shook him. He was surprisingly strong for his statur. Diavolo filed that away for later.
“Ma che cazzo-“
“Shh!” The short man hissed. He shook Diavolo again. “What have you done to me, you little shit?!”
Diavolo cocked his head in confusion. Had he gone too far with his teasing? Was Voiello genuinely mad? “I’m sorry, Eminence, I don’t-“
Voiello groaned in frustration, dropping his hands. “Of course you’d pretend not to know what I’m talking about. Out with it! What spell have you cast?”
Diavolo smoothed his shirtfront and raised his eyebrows. “Well, maybe if you gave me more context, I’d be able to help you.” A teasing smile tugged at his mouth.
“I cannot get you out of my head! It’s infuriating! You’re the first thought when I wake up, and the last when I go to bed. Even then, you torment me. You come into my dreams like… Tempting me with… w-with…” Voiello blushed deeply, trailing off.
Suddenly, it clicked.
“Do you have a crush on me, Your Eminence?” Diavolo asked. He stifled the giggle building in his throat. Voiello was really adorable when he was flustered. Diavolo wondered how hard he could push Voiello’s buttons.
“W-what?! No! Of course not! I take my vows very seriously. Romantic attachments are out of t-the question.” The cardinal stammered. He fidgeted with his ring, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
Diavolo stepped forward. Voiello stepped back.
“I think you do. I think you like me and you’re too proud to admit it. Because if you admit it, you’ve lost your precious self-control.” The younger man took another step forward. Knowing he had this effect on someone as composed as Voiello made his pulse quicken.
Voiello, on the other hand, was praying that the ground would open up and swallow him whole. He took another step back… and felt solid bamboo. The short man squeaked. Diavolo took another step forward, and stopped. Once again, their faces were inches apart.
“What do you want, Angelo? You can tell me.” Diavolo braced his hand against the bamboo stalk above Voiello’s head, effectively caging him in. If it had been anyone else using his first name, Voiello would have them excommunicated. Instead, a pleasant shiver shot down his spine.
“I… I don’t…” Voiello murmured. He stared up at Diavolo, unable to look away. He was enamored with this young man, and now he understood why Samson gave in to temptation. Diavolo was the human embodiment of the forbidden fruit. Una mela, so to speak. “I don’t deserve it.” He sighed, eyes downcast.
“Bah. ‘Do I deserve it?’ ‘Am I worth it?’ These are irrelevant, Your Eminence. What do you want?” Diavolo leaned forward, hazel eyes sparkling. This close, Voiello could feel the taller man’s breath fanning across his face. His hand shook as he fumbled for his pectoral cross, searching for something to ground himself.
“I… I w-want…” Voiello stuttered. Diavolo cupped his Cardinal’s cheek gently, brushing his finger over the prominent mole.
“It’s alright, Angelo. I won’t tell a soul. It’s just us and God out here.” The young man smiled reassuringly.
“Voglio baciarti, per favore.” Voiello breathed. He braced for a blow that didn’t fall, a slap that never came. Instead, Diavolo stroked his thumb over his boss’s cheekbone.
“Pucker up, lover boy...” And he gently touched his lips to Voiello’s.
The kiss was soft and feather-light. Diavolo was testing the water. Right as Voiello recovered from his surprise and started kissing back, the younger man pulled back. The Secretary of State chased his mouth pathetically, whimpering in protest.
“I’ll see you for lunch, Your Eminence.” Diavolo purred. Leaving one last peck on Voiello’s cheek, he sauntered away, leaving Voiello very confused and very, very flustered.