Avilio: A Short Story

Avilio, being the serial pick pocket he is, manages to get the pair enough money to stay in a dinky inn on their way to the next town. The building is a sad sight, being nothing more than shabby wooden planks being held together by faith and strong glue. Nero is thoroughly convinced that if he sneezes hard enough, the building would collapse on its own.
“We’d like to stay for a night. Two if possible.” An old lady with no teeth stands at the counter with a black cat on her shoulder. The cat hisses at them and Nero’s stomach flips a little. He’s always hated cats ever since he was bit by one when he was younger.
“Would you two like different rooms or-“
“We’ll take one room.” Nero chokes and grabs Avilio in a headlock, giving the old lady an apologetic look before dragging his traveling companion off into the corner.
“There’s no way I’m sharing a room
Incredibly, Avilio fucking pouts, he pouts when Nero takes the things over to the couch and Nero has to hold back on releasing a string of expletives. What kind of grown man pouted when having pillows taken away?
It goes unsaid, but they both silently agree that sleeping early would be best and Nero retires to the couch while Avilio switches off the gas lamp near the bed. The only light in their room comes from the moon filtering through the thin curtain and it reminds Nero of the lake.
“What were you doing down there?” Nero is surprised at the question and doesn’t know what to say.
“Doing some thinking.”
“About what?” “Do you…have any siblings? Or rather, have you ever lost someone important to you?”
The room grows eerily quiet and Nero begins to think that Avilio had fallen asleep, but the other finally replies after a long silence.
“No.”
After that, Nero doesn’t know what to say and falls into a deep sleep, completely unaware of the fact that Avilio lay awake with cold, dark