francesco pazzi - medici : the magnificent 

‘you are a medici. i am a pazzi. we could never be truly friends.’ for @inprometheanfire​

@shadxwcd​​ sent: 💏 for Maria and Cesco

→ fifty ways to kiss someone | …out of envy or jealousy.

Maybe he shouldn’t have had so much to drink tonight. Now his head’s a mess and his heart’s heavy in his chest. And everything he wants to say is lost to the space between them in this crowded room. He sees them talking by the bar, though he’s not certain what’s going on. Conversation, of course. He swears Maria’s leaning a little closer into this unnamed stranger who’s making her laugh like she so often does with him. Or it’s all in his head. Sometimes, it’s so hard to tell. He’s the jealous type, though he refuses to admit it. And he hates when she goes out on her own because anyone like this asshole at the bar can approach her, talk to her, make her laugh the way she’s laughing now. But it’s not that she can’t engage in a conversation with someone else, even when they’re out together. Of course that’s not it when Maria goes out with her friends all the time. No, it’s the argument they had earlier about something he can’t remember. It’s the way she told him to fuck off right before walking away. How she seemed wounded or distressed or angry when looking at him but is now smiling like nothing’s wrong with someone else. Is it on purpose? God, he hopes not. Maria’s not toxic like that, though, at times, he can be. Like now. Jealous and angry and wanting so much to beat the living shit out of the man talking to his girlfriend at the bar. How much longer can he watch this little scene of carefree banter? It’s too much, sitting back here in the corner of the room, seeing their mouths move but not hearing the words. It’s killing him on the inside to be left out and not know what’s being said. Or what’s got her smiling that pretty smile usually reserved for him. So, abruptly, he gets up without his drink, nearly stumbling as he rounds the small corner table and then approaches the bar where they’re standing and talking. But they stop. And Maria looks at him with something in her eyes that he can’t quite understand. The alcohol’s gone to his head and clouded his thinking. Nothing makes sense, not even when he takes hold of her upper arm and then leans in close without saying a word. The alcohol must be heavy on his breath, but she doesn’t push him away. It all happens so fast, too. The act itself is so absurd, so childish. It’s painfully obvious that he’s not feeling confident tonight. Not after their argument. Not after drinking so much his head hurts. The kiss is short because it’s only meant to let the stranger know Maria’s taken. He doesn’t linger either, pulling away almost immediately out of fear she might shove him back. Then, turning to look at the stranger, he grins triumphantly. This burning jealousy is almost too much to bear, but he’s certain the kiss has sharpened the point he’d wanted to prove. Even if Maria’s not impressed with how he’s acting right now. At least he has the excuse of being drunk. And he can pretend like he doesn’t remember come the morning.

movie posters - francesco pazzi - medici : the magnificent

@shadxwcd sent: Magdalena sits by her father's feet as he sits in his chair in the longue. She subtly wants to show off the improvements in her embroidery, and spend time close to him, without disturbing his rest or thoughts. (for papa cesco)

He just needs a few moments to collect himself while his thoughts calm down and his body relaxes. After working for so long at the bank ― no, after enduring through several hard-pressed conversations with his uncle, he needs some quiet to dissolve into. It should be enough to recuperate now that he’s home with his family. WIth his little girl sitting on the ground next to his chair. Outside of their palazzo is a natural chaos borne from the city that thrives in its crowds, streets, the very architecture. But here, in his home, he finds peace and order. Serenity. Though he is still weary from the day, he yearns for that familiar closeness with his daughter. To embrace her with all the gentleness left inside of him to give. Compared to him, Magdalena is so small and will forever remain as such no matter how tall she grows. It’s rather endearing to think of, though he hates to imagine his little girl all grown up. “Magdalena.” He sits forward now to better see what she’s doing while seated before him. Besides that curiosity, he just needs something to feel better, lighter. Something to make all of the worries from today slip away. “Come here and sit with me. I want to hear all about your day.”

@shadxwcd​​ said: Maria cups Francesco's face and kisses him softly.

Sometimes, he wonders what he could have done to deserve a love like this ― but she’s here with everything to give and no reservations. Maria is the embodiment of what he’s always wanted but never knew he needed. And he expresses the depth of those feelings through the only way he knows how: returning affection in brief glances and subtle kisses. Holding her close. Never letting her go. It’s almost unreal to be held in the center of her universe, though he doesn’t doubt the profundity by which she loves. Like a dream. Something unfathomable that simply cannot belong to someone like him. Yet she’s remained by his side for what’s felt like an eternity. Their names are synonymous as if they are one and the same, meant to be together. Predestined, if one believes in such things. With her, Francesco finds it easy to believe. When she’s gentle towards him, softened gaze and softer kisses. Loving him like he means something. Where did she come from? And for how long will this last? He won’t risk losing her by overthinking the origin or its reasons. So, he leans into the kiss with the same tenderness for fear of the moment slipping away, brows furrowed as he deepens it, both arms instinctively wrapping around her waist to press her close. Just in case. She tastes like everything he should be with all that inherent warmth and compassion he’s afraid to reveal. Briefly, he pulls away to catch his breath. Despite the slow rhythm of their kiss. And he, in need of time that’ll allow him to calm down, presses his forehead to hers, taking in each breath that she exhales. Maria, he murmurs to himself. Maria. Her name over and over again like a prayer to reconcile his body with this realm. To ground himself in reality.  “You shouldn’t have done that.” Because he doesn’t have the time to get lost in her again.

@agoldenlily​​ sent: “ if i get married, i want it to be because of love, not because of a positive pregnancy test. “ - @ cesco wait what

i love you prompts

This is merely for the benefit of the child because Cesco’s values won’t allow him to walk away now, not that he’d planned on leaving anyway. Marrying her is the right and responsible thing to do whether love plays a part in the decision or not. But love is such an abject idea that it’s ruined family tradition and honor in its reckless pursuit of freedom. An imagined freedom, no less. Like emotions, love is fickle and unpredictable and not a stable enough foundation to build a marriage on. And it always seems to change from one passing interest to the next without stability or constancy. To him, it just makes sense to marry now that she’s pregnant. It is, after all, his responsibility. Despite everything, Cesco wonders why love is a part of the ultimatum at all. Is this her way of denying the proposal by saying love will never happen and, therefore, they can never marry? Or is it... no, it’s crazy to think that Elayne wants him to abandon all reason and to risk everything for this one chance at happiness. Does she truly live each day according to her feelings? Throwing caution to the wind and making choices based on the whims of her heart? He’s at a loss for words because this isn’t what he expected. Not the pregnancy and certainly not that word tossed around like it means something. Love. It’s real, but it’s not for them. Even if he’s nearly convinced that he’s felt it with her. But that’s just it. A feeling. When they’re alone together and his strength wavers and she’s unapologetically close like it’s her desire to weaken him, it’s then that he’s felt it in all its confusing shades. And it’s frustrating to look at her now when he can still taste the remnants of her kiss from that night. Since then, he’s tried in vain to stay away because they’re supposed to be friends and nothing more. “Well, we don’t have a choice.” He holds her gaze with his own, unwavering to prove just how serious he is. All the while, his heart races wildly with the possibility of something more between them, though he’s convinced it’s only resentment over these impulsive fancies. As she sits there on the edge of the bed, looking up at him with that softness in her eyes, Cesco refuses to relent. But someone must tell her the truth, that she’s acting like a little girl with dreams of a grand wedding where they easily fall in love and never experience problems. It’s unrealistic. Says Francesco who secretly believes in love at first sight. Sometimes, he wonders if he should just confess it. “You’re being childish, Elayne. And you know it.”

@tothedevilsshow​ sent: OVER? ( Lu / Francesco ♦ after a mutually reluctant (and unwanted but necessary) break-up, the sender calls/visits the receiver and tells them that they’re still in love with them.

→ i love you prompts 

He's weak. Time and time again, as if trying to prove himself wrong, he gives in. And how he hates himself for letting it get this far when they were supposed to be over. Coming here was a mistake. He knew it. Even though he'd planned on telling her that this is wrong and they should end things because they're married to other people. The words had hardly made their impression because the next thing he knew he was doing exactly what he promised he wouldn't. In her arms, in her bed. Giving in without a fight. The memory of Lucrezia’s kisses linger on flushed skin as he tries but fails to move away. His body remembers her too much. Every time they’d say goodbye. Every inflamed touch. Always, this torment lives within. From the marrow of his bones to the surface of his skin, he can’t seem to shake her like she lives inside of him. Like she’s permanently fastened to those most secret places he’d tried so hard to detach from. How can he live without her now? When he’s gotten so used to her that a separation doesn’t make sense anymore. Even though it was his decision to come here and officially end things between them, he’s having a hard time sticking to the plan. And she knows it, doesn’t she? That’s why she didn’t bother trying to stop this from happening all over again. It’s why he’s here. It’s why he came here instead of calling or texting. The way that Lucrezia loves is addicting, and Francesco knows that he’ll never be free of it. Maybe that’s why he came here at all. Deep down, feelings would inevitably take over. Once, he’d prided himself on his sense of reasoning. He has a tendency to overthink the simplest of situations. Now, he’s something short of desperate for that which he cannot name. Or refuses to name. Even if he’s admitted it within himself, it’s not easy to say it out loud because that makes it true. Kind of like coming here when he knew damned well that this would happen. At least the blame isn’t his burden to bear. It's her fault. It's her. Always her. “I hate what you do to me.” His breath whispers over her lips, wanting so much to capture them in yet another fervent kiss but denying himself the pleasure. He can’t. He’s got to learn how to resist her, even if they’ve already given into the other. By now, they should know that goodbye is never goodbye. And that they’ll never find the strength to quit each other. “But I don’t ever want you to stop.”

@shadxwcd sent: "You need to have words with Guglielmino this evening. I was summoned to the school today because he started a fight in the school yard, apparently for my honour. Working with him to manage his anger will be needed as well." Maria to Cesco (Maria is so stressed by Mino sometimes XD she is just feeling very wound up by all this)

Why is he not surprised that Guglielmino has gotten himself into trouble again? Though, this time, he’s actually started a fight at school, which is something Francesco would've done at that age if he had a mother to defend. Though he doesn’t want to seem like a hypocrite by scolding his son for what happened in the school yard, he likewise doesn’t want to upset Maria by ignoring the problem or making light of it. With a heavy sigh, he decides that it’s best to play the role of a hypocrite. Besides, his son can’t hold it against him when none of their children know who their father used to be. Cesco can defend that it was a long time ago, that his uncle encouraged him to do it, that he was merely a child around Mino’s age when he’d get into fights. There is some truth to each of those claims, but his uncle couldn’t have made him do anything. And he’d continued to fight anyone who got in his way well after childhood. Anyone he thought deserved it.  But he’s different now and will prove that by talking to Guglielmino about how he, as young as he is, ought to manage his anger. There’s no need to cause anymore trouble, especially for his mother who is obviously very stressed by the situation. Of all their children, it’s Mino who gets into the most trouble. Cesco can only imagine how heavy the burden is on her shoulders. “I’ll take care of it,” he promises, holding her around the waist from behind. “In the meantime, don't let it get to you. That’s why I’m here.”