| |
|
Sage let Alessandro guide him in the direction he assumed the clothes were at. He was suddenly glad he'd asked him to come with, because if he'd stepped out of the car alone, he wasn't sure he'd have even gone in the place. And if he had, he may very well have just come back outside immediately, having bought nothing. His gaze flickered over to Alessandro when he spoke up, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. He trusted him. And he knew where he was going....what to look for, what all Sage needed. He'd just been planning on getting a hoodie or two, but Alessandro seemed to have other plans. The store had everything. Even once they found the clothes section, there were so many choices to look at. He froze for a second, just looking around at it all, before making the move to step forwards again, tugging Alessandro along with him. He just started at the first rack of clothes he saw - coats and jackets. With winter coming soon, he figured he'd need one. He rather liked the longer styles, fingers finding a black one with gold buttons that would fit him well. "What do you think," he asked, peering back at Alessandro. When he was reassured that it would look good on him, he placed it over his arm before grabbing Alessadnro's hand and heading to the next section, a grin starting to form on his face. He'd bounced through the rows of clothes soon enough, finding plenty more clothes, warmer and otherwise, that he liked. He had gone through the entire section soon enough, and as he'd turned to say he was all good, the glint of the jewlry section caught his eye. He let out a rather undignified squeak of excitement, scrambling over to oogle at the gems there. Mostly earrings, but some necklaces too. He had a a lot of piercings in his ears, but the only jewlry he had so far was a few cheap ones he'd gotten off a pawn shop years ago. But these? These were magnificent. His eyes were shining as he peered down the rows of sparkling chains and such, picking up ones he liked and then puttign them back when he found another and couldn't decide which he liked more. There were so many, but these were much more expensive than the clothes, so he still felt a bit like he had to limit hismelf. |
|  |
|
| |
|
Alessandro let Sage pull him along without resistance, matching his pace easily, amused by the way his curiosity slowly overrode his nerves. It was good to see—watching him open up like this, shoulders loosening, steps lighter, eyes starting to shine instead of dart. When Sage held up the black coat with the gold buttons, Alessandro gave it a slow, deliberate look—starting at the fabric, lingering far longer on the way Sage would fill it out. “That?” he murmured, leaning in just enough that his breath brushed Sage’s ear. “That’s dangerous.” He smirked when Sage glanced back at him. “Long lines. Dark color. Gold accents.” His voice dropped. “Makes you look like someone people follow into bad decisions.” He didn’t miss the way Sage’s grin widened as he dragged him onward. Alessandro allowed himself to be tugged through rack after rack, occasionally plucking something from a hanger just to hold it up beside Sage’s frame. “Too soft,” he’d comment once. “Too loud,” another time. “That one stays on the floor when you take it off—remember that.” By the time Sage made his way to the jewelry section, Alessandro already knew he’d lost him. The squeak earned a quiet chuckle from Alessandro as he followed, arms folding loosely while Sage hovered over the displays like a magpie. The way his eyes caught the light—bright, intent, almost reverent—did things Alessandro absolutely didn’t need happening in public. Sage picked up one chain, then another, indecisive, clearly trying to talk himself out of wanting too much. Alessandro stepped closer, close enough that his chest brushed Sage’s shoulder as he looked over the display with him. “You know,” he said softly, voice pitched low and private, “there’s something very distracting about you choosing jewelry.” He tilted his head, gaze flicking to Sage’s ears. “All those piercings. All that bare skin.” A pause. “Feels like you’re daring me to imagine how they’d look… later. When you’re not wearing much else.” He reached out, lifted one of the chains Sage had just set down, letting it glint between his fingers. “This one,” Alessandro added calmly. “Against your throat. Right there.” His knuckle hovered near Sage’s collarbone without touching. “I’d see it every time you tilt your head back.” A beat. “And if price is what’s making you hesitate,” he finished, voice smooth, assured, “then stop. I didn’t bring you here to practice restraint.” His mouth curved slightly as he leaned in again, murmuring just for Sage: “Besides… I like investing in things I plan on taking my time with.” |
|
|
| |
|
Sage had felt a light blush spread across his face when Alessadnro commented on the coat, but had quickly moved on. Of course, his little comments were snuck into casual conversation as he moved through the store, which kept a fairly constant blush on Sage's face. When they reached the jewelry section though, his casual demeanor had shifted to something slightly darker, Sage could feel it the moment his gaze on him sharpened. When he stepped close to peer over his shoulder, voice low and smooth, he froze, face suddenly flaming. "Ale," he sort of squeaked in protest, though he made no move to step away, or stop him. At his comment about the necklace, and how exactly he wanted to see it, his breath hitched, mouth opening to respond. When he failed to come up with a decent response, he huffed out a breath and satched the necklace from him. "Fine. We're getting it then," he noted. When his voice turned more casual, reassuring him again about the price, he groaned but grabbed a few other favorites - another twoo necklaces, one more of a choker and one longer, so he could layer the three of them he'd picked out, and a few sets of earrings, some studs and some longer. One pair was both, with a chain connecting them. Needless to say, he was too excited about it to feel bed for spending so much. He also knew he'd likely become a frequent visitor to this specific corner of the mall. Store. Whatever the hell this was. He did nearly choke on his own spit at checkout, but when Alessandro didn't even bat at eye at the very large sum of money he was spending, he figured the guy had probaly spent plenty during his own shopping sprees before, so he made up his mind that it really didn't matter. He paid without an issue. He grabbed the bags then, shifting them to one hand so he could still wrap himself around Alessandro's arm with the other, still buzzing with excitement as they left the store. That would wear off soon, he knew, but for now he was awake. His guess was right, since about halfway back to the house, he found himself growing tired. Very tired. He supposed he hadn't slept too much. Withough meaning to, he'd slumped against Alessandro, resting neatly into his side, head perched lightly on his shoulder as his eyes fluttered shut. Asleep. Still with a lingering smile on his face. |
| |
|
| |
|
Alessandro noticed the blush long before Sage noticed it himself. It stayed with him—soft, constant—like a tell he wasn’t even trying to hide anymore. Alessandro let his comments thread through the shopping casually on purpose, low and easy, just enough to keep Sage aware of him without ever quite giving him time to recover. When they reached the jewelry and Sage froze under his gaze, Alessandro felt that shift too. He didn’t rush it. He never did. At the squeaked Ale, his mouth curved, satisfied, but he stayed close. When Sage snatched the necklace from his hand, Alessandro gave a quiet, approving hum. “Good,” he said simply, eyes dark with amusement. “Decisive looks good on you.” He watched Sage gather the rest—layered chains, earrings that would catch light, pieces that would move when Sage did. Alessandro catalogued them all without comment, already imagining where they’d sit, how they’d sway. Outside the store, when Sage hooked himself back onto his arm, Alessandro’s hand came up automatically, settling warm and firm at Sage’s waist to steady the bags. “You’re glowing,” he murmured, just for him. “Careful. People will start staring.” The drive back was quieter. Alessandro noticed the moment Sage’s energy began to drain—the way his movements slowed, his head tipped, his weight shifted closer without thinking. When Sage slumped against him, asleep almost instantly, Alessandro didn’t move. He adjusted slightly instead, angling his shoulder to make it easier, his hand coming up to rest flat against Sage’s back—solid, grounding. He glanced toward Matteo in the rearview mirror, lifting his brows just a fraction. Let him sleep. Then Alessandro looked back down at Sage, the lingering smile still there, unguarded. His expression softened in a way very few people ever saw. He patted his head softly, noting how soft his hair was. “Yeah,” he murmured under his breath. “I’ve got you.” And he stayed still the rest of the ride, instinctively protective, letting Sage rest against him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage could feel Alessandro's gaze on him as he finished picking the jewelry out. So he liked the shiney things on him. He filed that thought away for later, just like Alessandro was no doubt filing away thoughts of his own. He shot him a glare at his comment about people looking, though there was no real malice behind it. "So are you," he mused. 'That's all I care about," he added with a grin before tossing the bags in the trunk and slipping into the car. He hadn't realized he'd dozed off until he woke up on a couch somewhere, a soft blanket tucked neatly around his shoulders. He shifted groggily, catching sight of Alessandro sitting there next to him, doing something on his tablet. It pulled a soft smile to his face, and he shifted slightly so he could lean against him and peer down at the device, humming a small 'Whatcha doing?" He wasn't really interested in the logistics of what all Alessandro did on a daily basis, but it was an excuse to lean into him. Learn a bit more about what his responsibilities were, how he spent his day to day life. And that was important to him. |
| |
|
| |
|
Alessandro had noticed the glare—and the grin that followed it—and filed that away too. He hadn’t argued. He rarely did when Sage looked like that. Now, back at the house, the tablet rested loosely in his hands, its glow dimmed. He hadn’t meant to start working again, not really, but old habits were hard to kill. Numbers, schedules, a quiet confirmation here and there. Enough to keep the machine running while everything else stayed still. He felt Sage stir before he saw him move. Alessandro glanced down just in time to catch the soft smile, the way Sage shifted closer without asking. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he adjusted—subtle, practiced—angling himself so Sage could lean more comfortably against his side, one arm settling along the back of the couch behind him. Not holding. Just there. At the hum of whatcha doing? he let out a quiet breath through his nose, something almost like a chuckle. “Making sure the world doesn’t fall apart while you sleep,” he said calmly, eyes flicking back to the screen for a moment. “Paperwork. Boring things. Things people assume I enjoy.” He tilted the tablet just enough that Sage could see without having to strain, though he didn’t go into detail. Names were blurred. Numbers meant nothing without context. Alessandro was careful like that. His gaze shifted to Sage again, lingering a beat longer than necessary. “You sleep hard,” he added, lower now. “Didn’t even flinch when I moved you.” There was something quietly pleased in his tone—not possessive, not smug. Just… aware. He let the moment sit, unhurried, his attention split between the tablet and the warmth pressed into his side, as if this—this closeness—had already found its place in his routine. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage felt a small smile form on his face when Alessandro shifted to make him more comfortable, noting the arm moving behind him. The almost absentminded shift. It was nice, especially after he'd left the night before. When he was told he was just doing paperwork, and caught a glimpse of the screen - numbers and names that meant nothing to him and was just as boring as was described - he just chuckled softly, voice still laced with sleep. "Doesn't look enjoyable," he agreed with a small shake of his head. When Alessandro mentioned him sleeping hard, he sort of wrinkled his nose. "I was tired," he whined. "You kept me up all night," he added, poking his chest gently in a sort of mock offended way. He lingered at Alessandro's side for a while longer as he woke, just enjoying the closeness. The heat of his body pressed against his. The moments like this, he thought, were even better than the more imtimate ones - though those were quite nice too. But there was just something about being held. Cared for. Something he hadn't known he was previously missing until he had discovered it. It was special. Eventually though, he did make the move to get up with a sigh. "I should go put all the stuff we just got away," he noted, keeping the blanket wrapped around his shoulders as he moved away. He paused though, turning back and placign a light peck to Alessandro's lips. "Thanks for the date, love," he mused. Then, quickly as he'd turned, he was gone, habing grabbed the bags and left to unpack them in his room. |
| |
|
| |
|
Alessandro felt the warmth of Sage pressed against him for a moment longer than necessary, letting himself savor it quietly. His gaze lingered on the curve of Sage’s shoulder, the way he seemed to melt into the couch, content and unbothered. He allowed a faint, almost imperceptible smile to twitch at the corners of his lips. When Sage wrinkled his nose at him, Alessandro’s own expression softened just a fraction. “Kept you up?” he repeated, a low chuckle rumbling through his chest. He tilted his head slightly, feigning innocence while letting the implication linger. “I remember the one begging for it was you,” he added, letting the words hover with a teasing weight. Alessandro watched as Sage finally stirred, getting up with a reluctant sigh. He kept his attention on him, catching the quick peck and the whispered “thanks for the date, love.” It hit him in a way that was subtle but undeniable. His hand twitched almost instinctively, wishing he could reach out again, but he stayed seated, letting Sage move freely. He murmured under his breath, almost to himself, “Always… always trying to make me miss you.” Alessandro stayed on the couch for a moment longer, letting the quiet settle around him. He stared at the faint swirl of sunlight cutting across the floor, his mind calculating and cataloging the day, the way Sage had leaned into him, the words he’d just whispered. He hadn’t felt this before—not like this. Not with anyone. And yet, there was no rush to act on it. He didn’t need to. He knew he’d remember every little moment Sage gave him, every small gesture, and he’d let it build quietly, carefully. After all, Alessandro always played the long game. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage had chuckled softly when Alessadnro argued back about keeping him up. "Maybe I started it...but you're the one who slowed down. Something about....having all night to play," he noted, eyebrows rising slightly. He'd moved to shift off the couch though, grinning to himself as he heard the other man's grumble as he slipped out of the room. He'd see him again soon, so he wasn't too concerned about it. He did want to get this stuff put away though...there was a lot of it, and without the blanket around his shoulders he was starting to get a little bit cold again. So, he moved to pick out a slightly warmer shirt to put on, before working at putting all the other clothes away where he wanted them to go, hanging the coat up where it was easily accessible. The jewelry he was excited about, for a couple different reasons, so he wasted no time in slipping to the bathroom and putting them on, arranging them in a way that looked good, in a slightly unbothered messy but still neat sort of look. Hopefully Alessandro would like them. Once that was done it was about the time ALessadnro started to make dinner, so he wandered down to the kitchen to see if he was there and wanted any help. He was, in fact, at the counter, doing...something when Sage entered the kitchen. He cross the room quickly, sort of leaning in to see what he was doing. Huming a quick "Need any help?" |
| |
|
| |
|
Alessandro felt a low, amused rumble in his chest at Sage’s comment, letting his gaze flick up briefly to meet his. “All night to play, huh?” he murmured, voice smooth and just teasing enough to make the words linger. He let the glance slide down Sage’s figure, catching the slight flush on his cheeks, before returning to the task at hand, though his mind was far from the chopping board. His eyes flicked down to the delicate stack of necklaces Sage had chosen earlier, layered perfectly around his neck. A faint smile tugged at his lips. “That stack suits you,” he murmured, letting the words linger in the air between them, “though I’d say it’d look better if I had a hand helping you adjust it…properly.” He grinned faintly as Sage leaned over, the heat from his body brushing against Alessandro’s side. “Maybe I slowed down…but I’d hardly call it a penalty,” he murmured, letting the words carry a subtle undertone that made the point just as clear as Sage’s blush. When Sage offered to help, Alessandro didn’t look up immediately, letting his hands move over the ingredients in a way that was careful but deliberate. “Unless you want to taste-test,” he said lowly, tilting his head just so, letting the words brush the air like a whisper, “I’ve got this handled.” Still, he allowed himself a slow glance over his shoulder as Sage hovered nearby, noting the way he carried himself, the confidence mixed with just enough excitement. “Careful,” Alessandro added, letting his tone dip just slightly, “or I might put you to work in more ways than just stirring.” He set the knife down for a moment, leaning lightly against the counter so that their proximity became more deliberate, the heat between them palpable. “But…if you insist on helping, I won’t stop you,” he added with a small, dark smile, letting the subtle innuendo hang there, just enough to make Sage’s mind—and heart—skip. |
|
|
Afternoon Storms, then Clearing
