[fiias]

fia watched him appear to process what she'd said, her heart practically beating out of her chest in the meantime. it had been a last-ditch effort, sure, but she really was hoping that it paid off. thrilled at the sight of his smile, one began to cross her own face, and when he held out a hand she needed little more incentive to hurry across the room and wrap her arms around his middle. she pressed her face into his chest, breathing in the lovely and comforting scent of detergent she'd only ever caught in passing. "i dunno what you did to me," she said, voice muffled by the fabric of his hoodie. "but i don't care as long as you promise you'll keep doing it for a long, long time."

[alesscndros]

he'd anticipated another painful stretch of silence, or a slightly less painful outright rebuttal. either would have been deserved. but he needn't have worried at all, because no sooner had silence settled than it was broken again by hurried steps. a soft 'oof' exhaled in surprise as he was embraced, though a satisfied hum quickly followed. he wrapped his arms around her waist, tight but not restrictive. "think i can probably manage that," though even he didn't know what he'd done. "so... you, uh, wanna stick around for a long time?" grinning, he pressed his face into her hair. "i know i told you to go, but i really didn't want you to. at all. i want you to stay. and be with me." voice dropped to a whisper, "i was so scared you were going to leave for good, then. you've kept me going."

[fiias]

"right, of course," fia affirmed with a smile. some of the few times she'd seen sandro soften before now were when he was talking to or about his brother, so it hardly surprised her that milo would be the first to be told. she had always cautiously admired him for being a good sibling, and she could only hope that the younger trezza accepted her with as little resistance as possible. she hummed a thoughtful note at his offer, her sense of pride warring with her ambition. "i might take you up on that," she finally admitted, then couldn't help a grin as she added, "you'll be a good reference, yeah?" her other hand continued to stroke at the back of his neck, expression softening at his question. "hey, i meant it when i said i want to stay as long as you'll let me." whether it was just this one night or the rest of their lives, she was at his disposal.

[alesscndros]

"oh, of course. the reference to end all other references, no one will be able to refuse you anything." a sentiment he could already say with confidence would be echoed in his own treatment of her. she wasn't likely to ask, but he'd give her the world in a heartbeat if she did. "it's a good thing you already know this place, then, because it's your new home... as long as you want it, obviously." maybe it was too soon -- but sandro figured if you counted the whole time they'd known each other it was less unconventional. turned to kiss her head again, freezing in that position. "if i really had it my way, we'd never move again."

[fiias]

fia pressed her lips together and nodded to herself, sandro's mean-spirited laugh getting to her more than she wanted it to. she gave a laugh of her own, more a quick exhalation than anything. christ, what was she doing there? "yeah, i'll go," she said quietly, turning her back on sandro to leave. she stood motionless for a moment or two, then spoke again, "you know what? fuck it." she turned around again, soaking up the sight of him just in case it would be the last time. "i haven't been able to get you out of my head since i left earlier - ok, and if i'm being honest, it's been a problem for a lot longer than that. you act like you're just some stubborn, uncaring dick, but i know that's not true, and i want to get to know the real you. but if you're not interested in letting me in, i'll leave straight away, and you'll never hear from me again."

[alesscndros]

she appeared to make her way out then stop and he found himself frowning again, playing with a sleeve of his hoodie. sandro blinked in surprise when she spoke once more, bracing himself for a ( deserved ) onslaught. one that did not come. it turned out to be... the opposite, almost. sofia had been the brave one, the first to voice the thoughts they'd apparently both been harbouring for months on end. he bit hard on his bottom lip, trying and failing to prevent the grin from blossoming. hiding his hands in his face for a moment to try and gather himself, he only choked a quiet laugh out before hesitating to extend a hand in her direction. "can you -- will you come over here, a second, please?"

[fiias]

"good," fia said, nodding to herself. "that's good." the awkwardness that had settled between them felt like a physical barrier, and she was practically desperate for sandro to come back with something snarky - that way she could match his tone and they could go back and forth like they'd done before. after all, it hadn't always been meant in earnest; a few times it felt like they'd been bickering for the fun of it. he apologized, and she sucked in a sharp breath as if the words had made a physical impact. "it's ok," she said as soon as she'd recovered. "you've been through a lot of trauma, and you were - you were adjusting. a first-time caretaker bringing you croissants probably wasn't the help you needed. i just....i just want you to be ok. promise me you'll try to be ok."

[alesscndros]

there was something to be said for the ease of the back and forth a good chunk of their interactions fell into. sure, he'd been hiding behind the snark and sarcasm but retreating back into that now, tempting as it was as the awkward silence continued to suffocate them, felt disingenuous. sandro felt he couldn't backtrack, now that he'd exposed himself and the state he passed most of the day stuck in. "but that's not an excuse." even if he'd implicitly used it as one. he'd miss the first time caretaker far more than the croissants ( though they'd been very good ) and emitted a bitter-tinged laugh at her request. "mmhm. sure." the proverbial band-aid needed ripping off, the extended goodbye was beginning to fray at his nerves. sofia obviously wanted to go, so why wouldn't she just do it? "have you forgotten where the door is, or...?" the familiar sharper edge to his voice returned, hopefully not blunted too much by the thick emotion encasing his throat.

[fiias]

all right, it was a good sign at least that he wasn't yelling at her to get the hell out of his apartment. "uh - no. no, i - um -" she cleared her throat, still at a loss for what to say or how to explain herself. "i just feel like i left a little - er - abruptly. the agency will be sending someone new tomorrow, so - so you're covered in that regard. i just wanted to make sure that you're all set for today. that's - that's all."

[alesscndros]

he nodded slowly, brows starting to draw together in visible confusion. she seemed to know about as well as he did what she was doing back in the apartment. that didn't necessarily bode well, did it? "right," sandro let the disappointment ring through the statement, biting the inside of his cheek. "that's... good." well, actually, it was terrible news because it confirmed she really had quit. she was leaving. "i don't uh -- i don't think i need anything else," announced softly, "but..." he braced himself, chest aching all of a sudden. "i'm sorry it came to this. sorry for... treating you the way i did."

[fiias]

fia's expression softened at sandro's promise, her heart giving yet another excited little twirl. he was right - that bitter, jaded man wasn't who he was, and the real thing couldn't have been lovelier. "i'd like that," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. certainly she could do with having someone around to remind her to slow down and relax every once in a while; she had a feeling that a lazy morning or two spent with him would very quickly hook her. she giggled at his gesture, her hand slipping down his neck until it rested over the heart he'd just crossed. "'show me off,' huh?" she repeated as casually as she could, though she could hardly contain her excitement at the implication that her client boyfriend might soon be ready to brave the outside world. her own arms curled around his neck, and she sighed contentedly against his shoulder. "me, too. but i'm not leaving for a long, long, long time. i might just set this place up as my home base for the job search," she laughed.

[alesscndros]

he'd have his work cut out, no doubt, it seemed they were well-matched in stubbornness among everything else. but he was more than happy and willing to put in the work. "good," she'd learn to relax as much as he did and accept the affection he was excited to shower her with. clearly, he was good at getting what he wanted. "mmhm," affirmed softly, the prospect of leaving the apartment was still a daunting one, but already less so than it had been only a few hours earlier. with her at his side, sandro felt better equipped to tackle anything. "gonna tell my brother first." as was nearly always his primary instinct. he leant his cheek against the side of her head. he couldn't help but be relieved by the reassurance that she was going nowhere. sandro chuckled. "you should. and i can help you. i know more people than i can keep track of." a momentary pause. "does this mean you're staying the night?"

[fiias]

"oh, the chocolate was enjoyed solely by me," fia assured with a grin. "i ate a few bars while enjoying a nice soak with some of the fancy bath salts also unintentionally supplied by you." there were still some of the latter left the last she'd seen, so maybe they could enjoy them together....she had to tamp down an urge to squeal at sandro's vigorous nodding, delighted both by his eager acceptance of what felt like her heart and how absolutely adorable he looked doing so. "i won't," she refuted as soon as the words had left his mouth. "i want to take care of you because i care about you. i want to look after you and keep making you feel safe and see for myself that you, sandro trezza, will be around for a long -" she kissed his left cheek - "long - " the right. "time." another kiss to the lips, a bit shorter than their first but no less sweet. "but yeah, it will be in the capacity of partner rather than caretaker, and the kisses will not be payment, only signs of affection." she laughed at what he pointed out, reaching up to brush a thumb over his cheek. "still have to tell the people who hired me that i quit, don't i? i won't tell them how i spent my last shift if you don't."

[alesscndros]

"very nice," well, that was something, at least. he made a mental note that maybe those were two things she enjoyed -- he could use that information later. naturally, he wanted to spoil her rotten with every gift under the sun, but sandro knew already that she wouldn't be quite as receptive as he might like. he'd just have to start testing the waters. it wasn't all the reassurance he needed on the matter, but enough to satisfy him for the time being -- he'd be better off focusing on the joy of having her around in a way better capacity. the kiss to each cheek was punctuated by a soft giggle, a surprised sound escaping as they kissed again. "i want to do the same for you," though quite how he'd do it remained a little up in the air. it would come with time, hopefully, as he adjusted to his new life. "sounds good to me," sandro sighed contentedly, leaning his head into the touch on his cheek and turning to kiss her palm. "oh, they won't hear a peep from me." lifted his hand from her waist to draw a cross over his heart. "i'd keep you a secret from them forever if i could, but i kind of want to show you off." arms wrapped around her middle once more, squeezing gently to bring them closer together -- somehow, he felt it'd never be close enough. he let his head rest against hers. "i wish we could stay like this forever."

[fiias]

fia wrapped her - well, her husband's - dressing gown more securely around herself as she headed back into the nursery. sandro was still there, of course, looking down at their little one with so much awe it stole the very breath from fia's lungs. she smiled and shuffled over, grasping her husband's proffered hand with both of hers and resting her head on his shoulder. "we did," she affirmed, gazing adoringly at nora's sweet little face. giving birth had been terrifying, more painful than fia could have ever have imagined, but every moment had been worth it now that they could revel in the utter perfection of their daughter. she half-laughed as she turned to press a kiss to his shoulder. "don't you dare. you know that if you do i will be following your lead in a heartbeat." she grinned as nora babbled in her sleep, obviously pleased with her father's gentle affection. "she has your smile, which means i stand no chance of ever refusing her anything" she sighed.

[alesscndros]

his arm snaked to rest around her waist as she neared, hugging her ever close. he noted silently he seemed to have lost yet another item of clothing to his wife, but she looked better in it than he did, so he'd say nothing. attention not wavering from their little angel, sandro tilted his head to kiss the top of fia's. "i simply cannot help it," quite how he'd managed not to drain himself entirely dry he wasn't sure given how many of the happiest tears had fallen since nora's arrival. "but i will try my best. for your sake," after fia had been so scared and still managed to perform a miracle, it was the least he could do. sandro leaned back a moment to take her in, scanning for any small sign of distress. satisfied, he directed his his attention back to the cooing babe and bit his bottom lip. "she already has her father firmly wrapped around her finger, too. we have given her far too much power over us already."

[fiias]

fia, overthinker extraordinaire, hadn't thought this one through. the only clear idea in her mind since she'd left the agency to tender her resignation hours earlier had been sandro sandro sandro. she couldn't sit still at home, and after spending what felt like ages roaming around the city she'd found herself once again in front of that familiar door in the swanky building. unlike every other visit, she didn't hesitate in putting in the combination and letting herself in. she was an object in motion, but as soon as she laid eyes on her former client she stopped dead, restlessness immediately abating. "alessandro," she reciprocated, just as quietly. as an avid reader of romance novels, fia had always rolled her eyes at the cliche of seeing someone in a new light, but she couldn't deny that such a phenomenon was indeed very real and unfolding before her very eyes. "um - hey," she said, then almost laughed because seriously, that was her opener? "sorry, i hope it's - i hope it's ok that i'm here...."

[alesscndros]

he'd imagined her skipping through the city, no longer dragged down by the heavy burden of her work with him. to an extent, he hoped it was true ; that she was free from the work, but not of him. though he wouldn't exactly be surprised, or think it unfair, if it turned out he had spoken to her for the last time. busying himself in the worst way possible, he replayed the conversation over and over in his head as he waited for something to happen. her voice lilted gently through the silence, ridding the apartment of its occupants' number one enemy, and sandro let himself smile shyly. "hey," repeated back to her, shoulders rising and falling as he took a deep breath. absently, he tugged at the strings of his hoodie. "oh.. um. totally okay," preferable, even. "did you forget something, or something?"

[alesscndros]

@fiias this is ur fault

she'd gone, and he was alone, wondering when she would come back -- if she'd come back at all. god, he hoped she'd come back. not because he was left alone again, forcing himself to soak in the silence he hated so much because he'd been so terrible that sofia had felt she had not other choice but to quit. no, it was because he wanted her there. not as his caretaker, but in his life. as a friend, or lover, whatever. just there. the familiar series of beeps, followed by the click of the lock gave him pause. without thinking, he rushed to his feet and froze as the door swung open, then shut again. it had to be her, right? only milo and his parents knew the code otherwise, and the latter was an even less likely option than milo, even with him abroad. "... sofia?" came out much softer than he'd meant, perhaps in the hopes of saving himself some embarrassment if it wasn't her.

[fiias]

"oh, i did - swiss chocolates and artisinal preserves, mostly," fia replied, biting her lip in a fruitless attempt to repress a grin. "to be fair, i used some of the latter to bake things for you." if she thought sandro had had any intention of consuming the treats, she would have left them alone. pilfering them had been a way to take the edge off her annoyance with her client and also to make sure they didn't go to waste - or so she had tried to justify to herself. her smile only widened at the bright red of his cheeks, and she eagerly leaned up to press kisses to both of them. "i'll come back. and i'll be yours, how's that?" she proposed, heart beating a staccatto rhythm at her own promise. it felt terrifying to be offering herself up like this, even if sandro seemed to have every intention of accepting. "but don't think i'm through with taking care of you - i'm just doing it for free from now on. and maybe with a bit more care," she added, gently curling her fingers into the nape of his neck. christ, he's adorable, she thought to herself as he reacted so happily to her use of his nickname; she would never call him anything else ever again - except for any and all manner of pet names, of course. he kissed her, and nothing in fia's life had ever been so right, so perfect. she had been dreading coming here today, certain that he hated her, but somehow nothing had ever seemed so inevitable as his lips on hers and the way he held her like something precious. "better," she breathed once they finally broke apart. "much, much better. even if it was highly unprofessional."

[alesscndros]

he laughed, picturing her nicking bougie goodies from the many gift baskets he'd been sent since the accident like some sort of cat burglar. "ah, well, see, there we go. couldn't even steal something just for yourself, could you?" a thoughtful hum before he announced "we'll have to change that." though undoubtedly it was something he admired about her, maybe even more so than usual, given just how self-centred he'd been acting in contrast. the kisses pressed to each cheek served only to deepen the colour, though in receiving that reaction from her, sandro decided he didn't care. maybe she thought it was endearing. he wanted to be endearing to her. he nodded ; several times ; just to be sure it was clear. "sounds very, very good to me." his. yeah, that was where she belonged -- not his caretaker, not some other description. just plainly and simply his. an appreciative hum escaped, his head pressing back into her hand. fia had excellent instincts, or it was fate, or just very natural -- either way, she seemed to know exactly what to do to make him feel good. better than he had in months. he bit his lip, then, brows knitting slowly together in a slight frown. "i don't want you to... feel like it's a job, though," murmured flatly. "like you're just doing the same thing, but for free... or for payment in kisses." which he'd readily offer. "i want you to be my partner, not my carer." breathless as they parted, he let his forehead rest against hers once more. "mmh, i don't think it counts as unprofessional if you've already quit. no professional relationship to speak of here."

[fiias]

fia grimaced at sandro's insistence, believing that he was exaggerating but knowing that she couldn't fully counter it. still, he went on to make her sound like a saint - and that was hardly the truth, either. "i haven't been nothing but good: most of the time when i brought coffee yours was decaf; a lot of times when i spoke tamil i was swearing at you and cursing your bloodline; and i stole several things from those bougie gift baskets you kept getting sent." it wasn't a comprehensive list of her crimes, but it was a decent start. "oh, and i fell for my client. probably for the best that this is my last day as a caretaker, yeah?" she said with a slight laugh. she would definitely be making good on her promise to quit, but the tightness that had cinched in her chest since making the decision was finally starting to ease. she pressed her lips together as sandro's touch trailed down her arm, barely repressing a shiver. it had been a minute for her, and she could finally admit that she'd never been half as attracted to anyone as she was to him. if he needed to take things slowly, she would absolutely respect his wishes - but if he was game, so was she. at his stunningly eloquent declaration she felt herself melt further into a helpless puddle, vaguely thinking that years of reading romance novels were a complete waste of time when none of them could ever compare to this man. "sandro," she murmured. she'd never spoken the diminutive out loud; she usually just avoided addressing him altogether, but when she did it was as alessandro - or, when she was particularly annoyed with him (which was often, of course), mr. trezza. calling him by the nickname felt delightfully intimate, as if she were laying claim to a little part of him. "i want you to feel safe with me, always. and i know that's not who you are, i saw glimmers of that good heart of yours. i can't wait to see more of it." her breath hitched in her throat as he nuzzled his nose against hers and kissed her cheek, the hand not wrapped around him reaching up to bury itself in his hair. it was a little dizzying, the newness of this affection, but all the more wonderful for it. "yes," she breathed, "forever. but please, if you don't kiss me properly i might just explode."

[alesscndros]

maybe it was a slight exaggeration -- and he would concede that, and only that -- but he still felt she was not giving herself enough credit for all she'd put up with. she hadn't been a saint, no -- the fact of the matter was, most of the time she'd given back as good as she'd got -- but it had only drawn him to her more. he would make up for everything he'd put her through. or at least try to. "well i hope you stole worthwhile things, at least," he snickered softly. "and i think my bloodline is already cursed... if how it's gone so far is anything to go by, anyway." he couldn't fault her for any of those things, and they weren't worth doing so over anyway. cheeks blushed a rosy red as she voiced precisely what he'd just been thinking -- he had fallen for her. was, presently, falling for her more and more with every second that passed. hearing it in such plain terms had him grinning. "mmh, i think you might be right, but the only way i let you leave here is with confirmation you're coming back. as something better than a caretaker." he was hesitant to say girlfriend, or partner, or something along those lines. it was what he wanted, of course, but he thought maybe it was just a little too early to label it. they would figure it out. eyes crinkled with mirth and sandro emitted a pleased hum at her use of his nickname. it had to be the first time and he hoped desperately it was nowhere near the last. it felt right ; like this was the way it should have been all along, and he was more sorry than ever that he'd been the thing to prevent it. he'd just have to find a way to make up for lost time ; beg her to speak his name so the sweet sound met his ears at least once a day. "i will," confirmed with utter confidence. free hand rose to cup her face, thumb caressing her cheek. ignoring the butterflies taking flight in his stomach, he leaned in once more and kissed her ; eager and tender.

[fiias]

it was like a switch had flipped - gone was the snarling, snapping rich boy angry at the world, and there before her was a vulnerable, sad, human being who seemed to crave understanding and affection, both of which she would provide in droves. "you've been through a lot," she murmured, reminding both of them of that fact. it wasn't personal - or at least, she hoped it wasn't. maybe they could have been friends if they'd met under different circumstances. maybe they could have been more than friends....."you're welcome," she replied, marveling at how this was the absolute gentlest they'd ever spoken to one another - and it was lovely, she couldn't deny it. the softness of their respective voices cast a sort of spell, and the absolute last thing she wanted was to break it. he grasped her wrist and a sharp but quiet breath escaped her, her free arm moving of its own accord to hook around his midsection. when he leaned his forehead against hers her eyelids immediately slid shut, tilting her head up to better afford him access. "no, no, i - i'll stay. i want to stay as long as you'll let me."

[alesscndros]

head twitched in the slightest of nods, a conscious effort made to maintain the skin to skin connection as he moved and silent admittance that she was right. "but i've been terrible," added after a beat. "you've been nothing but good to me and i haven't returned it once." and for that he'd be angry at himself to some degree for the rest of his life. with fia in it, though, in whatever capacity she chose... he could endure it all. a flicker of a smile blossomed at her response to his thanks and he traced a finger from her shoulder down to her side, hand settling comfortably at her waist. he did not want to let go. "it's important to me that you know that i don't think i've felt safer with anyone else since... and i haven't deserved the kindness you've shown me, but if you do stay, i'd like to take the chance to return it." a contented sigh escaped and the tension that had existed in his shoulders for months dissipated at her affirmation. she wanted to stay. no better words existed. "i want to show you that's not who i am." brushing the tip of his nose against hers, he exhaled softly and and tilted to press a kiss to her cheek. there he remained to mumble "you'll stay forever, then?" against her soft skin.

[fiias]

fia hummed contentedly, eyes fluttering shut as her betrothed returned that wonderful sentiment. she curled one arm securely around his middle, though it was hardly necessary considering she knew as well as he did that he would not be letting go of her anytime soon. still, she would never be able to get her own fill of touching him and being close to him. "i do hope you will be able to make your peace with hearing it every day, several times a day, for the rest of our lives," she murmured, "in addition to being kissed absolutely senseless, perhaps just as often." she grinned again at the picture sandro painted, seeing the little boy as clearly as she saw him right in front of her. the expression softened into a smile, and she hummed a thoughtful note as she turned her head so that her chin was resting on his chest. "you will be a spectacular father, of course, it goes without saying." sandro's siblings adored him, there was no denying it. fia had never seen a family as close as the trezzas before, with their easy companionship and casual affection. it was one of the many reasons she was so thrilled to be one of them someday soon. "but -" she sighed, worried at her bottom lip. "i know you love me, therefore there is a slight bias, but do you really believe i will be a fantastic mother?

[alesscndros]

he laughed airily, placing a hand over the back of hers as it settled around his midsection. "oh, i think i will manage well enough. as long as you allow me to return the favour, of course. i do believe it is my right -- as your besotted husband." a quiet, faux thoughtful hum fell from his lips. "kissed senseless, you say? i am afraid in order for that to work i would have to have some sense remaining... after meeting you, i can confidently say that is absolutely not the case." fia was the only thing in his life that need make sense -- and she did. unequivocally. "i hope so. certainly it will be my life's mission to be the best husband and father," a promise he meant with all the seriousness in the world. he would do nothing but cherish the opportunity he'd been given. frowning then, he lifted his head from hers and bent his knees to catch her gaze. "of course," assured emphatically. "i have no doubts whatsoever, and neither should you. i can think of no one better suited to the role."

[fiias]

fia watched sandro react to her spur-of-the-moment decision, her heart aching a little despite herself. he seemed to despise her, resenting her presence in his space - so why on earth did the idea of her leaving make him look so lost? she shook her head despite knowing that he couldn't see the gesture. "you don't have to do that. i'll find something else and be just fine." sure, with this position she had been on track to put a deposit down on a storefront in only a few more months, but she'd find something else, right? right....she frowned at his fib, taking a few steps to open the freezer and pull out an ice pack. wrapping it in the softest dish towel she could find, she returned to her place in front of her client. "it's gonna be cold, ok?" she warned, giving him ample opportunity to protest or step away before carefully holding it against his injury. she caught herself admiring him once again, their proximity affording her the luxury (torture?) of seeing every gorgeously curled eyelash, the smile lines around his mouth that proved he had a sense of humor after all, the perfect angle of his nose just begging to be nuzzled - her eyes widened and she immediately stepped back when she found that she'd acted on that last thought, heat flooding to her cheeks. "um - wow, sorry about that," she said with a choked laugh. "fuck, that was - shouldn't have...i think i should just - just go, actually."

[alesscndros]

lost was not the word for it. the idea of his world -- small as it now was -- without her in it. was borderline frightening. he should have been better to her ; made an effort not to fall into the bitter habits that came oh so naturally. the thought of losing out on conversations with her ( argumentative or otherwise ), not feeling her warm presence fill the room like nobody else could... her leaving had finally brought the reality to the forefront of his mind ; sandro wanted her desperately to remain in his life. he thought briefly of reaching out to take hold of her, cry, beg, whatever it took... but he was still too proud for it. "no, it's... it's only fair." a sharp intake of breath. "i know i've... uhm," he grasped the back of the chair immediately in front of him, white-knuckled. "been unfair to you. and cruel, really. and there's no excuse for it," trailing off, he frowned as she moved. "--what is?" asked without thinking, the warning just enough to prevent him from jerking away. he resolved himself to accepting her help with a soft 'oh.' if she wanted to offer it, he could at least giver her that. "sorry," he finished after a beat. "and thank you." with her so close, sandro found he couldn't form any more words. instead, eyes closed, he focused on breathing in her scent -- committing it to memory, as it was probably going to be the last time they were together. a slight flinch tightened features as they collided... except that it wasn't a collision at all. it was gentle. without further thought, he reached out to find purchase and wrapped a hand around her wrist. "don't... it was nice," a meagre response and nowhere near accurate. it had been more than nice. he'd half a mind to ask her to do it again. instead, he opted for placing his free hand on her shoulder, and tantalisingly slowly -- carefully -- tipping his head until their forehead and noses connected once more. "i get... if you want to leave," murmured lowly. "but i'd really like it if you stayed... with me."

[fiias]

fia paid little mind to what her wayward client was doing, grimacing as she accidentally pressed on a slightly deeper cut. the man's words echoed in her mind despite herself, his complete lack of faith in her more apparent than ever. jesus, why did she even try? what was she hoping to accomplish by coming here every week? surely spite wasn't exactly an appropriate motivator, least of all in a caretaking position. "i think this will be my last day." she blinked and furrowed her brow, realizing that the thought had slipped right out of her mouth before she could stop it. but it was certainly out there now, hanging between them like the cigarette smell he had so loathed. at his indication she turned her head, blinking down at the first aid kit he was offering her as if it were some mysterious artifact she didn't recognize. her gaze flicked from the box up to his stupidly handsome face and back again, and finally she carefully took it from him with a mumbled word of thanks. she bit her lip to stifle a curse as she dabbed at the scratches with the antibacterial wipe, wary of further judgment from alessandro. she very nearly laughed at his comment about the floors, wondering for a startling moment if he'd meant it to be a joke, then busied herself in ripping open a bandage and placing it on her palm instead. "still," she murmured, now taking advantage of his proximity to examine the bump. "you don't seem concussed, but - does it hurt?"

[alesscndros]

he bit down on his lip -- harder than he'd intended -- but gave several slow nods in an acceptance of sorts. it wasn't as if he could say he was surprised by her announcement. in fact, he was more surprised she'd lasted longer than two days. were they in the opposite situation, sandro knew himself well enough to know he'd probably have left on the first day. the fact that she'd put up with him for so long was a miracle in its own right and even he could admit it was unfair that she now felt she couldn't continue. because of him. "i understand." he swallowed and nodded resolutely. "i'll make sure my parents compensate you -- properly." though he wasn't sure anything they ( or he ) could offer would really make up for it all. lips pulled into a tight sort-of-smile as she accepted the offered kit, hands dropping to hang uselessly at his side. brows lifted as fia spoke again and he reached up to brush fingers gently over the bump in his forehead and biting back a wince as he did so. "um... not really, anymore."

[alesscndros]

@fiias

the suggestion was that babies ought to be left alone to sleep. for whatever reason that may be, valid or otherwise, sandro found he couldn't have cared less. not when ignoring the advice meant he could simply stare at the sleeping babe, his heart swelling with each rise and fall of her tiny chest. he only just managed to tear his gaze away as fia re-entered the room, hand reaching instinctively out for her to take. "... we made her," uttered for what had to be at least the thousandth time since her birth, each time as genuinely disbelieving and in awe as the first had been. "she is the most perfect thing i have ever laid eyes upon." he smoothed the back of his finger over a tiny, round cheek. "i am afraid i might cry again."