Yes, hello, I live. Have a little drabble written as an accompaniment to @lluviadinoche ‘s Turkmano drabble~
Art had never been his specialty. His hands were clumsy on paper, too large for the paints, and he rarely had the patience to mold objects to his will. To create something out of nothing. That wasn’t to say that he had no artistic skills - no, far from it. Tile work… laying out each color and creating an elaborate design… that was his specialty - but it was something that he rarely had the chance to practice nowadays.
That's what made the gifts so special. Each coaster, each little rooster and apricot that Lorenzo had lovingly crafted and taken the time to make…. Just for him. It made him feel more special than he had in years - like someone truly cared about him. At first, he’d thought the statues were a one time thing and yet now? Well… his house was practically covered in them. He kept a few in the kitchen, some by his plants in the windowsill, others he kept in his sitting room and sunroom - always amazed by the light that reflected off of them. With each one he was reminded of his partner and the love that they shared. It helped on especially lonely nights to have such an item.
Heracles had commented on them once. “You’ve got way too many of these things… If I didn’t know better I’d say you’re starting to hoard them.”
But he didn’t really understand. Sadik couldn’t possibly get rid of them - they weren’t just statues to him. They were works of love and they made his house feel more like a home.
But it wasn’t really the ceramic works that he loved. It was something more than that. His favorite thing about every statue, every present was the look on Lorenzo’s face when he revealed his newest creation. The way his face lit up and his chest puffed out with pride. It was a look he couldn’t get enough of.
The italian had warmed up his heart like the sun above them as they laid beneath the tree, Lorenzo in his arms. He took a bite out of the apricot held up by his partner, humming happily at the sweet sensation that accompanied it. He gently turned the gift over in his hand, admiring the detailed craftsmanship that went into it.
“You made this for me?...” Sadik asked, always the same question. Always surprised that the other was so giving. Surprised that such a beautiful thing could have been made for him.
“Mhm.” He watched as Lorenzo smiled, his heart skipping a beat with the action. “I know I’ve made you a dozen already but-”
Sadik rolled his eyes, gently taking the apricot from him and holding it up for the other to take a bite out of. He talked too much… Of course he was happy to have it. He couldn’t help but smile, taking a moment to admire the other. Those soft eyes full of love… the way the sun crafted a delicate halo above his head. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.
“I love it…” He gently wrapped it back up, setting it to the side and opting to wrap his arms around Romano instead.
And as they sat there, laughing, chatting…. Sadik felt a warmth fill his heart. With Lorenzo he felt like royalty, not the outcast that he had been for most of his life. Being around him made the troubles of the world melt away. During those quiet nights full of whispered words and gentle touches Sadik knew what it meant to be human, what it meant to be accepted.
