he chuckled, sticking his bottom lip out in a display of only slightly mocking sympathy. "i don't think you should ever go back there again," except maybe to get her stuff and bring it to his. "you absolutely have to stay here and sleep in my big bed with me," a resolute nod. "i can't let you go home tired." his own smile blossomed at the affectionate rubbing of their noses. "oh... i mean, i'm a terrible baker. and just a bit of a nightmare in the kitchen full stop, honestly," though as he was speaking he quickly realised he'd do absolutely anything as long as it was with her. "but i could be a good taste-tester, i guess," he concluded. "quickly, too. we probably broke some sort of record." a pause, he inhaled deeply. "at least... i guess you've already seen me at my worst. can only go up from here."

fia giggled and snuck a quick kiss to sandro's lower lip. "you don't, huh," she said, hopeful that her tone was casual enough to bely how her heart was beating more quickly. she wasn't exactly living hand-to-mouth, but some of the anxiety she'd mentioned a moment ago had to do with quitting her job without a replacement lined up. not having to worry about rent - as she was sure her newly proclaimed boyfriend would insist on - would definitely be a boon. "well, i do like it here, and i love the look of that big bed." she peeked over sandro's shoulder at it, a grin stretching across her face at the notion of curling up with him. "mm-hm, so tired i might need a nap even before tonight," she said, smoothing a hand over his shoulder before kissing it. "well, it just so happens i have an opening for a taste-tester, and i think you're perfectly qualified for it." she hummed thoughtfully and leaned her head against his chest, hand reaching up to brush her fingertips over the back of his neck. "still fell in love with you, didn't i? i can't even imagine how more more i'll love you when you're at your best."

"big day of impulsivity for you," he quirked a brow, all the more impressed by it because... well, frankly, fia didn't seem like the impulsive type. his arms tightened around her, a hand splaying flat between her shoulder blades. "i know exactly what you mean," she'd described precisely what he went through every time she left. it had reached its height after her most recent exit and abated the second she'd entered his arms. "that's how it is for me, too." he'd just been too scared to admit it earlier. an involuntary muted whine escaped as she lifted her head, the comforting weight of it on his shoulder sorely missed, though he didn't feel bad for too long. bright smile fell into place and he tilted his head, moving carefully inwards, to kiss her deeply. his hand withdrew ( reluctantly ) from her waist and came to rest on her neck. "i love you," whispered breathlessly after a moment.

"oh, i'm exhausted," fia quipped. "so much so that i dunno if i have the energy to go home to mine tonight - think i'll have to stay here and sleep in that big bed with you." she brushed the tip of her nose against sandro's, smiling at the very notion that she could. "and then maybe tomorrow you could indulge me and we could bake together. what do you think?" she asked, smoothing a hand over his chest. he kissed her, and at first she could only grin against his lips before returning it. "i love you. sure have come a long way, haven't we?"

to say he'd needed the hug was... the understatement of the century. milo was off living his life and sandro in no way begrudged him that, but he did sometimes think things might have gone differently if he had been there. though it was unfair to rely on his little brother as a good influence, too. it had also, he supposed, led fia to him... and he wouldn't change that for the world. he let his cheek rest atop her head, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. god, she did always smell so good in every possible way. "you quit?" he repeated, the reality of that information sinking in. she meant it. "that means i have you all to myself," he chuckled softly, ignoring the steady increase in the pace of his heart. it was the most alive he'd felt in months. "me neither. but... whatever it is, i'm glad it's working." one hand bunched into her top at the small of her back, the other resting on her waist. "sofia, i... i think you're going to change my life in the best way possible," a brief pause for a shaky inhale. "i think i... love you."

"i quit," fia confirmed. "it was one of the most impulsive things i've ever done. and then i did the most impulsive, which was coming here," she said with a laugh. "and you're worth it, y'know? the whole way over here i was wracked with all this anxiety and uncertainty, but now i'm here with you and all that's gone away." she nodded against his shoulder, so comfortable and content she never wanted to leave. "all to yourself. good luck ever getting rid of me," she said with another laugh. she was startled enough by his proclamation to finally surface from his shoulder, looking up at him as if she couldn't quite believe he was real. "sandro," she breathed. she wanted to say something as lovely and profound in return, how much he meant to her, but it was all she could to to reply, "i - i think i love you, too."

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."

fia curled closer to sandro, wondering when someone had hugged him last. maybe that was part of why he'd been so angry, she realized; all it seemed to take was one embrace, and she could already sense his walls starting to crumble. she nodded in affirmation, face still pressed into the hoodie she would definitely be pilfering when she had the chance. "i'm staying, and i'll happily be with you. i quit with the agency when i left earlier, so this is purely a personal visit," she said with a slight laugh, finally turning to rest her head against sandro's shoulder. if her heart weren't so full at the moment, it would've broken at his admission. "i don't think i could've ever stayed away for long," she murmured, stroking her fingertips over his back. "always came back, didn't i? i never really believed in fate or soulmates or any of that, and i'm still not sure i do, but - i dunno, something kept bringing me back here."

"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."

"you are very convincing," fia observed. "it'll mean all the more considering you ran through - god, how many people before me? then again, i dunno if i'm special or if you just went easier on me," she teased. "my new home," she repeated softly, the quiet tone of her voice contrasting with the way her heart felt as if it were ping-ponging around her entire body. she could lounge on the enormous sofa for movie nights, bake in the kitchen she'd coveted for months, sleep in the bed she'd always suspected was ludicrously comfortable - but most importantly, she could do all of those things with him. she would live anywhere as long as he was there to hold her, but a little part of her - ok, bigger than she was willing to admit - was excited about the flat itself. "i do," she finally replied, hoping her moment of contemplation hadn't caused sandro any undue stress. "i really do. that kitchen of yours is amazing, do you know that? the things i am going to make for you, my friend...."

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?"

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."

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.

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."

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."

"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."

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?"

"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.

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?"

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."

"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."

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.

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."

"i know," fia murmured, burrowing yet further into her husband's embrace and staring at little nora. "i understand." never much for crying herself, she rather thought she'd shed more tears in the past days than she had in her entire lifetime. still, seeing as they were happy tears, she was beginning to see the appeal. she smiled back at sandro as he assessed her, not seeing the need to assure him with words when he knew her better than she knew herself. sure she was exhausted and still a bit sore from the birth, but she'd never been this perfectly content in her entire life; when she had married sandro, she thought she couldn't possibly be any happier - and she was delightedly proven wrong. "my love, you have many positive attributes, but i'm afraid you have never exactly been a disciplinarian." one of his siblings could have come to him claiming to have committed a murder, and she wouldn't put it past him not to merely nod and help them hide the evidence. "but i have faith that she will be a good little thing - but not perfect, muthu," she murmured, directing these words to nora as she traced a gentle finger over the baby's chubby hand. "you will never have to be perfect. we will love you exactly as you are." perhaps it was projecting a bit, telling their daughter what she herself had always wanted to hear, but it was also genuinely important to fia that nora always keep such a sentiment in mind.

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."

"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."

@fiias this is ur fault

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...."

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.

"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."

@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.