CH 10: Home

~ Months Later ~

Chaos filled the Luciano residence this particular day as both sisters were running amuck throughout their shore house. It was Saturday and Margo was headed out to meet Harold for their date. Additionally, Alastor had invited Esme to his home for dinner, and she wanted to make a good impression. She rampaged  back and forth around her kitchen grabbing some cookies she had freshly baked. Her mother taught her to never go to someone's home empty handed. She knew better than that. The cookies were made fresh, never store bought. She knew he didn't have a strong sweet tooth, so she made these with dark chocolate to contrast the usual sweetness. She grabbed the box, her purse, and her coat, and headed out the door.

"I'm headed out Margo, behave yourself tonight!" She shouts with a smile, walking out the door.

A small beat passes before Esme whips the door back open and steps back inside, in an almost comedically manner, "Actually, Margo, I'm just going to grab a few more things." She says, dropping her purse to the floor. She grabs a larger bag and packs some bread she picked up from the market that morning, some olive oil, and a series of Italian meats and cheeses. She lugs the bag over her shoulder before exiting the home once again. Esme sighs as she walks down the stairs. This bag was very heavy, it was definitely going to take her a little longer than expected.

Meanwhile, Alastor is waiting for her parked outside of the radio station. It was 7 o'clock, he had just gotten off of work and he was at his limit for the day. Don't be mistake, he was very fortunate to have the career he did, but even a beloved host gets tired of the same record spinning on repeat. The problem wasn't the entertainment, but alas the nuisances that made their presence known daily, testing him at any chance they got. 

He leaned against the hood of his car with a flask of whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He sees Esme struggling in the distance and his eyes narrow, trying to see what the heck she was carrying. He never had good eyesight - damn these useless specs.

As she gets closer, she notices him standing with the flask and gasps as she hurries to him. "Are you trying to get caught by the police?" She grunts at him. He rolls his eyes playfully. 

Like the police are going to ever catch anything I do...

"Good Evening to you too." He smirks, taking another sip. She yanks it out of his hand and tucks it into her purse.

"You've lost your mind." She mumbles, setting the bag on the floor next to them.

"Darling, that left a long time ago." He says taking a drag out of his cigarette.

"What happened?" She asks, "Long day at work?"

"Indeed." He says, blowing out smoke in her direction, "Although, my day just got better now that you're here." He smiles and sets a hand on her arm and rubs it softly with his thumb. He was getting better at this physical contact thing.

Esme smiles at his words and leans into his touch. Her eyes dart to the cigarette in his hand, "You smoke?"

He takes another drag and blows out, "Only when I need to calm my nerves. Do you not fancy that?" He asks, letting the cigarette hang out of his mouth.

Esme's nose scrunches at the scent, "I'm not one for the smell, but that's okay."

"My apologies." He says, tossing it to the floor and snuffing it out with his boot.

Esme notices the change a his body language. His shoulders were tense, his stance was guarded, "What happened that has you so wound up? You don't seem like yourself."

Alastor smiles gently at her, appreciating and enjoying the concern she had for him. He reaches his hand up to her face and cups her cheek, caressing her face with his thumb, "It's nothing to worry your pretty head over." He says, "Just a few troublesome men that tried to cause a stir at the radio station is all, they said some things, it annoyed me." He says, putting both of his hands on the hood of the car to lean back comfortably.

Esme's eyes narrow, "What things?" She notices Alastor looking away from her, refusing to make eye contact. "Hey..." She tugs the collar of his jacket, "What things?" He raises an eyebrow at her, "I'm very persistent, tell me." She crosses her arms and pouts.

He sighs and his face visibly softens when he sees her pout. He hated to get her annoyed, become disappointed, or anything. He sighs, "Just...some racial insults, the usual. As you can imagine, when I heard them I had to keep myself from murdering them on the sight." He grits his teeth and continues, not catching his rambling, "Perhaps carving a smile across them would've made me feel more at ease, but I doubt my boss would appreciate the gesture." 

Esme's eyes widen, she's clearly upset as she feels her rage boiling out of her small frame, "That's, why - well that's absurd! Who are they?" She turns her body to the radio building.

Alastor takes his hand and guides her face to look back at him, "They're not worth the trouble, it's already handled. Just small pests on the world. I kicked them out of the studio before they caused more trouble." 

Esme crosses her arms and taps her foot against the pavement, muttering several Italian curses. "Che palle quel disgrazia."  She hisses, imagining all the different routes she could take for solving her friend's little issue.. She digs her heel into the pavement, causing it to scrape, "Fine..." 

He chuckles at the sight, having no idea what she just said, but knowing she was livid, "Oh come now dear, relax. You'll wear a hole right through this sidewalk at your rate." He pulls her closer to him, "Don't let some idiots ruin our night." His smile was bright per usual, but there was something lingering in it that provided a new, warm sensation between the two.

Esme sighs, "Fine, but..." She takes his hands, noticing him tensing up. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. No one should ever deal with such behavior." She says, rubbing his hands softly with her thumb.

He pauses for a moment, both lost in her eyes, her touch, and the kind words. He's grown quite fond of those mesmerizing eyes of hers, how they sparkled like emeralds. He finally lets out an exhale and smiles, "Thank you, Cher."

She smiles and gives a small nod before continuing, "Well, now that we're done with that." She struggles to pick up the large back and plops it in front of his feet, "I was hoping you could help me carry this." 

"Of course, dear." He picks it up with ease, peeking inside, "But, tell me, what could possibly be in such a bag. You're not that much of a pack rat are you?"

"It's all food, something I enjoy doing. I never come empty handed." 

He smiles and nods, gently leading her to the passenger's side of the car, opening the door for her to get inside. Esme smiles and gets into the car, making sure her dress is fully inside the car before Alastor closes the door. He walks over to his door, opening it and getting inside, "I hope you're hungry, dear. I have quite the meal planned for tonight." He smiles, starting the car.

"You cook?" Esme's attention perks up, turning her body towards him.

"Oh yes, I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself. My mother taught me a thing or two about making some pretty delicious meals. Is that something that piques your interest?" He looks at her with a faint smirk before pulling out of his parking spot, twisting his body with his hand on her seat and looking behind himself as he reverses.

Esme laughs and throws her hands up in the air, her long curls flowing in the wind as he begins to drive, "What can't you do?" She says, "My, a handsome man such as yourself with such ambition, charm, and he cooks?" She sighs, rubbing her face dramatically before turning to him, "You know, that may be the most attractive thing I've ever heard." She scoffs.

Alastor laughs at her reaction, taking her hand with his and bringing it to his lips for a small kiss. "You flatter me." He says softly, "Trying to woo me aren't you?" He smirks, placing her hand back on her lap.

There was something about him that lured her in. It damned her self control and sent her leaning towards a tunnel of heat without a care in the word. His presence felt comforting, secure, like she could trust him with anything. 

Esme leans closer to his seat, batting her eyelashes, "Is it working~" she jokes. She sees him go to turn his head to look at her. She reaches up and holds his chin in place, "Eyes on the road mister." She smiles. He chuckles and shakes his head at her playful jokes. Esme turns to the window, looking down the streets as they continue to drive, "My, how far away is this place?" She asks out loud.

"Almost there..." He says. It was clear he was falling for her ... hard. Even if he wouldn't admit it out loud, she had him wrapped around her finger so tightly without even knowing. Anything she wanted, anyplace she wanted to go, anyone she wanted gone, all she had to do was say the word and it was done. He slows down the car as they approach his house, putting it in park. This was a big deal. He had never brought anyone to his home before. No friends, no interests, no one at all. It was his solitude, full of secrets about himself and his desires. He didn't trust anyone enough to enter, but she was different, he trusted her with his whole heart - which wasn't a lot of trust, but enough for him. He laughs as Esme swings her door open and runs up to the house, looking as giddy as a kid during December.

There's a strange feeling with the two of them standing in front of that house, a feeling that made both of their hearts flutter without the other knowing. As if the universe was trying to tell them that something they both were destined to do resided in these walls. 

"Such a charming little house." She smiles. It truly was. It was small and quaint, it reflected him perfectly. She walks up the stairs and lays a hand on the wood of the outside, smiling to herself, "Such a pretty red on the shutters. Did you paint that yourself?" She turns to him.

He smiles proudly, "I did indeed. It took many hours, but I managed. Are you impressed?" He looks down at her. 

There was a moment hanging in the air as she continue to run her eyes along the scarlet of the wood. She visualized him standing there for hours, clothes possibly covered in paint blotches with sweat gathering around his brow. The dedication this must have taken, the physical labor, in addition to the already determined man that has worked so hard to make a name for himself...

It was something that brought an airy hum to her throat. 

"It's beautiful." She smiles looking up at him.

"Thank you." He turns to the door, unlocking it with his key, "After you~." He smiles, holding the it open for her. 

It wouldn't be the last time she stepped into the home, but it would be the last time that she entered as just an established, cherished friend. The floor greeted her with the echoing of her Mary Janes as she came through the threshold. 

And so it begun...

🖤Words: 2013🖤

~ Artemis 🦌💗