<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">Marcu had thought Luca had calmed and come to his senses. It pleased him to see it, and as a result, he returned the young man's smile. He could fake emotions, but he wasn't so good at picking up falsehoods in others. He would rather believe what he wanted to, and in this case, it was that Luca was coming to terms with his new role as his live-in boyfriend.<br/>
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“Of course I came back. I have no intention of leaving you, darling,” he assured, his tone even.<br/>
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“This place needs to be cleaned. I started working on upstairs. I'll send some stuff down for you tomorrow to clean with,” Marcus decided, coming to take a seat beside Luca. He pulled the little coffee table closer, setting the meal down for them. He opened the lids, and the food smelled good. Marcus tried not to touch the actual table, unwrapping the plastic fork carefully.<br/>
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“I hope you like it. I realized I didn't think to ask before leaving,” Marcus spoke, going back towards his more doting nature now that Luca was acting appropriately. “Eventually, once I can trust you upstairs you can cook for me. I already have some renovations planned.” Renovations being closing off means of escape. Steel grills across the windows wouldn't look suspicious, considering they were in bear territory. Marcus would only look like he was protecting his cabin, and Luca wouldn't be able to slip through a window.<br/>
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“I used to like it down here, but I'd get in trouble if my dad caught me,” Marcus offered as he poured them wine. “I hope you're not lonely tonight. I'll bring you an extra blanket so that you stay warm. I'm not sure how well the heat actually works down here.” He knew it was generally colder than the rest of the home, but he'd never spent the night in the basement.<br/>
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“Have some wine. I'm sure it will help ease you a bit more,” he suggested, reaching to lay a hand across Luca's back. It was gentle but weighted. He communicated with Luca despite the language barrier, thinking the more he spoke the more he would come to understand. So far he was doing pretty well. The food was good, and the wine decent. Marcus was picky, and typically was a man who ate out at the same handful of restaurants rather than cooking. With Luca here now though, he had high hopes. They were a considerable distance from town, so eating out all the time would simply not be feasible.<br/>
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“What sort of things do you like to eat, Luca? So that I know what to get for now?” Marcus inquired, unsure of what he was used to eating, here or back home in Brazil. He'd been overwhelmed at the restaurant. “I picked you up some clothes today too. I'll bring them down after dinner. Just simple things. I had to guess your size.” Which for Marcus was a generally 'smaller than himself'. He had no idea if they'd actually work or not, or if Luca would like what he'd got him. They probably weren't anything like what he was used to wearing, being simple jeans and t-shirts, considering his almost modeling career.<br/>
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“Were you worried, when I left? I heard you for a while. I don't like to hear you upset like that,” Marcus spoke, and the sentiment seemed genuine. He wanted Luca to want him, and to rely on him. The last thing he wanted to face was more rejection.</span></span>