<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">Marcus wasn't sure how this was going to go, but he breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared Luca had calmed down considerably. Even agreeing to help clean, which Marcus was thankful for. If he was going to be spend any time downstairs with Luca in the basement, it needed to be cleaned. Just sitting down there to eat with him was making his skin crawl. It was only his desire to spend time with Luca that made him overlook any discomfort.<br/>
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“Italian, I think,” Marcus offered with a shrug. He wasn't the most cultured individual and couldn't say what was authentic and what wasn't. Marcus watched as he ran his hands over his arms as if cold. No doubt he wasn't used to these sorts of climates, and with his lithe frame, he imagined he'd catch a chill faster than Marcus. With how sweet Luca was being just then, Marcus felt bad for leaving him as long as he had.<br/>
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“Renovations mean.. changes to the home, to make things better for us.” Better for them, and also ways to contain Luca more easily throughout the rest of the home. He didn't trust him fully yet. He didn't think he'd run, but he still didn't want him going outside on a whim, to talk to anyone and let on just how he'd come to be here. That certainly wouldn't go over well.<br/>
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Marcus' eyes snapped up to Luca's face when he spoke next, talking about how he wouldn't be lonely if Marcus was there. Those were the words Marcus wanted to hear, and his expression softened.<br/>
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“I'm sorry, Luca. I didn't mean to be so negligent,” he apologized, and it appeared that he was genuinely bothered by this. He slid closer to Luca, wrapping an arm around him to cover him momentarily and rub his hand up and down his arm.<br/>
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“You are welcome, Luca. I didn't make it though. Take out. I don't cook,” Marcus stated plainly, tapping the circular aluminum containers the pasta came in.<br/>
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“Oh,” Marcus spoke, piecing together what Luca meant as he explained it. “Next time I'll know, and I'll make sure to get you something without cheese.” Thankfully he didn't get the stuffed shells or anything in a butter cream sauce. The cheese wasn't mixed in but layered over the top, and Luca hadn't complained. Simply took his fork to pull it off. Luca went on again to express his loneliness down here, and Marcus took a moment to take in the confines of the basement. It wasn't very homey, and it was dusty and cold. Marcus could understand why it didn't currently appeal to Luca's sensibilities. The thought too of seeing Luca change into new clothing appealed to him greatly as well. He had an idea of Luca's body from the magazine, but it would be nothing like seeing the real thing.<br/>
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“Eat first. It'll warm you, and then we'll go upstairs. I can show you our room, and you can change into new clothing, and see if things fit. The shower upstairs is better as well, and I got the hot water working.” Marcus seemed proud of that feat, even if there was a bathroom downstairs. One couldn't pay Marcus enough to actually use it, and really, he would feel much better upstairs. Where he'd intended for Luca to be anyway, with him, like he was requesting. Maybe this would transition smoothly after all. Marcus still had high hopes that it would.<br/>
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They finished their meal, and their wine, but Marcus didn't push Luca to continue drinking as he had the day before. He allowed him the option and refilled his own cup, feeling a sense of ease at the way Luca was responding to him. He felt it was safe for him to keep drinking and was confident that Luca would behave, and the night would go on as planned.<br/>
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Marcus lead Luca up the basement stairs and steered him towards the other staircase leading up to the second story of the cabin, to where their bedroom was.<br/>
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“Heat rises, so it's much warmer up here, and I'll be there if you're still cold,” Marcus told him, a hand resting against the small of his back, wine in his other hand.<br/>
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“I hung your clothing up in the closet,” Marcus explained, even if it was only basic things.<br/>
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The upstairs portion was limited, with a small sitting area and the door leading to the bedroom. Marcus opened it for them, and it was clear this was where he'd spent most of his time cleaning. There were brand new linens on the bed and a pristine white down comforter. Marcus had stripped the bed and gotten rid of the old comforter that was on it, throwing it in a closet downstairs.<br/>
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Marcus pointed to the dark mahogany dresser.<br/>
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“Pajamas and underwear are there,” he spoke before opening the closet door. One side was filled with Marcus' clothing, mostly suits, jackets, and pressed slacks. One the other side with less variety were the things he'd grabbed in a haste for Luca. Everything was neat and orderly, organized with reason.<br/>
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“Do you like our bedroom, Luca?” Marcus questioned. “With time, we can add things and you can help me decorate it.” Decorating wasn't one of Marcus' strong suits. He liked things simple and clean, hence why there was little warmth and the decorations his parents had put up had come down.</span></span>