Chapter Text
Damen was staring out the window of his empty house. The paps would soon be descending on his apartment building so he had retreated here, inside a gated community. He could see the headlines of the gossip rags now, gleefully lamenting the end of 'the MVP & the It-Girl'. He had no doubt she would spin it to her advantage somehow. That was her greatest talent after all, influencing.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. Who could it be, a neighbor? Or maybe a plumber with an appointment?
“Damen,” Laurent said curtly before marching straight in. “I have a vision, yes a vision for the kitchen, Jo.” Suddenly he stopped and looked around. “Where's Jokaste?”
“Uh, we broke up. The wedding's off.”
“Oh. Let me guess, you found out she has terrible taste?” Laurent joked awkwardly.
“In a way, yes. She was sleeping with my brother.”
His face fell. “I'm sorry.”
“Oh well, better find out sooner than later.”
Laurent sighed and leaned against the marble kitchen island. “So I guess you're not in the mood for interior design then.”
“No, I...I don't even know what I'm gonna do with this house, to be honest.”
He nodded. “Well, take your time. Think it over.” He motioned at the large window. “It's a great location though.”
Damen slowly nodded. His heart was still in turmoil, but somehow Laurent's calming presence made things seem a bit clearer. And why was his shirt so perfect? “Hey, I checked out some of your work online,” he admitted. “I uh, I really like your style.”
Laurent arched an eyebrow. “You do?”
“Yeah, it's very...peaceful. Like, that cabin you did.”
He smiled to himself. “Yes, that was one of my favorite projects. I love strong, clean lines,” he added pointedly.
Damen suddenly felt a bit hot under his piercing gaze. “So uh, you were joking right, with the sand, and the treadmill?”
Laurent rolled his eyes and smirked just a little. “Okay, it was a prank, yes. You see, when I told my brother that 'TheRealJokaste' had contacted me he dared me to try and see what kind of ugly, tasteless crap I could get her to agree on. My plan was to pitch increasingly bizarre ideas and then storm off in a huff over 'creative differences' at some point.”
Damen started smiling despite himself. He would have liked to see that.
“You were a good sport though,” Laurent admitted.
He shook his head. “I didn't understand half of what you said.”
“Oh well, it's my job. I don't watch sports, so I have no idea what you do. I was curious to meet you though, after I looked you up.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and I'm glad I did. Because I'm going to get you a drink and then you can cry on my shoulder about being hot and single.”
Damen's heart skipped a beat. Laurent thought he was hot? He turned his head to hide his blush. “I appreciate the offer, but uh...there's no drinks here.” He spread his arms around. “There's nothing here.”
“That's why we're going to my place.” Laurent leaned closer and whispered, “Come on, I'll show you my masterpiece.”
Epilogue
“Damen?”
“Hmmm?” he replied lazily, snuggling in Laurent's arms.
“You know what really makes a house a home?”
Damen looked around their beautifully designed bedroom. “No, what?”
“Love.” Laurent smiled. “That's what makes a house a home.”