Chapter Text
Luke was a man of his word.
He took pride on the fact that he had never, ever broken a promise — especially when these promises were made for Rosa.
He still remembered his first vacation abroad after befriending her: two very clingy, teary eyed children acting like they would never see each other again, trying to convince each other's parents that Rosa absolutely had to accompany Luke on his trip. I'm big enough to stay home alone, he remembered arguing as his mother tiredly sighed, kneeling before him as she tried reasoning with both of them, Rosa can't leave her parents on their own. Can't you understand that? Rosa's lips looked wobbly as he turned to her with an expression that his mom would later describe as similar to a "kicked puppy", proudly telling her I'll be back, alright? I promise!
He felt heat rise to his cheeks at the memory. They were both so dramatic for no reason, but he couldn't help it back then. He never promised her that he would never break a promise, but it felt like an unspoken rule on the bond they both shared. She was always there for him, and he'd always be there for her.
That was the only thing that could make him bolt from his shop at 6pm on a Saturday night, hailing the first cab that came into view in the middle of the busy street near his home. Rosa's birthday was tomorrow, and he had been so caught up on one of his cases throughout the whole week that he forgot about buying her gift. A gift he promised he'd give her, after spending so many of her birthdays away.
He'd never forgive himself if he actually forgot about it. Thing is, he knew exactly what he wanted to gift her, and with all that certainty, the act of actually purchasing the gift was pushed to the back of his mind. He just needed to get to the mall, fast, and hope it wasn't sold out. It wasn't a cheap piece anyway, so it wasn't likely that it was gone, but—
The cab driver stared at him, a bit puzzled.
“Sir? Your destination?”
“Ah! The nearby mall, please.”
—
Right. Here he was.
The store looked a bit out of place at the busy mall, with its wide doors and many, many different art pieces displayed on the windows. It had caught Luke's sight online, and he found himself ina we at every piece he was able to recognize from the the artist's portfolio. Everything was pretty and he did want to stand there and take in each detail but he had to make sure Rosa's present was still within reach.
With a determined huff, he entered the store and walked to a small corner he easily identified as being the space dedicated to music and — there it was.
Thank god.
The music box he chose for Rosa had a simple charm to it that made him immediately think of her. It looked like an antique, although it most likely wasn't, if it's condition was any indication, with every tiny detail shining brightly even in the store's dim lightning. A small ballerina wearing a golden dress stood on the middle and he found himself smiling because he just knew Rosa would love this.
That until he saw the small plaque standing next to it.
Sold to Marius Von Hagen.
No fucking way.
“Mr. Von Hagen! We weren't expecting to see you today!” Luke heard a cheerful voice speak from behind him.
He stared at the music box helplessly.
“I was free.” Someone answered, and Luke turned his head around to find a tall, dark haired man walking towards him. He had his hands inside his pockets as he looked around the store, seemingly uninterested. “Is the order I placed ready?”
“We haven't started with the name carving yet, sir, but we can get it done in a few.”
“Great. I'll be waiting, then. Is this it?” Luke took a step to the side as the man stood beside him; feeling the urge to square his shoulders as he suddenly felt short.
“Yes, sir— um, I'm sorry, may I help you?” The woman talking to Marius turned his attention to Luke. She wasn't wearing any kind of uniform, but it was clear that she worked for the store.
“I... I was planning on buying this.” Luke said.
“I am sorry, sir, but this piece has been sold to Mr. Von Hagen. Are you not interested in anything else?”
Luke sighed.
“Not really, no.”
Well, what a bummer. The woman grimaced before reaching out to pick up the box.
“If you change your mind, you can talk to one of our employees. Mr. Von Hagen, I'll take this to the back to get the carving done. Thank you for your patience!”
“You're welcome,” The man answered with a clear smile on his voice. As the woman walked away, Luke stood there wordlessly, a bit lost.
What was he going to do? He didn't want to gift her anything meaningless and it'd be a miracle if he did find something as fitting as the music box.
He looked around the store. It wouldn't hurt to try and go gift hunting now.
“Stop looking like that. It's making me feel bad.”
Luke turned to stare at Marius Von Hagen, a bit surprised. The man chuckled.
“Looking like what?” He asked, crossing his arms. He didn't like that tone of voice.
“Like a kicked puppy, maybe? There's plenty other stuff here, c'mon.” The chuckle was still on his voice when he spoke, and that angered Luke for some reason. “Was that little box so important to you?”
“Yes.” He said firmly. “I was going to give it to someone important to me.”
“Ah,” Marius' expression changed. Luke watched a smirk grow on his lips. “A girlfriend?”
Luke's eyes widened. He coughed into his fist in hopes of distracting Marius from the red that
surely rose on his cheeks.
“She's not—”
“Pining at your age? Someone's probably gonna get to her before you do, you know,” Marius shook his head.
Luke grumbled.
“What do you know?”
“I'm just saying.” He raised his eyebrows innocently. “The lovesick puppy has to be careful, too.”
Luke didn't repress the urge to roll his eyes. Great, the perfect gift for Rosa had been sold to a pompous asshole. What a nice way to start the week.
“Don't call me that. And if you excuse me—”
Marius grabbed his jacket.
“Wait a bit. What's your name?”
“I'm not—”
“Should I keep calling you puppy?”
Luke's nostrils flared.
“It's Luke.” He shook his arm to get his jacket free from Marius' grip. The man hummed and grabbed his cellphone from his pocket, quickly typing something before pocketing it again. Luke watched him. “Is there anything else—”
“I'll give you the box,” Marius spoke. “With one condition.”
Luke immediately shut up.
He stared at Marius, hopeful, until he properly processed the last part of the man's sentence.
“Stop messing with me.”
“I'm not messing with you. I'll give you the box, I don't really care for it. But...”
Luke crossed his arms.
“But?”
“You have to come on a date with me.”
“Come on a d— what.”