Chapter Text
Darius very gently ran his hands down Hunter’s arms from behind, drawing attention to just how soft the fibers of the sweater he was trying on were.
“Tell me what you think,” Darius whispered softly, trying to be the calm and caring adult Hunter needed in his life right now.
“It’s comfy,” Hunter whispered. He liked the soft fabric and the loose, yet flattering fit of the garment, but the price tag made his skin crawl. He’d never seen a piece of clothing cost so much before. “But I can’t let you buy it for me...”
Darius didn’t like that answer. “I told you not to look at the price,” he said, gingerly turning Hunter around to face him and looking him up and down. “It looks really nice on you. It’s going to be getting cold soon. Natural beast fibers keep you warmer than synthetics. It’s worth the price tag when it lasts longer and feels better than synthetic fabrics.”
Hunter looked away, still uneasy about the situation he was in.
It broke Darius’ heart to see his little prince refuse to be spoiled even a little bit. “You do deserve to have nice things, Hunter,” he soothed him, his voice quiet and loving. “It’s one sweater. You’ve got maybe three or four outfits that you really like, but you’ve had them for years! I think you should be able to have something comfortable that fits you well and that you think looks nice. It’s even your color, dear.”
Hunter whined low in his chest. It really was a cute sweater. The neckline was high, but not constricting. The cuffs at his wrists were perfectly snug. Even the length of it seemed like it was tailor-made just for him, coming to rest right at his natural hips. “I... I guess you can buy it for me...,” he relented softly, a shy smile playing quietly at his lips. “I like it a lot.”
Darius let out a relieved sigh and smiled back down at the closed-off teen finally beginning to show him some warmth and vulnerability. “I had figured you would. Those creamy yellows always look so good on you. True golds just don’t bring out your smile as much,” he noted, gently patting his head.
Hunter had begun to flinch away from the gesture, but pushed right back up into Darius’ touch once he remembered that Darius would never lay a hand on him with any intention of hurting him. The sweetest little laugh bubbled out of his chest, showing Darius the bright smile he’d just made note of as he did.
With a chuckle, Darius turned Hunter back towards the mirror. “See, Little Prince?”
Hunter looked at his reflection with shining eyes and a new sense of confidence. “Do you think Willow’s going to like it?” He asked, a laugh dancing around his words.
“I think all of your friends are going to like it,” Darius assured him. “I’ll have to do a photoshoot.”
Hunter groaned loudly.
“A short one!” Darius insisted. “You know how I am about photos.”
A sigh slipped out of Hunter. “I do,” he said, his shoulders slumping. “Can we take some together?”
“Of course, Little Prince.”