Retail Therapy // Part Two
Oooh, Lex. Smell this one,” Rian said, shoving a candle under his husband's nose.
“It smells like the last five.”
“No, this one is Swisse Vanilla. It's delicious,” Rian said, holding the candle up to his face and inhaling deeply.
Alex screwed up his nose before sneezing. Loudly. And obnoxiously.
Rian rolled his eyes and placed four of the Swisse Vanilla candles in his shopping basket.
“Don't we have enough candles?” Alex asked, running his hand over a pile of emerald green towels “Oh, these are gorgeous.” He held one out to Rian for his approval. The minute Rian's hand touched the soft cotton of the towel his eyes lit up and he held the basket out so his husband could place of them in with the candles.
“There's no such thing as enough candles,” Rian said as they continued to wander through the store.
They'd been together long enough that they didn't really need to have lengthy discussions when it came to homewares and the like. They knew each other's tastes and if they found something they liked, it was merely pointed out for husband-approval before being placed in the basket.
Alex's favourite department in Bed, Bath and Beyond was definitely the soaps, body washes and sponges. Rian's was obviously the candles. Anybody who knew him knew that. Alex didn't even have to think twice before picking up three bars of coconut soap and placing them in the basket. It was his favourite, and the fact that Rian liked the way it made him smell was a bonus.
Out of the corner of his eye Alex saw Rian pick up a bar of sandalwood soap. He turned and slapped his husband's wrist before taking the soap off him and putting it back.
“I don't like that one. Pick something else.”
“I like that one though!” Rian argued.
“I don't care. I'm the one who has to smell it.”
Rian huffed before opting for a nice vanilla scent to match his candles instead. Alex smiled to himself. He didn't even particularly dislike the sandalwood soap, he just liked knowing that he could still exercise some authority over his better half, even after all these years.
“We should have a bath tonight,” Rian said, linking his fingers through Alex's and kissing him softly on the shoulder; a gesture which made the other boy smile and blush faintly.
“Well, I didn't want to have to tell you, but you are getting a bit whiffy,” Alex said, screwing up his nose. A playful twinkle in his eyes was the only thing that gave his comment away as a joke.
Rian slapped him on the arm. “Well, I meant together but not anymore.”
“Oooh, no. I like that plan! Let's do that,” Alex said, nodding eagerly.
“Nope,” Rian said stubbornly.
“Pleeeaaaase,” Alex whined “We can light the vanilla candles!”
“Promise? You won't fake sneeze and be a brat?” Rian asked him seriously.
“Promise.”
“Good. Because we need to make the most of our alone time now, you know.”
Alex smiled. “I know. Worth it though.”
“So worth it,” Rian said with a grin.
They kept wandering until Alex tugged on his husband's arm, leading him over to what was probably about to become his new favourite department. He pointed out a patchwork blanket.
“Look, it's so soft and warm.”
“We should definitely get that.”
It was all shades of purple and the fabrics ranged from plain to striped to prints of little butterflies.
“Do you think she'll like it?” Alex asked, biting his lip.
“She will love it... and she'll love you.”
“I hope so,” Alex said quietly.
“Lex, you're going to make an amazing father. I promise,” Rian set the shopping basket on the floor and wrapped his arms around his husband, hugging him tightly.
“Thanks,” Alex replied, slightly muffled against Rian's shoulder “You will too, Ri. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Part Three