Archive of Our Own ^beta

Alessio and Ted had quite the interesting relationship. One they didn't expect to have, but brings them fun, thrills, and surprises everyday. And Ted, funny enough, had brought many surprises to Alessio in their relationship.

One time was during Valentine's day, they both were trying to get some gifts for each other. Ted had a bit of a harder time as he tried to think of something that would be meaningful or useful to the artist. Last year he got him a fancy pair of sunglasses, but wanted to go in extra this year and make something that'll knock his shades off… metaphorically speaking.

Some advice he ended up getting from his fellow friends, Richard as well as Zaid, was to gift someone something that was get or make him useful or meaningful. To which it hit Ted, why not make him something? Sure Ted may not be the most artistic guy like his lover, but that doesn’t mean he didn't know a thing or two. His dad taught him some wood carving when he was younger, so maybe a wood carving of something could do the trick.

Safe to say, it wasn't half bad… though he maintained a confident face and hoped that it would be what would do. As the day came, the two exchanged their gifts to each other, Alessio made Ted a deck of cards with some painted backgrounds of his own. Ted loved it very much and would keep it on hand. 

As Ted casually presented his gift to Alessio, Alessio was silent for a moment, before he gave his thoughts on the details of the work, before saying it was his favorite wood carving hes seen, leaving Ted confused. Alessio explained that art can truly be shown through the passion put into it, and to Alessio this carving screamed passion. Alessio seemed to keep that carving with him as he worked and even inspired him on one or two of his paintings, as it was made by a man whose love screamed through this piece.

Another time was Ted, attempting to throw together a fancy dinner to appease Alessio. While it wasn't a secret that out of the two lovers, Alessio was the more romantic of them. Ted wanted to show the cards he's capable of playing and pull something off to match his romantic skills.

Well… let it not be said he didn't try. Ted invited Alessio to a secluded part of the park by the statue with a surprise picnic. Sure Ted had to shoo off some animals trying to eat their food, and the roses wilted a bit he had prepared, but he did his best to highlight their evening with a guitar song made specifically for the artist, to which left Alessio a bit flustered and rather impressed to be frank. While hed help show Ted the ropes when it comes to being romantic, he admired the gestures he did like these.

A third time was one evening when Ted returned home from a casino trip. He proudly announced to Alessio of a big win he made in one of his blackjack matches, to which Alessio was impressed and amused, wondering if Ted was ready to either get to the part where he doubled down or show off the money he made.

Interestingly enough, neither, as Ted showed Alessio something that took him by shock. Tickets to a trip across many parts of Italy and an itinerary of a two weeks trip. 

Many famous locations, art museums Alessio was ecstatic to see, restaurants, a giant casino of course to which Alessio would expect, but was glad to go along with. Those two weeks they had together were filled with many laughs, wins, losses, kisses and inspirations. They were unforgettable ones as they not only got to experience things they both loved, but got to enjoy it with each other too.

Alessio saw his life before him as a canvas, and many things to motivate him going forward. But having his love, Ted Gordon by his side made it feel like a collaboration come true.