The magical market in Italy, with its cobblestone alleys and constant bustle, seemed to come alive under the sunlight. The laughter and conversations of wizards and witches wandering through created a vibrant, colorful atmosphere. Alessandra moved with a light, carefree step, weaving through the stalls with the ease of someone entirely in her element. Freyja, on the other hand, walked a few steps behind, trying to keep up as the crowd enveloped her. Alessandra turned on her heel with a mischievous smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Freyja, come!” she exclaimed, stopping by a stall of handmade jewelry. She picked up a shining necklace and examined it with obvious interest. “Isn't it beautiful? I think I could convince the owner to give it to me for half price if I smile enough.”
Freyja smiled faintly at the idea, though the hubbub of the market was still a bit overwhelming for her. She had grown up in an environment where restraint was the norm, and any display of emotion was seen as a weakness. So the way Alessandra moved, so freely and without reservations, was a mystery she couldn’t quite understand.
“It’s pretty,” she replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. But Alessandra had already put down the necklace and moved toward another stall.
“Come on, we have to see that antique shop at the end of the alley!” Alessandra said, taking Freyja’s arm with a cheerful gesture. “You’re going to love it; it’s like a little museum of rare things.”
Freyja let herself be guided, feeling the warmth of the unexpected contact. When they arrived at the shop, the worn sign reading “Antichità Incantate” hung over the door, and the window displayed a varied collection of ancient artifacts: intricate clocks, vintage potion bottles, and small amulets with mysterious symbols. Inside, the scent of old wood and parchment filled the air, and the dim light from enchanted lamps cast dancing shadows over the crowded shelves.
“This place has always fascinated me,” Alessandra said, her voice lower, almost in reverence. “It’s like each item holds a secret, don’t you think?”
Freyja looked around curiously, noticing how the shelves were filled with objects. Though she’d never been one to seek out adventures or mysteries, she couldn’t deny that there was something captivating about the place. She walked slowly over to a shelf filled with small amulets of various materials. One caught her attention: a silver pendant in the shape of a wolf, with lapis lazuli eyes that seemed to glow in the dimness. She picked it up, feeling the cool metal against her skin.
“What did you find there?” Alessandra asked, suddenly beside her almost magically. Her eyes fixed on the amulet Freyja held. “Oh, that’s beautiful. It looks made for you, Freyja.”
Freyja quickly put it back, uncomfortable with showing interest. “I don’t know, it’s just an amulet…” she murmured.
Alessandra looked at her with a mix of mischief and determination. “You can’t fool me, Freyja. Your eyes light up whenever you see something you like.” Before she could object, Alessandra took the amulet and headed straight to the counter.
“You don’t have to buy me anything, Alessandra. You’ve already gotten me plenty,” Freyja said, a bit embarrassed, trying to stop her.
“Who said it’s a gift?” Alessandra replied with a mischievous smile, tilting her head in amusement. “I’m just following my selfish desire. Besides,” she added as she paid the elderly shopkeeper, “a little protection never hurts anyone.”
Freyja accepted the small, blue velvet-wrapped package that Alessandra handed her, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. Accepting gifts didn’t come naturally to her; in her family, every act of generosity came with implicit expectations or hidden meanings. For a moment, she struggled with words but finally murmured, “Thank you…” she said softly, her fingers brushing the velvet with caution. There was something in Alessandra’s gesture, an undercurrent of genuine affection she wasn’t used to receiving.
Alessandra tilted her head with a satisfied smile. “You’re welcome. Now, come on, let’s celebrate with a granita.” Without giving her time to object, she took her arm and guided her out of the shop.
They headed to a small terrace at the corner of the square, where Alessandra ordered two lemon granitas. They sat down, and Freyja busied herself unwrapping the amulet to examine it closely. In the sunlight, the silver glowed faintly, and the lapis lazuli eyes of the wolf seemed to look right at her, as if hiding a message only she could decipher.
“Why did you give it to me?” she asked suddenly, still gazing at the amulet.
“I told you, didn’t I? A bit of extra care doesn’t hurt,” Alessandra answered with a casual air, sipping her granita.
Freyja frowned slightly, as if unconvinced. “Care against what?”
Alessandra set down her glass and looked at her with a more serious expression, though her eyes still held that mischievous spark that never seemed to fade. “The war, Freyja,” she said, intertwining her fingers and resting her elbows on the table. “We’re not exactly in a peaceful time.”
“I’m not used to this…” she admitted in a low voice, her tone almost inaudible. “To someone caring without expecting anything in return.”
Alessandra gave her a warm look, and her smile softened. “Well, Freyja, I think it’s time you get used to it,” she said with a tone that was both playful and sincere. “Not everything has hidden intentions. Sometimes a gift is just a gift. And you deserve good things, even if you don’t always believe it.”
The lump in Freyja’s throat grew tighter, but she also felt a warmth that began to break through. She looked at Alessandra and then back at the amulet.
“Why a wolf?”
Alessandra shrugged, her expression turning playful again. “The wolf is a symbol of strength and loyalty. And it’s a bit mysterious, like you.” She winked. “Plus, wolves are happier when they’re not alone. I don’t know; it just seemed to suit you.”
Freyja couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped her lips. It was a quiet, almost inaudible sound, but genuine. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment without questioning what was behind it. Alessandra had managed to make her let down her guard, even if only for a few seconds, and that meant more than she was willing to admit.
“Thank you,” she said again, this time with a firmer, more sincere tone, feeling the weight of the word was real. Alessandra nodded with satisfaction, her smile broad and radiant.
“I told you, it’s just an amulet,” Alessandra repeated, her tone soft but with an unusual seriousness in her. “But if you ever need something more, you know where to find me.” She gave her a conspiratorial look before adding with a playful smile, “And don’t doubt that I’ll be happy to rescue you from anything, even if it’s just a bad day.”
Freyja smiled and nodded, but beneath her calm exterior was a whirlwind of emotions. The idea that someone could be there for her without demanding anything in return, without expecting a favor or a payment in compensation, was a new and bewildering concept. The feeling was strange, but also comforting, like a balm on old wounds.
Their conversation shifted and became lighter, filled with laughter and trivial stories that Alessandra told with her characteristic enthusiasm. Freyja allowed herself to go along, her smiles becoming more frequent and natural as time passed.
As the sun slowly descended, painting the sky in shades of gold and orange, Freyja kept caressing the small wolf amulet hanging from her neck. She felt the cool, smooth metal against her fingers, but the simple gesture of holding it gave her a strange sense of comfort.
The silence between them was comfortable. Alessandra, who had been watching Freyja out of the corner of her eye, couldn’t help but notice the way she touched the amulet. Without thinking much, she decided to break the silence.
“What are you thinking?” Alessandra asked, a playful smile on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with that mischievous glint, but there was also genuine concern behind her light tone.
Freyja, who had been lost in thought, started slightly and lowered her gaze to her granita, tracing circles on its surface with her straw. “Nothing in particular,” she replied, shrugging, trying to sound casual.
Alessandra leaned a bit closer, resting her elbow on the table, her gaze unwavering. “You could be thinking about me,” she suggested in a lighthearted yet slightly suggestive tone.
Freyja’s face flushed with a blush she couldn’t control, her eyes widened slightly, and her breath quickened for a moment. She tried to hide her nervousness behind a nervous laugh, though her gaze betrayed her.
“What are you talking about, Alessandra?” Freyja murmured, quickly looking away, as if fearing that maintaining Alessandra’s gaze would reveal more than she was willing to admit.
Alessandra looked at her with a sidelong smile and shrugged. “Just a joke; don’t take it too seriously,” she replied lightly, though there was an intensity in her eyes that contradicted her words.
Freyja felt a small pang of disappointment in her chest, but she forced herself not to show it. She cleared her throat and looked away, trying to regain control of the conversation. “It’s… it’s time to head back to the villa,” she said, quickly changing the subject, though her voice sounded a bit weaker than she’d wanted.
Alessandra looked at her intently, and then a slow smile spread across her lips. “Yes, let’s go back to our home,” she repeated, emphasizing “our” with an almost seductive tone.
The choice of words sent a slight shiver down Freyja's spine. There was something in the way Alessandra said it that made it sound much more intimate than the situation warranted. For a moment, Freyja allowed herself to imagine what it would really be like to share a home with her, before quickly pushing those thoughts aside.
However, she barely had time to react when Alessandra took her hand naturally, intertwining their fingers as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The warmth of the contact surprised her, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she felt her steps grow lighter as they walked together back to the villa.
They walked in silence for a while, but it wasn’t the kind of awkward silence that demanded to be filled with words. It was a comfortable silence, one where they simply enjoyed being close to each other.