About a week later, Sam had gotten used to the idea of playing cello again. Aleksei made it a lot easier to simply enjoy making music together instead of focussing on impressing his parents. On Thursday, instead of heading over to the gym, Sam and Aleksei agreed to practise a few songs they had picked out a few days earlier.

Sam had made sure that they had enough to drink while practising so they wouldn't need to take breaks unless they really wanted to. It wasn't until the sound of the front door closing in the background, that Sam noticed the time, or rather, how long they had been playing already.

Sam ignored the fact that his parents were home, and focused on the notes he needed to play. That was until he heard the clicking heels of his mother coming closer and he messed up his part.

"Sam, honey?" his mother's voice sounded right before the door opened. "We would appreciate it if you'd stop making noise. Your father and I have had a busy day and we'd like some peace and quiet." She didn't wait for an answer, closing the door rather harshly.

Sam sighed while he tilted his head backwards, letting out a frustrated groan.

Aleksei had promptly stopped playing when Sam's mom came in. Sam's frustrated groan phrased what Aleksei thought pretty well, but otherwise it was just... awkward. What do you say at moments like these?

"Want to get out of here?" Aleksei offered.

"Oh god, yes," Sam answered, jumping up at the offer. "Let's go."

Aleksei never really liked being at Sam's place while his parents were there either, and he was already standing outside before he even had his coat on. He waited for Sam to close the front door behind them before speaking up.

"Well... that was awkward," Aleksei said.

Sam shrugged, putting on his coat in the same time. "Let's be grateful they caught us playing music together," he answered, winking at Aleksei with a cheeky smile on his face.

"God no." Aleksei's face went beet-red at the thought of Sam's parents walking in on them.

"Anyway," Sam smiled as he noticed Aleksei blushing. "can we hang out together for the rest of the night? I really don't want to face my parents right now. And I wouldn't mind spending more time with you."

"I..." Aleksei hesitated. He wanted to spend time with Sam too, but he was supposed to be working tonight. Maybe he could ask Aeng to fill in for him. Could he impose like that, though?

Aleksei looked at Sam. Come on, don't be a wuss. Just call Aeng.

"Just a moment, I need to call someone then," Aleksei said, walking off with his phone in his hand.

Sam nodded, stuffing his hands deep in his pocket while kicking a small pebble away. Sam silently waited for Aleksei to finish his call. In his head, he was already trying to come up with things he could do if Aleksei would have to leave. The only thing he could think if that would help him getting rid of his frustration caused by his parents, was heading over to the gym. Though he hated going there by himself, it was the only other option he got.

Aleksei knew he'd taken a while to get that phone call to Aeng and something else out of to way, so when he walked back to Sam he was glad to see he didn't look impatient.

"Sorry for the wait. But, the good news is that I'm off tonight. Aeng is going to take my shift."

Sam smiled, glancing around to see if anyone was watching them, before he pulled Aleksei in for a quick kiss. "Good, that cheers me up a bit."

"It's because of you, you know." Aleksei returned Sam's smile with a small one of his own. "I wouldn't have asked Aeng to take my shift a few weeks ago. I guess... you help me be more open."

"Glad I'm helping you," Sam answered, refraining from putting an arm around Aleksei as they started walking towards their bikes. "You help me too. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have started playing cello again. I just wish my parents would allow me to practise more, or to stop calling it noise. I'm getting sick and tired of them always putting me down."

Aleksei sighed. "I've known them for a few weeks and I'm already tired of watching it. But... we don't have to deal with them tonight." Aleksei glanced at Sam. "Want to go somewhere?"

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"The city centre," Aleksei vaguely replied, while, in reality he had a much more detailed plan. He just didn't want to tell Sam. Not just yet.

"Fine by me," Sam agreed with a smile.

Aleksei was glad Sam agreed without asking more questions. If Sam had pried and looked at him with those big brown eyes, there was no way he would've been able to resist telling him everything.

Exactly according to plan, Aleksei came to a halt near the station and parked his bike, waiting for Sam to do the same.

"Wait, why are we stopping here?" Sam curiously asked. The station was definitely not a location he had considered as an option for them to stop at.

Aleksei nodded, staying quiet and mysterious while they exited the bike stalling space. He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out his work t-shirt.

"I want this to be a surprise. So, cover your eyes."

Sam smirked, looking down at the t-shirt Aleksei was holding. "As a blindfold?" He asked before shrugging. "Okay, but then you'll have to put it on me."

"Okay." Aleksei couldn't stop a small smile from creeping onto his face as he stepped behind Sam and gently wrapped the t-shirt blindfold on. "All dark?" he asked.

Sam knew he probably looked like a fool, sheepishly grinning because of the blindfold. "Yeah, all dark. This is kind of kinky, though," he commented before chuckling.

Aleksei was glad Sam currently couldn't see how hard that comment made him blush. "I'd be happy to do this at home, too," he tried to flirt back, even if it came out sounding rather shy.

Sam swallowed hard. It was hard not to picture Aleksei blindfolding him in the bedroom. "I'll keep you up to that, mark my words," Sam joked, trying to hide the fact he liked that idea a little too much. "Now, lead me the way," he told Aleksei, his hands searching for the other boy.

Aleksei chuckled, guided Sam's hand to his shoulder, and then lead the way to one of his favourite buildings in the city: the concert hall.

Aleksei remembered the first time he'd walked in there. With the intricate wall decorations, a smooth sleek design, and soft light illuminating from dozens of little lamps, it was definitely one of the most beautiful concert halls he'd ever seen.

He wanted the 'wow' effect for Sam to be even greater than it'd been for him - hence the blindfold. Even if it was getting a little awkward with curious people glancing at them and having to navigate Sam around the crowds.

All Sam heard while being blindfolded, was a lot of people talking. At first Aleksei had guided him down the streets and the voices seemed distant. But at that moment, Sam knew they were surrounded by people close by.

Though, he had no idea where Aleksei had taken him to. "Aleksei, am I allowed to take it off yet? I'm feeling disorientated."

"Just a little further," Aleksei said, shooting apologetic looks to a couple who had to step aside to let them through.

They stepped into the actual concert hall and Aleksei finally brought Sam to a halt in the corner. "Okay, you can take it off."

Sam slowly took off the blindfold, blinking a few times to adjust to the light. His eyes focused, and then went wide. With open mouth, wide eyes and goosebumps on his arm, Sam looked around amazed by the beauty of the building they were in.

After turning a full 360 turn, his eyes settled on Aleksei. "What are we doing here?" he asked curiously.

Aleksei had paid close attention to Sam, taking in his amazed reaction with a small smile. It was about to get even better, hopefully.

"We're going to listen to some music," Aleksei said, pushing one of the two tickets in Sam's hand. "Some of my favourite pieces, actually."

"My guess is that it's going to be classical music, seeing as to where we are?" Sam asked, excited for being there in the first place. He had begged his parents year after year to take him here, but they never did. "Well then, shall we go find our seat? I can't wait to hear some of your favourite pieces."

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