He stepped in, stopping short. “May I come in?”
Seraphina was in bed, her enormous belly under the covers, and she gestured him in. “You’re already in...”
He walked next to the bed, looking down at her, taking her hand. “I’d like to apologize... for today. I should have never raised my hand to you.”
Seraphina watched him, her mind racing. “Are you staying with me tonight?”
Marius sighed. “If you want me to, yes.”
She smiled at him. “Yes, I’d like that.”
Marius’ eyes went to the door, hesitating. “I’ll change in my room, I’ll come back...”
She smiled a small smile. “Sure, dear. I’ll be waiting.”
He left and went straight to look for Kyle. He was in the kitchen, doing mountains of washing up with Shayla and Melissa. They almost kneeled when he waved it off, gently pulling him outside. “How are you?”
Kyle’s face was drawn, white. He was in a lot of pain, his skull throbbing, but he just swallowed, trying to sound light. “I’m fine.”
Marius looked clearly embarrassed. “I have to sleep with Seraphina tonight... I was sort of a jerk to her today.” Kyle just nodded, too tired, and Marius cupped his face, kissing him. “You should go to bed. Sleep in our room.”
Kyle smiled thinly. “I still have a mountain of work...”. Marius’ heart sank, but Kyle just nudged him gently. “... and you’re making me run late... just go to your wife.” Marius smiled and left, his eyes drifting back to the slave going back to the kitchen.
He went back to his room, changed into a light tunic, and went to Seraphina’s room, not bothering to knock. The room was dimly lit, but Seraphina was still awake. He lay down next to her and pulled her in his arms, his hand drifting to her belly. He could not see her content little smile, her eyes gleaming like a snake’s.
Kyle finished very late, almost in the small hours of dawn, his throat parched, a vague nausea lingering. He lay down, exhausted, in his room, not even being able to drag himself upstairs. He pressed a cloth soaked in cold water to his face and gritted his teeth against the pain, the dull throbbing somewhat eased. His mind churned the day’s events, the words said, and he wondered if they were right. Maybe he had no right to take Marius’ mind off his family... He’d always been called a whore, so was he one now? Yet, he loved him so much; it hurt... He turned to his side, trying to find sleep.
Next morning, Marius walked to his room just to find it empty, and he sighed and put his clothes on, wandering down to the garden. It was still early, but the air was milder. He sat down on a couch, just lying back, watching the sprouting green leaves.
Kyle walked to the garden to feed the fish, and he froze when he saw Marius, just to gather his wits then and walk up to him.
Marius patted the couch. “Sit.” He did, and the Roman laced his arms around him, pulling him to his chest. “I missed you...”
Kyle sighed, facing him, his grey eyes pools of worry. “Marius... am I in the way?”
He watched as his face fall, his blue eyes widening. “What? What are you talking about?”
“You know... as in the way of your happiness, your family life...”
Marius brushed his knuckles on his cheek, making sure he didn’t push the tender skin. “What’s this nonsense? I love you; my life is only complete with you.”
Kyle blushed, but he pushed. “I seem to cause grief... to your wife, your parents, her parents...”
Marius waved him off, irritated. “Fuck them. Who cares...”, but a bitter feeling settled in his throat and their eyes locked. “Do you love me, pet?”
Kyle’s throat clutched. “Yes...”
“So, stop talking fucking nonsense.” Marius kissed him deep, pushing his tongue into his mouth, whispering when he broke the kiss. “I don’t care what people think. I love you and I want to be with you.”
“I know... but will they let you?”
A glint of fear crossed Marius’ face, but he just stroked Kyle’s face. “We just have to be careful...”
“Your wife is jealous...”
Marius sighed. “Yes... she is. But she’ll have her baby soon and that should keep her busy, or so I hope.”
They quieted and Kyle wasn’t sure that Seraphina would just give up. If she really loved him, she could go all the way and become dangerous.
