About twenty minutes later, Markus emerged from the shower feeling much cleaner and more centered. He sighed contentedly as he dried himself off, thinking on what Lucifer had told him. He had seemed proud that Markus was going to make sure Akane waited until she was sober to make the decision about doing anything more than sleep. His pride had seemed almost fatherly.
Markus left the small bathroom, towel firmly wrapped about his waist. Looking over at the bed, he saw Akane fast asleep, just as he thought she might be. He smiled and once he was sure he was dry enough, he gently crawled into the bed behind her, and wrapped an arm around her middle, tugging her close to him. She snuggled close and sighed contentedly in her sleep, and Markus let the day’s events wash over him, carrying him into slumber.
**************
“...and I’m simply telling you, Sir, that if they do it again, I will retaliate with the full force of my position. You know that there is precedent, and you know what has happened before when they got too greedy for their station… Yes... No, Sir. No, I will not just ‘give them one more’. They need to find their own avatars, and do so on their own. Leave mine out of it…. Yes…. Precisely. I would like a meeting between the three of us and my employee if he so chooses. What? No, Sir. I told him he was free to refuse it if he wished. Why? Because he is my employee. Not yours. Not theirs…. Yes, Sir…. I do realize that, believe it or not…. Yes, Sir…. Tomorrow? ... Thank you, Sir…. Yes, I will be there, and I will explain the details to my employee, should he choose to go…. Thank you, Sir… Yes, I’ll see you soon. Goodbye.”
Lucifer ended his conversation with the CEO, still fuming. At least there would be a meeting. Unlike the last few times. Hopefully, there would be a disciplinary hearing, as well. Looking down, he saw that his irritation had cost him yet another suit. He sighed and calmed himself, feeling his form shrink. It would not do for Markus to see him in that shape. He certainly wanted to keep this one. So few had responded to his inquiries over the years that he was afraid he’d have to start working himself ragged again.
Markus. What an interesting human. Able and willing to learn a new language and about a foreign culture with… well, he wouldn’t exactly call it ease, but he would call it speed. And the balls on this one! Threatening a Primal power! And for it to be Chaos, of all things! Courageous and ignorant. Stupid, one might say. But not Lucifer. No, he felt there was more than simple stupidity there. Reckless? Sure. Stupid? Far from it. He was fairly certain that Markus was banking on the idea that he wouldn’t simply allow Markus to be taken or killed by Chaos. And if that turned out to not be the case? Well, he was already certain that Markus was reckless. And after that showing, relentless was another term that he was willing to apply.
Assuming he survived the training, and the eventual revenge from Chaos, Lucifer felt that Markus was going to make a fine Liaison. Unlike others under him, Markus seemed to genuinely care for other creatures. His reaction to the dolphin was quite telling.
Was it wrong of him to snuff the dolphin’s flame right as Markus was petting her? Not exactly. It may be sneaky, but it wasn’t wrong. Maka had lived a long, happy life, and spending her final days in comfort was a blessing. As was her release from Life. It just happened to be a little early. It just so happened to also be an excellent gauge of Markus’ character.
Yes. He would make a most excellent Soul Liaison, indeed.
************
“I have been slighted by a mortal! You expect me to simply allow this to slide? I refuse. I…what did you say? You wouldn’t. But, I…” A sigh escaped from the amorphous form. “Fine. I will leave this new Soul Liaison and his friends and family alone. But only until our little “meeting” with Death. Afterwards, we will see if I shall continue to honor it…. Until then,” it said, terminating its conversation.
Flames of rage burst from its body, incinerating all within sight.
************
Consciousness returned to Akane, along with a thrumming headache as the uncharacteristically bright morning light filtered in through the windows. With a groan, she pulled the covers over her face, only to be pulled tightly to an extremely warm, extremely fuzzy chest.
She froze, her eyes wide, heart hammering. Looking down, she saw a large, powerful hand firmly wedged between her bare breasts. Her breathing became rapid and shallow as she felt the person behind her yawn and stir, then kiss her bare shoulder.
What had she done?
“Good morning, Usagi-chan,” Markus murmured softly. “I would bet your head is hurting a little. There’s water in the refrigerator over in the corner, and you are free to help yourself to anything else you find in there.”
Akane’s heart began to calm down, and she reached up, interlacing their fingers together. She scooted herself back, pressing herself against Markus’ chest. He responded by squeezing her gently.
Removing his hand from its rather comfortable nesting place, he patted her hip. “Go. Hydrate and eat something gentle. It’ll help,” he said.
Akane nodded and stood, letting him have an eyeful of her rear. Clasping a hand to her head, she gingerly made her way to the refrigerator, taking out the water, and some leftover soba. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks from atop the small refrigerator, and sat down in the chair next to the bed.
“So… did…. Did I do or say anything stupid last night?” she asked, taking a small sip of the water.
Markus smiled at her, taking in the vision of beauty that she was. “No. You did nothing stupid. I don’t know if you remember or not, but I told you that I simply wouldn’t, as you’d been drinking. You cannot consent when you aren’t fully in control of your faculties, Akane. That is one rule I will follow no matter what,” he said.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Akane stopped, noodles halfway to her mouth, her eyes wide. “So I didn’t…we didn’t…. And I’ve been walking around… Oh, god,” she said, feeling heat rise up her neck.
Markus laughed softly, and moved to a seated position, his legs hanging over the edge of the bed. “No. We did not. You certainly wanted to, but I wouldn’t let it happen. We simply slept. Nothing more,” he said gently.
Akane took a deep breath, and continued to eat. He had already seen her in her entirety, why bother to cover now? No way to un-break a glass.
Besides, if she was honest with herself, finding herself alone with a man, in the nude, no less, was rather exciting. In more ways than one, she was discovering.
She cleared her throat and nodded. “Did…um… did you want to… you know…?”
Markus gave her a lopsided grin. “More than you can imagine. Still do, but I will leave that decision entirely up to you. Like I’ve said before, I refuse to pressure you into doing something you may not be ready for. And even if you’re not ready before I leave, I will love you all the same, Akane. So please, don’t worry about that,” he said, doing his best to hide his body’s natural reaction to her.
She smiled and looked down at the noodles, idly stirring them with the chopsticks. Here was something she was definitely not used to. Sure, she’d been propositioned by several men over her life, and had even gone ahead and had her fun with them, but she’d never really had someone to be willing to let her decide the pace of the relationship. Not really, anyway.
“You will love me, huh? A big, handsome American like you loving a plain little Japanese woman like me? No matter what I choose here?” she asked, eyeing him from the side.
Markus smiled and nodded. “I will. And I wouldn’t call myself ‘handsome’. Not really. Maybe average. I’m rather overweight, as you can plainly see” -he motioned to his plump belly- “and most of the women I’ve dated over the years weren’t especially happy about all the hair and the absolute need for a fan year-round. And you aren’t plain, Akane. Not by a long shot. You are smaller than me, though,” he said.
Akane colored, and stood, walking towards him. She saw his eyes rake up and down her body, and saw how he struggled to maintain eye contact. She smiled and sat next to him, laying her head on his shoulder as she wrapped an arm around his waist. Markus reciprocated by wrapping his around her shoulders.
“You know, very few Japanese men are as hairy as you. I find no fault with it. That you’re overweight” -she poked his belly gently, then lay her hand on it- “is only a testament to how much you like to enjoy life and all it offers, I think. No, Markus. I find you” -she raised her head and kissed him softly- “quite irresistible and handsome. If I meet your approval in mind and body, what else do I need concern myself with?” she said, holding his chin gently.
Markus squeezed her gently, feeling her soft flesh under his fingers. “You know, I do think I am quite easily falling in love with you, Akane,” he said.
“Easily, huh? Your opinion may change in a week, though,” she said with a grin.
“About that…” he sighed. Akane looked up at him, worry marring her beautiful face. “No, it’s nothing bad. I just have to leave next Thursday. Bosses orders,” he said glumly.
She nodded and pressed herself to his side once more. “I knew you would be leaving soon enough. I didn’t expect it to be so soon, though,” she said with a sigh. She looked up at him, her eyes bright. “If you want, I can beg off until then? We can spend our time together! Do anything you want, go wherever you wish. Anything at all,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
Markus laughed and hugged her close to his side. “I will not jeopardize your job, Akane. You may think it’s worth it, but I know all too well what kind of damage that can do to your career. Besides, Once my training is over, I will be able to go anywhere I wish. My job can be done from almost anywhere, as we have offices in every major city on the planet. I need not stay in Kentucky. I could rent an apartment here in Kyoto with you. Or bring you to my home. Or we could go literally anywhere. If you want to stay close to Ichikawa-san, I would be more than happy to stay here,” he said.
Akane smiled and inhaled his scent. He was clean-smelling and had a masculine scent all of his own that drifted just within her awareness. She looked up at him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
“If my Kuma-kun is sure. I will trust his judgment. Now, as to any uh…fun we could have? I think I would like to wait. I think we should wait until your training is over. I wouldn’t want to distract you from your work with mental images and pictures of my body and yours entwined,” she said, raising her arms and stretching.
Markus’ eyes widened at the sight and his breathing increased in rapidity. “That’s just evil. Plain evil, Akane. No fair,” he said.
“What?” she asked innocently. “Can’t a girl stretch every now and then?” she said, smiling softly. “Speaking of stretching, we should get dressed. I’m sure senpai would like to see us,” she said as she stood in front of him.
Markus cleared his throat. “Uh… you go ahead. I, um… I’m gonna need a moment,” he said, his voice breaking.
Akane bit her lower lip, and pulled him to his feet, watching as the sheet fell away from him, and her eyes widened in surprise.
“We should definitely wait, my Kuma-kun. Trust me. Waiting would be our best option,” she said, unable to tear her eyes away.
Markus covered himself as well as he could with his hands. “Um…clothes?” he said nervously.
Akane shook her head violently and nodded, then dressed herself. Markus followed suit and sat on the chair. He waited while she called Hanako, and decided to message Atsuki.
Hey!
Y’all make it home okay? Everyone okay?
After a few minutes, during which Akane had gotten Hanako on the line, he got a reply.
Yo!
We stayed with Ichikawa-san and Yamato-san. Everyone had a good time. Gen-kun hasn’t been this happy in years!
What about you? You guys have fun? (͡o‿O͡) ***
Markus laughed softly and shook his head.
LOL
We had a good time, but are going to wait until my training is done for my new job. I have seen what I’m getting myself into, and I gotta say, it’s worth waiting for. More than one would think from first glance.
They texted back and forth for a few more minutes, when Akane announced that she was ready to go see them.
Markus smiled and stood, taking her by the hand.
“Onward! To Hanako!” he said as he opened the door.