Livia didn’t like using Whitney as a social experiment but she didn’t know what else to do. She was going to Caesarea in two days and she had to start somewhere.

She found Whitney in the living room studying. Livia deliberately didn’t bring a snack with her like she usually would have. That made her anxious. It’d be much easier if Whitney rejected her food instead of Livia herself.

“Hey,” Livia said.

“Hey,” Whitney greeted, not looking up from her textbook.

“So, fall break in two days,” Livia began.

“Yep.”

“I like having you as a roommate,” Livia said.

Whitney looked up, confused.

“I’ll miss you over fall break,” Livia continued.

Whitney smiled. “I’ll miss you too, Liv.”

“Maybe we can do something together when we get back?” Livia asked.

“I’d like that,” she said.

“Sorry, I’m boring lately. I need sleep,” Livia said.

Whitney shrugged. “You can make it up to me when you get back from fall break, alright? We’re good.”

Livia sighed with relief. That did not go too bad. It seemed irrational to spend thirty minutes making a batch of cookies when you could say something and patch things over within thirty seconds. Maybe Tavian had a point? It was going to be an interesting break.

###

Everyone piled into Corvin’s black SUV, bags packed, lunch bagged, at noon Friday. They planned to arrive in Caesarea around four o’clock that afternoon. They ate and chatted the first two hours of driving. Then took a quick pit stop at a rest stop to go to the bathroom. When they started again Corvin asked to listen to music. Terrance acted like a typical DJ for awhile. Then he dug into his backpack. “Okay, I have a surprise, guys.”

“A CD?” Corvin asked. “We’re going old school.”

Terrance loaded it into the player.

“Wait,” Corvin said two measures into the first song. “You didn’t.”

“Whoohoo!” Felicity cheered. “Turn it up.”

“I’ve never heard this song before but the voice sounds familiar,” Livia said.

Felicity and Terrance laughed.

“It’s Corvin!” Felicity shouted.

“Guys, I can’t do this,” Corvin said and reached to turn it off. Livia leaned forward and grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Wait,” she said. “You sound…” Livia closed her eyes and listened. Younger. But that wasn’t what struck her about his voice. She opened her eyes at the end of the song.

“That Corvin is...happy,” Livia said.

The car went silent. Corvin shook her hand off and turned the music off. Livia wanted to ask questions but Corvin put the blinker on and pulled to the side of the highway.

“Corvin?” Terrance asked.

“I need a minute,” he said, voice strangled.

He parked and put his head on the wheel and a breathy sob shook his shoulders. Livia flew into action. She pushed open the car door. Livia flew to the driver's side door and jerked it open. Livia froze. She knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to put her arms around him and cradle him the way he’d cradled her. Sometimes, though, her body didn’t cooperate with what she wanted to do. So, she had to gather her courage.

She slid her palm across Corvin’s back and tingles skittered up her arm but they settled as she tucked her arm around the curve of Corvin’s shoulder. There was something grounding about the shape of him huddled in the curve of her arm.

Livia pressed her cheek to the side of his head. “I’m sorry, Corvin.”

It had been her fault that they listened to the entire song through.

Corvin pulled away from the wheel and turned toward her. His arm wrapped around her middle and his face found shelter against her shoulder. Her other arm curved around him and he melted into Livia’s embrace. Livia was relieved at how steady the embrace made her feel. Strength poured into her as Corvin’s sobs sent vibrations into her shoulder. She wasn’t sure if it felt good but it did feel right. There was no better place to be than here, offering her body as a refuge to the man who’d given her the same gift in some of her darkest moments.

She spoke into Corvin’s hair. “It’s okay. I’m so sorry. I’m here for you.”

Livia held him until he stopped crying. She pulled away. “Get out.”

Livia noted the confusion on Corvin’s face and realized how abruptly she’d pulled away. Corvin’s hand still rested lightly on the curve of her waist.

“I’ll drive,” Livia insisted. She still didn’t sound comforting enough.

Corvin pulled both his hands back over his thighs. “Liv, I’m fine now.”

Livia disliked how the lack of his touch made her feel adrift, uncertain of the right way to balance herself. She could ignore all that for now, though, because she had a purpose.

“I’m driving,” she insisted. “If it were me, you’d do the same thing, Corvin Tullius.”

“I can drive.”

Livia shook her head. “I don’t care! Get in the back seat. You deserve to rest!”

“Livia--”

“Do. Not. Argue. With. Me.” Livia said in her strongest don’t-mess-with-me tone.

Corvin undid his seatbelt and got out and slid into the backseat. Livia hopped up into the driver’s seat and moved the seat forward. Corvin had extremely long legs. Now she could reach the pedals and he had more room.

Livia took a deep breath. “Okay. Anyone need anything before we start again?”

Everyone chimed that they were good and Livia shifted the car into drive. Corvin’s car was different from hers and it took a couple of miles to adjust to the feel of it. The car was quiet for the next half-hour and they were soon twenty minutes outside Caesarea.

“How’s everyone back there, Terrance?” Livia asked.

“They’re both asleep,” he said, quietly.

“Even Corvin?” Livia asked.

“Yeah, Corvin went out first.”

“Is he okay?” Livia whispered.

“I guess I shouldn’t have done that,” he said.

“What was that? He did a CD?”

“He was the lead singer for a band called the Owls when he was younger. It was a different time of his life. He wasn’t as serious. He wasn’t always happier but more...carefree, I guess.”

“So was it a local thing?” Livia asked.

“Yeah, never went past Caesarea, but for a lot of us, it was the music of our teen years. Really nostalgic.”

“So, did he write the songs too?” Livia asked.

“Yeah, with his girlfriend, Cassia.”

“Where is she now?”

“She passed away,” Terrance said.

“What happened?” Livia asked.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“She was killed. It changed Corvin. He gave up music. Lost a year doing nothing. Then he made a friendship with Justin and they founded TARP together. Corvin finished school and went to work for him. Pulled himself back together really well but when it comes to relationships? Man, he makes bad decisions. Chooses all the wrong girls.”

“Okay,” Livia said. “That’s a lot.”

“Yeah,” Terrance said. “Don’t assume his life is perfect. He’s done his fair share of the life sucks thing.”

“Got it,” Livia said, getting off on the exit for Caesarea. There were miles of flat land out here interrupted only by the occasional hill or greenhouse. Caesarea disguised itself as a rural agricultural college. Most of those greenhouses were skylights for underground offices and buildings. They were coming in from the west side--land associated with Aquila house and the security patrol training facilities. They drove past the outdoor track and training fields, which were busier than Livia expected.

“They’re busy--” she muttered.

“They’re getting ready for the snatching of the Sabines reenactment,” Terrance said.

Livia shook her head. She’d been offended by the whole production last year and still felt the same this year. “Who came up with that idea?”

“It’s all good fun, Liv,” Terrance said. “No one is forced to do anything they don’t want.”

Livia huffed. “If you say so…”

Livia dropped everyone off and helped them unload their luggage. They were careful to be quiet so Corvin wasn’t disturbed. Livia pulled up to Terrance’s house. He was the last one to drop off.

“You okay?” Terrance asked, looking back at Corvin.

Livia nodded. “I’ll wake him up and get him to take me home.”

“Okay, I’m a phone call away and I have access to a car here so if you need anything? Ring me.”

“Got it.”

Livia went back to the car, though, and didn’t want to wake Corvin up. There was something too intimate about it. She was scared to face his emotions again. Alone this time. She thought about how Corvin would treat her and the answer came immediately. Corvin was the type of guy who drove you home and unloaded your bags and saw you were safe in the arms of your family before he’d leave you. Livia made the decision.

She called Hyrum. “Hey, we're in Caesarea but there’s been a complication.”

“What’s up?”

“I need you to pick me up at Corvin’s house.”

“Lars’ place?” Hyrum asked. “Or Corvin’s townhouse?”

“His parents' house. Lars’ place.”

“Okay,” Hyrum said. “See you in fifteen.”

“Yeah, thanks, Hyrum.”

“Okay, Corvin,” Livia whispered to his sleeping form in the backseat. “We’re taking you home.”

When Livia pulled into the driveway at Corvin’s parents' house there were a ton of cars parked on the street and in the wide driveway. There was even a group of people waiting around on the expansive porch around the front door. Livia immediately felt awkward. Maybe this was a bad plan? Too late now.

She pulled in slowly and parked, careful not to hit the empty trash can on the curb. She got out of the car. People who had started toward the car froze.

“Hey, uh,” she said, gesturing. “Corvin fell asleep. Backseat.”

Livia picked out the familiar faces of Corvin’s sisters. Epiphany, Mel, Alia. Epiphany made it to the car first. She opened the door.

“Corvin?” she asked, worried. “Hey, Corvin.”

He woke. “Whoa, Piph?”

“You okay?” she asked.

“Where are we?” he groaned.

“Home. You’re home,” she said, gently.

“Livia drove me home?”

“Yeah,” Mel chimed in. “Freaked us out, a little.”

“Sorry, she forced me to take a break. I guess I needed it.”

“Forced you?” Epiphany said. “That’s a feat.”

Corvin yawned. “Everyone here?”

“Yeah, come on,” Mel said. “We’re so excited!”

They dragged Corvin out of the car and to the head of the driveway where he was swarmed with more hugs than Livia got in a year. Alia didn’t immediately trail after them. “Nice to see you again, Livia.”

“You too, Alia,” Livia said. Alia was the most friendly of Corvin’s sisters and often stopped to chat with Livia when they crossed paths. She was two years younger than Livia and didn’t have the same hazel eyes as the rest of her siblings. Instead, she shared the same steady brown eyes as her mother. “How have things been around here?”

“Pretty stressful, actually,” she answered, honestly.

Livia’s eyes shifted toward Corvin. “Yeah, I only recently realized how stressful. I’m sorry.”

Alia nodded. “Thanks for taking care of Corvin.”

Livia waved that off. “He’s done more for me. Don’t worry about it.”

Alia walked off and Livia was left alone. If Hyrum was going to come to get her, then she needed to get her bags. She didn’t want to make Corvin or his family take care of her. She opened the back of the SUV. She tried to find her bags but they were behind Corvin’s--two huge duffels that were ridiculous in size for a weekend. What had he brought home? She hauled them out easily, almost dwarfed by the size of them.

A deep voice stopped Livia. “Let me,” he said.

“I got it,” she said, firmly. “Where do you want them?”

“In my hands,” the voice jested.

Livia looked the lanky man up and down. He was tall but had more meat on him than Corvin. His hair was silver and his skin tough from exposure to the sun and elements. “They’re pretty heavy,” Livia told him doubtfully.

The man grinned. “I am married to a Taurus Miss Fabius. I can handle it.”

This was Corvin’s Uncle Lucius then. He was married to Garnet, who was born in Taurus house. He’d have adopted her powers upon their marriage so could easily handle the bags.

“Alright then,” Livia said, handing the bags over.

Livia went back to the SUV and pulled out her suitcase and backpack. She noticed that the backseat had a lot of trash in it. So, when she stowed her stuff at the end of the driveway she rolled the trashcan back toward the car. She started clearing all the trash out.

She had moved to the front seat when she heard Corvin behind her. “Livia, what are you doing?”

“Cleaning up a mess.”

“Stop doing that.”

“I’m almost done.”

“Livia, stop,” Corvin ordered.

“There’s only three more things,” she said, ignoring him. She leaned into the car to grab something on the footboard in the passenger seat. Just as she grabbed the last of the wrappers an arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her up and back.

Livia was so strong that she thought of herself as solid, immovable. Like a rock. This conception of herself wasn’t shattered very often. Corvin lifting her down from his truck with one arm pretty much destroyed this illusion. She felt feminine and small and vulnerable. She didn’t like it.

“Put me down!” she cried.

“Livia,” he sounded annoyed. “You don’t need to clean my truck.”

He set her feet on the pavement. Livia grabbed his hands and tossed them off her. “You don’t need to touch me!”

“Liv, stop fussing. I’m fine.”

Livia threw the trash in her hand into the garbage. “I am not fussing!”

“Oh really? What’s your definition of fussing then?”

Livia took on the imitation of a dozen simpering females she’d seen interact with him. She pressed a single hand on his chest and spoke in a falsetto. “Oh Corvin, we’ll just die if you don’t come to this party with us. You are the air we breathe. How could we live without you?”

“That is not funny,” he snapped.

But his family erupted in a huge gale of laughter. Livia smirked. “They think it is because it’s true!”

Corvin glared.

Livia removed her hand from his chest and swung the garbage can lid closed and then grabbed the handle.

“What are you doing?” Corvin asked, stopping her from pulling the trashcan by putting his hand on the other handle. Livia inhaled through gritted teeth and had to stop herself from running him over with it. This made her almost fall over.

Corvin grabbed her again to steady her, hands splayed on either side of her waist. “Whoa.”

Livia gave him a defiant glare, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Let me take the trashcan in.”

“Why?” he asked, disbelieving.

“Because I’m Livia Fabius, Corvin,” she snapped. “I see a job that needs to be done and I do it.”

“Come meet my family,” he said.

He still hadn’t let go of her. Livia feared she was too upset to break his hold without hurting him. It made her heart beat hard and fast to be held so decisively.

“I need you to stop touching me, Corvin,” she begged, voice low.

He looked surprised and immediately released her. Livia’s tension lowered.

Livia gestured at the trashcan. “You can’t leave this in the middle of the driveway. How are these people going to pull out later?”

“We put the trash can away, you agree to be introduced to my family,” he argued.

“Fine!”

Corvin, in a ridiculous move, kept his hand on the trashcan the entire time they pulled it. Two people hauling an empty trash can up the driveway--one of them Taurus. It was a ridiculous sight. His family should be laughing, instead, they buzzed with excited chatter.

They parked the garbage can against the side of the house.

“Happy?” Corvin asked, giving her an amused look.

“Yes, thank you,” Livia snapped.

“Are you ready for introductions?” Corvin asked.

Livia inhaled. “Not really. Do I have to do that chin thing?”

“No, that is only for when you’re in public. We’re at my home now with my family. Things are very informal and relaxed.”

Livia took another deep breath trying to calm her nerves. Getting thrown back into Caesarea like this was not part of her plan. She was scared she’d offend Corvin’s entire family. Her face went red as she realized she’d already got in a fight with him over a trash can. Talk about a bad first impression.

“I’m sorry, Corvin,” Livia squeaked.

“What for?” he asked, leaning in closer.

“The trashcan.”

He leaned back and laughed. “Relax, Livia. You’re fine.”

Livia took an audibly shaky breath. “Let’s do this, I guess?”

“Hey,” Corvin said. “If you need emotional support you’re welcome to slip your hand into mine anytime, alright.”

Livia's eyes went wide. “Then everyone would think we were dating!”

Corvin laughed again. “That ship has sailed, Liv. The second you pulled in that driveway they assumed we were a couple.”

“Well, how do we fix that?” she hissed.

He shrugged. “They’re smart. They’ll get it when they don’t see you around.”