Bellatrix would be the first to admit that she had a crush on her Lord. She admired him like she had no other. He was a God to her, radiating power from his every being and commanding respect with a glance.
When he had been human, she had admired his handsome features, true. But she had not fallen in love with his face. She had got to know him, and she had come to see the depths of his intelligence. As well as the cruelty he was capable of. And she loved him, even more when she felt the overwhelming echo of his magic as he found new, creative, ways to torture a prisoner.
Yes, Bellatrix loved her Lord.
Many would think that the tall, slender, dark-haired man would be jealous when he saw the way his wife looked at their Lord. The truth is, he was rather proud (though he would never tell anyone that).
His Lord trusted him.
Rodolphus saw it in his eyes, in the way the Dark Lord allowed himself to get close to Bellatrix and in the way he allowed Rodolphus to stand by his side and speak his mind. There were few who had been given that privilege. He knew it in the way he invited Rodolphus into his private quarters, to talk sometimes about missions. Other times about his daily life.
He knew he had been granted a special position, and he was honoured. And when those red eyes turned to him during on of the Death Eater meetings, it was all Rodolphus could do not to break down in worship under the intensity of that brief glance. It had been an almost thoughtful look, filled with sharp edges and a cruel amusement (for their Lord was never kind).
Afterwards, when it was only Bellatrix and him in attendance to their Lord, he had silently revelled in the looks of jealousy some of the others had sent their way. When his Lord had explained that he was inviting him to join them, he had been shocked. Shocked that their Lord accepted him so, but filled with an abundant sense of pride. His Lord trusted him, and he had been invited to share something special with their Lord.
He had said yes, of course.
Just something I had lying around. As always, Reviews are appreciated :).