I take a deep breath in snuggling into Julius's warm chest. Ah~ I'm glad he stayed today instead of leaving. I'm not going to lie that hurt me a little bit, not being able to wake up to Julius's face. I slightly jump as something squeezes my lower region. Heh ... Julius grabbed my butt. I giggle at the immature move and rub his warm chest with my fingers as I hum.

"Julius ... ," I whisper, kissing his neck. I open my eyes spying a black tattoo on his neck. Huh?

"I'm not Julius. What can I do to prove it to you?" Grey's voice pleads. My eyes bug out of my head as I fly back, spying Grey's flushed face and soft lips. His hands squeeze again making a cold shudder run up my spine.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" I nearly shriek, scrambling back as I fall off the bed. I groan as I hit the floor, immediately rolling over as I cover my butt. N-No one is there? I clutch at my chest staring at the empty sheets. Was that a ... dream? No, not a dream more like a freaking nightmare! W-What the heck was Grey doing grabbing my butt?! O-Ok, calm down. Nothing is wrong here! My - my stupid mind was wandering, that's all. I shiver as I search the room.

"Julius?" I hesitantly call out before heavily sighing. Oh man ... he must already be working. But it's still night out! Hm ... must just be a really long night. I stand up glancing down at my attire.

Oh gosh WHY.

Wearing nothing but Black lacy underwear and bra with only an unzipped jacket to cover me up. I rub my head as my face flushes. Oh man ... both Grey and Julius saw me like this. Oh ew! Even Nightmare saw me! So gross!

"GEH!" Nightmare hacks up somewhere outside the door. I heavily sigh and swallow my embarrassment. It's fine. A-After all, this covers more up than the average bathing suit. I quickly pick up a pair of sweats and zip up the jacket, trotting out into the hallway. Julius is sitting in his desk working on his endless projects while Nightmare is busy hacking up blood into a nearby bucket.

"Good. Now, Master Nightmare, don't forget to finish your documents before the end of today." Grey said patting Nightmare's back. Grey looks up, spying me in the doorway before quickly averting his eyes. "Morning, Miss Jackie."

"Yeah ... morning." I say almost in a daze.

"Tyrant!" Nightmare accuses with tears budding in the corners of his eyes. I heavily sigh and glance over to Julius who didn't even look up to say good morning. Why am I getting the cold shoulder again? Did I do something? He seemed fine last night. I faintly flush before turning back into the kitchen to make his coffee.

Seriously? Not even a good morning? Or, even better, at least stay in bed until I freaking wake up?! What a jerk! I roughly take out the package of coffee beans as the corner of it catches on the cabinet hinge.

RIIIP

Oh well this is just peachy. I angrily grumble as I pick up the stupid coffee beans noticing not even one speck of dust on the floor. Someone cleaned the kitchen? I take another look around noticing how spotless everything is. Who cleaned it?

"Did you sleep well, Miss Jackie?" Grey asks as another hand helps to pick up the coffee beans. My eyes narrow on Grey as anger replaces embarrassment. How dare he take advantage of me last night! I steadily ignore him as I pick up the last bean, freezing as Grey gently catches my shoulder and leans in. "Can you tell the difference between Julius and I now?"

"Come near me again and I'll shove a coffee bean up your nose." I threaten, tossing the beans into a coffee bean blender. Grey smoothly places the ones he gathered into the grinder. How could he possibly have more than I do? I ignore him as he stands just off to the side, observing me as I smoothly grind the beans up. Oh please just get the heck out.

"Jackie, if you grind them too much the coffee won't come out very good." My hands tremble as I continue to grind the coffee beans. What does he know? He only made good coffee for me because he stuck a girl's greatest weakness in it; chocolate. His hand smoothly catches mine forcing the grinding to a stop. "Jackie, what's the matter?" I glare at him from the corner of my eyes daring him to come closer.

"What do you think half wit? I'm pissed at you." More so Julius though because he couldn't even spare me a glance from his work. Grey guiltily looks away.

"I can understand why but why did you start calling Julius's name when I was the one holding you? Did I hold you just like Julius usually does?" He presses, genuinely concerned. I roll my eyes refusing to dignify his question with a response. He's just an idiot.

" ... I guess it's true. I'm so much like Julius that I -,"

SLAP

"Don't you dare compare yourself to Julius." I growl, pulling my hand back. His eyes grow wide as he looks at me in shock. "It's starting to get annoying how much you care about being compared to Julius. You're both great men." I note, pulling two coffee mugs off the counter and walk out.

"Then why doesn't anyone seem to see me?" He mutters. I pretend not to hear him as I set the coffee mug on Nightmare's desk making him bounce with excitement.

"Yay~ coffee coffee coffee~," he sings as I slip over to Julius.

"Here you are Julius." I say offering him the mug.

"Set it down. I will drink some of it later."

"Of course you freaking majesty." I growl, unable to even earn myself his startled eye. He continues to work completely ignoring my obviously bothered tone.

"Good." He coldly answers making me want to jump across the desk and rip out his stupid super soft hair. This guy ...

"Oh! Oh! Jackie, how is the heating system coming along?" Nightmare cheerfully interrupts lost in his own little world while on his coffee break. My finger twitches towards Julius's hair before I turn around tightly gripping my fists.

"Good," I answer with my teeth on edge, "I'll check today to see if it is ready to be turned on. Even then it will take a couple days before the building heats up to a comfortable temperature." I explain trying to get my mind off of Julius's distant actions.

Why is he pushing me away all of a sudden? I'm sensing an uncomfortable pattern here. I cry, we kiss, and then he ignores me the next day. That's definitely not a healthy relationship. Does he actually care for me at all? Am I not good enough? I self consciously rub my arms and look off to the side. Wow ... I feel pretty dang vulnerable right now. It's not a very pleasant feeling. I slightly jump as Grey's hand touches my back.

"Shall we go check the motors?"

"I will go check the motors." I correct, unwrapping his arm. Nightmare's eyes immediately glint with excitement.

"Grey! Go with her. It's rude to leave a lady alone." Curse you Nightmare ... making me suffer just so you can get out of work for a few hours! I glance over to Julius who is steadily ignoring us. Does he not care at all?

"Julius, are you alright with this?" I pipe up, concerned with his feelings. Wait, why the heck should I? He's being a complete jerk to me right now!

"Why should it concern me as to where you go and what you do?" Okay now I know it's not me.

"Really?" I ask with a threatening tone. He's really going to talk to me like that? Out of nowhere he's going to start pushing me away as if we were never anything at all?

"Really what?" My chest painfully aches as he doesn't even look up at my face. I'm not important enough that he can't even look me in the face and tell me with his eyes that he wants me out?

"...Nothing." I growl trying not to run across the room and tackle him like a pro football player.

"Then, let us go, Miss Jackie." Grey gently says as he touches my back, guiding me out the door. I take a quick glance back noticing Julius's cold expression as he continues to work on the clocks.

What in the heck is going on in that thick head of his?!

‡

"Can you reach it?" Grey mutters as he tightly holds my legs, pushing me in deeper.

"A-Almost -!" I whine, stretching as far as I can. I'm so close but it freaking hurts!

"A little further, then." He notes as he shoves a little harder, breathing heavy himself as sweat drips off his brow. My clothes paste to my sweat drenched skin as the heat starts to get to me. I ignore the pain and stretch further, clasping the lever and swing it down.

The motor whirrs to a rapid start nearly clipping my hand off. Grey immediately snatches hold of my legs and yank me out of the panel, falling back as he catches me. We both heavily breathe as we watch the fan for the heater take off without a hitch, already beginning to pump hot air through the whole building. I let out a chuckle before laughing.

"We did it!" I cry, leaning back into Grey. That was tricky. Whoever built this but the main switch inside the machine to what I can only assume conserve room. I almost missed it when I was looking for it. Grey happily breathes out as he leans forward, wrapping his arms around my waist. I pale realizing the position we are in. Crap. "Let go, Grey."

" ... I don't want to." He denies, keeping his arms around my waist. I shudder as his finger trails up the center of my torso, up my neck and tilts my chin back.

"Do I still act like Julius?" He breathes, smiling. My heart painfully constricts as I look away.

"No. You don't ignore me. You don't kiss me and then pretend I don't exist the next day. You don't ... treat me so coldly after getting my hopes up." I sadly murmur catching him off guard.

" ... does he really?" He asks, all seductive intentions vanishing from his voice.

"Yeah. I mean, what do I do? It was going so well and then, in the morning, he pretends nothing happened. No, he just pretends I'm not there and only talks to me when he has to. Seriously, what is he thinking?!" I demand, at my wits end as I tug at my hair in pure aggravation. "It's driving me nuts thinking about it!"

"Then ... don't think. Just feel."

"Feel what? Rejection? Anger? Depression? Loneliness? Yeah, great advice." I huff as he tilts my head back. My hard eyes soften as I see what he's about to do. Should I ... bother to even try and stop him at this point?

"No. Feel this and tell me what you think." He softly croons gently connecting our lips. I try not to think too much as he carefully navigates my mouth leaving a warm presents wherever he goes. "Jackie, have you ever kissed anyone besides Julius?"

" ... No, I haven't." With Ace I consider it more along the lines of assault but the air is already so tense between the two of them it won't help any if I tell him that. Grey smiles as he flips me around, gently holding my jaws.

"Then how do you know you really like him?" In comparison to you. You left that part out. I tug back a little bit, not wanting to kiss him but at the same time curious.

He's right. The only one I've ever really kisses was Julius. Is it really that much different with other guys or do I only get heated with Julius? My logic and emotions clash together into a blurry mess as Grey kisses my nose, regaining my attention.

"I would be more than happy to help you figure it out." Grey croons, clearly holding back as he keeps my mouth within reach. I hesitate. But isn't this considered cheating? Kissing another man while I'm with Julius? But Julius barely acknowledges that we are in a relationship.

Wait ... are we actually in a relationship or have I been going around labeling it like that? My chest guiltily throbs as I eye Grey's lips, puckered and ready to go. My heart begins to race with mysterious anticipation. Should I ... or not? I really don't know.

"Jackie, it doesn't hurt to simply try." Grey softly encourages as he kisses my jaw. My face turns red as my chest begins to literally ache at the dilemma.

"But ... it wouldn't be real. I feel like I would be u-using you -!" I gasp as he nips at my ear, holding my head steady even when I try to shy away.

"You're not using me as long as I agree to it." Grey counters, sucking on my earlobe. I shudder with nervous apprehension as I finally decide.

"F-Fine." I stutter with a deep blush. Grey smiles as his hand runs through my hair sending shivers down my spine.

"Good choice." 'I'll show you why I'm better than Julius' is what he's thinking I'm sure. Grey immediately closes the gap and eagerly smacks his lips to mine. I flinch back at his ferocity, hesitating before wrapping my arms around his shoulders. His lips ... are soft. They're soft like Julius's mouth but Grey's are ... what's the word for it? More assertive? This alien show of aggression through the kiss puts me off as he pulls back and curves my spine against him.

"H-Hah, ah," I breathe, unsure how to react to his knowing movements. It's like he's not even letting me get a chance in for a thought about it. Like he's trying to overwhelm me with pure ecstasy rather than let me softly enjoy.

"Relax, Jackie." He purrs as his hands softly rub my back. I heavily pant and strongly kiss his lips, trying to get in a little bit of dominance before he easily blows me away with his sheer confidence. His sneaky hands slip down and grab my butt making me jump practically ten feet high. He softly runs his hands up and down pushing me closer.

He chuckles at my reaction and sucks on my bottom lip. Huh? What kind of kissing is that? I don't react and simply wait to see what this one is all about. I really have no idea Julius never did this to me before. Grey's cheek twitches into a grin as he bites my lip, making me gasp. A strange, foreign presence sweeps the inside of my mouth roughly knocking into my tongue. I immediately pull back in shock, slapping a hand over my mouth. Did he just French me?! Julius hasn't even ever done that to me before!

"G-Grey, I g-get it," I stutter as he kisses my neck, "you're much different than Julius."

"I told you," he murmurs going in for another kiss. I reach up, catching his mouth.

"I don't like it."

"...You don't like it?" He asks, puzzled. I take a deep breath, thinking of the right words to say without being too hurtful.

"No. You're too ... aggressive. Too needy in your touches."

"I can change that. If you want me to I can be more like Julius if it makes you more comfortable." I flick him on the head suddenly annoyed at his attitude.

"That's so wrong to think like that! Grey, don't ever change who you are just to please someone!" Grey's eyes soften as he rests his head on my shoulder, almost ashamed.

"Ah ... and here I am, a grown man, getting a lecture from a woman who is younger." He sadly says, sounding more like he is reprimanding himself for not thinking of such a basic concept. I smile and give him a friendly hug.

"That's alright. The best of us sometimes need the straight talk of someone younger to finally get something." Grey chuckles without humor.

"I guess I lose out to him yet again." He sadly mutters earning another good flick to the head.

"Stupid. You are your own person. How can you lose to someone that's not like you?" I tease, pinching his nose. He smiles and taps his head to mine.

"Thank you for clearing up my eyes, Jackie." He earnestly thanks with a sincere smile. He's still sad but it looks like he'll be alright.

"No problem." I try to get up but he readily pulls me back down, thumping my pelvis against his. Oh wow yeah that's, um, embarrassing. I didn't think Grey was enjoying it that much.

"If things do not go well between you and Julius just remember I'll be waiting in the shadows to reach out and grab you." He darkly chuckles stealing one last little peck before retreating, pulling me up with him.

"Thanks for the option but don't hold your breath on it."

‡

Yeah, this is all great and dandy now but what in the heck am I supposed to do with Julius himself? I continually try to calm myself as we step through the door, Grey hurrying ahead of me. Huh? I quickly follow, curious as to why he's walking so fast. Grey?

"W-Whoa, Grey, what are you doing?!" Nightmare shouts before throwing up blood into a trashcan. I slip into the room spying Grey holding Julius by the hair at knife point. He leans down, muttering something into Julius's ear. His eyes grow wide as he unconsciously shoots his gaze towards me. Oh gosh Grey what have you done? I look away and trot off to his room. I can't face him. Not with so many emotions clashing right now.

Guilt.

Anger.

Shame.

More anger.

Sadness.

...oh to hell with it I'm still pissed at him!

I run my fingers through my hair as I enter his room, shutting the door behind me. Well crap there goes my chance to calmly talk it out with him. What was Grey thinking going up to him and doing that?! I suck in a quick breath.

And why didn't I say anything to stop it?

I walked in, clearly saw that Grey was hurting Julius, said nothing and walked away.

THAT'S TH WORST THING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DONE TO THE GUY!

I whip around and throw the door back spying Julius standing in front of me with wide eyes.

Betrayal.

Hurt.

Agony.

Fear.

Lonliness.

So many emotions swirling in those dark blue eyes of his it's impossible to see them all. My heart painfully throbs as I back up, letting him come in as he shuts the door and locks it. He breathes hard, blindly scanning the ground with his eyes as he searches for something to say.

"Did you ... get the heater running?" He asks as his eyes become more distant. More robotic. Less emotional. Did he ... just bury his emotions? I looks over his tense body as he regains more and more control of his emotions, forcing his body to submit before logic.

Oh ~ that little F***ER!

"SERIOUSLY?! You're going to freaking bury your emotions so I'M the only one pissed off?!" I explode. Resentment flares behind his eyes before he extinguishes the flames.

"Oh? And why are you mad?" He callously asks.

"Oh oh OH! REALLY?! You can honestly tell me that you have NO clue as to why I'm so angry?" I yell unable to contain my emotions any longer.

"This is ridiculous. If all you're going to do is yell then I'm going back to work." I whip forward faster than I think possible slapping his hands away from the handle as I push him back. He stumbles back, eyes wide in shock at my ferocious behavior.

"No! Julius, you are going to listen to me and not run away." I growl just about ready to pin him to the floor and grab him by the hair. Julius gulps before coolly readjusting his poker face.

"Fine."

"Julius ... do you even care about me?" I choke out, extremely hurt. His eyes narrow in confusion.

"Of course I do -,"

"Then why don't you show it?! You kiss me at night and tell me you love me, then leave me while I'm still asleep and then act like a don't exist in the morning! Julius, do you have any idea what kind of terrible mind games you're playing with me here?"

"Is that all?"

"Not even close mister!" Oh gosh I've whipped out the mister. It's on now.

"Why didn't you care when Grey kissed me? Why didn't you get mad? Either at me or Grey himself?"

" ... I was mad." Julius admits as he looks away, trying to tame the angry flame in his eyes.

"So why didn't you do anything about it?" I push. Don't you dare stay calm Julius. Get angry. Get angry with Grey. Get angry with me, who practically cheated on you right under your stuck up nose!

"Getting mad would have been pointless -,"

"But it would have at least shown me that you're concerned for me!" I snap, snatching hold of his sleeve. "It would have shown that you at least have emotions for me!"

"I do have ... emotions for you. I simply do not explode whenever I get little upset."

"You think I'm a little upset?! Julius, I'm absolutely raging I'm so mad right now!"

"I still don't get with what."

"I - I kissed Grey." I admit, struggling to at least make him show me some emotion. His head snaps in my direction as fuel is added to the anger in him.

" ... You mean on the couch?"

"No. Just now, when I was in the heating room of Clover Tower." Immediately betrayal crosses his eyes before he visibly tries to smother it.

"Really? I did not know that." His hands tightly clench into fists until his knuckles turn white. "Why are you telling me this? To make me jealous?"

"To make you feel something! Julius, I'm hurting. I'm really, really hurting right now. When Grey visibly hit on me in front of you, you acted like you didn't care! You didn't even feel protective of me at all! Do you really care so little for me that you'll let Grey hit on me in FRONT of you?" I whine, deeply hurt as tears begin to well up in my eyes. Does he ... really sincerely not care that another man hit on me literally in front of him, and then kissed me knowing that I'm in a relationship with Julius? Granted, I let him, but that was only to make sure it was actually Julius I liked and not just because he's the first guy to really kiss me!

"I was upset, but what was I supposed to do? You clearly had things under control and-,"

"NO! Obviously I didn't since I cracked! It's pathetic how you sit back and don't even say anything despite ! Can you imagine how that makes me feel knowing the my, my man is willing to watch me practically copulate with someone else? Julius ... YOU'RE the one I love, NOT Grey!" I spit as tears begin to inch down my face. It hurts. It hurts so much it feels like my heart has just been ripped in two and Julius is just sitting there accepting it. I hatefully look over his stiff form. And he still isn't doing anything.

I bet he thinks I'm pathetic and immature because of this little blow up.

I bet he's going to let me walk through that door without a problem on his end.

I bet he wouldn't care if I just went and stayed at Heart Castle with Ace or even Clover Tower with Grey.

I bet he would be thrilled to have a troublesome woman like me out of his hair -!

"But I'm starting to think the feeling isn't mutual." I shakily choke out as I whip around towards the door. That's it. I'm losing it. If I stay here any longer I'm going to go completely nuts, as if I haven't already. I jump as Julius snatches my waist from behind and roughly yanks me back, tightly clutching my hand in his fist.

"What makes you think I wasn't livid when I saw you sitting half naked on his lap, taking advantage of your weakened state?" He coldly demands as he twists me around towards the room.

"What makes you think I didn't want to pull out a pistol and end him right then and there for even daring to look at your beautiful legs?" He icily growls, the fiery passion burning behind those cold set eyes as he pulls the zipper to my sweatshirt down.

"What makes you think I wasn't crazy jealous when I realized, that, I wasn't the only man to have you on his lap? To kiss you? To hold you when you cried? To touch your soft skin and have his blood boil as you naively twitch on his lap, thinking nothing would happen to said man?" I back up, shaken up by the turn of events. I ... honestly didn't think he was going to whip around on me like this. Julius tightly holds my bicep as his free hand touches my belly, making a fire burn deep within me from the simple touch.

"What makes you think that I, even now, am not succumbing to wicked desires to touch you? Lustful feelings to slip off your clothes and take you now? Evil thought which are constantly creeping around in my head, making me mad with ecstasy every time you flash a smile in my direction?" He demands, getting more and more livid with each question. I back up, knees buckling as I hit the bed. O-Oh gosh ... oh dear ... I think I've pushed him a little too far. I tremble with savagely clashing emotions between fear and excitement for this new side of Julius. Fear at these emotions which he's never told me about and excitement that he actually feels something for me.

"Jackie, have you honestly been under the impression that I don't want to touch you? That I don't want to have you beneath me and claw into my back as you scream my name?" My face turns beat red from the pure love backing up his every word. W-Wow ... I-I-I really had no idea he felt that way.

"W-Why ... haven't you told me any of this b-b-before?" I stutter. His eyes soften considerably as he kicks off his shoes, clasping my wrists in his one hand as he kisses my cheek.

"I was afraid. I was afraid to admit how heated I become just by the thought of you coming over every day to care for me. I was frightened by the prospect that, someday, you might find someone else who tickles your fancy and leave me all hot and heavy in the dust, only to watch you as you find happiness elsewhere. It's so painful to think about I shut down and try to push you out." He leans forward, roughly connecting our lips. A powerful surge jumps my system as I hesitantly push back. He easily overwhelms me, pushing me back against the bed as he fiddles with the little bow on my bra.

"Even now it's painful. Jackie ... do you really want me to take you now?" Julius asks, eagerly leaning down but stops right before my lips. "If that is what you need for me to convince you how much you mean to me I will more than happily take you here and now without question." He presses with flushed cheeks, tugging against my pants.

He'll do it.

He would really, truly do it.

If I ask him he will seriously go ahead and take me. My body hungrily throbs to have him in me before I wrap my arms around his shoulders, hiding my face from him as I struggle to think straight.

"W-Well, Jackie? What do you decide?" He presses, heavily laying against me as I feel his entire body press up against me. My breathing hitches as I take a deep breath, trying to decide.

"I ... I think it's too early, honestly." I admit, hating my own weakness. Julius heavily breathes out a sigh of relief. Ah ... I guess he was really nervous about that too.

" ... Very well. But what can I do now to convince you how much you mean to me?" He asks, cooling down as he kisses my throat. I shakily breath out feeling like I just dodged a major bullet.

"W-W-Well, first of all, you can stay here until I wake up in the morning. It was depressing waking up without you." I flush, gripping his shirt in pure embarrassment.

"Consider it done." He nods, kissing my forehead.

"A-And at least acknowledge me in the mornings."

"Every morning noon and night." He readily agrees.

"A-A-And don't let Grey hit on me in front of you. I-It insulting to me."

"Next time he tries I'll shoot him." Julius promises, running his slender fingers through my hair as he kisses me. I heavily breath out as I grip his jaws, putting more force into the kiss. Hm ... I wonder if that would work?

I pull back slightly and get a hold of his lower lip, sucking on the fleshy part. Julius stiffens, clearly thrown for a loop. Ha. Just like I was. He hesitates before willingly slipping his fleshly organ into my mouth exploring the new cave of wonders before him. The muscles lock on combat, equally matched in inexperience but overruled by his surprising strength. I gasp as his hands slide down my back and without a pause in beat slide over my cheeks. My fingers tangle themselves in his hair refusing to completely lose in the little battle. Julius pulls back with a pop, much to my disappointment as he rolls over.

"Get some sleep." He heavily breathes out a delicate smile softly drawing his fingers across my cheek. I hum and lean into his touch before laying on his chest and listen to his furiously ticking clock. I shiver as his hand rests over my heart, feeling it thrumming hard and fast beneath my skin. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who is excited by this." He teases before kissing me on the nose. I blush and kiss his collarbone in return.

"Yeah." I agree, cuddling up in his safe arms. Julius softly breathes out, unable to calm his racing clock as he tries to take deep, calming breathes. I follow his lead having little to no success. I still want to kiss him but I'll be content for now. I lean in making sure I was flush against his.

Heh ... he's nice and warm ...

‡

Aw~! So what do you think? Too strong? 10 REVIEWS for the next chapter~ I look forward to your opinions and what you think could happen next :3