Aiolia made his way back to the infirmary alone. He kept his pace brisk, as being alone with his thoughts in general was risky enough. He knew that Shaina and Marin needed to have their own talk, Aiolia hadn't been the only one Marin had been forced to keep distant from.

When Aiolia entered, he made his way inside, only one destination on his mind. He walked through the receiving area and past the central lift. Only when the ICU area was right in front of him did he even notice that they weren't alone.

There, standing by Aphrodite's stasis tube, was Milo.

Aiolia couldn't keep from letting out a sigh of relief. If Milo hadn't been there already, there was no guarantee that he would have been able to make himself seek her out.

Milo gave him a warm look, her eyes darting behind him. "Is Marin not with you?"

Aiolia shook his head. "We met Shaina on the way and they—"

Milo gave a knowing smile. "That's good to hear," Milo then took a hold of Aiolia's hand. Aiolia started but didn't pull away. "The only one watching us is Dite," Milo said in a low voice. "There's no need to worry."

Aiolia nodded, his grip tightening around Milo's hand.

They stood there for a few moments, the only sounds around them of the machines and of the fluid bubbling in Aphrodite's stasis tube.

"I do have some good news," Milo offered. "Kyouko has stabilized and has been moved upstairs."

Aiolia reacted with an expression of relief. "Really? that's great news. How is Shouko?"

Milo paused briefly. "Honestly, she hasn't been taking it well. This morning, she seemed to finally be at her limit," Milo glanced to the side. "But oddly enough, she seemed to be getting along well with that bronze saint, Shun."

Aiolia nodded. "That's good to hear." Aiolia's first instinct was to go and try to comfort Shouko, but the last thing he wanted was to overwhelm her. He only hoped that the other saintias and now Shun it seemed could give her some kind of comfort. "I want to see her later," Aiolia affirmed. "Please help me to remember."

Milo nodded. "Of course," Kyouko was dear to the both of them, and so she would not forget. "Now, Aiolia dear. I doubt you want to be here any longer than you have to."

Aiolia didn't respond. He knew that Marin was expecting to meet them here again, but Milo was right.

"I have a feeling that Marin and Shaina might take a while to join us. "

Milo held Aiolia's hand and squeezed it. "Just a short walk, how does that sound?"

Aiolia squeezed her hand in return and followed her back into the daylight.

They made their way from the infirmary, along the paved walkways, under arches, around the perimeter of the infirmary grounds. There was a garden, a fountain and a statue in the shadow of the spire. They walked around together, Milo keeping them to the shadows, as she knew he wouldn't want to be seen from the Infirmary if possible.

Aiolia, despite the stress of the day before, he felt surprisingly refreshed. In truth he had been wanting to speak with Milo again since the rescue effort, and he was overjoyed to be with her again.

Aiolia turned to Milo, his brows furrowing. He had expected Milo to enquirer immediately about his own state, but something else seemed to be troubling her. "Milo, you seem…worried." He stopped walking and grabbed Milo's other hand while he faced her. "Is everything alright?"

Milo stared back at aiolia, knowing that she couldn't hide her feelings from him. "To be honest…I am quite worried, about Shaina," she said with a sigh. "Shaina, similarly to you, had felt abandoned by Marin, as you might imagine."

Aiolia nodded, leading the two of them to sit down on a bench, still out of view of the spire.

"She has thought, since you two got together, that Marin must not need her anymore."

Aiolia winced. Despite him becoming Marin's lover, he too had always been plagued by similar worries.

Aiolia however pushed those feelings aside and instead focused on his friend. "Did something…happen between you two? After Marin and I left" Aiolia asked.

Milo smirked. "You mean, did Shaina and I have sex last night?"

Aiolia blushed and nodded.

Milo lifted a hand and pinched his cheek affectionately. As mature as he had become, he would still be the same Aiolia she knew. "Yes, Shaina and I did become intimate last night," Milo's face however quickly fell. "I was…frankly unsettled, Aiolia. I am not a stranger to Shaina being the dominant one, and in truth I rather prefer it," she took in a deep breath, still holding on to one of Aiolia's hands.

"What do you mean?"

"I do think that she was rather frustrated in her desires for Marin. And in that moment, used me to try and sate that desire," Milo sighed. "I have no problem with it, I wholly consented to our activities last night. But ironically, perhaps, I am more worried for how she may be affected by it."

Aiolia scowled in concentration, taking a moment to unknit all of the implications therein.

"I don't mind being used," Milo said with a smirk. "I just think it would be better if she could be honest about it," Milo trailed off for a moment. "I think you and Shaina are quite similar in that regard, if not in many other ways as well. Perhaps you can see something I can't"

Aiolia thought for a moment. While Aiolia had worried so much about what Marin had been hiding from him, in truth, there was quite a lot that Aiolia had also kept hidden from marin. Out of shame, and out of a misguided desire to make marin happy over himself. "Well, if Shaina and I are as similar as you say," Aiolia gave a small sheepish grin. "I would venture a guess that she feels ashamed, if it's something that she thinks she should be able to handle on her own."

Aiolia himself unfortunately often hid his suffering from Marin, and had let things be pushed away. "The last thing Shaina would want, is for you to see her as weak," Aiolia continued. "As silly as that might seem."

"Don't think it's silly," Milo replied. "Allowing oneself to be vulnerable, especially to your loved ones can be painful." Milo lifted her hand to gently cup Aiolia's cheek.

"Now tell me dear," Milo said. "Honestly, how are things going with Marin?"

Aiolia gave a small. "It wasn't easy yesterday but…I think things are finally good between us," he paused. "At the very least, I know what she had been up to this whole time."

"That is wonderful to hear." Milo is someone who knew Aiolia and Marin's relationship perhaps even better than Aphrodite did. Aphrodite as their friend made sure they got together. Aiolia had always seen Milo as a sister, and so very often went to her for advice.

Milo let out a short sigh. "You two have gone through so much, nothing would make me happier than to see you two happy."

Aiolia nodded, his posture growning slack as he leaned into Milo's warmth. Milo had always been there, through every step and misstep of Aiolia's life.

Things indeed, had never been easy.

"Do you remember, Milo, the first time I came to you for advice?"

Milo looked over at him. "Of course I do. There's no way I could forget it." Poor Aiolia had been so scared, so unsure of himself. The prospect of physical intimacy with the woman he loved; it should have filled him with joy, but instead it terrified him.

"Marin and I haven't had sex in almost a month," he said with a dry laugh. "So I don't doubt that she would welcome any proposition from Shaina, even now."

"That is my thought as well," Milo remarked. "Just know that you don't need to force yourself. Marin wouldn't want that."

"Yes, I know, I'll remember." Aiolia did need the reminder, because it had taken him so long to even begin to grasp that concept. It was hard for Aiolia to shake the idea that he "owed" Marin certain things. That he owed her sex, in the ways she desired and preferred. Marin's needs always having taken precedent over even his own comfort.

Milo gave a small smirk. "You have grown a lot Aiolia," She said, nudging him with her shoulder. "You've come along way from when you first started dating marin,"

Aiolia chuckled. "I would certainly hope so."

It had been the night meant to be their "first time," and Aiolia ruined it.

Aiolia loved more than anything to kiss marin and hold her close. He loved the feeling of their bodies intertwined. He loved to hear her gasps and moans, and he also loved that his own reactions pleased Marin as well.

They went from kissing, to touching, to long embraces through the night. Aiolia learned how to please her with his fingers and his tongue; and relished in the feeling of her shuddering in ecstasy in his arms.

He loved it. He loved her taste, her smell, and the feel of her skin. But marin, however, wanted even more.

"Aiolia," she moaned, her legs clamped tightly around Aiolia's waist. Their bodies were completely bare as he pressed her into the bed, only his body weight keeping her down. Aiolia was lost in the sensation of her soft breasts and her firm muscles; her legs and arms feeling as powerful as vices.

Marin rubbed her wetness against Aiolia's abs, letting out please moans. Aiolia moved back against her, his hands tangled in her hair.

"I want you~" she breathed. "I want you inside me—" she was breathless, sounding desperate. And before Aiolia knew it, Marin had grabbed his shoulders and was pulling him up along her body. Within moments, he too was moaning wordlessly, feeling her slick vulva press against his shaft. Aiolia's hips shuddered, the sensations overwhelming him. His hands knotted in the sheets on either side of Marin's head. Aiolia couldn't see her face, but he could feel her breath against his ear.

"Take me, Aiolia— Make me yours." Marin's hips grew more aggressive, as if searching for something.

It took Aiolia a few moments to process, but when he did, the spell of intoxication was suddenly broken. He felt something start to enclose around the head, and something deep inside him screamed back in protest. He pulled away, staring down at her, his expression surely of deep distress, because he saw that confusion and worry reflected in Marin's eyes.

"Aiolia, my love what's wrong?" Marin reached for Aiolia's face but he slapped her hand away, his expression wild.

"I'm sorry…Marin i'm so sorry but—" He stammered, his chest wracked with shame and worry. "I can't—I have to go, I—"

He pulled his hips away and pushed himself up, throwing himself off of Marin as quickly as he could.

"Aiolia?!" Marin tried to go to him but Aiolia shrunk away, rising to his feet and staggering away. Marin stood up as well but didn't approach him. She had no idea what she could have possibly done wrong, but that didn't change how distressed Aiolia looked.

"I'm sorry…did I go to fast?" She ventured, her voice already filling with worry. Aiolia was face away from her, arms wrapped tightly around himself, his breathing still coming heavy. "I should have asked you a head of time," she continued. "I really should have," Aiolia had been hesitant and cautious about sex from the very beginning. "I'm so sorry, you just seemed so into it this time—" she paused. "I was…happy. I was happy that you seemed to be finally enjoying yourself, but I took it too far."

Marin took a cautious step towards him. "Aiolia, please just tell me what's wrong. I won't know unless you tell me."

Aiolia gazed back at marin, eyes starting to fill with tears. "I'm sorry Marin…I can't I—" He let out a shuddering sob. "I don't think I can be the man you want me to be."

"What is this about, Aiolia? Tell me what I did wrong."

"You didn't do anything wrong. It's me, there must be something wrong with me."

"Please tell me what you mean, Aiolia—"

"I just—" He turned back towards her, his eyes still downcast. "I don't know why, but I got scared. When you tried to take me inside—I just…freaked out."

Marin took a few steps towards him and placed her hands on his crossed arms. "It's okay, you can tell me."

Aiolia ventured a glance up at her. "You aren't…mad at me?"

"Why on earth would I be?"

"I just…stopped us in the middle, even though…you've been wanting this for a long time."

Marin pressed her lips together. "What I want doesn't matter, if what I want would end up hurting you." Marin placed a hand on Aiolia's tearstained cheek. "Just tell me what to do. If you don't like that kind of dirty talk, I won't do it. If you don't want to take me like that, I won't force you."

Aiolia met her eyes at last, more tears falling from his eyes. Aiolia place one hand over Marin's and leaned into her touch. Marin then pulled him closer, wrapping her other arm around his shoulder.

Aiolia fell into Marin's embrace, his arms wrapping tightly around her back. Where words failed him, he hoped that his actions could get his feelings across. Marin guided them back to the bed, her hands gently on his arm and back. She laid laid down and then curled up next to him, pulling their bodies close as he calmed down.

Aiolia's eyes drifted closed and he let out a long sigh. Marin caressed his cheek and ran her fingers through his soft hair. "Take your time, love. We can stop tonight if you need to. "

Aiolia shook his head. "No it's okay. I am a man after all, I should want this."

Marin frowned. "I don't want you to be a 'man', Aiolia. I want you to be yourself," she said, taking a hold of one of his hands. "And honestly, the whole deal doesn't fit you, if i'm being honest," Marin said with a small bitter smile. "I'm sorry, I should have known better than expect that of you."

Aiolia nudged his face closer and rested his forehead against her. "But, I want to make you happy, I want to make you feel good."

"And that you do, my love," Marin said, her breath brushing against his lips. "Honestly, it's just a sexual fantasy of mine. I think it would be fun to be railed into the bed in a fit of passion; it's thrilling, it feels nice to feel wanted like that," Marin paused, searching his face to see if she should continue. "But really, I should have known better. It's my bad and I apologize."

Aiolia's lips began to quiver as he struggled with what Marin said.

"Aiolia," Marin whispered. "If you want to continue tonight, tell me what you want to do with me."

Aiolia took in a little gasp and nuzzled her face with his nose. "I want—" he paused, thinking. "I just…I've only even bottomed before," he said, his eyes squeezing shut in embarrassment.

"And? Did you enjoy it?"

"Yeah…" he said softly. He knew that Marin wouldn't mind talking about his other relationship, but Aiolia couldn't help but still feel a little sheepish.

"So you're scared that you wouldn't do it right?" Marin asked, running her hand down from his face to his chest.

"I'm worried that I would…hurt you."

Marin let out a dry huff that was almost a laugh. "Ah—sorry. I'm not laughing at you, just—" Marin very gently pressed on Aiolia's shoulder, leaning him on his back. "Trust me, I can take it."

Marin pulled her face into Aiolia's chest. "Please, don't leave me in the dark, when it comes to your heart. I want you, Aiolia." Marin, very cautiously angled her chin towards Aiolia, asking for a gentle kiss. He answered her in affirmation and pressed his lips back against hers.

"Marin," he sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist As she pulled herself on top of him.

"Do you want to stop for tonight?" Marin asked gently against his skin.

He gazed up at her for a moment and then nodded slowly. Marin cupped his face with both hands and stared him down. "It's okay, there will be a next time, we can try again."

Aiolia nodded again, pulling marin close and pressing his face against her neck.

Even if the guilt still threatened to overwhelm him, he was happy in that moment. He was overjoyed that Marin understood, that she wasn't angry with him, and would still love him. That, Aiolia could be sure of.

Aiolia and Milo made their way from the infirmary area back to the residences. They kept their hands connected until they were right at the door of Shaina's residence.

Before Aiolia touched the door however, his arm stopped suddenly in mid air. His ears perked up as he heard a sound far too familiar to him

"Oh no, we came back too soon…" Aiolia muttered, about to turn around when he heard Marin cry out in excstasy in the way he knew meant that she was spent.

Milo gave a small smirk. "I dare say we arrived just in time."

"We should give them more privacy," Aiolia said, his face downcast with his cheeks flushed.

"They undoubtedly will be able to sense our presence. I suggest we just wait until we are summoned."

Aiolia gave Milo a dissatisfied look but stood there by the door patiently, regardless.

Sure enough, after a few somewhat tense minutes, the door opened up in front of them.

It was Shaina, dressed now in her casual clothes. She gave Aiolia a somewhat lingering look before walking past him and all but shoving him inside.

Aiolia stumbled into Shaina's residence, the door slamming shut behind him. On the couch in front of him lay Marin. She was covered in her loose dress, but only barely. She looked already completely serene, as she often did after climax.

Although Aiolia still felt like he was invading her privacy; he could not keep himself from going to her. Aiolia sat down on the couch and drew Marin's head to rest on his lap. He was ready to wait there until she woke up, his hands tracing lazily though her hair.

"Aiolia…" Marin muttered, nuzzling her face into his thighs. Aiolia started, watching her intently to see if she was fully responsive yet. Marin slowly opened her eyes, her red irises still as striking as they always were. "Aiolia?" She asked finally, staring up at him with a rather cute and dazed expression on her face.

Aiolia smiled down at her warmly, cupping her cheek. "Hello dear, how did things go with Shaina?"

"Uh…quite well," she began to push herself up into a sitting position; clinging to Aiolia for support the whole time. She blinked and met his gaze, resting a hand on his chest.

"You look quite satisfied," Aiolia said, managing to keep the building sadness from his smile at that moment.

Marin gave a cheeky grin, pressing her face into Aiolia's chest. "And all the happier now that you're here."

Aiolia leaned back onto the arm of the sofa, letting marin rest up against his chest. Her hands dug into his clothes, just a little harder than was platonic; but not quite sexual. She was clearly still feeling the afterglow of being with Shaina and was appropriately clingy.

But despite her happiness, a prick of pain went up his spine, and he found an apology flooding from his lips."I'm sorry Marin."

"Huh? For what?"

"I…" He bit his lip, even if he knew it was unnecessary, it was still so hard for him to resist the pull of guilt. "I'm…not gonna be able to do anything like that with you for…a while I think," he said slowly, pulling his arms around Marin's back. "So I'm sorry. I wanted to last night but—"

"I know," Marin replied. "I know Aiolia, and please believe me," she pulled herself up and placed a hand on his cheek. "It really is fine."

"I know," Aiolia said sheepishly, unable to meet her eyes. "You keep telling me this and I—"

"I'll keep telling you as many times as I need to," Marin's gaze was unwavering and Aiolia finally glanced back her way.

The memories of their first attempt honestly still haunted him. It was hard to shake, even when they had spent so many more wonderful nights together since that time.

Aiolia always wanted more than anything to please her and to make her happy. But perhaps the fact that his love of her had never been about sex, perhaps that is what got in the way. But that fact was certainly nothing to be ashamed of. While Aiolia had difficulty seeing Marin sexually, that meant that he would never hurt her.

Aiolia was sexually attracted to Marin, that was never the issue. But it was the persistent idea that he had no right to use her body for his own pleasure that held him back. It was something that deeply troubled him and was so hard for him to fully get past.

But he loved Marin, he loved her so deeply and completely, that there were some things that he was able to put up with for her sake.

Marin seemed like she wasn't ready to do much else besides nap for the immediate future, and so he let her. She curled up in his arms, letting out a pleased sigh that Aiolia echoed.

Those memories that haunted him however, they soon enough gave way to much more pleasant ones. Although, days after that night, Marin was called away on another mission, that just meant that the next time they saw each other they were even more impassioned.

Marin returned in the night, crawling up into Aiolia's bed and wrapping her arms around him.

"Marin!" Aiolia managed to gasp before her lips were against his. He could feel her grip tight in his clothes. Her hands trembled and her hips were quivering. She was absolutely brimming with desire, and yet, she was holding herself back.

"Aiolia…" Marin sighed. "I'm back."

Aiolia smiled and stroked the side of her face. "I am so happy to see you, my love…" Aiolia then nudged one of his knees between her thighs, cause her to let out a surprised gasp. "Tonight, I am all yours."

When they were both removed of their clothes and thoroughly aroused, Aiolia sat back against the headboard with Marin perched in his lap. Marin had cushioned his head and back with pillows, making sure he was fully comfortable. Aiolia's eyes were completely locked with Marin's, his expression one of complete adoration.

"Marin—" he sighed, already close to losing himself in her touch.

Marin began slowly gyrating her hips against him, watching his face closely until they found their rhythm. Aiolia let out soft moans, his hands resting on her lower back. Marin, despite her intense caution in the build-up, was feeling far more confident now. Aiolia seemed to be far more receptive to this position, his face and voice telling her as much. His erection was nestled comfortably up along her vulva, the head brushing against her clit in a slow, regular rhythm.

Marin didn't make any requests of him, she mostly only moaned his name. While her mind was full of how badly she wanted him inside her, she kept it locked down for the moment. It felt so good to be this close to him, to feel his desire meld with hers. This was the Aiolia that she fell in love with, gentle and soft. His face was flushed pink, his mouth hanging open as he desperately tried to keep his eyes open. Marin too, didn't want to miss even a moment of his beautiful expressions.

"Marin…" he said, pulling away enough to catch his breath. "I want to….I want to try it," he said, meeting her eyes.

Marin started back at him, daring to hope. "Please, be more specific, my love."

He swallowed before continuing, his fingers digging into her rear. "I want to…try going inside you."

Marin's face somehow flushed even more, her breathing becoming suddenly far quicker.

Aiolia glanced away in embarrassment, jerking his hips against her briefly. "I like…this position. I can see your face, and I can hold you," he swallowed again. "I can kiss you, too." He took in a deep breath. "I want to try it…you riding me."

"Are you sure?" Marin placed both hands on his face and met his gaze very seriously.

Aiolia nodded, placing one hand over hers. "I might not want to…cum inside…"

"You know I can't get pregnant, right?"

Aiolia nodded. "I know I just," he grimaced. "I can sometimes lose control there at the very end…I don't—"

Marin quickly nuzzled her face against his, letting out a soothing shush. "It's alright my love forget I said it." Marin pushed away her own fantasies and focused only on Aiolia, the person she loved the most. "You want to try right now?"

Aiolia nodded, his breathing still heavy as he stared back at her. "I love you…Marin…I want you. I want you so badly," his voice was close to a whine.

Marin leaned in a gave him another kiss while she slid her hips up along Aiolia's shaft. Aiolia's breath caught in his throat and he clung onto Marin as desperately as he reached down and grabbed Aiolia's shaft and guided it to press the head into her entrance. Aiolia let out a moan close to a growl, his eyes squeezing shut.

"Can I keep going?" Marin asked, pressing her forehead to Aiolia's.

Aiolia nodded vigorously. "Please—Marin—"

Marin then took in the rest of his cock with ease, letting out a loud satisfied grunt from the sensation. Aiolia wailed, drool leaking from the corner of his mouth as he seemed to see stars.

"Marin—Marin!" It was so overwhelming, but it felt perfect. Marin was there in his arms, he could feel her skin and her breath. He could feel—all of her; her wet, welcoming walls; her thighs clamped around his waist.

Marin clenched her pelvic muscles and Aiolia was sucked in even deeper. Aiolia could barely even move, or think. He wasn't thinking about what body part was inside her, or how; all that registered was that he was as close to becoming one with his beloved as was physically possible.

Marin couldn't help but smile and let out a breathy laugh; she stroked the side of his face, so relieved to see him this happy. "I love you, Aiolia," Marin said, her voice on the edge of tears.

Marin then began to grind again, kissing him once more for good measure. She dragged his moans from his lips with every stroke of her hips, keeping her pace slow and regular.

"Can I go faster?" She asked, pausing her strokes to let him collect himself. He nodded. Despite the overwhelming emotions, he seemed to be getting used to the physical sensation as they proceeded.

"Wait…Aiolia," Marin asked. "Am I…your first, that you have been inside of?"

Aiolia glanced away for a moment but nodded all the same.

"My love you don't have to be embarrassed!" Marin said, cupping the sides of his face. "I'm honored. It makes sense why you were so afraid. Again, I'm sorry for pushing you."

Aiolia met her gaze while suddenly clamping his hands down on her hips. "Please…just take me now, Marin—"

Something about the desperation and desire in his face made marin's mind go blank for a moment. A shock of warmth filled her abdomen and her hips started to increase their pace. Marin leaned in, propping herself up on her knees enough to start bobbing herself up and down the full length of Aiolia's cock. Aiolia held onto her desperately, jerking his hips up to meet her as much as he could.

"Yes! Just like that— right there! Aiolia!" Marin felt her g-spot be stroked with every dip of her hips, the motion sending pleasure throughout her pelvis; her clitoris lighting up with sensation from the roots to the head.

Her orgasm was close, and so too was Aiolia's. But in all honesty that hardly seemed to matter; all that mattered was that they had found understanding. They had been able to come together in intimacy, and truly become one with one another.

The door to Shaina's residence then suddenly opened, jerking both Aiolia and Marin to their senses.

"Ah," Milo said with a smirk. "I hope we didn't disturb you."

"No it's alright, this isn't even our place." Aiolia replied.

"You're as welcome here as we are," Shaina said as she walked past where Aiolia and Marin sat. Although her tone was rather harsh, the message was warmer than Aiolia expected.

"Ah, thank you, Shaina." Marin pushed herself up from Aiolia's embrace and shook her head to wake herself up.

"Honestly, I better get going sooner or later."

Aiolia blinked. "Going? Where?" Aiolia watched her in continued puzzlement as she stood up and started to stretch.

"Back to the infirmary," she said pointedly, looking back at Aiolia. "I've been putting it off long enough."

"It's barely been half a day!" Aiolia protested, getting up after her as Marin headed for the door.

Milo gave a light chuckle, Waiting for Shaina to collect her things so that all four of them could depart. "It seems like Marin had a swift recovery. As headstrong as ever."

Aiolia gave a desperate glance back at Milo, who gave aiolia a warm smile. "We will be right behind you, don't wait up for us."

Aiolia nodded and then closed the door after him as he left.

Milo let out a long sigh, not alone for much longer as Shaina returned to her. Shaina slid up to Milo's side and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. Milo turned, gently cupping Shaina's cheek and pulling her lips into a kiss.

Shaina kept looking down after pulling away, reaching down to take Milo's hand. Milo regarded her warmly still.

Shaina and Aiolia were quite alike in many ways; and this way in particular. No matter how much Milo had insisted that Shaina did nothing wrong, Shaina was still weighed down by guilt. Milo's only option was to stay with her until the despair finally let her go.

"Shall we go?"

Shaina nodded, nudging Milo's shoulder affectionately before moving towards the door