Warning! This chapter contains mentions of past self harm, please remember no matter who you are in this world you are not alone. That together we will all make it through, if we hold on to celebrate what we have.
Another warning, that is not as serious: this chapter also contains extreme fluff and an OCC Caius, if for some reason you don't like or are allergic to such things; please leave now. You have been warned.
Venus sat at the window, while she waited for her blonde lover. Occasionally looking down at her legs and arms, the little white scars made her wince. Years of the abuse to her person prevalent, while her father's visibly disappear. But, now she was in a place of healing; in every way. However, that did not stop the little voice in her head. 'You know you crave the release.' She fought it with every fiber of her being, but still that little voice kept going; screaming in the back of her mind. Not many could ever understand the release, or the wonderful array of feelings that came with the blade slicing through her flesh. As all the voices from the past that criticized her every being, went silent.
She jumped and squealed, as cold arms wrapped around her. Turning quickly, she was greeted by Caius; who instantly tried to steady her. "Sorry."
"Penny for your thoughts?" He asked.
Venus went silent, before gently rubbing her wrists in response. "I need to find a new release."
His red eyes softened tremendously. "You have all of us in your corner, and we will help you." His cool lips touched her warm ones gently. "You are loved by so many, in the Volturi and the Cullen coven. Not to mention this shifter known as Jacob Black was apparently very fond of you."
"Jacob?" Venus asked, perking up at the sound of her dear childhood friend.
"Yeah, though Aro said he stank." Caius replied, watching as confusion entered her eyes. "When you are a vampire you will understand."
"Aro killed my father, didn't he?" Venus finally asked, not beating around the bush.
"No, but he will be brought to justice when you are ready to see him again." Caius stated smoothly.
Brown eyes met his instantly in confusion, before they widened. "Charlie is here?" She asked, fear entering her eyes without her knowledge; having lived with it for years.
The look, made anger filled his being. Here is mate was, surrounded by vampires and it was one human she feared. "We vampires are considered monsters." He grumbled, before gently taking her chin in his fingers. "He will never hurt you again, not while we are here."
"I know." Venus whispered. "But, having spent my whole like walking on eggshells and glass around him. It is hard not to fear him, even if it is irrational."
Caius sighed, while bringing her close to his being. "You don't have to see him, until you are ready. For, now he is sitting in a cell." He told her.
"Thank you." She replied softly, before looking around. "We should probably get to work."
His blood gaze wandered around his destroyed studio, all the canvases, most of the brushes, and the furniture would all have to go in the furnace. He had more ordered and coming of course, but that would take a few months to receive. He felt shame course through his venom filled veins as he finally took in all the damage he had caused. The brutality of his animal, and this was just a room; if it had been Venus…..He would never forgive himself if that ever happened.
"Caius?" Her voice broke through his thoughts, as he turned his gaze back to her.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
His lips turned into a smile, before kissing her head. "I will be." He spoke truthfully, for with this wonderful being that fate has blessed to be his mate. She was forever kind and sweet, even with everything she had been through. "You are right, we must start working."
Venus smiled up at him, before stepping back in order to walk over to the torn canvases. It was also in that moment, that venom rushed to Caius's anatomy as he took in her clothing.
"My dear, are you trying to tempt me?" He questioned, her head whipped to him instantly.
"No...it's just very hot in this castle." She replied honestly.
Caius nodded his head thoughtfully. "We will have air conditioning and heating for the winter installed, do not worry." He whispered. "However, you are a little vixen dressed like that."
Venus didn't know what to say to that, and so she did the only logical and not so practical thing to do. Finding a bit of paint, she proceeded to squirt some at him.
The blonde king's eyes went huge as the color she chose was a bright magenta, and it now streaked down his chin and neck. "You did not, just do that." He whispered, but her laughter told him his answer. In a very un-Caius fashion, he retaliated. Throwing green paint at her, easily getting her cheek and even a bit of cleavage.
"Really?!" She asked, before throwing more of the pink paint. Needless to say, it was much more fun to have a paint war; than to clean.
By the end of it, the studio was dirtier than when they first stepped in, and the two were on the floor covered in paint. Venus on top of his now very much bare chest, as he laughed and she giggled. If anyone had told the outside Covens, that Caius was a big goofball; they would have laughed in their face. However, from Venus's perspective he was quite outgoing and as ever kind.
Her thoughts went back to the first day she was here, and how he had been the one to wait; while she cried in the shower. He did not pressure her to spill her secrets, but he was the first to tell her he was their when she was ready to speak.
"Caius." She whispered softly.
"Hmm?" He questioned.
"I love you." Her words were calm if even a little out of breath.
His red eyes softened. "I love you to." He replied softly, before gently kissing her lips.
0.o.0
It was midnight by the time the two had finished cleaning the art studio, and now they walked hand in hand still very much covered in paint. Which was an odd state, as many of the guard paused and looked up. Poor, Felix ran into a wall as he took in the sight of Caius with pink paint everywhere.
"Felix, keep gaping and you'll catch bugs." Venus giggled, which made the giant guard doubled over in laughter.
"That doesn't sound very tasty, I will stick to a nice pint of AB negative." He called back.
"And, I'll stick to soda." She replied, while giving him a thumbs up. Her blond companion trying not to laugh, which caught the giant off guard again.
Caius gently guided his lovely mate back on track to the study. Where both Aro and Marcus themselves did a double take.
"Um brother?" Aro questioned.
"I decided he looked good in pink, blue, and purple." Venus replied for Caius, who gave her a very amused look.
"Yes, and you look good in green, black, and red." The two started laughing which made his brothers again do a double take. Who the fuck was this blond man, and what did he do to their brother; was what their eyes screamed.
"Marcus do you want a hug?" Venus asked, and instantly he was up and backing away.
"Once you take a bath." He replied, as he saw the playfulness in her eyes.
"Aww, you don't want to join our new fashion statement?" Venus asked.
"No." Marcus replied.
She pouted before looking to Aro. "I know you do." Her arms outstretched as she somehow wrapped them around the leader of the Volturi.
Caius and Marcus both started laughing, at her game; while Aro looked at her appearance in shock. He also finally registered what she just did, standing quickly. She hung onto him like a damn monkey, trying to desperately evade his attempts of reaching around for her.
"Let go, my love." Aro told her calmly, as his brothers were still laughing.
"No." She defied, while kissing his jaw gently.
"That's a word he doesn't understand." Marcus suddenly said.
"No, no he does not." Caius agreed.
"Quit picking on my Aro." Venus pouted.
"He does it to us." Caius protested.
Venus just giggled, before kissing her ebony haired mate again and hopping down. "That paint is dry, calm down." She told him, but Aro still turned to her. "I love you."
"I love you as well, your still getting a bath." He replied, as amusement began to show through.
"Only once I get a hug from Marcus." She replied, who sighed and walked up. "Yay!" Her arms wrapped around him, as did her legs. "Mine."
"Yes, I am yours." Marcus laughed as he held her to him.
"Good, because I love you." She told him, as his eyes softened tremendously.
"I love you, piccolo." He replied, kissing her head. "Mind if I wash your back?"
"Sure." Venus replied, before looking to Caius. "Will you wait for me, so I can get your back?"
"Always." Caius said with a grin, with that both she and Marcus disappeared in her bedroom.
PAINT WAR! Sorry, couldn't resist XD. Mean who would throw paint at Caius and hope they survive after the fact. *raises hand.* Now in your mind I want you to picture Caius in pink, and how shocking that must have been..along with blue and purple- holy shit I just realized Unicorn colors XD!
Anyway, Question time:
1) Marcus giving her a bath? Penny for your thoughts?
2) Venus helping Caius with his bath? Penny for your thoughts XD
Nature Faustus
