AND WE ARE BACK with Chapter 4, if you don't remember this one will be focused on Maximus and Vlad. It will also be shorter than my chapters usually are, but that's okay. Once it gets rolling it will never seem to stop. Read and Review, as always.
Vlad watched as his oldest friend stared after Zelda. He hadn't seen that look in his friend's eyes in…ever. He had looked at Leila in a similar manner before Vlad had married her, but this look was different. If he had been looking at any other woman, Vlad would be happy for him. The problem wasn't that she was Leila's sister, Maximus would never do anything to harm her willingly or otherwise and Vlad knew that. No, the problem lies with what he had heard from her thoughts.
Deciding to address it, although he had briefly mentioned it earlier when Maximus had continued touching Zelda after her initial jerk away, he spoke. "Now that she is gone, we have things we need to discuss."
The smitten look dropped from Maximus's eyes as his attention riveted to Vlad. His mind whirled as Vlad's previous words echoed in his mind. 'She's similar to me, don't touch her unless she instigates it.'
The rage that bubbled forward was surprising in its intensity. He loathed rapists, but he had never felt such a visceral urge to hunt someone down and rip them into undistinguishable pieces before. He had only known Zelda for a day, he shouldn't be this protective of her already…
Discarding his train of thought to be pondered later, he focused on Vlad. "Yes, we do. I can't believe I didn't notice sooner. Some of her mannerisms remind me of you when we first met, I should have seen it."
Vlad hummed, watching his friend's reactions. It was rare for Maximus to react so extremely to something. If what Vlad was thinking proved to be true then his friend was in for a difficult road ahead of him.
Maximus sighed, turning to Vlad with a hard smile. "I seem to have an affinity for acquiring feelings for women who can't return them for one reason or another." It would be karma for him to be forever alone to repay for the sins he committed in his youth.
Vlad chose his next words carefully, "I wouldn't say she is unable to return them." Maximus's eyes swiveled to him, all of his attention now centered on Vlad.
Continuing on, Vlad faced Maximus. "She has admired your physical form multiple times. Your casual touch doesn't bother her, but the feeling of lust you inspire in her does. She seems to have no reluctance about liking you, but she believes her disabled status or her past will make you uninterested. If you two wanted to make it work, you could, but it would take communication and patience. Both of which you excel in when you put your mind to it."
Maximus felt excitement and hope bubble in his gut, if Vlad was saying that it was possible then it was. He didn't care how slow the progress was, for a chance at what Vlad had with Leila, Maximus was willing to wait as long as was necessary. Although, the idea that Zelda's confidence was so low left a sinking feeling in his gut. How could she not see that she was beautiful?
"I've thought much the same about Leila. She has gotten better over the course of our relationship but it didn't happen overnight, don't expect it to change quickly." Vlad looked at him with knowing eyes. Apparently, he had said that last part out loud instead of in his head.
Maximus nodded to show he understood, before Vlad pushed onward. "I will not stand in your way in this, but Zelda is Leila's sister. Do nothing to harm her, on purpose or otherwise."
Maximus made sure to stare into Vlad's eyes when he responded, wanting him to know how serious he was. "I would never hurt her."
"I know you wouldn't but I must tell you not to at least once. Although, once Leila hears she may be giving you her own 'shovel talk'."
Maximus bit back a chuckle at the thought, but didn't deny it. From what he had heard about Zelda's family, besides Leila, she would need all the support she could get. Amusement drained from him as he slumped into the chair she had vacated. "How should I go about this? The last thing I want is to scare her off by being too forward."
Vlad moved to take the chair across from him before replying, "She seems fine with your casual touches, enjoys them even, but I wouldn't risk anything more. Avoid the obvious areas and try not to overwhelm her with desire while she is still uncomfortable with it. If your relationship seems to be serious then sit down and have the discussion of boundaries as well as any possible triggers that she might have. That is all the advice I can give on the subject."
Maximus turned over the information in his head. It was what he had already planned to do, but hearing it from Vlad gave him a bit more confidence in his lack of an actual plan.
Standing, he cracked his knuckles, "I suddenly feel the need to violently beat something into a pulp. If you need me I'll be in the dungeon." Vlad nodded, standing himself but not following. "Leila is waiting for me, I only mentioned leaving to check on a few things."
Before Maximus could turn around, Vlad called him back with a sly smile, "There were perfectly acceptable Oreos in the cabinet behind you. Have a sudden urge to bake at dawn?"
Maximus bit back a groan, of course he would catch that. Vlad waves off his chagrin, "There's nothing to be ashamed of in showcasing your cooking abilities to a potential lover. If the sound she made was any indication she quite enjoyed your skills."
The reminder of that groan pulled a muffled hiss from Maximus. Hearing it, even though she had stopped it in her throat, had almost been enough to bring him to his knees. Vlad knew this, his smirk furthering proving that. In the moment he had used all of his control to keep his eyes from flashing, alerting her to more than just his desire.
Glaring at his friend Maximus turned to leave, picking up his pace when Vlad's laughter followed after him. Walking to his room to change, he stopped briefly outside of Zelda's door. Listening in to make sure she wasn't having another nightmare, he waited only to hear her steady breathing and heartbeat. Nodding in satisfaction, he continued on his way.
His hand still tingled from where she had gripped him in gratitude, the feeling seemed to spread out from the hand to his chest. If this was how a simple touch made him feel, how would it feel to hold her in his arms? Or to lay with her in slumber? The thoughts sent a shiver down his spine, the imagery producing a fierce ache in his heart. If things went according to plan, he might find out one day, hopefully one day soon.
Maximus has it BAD, I was aiming for him to be like Bones was in the beginning. Sort of, while still being Maximus.
