Upon opening his eyes, Lucian took a few seconds to understand exactly what was happening. His memories were a little messy, but it didn't take long for him to feel a bit of shame about being suddenly ill. He was hardly sick, even though he was weak. Lucian would like to avoid collapsing again, especially in front of a certain person.
"I see you're awake."
The thick voice of Magnus caused him shivers. In the corner of the room, sitting on the chair and crossed legs, Lucian felt that he could get sick again. With casual outfits, a linen shirt with a V-neck exposing much of his chest, messy black hair and glasses, Lucian was sure that he had died and ended up in the fifth of hell to have such a delightful view.
"Oh lord" Whispered Lucian hoarse, then coughing "Cough, cough.... ah, my throat..."
"Stop talking" Magnus got up from his chair, dropping the documents back as he walked to bed and handed a glass of water to the husband "You've been out for a few days. Your throat was inflamed."
Well, were he sick for so long? Lucian thought it was just a flu, but it must not have been the case.
Holding the glass of water, Lucian drank all the water noticing how thirsty he felt. The exhaustion of the past was no longer bothering him, but he could still feel a little discomfort.
"What happened?"
"An epidemic" Magnus sat on the edge of their bed and crossed his legs again "Priests and commoners fell ill, everything became chaos."
Staring at the empty glass, Lucian sighed heavily. An epidemic, that was not expected... Only that so many unexpected things have happened so far, that Lucian could only imagine it to be a desperate plan of someone who is having his plans ruined.
At least it was what Lucian expected, or else your plan of survival would go very wrong.
"What about Skyler?"
Magnus cast a sharp glance at the husband, and Lucian just nodded innocently. He held his sharp gaze, and waited patiently for an answer. Only that Magnus did not seem very willing to give it away for free. Sighing low, Lucian held Magnus' hand and kissed his fingers, continuing to smile until someone lost that battle.
"Haa... you need to correct your habit of asking about other men" Magnus got his fingers on Lucian's "Anyway, that dove is in big trouble."
Ah, he was grumpy. Lucian noticed Magnus' dark circles. Considering the mess of documents that was on the coffee table, he probably worked incessantly while Lucian was out.
Settling into bed, the prince watched Magnus for a while longer. Lucian heard him comment on such an epidemic as if it were a working report. Calm and grumpy, a beautiful snake that could pour years of hate if he said something wrong. Lucian was definitely sick, as he saw himself excited at that moment.
"So he is being accused of having contaminated the water from the temple well to assassinate the High Priest?" The alpha was surprised to pull his husband affectionately into his arms.
Magnus did not hesitate to put himself between Lucian's legs, nor did he forbid Lucian from wrapping his arms around his waist so that they would be snug. Both knew that the sick prince was using the serious conversation to disguise his cameo and prevent the omega from getting angry. And Magnus would fall for that willingly, for now.
"Thanks to the Emperor's help, we were able to develop a drug to curb symptoms and prevent contagion. But it is still in the testing phase."
"Is it really? In that case, you should be careful not to catch this disease."
"Don't worry, I volunteered myself to follow the development of the antidote."
Frowning, Lucian looked at him confused.
"How are you doing it? An antidote of an unknown disease should take time and..."
Magnus opened his most evil smile. Just watching him, Lucian shuddered and had the feeling of bad omen. Was Magnus torturing someone to develop the antidote?
"Honey, should I worry about this antidote?"
"Not at all, my little mouse. After all, you're breathing well and you're alive."
What did he mean by that? Lucian did not understand exactly, but the card fell when he noticed the malice in that diabolical smile.
"Are you testing on me?!!" Shouted the alpha, coughing from discomfort in the throat.
Holding the alpha's chin, Magnus widened his smile.
"Because you spent more time with those doves, you ended up collapsing pathetically, Lucian."
"What if I ended up dying? You weren't afraid that something would go wrong?"
"Or you would die for the antidote or the disease. Also, I did not give you permission to die so pathetically."
Ah, would there be such a vile line as that?
Lucian felt his own heart racing, especially knowing exactly that Magnus was worried about him. Leaning his chin on Magnus' shoulder, Lucian gave up trying to argue with his husband. He was surviving a mysterious disease, and all thanks to his devoted husband.
Kissing Magnus' fingers, Lucian smelled his scent and enjoyed the moment between them. Your dear villain, the one who agreed to marry with and shared your villainy. It was crazy to test an antidote for an unknown disease, but perhaps Magnus was so desperate that he chose to take the risk anyway.
"Frankly... I did not know that you were so in love with me to the point of trying something so risky."
"Don't say nonsense. Anyway, you are still bedridden and need to recover. This will help you avoid the temple for now."
"Since you said that Skyler is in trouble, wouldn't it be good for you to help him?" Quickly Magnus looked at him coldly, and Lucian smiled sweetly "You know how to help him to force him to repay you later."
"Humpf. It looks like the antidote is working properly, since it's creating mind-blowing plans."
Lucian simply laughed gracefully. He knew that his husband would accept his request, and this would be the perfect time to rest. Lying on the bed again, he pulled Magnus with him, who only snorted and crossed his arms pretending to be just a cloth puppet in the hands of a child.
Entangling his fingers in the dark hair of the omega, Lucian could feel less anxious. He had collapsed due to a sudden illness, and was working tirelessly to ensure that Magnus had all the necessary support from the Underworld. Although they spent time together, Lucian could not help feeling nostalgic.
"Your smell is different. By chance is your heat cycle again?"
"If I was in heat, you wouldn't be resting so lazy right now."
That acid, but Lucian loved it.
Approaching the face of Magnus' neck, the alpha smelled his wine. That smell of pheromones so seductive and intense, that intoxicated Lucian and turned him into his hostage. He took the chance to slip soft kisses on his husband's neck, causing chills despite Magnus trying hard not to react.
But Lucian knew him well enough to be deceived.
"I wonder what could be causing this change in your smell."
"Stop worrying about me, it was you who collapsed sick." Magnus poked the alpha's forehead, until Lucian made a cunning pout "Are you feeling anything strange?"
"In the middle of my legs, there is something very strange awakening..."
"Ha, you cheeky rat, are you learning to be brazen in the temple?"
Lucian opened a malicious smile and kissed the palm of Magnus, rubbing his fingers on his wrist.
"I believe that being so long without touching my lovely husband has made me a nostalgic fool. Please, take responsibility for it."
Magnus snorted and rolled his eyes, trying as hard as he could not to laugh with Lucian's insolence. However, the Eighth Prince's charm had some effect as Magnus wrapped his arms around Lucian in a tight embrace. As if that were not enough, he covered it with his pheromone.
"Let's see, what kind of responsibility should I hold?"
"I like the idea of being seduced, in case it helps."
Opening a rogue smile, Magnus rubbed his fingers on Lucian's neck. The reactions he took from the alpha husband were funny and lovely, because Lucian did not care to hide his emotions.
And, of course, Lucian would not waste time either.
The alpha held the husband's chin and raised him so that their eyes would meet. The intimate atmosphere arose as their faces slowly approached. Lucian's fingertips gently stroked his chin. As they approached, their warm breaths mixed until their lips touched each other in a delicate and long kiss.
It was surprising for the prince to feel Magnus following his lead rather than dominating him completely. That chance was properly taken by the alpha, who kept the kiss serene and slow to enjoy more the taste of Magnus. He wanted to feel it more and more. Lucian wanted to be covered by it, and he also wanted to cover it and take it in full.
The hot tongue, the moist lips... The wheezing and sighs that escaped from Magnus.
Lucian grabbed Magnus' waist and pulled him to completely lean against his body. His fingers clenched at his waist, feeling Magnus tremble and shudder in response. He wanted to possess him completely.
When Lucian's lips slid down Magnus' neck, his hand stroked his abdomen. There he stopped and lowered his head to observe more closely.
"What is it? Why did you stop?"
"Ah... no big deal" Lucian commented, sliding his fingers under the shirt of Magnus "By the way, do me a favor to wear this shirt only when we are alone."
"My shirt?" Magnus lowered his eyes to the collar that exposed his chest "Ha... you're so shameless."
"Be a good boy and keep me obsessed with you moderately."
"I refuse to. As a Grand Duke, it is moderately unacceptable" Magnus crossed his arms arrogantly "Unless you kiss my feet, I can gauge your obsession and adjust the level according to what I expect from you."
Ah, that half-assed villain... even with Lucian, he wouldn't put his arrogance aside. Lucian opened a sweet smile and then knelt on the bed. He noticed that Magnus was barefoot, which would save him some work. But Lucian wasted no time in holding Magnus' right foot and kissing softly.
However, it was not only the surprise of acting in such a way that enchanted Lucian. As he raised his head and watched Magnus's reaction, the prince came across a red face and a shame bordering on innocence. Magnus even tried to turn his face and hide his shame behind his fingers, but Lucian had the perfect vision of the Grand Duke's vulnerability.
At that moment, the words simply fled from Lucian's lips.
"Ah... I really love you, Magnus."