Marcus couldn’t pull his gaze from those full lips as they parted, allowing the spoon to slip in. His stupid heart pattered helplessly in his chest, and he tilted the spoon up to tip the last of the soup into Winnifred’s mouth before pulling it out gently and dipping it back into the bowl. This time, he blew on the steaming spoonful lightly before he nudged it up against her soft mouth.
( uwu Marcus is getting even fluffier ;)
((My hypothesis was correct! Getting a character sick is a great opportunity for fluff!))
A blush spread across her face as she took the next spoonful into her mouth, and then the next. After getting over the initial shock of the moment, Winifred allowed herself to enjoy it. She let the warmth of the soup fill her and mingle with the warmth of Marcus's attention. She hadn't expected him to leave her sick and alone, but she hadn't expected this.
(Yasssss)
The corners of Marcus’s lips lifted in a slight smile at the pink blooming across her face, and when he accidentally smeared a dribble of broth across her lip, he reached over to the bedside table for a handkerchief and dabbed at the spot.
“Feeling a little better?” He asked, tugging the blankets a little farther up Her shoulders.
Winifred waited until her wiped away the broth with a handkerchief before she answered. "I feel spoiled but yes… thank you. I'm not sure Why….but thank you." She said as she looked into those coco brown eyes and wished for more ways to thank him.
Marcus’s smile strengthened a little. “Anytime.” Then, a hint of irony spread across his features. “I’m taking care of my sick doctor,” he laughed lightly. “Now this is a first.” His eyes landed squarely on hers, and once again the need to explore their chocolate depths arose in him.
Winifred laughed turned into a coughing fit sooner than she hoped. "Don't get use to this." she choked. "Hopefully, it'll be the last time." Winifred watched as that look appeared in his eyes once more. She smiled. "Why do you look at me like that?"
Marcus looked back down at the bowl in his lap, pink spreading across his cheeks. “I—“ he took a moment to find his voice. “I— you have beautiful eyes,” he replied finally, lifting the spoon to her lips again.
Winifred broadened as she drank more soup. "Thank you, Lord Marcus. That's very…. sweet that you think so. " She turned her head away as a brutal cough wracked through her body. Yet, even her sickness was more enjoyable with Marcus here.
He thinks are pretty… Winifred could hardly stop herself from squealing and giggling like a school girl.
Marcus was considerably surprised that she hadn’t taken his compliment badly, and even further so when he saw the slight pink on her cheeks deepen and her smile widen. “No need— no need to call me Lord. Just Marcus will do.” He had to look away for a moment to piece himself back together.
"Okay… Marcus." The name felt sweet on her tongue. She loved his name more than she would ever admit. She liked a lot of things about Marcus that she would never admit, at least not to his face.
Winifred yawned, turning her face away form him. Sleep had set in deep in her bones. She had hardly noticed the weariness that had taken her over.
Marcus set the soup on her bedside table, gently taking hold of her shoulders and sliding her farther down on the pillow. He brought the blanket all the way up to her chin, tucking her in with a tenderness to his motions that he was scared to acknowledge. “Sleep tight, Winnifred…”
Winifred watched Marcus with wide eyes. He was so gentle and tender as he touched her, as if he moved to fast or held her to roughly, she would bruise. A warmth and tenderness all her own began to expand in her chest. Marcus Crenshaw….you are something else…
"Thank you, Marcus. I believe I will…" A yawn broke through once more. She gave Marcus a weak smile before she closed her eyes, dreaming of his touch and a pair of chocolate eyes that searched hers desperate for something more.
He will be my undoing…
(Yes he will, Winnifred Darcy, yes he will)
(Is Luc going to come in now?)
Marcus faltered for a moment, standing above her before leaning forward to brush a hesitant, feather-light kiss across her forehead and slipping from the room before he could see her reaction. Once in the safety of his own bedchambers, he sagged against the wall, shutting his eyes to collect his thoughts.
He clearly had feelings for her, even he couldn’t deny that any longer. Just the thought of those warm doe eyes, that soft skin beneath his fingers, made his heart pound furiously. A strange ache began to spread through his chest, and he let out a soft groan, because he very well knew that his wound was not the only cause of it.
((Yes, he is, I'll be back tomorrow to start it off. Good night!))
(Goodnight :)
(‘Morning)
(Morning!)
A chuckle erupted in the room, deep and velvet smooth.
"Aww, how cute…"
The door that separated their bedchambers closed slowly as Luc pushed it closed. It shut silently. He leaned against the wall, his slightly graying hair in a neat pompadour. One ankle crossed over the other as his steel gray eyes narrowed on Marcus, thick black brows slanting, his handsome smirk a promise of hell-fire.
"The patient…is in love with the Doctor?" He laughed. "And I just came to address the first female…" His eyes drifted to Angeline's sleeping form.
Marcus whirled around, his eyes blazing. “Get out,” he snarled, stepping between Angeline and his uncle. “Now.”
Every single thought had flown out his head and was replaced with pure, burning rage. Winnifred had been pushed the the far corner of his mind, barely present at all in the face of the cruel snake that called himself human. “I don’t care what you’re here for, just leave.”
Luc looked unfazed as he pushed himself off the wall. His gait was lazy and relaxed as he sauntered towards Marcus. He gave a light slap across the cheek. "Hush, child."
He moved passed him and stood at Angeline's side. He ran a hand down her cheek. "You don't want to wake her to your screams now do you? I'm feeling a little antsy…. you've tested my patiences, boy." zhe growled.
Marcus didn’t stop to think. He reached forward and yanked Luc away from Angeline, whirling his uncle around to face him. “Don’t touch her,” he growled. “Fine, let her wake up to my screams. Torture me. Kill me. But don’t touch her.” He swallowed, narrowing his dark eyes. Every trace of warmth in their chocolate depths had dissipated, leaving only cold, harsh anger. “And how did I test your patience? She is my bedslave, you had no right to ravage her.”
Luc lashed out like a viper, gripping Marcus's neck with a vice grip. He growled in warning. "Don't touch me, boy. How dare you!" he spat. He pulled Marcus close and whispered with venomous words. "And then, you lie to me… I let it pass before the girl…because she was happy to be saved by her little prince charming…" Luc tsked. "I broke her walls Marcus, she had never been touched before me…. and my, how she moaned…" He cackled.
Before he knew what he was doing, Marcus had driven his fist into Luc Crenshaw’s face and grabbed his uncle by the shirt collar to shove him against the wall. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
Luc took the blow, laughing as blood trickled down the corner of his lip. This little boy thought he was stronger than him? "What, Marcus?" Luc stood and thrusted Marcus's hands away. "You want to try and kill me again? You see how that went for you last time…"
Luc swung his fist, connecting with Marcus's jaw. Slowly, he removed his gloves. "We can do this here…"
Marcus said nothing, only clenched his teeth and flung his own gloves to the side. “Go ahead,” he growled, spying a dagger on the mantle and clenching it in his fist. “I dare you.” Determination burned deep in his chest, along with rage and a hint of fear. His uncle was not getting Angeline.