[ZEUS]

"No, Felix, I can't," I said into the phone, trying to get an old lover of my case.

"Think about it, Zeus," he continued in a persistent voice. From the corner of my eye, I could spot Julian watching me suspiciously. It was odd having him jealous over me. It was a turn on and a scare at the same time.

"Are you still talking on the phone?" Julian asked, his voice coming of irritated. I gave him an apologetic look before turning. I know I should hang up, but—

"I'm sure I'm better than anyone you're with now," Felix said from the other end, spiking my own anger too.

"Stop it! I don't want to get back with you!" This statement sort of spiked Julian's interest considering he was hovering close by. I gave him another apologetic look, indicating to him that I was rounding this up.

"I'll do it for you," Julian said taking the phone form me with a strength I didn't know he had.

"But..." I trailed, but Julian was already a good distance away from me screaming into the phone. I shook my head feeling sorry for Felix. Julian suddenly yelling into the phone must have scared the life out of him.

There was more yelling and then threats before Julian hung up.

"What do I have to do to keep them away from you?" Julian asked, turning to give me a sad look. I shook my head, not knowing what to say.

"Not that again. You have to answer me this time. What is it? Do I have to dye my hair? Lose weight? Learn to striptease? What?" Julian asked, chuckling slightly as he approached me.

"Nothing. I like you just the way you are, but..." I trailed, taking his hands. One of his suggestions did sound very tempting.

"About the striptease..." I continued, making Julian roll his eyes. I liked how confidence slowly washed over, but not overtake his shy features. His blonde hair had grown longer, and his gaze more mature.

"I love you," I said, muttering the words that conveyed so much. Julian gave me a shy smile before turning his gaze to the floor. I felt a little hurt by his actions — by the fact that he wasn't going to be saying those words anytime soon.

"The bath. It'll get cold if we don't go now," Julian said, looking up to meet my gaze. His face was flushed like he could read the intentions behind my green eyes. Anytime I mentioned the word love, Julian got a little disoriented, but I was glad he hadn't told me to stop saying it. That would crush me.

"Of course," I cooed, pulling him into a hug. I hadn't been with him since this whole trial mess. I missed our cuddling in bed.

"The water's getting cold," Julian muttered, breaking the hug. I followed him into the bathroom taking my clothes off. When I was down to my briefs, I looked over at Julian who was still fumbling with the buttons of his shirt.

"I'll turn around if you want me to," I said, watching him unbutton and button his shirt all over again. He turned to me, crossing his hands over his chest as a frown formed on his face. He looked offended. 

"You know, I could always take a bath after you," Julian said. His face was flushed and he was embarrassed. I laughed, taking off my briefs before walking over to him and holding him tight from behind.

"I'll help, okay?" I whispered, taking hold of the top buttons. He muttered a small 'okay' as I started to undress him. I really didn't know what he was so embarrassed about. He had the best looking body I had ever seen. I heard him gasp as I ran my hands up and down his swimmer like body. I loved it, it was so much better than the ridges packs produced.

I kissed his neck, making him whimper. I missed touching Julian. I felt the nerves in my lower stomach churn as I kissed down his spine. His shirt soon dropped off his shoulders, and it pooled around his feet.

I kissed the end of his back, making him let out short breathy moans. I' missed this. I missed just being together with him so much.

"Z-Zeus the bath," Julian stuttered. I laughed, taking down his boxers and shorts before getting up and carrying him to the bath.

My bath — I'm sorry, our bath — was big enough for both of us. I dropped him into the water, making him shriek.

"See what you've done! It's ice water!" Julian said. I could visibly see him shiver, making me laugh.

"Don't accuse me, you wasted most of the time," I said winking before dipping my hand into the bath. I gritted my teeth, Julian was right. I fumbled around in search of the plug. Finding it I pulled it to drain some water, then plugged it back and turned on the hot water.

I got into the bath and smiled as Julian approached me. He snuggled into my chest, throwing his hands around me in a hug.

"It's a lot better," Julian said looking up at me. I felt my heart do a funny dance. It's been forever since I looked into his blue eyes so up close.

We washed each other silently. The thumping and the dripping sound of water was our only companion. We shared gentle kisses but whenever I tried to fondle with him he drew away shyly. I love him but somehow that's stopped being enough.

I want it back. It might sound rather selfish, but I wanted my feelings to be voiced back to me.

The ring of the bell followed by Spots barking made Julian drop the soap clumsily. It slithered until it hit the bathroom door with a bump.

"Are you expecting anybody?" Julian asked drawing away from me. I shook my head. Tamara said she wasn't going to be bothering us for the period and Leonardo and I only had most of our discussions on video chat.

"I'll go get it," Julian said getting out of the tub and taking a robe form the nearby rack. I got out to towel drying myself before jumping into my shorts and after Julian.

I slowed down as I reached the hallway. The door was still short but Julian seemed to be conversing with someone through it.

"Why should I believe you?" I heard Julian's mumble as I got closer.

"I want to talk about our divorce. It's no big deal," I heard a familiar voice from the courtroom say from the other end.

I walked up to Julian before resting my head on his.

"Let her in," I whispered. If he doesn't comply with her now he may never get that divorce — I may never fully have him.

"She doesn't sound right..." Julian trailed. I heard it too, the slight trembling in her voice. But my mind was too consumed with the 'ifs' of him not doing it now.

"She's offering you the divorce."

"She wants to hurt you. I don't believe her," Julian said in a firm tone. I sighed using my hand to cover his over the lock. I wanted to open it, have Julian to myself.

"There's nothing more you're here for is there?" I asked for confirmation.

"Well of cause not, what are you, afraid?" I heard her tease as her figure behind the glass door shrugged.

"Okay," I said, turning the knob open. I should say that was the worst mistake of my life. Camera lights went off out of nowhere as two to six reporters appeared from the sides.

I heard Julian cuss under his breath and I couldn't blame him. The lights were everywhere.

"Does your family know?"

"When were you going to tell the world?"

The reports asked, bombarding me with questions.

"Leave," I whispered to Julian before letting him escape inside. I couldn't get the door jammed because they were pushing their way in.

"Stop that!" I yelled as a camera went off again. After going through a one-sided argument for twenty minutes I managed to force the door shut. I could still hear their questions from the other side of the door as I left in search of Julian.

I found him shivering on the longest sofa in the sitting room. The lights were off and the curtains were drawn shut. He bit his lip nervously as I approached him. His blue eyes seemed to ask so many questions at the same time.

"I'm sorry," I said getting on my knees between him. I felt ashamed that I turned to a pile of muss at Julian's feet whenever I was deep in trouble. I wish I could be stronger for him, be more like what he deserves.

Feeling his hands brush through my hair I shut my eyes to savor the feeling. I hated the fact he had to go through all this with me, but I couldn't do it with anyone else.

"I love you," I said, surprised that it came out as a low sob.

Julian didn't say anything just kept on brushing my hair. My heart sunk, but I put effort into not letting it show.

I can wait. I told myself as I closed my eyes. We stayed like that until the knocks and questions died down.

We had separated Julian calling Tamara while I tried to get Leonard on my phone. I had heard Tamara's screaming over the phone. She'd been clearly pissed and irritated at their nosiness.

"They can't just keep to their damn selves, lousy fuckers."

"Tamara, we have a baby!" I had heard Kelly scold from the other end. Julian had engaged them for a while before hanging up and joining my video chat with Leonardo.

Leonardo seemed remotely calm. He advised me to indulge them or try to talk to another broadcasting company before those reporters got it out.

"You'll look better coming out yourself, I'll see what I can do about the forcefully taken media," Leonard told me before ending the chat. I put off my phone before putting it into my pocket. I could hear Spots barking at the front door. The reporters were long gone.

"Well he seems confident," Julian said, smiling. The smile made my heart fall, it didn't reach his eyes. He was trying to act casual but I knew he was terribly worried.

"It's going to be okay," I said smiling myself. I didn't feel or sound too confident. Julian turned to me, giving me the same forced smile.

"I hate that I've done this to you," he said, looking up at him.

"You didn't do any of this," I said, taking his hands in mine. I loved their softness. It always seemed to calm me.

"But if you hadn't met me you would never have known Linda," he reasoned, swinging our joined hands a little.

"I don't care. I love you," I said, bringing his hand to my mouth for a kiss. He turned away from me, a light blush dusting his features.

"I wish you'd stop saying that so casually," Julian mumbled, giving me a brief look before turning away from me again. I laughed, dropping his hand and hugging him to myself.

"I would never have made it this far without you," I said, running my fingers through his hair that was getting longer. I pulled him back to kiss his forehead before pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.

I heard Spots bark followed by panting and footsteps. Soon Spots was trying to find his way between our legs. Whining and hugging my leg when he found out he couldn't squeeze between us.

"At least someone's making the most of this," Julian said, making me laugh.

I haven't laughed in so long. it felt amazing.