Homecoming

[AUGUST WITT]

August was more than annoyed as he waited in line. He didn't keep a constant watch on Maxine, but he peaked over now and then to check on her and make sure that this Jamie fellow was playing by August's rules. He hated seeing her so happy in his company. August knew Maxine had friends, and he knew they were nothing more than lovers, but he meant when he said she was his. She saw her as his own property, and he cared for her dearly. Like how one might care for an overpriced vase from Indonesia. You took care of it, you showed it off, and you made sure it was safe. Other could look but not touch. That was Maxine to August, but on a deeper level he knew he cared for her a great deal. Far more than he would a silly vase.

He ordered her cappuccino and a double shot of espresso for himself and then waited for the drinks to come, keeping his careful eye on the scruffy man who waltzed into town like he owned it. It looked like Maxine was saying goodbye since she stood up and wrapped her arms around the boy. August tensed and was glad he wasn't holding a drink. His eyes were smoldering as they glared at the two of them, watching as Jamie lifted her up and pecked her cheek. It took a lot of will power to stay where he was and not reclaim what was rightfully his.

August caught Maxine's eye once she sat back down and the boy excused himself. Her smile was apologetic, but that didn't stop him from glowering back at her, making it clear he was not alright with what happened. He huffed and turned away from her as he waited for the drinks, which were handed to him shortly after. He grabbed a couple of sugars and made his way to the table, catching Jamie at another one not terribly far, which made him even more annoyed.

"I don't have terribly long before I have to leave." He said in a bitter voice as he sat down where Jamie had been, sliding her cappuccino across to her. He looked into her eyes, his jaw still stiff from being upset with the exchange. "I don't think I will ever be able to accept seeing you show affection towards anyone else." He told her in a soft voice looking down at his drink as he poured the sugars in and stirred with a little wooden stick. "I cannot stop you from seeing him as much as I'd like to, but if you intend to hug him again please refrain from doing so in my presence. I told you I would try to be nicer to your friends, but witnessing that only makes me want to be anything but." His eyes met hers, giving her a hard, pained look. "Do you understand?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi saw how August glowered at her and it made her spirits sink. She finished the coffee she already had and prepared herself to get chewed out for letting Jamie sit and take up August’s time and all of that. Not to mention the kiss Jamie gave her. She was used to being affectionate with Jamie—they’d been affectionate for 40 years! But she wasn’t used to being that affectionate with other guys around August. She knew that had to be a reason why he was so upset. She set her empty coffee cup aside and watched as August made his way back over to her. “I don’t have terribly long before I have to leave.” Her brow was creased slightly in worry, though she thanked him quietly when he set her drink down in front of her. From the look in his eyes as he stared at her, he had something more to say, so she stayed politely quiet.

“I don’t think I will ever be able to accept seeing you show affection towards anyone else.” Somehow, Maxi felt relieved. He wasn’t going to berate her for inviting her friend to sit with her. And in a strange way, it was sweet that he wanted her all to himself. Controlling and possessive, but that had never really bothered Maxi. She watched him pour the sugar in his coffee and stir it. “I cannot stop you from seeing him as much as I’d like to, but if you intend to hug him again please refrain from doing so in my presence. I told you I would try to be nicer to your friends, but witnessing that only makes me want to be anything but.” The look on her face was one of anxious understanding, like a child who knew she did something wrong and was taking her warning. His hard, pained look only added to the pit in her stomach. She hated upsetting him, but she also hated that it was her relationships with other people that suffered because he didn’t like her to be with anyone else. “Do you understand?” Maxi nodded, looking down to the table with a slightly furrowed brow, saying quietly, “That’s fair.” She took a sip of her drink before continuing.

“But I want you to know, just so we’re clear, that I don’t look at anybody else the way I look at you. You have to know that I am completely and utterly yours.” Maxi brought her eyes back to his, giving him a sincere look, hoping it would be some consolation. Then again, how many times would she have to say it until he understood? “And Jamie? If I ever had a twin brother, it would be him. We’ve literally known each other since we were three and we’ve never seen each other as anything besides best friends, if not siblings. Thinking of him as anything else gives me the creeps; I know for a fact that he feels the same.” She gave a small smile, her foot resting beside his under the table, a small way of giving a reassuring touch without being obvious. “But thanks for being so understanding today and not picking a fight. I really, really appreciate it. I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.” Her smile grew some and she leaned forward a bit with a hopeful smile. “I could make it up to you.” It was obvious what she was suggesting, though she left it open for him to decide just how she could make it up to him. Giving him something to look forward to might cheer him up some and she couldn’t deny she liked the thought of making it up to him.

[AUGUST WITT]

“That’s fair.” August gave a slight nod, glad for her willingness to do as he pleased. He was about to take a sip of his drink when she continued with her "but". He didn't like but's, and he immediately grimaced as she began to speak. “But I want you to know, just so we’re clear, that I don’t look at anybody else the way I look at you. You have to know that I am completely and utterly yours.” There was a part of him that was placated by the news, but that wasn't all of it. Yes, he was pleased she belonged to him, pleased she wouldn't be foolish enough to try and do anything with anyone else, pleased that she was sincerely devoted to him but what she didn't realize was his jealousy ran deeper than needing her all to himself mentally. Physically he just couldn't stand her being with anyone other than him. The thought of it drove him mad. He wanted her entirely; mind, body and soul. It had always been difficult for August to share.

Maxine explained that Jamie was nothing more than a dear friend, almost a brother, and that the thought of being with him indecently was a disgusting thought, but that didn't necessarily mean anything to August. He felt her foot against his, his face not giving much away. “But thanks for being so understanding today and not picking a fight. I really, really appreciate it. I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.”

The apology eased him some. He was annoyed with her, but not because she had done anything wrong. She was simply being Maxine and that was exactly who he wanted her to be, but in the same regard he didn't want her to be herself either. It was a very conflicting thought. Her coy smile intrigued him some as she announced she would make it up to him. Normally the promise of sex was a nice one, but he was already counting on having her any way he pleased. She was so willing to offer and he was more than willing to take.

"There's nothing to make up for." He said, his voice chillier than he expected it to be. "You fail to see why I get upset, Maxine. It doesn't matter if he'll never touch you inappropriately, the very thought of anyone having your joy but me sickens me. I'm a selfish man, and you are my very favorite plaything. More, even. My lover...and I suppose companion." He didn't want her to get the wrong idea and make this about something it wasn't. "I do not like to share. Especially you. I'm willing to since I cannot keep you all to myself as I desire to, since it would be cruel to you considering how social and lustrous you are, but that doesn't mean I don't desire it." His eyes burned into hers, wanting to touch her, but not publicly. "I want nothing more than to take you home now simply so I can keep you all to myself for another day, but I cannot. However.." His brows furrowed and he hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket. "If your desire is to "make things up to me", then I would like very much to find you in my bed when I return home." He pulled his wallet out and tugged his spare key from its confines, sliding it across the table to Maxine, his eyes intent on hers, hoping she wouldn't deny him and deep down knowing she wouldn't be able to.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“There’s nothing to make up for.” Maxi’s smile faded some at August’s tone. He sounded so stiff and it made her feel uncertain. Was he still angry? “You fail to see why I get upset, Maxine. It doesn’t matter if he’ll never touch you inappropriately; the very thought of anyone having your joy but me sickens me. I’m a selfish man, and you are my very favorite plaything.” Maxi set her jaw, feeling anger and disappointment prematurely bubbling in her belly. “More, even. My lover…and I suppose companion.” Her surprise at his words was written all over her face and in her wide eyes. It was what she had been waiting to hear for almost four months; she was his companion. It was the closest she could get to having him admit she was his girlfriend, at least in public. She could have cried with happiness. “I don’t not like to share. Especially you. I’m willing to since I cannot keep you all to myself as I desire to, since it would be cruel to you considering how social and lustrous you are, but that doesn’t mean I don’t desire it.” August was showing through this speech just how much he had grown since they had first started seeing each other. The same man who beat the crap out of Brett simply for being alone with her in a friendly capacity was now admitting that he couldn’t stop her from seeing her friends. She wanted to hug him even as his eyes burned into her across the table.

“I want nothing more than to take you home now simply so I can keep you all to myself for another day, but I cannot. However…” Maxi was starting to like the sound of it, a little disappointed that he really couldn’t take her home and keep her all to himself, but she waiting eagerly to see was this “however,” was. She watched curiously as he reached into his pocket, her brow furrowing a little. “If your desire is to ‘make things up to me,’ then I would like very much to find you in my bed when I return home.” She was confused more now. She didn’t have a key, how was she supposed to…August pulled his wallet out and presented a spare key from the confines. Her eyes were wide as she watched him push it across the table to her. A key…a key! She was getting a key to August’s apartment! Would he ask her to give it back? It didn’t matter, she was getting a key and she wasn’t giving it back unless he did ask for it! A big smile spread across her face as she reached out and took the key from him. This was a huge gesture! She turned her smile up to him, showing how ecstatic she was over getting a key to his place.

“You can count on it.” She would wait for him in a whipped cream bikini if that’s what he wanted her to do. Considering how late he probably had to work, though, she would probably nap a little until he came home—she would be in bed after all, so why not? When she was on her own, she was definitely going to jump around and squeal over this. Right now, though, all she did was smile brightly and use that silent gesture to express her excitement. She picked up her purse and slid the key into a safe side pocket inside where she knew she wouldn’t lose it. Once she had, she set her purse back down and picked up her cappuccino to take a sip. “Any other requests?” she inquired playfully. He was well aware all he had to do was ask and she would give.

[AUGUST WITT]

He watched her facial expressions change as he spoke, from annoyed, to confused and finally settling on elated. She was reading too much into his gesture, but then again perhaps he wasn't reading enough into it. He was offering her a key to his home, to come and go as she pleased. He didn't mind the idea, since if things were to end with them he could simply have his locks changed, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized this was a large step when couples dated. It was like saying I like you enough to let you stop in whenever you please. But that was how he felt. He wanted her all the time. In fact, there wasn't a moment in the last four months he could recall not wanting her, except perhaps those few dark moments at the masquerade, but that feeling passed soon after he'd gotten home. Even when he'd said those terrible things to her he hadn't meant any of it. It was his first ever lovers quarrel and he was certain not his last, not if he continued to seduce Maxine and insist upon dominated her mind and body as he wanted to do.

“You can count on it.” She was pleased, which in turn pleased him and made him calm down a little more. The very thought of her being there waiting for him would make the day drag, but it would also give him something to look forward to. This sleeping thing was something he was getting used to and enjoying quite a bit with a little help from Maxine. He liked sleeping at her side, waking up and holding her close. His body was getting used to the changes and when he woke in the middle of the night she was often there to touch and hold. It was comforting on a level that August wasn't used to.

He watched as she slipped the key into her purse, sipping his drink and wanting desperately to take her to the bathroom and have his way then and there. How did she constantly do that to him? He'd been so agitated only moments ago, but her smile alone was enough to calm his inner demon and awaken his inner beast. “Any other requests?” she inquired playfully and his eyes filled with lust as his head bowed. "Oh, I have many requests for you my dear, but none are appropriate to discuss here or now. Perhaps this evening we can go over that in more detail." He suggested, looking at his watch and sighing. "For now I should go. Make sure you sleep, because I fully intend to wake you when I get in later this evening. Now, lie to me and tell me you will be sitting locked away from other men's eyes while I'm gone, reading books or other mundane activities while you wait for only me. Preferably naked." He smirked, his tone teetering on playful now as he stood.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Oh, I have many requests for you my dear, but none are appropriate to discuss here or now. Perhaps this evening we can go over that in more detail.” Maxi giggled, feeling excited at the thought and she took another sip of her drink. August glanced at his watch and sighed which reminded her that he had to go to work. It was disappointing and she gave a small sigh of her own. “For now I go. Make sure you sleep, because I fully intend to wake you when I get in later this evening. Now, lie to me and tell me you will be sitting locked away from other men’s eyes while I’m gone, reading books or other mundane activities while you wait for only me. Preferably naked.” She grinned wide, watching him as he stood up. “Oh yes, I’m going to go straight to your apartment, get naked and read a book in bed. Though I’m sure it’ll hardly distract me from the anticipation of you coming home.” Her tone was playful, though she said it soft enough so only he could hear. From the look of it, he was very pleased with her answer.

Before he could run away, though, she grabbed his wrist and stood. “Wait!” she said very softly, biting her bottom lip coyly. “Can I get a kiss before you go?” She knew she was pushing the limits of his comfort zone today, but she hoped her closeness and the way she smiled at him would make him forget they were in public. And though it was brief, he did lean in and kiss her goodbye, making her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She smiled wide when he pulled away, even though he looked a little uneasy. Her hand let go of his wrist and she waved a little. “I’ll be waiting,” she promised before he turned to go. She watched him go, feeling light as a feather. Not only did she have a key, but he admitted she was his “companion” and he’d kissed her before he left. Absolutely nothing was bringing her down from the cloud she was on. She was going to go straight to his apartment, just like she said! With a big goofy smile on her face, she turned back to the table, but as she did so, her eyes fell on Jamie watching her. Her smile grew excitedly and she grabbed her things before hustling over to him. Okay, so maybe she had lied, but she would go right after she caught up some more with Jamie.

When she reached him, she started digging in her purse, taking a seat next to him. “Okay, so maybe you think he’s a wanker, but I just got…” She pulled out the key with a flourish. “A key!” She bounced a little in her chair. “I got a key to his apartment! I’m so excited!” With a giggle she went to take another sip of her cappuccino and looked at it suspiciously as she pulled it away from her lips. “Maybe I don’t need any more of this…” She shrugged and took another sip, simply ecstatic. “The world is perfect! You’re home! I have a key to August’s apartment! You’re home!” She laughed. “This is the best day ever.”