Serena nodded to the place on the couch as Atlas hopped over its back, landing snugly beside her.
His warm cedar and vanilla scent wafted into her face. Serena closed her eyes and snuggled into the cushion, and scent, and the comfort it brought.
Atlas slid an arm over her shoulders, and her head fell gently into the crook of his elbow. He slid his hand around the front of her stomach and pulled her waist toward him. She flopped against him like a wet leaf and clung to him. Her hand spread over his abs and fingered the crevices.
He rubbed her shoulder with his hand and traced circles on her hip with his thumb. He closed his eyes and savored the touch.
"Lacuna." His voice was gravelly and thick. Serena hummed and pushed her head deeper into his elbow. "I'm sorry for how pathetically I have acted and treated you this last week." He pressed his lips against her temple and kissed it tenderly. "It is inexcusable. You have had a rough time ever since you came here, and I have done very little to help you. So I apologize. I will do better. I will be better. Because you deserve more than I have to give you." He pulled away from her. She dropped onto the cushions, and her eyes snapped to Atlas's receding figure.
"Don't leave me." She demanded quietly.
Atlas' ears perked up, and he froze halfway around the couch. He turned to see Serena, hugging herself tightly, eyes filled with tears, pleading with him. He fumbled around the couch and held his arms open for her to fall into. She cried heavy and hot tears against him.
"I won't." He whispered into her air-dried hair. "I won't."
They stood there for a long time, Serena crying and Atlas hugging her tightly. He directed her body to follow his as he sat on the couch. She crumpled into his lap and pressed her chest and hips tightly against him.
Atlas groaned, rolled his eyes, and grabbed her thighs. He moved them apart so she straddled his lap. She slid her arms around his neck and lifted her head.
Her messy, hot, red face was puffy from the salty tears. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his. Atlas tightened his grip on her thighs as she leaned forward, nervous about where this was going. Serena leaned forward, and her warm, puffy lips brushed his chapped ones.
"Serena." He whispered, their lips inches apart. "I can't do this right now."
"Do what?" She smirked, her eyes playful in the firelight.
"You. I can't do you for starters. You are emotionally vulnerable right now, and I would feel horrible taking advantage of you any more than I already have today." He sighed and tilted his head back. The atmosphere died as he broke their contact. "I-" He lifted his gaze to hers and closed his eyes tightly. "I love you, and I can't take advantage of you." He released her thighs and pushed her arms away from his neck.
"You aren't taking advantage of me, though. I am letting you in. I am saying I want you too." Serena's mind raced as frustration, rejection, and anxiety crept in.
"No. You are hurt and looking for something to distract you from that hurt. I won't be a part of that. After you reconcile with your father, then we can pick up where this left off." Atlas scooted out from under Serena and rose from the couch. He passed, turned toward her, and met her eyes with as much love as could be directed through eye contact. "I care for you and want all of you when you are ready."
Atlas left the room, and the room grew cold in his absence.
Serena wept against the pillow till the clock on the wall struck twelve times. Letting out all the hurt, frustrations, and anger that had boiled inside her for the last month. Every emotion flowed out until she was weak with exhaustion.
Sleep overcame her as the night wore on.
In her half-delirious sleep, two large hands lifted her from the couch, and carried her to the master bedroom, and tucked her underneath the blankets. She snuggled against the warm sheets and drifted into a deep sleep until late the next day.
Serena stretched her arms wide over the bed. Her fingers tapped something soft and warm.
Her eyes flipped open and the wide wingspan of a griffin met her eyes. Its talons reached out to her, and the wings swung open, searching for the perfect prey and the chance to pounce. She trailed her fingers softly over the tattooed feathers, following the outline of the creature.
Atlas breathed steadily and deeply beside her, his back turned away. She slid out from the covers and tip-toed toward the bathroom to wash her face.
As she exited the bathroom, her eyes turned toward the bed and Atlas. But Atlas wasn't there.
"Looking for me?" His voice was low and thick with his morning voice.
Serena shivered and tensed at the noise.
"I-I was." Serena stuttered, turning toward the half-naked man. Her eyes drifted around his chiseled body and muscles, soaking in the glory. She gulped as her eyes rest on his chest.
"My eyes are up here, Lacuna," Atlas smirked as he waved a hand to catch her attention and direct it to his face.
Serena's flushed face looked up, wide-eyed, at Atlas.
"Good morning." He smiled down at her. He dipped behind her and entered the bathroom. His hand was full of a towel when he met her back where he had left her. He held the towel up to her face and wiped her face clean. "You had some water on your face still." He tossed the towel into a basket beside him and entered the bathroom, this time, slamming the door behind him.
"Good morning to you too," Serena said to the closed door.
She spun around and exited the bedroom. She changed into some comfy clothing and exited her bedroom to find a very wet Atlas before her. His hair was stringy from a shower, and a towel gathered loosely around his waist.
"Have breakfast with me?" He asked, out of breath.
"What?" Serena cocked her head, confused.
"Have breakfast with me."
"It's almost noon." She leaned against the doorway and crossed her arms.
"It's breakfast time somewhere." He shrugged, giving her a playful smile.
"Sure." She chuckled as she descended the stairs. "I'll meet you in the sunroom." She waved to him as he ran back to his room to get ready for breakfast.