Inside the carriage, Julius sat pressed up against Maverick, despite the perfectly empty seat across from them. His playful smirk was as mischievous as ever.
Maverick sighed, glancing at the empty seat. "Why don't you just sit across? I'm not going to run away."
Julius grinned, leaning in closer. "Don't wanna. I just want to be crammed with you so you'll smell like me."
The memory of Julius's darkened face from earlier flickered in Maverick's mind, and with it, a flash of frustration and anger that he didn't want to provoke again. He slumped slightly, resigning himself to Julius's closeness.
"Fine, fine," Maverick muttered, knowing full well that pushing back would only stir the lion inside Julius once more.
Maverick cleared his throat, changing the subject. "Now, tell me everything, Julius. What's in your thoughts, I told you I'd listen afterward. Maverick is referring to Julius' confession months ago.
