Immortal love (Caius)

The Grotto

**reader discretion advised somewhat mature content** (and more coming...)

I sat up quickly with my lips buzzing. I looked around feeling like I hadn't been alone but it appeared that I was. The windows in my room were starting to let faint light in it as the sun started peaking in. It was early in the morning and for some reason, my senses were very lively like I had just been jump-started.

I got up and decided I should get ready for the day. I threw on some black flowy pants and a white cropped top with lightly ruffled long sleeves. I slipped on some white vans I had painted flowers onto with Alice back home...It made me miss my siblings for a moment but I shook the feeling and tried to focus on today's adventures.

I figured since Caius said we would be exploring the city I would go for a comfy look. I finished freshening up and made my way toward Caius's room. I raised my hand to knock on his door and I was suddenly nervous to see him again. Right as I went to knock his door swung open and he caught my fist in his hand. My eyes raked over his entire body several times. He was wearing a more relaxed fit today, still all black but not as corporate chic. He had on a short sleeve button-up that was loose but accentuated his chiseled frame, along with comfortable-looking black pants, and for shoes, he wore black sperrys. I could tell this was what he pictured as a casual outfit. I let out an awkward laugh and gently pulled my hand back.

"Good Morning Caius, I hope I didn't have you waiting too long." I said to break the ice. He smiled but I sensed that he was worried about something. "Oh no don't worry, I only waited all night." He said jokingly. He smiled and joked but I could tell his mind was wandering and he was masking so that I didn't worry. I laughed and answered his little joke. "Sorry, some of us need a few hours of beauty sleep..." I smiled before I paused and spoke again. "Hey Cai, are you okay? You seem a little tense." He stared at me for a moment, he was flooding his thoughts with places he wanted to take me within the next few days and just thinking of random things as if he was trying to keep his mind off of what was bothering him so I couldn't see it. I stopped probing his mind as he clearly didn't want it to be read.

He finally spoke again. "I'm fine love, just some work troubles nothing that I want to burden you with." He looked conflicted with his answer but I didn't want to push it. His work was something I tried to avoid thinking about too. It was a touchy subject for us, I obviously can't agree with the way they run things here in Volterra but it's also not my place to shame Caius for his choices. I promised him I would give us an honest try regardless of his baggage. I nodded at his response and moved on because I could tell he was uncomfortable.

"Okay, so what's the plan for today? Are you going to show me your secret spots in Volterra?" I said as we walked out of his wing of the castle and into the main hall. "Well, how could they be my secret spots if I share them with you? I think I will give you the generic tourist tour." He said and he laughed. His laugh was so rich and it made me smile like an idiot... a smile only he could get out of me. "Woah Woah I didnt travel five thousand miles for the tourist tour. Maybe I can find myself another handsome travel guide to take me to his secret spots." I said and I flipped my long hair and let it slap him in the face.

Once again he laughed...that laugh, I lived for it. "So you think I'm handsome?" He said into my ear before walking ahead of me which forced me to quicken my pace to keep up with him. "Is that seriously all you got from that? Me calling you handsome?" I said as I rolled my eyes at him. "No, but I'm not worried about this other handsome tour guide, I would kill him before he even got to think of his 'secret spots' to show you." I stared at him and held back my laugh. "You know I would laugh at that but I have a feeling that's not a joke." I said. He stopped walking so fast and now walked at my pace so he would look down at me to wink. "You would be right." He said mischievously.