a/n: since this book doesn't follow the movie directly (since it's a different romance obviously lol) if there's any specific part of the movie that you were hoping to see played out in the book lmk and I'll make sure to put it in!
tw: violence, slight sexual content
Sejanus was gone, long gone, away at his shift and not set to return until later that night.
And Coriolanus knew there was no possibility of him returning early, because no peacekeeper was ever let off early.
So Coriolanus also knew that for the next hour, before he had to go to work too, him and Liville would be alone. Completely alone. With absolutely no risk of intrusion.
His body rushed with adrenaline, even more than it had the night before.
A guaranteed, uninterrupted hour alone. The excitement he felt was indescribable.
No Sejanus. No nosy Covey.
Just them.
Just Coriolanus and Liville.
This house was becoming their own private alleyway.
He got ready as fast as he could that morning. When he left his room, Liville was in the kitchen already. Coriolanus didn't know if she had been up when Sejanus was, but for the first time he didn't care.
Because he didn't have to worry about Sejanus anymore. And his head spun with the gratitude of it.
Liville looked over at the sound of the bedroom door opening, and she smiled at him, "Good morning, Coriolanus. I made oatmeal this morning. Do you like oatmeal?"
Coriolanus came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, placing soft kisses along her shoulder.
She smiled wider. "Good morning, Coriolanus," she repeated, her voice teasing his enthusiasm.
"You smell beautiful," he complimented, taking in the smell of her hair as he left kisses on the side of her face.
"Thank you," she breathed, her heart beating faster with every kiss he placed on her. She leaned against his chest. "I put on some perfume this morning."
More excitement flooded through him. "Yeah? What's going on this morning that requires you to wear perfume?"
"Nothing," she said, with a small shrug. "I just...thought maybe we'd have breakfast together. I wanted to feel put together for you."
"Perfume for the breakfast table?" he asked.
"Mhm."
He smiled against the nape of her neck. "Really?" he teased. "It wasn't...because you thought we'd be doing anything else?"
He could see her face turning red. She turned away, and he almost laughed at how utterly shy she became.
He continued to tease her, "It wasn't because...you thought I might have time to kiss you?"
With his arms still around her, he pulled her back further against his chest.
She began, "It...may have crossed my mind."
"Oh, it may have?"
She only gave another low, "Mhm."
His hands fell to her hips, turning her body around so he faced her, allowing himself to admire how beautiful she looked before capturing her lips in his own. She relaxed against him, leaning into him more.
Pulling away, his hands traced up and down the dress she wore. "Did you wear this for me too? A pretty new dress just for breakfast with me?"
Her face became even more red and bashful. "What do you think of it? You said you didn't like the gray color on me, I thought you'd like this one."
