Dark Requiem [malexmale]

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"Thank you for not saying anything about last night."

I looked up at Michael, who sat across from me at the small outdoor table of a restaurant in town. He was looking down at his untouched plate of grilled salmon seasoned with lemon, some kind of gross green stuff, and mashed cauliflower. He looked uncomfortable, disheartened, lost. It was so strange to see this angel, who'd been so confident and strong just moments ago, suddenly look deflated. He seemed guilty as well, perhaps over Marceline.

"You're welcome," I said after a moment. Michael studied his food for a while longer, and I ate a few more bites of the chocolate lava cake I'd ordered before giving up. Clearly there was something about last night that was bothering him, considering he'd brought it up and looked so miserable when he did.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He averted his eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath and looked up.

"I wish to apologize, both for last night and this morning. I trust that you cared for me and I appreciate it. I just... it was highly inappropriate of me, last night, I mean. I... That has never happened to me before," he said at last. I frowned, confused at that.

"I wouldn't have expected you to be drugged often," I answered. Michael didn't say anything. He looked annoyed now and actually met my eyes with this droll stare that asked really. You think that's what this is about. And it took me a good few seconds to realize he was talking about the reaction to the drug. Not to the drug specifically, actually. More like, in general. As in, he'd never been aroused, or at least, not like that, and judging from how humiliated he'd been, it had probably never happened ever.

"Oh."

"Yes, oh," Michael echoed. I swallowed at that, decided I didn't feel like eating anymore and took a huge gulp of coffee. Michael's eyes followed my movements until we made eye contact and he immediately looked away, almost like he was ashamed. I sighed as I replaced my glass on the table.

"Michael, please don't be embarrassed. What happened was not your fault and you couldn't help it. And as for any other time... Michael, it's perfectly natural. Many creatures experience that on a daily basis-- Perhaps not as intense, but nonetheless. It's okay." Despite my words, he didn't seem comforted at all. He rubbed one hand over the other, looking down with a look of intense discomfort. He clearly didn't like discussing it, but it seemed he also wanted to get it off his chest.

"You can trust me," I said after a moment. Michael blinked, then looked up at me. He studied my expression, his lips pursing briefly before he sighed.

"As odd as it sounds, I do trust you," he answered, making me raise an eyebrow, "You could've done something... horrible last night, and you didn't. Instead, you made sure I was safe. I didn't even ask you to. I was prepared to just... stay as I was."

"I'm glad you didn't," I told him grimly, watching him frown curiously, "You were poisoned with something called erotia. It's an incredibly potent aphrodisiac that was around when I was still awake. Its effects do not wear off until the victim has either reached release or is knocked unconscious." Michael twitched, the heat was back in his cheeks again and he shifted a little, folding one long slender leg over the other and averting his eyes. He rubbed at his hand again, then glanced at me.

"You seem to know it well to be able to recognize it right away," he said quietly. I stared at him flatly.

"Atlan used it frequently when I questioned his motives. It was very good at shutting me up," I answered. Michael winced.

"I apologize."

"Don't. It's already happened and nothing can change it. Anyway," I continued, looking down into my coffee mug, "It's why I put you out. The thing is, I've only ever had it in liquid form. What did you drink last night at the restaurant?" Michael frowned.