United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 12 - Marcus

Marcus collapsed backward into the mattress underneath him, spreading his arms and blowing out an anxious and exhausted sigh. He kicked off his shoes lazily and brought his legs up onto the bed, rolling onto his stomach and stretching out listlessly. He closed his eyes and buried his face into the pillow under his head, allowing one hand to brush through his tussled hair. Today had been the most busy he had seen in several years, and mostly when things were busy it was concerning upcoming events. Today it had been two families in angry tears about their murdered family member (which had frustrated Marcus to no bounds - now the citizens were being killed), reading and discussing a letter from Utopia about sending the help that Ariel needed, and arguing with Ruby about how that was going to put the Utopians, who weren't a part of this problem, in life-threatening danger. 

Marcus was exhausted and sore from transitioning between sitting, standing, and pacing all day; and all he wanted to do was to lie down and go to sleep, which was pretty much the only time that Marcus felt at peace. In his dreams, he didn't have to worry about what was going on around him. While he was sleeping, there was a settling kind of calm that Marcus wanted to live in forever. 

The door behind him opened and closed again, but Marcus decided not to move. He was sure that it was either Ruby or Falte, though he wasn't sure what Falte would be doing in their room unless he had something he wanted to speak about. But it was already late, and Falte was probably closing the doors to the castle library - which meant it was Marcus's wife. 

"I'm beginning to think you're right," Ruby's voice sighed from the other side of the bed, and then the mattress sagged slightly, indicating that she'd sat down. "I don't think we should drag the Utopians into this. That would just end up badly for them, and they have no part in it." 

"Exactly," Marcus muttered into the pillow under his face, making a "duh" gesture with his hand. He lifted his head and rested in cheek on the pillow instead, so his head was facing his wife. "That's what I was saying." 

Ruby was seated on her side of the bed, her legs pulled up in a crisscross position and her hands on her knees. Her ginger hair was lose around her shoulders, falling in sheets over her back and arms. Her green eyes looked tired, but to Marcus they were as beautiful as ever. Even when Ruby was exhausted, she still managed to somehow look gorgeous. 

"Yeah," Ruby said with a small sigh through her nose. "I probably should have listened to you. I was being stubborn. I'm sorry." She gave him that perfect half-smile, the one that captured Marcus's heart all those years ago. 

He returned her smile with one of his own, hoping that she could see he was forgiving her with his expression. 

"Uh-oh," Ruby suddenly said, arching one eyebrow at him. The smile remained on her face, but it shifted to one of curious realization. "You have that dreamy look on your face." 

"I do?" Marcus asked absently, pushing his arms under him and sitting up. He broke eye contact and rolled his sore shoulders, wincing a little at how tense the muscles were. "Well, I'm sorry. It's not my fault you're so beautiful. That would be your mom's." 

Ruby chuckled, leaning back against the bedpost behind her. "I only got four hours of sleep, I haven't brushed my hair today, and I've been angry at you for half of the day - and you're saying I'm beautiful?" 

"You're always beautiful," Marcus said matter-of-factly, tilting his head at her. "Haven't I already told you that?" 

"Even when I'm sleeping?" Ruby asked with an raised eyebrow, listing her head to match his. 

"Are you kidding?" Marcus said with a grin. "You're an angel when you sleep. You're so still and quiet, whereas me... Well, you would know better than I would."