Markus had controlled himself the entire ride, which was saying something. He did not often keep himself from what he wanted, but today was about making lasting impressions, and he knew that Nathaniel wanted to make a power statement. This was permanent, this election, and if it was permanent, that meant that they were permanent. As such, they couldn't come out of the carriage debauched. It would set the wrong tone, surely. So, he satisfied himself with a lingering kiss just before stepping out of the carriage.
He took only a few steps forward, and stretched his wings, carefully arranging them on his back and pretending to unlimber from a long ride. Truthfully, he was as relaxed as could be, and was merely showing off his lithe man-form, waiting for Nathaniel to be at his side so he could take his arm and accompany him inside. His was the role the others were to underestimate. His focus on fashion was a deterrent. They would think he was not as intelligent, that all he was was a trophy husband, that he was superficial, materialistic and harmless.
He was a lot of things, and most of what they would think was true, save that he was wicked smart, possessed of a cold, cruel intellect. His partnership with Nathaniel had been about base desire, but the longer he'd stayed with the man, the more he'd felt like he was where he belonged. The city was Nathaniel's gift to him, and Markus would enjoy watching his husband polish it pretty for him.
Everything and everyone else was irrelevant, pawns on the board to be manipulated and observed. He needn't dirty his hands, just collect information and disseminate it for Nathaniel.
He took only a few steps forward, and stretched his wings, carefully arranging them on his back and pretending to unlimber from a long ride. Truthfully, he was as relaxed as could be, and was merely showing off his lithe man-form, waiting for Nathaniel to be at his side so he could take his arm and accompany him inside. His was the role the others were to underestimate. His focus on fashion was a deterrent. They would think he was not as intelligent, that all he was was a trophy husband, that he was superficial, materialistic and harmless.
He was a lot of things, and most of what they would think was true, save that he was wicked smart, possessed of a cold, cruel intellect. His partnership with Nathaniel had been about base desire, but the longer he'd stayed with the man, the more he'd felt like he was where he belonged. The city was Nathaniel's gift to him, and Markus would enjoy watching his husband polish it pretty for him.
Everything and everyone else was irrelevant, pawns on the board to be manipulated and observed. He needn't dirty his hands, just collect information and disseminate it for Nathaniel.
