The week was going well. Fidelis held hands with Sera every chance he got. He loved seeing her shy smile and hearing her voice. She was amazing in so many ways. He wanted her to see in herself what he saw. After a couple of days, he decided to hug her with the intent of snuggling a little with her. He was not, however, prepared for Sera's reaction. Thinking about it made him get tense and angry all over again. Unbidden, the memory rose, and he let himself recall that disastrous moment.
~***~
At lunchtime, Fidelis spotted Sera and called out to her. "Sera!"
He made a beeline for her and took her hand, gently caressing it. He smiled when she squeezed it.
"Let's go eat."
"Alright." She laughed and allowed him to lead her to the cafeteria.
They grabbed their food and joined the others at their usual spot. Fidelis kept giving Sera side glances. She really was beautiful. He smiled and moved closer. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. She yelped and lunged forward, shocking him and their tablemates.
Al jumped to his feet, ran around the table, and snatched Sera from him. He glared at Fidelis.
Fidelis was frowning, his worried gaze on Sera. What had just happened? All he did was hug her. Was she hurt somewhere? Her behavior reminded him of how she had acted two weeks ago. He hadn't figured out what was wrong then either. He shook his head. He needed to focus on Sera.
"Sera? If I hurt you, I'm sorry."
His tone was sad, and he gave her a remorseful expression. He wanted her to see his sincerity. He really hadn't meant to hurt her.
"I," she didn't get to finish before Al interrupted her.
"She's fine. We'll see you fifth period."
Fidelis glared at Al as he dragged Sera out of the cafeteria. The others gaped at Al's rude behavior. Fidelis vowed to find out what was wrong and next time put Al in his place. Sera was not an object or a child that needed to be dragged around and lectured.
He also worried about Sera's reaction to affection. Sometimes she seemed afraid of it and other times she craved it. She was a walking contradiction. He didn't want to overwhelm her but the fated mark was urging closer skin contact. He also could sense Sera's emotions which added to his hesitation. Stressing her out was not part of his plan. He sighed. He would keep his hands to himself for the rest of the day to give her space.
It was hard to give her the necessary space. Fidelis knew it was for the best. He even ignored the emotions he was getting through the bond with her. Beneath her yearning for his touch was guilt, pain, and anxiety. Yes, following his instincts to give her space was best.
On the way home, he thought about the day and the enigma that was Sera. He liked puzzles but the one Sera presented was hard. He wanted to solve it but wasn't sure if he could.
"I need to talk to Dad," he mumbled.
Fidelis didn't waste any time. The moment he got inside he went straight to his father's study. He entered after receiving permission and took a seat. He didn't say anything while he waited for his father to finish his work.
Finally, his father joined him on the couch.
"What's the matter, son? You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders."
"Sometimes it feels like it," he admitted. "It's Sera."
"Ah," his father said, his attention completely focused on Fidelis. "What happened?"
"I went to snuggle her, and she freaked out. Then Al dragged her away before I could talk with her."
His father frowned. "Does Al have a habit of treating Sera like that?"
"He's only done it a couple of times. I don't know what to think. Sera doesn't get mad when he does it and I'm afraid if I say too much she'll get mad and side with him."
"Hmm." His father drummed his fingers on the couch's armrest. "They will both be at the game Friday, right?"
"Yes, Father. We will all be going to the dance after the game."
"I will take a look at how they behave around each other. If I think there is something wrong, we can speak with Sera and her father about Al. We'll try that first. If Al's behavior continues we might have to get legal intervention for Sera's safety."
"I knew talking with you would clear things up."
"It is always a pleasure to be of help. Besides, your courtship with Sera reminds me of the one I had with your mother. She was like Sera, very quiet and intelligent. She had a big heart, too. Was always helping people no matter rank or status."
Fidelis heard the sadness in his father's voice. He still missed his mother twelve years later. Even though his father had his two consorts, they did not hold the same place that his mother had. Maybe it was because his mother and father were a fated couple like him and Sera. He couldn't imagine life without Sera and hoped he never had to find out.
"Thanks for sharing your memory with me, Father. I'm going to go get some homework done."
His father clapped him on the back with a grin, the sadness gone. "Good luck."
"Yes, of course." Fidelis laughed and went to his room, his plan to relax and finish his homework.
Two hours later he was startled by his phone ringing. He glanced at the screen. Sera was calling. He felt excitement well up and quickly pushed it down. It was on the third ring before he collected himself enough to answer it.
He heard her gasp and frowned.
"Hiya, Sera."
"Hi," she stammered, her word coming out as a squeak.
"You okay?" Fidelis made his tone kind and gentle. She was anxious. He could feel it through the bond.
"No," she admitted after a long pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I," she stopped and went quiet. He waited for her to continue.
"I'm sorry about lunch. I owe you an explanation."
"Sera,"
"No," she interrupted. "Please let me get it all out before you say anything. Please?"
"Alright. Mum is the word." He felt her anxiety swell. Was what she had to say really that bad? He would reserve judgment until he heard her out.
"As you know, my twin and I are not on the best of terms."
Fidelis couldn't hold back his snort of disgust at the mention of Amy.
"We weren't always like this. When we were little we got along rather well. Then our mother died, and our father changed. So did my sister."
She paused for a second then kept going.
"Suddenly, my twin was aggressive and cruel. I tried to understand and to please her. Nothing worked. One day after we turned eight everything became worse. My sister, who was doing better than me in almost everything, lost a game of chess to me. Our private teacher complimented me, and my sister was enraged."
He flinched when pain flared to life through the bond. He fought back a curse and rubbed at his burning wrist. Damnit, Sera's emotions were high. He didn't want her to feel this way. He had to get her to stop her story.
"Sera. You don't have to continue. It's okay."
"No, let me finish, please. My sister was sneaky about getting back at me. She said she wanted to hug me. Once I was in her arms and getting my hug, she grabbed my hair, yanked my head back, and bit me so hard on the neck that it bled, and my collarbone was showing."
He gasped at her words and an enraged growl escaped is mouth. "That bitch! What the hell! Sera, please tell me you got her back."
"No, I screamed, burst into tears, and tried to get away from her. I pushed her and she let go, laughing at my pain. Ever since then, I've avoided hugging anyone. It makes me very anxious."
"I understand. How about this? We take it slow. If what I'm doing scares you, makes you uncomfortable, or you don't want to do it, tell me. I will put it on my list of things to avoid. I want you to be happy and comfortable with me. I will never force you to do things you don't want or are not ready for."
He felt her anxiety and sadness ease at his words.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I want to touch you and I want you to do that with me. Slow is good, though. I don't want to be afraid to be in your arms."
"I know. I feel the same. It's fine. We'll go at your pace, Sera."
"I'd better get off here and do my homework. It won't do itself."
Fidelis laughed. "Agreed. I'll see you tomorrow, Sera."
"Bye, Romeo." Sera ended the call.
Fidelis sat, stewed, paced, and finally sat once he calmed down. He knew Amy was a monster. He just hadn't realized how much of one she really was. He vowed in that moment to always make Sera happy and that he would be the family she never had. He stroked the mark one more time. It was cool to the touch now that Sera was calmer.
Good. He didn't want her upset. He picked up his pencil and went to work on his Calculus.