The Taste of Seduction

Meredith giggled. "Okay, okay, but I need to catch up with my parents. It\'s been forever since I saw my dad, you know?

It\'s going to be great if we can regain some kind of bond. I don\'t want to lose him again," she said, her voice turning solemn at the end of her sentence.

"I understand, sweetheart. Take all the time you need, alright? You know where to find me when you\'re ready. Is that okay?" Atlas whispered in her ear.

"Yes, Atlas. I love you," Meredith replied.

"I love you too, darling," Atlas said, giving her a deep kiss.

"I\'ll see you later," Meredith said, turning to wave at Marcus. "I\'ll see you again, Marcus," she added before trotting away.

"I need a drink," Marcus mumbled, but Atlas grabbed his arm before he could go.

"Can you stay just a little while? I need to talk to you," Atlas said with a pleading tone.

"Sure," Marcus replied, curious about what Atlas had to say.

"If you don\'t mind, we can go to my hotel nearby," Atlas added, gesturing to the other end of the alley.

"You have a hotel around here?" Marcus asked, surprised.

"Yes. And how do you know you\'re in the right place?" Atlas tapped his head with his index finger. "I\'m a werewolf, remember?"

They made their way out of the alley and into the busy streets. When they arrived at the hotel, Marcus was impressed by its luxurious setting.

"You\'ve got such a taste for luxury; I wonder how you did it in that void," Marcus commented as he settled into the hot bath that doubled as a mini swimming pool.

The place was decorated with ancient Greek carvings and had marble tiles in shades of light brown and orange.

"You speak as though you do not fancy these sorts of things yourself," Atlas replied, taking a sip of his wine.

"I\'m about to leave you, my friend. Do well to meet me at the restaurant, at your own convenience of course. No rush," Atlas said as he stepped out of the bath.

"Save your stony butt for your woman," Marcus hissed as he submerged himself in the water.

"Did I tell you she likes it just the way it is?" Atlas teased, gathering his things and heading out of the bath.

Later, Marcus arrived at the restaurant wearing a black velvet doublet with silver embroidery, paired with leather pants and knee-high boots.

A silver belt was fastened around his waist, and he wore a scarlet silk cravat around his neck.

He had a black silk cape lined with red satin draped over his shoulder, held together with a bat-shaped clasp.

"I should mention, times have changed, Marcus. You don\'t need all of this," Atlas said, gesturing to Marcus\'s outfit.

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, looking confused.

"Your outfit is literally from the past. Get yourself a designer, something less gloomy," Atlas replied, pity in his eyes.

"I am wearing a designer. The pants are from Prada," Marcus retorted, pointing to his pants.

"Talk about the devil wearing Prada," Atlas said with humor in his voice, but Marcus shot him a cold glare.

Changing the topic, Atlas said, "I actually called you here to apologize."

Marcus was taken aback.

"I don\'t believe it, you called me here to apologize? Why?" Marcus asked, his Atlas who was now fiddling with his fingers in his palms. He was clearly uncomfortable. Marcus thought to himself that there was really no need for him to be so. However, he said nothing. Instead, he let him take his time to answer his question.

"The first time I met you, I thought you were a traitor. I thought you were out to do things, only if you somehow benefited from them." He looked up at Marcus who seemed to be listening intently, and then he continued. "But over time, I got to realize that you are actually not what I thought you were. In fact, you dedicated most of your time to helping us."

"Well, I do have a lot of time in my hands," Marcus teased as he took his glass of wine.

"Do you want me to change that?" Atlas asked thoughtfully.

"Nah, it\'s alright. I\'ve gotten used to it." Marcus replied as he took a sip. His features contorted lightly, and then he placed the glass back on the table and turned his gaze to Atlas who was looking at him with concern in his eyes.

"C\'mon man, there\'s no need for this. We\'re good, really. I mean, you treated me to a hot bath, you served me great food," Atlas chuckled at the last reference triggering Marcus into a bout of laughter. His was contagious, causing Atlas to do the same.

"Alright then, I see your point." Atlas replied as he took another sip of his drink. Marcus sat back and watched him.

"Um, there\'s something else," Atlas added, his gaze turning serious as he leaned in once again. Marcus mirrored the action slightly. "Tell me," He whispered, his eyes boring into his, as if probing him for the truth.

"Now that everything is over," There was a dramatic pause that intensified the moment Marcus was literally at the edge of his seat as he awaited the remaining information. Atlas looked up at him as he continued, "I intend to take Meredith as my wife," To his relief, Marcus seemed unfazed by the news. The response prompted him to continue the rest of his speech.

"We made the decision before the fight concerning, you know –" He made some wild gestures with his hand, in an attempt to convey the meaning of what he was having difficulties mentioning. Marcus was clearly confused as he followed every movement of his hand with his eyes. Eventually, Atlas gave up and mentioned it, "The kiss."

"Oh, I\'m so sorry about that man, I didn\'t think – you know what, I really wish you guys the best. Let\'s make a toast on that, shall we?" Marcus said it all in one breath, skillfully willing the conversation in a less awkward direction. His discomfort was heavy in his heart, but there was nothing he could do. He rose his glass towards Atlas\'s in waiting.

"To the bride and groom," Marcus\'s heart was heavy as he said the words. The glasses clinked, and the toast was completed.

"You know, I didn\'t know you\'d take the message so lightheartedly, because, you know,"

"Save it, man," Marcus interrupted his reverie with a wave of his hand, "We\'re buddies now, remember, we do everything for each other. Including sacrifice the one we love for another." He said the words as if he was reading another food off a menu.

But Atlas knew there was more to the statement. His smile widened as he beheld him, he\'d managed to make a friend of the one person he\'d thought to be his enemy. Now, that was an achievement.

"I wonder though, if I\'d ever find someone as wonderful as Meredith. No one is greater than her, you know that right?" Marcus said the words with a faint smile. Atlas gave him a somber expression, refusing to make contact with his eyes.

"I will not attend the wedding; do not make an effort to invite me either. It\'ll go to waste. Because, I have to tell you man, it still hurts like hell that you get to have her and I don\'t." He leaned back into his chair as he spoke. He took his glass and downed all its content.

Atlas\'s gaze was solemn the whole time, beholding him with a look of gratitude and sadness.

"But don\'t be fazed, when you guys have your first child together, I\'ll be the godfather." He added as he got on his feet, Atlas followed.

"Where are you going?" Atlas asked as he watched him make his way out of the place.

"To find my own heart; I can\'t sit here moping now, can I?" He said to his hearing as he shut the door to the restaurant. Atlas laughed at his retreating figure, the man had a point. But what he was most grateful for was the way he had received the message. He vowed at that moment, that he\'d fulfil his wish to be the godfather of his and Meredith\'s children.

And he\'ll have lots of them, he was very sure of that.