Northstar Vale I paint my lips red, I turn my own head

She spoke, her voice light- and choppy, and hesitant, as she took a pause to swallow. Like he made her nervous. He knew why, and yet still it was disturbing- if only she could accept him, accept his actions, and find peace. Living in fear wasn't worth it. 

But hearing her living the lie was enough. 

The words that came out satisfied him, as she expressed her thankfulness for his presence. It didn't matter if it was true. As long as she said these things to him, and knew who the real boss was- not the political boss, but the boss behind the scenes- it didn't make much of a difference between real love or fake love. Mm, babe, I'm thankful for you too. You have no idea how long I wanted you to be mine.  He breathed in her scent, finding she didn't make any move to stop his advances- barely made a move at all. Tense as a brick. But no fighting back, and so he began to trail his preening and kisses slowly down her nape, towards her spine.