A New Yet Familiar Morning

When Mary woke up the next morning, she instantly felt that her chest was slightly heavier. It took her a second to remember why, but she didn't complain.

As fucked up as their situation is, at least it's really fucking hot.

But she could complain about the fact that she woke up alone. She sat up and grabbed a robe to put on and then followed her nose to the kitchen.

Sure enough, her husband was making breakfast, and far too much of it. Yep, he was stressed.

She walked behind him and slid her arms around him.

"I missed you." He sighed and put the plate down.

"I'm sorry honey, I just couldn't sleep. This, all of this, it makes me feel so yucky inside. Like going along with all this makes us monsters." Mary turned him around and cupped his cheek.

"But if we don't?"

"Then you'll be forced to live a life of eternal suffering. I won't let that happen. It doesn't ease my guilt any." Mary gently kissed him and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.

"That guilt proves that you're not a monster. Monsters don't feel guilt. You're a fantastic person, and I know you'd never mistreat these women." Mary then looked away, guilt pulling onto her own face.

"There's a part of me that really wants this, a loud part. I want to build a harem, I want to use magic on them, I want to make Red a quivering mess on a whim. All this, it's a wet dream. A fantasy that's come true. But you're right, that would make me a monster." She let him go and took a few steps away before holding her hand out to him.

"We can't escape from this situation, so we might as well make the most out of it. Together, we can do that without becoming monsters. We just have to trust in each other."

Noah didn't say anything for a while, how could he? In the end, he took her hand and nodded.

"Ok, I trust you. We'll make the most of this."

...

The two settled into their usual morning routine. Breakfast, showering together and getting ready for the day.

Mary was dressed for the office, wearing a blouse, blazer and dress pants.

"Knock them dead as you always do. And if you figure anything else out about the game."

"I'll let you know once I we get home. I'll be home a little early so I can make dinner for us. You show everyone how amazing your book is." The two shared a kiss before Mary walked out the door.

But once she was gone, Noah deflated. All this, it was too much.