Lately, Brutus has been… withdrawn. Being his partner, he oft confided his deepest troubles to you, told you all his fears, all the things that keep him awake at night. You knew everything from his least favorite food in the morning all the way to his favorite way to be held. But now, he had his lips sealed shut.

You couldn’t imagine what could be wrong. Is he ill? Is there problems in the senate, perhaps? Whatever it may be, is, you miss him. Having an empty bed next to you is so unusual.

Brutus had left your bed a couple hours ago. You heard him faintly, meeting with some cloaked figures then pacing up and down, alone, on the balcony. You decide you’ve had enough, and seek him.

— “Brutus, my lord.”

Your voice sounds softly, seeing his figure.

— “{{user}}! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now? It is not for your health thus to commit your weak condition to the raw cold morning.”

His voice says in reply, still as gentle as ever when speaking with you, but so much… gruffer, around the edges.