~ Marcus at the table with the others ~<br/><br/>Although he’d asked the question, Marcus wasn’t entirely sure just how much honesty he’d get from David initially; after all, everyone held back a little piece of themselves in the beginning of any kind of relationship and as relationships went, what they were trying to craft with their little group was something huge and no doubt complicated.  He was pleasantly surprised though as he listened, absorbing all that the other man said.  The words were from the heart and almost poignant, with no hint of subterfuge or hidden agenda.  His gut told him it was the truth and he was inclined to believe it.  The question itself hadn’t really been important in Marcus’s mind, at least not right then; he’d asked it simply to see how David handled the stress of the moment more than anything else and so far he had acquitted himself quite well.  The man had an inner strength that shone brightly when tested and Marcus appreciated that.<br/><br/>As the woman took over the conversation at that point, Marcus stood and moved back to the counter, filling his plate with more food, choosing scrambled eggs and some toast that time.  Plucking a mushroom with his fork, he savored its taste then headed back to the table.  When there was a lull in the conversation, he chimed in.  “Nothing fancy for me breakfast wise Nicci” he said, smiling.  “Just something simple like eggs, toast, and fruit.  I enjoy a nice crisp English muffin at times too and the occasional sinful delight of chocolate glazed donuts.”  Just thinking about the donuts made his mouth water but he knew they wouldn’t have that here, not unless they put in a special order for it.  It was the one sinful food craving he regularly got but if he gave in to it all the time, he’d never stop.  Shifting his attention to Mila next, he gave her a wink.  “You may not  be talented in the kitchen, milady” he said, his voice teasing “but something tells me you make it up for in other areas.”<br/>