I
Mariuswalkedintotheample room, his mood dark. He was tired and the last thing he wanted was to attend this reception, but he had to, Lucius being his host on his voyage to Rome. He was coming back from campaign and his army camped outside whilst he enjoyed Lucius’ hospitality.
Now, after having bathed and changed clothes, he was ready to attend the festivities, though he was not looking forward to them at all. He lay down on one of the beds where a young slave had led him, and he let him fill his cup. He swirled the rich wine, looking around, vaguely bored already, this life seeming surreal after the realities of war and endless marches. There were various countryside nobles lying around, their ages differing, and soon, he presumed, dancers, slaves, and drunk guests. He knew where this would lead, and his mouth turned sour.
He raised his head when Lucius entered, a small smile on his long face with a nose like an eagle’s beak. The man was in his fifties and well-known for his ambitions. Marius knew exactly why he had invited him to stop at his estate, as he was close to the emperor, and Lucius undoubtedly was looking to gain some favors. He didn’t really care, and his eyes drifted to the slave walking behind Lucius, a young man by the looks of him, though it was difficult to judge, his eyes downcast, his head so low Marius wondered how he could see where he was going at all. A thick metal collar circled his neck, and a chain dangled from it, leading to Lucius’ hand. The slave was only wearing a thin white tunic, mid-thigh, baring one of his shoulders. Marius checked him out, his lean body, his light brown hair, cropped short. He could not see his face.Probably a fuck toy. His mouth twisted into a sour smile. Lucius lay down on the bed next to him, tugged on the chain, and the slave wordlessly sank to his knees in such a fluid motion that Marius didn’t even catch it. He remained with his head down, his hands on his thighs, kneeling next to Lucius.
Lucius greeted him, an amused light in his eyes. “Greetings, Marius Ulpius Lupus. I hope you are satisfied until now with my hospitality?”
He raised his cup, and Marius did the same. “Yes, thank you, Lucius.”
The older man smiled. “You will see, this is going to be something tonight... I have some surprises when everybody’s in the mood...”
Marius just nodded but didn’t comment. He was already fed up. His eyes drifted back to the slave who was sitting on his heels, motionless, barely breathing, and Lucius noticed it, his eyes twinkling. Food was brought then, and Marius sighed, relieved, that it was excellent.
The night grew on him, the wine slowly warming his dark mood. He noticed, though, that Lucius was not feeding the slave at all whilst they chatted, mainly about politics in Rome and the Empire. His eyes drifted to the slave’s ribs, too visible under that thin layer of muscles, the skin taut on that meagre flesh, and his brows furrowed slightly, catching a scar on his bony shoulder, faint and white.Surely more on his back... Marius had always had slaves back at home and on his campaigns too, but he hated the whole concept and definitely couldn’t bear people mistreating them... apparently, Lucius was one of those.
He pried his eyes away from the kneeling young man and focused on the dancers in the middle of the room. Oriental slave girls with luscious curves, barely dressed. The guests were becoming rowdy a bit, some groping at the slave boys serving food, some pulling them in their laps, and he had to shift his gaze away. Not that he was a prude, but he had never liked public sexual acts at parties, and he was dreading them now, slowly chewing on his lower lip.
Lucius turned to him, his cup in hand. “Do you like my slave?”
Marius looked at him, completely caught off guard, but maintained a straight face, blessing his training quietly. He pretended to take a sip of his wine before replying, trying to sound casual. “He is quite pretty.”
Lucius’ lips curled into a smile. “Yes, he is... quite delicious too...” His eyes wandered to the kneeling man who had stayed still, seemingly not even hearing them. Marius forced his face to stay neutral, but his blood was boiling at Lucius’ words, even if Marius had guessed the slave’s true purpose from the start. Lucius continued, his voice languid. “I was planning to have him fucked senseless on stage tonight by some of my willing guests but... if you’re into boys, I would like to gift him to you for the night.”
His dark eyes bore into Marius’ and Marius swallowed.What the….His eyes drifted to the kneeling man, catching a slight movement of his shoulders, his breathing faster a bit, but his eyes were still on his knees. He had had his fair share of boys when he had been younger, but now... it had been a while and he was not sure. Then again, he didn’t want to anger Lucius either...and it might save this slave from whatever Lucius had planned for him tonight...He swallowed, looking at Lucius. “Would you really? I’d be delighted...”
Lucius smiled, and they raised their cups to drink.
Lucius pushed the chain into his hand, talking to the slave. “Tonight, you are going to stay with my noble guest, and you are going to fulfill whatever he wants or desires. Understood?” The slave nodded and Lucius’ eyes blazed, his voice cold. “Answer me.”
“Yes, dominus.”
His voice was soft, but deep, and instant pity seared into Marius’ heart. He hid it though and his face stayed a mask.
Lucius smiled. “Good boy...” He looked at Marius, his eyes amused. “You can do whatever you want with him. He is very well trained. And if he doesn’t obey, just let me know.” His eyes went back to the slave, a cruel light in them. “But he will. He knows what awaits if he doesn’t...”
Marius looked at the slave’s shoulders, and he saw him shudder slightly. He put a small smile on his face, just to fool Lucius. “Very well... we shall see.” He rose then, a sudden urge in him to leave the hall, this whole feast already turning wrong, the moans and cries of slaves being pummeled senseless filling the room. He turned to Lucius, smiling. “I am going to retire and try out your treat.”
Lucius smiled back, raising his cup. “Enjoy.”
Marius looked at the slave, gently tugging on the chain. “Get up and follow me.” He watched him rise, his knees red from kneeling for so long, barely shaking as blood flew back into his legs. His face was still down, not looking up at all. They walked away, Lucius’ eyes on them.
Marius walked down the airy corridor to his room and opened the door, leading the slave in. He turned and closed the door, whilst the slave sunk to the floor, his hands on his thighs, eyes downcast. Marius let the chain rattle to the floor, taking in the room, when there was a knock on the door.
He opened it and a young slave bowed, a plater full of food in his hands. “Dominus Lucius said to bring you this, you might need it tonight.” He let the slave in, and he put the platter on the table, quickly leaving, backing out of the room, bowing. Marius closed and bolted the door, walking to the bed, his toga already too heavy.
He turned to the slave. “Come here and help me undress.”
As soon as he’d said it, the young man rose and walked up to him, dragging the chain on the floor. Marius sighed and reached to unclip it from his collar, noticing how the metal had chaffed his skin, swallowing his anger rising in his throat. He let him take his toga down, the man skillfully unfolding it and folding it to put it on a shelf. Then he walked back to Marius and stood, his eyes downcast. Marius pondered what to do... he obviously didn’t want to bed the slave... but then again, if he didn’t, would he tell on him?
He sighed, turning to the young man. “Look at me.” Marius saw him freeze, his shoulders tensing, and he didn’t obey, making the soldier in Marius sigh in frustration. He repeated it, sharper, digging his fingers into the man’s chin, forcing his face up. “Look at me!”
Slowly, he raised his head, grey eyes looking ahead, wide with terror, not daring to look into Marius’ eyes, looking into the void behind him. Marius studied his pale face, his smooth skin, his well contoured lips, and jaw. His hand went to his mouth and pushed it open.Nice teeth. His eyes roamed his body, almost as tall as him, meagre muscles, a shadow of what they had maybe been once.Way too lean… starved, maybe. Marius sighed, letting the slave cast his eyes down, his shoulders slouching with relief.
Marius breathed out, trying not to sound too annoyed. “Your dominus told you to obey, so when I ask you to look at me, I mean it. Do not disappoint me again.” The slave nodded. “And... I would like you to talk when I talk to you. I might have questions, and you need to answer them.”
This time, he spoke softly. “Yes, dominus.”
