Their host rose. “Come, I’ll show you your room.”
They followed him, and he left them, Marius pushing Kyle into the wall, his eyes blazing, whispering. “What the actual fuck...”
Kyle laughed softly. “I had to make up something credible...” He kissed him deep, kissing his anger away. “Besides... you looked incredibly sexy on your knees...”
Marius laughed, embarrassed. “Just don’t get used to it.”
Their hands roamed their bodies, and they tumbled onto the bed.
Next day, they set off early, eager to continue. They crossed the nearest town, blending into the crowd, exiting through the main gate and the road stretched towards the distance, paved. A soft sigh escaped their lips as they looked into the setting sun. Rome at the end of the road. Weeks away...
They were walking at a good pace, determined to get there, despite the dangers lurking everywhere. They crossed several villages, towns, travelers, and Kyle managed to trade his furs for coins and food. It was still not enough for horses, and his mind was on other possibilities when they stopped to camp one night.
They were increasingly into Roman territory, but still had to be cautious, as with Clavius, so they played their parts. But Kyle knew they needed more money than what they could get for furs.
He looked at Marius and sighed. “We should get horses to finish this journey faster...”
Marius looked at him, frowning. “That’s a lot of money, even if they are older animals.”
Kyle sighed, his eyes not leaving him. “Yes, but... soon, we’ll be on Roman territory, where we can switch our roles back... I mean, you could be more like a Roman bastard merchant type of guy...”
Marius smiled. “What’s the merchandise? We don’t really own anything.”
“Me.”
Marius froze, slowly understanding, and he rose, grabbing Kyle by his shirt. “No fucking way!”
Kyle squirmed, his hands flying to Marius’ hands, his eyes calm. “We don’t have a choice. If you want to get home, walking is dangerous and too slow...”
Marius growled. “No fucking way... No, no, no...”
Kyle peeled his hands off, sensing him wavering, as his mind raced, desperate. “I did it for Clavius and I’ll do it for you. Hell, I’ll do it ten times.”
Marius’ face fell, paling. “No, love... I can’t bear it...”
Kyle cradled his face. “Yes, you can... and you know I’m right.”
Marius’ eyes glazed over with sorrow as he breathed. “Fuck.”
He sat down near the fire and held Kyle against his chest, bitter, knowing that he was right but not wanting to admit it, to give in to it.
Kyle turned his face towards him. “You could watch me at that party... now, you won’t even have to watch... it’s easier.”
“I had no choice.”
“You don’t have a choice now either.”
A few days later, they stopped at a barbers’ shop in the nearest town, and Kyle had his beard shaved off. He kept his long hair because it suited his purpose, Marius watching his face appear from under all that fur, his light-brown hair framing his features, brushing his shoulders, his full lips, and his heart wrenched.Fuck, he is beautiful...
Marius stepped to him and brushed his hair back, grazing his knuckles on his face. “You’re so fucking beautiful...”
“Good.”
Marius closed his eyes. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. Let’s find a place where we can sell my able body. But first, trade in our clothes. You look like a savage.”
Marius blanched but followed him. They found a small shop who took in their fur clothes and all the fur they had left, and soon, they walked out wearing Roman clothes.
