Marius reached for Kyle and pulled him to his chest, his hand lightly caressing his shoulder. They didn’t speak at all for a while, Marius still processing what had happened, but then he turned to Kyle, smiling. “This was amazing...”
Kyle looked at him, happy. “My pleasure, dominus.”
They lay quietly again. Marius didn’t want to tell him anything of his struggles, after all, what for. He could live with this deal, just casual sex, nothing else, but as he lay there with Kyle in his arms, a slow feeling crept into him which he could not quite place.
Kyle lay on Marius’ shoulder, his eyes on the Roman’s profile, his blue eye, strong nose and jaw, his black hair, and for the first time, something stirred in him. Maybe he could learn to live with him without fearing him every day. After all, he’d treated him well until now. He had already forgotten being used that morning, his mind clouding it over as it had done it with all his memories and experiences of hours of savage fucking after which he could barely walk. They did not matter, and the sooner they were processed and walled up, the better. Marius had drifted off to sleep, and he snuggled closer to him, his eyes heavy. Soon, they were asleep in the warm night under the stars.
Next morning, Marius woke still on the garden bed, and he sat up, vaguely ashamed again. Clavius’ words raced in his head.Maybe he’s right, I shouldn’t complicate this too much...His breakfast had been prepared and laid on a small table next to the bed, and he ate heartily, his thoughts drifting to last night.
Clavius walked into the garden, looking around, whistling. “Wow! I never knew you had this garden here...”
Marius looked up. “Yep. It’s Kyle’s work...”
“What? Your fuck boy’s? I'm impressed!”
He sat down and dug into the food, winking at Marius who had clenched his jaw. “Don’t call him that.”
“Oh, sorry... I forgot you have an issue with it...” He was mocking him of course and Marius sighed, letting it go. Clavius looked at his drawn face. “You slept here? You look like you just got up.”
Marius nodded, not elaborating further.
His friend sighed. “Anything I can help with? I am bored out of my wits.”
Marius looked at him. “Yes, you can come with me to the slave market. I still need to buy two of them and could use your brain and your eyes.”
Clavius grinned. “No problem! I know how much you like that place.”
“Yes... and tonight, my parents are coming over... join us?”
“Yes, why not... I’ll be the buffer between you and your father.” They laughed, but Marius was already dreading tonight. His father had always had high ambitions for him, wanting him to join him in politics, retire from the army, marry... Marriage was going to be on the table, no doubt, and he was not looking forward to it.
Clavius watched his blue eyes cloud over, the slight dent between his brows, and he clasped his shoulder. “Thinking about marriage?”
Marius blinked, surprised. “I didn’t know you could read my mind...”
Clavius laughed. “I’m older than you and have known you for years. I know how you feel about marriage.”
Marius’ voice tensed. “I just don’t think it’s the right time... I’m still in the army, will probably be sent on another mission before I am allowed to retire... Leave a wife here alone whilst I’m campaigning?”
Clavius nodded. “True, true... but wives can stay alone, no worries.” He winked and Marius knew he was alluding to his own wife, Tertullia, who didn’t mind where her husband was as long as she had her young bed slaves and her social status and lifestyle. Still, this was not the life he wanted...
His thoughts were interrupted by Kyle, who came to pick up the leftovers. The slave was wearing a white tunic, the material softly flowing around his tanned body, and both men watched him in silence as he put the plates and cups on the tray.
He picked it up and turned to Marius. “Would you like anything else, dominus?”
The way he’d said it, with a glint in his grey eyes, made Marius blush slightly, and he had to clear his throat before answering. “No. I’m leaving shortly with Clavius, so come to my room to help me dress.”
Kyle bowed and left, his hips swaying lightly, and Clavius whistled. “My... my... look at what he’s becoming...” He smiled at Marius. “You are a fool if you don’t take advantage of having him.”
Marius waved him away and stood. “Whatever... I need to dress.”
Clavius was already in his light toga. “I’ll wait for you. Don’t take too long...” He had a smug smile on his face and Marius frowned, disapproving. He left to his room and Kyle was already there, ready to wrap the lighter toga on him.It would still be hot today...
He stood whilst Kyle’s hands worked on him, lightly brushing him sometimes and he had to steel himself not to grab the slave and throw him on the bed. Kyle bowed when he was done, and Marius hurried outside. “Get Sixtus. We’re going to the slave market.”
Kyle went to get the old man, who pestered a bit but got ready quick
They left then and Kyle got to his tasks, keeping busy being the only way to keep him from thinking too much about Marius and this whole new situation he was in. He had walled up his emotions until now, just mindlessly working on his chores, whatever he’d been assigned to do, but this wore on him, and he started to come out of the fog he’d put himself into. Deliberately trying to ignore that Marius was a soldier... one of those generals who’d ordered his village and tribe to be destroyed... one of those who... He shut his eyes to his memories, pushing them back to the dark places of his soul, and he continued to scrub the dining hall. It needed to be spotless for dinner. His stomach turned to ice when he thought of Marius’ father, the influence he had on his son. He hadn’t been back at the house since that morning, and Kyle dreaded him more than anything.
