Kyle licked his lips, vaguely panicked. “Yes, dominus... I am not sure I understand...”
Marius smiled. “You’ll get used to it, not just mindlessly obeying orders... and being treated well...” He brushed his lips against the slave’s, his black hair falling into his blue eyes and Kyle shivered as Marius whispered. “I like you a lot, Kyle...”
Kyle was still fighting them, these feelings he was having when he looked at the tall Roman, into his blue eyes, feelings he had in his arms, inhaling his scent, his lips like velvet. He would have pushed him away if he could have, but this was obviously not an option...
Marius let him go, a sad twinge in his eyes. “Go and prepare dinner. Clavius is going to be here soon...”
Kyle looked at him. “How soon?”
Marius smiled, shrugging. “You know Clavius... he can be unpredictable.”
Kyle sank to his knees, and Marius frowned. “Why on earth are you kneeling now? I told you...”, but his words got caught when the slave looked up at him, his hands going under his clothes. Marius’ lips parted, and he closed his eyes, not seeing Kyle’s small smile as he took him in his mouth.
Fortunately, Clavius arrived later and found Marius in the dining room, idly lying on a bed, swirling his cup of wine. He seemed content and had traded his toga for his tunic. Clavius arrived dressed similarly, wearing his military leather tunic, not to be disturbed in Rome’s dangerous streets. He lay down and Kyle was immediately there to fill his cup.
Clavius toasted Marius. “To our friendship!”
Marius smiled, and they drank, the younger man warning him. “Do not dare getting me drunk again...”
Clavius grinned. “You have plans with your fuck boy?”
Marius frowned at the word but didn’t object. “You can say that.”
“He’s grown on you quite a bit.”
Marius shrugged, grinning. “Who would have thought, right? I didn’t even know what to do with him at the beginning.” They laughed, but Clavius was still cautious.
Dinner was served, and Marius made Kyle stay, occasionally pushing food into his mouth. Clavius noticed how the slave had filled up, his nimble, lean limbs stronger, his skin glowing, and he smiled, mocking. “You’ll fatten him up, stuffing him all the time.”
Marius’ eyes went to the slave. “I like him with flesh, not like some sort of skeleton.” His breath hitched when he pushed food into Kyle’s mouth, his index finger staying in the slave’s mouth, feeling his tongue stroking it. Kyle held his gaze and Marius’ blue eyes darkened, his lips parting.
Clavius cleared his throat. “Do you want some privacy?”
Marius pulled his finger out, laughing. “No, what are you talking about?”
Clavius just smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
They ate and Kyle took the plates away, leaving them with their desserts.
Clavius thought this was the right moment to talk. “Marius, I’ve known you forever, right?” The younger man nodded, vaguely curious. “So, what is happening with your boy here?”
Marius’ face darkened, a slight smile on his lips. “We’ve talked about this?”
Clavius held his gaze. “You lied... and pinching your lips in irritation is not going to make it go away, so spit it out... You’re getting engaged soon?”
Marius moaned. “Don’t remind me...”
“So, perhaps this is not the right time for you to become all besotted with a male slave.”
Marius waved him away. “Besotted? That’s a bit strong...”
Clavius arched his eyebrows. “Really?”
The blue eyes blazed. “Yes, really... and as a free man, I can well do whatever I damn want in my own house.”
Clavius raised his glass. “Cheers to that... but Seraphina is not going to like it.”
“Who cares? I’ll marry her and do my duty, make her children... this is what she can expect.”
