Marius sneered. “Father brought it up... and why should I hide it? She has nothing else to expect from me than making her children... better make it clear from the start...”
Clavius didn’t comment, and Marius’ eyes glazed over, his anger wiped by his fatigue and his nerves on edge. His legs buckled a bit and Kyle backed with him towards the bed, his voice soft. “Come to bed, dominus...”
Kyle was worried sick, not sure how he could undress him if he lay down, but he managed to push Marius on the bed, making him crawl up on the mattress, collapsing, his eyes closed. Clavius watched his friend, his face grim. Marius moaned and Kyle started to take his toga off, noticing that it was probably ruined, stained with wine.
Marius turned over then, his arms pulling Kyle down on his body, his breath ragged. “Come here, you...”
Kyle whispered, embarrassed. “Your friend is still here...”
Marius looked at Clavius, and his mouth curled into a mocking smile. “You want to watch? Be my guest...”
Clavius shook his head, gently scolding. “Marius... this is not going to end well...”
“Just fuck off, will you? Go and lick my father’s ass.”
Kyle winced at his words, mortified, but Clavius just left, closing the door.
Marius sighed, chuckling, his voice heavy. “Good riddance... now, where were we?”
Kyle tried to free himself, gently peeling Marius’ arms away. “I need to get you out of your toga first?”
Marius laughed softly and let him, helping where he could, until the heavy material was off, along with the rest of his clothes. Kyle pulled the covers on top of them, letting Marius kiss him, the taste of wine invading his mouth.
The Roman laughed softly. “I had too much to drink... again...” He stroked the slave’s hair, smiling, his eyes fluttering shut. “The ceremony went well... but then during dinner... I have enough of people telling me what I should or shouldn’t do...” He opened his blue eyes, his speech slow. “If I could... I would not do this to us... marry her, bring her here...”
He looked so vulnerable, a glint of fear and despair in his eyes making Kyle’s heart race. He didn’t know what to say to him, though, still not fully used to his confessions.
Marius closed his eyes, pulling him close. “Let’s sleep... I’m sorry, I’m in no shape to do anything tonight...” His voice drifted off and Kyle’s eyes closed too in his warm embrace.
Kyle was up early with the first rays of the sun, and he went to his business, knowing full well Marius would not wake until later. He had made sure the curtains were closed in his room.
He checked on him later, and Marius stirred, mumbling, his face in the pillows. “Is it morning?”
“It is lunchtime, dominus.”
He moaned, turning over slowly. “Oh, gods... my head...” Kyle walked over to him, handing him a cup of water, and he slowly sat up, his back to the headboard. He drank deeply and sighed, squinting his eyes. “How did I get home?”
Kyle’s eyes widened slightly. “You don’t remember, dominus?”
Marius laughed. “No, I don’t... so?”
“Master Clavius brought you home, dominus.”
“Ah, ever the good friend...”, but he’d noticed Kyle’s pained face and his stomach clenched. “What happened?”
Kyle shifted on his feet, embarrassed. “You were fighting with him... over something that was said during dinner... I didn’t quite get it, dominus...”
“He left then?”
“You told him to… fuck off... dominus”
Marius’ eyes widened, but then he burst out laughing, his deep voice resonating in the room. “Oh, my... open those bloody curtains...” Kyle pulled them apart, and the sunlight streamed in, spearing him in his brain. “Ah! Close them...bloody hell... this is going to be something today...” He sat up, his head swimming, his black hair falling in front of hiseyes. “Please don’t fill my cup tonight, even if I ask you to.”
“I can’t disobey you, dominus. Just don’t ask.”
“I’ll try... Help me dress and escort me to the garden... maybe some fresh air will do me some good...”
They walked to the garden, blissfully in shade under the pergola, and Marius lay down, closing his eyes. Kyle brought him some water and left him to his thoughts and vague nausea, his splitting headache throbbing dully in his skull...And dinner tonight with those horrible people... He wondered if he’d hurtClaviusso much he would not show up.
