Clavius lay down on one of the beds. “Sure! Some wine would be nice.”
Kyle bowed and was starting to leave when Marius appeared in the archway, his eyes blazing, and Kyle stopped cold, unable to move. His master opened his mouth.
Marius then noticed Clavius and sighed, clenching his jaw. “Get us wine and dinner!”
Kyle hurried past him, and Marius plopped down next to Clavius’ bed, his face dark, brooding.
Clavius smiled at him. “Now, now... what’s eating you?
“Nothing...”—he snapped and looked away — “Why are you here?”
Clavius laughed. “Not happy to see me? Tough. I came by this morning, but your boy told me you had left already. Figured I’d catch you tonight. But I can leave if you want to brood on your own... or roughen up your fuck boy.”
He smiled and Marius turned to him, his anger blazing. “I haven’t roughened him up!”
Clavius spread his palms. “Sure, sure... he must have bitten his lip then to the blood on his own…”
Marius blanched. “What did he tell you?”
Clavius looked at him, concerned. “Nothing... the boy’s a grave... I guessed it, you know, wisdom comes with old age, or so they say.”
He silenced when Kyle came back, carrying their wine. Melissa and Shayla brought out dinner, and they waited until the slaves laid the table. Kyle stayed to pour their wine and then knelt behind Marius, his eyes on the Roman’s back. At least, he could not see his face, his impossibly handsome face, and blue eyes... He sighed softly, not daring to move.
Marius and Clavius ate, the men making small talk, Clavius’ worried eyes on his friend. He also glanced at the slave, his tortured face, and sad grey eyes, kneeling there like a statue.
Marius raised his cup after a while and Kyle wordlessly got up and filled it, kneeling again when he was done, and Marius’ anger brew, feeling the slave’s presence behind his back, fighting the urge to pull him into his arms. He couldn’t even understand his own feelings, this sudden anger at Kyle, at his existence...Madness, this is pure madness, I should have never let this happen...
Clavius watched him and addressed Kyle. “Go, boy, stretch your legs. Your master and I have to talk.”
Marius looked up, puzzled, and Kyle froze, his breathing quickening. He could not move, fearing that he would anger Marius.
What the actual fuck?Marius was seething, but then he snapped at Kyle. “You heard Clavius? Get up and get out of here!”
The slave shot to his feet and hurried out, not looking back, feeling Marius’ piercing stare on his back.
Clavius sat up and looked at his friend. “Look at me and don’t brood there like a wounded lion... much better. Now, what’s this whole thing here? I thought you liked your fuck boy and now I’m worried you might tear him into pieces if I leave you alone...”
Marius waved him away. “Why, thanks for your concern, but it’s none of your godsdamn business.”
“I’m your friend, Marius? Yes?” Marius nodded, slightly defeated and Clavius dove in, sensing the man’s shield lowering. “So, it is my business too, and I do care precisely because of that. I hate to see you like this. Tell me what’s going on?”
Marius stayed silent, pondering if he should confide in him, after all, he’d talked to his father behind his back, but he was going crazy with his feelings and he sighed, his eyes softening, his voice tamed. “I am not sure what’s going on, friend... I mean, it’s hard to put the words to it.”
Clavius watched him carefully. “You have feelings for your boy...?”
Marius looked at him, pained. “Maybe... I guess...”
Clavius sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Well, could be more tragic...”
Marius smiled bitterly. “Yeah... still, I have no idea what to do now.”
Clavius shrugged. “How does he feel?”
Marius laughed softly. “How should I know? He would not answer me straight, even if I asked...” His face darkened. “He is too scared, too obedient, his will has been wiped out and he’ll tell you what you want to hear, so... there’s no way of knowing how he feels... about me...us.”
He swallowed, bitter, and Clavius sighed. “There’s one way you could find out... make him tell you first how he feels...”
Marius looked at him. “How?”
