The Roman moaned and rolled to the side, his voice slurred. “What time is it?”
Kyle looked outside, the sun setting, and he sat up straight. “It’s late... I have to go and prepare dinner.”
Marius turned over, and grabbed his arm. “No, you don’t... you stay with me.”
Kyle hesitated. “I should really go... Sixtus will be upset.”
Marius’ lips curled up into a smile. “Are you disobeying me?”
Kyle looked at him, a slight worry coursing through him. “Of course not, dominus... I’ll stay.”
Marius pulled him down into a kiss, his hand sliding up his side when a knock interrupted him. He sat up, annoyed. “Come in!”
Clavius strolled in, stopping short seeing them in bed, his usual smile on his face. “Am I interrupting?”
Marius hurled a pillow at him, grinning. “What do you think? Get your ass to the garden while we dress up.”
Clavius saluted and left them.
They quickly put on their tunics, and Kyle rushed to the kitchen to get wine and help with the dinner.
Marius walked to the garden, rested and at ease, his mood unusually light.
Clavius looked at his friend. “I see that you’re walking on clouds...”
Marius smirked, lying down, when Kyle appeared, setting the large tray on the low table between them. Kyle filled their cups, Marius’ eyes eating him up when he leant over him.
He left then to get their food, and Clavius raised his cup. “Looks like you have solved your little issue?”
The younger man smiled. “Yes, you can say that...”
“Well, I’m happy for you, at least, you’re not brooding... but this is a dangerous game, Marius. Your little stunt at the auction today didn’t go unnoticed...”
Marius looked at him, frowning. “What are you talking about? I bought a slave, no big deal.”
“You bought a child, a boy... dare I say what impression you gave? Especially with Kyle there... several of the honorable guests have recognized him from Lucius’ parties...”
Marius blanched in anger. “What?!”
Clavius spread his palms. “No need to work yourself up... what did you expect with his past?”
Marius sighed in frustration. “I don’t know much of his past.”
Clavius raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you? Or you’re just fooling yourself.”
He shot him an angry look. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re in denial, Marius. He used to be a whore, basically.” Clavius raised his hands in defense. “Don’t be mad at me! I’m just stating the truth.”
Marius closed his eyes, his rage toiling. “So, the good people of Rome are quick to judge... the very same men who fuck little boys at orgies!”
“Yes, well, what did you expect? They are quick to judge, and gossip is fast... this is not useful right before your marriage to the daughter of a renowned senator.”
Marius sneered, downing his wine. “Let them think what they want. I don’t give a shit. They are just pissed because they couldn’t lay their dirty hands on that little boy...”
“That’s rich coming from you, fucking your young slave boy.”
They looked at each other, the silence thick between them.
