Marius rose. “Enough of this... let’s go to bed.”
Clavius smiled. “I’ll take one of your guest rooms.”
Kyle helped Marius undress, and he headed straight to the bath, his head too full. He walked into the big pool, the water still hot, and looked at Kyle. “Undress and come in, wash me off.”
Kyle took his clothes off and Marius looked at his body, so lean, the bones curving the skin, but the muscles there somewhere in the memory of his meagre flesh. He sighed in relief when he noticed he hadn’t been castrated.Nor cut.A slight shock in him, seeing that starved body, but with the promise of what it could be once his flesh had filled up.
Kyle walked up to him and skipped the routine of oiling his skin, as Marius was already in the bath. He bathed him with soap and a soft sponge, massaging his muscles, standing close to him, utterly shameless, and Marius relished his touch.Maybe Clavius is right...but he couldn’t bring himself to touching him, knowing also full well that Kyle would do anything the moment he’d say it.
They finished washing and stepped out, walking naked to Marius’ room.
Marius folded the covers back, gesturing to Kyle. “No sleeping on the floor. That’s also a rule. Once this household is running, you can have your own room... or sleep with me when you’re in my room.”
Kyle nodded, his throat clutched, barely understanding that years of sleeping on the cold floor were over. He bit his lip not to cry, not to fall to pieces in front of his dominus, but he was too tired, too overwhelmed, and his shoulders shook silently, his tears spilling. He knew he would be punished but didn’t care anymore, maybe being beaten up potentially bringing up some of the lost comfort of his everyday life, so predictable in its horror.
Marius watched him, first not even realizing he was sobbing, then silently cursing himself. He pulled the slave close, locking him in his arms, laying down on his side, drawing the covers on them. He felt Kyle stiffen, and he held tight, his voice soothing. “Cry all you want. I am not going to hurt you. Just cry this out, you’ll feel better.” Marius held him as he sobbed, not holding his voice back, and Marius’ heart wrenched.
Finally, after a while, Marius felt him still and relax. Kyle had cried himself to sleep and Marius let him go, sighing.Perfect...and they were just at the beginning.Maybe Clavius is right about selling him...He watched him sleep though, and his heart stirred. We’ll make this work, he thought, snuggling in the blankets, making sure he didn’t touch him at all.
II
Mariuswokeearly,asusual, hearing Clavius downstairs opening the front door. Soon, his father’s voice reached him, and he jumped out of bed, Kyle wide awake already, kneeling on the floor, naked.
“Get dressed!”
They put clothes on, Marius softly cursing at his father, and he had just finished when there was a knock on the door and his father entered. Kyle sank to the floor, not daring to look up, listening to the men greet each other.
Marius’ father’s eyes darted to the kneeling slave and his eyebrows shot up. “What’s this?”
Marius looked at Kyle, slightly annoyed at his father’s words. “This is a gift from Lucius...”
His father walked to Kyle, his voice cold. “Get up.” Kyle obeyed and Marius watched as his father cupped the slave’s chin and yanked his head up, his lips curling into a smile, turning back to Marius. “He gifted you Kyle? His prized slut?”
Marius winced at the word. “How do you know him?”
His father let Kyle go. “Kneel.” The slave sunk to the floor, trembling. “I know him because I attended one of Lucius’ parties...”
Marius blanched. “Did you...?”
His father laughed. “No... I am not into public fornications... but I had to watch it. There were quite a few guests who were keen on mounting him.” He laughed at the memory. “Well, he’s a valuable slave and I am mildly surprised you accepted him, but it gives me hope that you’ve changed and are ready to embrace a Roman lifestyle. Did you fuck him?”
Marius moaned. “No... not yet.”
His father waved his finger in front of his face. “Wrong answer. He needs to know who’s the master of this household. You know this.”
Marius nodded, wishing he would stop.
“Anyway, I have bought you a couple of slaves until you expand your own household. Don’t spoil them rotten, they are used to harsh discipline with me.” His gaze went back to Kyle. “Just like him. I know Lucius, he is even harsher than I am, so don’t spoil him. I know how soft you are.”
Marius’ eyes blazed. “I am not soft.”
His father mocked. “Prove it.” He looked at him, his eyes cold. “Fuck your new slave. Claim him as your own.” Marius swallowed, nervous, and his father pursed his lips. “I thought so...”
Marius’ eyes shone; his voice clipped. “I’ll do it. Leave us.”
He watched his father leave and close the door, his eyes still doubting, and Marius’ anger flared up. He turned and pulled Kyle to his feet, pushing him against the bed, kicking his legs apart, shoving his tunic up on his back. Marius stopped, waiting for resistance, but the slave lay very still, waiting, his back barely moving.
His father’s voice seeped in from the corridor, talking to Clavius. “My soft-hearted son is supposedly claiming his new slave. I’ll believe it when I hear it.”
