Body Gaurd

[Pietros]

Pietros wasn't unaware of the way Gnaeus sometimes leered at him. He'd tried to ignore it, knowing Gnaeus wouldn't attack him in public--not if he valued his life--and Gnaeus would not come into the villa unsupervised. So when Pietros was given to Barca, the thrill of being able to be with his lover, to live with him, was tinged with some worry that a day would come when Barca was gone and Gnaeus was not.

So it wasn't incredibly surprising that the first time Barca had to leave, Gnaeus found him alone in the cell he shared with Barca. Pietros tried to run, but Gnaeus' hand closed around his throat and slammed him into the wall. Pietros hit his chest uselessly until Gnaeus's hand on his throat gripped hard enough that Pietros knew he would be hurt if he cried out for help or struggled more, maybe killed. He tried to tell himself this was just like what he'd done before as a house slave as he gave up and let Gnaeus have his way, but it wasn't, and he curled up on the bed and cried after Gnaeus left him. He only pulled himself together when he heard Doctore bark his name, and he managed to steady himself to do his job.

He was taking a meal later, sitting by himself and ignoring the occasional gazes Gnaeus sent his way when he saw Barca approaching. He put his bowl to the side and got up, rushing over to him and wrapping his arms around him. "You've returned," he said, feeling even more relief than usual, and somehow resisting the immediate urge to cry.

Tag: Barca

[Barca]

Not many were selected to fight in the games. Barca among the main. He had returned, victorious, and just as he always did . . . longed to return to the Ludus, displaying the honor he brought to it. But it was a certain someone within the Ludus that Barca was particularly eager to embrace with. After Auctus died, Barca never thought it possible to love again. But Pietros proved that wrong. And he was relieved that the man was not a Gladiator and thus, no chance that he would fall as Auctus had in the arena. While there was indeed honor in it, that did not bring ease to an aching heart when mourning the death of a loved one. Eventually it passed . . . but Pietros was what gave Barca true life again.

When he arrived the others were having meal, and Pietros was the first to approach him, rushing toward him as he wrapped his arms around Barca. Barca smiled as he returned embrace, arms moving around Pietros despite the spear in his hand. "As I always do," he told him in the hope of reassuring him if he had been worried. And yet, there was something different in his tone, and demeanour over all. Barca wasn't sure what it was, but intended to find out. "Eager to find embrace in loving arms," he added again, drawing back to press his lips to Pietros in a brief kiss. "Is all well?" He asked looking at him, something in his eyes somehow indicating that something was wrong.

Tag: Pietros

[Pietros]

Pietros knew he wasn't a great liar, but he had no desire to tell Barca what had happened. He probably should. It would probably be safer for Pietros if Barca retaliated, as Pietros expected he would, for what Gnaeus had done. It would make Gnaeus less likely to make another attempt like what he'd done again. But Pietros didn't want to speak of it. Not because he wished to protect Gnaeus, but because he felt... weak. Weaker than normal. He felt ashamed. But he tried to push everything bu the thought of Barca being home out of his thoughts.

And when Barca kissed him, it was a bit easier to focus on the present. On how good Barca's embrace felt. "All is well when you are near," he said honestly, smiling at his lover before pulling away a little to start walking back to the ludus. "These loving arms would see you well-rewarded for your victory today," he added, slight suggestion in his voice, but he would be just as happy to "reward" Barca with a bath as much as sex. In fact, a bath sounded better. Pitros felt... dirty, after Gnaeus' hands had been all over him.

Tag: Barca

[Barca]

Barca wasn't entirely certain he believed Pietros. He knew the man well enough to tell that something was not right. Something was off. Barca gave a slight smile when Pietros spoke of being rewarded for today's victory. The Beast of Carthage certainly wasn't going to object to that. "A reward long awaited for," Barca returned . . . for the moment he stepped out of the ludus, he missed Pietros. Of course he could not express as such. But it was felt in his heart. The result of loving another. As they stepped into the ludus, Barca led them to their quarters so that he may set his bag down and have a few moments alone with Pietros.

It was in there that he turned to properly face Pietros, intending on pulling him in his arms, kissing him . . . properly embracing him. But his body stilled, smile faded and expression grew stern and serious. His eyes had fallen to Pietros' neck, the discoloration noticed on his darker complexsion that often remained unblemished. Barca's hand went to Pietro's chin to title it upwards, seeing how far the bruises went. "Explain this," he practically demanded. The anger had not yet fully raged but it was building; and would be set toward the one who lay hand on Pietros. He had believed the Dominus and he to have an arrangement. Surely, this was not Batiatus' doing.

Tag: Pietros