If You Love Them, Let Them Go

[Felix Valerius]

Valerius had been in a horrible mood all day. More horrible than usual. He blamed the commencement of the rebellion led by this, Spartacus figure. It was shameful how one man could not control his slaves. But that was not what really set Valerius in such a foul mood. It was merely the one he said to others; the assumed one. In actuality, his mood had everything to do with Nennius. And what he had to do. Today, was the day. Unbeknown to anyone else. But, Valerius had arranged it. Nennius as gladiator -- and favoured slave -- was given special quarters.

Tonight, Valerius had arranged it so that there would be a large interval between the shift change among the guards. Meaning, he would be unsupervised. They would be unsupervised. In the meantime, Valerius had prepared a pack. A change of clothes, a little bit of food and coin. Enough to get him well out of the city; to buy passage to wherever he needed to go. This, was what set Valerius in a mood. Because he knew that tonight . . . he would have to say goodbye to Nennius.

The threat of rebel take over was not one he could risk. For many reasons. Valerius knew he would be called upon to serve if things did not get under control. He would have to leave his villa and he refused to leave his wife in control where Nennius was. He did not trust her with him. And he would not risk it. The other reason of course being . . . fear for Nennius' life. If the rebels came in storming the villa, it could force Nennius into siding with them.

Into engaging in a war. Valerius wished to give him his freedom and allow him to be set upon his own path. He knew that giving a rudis was futile, because there was far too much patrol on slaves and no one that was casually freed would be trusted. So, they would have to make a quieter escape. Valerius feared the hours that would bring forth the inevitable. He was not a mean used to not getting what he wanted. And for the past little while, his desires were fixated in only one thing or one person: Nennius. He wanted Nennius.

When the hour was upon them, Valerius made his way to Nennius room. He could not summon him to his own for it would arouse suspicion and it was impossible to be without guards. Valerius entered Nennius' room, moving to stand near the bed, watching him sleep and swallowing back this unfamiliar ache in his chest. This, sense of loss. Of heartache. The fucking slave who made him feel more than he ever should for one. Angry at himself for letting him get to this point, and angry at himself for not allowing them to remain together . . . Valerius tossed the bag on the bed. "Get up," he demanded.

Tag Nennius

[Nennius]

If You Love Them, Let Them Go Sleep was easier to come by these days. Nennius no longer woke in cold sweats from feverish nightmares or lay awake for hours on end. He slept soundly, peacefully even, curled up on his side like a small child. He startled awake at spoken words and the weight of.. was that a bag on the bed? Sleepy blue eyes blinked and he used his palms to wipe away the blurry dreams left behind.  He turned his head, expecting to see a house servant, calling upon him at his Dominus's wishes. He certainly didn't expect to see Valerius there himself and in the flesh. "Dominus!" Shock crossed his features and he scrambled clumsily off his pallet. However, without his brace, he attempted a one legged balancing act that sent waves of nerve pain radiating from his scarred hip straight up his back and to the base of his neck. He now kept his eyes downcast and his tongue stilled, having been tamed by an unrelenting and tenacius master. His lips pressed into a hard line and doing his best to stay upon his feet he waited for further instructions.

^{tag : Felix Valerius}

[Felix Valerius]

Valerius watched as Nennius hurried to his feet. Where he would once bask in the pain and humiliation of emphasizing the man's disability through deprivation of his brace . . . Valerius found no such pleasure right now. He reached for the brace and tossed it to Nennius. "You will dress in the clothing found in that bag," he instructed him, turning to the side so that he was no longer looking at Nennius, stepping a few paces away. He had not thought saying it would be so difficult.

The thought had lingered on his mind of what needed to be done. But being in the moment, and having to say it, made it all seem so much more . . . real. "There is coin and food also," he added on. Stalling, by revealing the easier bits. The factual parts of the plan tonight. The tangible things he had provided Nennius with. But, he had yet to voice the most important thing he had given him: his freedom. He clenched his jaw, drawing the strength to say the next words. Still avoiding eye contact. "You will leave this house."

Tag Nennius