Reunion Of Hearts

[Felix Valerius]

They had made a clean getaway from the battle. And by they, it was Nennius and Valerius. The fact that he had reunited them upon battle . . . was far more than Valerius had ever expected. Furthermore, he had killed a Roman and the realization of the weight of his actions was weighing on him. He had killed a fellow soldier. And yet . . . if that man had killed Nennius, Valerius was certain he would have killed the soldier anyway in pure revenge. For either outcome, Felix's decision was clear. And he had chose the former slave.

They had quickly taken the clothing of a dead rebel and then quickly fled the battle once it was over, and the commotion of retreat among the nobles ringed through the crowd. They were not cowards running away, but rather, had to figure out what to do next. Valerius could not join the ranks of nobles so all he could do was appear to be a rebel and enter their camp that way. If only, to be with Nennius. For right now, the other male was all he had left.

They only stoppped running when reaching a concealed cave in the middle of the woods. Once arriving, they quickly made their way inside. Silence had followed since they fled, and this was the first time they were alone since . . . well, since Valerius had freed him from his villa. He glanced at the clothes that he was expected to wear and carried an distasteful expression of it. "Is there no lake to wash the stench of death?" Because focusing on the clothes, was easier than focusing on his feelings.

He had not made eye contact with Nennius . . . the unfamiliarity of it all making him feel uncertain as to what to do. Did he embrace Nennius now as lovers did? Did he simply just give nod and change clothing? What . . . was proper reaction? He knew what his heart told him . . . yet he had battled his heart for so many years. Had he listened to it now, it would have told Valerius to approach Nennius, hold him, and never let him fucking go.

Tag Nennius

[Nennius]

Reunion Of Hearts By the time the pair had found a secluded cave, Nennius's lungs burned as he struggled to fill them with oxygen. His face and armor were covered in the rusty dried blood of Roman soldiers, dirt, and as Valerius had called it, a stench of death. Doubled over, Nennius peered through thick lashes at the Roman that saved his life. In his mind flashed the surreal and terrible moments when Valerius sent him away, still barking commands even after admission of what was in his heart. And now, somehow the gods had strung them along to intersecting paths once more. Felix Valerius who rode up on a white horse and in the heat of battle, in what should have been their last encounter, Valerius saved his life instead of taking it. Nennius wasn't oblivious to the fact that Valerius had yet to actually look at him. He thought it might be regret. His former Dominus took the life of a fellow Roman soldier and sealed his fate. The reality of that action had to be seeping into his very bones. Valerius wouldn't look at him because he was now the reason Valerius had lost everything. The rebel squared his shoulders, this wasn't an appropriate time for such thoughts. "Apologies. Change quickly, I can provide shelter but for only a night. Spartacus would have you inspected for your Dominus's mark, without such I cannot provide safety. Come morning you..." Nennius paused, swallowing what seemed like a pitted rock in his throat. "...shall go where you will."

^{tag : Felix Valerius}

[Felix Valerius]

Valerius continued to avert his eyes, knowing he had no choice but to dress in the dead man's clothes. He began to pull it off, stripping himself of his own attire. Watching as each part of his armor and Roman article of clothing fell to the ground. With it, Valerius' identity. What he was born into. Who he was raised as. Fallen to the ground. To fade with memory. Presumed dead in battle. And still, regret did not fill his heart. He forced back any emotional reaction to the magnitude of such actions, dressing in the clothing that they had taken, and allowing Nennius' words to sink in. He sharply turned his head to look at him. "You would brand me?" His voice held clear displeasure over the very notion of this. But . . . there was of course logic to it. Valerius supposed it was a way to evade spies. When the reaction of the words ebbed, Valerius turned his gaze away one more, with futile fixation of folding his Roman clothing and neatly piling the armor. "Where am I to go?" He questioned, somewhat rhetorically. Could he not stay? Did he . . . want to stay?

The fact that Felix already knew the answer to that made his heart beat heavier in his chest. But Nennius suggestion upon leaving left Valerius concerned with the other male's desire for him to stay. Perhaps now that the former gladiator had found his freedom, it came with new life. One that held no place for Valerius, his former dominus.  "To be branded and then cast out. I would become fugitivus." Hunted. Found. Slaughtered. He turned to look at Nennius once more, an underlying tone of annoyance though he knew it was feigned; the true underlying emotion being all he felt for the other male. "Where the fuck would you have me go?"

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[Nennius]

Reunion Of Hearts His blue eyes averted when Valerius moved to change. Why? He wondered. Valerius was a man, the same as himself and there wasn't a thing about him, Nennius hadn't already seen. He supposed modesty still ruled some part of him. "To be branded and then cast out. I would become fugitivus. Where the fuck would you have me go?" In many, many ways, Nennius was a polar opposite of Valerius. Whereas Valerius kept his emotions at bay behind a stoney poker face, every little thought that crossed Nennius' mind was written plainly upon his face, in the way he moved, in the depth of crystal blue eyes. He had turned back towards his former Dominus, lips parted slightly before he cast his eyes downward. "You misunderstand. Without a mark, you will be killed. Yet, I cannot make decision for you. Endure brand and stay, reject brand and flee. Whatever your decision, I would have you live." The idea of branding a Roman noble was just as absurd to him as it must have been to Valerius. Because of that, Nennius didn't expect him to accept and stay. It seemed as if Valerius thought him capable of marking him and giving him back for execution. Nennius had to smirk at that thought a bit. Was the man really so blind to the intentions of his heart? Of course he was, Valerius was too stubborn to read between the lines.

^{tag : Felix Valerius}

[Felix Valerius]

Valerius knew his options weren't great. Either one would risk death. He was no small soldier. His face was known to those in the land. They would recognize his disappearance. They would notice the leader of the faction was no longer there. And there could very well be those who witnessed the sight of him taking the other soldier's life. Though, Valerius hoped that the chaos of battle would be enough distraction. Then again . . . who the fuck cared. He was not fleeing the battle for the sake of it. He had done it for Nennius. And that lack of regret for decisions made . . . had him knowing which choice would be the more logical one. Logical, only in terms of what remained most consistent with his heart. Something he had acted upon on the battlefield.

Felix remained silent as he finished dressing, trying to explain desire verses the options that Nennius provided him. To mark his skin with a brand . . . it was even more difficult than watching his Roman attire be left on the ground, no longer useful. Ensuring his composure, he turned to Nennius. "You remain with them?" He both stated and questioned. "Given freedom you joined there ranks?" But there was no accusation in his voice. Just the typical blunt tone. Because . . . Valerius wanted to know Nennius' commitment to Spartacus and the whole rebellion. Valerius was already a coward for fleeing his station; he may as well flee the country too . . . but only if Nennius came with him.

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[Nennius]

Reunion Of Hearts Nennius's blue eyes swept over Valerius now that he was nothing more than a common man. The clothes really didn't suit him. Perhaps it was just familiar recalled memories that blinded him with bias, but he believed Valerius was meant for greater things. Only when Valerius questioned his loyalty to the rebels did he look away. He recalled the events that lead him to this moment in his life. The parents that were slaughtered by Roman soldiers. The brother that raised him in secrecy and was slaughtered for it. The wave of the praetor's hand that sent him to the arena. The cold and bleak nothingness that overtook him long enough to sink a sword into the flesh of another. After that, they took and replaced his name, replaced his language, replaced his purpose.  How could he explain all this to his former master? It was true that had he not come into such misfortune, he would have missed out on Valerius all together. All the pain and humiliation he endured had propelled him to this moment. Here before him was Felix Valerius, a wealthy and noble Roman commander, the perfect embodiment of everything he should hate and yet... He wasn't resentful of that past anymore, but he now had the chance to change the future of others torn from their families just as he was. The Roman legion was a beast, swallowing everything in it's path and although Valerius was a small part of that beast, the rest of it had to be cut down. The best chance of that lied with Spartacus. "I am of like mind," he answered, a hint of sadness in his voice. Fate had been cruel to him since birth, it wasn't unreasonable to assume fate would once again tear him from the things he loved most.

^{tag : Felix Valerius}

[Felix Valerius]

Nennius wasn't sure what sort of far fetched hope he had that Nennius would be willing to leave the others. Though, Valerius had not even asked him to. Still, he could not stop that ache of disappointment, knowing it left his options even more limited right now. For there seemed to be only one. "You will not win," he said bluntly. It was not a challenge, nor accusation, nor taunt. It was simple fact. Rome had legions upon legions that would crush Spartacus and his men. To have to watch Nennius potentially fall in vain attempt . . . well, it was not an easy sight. He had nearly lost him on the battlefield today. Having been so close to witnessing it himself rather than assuming it.

"And I will not fight." He would not raise sword -- more than he had -- against his own men. Besides, from Valerius' understanding, not all were warriors. He could easily feign being a civilian. And if forced to train, he would just so happen to be a slow learner. Though if Spartacus sent him out anyway, uncaring . . . well, Valerius would deal with that obstacle when it was upon them. Casually turning away from Nennius, he did not wish the other to see his expression as the magnitude of the words set in. "But I would remain, with you." Not with the others; he was not staying with the others, for the others. He was not staying to partake in this ridiculously foolish war. He was staying . . . to be with Nennius. 

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[Nennius]

Reunion Of Hearts Valerius was right. They wouldn't win. Nennius had no delusions of grandeur or wild hopes of overthrowing Rome, he doubted Spartacus held that belief either, but if they could become one small arrow that would pierce the armor of the Roman beast, he had to try. For his parent's sake, for his brother's sake, for all the slaves subject to their master's whims sake. Nennius couldn't bring himself to look up, not even when Valerius stated that he wouldn't fight. All along he knew this had to be the answer. There was no reason for Valerius to give up what he had to join a doomed army and fight against his own people.  His thoughts had clouded so much he barely registered the last remark. In fact, it took several moments before the shock registered on his face, his bright blue eyes darting to Valerius's face. He looked serious enough, but then again that was how the man always looked. He was unreadable, forcing Nennius to put his faith in the words he spoke.  "You would remain... with me?" He spoke in disbelief before a small smile curved his lips. "Have you lost fucking mind?" It was a jest, a playful accusation. It was the first time he spoke so lightly and freely in Valerius's presence. Before his tongue was harsh and bitter, defiant and challenging. Over time it had turned into respect and obedience, but here, this was his true self shining through.

^{tag : Felix Valerius}