Title: Aliquis ut me conservat 1/?
Author: Zri, aka angelicmercy
Rating: R, later chapters NC/17
Genre and/or Pairing: Dean/Cas, angst, AU
Spoilers: nope
Warnings: slash, drama, schmoopy
Word Count: WIP
A/N: This crazy story was inspired by a costume kink challenge at the_pornthenon at LiveJournal. It's long overdue since I have way too much stuff to do with uni. =/ But here it is. Finally. Betaed by caz2y5 who inspired even more togasmex and made absolutely amazing fanart for the fic!
Summary: Castiel is a philosopher in Ancient Rome, the emperor Commodus' best friend. He sits at his right side and offers moral guidance as well as friendship. One day Commodus decides to assign Castiel with his own Praetorian bodyguard to protect him as the emperor's enemies gather up. Already at the start, Dean realises Castiel isn't like the rest of the citizens of the Rome. Actually he isn't like anybody he ever met. The heat between them is something neither of them can fight and soon they fall for each other. But the fate is not on their side as Castiel is to marry Commodus sister Livia and forget his love for Dean.
"I lie at your feet and die in your arms."
CHAPTER ONE
The air was humid and filled with dust. Everything was buzzing with energy, cheers and screams bursting through the air. The games were about to start and people were getting restless. Castiel didn't know what all the fuss was about. Mostly because this was pointless bloodshed in the name of fun. But people needed their fun. It was what kept the angry crowd happy and not at the throat of the ruling Senate and the Emperor. The same man Castiel answered to. Commodus was still young and the death of his father, the great emperor Marcus Aurelius was still fresh in the minds of the crowd.
Commodus was nothing beside generous, working hard on making Rome and the people happy. Even making the harsh and ever manipulative senators happy bastards. He understood well how it all worked. And Castiel… Oh, he was his advisor. He inherited the spot his father had at Marcus Aurelius side. So they both had something in common. Their youth and the fact that they lost their fathers. Now they had to live up to the heritage they left them. Castiel knew that a lot had changed in the young emperor when he was still a child and lost his twin brother. Marcus Aurelius had been worried about his mental state so he told Tiberius, Castiel's father to bring his own son to play with young Commodus.
So there was the beginning of the story. The real background of the reason why Castiel sat at his emperor's right side and watched the bloodshed. He didn't enjoy it and Commodus knew, but Castiel went anyway to appease his emperor. And in some way, he knew Commodus was grateful for the sacrifice.
"Oh, my dear friend. You do not look like you're having fun."
Suddenly Castiel gazed at the warm smile of the young emperor and smiled back at him.
"My lord, these games do not appease my inner self. They are too brutal." He says calmly, not wanting to offend.
"Ah, yes. I always seem to forget you philosophers have a soft mind. And a rather sensitive stomach." Commodus joked with him and Castiel smiled at him.
"You are quite right, my lord. I cannot seem to enjoy the victorious battles as much as you do." Castiel spoke and a memory of the last triumph Commodus accomplished flashed before his eyes.
Rome loved him, adored him for it. For the great treasures he brought and the land he conquered. The Senate was glad because he was so accomplished at keeping it and sharing the wealth with them. But not everything was perfect. There were also bloody battles that he began. Which made him an enemy in some people's eyes.
"No, you do not." He saw his emperor frown. "Oh, I do fear for your life sometimes. You do not do well with battle."
Castiel would have been insulted, but how could he be a hypocrite and get insulted when someone told him the truth? He truly was not up for battle. His own views were one of a enlightened philosopher. A great thinker and a knowledgeable man who is well read and does not get his hands bloody.
"My lord, I feel honoured by your concern, but I do not think you should concern yourself with it." Castiel shook his head solemnly, knowing that the emperor was right to be concerned. ( concern?)
The crowd suddenly took to cheer wildly and both of them gazed at the arena. The blood was spilled once again as three gladiators laid dead on the ground, their bodies torn by the wild and exotic animals. It was both repulsive and absolutely interesting. The way it happened right before their eyes as if they had the right to allow it to happen. To cage people and animals and use them like this. Castiel looked away and turned his attention to the carpet, red cashmere beneath his feet.
"I should concern myself with it, Castiel. You are more than my advisor. You are like a brother to me and I promised both of our fathers that I would keep you safe." Commodus said seriously, his words harsh, but there was a familiar warmth behind them.
Castiel just nodded, his own mind reeling from the fact that he indulged such protectiveness from his lord. His emperor. Others frowned upon it. He could see their evil gazes pointed at them. Whispering evil things in the marble corridors.
"Yes, my lord. You have my gratitude and loyalty for it." Castiel spoke after a minute of silence and being stared down by Commodus. It left him feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable.
The crowd went insane when the last gladiator remained standing after he killed the lion. Even from his spot which was so far away, Castiel could see the lion's nuzzle covered with blood. Dripping onto the sand beneath them. He frowned as the crowd wished for the gladiator to live. Rewarding him for his actions and the victory over the animals. Commodus stood up from his golden throne and moved forward.
All eyes were suddenly on them and Castiel felt himself withdraw into himself. His own mind running away from the brutality as the crowd cheered for life. That was this time. Next time they will seek blood and death. Commodus appeased them once again and gave the order to let the gladiator live with a simple wave of his hand. Castiel would have laughed at the absurdity of it all. The crowd went totally insane and cheered and praised Commodus.
His emperor sitting back in his throne and Castiel could feel the power roll off him. Blue eyes stared at him, reminding him so much of his father, Marcus Aurelius. He was a wise man and Commodus was young, but he could still be one.
"You need protection." Commodus suddenly proclaims and Castiel blinks at him in awe and shock.
"Why, my lord?" It comes out before he even thinks about it. He sounded so naïve. Like he didn't know what was going on in the dark.
"Because you are my advisor and one of the few people I trust. It brings you into the spotlight. Making my enemies your enemies." He suddenly stands up from his throne and starts climbing down it.
Castiel stood up quickly and followed him down. He could already see the guards moving. The dark soldiers, the ones who made Castiel fear the power of humanity and combat. The Praetorian guard was always controversial. They were the closest bodyguards of the emperors, serving them and protecting them, yet they assassinated them when they found it fitting to get rid of the ruling man.
"Of course, my lord. As you wish." What was the point in arguing anyway? It wasn't as if Commodus would just let it be. He always gets what he wants.
"I do wish it. And you shall have one of the best guards." Commodus moved down the dark corridor, strolling toward the exit.
Castiel just nodded, the others following close behind and he wondered whether they should hear about this. He didn't want an extra guard. He was quite fine with the prodding and sinister guards that were crawling through the royal palace and the entire Rome. Commodus was lucky, because he had the loyalty of the Guard due to his father's legacy.
"Thank you, my lord." What else is he suppose to say?
Commodus smiles and stops, looking at the guards surrounding them. Castiel stops next to him and gazes at the marble ground instead of the death in the guards' eyes. The best ones and the most loyal ones stood in his emperor's personal guard, his to command and their only service was to protect.
"You!" Commodus startled him and pointed at some random guard, making Castiel look up. Following the long hand that pointed at the crowd of guards.
One stepped out. His hair almost the color of the dark sand of the arena and the eyes a wild clash of brown and green. His face stern and his posture hard and military as he stared at his commander. Saluting the emperor with his fist smashing against the armour. Castiel moved away from the threatening figure, the pure power that rolled of him a testimony of why he stood in the closest circle of the emperor's protection.
"You will guard Castiel." Commodus orders and there is absolutely no hesitation from the soldier. His posture obeying and stepping closer to the emperor waiting for his command. Hazel eyes clashed with blue eyes as Castiel out right stared at him.
Castiel wanted to pull at Commodus hand and say that it is not necessary, but he doubted Commodus would listen. He just stood there and let him appoint him this terrifying man as his personal guard.
"You will keep him safe at any cost!" Commodus ordered and the guard obeyed. The emperor nodding in satisfaction at Castiel. His measured steps taking him further down the dark hallway as the rest of the suite following him.
Leaving Castiel with the guard staring at him with a blank stare. Castiel nodded at him and wondered what he is suppose to do?
"Uh, what's your name?" Castiel asks as he starts walking down the corridor and following the retrieving suite. They had names, he knew that as a fact, but nobody ever used them.
Which he could tell from the guard's slightly raised eyebrow and the spark of surprise in his eyes. Castiel was a human being and he thought to treat others as such. Sinister guard or not, he was still very much human.
"My name is Dean, sir." He says without any emotion behind the words.
Castiel nodded at him and gave him a faint smile as they joined the rest of the emperors suite. The horses and the carriage already ready for them. Castiel gazed at guard close to him, who was watching out for any danger from the crowd. His dark armour embedded with golden markings shinning brightly in the summer sun.
Castiel climbs into the carriage sitting next to Commodus, watching his new guard mount his horse as they started to move away from the giant arena. He couldn't help but wonder how this will work out or if it works out at all.
The meeting was getting longer than it was suppose to. The harsh voices spilling through the marble walls of the Senate hall. Everybody having their own agenda. Their own reason why they wanted something. The great emperor sat in his marble chair and just listened to the rabid voices. Dean never understood it. He never saw the need for such vocal politics. For everybody to shout at each other randomly. Could they at least be polite and take turns in screaming at each other?
Dean stood there, by the giant column, his eyes glued to the sight. Part of his attention glued to the little blue eyed man who was his lord now and who Dean needed to protect. Dean knew him, he saw him many times in the emperor's close vicinity. Some rumours spoke about them being brothers and family and some about them being lovers. Dean didn't care what they were as long as the pay was here and he accomplishes his purpose in his life. The very thing his father thought him. The very thing he was born for and trained all of his life. To be a Praetorian Guard and watching over the emperor and Rome.
The commotion started out to be too much so the emperor had to intervene. His powerful voice booming through the hall and making all the senators look at him and shut up. The sudden silence and the lack of great noise made his ear buzz. He sighed as the emperor told them to shut up and listen to reason. Dean figured they would listen to reason if the reason paid for them to listen to him. With the people in the white togas it was as about money and power. About their expensive houses in the country. About the power they had in the marble halls.
Dean found it annoying and he would never replace it for his soldier duty. The fighting and the battles making him feel more natural. More at home and ironic indeed, more at peace. There was a shift from Castiel as he leaned closer to the senator at his side. Why the little man was here, it was a mystery to Dean. He wasn't a senator, but a raging philosopher. Yet the emperor kept bringing him here and the senators couldn't argue. Dean narrowed his eyes as Castiel spoke in hush voice to the senator and then the senator nodded vigorously.
The emperor decided it was enough. Oh thank the gods, Dean thought happily. He will be left out of this damned place. The senators moved and he had to be quick. Not loose his protégée out of his sight. The last thing he wanted for somebody to kill the little man. He appeared at his side as the others of his colleagues formed their circle around the emperor. Their very presence scary enough not to let anyone not wanted near. Suddenly Castiel turned toward him and gasped. Dean blinked at him as he saw him startled.
"I apologise for starling you, sir." Dean says evenly, wanting to roll his eyes at the skittish man, but deciding against it.
He could have gotten used to the fact that Dean was there. It was the way the job worked. Be there and guard. But Castiel always seemed to forget he had company.
"It's alright." Castiel just waved him off with an awkward glance and rushed down the hall. Dean sighed and followed him, watching as the white toga dragged all over the floor.
The contrast of the dark floor against the pristine cloth making him wonder about how ironic it all was. These people wore white when all they ever did is spilled blood and ordered deaths to the not wanted ones. If that wasn't absurd, Dean didn't know what was.
"Castiel, wait!" a man with thick black hair ran up to him and pushed at Dean.
Dean sent him a glare that usually scares the rest of the people, but this bugger was hard to scare. Mostly because his father was a general in one of the legions and the boy inherited the powerful place in the Senate at a very young age. So much for the once extinct nepotism.
"What is it, Lucius?" Castiel asked, and Dean could swear he caught a faint hint of annoyance. It was so quick that he thought he imagined it, but he doubted.
Castiel might be a righteous and very arrogant bastard, he had a good sense for judging what kind of person you were. He caught up quickly on just how Dean took his job seriously and let him take the reigns in the security matters. Castiel didn't argue with him much, but barely three weeks passed.
"Oh, Castiel, I wanted to invite you at the celebration of my father's return. Another great victory in the cold north." The creepy Lucius said, with a whole level of fake politeness.
Dean remained stoic and not moving while Castiel hesitated. This was what surprised Dean the most. Castiel wasn't like the emperor or his suite of important people. He never enjoyed any of the celebrations they threw and he rarely went to them. Dean figured he only agreed to them to appease their emperor.
"Yes, I will attend it. Thank you for the invitation." Castiel finally agreed to it and made Lucius grin widely.
"That is splendid." He chirped and Dean resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. The creepy Lucius explained to Castiel when it is and strolled away from them.
All kinds of happy because emperor's advisor will attend his party. While Castiel looked like he just swallowed and arrow. His blue eyes turned solemn as he caught a glimpse of them. Dean wished that he was allowed to say something totally inappropriate, but he doubted it would go well. Like suggest him to loosen up a bit and have fun from time to time. Not stick his nose in the scrolls and the scripts of raging lunatics. And half of them were already dead anyway.
But saying that out loud would bring him all kinds of trouble. So he just followed him as he exited the great Senate hall. The sun shinning hotly in the sky, making him feel the heat skimming across his skin. It was a really hot day.
Some time later, they arrived at the country house. The servants greeting their master of the house as Castiel waved them his greetings. He was always so polite with the servants which left Dean surprised. The room he was given was well furnished and even had a bookshelf. The bed was nice and not some wooden cot he was used to. And from the conversations with the other servants he found out that they were treated well too.
Even the slaves were treated almost as humans. The emperor looked kindly at the way Castiel behaved with them and never argued when Castiel mentioned the humanity they all had. Dean found it odd even though he felt good about being treated so well.
"Tonight we have to attend that party so you can have the rest of the afternoon to yourself." Castiel spoke to him and Dean nodded and said his thanks.
The house was safe. There were other guards so Dean didn't have to be on full alert here all the time. He could actually take a breath and relax all by himself. Or with some female company judging the look the young slave girl was giving him. His eyes moved from her to the retrieving form of Castiel as he entered the house hastily. Dean just stood there for a few moments before moving toward his room to rest.
Maybe even get himself cleaned up. The servants had their own place to get cleaned up while the master of the house had a smaller version of baths. It was always like that in the country side houses. The dignitaries needed to get cleaned up. After all they were dirty. He walked through the corridor and reached his room. He entered it and looked around. It was clean and actually warm. Far better than any room he had so far and far better than the military barracks.
He removed his armour and placed it on the couch in the corner, remembering to clean it up later. After his bath. Castiel let him use his bath which was quite an honour, but he figured he liked his guard all clean and smelling nice. He was allowed to use it after the master was finished with it. So Dean had to wait. He took of the rest of the armour, leaving the tunic on when he heard a knock on his door.
He turned around to see the slave girl that smiled at him when they got home. He greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Master sent me to check if you need anything." She spoke almost shyly and Dean licked his lips.
There might be one thing he needed. He cocked his head at her as she glided inside and closed the door behind her. He had his eyes on her since the moment he stepped into the premise of the house few weeks ago. But he was a professional. Trying to learn his new master's quirks and habits. To test the ground. Now, few weeks has passed and he could actually relax a bit. The girl was staring at him, her intention clear in her eyes and he smiled at her.
Two hours later he lay spent in his bed with a slave girl entwined around him. He felt confined and wanted her to leave when suddenly his curiosity got the better of him.
"May I ask you a question?" He asks softly, her body still warm against him. She just giggles at him and nods. He sighed and knew he shouldn't be asking these questions, but he wanted to know.
"What is master Castiel really like?" He doubted Castiel was this good toward his slaves and servants for no reason.
"He is what you see." She answered with a smile and then frowned. "An odd, odd man who likes philosophy and reason over everything else."
That was a given. Dean didn't have to be a smart man to understand just how smart Castiel was and how much he knew about the world around him. And it wasn't that he just knew about the world. He understood it and actually saw ways of making it better. Which obviously intrigued Dean. It really, profoundly intrigued him.
"He is very close to the emperor…" Dean starts and then stops, biting at his own tongue. He shouldn't be implying this. Not if he liked the place where his head rested at the moment.
"Yes he is. Our master isn't a very open person. He still doesn't have a wife and his bed is empty at night." The girl looked at him with an amused glimmer in her eyes.
Dean blinked at her, feeling both of his eyebrows raising up. Now this was weird. Castiel was a very attractive and quite a good company. At least to Dean's opinion. So why didn't he had a flock of women following him around? Or men if he was into that kind of things.
"So it is true? What they say?" Dean asks carefully looking at the girl lying next to him. Her blue eyes blinked at him and she actually shrugged.
"It's nothing official. Either they are very discrete with the love affair or nothing is going on. The emperor never even set foot in this house." She spoke in a whisper and Dean nodded, understanding it.
This didn't satisfy his curiosity. Not at all. It just served to fire it up and make him ask more questions. But if he asked more than she would get suspicious as to why exactly he's asking so many questions. he looked at her and moved away, climbing out of the bed. He knew it was close to sunset and that he needed to get ready for that party Castiel was invited too.
He pulled on his tunic and secured the gladius hanging from his belt. Some might think it was a bit over dramatic to go to the baths with a sword, but Dean learned that safety was everything. Who knows when he will need to use it? He excused himself to the girl and walked out of his room.
He walked down the dark corridor, already knowing where to go toward the baths. He gazed at the marble walls and basked in the paintings on them. Some familiar since they belonged to the myths and some so foreign. He figured that didn't matter because the master knew what was on them and liked them enough to keep them.
Dean walked across the yard, courtly greeting the other servants as he reached the baths finally. They were out of sight and the roof was built on the tall marble columns. The area above the pools was open and he could see the sunlight on the surface of the water. He could hear the water splashing and a frown showed on his forehead. Was somebody else allowed into the baths? He slowly moved around the column and peered around the corner of it. Gazing at the dark blue water swirling steadily around a figure.
Dean narrowed his eyes and after a moment he recognized the figure. It was Castiel. The master of the house and his protégée and he was naked. Dean blinked and stared. He just couldn't make himself look away from the slightly tanned skin that glistened with the wetness coating it. He should look away though. This was rude and perverted. He shouldn't be spying on his master. But he had to wonder. Why exactly this man was without a lover in his bed?
His body was lean and well sculptured, a body of an intellectual citizen of Rome. He even sported few markings on his body which made Dean curious about what they actually were. So what was the problem? Dean would bed him. He all but slapped himself for that thought. Where did it come from? Why would he even think that about his master? He rolled his eyes and looked away as the figure descended from the water. Dean looked back just in time to catch the wholeness of Castiel's naked body and he bit his lip.
Dean moved away from the column and slowly walked away, making sure not to make any sound while he walked. It was a good thing he came here barefooted so he was silent enough to reach the yard without being spotted. At least he thought he was. Hoping that Castiel didn't caught him watching him while he bathed. Dean's mind still fresh with the image of his master's naked body and he shook his head.
"Oh, hello." A familiar voice sounds from behind him and Dean jumps, startled almost to producing an embarrassing yelp. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
Dean just blinks at Castiel, his head probably shaking, saying that it was alright. Castiel was thankfully wearing the toga, but his skin was still glistening with the moisture from the bath. Dean produced no sounds and he cleared his throat so he can actually make some and don't come of as an idiot.
"It's alright. I was just taking a walk." Dean says, calmly and evenly as he gazed at the cerulean blue eyes. Bright with a faint hint of amusement.
"The baths are free if you wish to use them." Castiel told him and Dean nodded, not producing any sounds again while blue eyes watched him in wonder.
Then Castiel just nodded at him and walked away. His measured steps fast as he walked into the dark corridor and probably heading for his room. Dean let out a breath of relief and mentally slapped himself for being an idiot. Castiel was his master. Whether the rumours were true or not, he was still out of league. Not to be touched. Not that Dean wanted to touch him anyway. No way. He nodded at himself, fully intending on not to think about it anymore and headed for the baths to get himself cleaned up.