Feliciano Vargas stretched, spread-eagled amongst the ruffled sheets and cushions that were set out on the shade of the courtyard. He was luxurious in his half-waking state, the early afternoon sun glaring down harshly as was typical of the summer, a gentle breeze drafting through the pillars that supported the building. In the middle of the courtyard, beyond the comforting shade, a fountain sounded a melodic song, the waters glittering in the sunlight, fish – all named lovingly by himself – swimming in the bowl below.
It was through half-lidded eyes that the boy gazed at the familiar surroundings: the smooth tiles of the floor, the quenched leaved of tall, fat plants, the intricate ceramic designs that depicted tales of gods and heroes and sacrifices and wars. His grandpa used to tell him these stories when he was younger, and while he enjoyed the tales of their ancestors, he equally appreciated the rough sound of his grandpa's voice and the comforting presence that accompanied his carer. It wasn't often that he got to spend time with Roma, even when he was a child. The man, a retired politician, was still occupied with the trades of his younger self, as if he couldn't bear to admit his age.
Besides Roma, Feliciano was left with only his elder brother and the many household slaves and servants that looked after them. Lovino, as the elder, was expected to inherit their grandpa's status, and consequently spent most of his waking hours studying the inner works of Roman civilisation, so Feliciano saw him properly only during the rare times that their grandpa returned home and they ate together, occasionally tripping to a circus that Feli sat through with clenched hands and stomach, eyes averted, as real people fought and died before him.
He had never liked the circus. Too much conflict; too much blood.
Shaking the though away, Feli was quick to regain his mood as he remembered that this was a day he had been awaiting for quite some time: his grandpa's return. The old man would be coming to stay for a whole fortnight, longer than usual. Before his departure the previous time, he had promised Feliciano a surprise, and the young Roman had been itching to discover what exactly it was. For two months, the scribes of philosophy and poetry failed to entertain his as much as they used to, and he found his thoughts wandering on the long walks through the nearby forest.
Today, the gods willing, that would change. Feliciano frequently chided himself for getting worked up over trivial matters, but in short his life was boring. There were no expectations on his for his future; no hopes or aspirations. He lived for family and pleasure, free from the real world. Every small matter was massive to him. Every minuet spent with a loved one cherished.
He was broken from his thoughts by a slave's entrance. "Ah, you're awake Feli. Good. Your grandpa's here." The woman was a few years his elder, her wavy brown hair falling untamed on broad shoulders. She spoke with a masculine lisp and a Germanic accent, her mannerisms frequently clashing with the fine Roman culture she had been expected to learn. Despite this, the woman could live in peace, under the duty of first being company for, and later serving the gentle young Roman who treated her as an equal.
Said Roman's face lit up at the sight of his long-term companion. "Elizabeta! It it time already? I am still ugly from sleep, and my tunic is crumpled and-"
"Feli, hush. That is why I am here, is it not?" She smirked as she made her way to him, and worked to make the boy presentable, smoothing down his hair and straitening the tunic he wore. Slipping sandals onto his feet, she clapped her hands promptly – briskly – and straitened herself to standing. The final touch was an intricately carved ivory broach that she clipped to his shoulder. It had belonged to his mother.
"All done. Now, we must hurry, your blasted brother is already there, and your grandpa is not a patient man." They hurried through the villa, Feli once tripping into a stuttering cleaner who apologised thoroughly before he had the chance to let the man know that he was not angry, nor did he want to hurt the slave or his family. Breathless and newly unkempt, they finally arrived at the entrance room, where Feliciano was greeted by a grinning Roma who engulfed him in a tight hug, and a pouting Lovino, who glared at the floor. It seemed like just Feli's presence made his brother angry.
"My son, how are you? How have you been!" Grandpa Roma asked excitedly.
"I have been well, as usual. But I am happy that you are home now. I've been so bored!"
"Bored?" Roma faked horror, "and why is my Feli's brother not taking on the task of maintaining good relations between yourselves? Lovino, you are the oldest."
Lovino expression, if possible, soured more. "I have enough studying to do without Feliciano's pointless chatter. He's big now; he should be able to amuse himself." His brother's words hurt, and though Feliciano tried constantly to hide his anguish at his brother's hate for him, somehow the Roman failed every time.
Sensing the uneasy atmosphere between the two, Roma was quick to change the topic. "I am glad you have been studying, Lovi, we can't have an uneducated little boy taking after my name."
"Well that is true."
"Anyhow, I am going to freshen up before spending some more time with you boys. I'll have the cooks prepare a feast for tonight and we shall dine for hours, I promise. Oh, and we are going out tomorrow. To the slave market."
Lovino regarded his grandpa warily, "why would we go there? We don't need any more slaves."
"We need one more. I will discuss this with you over the evening meal, but for now, patience is a virtue. Now hurry along, get pretty," he gestured for the to be gone, and obediently, they rushed in opposite directions, Elizabeta close behind Feli after nodding respectfully at Roma.
"A slave for me?" Feliciano asked, puzzled. "But I have Eliza!"
The three of the family were reclining and picking from the plates of food served to them.
"You do, but I have decided that at sixteen you are far too old to have a female slave any more. The girl will be granted her freedom in due time, but as a young Roman you need at least one personal slave and bodyguard. So, I will be taking to tomorrow to the slave market to choose one. This is the surprise I had mentioned last time. It is a big point in your life."
"A s-slave? Choose a slave? But Grandpa, I really don't need one, and I am honestly fine with Elizabeta. She is strong, and I really don't see why it is so important that I have a man to protect me. There is nothing to protect from!" Feliciano protested, unsure of how to react to the news. Owning a slave – choosing his first one – it was overwhelming, and the boy wasn't sure he really wanted a slave in the first place. Elizabeta was a friend before she served him, and he enjoyed the relationship. She was his only company, and with her gone...
Was the prospect even worth imagining?
Sighing, grandpa Roma swung his legs to the ground, and sat up. His face, usually so jovial, was slightly regretful, and it frightened Feli. "I think I have kept you too protected from the world outside." The man sent Lovino a glare at the boy's sarcastic snort. "There are people, Feli, that want to hurt you, because they want to hurt me. I have power, and if you are a way to upset my power, they will readily bring harm to you; may the gods prevent it they may even kill you! A woman does not have enough power to protect you from all the evil out there."
"And he thinks you and Liza are having sex," Lovino inputted crudely, and was silenced again by another harsh glare.
Feli opened his mouth in consideration. He wasn't as innocent as he appeared, and knew at least a good amount about how terrifying the world was outside the protection of the villa truly was. If he was going to be made to have a slave, he might as well be grateful fro the protection and freedom to choose one he wanted, as opposed to having what had happened to his brother when grandpa Roma had brought a giant, stone-faced man to the villa to protect his grandchild. The two had never gotten along. It was the silent, stubborn rebellions in day to day life that Lovino was too merciful to complain about that drew his brother into a state of depression, until their grandpa had noticed his heir's upset and discreetly sold the slave on.
Lovino was then given the freedom to choose his own slave, and had ended up with a quiet, dedicated man who didn't talk much and liked cats. That was what Lovino wanted, sans the cat part.
Resigning himself to Roma's best judgement, Feliciano nodded, hiding the apprehension under a mask of gratitude. After reminding his grandson to wake early the next day, in order to be out early enough for the slave market to have fresh stock, Roma continued the conversation, chatting about his travels and telling stories of the dim-witted politicians he met. In a rare moment of brotherly union, Feliciano and Lovino glanced at each other and allowed small, almost shy smiles at their grandpa's light-hearted demeanour.
Yes, it was these moments that Feliciano cherished. Little did he know how minuscule – how insignificant – it would appear in the near future.
I love ancient Rome AUs so much! I have a lot of good feelings about this fanfic, so please enjoy, and perhaps send a review telling me what to do better, or what you liked ^_^