Fandom: The Eagle- Book/Movie
Title: Race
Rated: K+
Warnings: Another short drabbley thing, M/M pairing.
Disclaimer: The Eagle and its characters belong to Rosemary Sutcliffe and the makers of the film.
A/N: As a Roman, Marcus would speak Latin. But I decided to give him a Greek horse. Hence, the Greek. :)
Race
Esca knows, in this moment, that he loves this Roman.
He rides beside Marcus, horses given their heads to race across the wide open space. Grassy hills, purple heather, large gray stones passing by in a barely noticed blur. A small stream jumped with barely a break in stride. Esca grips with his thighs, feeling his mount's heaving sides through the blanket. The reins lay slack against the gray's neck. The coarse mane whips across Esca's face as sharply as the wind. He strains forward, urging Gliondar forward, faster, farther.
Neck and neck they ride and Esca glances over at his friend.
Marcus grips the front pommel of his saddle, his injured leg pressing not too tightly against the simple blanket beneath the leather. Drusus senses his master's weakness and keeps his gait smooth, even, flawless. The horse's black mane is cropped close, in the cavalry style, vibrating with every strike of the muddy hooves. Marcus leans forward, pressed against the sleak, sweaty neck.
His eyes are bright. Determined. Exhilerated.
Esca forgets the cold air whipping through his hair, the cold air filling his nose and rushing across his skin. He forgets the race.
Marcus pulls ahead with a few encouraging words in Greek to his horse; long black tail streaming behind. A joyful grin on his sun-burnt face.
Esca watches him, watches Drusus pound across the heather with Marcus clinging to his back like a stubborn burr.
Marcus' laughter carries on the wind.
Esca's heart beats much too fast.
And he knows, in this moment, that it beats for Marcus.
the end
Gliondar- Joy/Irish
Drusus- Strong/Greek
