Chapter Four: Another Reason to Draw Breath
Warning: I don't own Harry Potter or Spartacus! Just my story, plot, and any new characters I might possibly add.
Author's note: PLEASE READ: Alright, so I know a lot of you probably hate me for taking so long to update this, but the truth is I didn't think it was going good and that none of you liked it. But when I started getting notices about people still reviewing and wanting me to continue I thought I'd give it one more try:) please review and I hope I still have fans out there:) thanks for your patience for those who've been waiting! It means a lot to me:) also, I actually just moved to Lexington Kentucky about two months ago and I'm in major need of friends before I go stir crazy! If anyone lives near/around Clays Mill review or PM me if you wanna meet up somewhere:) I've become very lonely:(
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Chapter Four: Another Reason to Draw Breath
Spartacus' POV:
I was led to a room where Barca and Dominus sat me down and the medica came running into the room.
"See to his wounds."
"Yes Dominus." The medicus bowed and walked over to me and knelt down.
"Once your wounds have been tended to enjoy rest for two days. You've earned it." Dominus said patting my shoulder.
"Thank you Dominus." He nodded and walked out of the room.
Shortly after that the medicus finished tending to my wounds and left, leaving me and Barca alone. "You must find Harry Barca, Crixus was to wake and train him while we were away and I fear he's yet to be hidden before our return. You must find him and hide him somewhere safe." I begged and Barca nodded.
Thought before he could leave a huge black beast came into the room and stared at me. I blinked and suddenly Harry was standing where the beast had.
"How?" was all I could say.
He smiled and walked into the room more. "I should tell you what I told the others just now." With that he went into his tale.
Once it was done Barca and I just stared in awe. "Are you some kind of god in mortal flesh?" Barca asked making Harry laugh.
"No, I'm no god, I'm just Harry." He said and I smiled.
"Well I am pleased to see you are still safe little one. No one saw you? No one followed you to this chamber?"
"No, no one saw me. I stayed in the shadows the whole way here and no one followed me. We're safe."
"For now." Barca said.
"How cheery of you Barca." Harry said and I laughed.
Just then footsteps could be heard coming closer. "You must leave little one. Turn back into your panther and hide in the shadows lest you be seen." Harry nodded and turned yet again before me and slipped into the shadows.
"I'm still unsure he's not a god." Barca said and I smiled at where Harry Vanished.
"I believe him to be correct, he is just Harry." With that I looked back to Barca and saw him smirking at me.
"It would seem he is more to you." I gave him a confused look but Doctore came into the room silencing me.
"Get back on the training grounds." He ordered and Barca nodded and walked out looking at me over Doctore's shoulders.
I nodded at him and he was gone as Doctore walked up to me.
"Go claim some rest in your chambers, for in two days you go back to the pits." I nodded at him and let him help me to stand then he was gone.
I sighed and went to walk out but a sound from behind causing me to stop.
Suddenly something soft was caressing my leg and when I looked down a beautiful panther was rubbing his head on my legs.
"I thought I told you to leave little one." Harry just purred and I smiled at him.
"You head to my chambers little one in the shadows, in this form you will be killed on sight should you get caught." Harry purred once more then vanished into the shadows.
The moment he was gone a sense of longing came over me and I didn't understand where it was coming from.
'Perhaps I just imagined it.' With that I too left the room.
THE NEXT MORNING
Harry's POV:
The next morning found me being woken up by Spartacus gently shaking me.
"Wake little one, morning light is upon us and Dominus and Domina shall be gone 'til mid-day for business. Doctore will be with the others so I shall train you." He said and I nodded and crawled out from under his bed.
"Where're we training?"
"We'll train in the baths. It's not much room and it's risky but it's the only place that's safest for us to train for the moment." I told him and he nodded. I turned and opened my cell and looked around seeing no one I motioned for Harry to follow.
Once at the baths I turned to Harry. "Before we begin I wish to look at your wounds, I have brought supplies to treat them if it's needed." Harry nodded and took his shirt off and I found myself staring at his chest.
I shook myself back to the present and unwrapped the bandages. The wounds on his chest and stomach were healing nicely and were now no more than mere scratches and bruises now green in color.
The wound on his arm and the stab wound still was healing and needed some stitches. I knelt down and got out the supplies I'd need. "Come little one, I've found needle and thread for your arm and side. That should help them to heal quicker." I told him as he knelt beside me.
I prepared the needle and thread and slowly raised my hands to him noticing he still flinched at the thought of touch. "I will not hurt you Harry, you know this." I said gently. Harry looked at me then nodded and relaxed some.
I slowly moved my hands to his arm and waited for tension when I touched skin while trying to calm my own breathing at the feel of his skin beneath my fingers. When no tension came from Harry I lowered the needle and began to stitch him up.
Once his arm was done I put more thread to the needle and moved to his side and waited for him. Harry nodded and I lowered the needle to his side and began to stitch it up. Once that was done I checked over his other injuries once more and replaced the supplies once I was done and set it aside and stood.
Harry slowly stood and looked at me then caught his practice swords when I threw them to him.
"Now that your wounds are properly tended to we shall begin." I said.
"Let's begin then." Harry said with a smirk and got into position. I huffed in amusement then got my own swords ready.
Harry watched me for a moment before launching at me aiming to trip me. I, however, jumped slightly to avoid his attack and went to hit his back but he rolled out of the way quickly.
"I see Crixus has been training you well." I said impressed with how good Harry had gotten. Though he was a long way from being ready to fight in an arena kind of battle he was good and would continue to with training.
"He has, nearly beaten him a few times the last time we trained." He said and I smiled at him then lunged at him.
This time I pretended to go for his head with one sword but was planning on hitting his stomach when he went to block.
What I didn't expect was for Harry to spin completely out of the way and hit my back with both swords sending me to the floor.
I heard him coming at me and rolled over before he could strike and jabbed at his stomach and stood up while he was gasping for breath and went for his shoulder but he blocked it and struck my knee and hit my chest when it buckled.
This time when I fell Harry sat on my chest and held one of his swords to my neck.
As we sat there breathing hard I couldn't stop myself from staring up at him and noticing just how beautiful he looked.
His hair fell to the side of his face while his emerald green eyes held focus and admiration within them as he looked down at me.
"Lose yourself in your thoughts?" I was startled out of my staring at his words.
"I was actually wondering what those covering your eyes are. I know the others wonder about them too and asked me to speak to you about them." I lied quickly.
Thought it wasn't a full lie, we all did want to know what those things were.
"Oh, these are my glasses. In my time these are used for when people can't see either far or close." He said then sat up some and took them off.
All the while I was trying to not focus on anything other than the fact Harry was still on top of me.
'I must stop this, he is but a boy.' I thought then watched Harry as he covered his eyes with a hand then lifted them off after a moment.
"What was it you did?"
"I used a spell to fix my eyes permanently. I actually forgot what that spell was until just now, I was trying to do it all summer but I just couldn't remember it until now. Now I won't need these to see ever again." He said and I looked on in fascination.
"That is amazing Harry, but there's something I must ask of you?"
"And what's that?"
"To let me stand." I said and smiled when he looked down and blushed before standing up quickly.
"Sorry about that, I didn't even realized until now." He said and continued to blush.
"It's quite alright little one." I said still smiling.
Just then footsteps could be heard coming and I looked at Harry in fear knowing those footsteps were too close to hide him.
"Spartacus!" came Doctore's voice.
I pulled Harry to me and pushed him behind just in time for Doctore to come in. I felt Harry's hand find my back as he stood as still as he could while we both prayed Doctore wouldn't see him.
"I've been calling on deaf ears it seems."
"Apologies Doctore, I was lost in my thoughts and ended up here."
Doctore looked at me for a moment before seeming to believe my lie.
"Dominus wishes to have words with you in his studies." He said. I nodded at him and he went to turn but something caught his eye.
He stared at the supply kit then at me.
"That was here when I arrived, for what reason I do not know." I lied again.
Doctore stared at me for a moment before looking behind me and walked up to me as I backed up and felt Harry move with me.
"I have a feeling you are hiding something from me Spartacus." He said.
"To what end?"
"I was down here just this morning and that supply kit was not down here." That had me at a loss as what to say.
"I swear I am not hiding anything Doctore." I said and looked ahead not meeting his eyes or showing emotion.
Before I could say anything Doctore grabbed my arm and pulled me from the wall, from Harry. I turned quickly and felt confusion when Harry wasn't there.
Doctore turned to me and walked off. "Dominus awaits you in his studies. I suggest getting there within five minutes less you wish his rather." With that he was gone.
"Harry?" I called out quietly.
"Here." I turned and saw Harry standing behind me.
"Where did you disappear to?"
"Transformed into my panther and hid in the shadows quickly." He said and I sighed.
"At least you're safe for now, but we must be more careful next we meet to train. We will not be so lucky next time. Doctore will be watching closely from now on."
"I agree, but I'm not a boy anymore Spartacus, I can take care of myself. Believe me I know how to." He said and I looked on confused.
"You're meaning?"
"I mean I'm only fifteen, about to turn sixteen, years old and I've seen a lot in my time." He sighed and I looked at him in shock.
"What kind of things?" Harry just stared at the floor before shaking his head and looked up at me.
"My point is I can handle myself if I need to, but I appreciate your concern." He said and I just stared at him.
"Why change subject?"
"Because I don't want to talk about it right now." He said and I nodded.
"As you wish." I said and he smiled up at me.
"Your smile brightens this room." I said without thought. Harry blushed deeply at that and looked down.
"A Thousand apologies Harry, my tongue form words without thought." I said and he shook his head.
"No, it's alright. Thank you for the compliment." I smiled at him.
"Most welcome. I must be getting to the Dominus now before he sends more for me. You must go hide Harry, I shall find you once I am finished." He nodded and walked to the door but stopped and turned back to me and walked up to me.
Before I knew what was happening Harry leaned up and kissed my cheek and ran out blushing deeply.
I stared there for but a moment touching gently the place his lips touched and smiled as I headed for Dominus.
'Almost sixteen years of age is he?' I thought happily.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Crixus' POV:
I was heading to my chambers after talking to Naevia when I saw a black shadow cross my eye sight. I stopped and looked around and saw nothing only to see a panther sitting in my path.
"Jupiter's cock Harry!" I grasped as Harry turned back into a human.
"Scared you?" he asked and I glared.
"What draws you from my chambers? It's not safe for you here, more so at night young one."
"I know, but I just couldn't sleep and I went to talk to Spartacus but he wasn't there." Harry said.
"Spartacus was called to Dominus' chambers not ten minutes ago young one."
"Oh." Was all he said and looked down.
I looked at him and smiled at how attached he was to Spartacus already. "Come, let us both retire for the night. I have training at first light and it's not safe for you to wonder." Harry nodded and followed me to my chambers.
FEW WEEKS LATER
Crixus' POV:
In the weeks that Harry came to us life at the House of Batiatus became something of joy and even light. Harry had worn his way into the men's hearts and even more so the heart of Spartacus.
If he wasn't in the pits or talking with Doctore and Dominus he could always be found talking to Harry in hush whispers in a dark corner or in their chambers.
It appeared that Harry became the thing that drove Spartacus forward.
"Crixus!" came Harry's voice from behind.
"Yes young one?"
"Let's spar. Batiatuis' with Spartacus at the pits and Lucretia's in town with that spoiled bitch Ilithyia in town until mid-afternoon and I'm bored." I laughed at Harry and shook my head.
"Apologies young one, but I must train with the others and Doctore will be out there today." I said and he pouted. "How have you come by the news as to where Domina would be?" at this he blushed a little.
"I may or may not have been eavesdropping on their conversation earlier."
"Harry you know it's too dangerous for you to be so close to them."
"Oh I was fine, I was in my panther for in the shadows." Harry said waving his hand to me and walked with me towards the training field. "When's it going to rain already?! It's bloody hot out!" he exclaimed and I looked at him and smiled.
"Though I will never understand how you talk I agree with out on wishing for rain to poor from the skies. It's getting hotter by the day." I told him then stopped and covered him from view when the training grounds came into our eye sight.
"Now, you must go hide Harry. Later tonight we'll train when everyone is in their dreams." I promised him but he pouted still.
"Why not just let Doctore see me already? I mean all the other men seem to be fine with me and not one's tried to kill me yet so why not trust him too? I've watched him and he seems like a trustable, honest man." He said.
"Doctore is a great man and if it wasn't for his devotion to this house we would've told him about you the moment you appeared in that rubble. If we told him about you he would feel obligated to tell Dominus and Domina." I told him.
"Well, maybe you should put more faith in him. To me, it seems that he respects you guys, especially you and Spartacus." He said and blushed a little at Spartacus' name.
I smiled at him. "I shall put it to mind and think on it." I promised. "Until such time though you must go and hide."
"Alright fine." He pouted and turned to go back to Spartacus' chambers.
"If the boy wishes to train then I see no reason to keep him from it." Came a voice making me and Harry turn quickly.
"Doctore." I said and moved to stand in front of Harry.
"The young one is correct, I am a man you can trust. This boy doesn't seem a threat to this house and for that I see no reason to make known his presents." I stared at Doctore in shock then at Harry who was looking at me.
"Told you so." He said.
"Come young one, let's see what these men have been teaching you when thought I could not see." With that he turned and left with a laughing Harry behind him.
A few hours later, and after the men got over the shock of Harry standing beside Doctore, Harry trained with me while Doctore observed.
"You have been taught well young Harry, with more training you might even be able to fight in the arena."
"Thank you Doctore." Harry said bowing his head.
Just then the gates opened and Doctore placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Hide Harry, do not make presence known 'til I return." Harry nodded and ran to the barrels and knelt behind them.
As soon as he was hidden Spartacus came in with Dominus, Ashur, and Barca. Spartacus was hurt rather bad but was alive, that's a true miracle.
"Back to training men!" Doctore yelled flicking his whip then followed the men.
I looked to where Harry was hiding and hoped he would remain in shadows and went to fight with Varro.
Ten minutes later Doctore came back and looked towards Harry's hiding place and brought him back out.
"Back to their chambers, Dominus will be here shortly." He said and walked away.
"What about Spartacus?" Harry asked.
Doctore stopped and looked over his shoulder. "He still draws breath and is resting presently." Was all he said and walked away.
Harry sighed and looked to me before turning and merging with the shadows.
I turned back to Varro who nodded and we went back to training as Dominus appeared on the balcony.
NEXT DAY
Spartacus' POV:
I had just left Dominus and wanted badly to find Harry to tell him the wonderful news I was just told.
I found him in the showers bathing and snuck up him and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"You scared the shit out of me!" Harry yelled and I laughed.
"Well I have some wonderful news." He turned to face me then.
"And what news is that?"
"I am being granted my gladiator title once more."
"And that's a good thing?" he asked and I smiled.
"Yes, because I can finally get revenge on those who killed my wife when my chance comes." I told him and he looked shocked.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
"It's quite alright Harry, I didn't speak of her for a reason." I told him sadly as I thought of her face.
"Did you love her?" he asked and I smiled.
"I did, she was the only woman I ever loved." I said and he looked down before looking up at me.
When he did I was suddenly hit with a feeling I hadn't felt in a very long time. The irony in it made me laugh.
"What's so funny? We're talking about your old wife." He said confused.
"It's her words she spoke shortly after our first meeting."
"What words are those?" he asked leaning so he could see my face. I smiled up at him.
"That I would never love another woman." He thought for a moment before understanding entered his eyes as he looked upon me.
I just kept smiling and leaning to him and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips. At first he did not respond, but he eventually did and feelings I hadn't felt in a long time. I deepened the kiss and knew right then that the feelings I had for Harry were different than those I carried for Sura.
They were stronger.
I pulled back reluctantly and stared into his eyes and saw he felt the same as I.
"Thank you." He looked on in confusion.
"For?" he asked and I smiled.
"For giving me yet another reason to draw breath." Harry smiled and kissed me once more.
"I must go now, I'm expected to be on the training grounds with the others now that I'm once again allowed on the arena sands." I said and lifted my hand to touch his face. "You must go hide." At that he stopped me.
"I actually don't, Doctore knows all about me." Fear entered me then. "He's okay with my being here honest! He even helped me hide when Batiatus was brining you back here yesterday." I sighed in relief.
"As it is Dominus will be there."
"I can hide in the shadows." He argued.
I looked at him and sighed. "Alright, but you must hide within the shadows and near me at all times." He nodded and stood when I did.
"I shall go first, you go through the shadows." I told him. He nodded and leaned up to kiss me and turned and disappeared as I watched.
I smiled at him and walked towards the training grounds.
Never once seeing the pair of prying eyes that had been watching us.
PLEASE READ: And there's the fourth chapter!:) hope you guys liked it and still like this story despite how long it took for me to update. Depending on your guys thoughts on this chapter, be it advise or if you liked it or not, will determine if I continue this story or not. Also, I know I changed some things in this story, but I did warn I would and wouldn't follow history. I've been typing this as I watched Spartacus so I do know what I changed and didn't and how I did so no crap about that! I'm actually typing this on my new tablet I got for my birthday and I'm in love with this thing!:) I know that was random but I just thought I'd throw that out there lol:p one more thing, I made this one so long as another apology for taking so long to update:) again I'm so sorry I took so long to update and I hope you liked this chapter and the story!