Chapter 4:
Their morning routine was already mapped out by him. Cesare would return to his quarters by the setting of the Sun, just slightly breaching night. He would leave every morning, which didn't sit right with Chiaro. As his former traveling companion Chiaro memorized Cesare's sleeping patterns, and Cesare most definitely did not partake in rising before dawn. Lately Cesare would only do just that, a week has not even gone by and the Borgia was already showing signs of fatigue!
Cesare would enter the room with a solid and unwavering exterior, but as he moved beside him, or picked a seat near the window Cesare's features would grow pale. He was always pale, but not like this, he looked like a gourd, like the ones in the Covent that Lucrezia had shown him. Gords had smooth hard shells and came in many shapes, but once open all of the pulp and seed stuffed inside would come gushing at. In other words, Cesare was stressed, and if Chiaro doesn't act soon all of his pulp will be coming out. Besides the last time he encountered a stressed Borgia, the noble had attacked a drunkard, if not for Chiaro, the man would have died. Chiaro rubbed at his temple.
For now he sat in the arm chair on the right and picked up a book. Chiaro the avid reader he mused, what would dad say?
"Report."
"Nothing has changed, the guards tell me he has not stirred."
"Good."
Volpe eyed the other men curiously that swarmed over his master like the flies they were. Cesare grinned at the other patrons and raised his cup. To the Cardinal, Cesare jeered. Volpe shook his head declining the alcohol a server offered. His master would need him and he was not one for mistakes especially under the bare influence of wine.
There was one woman, busty and sly, she fawned over every man in the festivity and soon made her way to Volpe. His master was distracted with the others nobles of the court, surely this woman did not think of seducing his master? The idea irked him. He pulled the woman who had latched onto his arm and lead her to the open balcony.
After escorting her out he cleared his throat, the woman pressed on in her hand was a feathered and voluminous fan that she ran along his chest.
"What business do you have with my lord, wench?"
The darkette laughed darkly, clearly misunderstanding an affectionate tone from feral as she leared closer to the retainer. "Cesare Borgia is a very promising man indeed, but not quite my type~" She teased as Volpe pulled away from her reach.
"Would you care to go elsewhere? I have been granted a room for the night." She addressed pointing back inside the large hall, Volpe sighed. This why he detested festivities, woman were not in the least on his mind, he watched as she coyly curled on of her many dark tresses and puckered her mucked lips.
Inside Cesare was still greeting many eager nobles who congratulated his triumph over the monstress Caterina. Volpe noted the way his master would clutch his cup, the many drinks swallowed, and the dark luster fueled by the masses.
He would very much like to drag the Borgia away and-
No. That was not his choice to make. "Yes."
Instead he allowed the woman to lead him away.
Cesare watched as Volpe had accepted the attentions of a noblewoman, his gaze trailed to the balcony and cool gust that blew at the many noble women's gowns and the perverted stares of the noblemen.
The balcony brought nostalgia to his conscience.
That day Chiaro had come back to him. He was crying out so loudly that his throat surely would have given out. So raw and bare that he scratched the hide of his neck. He was in pain. Everywhere he looked he was surrounded by flames that flickered with life and dark entities had surrounded him.
They laughed at his state and knocked and growled in a chaotic frenzy. He was unable to stand and clawed at the ground.
Vanozza's corpse pulled him to her breasts and his hand grew restless. She whispered sweet words to him and he raised his hand. Claws tangled in golden hair he pulled the demon from him. Her face contorted and she screeched, her cry distorted into something purely inhuman, and she leapt back into the burning flames.
Cesare was flickering from mind, his soul long lost, and desperately clinging to the little sanity allowed. The windows were pushed apart and Michelotto leapt past the flames. The flames died down and Cesare could feel warmth restoring to his body.
Chiaro always enjoyed making grand entrances and balconies were his favorite route.
Cesare sighed longing to be with Chiaro and fed up with the gluttonous upper class. Without proper dismissal from the crowd, Cesare made his way back to the room two orbs mismatched from amethyst and gold.
Chiaro groaned from lack of circulation around his legs. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and found that the book he had been reading had fallen to the ground. His back ached and quite frankly so did his rump. Honestly, what would his father say to his current state.
Restricted from leaving the room and kept away from weaponry Chiaro was slowly losing his finesse. He couldn't imagine forgetting swordsmanship, but at this rate that vision may happen.
He staggered to stand and just as he was going to return the discarded book to its rightful place, the slammed open. He flinched watching as the guard from before quickly fled from his post. Cesare strood into the room, shortly he paused midway intaking the soothing smell of Chiaro.
The Borgia stalked forward. And Chiaro stalked back. This kept on momentarily as Chiaro refused to back down from Cesare.
Chiaro pushed to the bedside and Cesare housed the armchair. Cesare leaned his back outstretching his neck and allowing long flowing her to slide down. A red silk doublet was tossed aside and in its place was a white long sleeved blouse, and the red hose Cesare was too fatigued to remove.
Chiaro put aside his insecurity and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. Chiaro could feel Cesare's trembling panic lessen and watched as normal amethyst orbs stared back at him curiously, his smile wry.
"Chiaro."
Chiaro gave a shaky grin, "Cesare. You reek of alcohol."
Cesare laughed with a throw of his tresses, Chiaro pouted and pulled away abruptly. "Yeah, I know." He composed himself and with conscious effort he relaxed. The nighttime festivities took so much from his physically, but the sight of a waiting and supportive Chiaro lifted his spirits, quite literally.
"Chiaro sei incredibile."
Chiaro shot him a look, "E-eh? Why? How?" Cesare just smiled fondly and looked away.
"Chiaro-"
"Hey, Cesare your hair grew longer." The blonde said as he cut in and eyed Cesare's dark mane. Cesare grinned his mind at ease with Chiaro's humor, and went along with it.
"Hm. You have a point, tell me Chiaro, do you like it?" He demonstrated by combing his hair amusedly, smirk unrelenting. Chiaro giggled.
"Very much, it suits you." Chiaro added vibrantly. Cesare raised his hand hesitant, but continued on to pet Chiaro's blond curls. Chiaro frowned, he knew Cesare was just messing with him again.
"Chiaro-"
"Cesare-"
Both flushed and turned away. Cesare coughed into his fist, "Why did you leave?" Cesare strained his once eased tone becoming tense. Chiaro wanted to look away, desperately so, but the way Cesare stared into him, Chiaro was certain he would only further the other man's desperation.
"Why! Why did you leave me! For her. I cared longer for you than-!" Cesare had sprung from his place on the seat and gripped the blonde's shoulders unrelentlessly. Chiaro winced. "I-I...I felt so alone. Never had I felt a stronger connection with anyone, not Vanozza, nor Lucrezia, but you
Chiaro. You are different."
Cesare slid to the ground leaving Chiaro barren and ashamed.
Regaining some sense Chiaro joined him, briefly rubbing at the prickling around his eyes and soon took the Borgia into his arms. Cesare wrapped his arms around the other's waist in an iron like hold, he appreciated the bonde's concern, but he knew that he was only prolonging his pain. As Volpe reminded him, the blonde was unworthy of his affections, but Cesare didn't believe that. He adored Chiaro too much.
Wide amethyst eyes watched as the mass in front of him shook uncontrollably. Muffled cries and the wetness at his neck starting him. Cesare pulled back slightly facing Chiaro who futilely attempted to cover his face, Cesare restrained the sole arm his face softening.
"Hic-up! I-I am so sorry! I caused you so much pain a-and...I left because I was afraid. Did you know? That was my first…" Chiaro flushed but Cesare held onto him. Gaze held on.
Cesare's heart soared. The object of his affection was guilty as charged, and that pleased him, to see that Chiaro was trying his best to please him. But the more Chiaro spoke the more pain he felt, Chiaro was too good to him! Chiaro's once playful orbs had clouded and stormed. Cesare was given a chance at life, while that life was unfulfilling, Chiaro was there with him and changed his fate and loneliness. How can he continue to hurt him?
Cesare peppered the blondes face and neck until Chiaro had calmed down. "Forgive me, Chiaro…" Chiaro buried his face into Cesare's chest hoping to hide, hide his blatant embarrassment. Cesare fondly stroked the blonde's hair.
"It's-I...just please don't tell anyone about this." Cesare laughed as Chiaro sniffled and pulled back. Cesare let go of the arm and proceeded to wipe away the blonde's nose with a pristine handkerchief. Chiaro allowed him feeling too tired to care. Cesare directed Chiaro and himself to the bed.
"No?" Cesare murmured gently laying on his back and forcing an soon accustomed Chiaro to him. Cesare lifted Chiaro's hand and pressed a lavish and very fatigued kiss across his knuckles. Chiaro whimpered sleepily and in no time was asleep. His mouth hung open and a strand of drool rolled down his side. Cesare fondly trailed a finger around the crevices and carved lines that structured Chiaro's face.
"Chiaro...ti amo." Just as he was to swoop down and capture the other's lips Chiaro stirred.
"Shut...up…" Chiaro whispered as he pressed closer into the Borgia's side. Cesare nonetheless captured the lips chastely before stifling his laughter. He eyed the slumbering figure sadly, a fleeting thought crept into his mind, If there is a God, please let me have him. Night had consumed them both.
Chapter 4: END
A/N: I was gone for some time, but I'm back and will do my best to update. Please share your thoughts, thank you.