A/N: I'll be posting a more light-hearted drabble later on today at some point before I tackle updating Smother and Unexpected
ravisawesome: Thanks for catching that error! I thought it looked weird, but I was too tired to figure it out apparently. And thanks for the love! I like writing these little tidbits.
Guest 2: Everybody really wants me to continue the Las Vegas story with some smutty goodness, but ya gurl is tryna keep this fic rated T. lol
Restless Goddess: Aw, thank you! I'm glad you liked that line! I giggled when I typed it.
Gladiator AU: Tamsin has been the property of the Emperor ever since she was born. Bo is the Emperor's daughter. The two grew up together, but consequently grew apart since Tamsin became a gladiator and Bo was pushed towards royal duties.
A fist connected hard with her face, and Tamsin stumbled back, dazed. Luckily, her opponent was in worse shape and seemed to be putting all his efforts into standing. His weapon and shield were strewn onto the floor, and judging by the fact that he didn't scramble for them, Tamsin assumed he had given up.
But you don't give up in the arena. Giving up is not an option, and Tamsin never planned on doing so. The crowd roared angrily, upset that Tamsin's opponent wasn't trying his best to survive anymore. They wanted sweat and bloodshed, and they were only getting one of those at the moment.
Ignoring the sounds of the crowd, Tamsin charged forward, butting her shield against her opponent. The man made no move to dodge and collapsed to the floor dejectedly. For the first time years, Tamsin's opponent had given up on killing her. She towered above the man, staring down at him with judgmental eyes. And she kept her gaze until she saw the sadness and desperation in his eyes. This man had nothing to fight for, and he pleaded, "Please, just get this over with. I have nothing to live for. My wife and daughter were raped and killed.. I don't want to be here anymore."
Wordlessly, Tamsin raised her sword, bringing it straight down into the man's throat. She pressed it in deep, making sure to sever his spine so his pain was short-lived. The crowd erupted in joyous cheers, chanting Tamsin's name as they stomped their feet in the stands. She stared at the lifeless body next to her, and gritting her teeth, she raised her sword to the crowd. The cheers grew louder as Tamsin turned in a circle to survey everyone.
The blonde's eyes settled on the Emperor's box, and subsequently, the Princess. Bo. They made brief eye contact before Tamsin tore her eyes away. Already, she could feel her eye swelling and bruising, and she needed to tend to it. She stalked out of the arena, sheathing her sword as the iron gates that held her captive finally opened.
::::
Finally in the comfort of her chambers, Tamsin lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling with one eye nearly swollen shut. She was relived. She wouldn't have to fight until next week. For four years, Tamsin had been fighting for her freedom, and there was almost never a week that went by where she wasn't fighting something, be it animal or man. She was so very close to walking free.
The poor man she fought against and killed that day was number 189. Tamsin was eleven fights away from escaping the palace forever. The deal was that if she managed to win 200 fights against men and women, she'd be freed. Tamsin agreed, despite the Princess's vehement protests.
A fist softly rapped against her door, interrupting her thoughts. "Come in," Tamsin called.
Quietly, Bo snuck into the room, closing and locking the door behind her.
Tamsin sat up, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Bo?"
Bo swallowed nervously, playing with her hands. She sat down on the bed next to the blonde. "Do you remember that night before you agreed to fight?"
Tamsin's gaze softened. "I've been hit in the head a lot, but I could never forget."
Bo continued quietly. "My father's arranged a marriage for me. I thought after four years, I would be okay with it, but I'm not. I keep replaying that night in my head. We've barely held a conversation in four years, and yet my mind wanders and my feet carry me to you."
"We can never be anything. You are a princess. I am a servant. Your family's servant, I remind you."
"I've never thought of you that way," Bo replied adamantly. "You have always been Tamsin. Strong-willed. Brave. Kind. Beautiful." With that, Bo reached out, taking hold of the blonde's strong, calloused hands as she slid closer. She leaned in.
Tamsin almost leaned in closer. "Bo. We shouldn't."
"Maybe I can't have you forever, but give me tonight, please," Bo whispered, her lips nearly touching the gladiator's.
Tamsin hesitated for a moment before giving in, pressing their lips together in a heated kiss. She laid the princess on her bed, emotions swirling in her chest. She needed this. She needed Bo.