==000==

Septimus just stood looking at this beautiful creature before him, waiting on him, waiting on his pleasure. The slave was scared, that was apparent and it made him even more appealing. It made the citizen even more tempted and aroused.

He began to circle the boy and could see the apprehension in the eyes that followed him even with the dark haired head down submissively as he would expect. "You are truly a sight to quench the most desperate of needs."

Sabinus did not know what was expected of him. Was he supposed to answer, to thank the man for the intended compliment? Or would he be angered if he spoke without permission to do so? The man continued to walk around him, looking at every inch of him. It made Sabinus so nervous and he dreaded the moment when the man would actually touch him.

He knew that he was here for this man to fuck. He had been cleansed and anointed and the expression on the noble's narrow, angular face left no illusions even if he had not already been warned on pain of death to please this man in any way demanded of him.

He had the knowledge of how. He had been sharing himself with Arulus for near half a year but still he was scared. He had heard rumours a plenty of things done to slaves, many he had always believed ridiculous until he had been brought to this place and seen, if not experienced, some of them himself.

Anthemius wondered at the boy's age. Not quite at his majority, he thought, but not far from it. Not that he had any qualms about taking a slave that appealed to him no matter his age. This one was glowing and smelt of citrus. It was obvious that he had been prepared for him, as was to be expected for someone as important as himself.

He reached out a hand to touch the back of the boy's shoulder but he pulled back. He was a noble of this city and did not have congress with mere slaves although he was in a minority in that regard.

He had had many a fine youth squirming on his cock but they had been freeborn and then he did abide by some moral code of his own making and ensured that they had seen their majority. It made life easier when dealing with fathers, all of which had gladly placed their sons in his bed as they would their daughters for the kind of aid he was prepared to give.

Just as this slave was placed here to cajole that very same aid.

"Fold you arms across your back," and watched as he was obeyed immediately. 'Good' he thought but he still needed the boy to realise his total lack of free will and his own total domination of him. Moving to stand before the still frame, "I think you know how to please a man. Would that you were untouched by other hands but I would be astounded if you were." He was not really talking to the slave, just giving voice to his thoughts. "Have many had the pleasure of you I wonder."

Sabinus thought that he must be meant to answer, the phrase had been spoken as a question. "No, Dominus. Just one, but many times."

The slap to his face was vicious and sharp, spinning his head and making him take a step to the side to regain his balance. Tears sprang to his eyes and he struggled to regain his stillness.

"I did not give you permission to make utterance. Do not give voice again." Anthemius was not truly angry as the boy had just given him the opportunity that he had wanted.

"Apologies," Sabinus muttered quietly. Another slap and he had to release the fold of his arms for balance as he tottered to the side.

"You do not learn quickly, I fear," and felt his belly flip at the sight of the redden cheek, the tear welled eyes and the fear on the young face. He had to hold his breath and will his body's reactions down.

Moving once more to stand behind the slightly shivering figure, he looked at the neck, at his shoulders and, moving a step forwards, had a new impulse to lick at the skin on the nape of the neck, inviting as the head was tipped forwards, at a prominent shoulder blade now that the slave had returned his arms to the commanded position.

Biting his lip, he wondered if he dared, if he could put hands on the boy. The slave. Perhaps if he had this one in his own home he would consider changing his beliefs and actually touch, actually fuck the boy. No, the circumstances were too dangerous for that. He had been assured that he would be left alone to enjoy the slave but he trusted no one. There were eyes everywhere and he would not succumb to any action that he would not have seen by blatant eyes never mind hidden.

Walking back around in front of the slave, he moved to sit on the low couch, picked up the wine jug and filled his goblet. Looking up at the slim frame, he commanded almost softly, having to hold the quiver in his voice, "Show yourself to me."

Sabinus had no idea what he was supposed to do. He assumed that he was to take off the clean, one shouldered wrap, like the one Cassius and the other boys wore, he had been placed in but he was loath to do it. The man's eyes were already watching him as if they were pealing off skin.

Knowing that he dare not keep the man waiting, he took a small hesitant step towards him then began to turn on the spot as he unfolded his arms and lifted his hand to pull at the tie. His back turned to his audience, he quickly wiped at the tears on his cheeks and sniffed, knowing he could not afford to show such weakness. It was way past time that anything that happened here should make his tears spill.

As the boy turned before him, Septimius leant to the side to lean on the rest and pulled his legs up to recline along the length. He settled, enjoying not only the sight of the revealed flesh before him but the boy's nervousness also. He was beautiful and the slight shake as he continued to turn, the loosened robe clutched before him shyly, made him smile at the ridiculous gaucheness.

Slaves had no room for modestly and yet this young specimen obviously still felt it. The smile behind his goblet only grew, matched by the stirring of his cock. If all went as it should, his cock would be screaming at him to touch it long before he allowed himself that pleasure.

Sabinus was once more facing the man and he dropped his head as the man signalled for him to let go of the fabric. He bit his lips and knew that he blushed as the fabric dropped from his almost numb fingers. He was beckoned closer and he took small fateful steps to be stood within easy touching distance. But the man just reclined back, his goblet nursed between his hands as his eyes roved over his naked body.

Sabinus held in the shudder he felt. It was hard but he knew that he would suffer for it if he was to show the slightest sign that this man's appraisal, that his very proximity, was causing him such revulsion. The man was vile. He did not know whether it was all due to his current circumstances or if he would have thought that in his former life too.

The noble was so skinny, his features prominent on a gaunt face and the look there now, his countenance was one of sadistic pleasure. Sabinus was under no illusion now. He knew that there was much more in store for him. He could see it in the scheming eyes and he truly did begin to tremble.

Tilting his head this way and that as if trying to decide which was the best angle to study the slave, Septimius motioned with the goblet, "Present your cock to me as the gift it surely is." The slave actually looked shocked as his head straightened and his eyes shot to look directly at him. The sound of that sudden breath made the corner of his mouth twist up. If the youth was shocked at that what would his reaction be to later instructions? He was enjoying himself immensely already.

Seeing the glint in the dark eyes, Sabinus dropped his own and lifted a foot to step backwards halting the movement knowing he had to do as commanded. The blood burned brightly in his cheeks as slowly his left hand moved to touch his flaccid flesh. His fingers were trembling as he surrounded the length then did not know what to do but then he had no idea what he would be made to. The man had said present it so he turned his hand so that his cock was resting along his upturned palm, then he stood waiting.

Nicely done, Septimus admitted. The image was wonderful, the figure appearing sculpted, weight on one leg, the other bent as his foot had taken that half formed step back. It was a shame he had not taken it, the reddened cheek was fading. The hand holding the slim boyish length was none too steady, the other was hovering by his side then, almost as if the slave could read his mind, it was tucked behind his back.

Taking another sip of excellent wine, Septimus then leant forwards slightly to get a closer look at the offered prize. He glanced up at the face, beautifully flushed. He returned his gaze down, not that he thought the presented cock was particularly beautiful but he did delight in the tremor he saw pass through the boy. He sat back, nodding, "lift it to your belly, show me your balls."

Cassius and himself had been examined, touched and prodded many times whilst they were for sale. He had had that bastard Gnaeus' grasping invasive hands on him and Arulus gentle loving ones but nothing had ever made him feel so uncomfortable as he felt at this moment. He was set adrift on uncertainty once more but this time Cassius was not by his side, was not here to whisper into his ear or to squeeze his hand. Or to take the abuse for him.

Septimus did not know which he wanted to see more, the shaking fingers as they began lift the smallish neat balls or the face as a single tear slipped from a closed eye to be trapped in fluttering lashes. It was remarkable to him that something as low as a slave could be capable of feeling degradation. He watched the face as he almost whispered, "play with them. Make flesh hard," and licked his lips as he saw the tear fall onto the smooth cheek.

'Damn it, Sabbi. Don't cry!' he heard his brother admonishing him, but how could he do this? He kept his eyes tightly closed as the man had not said that he could not and thought of the way that Aurlus touched him.

It had been difficult in the first days. Arulus had kept his word and had never hurt him but he had touched him right from that first night. To make it easier for him, the man had always made sure to spend time making him feel comfortable and at ease. He had given him days to get used to his attentions before he had made him spread his thighs for him. He thought of him now, of how he would touch him and, dropping his head, biting at his lower lip, he did as he was instructed.

It took a while but slowly blood began to fill out his flesh as his cock held against his belly began to swell. His long fingers were gentle on himself just as Arulus had soon discovered pleased Sabinus the most.

Watching the slave turn almost crimson. Septimus licked his lips, his own cock already pushing against his robe. That there should appear such innocence before him was the greatest turn on for him and knowing just what was about to happen had his breath catching before he could command, "Enough."

Sabinus quickly dropped his hands to his sides and stood trembling on the spot. The man was going to take him now, he was certain. He told himself to think of other things, to think of happier times gone and ones to come when his father would buy him out of slavery. When both he and Cassius could leave this fetid place.

"Enter," commanded the Roman and Sabinus looked at him confused but it was not to him that he spoke. He waited with head down as he heard feet slap against the marble beneath their feet. Unable to keep still, his body shivering, he looked from the corner of his eye and could not help the involuntary gasp or the step back as he saw Gnaeus of all men stood there, the smirk on his face unbecoming on a slave but the man was gladiator and chosen for a pacific task.

Looking up beseechingly at the Roman, Sabinus saw there a sadistic delight as he watched him, watching his reaction.

Yes, Septimus thought, he had gauged and chosen well. This boy was even more terrified at the prospect of the giant now stood before him as he was at the thought of having a Dominus fuck him. As the boy dared to shake his head and step back, appearing about to flee, tears of terror erupting from those wide glorious eyes, he commanded the beast of a man, easily twice his own size in stature, "Take him. Use mouth first. But pace yourself," he warned as Gnaeus swayed forwards eager to do as commanded, "you have much to achieve here this night."

His own eyes became as round as the boy's as Septimus Anthemius watched the man lunge forwards and grab at the struggling figure, forcing the young slave to his knees, one hand harsh in his hair, his other unfastening the cloth that he wore.

==000==

T.B.C...