**THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES SEXUAL THEMES** PLease don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you think! This chapter does throw a curveball that you may or not be expecting!

IMPORTANT! BE SURE TO REVISIT CHAPTERS 3 & 4 FOR SOME ADDED CONTENT

The Grecian air grew colder as the sun started its descent below the horizon. Its light rays reflected off of Cicero's armor as he made his way up the beaten path. His conversation with Kassandra left him feeling bitter and quarrelsome, but he refused to take it out on anyone other than the wooden beam of a practice pillar.

He was headed to a small spot near the coast, a place where he had trained once before. The Archgesion of Delos was a private place where Cicero felt he could be alone, and expel his deadly aggression. However, as he climbed the remaining paces he heard the sound of swords clanging together, making his heartbeat even faster. He unsheathed his sword and gripped it tightly, he had not expected a fight and wasn't in any mood for one, but prepared himself for it nonetheless.

He approached the peak slowly, unsure of what he would find. To his surprise, there was no battle, only one man, Thaletas. Cicero sighed in relief and sheathed his sword. He stepped lightly so he wouldn't disturb the training spartan.

Cicero skated around Thaletas, taking care not to be seen as he admired him. The rays of sun shrouded his flexed muscles and glistened off the small bead of sweat that collected around his neck and lower back. He had to admit, he was surprised by how well Thaletas was moving despite his healing injury. However, it was evident that with every flex of his heavy muscles that the wound still pained him.

Thaletas had his back turned towards the sea. His breath was heavy as he bit back the lingering sting of his labor. There were so many things running through his mind and like Cicero, he had come to the Archgesion to relinquish his anger and jealousy. While he wasn't the world's brightest man, Thaletas was no fool, and he could sense the distance between him and Kyra almost as well as he could sense that someone was approaching him. He gripped his weapon and sucked in a long breath before pivoting, striking Cicero's sword with immense force.

"Cicero?" He asked in shock.

Cicero smiled, "It's good to see you again Thaletas." He lowered his sword and thrust his hand out to Thaletas.

"I didn't think anyone else knew of this place," he noted, gripping Cicero's forearm in a traditional soldier's greeting. However, before releasing him, Thaletas took a moment to study Cicero's features and could see the disturbance in his Grey eyes.

" Neither did I," Cicero admitted. He began walking towards a shaded area by a stone pillar, taking a particular interest in the various slash marks in the stone, " I found this place years ago while passing through the islands, it's where I would come to train." He slowly began undoing the laces of his armor, starting with his gauntlets.

Thaletas followed him, " Exhausting my body clears my mind," he said solemnly. He leaned his sword against a large rock and rested against the stone pillar, its shaded surface cooling his bareback. He craned his neck and looked up at the clear sky, "It also reminds me of home."

Cicero stopped and looked over at Thaletas, his eyes following each curve of his abdomen as it rose and fell with his breath, "you must have a great deal on your mind, to be thinking back to Sparta" he observed, returning to his stubborn laces.

Thaletas shifted his head to the side, "you first" he groaned.

Cicero freed himself from his gauntlets and threw them to the ground. He stood up straight and began loosening the ties of his chest plate, laughing oddly to himself as he played over the conversation he had in his mind. "A certain misthios is sticking her head where it doesn't belong." He said aggressively, tearing off his heavy armor and tossing it to the ground with a clamorous 'thud.

Thaletas tensed, Cicero didn't have to mention Kassandra's name, to know whom he spoke of. He grabbed his sword and pushed himself off the pillar, "I see Kassandra's presence has interfered with your plans as well." He said, walking towards Cicero.

Although he wanted to tell Thaletas what he knew about Kassandra and Kyra, Cicero bit his tongue. He turned around and faced Thaletas as he approached, but he did not look at him, "mhmm" he groaned, "now you." He began untying the top laces of his grey tunic, slowly exposing his muscular chest.

Thaletas fell silent as he watched Cicero's fingers dance around each leather strip. His touch appeared to be extremely light for a man of his stature as if moving the ties with only air. He turned away just like the thought of Cicero's soft-touch crept its way into his mind, the thought of what his fingers would feel like on his skin made him burn with an uncontrollable desire.

He cleared his throat, washing the thoughts away, "When I first laid eyes on Kyra, I knew I never wanted to leave these islands." He looked over the edge of the cliff, his brown eyes following the sea towards the direction of Sparta. "But each day that passes, she becomes more and more distant, preoccupied with her rebellion and…" he paused, not wanting to finish his statement.

The sudden silence caught Cicero's attention. He brushed his undone tunic off his shoulders and secured it around his waist, "and?" he inquired.

Thaletas felt the anger boil inside him, a reaction that was more than noticeable. He grit his teeth and curled his hand around his sword, " and Kassandra." he hissed. He shook his head, not wanting to admit that he had lost Kyra's love to Kassandra. But the more he closed his eyes, the more he saw the two together, embracing, touching, kissing. His anger grew, boiling his blood until he forced his eyes open.

Cicero made an understanding 'hmm' and lifted his sword, pointing it at Thaletas, " you said exhausting your body clears your mind," He waited for Thaletas to turn around before he continued. His lips curved into a terribly handsome smile, "Fight me." he said.

Thaletas was shocked, he stared down the length of Cicero's blade, following its silver sheen until he met his grey eyes, "Fight you?" he asked.

"Yes," Cicero answered in a low groan, "My commander spoke highly of your abilities, I want to see what she saw that night on the battlefield." He lowered his sword and began walking towards the center of the Archgesion, "unless you can suggest other ways to exhaust our bodies." he called seductively over his shoulder.

Thaletas's heart stopped, his anger grew into excitement and his jealousy faded into a salacious smile. "There are a few things," He thought, as he positioned himself across from Cicero.

The two, bare-chested men stood opposing each other, both with their swords drawn. The sun lowered over the horizon, shrouding them in a golden beam of light. It was a magnificent sight as if watching two Greek Gods training for battle. Thaletas was unaware of the magnificent frame that Cicero was hiding under his thick armor. His broad shoulders tapered down to a cut V that disappeared beneath the fabric of his tunic, leaving what hid underneath to the imagination. However, it wasn't his physical appearance that made Thaletas question his sexuality. Cicero had confidence in who he was and his determination to do what was right regardless of his own beliefs. This was a trait that Thaletas discovered the morning after the battle on the beach.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Cicero called, taking a step closer.

Thaletas smiled, "Just don't get angry when I break that pretty face of yours!" he remarked, lunging forward.

Their swords clashed as they began dancing around one another, neither one indenting to harm the other. Cicero saw an opening and maneuvered his way around Thaletas " Come on, Thaletas. Don't hold back, " he taunted. He kept his distance behind him, pacing around his turned back and planning his next move.

Thaletas laughed, "You never told me what exactly was on your mind," he noted as he turned around and started a charge, "and why you are so enraged."

Cicero moved swiftly, dodging and countering each attack, he felt his anger burn up inside him and he pushed himself forward, striking hard and without mercy, "Anyone who harms my commander is more than worthy of my wrath." he shouted, "I would kill for her...die for her… and do everything in between to satisfy her "

As their swords clanged together, Thaletas noticed that the light hues of Cicero's eyes had darkened with blind rage. He knew that Kassandra must have done something terrible to invoke such a horrific reaction, but he wasn't naive enough to ask about it. His love for Aleera was unmatched and nothing would be able to change that.

" You're more than just a pretty face," Thaletas admitted, pushing away from him.

Cicero took a step back and wiped the perspiration from his face. An uncontrollable smile crossed his lips as he caught a glimpse of Thaletas, his sweat dripping off his aching body as he bent over to catch his breath.

"I shouldn't be taking this out on you." Cicero managed between breaths. He dragged his sword lazily behind him as he approached Thaletas. He thrust his hand out and offered his assistance with a troubled look in his eyes.

"Please, we both needed this." Thaletas laughed. He took Cicero's hand and stood upright. He stood needlessly close to him, enough to feel his hot breath, "besides," he began in a whisper. He waited until their eyes met before he inched closer, " You fight like a child."

Cicero's lips curved and he made a low groaning sound. He lifted his hand and gently caressed the side of Thaletas's stubbled cheek, " Is that so?" he cooed. He lowered his lips until they barely touched Thaletas's, distracting him with every sweet breath. His hand slowly made its way around the Spartan's neck, and just as it felt as though neither one could take the temptation any longer, he spun Thaletas around and held his blade to his throat, "I assure you, it's the first time I've heard that complaint." He purred.

Thaletas landed his bareback against Cicero's chest with a sharp exhale. Never had he been so tempted, not even with Kyra. His eyes widened, feeling the presence of Cicero's lips brush over the side of his neck, not yet touching his trembling skin. He closed his eyes and leaned against Cicero, synchronizing his breath with his rising and falling chest. The touch of his warm skin against his was more than enough to arouse him, and for a moment Thaletas forgot about Kyra and Kassandra. However, it occurred to him that he wasn't the only one with an estranged lover and while he dreaded asking the question he knew it was the right thing to do. "What about your Commander?" He asked in a stiff voice.

Cicero stopped and pulled his lips away from Thaletas with a deep sigh. He lowered his sword and stepped away, "I suppose you think I should feel ashamed, loving one but seducing another." He ran his hand through his damp hair and looked up at the now darkened sky. "I would be lying if I told you that it was true."

Thaletas turned quickly and bridged the gap between them," I didn't mean any offense," He said solemnly, caressing Cicero's cheek, "It's only because I know how it feels to be betrayed."

Cicero inhaled the night air with satisfaction, "It wasn't just your looks that attracted me to you, Thaletas." He said softly, "but your compassion and selflessness." He pressed a flat palm on Thaletas's chest, the sensation of his bare skin making him shudder with pleasure, "There is no need to worry about straining my affair with Aleera, we..." his speech was silenced. A low groan escaped him as he felt the pulse increase, beating faster against his hand. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself consumed in an erotic kiss.

Thaletas buried his hands in Cicero's dark curls, eagerly thrusting his tongue deeper. There was no more room for words between them, only desire. Thaletas drank every breath that Cicero offered, searching every corner of his mouth until he felt that he had satisfied his hunger. But to his delight, Cicero was just as passionate for him, if not more.

Cicero's sword crashed onto the ground. He drove his fingers through Thaletas's short locks as they sank to the floor, taking him deeper. His blood burned, his body ached. He needed to touch him, he needed to feel Thaletas's body against his, every muscle, every surface. His body shuddered as he lay on top of him, slowly moving against his hardness and drawing a low moan.

It's been too long he thought to himself.

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