Sorry it's taken a while to write this. I have school in between and it's really difficult to do both so my french class was where I wrote most of this. I wrote alot of fics in that class, tells you how interesting my teacher was. ^_^; Ooo and review. I LOVE reviews!
A special thanks to ForeordainedDestiny, Malia, Galyn, Faceless, WildfireFriendship, Faith, animeisgreat, angelfish, Katie, Nixille, and Anonymous
Title: Pax Romana (Part 2)
Disclaimers: First off, I'd like you ALL to know, I do not own anything Gundam Wing related, however, any original characters and this storyline does belong to me.
Warnings: For all you yaoi haters out there, be warned there is YAOI. For all you Relena haters, I'm trying to make her somewhat dencent, despite the fact I am one of you anti-Relena people, she had to be in here somehow, oh and don't hate me later just stay cool and all. It's also AU, set in Roman Era and to be on the safe side, OOC for Heero and Duo.
Pairings: 2xR, 2+R, 1xOC, 2+1, 2x1 (later on), 3x4 5xM, RxD
Sorry it's taken a while to write this. I have school in between and it's really difficult to do both so my french class was where I wrote most of this. I wrote alot of fics in that class, tells you how interesting my teacher was. ^_^;
Onto the story.....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Heero looked up at the young man who greeted him and glared before turning away.
Duo chuckled. "Not a greeting I'd expect for a Caesar eh slave? Remember, I'm t he master here, so turn and face me," he commanded with an authoritive voice.
Heero reluctantly turned and faced Duo, still glaring at him and replied icily. "As you wish...my lord."
Duo snorted at his new slave's temperament. "You probably have every reason to be bitter towards me, I can't exactly blame you on that one, but if you treat me with respect I can guarantee you that I will return it." Duo extended a hand to show his honesty to the rigid man before him. Heero sighed but took one look at the offered hand and shook it.
"I take it this is your assigned room for now?" Heero nodded. "Good. I'll send for someone to get you and show you around so that when I send for you, you'll know where to go. Now if you'll excuse me-"
"...Heero, my name is Heero Yuy..." the young man said softly in an almost hushed tone as Duo turned to look at him.
"...Heero? Well, I have to get going..." Duo turned back around, heading towards the entrance of the cubicle room, and closed the door as he left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is the dinning hall where our Caesar and his family and friends dine. And if you notice to the left where His Highness sits, there is a cushion. That is where you will sit during the meal. Just act and look pretty. Speak only when spoken to by the Emperor. If someone asks you a question or tries to initiate a conversation, only His Highness can give you the permission to speak. Understand?"
Heero nodded his head once to the servant who has giving him the 'grand' tour of the palace, where he was going to be staying for quite a while. He half-heartedly paid attention to what the other man was saying, not really caring except wanting to run away and never be found. He noticed that he had gained enough of a distance from the rambling servant and quickly turned his heels and fled. The servant only noticed several minutes later that his charge had fled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Relena had been comfortably lying in her handmaiden and lover's lap, idly conversing about the day's occurrences. "Do you think Duo is going to like the new toy my cousin Quatre bought him?"
Dorothy stopped playing with a strand of Relena's blonde hair that she had been fondling with, pausing for a moment. "Perhaps. He does need someone to love him body and soul after all. It's not as if he is oblivious to us..."
"...Or the whole household for that matter..." Relena added with a giggle.
Dorothy chuckled at her comment. "Of course, but I hope he does find some sort of companionship with this new slave, maybe even love. He definitely needs it with the rebellions up in the north stressing him out."
Relena smiles. "Yeah. Wufei even noticed that Duo's stressed."
The door suddenly swung open and two Roman palace guards burst in. "We're sorry to disturb your peace my Queen but one of the slaves escaped and we are trying to find him. Have you seen him?" The guard proceeded to describe the slave-Heero-as the two women listened intently.
"No, we have not seen him sirs but rest assured that if we do, we will notify you right away." Dorothy answered.
The guards nodded and turned to exit. "One of us will be posted outside your chamber door incase the runaway attempts to injure you Queen Relena."
Relena nodded in understandment. "Very well." Dorothy closed the door behind them and turned swiftly to face her Queen. "Well that ruined our peaceful mood. How about a bath to perk you up, Highness?"
Relena smiled at the suggestion. "That would be nice."
Dorothy grinned and led Relena to the bathing chambers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo entered the atrium (1) with his daughter, Philoclea, and guards on either side. "The slave named Heero Yuy has run away my lord. He fled early this afternoon while on his showing of the palace. We are still unable to locate him, Your Highness." One of the guards reported.
Duo narrowed his eyes in mild annoyance and replied, "you interfere my time with my daughter to tell me this? When you find him, bring him to me. I will deal with him personally," he said almost coolly.
The guards bowed accepting their Caesar's wish leaving him in search of the escaped Heero. "Daddy, what's going on?" the little brunette girl inquired as she tugged on Duo's sleeve.
"Don't worry your pretty little head Philoclea, this is grown-up stuff. Why don't you go pay your nurse, Daria a visit?"
"Ok daddy, but I still like being with you more, Daria's so boring!"
Duo laughed softly and gently patted his daughter's head. "I know sweetie but I promised her I'd return you after our visit. I have important things to do."
Philoclea gave an exasperated sigh of defeat and looked up at her father. "Ok..."
"That's a good girl." Duo smiled and called over to a servant that had been standing off to the side, ready to serve his needs. "Please bring my daughter to her nurse and make sure you get her there safely."
The servant nodded and took the girl to her nurse, leaving Duo alone in the atrium. His eyes wandered to a potted plant near off to the left of a fountain. "You can come out now. The guards have gone."
The shadowed figure behind one of the plants didn't move. "There's no sense in hiding, I know you're there."
The shadowed figure slowly stood from their crouch and stepped away from the plant to face Duo. Heero stood defiantly in front of Duo, his head held high. The young man's blue eyes glared coldly at Duo for noticing him before he had the chance to escape to freedom. Duo walked closer up to Heero and placed a hand on his shoulder so he could look his defiant slave in the eye. "You do know what the punishment for an attempt to escape is, right?"
Heero narrowed his eyes and stared at Duo. "Fifty back lashes the first escape, if it has been more than once, a possibility of death," he replied flatly.
"That is correct, however, I am willing to be lenient towards you. If you show me respect, I will reciprocate the feeling," Duo said with honesty.
Heero at this point lost his temper. "I do not belong here! You Romans are cruel and brutal like barbarians! You treat humans like cattle. I refuse to lose my dignity and be treated like that."
Duo smirked. "You are correct in some ways but you are fortunate you were never made a gladiator. They would treat you far more brutal than I ever would not to mention rape you countless times and pass you around like a round of ale. You don't want that to happen now do you?"
Heero shook his head and replied in a child-like voice at Duo's bluntness at the possibilities that could have happened. "No..."
"I'm not going to have you whipped. I am against such approaches. Besides, I don't want my daughter to be raised the same way I did, exposed to such violence. It would be beneath me to act against my beliefs now would it?" Duo added with an amused tone.
Heero nodded his head, taking Duo's words into consideration. "But what are you going to do to punish me?"
"Are you that eager to be punished? I wasn't planning on doing anything harsh. Maybe you can give me some better ideas?" he said suggestively.
Heero thought for a moment. "A Roman bath?"
Duo's lips curved up in an amused smile. "As good as an idea that, that is, it's too obvious. How about attending the gladiator championships at the Coliseum with me? No one is going to get killed, I promise you that much since the plebeians are involved. My wife never attends these things and it would be great to have some company. You'll even get to be waited on hand and foot by my attendants...there's also good food..."
Hero's mouth watered at the mention of food and nodded. "Sounds fine to me. I would be honoured to attend you Caesar."
Duo sighed. "Enough of the formalities. When in private, call me Duo. I get enough of that from my Senate." Heero's mouth slightly curved into a smile.
"Come now, we're going to be late for supper and I have to tell my guards that you've been found so they can stop the search." Heero shrugged and nodded in agreement, following Duo at a close pace as he was led to the dinning hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So I says to Ulyssius, I says-"(2) Idle chatter and the occasional laugh rose in through the air as the noblemen and women conversed, waiting patiently for their Caesar. When Duo arrived he was followed by his wife and daughter, then Heero, and a few other man servants and handmaidens, including Dorothy. A few gasps were heard as Heero took his place on the cushion next to Duo.
"My, that little slave is quite the eye catcher, isn't he Grakus?"
"I know! I wouldn't mind a piece of him, that's for sure! Our Emperor sure is one lucky man to have him." Heero heard the two men to his right say as he inched closer to Duo and glared daggers at them.
Duo had also noticed the men who had been eyeing Heero. He glared at them and they backed off focusing on other things. Duo placed a reassuring arm around Heero. Heero was tense and would probably respond to those men in a fight or flight reaction had he ended up confronting them in the halls alone. When supper was served, Duo placed some food on a plate and handed it to Heero who gobbled it down. He eyed the table looking as though he wanted more. Duo could not deny him any food since Heero was thing-almost an unhealthy thinness to him. Duo grabbed him another plate giving him a cup of wine with the meal. Heero looked up at him and mumbled a "thanks" as he shoveled the contents in his mouth, taking a sip of wine now and then. When Duo had finally finished his meal, he turned to look at Heero who looked like he was about to fall asleep at any given moment. He couldn't blame the young man. He had an exhausting day. Relena and Philoclea along with her handmaidens had already left to their quarters for the evening. Quatre, Trowa, and his wife Hilde had only left moments before. Duo stood up before his subjects waiting for their full attention. "Thank you for attending the feast this evening but I just retire for the evening. Good night." His subjects, who had stood up, bowed to him. Heero looked up at Duo and waited for his word to depart. Duo nodded at him.
"Come on Heero, we're leaving." Heero stood up swiftly and followed behind closely as they headed towards Duo's bedchambers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once they reached Duo's chambers he turned to Heero. "I want you to sleep with me tonight-" Heero's eyes widened.
Duo laughed at Heero's perplexed look of fear. "Not that way! Just sleep. I don't trust men like the ones at supper wandering about and possibly causing harm to you. You look like you've been through enough to last a life time." True, Duo had started to feel some sort of attraction to the rebellious blue-eyed slave but did not want to frighten him any more than he already seemed. Duo already knew his preference, being attracted to both men and women, but he didn't know if Heero was. He just wanted Heero to open up and be less tense and befriend him. He looked so lost and lonely.
Heero watched Duo carefully with his cold blue eyes. This strange Emperor was trying to be kind to him. He found that the longhaired Caesar was actually quite nice-not to mention he looked quite handsome, he thought to himself. He noticed that while he had been thinking, Duo had prepared the bed for them and was now watching him intently.
"What are you thinking about?" Duo said as he walked up to Heero. Heero looked up at his so-called master and grunted out a reply. "Not much..." Duo shrugged, not wanting to pursue and grabbed a hold of Heero's arm.
"Alright then, let's get some sleep. I'm tired and I know you are because you practically fell asleep at supper. We have that gladiator tournament to attend tomorrow." Duo got into bed and patted the spot next to him as he motioned for Heero to get in. At first Heero was hesitant but climbed under the covers and stayed a slight distance away from Duo. He soon fell asleep just shortly after his strange master.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Heero woke the next morning with something warm wrapped around him. He smiled thinking it was Sorrena, but noticed that Sorrena was too flat chested. He opened his eyes wide as he turned to face who it was. There, Duo slept serenely, a small smile curving his red lips as he held Heero. He panicked and turned to flee but did not succeed when Duo tightened his arms around him and brought Heero closer. "Trying to escape Hee-chan?"
Heero saw that Duo's oddly coloured blue-violet eyes were opened and now watched him carefully. "N...no..."
Duo smiled. "Good. I'd hate to see you run away and miss the tournament! You did after all say you were going to go." Duo smirked as he noticed he had Heero's full attention. "Let's go clean up and break fast so we can get to the stadium early." Duo stood up and extended a hand to help Heero up.
When Duo and Heero reached the bathing chambers, Relena and Dorothy were just exiting, laughing and smiling. They curtseyed when they reached Duo. "Hello husband. How are you this fine morning?" Relena inquired brightly as she kissed her husband's cheek.
"I am fine, wife." He nodded to Dorothy. "I would like to introduce you my new companion since I did not have the opportunity last night. His name is Heero Yuy, compliments of Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei." He smiled, bringing an arm protectively around Heero who had tensed.
Dorothy giggled. "He's handsome!" She circled the glaring Heero and smiled seductively. "Have you bedded him yet Your Highness?" He blushed a fine shade of red and tried to reward Dorothy with the best death glare, but failed.
Duo shook his head negatively. "No-he's not that kind of slave."
"Dorothy dear, you're embarrassing the poor boy! He must have been through so much and here you are gawking at him like a prize."
Dorothy pouted as Duo shrugged. "I haven't a clue about his past. We haven't had the chance to talk and I don't want to badger him into it either."
"Take good care of him, husband. Senators, Sirrius and Grakus have seem to take a liking to him when they saw you both enter the dinning hall last eve. He's been the talk of the town, and they are right. He is beautiful."
"Stop talking about me as though I am not here." Heero's cool tenor voice interrupted Relena.
"It appears you have to teach your little slave some manners, Your Highness." Dorothy commented as Relena started to leave. After the two women had left, Duo led Heero into the now empty bathing chamber. Heero was in awe. The room was big and had an exotic feel about it with plants and decoratives ornating the area. There were towels placed on a shelf and in the center of the room was the bath. Heero could tell the bath was quite warm from the steam emerging from it. "Wow," was all he could say in awe.
"It's something, isn't it?" Duo said as he slipped out of his clothes and walked into the bath. Heero soon followed after taking in the room's splendor. He liked that the bath water was nice and warm. It was soothing.
"We don't take baths like this at home...we usually clean up in the river water. It's usually freezing," Heero stated as a matter of factly.
Duo laughed amusedly. "The many perks of being Rome's Caesar. You won't ever have to take a batch in a cold river ever again. Now, turn around and sit in front of me so I can wash your back."
Heero did as Duo bided, sitting in front of him. He felt Duo's legs around him and tensed. "Just relax Heero. I'm not going to hurt you." Heero then relaxed a little as Duo gently began to wash his back and forearms.
Cool feather-light kisses invaded Heero's neck as Duo gently began to kiss him. It felt nice and a soft moan escaped unwillingly from his lips, which made Duo smile against his neck. Heero's positive reaction to Duo's ministrations changed drastically. He spun around quickly. "What do are you doing?" he asked harshly. "We're both men and-"
Heero never had a chance to finish his rant because Duo silenced him with a kiss. At first Heero did not return the kiss but gave into temptation and started to kiss back. Duo put an arm around Heero, pulling him closer. Heero closed his eyes enjoying the taste of Duo on his lips. I didn't know kissing a male was this enjoyable, Heero thought distantly. Duo finally pulled away for air and smiled at Heero. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Duo inquired as he held Heero gently, warm water lapping his body.
"No...it felt nice. I didn't know kissing another man would be that enjoyable." He said as he gave Duo a rare smile.
"Perhaps we should finish our bath and then get ready for the tournament?" Duo smiled with amusement as he watched Heero. Heero nodded and proceeded to wash the rest of his body, slightly anxious to attend the tournament.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC...
Author's Notes:
1. An Atrium is sort of like a Roman courtyard in the center of the household. It's a fancy little place with flowers, fountains and children's lessons are often held there during the morning hours.
2. The "So I says to Ulyssius" part is sort of an inside joke me and my friends have that is taken from the a classic Simpsons episode. "So I says ta Mable, I says..."
C&C? Pweeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A special thanks to ForeordainedDestiny, Malia, Galyn, Faceless, WildfireFriendship, Faith, animeisgreat, angelfish, Katie, Nixille, and Anonymous
Title: Pax Romana (Part 2)
Disclaimers: First off, I'd like you ALL to know, I do not own anything Gundam Wing related, however, any original characters and this storyline does belong to me.
Warnings: For all you yaoi haters out there, be warned there is YAOI. For all you Relena haters, I'm trying to make her somewhat dencent, despite the fact I am one of you anti-Relena people, she had to be in here somehow, oh and don't hate me later just stay cool and all. It's also AU, set in Roman Era and to be on the safe side, OOC for Heero and Duo.
Pairings: 2xR, 2+R, 1xOC, 2+1, 2x1 (later on), 3x4 5xM, RxD
Sorry it's taken a while to write this. I have school in between and it's really difficult to do both so my french class was where I wrote most of this. I wrote alot of fics in that class, tells you how interesting my teacher was. ^_^;
Onto the story.....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Heero looked up at the young man who greeted him and glared before turning away.
Duo chuckled. "Not a greeting I'd expect for a Caesar eh slave? Remember, I'm t he master here, so turn and face me," he commanded with an authoritive voice.
Heero reluctantly turned and faced Duo, still glaring at him and replied icily. "As you wish...my lord."
Duo snorted at his new slave's temperament. "You probably have every reason to be bitter towards me, I can't exactly blame you on that one, but if you treat me with respect I can guarantee you that I will return it." Duo extended a hand to show his honesty to the rigid man before him. Heero sighed but took one look at the offered hand and shook it.
"I take it this is your assigned room for now?" Heero nodded. "Good. I'll send for someone to get you and show you around so that when I send for you, you'll know where to go. Now if you'll excuse me-"
"...Heero, my name is Heero Yuy..." the young man said softly in an almost hushed tone as Duo turned to look at him.
"...Heero? Well, I have to get going..." Duo turned back around, heading towards the entrance of the cubicle room, and closed the door as he left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is the dinning hall where our Caesar and his family and friends dine. And if you notice to the left where His Highness sits, there is a cushion. That is where you will sit during the meal. Just act and look pretty. Speak only when spoken to by the Emperor. If someone asks you a question or tries to initiate a conversation, only His Highness can give you the permission to speak. Understand?"
Heero nodded his head once to the servant who has giving him the 'grand' tour of the palace, where he was going to be staying for quite a while. He half-heartedly paid attention to what the other man was saying, not really caring except wanting to run away and never be found. He noticed that he had gained enough of a distance from the rambling servant and quickly turned his heels and fled. The servant only noticed several minutes later that his charge had fled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Relena had been comfortably lying in her handmaiden and lover's lap, idly conversing about the day's occurrences. "Do you think Duo is going to like the new toy my cousin Quatre bought him?"
Dorothy stopped playing with a strand of Relena's blonde hair that she had been fondling with, pausing for a moment. "Perhaps. He does need someone to love him body and soul after all. It's not as if he is oblivious to us..."
"...Or the whole household for that matter..." Relena added with a giggle.
Dorothy chuckled at her comment. "Of course, but I hope he does find some sort of companionship with this new slave, maybe even love. He definitely needs it with the rebellions up in the north stressing him out."
Relena smiles. "Yeah. Wufei even noticed that Duo's stressed."
The door suddenly swung open and two Roman palace guards burst in. "We're sorry to disturb your peace my Queen but one of the slaves escaped and we are trying to find him. Have you seen him?" The guard proceeded to describe the slave-Heero-as the two women listened intently.
"No, we have not seen him sirs but rest assured that if we do, we will notify you right away." Dorothy answered.
The guards nodded and turned to exit. "One of us will be posted outside your chamber door incase the runaway attempts to injure you Queen Relena."
Relena nodded in understandment. "Very well." Dorothy closed the door behind them and turned swiftly to face her Queen. "Well that ruined our peaceful mood. How about a bath to perk you up, Highness?"
Relena smiled at the suggestion. "That would be nice."
Dorothy grinned and led Relena to the bathing chambers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo entered the atrium (1) with his daughter, Philoclea, and guards on either side. "The slave named Heero Yuy has run away my lord. He fled early this afternoon while on his showing of the palace. We are still unable to locate him, Your Highness." One of the guards reported.
Duo narrowed his eyes in mild annoyance and replied, "you interfere my time with my daughter to tell me this? When you find him, bring him to me. I will deal with him personally," he said almost coolly.
The guards bowed accepting their Caesar's wish leaving him in search of the escaped Heero. "Daddy, what's going on?" the little brunette girl inquired as she tugged on Duo's sleeve.
"Don't worry your pretty little head Philoclea, this is grown-up stuff. Why don't you go pay your nurse, Daria a visit?"
"Ok daddy, but I still like being with you more, Daria's so boring!"
Duo laughed softly and gently patted his daughter's head. "I know sweetie but I promised her I'd return you after our visit. I have important things to do."
Philoclea gave an exasperated sigh of defeat and looked up at her father. "Ok..."
"That's a good girl." Duo smiled and called over to a servant that had been standing off to the side, ready to serve his needs. "Please bring my daughter to her nurse and make sure you get her there safely."
The servant nodded and took the girl to her nurse, leaving Duo alone in the atrium. His eyes wandered to a potted plant near off to the left of a fountain. "You can come out now. The guards have gone."
The shadowed figure behind one of the plants didn't move. "There's no sense in hiding, I know you're there."
The shadowed figure slowly stood from their crouch and stepped away from the plant to face Duo. Heero stood defiantly in front of Duo, his head held high. The young man's blue eyes glared coldly at Duo for noticing him before he had the chance to escape to freedom. Duo walked closer up to Heero and placed a hand on his shoulder so he could look his defiant slave in the eye. "You do know what the punishment for an attempt to escape is, right?"
Heero narrowed his eyes and stared at Duo. "Fifty back lashes the first escape, if it has been more than once, a possibility of death," he replied flatly.
"That is correct, however, I am willing to be lenient towards you. If you show me respect, I will reciprocate the feeling," Duo said with honesty.
Heero at this point lost his temper. "I do not belong here! You Romans are cruel and brutal like barbarians! You treat humans like cattle. I refuse to lose my dignity and be treated like that."
Duo smirked. "You are correct in some ways but you are fortunate you were never made a gladiator. They would treat you far more brutal than I ever would not to mention rape you countless times and pass you around like a round of ale. You don't want that to happen now do you?"
Heero shook his head and replied in a child-like voice at Duo's bluntness at the possibilities that could have happened. "No..."
"I'm not going to have you whipped. I am against such approaches. Besides, I don't want my daughter to be raised the same way I did, exposed to such violence. It would be beneath me to act against my beliefs now would it?" Duo added with an amused tone.
Heero nodded his head, taking Duo's words into consideration. "But what are you going to do to punish me?"
"Are you that eager to be punished? I wasn't planning on doing anything harsh. Maybe you can give me some better ideas?" he said suggestively.
Heero thought for a moment. "A Roman bath?"
Duo's lips curved up in an amused smile. "As good as an idea that, that is, it's too obvious. How about attending the gladiator championships at the Coliseum with me? No one is going to get killed, I promise you that much since the plebeians are involved. My wife never attends these things and it would be great to have some company. You'll even get to be waited on hand and foot by my attendants...there's also good food..."
Hero's mouth watered at the mention of food and nodded. "Sounds fine to me. I would be honoured to attend you Caesar."
Duo sighed. "Enough of the formalities. When in private, call me Duo. I get enough of that from my Senate." Heero's mouth slightly curved into a smile.
"Come now, we're going to be late for supper and I have to tell my guards that you've been found so they can stop the search." Heero shrugged and nodded in agreement, following Duo at a close pace as he was led to the dinning hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So I says to Ulyssius, I says-"(2) Idle chatter and the occasional laugh rose in through the air as the noblemen and women conversed, waiting patiently for their Caesar. When Duo arrived he was followed by his wife and daughter, then Heero, and a few other man servants and handmaidens, including Dorothy. A few gasps were heard as Heero took his place on the cushion next to Duo.
"My, that little slave is quite the eye catcher, isn't he Grakus?"
"I know! I wouldn't mind a piece of him, that's for sure! Our Emperor sure is one lucky man to have him." Heero heard the two men to his right say as he inched closer to Duo and glared daggers at them.
Duo had also noticed the men who had been eyeing Heero. He glared at them and they backed off focusing on other things. Duo placed a reassuring arm around Heero. Heero was tense and would probably respond to those men in a fight or flight reaction had he ended up confronting them in the halls alone. When supper was served, Duo placed some food on a plate and handed it to Heero who gobbled it down. He eyed the table looking as though he wanted more. Duo could not deny him any food since Heero was thing-almost an unhealthy thinness to him. Duo grabbed him another plate giving him a cup of wine with the meal. Heero looked up at him and mumbled a "thanks" as he shoveled the contents in his mouth, taking a sip of wine now and then. When Duo had finally finished his meal, he turned to look at Heero who looked like he was about to fall asleep at any given moment. He couldn't blame the young man. He had an exhausting day. Relena and Philoclea along with her handmaidens had already left to their quarters for the evening. Quatre, Trowa, and his wife Hilde had only left moments before. Duo stood up before his subjects waiting for their full attention. "Thank you for attending the feast this evening but I just retire for the evening. Good night." His subjects, who had stood up, bowed to him. Heero looked up at Duo and waited for his word to depart. Duo nodded at him.
"Come on Heero, we're leaving." Heero stood up swiftly and followed behind closely as they headed towards Duo's bedchambers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once they reached Duo's chambers he turned to Heero. "I want you to sleep with me tonight-" Heero's eyes widened.
Duo laughed at Heero's perplexed look of fear. "Not that way! Just sleep. I don't trust men like the ones at supper wandering about and possibly causing harm to you. You look like you've been through enough to last a life time." True, Duo had started to feel some sort of attraction to the rebellious blue-eyed slave but did not want to frighten him any more than he already seemed. Duo already knew his preference, being attracted to both men and women, but he didn't know if Heero was. He just wanted Heero to open up and be less tense and befriend him. He looked so lost and lonely.
Heero watched Duo carefully with his cold blue eyes. This strange Emperor was trying to be kind to him. He found that the longhaired Caesar was actually quite nice-not to mention he looked quite handsome, he thought to himself. He noticed that while he had been thinking, Duo had prepared the bed for them and was now watching him intently.
"What are you thinking about?" Duo said as he walked up to Heero. Heero looked up at his so-called master and grunted out a reply. "Not much..." Duo shrugged, not wanting to pursue and grabbed a hold of Heero's arm.
"Alright then, let's get some sleep. I'm tired and I know you are because you practically fell asleep at supper. We have that gladiator tournament to attend tomorrow." Duo got into bed and patted the spot next to him as he motioned for Heero to get in. At first Heero was hesitant but climbed under the covers and stayed a slight distance away from Duo. He soon fell asleep just shortly after his strange master.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Heero woke the next morning with something warm wrapped around him. He smiled thinking it was Sorrena, but noticed that Sorrena was too flat chested. He opened his eyes wide as he turned to face who it was. There, Duo slept serenely, a small smile curving his red lips as he held Heero. He panicked and turned to flee but did not succeed when Duo tightened his arms around him and brought Heero closer. "Trying to escape Hee-chan?"
Heero saw that Duo's oddly coloured blue-violet eyes were opened and now watched him carefully. "N...no..."
Duo smiled. "Good. I'd hate to see you run away and miss the tournament! You did after all say you were going to go." Duo smirked as he noticed he had Heero's full attention. "Let's go clean up and break fast so we can get to the stadium early." Duo stood up and extended a hand to help Heero up.
When Duo and Heero reached the bathing chambers, Relena and Dorothy were just exiting, laughing and smiling. They curtseyed when they reached Duo. "Hello husband. How are you this fine morning?" Relena inquired brightly as she kissed her husband's cheek.
"I am fine, wife." He nodded to Dorothy. "I would like to introduce you my new companion since I did not have the opportunity last night. His name is Heero Yuy, compliments of Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei." He smiled, bringing an arm protectively around Heero who had tensed.
Dorothy giggled. "He's handsome!" She circled the glaring Heero and smiled seductively. "Have you bedded him yet Your Highness?" He blushed a fine shade of red and tried to reward Dorothy with the best death glare, but failed.
Duo shook his head negatively. "No-he's not that kind of slave."
"Dorothy dear, you're embarrassing the poor boy! He must have been through so much and here you are gawking at him like a prize."
Dorothy pouted as Duo shrugged. "I haven't a clue about his past. We haven't had the chance to talk and I don't want to badger him into it either."
"Take good care of him, husband. Senators, Sirrius and Grakus have seem to take a liking to him when they saw you both enter the dinning hall last eve. He's been the talk of the town, and they are right. He is beautiful."
"Stop talking about me as though I am not here." Heero's cool tenor voice interrupted Relena.
"It appears you have to teach your little slave some manners, Your Highness." Dorothy commented as Relena started to leave. After the two women had left, Duo led Heero into the now empty bathing chamber. Heero was in awe. The room was big and had an exotic feel about it with plants and decoratives ornating the area. There were towels placed on a shelf and in the center of the room was the bath. Heero could tell the bath was quite warm from the steam emerging from it. "Wow," was all he could say in awe.
"It's something, isn't it?" Duo said as he slipped out of his clothes and walked into the bath. Heero soon followed after taking in the room's splendor. He liked that the bath water was nice and warm. It was soothing.
"We don't take baths like this at home...we usually clean up in the river water. It's usually freezing," Heero stated as a matter of factly.
Duo laughed amusedly. "The many perks of being Rome's Caesar. You won't ever have to take a batch in a cold river ever again. Now, turn around and sit in front of me so I can wash your back."
Heero did as Duo bided, sitting in front of him. He felt Duo's legs around him and tensed. "Just relax Heero. I'm not going to hurt you." Heero then relaxed a little as Duo gently began to wash his back and forearms.
Cool feather-light kisses invaded Heero's neck as Duo gently began to kiss him. It felt nice and a soft moan escaped unwillingly from his lips, which made Duo smile against his neck. Heero's positive reaction to Duo's ministrations changed drastically. He spun around quickly. "What do are you doing?" he asked harshly. "We're both men and-"
Heero never had a chance to finish his rant because Duo silenced him with a kiss. At first Heero did not return the kiss but gave into temptation and started to kiss back. Duo put an arm around Heero, pulling him closer. Heero closed his eyes enjoying the taste of Duo on his lips. I didn't know kissing a male was this enjoyable, Heero thought distantly. Duo finally pulled away for air and smiled at Heero. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Duo inquired as he held Heero gently, warm water lapping his body.
"No...it felt nice. I didn't know kissing another man would be that enjoyable." He said as he gave Duo a rare smile.
"Perhaps we should finish our bath and then get ready for the tournament?" Duo smiled with amusement as he watched Heero. Heero nodded and proceeded to wash the rest of his body, slightly anxious to attend the tournament.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC...
Author's Notes:
1. An Atrium is sort of like a Roman courtyard in the center of the household. It's a fancy little place with flowers, fountains and children's lessons are often held there during the morning hours.
2. The "So I says to Ulyssius" part is sort of an inside joke me and my friends have that is taken from the a classic Simpsons episode. "So I says ta Mable, I says..."
C&C? Pweeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!