Warning: There's some slash in this chapter. Male on male situations. Two men in a bath together, oh my! You have been warned!
Dedication: This is for Chris. You helped me with names, and you make me smile.
Author's Note: This doesn't have many reviews, but I don't give a hoot. I like it, and that's all that matters to me. I'll write whatever I want. I'm at the point where I'm writing for me, not for anyone else. And this is one of my favorites. We just get little snatches of what happens, but I'm not going to write a huge, epic novel for each chapter.
The Longest Journey
Rome
It passed as quickly this time as the last. Severus opened his eyes, and was met by a blast of hot steam. He wanted to blink, but he had no control over the body he was now in. A comfortably male body, he noted. He was in some sort of...bathing chamber. He looked down, and noted that he was in another white linen wrap of some sort. //I can't have traveled too far ahead, then.// He was kneeling, and before him-in the bath-was another man.
//Slave again!// Severus wanted to grit his teeth. He was a slave again. Ah well. He studied the back of the mans head. He had dark brown hair, neatly trimmed and damp from the baths. His skin was a light olive color, and he was in good shape.
"The sponge, Severin."
//Severin? That's a tad disturbing.// That the name of this incarnation was so close to the name he was called in his own lifetime...
"Yes Senator." Severin/Severus said, dipping the sponge in water and pressing it against the senators back. //What, not the emperor?// This was certainly a learning experience. //It is uncomfortably hot in here.//
"Come now, Severin, we are in private." Severin/Severus felt a hand close over his, and the senator turned. //Not bad// Severus allowed. //I must be in Rome.// The Senator had *very* classic Roman features. Prominent forehead and nose, strong features, and olive skin.
"Yes, Rabirius." Severin/Severus lowered his eyes. //Oh good god!// Severus knew enough about anceint Rome to put two and two together. He watched the water, to get a look at his reflection. He had a feeling he was rather young...
"You seem quiet." Rabirius said, lowering his eyebrows. "Has Barrius been bothering you again?"
"No." //And who is Barrius?// Severus was noting a theme.
"Yes he has." Rabirius leaned back against the bath again. "Don't lie to me, Severin. Barrius made another offer."
"And?" Severin sounded too placant, to docile to Severus.
"You're still here, aren't you." Rabirius slipped deeper into the bath. "Now...join me."
"Yes." Severin stood, removed his tunic, and slipped into the bath along with Rabirius.
"You cannot let Barrius bother you. He thinks because of that campaign he won that he has the emperor's favor. He will only hold that favor fleetingly, should he continue as he has." Rabirius shook his head. "He's too cocky. He thinks that as long as he can swing a sword he;s above the law. It upsets me greatly, but there is nothing I can do."
"But you have the ear of Emperor..."
"No." Rabirius shook his head. "Not anymore. But it doesn't matter. You are mine, and you are to stay here. I will not sell you, no matter what Barrius offers me."
"You are too kind." //Get a spine!// Severus found himself yelling at the body he inhabited.
"Severin, you mean more to me then you think. You always have." Rabirius tilted his head, focusing on Severin. "You know my feelings for you go beyond what a master feels for his slaves."
"I know." Severin nodded. "But that does not matter. If the Emperor orders me to be given to Barrius, I will be."
"Is that what's bothering you?" Rabirius sighed, and put his arms around Severin. "That isn't going to happen..."
"But it could!" Severin pulled away, water splashing everywhere. //There we go...// He clenched his fists at his side, meeting Rabirius' gaze. "What can you say? No? If Emperor commands it, I will be taken from you and given to Barrius. And there will be nothing you can do about it."
"I will fight!"
"For a slave?" Severin/Severus snorted.
"For you, yes!" Rabirius grabbed Severin, holding him by the shoulders and staring down into his eyes. "I would give up everything for you! My land, my titles, all of it! I love you Severin..."
"Don't say that!" Severin shook his head, and wrenched himself from Rabirius' grasp. "You will not say that!"
"Why not? Don't you love me?"
"Rabirius!" Severin closed his eyes, and Severus wished he hadn't. He wanted to watch the senetor's eyes. And he swore he had caught sight of a tattoo on his chest... "I do not wish to pine for you, should I be taken from you."
"Severin." Rabirius forced his chin up. "Don't think about tomorrow. Don't think about what may happen. Just think about now. Right now, you belong to me. I am your master, and there is nothing else. Barrius may rant and rave all he pleases, but I will not sell you. And I cannot see the emperor rousing himself to interfere in something so trivial. Barrius will grow bored eventually. His attention span is short, you know that."
"It isn't right." Severin opened his eyes, his hand reaching up to rest against Rabirius' cheek. "We cannot have these feelings. I am your slave. I am subject to the whims of those above me."
"And I am above you." Rabirius said. "I will not let you be taken from me. It is simple, and there is no reason for this fear and reluctance. In four years, have I ever considered selling you? Or making a gift of you? No. You are young, Severin, but you must listen to me. You are going no where."
"Mmm." Severin shrugged, and looked down. //Yes, it is a tattoo. Well, a branding. It looks a bit like a wolf...or maybe it's a dog. Considering we're in Rome, I am inclined to say wolf.//
"Do not think about Barrius." Rabirius said again. "He is...he is simply taken with you for the moment."
"It has nothing to do with me." Severin said, a bite in his voice. "It is you. He only wishes to have me so I am not in your bed."
"Barrius must mind his own business." Rabirius kissed Severin gently. "He feels I am wasting too much time and money on you. Those are his sentiments, not mine."
"You may listen to him, in time."
"Severin, I am sick of your arguing." Rabirius shook his head. "You will stop this nonsense, and behave accordingly."
//I suppose some things never change.// Severus thought to himself. Slavery. He had always been a slave to someone or something. In his own life, he was first Voldemort's, and then Dumbledore's. Now he harkened to both of them...
"I am stating truth." Severin said, but his voice was civil. "But I will stop, as you wish."
"Good." Rabirius nodded, and leaned back again. "Now come. I wish to enjoy your presence. I must leave again day after tomorrow, to secure our eastern territories..."
***
Severus braced himself, feeling everything go dark. So far, e really didn't see how this was going to help him find his soulmate. //I notice a master/slave relationship. Good lord...that doesn't bode very well.// He gritted his teeth, as the cold darkness closed around him yet again. Where would he end up next...?
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