Chapter Warnings: Mild to sometimes strong language, unwanted touching and kiss mentioned, mentions of blood and violence.
Chapter Word Count: 4,591
Chapter 14: What Are You Waiting For
Agron stopped in the doorway of the room Spartacus was using and leaned against the doorframe. He listened to Spartacus and Crixus converse for a while before he stepped all the way into the room. "We train the shits today?" He stepped up beside Spartacus and then sat on the table. Auctus was standing leaning his back against the opposite wall, examining his knuckles. Agron focused on him not wanting to look at Spartacus or Crixus.
Spartacus looked down at his German friend. He let out a sigh placing himself on the table beside him, without words.
Crixus looked at Agron for a few moments before he said anything. "I will take my men and scout the area." Spartacus nodded at him and then watched the Gaul leave.
"I do not think that you think them all 'shits' as you put it?" Spartacus folded his arms across his chest and glanced at Agron. His green eyes turned to Spartacus and then Agron shook his head. Spartacus nodded. "We must break words over what happened." He said quietly.
Agron turned his head away and took a deep breath. Once again he started watching Auctus, who was now watching him and Spartacus. "I told you I would not promise not to kill him if unwanted touches continued." Agron felt the growl slip out and felt Spartacus' eyes upon him. "He stepped to far this time." He added trying to let Spartacus know that his actions had been justified. Agron heard Auctus let out a growl of his own and kept his gaze on him.
Spartacus nodded. "I will have you train Nasir today." He thought it best to keep Agron away from the other recruits. He wasn't sure if Agron would take his anger out on them or not. But he was sure Agron would be less likely to take it out on the young Syrian.
Agron nodded and then stood. "I will see to it then." He headed for the door. He paused, glancing back at Auctus, who was still standing against the wall, foot propped up. "You should have let Donar cut off his fucking cock. Or let Auctus bash his head in!" Agron didn't look back at his friends after he spoke, but heard the sigh Spartacus let out.
Agron strode through the hall and back towards Nasir. The little man was packing up the furs and pillows. Agron crouched behind him not sure if Nasir knew he was there or not. He smiled as he watched him quietly.
Nasir was humming to himself as he packed up all his things back into the cloth sacks. It was a song his mother used to sing to him. He closed up the strings on the sacks but stilled his hands when he heard a slight movement behind him. He reached forward, clutched the small knife in hand and spun around. He pressed the tip of the blade against the man's crotch. Nasir raised his eyes when he heard the gasp escape the other man's lips. He let out a gasp of his own when he realized it was Agron. He backed away quickly, removing the knife from the sensitive area. "Apologies, you startled me." Nasir quickly put the knife back into his leather pouch.
Agron stared at the little man, his eyes slightly wide at the surprise of such a reaction. "It would seem I am the one that owes apologies. I did not know presences would startle you so." He stood up, placing a hand over the spot the tip of the knife had been. "Gratitude for not following through..."
Nasir got to his feet and stepped towards Agron. "Did I cause damage?" He suddenly felt panicked. "Let me check."
Agron let out a groan as his back was pressed against the wall by the little man, who was surprisingly strong. His hands were reaching trying to untie the cloth. Agron closed his eyes and took a deep breath before quickly grabbing Nasir's wrists. He remained silent and kept his eyes closed as Nasir's hands stilled.
Nasir looked up at Agron's face, his eyes were closed and his jaw was clenched. "Apologies." He didn't try to pull away from Agron's grip, though. "I panicked," Nasir admitted and watched Agron's eyes slowly open and their gaze met.
Agron watched him. Nasir's honey brown eyes were full of emotion. More emotion than Agron had ever seen from anyone before. He finally released the little man's wrists. "It caused but a moments pain, no lasting effect." Agron said softly hoping to help calm him. "I pray I never get on your bad side." He smiled at Nasir and watched as the shorter mans hands dropped to his side, panic seeming to leave his body. Agron raised an eyebrow. "What has caused such panic?" He wasn't sure why Nasir had acted that way.
"I do not wish harm to you," Nasir said plainly and truthfully.
"But if no harm was to come to me, who would tend to my wounds." Agron teased his smile widening. He felt really relaxed around the little man.
Nasir too smiled. "Fine, I do not wish you harm by my hands!" He clarified and stepped back realizing the closeness of their bodies still. "You are sure you are not injured?" His eyes roamed down when he saw Agron's hand move to cover himself again. Nasir felt the blush creep into his cheeks and looked away.
Agron chuckled. "I will be fine Little Man, now come. You train with me this day." Agron stepped away from the wall and picked up Nasir's sword, holding it out to him.
Nasir took the blade. He followed Agron outside into the courtyard where Donar was shouting orders at the new men and women. Auctus was circling around the recruits like a wolf circling it's prey. But Nasir noticed his eyes were not on that of the training that was taking place. He followed Auctus' gaze. He was watching Spartacus who was busy in a sparring match with the short German man. The man that had been after Agron. Nasir stilled in his steps and watched Spartacus and the German. He couldn't blame Auctus for watching what was happening. The German was short but he was not lacking in muscles and weight. He swung a large axe at Spartacus with great power and what seemed to be a deadly purpose. Blood was still covering the German's face and now covering one of his legs and shoulders. Spartacus was not holding back on the man. Nasir had to smile. Maybe someday soon he could teach the bastard a lesson of his own.
The sound of metal hitting on metal was loud in Nasir's ears. But he continued to watch Spartacus who knocked the man down into the sand face first. His sword pressed to the back of the German's neck and foot on his lower back. He could hear the German swearing and growling. "Is Spartacus going to hurt him?" Nasir asked quietly.
"I do not hold hope in it." Agron turned away from the scene and headed towards a semi-secluded area. "Come, let us train." He told Nasir as he removed his cloak and set it down on the ground. Agron turned towards the shorter man and took a stance waiting for him to make the first move.
"Maybe Donar will get a chance to spar with him?" Nasir said hopefully. "Maybe I will…" He mumbled the last words quietly.
Agron chuckled. Though as quiet as Nasir's words had been, he had still had heard them. "I'm afraid you will have to get in line for that." He glanced over to where Donar and Auctus stood training the others. And then he glanced over at Spartacus who was attacking the German ruthlessly. He shook his head. "But turn thoughts away from him and to the present matters." He knew that that was a lot to ask but he too had to turn his thoughts away from the matter. "Come on what are you waiting for?" Agron beckoned Nasir with a finger and a smirk.
Nasir smiled back and nodded. He swung his sword at Agron who sidestepped with ease. He lightly smacked Nasir's side with the flat side of his sword. "You remain gentler than your leader." He knew he would come out of this training with less bruises than previous lessons.
Agron let out another chuckle. "I do not hold reason to be rough with you." He smiled as the little man swung his sword at him again. Then again. Never making contact. "You are using too much energy swinging so wildly. Do you wish your enemies to overpower you?" Agron caught Nasir's arm on the last swing. He spun him around pinning the hissing Syrian's back against his own chest. He felt Nasir start to relax against him but before he could Agron spun him away from him.
Nasir let out another hiss at the sudden movement. "I feel I am too small and should make up for it with big movements." He threw his arms out in a large gesture. He blushed when his eyes met Agron's. Maybe he sounded stupid.
Agron smiled at him and then stepped closer. "May I aid you in stance?" He asked watching Nasir closely. He didn't want to touch him again with asking.
Nasir nodded. The blush was more prominent now and he was sure that if Agron got any closer he would see it. He moved his head slightly so he could keep the tall German in his sight as he stepped up behind him. Close. Nasir sucked in a sharp breath and held it. Agron's hands came to rest on his hips, positioning them into a better stance. Agron's hands then moved to his arms, slowly sliding up to his shoulders. Nasir let out the breath. "And this will give me better balance for a more powerful swing?" He asked hoping he was right.
Agron smiled. "Yes. And will expose less of your body for a counter attack to land." He stepped away from Nasir and took his own stance in front of him again. "Now try and hit me!" He smirked as he let Nasir make the first move again.
Nasir swung his sword again and this time Agron had to block it with his own. He continued to swing making contact many more times than previously. Nasir smiled as he continued to swing at Agron who was still acting only on the defensive. Not returning the blows. Nasir could sense people around them. Watching. He glanced away. His attention faltering from the man in front of him. He received a smack on the top of his ass in response. Nasir hissed. He turned his attention back to Agron.
"Do not take your eyes off your opponent!" Agron growled in a harsh tone. The tone he used while training the other recruits. With the crowd around them he didn't want them to think the young Syrian was being favored in training. Even if he was. Agron didn't want to cause him problems with the others. "You have good instincts. You knew you were surrounded. But you turned eyes away. Leaving you exposed!"
Nasir hissed again not liking the harsh tone coming from Agron's lips. He knew it was the tone he used while training the others but he had not had it directed at him since the second day he had been freed. Nasir remained silent and took up his newly learnt stance. He began the assault all over again.
They continued to train for hours. Nasir always on the offensive. He received fewer hits to bare skin than he did while training with Spartacus. He knew it was only because Agron was being gentle with him. He didn't know if he truly liked this or not. Nasir out a growl as he faltered in step, stumbling, ending up back to Agron. He let out a heavy breath and received another slap of Agron's sword to the top of his ass. Nasir let out another growl, but this time swung an unexpected strike at Agron who barely dodged it. Nasir smirked at him.
Agron hissed in pain as he received a slice to his lower stomach from the tip of Nasir's blade. He knew that Nasir thought he missed completely. Agron had no intention of telling him otherwise. He was pleased that Nasir was getting the hang of fighting. He held up his hand and Nasir stop immediately, lowering the sword to his side. "Rest you did well!" Agron placed a hand on his lower stomach. He picked up his cloak and then walked away from Nasir through the crowd of onlookers.
Nasir sighed feeling the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. He watched Agron leave through the crowd. Then he looked down at his swords seeing the blood shining against the metal. He gasped dropping the sword. Nasir pushed through the crowd trying to spot Agron's tall frame. He sighed and rushed into the villa, through the crowded halls, until he spotted him. He rushed towards him and grabbed his arm.
Agron smiled when he felt the soft hands take a hold of his arm. He knew it was Nasir. Agron remains silent waiting for the little man to speak words first.
Nasir tightened his grip on Agron's arm. "Let me see!" He slowly moved to stand in front of the taller man and tried to move his hands out of the way. He places both hands on the strong arm that concealed the wound. "Agron!"
Agron smiled at him and moved his hands. "I am fine." He told him as the little man's soft, long fingers prodded at the scrape. "It is merely a scratch, nothing to worry your head over."
Nasir growled at him. "I didn't want to hurt you!"
Agron chuckled. "I have had worse…"
Nasir frowned. "Does not mean I don't feel bad about it!" Nasir swatted Agron's hand away when he tried to cover it again. "Come let me clean it, if we're lucky it won't scar." Nasir led the way back to where his bags were. He quickly grabbed some of the scraps of cloth and the healing salve out of his bags. He dipped the cloth into the water jug and then rung it out the access water. He turned towards Agron and placed the cloth against the cut. He watched Agron's stomach muscles tighten and then relax again. Nasir cleaned it thoroughly and then dried it, before applying the salve. "It is shallow." Nasir said glad he wouldn't be the cause of a scar on the beautiful flesh that stood in front of him.
"I told you, a mere scratch, Little Man!" Agron chuckled.
Nasir raised an eyebrow at him. "Even mere scratches can become infected." He said in a scolding tone. He reached up, trying to inspect Agron's lip. "Even more so when caused by a human bite." The wound on Agron's lip was the one Nasir was really worried about.
Agron closed his eyes as Nasir ran his fingers over his lip, rubbing a thin layer of salve on the bite marks. "Shall we find a meal?" Argon asked him when he felt the fingers removed.
"Yes." Nasir placed the salve back into his bag and then stood up. He let out a groan as his body protested from overuse.
"How do you fare?" Agron asked sincerely when he heard the groan.
"Body is sore but it will become easier, yes?"
Agron nodded. "But the body will still remain sore…" His muscles ached daily but he had become used to it.
"Then I will require massages to help relieve the pain!" Nasir joked with a smirk at Agron.
Agron smiled back at him with a raised eyebrow. He had not given a message to anyone since traded from the first Dominus. He did like the idea of being able to place his hands on the little man's bare skin. "Will I receive so in kind?"
Nasir blush but the smile never left his lips. "If that is desired?" He was hoping Agron would show more interest in him than he already had and it was finally happening. At least that is what he hoped.
Agron smiled. "Come let us find food." He couldn't help but watch Nasir as they walked towards the kitchen. Nasir was gorgeous and he had not found himself watching another man the way he did with Nasir. He had known he liked men for some time but he had always ignored such thoughts when Duro was constantly around. Agron let out a sigh.
Nasir could feel Agron's eyes upon him but didn't look back at him. He let out a sigh of his own.
Nasir greeted Chadara with a smile as they entered the kitchen. She, Mira, and Arlo were set to seeing everyone fed once again. Chadara raised her eyebrows at Nasir and then glanced at Agron. Nasir shook his head. He really hoped she wouldn't say anything. She did have a knack for embarrassing him. Nasir was about to take his food when he heard a large crowd coming towards the kitchen and he frowned.
He took bread from Chadara and a small bunch of grapes from Mira and then took a bowl from Arlo. It contains a clear broth soup with onions, celery, potatoes, and turnips for substance. It smelled good and Nasir felt his stomach growl as the warm steam flooded his senses. He waited for Agron, who said a few words to Mira and then started to get his food. Mira gave them both a smile as they left the kitchen. They slowly made their way back to the corner they had made theirs.
"You are so quiet…" Nasir said as they sat down.
"I could say the same of you." Agron looked at him. "I sense something is bothering you, you seem upset. I am just waiting for you to break words on the matter." He finally confessed.
Nasir let out a sigh. Agron was right he was upset. Hearing the crowd had made him remember how Agron had acted towards him earlier. And he couldn't help but wonder if that was how it was going to be. Nasir sat his bowl on his leg and finally looked at Agron. "I didn't like the tone you use with me earlier." He admitted to him.
Agron looked up at him again. "It was for your benefit."
Nasir raised an eyebrow at him questioningly. "Yet you are soft-spoken while we were alone?"
Agron too raised an eyebrow. "I don't want others to bother you. If they see that I favor you in training…" Agron did not want problems for the little man.
"You don't care if people see you favor me outside of training?" Nasir asked trying to understand and hoping he wasn't jumping to things.
Agron shook his head. "This…" Agron motioned between them. "Is in my personal life. Not me being a commander. It shouldn't cause you problems." Agron hoped his words would hold true, but the knots in his stomach were telling him otherwise.
Nasir bit his bottom lip as he looked at Agron. "So you do favor my company?"
Agron just smiled at him and then started eating the stew. He broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the broth. "Eat…" Agron said seeming to interrupt Nasir's thinking and watching him.
Nasir blushed and then nodded. He started eating his own stew trying not to watch Agron's mouth so much. "It's good…"
"It is," Agron said in agreement. He finished his food and placed the bowl in front of him.
"How is the new cloth?" Nasir asked curiously really hoping it was to Agron's liking.
Agron smiled again and started eating his grapes. "It is much better than my last…" He glanced down at the cloth.
"It is a fine quality cloth." Nasir smiled back at him. He was glad that he was able to make one for Agron.
They were both eating their grapes now. Nasir let out a chuckle when Agron threw one up in the air catching it in his mouth. Nasir tried and the grape ended up bouncing off his nose. Causing them both to laugh.
Agron shook his head fondly at the little man. He picked up the grape that had landed between them, he wiped it off and held it out to Nasir for him to take.
Nasir smiled. He took the grape popping it into his mouth. "What do we do the rest of this day?"
"More training. More planning. We are sure to move on soon." Agron ate his last grape and picked up the cup of water. "You can train with another if you wish?" Agron offered to remember Nasir not liking his tone earlier.
"No, I'm learning much from you." Nasir didn't want to be separated from Agron at all if possible.
Agron smiled and got to his feet. He drank another cup of water. "Shall we return to training then?" Agron asked Nasir. He knew the young Syrian was exhausted but Agron wanted to make sure he could handle himself in a fight.
Nasir nodded and stood up. "I think I need a new sword." He followed closely behind Agron as they made their way through the villa. He couldn't help but watch the Germans thighs as they walked. He shook his head slightly as intimate noises greeted his ears. He did not need to let his mind wander that far. Some people they passed were busy having sex. Very loud sex. Others, mostly the women, all looked at Agron with lust in their eyes. Nasir hissed quietly. "The women sure do favor you!"
Agron stopped and looked down at Nasir. He handed him a sword. "They may but I do not favor them." He always thought women were beautiful creatures but never found himself attracted to any. Mira was attractive to him. Though as he looked at Nasir, he wasn't surprised that he found Mira attractive. They both had dark hair, and eyes. They were both short. They were both feisty. Agron let out a chuckle causing Nasir to give him a questioning look. "Many of them are beautiful…"
Nasir nodded. "I do not favor them either." He told him.
"So you and the blonde…?"
Nasir shook his head. "She is my closest friend. We were only together when we were commanded to be."
"I've just seen the way she looks at you…"
Nasir shook his head once more. "We are not involved!" He gave a smiled and was greeted by Argon's dimples.
"I think we shall use the sword and shield this time," Agron said and left Nasir to find to shields. He held out an old beaten one to Nasir when he returned. Nasir took it and nodded.
Agron led the way to the secluded area again. He waited for Nasir to take his stance; he gave the little man a smirk and then started attacking him. He was holding back though, not wanting to hurt him. Agron was proud. Nasir was doing well dodging the attacks. He was fast. His speed would be an advantage to him. He was grimacing and hissing with the blows that landed against his shield. Agron swung once more, hard.
Nasir let out a groan as he landed on the ground on his ass. "You are far too strong for me. I know you are holding back…" He looked up at Agron who was holding his hand out to him. Nasir took it letting himself be pulled to his feet.
"You will get stronger…your speed will be your advantage, though." Argon said encouragingly as he watched Nasir dust himself off. "Do you wish to continue?"
"Yes.." Nasir smirked. "Come on what are you waiting for?" He took his stance again preparing for Agron's first attack when Agron let out a hearty chuckle. Agron swung hard again but Nasir blocked with his shield with a hiss. His shoulder was sure to feel the pain tonight.
They continue to spar with each other and we're surrounded by people again. Nasir could tell Agron's mood changed when he noticed the people around them. Most of them being women. He seemed uncomfortable. Nasir hissed when he received a slap of the sword to his side and then a shove from the shield. He growled at Agron and started to take the offensive making Agron defend himself. Nasir couldn't find an opportunity to smack Agron with the sword. He was getting frustrated by this. As if Agron had sensed his thoughts the man exposed his side but for a mere moment, a moment Nasir jumped at. He quickly smacked Agron's bare skin with the flat side of a sword. He couldn't help but let out a triumphant noise.
Agron growled and tried to suppress the smirk that wanted to break onto his lips. He knew Nasir was happy with himself even if he has exposed flank on purpose. Agron looked up when he heard the chuckle of his Thracian friend. Spartacus nodded his head towards the villa, indicating he wished to hold meeting. Agron nodded his head in response and turned his attention back to Nasir. "Rest, drink, eat...you did well."
Nasir nodded and watch Spartacus and Agron walk off together. The crowd was slowly disappearing and Nasir made his way over to the water barrel to fill his cup. He swallowed it rather fast and refilled his cup.
"You are getting the hang of sword," Chadara said to him with a smile. She held out a chuck of bread to him.
"Agron is a great teacher!" Nasir took another drink of water, shaking his head at her offered bread. Chadara giggled. "What?" Nasir asked not sure what she was giggling about.
"I'm sure Agron's talents don't lie with just sword." She giggled again.
"Chadara!" Nasir scolded. He felt himself blush, though. The thought had been in his head for a while now.
"The women are jealous of you," Chadara told him.
"I have no doubt, but Agron is not interested in the warmth of their thighs." Nasir was very sure of his words.
"That is easy to see." Chadara giggled again. "I would watch your back with that Irati girl, though." Chadara had heard her cursing Nasir's name to the Gods.
"I am not worried about her, Agron does not want her!" Nasir knew none of the others among them had the young handsome German's attention like he did.
"It is not Agron wanting her that I was referring to. The girl speaks to the Gods and ill words fall from her tongue where you are concerned."
"She can curse me all he wants it will not change things." Nasir knew that if anything was to happen to him Agron would still never be hers.
Chadara smiled at him for a moment but the smile quickly turned sad. "It seems your worries lie not just with that Irati girl." She watched as the short German man that she had learned held the name Chay walked past them. "I do not hold trust in that one."
"Nor do I…" Nasir watched him walk past them. He seemed angrier than he had earlier that day. Nasir felt a shiver run down his spine as their gazes met.