A small laugh escapes Cassia as she bats his hand away.
With a half serious expression on her face, "I have to get back to work."
Duro wraps his arms around Cassia before she can attempt to scuttle off. He gently nuzzles her neck and nibbles at her ear.
"Are you sure?"
Pulling away she looks Duro in the eye, "I'm sure you're going to get us both in trouble."
Duro quickly kisses Cassia before grudgingly releasing the woman.
"When can I see you?" Duro asks with a sparkle in his eye.
"We live in the same compound. Aren't we bound to run into each other?"
With a cheeky smile, Cassia bounds off into the villa. She quietly hums while completing tasks and thinking about Duro. Soon its break time and Marina tugs Cassia's arm.
"You've been in a daydream all morning. Care to share with a friend?" Marina quizzically looks at Cassia.
Shaking her head, "Speaking of it might cause harm."
"Well delicate matters require special care." Marina plops down in a shady spot. "I'll just assume it has something to do with your disappearance the other night."
Cassia rolls her eyes before sitting next to her friend and leaning against the wall. Marina casually leans over and whispers, "I heard some good gossip earlier."
Perking up, Cassia begs, "Do tell!"
"Spartacus and Varro are set to fight an exhibition match."
Cassia attempts to distance herself from the news by studying her nails to appear disinterested. "They'll fight in the ring together?"
Marina shakes her head. "No, it's not a real match but a fake one for show."
Relief washes over Cassia. "Why would they do such a thing?"
"I didn't hear that part but I want to take care of any injured parties." Marina giggles at her confession and Cassia playfully slaps her arm.
"Just take care of that one." Medicus thumbs behind him. Cassia nods and hears him grumbling as he hobbles away, "These fools have been at it all day and I'm tired of fixing them."
She bites back a smirk while moving toward the table, abruptly stopping when she notices the patient. Duro lies back with legs arched and an arm covering his eyes. There's a large deep gash along his left side. She furrows a brow in wonder at the injury, knowing it wasn't a day at the arena.
"Drastic measures to ensure some time spent with me." Cassia's voice pulls Duro out of a light slumber. Lifting his arm up, he winks at Cassia and grins.
"It worked." Duro's grin quickly turns to a grimace as she begins to clean debris from the wound.
"What happened?"
"I was sparring with Crixus. Gauls and Germans aren't the best of friends." He says' with a slight laugh followed by a hiss as she digs into the wound. Cassia places her hand on Duro's shoulder.
"I'm almost done." Cassia washes the wound with water before placing antiseptic made from willow on the gash. "Can you sit up?" she asks. Duro nods and slowly uses his good side to roll himself upright. Placing a cloth over the wound, she uses longer pieces tied around his chest to keep it all in place.
"There."
Duro grabs her hand, gently kissing the top. "Thank you."
"Is that how you thank all medicus?" she quips.
"Just the ones with smiles so bright and beautiful they could light up the evening sky." Cassia blushes at his words. "Please stay with me." Duro quietly pleads.
"The Gods must favor you because you're my charge for the evening." Duro pats the bed next to him. Cassia can't help but smile at the cute expression on Duro's face as she climbs next to him.
Despite being exhausted from her day in the infirmary, Cassia knew sleep wasn't going to come easily with thoughts of Duro running through her head. They had spent the afternoon conversing and mercilessly flirting. Cassia props herself on the ledge to enjoy the quietness of the evening; the stars and cool breeze immediately setting her racing mind at ease.
"You're a very difficult woman to track down."
The sound of his voice sent tingly waves of shock throughout her body.
"Yet here you are." Cassia speaks over her shoulder.
"Very well." Varro replies with a hint of disappointment.
"Are you leaving so soon?" Cassia asks, conflicted to which answer she truly desires to hear from him.
"I can tell when I'm not welcome." Varro huffs.
With a large sigh Cassia blurts, "It's been a long day. Please accept my apology for being short."
Reluctantly settling next to her, Varro simply replies. "Okay."
Cassia keeps her eyes trained forward even though she feels Varro's on her.
"I want to talk to you about…"
Shaking her head vehemently, "Varro, let's not."
Varro snorts and briefly looks away, "I should have known."
"Yes, you should have."
"You are frustrating," he admits.
Cassia turns her head to meet his gaze. "What do you expect from me? Haven't we been through this before?"
Twisting his face, "I've clearly made a mistake thinking it might be different."
"Different how? Am I supposed to spread my legs whenever you appear?" Cassia bitterly asks.
"No!" Varro's voice betrays him and Cassia appears stunned at his severe response. Pinching the bridge of his nose he exhales, "I don't know what to think when you are so fickle."
Varro nervously bites his lip waiting for Cassia's response but she just blankly looks over the valley.
"I've once again said the wrong thing."
"Varro, where could this possibly go?"
"All I know is that I care about you." Varro confesses and feels like a weight is lifted from his shoulders.
"You're mistaking lust for care." Cassia counters.
"Cassia, you aren't being fair." Her heart races as she processes.
"I don't know what's fair about any of this," dropping her head as she speaks the words slowly and softly.
"I just want a chance to get to know you." Varro looks at her with complete sincerity in his blue eyes.
"What do you want to know?" Varro's brow quirks, he wasn't expecting Cassia to give in.
She'd been pushing him away for so long and he expected her rejection.
"I probably shouldn't push this newly granted freedom." Cassia's eyes narrow and he smiles.
"You know why I'm here. How did you end up here?"
Cassia smacks her lips before responding. "My father was a surgeon. I followed him to calls, eventually learning the skills and sometimes performing procedures myself. That's why I'm often asked to help Medicus." Varro watches her pause and close her eyes, he began to worry she was going to change her mind and withdraw from him.
"Unfortunately, father had a nasty habit of spending more than what was made. It eventually caught up to him and to pay the debts, I was sold into slavery." Cassia grinds out the last words feeling vulnerable with her admission.
Varro sits stunned.
"I don't want your pity." Cassia asserts.
"Your father is a coward and fool," Varro declares as anger courses through his veins.
"It is best to endure what you cannot change."
"That is true but you can hope for a better future."
"This is my future unless my freedom is bought for me." Cassia emits. Immediately regretting her decision to share, Cassia wants to hide from him but she knows granting him this small victory won't allow her to escape.
Varro stands up and offers Cassia his hand. "You've had a long evening and I'm sure you are ready for bed." She nods and takes his hand while climbing off the ledge.
Slowly walking towards the slave quarters, Varro silently relished in the small accomplishment of getting Cassia to open up.
"Good night, Varro." Cassia whispered. He smiled down at her before cupping her face and planting a kiss on her forehead. Realizing he'd be lying if he didn't admit his true feelings in wanting to kiss her, he hesitantly leans down and softly kisses her lips. Cassia instantly responds and soon they are in a passionate embrace.
Pulling away Cassia murmurs, "You've got to stop doing that."
With a smirk Varro walks backwards calling out, "Good night, Cassia."