A/N: Looky, another chapter! Words marked with one of these (*) is a way to tell you to look down at the Ending AN for info. Bear with me and my nonsense. As always enjoy the voyage, ladies and gents!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Ninth Legion (That dubious honor belongs to the now defunct Roman Empire), The Eagle, or the awesomesause that is Harry Potter. All I own... Wait, I own my Muses! Ha!
WARNING: There is yaoi (boyXboy), so if you DO NOT LIKE, then DO NOT READ! Smut in this chapter for those of you who were waiting for it. If not, just skip it, people; I write these for me and you.
-Ryder
P.S. READ ME FIRST! Harry will be refered to as Cian (dark one in Gaelic) in later chapters. Harry is too casual and Hadrian (of which Harry could be a possible nickname) is far too Roman for the part he plays.
P.P.S. READ ME SECOND! Long chapter is long. Hope it makes sense!
Italics-Flashback or stressed words
CMECMECMECMECMECME
Cian fixed Marcus's knee and turned around to stare at his 'competition.' Dull brown was paired with a blonde mop so tangled it would take months to work through them, let alone card fingers through it.
"So? Are you into that Roman pervertedness?" Cian merely raised his eyebrow and snorted. "I will tell the Chieftan." That caused him to laugh.
"Whilst you are rolling about in stolen Roman sheets and being impaled drunkenly?" The woman screeched, her face turning a mottled white and red. "I speak only truth, wench."
"I swear revenge on Her."
"And I swear upon mine own Goddess, Magyck herself, that if you seek it upon those I consider mine... Then you will suffer my wrath. A bit of advice; do not mess in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." He toyed with his staff, a tall thing made of black bog wood and emeralds embedded into it. He'd discovered that the modern witch or wizard had managed to put their focus into a single core; such was not the case with him. His final magical power-boost at the age of twenty-one was terrifying and he'd had to ride it out... Alone. It was why the Romans beyond the Wall feared him.
-PoV-
Marcus watched with awe as Cian began to glow a bright green. The wench hissed like a rusted blade against a whet stone, her brown eyes no longer dull or even focused on him.
"So, a wizard, eh? We eat wizard for breakfast." The tone was frightening as it was no longer shy or shrewd; it was deadly, plain and simple.
"Do ya now? We're guests of your precious Chieftan's son." This reminder seemed to cause her to choke on her next sentence.
"You persuaded him to take you in as guests?"
"Yes and no, wench. An honest trade of skills. The Seal technique for skinning animals has been longed after in my tribe for centuries. The Magis healing is the best there is." Cian ceased to glow, although his eyes still crackled with a warning. The woman opened her mouth, then closed it again as the legitimate reason set back her plans for whatever it was she planned on doing to Cian.
"Damn you!"
"Ahh, I love honorable intentions." Cian said, laughing as he offered his arm to him. Marcus took it, his knee beginning to throb again.
-Modern Day Britain; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry-
-PoV-
Remus stared out the window, lost in thought as his mind traveled back to the time right after Harry had discovered the Romulus Potion.
-FLASHBACK-
"Remus, Remus!" Harry ran straight into him with a loud, "Oof!"
"What's got you all excited, cub?" He asked, prying his excited pseudo-godson from his frame.
"I found a cure!" He frowned, holding Harry at arms' length.
"For what, cub?"
"Your... Your furry little problem." Remus's jaw dropped as it clicked in his mind what Harry had just said. "I was reading Salazar Slytherin's journals that Snape owns and it was there! In Parseltongue, but it's a cure!"
-END FLASHBACK-
He'd fainted, of course. A cure for the problem that had plagued him for years? And hidden amongst a Founder's journals? Remus'd had to be convinced and shown the recipe. When Harry had disappeared while making the potion for him and several others; he'd forbidden anyone else from touching it. That hadn't worked, as he was now cured and content to be a wolf Animagus.
-Over Hadrian's wall; circa 140 A.D.-
-PoV-
Esca watched as the argument escalated into near violence. Since when had his supposed "Master" gained feelings for Cian? But there it was in plain sight, shining out mutely from those familiar steel grey eyes.
"Maelgwyn, you and I need to talk."
"Cian?" The Mage simply chuckled before waving them off.
-PoV-
Had Esca noticed? Was the affection he now had for their Mage showing? Many questions flew throughout Marcus's thoughts as they stopped in front of a cliff. Esca sat on the edge and Marcus a few cubits* from him.
"You hold affection for Cian." Blunt was not what he'd expected. "Is it true? Or a passing... phase?"
"Phase? No! I fell- It's complicated." A brow rose in question to his last statement. Marcus crossed his arms and sighed heavily.
"How? In what way?" Esca snapped out, his hand smoothing his tawny hair. Marcus ran a hand through his own much-longer chesnut locks.
"Why do you need to know?" He fired back, his chest tightening as he was being questioned.
"I care for the Mage... Deeply. I want what is best for him. If that is you, so be it." The honest confession and love he saw in Esca threw him off his vengeful state of mind. The honey-brown locked with his grey again, as though searching for something.
"It was a lot of things, if you simply must know. The way he sticks his tongue out when he's concentrating on something... he ruffles his hair, as though he's just been having sex... his eyes light up when he's done something right..."
"The way he stares at you, like you're the only one that matters." Esca whispered, a soft smile on his face. Marcus nodded, the tightness in his chest receding.
"Yes, all those things and more." Cian chose that moment to appear on the hill behind them and call them in.
"Maelgwyn, Brigantes! The hunters are back!"
"Coming, Magis!" They said as they stood.
Eating with the Seal turned out to be hazardous for one's health. Food was flying everywhere; even sharp pieces of bone. Esca and Marcus looked at one another, then at Cian, who deftly dodged the flying objects with careless ease and even lobbed a few back.
"So, Brigantes, my wench tells me you're especially skilled at hunting elk. Care to join our hunt?" The thick hand on Esca's shoulder caused the man to wince as it tightened.
"Clan leader, if you would take your hand off my friend?" Marcus found himself saying softly, a threat behind his words. The entire tent silenced as the Seal Chieftan looked at him then back at Esca.
"Your friend?"
"Yes." He answered shortly, narrowing his eyes.
"You've an alliance with both Clans then?" He snarled under his breath then replied once more with the same answer.
"Yes."
"Ah! Good, good!" The laughter and joviality returned as the Seal Chieftan let go of Esca's shoulder. His slave (he was quite honestly thinking about freeing him anyway) scooted closer to him.
"I thank you for that. My shoulder is probably bruised from his rough grip and Cian will have to look at it tonight."
"It's no problem. You're mine and I'll not have you harmed." Honey-brown flashed with hot fire and Marcus felt his cheeks burning as it made him half hard.
"Yours?" Esca hissed out, outrage bright in his eyes.
"I have been thinking long on this journey. You'll hear what I have to say later. I beg of you, drop this subject for now." He pleaded softly, almost purring against his slave's throat.
"Fine."
-PoV-
Esca waited until Cian went out for more firewood until he approached his "Master."
"What did you mean in the tent earlier? And why were you so close when you said it?"
"I have been thinking about freeing you." His breath caught in his throat as the tantalizing offer hung in the air. "I, Marcus Flavius Aquila, free Esca of the Brigantes Clan. I am sorry, my friend, for even keeping you in that tyrannical state." Steel grey showed genuine remorse as they left his own brown. "As for your... other question, I cannot answer you that."
"No! As my friend, answer me with honesty!" He fired back, irate now. Quick steps brought the suddenly burning steel grey boring into his own honey-brown.
"It is... complicated. Please, I beg of you, do not ask me that again." Marcus's voice was rough and had dropped to a lower pitch that went straight to his groin. The Goddess had certainly created this man for seducing...
"I will until you give me an honest answer."
"..."
"I can wait with endless patience as well."
"I cannot." Came the short reply, coupled with pacing in front of his bedding.
"Why?" Esca was merciless, prodding at the caged lion that was his friend. "Why can you not answer me with honesty?"
"I wish to keep you as a friend. If I answer with my heart instead of with my head-I have said too much already." The underlying message clicked within his brain and it was shocking. Marcus apparently had feelings for them both. "I will set up my own-Mmm?" Esca gathered his courage and kissed Marcus, sliding his tongue along the groove of Marcus's soft lips, asking for entrance.
-PoV-
-SEX SCENE START-
He opened his mouth, allowing Esca's hot tongue to tangle with his own. After a few moments, he pulled back, gasping against Esca's exposed neck.
"Where-Where did you learn how to do that?" He panted out, laving at taunt neck muscles as he regained his breath. Esca arched into his hesitant touch as he pulled the Briton tightly against his body.
"Cian! Goddess, what are you doing?" Came the nearly breathless reply, followed by a wanton moan. He pushed his Brit down onto the soft bedding and rocked his hips against Esca's.
"Mmm, giving you what you want..." He groaned back, nipping a trail down the slender, pale body "Gods, you taste delicious." He muttered against Esca's hip-bone as he nibbled on it.
"Please... I don't think I can-" Esca snarled as he pulled away at a rustle of the tent's flap.
"Shh... I hear something." Cian's chuckle had them blushing as they took in each other's debauched state.
"No, go right ahead. I set up a silencing spell. I like how you talk sweet, Marcus."
"Would you like to watch?" Esca looked horrified after the words came out. Cian came in and purred lustily.
"Just the invite I was looking for." Now with the object of their affections watching, it felt forbidden almost. "Continue where you left off." Marcus nibbled back down, coming so close to Esca's need, but never touching it.
"Marcus, if ya don't touch it soon, I'm gonna get Cian to..." He growled lowly and captured Esca's lips before thrusting his hips down and then back up. "Oh, Goddess..." Marcus bit down sharply on a pale hip, kitten-licking it as his hands undid the rough wool breeches.
"Someone was hiding this... gorgeous length from me." He licked the reddened tip, almost like a sweet. Slender fingers burrowed into his hair, tightening as he licked again.
"Ahn... What are you doing?" He felt more than heard Cian kissing where he'd nibbled. "I can't take much more..."
"Good. Then I want a taste of Marcus if he's having a taste of you." Esca sat up suddenly, releasing his hair.
"Tease! Marcus, please?" He obliged, taking the tip into his mouth and rolling the pre-come around in his mouth. The taste was something he wanted more of though... "Ohh, Goddess, not again..." Marcus purred and swallowed more of Esca's length, still not satisfied. He let go with a wet 'pop', when warm heat surrounded his own cock, yelping as he did so. Esca kissed him brutally as he gripped his hips. "You're not finished." So for the third time, he settled around the beautiful, still slightly wet cock jutting up from soft curls. He swallowed all of it, the thick tip sliding down his throat with ease. He hummed around it, causing Esca to shiver and tighten the grip in his hair.
-PoV-
Warm heat slid around his cock for the third time; Marcus swallowed all of him. He created a rhythm, watching as he slid in and out of those soft red lips. Marcus hummed, sending shocks of pleasure to the base of his spine and back up his body. He was at the perfect angle to watch Cian swallow Marcus's cock, which was the largest, then allowing him to mouth-fuck him. The sight also served to speed up his rhythm and turn him on even further. When he saw Cian was also preparing himself? He lost it in a tidal-wave of white.
When his vision returned, it was to a sight he'd only imagined. Cian was on all fours, being taken from behind like an animal by Marcus, moaning as his green eyes locked with his honey-brown.
"Need... Ahn... you inside like... Marcus!" Cian purred as he rammed his hips against Marcus's. "Now!" Esca mounted Cian, rubbing the slick entrance but not quite entering. Marcus wasn't playing games and tugged sharply on his erection, directing it to the glistening pink entrance. With a single thrust, his cock was inside that heat, and rubbing alongside Marcus's length. They kissed as their rhythm hit, matching stroke for stroke as they rode Cian to a blinding climax...
-SEX SCENE END-
Morning brought in weak sunlight that filtered into the tent and alit on Cian's back, bathing him in a golden glow.
"Morning, my wizard."
"Mmmghmph." Came the disgruntled reply from the pile of furs.
"I know you don't want to get up."
"But I have too?" Cian asked, rolling over with a languid push from his hands. Marcus strolled into the tent, holding a wooden board with cured venison, bread and what looked like Seal cheese. Three wooden cups sloshed slightly as he settled amongst the furs close to Cian.
"I hope you would break fast with us this morning, Cian. Only the Seal women are up at this gods-forsaken hour." Marcus said, putting a slice of venison onto a piece of bread and offering it to Cian. "The porridge looked... burnt this morning." This caused Cian to laugh at Marcus's disgruntled expression and take the bread, popping it into his mouth with remarkable ease.
-PoV-
Cian chewed on the food, reaching for one of the cups and sniffing the contents.
"Clear streamwater, Cian. I got it myself." Marcus chuckled softly over the rim of his own cup. He swallowed and let the water wash it down fully.
"So what are you doing up at this hour?"
"Centurion training. We awoke at dawn, donned our uniforms and ran for about a league." Marcus's broad hand massaged his knee as his steel grey eyes misted over with remembered times. Cian rolled his eyes and Summoned his Healer's kit, unswathing Marcus's knee. He was surprised to see it mostly healed; the scar was a healthy pink and even showing new skin growth. His mind went through what could have healed it so much in only a few hours and he blushed. "What's making you flush like that, my little Mage?"
"My magic healed you... When we were..." He trailed off, his mind going back over the night they'd had.
"Last night? Why?" Steel grey and honey-brown were curious now, following him as he took another piece of bread, this time with cheese on top, and chewed slowly.
"It's a specific type of magic; Magus Erotica." Marcus snickered. "It's not funny."
"As you say, amore."
Ending A/N: Whew. Long chapter; hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. PM me if you have any questions!~ ^^;
*cubits- the distance from your middle finger to your elbow; ancient form of measurement used for centuries