In Veritas Memento
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All aspects of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena are owned by Steven De Knight and Starz. This is for pure entertainment value alone.
This story takes place after the episode Missio, yet it veers completely into an A/U after the events of that episode. I am a huge fan of the series Spartacus; however, my favorite character is Gannicus. This is his story.
Warnings: M for a reason. This story is much like the show. It contains bad words and smut! If that is not your cup of tea, turn back now. Although, if cussing and nude scenes offend, are you sure you're a fan of Spartacus?! ;) Hehehe. Kidding. Anyhow, you've been warned.
Pairings: There are multiple pairings, and Gannicus has more than one partner in this story, however, Gannicus/Melitta is endgame. If reading Gannicus with multiple pairings offends you, again, turn back now.
A/N: This story has been rewritten, so, do not be surprised if much has changed if you have already read this.
Chapter 14: res firma mitescere nescit: A firm resolve does not know how to weaken.
The next morning, Melitta entered the atrium searching for Naevia and Diona. She had set them to task cleaning the floors and she wanted to check their progress. She finally found them huddled together by the entryway. They appeared to be scrubbing the floor, but upon closer inspection she could see they were doing more talking than cleaning. She was about to make her presence known by way of chastising them when their words carried across the room and gave her pause.
"He requested you to be his?" Naevia was saying in a shocked whisper.
Diona nodded, giggling and blushing.
"What did Dominus say? Is he going to allow it?"
Diona's beaming smile said it all. "Gannicus is Champion. Batiatus seeks to keep him happy."
Melitta let out an audible gasp upon hearing that. Both girls glanced up sharply, but Melitta had quickly stepped behind one of the many pillars of the atrium, hiding so the girls could not see her. She was utterly stunned at Diona's revelation. Her heart raced, and she felt bile rise in her throat. Gannicus wanted Diona for his own? As what? Woman or wife? Had he been that taken with her yesterday that he now desired her above all others? Melitta blinked rapidly as tears threatened. She heard the girls giggle and peeked out from behind the pillar just in time to witness Naevia throw down her cleaning rag and wrap her arms around the other girl to hug her.
"Oh Diona," Naevia said, laughing and releasing her friend from the impromptu hug. "This is wonderful news. With you under his protection…"
"No other man but Gannicus would put hands on me," Diona finished, a hardness to her voice that the girl had never possessed until Lucretia allowed Cossutius to abuse her.
Naevia recalled Gannicus' reputation and how she had heard him with the Roman woman. He certainly enjoyed the act, could Diona accept such a man? She paused in retaking her rag, a small frown marring her brow. "Will you be all right being his? He will expect you to share his bed, frequently, I am certain."
A magnificent blush suffused Diona's cheeks as memory of Gannicus's attentions entered mind.
Naevia gasped as realization dawned. "You have already laid with him!"
Diona's expression turned dreamy. "Yesterday," she admitted huskily.
"And…" Naevia bit her lip, her own face turning a ripe shade of pink when Diona merely waited for Naevia to voice her question. "Was he…?"
"Was he what?" Diona asked coyly, a sly grin curling her mouth as Naevia's cheeks flushed even darker, turning a deep, vibrant crimson.
"Was he…everything they say he is?" Naevia finally got out in a hushed, breathless voice, her striking face filled with the blush of innocence, yet avid curiosity as well. He was not truly her type, Crixus was her ideal, but ever since she had heard Gannicus in the act of fucking, she had wondered if he was as exceptional as the sounds implied.
Diona let out a long, breathless sigh. "He was—"
Melitta did not want to hear any more. She had known what was going to happen, but to hear of it from Diona's own mouth—she simply could not bear it. "Girls," she said, making her presence known and interrupting Diona's reply, "if you are finished gossiping, the rest of the villa needs the floors done as well. I would see them completed before the noon day sun has past."
Startled by her sudden appearance, as well as her apparent anger at them, both girls jumped and then hung their heads, equally chastised. "Yes Melitta," they said in unison and immediately set to task of scrubbing the floor once again.
As she walked away, Melitta realized she could have been kinder in her instruction, yet she had been unreasonably upset at them—Diona in particular. She knew it was due to her own conflicted emotions for Gannicus. That was not Diona's fault. She was innocent of any wrong doing; even Gannicus requesting her could not be laid at her feet. Melitta decided she would offer apologies later. She could not take her mood upon Diona simply because she was feeling the bitter sting of jealousy.
As soon as Melitta rounded the corner and was out of sight, Diona and Naevia started to giggle again, although more quietly this time.
"Well…?" Naevia prompted. Diona had never answered the question.
Diona knew very well what words her friend wanted broken, but she was feeling particularly playful this morning and decided to tease Naevia just a bit. "Well what?"
"You know what!" Naevia whispered. "Break words, Diona! Is he the God the whores make him out to be?"
Diona's green eyes sparkled with mirth as she decided to stop making jest at Naevia' expense. "Very well. I will tell you. Are sure you are woman enough to know?"
Naevia rolled her eyes at her friend but nodded just the same. "I am," she said, holding breath as she leaned forward to hear answer, her curiosity eating her alive.
"He was everything they whisper and more," Diona admitted in a hushed voice.
"And…more?" Naevia asked in a voice just as soft. "How much more? Did it hurt terribly?"
Diona suddenly giggled as she realized what her friend was referring to. "Not the horse part, silly," she clarified, holding her stomach and laughing, "his thing is large, but nowhere near that size!"
Naevia sank back on her heels. "Thank the Gods!" she exclaimed, eyes wide and face flushed. She had seen a horse's thing once, and there were times, when she imagined men, such as Crixus, there had always been an irrational fear that men and horses were size worthy. It was good to know they were not. "Did it hurt?" she asked again.
"Gannicus puts his sword to use with bold purpose," Diona replied, a rosy hue to her cheeks as well. "But not for pain. Rhaskos was smaller, but his hurt when we..." She grimaced in distaste, unable to finish sentence. "I would have thought bigger would hurt more, but it did not."
Naevia made a face as well at the mention of the other gladiator. "That is because Rhaskos has the finesse of a bull let loose in market place."
Diona agreed. "Gannicus is nothing like that." She gave a sigh. "He is kind and handsome. His smile made my heart pound. He called me a sweet beauty and he treated me in the most-tender of ways, making the act beyond pleasant. My body tingled unlike anything I could have imagined, and he allowed me choice. It was never ugly." Diona paused, and took Naevia's hands in hers, "Gannicus made me feel beautiful. I was unaware fucking could be so…thrilling," she said dreamily.
Naevia's eyes widened at the speech Diona had delivered on Gannicus' attributes. "You have been hit with Cupid's arrow, Diona! I believe you are already half in love with him!"
Diona did not answer, she merely shrugged, but there was a secretive little smile curving her ruby lips as she let go of Naevia's hands and started scrubbing the floors again.
"Diona!" Naevia gasped.
Diona gave a carefree shrug. "Mayhap, I am. Presently, I cannot say. Cease prying. I will break words when I am sure what I feel for the man." The pretty green-eyed slave smiled at her friend to ease harshness of words before she put her brush back to work and concentrated on completing her tasks as Melitta suggested.
Naevia stared at her friend for a moment, shaking her head, before she sighed and went back to work as well. However, when Diona began to hum softly, something she had not done in many weeks, Naevia felt a huge weight leave her chest at her friend's happiness. If one day with Gannicus had this effect on Diona, Naevia thought him a gift from the Gods, indeed. Feeling cheery herself, Naevia started to hum too, and together, they had the entire floor of the atrium polished and shined in no time.
*8*
Gannicus was in the men's dining area finishing his morning meal when he was told by Oenomaus he was summoned to the villa.
He got up from the table and threw his empty plate into the bucket containing dirty dishes. "Am I to be bathed and scented?" he asked, trying to gauge to what purpose he should prepare himself.
Oenomaus shook his head. "No, but you were requested post haste," he said waving Gannicus off towards the ludus.
Gannicus nodded and followed the guard who was waiting to take him from the ludus to the villa. Once inside, he was led past the triclinium to the same bedroom off the atrium where he had performed with Diona the day prior. Nervous as to the reason behind the summons, he warily followed the guard inside. His eyes widened in surprise when he spotted Octavia standing in the center of the room, she was gazing down at the bed as if it would talk and reveal the answer she sought. Her fascination for the bed, the same bed where he had fucked the attractive slave girl yesterday, was not a good sign. He had not expected Octavia today, but after her reaction last night, he realized he really should have.
Her eyes left the bed and turned to him. She looked angry. "Leave us," she snapped to the guard and Gannicus's trepidation increased, especially when he spotted Yadira cowering in a corner, looking utterly terrified.
'Fuck the Gods!' he thought, knowing this was going to be an extremely unpleasant discussion.
The guard nodded his head and quickly exited the room, sliding the curtain closed behind him.
He tried soothing her ire by flashing his most charming grin. "Apologies for not being properly dressed, I was not—"
She was not having it and his words were cut off abruptly when she practically flew across the room in a rage and slapped him across the face with enough force to whip his head about and bloody his lip. "You fucking bastard!" she screeched, making Gannicus wince at the sheer volume of her voice. "You requested that little slave as your own?!"
"It is not what you think," he said as his hand went to his mouth to wipe the blood away, but she slapped him again, on the other cheek this time, snapping Gannicus' head about and leaving a red welt on the side of his face.
"Was she that fucking spectacular that you risk the lash in your desire for her cunt on a daily basis?!" she demanded but gave him no chance to reply as she barreled ahead in her accusations. "You made love to that girl, Gannicus!" Her words came out as a sob. "You made fucking love to her! You have never—" She stopped abruptly, biting back whatever she was about to say. She was trembling with her emotional upheaval and Gannicus was surprised to see tears on her cheeks. "I should simply sever that beautiful cock you seem determined to share and be done with it!"
Gannicus eyed her warily, as if she were wild beast poised to attack. He had to proceed with caution as she began pacing back and forth in front of him like a crazed animal, her breasts heaving with each breath as she began to cry openly. She was beyond simply jealous. She was out of control and possibly capable of doling out dire retribution in the state she was in. Gannicus knew he should take her threats seriously, however, he did not believe for one moment she would follow through with the severing of his cock; she enjoyed riding it too much to ever see it gone!
"I did so to protect the girl, Octavia, nothing more," he told her calmly. Hoping reason would work with her for once.
It did not. "Think you I have mind for your reasoning behind decision?!" she snarled. "First, I must sit idly by while you give that slave a fucking worthy of most intimate lover, then I hear you have nerve to request her dirty cunt as your own! I will not have it. I will crucify little bitch before I would see her receive pleasure from you again!"
Gannicus let out a long-suffering sigh. "You are grossly overreacting to situation."
His words set her off again and, in her fury, Octavia picked up a large plaster figurine of the Goddess Venus from a side table and threw it at him. "I'm overreacting?!" Gannicus neatly dodged Venus and Octavia immediately searched for something else to toss at him. She grabbed a small statue of a wolf's head that symbolled the House of Batiatus. "You asked Batiatus for the wench as your personal woman, Gannicus! Jupiter's cock! How did you expect me to react?!" she yelled and threw that at him as well.
Ducking to avoid the snarling wolf, Gannicus kept a tight leash on his own temper, which wanted to explode at her ridiculous tirade. "I had hoped you would listen to explanation before losing mind," he said, again speaking slowly and calmly.
His words had not the effect he was hoping. "You dare accuse me of losing mind!" she replied with a shriek. She picked up a large ornate vase and hurled it directly at his head. "I will see you both strung up and nailed to fucking palus, you insensitive prick! Yesterday was too much." Her body seemed to wilt, and she started to cry again. "You will not take that whore to your bed again, Gannicus! I forbid it!"
Gannicus successfully evaded the third missile just as easily as he had the first and second. It sailed wide of him and smashed against the wall sending porcelain shards flying. He was becoming tired of this. "Will you listen to reason or do you continue to try and remove head from body?"
*8*
Outside the room, Octavia's angry tantrum could be heard throughout the entire atrium. Within the confines of the enclosed triclinium, Lucretia and Gaia were lounging on the couches discussing the upcoming coena libera and sipping wine as the fighting got especially loud.
Gaia's eyes widened when the sounds of shattering objects caught her attention. "Oh my, she is intent on destroying the domus then." She took a sip of her wine. "Good thing the old curmudgeon has taken a sleeping drought for his cough, mind numbs at what his reaction to Octavia's outburst would be."
"In that the Gods bless us," Lucretia agreed. She glanced towards the area where the commotion was coming from, a worried frown marring her brow. "I told Quintus she would lose sense when she discovered Gannicus' proposal for Diona."
Gaia reached for the wine carafe that Melitta had placed on the small table between the couches for their convenience. "To what purpose did he ever agree to such an arrangement?" she asked, pouring herself another goblet of the rich red liquid. "Surely he suspected Octavia would not react well to such news."
Lucretia shrugged as she held her cup out for more wine as well. "He did, but Gannicus was quite insistent on having the girl."
"Has your husband become allergic to the word no?"
Lucretia chuckled. "I do not believe so, but Gannicus offered valid argument apparently."
"What possible reasoning could he have? To enjoy having one more partner to share his bed?" Gaia rolled her eyes. "Your man already has more sex than any slave in this ludus."
Lucretia shrugged. She did not agree, but her husband held Gannicus above all other slaves. "Quintus says he did not ask for her to lay with," she said. "He says his purpose is to offer protection for her."
"Protection from whom?" Gaia asked.
Lucretia shrugged. "From me, I suppose, since it was by my instruction she was misused."
"And your husband found no fault in his logic?"
"Gannicus is crucial to this House succeeding in Rome."
Gaia nodded. "And there is the possibility of Gannicus receiving the rudis sword in Rome as well. With the popularity of the man rising daily, I know Quintus is worried of such a thing happening."
"Yes," Lucretia said, a frown marring her brow. "There is that. He still has not devised a plan to prevent it. As precaution, he would keep Gannicus happy and well satisfied. That is why he gave permission."
*8*
Sobbing uncontrollably, Octavia went to grab another item, this time it was a rather large sculptured bust of the ancient Roman Consul Lucius Brustus. The statue was huge and heavy and looked like it would hurt if it somehow managed to strike its target. She had utterly lost mind! Gannicus rushed forward and grabbed her wrists just as she held it up, preparing to throw the heavy piece of art at him. The solid object slipped from her grasp and dropped to the stone floor behind her with a loud crash. It cracked into several pieces; plaster flew everywhere, and Gannicus had had enough. He had to end this before she did him irreparable damage.
"Stop!" he growled, taking hold of her wrists and wrapping his arms (and essentially hers) around her to halt her tantrum. When she continued to struggle in his grasp, calling him names that made even his jaded ears burn, he shook her. "Octavia! Hold tongue and regain sense! I have told you, I asked for the girl to save her from future assaults such as the one she has been subjected to days past. If you choose not to believe I speak true. Then I know not what to say. But, my word and offer stands. I will not see it changed."
His words and the way he physically manhandled her could have him lashed to death, but since their arrangement had begun, Gannicus had continuously crossed the boundaries of what she had first deemed insolence. Now, the lines were so faint, half the time he treated her as any woman he was fucking and not as a noble woman with the power to ruin his world if she chose.
"I hate you! Detest the sight of you. You and that cunt will pay. I will see your fucking cock cut from your crotch! You cannot put it inside her if it is gone!"
Utterly tired of that threat, Gannicus lost control and all understanding of where he was for a moment and simply reacted. "Then fucking do it!" he shouted. "Just cut the fucking thing off! Without the cock you crave, I would be free of you and your madness!" Octavia stared at him wide-eyed that he dared speak to her in such a form. He did not pause to witness her reaction. He was angry, and it showed. "Cease fucking prattling about the deed or see threat through! I care not, but I am done fucking listening to empty fucking threats!" The words were broken before he could wrap mind around what he was saying, but as he stood there, chest heaving with anger, Gannicus no longer cared what her reaction might be. He was sick unto death of her threatening to take away his (and her) most prized body part. "Just recall," he added nastily, "when you desire my 'fucking cock', and I no longer possess it, you are the one at fault! Just as it was you who was at fault for yesterday's events with your careless words to supposed friend."
*8*
Just then another crash was heard, interrupting their discussion. Gaia and Lucretia's eyes widened when Octavia's threat to have a certain part of Gannicus' body removed echoed throughout the rooms. Lucretia worried her bottom lip nervously as she debated entering the other room to ward off what was becoming a serious row. She was leaning towards intervening when Gannicus' angry words shouted at Octavia rang out. With a gasp, Lucretia immediately started to rise, furious and mortified that a slave from her house, even one with the status of Champion, would dare speak to a noble in such a fashion.
Gaia stopped her intent by grabbing hold of Lucretia's wrist. "I would not, if I were you."
"But did you hear him? I will see flesh removed from back for such insults! I do not care if Quintus wants him kept happy, he is yet a slave. Such insolence cannot be tolerated!"
"I heard, and agree, but is it your wish to impose and have her turn temper to you—his Domina?"
That gave Lucretia pause. "Of course not, yet I cannot allow such grave offense to pass absent correction."
Gaia shrugged and let loose of Lucretia's wrist. "Octavia is not a toddler, Lucretia, needing your protection. This is a quarrel between lovers, not master and slave. She is in a snit because she is jealous and angry, mainly at herself for setting Cossutius to path with her comment," she said. When Lucretia hedged, Gaia added, "Allow the woman to handle her own affairs. She is obsessed with your man and will not risk the losing of him or that spectacular cock of his. She will forgive trespass from lover; however, she would not appreciate our interference. Mark words."
Lucretia gnawed her lip unsure, so Gaia added, "Give a moment. If your gladiator has not soothed ire and charmed his way back into good graces, we shall intervene. Agreed?"
As if proving Gaia's point the voices did indeed quiet down. In fact, Lucretia swore she even heard laughter coming from the room. With a sigh, she sank back to the lounge in relief, giving Gaia a grateful smile. "It appears you are correct."
Gaia plucked a grape off a nearby tray and popped it into her mouth. "Aren't I always?" she asked, a wicked grin curving her ruby red lips.
Lucretia rolled her eyes at her audacious friend and the women resumed their earlier discussion of the upcoming coena libera, although each kept an eye open waiting to see when Octavia would reappear, and in what mood.
Standing quietly in the background, Melitta silently prayed Gannicus had not placed himself in circumstance he could not charm his way clear of. However, she was of a like mind as Domina's houseguest… the Roman woman was in lust with Gannicus, and Melitta suspected she would indeed forgive him his trespass. At least, now she knew Gannicus had not asked to marry Diona or even take her to his bed. He simply offered his protection. She knew she should not be relieved, but she was. Her eyes went again to the curtain separating her sight from the room Gannicus was in with the Roman woman. It was quiet in there now and Melitta wished she could see what was transpiring inside.
*8*
There was a long moment of thick tension filled silence after his words. Gannicus had crossed the line with his outburst. Would she have him whipped or worse? He waited to see what her reaction would be; with Octavia, it truly could be anything.
Her anger evaporated. "You wish to be rid of me?" she asked in a small, almost childlike voice.
Gannicus wanted to respond with a resounding 'yes', but now was the time to give way to cooler heads and remove himself from trouble, not dig deeper hole. "Do you truly hate and detest the sight of me?"
She shook her head. "No," she admitted. "I adore the sight of you, in fact."
"By that reasoning, do you believe I wish to be rid of you, or is it possible I said such a thing in anger?"
"Fuck the Gods!" Octavia said and suddenly burst into laughter. She bent over, holding her stomach laughing.
Gannicus stared at her for a long moment stunned at how quickly she had gone from rage to laughter. "Have you lost wit?" he finally asked when she continued to chortle like a mad woman.
"Mayhap," she said, still laughing, finally she put her hand over her mouth to stifle her humor. "Apologies," she said, as another giggle erupted. "I have suddenly realized I am acting quite the jealous bitch! You must think me mad!"
He did not deny the statement as he continued to watch her laugh like she had lost mind. Her moods changed like the wind and he was not sure where this newest one would take him. "And you are over it now?" he asked cautiously, gauging her response.
She shook her head. "Not quite, but I would never see you hurt." She came to stand before him and placed a hand on his cheek, her temper gone and in its stead was contrite generosity. "If you wish to help this girl, then so be it. I will accept your decision, even as I do not like it."
Gannicus searched her expression for a moment, he was sure she wanted him to forgive her for the tantrum earlier, so he took her words at face value. "Gratitude," he said, wanting to put the entire episode from mind. It had dawned on him after he'd told her he would be free of her what Batiatus' reaction would be should he push this woman to withdraw her support. His Dominus would have lost fucking mind and Gannicus did not wish to even think about what consequences would have rained down upon him for such a foolish act.
Octavia was still talking, and he quickly gave her his attention again. "I know she was ill used, however, I will demand that you do not fuck her, Gannicus. Not again. Once was bad enough. I cannot bear it."
After her attack on him and her threats, her demand irritated more than usual. He used to have the freedom to choose who he shared his attentions with. Now, due to her preoccupation with him, he no longer had such freedom. He truly felt enslaved. Of course, he said none of that to Octavia. To do so would bring forth another round of unpleasantness. Which is why he kept chafed pride behind teeth and gave a quick nod of his head, agreeing to her demands.
She placed her palms on his beard roughened cheeks and brought his head down, kissing him lingeringly. "The things you get me to agree on…" She sighed. "You know what I feel for you, do you not?"
He forced a smile. "I do." His voice had lowered. Now that she was calm, he knew what was expected of him.
"And what of your feelings? What stirs in your breast for me?"
He wanted to laugh in her face and tell her exactly what stirred in his breast, anger, resentment, disgust…the list went on, but he gave way none of his true emotions. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, distracting her from question. "You are beautiful." It was true. Physically, Octavia was incredibly pleasing to his eyes, but she was also mad as a loon and scary jealous.
She melted in his hands like butter. "I need you," she whispered.
"You have me."
She led him to the bed. "I meant now. I need you now," she breathed, sliding her hands along his hard-muscled chest.
"Should you send Yadira out of the room?" he suggested, knowing Octavia could have forgotten the girl was present. He would not see her hurt the girl for witnessing them fucking again; once was bad enough!
The surprise in her eyes told him he was indeed right. She glanced over her shoulder to where the slender red-head was still standing in the far corner of the room. "Wait for me outside this room." The girl started to leave, and Octavia added, "and Yadira?"
The slave paused. "Yes Domina?"
"Spy on us again and I shall have ears and eyes removed."
The girl bobbed her head and fled the room. Gannicus did not blame her. Octavia's words were beyond disturbing, they repulsed, but he forced himself to strike her vile threat from brain. He had a task to perform and he could not do so if he gazed upon her with true thought. He took a deep, calming breath, slipped on his mask of tender lover and led her to the bed.
She gazed up at him. "You are the most beautiful creature," she said, stroking his jaw. "My own golden Adonis. I find myself clamoring for your attentions. It is not proper, this fascination, yet it is out of my hands. My need for you knows no bounds."
She was emotional still, spilling her feelings like dam bursting. Her words from earlier rang in his head. When she accused him of making love to Diona and had said 'he never…' He knew her meaning. He had never treated her so gently. He 'fucked' her and he knew it. It was generally what she desired, she enjoyed him dominating her in bed, however, Gannicus could see what she truly wanted from him was far more than merely his cock, she desired his heart as well.
It had happened, sooner than anticipated. The time was here to balance scale, and Gannicus knew he had her. Octavia was in love with him.
He allowed her to pull him down to the bed on top of her. Clothes were quickly dispatched, and he proceeded to give her exactly what she needed, gently taking her and even allowing soft words of affection to fall between them. He did not correct her when she assumed his treating her so delicately was his way of "making love' to her. Let her believe what she liked. It suited long-term plan. Someday he would need something from her and he was depending on her being so in love with him, she would give anything, do anything to keep him happy and in her bed.
He played his role while he held her tenderly, giving her three additional orgasms in pursuit of goal…
*8*
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