Chapter Text
One thing Appius liked about the evenings: It was quiet. No calls to help with this or that, no visitors, and no long conversations - except, of course, the ones with Marcus, who could talk for days if nobody stopped him. But, the other senator also had a keen sense for when it was time to speak, and when it was time to stay quiet.
Unlike far too many of the people Appius was forced to make nice with. Too many of them were full of hot air, and nothing else. But Marcus also appreciated quiet evenings, which made things easier in that regard. By mutual agreement, after dinner most evenings, they would both retire to their rooms. Or, in Appius' case, often enough to the bibliotheca.
A soft knock on the sliding glass door to his room interrupted his thoughts. Blinking in surprise, it took Appius a few moments to look up from his book and glance at the clock on his bedside table.
Already past ten. Who, besides him of course, would still be up? Marcus, maybe, but Appius couldn’t think of one good reason the other senator would be knocking on his door at this hour. It could be one of his slaves, of course, but still. Why would they want him? Why would Marcus want him enough to even send one of them to see him?
Of course, there was also the possibility that something happened with his own slaves, but in the case of an emergency they had explicit permission to enter after knocking.
Realising he wasn’t going to get any answers if he didn’t move, Appius grumbled under his breath, before laying the book he was reading on his bedside table. Taking off his glasses, he laid them on top, before heaving himself out of bed and going to the door. Drawing the curtains back, Appius abruptly stopped in his movements.
Out of everything he’d been expecting to find on the other side of the door, Mars wasn’t on the list.
Opening the sliding glass door after a moment, Appius spoke mildly and evenly.
“Yes, Mars?”
He couldn’t help noticing the slave wasn’t currently wearing the other senator’s livery, but a tunic made of plain undyed linen. His dark hair hung loose, reaching to just above his shoulders. Not even the front section was tied back like it normally was; Appius actually realised he didn’t know if he’d ever seen Mars with his hair fully out like this. If he had to comment on the boy’s appearance, he’d say the slave looked like he was ready to go to bed.
“Permission to enter your room, Sir? I would – like to talk.”
Mars was standing perfectly at attention. Neatly balanced on his feet, with his head bowed and hands folded in front of him.
The perfect picture of an obedient slave , Appius thought, eying the boy from head to toe, thoughts whirling. Something about this picture was just… not right. Appius didn't want to say it was wrong, but…
“Is Marcus aware of you being here, and asking for this?”
The boy nodded.
“Yes, Sir. He gave me permission.”
Appius nodded in understanding, having expected this answer. Mars was not dumb or disobedient enough to…
To what? Appius mind supplied, unhelpfully. The senator pinched the bridge of his nose, before sighing deeply. So much for a quiet evening with only his book.
Well, he wouldn't find out what Mars wanted by standing here and staring at the younger male, as lovely as the slave may look right now. With that thought, Appius moved back from the door.
“Come in, close the door, and draw the curtain. I don’t want anyone to disturb us, seeing whatever you want to talk about must be important to disturb me at this hour.”
The boy bowed his head neatly, before stepping into the room.
“Yes, sir.”
The formal tone made Appius nearly cringe, but he did his best to ignore it for the moment. Which wasn't easy. Mars' whole posture was stiff at best and gave the impression of being uncomfortable. It was a far cry from the relaxed young man Appius had spent time with just this morning. And that was worrisome.
Doing as he was told, Mars moved further into the room, neatly dropping down to kneel on the carpet. He arranged himself tidily in the perfect kneeling position, before waiting patiently for Appius to speak. Clearly he wasn’t going to initiate anything, even though he’d asked to come in. Which, Appius supposed, was a good sign from a slave in any other situation. Wait to be acknowledged and be given permission to speak. And, as he’d already observed, Mars was very well-behaved. But, he’d also observed that Mars hid his more carefree nature behind good manners and carefully cultivated behaviour. Which was probably beaten into him at some point. And hiding behind that now…
Appius didn't like where this seemed to go. At all. He had the nagging feeling that Mars had come to a decision about Appius' offer, and that it wouldn't be in favour of the senator. Why else would he be so stiff like this?!?
If Mars wanted that, it was alright, Appius told himself. As much as he liked the slave and would love to keep him at his side, in his life (and bed), he had given Mars the choice. So he would just deal with the rejection like an adult. It wasn't the first time he didn't get what he wanted, and it wouldn't be the last.
Such was life.
“Alright, Mars. What do you want to talk about? Speak as freely as you like.” Appius said with a neutral tone in his voice, after he sat down on his bed, giving Mars his full attention. The slave glanced up at him through his hair, which only served to make him look even more attractive.
And very fuckable , his mind supplied, unhelpfully. Again. He shoved the thought away with more force than it really probably needed. He didn't need those sort of distractions right now.
“I - have considered your offer, sir. To be your concubinus. I would just request one thing from you first.”
That, Appius decided, didn't sound like a rejection at all. But it also wasn’t a yes.
“What is it you would request of me, Mars?”
Appius was quite pleased when his voice was calm. Unlike his thoughts. Because right now he had not the slightest idea what Mars could want from him. Appius wasn't sure if he liked this not knowing.
Actually, on second thoughts, he definitely did not like this not knowing!
Mars hesitated, head bent and eyes on the ground again. Appius lifted an eyebrow, a little sliver of hope coming back.
This didn’t seem like it would be a no, but…
“You are worried about something.” Appius realised suddenly. “What is it? You aren’t sick, are you?”
“No, Sir.” Mars sounded mildly amused by Appius’ words. “I am not sick. I would just like to know…you said you sleep with your bedslaves? In the same bed? That they aren’t with you just during the sex, but all night?”
"Yes." Appius nodded, suddenly curious where this was going.
He remembered telling Mars he saw little sense in kicking his bedslaves out after he was done with them. Cuddling up to a warm body next to him was one of the reasons he had concubinii. And sharing your sleeping space was also a show of trust.
“You were a pleasure slave to more than one person before according to your file, Mars. I know you told me this before, but did none of them ever want you near after you had served them? No one?!?”
“No one all the time. When they finished with me, I was sent out. Or permitted to sleep in the room, but on the floor or a couch. Not their bed. At least, not often enough that I count it as part of my life experiences."
Appius only shook his head. He’d thought this strange when Mars had first told him this some months before. And, even if he couldn't remember the complete conversation, he was still somewhat bewildered about the behaviour of Mars' former owners.
There was so much more to a concubinus than sex. Though it was sounding more and more like Mars had just been a fuck toy for previous owners. Not a concubinus. And Appius wasn’t sure how he felt about that. A beautiful boy like this deserved more.
He suddenly also remembered Marcus telling him that Mars had anxiety bad enough that he was put on medication for it. Appius did know some things about that topic from his own past experiences, and remembered very well that sometimes having things repeated to you was actually reassuring.
"I see no need in letting you sleep somewhere else if there isn't a good reason for it." Appius finally answered. “I like cuddling while I sleep. I have previously been called both a leech and an octopus teddy bear due to needing to be practically peeled off my concubinii in the morning. I will wrap myself around you while I sleep, guaranteed, so you’ll have to get used to it if you are mine.”
He could be imagining things, but he thought that Mars had relaxed his shoulders a bit while he’d been talking. He hoped he wasn’t imagining it. Even though he was still completely in the dark about why Mars was here like this, or what he could want.
"So, tell me, Mars." Appius said after another moment of silence. "What do you want from me, right here and now?"
The slave hesitated, before taking a deep breath and visibly squaring his shoulders.
“I - you - I would like to try sleeping in your bed before you buy me. For a whole night. Just sleeping.”
Appius blinked. And blinked again after a moment, while his mind came up with nothing. That… was certainly not a request he’d ever gotten before.
He wasn't sure if Fortuna was smiling at him right now, or if she’d just punched him in the gut. Having the slave nearby for a whole night without being able to have some fun with him…
That would be an interesting test for his own resolve.
Which is probably what the boy intended. He wasn’t stupid, and had to know how strange and even inappropriate it was for a slave to even think of asking for something like this.
Then again, he didn’t own the boy...yet.
Because the whole request showed him that this wasn't a rejection. Quite the opposite, actually, and Appius could feel only relief upon this realisation.
“You are aware I could take advantage of this request?" Appius asked, his sudden amusement over the bizarreness of this whole situation showing in his voice. "Or just say no, because it's a rather presumptuous thing for a slave to ask?”
Because it really was. But then, the whole situation was rather unusual, so Appius was inclined to agree to this.
“If you won’t let me just sleep next to you for one night, then my answer to you is no.”
Appius blinked again, before snickering in pure amusement. Not because of the answer, because that wasn't funny at all. Any other slave would have gotten a sharp rebuke simply for voicing it like that. But Mars wasn't just any slave and, due to Appius’ own unusual offer, Mars actually could talk like that.
No, the amusing thing was that Mars showed exactly in this moment that he had the courage Appius had commented on weeks ago. It also showed that the slave was very much capable of manipulating a situation to his favour.
Which was very interesting. Not necessarily good, but interesting and something Appius would keep in mind.
"That doesn't leave me much choice, I would say, as we are both aware I would rather have you saying yes." Appius stated after a moment, before shaking his head in amusement. "Very well. I agree to your request."
Because, in the end, what was one more night, even if Mars spent it only laying next to him? Or several more nights? And he got to cuddle Mars at least, for tonight. That was more than he had yesterday, so definitely a win and something Appius had dreamt about. More than once.
“No wonder they think I'm an eccentric." Appius muttered under his breath after some moments. Looking at the kneeling slave again, he shook his head, amusement still evident in his voice.
“Get into the bed, Mars. I promise you I will not do anything…inappropriate, tonight. I can control my damn libido.”
“Just not your anatomy.”
Mars obviously realised what he’d said a moment too late, and went completely stiff. Appius too, was completely thrown for a long moment, before he laughed quietly.
"Aren't you cheeky?" Appius mumbled, before getting back under the covers and taking up his glasses and book again.
"The left side is all yours." He informed the still kneeling slave. “And I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t insult my anatomy. You are the cause of it misbehaving, after all.”
“I can leave if you’d like.”
The boy rose smoothly to his feet as he said this. Appius muttered to himself, before sighing.
“Let’s just forget about this conversation. Get into bed and make yourself comfortable."
The boy did as told, keeping his face turned away so Appius’ couldn’t see his expression. However, he slipped under the blankets on the left side, carefully arranging them around him. Careful not to touch Appius, he took up much less space than the left side of the bed offered, laying very still and silent. Appius couldn’t even hear his breathing.
Which was to a certain degree worrisome, but also reminded him of the first time he’d seen Mars in the bathhouse of Marcus’ back in November. The boy had been totally silent then too. Now, knowing about what he’d gone through, the drugs that had taken his voice completely for a time and damaged it permanently, all the other abuse...
Appius was seriously starting to contemplate how he could write a turtle bite off as an unfortunate accident.
Bloody morons , he thought, and tried to read some more paragraphs.
Appius realised quickly it was a futile attempt. He couldn't concentrate on the words, not with Mars finally in arms reach. Breathing out a small sigh, he put the book and his glasses away again, before turning the bedside lamp off.
Rolling on his side, he waited a few moments until his eyes got used to the darkness. He could see the dark lump that was Mars, lying perfectly still under the covers. Appius smiled and stretched his arm out.
“I know you are still awake, Mars. Come a little bit closer and let me at least wrap my arms around you, if you really want to try out what it's like to sleep in one bed with me. I really am a cuddler. I’m not joking. "
Mars didn’t say a word to any of Appius’ ramblings. But, he moved over enough so Appius could reach him, though his breathing was still silent.
Close, but not close enough, Appius thought.
But that was nothing he couldn't change. Appius put his hands carefully around Mars' hips, drawing him near, arranging him until the slave's back was pressed against his own chest. His arms wrapped around Mars’ upper body, and he rested his nose in the slave’s hair with a sigh. It was soft and clean and smelt like mango. Appius sighed again, happily.
“Much better.” He mumbled. "This alright for you?"
“Yes. Sir.”
Appius smiled. That sounded more like the Mars he was used to.
Though he kinda liked the glimpses of the one he’d just seen as well. That one was certainly cheekier and more assertive, which Appius found intriguing. Being demure was a good behaviour while in the public, but nothing he wanted in his bedslave in private.
“Good. Sleep well then, sweetheart.”
The endearment slipped out before he could stop it, but Appius couldn’t find it in himself to care. Mars was a sweetheart, and the fact Appius didn’t actually own him didn’t change that.
Though, hopefully this was a sign that would soon change…