Chapter Text
Walt had his empire.
Born the son of a senator, he was already inducted into Roman high society and receiving the best education. He loved everything from literature to architecture to science. But both his parents died when he was just 10 years old. At the time, he was studying at an upper class school in Rome, where he was taken under the wing of the future Emperor, Augustus. He worked his way up the proper way, eventually becoming a tribune under Augustus' predecessor and the one chosen to inform Augustus that he he now had the throne. On his 50th birthday, he received word that Augustus had died due to foul play. A few senators tried to claim Walt had murdered Augustus, but Augustus had made many enemies during his reign and Walt was also not officially named to be his successor, there wasn't significant evidence. Walt was known to be highly respected by Augustus, but the two were often at odds just before Augustus' death. Augustus refused to promote Walt to higher rank allegedly due to jealousy or paranoia about Walt taking the throne too quickly. Even though it was never officially recorded, Walt was understood to be Augustus' choice for successor.
During his time in the military, Walt was engaged to the daughter of a senator but their relationship turned sour quickly as Walt started his affair with his future second wife, Skyler, who was a close friend of hers. They married just before ascending to the throne. She was about ten years younger than him and their relationship wasn't much better than his first. Walt was eager to start visiting every province so that he could legitimize his leadership and be as hands on as possible. Skyler stayed in Rome especially after suffering two miscarriages.
He set forth on a tour of the empire, west and east, to inspect troops and examine frontier defenses. He went from Britain to Spain and spent the winter in Tarraco, then moved on to Mauretania. He next passed eastward, approaching Asia Minor by the Aegean after an overland trip through the Balkans. Returning to the west coast, he sailed to Athens and finally reached Rome again.. This prolonged absence from the capital of the empire had its administrative justifications. There had been disturbances in some provinces and a general need for imperial supervision. Nevertheless, another motive impelled the emperor in his journeys—namely, an insatiable curiosity about everything and everybody. The Christian writer Tertullian called him rightly omnium curiositatum explorator, an explorer of everything interesting. That curiosity was bred of a keen intellect and an anguished spirit. Walt soon came to look upon his reign as a new Augustan age; He began to style himself Walter Augustus, deliberately evoking the memory of his predecessor.
He was an adept in astrology, like many intelligent Romans of the time. He had a great sense of nostalgia, preferring older writers to more recent ones, favoring archaism for its own sake. He revolutionized style in the empire by wearing a beard and setting a precedent for generations of emperors.
During his time home in the capitol he constructed and reconstructed temples, baths, and villas. Particularly his own sprawling home villa filled with Greek Statues, pools, and the largest library he could conceive.
If his travels weren't upsetting and alienating his wife, it was his constant chase for knowledge -or young men.
During his last trip West, in Germany, while attending a lavish welcoming ceremony in his honor, he laid his eyes the most beautiful boy in the Empire.
Young with brownish-blonde hair, a perfectly symmetrical face, and a smooth tight body under a short tunic that exposed his thighs all the up to his cleft.
I must have him.
The boy was roaming the party, helping pour wine. Walt was so distracted by him he could only make short conversation, but still keeping one eye on him.
As the boy walked around he smiled at the other guests and poured them drinks with soft yet sturdy hands. He had beautiful teeth. This boy was blessed by the gods. Possibly a gift from Jupiter to reward his leadership.
But the boy hadn't looked at Walt yet. What is he waiting for? He knows the Emperor is here.
Why hasn't he looked at me yet. How has he not caught me staring at him this long. This must be a test from the Gods, to prove that I'm worthy of such a gift.
Finally, when surrounded by senators, Walt noticed the boy looking at him. He must have been looking at Walt secretly. Somehow more stealth than the Emperor. Must be very intelligent.
They made eye contact for seconds that felt like hours. It was strong. It was mutual. It was inviting. The boy smiled at him. But then was pulled away by a man asking for a drink. Walt was pulled back in by a senator who was trying to speak to him. He had to quell the sudden urge to scream:
"How dare you interrupt my moment with that boy!"
But, he had to keep his composure. Eventually Walt was invited to relax on a fine lectus as the performance and dining were about to begin. A noblewoman brought three boys, including the one, to the Emperor with jugs of wine. She introduced them as young sons of noblemen learning dance, singing, and leadership. The boy looked at the ground smiling coyly, awed of being in the presence of the Emperor. Walt wasn't paying any attention to the noblewoman as she described the wines to choose from. Of course, he would choose the sweetest one. He didn't care what jug the boy was holding, he wanted that one. The noblewoman dismissed the other boys and walked away to allow the boy to pour in peace. Walt held up his cup never taking his eyes off his server. That only made the boy more nervous and his hands shook as he poured. But he was still smiling. Eventually he relaxed and poured perfectly smooth.
"Thank you."
"Of course, Sir."
The sweetest thing my ears have ever heard.
"You're very good at that."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Let's see what we have here." Walt took a small sip. Peaches. He was right, he picked the sweetest one.
"Delicious."
"I'm glad you like it, Sir."
The show was starting and the boy took that as cue to walk away, but Walt brushed his thigh to stop him. "Stay here." He said with a wink.
The boy nodded slightly, blushing. It was as if they already had a secret.
As the show went on, the boy stood next to Walt with his jug.
"That must be heavy."
"Nothing I can't handle, Sir."
Walt raised an eyebrow before calling a servant to bring him a chair. Once the boy sat, Walt kept rubbing his thigh lightly with his knuckle. The boy had goosebumps, but let Walt do it.
After Walt gave his speech to the audience about prosperity, the party was winding down. He had only a few minutes before his guards would snatch him away. When the boy stood up next to him, he quickly grabbed the boys hand, "Come with me." They snuck off into a small room of curtains.
Walt twirled him into his embrace and just as he went to kiss him, he had to stop himself. He had no right to kiss this boy, especially if he was a virgin. He also knew that if that was the case, a boy this special needs to be wooed before anything.
The boy rested his hands on Walt's chest.
"What is you name?"
"Julius."
"Julius." Walt paused. "I'll call you Jesse."
The boy blushed even redder.
Fuck it.
Walt placed his hands on the boy's cheeks and pulled his lips in. Absolutely perfect. The boy was a great kisser, yet still felt like a virgin. Definitely a gift from the Gods.