Sabina x Lucilius

3

Lucilius led me to the door and closed it behind us. Tiro started to walk with us, but Lucilius waved him away.

We walked in silence for a moment until Lucilius cleared his throat.

"So how long have you lived in the Subura?" he asked me.

"My whole life," I sighed. "I wish I could travel throughout the empire."

Lucilius's brows furrowed knowingly. His lips tightened into a soft frown. "I'm going to Carthage next month and I'd love it if you came with me," he responded.

My cheeks turned a deep red as I said, "I really want to." I hesitated, "but I think my family might need me to stay here to help them. I'll ask them."

After a brief silence, I said, "tell me about yourself."

He paused reflectively before saying, "Well, my pater is an influential man who only wants for me to do the same as him. I've lived all over the empire and I love to travel. While my pater likes this about me, my mater wants me to settle down with an uxor and have liberi." After pausing for another moment, he said "I'm not sure what I want. Everyone has such high expectations for me and it's really stressful."

His pinky brushed mine and I caught his hand and squeezed it. He peered down at me through the pale moonlight, a smile playing on his lips.

We arrived at my doorstep. We stood outside in silence and both turned to each other at the same time. "I had a great time tonight," I said to Lucilius.

"Me too, Sabina," he responded. His lips parted, as if about to say something, and he glanced down to my lips and then back up to my eyes. They shined in the moonlight and I stole a glance at his lips. He slowly started leaning down and my eyes fluttered shut.

"Sabina!" My eyes snapped open and I peered at the door. My dad, Faustus, stood by the door holding a candle.

"Erm- I have to go," I said, not meeting Lucilius's gaze.

I began to run up to the door and I heard Lucilius say behind me, "vale, mea columba."