Rome: Marriage Pact

Chapter Sixteen: Back To Rome

Traveling back to Rome on horseback during the middle of December makes the days shorter and nights colder. Octavius keeps the bear fur pelt on over his head, making him look smaller than he already is.

Even so, I can see the cold still affecting him harshly. He tries his best to quiet his sneezes and coughs as he rides next to me. "We should rest for the night," I say, nodding to the lowering sun as darkness sets in.

Octavius nods back, sniffing again. Since we are far out into the woods now, we'll have to set up camp with the materials Gaius insists we bring. Smart man, always thinking ahead, even with such trivial issues.
Our tent is smaller, with only enough room for sleeping, not like the larger one back in Philippi.

After getting a fire going, I watch Octavius tie the horses down to lower tree branches. He soothes his somewhat rowdy horse, murmuring soft words to it and stroking its head. I never knew he had a soft spot for animals. There is a lot he has never revealed to me.

We're both more tired than we realize, soon getting to rest in the tent after a light dinner. Even with the fur, Octavius shivers, his breath visible.
Gently, I pull him close, listening to his breathing as he sleeps.
****
Over the weeks traveling, we both look relieved when we make it back to Rome. We have been away from home for the better part of an entire year. "Gods, how I've missed this villa," Gaius sighs as we enter after letting Agrippa and Maecenas know of our arrival via letters.

"Aye, I agree with you on that," I nod, dragging myself to our bed. Despite now having the funds to buy a separate bed for Octavius, he states he doesn't need one. He finds comfort sleeping with me now.
"We should tell your mother and sister that we are back in Rome tomorrow, they might still be worried," I state, scrubbing my face clean with a bowl of water and a damp cloth.

Octavius nods, blinking his weary eyes, looking like he's about to collapse on the floor from exhaustion.
I laugh softly and pull him into a hug. "We're home now," I murmur, caressing his hair. He hums in response, too tired to say much. "Come, let us get some rest. I say we deserve it," I smile, guiding him to bed with me.
****
The days soon blur together as our lives go somewhat back to normal. Even so, many people are still anxious after the Battle of Philippi, especially now with Rome in disarray.

"The people only seem to be getting more nervous," Octavius sighs as he sets down the letter from Lepidus. "We have to do something about it."
I sit across from him, deep in thought.
"We could go back and have another meeting with Lepidus," I state.
Octavius huffs, looking conflicted.
"So the people of Rome might be wary of another wave of proscriptions? They all already fear the three of us since we established the Second Triumvirate. No, we need to appear friendly, make them see we are on their side."

I shrug. "I'm certain you having Brutus' head sent here and laid out at the statue of Julius was enough of a message."
"Yes, but I do not want them to fear me, to fear us." He says this, smiling a little at my crass joke.
I smile back. "Just try to relax. You stress yourself too much for a young man of twenty-two."
"Which is why I'm glad you're here with me," he responds, kissing the back of my hand much like I would do to him.

For old times sake, Octavius and I go back to the field of flowers I had taken him to what feels like ages ago. Snow lightly flutters down from the gray sky and sticks to the ground. It crunches under our sandals as we watch from under a large tree for shelter.

"Despite the cold, it is beautiful," Octavius sighs, his breath visible and he buries himself deeper into the bear pelt. "Aye, cold and beautiful, like you," I muse. Startled, Octavius turns to face me. "How am I cold?"
I grin. "You can be at times. Remember speaking with Cicero? You had the gaze of a viper about to strike."

"All right, then," he huffs, crossing his arms. "How am I beautiful?" He challenges. I snort. "Love, have you seen yourself in the mirror? Have you seen how people on the streets look at you? Yes, some of them stare because you're Caesar's heir, but others are admiring your beauty."

"And you do not get jealous of the people?" Octavius laughs, cheeks red from embarrassment or the cold, it's hard to tell. "Oh," I tease, playing along with his little game as I lean closer. "Perhaps I do get jealous of the people," I whisper, feeling Octavius shiver.

"Do you know how many times I've wanted to hold you close out in the open, in front of everyone? Even to the people in the Senate? Running my fingers through your golden curls and cupping your face in my hands? I want to, gods, do I want to. Just to see how jealous the other people look, knowing that I have you."

I hear him gasp and swear I can hear his heart pounding. Laughing, I kiss his cold cheek and hold him close, the side of his face buried in my woolen toga. He sighs, eyes closing as he relaxes, but I can feel how his heart beats fast. "I love you. Do not leave me, Antonius," he states, voice muffled. "Never," I promise, an intention I swear to keep.