Rome: Marriage Pact

Chapter Nineteen: Aftermath

Even after a few days, color floods Octavius' cheeks whenever our eyes meet. I'm still greatly amused by this. Early in the morning, we both receive a wax tablet from Lepidus, urging us to come over to our usual meeting place on an island not far from Rome.

I audibly groan, scoffing a little, the sound echoing in the washroom. Octavius looks up as he soaks in the warm water. "What is it?"
"Another boring meeting with Lepidus. He says it's urgent and that we should come as soon as possible. Like that old dog could boss us around," I snort, setting the tablet down and letting the towel around my waist drop to the tiled floor.

Octavius looks away as I walk down the steps and enter the water as well, watching the flower petals move along the surface. "Are you that ashamed of nudity? Did Atia never bathe you and Octavia in the same washroom together?" I ask.

"She did," he answers, cheeks pink. "I'm just used to seeing women naked, not...men." I laugh softly and wade over to him. "You'll get used to it," I muse, gently tracing the birthmarks scattered across his chest and stomach. I noticed them instantly when he removed his tunic. Strangely, they seem to shape the bear constellation on his body. How cute.

Octavius shudders at the contact, but doesn't pull away. I smile and sit near him on the stone bench carved into the floor. "So what do you think?"
He looks up, alarmed. "About...what?"
"The meeting with Lepidus. I'm assuming you say we should go, right?"
"Mhm," he nods. "Especially if it is urgent."
"All right," I yawn. "We'll go soon."

My husband sighs and wades over to me, a few stray flower petals clinging to his wet skin. "Forgive me for being flustered so easily, dear husband," he apologizes, rubbing the ringed bruise I had given him on his neck only days before.
I blink in shock, more alarmed at Octavius actually referring to me with a nickname. He has never done so in our two years of marriage.

Dear husband, I think, feeling my chest tighten with pride. I smile, feeling tears sting my eyes. Obviously worried, Octavius reaches up to possibly stroke my face. I laugh and abruptly pull him into a hug, making him yelp.
"Antonius...?" he gasps, blinking in shock. "Darling," I respond in kind, holding him close and kissing his neck, my arms around his slimmer waist.

He shudders against me, hands gripping my shoulders. "You've never called me anything but my name before," I murmur between the small kisses I know make him flustered so easily.
"I assumed I should start now," he replies between gasping moans, tilting his head to the side.
I can feel his pulse as I pull away.

"We should be going soon," Octavius pants, cheeks pink. I smile. "Of course, my love," I sigh, feeling content.
****
"So what's the plan on dealing with the territories?" Lepidus asks, gazing at the large hand painted map of the known world. The three of us sit alone in the large room, tucked away on a small island close to Rome.

Octavius scans the map up and down, brows furrowed. "Perhaps splitting the Republic between the three of us? We are each assigned different territories to govern," my husband states, getting up from his chair and walking to the map.
I glance at Lepidus, who looks just as amused.
"And who gets what, my sweet-scented little hyssop?" I tease, seeing Octavius' calm facade crack a little.

"I hadn't thought that far yet," he blinks a few times, trying to subtly tug up his toga to hide the mark on his neck. He sighs, abruptly walking away from the map and to the wide window. Rain flicks onto his face, the storm still not having let up.
Lepidus flicks his gaze to Octavius, then back to me with a raised eyebrow.

I roll my eyes and laugh, getting up and walking over.
"Enjoying the view?" I muse, standing next to him.
His nostrils flare, a sure sign he's frustrated. Octavius was never a man who openly displayed his anger. He always simmers in his anger, calm even with the blue fire in his eyes.

"I may be the youngest here, but I would appreciate you both taking me seriously," he says quietly.
I drop the joking facade, reaching out and caressing his cheek. "I'm stressed out as well, Octavius. All three of us are. Your idea is good, probably better than what Lepidus or I could come up with."

"Hm," he smiles faintly at this, dropping his guard. "Come," I grab his hand, guiding him back away from the window. Gently, I wipe away the water droplets from his face with a loose piece of my toga. "Thank you," he whispers. I grin back at him. "Anytime, Gaius. Even I know when to drop the joking act."
We walk back to discuss Octavius' plan in detail. I can't help but notice how relaxed my husband now looks.