Denarius: Antonius and Octavius

Chapter Three: Recovery

The feeling of soft sheets under him and a damp cloth being dabbed on his forehead stirs Gaius from his unconsciousness. He shifts on the couch, feeling his toga cling to him from sweat.

He forces his eyes open, seeing Antonius sitting next to him, dipping the cloth into the cool water. The youth blinks his weary eyes, hardly believing what he is seeing. He always viewed Antonius as a brute, to put it simply, not someone who worries easily.

"You're awake," Antonius mutters, pressing the soaked cloth to his forehead once more. "I admit, boy, you frightened me with that fainting spell of yours," he states, pouring more water into a cup and holding it to Gaius' lips. "Drink."
The youth does so, sucking in the cooler water like a man dying of thirst.

The older man pulls the empty cup away, letting Octavius catch his breath. He watches as Antonius looks back at the rolled up will still on the table. "Why," the youth rasps, rubbing his throat, "did you help me?"
"Because it's what Caesar would have wanted," he whispers.

Octavius looks at the will as well, thinking back to the words Julius had written down, the ones that sent Antonius flying into a rage. "Because Julius appointed you to be my guardian," he murmurs, licking his dry lips. "That too," Antonius sighs, rubbing his face.

Shakily, the youth sits up, gazing up at the blue sky from the large opening on the ceiling. "Why do you think Julius wrote that down?" he asks.
He hears Antonius huff, seeing him cross his arms over his large chest from his corner vision.

"Probably because he knew you needed protection. But he didn't realize the other guardians he appointed to you would be his murderers," he explains, pinching the bridge of his nose. The older man looks tired.
"How long was I unconscious?"

"About an hour, maybe less," Antonius yawns.
"The sun is beginning to set," Octavius notes, still looking up. "The city is now dangerous in the dark. Would you like to stay here?" Octavius is surprised he has the courage to ask such a question.

"Must you ask so many questions?" Antonius snaps, making Octavius flinch. The older man pauses, hearing the question the youth just asked. His face changes, looking skeptical. "You...want me to spend the night?"
Octavius shrugs, curling up on his side.

"By Mars' spear," Antonius mutters, hand going through his curly hair, then he sighs, leaning back in the chair. "That may be the best idea for now," he admits.
"I do have an extra room down the hall," Octavius says, rubbing his arms.
"Fine," huffs Antonius, getting up and pacing the room.
With his back turned, Octavius looks at the older man.

He can definitely see why Antonius was Caesar's best fighter, the man is built like an ox. No wonder Julius had Antonius assigned to protect him. The youth blushes, forcing his gaze away, fingers on his lips as his heart beats quickly.

By the time nightfall arrives, Antonius is already asleep down the hall, his snores an alarming sound to the youth. Octavius stares up at the ceiling, processing everything that has happened so far.

He still feels somewhat nauseous about the revelation of Caesar's lack of money, but is certain he can figure something out. Even so, he still wonders why exactly Julius wanted Antonius to be his guardian. His newly appointed father didn't exactly leave a very detailed explanation written down.

Did Julius view Octavius as somewhat weak? Was that why he had sent Octavius over to train in Apollonia? The young man knows he isn't really a warrior. He's always been more on the frail/fragile side in body type, not like Antonius. No, Antonius could easily fling him over his shoulder and...

By Apollo's lyre, Octavius shakes his head, shoving the thought away while feeling his ears burning. No, Antonius clearly doesn't like Octavius, that much the youth has figured out. Antonius tolerates him at best, possibly hates him at worst. Yet despite that, why does Octavius have butterflies in his stomach at the thought that Antonius carried his unconscious form to that couch?