Denarius: Antonius and Octavius

Chapter Nine: Breathe

Slowly stirring from sleep, Octavius momentarily forgets where he is and what has happened. He's being held by someone while covered in fur blankets. He's figured that much out.
Someone else breathes calmly beside him.

Opening his eyes, Gaius nearly jumps out of bed in shock. How could he forget sleeping in the same bed as the man he viewed as his enemy only days ago? His jumpy movement wakes Antonius up. The man must be somewhat of a light sleeper, the slightest movement and he's already awake.

Gaius must still be dreaming, then. That's all this is. There is no way he managed to convince Marcus Antonius of all people to be an ally.
"By the Gods, Gaius, I can already assume your mind is working despite just waking up," Antonius groans, a sleepy smile on his lips.

The older man looks down at the youth, brown curls messy. "Calm down. I can see the panic in your eyes. Just breathe."
Face burning, Octavius turns his gaze away, as if he could ignore his feelings simply by not looking at the man. He hears Marcus snort in amusement, then feels his calloused, warm hand on his cheek.

Octavius winces like a startled deer. "Relax," Marcus muses, forcing Gaius' gaze on him. "By Mars, your eyes alone could cut through solid gold just from your stare. Oddly pretty, and all mine. For now, at least."
The blond youth feels his heart pounding in his chest.

"I..uh..er.." he panics, not able to form a sentence after that genuine compliment. Marcus grins in a wolfish way. The Consul leans closer and kisses him longer this time. Octavius, like before, freezes up in shock, eyes wide.

Like the other previous kisses, Antonius is surprisingly gentle with the action. Marcus pulls away, still smiling. "No more odd dreams?" he asks. Octavius blinks a few times, trying to feel more grounded after that affection. Gaius shakes his head no. For the first time in weeks, no odd dreams.

It seems somewhat unfair that the dreams stopped once he slept next to Antonius. The Gods must be laughing at Gaius at this very moment. "Good. As of now, we plan."
"Plan?" Gaius repeats, finding his voice again as he calms down. "For what, may I ask?"

Antonius stretches, looking calm despite the danger and battles ahead. "Our plan of attack, of course. You have Caesar's troops and I have my own. Together, I think we can stop Brutus and Cassius. No, I know we will stop them." Marcus looks amused, like the battle has already been won.

The older man leaps out of the bed like predator stalking prey, leaving Octavius flailing in panic on the mattress. "Do you realize how long it will take to rally all of our men?" Gaius asks in alarm, stumbling out of the large bed. "It will possibly take a year or two."

Marcus shrugs, face and facial hair dripping with water at the large basin in his room. "So let the traitors think and worry about our next moves. I know about warfare, Gaius. You don't need to get your mind all tangled up thinking about strategies."

"You invited me over here to show me how to become a leader. Strategizing is involved with leadership. I know that much. Let us work together. Let you see me as your equal in the coming years once Brutus and Cassius are dead and gone." Gaius says all of this firmly, arms crossed in defiance.

"Ever since I was born, everyone thought I would drop dead from illness. Mother kept me confined in the villa and watched me like a hawk until I came of age. I want to prove my worth, let me remain by your side in these battles. If I were to die in battle, perhaps it is the Gods' will."
Antonius walks over to him after drying his face, mouth in a firm line. Octavius, too terrified to recall Marcus' affection, backs away in nervousness.

Marcus sighs heavily and cups Gaius' cheek again. "Caesar wrote in his will that I am to be your guardian. The Gods will not see you die. I will not let that happen. I don't know what will happen years from now, but I can assume." He kneels down to Octavius' eye level, smiling sadly.

"Perhaps you will outlive me and grow old, older than Caesar, surrounded by your loved ones and children. You will live to see Rome changed, in ways I won't know how. I think it would be nice to see that."
Without thinking, Gaius places a pale hand on Marcus', looking into his eyes.
"If I am to make this change, I would like you to rule beside me," Octavius confesses.

"Beside you?" Marcus breathes.
Gaius nods, tears threatening to spill over. "I do not know how far a man can go into power, but I do not want to do it alone. As long as you are alive, let us stick together. If you do die before me, I will give you the grandest funeral with all honors, then quietly rest beside you. Perhaps I'll even go against customs and bury us both in a chamber, side by side."

Octavius sighs, shaking his head. "But perhaps that is all the pitiful thinking of a youth. What do I know?"
"Enough to have Julius select you as heir over his son with that Egyptian Queen," Marcus responds back.
"Hm," Gaius hums, tears finally spilling over in relief at having an ally to face all of the coming danger with.