Let's Kill Caesar

8: Nice Move Antony

Endymion spent the best part of the morning lounging about with Bastian, cheap dating shows a welcome distraction from what he should have been doing. It was only when Bast said, "Oh, Cass is almost home," that suddenly all of Endymion's duties were remembered. 

His boots tapped crisply against the kitchen tiles as the senator threw out an excuse, the back of his neck prickling. Bastian swept after him, all arched dark brows and jesting grin. "Oh you have to go? How coincidental."

Endymion froze, voice husky. "What are you on about? I have errands to run-"

"Stop bullshitting me Endy." Bast leaned against the wall, his brown eyes undressing his guest with the simplest glance. "I know Cassiel scares you." 

No. Oh gods, help me. Endymion felt a fuzzy prickle crawl down his arms, down the back of his head. He wasn't sure who to pray to. Minerva for wisdom, cunning. Perhaps Eris, for strife surely dug her claws into him. Maybe even the Parcae - Endymion needed fate on his side more than ever. 

"He does not," Endymion spluttered, eyes wide. He could feel his heart click pause. Bast laughed, nose wrinkling. 

"Um, you know I was joking, right?"

"Yes," the man grinned unconvincingly. To his benefit Bastian seemed to brush it off, although the quizzical gleam in his eyes refused to leave. 

Endymion just smiled warmly, focused on keeping his brows from weaving together. Just keep it together. Get out. Bastian said something about his Greek lessons. Endymion just nodded and prayed to make it out of the villa before he was ricocheted into Cass's love storm on Bastian. It was hard enough not to scream when he saw one of their kiss-on-cheek photos on The Assembly. Seeing it in person - unbearable. 

"So what do you think?"

Endymion flinched, surprised to see Bastian peering at him expectantly. "Huh?"

"I said, don't you think grammar is harder than translating?"

"Oh," Endymion nodded. "Yeah. Definitely."

"That's what I said!" Bastian smiled toothily and gave Endymion a hearty pat on the shoulder. 

"You're still on that, Bast?"

Oh Orcus no. Endymion's body seized up as Cassiel Antony came through the front door, chestnut curls falling out of his woollen beanie. Bastian let out a hoot of delight and pulled his fiancé into a brief hug to Antony's annoyance. Bast was considerably taller than Cassiel, so he practically encompassed him. Antony snickered warmly and pressed a kiss to Bastian's chin, pushing him away. 

Endymion just leered at them, an envious burn spreading over his skin as the men embraced each other warmly. He flinched as Cassiel's eyes fixed on him, cool and abrasive. "We have company I see."

"Who'd you think I was talking to?" Bastian smiled. Endymion lowered his face as Antony pulled away from Bast and fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt. All crisp and cool and kept together. So unlike the senator  cowering before him. Cassiel's gaze did not break as he tugged off his beanie, hung his black blazer on a coat stand by the door. 

"Hello Endymion. You look...well."

"Thank you." Endymion pressed his lips together awkwardly. "You do too - nice beanie."

Cassiel chuckled, eyes dead with threat. "It is - my mother made it for me."

Don't play into it. He's baiting you. He always does. Endymion balled his hands into fists and beat his knees. "I was just going. I have lots of important errands to run."

He was ready to catapult out the door, when the smug man sneered, "What errands?"

Bastian tilted his head cordially, pinning Endymion's feet to the tiles. Bullshit them. You can do it to yourself easy enough. Endymion's voice crackled as he said dubiously, "Valerian is assissting me with my campaign."

Antony laughed, sea-green eyes glittering with menace. "Running for the magistracies are you? With Caesar returning?"

Endymion glanced desperately at Bast. Caesar's heir averted his eyes, cheeks pink. Why does everyone keep saying that? He wet his lips, the weight of Cassiel's arrogance too great to bear. With as much dignity as he could muster, Endymion answered airily, "Yes. Anyway I should really get going. Don't want to be late-" He reached for the doorknob.

"Doesn't Valerian visit the temple of Mercury every Seventh Day?"

Fuckity fuck. Endymion forced a knowing smile. "Uh...yes. I was going to catch a bus-"

"Nonsense!" Antony wound an arm through Bastian's, a plastic grin on his face. "We can drive you!"

All the blood drained from his face. Endymion's mouth dropped open to argue but his voice utterly failed him. He couldn't straggle the anger bubbling behind his eyes. Good move Antony. Good fucking move. How Cato would mock his impromptu mind. It would've been well-earned. 

"I don't want to be a bother, the bus is fine -" Endymion picked at his nails. 

"No! I insist." Antony grinned, squeezing Bast's arm.

There was no opportunity or excuse to refuse. Endymion grit his teeth and nodded hesitantly. "Okay."

Endymion dared not face Bastian, for his nostrils were flaring like a charging bull; he couldn't let on that his friend's husband-to-be had royally fucked him over. 

Cassiel lead the way out the door without delay, a spring in his step. Bastian offered Endymion a cheerful smile as they followed Antony to the sleek black sports-car parked in the driveway. The couple took the front seats, leaving their guest to be squashed in the back. 

Endymion said nothing as the car revved to life and Antony hightailed on the road.

"To the temple!"

With no time to lose Endymion dug out his phone. Lightning-swift fingers searched for Valerian and began to text. 

ENDY: Hey u at Mercury t.?

An excruciating minute passed. Then another.

"You alright back there?" Bastian turned behind, an apologetic knit of the brows stamped on his face.

"Cass's driving is a little wild."

Endymion shook his head flashing a dismissive smile. "No, no. It's fine."

"You sound tense, Brutus." Antony's eyes flashed in the rearview mirror. Endymion didn't answer. Buzzzz. 

VALERIAN: Yes, why?

He breathed a sigh of relief.

ENDY: Bast thinks I'm meeting you - Cassiel overheard.

VALERIAN: He offered to drive didn't he? 🤦‍♂️

ENDY: Yes. 🔪🤪

VALERIAN: fucking prick. Don't worry, I'll see you in 5 - I'll wait on the steps. 

Endymion snorted as a scowling selfie popped up, Valerian wearing a bright red t-shirt. 

VALERIAN: See you soon lover boy. 

The senator rolled his eyes and shut the phone off. They were cruising through the last street of grand villas toward the Capitoline peak. The horizon was dotted with the many temples all glistening in the afternoon sun. Five minutes and they would arrive. Too fucking long.