Let's Kill Caesar

13: Only One of Those things

A shudder ran down Endymion's spine as Caesar's eyes fell on him like a chunk of iron. His throat bobbed. "I don't know why he'd give a shit about me."

Vero shrugged. "I love him but Antony's weird. I wouldn't worry anyway. He'll never get in your way."

Endymion frowned. "What-"

"It doesn't matter," Vero muttered while snatching up an apple from a misshapen fruit bowl. "We have better things to discuss." 

"Yeah." Endymion picked at his nails. "I want to hear some stories from your adventures."

With a hidden grin Caesar led his guest into a sleek living room. It was less traditional than the rest of the villa but no less familiar, comforting. 

One whole wall was a dedication to floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the oak trees outside. A deer-skin couch faced a wall all set up with a silver projector; the only way for real Romans to enjoy movies, or so Vero liked to say. A few tall bookcases stacked with trophies of Caesar's endeavours leaned to one side, along with a dusty vermillion armchair. The accent table beside the chair held a vase of wilted daisies. 

Here and there hung bright tapestries, wool as vibrant as a field of summer wildflowers. Endymion walked to the closest, blinking in surprise at the softness of the threads. "This is new." 

He stiffened as Vero came up behind him, breath tickling the back of his neck. "I made a detour; Gaul is great for war but the craftsmen are unique. Running a province is more than bloodshed."

A face was woven by the colourful strings with eyes vibrant as the deep blue of a thunderstorm. "I told you I missed you Brutus - it's not perfect, but it's all I had." 

Well then why didn't you send a text, a call? Endymion knew the thought was pathetic, selfish. He was being presented with a great honour. Endymion's cheeks pinked and he breathed, "It's very kind of you."

Vero pat his shoulder roughly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Um..."

"I'm fucking with you," Caesar laughed, striding to the couch. The man fell back on the cushions. Endymion smiled as Vero pat the spot beside him. Without a lick of hesitation he sat, fingers brushing against the familiar fur coverings. Endymion avoided using animal skins, the very notion of stripping something turned his stomach, especially when it was something sweet as a doe. His mind recoiled at itself as Endymion's skin favoured the softness of the couch.

Vero stretched out his legs across half the sofa. "It's good to be home."

"It's good to have you back." Endymion reached for Caesar's hand before he could think, a sincere beam on his face. "I need you around."

To his surprise his friend interlocked their fingers, brown eyes full of warmth. "I need you too, Brutus. Why didn't you come with me to Gaul?"

Endymion snickered dryly. "Oh you know, if i'm not here then there isn't a family disappointment. We can't have that."

Vero pursed his lips. Endymion stiffened as his thumb lightly grazed the back of his hand.

"I think you would like Gaul, y'know?"

You didn't disagree. Endymion sniffed and drew back his hand grinning tightly. "Tell me about it. I need to know where to run off to when Rome releases me."

Caesar nodded sitting up straighter. His voice was melodious with wistfulness. 

"Think rolling hills, songbirds and circles of red toadstools. Forests of arching trees covered in moss and dew, sparse hidden meadows of blood-red poppies."

Endymion leaned back, vivid imagery playing on his eyelids. He could practically feel the velvet spring of young grass, smell the sweet pollen-filled air of summer. So many places to fade, to disappear. Vero leaned in on his elbows crossing his legs beneath him. "You would love it. Wide open spaces, endless starry skies...like that glade of pine trees." 

Endymion's head snapped up. Goosebumps spread over his arms as Caesar whispered, "Do you remember?"

"Of course." Endymion's voice broke. "The stars were the brightest we'd seen and...and you said it was rare. It was home."

Vero sniggered softly. "Yeah. I did."

Endymion ducked his head all of a sudden lightheaded. "It's late Vero - I'll be expected at home."

His friend smiled. "Of course."

***

It was far into the night when Endymion made it through the door. The house was quiet; his parents would be at some dinner party, their Seventh day was always reserved for one. Caesar knew that. 

Endymion stormed into his bedroom, thoughts racing. How the gods could fit so much into one day was beyond him.

As soon as the door shut behind him Endymion began to strip down. His limbs shook as the suspenders were wrangled off, as he threw his boots aside. No doubt traces of sick lingered on the fabric of his shirt, he'd certainly thrown up enough to aim badly. 

Once Endymion was out of his suffocating dress he tugged on the blue silk pyjamas stashed beneath his bed pillow. Without another thought he slid beneath his bedsheets, eyelids heavy. 

"What a long fucking day." 

It had been the meet and greet from Hades. Cicero, Cassiel, even Caesar - all spouted a thousand questions and offered little answers. And Bastian...he was a riddle Endymion was determined to forget. For both their sakes. 

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. Endymion dug out his phone blinking wearily. 

BAST🥹: Hey Endy.

The senator swallowed hard and opened the message.

ENDY: Hi. What's up?

BAST🥹: Caesar called. He said he just saw you.

ENDY: Yeah, he sent someone to pick me up from the temple. Have you seen him yet?

BAST🥹: I'm seeing him in a few hours but we've been calling back and forth - I knew he was back...

ENDY: Yeah I guessed that 🙂

Endymion flinched as his phone vibrated with a call from Bastian. He grit his teeth and answered airily, "Hey!"

"Hey Endy. I couldn't text this." A pause. "I wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine Bast. I saw Val, we talked. I was only a bit late - "

An exasperated sigh. Endymion squeezed his eyes shut as Bastian said slowly, "Stop treating me like a fool. Stop acting like one too."

"I don't know what you're on about Bast." He tried to sound confused, hurt even, for Bast's sake. But this time he was deceived by a lilt in his voice. Endymion grimaced as Bastian's voice grew angry. 

"Stop it!" There was something raw there. It turned Endymion's stomach. Shit. 

"Bast, just listen - "

A cold snicker. "Well you're obviously fine, so I'll let you go. Cass is waiting for me to come to bed."

Before Endymion could apologise, could say 'No' even, the phone hung up with an icy click.

"Arrrrghh!"

Endymion thrust off his sheets, scrambled to his feet, arms trembling. 

He was in that cramped sports car again. Cassiel was spitting venom, opening wounds. And Bastian objected. Sure, he had blazed with that rare fury, flames licking Antony. Sure, he followed Endymion out of the car, held him a little. But one hundred and five objections wouldn't have made any of it fair. 

Bastian wanted honesty. He wanted a friend. 

"And I can only be one of those things."