Let's Kill Caesar

25: Betraitor

Endymion's eyes were heavy when they finally arrived. The porch lights stung the back of his eyes as they pulled in. His head was slumping against the window when Bast opened the door carefully. His arms caught Endymion and helped him out. "Whoa there pal."

Endymion stepped out groggily and pat Bastian's shoulder. "What time is it?"

"Nine thirty." Bastian smirked.

"Oh gods I'm lame," Endymion groaned, hands covering his face. His companion sniggered and squeezed his shoulder.

"Yeah you are Endy."

Bast led him inside, a wry grin on his face. Instant warmth met them, cocooning them in a blankety comfort. "Cass must have put the heater on - gods he's husband material."

Endymion nodded with a half smile. I thought 'husband material' would be more, but what do I fucking know? Bast linked their arms and tugged Endymion through the lounge room to the kitchen. Warm yolky light enveloped the home and set his mind at ease. Endymion yawned. "What are we doing now?"

"Making sure you don't sleep for a while," Bastian chuckled, gathering two pints of caramel ice-cream in his free arm.

"Can't I just sleep? We've got that bloody Senate meeting in the morning."

Bastian frowned, snatching up spoons and a block of popping candy infused chocolate. "Which one?"

"The one you called," Endymion sighed. His eyes were drooping further and further. It can't be nine thirty. It feels like two a.m.

"Oh yeah." Bastian shot him a grin and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Thanks for the reminder."

Endymion wriggled from his grip and sat on the bench, legs swinging. "How could I forget - Cato was pissed."

"Can't say I'm shocked." Bast shrugged and screwed off an ice-cream lid. He tossed it to Endymion while he tore off the other. Bastian shovelled a mouthful of ice-cream into his mouth as he gobbled, "You probably shouldn't tell me that though, Endy. Seeing as our supporters are rivals."

Endymion froze as he was handed a spoon. Bast offered a meek smile, eyes pinned on the spoon loaded with caramel goodness.

"Yeah you're probably right."

The two of them went silent, the notion all too clear. What do we talk about then? Endymion swallowed and took a bite of ice-cream. His toes wriggled anxiously. An explosion of sweet coated his tongue as the dessert melted, sticky and decadent.

"You know it's weird." Bastian jumped up on the bench. His skin felt warm, familiar; their thighs brushed against each other. Endymion smiled to himself. "Yeah?"

Bast dropped his head, fingers laced together tightly. "I always imagined doing this with you. And I mean really with you."

Endymion's heart stopped for the tenth time that night as Bastian took his hand. He laughed softly. "Me too. I never thought I'd be taken in by senators other than...well you and Vero."

Bast sighed and poked his arm. "Yeah you betraitor."

Endymion snorted. "Oh gods I forgot about that word. What did we say it means?"

He frowned as Bastian dug out his phone and brought up notes. "Betraitor: ultimate traitor - combined words of betrayal and traitor for extra oomph."

Endymion snickered, squeezing Bast's hand hesitantly. "I can't believe you wrote it down."

"Of course I did - I'm saving it for a Senate speech."The senator smirked and took another spoonful of caramel.

"You concern me." Endymion hunched his shoulders, eyes growing heavy again.

Bastian poked him beneath the armpits before bounding to his feet. "No Endy! Stay awaaakkee - I'll be so bored if you drift off, you know I have insomnia!"

Endymion rubbed his eyes. "Well this fucking ice-cream isn't doing shit. What else is there?"

The friends met each other's eyes slowly. Oh fuck. That impending dread before making bad choices coursed through Endymion's blood. "I'll fetch the soda."

"I'll get the vodka."

***

"I'm not even that drink." Endymion's nose wrinkled as he dumped the last of his vodka lemonade down his throat.

"It's drunk, idiot," Bastian cackled. Both of them were sprawled across a board game, hands clenching paper money.

"You are a cheater," Endymion gurgled, jabbing Bast with his foot. "I won that cash fair and square!"

"It was my turn!" Bastian sat up slowly, some cap hanging backward on his head.

The two men rose groggily, eyes wide as daisies. Endymion chuckled, room spinning as he laughed, "We are total dick-fucks."

"We're what?" Bastian laughed and clumsily rose to his feet. His legs knocked against one another as he stumbled across the board game to the doorway. "I need more shots."

Endymion grinned, world slanting to the side as he skipped after Bastian. His arms spread wide was his steps grew wobblier. "Wait for meeeee!"

His feet slipped against the tiles as Endymion waddled after his friend. Bast had five shot glasses lined up across the table. His hands shook a little as he poured out some green liquor, lip curled in concentration. Endymion laughed, giddiness making his skin tickle. His voice was high as a choir boy's as he sang, "Pour some for me Bast! I want to make the sky spinnnn..."

Bastian glanced up, a reserved smile on his lips. "You're such a lightweight Endy."

Endymion blushed, body slumping into the doorway. A wild grin spread his lips as the sloshed senator giggled, "Lies, pure poppycock, I say! You just don't drink as much..."

Bast snorted and planted his hands on his hips. "I 'spose. But really Endy - don't have anymore." Bastian bit his lip, eyes fuzzy with something- Endymion was too buzzed to care.

A small squeak of protest burst from his lips as Bastian snatched up each shot and emptied them into the kitchen sink. "I shouldn't have poured these."

Endymion snorted, sweaty hair falling into his face. "Why'd waste them, huh?"

He took a few rickety steps forward, infectious smirk on his lips. Bastian rubbed the back of his neck, brow furrowed. "Just stay there Endy, I'll help you back to the lounge."

"Nah, nah, nah," Endymion snickered, taking a few more shaky steps, toes slipping. "I want some sink-drink. Ha ha! Do you get it Bast?"

Bastian scooted around the kitchen island, face growing grumpier. He always got this fold between his eyes when Bastian scowled. Endymion's yes bobbled focus, orbiting that one perfect crease of Bast's forehead.

Endymion chuckled. I'd make out with - no. No, that's just weird. I'll make out with his lips. Anything to get to touch him. Hold him.

"Hey. Endy, please just stay there for a second." Bast angled around the bench slowly, toes flexed like a prowling lion.

Endymion laughed again, head heavy with the pressure of drunken euphoria. "I can walk, stupid..."

Endymion took a wide step. And the world stopped spinning.

His ankle slid across the floor, mouth parted a little as wind drained from his lungs. Arms outstretched like a falling harpie, Endymion's head hit the ground.