Let's Kill Caesar

26: Our Clumsy Drunk

Endymion crouched beside the fire, eyes dancing with gold. He drew his knees to his chin, warmth singeing his face. 

"Move. Before I finish you."

Endymion clenched his fists, heart racing. His voice was rough as he replied, "Haven't you done enough Aelius?"

The young boy clambered to his feet, lips pursed. His brother stood a few paces away. Aelius looked like some defeated god; he wore a grey and crimson toga, wreath of oak leaves atop his brow. All ruined with the new stains of fresh blood. 

Endymion swallowed, palms turned to the fire. "Is that why you have come?" He laughed brokenly, tears stinging the back of his eyes. "To take my last comforts?"

Aelius shrugged. His wavy auburn hair glinted in the firelight. Endymion rolled his eyes, neck jerking. The cracked blood settled there itched against his chin. His brother didn't move. He didn't need to. Endymion folded his arms and spread his legs apart defensively. 

"I'm not moving. I'm not." 

Aelius rolled his eyes, still as a rock. "Are you sure?"

Endymion let out a manic laugh, limbs throwing about like a madman. "Do it! Finish me off in the fire you fucking craven!" 

***

"No!" Endymion's eyes flung open, hands clenching  the furs wrapped around him.

"Whoa there Endy. You're alright." Cool hands brushed his forehead, pressed him down with gentle firmness. The senator blinked groggily, the room slowly coming into focus. Bastian was sitting at his bedside with a warm smile on his face. Endymion groaned, throbbing pain blooming in the back of his head. 

"You took quite a fall when you were a drunken idiot. Nothing serious, really - just a mild concussion. The doctor said you'd be fine if you took your meds." 

Endymion frowned, sitting up slowly. "Doctor?"

Bast chuckled and squeezed his hand. Left it clinging to his friend's. Huh. I need concussions more often. 

"You were pretty out of it at that point - blubbered some rubbish about your brother then you went on a rant about the sacrilege that are bagels."

Bast smirked and ruffled Endymion's hair. "The doctor was rather entertained, you know?"

"I talked about sacrilegious bagels?" Endymion touched the back of his head gingerly. 

"You said that anything doughnut shaped should be glazed or custard filled."

Bastian's eyes lowered, his hand moved back to Endymion's forehead, slid to his cheek. "How do you feel? I was worried you'd killed yourself with your fucking stubborn stupidity." 

Softness fell in his gaze and stripped Endymion naked. For a moment he feared Bast saw it - how he really felt. But the moment passed, just as it always did. Endymion gazed about, cheeks heating once he realised where they were. The man cleared his throat, teeth grinding. "I hope I haven't inconvenienced you and Cassiel too much. I can move rooms, I -"

Bast held up a finger, caring tenderness in his face. "The guest room isn't for you Endy. You're my best friend - best friends sleep in my bed when they stay."

Endymion's toes curled beneath the covers, warmth creeping down from his waist. Oh gods why'd you say it like that?

"Anyway, Cassiel has been in and out of meetings with Caesar and our allies - he doesn't mind at all." Bastian blushed, smiling coyly. "In fact, he seemed rather amused with our sleeping arrangements in the smaller guest bed." 

Endymion laughed dully, the words stabbing his chest like broken glass. Stop it. Just be a friend. His throat bobbed with effort as he said lightly, "Well thank gods for that! I'm glad to hear he's treating you well." 

Bast cackled, leaping upon the bed. His cheeks flushed with red as he gasped, "Oh fucking Mercury, I don't know what's got into him. I think Cass has been visiting the temple of Venus too often."

Endymion smiled. His teeth clamped so tight he was waiting for them to splinter. I'm going to be sick. I'm going to be sick. ABORT MISSION!

Bastian paused and scratched the nape of his neck. Endymion's eyes couldn't help but fall. Those doe eyes had a way of spilling secrets. Don't try it you little shit. The senator was ready to flee the room when Caesar's heir finally spoke. "Oh fuck, sorry Endy."

"Hey?"

Bastian pressed his lips together, shoulders rolled forward. "I'm just going on and on about my crap. What about you? Dating anyone?"

Endymion coughed, eyebrows hitting the roof. "Yeah right. If I was I would've told you by now. Nah, no one has caught my fancy of late." Well no one single, he thought miserably. Bast snorted, cocking his head. 

"Seriously? No one? You have a plethora of suitors lining up to take you out to dinner!"

Endymion's faced burned and he stared at his hands. He swallowed. "Whatever you say - it doesn't matter anyway. My father is set on marrying me off as soon as it promises coin. Dating is pointless."

Bastian shrugged, nudging Endymion's knee with his foot. "Don't say bleak stuff like that Endy. The gods will hear and set you up."

The man snorted, running stiff fingers through his curtains. "I'm not sure I'm entertaining enough for that Bast. The gods prefer people with charisma."

"I 'spose."

Bastian laughed brightly as his friend's face was instantly tugged down by a frown. "I'm kidding. If you were boring no one would be jerking off to your senator portrait."

"Oh fuck off you dirty-minded prick." Endymion kicked Bast in the ass and sprung from the bed. His head spun like blades of a helicopter. Endymion grasped his stomach as sick rose up his throat. 

"Whoa there jumpy." Bast's arms snapped around his waist and laid him back on the bed. 

Endymion tried not to notice how those delicate fingers stroked the skin as his shirt lifted. Attempted to keep all his blood in his brain rather than...well, you know. A heaviness hung in the air as Bast's fingers lingered. Yep the blood in his head was gone. Endymion's throat bobbed as those brown eyes set on him. He cleared his throat. "Don't we have a Senate meeting?"

Bastian laughed, hands slipping back to his side. "Actually, it's cancelled. Postponed. For the Fourth Day."

Endymion blinked in surprise. "Oh. Why?"

"Vero thought it was stupid that we had the comitium meeting yesterday. He was right of course."

Pink spread across Bastian's face as he drifted a few steps back. "Sorry."

Endymion smiled meekly. Pretending for the hundredth time that he couldn't cut the tension in the air with a knife. "What are you talking about?"

Bast pressed a hand to his temple. "I-"

The door burst open and Vero swept inside. "Here he is! Our clumsy drunk!"