It was desolate, everyone already went home. The colosseum was lifeless. Cleo could hear every one of her footsteps as she went down the stairs. As well as the faint sound of voices. She observed, looking for anything valuable in the hallway. There weren't even paintings, just mounts for torches on the walls. Everything was as blank as it could be. The voices were the only interesting thing to her senses.
She leaned to the cracked open door to spy on the voices of Narcis and Vespasian.
"I know it's a rough week for you. So I got you something.".
"Hm?".
Cleo peered in, Narcis delicately held out a rose. It was vibrant red.
"The others are still growing.".
"Thank you." Vespasian softly smiled. The way he looked at Narcis was with only fondness.
He placed the rose on the nightstand beside a golden band. The gold band was small and it wouldn't fit Cleo's wrist. Her gold glistening eyes went to it. Vespasian collapsed on his mattress beside Narcis. He reached beside him and picked up the band. He let it roll in his palm, "I wonder what he would have wanted for his birthday."
"His dad to be happy.". Narcis laid his head down onto Vespasian's chest.
He scoffed, "I don't deserve that.".
"Of course you do, Ves.".
He set the band back down. Cleo saw herself taking it. It was the perfect blackmail, the perfect revenge. She didn't like herself for that. The idea made her stomach churn. She stepped back quietly as Narcis got up. He tugged his boyfriend up so he was sitting up.
"What about we do things that your son would have liked to celebrate him.".
"Sleep.".
"C'mon." Narcis sighed, "What about we go fishing? He liked fish.".
"The ocean could only provide fish. His other option was oranges and he didn't like citrus or scurvy.".
"You sleep every night. So think of something.".
Vespasian groaned and smothered his pillow over his face, he held it tightly.
"Ves." Narcis softly called. He pulled the pillow out of his grip.
"What?" Vespasian lifted up the rose to smell it. It gave him something else to focus on. Its petal brushed against the band, putting it on its side, causing it to roll. He jumped out of bed to grab it to make sure it wouldn't hit the floor. He stayed still.
"Maybe leaving the house would do me good.".
Cleo's eyes left the band as she darted down the hall.
Narcis' elven ears twitched, he glanced to the door and back to Vespasian. "That's good to hear. I'll go grab the bait from the icebox. First.".
He pushed himself up on the balls of his feet to kiss Vespasian's lips. When he was done he went into the hallway looking for Cleo, she didn't leave anything to tail her, or more importantly take anything valuable.
Calmly Narcis went to the kitchen. He took the tightly sealed container of worms from the icebox. It was pushed to the corner away from the dense packages of raw meat. He turned to go back, his eyes went to the silver of the pie tin sitting out. A huge uneven slice was taken out. There was a blueberry stained fingerprint on the tin.
Vespasian leaned on the doorframe, keeping his eyes away from him. "Are you still mad?".
"No. Of course not. I thought we passed that.".
"Just checking.".
"I want you in one piece and to be a little nicer to my new friends.".
He let out a low sigh, "Yeah.". He stared at the ground.
Narcis removed the bait lid, freeing the foul smell. He picked out a plump worm and wiggled it in front of Vespasian's face.
"Huh? Oh right. I need to get the fishing poles.".
YOU ARE READING
Thieves' Honor
FantasyA young thief, Cacey Meadows puts all his effort into caring for his family. His pacifism and criminal behavoir is tested and repeatedly, threatened by knights trying to sentence him and his sister to death. He ignores the cost of his crimes since t...
