Let's Kill Caesar

35: Let's Make them Sorry

Endymion retreated to his guest room for the remainder of that day. He couldn't take anymore talking, anymore questions. Cicero had given back his phone earlier but the senator had been holding off from looking at it. Quiet would surely do him good. 

It felt a little like it had when he was a child. Here Endymion laid snuggly in bed just past nine and the muffled chattering of his seniors echoed against his door. It was no mystery what they were discussing. The past twenty-four hours had been a complete train-wreck dumpster fire. 

"Because of my fucking stupidity." Endymion groaned, pulling at his cheeks. 

A light chilled breeze tousled the sheer curtains arranged on the far side of the room. One huge window spread across the left wall. The lights of Rome glittered against an onyx sky, pulsing aquamarine, cobalt, violet. It was hard to believe he and Bastian had stared at a similar view only nights ago. Endymion wondered if his friend felt as shitty as he did looking at them now. We're not like the rest of them. He sat up in bed, cheeks warming. "Fucking liar." Endymion's voice broke. 

With a loud huff he chucked back the covers and stomped to where his phone was tucked between a row of fancy books. Fuck it. Endymion's fingers trembled as he grabbed it and sat cross-legged on the floor. 

He stared at the blank screen for three minutes, tried to urge himself into turning it on, facing the music. A thousand foolish hopes floated around his head. That maybe Bast had texted his explanation, that he hadn't known about Cassiel's plan. He knew you fool. He knew. Endymion drew a ragged breath and switched it on. "Oh fucking Hades."

2 missed called from FATHER. 

3001 mentions on The Assembly.

5 missed calls from Bast 🥹

The young senator froze, a name on his screen he'd never expected to see in a hundred years. 

AELIUS: Hey. I heard about everything and- Endymion snarled and deleted the notification. 

With a racing heart he opened his phone and clicked on The Assembly. Just see what you're dealing with. Get it over with.

The screen was instantly flooded with his name. In fact Endymion was the top trending hashtag. His eyes slowly drank in the words. 

w_horatio_clodius: Endymion Brutus would do anything to get near Octavius, even jeopardise Cato! lol. 

had_scipi0: nasty fall my ass, Antony's just trying to save face after his boyfriend fucked the Brutus bitch.

Endymion gulped hard, lump in throat. "This...oh fuck."

vivmetel1u5: ngl feel bad for Brutus. Imagine being that fucking stupid. Hats off to Antony for shedding light 👏

The senator coughed, burning sick waiting at the back of his throat. Endymion's eyes raced over countless posts, all bashing him, most with the tag 'manwhore'. He was ready to break, when suddenly a familiar name arose from the tide. 

alma_cicero: so disappointed in how easily Rome's finest are swayed by cheap water-cooler gossip from a man with less fortitude than a mule. As someone who knows the youngest Brutus closely, I can say there is no one more innocent than he. Just earlier instead of responding to these horrific accusations, Brutus urged myself and Cato to appease the goddess Discordia rather than fight whoever offended her. Shame on you all.

2k likes.  Endymion laughed, tears springing to his eyes. "Alma, you fucking genius." 

***

Endymion woke with his phone clutched in his hand. Cool morning light filtered through the windows and speckled the sheets. With a groan the senator rolled out of bed, eyes glanced at his phone screen. Missed call from BAST 🥹 - 30 minutes ago.

"Fucking Hercules leave me alone." Endymion cringed, wishing to bite back the words the second they left his tongue. All he could picture was Bastian wondering why his best friend was ignoring his calls. Stop it. Just...forget it. Endymion found a fresh pair of jeans and white tee resting at the foot of his bed, along with a sparkly kids toothbrush and a note. 

When you see this move your ass to the living room - Cato.

With a long sigh he changed into the lavender-scented clothe and threw the toothbrush to the side. Endymion paused and looked himself over in the mirror fitted to the sliding wardrobe doors. His skin was still drawn and sickly, deep circles stamped beneath his eyes. So much for nine hours of sleep. It mustn't count when you get nightmares I 'spose. 

Endymion pat down the aloof strands of hair sticking into his eyes and tucked it behind his ears. It slipped out two seconds later. 

With a rattled breath he walked into the hallway, left his phone on the middle of the bed. It was for the best. 

Endymion's stomach curdled as hissing voices grew louder, the shadows of his allies barely wavering as they sat rigidly on couches and armchairs. 

The senator pecked the tender skin between his nails as he entered. "Morning." 

The chatter ceased. Endymion froze in place as Cato muttered something to Pompey angrily and swooped to his cousin's side. "You're finally up! Thank the gods."

Before Endymion could blink Iovita steered him to an empty seat and pushed him in. "We have a lot to discuss."

"Don't say it like that," Cicero growled as she pulled her chair to Endymion's side. "It's good news."

"Good news?"The senator blinked. "Really?"

"Relatively," Cato grumbled, crossing his arms. Endymion leaned forward, heart racing.

"What? What is it?"

Pompey and Alma glanced at one another. Narcissus smiled. "Can I tell him?"

"Be my guest," Cicero chuckled, patting Endymion's arm warmly. 

"I heard that the Senate meeting meant for a few days ago is running today."

Oh Jupiter. Shit. Endymion laughed roughly, shaking his head vigourously. "Seriously, what's the news?"

"That is the news." Cicero tilted her head. Endymion stiffened, looking between his allies. Narcissus was smiling in his usual warm way. Alma had drawn back her hand to pick at her nails. Cato just shook his head, eyes rolling. 

"I told you he's not ready," Iovita spat, foot tapping like a disappointed Latin tutor.

"He is," Alma snapped back. "Once we tell him the strategy."

Endymion gulped. "Strategy? What do you mean?"

"Oh Brutus have you ever paid attention? Did our words in Discordia's temple dissolve?" Cicero wrinkled her nose and shoved him in the arm. "This is what we've been waiting for."

"It's only been a day."

"Well it felt long enough." Alma tucked stray curls behind the arms of her glasses. "And we need to act fast if we're going to salvage your position."

Endymion felt a dull ache in his chest. The eyes of Bast glittered in the back of his mind. We're different. That's what you said. Endymion lifted his yes slowly, hands braced on his chair. "Well Cicero, tell me what I must do." 

"Dramatic," Cato said under his breath with a petty glare. 

Alma beamed and rolled her hand into a tight fist. "That's more like it." 

We're different. How many times did I promise that? Pompey bowed his head, eyes looking through long lashes like Apollo himself. "Cassiel and Bastian won't know what hit them Endymion." 

"Those fuckers...you need to show them up," Cato set his mouth an for a brief moment Endymion saw a flicker of reservation. We're different. What a bloody lie. 

The senator swallowed hard. His fingers dug into his seat as he said, "Let's do it. Let's make them sorry."