Ashen

Flustered

Augustus had barely exited the villa when he detected Poppilia heading crossly into the road- with a cart barreling directly towards her.

"Poppilia!" he yelled.

His throat seized up as he hurtled towards her, cutting her scream off as he clutched a fistful of her toga and yanked her backwards.

She clung to his linen cloak, panting and quietly crying. He observed a tear slipping down her cheek. Using his thumb, he wiped it from her face.

"You're okay. You're okay." Augustus held her head to his chest. He felt strangely warm with her pressed against him, and the feeling spread throughout his abdomen.

Suddenly, Poppilia's body went limp. He froze. Did she just-gods of Athens, this can't be happening. What am I supposed to do? He cautiously scooped her up and called for the slave anxiously.  The brown man  appeared in the doorway, perceiving the limp girl in Augustus' arms.

"Um-M-Marcus, perhaps you would fetch a blanket? No no no, she might be hot. Never mind, never mind," Augustus mumbled. "I'll just take her inside." The slave stood in the doorway, waiting for his master to make up his mind. "Oh, just get it anyway." Marcus disappeared and returned with a blanket, which he spread on the couch inside.. Augustus laid Poppilia on top of it. "Would a cloth with cold water revive her? Or should we just dump a bucket of it on top of her? That would wake me up, I think."

Marcus' frown almost turned into a smile.. "I do not think the young lady would appreciate waking up in a puddle of water, nor would your mother be pleased at the sight. It is a fine ottoman she is on," he offered.

"Yes...yes, you're quite right. Very well, a cold cloth then?"

Marcus nodded his head and went to retrieve the cloth.

As soon as he disappeared, Augustus muttered to himself. "...Still think a bucket would be more efficient."

Poppilia groggily opened an eye. "One would almost find it comical the way you're so ruffled at having to take care of a girl." A smile appeared on her face. Augustus froze.

"I thought you were out."

She grinned. "Not for the last minute. It was too funny to listen to you. Dump a bucket of water on me? What in Zeus's name were you thinking?"

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about. You were dreaming," he insisted quickly.

Satisfied at having thoroughly embarrassed him, she swung her legs off of the couch and stood. Her leg buckled and Augustus grabbed her. They stood a moment, her hand clenched around his forearm, her other hand on his shoulder. She cleared her throat.

"That just seems to keep happening, doesn't it?" She pulled free from his grasp. "Augustus, I came to say thank you. For the book," she clarified. "Apology accepted." She looked at him from under her lashes and smiled, clearly amused at her own pun.

"Oh-of course. I thought you would like it. As soon as you mentioned it I knew I had to bring it to you."

Poppilia cocked her head, a new question clearly forming. "Augustus, why did you drop it on the doorstep? You could've just knocked on the door. Giulia would've answered, you know."

His lips stalled. "Well, I...I don't suppose there was a reason." He awkwardly left it at that.

"Oh," she replied.  "Perhaps I was just overthinking things. I do have a tendency to do that."

"Perhaps," Augustus returned. "Shall I show you out?" They were both clearly itching for the odd exchange to be over. Augustus volunteered himself to end it. Thankful for the reprieve, she nodded. "Thank you."

As she walked down the steps, she thought it was strange. Was he avoiding me? No. A new thought. My father? Does he think my father would be angry if he knew I was befriending a male now that I'm betrothed? She tutted to herself. Don't overthink it, Pop.

She looked both ways before stepping onto the road.

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A/N: awww, aren't they kinda cute? i think so :) let me know what you think and as always, feel free to comment any suggestions down below. Please vote + share, too!

mac