Unconditionally (Spartacus FANFIC -- Gannicus/Caesar/OC)

Chapter X

Everyday for the last week I had found myself standing near Titus body. Everyday my mind and thoughts consumed by the what if I hadn't left his side as asked. What if Melitta brought me with her would I also we dead as she? Gannicus had tried for more than five days to get my attention, tried to pass words to me through various slaves. His words fell on deaf ears, I don't know why I had felt such a strong feeling of betrayal. Was it because I had lost my innocents due to protecting Melitta only to have her be brought into it anyway.

"He was a treasure to us all." I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see Dominus behind me alone. "Apologies Dominus for not attending to my tasks."

He let out a sigh, "If your only tasks as of late are staying by my side and attending me. You are currently doing do." I nodded as he tried to smile.

"He loved you like family." He muttered to me.

"As, I loved him as a father. You and Domina are my family now, which is why the choice I made was such a simple one. I have no desire to leave this house any longer. Not that I had ever to begin with." I told him with a sigh my eyes still on Titus as he lay there before me.

Skin pale and grey, he was so still and unmoving. Such an odd way to ever see the man whom I'd never known to sit still. "When you are ready tonight, before you leave to sleep we will make sure you get the mark on you shoulder." He told me.

"Gratitude." I told him as I felt his presence was moved from me.

It was two nights ago when I spoke to Quintus about becoming a slave, he seemed weary of allowing me to even become one which left me thinking Titus and I were wrong about them forcing me into the position. He had asked me to allow him to think about the decision giving me a night for him to ponder over it. He told me he would allow me to receive the mark on the condition that I would take over to Santos his father's body slave. Which I had accepted likely, accepted foolishly.

I looked over to see that he had not left only moved over from me to do as I was, staring intently at the man we both once looked to for guidance. Naevia and I had both been adorning black robes for the last week he never leaving Domina's side once much like myself not having left Dominus. "It is a heavy thing... seeing a father, so strong in life, unable to ride." The magistrate spoke as he moved between myself and Dominus.

"The weight of it keenly felt." Dominus told him motioning for me to move behind him, nodding I took the few steps. "Titus was much loved by this city. Hold comfort in the knowledge." He said as he then walked away leaving me alone with Dominus.

He just looked at me, as Domina soon followed in standing on his other side; "The magistrate himself pays respect?" She asked him. "It's a great honor."

"For my father." He responded to her coldly. "Years I wished for blistering tongue to cool. Only to long for it to scorch ear once more."

"I know you did not wish him gone in such a manner. Nor did I, despite our many differences. Yet the gods have willed it." He spoke calmly.

"The gods had no fucking hand in this." He spat at her, "Tullius' alone inflicts injury."

"And how shall it be answered?" She asked him, forever scheming for the elevation of this house. Regardless of cost to others lives or well being, and yet to be apart of it seem far less worse than to be on the other side of the coin.

"Apologies." Solonius spoke from beside me, a man I have rarely ever shared words with yet had the unfortunate opportunity of his hands being upon my skin or eyes lingering too long.
"Unwelcome guests makes appearance." He motioned for him and Domina to see the door.

Dominus turned to me, "This is one of the few times, I will tell you to leave my side. Go and make sure speed is important." He told me as I lowered my head. "Dominus." I told him practically fleeing to the balcony from Vettius sight.