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

Chapter LVII - Gannicus

That morning when we awoke, we knew it was the end. I knew this would be the last time I would be given chance to ever hold Gannicus' body close to mine, I knew that by nights end our eyes may be forever shut. Forever not knowing what our love may have become with freedom. I kept my head on his chest feeling the rise and fall from his breathing while listening to the beat of his heart.

"We could still escape," I commented as I felt his chest jump from his short laugh. "If we left now you would never forgive yourself for leaving Agron." He reminded me.

"No... but I would have you."

He cupped my chin moving my face to meet with his as he kissed my lips softly, "You will always have me, in this life or the next. I will always find you." He told me as I smiled up at him.

"We should probably get dressed... meet with Spartacus before we are to head down to the last stand." I told him as he groaned, "I had almost forgotten completely about the meeting." He told me as I just rolled my eyes, "I sincerely doubt that with how late you were up talking to him." 

"Or perhaps I just wanted one last moment with you, one last moment to feel your warmth around me, lips upon mine, your voice crying my name out to the heavens. Before I am to die at the hands of our enemies." He told me as I moved over top of him, "We would have to be quick. I really don't want him sending Agron to get us." I giggled as he just winked.

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"Spartacus?" I questioned as Gannicus and I entered the war tent to see that the others had already made their ways here. I just seemed to nod to us before motioning us into the tent. I looked over at Agron and Nasir before my eyes wandered to Naevia and then to Spartacus.

"There a reason we are delaying the inevitable?" Gannicus questioned.

"I merely wished to see each of you one last time before we are to get lost upon the field of battle," Spartacus smirked to him. "Crixus would have been proud of how far we've all come, and that we are going to do what he couldn't finish," Naevia spoke, her voice was both strong and firm, unwavering.

"Come, let us go down and meet with the others... and know there are no others I would want to die alongside." Spartacus told us as I looked up at Gannicus. "This life... or the next... stay strong my love." He whispered to me not meeting my eyes with his.

We made our way through the crowd of our people each moving aside quickly to let us all get to the front of the pack. I knew this would be the last time we would be hearing Spartacus give one of his speeches to give us all strength. The last time I would run alongside Agron into battle, the last time I would lay eyes on Saxa, Lugo and Pietros. This would be the last time I would count myself among some of the strongest, bravest souls this world had to offer.

Once I reached the front I could clearly see Crassus' legions standing in perfect formation eager to end all our lives. Eager to go back home to their families to relive their glory of ending the slave rebellion. Antsy to find out who among them would be the ones to take the lives of Spartacus or one of his leadership. I only hoped it would be Caesar who would take my life from me.

As hurt as he was that I had chosen Gannicus over him, I knew he would make my passing quickly and as painless as possible. I could only hope it was him I would find myself against, and not one of the nobodies that stood as his back. Gannicus and many others from the army were supposed to flank the Romans on horseback. Ridding them of the use of their long ranged weapons giving us a fighting chance. Though it pained me not to have him here, and it scared me not knowing if we would find each other again before the day was over.