Chevi

"Oh year, we are both stupid as fuck, what else is new?" Lucius quipped. They had known from the start how dumb this was. And they decided it was worth it anyway. He sighed at her words. "If you really think so... then we'll stop. I don't want you to be scared. I don't want to hurt you." It would hurt him, and her, either way. But it was already bad enough. "Open the door, love."

Azarion could tell that Vibia was not here for pleasure. The woman was all business, but she was good at disguising it. She also didn't really pause to let him speak... or gesture, anyway. "How goes the hunt for sponsorship? Perhaps we can help one another again? I am seeking investment of my own tonight...now Marcus...Has little of his own but he is close friends with Imperials and Senators alike. Do you know of him?" Azarion looked over at the blonde, and shook his head. Didn't look familiar, no surprise. But apparently had connections. Looked a little miffed, as if the party was not quite good enough for his tastes. Azarion could relate. "Marcus, will you join us?" Two people headed towards them: Azarion's owner, and the blonde guy. At any given Roman party there had to be at least a dozen people called Marcus. Romans were unimaginative like that. You could trow a rock in the city and hit a Marcus. Azarion would have loved to try. "Vibia, always a pleasure. You seem busy, as always." That was the nicest possible way to call someone a prostitute. "I hope Azarion hasn't been giving you any trouble?" Azarion gave his dominus a wholly innocent look and a little smirk. If he had given Vibia trouble, he would already be dead, he suspected. He wondered what her plans were for the two Marcuses tonight.

Metella sighed once Longinus left, getting up from her seat with some difficulty. Beata was fussing, she needed to be fed, but she was not about to whip her (swollen and aching) breast out in front of the dominus. She looked at her husband. "That man needs a wife. And a good one." she stated as they headed back to their room.

It took some work and some convincing, but in the end Calpurnia got what she wanted. A new bodyguard. Who just happened to be a famous ex-gladiator, whose reputation among certain parts of Rome was lately overshadowed (and washed clean) by the fact that he had helped apprehend a notorious killer. That was one of the reasons why, she argued, he would be a good, and respectable bodyguard for her. The other reason was that it was hard to find a good bodyguard who was not shorter than her, and frankly that would just have looked ridiculous. And since it was summer, Calpurnia took some time to go to her small villa by the sea. Aulus' family had gone too, on and off, whenever he was not too buy with politics. It didn't take much to find a time when she could go - she did have to keep up the villa, after all, and supervise preparations for harvest - and the others couldn't. It's alright, she said. She had a good bodyguard now. It was a good tactic, but it was torture to have him around in an official capacity. Calpurnia traveled light, with only the most necessary entourage, but they still had to be discreet. She selected people she trusted. Once at the villa, there would be more space, and more privacy. She smiled as Alexius helped her out of the litter. "Glad to finally stretch my legs" she admitted. "Welcome to the villa, Alexius. The others can show you around... but it's not a very complex place. Once we settle in, I'd like to go for a walk. You have to come with me and keep me safe." @Atrice

He could hear from her voice that she was terrified, crying. He could also hear that she was probably sitting on the floor. Lucius crouched down, speaking in a soothing voice. "Open the door, love. It's fine. Everything will be fine." He didn't know that, no one could know that. He just had to believe it would. "Of all the people of Rome, Titus is one we can trust. He won't tell. Come on, open the door."

"Thank you." There was not much else to say. Titus had power over him now, and power over Ovinia. He hated that last part, even though he knew that out of all the people in Rome, Titus was the least awful person to have this secret. Well... him, and Alexius, who was busy fucking a Vestal. Lucius sighed, running his hand through his hair again, before he headed up the stairs. He found the door that Ovinia had bolted, and knocked. "He's gone, love. Everything is fine. He won't tell anyone."

"You know I trust you." Lucius told him. He knew Titus was not that kind of man. "With that said... now you have power over me. If you ever wanted me gone, or wanted me to promote you... You have my life in your hands." And he would comply, every time, because he had Ovinia's too. "But I know what kind of a man you are Titus. Mostly because you are my goddamn conscience." He gave him a small smile. "And if it ever comes to that... I'll deny you had anything to do with this."

"Of course not." Lucius frowned. He had endangered Titus now. They were all trapped in a series of bad choices. "No one will find out. I told you. She's still a virgin. And... it will end and no one will know." He shook his head. "Titus, please. She's terrified. You can't tell anyone."

"She is." Lucius insisted. He knew the stupidity could not be defended, but the love part... that he was sure about. "I love her. It's not the pleasure. I could get pleasure in easier places... It's different. Very different. And I know... believe me, I know I sound like a complete moron." He sighed, shaking his head. "I already know this will end. She will marry, and after that, she'll be gone from my life. I know that. But until then... just for a little while. I want her to be happy." Yep, and now he sounded pitiful. "I am sorry you walked into this."

Lucius' cheeks burned bright red. As with many things people did when they were not thinking straight, laid out like this the facts did look pretty bad. Deadly bad. "I know. I... it started a few weeks ago." he admitted with a sigh, running a hand through his tousled hair. He gave Titus a sheepish look. "I love her. I really, really love her. And we both know we can't marry, we know we can't be together... we are just taking what we can get."

"She's a virgin." Lucius pointed out, although he still looked thoroughly embarrassed. Yes, they were idiots by anyone's standards... but they stopped just short of being fucking idiots. "Believe me, I'm aware." He added, as Titus pointed out he was not a patrician, and out of Ovinia's reach. Lucius picked up his own tunica, wishing to be less naked for this conversation. "If I was a patrician, I would have already married her."

Oh, Lucius was fully aware that he was a fucking idiot. But also... somehow out of all people Titus was the one who had been sent to check on the domus. Maybe it was a small miracle. He could reason with Titus. Maybe. Ovinia, on her part, looked panicked and terrified. Lucius moved slowly to Titus to pick up her dress. "No... no he doesn't." he admitted. There was no need to deny any of what was happening here. "If anyone found out..." Titus knew. He didn't really need an explanation. "Believe me, we are both fully aware how dangerous this is." He added, walking back to hand Ovinia her dress.

Well, this was not the kind of screaming Lucius had expected. In fact, the male voice behind him made him jump too, and then Ovinia went and kneed him in the face. Lucius fell back, landing on his ass with a painful groan as she scrambled away and tied to hide. Fuck. Someone had walked in on them. Lucius felt like his stomach had dropped through the floor as her turned to see the intruder. "... Titus?!" FUCK. Lucius scrambled to his feet, thoroughly embarrassed (and sporting a red mark from Ovinia's knee under his eye), moving to stand between Titus and Ovinia without thinking about it.

Well, the game was done now, and all the air left Lucius' lungs as he saw her naked. She always had this effect on him, and she knew it. He gave her a grin before she leaned in for a kiss, and he responded in kind, pushing her back against the pillar, hands roaming her body, lips tracing her jaw and neck as he came up for air. Eventually, his hands found her thighs and he lifted her up, ready to carry her back to the couch. FTB

She might have been admiring the view, but Lucius was just as distracted. The way she leaned back against the column, the way her hair fanned our and the chiton hugged her body, she was a vision. He walked closer, his gaze roaming all over her, and he leaned in, fingers touching her shoulders as he whispered. "Yes... this one. Or that one..." he chuckled, looking up at her. "Unless you have another suggestion..."

Cute. She was cute when she was being playful. As if she needed to play any games to make him want her any more than he already did. "Oh, the work is its own reward." he smirked back at her. "But I'm happy to accept a small gift... something shiny..." he added, fingers trailing the clasps that held up the shoulders of her chiton.

Lucius grinned, standing too as she ordered him around. This game he did like. He untied his belt and shrugged off his tunica, which left him in his underwear and nothing else. "Mostly unhurt" he told her. He had a few bruises and scrapes, but nothing too serious. It had been a good week, even with the usual summertime flammability of the city. His cohorts were becoming more efficient at their job. "But by all means, see for yourself."

Lucius knew Ovinia's games. Some were for show, some were fishing for compliments, and some were for seduction. But every once in a while, some had hesitation, a hint of insecurity. In those moments, she was almost vulnerable. He gave her a softer smile, taking her hand in his to kiss her knuckles. "I love you. And when I'm with you, I feel happy. I feel at home. That's what you're good for."

"I'll be sure to tell that to the men. They'll be delighted to know." Lucius smirked. The fact that Ovinia found him attractive, with or without armor, was enticing. His eyes followed her fingers along his skin. "Oh, damn right I did." he admitted; he didn't usually play games with this. "I couldn't wait to see you again..."

"Yeah. Centurion." he gave his friend a smirk. He had not gotten into the vigiles for ambition, that was for sure. But he did have other reasons for wanting to advance in the ranks. "And I know I know, I could have done the same in the legions without quitting my family... but the vigiles, it's different. Not very glorious... but we are helping the people. Here in Rome." It was an argument he had made many times before. "How about you?" He glanced at Silanus.

"And what do you think they blessed me with the most?" "Beauty, grace, wits, and a wonderful smile" Lucius grinned at her without missing a beat. He knew her enough to know she loved to be complimented. "You must be roasting to death in that. Not that it isn't attractive but you'd think they'd make it more wearable..." "Well... they are supposed to be functional, most of all" he pointed out with a smirk, pouring a cup of wine. It was quite hot outside. He sipped the wine, enjoying the taste, and his free hand traced along her knee. "Miss me?"

Metella's look softened as Longinus admitted that he had not been fortunate with family. It seemed like he really meant it, when he made the decision to free their child. He was a kind-hearted man in his own way. "Thank you, domine." She nodded. Beata would have a good start in life. Better than her parents, anyway. "For what it's worth... you didn't fuck up with Cassia. She looks up to you, and you are giving her a good life. And... you are doing the same for Beata." It still sounded strange to call her that. "Any woman would be fortunate to join this household. One will be."

Of course Ovinia spoke Greek. Much better Greek than he did. Lucius liked to speak to people, even if it was in another language, but rhetorics had never been his strong suit. He smiled anyway, shedding his cloak and armor as he watched her kneel up on the couch. He loved to see her smile. That alone made anything worth it. "Very blessed." he agreed, finally moving to the couch to lean down and kiss her.

"Sure" Lucius smirked. "A bath actually sounds good." While Marcus finished his work, Lucius dismissed his men for the night. He would return to the castra and file his reports later. For now, some wine and some time with a friend (preferably in warm water) sounded like a great end to a rough day. Once Marcus was ready, Lucius walked out of the building with him, heading to a bath. "So... settling into your new job, I see?"

"This is the end of patrol for the day" Lucius nodded, following along. It had been a long time since he'd really talked with Silanus, and it was a welcome invitation. "Just... let's find a place that stinks less than I do?" He added with a grin. The prisoner was dragged to an appropriate cell assigned by Silanus, who seemed to be taking some amusement out of his job. @Atrice