All's fair in love and war [M]

[Chevi]

"Me either." 

Lucius signed as she rolled onto her back. They both knew there was no good solution to this, but after the night they had shared, Lucius was feeling stubborn. He was not done fighting this yet.

"But how can we go back. You don't want me in Rome,"

I do.

"Serving you in the day, sweeping your floors and pouring wine for your guests and then coming to your bed at night like a slave girl in any other house in Rome." 

Lucius sighed. "I know." He didn't want that. But it did not leave many options, for them to be together, in any way at all. "But this can't be it..." Not when they finally found each other again. All he knew was that he did not want to wake up without her.

He rolled onto his side, wrapping his good arm around her.

"We could go away." he muttered "We could go somewhere else?"

@Sara

[Sara]

She settled into his arm, thrown around her body and pulled the sheet up higher, to her chin, until she was all but cocooned in his embrace and the bedding. She had been self conscious at first, laying herself so bare to somebody for the first time, but that had dissipated almost immediately at his touch and the sight of himself. Even now she found herself intoxicated with the thought of discovering more of him. She shook the thought from her head, pulled back to reality by his muttered words.

"Your job is in Rome, your life, your family." She shook her head and ran her fingers softly over the arm that held her. "You're not going to give that up for me and I wouldn't ask you to." She took his hand from her waist and left a soft kiss on the back of it, muttering into his skin. "But we can dream can't we? About some small little villa on the beach on some Greek island, with the sun and the sea and nobody to bother us." She wasn't upset at the thought; it felt like such a fantasy that she could dream about it without sadness. 

 

TAG: @Chevi

 

[Chevi]

She snuggled closer and Lucius held her, breathing in her scent. Was she right? Would he not give up the life he had been living, for her?... Right now, it was hard to think otherwise.

"But we can dream can't we? About some small little villa on the beach on some Greek island, with the sun and the sea and nobody to bother us." 

"We could go swimming" he muttered with a smile. He liked the idea. "I could learn to fish."

He could see the image clearly, a distant shore with a small house. And Ovinia.

"I could do it" he said, after a pause. He tilted his head to look at her. "I've done it before. I gave up my family, to do what I felt was right... you're right. This is right." he swallowed, resting his forehead against hers. "I can't let you go. I am a strong man, I think, but I am not that strong."

@Sara

[Sara]

"Lucius," She breathed out and threaded her fingers through his, squeezing tightly, pulling back her face to look into his eyes. "There will come a time, I have faith, that we can do this properly." She felt an ache in her chest like a seam ripping. "I...will be freed, I can have a life, I...can have you." She pulled his hand to kiss his knuckles. 

"I can't be the reason you lose everything." Ovinia had always been an inherently selfish person; anything she wanted she got. But this was wrong. He would give up everything for her and she knew he would resent her. Perhaps not the first few weeks or months or even years, but eventually it would happen. Of that she had no doubt. "And I will be here," She kissed his hand again and moved to prop herself up on her elbow, "Waiting for that day." 

She swallowed and ducked to leave a kiss on his forehead, murmuring; "Don't give up everything for me." 

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

He had never heard Ovinia talk like that. He knew she was caring, and kind, deep down, but he'd never known her to give something... everything up, like that. For his happiness. Ironically, he was not sure he could be happy apart from her.

She believed things would change. When? How? He tried to imagine, he had, many times before. She was safer here, at the villa, and his work was back at the city. There was nowhere else to go.

"Don't give up everything for me." 

"I love you." he muttered, but he was not arguing anymore. He was going to spend as long as he could, before he had to leave this bed. "I'll come back to you. When I can."

@Sara

[Sara]

"I love you too." She murmured in a soft voice and only nodded at his affirmation that he'd come back. This was for the best. The ache of pain would go away, she was sure, and they still had time before dawn and the retinue would depart back to Rome. 

"And I can read and write," She offered as she leant over him to leave a soft kiss on his lips, "If you want to suddenly become a poet and send me verses professing your love." She chuckled and hovered just above him, "Do you want to go back to sleep?" She arched a brow, a soft smirk on her lips, the weight already lifting from her chest.

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

"I love you too." 

He still could not get enough of that.

"And I can read and write. If you want to suddenly become a poet and send me verses professing your love."

"Only if you write back" he smiled. Neither of them was going to turn into Landicus, but write he would. If he ever found a way to put into words all the things he wanted to say. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Do you want to go back to sleep?" 

"No." he leaned up to kiss her, tangling a hand in her hair. "We have a little more time."

[Sara]

The letter was delivered approximately a week and a half after Lucius and the retinue had departed for Rome. Ovinia had crossed out so many lines and scribbled notes to herself that the resulting letter was somewhat difficult to read. 

Lucius, 

I hope the trip back was as uneventful as my time here, and the domus isn't in disarray now you are returned to it. Life moves at such a slow pace here I can see now why you filled your childhood days with adventure given there's so little to do here. But I'm enjoying it. I spend my days tidying and keeping the house in order, and taking food out to the fields to help with those tending the groves and such. One of the slaves has promised to teach me the lute as well, as he owns one. 

But I miss you. Although I know this makes the most sense, I still miss you. 

Please reply, and please send my things. The cot here isn't nearly as comfortable as your bed, or my own in my own room. 

Yours. 

O. 

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

Ovinia,

I am sending you the things from your room, and some small gifts alongside them. The household has been terribly quiet without you, and my bed terribly empty. I spend most of my time at the castra, the men have been slacking off since I left. Maybe you should be in charge of the drills, since you have done a good job with the exercises. Marius is keeping me on task, but he is not quite the same.

I hope I will get to hear you sing soon. And play the lyre. And laugh. And make other noises I'm not going to list. Gods, I even miss you arguing with me.

Lucius

@Sara

[Sara]

Lucius, 

If you wished to make me blush, you have succeeded, and I'm terribly glad you're not here because of that. Although should you find your bed empty, I'm sure Marius would oblige as he has done in every other aspect of your life. I imagine he's even reading these - salve Marius.

Apparently I'm a natural talent at the lyre; I can play three tunes now, although they're all terribly basic and sound sort of...cheap, if that makes any sense at all. I'm thinking of trying to compose something myself, set to some poetry. Do you have any favourites? 

I wanted to thank you for the gifts as well. I wish I could send you something in return, but I fear the late season apples would be mush by the time you received them. The tuncia's in particular, look lovely, although one of them is dangerously short. I suspect that was chosen on purpose. The gardeners seem to be appreciating it at any rate, as you can't be here to enjoy the view yourself.

If you would like an argument, I will oblige and pick one for you; I don't think you or your family understand the concept of planning. Your sister sent word that she's due to arrive tomorrow, and so the whole house is furiously preparing to get ready to receive her. I've barely stopped all day - I even baked more honey cakes. Such patrician ignorance. 

I miss you and dream of you. 

O.

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

Dear Ovinia,

Please don't write things like that about Marius, the poor man is already distressed enough. The household is in decent order, and the vigiles are finally learning to behave themselves again. But when they come over to visit, Marius always threatens to quit.

I kindly thank you for offering an argument, but honestly, planning has never been my family's strong suit to begin with. Except for my brother, I don't know how that happened. I know my sister will treat you kindly, I hope you get along. And please put the tunica away until I'm there to see it.

You are composing music now? Such a talented student. Can't wait to hear you sing and play. I don't read much poetry, but I have been partial to Catullus.

Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred,
then another thousand, then a second hundred,
then yet another thousand, then a hundred;
then, when we have performed many thousands,
we shall shake them into confusion, in order for us to lose the count,
and in order not to let any evil person envy us,
as no one will be aware of how many kisses have there been.

Love, 

Lucius

[Sara]

Lucius, 

If your brother is anything like your sister, I should be delighted to meet him. She's been exceptionally kind and easy enough to serve - she has none of your moods or irreverence, and certainly is less picky about the foods we serve. I've been busy though, helping with the last of the summer harvest (if you can believe it!) and serving in the main house. I've even perfected my dusting technique, you'll be pleased to hear. 

I am not saying whether my composition, or playing, are any good but I'm trying my best. I enjoy it - I take the lute to the beach in the evenings when I can be spared; there's something about looking out at the water and just letting the tune come to me that I find so soothing. I certainly couldn't get that level of peace in Rome. I miss you so much it aches me, but staying was the right decision. At least for now. 

Catullus seems a very 'you' sort of author. I hadn't read much of his work, but another of the slaves showed me some verses. I thank you for sending me some of the more...restrained lines. You can hear what it sounds like sung when you come back, when you come home, to me. Which will be when? 

Yours, 

O.

 

TAG: @Chevi

Edited February 5, 2022 by Sara

[Chevi]

Dear Ovinia,

I hope to visit after Saturnalia. I would love to spend the festival at the villa, but knowing Rome, everything always goes up in flames when people get drunk and rowdy. Once the year turns, I'll take some time off to travel.

I am glad you found my sister agreeable. (I decline discussing who has what kind of moods.) I wish I could have been there for the harvest. I miss you as well, but I am happy to hear you have not regretted your decision. I know the feeling of sitting on the beach well. I am happy to share that with you, even at a distance. And I stand by Catullus.

I would write more, but there are really no news to write. We put out fires and break up fights. I can do this even with one good hand. I hope to hold you again soon.

Love, 

Lucius

[Sara]

Lucius, 

Saturnalia is months away still, and if you are not predisposed to write then what? We simply stay silent until you show up at the door? I'm not expecting love elegies or such, but there is always something to write about. I want to hear all about your days, every little bit of it. I want you to tell me everything you would if we were led in your bed in the dark, my head on your chest listening to you recount what you have been doing that day. Describe it to me. 

For instance - today one of the girls in the villa fell and hurt her ankle on the walk back up from the beach, not that we knew it. She was just missing. We all divided into pairs to search for her - I went with Menander, he works in the orchards and helps the stable lads sometimes - he comes from a part of the world where they all ride horses everywhere - and we ended up walking so far the strap of my sandal broke. We went through the fields and the orchards - almost to the next villa before we found her sheltering in a cove near the beach. Menander had to carry her home and by the time I sat down to write this, I thought I might collapse from the effort. I never realised slaves walked so much. 

You see? Writing isn't so hard if you want to write. If you don't wish to write to me I'd like to understand why not, this was our agreement, no? 

I suppose I will see you in four or five months. 

O.

[Chevi]

Dear Ovinia,

Thank you for your detailed and entertaining letter. Next time, try writing it with your left hand.

I imagined you lying by my side in the evening, to see what I'd tell you about tonight, but honestly, I did not get far into the conversation. I'll try again.

We broke up a fight at a brothel yesterday. Which is not all that uncommon, but this time, it was the prostitutes fighting, and the guests looking on. Apparently, there was some kind of a feud between two houses, and suddenly there were women and boys everywhere, beating each other up with their sandals and broken pottery. We got there before the guards got involved, but we were at a bit of a loss at separating the rest. And someone in the crowd was charging people for the spectacle. I don't even know how I am going to report on all this to the praefect. The entire castra is snickering about it.

I hope the girl with the ankle is doing alright. It was kind of you to go looking for her.

Still love you,

Lucius

[Sara]

The letter that was written was messy and scrawled, written with her left hand. Ovinia's idea of an apology. 

Dear Lucius, 

I think it fortunate I no longer have any shame, otherwise I'd be horrified at the thought of you engaging in the brothel-business, however tangentially. I trust all the young women and men employed in such establishments were well, after the fact? I'm sure you delighted in cheering them up.

Medira's ankle is fine, fortunately, but Menander is currently laid up with a wounded hand - he stabbed it by accident with a gardening shear. I think he's doing it for attention and for my mediocre nursing skills - when you finally come back here, you can reprimand him yourself.

My song is finished. I want to play it for you soon. I love you. 

O.

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

The next letter was delivered by hand. Marius' hand. Saturnalia was still weeks away, but the household servants showed up at the villa one evening, carrying the belongings they usually brought for visits, but all looking grim, Marius more so than usual. The note was short and badly scrawled.

Ovinia,

Rome has been going up in flames for three days now. We try to put the fires out but they keep catching, different parts of the city. I'm sending the household to the villa until we get things safe here. Don't let them come back until I send word.

Don't worry, I'll be careful.

Lucius

@Sara

[Sara]

Ovinia banged against the door of the cupboard she had been sequestered in for two weeks now. It was spacious, she would grant Marius that - and there was enough room to roll out a bed roll but it was still a cell. Of course she was allowed out to work when needed, and to the baths, but always escorted and Ovinia was still furious.

She had made it maybe twelve miles, a day of walking before Marius had found her. He had been apoplectic and between shouts that he might hand her over to the watch for a branding himself - he had somehow managed to grab her round the waist and throw her over his horse. It had not gone well for either of them. Her kicks and shouts and protests had spooked the horse, enough that they'd been thrown and had to walk the entire way back to the villa in the dark. She had been kept on track at first by the point of his staff and then by a veil unceremoniously tied around her waist to him. She had, quite literally, been dragged back kicking and screaming. 

Marius just didn't understand. He'd raged at her; 'how on earth do you think you will help? You'll just be a liability!' but he just didn't get it. If she was there she could look after him; tend his wounds, keep him safe. Being locked in a glorified cupboard was not being productive. What if he died? And this was all she was doing? 

She had taken to her morning banging on the door, hammering it with her fists when it unexpectedly swung open. She blinked into the light, temporarily blinded.

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

Lucius swore, already braced for what he would have to face. After more than a week of hell, and then the ride out to the villa, and Marius' hurried explanations, he was already on the verge of losing it. He managed to get the door of the cupboard open, and a blinking, furious-looking Ovinia spilled out into his arms, nearly knocking him over.

"Whoa!"

@Sara

[Sara]

Ovinia barrelled out of the room and stumbled into the chest of somebody she, at first, assumed was Marius. She didn't even look up before pushing him against his shoulders with a firm shove; "You! I was supposed to be let out..." And then her eyes adjusted to the light and she blinked up at him. 

She felt the pit of her stomach drop and let out a choke, breathless and utterly full of shock. She jumped - completely unaware of any potential wounds, exhaustion, or his already injured arm and expected him to catch her. That, obviously, did not happen and they ended up in a heap on the floor. She immediately moved to wrap her arm around him though, on the verge of tears. "You're okay. You're here." she choked.

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

Ovinia, in true Ovinia fashion, shoved first and asked questions later. Lucius was prepared to assume he deserved whatever he had coming, even if he had done nothing wrong. But then he could see the recognition in Ovinia's face, and a moment later, she launched herself at him again. This time, he did lose his balance, and the both went down, the wind almost knocked out of him as she was cushioned by his fall. "Ow..."

"You're okay. You're here."

"Yeah, I'm here" he agreed, a little breathless, and wrapped an arm around her. "I'm alright. It's alright."

@Sara

[Sara]

She was vaguely aware of other slaves and servants milling around, looking more than a little confused about one of their colleagues sprawled out on the floor of the villa on top of their master. She didn't care a jot. 

She moved her hands to his face to turn it from side to side, studying him intently with a focused, assessing gaze. "Are you sure you're alright?" She stopped turning his face but didn't move her hands from his face. "Do I need to be furious at you for putting yourself in danger again?" 

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

Lucius was vaguely aware of being watched, so he managed to wave a hand in the household's general direction. If they had not been aware of this relationship, they were now. Marius groaned, and ushered the others away. Ovinia, on her part, examined Lucius.

"Are you sure you're alright? Do I need to be furious at you for putting yourself in danger again?"

"It is kind of my job" he muttered, looking up at her. "And you're the one talking. What is it I hear about you running away?"

@Sara

[Sara]

She glared at him, but there was no real heat in her look, just a faint hint of annoyance and a playfulness, but mostly it was sheer relief. 

"No-o. Your job is to send in your men. You're too important to do it yourself. Besides, what happened last time?" She arched a brow. She never wanted to think of this terrifying days again - curled up at his side, packing her belongings, planning for his funeral. She shuddered against him. 

"I didn't run away." She looked genuinely indignant and finally, reluctantly, dragged herself off of him to sit on the floor. "I was coming to find my master. It's different. Of course Marius twists things. He's kept me locked in a cupboard for weeks." 

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, "And anyway, you didn't say I couldn't come in your letter." 

 

TAG: @Chevi

[Chevi]

"No-o. Your job is to send in your men. You're too important to do it yourself. Besides, what happened last time?" 

Lucius sighed as she got off him, and pushed himself to sit up. He knew she had been worried. He knew she would be, the moment he sent the note with Marius. But she also knew she was wrong. His job was to be there with his men, not send them into danger alone. He was, as usual, worse for the wear, with scrapes and bruises and some burns, but nothing serious. He did need a good bath, though.

"I didn't run away. I was coming to find my master. It's different. Of course Marius twists things. He's kept me locked in a cupboard for weeks. And anyway, you didn't say I couldn't come in your letter." 

"Remind me to thank Marius" Lucius sighed "It would have been a terrible idea to come into the city. What were you thinking?... And you wouldn't have found me anyway. The domus is gone."

@Sara