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Auctus finds his lover standing hips deep in the lake, near where the rebels have set up camp the previous day. The water sloshes loudly as he washes it across his arms in harsh, angry motions. Such a hot headed buck, Auctus thinks, not absent affection, as he wades in to join him. So easily upset.
“You fought well, pup.”
Duro lets out a wry growl when Auctus comes to stand beside him.
“My brother is of a different mind.”
With a shake of his head, Auctus breathes out a sigh. Duro has been striving for the approval of Agron for as long as he has known him and does not take well to his attentions being aimed more and more toward a certain young Syrian, who receives all his praise in Duro’s place.
Not undeserved, Auctus has to admit, though Duro’s skills far outshine Nasir’s. The boy has not been raised as a warrior, after all.
“Your brother stands a fool,” he simply states, taking joy from how his words force first cracks into the stoic mask of Duro’s face.
“He is,” Duro grumbles, frustration still clear in his voice, even though his initial scorn appears to be waning.
“Why place such weight on his appraisal when you can have mine?”
Auctus swings his arm around Duro’s neck and ruffles his matted hair until he receives a full fledged grin.
“Your eyes are biased,” Duro argues, a light hearted tone to his words, “You stand beset with love and affection, clouding your judgment.”
“Love and affection?” Auctus laughs and cups his hand in the water, flicking it at Duro and splashing him in the face before he can gather his wits. “For this brazen little brat?”
He expects retaliation, and takes it in stride when Duro twists and lounges himself at Auctus with full force. From there it is a matter of minutes to wrestle a struggling Duro into the shallow end of the lake, where he brings him down and moves to straddle him, holding both his arms crossed tight against his chest. He flashes a triumphant smile and leans over, ready to claim the price for his victory. What he does not expect is the look of dejection he receives for his efforts.
“Duro?” he asks, raising his eyebrow in demand of an explanation.
Duro’s arms jerk in his grasp and Auctus is tempted to hold them tighter, but instead lets go and leans back to give Duro room. Beneath him, Duro breathes harshly and furrows his brows. As much as he has proven himself a man and a worthy fighter, in this moment Auctus cannot think but how he appears to be so young, so boyish and vulnerable.
“Duro?” he prompts once more, softer this time.
To his relief Duro’s eyes meet his and he opens his mouth to speak.
“You speak of my great fighting skills, yet you best me at any opportunity.”
The exclamation gives Auctus pause. He has never considered their little tussles to have this effect on Duro. Quite the opposite in fact. Duro has never complained before.
“And now you fall quiet, knowing I speak the truth.”
“You would call me a liar?” Auctus challenges the accusation. It is the only way he knows to reach through Duro’s stubborn mind, yet Duro pouts and remains quiet.
“Do you believe I would let you go into battle if I did not think you capable? Do you believe Agron would? Or Spartacus?”
Slowly, he can see the words taking effect, doubt and logic warring behind Duro’s eyes. He presses on, “What happened to the bold pup who refused to remain upon the sand when Crixus beat him near to a pulp?”
Duro huffs indignantly.
“Did you not laugh at him for being a reckless fool? For not knowing the limitations of his skills?”
“Oh pup,” Auctus says with all the affection he can muster. He cups his hand around Duro’s chin and draws him close.
“That reckless fool caught my attention, with his boldness and bravery.”
Duro’s eyes soften once more upon the verbal affection.
“Yet not with his prowess?” He ventures, his need for approval yet presenting itself.
Auctus lets his forehead rest against Duro’s, allowing himself a moment to consider his words.
“You were not trained as the seasoned gladiators were, having spent years upon the harsh training sands of the ludus, having fought for their lives over and over in the arena.” Duro stands well aware of this. Auctus has told him many times before, and yet he does not tire of reminding his young lover of these simple truths. “You stood but a bloody recruit back then. One who has since grown into a valuable asset of our rebellion. A mighty warrior I am proud to call my equal.” He pauses, allowing the sentiments to sink in. “And my lover,” he then adds, and watches with much satisfaction as Duro’s face comes aglow with pride.
“Truly?” he asks.
“Truly,” Auctus vows, holding his gaze.
“Your words lift spirits,” Duro declares with a grin. It never seizes to amaze Auctus how his moods can swing so easily from one end of the spectrum to the other. One moment he stands but a troubled child, then the next his eyes fill with naked desire.
“Not just your spirits,” Auctus notes, his grin surely matching Duro’s as he presses himself further into Duro’s lap, to feel the shape of Duro’s cock pressed firmly against his own.
“Not just my spirits,” Duro confirms and reaches up to seize Auctus by the base of his neck.
The kiss they share is full of heat, despite the chill of the water.
“Stand,” Duro commands when they break for air and pushes against Auctus’ chest. “I have yet more skills to prove.”
He smiles, sly and full of that cocky confidence Auctus loves to see in him.
Water runs across his skin, making him shiver as he rises. Duro is quick to scramble to his knees before him. Eyes wide and lips parted he gives Auctus a look of pure hunger.
“As I have yet more praise to offer,” Auctus taunts, his hand finding Duro’s chin once more, holding him in place. He is tempted to let Duro proceed, to shove his cock into Duro’s welcoming mouth and be engulfed in warm attention.
Instead he tugs, prompting Duro to stand as well.
“Your skills are much desired,” he offers, drawing Duro close and wrapping him in his arms. “But this mighty warrior deserves his very own treat tonight.” He leans close, murmuring the words into Duro’s ear before he presses his lips to the sharp angles of Duro’s jaw.
He takes great pleasure from the way Duro shivers in his arms.
“This mighty warrior deserves his flawless ass worshiped tonight,” Auctus goes on, slipping one hand lower to cup the round globes of Duro’s ass.
Duro lets out a low moan, his head tipping back as Auctus’ lips graze his jawline.
“This mighty warrior deserves his pert little nipples sucked,” Auctus growls into Duro’s neck and proceeds to move down along the line of his collar bone. His free hand rolls one of Duro’s nipples, basking in the moans that follow, before he lowers himself to suck it into his mouth.
Duro’s hands dig into his shoulders as he holds himself up on legs that are likely to grow weak already. Auctus grins into the smooth skin of Duro’s chest and slides down lower. He makes sure to rain kisses across the entire area, bathing Duro in well deserved affection.
When the tip of Duro’s risen cock touches his chin, Auctus pauses to look up. Duro stares at him in wide eyed adoration and Auctus’ heart flares at the sight.
“This gorgeous cock deserves a tight, warm throat,” he says, his hands squeezing the muscles of Duro’s ass, while one of his fingers ventures closer to the firm hole between his cheeks.
“Oh fuck, it does,” Duro croaks and pushes his hips forward, his cock pressing against Auctus’ bottom lip.
“Come then,” Auctus prompts, before he loses his ability to speak. “Take what you desire. What you deserve.”
His finger breaches Duro’s hole the moment Duro’s cock slips past his lips and Auctus swallows him with greed.
He does not care for the cold, or the scraping of the lake bottom against his knees. Surrounded by the distant sounds of the night, the sloshing of the water and the desperate sounds of Duro’s moans, Auctus is more than pleased to satisfy his lover’s every last need.