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Caesar looked at Cassius with a suspicious gaze. “Eventually, dear Cassius. I am far too tired to spar again. Just checking in on good old Cassius.” He patted Cassius’ bad arm, and turned away. Brutus snarled. “Rome is going to fall if her becomes absolute. We cannot let that happen. For the greater good of my empire, we need to rid of him.”
" we will.." he muttered, wiping pain caused tears from his eyes. " Fucking hurts." He whined and walked off to the kitchen.
He was hungry and hadn't ate yet. Cassius was famished. After searching the kitchen for something fresh he went with some grapes and strawberries
Brutus snarled and followed Cassius. “Maybe I should get you some Opium to relieve the pain.” He looked around the kitchen. “Maybe instead of forging, you can have messala make us food.” He grabbed Cassius’ hand. “Shall we get you the medicinal things you need, my dear?”
" I'll be fine my love, Caesar is rougher then you, so it will fade eventually" he was playing the macho role again " plus I cook in this house messala cannot cook if his life depends on it"
Brutus grabbed Cassius hand and held it. "Well, I just want to help sooth the pain. I don't you to be suffering." He stole a grape from Cassius and popped it in his mouth. "I think I'm rougher than Caesar. I'm just soft around people I like. Also, when did you learn to cook, dear. That's not your job. Your job is to stay by my side, but I do find it silly that Messala doesn't know how to cook."
" I learned to cook from my mother, she desperately wanted a daughter and that's how I was raised" he chuckled, leaning up and kissing Brutus " and I will always be by your side my dear Brutus "
“How curious. Raised to cook.” Brutus blushed at the kiss. He still couldn’t get over the affection from Cassius. He had been holding his breath, and let it out. “Of course you’ll be by my side. I don’t think I could expect anything less.”
Cassius gave a warm smile, nuzzling his nose against Brutus's and chuckling. " What would you like for supper dear?" He asked softly " it's your first supper with me actually cooking so it is your choice "
Brutus smiled slightly. “I have the desire for fish. Do you know what to prepare that?” He challenged Cassius. “I wonder what your limits are.” He let Cassius’ hand go. “That’s my choice, dear.” He hesitated, the gave Cassius a kiss on the top of his head.
Cassius smiled " fish is childs play," he teased back and got to work preparing supper.
Messala stopped Brutus once he was out of earshot from Cassius " what are you doing to my master? You are stealing him from me!" He whisper-yelled
Brutus raised an eyebrow. “Stealing him? No, no, I’m simply giving him the affection he wants. I don’t recall him telling you ‘I love you’. Now will you me a favor and scram. I don’t do with confrontation on stupid subjects.” He shoved past Messala to go lay in the dining room.
" I will tell Caesar of your unfaithfulness!" Messala challenged.
Cassius had been cooking for a minute before coming out into the hallway and hearing messala. Hed stood stock still, his face palled with fear.
Brutus stopped in his tracks and turned around. He scrunched up his face. “Do you really want to do that? You would also be exposing your dear master. Are you really that petty of a traitor? Plus, you wouldn’t tell Caesar shit anyway.” Brutus stared Messala down, then turned away and went on his way to the dining room.
" messala, room now. " Cassius's voice was cold and cruel, giving the room a cold chill about it. He glared the slave down as he left, eventually bringing Brutus his plate and setting it down
Brutus looked down at the plate and shook his head. Anger flushed through his face to the point of angry tears. “I can't believe him. Such a petty thing to do.” He slammed a fist on the table. “I was about ready to punch him!” He sighed, brushing the water from his eyes with the tip of his thumb.
Cassius flinched a bit when Brutus hit the table " darling you must calm yourself." He spoke softly
Cassius set the table for Brutus and sat beside him, not really all that hungry but wanting cuddles
Brutus started to pick at the food, still upset about the integration. “I can’t relax after something like that. What about be his reason?” He scoffed. “I can’t believe a slave would do that. It’s out of order and completely impolite.” He turned his head way, his breathing was harsh. “If he says something to Caesar…”
" he will not. Messala is used to all my attention being on him, he is only jealous of you" Cassius said and leaned on Brutus.
Brutus clenched his jaw. “Well, he’ll have to learn that not all the attention should go to him. The world does not revolve around him.” He scoffed and continued to pick food off the plate. “The nerves of that boy.” He wrapped an arm around Cassius' chest. “Jealously will have him dead in the long run. And not even by my hand.”
" I have tried to teach him but he does not learn" he said softly " darling eat.." he said and looked up to Brutus. " We can cuddle once you finish eating dear"
Brutus shook his head. “They never do.” continued picking at the fish. “I think that confrontation had made me lose my appetite.” Either way, Brutus still ate most of what he was given with no desire to eat the scraps. He pulled Cassius closer, still upset about Messala’s words and the fact that the boy thought he could confront Brutus as he did.
Cassius nestled into Brutus's neck, wrapping his arms around him
Messala had been in his room, writing a letter to someone. He hid the letter under his bed and laid to rest
Brutus brushed his thumb against Cassius’ cheek. “I feel unwell, my dear Cassius. I am vexed and I do not know what to do about it.” He sighed, holding the smaller boy. “Something is off and it irks me so.” He hung his head, closing his eyes.
" try and talk about it, we may figure it out. I cannot help if I don't know it, my dear Brutus." He said softly. He closed his eyes at Brutus's touchh
Brutus rubbed his temple. “Messala makes me feel uneasy and I feel he might be in conspiracy.” He shook his head. “I do not know. And then there is Caesar. He is becoming suspicious and it puts me on edge.” He huffed in frustration.
" We shouldn't worry my dear, we know Marcus and titanius have our backs, "he said softly, " we must wait until caesar goes to the capital." Cassius moved closer to Brutus, kissing the man's neck gently
Brutus squeezed his eyes closed. "Marcus and Titanius might have our backs, but that does not help soothe my mind!" He raised his voice. His one mind was getting to him. "And if Caesar never comes? Have you thought about that before, Cassius?" He flinched when Cassius kissed his neck, parting his lips slightly before pursing them. "I wish kissing my neck would be the solution to my issues, but they are not." He stood up, glancing around the room.
" I can keep doing it" he teased, trying to lighten brutus's mood " I mean, if it leads to what it should, I could clear your mind that way but I will not do it in the living room"
Brutus blushed at the implication in Cassius' words. "Not now, dear Cass. I just want to go lie down. Maybe you could come with and continue your kisses in there." Just a mere suggestion, but he felt that there was work to be done and unfinished work always piled up. He walked towards to bedroom, wanting to rest his pounding head.
Cassius nodded, following Brutus " maybe you need the meds dear" he said softly.