Skaia (99 page)

‘
I’ represented Paulinus, the first generation in his family to love this slave. ‘II’ was for Glaucus. Thaddeus mused for some moments on how Glaucus had seen the slave’s humanity almost from the beginning, and recognized a kindred spirit.
And I tried to destroy that…

It had not been possible. Thaddeus thought his own manipulations might have played some part in separating the two of them but he’d certainly not managed, or even wanted to, in the end, destroy the slave’s humanity or his appeal.

He chuckled for a moment at his own foolishness. And Skaia turned to him. “What are you making, sir?” The boy looked at the paper in his master’s lap. “One, two,” he said questioningly, looking up at Thaddeus’ face.

“
Nothing,” Thaddeus replied, covering his drawing with his hand. “Get back to your own work,” he teased, “or I’ll have to beat you for insolence again.”

Skaia was hardly frightened by the threat and he just smiled before returning to his own sketches. Thaddeus nodded approvingly as he looked at his own crude lines.

The seduction had not ended with ‘II’. He quickly added ‘III’—representing himself—and glanced at Skaia. Surely he too, had succumbed to this young man’s charm. For a moment he stopped, only looking at the curve of Skaia’s cheek, the outline of his jaw. Then, almost without thought, he added ‘IV’. And, just as he thought to mark through the symbol, he realized it was not a mistake. When Glauca had left today, it was to Skaia she reached. It was for Skaia that she cried.

Four generations of his family had been touched by this barbarian slave. Had loved him, and been loved by him in return.

For several moments, Thaddeus actually felt jealousy. But if Skaia had taught him anything, it was that love expanded and embraced. This garden would honor that love as much as anything else. But he needed reassurance.

“
Do you love me, Skaia?” he asked.

The boy looked at him, a puzzled expression on his face. “Why do you ask, Thaddeus? You must surely know by now that you are everything to me.”

“
Tell me. Say the words.”

Skaia smiled, not willing—nor wanting—to take offense. “I love you, Gaius Thaddeus Suetonius. With all my heart, with all my being.”

Thaddeus finally returned the smile. “And I love you,” he whispered, reaching for Skaia and kissing him deeply. The paper fell from his lap, and he picked it up again, staring at his symbols. ‘
IV’.

This would likely be the last he would ever see. But it didn’t matter… Skaia was as crucial to his happiness as anything else in his life. And in spite of his lifelong declarations that everything changed and everyone died, he was absolutely sure the love he shared with this magnificent barbarian would never change. Death might come to all men, but this love would not die.

Of that Thaddeus was absolutely sure.

Post Script

Octavian Augustus Caesar did become Emperor, and the Republic was never restored. Those families that had remained neutral in the disputes fared well, as did those who supported Caesar. Until later emperors took all control into their own hands, the Senate remained a powerful force.

Glaucus and his family thrived. Two sons and another daughter filled his home with laughter and love. Glaucus was also elected to the Senate, and served honorably. Thaddia married her Marcus, though she died trying to give birth to her first child. And Crassus grew up to be a strong and talented soldier, eventually assuming the position of Imperial Guard to the Emperor himself.

Rome drew Thaddeus back on several occasions; to see Thaddia betrothed and married, and to see Crassus assume his toga virillis. On this occasion, he did finally pass the role of pater familiaris to Glaucus and officially retired to the country life he so enjoyed. He took great pleasure in his grandchildren, and Skaia assumed the unofficial position of uncle to them all.

Thaddeus’ most frequent proclamation, of course, was true.
Everyone dies
. His final illness was long and painful. Skaia cared for him constantly, and almost never left his side. And although Glaucus and his grandsons came from Rome to be present at the end, it was Skaia’s hand that Thaddeus wanted to hold as he let go of his life.

And when Skaia died some few years later—a free and valued member of the Sutonius family—some of his ashes were added to Thaddeus’ urn in the mausoleum, just as Thaddeus had wished.

Everything is gone now; the mausoleum that was to proclaim the Suetonius name forever, the marble urns that would always hold the Suetonius remains…

But perhaps somewhere, in the vast dusts of time and space, Thaddeus and Skaia remain together.

FINIS

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About the Author

My ‘official’ pen-name is Ayden Sadari, but, over the years, I’ve used others on various sites. ‘Dreamer46’ was my starter name on various Alexander and Bagoas boards that sprang up after release of the Alexander movie. It evolved to ‘DrkDreamer,’ when I started writing original fiction on Adult Fan Fiction. I am located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I don’t like to identify myself as a Virginian, because it is usually associated with conservative thought and attitude. While I, on the other hand, am a Flaming Liberal. My cause de jour is equal rights for the LGBT community.

I began writing as a teenager in high-school. Even then, I wrote yaoi - though the term was completely unknown back then. Teachers were appalled...