This story has completely captured me, I love the heartbreaking flashback scene because it really explains why Marcus would feel shame even though it was common for Romans to have sex with men
The way you write the characters is just incredible, I feel like I'm seeing them in a different way. I was going to quote my favourite descriptive bit but realised I would need to quote almost the whole thing!
What I'm trying to say in an extremely long winded way is that I have fallen in love with you and your fic, can't wait to read the rest xx
OH MY GOD ♥ This is just - how lovely of you!!! I am so, so happy that you are enjoying it, and it's such a relief to hear that the flashback helps to make sense of some of Marcus's negative attitudes towards what was then the culturally accepted norm. I am writing the next chapter at the moment, and hope to get it up soon. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for leaving such a lovely comment. It is truly appreciated ♥
You're so lovely!! I can't wait for the next chapter, the slow building tension is working so perfectly. I genuinely cannot express how much I am loving this
PS Hope you don't mind but I added you, don't ever want to miss anything you write! xx
oh my god, i am in love with this fic. it just breathes with understated tenderness and tension. seriously, i'm dying.
It is only to ward off the cold, Marcus told himself. There is no dishonour in practicality. Silently, Esca would fall asleep beside him, and silently he would wake. And in that silence, Marcus could hear nothing but the sound of his own heart drumming in his chest, like hoofbeats through the turf, and feel his pulse pattering beneath his fingertips where his hand lay across his chest, clutched around the little wooden bird, more precious and potent than his bulla had ever been.
i mean, god! like hoofbeats through the turf. it's all so bloody beautiful.
Oh my goodness, wow! Thank you so much. I am so, so happy that you like it, and that you said it's understated. I so often think that what I write lacks a certain subtlety, so it means an awful lot that you think it works ♥ I really appreciate your lovely comment ♥ :)
What a wonderful story! So smoothly written, with such evocative historical detail. Love the slow burn of desire that Marcus is feeling, and the way that Esca is so inscrutable and defiant in his own way. Simply addictive!
I'm so pleased to hear that the history works without sounding like a regurgitated textbook, and that Esca's inscrutability comes across - I love that about him ♥ Thank you so much for reading! :D
He awoke gradually in a daze of warmth, feeling a welcome looseness in his limbs that had long been absent. Something soft brushed his nose and mouth, and he twitched and stirred, which only succeeded in him burying deeper into the ticklish pillow, which smelled good, familiar. Very familiar. Marcus felt his awareness return like a shock of cold water down his back, and he instantly knew that his face was buried in a tuft of sandy-coloured hair, where he had rested his cheek against the top of Esca's head. His heart began to hammer as he realised that Esca's arm was wrapped around him, Esca's head was buried under his chin, butted up against his chest.
I know this is a forever long quote but this just tugged on my heart. Although my heart is already seriously invested in this. Marcus' pride is killing me, especially knowing now where it comes from.
Seriously, the comments on this icon are what's keeping it firmly in place. (Also the serious lust it incites also helps.)
I'm so glad you're going to continue it. I didn't even comment on Esca in this because it's so obvious that he also wants Marcus but he has this expectation that Marcus is going to take him because Esca is just his to take and how that wars with his desire. Oh god.
I'm really not sure if that sentence makes sense but I can't think of how to put it better.
Aaaah - that sentence makes perfect sense, and I can't tell you how happy I am that you can see that Esca's going through all this horrible conflict as well. I was so worried that it might be confusing, or not clear, that Esca does feel an attraction to Marcus - and HATES himself for that - and at the same time, he's convinced that his Roman master is going to treat him badly. Then Marcus will do something nice, which just makes Esca more angry...
I just... I am so over-the-moon that you got all that. THANK YOU!!! ♥
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The way you write the characters is just incredible, I feel like I'm seeing them in a different way. I was going to quote my favourite descriptive bit but realised I would need to quote almost the whole thing!
What I'm trying to say in an extremely long winded way is that I have fallen in love with you and your fic, can't wait to read the rest xx
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PS Hope you don't mind but I added you, don't ever want to miss anything you write! xx
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It is only to ward off the cold, Marcus told himself. There is no dishonour in practicality. Silently, Esca would fall asleep beside him, and silently he would wake. And in that silence, Marcus could hear nothing but the sound of his own heart drumming in his chest, like hoofbeats through the turf, and feel his pulse pattering beneath his fingertips where his hand lay across his chest, clutched around the little wooden bird, more precious and potent than his bulla had ever been.
i mean, god! like hoofbeats through the turf. it's all so bloody beautiful.
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definitely stalking this one! :DD
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I know this is a forever long quote but this just tugged on my heart. Although my heart is already seriously invested in this. Marcus' pride is killing me, especially knowing now where it comes from.
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Oh god, Marcus and his pride and restraint completely kill me ♥ I promise I will treat your heart right, bb! Thank you for reading it so far ♥
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I'm so glad you're going to continue it. I didn't even comment on Esca in this because it's so obvious that he also wants Marcus but he has this expectation that Marcus is going to take him because Esca is just his to take and how that wars with his desire. Oh god.
I'm really not sure if that sentence makes sense but I can't think of how to put it better.
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I just... I am so over-the-moon that you got all that. THANK YOU!!! ♥
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