Fic: Esca's First Saturnalia
Title: Esca's First Saturnalia
Fandom: The Eagle
Rating: NC-17
Length: ~1100
Pairing: Esca/Marcus
Warning: Slight dub-con for the fact that they've been drinking.
Summary: Esca takes advantage of Saturnalia. And Marcus
Author's Note: Written for this prompt at
riventhorn's Tis the Season Comment Fest for The Eagle.
Esca looked more bewildered than anything else when Marcus explained the tradition of Saturnalia. Marcus had not bothered deeply explaining the purpose and mythology behind it, knowing Esca had his own gods and would not care to hear of others. It was a time to celebrate the last year and encourage Saturn to bring in a good harvest in the next. Slaves were allowed to act as freedmen for the festival, allowed to be served by masters, remembering a time before the Empire.
The festivities here were nothing like the sigillaria in Rome, nor did it last the customary week. Not enough disposable income, Marcus supposed. It was still rather amusing to see his usually self-assured slave seem so nonplussed at the sight of the market. There were far more people than usual. It was barely mid-morning and everyone was full of wine. Markets were always loud with haggling and arguing, but they were even louder now, full of merriment and singing instead. All of the common items had been replaced by festival fare, causing the market to have that particular smell that always accompanied this festival.
Marcus gave Esca a small satchel of coins, not too much, but enough to amuse himself for a day.
Esca opened the leather purse to look inside, as if confirming that it was not merely a bag of rocks. "What am I to do with this?"
"There is drink, food, shows and dice games. I am sure you will be able to find something to entertain you for the day."
Esca looked at him as if he and the rest of Rome were soft in the head, a look Marcus was far more familiar with. "You give so much money to your slaves and expect them not to run away?"
"That is why there are so many guards surrounding the market," Marcus said dismissively. Of course, this was different from Rome, where a slave would need to travel far before reaching the edges of the empire and were sure to be caught long before then. Here, it was more lax, and a Brigante slave would be able to get a lay of the land quicker than the guards, who were probably drinking as well. Marcus had no doubts that Esca would be able to successfully run away if he tried.
Esca must have had the same thought; he looked dubious when he turned to survey the market.
"I will be at the western inn, near the stables," Marcus said. It was common for citizens to seek hospitality in other's home, whether they were acquaintances or not, but Marcus had little interest in invading another's home, having their loosened tongues question him about his service, a topic which was still as sore as his wound. "Return to me when you have finished with your frivolity."
Esca only took one step before Marcus remembered.
"Wait," he said, before reaching into his saddle bag and taking out a pelius, the hat of a freedman. He unfolded it and placed it on Esca's head. "Generally, slaves wear their master's clothing as well, but I doubt anything I own would fit you." Marcus should have dressed him in his clothing anyway; the thought spread a warmth low in his belly.
Esca frowned and looked up as if to see the hat on his head. He did not take it off, as much as he probably wanted.
"Off with you," Marcus said, giving Esca a light shove towards the market. "Do take care to keep all your clothes on, or at least keep track of them; there is a tendency during this holiday to strip to your skin and sing."
Esca scowled and walked away, seeming to be more upset at taking part in a festival than he ever did at doing labor.
After Esca disappeared into the large crowd, Marcus made a quick walk through in the markets, buying a small gift for his uncle before heading to the inn. His leg was not fit enough to wander through the market aimlessly as was normally done on this occasion.
Marcus spent the day sipping at spiced festival wine and talking to his fellow Romans, learning of the current events in the Empire that he had been neglecting of late. The slow, constant flow of wine kept him light yet lucid.
Before Marcus realized it, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and half of the sky was still warm with red. Marcus was beginning to wonder if his trust had been misplaced and Esca had run away. The festivities had only grown, so it was possible Esca was still celebrating. Marcus was surprised. He had been sure Esca would have been done after a short time; he usually had little interest when it came to anything Roman. Perhaps the chaos of the festivities reminded him of the celebrations of his old home.
A figure suddenly pressed against his back and an arm was casually placed on his shoulder. Marcus turned, expecting another of the young women who had been plying him with compliments in prospect of marriage all night. He was more that surprised to see who it was.
"Esca!"
Esca smiled widely, obviously drunk. His pelius was at an angle on his head. His clothing was rumbled and pulled to one side, revealing a skinny shoulder. The coin pouch at his side was limp and empty. By the state of him, Marcus wondered if Esca did end up singing naked with his fellows.
Marcus glanced worriedly to his drinking partners. There was a fine line between giving a slave freedom for a day and actually letting them do whatever they wanted. There was still some amount of decorum expected between a slave and his master, and having the slave drape himself over his master like an equal crossed that line. Luckily, his fellow Romans only looked extremely amused at the antics of the drunken slave, as if he were a small child trying drink for the first time.
"You have finished your celebrating?" Marcus asked carefully.
Esca gave an exaggerated frown. "No, but I'ran out of coin."
Amicus gave a low laugh. "That is slaves for you. Give them a little freedom and they run completely wild. The Brigantes are the worst for it, already wild to begin with."
Esca's frown twisted, unhappy with the retired senator's comment.
"Come, Esca," Marcus said quickly before he could speak. Even if Esca insulted them in his own tongue, anger was understood in any language. Marcus did not want to have the day dampened by the need to punish his slave. "We will continue our celebrations back at the villa."
Marcus expected Esca to argue. Instead, his eyes lightened, as if he thought it was a fantastic idea. "Yes." Marcus decided to never to allow Esca to drink again. This new demeanor was disturbing on his normally stoic slave.
Marcus stood, Esca sliding of his back as he straightened. His leg was stiff from sitting for so long, but by the way Esca was leaning against him, it looked as if he would need to support both of their weights on the way to the stables.
----
"I need to stop," Esca suddenly said, his horse trailing behind Marcus'.
Marcus looked back. Esca was paler than usual and hunched down. His eyes were tightly shut as if battling with his inner nausea. "Yes, perhaps we should."
They slowed the horses and Esca gracelessly slid off. He gripped the saddle and placed his forehead on the animal's flank.
Marcus smiled as he dismounted, wincing when he placed weight on his bad leg. "I thought you Brigantes could hold your drink."
"Your... Your wine is foul," Esca muttered. "Churns my stomach."
"Then sit and allow it to pass."
Esca grunted and plopped down on the grass at the side of the road, lying back and sprawling.
Marcus sat as well, extending his leg to massage the muscles gently. Esca was far better at this, but he would not trust Esca's hands right now.
Esca's shallow breaths evened out and became slow and deep. Marcus figured he could let him sleep for a while.
Marcus concentrated on relaxing his leg. Just as the muscle yielded and he breathed a relieved sigh, he felt lips pressed against his own. He jerked back to find Esca's face extremely close to his own. "Esca!"
Esca grinned and leaned in again.
"Esca!" Marcus gripped the slave's shoulders and pushing him back to arm's length.
Esca looked irritated. "I am a freemen t'day, am I? Am I not?"
"You, uh. In a way, yes," Marcus stuttered.
"Then I am free t'choose t'lie with you!" Esca's hands went to the laces of Marcus' braccae. Marcus had to let go of Esca's shoulders to pull the slave's hands back by the wrists. This only gave Esca the opportunity to latch his mouth on Marcus' jaw again. Marcus tried to pull back, and Esca took the opportunity to throw his body forward to Marcus landed on his back. Esca grinned wickedly above him.
Marcus growled and turned them over. He rose to his hands and knees, his scarred leg already beginning to burn. He pinned Esca's hands on the ground above his head. Esca grinned as if he had gotten Marcus to finally cooperate.
"You are drunk," Marcus grit out.
"What'sit matter," Esca whined, actually /whined/ in a way Marcus had not thought possible for Esca's mouth, a subject he had thought about more than once.
"No! I will not take advantage of you in such a state."
"By t'morrow you will be my master again, then it willn't matter what state I'm in." Esca wrapped his legs around Marcus' waist and rolled his hips up to rub against Marcus, who was half erect and only growing harder. "I know you desire me," Esca all but purred, using his legs to pull his top half up and brush his lips against Marcus'. "I am not ignorant t'the way you look at me when you think I do not see."
Marcus cursed quietly. He only appreciated Esca's form, but he had never thought of actually...
Esca gave a sudden hard thrust up. Marcus jerked back, releasing himself from Esca's legs and stumbling back. He landed on his backside, and then was pushed to his back. He let out an 'oomph' as Esca landed on top of him, stretching out to try and cover as much of Marcus as his smaller body could. For being so lean, Esca was surprisingly heavy.
Esca wriggled up and placed his hands on either side of Marcus' head. He surged down and conquered Marcus' mouth. Conquered was the only word for it as he licked against Marcus' lips until he yielded. Esca's wine-soaked tongue invaded violently, mapping out every surface. Esca's mind may be Brigante but his mouth was clearly Roman.
Esca began to rut against Marcus' stomach just above his groin. His erection was even through the clothing. Marcus placed his hands on Esca's hips with the purpose of pushing him away, but he only pulled him closer. He moved Esca over so his thigh fitted between Marcus' legs and he could rub against it. Esca moaned, the sound starting low but suddenly spiking in pitch as Marcus rolled his lower body up.
Marcus knew he could not blame the alcohol on his own actions. Having Esca lying on top of him writhing... He was only a mortal man, and it had been too long.
Apparently being satisfied that Marcus wasn't going to resist anymore, Esca moved his mouth down to Marcus' throat. He angled his hips up and reached between them and clawed at their braccae. His usually dexterous fingers fumbled with the laces, his knuckles bumping and brushing against Marcus' shaft.
Marcus moaned in frustration. He was about ready to rip the ties but before he realized it, a sweaty hot hand wrapped around him. Marcus bit his lower lip as Esca lined himself and wrapped his hand around them both as much as he could.
Esca was drunk on wine and Marcus was drunk on Esca, so neither of them were going to last long, even if Esca's strokes were too rough and fast but somehow wonderful.
"Marcus," Esca moaned, and that was enough to push Marcus over the edge, gasping out a quiet orgasm, a skill learned over years of military service.
Esca cried out, loud and wild, as he shuddered through his own. When the last waves seemed to have gone, he slumped down, lying back down on top of Marcus.
Marcus breathed deeply, trying to catch his breath. He looked down, watched Esca's body rise with each of Marcus' breaths. "We talk... about this... in the... the morning... when you're sober."
Esca made a noncommittal noise and began to snore.
Fandom: The Eagle
Rating: NC-17
Length: ~1100
Pairing: Esca/Marcus
Warning: Slight dub-con for the fact that they've been drinking.
Summary: Esca takes advantage of Saturnalia. And Marcus
Author's Note: Written for this prompt at
riventhorn's Tis the Season Comment Fest for The Eagle.
Esca looked more bewildered than anything else when Marcus explained the tradition of Saturnalia. Marcus had not bothered deeply explaining the purpose and mythology behind it, knowing Esca had his own gods and would not care to hear of others. It was a time to celebrate the last year and encourage Saturn to bring in a good harvest in the next. Slaves were allowed to act as freedmen for the festival, allowed to be served by masters, remembering a time before the Empire.
The festivities here were nothing like the sigillaria in Rome, nor did it last the customary week. Not enough disposable income, Marcus supposed. It was still rather amusing to see his usually self-assured slave seem so nonplussed at the sight of the market. There were far more people than usual. It was barely mid-morning and everyone was full of wine. Markets were always loud with haggling and arguing, but they were even louder now, full of merriment and singing instead. All of the common items had been replaced by festival fare, causing the market to have that particular smell that always accompanied this festival.
Marcus gave Esca a small satchel of coins, not too much, but enough to amuse himself for a day.
Esca opened the leather purse to look inside, as if confirming that it was not merely a bag of rocks. "What am I to do with this?"
"There is drink, food, shows and dice games. I am sure you will be able to find something to entertain you for the day."
Esca looked at him as if he and the rest of Rome were soft in the head, a look Marcus was far more familiar with. "You give so much money to your slaves and expect them not to run away?"
"That is why there are so many guards surrounding the market," Marcus said dismissively. Of course, this was different from Rome, where a slave would need to travel far before reaching the edges of the empire and were sure to be caught long before then. Here, it was more lax, and a Brigante slave would be able to get a lay of the land quicker than the guards, who were probably drinking as well. Marcus had no doubts that Esca would be able to successfully run away if he tried.
Esca must have had the same thought; he looked dubious when he turned to survey the market.
"I will be at the western inn, near the stables," Marcus said. It was common for citizens to seek hospitality in other's home, whether they were acquaintances or not, but Marcus had little interest in invading another's home, having their loosened tongues question him about his service, a topic which was still as sore as his wound. "Return to me when you have finished with your frivolity."
Esca only took one step before Marcus remembered.
"Wait," he said, before reaching into his saddle bag and taking out a pelius, the hat of a freedman. He unfolded it and placed it on Esca's head. "Generally, slaves wear their master's clothing as well, but I doubt anything I own would fit you." Marcus should have dressed him in his clothing anyway; the thought spread a warmth low in his belly.
Esca frowned and looked up as if to see the hat on his head. He did not take it off, as much as he probably wanted.
"Off with you," Marcus said, giving Esca a light shove towards the market. "Do take care to keep all your clothes on, or at least keep track of them; there is a tendency during this holiday to strip to your skin and sing."
Esca scowled and walked away, seeming to be more upset at taking part in a festival than he ever did at doing labor.
After Esca disappeared into the large crowd, Marcus made a quick walk through in the markets, buying a small gift for his uncle before heading to the inn. His leg was not fit enough to wander through the market aimlessly as was normally done on this occasion.
Marcus spent the day sipping at spiced festival wine and talking to his fellow Romans, learning of the current events in the Empire that he had been neglecting of late. The slow, constant flow of wine kept him light yet lucid.
Before Marcus realized it, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and half of the sky was still warm with red. Marcus was beginning to wonder if his trust had been misplaced and Esca had run away. The festivities had only grown, so it was possible Esca was still celebrating. Marcus was surprised. He had been sure Esca would have been done after a short time; he usually had little interest when it came to anything Roman. Perhaps the chaos of the festivities reminded him of the celebrations of his old home.
A figure suddenly pressed against his back and an arm was casually placed on his shoulder. Marcus turned, expecting another of the young women who had been plying him with compliments in prospect of marriage all night. He was more that surprised to see who it was.
"Esca!"
Esca smiled widely, obviously drunk. His pelius was at an angle on his head. His clothing was rumbled and pulled to one side, revealing a skinny shoulder. The coin pouch at his side was limp and empty. By the state of him, Marcus wondered if Esca did end up singing naked with his fellows.
Marcus glanced worriedly to his drinking partners. There was a fine line between giving a slave freedom for a day and actually letting them do whatever they wanted. There was still some amount of decorum expected between a slave and his master, and having the slave drape himself over his master like an equal crossed that line. Luckily, his fellow Romans only looked extremely amused at the antics of the drunken slave, as if he were a small child trying drink for the first time.
"You have finished your celebrating?" Marcus asked carefully.
Esca gave an exaggerated frown. "No, but I'ran out of coin."
Amicus gave a low laugh. "That is slaves for you. Give them a little freedom and they run completely wild. The Brigantes are the worst for it, already wild to begin with."
Esca's frown twisted, unhappy with the retired senator's comment.
"Come, Esca," Marcus said quickly before he could speak. Even if Esca insulted them in his own tongue, anger was understood in any language. Marcus did not want to have the day dampened by the need to punish his slave. "We will continue our celebrations back at the villa."
Marcus expected Esca to argue. Instead, his eyes lightened, as if he thought it was a fantastic idea. "Yes." Marcus decided to never to allow Esca to drink again. This new demeanor was disturbing on his normally stoic slave.
Marcus stood, Esca sliding of his back as he straightened. His leg was stiff from sitting for so long, but by the way Esca was leaning against him, it looked as if he would need to support both of their weights on the way to the stables.
----
"I need to stop," Esca suddenly said, his horse trailing behind Marcus'.
Marcus looked back. Esca was paler than usual and hunched down. His eyes were tightly shut as if battling with his inner nausea. "Yes, perhaps we should."
They slowed the horses and Esca gracelessly slid off. He gripped the saddle and placed his forehead on the animal's flank.
Marcus smiled as he dismounted, wincing when he placed weight on his bad leg. "I thought you Brigantes could hold your drink."
"Your... Your wine is foul," Esca muttered. "Churns my stomach."
"Then sit and allow it to pass."
Esca grunted and plopped down on the grass at the side of the road, lying back and sprawling.
Marcus sat as well, extending his leg to massage the muscles gently. Esca was far better at this, but he would not trust Esca's hands right now.
Esca's shallow breaths evened out and became slow and deep. Marcus figured he could let him sleep for a while.
Marcus concentrated on relaxing his leg. Just as the muscle yielded and he breathed a relieved sigh, he felt lips pressed against his own. He jerked back to find Esca's face extremely close to his own. "Esca!"
Esca grinned and leaned in again.
"Esca!" Marcus gripped the slave's shoulders and pushing him back to arm's length.
Esca looked irritated. "I am a freemen t'day, am I? Am I not?"
"You, uh. In a way, yes," Marcus stuttered.
"Then I am free t'choose t'lie with you!" Esca's hands went to the laces of Marcus' braccae. Marcus had to let go of Esca's shoulders to pull the slave's hands back by the wrists. This only gave Esca the opportunity to latch his mouth on Marcus' jaw again. Marcus tried to pull back, and Esca took the opportunity to throw his body forward to Marcus landed on his back. Esca grinned wickedly above him.
Marcus growled and turned them over. He rose to his hands and knees, his scarred leg already beginning to burn. He pinned Esca's hands on the ground above his head. Esca grinned as if he had gotten Marcus to finally cooperate.
"You are drunk," Marcus grit out.
"What'sit matter," Esca whined, actually /whined/ in a way Marcus had not thought possible for Esca's mouth, a subject he had thought about more than once.
"No! I will not take advantage of you in such a state."
"By t'morrow you will be my master again, then it willn't matter what state I'm in." Esca wrapped his legs around Marcus' waist and rolled his hips up to rub against Marcus, who was half erect and only growing harder. "I know you desire me," Esca all but purred, using his legs to pull his top half up and brush his lips against Marcus'. "I am not ignorant t'the way you look at me when you think I do not see."
Marcus cursed quietly. He only appreciated Esca's form, but he had never thought of actually...
Esca gave a sudden hard thrust up. Marcus jerked back, releasing himself from Esca's legs and stumbling back. He landed on his backside, and then was pushed to his back. He let out an 'oomph' as Esca landed on top of him, stretching out to try and cover as much of Marcus as his smaller body could. For being so lean, Esca was surprisingly heavy.
Esca wriggled up and placed his hands on either side of Marcus' head. He surged down and conquered Marcus' mouth. Conquered was the only word for it as he licked against Marcus' lips until he yielded. Esca's wine-soaked tongue invaded violently, mapping out every surface. Esca's mind may be Brigante but his mouth was clearly Roman.
Esca began to rut against Marcus' stomach just above his groin. His erection was even through the clothing. Marcus placed his hands on Esca's hips with the purpose of pushing him away, but he only pulled him closer. He moved Esca over so his thigh fitted between Marcus' legs and he could rub against it. Esca moaned, the sound starting low but suddenly spiking in pitch as Marcus rolled his lower body up.
Marcus knew he could not blame the alcohol on his own actions. Having Esca lying on top of him writhing... He was only a mortal man, and it had been too long.
Apparently being satisfied that Marcus wasn't going to resist anymore, Esca moved his mouth down to Marcus' throat. He angled his hips up and reached between them and clawed at their braccae. His usually dexterous fingers fumbled with the laces, his knuckles bumping and brushing against Marcus' shaft.
Marcus moaned in frustration. He was about ready to rip the ties but before he realized it, a sweaty hot hand wrapped around him. Marcus bit his lower lip as Esca lined himself and wrapped his hand around them both as much as he could.
Esca was drunk on wine and Marcus was drunk on Esca, so neither of them were going to last long, even if Esca's strokes were too rough and fast but somehow wonderful.
"Marcus," Esca moaned, and that was enough to push Marcus over the edge, gasping out a quiet orgasm, a skill learned over years of military service.
Esca cried out, loud and wild, as he shuddered through his own. When the last waves seemed to have gone, he slumped down, lying back down on top of Marcus.
Marcus breathed deeply, trying to catch his breath. He looked down, watched Esca's body rise with each of Marcus' breaths. "We talk... about this... in the... the morning... when you're sober."
Esca made a noncommittal noise and began to snore.