For three days and nights, Dominatus suffered from a high fever due to the poison and his wounds. Lucianus was glued to his beloved’s side and had even hired a renowned physician to diagnose Dominatus. When the physician gave a vague diagnosis, claiming that the patient’s recovery was up to his own stamina and willpower, Lucianus angrily demanded the doctor to forfeit his famed title.
On the fourth day, Dominatus’s fever finally went down, and he started to recover at an astonishing rate. Lucianus breathed a sigh of relief. He was impressed by Dominatus’s ravenous appetite, but his beloved’s lower half was equally hungry for Lucianus’s touch. When the noble was nursing his beloved and wiping down Dominatus in bed, he was dragged into sex numerous times.
Lucianus had resisted at first out of worry for the gladiator’s worn body, but Dominatus was like a starving beast. In the face of such an aggressive show of affection, Lucianus easily relented, his body melting away into pleasure—before he knew it, his lower half was naked, and Dominatus was deep inside him.
“I returned to you alive, didn’t I?” Dominatus whispered into the noble’s ear. The gladiator’s body was still feverish as he forcibly held Lucianus in his arms.
Lucianus couldn’t suppress his emotions. Their act of coitus was short and intense, but an indescribable sense of pleasure washed over his body as he released his warm seed.
Dominatus had recovered considerably since, and he had no issues going about his daily life, but the aftereffects of the poison and his deep wounds still lingered. And so, Lucianus suggested that they head for his villa in Filena, where they had access to a natural hot spring. Dominatus had been wanting to go as he was bored to death in the manor, and the couple left with a few servants in tow.
“I wouldn’t mind another round in the bath,” Dominatus said.
“No one said anything of the sort,” Lucianus replied. “Good grief, your lower sword is more energetic than I imagined.”
“It’s because you’re by my side. You’re a sinful man.”
“Don’t blame it on me.”
Despite Lucianus’s weary tone, he was secretly delighted to hear that Dominatus yearned for him so deeply. Their days together felt like a dream, and Lucianus was so happy that he truly wished that these days would last forever. However, one problem plagued his mind. Lucianus had yet to convey his love to Dominatus. In bed, Lucianus was so engrossed in the moment that he’d often spout embarrassing pleas, but not once had he explicitly spoken of his love.
Needless to say, Dominatus was aware of Lucianus’s feelings—perhaps only Lucianus was bothered by this fact. Still, he’d promised to vocalize his love a million times if Dominatus won against Grucos; Lucianus felt guilty for being unable to uphold his end of the bargain. The noble had made a few attempts during sex, but he became too embarrassed to follow through.
The bedroom was connected to the bath by a personal corridor, so Dominatus walked to his destination naked. Lucianus followed, still wearing his long robe. He’d told Kaira to keep others away, so there was nothing to worry about, but Lucianus’s sensibilities didn’t allow for him to walk the corridor unclothed.
“You’re as rigid as ever,” Dominatus remarked, stepping into the bath beside Lucianus.
Lucianus asked for clarification, but Dominatus said nothing more and continued to smile faintly. A brief silence settled between them.
“Do you not like rigid men?” Lucianus asked.
All of a sudden, he grew anxious. Has he grown tired of me and my nagging? Perhaps Dominatus tolerated it in small doses, but there was a good chance that his dissatisfaction grew the longer they spent their time together.
“I neither like nor dislike them,” Dominatus replied indifferently.
Lucianus took his reply as assent—he didn’t like such men. He frantically tried to retort before the atmosphere turned awkward, but he couldn’t find the right words. On the contrary, he was overcome with deep sadness and tears started to form in the corners of his eyes. He hastily splashed water on his face, not wanting to be seen as an effeminate man who cried so easily. He could only pretend he was washing himself.
“Lucianus, are you crying?” Dominatus asked, his face riddled with surprise.
“Of course not,” Lucianus quickly replied. “Why would I cry because you treat me so coldly? Cease your foolish babbling.”
“You’re not only stiff and prideful, but you’re dishonest as well. You’re shockingly uncute.”
New tears started to form in Lucianus’s eyes as he felt like he was being rejected. He turned away from Dominatus.
“Yet, when I see you act that way, you’re so endearing that I can’t help but bully you a little,” Dominatus continued. “Forgive me.”
Lucianus was hugged from behind and a sense of relief rushed over him, but he was also annoyed.
“You’ve got a mean streak,” he muttered.
Dominatus forced Lucianus to face him. “Your eyes are red. I knew it, you were crying,” he said. He saw right through Lucianus’s tough front. “I’m sorry for bullying you, but why are you anxious over such a minor detail? Are you not able to trust my feelings for you?”
“N-nothing like that.”
Despite being gravely injured and on the verge of death, Dominatus had returned to Lucianus’s side. He surely wouldn’t have been able to accomplish such a feat if he wasn’t deeply in love with Lucianus. Lucianus knew that he was loved, and he had no doubts, but his heart flickered like a candle’s flame in the wind. Every casual remark, utterance, and action that Dominatus made caused Lucianus’s heart to waver.