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[hr][i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: Two Years Ago[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Location: Iron Wolves War Camp, Cassius’ Tent[/color][/i][hr]
Cassius stood at the entrance of his tent looking out into the night sky. The moonlight reflected off his uncovered body; highlighting the curves of his muscles and many scars that he had earned over the years. The smell of a coming rain was in the air, and Cassius felt right at home despite his tent being surrounded by dozens of others filled with mercenaries and soldiers alike. He felt the warmth of arms wrap around his waist and another uncovered body caress his own.   

[color=DC143C]"Why in the nine hells are you awake right now?”[/color] The man asked before planting a kiss on the back of Cas’ shoulder. [color=DC143C]"Or rather…why are you awake and not in bed with me, Lieutenant?”[/color] Cas’ lips curved into a flirtatious smirk at the man’s words. He turned back to see his companion. The man was beautiful. [i]Truly beautiful[/i]. Not even the leather eye patch nor the scar that potruded from the top and bottom of it could hinder the man’s gorgeous face. Liam…his name was Liam. He took Liam’s face in his hands and gently pressed a kiss against his forehead. 

[color=LightSteelBlue] "Tonight has been too perfect. I wasn’t ready to let it end. I considered waking you, but you looked far too adorable snoring with drool dripping onto your pillow.”[/color] Cas’ smirk turned to a childish smile and he laughed as Liam playfully began to attack him.

[color=DC143C]"I do not snore!”[/color] Liam exclaimed through his own fit of laughter. [color=DC143C]"And if I do it is because you absolutely wear me the fuck out Cassius.”[/color] The man grabbed the back of Cas’ head and pushed it down towards his own, planting a ferocious kiss on his lover’s lips. Cassius complied with the passionate kiss, but gave his own rebellious spin in the form of biting Liam’s lip in the most seductive way possible. Cassius could feel Liam’s body press against his own with desire; ready to give into the passion and repeat the fun they had already experienced [i]more than once[/i] that night. The suddenly…Cas felt the man pull away from him just slightly. For a moment they simply stared at each other. Cas could sense the hint of sadness behind his partner’s one green eye as he brushed the man’s wavy, red hair out of his face. Liam maintained a smile despite letting the melancholy feelings slip. [color=DC143C]"Nights like tonight are almost enough to make me forget the truth.”[/color]

[color=LightSteelBlue]"And what truth might that be?”[/color]

[color=DC143C] "The truth of your heart you beautiful…foolish bastard.”[/color] Cas couldn’t help but let his smirk curl onto his lips once again hearing the man’s words. 

[color=LightSteelBlue]"You know…that is no way to talk to your Lieutenant.”[/color] Cas jested. [color=LightSteelBlue]”I could have you on latrine duty for a month for that offense.”[/color] The sarcasm dripping from Cas’ words forced a smile to curl across Liam’s face despite his more solemn demeanor.

[color=DC143C]"Yes…of course. Make your jests and flash that charm that so often gets you out of difficult conversations. It has worked on me before. But tonight…tonight I stand my ground because I want you to know that I do know the truth Cassius. That you will never…”[/color] Liam is cut off before he can finish as Cas covers the man’s mouth playfully.   

[color=LightSteelBlue]"Why would we ruin a perfect night like this with supposed truths, Liam?”[/color] He motions to the bed. [color=LightSteelBlue]”There is more perfection to be had before the sun rises. We can save truths until the morning if you wish.”[/color] After a moment of consideration, Liam slowly removes Cas’ hand from his mouth. 

[color=DC143C]"In the morning we have other truths to face, blood to spill, and gold to earn. This truth needs to be spoken tonight Cassius. For the sake of my sanity. Just in case tomorrow doesn’t go our way.”[/color] As Liam finishes his words, Cassius turns back to the night sky and takes in the stars one final time for the evening. 

 [color=LightSteelBlue]"As you wish. Let me hear this truth of yours.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]"The truth is…that I [i]love[/i] you. But I know your heart Cassius Vael of the Iron Wolves. My Lieutenant. The man handpicked by Captain Mercer to lead our men once his time has come. I know you. And with that comes knowing that you will never truly love me, Cassius. You will never [i]truly[/i] love anyone as much as you love yourself.”[/color]



[hr][i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: One Year Later[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Location: A brothel in a war torn city[/color][/i][hr]
The woman rubbed her fingers up and down Cassius’ unshaved chest in a comforting motion. Her nails were beautifully manicured and painted green. They reminded Cassius of Liam’s green eye. 

“Well…was he right? Are you truly incapable of love?” The woman asked as she lifted herself to kiss his chest then lips. Cassius looked her deep in the eyes with a somber smile.

[color=LightSteelBlue]"Perhaps.”[/color]

“And where is this brave and handsome warrior named Liam now?” The woman asked. The eye contact between the two is broken as Cassius looks towards the window…taking in the starlight one final time for the night. 

[color=LightSteelBlue]"He died…two days later…in my arms.”[/color]

“Cassius…I…I am [i]so[/i] sorry.”

[color=LightSteelBlue]"No need to be sorry, beautiful girl. I am sorry enough for the both of us.”[/color] Cassus rolls over on top of the gorgeous woman and winks at her with a sly smile. [color=LightSteelBlue]"Now cheer up. I may very well be incapable of love…but lust…lust I have in spades.”[/color] The woman, looking up at him, raises her hand and places it against his cheek lovingly.

“You are unlike most men that come in here, Cassius. I am not sure I’ve ever met anyone like you before.” She laughs. “The arrogance I’ve seen. Even the charm is not unique to you…But there is something about you Mr. Vael. Something that makes me want more no matter how much I get.” She bites her lip erotically, reaching around…she drags her nails down Cassius’ back. “Now show me more of that lust you mentioned.” 

[color=LightSteelBlue]"That’s a good girl.”[/color] 


[hr][i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: Almost Noon[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Location: The Athletic Arena & Beyond[/color][/i][hr]
Cassius watched as the woman who seemed to be affected by the executed man’s strange actions was attended to. She seemed to be alright…at least superficially. He considered walking over to her, but felt now was not the best time to make introductions. If he has the chance again, he would not waste it…but for now he felt the need to leave. Before doing so, he pulled the flask from his jacket’s breast pocket and paid his respects to the death that was just witnessed by pouring some of the liquor onto the ground at his feet. The dead man seemed to be a truly vile individual, but that didn’t mean that his life leaving this world was undeserving of respect. 

The next few moments unfolded like quite the blur as Cassius made his way through the crowd and outside of the arena. It wasn’t even quite noon and yet Cassius felt as though he was ready to call it a day. So much had transpired so quickly and much of it was nothing like he had expected. He felt something which he rarely suffered…the feeling of being overwhelmed. Oddly, it was almost comforting. At the very least it was a change of pace, and those are always nice from time to time.  

He meandered a bit around the city as he took the very long way back to the inn where he was staying. He stopped in the bazaar for a quick bite to eat, watched some of the people that came and went, but mostly he just lived in the silence as he tried to process everything that had happened. Normally, in moments like this it had become his habit to seek comfort in the form of a stiff drink and a lust-filled tryst. But everyone needed to face these moments of uncertainty every once in a while. So he did…for a time. He pondered and reflected and looked inward. However, by the time he made it back to the tavern his daily allotment for such things was more than exceeded, and so he turned his attention back to doing what it was that he did best. He drank. He fucked. He made sure his name would never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to cross his path this day.