caecilius x grumio

2 || Calcelius

JJ, Pikkle, Mutteray, Pissitzy, and Grumio are in a cell together. They are trying their best to nurse Grumio back to health.

it's not going very well.

'Calcelius' seems to have forgotten who they are, now under the control of the emperor, Kolokunt.

JJ has a hunch at what they gave him.

the 'Pussitydefect' herb, which is used to interfere with the hippocampus (yes, this is a real part of the brain) of someone's brain to tamper with their memories.

but these went extinct a couple of ADs ago, so JJ has no idea where the emperor got them.

he's staring out his cell, towards the stone brick wall.

footsteps are approaching.

JJ quickly falls onto his stack of hay, the others copying.

the footsteps stop.

JJ holds his breath, praying for it to not be another beating session.

the person takes a deep breath in.

JJ does so, also shutting his eyes.

'I recognise you.'

JJ opens his left eye.

'I feel good when im around you, almost as if its meant to be.'

now JJ opens his right eye.

'Can I come in?'

now JJ sits up.

standing there is Calcelius, no, Caecilius. but not quite Caecilius.

looks like he needs a shave and a fresh haircut.

without waiting for an answer, he enters the cell. Mutteray jumps up.

'woah! you can't come in here! they're going to punish us again!'

Caecilius shushes him.

'They're all out today. they're advancing on Naples, then further into Italy.'

Grumio now sits up.

'cae?'

Caecilius looks towards him.

'You. I feel so close to you yet so distant. what is our connection?'

grumio gets up, tears in his eyes.

'Oh baby, we were married and the mayors of Pompeii!'

'Pompeii? Oh, yes. Princess Metella told me they've got control over that town. We were the mayors you say? me and a commoner? I don't think so.'

'what have they done to you..?'

'bought me back to my senses.'

'No cae, this isn't you.'

'I'm afraid so.'

grumio runs forward and throws himself into Caecilius's arms.

his face was slack as it took time for him to process this.

he doesn't resist. Instead, he wraps his arms around grumio's torso.

'Oh, this connection. it feels so familiar. '

'of course it does, baby.'

JJ and the others share an apple as they watch.

Grumio's tears start to fall as he puts his hand underneath Caecilius' toga and up his back.

Caecilius moans.

Oh, JJ's so excited for this.