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The march westward took several, long and harsh years.
Megumi was but a pup when he and his father were stolen from their village in the dead of night. Although that night is but a blur to him now, he remembers the suddenness of the attack.
He remembers blood-curdling screams filling the night air and fire spreading along the shore, burning everything in its path. He remembers clinging to his father and sobbing as they were torn apart.
They were separated prior to the journey as they both would serve different roles in their new lives.
“A strong and healthy alpha,” one poacher said in regards to Megumi’s father. The traitorous poacher was from Megumi’s homeland which was the only reason why Megumi understood his words. “He will serve your Emperor well in the fighting pits…”
And when the poacher laid his eyes on Megumi, the soulless, black orbs smiled with greed. “And a newly presented omega,” he said. “He will serve your warriors well in the flesh market…”
Megumi was dragged away, kicking and screaming until the blunt end of a sword temporarily put him out of his misery.
When he opened his eyes again, he was in chains and inside of a cramped cage with people he’d known all of his life. They were all too terrified to meet his gaze, and he was too devastated by their circumstances to hold it against them.
The cramped cage became roomier soon.
Some of the older captives died along the way, and their corpses kept Megumi company before they were eventually dumped. Every now and again, he would awake from a delirious slumber to a new occupant in the cage.
Everywhere these devils went, they collected people - no slaves - as though they were silk and rice to be traded. The trafficking of humans, especially that of alphas and omegas, was quite common.
It was just something that Megumi was unaware of. He used to live a life of ignorance and it was the sweetest existence that he often wishes he could return to.
But the sands of time can not be reversed.
Throughout the march westward, Megumi’s happy and determined disposition withered until he was nothing more than a husk of his former self. His eyes lost their luster, and his heart lost all hope, all courage, and all traces of love.
By the time he arrived in Rome, he was a hardened young man rather than a soft, doe-eyed boy.
“We can get a year or two out of you before you lose your worth,” the attendant, Uraume, says as he appraises Megumi. He pays special attention to Megumi’s eyes, already imagining the patrons that will be drawn to him solely for that. “Lady Mei prefers to take in pups to better mold them. You are far older than what is desired but I suppose you will do…”
Megumi continues to stare straight ahead, down the row of threadbare cots, feeling empty.
During the trek here, he overheard various languages none of which he understood nor did he take the time to understand them. The language Uraume speaks is the language of Rome. It is a harsh and flat language that Megumi doubts he will ever learn.
Uraume’s lips curl. “It will do you well to learn the civilized tongue of the Empire.” He circles around Megumi, eyeing him up and down. “Although most of the patrons will not require conversation…”
When Uraume comes to stand in front of Megumi again, Megumi takes the time to actually look at Uraume.
He is a comely beta with striking white hair that sits atop his shoulders. His eyes are a peculiar shade, reminding Megumi of the jewels he saw on a traveler’s shield one of the nights they took camp in someplace he can’t recall the name of.
Uraume’s slim body is wrapped in a blue toga. A pink nipple is exposed and it's adorned with a small, gold hoop. This style of dress is worn by the other attendants as well.
“I believe you are from the East, yes?” Uraume asks. Then he sighs, remembering that Megumi doesn’t understand him. “I will allow Antonia to oversee your training then. You two hail from the same land I believe.”
Megumi follows Uraume out of the sleeping quarters, albeit reluctantly.
The thermae is made up of high, stone columns, several floors, open pools, and private rooms whose doorways are covered in silk cloth. At the highest peak of the thermae, there are two chambers.
The chamber to the left is where the esteemed, Mei Mei, resides. She is the owner of the thermae and is said to not be trifled with. However, she does treat her attendants fairly. So long as they mind their manners.
Across from Mei Mei’s chamber, on a level slightly lower, is where Antonia resides.
Antonia is the most prized puer in the thermae.
He is a male omega with long, inky hair that stops a little past his wide hips. His eyes are a deep, rich purple and he keeps them lined with black paint. Both of his nipples are adorned with golden hoops to show his rank within the thermae, and his face is said to rival that of the Spartan queen.
When Megumi enters Antonia’s lavish chamber, he’s hit with the sweet scent of plums and a familiar spice that he can’t place the name of.
“I will allow you to take over from here, Antonia,” Uraume says as he turns to leave. “Lady Mei expects him to be ready by week’s end.”
Antonia is seated at his vanity primping himself. “Your posture needs work,” he says, staring at Megumi through the looking glass. “You are a natural beauty. Exotic and innocent. You will be quite popular…”
Megumi blinks. For the first time since he was brought to these strange shores, he is compelled to speak. “You...you speak my language…?”
“I do.” Antonia turns around on his seat, and Megumi is taken aback by his beauty. “My true name is Suguru. But Antonia is the name I live by now. It means priceless one. Have you been given a new name?”
Not only was Megumi’s home and his father stolen from him, but these people also intend to steal his name from him as well.
“Livia.”
“I believe that name has two meanings. I assume it was given to you for its relation to the color blue for your eyes…”
Megumi does not care to know the other meaning of the name. “How long has it been since you were stolen?” he asks. He hasn’t met anyone else who speaks his language.
The people who started the trek with him, and actually survived, were sold off in other cities.
Suguru turns back around and faces the looking glass. “I was still a pup when I arrived here. I served as the Emperor’s cupbearer for some time until the Empress made him remove me from court.” He smiles. “She was jealous because her husband and her eldest son wanted to fuck me....”
The Empress did nothing but give her husband and her eldest son a better opportunity to sate their lust. They became regulars at the thermae, and due to their patronage, Suguru quickly rose to the top.
“These days I only accept two patrons,” Suguru continues. “The Emperor and...another esteemed man of the Empire.” He glances up at Megumi. “You will do well to catch the eye of a high official as well. Those of higher standing care for their reputations. Those of lower standing will do as they please to you without care-”
“I do not wish to partake in any of this!” Megumi wipes hot tears from his eyes. “I do not wish to be defiled-”
“You think I wished to end up here?” Suguru asks, keeping his voice down. “No one wishes to become a slave, I assure you. You can do nothing but make the best of your situation. Find some comfort in this life until you meet your end. That is all you can do for now.”
Megumi shakes his head. “I refuse!” He balls his fist so tightly his nails dig into the flesh of his palms.
Suguru turns around, giving him a sad smile. “Come. I will show you what awaits you if you keep this up.” He rises to his feet with elegance and grace befitting that of a noble, not a slave.
The thermae sits on top of one of the lower hills of Rome. At the back of it, there is a jagged cliff. Suguru takes Megumi to that cliff and they stand at the tip.
“Look,” Suguru says, nudging his chin downward. “Look at what became of those who wished to disobey.”
Hesitantly, Megumi looks down.
And he immediately wishes he hadn’t.
There is a pit right over the cliff filled with spikes. About five decaying corpses of men and women lay pierced by the spikes.
“Lady Mei is kind when we are obedient,” Suguru says, tone grave. “When we are disobedient, she is not so kind. Do you understand?”
Megumi is kneeling beside Suguru, purging his stomach as he sobs. When there is nothing left in him, he asks, “Is there truly no escape?”
“There is none.”
Sometime later, after freshening up, Megumi is back inside of Suguru’s chamber learning how to properly wash the attendants who visit the thermae. Washing them is only part of his task, however.
“Antonia!” an attendant calls from the halls. “Your beau is here!”
For the briefest of moments, Suguru’s face lights up like a million fireflies. Then he remembers that he is not alone. His smile fades. He puts on a mask of indifference.
“Now for the second part of your lesson,” Suguru walks over to a small door in his chamber, opening it. “You will watch…”
Megumi can easily fit inside of the door despite it being a tad cramped. He is confused about what it is he will be watching but after seeing the corpses over the cliff he will simply do as he is told from now on.
Most of his resistance was stamped out of him during the trek here. What little he had left is now no more.
“When we are finished, you must leave out of the other door.” Suguru points to another door at the end of the passageway. He stares into Megumi’s eyes, his own eyes full of sincerity. “Do not linger. I am not allowed much privacy here. So, please do not eavesdrop any longer than required.”
“I understand.”
Suguru smiles at him before he closes the door. There is a small peephole. Megumi peers through it, and he watches.
Moments later an alpha enters. A warrior from the look of his gold armor and fiery red cape.
He is a tall, lean, and wide-shouldered alpha with white hair and dazzling blue eyes. His short, low ponytail is held together by a red ribbon. He reminds Megumi of one of the marble statues that line the streets.
When the alpha lays eyes on Suguru, he grins. Suguru smirks coyly in return.
And then they crash into each other, startling Megumi with their fervency. They kiss and touch all over each other with such passion and haste that it leaves Megumi hot all over. It is as if they are starving animals. The alpha picks Suguru up and Suguru’s pale legs wrap around his body as he’s carried to the bed with ease.
On the bed, the alpha kisses up and down Suguru’s body and whispers praises against his flushed flesh.
“...you are a vision...more beautiful than the goddess herself-”
“Quiet or she will spite me,” Suguru moans.
“I will spite her in return for you, my beloved…”
Suguru’s face becomes redder if that is even possible. But he curses. “Shall I find a way to keep that mouth of yours occupied?”
Megumi has to look away when Suguru sits on the alpha’s face. He can still hear their moans vividly, however. He wants to cover his ears as much as he wants to continue listening.
He’s as curious as he is mortified.
Will he have to do this with patrons?
“Ah! Not there!”
Despite himself, Megumi looks again.
Suguru is laying on his stomach now and the alpha is behind him licking between his arse as though he were eating a hot meal. It is rather messy and as disgusting as it is to put one’s mouth near that area, Megumi is aroused.
He has a tent in his toga and no matter how much he tries to ignore it, it throbs and aches to be touched.
When was the last time Megumi felt this way? He can’t think of a time, truthfully.
During the march, he and the other omegas were frequently given tonics to keep their heats away. And for obvious reasons, there was never a time when he was aroused.
“Please,” Suguru whines, looking nothing like the elegant and graceful man he was mere moments ago. He looks...well, he looks like a whore. Moaning and wagging his arse in the air in such a way. “I need you inside of me…”
“You need but only ask, my beloved…”
Megumi catches sight of the alpha’s sword and he snaps his eyes shut. He has only ever seen his own. He might’ve caught a glimpse of another omega’s jewels during a shared bath in a stream but he has never seen an alpha’s-
Why is it so large?
It sounds as though it is painful, too.
Megumi peeks again. Damn his curiosity.
Suguru is crying out and he’s clawing at the silk sheets. But he also looks happy. There is a delirious smile on his lips.
For the remainder of his ‘lesson’, Megumi keeps his eyes on Suguru. He watches how Suguru’s body writhes and how his hips roll. He watches the expressions Suguru makes as well.
Suguru is truly a beautiful man. Every move he makes is mesmerizing.
Can Megumi be like that? Can he entice his patrons like Suguru entices this alpha?
It appears to be the only way to have patrons like this alpha here.
This alpha, whoever he may be, is gentle with Suguru. He kisses him a lot and tells him nice things. Megumi can only assume his words are nice. They sound that way.
Perhaps it won’t be so bad if Megumi can find a patron like this. He would like to be treasured and held this way.
“I love you, my sweet Suguru,” the alpha groans loudly as he finishes. He kisses Suguru’s shoulder. “I will pay my weight in gold to nurse you during your next heat. I will pay triple that just to have you as my mate…”
Suguru looks over at the door where Megumi is hiding, and Megumi swears their eyes meet.
That is Megumi’s cue to leave.
As he crawls to the opposite door, Megumi catches a bit of Suguru’s reply.
“I love you more than life itself, my dearest Satoru…”
Not all of the patrons are like Suguru’s alpha, Megumi soon learns.
The next day, he has to watch again, and this time it is the Emperor who pays Suguru a visit.
“If he discovers you, all of our heads will be on spikes,” Suguru warned before closing the door. “And be prepared to leave quickly.” He said through the peephole. “He won’t last long. He never does.”
For some reason, Megumi thought the Emperor would be even more beautiful than the alpha who was here for Suguru yesterday.
The statue that stands in the center of the city made him out to be a strong and comely man.
Instead, the Emperor is not attractive in the least.
Aside from his large build, there is nothing worth noting about him, either. He is an alpha but he might as well be a beta.
In Megumi’s homeland, omegas are treated as prized possessions. Lowly men are not worthy of an omega’s affections. Omegas like Suguru and Megumi would be highly valued and sought after. Alphas would court them and treat them fairly.
However, in this place, they are treated like dirt.
It angers Megumi to see this Emperor touch Suguru.
They are a proud people and yet they must debase themselves for the likes of this scum.
Suguru sits on his knees and elbows, wearing a bored expression as the Emperor takes him from behind with weak thrusts.
When the Emperor pulls Suguru’s hair roughly, Suguru’s eyes water, and he looks as if he is going to cry but he holds himself together.
Megumi can no longer watch.
He tears his eyes away and simply listens. When he hears the Emperor’s hoarse groan, he quickly crawls to the opposite door and leaves.
Moments later, Suguru comes to him. He washed off and changed before doing so but the reek of the Emperor still taints his skin.
“That is not the worst of it,” Suguru says as though he is reading Megumi’s mind. “Last month, Mai’s shoulder was dislocated by a patron who wanted it rough. Another day, Uraume had to endure public humiliation because his patron required it.” He smokes on a long pipe, blowing out purple smoke. “I am fortunate to have the patrons I have. Others are not.”
Megumi had no idea that Uraume tended to patrons. He assumed he was in a position of power. He has admittedly said a lot of awful things about Uraume inside his head. But now he is remorseful.
They are all victims, it would appear.
“We must lean on each other,” Suguru continues. They’re sitting on the floor of his chamber on ornate pillows. “Do not be afraid to seek the others out for help. They are kind people who have been met with harsh circumstances, that is all.”
So, for the remainder of the week, Megumi introduces himself to the other attendants. And he’s glad that he took the time to do so. He learns that Mai and her twin Maki are also from his homeland.
Mai is an omega and Maki is an alpha, in turn, Mai was sold to the thermae, and Maki was sold to the fighting pits.
At the mention of the fighting pits, Megumi inquires about his father because he remembers what the poacher said on the night they were stolen from their village.
“I only get to see Maki every fortnight,” Mai says as she washes. They’re in their private bath. “She uses her winnings to come to visit me for a bath.”
“Your twin is one of your patrons?” Megumi asks, genuinely curious.
“That is the only way we can talk to one another. We don’t do any of...that,” Mai says, laughing nervously. “Not always anyway.” She carries on as though she did not admit that. “The next time she visits, I will ask her about your father. What is his name?”
“Toji. But they may have given him a new name.”
“I will see. The pits are dangerous. Please do not get your hopes too high…”
Still, Megumi is filled with hope that one day he will see his father again.
Mai teaches Megumi how to “make patrons finish fast” and another puer by the name of Lydia teaches Megumi basic words so that he may understand his patrons' requests.
Every day, he watches other attendants with their patrons.
Not all of it is good.
Not all of it is bad.
It can go either way, he learns.
One day he may meet a patron who treats him kindly and the next day he may meet a monster.
No matter what, however, he has no other choice but to accept his new life.
On the fifth day, it is time for Megumi to attend to his first patron.
Days prior, his left nipple was pierced with a gold hoop. To keep the pain dulled, he applies a special honey salve to it regularly.
“Do not be nervous, Livia,” Uraume says as he dresses Megumi in a purple toga. “It will all be over before you know it, I assure you.”
“Thank you, Uraume. For everything.”
Curious about Uraume’s name, Megumi once asked if Uraume was also from his homeland.
As it turns out, Uraume’s mother was a native who was also taken from her village one night. During the march, she was impregnated by one of the tradesmen. By the time she arrived in Rome, Uraume was three.
After sharing that, Uraume never discloses anything more about his life before coming to the thermae. He only says that he owes Mei Mei his life.
Megumi met with Mei Mei last night and she told him that his virginity was auctioned off and bought by an esteemed man of the Empire.
If he uses the tricks the other attendants taught him and carries himself the way Suguru carries himself, he will make this esteemed man fall for him.
No, Megumi is not nervous. He’s determined.
During their walk to the front of the thermae where he is to meet his first patron, Megumi walks with his head high. He carries himself with false elegance and grace, making himself appear older and wiser than he is.
However, all it takes is a mere glance at his first patron for Megumi’s confidence to fade away like snow in the wind.
“General Sukuna,” Uraume says with a graceful bow. “Livia here will see to your needs today.”
Megumi nearly faints at the sight of the general.
This alpha is an esteemed man of the Empire? This isn’t a man. This is a beast!
He stands taller than Megumi and Uraume, taller than Suguru’s beloved alpha even. His neck is thick and his arms and legs are double that of Megumi’s torso.
And his face…
His face might’ve been dashing at one point but now it is covered in black markings as though he hails from some barbarian tribe. Two, crimson eyes peer down at Megumi, filling him with unease.
The red toga compliments the general’s tan skin. His gold earrings, gold arm guards, and the gold laurel wreath that adorns his short, bright hair make him appear like royalty.
A beast in a prince’s garbs, Megumi thinks as he audibly gulps.
“I will leave you to it then,” Uraume says, glancing over at Megumi. “Please see to it that our honored guest is happy during his visit, Livia.”
Megumi nods stiffly.
One day he may meet a patron who treats him kindly and the next day he may meet a monster.
Of course, it would be Megumi’s misfortune to meet a monster on his first day.
The thermae never interested Sukuna.
That isn’t to say that he doesn’t see the need for them.
After grueling battles, nothing quells the thrumming of his blood more than a warm body to sink his cock into. He might’ve even indulged in a spoil of war or two and took pride in claiming something that he took lives to get his hands on. A sweet morsel to top off an even sweeter victory.
Sukuna is a warrior. He has a warrior’s spirit and a warrior’s insatiable hunger, after all.
He understands why men spend their earnings at the thermae as he understands why men prefer to take to the flesh markets instead.
The thermae is for the sophisticated men of the Empire while the flesh markets are for any- and everyone with the right coin.
Sukuna never bothered with either.
When he is home, in the capital, he spends his time hunting and tending to his fields. While his men drink and fuck all night leading up to a morning march to some new land to conquer, Sukuna is visiting his mother’s grave and offering blessings to the goddess.
Some people believe him to be pious, he is not. Others believe him to be a bore, he might be.
Occupying his thoughts with the opinions of others is something Sukuna never has the time for. He simply prefers to move on his own accord. The only time he moves to the beat of another’s drum is when the Emperor requires his sword.
And Sukuna only follows the man out of respect for his dead mother as it was her dying wish for him to respect and honor his father.
No one knows that Sukuna is one of the Emperor's many bastard sons, and he has no intention of making it known.
Life has been good to him.
Life will not be so good to him if he starts unnecessary trouble.
He has a high position, his own abode with a number of servants, and he makes enough earnings to live comfortably for the rest of his days.
He, like his half-brother, Satoru, is not greedy for the cursed seat of power.
They only desire to live the way their mothers wanted.
“M...may I...wash you?” the little puer asks in a timid voice. He’s holding a cleaning tool.
Sukuna stares at the omega’s beautiful face, entranced by his eyes that are a mix of blue and green with the faintest specks of gold. “That is why I am here,” he replies in his deep voice. He couldn’t have spoken kindly if he tried.
Everything about him is rough and abrasive. He doesn’t have his half-brother’s charm and warmth. At least not at a first glance.
The omega frowns in confusion. From the sound of his broken tongue earlier, it is obvious he doesn’t quite understand the language.
Sighing, Sukuna grabs the omega’s hand and presses the tool against his chest. “Wash,” he says.
The omega’s hands tremble as he washes Sukuna’s broad chest.
They are in one of the pools in the far back, silk curtains shrouding them from any onlooker’s gaze. Although Sukuna is completely nude, the puer is still dressed in his toga. He made note of how the toga clung to the omega’s delicate frame during their walk here.
Sukuna does not care for whores nor fancy whores like this but he recently had his rut and his body has its needs.
While the omega washes him, Sukuna continues staring at his face. For a moment, he worried this was the omega his half-brother is infatuated with as it is said that Antonia is the most beautiful sight at this thermae.
Sukuna would never cross Satoru nor would he want to gain his ire, especially not over something so mundane.
Even though Satoru is well aware that his beloved has been had by their father and their wretched half-brother, he loves him all the same.
It is not as if slaves have any choice in who they share their bodies with, after all.
However, that aside, Sukuna remembers that Lady Mei spoke of a virgin. So, this omega can’t be the one Satoru visits frequently.
This omega is a rare beauty.
Had the Emperor laid eyes on him first the omega would be at the palace now working as a cupbearer.
The Emperor likes to have a look at the new slaves to see if there is anything of interest. But this time the Emperor’s interests were stolen by foreign affairs.
From his coloring alone, Sukuna can tell that the omega hails from the east. His skin is pale with the faintest tan. His hair is as dark as a raven’s wings and it stops past his shoulders in choppy waves that are somehow appealing despite the unruliness.
There is a touch of youthfulness in his features - some roundness in his face and his nose is small and delicate - though his eyes are that of a person who has lived a long and hard life.
Sukuna imagines the journey here was soul-crushing.
This civilization has an obsession with all things exotic. It was how his mother came to live in this place.
They send tradesmen as far east as imaginable to traffic people. It’s disgraceful.
As bloodthirsty as Sukuna may often be, he has never had any interest in pillaging lowly villages full of the old and the weak.
A true battle is with someone of equal or greater strength.
“What is your given name?” Sukuna asks the puer. He touches his own chest. “I am Sukuna.” He points at the puer. “You are?”
“L...Livia.”
“Not the name they gave you. What name did your parents give you?”
The omega blinks owlishly.
Sukuna sighs loudly, and he scares the poor thing. The omega drops the washing tool into the water and panics. When the puer looks into the water for the tool, he spots another tool and it’s quite humorous watching his eyes grow double in size.
“Surely you have seen a cock of this size before, no?” Sukuna says nonchalantly. He reaches into the water and fetches the tool. “Do my back next.” He turns his back to the puer so that he may understand.
The omega’s hands do not tremble as much this time. But his scent is still tainted with fear which is to be expected. Sukuna is accustomed to people fearing him. The omega's touches to Sukuna’s back are slow and explorative even. He seems entranced by the sheer size of Sukuna.
Sukuna almost wishes he never requested for his back to be washed at all. He would like to see that lovely face some more.
Then he remembers what all he paid for.
“Enough,” Sukuna says after a while. “Let us go to the rooms…”
It takes some time for them to reach the rooms. Sukuna had to dry himself off because the little puer couldn’t reach his shoulders, and if he could he was far too afraid to attempt to do so.
They go to a quaint room that only has a bed, a small table with vials of oils on top, and a chest full of glass cocks for those sorts of patrons who come here to sate their peculiarities.
Sukuna lays on the bed, on his back, with only a cloth around his waist. He points to the vial of lavender oil, and the puer gets the gist of what he wants next.
“Straddle me,” Sukuna says, gesturing to his lap.
The puer hesitates and even looks as if he’s going to burst into tears, but he swallows and gathers whatever courage he may have and he straddles Sukuna.
That pulls a rare smile from Sukuna. He puts his folded arms behind his head and he stares up at the puer as he opens the vial.
The toga is hiked up the omega’s creamy thighs, giving but a glimpse of his jewels. Omegan cocks are naturally smaller than that of an alpha. Sukuna must admit he finds their small cocks enticing. He likes that he can put the whole thing into his mouth in one go.
What would this beauty do if Sukuna did that to him? His inexperienced body is definitely sensitive. He would probably blissfully cry out and release in a matter of minutes, perhaps even seconds.
“I am Sukuna,” he tries once again. “My mother gave me that name. What name did your mother give you?”
The puer rubs the oil on his hands before leaning forward to rub Sukuna’s shoulders. “Liv…” He frowns, and then he speaks again. “Megumi.”
“Ah, now we are getting somewhere,” Sukuna chuckles, and his entire body rumbles.
For Megumi, it is as though the earth trembles.
Bracing himself, Megumi leans forward and places the flat of his hands on Sukuna’s chest. Sukuna holds Megumi by the hips, surprised at how plush they are. He expected skin and bones.
“Megumi,” Sukuna tests the name on his tongue. “I must admit I enjoy conversation before and after fucking. If I cannot converse with my partner, I might as well fuck a beast.” He takes hold of Megumi’s hand and brings it to his lips. “I will make sure we understand each other first…” He places a soft kiss along the knuckles.
Megumi’s eyes widen but he doesn’t pull his hand away.
“That is all I will take for now,” Sukuna says. He pulls Megumi to rest against his chest and he holds him there. “If I leave too soon, whispers of my impotence will spread across the Empire like a thousand wildfires. Let us lay here for a while…”
While his brother was gifted with beauty and charms, Sukuna was gifted with the virtue of patience.
“He did not take you?”
Megumi shakes his head slowly. “I feared I displeased him but he returned shortly after and gave me this.” He shows Suguru and Mai the book the general gifted him. “There is a message on the inside but...I do not understand it.”
The three omegas bustle inside of Suguru’s chamber for comfort and privacy. Before they slip through the curtains, Lydia reminds them that wash day is tomorrow and they must leave their linen baskets outside of their doors.
“Tell us everything,” Suguru says as he settles on top of a pillow. “Leave no stone unturned.”
Mai nods excitedly.
There isn’t much to tell, truthfully.
The short response is that Megumi was immediately frightened when he saw the general but in time he could see that the man was gentle despite his large stature and fearsome face. Even his voice filled Megumi with terror but all of those negative things aside, he had a kind smile and a lovely laugh.
General Sukuna is quite handsome as well. Megumi didn’t see it at first but when he was straddling the general-
“You straddled that massive man? Bold of you,” Mai comments with an impressed smile. “I would have allowed him to mount me and prayed to the goddess that he did not crush me.”
“You must ride a man that large,” Suguru adds, nodding sagely. “You must. That is the only way you can set the pace-”
“But he could easily slam poor Megumi on his rod like a down pillow…”
Megumi imagines General Sukuna mounting him and slamming him on his rod and he feels faint.
“Sorry for scaring you,” Suguru says, casting a scolding glance at Mai. “It isn’t as terrible as it sounds. There is some pleasure in it.”
It’s not that it scared Megumi. No, the thought did nothing of the sort.
“I know. I...I remember watching you and your beau,” Megumi says quietly.
Suguru’s face softens. “Your story about the general actually reminds me of Atticus’ first visit.”
Atticus? Ah, that must be Satoru’s Roman name.
To take the attention off of himself, Megumi implores Suguru to tell him more about Atticus’ first visit. Besides, he is genuinely curious to know how the two met. He wants that fiery passion with someone. He wants his body to be treasured, and most of all Megumi wants someone to treat him fairly.
“Atticus came the day after the Emperor visited me,” Suguru says. He stares at his lap to mask his face. But the pain in his voice is as clear as the sky on a fair day. “The Emperor was angry. His men lost an important battle. He always visits me when he is angry and he..he takes his anger out on my body…”
Suguru was sore the day after, and not in the mood to accept patrons but he was requested by the current Tribunus Laticlavius of the Imperial Legion. To put it into perspective, the person who holds that title only has two ranks above them with one rank being held by the Emperor himself.
“I could not deny the request,” Suguru explains. “I soaked for as long as I could and I made myself presentable. I expected an old, hideous man whose breath smelled of tart wine and olives but instead I was visited by Sol incarnate!”
Mai giggles at the theatrics, and Megumi smiles. He has heard other attendants praying to Sol and asking him to make the day cooler enough to know who that is.
On that first day, Satoru noticed that Suguru was in pain. He asked if he could bathe Suguru instead and he merely talked to him the whole time.
“We did not have sex until his third visit. And when we did…” Suguru blushes, and it’s a startling sight. He is usually confident and sometimes serious but now he is blushing like the maidens in the songs. “Every time with Atticus is perfect. I do hope it will be that way for you and the general, Megumi.”
Megumi doubts that. And although the general was kind, he may not return again for some time after coming here twice in one day.
“May I see your book?” Mai asks.
“Oh, yes.”
Opening the book, Mai skims her eyes over the message before slamming it shut. “This is for your eyes alone.” She flips through the rest of the book. “I understand now. He wishes for you to use this book to help you translate the message he left for you.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier for you to tell me what the message says?”
“Easier, yes. Romantic, not at all.”
“Romantic?” Megumi asks, frowning. “You mean...he intends to romance me?”
“He has already started,” Suguru says, enjoying this far too much. “Refusing to force himself on you and he kissed your hand and held you. He gave you a book of love poems-”
Mai lightly hits Suguru’s arm with the book.
“These are love poems?” Megumi asks in shock. “Why...but…”
“Do not question it too much,” Suguru says, taking the book from Mai. He hands it back to Megumi. “Be grateful that you caught the eye of a kind man. At least I hope he is kind. I tell you this not to worry you but to make sure you always guard yourself.” A pause. “Men often change.”
Megumi allows Suguru’s words to sink in and make a home in his bones. He will tread carefully around the general and see how things unfold.
In the meantime, he will revisit the memories of their short time together. Even now he can feel the warmth and strength of Sukuna’s arms around his body.
In a blink, three weeks pass, and Megumi has fully settled into his new life.
He is ashamed to admit that it is a life that he is somewhat content with.
Of course, there is no pleasure in being a slave. His actions, for the most part, are not his own, and he must rise and rest when he is told to do so. But in a way, that is no different from how his life was prior to arriving in Rome.
His memories of his home are still intact but with each passing day, he has trouble recalling what his village looked like and he has long since forgotten the villagers’ faces. He only remembers his father’s face but only because their faces are one and the same.
Megumi now has friends whom he relies on often.
Outside of Suguru, Mai, Uraume, and Lydia, he has Yuuji - the baker’s son - and Toge - a carpenter’s apprentice - who make his days here all the more bearable.
He also has Sukuna.
The intimidating general has visited him at the thermae every day since his first visit.
With each passing day, he becomes less intimidating.
Sukuna only comes for a bath and to spend the remaining time talking to Megumi. Even though the conversation is mostly one-sided, Sukuna never seems frustrated by this. He remains patient and kind.
Just yesterday, Megumi was able to properly greet Sukuna in the common tongue.
When he did, Sukuna graced him with a smile.
“You are a fast learner,” Sukuna said. “That means you are intelligent as well as beautiful. The gods were very generous when they created you…”
Megumi’s face was red and his cheeks were tingly the entirety of Sukuna’s visit that day.
While he gave Sukuna a bath, Sukuna talked to him about one of his many adventures outside of the city, and Megumi listened as best he could whilst being distracted by Sukuna’s toned body.
It was not as if he understood a fraction of what Sukuna was saying, anyway. Nonetheless, he enjoys the rumble of Sukuna’s deep voice all the same.
Every inch of the man is sculpted marble.
He has a beauty that others often overlook but Megumi is well past overlooking Sukuna’s redeeming qualities. Now, he sees past the intimidating stature and black markings.
Sukuna is also well-spoken, well-learned, and quite a gentleman. He looks like a strong fighter, too. If anyone dared to harm Megumi, Sukuna would probably bash their skull open.
Why does that entice Megumi so?
The first time the thought crossed his mind while he bathed Sukuna, a shiver of excitement traveled up Megumi's spine, making him visibly shudder, and Sukuna gave him a curious glance.
Megumi responded with a sheepish smile as he urged Sukuna to turn around so that he may wash his back. Sukuna’s wide back was muscled and covered in scars; some were deep and looked as though they were painful and others were thin scratches that the massive man probably shrugged off.
Feeling the urge to kiss each and every scar, Megumi resigned himself to simply washing Sukuna instead.
After Sukuna’s bath, they went for a walk along the cliff and when they veered too close to the edge, Sukuna put an arm around Megumi’s waist to keep him from going over. He kept his arm there the remainder of the walk, and Megumi leaned into his touch, feeling safe for the first time in years.
All of his watching and learning prior to his first day as a puer has awakened something inside of him. He wants to exchange a coy smile with his beau before he’s swept up and carried to bed, he wants dizzying kisses and praises breathed into his skin.
He wants that with Sukuna.
During their walk along the cliff, Megumi had hoped Sukuna would kiss him but Sukuna did not.
“He is waiting for you to ask him to kiss you,” Suguru told Megumi later that day while they ate supper.
But the mere thought of asking for such things-
Megumi is too timid in that regard. He dares not fix his lips to ask. He will simply wait until Sukuna’s patience wears thin.
“I was given permission to take you outside of the thermae today,” Sukuna says on the day of his next visit. “I must return you before nightfall, however. So, we must be off.”
Megumi eyes the saddled horse that sits behind Sukuna curiously before allowing the alpha to take his hand. With startling strength, Sukuna picks Megumi up and places him on the horse before mounting himself.
“We won’t ride for long but do tell me if there is any discomfort,” Sukuna says as he reaches around Megumi’s slim waist to take hold of the reins. “Keep your eyes peeled. The city is worth a gander, I must admit.”
Then they are off, dashing through the dirt streets of the city with the breeze in their hair.
Megumi does as Sukuna told him. He keeps his eyes peeled.
They ride down the hill, and Megumi is given a wide view of the city in all of its splendor. He was overwhelmed when he arrived here. Everything was too loud, too much. And even though it is still too much, he is more awed than afraid now.
Megumi sees boats anchored at the port in the distance, and white birds circling overhead. He can see the high, marble columns and cypress trees lining the stone streets of the Agora.
Children run after the horse as they pass, smiling and waving at them. Megumi waves back much to the children’s delight. He swears he hears Sukuna chuckle but he cannot be sure.
As they pass the merchants’ stalls, Megumi catches a whiff of smoked meats and spices that entices his senses. He ate earlier but he could eat again.
“We will stop by the stalls on our way back,” Sukuna promises.
And Megumi smiles, happy that he did not have to shame himself by begging for food.
They ride out of the city and into an area full of lush, green trees and a clear, blue spring. Up ahead, there is a hill covered in purple flowers. The closer they draw to the hill, Megumi can see that the flowers are actually lavender.
Rows and rows of lavender stretch on as far as the eye can see, filling the air with a herbal sweetness.
“The lavender fields are one of my favorite places,” Sukuna says as he dismounts. He lifts Megumi off of the horse next and gently places his feet on the ground. “I figured you would like a change in scenery as well.”
Megumi understands bits and pieces of what Sukuna says to him. He often feels foolish when he tries to reply to the man but he attempts anyway. “Is...do you live here?” he asks, pointing at a small stone abode just past the lavender.
“No, my home is…” Sukuna pauses. Instead, he takes Megumi by the hand and takes him to the edge of the cliff. He points. “Do you see that mountain range?” He outlines the mountains with his finger. “I live at the base…”
“Can I...may I see your home someday?” he asks, turning around to look at Sukuna.
Sukuna looks taken aback. For once, he is the one at a loss for words. “I am only allowed a few hours...the journey to my home takes a day. Sometimes two depending on the weather.” He pauses. “Have you translated my message?”
Megumi's blank expression says it all.
“When you are able to do so, I will show you my home.”
“Will you kiss me?” Megumi asks despite all of his uncertainty and bashfulness from before. “Or must I wait for that as well?”
Blame it on the beautiful and fragrant lavender fields and the enchanting view of the city. Blame it on how handsome Sukuna looks with the sun kissing his skin.
Megumi is merely responding to his environment.
Sukuna eyes grow wide, and it’s satisfying not being the one caught off guard for a change.
Megumi feels smug. He smiles.
And Sukuna kisses the smile clean off his face.
Sukuna’s lips are not petal-soft nor as sweet as winter plums or like anything said in the minstrel’s songs. His lips are firm and purposeful, and they taste like the elements, something earthy and potent.
Megumi presses closer to Sukuna, searching for more of that taste so that he may decipher it. Is it cedarwood? No. Perhaps pine? He stands on the tips of his toes and tries to wrap his arms around Sukuna's thick neck but he can’t quite reach-
Sukuna cups Megumi’s arse and lifts him with ease, and Megumi wraps his legs around the alpha’s wide torso, feeling as though he were hugging the world. He feels higher up than he previously did, and a gentle breeze lifts his hair.
As light and as free as a feather caught up in one of the four winds, is how he feels at this moment.
Megumi thinks this is it. He believes that he has experienced the true height of pleasure in this kiss with Sukuna. And then Sukuna’s thick tongue enters his mouth.
The sound that escapes Megumi would have left him red and tearful had it not been for the approving groan Sukuna responds with. Feeling the earth move, Megumi peeks an eye open in time to see Sukuna sitting down on the grass. He keeps his arms around Megumi, firm.
“If we do not end this here, I fear I will not be able to contain myself, Megumi,” Sukuna breathes against Megumi’s lips, sounding like a starving man. “I have wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you. Now that I know your lips are this sweet…I am curious to know what other parts of you are sweet…”
Yet again, Megumi is only able to catch pieces of what Sukuna says to him.
One thing is certain, however. Sukuna yearns for him. He would’ve known that from the hardness pressed against his stomach, but there is something gratifying about hearing the desire in Sukuna’s voice as well.
“Take me,” Megumi says breathlessly, repeating the words Lydia once taught him.
Sukuna stiffens. He looks at Megumi, his gaze startling in its intensity. “Do you understand what you ask of me?”
Megumi’s hesitance gives Sukuna the answer he seeks.
“You are a jewel, Megumi. I dare not be hasty with you.” Sukuna kisses Megumi’s cheek. “However, I am not a good man and patient, though I may be, even my patience has its limits.” He lifts Megumi and lays him on the cool grass.
The grass pricks Megumi’s skin but soon the sensation is overshadowed by another, more stimulating sensation.
Faintly, Megumi remembers that they are out in the open. Anyone could happen upon them and see his body laid bare as Sukuna kisses him and sucks on his tender flesh but gods it feels too good to worry over something so trivial.
Sukuna’s calloused hands ignite a fire with every touch to Megumi’s skin. “I will only sample,” he whispers hotly, placing a wet kiss to Megumi’s inner thigh. “Your scent...it’s intoxicating, Megumi…”
Megumi tries to cover himself when he sees wetness form at the tip of his cock, finding the sight to be mortifying. But Sukuna nips his fingers and nudges his hands away before taking the entirety of Megumi’s cock into his hot, wet mouth.
A curse escapes Megumi. He mutters broken curses and incoherent sentences in the language of his people as his back arches and his toes curl and his eyes prick with tears.
Sukuna sucks once. Just one, strong suck of his jaws, and Megumi’s vision burns white. A high scream pierces the air.
“It’s just as I imagined,” Sukuna chuckles as he licks Megumi’s flaccid cock clean. “Your body is sensitive…”
Breathing heavily, Megumi covers his face with his arm. He flinches every now and again at the feel of Sukuna’s lips on his skin. Sukuna licks Megumi’s nipple ring, and Megumi gasps loudly. Pleasure ripples up his spine, and he’s already semi-hard again.
“We must explore this part of you some other time,” Sukuna says quietly. He helps Megumi into his toga. “I promised to take you to the merchants’ stalls.”
Throughout their short visit to the stalls, Megumi samples savory foods and delicious sweets.
He even allows Sukuna to feed him a piece of honey cake, and he feeds Sukuna a piece as well. Sukuna even leans down so that Megumi may reach his mouth. He doesn’t even care that others are watching. When they are in the markets, Sukuna’s eyes never stray from Megumi as though Megumi is the center of everything.
And when Megumi smiles up at Sukuna, Sukuna blushes, albeit faintly.
During the ride back to the thermae, the sun begins a slow descent into the sea and Sukuna rides slowly so that Megumi may admire the splendor of a Roman sunset. He must admit this place is beautiful despite the ugliness underneath.
Sukuna walks Megumi inside of the thermae where Uraume is waiting to ensure he is returned promptly and safely.
“I do hope you enjoyed today,” Sukuna whispers, leaning down so that Megumi may hear him better. “I will return tomorrow.” He takes Megumi's hand and places a kiss on it as he always does.
However, Megumi believes they are well past that. He kisses Sukuna on the lips.
“Thank you for today, Sukuna,” he says with a soft smile.
Sukuna stares at Megumi before returning his smile. “Sweet dreams, Megumi.” He looks as if he doesn't want to leave but he does.
When Megumi returns to the sleeping quarters, he lays down on his threadbare cot, smiling to himself. He wishes to mentally revisit his day with Sukuna but the cot is far too uncomfy for him to think straight.
Perhaps he can spend the night with Suguru again. Sometimes he sleeps in Suguru’s chamber with Mai and Lydia.
Although they are meant to live separately in order to keep their statuses in mind, Lady Mei isn’t too strict about that. She even allows Uraume to share her bed.
It is almost supper time. Megumi will pay Suguru a visit before then and ask if he can sleep with him tonight.
Since the peeping door is closest to the sleeping quarters, Megumi climbs the ladder up to it rather than taking the main, stone steps to Suguru’s chamber. It is usually fine for him to take this route if Suguru’s patrons aren’t in, and they normally aren’t around this time.
“...I swear on my life that I will return to you, Suguru-”
“Do not dare say that to me!” Suguru sobs. Glass shatters. “Do not dare swear on your life before you ride off into battle! It is bad luck.”
Megumi can see through the peephole that Atticus - Satoru - is visiting with Suguru. He knows that he must leave and not eavesdrop but the mention of battle leaves him rooted in place. The two are speaking in Megumi's mother's tongue.
Satoru puts his arms around Suguru. At their feet lies a broken music box with the mirror shattered.
“Now I will be cursed for shattering the looking glass,” Suguru covers his face and sobs uncontrollably. “I ignored all of the bad omens because I knew you would come to see me today but the bad omens were warning me of this visit!”
“I cannot control when and where the Emperor turns his sights next,” Satoru says as he caresses Suguru’s hair. “If it were up to me we would not bother with this war at all.”
“I will throw myself into the sea if you do not return! There is nothing left for me here! The Emperor will use me until-”
“The Emperor will never touch you again! I intend to-”
Megumi leaves.
He cannot listen any longer. If there will be a war that means Sukuna will have to leave. A knot forms in his throat, and by the time he reaches the living quarters again he is a mess of tears.
What will happen to him when Sukuna leaves?
The only reason why he hasn’t had any other patrons is that Sukuna has been visiting with him. Other men are interested. He has seen their lecherous gazes as they inquire about him.
Safety from vile men is not the only reason why Megumi enjoys Sukuna’s visit. He has grown fond of the surprisingly gentle and kind man. Even though he knows Sukuna’s hands are filthy with blood, and even though he knows that Sukuna has a darkness in him, he has never felt more safe and treasured.
“Megumi?”
Looking up, Megumi sees Mai standing by his cot. “Did you have a bad patron today?” she asks quietly as she kneels beside the cot. She frowns, and for a moment her look is terrifying. “Did someone hurt you? Suguru knows someone who can give them a bruising. He did it for me.”
“No, no one hurt me. I...Sukuna came to see me today.
Mai smiles. “Is he still good to you?”
“He is. He is not the reason why I am crying. Well, he is but he did not harm me.”
“Perhaps good news will give you some relief then. Maki visited with me today…”
Is that why Mai smells like this? With a closer look, Megumi can see her skin is still flushed and there is a light in her eyes that is rarely seen.
“Maki told me that she met your father, Toji. He taught her how to work her spear better and they were good friends!”
Megumi sits up. “Truly?” Then he remembers. “They...were good friends?” His eyes water again. “Is...did my father fall in the pits?” He does not think his heart can bear any more misfortune.
“Oh, no. He escaped some time ago. He told Maki that he would set off to look for his son!"
His father believes that Megumi is in the neighboring city. He has no idea that this whole time they have both been in Rome.
“Perhaps he will return when he learns you are not there. But he must be careful. The slavers are not kind to those who run away...”
Megumi does not know whether he should celebrate or mourn. His father has escaped the pits but he is off on a futile journey. If he does somehow make it back to Rome, will he even know to check here for Megumi?
But what of Sukuna? What if Megumi’s father saves him long before Sukuna returns from war?
Will he never see the general again?
Later that night, after supper, Lady Mei summons them all to the meeting quarters on the lower level. She informs them that the Empire’s warriors will set off for war the day after tomorrow.
But the commanding generals and other high military officials will set off at dawn.
Hearing this, Suguru breaks into a fit of tears. Mai and Lydia comfort him. Megumi bites his trembling lips but tears fall down his face all the same. This new information means that Megumi will not be allowed to say goodbye to Sukuna.
War comes as sudden and as foreboding as high tide.
Is this what it is like for the wives? One day they are with their husbands and then the next they are sending blessings up to the gods, begging them to return their beloved home safely.
Lady Mei goes on to inform them that Suguru will no longer be accepting patrons.
“His beau has bought him in full,” Lady Mai announces proudly, gesturing to the gold and sapphire circlet Suguru now wears on his left ankle. “In the morning, the servants will come to take him to his new home. Say your farewells to your brother tonight.”
Is there no end to this heartbreak?
Mai is the first to break down. She clings to Suguru like a babe clinging to its mother’s teat. Lydia follows next, and even Uraume cries. Megumi knows that he only arrived here but he, too, cries with the attendants.
Lady Mei says she will give them their space but the emotion is thick in her voice. She is also saddened to see Suguru go.
“I am sorry,” Suguru says. “I do not wish to leave you all but...Atticus wishes to marry me upon his return. He does not want another to have me while he is gone.”
“No, we are happy for you!” Mai cries. “We will miss you but we know how long you have loved Atticus. We know how he loves you…”
Most of the attendants have known each other since they came to Rome. It is understandable why they are as distraught as they are happy to know that Suguru will be leaving. Megumi’s time here would have surely been horrible if not for the others. He is grateful to them all.
That night, they all sleep in Suguru’s room. Suguru allows them all on his bed and they cuddle around him. For the first time, Uraume even joins them. He curls up on Suguru’s side, snoring softly.
Megumi cannot sleep at all. He stays up, thinking of all the possibilities.
None of them are good.
“Curse him!”
“Careful, Satoru,” Sukuna says, looking over his shoulder. “You know he has eyes and ears everywhere.”
Satoru balls his fists and grits his teeth in anger. “We have no fight in this war. We should allow them to deal with this matter on their own!"
“I am in agreement with you. However, I know most of your outrage stems from you having to leave Suguru.”
“We were promised peace. We spent years fighting for him, winning for him!” Satoru is so furious that spit flies from his mouth as he speaks. “We devoted our adolescence to him. Now that I wish to retire and marry and have pups of my own, he pulls this!”
Sukuna dares not tell his brother that he is overreacting. He is also furious as he was hoping to live out the rest of his days peacefully. Perhaps he even entertained the thought of settling down once and for all.
However, Sukuna understands that there is nothing they can do but obey.
“We will fight together as we always have and we will make haste of this war,” Sukuna says to offer some reassurance to his brother. “I will ensure that you return to Suguru swiftly and in one piece.”
Satoru shakes his head. “And what of you? You are always looking out for me. But what of you? I know you are fond of one of the puers, too. What will you do with him while you are away?”
Ever since Sukuna returned Megumi to the thermae just earlier he has been in the war council. Following that, he met with his men to relay the news. Now he is at Satoru’s summer abode in the city, trying to figure out what’s next.
“If the city falls, the thermae will be one of the first places to suffer for it,” Sukuna says, thinking from a strategic standpoint. “Our abodes in the mountains will not be discovered for some time. There is a chance that they will be safe- “
“Gods’ sake, Sukuna. I am not asking for a strategy. I am asking if you care for him enough to claim him before we ride off to what could very well be our demise!”
His brother was asking him about his feelings.
He should know by now that Sukuna is not the best with that sort of thing which is why he gave Megumi a message to translate instead of admitting that he was ready to claim him on that first day.
Sukuna has always been the person to know what he wants when he sees it. He knows Megumi is a prize. He also knows that wretched thermae is capable of sucking the soul out of even the most splendid of flowers. If he does not claim Megumi for himself he would like to free him from that place all the same.
Nonetheless, he has never been good with expressing himself.
Mainly because when people look at him, they see someone they would prefer to stay away from. So, life has taught Sukuna to keep his guard up and to protect himself. Even when Megumi was fearful he still allowed Sukuna close enough. And because of that, Sukuna was able to want more for himself.
“I will do as you did,” Sukuna says finally.
Satoru is pleased with the response. “We will fight harder now that we have something worth returning to….”
Admittedly, they have both gone into battles in the past hoping that it would be their last.
How cruel would fate be if they fell this time around?
Sukuna dares not entertain such thoughts.
Without a moment to waste, Sukuna stops by the Inn where he has been staying and gathers his things. Instead of returning to his abode, he stayed at the Inn so that he could visit with Megumi frequently.
Inside of his trunk is his mother’s sapphire ring. Before she passed, she told Sukuna to give the ring to his intended mate.
Sukuna does not know if Megumi will accept. But he must try.
The thermae is closed to the public at this hour but one of the attendants passes his message along to Lady Mei and she grants him an audience.
First and foremost, Lady Mei is a businesswoman so when Sukuna presents her with a small chest of gold, she is very eager to listen.
“If he denies me, I will only give you half of the gold. That should buy his freedom." He only offers the full chest now to be allowed to see Megumi after hours.
“If he denies you,” Lady Mei says, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear, “you will pay me in full for disturbing my slumber.”
Sukuna smiles. “Fair deal.”
“I will fetch him for him.”
While she does that, Sukuna is escorted to one of the larger rooms. He places his chest under the bed and he sits and waits.
Truthfully, Sukuna is riddled with nerves. He has never done anything like this. In the past, he simply read a person’s body language and that was enough. He has read Megumi’s body language before, and he recognizes that Megumi wants him. But he does not know how far that want extends.
Does Megumi want a strong alpha to share his bed with or does he desire a mate? Sukuna can hardly blame Megumi if he does not wish to bound himself to a son of Rome after all he has endured at the Empire's hands.
Still, Sukuna believes Megumi is more than worth the hit to his pride that he will take if he is denied.
When Megumi steps through the silk curtains, Sukuna is taken aback by his beauty. He is wearing a thin toga that is meant only for sleeping. Through the thin, blue fabric, Megumi’s hard nipples and cock can be seen. His hair is tousled and his eyes are tired but it is obvious that sleep did not find him tonight.
“Sukuna?” Megumi asks, lips trembling. He hurriedly walks over to the bed. “Sukuna…” He straddles Sukuna’s lap without taking note of how high his toga rides up, and circles his arms around Sukuna’s neck. “Must you leave me?” he asks.
“I must,” Sukuna says, closing his eyes as he breathes in Megumi’s scent. He smells of ripe peaches. He puts his arms around Megumi. “I would rather not but I must go where the Emperor sends me.”
Megumi cries on his shoulder, and Sukuna feels at a loss. He knows that they still have a language barrier. Unlike Satoru, he is not fluent in his mother’s tongue. Satoru learned from his Suguru.
In time, Sukuna hoped to learn from Megumi but time has not been on their side.
Language barrier aside, Sukuna also recognizes that Megumi is intelligent enough to understand his intentions.
“I wish to make you my mate, Megumi,” Sukuna says. He reaches for the ring in the pouch on his hip. He takes Megumi’s delicate hand into his own hand. “We will marry upon my return if you will have me.” He slips the ring on Megumi’s finger.
Megumi stares at the ring with big watery eyes. “You...wish to be mine?” he asks.
Sukuna wishes for Megumi to be his but he supposes both have the same meaning.
“Yes, I wish to be yours.”
What comes next is quite unexpected.
Sukuna did not come here with the hopes that he would find comfort before riding off into battle. He did not come here with the intent of wetting his cock or doing anything of the sort. He simply wanted to ensure Megumi would be claimed before any mongrels came in here and ruined him beyond belief.
However, that does not mean that Sukuna has any intentions of stopping Megumi from pushing him on the bed and straddling him.
Megumi’s kisses still need practice but Sukuna accepts them as is. He accepts the sloppy and clumsy kisses with a grateful smile on his face.
Megumi does not kiss him as though he is being forced to do so. He does not kiss like a person full of lies and schemes. His kisses, like his words, and his actions, are genuine.
The way he responds to Sukuna’s touch is genuine and his moans and gasps are genuine.
Sukuna was a fool for ever thinking he could leave here at dawn without so much as kissing these lips again.
“I will be gentle,” Sukuna promises as he kisses Megumi’s abdomen. They switched positions during their kissing and now he is on top. Not fully as he fears he will crush the omega. “I have no desire to ever hurt you, Megumi…”
Megumi curls his fingers in Sukuna’s hair when Sukuna takes his cock and balls into his mouth and he moans. Sukuna hums as he swirls and laps his tongue, savoring the addictive taste of Megumi. He wants to devour Megumi whole.
Every part of him is beautiful, every part is worthy of praise and attention.
To think a jewel like this is his for the taking is inconceivable.
“Sukuna!” Megumi moans, back arching. “Suku-” His high-pitched screams fill the room with a melodic sound, sweeter than a minstrel’s song.
Sukuna’s mouth is filled with sweetness and he dares not draw back. He sucks and licks until Megumi grows hard inside of his mouth again. He holds Megumi by the hips to keep him from bucking and trying to run up the bed.
The scent of salt hits the air.
Megumi is sobbing now. Sobbing and speaking in his mother’s tongue.
Perhaps Sukuna should show mercy.
Perhaps not.
It will be some time before he can do this again. And he wishes to give Megumi something to think of during his heats or during long nights when he cannot sleep.
He needs Megumi to never dream of allowing another into his bed while Sukuna is gone.
This pleasure he is experiencing now is of Sukuna’s own making. No one else can replicate this. No one else can exceed this.
“I will make you mine in all else,” Sukuna says as he flips Megumi on his stomach. He spreads his arse apart, eyeing his wet, pink hole. “You will not bear my mark yet but all who approach you will know you are mine.” He lowers his head and swipes his tongue over the tight ring of muscles.
“Not there!” Megumi cries.
Even as he protests, he becomes wetter.
Sukuna smirks. “Why not, my sweet?” he asks before licking again and again. He becomes drunk on the taste of Megumi’s slick. “Your body is telling me that I am on the right track. Is it lying to me?” He lowers his head again.
Sukuna’s tongue unravels Megumi over and over until the bed is a mess and their bodies are sticky. Even then he continues gorging himself on Megumi.
Megumi melts into the bed. He fists the sheets and whines loudly as Sukuna feasts. His body shudders faintly as he releases for the third time that night. He is boneless and pliant when Sukuna turns him back over and enters his hot body in one thrust.
“Sukuna!” Megumi digs his nails into Sukuna's shoulders. His eyes bulge, and his mouth hangs open for several moments.
Sukuna doesn't move. Not yet.
He knew Megumi was pure bliss but this...this is dangerous.
How is he supposed to leave now after experiencing this?
It’s cruel.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Sukuna eases out. He stares at Megumi’s face the whole while, taking note of any changes in his expression.
Megumi’s eyes are closed tight and he’s biting his lower lip. A bead of sweat wets his forehead and the tip of his nose, his dark hair sticks to his flushed face and neck. He is a vision of beauty. Then his eyes snap open, and he begins to move his hips to show Sukuna that he wants more.
And Sukuna obliges. He pulls out, stopping right before the tip slips out, and he slams back in.
Megumi rewards him with a pretty cry and a deep arch of his back.
Sukuna takes hold of Megumi’s hips, angling him perfectly so that he may taste his lips as he thrusts into him.
He is ever mindful of his size as well. He dwarfs Megumi in every way imaginable. There is a lit lantern in the room and the glow from it as well as Sukuna’s hulking size casts a large shadow over Megumi’s body.
But Megumi does not seem to care that he could be suffocated if Sukuna decided to put his full weight on him. He keeps clawing at Sukuna’s back and wrapping his thighs tightly around Sukuna’s torso, trying to pull him closer, trying to fill that gap between them.
“Megumi, I will hurt you,” Sukuna groans. Their flesh slaps loudly every time their bodies connect, and he swears the wetness is never-ending.
Megumi does not hear him or perhaps he does not care to listen. He keeps trying to pull Sukuna closer.
Unable to deny Megumi of anything while also keeping his well-being in mind, Sukuna decides to find common ground.
He sits on his haunches and lifts Megumi up, keeping his cock embedded in him, and he gets in a comfortable, upright position. He holds Megumi close to him as he lifts him up and down, fucking into him as though he were a ragdoll.
And Megumi, his beautiful and strong Megumi, accepts him without resistance. He throws his head back and moans, completely enraptured.
“Ah! Sukuna!” Megumi releases against Sukuna’s stomach.
Instead of passing out like Sukuna assumed he would by now, Megumi is full of energy. He curls his fingers in Sukuna’s hair and kisses him hotly as he rolls his hips in time with Sukuna’s thrusts. He’s full of wonder and surprises.
“Gods,” Sukuna groans, his heart full to bursting. “It is as though you were made for me…” He sounds like a love-drunk fool; he sounds like his brother. “And I was made for you…”
Sukuna bends Megumi back just enough to suck on his pierced nipple. He swirls his tongue around the cool metal. Again, he’s rewarded with a lovely reaction.
Megumi releases again. This time it hurts, too. He’s crying again and blabbering.
“There, there,” Sukuna coos. He kisses and licks Megumi’s tears. “I am nearly finished…”
By the time Sukuna does finish, Megumi releases once more before collapsing. He is snoring softly when Sukuna releases inside of him.
Sukuna holds Megumi in his arms afterward, staring at his peaceful face remorsefully.
He wishes he could spend more time with Megumi but that would only make leaving all the more difficult.
At dawn, Sukuna wraps Megumi in his cape since it is large and thick enough to fight off the early morning chill, and they walk to the front of the thermae.
After paying Lady Mei Megumi’s dowry, Sukuna arranges for Satoru’s servants to take Megumi along with them when they come for Suguru. He and Satoru live but a field away from each other.
“I expect you to have your book fully translated upon my return,” Sukuna says as he kisses Megumi’s temple. “I will do my best to write to you but I cannot make promises about whether you will receive my letters or not.”
Oftentimes enemy scouts shoot down their ravens.
Megumi kisses Sukuna, and a tear rolls down his face, wetting their lips and filling their mouths with the taste of salt. “Please return to me,” he says.
“I will,” Sukuna promises. “If I must burn everything in my path to do so, I will do it.”
He leaves after one last kiss.
It is not easy but he tears himself away once Megumi starts sobbing. One of the attendants, the one with the short, white hair, comes out to comfort Megumi.
Sukuna does not look back. He is afraid that if he does he will become a deserter and ruin all that he has built. And if he is marked as a traitor Megumi will pay the traitor’s price as well.
He will not allow that. Ever.
There is no glory to be had in this war.
Not that Sukuna and Satoru ever fight for such a thing.
For them, battles, in general, started as an act of duty, and then with each victory, and with each taste of blood, it became a sport for them.
Then as they shed their youth and their ignorance, it became a burden.
Satoru has long since reached his limit yet he fights on whilst Sukuna is the kind of man who has no limit. He fights with the same strength and finesse each and every battle.
On the outside, Sukuna is the same, bloodthirsty monster of a warrior. He does not wear his dissatisfaction as openly as his brother but he is beyond dissatisfied.
He wishes to be home with his Megumi, not fighting for a cause he does not believe in.
The Emperor, the craven, remains in his tent every battle, barking out orders and gorging himself on wine and smoked meat while men die in his name.
They move from camp to camp, often falling victim to the unexpected elements of the newfound terrain. The days are long and harsh, the nights unbearable. Some nights, Sukuna can hear the men crying outside of his tent, wishing for this all to end so that they may return home to their families.
If they are fortunate, they will awake to all of their men being counted for. On the mornings when misfortune finds them, Sukuna knows there will be pyres to be built for those who took their own lives in the night.
A pyre is meant for a warrior. For a brave warrior, not a coward.
But Sukuna does not see the men as cowards for that.
The only coward in this war is their Emperor; his father. Every time he looks at the man he contemplates killing him and his sons and then taking power for himself.
However, Sukuna has no desire for a seat of power. He would only hand it over to Satoru but his brother is of the same mind as him in that regard.
They only desire their homes; their omegas.
Sukuna writes to Megumi whenever he can but he does not send the letters off.
They are in an area where even the ravens are afraid to fly around, and he would rather not risk the truth of his heart being scattered to the winds and falling into enemy hands.
During the nights when sleep does not find Sukuna, which is often, he learns all that he can from Satoru.
The next time he sees Megumi he will greet him in their mother’s tongue. He uses that, and thoughts of Megumi’s beautiful face as a light to guide him through this all-consuming darkness.
And before Sukuna realizes it two years have passed.
A year and six months passed since the war ended with their victory, and it took another six months for them to honor their fallen brothers and make the trek back to Rome.
Now, both he and his brother are bearded and weary as they ride toward their abodes.
“I will see you home first,” Satoru says. His voice has long since lost its spark; its cheerfulness. He speaks as though he were an old man despite recently turning twenty-two. “Since it is along the way.”
“I know you are dying to see Suguru again,” Sukuna says. “Why not cut through the field and-”
“Do not think I forgot about you calling out for Megumi in your sleep. Gods, I had a mind to put you out of your misery myself.”
Sukuna has a mind to kick Satoru off of his horse but his left leg was injured during that final battle and it still aches. He will not cripple himself further by dealing with his vexing brother.
Up ahead, just over the hill, Sukuna can see his abode.
It is more of a manse, really, with two floors, a stone gate and stone walls. Two guards man the gate and there is an abundance of servants. He hoped that Megumi found the place comfortable during his absence.
At the thought of how long he was gone and how he essentially left Megumi all alone and unprepared for the life of a general’s wife, Sukuna is hesitant to push forward.
“We are almost there,” Satoru says quietly. “We will see them again, and allow them to yell and scream at us for being away for so long. It will be better than not hearing their voices at all, wouldn’t you think?”
His brother makes a fair point.
Sukuna would rather suffer Megumi’s ire for a thousand years than be without him. He pushes his steed onward.
As they’re approaching the manse, they see a willowy figure standing in the garden, their long, black hair well past their arse as it blows in the breeze. They’re holding a basket of tulips as they wade through the rows of flowers.
Satoru curses, tears stinging his eyes. “Suguru,” he breathes.
And the wind seems to carry his voice.
Suguru glances up and looks right at Satoru. Seconds later, his face breaks and he drops the basket of flowers as he shouts ‘Satoru?!’ as he drops to his knees sobbing.
Quickly, Satoru dismounts and jumps the gate as though he were a young pup full of vigor. As he holds Suguru in his arms and sobs with him, Sukuna rides up to the gate and dismounts.
“Where is my wife?” he asks the guards, completely forgetting that he and Megumi have yet to marry.
In his heart and soul, Megumi is the only wife he has. The only one he wants.
“In the training yard,” one of the guards says.
Sukuna hurries through the manse, as he passes by, his red cape flows behind him and servants happily greet him. He gives them a swift nod as he makes his way to the door that leads out into the training yard.
His heart is pounding violently in his chest and his throat is tight.
He is not the type of man to sob and wear his emotions on his sleeve but he may shed a tear when he lays eyes on Megumi again.
Hearing soft grunts and the sound of wood hitting sacks of hay, Sukuna halts outside the door.
Is Megumi training? He opens the door to see for himself.
The first thing Sukuna sees is a tall, robust man with dark hair making use of the hay dummies that are for combat training. He does not know who this man is, and he is initially cross at seeing an alpha in his home.
Then Sukuna looks to his right and sees someone with unruly black hair that now sits past their delicate shoulders, sitting down while bouncing a pup on their lap.
At the sight of the pup, the air is knocked out of Sukuna’s lungs.
From where he stands, all he sees is a small head of dark hair.
His first thought is not a wise thought.
He assumes the pup’s father is the stranger, and he assumes the mother is Megumi. It isn’t an asinine assumption considering how Megumi kisses the top of the babe's head with tender affection.
And Sukuna was gone for two years. It is possible that Megumi-
No, Sukuna dismisses the thought.
He steps forward, and when he does his armor clinks, catching the attention of the stranger, Megumi, and the pup. For some reason, Sukuna locks eyes with the pup first and he’s met by two, crimson pools that match his own.
“Sukuna!” Megumi shouts, quickly rising to his feet. He adjusts the pup on his hip as he hurries over to Sukuna. “You are home!”
Sukuna stands there in shock as he stares down at his beautiful Megumi and their child.
Megumi has grown so much since Sukuna saw him last. As beautiful as ever, and he has grown into his face more. There is no more roundness to his face. Now his jaw is sharp and more pronounced.
The air around him is confident and graceful, and his body - Gods, has he always been this curvy, this delectable? The pregnancy might have given him the added weight and it suits him greatly.
They had a child. But how? Sukuna knows how a child is conceived but it seems implausible.
It does not matter, Sukuna decides. He is happy all the same.
Megumi’s eyes brim with tears. He looks over to where the stranger is standing with their green eyes wide. “Father, Sukuna has returned to me!” he says as tears stream down his face.
Oh, this stranger is Megumi’s father...not his lover.
Sukuna curses to himself. He nearly accused Megumi of being wanton.
Feeling foolish, he puts his arms around Megumi, and the pup, and he hugs them both, overjoyed by the sight of them.
His heart overflows, and try as he might to pull himself together, he crumbles.
And he sobs.
He's finally home.
“Do you remember the first day you came to the thermae?” Megumi asks. He no longer speaks in a broken tongue. He is fluent now. “I was so afraid of you.”
Sukuna rests his head back as Megumi washes his chest.
They’re in the low level of the manse, sharing a bath together while Toji is watching their pup, Asuka. Soon, Toji will set off for another adventure as the man can never sit still.
During supper, Sukuna was caught up on everything that occurred while he was away at war and he got acquainted with his son and his father-in-law. He is told that Megumi and Toji were so happy to see one another that they spent days sobbing together, not speaking a word. Then eventually, Toji praised Megumi for "sacking himself a wealthy alpha" and they shared a good laugh.
Sukuna even laughed when he heard that.
“I remember,” Sukuna replies, chuckling. “Your hands were trembling.” He lifts Megumi’s hand and kisses it. “They are steady now, I see.”
Megumi smiles when Sukuna’s beard tickles his hand. With his other hand, he lightly scrapes Sukuna’s skin with the washing tool, going lower and lower into the water. “I am happy that you chose me that day, Sukuna. I might have died long ago had you not.”
“Do not speak of death, Megumi.” He has seen more death to last him several lifetimes. “I cannot bear the thought of you...I cannot bear it…”
“I have no intention of dying, fear not. I also have no intention of seeing you off to war again.” Megumi lifts his hand from the water. He sets the tool on the ledge of the pool before dipping his empty hand into the water again.
Sukuna gasps at the feel of Megumi’s hand gripping his cock, stroking him.
Continuing, Megumi reverts back to his mother’s tongue. “I will kill the Emperor myself if he tries to send you to war again,” he says, voice trembling.
When did Megumi become so assertive and so bold? Sukuna keeps discovering new things about Megumi and it’s rewarding.
Groaning, Sukuna closes his eyes. “You cannot kill a man who is already dead.” He touches Megumi’s hand to halt his actions. “I will end too soon if you keep that up.” He has gone so long without another’s touch he may humiliate himself.
“The Emperor is dead?”
“Died during the journey back to Rome. His lawful sons are fighting over his corpse- his throne, so the official announcement has yet to be made.” Sukuna pulls Megumi against his body. “Nevermind that, I’ve missed you, Megumi.”
Megumi twines his arms around Sukuna’s neck and they share a sweet kiss that quickly turns desperate.
It is almost as if the news of the Emperor’s death gives them added vigor and as maddening as that thought may be neither seem to care.
All they see and feel are each other at this moment.
Their bodies rejoice at being this close again. Their movements are hasty and clumsy, and the water does nothing to aid them. It feels as though they are young fools in love rather than two people hardened by life’s unfairness.
Sukuna can’t get inside of Megumi fast enough, and though the breach is painful as Megumi is so damn tight, Megumi doesn’t push him away. He holds Sukuna closer and he cries both from pain and sheer bliss.
And Sukuna almost ends right there. He almost spills his seed too soon, but he holds out. Not for pride. But for the experience of being inside of Megumi once more after literal years of waiting and wanting and despairing.
“Megumi,” Sukuna groans into his lover’s ear, sounding pitiful and broken. He grips Megumi’s plush hips, digging into the supple flesh with the pads of his fingers as he thrusts home.
Megumi rolls his hips, and squeezes his thighs around Sukuna, giving and taking as much as he can. He bites down on Sukuna’s shoulder as his body trembles. His release comes and goes, washed away by the water.
Like that first night, Megumi seems to come alive after every orgasm.
His energy matches that of Sukuna’s as though they are, as the poets say, half of each other’s souls. They move together in tandem, pushing and pulling in an alluring and lustful dance as old as time.
Sukuna spills inside of Megumi and continues moving inside of his ravished body with jerky movements, and Megumi’s walls squeeze and pulse around his cock until it’s alive again and hungry for more.
Soon, Sukuna’s injured leg begins to ache. He curses.
Megumi urges him to take a moment. He kisses Sukuna sweetly and makes no judgment about his injury. He is as understanding and as loving as he was in the past, and Sukuna is so fortunate to have found a mate such as this.
They get out of the pool, and Megumi lays Sukuna on his back and he straddles him.
As he lifts up and takes hold of Sukuna’s cock, he stares at Sukuna with desire in his mesmerizing eyes. Megumi’s cock is hard and leaking between his spread thighs, and Sukuna wants to swallow it whole.
“You were talkative during our first time,” Megumi says as he lowers himself on Sukuna’s cock. His flushed body is glistening with sweat and his lips are pink and bruised. “Yet you are quiet now.” He sits down fully and his eyes fall shut as his mouth opens, a low moan spilling out.
“I am too busy drinking you in,” Sukuna groans at the feel of Megumi’s hot and wet core. He takes hold of Megumi’s hips.
Megumi lightly swats his hands away. “Rest, my General,” he says in a sultry voice. “Allow me to take over from here…”
Initially, Sukuna was worried that Megumi would display skills that are beyond his experience. He did not want to question how and where Megumi picked up these skills. But he has nothing to fear.
Megumi, despite having grown so much, is still his inexperienced little lover.
He still makes a mess of Sukuna, however.
And as always Megumi is a fast learner. His awkward movements quickly become steady and confident. He rocks his hips and rolls his body whilst resting the flat of his hands on Sukuna’s muscular thighs, and Sukuna is entranced by the sight of Megumi.
“Gods,” Sukuna moans. He reaches to touch Megumi again but one sharp look has him obediently keeping his hands to his sides. All he can do is speak. “Take all that you need, Megumi,” he says, his eyes lowering into slits. “I am yours to plunder…”
Megumi’s eyes fall shut. He milks Sukuna over and over, taking his pleasure and, in return, bestowing pleasure on Sukuna. He moves until his cock is twitching painfully as he releases over and over again.
At one point, Sukuna wonders if they are to make up for the past two years.
He is more than up for the challenge if that is the case.
“Sukuna, I...no more…” Megumi moans after some time has passed. Their bodies are sweaty and sticky. “I...too much!”
Sukuna pulls Megumi to lay on top of him. “You are acting as if this will be our last night together.” He kisses Megumi’s damp forehead.
“I am afraid you will have to leave again…”
“I am not going anywhere else, Megumi. My place is here with you and Asuka.”
Megumi sniffles. “Promise me,” he says. “The nights when you were away...they were hard, Sukuna. So, promise me that you will not leave again.”
“My brother and I retired, Megumi. We will fight in no more wars.”
Lifting his head, Megumi stares at Sukuna in disbelief. “Truly?”
Sukuna smiles. “Truly.”
Megumi is so happy that he cries.
Sometime later, they return to their chamber. As they’re getting into bed, there is a sound at the door. Wordlessly, Megumi goes to the door and opens it. Seconds later, Asuka stumbles through the door.
“Mama…” Asuka says tiredly rubbing his eyes with his fists.
“Did you have trouble sleeping?” Megumi asks quietly. He leans over and scoops Asuka up, carrying him over to the bed.
Sukuna watches as Megumi gets on his side of the bed while holding Asuka in his arms. The pup stares at Sukuna curiously.
“Does he sleep with you often?” Sukuna asks as he lays beside the two.
“Yes. My father tells me I should not coddle him too much but…” Megumi smiles down at Asuka. “There were some days when Asuka was all I had. Suguru could not visit often as he had a manse and servants to tend to and my father comes and goes…”
Hesitantly, Sukuna reaches out for Asuka to see if he will come. He knows that his appearance is frightening and he knows that he is not the warmest person to be around.
Asuka glances up at Megumi first and then he leans over, reaching for Sukuna.
“He...he does not fear me?” Sukuna asks as he lifts Asuka into his arms. The pup is soft and smells clean. He will not have his own scent until he presents someday. That is if he presents. “He has your courage,” he chuckles.
When Sukuna chuckles, his body rumbles and ripples through Asuka. The pup giggles and burrows closer to Sukuna, nuzzling his chest affectionately. Sukuna pets the boy’s tufts of black hair tenderly as Megumi looks on with a smile.
“No, he loves you as much as I do, that is all,” Megumi says. “I talked to him about you all the time-”
“You...love me?”
Megumi blinks. Then he tilts his head. “Why are you surprised?” he asks. “You foolish man, do you truly believe you are undeserving of love?”
Yes, Sukuna does believe he is undeserving of love.
He has killed many people. He has done terrible things. He never thought that the Gods would give a cursed man like him a blessing like Megumi, and Asuka yet here they all are.
“I can give you my loneliness,” Megumi says, startling Sukuna. “My darkness.” He recites the message Sukuna wrote for him inside the book of love poems many moons ago. “The hunger of my heart…” He smiles at Sukuna. “I fully accepted you long ago. Nothing has changed.”
Sukuna blinks away tears. “I love you as well,” he says quietly. More than his own life. “I love you both.”
Megumi scoots closer and rests his head beside Asuka’s as Sukuna is big enough to hold them both comfortably. “There is much for me to tell you, my love. So much has occurred...”
“I am listening.” Sukuna holds his two worlds in his arms, content and incredibly happy.
“I do not know where to begin,” Megumi chuckles. “Shall I start with how Maki escaped the fighting pits and stole Mai away from the thermae? Of how they both came by to see Suguru and me before they headed east. My father was with them…”
Sukuna listens with apt interest to the stories that Megumi shares about the friends he made during his short time at the thermae and of the father he thought long lost.
And as he listens he thinks about all the wonderful stories that they will make of their own someday.