Chapter Text
„Live! Live! Live!“ The crowds screams cut through the air as Commodus was at Maximus’ mercy. His sword rested on the emperors throat ready to end his miserable scheming little life. Blue eyes stared up at him glowing in the scorching sun, Maximus breathed heavily from the fight. A fight tougher than he had expected. The other must’ve been just as exhausted as him if not more as Maximus could feel him rest his head on the blade. “Do what you must” he spit between gritted teeth, blood and sweat running down his face. His panting breath vibrating through the sword. The screams grew louder around them “Live! Live! Live” A thousand upright thumbs were waved in the air. The gladiator looked around the colosseum shaking with every “Live!” The people clearly had a change of heart.
Tilting the point of his weapon up forcing the kneeling emperor to look at him he contemplated. This was not what he had expected at all and neither had the other.
“General! Whatever decision you make we stand behind you!” Quintus assured him “Do you now?” Maximus didn’t take his eyes off the trembling Commodus who was trying hard to suppress every wince and whine that was trying to fight it’s way out of him.
The gates opened and Lucius came running into the arena, closely followed by his mother from whose hand he had broken free. Terror in his eyes as he stared at the pair. Maximus gaze met his and the young boy slowly extended his arm his thumb facing sidewards. Maximus chuckled and copied his pose. “Looks like you’re at the mercy of a child your highness.” The demands died down as the crowd watched in suspense over the young princes decision.
Lucius took a deep breath and simultaneously he and the gladiator lifted their thumbs up. The crowd erupted into cheers and chants as Maximus threw away his sword. A single relieved breath escaped Commodus, he turned over his shoulder and flashed Lucius a quick smile. Lucille had appeared behind him holding firmly onto her sons shoulders.
“Looks like we entertained them greatly.” Maximus extended his hand towards the emperor who tried his best to hide the pure hatred he felt towards the general in this moment. Trembling he took Maximus’ hand, who stepped closer and grabbed the others arm pulling him to his feet.
“I wish you had killed me.” Commodus whispered “well don’t make me regret that I didn’t” Maximus whispered back before pulling him into an embrace, making the crowd go wild again.
Again the smaller man rested his head briefly on his shoulder taking shuddering breaths in his arms before returning the embrace.
Lucius broke free from his mother and squeezed through the praetorians to join the two men. “Are you alright?” He was all worked up from witnessing two people he cherished greatly fighting to potential death. Maximus let go of Commodus and opened his arms to embrace the young boy but quickly grabbed ahold of the emperor again as he felt him slowly dropping back towards the ground. “Come here boy! There is nothing to fear!” Smiling brightly Lucius ran to Maximus and hugged him tightly.
As he broke away he looked at his uncle who smiled weakly and pet his head. “Do not worry about me.” He said “I’ve had it worse.” He looked up at Lucilla who was still stood outside the circle of praetorians. “I think your mother needs you by her side. Tell her we’ll be alright.” He stroke his head once more resting his hand on the young boys neck for a brief moment.
“You’ve had worse?” Maximus remarked amused, as the boy ran back to his mother. “I pray your tongue falls out tomorrow so that i don’t have to hear another of your…” Commodus paused “quips.” He snarled. “Is that so?” Maximus let go off the emperor who immediately sank down towards the ground trying to grab ahold of the gladiator, but the latter just stepped back and let his highness hit the colosseum sands.
Waving to the crowd Maximus left the arena, the emperor held up by two praetorians followed behind him. In the blinds Lucilla and Gracchus were waiting for them. Lucilla hugged the hero tightly before shoving him into a chair, doctors already waiting to treat him. Meanwhile Commodus had to be placed on to the floor, Maximus grinned at the sight for a second before the stinging tinctures entering his wounds made him wince.
“What happens now?” Gracchus asked into the air as the beautiful woman kneeled down beside her brother, wiping the sweat and blood from his brow. She couldn’t help but care for her younger brother still, even after all he had done.
“Rome goes back to the senate.” Maximus declared “it was Marcus Aurelius’ dying wish and I will see it honored!”
“I think that is hardly possible after today.” Gracchus pondered “the people love emperor Commodus, they will not be happy to see him dethroned. Not after that spectacle the two of you put on.” He looked between both men “They want you side by side.”
“Not a chance!” Maximus growled “by the gods, he is mad and I should’ve killed him out there. Maybe I’ll still do it.” “But you didn’t.” Lucilla interjected “Because your a leader.” She knew her past lover well “you lead, but you also listen. The people love you, they think you a hero, but-“ she gestured towards her brother who looked like he was slipping in and out of consciousness “they also love shiny things, opulence they can admire and adore. A pretty head to wear the crown while you pull the strings.” Maximus stared at her in disbelief. “I’m sure you’ll keep him in control, if anyone can do it it’s you.” “I will not share a throne I do not want with this…” He gestured wildly but couldn’t think of a suitable insult so he just settled on an exasperated sigh. “I do not want to rule over Rome, I’m not a politician, I’m a soldier, a gladiator.”
“You do not have a choice the people have decided for you.” Commodus voice sounded weak “besides where else would you go?” He turned his head towards him and chuckled “you do not have a home.”
“Right.” Maximus got up pushing past towards Commodus “I’ll strangle him right here.”
It took seven knocked out praetorians and Lucillas convincing to finally restrain Maximus all the while the emperor just laughed.
“The people deserve you.” Gracchus said “But they also demand him. Do not worry my friend the senate will be behind you.”
The gladiator closed his eyes hoping to wake up in the wheat field far away from it all. Warm hands cupped his face and when he opened his eyes again they met Lucillas stormy blue. “Do it for them.” She whispered “Do it for Lucius.” She continued, kissing him gently. How could he say no to the goddess herself? At least she would be by his side.
“Come now brother, our chariot is waiting.” The other blue eyed sibling was stood up, they had washed the blood off of his face and armor. The sun that peaking through the wood made him glow. “They are lining the streets demanding us.” Two servants were holding him up, but he still extended a hand towards the gladiator. “No tricks, no scheming, no plotting. You do as I say.” A sickly sweet smile made itself at home on Commodus’ face “General.” His speech as sweet as his smile “I will try my best.” “Try to be like your father for once” Maximus retorted. The smile stayed but Commodus face turned dark “Well then lets start a war tomorrow. There is much to be conquered.”
Lucilla and Gracchus left for their own carriages down the streets leaving the two men and their guards.
The gladiator slowly took the emperors extended hand turning it and kissing the ring, never breaking eye contact. “Long live emperor Commodus.”
A servant placed a laurel crown on Maximus’ head. Together they stepped out onto the chariot pulled by a white and a black horse.
Maximus couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom as they whizzed trough the packed streets. People were shouting their names and throwing petals towards them, he looked over to his future “companion” whose knuckles were turning white from how hard he held onto the chariot. His face was deathly pale but he was still smiling brightly. Shiny, Maximus thought to himself, very shiny.