Chapter 4 - bad news

Three weeks into their training and without the constant feeding, Quintus felt how his lifelong trained skills came back to him. He noticed, how his new weight made him stronger. The flab he had piled up during the lazy months before, slowly turned into beefy, chubby strength, instead of the lean muscle he had known before. There was still a paunch swelling over the leather belt of the short tunic he wore for exercise, but it was no longer blubbery and soft, but firm and supporting.
However, Gaius the younger was still a mess. The boy had clearly never known drill or training and though he gave his all, it was apparent that fighting or exercise didn’t come naturally to him. Quintus reminded himself, that talent was the least important factor when it came to endure the duty in the Roman army. If only he had more time, he could make a fine soldier of the young man. Probably more something of a strategist, because Gaius clearly had his father’s quick mind and lacked eye-hand-coordination, but still.
»Let’s call it a day. Tomorrow early. No feasting. No wine.«
Gaius nodded his consent in a downcast way. The boy was no fool and knew of the danger awaiting him on his mission and how unprepared he was to face it.
Quintus sighed and made his way to the study of Gaius the older to report to him. Also, he hoped there were news as to where his son would be sent. With a concerned mind, he approached the door, straightened his back and knocked.
»Come in.«
Gaius looked up from a ledger full with small numbers written in blue ink. The older man was an experienced politician; therefore, his facial expression was neutral. However, during the last few weeks, Quintus had learned to read his eyes and now the shadows in them made him assume the worst.
»Bad news?«
Gaius cleared his throat and called for his secretary. The man brought two glasses and a jug of wine, then left discreetly only to jump at his masters next command, half loudly issued in the air by his feisty lips.
»I have a lot of allies in the senate. I don’t call them friends, because none of them I would ever truly trust, but they all owe me. Today, I learned that I have equally many enemies.«
Gaius handed him a glass of wine.
»They send Gaius to Britannica. Only one week of extension as the party set for leave is delayed otherwise anyway. All we have left are two weeks.«
That was bad. Gaius the younger was in no way prepared to face the perils of the Roman empires most dangerous province. Quintus thought of something helpful to say. »It is only for one year. Taking into account the time it takes him to travel there, he will very likely serve eight months at max.«
Gaius watched him thoughtfully. »You have told me the truth whenever I asked for it. Don’t stop now, when I need to hear it the most.«
He sighed. »Your son will not last in Britannica. Not in two weeks. Maybe, if I had more time, but I can’t see him enduring the dangers there in his current state. I am very sorry.«
The other man emptied his cup of wine in one gulp. With a sad look, he settled back on the chair behind his desk, his massive weight causing the painted wood to creak. In that moment, Gaius reminded him of Flavia and he felt compassion and sorrow for both of the men with their shared first name.
Quintus nodded and started to withdraw, when Gaius called behind him, »give me one more family dinner not overshadowed by the news. I will tell them tomorrow.«

»Are we allowed to go for a stroll outside?« Flavia looked up to her father with her huge blue eyes and a little pout on her full lips.
»Sure,« Gaius the older was stuffed to the brim and only managed to turn his face in Quintus direction, »be sure to return her safely within the hour.«
Quintus smiled and nodded in confirmation. He and Flavia hadn’t made a secret of their mutual affection and it seemed to him, as if their connection had Gaius blessing.
Together, they set off in the cool evening air. In contrast to himself, Flavia hadn’t held back at dinner and her heavy, stuffed gut pressed against the material of her dress. Once more.
It seemed to Quintus as if she had grown in size in the few weeks of their acquaintance. Her cheeks and chin seemed fuller and softer and though he couldn’t know for sure, it looked to him, as if her growing belly was slowly sagging. The thought of Flavia gaining more weight caused a wave of desire and passion to wash over his body, but somehow, he couldn’t fully enjoy their being together, as his thoughts returned to Gaius and the danger he would face soon.
»You are distracted.«
He thought of Gaius words as to not shade the joy of their family dinner with what he had learned today. Nevertheless, He didn’t want to lie to his future bride. »I am worried about your brother. He is not ready. Not yet.«
Flavia frowned. »I must seem very inconsiderate to you, but my concern for Gaius absorbs me most of the day when we are not together. I just cherish the little time we have together and don’t want to deny the joy of it to me or you.«
Quintus squeezed her hand reassuringly. »Then, you are much wiser than I am. I would never think of you to be inconsiderate. You are the most sympathetic person I have ever met.«
Flavia sluggishly leaned against the column of a pavilion at the farthest edge of the garden. Together, they looked back to the lavish villa with its brightly lit windows. She grinned teasingly, arching her back to put her filled belly at display. Quintus felt his heart beat faster and his blood running to his groin.
»I think I overdid it a at dinner. Do you think you could comfort me a little?«
His mouth went dry as he stepped closer. Flavia took his hands and guided them to her heavy gut.
Quintus felt himself throb with need. Carefully, he kneaded the tender skin of her belly. For the first time he felt the little fold her flab formed over her underbelly. He was all hard now. Unable to hold himself back, he stepped even closer, pressing himself against her plump figure. She moaned quietly.
»Tell me, if you want me to stop.«
She didn’t issue a word, just staring at him with wide eyes, her lips slightly parted. Quintus closed the distance between their faces, pressing his mouth on hers, tasting her soft sweetness. His body had taken over and he slowly rubbed himself against her. His firm paunch against her soft flab. Quintus hands wandered higher, cupping her full, plump breasts. His need to push himself inside her was overwhelming. At the same time, Quintus knew, he couldn’t take her right here in the garden. He wanted to do this rightfully.
It took all his willpower to step back again, his skin hot with desire. »We should go to your father.«
»Don’t you talk about my father when I stand before you ready to give myself to you. I want your hands all over my body. To feel, how you desire me above any other.«
Once more, his hands found her pillowy fat, but then he turned determinedly. »I will talk to him tomorrow first thing. I want to make you my wife and then you will feel me all you want.«
She moaned with lust, her breathing as labored as his.