Chapter 5 - a dangerous plan

Quintus watched the sun rise, or to express it more truthfully, he didn’t sleep much at all the preceding night. A plan has formed itself in his head, or better a way out of the imminent problem of Gaius the son and therefore his father too. But it came with danger and with a life, he had turned his back to for good. Or so he had thought.
He was still determined to get Gaius approval for his marriage with Flavia this very morning, but during the night, he had come to the conclusion, that their wedding and marital life wouldn’t stand under a good star, if the first major event after the celebration of their wedding would be the news of Flavia’s brothers death. It would feel as if he had failed his promise to her and her father.
He sighed and rose. Gaius the older was an early riser too. Most probably, he would find the master of the house behind his desk already. Today was a senate day after all.
As expected, Gaius was readying himself for a day in Rome. The older man looked up to him as Quintus entered and raised his eyebrows.
»I will tell my family before I leave, if you have come to remind me of the dreadful task. And then, I will make sure to find out, whose head I will have to cut off to take revenge for my firstborn.« Anger sounded in Gaius voice.
Quintus did understand the sentiment, but still he protested, »don’t talk about him as if he was already dead.« He paused for a moment. Then, he continued, »I might be able to offer a solution.«
Gaius settled in his chair, his huge belly spilling over his thighs, squeezing against the armrests.
»If I were to continue his training and counsel him, he might very well could learn to evade peril for a long enough to return in one piece.«
Gaius shook his head. »There will be no extension. Whomever is responsible for it, will claim that it meant to favor my son over the young men from other, less wealthy and influential families.«
»I meant train and counsel him on his journey. I am willing to go with him and to bring him home safely if I can.«
Gaius stared at him for a long time without saying a word.
»Let me ask Flavia if she is willing to wait for my return to marry me. Today.«
»Return with my son sound and safe and a seat in the senate is yours. Hell, I will promote your campaign to become emperor if this is your wish.«
Quintus smiled. »I do neither wish to become a senator, nor do I want to be the emperor. Promise a wealthy estate and your daughter’s hand, if she is willing to marry a simple man and we are good. And before you ask, I will do the deed even if she has higher aspirations than to become the woman of a countryman.«

The better part of an hour later, Quintus faced his wife-to-be who looked at him in horror.
»No!« Flavia’s voice sounded shrill and she was clearly upset. »You can’t go to Britannica. This is where people get hurt and die.«
Quintus indicated her brother with his chin and she fell silent. »I ask you for your hand. To marry me upon my return. Your father will give us a nice little estate. A place where we do not need to watch our back every time we go for a walk. If you can imagine such a life with me, wait for me.«
He stood together with father and daughter and a little aside of the rest of the family, the lot of them still chatting agitatedly about the news of Gaius mission and Quintus willingness to accompany the young man.
»You don’t have to give me your answer right now. Think of it and tell me, when I return. Your brother and I will leave the day after tomorrow.«
Flavia took his hands in hers. They felt soft and warm.
»I don’t need time to think. Of course, I want to marry you. What I don’t want is for you to leave.« But there was resignation in her eyes. She knew, he was her brothers only chance.
»You are making me a very happy man. Now, I will ride to town with your father to make preparations. I will be back in the evening.«
She shook her head again, but then, for only a moment, he felt Flavia’s lips on his cheek.

Quintus left Appius townhouse with a guilty conscience. The last few weeks they had hardly had the time to catch up and now his return to Britannica had given them ample topics to discuss. Needless to say, that in Appius house, nothing was discussed without a proper meal to accompany a conversation amongst friends. Quintus hadn’t felt this stuffed since he started his training with Gaius the younger. He sighed and made his way cumbersomely to the small workshop of the best craftsman for military armament he knew.
»Greetings Bran.«
The redhead who was approximately his age looked up and arched his eyebrows at Quintus. »I didn’t want to believe it. You are aware, that men usually only get fat after making sure they are not returning to the field, are you not?«
Bran was not someone who held back with his opinion. Quintus sighed. »I didn’t plan for this to happen. I mean, neither my physical change, nor my return to Britannica. However, I am in dire need of a fitting armour and fast. We are to leave the day after tomorrow.«
»I don’t think I have enough metal plates to cover your gut.« For a moment, Brans face was dead serious, before he broke into a booming laughter.
Quintus had never noticed the handsome contrast of the man’s deep-blue eyes against the countless freckles on his white skin.
»You should see your face.« Bran pulled himself together. »Get rid of your clothes. Everything besides the short tunic.«
Quintus did as he was told behind a wooden screen. He felt slightly ashamed when his eyes fell on his engorged gut. The white skin was stretched and heavy after his abundant meal. Angry red stripes spoke of the endless stuffings his gut had endured during the last months.
Even worse, the young wine Appius had administered him together with the abundant food seemed to bloat him. His paunch stood taut and pressed uncomfortably against the rigid material of his short tunic.
»You wanna grow roots behind there? I have work to do.«
Quintus left his hiding space and stepped onto a small stool to make it easier for Bran to take his measures. The man started his work, touching the swollen, taut skin of his gut. Thereby, the tunic rode up higher, until Quintus felt his hanging flab exposed. Ashamed, he tried to tug it down again.
»Nothing wrong with gaining a little weight. Makes you look sturdy.« Bran didn’t look up. Instead, he started to take measures of his breast and shoulders.
Quintus tried not to wince, when Brans hands accidentally brushed over his nipples which seemed to be much more sensitive now, that they crowned his squashier breast. He tried to distract himself by taking a better look at Bran. He was slim but toned. His red wavy hair was cut short and blazed like fire when the sunlight hit it.
He was caught off guard when he felt both of Bran’s hands at his waist, pressing his palms against Quintus heavy belly. He cleared his throat and the other man startled. »I am sorry. Tried to get a feeling for the roundness. Has to fit around there, hasn’t it?«
Quintus nodded at loss of an answer.
»Can’t do an armour in that amount of time.« Bran went to a small desk to jot down the measures he had taken so diligently. »You are lucky then, that I will accompany the mission. At least till the port where you board the ship.«
Quintus thoughts still lingered with Brans strong hands on his exposed flab. He wasn’t quite sure what to make the other man’s hands on his belly. Bran treated every customer like that, didn’t he? At least every fat customer? Instead of an answer, Quintus nodded again.
»See you in two days then. Will have to have several fittings to make sure everything is protected, aye.«
Quintus couldn’t be sure, but it seemed, as if Brans eyes were fixed on his heavy gut, that showed beneath the too tight short tunic. Slowly, he descended from the stool, but instead of tugging his tunic down, he let it ride all up to his soft breasts, stroking with his own hands over his stuffed belly. »It seems I overdid it a little at lunch.«
»Looks all fine to me. Will make sure, you get something all of you will fit in.«
With that, Quintus stepped behind the screen again, unsure about what to make of this very strange encounter.