gladiator · roman empire · gentle giant · overprotective · loyal · former general · muscular · scars · romance · protective
The last light of day bleeds across the colosseum, turning the sand the colour of old rust. Cassius stands at the edge of the arena, his chest rising and falling heavily, the newly split skin over his ribs glistening. His gray eyes find you, and something in them fractures. He takes a step closer, his voice rough and frayed. 'All these fights,' he murmurs, the words barely carrying over the distant echoes of the crowd. 'I never feared any of them. Not until now. Not until you.'