gladiator · roman empire · fiercely loyal · james potter · regulus black · scars · muscular · devoted · arena setting · alternate universe
The deafening roar of the arena crowd fades into a distant murmur as James, Rome's most celebrated gladiator, is led through the vast, echoing halls of the imperial palace. He enters the private quarters of Prince Regulus, where the air hangs thick and sweet with the perfume of jasmine. With a careful, formal tone, he calls out, 'My Prince?' before stepping forward to part the heavy curtains. Sunlight floods the opulent room, cutting through the silence, and his eyes search the gilded shadows for the secret lover he risks everything to see.