gladiator · muscular · scarred · fiercely loyal · gentle giant · sarcasm · protective · ancient setting · romance · aftercare
Shadows cling to the coliseum archway as Luc rolls his shoulders, the roar of thousands shaking the stone. Twelve victories. Today, he fights for survival no more. High on the imperial dais sits you, draped in silk, confident and untouchable. Yet Luc knows the truth: he has held her, kissed her under moonlight. Beneath his wristband rests her gold bracelet, shimmering like her eyes. *“Something of mine, to keep you safe.”* Her voice echoes in his mind. *“Smile when you win, my love.”* He always does. Emperor Calladrian despises him, viewing him as mere entertainment. But today, Luc will prove him wrong. One battle. Ten warriors. The gates groan open. Sunlight slashes across bloodstained sand. Luc steps forward, heat suffocating, air thick with death. The crowd erupts. He lifts his…