D- The Truth in Our Actions
By Misha
Disclaimer- Not mine.
Author’s Notes- I have been having a bit of a writing funk lately, but hey I managed a NSFW drabble (two actually), though this one is actually SFW. Unlike most of the alphabet drabbles, this is not set during the period where Portia is Antony’s official mistress, instead, this is set shortly after Manipulations of the Heart.
Rating- M (to be safe, probably not even that)
Pairing- Antony/MC, Cassius/MC
Summary- As Portia’s relationships with Antony and Cassius both move to the next level, she has to consider some truths about her feelings for both men.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Cassius complimented, leaning in close, “a vision to rival Venus herself.”
He looked around the room, filled with senators and other members of the Roman elite, and several Courtesans. “If only we were alone now, I would show you just how much I appreciate it.”
“Soon,” I promised, running my hand down his arm, twisting a little closer to him. “If that is what you would like, of course.”
“It is always what I want,” Cassius assured me, pulling me in for a kiss, “whenever we are apart all I can think of is when we will be together next. You consume me, Portia.”
Before I could respond, someone called Cassius’s name.
He sighed and released me. “Later?”
“Of course,” I promised.
“I see Cassius has finally got his money’s worth,” a familiar voice commented from behind me as Cassius disappeared into the crowd, strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me against a hard body.
“Are you jealous?” I asked as I turned to face Antony.
“Of Cassius?” He scoffed. “When it was my bed you were in first? Does he know? That I had you first?”
I shrugged delicately. “He’s never asked.” He wouldn’t because he didn’t want to know. Cassius would rather pretend than know the truth, unlike Antony who had needed to be the first. I knew that and it was why I had gone to Antony’s bed first.
“Pity,” Antony commented, his lips trailing across my neck and shoulder.
“Is that why you took me to your bed, to prove something to Cassius?” I asked in a cool voice, pulling back from his embrace.
Or trying to, Antony tightened his arms around me, holding me against him, seemingly uncaring that we were in a room for a full of people. “Not even a little,” he told me, “I took you to my bed because I wanted you more than I have ever wanted a woman and no matter how much I have you, I can’t get enough.” His hands rested on my ass, pulling me closer so I could feel the evidence of his desire. “Come with me.”
I glanced around the party, I was here with the scholae, not a particular patron, but I wasn’t sure Lena would appreciate me leaving, especially not with Antony.
“I will deal with Lena,” Antony assured me carelessly, “unless it is Cassius that you are concerned with?”
Involuntarily my eyes found Cassius, still in conversation with a fellow senator, though his eyes were glued to Antony and I. If I left, he would notice and I would have some hurt feelings to deal with and yet if I refused… I would hurt Antony’s pride and as I weighed the two, I realized which meant more to me.
But hadn’t that always been the case? After all, there was a reason, I had given into Antony’s need to be first and it was the same reason I smiled up at him now. “All I care about is you,” I assured him.
He smiled, “good.”
He released me long enough to take my hand and lead me from the party, tucked close into his side. I forced myself not to look back at Cassius, unwilling to see the hurt or anger on his face, and yet despite that, I was still content in my decision and eager for what the night would bring.
And I know that said more than I was willing to admit, at least just yet. Some day there would be a choice to be made and deep down I knew I had already made it, but I would hold off admitting it as long as I could.
- End
