“Augustus?” a quiet voice called from the Roman’s doorway. Augustus hardly recognized the man standing there. He wasn’t the shy, tiny waif that he remembered. Luck had grown taller, though not much broader. His sandy blond hair was tied back neatly and his mismatched eyes were more confident.
Augustus frowned when he glanced up. “Can I—Luck!” Augustus leapt to his feet and rushed to embrace his lover. “You’re…different. And you’ve been gone so long, damn you!”
Luck kissed Augustus over and over, hugging him tightly. “I’m sorry,” he smiled, “but I had lots to do. Did you get my letters?” He stroked Augustus’ strong jaw, enjoying the stubble.
“Yes, I got your letters. And all your, ah, treasures. I kept them all.” Augustus felt his eyes tearing up, so he turned away. “But where were you?! What did you have to do that was so damned important?” He kept hugging Luck, almost too tightly, stroking the thinner boy—man’s—back over and over in a restless pattern. “Gods…you’re growing a beard!”
“I know.” He sounded remorseful. “I missed you. And I wanted to come back sooner, but I don’t think I’d have grown up unless I did what I did.” He nuzzled Augustus, stroking his hair and pretending not to see his lover’s tears. “But I went everywhere. It was so amazing. The world is so big.”
“Yes, it is big,” Augustus smiled and surreptitiously wiped his eyes. “And I would have gone with you, dammit! Why did you need to grow up, now, all of a sudden. Why not centuries ago! Why now…without me…” The last part was whispered.
Luck kissed him and smiled foolishly. “You can’t breathe underwater, silly.” He crawled up into his big lover’s arms like he used to. “You’re part of why I had to grow up. ‘cause I love you.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” the stocky Roman growled. “You’re…you’re taller than me!” he gasped. “…never mind.”
“I’m part of the sea, Auggie. I can’t always choose what to do.” He grinned. “I’m taller, but you’re still big and strong.”
“The sea didn’t sweep in here and carry you away. You did! I mean…you walked…but you left!” Augustus was feeling increasingly helpless and confused by this new, older Luck. “Since when did you start calling me ‘Auggie’?”
“Do you not like it?” he frowned. “I had lots to do, Augustus. I met all the lords of fish and sea-mammals. I visited every body of water. I met lots of people and animals. I…sort of had a fling with the moon.” He flushed.
Augustus raised an eyebrow. “…and what does any of that have to do with me?”
“I lived like a boy all my life. I seduced you because I thought you would take care of me.” He nestled into Augustus’ chest. “But you were the first person to treat me like an adult and to make me feel grown up and in love and lust and I started aging.”
“I did take care of you,” Augustus whispered, hurt.
“Yes, but you also loved me. You took care of me like a lover.” Luck kissed him. “I’m sorry. I left, but I needed to and I missed you so much.”
