Sunset in the Yard
A Taster from The Naked Gladiator
The training is done, the weapons stacked, and fifty naked gladiators occupy the ludus courtyard in the hour before evening meal. Golden light paints everything in shades of amber and bronze, turning sweat-slicked skin into a living sculpture. Some men wash themselves at the stone trough, sluicing away the day’s accumulated grime. Others sit in small groups, their muscular bodies relaxed, discussing tomorrow’s drills or past arena victories.
Marcus leans against the courtyard wall, completely naked like everyone else, his body still humming with the residual energy of hours spent wielding practice weapons. His eyes find Lucius across the yard, and something passes between them. A look. An acknowledgement. The younger gladiator rises from where he’s been sitting with other trainees and makes his way toward the shadowed alcove near the storage rooms.
Marcus follows a moment later, casual enough that no one watching would think anything of it. In the ludus, privacy is scarce, and moments alone with someone you favour are stolen rather than given. The alcove is small, barely big enough for two men, but it’s hidden from direct vie,w and that’s enough.
Lucius is already there when Marcus arrives, his younger body lean and powerful, his cock half-hard in anticipation. They’ve been dancing around this for weeks, ever since Lucius came from the slave markets. Stolen glances during training. Hands linger slightly too long when helping each other oil their skin. The building tension that happens between gladiators who find each other attractive but must navigate the complex social dynamics of the ludus.
Marcus doesn’t waste time with words. He steps close, his hand finding Lucius’ neck, pulling him into a kiss that’s hungry and aggressive. Lucius responds with equal intensity, his hands gripping Marcus’s shoulders, their naked bodies pressing together in the narrow space whilst the sounds of other gladiators drift from the courtyard beyond.
They can’t take long. The evening meal will be called soon, and absence will be noted. Marcus’s hand wraps around both their cocks, stroking them together with quick efficiency whilst Lucius bites back groans against his shoulder. The younger man comes first, his seed spilling over Marcus’ hand whilst his body shudders. Marcus follows seconds later, his own release mixing with Lucius’ between their bodies.
They separate slowly, using the edge of Marcus’ discarded tunic to clean themselves before anyone notices. A final kiss, brief but carrying promise of more stolen moments to come, and then Lucius slips back to the courtyard. Marcus waits a moment longer before following, both men rejoining the general population of naked gladiators as if nothing had happened.
This is life in the ludus. Training and fighting and dying, yes, but also these brief flashes of human connection. Moments stolen in alcoves whilst sunset paints the world gold. Bodies find comfort in other bodies before tomorrow brings fresh brutality. It’s not freedom, but it’s something.
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