Chapter Text
❝𝐒𝐡𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮❞
𝑆𝑎𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐓𝐮𝐮𝐦; 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚
𝐘𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 that housed many of Rome's statues and busts. Standing tall, on a podium, or your level. The room was an array of white, gold, red, and more gold, and more red. The rag you held was dirty with dust before you plunged it back into the soapy water that honestly was more murky than sudsy.
The sun streamed in through the open-air windows on the walls. Where beyond was the city of Rome, bustling with life and very... eccentric smells. The muffled sounds of merchants and vendors yelling out whatever they had to over, coupled with distant yelling, crying, or cheering, made their way to your ears. Just another typical morning in Rome, you stood up and looked up at a large-scale statue of the emperor. Rome, his limestone copy, stood tall on the pedestal, a prideful smile on his face and eyes half-lidded. His statue was depicted wearing his armour, his red cape flying behind him as the golden chestolate glinted in the light. You squinted to see clearly, using your hand to block the sun's light.
"Wow... that's radiant."
You chuckled as you climbed up onto the pedestal, and slowly, you started to scrub, rubbing the wet cloth up and down the statue's side. You didn't stop until the gold reflected your face clearly. Then you moved to a different spot. Until you finished for that statue. Then you'd need to do another. Then another. Then another. Until all were spotless. A little breathless, you leaned onto a pillar, holding the rag tight in your hand as you breathed in the summer air.
Opening your eyes once more, you continued your work, polishing the dozens upon dozens of Rome copies in the room. By now, the sky has become a gradient of pinks and orange, white puffy clouds filled the sky like a painter had smeared white paint over his canvas. The dying sun lay just past the horizon and burned bright, shining over the city where torches and lamps had started to light up. Shaking your hands off the water after wringing the rag, you looked up and out the window. Smiling softly as you gazed upon the city before you. Your moment, however, was ruined by the subtle growl of your stomach. You hadn't eaten anything all day, having forgotten your time. Pushing yourself off of the wall, you picked rag up and turned on your heel. Soft and heavy sounds of footsteps coming from the hallways outside and the distant yelling and scolding down the hall and outside the windows reminded you of your duties.
"Better get back to work before I get scolded,"
You mumbled with disdain, so you approached the last statue you needed to polish for today. Your duties for the day would then be done. You'd be able to relax, you sighed happily just thinking of it. Your feet carried you to the back of the room, holding the last dusty statue.
A bust. It was of Rome (obviously), though the craftsmanship was amazing. Spectacular. It captured every inch and groove of Rome's face. Every dip and curve was there. In the ears, on the nose, the lips and eyes. It's lifelike, but cold. Looked soft, but it was stiff and hard. Frozen, it was as if someone had captured a piece of Rome and trapped it into a statue. It was beautiful, but it was also the statue you had almost kissed those few weeks ago. You brought the rag up to the statue's cheek and started to wipe it down. Every crooke and corner was free from dust, and when you finished. A voice spoke out behind you.
"Not gonna kiss it this time?"
You whipped around, brows furrowed at the familiar voice, only to find that Rome was standing there, arms crossed over his chest as he laughed heartily at the face you made. You grumbled and shook your head, wiping down the last of the statue's dust.
"Absolutely not, my liege. Besides... that... that was only one time. "
Rome raised a brow at your words, and the corners of his lips quirked up as he put his arms to his sides and stepped behind you. You scoffed, then saw his shadow and felt his presence behind you. The good thing was that he wasn't breathing down your neck like a dog, though.
"Tired of it not kissing back? Finally gonna kiss the real thing?
You whirled around again, brows furrowed, and lips pulled into a disgusted expression. Looking at Rome in the eye, your heart beat wildly in your chest, lips pressed into a thin line.
"As I said, my liege. That was only once."
You crossed your arms, averting your gaze, and Rome's smirk widened, his chest huffed out a laugh. Leaning in closely, he brought his arm to rest at the podium where the bust sat, his arm brushing up against your side as his face neared.
"You're so good at hiding what you want."
Rome chuckled, leaning closer until his lips ghosted over yours. His breath was hot. The intoxicating smell of wine filled your nose, and you couldn't help but lean back, looking at him with a questioning gaze.
"That was a joke, melimelum. Don't take it to heart."
Rome stayed still for a few moments. You didn't know why, but neither did you move. Despite your other side being wide open, you stood still. Within Rome's grasp, he gazed into your eyes, his bangs falling just barely past his eyelashes. In less than a second, his lips were on yours, soft, harsh, quick, and felt like an eternity at the same time. He pulled away just as fast, and you stared wide-eyed. Up at him with lips agape, blood rushing straight to your cheeks. Rome laughed, standing straight and turned on his heel.
"Hope that satisfies you."
Rome chuckled, looking over his shoulder to eye your confused, leaning figure. He huffed, striding out of the statue room, leaving you to think about what he just did. You've shared kisses with people before. But none of them could compare to the mix of emotions you felt swirl in your heart at Rome's peck. Maybe because all those other kisses were, I dont know, NOT on the mouth?
"What... was that...?"
Shaking your head a few moments later, you push yourself off the podium, slapping both your cheeks to try to get rid of the blush. Though theoretically, it'd worsen said blush. You picked the rag off of the floor and threw it into the wooden bucket full of soapy, murky, water, the liquid a shade of dusty blue.
You carried it out of the room and out of the palace where you splashed the water into the grass and shrubs. Afterwards, you retreated back inside and placed the bucket and rag in the small stock room that held the dozens of cleaning supplies you and ither servants used in the palace.
Stepping out and shutting the door behind you, you sighed. You felt the soft ache in your stomach from hunger, now that the sky outside has started to dim. The orange and pinks were slowly fading into a deep blue, the stars twinkling high beyond the clouds.
Torches and lamps within the palace lit up. Dragging your feet towards the kitchen, you wondered if you could maybe help, and by help, you mean eat the scraps while no one is looking. Peering into the doorframe, you spotted Julia. The brunette was roasting some pork by the window, fanning it with a leaf, crouched and resting her cheek boredly against her knee. She spotted you from her peripheral, waving you over.
"Hey Julia. What's up?"
You asked the girl who desperately tried to keep the smoke from her eyes. She flashed you a smile, beckoning you to crouch with her.
"Nothing much just... the usual duties... you?"
Julia looked at you with an expectant gaze, and you sighed. Remembering the encounter in the statue room, you shook your head, trying to scrub the image of Rome's face so close to yours, how he looked at you with a gaze that contained sparks of possession.
"I was graced by emperor Rome's presence earlier. Safe to say, I won't be stepping into the statue room anytime soon."
You shrugged, acting with nonchalance. Julia didn't need to know about Rome's little... slip-up? Surely, it was a mistake. Meanwhile, she laughed at your deadpan face. Fanning the smoke away from your eyes.
"He's been hanging around you lately, hm? Even Lower Egypt himself—"
"Julia, not now..."
"Oh, c'mon!"
Julia huffed as you clasped a hand over her mouth. Rolling her eyes, a few seconds later, you pulled your hand way quickly.
"Did you just lick my hand?"
You squinted your eyes at Juhia, scrutiny evident in your expression as she smugly grins. Though you hadn't noticed someone walk by the kitchen. With a black feline tail swishing left and right behind him, he immediately recognised your crouched form beside... who was that again?
"Y/n! There you are!"
You and Julia flinched from the enthusiastic voice that neared the two of you. In a flash, Ta Mehu was beside you, leaning his head next to yours. You turned your head towards him, with an unnaturally wide smile, you waved.
"Hi... Pharaoh Ta Mehu!"
"I've been looking everywhere for you, my Darling Star."
Ta Mehu stood up, arms akimbo with a smile on his lips. He grabbed your hand, pulling you up with him.
"Yeha... I had duties... and now I'm helping Julia—"
"Come! Keep me company while dinner is cooking—"
Ta Mehu tugged your arm, eager to drag you to wherever. You tugged back, planting your feet to the ground. Ta Mehu looked back, a brow raised as that piece of black hair fell from underneath his nemes.
"I'm helping Julia though..."
You mumbled, looking down at Julia who was still crouched with the palm leaf. Though when you did, you instantly regretted it as her face wore a wide grin, ear to ear as she cooed.
"Don't worry about me y/n. Go along now with the Pharaoh..."
Julia giggled, looking back at the pork roasting over a fire. You let out a small "huh?" Before Ta Mehu rested his chin onto your shoulder, his grin matching that of Julia.
"You heard her Y/n~ come on!"
Ta Mehu cheered as he just about dragged you by the arm to his favourite place. The second floor balcony. He'd spend most of his time here, of course, overlooking the western half of Rome. The moon was high in the sky, now gracing the land with its moonlight.
Ta Mehu sat back onto the lounge chair that was personally set up for him. His tail flicked up and curled beside him. He stretched his limbs out, purring softly before he took his nemes off his head. The headdress drooped with the lack of support, and he hung it on the corner of the chair's backrest. His black side bangs fell over his face, his cowlick bouncing as his fluffy ears twitched atop his head.
All while you stood by the lounge chair. Watching him with a pokerface. Beside the lounge chair was a small table, atop of it was a bowl of fruits. Of course, you chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck as you stretched your lower back.
"You're going to make me feed you fruits again aren't you? Pharaoh Ta Mehu?"
Ta Mehu opened one eye to study you, black sclera and yellow iris dragging uk and down your form before he tilted his head back and giggled.
"How'd you know? And didn't I say just 'Mehu' was okay?"
"Ah... lucky guess?"
You stammered, but nonetheless, you stepped closer to Ta Mehu, taking a seat on whatever's space is left on the lounge chair. Which, it was the edge of the chair beside Ta Mehu's bare side. He wore what he always did. An embroidered linen shendyt at his waist, decorated with fine jewels and gold threads, layered over was the transparent kalasiris, and at his neck was the Usekh collar, golden and decorated with colorful jewels too, most notably, the color green that rivaled the green of the palace gardens and trees. He was covered in jewels all while flaunting his bare torso, he was definitely fit and strong.
Though you were used to the sight. There was something different tonight. Perhaps it was the glow of the oil lamp, reflecting off the gold and illuminating the country that sprawled himself over the edge of the lounge chair carelessly, as if he didnt have a status, as if he were just a stray, or maybe it was the way his accent mixed with his voice today. Sweet and smooth like honey, sometimes you'd wish he'd whisper into your ear like Rome does—
"Get it together y/n"
You took a deep breath as you whispered to yourself, shaking your head side to side to cool down your hot face. As you reached your hand out for a grape and pushed it against Ta Mehu's parted and smiling lips. Immediately, he opened his eyes, pushing himself up to sit as he took the grape into his mouth, biting down and capturing the tips of your fingers between his lips. Giggling, he watched you pull your hand away.
"Mmm... feed me more star!"
Ta Mehu sighed happily, his smile reaching his eyes as he leaned back on his hands, beckoning you to push a few more fruits into his open mouth. Cherries, grapes, figs, strawberries, oranges, and raspberries, Ta Mehu's mouth was a museum of sweet fruit flavours. He'd hum after every bit and chew slowly, savouring the flavours that burst on his tongue. You fed him silently with a smile as he giggled and kicked his feet happily.
You picked up another grape, ready to feed him again, and yet he caught your wrist. A strawberry between his fingers he pushed it to your lips, urging you to bite it.
"My turn!"
He cheered, and as you bit it, his smile widened. He stared into your eyes with adoration, eyes raking over your face's every detail.
"So cute..."
He murmured, admiring the way your eyes sparkled like the stars. The way your lips hugged around the strawberry and the way your eyes reflected him. You were looking at him. He pushed the strawberry a little more into your mouth until he stopped suddenly, the fruit halfway into your mouth. His gaze flickered, between your eyes to your lips.
'The way your lips hugged the strawberry'
Ta Mehu swallowed thickly, contemplating as he looked at your face that gazed back... now questioningly as Ta Mehu had lost his smile. His face now blank with wide eyes, and a dust of red on his cheeks. Impulsively, he leaned in and bit the other side of the strawberry. Your eyes widened, but you didn't move away, not even when he bit a bit more of the strawberry. Your teeth bit into the fruit, the broken piece falling into your mouth. The piece outside fell slightly, and Ta Mehu caught it. You chewed slowly and swallowed the strawberry while staring at Ta Mehu, who was doing the same.
Your faces millimetres apart, you could feel his breath fan over your face, he could feel yours. Slowly, Ta Mehu tilted his head while leaning in, softly pressing his lips unto yours. You stiffened, then relaxed, closing your eyes as he embraced you, wrapping his arm around your waist, pulling you close. You melted into the kiss, feeling the way his soft lips moulded over your chapped ones. Ta Mehu didn't seem to care. He pressed deeper, tikting his head as he savoured the moment, the way his fingers trailed down your sides, grazing your skin and snagging at your clothes, it urged you to kiss him more, softer, deeper. He pulled away slowly, licking lips as he savoured the taste of you. He looked into your eyes and chuckled. You did too, you averted your gaze, not quite believing you'd just kissed a Pharaoh, one of the Egyptian Twins
Ta Mehu leaned to rest his head on your shoulder, nuzzling his face into your neck. His hair tickled your bare skin.
"Was that Rome I tasted on your lips? Y/n? My darling star?"
"I- h— I— I can explain— uhm.. err.. uh"
Ta Mehu snickered, feeling the way you heated up and flinched, stuttering over your words. He pressed a finger to your lips, his nail grazing your nose. He lifted his head up, and leaned in as if he was going to kiss you again, giggling again as his eyes raked over your face.
"Hush. Dont worry. I guess he'll just have to taste me the next time he kisses you."
𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐓𝐮𝐮𝐦; 𝑬𝒏𝒅