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A Measure of Worth

Virgil wore a determined face as he marched down the cobblestone street. The clattering noise of the market district of Rome surrounded him, but he ignored all of it. He was supposed to be buying leather for his father's shop, but Virgil didn't care. He was focused on one thing as he walked. Today, he would make his family proud. Today, he would join the Roman Army. It had taken him nearly all morning to gather the courage to go to the barracks and he was positive that they would take him if he put on a tough face. Surely his father would be pleased if Virgil came home with proof of his initiative. Anything was better than working diligently in the shop all day only to be ignored in favor of his older brother, Titus. It seemed that nothing he did for his father ever pleased and Virgil's efforts were always brushed to the side as if they meant nothing. The young hare's long ears stood up straight on his head and his nose twitched nervously as his destination grew nearer. His brown eyes looked first at one canine guard and then the other that flanked the barracks door. He couldn't even hope to measure up to their well built statures and the realization made Virgil feel like an ant by comparison. Each wore a glimmering suit of bronze armor that had so few blemishes that Virgil wondered if either guard had ever seen combat. He smoothed the unruly, brown fur on his head and tried to do the same to his robe before stepping inside. Virgil was so focused on making it through the door that he didn't notice the guards on either side of him fighting back laughter as he entered.

The stone room he found himself in was smaller than he had pictured. Shouting and the clank of metal against metal could be heard beyond a wooden door in the far stone wall of the room. Several stone benches were lined up in front of a wooden desk, behind which sat a very handsome lion who was the only other being in the room. The feline was scribbling something on a length of parchment that sat on the desk and the writing absorbed all of his attention. He made no sign to show that he was aware of Virgil's presence so the hare took the time to examine the recruiter more closely. Lines trailed across his face, betraying the large cat's age even though he had the physique of a younger male. The feline's reddish mane fell about his rugged face in long locks. Some of it was tied into a tail behind his head and the portion under the lion's chin had been neatly trimmed. The broad muscles on the feline's arms, shoulders, and chest drew Virgil's eye, highlighted by the lion's short, tawny fur. Virgil guessed he was a high ranking officer by the decoration on his clean, white robe. It was difficult for the young hare to pull his eyes from the attractive lion. His own thin and barely toned body felt terribly inadequate in the presence of the large feline soldier. Virgil envied him. The lion would have had little trouble getting what he wanted in life. He looked like the kind of person that others just listened to and obeyed. No one listened to what Virgil wanted. As the young hare looked down in shame, he realized just how empty the room was. It was a wonder that there were so few recruits. Perhaps the scrolls that Virgil had seen posted around the city were because of this recruit shortage. The lion behind the desk was still writing swiftly when Virgil realized that he must have been standing there for several minutes. He cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Um... excuse me..."

His voice was more timid than he had intended, but his nervousness would not let him produce more noise. The lion held up a single finger as he finished writing on the parchment. The feline's emerald eyes lifted from the page long enough to give Virgil a very long and uncomfortable once over. The hare felt his fur standing up on end and butterflies assaulted his stomach as the large cat analyzed him.

"Are you lost, boy?" The lion asked in a deep and soothing baritone voice.

"No, sir," Virgil said, attempting his best Roman military salute. "I am here to sign up for the army."

There was a long silence as the lion tried to decide whether or not the young hare in front of him was serious. Virgil's short tail twitched under his robe and he tried to get his nerves under control. He didn't want to reek of fear in front of the handsome recruiter. The lion tapped his chin with a thick finger as his tail swayed lazily behind him.

"Sorry, boy. We don't recruit youths." the lion said, referring to the skinny hare's looks.

"I'm nineteen, sir," Virgil said desperately. "Are you sure you cannot take just one more recruit? I might not look tough, but I am a swift learner!"

The lion let out a long sigh.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Virgil, sir!"

"Virgil, do you have any idea what goes on behind that door there?"

The large feline pointed with one of his fingers for emphasis. As if it had been planned, a bloodcurdling shriek erupted from the other side of the door, making the fur on Virgil's neck bristle. It sounded like someone had been stabbed. For all he knew, that may have been exactly what had happened.

"Th-that's the training ground, sir," Virgil replied, trying in vain not to stammer.

"Correct. However, if you go through that door, it means you cannot leave until you are broken and then rebuilt as a proper Roman soldier. We do not tolerate weakness..."

The lion inhaled deeply through his nose and Virgil knew in an instant that the feline could smell his fear.

"...or cowardice in our ranks," the lion continued.

"I understand, sir," Virgil said, giving the big cat another salute.

"You don't get it. I can't recruit someone like you," The lion replied, shaking his head.

Virgil was crestfallen.

"But... I've been dreaming of joining the military for my whole life..."

"Dream of helping Rome in a different way. The military isn't for you."

"What if..."

The lion lifted a brow curiously as the young hare stopped his mouth to think. The recruiter was very attractive. Virgil wondered if the lion actually shared his tastes. No. That would be too much good luck for the hare. There was no way the lion would trade recruitment for Virgil's body. Besides, Virgil wasn't sure he wanted to stoop that low anyway. Was he really that desperate?

"N-never mind..." he said sheepishly.

"I'm saving your life, Virgil," the lion said. "Go home."

The young hare looked up at the lion and frowned. Maybe he was right. But it seemed like every endeavor he undertook ended in disappointment or worse, disaster.

"Thank you for your time..." Virgil said as he turned away from the lion.

"Take care."

The hare stepped back over the doorway of the barracks, fighting back the urge to punch something. He was mostly angry at himself for thinking he would be recruited. Why would they want an inept Roman like him? Out in the street, Virgil bit his lower lip to prevent his sadness and anger from overwhelming him as he started to walk away from the barracks.

"Get a look at this weakling, Gaius," one of the guards said behind him.

"Heh, Marcus probably turned him down because of his huge feet!" The other replied.

"Or maybe he was so afraid that he pissed himself on his way through the atrium!"

Both guards nearly fell to the ground from laughing, each leaning on their spears for support. Virgil tried to ignore them. He really did. The hare felt his lower lip starting to shake as the familiar tightening of his throat and welling of his eyes assaulted him. He would not let them see him cry! Virgil took off in a run for home to hide his grief and the sound of the guards shouting after him filled his long ears:

"Cowards always run! Cowards always run!"

Thoughts of his failure filled Virgil's mind, blocking out all else, even the noise of the marketplace that surrounded him as he ran. Some of the merchants watched him curiously as he dashed past, but he couldn't notice. By the time the young hare reached his home district, his chest ached and the sun was already starting to set. The fading light bathed everything in a hazy, orange glow that turned to creeping shadows in the narrow alleys. These were the slums of Rome. The Roman lower class tried to make a living here, but Rome was a competitive city and few families ever made it beyond the tiny apartment rooms on these cluttered streets. It was in one of those apartments that his family lived. Virgil wiped the tears from his eyes with his robe and tried to slow his breathing by walking the rest of the way home. As he stepped onto the stoop of their building, he remembered his forgotten errand.

"The leather!" He whimpered.

Virgil hung his head as he climbed the stairs and entered the apartment room. It was about the same size as the barracks atrium. His mother had a pot of food stewing over the fire. His father and two brothers sat on the edge of their beds, awaiting dinner. The beds took up most of the floor space in the room and Virgil would have to walk around all of them to get to his. Upon seeing that the young hare was empty handed, his father's eyes narrowed.

"And where in Jupiter's name have you been?" His father asked.

"I... was out," Virgil said meekly.

He had not thought up a proper excuse. He hadn't had the time.

"Clearly, but I asked you where," his father said, frowning. "Did I not send Virgil to buy leather to fashion new sandals?"

The question was directed at Titus, who nodded solemnly.

"And where has that money gone I wonder?"

This time, his father turned toward Maximilian, the youngest. Max shrugged.

"I have it still..." Virgil said, handing his father the coins he had been given.

The older hare snatched the money from Virgil's hand.

"At least you have that much respect for your father's requests," he said.

"Father, please let me explain. I went to the barracks today-"

"You did what!? Tell me you weren't recruited, boy!"

His father's face was livid. Virgil hadn't ever seen his father so upset. His mother looked horrified as she poured the sparse meal into clay bowls.

"No... the recruiter wouldn't let me join..."

"Thank the gods for that!" His mother said, sighing in relief.

"I didn't live through Emperor Trajan's senseless wars to see a son of mine die in one of Emperor Hadrian's!" His father demanded. "Furthermore, since you have wasted my time today, tomorrow you will be passing out scrolls in the markets. I want one in every hand by sundown or you will be punished. Is that understood?"

"Yes father," Virgil said, defeated. "I just... wanted to make you proud..."

"Do that by obeying my wishes from now on," his father replied.

It was clear that the military wanted nothing to do with Virgil and his parents were actually glad that he was too frail to join. Dinner was intense, but at least his mother gave him two helpings of supper. As each member of Virgil's family retired to bed, his mind drifted back to the two canine guards mocking him. Tightness in his throat and water in his eyes threatened to betray his weakness to his family. He didn't want to be useless. He only wanted recognition for his efforts. The young hare covered his shameful sobs with his small pillow before sleep eventually took him.

The next morning, Virgil was once again in the market district, trying to pass scrolls to the citizens who walked by. Nearly everyone ignored him and those that did actually take a scroll merely threw them away after only a few moments. He held out a scroll to an important looking Roman who grimaced and pushed the young hare away.

"Get out of my face, wretch!" The Roman said as she stormed past him.

Virgil wanted to scream. It felt as if the whole world was turning on him. His dreams had been dashed on the cobblestones of the busy Roman streets and no one seemed to care. The young hare thought about throwing all of the scrolls away, but his father's ire was not something he wanted to face. All he wanted was to be noticed and to be cared about. Was that too much to ask? Virgil trudged away from the bustle and scents of the central market district. He needed some air. On the outskirts of the district was a large statue of Emperor Hadrian, under which stood a female crow who was shouting the daily news. The emperor's proud features and impressive rack of antlers were displayed for all of the citizenry to see as they walked by. The stag's striking face also caught the attention of the passing crowd better than the crow's voice did. Virgil was drawn toward the noble visage of his Emperor, despite the hopelessness and anger he felt. He just wanted to be given a fair chance; to not be judged based on his meek appearance for once. His father never let him do any actual work in the shop and there was no way he was going to be a house-hare with his mother. Everything Virgil had worked for seemed to fail. He would never achieve anything in his life and this realization assailed him with the force of a sucker punch. The young hare was lost. His parents may have cared for his well-being, but they didn't care about what he wanted out of life. It seemed that no one did. Hadrian's proud, stone face looked down on him and Virgil knew that everyone would always be doing the same. He had to do something to make people see that he was worth something.

"Attention, citizens!" The crow was yelling. "Emperor Hadrian has declared a celebration of cleanliness today! Entry to the baths is half price!"

The baths! Virgil could get rid of the scrolls there! There was a changing room inside where patrons hung their clothing. All he would have to do is get inside, and slip the parchment in each neglected robe and his job would be done! The young hare adjusted the satchel of scrolls on his shoulder as he hurried off in the direction of the nearest public bath, grinning at himself for being so clever. The streets grew more and more crowded as Virgil neared the male entrance to the market district bath. No doubt every citizen in Rome was trying to take advantage of the lowered entry fee. Eventually Virgil made his way through the crowd to the entrance of the bath house proper. A short rat stood there, collecting coins from patrons. Virgil pressed two coins depicting the wolfish face of Emperor Trajan into the rat's palm. Neither of them spoke as the young hare entered the building.

Virgil found himself in the atrium of the bath house, a large courtyard in which young males of every species were performing all manner of exercises. Marble columns surrounded the open air yard and Virgil found it difficult to look away from more than a few of the attractive males that tumbled and lifted weights for all to see. The hare noticed as well that he wasn't the only one watching. Many of the more lecherous older patrons didn't even try to hide their hungry stares as they observed the exercising youths. Virgil made himself concentrate on the reason for coming here. He had to deliver the scrolls in the satchel over his shoulder. He made his way to the opposite corner of the atrium, toward the changing room of the baths. A tile mosaic on the floor read "bathing is good for you" in front of the changing room entrance. Like any Roman citizen, Virgil was no stranger to the inner workings of a bath house. He knew that he would have to strip along with all of the other men who were looking to actually bathe. The hare enjoyed bathing, but his freshly cleaned hide would be tanned if his father's scrolls weren't passed out by sun down. Virgil would have to be swift and discrete.

The changing room's walls were lined with wooden pegs, many of which had robes hanging from them already. Stone benches also sat at the bottom of each wall. The men who entered the room with Virgil each sat at a bench and waited to be disrobed by the servants that bustled around the room. Another tile mosaic, depicting an image of a bathing bull was displayed on the wall across the room from the entrance. Virgil palmed a scroll and slipped it into a nearby robe, repeating the process as best he could down the wall until he had given out nearly half of the stack in his arms. He took a seat on the far side of the room, near the entrance to the steam room and the bull mosaic. He took the opportunity to place another scroll as one of the servants nearby turned his back. Finally one of them, a thin crocodile, approached the young hare and began unfastening his robe. Virgil licked his large two front teeth nervously, but not from being nude. There were others in the room who were far less attractive than he. No, it was the possibility of getting caught that made his ears twitch and made his hands shake. The croc hung Virgil's robe on one of the hooks and the hare watched as many of the men who had been disrobed left through the doorways to the steam room and the swimming pools. When the room was mostly empty and the servants weren't paying attention to him, Virgil stood, taking several scrolls from his satchel, now hanging from a peg. He clutched the scrolls to his chest as he slipped several more into the closest hanging robes. His heart thumped in his chest while the pile in his hands slowly shrunk. He was going to make it!

He had his hand, holding a scroll inside a pristine white toga when a baritone voice behind him nearly startled him out of his skin.

"Just what are you doing with my robe?"

Virgil turned quickly, only to come face to face with a beautifully proportioned, muscular chest. A path of reddish-brown fur trailed downward and the young hare gulped audibly as he lifted his gaze. Marcus, the lion recruiter from the day before, was glaring at him with narrowed, intimidating eyes. Virgil immediately looked back down, which didn't make the situation any less awkward as his curious stare fixed on the lion's crotch instead.

"I-I... uh..." he stammered, the distraction of the feline's ample endowment making it impossible to get the proper words to form in his brain.

"So, a coward and a thief, are you?" The lion said, scowling.

"What? No!" Virgil protested. "I just... My father sent me to pass out these scrolls... he's a shoemaker..."

The hare didn't even believe the story when he tried to tell it. But the recruiter's face softened as Virgil sputtered out the excuse. When he finished talking, there was a short silence before more males began filing into the room. He looked up at the lion who was glancing at him as if appraising a piece of fine jewelry. A leopard servant clothed in more finery than the others approached the lion from behind.

"General, sir-"

The lion interrupted him with a raised hand.

"Just Marcus, Fabian. I am retired, remember?"

"Yes, of course, sir. My apologies. The oils and towels are ready in a private room for you."

"Fabian, you may take the rest of the day off," Marcus said.

"Sir?"

"You will receive payment in full, as usual."

The leopard servant glanced at Virgil with an uneasy look, but reluctantly gave in to his master's wishes.

"As you wish, sir. Thank you, sir."

As Fabian left the changing room, Marcus placed a large hand on Virgil's shoulder and began leading him toward the marble swimming pools. The room that housed the pools was dark save for light from windows above that reflected off of the water in each swimming pool and danced along the walls. It gave the room an eerie feeling as it was impossible to make out details on the dim silhouettes of the other Romans present. There were mosaics on the floors of this room as well, but they were difficult to make out in the dim light. Virgil was shaking now, his heart racing in his chest. He still had no idea what Marcus was planning and that alone terrified him. The private rooms were separated from the pools by a long, dimly lit hallway and the servants led the lion and hare to the one Fabian had prepared. The room itself was warm and it was no larger than the apartment rented by Virgil's family. The light from a large window near the ceiling was a welcome and comforting sight. A small washing tub sat against the right wall and a wooden table was in the center, next to which sat a stool with several small pitchers of various oils on it. Five or six towels were stacked next to the door, which Marcus closed and locked behind them. Virgil glanced around the room as his stomach turned over. What the hell was he doing here? There was a glimmer of hope in the back of his brain that Marcus wouldn't beat him, but the lion was a former general. Virgil knew they favored discipline and the lion could easily break him in half if he wanted to. Virgil wrung his hands in front of him, awaiting the impending consequences of acting like a thief. Marcus approached the hare from behind and Virgil nearly leapt a foot into the air when the lion's hands gently gripped his shoulders.

"Relax, Virgil," Marcus said. "I am not cross with you."

"Y-you're not?"

Virgil had to admit that the lion's gentle massage on his shoulders did feel pretty good, but he was still uneasy.

"It took a lot of courage to try and smuggle those scrolls into the robes even if it was underhanded. I realize the lengths one must go to in order to prove themselves to loved ones and strangers, but deception is seldom wise."

Marcus turned Virgil around and looked into his eyes.

"It's just... 'Every citizen must perform their duty for Rome,'" he said, quoting one of Emperor Hadrian's most popular speeches. "Sometimes I feel so useless!"

Virgil felt his chest tighten up, but he no longer cared about his outward appearance. The young hare began to sob, all of his stress and grief flowing down his cheeks in rivers.

"You are not useless," the former general said.

Marcus brought Virgil to his chest, hugging him tightly while the hare cried.

"Virgil, I have to tell you something."

The hare stopped his tears and wiped his eyes with the fur on his arm. He looked up at Marcus in confusion.

"I served in Emperor Trajan's military for many years," Marcus continued. "I saw many bloody battles and many Romans die. Do you know who remembers them?"

Virgil shook his head.

"I remember, but the citizens of Rome only care about heroes and even then, heroes can be forgotten."

Marcus produced a coin featuring the awkward, squished face of Emperor Nero. The Chihuahua on the coin was bug-eyed and trying to make his sneering smile look halfway decent. Every Roman knew that Nero's coins were worthless. No merchant would accept the coins as valid currency in the empire.

"Even for an emperor, popularity is a fleeting thing," Marcus continued. "There is no sense in throwing your life away only for hollow recognition. I have seen many people serve Rome in other ways besides with a sword. You just have to find where your talents really lie and follow that passion. Then you will receive true praise that will come from respect for your passion instead of from envy, greed, or fear."

Virgil looked away from the lion in thought.

"Why did you bring me here? To try and raise my hopes?"

The lion chuckled.

"Well yes. I see so much of my past self in you. I just want you to be happy."

"But why? I'm nothing like you. I'm weak and skinny and-"

Marcus pressed his lips against the hare's and Virgil gasped as his heart threatened to flutter right out of his chest. The hare's eyes widened and his ears perked straight up on his head as Marcus kissed him. He could scarcely believe it. Why would this handsome, retired soldier find him attractive? Why would anyone find him attractive for that matter? The lion broke the kiss and gently brought the stunned hare down onto the table in the center of the room. Marcus trailed a finger up the hare's lithe frame from navel to chin, making Virgil shiver. The lion's large hand rubbed Virgil's chest gently as his other slid down to grope the hare's groin. But Virgil grabbed that hand quickly to stop it.

"Wait." He said.

"What is it?" Marcus asked.

"I... I want to know if I'll only experience this once..."

Marcus smiled and licked Virgil's forehead with his rough tongue, inhaling the hare's scent as he did.

"Just enjoy this, boy. I promise that it will change your life."

Virgil nodded sheepishly and sucked in a breath as Marcus toyed with his soft shaft. It didn't take long for the hare's length to throb to full hardness under the lion's more experienced fingers. Virgil's back arched on the table and he moaned softly as Marcus slowly stroked him. He reached up a hand to feel Marcus's thick, muscular chest, eliciting a low growl of approval from the lion as he rubbed those firm pecs. The hare became aware of something wet poking his cheek and he opened an eye to see Marcus's thick lionhood fully erect and pulsing against his face. Marcus was focused on pleasing him so Virgil decided to return the favor. He timidly took the head of the lion meat into his mouth, rubbing his soft tongue along the underside of it in a way that he hoped would please. Marcus rumbled happily in response and pushed his hips toward the hare's warm mouth, leaning over to take Virgil's shaft into his own, short muzzle. The hare gasped at the feel of Marcus's raspy tongue, groaning into the lion's member. He watched the former general's tail swaying lazily above him and he rubbed the lion's muscular legs as if he would never get another chance to do so in his entire life. Gods above, he wanted Marcus so badly. Virgil realized that he had desired the feline from the moment he had first laid eyes on him in the barracks. The heat of the room increased as hare and lion licked and sucked each other. Several times Virgil felt himself approaching the edge of climax, but Marcus seemed to know just when to slow his licking to keep the hare from going completely over. Virgil had only ever used his hand before and this felt fantastic. His mind swam with desire as he hoped Marcus would just whisk him away from all of the trouble in his life. Virgil was getting surprisingly good at inhaling the lengthy lionhood despite the copious amount of salty pre-fluid it was leaking and he let Marcus push it into the back of his throat with only minimal gagging. He also found that he enjoyed the musky, exotic scent of Marcus's heavy balls as they bumped into his twitching nose. He dragged his tongue over the head of the shaft in his mouth and panted into the lion's red crotch fur, wishing that the pleasure would never end. And then Marcus abruptly stopped. He pulled himself from the young hare's suckling mouth and Virgil looked up, confused.

"W-what's wrong?" The hare asked.

"I want to take this further, Virgil," Marcus said. "But I want you to be completely comfortable."

"I am, Marcus, er... I mean sir."

Marcus chuckled.

"Marcus is fine. You are not my servant."

The lion took one of the oil pitchers in hand and poured it over his stiff erection. He massaged the liquid along his length, grinning at Virgil as he did so. The hare was wondering what the mischievous lion was planning. He hoped it wasn't anything bad, but so far Marcus had only been interested in pleasing him. The hare yelped as a cool, oil-covered finger poked under his tail.

"Wh- What are you...?" He started to ask, but only moaned as the thick finger slid into him.

Virgil lifted his legs instinctually and panted from the initial invasion, the slight burning sensation giving way to intense pleasure as Marcus's finger probed his prostate. He had never before felt such pleasure. It had never occurred to him to use his own fingers down there when he pleasured himself alone. The hare lay back on the table and whimpered happily as his member throbbed and dripped pre-fluid on his belly. He marveled at Marcus's ability to make his body twitch in bliss with only one finger. And then a second finger slid into him next to the first and Virgil groaned. Marcus moved the fingers slowly, letting Virgil become used to the feeling. He wanted the hare so badly in that moment. The lion's only desire was to take Virgil home and keep the hare for himself. Marcus slid both fingers out of Virgil's tailhole. The hare looked up curiously and Marcus lifted the hare's legs onto his broad shoulders. Virgil nodded to Marcus eagerly and he was rewarded with the lion's thick length pushing into him. He arched his back and gasped hotly as Marcus slid inch after inch into his clinging passage. His ears and tail twitched from the intense feeling as his whole body shuddered under the strong lion's tender intrusion. Marcus lowered Virgil's legs and pressed his chest against Virgil's, his length throbbing inside the moaning hare. The lion's raspy tongue licked his cheek and Virgil locked lips with the former general in response. Their tongues rolled along one another as the lion's member dripped pre-fluid deep in the hare's clenching tailhole. Marcus took the kiss as a sign of readiness and slid out of the hare's rump half-way before pushing roughly back in. Virgil whined as the lion set into a steady rhythm, the head of his member rubbing against Virgil's prostate with every hilting thrust. The hare could feel every contour and vein on the lionhood inside of him as it throbbed and pulsed eagerly. Marcus broke the kiss to nibble on Virgil's neck and shoulder as thrust after thrust plowed the hare's willing hole. Their chests rubbed against one another and Marcus's belly slid along Virgil's twitching shaft. The hare felt his nuts pulling up tight to his groin and his muscles tensing up like a coiled spring. His legs wrapped around the former general's waist and he gripped Marcus's thickly muscled back tightly as if letting go would kill him. The lion's pace quickened and he bit the hare's shoulder gently in dominance. Virgil let out a high pitched moan as he felt his body reach its peak.

"Marcus, I'm...!" Virgil began, but he never finished before his potent seed fired from his long member pressed tightly between their taught bellies.

His tailhole clenched rhythmically around Marcus and the lion growled into the hare's shoulder as his own erection erupted deep in Virgil's bowels. The thick spurts of the lion's essence white-washed his anal walls as the hare painted their chests with his own potent juice. Marcus lifted his muzzle from Virgil's shoulder and kissed the hare tenderly while both of them came down slowly from the high of orgasm. Each lay on the table, panting for a long while, Virgil clinging to Marcus as if he was afraid the lion would leave at any moment. The older lion nuzzled the young hare as they basked in the afterglow. Eventually the lion stood and lifted Virgil into the nearby tub that was filled with warm water. The hare felt empty without the large lion in him, but the heated water soothed his contentedly sore muscles. Marcus stepped into the tub behind him and they washed each other. When both were reasonably clean, the lion pulled Virgil to his chest and licked the hare's cheek. Virgil said nothing. He was afraid that any words from his mouth would make Marcus leave.

"Virgil, I want you to live with me," he said.

Virgil was taken aback.

"I don't understand..." he began.

"Spend your days with me," the lion replied. "I will make you feel like a prince."

The hare blushed, his ears darkening under their light fur. Why was he being so stubborn about this? The lion was offering genuine love. At least Virgil assumed it was genuine. In any case, life with Marcus would no doubt be better than life in the slums, but...

"What about my family?" he asked.

"I will speak to your father," Marcus said. "I'm sure we could come to an agreement."

Marcus kissed the back of Virgil's neck.

"Is that really necessary?" Virgil asked.

"Sometimes, compensation must be made to obtain what we want, Virgil. I want you; I love you, but I can't take you away from your family without giving them something as useful in return."

Virgil leaned back into Marcus's strong embrace and the lion gently rested his head in between the hare's large ears. Virgil had never thought of himself as useful, but perhaps this was what he needed.

"What would you give them?" he asked.

"I'm sure a long term contract as the official sandal maker for Hadrian's military would be incentive enough, don't you?"

Virgil's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That... My father would become rich! Surely I am not worth that much!"

"We each measure worth differently. You are worth that much to me," Marcus said.

Virgil felt the familiar sensation of tears filling his eyes, but these were different. They were not tears of sadness or depression, they were tears of joy. Marcus squeezed Virgil lovingly and nuzzled his nose into the hare's headfur while they sat in the warm water.

"Thank you, Marcus," Virgil whispered.

The two stayed in the tub for a long while. Virgil's mind buzzed with thoughts of his new life. It seemed that things were finally looking up for him. He pressed himself back into Marcus's strong chest and abdomen while the lion wrapped his large, burly arms around Virgil's much smaller frame. The hare rested his head on Marcus's shoulder and sighed contentedly. He never wanted their embrace to end.