In honour of knife day, I would like to list all the reasons it should have been obvious to Caesar that he was going to be stabbed, according to the Roman historian Suetonius (who was not even born until a few decades after the event, so obviously he would know)
A bunch of horses that Caesar had previously let loose in hope of favour from the gods in battle started crying copiously (which is a horrifying image)
A wren with a laurel branch flew into a theatre and was viciously torn apart by a bunch of other birds
He had a dream he was holding hands with Jupiter in the clouds
His wife had a dream that their house collapsed and Caesar was lying in her arms, having been stabbed
He wasn't even sure if he should go into work that day but Brutus persuaded him to go in several hours late
Someone gave him a little pamphlet thing detailing the plot, but he didn't read it and just bundled it away in his left hand (oooh unlucky hand) with his other papers and things
He had loads of sacrifices done because he couldn't get a good omen, and mocked the Haruspex who interpreted the sacrifices for him (Spurinna)
(edited for clarity)
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it's dark in the fortress of meropide.
the duke’s office is quiet, the silence only broken by the soft snores of the man sleeping at the desk. half filled papers and letters are strewn around wriothesley, who is slumped on the table surface, fountain pen still loosely clutched in his grip.
wriothesley doesn't usually drown himself in work, but on certain days he finds himself dealing with maison gestion’s stringent documents, recording each clockwork meka assembled in the production zone. on those days, both of you forgo your usual night routine, and you always head to his office to keep him company as he works.
but today, it appears exhaustion has taken hold of him, and he drifted off to sleep in the middle of work.
you cautiously make your way to his desk, treading with light steps, careful not to make a sound.
his desk is a mess. you quietly sort the papers as your lover snores away beside you. before long, neat little piles of paper form in front of you.
you gently pry the fountain pen from his loose grip. the pen is old, and sometimes ink refuses to flow from its nib. you remember telling him so, and bought him a new one to use at his desk. a sleek black body with his name engraved on it in silver. funnily enough though, that pen never even made it into his office. instead, it sits on the table next to his side of the bed.
with the desk in front of you tidied, you take wriothesley's jacket, hung over the back of his chair, and cover his sleeping form.
now that everything's settled, you ought to take your leave. you will see him again in the morning.
you pause. unless…
your bet with sigewinne is still on.
you pull a sheet of stickers from your pocket. before long, a grumpy monsieur neuvillette has decorated your lover's shoulder.
you should have stopped there, really, but neuvillette looked so lonely without anyone to accompany him.
running out of flat space to comfortably stick stickers on, you make a daring move. a pleading melusine, right on his cheek.
its hard to say you felt a little guilty, especially as the grin on your face grew wider and wider as you pasted more stickers on your partner's gorgeous face. a proud-faced bunny here, a sobbing kitten there, and ooh this one has hearts on it how could you not….
before long, the entire sheet of stickers had been plastered onto wriothesley's face.
at this point, your shoulders are shaking with silent laughter. your palm is pressed to your lips as your other hand reaches over to his eyes to brush his hair away-
and suddenly you find the sky blue irises of the duke staring into yours.
“just what are you up to, darling?”
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Promises. (Levi x reader)
"Hey."
Fingers wrapped around your arm, stopping you from mounting your horse.
"Will you be okay?"
Levi was staring at you, though his efforts of hiding his concern clear, his eyes were wide with a sort of urgency.
You turned to meet his gaze. His eyes softened when you smiled.
"Yeah." You nodded, hesitant but firm. "Yeah, I hope so."
First expedition without Levi by your side. It'd be an understatement to say you weren't scared because you were fucking terrified. But you can tell from his pursed lips and the way he was looking at you, he felt guilty. He just had to get such a shitty injury.
You didn't want to worry him more. It was probably hard enough for him to let you go out like that.
When his grip tightened, you raised your own hand to wrap it around his. More to comfort yourself than him to be honest.
"I'll be fine." You tried your best to sound confident and reassuring. "I can take care of myself, Levi."
"I didn't say you couldn't." He muttered. "I'm just—"
The sound of a whistle cut him off. That's the first signal. His grip loosened as you hastened to climb up your horse.
And though his face would appear as expressionless as usual to most, but never to you. It was easy for you to notice the growing anxiety in his eyes.
"Wait." He stopped before you could say anything. "Not yet. Just..a few more minutes."
"Levi. That's the first whistle–"
"There's two more left." His hand went over the clasps in your thighs, eyes narrowing in concentration as he tightened them. He patted it, gesturing you to let him see the other leg.
You grumbled, but swung your leg over. He was pissy when he was worried, and he'd sulk all day if you didn't let him fuss and confirm with his own hands that all will be well.
"Don't take unnecessary risks." He muttered quietly as his fingers worked. "Don't go after titans on your own. Avoid being in the rear of the group. Don't waste gas. Don't—"
"I know." You whispered, gently pulling his hand away. It was trembling, but whether that was because of your tremors or his, you didn't know. "I know."
He swallowed. "I won't be there."
"I know."
"So, don't die."
You smiled, earning a scowl from him. "No, don't just laugh." He frowned. "I'm serious. Don't die."
"Levi."
"Come back. With all your fucking limbs. You have to."
"Levi."
"I'm rambling, aren't I?" He rubbed his temple. "Why can't you just listen to me and stay here?"
"Levi." You said, voice firmer this time. He looked up. Both of you flinched when the second whistle cut through the air.
Time was running out.
Without thinking, you stretched your arm towards him, hand rolled into a fist and your little finger raised.
He stared for a second, eyes flicking from you to your hand. Then realization dawned on him and he let out a huff.
"No fucking way." He grumbled, glaring at you.
"Yes way. Or I'll be sad."
"No way."
"Why not?" You pouted. "It'll make me feel better."
"What are you? Five?" He scowled.
You wiggled your finger. "It's sacred." You said, grinning. "Don't underestimate the power of pinky promises. That's a life-worthy oath."
"Fuck no."
"Levi—"
The final whistle rang out.
He stared at you as the other soldiers started shuffling, noises filling up the space in moments.
You looked at Levi, eyes wide in alarm.
"Come on." You pleaded.
Finally, Levi caved. With his cheeks flushing, he reached out, his little finger wrapping around your own. You held on to it.
"I'll come back." You promised.
Levi only nodded quietly, looking away.
"No good luck kiss?"
"Fuck off." He said, pulling his hand away. "Don't push it, you little shit."
"That's a nice goodbye."
"It's not a goodbye. You'll come back."
He said determinedly, gaze searing through you as if seeking confirmation.
You nodded your head. "Yes." You smiled. "Promise."
He exhaled, letting out the breath in relief. His face relaxed. But he stared at you as you adjusted in your seat.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue. "Your hair's a fucking mess."
"Shame. No charming titans with my beauty then." You shrugged, taking the reins.
There was the smallest hint of a smile on Levi's mouth.
"Be safe." He muttered quietly. With one last look at him, you set off, your horse's hooves kicking up dust, leaving Levi there as he watched you leave.
Levi looked down at his hands, the feel of your touch still tingling his skin.
"She'll come back." He muttered to himself quietly.
-
You didn't come back.
And Levi doesn't think he'll ever believe in promises again.
Liar. Liar. Liar. He thinks. That's what you were.
Fucking liar.
@sad-darksoul @anxious-chick @raginginferno267
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