Rome Drabbles: Regret

[artyartie]

Written for rome100. Set during 'Philippi.' If you can't tell, I'm on a Brutus and Cicero kick lately.

***

Brutus wonders how Cassius can sleep so soundly. His dreams are haunted by lurid visions and aching doubts, and when he awakens to the bright Grecian sun his first thought is I shouldn’t be here.

He shares this with no one; it wouldn’t do to be seen as indecisive. The road back home doesn’t allow for regret, but Brutus still allows himself to feel it. Still rails against his mother’s machinations, Cicero’s flattery, Cassius’ ever-present encouragement.

Yet he wonders if he would have found this path of his own accord, where he would have no one but himself to blame.


***


The night air assails Cicero, unexpectedly cold for so late in summer. The wind rattles the boughs of the peach trees, flings the rosemary against the statuary.

He should find comfort here, but it is hollow. Nights rarely bring sleep, and when he sleeps, his dreams leave him shaking. Even this nightly vigil brings no peace, and instead of the music of the spheres, he only hears echoes of his own failures.

The stars give a weak, silvery light, and yet they burn with accusation. The stars fill him with regret, with shame, and they are countless in the heavens.

Comments

[soft-eirene.livejournal.com]

Stunningly beautiful. Imaginative, thoughtful and creative. Well done.

Still rails against his mother’s machinations, Cicero’s flattery, Cassius’ ever-present encouragement.

Yet he wonders if he would have found this path of his own accord, where he would have no one but himself to blame.---> I especially like these two lines in succession.

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Drabbles are a truly wonderful medium to work with, especially with characters that you love.

I'm so glad you liked those lines - I was very pleased with the ending for this.

[otahyoni.livejournal.com]

I wish I were more familiar with Rome/history-in-general so I could appreciate these to the extent they deserve to be appreciated.

However! I can appreciate the sentences and the imagery. :) Very, very lovely.

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

HBO does have some good episode guides, but yes, this fandom/era rather owns my soul - and it probably will for a while. But I'm so glad that you still read these! It makes me all warm and fuzzy. :)

[jhd91.livejournal.com]

Very nice! I like the Brutus one especially.

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Brutus is really starting to grow on me. And he and poor Cicero have so much to regret, out of everyone.

[trufflehog.livejournal.com]

these are beautifully done! i especially liked cicero's...this made me miss him all over again.

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think this is my favorite of my Cicero drabbles thus far. I've been enamoured with Cicero since I started reading his works and letters in undergrad, and this series has kindled my fondness for him all over again. Only this time, now with fic writing.