MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

"There's no going back now," Octavian muttered discreetly into his shoulder, his voice entering the ears of all his team members. The crackle of the comm was a comfort, something that reminded even if this all did go to shit, him and Messalina had back up. 

"When have we ever quit anything?" Messalina whispered softly in the comm, it barely being picked up by the device. Octavian had to tune his ears carefully to it, cautious as to not miss any information. The melodic screech of the orchestra only contributed to Octavian's difficulty hearing. 

Awkwardly, he pulled the sleeves further down his arms. The blazer hugged his muscular build handsomely, enhancing the taut muscles moving in his shoulders. The dress pants were equally as tight, and Octavian was afraid to move too much in fear of his pants splitting. That wasn't something he was sure he could live with. 

"Why do we even have to be here? This party is definitely not my scene," Curio moaned. At this, Octavian's gaze lifted up unconsciously, scouting Curio leaning moodily against one of the many pillars in the room. He stuck out like a sore thumb, with his shirt in disarray and dress pants just too short for his legs. Another quick analysis of the room warned Octavian of the way the security were training their attention on him. 

Octavian snatched a drink from a passing waiter, giving a small smile of thanks as he lifted the glass to his lips. "You're drawing attention to yourself." 

"It wasn't exactly my idea to join you guys on Mission Impossible." Curio wasn't even attempting to hide the movement of his lips. With the way the security were still looking at him, Octavian knew they'd noticed it too. 

Sighing deeply, Octavian plucked another drink from a tray, giving a quick thanks to the waiter and smoothly dodged his way through the crowds of finely dressed people. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Messalina sporting a tight red dress leaving little to the imagination, leaning suggestively towards a man near their target. 

Octavian gripped the glass harder. 

He quickly diverted his attention, trying to calm down his raging anger. He hated how this was what she had to do for the cause, how she was reduced to nothing but a sex symbol to let loose lips spill the secrets she needed. They had Curio for that, but the limitations to his power made everyone reluctant to utilise him. It probably was because Curio was a man, and Messalina was a woman. His knuckles itched to break his nose - he couldn't jeopardise the mission. 

He took a calming breath, picturing all of his fury leaving him in a single breath. It didn't work well. 

Octavian pushed this aside, finally reaching Curio's slumped form. His eyes were trained on the floor, and his arms were crossed. Octavian frowned at the sight. "I thought I taught you better than that." 

Curio's eyes snapped upward. A smile easily slipped on his face, and he cocked his head slightly at the man. "Old habits die hard." 

Octavian rolled his eyes, passing him the drink. Curio nodded his head, sipping the rich alcohol. Octavian couldn't bite down the snort that passed his lips as Curio's eyes went wide, him retching slightly. "Apparently these people are too good for a classic beer." 

Octavian shifted so he was standing directly in front of Curio. He didn't notice how Curio swallowed, only feeling the watchful eyes of security on his back. Octavian moved his head closer, their lips mere centimetres apart. Octavian tried to ignore the feeling of Curio's breath on his chin, and how his breaths seemed faster. Lowly, Octavian uttered a warning. "Security have been eyeing you up ever since we got here." 

"I know." That was Curio's only response. 

Octavian pulled back, his hand absentmindedly running his hand through his hair. "And yet you've done nothing to stop that." 

"Boys, stop flirting and focus." Messalina's sultry voice echoed in their ears. A snort down the comms - Locusta's signature one of a kind laugh - followed. Octavian merely rolled his eyes, his hand grabbing a hold of Curio's upper arm. 

"Come with me." 

Curio was smart enough not to disobey. He tailed Octavian through the crowd, noticing how Octavian's hold still remained on him. Octavian pulled him out of the room into an empty hallway, eyes darting up and down the hall frantically. Assured that they were alone, Octavian let his shoulders droop, the charming smile washed from his face. 

"Guys, I'm turning off comms for a minute, okay? If anything happens find us in the hallway." Octavian abruptly said, not waiting for an answer as he switched his off. Curio followed suit, and the two were truly alone. 

Octavian huffed a large breath. "You need to try harder."

"I am! I'm normally with Locusta in the van, I'm not used to field work." Curio weakly defended, letting himself slump against the wall. Octavian just scoffed. 

"Get used to it. Your power could help us get the info we need, and if you back out because it's too scary, well maybe you shouldn't be a part of this."

Octavian tried not to feel his heart break as he saw Curio inch further away from him, almost like a wounded animal. 

"I'll get better. I promise." Octavian gave Curio a weak smile. 

"I know you will." 

Before Curio could comprehend what was happening, Octavian was reaching towards him. His hands were on Curio's lower chest, and he prayed that Curio couldn't feel how clammy his hands were. Gently, he tucked the bottom of Curio's shirt in his pants, pulling it out slightly so it had a bit of body.

"There. Now you look the part." Octavian patted Curio's shoulder, holding on longer than he should.

"Thank y-" Curio was cut off when the heavy doors beside them began to clank open. Octavian's breath hitched, and Octavian pushed Curio against the wall. In a blink of an eye, Octavian's lips met Curio's. They were softer than he expected them to be. 

Octavian found himself rapidly falling into the kiss, Curio eagerly responding, his hands reaching up to cup Curio's neck as they fell into a rhythm. It was a sweet synchrony, with the pair moving together so well it was as if they were a lock and key. 

Curio's hands drifted down to Octavian's waist. He gripped it tightly, and Octavian had to hold a moan back. 

Long after the footsteps faded away, Octavian pulled away. His eyes were fluttering open, and it took all of his self control not to reach for him again and continue the act. 

Curio cleared his throat awkwardly. He fixed his shirt, giving Octavian a meek smile. "Well, if that was to motivate me to work better it sure did work."

Octavian stared at Curio, his mouth parting and closing. He couldn't find the words he needed to speak: he had forgotten all the words in the English language. His hands were shaking. The sight of Curio's plump lips and his still askew shirt hit him. 

What did he do?

He gulped, eyes flitting away from Curio. At last, he'd finally found the words. "This was a mistake." 

Octavian turned away, flipping his comm back on and stalked back into the hall. As he reached the doors, Messalina appeared in them, eyes instantly finding her brother's. "What the fuck was that about?" 

Octavian didn't say anything, gaze dancing in Curio's direction. Curio hadn't moved, his fingers ghosting his lips. Immediately, Messalina pieced it together. Sometimes Octavian hated how perceptive she was. "Octavian-"

"Did you make any progress?" Octavian cut her off, giving her a sharp look. She respected his wishes, but the curiosity remained. He was certain she'd ask him about it later. 

Messalina easily slipped into her usual ways, hand on her jutted hip. "I found out everything we need to know." 

Octavian gaped at her. "That soon?"

"Men can't resist a woman in a pretty dress." 

*

"So when are you going to tell me what happened?" Messalina wandered in Octavian's room, falling on his bed. He merely groaned, flipping on his side so she was out of sight. He just prayed she'd take the hint and leave. 

Ever since they came back from the mission, she had been pestering him. She even asked Curio at one point, and he just walked off. Octavian couldn't lie when he admitted to himself that it hurt. 

Messalina didn't take the hint. She draped herself over his body, sticking her face in his. He batted her away uselessly, a giant smile on her face. "Are you two a thing?"

Octavian pushed her off of him. Messalina moaned as she got off of him, sitting on the bed as he clambered to his feet. He started pacing, tapping his fingers against his leg. Her worried gaze moved to his face, and she found nothing. She found no emotion, just a blank slate. 

Messalina sighed, the jovial grin vanishing. "You can't ignore what happened, whatever it was."

"Watch me."

"Oct, you're too damn stubborn some times." Octavian carried on pacing. "Look, we're on a team together. You can't just push him away."

His head was bowed, guilt strumming consistently inside. "I'm not pushing him away."

"Yes you are!" Messalina argued, jumping to her feet, placing a rough hand on his arm. He halted in his steps, steely gaze focusing on her. Her furrowed brow and set lips melted. "Oh Octavian, what did you do?"

Octavian said nothing. 

"Did you two kiss?"

She hit the nail on the head. He wasn't surprised - she wasn't Libertas' best spy for no reason. He couldn't find it in himself to confirm or deny it. He averted his eyes, training them on Messalina's precisely painted red toes. She was smart enough to know if he didn't answer whether her suspicions were correct. 

Messalina squeezed his arm, looking at him softly. "Hey, you can tell me anything, you know? I won't utter a word to anyone, even Tony." 

A few beats passed. 

She had given up on getting an answer out of him as his silence persisted. Messalina just sighed, squeezing his arm one final time and letting go. She was at the door as he spoke up. "It was for the mission." 

Messalina halted in her tracks. She turned to her brother, his back slumped and head down. She didn't say anything, knowing her brother well enough that he would say something else if he needed to. 

"The guards were suspecting him and - and I took him out of the room to talk. T-the doors opened and I panicked." Octavian stuttered sheepishly. "No one pays attention to that sort of thing, you know?" 

Messalina shut the door, leaning against the closed door. Octavian didn't say anything else for a few minutes, and even though there were more thoughts and feeling flying around Octavian's head, that was all he was going to expose.

"Have you thought that maybe it was less about the mission, and more about your feelings for him?" Messalina suggested, watching Octavian's expression carefully. 

He didn't dismiss the idea. 

"We're already fighting one conflict - I don't need another battle." 

Messalina nodded her head in understanding, though a sadness was hidden behind her features. "Okay. Tell me when you're ready, and I'll teach you some battle tactics." 

Octavian wanted to deny the offer Messalina was giving him, but she was already gone by the time her words processed in his brain. He groaned, collapsing onto his bed. He fell back, hating how the only thing he could think about were how soft Curio's lips were. 

-

hey guys! i hope you all enjoyed this littke flashback and a little glimpse into octavians and curios past hm hm. sadly though there is only 4 more chapters left and then the special features. honestly i am really sad that this will be over soon, but once i see endgame and work out the plot from that it'll be back!

anyways i hope you're all doing well, see you guys soon!

-thirdwheelchurchill