Wooyoung awoke to a throbbing headache. The second he rolled over in the bed that wasn't his own, splitting pain zapped up his side and hips as well. With a groan, he slumped back down, regretting all of his life decisions.

He was no forgetful drunk. He knew all too well where his pain came from and that whatever sleep position his body had twisted into during the night had worsened his rib injury. Unfortunately, he also remembered the throwing up first in Sandalius' gardens, and then again in the corridor in front of his room. The poor slaves had ushered him to bed with a jug of water while they cleaned up after him.

Wooyoung felt miserable. He wanted to take some painkillers and not move for a day, but that was no option. If he wanted to do that, he had to go home first. He couldn't bear any sort of conversation with Linus once the other man was back on track. The man having been around and possibly seen what went down between Wooyoung and Sandalius had Wooyoung flush to the tips of his ears.

The memory of the passionate night with the Roman lord had Wooyoung bury his face in his pillow. Sandalius had been so intense and yet so tender. Like a natural, he had known how far he could take things and what Wooyoung needed. It had been one of the best nights of Wooyoung's life, and even if some memories of it were hazy, his body remembered the man's touch vividly. As Wooyoung put his hand on his hip to splay his fingers the way Sandalius had held him, a wave of giddiness overcame him once more.

Oh, Seungyoun would burn his entire throat on this tea.

Wooyoung heaved himself up in bed after a few more minutes of lazing around. His head spun like a Ferris wheel at first, but the nausea passed soon. As he drank some water, his battered body came back to life like a rusty machine. Fatigue clung to him since not a lot of time had passed between him falling asleep and the sun waking him. He felt as if hadn't slept at all, and he direly needed some sugar to kick-start his blood pressure.

Sluggishly, Wooyoung pulled his clothes over his head. He didn't bother with the toga and just stepped out into the bright corridor in just his tunic and sandals. The window opposite of his door pointed east and the ferocious might of the morning sun slapped him in the face like three of Titus' friends at once. With a wince, Wooyoung slinked into a darker corner to fester there. Walking didn't hurt, but he felt the reminder of Sandalius with every breath in his lower back. Since Wooyoung had been so on board with their drunken encounter, however, he couldn't even curse the man. Every stab of pain had been worth it.

Thankfully, he found Yunho before he had to cross the sun-bathed yard to the other part of the house. As the slave jogged through the foyer to catch up to him, Wooyoung wondered if Sandalius was up already or if he laid in a bed under an open window and surrounded by the veils of his canopy bed as he slumbered still. Had he also crashed as Wooyoung did?

Veils again. Their semblance was uncanny. Wooyoung was glad that his mind hadn't strayed inappropriately during their intimate encounter. If Suusaandar had been the one he had shared the night with, Wooyoung didn't doubt that things would have gone differently.

"Lord Wooyoung, good morning! What can I provide you with? I heard you had a rough night."

"I wish for nothing more but a bath if that can be arranged. I will have to leave soon so I hope to wash up and for you to inform your master of my departure if necessary." Wooyoung's voice was raw for several reasons. Yunho's face showed no change; he most likely blamed it on the alcohol.

"Of course. Please follow me."

They set off down the same corridor Wooyoung had crawled from together. On their way, Yunho threw him concerned glances once or twice. Wooyoung had seen no mirror in the villa yet, but he bet he looked wild. Marked by kiss marks, mussed-up hair, and tired eyes. He was glad that the slave didn't mention it, even when he was probably aware of the content of the parties his master frequented.

At the end of the hallway was another wooden door that Wooyoung hadn't entered yet. It led into a modest room that was entirely pool. No furniture stood around and the single window was high up on the wall, so nobody would spy on the visitor. The rectangular pool was filled with fresh water that teased over the edges of the pool and wet the surrounding stone ground.

"Do you require my assistance for your bath?"

Wooyoung wanted to shake his head and regretted it immediately when his brain felt as if it thumped against the inner wall of his skull. He swallowed before he forced his abused throat to croak out a reply.

"For undressing my wound, yes."

Yunho remained politely professional as he beckoned Wooyoung to take off his tunic. Once he did, he caught Yunho's eyes that widened at the obvious marks all over Wooyoung's body. His bandages were askew and bunched up at his side. When Yunho's fingers went to work to release them, Wooyoung breathed in relief over the loss of pressure.

A few minutes later, Wooyoung could breathe. His thighs and butt were crusty with leftovers of various fluids, but he didn't care if Yunho gawked as he put his foot in the water. It was colder than their modern baths would be, but the refreshing temperature pulled a sigh from Wooyoung.

While Yunho knelt over a separate basin and washed out any stains, he found on Wooyoung's clothes just as he had done a few nights ago with the bloody mess his nose had left on them, Wooyoung relaxed into his bath. The cold water numbed the pain in his side and cleared his muddy brain.

The soft splashing of water under Yunho's hands filled the room with soothing white noise. Wooyoung allowed his eyes to slip shut and slumped against the edge of the pool. The cold water unravelled his tensed body until he dissolved in its comfort.

"Will you be fine to return to Faesulum with your injuries? The trek is far."

When Wooyoung blinked his tired eyes open to look at Yunho, he found the man seated by the edge of the pool. The tunic laid on the far ground to dry in a patch of sunlight falling through the window until Wooyoung would get out of the water. His migraine had let up enough that not every particle of light sent a vicious stab into his eyelids. Sighing, Wooyoung played with his hands in the water.

"It is, but I will be fine. I might purchase a horse once I reach Rome's outskirts and hope that no robbers take a fancy on me as I return. Fear not about my wellbeing." Wooyoung smiled at the other man. He wouldn't miss the Romans he had met as much as Mingi and Berosus. The only one who had left an invisible mark on Wooyoung was Sandalius and his fervent kisses. Yet, Wooyoung would be bitter to go, even if it meant some peace. Once he returned home, he would nurse himself back to health first. By the time Yongguk sent him out again, Wooyoung's bruise would be no more but a faint reminder of a violent group of drunkards.

Still, he appreciated Yunho asking. His kindness grew mostly out of duty, but Wooyoung wanted to believe that Yunho was genuinely eased by the sympathy Wooyoung treated him with.

"That is good to hear. May any robbers stay far from you." When he noticed Wooyoung looking around searchingly, he picked up the bar of soap he had used to clean his clothes. It skittered over the wet tiles into Wooyoung's hands so he could clean up.

His hair smelled of roses by the time he was done working its oils out. Every trace still left from the sweat of last night got washed off until Wooyoung felt like a shiny newborn. Without his layer of grime, his head cleared up more to return to business mode as well.

When Wooyoung dragged himself from the pool, Yunho fetched him a towel. With slicked-back hair, Wooyoung slipped back into his tunic. He picked up on the scent of wine and fire still clinging to it, but it was a soothing scent. Maybe he would keep it as a memory for a few days before he gave it back to Seungyoun.

Yunho and Wooyoung left the bathroom together. As the servant walked Wooyoung to the entrance door slowly, Wooyoung sucked up his surroundings like a sponge once more. He would like to remember this place, maybe even describe it to Seungyoun, who could rebuild it as a 3D model on his PC.

Next to the door, Yunho halted to bow formally to Wooyoung.

"Do you want me to fetch some food for your journey?"

Wooyoung shook his head with a lenient smile.

"I will raid the city before I leave. Thank you a lot for your help, Yunho. Both in regular tasks as well as my research matter."

The mention had Yunho shift awkwardly. As if he was very aware that what he and his master were doing was illegal and could have horrible consequences. His distorted grin was trapped between wariness and trusting Wooyoung.

"You're welcome. I will inform Master Linus of your departure. If you pass through Rome again, please visit us again," Yunho said at the end when he couldn't find the courage to question Wooyoung. They bowed at each other once more before Yunho pulled the door open for Wooyoung.

"I will; thank you a lot. See you next time and farewell."

When Wooyoung finally stepped out of the villa, the sense of accomplishment caught up with his heart. As if it had stuffed itself with anxiety during his vague acting performance, he could now breathe again after a long time. The time in Rome had been rough, but he would end this chapter with confidence.

As he marched through the front yard to leave the house, Wooyoung's eyes lingered on the hedges to his left. Would he see Sandalius again just how he had got a second chance with Suusaandar? Wooyoung wouldn't know what to say to him, but he wouldn't mind another one of the Roman's honeyed kisses for the road.

But today, the gardens to his left remained silent. Wrapped in the weariness of early noon, they passed by Wooyoung without an incident. He dipped into the main city once more to purchase a little amphora with wine as a comfort gift for Seungyoun for not having stolen an entire set of armour. Not that he could have even brought it home; the remote only worked with pocket-sized items at most. He hoped Seungyoun and Yongguk would share.

Wooyoung made sure that he was well out of view from Linus' villa before he looked around for doors to take home. His fingers fiddled with his remote as he dodged groups of men. If Titus and his friends showed up for more nonsense, Wooyoung might have to go against his proper will as a scientist and slap someone. He didn't want that.

He found an inn that was open early, tucked away in a dark alley. Before he stepped through the door, Wooyoung cast another glance left and right. Uncaring of him, the Romans in their sophisticated togas and the shining golden jewellery milled around. Most of them flowed southward, probably to spend their time watching more murder happen.

When he was ready, Wooyoung activated his remote and stepped back home. Abruptly, the warm air of Rome switched into the cool interior temperature of their institute in late autumn. The chilliness travelled up his body, starting from his right foot. As soon as he shut the door behind him to settle back in, it made him shiver.

While he stood in the decontamination room, Wooyoung sunk into his fuzzy thoughts once more. Sometimes, he returned and was upset because he had to leave the past where it was. Then, sometimes, he returned and was glad to be home and in his own bed. It all depended on his safety and comfort during his travels.

After he had trudged into the conference room and changed, Wooyoung went to tell Yongguk that he was back. Later, he would fall straight into his bed and sleep off his hangover.