Deft, confident strides over marble caused your ears to twitch. You lift your nose from a scroll, squinting through the dim light of your room, your hearing to the visitor coming to a stop outside of your door.

A firm yet brief rap of knuckles and quieter call of your name. Commodus— he had been making a habit of visiting you past midnight.

“Come in,” You set down your scroll, mentally preparing yourself to comfort your younger brother.

“I knew you would be up as well,” Commodus murmurs, gazing at you with a soft quirk of his lips. “Care for midnight refreshments?”

He lifts his hand and a servant slips into your room to set down a tray with midnight snacks on the small table by your chaise. With a bow, the servant excuses themselves and Commodus lowers to sit on the edge of your chaise, reaching for a fig and popping it into his mouth.

At a closer look, the tray appeared to be decorated with decadent honey cakes along with bowls of figs, dates and olives— your favorites.

“Shall I prepare you a sleep tonic?” You offer, preparing to stand.

However, Commodus reassures you with a delicate touch to your ankle, just above the hem of your night gown.

The prince shakes his head, “Basking in your presence is calming enough.”

An excuse to do just that for longer than he knew you were comfortable with.

His hand just as quickly drops away from your leg as he leans back onto his palms, regarding you with a fond glimmer in his eyes despite the shadows beneath them.

“Not hungry at this hour? Shall I feed you?”