so that both of us will have delight."
On his return to the Palace Fortunatus is indeed furious but only
because he fears that something may have happened to him. Luckily Hadrian
is still in conference with the Pharaoh and Antinous and Hadrian agree
not to tell the Emperor of Antinous' escapade.
Hadrian is tired after the long round of official duties and
Antinous knows how to soothe his aching head with cool cloths and untense
the knotted muscles by massaging his back and shoulders. He has removed
the Imperial purple toga and the gold-embroidered tunic which is worn for
State occasions and now lies naked on his stomach so that Antinous can
work at his ministrations. In spite of his age, thinks Antinous, he has
kept his hard soldier's body and there is scarcely a trace of fat-
perhaps just the thickening around his waist.
Hadrian sighs contentedly as the boys supple fingers ease the
tension and Antinous feels an sudden rush of affection for this man who
has chosen him to share his life and elevate him to a position of such
prominence in the mighty Roman Empire. Gently he lies down on top of him,
covering him and his cock rests in the cleft of his buttocks.
The Emperor starts and then lies still. Antinous' cock grows and he
rubs it in the groove. He kisses the broad shoulders under him and
nestles into the base of his neck. Suddenly Hadrian protests. "Antinous,"
he says, "what are you doing?"
He sits up and Antinous sees that he also has an erection. "It
seems, Uncle, that not all of you is averse." He smiles and gently