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Kimon's generosity was an indisputable part of his character. Almost everyone could recall a time he personally addressed them or had offered them his cloak when raining or had taken a fruit or something edible from his gardens, which were never guarded nor were surrounded by walls. During war time, he didn't sleep on his trireme exclusively, rather each night he visited a different general's trireme to show him his gratitude.
It was for these reasons why Kimon was universally loved by the common folk, despite his aristocratic bearing.
And one could not forget the symposiums he hosted. That was something worth mentioning. Always bringing the best wine, the best food, always gathering the most notorious scientific men, not just from Athens, but from the entirety of Hellas. Always having the most beautiful courtesans and dancers to please any man's needs. The wildest things occurring. They were truly something else.
One would wonder how Kimon had so much money to spend, but Kimon never revealed his secret, giving a vague and laconic answer that could make any Spartan jealous.
Perikles had swore to himself that he'd make a notable impression. He had wore his finest cloak and his helmet. He'd create connections with all these scientists and scholars, so he could invite them to his own symposiums. He'd also try to flirt with some of the women there, just to lure the guests into thinking that he was a lady killer. His wife, Thetis, wouldn't like that, but then again, she herself had flirted countless times with Kimon on public display, showing her preference towards the older statesman and further embarrassing her husband. Perhaps, it wouldn't be so bad to pay her on a similar note for once, Perikles assured himself and knocked the door.
A whimpy slave with shaved head opened and gestured him inside. The sun hadn't even set, yet his house was heavily filled with guests chattering about ideas, politics, music and various scientific hypothesis.
Perikles noticed a vacant couch and headed towards it, hoping that nobody else would take it from him in the meantime, when a familiar loud bombastic voice greeted him. "Peri! So glad you'd make it!"
He turned to face his friend, surrounded by two older men, holding two cups of wine filled to the brim and heading to his direction with big strides, a sincere smile on his face.
Perikles presently grew anxious. He plastered a smile to his face, hoping it would pass as convincing and greeted Kimon. "Glad to see you too! You know I wouldn't miss it for a thing in the world!"
"I never doubted you, my friend!" Kimon replied. He grabbed him by the shoulders, causing Perikles to wince from the sudden contact, and gestured to the men who accompanied him.
One was tall and lean, with brown hair styled into curls, the work of hairdresser rather than natural course. He was smiling broadly and his bare teeth could pass for those of a well-bread horse. His overall figure indicated that he was more of a scholarly person than a warrior, which Kimon himself confirmed. "That's Ion. He hails from Chios. He's an aspiring poet who could even the great Simonides and Pindar in same"
The two men shook their hands and exchanged a typical "Nice to meet you"
The other man was of medium height, with cropped hair, short legs, well-defined chest and broad shoulders, rivaling even Kimon in terms of physical excellence. His green eyes were small like buttons, but shone brightly underneath the candles' light.
"And that's Timotheos. Timo for short. He's a promising pankration athlete"
"Got two big victories at the Ithmian and Nemean Games" Timotheos proudly declared. "Now all I need is to win at the Delphic and Olympic Games and I'll be a Panhellenic champion"
"Impressive" was all Perikles could master to say. He wasn't in the mood to provoke or befriend him. The man looked like he could give you a bear hug, enough to crash half of your bones.
"I'll leave alone to get to know each other better" Kimon gave Perikles an encouraging smile and patted him on the shoulders. "I'll have to see how the rest of the guests are doing. See you later"
Perikles waved him goodbye and watched for a few seconds him walking from one side to another, asking each attendee if they were having a great time, how their friends and family were doing and if their cups needed another filling. There was something sincere in his moves and way he talked that Perikles hoped he could mimick now that he had decided to participate in city affairs and express his ideas with his fellow citizens. He then turned his attention to Ion and Timotheos.
Only to quickly get bored out of his mind. They weren't bad people, per say, but their interests and choice of speaking didn't align with his own. He made an excuse that he had to fill his cup and got out of the group, deciding to try his luck with the women.
Kimon flirted with them as if it was the most natural thing in the world. How hard could it be?
His hopes were also met with disappointment. Each time he approached a voluptuous courtesan and exchanged a couple words with her, another man would call for her and she would gladly ditch him to be with the other one. Perikles knew that, although from an aristocratic family, he hadn't made any grand move to secure his name and fame, so he could appear less important and worthy compared to some of these guests, but even that was ridiculous!!
In the end, he opted to take a fresh cup of wine - exactly what he had told the company he was about to do - and returned to Ion and Timotheos.
Timotheos did ask him why it took him so long, though Perikles' silence prevented him from questioning any further. They stared in awkward silence, when suddenly someone shouted:
"Everyone! It's kottabos time!!"
Everyone turned their gaze to the center of the room, where a gigantic crater was disposed. Everyone was familiar with the rules• the player had to take a sip of the wine, put the index finger of the right hand through the handle of the drinking cup, palm upwards with the remaining fingers spread as playing a flute. Afterwards, he would recline on the couch, leaning on the left elbow and, moving only the right-forearm, would throw the wine-lees into the crater. If the wine hit the center, the player would be titled 'winner'. He would receive extra points, if the landing made a melodic sound, or if the throwing was grateful.
Perikles noticed Kimon from the corner of his eyes. He was leaning against two beautiful female flute players with their right breast bare. His movements were unstable and he was having difficulty at focusing his gaze. Had he been drinking all this time?? Perikles knew that Kimon never hide his love for a good cup of wine, but even that was a bit too much and he ought to act according to the so-called Spartan discipline that he so often preached about.
First, played Timotheos.
"To the beautiful Meleager" he declared with his pompous voice, winked at a rather beautiful youth with golden hair and threw the wine.
It didn't even hit the crater, rather it landed on a rich man's head, who started to yell that his good himation was now permanently ruined. It would have escalated into a nasty fight, hadn't it been for Kimon's intervention, who agreed to pay to have the clothe cleaned.
It was followed by two shots that half of it ended up inside the crater, while the other half splashed the floor and made a big mess, a player who preferred to drink the entirety of the cup rather than throw it and another player whose shot hit a pretty young man and then offered him to take him outside and clean him - though everyone could guess that he wanted to spend time alone with his lover.
Then, it was Perikles' turn.
Perikles had spent a big chunk of his energy thinking on who to propose. It didn't really matter. He knew that. He could say Kimon's name and no-one would bat an eye, because the players before him had ridiculed themselves in an even worse manner. But if he did choose to say it, he would make a huge revelation to himself that he didn't have the strength to accept at that moment.
"To my beloved Thetis" he finally said, trying his best to throw the wine with a graceful flow of his hand.
"Can you believe this guy?" Someone snickered from behind him. "We had all the best options here and he proposed to his wife!"
Perikles ignored them with a dismissive shake of his head. Let them make fun of him for toasting to Thetis, it was much more preferable than being made fun of from toasting to Kimon.
The shot flew into a perfect curve into the air and entered the mouth of the crater, then it hit its walls. Regardless of that, this was the best shot thus far. Perikles felt proud of himself, despite it being a mere symposium game, whose results would have been completely forgotten by the next day.
Then, it was Kimon's turn.
Kimon lifted himself from the couch, grabbed the cup and took a deep sip of it. He then lowered it to look straight at Perikles' eyes. Despite being heavily drunk at this point, his gaze was surprisingly decisive. Perikles turned his own gaze elsewhere, hoping that nobody have noticed the red coloring his cheeks.
"To the beautiful Perikles!" Kimon chanted and tossed the wine to the crater. The splash that was heard indicated that it had landed perfectly in the middle, without hitting the walls. Such magnificent precision.
Even when playing a silly symposium game for drunkards, Kimon was above everyone else.
Perikles didn't have time to think about that. Some of his friends and fellow attendees had gathered around him and joked about him being Kimon's 'current object of interest', despite him having countless courtesans and even respectable wives flirting with him.
Perikles participated at the jokes at first, though he quickly grew tired and tried to leave the company. Thankfully, Kimon offered him the best solution• he called for him from the other side of the room, claiming he wanted to meet him with someone worthy of interest.
Perikles replied to his invitation and lifted himself from the coach. His friends made even more jokes at his expense about the new invitation, but Perikles didn't mind them. He was just glad that he got rid of them for that moment.
"Peri!" Kimon exclaimed and leaned for a bear hug that Perikles avoided at the last moment.
He turned to look at his companion, a bald man with furrowed eyebrows and intimidating build, decorated with battle scars. One would mistake him for a professional warrior, though something felt off. He was displeased with Kimon's display, but he tried his best not to show it.
"P-p-peri, didn't you tell me that you wanted to sponsor a playwright the next year? I got you the best. Ae-ae-this dude (gestured over him) claims he is interested" Kimon stuttered.
Perikles gazed at his cup, which hang loose from his fingers. How much had he drunk? he asked himself. His father had told him that Kimon, in his younger days, was a mere drunk-hard idiot who only cared about having fun with his friends, but Perikles had never seen that side of him until now.
"Name's Aeschylus" the man introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you" Perikles said and shook hands.
Kimon's numb legs couldn't hold him anymore and he felt to the floor. Luckily for him, Perikles caught him at the last moment. Dude was not doing well and Perikles had to get him out of here.
"Listen, Aeschylus, I would love to cooperate with you in the near future" he said to the playwright, while he put all his strength into holding Kimon and carrying him upstairs. "But I would prefer if we discuss the matter later. I have to attend Kimon"
Aeschylus eyed him warily before lifting his cup as a mean of understanding. "Yeah, I get it. Hope to see you soon, Perikles"
Perikles waved him goodbye and focused on his task.
He climbed the stairs (an action that shouldn't be as exhausting as it turned out to be), opened the first door he set his eyes on, dragged Kimon on the floor and rested him on the bed.
He didn't have a moment of relaxation, before Kimon jerked upright, went for the window and emptied the contents of his stomach outside. When he turned his head and Perikles saw (much to his disgust), that a few pieces of vomit residue had stuck in his curly hair.
He turned his body, staggered his way to the bed in an attempt that could barely considered proper to his class and character, and fell straight into Perikles' lapse.
Perikles winced, knowing full well that once he freed himself, his legs would have gone numb, but he didn't say anything. He stared at Kimon and they locked eyes.
"How do you like the symposium thus far, Perikles? Are you having fun?" Kimon asked with a half grin.
It seems like has a tendency to ask this question to his guests, Perikles thought to himself.
"Yeah, it's lovely". He didn't have any reason to lie. The symposium was indeed epic and he had a great time attending it. Besides, that's what Kimon would want to hear from him. "You did a great job hosting it"
"Anything for my friends, especially the ones dearest to me" Kimon said and moved his hand closer to Perikles' cheek, causing him to stumble backwards.
Why did he do that?
Kimon's face betrayed his disappointment, though it didn't last for long.
"You know, I really like you, Perikles" he said. "I think you're kalos. And you have a nice body. If you lived in Sparta, it would be considered the ideal body type"
Perikles rolled his eyes on the mention of Kimon's beloved city-state, where everyone was modest and ethical and flawless and whatever other epithet he used when he compared them Athenians negatively to them, but didn't say anything. He kept brushing his hair with his fingers, cleaning it from the vomit, and doing his best in that tangled mess.
"But you have such a funny head. Like your head shape is ridiculous. It looks like an onion" he couldn't help but chuckle, then he grimaced and moved his head back and forth on such a disturbing speed that Perikles worried he would vomit again.
Oh, yes. There always needed to be something that prevented him from being completely perfect.
Kimon didn't vomit. He rested his head on Perikles' lap and started caressing it with his rough fingers, leaving small kissing marks here and there.
Fuck-
Kimon's fingers kept running lower and lower through his tunic, until they were shoved underneath, caressing his-
"KIMON!" Perikles exclaimed and was about to punch him if that meant to stop him.
"Relax, dude. I have tried this technique countless times and it always worked on these bitches-"
Oh, great! So for him, he was on the same level as a basic street porn he could use to satisfy his needs and then forget about her once he was done!!
He raised his knee to hit him on the chin and got up from the bed. Kimon rubbed the sore spot, though the smile on his face betrayed his enjoyment.
"Oh, I get it! You want to change positions. Not used to that, but ok!"
"No, in your state, we should not try anything risky. Why not have a normal conversation, like most civil people do?" A conversation in Kimon's drunken state would be anything but normal, but it would be much more preferable than... what was about to happen!
Kimon objected eagerly to that request. "You ask me that because you haven't seen yet how I look under those clothes..." he winked and started undressing himself.
Perikles wished he had accompanied Kimon at the gym - only reason he rejected his proposals every time he invited him was because he wanted firstly to sculpt his body to appear equal to Kimon's, though it turned out that Kimon considered that unnecessary - for the sight displayed at him made his mouth fell open.
Kimon already had a handsome face, but hus body was truly something else, something divine that would put Apollo's physical form to shame• he had broad shoulders, a chiseled hairy chest and a tight waist, resembling a ring. And those legs, those damn fucking hot legs that he wanted desperately to have them around his neck-
Wait- why was he making that kind of thoughts again?
So long and so fit, matching the rest of trained body-
STOP!
"You know, I wanted to talk to you privately for a long time-" Kimon threw himself at Perikles, the latter dodging his attack at the last moment.
"You-you did?"
Kimon nodded.
Perikles stayed dead on his feet, which helped Kimon to pin him down on the floor. Contrary to his overall behavior beforehand, Perikles didn't flinch nor tried shove him away. He remained right there, feeling Kimon's heavy weight and his warm breath on his face, two sensations he never thought he would find pleasing.
Yet, he wanted to stay in that position forever.
"I believe you have potential for greatness that I want to explore. You could become even greater than your father"
Perikles avoided his gaze and sighed disappointed.
"My father has already immortalized his name at the battle of Mycale"
He recalled one of the most important battles that had secured Greece's safety against the Persian Empire. It was ironically mentioning it to Kimon, whose own father, Miltiades, had also immortalized his name at the battle of Marathon and people performed song praises till this day. But Kimon had too committed countless of glorious exploits, so he had nothing to be jealous of. He felt embarrassed that he had to share his deepest insecurities with the man that he both admired and envied, but at the same time, it felt cathartic. He had to remind himself that Kimon was drunk to his ass, thus he wouldn't remember a thing by the next day.
"And my brother died heroically in a battle, so I can't do anything to bring honor to my name or my name" he added.
"Maybe your glory is not on the battlefield" the general remarked. "Maybe it can be found on another field..."
Perikles raised an eyebrow. "Like where?"
Kimon put on a playful look. "Maybe on the bed? C'mon, I wanna test the stamina of that body!"
He pulled slightly backwards to grab his legs. It was at this moment that Perikles took the chance and kicked Kimon to the face, laughing playfully at his antics.
"You're unbelievable!"
He barked in laughter and approached him to examine his features. He liked that his kick was strong to shove him away, but he still hoped it didn't break his nose or a tooth.
Kimon rubbed his chin - guess this is where the kick landed afterall - grimacing, but other than that, he looked completely fine. He managed to scramble to his feet and grab Perikles by the shoulders, taking aback the younger man who let a surprised yelp, and looked him in the eyes. "Peri, just promise me you won't end up like your father"
Perikles' brow furrowed in confusion. It was no secret that they clashed on a regular base, even in public, for city affairs. Perikles was insisted on opening a new path for Athens, while his father believed in the good old ways, which baffled the promising statesman, for Epikleos had told him that when Xanthippus was in his age, he was too radical for his old folks' liking. Perikles wondered if that was an aging thing and if he would adopt his father's conservative mindset.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"That you won't turn against me all of sudden" the other man replied in an instant. "That you won't condemn me to a cell to rot to my death, like your father did to mine. That..." he struggled to say the final part, confusing Perikles even further "... you'll always be my side"
That was what truly mattered. Kimon stared at the lad, as if his life depended on it. Perikles lowered his gaze, considering his feelings for Kimon. How weird. Sometimes, he found himself envious of the older man, of his achievements, of his victorious battles, of all his glorious exploits, of how popular he was among the female population, which wouldn't normally bother Perikles hadn't his wife, Thetis, been one of his most open admirers. Other times, when he was relaxed, he didn't mind his presence, nor the appeal he had to Thetis. He was a handsome, capable, honest man that any man aspired to be and any woman dreamt to lay with. These two perspectives clashed more often than not on his head, leaving his restless and disoriented.
He forced himself to look back at Kimon. He reeked of wine and desperation. It wouldn't matter what he would tell him. He wouldn't remember a thing the next day.
"I promise I won't"
Kimon leaned forward for a last tender kiss that never came, for a sudden knock on the door stopped them on the tracks.
Perikles distanced himself from Kimon as fast as he could and went to answer the call. He found Elpinike, Kimon's feisty older sister, standing in the doorway, frowning in a face that could match the red color of her hair.
Perikles knew Elpinike didn't like him. She more often than not made her disdain for him clear, vocally expressing her anger whenever she saw her brother hanging out with him. "He doesn't see you as a friend. He's only using you to gain prominence as an upcoming statesman. He will convince the people to turn against you and they will believe him, for the people easily forget their heroes and those who helped then during their darkest moments. Get rid of him as soon as you have time!" She would normally go. To no avail, however, for Kimon insisted on Perikles' loyalty and friendship. This only made things worse, for she would start to shout even louder, attracting unnecessary attention to the company and no amount of Kimon's reassuring claims could claim her down.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, instead of greeting him.
"Kimon wasn't feeling so well, so I guided him to his room"
"You were away for too long"
"Are you spying on us?" Perikles crossed his arms and glared in a similar fashion.
"Only when it concerns the well-being of my baby brother" Elpinike replied, raising her head and shoving him to the side, so she could enter. She gave one last glare to Perikles, before heading to Kimon's bed and leaning towards him. "Hey, little brother. Everything is fine now" she whispered in a surprsingly calming voice that Perikles had never expected from her and caressed Kimon's face.
Kimon opened his eyes midway. "Pe-ri...?"
"No, no" she laughed gently. Her eyes were shining from his view alone. "It's Elpinike"
What else could Perikles do? His closest friend was lying on the bed, his sister would not let him attend him, and all in all, he wasn't really in the mood to return to the symposium.
Truth to be told, there was Aeschylus and the whole sponsorship subject, but he was too tired to have a conversation with him. Maybe if he could leave the house without Aeschylus noticing him and discussing the matter with him on the next day? That would do! Besides, Thetis awaited for him. And she would surely scold him for being out late and ignoring her needs.