Titus released his grip on Pallas' arms, his lips forcing themselves from the Greek's with great reluctance. What he saw in those eyes made him want to stay forever like this...but there were guests right outside, as Olaf had just inadvertantly reminded him. He gave a final squeeze before releasing Pallas from his arms, giving a short kiss to the tip of his nose.

"Come on, let's go back to our guests...." Titus sighed in resignation.

Back in the apartment's central room, he saw that Philandros and Olaf were entering the tiny vestibule to leave through the street door. He picked a scroll from one of the cases he had already opened, and pushed it into the red-head's hand. "This is a gift for your recovery--I ask you to accept it, and to come back again soon!"

Philandros turned around, awkwardly trying to juggle the scroll, and Daio's basket with one hand, while attempting to clasp hands with his host. Olaf smiled, and took Daio's carrier, poking a finger into the small opening to distract her and calm her.

"Thank you, Titus Annaeus...you must come to visit me very soon, so that I may return your kindness. Perhaps later in the week? While my collection may not be as large as your, I think you might find something new in it!" Olaf opened the outer door, just in time to admit a dark-haired man of just above middle height carrying a large basket of vegetables and a fresh loaf of bread.

"Master Titus...I've found some nice lamb to grill, and some rice, and a very fine white loaf! Dinner will be ready very soon..." He stopped when he saw the giant in the doorway. "Oh dear! Are these men staying to dinner?"

Philandros laughed at the man's obvious dismay...he hadn't counted on so many guests...and the size of Olaf must have truly terrified him with the boy's potential appetite! "No...we are just leaving. We were visiting friends next door, and stopped for just a moment. Come, Olaf...let's get Daio settled at home!"

Laris disappeared into the kitchen, and could be heard stirring up the charcoal and clattering of bronze pans. Titus moved to the cleared space on the floor, and was going to sit, when he was interrupted by Pallas' soft voice. "Perhaps I should leave..."

Titus put a hand on his friend's arm, and pulled him down to sit next to hiim on the carpet. "You'll do no such thing!" As he settled, he made sure that their legs were touching, and he placed a hand on the Greek's thigh, just above the knee. "You are staying for dinner...and after that, I have many things to show you!"

Pallas hesitated, but Titus leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss, wrapping an arm around the boy's neck so he couldn't back off. When he felt faint from lack of breath, he pulled his head back. "Pallas, listen to me--I meant what I said in there," his eyes moved toward the kitchen door. "You are my love, and I won't allow you to forget...or to say no...or do anything but say yes! Father taught me to seize an opportunity when I saw what I wanted, and I've seen it now, and I'm not letting it--you--go!"

Titus picked up an armful of scrolls, and dumped them on their laps, making a nice pile since their legs formed a sort of natural hollow. "Now, love, help me sort these into categories! Once we do that, we can re-pack them, and take them down to your shop!"