[ it does comfort him, matt pressing close like that and speaking quietly. shiro can't help wrapping his arms around him, bowing down over matt's shoulder, breathing deep of his scent. it soothes the stallion instincts. ]

I was afraid you were dead, [ he confesses, low and soft. ] I was afraid they'd thrown you into the arena.

[ the way they'd thrown shiro, and made him a murderer. his skin shivers under matt's fingers. ]

They use the whip because they can't kill me. The gladiator arena needs its stars.