Fate - 3: Trade
"You're a good boy," Florian whispers to the trembling child. He holds Noel close, trying to calm him, pushing his own anxiety away. When the boy has stopped trembling and grows heavy in Florian's, arms, the man settles him in his own bed. Pulling the covers up around him he waits at the bedside another ten minutes to be sure the boy is sleeping.
As quietly as he can, Florian leaves the room and hurries downstairs to the study where Ray will be waiting. He's due for a whipping at the very least and can only hope Ray lets him off that lightly. He knew bringing the boy into Ray's home without permission was a risk. Refusing to send the boy away was an even greater one. But now, with the child a target of criminals, Florian fears what Ray might do.
Florian will endure the whip, being chained in the basement, or even worse. He'll endure anything as long as Ray doesn't throw him out onto the street. Florian has no illusions as to what he'll have to do to survive if Ray ever does cast him out.
"Come," Ray calls when Florian knocks on the study door. Florian enters briskly, knowing Ray hates to be kept waiting.
"He's asleep." Florian stands motionless in front of the desk, head slightly bowed, arms held loosely at his sides. He sees Ray approaching but keeps still as Ray circles him, one hand toying with the coiled whip.
"You disobeyed me," Ray observes mildly, continuing his movement around Florian. "You brought the boy here without permission and gave criminals reason to enter my home." A touch of the whip along Florian's arm, just a soft caress through the thin fabric of his shirt. Florian doesn't move.
"You fed him my food and have him sleeping in my house." A press of the whip along his back and Ray's breath on the back of his neck. Florian steels himself and doesn't react.
"I told you to send the boy away and you didn't." The rough leather of the whip skims down his neck. "Do you remember that you are in my debt? Do you understand that you own nothing, not even the clothing you are wearing?" Ray's fingers find the buttons on Florian's shirt and slowly open them. He moves around Florian again and with one sharp movement, pulls the shirt off and tosses it aside.
"I bought you like a concubine. I feed you, clothe you, even give you a warm bed to sleep in. And you… you bring me nothing but trouble." Ray is standing in front of Florian again, the coiled whip pressed under his chin, forcing Florian to meet his hard gaze.
"I protected you when you were accused of killing your mother. I believed you when you promised to lead me to your family's precious diamond. And what do I have to show for my generosity? A castle in ruins, but no diamond, and a spoiled, disobedient aristocrat who owes me more money then he could ever repay."
The whip moves downward over Florian's exposed skin and stops just above his belt. He's reveling in Florian's fear, savoring it. He presses a bit harder and watches as Florian's chest moves faster, his breathing becoming more rapid.
"Noir!" Laila slams open the door and races in, frantic. She doesn't even notice what she's interrupted. "The kid is gone!"
"What?" Both men exclaim, but with different expressions. Ray's is surprised but Florian's is concerned and fearful.
Without thinking, he pulls away from Ray and hurries to the door. He's almost there but Ray arrives first, slamming the door shut and leaning past Florian to keep it closed.
"Please, I have to find Noel."
Without bothering to answer, Ray grabs Florian by the back of the neck and forces him away from the door. He moves them far enough away that he can send Laila out, which he does. She complies without delay, not wanting Ray's wrath turned against her. She closes the door behind her and hurries away, not wanting to hear the inevitable end of this scene.
"Please," Florian begs, tears flowing down his face. He's begging for the child's safety as well as his own.
"Yes, beg," Ray commands as he drags Florian across the room to the desk and throws him down on it, face first. He strips Florian and claims him brutally. "Beg," he snarls, twisting his fingers in the mass of blond hair and yanking Florian's head back.
"Please, master. Please." Florian is sobbing, barely able to catch a breath. "Please forgive me."
"Why should I, you disobedient whore?" Ray thrusts deep and stills. Florian catches his breath, terrified of doing the wrong thing and compounding his master's anger. A familiar sound lets him know the whip is out. Florian prepares himself for the pain.
The leather cuts through the air over Florian's head and, despite his best efforts, he flinches. But the anticipated pain doesn't arrive and he cautiously opens his eyes to find Solomon Sugar standing a few feet a way, the end of Ray's whip wrapped around his arm.
"You found me," Solomon says calmly pushing aside the curtain that had concealed him and stepping closer while he unwraps the whip from his arm. His eyes never leave Florian's partially exposed body.
"Come for the show?" Ray scoffs as he shifts, making Florian moan. He pulls Florian up, displaying him to the envious detective. "I know you want a taste."
"Are you offering?" Solomon counters, moving to the side to get a better look at Florian and Ray. Unfortunately for him, most of Ray is concealed by his clothing.
"What are you willing to pay?" Ray replies smoothly, reaching down to stroke Florian, demanding that he react. Florian doesn't disappoint.
Solomon swallows hard and shifts a bit uncomfortably. "I can help you find the kid."
"Why would that be of any interest to me?" Ray wants to know, but Florian reacts with interest.
"It's important to someone in this room."
"Then that person will have to find a way to persuade you." Ray pulls away abruptly, leaving Florian exposed and frustrated.
With a glance at Ray for permission, which he doesn't get, Florian slides off the desk onto his knees. He crawls on all fours to Solomon and reaches up to his waist. Looking back at Ray he bows his head submissively before rising up on his knees and freeing Solomon's hard flesh. He closes his eyes as he sets to work, desperate to save Noel, but just as desperate not to offend Ray.
He's clumsy at first and only Solomon's eagerness keeps Florian from offending him with his poor skills. He struggles to calm himself, trying to use the techniques that Ray taught him. He feels a familiar hand on his back and tries not to react.
Please, he begs silently. Please don't send me away.
"Enough," Ray snaps, pulling Florian back hard. Florian falls back against Ray and stays there, immediately turning his face downward in submission. He waits silently for punishment, the bitter taste of Solomon on his tongue.
"Florian." Ray holds out a hand to the blond, who takes it cautiously and lets Ray help him to his feet. Ray takes off his outer robe and wraps it around the naked man, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Wait for me upstairs," he says quietly before giving him a kiss.
Florian nods to his master, then turns and nods to Solomon before quickly gathering his strewn clothing and hurrying out of the room.
"Now," he addresses the detective who is putting his clothing in order and looking rather discomfited to be left in such a state. "I want the kid. You want to finish what you started. Shall we agree to a trade?"
"I want you both," Solomon counters. "My beloved black cat and I sharing your precious Amethyst."
"You only touch him where and how I tell you," Ray responds, reaching into the container on his desk for a cigar. "And only after you deliver the kid."
Solomon moves closer, boldly, and leans close to Ray, inhaling deeply. "You've left your scent on him. It'll be almost like having my black cat."
He's almost to the door when Ray catches him with the whip. He draws the trapped man back slowly until he can look directly into his eyes. "No one has me, Sugar. I'm the one who does the taking. Remember that."
Solomon smiles in return. As soon as the whip is loosened he grabs Ray's chin and kisses him hard. "Believe what you will, and tell your precious Amethyst I look forward to tasting him."
He's gone before Ray can catch him again.
Ray tightens his hold on the whip and grits his teeth. He brushes his hair out of his eyes and smiles darkly. His Amethyst is upstairs, waiting and his debt has just increased substantially. Ray plans to let him spend the rest of the night letting him demonstrate his gratitude. He'll wait until morning to take his pet to the cellar.