Liam Lunettes wanted nothing more than to be "useful." Liam x X. Break, Liam x R. Barma. and a bit of Cheryl R.
Drama/Romance/Humor
There are going to be four chapters and I'll try to post a new one every day or two.
Note: I decided to use "Rufus" instead of "Barma" for Rufus Barma's name most of the time, so you wouldn't confuse it with "Break" if you were reading fast.
Use Me: Chapter 1
"That knowledge-whore Rufus Barma knows more than he's letting on," muttered Xerxes Break, offering Liam Lunettes a piece of candy from a tin, but just as he reached out his hand, Break whisked it up out of his reach.
"I was hoping…" Break continued, "that you might be able to help me get some information from your master Barma…for some caaaandy!" Break grinned and moved the tin back into Liam's reach again.
Liam's faced darkened and he thrust his hands down at his sides.
"Come on Liam," Break sing-songed, "I know you want nothing more than to be useful to people." He put the candy tin up to Liam's nose and Liam looked away, trying not to let Break see the sense of shame clouding his expression. Why does Break always win? Am I such a pushover? Liam thought.
Break clasped Liam's hand and held it gently in his for a moment. Liam's cheeks burned with anticipation. Liam closed his eyes, willing himself to disappear, then felt his hand get turned palm side up and a wrapped candy placed inside it.
"I know I can count on you, Liam," Break said reassuringly, closing Liam's fingers around the candy.
Liam opened his eyes and his heart melted at the sincere expression on Break's face, an expression few people had ever seen but him.
"I'll do whatever you ask," said Liam quietly, unwrapping the candy and putting it in his mouth.
"Excellent!" said Break. "So I'd like you to find out from your master Rufus as much as you can about the truth of what happened one-hundred years ago in Sablier. I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes." Break had a slightly malicious grin on his face.
"Or else!" squawked Emily, from her station on Break's shoulder.
Liam sighed and pushed up his glasses.
Liam didn't know much about what had happened during the tragedy of Sablier. His dear friend Xerxes Break was hell bent on learning the truth though, and Liam was going to help him, by probing his master Duke Rufus Barma for information. This would not be an easy task, but Liam was willing to do whatever he had to do to get information for Break. He liked being useful to Master Rufus, but he liked being useful to Break even more.
Liam did know some things about Rufus Barma, however. He knew he hated to be hot and sweaty, was always fanning himself, and wore modest clothing only for the sake of public decorum. Whenever he could get away with it, Rufus would strip down to his underwear. On more than one occasion, Liam had found his master in the library, leaning over a musty old text wearing nothing but some ruffle-hemmed drawers.
On every occasion when Liam stumbled upon his master in a state of undress, Rufus would look up warily, raise his eyebrows in surprise and then shake his mane of red hair around himself in an attempt to cover his bony chest and shoulders. Then he would grab his fan and unfold it to its maximum width and hide his blushing face behind it.
Liam was sharper than the average Hare, and knew there must be a way to make use of this information about his master. Luck was with him, as it was a hot August day after he'd finished his morning walk with Xerxes Break. Liam entered the Barma manor and headed straight for the library, expecting to find Rufus amidst the dusty volumes, adding to his endless store of knowledge.
On his way to the library, Liam heard an unexpected splashing sound, coming from the direction of the courtyard. He became concerned that one of the clumsy new maids had fallen into the courtyard fountain, and ducked through the courtyard gate to investigate. He gasped in surprise at the scene that awaited him there.
Rufus Barma was swimming in the fountain, completely nude.
Liam winced at the sight of his rosy buttocks, shining wet in the dappled sunshine. He hid his face in his hands for a moment and gauged whether to stay or flee.
"Need something, Liam?" asked Rufus, surprisingly calm.
Liam looked up and was grateful to see that Rufus had righted himself and only his face and neck were now visible, sticking up from the fountain's pool.
"Oh…I…uh…heard a splash," sputtered Liam, "and was concerned someone might have fallen in the pool."
"Someone has," said Rufus, speech slurred. "I'm glad you came. I'm drunk. Seriously drunk." His eyes rolled up and his head slipped under the water.
Liam realized Rufus had just passed out and could drown. He sprang forward and reached toward his master, but had no choice but to climb into the waist-deep pool, grab his master by the shoulders and haul him out of the water. After a moment of lying face down on the flagstones, Rufus came to and coughed a bunch of times, then rolled over to face Liam, who had never seen his master look more befuddled or vulnerable.
Dripping from the waist down, Liam hastily pulled the cravat from his neck and covered his master's privates with it.
"Thanks," said Rufus. "For everything Liam. I owe you one." He put his hand over his eyes and groaned.
"Not a problem. Uh…but, what's going on, Sir?" asked Liam. "Drinking alcohol this time of day?"
"Oh, Liam, come here…closer…I want to tell you something in confidence," mumbled Rufus.
Liam knelt down and leaned close to the other man's face.
"Every time Cheryl wants to get busy…" Rufus started, "I just can't bring myself to…I mean…I love her but…I just…can't. So sometimes I get drunk…so then I really…can't. You know what I mean, don't you, Liam?"
"Uh…" Liam said, blushing. "I have never had a sweetheart, so I'm not sure." But let's pretend I know what you mean so we don't have to discuss this further, Liam thought.
"Don't tell Cheryl, okay? What I said," said Rufus, trying to cover his bony shoulders and chest with his stringy wet hair.
"Sure," replied Liam. "Let's get you dressed."
Liam acted as lookout for Rufus who snuck down the hall naked to his dressing room.
He breathed a sigh of relief as soon as Rufus was out of his line of vision, and began to plan his next move. He really owes me one now.