To Pluck a Rose
Chapter 1
A/N: Yep, here we go, another angsty Kyouya/Kaoru fic in which I will break their spirits and destroy their souls in the name of creating an awesomely tragically perfect romance. Because apparently I'm not happy writing Kyouya/Kaoru unless one or both of them is just completely fucking broken.
This fic seriously has the weirdest origin story of all time. I was watching the TV show Cities of the Underworld and they were talking about Scotland, and they had a random fact that Rose Street was so named because the phrase "to pluck a rose" meant "to pick up a prostitute" and Rose Street was the "red light district" so to speak. And just like that, bam! Fanfic!
As I mentioned in the summary, this is LOOSELY based on the movie Pretty Woman. I will emphasize that again, LOOSELY! I'm using it as a guideline! Not an exact storyboard! I have a cruel streak a mile wide, and I'm not above tormenting characters. This fic will be way grittier than Pretty Woman, and it's definitely NOT a rom-com. This should be interesting…
There will be references to drug use, prostitution (obviously), some homophobic language, hints at sexual assault/abuse/etc., a whole bunch of nasty stuff from Kaoru's past (in vague terms, but still), and maybe some other crazy shit, we'll see… I'll post warnings as needed.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran Host Club or Pretty Woman.
It was raining.
Of course it was bloody raining. The one day Kaoru Hitachiin didn't want it to rain…
Actually, that was a lie. There was no good day for it to rain… he always had to be on the street…
The skinny young man sat with his knees drawn up to his chest under a small overhang. It wasn't much, as far as shelters went, but it was all he had. He ran his last cigarette between his fingers, making sure it was sufficiently dry. It would seriously suck if the damn thing was too wet to be lit…
His hands shook as he pulled the lighter from his pocket. Nicotine would take the edge off of that though, he hoped as he carefully held the cigarette between his teeth and sheltered it with his hands to light it. After a few quick puffs, the cigarette finally caught and he inhaled deeply, savoring the smoke in his lungs before exhaling, long and slow. He tilted his head up, just in time to catch a few errant raindrops on his face. Automatically his hand darted out to shade the cigarette.
It was dark and the wind was definitely picking up. Kaoru shivered a little as a stiff breeze ghosted across his damp skin. There hadn't been any cars on this street in over an hour. It was going to be a slow night.
Los Angeles could be an unforgiving city on the best of days, but tonight looked to be especially bad. Kaoru hated working alone… but Hikaru had somehow charmed his way into the skirts of a lady they knew who had up and decided to whisk him away to Vegas for a week. She was a pretty nice lady, and they'd known her a while, so Kaoru wasn't especially worried about his twin brother. But it sucked being on the streets by himself, not having someone close at hand in case things got rough.
Part of him wanted to say 'forget it'. This was going to be a lousy night, and he wanted to be inside, somewhere where he could at least try to get warm. But he didn't have any money. He had a single crumpled dollar bill to his name, not even enough for another pack of cigarettes.
'One trick,' he silently promised himself. 'Just one trick, so I'm not fucking broke… Enough to get some cigarettes and coffee, hell, maybe even some food.' He was fooling himself, of course… He'd either have to give it up to some thug in exchange for "protection" (god, that was a laugh, wasn't it?) or he'd wind up buying something he really fucking shouldn't buy, like alcohol, or maybe something stronger…
"Hey! You!" someone shouted.
Kaoru winced and glanced in the direction of the voice. He saw three gangsters approaching him, thuggish fellows in baggy clothes. The leader stepped up to him.
"Hey, Nancy-boy, get the fuck outta here. You know we don't let fags like you work our turf. We only let bitches walk this part, get me?"
"Come on, man, it's not like I'm stealing a bunch of johns or something," Kaoru sighed, making a gesture with his hand to indicate the empty street.
"Yeah, and what if someone rolls up and sees a pussy like you sitting here. They think we pussies too, then life gets really rough around here."
"Like it's not already," Kaoru muttered under his breath, grinding the spent cigarette butt beneath the heel of his shoe.
He really should have anticipated the blow to the side of his head, but he didn't, so he had no chance to brace himself and he sprawled onto the sidewalk, one hand reaching up to touch the throbbing part of his head that had just become acquainted with a gangster's fist.
"Okay, okay, jeeze, I'm taking off," he muttered, pushing himself onto his knees. But he was surprised again by a kick to the ribs that made him double over, wincing in pain. Knowing it was pointless to fight back, he just tried to protect sensitive areas and waited for the blows to stop. Satisfied that they'd made their point, the thugs started walking away, leaving Kaoru to nurse his wounds.
"Damnit…" he muttered, palpating his ribs. A couple of his ribs might be cracked, he wasn't certain… but none of them were broken, that would have to be enough. He definitely couldn't afford to go to a doctor right now.
Slowly, he pushed himself upright. He was bruised and sore, but nothing he couldn't handle. With a sigh, he headed to a nearby alley and retrieved a small filthy duffel bag containing his few possessions. Throwing the bag over his shoulder, he started walking towards an area where he COULD troll for tricks.
He brushed the wet shock of flaming red hair from his face, hoping he looked more appealing than he felt right now, otherwise he'd never attract a john and he'd be out on the streets all damn night… He checked the street in both directions. No cars (bad), no cops (good), no thugs (even better), so he ambled along the street, paying close attention to the sounds around him.
The rainwater soon had him drenched, leaving his clothes clinging to his too-skinny frame. One hand moved absently over prominent ribs, checking again to make sure none were broken. Usually the johns wanted him to stay relatively clothed, so any visible bruises shouldn't be a problem…
He rolled his shoulders a little to ease the tension starting to grip him. He wore a loose mesh shirt underneath a very baggy white tank top that drooped off one of his shoulders. Though white wasn't the best choice in the rain, it made the shirt nearly transparent as it clung to him. And the pants… they looked like they'd been painted on, but they were actually loose enough for him to slide off in an instant, but now that they were soaking wet… He sighed again, his scuffed and faded sneakers kicking the loose gravel scattered at odd intervals on the pavement.
Who was he kidding? He looked like death warmed over, and only the most desperate john would want anything to do with him tonight. And the desperate ones were the ones to avoid. If he was lucky, the only thing that would happen was that they'd try to stiff him after they were done. If he was unlucky (and that was how his luck looked tonight), they'd want something more… violent. And without Hikaru around as backup… no, this was a bad idea.
Kaoru had nearly convinced himself that he should just find a sheltered spot to sleep until the rain passed and he could clean himself up when he saw four thugs approaching him. Now he was nervous… he knew these guys. He'd had run-ins with them before. They were the type who wanted him to pay a fee for using their streets. And woe betide the hooker who didn't pay up… they'd be beaten, raped, even killed. Kaoru slowed his steps as they approached.
"Where do you think you're going?" one of the thugs asked.
"Just takin' a shortcut," Kaoru murmured, keeping his head down.
"You're not gonna try to pick up any johns on our turf without paying us, right?" another thug asked, leaning in way too close to Kaoru.
"I'm just walking… I'm not working tonight," Kaoru lied.
"Hmm… I think you're lying, and you better cough up the money unless you want things to get ugly," the thug said, throwing his arm around Kaoru's bony shoulders.
Kaoru dug his hand into his pocket and came up with the single crumpled dollar bill. "That's all I have. It's a bad night, so I'm getting out of the rain. I'll try again tomorrow," he insisted.
The thugs looked at each other, and Kaoru tried not to show too much fear. He just prayed that they'd believe him and let him go.
"Alright, but if we catch you turning a trick and not giving us a cut… You'll wish it was the cops that caught up with you tonight," one of the thugs threatened, and they all turned and started walking away.
Kaoru barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw headlights in the distance. The first car he'd seen in nearly three hours… He gulped, squinting at the car and praying it wouldn't be cops. That was all he needed tonight. He might be able to talk his way out of being arrested… but no guarantees.
He and his brother were pretty well known to the LAPD by now. A very rare few were willing to look the other way if they were just walking on the street, though they usually expected the boys to snitch on the other people on the streets, and that could make their lives even more difficult. Some cops could be bribed, either with money or… favors. But some wouldn't even think twice before tossing him in jail, and he really didn't want to spend a night in jail, especially without Hikaru to watch his back. Prison was rough, especially for a skinny and handsome youth who was known to turn tricks. Kaoru wished he didn't know that from experience.
The headlights were blinding as they approached, but as Kaoru squinted, he thought he could make out the shape of the car. It looked like… a Ferrari? No. No way. Those cars wouldn't be anywhere NEAR here, especially not at this time of night!
Kaoru froze for a moment as the headlights framed him, wondering who could possibly be driving such a nice car in such a shitty neighborhood at this time of night. To his surprise the car slowed. There was a young man behind the wheel, surely not much older than Kaoru, in his mid-20's… yet he had such a fancy car, and he wore a very expensive-looking suit. One long pale hand gestured for him to come closer.
For a moment, Kaoru could only stare stupidly at the car and the devastatingly handsome driver. The young man had very tidy jet-black hair, and intelligent slate gray eyes behind the wire frames of his glasses. He looked clean-cut and safe, so Kaoru approached cautiously. He tried not to show his apprehension though, putting a little strut into his step and leaning casually against the car and hoping his drowned-rat appearance wasn't enough to scare the man off.
"Hey, what can I do for you?" he asked, making his voice low and seductive as he looked at the man through half-lidded eyes.
The young man's expression never changed. "I'm afraid I've lost my way. Am I very far from Beverly Hills?"
Kaoru blinked. Then he blinked again. "Wait, you want directions?"
"Of course I do, why else would I have stopped?" the man asked.
Kaoru shook his head. That blow to the head must have knocked him silly, it was the only explanation. "You're actually lost and you want directions? That's all?" he repeated.
"Yes," the man said, just a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.
"Well that's a new one," Kaoru muttered under his breath. "Seriously, man, do I look like a fucking information booth over here?"
"Well, I wasn't planning on making assumptions based on your appearance, but since you asked, I'd have to say you look more like a prostitute," the young man said very matter-of-factly.
"Un-fucking-believable," Kaoru muttered, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips. "Yeah, you're pretty lost, man… You're in Central LA… Not really your type of place, I'm sure you'll agree."
The man's lips moved soundlessly, shaping what might have been a curse. "Well, can you give me directions then?"
"Sure," Kaoru said, a cocky grin appearing on his face, "for five bucks."
"Five dollars? You're joking," the man said.
"Yeah, the attitude just upped the price to ten," Kaoru said. "Unless you see anyone else who can give you directions."
The dark-haired man glanced at something further down the door, then appeared to decide something. "Can you break a twenty?"
Kaoru felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He glanced in the same direction that the man he was talking to had looked, and felt the bottom drop out of his stomach. The thugs that had been threatening him were walking over, and Kaoru was sure he'd never be able to convince them that this weirdo really did just want directions (he still didn't quite believe it himself).
"Shit, man, I can't break a twenty… Listen, for that twenty, I'll show you the way personally."
The young man's eyes flickered back towards the approaching thugs, then rested on Kaoru's face for what felt like an eternity. "Very well, get in."
Kaoru didn't have to be told twice, he moved around the car in a few quick steps and slid into the passenger seat, ducking his head as they passed the thugs so he wouldn't have to see the ugly looks on their faces.
"Flip this thing around, you're heading the wrong way," Kaoru said. The man next to him spun the Ferrari around easily and headed back the way he'd come.
They'd been driving for a few minutes and Kaoru was shivering. His wet clothes still clung unpleasantly to his body, and he wondered if he'd be lucky enough to find someplace to dry them out tonight. He jumped when the man next to him spoke.
"What's your name?"
Kaoru stared at him. "You serious?"
"Yes, of course."
"Why do you care what my name is?"
"I'd just like to know the name of the person I'm traveling with. Is that a problem?"
"It's weird, is what it is," Kaoru muttered under his breath, staring out the window as the streets snaked by. He saw a few of the other hookers and junkies he knew, but it seemed most people had already headed for shelter. It was a bad night to work the streets. He was suddenly relieved that he had a guaranteed twenty coming his way. That would be enough to stop working for the night and find shelter himself.
The corner of his companion's mouth turned up a little and he reached down to adjust the temperature controls. Warm air raked over Kaoru, who reflexively jerked, but then started to settle into the seat.
"Hope I'm not messing up your seats," he mumbled.
"A little water never hurt anything, and leather cleans well," the man said. "I'm Kyouya, by the way."
Kaoru stared at him. "You're still stuck on that, aren't you?"
Kyouya seemed to be repressing a chuckle. "If you won't tell me your name, I think I'll have to make one up for you."
Kaoru stared at him, then back at the window. "Turn left up there. And you can give me whatever name you want, I don't care."
That repressed laughter was back again. "Fine, I think I'll call you Rose."
Kaoru arched one eyebrow. "That's a new one."
"I think it fits," Kyouya said.
"I don't know if I want to know why," Kaoru muttered. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you're making fun of me."
"So tell me, Rose," Kyouya said pleasantly, "isn't this taking you out of your area? How will you get back?"
"It doesn't matter where you leave me," Kaoru said flatly. "Got no place I need to be tonight."
Kyouya's eyebrows knitted together. "So, Rose, do you enjoy being a streetwalker?"
"It pays," Kaoru said, still staring out the window.
"So do day jobs."
"Hard to find a day job when you're… like me," he decided at last.
"Must be dangerous… selling yourself on the streets of Central LA like that."
"You don't know the half of it," Kaoru muttered. "But a guy's gotta eat. I do what I can to be safe. In every way." He chewed on one of his fingernails.
"Ugly habit, nail biting," Kyouya said, wrinkling his nose.
"You haven't seen shit if you think this is ugly," Kaoru said. "Turn right."
They drove for a few more minutes. Finally Kaoru straightened up.
"You can let me off here. If you stay on this road, you'll be in Beverly Hills in just a few minutes. You can't miss it."
Kyouya pulled the car over, then handed over the promised twenty. Kaoru tried not to look too eager as he grabbed it, his fingers twitching as he thought that the first thing he'd buy was a pack of cigarettes. But as he reached for the door handle, he noticed that Kyouya hadn't unlocked the door. A chill ran down his spine and his fingers tightened on the door handle, wondering if he'd misjudged the well-cut stranger.
"How much do you charge for company?" Kyouya asked suddenly, making Kaoru stare at him in confusion.
"I… what?" Kaoru asked, blinking.
"How much do you charge for company?" Kyouya repeated.
Hikaru was the one that handled prices. Kaoru probably could have really taken the guy for a ride, but he was tired and cold and he knew he looked like shit, and this guy was actually being pretty nice to him… "Guess it depends on how long you want me for, and what you want me to do."
"For the whole night?"
Kaoru tried his best not to stare openly. There had been a couple times where both he and Hikaru had entertained someone for a night, and he was pretty sure they'd been paid at least five hundred dollars. He swallowed. "A hundred bucks. More if you decide you want to do kinky shit."
"I take it you're open to negotiation then?"
Kaoru shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
"Very well then." And Kyouya kept driving, and Kaoru kept staring out at the cold wet night, wondering if he would end up regretting this decision.