Chapter 2

There were two things that stood out to Luke when he was dragged to the fashion show in France that Eros wanted to participate in. The first thing was that he disliked most models. He already knew that fact, but it did not lesson the feeling any. He also disliked most of the fashion designers, but that was another matter. The other thing was that he really enjoyed getting to see Eros in various states of clothing. Especially the tighter things. Too bad he didn't get to watch Eros change backstage.

His eyes stared at the brunet as he moved across the stage with the other models. "For all the staring you do at him in clothes, you sure do like getting him out of them," came Percy's amused voice.

Luke narrowed his eyes into his drink. After taking a long gulp, he stared at the raven haired young man that sat beside him. "You're just mad because your significant annoyance isn't here."

"So hurtful," Percy smirked. He shrugged and took a drink, leaning forward on the table. "I offered to get his test rescheduled, but Nico declined. I guess he's taking this college thing very seriously."

Luke watched Percy take another drink. Nico would be finishing up his first year of college soon, and the kid was swamped with finals. Which meant Percy barely got to see his boyfriend at the moment. It had been like this the first semester as well. Percy had caved and spent two weeks in America, since Nico wasn't able to come visit for two months.

"I'm sure you'll survive without him," Luke grumbled, returning his eyes to the stage as Eros made his way off it.

A grin crossed Percy's lips. "Easy for you to say. You see Eros all the time." His grin only grew when Luke glared at him. "If the hotel didn't have thicker walls, I'm sure I'd have noise complaints on a daily basis." Percy tapped a finger to his chin. "You know, when Eros was in California, Octavian told me he originally thought you were murdering Eros."

"The thought crosses my mind at times."

"Sure." Percy shook his head. "Whatever you say." He nudged the blond next to him. "Between you and me, I have a bet with Nico on how long it'll take you two to get together. I need you to help me out."

Luke let out a huff. "I'm not going to date that asshole."

"Just fine with sticking your dick in him." Percy sat up in his chair and waved as Silena and Drew sat down. "Hello, ladies. Good show."

"Got round two in an hour," Silena said, slightly out of breath. "I forgot why I didn't like doing these things. Too much rushing around."

Drew shrugged as ran her fingers through her hair. "Get free clothes out of it. Sounds like a win to me."

Luke frowned as he watched an older man stop Eros to talk as the brunet had been making his way over to their table. Percy leaned over and followed Luke's gaze. "He's an up and coming designer. He was working under Andrew Christian until recently." He arched a brow at the annoyed look on Luke's face. "I'm sure he just wants to talk to Eros about design. I did put the word around that he's interested in the field."

"Why?" Luke frowned.

Silena shook her head and glanced over at Eros, who was laughing at something the man had said. "Honestly, you need to chill. Eros doesn't even look at other guys, unless it's business."

Luke slumped down in his chair. "I don't like it. Feeling like this." He frowned at his drink, which was almost gone. "I don't understand it. Like, I have never felt... jealous before. If that is what it is."

"It is," Silena and Percy agreed.

"I kind of wish he didn't work like he does now," Luke confessed. All three of them at the table looked at him in surprise. "Sex has always just been sex, and I wanted this to just be nothing more than that. But I also find myself wanting to punch any guy that makes a pass at him."

"Maybe you're worried that you don't satisfy him," Drew muttered. She rolled her eyes when Luke glared at him. "Jesus, chill out. Then just stop complaining and find a way to get him out of our line of work. Why is that so hard? A lot of you are doing it."

Luke frowned at the Asian girl for a moment. She had a point. Most of them stayed for loyalty and the good pay, but even Octavian had told him that money wasn't everything. That was why his brother was about to start law school. Will would be attending medical school as well, and even Jason was about to take some classes in Berlin. Was the money really worth watching Eros be violated by various customers. How would that conversation even go over with the brunet? Could he actually make this argument? They weren't, technically, dating. At least that was what he kept telling people.

"He just turned nineteen a few months ago. I don't think he'd be content with not having anything else to do with the rest of his life," Luke finally said.

Percy guided Luke back to where Eros was still talking with the designer. "I think your exit strategy is standing right in front of you." The green-eyed young man arched a brow. "Seriously, talk him into pursuing fashion design more." Silena nodded her agreement. "Besides, you're probably going to retire yourself in another four or five years. I can find you something to do, or you can think of something."

Silena nodded again. "And it's not like you don't have the money." The girl smiled at him. "You did sell your motorcycle. Even more money. The only thing I ever saw you buy was the occasional video game."

"You could buy yourself a house with that money," Drew stated. She shrugged. "Then again, I'd just have someone buy me a house."

Silena glanced at the girl next to her. "I picture you marrying a rich man, then finding a way to off him without getting caught." She shrugged. "No offense."

"None taken." The girl grinned at Percy. "That's what I have him for."

Percy sighed. "Talk to Kronos." Everyone stared at him as the young man took a drink. "I told Nico I would try and behave myself. No killing or torture for me."

"Boring," Drew replied.

As he stared at Eros laughing with the fashion designer, Luke forced himself not to grind his teeth. "Fuck this," the blond grumbled as he got up, much to everyone's amusement. Luke weaved his way through the crowd and came to stand beside Eros. He placed an arm around Eros' waist, which raised a brow from the fashion designer. Good, Luke thought to himself, the asshole could back the fuck off. "You look... nice."

Eros smirked up at the blond. "Wow. You said that with no pained expression at all. I'm impressed." The brunet cleared his throat and turned back to the man in front of him. "Luke, this is Orion. His partner Hebe is around here somewhere. Orion, this is Luke-"

"His boyfriend," Luke replied, firmly gripping the man's hand.

Eros tilted his head to the side. "Boyfriend... You must excuse me, but when did we establish this? Because you told Percy and Nico that-"

Luke clamped a hand over the brunet's mouth with narrowed gaze. "Fine. Significant other."

"You're significantly something," Eros muttered as he removed Luke's hand.

Orion let out a chuckle as he stared between the two of them. "I was just talking with Eros here about a possible internship. He's shown quite an interest in fashion." He smiled and dug out his wallet, producing a card. "You should consider giving me a call when you finish at university."

Eros blinked down at the card. "I... But I am living in Berlin."

"Hebe and I have talked about expanding our business." Orion shrugged. "Perhaps when you are finished, we might have acquired a foothold near you." He took Eros' hand and kissed the back of it. "I would consider it an honor." Standing back up straight, he smiled over at Luke before taking his leave.

"Wow," Eros said, still staring down at the card.

"You can't seriously be considering that offer," Luke grumbled.

Eros stared up at Luke with wide, child-like eyes. "Why should I not?" He tilted his head to the side when Luke just glared at him. Then he seemed to catch what Luke was getting at, as the brunet chuckled. "Oh. I see. You are... jealous. Yes, jealous." He let out a sigh and pocketed the card. "It's just an offer. Calm down. I will not be going to suck his dick, if that is what he wishes to get my job."

"You'd turn it down?"

"Yes."

Luke frowned. "Why?"

"Because... I have you?" Eros seemed confused. It made Luke's heart do things that he would never repeat out loud. "I do not understand why you have any confusion. Work is work. I never planned on staying the rest of my life at the Lotus, you know." He motioned down at himself. "This is why I have been working with this. It's why I'm taking classes." Eros pouted. "And I didn't think you wanted to share me anyways."

Luke coughed and glanced around them. "What would make you think that I care?"

Eros arched a brow, smirking. "You practically crushed Orion's hand, just from small flirting." He pecked Luke on the cheek as he headed back stage. Luke followed. "And do not think that I have not heard rumors about what you do to some of the customers that come to me. I am not blind."

Luke leaned against the doorway to the dressing room Eros was using. "Can you not like... I don't know... say these things in front of others?" He asked. Eros turned and smirked at him. "I have this reputation to uphold."

"You are cute." Eros let out a breath. "Fine, fine. You are such a badass and an asshole, with no feelings whatsoever. Dead inside. Sold your heart to the devil." He worked on unbuttoning his shirt. "How is that for you?"

Luke shut the door as Eros worked on getting out of the rest of his clothes. Honestly, Luke was beyond ready to go. He did not care much for events like this. But Eros wanted to attend them. Or, as the case was tonight, participate in it. So, Luke endured. Maybe this was why Nico saw through him. Well, it was half true. Most of the people around him irritated Luke, but there were those that Luke took a liking to.

A frown touched at Luke's lips as he caught a glimpse of Eros entering the bathroom. The brunet had shut the door. It wouldn't have bothered him, really, if not for the sound of vomiting that followed a moment later. Luke bit his tongue. He didn't like listening to this. He didn't really understand why Eros did it. It wasn't really frequent. Normally, Eros just barely ate anything. But tonight they were at a dinner with everyone, so the brunet had put on an act and ate like normal. It should not have surprised Luke at all for this to be happening.

He didn't know what to do. Eros was gorgeous. Beautiful. Nearly perfect. Well, he was perfect to Luke. His body was something that even models would desire. So, Luke just did not understand why Eros still did this. He knew why the brunet had started. Family issues. Maybe Eros just hadn't worked through them yet. Maybe he needed a little push.

Without knocking, Luke threw open the door. Eros shot up from his knees and wiped at his mouth, glaring furiously. "Mais que'est-ce que tu fouts?" Then the brunet let out a huff, realizing Luke didn't understand him. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?"

"Why are you doing this?" Luke asked. "You look fine. Better than fine."

Eros continued to glare. "What would you know?" He shoved past Luke, who crashed into the sink. Eros was mad. "Don't ever come in like that again!"

"Maybe you shouldn't be doing it." Luke narrowed his eyes as he followed the brunet back into the dressing room. "It is bad for your teeth and stuff. You're already skinny. You look great. You don't need to do this to yourself."

It was rare to ever see Eros angry. Irritated, sure. Luke would never admit it, but he thought Eros was cute when he was irritated. Angry was another matter. "What does your opinion matter?" He ground out. He surprised Luke by grabbing his clothes and walking out of the room, in his underwear.

Luke chased the boy out into the hall, but he never saw Eros. There were too many people. And since they were all models, most of them were half naked as it was. Nobody was going to be turning to stare at anyone in the same condition. Luke let out a sigh. Perhaps that had not been the best approach.

It was not until the next day that Eros decided to grace Luke with his presence. The brunet had yet to say anything, but he had let Luke take him to lunch. So long as Luke paid, of course. Just to be annoying, Eros had ordered several things that stood out as the more expensive meals. Not like Eros was going to eat them anyways, Luke thought to himself.

Eros just sat there, while Luke ate. He did smack Luke's hand when the blond tried to take a bite of something Eros ordered. "C'est à moi."

Luke glared at the boy. "I don't know what you just said, but it's not like you're going to eat it."

Red surged through Eros' face. "How about I dump it all on your head?" He hissed.

Holding up his hands, Luke let out a sigh. He pushed one of the plates towards Eros. "Could you just eat something?" He frowned when Eros didn't budge. "Please?"

Grunting, Eros picked up his fork and eyed the food. Right as he was about to take a bite, a voice stopped the slender brunet cold. "Still stuffing your face, I see?" Came a woman's voice. It reminded Luke a lot of the wives of many clients that stayed at the Lotus. Too good for everyone else to even breathe their air. "If you're going to continue getting on a stage like yesterday, I wouldn't."

Eros dropped his fork with a unpleasant look on his face. He turned in his seat to stare at the woman that had approached their table. A young man that looked slightly older than Eros stood beside her. "Maybe you should ease up on the face lifts, unless you want your face to freeze in that constipated look you always have."

The woman's jaw dropped and the young man beside her clenched his fist. The blonde woman smirked and held up a hand. "Now now, Deimos." She took off her sunglasses to reveal her vivid green eyes. "Is that any way to speak to your mother after all these years?"

Luke spat out his drink. "That's your mother?"

Eros did not take his eyes off the woman. "In a loose term. Loose like her vagina."

"Watch your mouth, you piece of shit," growled Deimos. Eros' older brother had enough muscle on him to give even Luke pause. That was saying something, as Luke had been in fights with both Beckendorf and Butch. "Still look like a girl, I see. Guess I owe Dad some money."

Eros' face soured. "Is our dear father still here?" He glanced around. "I figured Mother would have divorced him by now. Or is he still loaded?" He leered at the woman. "I'm impressed you haven't bled him dry."

"Your father is away on business with Phobos. They couldn't make it to the show." The woman finally glanced at Luke and smiled. "And who is this? You may call me Venus. I was one of the designers at the show yesterday." She tapped a finger to her lips. "Were you in the show? I do feel I would recognize someone with such... exquisite features."

Eros slammed a hand down on the table, grinding his teeth together. Right as Venus was about to touch Luke, Eros snatched her by the wrist and twisted. Deimos moved forward, but Eros swiftly kicked him in the knee and then brought his own knee up to meet his brother's crotch. Venus tutted under her breath, rubbing her wrist, as Deimos fell to the ground.

"Still as hostile as ever," she sighed. Pursing her lips, she inspected the table. "Keep eating like this, and I doubt you'll be walking any more runways. Wanting to be pudgy like when you were little?"

Whoa now, Luke thought, fists clenching under the table. He tried not to hit women, but he might make an exception. This bitch, along with the rest of her family, was the reason Eros had his issues. From what Luke knew about Eros, the brunet had run away from home. After stealing a bunch of money from his parents. The kid had ended up spending the last of the money on a room at the Lotus, which was how Gaea had found him.

"I think you should leave," Luke said darkly, keeping his eyes on Eros. The boy had his lips tilted down ever so slightly. He finally cut those green eyes over at Luke, as if to tell the blond that he didn't need protection. Screw that, Luke thought. He didn't care that Eros could handle himself, Luke did not want this bitch doing any more damage to Eros than she already had. "You two should really leave. Now."

Scoffing, Venus kicked Deimos and forced him to his feet. "Tu t'es trouvé un vrai mec, Eros. Quel gâchis pour un petit cochon comme toi."

"En plus, ça se trouve que sa belle-mère va être une vrai garce. Pauvre type," Eros hissed.

When they finally left, Luke asked for the check. As they waited, he watched Eros carefully. "What did she say to you?" He asked. He needed to know what kind of damage might have just been done.

"Nothing," the brunet whispered. Bullshit. Green eyes flickered up from the table. "It isn't important." He sighed and stared down at the food before pushing it away. "Je ne vois pas pourquoi tu voudrais te casé avec moi, Luke."

"I heard my name in there."

Eros' lips slightly tilted up. The boy got up and walked around the table to throw his arms around the blond, kissing him on the cheek. "Can we just get back to the hotel? Maybe order a movie and get naked?" He grinned when Luke licked his lips. "I shall take this as a yes."

Translations(by HimekoUchia):

Mais qu'est-ce que tu fouts? [What the fuck are you doing?]

C'est à moi. [That is mine]

Tu t'es trouvé un vrai mec, Eros. Quel gâchis pour un petit cochon comme toi. [You found yourself a real man, Eros. What a waste for a piggy like you.]

En plus, ça se trouve que sa belle-mère va être une vrai garce. Pauvre type. [On top of that, his mother in law is going to be a real bitch. Poor guy.]

Je ne vois pas pourquoi tu voudrais te casé avec moi, Luke. [I don't see why you would want to settle down with me, Luke.]

Sorry for the delay in this, I meant to have it out sooner, but something came up. I'll get to that in a moment, as something new has just come up as well. There was more to this chapter, but I decided to cut some for later. It's that, with the issue of an eating disorder involved, I didn't want things resolved so easily and in one chapter. It was mentioned in the original, I know, but I don't feel one chapter in this spinoff gives the disorder the attention it deserves. Because eating disorders are not simple, they are not to take lightly. But it will not be in the next chapter. I said on tumblr that the next chapter would probably be about Will or Apollo, but I have since remembered what I had in mind for next chapter. Next chapter will be about Percy and Nico. Mostly likely told through Nico's eyes, and it will be their first trip to Italy That being said, if anyone here could possibly translate for me? I would be so grateful, but I can also manage without if nobody can. Also, I would like to take this time to point out that not all of these chapters follow in chronological order. It's just that they all fall within the three years that Nico was away at university.

Now for the bad news. As I said, something had come up. The reason this took longer than expected was because my grandmother passed away the weekend before this past one. Yesterday would have been a week since we buried her. That is why I put myself in a small hiatus. That being said, I had another family emergency develop not long ago. I have a cousin that is paralyzed from the neck down, and has been that way for sixteen years. His mother is my aunt, who just lost her mother. Today, he had to be taken to the ICU because he couldn't breathe. To keep it short, he was pronounced brain dead and they will likely take him off life support before the day ends. So it has not been an easy time for his mother, as you can tell. So I may take another small hiatus, we will see. I will be going back to House of the Wicked for my next update, and then I will be working on a huge Halloween project I have planned to write. Either way, I hope you guys understand this possible hiatus.