"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
-Fredrick Nietzsche
When James awoke Le Chiffre was already gone, God only knew how long ago he had left. James had a few run ins with Mathis and Dimitrios but nothing serious. James had found himself looking forward to the fencing match, it made a change from the quiet learning throughout his day.
When the last bell finally sounded James packed up his things and made his way quickly to the fencing piste only to be stopped by Dimitrios half way through the door to yet another huge hall.
"You lost Jane?" There was a snigger in his voice.
"No. I'm not." Pleased with himself James barged past him and close enough to see Le Chiffre and Mathis preparing to do battle. Dimitrios seemed to preoccupied with helping Mathis to take another shot at James, thankfully. Bond felt out of place at the match despite the whole school and staff being there. M and Mr Leiter stood across from most of the students with Villiers and Professor Lynd on their sides. Professor Mollaka was next to Lynd looking as deranged as he always did, with a few other unknown Professors gathered by him. Mr White, who had gone unnoticed stepped into the piste and just like the fencing master he was said. "On guard. Ready? Fence." He backed off of the piste with a stupid smile while Le Chiffre proceeded to dominate the game. The two seemed to dance along the piste, the only sounds being the clink of blade against blade and the slow breaths of the students.
James had never really fenced before and didn't know how long the match was meant to last but guest it had been about ten minuets including the two small breaks. Le Chiffre had won with Mathis not making a single touch on Le Chiffre. Fencing truly was his sport. The students applauded after M said something about a good match and congratulated Le Chiffre, then began to filter out the hall. James had to wait until the Professors and most of the students had left before he got anywhere near the large open door, he wanted to avoid Mathis and Dimitrios but that wasn't going to happen. Mathis had been defeated and wanted to take it out on someone, he was too scared of Le Chiffre to try it with him so James would have to do. Dimitrios grabbed Bond by the shoulders and spun him around to face them.
"You think your special Jane? Hmm? You got a thing for Le Chiffre is that it? That why you have a big fag grin on your face?" Mathis spat, James had no idea he had been smiling, let alone at Le Chiffre.
"Just go away." He sighed just wanting to go back to his room. His solitude as Le Chiffre put it.
"Oh denial is the clincher, you do want to be Le Chiffre's bitch." Mathis and Dimitrios burst out laughing. Please just shut up. James wanted to say but he knew it would only make matters worse. Mathis ceased laughing and pushed James backwards. "Maybe we should write 'Little Bitch' on your forehead hmm? No no no I have it, 'Property of Le Chiffre' that's better." Dimitrios suddenly fell silent leaving Mathis giggling away.
"I must warn you Mr Mathis that I do not take kindly to people being treated in such a derogatory way." Mathis fell silent. James looked up to see Le Chiffre and the same brute towering over Mathis and Dimitrios.
"It will stop." His accent was thick and powerful almost booming. Dimitrios had since backed away from Le Chiffre fear in his eyes. Mathis turned and nodded a tiny nod that nearly didn't exist. Le Chiffre snapped his fingers towards the door indicating that the two bullies should leave, they did. They ran away with their tails between their legs, Le Chiffre had put the fear of God into them with only a few words.
"Kratt find Carlos and Obanno, they owe me money." The brute hummed in acknowledgement and left the room.
"Thank you Le Chiffre."
"I hate the homophobic, they push their own insecurities onto others. Its a childish action."
"Still thank you."
"You are welcome."
"Is there anything I can do to say thank you?"
"Chess, lets play chess. I can improve your game." He wants to play chess with me again. Maybe he just hates bad chess players. Le Chiffre walked away holding his foil, James followed without question.
XXXX
They had played three games before it went dark and then another two. Le Chiffre won every game of course but he made it clear that James was improving. "Well done James, at this rate I will have someone half descent to play against."
"You would still win."
"Of course, but that is not the fun. The fun is a challenge."
"So you are a chess thrill seeker?" Le Chiffre chuckled causing James to smirk.
"I have been called worse." James' smile faded, he bit his lip for a second and then spoke.
"Your...your eye." Cautiously he gestured to Le Chiffre's blood tear. He dotted it away and took a breath from his silver inhaler.
"Thank you, sometimes I do not notice." James felt brave hearing his roommates thanks.
"Can...can I ask what happened to your eye?" The room fell into a state of quiet as if Le Chiffre was remembering something painful.
"It was a car crash, I was eight. My father hasn't got the most legal of professions so it was often just me and my mother. I don't remember where we had been going but somehow she lost control. Next thing I knew...the car was upside down, I could only see out one eye and my mother was dead. Simple as that."
"I'm sorry Le Chiffre, I know how hard it is. My mother died six months ago, cancer, my father sent me here so he didn't have to deal with me." James felt tears well in his eyes. "I think I will turn in." He didn't want to cry in front of Le Chiffre.
"Goodnight James, my condolences."
XXXX
Bond had held his tears in long enough, he could do it no more. With darkness as the only thing to mask his tears James let himself cry. Bond faced the wall with his arms wrapped around his chest, there was a rustling and then Le Chiffre stood. James tried to hold back his tears remembering what he had been told the past two nights. Bond expected pain or yelling but it never came instead something strange happened. Le Chiffre lay down on James' bed and lay one arm over him while the other bent to prop himself up. James found his back being pressed into Le Chiffre's chest, it was warm and surprisingly nice. Very nice. The two didn't speak Le Chiffre just stroked Bond's hair until he fell into a calm dreamless sleep.