Chapter 7: Humiliated

Add whistled as he sat down on his chair and typed away on his computer.

"How did the date go?" Elsword asked trying to sound nonchalant.

Add swung around. "Nice. I've almost got her wrapped around my finger. When it's the right time, I'm going to seal the deal with a signed contract alliance," Add replied with vigor.

It had been about three months since the death of Adam. Eve became the new mayor of the town. This in return caused more illegal activity to happen behind the scenes. While Add and Elsword kept their own wares safe, others were suffering from the White Wolves' attacks. Add's own fortune grew and they were no longer near the red line.

"...Now to deal with the Haans. Since they are suffering from the White Wolves, I asked if we could come to an... understanding so they would stop fucking ripping us off. We're going to meet with them at night, nine sharp," Add seethed.

Elsword grinned. He was glad that Add was feeling better and happy. But then, why couldn't he stop a strange feeling prickling his heart? 'It's not him...remember that...he's not him...' Elsword would often think to himself. Other than that, he became more comfortable and care free like he used to be. His old memories smoldered rather than blazed within his mind.

/-/-

"If anything...I would have loved to not meet here," Add murmured as they stopped in front of a strip club. "Like come on, even a bar would have been better."

The bright neon lights caused Elsword to be uncomfortable. He hated places like this. He followed Add through the doors. There was a mixture of men and woman enjoying the show up front of two ladies and a man dancing around poles. It smelled strange and Elsword couldn't quite put his finger on what the exact smell was.

Ara Haan sat in the front at the very corner. She waved to them and they sat down. Next, she flagged a waiter to bring drinks to which Add and Elsword declined. "Don't get me wrong. We can perfectly defend ourselves. It's just too bothersome," Ara said as she took a sip out of her small cup of vodka. She wore seductive clothing revealing her cleavage. Her orange eyes shone with mischief and her dark hair was as mysterious as her motives.

"I want fair trade in exchange for our services," Add stated. "I know you rip off a lot of our vendors."

Ara took out a thin smoke pipe but before she could light it herself, Elsword lit it. "...Sorry...habit..." Elsword mumbled. He felt embarrassed. She took in a long drag and looked him over. A smile crept on her lips.

"I'll tell my people to stop...and I'll add two shipments of our goods..." Ara said. She then pointed to Add. "If you get up there and dance."

Add's brows furrowed. "The hell? It's not worth it. Come, Elsword we're leaving," Add spat without a second thought.

"I'll also add five tons of...Drabaki." Ara twirled the pipe in her fingers. She knew she had him. Drabaki was a type of special plant that grew every ten years. The Haans had been cultivating it throughout their history and lifetime. It had a unique and rich flavor that no other herb could produce.

Add clenched his fist. With that, he could make a new limited edition sublime liquor that was sure to skyrocket off the charts. He sighed. "...Fine, I'll—"

Elsword stopped him. "No boss. Don't do it. You need to maintain your dignity," Elsword interjected. He then stared at Ara. "...I'll do it...will you allow that?"

Ara smirked. "Sure. Entertain me~," she sang.

"Wait Els—" Add tried to stop him but Elsword was already going up stage.

An employee escorted him backstage and handed him a tight leather provocative one-piece suit. Elsword's hands trembled as he took the suit. He gritted his teeth to stop himself from wanting to cry. 'It's for Add...' he thought. Wearing something like this and performing in front of people...he never thought he would have to do it again. Reluctant, he stripped and wore the suit. It felt uncomfortable and didn't cover his tummy, back, and legs. He was also given long heel boots and gloves. He began to sweat as he headed towards the front stage.

The performers had cleared the stage. His heart pulsed as fast as a sewing machine. '...Just clear your head...' A dull look passed over his eyes as he walked towards the pole and began. These movements, these strides, were all a routine, a routine that that person liked. Gloves came off as well as boots. The crowd cheered him on as he leaned far back while holding onto the pole, lifting a single arm into the air as if he were reaching for salvation from this hell. For a while, Add was memorized. Elsword's movements were so fluid and seductive. It was as if Elsword had done this before...countless of times. But when he saw Elsword's face, he bit his lip and marched onto to the stage. This wasn't right...how the hell could he have let him do that? This was just...

"That's enough..." Add said as he grabbed Elsword's wrist before he could strip off the suit. People booed in the audience.

"Huh?" Elsword mumbled as he snapped out of it. When he looked down on himself, he couldn't help but to feel ashamed. He wanted to cry.

Add took off his jacket and placed it around Elsword's shoulders. He then retrieved Elsword's clothes. "We're getting out of here." Placing an arm around Elsword's shoulder, he brought him close to him. Elsword could smell Add's light scented cologne. He didn't even want to look at anyone so he buried his face into Add's side until they reached outside.

"You don't care about the deal?" Ara called behind them. "Tell you what. Let me buy that boy off of you and we'll make a full alliance pact." A twinkle of lust sparkled in her eye.

Add paused but didn't even turn around. "FUCK YOU AND YOUR DEAL! He was humiliated..." His voice was dark and scary. Elsword felt Add's grip on him tightened. "What the hell do you think people are?! People aren't property to be bought or sold! SCREW YOU!" He escorted Elsword into the back of the car, fuming, along with his clothes so he could put them back on. Then, he drove away from that godforsaken place.

It wasn't until a while that Add calmed down. He glanced up in the mirror. Elsword hadn't moved. He clutched Add's jacket tight. Tears streamed down his face. He couldn't hold it in any longer. Add halted the car on the side of the street and got out. He then got into the back seat. "Why would you go so far for me?...I'm sorry. I should have forcibly said no," Add said.

"...It's not your fault...I..." Elsword began but he couldn't finish. Add hesitated but then brought him into a warm hug. Elsword's eyes widened and he returned it, clutching Add's back as if he were falling. He breathed out a word that slipped out unconscious. "...Ain..." The word held so much sorrow and heaviness. Elsword then realized he said the wrong name. "...I mean...sorry...Add...I'm sorry..." 'This isn't good...I can't...I mustn't...but I think...I think I've fell for you...but...you're not him...yet I...'

'Ain...?' Add thought. What was that supposed to mean? Was it a person's name? Did Elsword not say a full word? Was something called that? Add picked up Elsword's pants. "Stop apologizing and put at least your pants on. It's cold." He was hesitant but he untied the suit. A red flush ran across Elsword's face but he didn't protest as Add slipped it off. 'He's...looks so thin, frail, and vulnerable...' Add then, since he was up close, noticed that Elsword had many burn marks across his skin. There were long lined scars as well. However, he didn't press on it. Instead, he wondered if Elsword experienced the same things he did. He helped Elsword put on his boxers and pants. Once he did that he got out and started the car again.

The warmth lingered on Elsword's skin. He desired to feel it once more. "...Thanks...Add."

Add didn't dismiss the thanks this time but he didn't acknowledge it either. "...Rest up when we get home."

Add felt guilty. The guilt tugged on him hard as if were trying to win at tug a war. Those kinds of things...he didn't want to remember...he didn't want to live through that again...and he sure didn't want anyone else going through it.

Notes: Elsword is thinking about two people from his past. It'll be revealed later who the other person is and it will be clear which person did what.

I'm not sure how those places actually work so sorry if inaccurate ;u;