chapter10
Arthur sat on the park bench with his hands in his hair. He had come here for the passed week, trying to get his head together. Trying to figure out how everything was'nt going so smoothly but then in the blink of an eye got worst. This couldnt be happening. Merlin couldnt be gone. He had to be out there somewhere. But where? And what was happening to him? Was he alright? Was he happy?
Of course he's not happy. He was abused and kicked by the people he trusted most, he probaly doesnt trust anybody anymore. Arthur sighed and shook his head. He wished he had some sort of clue as to where Merlin was.
Arthur got off his seat and walked right out of the park. The blond walked towards his car, he pulled out his key and just as the key touched the car door, something caught his eye.
Arthur stared as the head of dark hair walked into the club. The blonds brows narrowed and he quickly made his way over.
"Sorry, no under 18s." A man said at the gate.
Arthur pulled out his ID and faced it at the man. "I am 18." The man moved aside and let Arthur pass.
Arthur quickly made his way inside. Maybe it was Merlin. Maybe he found him. But when Arthur walked into the club he froze, eyes wide.
This was no place for Merlin to be. Arthur thought as he watched women danceing on the tables, half naked. Men in chairs whistleing and adding dollar bills to their bras, the tables full of beer bottles.
Arthur looked around the club, that was clearly a strip club.
"Can I get you a drink sweet cheeks?"
Arthur turned to his right to see a dark haired woman with green eyes staring at him. He saw the tray the woman was holding held some drinks already and grabbed a beer. He then faced forward and continued to search for the lock of hair he was so sure was the one he needed to find.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, heres the moment you've all been waiting for."
Arthur looked towards a stage he had not noticed before. A man with long dark hair stood with a microphone and smiled to the guests.
"We all know why you came here tonight. It wasnt for the free drinks was it!"
Arthur looked around as the many people yelled a, "no!"
"Was it for the woman!"
"No!"
Arthur frowned.
"No." The man said low. "Although they are beauiful." He said smiling wide when the comment was met with cheers. The man chuckled. "Before I start, I want to ask one question, is anybody here a cop?"
Arthurs brows narrowed at the comment and the laughter coming from the crowd.
The man on stage chuckled again. "Although, i'm sure if there were cops here, they would also be bidding on our little treasure, wouldnt they?" He chuckled again. "Well, everybody get your wallets out because it's time. Thats right I said it's time for the one and only beauty, Raven!"
More, louder cheers as the curtain behind the man open.
Arthur eyes widen in shock. The beer bottle fell from his hand onto the floor crashing.
The face on stage.
The eyes.
The hands touching the body they were stuck to as slow techno music played. The hands seemed to be very... seductive, as if they were inviting all. The hands, they were trailing down the body, down, down, down...
Arthurs brows narrowed at the beauty's on stage next move, as he pulled his pants off and threw them towards the crowd who suddenly became like animals, fighting for the one piece of cloth from a young fully naked boy on stage.
Well, he wasnt fully naked.
Wait, Arthur thought way too soon. The blond quickly pulled off his jacket as the people in the crowd started cheering louder and yelling dirty words to the now fully naked boy on stage. Arthur quickly made his way over. He didnt bother taking the eight stairs that led up to the stage. He walked right towards the front where a man held up a hand, but Arthur wasnt having it.
He punched the man on the face making him fall. It seemed only a few people noticed but Arthur didnt care about who saw. He jumped onto the stage, where he quickly wrapped his jacket around Merlins fully naked bottom.
The boy, startled pulled away and gasped. He stared wide eyed as the crowd started booing, and Arthur picked him up bridal style and carried him off stage.
"Get off me!" He kicked and screamed. He pushed Arthur back with both hands and finally got to his own feet. Merlin stared angrily at the blond. "What the hell are you doing? Do you realize what you just did?" He said. "You just lost me money!"
Arthurs brows narrowed. "Money! You're too young to be thinking about making money! You should be at home right now."
Merlin scoffed. "I am home."
"Merlin! Are you alright!"
Arthur watched Merlins blue eyes turn to his left. "Yeah Cenred. I'm alright."
Cenred, the man with the long hair looked towards Arthur. "You're not suppose to touch the dancers unless you pay."
Arthurs brows narrowed. "I'm not paying to talk to Merlin. No one should be paying to do anything to Merlin."
Cenreds brows narrowed as he stared at the blond. "You're Arthur Pendragon right?"
Arthur glared at the man.
Cenred nodded. "Merlin, would you like me to kick him out?" He asked.
Merlin stood staring at Arthur and shook his head. "No." He turned to Cenred. "Trust me, put him in the back of the line, he'll still be here when I finsh with my clients. Besides, he's good for the money." Isnt that right Arthur?" Merlin turned back to the blond. "After all, those are the same words our father used when he raped me."
Arthur shut his eyes. "Merlin please. I've been searching for you, I wanted to know what really happend. I figured something wasnt right."
Cenred lay a hand on Merlins shoulder. "Anything, you call me."
Merlin nodded and smiled. "I will." He shut his eyes when Cenred kissed his cheek.
"Would you like a drink?" The man asked.
Merlin nodded. "Something strong."
Arthur watched Cenred leave, then he turned back to Merlin. "Do you realize what these people are doing to you?"
Merlin shook his head. "They're not doing anything that hasnt already been done to me." He said low and angry.
Arthur shut his eyes and took a deep breath. "Merlin please, just... tell me what I need to do to fix this. What can I do to help?"
Merlin gave a small chuckle. "Nothing. There is nothing you can do." His smile faded. "This is who I am now."
"Merlin, love. Cenred sent this over." A waitress handed Merlin a cup with a drink.
Arthurs brows narrowed and he snatched the glass. "He's not old enough to drink."
The woman looked at Merlin, who was glaring at Arthur. She smiled and turned to Arthur. "I'm never one to take Merlins drink. But if you want to, it's your funeral."
"What the h-" Arthur was caught off gaurd when Merlin punch his gut. The blond doubled over and before he knew it the cup was snatched off his hand. He stared up to see Merlin gulping down the drink.
When he was done, Merlin put the cup back on the tray and took a deep breath. "Nice Bourbon." He glanced at the woman next to him. "Me me a Coloda."
The woman smiled and nodded.
Arthurs brows narrowed. He lifted himself back up. "How long have you been drinking?"
Merlin licked his lips then crossed his arms. "Let me see, probaly since Uther stuffed a whole bottle of red wine down my throat." He said sarcastically. "I have to say I must thank him. If it wasnt for him i'd never try the stuff, and I wouldnt feel so free."
Arthur took a step forward. "Merlin you're not free. Dont you see how trapped you are? Y-"
"I'm no more trapped than when I was living with Charles and Lauren."
"Merlin please, I can help y-"
"I dont need your help." Merlin growled angrily. "And if I did, I wouldnt ask for it." Merlin grabbed Arthurs jacket from around his waist and flung it at the blond.
"Merlin?" Cenred came back. "You have a customer."
Arthurs brows narrowed. "He's busy." He growled.
Cenred chuckled. "I dont see an important paying client anywhere."
Merlin smirked, then slowly walked towards Arthur. "That is unless you're willing to pay." He brought his hands to Arthurs broad chest. "I know you're good for the money. No doubt you'll win the bid." He whispered then flicked out his tounge over thye blonds lips. "What do you say, Arthur? You dont have to wait for me to say i'm ready anymore."
Arthur tried not to look down. Terrible time for him to start getting turned on. Merlin needed help. He kept his face straight and could only stare as Cenred smiled teasingly.
Arthur was caught off gaurd when Merlin grabbed him by the shirt, turned him and pushed him backwards onto a couch.
Was that there the whole time?
Merlin stared down at Arthur. "Tell me what you want, and I can give it to you. Hm?" Merlin lay soft kisses on the light skinned face, then the pink lips. "How's that sound?"
"Merlin!" Arthur gasped. He grabbed Merlins hands that somehow ended up inside his pants. Arthur watched as a big smile spread on Merlins face. Arthur shook his head and pushed Merlin onto the other side of the couch, then quickly pushed himself off.
Merlins smile faded. "Whats the matter Arthur? Now that you cant have my virtue, you dont want me anymore?"
Arthur pointed at Merlin. "You have to stop this." He said low.
Merlin shrugged and smiled. "Thats ok. I have plenty of clients that are more than willing." He got off the couch and walked towards Cenred, who was still smiling.
Arthur tried to follow but Cenred held out his hand. "Sorry, he's working."
Arthur glared at the man. "You have a 16 year old working as a prostitute." He stated. "Thats child trafficking."
Cenred shook his head. "Wrong. Child trafficking is when you steal a child and sell them. Merlin is here all on his own. No body forced him here."
"I dont believe you." Arthur said simply.
Cenred gestered towards Merlin who was on top of some man. "Go and ask him."Cenred tilted his head when Arthur didnt move. "No? I thought so. You see, Mr. Pendragon, I rather have him here then walking the streets on his own where someone can take advantage of Merlins situation. His... vulnerable situation, and his desperate need for money. If he's here, I can simply break fingers that become too desperate or too rough. No one defys me here, no one hurts Merlin." Cenred tilted his head. "Kind of like your rich father did."
Arthurs brows narrowed more.
"Yes, Merlin told me all about that." Cenred said angrily. "And I think you should leave. I cant have you upsetting my star."
"I'm not leaving without him."
Cenred stared for a moment then snapped his fingers.
A/N: Dont worry, next chapter we learn more about Merlins situation.
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