Category: Angst, Adventure, AU, Slave/Master
Pairings: 1x2, 4x3 (eventually), 5x?
Rating: R (?)
Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.
Warnings: This story does show how a lot of people felt about the owning of slaves, a feeling that was very alive in this country not that long ago, as well as in many civilizations down through the ages. There are some good owners and some bad owners, like in everything. If someone owning another person bothers you, you might not like this fic. But then I'm not forcing anyone to read it. There are also M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.
Golden Lights Part Eleven
By SilverLady
Three hours later Quatre found himself standing near the front door of the house. He still couldn't understand why in world these people insisted on wearing so many clothes. His fingers still hurt from doing up all the buttons, hooks and ties on Trowa's clothing. He didn't even want to think about what it would take to get him back out of the costume when they got home.
He felt his cheeks suddenly heat up at that thought. He couldn't understand why the thought of taking Trowa's clothes off of him made him feel funny.
Duo was standing near him. Although his feet never moved from their place, the rest of him wasn't still. Something on Duo was constantly in motion. Quatre had learned that even asleep Duo wasn't still. Right now he was playing with the end of his braid, tangling it in his fingers and then smoothing it back out again.
Heero and Trowa were sitting on a couch a few feet away. When they had come into the room Trowa had told him to stand where he was and wait quietly. Quatre wondered just exactly what they were waiting for.
At that moment a richly dressed man walked into the room. Quatre had not seen anyone dressed in this uniform before and he wondered what he did.
"Your Lorships," the man said quietly. "The carriage is ready."
Trowa nodded slightly and rose to his feet. "Thank you." He glanced over at Quatre and inclined his head slightly, indicating that he wanted him to follow.
Quatre obediently fell into step three paces behind Trowa, making note that Duo did the same to Heero. It was the way he'd been shown to follow Trowa. Close enough to hear Trowa if he wanted anything, without Trowa needing to shout, and yet far enough back to not be in the way.
They walked outside to find, what was to Quatre, a rather strange looking carriage. For, attached to the back and facing backwards, was what looked like an extra seat.
Quatre paused, not certain what was expect of him. He noticed that Duo had stopped as well.
Immediately another uniformed man stepped forward and opened the door to the carriage. With a slight nod of his head, Trowa stepped up into the carriage. Heero followed him in. The man shut the door and stepped away from the carriage.
Duo suddenly darted forward and scrambled up into the extra seat, indicating that Quatre should follow him.
Fortunately Quatre moved fast enough, for he had barely gotten himself settled when the carriage lurched forward and they were off.
"You got to move fast," Duo whispered. "They won't wait for you. And actually we're lucky. Some people make their slaves follow along behind, like dogs or something."
Quatre blinked in surprise. He couldn't imagine anyone being able to keep up with a moving carriage. "And what happens if they don't?" Quatre whispered back. He had a feeling that they weren't to talk to loudly and distract the occupants of the carriage.
Duo simply looked at him, the expression on his face the only answer Quatre needed.
"I figured I should explain a few things on the way, especially since this is your first time. A lot of the rules that apply at home apply here. No talking to anyone unless given permission. Trowa's orders supersede everyone else's, etcetera. You have a job to do and that's why you come along. Believe me, they don't bring us so that we can enjoy ourselves."
"What kind of job?"
"You are Trowa's personal server. Even though there are other slaves that bring the food to the tables, it's your job to actually serve Trowa. You also see that his wine glass, or what ever beverage he chooses to drink, is kept full and that there is nothing he needs. You pull out his chair so that he may sit down and also when he goes to get up. You stick with him, in case he wants anything unless he tells you to wait in a specific place for him. Then you are to stay there and not move. No matter what anyone else tells you.
"You won't be asked to disrobe, since there will be ladies present and if you are don't. The only time you are to obey that command is when Trowa issues it and there are no women around." Duo gave a slight smile. "Guess they don't want to know what they're missing."
"What if somebody tries to do something you don't want them too?" Quatre had, on several occasions, been pinched, usually on the butt, by one of Trowa's guests.
"If it hasn't been cleared with Trowa you can refuse. But if Trowa gives his permission, there isn't anything you can do or say. But I don't think you have to worry about that. I doubt if Trowa will let anyone do anything."
"I won't get in trouble for refusing."
"Only for refusing Trowa."
Quatre nodded. It seemed rather simple. Just follow Trowa's orders, whatever they may be.
Duo smiled slightly. He didn't think anything would happen, since Quatre was Trowa's slave. That carried a lot of weight in the circle of people they would be with tonight.
*****
The ride to the party seemed to take a very long time to Quatre and he was more than a little sore when they did finally arrive. The seat he'd ridden in had obviously not been designed for comfort.
He wasn't sure if he was supposed to open the carriage door, but before he could move a fancily dressed man stepped forward and did so.
Duo slide up beside Quatre. "See the symbol on his shoulder?" he whispered.
Quatre nodded, making note of the patch sewn to the shoulder of the man's shirt. It looked like a stylized horse head.
"That means he a livery slave. Basically he works in the stables, tending the horses and carriages."
"Oh."
"It's his job to open the door to the carriage and to see to the safe....extraction of the people inside."
Quatre barely kept from laughing at Duo's choice of words. Some of the people he could see walking up the stairs looked as if extraction was the only way to describe how they could have gotten out of their carriages.
"Of course, he don't care how the slaves get off. That's up to them."
Trowa glanced back at them for a moment, and then started up the stairs.
"It's show time," Duo whispered, before falling into step behind Heero, who was walking up the stairs as if on a mission.
Quatre frowned as he followed Trowa. What did Duo mean by that?
*****
An hour later, Quatre understood the comment completely. How could a group of people talk to each other and not really say anything at all? There was such a complicated dance of beating around the bush going on, Quatre was amazed anyone could even remember what started a conversation.
He did notice that not a lot of people seemed to want to engage Heero for very long in any sort of small talk. After standing near him for a few minutes, he understood why. Heero didn't beat around the bush. He was blunt, almost to the point of rudeness at times.
At the moment he was glaring at some air-headed blonde that had tried to convince him to dance with her. She didn't seem to be getting the hint that Heero wasn't interested.
Just as Heero opened his mouth to say something, Trowa stepped forward. "Heero, I've been looking for you. I need you assistance in explaining several matters to Lord Andar."
Fortunately, Heero got the hint and with a slight nod at the blonde girl, turned and followed Trowa. "Why didn't you just let me tell her off?"
"Because then you would have actually spoken to her, instead of just glaring and shaking you head. You would have never gotten rid of her then."
"I would have told her exactly what I think of her."
"And she would have figured you were just playing hard to get. She is one person you don't want to give any encouragement to."
"Well, well, well. If isn't Cousin Trowa and his tag along buddy Heero Yuy. I hadn't heard you'd actually arrived or I would have greeted you sooner."
Quatre blinked in surprise at the man walking towards them. In a room full of gaudy people, he was the gaudiest. Quatre wasn't sure exactly how the man managed to walk, with all the gems and such that he was wearing.
The thing of it was, he might actually be a rather nice looking man if he hadn't been so horrible dressed. His light brown hair feathered around a face that could be called handsome, if not for the plotting look in his dark brown eyes.
It was obvious to Quatre that there was no love loss between the two cousins.
Trowa inclined his head slightly. "I knew you would get to us eventually. You do have a great many duties as host."
"Nice one," Duo mouthed behind Heero's back. Quatre smiled slightly. There was something about this man that gave him the creeps.
"Ever the diplomat, right Cousin." He glanced passed Heero at Duo. "Brought your trained killer with you, I see."
"Never leave home without him," Heero replied calmly.
"Is he really as good as they say?"
Heero gave him an odd smile. "Hope you never have to find out."
Michal laughed. There was something fake about it, as if it was too hearty for the man it was issuing from. "Touché, Heero. How about his other talents? I hear he's quite good in the bedroom as well. Jakar knew how to train them up right."
"I suppose."
"You're not going to say."
Heero shrugged. "One trained whore slave is pretty much like the next one."
Quatre blinked. He couldn't believe those words had come out of Heero's mouth. And what was even more surprising was that Duo didn't even react to them.
"Then why buy him?"
"The challenge."
Michal nodded. "I understand completely. You have managed to out live any of the others that have owned him."
"That's not true. His first owner had him for nearly nine years before he died."
Michal only looked at him for a moment. Then he turned his attention to Quatre.
Quatre could feel his skin crawl as the man looked him over. "And this is you newest toy, Cousin. I hear he's already quite loyal. I don't know too many slaves that would take a knife meant for their master."
Quatre barely managed to keep his face blank. What in the world did he mean by that?
"Yes," Trowa replied softly. "I was very fortunate."
Michal looked Quatre over again. "Very. I heard the bidding went quite high. Too bad I had other business that day. You might have had a more serious challenge for him. He is very nice."
Trowa shrugged. "That is the fates. It wasn't meant to be."
Michal laughed again "True. He looks like he's quite a ride. Is he?"
Trowa simply arched an eyebrow.
"Maybe you'll let me test him out some time. I might teach him a new trick or two."
"I don't know when I'll be getting back. It might be several months."
"Too bad. Maybe you can loan him to me for the night."
"I don't think so."
Michal shook his head. "Your loss. Might have made the ride that much more interesting."
"Quatre is fine just the way he is. I certainly don't need him learning any more tricks."
Just then a slave hurried up to them. "Your highness, Lord Nichols says that he must speak with you at once. It is on a most urgent matter."
"Things are always urgent with him." Michal looked at Trowa. "I'm sure we'll have a chance to talk again later."
"I'm sure."
Michal turned and followed the slave, grumbling under his breath about stupid old men and their problems.
Quatre couldn't contain the shudder that ran through him. He definitely did not like that man.
He glanced over at Duo, who looked at him and then at the retreating back of the Crown prince. To Quatre's surprise he made the weirdest face at the man before looking back at Quatre. He nodded slightly and frowned.
Quatre understood the silent message. Duo didn't like the man either.
Trowa sighed. "At least that is out of the way."
Heero nodded his agreement. "He's done his token duty and properly greeted his dear cousin. I doubt if you'll see him the rest of the night. Lord Nichols probably has some serving wench all tied up for him."
Trowa looked at Heero. "Tied up?"
"You don't think any of them would actually be still for him, do you?"
Trowa shook his head. "You'd best not let him hear you say that."
Heero shrugged. "I can't help it if he can't accept the truth. The only thing that gets him attention is the fact that these people want to kiss up to the Crown Prince."
Trowa simply shook his head again. He knew there was no need to encourage Heero.
*****
Quatre stood quietly in the deserted hall. Trowa had told him to wait here while he went into the bathroom. It seemed that slave were not to soil the room with their presence.
"If it isn't Cousin Trowa's little slave boy. Where's the master, boy?"
Quatre continued to look straight ahead.
Suddenly Michal was standing in front of him. "Such a good little slave boy. I bet you do everything your dear master tells you too, don't you?" There was a slur to Michal's speech that indicated to Quatre that he'd been drinking heavily for the past few hours.
Quatre tried to keep the revulsion he felt for this man off his face. It wouldn't do to get him angry.
Michal reached out and snatched Quatre's arm. "Did you know that Trowa and I share everything?" There was an odd emphasis on the everything.
Quatre remained still, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.
Michal smiled at the feel of the racing pulse beneath his fingers. "I knew you'd want this. You're a very smart boy. Play your cards right and please me and I'll see that you are mine."
Quatre hid the frown he felt. He wasn't sure what the man was talking about.
Suddenly, Michal jerked him into a darkened corner and pressed his lips to Quatre's.
Now, Quatre was scared. Trying to free his mouth enough to shout for help, he struggled in the man's arms.
Michal's grip tightened. "You are a very good kisser," he slurred when he finally pulled away.
Before Quatre could make any noise, Michal was dragging him out through an open door and into the garden beyond. As Quatre opened his mouth to shout, Michal clamped his hand across it. "Not one noise," he hissed in Quatre's ear, suddenly sounding very sober. "Or I will make you regret it. What I want, I get. And tonight, it's you. I can't wait to test out that hot little ass of yours. I bet you give my dear cousin quite a ride. Well, now I'm going to show you how a real expert rides."
After a moment, Quatre found himself in a remote part of the garden. Michal seemed pleased with the location as he nodded to himself.
With a dark laugh, Michal grabbed at Quatre's shirt, ripping it open even as he forced the blonde to his knees in front of him. This position brought Quatre at eye level with Michal's groin and his very obvious erection.
Suddenly, Quatre understood what Michal meant by ride. He struggled to stand, not wanting this to go any farther.
Michal only laughed and shoved him backwards. Caught off guard, Quatre fell on his back, finding himself staring up at the leering man. "Very nice," Michal growled. Reaching down, he ripped Quatre's pants off. "Very nice indeed."
Quatre went to cover himself, but Michal was faster. Grabbing Quatre's wrists in one hand, he forced the blonde's arms above his head. "No fair, hiding this fine piece of work," Michal chided, reaching down to take Quatre's penis in his hand. "Has my cousin let you use it on him, or does he prefer that sweet ass?"
Quatre didn't reply as he struggled to escape the man's grip. Suddenly pain flared through his wrists and groin as Michal tightened his grip.
This time Quatre did cry out, a high-pitched wail that split the darkness.
Michal laughed. "Scream all you want. The sounds of the party will cover any noise you make. In fact, I want to hear you scream as I take you." He released his grip on Quatre's penis and ran his hand down across Quatre's buttocks.
Quatre arched his back and screamed as a thick finger suddenly shoved its way passed the tight ring of muscle that guarded the entrance to his body.
Michal leered down into his face. "Very tight. If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were still a virgin."
Quatre sobbed, trying to escape the invading finger. After barely a moment a second and then a third finger were roughly added. The pain that shot up his body from his abused opening had Quatre screaming continuously now.
After a moment or two the fingers were removed, but before Quatre could even register that fact he felt a weight pressing down on him, forcing his legs to spread apart. He opened his eyes to find himself staring into Michal's glazed expression. "I like watching."
Quatre could feel something infinitely larger that the fingers that had so recently invaded his body pressing against him. There was also a great deal of moisture slideing down the crack in his butt.
"NO!" he shrieked, struggling to keep this new invader out.
Just as he felt himself begin to give way beneath the onslaught, the weight was abruptly gone. With a pained moan, Quatre curled up into a tiny ball.
He didn't see the thick, brown colored rope that was wrapped around Michal's throat. Michal clawed frantically at the rope, barely registering that this rope was really a thick braid of hair.
Duo tightened his grip. When Trowa had come back and reported that Quatre had wandered off, Duo'd had a bad feeling. Following his instincts he'd headed for the gardens, the most private place on the estate. As soon as he'd gotten away from the noise of the party he'd heard the anguished wail. Following the screams, he'd come across a scene that had infuriated him.
At the sight of Michal trying to force his way into Quatre's body, while Quatre had struggled to keep him out Duo had just reacted. Using the first available weapon, his long braid of hair, he'd simply wrapped it around Michal's throat and pulled.
Duo barely registered the gasping breaths or the frantic fingers, as he pulled even tighter. He didn't even notice that Michal's eyes were practically bulging from their sockets as he struggled to draw a breath.
"Duo let him go." Heero's calm voice suddenly cut through the darkness.
"No," Duo replied.
Heero moved forward to put his hand on Duo's shoulder. "Duo let him go. He's not worth it."
Duo looked up at Heero. "He was going to...."
Calm blue eyes looked back at him, full of understanding. "I know. Let him go."
Reluctantly, Duo released his grip on his braid. He continued to look at Heero, not paying any attention to Michal as he fell forward onto his hands and knees, coughing and choking as his lungs labored to draw in air.
"He'll pay for that," Michal gasped out after a moment.
Heero glared at the other man. "Just try it. I wonder what you're punishment will be, for attempting to rape another man's slave?"
Michal glared back. "He was asking for it."
"Doesn't matter. His master didn't give his permission. I'd say that they'll figure Duo had every right to stop you in the manner he saw fit." He smirked. "Just be glad he didn't break your stupid neck. Next time he just might."
An odd noise drew Heero's attention away from the prostrate prince. Duo was trying to comfort the nearly hysterical Quatre.
"It's all right, Quatre. He won't hurt you now. It's just me. It's Duo. I won't hurt you." Over and over Duo muttered gentle words, trying to calm the blonde down.
"NO!" Quatre cried over and over, curling up into a tighter ball and rocking back and forth. His heart-rending sobs tore through the night air.
Heero moved forward, pulling off his cloak to hand it to Duo. "Cover him up."
Duo took the offered cloak and tried to wrap it around Quatre. It took several tries, but finally he succeeded.
Heero studied the scene for a moment before kneeling down beside the young boy. With a quick move, he suddenly pressed two fingers into the back of Quatre's neck.
Without a noise, Quatre abruptly sank into unconsciousness.
Duo glared at Heero. "That wasn't necessary."
"We need to get him home, now. It was the fastest way to go about it. You carry him. I'll get Trowa and the carriage."
"What about him?" Duo practically spat out the words.
"Don't worry about him. I'm sure he'll come up with something."
Duo started to say something, then fell silent. Gently, he picked up the still boy and headed for the front of the house. There was no way he was going to carry Quatre through that crowd of vultures. They'd enjoy the show too much.
Heero watched Duo leave. "I don't think I have to warn you what will happen if you try and make an issue out of this. Good night."
With one last disgusted glance at the prostrate man, Heero turned and headed for the house.
*****
Trowa didn't even jump when Heero suddenly materialized next to him. "Find him?"
"Yes. Duo's taking him out front. It's time to leave."
Trowa turned at the flat tone in Heero's voice. "What happened?"
"Your dear cousin tried to rape him. If Duo had been a few seconds slower, he would have succeeded."
Trowa's eye glittered angrily. "Where?"
"He's still getting his act together. Almost being choked to death is not a good thing. Duo lived up to his reputation tonight. I almost didn't persuade him to let him go. Not that I wouldn't mind killing the bastard myself, but as I told Duo, he isn't worth it."
"I'll..."
Heero grabbed Trowa's elbow and started to lead him from the room. "Now is not the time to deal with him. His day will come. Right now, you have a very upset young man who needs to be taken home."
Trowa started moving faster towards the door. "Is he all right, otherwise?"
"I saw some blood. I'd say Michal did something to him, I just don't know what. Why don't you let Doc check him out."
Trowa nodded as he stepped outside. This time his cousin had gone too far.