Viktor watched apprehensively as Yuuri turned the rotary dial to connect with operator. He was still worried for him, praying that he didn't still feel guilty. There was no way that Yuuri could have known even such an act as making eye contact with a human guest for too long could result in such a punishment. It really was Viktor's own fault… He had been clearly instructed not to interact with the partygoers unless they directly ordered him to do something.

Viktor thought back to his nights strumming the harp until he had blisters on his fingers and smiling until his cheeks ached. Maybe he'd been less of a burden then. More useful. Although he did chores for Yuuri around the house, he still felt like he didn't deserve a thing that Yuuri so generously bestowed upon him. He tried so hard to shake the mindset away, but it was exceedingly difficult.

Viktor suddenly heard something that made his body turn as rigid as a corpse. That rough, sickeningly familiar voice. It seeped into his bones like venom and he wanted it out, out, out of his system. The last time he'd heard that voice, it had been jeering at him as he stared horrified at the stump where his finger used to be, now bleeding profusely. As a man dragged him away, his old master had said one last thing to him.

"Since you seem to lust after humans so much, the brothel will be like a dream come true." That sentence, harsh and cruel, echoed back into Viktor's mind as if it had just been said to him. Goosebumps popped up all over Viktor's ghostly pale skin. Yuuri was speaking to Augustus in a measured, careful tone that barely concealed his fury and animosity.

"I was wondering if you would be willing to negotiate for the sale of your slave, Christophe? I saw him perform at an event recently and I was impressed by his skill."

A crackly, humorless laugh was heard from the other side of the call. Panic rolled through Viktor.

"I can't sell that one, it's the only one that I have left."

Viktor felt his loathing coil up in his belly like a snake preparing to strike. He despised how quickly his heart was beating out of fear. Yuuri looked over with worry in his eyes. He reached out to touch him, but Viktor flinched away as an reflex, anticipating punishment. Hurt and concern flashed in Yuuri's eyes, and he quickly pulled his hand back to his chest.

Queasy guilt pooled in Viktor's belly for his instinctual action, but he wasn't sure how to remedy what he had done. He offered a silent apology to Yuuri. Yuuri sighed, collecting himself once more.

"Surely you'd be open to striking a deal? Money is no object."

An ominous quiet followed.

"When did you say you saw my fairy again?"

Viktor saw Yuuri swallow, saw his muscles tense up.

"A few weeks ago, I believe." His tone had an edge of uncertainty.

"I have not rented him out in months," Augustus replied coldly. He was certainly suspicious.

Yuuri laughed nervously.

"I could be wrong, how time does fly by-"

"Why do you really want the fairy?" Augustus asked with a bite of menace, sharp like a shovel being driven into the earth. Yuuri's eyes widened slightly, and Viktor shivered in fear.

"As I said before, I want him so that he can perform for me."

"Perform what?"

Viktor hastily mouthed "dance" and moved his fingers to imitate graceful legs.

"I want to see him dance," Yuuri explained a little too quickly.

"Interesting."

With bated breath, the pair of them waited to see if their efforts had been enough to convince Augustus. Would Augustus' love of money persuade him to sell Chris?

"Do you want to know what I think?" he continued sharply.

"Wh-what do you think?"

Viktor could hear his heartbeat as the blood pumped thickly in his ears.

"I think that you're the man that bought Viktor. I heard about what happened. Word gets around, you see."

Viktor was paralyzed in fright.

"Who is Viktor?" Yuuri tried, but the waver in his voice betrayed him.

Augustus let out a "hm."

"Well, you can tell that useless creature that I actually sold his precious Christophe not long after I got rid of him. People weren't renting him out anymore, and I assumed that it was due to the fact that his performance was becoming lackluster. He cost more to take care of than he was worth."

Stinging tears bit the corners of Viktor's eyes. The truth that had just been revealed had not truly sunk in yet. Christophe, the one who had kept him sane all of those years. The one who gave him comfort, who he confided in. His dear friend, sold-

"Who- Who did you sell him to?" Yuuri questioned, face pale and hand gripping the receiver tightly. The other was curled into a fist at his side.

"I- I," Augustus mocked derisively. "I'm not telling you. If you want the fairy that badly, seek him out yourself." His tone held callous amusement. There was a click, and then Yuuri slowly hung up the phone.

Viktor felt so hollow, so hopeless. What if he never saw Christophe again? His wings drooped as if they had weights attached to them, and he looked blankly ahead. He shouldn't have allowed the seed of hope to sprout. Christophe could be anywhere right now. He could be in another country. He could be dead.

Yuuri stepped closer, and again Viktor instinctively shrunk back in the chair with the memory of his old master fresh in his mind.

"Viktor," Yuuri said. Softly. Sadly. Viktor inhaled and exhaled, trying to relax his muscles. Yuuri carefully outstretched his arms.

Viktor stared at him for a moment, but then found himself standing up and embracing Yuuri. Yuuri was so warm and solid and real in his arms. He smelled like sweet rolls, and his hair was soft as it tickled against his cheek and chin. Viktor gasped lightly when he felt strong arms encircle his waist and hold him tightly.

There, being held by Yuuri, Viktor was able to calm down more. He needed his comfort. He felt so safe, like Augustus and Seamus and all the others couldn't harm him as long as Yuuri was there. He closed his eyes, which allowed some wayward tears to fall. Yuuri must have felt a drop of water land on him, because he looked up.

His spectacles were still off, his eyes unaltered by a wall of glass. Beautiful eyes, so tender and kind. He unhooked an arm from around Viktor's waist so that he could brush away the tears.

"We'll find him. I'll do everything I can." He looked so sincere, so earnest and determined, that Viktor started to believe him. But if he allowed himself any sliver of hope, then it was liable to be crushed like a beetle. But he couldn't help it.

Viktor wanted so desperately for Christophe to be alive and safe. Maybe, just maybe Yuuri would succeed and they could be reunited again.

It was even more torturous now to know that Chris could be anywhere. At least before, he thought that Chris was in Augustus' basement. Now...Viktor's grief wanted to stifle him. His belly did a lurch and he suddenly felt quite ill. Why did he feel sick so easily? Why was he so delicate?

He tried to mask his feelings, but his mind was too preoccupied to put up the carefully executed facade that he had presented so often in the past.

"Viktor?"

Viktor looked down at his feet.

"May I carry you to your room?"

Viktor's lips parted in surprise.

"Oh?" he replied. Yuuri's face colored.

"I mean, only if that's alright with you, of course."

The words to tell Yuuri that it wasn't proper for a master to carry their slave were on the tip of Viktor's tongue, but then he searched his own soul and found that he wanted Yuuri to pick him up. He wanted to be cradled in Yuuri's arms and comforted, even though that was selfish of him.

"Yes," he said simply, accompanied by a tired smile.