AN: Hello all! Another long wait between chapters because I've been busy with my coursework, sorry! Also, this is a shorter chapter, but we get to meet some more characters which is fun. If you are here just for the smut, no worries we have more of that coming up in the next chapter. Meanwhile, enjoy some Warblers!
Kurt woke up the next morning after a fitful sleep with his stomach feeling like an empty hole. He was so hungry. His nerves had kept him from eating much of anything the day before and then after the physical and emotional strain of his first... client, Kurt was left feeling ravenous. Kurt sat up in bed arm across his stomach and bare feet on the cool concrete flooring of his quarters.
His first client. Visions of sex with Walter has been a big part of what kept him awake last night. The sweat, the moans, the memory of a stranger's warm body over his own. That and the knowledge that he was going to have to go through the same thing, with someone new, again tonight.
Oh yeah, now he remembered why food wasn't that appetizing.
He went to his closet and picked out something to wear for the day, something of his, something that he felt like himself in. Before he had to change for the Carousel at least, he was going to be as much of his own person as he could. He picked out a high collared shirt, a thick gray vest, pants to match and a belt that slung over the vest like a holster. His clothing was his only armor now and he was going to wear it well.
He was gathering a few things to go back to the locker room to brush his teeth and style his hair when there was a soft knock on the door. His brow furrowed in concern. There wasn't really anyone here he wanted to see right now, but he answered the door anyway. A young man wearing a black shirt and black pants stood on the other side, his head bowed towards the floor. It wasn't the same abrupt "Shadow" from the evening before, but he knew it was one of the quite background people that seemed to keep this place running.
"Yes?" Kurt asked his muscles tightening never knowing what was coming next in this place.
"Good morning." The man had a soft-spoken voice and he continued to stare at his black nondescript shoes, "I'm just here to see if you need anything and to show you to the dining hall if you wanted breakfast before your routine today."
At the mention of breakfast Kurt's stomach growled and he thought he saw the Shadow's lips turn up in a slight smile for a fraction of a second. "Um.. yeah. Breakfast would be good. Do I have time to freshen up first?"
The man nodded.
"And.. um. What is my routine? What does that mean?.
The man finally looked up from the ground but didn't meet Kurt's eyes. "Sebastian didn't tell you what your days would be like here?"
Kurt's throat felt suddenly dry, "No." Should he be worried?
A deep furrow formed between the young man's thick eyebrows. "Oh. He must… not like you."
"Yeah, that's what I keep hearing," Kurt said with an exasperated sigh. "So why don't you tell me on the way to the locker room?"
The man nodded again and as Kurt exited his room he realized he recognized him from yesterday. He was one of the people who was helping Marley and then walked Kurt to the Carousel when the time came. Kurt hoped he would have this man as his Shadow more often than the terse man he had last night. Scared and shy wasn't a great companion, but it was better than a guide t who seemed to hate doing what he did.
On the way, the man explained that the ponies were kept busy during the day. Meal times were set, they had strict nutrition requirements, there were workout sessions in the morning and afternoon, semi-regular spa appointments to keep them well-groomed, at least an hour outside in the courtyard on most days and then some free time with the other ponies in the library. It sounded a little bit like a posh white-collar prison regiment to Kurt, but at least the employees' health was a top priority to Pantone, even if it was for pecuniary reasons.
"So I'll get to know the other employees pretty well?" Kurt asked finishing up his hair and checking his reflection in the mirror. He wasn't used to the new haircut and he hadn't decided if he liked the lighter color of his hair. Though it made him look younger, which he supposed was the point.
"You'll get to know the other ponies well if you want. Some prefer to keep to themselves."
"I prefer to make friends," Kurt said turning from the mirror to his Shadow. " Marley suggested I try not to make it through the next few months alone."
The man nodded. His default response if not asked a question that required speaking.
"Do you know the other… ponies?" Kurt grimaced, he hated the term, "Maybe you could give me the low down. Who is friendly. Who to steer clear of. I'm already on Sebastian's bad side I don't want to offend anyone else."
"The thing with Sebastian isn't your fault." The Shadow's voice had a bitter edge to it that Kurt was surprised to hear.
"No, but I have to deal with it."
The man nodded again. "Wes and David." He bit his lip and looked to the tiled floor of the locker room as if it was fascinating in some way, "they've been here longest and are well liked."
"David? Tall, dark, and handsome?"
Blaine looked up in surprise.
"I think I met him in the shower last night," Kurt's thoughts drifted back to the wounds on David's back, he shook his head trying to get that image out of his mind.
"Yes."
"Okay, good. Who else?" Kurt asked as the started towards the door.
"Thad is nice enough," The Shadow said as he led him down a hallway to the dining room, "But isn't interested in making friends while here."
"Good to know."
Kurt's Shadow started to smile a little, evidently happy to help Kurt. "Um… Elliot is a favorite. With the ponies and with the clients. He can be a little moody."
They reached a doorway and Kurt could smell delicious food and hear voices beyond the door.
"And what about you?" Kurt said hand on the door.
"I'll be here to escort you around until you get your routine memorized. And I'm here to help you in the evenings and after the Carousel, if you need anything at all."
"That's very nice to hear, but I mean who are you?" Kurt smiled, he didn't know anything about the people who worked for Pantone, how did you even end up with this kind of job? Than again Kurt ended up here. If this quite young man was going to be following him around and helping him out, Kurt wanted to get to know him. He held out his hand to the stranger, "Hi. I'm Kurt."
The young man blinked owlishly at Kurt's outstretched hand and then slowly looked up at Kurt's face, but not quite his eyes. "People don't usually ask me that."
Kurt quirked an eyebrow, "But you do have a name?"
"Um… yes." He lifted his hand and shook Kurt's, finally meeting his eyes for the briefest of moments. "Hi. I'm Blaine."
"It's nice to meet you, Blaine," Kurt said smiling and pushing the dining room door open. "Are you joining us for breakfast?"
Blaine shook his head quickly looking down again. "No, but I'll be here after you are done."
"Okay." Kurt smiled at him hoping to show Blaine he didn't need to be scared, but he wasn't even sure if Blaine saw it. Then Kurt squared his shoulders and entered the dining room, time to find out what life at the Carousel was really like.
The room was already full of young men eating and talking and laughing. It was set up cafeteria style with a line for food and more black-clad workers serving. He grabbed a tray and took a deep breath enjoying the scent of bacon and eggs and pancakes.
"New pony!" The first server said calling down the line. "Remember his restrictions."
"Restrictions? Kurt asked looking at the bacon and licking his lips.
"Each pony has dietary restrictions catered to them. To keep them in the best possible shape."
"Sounds good," Kurt said trying to keep his mood up. "So can I have bacon?"
"No." The woman deadpanned. "Greek yogurt with steel-cut oats, your choice of fruit and water."
"Okay…" Kurt looked at all the food he was being denied and wondered if this was a normal restriction or more of Sebastian's distaste for him. He wasn't even getting a hot breakfast.
"What about coffee?"
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Well… I was told no juice or milk."
"So then… coffee?" Kurt smiled hoping to win her over.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. Fine."
Soon Kurt had a tray with yogurt with oats and blueberries and a strong cup of coffee. All in all, not a bad breakfast. Sebastian may be petty be he couldn't starve Kurt. It would be bad for business.
Kurt stood with his tray and looked out at the dining room. Suddenly he felt like he was in high school again, sneaking off to eat in the library alone. He was an adult now though, and much more sure of himself. Besides these men were in the same boat he was, he needed to make friends.
There was only eleven of them. Two or three to a table. One dark-haired man sitting by himself. Kurt almost went to him, but then worried that he wanted to be alone. Finally, the man Kurt had met last night looked up and saw him.
"Come on new guy. Sit here." He said pulling out a chair next to him.
Kurt smiled in relief and quickly joined him at the table. David was all smiles this morning chopping down on some scrambled eggs and bacon, no trace that last night may have been rough on him.
"Wes," David said looking at the other person at the table. "This is the new pony, Kurt. Kurt, this is the old dog, Wes."
Wes nodded at Kurt with a small smile, "Old dog?"
"You've been here the longest," David said. "He just got here, teach him oh wise one!"
Wes rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Welcome to the Carousel, Kurt," Wes had thick dark hair, tan skin and though he wasn't smiling there was something kind about his eyes. Kurt was instantly inclined to like him. His voice was monotone though, leaving Kurt wondering how heartfelt the welcome was.
"Thank you?" Kurt wasn't sure how to respond to Wes' less than jovial tone.
"Yeah. He was being sarcastic." Another person spoke up as an athletic-looking man with light hair pulled up a chair and sat in it backward as he joined them, tray left on another table, clearly done with breakfast. "I'm Jeff." He sad with a winning smile. "The Carousel is the worst. It is going to suck the soul right out of you."
"Jeff." Wes' voice was scolding. "Look at him, he's scared enough."
That surprised Kurt, he'd tried to smile a lot this morning, tried to show he wasn't afraid. Though, the truth was his stomach felt hollow and his hands were a little shaky. He must not be fooling anyone.
"Sorry." Jeff's grin faded, "I was just teasing new kid. It isn't all bad."
"Who did you have last night?" David asked, "How did things go for you?"
"Fine. I guess." Kurt said looking around at the concerned faces watching him. "It wasn't… I don't know. It was…" Kurt's throat tightened up.
"Oh god." Jeff's eyes went wide, "You haven't done this before."
"I'm new."
"Yeah, but you're new new. Like, you've never turned tricks, have you?"
Kurt swallowed deeply and lifted his chin, "I have now."
Wes nodded and David squeezed Kurt's shoulder.
"Wow," Jeff's expression was still one of surprise, "So you've never had sex for money and your first time is in this hell hole?"
"I swear to god, Jeff! I'm going to duct tape your mouth closed."
"Kinky." A man Kurt recognized from being chosen first passed the table winking at the group, he had broad shoulders, bright blue eyes and highlighted dark hair.
"Go fuck yourself!" Jeff called to him, but he was laughing and there was no malice in his tone.
"I don't have to, people pay top dollar to do that." He winked again as he left the room.
"Elliot." David said finishing up his eggs, "The clients love him and he knows it."
Kurt felt a little hope bubble in his chest as he nodded and ate his yogurt, he like that everyone seemed to get along fairly well. Still, Jeff's joking about this place being a hell hole made him nervous. He knew a lot of time people laughed off things they really meant and he suspecting that's what Jeff was doing.
Wes took a piece of bacon off his plate and slid it to Kurt, "Listen, new kid, the first time is hard, but you did it and look, now you're here eating breakfast and making friends. That's what you have to remember. No matter what happens with the clients, life goes on. So who did you have last night?"
Kurt smiled weakly taking the bacon and hoping none of the food servers noticed. He wondered if that's what David told himself while being whipped last night - life goes on. "Right. Um…" Kurt stirred his yogurt around and munched on the bacon. "I had a man named, Walter?"
"Oh, good old Walter." Jeff's smile returned. "Oh yeah, he likes the new boys."
"Good old closeted, married with a wife, and kids, Walter," David added.
"He is a good first night. Easy to please. Fast. Not rough." Wes nodded in approval. "I bet Seb was pissed you got him."
"Does everyone know that Sebastian doesn't like me?" Kurt asked.
"Gossip travels fast."
"It's a small group of us. We're confined to Pantone. We thrive on news around here. We heard you are basically the star of Olly's wet dreams and that Seb hates you for it."
Kurt sighed, "Olly is Mr. Osiris?"
All three men nodded.
"And why would Sebastian care about that?"
"They are super competitive, Seb wants Olly's job and- ow!"
David kicked Jeff's calf under the table, "This isn't the place for that kind of gossip."
"Just keep your head down and avoid Sebastian." Wes said with a smile, "That's pretty much what we all do. Sebastian is a tool."
Jeff and David nodded in agreement.
"Being on Sebastian's bad side will suck for a little while, but there is only so much he can do. It is his job to keep the Carousel running and profitable. And just one glance at you is enough to know that you are going to bank here."
Kurt smiled and looked down at his half eaten meal. He appreciated the compliment… but they were basically saying men were going to want to fuck him and even after getting through last night the idea made him somber.
"Look at him blush." Jeff teased, "You're like a babe in the woods." His eyes sparkled, "Clients are going to just eat you up. They love the naive ones."
"I… I'm not naive," Kurt said looking around the table. "I know what I'm doing here."
"I'm sure you do new kid. It's just you aren't as…. experienced as most of us." Wes explained, "We all were prostitutes before getting here."
"I prefer gigolo," David said with a laugh.
"Oh." Kurt looked around the group, none of these men could have been over twenty-five. Maybe he was naive, he didn't understand the life they'd come from at all. "I didn't know I was the only one who hadn't…"
"There have been others working the Carousel that hadn't done this kind of work before. You're just the only one like that here right now." Wes encouraged, "And in the end, it doesn't matter, we are all here for the same reason."
"Money!" Jeff practically shouted. "And Wes would know. He's been here ages."
Wes rolled his eyes.
"How long is ages?" Kurt asked his shoulders tensing. How long did people stay here?
"Nearly two years."
Kurt's stomach lurched.
"But my contract is up in two months." Wes grinned, "And then I'm out of here with more money than I've had in my whole life."
"It's longer than most people can stand being here."
"The money's good," Wes said with a shrug.
"That's why we're all here." David agreed. "We do what we have to do and keep our eye on the prize."
"It isn't all bad, some of the clients are… they aren't all bad." Jeff said looking down at the table with a slight blush to his cheeks.
There was an awkward silence around the table at that statement that kept Kurt from asking Jeff what he meant.
Jeff shook off whatever he was thinking and he looked around the table, "Well, I'm off to see July. Later boys!" He got up from the table, "Glad to meet you, Kurt, you're going to do just fine around here." And then sauntered off. There was something about his confidence that seemed a little force, but Kurt understood that. Kurt was king of faking confidence until you felt it.
"Did I say something to upset him?"
David sighed and looked to Wes to answer, "No. He just… he broke one of the top unspoken rules around here."
Kurt raised his eyebrows and looked back and forth between Wes and David. "Which is?"
"Don't fall for anyone," David answered.
"Don't fall for anyone that works at Pantone. Don't fall for another pony." David's voice was tight, "And god, above all else, don't fall for one of your clients."
"Poor Jeff." David bit his lip and paused for a moment as if deciding if he should say anything more, "You'll find out. Jeff talks about Nick enough, but you should now, we care about Jeff… but…"
"He's in love with a client." Wes took over when David faltered. "And we don't believe it is healthy. Jeff thinks they are going to be together when Jeff gets out of here and we just don't want him to get his heart broken."
"Clients say all kinds of things when they are paying for you, doesn't mean they want something legitimate out in the real world." David added, "Just remember what they are Kurt, men paying to have sex. That's it."
"You're worried about me?" Kurt shook his head, "No need. I'm here to make the money I need as fast as I can and then I'm gone, and no offense, but I plan on never thinking about this place again when I leave. I'm not falling for anyone."
Wes smiled, "That is actually the exact right attitude." He looked past Kurt's shoulder and nodded towards the door, "Is that your shadow?"
Kurt looked behind his shoulder to see Blaine waiting meekly by the wall. "Yeah, that's him"
"He's a quiet one. I think the quiet ones are best, but in this case, it looks like he is too timid to tell you you need to go."
"Oh!" Kurt hopped up from the table. "I'm learning my routine."
Wes and David got up from the table as well, "It was nice to meet you, Kurt. Let either of us know if you have questions. If you need anything just tell your shadow, they are here to fetch things."
"See you later, kid." Wes said squeezing Kurt's shoulder, "Keep your chin up."
Kurt nodded and hurried to Blaine, he felt immensely better after meeting some of the other employees.
"What's next on my schedule, Blaine?"
Blaine looked up surprised for a moment before he looked down again with a small smile. "Morning workout with Ms. July."
"Lead on!" Kurt followed Blaine out, he wasn't happy to be here exactly, but he was beginning to think that maybe he'd make it through this okay.
End Note: I love hearing from you so please feel free to talk to me. Anything you want to see in this story? Client suggestions? Kinks? Let me know. A reader mentioned they wanted some Jeff/Nick so while I haven't written that before I am slipping it in. So please feel free to let me know what you want and unless it squicks me or totally doesn't fit with the outline I have in my head I'm happy to try to add it!