Lord Francis was a man who enjoyed any and all pleasures. And he seldom discriminate based on expense. The finest wines brought him just as much joy as the cheapest bread. Because he had access to fun activities and pleasant things all the time, Lord Francis was rarely-if ever-in want. Imagine his surprise when he only had to see Arthur once to want him.

It wasn't the fact that he found the Low attractive that was so puzzling. Of course Francis has always been a flirt, so that wasn't the surprising thing. This was the first Low he ever wanted to purchase. He already inherited his workers from his father, so there was really no need to get himself another one. But when he found Arthur picking up the scented towels, his heart strings struck a chord. Francis was not one to make a huge purchase on a whim, but he knew that he had to have the cute Britan all for himself.

Now those beautiful green eyes were staring at him, star-struck. Francis knew he had made it just in the nick of time. He had been informed by Krump of what this High was planning on doing to Arthur. That boiled the blood in Francis' veins. Just before he kicked the door, Francis placed a spell on himself that would make his leg powerful enough to break it down. It was a simple spell, but effective when it came to ordinary locked doors.

He could tell that Arthur was having trouble taking all this in. His poor little rabbit. Despite this, Arthur didn't struggle when Francis grabbed his wrist and led him away. Francis smiled broadly. Maybe Arthur was extremely grateful that he saved him?

"Erm…My Lord?"

Francis turned to the Britan, who was staring down at his shoes. They had stopped in the middle of the hallway and Francis took that opportunity to really inspect Arthur. The Low was just as beautiful as when Francis first found him. However, now that Francis had a better look, he could tell that Arthur needed to put on a few more pounds. And what kind of soap was he being supplied with? Whatever it was certainly wasn't cleaning the dirt deep enough. Arthur should be clean enough to shine. And those clothes simply wouldn't do at all. Francis would have to get him a new wardrobe with lots of pretty garments for the Low.

It was after a long silence did Francis realize that Arthur was waiting for his okay to continue. Right, Lows were strange like that.

"Yes? What is it, lapin?"

Arthur's cheeks tinged pink once more, but the Low pretended like the blush wasn't there.

"I'm not sure I understood you the first time. What did you mean by buying a new Low? I didn't think I was even for sell."

This was warranting of a seductive wink. So, little Arthur thought he was too good for purchase, did he? Francis liked that in a person, to be fully secure about themselves. While most Highs would see this confidence as arrogance, Arthur's statement made Francis want to reward the Low, not punish him.

"I've already spoken with your owner. He says I get to try you out first, and if I really wanted you, I may make a purchase. So, maybe you should make sure to treat me right, non?"

There was a tiny scowl on Arthur's face and-oh-was it adorable. Arthur tried to hide his anger, unsuccessfully. His fists tightened to his sides and his mouth was clamped shut. Francis could read the tension perfectly.

"Forgive me, My Lord. But what if I don't want you to buy me? What if I'm perfectly happy here?"

Oh, that was really stepping out of his place. Francis found it hot, yet at the same time, he knew that Arthur must be reprimanded. If he let his Low think he could say anything to a High, Francis may not have the power to protect him.

Francis forcefully tilted Arthur's chin up. He was happy to note that his glare had some effect, as Arthur was now staring at him in terror. Perfect.

"And what if I don't care about that, mon lapin?" Francis asked.

Arthur looked like he really wanted to argue, but fear kept him quiet. Francis held up a finger and traced the Low's lips without touching them. His Arthur was the most beautiful Low he had ever laid eyes on, and he knew even now that there was more to his lapin than looks.

Francis made a tsking motion to show that he was feeling playful, but also to show Arthur not to step out of line in the future.

"Besides, I zink you'll love being my Low. I'll give you half the work and twice the benefits."

"That sounds too good to be true."

Once more, Arthur spoke out of turn. It was odd to see the Low so comfortable speaking like that to a High. Most of them would tremble at just hearing Francis's voice, for fear that he would scold them for something menial.

Francis forced a fake pout.

"How you wound me. Do you really hate me so much that you speak out of turn like that?"

This brought fear into Arthur's eyes once more, as he was reminded of his place. He bowed, very low.

"Forgive me. I just…I…I'm a fool."

My lovely little fool.

France leaned over and kissed the crown of Arthur's head, feeling the young man tremble ever so slightly from the affection. Arthur steadily raised himself back up to look Francis in the eye.

"I'll do my best to serve you. But I warn you, I'm not the best Low out there."

"Odd. Krump said you were."

Arthur's jaw fell.

"Really? He said that?"

"Oui. He said you worked the hardest and got the job done quickest. He also said that many of the Highs voted you the most handsome Low in this bathhouse. That would include moi."

Bingo, there was that blush on Arthur's cheeks. Francis led the Low to Room 2. He heard a weird commotion going on in the room next to them, but he tried not to take notice. Francis closed the door behind them, then turned to Arthur.

"Take my cloak, mon cher."

After years of practice, Arthur was able to take the cloth before it hit the ground, even without warning ahead of time. Francis inwardly laughed when his bunny avoided looking at his chest. The lord dipped into the spa provided in each room and let himself get used to the heat.

There was a wide assortment of soaps and shampoos beyond Francis' reach. He pointed to one.

"Please give me ze honey lilac shampoo."

Arthur stared at him for some time. He seemed frozen in place, so Francis quirked a brow.

"Iz something ze matter?"

The Low snapped out of it and bowed, apologetically.

"I'm so sorry. A fool like me is not used to…to…"

"To what?"

"Erm….you said please. Forgive me if that startled me a bit."

How strange this Low was! Francis knew that he had found something special when he first set eyes on him. Arthur recovered and went to get a bottle. The blonde suddenly paused, and Francis could practically hear the gears in his brain turning.

"You'll purchase me if I do a good job?"

Hmm? What was the Low thinking? Oh well, it didn't matter. Francis would humor him.

"Oui."

"I…I make mistakes a lot. I'm just warning you."

With that said, Arthur took the strawberry shampoo and handed it to Francis. The lord smirked at this new game his Low came up with.

"Thank you."

Arthur blinked in shock, clearly expecting him to get angry. His eyes hardened just a tad. Francis smirked as he gave his beautiful hair a thorough cleaning. Arthur waited for the next instructions.

"Please hand me ze rose soap."

Arthur must have learned that Francis wouldn't be so easily swayed, since he gave the Lord the right kind this time. For a moment, Francis wondered if he gave up completely.

This thought was soon aborted when Arthur came toward him with an open bottle of shampoo and intentionally dropped it on his head. The Low's 'mistake' resulted in Francis's beautiful hair being drowned in shampoo, and the High gave a shriek of horror. That must soap would be far too damaging to his roots. Francis worked hard every day to make sure he looked his best, and his hair was something he was especially proud of.

He sent a glare Arthur's way. The other blonde recoiled, the empty bottle clutched in his hands that reminded Francis of a frightened child with his teddy bear.

"Mon lapin…" he began.

"I'm so sorry. I'm a clumsy fool!"

Francis knew what Arthur was trying to do. What he couldn't figure out was why. Did the Low really love working at this place so much that he refused to be purchased? Or did Arthur not want to go with him?

But who wouldn't want to be with Francis? Every one, any age, any gender, and any class, showed interest in Lord Francis Bonnefoy. The High was used to having adoring fans wherever he went, so the idea that someone might not want him was almost unthinkable.

The High dunked into the water to rinse off the mess his lapin made. After that, he got out of the tub and walked toward Arthur. Arthur recoiled with a blush on his cheeks, making Francis smile at how cute he was being. Francis grabbed a towel off the rack and noticed Arthur's questioning look.

"I figured if you want something done right, zen you better do it yourself," he explained.

"Does that mean you no longer want to buy me?" Arthur's voice was emotionless.

Francis held Arthur's jaw in place and leaned his head in very close to his. Their lips never touched, but Francis did make a little kiss sound before pulling away. He had never seen the color red as potent as it was on Arthur's face now.

"Run along, petite lapin. Your future master is not angry."

Arthur gave him an incredulous look. That was clearly the last thing he had expected to hear.

"M…my Lord…"

Francis put his clothes on with eloquence and ease. He smiled at the Low.

"Krump will not hear anything from moi. Run along, now."

It took some more coaxing, but Arthur finally did as he was told. Francis left to where the cafeteria was provided. The bathhouse his little Low worked at was only one of many shops and services in the Rotwell district. There were plenty of restaurants nearby that Francis could go to, if he wanted to eat.

However, Francis was looking for his friend, Gilbert. There he was. Since the cafeteria gave Gilbert's favorite beer for half priced, he usually enjoyed his food here. Francis found the table where his friend was at and sat down.

"Hallo, Francis. Manage to keep your Low off you long enough to come visit, eh?"

"He didn't seem too attached to me as I thought he would," Francis sighed, "I thought he would be happy to leave zis place and go work for only one High. But he kept trying to convince me not to buy him. Maybe I should leave it alone?"

Gilbert took a bite of sausage. He looked thoughtful as he chewed.

"Why worry about vat he thinks? Just buy him if you really vant to."

"You know zat other Low he was with yesterday? Did you see him?"

"Nope."

"He looked an awful lot like Matthew. He's definitely the twin your Low talks so much about."

Gilbert stopped eating. His ruby eyes glanced at Francis curiously.

"I see. Vell, don't know vat to do about that."

Francis knew that Gilbert was starting to become a little defensive. He was both protective and possessive of Matthew, so he probably wouldn't tell his Low that he was in the bathhouse his brother worked at.

"It's a shame you didn't bring Matthew along zis time. He could've seen his older brother."

Gilbert took a gulp of beer, and sighed after he was done.

"Mattie doesn't need him anymore. He has me now."

"You're so cruel, Gilbert."

Before the other could retort, their Spawnish friend came sitting down with them. Just like the previous days, he looked a bit crestfallen.

"Are you going to buy him or not?" Francis asked. He was tired of seeing Antonio so upset.

"You've been here for a while and yet haven't made a move. Why don't you just take him with you and go back to your company?" Gilbert added.

Antonio signaled a waitress to get him a menu.

"Lovino is just so sad here. But I don't know if he would be any happier with me. He seems awfully angry every time we meet."

It was quite odd that Lovino hadn't been punished before, with a sour attitude like that. Then again, thought Francis, maybe the Talin figured out that Antonio was a pushover when it came to discipline. Even the Lows Antonio had now got away with things most Lows would never dare do in front of a High.

According to Antonio, he met Lovino long ago. However, while he may remember this, Lovino didn't seem to at all. Francis didn't know why Antonio didn't try to remind Lovino, instead of playing this game of his. Maybe he was hoping Lovino would remember on his own? That would certainly be more romantic.

Antonio glanced at Francis' head.

"Your hair is silkier than normal."

Francis laughed it off. No need to let them know how much spice his little lapin had.

"I decided to use a little more shampoo than normal. Though I guess I got a little carried away."

This caused Gilbert to laugh out loud, with an evil glint in his eye. Francis had a feeling that he already been caught in his lie.

"So, how did your Low try to convince you not to buy him? By ruining your hair."

"Did he get punished?" Antonio asked.

Francis' silence spoke for itself. His two friends laughed, and Francis joined in. Then, Antonio went back to his pouty self.

"Should I just let him go? I keep asking him if he wants to leave this place, but then he gets even angrier with me."

"Just buy him. Don't worry about what he zinks. He's just a Low," Francis advised.

"Practice what you preach, Francy," Gilbert teased.

"I will. Whether Arthur wants to or not, I will take him with me. Thank you for zis talk, Gilbert."

"Aren't you going to get something to eat?" Antonio asked.

"I want to go ahead and get the papers finalized," the other explained, "I'll celebrate with a nice meal once I get my new Low."