A bright gold color appeared on Arthur's wrist, which meant that Krump wanted him. He and Alfred had been doing some dishes when it happened, and now the Mercan stared at him in horror.
"What's going on?"
Arthur had not told Alfred anything about Francis. Maybe there was still a way to convince Francis not to make the purchase? He didn't want to leave Alfred and Lovino. They still needed him.
"I don't know," lied Arthur, "I'll be back."
It hurt to say, because he wasn't sure if he would be back or not. Francis might insist on him leaving right away, and no Low could legally disobey their masters.
Rage boiled in his veins. He didn't want that frog face to be his master. It was bad enough to have Krump ordering him around, but now Francis would take him away from his family. The anger turned to self-pity. Maybe he could beg his way out of this?
Arthur came into Krump's office. He was unsurprised to see Francis sitting across from the chubby Middle. Francis's entire face seemed to light up when he saw the Low enter. On the table were papers that would no doubt give Francis ownership.
Green eyes stared at them in horror. The papers were already signed. Francis came up and patted Arthur on the head. Arthur was too frightened and stunned to react.
"I got you now. Isn't it nice, mon lapin?"
Arthur turned to Krump with pleading eyes. The man came up and grabbed his wrist. The magic stones on his arms were what signaled him to various places.
"I'll be taking the stones, then."
Arthur felt his throat dry. It was extremely painful to put them on in the first place, now he had to give them back? Francis saw the fear in his new servant's eyes. He turned back to Krump.
"Will the process be very painful?"
Krump's brows curled in confusion, like he hadn't considered this before. Quite honestly, Arthur wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't. His former master thought carefully before answering.
"No. It shouldn't."
He knew that was what Francis wanted to hear. Before Arthur could say anything, Francis muttered a chant and the hand on Arthur's head glowed. A second later, Arthur was completely numb. He had been a little cold before, but now he couldn't feel it. He had a scratch on his knee that had been pestering him, but now he couldn't feel it. Arthur pinched himself and felt nothing.
"This is a good spell for minor operations. You won't feel or taste anything for about half an hour," Francis explained, "Of course, that also means no pleasure as well, and that's no good. Which is why I only use it for pain."
Arthur was stunned. Krump took him away to another room, grabbed his magic dagger and pulled out the gems forcefully. It would have been the most painful experience of Arthur's life had Francis not used the spell.
Blood was practically spewing, but Krump used a healing herb to stop the bleeding. Then, he wrapped Arthur's arm in a bandage and sent him back outside. Arthur took a breath and went to face Francis.
The High was by his side in an instant. He was obviously unnerved by the state in which Arthur was returned to him.
"Mon cher! Are you alright? You!" he glared at Krump, who had just came in, "I didn't want him damaged."
Arthur was used to being treated like property. Yet he had hoped that Francis wouldn't use terms like 'damaged' to describe him. Maybe he had held too much hope for Francis after the High said please to him. That was his foolish mistake to expect that any High could treat him like a human being.
Krump trembled under Francis's glare. His face was flushed in shame, and a bead of sweat was once again forming on his forehead. He bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry, m'Lord. It was necessary. I can get him a healer."
"I don't think that would be wise," Francis sighed, "I'll take him to my quarters now."
"My Lord."
Arthur spoke up before he put much thought into what he was going to say. Now Francis was looking at him, silently urging him to continue. Arthur's mind scrambled for a purchase.
"I…I don't…I…"
He wasn't allowed to go against the master's wishes. If he said he didn't want to do what Francis said, he would be punished. He had to praise it another way.
"I…I have friends I'll miss."
Francis blinked in shock, then his face softened to pleasure.
"How nice! Go say goodbye, lapin. You don't have a tag yet, but mind the clock. Come to my room no later than three. You know where it is, non?"
Arthur nodded silently. Francis beamed at him like he was a proud father glancing at his newborn baby. The High petted Arthur once more, then gently pushed him toward the door.
"I'll see you soon."
Arthur's eyes were getting hot and moist, but he refused to cry. He had to remain strong for Lovino and for Alfred. At least they would have each other.
He headed back to the kitchen, where Alfred came up to meet him.
"Everything alright, Iggy? What did Krump," Alfred caught glimpse of Arthur's wrapped arm, "What the hell happened? Oh no! Are you okay?"
Arthur sheepishly placed a hand behind his head. He took a long look at his best friend. This would most likely be the last time he would ever see him. The thought nearly let the tears loose. Alfred was like a brother to him.
"I've been purchased."
The lost look on Alfred's face said it all.
"What?"
Arthur leaned in for a hug, but Alfred pushed him away, looking very betrayed. His blue eyes were already starting to water.
"You can't!"
It wasn't Arthur's fault. Both men knew this. But Arthur could understand why Alfred was acting like this. He had already lost Matthew, after all. Arthur attempted another hug and this time Alfred let him.
Being in his arms caused Arthur to start sobbing. Alfred copied. For a while no words were spoken. They were perfectly happy to just hug each other and cry out all their misery. The door swung open with force.
"What the hell? Why are you two bastards crying?"
"Oh, Lovino!" Alfred pulled away, "Arthur's been bought. Now he has to leave."
The Talin had a very different reaction from Alfred. Lovino scoffed to himself and waved away the drama like it was a fly.
"So what? I'm pissed off too! That Spawnish bastard went ahead and bought me."
If it was possible to have your heart break two times in one day, that was how Alfred looked. The young man's jaw fell and his eyes were absolutely devastated.
"You're leaving too?"
Lovino glared at Alfred in annoyance.
"Stop blaming me! I didn't want him to. He went ahead and bought me without even talking to me. I told you that bastard was no good. It's not like being with him will be any better than this hell hole!"
"I'm glad you're both leaving!" Alfred suddenly exclaimed, "It will be a lot quieter. And maybe I can actually get some sleep without you hogging the sheets, Lovino."
Arthur stared at the Mercan in shock. Lovino, on the other hand, simply glared at the other male.
"Fuck you! You're the one who always hogs the sheets, you bastard."
Arthur spoke up.
"Alfred. You don't really mean what you said, do you?"
Tears were streaming down Alfred's face, but the hatred in his eyes were real. And they were directed at Arthur.
"Just leave. Okay? Go away. I hate you."
He ran out the door before Arthur could say anything more. The two just stood there, dumbstruck. Lovino was the first to recover. He headed for the door as well.
"I guess I need to leave too. Otherwise, he'll look for me. That stupid bastard."
The Talin left without another word. Arthur was all alone.
The next day, Arthur woke up to a weird sensation. The ground was…soft. And there were no warm bodies around him. He opened his eyes and checked his surroundings. Now he remembered. He was in a spare room that Francis-his new master-had rented for him. It was the first time Arthur had slept in a bed ever since he could remember.
Something smelled incredible, and it caused Arthur's neglected stomach to roar. Without thinking, Arthur stood up and headed for the source of the smell. He was shocked to see that Francis was actually using the little kitchen area. Arthur had assumed that was for Lows to make a quick meal in case their masters got hungry. Why was Francis cooking?
And what was he cooking? Whatever it was smelled heavenly. Arthur's mouth watered and he mentally shook his head. He better not let Francis see the want in his eyes. Otherwise, the High might feel insulted, or suspect that Arthur might try to steal a sample. Arthur was no thief.
Francis must have seen him out of the corner of his eye, for he turned around with a wide grin on his face. The spatula held some eggs that were perfectly cooked. He set it back into the pan.
Arthur realized that he didn't know where he was supposed to wash up in order to get ready for his chores.
"My Lord?"
"Francis, please."
"…I'm sorry?"
There was that smile again.
"You may call me Francis when we're alone. In public, you must call me Master. We must keep up appearances after all."
Master. The title enraged Arthur because it reminded him of the fact that he was purchased. After all his years of work and Krump just discarded him like a used napkin. Francis brought two plates out to the table.
"Oh my. I'm sorry, my Lord…I mean…Francis. I didn't realize there was going to be a guest. I need to know what to wear and how I should address him and-"
Francis held up his palm to silence Arthur. The Low did so, but only because he didn't want to be punished. When you were a Low you're entire life, it was hard to say no to a High.
"Calm down, lapin. There will be no guest."
"Oh," Arthur said stupidly, "Do you normally cook two meals for yourself?"
He asked the question and then immediately berated himself. Francis might take that as an insult. But instead of appearing angry, the High let out a laugh.
"Oh, you're too cute. Of course not. The second plate is for you."
Arthur was sure he heard wrong. That food looked delicious enough to please a High. What was his new master thinking giving a Low something like that? You might as well give a rat a tender and juicy steak! Arthur could only come up with one conclusion.
"You're joking."
But Francis shook his head.
"It's not joke. I pride myself on my culinary talents, and I cannot wait to see your face as you taste my food for the first time."
His jaw was slacking so much from shock that Arthur was surprised it hadn't hit the floor yet. Francis chuckled at his look and pulled the Low into the chair. Awkwardly, Arthur let himself be set down and he accepted the form that was offered of him.
He looked at Francis for confirmation. The High nodded for him to go ahead, so Arthur took a big forkful and took a bite.
It was incredible. The eggs were actually salted. Not only that, but they had cheese and veggies inside. This was the most food that Arthur ever had in one meal. And to think that he was spoiled with that small sausage the other day!
He hadn't realize that he had been eating like a pig until all of the omelet was gone. He stared down at his empty plate in shock. Could he really eat something that fast?
Francis let out a deep chuckle.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed my food. We really need to put more meat on your bones."
He winked seductively, causing Arthur to flush red. The Low stood up with as much dignity as he could muster.
"Thank you, Francis. What shall I do first?"
"Well. You can take off your clothes and wait for me on my bed."
Arthur fell on his ass. He was that stunned. He stared wide eyed like a doe. So that was why Francis wanted to buy him? He had gone from a bath house slave to a prostitute. That was the last job he ever wanted. At least in the bath house, Arthur had remained untouched.
Francis laughed out loud and waved off Arthur's fearful look with a shake of his head and a 'tsk tsk' sound coming from his lips.
"I'm just playing a prank, lapin. I wouldn't treat you like a common whore."
His heartbeat was slowly starting to return to normal speed. Arthur hadn't realize how hard he was breathing until he tried to control it. A knock at the door.
"Francy! Come on. The party's starting!"
It was that silver haired High's voice. Francis answered the door and the other High came running in. The silver haired man took one look at Arthur and laughed.
"I knew you would go ahead and make the purchase! Did he cost extra for being a virgin?"
Why did that feel like it was intended to be an insult? Arthur flushed and looked away, biting his lip to refrain from saying anything.
"The party is starting already?" Francis asked.
"All day today. They whole plaza will be there. And there's supposed to be all kinds of cute Lows serving drinks in revealing clothes."
Francis shook his head with a sad smile.
"Alright, Gilbert. We'll go with you."
Arthur paused, "We?"
The two Highs gave him an evil look that made him want to disappear. Francis's look softened into one of amusement.
"Of course, lapin. I'll need my new servent to attend to my needs. And I'm sure your friends will like to work with you one last time."
His friends. Alfred.
Arthur shot straight up. He needed to talk to him one last time. It was bad enough that he had to leave him, but he didn't want to leave Alfred with hurt feelings. He needed to talk to him one last time.
One. Last. Time.
It hurt to think about.