Yuki lay in a stupor, somewhere between waking and sleep. When he had awoken from his brief fitful sleep in Akito's naked embrace he had carefully detached himself, dragged a spare blanket from the bed, and trudged to the armchair. Here he curled up. He liked the armchair, especially now in the early hours of the day. Here he could spend hours gazing out the sliding French windows and catch the sun sneaking across the garden. He enjoyed the garden and its simple beauty. Here he could rest in comfort. And here he could avoid the unwanted touches and caresses which seemed to make up most of his existence.
After an undeterminable amount of time Yuki was brought cruelly back to reality by the jarring ring of Akito's alarm. He stretched as Akito slowly rose from the bed, still gazing at the garden. Akito walked leisurely towards him, running a hand through mussed up hair. He caressed the back of Yuki's neck tenderly. They gazed out at the garden together for a moment and Akito's hand snaked down Yuki's bare chest to caress a nipple. Yuki stiffened but didn't react.
He was so used to this. So used to his body being used as others desired. But... he wished Akito wouldn't now. He had limited time to himself and he hated it ruined. Still... he didn't react. Akito could do what he liked. He gazed at the garden silently as Akito's touch made his nipples hard.
"Come to shower?" Akito asked.
It wasn't really a choice; there was only one right answer for Yuki. Yet Akito liked to believe Yuki was happy...comfortable. He wanted to distinguish a difference between the clients and him, to show the relationship he and Yuki had was different, special. But still, there was no choice, and Yuki would never... could never... refuse Akito.
He sighed slightly, before smiling and allowing Akito to lead him gently by the wrist to the bathroom.
When Akito had used him as he wanted and left for a meeting Yuki was alone once more. When Akito began work for the day Yuki was free to roam the house and grounds- though not beyond the grounds unless Akito authorised it. He dressed in loose trousers and a light cotton t-shirt. He had preferred loose clothes as long as he could remember, anything less like smothering hands. He felt the ghosts of Akito's morning touches on his skin and, without consciously deciding to, he walked into the tiny room which served as his wardrobe and storage area. He didn't have much but it was nice to have a space, to call it his... even if it didn't lock and opened onto Akito's bedroom.
He reached into a cabinet a withdrew a tall glass bottle. Breakfast. He smirked and took two large gulps. The vodka burned his throat and birthed a warmth in his stomach. He would burn feeling into his empty body if he had to. He only wished he could burn memories out. He took another searing gulp and replaced the bottle.
He traipsed outside slowly, feeling despondent. He was tired. Often he was too worn out after a night with the clients to participate later with Akito. Akito never seemed to mind though; he merely ignored him for that night or continued regardless, seeking his own pleasure. Yuki's pleasure wasn't a priority. As long as Yuki pleased the client Akito didn't mind. And Yuki always pleased the clients.
There had been once when he was quite young that he hadn't, due mainly to resentment of his situation. The severe beating he recieved in response had convinced young Yuki to do his job well.
As it was, he could do what he wanted- almost. He could help himself to any food he wanted. Akito knew he drank throughout the day. He told Yuki seriously that as long as he didn't present himself too drunk or drugged to perform at his peak in the evening he could do whatever the hell he wanted during the day.
Most of the others slept now but it had been many years since Yuki slept well and he usually rose after a few hours and curled in his armchair, waiting for Akito to awaken, sometimes smoking or drinking to pass the time. As long as he didn't wake Akito early, that was another rule.
Now Yuki reached his favorite spot; a worn out bench near the vast flowerbeds of the Estate. It might not look like much but this was Yuki's haven. It was somewhere he could be alone, but also somewhere he could be social. Living with Akito and serving his best clients meant Yuki was mostly preoccupied in a separate part of the Estate to his peers.
The garden was a chance for him to breach that divide. He sat back in the bench, enjoying the warm breeze on his face.
He hoped Haru would be out soon. Most days Haru met him here, even if only for a brief time. To begin with Haru had detested him, as had many of the others. Being Akito's favorite, and having access to his best clients meant that Yuki received the most work, had the richest clients, and got the best tips.
They were all allowed to keep a small percentage of their earnings as well as their tips. When they were twenty-one they could leave the Estate, and when they were thirty-five, or had paid off the debt they owed Akito for raising them, whichever came first, they were free. These contracts were upheld by the several corrupt lawyers and police officers Akito worked with.
Haru had therefore been bitter that Yuki received more money than the rest of them.
It didn't matter however... Yuki was an exception to the rule. He would never be free from Akito.
When Yuki explained this Haru had softened, and now the two were good friends. Their friendship was very important to Yuki; Haru was the only person he could really talk to.
Unfortunately the sort of clients Haru recieved were often very... exhausting. They liked testing how far they could push him before he snapped and went 'black'. It left him drained the next day and he slept later than any of the others, often not appearing until the late afternoon.
So Yuki waited. He had nothing better to do.
A movement caught his eye and he raised his head. It was Kyo. He slid open a door and stepped into the garden before noticing Yuki, scowling, and withdrawing once more.
Kyo hated Yuki more than any of the others. And Yuki didn't blame him.
Akito was more cruel to Kyo than to any other, and since he began working he had been given to countless undesirable clients. Akito and him had come to a peculiar agreement several years ago however; if Kyo could pleasure a client more than Yuki he would be given his freedom, regardless of his age or outstanding debt. They tested this every six months, with Akito selecting one of his best clients and asking them to judge, in return for the two nights with the boys for free.
Five times now they had tested this, and every time, of course, Yuki had won. Simply, he was the better actor. Kyo was too angry in what he did, letting his bitterness and frustration mar his performance.
Yuki sighed. He didn't want Kyo to hate him... but Akito had made very clear the consequences if Yuki should lose. And he wasn't prepared for that. It was all about self-preservation in this world. He couldn't afford to care about others.
It was a couple of hours before Haru appeared and Yuki had drifted into a doze, lulled by the birdsong and gentle breeze. Haru gentle grasped Yuki shoulder to wake him causing him to lurch awake suddenly.
He saw immediately that his friend was tired. The way he moved was too labored... the way he smiled was too forced. Yet still he smiled.
Yuki asked with a look how Haru's night had been and he grimaced in return.
"Urgh," he growled, "I swear I almost strangled her. She was really pushing me!" Yuki nodded sympathetically. There was nothing he could really say. "Say, if I had strangled her, there's nothing they could really do about it right? I mean they can hardly arrest me without revealing the circumstances."
Yuki pondered. "I suppose not" he said, though he was thinking of the police officers and lawyers Akito had in his pocket.
"Great! That's good to know." Haru seemed satisfied.
"Why? Are you planning killing someone?" Yuki asked.
"Well possibly Kyo..." Haru replied seriously, rubbing his chin thoughtfully and stroking an imaginary beard.
Yuki couldn't help but laugh.
"How was yours?" Haru inquired.
"Mmm, he was fine. Nothing weird or anything." He paused, then continued, knowing he could trust Haru. "He was an important investor or something. Akito said if I did well I'd have an easy night tonight- maybe even a night off." Haru nodded, knowing Yuki must have done well. Then he smiled, and it wasn't false or forced, it was genuine and sincere. "Good, that's great" he said, and there wasn't a trace of bitterness or envy in his voice.
They sat together, sometimes in silence, sometimes with idle chat. Now that he was awake once more Yuki wished he had taken the vodka out with him.
When afternoon blended into evening Haru left to get dinner. Yuki declined, saying he wasn't hungry. Haru shot him a worried look. As Yuki watched Haru walk away he felt a pang of sadness. Haru had been working since he was sixteen, for Akito at least waited until they were of consenting age before they began their work- except in Yuki's case- and he still had three years before he could leave the Estate. It wasn't fair, Yuki thought, that someone like Haru would have to spend five years of their life here. It was strange Yuki thought, for him to be feeling sympathy for someone else, let alone himself.
He shook himself mentally and went inside, hanging around Akito's quarters to be told what to do.
Eventually Akito returned, looking excited and hurried.
"Ahh Yuki! It's another important one tonight. No 'quickie', it'll be an all-night session. He's the son of one of the Sohma Family's oldest partners, in town for the weekend. So make sure it's good."
Yuki nodded obediently. He dredged up his courage and asked, "But... wasn't it meant to be .. easy... tonight?" Akito seemed momentarily confused. "Oh of course. I'm sorry Yuki dear but this is how it is tonight. You don't mind, do you?" He lightly cupped Yuki's chin with one hand.
"No!" Yuki replied instantly. Of course he didn't mind. This was his life. It wasn't Akito's fault this was happening tonight.
"Good boy" Akito whispered, stroking his cheek. "They'll be here in an hour. Join them in the lounge for drinks." Yuki nodded. Akito left, most likely to instruct the others on their schedules.
Yuki sighed. It seemed he would have a busy night after all... so much for easy. He went to his tiny room, grabbed the vodka bottle and meandered outside. He sat on the bench and drank miserably for some time. Haru appeared with a plate of food for him, saying he'd noticed he was still outside. Yuki took the plate obediently, and in a strange way, gratefully. He began stuffing food in his mouth without properly acknowledging or tasting it.
Haru eyed the vodka bottle suspiciously. Yuki gave him a defiant stare and offered him some. Haru accepted and Yuki watched his friend wince when the vodka hit the back of his throat.
When it was time, he went to his room, dressed himself smartly, took another sizable swallow of vodka, brushed his teeth, and made his way to the small lounge.
There was a larger lounge where people could mingle and meet with the hosts, perhaps deciding who took their fancy, but this lounge was only for Akito's special guests.
Surely enough when Yuki rapped smartly on the door and entered he found only three men inside.
They greeted him with polite words and hungry eyes.
The four ate and drank together and Yuki partook politely. He could be very charming, laughing at their jokes and lightly touching their arms. He usually gauged by the clients how forward he should be.
Akito arrived, looking smart, and mingled amongst them. At length the son of Akito's partner whispered something in his ear and Akito's nod told Yuki it was time.
The man returned to Yuki's side. "Lets take this somewhere a little more private" he whispered, slurring his words slightly. Yuki smiled alluringly and nodded.
"Come on boys" the man said, and Yuki turned in panic. The other men were leaving their glasses and following.
Perhaps the man noticed Yuki's reaction for he added, "My friends will be joining us for the evening's entertainment, I hope you don't mind?" It was the second time that night Yuki had been asked if he minded and he was beginning to think that he did.
He saw Akito's cold glare over the man's shoulder and swallowed tersely.
"Of course not" he purred, lying through his teeth.
The men grinned. Yuki's stomach churned. Akito's cold glare didn't falter.
And suddenly Yuki felt cheated. Like a trapped rat. He had been promised an easy night... and this is what he got.
And Akito's unconcerned cold eyes told Yuki he had known perfectly well.
Maybe he really was only a gutter rat to Akito.
Ahh no-one stopped me so I kept going!
Thank you to The Character's Death, ImpishTopHat and conium, who's reviews encouraged me to continue this.
P.s. I don't know what international ages of consent are but where I live it's 16 so I went with that.