Magic: THANK GOD we have gotten to this point! Thank yous to everyone who has been reading, favoriting, alerting, and especially REVIEWING this fic! We really appreciate it!

BC3: ...Ditto. XD

Chapter 5

The next few weeks passed in a steady rhythm that Ritsuka enjoyed. It was nice to no longer worry about food or shelter or heat. He ate whatever he pleased from Soubi's kitchen, whenever he wanted. Sometimes the two of them had dinner out together. During the day, Soubi would usually be away from the apartment working and so Ritsuka had the place to himself. He would watch television on Soubi's flatscreen...draw and paint in his sketchbook...sometimes he would take long bubble baths for the simple joy of knowing he could. It was remarkable how much the little things in life now mattered to Ritsuka. He was never exactly a spoiled child, but he also never stopped to appreciate what a luxury it was to have a shower or pull a snack out of the refrigerator. It wasn't until he had nothing that he began to learn what a privilege those things were.

Ritsuka gained a few pounds too. His ribs no longer protruded quite so far and his arms and legs felt stronger with the added muscle weight. He was beginning to feel more like his older self, back inside the body that he had had before he'd run away.

Soubi seemed to appreciate his healthier figure as well; Ritsuka began sleeping with him on the fourth night, no longer just in the literal sense. Soubi hadn't pushed for it, but when it became obvious that's what he wanted, Ritsuka didn't deny him. In fact, part of him was glad. He felt the added experience would help him feel less anxious once he started his "job". Ritsuka was happy to find sex rather enjoyable, though it was difficult for him to separate the physical from the emotional, and his heart felt raw after each encounter.

It was a learning process, though; after four weeks he no longer cuddled up to Soubi, not after sex and not for sleep. In fact, he took up residence on the chaise lounge to give himself some space and time to detach himself from wanting more of Soubi than Soubi was willing to give. Ritsuka cried a lot during this time. Soubi would build him up to release and always deliver, and the flood of yearning for something more intimate would crash through him. Over time he found the disappointment waning, becoming less of a sharp pain and more of a dull emptiness. Because the truth was he LIKED Soubi. He liked his hair, his eyes, his body. He liked his laugh, he liked his sophistication, and he even liked the minted scent of smoke that clung lightly to his clothes (although he still found the habit of smoking disgusting in itself). He could see himself with Soubi, he could imagine living there forever, and he believed he could be happy with it.

But reality forced itself on him one Tuesday morning, when Soubi beckoned Ritsuka onto his lap and ran two curious hands up Ritsuka's thighs and over his rib cage.

"You're deliciously filled out," he said, his long fingers pinching soft flesh between his fingers. "I believe it's time to introduce you to your new big brother."

Nothing about that sentence was remotely arousing to Ritsuka. In fact, it made him kind of pissed off, reminding him that he was still an object to Soubi. At best, he was an employee - one that was to be used strategically.

"I've already been introduced to Kio." Ritsuka reminded him, climbing off of Soubi's lap. He was proud of himself for doing it so easily. Maybe he would make a good hooker after all.

"Ah, yes," Soubi said, smiling, as though his mistake were very amusing. "So you have."

—-

They were speeding into the heart of the city shortly thereafter, riding in Soubi's car. It was a leather-interiored sporty thing. Clearly expensive but somehow very bland.

Soubi pulled into an alleyway, which was managed to look shadowy even in the broad daylight. He parked on the curb. When they had both gotten out, Soubi led Ritsuka to a heavy steel door near the back, graffitied and locked.

"Security is paramount in this business," Soubi said by way of explanation. He pulled a gleaming silver key out of his pocket and turned the lock with it.

Music swarmed out of the door as it was opened. It wasn't the soft classical that played in Soubi's apartment, but more of bubblegum rock that wasn't altogether unpleasant. It actually made Ritsuka feel a bit like dancing, although he was too nervous and wouldn't do so even if he weren't.

"Come, Ritsuka," said Soubi, as if he were a dog.

Ritsuka huffed and straightened his shirt, then shoved his way passed Soubi and into a rather grand foyer. Momentarily stumped, Ritsuka froze in the center, gaping at the elegance of the décor, all crème whites and gleaming silver. There was an oak coat rack by the door, standing just beside a marble-topped side table with a few pieces of mail and someone's ring of keys. Across from him was a full length mirror, probably for one last chance to primp before leaving on a job call, a chaise lounge vaguely similar to that in Soubi's apartment, a fully stocked bookshelf, and an impressive grandfather clock.

The sketchy alley and slummy area of the city certainly belied the beauty inside the walls.

Soubi was watching as Ritsuka stared around the place, open-mouthed.

"Welcome to your new home," he said, smiling.

Ritsuka nodded distantly. He was going to live here. Even with the knowledge of what sort of tasks he'd have to perform in order to stay...the place was all very wow.

Ritsuka saw Soubi pull his cell out of his pants pocket, hitting two keys before raising the phone to his ear.

"Kio. Meet me in the foyer. He's here." was all Soubi said before hanging up.

And then, not a minute later, the tall, green-haired, overly-pierced Kio was striding in. He had a huge smile on his face as he made his way over to Soubi, sliding a hand onto his shoulder and standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

Soubi accepted the gesture without complaint. But he didn't return it, Ritsuka noticed.

"Kio," Soubi said, waving his hand toward Ritsuka. "This is your new little brother."

He gave Ritsuka an appraising once over, then moved forward and grabbed his wrists, opening up his arms. "He could use some salon time...but overall, plenty of potential. You make a much nicer call boy than you do a drowned cat."

Ritsuka wasn't sure if that was an insult or not, but decided not when Kio pulled him into a hug. He felt a little guilty for still carrying a stone of resentment toward his new "brother" when said brother apparently didn't even seem to mind that he was sleeping with… but wait, DID he mind? Maybe he did and it was Soubi who didn't care. In fact, the longer Ritsuka examined the situation, the stupider he felt.

He had been mad at Kio for weeks now...going over and over in his mind how Kio was stealing Soubi's attention away and how Kio didn't deserve it and how Kio's hair would look out of place even on a Martian. But now Ritsuka realized...with a sickening kind of jolt...that if anyone had the right to be jealous, it was Kio. Not Ritsuka. Kio had clearly been Soubi's...something...much longer than Ritsuka had been. Kio was the one who ought to be angry, having had his place usurped by some homeless kid with no money and no prospects.

But he wasn't. Kio seemed, if anything, glad to have someone to show around. Maybe he was hiding his hurt and resentment. But even if he was...wasn't that admirable too? That he would put on a good face and take care of Ritsuka anyway?

After all, it wasn't Kio's fault that Soubi was so insensitive. Worse than insensitive, really. Soubi knew that Kio had feelings for him and he still slept with Ritsuka. Repeatedly. And Ritsuka now knew that Soubi did that with all of his boys.

It was Soubi who was the root of the problem, Ritsuka thought with a sigh.

He suddenly returned Kio's hug, wrapping his arms around Kio's small waist. He and Kio were in this together. If Kio could be kind to him, he could be kind to Kio too.

It was nice knowing there were people here he could relate to - people who wouldn't pull off his clothes and then walk away.

"Kio will show you around and then prepare you for the street tonight," said Soubi, as Ritsuka and Kio broke apart. "Ritsuka," here Soubi kneeled and brushed his knuckles against Ritsuka's cheek. "It will be easier for you to take up a client tonight. The first is always the most awkward. But please keep in mind that I never expect anyone to take up with a client the first night. The main purpose of sending you to the street is so that you can watch Kio and learn the ropes. You may even go with Kio simply to observe."

Ritsuka saw through this act right away. Soubi wanted him to take a client tonight, that much was certain. All of Soubi's pretty words couldn't erase the concern for good business that Ritsuka knew Soubi held. He'd want Ritsuka to turn a profit as soon as possible.

The thought made the feeling of Soubi's knuckles against his cheek feel like four sandpaper chips.

"We'll see," Ritsuka said cryptically. He turned toward Kio, ready for a tour of the house.

Kio's eyes were narrowed at Soubi, lips set in a straight line. He looked as though he was putting effort into restraining himself.

After a moment, Kio made a huffing sound. He turned away from Soubi and took Ritsuka's hand.

"Come on, little bro," he said, sounding much more cheerful than he'd looked two seconds before. "Let's show you around the place."

Soubi left them then, excusing himself to the office and disappearing into a room with a crystal-plated door. Good, thought Ritsuka, staring after him moodily. He pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders, hating that he was feeling a good amount of anxiety that he wouldn't be Soubi's live-in play thing anymore. It was so stupid! He didn't want to be a plaything!

"Ritsuka, you're okay right?" Kio asked, grasping his arm again. "Come this way. Maybe I should show you the rest of the place later. We really need to get to dolled up for tonight-we don't need you pruny and red when we go out."

Ritsuka allowed himself to be pulled deeper into the house, mulling that over. "Pruny and red? What are you planning on doing with me?"

"Everything," said Kio.

"Everything. Right."

"The bedrooms are upstairs," said Kio. "There's four to a room. I share with Youji and Natsuo, and you'll be sharing the bunk with me."

They climbed the staircase as he explained this, which was a great oak thing with rich coconut-colored carpet lining each step, bracketed by a delicately swirling banister. When they reached the top landing, Youji and Natsuo were exiting a room on the far left, laughing and kissing as they clung to each other and made their way clumsily toward them, slamming into walls.

Ritsuka envied them their casual intimacy. He envied their relationship overall, really. It was true that they were both selling their bodies to make ends meet but….they managed to make it work. They managed to be HAPPY.

Kio shook his head at them. Ritsuka couldn't tell if he did it fondly or if the gesture was one of disapproval. Maybe a bit of both.

"Soubi says you've met these two already," he said.

At that, Natsuo pulled his lips away from Youji's – but only far enough to facilitate speech.

"Hey…." He said, squeezing Youji's rear. "It's Ritsuka!"

Youji lifted his head to follow Natsuo's line of sight. When he found Ritsuka and Kio at the stair landing, he laughed and said, "So it is. ...Ritsuka! Ready to put that ass to work then?"

Ritsuka, feeling a little more used to their public displays of affection (and nonchalance about their line of work), laughed along. When he thought about it, Youji and Natsuo's attitudes relaxed him. They made him feel like what he was getting into was almost….normal.

"Don't mind them," Kio said, and lead Ritsuka down the hall by the hand.

"Ohhh," Natsuo remarked. "Looks like Kio has dibs."

"We'll get him later," said Youji, with a lecherous smile.

Ritsuka felt himself tense up at that. There was no WAY that he could handle Youji and Natsuo jumping him unawares every night…..what where they thinking?

Something of Ritsuka's apprehension must have shown on his face because Youji immediately winked at him playfully. And suddenly Ritsuka felt relaxed again. He smiled at them over his shoulder as Kio pulled him along.

"Our room is there," said Kio, pointing at a door two away and on the opposite side of the hall that Youji and Natsuo had come from. Clearly they had been enjoying their activities in someone else's room. "But first let's get you a shower."

He led Ritsuka to the very end of the hall, where a door opened into a communal bathroom. It was uniform white with pale blue stalls enclosing the toilets, and a separate area with showers covered by green and blue patterned curtains to the right.

Kio stopped at a row of vanity dressing tables and pulled open a drawer.

"Now, Ritsuka, you're cute and everything but we need to get your skin baby soft and smelling like citrus or something else delicious enough to eat."

Ritsuka gulped as the implications of that sunk in.

"Use this shampoo and follow up with this. It's a conditioning balm." He shoved two bottles into Ritsuka's arms. "Make sure to leave in the balm while you scrub yourself down with some raspberry exfoliate, and then I want you use a pouf with some milk and honey wash." He passed all this into Ritsuka's arms as well, then paused thoughtfully. "Ritsuka, I'm going to put some lotion on your towel so it sinks into your skin when you dry off, so please don't be alarmed that something slimy is on it."

"Um…" said Ritsuka, but Kio was pushing him toward the shower stalls.

"Go, go. Make sure you get everything squeaky clean. I'll be waiting for you here when you're done. I'll leave the towel just outside the curtain."

Ritsuka entered the shower in a daze and came out smelling of various passion fruits. The towel left by Kio had been heated, and the lotion he'd applied was a transparent pink gel, which absorbed almost instantly into his skin. The towel was large enough to drape around his shoulders like a cape and hung just below his knees. He approached Kio this way, who was sitting at one of the vanity tables and texting someone with an overly-dreamy expression. Ritsuka caught a flash of "-ubi" on the display before he closed it, and knew who it must be.

"Ritsuka, you smell like heaven on a tropical island!"

"…is… that good?" he asked.

"Don't be silly. The clients are going to eat you alive." He turned unconcernedly toward the vanity and began to rummage in another drawer.

"Kio… just how much… I mean… do these people…um, clients… do they use their mouths often?"

"What?" said Kio, looking at him with a frown. "Hey, drop the towel. It's powder puff time." He was holding a pink turtle-shaped container, the shell transparent and evidently removable. Beneath was a puff and a dish of loose powder.

Ritsuka suddenly felt very ill at ease.

He reached out for the container, hoping that Kio would give it to him and simply let him powder himself.

Kio stared at his outstretched hand blankly.

"What, you want the…..oh. Heh. Nah, I've got it. You won't be able to do your back."

And without so much as a by-your-leave, Kio took the towel from Ritsuka's shoulders and began to apply the powder in little pats and dabs. Ritsuka could see tiny tufts of it rising up in mushroom clouds where it escaped the puff.

Ritsuka's heart was pounding. Up till now, Soubi was the only person alive who'd ever seen him naked. Well….since puberty, anyway. And now Kio was too. Soon, any number of strangers would be included in that list. The thought made Ritsuka slightly nauseous.

He didn't have to take any clients tonight, he reminded himself. There was time. It wouldn't be tonight….

Kio moved very efficiently, mumbling to himself about needing to pick up another container and how the puff was losing its mojo. Whatever that meant.

"Here, you can put this on." Kio handed Ritsuka a plain white robe and then swiveled a chair around. "Have a seat. We don't have much left to do."

Ritsuka complied, grateful to have some sense of dignity back. He watched Kio fill and plug in a portable foot spa, which he filled with warm water and purple salts. Ritsuka stuck his feet in without being asked and Kio smiled, almost excitedly.

"Nice, right? You're going to have such cute toes."

Ritsuka had never thought toes could possibly be cute, but he decided against saying anything and allowed Kio to smear a mud masque across his face and then get to work filing and shaping his nails—which, okay, they were a little jagged from all the biting at them he'd been doing recently. He hadn't exactly been inwardly calm, even if he DID catch up on sleep during his stay with Soubi.

Just as he had been efficient with the powder, Kio was efficient with the filing, shaping, cuticle clipping, buffing, and shining of Ritsuka's nails and toenails. Ritsuka even began to wonder if Kio had gone to cosmetology school. He remembered Soubi's comment about how Kio would "be a woman about everything."

"I'm adding some nail-growing serum, too," said Kio, using a tiny brush on Ritsuka's fingernails. "Because I see you've been biting them."

Ritsuka blushed.

"This should really speed the healing process along for them, provided that you don't keep biting." Kio said this with a stern look at Ritsuka's face.

He blew on the nails for a bit, inspecting his handiwork. Ritsuka looked down at his new manicure and really COULD see what a difference it had made. Not just his nails, but also his hands, looked brand new.

"Lovely," Kio eventually pronounced. He used a warm towel to clear off the facial masque. When it was all gone, Ritsuka's skin got another "lovely" rating.

"Now," said Kio, very business-like. "Last thing. The hair."

He rubbed a frizz serum in his hands and then gelled it through Ritsuka's already straight hair, promising it would give him extra shine and bounce. Ritsuka was pretty sure whatever clients would be looking at him wouldn't be concerned with his hair, at least not the hair on top of his head. Which…

"I was going to suggest trimming and waxing up," Kio said, tapping a finger against his chin and looking down at Ritsuka's lap. "But you're pretty sparse and naturally well-landscaped down under. Good job."

Ritsuka felt his face explode into a blush. He dipped his head, hiding behind his newly glossed bangs.

Kio's voice held an unquestionable smile. "Not to worry, Little bro. I'll let you in on a secret: the chances of a client eventually wanting to watch as you and I perform on each other is pretty much a given."

Ritsuka's head snapped back up, his mouth slightly open and his eyes wide. What the HELL?

Kio laughed. "Yes! Crazy world, right? So loosen up. There's no need to be modest around me. The street will strip you of that in no time anyway."

That sick, swooping feeling rocked Ritsuka's stomach again. It wont happen tonight, he told himself. It wont happen tonight… it wont happen—"So." Kio sat on the ledge of the vanity and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Do you have any questions or concerns you'd like to address before we wander back out there with all the sick perverts you now live with?"

Questions or concerns? Ritsuka didn't even know where to begin. What wasn't he concerned about? What didn't he question?

The task of choosing something seemed insurmountable. And as nice as Kio had been to him, Ritsuka didn't know how to open up to him in that manner yet, even if he did know what to say first.

"No..." Ritsuka mumbled. "Nothing."

—-

Ritsuka didn't understand how all Soubi's boys could stand it on the streets. It was cold. And not the metaphorical sense of the word. Kio had dressed him very scantily, giving him nothing more than a skin-tight black halter (with very revealing laces up and down the sides) and a pair of hip-hugging (and equally tight) trousers. Ritsuka had blushed scarlet and protested when Kio presented him with a tiny thong to wear underneath. But Kio insisted.

"There's no way boxers are going to fit under those pants," he said. "And if you go commando, you'll be chafing by the end of the night. Trust me."

Ritsuka didn't know how to argue that, so on went the thong.

He did argue, though, when Kio had brought him outside, where the icy winter wind hit Ritsuka full in the face. Teeth chattering, bones feeling like they'd frozen over instantly, Ritsuka demanded some kind of cover. And so Kio had slid a leather jacket over his shoulders.

"A-aren't the others….freezing too?" Ritsuka stammered, rubbing his hands vigorously over his forearms and elbows, trying to ward off the chill. The rest of the boys were wearing similarly revealing clothing – many of them without any sort of coat at all. They were strung out along the curb in a vague line, spaced apart every few feet.

"Eh… some of them are from colder climates and this is like a chilly autumn night to them, and others have their ways of keeping warm until a client picks them up." Kio looked pointedly over at Natsuo and Youji, who Ritsuka had been too cold and nervous to notice had taken up dancing with each other in their incredibly hooker-iffic outfits. Youji was clutching Natsuo's hips and Natsuo had his arms in the air, doing a rather impressive full body caress against Youji.

"They never stop," said Ritsuka, the amazement ringing clearly in his voice. "Do they have a stash of Viagra or something?"

Kio snickered. "I've wondered that myself. But it is a really good way to keep entertained. Want to try?"

"I really don't think I - "

"Come on," Kio pushed. "It'll be fun. Here….."

Without warning, Kio grabbed Ritsuka by the hips and pulled him in close. "We can make this work without music," he said. "Just follow my lead."

In the dark of the night, Ritsuka felt more than saw Kio begin to move against him. He rolled his eyes at the thought of what a picture the two of them must have made right then. But Kio was smiling at him and encouraging him, and soon Ritsuka found himself moving too. It wasn't hard to follow along. After a short while, he was even smiling.

Kio pulled Ritsuka tighter against his chest. "There you go, see? Fun, right?"

Ritsuka laughed a little and nodded. It was at least fighting off the chill. He twisted his hips.

Ritsuka heard Kio inhale sharply. "Ritsuka…..you really know how to move."

Ritsuka didn't know how to respond. Was Kio serious? Might he even be...?

"Woooo!" came Natsuo's voice from the end of the street. "Work it, Ritsuka!"

Startled and highly embarrassed, Ritsuka whipped his head around at the sound. He saw Natsuo grinning and Youji right beside him, fingers at his lips and wolf-whistling.

"Ah, leave him alone, you two," said Kio. Ritsuka had tried to move away, but Kio hooked a finger into his belt and pulled him close again. "He's shy about things. You don't want to make him hide."

"I won't hide," said Ritsuka, who was determined not to cover his face with his hands.

"That's good," Said Natsuo. They had moved closer. "It brings in more customers when you entice them this way. See?" He pointed to a man in a brown coat and hat crossing the street and coming toward them. He must have come out of the bar across the street.

Ritsuka felt his stomach plummet and inched a little behind Kio.

The man's face was completely obscured in shadow – which was probably how he wanted it, Ritsuka reflected. The customers surely preferred as much anonymity as possible. He stopped right in front of Youji and Natsuo, who stood grinning at him, arms around each other.

"Can we help you with something?" Youji asked coyly. The glance that he shot at the man's crotch made his meaning unmistakable.

"Yeah," the man replied gruffly. "Both of you. Blowjob."

Natsuo giggled. "I think that can be arranged – for a small fee."

The man pulled a handful of bills out of his coat pocket. To Ritsuka's eyes, it looked more like a large fee. "Will this do the trick?" he asked.

"Absolutely," said Youji, taking the bills and pocketing them. "You won't be disappointed. Working together is our specialty, isn't that right, Natsuo?"

Natsuo hummed in agreement, his smile positively sinister in Ritsuka's opinion. "We can go right behind there." He nudged his chin toward the side of their house, where a sturdy but dumpy wooden fence blocked the view from the vacant grocery store building beside it.

"But, uh…" said Youji. "Ritsuka's going to watch."

The man's eyes darted between Kio and Ritsuka.

"Yeah," said Kio. "don't worry, we wont charge you extra." He leaned into Ritsuka's ear and whispered, "You can see how it works. This is a good opportunity."

"Fine," said the man. "Just him, though."

Youji and Natsuo cupped hands and began to follow him into the shadows. Ritsuka stared after them, his heart hammering, and Kio gave his back a little shove.

"Go on, little bro. I'll be waiting."

I chose this….I chose this…Ritsuka reminded himself. His feet felt like leaden blocks as he trailed after Youji and Natsuo. He didn't have to do anything but watch. And he could even close his eyes if he wanted. No one would know.

By the time Ritsuka had carried himself over to the spot, everyone was already in position. Youji and Natsuo were on their knees in front of the stranger, who leaned against the brick wall with his legs shoulder-width apart. Their hands were crawling up and down the man's thighs, but it seemed that even that much foreplay was unwanted. The man unbuttoned and unzipped his trousers with a sickening efficiency.

They took turns at first, then both began working up and down either side. Ritsuka was sorry to see that the moon and the bright lights across the street illuminated the aclove enough for Ritsuka could see detail: the shine of saliva and precum, the faint twitch of the man's anatomy. Ritsuka felt his stomach go sour, like he'd just drunk a glass of bad milk. He clutched a hand to his mouth and willed himself to look away but found that he couldn't. Again he found himself wondering, how could they do this so easily? Ritsuka didn't think he could take a stranger into his mouth. How much worse would it be to take someone into his body?

The man moaned out suddenly, and Ritsuka blinked through the silvery darkness, watching the man spill himself on the ground while Youji and Natsuo both worked him with their fists.

Ritsuka felt another hot wave of dizziness roll over him. The man zipped up his pants and hurried away without a word, and Ritsuka turned away and was sick all over the pebble-spotted dirt. He felt one of the boys rubbing his back, and was sick again wondering if that was the hand he had just used to bring that strange man to orgasm.

"The first time seeing it is always the worst….it'll get easier."

It was Natsuo's voice. Ritsuka couldn't respond, though. His throat was still convulsing and his mouth tasted like bile. He felt an arm slip around his front, easing him up from his doubled-over position. When Ritsuka was upright again, he saw that it was Youji supporting him.

"Let's get him into the house," Youji was saying to Natsuo. "Wash his mouth."

Ritsuka stumbled along between them, barely seeing where he was going. Eventually he felt the fluorescent lights of the house beating down on him. Then a toothbrush and toothpaste were being stuffed into his hands, along with a miniature bottle of mouthwash.

His hands were shaking as he cleaned his teeth. Youji and Natsuo stayed on either side of him the whole time. In the back of his mind, Ritsuka thanked them for that. Despite knowing that it was their actions that had made him sick…their presence now was a comfort.

"Kio will be wondering where we all are," Natuso murmured, when Ritsuka was done. "We need to get back out there."

Outside on the street again, the icy wind was all the colder. Ritsuka shivered and shook as they made their way back to Kio.

"Hey, there you guys are!" Kio said brightly when they approached. "I was wondering what was….wait, what happened to Ritsuka?"

"He threw up," said Youji, very blunt.

Kio's lips twisted sympathetically."You aren't the only one who's thrown up after something like that, little bro. I did too, the first time I saw a client. It was terrible. But it will get easier….you'll see."

"I don't know," he found himself saying, although he swore he wouldn't mention his misgivings. "I really don't know, Kio."

"You can," said Kio, placing an arm around Ritsuka's shoulders. "You learn to separate yourself from the emotional. It's just sex, Ritsuka, I know that sounds disgusting and wrong, but it is purely a physical thing. It's like giving someone a massage."

"It's true," said Natsuo. "You slept with Soubi. Numerous times, I'm sure, and you must know that he is not an emotional person."

Embarrassment and guilt seemed to war with each other as Ritsuka felt Kio tense beside him. He was sure Kio knew what was going on between them while Ritsuka stayed with Soubi….but Ritsuka was sure it couldn't be easy to hear.

"Look, Ritsuka," said Youji. He yanked him from beneath Kio's arm and tucked him beneath his own. "Just watch what we do a few more times and see if it doesn't get easier."

Ritsuka really didn't like the sound of that. He didn't know if he could manage to witness such a thing again, let alone do it himself. What was he going to do if he threw up every time it happened? Clients weren't going to appreciate that. Neither would Soubi. Soubi would fire him if Ritsuka couldn't keep it together. He'd kick Ritsuka out of the house and then Ritsuka would be right back under his overpass, half-starved and alone.

The thought made him shudder violently. Ritsuka had to try to do this. He had to. He had to give it his best effort and fight his feelings. Remove the emotional side of things from the equation, just like Kio said. It was the only way.

Ritsuka heard the sound of an engine purring. He kept his head down, staring at the concrete of the sidewalk. He didn't need to look up in order to know it was another client. And he really didn't need the image of another client right now.

The purring grew louder and louder, until tires came into Ritsuka's narrow field of vision, rolling up next to the curb.

Strangely, Ritsuka felt the boys on the street crowd in closer. Some of them were murmuring to each other and some were chuckling darkly. Youji and Natsuo were shifting on their feet, tossing their hair as though posing.

"What's going—" Ritsuka began, but Kio cut him off.

"Now here's a good example of the upshot of this job." He gestured toward the car, a glossy black Rolls Royce. It was idling slowly by, no doubt to give the driver a good look at his selection. "That is Soubi's best client."

Ritsuka stood up on his tiptoes, trying to get a glimpse of the person inside. "Why is he Soubi's best client?" he asked.

"He's never late with money, never hurts any of the boys, and…." Kio replied, "is actually pretty smoking hot."

Ritsuka glanced at Kio curiously. "Really?"

Kio smirked. "Really. It's not even like work when you go home with him. Almost every one of us go with him on a night off just for the hell of it."

Ritsuka turned back toward the car, staring at it distantly. It really was a very pretty car. It wasn't hard to imagine that its owner could be attractive.

"You'll meet him eventually." Kio went on. "He never plays favorites. A lot of the boys have tried to change that, of course…"

The car had rolled to a stop in front of Kio, the driver's side window rolling down smoothly. Ritsuka heard a refined-sounding cough come from inside the vehicle, and Kio promptly moved closer. He bent down to meet the driver at eye-level.

Trying to hide the fact that he was eavesdropping, Ritsuka strained to hear the conversation.

"How much is Soubi asking for the new boy?" came the driver's voice. It was so smooth and pleasant, Ritsuka could actually hear the smile on the driver's face.

Kio made a regretful clucking noise with his tongue. "Sorry…he's just observing tonight. Not taking clients."

"Hmmm…." came the driver's voice again, sounding more thoughtful than disappointed. "He's very cute, Kio. I assume you dressed him?"

Kio gave an embarrassed little laugh and nodded.

"I thought so." Ritsuka could hear the smile again. "I'd be willing to pay double for him, you know. Do you think you could manage it for me?"

"Hmm…" Kio's voice sounded absurdly flirtatious. "I can't promise anything, even for you. But if you give me a few minutes to conference with him, I'll see what I can do."

"What!" Ritsuka shrieked at Kio as he turned around. "Kio! Why would you—"

"Be quiet and come here." Kio snapped up Ritsuka's elbow and dragged him closer toward the house, out of the client's earshot.

"What the HELL, Kio?" Ritsuka wailed. "You know I'm not—!"

"Settle down and listen to me, for goodness sake. I know you aren't sure of this, but I'm telling you," he leaned down to Ritsuka's level and grabbed hold of his shoulders. "You will not get another first client like this. This is astounding luck you're having, him asking for you."

"But, I can't—"

"But you can with him. He knows you're new, and he understands that you're nervous. That I told him you were only observing tonight makes it impossible for him to not realize that. But he's patient. He'll make sure you're comfortable and relaxed before he tries anything. He's good at it, Ritsuka. You'll enjoy yourself."

Ritsuka hesitated, wanting to protest more. But Kio sounded dead serious about this. This guy wasn't going to hurt him, that was obvious. But…

"Ritsuka," said Kio. "Please, please trust me on this. It's just downright idiotic to pass this up."

"But I'm scared." Ritsuka felt his lower lip tremble, and Kio smiled maternally at him.

"It's okay to be scared, Ritsuka. But you wont be for long, not if you go with him. Trust me."

Ritsuka swallowed hard and shivered again, then gave a tentative nod. Kio grinned and hugged him, then took his hand and led him back over to the Rolls Royce. Ritsuka could see his reflection in the glossy surface; he inhaled bravely.

Kio leaned down again at the window. He smiled at the driver and nodded. "He says he'll do it."

Ritsuka heard a soft chuckle come from the driver. "Wonderful. I really appreciate it."

"Hey..." Kio murmured, sounding absurdly flirtatious again. "I'll give you a two for one deal if I can come along."

"Oh, Kio, you know I'm not into that sort of thing," the driver replied. "Besides...I'm already paying double tonight. I won't be needing an extra side dish. Just the entree will do."

Kio huffed. "Fine," he said, turning to Ritsuka and taking him by the elbow. "Get in, you little brat."

Kio stalked to the passenger side and opened the door, shoving Ritsuka bodily inside.

Ritsuka pulled in his legs to avoid Kio slamming the door on them and peered out the window into his disgruntled face.

"You'll be fine," Kio insisted, losing most of his sourness. "See you in a few hours." And he walked back toward Natsuo and Youji, who were also looking like they had just been gypped out of a birthday present.

Ritsuka slid his hands between his knees to keep them from fidgeting and tried to breathe in a rhythm that was both calming and wouldn't make it sound like he was imitating a panting dog. It was difficult, but the seat was plush and comfortable, the interior of the car was deliciously warm, and the purr of the engine felt like a welcoming embrace.

"Are you not going to let me see those beautiful eyes of yours?" asked the client.

Ritsuka knew that voice. He knew it and yet he couldn't place it. His insides were writhing with apprehension, and his heart was pounding so hard he could hear the blood pumping through his ears. Despite all this, he swallowed hard and forced himself to meet the stranger's gaze.

Like a speed-demon crashing into a brick wall, Ritsuka's heart slammed to a stop.

Not a stranger.

His stranger, the Beautiful Stranger, was staring with calm gentility back at him.

"I must admit," he said with a smile, "you look much more fetching without the milk."

-BC3 & MagicMind