A/N: Lycoris: Don't worry, I'm actually glad that you pointed it out, so I could fix it ;)

Sometimes I just hated it to be right. As predicted the patron wasn't pleased at all at my intention of dropping out of business. I stood in his office, fidgeting under his glare that seemed to scream 'I am not amused' at me. I had seen this coming, and yet I had hoped against it, only to be proven wrong, or right, depending on how you look at it. Or something like this.

Ah this was starting to get me confused.

Focus, Lukas focus, I thought to myself.

After Mathias and I had come to terms, sort of, we had spent the rest of the day just holding on to each other, saying nothing and just enjoy the other's company. Or at least, that was how I would have gladly spent that day, but after about half an hour, Mathias declared he was about to die of boredom and dragged me out of the house. So in truth, we spent the rest of the day wandering through the forest, while Mathias talked and talked and asked for my opinion and finally to talk some more.

As annoyingly obnoxious he could be, I still found comfort in his endless monologues. At least I wasn't required to answer, often, and after a while his voice melted into the background noises of the forest and I found myself to be completely relaxed. And to my utter astonishment Mathias tried nothing; he made no pass at me or tried to touch me inappropriately. Granted, he complimented me more than once and he did touch me. But they were Mathias-like touches, bare of anything than innocent joy. He would pull my hand, when he discovered a shallow pool, where he would bask in his image, until he finally remembered my presence, only to compliment the shade of my hair color.

I endured all that with more patience, I ever thought I had, but strangely enough, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. It felt even nice in some way, to be appreciated like that. Emil loved me, I knew, but he wasn't the type of person to openly show it, and neither was I. So this was a refreshing change. And of course he kept his grin alive the whole day. I really wondered how he pulled that of. Didn't his facial muscles hurt like hell? Or was this his default expression, and everything that was not a grin would feel strange after some time, so that he would revert to grinning again.

When we returned to the house, Emil had been back again, and glad to be able to talk to him I had unceremoniously kicked Mathias out, despite his constant begging. Okay it wasn't nearly that easy, I had to promise him yet again that I would quit my job and that I would wait for him before I got there. He reassured me that he would come as early as possible and before I could object he placed a timid kiss on my forehead, whispering 'I love you' in my ear. Then he was off, waving enthusiastically and grinning like a madman. What else was new?

During that whole goodbye-scene Emil had waited inside, so as not to get caught in the middle. I caught myself watching Mathias fondly, as he finally turned around and walked down the road towards the town.

I collected myself before I entered the house, closing the door gingerly behind me. This would not be easy. But Emil, I swear that kid sometimes was too clever for his own good, surprised me: "You're going to quit, aren't you?" "Well, yes… I guess?"

"You better do, or else I will never talk to you again." He said with brows furrowed in determination and added, "Ever."

"So you're not mad?" I couldn't help but ask.

He sighed, and suddenly he didn't look angry anymore, he looked rather sad. "Of course not Lukas, I am just… I am angry at the circumstances, and that you didn't talk to me first. We could have sorted something out, we're brothers after all." He stepped forward and hesitated for a moment before he pulled me into a hug. "You're not alone in this you know? I'm a big boy now, I can help you."

Mathias had said almost the same.

I returned the hug and so we stood there for a seemingly endless moment, before Emil pulled away, suddenly embarrassed. "I'll make dinner." He mumbled and shuffled past me to the small area that was our kitchen.

That thing we had in common, we both weren't comfortable with our emotions out in the open.

That day I went to bed early, my mind set on outsmarting Mathias and leave, before he would show up. He deemed me to be someone who would sleep through the whole morning anyway.

But I couldn't sleep, I lied wide awake unable to put my mind to rest. I stared at the roof, wondering how odd the ways of life were. One moment I had to have to cry myself to sleep, for the pain in my body and soul was too unbearable. And the next moment I was embraced by someone I had just recently met, and who claimed to love me. How did things like this happen?

But I couldn't help but smile as I thought of that annoying Blonde. He just made me feel warm and comfortable, a feeling I hadn't had since the time my father died. And before I could stop them, I felt tears streaming down my cheeks, I was never an emotional person, but the storm of feelings that had broken down upon me the past few days was enough to shatter my inner barriers. But they weren't all tears of sadness; on the contrary, my mouth was pulled into the light state of a smile.

"Don't worry Lukas, it will be alright." I tensed; I didn't know that Emil was awake too. "He's an idiot but he's an honest idiot." He continued, apparently he was speaking of Mathias. I didn't answer; maybe he would just think I was asleep.

"I love you." His voice had a rare gentle undertone. "I love you, too." I answered after a while, not sure if he had heard it or not. But after that sleep came fast and I didn't care anymore.

The next morning I woke up early. I sneaked out of my bed and past Emil, careful not to disturb him in his sleep. The sun had just begun to rise as I stepped out of the house. Mathias was nowhere in sight so I didn't waste any more time and started walking towards the town.

Despite the early hour, people were already up and about, glancing at me with curiosity from time to time. It wasn't unusual for me to walk through town, and people had gotten used to it. The times when my family was hated, had faded, most didn't even remember. But I had never been up this early. I tried to ignore the occasional stares as best I could, the nervous knot in my stomach was tight enough already.

The patron definitely wouldn't take kindly to this.

But there was no use delaying it, I braced myself as I reached the brothel and entered through the side entrance. The employees mostly were still asleep, but I knew that the patron was already up, for he would rise with the soon so not to waste any part of the day.

I reached his office door and halted. Suddenly the knot in my innards grew tighter and I swallowed hard. I had no bargaining point at all, which made this matter pretty complicated. Maybe I could just argue that my performances wouldn't be able to increase, and take him on his threat to kick me out, when I continued to fail. But knowing him, he would certainly demand compensation.

I knocked and entered upon answer.

And as I had predicted before, he didn't like my proposal at all.

So now I was standing here, hands nervously clasped behind my back, unable to meet his gaze.

"You know Lukas, I can't just do that." His voice was calm and all business-like. But I didn't miss the implications that laced every word.

"If you had provided valued services maybe, or had received a certain level of damage maybe…" He trailed off, tapping his finger on the dark wood of his giant desk.

This was without a doubt, not good.

I straightened myself. "I am sorry, but I have absolutely no intention of continuing my work here." I stated with a firm, I didn't really feel.

"Oh but then who will pay your food?" He asked innocently with a raised brow.

I didn't answer to that, unwilling to give off my 'deal' with Mathias. He scrutinized me for a moment and then leaned his head back and laughed. "Oh so you managed to seduce Kohler's son. Congrats' on that." What, who? Did he mean Mathias? I didn't know that his last name was Kohler, but then again I had never asked him as much.

"But that only means, I will certainly not let you out of the deal." He smirked and leaned back in his chair, resting his fingers against each other. "And don't think you can just walk out of here, I know where you live after all. You have a little brother I have heard, how is he?" His voice had taken up a more threatening note and I shivered involuntarily. "Leave my brother out of this." I spat through gritted teeth.

"Oh I don't have any quarrel with your brother. That is if you do as I say… You don't want little Emil to get hurt, do you?" How did he know his name? Damn that bastard.

"What do you want?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

"Well you a certainly not fitted for this kind of work, I grant you that, but there are other things you could be helpful with." He smiled at me, but this smile wasn't friendly at all.

"See the Kohlers are rich, but I'm sure you know that already." He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice, as if he were to confide some sort of conspiracy at me. Come to think of it, he probably really was.

"I want you to use that fool of a son to get me as much money as possible. I won't set a limit, that's just how kind I am, but I certainly expect a large sum."

He leaned back again. "Don't disappoint me though; I won't take kindly to that."

This couldn't be happening. I felt a sickening fir of nausea rise in my stomach.

"I'll give you a week, that is more than generous, but I think it will be worth the wait."

Life really was a bitch.

"So do we have ourselves a deal?" I swallowed the uprising nausea, not wanting to worsen my situation by throwing up on his well-groomed carpet floor.

"What if…" My voice cracked and I had to try again.

"What if I can't get any money?" Or rather, what if I wasn't intent on shaking hands on this stupid deal?

"Well I told you, didn't I?" Oh shit.

"Your brother would pay the price. I'm sure I can sell his virgin ass with a better price than yours. He's still a child after all, and children are hard to come by. "Or maybe I get a taste of him myself". He licked his lips almost as if in anticipation. "But I like it rough, he probably won't get up after I am done with him."

I broke into cold sweat, and had to fight down yet another surge of nausea. I couldn't let that happen, I just couldn't. I couldn't let that beast lay his hands on my precious baby brother. But how was I supposed to talk Mathias out of so much money. Sure he offered me some gladly, but this was more than just living expenses. This was serious.

I could always go back to working for him, but something made me think that he wouldn't take me back that easily. And besides I had promised Mathias to never work here again.

I lowered my head in defeat and muttered under my breath: "Fine."

"What was that? I didn't quite catch that."

"Fine." I hissed, louder this time. "I'll get you your money, just keep Emil out of this."

"Perfect." He smiled again at me, as if we had just to an equal benefitting conclusion.

That damn bastard, oh how I hated his guts. But there was nothing I could do.

"It's always a pleasure making a deal with you Lukas." Why did he have to sound so god damn happy?

"I'll expect you in a week. Don't be late or I cannot guarantee what will happen." He said, as I turned around to leave his study. I closed the door to his self-satisfied laughter.

This was bad, really bad.

What was I supposed to do?

Suddenly I regretted coming here without Mathias. Sure he was a nuisance most of the time, but his presence would at least comfort me. And maybe he would have been able to stand up to the patron.

With a sigh I walked down the hallway towards the exit.

"Lukas." A voice called me back, and I turned around unwilling to face whoever it was who called out to me. I shouldn't have been surprised as I saw the familiar features of the Lady. Again she was dressed and styled only casually, the hair framing her face reflecting the light from the oil-amps on the wall.

"How was it?"

"Horrible." I answered mindlessly, before I could remember that she most likely didn't ask about my unfavorable talk with the patron from just minutes ago.

"Oh that," I corrected, "that went pretty well… I guess."

She raised an eyebrow at that, but to my relief didn't inquire further what it was exactly, that went horrible.

"I'm glad it worked out." She said and smiled. "So I hope you take that chance and get out of here?"

Well about that…

But instead I just nodded. I didn't want to pull her into this mess too, after she had helped me countless time. Thinking about that, I decided to ask a question that had been on my mind for quite some time now.

"Why did you help me? I mean you didn't have to, so yeah, why?"

For a moment she just looked at me. I was sure then that she wouldn't answer, or feed me off with a 'Why not' of sorts, but she spoke.

"You remind me of someone." Her voice was solemn and her eyes were looking at something that wasn't there, a memory maybe. When I thought she would leave it at that, she continued: "I had a sister once, she was older and always eager to protect me. When our parents died, she worked day and night to provide for me, and when that wasn't enough she everything she had. And after that, she sold all of our family heirlooms. All the while, never touching anything that belonged to me.

And when that still wasn't enough, she finally sold her body. But she didn't got as lucky as us she ended up on the streets, forced to sell her body to abusive and violent men who where a hair strand above gutter dregs.

I wasn't aware of it until it was too late, and even then her sacrifice wasn't enough to completely save me. But it was enough to provide me with a little bit of education and so I ended up here. It could have been much worse, and it is only thanks to her that it isn't."

She finished, her eyes were set on an almost invisible dirt spot on the else meticulously clean wall.

"I never got to say thank you, though. She died before I got the chance."

"I couldn't help but say: "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

Silence fell between us, only disturbed by the distant ticking of a clock. Which reminded me that I had to go and face Mathias wrath for leaving him behind. And that I had to come up with a plan to satisfy the patron. I briefly had the mind to ask the Lady for help, but I discarder the idea as soon as I saw the sad look on her face. She had done enough.

"I just wanted to make sure, that you wouldn't die before your brother could say thank you." She smiled at me, and even though her eyes were still sad, her smile was warm and full of something that bordered to love.

"Farewell Lukas." She said quietly and nodded her head.

"Thank you and goodbye." I replied, watching her turn on her heels and walking down the hallway, disappearing around a corner. "Thank you." I repeated silently to myself.

Had I ever said thank you to Mathias? I couldn't remember, no matter how hard I tried. Maybe I should just do that, when I returned home. And afterwards…

Afterwards I would have to think about how I could get my hands on any money. My shoulders slumped, I made my way down the hall and through the side entrance, exiting into what looked to be a promising morning in autumn, one of the last warm days in this year.

Despite the warmth that was radiating from the morning sun, I felt cold. The road through the town was illuminated and bathed in sunlight. Red and yellow leaves were raining down as I passed through the alley, that led to the mayor's estate.

This day looked nothing but perfect. So why was it that I, on this beautiful day, had to feel like everything was about to crush down on me any minute?

Life really wasn't kind at all.

...