Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

((Many thanks for the reviews, they\'re really helping me and giving me the motivation to keep writing. And I am well aware of how corny that sounded, but it\'s true. xDD
Jace - About your request, I was gonna put it in this chapter but it kinda didn\'t go exactly as planned. However, it will go in, either next chapter, as long as it goes how I want it to, or later, or in the unlikely event I can\'t fit it in, then I\'ll do a one off PWP perhaps. ^-^ And apologies if I used \'blonde\' again, it\'s just the way I\'m used to writing it.
DrkDreamer - No Hadrian wasn\'t going to soften up, but I\'m beginning to think that he might.
Thanks again to my other reviewers and especially to a friend of mine who gave me the idea for this chapter. Anyway, on with the chapter.))

Chapter Seven. Warnings - BJ, mild angst.

Rafael awoke to warmth pooling around his groin, and where normally he’d take a few minutes to wake slowly, relax in the bed and let the last dregs of sleep filter away on their own, that morning, he felt the need to wake himself up rather urgently.

Leon had been up for at least an hour already, just watching Rafael sleep, trailing delicate fingers through his hair, careful not to awaken the slumbering male. That was until he decided that perhaps he should apologise for hurting the older slave the previous day and make it up to him.

And the only way Leon knew how to do that, considering his background, was through sex.

So that was how Leon came to be nestled between the tanned slave’s legs, licking the male’s length into hardness, and it was that that Raf felt, the warmth of Leon’s licking arousing him. Rafael moaned softly and squirmed slightly, alerting Leon to his waking, but the blond slave didn’t cease his ministrations. In fact, he intensified them.

Once Rafael was awake and coherent, Leon stopped his licking and instead engulfed the arousal between his lips, causing Raf to gasp softly and arch up into the boy’s warm mouth. He wanted to ask the youth what this was about, why he was doing something so intimate to him, but when he opened his mouth to ask, Leon’s tongue licked up the underside of his length as he pulled back off it a little, and the coherent thought that Raf gathered when he awoke was chased away like leaves on the wind, dancing and spiralling teasingly just beyond his reach.

At least he knew Rafael was enjoying it, so that meant that Leon was making it up to him, just as he’d planned, and that was good. That was very good. Allowing a small and rare smile to curl the corners of his lips, Leon took the sensitive head of the dark haired slave’s erection and just contentedly sucked on it for a while, his tongue occasionally teasing the slit, lapping up any drops of pre-cum that might have formed already.

Rafael was trying to stifle his moans, biting on his bottom lip, clenching his fists into the bed sheets below him, squeezing his eyes shut, but he couldn’t help it when the wanton noises passed his lips, and every time they did, Leon would lick slowly up the underside of his straining length as if in reward for making some sound of want and encouragement. He couldn’t help it either, considering the fact that he could see the sheet over his groin rising and falling as Leon’s head bobbed in his lap, it was just so arousing.

As Leon began to take more of his companion’s length into his mouth, Rafael began to squirm; obviously building up to his release and it only spurred Leon on more. The younger slave swallowed around the engorged flesh, throat constricting around the invading length causing Rafael to moan louder and rock his hips gently. Pleased with his fellow slave’s reactions, Leon hummed in approval and he knew that it had to feel so amazing as the sound vibrated along Raf’s erection. Luca had always praised the boy for what he could do with his talented little mouth.

When he could feel and hear that Raf wouldn’t last much longer, Leon let the erection slide from his lips and licked teasingly at the head to clear away the pearly beads of fluid that had accumulated before taking only the head into his mouth again and sucking harder, drawing Rafael’s climax upon him.

Rafael’s moans quickly reached a peak with the intensified stimulation and his body stiffened slightly, toes curling as he reached his orgasm, releasing sticky off-white fluid into the boy’s waiting mouth.

Leon swallowed every last drop, licking his lips to savour the taste on his tongue and collected any drops that were dribbling down from the corner of his mouth. Considerately licking Raf’s extremity clean of any residual fluid, Leon then climbed up the slave’s body and rested on his chest, a cheeky little smile gracing his angelic features.

“What was that for?” Rafael asked quietly, one hand reaching out to cup one slightly flushed, delicate cheek.

“I wanted to apologise for yesterday.” The boy explained softly, lowering his gaze to the sheet. “I wouldn’t have hurt you if I had a choice, it’s just… I didn’t want… I…”

“It’s okay.” Raf interjected quietly, placing a slim finger over the boy’s lips to silence him, only to have the smallest of kisses placed on that finger which caused him to smile slightly. “You did what you had to and I don’t hold it against you.” He murmered, moving his finger from the boy’s lips and trailing his hand through the soft blonde tresses. Leon seemed to like that, as his head tilted a little to encourage the ministration so he kept it up a little longer.

The younger slave looked absolutely adorable as his eyes closed to concentrate on the gentle attention, attention that Raf was more than happy to indulge in and he was delighted when Leon began to make a soft noise that was about as close to a purr as a human could get. After a few minutes of just stroking through the boy’s hair, Rafael eventually just held the boy against him so that they were hugging, just enjoying each other’s company. Raf was about to open his mouth to ask a few questions about his friend, get to know him better, find out about what his life was like before he was enslaved by Hadrian, when there came the sharp report of a knock on their door before it swung open to reveal the same guard who had escorted them around the previous day.

“You are to be fed before you are brought before the master. And you are on your best behaviour; our Lord has a guest with him.” The guard announced, blatantly ignoring how the pair were resting in the same bed with Leon atop Raf. It was clear though that the guard was averting his eyes, talking to the wall above the boy’s heads rather than speak directly to them.

Leon awkwardly but hastily scrambled off his companion and got to his feet, baring his naked body to the guard who either politely or in disgust averted his eyes before closing the door as he stepped back outside to wait. Leon then proceeded to drop to his knees on the floor, presenting Raf with an unobstructed view of the boy’s backside, while he searched for his robe.

Raf just lay in the bed for a few moments longer, his tall, slender form clearly defined beneath the rumpled sheets. He lay there so that he had the space to think about a few things before facing another day of inevitable pain and humiliation. And this time it would undoubtedly be humiliation in front of another person. They were going to be shown off like prize animals.

Raf was really a good person at heart; sure, he had a pretty tainted reputation as the son of a rather wealthy yet corrupt and immoral merchant. He found it hard to hate people and despite people perceiving him to be as dishonest as his father, he still managed to build a respectful life for himself, selling his wares honestly. Of course on had to consider that his arrogance and egotistical attitude often got him into trouble with other merchants and patrons alike, but in the right circumstances, he could really soften up. Especially if he knew that he could not do something on his own. He wasn’t egocentric enough to make his own life harder by not admitting that there were some things that could only be done with the help of another, such as escape Hadrian’s hell.

He had to put it down to circumstances that he’d already become so close to the boy. After all, how could one not feel sorry for what the boy had to go through that day, he was so small and cute and didn’t deserve to be used as someone’s toy. At least that was what he thought anyway.

It was then that he registered that he had been staring, lost in his thoughts and that there was a pair of vibrant blue eyes looking questioningly at him barely a few inches from his nose.

“Why are you still in bed?” The blonde slave asked, genuinely curious as to why Raf hadn’t moved, unless he /wanted/ to get punished for not being prompt.

Shaking his head to clear the thoughts from his mind and playfully batting the boy away from his face, Raf stretched beneath the sheets before swinging his legs to the edge of the bed, wary of his nudity, he had a great body but he didn’t actually like showing it off not when he was naked anyway. A cream colored something was suddenly in his face where Leon had thrown it at him, the material turning out to be his robe.

“Alright, I’m up.” Rafael announced with a quiet chuckle as he pulled his robe on and tied the rope belt in a loose knot before following the boy to the door. It was like the youth was a completely different person when he wasn’t feeling under pressure quite as much.

When they both stepped into the hallway, it was back to normal again, no conversation passing between them, no little smiles or playful banter, just tense silence and gazes on the floor, following obediently behind the guard.

The boys were led along the corridors and to the banquet room where they had their first decent meal since being enslaved by Hadrian. The meal before them was considerably smaller this time, but there was still plenty to go around between them and Leon was only small after all. They took their seats, always under guard, and hesitantly piled a little of everything onto their plates as if afraid that they weren’t actually allowed to eat yet or something might be poisoned.

Before the guard could come and urge them to stop procrastinating, the two boys started eating, albeit slowly, picking at their food, pushing it around their plates, anything inconspicuous to waste the time away so that they wouldn’t have to face Hadrian again. However, even though they hadn’t finished eating, their guard began to usher them off. Apparently, it didn’t matter how long they took eating, they would still be urged onwards whether they were hungry and hadn’t finished eating or not.

Shuffling quickly along the well-lit corridors, they were soon left outside Hadrian’s room. And both slaves felt tight knots of dread coiling in their throats and stomachs. What did he have in store for them that day?

They paused before entering though, and leaned in towards the door, listening intently. There was speaking inside the room, Hadrian was in there with someone else, and it sounded like a civilised conversation so it wasn’t any slaves or anything.

“I’m glad you could make it here, I know how busy you have been lately, searching for your missing slave…”

Missing slave?

“Still no sign of him, and I feel as if I have looked everywhere for him.”
“You should give details on his appearance so that we can help search for him.”
“But I cannot, it would make little difference as it would mean that many slaves would be brought to me, claiming to be the one I am searching for. It is better this way.
“As you wish.”
“In the meantime, did you not say you had some slaves you wished to show me? I recall you being very eager to show them off.”

So they were there to be on display. Perhaps they would not be tortured so that their skin was not blemished and they looked as perfect as they could be. It would obviously mean disrobing in front of a complete stranger but that couldn’t be helped. Or perhaps they would be abused in front of the man for his enjoyment, like a perverse show. Leon couldn’t suppress the shudder that wracked his small frame. The visitor’s words concerned him though, the comment on the missing slave.

Before he could question it though, the door was swinging open and Hadrian was beckoning for them to enter, wearing the most fake smile Leon thought it was possible to behold. However, Leon kept his features carefully neutral as he shuffled into the room with Raf.

What happened next was something Leon could not have expected. There, stood opposite him, obviously Hadrian’s guest, was Luca.

Blue eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of his old master and Leon’s body went rigid, causing Rafael to bump into him before stepping around him to see what the fuss was about and then he looked from Leon to Luca and back again, thoroughly confused.

“Leon…?” Luca took a step closer to the little blonde slave who looked hesitant to really believe that he’d found his love again. Luca’s expression was going from polite attention as he was talking with Hadrian, to absolute joy and bewilderment. Leon was here! Stood right in front of him, looking a little more mature, slightly dishevelled but otherwise the same as when he’d last seen his beloved slave.

Hadrian was stood to one side looking rather confused. Leon belonged to him now, not Luca. He hadn’t known Leon belonged to Luca, or else he would not have allowed Leon to leave his room. Nevertheless, it was too late for that now. Hadrian didn’t oversee the collection of his slaves; it didn’t matter to him where they came from as long as they suited his needs. It would seem that Leon had been stolen from right underneath Luca’s nose. How his people managed he didn’t know, nor did it really matter.

Hadrian was disrupted from his pondering when Leon practically threw himself into Luca’s arms and buried his face into Luca’s neck. Both males looked overjoyed that they had been reunited, but there was one problem, Hadrian wasn’t willing to give Leon up. Leon didn’t belong to Luca anymore, regardless of the obvious affection between them.

Rafael who was stood awkwardly to one side much the same as Hadrian, glanced at said master and winced, looking away. Hadrian’s expression was dark enough to make the rare flowers in vases around the room wither and die.

“Excuse me, but could you unhand my slave please Luca.” Hadrian spoke, his voice cold and laced with venom. It had started as an innocent meeting, just to show off his two best slaves and it had become something completely different, something more sinister.

Luca immediately froze, his lips pausing mid-sentence where he’d been whispering sweet nothings into his love’s ear. His jade eyes narrowed and his friendly demeanour evaporated to be replaced by a clear determination. Leon wasn’t Hadrian’s, never had been. Leon was Luca’s and that was final, the little slave was coming back with Luca as soon as he left. Which would be soon.

However, Luca did let Leon go, albeit reluctantly and much to the little blonde slave’s dismay. “Alright, I let him go now, but mark my words Hadrian, I’m taking him with me next time.” He promised, eyes narrowed and glinting dangerously. Obviously, Luca could be tough when he needed to be, and he was showing a side that Leon rarely saw.

Without another word, only glares traded, Luca breezed from the room, cloak swirling behind him.

Leon looked rather dumbstruck, as if he was having a hard time convincing himself that those events had actually happened and it wasn’t just a dream, he had been sleeping comfortably after all. One look at Hadrian cemented the reality of the situation though. The master looked like he was about ready to explode in anger and the two slaves were worried that they would bear the brunt of his anger.

Hadrian seemed to have lost interest in the pair for now though, more intent on throwing one of the vases against the wall. He knew that to underestimate Luca would not be wise and he took the threat very seriously, even though he didn’t have any idea how Luca would manage to get the boy out. Right then it didn’t matter, just looking at the younger slave was reminding him of Luca and he didn’t want to take his anger out on his slaves, he was at least considerate enough to think of his slaves’ well-being.

“Out! Get out and stay out!” Hadrian snarled at the pair who were trying to prepare themselves to be on the receiving end of some harsh treatment. He then turned his back and began to irately pace across the room, hearing the door click closed as the slaves crept out.

Now. What should a pair of pleasure slaves do in their free time? Well, they had no escort and no way of getting into the locked rooms, so the pair decided to actually take the time to look around at their accommodation. Most of it was nothing new to the smaller slave, the hallways that were decorated with expensive paintings with small dressers and ornate tables topped with vases of flowers and exquisite trinkets were only a minor variation to his old master’s mansion. Although the two masters’ tastes were very different in terms of their preference in style of painting. Hadrian liked portraits of his family and other important people, whereas Luca liked sprawling landscapes.

Rafael seemed amazed by it all. Never before had he seen such displays of wealth, he wondered what it would be like to live as the master did, knowing he had wealth and acting like it too. Having people working for him so that he could do whatever he wanted; get whatever he wanted merely at a curt command.

“You’re lucky to know that guy.” Rafael suddenly announced, staring up at a family portrait. “Who was he anyway? Your father or something?” He asked, turning his grey eyes to the smaller slave.

Leon almost answered straight away but as his mouth opened to reply, he shut it again quickly. He liked Rafael, maybe it was just because they were together and in the same situation, but he still liked Raf and he didn’t want to ruin their bond. What was he thinking about? Well, how would Rafael react when he found out Leon had been a pleasure slave in the past too? How would he react when he found out that Leon had fallen in love with his master and /liked/ being Luca’s pleasure slave?

He didn’t want to risk it, but he didn’t want to lie so he sighed and lowered his gaze, causing Rafael to frown in confusion. “Let’s find the gardens, I’ll tell you there.” He whispered, and after a puzzled nod, the pair started to wander the halls in search of the doors that would lead them out into the sprawling grounds.

((Did you know that Hadrian means Dark One and Luca means Bringer of Light? No? Well, you do now, a random play on their names. Anyway, keep reading and reviewing. Arigatou! See you next chapter!))