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The market is, objectively speaking, a miserable place. Precious few of the merchandise are happy to be there, nude and bound and collared - sometimes even caged - free for every prospective customer to examine. Few of the customers are happy either. Prices are high, and the press of so many bodies create a stifling atmosphere.
All in all, it is exactly what Jade had expected. He strolls leisurely through the market, not particularly bothered by what is going on around him. It was one of the reasons he had been chosen for this assignment. Today is his first day at the market; he's meant to speak with the vendors, make connections, and walk away with a cheap but handy acquisition.
He's working on the last part now. It's surprisingly difficult to find someone useful and docile, but still with some spirit left - he does not trust the older slaves who are complacent with the system.
It's during his second time looping through the market that someone catches his eye - for all the wrong reasons. He stops, stares at the familiar figure in front of him, an uncharacteristically surprised expression flashing over his face.
Then he's smiling again. He's still unsure if this is a good turn of events, but perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
"My my, I didn't expect to see you here."
All in all, it is exactly what Jade had expected. He strolls leisurely through the market, not particularly bothered by what is going on around him. It was one of the reasons he had been chosen for this assignment. Today is his first day at the market; he's meant to speak with the vendors, make connections, and walk away with a cheap but handy acquisition.
He's working on the last part now. It's surprisingly difficult to find someone useful and docile, but still with some spirit left - he does not trust the older slaves who are complacent with the system.
It's during his second time looping through the market that someone catches his eye - for all the wrong reasons. He stops, stares at the familiar figure in front of him, an uncharacteristically surprised expression flashing over his face.
Then he's smiling again. He's still unsure if this is a good turn of events, but perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
"My my, I didn't expect to see you here."
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Once he's certain Irvin is fast asleep, Shinjirou sneaks into the bathroom. It's a disgusting feeling to have Irvin's come run down his thighs, even with soap and hot water to wash it away. He cleans himself up properly, puts salve onto his wounds and into his abused opening, and band-aids over the marks left by Irvin's claws. A definite improvement.
Then there's chores to busy himself with: getting rid of the stains on the floor, vacuuming every room except the study, doing the laundry and preparing dinner -- Shinjirou is fully unaware of the heated discussion that's going on between the two men. He's even in quite a good mood again when they leave the study and bows to the guest to quietly say goodbye.
It's hard not to notice that Jade isn't all that happy, though.
"You two don't get along." Touching Jade's arm, he tilts his head, a small smile on his lips. Jade told him he did the right thing. It doesn't matter that he's a bit sore from the rough mating when he has those words to hold on to. "Can I cheer you up?"
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"Was it that obvious?" He adjusts his glasses, self-deprecating. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm fine. It's nothing much."
At the same time, he could do with a distraction from the events of last night (or early this morning, rather). Even now, he can smell the smoke. "Though I wouldn't say no to some food."
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He admires Jade's control. Seeing it slip even the slightest bit is odd, but sort of nice, too. Perfect control may not be possible, nor necessary. Maybe there's really a chance for him to learn. He sneaks a kiss onto Jade's neck, a bold move he tries to make up for by taking a step back.
"Give me a minute and I'll have dinner ready. Want me to prepare a bath for you while you eat?" Well, not asking questions isn't the same as more or less saying you stink.
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"I'd appreciate that." He gives Shinjirou a quick look over, checking on the state of his injuries. He's nowhere near ready to be tied up prettily and presented as a party favour, but they still have time. As long as he can stop Irvin from doing anything too extreme, he should have enough time to heal.
"I think that'll be all. You can wash my clothes tomorrow."
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He sets the table, still wearing the afterthought of a smile the entire time. The guest might've been angry or disgusted, but he doesn't care about guests as long as Jade approves of what he's doing. And with Irvin worn out, it looks like he'll have at least a few more hours of peace to come.
Eventually a steaming-hot plate is placed in front of Jade. "Here you go." Smile growing, Shinjirou fills a second plate for himself, though there's less on it than on Jade's. He doesn't want to spend a lot of time on his dinner, so there'll be enough time to prepare the bath.
"Might be wrong, but sake tonight?"
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"After the bath, perhaps. If you're not too tired, would you like to drink with me?"
He's not trying to instil any lessons into Shinjirou right now; there's no harm in a drink or two. In fact, he seems...buzzed, almost. Happy in a simple, uncomplicated way. Jade isn't entirely sure why, considering how the day had gone. He can't be this affected by the simple reassurance from earlier, can he?
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First the bath, though. After finishing his plate and excusing himself, he wanders off to take care of that. He picks a supplement and checks the temperature of the rising water, keeping it at a comfortable level until Jade enters the bathroom. "Hope dinner was alright. Anything I can help you with?"
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"I should be able to handle a bath by myself." So, no, he doesn't need anything.
It doesn't take long at all to finish bathing and put on some cologne. The air of the bathroom is cool on his damp skin, and after a few rapid blinks, Jade feels more awake than he had all day. Cleaner, too, in more ways than one. Confident and self-assured once more, he strolls out of the bathroom, adjusting his shirt as he does.
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"That was fast." He pours the sake into their cups, then hands one over to Jade. "Huh. You don't look pissed anymore. That's good, right?"
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Was he actually angry? He can't remember. Probably not; he can count the number of times he had truly been angry on one hand. Irritation, though, is another matter entirely. But it must have been quite severe for Shinjirou to have read him.
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Leaning against him, Shinjirou closes his eyes. This must be allowed, surely? Too late to decide against seeking Jade's closeness. "Any idea why Irvin's been acting strange all day?"
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"It's not very polite to contradict me," he remarks. "But no, I'm afraid I don't know. My best guess is that he grew bolder without me here this morning."
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After all, Irvin threw him down outside. But everything's settled down now and, though he's sore again, he feels at ease. Maybe his body and mind are so worn out, he's finally able to relax because that's all he can do anymore. And he worries he's a bit too bold, too, when he nuzzles Jade's neck.
"You got hard last time. Watching Irvin take me." He refills their cups once they're empty. "So that's something you're into, but not all of your guests?"
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"Their tastes are quite varied. You'll learn most of them in time, but I don't think you need to concern yourself with him." Mostly because he isn't with the slavers, but he can't exactly tell Shinjirou that. "He prefers his partners to be more innocent. Now that he's seen you like that, I doubt any amount of pretending you do will interest him."
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"As long as Mr Curtiss is still interested in me," he says, trailing off, watching Jade closely. What he sees as mild teasing may not be all that amusing to Jade -- but he's also trying to find out if he got the name right.
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Ah well. It can't be helped - the tensing, and his associate's slip of the tongue. Shinjirou knowing shouldn't be too much of a problem, at least. There's little he can do with the information.
"Please, just call me Jade," he says lightly, completely relaxed once more. "Or I really might lose interest."
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He nods, resting his head on Jade's shoulder again. For a moment he's quiet, thinking. Then he whispers his response: "Yes, Jade." He doesn't want Jade to lose interest. For all the embarrassing, painful situations he's been put through, being with Jade is safer than running around and being a threat to innocent people. Discipline is easier to achieve when it feels better to accept and submit rather than fighting against everything and everyone, especially himself.
"Sounds nicer anyway."
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It's warm, with Shinjirou curled up against him and the sake sending heat through his whole body. His lids are starting to grow heavy. Draining his cup, he gently disentangles himself from Shinjirou and stands, still steady despite the drinks he had.
"I'm going to bed."
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And wonders if it'd be acceptable to make a request. With mostly an aggressive dog around to play with, he's got to admit to himself that quietly resting his head on another human's shoulder is a nice reprieve. Jade's day has obviously been stressful so far, though. Watching him with a frown, Shinjirou eventually decides against asking if it'd be okay to sleep in his bed and drops onto the futon.
"Anything I need to know about tomorrow?"
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And they do, for over a week. He returns Irvin to his owner at the agreed time, along with the tapes, but that's the only big change. Other than that, Jade holes up in his study and works, collecting information and making deals, carefully cultivating his connections with honeyed words and filthy promises.
Shinjirou gets his usual list of chores and a new cookbook, but that's all. Aside from walking Irvin, Jade doesn't take him out of the house again, and the toys and clothes they had bought lie in storage, unused.
It's a period of recovery and a test of Shinjirou's patience both. Finally, one night over dinner when Shinjirou's bruises and cuts have faded to almost nothing, Jade says: "By the way, I've been invited to a party. It's taking place in two days."
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And while Irvin's still around, he uses the time outside to meet Takaya. The drugs are safely tucked away in his pillow case. It's easy to hide something there when he's doing the laundry all day by himself and apart from feeling sleepy after starting up his dose again, there's no change. He takes good care of his body, using the salves every day before going to bed and it's a lot easier to get enough sleep when you're not out on the streets.
Just when he's almost lulled himself into the false belief that his life will be blissfully boring from now on, Jade mentions a party. Jade never mentions anything just because. Raising an eyebrow, he sets down his fork. "... I'm not really a party person."
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Which is alright. He hasn't forgotten what he's been mainly bought for. And it's still a compliment, isn't it? He relaxes again, nibbling on a small piece of meat. "So you're going to let them fuck me, I guess. Never had more than two at a time. Sounds fun." Partially, he's being sarcastic. But then he's also honestly curious what it'll be like. At least he doesn't think his assumption is wrong. "As long as we're not talking animals here."
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"It shouldn't be much of a challenge for you, but I thought I should warn you ahead of time." As funny as it would be to drop him into it unawares, that would probably cross a line. "And besides, I'd like your input on something. Would you prefer to be tied up or free to roam around the party?"
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Roaming freely, people just grabbing and taking him as he moves through the crowd -- or lying around all night, constrained and ready for use. The pictures his mind paints are very detailed, but he no longer hopes in vain that Jade won't notice his thought process. Licking his lips, he makes his decision. Now he only has to admit it out loud.
"Tied up. I'd ... like that."
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