Ritsu POV

Why did he go back? Why does he care so much about slaves?  The man laying asleep before me-everything about him was an enigma. I’ve never met such a strange human before. He eats like nobility but swears like a commoner. He’s an assassin but there’s something personal about his motives I can’t identify. 

I decided to make him a nice fresh bowl of hot noodles so that he could get better soon

Man… I’m not the best at cooking though- I should stick to the basics for now

-A FEW HOURS LATER-

“Notus? Are you awake?”

I blushed lightly as I entered the room  where he lay with the noodle soup in my hands

Oh, he’s still sleeping

Looks like all of that energy that went into healing made him tired

“Time to wake up sleeping beauty!”

He’s awake!

Wow… he looks so…Beautiful like that 

“U-Um, would you like me to spoon-feed you?”

For once, he’s cooperating!  If I had tried that before he got injured he would’ve slapped me or given one of his retorts!

So I gently put the spoon into his mouth and started to feed him carefully

Ahhh, taking care of others is a bit difficult, but I should try to manage.

Maybe then… he’ll like too? He soon fell asleep again.   He was exposed to a lot of blood…he could get very ill…no matter how tough he is he’s still human. He could die. 

…A week later.

I entered to give him his food. He turned the papers I gave him into origami cranes using a finger, they swirl above his head. I grabbed the spoon and slipped it into his pretty cherry-red lips. I ached to feel them on mine. Like the last time he fell asleep. I lightly traced a finger on his jawline, imagining what it would be like to kiss it. Bit by bit I will make him mine. It would be a shame to not claim such an intriguing and handsome human as him: I will unravel his secrets.

After I slept I checked on Notus. His face was flushed and tight. I felt his forehead, it was burning hot.  I noticed he tensed when I  touched him.

“Please master…I can’t take anymore… “

Master? Like his mentor?  “Take what?”

“They-the women beat me when they used me-they chain me, whip me, choke me shove sharp things up my-“ he grimaced.

I felt an aching for him settle in my heart. Not only is he delirious with fever, but he was also a slave wasn’t he? Is that why he’s so cold and unfeeling? I rolled up his shirt-as I did so he tensed even more. My suspicions were confirmed I saw the inky black slave mark below his collarbone. Just who is that man? 

My eyes widened in a light shock

My suspicions…

Were correct… 

Poor Notus 

He doesn’t deserve that to happen to him.

No one deserves it…

Seeing him whimper in pain brings me back to the time not too long ago when I was chained like a rabid dog, forced to do things I didn’t want.

Man…

I’ll take care of you… 

I promise Notus…

No one…

And I mean no one…

Will harm us anymore.

I gently tucked his hair behind his ear and pulled him onto my chest, holding him close to my heart.

Hear my heart beating Notus… There's still hope in this world.

 Hayate pov

Master slapped me across the face.  “I don’t care if they fuck you so hard you can’t walk. If there are anal fissures up to your back; if your cock leaks nothing but blood, and is covered in bruises.”

“My body can’t take anymore…”

He slapped me hard to the ground… “You will do as I say, slave.”

“Please let me do only hard labor. Anything that isn’t sex please…”

“I’ll tell you what for that comment you’ll get an extra brutal client.

My eyes widened

“But master! Please! I can't take it anymore! My body can’t hold onto this much torture anymore… I’m sorry! Please! Please! Just let me… Let me do anything else! I might die if I continue!”

Maybe… he’ll let me off now

Anger overtook his face. “Come with me, boy. Use that begging while I beat you.”

I tugged sharply. “Please! Please don’t! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I broke down in tears. We arrived in his favorite spot, a shed. 

He pulled a hot rod from the fireplace. In desperation, I bit him. He let go briefly. I only made it three feet before I felt the first blow.  I cried and shouted for him to stop. They only made him hit harder.  My skin sizzled and popped. Blood surfacing and bubbling. He stomped on his back. Fed me alcohol and food only to beat some more, making me vomit. 

He pulled my head up by the hair. “Remember the client? She’ll be here soon.”

He dragged me to the room and threw me on the ground. I weakly lifted my head when I heard the woman enter. She looked at me with a predatory look in her eyes. She licked her lips like a creature ready to kill its prey. .

 I felt skin tears and blood dripping down between my legs. My cheeks rubbing against the ground till they bled. I screamed for her to stop but she only went harder. more tearing and squelching. Sobbing as I screamed for her to stop. 

I blinked, finding myself in Ritsu’s arms. He held me close to his chest.  My eyes narrowed. “Let me go dumbass.” He nodded and gently laid me back down. He looked at me with deep sadness. 

“You were that kind of slave weren’t you