Prelude
Ever since he was a young child, Echizen Ryoma had learned that the world was a harsh and cruel place for his mother and himself. He couldn't understand the reason why others shunned the fragile and less fortunate.
At the age of seven, his mother explained to him a small segment of the reasons why the world was treating him the way it was.
I know you're young, love, but try to understand, his mother had said to him one rainy day after coming home from her job as a maid to find Ryoma silent with tears running down his face, clothing muddy and slightly torn. It took a little coaxing, but she managed to piece together the story. Apparently, Ryoma was chasing after a stray kitten, but unintentionally ran into a group of older boys. Part of the upper class themselves, they sneered at Ryoma and called him names until he just couldn't take it anymore. When they turned their back on him, he pounced onto the leader. Hardly a match for any of them, but still strongly determined, he was thrown down onto the muddy earth by the others and huddled into a protective ball as he was thoroughly beaten until he blacked out. When he managed to come to his senses, he was alone and quietly made his way home.
At that point, Rinko gave a small sigh as she began washing his various cuts and scrapes. Deciding that there was no point in reprimanding Ryoma, she decided to clarify a few misconceptions that might have been going through his head. I know you're extremely angry, but nothing can be done about it. The high class has always ruled, and while I'm not very pleased with your decision to fight them, I'm not going to encourage you to cower in their presence and give in to their unreasonable decrees. At that point,she gave him a bright smile that always made him feel warm and safe. Just think about your choices of attack more clearly. There are more subtle ways to get back at them, and at much more susceptible and vulnerable areas. But I'll save that for another time…
Into his eleventh year, his mother was faced with unemployment. Searching for a while longer, she gave up hope of finding another fulltime position as a maid. The current, part-time work she had wasn't paying enough to support the two of them. The talk she held with him was much more serious and grim.
Listen to me carefully, Ryoma, dear. I'm going to have to go someone else's house and stay over for the night.
His bright, golden eyes looked into her bistre ones. Mr. Obata? he had asked.
She shook her head, heart breaking at the fact that his innocent view of the world around him would have to be shattered so quickly. No, another man. I have complete faith that you'll be able to look after the house yourself. She cupped his cheeks with her hands and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead. I'll be back in the morning. I'm sorry, dear. I have to do this if we need to survive. She opened the door and stepped out into the fading sunset. Before she left, she gave him one last look. Only for you, my love, she whispered to him. Then the door softly clicked shut.
Early the next morning, before the sun had rose, he woke to the sound of her footsteps in the hallway. He quickly got up and rushed out, and was met with the image of her hair slightly mussed and tired, weary eyes that belayed a night of little sleep. He rushed to her and the two embraced tightly, as if it was a longer than a night that they were apart. As they pulled apart, Ryoma made a small face at the strange smell that seemed to emanate from her clothing.
She gave him a small laugh at this point. For now, just go back to bed and get some more sleep. I'll explain later.
What he had learned wasn't what he had expected. Perhaps others might later reflect upon this and state that Ryoma was much too childish to understand. What they didn't comprehend was the fact that Ryoma had learned to mature swiftly as a young boy.
His face was unreadable as she told him of her new line of work. I'm hoping that it's only temporary. How do I put this? She gave a frustrated sigh, more at herself than at her son. Okaa-san has to stay over night at other people's houses once a month, or at least until I find another job that pays as much as the old one.
Every time she left to stay the night over, Ryoma watched her leave. Every morning, she came back to find him waiting faithfully in the hallway, awaiting her return. He would then give her a hug, as if to assure himself that she was indeed safe and sound. Without another word, he noiselessly slipped into his own bed and into sleep.
One day, she came back and Ryoma saw that she was covered with livid bruises peppered all over her body. His golden eyes flashed dangerously, but his hands were gentle as he led her to his bed, which was the closest. Tucking her into the bed, he dragged over a stool to stay by her as her eyelashes slowly drifted down. She stroked his inky-black locks and gave him a reassuring smile before falling into deep slumber.
It was at that point that Ryoma knew he was no longer a boy, and would have to start acting like an adult if he wanted to shield his mother from the abusive nature of her patrons in the future. His golden eyes grew colder, harder as he slowly learned of the corrupted and tainted nature of the world around him. He smiled no more.
Chapter One
Five Years Later...
He knew that he was doing this for his mother. She meant so much to him; so much that he was willing to sacrifice himself for her. Did she not do the same for him, when he was growing up? It was only fair that the only possession she had to pass on to him should be used wisely. She was sick right now, and the decision to use his inheritance was all his own.
"Okaa-san, I'm going out for a while," he said to her, hoping she heard him through her fever-filled dream. "I'll be back soon with your medicine." He slipped through the door of the small apartment his mother had managed to find in the slums and left to find the rendezvous point. The only object guiding his steps was a mysteriously succinct letter that guaranteed to give him what he required.
Echizen Ryoma—I noticed your application on the site for those asking for an employment. I have decided to contact you for request of your services…
Heading towards the park in a white cap, black jacket, and jeans, he spotted the sakura tree alone on a hilltop. As he neared it, he also saw a lone figure, silhouetted against the setting sun. Striding over, the person turned around and Ryoma gasped slightly as he saw that it was a male, and not much older than he was.
Well, he shouldn't have been surprised. He knew about gay relations, and the fact that sometimes people had a kink for the same sex affairs. I'm doing this for okaa-san, he reflected to himself. With a deep breath, he asked, "Are you the one asking for my services?" he questioned quietly, eyes downcast in the proper manner befitting his profession.
"Echizen Ryoma?" the male asked, in a soft tone that tempted him to look up.
"Yes," Ryoma responded. He continued to keep his face down, not daring to look up.
"I have procured a car. We will continue down to my place. There, you will receive your payment when you are done," the male stated. "Is that all right with you?"
"Yes," Ryoma said once more. With that, the two headed down the hill. A short walk later, they reached a glossy, black car with the back seat windows tinted. Without another word, the male opened the door for Ryoma, who immediately slipped inside. The male soon followed. He closed the doors and the car moved without a word.
The silence inside the car was rather awkward as Ryoma stared out of the window, not wanting to speak unless he had to. Looking at the sunset, he thought about his upcoming task. This is the last sunset I will witness as an innocent being in this world. After that, I will become… He never got to finish his reverie, as his client spoke to him.
"I guess I should introduce myself now," the male said, once more in his soft voice, as if he was somewhat sorry to break the silence between them. "I am Fuji Syusuke."
Ryoma looked over for the first time since their meeting and looked the other over with gold eyes that were somewhat duller than its usual hue. The male—Fuji, he corrected himself—was pleasing to the eye. His light brown hair was cut shoulder-length, and his eyes, looking ahead at the moment, were closed. He was wearing a white button-up shirt, and black slacks. Overall, he didn't look too bad.
Not knowing what to reply with, Ryoma turned away once more. Luckily, the car grounded to a halt at that moment.
"We're here," Fuji said. He opened the door and slipped out. He held out his hand for Ryoma, who took it as he stepped out of the car. Ryoma cast a gaze over the house, which wasn't the gigantic mansion he thought it to be, but it certainly was a far cry from the one-room apartment he shared with his mother.
As they walked inside, Ryoma couldn't help but gaze at the interior, which was decorated with simple ornaments, such as a plain flower vase or a simple painting, but it was all so fancy to Ryoma.
Noting the curious gold eyes wandering around his house, Fuji was touched by the clarity and purity emanating from them. The teen, though dressed plainly and in somewhat worn out clothing, still managed to look attractive and somehow effeminate. It's probably his face, Fuji thought to himself. More likely his eyes. The golden eyes, framed with long, dark eyelashes, gave him the effeminate look. Coupled with a small, delicate mouth and a slender build, it was no wonder why others might take him for a female at times. He certainly did, briefly glimpsing at Ryoma's profile online for the first time.
Fuji led him to the door of his room and opened the door. Gesturing for Ryoma to head in, he noted that the younger boy had gone back to his previous demeanor of a submissive and compliant character. It tore at his heart, the way Ryoma's body language practically shouted out to him of complete surrender to his patron's every whim and command.
Without a word from Fuji, Ryoma automatically located the bed and sat gingerly upon the edge, seemingly calm with the situation on the outside. On the inside however, he was tense and slightly jumpy. For her, he repeated to himself over and over. Unfortunately, his apprehension was starting to show a little. To keep the tears from spilling over, he pulled his cap down and closed his eyes. He took in a large, shuddering breath to try and stabilize his turmoil emotions.
Fuji softly padded over and knelt in front of the younger one. One slim finger traveled up to Ryoma's eye and swiped away a crystal tear that was threatening to run over at any second. The sadist inside him was dormant at the moment, but he couldn't help himself and licked the tear from his finger. The need for possession grew stronger.
"Are you sure that you still want to continue with this?" Fuji gently asked him, still wondering why his heart was hurting for a complete stranger. It wasn't like his usual self.
Ryoma couldn't say a word. He opened his eyes, and was immediately entranced as he stared into unfathomable blue eyes, quite unlike anything he's ever seen before. Unable to break his gaze, he could only nod. A single tear fell from the other eye. This one, too, was caught by Fuji's finger.
With a graceful, lithe motion, Fuji raised himself from his kneeling position and seated himself next to Ryoma, whose gaze followed his every move. He took off the other's cap and cupped a cheek with his slender hand. Ryoma unconsciously leaned into the gentle touch. He closed his golden eyes and just felt.
Utterly touched by this one simple act, Fuji let a small sigh escape his lips. Sometimes, his impulses had to be sacrificed for the greater good. He divested Ryoma of the black jacket and gently pushed him down onto the bed, who did what he wanted without even the smallest act of resistance. I guess he really means to go through with this.
Ryoma, who expected this to happen from the very beginning and was resigned to his fate, awaited the disappearance of his other articles of clothing. Instead, he felt a light tremor from the bed as Fuji stood up. A moment later, something soft and warm enveloped him. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see a comforter draped on him. Even more startling to him was that Fuji climbed under it and nestled close to him, and proceeded only to drape a single arm around his waist. He turned to face Fuji, his golden eyes asking a unspoken question.
Once more, the startling blue eyes stared into golden ones. "I'll still give you your payment, first thing in the morning," Fuji replied. "If that's what you wanted to know." Of course, he was more perceptive than that. He just needed Ryoma to voice it for himself.
"But…" Ryoma whispered, struggling to verbalize the matter into words. "You have agreed to your portion of the contract. It is only fair that I follow mine to the end."
"Shh," Fuji replied soothingly. "You're not quite ready yet, despite the fact that you think you are." He closed his own blue eyes, somewhat astonished at himself by his act. It wasn't everyday he passed up an opportunity to please his own sadistic needs. "For now, just rest."
Ryoma laid awake in the dark room, for the moment just enjoying the strange feeling of a warm bed and feeling oddly relaxed in Fuji's embrace. He listened to the other's steady breathing of one deep in sleep, calmed by it's rhythm. Giving a small yawn himself, he was surprised to find himself completely exhausted. He turned and snuggled closer to the other boy, and missed the smile that alighted on the other. The two slept serenely in one another's hold as the night passed peacefully on.
A/N- I don't know if this will continue on. It really depends on the readers. Drop a review if you like it, or have a comment to offer. Anything. Otherwise, I'll call this a oneshot. Somehow, I think it has the potential to develop further, but only if people are interested.
Until next time !
--The Unreal Phantom