Because Azy said so.
Title: Untitled
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Adrian/Alex
Rating: slash - mild
Author's Notes: Um, some are Azy's, some are mine. She doesn't care. Promise.
Adrian, Ethan, Keith, Seth, Nathaniel are hers. Alex, Graham, Chris, Brook, Annie Laurie are mine. Does that cover them all?
"Mr. Bancroft."
Adrian looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway to his office, looking tired behind his glasses. "Yes, Alex?"
"Here's the last of the reports you requested." The dark-haired man approached him, stretching his hand out to offer him the neatly stapled packet. As Adrian took it, his finger brushed against Alex's, and he heard the man gasp and close his eyes in shock. His eyebrow rose curiously, as Alex quickly reopened his eyes and looked away. "If that's everything--"
"What did you see?" Adrian asked, somewhat amused by Alex's antics.
"Sorry?"
"Alex," he drawled elegantly. "I've worked with you for over a year now. I like to think I'm capable of identifying when you've had a vision. So tell me, what did you see?"
The man looked uncomfortable, and Adrian had never seen him in such a state before. "It was nothing. Nothing important anyway."
"Don't make me ask you again, Alex."
His assistant stared at him before letting out a huff of air. "You were... engaging in nightly recreation."
He was delighted. "You mean, I was having a good fuck?"
Alex's expression soured. "I don't know if it was good."
"Of course it was. This is me we're talking about. Who was I sleeping with? I do rather hope it's soon."
"I don't know, sir," he answered curtly. "I didn't see that much. And I never know when my visions occur, you know that. Now, if that's everything..."
"Oh, fine. You're no fun, Alex." Adrian gave him a teasing pout and set the papers on his desk. "You're dismissed."
Alex left, greatly relieved.
---------
Naked, slick bodies sliding together. Adrian's light head tilted back, and there was a flash of dark hair.
Alex jerked awake, skin damp. He swiped the back of his hand over his forehead and stared at the wall. He had never dreamed about a premonition before. Especially when it was something as unimportant as his boss's sex life. He clenched his sheets and gritted his teeth. He really didn't need to be dreaming about that.
----------
"Alex, you look dreadful."
"Good morning to you too, sir," he answered dryly.
"Late night?" Adrian asked.
"Not exactly." He paused, a thought occurring to him. "Mr. Bancroft... you're not.... sleeping with the Valente man, are you?"
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Well, I can't say I haven't entertained the idea. But why do you ask?"
Alex shrugged. "I had a dream last night. About the vision. I saw a little more this time. Dark hair. That's it."
"You dreamt about the vision?"
"Yes. And let me say, I don't appreciate my sleep being interrupted by your nightly engagements. Future or past."
"Interesting...."
"Sir?"
Adrian smiled. "I believe you have some paperwork on your desk that requires your attention, Alex."
---------
"Ethan, such a pleasure," Adrian greeted the man coldly. The Italian eyed him warily. "Have you met my personal accountant, Alexander Hunt?"
"I don't believe so," Ethan said, as politely as he could manage, and extended his hand forth.
Alex accepted his hand, shaking it firmly. Adrian watched, and frowned, shaking his head. "Well, we have somewhere to be going. So many meetings with so many clients." He gave him a chilling smile. "Goodbye, Ethan."
As they walked away, Alex glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Satisfied?"
"Not at all, Alex. I do wish you'd learn to control your powers. I need to know what Ethan is planning, if he's planning anything at all."
"When did he become 'Ethan'?" Alex wondered out loud, waiting for the elevator doors to open.
Adrian laughed. "Since I apparently sleep with him inside your head, Alex." He winked. The elevator doors slid open, and a young, attractive male stepped out nervously.
"Excuse me," he said softly, and the men both stared at him. "I was wondering if you could direct me to Mr. Valente's office?"
"Are you his assistant?" Adrian asked, smirking.
He blushed. "No. I have something from home that he forgot."
Adrian raised an eyebrow elegantly. "Take a right at the first hall, third door on the left." When the boy had passed out of earshot, he turned to Alex. "From home?"
"Would you like me to go shake his hand, too?" Alex muttered, stepping inside the elevator. "Maybe he's his son."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, does Valente look old enough to have a son of that age? Besides, a son would know where his father's office was." He mused. "He was a pretty thing, though."
"And dark-haired," Alex added snidely.
"Don't sound so jealous, Alex, it doesn't become you."
-----------
"His name is Graham Weidner," Alex began tonelessly, filling Adrian in on the information he requested. "Apparently, Valente lives with several other people, that boy being among them. There are several other dark-haired men that live there, if you're interested." Alex passed him a file folder. "There is seemingly little connection between them, or why they all live with Valente. Maybe it's a whore house."
Adrian laughed. "Oh, truly." He hmm'ed as he studied the files. "I wonder. Oh, they are quite handsome. Ethan certainly has good taste."
"Is that all?"
"Oh, no. Not in the least. I have another task for you now."
Alex sighed. “Oh, goodie.”
-----------
"They're mutants."
Adrian swiveled around in his chair. "All of them?"
"All of them, or at least, they all were at some point. M-Day did affect at least the boy we saw in Valente's office. I have a feeling that Valente is performing some research into the phenomenon."
The blonde man rubbed his jaw. "If he were exposed... I wonder what would happen to his business...."
"I strongly recommend not exposing Valente, sir. Even buying his business from him after it fails wouldn't give you any chance of gaining profit from it. No one would want anything to do from it. Stocks would--"
"Oh, Alex, shut up for a moment." Adrian rose from his seat and leaned against his window. He made a striking profile in the light. Alex almost stopped to admire it. "At least discover their mutations. Perhaps some would be useful for the Underground."
"Do you honestly think they would willingly participate in--"
"No. But they don't need to be willing."
-------------
Alex rubbed his eyes. "Valente has a modified form of vampirism. He relies on blood transfusions, it seems."
"Useless. What else?"
"Seth Quinn. Empathy. But only insofar as he is able to feel the emotions of others."
"Useless. Next?"
"Keith Devereau. Electric-manipulator and feral."
"Yes. Him. Is he powerful?"
"Extremely."
"Good. Who else?"
"Nathaniel Hawkins. He seems to have mercury in his substance, which he controls at will. It also gives him super strength. However, he is.. disfigured. Lacking an eye."
"Hmm. Potentially useful."
"Brooklyn Amell. She negates and absorbs the powers of others."
"Negates?"
"Yes, sir."
"Too risky. Next?"
"Christopher Rosette. Forms a protective force field when in danger, which he can use to deflect and return attacks."
"Perfect. Add him."
"Annie Laurie Carlson. Spatial teleportation."
"No. Is that it?"
"Well, there's the boy, but he no longer has his powers. Whatever they were."
Adrian took the file from Alex, frowning. "So you've said. I wonder then, why he stays?" He ran a fingertip over the photograph Alex had on file. "Graham Weidner. What is your relationship with Valente?"
"Sir, how do you plan on getting these two men to participate in the Underground?"
He continued to circle Graham's photograph. "Oh, I have my ways."
-----------
It was all going so wrong.
Alex hadn't been entirely clear on Adrian's brilliant plan, and he paid for it dearly. When Adrian announced his intentions to use the electromancer and the force field creator, they had flown into action. The electromancer, Keith, had used a great spark of electricity and aimed it directly at Alex. He was knocked out cold.
In retaliation, Adrian tied them all to his strings. Which would have been fine, but the woman who negated powers came on the scene.
"Brook, his powers," the feral growled.
Luckily, Adrian was quick. He jerked the finger that had the boy attached, and he came tumbling towards him. Adrian caught him, and raised his dagger to the boy's throat. "Try it. I dare you." They all stood, watchful and weary. Adrian caught Ethan's eye, and smiled icily. He leaned his head down and breathed in the scent of the boy's hair. "Delicious, isn't he?" He pressed the blade in, causing the boy to cry out in pain as a red line of blood was drawn. Lowering his gaze dramatically, he licked along the cut he'd caused. "Have you had a taste, Ethan?"
"You sick fucking pervert," the untouchable one, Chris, shouted. "Get your fucking hands off him!"
"I think not. No, I'll keep him for now. Thank you for the fine gift, I'll have to think of a way to repay you." Adrian smirked and attached a string to Alex's body, lifting him off the ground. "Think about what I offered."
Chris trembled in rage. "I'll go with you! Just leave him alone!"
Adrian's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You give in so readily. My, my. This boy must be quite the delicacy. Consider this your punishment for not agreeing in the first place." He smiled wickedly. "Until we meet again."
-------------
Adrian's head tilted back, his lips parting in a low moan. The man beneath him kissed his bare chest, his face hidden from view. They moved together, thrusting, pushing, needing. Silky covers had been pushed onto the floor, or kicked there, so that it was just their naked bodies, exposed and unashamed.
Lubricant and an empty condom wrapper littered the bedside table, placed next to a pair of thin, wire frame glasses.
Alex awoke with a start. The room around him was familiar, though he'd never been in it before. The room in his vision. Adrian's room. The man stood at the nearby window, staring out at the world, his shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to the elbows, tie removed. He looked around when Alex shifted in the bed to sit up, and raised an eyebrow.
"I thought about calling a doctor. You took your time waking up."
"What happened?"
"You got in the way of an electrical bolt, idiot." Adrian crossed the room to the side of the bed. "It almost ruined everything, you know. I had to kidnap the boy to get out of there alive."
"It was hardly my fault," Alex interjected angrily. "It's not as though I were the one who--"
"Alex, shut up." Adrian slid gracefully onto the bed, sitting close by. Alex froze. The blonde man raised his hand, and pressed it gently against his cheek. "Just... shut up."
In that instant, Alex became fully aware that his glasses were sitting on the bedside table. "It was me all along...."
"Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"I've had my theories since the very start. Now really, shut up, Alex. You talk far too much." He pressed his mouth hungrily to Alex's, then, silencing him in the most efficient way he knew how.
“Nngh. Oh. Wait.” Alex pulled away, shaking his head. Adrian looked at him impatiently. “Sir, I-- that is, this-- It’s not proper business practice.”
“Do you honestly believe I care?” Adrian traced a fingertip along Alex’s jaw line. “Whatever decision you make, it’s final.”
Alex thought quickly, weighing the pros and cons in his head. On the one hand, it would be unethical. On the other hand, Adrian was sexy. Very sexy.
He kissed him.
-----------------------
Later, he watched him sleep, his naked body sprawled so carelessly across the bedcovers. Alex ran a finger along his hip bone, kissed his shoulder, and slipped out of bed. He pulled on one of Adrian’s robes and padded almost silently down the hall.
It took him some time before he found where the boy was being held captive in one of the many guest rooms. Tied to the bedpost, weeping and so afraid. He looked up, green eyes wide and startled when Alex entered the room.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. He leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry for all of this.”
The boy was surprised by his confession, and looked suddenly hopeful.
“Don’t. Don’t look like that. I can’t help you. I won’t help you. Mr. Bancroft is not a man I would ever disobey.” He took a few careful steps forward. “He’s a… malicious man.”
“Then why do you work for him?” the boy asked softly. His eyes lighted on Alex’s face. “I remember you from Ethan’s office.”
Alex sat on the foot of the bed. “My relationship with… Mr. Bancroft is complicated.” He shook his head. “And what about you? What is your relationship with Mr. Valente?”
The boy, Graham, looked away. “He took me in. I was lost, and he offered me guidance.”
“Hmm.” Alex stared at him. He smiled carefully. “I think we’re a bit alike, you and I.”
Alex was mildly amused by the boy’s eternal surprise.
“Do you love him?” Graham asked softly.
It was Alex’s turn to look surprised. “I… Why do you ask?”
“Because I think you do.” He smiled and shrugged.
“Well,” Alex said slowly. “Perhaps we all fall in love with our saviors.”
Graham blushed. Alex nodded knowingly, and stood up.
“I’ll see if I can get him to at least untie you. Beyond that….” Alex shrugged.
“What is your name?” Graham asked.
“Alex.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
He smiled prettily. Even as a captive, he was a gracious person. Alex found that… disturbing, more than anything else.
------------------
He closed the door to the guest room, starting when he turned around to find Adrian standing there.
“Oh. Sir, I was just, ah…”
“Tasting him for yourself?” Adrian asked.
“Pardon?”
Adrian smiled icily. “Never mind.” He eyed him. “I hope you realize that’s my favorite robe you’re wearing.”
“Sorry, I--”
“No matter. Get dressed. We have some business to take care of.”
Alex paused. “Um, sir? It’s… two o’clock in the morning.”
“Do you have a point, Alex?”
“Yeah, actually, I kind of do. I’m tired. I’d like to get some sleep.”
That smile again. “Well then, you should have thought of that before you decided to have a midnight chat with our guest.”
“You mean prisoner.”
“Again, your point being?”
“He’s just a child!”
“And you’re a pedophile, is that it?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well he is rather attractive, I wouldn’t mind having a go at him myself.”
“Oh you’re sick.” Alex turned as if to stalk off, but Adrian caught his wrist, twisting him back around. “Adrian!”
The man‘s eyes hardened. “Just because we slept together does not mean anything has changed between us. Understand?”
“Yes. Sir.”
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Adrian/Alex
Rating: slash - mild
Author's Notes: Um, some are Azy's, some are mine. She doesn't care. Promise.
Adrian, Ethan, Keith, Seth, Nathaniel are hers. Alex, Graham, Chris, Brook, Annie Laurie are mine. Does that cover them all?
"Mr. Bancroft."
Adrian looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway to his office, looking tired behind his glasses. "Yes, Alex?"
"Here's the last of the reports you requested." The dark-haired man approached him, stretching his hand out to offer him the neatly stapled packet. As Adrian took it, his finger brushed against Alex's, and he heard the man gasp and close his eyes in shock. His eyebrow rose curiously, as Alex quickly reopened his eyes and looked away. "If that's everything--"
"What did you see?" Adrian asked, somewhat amused by Alex's antics.
"Sorry?"
"Alex," he drawled elegantly. "I've worked with you for over a year now. I like to think I'm capable of identifying when you've had a vision. So tell me, what did you see?"
The man looked uncomfortable, and Adrian had never seen him in such a state before. "It was nothing. Nothing important anyway."
"Don't make me ask you again, Alex."
His assistant stared at him before letting out a huff of air. "You were... engaging in nightly recreation."
He was delighted. "You mean, I was having a good fuck?"
Alex's expression soured. "I don't know if it was good."
"Of course it was. This is me we're talking about. Who was I sleeping with? I do rather hope it's soon."
"I don't know, sir," he answered curtly. "I didn't see that much. And I never know when my visions occur, you know that. Now, if that's everything..."
"Oh, fine. You're no fun, Alex." Adrian gave him a teasing pout and set the papers on his desk. "You're dismissed."
Alex left, greatly relieved.
---------
Naked, slick bodies sliding together. Adrian's light head tilted back, and there was a flash of dark hair.
Alex jerked awake, skin damp. He swiped the back of his hand over his forehead and stared at the wall. He had never dreamed about a premonition before. Especially when it was something as unimportant as his boss's sex life. He clenched his sheets and gritted his teeth. He really didn't need to be dreaming about that.
----------
"Alex, you look dreadful."
"Good morning to you too, sir," he answered dryly.
"Late night?" Adrian asked.
"Not exactly." He paused, a thought occurring to him. "Mr. Bancroft... you're not.... sleeping with the Valente man, are you?"
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Well, I can't say I haven't entertained the idea. But why do you ask?"
Alex shrugged. "I had a dream last night. About the vision. I saw a little more this time. Dark hair. That's it."
"You dreamt about the vision?"
"Yes. And let me say, I don't appreciate my sleep being interrupted by your nightly engagements. Future or past."
"Interesting...."
"Sir?"
Adrian smiled. "I believe you have some paperwork on your desk that requires your attention, Alex."
---------
"Ethan, such a pleasure," Adrian greeted the man coldly. The Italian eyed him warily. "Have you met my personal accountant, Alexander Hunt?"
"I don't believe so," Ethan said, as politely as he could manage, and extended his hand forth.
Alex accepted his hand, shaking it firmly. Adrian watched, and frowned, shaking his head. "Well, we have somewhere to be going. So many meetings with so many clients." He gave him a chilling smile. "Goodbye, Ethan."
As they walked away, Alex glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Satisfied?"
"Not at all, Alex. I do wish you'd learn to control your powers. I need to know what Ethan is planning, if he's planning anything at all."
"When did he become 'Ethan'?" Alex wondered out loud, waiting for the elevator doors to open.
Adrian laughed. "Since I apparently sleep with him inside your head, Alex." He winked. The elevator doors slid open, and a young, attractive male stepped out nervously.
"Excuse me," he said softly, and the men both stared at him. "I was wondering if you could direct me to Mr. Valente's office?"
"Are you his assistant?" Adrian asked, smirking.
He blushed. "No. I have something from home that he forgot."
Adrian raised an eyebrow elegantly. "Take a right at the first hall, third door on the left." When the boy had passed out of earshot, he turned to Alex. "From home?"
"Would you like me to go shake his hand, too?" Alex muttered, stepping inside the elevator. "Maybe he's his son."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, does Valente look old enough to have a son of that age? Besides, a son would know where his father's office was." He mused. "He was a pretty thing, though."
"And dark-haired," Alex added snidely.
"Don't sound so jealous, Alex, it doesn't become you."
-----------
"His name is Graham Weidner," Alex began tonelessly, filling Adrian in on the information he requested. "Apparently, Valente lives with several other people, that boy being among them. There are several other dark-haired men that live there, if you're interested." Alex passed him a file folder. "There is seemingly little connection between them, or why they all live with Valente. Maybe it's a whore house."
Adrian laughed. "Oh, truly." He hmm'ed as he studied the files. "I wonder. Oh, they are quite handsome. Ethan certainly has good taste."
"Is that all?"
"Oh, no. Not in the least. I have another task for you now."
Alex sighed. “Oh, goodie.”
-----------
"They're mutants."
Adrian swiveled around in his chair. "All of them?"
"All of them, or at least, they all were at some point. M-Day did affect at least the boy we saw in Valente's office. I have a feeling that Valente is performing some research into the phenomenon."
The blonde man rubbed his jaw. "If he were exposed... I wonder what would happen to his business...."
"I strongly recommend not exposing Valente, sir. Even buying his business from him after it fails wouldn't give you any chance of gaining profit from it. No one would want anything to do from it. Stocks would--"
"Oh, Alex, shut up for a moment." Adrian rose from his seat and leaned against his window. He made a striking profile in the light. Alex almost stopped to admire it. "At least discover their mutations. Perhaps some would be useful for the Underground."
"Do you honestly think they would willingly participate in--"
"No. But they don't need to be willing."
-------------
Alex rubbed his eyes. "Valente has a modified form of vampirism. He relies on blood transfusions, it seems."
"Useless. What else?"
"Seth Quinn. Empathy. But only insofar as he is able to feel the emotions of others."
"Useless. Next?"
"Keith Devereau. Electric-manipulator and feral."
"Yes. Him. Is he powerful?"
"Extremely."
"Good. Who else?"
"Nathaniel Hawkins. He seems to have mercury in his substance, which he controls at will. It also gives him super strength. However, he is.. disfigured. Lacking an eye."
"Hmm. Potentially useful."
"Brooklyn Amell. She negates and absorbs the powers of others."
"Negates?"
"Yes, sir."
"Too risky. Next?"
"Christopher Rosette. Forms a protective force field when in danger, which he can use to deflect and return attacks."
"Perfect. Add him."
"Annie Laurie Carlson. Spatial teleportation."
"No. Is that it?"
"Well, there's the boy, but he no longer has his powers. Whatever they were."
Adrian took the file from Alex, frowning. "So you've said. I wonder then, why he stays?" He ran a fingertip over the photograph Alex had on file. "Graham Weidner. What is your relationship with Valente?"
"Sir, how do you plan on getting these two men to participate in the Underground?"
He continued to circle Graham's photograph. "Oh, I have my ways."
-----------
It was all going so wrong.
Alex hadn't been entirely clear on Adrian's brilliant plan, and he paid for it dearly. When Adrian announced his intentions to use the electromancer and the force field creator, they had flown into action. The electromancer, Keith, had used a great spark of electricity and aimed it directly at Alex. He was knocked out cold.
In retaliation, Adrian tied them all to his strings. Which would have been fine, but the woman who negated powers came on the scene.
"Brook, his powers," the feral growled.
Luckily, Adrian was quick. He jerked the finger that had the boy attached, and he came tumbling towards him. Adrian caught him, and raised his dagger to the boy's throat. "Try it. I dare you." They all stood, watchful and weary. Adrian caught Ethan's eye, and smiled icily. He leaned his head down and breathed in the scent of the boy's hair. "Delicious, isn't he?" He pressed the blade in, causing the boy to cry out in pain as a red line of blood was drawn. Lowering his gaze dramatically, he licked along the cut he'd caused. "Have you had a taste, Ethan?"
"You sick fucking pervert," the untouchable one, Chris, shouted. "Get your fucking hands off him!"
"I think not. No, I'll keep him for now. Thank you for the fine gift, I'll have to think of a way to repay you." Adrian smirked and attached a string to Alex's body, lifting him off the ground. "Think about what I offered."
Chris trembled in rage. "I'll go with you! Just leave him alone!"
Adrian's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You give in so readily. My, my. This boy must be quite the delicacy. Consider this your punishment for not agreeing in the first place." He smiled wickedly. "Until we meet again."
-------------
Adrian's head tilted back, his lips parting in a low moan. The man beneath him kissed his bare chest, his face hidden from view. They moved together, thrusting, pushing, needing. Silky covers had been pushed onto the floor, or kicked there, so that it was just their naked bodies, exposed and unashamed.
Lubricant and an empty condom wrapper littered the bedside table, placed next to a pair of thin, wire frame glasses.
Alex awoke with a start. The room around him was familiar, though he'd never been in it before. The room in his vision. Adrian's room. The man stood at the nearby window, staring out at the world, his shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to the elbows, tie removed. He looked around when Alex shifted in the bed to sit up, and raised an eyebrow.
"I thought about calling a doctor. You took your time waking up."
"What happened?"
"You got in the way of an electrical bolt, idiot." Adrian crossed the room to the side of the bed. "It almost ruined everything, you know. I had to kidnap the boy to get out of there alive."
"It was hardly my fault," Alex interjected angrily. "It's not as though I were the one who--"
"Alex, shut up." Adrian slid gracefully onto the bed, sitting close by. Alex froze. The blonde man raised his hand, and pressed it gently against his cheek. "Just... shut up."
In that instant, Alex became fully aware that his glasses were sitting on the bedside table. "It was me all along...."
"Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"I've had my theories since the very start. Now really, shut up, Alex. You talk far too much." He pressed his mouth hungrily to Alex's, then, silencing him in the most efficient way he knew how.
“Nngh. Oh. Wait.” Alex pulled away, shaking his head. Adrian looked at him impatiently. “Sir, I-- that is, this-- It’s not proper business practice.”
“Do you honestly believe I care?” Adrian traced a fingertip along Alex’s jaw line. “Whatever decision you make, it’s final.”
Alex thought quickly, weighing the pros and cons in his head. On the one hand, it would be unethical. On the other hand, Adrian was sexy. Very sexy.
He kissed him.
-----------------------
Later, he watched him sleep, his naked body sprawled so carelessly across the bedcovers. Alex ran a finger along his hip bone, kissed his shoulder, and slipped out of bed. He pulled on one of Adrian’s robes and padded almost silently down the hall.
It took him some time before he found where the boy was being held captive in one of the many guest rooms. Tied to the bedpost, weeping and so afraid. He looked up, green eyes wide and startled when Alex entered the room.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. He leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry for all of this.”
The boy was surprised by his confession, and looked suddenly hopeful.
“Don’t. Don’t look like that. I can’t help you. I won’t help you. Mr. Bancroft is not a man I would ever disobey.” He took a few careful steps forward. “He’s a… malicious man.”
“Then why do you work for him?” the boy asked softly. His eyes lighted on Alex’s face. “I remember you from Ethan’s office.”
Alex sat on the foot of the bed. “My relationship with… Mr. Bancroft is complicated.” He shook his head. “And what about you? What is your relationship with Mr. Valente?”
The boy, Graham, looked away. “He took me in. I was lost, and he offered me guidance.”
“Hmm.” Alex stared at him. He smiled carefully. “I think we’re a bit alike, you and I.”
Alex was mildly amused by the boy’s eternal surprise.
“Do you love him?” Graham asked softly.
It was Alex’s turn to look surprised. “I… Why do you ask?”
“Because I think you do.” He smiled and shrugged.
“Well,” Alex said slowly. “Perhaps we all fall in love with our saviors.”
Graham blushed. Alex nodded knowingly, and stood up.
“I’ll see if I can get him to at least untie you. Beyond that….” Alex shrugged.
“What is your name?” Graham asked.
“Alex.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
He smiled prettily. Even as a captive, he was a gracious person. Alex found that… disturbing, more than anything else.
------------------
He closed the door to the guest room, starting when he turned around to find Adrian standing there.
“Oh. Sir, I was just, ah…”
“Tasting him for yourself?” Adrian asked.
“Pardon?”
Adrian smiled icily. “Never mind.” He eyed him. “I hope you realize that’s my favorite robe you’re wearing.”
“Sorry, I--”
“No matter. Get dressed. We have some business to take care of.”
Alex paused. “Um, sir? It’s… two o’clock in the morning.”
“Do you have a point, Alex?”
“Yeah, actually, I kind of do. I’m tired. I’d like to get some sleep.”
That smile again. “Well then, you should have thought of that before you decided to have a midnight chat with our guest.”
“You mean prisoner.”
“Again, your point being?”
“He’s just a child!”
“And you’re a pedophile, is that it?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well he is rather attractive, I wouldn’t mind having a go at him myself.”
“Oh you’re sick.” Alex turned as if to stalk off, but Adrian caught his wrist, twisting him back around. “Adrian!”
The man‘s eyes hardened. “Just because we slept together does not mean anything has changed between us. Understand?”
“Yes. Sir.”