the truth

Dec 13

<Oh > came a soft voice and Gilbert's head snapped to the door. His eyes wide open staring at the stranger standing there.

Who?

—

Maxim steadied the lamp and stared at his master's first terrified face that turned to confusion and anger. He followed his gaze as he stared at the boy by the door.

A servant? But he didn't knock. Maxim may be mute but he wasn't born mute and his ears have sharpened, and he knew the common sense that no servant would open the door to their master's private space so rudely. The stranger was not dressed as a servant and from his master's face, not a friend. Maxim stood tall shoulder back, he knew when a fight was about to happen, and he was ready.

—

“A boy ? 13? No maybe 14? Who ?? “

Gilbert felt his heart grow cold as he stared at the yang blond boy by the door. Yes blond, wavy strawberry hair fell around his face. he was Short, shorter than Josephine. Feminine body shape yet he was a boy for that was no mistake. big Blue eyes that didn't show the innocence of the child they belonged to. He was enchanting for sure. Gilbert didn't move, didn't speak, he felt his blood freeze in his vanes. He knew, he knew why this boy was here. he just stood there waiting for HIM to come.

—

<Emilio? > came the mature voice of a man followed by heavy footsteps. Maxim could feel the tension oozing from his master. He glanced at the yang lord by his side and suddenly remembered the words this man said to him when they met ...< there are bad people in my house > Maxim's fist squeezed as he observed his owner closely.

—-

Jaw clinching. First squeezed so hard that the nails dug into the soft skin. Gilbert felt cold sweat on his back and the hate and disgust from his eyes were obvious to any ignorant that looked at him. he knew this feeling this terror that invaded his bones and made him paralyzed. Too afraid to move, to make a sound ...to breathe...

The shadow of a tall man covered the light of the hallway as the man walked in < this is not the room silly boy > came the voice before the face was clear. The man put an arm around the boy who in return giggled and leaned into the big body of the adult towering over him. <ops sorry ..> The older man smiled and looked up.

—

The older man's eyebrows went up in surprise as he turned his gaze to the inside of the studio. he knew that his boy would be here. He is always here. The yang fresh boy he fancied for years, who now was a yang beautiful man tempting the heart of all high society by his looks, charm, and the mystery surrounding him. The same yang man who somehow lost the appeal he had a year ago. Stood there back rigid as he always was when facing him. But he was not alone which was a real surprise. there was another, a very tall man with a very beautiful face and large figure protectively towered by his side standing a bit too close for courtesy.

The older man smirked <it seems we have different tastes.. > as he caressed the beauty beside him. He felt satisfied as he saw how his words affected his old flame. He may have no longer desired his body but his pride was another matter. Gilbert was his and nothing would change that.

—

< ooh is that him ?? The famous artist everyone was talking about ?!! > came a high-pitched Squeak in excitement as the one who was nestling in the older man's arms suddenly jumped up and down in excitement. He looked between Gilbert and the new patron beside him. The owner of this house hummed and looked around the mess in the room Gilbert didn’t answer. the tension in his muscles increased as he glared at the intruders.

—

<Ooh may i say hi ?? Please Richard .. pretty please> Begged Emilio as he grabbed the man’s arm coquettishly and looked up at him with watery round blue eyes. Richard was no fool and knew that his new toy was trying to test his boundaries but he wanted to use this cutie to punish Gilbert's defying eyes. He hummed in answer as he walked out glancing at the new face <Hmmm too bad he is too old and too big for my taste.. > he threw the words not specifying who he was talking about and walked out ordering a servant to prepare the bath.

—

Gilbert's tens muscle relaxed a bit, these words meant that neither he nor Maxim were of interest to the master of the house. He breathed as he stared at the yang boy walking toward him looking all around. This was not the first time that man brought a child, but it was the first time the newcomer looked this clean and this confident.

<Ooh wow .. you are amazing !!> Said the boy as he eyed the painting in the room. < everyone was talking about you at the party I was really curious > he looked up into Gilbert's eyes completely ignoring Maxim who was standing by watching like a dog waiting for orders. he grinned.

Gilbert froze And his relaxed muscles tensed even more. It was an open secret that the count was obsessed with the bastard child his brother left behind and why he adopted him and made him his hire. After all, these Nobles each had their little scandal. And no one dared to defy the man who managed the treasury of the kingdom.

—

Maxim's eyes grew wide open as he stared at this boy as if he understood a big secret…

—

the boy flipped his blond long hair and smiled sweetly at Gilbert < a bastard of the earl Di Mortal. Like you, I have noble blood and like you, my bastard father refused to acknowledge me .. > Gilbert didn’t answer. He just stared at the boy, not knowing if he felt sympathy or gratefulness for diverting that man's attention away from himself. he smiled and shifted his gaze around < don’t worry .. there is no way I would take your position as a hire, I am not here for that.. > Emilio sighed and looked back at Gilbert, the smile on his angelic face was gone. the smaller boy suddenly grabbed Gilbert’s collar and dragged his face closer. Maxim jumped but was stopped by a wave of his master's hand.

<then why are you here for? Money? > Asked Gilbert without flinching as he was grabbed by the collar by the young boy.

—

Emilio smiled and then frowned realizing that he wasn’t acknowledged as a threat nor taken seriously. He grabbed the collar in both his hands dragging it forward and bit the taller man’s lips.

—

Gilbert was too shocked to react but the one by his side didn’t hesitate to push the assailant to the floor frowning and glaring at him with murdering eyes.

Emilio giggled and laughed as he rolled from side to side on the ground. Gilbert feeling shocked and confused took a step back and didn’t stop Maxim from protectively standing in front of him. Watching the boy holding his sides and laughing like a maniac.

—

Emilio giggled and took a deep breath as he slowly stood up< when I heard about you, I thought you were pitiful > he dusted his silken outfit <then I thought you were lucky to get out of the slum> he waived his hands and brushed his missy hair to obedience <then the more these men talked about you the more jealous I was > he stopped moving and fighting with his hair and looked at Gilbert < then I saw you .. >he stared at Gilbert with eyes that were colder than the winter frozen lake. The emotion then disappeared and replied with a proud expression he huffed and walked around,< hunger you see .. keep one small and fragile .. > he grinned and spun around like a lunatic< these men, as they used me, talked about the duke’s obsession with you ..among other things .. then how he refused to sell you even when he said you’re not as good as before .. >

Emilio stopped dancing and stood in front of a panting tracing the frame he turned back to Gilbert who was looking at him with confused eyes, and slowly walked to where the older man stood. < and I understood .. > Emilio smiled and took slow steps as he approached the beautiful man who had his reflection in those soft clear blue eyes. But was stopped by Maxim who blocked his way. Emilio glared at the big brut in his way and looked at his prey He repeated and suddenly the sweet smile face was gone the flirting voice replaced by a man’s gaze and a man’s determination he smiled again as he ignored the brut who stood in his way.

Emilio looked at the taller man, looking shocked and he loved that pretty look. <they don't understand you... I do... I saw your painting... I felt your pain in it... I could hear you calling me.. > Emilio's eyes were wide as he hissed obsessively. Then, out of nowhere, he took a deep breath and turned towards the door <they saw your appearance but I saw your soul. I knew you would understand me.. > he turned his eyes as if he looked like a lost puppy

—

<You..> Glibert's voice trembled. He was shocked by the kiss but even more shaken by the words ''I want you'' What dose does that mean? Like physically??

he saw his soul?

What?

Gilbert didn't think he had a soul, he could only feel darkness inside. What is this boy talking about?

Destiny?

To save?

<Save you? >He was shocked as the last words finally registered in his brain.

<you want me... to save you...?> He asked, trembling. His voice was getting smaller and smaller as he reached the last word..

save ..?

HOW ??

he was himself a prisoner? He can barely protect Josie!

How ???

Why would this boy pin the name of the savior on him??

Gilbert had tried to protect himself when he was a yang boy and failed miserably, now he's desperately trying to protect Josie and save her and this stranger wanted him to be his savior.

he whispered weakly, feeling his throat burn. His eyes were panicked, he knew exactly what this boy was going through but he couldn't risk his sister and his life.

He was helpless…powerless...

Emilio smiled <but you did ..> he looked at the handsome yang man with affection <you gave me hope..>.

As Emilio closed the door, the studio fell into darkness except for the warm light of the lamp on the table. Gerald felt his knee weakening and his body heavy. He couldn’t stand. As he fell to his knees strong arms supported him and circled his waist. He grabbed the man beside him and looked at the floor he was shaking. He had once asked for help but was cruelly ignored. And now he is going to do the same to that boy. He shook his head trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing he bit his lips and bowed his head hiding his expression. He knew he was a hypocrite. He could try … he could do better than that friend and try to help this boy, but ..

He was scared ..

—-

Maxim knelt on the floor following his lord and gathered him closer as he felt him trembling in agony.

He didn't understand exactly but these words that stranger spoke volumes, he felt he knew a secret he should not. It was his first day and yet he now knows of this?

Will he be thrown away?

Killed ??

Maxim looked at his master and felt pity and guilt, he was worried about his fate and didn’t consider this man who promised to protect him. He forgot his vow to himself to protect him back. the man squeezed his master closer and sat waiting for him to calm down.

Both sitting on the cold floor one is drowning in self-hate and the other’s determination ignited again.

——

to be continued…

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author notes :

we should know that the only interest they have in each other now is based on appearance. they barely know each other and each has his issues to deal with.

parafyna art

the truth

lover ..?

Maxim

Parafyna