“Perfect,” Leander hummed. He reached out for his drink with a free hand, holding Daren close with the other, and took a sip. He didn’t know how Alcides would react to the proposition he had in mind. There were possibly a hundred ways this could go. Thankfully he had the money—hopefully enough.
He glanced up when Alcides approached, loosening his embrace on Daren just for the moment. The rest of the group looked up too, and Leander’s polite response drowned in a murmur of similar replies. “Actually, I’d like to ask something of you,” he added during a short lull in the conversation. “A favor, if you will.”
"Ah? And what favor would that be?" Alcides focused on Leander, hands together. Daren didn't look up at the master, keeping his attention on Leander like he was supposed to. He listened closely, however, even as he ran his hand over Leander's chest. What kind of surprise did he have in mind that needed Alcides's permission..?
Alcides, however, didn't think this had anything to do with Daren. Leander had probably come to try to buy his brother back- which he could, if he had the right price. It was quite high, but it was doable.
“I would like to buy out this one’s—“ Leander gently ran his fingers through Daren’s hair, lingering there for an extra second—“time for the night. Outside the manor. I’ll bring her back before you close, and I won’t say a word to anyone else.” He’d already thought of the main concerns he assumed Alcides might have for the proposition. With luck there wouldn’t be anything else he couldn’t quell with the money in his pocket.
Lucrèce was hardly on his mind at all.
Daren leaned into the hand in his hair, eyes closed. They opened quickly when the word 'outside' came up, though, looking up at Leander in surprise. He… he wanted to be in public with Daren? He passed well enough for a woman after so long, but what if someone saw them? Would his father find out, be upset his son was with a prostitute?
Alcides had other concerns, however.
"I am sorry, sir," he said, hands together still, "but I do not have anything to assure you will bring her back. Not to mention if she tried to run away."
Leander shifted his jaw in thought. “Oh, come on, Alcides, you know how loyal I’ve been to you.” His hand closed a little tighter in Daren’s hair, rubbing a soft strand against his knuckle. For either his own comfort or an attempt to soothe Daren it wasn’t clear. Either way be tried not to let his nerves be so obvious. His voice was hushed when he spoke again. “I have a thousand in my pocket and I can give it to you now. If I don’t come back, or she runs off, you’ll still have that thousand. And her—“ he hesitated—“And me.”
He was a fool, maybe, offering his own life in the spur of the moment like that. But he just needed emphasis. And he was planning on being Daren back on time anyway. Some sort of escape attempt could wait.
Alcides had to keep the surprise from his face. So, Leander was so willing as to put himself on the line for this.
"Well, with these conditions I see no reason not to," the man of the home said after a moment. "Just know if something does happen, I'll be able to collect." Leander couldn't run from him. Alcides stepped forward to hold his hand out for the money.
"Enjoy your night, sir."
“Of course.” Leander awkwardly maneuvered around Daren on his lap to reach the money in his pocket. He had a little bit extra cash in case they were to buy something while they were out. Once the notes were divided, the thousand from the surplus, he handed Alcides the payment. The deal done, and either outcome very conceivable depending on the events of the night. “Thank you, sir. I’ll see you soon.” And with that, Leander slid Daren, careful as always, off of his lap so he could stand.
Daren helped as he moved on Leander's lap so he could get the money. He watched the exchange, light on his feet as he left his love's lap. He smiled softly.
Alcides took the money, nodding some.
"Have a good evening, sir," he said, putting the money in his purse before stepping away.
Leander straightened his coat free of wrinkles, smiling right back at Daren. A hint of anxiety hidden beneath his triumph. “So I was thinking of taking you to a concert tonight at a park near my house. It should be a relatively small showing given the time. What do you think?” He wrapped his arm around Daren’s shoulders as he led him towards the exit.
"I think it sounds wonderful," Daren said softly. His own anxiety picked up some as they moved to the exit. He wasn't supposed to leave, he would-
No. Leander would keep him safe. He had paid for this. Hopefully he wouldn't pay anymore…
Daren tucked his head against Leander's chest as they moved through the exit, taking a deep breath.
There was a line of carriages and various horses waiting on the road outside belonging to the customers depending on their wealth. Leander led Daren towards a cabin-carriage, the driver lounging close by with a whittling projects in his hands. He looked up when he saw the two approach from his peripheral vision, quickly moving to open the door for them. “Oh, sir. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
“It’s alright, Ansel. There’s a small change of plans tonight,” Leander answered as he offered a hand to Daren for help into the carriage.
Daren held onto Leander's arm the entire way to the carriage, unable to do more than keep close to him. The man could barely remember the last time he had been off of the property… he had to admit, it scared him.
Daren stepped up into the carriage with Leander's help, smoothing down his skirt and folding his hands there. It almost felt… wrong, to be intimate with Leander here. This was the real world, not their room tucked away in the Master's building. People could see, would wonder who Daren was. At least after so long he looked just like any other woman… if a bit flat.
Ansel closed the carriage door once the two of them were sitting inside, and went to take his place in the driver’s bench. Taking the reins in hand. If he noticed anything suspicious about Daren he didn’t comment.
Leander leaned to speak through the little window in the front of the wagon, murmuring something to Ansel, then finally settled next to Daren with a content smile. “Are you alright?” He turned to his date. Inside Alcides’ house he might have been more touchy-feely, putting a hand over where Daren’s were folded in his lap. Here in the privacy of their own carriage, just let their knees knock. A casual simplicity. Tentative not to cross any boundaries.
Daren nodded some, brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"Yes, yes of course… it's just been… so long, since I've been off of the property, or let outside even." The man was glad for the respect for his boundaries, resting his head on Leander's shoulder. That was acceptable, right? It had been so long working with men the way he did he wasn't sure what affection he was allowed to give Leander in public.
Leander blinked and shook his head a bit in surprise, careful not to disturb the head on his shoulder. He liked letting Daren rest his head on him. “Wait. You live on the property?” His tone hitched up some, like he was genuinely surprised that the other man didn’t go home after every night. “I know it’s not the best of situations there, which is why I invited you out, I thought…” he trailed off.
Somehow he’d just assumed that those working for Alcides were caught in some bad business deal and had to pay a debt in an unconventional way, but we’re free to leave. Maybe it was just different for each person. Maybe Alcides allowed those who didn’t have a home to stay with him. Maybe they were well taken care of.
Daren pulled away just slightly to look up at Leander, eyebrows drawing together as he looked to his lover in concern.
"No… do- you don't know..? Dear, when I'm not working at night, I… he owns me. I- we're all his slaves." The man raised one hand to rub at the neck that was only allowed to go without a collar when he was working, looking away before back again with more worry than before.
"We- we have to go back. You promised yourself if something goes wrong, and- and he, if he wants you he'll do whatever it takes to… to…"
Leander’s face went pale. “O-oh.” He sucked in a breath, held it for a moment, then released it with some strain. “Ohh, god. Um.” He carded a hand through his hair, which effectively ruined the ponytail, pulling sand-colored strands from the band as they fell in and on either side of his face. Once the information had processed in the most basic way he looked back at Daren with concern, albeit rather upset. “Shit, no- I promised you too. This was a night off for you. I can—I can still get you back on time.” The words felt bitter on his tongue. How could he, in good conscience, bring Daren back to Alcides knowing this? “I’m so sorry, I didn’t—I should have known something was wrong.”
Daren raised his hands, brushing the strands of hair out of Leander's eyes as he teared up some.
"No, no… it's not your fault. You aren't- everyone likes to look over the facts, it's okay. I just… I don't want to risk you getting caught up in this dear. The things… the things the Master does…" Daren tucked his head against his lover's chest, hugging him tightly.
"I don't want him hurting you too… we're not- allowed to make friends, or-or god forbid fall in love with one of the other slaves. He'd- please, I don't want to risk it…" None of how Leander was reacting was helping with what Daren thought deep down, either. That Leander wouldn't want to do this anymore, to be like this, whatever it was, with Daren since he now knew he was a slave. Daren was property, nothing else.
Leander’s expression screwed up as he felt Daren’s touch brushing away his hair, as he fought the burn behind his eyes to keep from crying, himself. He opened his mouth to say something, but then Daren was hugging him, so he simply responded by wrapping his arms around his lover in return. He could still feel himself shaking. Ungrounded. Surreal. Grounding himself, he starting rubbing his hand over Daren’s upper back. “Alright. Alright, we won’t risk it. I won’t leave you there. I-I can find a way to get you out, I swear.” There had to be a way. There had to be enough money, something to convince Alcides to let him buy Daren’s freedom maybe.
"I…" Daren swallowed thickly, eyes squeezed shut. "You have to promise me that you won't do anything that will put you in danger. I won't- I won't go along with your plans if you don't. You can't risk yourself for me." The man felt safe in his lover's arms, but he would stop all of this in a heartbeat if Leander was putting himself at risk. The noble had no idea just what it meant to be owned, and Daren would do everything he could to make sure he didn't have to.
“Hey.” Leander pulled away just enough to place his hand on his partner’s cheek. His chest ached, yearning to fix all of this. If only it was as easy as it was to love Daren. “Alright, I promise. I’ll find a way that won’t put me in any danger.” He sounded reluctant. Scared, even, but he would risk everything if he hadn’t been asked not to.
Leander rubbed his thumb over Daren’s cheek for a moment before he pulled away completely to tell the driver their updated plans. And when he returned, “Is…is Lucrèce alright?”
Daren leaned into Leander's hand, opening his eyes to look up at him.
"Thank you…" he mumbled. He settled down in his seat when Leander pulled away, running his thumb under each of his eyelids to help him calm down and stop from crying. He hesitated at the question when Leander spoke again before shaking his head.
"No… I don't think he is. Master has… Master has decided to keep Lucrèce in his room." It shouldnt be hard to guess what went on there with the business Alcides ran.
"He upset a customer and Master had to give a refund."
Leander chewed at his inner cheek, his gaze drifting off to the side as he processed what those words meant. He took in a long inhale, closed his eyes, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. In his shaky exhale he cursed. Leaned closer into Daren. “That…sounds like him,” he laughed dryly, “upsetting a customer, I mean. Not-“ Another sharp inhale. “There must be something I can do to get both of you out.” It was too much of a shock in the moment to think of anything else other than giving Alcides even more money.
"With… with your brother, I think there could be a way," Daren said softly. "He's only been here a short while, and from what I heard he has handed over to pay someone else's debts. If… if you got your father involved and… and he hasn't been hurt t-too much, you could probably get him back." Alcides would be able to get away with everything by simply saying he had no ide who Lucrèce was, but it would get him out.
"Money won't do us much good, though."
Leander nodded, thinking it over for a moment. “I suppose that would work. Yes. But then there’s you. I don’t think my father would be much help in getting you out. He…doesn’t know about the places I go or the people I see. He still thinks I go to court a woman of high society every night. Money could help you, maybe.” He brushed a hand through Daren’s hair, light and affectionate. The buildings on the other side of the carriage windows were looking more familiar to Alcides’ house now. Rather unfortunate. Leander had wished for more time.
