Chapter Text
Meters away from a private jet which had just taxied into a private hangar stood a driver dressed in a sleek black formal outfit with a medical mask and gloves. Beside him stood a young man without a mask, appearing frozen in place just as the young man’s appearance was frozen in time. The young man watched the stairs drop from the private jet to release its passenger with anxious anticipation. The international airport in Dubai was the busiest in the world; however, Daniel Molloy arrived on a privately owned jet to a privately owned hangar. Despite the expense to send a private jet empty and bring it back with one passenger, it was the far safer option for an immunocompromised person to be flying internationally on. The expense was well worth it for the safety of the journalist.
The young man pulled himself out of his frozen reverie and smoothed his hands over his clothes. Dressed in simple black slacks cut right above his ankle, black slip loafers, and a black kurta with the first three buttons undone to expose the upper portion of his chest and emphasize his long neck. There at the base of his neck curls lay, and each curl, though perfect, were mused so they cascaded messily over top his head and tucked behind his ears. If the young man appeared too perfect, he would likely disturb the public, but more importantly, it would attract a specific kind of attention he hoped for from the man preciously cared for in the jet.
After only some moments longer Mr. Molloy took the steps of the jet very carefully, the young man noted the shakiness in his hands and the slight wobble of his legs. Beyond the obvious sign of illness, Mr. Molloy was a vision. Silver curly hair messy on top his head, but recently trimmed for the trip, green button down, field stone athletic jacket, and grey slacks, all of which showed his well-maintained trim shape. Despite being almost seventy with the wrinkles to show and the pink-greyish complexion that showed he hurtled towards death; Mr. Molloy was certainly worth the young man’s examination.
Mr. Molloy’s slate blue-eyed gaze latched onto the young man’s faux dark brown eyes and gave him several examinations up and down his body. While Daniel took in his fill, the young man had to pull his attention away from Daniel to collect the luggage from the baggage handler and pass it over to the driver who swiftly walked away with the suitcase rolling behind him. As Daniel took the few steps to meet the young man, the older man’s thoughts washed over him, He’s young. A knockout. Makes sense—can’t imagine Louis surrounding himself with employees that don’t look like they stumbled out of a Renaissance painting.
“Are you even old enough to drive? Let alone pick me up from the airport?” Daniel asked.
Without an answer, the youthful man took hold of Daniel’s backpack and slung it over one shoulder as he savored the heated thoughts in the older man’s mind. “My name is Rashid, Mr. Molloy. While I am old enough to do both of those tasks, I will not be driving you.”
Why did I just let him take my bag? I don’t let anyone touch it. Still a sucker for a pretty face. “Well, that’s good, I don’t trust my own kids behind the wheel,” Daniel snorted. “Louis didn’t want to meet me himself?”
Rashid tilted his head and glanced towards the open hangar door to examine the sun rise in the morning sky with a small smile before he looked back to the slightly shorter older man. “The cars await us, shall we? The journey will take approximately two hours, and our arrival will be in accordance with breakfast if you wish to eat.”
Right, the sun. Stupid to ask. “Let’s go,” Daniel commanded as if he were in charge, but Rashid knew the man simply wanted to shake off his discomfort.
Together they walked out of the hangar where three black Bentley Mulsanne’s were lined up. The driver stood beside the back passenger side door of the vehicle in the middle. Three cars for lil’ ol’ me? Daniel turned to look at Rashid with curiosity about the younger man’s reaction to the ostentatious display, a slew of questions flitted through the older man’s mind. Rashid did not pay close attention to the thoughtless noise as he passed the backpack off to the driver once Daniel had ducked inside the car. After he felt reassured the bag was placed in the trunk without the driver inappropriately riffling through it, Rashid followed after Daniel. Perhaps if this were not a well-paid-off trip, Daniel’s belongings would have gone through a customs check, but because they had bypassed many laws, Rashid was extra paranoid about the treatment of his guest’s belongings and privacy.
Sat comfortably inside, Rashid crossed his bare ankles and delicately folded his glove-covered hands in his lap. Some time into the drive, Rashid realized that Daniel’s eyes had not yet admired the scenery outside, rather they admired the young man’s exposed dusky mahogany chest, long neck, and the soft black curls amess atop his head.
“Why three cars?” Daniel asked. Why bother wearing gloves if you’re not wearing a mask? Clearly, he’s not being modest for religious reasons since he’s just sitting there with his shirt open like that. The gloves don’t even fit. So, why the gloves?
“To be cautious, of course,” Rashid answered and met Daniel’s eyes. He made sure to widen his own faux brown the way he knew made him appear even younger and parted his lips just so with a slight tilt of his head. All to give himself an air of innocence that might prevent further questions while still intriguing Daniel. “It is not every night someone is flown into a private international hangar with no customs check. Security and privacy are of the utmost importance.”
What is that face? Did Louis send this kid on purpose? “Security and privacy? For me? Or for him?”
Rashid’s parted lips closed and formed a barely imperceptible smile. Impulsively his eyes wandered up and down Daniel’s body. The hope was twofold, to distract Daniel’s mind from his journalistic instincts of asking too many questions and to tease out Daniel’s more repressed desires. But Rashid did not allow himself to linger too long, lest he look as desperate as he was, so he looked away and redirected his gaze out of his own window.
What the hell? I am either losing it or narcissistic. Probably losing it.
Daniel’s thoughts reflexively brought another smile to Rashid’s typically neutral face. So, he hid the soft excited emotion by raising a hand to tuck stray black curls behind his ear. Rather than drop his hand back down, his fingers slowly traced down his neck and exposed chest before it fell back into his lap.
Christ, it’s been a while. Guys like him are why I got sober.
“Not a big talker then?” Daniel asked, “Why have the divider up if we weren’t going to have a conversation?”
“I am not the person you are meant to be interviewing, you can save your questions for Mr. de Pointe du Lac,” Rashid answered him, “And the partition is for your privacy.”
“The driver’s seen me and you’re back here with me, what privacy do I need?” Daniel pushed.
At that question, Rashid turned to face Daniel and his knee brushed against Daniel’s, who kept his legs spread as American men were known to do, whilst Rashid kept his ankles crossed. Ever so subtly, the young man’s long glove-covered fingers slowly caressed the top of the older man’s thigh before he could impose any self-control.
“You had a long flight, I am sure you would like to rest, Mr. Molloy?”
Daniel sat frozen under Rashid’s hand, as frozen as a man with Parkinson’s could be at least. He’s definitely hitting on me. What the fuck. What would Louis think of that? There is no way he’s not fucking this kid. Either Louis put him up to this or he’s trying to get me into trouble. “I slept on the flight over, I’m fine. I know how to fix my sleep schedule so I don’t have jet lag.”
“Very professional, Mr. Molloy, I admire that,” Rashid replied with an innocent smile and drooped eyelids which blinked slowly to show off his long black lashes. His hand squeezed Daniel’s thigh where it had paused before he removed it fully.
Professional, he says, as he gropes me. “What’s your deal, kid?”
Rashid raised a single brow, his puckish smile still comfortably planted upon his lips. “I do not understand the question, Mr. Molloy.”
Daniel snorted and rolled his eyes as he turned his head to look out the window and examine the landscape for himself rather than the young man sat beside him. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you’re into old men if you’re working for Louis, but while he may act old and look young, I’m actually old.”
A soft barely audible chuckle left Rashid and he shook his head, curls bounced with the movement, his shoulders shaking with his humorous delight. “You assume I possess more than a working relationship with Mr. de Pointe du Lac.”
“Am I wrong?” Daniel asked.
“Why bother pointing out your advanced age to me, Mr. Molloy? I am an adult,” Rashid diverted, and they both found their eyes locked again. “Or are you simply ashamed of your attraction to my youthful appearance?”
Fuck this kid, I’m definitely going to tell Louis his little assistant is trying to fuck me. “Even if I was interested, I can’t get it up anymore, sorry kid.”
Rashid’s hand slipped along Daniel’s thigh again, gently massaging the inside as he leaned in closer. “So, you are interested then?”
Daniel audibly swallowed, his eyes roamed Rashid’s soft smooth face, down his long neck framed by curly black hair, and followed the lines of his chest where Rashid unbuttoned one more button. He exposed his pectorals and the soft black hairs that covered them. Then another button was popped open to expose more of himself until Daniel’s hand came up and took firm hold of Rashid’s delicate wrist to stop him.
He’s going to send me into an early grave. If not from a heart attack, then from whatever Louis is going to do to me when—no—nothing is going to happen. I’m not going to do whatever sick idea this kid has in this cramped car. I’m too old to fuck my interviewee's assistants. “Stop,” Daniel managed to get out past his rambling thoughts and heated emotions.
“I’m very flexible,” Rashid breathed with the hope that his statement would not give himself away. “You can do as you like because I am very interested, Mr. Molloy.”
“Is this how you greet all of Louis’s guests here in the UAE?”
Rashid began to knead at Daniel’s inner thigh while his other hand moved to slowly unzip the older man’s jacket. Daniel, surprisingly, allowed it. How far is he going to take this? Rashid appreciated that Daniel’s instinct was to believe Rashid played a game because it was not a false instinct to have. Certainly, he did play a game, but he planned to take this moment he had alone with Daniel as far as the man allowed. At first sight, Daniel was a man that Rashid craved.
“To answer your question, which I humor having already expressed I am not the one being interviewed, no, I do not greet any of Mr. de Pointe du Lac’s guests this way or at all,” Rashid answered as his hand moved to work the buttons of Daniel’s shirt open very slowly.
Why am I special? “Why am I special?” Daniel asked and reached his hand up to stop Rashid from undoing more than the two buttons he’d managed.
“Mr. Molloy, you are very important to Mr. de Pointe du Lac, he wanted me to oversee your arrival personally,” Rashid answered truthfully, though it was not entirely honest. Leisurely he rubbed Daniel’s soft inner thigh again, gloved fingers dangerously close to his crotch. “And I must admit, I have been curious about you.”
“Right,” Daniel scoffed softly, his grey eyes stared down at Rashid’s open garment, at his exposed skin. “I have a hard time believing you don’t do this for everyone.”
“Believe what you want Mr. Molloy, but you are making assumptions. Do journalists not prefer more tangible evidence?” Rashid smiled without his teeth.
Fingers crept to their goal and slowly Rashid moved his hand expertly against Daniel’s crotch, over his clothed dick. Shit, I should really stop him. Rashid’s eyes were focused on Daniel’s face rather than the perfected dance against the older man’s crotch. Holy shit, how…? The pair shared a soft gasp and Rashid had to prevent himself from reacting further for fear the hard-on he had coaxed would disappear. Because Rashid had been so focused on Daniel’s pleasured face he had not noticed the hand that crept until he felt human warmth along his clothed thigh, under the length of his kurta. Daniel took no time to reciprocate only to be surprised that Rashid was already at attention.
“You weren’t kidding,” Daniel breathed as Rashid quivered under his awkward and out-of-practice movements.
“It would be cruel to joke about my attraction,” Rashid breathed and pressed his lips on Daniel’s clothed shoulder.
I don’t think he’s going to get off with just a hand job. I want to watch him get off. Haven’t seen a pretty face like that in a long time. Would be so nice— Lips found their way right below Daniel’s ear and hot breath ghosted his warm stubbled skin. Rashid wanted Daniel terribly, had planned a variety of ways their meeting would go, and this had been a pure fantasy of his. Of course, he had appropriately planned for said fantasy, but to pray for such carnal pleasure and expect it was not realistic. And yet.
“What do you want Mr. Molloy?” Rashid asked.
I’m losing my fucking mind. The plane crashed and I’m in some sort of fucked up coma. “The space is too small for what I want.”
“I disagree,” Rashid expressed, “Tell me what it is that you want. I am here to serve you, Mr. Molloy.”
“To serve me?” Daniel whispered against lips that had captured his own. What sort of fucked up game did Louis come up with here. “What about what you want?”
Rashid smiled kindly against Daniel’s thin lips. “I am not the one being interviewed,” Rashid breathed and nipped at the man’s bottom lip.
As he rocked in Daniel’s hand and the man melted against Rashid’s expert touch their lips continued to dance. Daniel had grown forceful and demanded dominance over Rashid. Want to be inside of him—have I ever..? I must have high.
Rashid was quick to unbuckle his seatbelt, “Just say what you need Mr. Molloy and it would be my pleasure—“
“As much as I would like to fuck you kid, you’re like six feet tall at minimum and I’m not further off, there’s no way—“
“As I said, I am flexible,” Rashid promised.
Rashid was careful to take his time and move slowly until he was sat on Daniel’s lap with his back against the other’s chest. Daniel had enough sense of mind to work his dick out of his slacks while Rashid focused on his own trousers, observing Daniel’s mind still with keen curiosity. Once Rashid managed to get his trousers down enough, Daniel shoved the extra length of his kurta up his back. Gracefully Rashid tilted his hips just so as to allow Daniel to press the head of his dick at Rashid’s prepped hole.
“You anticipated this?” Daniel asked.
“A mere fantasy,” Rashid breathed as Daniel pushed in.
It was rare he allowed himself to be penetrated. In his early years with Louis, Rashid favored control and voyeurism over relinquishing aspects of his body over to his bed partners. But he and his Master Louis de Pointe du Lac had found a unique game that provided them both with the best of both worlds. One where Rashid controlled the when and how his body was available so that Louis could take what he wanted when he wanted once the appropriate subtle signals were given. And for Daniel, Rashid would give much of himself over before the old man discovered the rules of this new game Rashid and Louis had come up with.
Rashid took the time he desired to slowly seat himself on Daniel’s dick, a hum of pleasure vocalized as he was filled. Purely for the theatrics of his actions Rashid tilted his head to the side and dropped it back on Daniel’s firm shoulder. All to show off his long neck and pleasured face.
Botticelli’s St. Sebastian, Daniel’s mind praised.
The young man’s breathy chuckle at the old man’s heated thoughts morphed into a moan as he fully seated himself in Daniel’s lap, speared by his cock. The old man’s hands comfortably gripped the soft skin of Rashid’s hips and warm lips pressed and teased Rashid’s long neck. Trembling fingers slipped up higher under Rashid’s kurta as he began to slowly roll his hips up and down Daniel’s dick.
“Having a hard time believing you don’t do this often,” Daniel murmured.
“I suppose you must be more specific,” Rashid replied, sounding pleasurably breathless.
Daniel laughed and his hips began to roll with Rashid’s. “So, you are having sex with Louis.”
Rashid huffed out and reached up to slip his hand in the grab handle and pressed the other right above Daniel’s knees which were pressed together between Rashid’s thighs to provide himself with more leverage. Once Rashid felt confidently anchored he began to ride Daniel with fervor. Certainly reckless to do with a man who claimed to be unable to spring an erection let alone a human man with little life left.
“Why are you so interested in Mr. de Pointe du Lac’s sex life?” Rashid asked with irritation. “Do you always think of him when having sex?”
Daniel’s grip tightened on his body and the man moaned almost obscenely. “Not always.”
Rashid scoffed and shook his head as blood rushed and flushed his cheeks. Even without Daniel’s memory being intact, the man still knew how to rile him in all the right ways.
“Is this one of those moments where you think of him?” Rashid asked, intentionally tightening his channel to pull Daniel’s focus again.
“Fuck no,” Daniel huffed. “Not like that. Only wondering how dead I’m going to be when he finds out. Other than that, you’re all I can focus on.”
Rashid hummed in pleasure at Daniel’s answer. Even without impressions from the man’s mind, Rashid knew he did not lie. He continued his brutal pace and pressed his cheek into his own bicep which flexed as his hand clung to the grab handle.
“Mr. Molloy,” Rashid moaned. Hands gripped his hips to direct his movements with the specificity only an older, more experienced man could. This older Daniel was going to send him into a new era of pleasures. “Look outside the window.”
“What?” Daniel gasped with frustration, clearly unwilling to take his eyes off the pleasing sight of Rashid bouncing on his dick.
“Look,” Rashid encouraged, “Do not stop fucking me, but do look outside.
“That’s the,” Daniel cut himself off as an orgasm burst from him suddenly and held Rashid down while he ground into his tight hole, spilling his seed. Insane fucker. Insane. Look, he says. Daniel panted softly, head back against the headrest and hands loose on Rashid’s slim hips. “Did you?” Daniel asked once he caught his breath.
“No, but that had not been my aim,” Rashid assured as he shifted slightly to release Daniel’s wilted dick.
Daniel’s hand snaked around and took Rashid’s erection in hand, slowly stroking. “It was my aim and you distracted me,” Daniel gently chastised.
Despite himself and his goals, Rashid allowed himself to indulge in Daniel’s offerings. As gently as he could, he leaned back against Daniel’s chest so the man could look over his shoulder and observe his work.
“This is really unnecessary, I am accustomed to not receiving traditional orgasms,” Rashid whispered almost mechanically.
Lips softly pressed along the younger man’s neck, and on instinct, Rashid tilted his head to allow Daniel more access. Guess he is used to having his blood taken over anything else. “What? You’re used to the mental games played by Louis?”
Rashid gasped softly at a particular twist and tease of Daniel’s hand. The body remembered even if the mind did not, and then some. There truly was life experience imbued in the efforts Daniel took. “You speak of mental games as if you do not enjoy them yourself?”
“You think you know what I enjoy?” Daniel whispered; a gentle squeeze dropped Rashid’s head back into an arch. “I know what you enjoy. You’re easy to read. I bet you’d cum just from me biting your neck.”
Rashid moaned through an excited laugh and bucked his hips up into Daniel’s hand.
“That’s what I figured. You want it that bad,” Daniel breathed. “Maybe Louis doesn’t bite you at all. But you dress and expose yourself hoping he does.”
Hips rocked in Daniel’s hand almost desperately, thrusting upward harder the tighter the man made his hand. I bet I could make him beg. Armand had never been one to beg for sexual gratification. Of course, there was that time he begged Daniel many decades ago to show him how phones worked because Louis was never interested in technology, even if he had owned such innovations prior to their meeting. But begging for experiential knowledge was different than relinquishing control to another being entirely. Though the game of being freely available alluded to such a nature, there was still control and power Armand possessed within the game. However, he was not Armand. He was Rashid. And who was to say Rashid did not beg?
“Mr. Molloy?” Rashid panted. “Please, I cannot without…”
“What?” Daniel’s voice grew gravely, and had he been younger Rashid was sure he would have stirred more excitement from his loins. “Say what you want loud and clear.”
Rashid shook his head and looked away embarrassed that he was about to give Daniel what he wanted. Lips caressed his neck teasingly, just ghosting in touch and breath caressing faintly along his skin.
“Please bite me, Mr. Molloy, I cannot achieve orgasm without your teeth in my skin.”
Fuck, Daniel’s thoughts echoed loudly. Teeth were in his neck in an instant. Of course, Daniel could not break his skin, no matter how hard he bit, but the man surely made an effort as if he might be able to. If Rashid had soft human skin, he most certainly would have been rewarded with blood. Instead, he was rewarded with an orgasmic sob, spilling into Daniel’s hand. The quiet car was filled with soft panting from both men, and Daniel lifted Rashid’s kurta to wipe his hand on the younger man’s taut stomach.
Rashid worked his clothes back to something presentable, but wrinkled, as he slid off Daniel’s lap. The older man did just the same and slouched back comfortably. The quiet continued with Daniel gazing out the window with an exceptionally pleased, close-lipped, smile. Rashid slowly dropped his head onto Daniel’s shoulder, keeping his eyes closed as if he had fallen asleep. Gently, the older man moved his arm which was folded in his lap to wrap around Rashid’s waist to hold him close and comfortable.
Daniel was extraordinarily warm, and Rashid did not sleep much, not that he necessarily needed to, but it was nice to feel those warm arms around him. He kept his eyes closed and allowed himself to be lulled into a light sleep by the comfort of his old companion and the warmth of the sun that did not pester him with the urge to bury himself in the ground any longer. If Daniel was disturbed by how still Rashid went in his arms, how his breath stopped, or how his body slowly grew colder and colder, the man never said anything.
“Now that we have arrived, there is the contract to go over,” Rashid spoke up once they had left the car and he collected a tablet from the entryway console.
“I’m pretty sure I already signed the shitty contract Louis had you send over,” Daniel replied with irritation. “There was something about breakfast? I’m more interested in that.”
“I sincerely cannot have you speak with Mr. de Pointe du Lac until this contract is signed,” Rashid urged.
Daniel dismissed him easily as he began to walk down the hall, eyes curiously examining the cold brutalist architecture. “No thanks, no renegotiations, and I’d rather speak to Louis or have breakfast.”
“Well, Mr. de Pointe du Lac is still unavailable, would you not prefer to have breakfast and go over the full stipulations regarding your pay?” Rashid pressed as he tried to keep his cool and maintained a step behind Daniel’s pace.
Upon consideration of his actions, Rashid could only speculate that he pressed Daniel so hard about the very fake renegotiation of his contract because he wanted more time with Daniel before Louis interrupted them and he no longer had an excuse to hover. Once Louis occupied Daniel’s attention, Rashid would simply become another servant in the old man’s eyes.
“It’s a pretty standard contract and I had a lawyer look it over anyway. I’m comfortable with the one I signed, Rashid,” Daniel sniped. “It’s not my fault your contract gave me more than I have to give in return.”
The way Daniel spoke to him was as though their moment during the drive from the airplane hangar had never happened. Daniel had always possessed a one-track mind. Fully focused on the impending interview with Louis. Which was the entire point of Daniel’s visit. But with Rashid’s need for attention from Daniel, it was almost crushing to be denied after having been on the pleasurable receiving end of his affections only an hour ago. Daniel had wanted him, but perhaps it was merely the rush of initial lust rather than the body remembering a deeper draw to Rashid.
“Then allow me to lead you to the sitting room, Mr. Molloy?”
Rashid managed to slip in front of him as fast as humanly possible to prevent him from exploring the wrong parts of the penthouse. Daniel paused and gave Rashid a smooth up and down. He looks like he was fucked sideways. Maybe I should give him a little break if I scrambled his brain that much. Rashid wanted to deny that Daniel had such a heavy effect on his demeanor, but that would have given a piece of the game away and been a lie. So instead, Rashid did what he was best at, making himself look as young and as innocent as he could possibly appear. With widened faux brown eyes surrounded by long black lashes and a young, supple, wrinkle-free face he appealed to Daniel’s more wicked sensibilities.
Little demon. I know what you are, don’t give me that face like you didn’t just plan that whole ride in the car. “Lead the way then,” he replied with mild irritation.
Rashid’s eyes blinked softly as if to rid himself of such a silly disguise and turned on his heel. “Thank you, Mr. Molloy.”
You two took your time getting here, Louis’s voice echoed in Rashid’s mind. You’re sticking with being Rashid then?
Rashid glanced back at Daniel with a subtle lit of his lips as he brought him into the sitting room which occupied a large corner of the penthouse apartment. Large un-tinted windows exposed the concrete patio and the famous skyline of Dubai.
I enjoy being Rashid. Daniel appears to enjoy it as well.
Oh, I’m sure you took special measures to make sure of that, Louis replied.
Rashid, with his tablet clasped in both hands at his waist, watched as Daniel explored the room. “This is an insane view.”
“It is beautiful,” Rashid agreed, eyes only on Daniel.
I’m ready now.
Then I must warn you that I seduced Daniel in the car ride over.
You did not.
Punish me if you must, Master, but he asked, and I could not deny.
Master? Though Rashid could not hear Louis, a fond exasperation echoed. A bit of surprise mingled the emotional exposé because of how deeply serious Rashid had taken to their game. Well, if he asked, you were providing one of your services. Did you tell him your rules?
No, but he will figure it out. Of that, I am sure. Especially if you do not hold back or shy away from your nature as you are want to do.
This is not the time to shy away from my nature, you are right…Rashid.
“Mr. de Pointe du Lac will be joining us earlier than expected,” Rashid announced.
Daniel turned to the younger man and examined him openly. Well, if I die at least I went out with a literal bang.
“Why don’t you take a seat, Mr. Molloy,” Rashid spoke up again as he dimmed the windows in preparation for Louis’s arrival. “It will make your wait more comfortable.”
“You think you can manage to not straddle me again?” Daniel asked as he did as he was told. Some things certainly never changed; his obedience brought a rush of excited familiarity through Rashid’s body.
Another small smile flashed across Rashid’s face, and he ducked his head. “I believe I can exhibit more self-control, Mr. Molloy.”
“I wouldn’t believe him, Daniel,” Louis spoke as he entered the room. “But it is good to see you, glad he took care of you during your journey from the hangar. Heard the drive was longer than expected.”
“Yeah,” Daniel replied and stood to clasp Louis’s hand and shake it. Cold. Freezing.
You didn’t eat? Rashid’s thoughts projected to Louis.
You weren’t here, what was there to eat?
Rashid held in an eye roll, but he knew Louis felt the emotional sentiment.
Your neck is on display, think I could get a bite now?
Do you believe that is a good idea? Right now? In front of our guest?
I suppose starting the interview off by having a drink would be in poor taste.
“Are you thirsty, Daniel?” Louis asked with a teasing smile.
You are incorrigible.
Pot meet kettle.
Daniel sat back down, “I could use a drink,” his eyes flickered to Rashid briefly.
“Coffee should already be prepared, I will bring it to you from the kitchen,” Rashid replied and ducked his head, brown eyes lingered on Louis before he finally left.
Upon his return Louis held Daniel’s book, it seemed he had paid a visit to the library in the next room during Rashid’s brief absence. Their conversation remained light until Rashid placed a silver tray with a coffee set upon the tea table between where Daniel sat and Louis paced. However, it was not Rashid’s sudden appearance that brought heat to their conversation, it was the expected progression of two miserable men with bad blood.
Your clothes are wrinkled, what sort of servant presents themselves so sloppily? Louis antagonized Rashid as he verbally antagonized Daniel.
He was not careful, Rashid retorted from where he sat by a window to observe how his Master and his old lover sniped at each other.
Rashid kept his focus on the tablet on his lap rather than act as if he were eavesdropping. But then Louis wanted to further antagonize Daniel which Rashid did not appreciate, and then realized in the air hung the minute jealousy that had bubbled within Louis. The man had never been successful at sharing his lovers and Rashid had rarely given himself to Louis as he had to Daniel in the car. Perhaps Louis would give Rashid the opportunity to remind him that he was not Armand but Rashid and if Louis wanted to have his body similarly, the game allowed it. How complex Louis was, able to bring Daniel to one point and purpose while simultaneously informing Rashid of his emotional state as a result of an entirely separate issue. Yet it was all, in its totality, related. Truth and reconciliation, Louis had said to Daniel. Rashid could feel he was wholly unprepared for the game Louis had prepared within their own planned one.
“I ask the questions. You answer the questions,” Daniel began to outline his demands. Rashid remembered his attempts at being demanding but never succeeding. This was an aged Daniel; Rashid would have to be careful. “Anything that can’t be verified, I send to my researcher.”
Rashid jumped up then, irritated that Daniel wanted to change the contract which he had already attempted to renegotiate with Daniel to begin with. “No third parties.”
Careful, Louis warned him as he adjusted himself.
“I write it, you get to see it before it goes to print. I get the final edit.”
“That is not the agreement you signed,” Rashid argued.
This fucking kid, Daniel’s mind was irritated. “And one more thing, I do my best work one-on-one,” Daniel’s eyes bore into Rashid’s.
“As I understood it, you had no qualms with Rashid’s presence earlier?” Louis asked. “Or perhaps, he is too much of a distraction.”
News travels fast, Daniel soured.
“Would you see to Mr. Molloy’s room?” Louis asked aloud. “Have chef prepare a meal for him, I think it best we start when our boy’s had a rest after you wore him out.”
Who should be careful? Rashid asked as his faux brown stared into Louis’s vibrant viridian gaze. Our boy? If he remembers too quickly the game will end faster than we would like.
“I’m not your fucking boy!” Daniel raised his voice.
Echoes of the past rushed through Rashid’s mind as Daniel continued to rage on about his age, his experience, and wishing to begin rather than get rest.
You should take a break, Rashid.
That is probably for the best, Master, Rashid responded in kind before he left the pair alone.