Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Greek Love ❯ Freedom ( Chapter 10 )

**Hi! This is another bittersweet ch. and it was very fun to write! Hope you enjoy! ^_~

 

Disclaimer: I don't own fake

 

Ryo didn't see Dee again until the evening on the following day. All the while, his mind was racing with worry about what the oracle had told to him. What could've been so heart-wrenching? If only Dee would tell him, talk to him, he thought while pacing in the garden.

 

Finally sitting down on the cold marble bench, Ryo put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples. The sun had gone down hours ago and Bikky had left to go to bed after growing tired of his father-figure's restlessness. Alone with only the moon staring down, Ryo looked around at the numerous flowers surrounding him. So strange that a place could change so much from day till night. The normally brilliant petals were curled up tight against the night chill and their bright colors dulled in the thin light of the moon. The world seemed uncommonly solemn and gray as Ryo looked around. And yet, he knew there was such wonderful color ready to burst forth with the glow of the sun. Just like me, he thought, I always walked in a colorless world, devoid of light and warmth... until Dee's love fell upon me.

 

What would he do now if that love was taken from him? He shook his head. Why was he being so gloomy? Maybe he was overreacting. After all, he still didn't know what the oracle had told to Dee. For all he knew, she could've told him he should abstain from sex for a week and Dee would've gotten tears in his eyes! Ryo tried to laugh it off, but the feeling of foreboding would not leave him. No, something was wrong, he could feel it in the air. If Dee would just tell him what it was! They could work through it together, he was sure, but waiting was intolerable!

 

As if by some strength of will or desire, Ryo saw the dark-haired man step into sight, the moon's cool rays casting deep shadows over his features and accentuating the lines of worry knotting his brow.

 

"Dee!" cried Ryo, jumping up to throw his arms around his lover...no his LOVE. As he pressed himself against the older man, the heat of their bodies warming each other in the cool night, Ryo knew he could no longer hide the truth. He loved this man and he would show him that they could face anything- together.

 

"Dee," he started, looking up into those piercing jade eyes as he spoke, "I want to tell you something... I think, I mean-"

 

"Hush..." said the taller man, putting a finger to his lips.

 

"But-!" Ryo protested.

 

"No, please, Ryo, love, let me talk first," he insisted. The blond man sighed, but sat back down to listen.

 

Dee paused a moment, not looking at Ryo and kept standing as he spoke, "I'm sorry I failed to explain myself yesterday. I've had a lot on my mind and had many preparations to make."

 

"Prep-?" Ryo began, bewildered, but his master pushed forward.

 

"Yes, I..." then he faltered. Looking Ryo in the eye with the most serious expression he had ever seen on the man's face, Dee said, "I know you're not happy here."

 

"No! Dee, please, listen!" said his companion, but Dee would have none of it.

 

"You may be content here, you may find ways to pass the time, but even my affections are not enough!" the raven haired man burst out. "I've tried so hard. I gave you every luxury, indulged you, even brought Bikky here at your request! But... still, I feel a part of you shy away from me. There is a part of your heart that won't open to me, no matter what I do or how hard I try..." Dee looked away from him, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks and Ryo felt an answering sting behind his eyes.

 

Why was Dee saying all this? Yes, he would admit that it had been true to a point; that Ryo had kept a part of himself at a distance. But he wanted to be rid of that barrier! He knew now that he loved him, surely that was enough to bring them together?

 

"Dee," Ryo said when the silence stretched on between them, "I don't know what the oracle told you, but I AM happy." He stood up to gently touch the other man's face with his fingertips. It was a tentative caress, but it was one of the first times Ryo had reached out to his master in such a way.

 

Bringing his own hand up to close about the younger man's, Dee looked at Ryo in agony, "You say that, but... I doubt you can be truly joyous in a life like this. We are still master and slave after all."

 

The words stung at Ryo's heart, his dark haired lover had never referred to him by that term before. Though it was true nonetheless, and that only made it more painful to bear.

 

"Yes..." was all the blond could manage to whisper.

 

Another pause. Another long, drawn out silence in which the very night air seemed to hold it's breath.

 

"That is why... you must go," Dee finally said.

 

"..." Ryo was at a loss. 'Go'? What did he mean? Was he sending him away? To another house? Another master?! "N-no...no," he choked out, clutching at Dee's robes and staining them with his tears.

 

Still and somber, Dee pushed down his own emotions and took Ryo's hands in his own, pulling the man from his chest so he could look in his eyes once again.

 

"Yes... you must go, and be FREE," he said. The few short words were the most difficult Dee had ever had to say, but he knew he was doing the right thing. No matter how it broke his heart to let this man go, he knew it. Diana's words echoed in his ear, the answer to his question of whether Ryo would ever learn to love him... "A heart bound by duty and chains is not free to love. To bind love is to break it: set it free."

 

Ryo couldn't believe his ears. "What?!" he gasped, his eyes growing wide. Could he mean it? It was something the young man had ceased to hope for since the day he was brought into the city. To be truly free...

 

"It won't be quite as you imagine, I think," Dee continued, trying desperately to keep his voice from wavering. "Even if you're free, you're status will barely be that above a slave," he explained. "But you can do as you please," he paused, "you can even leave, go off to another county, if you wish."

 

At this, Ryo's mouth gaped. Leave Greece, and Dee, completely? His eyes fell from his lover's, scanning the garden as if it could show him the answers. Could he really do that? Ryo found that, even with freedom in his grasp, things were not as clear as he wished. What would he, could he, do?

 

"I realize you will not be able to decide all in a day," Dee replied, as if anticipating Ryo's internal conflict.

 

Good, a few days, or weeks, to ponder things over and then he might be ready to make a choice, thought Ryo.

 

"Until then," the man continued, "You can start as a scribe for a friend of mine. It will be hard work, but it's a good opportunity."

 

"What?" asked Ryo, his head spinning with all this new information. "But... but why can't I just stay here to decide?" he stammered.

 

A painful, bittersweet smile curved Dee's lips, "Because in a week's time, I may not be able to let you go..."

 

'I may not want you to,' Ryo found himself wanting to reply, but he remained silent.

 

"Bikky will go with you as well, if you wish," the raven haired man added.

 

"Yes, of course," Ryo muttered numbly, still trying to process the events that had suddenly turned his life upside-down.

 

"Good. Then everything is settled. You'll leave first thing tomorrow afternoon."

 

"Tomorrow!" cried Ryo.

 

"Yes... I'm sorry, I just-" Dee reached out to glide a single finger down the blond's chin and along the tender column of his neck, "It was difficult for me to do this, Ryo. I can't bear having you around and knowing you'll soon be gone..."

 

"I will miss you," the darkly handsome man said softly as he closed the space between them and pressed his lips gently, sweetly against the young man's mouth.

 

Ryo's entire body melted into that kiss. And he suddenly wondered if the price of freedom would be too high...

 

"Good night, love. Rest well tonight. I'll see you before you leave tomorrow. Good bye," said Dee, turning to leave.

 

"Wait!" called Ryo, unable to let this man walk away from him just yet. "I..." he began, wanting to tell him all the words in his heart, wanting to let him know he loved him. But, then again, maybe it was better this way. He could clearly see how much his departure would hurt this man, maybe it would be easier for him if he didn't know Ryo's feelings.

 

"Tomorrow we'll part, but," Ryo stepped closer and, putting his arms about Dee's neck, pulled his body flush against him, "not just yet, ne?" The dark haired man smiled down into his onyx eyes with love and adoration. How could he possibly refuse?

 

So, late in the night when all else was quiet, the two lovers embraced and Ryo let his body express all his unspoken love to the tall, dark man who would soon no longer be his master, nor possibly his lover, ever again.

 

 

******sniffle* What will happen after Ryo leaves? Poor Dee, I feel bad for torturing him so! Oh, well! Guess you'll have to check out the next ch. to find out if I get any nicer! (And it will be the last ch as well!)

Reviews welcome! ^_^