Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Greek Love ❯ Belonging ( Chapter 11 )

It's here! The last chapter! (But it's nice and long!) Thanks to everyone for all the encouraging reviews- let me know what you think of the outcome! ^_^

 

 

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Fake

 

 

Honestly, Dee couldn't ever remember feeling so awful in his life. It had been two months since he heard from Ryo and it was slowly eating away at his heart. And it wasn't doing much for his work either. He'd been lax and lazy and generally intolerable, which didn't bode well when you had to work with people so closely. Berkely was enjoying every minute of it, of course.

 

Since the moment he found out about Dee setting Ryo free, the platinum blond man had constantly ribbed him.

 

"I heard you let that foreign boy go," Rose said to him one day about a week after that fateful day they had parted. "What a shame, he was quite captivating," he said, following Dee out of the state building after a long day, "I can't imagine your motive for doing so."

 

"No, I suppose you can't," the raven haired man had retorted in an acid tone. How could such a cool, calculating man as Berkely possibly understand anything about what people did over love? Dee doubted the man had ever truly loved anyone in his life.

 

Unaware of the thin ground he was treading, Rose continued to barb the other man. He laughed at Dee's scorn, saying, "First you have poor JJ shipped off and now you can't even handle a simple servant boy. Do you bore of them that easily or is it that you simply can't please them so you have hush them up by sending them away?" Berkely didn't know why he enjoyed jabbing Dee so much, he supposed it was because it was so easy to get a rise out the man. However, that day he got more than he bargained for.

 

His emotions still raw from Ryo's recent departure, Dee's fuse was especially short. He stopped in his tracks and Rose looked back in bewilderment. The blond assumed Dee was trying to come up with a witty retort and struggling with himself. He didn't see the dangerous look in the man's eyes as his dark hair hung over his face, he didn't know that he should've taken the opportunity to shut up and leave. Instead, he sunk himself deeper into the hole he was digging, telling Dee, "Perhaps they need a real man to satisfy them. I've been entertaining JJ for a few weeks now. Maybe your old servant would enjoy some of my attention as we-"

 

The words never got passed his lips. Dee's fist conneced solidly with his jaw and sent him reeling.

 

"Don't even THINK about laying a hand on Ryo!!" he yelled, oblivious to the stares about them. Stooping over Berkely's fallen body, he gripped the front of his tunic and said in a quiet, menacing tone, even more frightening then his shouting, "Touch one hair on his head and you'll regret it Berkely, I mean it."

 

Rose simply gaped at the dark haired man as he watched him walk away. Wiping the blood from his split lip, another statesmen helped him up.

 

"You should file a complaint against him!" said the man, Rose thought his name was Drake.

 

Berkely watched Dee's form fade into the dusk and sighed. He had let the joke go too far. "No, it was partly my own fault. Come on, it's getting late, we should both get to our homes."

 

 

After that incident, Dee realized he was going to have to try and get a better handle on his emotions. Sure, Berkely was an ass, but he really could've gotten into a lot of trouble hitting a senator. When the blond didn't charge a complaint against him, he was relieved, but it didn't make him like the man any better. Not that he gave him much thought. Not that he gave anything much thought these days- except for Ryo.

 

"My lord, please try to eat something more. You barely touched your dinner," Mother said as she came to collect the still-full plates. It was hard to see the normally strong, confident man withering away. She hadn't known exactly what transpired between the two men, but she could guess well enough.

 

The thought of Dee setting his lover free to demonstrate the depth of his understanding and feelings toward him deeply touched her heart. Now, if only Ryo would be wise enough to realize the bond between them and come back home. Sighing, she resigned herself to the dreary task of looking after Dee while they both waited for the other man's return.

 

For, surely, Ryo would return. Someday, any day now, he would be back.

 

Everyday this thought floated in Dee's head, haunting him. Maybe today, he thought upon opening his eyes in the morning, maybe he'll come home today. To which the other part of his mind replied, maybe he doesn't think of this as his home, maybe he never did. At this point the raven haired man would pull himself out of bed and throw himself into the day's activities to keep himself from thinking anything at all.

 

And that way two months went by; Dee gradually becoming less apathetic and more involved in work to forget himself. Several times he thought of contacting the household where he had sent Ryo to check up on him. More than once he had been near the very property where the blond foreigner and the boy who was with him resided. But every time he pulled himself away, telling himself that he had to let Ryo live his own life, give him time to come to his own conclusions. However, after one month he had hired someone to check in on Ryo for him. Just to report his living and working conditions, which seemed to be adequate.

 

What more could he do?

 

So here he was, miserable and (painfully) celibate. Something was going to have to give. Either he was going to have to swoop down and try to force Ryo to come back, or he would have to harden his heart against the beautiful man and try, somehow, to move on. He sat on his bed and wondered what course of action to take. His shoulders shagged under the weight of his indecision.

 

"My Lord," Mother began before leaving with the plates, "I wonder if you might let me speak a word or two to you plainly."

 

Dee lifted his weary gaze to her face and nodded in affirmation. Setting down her tray, the elderly woman stepped over to his side. "I don't know everything about your situation, but surely you could send some word to Ryo, let him know that you still care for him. Or even go to him. If he knew how you really felt..."

 

"He knows," the dark haired man replied drearily. Dee wondered how Mother knew that he'd had no contact with Ryo since he left. But that was Mother, somehow, she always just knew. "I don't think I can do anymore for him," he explained, "He has to come to me."

 

His mind drifted back to that final night together, when they lay in each other's arms beneath the glowing flowers that were blushing in the sun's first light.

 

"Dee..." Ryo murmured, sitting up and starting what Dee was sure would be a farewell speech.

 

"Please, Ryo, let's not say good-bye," he said. "Let me at least believe that we'll see each other again."

 

"Of course we'll see each other," the blond man whispered with emotion.

 

Dee simply smiled. Despite his words, there was no way Ryo could make any promises to him right now. Things would change so drastically once he left, anything could happen. But, he couldn't help himself...

 

"Promise me one thing, Ryo," he said softly, reaching a hand out to caresses one rosy cheek.

 

"Yes."

 

"Promise you'll never forget that I love you. That I will always love you and you will always- ALWAYS- have a place here. Whenever... if ever you decide to come back..."

 

"Dee..." Ryo whispered in a choked voice, tears springing to his eyes.

 

"Promise me," Dee insisted.

 

"Yes... I promise."

 

Those were the last words they had exchanged. Dee had overseen his departure the following afternoon, but they had only spoken in glances then, too much to say and no way to truly convey it. So they left it unsaid.

 

Dee hadn't known how he was going to live his life without Ryo at his side, he expected the world to crumble away... but it hadn't. It had gone on like nothing had happened, leaving the brooding man numb inside.

 

"My Lord..." Mother whispered his name with sympathy and brought the man out of his reverie.

 

"Thank you, Mother, for your concern, but I'm afraid there's nothing to be done," Dee said sadly. Turning to the older woman, he tried to smile. "I'll be fine," he said without feeling.

 

The woman sighed, she knew that look in Dee's eye; nothing she could say would amend the situation or change his mind.

 

"Please, get some rest, tomorrow things may be different. And, if not," she added, seeing the skepticism in his eye, "remember that time heals all wounds." She kissed him tenderly on the cheek, adding, "Even this one."

 

Her teasing tone elicited a genuine smile from the gloomy man. "Good night, Mother," he said as she left him.

 

Maybe, he let himself hope, maybe tomorrow...

 

 

But the next day did not bring him any luck. In fact, it was one of the worst days he could remember since Ryo's departure. Some catastrophe in the kitchen had delayed his breakfast for so long he was forced to go without it, the strap on his sandals unexpectedly broke half-way out the door and the afternoon did not promise any improvements. He had an appointment with a particularly vehement vendor concerning some new trade laws and his head ached by the time he was finished with him.

 

After some consideration, Dee decided to try and visit Diana and see if she had any new advice for him. In truth, part of him was fantasizing about taking his anger out on the priestess: 'Well, well, thanks SO much for screwing up my life! I hope you had a good laugh at my expense after my last visit! Must be fun to play with people's lives, huh?' He imagined her groveling for forgiveness: 'How could I have been so cruel? Go! Ryo's waiting for you to rescue him and take him away in your arms!'

 

Laughing at himself, Dee pushed the scene from his mind. He'd never seriously say such things to the revered woman, but, he had to admit, it was tempting to blame her for everything. With another visit, perhaps she could clarify matters for him, though.

 

To his chagrin, however, the temple was already packed with waiting petitioners when he arrived. He waited in line for hours, but he was finally told he would have to return the following day; the oracle was unable to fulfill any more requests that evening.

 

If he could get home without another mishap, he told himself, he wouldn't be in such a fowl mood, but, as fate would have it, that didn't happen. Turning the corner to his street, he saw the two people he least wanted to talk to that evening. Berkely and JJ. Together. What had he done to cause the fates to despise him so?

 

"Dee!" cried Rose in his usual, jovial yet mocking tone, "We were just speaking of you!"

 

"Hmph!" said JJ, moving himself deeper into Berkely's embrace. "I'd rather not see OR talk about him!"

 

"The feeling is mutual," Dee muttered under his breath. The dark haired man tried to brush his way passed the couple, but Berkely- being Berkely- couldn't let him slip by. The space he had given Dee after their confrontation a month ago had long since subsided and he was back to his usual ways.

 

"I saw that little servant of yours last week."

 

Dee stopped dead in his track and spun around to face the pale blond man.

 

Rose grinned. "He didn't seemed to pleased to see me," he said.

 

"If you-!"

 

The other man clicked his tongue. "No, no! I've got my hands full at the moment, as you can see," Rose said, nodding toward JJ, who looked cross at Rose for mentioning another man in front of him.

 

"Well, then, if that's all you have to-" -" Dee said, turning to leave again. He wanted to ask how Ryo looked, if he seemed happy or sad or anxious. But he forced himself to keep his mouth shut. He wouldn't give Berkely the satisfaction of knowing he hadn't spoken to his former companion since he left. He wouldn't let this man know how much it was tearing him up inside to not know Ryo's situation. So he walked on.

 

"He's gone, you know."

 

Silence.

 

Damn that Berkely! Dee whirled around. "Gone?" he asked as calmly as he could manage with his heart suddenly squeezed with anguish.

 

"Well, I happened to stop by that household today and they said he had left, the young boy as well," Rose replied with a certain smug satisfaction.

 

"Why were you there?" interjected JJ with a whine. "Did you want to see him, is that why?"

 

Berkely sighed in a way that told Dee they must have had this particular conversation before. "You know you're the only one for me, my little JJ," he said soothingly in a sickeningly-sweet tone.

 

Dee thought he was gonna to throw up. He didn't know if it was from the lack of nourishment all day or seeing Berkely act the doting paramour that made him nauseous, but he didn't want to wait around to find out.

 

"Do you know anything else?" he asked curtly, watching JJ look up all googily-eyed at Rose.

 

"No, just up and left it seems."

 

"Then I'll be going," he said and turned away from the affectionate couple. It was hard enough for him to see other lovers happily parading about him, he really didn't need to witness THAT spectacle.

 

When he returned home he was beyond tired and his head was spinning. All he wanted to do was drown himself in wine until he passed into blissful forgetfulness. Only one thought rang in his head, over and over.

 

Ryo was gone.

 

Gone... and he had no idea where. He would have to call upon Ryo's former employer in the morning. Berkeley probably wouldn't have given him the information even if he knew it, but the master of the house, surely he knew something? He HAD to know something!

 

"My Lord!" one of his servants called urgently upon his entry.

 

"Not now!" he yelled back, rushing passed them on his way to his private room. Since Ryo had left he had moved to another area further back in the mansion.

 

"But, my Lord! It's-"

 

"Urgent! Yes, I'm sure it seems that way, but I DON'T CARE!," he shouted, turning on the young woman who addressed him. "Have wine brought to my quarters! Now!" he yelled, then immediately regretted it; the girl looked as if she was about to cry.

 

Gritting his teeth and running a hand through his hair in frustration, he called out, "Mother! Are you there?!"

 

"Y-yes, my Lord, what is it?" asked the older woman as she shuffled as fast as she could into the hall.

 

"Please bring some wine to my quarters and calm the young lady here," he said. Mother hadn't noticed the girl, but now put an arm about her and looked up at him questioningly. "I'm afraid I'm in an awful temper this evening and I yelled at her. I have no patience to deal with her. Will you see to it?"

 

She nodded, then call out to him as he was leaving, "My Lord! One moment!"

 

Taking in a deep, steadying breath, Dee pushed down his anger and asked, "Yes, Mother, what is it? I'm very tired and worn and I can't take much more bad news tonight."

 

To his surprise, she smiled. "I think you will find this matter worth your time," she said cryptically.

 

Sighing, the dark haired man resigned himself once again to fate's whims. "What is it?" he asked, a slight whine to his voice.

 

"You have a visitor," Mother said simply.

 

Suddenly there was a stir of voices from the main reception room off the side of the main hall. A young boy's voice was careening off the walls, "I can't believe he's making us wait all this time!" Then an answering voice, in a reproving tone, "Stop! You have to be patient! Wait!"

 

Then, from the reception room's entrance way a small boy huffed out, his arms folded over his chest in a familiar gesture. After him ran a young man, blond hair to match, a scowl over his pretty features.

 

"Bikky!" he cried. Seeing Mother out of the corner of his eye, he said apologetically, "Sorry, Mother. Perhaps this is a bad time, I- I shouldn't have just dropped in like th-"

 

He stopped, the image of a tall man with a shock of black hair crowning his bewildered face was staring down the hall at him.

 

Neither man seemed able to speak. Each struggling for the right words.

 

Finally, Mother interrupted the silence, "They insisted on waiting in the receiving room, but, with your permission I'll see the young boy to his former quarters?"

 

Dee nodded, still struck speechless.

 

"Come on," Mother said motioning for the servant girl to follow, then holding out her hand to the boy, "We'll take you to your old room."

 

"About time," Bikky grumbled under his breath. He'd been more than happy to return to his former master's household, but he didn't see why they had to wait around for Dee to settle back in. Oh, well. He was back now and he was happy.

 

 

"Ryo," Dee finally managed in a quiet voice of disbelief. His eyes took in every change that had come over the man in the couple months they'd been apart. Ryo's usually glossy blond locks lay limp over his forehead, his face was more worn and withdrawn, dark lines and circles appeared under his eyes from reading and working so many nights by candlelight. But none of it mattered, he was still the most beautiful thing Dee had ever seen.

 

"Dee... I'm sorry for just dropping back here, without any word, I-" he stopped as Dee closed the space between them, pulling him tightly into his arms and crushing his body against his own.

 

"Ryo," his voice wavering as the tears fell over his cheeks, "You're back."

 

"You noticed," Ryo said jokingly, but the tears were already spilling from his own eyes.

 

"Don't ever leave again."

 

"No, I won't," whispered Ryo, wrapping his arms around his lover's back.

 

They stayed trapped in embrace as the night grew older, until, finally, convinced Ryo was indeed real and he had not fallen into a dream, Dee drew back to look down at the blond man.

 

"Let's go and talk," he said softly, pulling Ryo along and back to his quarters. As badly as he wanted to hear about every moment the man had been away from him, he also didn't want to do it in the main hall where anyone could hear. He wanted privacy to sit at leisure and savor every syllable Ryo spoke before quieting his lips in languid kisses.

 

After they were settled across from each other on Dee's broad bed, the raven haired man found himself at a loss for words once more. One hand came up to trace the young blonde's chin, the tender shell of his ear, the swell of his lips.

 

"I thought of you everyday," Ryo said softly, echoing Dee's thoughts.

 

Pausing his fingers, Dee asked in a pained voice, "Then why?"

 

Ryo knew immediately what he meant: 'Then why did you stay away from me for so long?' His eyes dropped from the older man's, finding it difficult to explain himself.

 

"I don't know," he answered truthfully. "At first, I just couldn't let myself take the easy way out. I had to try and make a real life for myself." Looking back up at his lover, his eyes brimming with new tears, "But it was no life without you."

 

"Ryo," whispered Dee, wanting to take him in his arms right then and make love to him. But he sensed that the younger man had more he needed to say.

 

"The problem was that I was in debt from almost the moment I stepped into the household. Since I wasn't a slave, I was expected to pay for my food and any extra amenities I needed. I had no money when I arrived, so I had to borrow from the beginning," he explained.

 

Dee felt his blood begin to boil. It was common practice to make people in Ryo's situation pay for their room and board and anything (everything) else they needed when working for someone, but Dee detested the practice, since it was often used to keep the worker so immersed in debt that they virtually became a slave, forever tied to the household. The dark haired man had thought better of the place he had sent Ryo and had thought that he would be excluded from such fees for food and shelter since he had been the one to send him there. He had thought wrong.

 

"I'm so sorry, Ryo," he said in a voice heavy with regret. But Ryo smiled gently.

 

"No, it really wasn't that bad. It took a while, but I somehow managed to earn more than I owed. And I made it back here."

 

"You should have contacted me. I could have taken care of it."

 

"No," Ryo said firmly, "I needed to do it myself. To prove that I could. To know that I was coming back here because I WANTED to, not because I NEEDED to."

 

Although he didn't totally agree, Dee nodded his head in compliance. Why argue over it? What did it matter? All that mattered to him now was that his love was finally back where he belonged. Here. With him.

 

Leaning in toward his pale haired lover, Dee brushed his lips softly over Ryo's, taking his time to delight in every wistful touch. But the blond man began pulling away from him.

 

"I have to tell you something," he said.

 

"You don't have to explain yourself any further to me, Ryo," Dee said, growing slightly impatient now as his body remembered how long it been devoid of the man's charms.

 

"It's important," the young man persisted until Dee finally paused his ministrations.

 

"I love you," Ryo said gently. "I've loved you for a long time now, but, when you sent me away... I was afraid to tell you- afraid it would hurt you too much to hear it and then have me leave," he said, his brow furrowed with passed anxieties, "I'm sorry. I should've said it then." He then added with a playful smile, "But I'll say it every day from now on to make it up to you."

 

When Dee smiled back at him it was pure brilliance, his joy lighting up his entire face.

 

"Say it again now," he demanded.

 

"I love you."

 

"Again."

 

Ryo laughed, "I love you!"

 

Then, pulling him down into the sheets, Dee covered his lover's body with his own, whispering seductively against his ear, "Now... show me."

 

"Your wish is my command," Ryo replied, grinning.

 

 

And they stayed up late into the night, each taking a turn at demonstrating the power of their love in the most intimate and intoxicating ways. When the dawn came they lay replete in each other's arms and the sun herself almost had to envy the glow of contentment radiating from their faces.

 

 

 

OWARI

 

 

 

 

****** WOW! Finally done!! But it was fun to write! I hope everyone enjoys it as much as me! If you do, review! ^_~

And if you'd like to be notified of when I update my current fics, please e-mail me with your address to: mizu@goddessmail.com