Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Something About Him ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 7 )

VegoSacomoto-Jason's prejudice for vessels runs deep. He doesn't trust them, and thinks of them all as monsters. It will take some time to break down those walls. It's so great to hear someone else likes Katan, because I absolutely adore him. I think I will eventually make this into a manga, but since that will require that I commission an artist, it will probably be a while. I will definitely keep you updated though!

 

A/N: Back inside Katan's mind we go!

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Chapter 7

Revelations

 

Katan was tired but his thoughts kept him awake long after he lay down. He kept asking himself what it was about that strange boy that attracted him so. What would cause him to purchase him so spontaneously? Sure he didn't like Tobin, but why did he care so much about one boy that he'd never met that he would pay a ridiculous amount to keep him out of Tobin's reach? So far the boy had been nothing but trouble.

 

Katan thought even more about Jason as he woke and dressed for dinner. Since meeting him there had been a public verbal fight, a public power struggle, and a public display of Katan's temper which he hadn't lost in years. He hurt Mark, which was something he never imagined he would ever do. It was becoming obvious that Jason had to go, and soon. Besides, he reasoned with himself, he wanted a challenge, but a slave that would run away is more than any master wanted to deal with.

 

As Katan headed down to dinner, thoughts of his newest acquisition filled his head. He had decided that he would give the boy one month of training, if he still showed no signs of cooperation, no promise that he'd ever be well-trained, he would be sold.

 

Katan was surprised to see Mark and Jason had beat him to the table, and were standing behind their chairs. Jason had been bathed, and was wearing some of Mark's clothes. The soft lemon cream colored shirt, and crisp khaki pants did not suit Jason's look or his temperament. Katan suppressed a smile, trying not to laugh at how ridiculous he looked.

 

“Good evening, Master Katan.” Mark said, smiling at him.

 

“Good evening, boys, you may both take your seats.”

 

Katan noted the obvious relief on Jason's face at being off of his feet.

 

Katie brought out a large platter, setting it in the middle of the table. She removed the lid to reveal a beautiful roast with vegetables all around it. The smell hit, and all three stomachs growled.

 

Katan let Katie serve him, and then told her to serve the boys as well.

Jason kept glancing at Mark, no doubt taking his ques from him about when he could begin eating.

 

Katan took two bites of his food, and then nodded at Mark, who began eating, followed shortly by Jason. They enjoyed their dinner quietly until Jason broke the silence.

 

“Why did you kill an innocent boy?”

 

The sudden outburst shocked all at the table.

 

“Excuse me?” Katan demanded, angrily.

 

“Master, Jason is under the impression that you shot a young boy at the auction?”

 

“First of all, it is not for you to question your Master.” The annoyed edge in Katan's voice was unmistakable.

 

“He was just a child!”

 

It was with these words, that Katan witnessed something new in Jason's eyes. As Jason locked eyes with Katan, the shy humility melted away into defiant anger, and the spark excited something deep within Katan. He didn't understand his own reaction. He should be angry at the brazen outburst of his slave, but instead he was intrigued. There was something about Jason that left Katan in awe.

 

“A child that a soulless master shot and left to die an agonizing death.”

 

Mark gasped at Katan's words.

 

“Who would do such a thing?”

 

“Crandal. “

 

“But…” Jason's voice now wavered with doubt, “I saw you re-holstering your pistol!”

 

“There were two shots…the first from Crandal, and the second from me. I wasn't going to let that boy suffer.”

 

“But…I was sure that…”

 

Katan smiled softly. “It's understandable that you could get confused…you were drugged pretty heavily.”

 

Jason only nodded his response, and it didn't escape Katan that he didn't so much as look in his direction for the rest of the night.

 

As Mark poured Katan his after dinner drink, Jason helped but his actions were robotic and he felt distant. Katan felt as if every time he unlocked a small piece of the boy he buried the other pieces deep within himself. Jason was like a mystery that was unraveling much too slowly for Katan's likes. He desperately wanted to skip to the end of the book.

 

“Jason, you've had along day, and I'm sure you're still sore, I think it best if you retire, Estevan will show you to your room.”

 

Jason did not reply, but followed the butler up the stairs.

 

Katan sighed deeply as he watched. Mark handed him his drink, and stood behind him to massage his shoulders.

 

“What's wrong, Master?”

 

“Something about that boy confuses and intrigues me.”

 

Mark smiled softly.

 

“Surely you see what it is about him that you like?”

 

Katan turned toward Mark slightly.

 

“No, what is it?”

 

“His eyes…”

 

“What about them?”

 

“They're…well, surely you've noticed…they're just like…hers…”

 

Katan drew in a shaky breath.

 

“You're right! I can't believe I didn't notice it before…those beautiful, expressive eyes…every bit the same as hers.”

 

There was a long silence as Katan was pulled into a place that brought him memories both happy and painful, as he thought about her.

 

“He was convinced that you were evil.” Mark said, mercifully breaking the thoughts that were clearly torturing his master.

 

“Well, considering he though I murdered a child in cold blood, I can't say as though I blame him.”

 

“But you've been nothing but nice to him.”

 

“I have a feeling that boy has seen a lot of betrayal in his time, Mark.”

 

“You're right, Master, I can't imagine having your own uncle sell you into slavery!”

 

“You really believe all that?”

 

“Don't you?”

 

“I don't know. I had thought it might have been part of his escape plan…make us feel sorry for him, trust him, what do you think?”

 

“I think he seemed pretty sincere when he was telling us his story.”

 

“Perhaps.”

 

Later that evening, Katan was in his giant bathtub, letting Mark wash his hair.

 

“You seem very tense, Master.”

 

“Yeah, I think that punk is stressing me out.” Katan replied amusedly.

 

“Are you thinking of not keeping him?”

 

Katan smiled. “I shouldn't, but I've resolved to give him 1 month to prove that he's worth keeping.”

 

“And if not, you'll sell him?”

 

“Yes…is that wise? Do you think that's what I should do?”

 

“It's not my place to tell you what to do, Master.”

 

“I'm asking for your advice, Mark, as a friend.”

 

Mark smiled softly. “It's just that it's not like you to be so tolerant with disobedient slaves.”

 

“Well, I suppose I'm being more lenient because he's never been trained, all my past slaves have come to me knowing what is expected of them. Do you not like him, Mark?”

 

“It's not that I don't like him…I'm just not sure he is capable of being trained. He seems very wild, and he speaks of you with such hatred.”

 

“We'll both have to have patience with him, Mark. He was ripped away from all that he knows and has been forced into bending to the will of others ever since. He's likely scared, and lonely, and bitter.”

 

“I can't imagine being taken away from a family and a life…most slaves are born into slavery, or groomed from an early age.”

 

“Yes, and you know patience is not my forte, Mark. You'll have to help me, as you did yesterday, and again, thank you for that.”

 

Mark smiled as he averted his eyes and held up a towel for Katan as he stepped out of the bathtub. “Tobin knows how to get under your skin, Master. He is your weakness.”

 

Katan wrapped the towel tightly around him, and they walked to his bedroom, where he sat on his bed as Mark gathered the supplies to begin brushing his long hair.

 

“I know…of all my past demons…he is the one I feel I'll never be rid of until I see him dead.”

 

Katan unconsciously began to glow in a red aura.

 

Mark touched his hand gently. “Master, please, your temper.”

 

Katan exhaled loudly and the aura dissipated. “I'm sorry, Mark.”

 

Mark began to run the comb through Katan's long white strands. “How will you train him? You don't have any experience with training slaves.”

 

“I know, I've thought of that. First he has to accept his situation. I thought I'd give him a few days to adjust. Then he needs to learn to see me as neither enemy nor friend, but as master. Friend will come in time...hopefully.”

 

“How can I help, Master?”

 

“Try to be an example to him, correct him when you see that he needs it. Most of all help him and I to be patient with each other. You have a gift, Mark, your kind nature has a way of putting people at ease, and gaining their trust, use it on him. I'm sure he could use a friend, and for the time being I have to keep my distance.”

 

“May I ask, what kind of slave are you planning on making him?”

 

Katan sighs deeply.

 

“Heaven help me, Mark, from the moment I saw him all I could think of is having him as a love slave…fantasies have filled my head every time I have a moment to think.”

 

Mark's eyes widened. “But Master, you despise the very thought of love slaves!”

 

“I know…so I thought I'd make him a show slave.”

 

“It's been a very long time since you've had one, and he certainly has the looks.” Mark's tone was even, but his eyes betrayed a sense of sadness. Since he was very young, he had wanted to be a show slave. They were basically like dogs, or horses, prized possessions that Vessels and owners would bring along to important societal events to show off to their peers. Show slaves were the pinnacle of grace and beauty. They had to be well behaved, and experienced in many different ways. Some show slaves doubled as other things, most as love slaves, due to their beauty. Some doubled as Valets, or all purpose slaves, and a few as laborers; those were the ones who were prized for their strength rather than their beauty. Mark had never wanted anything more than to hang on his Master's arm, and proudly wear his collar. Had it not been for his mutilated body, he would be a perfect candidate for show slave, but his beauty had been ruined at an early age, especially considering most show slaves wore minimal amounts of clothing.

 

Mark's thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of Katan's hand reaching back to rest lovingly on his thigh, sending ripples of pleasure through him. Katan rarely touched him, and though they were very close, Mark often craved more human contact.

 

“I'm sorry, Mark,” Katan's voice was full of sincerity, “that was inconsiderate of me, I wasn't thinking. I know how badly you desire that job.”

 

Mark continued brushing so that he would have something to concentrate on, even though Katan's hair already shined and was silky smooth. “It's ok. I buried that dream long ago.” Mark said sadly.

 

Katan turned slowly on his bed, and took Mark into his arms in a warm embrace. Mark's only response was the look of shock, and a slight trembling.

 

Katan buried his face in Mark's honey brown shoulder length hair. “I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I never again wanted you to be the victim of a heartless master. I never wanted to break the trust that I fought so hard to earn.”

 

Mark's expression softened, and he wrapped his arms around Katan. “It's alright, Master. Please, don't let it trouble you. You are not heartless, you were just angry, and you gave me mercy when I begged for it. I do trust you. You have a side that frightens me, but I know you will never do anything to seriously hurt me.”

 

“But I did seriously hurt you…and I shouldn't have been punishing you in the first place.”

 

“But you should, I was interfering with your decision to punish another slave.”

 

Katan gently kissed Mark's forehead, before releasing him, and sitting back, smiling at him softly.

 

“You really are an amazing slave, Mark. Willing to do what's best for your Master, even if it means your punishment.”

 

“Thank you, Master. I am glad that you think so highly of me.”

 

“Go to bed now, tomorrow Jason's adjustment to this life will begin, it's likely to be a trying time for all of us.”

 

“Yes, Master.”