Fragmented Love

Thankfully, it had only taken Kellin a few seconds to ascend the stairs and he was soon in the room and making calls for the doctor to come in the morning, and for the housekeeper, Hayley, to bring Dan some food and water.

"Thank you, Hayley." She smiled and patted his shoulder gently before leaving. The bathroom door suddenly opened and Dan was standing there, squeaky clean in record time.

"That was fast." Andy croaked.

"We are trained to be quick in the shower, master." Andy nodded once and gestured to the food waiting on the desk.

"There is food for you on the desk, you must be hungry."

"Thank you, Master." Andy looked at Kellin in shock as the thin man knelt before him and kissed his hand.

"They're trained to do it." He whispered and Andy felt sick to the stomach.

"Y-you're welcome." Dan stood and paused for a moment.

"May I ask a question?" He asked nervously, Andy nodded.

"What am I to wear? Or would you prefer me naked?" He asked it so quietly, so innocently and Andy's cheeks burned as Kellin tried not to laugh at the expression on his face.

"I have arranged for Ashley Purdy to come and see to your clothing in the morning. They have regulation clothing, Sir. They aren't allowed to dress as a free man would." Andy frowned sympathetically.

"Very well, now, please eat, if you are hungry." Dan looked at him with an emotional expression and whispered thank you shakily before moving away, he looked at Kellin for an explanation. The other man smiled and patted his shoulder.

"It's because you said please." Before leaving. Andy shook his head and glanced over at the young man who was sat straight, and eating slowly and politely, restraint obvious all over his body. Andy didn't understand the rules that were in place, nor did he know what to do, the young man was obviously still terrified.

Dan ate slowly, he was still scared and uncomfortable, and the man he'd been given to had been kind. It made no sense. Slave masters, owners, and traders were never kind, or friendly. Well, he'd heard of them being such, but he'd never experienced it firsthand, but he was still wary. He might be the kindest master alive, but he would still treat him like the personal slave that he was, he'd still...expect certain..duties from him. Dan remembered the fear that seemed to ripple around the room when his new master had gotten angry with Mr Franceschi. He'd remind himself of that, this new kindness never lasted forever. One day it'd be him dealing with that anger. The thought alone made him shiver.

"I need to go for a walk, clear my head, I'll be back soon, make yourself at home, if you are tired go to sleep, don't wait for me."

"M-master?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for the meal, and where would you like me to sleep?" Andy looked at him in confusion.

"The bed?" Dan nodded and flinched when the door slammed shut. He looked around the lavishly decorated room, and cried into his arms. He jumped to his feet when the door opened ten minutes later, but it was a red-haired young woman. She smiled and went to say something, then saw his tears.

"Oh, honey. Are you alright? Oh you've been through the wars before now, and tonight. Haven't you? Come here." She sat him down and gave him a tissue before rubbing his back gently until his breathing had returned to normal.

"I'm s-sorry." She shook her head.

"It's alright. Don't you worry about a thing, Andy's still walking, when he needs to think he's gone for hours, so you've got some time to relax and calm down." Dan nodded.

"What's your name sweetheart?"

"Dan, what's yours?"

"I'm Hayley, I'm the housekeeper." He nodded. He knew he shouldn't trust her, he'd ask her a question about his master and she'd tell him. Then he'd get a beating for it. He knew, but she seemed so genuine, and if they weren't kind, he'd like to discover it sooner rather than later.

"May I ask you a question? About my master?" She nodded.

"Is he a kind man? Or is he...harsh? Will he beat me do you think?"

"Andy? Oh no, no. Never, he'd never hurt anyone, well, besides Franceschi, but that's because they used to be close friends before he betrayed him, and Andy's never forgiven him. But in all the time I've worked here, hell, in all the time that Austin has worked here he's never even raised his voice at any of us. He's a very nice man, at heart." Dan nodded slowly.

"Thank you." She squeezed his hand and assured him of her friendship in the future before leaving. He didn't want to move from the chair, he felt scared just to go near the vast bed, let alone climb into it and go to sleep.

Andy paced around the gardens, the music from inside reaching his ears, people were starting to leave now. He cleared his throat and made his way back inside, bidding several people goodbye, taking a large swig out of a champagne bottle and took the journey up the stairs. He opened the door quietly, and Dan had fallen asleep in the chair. He looked at him, even in his sleep a light frown polluted his face, and Andy, not wanting to scare him, picked him up gently, angry at the slave traders as he felt the mans bones through his skin once more. He carried him to the bedroom next door, unable to sleep next to him tonight, and tucked him in before moving back to his own room and practically falling into bed.

A strange noise woke him up in the night, and he sat up in bed trying to figure out what it was. A loud whimper filled his ears as he made his way out into the hallway, and he realised it was Dan. He opened the door and the other man was thrashing about in the bed, beads of sweat making his body shiny, making little whimpers and pleas in his sleep. Andy sat on the edge of the bed and shook him gently.

"Dan. Wake up, Dan-" The slave woke up and bolted out of the bed in fear, before kneeling on the floor at Andy's feet, crying softly for forgiveness.

"Why are you apologising? You had a nightmare, it's alright. Please, get back into bed." Dan did as he was told, tears still running down his face, and Andy reached out for him, hating the way he stiffened fearfully.

"It's ok, it was just a nightmare. I promise I won't hurt you." He whispered into the mans ear as he gathered him into his arms gently. As he held him, the man slowly relaxed until he'd stopped crying all together. Andy held him at arms length.

"I promise." Before leaving.

In the morning, Andy stumbled out of bed and went downstairs for breakfast in his boxers from the previous night, too hungover to remember his dressing gown or slippers. He completely forgot about Dan until Kellin mentioned him.

"So where's your slave then?"

"Oh...asleep I guess. I put him in the guest bedroom." Kellin gaped at him and he looked confused.

"What?!"

"He'll be upset when he realises that. He'll think he's failed, that he's offended you or something."

"What? Why?! He was scared, I thought he'd sleep better without me there!"

Dan hugged his knees, feeling very small in the king size bed, and wondered what it was he'd done wrong. His master had been so kind, and held him, then left, without taking any kind of gratitude. But he didn't want Dan near him, he must've done something wrong, upset him, at the end of the day he hadn't made him want him-

The door opening brought him back to real life, it was his master.
"Good morning." Dan climbed out of the sheets before realising he had nothing on, and grabbed the towel that had slipped off during the night.

"I'm sorry, I should have given you something to wear to bed. Ashley is coming over soon though, so there's no point now. Did you sleep after I'd gone?"

"Yes. I'm sorry for my behaviour, whatever I have done to offend-"

"You've done nothing wrong, Dan. I merely thought you'd sleep better without me there. You're still not comfortable around us, and I thought you would be able to rest better by yourself." Dan blinked back tears at yet another show of thoughtfulness from his master and nodded.

"Would you come down for breakfast?" Dan followed his master as he'd been shown, he found it almost amusing how different he was now that the guests had disappeared, he seemed more relaxed, swanning around in his boxer shorts. Dan couldn't help but observe his skinny frame, yet the muscle that lie beneath his skin was still apparent. Suddenly, he turned round and Dan stopped.

"You don't have to walk behind me, you know."

"I- sorry Master. I was trained to do so."

"Well, don't worry about that when it's just us." Dan nodded and walked next to him the rest of the way. When he got into the dining room, he was surprised to see his manservant, butler and housekeeper all lounging around the table as though they were the owners of the house. His master smiled.

"They are my friends as well as staff, please, sit." Hayley jumped up to get them their food and squeezed Dan's shoulder gently before sitting back down. She tutted at his master.

"Honestly Andy, you could've given poor Dan something else to wear-"

"I didn't think of it ok?! Anyway, Ashley's coming in a few minutes, he's always ridiculously early to anything, so I didn't see the point." Hayley rolled her eyes at him.

They ate in comfortable silence, the radio on in the background, with the odd comment being swapped. Dan pretended not to notice the concerned glances his young master shot in his direction.
The doorbell rang, and no one moved to answer it, a second later Dan jumped as the doors opened and someone shouted.

"Yooohoo dickheads!!!" He glanced at Andy, slightly frightened of his potential reaction, and was relived to see the man smiling along with his staff.

"That's Ashley. Dan, I must warn you, he's a lot to take at-"

"So THIS is where the party is!! Babe!!" The muscly, tanned man with long black hair rushed in and planted a kiss on Andy's cheek as he mock grimaced at him.

"So where's- oh smack my ass and call me Alice! He's gorgeous!!" Dan looked to his master for guidance, he just sat there smiling.

"And you're making him uncomfortable, what have you brought?"

"Oh everything honey, everything. It's all in the foyer! You little rich boy." Dan flinched slightly as they punched one another playfully.

"Come on then Dan, we can actually get you some clothes." He followed the two loud men out to the huge foyer and gaped slightly at all the bags there.

"Ok, so when I said I got everything...I meant it. Your colour is blue, Andy, cause it brings out your eyes, and Dan has the same colour!! So blue is the colour to beat!" The colourful individual began rifling through all the bags and throwing every blue, navy blue, and turquoise item at Andy.

"Ok. Start picking out what you like-"

"What do you like, Dan?" He felt shocked and couldn't answer the question, thankfully, Ashley stepped in.

"You have to choose, he's your slave, not a free man, unfortunately, you have to choose for him-"

"In my house, with people who are practically family, I say fuck the rules. Dan, go for it, try stuff on, see what you like, what's comfortable, and let me know." He passed him a large bundle of things and Dan knelt on the floor as he sorted through the clothes being tossed his way, picking out the ones he liked, as the two men watched for a while before talking quietly.

"You like these?" Andy asked as Dan flicked through then again, he nodded and Andy simply pulled out his chequebook.

"Oh! N-no, master, I don't need this many clothes-"

"Nonsense. Ashley, here." The other man wasn't complaining and blew Dan's new master a kiss as he tucked the cheque into his wallet and began packing things away again. He paused once he'd packed away, and the two men looked at him for an explanation.

"Look, there's obviously potential here, obviously a connection, I'd be a bad salesman if I didn't try to take advantage of that. I was wondering if you'd be interested in my other merchandise..." He pulled open a box and brought out several pairs of handcuffs, dildos and butt plugs. Dan felt tension ripple through him, fear making him rigid and unable to speak.

Andy felt his entire head heat up and he glared at his friend.
"No. I think we're fine. We won't be needing those. Thanks Ashley."

Dan was relieved at his masters words, relieved beyond belief, and yet he couldn't help but also feel slightly...upset, inadequate. Andy had chosen to keep him, he'd decided to have him live there, and yet he made it very clear he wanted Dan nowhere near him. He didn't sleep in the same bed, he was almost offended at the sight of the toys, Dan couldn't help but feel as though he'd failed. It had been instilled in him during his years of slave training.

The colourful Ashley Purdy was gone as quickly as he'd come, and Dan worked at folding up the silky and cotton fabrics, and piling them up so he could carry them upstairs. Andy offered help but he couldn't face the humiliation of accepting it, if the man didn't want him, the least he could do was be clean and tidy in his house.

"I....is there something bothering you?" Andy asked as he leant against the doorframe, watching Dan pack his things away.

"N-no master."

"You can tell me, I won't be angry with you-"

"I feel guilty."

"Guilty? For what?"

"I haven't done my job. I have been weak, I have inconvenienced you, cost you, and cannot give you anything in return. You do not want me. I've failed in my duties as your slave, and I feel ashamed for it." Andy was shocked, it was the most words that he'd heard from the blonde man since his arrival.
Dan waited nervously, heart pounding, for the response and likely punishment that would follow.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of." Dan couldn't quite meet the other man's eyes.

Dan had another nightmare. Andy just climbed into the bed with him and wrapped his arms around the other man, whispering calming words to him softly. When Dan did wake up, he tensed up when he realised Andy was in the bed with him, but he just kept holding him and rubbing his back, and he eventually relaxed and went back to sleep once he understood that Andy wasn't going to take advantage of him. Andy was about to leave, but he stayed with the blonde man, wondering if maybe he'd feel better the next day.