[FIC] Salvezza, CH4
Title: Salvezza * CH4
Pairing: QMi (with future side pairings)
Genre: Prostitute!AU, Romance, Dark, Smut
Rating: R
Type: Multi-chaptered - [CH1 | CH2 | CH3]
Summary: Zhou Mi is an Arch-in-training, an angel of no recognition, to be one of the highest of the prostitution rank due to his mentor’s persistence. He realizes that "going out" and "testing" would be both a temptation he couldn’t resist and a salvation he really needs.
Kyuhyun believes no person, no miracle and no hope. When he gets himself a questionable companion glued to him, wanting him, he starts to believe otherwise.
--
Arch - highest member of the hierarchy; richest, proudest paying prostitutes.
Principalities - mentors/coaches who are denied being an Arch due to age and lack of prowess.
Angel - lowest member of the hierarchy; simplest, cheapest paying prostitutes.
House - the notorious prostitution place that has been on-wanted by the authorities for a long period of time.
--
It was an encounter he did not expect. All Zhou Mi's attention was heading back to his room to rest because his three last customers were too enthusiastic. Two of which had a kink for threesome and the other simply watched from afar and jerked off the sight of them. It was simple, really. Just do what they ask him to and they'd be moaning and quivering like how they wanted to. Zhou Mi blew their minds away without much doing anything extraordinary, honestly. All he did was answer to their wants.
He made a turn to a corner, his door right across him when two suited men caught his attention standing at the side and as if were waiting, expecting. Ah, if he could remember clearly, those men were one of management's best guards inside the House, serving directly the owner.
"Zhou Mi-sshi?"
He was stopped before he could reach the knob and turned to them. "Yes? How may I help you?"
"Our boss wants to see you." The relatively smaller one said.
"At this hour?"
"Yes, at this hour. He'd be seeing you at his office immediately."
Zhou Mi held his breath, trying to calm himself down because the fright that shook him almost made him choke on his next words. How long was it when he last saw that man? The man who he first gazed at and heard him saying Starting today, your body's mine and you'd be working for me. It hadn't been that too long. All were too fresh in memory. It was then his master - his Principality - took him and never again saw the intimidating owner.
"Did I do something wrong?" Because last time he checked, there was none. He only did what a whore should do. And the project he was assigned to.
The men smirked at him; a tell-tale sign that could never be good. "You'll see."
--
The room was dimmed, blue, with the monitors on and flickering. Several seemed to be surveillance cameras, feeding the screens with empty hallways, soulless main entrance and some Arch and Angels passing in another hallway. Zhou Mi had never been inside this room, never came close to it because it was off-limits. Only Principalities were allowed to meet the highest man inside the House, he was told. Now, Zhou Mi was sure that the man behind the chair and watching the screen was the scariest man he'd came to know.
The prickles on his skin made him gulp. What could this man wanted from him that he wouldn't relay his message to his Principality to Zhou Mi?
"Hello there, pet." A silhouette of a hand with a thick cigar came to view, fingers beckoning Zhou Mi close. "C'mere, and let me take a good look at you. My, my. You've grown and prowled like a slut, aren't you?"
Zhou Mi chose to be silent; his mouth tight and face grim. This suffocating feeling was clenching his lungs painful and the smoke up his nose made it more difficult to breathe properly.
"Now, now. Don't be so uptight," the chair swung and the lights opened, revealing a knowing, confident face and sharp, hawk-like eyes. With an age but not that old, just as Zhou Mi remembered. His eyes watched the man taking a swig, puffing out clouds and heaving so labored. "I called you because, well, congratulations. You've just made yourself a top candidate for Arch in such a short time."
Zhou Mi's eyes shot wide. "What?"
"Not exactly, per say. Unless you accept this, you will be. I've been watching you for quite a while and you just got yourself a place in Arch in my opinion. Oh, but you have the option to turn it down and stay an angel instead. I mean, sure, if you want to be in the lowest chain of the House, be my guest. As long as you're reeling in money and pleasing customers, I don't care which hierarchy you belong."
"I can do that?"
"Of course. Though it'd be a waste not to take this opportunity. Don't forget the benefits you'd get in being an Arch: nicer room, client options to choose, loose schedule, tastier dinners and the like. And, oh, lesser bullies."
Zhou Mi stepped back, suddenly feeling overwhelmed he might drop. "I need... more time to think. And I need to talk to my Principality about this."
The man waved a dismissive hand, turning his chair back at Zhou Mi. "Yeah, sure, go do that. I'm sure your master would be most happy to know that you're now an official candidate. He can't wait for you to be an Arch." The last words were dripping with sick amusement, to which Zhou Mi didn't understand why. He could only trust the voice inside his head that this was, in a sort of twisted invitation, a trap. Because the higher he got, the more he was in too deep. Bound to the House possibly in a lifetime.
He had hopes of getting out. And his hopes were laid on his master, who currently wasn't inside the House after Zhou Mi had search every possible area, wanting to talk to him. Of all the times he could disappear. Zhou Mi trembled inside and could only help himself to his room, change clothing and slip into bed. And resign.
Invitation to being an Arch. All the privileges that came with it. But at what cost? Could he ask for freedom instead? Unlikely since no one inside the House could go out. Ever. They were chained, made to do the immoral for bucks, had little chances of living the way they wanted to. If he tried escaping, he was as good as dead. He could be killed. So easily. He needed his mentor to help him, to help themselves.
Oh, his head was pounding at him like hangover. He needed to sleep. It was so late already.
Before he could let himself drift off, he stared at the two of his band-aid-covered fingers, placed them against moist lips and smiled to himself. Remembering all too clearly of the event that had took place days ago. The event that made him the happiest. Kyuhyun...
--
When Siwon suddenly appeared after the chimes rung pleasantly, he was in a rush towards the counter. Kyuhyun knew of Siwon, the nice guy next door, who were friends with Heechul, to which he wasn't sure how it came about since they were practically polar-opposites in personality. Then again, Heechul had his way and charm. Maybe Zhou Mi would like to meet Siwon too. Perhaps today, now that Siwon was visiting and Zhou Mi coming in any time soon.
"I need help," was the first thing Siwon said, gesturing Eeteuk, Heechul and Kyuhyun closer to him, huddled like a boy scout's team. "A friend of mine, he's in danger. And I want to bust him out. To rescue him, whichever."
"Who?" Heechul asked, surprised. Kyuhyun wondered too, before he caught sight of Zhou Mi passing by the large pane window, about to enter the flower shop. He waved a hand at Zhou Mi, signaling him to join them. Though he couldn't miss the troubled look on Zhou Mi's face. He would have to ask what was wrong. He looked so anxious and tensed, so un-Zhou Mi-like.
Siwon's serious voice had him back to the conversation. "He's my-- I don't know. He's name is Lee Sungmin and I just know he's in a pinch. I just don't really know what's going on but the last time I saw him he has these bruises all over." Kyuhyun watched Siwon's hand sliding across the length of his other arm, emphasizing more, as if he had those bruises himself. "He won't tell me anything. But I know this is something serious."
"Siwon. Didn't I tell you to stop poking your nose to someone's personal business? I'm sure this Sungmin wouldn't like it if you just suddenly doing something like wanting him busting out." Heechul clicked his tongue. "I know you're the worry-wart, but seriously, if the boy won't share then let him be."
But Siwon was indignant, shaking his head profusely. "No, no, no hyung. This time I'm sure there's something terribly going on with him. I followed him downtown and saw him entering this.. I can't even imagine what that is. It was too dark already to investigate."
Everyone turned gloom, except for Zhou Mi whose eyes were as big as it could get, hands clasped so tightly together. Overwrought. Kyuhyun couldn't help but to reach out, to voice out his concern until the little bells rang again and by the door, a new face, a frightening face, barged in. The man panted like he ran a mile in such a short time, his eyes set to Zhou Mi next and roughly grabbed his arm and yanked him away. Rude beyond imagination, Kyuhyun saw.
"There you are," the man growled, annoyed, "this project's over. Let's go back. I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner about your recent appraisal. What, was it a secret? To me? You didn't even let me know you'd leave today. Alone. Good thing I know just where the heck you'd be heading to."
"Master.. It's not like that...!" The dread in Zhou Mi's voice could not be mistaken. And Kyuhyun was sure that Zhou Mi wasn't only afraid of the man holding him like he could break a bone but of the words that man spoke of. Riddles Kyuhyun couldn't fathom. Project? Appraisal?
"Oi, oi, oi." Heechul was already standing next to the stranger, his hand gripping the shoulders and looked like a territorial hound ready to attack. "Sir, I don't like the way you're holding Seasoning over there. If you could be any gentler."
"This doesn't concern you." The man barked to Heechul who was slightly taken aback by the ferocity of this old person. The man didn't let Zhou Mi speak, shuffling and pushing him out the door without looking behind. Even Zhou Mi resigned and let himself be pulled, gone so quickly before anyone of them could react.
"Is Zhou Mi-sshi going to be okay? That doesn't look good in any way at all." Eeteuk turned to Kyuhyun. "And I wonder who that is too."
"The heck was that for?" Heechul huffed, watchful, until he saw a card by Siwon's feet. A gold paper with a red symbol in the middle. "Oi, what's that?"
It was Siwon who reached for it, gasped as he inspected the card. Flipping it over and over again, disbelieving. "This is-- I saw this before with Sungmin! A calling card!"
"Did Zhou Mi-sshi have this? This is his, right?" Eeteuk asked, getting confirmation from the nodding Heechul. Kyuhyun was silent, had his thoughts lingering at the apprehensive Zhou Mi and the suspicious man. It nagged him to find out what was going on. Because he had never seen Zhou Mi looked so lost that way before.
"Do they know each other maybe? It must be." Siwon was already at the door, ready to leave. "I will gather more information, gonna make a plan. I'll come back when everything's in place. Get ready." And the he was gone, leaving the three and the shop.
“Man, Siwon’s determination and concern really is something. Times like these make you really want to help someone like him.” Heechul voiced out and Eeteuk silently agreed with him. Mutual understanding had them decided to really help Siwon. And possibly Zhou Mi who was somewhat connected to this.
Kyuhyun kept to himself, clenching his gloved hand painful because the bad feeling he was having now was hitting him like rock-solid waves.
He felt ashamed not knowing so much, flippantly dismissing whatever Zhou Mi had or did. Unlike Siwon who was curious and fearless and caring all at the same time. To this Sungmin person.
Kyuhyun just knew Zhou Mi as the man he met in the park one night and his persistence led him to see the other side of Kyuhyun. The aloneness inside his home, going to school, working during free days and the like.
He did see the other side of Zhou Mi as well, once, when they were in a commercial district and had clothing line stores across roads. He was excited, delighted. Hope dancing in his eyes. That pretty much told something about Zhou Mi.
But then there was the distant look every now and then. And the nervous expression every time they walked out the neighborhood to the flower shop. Zhou Mi was uncomfortable, probably not because of Kyuhyun's presence, but of another he didn't know of. Wary and perceptive, but frightened still. As if there could be anything jumping out to scare them. Zhou Mi stayed close to him, walking next to him and the occasional brush of his hand against Kyuhyun's probably told that it wanted to be held. But Kyuhyun was making guesses; he was unsure if that was it. What Zhou Mi really wanted.
It was the small finger kiss that he finally saw something that surprised Kyuhyun: Zhou Mi seemed caught between not knowing how to respond and blatant uncertainty. Like he was unsure that this was happening for real, to him. Kyuhyun wanted to know the reason of this reservation. While he slowly shared a different side of him, Zhou Mi edged away, carefully.
Kyuhyun wanted to know the reasons why, and wanted to understand more. He just had to. Because the look on Zhou Mi's face and the big eyes that bore holes on the ground as he was taken away told enough that Zhou Mi was hiding something. Something dangerous. Something that might hurt him unless someone would do something.
--
"I meant to tell you! I really did! But you suddenly disappeared on me and didn't know where to find you. I waited for a chance to tell you, master. Believe me." Zhou Mi tried to explain between huffing breaths, trying to not to fall in step with his mentor walking so fast on the House corridors.
They reached a familiar room and Zhou Mi helped himself inside, quiet and standing feebly next to the couch, as his mentor carelessly took the nearest wine bottle to him and chugging it down. "And, so? Now that you're finally candidate, aren't you supposed to be accepting their invitation?" The snappy tone made Zhou Mi looked even more worried, more uncomfortable.
"If I do that, this means the project's off isn't it?"
"Doy, of course. They don't need you personally reeling in customer anymore. Going out would not be an option anymore. Your friend, Sungmin was his name? Yeah, he's the one continuing the project." But then the older man turned contemplative, smirk gracing his lips. "Although I did hear he was stubborn for a stupid whore who refused seducing this one potential client because they used to be friends way back. Tch. Friends."
"No.. way." Was then Siwon... Was he with Sungmin? Zhou Mi tried piecing out the puzzles. It seemed so likely they knew of each other. He had heard Siwon saying Lee Sungmin just earlier.
"Zhou Mi, accept that fucking rank, alright? Do it quickly, now. Stop dilly-dallying already." His mentor waved his hand, motioning him sending Zhou Mi away. But Zhou Mi remained where he stood, gaze firm and lips a thin line. This might be the first time he would disobey.
"Master, no," was Zhou Mi's answer. It surprised him that it didn't come out so choke as he thought would be. He was shaking inside if he could be honest. "I don't want to be an Arch."
"What," his mentor looked at Zhou Mi like he grew two heads instantly. "What did you say?"
"I don't want to be placed in a miserable position. As much as it sounds like being an Arch is the greatest thing next to an angel inside this Hell, the only thing I want is to get away from here. I want to go back to that flower shop." and to Kyuhyun.
Zhou Mi caught sight of a twitching eye and a very dark expression. Still, he spoke. "Please, master. You're one of the many Principalities here who can make influences with management, right? There must be something we can do to stop working here. I really... I cannot take it anymore."
The loud crash of the wine bottle against the linoleum had Zhou Mi jerking back, mouth gaping at the sight of mentor rushing towards him and snapping his head back, pushing him downwards until he was kneeling and struggling. The pull on his hair was fast and agonizing. Big hand clenching his roots and another hard hand ringing his neck.
"Look, here. I don't care. I'll force that rank on you if I have to. Cage you up so that you won't see the outside again. Those flower friends of yours will forget you once I make sure you stay here for the rest of your damn life. I want my own life back and I'll get it by sacrificing yours!"
"M-master... what are you--" Zhou Mi gasped out but he groaned when air was suppressed on him; grip tightening, pull tightening. "What's happening to you--"
"Don't you get it, you slow Chinese idiot? I'm done with the House the moment you become an Arch. I'll be free and you won't. I'll have my own life back and you'd get back getting fucked up over and over again. That's only the reason why there are Principalities here - to use you prostitutes for our salvation. Angel becomes an Arch. Any person who doesn't qualify to both or, in some cases, an ex-Arch becomes Principality, a mentor, a fucking liar. Principality could only leave if he can make any angel an Arch because then the House could have more bodies to toy with. They can't toy with us Principalities. I mean look at us! Old, washed-up. Damaged goods. The House needs more fresh meat like you."
He tried to pry off the clenching hand on his throat for him to speak, to look at his master directly; heart sinking even deeper. "Are you telling that the reason why you took me in was--"
"-I needed my own scapegoat. What else? My guinea pig, my own toy, for my escape, of course. Did you really think I cared? I was never going to help you to begin with."
His master yanked up with a force that almost tore a tuft of his hair before throwing Zhou Mi on the couch and boxing him there with his pushing body and steady arms. No time to even recover sudden imbalance and immobility. Zhou Mi was as good as any open prey.
The smile was mad, eyes crazed and voice low and taunting against his face, "I've been always wanted to try knowing how your customers feel like inside of you."
That alone had Zhou Mi thrashed beneath him, yelling and screaming, pushing and everything his body denying the sudden intrusion of personal space. His heart drummed in terror, his being shaken and growing traumatized and Zhou mi wanted nothing more than to get away from this room, from this place. To escape.
Kyuhyun, help me. Anyone.
--
A/N: Ah, please tell me that I didn't make this chapter more confusing than I originally planned? I don't know. It feels like it's getting out of hand -- to which, yeah, Zhou Mi's situation is really getting out of hand. Oh, boy. I need to write more climactic point like the one above. So many stuff going on! And, oh, weak!Zhou Mi is making me crey crey~ But I just had to write him like that!
So, well, cakes and comments are always loved~ We're nearing completion, everyone! Let's hope I can move on a steady pace with Salvezza. Lately I've been down the dumps, really. //sighs I need myself to cheer up~
Shameless pimping: my Tumblr, yow! and more Fics right there!
- Setsu