Lucien led Ethan to the underground part of the house, each step they took echoing ominously in the dimly lit hallway. Ethan followed closely, his curiosity tinged with apprehension. The men in black suits standing at various vantage points from the entrance to the underground lair did little to ease his nerves.
As they approached a large black door, Lucien stopped and turned to look at Ethan. The young man appeared like a lost kitten, his wide eyes darting around, trying to take in his surroundings while keeping his fear at bay. Lucien smiled gently and ruffled Ethan's hair, trying to offer some reassurance.
"You're going to be okay, no worries," he said softly, his voice meant to comfort the visibly tense Ethan.
Ethan only nodded, his throat too dry to speak. The door seemed to open by itself, but then a man stepped into view, giving Lucien a slight nod. His eyes lingered on Ethan for a few seconds, scrutinizing him, before he stepped back to let them through.
As they entered, Ethan's eyes widened in shock. In the center of the room, the man named James who had drugged him was bloodied and bound to a chair, his face bruised and his clothes torn. Around him stood several intimidating men in suits, their expressions stern and unyielding. The air was thick with tension and the metallic scent of blood.
Lucien noticed Ethan's reaction and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay," he murmured. "You're safe here."
Ethan's heart pounded in his chest, his eyes darting around the room. He felt like he had stepped into a nightmare, and the sight of James in such a state made his stomach churn. He struggled to keep his composure, feeling completely out of his depth.
Lucien stepped closer to James, who flinched at his approach. "James," Lucien said calmly, "you've made a grave mistake. But I'm not the one deciding your fate today."
He turned to Ethan, his gaze steady. "Ethan, how should we punish him?"
Ethan's mind went blank. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him, waiting for his response. His hands shook, and he could barely breathe. The men around him looked skeptical, as if questioning his place in such a setting.
Seeing Ethan's distress, Lucien cupped his jaw gently, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Ethan, you need to do something. Show them you belong here."
Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes, spilling down his cheeks. He felt utterly helpless and overwhelmed. Finally, he managed to whisper, his voice trembling, "Please... don't hurt him anymore."
The room fell silent. The men exchanged glances, clearly shocked by Ethan's plea. It was not the response they had expected, and the compassion in Ethan's voice was a stark contrast to the ruthless atmosphere of the underground chamber.
Lucien's expression softened, and he looked at Ethan with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "You surprise me, Ethan," he said quietly. "You really do."
Ethan's tears continued to flow as he looked at James, his heart aching for the man who had wronged him but didn't deserve further pain. "He made a mistake," Ethan continued, his voice gaining a bit of strength. "But maybe... maybe we can find another way to make him understand."
Lucien considered Ethan's words, his mind racing with thoughts. He had expected Ethan to choose a punishment, to show some level of ruthlessness, but this unexpected compassion intrigued him.
After a long moment of silence, Lucien turned to his men. "Release him," he ordered.
The men hesitated, clearly taken aback, but they followed Lucien's command, untying James and helping him to his feet. James looked at Ethan, gratitude and confusion in his eyes.
Lucien walked over to Ethan, placing a hand on his shoulder once more. "You have a good heart, Ethan," he said softly. "But remember, mercy can be a double-edged sword."
Ethan nodded, still trembling but feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had managed to stay true to himself, even in the face of such darkness. Lucien's men began to disperse, and James was escorted out, leaving Ethan and Lucien alone in the room.
Lucien looked at Ethan, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You're different from anyone I've ever met," he admitted. "And that might not be a bad thing."
Ethan's eyes met Lucien's, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. He felt a connection, an understanding that went beyond words. Despite the fear and confusion, he felt a glimmer of hope.
"Thank you," Ethan whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
Lucien nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Come on, let's get out of here," he said, leading Ethan back towards the stairs. As they ascended, Ethan couldn't help but feel that this experience had changed him, and perhaps, it had changed Lucien too.
---
But did Ethan really believe that Lucien would let that bastard James off the hook so easily? Deep down, he knew better. Lucien's world was dark and ruthless, and mercy was a rare commodity.
Once they reached the car, Lucien made sure Ethan was settled in the passenger seat, still in a daze with tears brimming in his eyes. Lucien stepped out for a moment, dialing the number of the man in charge of James. His voice was cold and unyielding as he gave the green light. "Do whatever you want with him. Use him to play for a while," he commanded before ending the call.
When Lucien got back into the car, he sighed at the sight of Ethan, who still looked lost and vulnerable. Moving forward, Lucien took Ethan's trembling hands into his own, offering a reassuring smile.
"Ethan," he said softly, his voice unusually gentle.
Ethan turned to look at Lucien, his eyes puffy and cheeks flushed from crying. He looked so heartbreakingly innocent, too cute for Lucien to handle. He didn't understand why he did what he did next. It was unlike him, but he brought his hands up to Ethan's red cheeks, wiping the tears with his thumb and gently caressing his face.
"It's okay," Lucien murmured, his eyes softening. "Everything's going to be okay."
Ethan sniffled, his voice barely a whisper. "But... James..."
Lucien shook his head, his expression tender yet firm. "You don't need to worry about him anymore. You did well back there. You showed compassion, and that's more than most people in my world can manage."
Ethan's lip quivered, and he looked down, feeling a mix of relief and confusion. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Lucien sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from Ethan's forehead. "You make me weak, Ethan," he admitted quietly. "But it's a kind of weakness I don't mind having."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat at Lucien's confession. He had always seen Lucien as strong, almost invincible. To hear him speak of weakness was both surprising and comforting.
"Lucien," Ethan whispered, his eyes searching the other man's face. "I don't understand why you care so much about me."
Lucien gave a small, rueful smile. "I don't fully understand it either, Ethan. But I do know that I want to protect you. I want you to be safe."
Ethan nodded slowly, the warmth of Lucien's touch grounding him. He took a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you," he said softly.
Lucien's smile widened just a bit, and he leaned in closer, his forehead resting gently against Ethan's. "You don't have to thank me. Just... stay close, okay?"
Ethan nodded again, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Relief, gratitude, and something else he couldn't quite name. He felt safe with Lucien, despite everything. Or maybe because of everything.
"Okay," Ethan replied, his voice steadying. "I'll stay close."
Lucien pulled back slightly, his eyes still locked on Ethan's. "Good. Now, let's get you home."
Ethan managed a small smile, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. As Lucien started the car, Ethan leaned back in his seat, the tension slowly draining from his body. He wasn't sure what the future held, but for now, he felt a sense of security he hadn't felt in a long time.
And as the car moved through the dark streets, Ethan couldn't help but glance at Lucien, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he had found someone who truly cared about him. And that thought was enough to keep the fear at bay, at least for tonight.