Touch His Heart

Chapter 1: Companions of a Stained Night (Leo Crawford)

(Warning: Attempted Sexual Assault)

Flirtatious. Nonchalant. Playful.

Those were three of many things that Leo Crawford was and that Louis Howard was not.

Therefore, Louis was not at all surprised to find the silver-haired, youthful bureaucrat happily entertaining an entire flock of noblewomen, sipping what was at least his second glass of wine, as he withheld a sigh behind his calm gaze. Well, he could definitely see one reason why Leo was always getting into bickers with his younger twin Alyn. At the very least, however, there was someone in this extravagant banquet that Louis did tolerate, to put it simply. If he was being completely honest, Leo was a good friend and old acquaintance of his, but observing his current state, Louis was not at all inclined to say it aloud. Needless to say, however, as he settled himself on the plush sofa, Louis was grateful to have some personal space to himself amid this crowd that mainly comprised of snobbish and uncaring nobility that he would rather be miles away from, having greeted everyone whom he needed to, a simple cup of English Breakfast tea on the table in front of him.

While tea is charmless to some, one trait that I appreciate about it is that it does not intoxicate, unlike wine.

Casting a subtle glance over at Leo, Louis began to wonder if he was getting drunk. Not at all trusting those women to look after the male, Louis decided to keep an eye on his friend, mentally bracing himself at the possibility of dealing with a drunken bureaucrat who was already mischievous, and inappropriate, enough when sober.

Giles will be far from happy if you come to work with a hangover tomorrow.

"Oh! If it isn't Duke Howard!"

Louis inwardly cringed at the shrill, laughing voice. So much for personal space. Maintaining a poker face, Louis turned and saw a noblewoman with flushed cheeks and a provocative pink dress smiling much too widely at him. Narrowing his eyes slightly, Louis's response was brief. "May I help you?"

"Don't be such an ice sculpture!" the girl pouted, probably trying to be cute, but it only made him feel nauseated. "You're always so cold to everyone, so I wanted to see if I could make you hotter, if you know what I mean."

"I am not interested." Louis moved away as the girl reached towards him, his expression shifting into a serious glare. When the girl inched closer, his eyes frosted over as he moved away even further. "Would you kindly leave me alone?"

"No!" the girl whined, grabbing at Louis' cravat. "Don't be such a frozen cube and let me warm you up, Duke Howard! I can even call you by the first name if you want."

Louis' throat constricted as he tried to push the girl away. "I said I refuse-"

"Looks like you need a hand, darling." Two hands clamped down on Louis' shoulders like metal, holding him in place. Clenching his teeth, Louis snapped his head around to face a nobleman flocked with three other giggling women and a couple of men, black eyes glinting at Louis' glaring blue hues. "As the famous duke of perfection, you ought to be treating girls with much more enthusiasm, Howard. And it would do you way more good than harm if you'd just chill and relax."

"Leave me alone." Louis' voice was colder than ice as he repeated the words to the group of nobles, his glare as warning as it was calm, his mind trying to ignore the loud thump of his heartbeat. He reached forward to push the girl who was now straddling his lap away, only for his wrists to be grabbed by two of the other noblemen, sickening, predatory smirks being twisted at him. Stop. "For the last time, I am not-"

"I will treat you well, Duke Howard," the girl cooed with a falsely sweet smile as she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Just close your eyes-"