S(l)ave Me

II

The slave was sitting on the edge of the bed in just a pair of tight black pants and a lose white tee shirt. The body hung off him because Marvin was bigger than him around the torso, but the sleeves were snug on the man's thick arms. He had scrapes across his face like he swiped the brick wall in the alley with his cheek. His lip was busted open, a dry red slit running through it. His hands and knuckles were swollen and bruised. He'd tried to fight back. His leg had a large bruise forming on his shin, purple and black. Other injuries were hidden by his barely decent clothing. Zayn gave himself a mintue to look over his body before clearing his throat and nodding once to collect himself. The slave was looking at him patiently while Zayn walked over to the bed. He looked up at Zayn as he straightened his back and folded his hands calmly in his lap.

"Name."

"Liam, sir." His voice was still a little hoarse from the night's events. Zayn felt pity wash over him, but then decided this slave wasn't the sort to appreciate pity and lifted his chin dominantly before nodding.

"Liam. Strong name."

"Thank you, sir." Liam's fingers started twitching on his lap and Zayn raised an eyebrow curiously. He waited for Liam to continue but he didn't.

"You have something else to say?"

Liam watched Zayn carefully for a moment before slowly opening his mouth to continue. "I'd like to formally apologize for my appearance. Then and even now. And formally thank you for helping me. You're very kind."

Zayn was in awe of this man. A slave isn't normally so well spoken. Or strong-willed and confident. "There's no need to apologize. I accept your gratitude however." Zayn sat next to Liam on the bed and set the sleep pants next to him. Liam's body tensed and his hands clenched into loose fists. Zayn pursed his lips in resignation and chose to ignore it. "I will need to here why you were outside at night by yourself. And who hurt you."

Liam was shaking his head before Zayn even finished. "I can't," Liam swallowed, "Sir," he finished.

Zayn accepted that much. "You're not my slave and I can't force you. But I wish you would tell me. Whenever you can." Liam just nodded. Zayn didn't know what to do. He always had so much control, but right now Liam left him powerless to really help. He slapped his knees and stood up. "Well, I'll let you rest. Breakfast is served at seven. If you'd like some you'll need to be down there on time."

Liam looked like he was about to say something but then closed his mouth and dropped his head. "Thank you, sir."

Zayn nodded one more time before pointing to the pajamas, "Those are for you. I hope they fit. Sleep well, Liam."

"You too, sir."

Zayn left Liam sitting there but begged himself to go back and do something, anything, to help him. Instead he kept walking to his room and fell to his bed with a huff. Liam had only been in Zayn's house for a couple hours and already Zayn had formed so many conflicting opinions about him.

***

Zayn woke up after a restless night's sleep. He couldn't stop trying to guess what had happened to Liam the night before and why. Was it drugs? A gang? A smooth vocabulary wasn't enough to alleviate Zayn cautions towards the type of person Liam was. And now he had to actually leave his bed and deal with his. He always went to breakfast in the same clothes he slept in, but today he wondered if that was appropriate. What would Liam be wearing? Would Liam even come to breakfast? Zayn brushed his teeth and washed his face. He forwent changing clothes and rumbled downstairs with his hair sprawling in different directions. Mornings were not his friend.

He entered the dining room to find his breakfast waiting under a cover to keep it warm and Liam sitting in the middle chair of the table side with his own breakfast in front of him. He was sitting still with his hands on either side of his plate, food untouched and covered. Zayn greeted him by way of a grunt before sitting at his place at the head of the table. Liam's head snapped to Zayn and watched him sit. Liam was still wearing the shirt he slept in as well and apparently didn't get cold at night because his pants were the only thing covering his lower half still. He sat straighter in his chair and kept his gaze on Zayn, waiting.