Chapter Text
Joel Heyman. To most it was a simple name, held nothing but a ring of slight confusion. But to those who knew the truth, it struck fear and anger deep in their hearts, calling out how he truly was. Money. Power. People begging at his feet for mercy. Answers. He held it all in his steel grip. He was the confusion in the world, he ran it all. The government was under his thumb, the police never a matter to worry about. Life was his to rule, of course behind the scenes. He knew what he needed and used what he had.
In his mind everyone fit in a small categories. May they be useful or not. Do they need a bit of a rough push or is a gentle hand better? With what he held in his mind, he got what he wanted. Sure it was a lonely life, but he wanted this. He’d rather be respected and comfortable than to worry about another. His description fit him well, A tall man with the voice and eyes of angel but the heart of a demon. A snake among mice, waiting to strike. But then he crossed paths with one person.
In the middle of a store no less, the boy worked there. Joel moved swiftly through the aisles, objects in his arms until someone hit his back. He turned ready to strike but saw someone on his knees, already picking the fallen objects, a good natured laugh on his beautiful lips. He would be a good pawn, sweet eyes would make anyone believe innocence. He crouched, helping the other, offering his hand. Joel. He noted with his signature smirk. Ray The other announced, taking his hand with a true smile before he apologized. This conversation was sweet, teasing on Joel’s corner but true in Ray’s. The way he helped without asking anything in return. His laugh. The way he fixed his glasses constantly. He was truly good.
One little piece of good in a world of shit. It all came with a boy. Yes, he noted him as a boy. Basically twenty years between the two, and he was glad the other knew nothing of his name or face. Yet, as the snake would instinctively, he pawned the sweet man into giving him his number. It was his job. And as soon as he returned home he learned all about him, down to his shoe size. But never did he once use it for good.
This led to a phone call. A date. A kiss. Another date. Then another. Then sex. A continuous onward moving loop, that made something in him twist darkly. Every now and again he would catch fearful eyes from someone who knew too much, that would only make his arm tighten around the boy at his side. The one that was caught staring wouldn’t survive long, no one would know of his weakness. His angel. His Ray.
Maybe it was out of greed. His need to take what was good and taint it. His desire to make the other plead with need and bend out of pleasure and not pain. Joel was a master of seduction and lying, and well Ray believed good over evil in everyone he met. He was honestly good, never asked for anything that Joel gave him. All Ray knew was his Boyfriend Was a strong man, very powerful, and richer than most. Yet, he never once asked for anything. That was a first in Joel’s book.
This small greed to covet the good turned into something more.
One night as he held the boy in his arms, bare and vulnerable to his gaze, he swore something into the night. ” I will never let anyone hurt him.” He wasn’t good. He wasn’t sweet or kind. He wasn’t Ray. But people like Ray got hurt, brunt and ruined. Joel wouldn’t allow his world to touch Ray even as he held him close. And for a while, no one did anything. Joel and Ray lived peacefully. The Snake and Mouse together. He kept Joel guessing and Joel kept Ray laughing. It was a good life. But as everything in Joel’s life, it was ruined by an outside hand that left Joel to clean it up.