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The first time he laid his eyes on him, he was captivated. Even though his thin, dirty figure was trapped inside the cage, those dull blue-coloured orbs that reflected his figure screamed silently.
‘Save me.’
And it pierced through his heart.
His feet unconsciously dragged him to that cage, as if a spell was cast on them. A man with a sly smile approached him, ready for the business.
“Is there anyone that you fancy, good sir? They’re indeed... unsightly, but I can assure you that they are useful and strong.” Then a low cunning whisper. “Or if you want to use them for another purpose. They’ve been trained well for it.”
The painter held his urge to fly his fist on the cackling man as he pointed at the certain young man, the one that caught his very heart.
“I want him.”
The seller glanced and sighed. “Are you sure you want him, good sir? I would really love to get a rid of him but since you look like a respectable gentleman who is clearly here for the first time, I suggest you to pick another one. Treat it as a token of my kindness.” He scoffed at the visibly flinching said man. “He is useless and difficult to teach. He couldn’t even speak like the others and the smallest build, that’s why his price is lower than the other. I can assure you not that the price won't lie.”
The painter looked at him when he noticed the young man has been staring at him with his innocent big eyes before they looked away. He hugged his knees even tighter as he scooted further to the corner of the cage, just like a frightened, yet curious small animal.
“It’s alright.” He took out his purse. “I’ll take him.”
The seller just shrugged as he received some gold coins and in return, he handed him several metal keys. “Glad doing business with you. He is all yours, sir.”
The man waited until the other man went to the other customer before he opened the cage door with a cold click. A sound of crinkling chains and whimper greeted him. The gentleman crouch into the cage and smiled.
“Hello, sweetheart.” He whispered softly, keeping his distance so that the other man would not feel intimidated. “I promise I won’t hurt you... will you please come here?” He extended his hand, waiting for a response.
The young man had heard that lines many times. He didn’t understand many words, but every time someone said that they won’t hurt him, eventually he would feel pain. He didn’t want to trust anyone anymore, but...
The sincere look on this man... that was the difference.
He couldn’t really understand aside from his instinct to extended his trembling thin hand and slowly, he placed in on the white-gloved hand. That, before he realized how filthy he was and quickly pulled back his hand.
The taller man blinked and with the same tender smile, he chuckled, slightly leaning nearer to the other man. “It’s alright, darling. It’s alright. Take my hand and we will go out, alright? Rather than being in this bitterly cold place, won’t you come to my humble home?”
Home.
The word that he longed ever since he was taken away from his beloved mother. The warm place where he would get a hug every morning, the place where he could laugh without worry, the place where he could rest without pain.
Will this man actually give him a place called home, that he didn’t know.
‘But maybe…’ the young man slowly crawled to the waiting gentleman. ‘I want.. to trust him...’
The painter smiled as he waited for the young man to came out, though still bounded with shackles.
“I’ll unlock them all. Don’t move, alright?”
The first was on his wrists. Then on his neck, followed by his ankles. They all fell with a loud thud on the ground. He looked up on the man who basked him under his warm smile despite the biting cold. Oh, how he wanted to worship him.
His own god.
“Aah, you weren’t supposed to opened the shackles, sir.” A voice chipped in. The seller, the one who governed this hellish black market. “He will escape if you do that. You’re supposed to keep him walking with them on.”
“It’s fine, we don’t need them.” The painter smiled as he tossed back the keys to the owner. “He is a free man with free will in the first place after all.”
He took off his olive-coloured coat and covered the young man with it before he carried him in his embrace. He tipped his top hat with his free hand. “Have a pleasant day, sir.”
And with that he walked away, leaving the wicked man baffled at his action.
After they left the auction ground, the young man whimpered and struggled.
‘Ah, does he want to go leave after all..?’ the painter mused but nevertheless, he complied by putting the man down.
But he didn’t run nor moved an inch. Instead, he took off the coat and handed it to the owner before he quietly moved behind him.
‘They told me that I have to walk behind my master… since this man bought my freedom..’ The young man looked down on his bare foot. ‘ ..I must always stay behind him..’
A chuckle followed by a lean finger lifted up his chin, the forest-coloured eyes met greeted him with a hint of affection.
“You are not to walk behind me as you are now my companion. You are your own person. You are free.” A reassuring smile. “Even if you want to go, I won’t stop you.”
‘Free..’ It was a word that he thought he could never have. But this man, his own god, gave it to him.
‘Then.. if it is up to my own free will..’ the cold smaller hands took the gloved hand and placed a light kiss. ‘I swear to give this man my devotion until the day I died.’
The man blinked before he broke into a soft laughter, hand ruffling the smaller man’s hair. “Where did you learnt a charming gesture like that? But well, if you’re going to follow me, I would be more than delighted to have you –ah, how rude of me.” He bent a bit and smiled. “Greetings, my name is.. yes, you may call me Jack. It’s nice to meet you.”
The young man tilted his head before he patted Jack’s arm. “Mas..ter..?”
Jack shook his head. “No, no. Jack. Ja…ck. Not ‘master’, okay?”
He whimpered, trying to remember something before he tried to speak. “Mister.. Jack?”
“That’s alright, I suppose.” An approval nod that brought smile for the first time in forever on the young man’s face. The adorable sight gave him an idea. “And I know a perfect name for you.”
“Your smile brought the warmth of life amidst this harsh winter.” Jack held those smaller hands gently. “..and thus, your name.. is Spring..”