Chapter Text
Lucien dipped his head along the crook of Jihan's neck, pressing his nose lightly against it, relishing in the peaceful rumble that reverberated through the beautiful, beautiful man whom Lucien had come to take under his care. Who had come to be Lucien's entire mind, body and soul.
"Jihan?"
An inquiring hum.
"Can I take a photo of you?"
The resulting reaction was instantaneous, but subtle, and Lucien would forever curse not noticing the shift in Jihan's demeanour, the minute tensing of shoulders. However, in that moment, all he heard was, "Of course, Lucien." He didn't hear the crack in Jihan's voice. "Of course."
Gleefully, Lucien leapt out of bed and fished out the camera from the bottom drawer of his bedside table. He had waited weeks to be able to do this. He was so sure Jihan was comfortable in this life, that Jihan was secure in the notion that he was safe because Lucien would take care of him, forever and ever and as long as he could.
Imagine his surprise when he came away with an image of Jihan's tan, scarred face barely holding in tears, a forced neutral look pressing his lips into a firm straight line. His back tensely held in a ramrod straight line, and his arms dangling loosely in what could only be described as defeat.
Immediately Lucien set the camera down and rushed to his lover, mumbling words like, "Baby," and "What's wrong?" but by the time he reached Jihan, his lover had already slid to his knees, more tears streaming down his face and Lucien didn't understand. He didn't understand how it had suddenly gone so wrong.
"Master, please-"
Lucien's heart panged. Jihan hadn't called him Master for three months, what had he done-
"-please, however I may have erred, I will seek to make ammends-"
Jihan was clasping at Lucien's breeches, and even as Lucien gently pried off his wrists, even as Lucien crouched down to try and meet his eyes, Jihan would not look up. What had he done?
"Please, please, Master," Jihan was sobbing to the ground and Lucien didn't know how to fix this. It had been so long since the last episode. "Please don't send me away, I can be good for you. I know- I know I haven't been of much use lately, but if you would- if you would let me, I could- I could-"
Slowly, ever so slowly, Lucien dragged Jihan so his head now rested on Lucien's shoulders with heaving sobs. Lucien shushed him tenderly, stroking the hairs on the back of his neck, curling his other on the small of Jihan's waist.
"I won't send you away, my love," Lucien swore, holding Jihan together as his mind raced for what could have been the reason for this outburst. "I won't. You're safe here, with me, and you don’t have to do anything more to stay here. Because I love you."
He pulled away, Jihan's shining eyes hovering just inches away from his. "I love you, do you understand?"
"Yes, but Master-"
"Lucien," He corrected gently.
"Lucien," Jihan breathed his name like it was the last thing in the world he could ever say. "What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing," Lucien replied easily, tracing Jihan's jaw with a gentle thumb. "You did nothing wrong. Why would you think that you did?"
"You- I- I don't mean to disrespect but," Jihan bit his lip, and Lucien sat back, letting him ponder. He'd wait a fucking century for Jihan if he had to. "You asked to take a photo."
Lucien blinked. "Yes?"
Jihan shifted. "Back in the camp, when the enforcers asked for our photos," He spoke haltingly, as if still unsure whether Lucien was going to hurt him or not. "It meant that we were to be sold."
Lucien had to fight hard not to blanch. Oh, dear lords above, what had he done.
"I'm so sorry, love," Lucien didn't know whether he was allowed to pull Jihan closer. He stayed where he was.
Jihan frowned. "Why?"
"Because I scared you," Lucien sighed.
Jihan shook his head, "That's not your fault. I just don't understand why you needed a photo if you weren't getting tired of me."
"Never," Lucien said firmly. "I wanted to take a photo, because you're beautiful when you wake up. I wanted to keep that picture of you in case someone, anyone finds this little hut in the future." He looked down, heat filling out his cheeks. "For our children, maybe."
"Lucien," Jihan said his name so beautifully.
"I know, I know," Lucien scrubbed his face, a little sheepish. "I'm sorry. I won't ever take a photo of you again."
"You don't have to do that-"
"Yes," Lucien looked up at Jihan resolutely. "I do."
He dragged Jihan closer, but only because Jihan leaned forward first, so much glistening adoration in his eyes. "I love you, Jihan."
"Lucien," Jihan said his name the third time, reverently. "I love you, too."