'Show us what you're best at. Come on, we're all waiting for our turn. Don't be slow.'
Rory could hear other voices echoing in the room around him. Hands kept grabbing him, pulling him against a hard body. All he could do was fight the always losing battle against those echoing voices, those screams of others also being tortured, those hands grabbing him... the things that would happen once the hands had him...
"Rory, come on. Wake up. It's alright. It's just a dream. I've got you."
A voice echoed in the back of Rory's mind, breaking through the heavy darkness that was the recurring nightmare that had been his constant nightly hell of late. That voice... Light tapping against his cheek disbursed more of the darkness.
"Come on, Rory. Open your eyes, bud."
Long fingers brushed over his damp lashes as a soft, androgynous voice called to him from somewhere close... too close... That voice... Rory frowned as his mind began to regain control. His eyes fluttered open to find himself pressed full body against Rin while Rin clutched his face in both hands and stroked it. Their heads rested on the same pillow, and their noses nearly touched. Rory's eyes bugged, and his arms involuntarily shot out, shoving Rin away. "What are you doing?" Rory exclaimed. "Don't touch me!" The sounds coming from the next bed only added to his suspicion and anger.
Rin pushed up on his elbow. "You seemed like you were having a nightmare. I was simply trying to wake you up and comfort you." Rin reached out to Rory, but Rory smacked his hand and continued to back away. "Rory, come on, man. I'm serious."
Rory's frantic gaze darted across the dark room to the other bed. Unmistakable movement caused disgust to color his features. When Rin moved toward him again, he shoved against Rin's firm shoulders hard and went tumbling backwards himself.
"Fuck man," Rin called out as he scrambled to catch him. Rin caught Rory's arm just in the nick of time and tugged him up against his chest before his head could hit the hard tile floor. Rin held tight as Rory struggled against him. "Dude, calm down. Whatever you're thinking right now... I promise it's not the case."
"Bullshit!" Rory called out as he continued to struggle against Rin's tight hold. Dillon and Sabastian's muffled sounds echoed through the room, only adding emphasis to his panic and building anxiety.
Rin released one of Rory's shoulders and grabbed his hand. Rin forced Rory's hand to the front of his baggy sweats. "Rory, chill for a minute and tell me, do you feel anything? What am I going to do to you? With what? Just fucking chill, ok?" Rin nodded toward the other bed. "That, that isn't what you think either. Sabastian is fucking wasted, and Dillon is trying to hold him off until he passes the fuck out." He leaned over slightly, his gaze moving toward the other bed. "Tell him, man."
Dillon groaned. "Right, though at this point I'm about to knock him the fuck out." More muffled grumbling and movement came from the other bed as Dillon shifted and growled. "Cut it the fuck out before you make yourself sick, asshole."
"Sick... going to be..."
"Oh fuck no you're not! Not in the bed!" Dillon scooped up a bundle of blankets and ran to the bathroom stumbling over clothes and shoes in the dark as he went. The door hadn't closed, nor did the light turn on before the sounds of vomiting began emanating from the room. "Told you dick head."
Rin shook his head as he continued to cradle a now still Rory against his chest. Rin still held his hand, but it was no longer pressed against him. "Every time... never fails..." Rin murmured. His gaze didn't leave the darkened bathroom doorway as he continued speaking. "Sorry if that set off some kind of nightmare for you... We tried to keep him as quiet as we could, but Sabastian... well, he has a problem when it comes to partying sometimes."
Rory tugged his hand free of Rin's and pushed away from him. "I... um... thanks... But it wasn't necessary... I'm accustomed to the nightmares. You could have just left me. It's fine." He averted his gaze, his cheeks heating. "Actually, in case we must stay together again like this... I should warn you... I... I have frequent nightmares... There's no point concerning yourself. It has nothing to do with you."
Rin caught Rory's chin and brought his gaze up to his. "Look, I'm not going to ask questions. If you do ever want to talk about it, I'm here to listen... Dillon too... but until then, I promise you, if either of us sees you going through what we just saw, we'll wake you up. We're not going to leave you there to suffer." Rin shrugged. "I know I gave you some hell when you first came to work for me... but hey, we all have our demons, ya know... and I can respect that." Rin smiled awkwardly as he lay back against the stack of pillows on the bed. "What do you say we turn up the TV and try drowning out the call of dinos from the bathroom?" Rin stuck a finger in his mouth and mimicked vomit noises.
Rory nodded, trying his best to hide the smile of relief. He was afraid that if he let it show, Rin would somehow mistake it as a sign he wanted more from this awkward situation. Rory cautiously nestled back down into the bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. His gaze continued to move over to Rin as the lights from the TV cast shadows across the sharp curves of his smooth, boyish face. In that moment, Rory wanted to reach out and stroke his cheek. What would a cheek that smooth feel like? It looks smoother than mine and I shave daily... and barely grow hair... His eyes began to grow heavy. Rin's profile faded in and out of view as Rory slipped back into dreamland, a light chuckle echoing close to his ear.
"Sleep well, my little prince..." Rin whispered, finally turning his attention to Rory. It had killed him to keep his attention averted when he'd felt Rory's eyes on him, but he knew the second he acknowledged Rory's attention, it would end. Rin brushed blonde tendrils away from Rory's brow as he watched him sleep.
Dillon cocked a brow as he carried the now sleeping Sabastian through the faintly lit room. "What the fuck happened while we were out that has you so up his ass?" Dillon all but dropped Sabastian onto the other bed before walking over and leaning over Rin. He braced himself against the headboard as he studied Rory's sleeping face. "You know, the first day he was at the house I tried to take a picture of him while he slept... but he woke up before I could get a picture..."
A smile curved Rin's lips as he continued to stare. "He's beautiful when his guards are down like this. He looks like a cherub or an angel... or something..."
Dillon snorted out a laugh. "It took you this long to notice?"
Rin shrugged before rolling over onto his back. He reached up and brushed a strand of long black hair behind Dillon's ear. "Maybe I've just gone numb to beautiful men."
Dillon rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smirk that curved his lips. "I'm sure that's it, and it had nothing to do with you being so dead set on running the poor kid off."
Rin turned his head to the side, studying Rory again. "Who knew he'd be one to last this long. I was sure he'd fold within the day when I first met him."
Dillon shrugged as he pushed away from the bed, but his eyes didn't leave Rory. "He's been through some shit, that's obvious enough... maybe if you stop being such a dick, he'll start trusting us enough to open up." His gaze trailed over to Rin. "So... what did happen earlier... I've known you long enough, you're not going to lie here and say nothing."
A smile curved Rin's lips. "I might have found a new way to have fun with him, is all..." His gaze moved to Rory. "And it happens to be a way that helps out my story as well... so win, win."
Dillon shook his head as he turned to his own bed. "Fuck, man... That's cold... even for you."
***
"Next question?" Rin called out over the microphone to the excited audience.
Several hands shot up, and the girl carrying around an extra microphone walked to the nearest person. The girl stood and began to speak. "Hello, I've been a fan for several years now, and though I absolutely love 'Seduction in a Time of Cherry Blossoms', I just can't wait! What's next? Do you have plans for your next book yet?"
Rin's lips widened as he turned a smirk to Rory, who sat quietly beside him. "I do, in fact. My new assistant here has been working very diligently lately to help me bring you all something new and special." Rin sent the entire audience a wicked wink. "In fact, some of you might have seen us running through some of the scenarios for the new story last night."
The sound of gasps and hushed whispers could be heard throughout the room as several hands shot up. The girl with the mic walked over to another girl. "There are several viral videos thought to be you and an unknown man taken in the elevator last night... would that be you and your new assistant playing out parts to the new story?"
Rin's grin widened as he held his hand out to Rory. "It was! I hadn't intended to announce this here, but since the cat is already out of the bag." He tugged Rory out of his seat and into his arms. Rin pulled Rory into a hug as Rory struggled against him. Resting his head on Rory's shoulder, Rin continued. "The story is about a shy nerd who comes into contact with and then possesses a fox god." Rin indicated himself when he said fox god. "My introverted assistant here has given me wonderful incite into the MC and is helping me craft a true romance instead of my typical steamy smut." When murmurs erupted through the crowd, Rin quickly added. "But not to worry, there will still be plenty of steam between the two." He placed a light peck on Rory's cheek. "Isn't that right, Buttercup?"
Rory could only groan in agreement. His cheeks flushed with humiliation, and all he wanted to do at that very moment was to vanish or crawl under the table in the very least.
Rin released Rory and clapped his hands together. "Now, any last questions about the current story?"
A boy with cat ears stood, and the girl with the mic walked over to him. "Will there be any more shots of the characters during the event, or was yesterday the only day?"
Rin shook his head. "No, we are doing a shoot later today, followed by a meet and greet. I'll be signing books and other merch in character. We still have several copies of the books left, but the prints are running low. So, we recommend anyone wanting copies make their way to our booths as soon as possible while supplies last. We'll not be re-releasing these prints."
Rory watched as eager patrons flooded their booth. "I can't believe there's even more than yesterday. Will you really not release more copies?"
Rin shook his head. "Nope. Most of the pictures are on our website, but the prints can't be purchased. They were for this event only." Rin's eyes lingered on Rory. "What are your plans for tonight?"
Rory shrugged. "I'm your assistant... I do whatever you do, yes?"
The corner of Rin's lips turned upward. "The event coordinator is planning a get-together for everyone who was invited out... I thought you... might want to be my plus one..."
Rory scrunched his brows. "What about Dillon or Sabastian?"
"Dillon has had enough of Sabastian's shit and is taking him home the second the event wraps up." When Rory still looked hesitant, Rin continued. "Apparently, Sab caused some problems at the club they were at last night, and Dillon had to do some major damage control. Not to mention the chaos and fights he nearly got them into." Rin shrugged, "Either way, it's just going to be the two of us tonight. So... we could either go to this event dinner together... or we could go out and have a nice quiet meal before coming back to an empty hotel room... just the two of us..." Rin closed the distance between them and ran his hand across Rory's forearm suggestively.
Rory jerked his arm back. "Regardless of where we eat and spend the earlier part of the night... won't we still have to go back to the same room?"
Rin chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I just thought it would sound more romantic if it were following a dinner with just us versus a night out with a bunch of people up our asses all night."
Rory arched a brow. "You don't seem to like the idea of the event dinner. If that's the case, why go?"
Rin shrugged. "It's expected of me." With that, he turned back to the crowd gathered around the booth.
Rory furrowed his brows. So, all that other nonsense was just to tease him... How much more of Rin's actions were nothing more than overstepped teasing? Rory watched as Rin signed books, pictures, posters, and more for the better part of three hours. He wasn't sure how Rin tolerated all the heavy makeup and accessories that went along with the costume, but true to his word, Rin stayed the entire time to do signings and meet-and-greets for all his fans.
By the time they made it to the room, Dillon and Sabastian had already packed their things, and in true Sabastian fashion, Sabastian was throwing a fit. "I'm not ready to leave yet! It's early! I want to go out too! Why does he go, and I don't?! I did all the goddamn work, did I not, while that connard sat on his ass doing nothing!"
Dillon rolled his eyes. "Maybe because you can't be trusted not to make a complete and utter ass out of yourself... have you thought of that? Or has last night already slipped your fucking mind?"
"Fuck you!" Sabastian yelled as he grabbed the lamp from the desk and hurled it toward Dillon's head.
Dillon caught it and tossed it to the bed. "Yeah, way to make your point. Why don't you show us just how civil you can be? Go smash the fucking mirror next, why don't you? Show us all what a little cunt you can be when the drugs and alcohol have worn out of your system!"
Rin shook his head as he stood in the open doorway and turned to Rory. "Why don't you wait out here for a second?" He stepped in and closed the door behind him.
Rory could hear muffled yells and glass breaking from outside the door before it finally slammed open. Sabastian's angry eyes burned into Rory's as he stomped out of the room. "Fuck you! I hope you enjoy being Rin's new little bitch... You fucking whore ass bitch! I hope you choke on the big one! You stupid fuck! You don't even know." He narrowed his eyes as he came closer to Rory and began shoving his thin, sharp fingers into Rory's shoulder. "You're such a stupid hoe, I bet you still haven't figured it out. Ha! You're so fucking stupid, you won't know until Rin has a dildo shoved all the way up your ass-"
"That's enough!" Dillon grabbed Sabastian's wrist and dragged him and their bags toward the elevators.
Rin followed behind them, still shaking his head. A red handprint marred his otherwise perfect face. "Dude, I'm sorry you had to go through that just now."
Without thinking, Rory rushed over and gently pressed his fingers to the handprint on Rin's cheek. "Are... are you ok? Does... Does it hurt?"
Surprise flashed across Rin's face, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. "Hurt? Oh... nah... You can't be a hopeless rake like me and not get a few slaps here and there, right?"
Rory frowned. "It looks pretty swollen... Are you sure you don't need ice?"
Rin shrugged. "It'll be fine for now. If it doesn't look better before we leave for the event dinner, I'll let you ice it then."
***
Rory couldn't take his eyes off Rin. He hadn't been to an event that called for formal attire since his high school prom, and even then, the outfits hadn't been all that stunning... at least not that of the boys. His eyes trailed over Rin. A well-tailored three-piece suit hugged his body, emphasizing Rin's broad shoulders, well-defined pecks, and narrow waist. Rory had never understood the feral response all the thirst traps on the internet got until the second Rin had stepped out of the bathroom earlier. His eyes had barely left him since. Rory tugged at his own suit jacket. Though it was the best-fitting of all the suits he'd tried on, it was still at least one size too big and made him feel like a child. He lowered his head as heat flooded his cheeks. I should have gotten the first suit Rin picked out adjusted as he'd suggested...
Rin clasped an arm around the back of Rory's seat. "Have you drunk too much wine? If you need to make an excuse to go to the bathroom, I'll go with you."
Rory's cheeks heated more as he lifted his gaze to his empty glass, then to Rin. Have I drunk too much? Does he think I'm going to do something to embarrass him like Sabastian? "I'm... I'm fine..." Rory's gaze moved around to the others at the table. Initially, he'd assumed they would be having dinner with other cosplayers and such from the event, but no. Most of the company tonight consisted of publishers, producers, sponsors, writers, and their editors, and various assistants. Rory felt out of place among the crowd and quickly realized why Sabastian hadn't been invited.
"If you're nervous, don't be. Remember, dear old dad is my publisher, so there's no need to fight for attention here. I don't need any of the endorsements offered at this table. Dad just demands that I make an appearance to show I'm still 'humble'." Rin lifted his hand for the server to refill their glasses and waited until she moved away. "He wouldn't complain if I landed a new sponsor here or there, but even that isn't needed. So, relax and try to enjoy yourself." Rin glanced down at the elegant watch on his wrist. "What do you say we give it another 20... 30 minutes, then call it a night?"
Rory nervously nodded as he took his glass of wine and began to drink down the soothing liquid, unaware of how tipsy he was actually getting.