Scientist walks out of the laboratory. He sees Gentleman standing in the doorway, his face concealed in the shadows, his expression indiscernible.
āHow is it?ā Gentleman asks.
āThe operation is successful.ā Scientist answers.
āMm.ā Gentleman acknowledges it before falling into silence.
Scientist is supportive of Gentlemanās decision this time. He thinks it should have been done like this from the start, modifying the slave so that he is obedient and subservient. While the fun from taming and training might be reduced, but number 199 is too special. He is wild and disobedient while being too powerful. Look, not even Gentleman could handle him, and can only achieve his goals via alternate means.
āThis chip inserted into the brain of number 199 is enhanced based on the model of the military chip. It does not affect his personality or thought, and I guarantee it wouldnāt hamper the experience of conquering him. The chip only acts as a visual filter, like when soldiers see Outsiders they see monsters or beasts. I have changed the concept of what he wants, what he is most desirous of into you. He will kill for you, die for you, pay any price for your love.ā
Scientist is very satisfied with his artwork. He outlines a few key points for Hopkin, saying, āthe drug that made him faint would also erase parts of his memory before his unconsciousness. He will not suspect anything. If thereās any after-service you need, contact me whenever.ā
āI hope you have a pleasant time enjoying it~ Ssshshā¦ā
Bright wakes up on his bed feeling invigorated, because he remembers what he has done to Hopkin. He has acquired what he has wanted the most! He would almost think he was dreaming!
They have been suspicious of each other, deceived each other or even harmed each other, and it must have been a miracle that they are together now. There are some muddled scenes in his memories somewhere, that seems to contradict with the facts he know logically, but he is too happy right now to care. He does not want to think, and only wants to disco dance wildly to express his ecstasy and exhilaration.
He can hear a sound from the living room. Itās Hopkinās footsteps, which he will never mistake for someone elseās. He puts on his clothes immediately and hurries out of the room.
The brown pair of eyes glimmer as soon as they see the aristocrat, the affection in them almost overflowing. A smile emerges from his lips.
āI might have overslept. We were wild for the last two days, werenāt we. How does your body feel?ā
Hopkin looks at him, dazed, appearing awkward for a few seconds. He snaps back to reality soon, though, saying in a clear, cold voice, āIām fine.ā He takes off his coat, and Bright takes it and hangs it before moving naturally next to him and sitting down.
āDo you want to eat something?ā The aristocrat asks.
āCan I kiss you?ā The slave asks.
The two people spoke at the same time, and then both were stopped for a moment. Hopkin shows a light smile, which Bright takes as an acknowledgement. He immediately flies towards him like a tiger to his food, and sucks on Hopkinās lips, not separating for a long time.
āThis is really like, like dreamingā¦ā
Hopkin looks at him, sighing in silence ā me too.
Bright wasnāt much aware of how the meal tasted. He knew they just finished doing it, but he is still sending suggestive hints. The aristocrat does not reject it either, and instead is expressing the same desires. Bright finishes his food in a few quick bites before embracing his beautiful lover.
It does not last as long as the first time, but the recipient can feel waves of happiness in his emotional state. It is like a catalyst that also makes his body feel great satisfaction.
The man is not completely satisfied, but he still retracts himself in restraint. He helps clean Hopkin before lying by his side, letting his head lay on his arms.
Hopkin is very tired, his eyes barely open. The long eyelashes seem unmotivated due to exhaustion.
āSleep.ā Bright kisses his eyes.
āHow about you?ā
āIām not sleepy yet, so I want to look at you for a while longer. Iām afraid youāll be gone the moment I close my eyes.ā
Hopkin gives him a smile; he is too exhausted, and falls asleep right after.
The man looks at the delicate, beautiful face, and falls into thought.
Should he tell his secret to Hopkin?
Tell him that this world is actually a novel, and tell him that his fate was to be abandoned by him and made into a human fleshlight; tell him that he can enter a special game world; tell him that he has come up with the perfect elopement plan.
Yes, to elope.
Under the influence of the chip, his brain has automatically adjusted his memories to accommodate the logical contradictions and emotional conflicts.
He is still disgusted by the City, especially the inhumane Inner City aristocrats, excluding Hopkin of course. He seems to have an absolutely staggering amount of conviction for him, he loves him maniacally. It is not healthy, or perhaps even psychologically sick, but he finds it uncontrollable. Since the moment he appeared in this world, he has wanted him. Itās strange, itās unreasonable, but he has never even thought about changing it.
He wants to take Hopkin out of the City with him; thatās why heās in contact with all sorts of people and designing a route of escape.
His plan has always been stuck on the one part which just had a breakthrough, and that is the intentions of Hopkin. Though Hopkin confessed to him first, saying words like ālike,ā but he is still worried.
On the one hand, this ālikeā may not be long-lasting, and it may not be that intense an emotion. From the aristocratās perspective, their relationship might not be as important to him as power or social position, since he is a man above men in the City, and he has endless luxuries. Heading off with him, to camp and eat out in the wilds while suffering from endless pursuits would be too great a price to pay.
On the other hand, their BE is certainly terrifying, both physically and mentally maddening. Bright would rather himself be blown into pieces, wiped out from existence than to end up like that.
The man sighs. Heāll wait a bit longer, and tell him later.
Hopkin wakes up in a warm embrace. Sunlight is painting itself onto the quilt, onto the pillow, and onto the handsome, manly face of the man.
Brightās sleeping face is calm and harmless. He is not the type of handsome that is aggressively piercing and invasive, but is like his personality, inward and peaceful. The more you look at it the more it becomes intriguing; the more you understand it the more you fall into love with it.
The aristocrat looks at him for a long time, the corners of his lips curled upward without himself noticing. He puts his hand out and starts tracing the manās contours. He adjusts his posture and unintentionally rubs against little Bright which is already wide awake. He can see the man shuddering.
āYouāre pretending to sleep.ā Hopkin is certain.
āIām waiting for my morning kiss.ā The man says candidly.
Hopkin furrows his brows, his expression showing vexation and resigned acceptance. He suddenly moves downwards and swims into the quilt. Before Bright can react, he can feel his little guy being swallowed.
āIā¦ā didnāt mean this kind of morning kissā¦ but itās comfortableā¦
Saying it out loud would be killing the mood and spoiling it, wouldnāt it? He might as well shut up and enjoy it.
Two hours have passed before they finished washing up.
āIāll make toast for you.ā Bright familiarises himself with the kitchen and starts preparing for a quick and simple breakfast.
Hopkin opens his smart chip and starts handling the affairs of the City. While looking at the screen, he can see someone contacting him, so he accepts the video call.
āWhat is it, Detective?ā
Detective talks about the latest developments from the investigations of the origins of number 199, saying, āIām making a group, only inviting people whose suspicions have been ruled out. Besides you, me, Scientist, thereās only Statistician.ā He complains about how the Inner City aristocrats are uncooperative. Everyone kind of has some secrets they want to keep, and normally nobody would be investigating anyone else. Now that an investigation is happening, they would feel their privacy breached.
Just then, Bright who is working in the kitchen calls out, ādo you like it hard or soft?ā
This is heard by the other person in the call.
āIs it not a good time to call?ā The curly-haired Detective raises his eyebrows, his smile seemingly implying something, āIāve noticed it for a while; youāre at home at this time, with someone accompanying you, and you do look dashing. You must have had a great night.ā
Hopkin continues putting on his poker face, and tells Bright he likes it hard first. Detective puts on an expression that says āas expected.ā
āScientist just visited your place for him. Did youā¦ā
Hopkin gives him a look of warning, and he shuts up immediately. He is surprised at the ferocity in Gentlemanās stare, and starts to feel an ominous premonition. The slave is obviously completely within the grasps of Gentleman, and he should be exerting greater control by now, but his intuition tells him that it is not so.
The Scientist has just come.
They did something to me.
Hopkin does not want to let me know.
Bright whose hearing is superb gathers these three pieces of information. A tinge of anxiety bubbling up in his mind. His expression remains unchanged on the surface, continuing to prepare his breakfast quickly.
One of the eggs is soft-boiled, the other over hard. He lets Hopkin choose as he has no preference and can eat the remaining one. Since it will be lunchtime soon he does not prepare a lot, and itās just a little something for the stomach for now.
Hopkin observes the expression of Bright and does not see any change. He relaxes in relief.
The two finish their meal and Bright cleans it up a bit, handing the rest over to the smart chip. He cleans his hands while asking, āare you doing anything today?ā
āNothing in particular.ā
āI really donāt want to leave you for even a moment.ā The man closes in and kisses the aristocrat on his cheeks.
Hopkinās stops breathing for a second, then puts his hand to Brightās chest, refusing, āI canāt do any more today.ā
āā¦ā Bright wants to clarify that it was just a kiss! Heās not that bestial!
The two sit together on the sofa, and opens the overhead projector to watch a movie. Bright picks a documentary.
Itās a bit boring, Hopkin thinks. This is a good sign, since he has already got what he wantedāāThe manās affection and love, even though he does not believe in love, but given the man does, letās assume there is. Day one is certainly satisfying, full of passion, both his body and his mind are emotionally satisfied. For a while longer, this satisfaction will continue to rise, reach its peak before falling back down. He believes that maybe when he is used to this feeling of possession, and can no longer extract feelings of pleasure from it, then he will tire of it quickly, losing interest in the toy.
The aristocrat looks at the slave who is fixated on the show, and cannot help but perk his lips up. Before that happens, he will enjoy having Bright to himself.
Bright notices Hopkinās gaze. He does not turn around, but Hopkin can feel his hand being held in his. His fingers mingling through his own, and all their fingers crossed with each other.
Documentaries, are not so boring after all.
Authorās notes: Scum Bottom thinks he will definitely tire of it after acquiring it, then he will no longer be influenced by the Top. In the end, he of course does himself in.