Brothel

“I was with this cove last night,” waving a gold-tipped cigarette as he talks; there’s a man on the West End who gives them to Otogi; he shares sometimes, if Pegasus isn’t around. “Queer old gent,” shrugging, white shoulder dipping out and then into the collar of his shirt, “but aren’t they all?” White teeth flash, as he laughs.

Still hazy from the opium, Jou leans against the wall, watching him. He likes the way Otogi moves, kind of nervous and quick, and the way his tongue darts out and touches his lips. “He was frightened, he was.” He smokes his cigarettes down to the butts, and the other boys fight over them when he throws them away. “He kept listening for footsteps on the stairs.” He laughs again. “Come here, Jounuchi.”

Jou puts his head on his shoulder, feels his fingers creep through holes in his shirt, touching bare skin. “He thought I’d call the coppers.” Otogi pinches his nipple, and he jumps.

“Would you?” He slides closer, putting one arm on Otogi’s waist.

“It’s a crime, what he wanted to do to me,” laughing again, while his finger runs lazy swirls around Jou’s nipple. “Law wants to make him pay.”

*You made him pay.* Jou closes his eyes. *You’re smart, ain’t you?* Otogi’s got one hand on his head, brushing his blond hair backward; the other is still on his chest. “I raised a hue and cry,” he says, “got him to where he was fair begging me to be quiet. All gents like that is good for is to give me money.”

Jou’s got his face buried in Otogi’s stomach. He likes the way he smells, exotic, like his cigarettes; the way he’s warm, and his shirt doesn’t have holes. “He paid me fast enough.” His chest moves when he talks; Jou can feel the vibrations. “And he still wanted to diddle me after.”

“Did you let him?”

He doesn’t answer. “Come here, Jounuchi,” he says again. Pushing his pants down, baring white skin, muscles still loose, “What do you think I should’ve done?” He’s got Jou on his lap now, one hand cradling his head, the other fingering his ass.

Eyes closed; he feels Otogi’s finger inside him, “I don’t know.” He wants all of him in there, as deep as he’ll go. *Them rich gents is all old and ugly; Otogi’s my age, and he smells nice.* He raises his head, “kiss me,” tasting cigarette on Otogi’s tongue, as their mouths meet.

His arms are around Otogi’s neck, legs around his waist; he leans back; he’d fall if the other boy weren’t holding him. “Don’t you know nothing, Jounuchi,” one hand tight on his shoulders, while he opens his own pants with the other, “ain’t you got no idea how to survive?”

He kisses him, cock touching his opening; Jou moans. “You’re lucky you ain’t dead yet; you’re lucky you got me looking out for you.” Jou feels him go in; it doesn’t hurt; too many men have already been in there. He likes how it feels, especially when it’s Otogi doing it.

Cock deep inside him, Otogi kisses his head; Jou’s got his face against his chest, smelling his warm cigarette smell. He tightens his legs and moves with him. “Take care of me,” he mumbles, “give me some of the money the gents give you.”

He feels himself come with Otogi touching him. “Don’t I always, Jou?” He doesn’t, but he shares his food; and his cigarettes, sometimes.

“You’re a good friend.” Jou feels his body rock, as Otogi nears climax. Legs on his waist, face buried in his chest; Otogi shouts as he comes, and they both lean against the wall together.

*It ain’t a bad life. He’s got friends what make no money, and they’ve got it worse.* Jou thinks he’ll sleep now; maybe another gentleman will ask for him tonight, and Pegasus will let him keep some of the money. He closes his eyes. *They ain’t so bad, most of them; and he’s got Otogi to take care of him.*