Love Beyond Boundaries (man×man)

I'm the Mafia, darling

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Elijah

Freedom is just a state of mind. You'll be miles away from a cage and yet you won't be able to taste freedom, because your mind is conjured with thoughts that bound you from soaring. You'll be stuck in a room and yet you'll be free if your mind is limitless. I experienced none. It was like the word "freedom" had lost over the years I spent here. I forgot myself over time and when I was finally free, I didn't knew what to do.

I always wanted to be out of this dungeon because I knew I won't be able to. The grass on the other side is always greener. How do I bring those four years of my life back? How do I bring my teenager self out? How do I explain the world where I was or why I was finally out after four years. The freedom now tasted so bitter. At least, I was hidden from the world before, but now I'll be free to interact with them.

I was scared. Terrified.

I was given a pair of shorts to change in before getting out of my barely called room. The money I had in the chest of my drawers were now stuffed in the bag, Vincent handed me. I always thoughts this money was useless for me, I had lost the hope of ever leaving this suffering back. Ali was standing by the door, the entire time. His eyes were swirling with tears. I wish, it was him. I wish, he could leave instead of me. He was too young for the cruelty. He deserved this freedom more than me.

"Eli," His broken voice made my heart clench in pain. How can I leave a child here among the monsters? "I won't say— I'll miss you, even though I will. I—I'm happy that finally you're out of this hell." Leaving you alone to deal with the monsters, my mind mocked me. I shook my head, leaning closer to the door frame.

"Ali—"

"Stop. Let me talk; let me speak, please," The tears leaked from his eyes and my heart again twisted painfully. I nodded my head, swallowing the weird sensation down my throat.

"I— I've liked you from the day you've saved me from Master's wrath." I shook my head but he continued. "I know, I shouldn't but it's so hard not to like you, Eli. You're the one who treated me good. You took care of me when Master would hit me. I— I owe you my life—"

"Stop, please—"

"I really like you, Eli, but don't come here again. You— don't cry on me, now." He reached to wipe the tears that traitorously rolled down. He immediately pulled his hand down, wide eyed. A chuckle escaped my mouth at his horrified expression.

"Let me—please— Will you please for once—" I reached out to hug him. He couldn't frame sentences yet his pleas hit my heart. He was an innocent seventeen year old, lost boy. I pat his back, unaware of how to calm his sobbing frame. He giggled, cried, all at once. The roller coaster of emotions were hitting me.

"I'll come for you. You like me in another way but I see you as my younger self, Ali. I see you as a younger brother. I promise, I'll save you. Give me some time, alrig—"

"You brother-zoned me." He mumbled, making me chuckle.

"Shut up."

-

-

-

Vincent was waiting calmly for me to come downstairs. Hearing my footstep, he turned to look at me. His silver pools were focused on mine. They were no more cold and malicious, in fact, they were gentle and soft. I shook my head at Ali, telling him not to cry. Vincent reached to take the bag from my hold but I denied.

"I can carry my stuff myself."

"I know." With that he held the bag by its side and started to walk towards his car. I rolled my eyes, grasping his wrist, halting his movements at once.

"You played the role of my knight even though I never asked you to. What is that you want?"

I didn't want to escape a slavery just to join another. The thought of being his slave, sickened me. He must want something. There is absolutely no chance for him to rescue me for free. It has to be something.

I slumped under his gaze. The way his silver orbs darkened and the gentleness left his gaze, my insides trembled and curled. The temperature suddenly felt low, my bones chilled under his icy gaze. As if, he was studying me. His arms were folded back, his eyes focused on mine, he knew how to intimidate a person. He had mastered this art enough to tremble me. I regretted the question that escaped my mouth.

"I won't force you, Elijah, if that's what is scaring you."

My mouth went dry and my lips parted at his words. I knew I was scared but hearing it from somebody else was more scary and embarrassing. Especially when they can point our your weaknesses.

"I'm not scared." I gritted out and he smiled so lightly. It was neither cruel, nor amused. It was just a small smile. A smile that only emerged out for me.

"You can be scared, Elijah," He started, running his hand through his sandy waves. "And you are scared."

I groaned in vexation. he chuckled lowly, looking down at me. The way his eyes wouldn't waver from mine felt so intimate that I melted under his orbs. The way his eyes would crinkle, my throat felt parched. My whole body went dry just by one gaze.

"I won't lie, you're alluring but you're free from here. You're free from the slavery and I won't force you for things you aren't ready for."

"So, you did this for nothing?"

He smiled again, shaking his head. The action was apprising me that it was one of the most dumbest questions, I've asked him. Conversation with him felt so ardent that it scared me till core. We will sit silently, yet it would feel personal. We would watch the same stars and even that would feel intimate. We can share a glance, and damn it, even that would be precious.

"Sometimes you don't do things to get something in return. You do it for your own happiness, Elijah." When I looked at him confused, he continued, leaning closer a bit, letting me smell his minty breath, "Just like you want to save that little boy— Ali."

"Yo—you find happiness in my freedom?" I stammered out and he chuckled, sending vibrations down my chest.

"I find happiness is very less places, darling boy. And you'll be surprised at how much happy you make me just by glancing at me."

His words scared me, I'd never admit this. The more gentle he gets, the more my heart would race and the more my fear would enhance. You fear heartbreak from someone you get attached to. And if this guy keeps on saying things like this, it won't be long for me to fall for him.

He makes it so hard for me not to fall for him. And he makes it even harder for me to hide it.

"Happiness is just a nostalgia, Vincent. You lose it when you feel it the most."

"It makes me even more happy when you say my name." I would've turned a red shade only if my skin wouldn't have been so dusky. I glared at him, shaking my head.

"You're delusional."

"And you're in denial." I rolled my eyes, walking past him.

The dim light of sunset shone brighter than usual. When was the last time I left dungeons? Four years when I last saw the world. The cool breeze kissed my skin and a small sigh of content left my mouth. Everything was so nostalgic that I feared it even more. I knelt down, touching the small grasses outside the dungeons. The way clouds hided the sun, the way the trees would sway from wind and the way the birds chirped felt so lively. I felt alive. I gulped the lump, that seemed to get clogged in my throat. The emotions burned my heart so passionately that the ashes mourned for the loss of my four years. The darkness dissipated only to return back. I was now free to face the world.

It was like, freedom teased me only to leave me at the very moment. I never felt freedom, I felt even more captivated than before. The reality of my life hit me like a truck. I was in Italy, not in Australia. I must be dead for my family and my sudden presence would only ruin their life. And how would I explain where I was for the past four years? How would they explain others about my dark life? They'll only be broken from the truth. I slumped down, my head in my hands, tears burned my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

You're strong enough to get through this, Elijah. Stay strong.

"Can I hold you?" The softness in Vincent's voice broke my will. I knew if he touched me I'll break, the dam of my emotions would break and nothing would calm me down. I shook my head at his request. His fingers curled in a fist and I stood up, looking at the sunset. Though the mountains hid the sunset well, but it was everything for the moment. It looked perfect.

"We should get going before it gets dark." I sighed, nodding. True, I had to find a house too.

"Get in the car, I'll—"

"You've done enough, Vincent. Now, it's my work ahead. I've money with me to sustain in this city. I —"

"Okay, okay. At least let me drop you to the main city. There are no public transportation available here. This is the— restricted area." I nodded, waving at the car.

I sat beside him on the backseat, whereas the chauffeur drove through the small lanes. The man sitting beside me had me curious. I had always been curious about him. Like his age, his work, his family, his life, everything. His urge to help me, his relations with Dan and what not.

"I reckon that you've certain questions in your pretty mind." I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"And how do I know you won't lie to me." He scoffed, rubbing his knuckles against his knees.

"That's the thing about me, Elijah," I gulped as he leaned a little closer to my face, "I don't lie."

I stuttered out a breath, clearing my throat. "Right."

"So ask away, anything, darling boy."

"How about you start with why people are so scared of you."

I had a rough idea about his business but it seemed so cliche. I didn't dare to let my mind wander to places on its own. Vincent, however was amused. The way his lips twitched and he crossed his right leg over his left one, made me realize that I wouldn't like his answer.

"I see, dearest Elijah, that your mind has already guessed the answer. Come on, say it out loud." I shook my head, suddenly anxiousness crawling my skin. My mind had guessed the deadliest job. He always does this. He always make me answer my own questions.

"Oh, come on," He was taunting me. His silver orbs dangerously bored into my dull amber eyes. I gulped the fear, looking into his dicey eyes.

"You wo-work for the Maf-Mafia," He cackled so hard that even my dusky skin burned into crimson. I glared at the seat, my fists clenched and he was taking amusement into my stammering and the words. I knew I was wrong. Mafia doesn't exist anymore. He was just a businessman. Just a—

"I am the Mafia. The boss of the Italian mob."

I froze.

My life was taking turns and kinks. First, getting kidnapped, second, getting into slavery and prostitution and now meeting the Mafia leader. The car suddenly came to halt. The darkness was overpowering the sunlight, as the moon made its presence very clear. Vincent looked at me. His silver eyes suddenly went serious and my skin burned under his gaze.

"You can stay the night in my house, I'll—"

"No! Thank you for everything but it's me all alone now."

Vincent's hand reached forward to place them on my side, still not touching me. His silver orbs were dripping seriousness that I almost flinched away from it. Even though his hands never met my skin, our physical contact was restrained, I still felt him on every inch of my body. I could feel his scent all over me. I could feel him on me. I shivered, temperature suddenly fell a few degrees.

"You're never alone, Elijah. If you'll sleep on the road, I'll be on the roads too. If you'll be burning from your fire, you'll see me in the ashes too."

My mouth went dry, my heart hammering against my chest. My toes curled under his intense gaze. The power rolled off his body so intensely that I had to take a sharp breath in. I was breathing harshly and this again didn't go unnoticed by him. His eyes softened, his shoulders relaxed and the dominance that was coming off him in waves turned into so much more soft and tender. My whole stance puddled inside my heart screaming for him and only him.

"Breathe, my dear Elijah." I didn't obey his command. My breath went even more ragged. His eyes narrowed slightly asking for permission to touch me. My eyes blinked in affirmation and the next moment his palm was rubbing my back soothingly. His hand felt hot even through the shirt, warming me, letting me breathe normally. I closed my eyes in bliss only to open them again. His touch lingered even after he retracted his hands back.

I opened the door of his car, stepping out and making my way away from him. His eyes were following me, until I walked away. I didn't had a place to stay. I decided to take rest under the tree. I was tired, hungry but I didn't sleep. His touch still letting electricity jolt inside me.

True to his words, the car was still parked where it was initially. Vincent was still in the back seat, his eyes on me. I was sleeping on the roads and much to his promise he was on the roads too. It was just another moment and my another stance fell for him. The night went with both of us staring at each other. None of us moved from our place. Once again our eyes spoke so much, our tongues couldn't.