"Welcome, master Leon," Camellia greeted his latest guest with a coy smile. A true courtesan never showed his real feelings in front of customers, only what they wanted to see. And he was one of the best of Paradiso, the elite establishment catering to men with a taste for other men.

Leon wasn't his guest's real name, and Camellia knew very well who he was since he had quite a lot of influence in the government, but secrecy was always guaranteed here. Like most of their patrons, he was also married with children and wanted to keep his attractions in the shadows.

"You look beautiful, as always," Leon beamed at the sight of his true love. He was as fair as any maiden, with his eyes like black pearls and his long hair like midnight silk. He was wearing the kimono he loved to see him in the most, the pale pink one with embroidered camellia blossoms.

Camellia let his smile melt into a pleased one. "Thank you, my lord. You flatter me with your kindness."

"Have you considered my offer?" he asked eagerly. "I understand that many men vie for your affections and that I am getting quite advanced in years in comparison, but I promise that I would spare no effort in making you happy!"

Leon was not the only man who had asked him to run away with him. He knew well what happened to the courtesans who trusted such promises. After a few months or years, the high and mighty grew bored and tossed their new toys aside. "Please, my lord...I can't ask such a thing of you," he spoke softly. "Your family, your status...you'd lose it all."

In some way, Leon was relieved to hear Camellia's refusal. Disappointed, of course – he didn't want to even think of him sleeping with other patrons. But he didn't really want to give up his position in the government, and divorcing his wife for a young, male lover was a certain way to destroy his reputation. No matter how much in his daydreams Camellia was his and his only.

"I'd gladly give up everything for you," he assured the courtesan with all the sincerity he could muster and moved next to him. He held out a flower brooch, made of gold and precious gems, to him. "Please accept at least this. It is only a small token of my feelings for you."

Camellia gracefully took the gift and brought it to his lips. "Thank you. It will always remind me of you, my lord, when you cannot be by my side." Then he placed it on the bedside table and wrapped his arms around the older man's neck. "But as long as you are here, may I ask that you hold me? I missed you so much."

Leon's eyes widened. That wanton expression...That beautiful face...That gorgeous body...How could he possibly refuse such a request? His wife always made him feel too old, not enough, a sorry excuse for a man she could endlessly nag to, but Camellia...Camellia made him feel alive.

~*~*~

Camellia fell back on his large bed after he had shown Leon to the door and was certain that he had left. Those men were basically all the same. Their fantasies varied, whether it was "girls" they wanted and didn't want to admit to themselves that it wasn't what their bodies were drawn to or the youthful boys, hairless and smooth. He could play both roles as easily as he changed clothes for them. Shy, assertive, innocent, wanton...he could wear any kind of mask the customers wanted. And their desires were written all over their faces from the moment they first entered his room.

There was a brief knock on the door, and then it was opened without waiting for an answer.

He didn't move. Only one person entered without permission. There were no more patrons for today either.

The boy, barely fourteen years old, stopped at the side of the bed and put the bowl of water on the table. His curly auburn hair, moss-green eyes and freckles around his nose and cheeks were a familiar and always welcome sight.

"You have bruises," the boy frowned as he parted his kimono and started washing him with a damp cloth. "Violent customer?"

"A little too possessive, that's all. Nothing to worry about, Nico." He squirmed out of the kimono to give the boy a better access to his arms. "You know that the landlord doesn't let anyone in who might damage his goods."

"I know...But it's just not fair! Why should you have to go through all this-" He suddenly flinched, feeling a constricting pain in his ribs, and pulled back.

Camellia sat up, hooked one finger on the neckline of Nico's shirt and pulled down to show the bandages around his chest. "You bound them too tight again? I warned you yesterday that you need to be able to move freely."

Nico pouted, his cheeks coloring slightly. "But I hate them...And if the landlord found out, he'd say that I'm a girl and sell me to someone else."

"I know." Camellia kissed his forehead. His gaze came to rest briefly on the brooch Leon had given him. "Just hang on a little longer. I will soon have enough to buy our freedom."

Just a little longer. He would never let anyone force Nico into this lifestyle. They would be free before he turned fifteen. Then they'd open a little shop in some other town, somewhere where nobody knew them. Maybe adopt a few street orphans if they could.

That was the dream that would make everything he had endured worthwhile.