The slave was sitting on the edge of the bed in just a pair of tight black pants and a lose white tee shirt. The body hung off him because Marvin was bigger than him around the torso, but the sleeves were snug on the man's thick arms. He had scrapes across his face like he swiped the brick wall in the alley with his cheek. His lip was busted open, a dry red slit running through it. His hands and knuckles were swollen and bruised. He'd tried to fight back. His leg had a large bruise forming on his shin, purple and black. Other injuries were hidden by his barely decent clothing. Zayn gave himself a mintue to look over his body before clearing his throat and nodding once to collect himself. The slave was looking at him patiently while Zayn walked over to the bed. He looked up at Zayn as he straightened his back and folded his hands calmly in his lap.

"Name."

"Liam, sir." His voice was still a little hoarse from the night's events. Zayn felt pity wash over him, but then decided this slave wasn't the sort to appreciate pity and lifted his chin dominantly before nodding.

"Liam. Strong name."

"Thank you, sir." Liam's fingers started twitching on his lap and Zayn raised an eyebrow curiously. He waited for Liam to continue but he didn't.

"You have something else to say?"

Liam watched Zayn carefully for a moment before slowly opening his mouth to continue. "I'd like to formally apologize for my appearance. Then and even now. And formally thank you for helping me. You're very kind."

Zayn was in awe of this man. A slave isn't normally so well spoken. Or strong-willed and confident. "There's no need to apologize. I accept your gratitude however." Zayn sat next to Liam on the bed and set the sleep pants next to him. Liam's body tensed and his hands clenched into loose fists. Zayn pursed his lips in resignation and chose to ignore it. "I will need to here why you were outside at night by yourself. And who hurt you."

Liam was shaking his head before Zayn even finished. "I can't," Liam swallowed, "Sir," he finished.

Zayn accepted that much. "You're not my slave and I can't force you. But I wish you would tell me. Whenever you can." Liam just nodded. Zayn didn't know what to do. He always had so much control, but right now Liam left him powerless to really help. He slapped his knees and stood up. "Well, I'll let you rest. Breakfast is served at seven. If you'd like some you'll need to be down there on time."

Liam looked like he was about to say something but then closed his mouth and dropped his head. "Thank you, sir."

Zayn nodded one more time before pointing to the pajamas, "Those are for you. I hope they fit. Sleep well, Liam."

"You too, sir."

Zayn left Liam sitting there but begged himself to go back and do something, anything, to help him. Instead he kept walking to his room and fell to his bed with a huff. Liam had only been in Zayn's house for a couple hours and already Zayn had formed so many conflicting opinions about him.

***

Zayn woke up after a restless night's sleep. He couldn't stop trying to guess what had happened to Liam the night before and why. Was it drugs? A gang? A smooth vocabulary wasn't enough to alleviate Zayn cautions towards the type of person Liam was. And now he had to actually leave his bed and deal with his. He always went to breakfast in the same clothes he slept in, but today he wondered if that was appropriate. What would Liam be wearing? Would Liam even come to breakfast? Zayn brushed his teeth and washed his face. He forwent changing clothes and rumbled downstairs with his hair sprawling in different directions. Mornings were not his friend.

He entered the dining room to find his breakfast waiting under a cover to keep it warm and Liam sitting in the middle chair of the table side with his own breakfast in front of him. He was sitting still with his hands on either side of his plate, food untouched and covered. Zayn greeted him by way of a grunt before sitting at his place at the head of the table. Liam's head snapped to Zayn and watched him sit. Liam was still wearing the shirt he slept in as well and apparently didn't get cold at night because his pants were the only thing covering his lower half still. He sat straighter in his chair and kept his gaze on Zayn, waiting.

"Are you waiting for me?" Zayn asked gruffly.

"Of course, sir."

"Well you shouldn't. I'm not alive until at least nine when I leave for work. Until then you'll have to take care of yourself." Liam's lips twitched up, the closest to a smile Zayn had seen thus far. Zayn's lips twitched back and he nodded towards Liam's food. "Go ahead." With that Zayn lifted the cover off his own food and dug in. Liam still hesitated until Zayn took his first bite to uncover his and start. Zayn didn't have the energy or brain function to eat and keep an eye on Liam this early so he was surprised when he looked up to see Liam watching him. Zayn paused, his fork loaded with eggs and his mouth open to eat them. Liam diverted his eyes back to the table and continued eating. Zayn smirked and ate the bite of eggs. He set his fork down and settled back into his chair. Liam kept eating, but Zayn could tell he knew he was being watched.

"Liam?"

Liam straighten and swallowed his food. "Yes, sir?"

"How'd you sleep."

Liam raised his eyebrows at the question. "Very well, sir. Thank you."

"Didn't get cold in the night?"

"No, sir."

"So trousers weren't necessary? Not even for the table," he teased and looked around the table's edge at Liam's bare thighs.

Liam's mouth floundered and his hands went to try and cover the skin. "I'm so sorry. They didn't fit and I couldn't find my jeans from yesterday. I'll leave, sir." Liam scooted his chair out but Zayn stopped him halfway to standing.

"I'm kidding, Liam," Zayn waved his hand towards him, "Sit down and eat. I'm not anymore decent." Liam nodded hesitantly and sat back down. He didn't start eating again so Zayn nodded towards his food and started eating himself. When Liam continued he kept talking, "I wouldn't object to company that looked like you, no matter the dress." Liam froze and Zayn realized his mistake. Zayn was never quite all there in the morning, but today he was especially idiotic. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me. You shouldn't be talked about like that."

Liam smiled a tight smile and kept the arm closest to Zayn trying to cover his leg while he ate. "Its alright. I've heard worse."

"That's no excuse," Zayn urged, "I'm sorry." Liam just nodded curtly and stayed silent. Zayn groaned internally at his stupidity while they finished breakfast.

***

Liam disappeared to the guest room after Zayn's reluctant permission. Zayn went back to his and started getting ready for work. He stopped working on his hair when he realized he was tugging the brush too hard through his hair. He was so foolish. Unkind. This is why he'd never find a slave of his own. He can be professional until it comes to his own personal life and then he loses all self-control and opens his big mouth. A knock of his bedroom door startled Zayn from his morning routine.

"Enter."

"Sir, the young man wishes to say goodbye before he takes his leave."

Zayn's popped his head out of the bathroom doorway. "What?"

The butler looks confused. "The slave that stayed the night?"

Zayn waved him off, "I know who you mean. He's leaving?"

His servant nodded. "Yes, sir."

Zayn dropped his brush on the bed as he passed and glided down the hall in his suit trousers and a white tee. When he got to Liam's room he didn't think to knock before entering. Liam spun around from folding the clothes he slept in, wearing only a blue-grey towel around his hips. His hair and skin was still wet from the shower he must have just taken. Zayn stopped mid step and dropped his jaw. Liam was...wow. But beaten. His chest was broad and battered, purple bruises littering the expanse of tan skin and hair. There was a larger bruise, at least six inches in length running across one side of his stomach. Zayn winced unconsciously at the wound. His abs were hidden by cuts and scrapes. Liam's hands were clenching and unclenching by his sides.

Zayn knew he needed to apologize for barging in, for not leaving when he saw Liam wasn't decent, or for gawking at his mostly naked form for at least two minutes. But all he could muster was. "Why are you leaving?"

Liam cleared his throat before answering. "I've overstayed my welcome and I don't want to take advantage of your kindness."

"Are you going home to your Master?" Zayn knew he sounded harsh, but he couldn't keep the anxiety out of his voice.

"No, sir."

"Then where will you go?"

"They have places for people like me." The words were meant to be reassuring, but Liam said them with the knowledge of what those places were like. Dirty, unkept, dangerous. A dead end for any slave.

"People like who?"

Liam flinched at having to spell it out. "Abandoned slaves, sir."

Zayn's jaw locked at the statement. "No."

"Excuse me, sir?"

"I said no. I'm not letting you go to one of those houses."

"Mr. Malik," at Zayn's look of surprise Liam added, "Yes, I know who you are. And with all due respect, I'm not your slave. If I chose to leave I can."

Zayn was taken aback. Of course he knew that. He didn't mean to assume anything. He just couldn't let Liam do this to himself. Zayn closed his eyes and said, "I know. I'm asking you," he sighed, "not to leave. Not yet." Zayn opened his eyes to see Liam looking at him quizzically. "I mean, let me help."

"I'm not looking for pity, sir."

Zayn nodded, already knowing. "I'm not handing it out. I'm offering you my services." Liam raised a brow. "My professional services," Zayn corrected. "You know who I am, so you know what I do. Let me help you find a new Master. A good one."

Liam shook his head, "I can't pay for that."

"I'll take an exchange. You work here, at my home. Cook. You can cook, right?" At Liam's hesitant nod he continued, "Clean, etcetera. And in return I put you in my system. Help you find a Master."

Liam opened his mouth to respond, but then closed it and squinted his eyes at Zayn like he was a puzzle he couldn't figure out. He opened his mouth to try again, "An exchange?"

"Absolutely. I expect good work. You'll wear a uniform when I have parties, and keep yourself physically fit and groomed, as all my staff does. Professional."

"Professional," Liam repeated. Zayn nodded. After a minute of silence Liam said, "Thank you, sir."

Zayn wanted to smile or hug him or something, but he knew for sure that was inappropriate so he just nodded again and walked to the door. He turned when he had it open. "To be honest, you'll mostly be working as a personal servant while I'm home. You'll keep this room so you can be close enough when I need you. You'll be trained by my staff to assist me. I'll sit down with you after I get home from work to lay out some rules and guidelines."

Liam seemed to exhale in relief at the official nature of the agreement. "Yes, sir." Zayn gave a short hmm and walked out while Liam stood shaking in his towel.