Chapter Text
I smelled like sex.
Then again, I always smelled like sex. Just like how i always looked somewhat debauched and how I always sounded one bad customer away from breaking. Not that I ever broke, though. Sure, there were bad customers, a lot actually. Perks of the job.
I always figured a way out, no matter how bad the situation got. Farlan would always say how I was gonna get myself killed doing this, and I'd respond that if I didn't we'd all die within a week anyways. That shut him up.
I shook the thoughts out of my head and walked down the street. I ducked into a higher end bar and took a seat. I ordered water. I didn't have that good of an alcohol tolerance and the last thing i wanted to do was get drunk on the job.
I keep saying 'job' like I was hired. I guess you could say i was self employed. If you could call shelling your body out to strangers for some cash a job. It got me what I needed and until I could find some legal work this is what I got. A couple crumpled twenties and a lucky lack of a strong gag reflex and I was moving on to the next bar. Just the same routine at the same bars at the same city and usually the same clients.
I liked this bar. It was a bit classier than the rest, with higher end customers. Mainly middle aged and middle class married men looking for a quick release. I didn't give two shits if they had a ring or not, just so long they were respectful enough and payed what they owed I was fine. Sometimes I could even guilt trip the meeker ones into giving me some extra cash so I wouldn't find their wives. My conscious wasn't strong enough to keep me from eating.
I was wearing my usual; a black tank top just tight enough to hint at the toned muscles under it, some skinny jeans that sagged just enough to show that I wasn't wearing underwear and a black belt keeping it in place. Just enough to make me seem dangerous in a hot way.
I sipped my glass of water and surveyed the bar. My legs were crossed casually and my arms spread back to display my muscle better. I eyed a few people. If no one came up to me, I would go to them and flirt heavily. Luckily, it wasn't needed.
A tall, blond, blue eyed captain America type walked over to me and sat down next to me. I looked at him from the side of my eye and smirked. The were many other seats near me so it was clear he wanted something from me. I turned to him and let my legs fall open a bit.
I eyed him up and down, checking him over. He was dressed in expensive cloths, but the kind of cloths he might call casual. He had a pale blue button up with the first few buttons undone, hinting at a well defined chest. His collar was mussed a bit like he had just taken off a tie. Probably one of those stuffy corporation people, or as Hanji so cleverly nick named them, corpses. I sipped my water and made no effort to hide the fact that I was eyeing him hungrily.
He ordered a small glass of whiskey and turned to me. "What's your name?"
Oh great, he was one of those people who liked to make it personal. Hopefully he wasn't one of those anti-whore mass murdering psychopaths like Jack the Ripper. He seemed like he could be. I set down my glass and turned the corners of my mouth just a tiny bit up. "Levi." I said in a low voice. My throat was no longer raw from my last client, thank god. "You?"
"Erwin." His name rolled off his tongue like a phrase from a dead language. He rolled his R ever so slightly, just enough to send shivers down my spine. His eye twinkled with hints of lust and intrigue. He looked like he was playing a game.
"What an interesting name. I've never heard it before." I didn't break my eye contact as i took a drink of water. "But enough with the formalities. What are you here for?"
He didn't seem surprised like most of my clients were. Instead, he seemed almost amused. "You don't beat around the bush, I like that." He swirled the dark amber liquid in his glass. "I have money."
I nodded and stood up, placing my now empty glass on the counter. I leaned to his ear. "Let's go somewhere quieter."
He stood and drank about half of his glass. A man of his size must have a high tolerance for alcohol.
I followed him outside to where a multitude of cars were parked. He got into one and beckoned me to join him. I was weary at first, knowing of the danger that came with going into someone's car. Especially a strangers who just so happened to be hiring me for a fuck.
I followed him anyway, licking my lips and taking in a deep breath to prepare myself for whatever he threw my way.
"Levi,"
The car door shut behind me.
-
I slunk back into my apartment at about four AM and fell into bed. I would get a few hours of sleep then shower and look for an actual job, like i always did. My life was made of strong coffee and stronger sex, like every high school pimp said they wanted but never really did.
I sighed when i saw the ripped part of my shirt. The blond Adonis- Erwin he called himself- was taking off my shirt he ripped a button. That would take a bit of time and effort to repair. Time i didn't have and effort i couldn't waste. Wonderful.
Strange though, how he never actually took his cloths off. There was something hesitant about it all too, like he was constantly regretting his decision. However he went through with it. I got him off and he payed me double what i charged. The whole thing was very interesting.
I spread it out on the table and ignored it for now. I would worry about it after i had at least two hours of sleep behind me.
-Two days later-
"Thanks Hanji." I said dryly. She grinned widely and clapped her hands.
"Of course! Now, what to do, what to do?" She spun around and looked at some of the cloths in the nearest display window.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. She had decided to take me shopping on entirely her credit card, which of course i had denied but knowing Hanji, there was no way around it. So i now stood in the mall hallway with a bag of shit and a hyperactive self-declared fashionista. "I say we just go now. Call it a day."
"Absolutely not!" She yelled and grabbed my arms. "We need to get you something sexy for the nights! All we have now is day cloths."
I sighed. She was right, really. I needed something that would make me look fuckable. I let her take me and drag me through a few more stores before something caught my eye in the Appolo store.
"Erwin?" I muttered. I hid when he turned around. He was dressed in a pristine blue suit. It was clear he was at least the manager of this store, if not the whole company or the region. After a moment he turned back to the man at the desk he was talking to and I walked over to Hanji like nothing had happened. She held out a mesh muscle tee. "You want me to wear that?" I wanted to sound skeptical, but in reality i was impressed by her choice. She seemed to know a lot about Men's fashion for a female with boobs and no boyfriends.
"It'll show off your abs, but it's dark enough to leave some to the imagination." She winked. "Well, for a while."
I rolled my eyes at her shitty joke and took it. "Any pants?"
She nodded and handed my a pair of expensive looking leathery skinny pants. "Go try them on." She gestured to the changing room. "Now."
I headed over and walked into the room. I put them on and looked in the mirror. The mesh shirt was pretty great. It showed hints of toned muscle here and there, but it didn't show everything. Just enough to get someone curious. It was a bit show-y for a normal bar though. The pants clung to my hips and ass, but stretched like leggings and moved well. They were easy to get off and on. I turned around to see my back.
The corners of my mouth turned up in a small smirk. The pants highlighted my curves without making them seem unnatural and stretched nicely over my ass. It showed off the shape.
"Not bad."
I walked out and spun around for Hanji. She grinned and clapped her hands. She looked me over and licked her lips. "I'd fuck you to be honest. That's hot. Now go out there and flaunt it for that regional manager sales guy, I saw you check him out."
I sighed. "I didn't check him out, Hanji. He was a customer a few nights ago and i froze up."
"Wait, mister prestige out there hired you?" She laughed. "Ok, now we have to go out there and parade that ass!" I roller my eyes and was about to protest when she pinched my lips. "Zip it. He looked rich and horny enough to be a repeat customer. Now go out there and flaunt it. I'll go out first and you'll be looking for me right?"
I smacked her hand away and crossed my arms. "Fine. Now go, Shitty Glasses." She smiled and clapped her hand on my shoulder before sashaying out.
I waited for a few moments and looked through some of the stuff left in the rejection pile of the changing room. I picked up a studded belt and looped it through the holes. I walked out and started looking for Hanji.
I walked with a somewhat exaggerated sway of my hips and a low smirk. I spotted a few items on the floor that Hanji must have left. Clever move, Shitty Glasses.
I bent over to pick them up, licking my lips as the fabric stretched tighter. I heard a surprised hum and stood up straight. I put the items back on the shelf and refused to meet Erwin's eyes. I turned down the isle and squinted. Hanji was doing a rather good job at hiding, surprisingly enough.
I moved down to the area with more sexy shirts like mine. "Hanji," I called out. I had to make it look natural.
"Down here with the necklaces." She called back. I turned around to try and spot her and saw Erwin watching me with an intrigued expression that sent shivers down my spine. "There are some wonderful looking chokers that would be great for you."
I made a mental note to thank her and walked down to a spot where Erwin could see my full body. I stretched my hands up above my head and turned my back to him. "Down this way, right?"
She shouted a bit from my left. "Nope! Here."
I turned and walked down it. She handed me a few studded chokers and grinned. She winked and licked her lips. "Go ask for some assistance in choosing which one you want."
I nodded and curled my fingers around them. I walked out and went to the counter. Erwin was a little way off, watching from behind another suited man. I leaned on the counter and stuck my ass out. "Which one would look best on me?" I asked the clerk. I held up one to my neck. It looked like a mini belt. "This?" I put up a second, braided, one. "This," i bit my lip and held up the last one with smooth leather and a small ring in the front like a collar. "Or this?"
I heard Erwin clear his throat and allowed a tiny curl to my lips. I rather enjoyed toying with him. "The last one," The clerk said. She was a petite woman with reddish blonde hair and a sunny smile. "It's nice on you."
I nodded and picked it up. "Thank you," I looked at their tag. "Petra."
She nodded and i walked back to Hanji. "Ok, I think this is good."
I handed her the chokers. It was a bad idea to wear something that could be used to choke me when i was out selling myself. I walked back to the changing rooms to get my cloths back on and stopped when I saw Erwin leaning against the wall.
His eyes were shadowed and his arms were crossed over his muscular chest. A clipboard was in his hand and a pen clenched between his fingers.
I crossed my arms and faced him. I squared my shoulders as if I were about to fight. I held my tongue.
After a few moments he spoke up. "Same place. Tonight. Same room. I'll be there." It was a request. For him to meet me again.
I dipped my head and turned to the curtain to change. "Mr. Smith, i have the reports!" The suited man from earlier came in. I heard the name and my ear twitched. Erwin Smith.
The most interesting client i have ever had.
-
I kept my hands in the pockets of my new black vest and looked around the lobby. He should be here in five minutes or less. If he doesn't show up by then, I'm leaving.
He showed up at the precise time and smiled at me with an almost predatory gaze. "Shall we?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's why we're here." He smiled at my sarcasm and we went into the elevator.
When the doors slid shut i felt his strong hands take mine and pin them above my head. "Rules?" He whispered, his mouth pressed to the shell of my ear.
I suppressed a shiver and licked my lips. "First payment up front, second after. No kissing on the mouth, no lasting marks, protection is required, and i have the same limits as before." He nodded and looked me in the eyes. "Deal." He said without missing a beat.
He pressed his lips to my neck and moved them softly. I watched the door as we moved steadily upwards and panted when he reached my collarbone. He sucked a bit, but not enough to bruise.
The door opened and we walked to the room he had had the other night and he opened it with the swipe of a card. I followed him inside and looked around. It was exactly the same, the curtains drawn tightly shut and the lamps all on. The bed was large and already had the covers pulled down. There were no toiletries in the bathroom, no telltale bag or suitcase. He brought nothing for the night besides what he had in his pockets. I had come prepared with condoms and lubrication.
I shed my vest and stretched out my arms. I left it on the chair and walked over to where he sat. I straddled his hips and tangled my hands in his hair. I looked him in his shockingly blue eyes and licked my lips.
He gripped my hips firmly between his hands and his thumbs pushed up the hem of my shirt ever so slightly. I pressed my hips into his hands and looked away from him. I ground down on his crotch and licked the shell of his ear. My breath was barely in check when he spun me around and threw me down on the bed. He loomed over me and searched my eyes for a reaction.
I tugged his hair and leaned back against the bed to show my willingness. He moved his hands and trailed them down my chest, feeling the contours of muscle beneath the shirt. I pressed my chest into his hands and pulled my shirt over my head. His hungry gaze seemed to devour my exposed chest, even though he had seen it a few days ago.
"I shouldn't be the only one shirtless," I said teasingly as i began to undo the buttons of his shirt. He smiled and helped me take his off, tossing both of ours to the chair.
He was more muscular than you would expect from a business man, as if he actually tried to keep in shape instead of just eating well. I eyed him over and pressed my growing arousal into the side of his thigh. He growled low in his throat and started pulling down my pants zipper. My breath hitched when the palm of his hand dragged over my erection as he peeled off my jeans.
I never wore underwear on nights like these. It was just another obstacle to deal with. I watched him carefully as he eyed my body over.
"I feel dirty." He said suddenly, looking away and straightening up.
"Well, I'm sure that's exactly the thing most men like hearing when you're about to fuck their brains out but I am not most men." I said sarcastically.
He sighed and shook his head. "It isn't you. I feel wrong for buying this..."
I sat up quickly. "Are you saying you won't pay me?" My voice dropped and a low, angry edge appeared.
"No, I'll pay you. I just won't have sex with you." He shook his head and stood up. He turned away from me and started looking through his coat pockets for something. "I'm not saying I don't want to fuck you. I just don't want it to be because you needed money for rent."
I scowled and glared at him. "What do you mean by that? Don't beat around the fucking bush."
"I mean that I want to get to know you better." He turned back around and slipped his arms into his shirt.
"Well if more people knew that prostitution could land you hot corporate boyfriends I'm sure more would try it." I said with a huff of indigence when he rolled his eyes.
He walked to the side of the bed near me. I propped myself up on my elbows and made no move to cover up. He looked me over again with obvious lust and licked his lips. He shook his head and took one of my hands. He pressed a wad of bills into my palm and kissed my knuckles before walking out of the door. I glared at the door and opened my hand.
My eyes widened. He had pressed multiple crumpled fifties into my hand. It was enough for a good amount of time. Maybe if I saved I would be able to start paying Hanji back soon. I looked through the bills again, not believing my eyes.
After I accepted that there was at least five hundred dollars in my hand I stood and pulled on my cloths. I moved like I was in a Tim Burton movie instead of reality.
I saw on the counter a folded piece of paper and the key card. The room was probably payed through the night, so i pocketed the card for some homeless kids. I unfolded the paper.
There was a phone number scrawled across it. "If you want the company."
I huffed and shook my head. When did he even have the time to write that down? Did he expect this to happen? Whatever, it still happened. No point in over analyzing it.
I gathered my stuff and walked outside. I hadn't even done a real job yet and i had more money than i normally made in a night or two. I wandered down the streets to see if there were any homeless kids who needed a place to stay.
I passed by the park.
She was huddled under the bench with her friend, barely twelve years old, if that. Her dark hair was matted to her forehead with some disgusting combination of dirt, sweat, and blood. Her friend was barely breathing.
He bent down and held out his hand. "Hey, wake up your friend. Come stay with me for the night, I won't hurt you."
She nodded and shook her friend. After a few tries he woke up and blinked slowly. It was obvious that the cold was getting to them both and Levi didn't know if they would survive on their own. The two stood up.
The boy was a bit taller than Levi, and older than the girl by a year or two. The girl was much shorter than her friend and on second look, she seemed eight or nine.
"Are you alone?" A nod. "Come with me."
They followed him through the streets until they came to the motel he was staying at.
I shook my head to clear it of the intrusive memories and walked past it. I checked under the benches and the trees and came across a band of three kids. The oldest looking one was a scrawny darker skinned kid with bright green eyes. "Oi, you three. Come here."
The three walked over to me and I looked them over. He handed them the card. "Room 104. It's payed for the night. Get some food and sleep then get out by ten. Got it?"
They nodded and the blonde one took it from me. "Thank you Mister!" The green eyed one said. They ran off to the hotel excitedly. He vaguely remembered running with two others to a similar hotel when a stranger had given them a key. In that moment it meant the world for them. It had given them hope that things could get better.
Then they grew up.
-
"Farlan, come one. Wake the fuck up you lazy asshole." I rapped on the door and rapped my foot. "Get up you little fuck i will go in there."
Silence.
"I am going in there." i growled before shoving the door open. The room was completely dark.
The blinds were pulled over the window and the lights were all off. There was a tiny bit of light from Farlan's phone flashlight on the bed. Levi walked forward, careful not to step on any of Farlan's stuff.
"Farlan what the fuck have you done....."
I groaned and rubbed my head. When had I stopped dreaming? I didn't know but I was awake now so I might as well make use of it.
I sat up and stretched my arms above my head. I stood and started stretching out the rest of my body. A sharp sting of pain shot up my spine. "Shit!" I hissed and squeezed my eyes shut. Even though I had gotten such good pay from Erwin, I still worked. I couldn't afford to slack off. Everything extra was just a step closed to a dignifying job.
"Speaking of which..." I muttered and walked to my shower. "I think the Indian place said it had openings." I yawned and stepped under the water. It was warm but not scorching, but not freezing either. A mix of the two that made my skin crawl. I turned the heat down so icy water hit my skin. Goosebumps broke out on my skin but it was better than the feeling of nothingness.
I got out quickly and dressed in my cleanest shirt and some plain pants. I jogged down the steps and out the door of the apartment building to the bus stop. I would jog later when it was cooler.
i rode into the central city and made my way down into one of the food courts scattered around. I walked up to a place simply called Bombay and relaxed when i saw it was hiring. I lifted an eyebrow at the slogan though. "Eat, drink, be saucy." I'm sure it was the laughing stock of all the city kids.
I waited in line for my turn. "Hello, you said you were hiring?"
The guy behind the counter smiled widely and clapped his hands. "Ahhh, yes we are! Just a moment please." He walked through a door on the right and a second person stepped out. His sleeved were rolled up and he had gloves covered in Tikka Masala on.
"Here, lets sit down for a moment and talk. We're shorthanded in the kitchen, I'm the only one right now. The name's Mike." He was freakishly tall and brutish. The kind of guy that could snap me in half, but in a good way.
I licked my lips and sat at the table across from him. "Right. I have some professional kitchen experience and i cook all my meals at home."
He nodded. "Ok, that's a good start. Where was your previous experience?"
I sighed and looked away. "McDonalds."
"That's actually fairly good, if you worked the oil and shit there, that's not easy. Here," He handed me some forms. "Fill these out then come back Monday, our manager will be here and you can talk to him."
I nodded and took the papers as he walked back to the kitchen. That was easy.
I might actually get a job here. Maybe things will change.
I have to change. I have to be ok.
For them.
-
I finished fixing my shirt and left the needle and thread in the cupboard where i kept them. I sighed as my fingers brushed over the box next to sewing kit. I pulled it down and sat on the counter.
I can't open this. Not yet. I'm not worthy yet.
I'll be worthy soon.
The corner of my mouth twitched at the thought. Soon I'll be able to make them proud.