Chapter Text
When Noiz was younger, he did as he pleased. This had been evident to everyone around him, which was only part of the reason that he terrified them. In the past, Noiz had been in numerous brawls. Most of which he started, and finished accordingly. There’d been a few times where he’d almost beat someone to death, only to stop when someone had decided to call the police. He’d been caught a couple times, receiving a slap on the wrist. For the most part it didn’t phase him. It just made him more careful.
Noiz was, and is, part of one of the most wealthy and influential families in Germany. So of course this didn’t sit well with his parents and their peers. By his 2nd year in middle school, Noiz was locked away. He’d stayed in a room made just for him, a kitchen, a bedroom, a full bath. A tutor would come to teach him each weekday. It had hurt him at first. Emotionally, of course. Noiz had almost no feeling in his body. He had only ever felt very dull pain, most of which was in his tongue. It was a condition that he was diagnosed with at an early age, giving an explanation for his lack of empathy. So for a while he would scream, kick, and destroy everything around him. He had put multiple dents in the door, trashed the sofa, and nearly burned down the house from burning things in the kitchen. Each time he threw a fit, nobody responded to him. Nobody consoled his pained cries, and he was left alone until he fell asleep. That was when the manor staff would swoop in and replace everything, careful not to wake him up. It was hell. So, eventually, Noiz grew quiet. He rarely spoke, rarely ate, and rarely did anything but his required tutoring.
It was only a few years ago that they released him, right when he became a legal adult, immediately placing him in a job at his father’s company. It seemed that word had got out about Noiz’s past, because everyone avoided him for his first few months there. The only person he talked to at work for the first 3 months was his assistant. Eventually, everyone got over the office gossip, deeming it uninteresting. It was then that Noiz began to blend in with the average crowd. He was still very bitter towards his family, barely holding back his violent tendencies after they released him. But now he hid his anguish much better, and assimilated as best as he could. After all, he had no other place on this earth. He had no other credentials, no money, and no relationships. So, despite his feelings, the job was appreciated.
Now, Noiz had a small manor of his own not too far from his office. He employed a small staff comprising of 2 maids, a butler, and a cook. It was quite ideal, but he still felt horribly empty. Yes, he still had a serious beef with his parents, but that wasn’t where these feelings were coming from. For the first time in a long time, he felt lonely.
“Uh…Mr. Noiz? I’m sorry to disturb you but-“
Noiz jerked his head up abruptly. “Ah….” It was Hana, his assistant. That’s when he remembered where he was and what he was doing. Staying late at the office like this was really taking a toll on his sleep schedule.
“I’ve finished organizing the contact list, is it alright if I head out for tonight?” She asked softly, pushing a piece of blonde hair out of her face.
Noiz looked over to the clock on his desk, shocked at how long he was knocked out. He felt a little guilty, it was almost midnight and he’d kept her from her family. “Yes, thank you for your hard work today.” He said in his usual monotone voice. Hana smiled warmly with tired eyes.
Right before she left the threshold of the door she turned to him. “Take care of yourself, okay?” He nodded, softening his gaze just a bit. “Thanks.”
After Hana left, Noiz scrambled to finish the paperwork he was working on prior to dozing off. His assistant was the first person to be kind to Noiz in a very long time. She never tried to avoid him, and didn’t seem to be phased by the rumors that went around in the beginning. She was also the only person he felt any inclination to be nice to. After placing the last of it into a manila envelope, he tapped at the silver coil on his wrist. He checked the time. 1:45. He grumbled, annoyed at his lack of sleep lately. Noiz checked his messages, wanting to get any client emails out of the way before he went home.
Thankfully, there weren’t any business emails, only a spam message. Noiz accidentally clicked on it.
He scowled at the screen, clearly not in the mood for dealing with viruses. The email opened, illuminating bright colors onto Noiz’s face. Right before he could press the trash button, something caught his eye. ‘DISCREET-PROFESSIONAL-TOP GRADE PRODUCT’ read the subject line. It was an email for an auction house. A slave auction house. Noiz gathered that this probably wasn’t spam, it was sent to him on purpose, along with other wealthy bachelors probably. This wasn’t uncommon here, although illegal. He read the rest of the email. Dear Mr. or Ms., blah blah blah blah, -Drinks, dancing, and a wide and top notch selection handpicked for our auction. Blah blah, April 20, 1 AM – 4 AM, blah blah, here is our temporary address- please bring this message with you to the event. Thank you.
April 20th? That’s today isn’t it? He actually considered attending for a moment. It’s close by, only a 30 minute drive…. Besides, he was heading to the bar after this anyways. It was something he’d been doing a lot more often lately. It was bordering alcoholism truthfully. He wasn’t too keen on the whole slave thing, if he wanted to get laid, all he had to do was make a phone call. Noiz was the type to fuck and run, harboring no emotional attachment to his sexual partners. Most of the people he fucked around with were the same in that way. It was a good arrangement.
Truthfully though, Noiz was quite curious. It was rare when anything held his interest for more than 5 minutes, besides work. It was also a bit satisfying to know that he could afford to attend one of these events. Money was never an issue.
He tapped his coil off and stood up from his desk, stretching his body. If he was gonna go, he better go now. He stepped over and pulled his finely tailored jacket off of the wall, putting it on briskly. He buttoned it up with nimble but scarred hands. He had acquired many scars from his childhood endeavors. His lovers said it made him ‘mysterious’ and ‘manly.’ He never found them to be anything but ugly. He grabbed his bag, flipped off the light, and shut his office door behind him. Everyone else had gone home a long time ago. Noiz slipped into the elevator and pressed the ‘1’ button. After the doors opened once again, he walked out into a giant white and gold trimmed lobby. The crystal chandeliers above him twinkled against the harsh fluorescent light. He walked over to the glass front doors and opened them, nodding at the security guards before leaping towards the parking garage. He reached his black Ferrari and unlocked the doors, getting in and starting the ignition. He drove off, checking the address again.
He arrived right before 3 AM, parked in a spot at the back of the building, and headed towards the door. It was in a more rural area and the building was large and metallic looking. He reached the two large and intimidating bouncers, flashing them his invitation. They nodded, opening and closing the tall doors for him. Once inside, the scent of vodka and cinnamon assaulted his senses. All around him were beautiful and expensive looking people, all laughing and dancing with drinks in hand. It was a large foyer, lined with red velvet and silver embellishments. The strawberry blonde wandered in, taking a glass of whiskey from a butler’s tray. He placed the rim to his lips and took a gulp, shoving his other hand in his pant pocket.
Just as he was getting comfortable and mildly buzzed in the far corner, a loud bell sound reverberated through the room. The music was lowered and a short man in a brown tuxedo came down to the platform before the foyer stairs. He was middle-aged and had a very strange aura to him.
“Welcome, honored guests. As you know, it is now 3, which is our cue to begin the auction!” Everyone around him clapped, and some began to leave the building. Do people really come all the way out here just to party? “Thank you to those supplying our items today, you may now leave if you like. Up these stairs to the left are specific auction rooms, please tell the hostess your preferences and keep your checkbook out!” He chuckled and smiled brightly, gesturing people upstairs. Noiz set his drink on a nearby table and followed suit. He wasn’t going to drive all the way back after only three drinks. Honestly. It was strange to him that human beings were referred to as literal items, but what did he expect? He shook off the uncomfortable feeling and was ushered by a hostess into a private room. The woman shut the door behind him and Noiz looked around the room for a moment. These walls were velvet as well, with one large violet arm chair in the center of the small room. Noiz sat down, looking ahead at the clear, glassy wall in front of him. The hostess poured him some champagne and set it on a tray beside Noiz.
“Your preferences, sir?” She asked in a casual tone of voice. How the hell someone could say such things so casually, he didn’t understand. He wondered if the hostesses were ‘items’ as well.
“Er, what do you mean?” He asked in an apprehensive tone.
She looked at him, a bit confused herself. “Is this your first time?”
People do this regularly??? “….Yeah.”
“Ah, no problem sir. Preferences are characteristics such as experience, gender, weight, height, breast and genital size, hair color, ski-“ Noiz quickly interrupted her. “I got it. I don’t have any. Any gender is fine.” He felt a little creeped out when hearing the specifics.
“…I see. Without any specific preferences, I cannot guarantee a perfect match, but perhaps you would be interested in an item that requires a little more care?”
Noiz looked at her quizzically and she continued. “Items that require more care have often been through many masters and mistresses, these are very delicate products. We are always looking for kind young men like you to take care of what purists may call ‘defective,’ you see. But, more often than not, they have much more experience. Therefore make wonderful lovers.” She said, still in that casual tone.
Shit, if I buy someone I’d be practically saving them at this point. He thought to himself, almost scowling.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” Noiz said, monotone and irritated. She perked up at his words visibly.
“Alright sir, I’ll tell them right away. Due to the low demand of these items, you won’t have to worry about bidding. Just tell me when something strikes your fancy.” She smiled at him tightlipped and slipped out of the room for a moment, probably to inform the orchestrator of Noiz’s ‘preference’. Right before she came back into the room, a bright light illuminated behind the glass wall, revealing small stage.
“Due to lack of preference, we will be showing both male and female items.” A male announcer said through the speakers above him. Items. There that is again. Pissing me off. Noiz looked over at the tray holding the now-less-then-bubbly champagne. He took a big gulp, feeling exhausted and annoyed. How the fuck am I supposed to get any sleep tonight? He started doubting his decisions leading up to this. The hostess was now at his side, watching the glass intently. Noiz pressed his elbow against the arm of the chair and rested the side of his head against his hand. Here we go.
“Our first item is 23 years old, hailing from Japan.” The announcer chimed in, and Noiz could feel the sickness in his stomach worsen. A frail, stumbling form entered onto the stage. He could feel the hostess’ intent gaze on him as Noiz watched the ‘item’ behind the glass. The person behind the glass stood, exposing a naked, beaten, and malnourished body. When he raised his head, pieces of azure hair cleared away from his face. He looked worn, and very un-phased by all of this. His eyes were devoid of any fear, any emotion at all really. Noiz’s eyes widened instantly.
“This is a used item, pre-owned by 4 people. Obedient, no diseases, very experienced.” The announcer seemed bored by all of this.
That’s it, I swear to god I can’t take this. “Yeah. That one. Hurry up.” Noiz insisted to the woman beside him. He was already out of the chair, rummaging for his wallet. If he couldn’t bear to look at the pathetic sight before him, how was he supposed to look through a ‘selection’? “Ah, sir, are you sure? He hasn’t even finished the description yet.” She seemed a bit frazzled by the blonde’s sudden decision. “Yeah, just email me a copy. How much? Where can I get him?” He had his wallet opened, counting the cash inside. “Ah, just a moment!” She then pressed a small intercom button by the door and informed the auctioneer. By this point, the newly-purchased slave was yanked off of the stage. “…This way, please.” She opened the door and led Noiz down a long, dark hallway and stop at a set of double doors. “You can pay and pick up your purchase in there, I told them you’d be coming.” She bowed at Noiz and quietly walked down the hallway once again. Noiz rapped on the door a couple times and was let in by a tall bodyguard. He stepped inside the large office, a dark oak desk in the middle.
“Ah, I’m glad you found everything to your liking!” It was that strange old man again. He gestured Noiz to his desk, and he obliged. “Yeah, Thanks.” That was a lie, but you probably shouldn’t insult the owner of a giant slave and prostitution ring. “Wonderful! Ah, and the payment…Oh! Seems you’ve chosen one of our more delicate items…That’ll be 10.5k!” Ten thousand and five hundred dollars for a human’s life. “Is check alright?” He didn’t have that much on him in cash, that’s for sure.
“No problem, I know you’re good for it!” He chuckled in quite an unsettling way. He probably knows who I am. Noiz quickly wrote the check and handed it to him. The portly old man took the check, eyed it closely and flashed another weird smile. He then motioned to two of his bodyguards. They left the room through a side door and returned a few moments later, each of their arms holding up the small frame of his ‘purchase.’ He was now clothed, wearing simple pajamas.
“…What’s his name?” Noiz asked abruptly, eyes going a little wider at the sight. The guy was hunched over, and it was hard to see his face.
“Hm…” The man flipped through some papers and stopped. “Aoba, it seems. Strange name, but he is a foreigner after all! He does speak decent German, thanks to his past owners, so don’t worry! Oh! I almost forgot, we’ve put him under a light sedative for you, a first-time-buyer’s treat!” He said with gusto, as if proud of all of this. Noiz shook off the comment, and walked up to the limp frame cautiously. Those thugs were applying far more pressure than necessary, even a painless freak could recognize that.
“Boys, would you carry him out to Mr. Noiz’s car for me?” Oh hell no. “No. He’s light. I’ll do it.” Noiz insisted firmly. The guards and the auctioneer both looked at him, bewildered. The guards loosened their grip on Aoba, passing him to Noiz carefully. Noiz picked him up bridal-style, still amazed at how light he was. Noiz gripped him firmly to his chest and turned towards the large double doors behind him. “Ooooh! Come again~!” The auctioneer cooed, and the guards opened the doors for Noiz.
He left that place as fast as he could. ‘Come again.’ Like hell that’ll happen. Noiz reached the bottom of the foyer stairs and heaved. He was running way too fast. He then lowered his eyes to Aoba, who was drifting in and out of consciousness. “Fuckers.” He muttered, pushing open the front doors as best as he could. Once outside, he practically leapt to his car, unlocking it quickly. The strawberry blonde opened the passenger door first, gently placing Aoba inside. He clasped his seatbelt for him and shut the door, returning to the driver’s. The whole drive back was a blur, and by the time the car pulled into Noiz’s driveway it was almost 5 AM.
Noiz took the keys from the ignition and shoved them into his pocket. He leaned back in his seat, exhausted and regretful. His eyes shot to the clock on his dashboard. 4:45. “I’ve got work in two hours. Fuck.” He slammed his forehead into the steering wheel. I’m so fucking tired. I’m out 10.5k and now I own someone? What the fuck is wrong with me. That’s so fucking gross. He growled at himself, but froze just a moment later.
It was Aoba. Noiz looked over at him slowly. He was crunched up, sobbing and mumbling in his sleep. Noiz remained frozen. He had no idea how to comfort anyone. He had no idea how to deal with this, no idea how to watch over another human. He could barely manage his own shitty self. He was starting to freak the fuck out. “Aoba…Aoba, wake up.” He urged him, grabbing his frail arm tightly. “AH!” His eyes shot open instantly, tears still running down his face. When Aoba’s terrified eyes met Noiz’s, he cried even harder. “No, stop!” He retracted his hand. Noiz was becoming desperate, his normally stoic and unfeeling demeanor was slowly cracking. Aoba immediately shut his mouth, wiping his eyes frantically.
Was this what the announcer meant by ‘obedient’? “No-I, you can speak.” Noiz furrowed his brow deeply.
“…..Just please kill me.” Aoba’s voice was cracked, pleading, and desperate. His whole life has been absolute hell up to this point. He’d been beaten to the brink of death numerous times, raped, psychologically tortured, you name it. He just wanted peace. “….What? No. Listen to me. I’m not-I’m not going to touch you like that.” Aoba wished he could believe him. He really did. But it was something he’s heard before. He couldn’t trust anyone. “Listen. To. me. I’m not going to kill you. Are you okay to go inside? Do you want food? It’s almost breakfast time…Unless you’re tired. I have guest rooms.” Aoba just crumpled up again and muffled a small ‘Please just kill me’ into his knees. “We need to go inside. Please listen to me.” Aoba stiffened. He knew what that meant. More torture. More pain. More starvation. He tried to look as ugly as he could at the auction house…at least you got to eat there.
Noiz sighed, shoulders heaving from exhaustion. “I won’t touch you. I’ll call a maid to come help you inside. Feel free to do what you like.” Noiz turned on his coil and typed a mass message to his staff. He opened the driver’s side door and got out, grabbing his bag. He looked over to the double doors of his small estate as they opened. It was Janice who was awake, the eldest of the maids. She quickly rushed to the passenger side and nodded at Noiz knowingly. He hadn’t really told her anything, only that he was to be looked after properly. Noiz shut the car door carefully and walked quickly inside, not wanting to disturb Aoba any further tonight.