Soon. In a matter of moments. They would leave the office and look at the lineup. Then he would go upstairs with the man. To his bedroom. The light spilling in from the windows brighter than a moment ago. A cloud must have moved off the sun. His throat felt so dry – good think he had something to drink upstairs. Something that would help the ice drive deeper, make him feel almost like he was dreaming.<br/><br/><em>"I would, very much so, be appreciative of not touching Atticus unless he, himself, indicates that it is fine."</em><br/><br/>Atticus blinked and couldn’t keep himself from looking at the Master for a moment. He sounded sincere. But he couldn’t be. He couldn’t want to make him a whore of novelty and keep him untouched. He wished the man had let him be privy to the plan so he might play the part better.<br/><br/>However, he had not been, and he didn’t have the luxury to complain. Not when he had been given so much by Master Ryan already. And if he could not do this – if he could not please one client after six months of employment... but he would. He would do anything. Everything. And the lordling would be happy and Master Ryan would be too, and Atticus would be too because he would be back in his place in the world. Only, he didn’t believe it. Didn’t believe he would be happy. He didn’t want to be a whore.<em>Oh, stupid, stupid Louis, what else could you possibly be?</em><br/><br/>He looked away from Master Ryan the moment he started to look back and moved away, careful not to broadcast his anger, trying only to be seen as civil and obedient because he was staff, whatever the fuck he was or pretending to be. He walked across the room and opened the door, holding it open for the three to walk through first.<br/>