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Haku didn't have much free time. He needed more practice to really learn the magic Yubaaba was teaching him, but between the missions she gave him and the bathhouse to help running, he could scrap maybe an hour or two. And now, he also had to take care of Chihiro.
He huffed and opened his eyes. He couldn't meditate with his thoughts spiralling like that, so he decided to pace around in his room. It helped him, sometimes.
A blue bath token dropped over his desk, with on it a number —17— written in golden letters. His stomach dropped as he grabbed it.
The blue tokens where Yubaaba's idea, after one of Haku's particularly failed missions. To put him to good use, or whatever she said at that moment. He sighed and walked out of his room to head for the second building, which was more of an hotel than anything. Somewhere only the most distinguished guests could stay a few days, and get special services.
He walked to the 17th room and knocked. A rather humanoid spirit opened and welcomed him inside.
"Thank you for your visit, sir."
The knot in Haku's stomach didn't lessen the slightest. He nodded respectfully to the guest and forced a smiled.
"Thank you for calling me."
"The workers told me to use the blue tokens if I wanted. I didn't expect someone so… Young."
I know I look young. I don't know why I was cursed this way.
Haku kept his false smile and shrugged slightly. "Don't worry sir, I can still provide the best."
The spirit smiled and walked to his bed. Haku closed his eyes for a second, collected himself, and followed them.
You need a reminder, boy.
I won't fail again ! I can do better !
Do better with that.
Yubaaba, please !
Don't start pleading now, Haku. You had a chance, a lot of chances, and you failed them all. I run a bathhouse, I don't make money out of thin air, failed tasks and empty begging. I need something concrete, tangible.
The spirit's hands slid under his kariginu, ran up his sides, over his ribs. He shivered under the touch. His clothing was peeled away layer by layer, exposing him to the too-warm air, full of steam from the nearby baths. The spirit exhaled shakily. Haku couldn't bring himself to look at their face.
Their hungry mouth, with too-sharp teeth, latched onto their neck. Maybe they were a leech spirit, or something similar. Their hands were cold and smooth, not really firm, like their body was filled with water. Haku was pushed down on his back, the spirit's mouth kissing its way up to his lips.
"You're shy… I like it when they're like that."
Haku ended up lost in his own head. Like always. Staring up at the ceiling as the contact kept going, the movement never stopped. The noises pushed out of him, cold claws leaving burning trails on his back, an iron grip iron his throat to hold him down as he squirmed, and that pain inside him, through him. Until he was cold and empty because the spirit was done and leaving.
"I look forward to meeting you again, Haku."
Please no.
"Me too, sir."
If the guest tells Yubaaba that Haku did good, maybe she'll stop making him to this.
"Haku !"
He stopped in his steps and turned his head towards Sen running to him. He hoped his collar was high enough to hide the blooming bruises.
"I'm sorry, I mean, sir Haku… Are you alright ?"
No. Please go back and never talk to me again. I don't want you to see me like this.
"I'm fine, Sen. Thank you."
"You look tired…"
"It'll pass." Haku nearly pushed Sen out of his way and hurried to the boilers room. He didn't look back at her confused face. He didn't want to be up, in the open, and take the time to explain her. No one could know.
Kamajii barely reacted when Haku stumbled into the boiler room and curled up at his feet. A pat on the head while fetching a handful of herbs, a blanket tucked around his shoulders, a bit of his now cold tea and rice. Kamajii was the only one Haku told explicitly what was happening. The man was confused at first, he got orders to forward any blue tags he might receive directly to Haku. He looked genuinely affected when the dragon told him why it was happening.
Haku was certain the whole bathhouse knew, sometimes he'd have bruises all over his neck for days, or he'd limp quite heavily. No one talked to him about it though.
Someone opened the sliding door, and he cowered tighter. It was Lin, with a bucket full of kompeitou. She did her best to ignore him as she fed the soot sprites. She's used to see him here, more often than not bruised black and blue while Kamajii's tending to him. She was still wary of him, leaving as quickly as she could when she was done unless Kamajii needed her for more.
"Lin." The girl looked at the old man. "I'm a bit more hungry today."
"We don't have that much rice for you and your protégé."
"… I'm pretty sure he didn't eat all afternoon."
Lin huffed and took the empty bowls. "I'll see what I can do."
The sliding door shut back in place as she left.
"… A rough one today ?" Kamajii didn't look away from the herbs he was grinding to ask him that question.
"No."
"Kid, I receive the blue tags before you do. I know what they asked for."
"They didn't go as rough as they implied…"
One of Kamajii's fingers pushed his collar down, just enough to see the bruises. Haku looked away.
"You're sure you don't want an ointment ?"
"… Not right now."
The man nodded and turned back to grinding herbs. Haku closed his eyes and fell asleep here, rocked by the sound of the furnace.