Star in a Silent Sy

Henry was on the verge of enacting the rescue mission when, after three days, Aster finally appeared at the coffee shop. He was waiting outside in the early morning fog, back against the brick wall. He was smoking his usual brand of cigarettes. Turning his head, Aster spotted Henry and smiled. Henry felt his stomach drop as he saw Aster's black eye. Looking around the parking lot, Henry walked past Aster and quickly unlocked the door before pulling Aster inside.

"What happened?" Henry couldn't help but reach out and brush his fingers against the purple yellowish skin above Aster's cheek. Aster turned away and stared at the floor.

"Thanks for opening the shop for me." Aster then pushed past Henry and headed toward his office. Henry grabbed his wrist and found Aster was trembling "I'm fine."

"You're not." Henry let go of Aster's wrist.

Aster's shoulders shook as he tried to hold back the sobs. The back of his throat burned. Tears overflowed and Aster couldn't stop them. He wiped at his eyes but they just kept coming. Suddenly warm strong arms were around him. Even though Aster knew Trenton would be furious, he let Henry hold him.

"Samantha will be here soon, let's go to your office." Henry said gently as he helped Aster toward his small office.

When Aster was sitting in his chair, Henry knelt beside him and took Aster's shaking hands in his own. Henry didn't know what to say. He wanted to ask questions. Demand answers. Mostly, he wanted to hold Aster and tell him that everything would be okay. However, he knew better. Everything wouldn't be okay. Aster was in over his head and Henry didn't know how to pull him out.

Aster wiped away the tears with his sleeve before taking a shuddering breath. He looked down at Henry and gave him a shaky smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks. I'm okay."

"Aster, what happened?" Henry asked softly.

"I can't tell you." Aster said. He chuckled darkly and put a finger to his lips. "It's a secret."

Henry's stomach clenched. He already knew too much. Still, he couldn't bring himself to tell Aster what he knew. Aster was doing his best to keep Henry safe. Clenching his jaw, Henry squeezed Aster's hands.

"If you need anything, anything at all, just ask." Henry then stood up and ruffled Aster's hair. "I'll help Samantha open up. Just rest this morning."

With that, Henry was gone and Aster was staring at a closed door. He let out a sigh and stared up at the ceiling. Soon, the smell of coffee seeped into the office and Aster was at peace for the first time in four days. Despite the discomfort of the office chair, Aster's exhausted body melted into the chair and he fell asleep.

Henry felt more at ease now that Aster was safely back in the coffee shop. Still, he knew that when the time came for Aster to return home, he'd be returning to Trenton. His head throbbed.

"Hey. Hello? Earth to Henry!" Samantha called out, waving her hand in front of Henry's face.

"Huh? What?" Henry blinked.

"I was asking you if Aster was back. You've been standing in front of his office for, like, five minutes." Samantha looked over Henry's shoulder to the closed door.

"Yeah. He's back, but he's not feeling too well." Henry sighed. Truth be told, he wasn't feeling too well either.

"Okay. Just come out and help me. The rush is about to start." Samantha turned and headed to the front of the shop. Henry had to get it together. Putting on his apron, he left to help Samantha.

Aster didn't leave his office till the morning rush had ended and there was a lull in customers. He stepped out of the back with a forced smile. He couldn't quite fake his usual peaceful demeanor. Samantha faltered when she saw the bruise around Aster's eye.

"Woah, boss, what happened?" She asked. "Did you get into a fight?"

"Kind of. You should see the other guy." Aster pushed himself to laugh despite wanting to throw up. "Just kidding. I fell while out for a hike. You should have seen this hill. Practically a mountain. It's amazing I didn't break something."

Samantha laughed. "You should be more careful."

"I will. Hey, Henry, do you have a second?" Aster asked, seemingly casual as ever.

"Yeah." Henry nodded to the back then followed Aster to his office.

"Do you have my keys on you?" Aster asked, leaning against his desk.

"M-hm." Henry nodded and fished the keys out of his pocket. He dropped them into Aster's hand and watched as Aster gripped the keyring tightly.

"Thanks for opening the shop for the past few days. It didn't interfere with your classes, did it?" Aster asked.

"Nope." Henry looked at the ground between them. In truth, he'd barely made it to several of his classes this past week. His mind had been elsewhere. That was why he couldn't look Aster in the eye.

"That's a relief." Aster let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I understand if you want a couple days off."

"No." Henry said, jaw tightening. Inconvenience? This went deeper and was more complex than a mere inconvenience. Still, despite the heavy workload recently, Henry found himself wanting to be with Aster. He needed to see with his own eyes that Aster was alive and breathing. Each day he'd been held in suspense was hell. "I'll be back this afternoon for my usual shift."

"Okay. You can head out now." Aster said, smiling. He seemed oblivious to Henry's feelings. That was good. Henry couldn't complicate things further with these unidentifiable emotions.

**

When Henry returned to the cafe, Aster was in the front wiping down tables. There was a singular customer dressed in a brown suit staring at Aster as he cleaned. Aster didn't seem bothered by it, so Henry clocked in like usual.

"Heya boss." Henry said as he stepped out of the back, tying his apron.

"Henry!" Aster jumped as he heard his employee's voice. "Sorry, you just startled me."

"No worries." He said, walking up to Aster. "What can I do?"

"Go in back and take stock of the pantry. Since I've been gone for a few days, I need to know what to order." Aster said, nodding to the back.

"You've got it." Henry said, once again eyeing the customer who was now inspecting his drink.

When Henry was in the back, he checked the order logs and the current stock. It was something he had done a hundred times, so why did it feel like Aster was trying to get rid of him? He shook his head. The bell above the door rang and then Aster came into the back of the shop. He looked shaky.

"Hey, you okay?" Henry asked, walking over to Aster.

"Yeah. Peachy." Aster lied.

In truth, everything was getting to him. Not only was he being sexually tortured by Trenton, he was under near-constant surveillance. More than anything, the thing that haunted Aster the most was that he had begun to give in to Trenton. He shook his head, trying to bring himself out of the memories.

"Seriously, Aster, what is going on?" Henry asked, eyes pleading.

"I can't tell you." Aster shook his head.

"You can." Henry took a step closer.

"I really, really can't." Aster said as he looked up at Henry. He was such a nice young man. Aster couldn't and wouldn't drag him into this.

"Aster, I-" Henry was cut off by the bell above the door. Aster ran off to see to the customer and left Henry alone. Henry waited for a moment then sighed before going back to his job.

The rest of the night was surprisingly busy, but Henry waited patiently for a chance to speak to Aster alone. Finally, the last customer left and Henry flipped the open sign to closed and locked the front door. Turning, he caught sight of Aster hurrying toward his office. Henry followed.

"Aster, I need you to tell me what's going on so that I can help you." He said.

"I already told you, I can't." Aster said, irritated.

"Aster, I know about Trenton Ortens." Henry finally admitted. Aster's eyes went wide. "I know that he's the king of the underground here and runs this city. I get it; you're in over your head. Let me help you."

"You can't." Aster shook his head.

"I can if you'd let me." Henry said, now walking over to Aster. He took Aster's hands in his own.

"I-..." Aster opened his mouth but no sounds would come out. He didn't know what to say or where to start. His eyes welled up with tears as everything came rushing back to him.

"Hush, it's okay." Henry said, taking Aster into his arms. Aster closed his eyes and clung to Henry. He smelled of vanilla and coffee and bread. Henry smelled like home. Aster calmed down somewhat.

"I don't know where to start." Aster said.

"That's okay." Henry looked down at Aster and thought him so frail in his arms.

"I don't know what you'll think of me when you learn..." Aster trailed off, now looking at the floor.

"Don't worry about that. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Come on, let's go to your office and you can tell me everything." Henry said before leading Aster into his office. Aster sat in his chair and sighed. Henry pulled up a chair beside him. He waited till Aster was ready to speak.

"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I ended up seeing something I shouldn't have seen. Then, well, I got taken by Trenton." Aster said. "He's kept me these past few days. I'm lucky to have been able to come back here."

"Where were you?" Henry asked.

"At his house, mostly. Then we were in a hotel for a few nights." Aster admitted, his eyes downcast.

"What did he...do?" Henry hesitantly asked.

"Everything?" Aster laughed bitterly. "He made me his 'pet'."

Henry swallowed hard. "We need to go to the police."

"No." Aster replied flatly. "They can't help me."

"But, if we-" Aster cut off Henry.

"No. Henry, he owns the police." Aster said. "They can't help me. No one can."

Henry's heart broke for Aster. He knew he was right. Trenton Ortens was not a man to be trifled with. He thought of what to do, then was startled by a pounding knock at the back door to the cafe.

"That's him." Aster immediately stood up.

"Don't go to him." Henry said, but Aster was already out the office door. He followed behind and watched as Aster opened the door for Trenton.

Trenton looked around the cafe with keen appraisal. Then, his eyes fell on Henry. He glared. His voice was low as he spoke to Aster. "Are you done yet?"

"Almost." Aster said, glancing back at Henry. "Will you go and clean out the grinders? I'll be there in a minute."

Henry grit his teeth but nodded and left Aster and Trenton alone. He couldn't hear what they said to each other, but knew it couldn't be good. Nothing that came from that man was good. After a moment, Aster came to help Henry finish cleaning. They were silent as they cleaned, both unwilling to speak more now that Trenton was here.

When they were done, Aster said good night to Henry then locked the back door before heading to a black SUV. Henry recognized the license plate as the same one from the surveillance video. He bit back his rage as he headed home.

Aster had been in his arms. He had let Henry in. Now, Henry was more driven than ever to rescue Aster from Trenton. He would just have to wait until the right time. Opening his cell, Henry called Stork.

**

"You're going to fire him." Trenton said as Aster settled into his seat beside him in the car.

"What?" Aster said.

"That brat with the ponytail. Henry. Fire him." Trenton said.

"I can't. There's no reason to fire him, especially after he took on extra morning shifts to open the shop." Aster reasoned.

Trenton frowned, his mouth in a hard line. "He's going to be trouble."

"No, he won't. I promise." Aster said, wringing his hands.

"And if he is?" Trenton's knuckles brushed over Aster's cheek.

"I'll take responsibility, of course." Aster said, not knowing he was stepping into a trap.

"How?" Trenton brushed a curl out of Aster's face.

"I..." Aster paused.

"Will you let me fuck that sweet ass of yours?" Trenton smiled wickedly.

"Fine." Aster rolled his eyes.

"Then it's a deal; if Henry becomes a problem, then I get to fuck your ass." Trenton grinned as he pulled Aster onto his lap. Aster felt like he was making a deal with the devil. "Seal it with a kiss?"

Aster bit back a sharp reply and then nodded. He kissed Trenton quickly. Trenton pulled him back in for a lingering kiss that sent a tingle straight to Aster's core. Aster tried to pull back, but to no avail. Slowly, he gave in to the kiss and let it warm him.

Aster was grateful when they returned home and Trenton let him off his lap. He now knew the way to Trenton's room by memory and didn't need a guide as he climbed the stairs. Trenton followed behind, amused. When they were inside the room, Trenton pulled Aster to him.

"You smell so good, I just want to eat you up." Trenton whispered in Aster's ear before nipping at his earlobe. He caught the ring of the left lobe in his teeth and tugged. "Can I eat you, pet?"

Aster was going to snap at him and say no when he remembered Trenton's warnings. He swallowed his pride yet again. "Yes master."

"Strip." Trenton commanded.

Aster pulled off his shirt, followed by his pants, socks, and boxers. He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for Trenton's next command. Trenton knelt in front of Aster and spread his thighs wide. He gripped Aster's hips and pulled him to the very edge of the bed before lowering his head and licking Aster's slit.

Aster bit his lip as he watched Trenton lick over his nether lips then sink his tongue lower to tease the opening of his channel. Trenton then licked over Aster's distended clit and was rewarded with a shaky gasp. Aster closed his eyes as Trenton began to delve into his sex, licking and nipping at Aster's wet swollen flesh.

Leaning back, Aster ran his fingers through Trenton's dark hair. He bit his lip as Trenton sucked his clit and drove him further into pleasure. When Aster was nearing the precipice of his orgasm, Trenton pulled away. Aster grunted in dismay as Trenton smiled at him.

Trenton stood and pushed Aster back on the bed before gripping his calves and raising his legs before slipping between. He slid his cockhead against Aster's opening before sinking into him up to the hilt. Aster gasped out as he felt suddenly full. He reached out and braced himself on Trenton's forearms as Trenton began to thrust into Aster.

Aster couldn't help the moans as Trenton drove into him again and again. He was lost to pleasure. It felt too good to lose himself in Trenton and leave everything else behind in search of an orgasm. He moaned again as Trenton reached the deepest parts of him.

Trenton watched with rapt attention as Aster moved in tandem with his own thrusts. His hips bucked into Trenton, taking him harder and deeper. Trenton breathed him in. He was a sweet cup of strong coffee overlaying a spring meadow. A morning hike. He was humanity and nature so beautifully blended.

"Open your eyes." Trenton ordered.

Aster's pale green eyes flew open and focused on Trenton's dark eyes. They were locked in an intimate gaze with only the sound of heavy breathing and the slapping of skin between them. Aster felt his orgasm rising, slowly building to a crescendo. Trenton drank in every move of Aster's body as he tensed then slumped with the rise and ebb of his climax. He drove through Aster's orgasm and took his pleasure from Aster's body. He then came inside of Aster and shot his load deep inside, washing Aster's insides with cum.

"Good boy." Trenton slid Aster back on the bed before helping him to his feet. He pulled him into his arms and kissed the top of his head.

Trenton then led Aster to the bathroom where they showered before returning to bed. Aster hated that he was progressively giving in to Trenton. He wondered how long he would be able to hold out before Trenton won over even his heart. Trenton had already taken over Aster's body and made it respond to Trenton's every touch.

Trenton pulled Aster close and Aster yawned. He was tired. Trenton looked down at Aster and gently stroked his face. Too far gone, Trenton looked lovingly at Aster's sleepy face. He thought of the coffee shop and the troublesome employee, Henry. Trenton was sure that today would not be the last time he saw Henry.

**

Despite being granted the promised days off, Henry couldn't help himself from dropping into the coffee shop on his way back from his classes. He was doing poorly in school and needed to see Aster was okay before he went home and delved into the work that had piled up. When he showed up, Elle was working the front of house while Aster worked in the back. She nodded to him as he sat at the counter and ordered his usual latte.

As Henry waited for Elle to make his drink, he looked through the window to the back where Aster was bobbing his head to the music that was playing. Henry smiled. Maybe Aster was handling things better than he thought. Henry bit the inside of his cheek. How could he think that? Aster needed his help and he felt powerless to do so.

"Here you go." Elle said as she set down Henry's latte. She then lowered her voice. "Do you know what's been going on with Aster?"

Henry shrugged and averted his eyes. "Who knows?"

Elle eyed him suspiciously then sighed before moving on to the next customer. Henry stared into his cup and thought about what had been plaguing his mind for the past few days; Aster and Trenton. He was lost deep in thought for a while before he noticed someone was standing in front of him.

"You look like you can use these days off, huh?" Aster said, leaning against the counter.

"Yeah. Well, it will give me some more time for homework." Henry sighed and then looked up at Aster. Already the bruise around his eye was fading. Still, it made Henry wince. Aster glanced away. "I was just stopping by for some caffeine before going home, so don't worry about me."

"It's on the house." Aster said. "It's the least I could do after everything."

"You still haven't told me." Henry lowered his voice so that the other customers couldn't hear.

"You don't wanna know." Aster shook his head.

"Come on, let me in. I want to help." Henry pleaded. His hand covered Aster's. He felt like he was going mad.

Aster glanced around the shop then nodded to the back. "Alright. I guess I owe you the story."

Henry breathed out a sigh of relief before abandoning his coffee and following Aster to the back of the cafe. Aster waited for Henry to enter his office before he locked the door behind him. Aster groaned and rubbed his hands over his face then through his curly lavender locks. He leaned against the door and bit his lip for a moment before speaking.

"Okay. Alright. This bruise was an accident. I know that sounds bad, but believe me. Trenton was defending me against a guy who was harassing me. Kind of? He beat the shit out of this homophobe." Aster began to ramble. "Anyway, I got elbowed when I tried to pull him off the guy."

"That bruise? There are others?" Henry asked, voice tight. Aster looked down at his hands which were fluttering like nervous birds trying to find a perch.

"I guess?" Aster said, resisting the urge to touch his neck.

Henry tensed his fists and tried to quell the rage burning inside of him. Being angry right now wouldn't help either of them. He took a deep breath then walked over to Aster. "Can I hug you?"

"What?" Aster asked, surprised. Then, the question registered. He considered the man in front of him. Henry. Warm, kind, Henry. Aster nodded "Yeah."

With that said, Henry wrapped his arms around Aster and pulled him in close. He didn't know if it was for his comfort or for Aster's, but it felt right. Aster buried his face in Henry's chest. He breathed in the scent of him. He was warm wood. Cedar? Aster closed his eyes.

"I'll get you out." Henry promised.

"Don't put yourself in danger for me." Aster protested, pulling back to look at Henry. "He will kill you."