Summary:
Dedicated to AO3 reader @HY89 for her birthday (belatedly), and posted to make up for all of the missed days of celebration this year!
~oooOooo~
Mathan had little time to gather his thoughts on the short trip to Sven's room, taking a moment before knocking to compose himself, knowing that he could not just kill the man and be done with it. Closing his eyes and counting to five, Mathan knocked firmly on the rare wooden door and waited for Sven to answer, his hands in fists behind his back.
Looking down at his watch Sven mused; it didn't take the guard dog long to come barking at his door. Throwing a grin at Misha, he nodded for her to open it and let the man in.
"What can I do for you this fine snowy afternoon, Mr. Foley?" Sven inquired as he leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs, making himself look very relaxed and almost boneless.
"Where is Jimin?" Mathan hissed as he entered and looked around. "And what business do you have with Kim Taehyung?"
"I hardly think it is any of your business what I do with my property," Sven said in a warning tone, "but if you must know...Jimin broke the rules and now he is being punished for it."
Completely ignoring Mathan's question about Taehyung because he knew it got under the man's skin, Sven took out a thin cigar and lit it.
"Jimin isn't property," Mathan scolded. "And he isn't some child. How do I know you haven't slit his throat and left him to bleed out because you got bored or somehow broke him already?"
It wasn't lost on Mathan that Sven was trying to mind-fuck him as well, he just wasn't going to let it work. The asshole seemed to have forgotten that Mathan had met monsters far worse than his adolescent ass.
Mathan had met Sven's sire many times before. Was still haunted by the devil in his dreams.
Straightening in the chair Sven waved Misha out of the room. When the female guard was gone he let the mask of civility drop from his face.
"Jimin made the error of touching something he shouldn't have. If he were any less than my private jewel I would have removed his hand for the trespass he committed. However, I did not wish to further mar his perfection, and indeed I have use for the very hand that did the deed, so I have sent him into isolation until he learns his lesson. A few days away and he'll be begging for my attention. He is resting comfortably and unharmed in any way, in the smaller suite next door. You are more than welcome to check on him, if you like?"
Mathan eyed the man with severe distrust. He knew better than to trust a rat.
"What did you do to Taehyung?" he growled, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Giving a sad, put-upon sigh, Sven stood and walked to the large mirror by his bed. He took his time going over his appearance before zeroing in on Mathan's reflection.
"I did nothing to the young man," Sven replied, his tone dangerously level. "I simply wished to have a conversation with him. All perfectly innocent, and within my right, Mr. Foley."
Turning around to face Mathan, Sven set the trap and waited to see if the American would walk into it.
"Jimin has been a little lonely lately...I haven't been able to give him as much of my attention as he deserves," Sven said, sounding regretful. "Perhaps you would be interested in coming to an agreement?"
"I don't make deals with scum like you," Mathan said, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "Your kind never seems to keep their word. As for your pet...maybe you should learn how to take care of such things lest they run away again..."
Sven felt his whole body clench and it was only through sheer will from Sven and luck on Mathan's part that Sven did not pull out his gun and end the conversation with a bullet between the American's eyes for poking the bear.
Giving Mathan his coldest smile he spoke.
"Not even if it allows Jimin to spend time with his beloved Jungkook or his brothers?"
Mathan locked in on that. Everything in him screamed 'no'; told him it was a trap, but his heart was screaming 'yes'. Countless times the others had asked about their brother and every time Mathan had not been able to provide an honest or comforting answer. It had already begun to take a toll.
"Try me," Mathan said dryly, trying to conceal his sparked interest in the devil's offer.
Leaning back against the dresser and crossing his ankles, Sven presented the appearance of a man at ease, but on the inside, he was laughing in triumph. He knew from past conversations with Dorian that Mathan's fatal flaw was his desire to protect those he saw as weaker. And it was that desire that would ultimately lead to his destruction. Sven would enjoy every step that Mathan took towards it.
"A very simple trade. An hour of Kim Taehyung's time and in return, whichever member of Bangtan Sonyeondan that you choose gets that hour of Park Jimin's time."
"No," Mathan said immediately as his mind raged and his heart broke. He couldn't offer Taehyung up in such a way... he just couldn't. "Absolutely not."
Mathan worried that Taehyung would somehow end up the bargaining chip. If Sven was so willing to let Jimin go without condition, it meant that something had indeed happened between Taehyung and Sven... and that Sven wanted more. The very idea made Mathan's stomach turn.
"It is only an hour of time, Mr. Foley. Nothing happens in one hour. I am only speaking of conversation... perhaps a bit of food but...nothing more. All terribly innocent. I wouldn't dream of harming a hair on that angel's head." Sven laughed suddenly. "Which I must say has grown back rather quickly. The cue ball look just didn't suit him."
"I could split you beyond repair in an hour, Ivchenko," Mathan growled. "No pleasantries or conversation required."
Sven grinned at Mathan.
"Why Mr. Foley, are you propositioning me for an afternoon of entertainment? Although I would have to turn you down. I prefer my lovers a little softer..."
Turning deadly serious Sven moved back to his chair and sat down.
"Tick-tock, Mr. Foley. This offer is only on the table for a short time and my patience is running thin. Why don't you look in on my jewel while you consider the offer - see that all is as I said it would be. Once you are satisfied, come back and we can discuss the proposition further, hmm? "
Mathan narrowed his eyes at Sven. He would NEVER agree to such a deal, but he was thankful for the respite; he desperately needed to see Jimin for himself.
"Fine," he huffed. "Give me five minutes alone with him and I will give you an answer..."
"Step next door, Mr. Foley. That is where he is. Gregor will be happy to open the door for you." Sven waved a hand dismissively at the wall connecting his suite with the smaller one.
Mathan glared at the man before exiting the room and going to the next one over.
"Your master said to let me in, dog," Mathan growled at the guard, disgusted by the pride these drones took in serving the Ivchenko's.
Gregor said nothing as he smiled and opened the door.
Jimin jerked from sleep at the sound of the door opening, his terrified mind sure that it was Sven. But as his sleep dazed eyes cleared and he saw the large man at the door he almost couldn't contain his joy. He stood from the bed quickly for having just awoken, but froze when he saw his master's guard still there.
"Get the fuck out, Gregor," Mathan growled, refusing to take his eyes off of Jimin. "The deal was five minutes just him and I..."
The guard looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Snarling in Mathan's direction, Gregor gave one final look at Jimin before he backed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
As soon as the guard was gone, Mathan pulled Jimin to him, looking him over, spinning him around, searching for any further signs that he had been harmed.
"What has he done to you?" Mathan whispered, his heart breaking at the sight before him.
Jimin was broken. It was easy to tell. His eyes - they were just empty, like his soul had left his body, leaving behind a pretty little shell to dress up. He was changed and Mathan worried if it was irrevocable. This man needed and the reality of that was so painful, Mathan almost couldn't bear it. Seeing Jimin like this, hollow and empty... lifeless, almost made the deal that devil had offered him worth it.
Jimin pulled away from Mathan, his eyes on the floor as he shook his head.
"I am not supposed to talk about that...," he said as he slowly shook his head. "Ma-master...doesn't hurt me. As long as I am good, he takes care of me. Takes care of my brothers."
"Jimin," Mathan tried.
"I can't tell you, Mathan-ah! I can't tell you! I can't...I can't tell...I can't tell you...I can't te--"
With each refusal Jimin's voice rose until it was almost a scream. He reached out for Mathan, dug his fingers into Mathan's arms as tears of desperation and fear fell from his eyes. All Jimin really wanted to do was beg the man to take him back to his family; but he knew that the guard would be reporting every word they spoke to Sven.
Mathan looked at Jimin in horror, unsure of what to do or even say.
"Shhh..." Mathan said, trying to calm Jimin down, stop his yelling, get him to breathe. "You don't have to tell me."
It took him a moment of searching Jimin's countenance, looking and seeing no spark or light, for Mathan to decide that his deal with the devil was complete.
"The others want to see you," he said softly. "They're really worried about you..."
"I want to see them too..." Jimin whispered as he looked at the floor. "But he...he would never let me! Not...not unless... Master can't trust me to be good and stay quiet like I'm supposed to..."
Jimin seemed to come back to himself then, looking up at Mathan with wide, innocent eyes.
"You could talk to them for me! Tell them how much I miss them. Tell them I'm trying to be good!" Jimin trailed off as he worried his lip. "Sometimes it's so hard..."
"Sven will let you see them, Jimin," Mathan said, tone low but firm. "Just you and them. Only one at a time but...no one will know what you speak of."
Mathan would never tell that he was about to agree to Taehyung's torture in order for the man before him to have a few moments of happiness. The burden would be too great.
In his jaded state, Jimin wanted to believe what Mathan was telling him. But how could he possibly tell this man of all the times that Sven had promised him that if he was good, if he did what he was told, if he behaved a certain way, that he would be allowed to spend time with them - his brothers?
In the end they were only empty words from a monster who enjoyed seeing him on his knees.
There were no more words as the door opened and Gregor stepped back in.
"Master Sven is waiting."
Mathan looked at Jimin one last time, wishing he could say more, but knowing that wouldn't be a good thing to do. Turning away he checked Gregor with his shoulder on his way out, pounding on Sven's door and waiting to be let in.
"I trust that you had a lovely visit with Jimin and found that all is well?" Sven said as Misha let Mathan in. "Is it safe to assume that we have a deal, Mr. Foley?"
There were so many things that Mathan wanted to say but he knew each of them was unwise.
"When does this start?" he asked, agreeing with the man in a roundabout way.
A sweet smile crossed Sven's face as he nodded at Mathan's agreement.
"Even though Jimin is being punished we mustn't be too harsh with him. Is tomorrow too soon? Kim Taehyung and I will enjoy a nice lunch while you chose one of his brothers for Jimin to meet with. A word of warning though, Mr. Foley. Remember who that jewel belongs to."
Mathan mock vomited at Sven's words.
"I like my lovers a bit rougher than that," he mocked. "So you really have no reason to worry. Noon work for the exchange?"
"Noon is fine, Mr. Foley. Although I wonder now at your interest in Kim Seokjin. He doesn't strike me as the rough type." Sven laughed as he turned away from Mathan and booted up his laptop. "Do show Mr. Foley out, will you Misha..."
Mathan growled at Sven's back, glaring at Misha and leaving on his own. Once safely down the hallway he punched the nearest wall he could find, relishing in the pain that splintered through his knuckles at the contact. Hanging his head and blowing out a sigh Mathan took a deep breath, added to his mental list of sins that would keep him in hell, and slowly made his way down the hall to make a report to Bangtan Sonyeondan on the status of their brother, deciding to keep the negotiations of the meetings secret for now.