Taste The Rainbow

His Savoir

His Savior

The little boy sat alone in the desolate corner, eyes rimmed with tears long shed while everyone seemed to ignore him; as if the little boy was nothing more than an invisible creature.

No one questioned why he stayed in the far corner of a church, kneeling with his head in his clasped hands and his elbows resting on his knees. His tears had long since vanished, leaving nothing behind in their wake save for the dried trails and sting in the boy's closed eyes.

As everyone went on with their days, not paying mind to the boy, the boy was doing the only thing he knew: praying. Praying for something even the little boy knew was impossible, but still, the boy repeatedly prayed to his God, hoping to be saved.

He silently prayed for his parents to come back. Prayed for the sound of their voices when they come to him, crying out in joy for finally finding him.

He could feel their arms around him, their voices whispering reassuring words into his ears. He could feel the relief and joy fill him at the knowledge of his parents finally saving him.

But when he opened his eyes, he was forced to crash down, back to reality. No one waited for the boy; no mother, nor father, was hugging him tightly. The voices in his mind, fresh as if they had moments ago been speaking, disappeared. The little boy was met with silence; was met with the knowledge that he was alone. Completely alone.

"I am alone." The little boy had uttered softly into the empty air, his small voice hollow. A child, no more than six years old, was supposed to be enjoying life, but instead was devoid of any emotion.

And it stayed that way. Those three words the little boy had uttered had become his life, the very definition of his being.

~ ~ ~

Ten years later, the boy was still alone, still reminded every day when he went back to the long since abandoned church to sleep for the night. The boy, now a man, was nothing more than a shell, attempting to stay alive by degrading means, out of pure human instinct.

"Mm, you're so tight, little slut." The man moaned into the boy's ear, his hot breath like acid against the boy's skin. Though the boy, long forgetting what he's supposed to feel, merely closed his eyes, and left the place in favor of praying once again to God for a savior.

"How much?" The man, no older than possibly thirty, who looked more like an old man, grumbled to the boy who is forced to come crashing back to reality when he realized the man was finished with him.

"Whatever you have." The boy had replied hollowly, already over the encounter and decoding of the next place he wants to roam to. The man handed the boy no more than one hundred American dollars, not near enough to do more than buy some food for the month. The boy didn't care though, he took the man's money and left without another word, already migrating over to a new street block.

The boy straightened his too-tight shirt, zipped his ripped jeans, and cleared his throat of the disgusting cotton ball, hoping to get the taste out of his mouth soon.

While attempting to make himself presentable, even possibly attractive, a black car pulled up in front of him. The boy looked at the car's tinted windows in interest, for he had never seen a car this nice in this crummy neighborhood full of mostly drug addicts and ex-cons. So of course, the boy was immediately suspicious.

The boy had the very rare run-in with the law, though not serious in any manner, the boy still was suspicious of this ostentatious car, and the mystery driver. The window nearest the boy rolls down, allowing warm air to escape the window and cause the boy to shiver when he realizes only now how cold it is.

The boy, lured in by the warmth provided by the car, leans into the window to get a better look at what must be his new client.

The man inside is wearing a perfectly fitted black suit, his pitch black hair is neat atop his head, his blue eyes watching the boy.

"What's your name?" The man asks in greeting, surprising the boy. No one had ever asked his name before, not that anyone wanted to know the name behind the face. No, all his clients ever called him were w***e, slut, fagget. He couldn't recall a time when his clients called him anything but those names that had been seared into his mind for all eternity. For no more than a moment, the boy had nearly told the mysterious man that his name was w***e, slut; but the boy knew a moment later that the man wanted a real name.

"Jason," the boy replies, that being the first name to come to mind; after he says this, the boy wonders where the name had come from, a book possibly? Or perhaps he heard it on the street. In reality, he couldn't possibly remember his given name; he long forgot that part of his life, remembering nothing more from his past save for all the nights spent in the church praying to God.

"Jason," the man repeats as if testing the name on his lips to see if he likes it. The man seems to nod before he hits the unlock button on his door to unlock all four doors of the car. "I'm Colton Thronston. Why don't you hop in? You look quite cold." The man notes, his voice is soft to the boy's ears.

The boy, now formally known as Jason from this moment on, slides into the warm car. Jason couldn't possibly remember the last time he was in a car and could be sure he had never been in a car this nice in his entire sixteen years. His clients never allow him in their cars, they always opt to complete business in deserted alleys.

So his ride in the car was unexpected, though he was grateful for the warmth. Jason had only two articles of clothing on not counting his holly tennis shoes; a t-shirt that may hug his skin but gives little warmth, and a pair of holly jeans he found in the church a little over four years ago.

"How old are you, Jason?" The man, Colten, had asked, breaking the silence in the warm car. Jason didn't register the Colten's words, not fully realizing the man was actually calling him by his new name rather than by the usual names spit at him while his clients do as they please with his body. When the question did sink in, Jason didn't fully know how to answer that.

He knew not of his birthday, of his identity. He only speculated how old he was, he didn't know for sure though. However, again his words stumble out before they register with his sluggish mind.

"Sixteen," Jason had mumbled, focusing his attention on Colten who continued to drive through a part of the city Jason was not familiar with.

Again the man repeats Jason's words; "Sixteen."

"So young," Colten seems to murmur to himself rather than to Jason, who is barely even paying mind to Colten and instead watches the weird, new sights pass him by in a blur.

It's only when the car stops at what seems to be a back-alley that Jason realizes how stupid he was being for paying no mind to Colten, for assuming this ride was a mere nicety extended by Colten out of sheer pity.

Of course, this isn't a free ride. Jason hears himself sneer in his closed off mind. He knows nothing is ever free, but he's still sore from his earlier client, still tastes the older man's disgusting seed in the back of his throat.

Though, Jason knew from experience that it's best to get these things over with quick, that way he can get back to his home in his own personal church. With those thoughts, Jason unclasps his seat belt and starts to bend down so his mouth is level with Colten's groin.

"What are you doing?" Colten gasps when Jason gets into the rightful position. Jason stares up at Colten in confusion.

"I'm paying you back for the ride," Jason answers, his voice as emotionless as he felt inside. Colten looked sick to his stomach at Jason's reply, or possibly angry, Jason couldn't tell.

"No," Colten managed to reply, pushing Jason away from his body gently. Jason couldn't help but feel confused, and possibly offended, that Colten seems to be rejecting him.

"I don't have money," Jason lied, not wanting to give Colten his hard earned money that was supposed to give him food for the next few weeks so he could stop working to take a break.

"I don't need your money," Colten replied, his voice becoming sad when he saw Jason's face contort in confusion.

"What then?" Jason asked, tilting his head. "Did you want to do this in the alley?" Jason inquired, realizing that must be the reason why Colten had parked in the alley.

"Do what?" Colten couldn't help asking, the rolls were reversed as he had become the confused one.

"Have s*x," Jason deadpanned, realizing Colten must be messing with him. Though the man honestly wasn't, in fact, Colten had - despite being in his early twenties - started blushing at Jason's bluntness.

"I don't want s*x," Colten stated, still feeling the heat of embarrassment throughout his body.

"Then what?" Jason couldn't help but repeat his earlier words. He couldn't comprehend the fact that Colten does not want anything in return, he couldn't understand why Colten would be nice enough to give him a ride - albeit a ride to an unknown location, yet a ride nonetheless, a ride that allowed him warmth, however brief it may have been.

"I don't want anything from you, Jason. I only wish to help you." Colten finally explained. Jason couldn't help the dead laugh that bubbled past his lips and caused Colten to flinch.

"Help? Help me?" Jason had sneered, unable to comprehend that not only was the warm ride free, but someone wanted to actually help him. Colten, to his credit, seemed to regain his earlier composer and mutely nod. "I don't need help," Jason mutters, picking at a hangnail on his thumb.

"Let me buy you some warmer clothes, some warm lunch." Colten tried, hoping the young boy would agree because Colten was worried about Jason. In the short time, he had spent with the boy, Colten had seemed to develop a fondness for the boy from the church.

Jason thought the offer over, though he couldn't deny the excitement he felt at receiving new clothes, and what better, a warm meal. Jason couldn't remember the last time he had a warm meal, for he only bought cheap food items that were easily stored at any temperature.

"I can't repay you," Jason stated truthfully, looking into Colten's beautiful blue eyes to convey his honesty.

Colten couldn't help but feel a deep pit in his stomach at Jason's reply. Not because he knew from looking at the boy that Jason was poor; but instead because the boy didn't seem to understand that Colten had no ulterior motive.

"I don't need to be repaid." Colten could only assure softly, not wanting to show too much affection to the boy in fear that the boy would be scared away.

"Fine," Jason replied, easing some of Colten's tension. Colten didn't want to admit it, but he didn't want to part with the boy just yet. He wanted to better get to know the mysterious, sad boy. However, Colten would be lying if he were to say his motivations were completely pure; the man found himself curious as to how, and why, the boy was alone, homeless. Of course, Colten brushed those thoughts away for a later time when it would be more appropriate to ask of Jason.

"Come along, then," Colten ordered softly, hoping Jason doesn't get offended by being ordered around. Much to Colten's relief, Jason followed Colten out of the car and through the less-than-dirty alleyway.

~ ~ ~

Jason could not stop himself from looking around in absolute awe over everything in the high-end store Colten had to lead him into. All the bright colors, thousands of clothes. Even the music he had never heard had him distracted as he looked around as if he were a kid in a candy shop.

He couldn't stop himself from darting over to a silver rack holding plush looking winter coats. Of course, he didn't realize until he had picked up one of the furry coats that they were, in fact, woman's clothes. He heard Colten chuckle behind him, causing him to jump slightly before he had placed the feminine coat back in the rack with the rest.

"The men's apparel is this way," Colten told Jason, silently walking to their destination with Jason trailing obediently behind him. When the two made it to the men's apparel, Jason - once again - could not stop himself from bounding over to the racks full of coats, men's coats this time.

Jason picked up a furry black coat that looked as if it would be warm. He allowed his fingers to caress the soft fabric inside the coat, marveling at how soft it was. He couldn't stop himself from turning towards Colten with a grin he didn't know was possible anymore.

"Can I get this?" He asked Colten. Colten smiled softly and nodded, taking the coat from him before putting it back, only to pick one out that Jason assumed was a larger size, or perhaps smaller.

"Of course, you may get whatever you want, Jason," Colten assured him with a smile.

For what seemed like an entire hour, Jason had let himself freely run around the store and try things on while Colten merely continued smiling softly. Jason had long since forgotten about his reluctance to allow Colten to extend any other niceties toward him. By the time they had paid for everything, the two men held eight bags between the two of them. Jason was also wearing a new long-sleeved gray shirt that Colten had insisted would bring out the gray in Jason's eyes.

Jason had no idea his eyes were gray, he had never actually paid mind to his appearance, but he took Colten's word for it. He also wore his new plush winter jacket over the shirt, with a nice new pair of jeans, and sturdy boots. Jason couldn't even begin to thank Colten, and he knew there was still a warm lunch to come.

"Thank you," Jason had finally pushed past his lips, feeling an odd fluttery sensation in his chest that he had never felt before. It was strange, but not uncomfortable in the least - oh no, if anything, Jason loved the feeling. He wanted it to continue, and it did.

Jason watched in awe as Colten lead the way to a fancy restaurant. It was then that Jason was truly grateful for Colten's gifts, so grateful to Colten for giving him nice clothes rather than taking him to this lovely restaurant while he was still wearing his holy clothes.

A man at a small podium greeted Colten with a friendly smile, ushering the two to a table that Colten had apparently reserved prior to them coming. As Jason sat in his plush seat in front of a shiny glass table, he couldn't stop his eyes from roaming the entire interior. The vibrant pastels and whites mixed so well, they gave a calm atmosphere to the restaurant.

"Do you like it?" Colten had asked. When Jason had looked back at Colten, he realized the man had been staring at him intensely, his blue eyes shining.

"Yes, I do. It's exquisite." Jason admitted and smiled, a foreign feeling for him but as with the fluttering in his stomach, Jason loved the feel of smiling.

"I'm glad." Colten had whispered.

~ ~ ~

After that night, after that dinner, Jason couldn't stop thinking of Colten. Of curse, it did not help that the two continued to see each other on a near daily basis. And finally, after no more than a week of talking, of having little visits; Jason had come to realize something he should have seen sooner. Something that he only hoped would not change anything between Colten and Jason.

Jason knew not how to go about breaching the subject that he had to talk with Colten about. Though, he did know one thing; Jason had to talk to Colten today. So it was with the firm thought in mind that he migrated from the church to a cafe the two had long since agreed would be where they meet every day.

When inside the warm coffee shop, Jason managed to buy himself a black coffee to tide him over while he waited for Colten. He patiently sipped his coffee, grateful that he had enough money to actually buy a coffee today.

What felt like hours in Jason's mind seemed to have passed before he caught sight of those blue eyes he had admittedly seen in his dreams more times than he could count. Jason smiled at Colten who seemed not to see Jason until his eyes scanned the cafe thoroughly. When Jason caught Colten's eyes, he couldn't stop the fluttery feeling that had filled his chest as it had begun to do for the past week since the day Jason had met Colten.

Jason watched as Colten made his way towards the table Jason had chosen, smiling his own smile. Though, rather than sit down, Colten merely stood in front of the table seating Jason. Jason understood and left his seated position in order to properly greet Colten with a handshake of sorts.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come to my house today," Colten said as way of greeting to Jason. Jason barely thought about it before he nodded his agreement, then followed Colten out to his shiny black car.

The drive had been silent, as mentally noted by Jason. But neither of the men minded, it had been soothing. So when Colten parked in front of the gorgeous gray house with a beautiful lush, green lawn, Jason was, for once, calm.

Jason had quietly followed Colten into the warm house and was assaulted by the strong smell of peppermint. It was a nice smell that Jason already loved, a smell that made the man relax even more.

"Would you like something to eat?" Colten had asked, sounding slightly nervous in Jason's opinion, though Jason ignored it and rather just shook his head in a polite decline.

Colten nodded and lead the way through the cozy home, and to a small living room. Jason had to stop and marvel at the simplistic beauty of the living room that - if he was being honest with himself - felt like home. Jason soon sat down though, not wanting to upset Colten by gawking at his living room; he also couldn't forget that he had to tell Colten something.

"Colten," Jason started when Colten sat down next to him after starting a fire in the fireplace in front of the plush couch Jason occupied. Colten turned to Jason, and Jason could see curiosity shining in Colten's blue eyes. "I have to tell you something," Jason added on as if it was a mere afterthought. Colten tilted his head to the side slightly, his eyes still conveying confused curiosity.

"Is everything okay, Jason?" Colten had questioned and Jason hastily nodded so as not to worry the man.

"Of course, I just..." Jason couldn't seem to say what needed to be said. He couldn't seem to push the words past his soft lips. So he did the only thing he knew would convey what needed to be said. He leaned over and connected his lips with Colten's.

Jason had felt Colten respond immediately, wrapping his arms around Jason's torso to pull him closer. The two worked vigorously, teeth crashing at certain points but it only fueled the fire burning inside Jason. It was perfect until Colten pulled away as if he had touched acid.

"Why are you doing this?" Colten had asked, and Jason would have sworn he saw something resembling pain in Colten's eyes.

"I like you, a lot." Jason managed, his breathing uneven but he hardly noticed as his full attention was on Colten.

"Like me?" Colten had echoed, trying the words on his tongue, or so Jason had assumed. Jason nodded quickly, beginning to wonder if maybe Colten didn't see him that way, didn't want anything to do with Jason anymore.

But those worries dissipated when Colten leaned over and reconnected their lips. And from then on, Jason knew he wasn't alone. That adjective no longer defined his life, it would no longer be what defined him; because now Jason had Colten, and he knew Colten would always be there.

Always.