Chapter Text
Joe had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into.
When a ruggedly handsome man had softly flirted with him at a random bar in Montenegro, the young man hadn't thought too much of it at first. It would just be a nice evening or two, a fling, and a hint of the companionship that Joe was sorely craving. They had a few drinks, but kept their hands to themselves, both just content with the company, it would seem.
So when this man, James, he said his name was, invited Joe to attend a poker game he was playing in, again the young teacher thought nothing of it. The casino the game was going to be held at was extremely high end, it almost felt like a very strange date. And James had promised Joe he needn't worry about affording drinks there, as he would pay for everything. Including a brand new form-fitting suede dinner jacket in a deep amethyst colour, along with a black turtleneck and black slacks. The jacket hugged his every curve, even when it was undone, and Joe was shocked that an almost stranger would put so much effort into helping him look nice. Then again, he supposed, given the casino they were going to, this man was not short on funds. Also given the extravagance of the Casino Royale , as it was called, Joe supposed the over the top dress code was necessary for him to even make it through the door.
At his behest, Joe clung to James' arm almost like an accessory, as they walked into the imposing casino. James had warned him beforehand of etiquette rules and that this was a serious game so just to do his best to behave as everyone else's companions were behaving. Joe had agreed, mostly from curiosity. He had never before witnessed a poker game, especially of this level, so part of him was eager for the new experience.
An eagerness he would come to regret rather soon.
The atmosphere of the game was highly oppressive. As soon as they walked in, Joe felt almost crushed under the weight of it. This was not a good place. Joe could tell just from the feel of it. He had become extremely good at sensing these sorts of things. Unfortunately, it seemed that now he had walked in, he would not be able to just walk out, at least until the game was done.
So instead he remained at James' side, his fancy, and borderline terrified, little handbag.
One of the other players caught Joe's eye almost immediately. The aura of strength he exuded drew the younger man in, even more so when Joe picked up on a slight hint of fear in his expression. No one else would have noticed. But Joe did. He knew fear. Knew it all too well. Also his bi-colour eyes and prominent red scar over his left eye helped to hold the teacher's attention.
Sadly, in his blatant staring, Joe had failed to notice that the stranger was now staring back at him, a slight smirk on his unique lips.
As soon as Joe realised he had been caught, he blushed hard, and dropped his gaze to the floor, trying his best not to look at anyone specific anymore. Especially after he realised that the bald man in the slightly less expensive suit stood just behind the scar-eyed man, was a bodyguard. And an armed one at that.
James tugged on Joe's elbow suddenly, and rather roughly, if the teacher was honest with himself. Now that they were in the casino, his 'date's' demeanour changed dramatically, which just made him want to run away even more.
This was a mistake, a horrible, horrible mistake.
"Joe!" James hissed out a whispered shout very close to the young man's ear, almost causing him to flinch. "Are you listening to me?"
The other man's tone made Joe just want to curl up into a ball and become as small as possible. Shrink into himself in the hope it would prevent him from getting hurt. He shook his head softly, and a deep part of him braced to be hit by this almost stranger.
Thankfully, James didn't hit him, but he did continue speaking to him in that less than savory tone. "Do not stare at that man, okay? You can glance, but stare at no one, not even me. Do you understand?"
Joe nodded, trying not to feel frustrated that he was being told the same thing he had already decided for himself.
James began to turn away, but then he quickly turned back, a glare in his previously kind eyes. "And don't speak to anyone. Not a word. No matter what happens. Understood?"
Again he nodded, then turned his gaze to the floor. As soon as this stupid game was over he would run from this place so fast and so far James would never find him again.
But for now, he was trapped.
Regretfully, he had to follow James back to the table. Well, more accurately, be half dragged back by the tight grip on his wrist. Even as James sat, his iron grip remained on Joe's wrist, until he placed the young man's hand on his shoulder, and gave a sharp squeeze, which told him very plainly to keep his hand there and not dare move it.
So he did as he was silently asked, kept his hand on James' shoulder, kept his mouth shut, and stared at nothing.
He stood like that for so long, his legs began to ache. But by this point he knew better than to ask if he could sit somewhere. It didn't matter that most of the other companions were sitting, Joe would do exactly as James told him, word for word, and hopefully escape this hell in one piece once the night was finally over.
It took a long time, and several intense losses, but eventually, James beat the scar-eyed man, and took the whole pot. He had bankrupted him. And Joe felt extremely sad for the other man. The fear in those bi-colour eyes was more prominent than ever now, along with a lingering rage that shook the teacher to his core. It didn't help at all that James was being more than smug about having won, as he cashed out, then grabbed Joe by the elbow and led him out of the Casino.
Only once they were out in the fresh air, did Joe feel confident enough to yank himself firmly away from the other man, and shout his anger and fear right in James' face. "What the hell was all that about!? Seriously James! That was disgusting! You are disgusting! I was stupid for thinking you might care about anything other than money and your own damn ego!" The man seemed completely and utterly dumbfounded by Joe's reaction, and that just fueled the fire of his rage even more. "You don't even realise what you've done wrong, do you!? You horrid man! Just, stay the fuck away from me!"
All his rage released, and James clearly unlikely to respond, Joe just let out a huff, and stormed off through the almost pitch black streets.
Unfortunately, staring at the ground and walking overly quickly was not the best way to move through the dark streets, and it wasn't long before he crashed into someone. He tried to apologise for his blunder, and step past, but the man continued to block his path. Each step he took, the man mirrored him. Joe felt his breathing begin to stutter, as he slowly raised his head to see what he had been dreading he would see.
It was the bald suit man from the casino. The scar-eyed man's bodyguard.
Straight away Joe tried to turn and run, but he barely made it a step before a pair of overly strong arms wrapped around him, one hand covering his mouth and silencing all sound. Still he refused to give up, and flailed desperately to try to loosen the man's grip. But that soon failed as the man's broad hand gripped his nose as well, completely cutting off his airways. He fought for a moment longer, desperate and terrified, before going completely stiff, fighting to stay conscious.
It was only then that his captor growled low near his ear. "Stop fighting, or next time I'll hold on until you really pass out. You got that kid?"
He couldn't move or make a sound in agreement, but thankfully the hold on his nose was released regardless, though the hand remained firmly over his mouth. Joe sucked in a grateful breath, before doing his best to follow the instructions he had been given. He stayed as still as possible as the bald man dragged him towards a large black armoured Hummer. Unfortunately, just before he was shoved into the car, Joe spotted James again. He was being held back by an even bulkier henchman, whilst the scar-eyed man hit him in every way imaginable. Joe was almost certain James was unconscious, if the way he was sagging in the large man's grip was anything to go by. Yet the scar-eyed man continued to hit him and knee him and generally beat him senseless.
Joe felt his breath begin to tighten in his throat, and his whole body shook with terror. He had no doubt that a similar fate awaited him as well, just as soon as the scar-eyed man was done with James.
The bodyguard released his mouth for a moment to open the door, and a single word of panic regretfully fell from his lips. "Please."
The only response he got was a huffing growl as he was all but thrown into the back seats, followed swiftly by the bodyguard crowding in as well. "Say another fucking word and you'll regret it."
Joe flinched on instinct, closing his eyes in his best attempt at defence that would still seem submissive enough to not get him immediately hit. Thankfully it seemed to work, so he risked opening his eyes again, only to see a very unconscious James being dragged towards the front of the vehicle. The large man opened the bonnet of the car, and Joe could only hope that it was the boot of the Hummer, and that James wasn't being shoved into the engine somehow. Unfortunately, as he was distracted by what was happening to James, he failed to notice the scar-eyed man had approached the driver's side of the vehicle.
"Blindfold him. And gag him if he makes any noise. Aside from that, do not lay a finger on him."
It was the voice of the scar-eyed man, Joe recognised the unique accent from the poker game. What he didn't realise was that those instructions were in reference to him. That was until a heavy cloth bag was thrown over his head, and secured almost tightly around his neck, but not tight enough to hurt.
By this point, Joe had completely lost control of his breathing. He knew he was well on the way towards a panic attack, but also that he had to hold it off for long enough that he would not be hurt further for his panic. So instead he remained as still as possible, even as his seatbelt was tightened around him almost to the point of hurting. He kept as still and silent as possible, hoping that he would fade into the back of everyone's minds.