The Master [MxMxM+]

cherrykimono7 · 78 chapters · 166,237 words

A/N

Here’s to another 🥂

Thank you so much for giving this a chance❤️

This book is a work of fiction, names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual places or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.


Blurb:

Alexander Kane has been called a psychopath, a control freak and basically anything along those lines.

Nobody understands why every year for six months, he selects a group of men to share his house for a competition for his amusement. Nor do they understand why he gives the winner a large sum of money and does it all over again. 

He doesn't understand it either, but wrapping people around his finger is his drug. And this year is no different. Or is it?

Expect BDSM themes, with smut as well.

This is just a story about a bunch of men who find their way to each other. Go grab on tight y’all!

May the book begin.

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01

Competitor agrees to share a home with the Master for six months, with the exception of disqualification–

Competitor will be required to do numerous activities, purely for the Master’s entertainment, therefore, will not be either pressured or coerced to sign their consent under any circumstances–

Competitor will only be disclosed to the final set of rules after they have been selected–

Competitor must be at least 21 years of age–

Competitor will be provided an address, from which they will be collected and brought before the Master. Absence at the chosen address is considered an acceptable rejection of this proposal. This decision will not be revoked–

Males only–

Competitor’s whereabouts will remain anonymous for the next six months following the selection process. You are urged to think twice about making this decision–

Competitor will be provided anything and everything of necessity–

There will be a disqualification every other month, as there can only be one winner. If competitor is not disqualified by the end of six months, four million dollars will immediately be transferred to their bank account–

If you consent to all of the above, sign here:

•

02

Alexander Kane was an extremely wealthy man. If he’d liked, he could retire at any moment and still have enough money to spoil himself rotten every single day till the day he died. He could furnish his entire mansion in gold, down to the fountains that adorned the front of it, and his bank account still wouldn’t feel the brunt of it. Four million dollars was pocket change, so he’d throw it away any day if it brought him pleasure.

For a long time, pleasure has been his vice and his utmost indulgence. He loved expensive thrills on the account of people who wanted his money. There was a satisfaction that came out of spoiling people he’d chosen to spoil, rewarding them when they pleased him, and punishing them when they crossed him. What was pocket change to him made others compliant without question. So that was where he was going to part with it.

And that was how he became the man known as the Master.

It started out with a set of rules, then a sum of money, and then invitations. But even that in its own right, was easier said than done.

The Master demanded nothing short of perfection, regardless of the situation. His assistant worked tirelessly until everything fell into place, nothing close to a walk in the park. So here they were.

The number of people who signed up every year was baffling, but he simply did not have the time to attend to the selection process. His assistant would have to learn his tastes, make the necessary cuts, and present him with only the best.

 The master was not an easy man to please, but Tadashi—his assistant—worked harder than the devil worked on a Sunday, earning Alexander's trust over the years. 

 The Master liked them strong, cocky and most preferably sexy. It wasn't always in the way one looked but rather, their manner. 

 He wanted someone who could put up a fight, so that he could hold them down and teach them who was really in charge. Height, build, weight or colour, didn't matter to him, everyone had their own taste. And in his case, he couldn't give two fucks. You were either hot, or you weren't. Fuck where you came from.

 Alexander didn't think he could ever replace his assistant at this point in time. Sometimes he worked like he was an extension of the Master himself, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

 And so began his annual, six-month program. And then followed years filled with fun and fleeting affection. Regardless of its inevitable expiry date, it still pleased him a great deal. In a way, it gave him a sense of what it was like to be content—reminded him of a time when he used to be happy, however little. It was intoxicating. Until someone got attached, then it quickly turned suffocating. Do not get attached. It really wasn't that complicated.

 The Master did not entertain commitments and any unwanted thoughts of settling down with anyone...not his cup of tea, so he knew that he was going to do this for a really long time. And he loved that he could.

 The program was a success. He had a selected number of people to warm his bed for half the year without disturbance, and his privacy for the other.

 It was perfect.

 And yet, over the years, everyone that signed up as he noticed, began to look the same. Sometimes even shared same habits and mannerisms. His once perfect and flawless program was beginning to bore him so much that he had to do something about it. Cultivating his tastes had been both a blessing and a curse. His assistant was doing such a good job that every single person was his taste, had the same expected looks and personalities. It was all too predictable.

 Even worse than that was how he noticed the greed in their eyes and their willingness to do anything without question, just as long as they got paid in the end. So fucking boring. Disgusting even.

 He liked to be obeyed, but he liked the chase too. Not people breaking their non-existent spines for him.

 This year, he was hell bent on doing things a little differently. The prize would be four times its original, (which was one million dollars previously) and everyone would be handpicked by him. And so once again, it began anew.

<<<

 Mr. Kane settled in a secluded area where he couldn't be seen as he watched the competitors getting on and off the stage one by one. The room was filled with rows of empty seats curved in to engulf the stage halfway. The lights were bright enough for him to observe everyone clearly. 

 "Name and age?" His assistant asked a man who walked onto the stage. His clothes were so creased that it looked like a cow had chewed them, then spat them back out to dry. He seemed to be on edge. Almost jittery it was uncomfortable to watch.

 "Matthew," the man on the stage replied. He looked like the type he was used to. And he looked like the word Alexander was trying to avoid.

Boring. The only thing that made it even worse was how strangely he behaved, he didn’t want to find out what awaited at the bottom of that. It was only fair not to waste anyone’s time.

“Next,” Alexander spoke into the little microphone connected to his assistant’s earpiece.

Hundreds of people had been declined before he even got the chance to see them, so it was disappointing that the first person was a let down. But he was patient, he waited as another man replaced Matthew.

 "Royce," The male on the stage said in a somewhat high pitched voice. He had a fringe, very pretty eyes and hair the color of sand.

Alexander knew he should have given him a second glance, but he couldn’t risk another tasteless six months. “Next.”

 He was being so awfully picky that even after the fourth rejection, he still wasn't impressed with anyone. At this rate he might end up picking only two people. Or bringing them out all at once to assess whether all of this was futile. Thankfully, he held that thought at the sight of a new person.

“Asper Henderson,” he replies. “And you are?” It was a little cheeky of him.

“Announcing whether you are rejected or not,” the assistant replied calmly. The Master’s lips twitched.

 "Well...?" Asper asked, looking completely comfortable. 

 The Master wanted to see just how far that confidence could go, because it was definitely there. And in abundance. "Yes," he said.

 "Would you look at that," his assistant said. "You've been approved."

 "Of course I have," he said before walking away. 

 The master could only imagine the things he could do to him, the things that would make him forget this attitude he was so sure of. He shelved it for the near future.

 The next person was a disappointment. So was the one after him, and even the one after. It was getting a bit too boring...until there was a man who walked in and Alexander could only stare. He was clearly not young, most probably on the higher parts of the age scale, maybe even older than him...there was just something about him he couldn't quite put a finger on.

 He had a vulnerability about him, a strength as well...something about himself that made you curious about the things that kept him up at night. The things he approved of, and the things he thought were nonsensical. Something about him made you want to hear about all of it. And that was before even getting into the intimacy...let alone the detachment required for this particular program. He did a poor job of masking half of it. Maybe even all of it.

 "Name?" The Master barely heard the question before agreeing.

 "Mason."

 "Congratulations." 

 Mason's voice sounded mature in both a lovely and yet strict way. It was completely hot, especially for someone his age. It sent thrills through the Master's body, and he knew he wouldn't be regretting his choice any time soon. This was going to be good.

 Normally and more naturally, the competitor was supposed to be asked a bunch of harmless questions, but it wasn't necessary in this particular case. When the Master wanted something, there was no question about it. He wanted it.

 He watched as his second choice was led to another room where he knew he and anyone else he picked, would be led to wait.

 The man called Mason, looked a little surprised at how fast everything had happened, but relieved nonetheless. A different person immediately replaced him on the stage.

 "Name?" 

 "Dane Hugh."

 The way he sounded was way too monotonous. This Dane, was an eye candy but he didn't send any excitement Alexander's way. Especially not after the previous competitor.

“No,” he said as he let his assistant break the news to the guy.

 A man who seemed to be around his mid twenties or maybe even late twenties, came on next. He had very short hair, the edges shaved off while the rest of the tousled hair fell forward. If his hair wasn't so short you'd miss the shiny earrings that adorned his lobes. Hard eyes rested underneath well defined eyebrows. One of them cocked to accentuate what looked like a slit on it. Alexander doubted it was on purpose. He looked like the hottest piece of danger covered in an obscene number of tattoos.

He twisted his lower lip between his thumb and index as the other found its way into his pocket. He stood like he was inside his own garage at home, rather than on a stage with lights. He somehow managed to make it look so sexy.

“Name?” He was asked.

“You already know that, the fuck?”

The Master adjusted himself on his seat, his hand tightening on the armrest.

He was right, they did have files on every single competitor obviously, and his assistant obviously knew his name but Alexander insisted they be asked. It gave him a chance to watch them express themselves—a crucial part for making his choice.

“Name please,” his assistant insisted.

“Jett,” the guy practically spat.

Alexander thought he could work with that.

“Yes,” he said.

“Congratulations Jett, you are approved,” his assistant sounded slightly irritated. That made Alexander smile.

Right after him was a really petit guy of about 5’5. He had a mass of long curly blonde hair that was a bit out of control. He looked extremely young, and really cute.

“Name and age?”

“Zel Dawson, I’m twenty four!”

He seemed really excited for no evident reason, and in the midst of it all, he couldn’t look more than nineteen.

“Why do you want the prize money?”

“I get a prize for this?!” He actually gasped.

“Yes,” Alexander said immediately.

He didn’t know what had taken him so long, he wanted to grab the guy and pin him against the wall, he wanted to pull that wild hair and have him squirm while–

Control yourself Alexander.

“Really? Yay!” Zel exclaimed happily when he was told that he had been approved. Such a ball of energy.

“Yes,” Alexander said within five seconds of seeing the man. He had not even uttered a single word yet.

The man was built like a soldier, he had brown skin the color of a dark autumn leaf, and he had short curly hair. His eyes spoke only of mischief and Alexander was further intrigued. He had not even reached the center of the stage when the assistant spoke.

“Congratulations Riley Bridges, you have been approved.”

“Sweet,” the man said with a really smug smile. He made Alexander want, the strength about him was one of the most appealing things he knew of. So much that so far, he was the only competitor who wasn’t even asked what his name was.

Alexander almost yawned at the next two guys who came after that. One was so eager he seemed ready to trip over his feet. The other one just didn’t care. He could have picked him but his instincts told him no.

“Noah,” a sleazy voice said.

Alexander impatiently tapped his fingers against his thigh to stop himself from zoning out. What was it about this guy? It was weird that he didn’t know what to think or make of him. His hair was dyed white and he looked really confident.

“Yes,” he heard himself say and for the first time, Alexander wasn’t sure of himself.

“Congratulations Noah, you have been approved.”

Noah smirked as he walked away, like he knew this was going to happen.

Alexander liked the next guy. His name was Peter Sulz. A last name he’d never heard before. From his cocky smile to his teasing gait, Alexander was going to make him beg for him to have his way with him.

He coiled a streak of blue in his hair looking completely at ease. He really was in for a lot of fun this year. He said yes and watched him leave.

In the previous years he really didn’t have to anticipate what would be waiting for him, because he never really did pick them out himself, but with the way it was currently going, he was going to do this every single year.

“Linder.” The next person said in a voice so sweet it got Alexander’s attention.

He wore glasses and had straight black shoulder length hair, expertly parted from the middle.

Linder was really skinny. He looked like he was really gawky as a kid and a little socially awkward. His appearance fit the typical nerd stereotype perfectly, and yet there was more. Only the sound of his voice was unique to the way he looked.

“Yes,” said The Master. Obviously.

He smiled in what looked like relief as he walked off the stage.

The selection was almost complete and nearing its end, Alexander noticed. The last person he picked came in looking a little unsure of himself. He was chubby, anyone could see that. And he seemed to be extremely shy.

The way he looked down before he was asked anything, one hand holding his other arm at the front and squeezing, was almost like he wanted to be anywhere else but where he was at the moment. Extremely shy, yes. But that shy? Alexander tensed for some reason.

“Name?”

For the first time he looked up, eyes holding so much doubt. The Master was captivated by everything his appearance had to offer. The man was beautiful. From head to toe, he could not look more perfect. So much that he did not hear any of the words he said, just watched his lips move.

“Sir?” he heard his assistant finally. He must have asked all the questions there were to ask, and was waiting for his approval. No one else was asked even half the questions.

“Yes,” he replied, trying not to sound as off balanced as he felt.

“Congratulations Pierre LeBlanc, you have been approved.”

His eyes couldn’t help but dart to the competitor’s ass as he walked away. He was really going to enjoy coloring those ass cheeks pink, and his name would be falling off his pretty lips when he was done with him.

Everyone else paled in comparison to the guys he had picked, not that they were that many left. He said no before most of them had even said a word. There was a flicker of indecisiveness at the last man on the stage, but because he’d been spoiled by his other choices, he said no. In fact, in some way, their only misfortune might have been coming on after Pierre; their levels of appeal were worlds apart.

And then finally, it was over after a total forty five minutes or an hour. It could have been either one.

His chosen awaited, but he had business to take care of at the moment—part of why his assistant had always done the selection for him. Unfortunately it couldn’t wait, but he was entrusting them to his assistant till he got back.

And even though he knew not everyone stayed after they read the final set of rules, the Master was content. The games could properly begin.

03

The eight men who were so ‘lucky’ to have been picked filled up a waiting room one by one, until the selection was finished.

The end of the process indicated by the assistant arriving to address the room. It was suddenly quieter than before, and the Master still wasn’t present.

Nine men regarded each other warily, all but a few of them. Pierre seemed like he could only look down and Jett made it a point to avoid everyone’s gaze. Where it was impossible to do so, he made them cower away, as if to make sure no one approached him.

“Gentlemen,” the Master’s assistant said, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention in the room. “Congratulations on making it through the final selection, knowing how picky the Master is.”

The men sat at a big table and naturally looked to the man speaking. He was somewhat attractive in his suit, young enough to fall somewhere around their ages. Long black hair left loose and tucked behind his ears, dark eyes and a mouth set in an all business manner.

He looked like the type of person you didn’t mention anything irrelevant to. And yet you still got the feeling that he was friendly. He kept on checking his watch like he had somewhere to be, but still got the message out perfectly.

“You can call me Tadashi, although the chances of our paths crossing is terribly vague.”

He walked along the table, taking every man in, hands crossed behind his back in a grave demeanor as papers and pens were placed right in front of them.

“This is the final set of rules. Take your time, read through and sign at the bottom if you see fit. No one is holding you here so should the rules make you uncomfortable, you are free to get up and leave. Only then can we move on.”

They were given time and quiet to read and decide. Tadashi watched the changes in some of their expressions as they fought to school their features.

It’s possible that no one expected the rules to be what they were at all. For some people, the rules weren’t what they were expecting and for some, they might have been too much. What they had no idea about, was how Tadashi had made sure the rules were revised over and over until they looked presentable. The originally unchanged rules might have made everyone in the room walk out the door.

He watched as the contestant Peter Sulz decided that four million dollars was not worth it. The man pushed his chair back, got up and pushed his chair back in, then walked out.

Tadashi nodded subtly. “I take it he wasn’t a fan,” he said, earning a chuckle from Riley.

For someone who had looked so confident, it seemed unlikely he’d be the one to leave. But anything could happen. At least he had manners.

  "Really hate to do this," said Asper Henderson. He looked restless as he got up, he even first paced back and forth until finally shaking his head in resignation. "It was nice meeting you, Tadashi. I'd have signed if

you were the Master.“

 If Tadashi didn't expect to hear that, he hid it really well, his face betraying nothing. "I'm flattered Asper, but I'm not sure you know what you are saying."

 Asper shrugged, then he walked out.

It was surprisingly Pierre, who signed his paper first. It was immediately collected from him and taken away, where Tadashi knew it would quickly be laminated and kept. Linder followed, then Jett, and then everyone else seemed to sign one by one after that.

If they had any doubt now, it was too late. It was the nature of the rules. Once you signed them, it was only the Master himself who could let you go.

Tadashi moved along.

“Good,” he said when every paper contained a signature. “Now, there are questionnaires you’ve been requested to fill and I take it you’ve done so. The forms are in no way meant to manipulate you, more so, they are to try to make your life more comfortable. The Master insists each of your experiences reflect your own tastes, down to your living quarters. So try to be as honest as you can.” He shrugged. “For your own sake.”

Tadashi held his hand out as the papers were placed in his hands. They contained normal harmless information about everyone. They filled the papers by themselves so it meant that everything shared, they were comfortable revealing.

<<<

ZEL DAWSON

Age: 24

Birthday: July 1st

Eyes: mismatched blue and brown

Hair: blonde, wavy or curly I’m not sure. Long, almost at my waist.

Height: 5’4 last time I checked.

Likes: lots of things, hot baths, making friends, reading manga, nice people

Dislikes: cold weather. Cat food!

Best food and drink: Pizza counts right? Milkshakes!

Worst food and drink: alcohol. Especially beer ew! I’ll drink some wine though

Best colors: All soft colors especially blue and purple

Hobbies: i don’t know, maybe reading manga.

Night owl or morning person: maybe night owl yeah probably. But no. None of them.

Types of books you read: manga and sometimes comics.

Favorite clothes and accessories: sweaters?

Favorite joke: what goes in hard and dry, but comes out soft and wet?… It’s gum you dirty–!

<<<

RILEY BRIDGES

Age: 29

Birthday: June 13th

Eyes: Brown or golden, pick one.

Hair: Black and curly, short.

Height: 6’4

Likes: funny people, sports, large beds, T-shirts, air mattresses.

Dislikes: cooking for myself

Best food and drink: whatever floats your boat and no I don’t mean sea water.

Worst food and drink: caviar and banana juice

Best colors: Grey and blue

Hobbies: flirting and stuff. *wink. Okay seriously though, I like to take pictures.

Night owl or morning person: morning person I guess

Types of books you read: I’ve only ever enjoyed comics.

Favorite clothes and accessories: Shoes. Duhh

Favorite joke: Dark humor is like food, not everyone gets it

<<<

LINDER REID

Age: 21

Birthday: October 17th

Eyes: darkest shade of brown

Hair: Black shoulder length hair

Height: 6’0

Likes: binge watching shows, reading

Dislikes: natural disasters, tv commercials

Best food and drink: energy drinks, Chinese take out. Yes it hits different when it’s take out.

Worst food and drink: I don’t know.

Best colors: not sure if navy green is a thing but yes

Hobbies: don’t call me creepy but like observing people, and um…weirdly work

Night owl or morning person: night owl

Types of books you read: honestly, anything.

Favorite clothes and accessories: turtlenecks are cool. socks.

Favorite joke: don’t challenge Death to a pillow fight. Unless you’re prepared for the reaper cushions

<<<

NOAH BLACK

Age: 31

Birthday: May 1st

Eyes: blue

Hair: white

Height: 5’8

Likes: bright colors, music, Halloween

Dislikes: bad drivers

Best food and drink: I’ll eat anything that isn’t junk food.

Worst food and drink: junk. Grease is disgusting. Soda.

Best colors: any bright shades.

Hobbies: exercising?

Night owl or morning person: I come alive in the night time.

Types of books you read: not my thing.

Favorite clothes and accessories: never thought that far about clothing

Favorite joke:

<<<

PIERRE LEBLANC

Age: 23

Birthday: September 4th

Eyes: green

Hair: regular brown hair

Height: 5’6

Likes: clocks, gardening sometimes, white noise

Dislikes: walks, especially long ones

Best food and drink: anything is okay I think. I love cheese. Hot chocolate too.

Worst food and drink: _

Best colors: Green

Hobbies: cooking, I’ll think of other things

Night owl or morning person: none of these things.

Types of books you read: I don’t really read books. I like medical books but it will not count I think

Favorite clothes and accessories: anything nice

Favorite joke: it’s in French, you would not get it.

<<<

MASON CLAYTON

Age: 34

Birthday: December 30th

Eyes: brown

Hair: dark brown hair with a normal haircut I guess.

Height: 5’8

Likes: the sound of waves, being awake before everyone else, staying in, cuddling

Dislikes: hospitals

Best food and drink: vegetable salads, pasta then other stuff. I like mimosas.

Worst food and drink: beets yuck

Best colors: I like red (how ironic)

Hobbies: swimming

Night owl or morning person: definitely morning person

Types of books you read: I don’t read so much anymore but I love the classics.

Favorite clothes and accessories: it doesn’t matter

Favorite joke: not a joke but that time when John legend played the piano singing ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’ And Gordon Ramsey was right behind him singing a reply: ‘because you didn’t fucking cook it!’

<<<

JETT CARRERA

Age: 28

Birthday: January 3rd.

Eyes: Black or some shit

Hair: Black

Height: 5’10 I think

Likes: dogs, the cold.

Dislikes: bad breath

Best food and drink: dessert. Martinis

Worst food and drink: milk. It’s like a love hate relationship.

Best colors: still can’t pick one

Hobbies: truthfully, eating.

Night owl or morning person: the fuck. I wake up early and go to sleep late.

Types of books you read: sometimes I read the news. No time to read books

Favorite clothes and accessories: shirts or whatever

Favorite joke: this one, you asking me this question.

<<<

 All of the information was as good as valid, and would be quite useful. He handed the questionnaires to the staff and nodded as if to say go ahead. Just as quickly, the woman, clad in complete black, down to her shiny oxfords left to carry out the instructions Tadashi had no doubt issued prior to this.

 "We'll move on over to get your measurements. This is a must. You'll have wardrobes of your choice if you want to have them. This is what we'll use to purchase anything you need and more importantly, when the Master wants to buy you something. Refusal is not an option."

Mason raised his eyebrows as if a bit surprised. “Well, okay.”

 The staff continued on with their work as Tadashi observed. Everyone seemed really unique to the next person and yet still fit the Master's tastes regardless. It was bound to be interesting. 

 Pierre looked so uncomfortable while his measurements were getting taken. He looked like he wanted nothing more than to escape. He seemed to be a little insecure. Tadashi couldn't understand why, but he tried. Maybe it just didn't help that everyone else was really hot too.

 Zel, the competitor with the longest blonde hair he'd ever seen, was also the smallest and as he observed, the friendliest. You could tell that he was shy but the guy for life of him, could not stay calm. There was something really refreshing about him. Alexander ought to personally pick out his own contestants every year.

Moving his attention over to Riley, the 6’4 man looked about ready to flirt with the person taking his measurements. And he was right because seconds after, Riley looked like he was about to lick the shell of the staff member’s ear. And Felix… well, he just looked like if he had the choice, he’d lean in and take the bait but he knew better. Riley clearly affected him, but he worked for the Master and nothing screamed ‘unemployment’ like messing with even one of his competitors.

 Now, since the Master had taken the time this year to pick for himself, a mere three minutes was enough to make things get ugly. Someone would definitely get fired.

He had to put an end to the whole scene quickly, before Riley convinced Felix that they could sneak off for a quickie and no one would notice. Because it would not even take five minutes and Alexander would know, and Tadashi wouldn’t even have to tell him anything.

 Felix had the tape around Riley's waist while the taller man leaned and whispered probably the dirtiest things to his ears. It was really getting out of hand, even Pierre looked away and pretended to focus everywhere else but there, his cheeks growing redder by the minute.

 "I'll take that. Felix," Tadashi said, catching the two off guard and taking the tape from him. "Find something else to do."

Felix quickly nodded looking both pissed and relieved at the same time. He cast one last look at Riley—who didn’t pass up the chance to wink—before scurrying away.

 "I didn't think someone in such an expensive looking suit would one day be taking my measurements," said Riley.

The man was clearly a talented sweet talker. But it didn’t bother Tadashi. “Riley,” he talked while carrying on with the task he had put upon himself. “What you did there was risky.”

 "I love how your accent creeps in when you speak. Do you want to know what I think about it?"

His Boldness himself asked.

 "No."

 "It sounds sexy," Riley continued anyway. An easy smile breaking out across his handsome face. He was aware of all his charms.

 Tadashi didn't pinch the bridge of his nose, nor did he pull Riley by the ear to make him listen. He really wanted to, but he kept on measuring instead. "It might be several hours before you officially meet the Master. So I'm going to ask you nicely, until then, behave yourself or someone might lose their job."

 "Not so fun, are you?" Riley replied, and despite the smile on his face, Tadashi recognized the understanding there, however little. "I wonder what could make you crack?"

 "Your mother might," Tadashi replied, then jotted down Riley's measurements and walked away to answer a call, leaving the man staring after him open mouthed. It was going to be a fire between the Master and that one. And that was only a fact.

 Coming back, everyone was nearly finished. To him, despite always looking like he was ready to engage in conversation with someone, Noah looked like the unfriendliest person he'd ever seen. But not more than Jet did. They both clearly put an effort to avoid everyone else.

 Mason was probably the nicest, but his mind seemed to constantly wander. No doubt it was the overwhelming situation they all were a part of now.

For some reason, it was Linder he couldn’t stop looking at, right from the moment he stalked onto the stage. He looked so out of place and yet so…alone? Even ‘alone’ wasn’t accurate. Tadashi didn’t have a word for it yet, even as he found himself approaching him.

 "Are you nervous?" he asked. He didn't smile even when he told himself to...because it might have calmed the man down.

 "Kind of?" Linder rubbed the back of his neck slowly, avoiding Tadashi's eyes. "It's a bit much."

 Tadashi heard it again, that thing within that voice. It didn't sound quite right, and still caught him unawares but still...

What a sweet sound.

 "That's expected. But you just might get used to it."

 "You think so?"

 "I do. Only thing is that I've learned over the years, that it is next to impossible to predict the Master."

 Linder swallowed and Tadashi faintly felt like squeezing his arm. "It'll be alright," he said and then he was moving on.

 "I take it you are all finished?" Tadashi looked around. "If you're okay then we'll move on. I'll answer any questions you have from now until you finally meet the man in charge, so don't get scared to ask."

 Tadashi turned around and started towards the exit. "Follow me, I'll show you around your new home for the next six months."

04

FINAL RULES

You will refer to the Master as

’

Sir

’

<<

Unless evicted, you will cut off all contact with everyone you know for the next six months, give up your phone and accept a new one. The only contact you will be allowed to have is the Master’s. You are however, permitted to request for a fellow competitor’s contact

<<

Disobedience of the Master in the first week will be looked over once. After that, further disobedience is unacceptable. You will accept punishment or face disqualification

<<

You are to write a heartfelt letter to the Master every month at any time of your choosing, texting of a letter will lead to immediate punishment

<<

You will be asked to prepare meals from time to time. If you can’t cook, you will learn to cook

<<

You will exercise together with the Master

<<

Within the six months, you are expected to take the Master out on two dates. And these will be anywhere about the house

<<

If the Master decides to take you out, you will remain by his side and do as he says, or you will be disqualified

<<

You will be involved in sexual activity and intimacy with the Master.

Detailed e

xplanation will be provided if

requested

for

<<

You are free to act like you are married to the Master. And that means getting jealous and being fussy is acceptable

<<

You will participate in every task and game set before you without fail, unless otherwise said by the Master

<<

Self gratification is prohibited, any personal needs and urges will be taken care of by the Master

<<

Falling in love will lead to immediate disqualification

<<<

All you have to do to win is follow the rules

—

You will be given points that will keep adding or dropping accordingly with your behavior

—

Do not try to act sneaky,

where the Master might encourage privacy, behavior might still be monitored

—

Points will also be earned through games and tasks set by the Master. You will be able to

keep track of your personal score

on your phone

—

•••

If you have read and agreed to the rules above, sign here:

The Master welcomes you.

05

Zel tried to make himself comfortable inside one of the black and gold Bentleys he was escorted to sit inside—cars he had only ever seen from behind a screen. It was a futile effort. The driver was awfully quiet it was almost awkward. Next to him was one of the contestants whom also, was completely quiet.

 The man's hair was nearly the color of his own, except it was much lighter. It was the whitest white hair Zel had ever seen. And he had to admit he could see all the appeal it was meant to garner. 

 Tadashi sat next to the chauffeur whose gloved hands controlled the wheel. Yet another thing Zel had only ever seen from behind a screen. The only thing calming him down was the knowledge that Tadashi was perfectly polite. Something about him just made one feel at ease, and in this moment, Zel was glad for it.

Two more cars, identical to the one he was inside, followed closely behind them, where he was sure about five more men—just like him—sat with thoughts racing through their minds. Much like himself.

They were obviously better suited for this sort of thing than he was. Nevertheless, he was absolutely happy he got chosen as well. He loved new experiences, so he was going to make the most out of this one.

 "Hi, I'm Zel," he told the man next to him, feeling a little courageous. "What's your name?" 

 A head full of white turned briefly to take Zel in, but his eyes lingered, forcing Zel to smile out of nervousness. The grim look on his face disappeared, but just like he turned, he quickly turned back. 

 He leaned at his side of the backseat like he was trying to put the biggest distance possible between him and Zel.

What was his problem?

 He had not looked the most inviting, in fact, everything about him screamed 'stay away from me' but that was Zel's forte most fortunately. If he could get through the hardened and icy parts of people, then the rest was always easy. He could have waited for another time to do this but now was a good time as any. 

 Although now, it seemed like this one would be for another time because Noah scowled and turned away from him. It dampened his spirits for a short while. Then he decided to let it go and focus on the scenery instead. 

  They had not ridden for long, and apart from Zel's attempt to introduce himself, no one had spoken. And they were back to the comfortable silence. From where he was sitting, Zel could see that Tadashi was typing away furiously on the tablet he'd somehow gotten from God knows where.

 Unexpectedly, he heard a voice from next to him. "It's Noah," he said, still not looking at Zel.

 Zel was so delighted as he whipped his head around to look at him. "It's nice to meet you Noah," he said, not knowing what else was appropriate.  "I'm Zel."

 "Yes. You told me that." Noah suddenly didn't look so standoffish as he had a few moments earlier. Zel couldn't put a finger on it. He seemed both shy and confident at the same time. Cocky even. 

 He was probably one of those people who Zel had encountered several times. They had to know there would be no harm to their defenses before they even spoke to someone. And Zel, he was as harmless as they came if he could say so himself. He just genuinely loved people.

 "You too," he said. It was the last Zel could get out of him before they arrived at their destination and they were interrupted by Tadashi telling them to come with him.

While Zel was so focused on engaging Noah in conversation, he didn’t notice that the car pulled up to a big iron wrought gate.

The mansion felt like it had an air of its own as the other two Bentleys behind them stopped, ceremoniously opening doors at the same time, giving time for everyone to file out. Did they rehearse this beforehand?

The doors were then closed after them. The chauffeurs even got back inside afterwards, and drove away in sync. Either this was practiced or they’d been doing it for a while for it to look so much like second nature.

“There’s three levels to this house, well, mansion if you prefer,” Tadashi said the moment everyone fell in step behind him. “We didn’t drive all the way in because then I wouldn’t be able to show you everything on the outside. We’ll start from here, then we’ll end with the interior.”

All they could do was stare.

Before the entrance to the house—the space from the gate to the door, could fit at least two houses along it. There were three fountains lined up next to each other. Two large hexagonal types and one tiny circular one between them. Like the fucking king of Macedonia lived here.

They walked past rows of trees on either side of them, before Tadashi turned left.

“Right here is the tennis court,” he said, looking at a court the standard size of any world class Olympic court.

“Huh,” said Riley. “I just realized I never played tennis.”

A chorus of agreement rang out through the group. Only Noah remained silent.

“You play?” Riley asked, causing a somewhat surprised expression to form on Noah’s face. He was probably shocked that Riley noticed. He nodded.

“Oh?” Riley replied. “Maybe you could show me some time.”

“Uh, sure,” he shrugged.

This was a changed person from Zel’s conversation just a few minutes back. He seemed more… open? Not that rigid after all.

 "It's a promise," said Riley. 

 Separated by a group of trees in a line was another court. 

 "Now this," Riley looked at the state of the art basketball court. "This is really cool. Do you want to learn to play basketball too? Noah right?"

 Noah nodded. "Who says I can't play?" 

 "No way," Riley replied, feeling all his flirtatious cells coming to life. "One on one later?"

 "I'm kidding," he replied, an easy smile on his face. "I can't play basketball for shit."

 Riley poked him playfully with his elbow, his smile widened.

 Riley had always been the athletic child, in fact all of his siblings were too, just not more than him. He wasn't the type who limited himself to one type of sport for that matter. He should have made it big somewhere, with his exceptional skills but due to an incident he didn't like to think about, everything had gone down the drain, and here he was.

 As he looked at the court, he refused to be transported back to an earlier time. When this was his entire life. Too long ago. And not worth it. He turned away.

 "Across this side, we've got this piece of open space, just a space to add to the beauty of the design," Tadashi continued. 

 For the better, he thought.

 The space he was referring to was an expanse of perfectly mowed grass. A little beyond that, more to the side was another feature. It looked like the opening to a garden. It was not directly across from them, but rather, more to the side of the house such that you wouldn't be able to see it from the entrance.

 It was a beautiful garden, complete with wooden benches next to random shrubbery throughout the area, and by the side of each bench was a lamp like it came from a whimsical place. And as if the fountains at the entrance were not enough, there was  another one inside the garden. But this one was more interesting because it was designed so that an eagle of some sort was spewing out the water from its beak.

 Right in the middle of it was a beautiful round  gazebo. The roof was almost made like that of a pagoda and the ends of each serrated section had little lamps hanging off them. Of course unlit now that it was daytime. But Pierre had no doubt they shone beautifully when dusk took charge and gave way to night. 

 He marveled at it, and without thinking, he walked up the three or so steps and stood in the middle of the gazebo, observing a little pond and a bench next to it. The breeze felt like heaven from where he was. It almost felt like home.

 "Yeah, this is beautiful, isn't it?"

 Pierre startled at the voice. He'd been so lost in his head he didn't really hear the footsteps approach. "

Mon Dieu! “ he said, clutching at his chest.

 "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm Mason," the man smiled and Pierre blinked several times.

 "I– I– no it's no problem," he said and rushed out to join the others. 

 Mason stared after him, wondering what his name was, and what he'd said wrong to make him retreat so fast.

 After exploring a little bit more of the garden, Tadashi led everyone out and into the back of the house. This was another wonder all on its own. The swimming pool was huge and shaped like a curvy letter 'L' depending on the angle you were looking at it from.

 At one end of it was an inbuilt round seat that just circled the structure with a table right at the center, untouched by the water. Even the steps that led to it were very fancily built above the water. Sun beds lined up the sides each with their own umbrella and side tables.

 What was even more baffling was the sight behind it. There was a fire pit with seats around it under a shade a little distance away from the pool. But that wasn't it. It was that a little beyond that too, was a short fence separating the entire pool area from the maze on the other side of it, a fucking maze! And on the other were... the woods. A forest. A little forest. All part of the same property.

 What the fuck?

Riley thought. Never had he seen such a fancy house before, in fact to be precise, he’d never been to a mansion before or whatever you called this. Just how rich was this guy?

 Tadashi then led them on to a flight of stairs. "This is the only way to get to the third level of the house from the outside. It was built in a way that the second level can only be accessed from the inside. Of course unless you possess the agility of a burglar."

 The view at the top was breathtaking. There was a second pool at the top. But unlike the ones down, the sun beds here didn't have umbrellas. And were wider. They noticed that there were several tiny trees growing on one side of the third level. And the biggest jacuzzi on another.

 "There's so many flowers here, and plants growing. You ought to think there shouldn't be, considering there's a pool. I mean what if all the dirt flies into the pool, and why are you growing trees on your roof?"

 Jet, who had been quiet the entire time, now scoffed at this.

 "What?" Linder bristled.

 Jet pushed a button and a glass rolled up from the ground, shielding the pool from the plants. "This might help keep your fingernails dirt free your highness."

 Not that there would have been a problem without it anyway. The flowers weren't that close to the pool.

 "It's fiber glass," Tadashi said, then knocked on it twice to make his point. 

 "So what is that remote for?" Noah asked. 

  Tadashi pressed the button again to retract the glass...almost too quickly, the way Noah saw it. "The same glass, also turns into a screen. Let's get to the other side."

 "After you, princess," Linder rolled his eyes at a smirking Jet, completely unimpressed and putting the biggest distance he could, between them.

 On the other side of the roof was a bar and cozy lounge chairs spread out spaciously. They somehow managed to make a bar look extremely cozy. Perfect.

 "So that's it for the whole exterior. I'm sure you'll be able to find your way around in no time."

 "I don't even remember half of the paths," said Zel.

 "Yeah you'll get used to it, six months is a long time...that is, if you stay for its entirety. Come on in," Tadashi held the door open for the men. "I won't show you everything, only your rooms, and the table where you are to wait." 

 Mason thought of the house he lived in before he had signed up for this competition, it seemed like twenty of his house could fit into this one, with enough space left for twenty more. It was too much, almost too overwhelming, and too good to be true.

 The top of the stairs inside of the mansion separated into two, leading to two opposite sides that got anyone's imagination rolling. This was a scene right out of a Disney fantasy.

 "I'm in a fairytale right? I mean, right there is a west wing after all," said Zel.

 Riley laughed at that. "I know, right?" 

 Tadashi, playing along, said, "I fear you might be right, because the Master's chambers do actually reside in the west wing, and all of yours, in the east. Do not be afraid though, I can assure you there is no beast."

 Linder scoffed.

 His gaze lingering for a bit, Tadashi continued. "Anyway, he'll show you his side when he wants to. For now, follow me," he said then continued to keep walking in the opposite direction.

 "Riley, Zel, here are your rooms," he motioned to two doors next to each other. 

 "Once I show you to your room, you can take your time and freshen up, make yourself at home, get comfortable. In about two hours I'll be back to get you guys. And that's when you'll meet the Master," said the assistant, the tension in the room instantly became obvious, but not a sound came from any one of the members.

 Jet and Mason's rooms were a little further from Zel and Riley's, but closer to each other. And the furthest of all the rooms from the rest were Noah's, Pierre's, and Linder's.

In a few hours, seven anxious men sat around the longest rectangular table they’d ever seen, with wood so polished it seemed to have a natural light. The tension got impossibly thicker the sooner the inevitable was going to happen. One man, or the lack of, brought it to that.

With no idea of what to expect, the curiosity was enough to kill ten cats. The Master could be anything, anyone. Hell, he could even have two heads for all they knew.

Only Riley and Noah looked a little unmoved as they waited for him to step in. Bored even. But that was only on the surface. Who knew if deep down they were rolling in bundles and knots of uneasiness? Who knew if they weren’t just exceptionally good at acting?

“This is pretty intense,” Zel broke the silence, laughing a little. It was so like him.

The same Riley, who looked entirely impassive the entire time replied. “Tell me about it.”

The moment didn’t last very long and the table was soon engulfed in silence once more. But not long after, the sound of distinct footsteps could be heard drawing closer to the room. Somehow the tension, the one that couldn’t possibly get any worse, got worse, so much that the bored looking Noah sat a little straighter.

You could feel the moment the Master entered the room, it was a presence that somehow made every second heavier than the last. The footsteps were heavy, measured, unhurried. Every single head turned to the direction of the entrance. The air seemed to stand still.

A man with a large frame covered in a suit walked in, at his own pace, shrugging off his coat and placing it on the waiting hands of a staff personnel. He regarded each person on the table quietly as he rolled up his sleeves, taking his time on one, then the other. With one hand loosening his tie, the Master sat at the head of the table.

mon dieu– my god

06

When Mason first entered his room, it wasn’t easy to admit how much he already loved it. They got almost every single thing about it right, that easily. Mason’s never had a room this big in his life, but that detail was easily forgotten with how accurately everything fit to his liking. The only thing that wasn’t exactly a favorite for him was the rules framed against the wall facing his bed in red and gold.

 Lowering himself on the bed, he noticed the phone by the bedside stand and picked it up, a stressful sigh leaving him from the crazy recollection of the past twenty four hours.

 He wanted to roll his eyes at the fact that just like the framed rules the back of it was red too, but he didn't because he had to admit, it looked beautiful. Red was a really good color.

 Mason turned the phone over, perfectly the size of his hand. It was already on but instead of clicking it, he put it down face first. No need to get overwhelmed more than he already was. Things were happening at about a thousand miles per minute. Just yesterday he convinced himself that making this decision would be worth it, that he had nothing to lose if he showed up, and now here he was. He could stress about it later, there's no turning back.

  The brunet went to soak in the tub inside his bathroom, that looked nearly the size of the room. It was a long, long bath, a much needed one, although even when he was done, he had enough time to snoop around and have a closer look if he wanted to but no, he'd done enough exploring for one day.

 He lay flat on his back on his new queen size bed and stared up at the ceiling letting out a heavy breath. 

 He'd left his window open and now a breeze crept in, causing him to shut his eyes in peace. He might have drifted off to sleep right there, but the soft knock on his door jolted him back to reality. 

 Tadashi was here. Already.

 "How are we doing?" He asked in his polite way. "Not too bad I hope?"

 "Honestly Tadashi, everything was great until you decided to knock on my door and interrupt the nap I was about to take." Mason couldn't help but smile when Tadashi laughed at this.

 "I'll arrange a special treat for you for this, you can pick any other day you want. How dare I be so rude?"

 Before he could answer, Mason noticed Jet standing there, hands crossed, looking impatient as if waiting for their nonsense to end. Their eyes met for a brief moment before both looking away. 

 Jet wasn't someone Mason wanted to talk to, or interact with. He didn't like his type, even as he knew that he was judging someone without really knowing them. He didn't like the constantly angry type. He was only going to tolerate him because their rooms were really really close to each other. Mason was determined to avoid him the same way he was determined to avoid everyone.

 "Let's go get the others shall we?" said Tadashi.

 Once everyone had been led to settle on the table, Tadashi said only one thing. "My time with you ends here, but I wish each one of you the best of luck." And with that, he was gone. His absence did not go unnoticed, clearly it was easier to relax with him around.

Sitting there, Mason had no choice but to try and conjure up an image of the Master in his head. Elderly man most likely, definitely a few wrinkles here and there. God please let him not look like Botox’s cousin. Because vanity and money could be vicious.

White or grey hair? This had to be that kind of thing. What if it was a woman? And even if it was, he’d signed a bunch of papers and now there was no running if he suddenly changed his mind.

So when the opposite of his thoughts came in from the direction they were all looking in, Mason tried but couldn't prevent his jaw from hanging open.

He was definitely not old, and had nothing to do with Botox’s cousin. So much that he could bet half his four million that their ages ranged around the same bracket. His dark hair was swept back to reveal dark, blue-grey eyes.

 With a bit of his hair falling to his forehead, he was like a dark horse, eyes brewing up a storm and looking like a creature impossible to tame.

 It wasn't only his stride, even the way he had rolled up his sleeves and sat himself at the table radiated power. Mason was utterly dumbfounded, and he'd sign those papers again if he could.

 Every word caught at his throat as he openly stared. The Master had a strong straight nose and lips that looked so sinful Mason bit his own. 

 His eyes darted to the hands resting on the table, they looked like they could do a good job of restraining him. Veiny, strong, looking so damn sexy Mason tried to distract himself from the image his mind kept on stubbornly sending him. To be fair, the rules did say—in family friendly language—that this was the man he was expected to suck and fuck...well okay then. OKAY THEN.

 Mason brushed his dirty thoughts away and looked down on the table, focusing on nothing, knowing fully well he couldn't be the only one with such a train of thought.

It was safe to say that no one, in his thirty four years of existence, had ever had this kind of effect on him.

 Nobody said a word, and the Master so gracefully took his time. He seemed to be doing it on purpose, looking intently at them but silently, it made him want to do nothing but squirm.

 Mason found himself fiddling with sweaty palms when their eyes met. His eyes were cold, calculating and yet he was transfixed. And then, just before looking away, he smirked at him, and in that moment, Mason knew he was fucked.

 "I am the Master."

 Yeah, no shit.

 It was a voice so deep he sounded older than he looked. Goosebumps broke out across the skin on Mason's arm at being caught by surprise. 

 "You must all be hungry," he continued with no amount of warmth to his tone. 

 A voice at the back of Mason's head seemed to mock him for ever thinking that the Master might be capable of being a generally nice person. No one with such obscene amounts of money ever really found it necessary, but there was six whole months to find out.

 Maybe his words were the cue, because the table that was empty seconds ago, was set up in an instant without anyone having to move but instantly several servers. The final plate was placed before the Master.

 As the food was brought out, he continued to speak. "In exactly one week, we'll meet here just like this, and talk about the rest of the six months. If you have any questions, you'll ask me then. Starting tonight, each of you will spend one night with me where I'll give you a chance to convince me to let you stay."

 Mason noticed that Zel was oddly looking nervous, and his face was just the littlest bit flushed, messy hair flocking all around him.

“From the moment you signed those papers you have to know,” the Master leaned in. “You belong to me. For as long as I want you, and when I don’t, you’ll be gone.”

 Mason was only stunned by the confidence to say such a thing. And to their faces as well.

 As if reading his thoughts and saying

fuck you to them, he added, “Only I, can let you go.”

 The way he said it made Mason lick his lips. Riley smirked like he knew a secret they didn't. Pierre looked down to his plate, Noah raised an easy brow. The atmosphere in the room bled with suspense.

 The watch that adorned the Master's wrist looked like it could buy Mason's life. He found it to be the only way he could focus his gaze in that direction without having to look at the man. 

 Mason only noticed the wine glasses by everyone's plate after champagne flutes were placed next to them, and filled up. The Master raised his glass, automatically, everyone did the same. "To an eventful six months," he said then tipped his glass before downing it.

 The Master set his glass down when everyone was done. "Now, eat."

‘A Night with the Master’

 The words popped up on Zel's phone screen. It was mentioned earlier that that was what the first week was referred to as. It seemed fitting.

 There was an envelope below the words. He tapped on it.

‘You have been randomly selected to spend the first night with the Master.’

‘Do not, take this lightly.’

 "Oh no," Zel threw the phone back to the bed. "Oh no! What am I going to do?" He found the Master hot, obviously, but also intimidating. Was he supposed to just go? Now? Should he wait? He did not want to be first, not at all. Did he look like he handled pressure well?

 Zel picked up his phone and replied to the image. He sent a text, crossing his fingers.

‘can someone else go first?’

 The reply did not even make ten seconds.

’ no .’

 Zel groaned loudly. Then he pondered for the longest time over what he should wear, even if it should have been a no brainer.

You’re not going to walk on a runway! Are you stupid?“

 Later that night, long after much fussing, Zel found the Master taking his clothes off, he couldn't have had worse timing. What.a.fucking.attractive.man.

 The Master turned to his direction, never pausing what he was doing. "Hi Zel," he said it slowly, calmly, while getting closer, until he was towering over him.

 Zel completely forgot that the door was still open, until the Master reached a hand above him, and slid it shut. 

 The smaller man only looked up to reply. "Hi," he said before looking away again.

Here was a man who didn’t need words to have people’s knees buckling. The way he regarded him said it all.

 The Master took off his shirt, exposing strong, bare shoulders, Zel powerless to look away as the Master looked back into his eyes.

When he was done with the torturous activity, he discarded the shirt. It shouldn’t have been hot, but the smaller man bit his lower lip. The worst part is that the Master did not seem aware of what he was doing. Either that, or he didn’t care.

“Why do you squirm so much? We are only going to talk.”

Ever since he sat on the table, Zel’s body became hot in all kinds of ways. Now that they were on the bed, hunger gnawed at him as the man leaned into him.

The heady cologne that clung to his skin mixed with his manly scent drove the blonde haired one all sorts of crazy inside his head.

Reflexively, he leaned back further into the bed as if touching was a risk of annihilation.

“Your time here is not going to be about what you want. It’s always about what I want,” the Master said, face almost unreadable, save for what could pass for amusement.

Where was his verbosity when he needed it?

“Right now, I’m only doing this to deny you what you crave in the end,” the Master’s voice whispered then grunted in a short laugh. “Because I can.”

“You don’t know what I want,” Zel tried to sound defiant, making a show of putting his little nose in the air. “We’ve only just met.”

“You’re really cute,” the Master said, combing his fingers through Zel’s long hair. The other man gasped, not expecting it.

The hard bare chest was now so close to his face as the Master towered over his small frame, just a little more and his nose would be pressed against it. Just a little…

“Ahhh–” Zel exclaimed in shock.

His hair was unexpectedly gripped and yanked, forcing his head back and his eyes to look up helplessly at the Master.

 "So, if I pinned you down, licked your pretty mouth, pulled your hair like this... you wouldn't like it?"

 Zel whimpered but the tiniest bits of desire glazed his eyes.

 "When I ask you a question, you will answer me. Is that understood?"

 Zel seemed to blink out of his trance. He swallowed the void in his mouth. It ashamed him that it felt so good. He felt really good. Innermost desires always felt impossible to douse when brought to the surface.

 "Y- Yes Sir," he answered. Tasting the word in his mouth, he was quickly becoming the color of a tomato. 

 "I won't ask again."

  "N-no, I mean yes Sir, I want that."

 The Master smirked, "That's what I thought."

 He went back to taking off the rest of his clothing. Zel's eyes were glued to the muscle in his thighs as the dress pants slipped off. He literally looked like he could break him in half, and yet, they wouldn't say it, but he had held him so gently. 

 He liked that.

“Gosh what’s wrong with me?” Zel muttered to himself under his breath, and somehow the Master caught it. His reply was curt and direct.

“Aw, do you need a moment?”

Zel flushed.

“It’s only natural. You want me, it’s that simple.”

 Zel felt strong hands pull him in, and then he was off the bed and up in the air, in the Master's arms. Skin against skin, the room suddenly became the world's largest oven.

 "And we'll get to that. The true mystery is, how much will you be able to take?"

07

Linder adjusted his glasses nervously first, then pursed his lips. This was strange. Even for him, sitting between the thighs of a man you met a little over forty eight hours ago…in his bed. That was a first.

He was being embraced from the behind as he sat between the Master’s legs who acted like his human head board.

He wouldn’t deny that it felt good to lean into him, to get physical comfort from someone. But if he was frankly speaking, he was scared.

 "Linder... is a pretty name. Never heard it before."

 He felt the vibrations from the Master's chest when he spoke. The heat slowly spread through his body.

 "Thank you Sir," Linder said as if it came automatically to him.

 "Say that again," the Master replied. 

 Linder wasn't sure why he'd said it. But he was so easily compelled to do it again. It would do nothing to calm his nerves down, obviously, but he felt the need to please.

 "Thank you." His voice went lower all on its own. Linder cleared his throat. "Thank you, sir."

 Linder flinched when rigid as strong hands latched onto his shoulders suddenly. He couldn't keep being so jumpy, he needed to react better.

 "You are too nervous, so many tension knots on these shoulders." He felt fingers begin to move right after his right shoulder was kissed. "Tell me, why'd you sign those papers?"

 "Because it is the easiest way to ever make four million dollars." His response earned a chuckle from the Master and Linder was ready to offer himself up for him.  It had to be some sort of first time nervousness, because men like this were attractive, but he didn't like the type. Not one bit.

 He let out a relaxed sigh when he felt the Master massaging his delicate shoulders. The Master's fingers seeming more skillful than he first thought.

 "Oh-h yea-" Linder clamped a hand against his mouth so fast, ashamed of his behavior and of the words and sounds falling off his mouth.

 "S-stop... please s-si–"

  "You're sexy," The Master said instead. "Your lean frame, your glasses and the curve of your ass," he said while groping it and leaning in. "It's all so sexy."  Linder found the way he whispered into his ear so hot that he was writhing and breathing heavily.

 "D-don't," he ground out in the mess that he was. "Stop."

 He felt the Master's hot breath against his neck, at the part where it connected to his shoulder. He shrunk back at the way it tickled.

 "I hear two words, 'don't stop'," the Master said. Really smug because he was clearly aware of all the distortion he was causing. 

 "Oh yeah... yes please."

  At some point while the Master let his hands roam his body and nothing else made sense, Linder found two brain cells in his head to read the situation and then he realized what he was saying. "No! I meant no." He was horrified.

 The Master laughed. Setting his teeth on his shoulder, leaving the littlest of kisses. Linder shivered.

 "No?"

 "Mhm... p-pl-"

 "This is fun, getting you so worked up like this," the Master said. "You're going to shatter so beautifully when I stop playing games."

 Mason thought that when the time came for him to spend the night with the Master, he was going to lose it with every nerve bundling up inside his chest.

 He knew it all in his head word by word. Except that when he got there, everything was different. His preparation was thrown off the window as their eyes met with the Master. He swallowed a lump in throat as he felt his mind go blank.

 "H-" Mason didn't get to even start before he was pulled onto the Master's lap. 

 What the fuck are you trying to do? Make me jump you?!

He screamed at the Master inside his head as he squirmed on his lap.

 "Fucking stay still," a commanding voice brought a stop to his movement. That and an erection swelling between his ass. "If you don't want me taking you right here before we can properly talk."

 I honestly wouldn't mind that. 

 "That excites you doesn't it?" The Master tightened his hold on Mason.

 The latter looked between them to see that he was indeed hard. He felt a little ashamed at his lack of self control. 

 "Yes Sir," Mason figured there was no point in denying it.

 "Too bad, I only want to talk to you." 

 As long as I'm sitting here.

“Okay…”

 It wasn't fair but Mason figured it was reasonable. Of course they'd have to communicate eventually, he knew that. Which is why he remembered the one thing he'd been trying to figure out since he got here.

 "What is your name?" He dared to ask.

 As far as he knew, none of the other guys seemed to know. He first thought it would be revealed once they met the Master but till now, it remained a mystery. 

 Then he thought of asking Tadashi but he hadn't seen him since the Master arrived. His absence was felt.

 "You aren't important enough to know that detail."

 It stung. Mason heard the cold answer and tried to keep his emotions in check best as he could. It shouldn't have affected him the way it did, but it did.

 Mason hated a part of him already, and that was his bluntness.

 "Aw that's a sour face right there. Are you hurt?" The Master was smiling.

 Asshole.

 "You won't hurt me that easily."

 "That's good. Signing those papers was a death sentence for your emotions."

 "You don't need to tell me that," Mason answered coolly. He knew what signing the papers meant. He'd read them, he wasn't stupid.

 "Then why do you sound a little aggravated?" the Master asked a Mason who was trying to school his features. "Or are you trying to keep that too?"

 "Baby..." Mason's hand went to hold the Master's neck before slowly leaning in. "I'm only acting like we're married."

The room was not completely dark. It was dimly lit by two lamps by the bedsides. They glowed a soft orange, revealing a huge bed, soft pillows and an angry man settled between them.

Out of habit, Jet cracked his knuckles, he always did it when he was nervous and it always worked in his favour because people always got the wrong idea. And right now he was really nervous.

The Master didn’t know this as he regarded him. He liked the look on his face instead, it showed how extremely uncomfortable he was. He resisted the urge to scoff, amused as he was.

“Is that supposed to be scary?” he asked.

Jet’s eyes immediately shot to him from between the pillows. A tattooed hand moving up to twist his lower lip. “It depends, are you scared?”

“Hmm,” the Master seemed to think about it. A feral kitten like you? Oh I’m definitely scared.“

“That’s some fucking bullshit.”

The Master sat at one end of the bed and patted the space next to him. “Come sit here.” He looked at Jet patiently, Jet stared back. “I’d much rather not.”

The Master was not affected—seemingly in a good mood—he smirked, then moved to where Jet was and laid his head on Jet’s lap. “What are you so angry about?”

“What are you so smug about?” He shot back.

The Master sighed. “Well, I can afford to pay each of you four million right now easy, but I choose to do it six months later. For one of you.” He poked Jet’s nose, which only made him angrier. “Get the fuck off me.”

“Okay.” The Master stopped playing and in one swift motion, he tangled their legs together and turned Jet’s back to his chest, pinning him down, rendering him powerless, helpless, so much that everything he said was muffled underneath him. “I like the fight in you, Jet,” the Master said. “It is the type of fire I like to consume.”

Jet struggled but to no avail, he hated that there was nothing he could do about it. The Master didn’t move until he calmed down in defeat. “I can do that anytime, just so you know.”

“I don’t like you,” replied Jet once his mouth was free.

“Aw you fierce little cub, I don’t really care,” the Master said before letting him go. He cocked his eyebrow at Jet’s angry face, staring at him in absolute scorn. “You can go now.”

“Fuck you,” he replied.

The Master chuckled, mostly at the fact that he could get under his skin so easily. “I’m going to have my share of fun with you little cub. This is only the beginning.”

Jet sprang off the bed at the chance he got. A scowl aimed at the Master while he took a few steps back. He then stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The Master watched the door after Jet, he could feel himself getting worked up. It took almost all of the Master’s self control to let him go. He had time, he told himself. There was just something about Jet, he couldn’t put his finger on it yet, but he would. It had taken a lot of resolve to let him go, but it was okay because he was allowed to act out all he wanted for the entire week. After that, he was going to apologize for slamming that door.

“Hey Daddy…” said Riley with the biggest grin on his face.

 The Master raised one eyebrow. "You're not intimidated by me." 

 "Oh I am, just a little bit. I just happen to hide things really well," he said in an honest yet playful tone. "Like how I'm hiding the fact that I'm getting really hard for you right now."

 Riley stood closer to the Master, looking at him, his eyes screaming a challenge.

 His smile widened when he heard the Master cuss under his breath.

 "I know you want to, come on, do something about it," Riley said. His confidence was solid, the Master observed. He liked that.

 Riley found himself slammed against the wall, his back to it, and with surprising strength the Master pinned his arms above his head. His face was probably just an inch away from the Master's. "You have quite the mouth on you. Like it's begging to be shut."

 Riley had heard the first part of that sentence before. In fact, so many times. He said whatever was in his mind, you either liked it or you didn't. That wouldn't stop him from saying it. "Quite literally too," he finished for him, liking this interaction way more than he thought he would.

 The Master touched his cock through his clothes and tingles ran down his spine. Riley liked how the hand closed around him.

 "You must feel so proud of yourself," the Master was talking about his dick obviously.

 "Well, I can't exactly feel proud of something I had no control over."

 "You can," he replied simply. "You are. Just look how excited this is making you."

 "Fine, you're right. You're just really really hot, you know that?"

 The Master ignored it. "Why should I let you stay?" 

 "Oh come on! Like you don't already know the answer to that," said Riley. All he got in reply was a questioning brow. "Obviously because we're going to have a lot of fun! Let me put it inside papi."

Papi?

 Stormy eyes regarded him coldly. "Careful. The rules are clear. And now, you've run out of your only chances to break them." 

 "Okay...let me put it inside, SIR."

The rules, surely they couldn’t be that strict.

 Riley started to gasp for air before he realized he was choking. A hand still pinning both his above him but the other now tightened around his neck. Squeezing almost more than was necessary.

 He struggled but they only tightened the more. A few veins started to bulge but the Master never wavered, never loosened his grip.

 "Mnff-"

 His knees buckled and he dropped on them onto the floor when the Master finally let him go, hands going up to soothe his throat and coughs racking through his body as he tried to reign his breathing in under control.

 The Master only looked at him. A hard glare cast down at him. "Where's that confidence now?"

 Riley's eyes remained rooted on the ground until he felt fingers on one side of his cheek, then under his chin. Slowly forcing him to look up. The Master was crouched down to his level.

 Riley loved to be dominant, but he also loved a strict man. And this one, knew how to let you know who was in charge.

The Master shoved his thumb inside Riley’s mouth. Engulfing it in softness and warmth. Riley bit the finger, applying the least amount of pressure, then pulled the hand altogether away from him. Using his other free hand, he closed the hand around the Master’s throat, and pulled him in, grinding their lips together.

08

Alexander couldn’t help but study Pierre’s behavior more intensely on the sixth night. Pierre’s behavior was a bit peculiar, a little exceptional that it needed extra attention.

He understood being shy but the French man was clearly conflicted by something that ran deeper. He never got personal with competitors, he wasn’t that bored. There was no interest whatsoever in their trivial matters.

He noticed the way Pierre avoided his eyes. There weren’t really many people who could hold his gaze and look him directly in the eye for a long time but Pierre went out of his way to avoid looking anywhere near his face.

A constant blush was evident on his features throughout the entire ordeal. In all sense of the matter, he acted like he was in an interrogation.

“Do I scare you?” the Master asked and Pierre shrunk further. As if his voice was a grenade, limited only to a pin and waiting to explode.

“N-not necessarily,” he replied in a thick French accent, words laced in uncertainty with the littlest undertones of fear.

“Hmm…” said the Master. He noticed that Pierre was snuffing the life out of the pillow in his hand. For some reason the intensity of the situation had just doubled for the other man, just because he’d spoken a few words.

The Master cocked his head. “Why did you sign that paper? You clearly don’t want to be here.”

He didn’t need an affirmation that his words were true, he knew they were. Pierre’s body language screamed it all out.

“I don’t know,” he replied.

“Nice try,” he said and ran a finger down the man’s stiff back. “I’m not one to lie to, it’s pointless because sooner or later, I find out everything.”

Almost nothing escaped the Master’s eye. Ever. He noticed everything. Little quirks and tiny body movements nobody thought were important, but in actual sense, told way more about a person.

He could tell a lot about a person just by analyzing the little reactions they made to things he said. Body language could be very telling. The movement of a finger, the quickening of a breath, a slight withdrawal of a hand or a subtle aversion of a gaze. Every single thing was important. And now Pierre was giving out too much.

“I- okay I- err…” he watched Pierre struggle to find the words. “A-alright I signed it for the money.”

“Really? The money, is that all?” The Master asked with what could almost pass as a scoff.

“ Oui ,“ Pierre nodded, as if convincing himself of it only just now. “That is all.”

The Master got between the sheets next to Pierre, touching him seductively. His skin was soft under his touch as he squeezed the smoothness lightly.

Pierre gasped, quite shocked at the onslaught. He still wouldn’t turn his head to look at the Master even if he kept on pulling closer.

A hand went over to tighten itself over Pierre’s stomach, it was almost like they were spooning. He wanted to break away, move off the bed, anything but those hands touching him there.

Seconds later, he felt a hot breath against the shell of his ear, then teeth grazed his lobe and he heard a word whispered in his ear. “Liar.”

‘The Master has chosen you to spend the last night with’

‘Do not take this lightly’

 When the message appeared on Noah's phone on the eighth night, he released a heavy breath, a little flattered. "

A night with the Master , huh?“ He read.

 Pulling himself together, he crossed to the Master's side of the house, not seeing him anywhere immediately he got inside the room. Noah's heart almost did a jump scare when his eyes fell on a chair at the side of the room.

 In a perfectly upright posture, the Master sat regarding him quietly. His face impassive. Noah hated not knowing what to do, and this was the position he was put in at the moment. What was the M.O here? Fake it as you go?

 "Sit."

 Or that?

 Noah went to sit where the Master motioned to. And it was right across from him on the bed. Blue-grey eyes followed his every move. They watched each other.

 All of the silence was beginning to get to Noah's head, making him feel self conscious slowly by slowly.

Even as the Master looked at him, Noah couldn't tell if he was trying to study him or trying to get a reaction out of him because he gave nothing away. Only locked him in a heated, smoldering gaze, making him anxious by the second.

 When Noah couldn't take it anymore, he looked down. Anywhere but such eyes, such intense scrutiny. This was turning out so much different from his expectations.

 "Good," he heard the deep voice say. That's when he understood that he'd passed some sort of test.

 "I'm mostly interested in you." The Master shifted in his seat. "Do you like that you are here? That I chose you?"

 He couldn't for the life of him understand why he was being asked this question. And more than that, why was he special? What was so interesting about him?

 "I just wanted to see the psycho behind all this," Noah said in all honesty.

 "Is that it?" There was a grin on the Master's face. If the words affected him in any way, he didn't show it.

 Noah nodded. "Why are you interested in me? Am I your type?"

 The Master finally got up, not a single readable expression on his face. "We'll see."

 "Why are you t-taking everything off?" Noah's voice shook slightly.

 "Quiet." The Master discarded his clothes, taking everything but his underwear off. The black boxer briefs hugged his toned thighs like a heated embrace. 

 The Master sat back down, and just like that, the setting wasn't as casual anymore. And Noah, being only a man, couldn't control the arousal he could feel was starting to get a hold of him.

What a glorious body.

 "You're going to put on a show for me," the Master said. He was beginning to understand the type of person the Master was. Extremely cocky, the type of confidence that was impossible to fake. He probably didn't give a fuck that he was blessed with extremely good looks either.

“Grope yourself,” the Master told him. The tone he used didn’t leave space for disobedience. Noah felt like he was treading on dangerous ground.

Noah didn’t want to admit it but it turned him on. Unsure fingers went to his own crotch. Slowly, Noah moved his hands, rubbing himself where it kept growing.

“Not bad. But not good enough,” the half naked man said from where he sat watching, commanding every single molecule of air in the room. “Look at me.”

Noah looked at the Master but kept on averting his gaze. His eyes were too intense and he didn’t want to get completely hard too fast.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Noah heard the finality to his voice and this time, his eyes stayed glued to him. “Good, now do it again.” The Master’s eyes never wavered as he watched Noah, expecting nothing short of what he’d said.

Noah’s dick twitched in his hands. He stroked himself as he watched the Master. He started gaining more confidence the harder he got. His chest rose and fell with the deep breaths escaping from him, the unchanging piercing gaze of the Master, his sexy, sexy lips. He couldn’t wait till they were on his.

He wanted to trail his eyes all over his body but the eyes that constantly looked into his soul held him in place.

His breaths were now coming out hot as he pumped himself faster, sounds from a vulgarized point of view falling off his mouth. The Master continued to watch.

Shudders racked through Noah’s body as his cock swelled and released his seed, splattering all over his stomach and coating his hand. He’d never jerked off like this before, with someone watching him so closely, so seriously. It was a hundred times more intense. Jesus fucking Christ.

When his breathing started to normalize, he met the Master’s eyes and saw the smirk on his face. Like a fiend with a secret, the Master had kept silent the entire time. Now he broke that silence.

“How did that feel?” he asked Noah. Even if he didn’t need to. It was evident enough.

Noah groaned. “Really. Fucking. Good, sir,” he replied.

“I bet… that was quite the show. You even have me so hard,” The Master said, still not going anywhere near his own cock, still not touching Noah either.

The tension in the room got worse when the Master finally came closer to him.

There was a big bulge on the front of his underwear, making Noah swallow, unable to look away. Making him hotter than he already was, so much that even his palms felt a little clammy.

He wanted to touch it. To pull down those briefs and let that erection spring free, and cover it with his mouth. He knew he would do such a good job, he had no doubt about that.

“Can I suck your cock, sir? Please?” He knew it was the horniness talking, still, he couldn’t help it.

He was needy and he knew it. Hell, he hadn’t even thought he was going to orgasm under the Master’s intense gaze when he’d walked in through the door, didn’t even think he’d get hot for him, at least not tonight, but not a long time later, here they were. He would admit shamelessly, he wanted everything.

This…for all that money? Nothing was surely easier than that. Tingly sensations still coursed through him, making his entire body ripple with pleasure.

“I don’t know, beg for it a little harder,” the Master replied.

Noah got on his knees. “Sir, I want your dick. Please let me suck it.”

The Master chuckled darkly as the other man’s eyes stuck to him. He had his undivided attention now, evident from all his eagerness. He’d turned him into a mess, begging to be fucked. He liked it.

He went to stand before him, much to the other man’s delight. Noah reached out for the annoying briefs the closer the Master got, until he was standing before him, the bulge nearly touching his face.

Confusion etched all over his face when the Master’s hands closed around his wrists, stopping him. He raised the hand a little higher as he smirked at Noah, looking so good on his knees before him.

“Wha–” Noah began to ask but never got the chance to finish. The response was what sent the shock waves rolling through his body when he heard it.

“You’re disqualified.”

09

One week later…

 The room was the same, and so was the table, but the number of men who sat around it wasn't the same. The one missing further fed the curiosity of the rest. 

 "It's the end of the first week," he said. "And there's six of you left." 

 The men tensed because of the heavy meaning behind his words. He said it like anyone else could be next, and from what it looked like, no one wanted to be next.

 Zel was the one most concerned, because it felt like he was just beginning to know the man. It gave him the courage to ask, even if the tension in the room was screaming at him not to.

 "Whe- what happened to Noah?" His curious mismatched eyes focused on the man at the head of the table. 

 "He was disqualified. Don't interrupt me," came the Master's curt reply.

 If there was someone who was probably not going to make it, it would be the guy with the tattoos. He just looked way too hostile. As for Noah, he couldn't think of a reason why he would be disqualified.

 "I like to believe you have been comfortable so far..." Jet scoffed. "...and have no complaints about your living quarters and your stay here."

 Murmurs of agreement went around the table as the Master nodded and moved on. The men looked wary, the nervousness went without saying.

 "Good. Moving on, I will not tolerate any disrespect for the people who work for me, you will not boss them around as you see fit. They are my business and not yours," the dangerous undertone to his voice was gone when he  continued. "You are however, permitted to form friendships with them if you like."

 At least two people released a breath. Leave it to the Master to build up tension to the maximum, then clear the air himself.

 "Among you, only-"

 "Among us?" Zel cut in. Exclaiming in question as he looked to Riley whose eyes were twinkling with mirth. A smile on his well sculpted features.

 "Behave yourself, Zel. I do not want to do anything drastic," the Master cleared his throat. "There are four among you who cook. Riley, Zel, Pierre and Mason."

 "I-" Zel began but the warning look on the Master's face was enough to make him change his mind. He was a chatterbox and sometimes he couldn't help it. Well most times, but he still thought it was unfair of the Master.

 "Linder and Jet," he said, aiming a look at the two men he'd mentioned. "You have two options..."

 Linder paid his full attention to the Master while Jet looked as nonchalant as one could get.

 "Learning how to cook isn't an option so you can either ask me, or any of the other men to teach you how to cook if they're willing to. I'll ask you to prepare something for me from time to time and I have to taste your improvements every time you make a meal, or your general score will keep going down."

 "Sir?" Zel asked carefully.

 "What is it?"

 "Why is this rule...why is it so important to learn? I'm including myself because I can't really cook. I can only bake."

 "I know, and that's good enough." The Master told Zel. "My housekeeper only works for the other half of the year, so this half is entirely in your hands."

 It sounded really reasonable, like it could be done without much fuss, or any struggle for that matter.

 "You have my contact on each of your phones, do not hesitate to call me if you need anything, I'm serious about this," The Master looked at each one of them to get the point across. "I'll hang up if you call me for no reason."

 For some reason, Zel was already thinking he was going to have fun with this. He smiled to himself and quickly hid it.

 "You'll be notified whenever there is a task or a game. These aren't an option either, I'd like you to remember that," the Master leaned back in his chair. "Of course, unless I say otherwise. And winning does not mean you get the most points. I decide how that works and trust me, you need those up. Any questions?" He asked when he finished.

 "What sort of games are they? What kind of tasks?" Pierre asked while trying to look anywhere but the Master.

 "They are harmless, nothing too extreme that would make you uncomfortable, fun even. And it's for the purpose of normalcy in the competition. You'll know when it's time to play. And if you've got a problem, you'll bring it up to me. Naturally." 

 Just then, a man in a uniform identical to the ones the chauffeurs that had first brought them up to the mansion wore, came in. 

 "We're ready sir," he said, diverting all the attention in his direction. Thankfully.

 The men noticed how comfortable he was when he said it, they needed half his courage in the way he had so elegantly addressed the Master.

 "I have to go," the Master stood up. "Jet, you'll be in my bed tonight."

 Jet visibly paused everything he was doing—basically nothing—and stilled. He looked like if the circumstance had been different, he'd be sending a middle finger up the Master's face. The man clearly didn't like people telling him what to do. "I'm not–" He started and stopped, unable to mistake the impatience in the Master's eyes. 

 "I wasn't exactly asking for your permission, my love." He said, and then he was gone.

 Riley got back into his room and plopped onto his bed, it was a really big bed, exactly the way he liked them. If it weren't for the papers they had filled out, he'd almost think the Master could read minds.

 The first time he'd gotten in, it was a sight to behold. A wonder. The huge bed rested between wallpapers of blue and grey behind it as two lamps adorned each side beautifully.

 The window was the size of at least two doors as it gave him the view of one side of the house. It was the middle floor that Tadashi had explained could only be accessed from the inside. Whoever designed it was actually clever if he thought about it.

 The floorboards threatened to reflect his face as he stood over them. On the wall was a frame of the rules and it was designed in his favorite colors. He'd eyed the phone by the bed and checked it out immediately.

It looked like a regular phone, but the motion wallpaper told you the number of points you had. His were zero. As he figured was for everyone. No one had done anything yet. The only contact indeed was the Master’s and then there was nothing else.

He’d been told his was a walk in closet with lots of shoes. It had turned out to be amazing, in fact he’d never owned so many clothes before.

He wasn’t even about to start on the bathroom. It was to the point where he could move his bed in there and decide it was his new room.

Right below the rules were a shelves filled with volumes of comics. A big screen to the side to fill the space. Is this a competition or a vacation?

The camera resting on one of the shelves was his selling point, the thoughtfulness was actually kinda cool. He loved the room. And now he sat down trying to think of what comic to flick through.

Moments later, his door creaked ajar and a figure that seemed shy peaked from the other side.

“Come on in,” Riley said, mildly surprised that there was someone at his door.

“I’m Zel,” the figure said as he came into view. His curly blonde hair was held in a ponytail that fell down to his lower back. It was a lot of hair, with many tendrils escaping and messing with his face.

“I know,” said Riley. He paid attention, and with the way the guy had kept on interrupting the Master, he was sure everyone knew his name.

The smaller man’s mismatched eyes widened in surprise. Riley had never seen anyone with such eyes up close, but they fit Zel perfectly, and when he stared directly at Riley, he decided they looked beautiful.

“I uh- I knocked but no one answered so I just peeked a little, okay?”

“Cool,” Riley sat upright and patted an empty space on his bed. Indicating for Zel to sit there. The other seemed delighted as he walked over with what looked like a dish in his hand.

“Whoah what’s that you’re reading?!” Zel asked when he noticed the book on Riley’s hand. “It’s a- wait you read those?”

The blond haired man was genuinely intrigued as he questioned Riley.

“Probably the reason I couldn’t hear you knocking at the door,” Riley smiled at Zel’s shock. He was too cute to be honest, and Riley found himself staring at his features longer than was necessary the longer they talked.

“I’ve got the exact same one too, but it’s already read. Ugh, I wish they could replace my books, they finish so fast,” Zel made it sound like it was the biggest drag in the world.

“You’ll have to show me your favorites sometime,” said Riley, he winked at Zel. He could feel some sort of friendship blooming and he wasn’t about to throw it away.

You just had to get one in there didn’t you? He inwardly scolded himself about the wink.

“Really? You’d want that?”

“Absolutely,” said Riley.

Zel beamed at him, like he’d just asked to grant him a wish. Riley started to deduce that Zel was the kind of person who displayed everything he felt on the outside. He was honest and he liked that about him. In fact, he liked him already.

There was a moment of silence as Zel kept on looking at him. He looked back too, weirdly quiet. It should have been awkward but it wasn’t. It was only weird because he always had something to say.

He noticed one of Zel’s small hands on the bed, moving in a nervous motion. And he decided to look back up, only to find a happy face still staring at him.

With whatever he had brought in pushed out of the way, Zel crawled towards a confused Riley who watched him approach.

Just when he thought their faces were going to collide, Zel’s hand shot past him and without thinking, he wrapped an arm around the man’s waist to keep him from falling.

“Whoah ther-” What the fuck this is so tiny.

“Sorry,” said Zel while he giggled a little. “It’s just, this lamp is so pretty! I don’t know which is better… wait, mine is still prettier.”

“I’m sure it is,” Riley said, pulling him back. Before he knew it, Zel’s hands were against his chest and his hands were still around his waist. Blue and brown eyes stared into his brown ones, until the two colors continuously blinked at the same time.

“Uh… yeah…” Zel agreed and disengaged himself while Riley cockily smirked at him.

Suddenly, two phones pinged with a sound they both had never heard before. Zel was the first to locate his phone.

»«

TASK:

Meet The Staff

Congratulations on making it to the first task.

All you are required to do is win at least three of the staff personnel’s approval. You have to make an impression on them and get within their good graces if you are to survive.

Pretty easy right?

Duration for task is limited to only a week.

Begin; Now.

Good luck, you probably need it.

»«

“Well that can’t be hard,” said Zel.

“Not with all these charms,” replied Riley and the blonde haired guy giggled.

With both phones tucked away, Riley studied Zel before asking the question he really wanted to ask.

“What’s that over there? I’ve been trying to ignore it but it smells really good.” Riley was talking about the dish that Zel had left on the bed when he’d gone ahead to inspect the lamp.

The smell had been wafting its way inside his nostrils ever since the petite man had got in, it made his mouth water.

“Oh this? Can’t believe I almost forgot! I…” Zel got up quickly. “I- uh- This is for you! It’s actually why I came here,” As if embarrassed, he shoved it into Riley’s hands before holding his own together behind his back and looking down at the floor. “I made it for you…we uh, we are next to each other. Soo…”

With no warning, Zel was already dashing to the door, ponytail bouncing with every movement he made.

Riley was left to watch him run away. He chuckled while he shook his head as the door closed behind the retreating figure.

Just way too cute. He thought to himself as he opened the lid of the dish that now rested cradled in his arms.

The task could wait a little.

9.5

MONTH ONE

10

The Master received the first letter in the competition not long into the first month. It was a beautiful letter from Pierre. Beautiful being that he could see the effort put into the design of the envelope, a tiny branch of baby’s breath was stuck to the front with clear tape against a brief writing: ‘to the master.’

The Master opened it.

Dear Sir,

I think it was really sweet of you to offer to teach the others how to cook, I don’t think you’d appreciate me calling you sweet so after this, I won’t.

I feel as if I owe you the truth, you asked me the other night why I’m here and you were right. I lied to you, and for that I’m sorry. I hope you can understand that I can’t tell you that.

I’ll make you a cheesecake okay?

Yours for as long as you want me,

Pierre

Pierre sat at the steps of the gazebo as he wondered what to do. His first target was only a few feet away tending to some flowers in the garden. The garden that had first captured his heart the first time they arrived in the mansion.

The old looking man set his watering can down and picked up a rake. Pulling all the dead flowers and dried leaves that had fallen to the ground to one side.

Pierre gripped his hands really tight. As he got up, he convinced himself that this wasn’t as hard as he thought it was and somehow finally convinced himself to try.

Steady steps made their way to where the gardener worked. “Can I help with this?” Pierre asked, picking up the watering can.

He hoped the gardener couldn’t see how nervous he was. The old man, who had been humming, stopped to acknowledge Pierre and his kind eyes brought him some calm. At least that looked like he could be approachable.

“Oh! No no sir, don’t trouble yourself–”

“It’s no trouble, believe me, I want to,” said Pierre.

The old man’s eyes widened but he didn’t argue further. He nodded. “You can start where I’ve finished,” he smiled. “That way we’ll be done at the same time.”

Pierre couldn’t be more grateful. The gardenias opened beautifully next to buds that were taking a little longer to blossom. The first drops of water hit the beautiful white petals as they bobbed a little with the force of the stream.

“Why do you want to help?” the old man asked, regarding him with a distrustful look.

Pierre couldn’t exactly tell him he had to look good in-front of him. Or that he needed his approval to earn a few more points that would ultimately keep him in the game. So he said the next real truth. “I like gardening.”

The old man hummed and Pierre felt the need to continue. “I always did the gardening back home. My maman showed me how.”

“Are you French?”

“That is right.”

The old man whistled. “C’est tr

ès

loin de chez soi, mon garcon.“

Pierre’s eyes widened in utter shock, hope and happiness all at the same time. He didn’t know what to say to the old man who was now leaning on the rake, giving him all his attention.

“Are you French as well?” Pierre almost stuttered out his question. “ Vous

parlez si bien Anglais!“

“Not French, I just lived there for a very long time,” he said to Pierre, a fond smile on his lips. He nodded, pushing himself off the rake. “Come on then, let’s move over to the carnations. These bloom most beautifully when the spring finally settles in, and while we are at it, you can tell me all about home, and what I’ve been missing.”

The night before, Jet had been expecting the Master to be a pain in the ass again. The Master didn’t prove him wrong.

There was only one thing he was wrong about. Because of the push and pull that seemed to come naturally between them, he thought they’d fight again, so he was well prepared for it. He quickly learned that that he’d only been let off easy the first time around.

He should have known when his hands were held up against the headboard. The Master had tilted his chin upwards to look at him. “You look surprised, little cub.”

Jet seethed. “I told–”

“I didn’t ask you to speak,” the Master said before leaning closer. “Don’t make me gag you.” He continued when Jet relented. “The last time you were here, I let you go easy, I let you act like a brat. And now, you’re going to apologize.”

“Maybe in hell,” said Jet immediately his mouth was set free.

“Fine,” the Master smirked. “Let’s go to hell then.”

Jet wanted to act like he wasn’t fazed, what were a few minimal threats? Except that even against his will, it didn’t sound like a mere threat, the Master gave nothing away, but there was not a single shred of uncertainty behind his words. That confidence is what made Jet hesitate to disobey.

He didn’t start by teasing him, nothing so gentle. He started by showing him a silk, royal blue scarf. “Your eyes, or your mouth?” The Master seemed to have the patience of a saint. Jet looked at the scarf, then back at the Master. He was blindfolded the moment he rolled his eyes.

Jet remained rigid as the Master took his clothes off, every hair stood on end when he heard the words whispered into his ears. “Now, you do exactly as I say, like a good boy.”

Jet was in conflict with his body, he loathed cocksure people like the Master but he felt himself nod to his horror. Jet started to wonder what was going on when there was absolute silence after that. No sound, no movement, no touch from the man who’d put him into this situation. Just as he was beginning to feel exposed and unsure, he felt a barely-there touch on his chest. Soft, suggestive, teasing. It traveled down past his navel, and then it was gone.

He could feel his gut tightening and his dick getting excited, then almost dying down again when he was clearly ignored. It went on for about three times before he started getting really annoyed. The Master finally touched his cock, and he got almost too excited with very little effort. Then he was ignored again. Jet groaned in frustration, blowing out a heavy breath. He didn’t like that he was hard, but he didn’t like that so little was being done about it either.

When he felt a slimy hand massaging his entrance, his dick rose up until it touched his stomach, as if seeking out the Master’s touch. The man continued to ignore it. A finger slipped inside of Jet and he bit his lip hard, trying so hard not to moan. He could feel how close the Master was to his face while he moved his finger inside him, he could feel his breath fan his lips, and he hated himself a little in that moment for wanting a taste.

When the Master added a second finger, he’d had about enough. He gripped the Master’s wrist to stop him, wishing he didn’t have the fucking blindfold on. “Enough,” Jet stated. “Just please…” He found himself unable to let go. He was not about to beg, it was never in his agenda but for once, he wasn’t that sure he could trust himself in this moment.

“Please what?” the Master chuckled. “Where’s all that fight, huh?”

“I need you to…please–” Jet was at a loss for words the deeper the Master got.

The devil laughed. “I couldn’t care less if you got on your knees and begged. Tonight isn’t about that.”

“I’m fucking sorry,” Jet almost cut him off. “I really…really need to…fucking get inside me,” he moaned. “I’m sorry, I s-shouldn’t have done that.”

“Ah, there’s my fierce cub. That wasn’t so hard was it?” Said the man responsible for all his frustration and humiliation. Jet gritted his teeth.

Fuck him! Fuck him eleven ways to Mars.

His cock twitched the moment the Master barely touched it, almost ready to explode. He wanted him inside of him. For fuck’s sake he could see how hard the man clearly was, but his restraint was absolute. He didn’t bring his dick anywhere near Jet’s ass. He only stroked him about three to four times and he exploded all over the place, falling back only to be caught by strong hands from behind him. He detested the vulnerability he couldn’t help but show, and blindfolded at that.

His body convulsed and shuddered, and he held the Master harder. He knew he’d hate himself for this moment alone. For how traitorously his body treated him. He’d even shamelessly buried his face in his neck and inhaled, like he’d been reduced to a needy fool at the Master’s mercy, who played well into it by running his hands softly down his side.

It weighed greatly on the reasons why the Master was a dead man when he left this place.

As if that was not enough, he’d managed to mess up the task. Everyone he talked to seemed to get pissed by something he said. Some just seemed really uncomfortable with him. He didn’t know what it was, but he gave up after the fifth person he talked to. And knowing himself, he’d really tried if he even made it past two people.

Stupid task. He thought in resignation after unsuccessful attempts, slamming his door closed.

Meanwhile, Zel didn’t even need to try with the task. Everyone doted on him. The truth was that, as soon as he got around to talking to anyone, he forgot all about the competition. He was only interested in everything they had to say, and it didn’t matter who it was, he always managed to make them laugh.

After talking to probably the fifteenth person, that was when it hit him. “Uh oh,” said Zel with a look that described the word upset.

“What is it?” the pretty older woman doing the laundry asked.

“I totally forgot this was a game! I mean you guys are all so interesting and I forgot I was supposed to win your favour and now-” Zel gasped when he realized what he was saying. He didn’t even mean it that way. “No no no!” He rushed to amend it. “I do want to talk to you! It’s just… I don’t know, does this make me a bad person?” Zel was really frustrated as his eyebrows involuntarily drew together.

The lady laughed. “I don’t think you could be a bad person even if you tried.”

Zel’s frown disappeared. “You really think so? So like, you like me?”

“Awww I just want to mush those adorable cheeks! I liked you from the moment you said hi,” she looked at Zel with so much affection despite having only met. “Now stop worrying before you wrinkle such a cute face.”

Riley chose being sneaky to be his strategy, and so far it worked. A week was plenty of time to find out the staff’s schedules and how they operated.

Right now he waited for the pool boy, knowing in the next five minutes he’d be coming to do his work. After observing for a few days, he’d found out that the pool was cleaned every single day, it helped his plans a great deal.

A man walked out from the other side of the backyard as Riley remained concealed inside, behind the door that led straight to the pool.

The man walked out and crouched over the pool, then put his hand inside the water to feel it before walking to one side and switching a button.

Riley regarded him. Okay now for my moment.

The middle aged man checked for his stuff but they weren’t anywhere to be found.

Riley smiled.

Just when the guy looked like he was about to scratch his head, Riley got out. He was dressed in his trunks with a towel over his shoulder like he was going to swim.

Riley pretended not to see him as he tested the water with his toes then as if noticing the guy for the first time, he acted surprised. “Oh I’m sorry, were you going to…”

“I’m sorry sir, I should have finished by now–” the pool boy struggled to find the words.

“No that’s okay, I can wait,” Riley was totally at ease. “Just don’t take too long, I’m really aching for a swim.”

“Okay, thank you for your patience sir. Just give me a little time.”

“Alright then,” Riley sat down on one of the sun beds and put his hands behind his head, totally at ease.

The guy scrambled around, looking for where he might have put his tools. He peeked from one eye, that revealed to him his plan was falling into place.

Riley waited five full minutes before getting up and setting his towel down. “Is there a problem?” Riley asked with genuine concern on his face. I could find something else to do and come back later.“

For a moment the guy looked scared. “No, no I just need to find–just a little time sir.”

“At least let me help you then. What’s wrong?” Riley asked. The innocence came naturally.

“Are you sure? I couldn’t trouble you…the Master wouldn’t–”

“Don’t mind about him. I insist, tell me, what is it?”

“Okay only if you must know. The cleaning equipment…err… the pool vacuum especially… I’m trying to find it but-” he paused. “I could have sworn…”

“Alright then, I’ll help you look.”

“Really?”

“Yeah absolutely, I’m good at finding things. Where do you remember last putting it?”

“Over there,” the pool guy walked to where he usually kept everything and Riley followed him. “It was right here.”

“Are you sure? Because it isn’t. Maybe you misplaced it. Sometimes I throw my phone away and find it the next day. These things happen quite a lot.”

“I never forget this I mean…it’s my job.”

“It’s okay, I’ll go double check everywhere you’ve been then we’ll look around the entire backyard, you can do the same too.”

“Alright thanks for this sir. It’s a big help.”

Riley looked everywhere. Moving back and forth at least twice to tell the pool guy that he’d found nothing. It really seemed like both their efforts were futile for a while.

Then miraculously, he emerged from the shade with a pool vacuum in one hand.

“Is this…?”

The pool guy’s eyes widened in surprise and relief. “Oh yes thank you, where did you find it?”

“The shade over there, you must have forgotten all about it.”

The guy looked skeptical. “I don’t think…” he trailed off. “I already checked and they weren’t there. Maybe it was Emery, he usually works back here, could have easily moved them.”

Riley shrugged. And who was to blame him? He didn’t know anything about what the guy was saying.

“Alright I’ll just wait for you to finish then,” said Riley.

“Yes yes, I won’t be long. You’re a life saver sir.”

“Please,” Riley flashed him one of his most charming smiles. “Call me Riley.”

He lay back down on the sun bed, legs crossed and hands clasped behind his head once again. A boyish grin spread across his face.

  Mason knew how to play his cards right. A week was plenty of time to get around to at least three people. It all fell into place because he was going to do it anyway, whether it was one of the tasks or not.

During his first days, he’d explored around the interior of the house to find an amazing library on the floor above the rest. There were shelves upon shelves of books in a room so big it would take several steps to get from one side to the other.

Comfortable leather seats on one side and a more comfortable looking window seat. It was like a dream library.

There were few times when he ran into Linder in what was now known to them as ‘their spot’, just behind the wooden spiral staircase away from immediate sight. No one had talked about it or named it so, but they were obviously both thinking it by now.

Surely enough, he found him hunched up against the wall. His knees drawn up to his chest with a book between them. Shoulder length hair that parted in the middle tucked behind one ear as he gave all his focus to the book. He had not even glanced up when Mason had stopped before him and crouched to his level.

“What’s this one today?” Mason pulled the book away from Linder before the latter could understand what was happening to him.

He pouted while Mason inspected the book. “Give it back.”

“Hmm, land of the lost,” Mason read the title, then lay down and rested his head on Linder’s lap. The contact becoming more natural by the days. “What’s it about?” he gave back the book.

It was becoming a habit everytime he found Linder in the library. The first time, was really awkward. They’d ignored each other and kept to themselves. A few glances here and there purely out of curiosity.

The second time was better, even as they had tiptoed around words until they finally found common ground in storylines. It got Linder talking and Mason listening most of the times. The sweet voice like music to his ears as he went on and on about what good books were and everything in between.

“Well, says so in the title, it’s about the land of the lost. Duh,” said Linder.

Mason rolled his eyes then left them fixed on the other male. It was just supposed to make him uncomfortable but he found himself absorbing everything. His eyes decided they liked his lips the most, because they kept darting between them and his eyes behind the frames.

Linder looked away, showing a side profile to Mason, who noticed the pink tinge at the tips of his ears. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Mason snapped out of his staring daze. “Then tell me what it’s about.”

“Ugh, fine. So Aggie’s our protagonist, she finds a mysterious box in-”

Linder didn’t finish because then they both heard a loud, sharp sound. It was like thousands of books were falling at once. They both rushed off the floor and left their sort of hidden spot, to find the source of the noise.

They were indeed books that had fallen down, but in between them was the person who had fallen victim to the books. He was a neat looking man who looked to be in his forties. The fall had ruffled his hair to make it look unkempt while the ladder rested on his leg. It didn’t look like a nice fall. He’d probably been trying to arrange some books before somehow falling down.

Quickly, the two rushed to his side and tried to right him up. “Are you okay?” Mason asked.

“Yeah yeah, thank you. I think I’m fine. It’s just this damn ladder. The Master insisted it be replaced but I thought I knew better,” the man said, trying to sit upright.

They helped the man pull the ladder off himself. A loose step more visible now that more force had been exerted on it.

Linder bent over and set the guy’s leg down gently. “That’s a bad bruise.” The skin had colored where the ladder had hit him. He was actually lucky that he didn’t break his leg. “I’ll go get you some ice,” Linder turned and walked out, leaving the other two briefly.

The man in pain limped a little when he moved to get up and walk around, Mason supporting him. He insisted he was fine and the younger man helped him on a couch. It wasn’t the bruise that bothered him. A limp?

“Just great now I’m really in for it,” he said, sighing and relaxing further into the couch.

“Oh I’m sure he’ll understand, it wasn’t your fault for damaging a few books. It’s not like you wanted to,” Mason tried to reassure him.

“What are you talking about?” the man pulled his lips in a twist, he seemed confused.

“The mess? The damage? Isn’t that why you’re in trouble? I mean, I know he is probably the meanest but-”

“Not at all,” he said defensively. “I’m in for it, because he doesn’t take this kind of thing really well.”

It was Mason’s turn to get confused. “What are you saying?”

The injured man sighed like he dreaded what was to come. “I have to explain to him why I let myself get hurt, especially because I didn’t listen to him in the first place.”

c’est très loin de chez soi, mon garçon – that is a very long way from home, my boy

vous parlez si bien anglais – you speak english so well

11

Linder climbed down the stairs without the urgency the situation required, his mind almost always wandered off to a place too close to home whenever there was anything related to physical injury. And yet, that type of bruise wasn’t the worst he’d ever seen. He was just hardwired to find the fastest solution every time such a thing occurred.

 Unfortunately for Linder, on ninety-nine percent of the time, it had been the people he loved the most. He'd rushed home on more than one occasion to find his lovely sister tending to his little brother; bedridden, weak and seemingly with a leg drawn back, ready to kick the bucket. The rage that always gripped him was coupled with the devastation in equal measure.

Their father had been at it again. He drank as much as a fish in water, and for some reason it made him violent. The alcohol impaired his vision, making his children blur before his eyes and morph into punching bags.

His mom was no better, but she was the one working her ass off to provide for them, the secret behind the success of his drinking business. They profited nothing, and lost all respect and affection they had ever had towards him.

Lily—his sister—was strong, he knew that more than anyone. And that’s why he counted on her to protect their brother just a little longer.

Just about five more months.

The little accident had triggered the memories which now faded as he pulled the handle of the fridge to study the contents inside.

 Right there.

He saw a bag of ice cubes just next to the tortillas. He poured cubes in a smaller ice bag and turned to leave.

 The tall, lanky man closed the door of the fridge to see Pierre waiting and looking shy. His beautiful face turning away from Linder in a shy manner. 

 Linder stepped back defensively as he hadn't been expecting to see anyone so close. Pierre didn't even give him a chance to properly look at him. He muttered a quick 'sorry' before going to pick what he wanted. 

 Linder walked away. When the footsteps had reached further away, Pierre's anxiety told him it was safe to look. He watched him leaving the kitchen in a hurry, admiring his lean form before his brain connected the dots. Linder had been carrying an ice bag.

Was something wrong? Was somebody hurt?

 His brain couldn't put up any plausible suggestions so Pierre let it go and decided to focus on the task at hand; cheesecake for the Master.

 When he got back to the kitchen island, Pierre fished out a springform pan and some mixing bowls. Finally, he had everything he needed. It was hard to gather all requirements from such a large kitchen. One that literally lacked nothing.

 He was just about to put cream cheese in a mixing bowl when he noticed Zel. The little guy —he seemed little to Pierre, even as he was taller— approached him happily, walking like he had springs under his feet.

 "Hi! What are you making?" Zel's eyes brightened in wonder. He sat on a stool and rested his elbows on the counter, cradling his chin under his hands.

 Pierre went ahead to add sugar and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. The mixture of white and brown resulted into a color similar to Zel's hair but just not quite. "A cheesecake," he replied.

 "Ohh I love those!" Pierre smiled at the statement.

 If there was only one person that Pierre was going to talk to during his time here, he hoped it was Zel. For whatever reason it was, something about his clueless nature and curious eyes seemed to put him at ease. He found him adorable...like the type of guy you'd want to always want to pick out the right flowers for, because his smile would be worth all of it.

He'd bitten back a smile a few times when Zel was acting out with the Master or when he was just being himself. And now here he was, talking to him. Pierre tried to act natural.

 "Really?" Pierre asked. 

 "Absolutely! I just never learned to make it. My dad is the best baker I've ever seen. Gets paid a lot for it. He's taught me everything I know about baking," his face then turned a little grumpy. "He says I have the shortest attention span and this was one of the pastries he couldn't get me to learn. My first attempt left the entire kitchen covered in cream cheese!"

 Pierre's expression turned from pleasant to horrified as he paused to look at Zel. 

 "It was a small kitchen, probably not even half of this one so yeah, that's understandable right?" Zel shrugged and laughed a sweet sound.

 "Hmm... I don't get it. How can it be that bad?" Pierre laughed softly and continued working.

 "You'll teach me one time won't you?"

He’d teach him any time he wanted. Pierre just couldn’t believe Zel was asking him. “Maybe I just need a different teacher for that one.”

"It would be my pleasure," he said. It sufficiently hid his happiness. 

  As Pierre got busy with the batter, his attention was soon diverted and he watched as Riley came up slowly behind Zel, with both hands reaching out. He poked the blond-haired man on both sides of him. 

 Zel nearly jumped off his seat, hands flailing then body falling backwards only to be stopped by Riley's waiting chest. 

 "Whoah! Riley!" Zel squealed. "You have to stop doing that!"

 Pierre laughed quietly. The back of his mind trying to think exactly how many times the bigger guy—Riley—had done it. 

 Riley was hot. Drop dead gorgeous. So it was only natural for him to shy away from the interaction, after all, guys like that never ever gave him the time of day anyway. He watched instead, as everything blended perfectly in the bowl, even as he shook lightly with his laugh.

 When he looked up in question of the unexpected silence, he saw both of them watching him, Zel on his way to free himself from Riley's grasp and the latter trying to right him, not letting go. "Oh wow," said Zel, it sounded like he was saying it to Pierre.

 He couldn't control his blush as he turned back to give all of his attention to the mix, wishing there was a way he could exit the kitchen without making everything awkward.

 "What is this?" Riley asked as he pulled up a stool next to Zel, giving Pierre an audience while he worked. 

 "He's making a cheesecake," said Zel happily.

 Riley swiped up the cake mix, only to meet Zel's disapproval. "Hey! You can't just do that!" 

 "I just did," Riley said, his lips twisted into a wry smile. He laughed. Zel giggled. Pierre smiled. 

 "It's alright, I do that all the time too," Pierre said.

So Riley was the stubborn kind. He kept his laugh to himself.

 Nobody usually believed it but he was such a naughty child growing up. It wasn't a day on earth if his mother didn't yell his name at least three times a day on the top of her lungs. Half the reasons had been touching things he wasn't supposed to, then trying to get away with it. 

 "See? He says it's alright. What's your problem?" Riley's tongue swiped up a tiny bit of the mix from the side of his finger. Then held out the rest to Zel after he swallowed.

  "Try it, so good." Zel studied his finger— the finger that had just been in his mouth. Well a little part of it alright, but that didn't help the situation. He closed his mouth around the finger and sucked. 

 Pierre tried to tear his eyes away but couldn't. It looked so dirty, and yet so sweet at the same time. He finally looked down when Zel's eyes shot to him. A blush creeping up his cheeks. 

 Pierre tried to focus before he destroyed the batter he'd prepared heartily. The two men before him seemed so comfortable with each other.

When did they get like that?

 Probably how compatible their personalities were, he decided. Riley almost always had a smile on his face, Zel did all the time. They could each talk your ear off, it didn't matter who you were. It was the only explanation he could come up with as to why they got along so well. That and the fact that their rooms were literally separated by a wall.

 It still didn't explain why every now and then, Riley stared at Zel. When the latter kept on asking questions about the cheesecake, Riley snuck glances at him. Like he didn't want to get caught. 

 Too bad though, because Pierre had caught it all. Especially when Zel had giggled heartily at something he'd said, Riley had stared as if he was utterly mesmerized, his lips parting ever so slightly, like he couldn't find the words he wanted to say next.

 Zel didn't notice, he never seemed to notice a lot things, just breezed through everything that happened before him. An ability Pierre really wouldn't mind having. 

 "Right?" Zel asked Riley, tapping on his thigh. 

 "Right..." Riley pretended. "Right. He clearly didn't hear anything Zel had said. 

 Pierre was guilty too, he felt a little queasy at the realization. He'd been so engrossed in studying Riley's behavior that he hadn't heard Zel either.

 Pierre was finally finished with the biggest part. It was fun to work with the other two constantly bickering like they'd known each other a long while.

 Riley took another swipe of the final mix. "I could really eat this, there's like no need to bake it. How is it already so good?" Pierre's stomach fluttered at the praise.

 "It tastes better when it's finally baked," he said. His stomach fluttered again. Like that was necessary.

 "I just raised my standards," Riley announced with a laugh. "I'm only settling down with a man who knows his cheesecake this well."

 It was probably a joke, one that had Zel muttering under his breath.

 "What?" Riley asked for two, because Pierre didn't voice his curiosity.

 "Nothing!" He had 'guilty' written all over his face but luckily, Riley didn't press and neither did Pierre.

 Pierre walked over to the oven and put the mix inside. 

 "Can I have some?" Zel asked excitedly. 

  "Can

we have some?“ Riley corrected.

 "Of course, it should be ready by the time dinner is done, so I'll bring everyone a slice okay?"

 "You'll do that?" Zel asked and Pierre couldn't understand why Zel looked a little shocked.

 "Yes. Of course, I was going to make sure you had some anyway."

 Dinner was really strained. The Master was angry. Really angry. He'd come back with some sort of temper, luckily for the men, the anger wasn't directed towards any of them. But that didn't mean they didn't feel the side effects of it.

 Clive— as Pierre had come to learn— was the guy who had injured himself or something, probably the reason why Linder had taken up that ice. 

 The moment the Master had entered the house, the mood and ambiance changed, almost like a dark blanket was cast over it. A little dramatic but Pierre was pretty sure flowers could wither at the time.

 He'd been going to the kitchen every now and then to check on the cheesecake. For it to be perfect, you couldn't exactly wait too long or remove it too early, and he was determined to make sure it was perfect.

 It was somewhere between his third and fourth trip that he heard the voices carry from above. 

 Pierre followed it out of habit. His mischievous streak hadn't completely died it seemed, he realized as he pressed his hands at the door of the study first, then closely leaned his ear. 

 "It only works when you listen to me. You do as I say!" The Master was saying. He seemed really pissed.

 "Why are you so obsessed with control?! It was just an accident, you can't decide when one happens! These things just happen Mr Ka—" Clive's voice said.

 "It wouldn't have happened if only you'd listened to me! Did I not say to replace the ladder with a new one?! Was that so hard an instruction to follow?"

 The room went quiet and Pierre realized he'd been holding his breath. Like he was scared he would breathe blaring sirens and out himself. Whatever was inside there was heated, he'd never seen the Master that angry, and he was hearing it for the first time. He wondered how far he could take it. 

 He released his breath. Sirens didn't blare. 

 The breath fanned his fingers in warmth, the wood of the door cool against them.

 "Did I..." he heard footsteps. "...not say, to replace it?"

 "You did, sir," his voice said. 

  "And you listened?"

 "I did not—"

 Before Clive could properly finish, Pierre heard a loud sound. He flinched against the door and stepped away from it. It was like a chair had been turned over, or flung against the wall. Something had definitely been broken.

 "I'm sorry–"

 He couldn't understand what kind of relationship they had to have to warrant such an altercation. He took Clive's shaky voice as his cue to leave, whatever was on the other side of the door was too intense, he wanted none of it.

 So seeing the Master eat with so much anger in his eyes made his tongue stuck inside his mouth. It was the quietest dinner of his life with so many people on the table.

 Usually while they ate, at least three people had to tell the Master something, anything. Zel usually said everything on his mind—according to Pierre, he was the life of every meal, every dinner—but today even he, was tongue tied.

 There was none of that. The food looked really good, Mason prepared it so that went without saying. Secretly, anything the man cooked was his favorite, he was just so freakishly good at it. But tonight even Pierre couldn't focus so much on the exquisite taste. 

 His mind had been stuck on the Master from the moment he sat at the table. There was an underlying need, buried deep within him, to bring the man out of that world he was trapped in, to wipe away such a deep frown from his face.

 Even when angry, Pierre couldn't help but notice how devilishly handsome he was. Some people really did have it all. He couldn't think of one thing the Master lacked, no matter how hard he tried.

 They were like polar opposites. From whichever angle Pierre compared.

 After trying to avoid eye contact with the Master for most of the time, dinner was finally done.

 It was only supposed to be for the Master originally, but who was he kidding, of course everyone was going to get a slice of cheesecake. Even Jet, whom Pierre was sure was going to slam the door in his face, took it. 

 Pierre had also learned that his tattoos didn't just stop at his hand as he leaned on his doorframe with no shirt on and his pants riding dangerously low on his hips.

 If Pierre had kept looking to see where the tattoos ended, he'd have dropped the plate and wasted his trip and good gesture. 

 He'd been right about one thing though, the door had been slammed in his face, right after Jet had taken the slice.

At least he took it.

 There was just one more person. The actual person he'd done this for. Pierre wondered if he'd get turned away, yelled at or worse, considering the mood he was in.

 It was either courage, bravery or just sheer stupidity. Whichever one it was, had Pierre knocking at the Master's door, a slice of cheesecake weighing heavily on his hand.

12

Pierre got in when he heard the Master from the other side of the door. He got in with all the courage he could muster.

The man had a grim expression on his face, even as he eyed the plate as Pierre made his way to him.

It was hard not to freeze with the way he was being looked at. “Get on the bed,” he said and Pierre sensed something that came really sharply, only for it to disappear in an instant. It was almost like desperation and need in his voice. Pierre complied with no questions.

 "Take up the fork, and feed it to me," he ordered, watching him like he was watching for any false move. Pierre certainly wasn't expecting that. "W-what?" He asked in surprise.

 The Master did not look patient, he clenched his jaw before answering. "Was I not clear?" He asked in a dangerously low voice.

 "I- I... no," Pierre held a forkful to the Master's mouth, and then his sexy lips closed around it, taking in the piece of cheesecake, looking Pierre straight in the eye.

 He chewed really slowly, making Pierre uncomfortable because his eyes roamed all over him. His hands tightened on the plate as he looked down.

 The Master nodded then swallowed. "Put the rest on the table." 

 Right after Pierre obliged, he found himself on his back before he could understand what was going on. He only looked up to see the devil and understand that he was being held captive with his hands pinned on either side of him.

 "What is this for?" he asked, giving Pierre no chance but to answer with the way he didn't stop looking at him.

 "I was just–"

 "Did you think this would earn you more points? More favor? A better chance to win?" A knee slowly found its way between Pierre's thighs. 

 That sort of accusation angered him. The Master was reducing him to the sort of person he wasn't. He tossed Pierre's efforts out the window without even a chance. That was really annoying, especially because of how sincere he was about it.

 "

Connard! How can you think that?“ Pierre lashed out. “I made that for you! And you were clearly stressed out earlier so I thought this would the best time to bring it to you, maybe cheer you up. How can you say that?”

 Again, the Master's calculating eyes found his. He stared like Pierre was a picture, a complex piece that was very hard to understand, especially at first glance. He thought for a moment before replying. "What exactly is your deal, Pierre?"

 "I don't understan–ahh..." the Master let his knee rub carefully against Pierre's now hardening sex.

 "You don't understand what?" The Master calmly asked.

 "Y-you... I d-don't...

merde! “ Pierre couldn’t even understand what he was trying to say. “Stop doing that so I can answer you!”

 The Master's didn't do anything like that. Instead, he removed the knee, but replaced it with his hand. This is worse than before, so much that it earned him a cuss word from Pierre when the hand closed around him. He watched Pierre's lips so much that it was no surprise when he drew his own closer.

 Despite how cruel they had looked just a while ago, the Master's lips were soft against his own. Pierre's eyes closed the moment he felt them on him. Despite his mood, this was no calculated move, he kissed Pierre like he couldn't help but want to. Like he wanted to feel those lips against his own. Pierre felt it when he sucked on his lower lip, he felt the desperation in his breath against his face. He felt it when the Master nipped until he opened up for him. It felt so good, even better when their tongues touched. The Master tasted of heat, wetness and the cheesecake he'd forgotten all about. The kiss deepened with every passing second until Pierre couldn't tell where the heat started and the cheesecake ended.

 Every soft cry Pierre made, did nothing but make the Master harder, especially with how it was muffled inside his mouth. The Master squeezed his hardness and he writhed uncontrollably. He pulled away to study the man beneath him as his hand rubbed him again. It had to be the hottest thing on earth.

 Then his lips were back onto his, dragging out his moans and yet muffling them at the same time. Pierre had never been kissed like that. Like his own lips aroused the other person so badly like they did now. Like the other person couldn't get enough of it.

 The Master's lips, as it turned out, didn't just look sexy. They knew how to be sexy. Why was he so good at this? He wondered. His lips latched onto the side of Pierre's neck. "Ohh..." he couldn't help the moan that escaped his mouth, abandoning himself to the mercy of the master's brutal lips.

 His knees drew up and folded as the Master got between them, smoothly pulling his own shirt off, then Pierre's before caging him between his strong arms.

 Pierre was enamored. The body was hard underneath his hands as he looked up. His lips glistened and his chest rose and fell, it matched the man above him.

 The Master used a hand to rub Pierre's neck, then used that same hand to move around his body. He pinched a nipple and Pierre gasped and flinched, drawing his eyes back to his lovely face. "Ahhh..." Pierre's breaths got heavier after the Master closed his mouth on his other nipple. He threw his head back in an attempt to lessen the pressure but the Master's grip only tightened, taking the nipple deeper into his mouth, sucking, and biting around it. 

 "I want to fuck you so bad," the Master said before covering the other nipple with his mouth, he sucked and groaned so deeply that Pierre felt the vibrations down to his toes. 

 Pierre's mind was quickly turning into scrambled eggs. So much that he almost didn't notice the Master's fingers undoing the button of his trousers, then pulling the zipper down. If he wasn't so distracted by everything his body was feeling at once, he'd never have let the Master take his shirt off from the start. He was never going to be able to believe that for those moments, he'd actually been able to forget that he was shirtless. It wasn't the type of thing that slipped his mind. Ever.

 Being half naked was one thing, but he tensed up at the thought of letting the Master see him fully naked. He started to pull them down and Pierre somehow found a way to function in his muddled brain. "

Arrête… at least… f-first turn the lights off,“ Pierre hoped he’d understand. Please please please.

 "Hmm..." said the Master, pausing to regard Pierre, teasing his hardness with two fingers. Pierre squirmed. "What about when I want you tomorrow morning too?" He eased his hand inside his underwear and squeezed lightly. "What then?"

 Pierre gasped and took deep breaths as all his blood flowed southwards, making him even harder than he thought he could get.

 "Hands above your head," he calmly told Pierre.

 Pierre reluctantly put his hands above his head. There! Now the Master would see him and then who knew what he would say, what he would do?

A quiet ‘get out’ would probably be a nice thing.

 He knew his hands would go down to cover himself the moment the pantaloons were off him, but he didn't get to do that, because the Master's hands fastened like iron around his wrists, pinning them above him once again.

 Pierre was kissed and licked everywhere that was covered before. Everywhere... so much that he was wrung tighter than a zip-line by the time the lips broke contact with his body.

“You’re beautiful,” the Master said. There was no affection behind the words, none at all. Pierre knew because he had searched. In the end, he decided he didn’t believe him.

His manhood prodded against the hard planes of the stomach above him. Pierre felt shame flush his cheeks when he couldn’t stop himself from rubbing up against the Master. His body the definition of perfect.

Fat…

He’d heard the word countless times. So much it didn’t surprise him when people said it to him now. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. It did, mostly because of the way their eyes seemed to always laugh at him.

Not good enough…

Pierre had been out with a friend. Nobody noticed him, or if they did, they got uninterested really quickly. Every single one of them. That friend was every friend he had.

I’m just not into fat guys…

That one just stung. Frankly more than it should.

Pierre put his hand against the Master’s stomach, he pushed. It seemed he wasn’t strong enough either.

“You want me almost as much as I want you by the feel of things, and yet you push me away. Is it reassurance you need?” He stopped to hold their cocks and rubbed them together in his hand. “Do you not feel how hard I am for you?”

Pierre was in shock yes, but also because of the size of that erection. He hadn’t seen it yet, but now his eyes widened, causing the Master’s to darken with desire. He pumped their dicks together a few times before suddenly letting go. A little part of Pierre hated the loss of contact.

The Master stared at Pierre. “You’re a virgin aren’t you?”

Pierre turned away and said nothing. The silence was answer enough. What would he think now? He’d know that no one ever wanted him, which shouldn’t come as a surprise but it still would sting.

“Fucking hell,” the Master cussed under his breath, then rolled off him and sighed. “Go,” he said to Pierre. Both their chests bare, both rising and falling from everything they were previously engaged in. Pierre found himself wishing they hadn’t stopped.

“Sir–”

“Just go, Pierre. I’m not going to guarantee gentleness on your first time, especially not tonight.” He saw Pierre reach out for his hand and he moved out of his way. “Don’t come any closer. I want you ready.”

“Is it because I’m fat?”

The question earned him a frosty look before a hand fastened just below his calf, and just like that, he was drawn precisely underneath the Master again. “And what does you being fat have to do with me wanting my cock deep inside you?”

Pierre needed to look away but the Master held his chin and forced him to look back at his face. The Master’s eyes fleeted to his lips before going back to his eyes. “I gave you a chance and you didn’t take it. You’re not getting another one.” He peppered slow kisses on Pierre’s neck.

“That’s okay with me,” Pierre couldn’t believe his own words.

“I might hurt you.”

Pierre nodded. “I feel as if I can trust you.”

The Master stopped with the kisses, Pierre couldn’t tell what he was thinking before he claimed his lips. The kiss started off slowly, but before he knew it, he was straddling the man with his hands held behind him. Pierre pushed forward. When the Master broke away to stare at him, his eyes held a challenge, but to Pierre’s credit, he held that gaze in determination.

Pierre swallowed hard when the Master released his hands to push away some of the hair that had fallen into his face. Then his underwear was ripped off him, and he was flipped onto the bed, like every move was calculated. The way his hands were so steady, so brazenly sure. Pierre felt as inexperienced as he probably looked.

“Your body is very sensitive right now,” said the Master, bringing his hands up to Pierre’s mouth. “I’m not sucking you off.” If Pierre could speak, he’d tell the Master to do whatever the hell he wanted.

When two of his forefingers were inside Pierre’s mouth, he sucked on them hungrily. “Just look how hard you are,” he teased Pierre’s buds and felt them tighten yet again, under his fingers. Pierre moaned and shoved his hands into the Master’s hair, gripping tightly.

Warmth engulfed his buds as the sensations came back to him in full swing. Pleasure shot to every point of his body as his grip tightened onto the dark hair, biting his own lower lip to stop his moans from escaping all at once.

The Master nibbled on his right nipple before biting it harder, pulling at it with his teeth, then letting go. “ Putain! So-softer…s-si–“ The rest of his words were lost inside the Master’s mouth before he could finish.

Pierre was then flipped around onto his stomach. “Get on all fours.”

The Master pulled open a drawer and fished out a bottle of lube and a condom. Pierre knelt and tried to recover and prepare himself at the same time while he waited.

Then he felt something cold and slimy touch his opening. He hissed softly while the Master worked one finger into his tight channel and Pierre’s back arched, grunting with the burn.

It wasn’t so pleasant at first, but as the Master moved the finger back and forth, the pain faded until it started to feel good. So much that when he stopped, Pierre continued to move on his own, trying to feel as much of the finger as he could. He let out a low moan. The Master spanked him hard. Pierre moaned harder.

A second finger was added, and Pierre cried out, jerking backwards, causing the finger to get deeper inside him. The Master wrapped one hand around him to steady him, then scissored his fingers inside him brutally.

Pierre jolted within his hold but he didn’t let go. “Ahh! Slower… s’il vous plaît… “

“No,” the Master growled, spanking him harder than the first time.

Pierre’s cock leaked furiously against his wrist as the fingers moved in and out of him. Until all he could do was moan unashamedly.

“ Je te veux ,“ said Pierre. “Please…”

“One more finger Pierre,” the Master replied. “Or I’m going to make you cry.”

“Please sir, now…” he insisted in his desperation. “I need you now!”

The Master slid on a condom and squirted an ample amount of lube onto his covered cock, and guided it to Pierre’s waiting opening.

He teased him before sliding his tip inside Pierre. Ever so slowly, the Master filled him inch by inch. Leaning heavier on Pierre with each inch until he was flat on the bed and the Master flat on top of him.

Pierre felt like he couldn’t breathe. He was so full he was convinced he couldn’t stretch any more than that. “Ahh!” he groaned in pleasure.

“So fucking tight,” said the Master, gritting his teeth, trying to control himself.

He felt the Master’s lips on his back, then the side of his neck briefly. The gesture was a little sweet until suddenly, he was being pounded into remorselessly.

Pierre cried out and gripped the sheets. His body rocking with the force of the Master’s thrusts. His weight pinned Pierre down as he led him to rearrange the sheets in a way that looked like there had been a fight on the bed. No, he really didn’t seem inclined to go easy on him, virgin and whatnot.

The Master pulled out and got off Pierre, turning him over so that he was now on his back again. Pierre hated the position because he could be seen. It exposed him, his everything. Couldn’t they just turn back to the way they were?

“The other–”

He couldn’t continue because the Master entered him in one single, hard stroke while keeping his eyes trained onto his. “ Oh mon Dieu!“ Pierre nearly screamed, tears pooled in his eyes.

“Do you feel that?” The Master moved a second time and Pierre’s eyes rolled back.

“Yes…” tears escaped Pierre’s eyes as the Master’s cock rubbed a very sensitive spot inside him. He was shuddering, he was coming. “Yesss…so good…sooo…”

“You’re really beautiful.” The Master stiffened and released inside Pierre, he watched him as he shuddered for a few seconds both unable to look away. Until he let all his weight drop on him as his cock slipped out.

Finally the Master rolled off him. They lay breathing heavily with their chests heaving. Pierre couldn’t help but want that weight back on top of him.

After a short while, the Master got off the bed in all his naked glory. Pierre watched as he pulled off the rubber from his cock. He was so sexy even without effort. He continued to watch even when he disappeared into the bathroom.

 He pondered in his head. Should he stay? He felt so tired that he didn't want to move. Should he quietly disappear to his room? He hadn't even dressed for bed. Now was a good chance for him to leave, the Master wouldn't even see him.

 He thought of that only for the Master to emerge from the bathroom with a warm cloth, he wiped every part of Pierre clean, then cleaned himself, and without a care in the world, discarded the cloth. The Master settled between the sheets in disarray, sleeping comfortably and completely naked, the covers stopped somewhere on his lower back as he lay on his stomach and one side of his face on the pillow.

Pierre lay awake for a while, nerves and indecision suffocating him. He watched the Master relaxed, he breathed deeply now like he was asleep. He watched his handsome face for a short while, then his eyes roamed to the hard muscles on his back, tempted to touch. No wonder he could toss him around the bed so easily.

His hand stopped about an inch from the muscle, deciding at the last moment not go through with it. It was enough for him to admire from a far. The Master only moved when it was clear that Pierre was attempting to get off the bed. His wrist was gripped firmly. “Where do you think you’re going?”

 Pierre froze. "Uhh...the..." Pierre thought he was already asleep, so he was finding it hard to answer. "I'm going to my room, I need to uh...change–" 

 "Shh," the Master replied. He pulled Pierre close, tangling their legs and embracing him possessively. "Shhh," he said again. It was only then that he switched off the lights and they were engulfed in the darkness.

connard- asshole

merde- shit

arrête- stop

putain- fuck

s’il vous plaît- please

je te veux- i want you

oh mon dieu- oh my god

13

The sound of shuffling feet woke Pierre up. The footsteps padded across the floor, going left, right, and repeat. They stopped altogether when he stirred awake.

 His eyes were still half closed, groggy from sleep, but he made out the long legs at the foot of the bed. The Master looked deep in thought when their gazes finally met after Pierre turned to his side. He was dressed very formally, regardless of his sleeves rolled up. What time did he wake up to be this well put together so early?

 "You're awake," his deep voice said. "Good." The Master searched his face for God knows what.

 "

Bonjour to you too,“ said Pierre, irritated in the slightest. He hugged the covers tighter, trying to sit up. That’s when he felt the first sort of discomfort.

 "Ah!" Pierre yelped softly, and in two strides the Master was by his side.

 He took Pierre's hand in his. "Can you get up?" He tugged Pierre's hand but he snatched it back immediately, away from the Master's grip. 

 His jaw ticked. Patience already wearing thin.

 Pierre wasn't stupid. The magic of the night before had obviously vanished. For just one night, Pierre had been able to experience what he'd always wanted to, and with someone who was obviously so out of his league. It was too good to be true. 

 Getting up right now just put a solid air around everything that transpired. The Master would see his disgusting body and look at him with regret, pity or worse. 

 If he wanted him out the room, he'd go. But he didn't want his eyes fixed on him as he made his escape. "Just give me a few minutes alone and I'll be gone, everything's alright." He faked a smile.

 The mattress disappeared from underneath Pierre and in an instant he was in the Master's arms up against his chest. He was stunned at the strength, carrying him like he weighed nothing. His hands automatically fastened onto his neck.

 Pierre was shocked to find out that they weren't moving towards the door, but the bathroom instead. 

 Once inside, the Master set him down. "Do you want to take a quick shower?" Pierre nodded despite knowing that it didn't really matter what he answered. "Five minutes," he added and got out.

 The water was welcome as the spray hit him. Running through every patch of skin the Master had touched the night before. The memory was surreal, he still felt him everywhere.

 Pierre got out to find the Master standing and waiting for him, watching the door. There was no expression on his face, only acknowledgement that Pierre was done.

 He immediately got back in. "Let me just grab a towel first," Pierre quickly picked one and tried to wrap himself with it.

 The Master sighed, opening the door the rest of the way and stepping before him. He took one end of the towel in his hand and threw it back on the rack before Pierre could finish wrapping himself. "There's no need for that."

 Naked as the day he was born, Pierre was lifted once more and taken to the biggest bath he'd ever seen. The outside was encrusted in what looked like cut gemstones contrary to the inside, which looked smoother than a mirror.

 The Master slowly lowered Pierre and dipped his feet into the water, getting only his toes in while the man's hands fastened around his neck. "Too hot?"

 It was hot, but not that hot, just almost warm.

Pierre wanted nothing more than to get in. He shook his head.

 "Good," said the Master. He lowered Pierre gently into the water, his cheeks tinged in embarrassment. 

 It was unbelievable.

A bath? For him? It felt like one of those movies he watched where you think everything is going well, just for something dreadful to happen immediately after.

 The water sloshed as he settled, his body relaxing once he was inside and the water touched every part of him.

  "Why are you doing this for me?" He didn't meet his eyes as he asked the Master who had still been regarding him with no expression on his face.

 "It's just a bath," he said. "Don't fucking read into it." Pierre flinched at the Master's tone and tried to act like he didn't. Before he could answer, the Master was already out the door. 

 Pierre sighed and just soaked. "

Dieu… “ the water really did feel like heaven.

 He couldn't remember how long he'd been inside, but the Master didn't come back. He thought about the previous night. It was probably the fifty seventh time, he couldn't get it out of his head. 

 "It really happened," he muttered to himself as he made little waves in the bath with his fingers. So that's what sex felt like. It felt really good.

 Pierre remembered the night his boyfriend couldn't get hard for him, the humiliation still burned every time he thought about it. He'd been so excited they were finally going to give themselves to each other, he'd been so convinced they were in love.

 That night changed everything. After a few embarrassing tries, Pierre had told him to leave and he hadn't even looked back. When the tears couldn't stop flowing that night, he'd finally realized how one sided their shell of a relationship was.

 What he didn't understand was why Gaston didn't just break up with him if he didn't even want him. What was the point of sticking around for two years? Years wasted. Years he could never get back. 

The Master on the other hand...Pierre wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He was having flashbacks every six seconds, making his stomach churn with an intense feeling he couldn't name.

 "It really did happen..." he repeated.

 As much as Pierre wanted to soak forever, he couldn't. He dried himself off, feeling glad that the Master wasn't there. He couldn't handle all the nerves for so long.

 A grey box tied with a turquoise and grey string sat waiting for him on the bed, that was already made and he didn't even know how. He realized then that the Master had probably left. Pierre approached the package cautiously. 

 The turquoise string loosened easily as he pulled one end of it. Pierre pulled up a grey strip of color. The socks felt so comfortable underneath his touch. He gasped in surprise, taking in the rest of the contents of the package.

 What he pulled out next were the oversized clothes—sweats—and a note that said;

 'Do not leave. Rest. Call if you need anything.'

 Butterflies.

 He threw on the clothes. The sweater, so comfortable against his skin, was his favorite.

 Just then, he heard three soft knocks and a lady got into the room. "Sorry... uh.... I just came to bring your breakfast," she said politely. In her hand, a tray with enough food for three people. His mouth watered at the sight of so many choices. 

 "I've been instructed to get you whatever you want so you can let me know."

 "Oh no," Pierre rushed to stop her. "I don't think that will be necessary."

 "I'll still check," she smiled sweetly and yet looked horrified at his response at the same time. 

 Pierre was confused a little but decided to let it go. He nodded at her and she left, giving him privacy. The food was mouthwateringly good. He savored as much of it as he could before he got full. Before even half of it was finished. 

  The need to snuggle up was becoming overwhelming by the minute. He put the food away and got under the covers. The warmth and comfort more welcome than anything.

And he could admit, he didn’t feel that great because of the soreness, and yet at the same time he did. He could really use some more sleep at the moment, so he was going to do just that.

Pierre winced once before the warmth fully sunk in and his consciousness was lost to the softness. He slept deeply.

6:00 A.M.

Alexander Kane was awake in his room.

It was several days after fussing over Pierre like he had just gotten his wife pregnant.

What the fuck was that?

The only thought that ran through his head every time he thought of it was that. But after two days he stopped beating himself up over it. It had been a very long time since he’d fought for control like that, but that was just all there was to it. He was back to his normal self now anyway.

The room was not so dark. The other man, who was bundled up in the sheets, lay on his stomach, the hard muscles of his back disappearing under the covers.

The Master was almost fully dressed in his suit. His wrist was held out before him, he wore his watch taking his time, studying the man’s sleeping form.

Riley stirred on the bed. Then suddenly turned around on his back. He sat up immediately, back bent in a lazy manner. “You look good,” he said after assessing him, and then his mind wandered off. “I’m hungry,” he frowned like he was in the worst mood. How did he

make

everything

sound sexual

“I like your appetite,” the Master said. “So go make yourself something.” He walked to the door and stopped when he heard his phone ring. He didn’t even look when he accepted the call, assuming it was Tadashi.

“I’m HUNGRY!” Riley’s voice came from both inside the phone and outside of it.

So stubborn. Alexander was sure he had had people just like Riley before, weirdly none of them had even come close to his particular brand of headstrong behavior.

The Master turned around and glared at him.

“I can be really annoying when I wake up, to make it stop, you give me what I want.” Riley said.

The Master’s eyebrow went up. “I did. Last night.”

Riley was rendered speechless for a second before he recovered. “Sir… I mean, we can go again,” he started to sit up straighter. “I definitely want that.”

The Master chuckled softly. “I hardly have the time.”

Riley groaned. “Fine. But seeing as you somehow have to take care of me. I’m really hungry,” Riley’s eyes were hazy and his voice laced with sleep. He jutted his bottom lip pointedly at the Master, the image just didn’t fit. “I want breakfast!”

For such a big guy to be hugging the pillow against his shirtless chest, trying to act cute by jutting out his bottom lip…it actually seemed to be working. The Master resisted the urge to roll his eyes regardless.

“You’re not cute, come with me,” he finally said in resignation.

“Hardly have the time for that, no?” Riley smirked and the Master sighed. “Very funny,” came the reply.

“Sit,” the Master ordered when they got to the kitchen.

Riley dropped on the stool like he was being punished, then sighed. Sometimes he wondered why most of the time he woke up hungry, like where did all the food go in the night? His stomach rumbled even as he sat and watched the Master.

He shrugged off his suit jacket and laid it carefully on an empty stool. His hair was parted in the middle and fell on either side of his face in a slightly wavy curtain hairstyle. His face was set in a serious expression as he concentrated on folding his sleeves.

He’s so handsome. Riley thought.

In less than a minute, the Master had pulled out a pan and beaten three eggs.

Riley watched as he put the butter in and handled the pan expertly. In went the eggs, he let them sit for some time before turning them over.

“You look so professional right now,” said Riley. The Master flipped the omelette.

“When do I not?” He asked.

Riley chuckled.

The Master slid a plate in front of him and emptied the contents of the pan onto it. The aroma wafted into Riley’s nose and his mouth watered. A glass was set before him before he was poured a drink, bacon already sizzling in the pan. When that was finished, he watched as about ten strips were added to the plate.

The food was heaven on his tongue. “It’s alright,” Riley shrugged after swallowing. He didn’t admit it was better than alright.

“Right,” was all the Master replied like he knew.

He buttoned his sleeves once more and checked his watch with a grim face.

Riley swallowed his food and took him in, setting his fork down. The food was popcorn and the Master his TV.

“You might fix your hunger problem if you stop staring at me,” he said before declining a call.

“Maybe the food is so good I just want to savor it,” the Master didn’t miss the double entendre.

“You play too much.”

The Master threw on his suit jacket. And Riley was right there in an instant, hands pressing on his lapel and then fixing his tie.

“Wear something nice tomorrow Sir,” Riley pecked his lips goodbye and the Master’s hands went to rest on his hips. “I’m taking you on a date.”

14

“So this is your idea of a date, a basketball court?” The Master asked. He still had dress pants on and an impeccably white shirt tucked into them. Somehow he looked a little less formal, but ever so serious. The man clearly knew how to look good.

 The only thing that looked most casual was the way he'd left a few buttons open at the front, as if taunting him to peek at his chest. Riley peeked, several times, even when the Master noticed and caught him staring. He was only a man, he couldn't help it.

 In actual sense, Riley had actually thought hard about this date, he couldn't bring himself to understand why, being the type of guy that couldn't be bothered to give two fucks about dates, seeing as he'd never taken anyone on one, and never agreed to go on one either. The idea had always made him uncomfortable, partly because he's never cared about anyone enough for it to matter. But here he had no other choice. It still did not explain why he was trying to make it worthwhile.

 He'd searched his head for what to do until a thought finally struck him. The only place that would bring him comfort, where he could focus on getting it over with without nerves threatening to destroy him all-together.

 "I have no idea how to do this," he admitted as his hands gently rubbed the back of his neck and Riley tried to find something more to say. 

 He always had a remark, a word, anything at the tip of his tongue just waiting to get out. Right now, what came naturally to him, seemed beyond him. It would be really embarrassing with the Master looking so expectantly at him. "Could have fooled me yesterday," he said. "That cocky mouth." 

 Riley refused to let his mind wander to the gutters. "Aren't dates like, supposed to be meaningful or some shit?" He asked instead. And then he realized it made him sound corny.

 It was the exact reason why he suspected dates freaked him out. To his understanding, the effort meant you wanted to get to know someone better, you cared about them. He didn't really care about many people, the Master included, so this was weird and out of his comfort zone.

 "This is meaningful?" The Master asked with a small frown forming on his face.

Riley got close to the Master and did the one thing at the moment he knew would give him a sense of normalcy. “I wanna kiss you,” he started. “Can I?”

With a nod, the Master replied. “Yeah.” He leaned closer to Riley, who put his mouth on his own. It was not meant to go on for too long, so Riley drew back before it got deeper, however good it felt, however much he wanted to continue.

“You look nice,” he said to the man standing before him, whose smirk seemed like it was becoming more permanent by the minute. But despite it all, he still gave nothing away, no emotion on his face. Only an expression that looked like amusement. “Over here.”

The footsteps let Riley know that the man followed him. The sound, for a moment the only thing that could be heard in the empty space. The floorboards shone to the most they could. Who even used this place that it was always kept in such perfect shape?

It was a beautiful indoor court and one side of it, right under a basketball hoop, Riley had placed several soft pillows around a little and very short table full of snacks for the Master and himself. This was the part he didn’t struggle with. All he did was grab a bunch of snacks he’d found in the kitchen and brought them along.

Riley sat cross-legged on one end of the table and waited for the Master to do the same on the other. He mimicked his actions while putting his phone down on one end of the table.

His eyes caught Riley’s and never looked away. Again with this! Thought Riley. How could he so easily make him uncomfortable?

Sometimes Riley thought he could really consider giving up one of his favorite shoes, just to know what was running through his mind. And it was worse when he looked at him like that. He studied him for the time his eyes would allow him to look before they looked away all on their own.

It wasn’t the first time the Master was looking at him, and most of the times he wondered what he was looking for. And just like every time, to his profound disappointment, he looked away.

“This is the part where we talk,” said Riley, then muttered under his breath. “Before this gets any more awkward.”

“Are you sure?” The Master asked, despite the tiny smile playing on his lips, the question was enough to rile up the other man.

Ah shit, what did I forget? Riley thought long and hard but he’d ticked all the boxes. This was it. He really didn’t see what–

Riley’s thoughts came to a halt when he heard the soft laugh emanating from the person across from him.

“You look cute when you’re confused and thinking,” said the Master.

“What are you talking about?” Riley replied with a look of mild shock on his face. “I look cute all the time.”

That actually worked to put him at ease. Whether the Master knew it or not.

“Can I run my fingers through your hair?” Riley was already reaching out to touch the glossy-yet-not-glossy looking strands. They had a look like they were ruffled at the slightest, coupled with the shirt it made him look sexier than he ought to be for Riley’s wellbeing.

The Master moved out of his way, hand closing around Riley’s wrist. “No, that’s annoying.”

That was another thing about him, he never lacked an answer or said one thing to cover another one up. Everything was how it was, whether he hurt your feelings in the process or not. He didn’t give a fuck.

More accurately, he had no filter. And somehow, Riley liked it.

Riley withdrew his hand after he let it go. “You know, now I’m not going to rest until I do it.”

“You have a death wish, what else is new?”

“Oh come on, don’t be like that,” Riley clasped his hands together then offered a snack to the Master.

“I know you’re stalling. Go ahead, ask,” he said to Riley while taking the snack, his tone surprisingly patient.

Riley was definitely caught off guard. How did he even guess? “How old are you?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Hmm?” There was that smirk again. “What is it? Wondering if I’m old enough to be your father?”

“You clearly aren’t.” And that’s why it didn’t make sense to him. “I expected different.”

A dark eyebrow cocked. “How old did you think I’d be?”

“I don’t know,” Riley twisted where he sat. “Older? At least a few greying hairs, hopefully handsome.”

The Master laughed. “Well I’m not sorry to disappoint.”

Who was he fucking kidding

, looking like that

“Well you should be, old men are so hot. They make my knees weak.”

The Master leaned in from across the table. “Is that what you fantasize about every time they turn jelly for me?”

Riley wanted to answer that, he really did. But his brain was taking too long to respond to him. Feeling a little flustered, he changed the subject.

“I made this, for you. I sort of feel you don’t eat enough snacks.” Idiot.

“You made these?” The Master asked. Riley realized his mistake too late. “Great job with the packaging.”

“Thanks. I try,” Riley deadpanned the sarcasm. The snacks were obviously only selected. “I’m helping you try something new, I’m sure you’ve never had these snacks before, and yet they’re in your house.”

The Master looked at the potato chips and a large assortment of nuts. “How would you know?”

“Well, as we sit here, I’m sort of your husband no? So you’re going to have to assume I know you really well. Plus I believe I have good intuition.”

The Master didn’t say anything as he looked at Riley. So he took it as a sign to continue.

“As far as I know, my darling works all the time, takes only dinner seriously, eats other meals when he remembers to, never does eat snacks like a normal human being, is very hard to please, does not easily laugh, doesn’t show it if he’s stressed out, in-fact, I’m starting to think you aren’t being honest in this relationship,” Riley clutched his chest and the Master scoffed.

“Maybe it’s because you’ve never asked. Darling. “

Riley hesitated. “Are you going to call me that now? Because I like it. Have you called anyone that in a while?”

The Master’s expression seemed to darken before answering curtly. “No. Have you?” The cold expression made Riley suspect he’d struck a nerve.

“No,” He answered before deciding to change the subject. “You still haven’t answered my first question.”

The Master cleared his throat. “I’m going to give you three guesses. Use them wisely, because I’ll grant you a favor in your time here if you guess correctly.”

“Okay that sounds real good, I gotta say,” Riley mused. “I wonder what use the favor for.”

“I wonder if you’ll get it right.”

“We’ll see,” Riley said getting up. “Now, my turn. I have a present for you.”

He walked over to one side and picked up a ball from a rack. “Are you ready?” Riley bounced it twice and caught it perfectly in his hands. “You sir, are about to witness awesomeness,” he walked towards the Master.

“Watch carefully,” said Riley. He kissed the Master. “This is you wishing me luck. Because everyone deserves a good luck kiss.” He shrugged. “Not that I need it anyway.”

Riley walked back and bounced the ball again. Then threw it in the air, towards the basket. It was easily a perfect score. In the next few seconds he was already dunking and scoring again.

He scored once, twice, four times, ten times over, sneaking winks and licking his lips every now and then at the Master. All while making only successful shots.

Then he stood far from the hoop, all the way on the other side in the corner of the court, but not really far from the Master.

A shot from this far and this angle was usually really tricky, but that’s why it gave him a thrill. He turned to him. “This one’s for you my darling.”

Riley kissed the ball as his hands tightened around it. He focused. He was back to the moment where he fell in love with the game. It was practice, and it was the furthest shot he’d ever taken, and when he’d done it, all eyes had been on him but his eyes had remained on the hoop.

Love . That was the only word for it.

He shot the ball and it got in, just like he knew it would.

He’d been dribbling and putting on a show for the Master until he started to get sweaty. With that being the last shot, he let the ball bounce away and looked at the Master. His eyes seemed darker as he sat watching him, a hand gripping his knee tightly.

“So how do you like your present?” Riley didn’t sit across from him this time. He was right next to him. “Admit it, that was pretty good, wasn’t it?”

“Not bad,” the Master said. His voice thick.

“Of course it wasn’t. You couldn’t even take your eyes off me,” Riley wiggled his eyebrows then ran his eyes all over the Master, his breathing getting even after the adrenaline rush. He got even closer. “Are you getting turned on? Is this sexy, sweaty, muscly–” the Master drowned his words with his mouth.

In a heartbeat, Riley was beneath him, his legs being parted. He smiled into the kiss as a pillow under him caused his back to arch perfectly.

“You play with fire,” the Master said when he broke away. “Dangerous thing to do so easily.”

Riley’s hands found their way inside the front of his shirt, feeling only skin. “Not when it gets me under you like this.”

He knew everything he said turned the Master on, and yet the man did nothing about it. “You’re going to fuck me on the first date or what?” Riley asked, quickly taking off his own shirt.

The Master looked at every inch of exposed skin, but only shook his head. “It’s more fun if I leave you like this; horny, wanting and waiting. You’re going to think of me the whole day, and then when you can’t take it anymore, I’m going to give it to you.”

Riley remained silent, listening intently.

The Master bit his bottom lip sending little sparks straight down to his cock, then pulled gently before letting go. “Show me your self control.”

Riley cussed under his breath.

The Master, clearly hot for him, got off him and walked away.

His cock strained in his pants, aching with need and the knowledge that he couldn’t do anything about it. The source of his problem was also the solution, and yet he walked away so elegantly.

“Jesus,” Riley muttered after he’d nestled between two pillows and stared at the ceiling.

His gaze drifted to the little table after a while, everything lay untouched on it.

Much later in the day, Riley thanked the heavens for small mercies. He needed a distraction big enough to get his mind off the Master, he shamelessly been thinking about him since he last saw him. Since their date. Even when he didn’t want to.

Thankfully, the distraction came. But it came with only one problem. That was the fact that it added to the burden on his shoulders. It was a message on his phone. It was this;

AME

Luck or Riddance

Six will vote.

One will not be lucky

Who will remain?

To be clear, you are being asked to cast a single vote. Vote only one member out. The member with the most votes collectively, will fall victim to a final verdict.

Voting is not optional.

You have two weeks. Decide now

Writing a name shouldn’t be difficult. This is all you have to do

Defy the game. Risk disqualification.

15

The pressure on Mason’s shoulders wasn’t letting up, from the moment he had read the instructions from his phone. Vote someone out?

 An image immediately conjured itself up from his head after reading it. He felt instantly guilty that it hadn't even taken him five seconds to decide who he considered to be the lamb for his slaughter. The pressure still did not let up after that.

 The sweatpants bounced against his legs as he started to break into sweat. 

 Mason had always liked running, especially if he could feel the wind against his face. The adrenaline rush he got from it never got old, especially if he could get back right before his favorite person in the world woke up.

 The only problem now was that he was doing it on a treadmill, he couldn't complain nonetheless, at least he could do what he wanted. 

 Exercising with the Master didn't turn out to be so bad after all. You did whatever you wanted, just as long you actually exercised and kept fit. Only the stretching was instructed directly by him.

 He still remembered the first time when everyone was really dumbfounded, some shy and some clueless. It was awkward, for all but only two of them. 

 Only Riley and Jet seemed to know exactly what they were doing. Linder was clearly not cut out for this sort of thing. He'd crossed his arms angrily like he wanted to send out a clear message—

he didn’t want to do this .

 Until Mason had talked him into it, tried to make him look at it differently. He'd succeeded to some extent but Linder treated exercise like his sworn enemy. He must have really hated any form of physical exercise with a burning passion.

 His heart went out to Pierre. His hand had crossed at his front to hold the other one, rubbing it nervously as he looked down. He went as far as to step away from everyone else, clearly excluding himself. 

 The beauty was extremely uncomfortable but as far as Mason was concerned, he had nothing to hide in the baggy clothes he'd come in. He was a little chubby, but Mason couldn't understand why he was trying so much to cover it. He looked so good as himself.

 The hypnotic moment was when Pierre's eyes had shot to him and he'd licked his lips in nervousness. He was not just handsome, he was beautiful. Fuck. 

 He didn't catch the man's eyes again, no matter how many times he had to admit he'd snuck a peek. 

 He still remembered the first day when they were being shown around the house. Pierre was the first person he had talked to, although technically he just ran away from him. He might have run, but Mason hadn't stopped looking ever since.

 His heart settled when they'd gotten to the stretching bit. Pierre had been paired with Riley. They stretched together. And probably because Riley could talk to even a tree, they fell into a conversation Mason couldn't hear from where he was.

 At a point, Riley's legs were spread out on either side of Pierre from the back, he leaned a little and said some things to his ear and Pierre seemed to relax even more. He was oddly glad for that.

 For some reason they looked really perfect together. He imagined it for a while, Pierre, married to Riley. Pierre would be the sweet, nice one and Riley would be the serious and–

 His thoughts stopped short because nope, it just didn't make sense. He couldn't imagine Riley in any form of the word serious.

 "Suck it up smartass!" He suddenly heard a voice say.

 Everyone's head whipped to where Linder and Jet struggled to stretch. It looked like Linder was trying to get away from Jet while he held him captive.

 The Master looked amused. 

 "Let go of me, you fucking prick!" Linder shot back. It was already enough that he was irritated by being there.

 "Switch," The Master said, only to them, but everyone heard him loud and clear. The order reverberated across the room. 

 He then went ahead and said something to the two, the expression on his face unreadable. Whatever he'd said, calmed them down, but they continued to glare at each other.

•••

 Zel remembered marveling at every single piece of equipment when he'd first seen the gym. 

To his surprise, he couldn't even name most of them.  He'd always turned down every chance to accompany his dad to the gym. This was the result.

Before five minutes had gone by, He had already touched every single thing that was in the room, never spending more than a few seconds on one piece of equipment.

He didn’t even pipe down until the Master had covered his mouth and held him against him while explaining to everyone what he expected.

“It’s important to me that you keep fit while you are here. The reasons will not be disclosed now, or even ever. But one way or another, you have to take care of yourself. It might not be important to you but here, your health is important to me.”

Zel broke free after that, his eyes sparkled after spotting a few purple dumbbells and kettlebells right after he was done stretching with Mason.

He was really glad to be paired with him. Mason was kind, and he really liked kind people. There was a seriousness about him, like he was the type of person who would hold your hand when you went out for a walk, and continue to hold it even after.

It made Zel want to get to know him better, but their stretching time wasn’t enough for that. That, and the fact that he kept getting distracted by nearly everything.

He closed his hand around the dumbbell and pulled up. The dumbbell was stubborn, it pulled him back to the floor instead.

“This is so heavy!” Zel sounded frustrated as tendrils of his hair escaped from their hold and tried to cover a little bit of his eyes.

The Master was immediately by his side. Crouching down then taking the dumbbells away from him.

“This isn’t for you,” Zel’s eyes turned wide as saucers as he watched the Master lift it so effortlessly to put it away.

He chuckled. “You can’t lift this, but if you want to, we’ll get ones for you. You can try those for now okay?” The Master pointed to the exercise balls.

“Okay sir! They look fun,” Zel smiled widely at him. The Master’s hand hovered above his head, then just before he could pull it away, Zel pulled it down to rest on top of it.

“You can pat my head if you want. I don’t mind!” Zel said, a little excited and still holding the Master’s hand to his head.

The Master hesitated, then pulled his hand away, earning a sour look from Zel.

He moved on, back to the dumbbells the Master had set down, eyebrows knitted in a frown while he seemed to calculate. “I kinda don’t want that now,” he said, looking pointedly at the heavy equipment on the floor. “What if I get huge biceps and get all muscly and start beating everyone up?”

As if in answer, the Master stared at Zel’s balled fists as he tried to make his point and chuckled again. “What? With these tiny fists?” The Master kissed his knuckles.

Zel pretended like it didn’t affect him as much as it did and pulled his hands away.

“Someone once told me,” Zel leaned closer until he was just against the Master’s ear, then whispered. “Dynamite comes in tiny packages.” He moved away. “But I’m sure you already know that.”

 Out of curiosity, after the exercise that day, Linder had showered while contemplating. Finally making up his mind that he had to talk to Zel.

If there was a secret formula for the way he took everything lightly, then he needed it.

He found Zel watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn nestled between his thighs and the remote loosely clasped on his other hand.

“Linder!” He said immediately their eyes had met, as if he suddenly found Linder more interesting than whatever he was watching. He settled next to him.

“Want to watch with me?” The look on Zel’s face was so hopeful that Linder couldn’t find it in him to say no. He nodded. “I want to ask you something.”

“Here! We can share my popcorn, or I can get you more–”

“No,” said the taller male quickly before Zel could waste his time. “It’s fine, I don’t really like popcorn.”

“What?! Are you serious? Why?”

Linder shrugged in answer. Zel was so adorably cute that he found himself smiling at him. Relaxing even.

“Who are you going to vote?” Linder asked.

He knew it wasn’t an easy question, and it was easily going to make Zel uncomfortable. He surely wouldn’t have answered if he’d been the one asked it. At least that’s what he thought.

He was wrong.

And Zel had absolutely no reason to tell him anything. In fact it should have been his private business. But he couldn’t resist the urge to ask.

He couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Zel didn’t seem to care, whatever angle you stood and looked at him, there was no pressure on him. That’s what fueled his curiosity.

And now, Zel didn’t even take a minute of his time, “Oh you’re talking about the game?”

Linder nodded.

“I won’t vote anyone out.”

“You’re not voting for anyone?” Linder was shocked all over again. That was actually a bold thing to say.

“I’m not.”

“You’ll get disqualified. You know that right?”

“Uh huh, I know, and thats okay.”

Linder was a little astounded. In the end, only one person was going to leave, that was according to the instructions of the game.

Only one person, and it turned out, Zel was already offering himself up for whatever reasons he had up in his head. The reason had to be really good, because no one was saying ’ fuck you

’

to four million louder than he was right now.

Zel got off the couch. “I need more popcorn. Don’t go away okay?” He said walking away like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Linder pulled his phone out and typed a name.

16

Jet’s eyes fluttered open in the darkness as he looked at nothing in irritation.

If all the noise coming from his phone was supposed to be an alarm, then he needed to have a harmless talk with whoever designed it so.

“The fuck?” He said in a scratchy voice that still wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Immediately he brought the phone up to his face, the annoying excuse of an alarm stopped. He squinted in the darkness, giving his eyes time to adjust.

His wallpaper looked aggressive with the themes of red that were used to design the number of points he currently had.

-10.

A freaking negative! Why was that even possible?

Like they always did, an envelope popped up on the screen and he clicked it, sitting a little more upright and rubbing his eyes.

 'Beautiful morning Jet'

said a little text just before the actual information.

 Funny, he thought. Nothing beautiful about waking up at demonic hours.

»«

Task:

Breakfast

You only have one hour to make a breakfast in bed for the Master.

You lose when he leaves his bed before you are done. You lose if he doesn’t eat it. And you definitely lose if you don’t do it yourself.

•Start Now•

»«

 So many thoughts bombarded Jet's head, among them was that more negative points were coming his way. What was he going to end up with when all of this was done? Negative forty? A hundred?

 He'd left his window open the night before, and now a chilly breeze crept in and hugged him everywhere his skin was exposed. The cold felt so good against him that he wanted nothing more than to roll into the covers and close his eyes again.

 The curtains fluttered with the gust of the wind, in any direction it took.

  He'd liked his room more or less, whoever designed it was convinced that he liked dark themes and used it on his behalf. He'd appreciate it if the colors were a little more lighter but it still looked beautiful. Many people assumed he was into dark colors just because they thought he was rude. In what world did that make any sense?!

 And it was a secret he didn't want anyone to know. Along with the reason he slept with the nightlight on.

 The only thing he could truly admit he liked was the space. Jet had grown up in a huge house with a lot of family, those were the first six or so years of his life. He didn't remember too much of it from his youngest years but everything started to fall apart after that. It came to a point where they were about nine people crammed in one room and five in another. 

 As a child he didn't understand the dynamics of how it had all worked out. Everyone was happy and then they were not. They moved somewhere else and he suddenly had less than everything he did before.

 The loss had not been that big of a deal to Jet, he was just glad he had family, people who loved him, around him. Living so close together that the line between brother and cousin blurred so well it was non existent.

 It had its fun perks, being crammed up like that. But  it wasn't comfortable, there was no privacy and there were adults breathing down your neck almost twenty four seven. You couldn't properly be a child with so much freedom.

 He would trade this room or anything, including those four million dollars, to have that again. It happened in the dead of night, when everything had been taken away from him before he could even say anything about it. Before he could understand what was going on.

 It was painful, and that was to say the least.

 In the next ten minutes, Jet had taken a shower and cleaned his teeth. And he was heading down. He didn't even know where to begin. But he figured, making eggs and bacon was probably the simplest thing he could try. He'd never seen anyone struggle with that.

 Okay, I can do this.

He thought, then faltered. Probably, I mean its just eggs.

 The pan heated up on the fire. 

 Oh right

. Jet cracked an egg and almost smiled that he was doing it. Then immediately his expression turned sour when the edges turned black.

 Try one, failed. 

 He wasn't even upset.

Wait, Jet contemplated in his head. Was I supposed to start with the butter?

 Jet found another pan next to several others. This kitchen was clearly no ordinary one. The next attempt had the entire kitchen smoked, he coughed as he stood further away, waiting for the smoke to clear out. 

 He remembered the the number of points he had and felt his spirits begin to dampen. "I'm not flunking this. I can't flunk this," he muttered to himself.

 'Third time's a charm' was his mantra for the next attempt. Like all the other times, everything started out so well. Until the bacon sizzled and hissed, turning black as he watched in disbelief. 

 "Why is this so fucking hard?!" Jet flung the pan, along with everything in it against the wall in annoyance. It crashed with a bang and made a mess when it cluttered on the floor. The noise should have been enough to wake anyone nearby up.

 In annoyance, Jet cleaned the mess up.

 On his next attempt, he was convinced that this was a prank and someone was trying to mock him because right after putting his mind to it, with only one pan left, he'd started a fire. 

 A flame erupted from the middle of the pan but he couldn't understand why it did. "Fuck! Fuck!" he uttered. 

 Jet first fanned it with his hands then realized that was the dumbest shit ever, he was only igniting the fire and making it worse.

 The kitchen was a mess because he'd used at least six frying pans, cracked like eighteen eggs that had all gone to waste. And now he'd finally done it, turned the kitchen into hell.

 In the frantic confusion, he accidentally knocked the oil into the fire. The flames built as Jet stared. "Holy shit!" 

 The fire thankfully didn't become worse and he was relieved a few seconds later when a white spray filled the room and nullified the flame. Someone had gotten an extinguisher. 

 Thank fuck. Wonder if the Master's ever tried drinking raw eggs for breakfast.

 "First you try to wake everyone up with all the noise you're making and now you want to burn the house down?!" Mason set the extinguisher down. "Are you okay?" He went ahead to touch him. 

 Jet froze but Mason grabbed his hand and inspected him like a bug under a microscope. He suddenly pulled his hand back but Mason only frowned at him, not sure about how to react to the concern.

 He went ahead to look at the mess Jet had made. "What is this supposed to be?" 

 "Breakfast, mixed with a big ounce of mind your business," Jet bit back. 

 "That's really funny, but you clearly need my help," Mason stated. He wasn't laughing. "Or you were just going to stand there, and watch the place burn down."

No he wasn’t! “ I don’t see any reason why you’d help me.“

 "Why not?"

 "Cut the crap, Mason. It's me you voted out, wasn't it?" Jet looked him in the eye.

 "You don't know that," said Mason defensively.

 "I wasn't sure, but now it's certain, don't worry about it, I would've voted me out too."

 Mason was already walking away but he stopped when he heard Jet. He turned back slowly, his expression indecipherable. "Butter, then eggs, less heat and keep turning so it doesn't burn," he said with a finality to his voice.

 The look on his face was guilt and something else before he walked away totally, leaving Jet alone once again in the kitchen.

 Now why did he go and say that? Jet wondered. He just hated being indebted to anyone, there were better ways he could have said it. Like fuck off.

 Still, he followed Mason's advice, smiling to himself when it seemed to be working, even if it was far from perfect. 

 By the time Jet was done, the food looked like it couldn't even be digested, it looked hideous, but despite the fact, he found the perfect tray to hold everything.

 "No way..." he muttered when he looked down at it. Even

he couldn’t eat it.

 His fingers itched to throw it in the bin and admit defeat. He nervously traced the tattoo on his hand while he looked at the tray, a habit that started at one point when the pain had become overwhelming, and stuck to now...times when he needed a little courage to go through with something.

 The tattoo was a collection of several heartbeats that all looked connected. Each one represented a family member he'd lost that night. He thought about them every single day. 

 And sometimes it was almost like he had them right there with him. It sounded stupid, even to him, but it gave him comfort. 

 Just out of guilt, Jet walked out of the house, into the cold morning air and into the garden. The breeze felt good against his face as he inhaled, the air smelled clean and refreshing. 

 And then he was heading deeper into the garden. He picked whatever looked like those leaves people usually put on the side of plates to make it look good in shows. Or whatever the reason was. 

  Right now, that could really be a big help, maybe. Because whatever that was that he'd created, didn't belong in anyone's stomach, so maybe a little decoration would make it bearable.

 Jet took the stairs up to the Master's room with the tray in hand, trying to make it within the one hour of time he'd been granted. If there was one thing he'd done right, it was the glass of juice on the tray. 

 "Oh hell," he said when his eyes drifted to the singed bacon. It was a bit too late to do anything about it now anyway.

 The Master looked like he was asleep when he got to him. He couldn't see his face, but he didn't move either.

 Jet just stood there, tray in hand, watching him. 

 I could just set it down and leave right now, I don't have to be the subject of his judgment when he wakes up.

The thoughts run through his head. He’s so vulnerable now, I could even tie him to the bed and leave-

 "What are you doing? Plotting my death?" A deep, groggy voice asked.

 "Here's your breakfast," said Jet. It was comical, because he didn't even move when he said it. The Master sat up and smirked at him. 

 He ground his teeth in response with little else he could do, being the subject of the Master's scrutiny. 

 "Well is it for me, or not?" 

 "Uh yeah," Jet awkwardly put the tray on the bed. 

 He watched the Master like he'd never watched anything in his life. Like a hawk eyeing its prey.

 He was strung so tight as he watched the Master study the contents in the tray, he needed to see every reaction. He needed to know the exact moment everything was going to fall apart, and yet at the same time, he didn't want to.

 Stormy eyes lifted to meet his own, Jet was about to say something, an excuse, a lie, anything to justify what this was but the Master beat him to it. 

 "What the fuck is this?" He asked, looking disgustedly down at the plate.

17

“What the fuck is this?”

 The words seemed to compute a few seconds after Jet heard them, regardless of how much he expected it. They formed an image in his head.

-40.

 He fought the urge to look down, of course it was coming. He rubbed his hand against his neck and looked back at the master more carefully. 

 Something wasn't adding up, he realized after a short while, it was almost like the Master wasn't actually looking at the sludge in itself. 

 His perfect eyebrows furrowed as he inspected the plate further. Seriously, he might have freshened up and gotten back under the sheets. Jet for one, knew he looked like crap when he woke up. Seems it didn't apply to everyone.

 His fist balled in nervousness and anticipation as he watched the Master pick up the leaves with a fork, the ones he'd taken his time to select...in a hurry of course.

"Last time I checked, people didn't eat random grass for breakfast," said the Master with a little disgust. After inspecting it for a few seconds, he set it back down on the plate. 

 -50.

 Wait, could he not see the food? 

 One question was answered though, whatever he'd added onto it clearly didn't make the plate better, and definitely wasn't edible. Jet still tried to fathom the situation but nothing still made any sense about how it was playing out.

 The Master seemingly oblivious to everything else, picked up the fork again. Not even sparing Jet a glance, he took up a chunk of the food and to Jet's horror, put it into his mouth. And fucking chewed.

 Jet's eyes went wide with confusion. Even he wouldn't have eaten whatever that was—he refused to give it a name. 

 "How... " he started but he couldn't seem to find the words to complete where he was going with the question. 

 The Master swallowed and took another chunk inside his mouth. 

 Jet took a step forward as if cautious, his arm reaching out a little as if signaling for the Master to stop. 

 The Master did not even falter, he kept eating in silence. He was the picture of someone having a good meal.

 Jet rushed in front of him and tried to stop him. "No," he said. The sight was not right. So much that the word forced itself out. 

 "You can't seriously—" Jet grabbed the fork from the Master's hand. It was more like instinct than anything else.

  The Master looked up at him, eyes looking more blue than grey now, eyebrow cocked in question and irritation at the interruption. 

 His bed hair should have been hot but Jet was consumed with shock to even notice.

Why was he eating it? If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was a mad man.

 The Master's lips were a little shiny thanks to the more-than-enough grease, only to accentuate their sexiness. He held out his hand. 'Give me the fork' he seemed to say, his eyes shooting directly to Jet's, and pinning them in place.

 Jet shook his head first. His hand tightened on the fork, he wasn't about to let it go. The Master tilted  his head a little with a serious expression as if daring him to keep acting in such a stubborn manner. Jet seemed to snap out of it very quickly.

 Slowly, he reached out and handed it back. The Master took it and continued to eat whatever he had made. 

 Jet was so convinced he was going to get food poisoning, he stayed rooted right where he was. It was more out of shock more than anything else. 

 "If I didn't know any better I'd think you cared about me," said the Master calmly. 

 Jet's skin prickled. "Only because I need you alive to pay me," replied Jet. 

 The Master laughed. "So fierce." 

 Jet didn't reply. Not with words at least, he crossed his arms at his front and scoffed.

 The Master continued to eat. Jet continued to watch. Very uncomfortably. 

 Until the plate was empty and in one go, he drained the cup of the juice in it, then looked to Jet. 

 "Thank you," The Master said at last, when everything was finished, the green leaves looking limp on the side of the plate.

 There was no way Jet was going to forget the events of the morning, not especially since the Master was now right before them. 

 Thank you...

The words still sounded fresh in Jet’s mind. And they wouldn’t leave him alone. He’d come only to accept negative things from the man, and yet here they were.

 When Jet had first looked at the copy of the rules in his room, he'd quickly written six letters and labeled them month one through to six. He seriously could not be bothered to find a time each month for six to write a few letters he did not want to write. He would do nothing of the sort if money was not involved. Along with the breakfast he gave to the Master in bed, Jet had placed the first letter and now he wished he could have snatched it back.

Dear whoever reads this,

I̷

d̷o̷n̷

’

t̷

u̷n̷d̷e̷r̷s̷t̷a̷n̷d̷

w̷h̷y̷

t̷h̷e̷

f̷u̷c̷k̷

This letter was carefully crafted with all the love that oil has for water, only read it as such.

I’ve never written a letter before, I’m so grateful for your thoughtfulness on this. You know I just love paper and pen. Paper and pen… ugh so good…

Let me just go ahead and fill it with words until it looks like one. And I’m done.

Yours (what a joke)

Jet

 He probably should have edited it. Or written another better presenting letter altogether, but it was too late for any of that now.

 "You were asked to vote one person out," the Master said and Jet could have sworn someone swallowed, if not himself.

 Some people tensed on the table, a few might have twiddled thumbs. Almost everyone looked skeptical but the Master looked cool as ever, like he had all the answers. He probably did, and always had.

 Of course he did.

 "But none of you were careful enough to know, that the answer lay within the instructions of the game. What a shame."

  There was a lot of guilt showcased on everyone's face, naturally. Jet found Mason's eyes already looking at him. He held his gaze just to see where all of it was going. Mason only shook his head and turned away. He could not be more obvious.

 "The game was more for me, than it was for you," the Master continued. "It was supposed to make you all uncomfortable. I look at you all now, and I see that it did. It was designed for you to play and fail at the same time."

 When Jet had first sat down, he was sure someone was going to leave. This was starting to sound like it was going to be a turn of events. "Do you know why you failed at it?" The rhetorical question came. 

 "You failed only because you voted. All of you should have, but that's not what happened, all but two of you failed the game...which means that you either understood the game, or you were just lucky. Regardless, that has never happened before," there was something like awe in his voice.

 It didn't make any sense to Jet. Four people had failed the game? Although they were all supposed to? He should have been one of them, but after this, he might not actually be. 

 "The instructions were clear at the bottom, the rest was just to throw you off. 'This is all you have to do, defy the game'. Two of you did, four of you didn't. And that is all there is to it."

 It was when everyone started to retire for the night, that the truth of the matter struck Jet. It was the reason why he couldn't stop thinking about it, not even for one second throughout the day. 

 Because no one he didn't really know, had ever done such a thing for him. It was why he decided to go to the Master, all by himself, something he'd never think of doing, in fact, something he previously had no interest in doing at all. 

 No one had ever shown him such kindness, maybe it wasn't even kindness, but no one was ever grateful when he did basically nothing for them. 

 To him, the Master was a big mystery, but not one he wanted to get to the bottom of. He was almost always unreadable and Jet wasn't a big fan of that quality, he found comfort in instantly knowing whether he could trust someone or not.

 But when the man had said 'thank you', there was no way Jet could mistake it; the sincerity behind the two words. He was genuinely grateful.

How? Why?

 It was so nonsensical it made him uncomfortable just thinking about it with nothing else to do about it.

 Jet climbed the stairs heading for the Master the second time that very same day. 

 "Why have you come here?" The Master asked. "I didn't call for you."

 He had a computer open and had been reading or looking at something with great concentration before pausing when his eyes located Jet.

 "I know," Jet said and walked into the room. He suddenly remembered the notification he'd gotten right before coming into his room.

‘Congratulations, you defied the game, you risked disqualification.’

Points: 4.

 It meant so much to him Jet couldn't stop a smile from forming on his face when he'd read it. In the morning he'd walked in with a negative. Right now he had four. It wasn't much but it was something.

 And coming here to ask the Master what he wanted to was going to mean swallowing a lot of pride but he just could not not do it. He felt obligated to ask, however much it meant stepping outside of his comfort zone.

 "I want to ask you something," said Jet. 

 "You obviously didn't come here for nothing so go ahead," the Master said. He paused everything he was doing, giving all of his attention to Jet. 

 Jet stopped, "How do I ask this?" It was a murmur, more to himself than anyone else. His fingers traced the tattoo on the back of his right hand. He didn't even notice he was doing it.

 "You use your words," the Master got off the bed and approached where Jet's feet were stuck to the ground.

 Jet saw him approach, then one leg took a step backwards. And then the other. He was soon being backed up against the wall, so close he could feel the Master's body heat radiating off him. 

 "Is my little cub tongue tied? That's a bit unusual."

 Jet ran out of space as his hands remained by his side. "Get off me," he said. "And do not call me your little cub."

 The Master's lips twitched and broke out into a grin. "I'm not even touching you." 

 Jet realized that that was true, he was just trapped but there was no body contact at all, much to his embarrassment.

 "Fine whatever, just let me talk," he wiggled uncomfortably.

 "Are you saying that I make you speechless?" The annoying man before him asked.

 "You wish." 

 The Master held his gaze. "Your eyes are kind of pretty, now that I look more closely."

 Jet recoiled as if the Master had touched him, and the memories from the morning resurfaced. "I'd like you to teach me." 

 He didn't spare two seconds answering. "Of course I'll teach you. I just need to know what."

 Jet rolled his eyes a thousand times inside his head. "You just want me to ask you again don't you?" 

 "No. I want you to say it."

 "To um... to cook, teach me how to cook." Jet thought this was the most embarrassing thing he'd ever done. Or asked anyone for that matter. 

 A look of surprise flashed across the Master's face and disappeared almost as fast as it had come. Turns out he actually didn't see it coming. 

 Jet thought it couldn't be possible. If he had thought deeper into it, he would have asked himself why, he would have started to think that maybe in it's own way, this meant something of worth to the Master, but he didn't. 

 It still didn't answer why he ate everything he'd made in the morning. "The thing I cooked for you this morning..." Jet started but lost his train of thought. He could not decide whether he wanted to start his next question with

how , or why .

 "Thing?" 

 "Yes. Don't act like you've ever seen such a thing before," said Jet. 

 The Master regarded Jet with an unreadable expression on his face, saying nothing. Just this time, he wouldn't question it further. He'd leave it at that.

 "Uh...so will you?"

 "Like I said little cub, of course," the Master replied, coming towards him once again, Jet watched, still glued to the wall. "Especially since you asked so nicely."

 In the next minute, the computer was off the bed and Jet had replaced it, the Master pinning his weight down slowly on him. "Just, let me treat you first."

18

One of Jet’s earrings was currently engulfed in a warm and wet place. Along with the entire lobe of his ear. The Master’s tongue sucked, then let go, coloring it red.

He leaned over him as he pulled off Jet’s shirt, sending little sparks tingling up and down his arm as his chest was then covered in quick, rough kisses.

 The Master's hands fastened on his biceps and tightened, just before he nipped his shoulder lightly. Jet was quickly becoming a mess. Slowly, his lips trailed down to stop just below Jet's crotch, who was now breathing a little harder.

 He undid the button on Jet's pants but didn't pull it down. Not the zipper, not the pants. The pressure against the sensitive area sprang Jet's cock to life, causing it to jerk inside his pants, begging to be free. 

The Master must have known, but he only got up torturously and calmly devoured Jet with his eyes as he lay sprawled on the bed. 

 Jet struggled to sit up and almost immediately, the Master pressed his mouth to his. His lips parted and not a second later he felt a tongue collide with his. 

 The Master pulled away and a hard shaft replaced his tongue, forcing Jet to stretch his lips wider than it was used to being stretched.

 A hand attached to the back of Jet's head. The Master didn't move, he only guided the other man's head to further take in his cock, leaving Jet no choice but to keep accepting more of him until he was nearly fully buried in his mouth. So very close to the hilt.

He let go of Jet’s head, and the latter quickly drew back, muffled coughs around the hard member his mouth was trying to break free from. Jet’s eyes were watery by the time he pulled away, his jaw hurting in the slightest.

The Master cupped himself and pointedly held it out to Jet. He looked expectantly at him.

Jet licked his lips while his eyes locked onto it. Slowly, his tongue reached out to lick the side, roaming over the hard ridges and veiny structure of it where he let his saliva gloss over it.

The Master hissed when he took in the tip, his hand rubbing against Jet’s nape gently. He continued to take in more, sucking while stroking it with one hand at the same time.

Jet’s second attempt to swallow the cock all the way in was a little more successful. The Master had been blessed with both girth and length no wonder he was so cocky. Pun intended.

It thrilled him to take it all, almost like he wanted to prove that he could do it. This time, the tear nearly slipped from his eye from all the effort.

“Seems like you needed this,” said the Master.

He caused Jet to look up at him while his chest rose and fell between them, cock still in hand. Jet licked his bottom lip. “Shut up,” he replied.

He shoved the cock back into his mouth. The Master let out a deep groan that caused weird flutters in Jet’s chest. He didn’t stop, nor did he pause. Up until the Master gripped his hair. “You can touch yourself,” he said.

Jet reached down quickly to grope himself, only to find out that he was already rock hard, a wet patch at the front of his underwear.

It scared Jet when it struck him, the fact that he waited and didn’t touch himself at all before the Master said so. No way. Why the fuck did he so obediently wait for permission?

Jet stroked himself through his pants at the same speed his head bobbed around the Master’s shaft.

Ever so slowly his hand reached inside his pants and skin met skin. His cock twitched in his hands as he tugged back and forth, his other hand fondling the Master’s balls at the same time. He felt hot.

The thick, veiny member felt like it was swelling inside his mouth. That was impossible, it had to be.

He felt a hand tighten once more at the back of his head, then grabbing and gripping his hair almost painfully as the Master stiffened momentarily.

The cock didn’t pull out of his mouth, and neither did he pull away from it. Thick, hot liquid hit the back of his throat and he swallowed instantly. Then he went ahead to swallow every single drop that was released inside his wanting mouth.

His tongue reached out to swipe anything it could reach; anything that had dared to escape the inside of his mouth, where it belonged.

His own cock pulsed around his hand, coating it in a warm substance that continuously flowed out of him. Jet shivered, his eyes glazed like he was drunk.

“Good boy,” the Master picked off a drop that Jet’s tongue missed and placed the thumb inside Jet’s mouth.

Jet swirled his tongue around the finger until he’d licked it up clean, releasing it then looking up at him.

The Master hooked a finger under his jaw and bent while he drew him closer until his lips were only a whisper away. “I like a fierce cub that knows to swallow.”

GAME:

Hidden Treasures

For the next one week, seven items, will be hidden outside the mansion in two of the following locations: the garden, the maze, the tennis court, the fire pit, the fountains and the rooftop bar.

It is your task to find these items, and you just might find rewards on some of them.

•

The contestant with the most finds will have 15 points added to their total score.

If you do not find at least one item, 20 points will be taken off your total score.

HUGE HINT: PAPER

Cheers

Zel read the new message on his phone, then quickly put the phone away after catching sight of the Master.

He wanted his date to be like the ideal date he hoped someone would one day take him to, so with that being said, he would be touchy right from the start. He watched the Master as he approached, then rushed ahead to hug him.

“Hi!” It was a tight hug and he almost thought he wasn’t going to be hugged back. After the longest time, Zel decided to let go before it turned embarrassing, but he didn’t get to, because the Master’s hand wrapped around him, one hand enough to surround the entirety of his waist.

“You smell so good,” Zel said.

“You look good enough to eat,” the Master responded.

Zel’s face colored and without thinking, he held the Master’s hand and led him to the arrangement he’d made.

It nearly wasn’t enough as what he wanted, although almost the whole blanket spread out was filled with treats. Zel grew up in an environment where more food was always better, too much food was better than a lot of food. And it was never a feast without his brownies.

They sat down together.

Zel had been to many dates before but he’d never taken anyone else instead. They always asked before he got any chance to, so he mostly got used to it. It made him excited like this, to finally take someone out. Which was technically in but oh well, it still counted in his books.

Somehow he really didn’t want to disappoint the Master in any way and so he decided honesty was going to be his best suit.

“Usually when I go on dates, it always starts with awkward talking, but that’s not all of them, some people are just really easy to talk to so there’s no need to feel out of place. And then we try the food and then they ask me if I like it–”

The Master regarded him first as he spoke, then cut him short. “Do you feel out of place?”

Zel was a bit surprised to realize that he didn’t. “You know… I actually don’t. And I’ve never really been with anyone like you.”

The Master scoffed. “Am I that cool?”

“Oh please,” Zel rolled his eyes then moved to drop a kiss on the Master’s forehead. “Of course you are.”

The Master linked their fingers together before he could get away. He pulled Zel to sit on him like he was his chair, while holding him and nuzzling his neck. Zel shrunk at the contact but couldn’t stop his smile, nor the warmth rising to his cheeks. He tried to continue what he’d been saying.

“Sometimes we talk about restaurants, really anything to fill the void,” Zel admitted.

“Is that so?” The Master’s breath tickled his nape.

“Yes,” Zel giggled and squirmed. “When I start eating I’m unstoppable. We eat, then talk a little more then leave. Well the other dates that we go to…”

“That’s how you planned it to be?” the Master asked.

“Seriously, I don’t know if I want it to go like that. Let it just be its own thing,” Zel said. “But I do plan to shove all of this in your stomach. Still, I don’t want it to be awkward.”

“Well then,” the Master seemed comfortable. “This ought to be fun.”

Zel suddenly felt like he was being put on a trial, he really wanted it to be worthwhile. “Oh no, now here comes the awkward talk.”

Zel didn’t understand how it happened, but soon, he was facing the Master instead of his back. He’d prefer it if the position hadn’t changed at all, because then his face wasn’t on display for observation.

“Speak,” the Master said, looking into his eyes.

Zel chuckled. “That’s terrible! You don’t just say speak. You just do. But that’s a little unfair sir, what am I supposed to say now?” Zel said while averting his gaze.

The Master chuckled. “You did bring me on this date.”

Zel thought about how technically, he had to bring him to this date because it was part of the rules but he didn’t point that out, instead he pouted.

“For starters, when I invited you to this date I certainly didn’t expect to be sitting on your lap.”

“But now you are.” Zel heard the dominance ooze out of his voice and it sent a shiver down his spine. “Are you uncomfortable?”

Zel only shook his head no. “Sir?”

“Yes prin–”

When he didn’t continue, Zel took it as a signal to go on. He asked, “Why are you so rich?”

 "Because I work for it." 

 "No, I mean what makes you so rich? What do you do?" Zel asked, getting more comfortable in the Master's lap with every second. 

 "Alright," the Master said. "Have you heard of K.A?"

 "Shut up.

The K.A. The skyscraper? I see it all the way from my house what are you talking about? Of course I’ve heard of it, it’s a landmark for all I know.“

 The Master nodded once. "That's mine. It's the heart of all my businesses. Every one or two floors of that skyscraper handles one part of what I do. My investment firms mostly. Aside from that, there's some hotels, two airlines, a bunch of resorts and–"

 "I'm sorry I thought you just said 'a bunch of resorts'," Zel interrupted.

 "I did."

 "A bunch of resorts, really?"

 "What am I saying wrong?"

 "I love sweaters, I've got lots of them. Now I'm allowed to call them a bunch of sweaters," Zel's eyebrows were creased as if he was trying to get the most important point across. "What you're talking about is a resort! Have you even seen one before? I really doubt they can just be

bunched. Oh my God this man. Tsk.“

 The Master chuckled and poked his nose. "You are way too cute. That's some of the things I dabble in."

 Zel was actually surprised he had told him, he had expected a brush off maybe but he was hopeful. He was always hopeful through everything, both a blessing and a curse. Because sometimes, much like this one, it worked out.

 "I don't think I fully understand everything you've said but I get it. Thank you for telling me," Zel hugged him. 

 The Master didn't reply to that, he didn't hug him back either.

 Zel asked another question. He had many questions, always did, and most of them would have been considered personal but it was just his curiosity, he had no ulterior motives whatsoever.

 He decided not to ask all of them at once, only a few. "Do you have family?" Zel asked and the Master tensed, clearly not expecting the question. Zel felt his body go rigid slightly, as if on alert, then ease back. 

  Zel realized a little late that this might have been a sensitive question. He shouldn't have asked. "I'm sorry!" He rushed to add. I didn't mean to–"

 "No," the Master said. 

 Zel left it at that, but he couldn't quiet the curious part of his brain. He distracted himself. 

 To keep things lighter, he reached out to grab a brownie with the Master's hand still wrapped around him. "Here, try this," said Zel, putting it to his mouth. 

 "How is it?" Zel asked when he took it in his mouth and chewed, watching him for any reaction. 

 "It's really good, honestly."

 "Really?!" Zel beamed. He was already picking one more. "You want another?" 

 "Right after you answer my question," he replied.

 "Okay," said Zel. "Ask me."

 "Why didn't you vote anyone out?" 

 Zel didn't really think he'd be asked this question. From what he'd perceived, the Master didn't really show a lot of interest in trivial matters. And this one was a trivial one in this context.

 "Uhh... well that's because, if there's anyone that deserves to win this, it isn't me," Zel pushed the brownie against the Master's lips again. 

 "Why not?" the Master guided Zel's hand to his mouth, taking in the food along with two of his fingers. 

 Zel startled slightly at the wetness of the Master's tongue. It wasn't his fault for staring at the Master's lips after he'd licked them, subconsciously mimicking the action. 

 "Well?" The Master asked. 

 He couldn't be serious right now.

 "Right," Zel remembered he was supposed to answer a question. "Uh... because..." he stopped again. "Well that's really distracting."

 "Is it?" the Master asked calmly. "Then I guess I better stop." 

 Zel didn't know what to say.

I don’t want you to stop? He couldn’t say that obviously. But it didn’t stop his face from expressing it he was sure. He didn’t want the Master off him.

 It came with the clinginess in him. It was the thing he couldn't help. Sometimes he tried so hard to keep it away but getting to know someone always meant becoming clingy. He could even feel it coming where Pierre and Riley were concerned. He just hoped he didn't push anyone away.

 For now, the Master didn't seem to mind it but he knew how annoying it usually got for people, especially with the way most people hated clingy people. The only person who didn't really care no matter how clingy he got was his dad. No one loved him more than that anyway. 

 He schooled his features and tried to answer the Master. "I just came here out of lack of what to do," Zel shrugged. "I mean yes, the competition obviously appealed to me but I'm not here to win. I was just really bored and honestly wouldn't know what to do with all that money. Probably give it to my dad...but he would obviously give it right back. He's a little annoying like that." Zel scanned the surroundings without paying any mind to any of it. They were somewhere between the maze and the pathway that led to the woods. He'd picked it because of how peaceful it was, "I don't have that competitive streak most people do," he shrugged. The Master continued to listen to him quietly. "I didn't even know there was money at stake, I mean can you believe this–" 

 The Master seized his hand and pressed their lips together, everything blurred in his mind at the sudden action. Zel couldn't remember the Master ever kissing him this tenderly. 

 His hand was put around the Master's neck while the Master's own tightened around his waist. He deepened the kiss and Zel felt his hair being tugged.

Not exactly . He felt it loosen as the Master’s hand ran down the length of it. He was unfastening the hairband without breaking the kiss.

 Zel's heart fluttered when he felt fingers running through it. When the Master broke away, Zel bit his lower lip and tucked his hair behind one ear. He was blushing so badly and there was nothing he could do about it and no where to hide. 

 "I like your hair like this," the Master said looking directly at him. 

 Zel's condition got worse. Even now that he couldn't stop his smile. "Okay," he said. 

 He tried to quiet the part of his brain that was trying to convince him that wearing his hair down more often wouldn't be so bad. 

 The blond curls were now everywhere, just the way he liked it. Many people found his hair off putting but just the same, many people found it cute.

 Without ever letting Zel go, the Master lay on his back with one hand going to support the back of his head, which meant that Zel was now seated on his torso looking down at him, he crossed his legs. 

 "Cheese sticks or cookies?" Zel asked. He was already carrying over the cookies. 

 "Why'd you even ask?" 

 Zel didn't miss the small smile that formed at the corner of his lips. He leaned foward and brought a cookie to his mouth. "I think you'd really get along with my dad." 

 "Why do you think so?" 

 "I don't know, I just do," Zel lowered himself and when he sat on the ground, his hair did too. 

 "Is he anything like you?" 

 He thought about it for a while before shaking his head, he let out a small laugh. "We're totally different, only our hair is similar."

 His clinginess started to show then, he couldn't let the Master go. It was pathetic how easily he got so comfortable with him. He hugged him every five minutes. Stuffed anything he could into his mouth, he made a mental note about how much he seemed to enjoy the cheese sticks. He climbed on and off him every time he could. The Master let him, every single time.

 They moved around until the Master's head was now resting on his chest as he continued to talk. 

 "You've got a beauty spot right here! It's really small but oh wow!" Zel said happily then suddenly dropped a kiss to the corner of the Master's eye, right where he'd discovered the spot. "Every beauty spot deserves its own kiss."

 The Master stared at Zel. Really stared. His face gave nothing away, but he pinned the smaller man on the spot. Zel didn't think much of it, his eyes first widened in wonder then he smiled warmly at the man before him.

 Zel yelped in surprise and burst out in giggles when the Master suddenly lined their bodies together, his back still against the ground. 

 "You fit perfectly against me," the Master said, tucking Zel's hair behind one ear. His hand looked big against the side of his face.

 Zel braced himself, using the Master's chest for support. The hold on him tightened.

Where was this going? This was definitely going somewhere.

 Zel watched the Master's face when it happened. When he rubbed them together. His hands gripped the shirt under him as his ass was squeezed. 

 "S-sex on the first date is inappropriate," Zel gasped. 

 "Don't talk to me about being inappropriate when you're getting hard," the Master dropped little kisses everywhere. "Besides, I'm not the second date type of guy."

 "The rules–" 

 "Tadashi made that rule all on his own," the Master said like he was irritated. "'It's important' he said."

"He's important to you," said Zel. It was a statement more like an observation. 

 "He is just my assistant."

 "Doesn't sound like that," Zel insisted. They'd stopped rubbing against each other by now because the conversation was getting just a little bit tense. "Then why do you listen to him?" 

 "He is my assistant. There are things he knows better than I do, so I trus- believe him enough to handle them." 

 Zel then glimpsed a vulnerability in the Master's eyes that wasn't there before. He wasn't prepared for it, so he didn't know what to do. He knew the look all too well. For the few seconds he'd looked into his eyes, he saw the immense sadness in them, it was much deeper than that but he wasn't certain what exactly it was. All he knew was that it was overwhelming. 

  He really didn't know what to do so he acted on instinct. He sat up and pulled the Master into him and didn't let go. His cheek rubbed against his soft hair as his small hands run up and down his back, trying all he could to offer some sort of comfort to the man. That was just how he was, he couldn't sit and do nothing about it.

 It was strange. For a moment there he had forgotten to keep his walls up, and Zel had taken a peek, one he hadn't meant to. "It's okay, it's okay... " he said without knowing what to say.

The moment didn’t last as long as it should have. The words seemed to change the Master’s whole demeanor. He let go of Zel and detangled himself from him.

“Why did you say that?!” The Master demanded.

Zel pursed, then unpursed his lips. “Don’t be mad… you just looked so sad–”

“You know nothing!” He snapped. “Don’t sit here and act like you fucking know me,” he rolled off the grass and crouched to Zel’s level. “It’s okay?” He laughed. “Do you feel like an emotional expert now?”

Zel’s eyes couldn’t help it. They became glossy as the tears threatened to spill. He whimpered trying everything to hold them in. “I was just–”

Zel stopped suddenly and gasped when the Master’s hand went to one side of his face, sliding under his jaw, the pad of his thumb stroking his cheek just under his eye. “Tears? Are you going to cry?”

The words worked like magic, Zel couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears spilled out of his eyes. They ran down the Master’s hand on the side he cupped his face.

How had such a lovely date come to this?

He felt the hand tighten then all at once leave his face. Zel sniveled.

And then just like that, the Master was gone, leaving him to pull his knees up to his chest, and watch the blurry figure disappear back into the house.

18.5

MONTH TWO

19

Mason was seated in the garden sketching tiny birds in a book when the message arrived on his phone. He didn’t check it immediately, the sound had already frightened one of the birds away so he reckoned moving would chase the rest of them away.

When he was done, he held his sketch out to look at it. Not so bad, he thought to himself. He wasn’t the best artist out there, but it was pretty good if he did say so himself. Mason placed the sketchbook down and checked his phone, eyes furrowing to read the message.

He looked up and around immediately after reading the message. What were the timely odds that he was already in the garden. He sat still for a while longer, wondering where to start looking, wondering whether the garden was indeed one of the two locations the game said the treasures were possibly in.

He began by looking by the fountain. The eagle’s beak spewed out water as it looked down menacingly at him, regal and mighty even, in its own right. But that was all there was to it. There was nothing else around the fountain, not even when he checked by the eagle’s wings made from whatever statues were made from. Anything might have been tucked under those wings, or under those talons even.

He walked around the garden after that, making sure to check and notice everything he passed by. He even checked his own sketchbook, which he agreed might have been a dumb move, but the hint did say paper, so he was not taking any chances with how he knew how sneaky the Master’s management could be.

 Mason then looked by a strawberry patch but even then he had no luck. There was a little citrusy grove of tangerines next to that, but yet again, he found nothing. He then checked closer to where the flowers were growing. Peonies, Lilies, hydrangeas and so many tulips. The tulips alone were at least twice as much as all the other flowers put together. There was nothing still.

Mason then decided wherever the treasures were, it wasn’t here. He chose to leave the garden and go to the rooftop bar first, anyone was rarely up there so he might beat anyone to the chase, and maybe even make himself a mimosa while he was at it.

 On his return to pick up his sketchbook, he noticed something sticking out of a few strawberry leaves. Mason stopped in his tracks and turned his full attention to the same strawberry patch he had already checked. He got closer and it became clearer. Just between two leafy branches was a folded piece of paper sticking out to him. It shook with a small wind like it was laughing at him. Laughing at him for being dumb enough for almost not seeing it at all.

  Mason crouched to pick it up, then got back up. In his hand he held open a piece of paper that told him that he should be proud, because he was now the owner of 10,000$. 

 "Well, I'll be damned."

•••

More than 10 years earlier…

 Delivery men filed in, looking and behaving as professionally as they could. They did not speak, just did what they had to; leaving several boxes on the table of a large boardroom, then getting back out as swiftly as they came in, not even saying one thing to anyone inside. Very timid and professional.

The boardroom was now empty once more. Except for the one man inside, with enough privacy to do whatever he wanted. He sat on top of one end of the huge mahogany table just as another man walked in, throwing him an angry look before pacing along the gigantic glass window.

 "You're so incompetent, so annoying and definitely impossible! I don't know why I have to work with someone like you, seriously, couldn't they do better?"  Alexander said, his words sharp and harsh as they got out. 

 He was very irritated, there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders lately and he didn't have the time or the patience to spare at the moment. Everyone wanted a piece of him, and that was apart from the one million things he had to deal with. And then there was this.

 The person the words were directed at didn't even flinch. He wasn't particularly the most handsome guy out there but that didn't mean he wasn't easy on the eyes. His brown curly hair looked unkempt like it always did, falling to his deep green eyes, making him look like a clueless boy in the wrong setting. Even if he was older than him.

 He irritated Alexander more than anyone else had ever irritated him.

 "Hey that's the same thing I said too!" He replied. "I suck at this don't I? Trust me I tried to tell them to pick someone else but apparently it has to be me," he shrugged with an annoying little smile. 

 Alexander couldn't understand why it had to be this McClure in particular. He'd have settled for the younger brother anytime. He looked more serious and more dedicated, like someone he could actually work with. Not this airhead who spent fortunes investing in everything that looked shiny in his eyes. 'Business moves' he called it, like he knew anything he was talking about.

 Alexander watched him fiddle with a camera out of the many boxes sent as samples lying on the boardroom table. It was a Polaroid type, a yellow one, contrasting perfectly with the ambiance of the room.

 This was the reason for his mood, the man before him had done it again. Spending huge sums of money on a whim, particularly whatever caught his fancy. Tying them to useless, excess weight. Something Alexander would have to fix later, like he always did. All while still delivering flawlessly on his part. 

 He regarded the twenty-seven year old while checked the features of the camera in his hand. He didn't really look like anything special if he was being honest. But if he put even an ounce of this kind of effort into the things that really mattered, then they'd definitely get somewhere.

 "Why does it have to be you?" He asked in all honesty. He could try anything to change it, but it wouldn't work. It never did.

 The laugh he heard in response was bitter. "Come on, you've got to put some effort into this, that's not romantic at all."

 "Fuck romance. Last month alone, we lost 3.5 million! Who had to work double the time to replace it, surely not you!" The more he talked to him, the more vexed he got. "I'll work something out," Alexander paced, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'll settle for your brother, anyone else, I can't stand you."

 "And I'm the incompetent one?" He laughed. 

 It was always so annoying that he always took everything as a joke. Never once had Alexander seen him serious or even try to take anything seriously. He lived in a world between the clouds, brushing off the harsh reality that was the world, a luxury Alexander has never been able to afford. 

 "Come here," the man said, walking towards him with arms stretched out wide.

 Alexander froze right where he was, suddenly not understanding the situation. Not until he was in the other man's embrace, rendered speechless. He didn't move at all, only felt rooted like large tree trunk being offered warmth.

 Couldn't he understand that he was really mad at him?

 "Your tone is one thing, but you don't scare me you asshole," the man said as he hugged him. The difference in their height couldn't be clearer as he wrapped his arms tighter around Alexander's waist. "You're so stiff, when was the last time someone gave you a hug?"

 If it was possible for Alexander to freeze even more, he did.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” the man said. Then remained silent as his face nuzzled Alexander’s chest. He pressed a kiss to it.

 "I'll be out of your hair soon, okay? But right after I give this one last chance.  I've decided, I'm going to start properly hitting on you. You better prepare yourself, Alexander darling."

 Alexander's insides were on a rampage. The man's boldness was another one of the things he couldn't get over. How the fuck could someone be this carefree? 

 Everyone was afraid of him, everyone kept themselves in check around him. Apparently not this man. Never this man. He just sort of...never really gave a fuck.

 This was their first hug. His first hug. And he was twenty four. 

 It wasn't fair. Nobody told him before, so he wasn't prepared for it. Especially not now. The fury he'd walked in with dissipated into the air like a sound betrayal. Somebody should have told him it would be more intense than all the sex he'd had in his life up until that point. Someone should have told him that sex was actually a bit too easy, and that simply pressing your body up against someone else was more complicated.

 "Okay now look at me," the man said, somewhat releasing him from his tight hold so he could move. And immediately Alexander complied, their lips were pressed together and he heard the 'click' sound of a camera. 

 Alexander had kissed numerous people before, but never once had anyone ever kissed him first. Certainly not like this. 

 The lips pulled away from his and when his eyes fluttered open did he realize that he'd closed them. He cleared his throat as embarrassment washed over him—another first.

 Realizing he hadn't spoken for a while, he tried to say something; demand an explanation. Regain control of the situation just as he did before. "Wha–"

 "Photography is sort of cool isn't it?" He was cut short. "I press a button here and a moment in time is trapped, forever bound to a piece of paper. It's like stealing the impossible, and I get to be the badass bandit." 

 His eyes were full of childish mischief as he extended the picture to show Alexander. He looked at himself kissing him, the person angling his face and reaching out, failing to be level with him. Anyone could have guessed he was on his tiptoes. 

  He'd never realized that together, they actually looked... good.

 He hadn't even realized his lapel had been pulled so passionately when the ordeal had happened. 

 "It looks fake," said Alexander.

 The man ignored what he said and studied him for a bit. "How many people have seen you blush before?" He asked instead. 

 He couldn't answer correctly. Of course not. How was he supposed to admit that no one had been successful on that feat yet, and yet this man had somehow done it so easily. "Fuck you." 

 The curly haired man smiled affectionately at him. "Of course, darling. Our families need to know we can't keep it in our pants, even in the office. This is proof too." He held the picture up.

 His smile turned naughty. And yet so adorable. "You're my lovely, lovely, definitely not an asshole fiancé after all."

•••

CHALLENGE:

The Best Picture

Congratulations on completing one month<

You have been provided with a decent camera, the requirement is to take a good picture.

From the pictures you take, you will select one that you think is the best, and this picture will be judged along with the rest.

You win when the Master hangs your picture in his room. You lose when he doesn’t hang it anywhere at all.

Good luck clicking away.

Tip:

For everyday that your picture is up, one point is added to your total score. Two if you have the best photo.

You have only one week.

Start Now

20

Linder looked down at the blank sheet of paper on the table at a writing station in the library. It was a small, comfortable space blended into the room for anyone who wanted to write any of their two letters. The writing station was complete with every single type of writing material you could think of, and in a variety of colour as well, so Linder did not care when his inner child came to play and decided to experiment with most of them.

 He blamed his childhood. This was definitely where fancying shiny pens and anything that had glitter in it as a child got you, and it seemed that he still got it.

And then there was the fact that he was totally a nerd, not just your stereotypical everyday nerd. A real one. The kind that read everything they could get their hands on, the kind that still got deeply obsessed with any topic that caught his attention and focus. He questioned every single plot line he came across. Yes he wore glasses and read a lot, but that did not mean he was shy at all. In his opinion, real nerds really actually talked too much, more than people really thought.

 When he was done, he picked the paper up and stared at how pretty the letter looked.

dear sir,

i’m not going to lie and say that i know what to put here, being the first letter, but i just love that i can write you a letter, it is a very sweet and romantic thing to do.

it said to be a heartfelt letter so i’ll try to get descriptive… i know for a fact it’s going to be hard to forget you when i leave this place, because you are unlike many people i’ve met before. i like the way you hold me, i really do, not to mention that… no, never mind. i’ll include it in another letter.

i could say all the things i like about you right here but i want to leave that for next month’s letter. if i’ll still be here.

oh and before i forget, i don’t know how you noticed that i cant sleep without at least two pillows but thank you for always giving yours up for me, even when you think i’m asleep.

not much of a letter but have a beautiful day okay?

linder.

 Linder took the stairs at his own pace after that. Funny how every time he took the stairs, his mind always drifted off to a time in the past, even without meaning to. Memories finding their way to his conscious mind trying to take him back with every step he took.

 This time around, they took him back to a conversation he had with his little sister.

“Where do you want to go? I mean if this isn’t our life anymore, where would you love to go?”

Lily did not hesitate. “Wherever you and Mikky are.”

He watched her do her math homework like it was a piece of cake. She was sprawled on his bed, on her stomach with her legs folded in the air behind her.

Linder didn’t expect that even if he knew Lily was full of surprises. “No I want you to be selfish, come on, tell me.”

“I am being selfish,” she assured him. “I dare anyone to take you guys away from me.”

Linder’s hand tightened in a fist and his heart squeezed in pain. She didn’t deserve the kind of life they had to go through, she was just a child, for fuck’s sake.

 Linder was going to capture the whole world in his hands and give it to her. To them. And from then on, it would only be the three of them. 

 He considered going for a swim but remembered he hated any activity of any kind, that put even the smallest strain to his delicate muscles, even while knowing that the water would feel very nice. 

 If he was to go swimming, then sure he would, but he'd spend the entire time lazing around on a sunbed. Then get back inside, take a quick shower and nap for at least an hour.

 He decided to climb up to the third level of the house, where about a week ago, he'd found one of the treasures of a previous game. It was a reward offering a spa day getaway, promising complete relaxation and pampering at any resort owned by the Master. Linder could admit that he'd never felt so good in his whole entire life. It was an experience he knew he'd never be able to forget. He only wondered why he'd never seen the Master even bother to do it, at least not ever since the time he's been at the mansion. The man was mysterious and many times he told himself to leave it at that. Personally if he could afford it, fucking hell if he owned the resort, he knew he'd be there every weekend.

 The stairs were hell but the view was worth it. Plus he felt most peaceful when he was up there with nothing but the breeze. It was mostly silent and he loved that. You could almost see the entirety of the mansion from up there. It never got old how big it was. If it weren't for the games, Linder knew he'd never set foot in most of the parts of the house. Even the tour they had in the beginning was exhausting.

As he sat watching the skyline and making out the shapes of clouds in his head, his imagination paused as he noticed Riley standing atop the stairs, watching him.

“Uh… Riley? What is it?”

The man did not answer.

“Why are you just standing there, watching me?” Linder asked like he wasn’t startled just a few moments ago.

“Linder I- I…” Riley stammered.

Linder tilted his head in surprise, he didn’t really talk much to Riley, it was mostly Mason and Pierre, then Zel occasionally. But every time he said something or heard Riley talk, never once had he heard him falter or be at a loss for words. He always had something to say. So he was amused at his lack of, at the moment.

“What?” Linder asked.

Riley took a few steps and closed some of the distance between them.

“I uh… I need to talk to you?”

Linder didn’t answer, just looked at him waiting for what he was going to say.

Riley rubbed his hand at his nape and looked nervous.

Okay…

Riley did something unexpected at that moment, he turned around to go. “Nev–”

“I know you voted me out,” said Linder before he could disappear.

Riley whipped his head around. “How do you–”

“Ever since the game you’ve always avoided me, leaving the room when I get in, always and always talking to someone else. I’m not oblivious to things, I know you’ve been looking at me when you think I’m not. I know how guilt looks like and there’s absolutely no other reason you could possibly feel guilty towards me. It was the game.”

Riley’s eyes darted left and right. “Wow, yeah,” he agreed like he was in awe. “Damn.”

“But it’s cool, at the end of the day this is only a game and we’re supposed to play it. We’re just doing everything by the rules no need to feel guilty about it. You have no obligation towards me.”

Riley was relieved as he watched Linder. The breeze blew his shoulder length hair against his face then when it lessened, it fell back into place. Riley stood hypnotized by the moment, and everything he’d never noticed before.

Zel’s eyes fluttered open somewhere in the morning and he wished they’d stayed asleep longer. He slept in more than usual lately, just to drag the time.

It had been just a little over a week since he’d taken the Master on a date and in all honesty he had almost forgotten about it. Except that every time he saw him, it felt like yesterday.

He was not a crybaby, not at all, but that was just really harsh. They weren’t even talking anymore. They hadn’t spoken for a week, not even a little ‘hey’, he avoided him as best as he could, even though that wasn’t really who he was. He was never the type to avoid someone if they could talk about it.

Zel was a free spirit, he didn’t hold grudges, was never angry for long and definitely didn’t take a week contemplating what someone had said or done to him.

It was weird and unusual that the Master affected him so much. Stranger because everytime he woke up, it was his first thought—just like now—and then the day would go on as he tried to avoid him. Why did it matter so much?

The avoiding was not one sided either. Zel too, realized he rarely saw him.

The next day after the date, he’d dreaded going to the table because he would see him there and it would be awkward as hell but to his relief, he wasn’t present thankfully not thankfully.

The day repeated itself. There were a couple of times he almost completely forgot about it, and then the Master would walk in through the door and it was all he could do to pretend like he hadn’t seen him.

He didn’t acknowledge him, only brushed past him without a word and that annoying stone-walled unreadable face of his.

Zel sat up on his bed and looked around, his shelves filled with everything he’d finished reading. He needed new titles and volumes but he wasn’t about to ask, not now especially. Maybe he’d go and steal a few more from Riley.

As he made to leave the bed, there was a soft knock at his door. Speak of the devil, he thought.

It could be Riley. There were mornings when he came in and lifted Zel off the bed while shouting ‘WAKEY-WAKEY’ louder than necessary to get him up. He’d wake up spinning and clinging onto him for his life. ‘Put me down!’ He’d shout. ‘Don’t put me down’, he always meant. They’d grown so close.

Zel’s face flushed as he thought about it, he went ahead to touch it subconsciously, because of how warm it felt. Until he heard another knock at the door.

“Oh right!”

When he opened it, it wasn’t Riley. He realized it made sense because Riley would have already barged in before he got there.

He found Mason smiling at him. Kind, warm and serious eyes boring into his. “Good morning sunshine,” he said.

Zel couldn’t help it, he beamed although his next words were contradictory to his face. “You can’t call me sunshine right now, not with the way I look!” He giggled. “I literally just woke up.”

“Especially now,” Mason only said.

They stood awkwardly staring at each other, Mason’s smile stretching his pretty lips while Zel stood rocking restlessly with his hands behind his back.

“The Master wants you down for breakfast,” said Mason.

Zel’s smile dropped somewhat in shock. “No he doesn’t!”

Mason narrowed his eyes at him. “He does.”

Zel was shocked at the suddenness. “What? He really said that?”

“Yeah. I’m only here to fetch you.”

Zel stammered, trying to find his words but he couldn’t. “O-okay,” he said.

Mason watched him warily, like he was analyzing him.

Before Zel knew it, Mason reached out and touched his hair. His eyes turning upwards into his in surprise and hope.

“Can I help you with this?” Mason asked, talking about his hair.

What a kind voice. Zel gasped. “You would?”

“Sure,” he replied.

Zel didn’t take a lot of time to make up his mind. “Okay, come on in!” He couldn’t hide his excitement. “Welcome to my one room house,” he announced as soon as the other man got in and Mason chuckled.

“Help yourself to anything you need while I just freshen up a little okay?”

A few minutes later, Zel sat on a bathroom stool facing the mirror. Mason used both a comb and a brush on his hair carefully.

He untangled his coils and combed through with so much patience, the kind that made it seem like he did this often. It felt so good; his fingers.

If this was a different setting, Zel would want to be Mason’s lazy cat. He wouldn’t have a worry in the world. Zel almost purred at how the fingers ran through his hair. He was acting so responsive and yet this was all they were doing.

Mason fixed his hair like he could touch every single strand of the mass at once.

“I used to do this for my niece all the time, although her hair is no where near as long. Says long hair isn’t for classy women, leave it to her to act all proper. Then get her hair in a twist, she’s got the meanest knots.”

Zel laughed. “How old is she?”

“Five.”

“Really? So little! What’s she like?”

“She’s very loud first of all,” said Mason.

Zel liked the look on Mason’s face, it held so much love. His eyes zeroed in on him through the mirror as he continued to listen.

“She doesn’t stop asking questions, eats way too much for a five year old and cries when any cartoon character cries on TV,” said Mason.

Zel wouldn’t mind meeting such a classy woman like her at all.

“She’s really sweet but I could swear most of it is an act to gain my favor. And I’m ashamed to admit it has never failed her. Sometimes I tuck her into bed at least four times because she can’t stop rummaging around the house in the dark. I mean, babies should be scared of the dark right?”

Zel couldn’t stop smiling even if he tried. “Right,” he agreed.

“I swear the first time I thought someone had broken into the house. Only to reach them with a bat, ready to swing and find her eyes looking up at me. Around her mouth covered in the ice cream she was offering me.”

“I’m totally convinced now,” Zel laughed. “She must be my soulmate. What about her mom?”

Mason didn’t answer him, long enough for Zel to realize that it was a sour topic.

“Never mind,” he said to Mason. He’d crossed enough lines recently, he wasn’t about to add to the list.

His eyes met Mason’s through the mirror and the look he recieved was one that was only grateful.

He continued to fix his hair. Until Zel moaned shamelessly. He clamped his hand against his mouth quickly as his eyes went wide.

“Oh gosh! I’m so sorry!” Zel looked horrified.

Mason burst out laughing. “It’s totally fine, I just didn’t know I was that good,” the grin on his face was cocky. “But if you want to, I could always do this for you. I really don’t mind.”

He picked up a hairband and held it all in one place. “You look perfect,” he said and then placed a kiss on Zel’s cheek.

Zel let out a sound that could have passed for a squeak. He figured Mason had probably always done this for his niece, so he didn’t let it get weird. Now if only his cheeks would stop colouring all on their own…

Zel looked back at himself in the mirror, his hair done so beautifully, away from his face to reveal slightly flushed cheeks.

“Will you really do my hair again?”

“Any time you want,” Mason assured him.

Zel cupped both his cheeks and resisted the urge to shower his face in kisses out of happiness. Honestly, his hair looked much better than when he did it himself.

Breakfast was especially tense. Mason had been able to distract him really well but all it took for Zel was one glance from the Master and all the awkwardness was back.

He didn’t even hide the fact that he was staring at him. Zel tried to look anywhere else but every single time his eyes caught his, it was only the two of them on the table. He didn’t think he could make this any more embarrassing even if he tried. Everyone else seemed oblivious.

Zel watched him, then turned away embarrassed when he realized he was totally fixated on watching him chew and swallow. Yeah, it didn’t get worse than that.

The Master also stopped to look at him a short while after, until only two of them were left on the table.

Literally this time.

How did everyone-

Zel took the smallest time to wonder about it, then he tried to get up and escape too. He then quickly froze at the sound of his voice.

“Come here,” the Master said calmly.

Zel was honestly curious about what he was going to say. Even knowing that he was still hurt, he walked towards him, but put a cautious distance between them.

The Master sighed and got up to walk towards Zel. He carried him in his arms, walking back to sit down with him.

Zel’s hands pressed against his chest to brace himself, he had never been so nervous in his life.

“Look at me,” said the Master.

“I can’t,” he replied. For some reason he just couldn’t meet his eyes, the way they’d looked at him so warmly, then looked at him with so much anger. Contempt even. Zel just couldn’t. He squirmed restlessly until he finally got off his lap.

The Master to his surprise, let him get off, but still held on to his hand. “Where are you going?”

“This happened remember? You don’t like me close to you.”

The Master’s hand tightened on his after hearing him say that. “Zel…”

“Also, according to the rules, I’m allowed to get mad at you,” Zel snatched back his hand and tried, gathering all his resolve to act as mad as he could. “I expect an apology or you’re not touching me. Sir.” The last part carried a bit more bite than he intended.

Zel walked away. But it wasn’t just as simple as that. He swung his hips a little with every step he took and hoped to God the Master was looking.

21

Linder had been struggling with his camera for the longest time and he was getting exhausted with it. For him, this was the most frustrating challenge yet. He was terrible with pictures.

He’d been fiddling, trying to understand how it worked before he could take his masterpiece. Not that it was necessarily going to be that, in fact there was no way it could be a masterpiece. Not with his blatant lack of skills. But he would still try.

Of course he knew how to use a camera, he just didn’t know how to use it well, and the one he held currently had so many controls as if just to make his life more miserable than it was.

He stalked little insects all morning, trying to get a decent picture. He wanted a creepy-crawly or even a beautiful bug.

Normal people would be taking pictures of trees or leaves or shrubbery or even flowers they had an entire large garden for crying out loud. Why am I looking for insects like some anteater?

And then it struck him, of course there was a pond somewhere in the garden. It was perfect, there was probably lots of dragonflies hovering around. Bingo!

Linder arrived at the garden to find a tiny swarm hovering over the pond just like he thought. He quickly got to work and took his first picture of them.

He looked at the dragonfly in his camera. What an ugly picture. He thought.

He fiddled with the settings and tried again. Someone was going to have to explain to him how the next picture he took was pitch black when it was broad daylight. Frustration furrowed his eyebrows.

He saw the shadow before he heard the voice. It looked closer then stopped. “Thought that would be you,” it said.

Linder was a little shocked but he knew the voice. It had to be…

“What are you doing here? Hi!”

“I just happened to be around the area,” Tadashi smiled at him for the first time. “Let me see that,” he said making for the camera that Linder willingly put in his hand.

After studying the two pictures for a while, he spoke. “This is awful.”

“I know, right?” Linder answered, agreeing with him. “Who knew using an actual camera could be so hard?”

“It’s pretty easy,” Tadashi tried to persuade him. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

Oh thank God.

Linder was hooked onto every word the man uttered, absorbing like a sponge. The camera had looked so complex but it was actually really simple. Or at least he made it seem that way.

He couldn’t understand just how perfectly he explained every single control in less than five minutes.

“Here’s the last trick,” Tadashi said. “You could just press this button halfway and it’ll activate autofocus first. What are you trying to capture, a dragonfly?” He asked.

“Or two,” Linder replied. “I’m doing it to myself, God knows the little stubborn things can’t stay in one place for too long.”

Tadashi chuckled. “Then try something that stays in one place.”

With the camera still in his hand, the lens aimed at him, he clicked on a button and Linder’s eyes went wide. “What did you do that for?”

Tadashi showed him the picture. “There was a dragonfly on your head.”

“Yuck,” Linder said when he looked at himself, then chuckled. “Only the dragonfly looks good.”

Tadashi kept looking at the picture. “I wouldn’t say so. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Why dragonflies?”

“They look really cool, I mean just look at them. Did you know they fly so fast they could go over thirty miles in an hour? I mean, not many insects could do that. They even fly backwards, how cool is that? I hate that they eat each other sometimes but I forgive them because they don’t bite people. Did you know that prehistoric dragonflies were large? They had wingspans the size of a newborn baby, the size of a newborn baby!” Linder said like it was the most interesting thing in the world. “They must have been so beautiful, a lot more than they are right now you know? I still don’t get why they hover over water so much, I mean they could die, it’s actually like moths and flames…”

Linder stopped as his face turned mortified. “Sorry, did I bore you with my blabbering? Sorry… I talked your ear off–”

“I’m fascinated actually,” Tadashi said honestly.

“You are?”

“I really am.” Tadashi nodded. I’ve got to go now, but I think good luck is on your side, another one just landed on your head.

Linder wasn’t thinking when his hand shot to his head, the dragonfly flew around him, then away.

“Thank you for showing me,” Linder said while accepting the camera that was being placed back into his hands.

“It was truly my pleasure,” he said, and then he left.

Linder was relieved as he watched him go, and then he was alone again with his little swarm of dragonflies.

Never did Jet ever think he’d be in the position he was at the moment, there was a knife in his hand and a weight pressing on his body from the back.

There was also a hand on his hand that held the knife. “When you let my hand guide you, dicing isn’t so hard is it?” Asked the Master, obviously enjoying this more than the other man did. “Okay?” He asked Jet to make sure everything was alright.

Jet nodded, still unsure of himself. Why had he gotten himself into this again?

“I’m genuinely surprised that this is all new to you,” the Master said.

“I’m genuinely surprised that you know anything about it. Definitely think you were spoon fed with a golden spoon from birth,” replied Jet.

“It was silver, not a big fan of gold,” the Master replied nonchalantly.

“Tsk,” Jet couldn’t think of anything to say.

“How good was the food, so much that you were never tempted to do it yourself even once?”

“You wouldn’t know, bet you’ve never tasted street food before.”

“Once, from a local store.”

Jet scoffed. “Getting something from a local store is called street food to you?”

“It’s not?”

Jet laughed a little in awe. “Your diapers were golden too weren’t they?”

“Jet, don’t insult me,” the Master said. “I crawled to the bathroom every time I needed to do my business.”

It was the first genuine laugh Jet had let the Master hear. But he didn’t want it to linger in the air between them so he went back the task at hand.

“I think I’ve got this,” he said.

“You’re a fast learner.”

The Master bent his head and angled Jet’s face to access his lips, he placed a kiss on them.

And thats when they heard the click of a camera.

Jet immediately snapped his head to look for where it had come from. Had someone just taken a picture of them in that state? Why?

He didn’t get the chance to find them, the Master didn’t let him scan further. He was flipped around so that his hands were now behind him, bracing himself with the help of the counter.

“I wonder how we’ll look in that picture,” the Master said like he was happy it had happened. “Husband and husband? That would be so romantic wouldn’t it?” He chuckled contentedly. His breath tickled the side of Jet’s neck as he latched his lips onto it.

Jet tried to scoff at the statement but he couldn’t make the sound, he was too busy focusing on the lips that burned the length of his neck.

There was another click, but the Master’s grip only tightened to keep him still. “Let them,” he said and got back to Jet’s arched neck. He couldn’t, for the life of him understand why he was complying.

Jet wondered who it could be. It couldn’t be Riley, the man would have made it a point of taking their pictures. He might have even asked them to get closer to each other.

It obviously wasn’t Zel, his mood seemed to be down lately, and even if it really was him, he’d out himself before Jet could ponder longer. That just seemed to be the kind of person he was.

Mason despised him, it couldn’t be him.

Linder? Pierre?

Suddenly, he saw an image in his mind that he wasn’t even planning to see. The Master pounding into him aggressively while Pierre’s beautiful lips wrapped around his cock.

“Jet?”

“Huh?” He answered before he could understand the image in his head, clearly so out of it.

“That was a lot of thinking there, you couldn’t even hear me call you twice. I wonder,” the Master narrowed his eyes at him. “Why do you seem so aroused?”

All his thoughts and replies were cast into the wind when the Master’s hand fell onto his nape and then he was pulled into a hard and yet soft kiss.

Strong hands found his growing hardness and Jet gasped, torn between pushing him away and kissing him back desperately.

When they finally broke apart, Jet asked about something else entirely, as if hoping that could make his obvious situation forgotten. “What about the cooking?”

“That’s the last thing on your mind right now and you know it,” he said. Infuriatingly enough, he was right. “But if you want it that badly, we’ll get back to it, right after this.”

“Right after what?”

Jet’s lips were immediately claimed again. Not giving him any chance to finish whatever he wanted to say. He didn’t want to admit how much he liked it.

They broke apart for air. Their chests rising and falling as Jet’s eyes darted from the Master’s lips to his face and back again.

To Jet’s horror, the Master’s assistant walked in. He didn’t avert his eyes at the sight of them, he didn’t even seem surprised or bothered in anyway.

Jet on the other hand was more than uncomfortable.

He was tempted to hide in the crook of the Master’s neck, or even just turn elsewhere, but by some grace he held himself.

“Jet,” Tadashi acknowledged politely and nodded his head once at him.

Jet tried to repeat the gesture but it probably looked as weird as hell. It didn’t help either that the space between him and the Master was close to nonexistent.

And just like he came, Tadashi continued into the house. “I’ll be in the study,” he said to the Master and walked away.

After what seemed like a whole minute and a peck on his lips, the Master untangled himself from Jet.

“You can start dicing some fruit for me little cub, we’ll continue later. Kiss me first before I go,” he said like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Jet turned his head the other way. “We’ve done enough kissing,” he replied. He pretended like the carrots on the board looked more appealing than the Master pointing at his own cheek.

“Fine,” the Master sighed. “You’re doing really great anyway, you should know that.”

Jet didn’t want to admit how good it felt to hear that. Instead he scoffed at the Master. “Hmf.”

This time, the Master chuckled. “Such a brat,” he said then smacked his ass and squeezed hard enough for Jet to squirm. “I’ll have to correct it later,” he said and walked away.

When the Master got to the study, Tadashi was sitting down, crossing his legs waiting for him.

Whatever he’d been thinking about, the Master would never know. His expression didn’t even change when he noticed he was in the room. He simply got to business.

“I’ll get straight to the point, you have to attend the gala,” said Tadashi.

He dreaded thinking about it. About the mere thought of attending. The only good thing about this upcoming one was that all proceeds made by members present would go towards charity. But the entire committee—with at least half the members corrupt beyond recognition—came up with strategies to get him to attend, the main one being ‘to build rapport for business’. Fuckers. All of them. They obviously wanted him to attend because they knew he’d bring a different kind of depth to the cash pool.

“Thanks for the reminder,” the Master replied while lowering himself onto a seat. “But I don’t think that’s the reason you are here.”

He was right, he knew. Tadashi would never bother him with something so pointless.

“It’s been more than two weeks and they just won’t stop,” Tadashi’s brows furrowed.

Tadashi always spoke in twists and turns when something was really serious, the Master’s guess was an identity leak or a minor breach of privacy. Maybe a persistent one.

“Get to the point, Tadashi,” said the Master.

As if seriousness had levels, Tadashi became even more serious.

“I didn’t think it would matter at first but no one knows Pierre is here, it seems,” said Tadashi, his mind working.

“As it should be,” the Master replied.

“As it should be,” Tadashi agreed. “Then comes the problem… “

For their own safety, every detail about the competitors was classified information, even if they didn’t know it.

Before leaving their lives behind, they could tell anyone they wanted, a friend or family. It was only natural, and advised that someone close to them or someone they trusted, knew where they were, or what they were doing.

Exposing them to anyone else, especially after they’d settled in could mean putting targets on their backs once they left the house, it could get dangerous. So Tadashi was definitely onto something if he suddenly thought it was a bad thing.

“What are you trying to say?” The Master leaned in, his voice taking on a gritty tone. “What’s going on?”

“A lot of people are on the lookout for Pierre, a lot of powerful people. And they are really desperate.”

The Master looked at him with calculating eyes, almost unfazed by everything he’d just found out. The timing just had to be shit, but he’d take care of it like the inconvenience it was. “Who do I have to fight?”

22

Tadashi cleared his throat, regarding the Master with the respect he had come to build the longer he worked for him.

 Never once, had he seen him back down from a threat, no matter how dire the consequences could be if things went the wrong way.

Tadashi would have laughed if he didn’t know better. If he didn’t how seriously he meant every word he just said.

He remembered how once, a business partner was in trouble and on the verge of losing everything. Alexander should have pulled out, everyone told him to abandon his partner, it was the wise thing to do. It was the good business move in such a situation.

‘Pull out now, you will lose this one,’ Tadashi himself had told him.

‘I wasn’t wrong to partner up with them, and our health standards are accurate, I did my research, there is no mistake in our policies. I’m not wrong.’ He’d replied.

Tadashi had gone with him to court and watched him battle tooth and nail with the court. He’d been introduced to a new brand of confidence, solid facts and charisma. He defended his partner to the very end, and he’d emerged victorious.

“Powerful families. Most probably the type that can afford to boss the government around to some extent if they wanted to,” Tadashi replied. “But the good thing is that they are only looking in France, and very discreetly from what I have observed, its almost like they are being too careful to make sure no one knows they are looking so this fight might have to wait.”

“You said they were desperate.”

“They are. They wouldn’t have been so careless enough to be found out if they weren’t, they don’t know he’s here and without any knowledge, money is as useful as pounding sand. It’s best if we leave them be for now. Let them bring the fight to us, we have the advantage right now so we’ll be readying ourselves till then.”

“I’m starting to grow on you aren’t I? We have the exact same train of thought.”

“Are you sure it’s not the other way round?”

“Definitely not,” the Master replied.

Tadashi chuckled.

“What’s bugging you so much, you’ve been trying to get a unibrow since you started talking. What are you not telling me?” He asked Tadashi.

“I was getting to that, it’s the family names. From what we know so far, they seem to be three families looking for him. If any of them had the last name Leblanc, then that would be the key to everything.”

“Pierre’s last name is probably made up,” the Master chimed in absentmindedly.

“Maybe. They managed to shut the media down before the public got wind of the news. Only money and a shit ton of power can do that. We just don’t have names yet.”

“All in due time,” the Master said calmly like he always was. “What do you think?”

Tadashi knew he had already thought of every single possibility out there. He’d also probably thought of everything Tadashi had. He sighed knowing the Master was only asking him for a second opinion.

“It could be the age old story; a rich kid running away from home. An abusive family? Too much responsibility? Or he could have been threatened.”

“I can bet his family was no where near abusive. He’s very insecure, but thats a secondary problem, I don’t think it has anything to do with his family,” the Master nodded. “You could be right,” he said, but he didn’t specify which point exactly he agreed with. “He’s too good of a person, and I get the feeling many people underestimate him. Pierre is actually strong…”

Tadashi could not recall the Master ever speaking so fondly of anyone, especially someone who was a competitor. Definitely never someone who was a competitor. This was uncharted territory and he wasn’t ready for it yet, he didnt even know what to think of it.

“Are you even listening to me?” He asked.

Tadashi snapped back to reality. “Sorry, I just zoned out for a little bit. “He’s been missing for close to a year now, there’s obviously a limit to just how much a person can take, no matter how good.”

The Master supported his chin with his fist and nodded. Tadashi continued.

“Maybe Pierre had been pushed to breaking point. But if the time ever comes, you’ll have to ask him. Only then will we know for sure. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The Master looked like he was turning everything over in his brain. Every detail that had just been lain down for him. Then he told Tadashi what he was thinking.

“There’s something else I need you to look into for me,” the Master leaned back in his chair. “Riley’s past didn’t mention any athletic deeds. I need you to look harder. Particularly basketball. It doesn’t make sense that he’s never been on any team before.”

“You’re going to meddle again,” Tadashi said matter of factly.

“I saw him play and he wasn’t even serious. If you’d seen him then you’d know what I am talking about. He’s extremely talented. I’ve seen professionals play, he seems like that…if not more. And my curiosity is peaked.”

“Let it be Alexander, you don’t have to get involved.”

“Just do what I say.”

Tadashi sighed deeply. “Sometimes I don’t know if you’re trying to be a saint or I’m speaking to someone else entirely, when you get like this. It’s like there’s an extraterrestrial in there. And I’m just a poor human victim.”

“You? A victim?” Alexander answered. “Now where’d you get that?”

Tadashi ignored him. “Moving on,” He shrugged and adjusted himself by leaning forward on the seat. “He’s still looking for a way.”

“Then stop him,” the Master said accusingly, he knew exactly who Tadashi was talking about. “You can do it anytime but you won’t.”

Tadashi raised his hands. “Look, I’m just trying to say maybe you should hear him out. Noa–”

“What you’re doing is skating on very thin ice.”

“Fine, Fine, Tadashi puts his hands up. “Don’t get all worked up,” he chuckled, but his eyes were a little sad. They regarded the man sitting at the desk.

Sometimes he was so stubborn he wanted to smack him across his head. Sometimes he understood exactly where he was coming from. It was frustrating to be in between.

It was on days like this where he wished there was something he could do to ease his burden. And the pain he so desperately tried to hide.

“I’ll move on to Jet’s family. You were right, they aren’t dead, or at least there aren’t any dead bodies, nor reports of any. We’ve got nothing like a strong lead but what we found instead was interesting. There’s no death records or crime whatsoever. It’s like they just disappeared into thin air and left Jet behind.”

It didn’t sound right. Even to Tadashi’s ears. “Sounds impossible but leaving him behind was no mistake. Whatever happened, seems like it was planned.”

“Couldn’t have been easy. It doesn’t make any sense,” Alexander said.

“Agreed. A seven year old child, left alone to fend for himself all of a sudden, the odds shouldn’t have been in his favor but somehow they were. With everything that could have happened to him since then, he’s probably only alive because he made a decision to survive on his own,” said Tadashi, he uncrossed his legs and crossed them again. “I’d call it willpower. How he’s grown since then with nothing, not even a foster home, is a miracle in itself.”

The Master continued to regard him silently.

“He should have been on the streets by now, probably jeopardizing his life, but he isn’t. I don’t know if we’ll ever find out exactly how he did it, but I think he still has a driving goal in mind. It must be the only reason he’s here.”

“He was seven?” The Master asked at last. That would have meant that he himself was just twelve by then, and no where near that kind of misfortune.

“Seven and a half when everyone vanished.”

The Master remembered the first time he laid eyes on Jet, how he stood with so much hostility, annoying the hell out of Tadashi. He was drawn to that anger within him, he wanted to control it, the animal in him. Up until it sat if he said sit.

He still wanted to, but lately, Jet had been letting him see sides he didn’t think he would.

He didn’t want to acknowledge it but with the way his laughter still lingered in his mind, he couldn’t say he hadn’t noticed anything; Jet was hostile on the outside but that was only as far as defense mechanisms went. Inside him was delicate, so delicate he could break him if he wasn’t extra careful.

I don’t care. He thought and shrugged. And then almost immediately, the feeling settled deep in his gut. The one that suggested he was a liar.

“This is most probably the only semblance Jet has had to a family in more than fifteen years,” Tadashi completed.

All of this was a lot to process, a lot of information, and yet not nearly enough. Tadashi got up to go. Patting his shoulder twice before squeezing and walking towards the door.

He pulled it open but the Master stopped him.

“Wait, Tadashi,” he said.

“What is it?”

“I want an honest opinion,” the Master laced his fingers. “Do you think food from a local store is street food?”

Tadashi’s eyes wandered upwards and sideways like he was thinking. “It’s not called street food because it’s bought from the store now is it?” He smirked, then walked out.

 Alexander tried very hard to control himself after Tadashi left. But all his self control did was snap, just a bit too quickly for his liking. He felt a low rage begin to build inside himself when thoughts of the situation with Pierre even so much as crossed his mind.

 He found Pierre inside his room, gazing outside his window and looking completely effortless, a camera resting next to his thigh. He turned and after recognizing his presence, smiled innocently at him. 

 The rage only built.

 I dare anyone to try. 

 "Sir?" Pierre called and he didn't respond, only walked into the room and locked the door behind him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

 Pierre yelped softly in surprise when the Master lifted him from the window seat and walked with him back to the bed, making him straddle him. He was pleased with how Pierre's hands fastened around his neck. 

 The man was wearing lose fitting pants and a simple light shirt. Alexander paid it no mind, he ripped the shirt and tore it off him. 

 Pierre gasped and tried to cover himself but the Master captured his wrists behind him in a fist, and kept them there. 

 "Si-sir... " 

 The blush ran all the way from Pierre's face to his neck and ears.

Fucking mine.

 "Open your mouth," said Alexander.

 Pierre did like he was so eager to please. With his mouth looking as sexy as it did, the Master could have done so many things with it but didn't, he only placed two fingers inside. "Suck," he said.

 Pierre's mouth closed around his fingers as he felt his tongue all over them, licking every inch inside his mouth. Such a good boy. His good boy.

 He pulled the fingers out, heavily coated in saliva, and slipped his hand through Pierre's pants, quickly locating his entrance and slipping the fingers inside.

 Pierre cried out and uttered about a hundred cuss words at once, arching his back reflexively only to allow the fingers to slip in further. He moaned softly, unaware of how sexy he could be.

 "

Putain !“ His voice was breathy as the word fell out, as he continued to harden between them.

 He couldn't do much with his wrists still restrained behind him, but he moved shamelessly against the fingers, clearly frustrated.

 Looking at his parted lips, the Master took the opportunity to shove his tongue inside his mouth. They made squelching sounds with their lips as his fingers moved slowly inside him, driving him towards the edge.

 The fingers moved faster and Pierre moaned, rocking on the Master's lap and throwing his head back in pleasure.

 Alexander bit a patch of skin on his exposed shoulder, not enough to hurt him, but just enough to leave a mark. 

 "Who do you belong to?" He demanded.

 Pierre continued to moan, getting louder by the minute. His answers came out smothered by the sounds of pleasure escaping his mouth. 

"Who do you fucking belong to?"

 "You–you Sir, I-I... only you...ahh!"

 The Master regarded him, his possessiveness riding at an all time high. A feral beast lurking in the dark blue-grey depths of his eyes. 

 "I'm not convinced," he said and stood up, taking his fingers out of Pierre's tight heat. Pierre looked sour at the loss as he was dropped on the bed. Alexander pulled off his own shirt, never taking his eyes off the man on the bed. "Show me how much you mean it."

23

Jet was irritated by the knock on his door, he waited for whoever was on the other side to leave. If it was that important then they could just shout it out or something.

 The knocking didn't stop. He sighed and got off his bed really irritated. The door was flung open to reveal no one on the other side, but the sound of footsteps quickly scurrying away. 

 Jet didn't see who it was, his irritation grew and just before he could slam the door shut, he noticed something on the floor.

 It was a book whose cover seemed to be covered in children's drawings. Jet picked it up to inspect it. It was definitely cartoons.

Jet would have put it back and shut the door if it weren’t for the piece of paper sticking out of it.

‘i thought i would but i still lack the courage to talk to you but here’s one of my favorites, you can read it when you are bored. i’m pretty sure you’ll like it’

I’m pretty sure I won’t, Jet thought, despite walking back inside with the book and plopping down on the bed with it.

His hand supported the back of his head as he studied it more closely. How did people read this? He flicked the pages in high speed, then inspected it again, but to no avail. Yeah I don’t think I’m getting the hang of this any time soon.

He was tempted to read it, at the same time he decided he wouldn’t. The chiming from his phone was a good excuse to put the book away.

He picked it up and stared at the screen.

GAME:

Bring The Ace Home

Teams:

•

Linder and Pierre

•

Zel and Mason

•

Jet and Riley

•

Each team has been given two tags, your goal is to acquire as many tags as you can by the end of the game.

You cannot force, or hurt another member to get their tag. You can however, sabotage, trick or steal. You can convince them too, if you’re that confident.

You are allowed to hide your tags anywhere you like.

At the last hour of the game, two weeks from now, you will bring your tags to a clearing in the woods. Don’t worry, you’ll find it.

Do not forget that during this hour, your tags can still be taken from you. You are only safe when you reach the clearing

Rewards by the end:

All tags(very unlikely but oh well): Rules will be suspended for 24 hours, 50 points will be added to your total score

5 tags: Rules will be suspended for 12 hours, 25 points will be added to your total score

4 tags: Rules will be suspended for 2 hours, 20 points will be added to your total score

3-2 tags: 10 points will be added to your total score

1-0 tags: 5 points will be taken away from your total score

•

There has been a different tag, given randomly to a single competitor, this tag is twice a regular one.

Be on the lookout for the

ace tag.

Good luck

Pairs?!

That was the last thing he needed at the moment. And Riley, seriously? He didn’t want it. Why couldn’t he just be paired with someone like Pierre? Or just playing solo? That would be fine with him.

He sighed like all the energy had been drained from his body.

Jet wondered what he would do if the rules were suspended. If he’d won and the prize was his for the taking. He’d probably masturbate until all his sheets were sticky and disgusting. Just to spite the rules.

He wouldn’t go out, he had no interest whatsoever in that. The house was like a safe space for him and he liked it like that. He would call the Master all the names he’d been saving up, and even invent new ones. Then he would text him several letters.

Jet took a two second brain check. Why the fuck did every thought about him winning revolve around the Master? Particularly annoying him.

Fuck is wrong with me…

After a lot of sighing, Jet took it as a sign to go out to what he had now coined as his most comfortable spot.

It was at the back of the house just a little way inside the maze not deep into it. He dragged himself until he’d settled down, relaxing.

It was always so quiet, so perfect.

Jet thought long and hard about a lot of things. Where did he go from here, from this competition? Sure it was too soon to think about that but so what? He might as well think it while it couldn’t leave his head.

It was moments like this when the loneliness hit a little too hard for his liking. And yet somehow, the quiet gave him a calm nobody could.

Until he heard the padding of footsteps getting closer to where he was.

No one ever came to the maze, at least not this side of it. He knew that because he was always there, he’d know. The sounds kept getting closer.

“I saw you come in here, I knew you couldn’t be far.” The big mass that was Riley stood before him, peering down at him. Of course he had to be the one to ruin his peace.

“So you decided to follow me?” Jet asked, more than a little irritated.

“Yep. You don’t have to be so grumpy about it,” Riley invited himself to sit down. “What are you doing?”

Was he serious?

“If you must know, I’m on a boat, trying to fish but I can’t seem to catch anything.” Jet said sarcastically.

“Okay, that’s fair.” Riley sat facing him, supported by one of the walls of the maze.

Jet thought about the last time he was in the Master’s room, there was a huge portrait hung on one side of it. “Did you take the winning picture?”

The picture had something about it, it was a portrait of the Master. In it, he looked like he had been caught unawares and yet at the same time not. It brought out so much of him but Jet didn’t know how to put it in words, because in the portrait, he also gave you an air of mystery.

“I did,” he said. “It was sort of last minute, I wasn’t even planning to take it. Was it any good?”

“It was so ugly the Master decided to hang it up.”

“We’d get along pretty well if I had met you out of here,” replied Riley.

“No we wouldn’t,” Jet was firm as he made his point. “I wouldn’t have let it get to that.”

“No,” Riley smiled. “You just don’t know how annoying I am.”

Jet didn’t say anything to that, so they sat in silence for a while. A silence that couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be awkward or not.

“So we’re paired together,” said Riley all of a sudden, breaking the silence between them.

“So we are, I got the memo too.”

“So, six tags… at least you’re going to try to win this right?”

“What are you trying to say? We’re going to win, I thought that was obvious.” Jet’s earring glinted in the mild sunshine.

“Okay I can work with that. Do you have the ace tag?” Riley asked.

“No I don’t,” Jet shook his head while he said it.

“Neither do I, so we have to get the other tags but the ace tag is top priority,” said Riley.

Jet shook his head again and Riley was confused. That was obviously the good plan.

“Exactly. That’s what everyone will expect. They’ll know we don’t have it if we make it our top priority. But that’s what we’ll use against them.”

Riley folded his arms and listened, waiting for Jet to continue.

“We don’t know who has the tags either right? So we’ll just have to act like we’ve got them. Don’t act desperate, leave a few hints here and there. That’s all it will take. Our top priority are the other two tags, the ones no one will be looking for. The ace tag is the equivalent of two tags, getting it would mean we have four instead of three. When we get the other two tags it’s still the same thing, so we’re picking the easier option.” Jet could tell he was following. “Then, once they’re convinced we have the ace tags, everyone will be after ours, and then we’ll actually get to work. There will be one team on our tail,” Jet shrugged. “What better way to know that they don’t have it either? That’s our top priority. Once we secure those tags- “

“Hold it right there Einstein, do you work for a spy organisation or something?” Riley asked incredulously. “You’re telling me you’ve thought about all this in under five minutes?”

“You need brains to survive from time to time.”

“Show off,” said Riley.

Jet was surprised at that. It was clear he didn’t really expect the response coming from the man. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you smile to be honest,” Riley’s hand squeezed his knee.

Jet didn’t notice the small smile had crept up his face, he ignored it like he didn’t hear anything, quickly squashing it down.

“So for the tags, once we secure the two tags, then we go for the ace, high chances are, when our victims have lost theirs, they’ll do either one of two things, trying to get them back goes without saying but what they are more likely to do is try to find the ace, just to secure some semblance to a victory.”

“You know, if you keep talking, I’m going to get turned on. Don’t make me break the rules, but do keep talking,” Riley said rather boldly. “You’re making a lot of sense.”

In his opinion, Riley was smart. Smarter than what he let on. Jet just didn’t understand why he acted like he wasn’t. He was so obvious to him; acting like all he cared about was flirting and anything without the word serious in it.

But Jet heard the sincerity in his attempt at flattery. There was no joke in his voice, and looking at Riley, he’d really break the rules as he said. Again, he ignored it.

“This isn’t just a game of us against four other people, it’s a game of us against Linder. Don’t underestimate that big head between his shoulders, he’s one of the smartest people I’ve actually ever come across. At least that I observed. Just be careful with him,” Riley seemed to think a little. “Let’s give the other teams code names or whatever they are called. You know…just to be more discreet.”

“Oh I’m good at this!” Riley said as he made small movements where he sat. “We’ll call them…” he seemed to put a little thought into it. “Linderre and… maybe Mazel. You know, because that’s how the teams are formed.”

Jet was more irked by the look on his face. “You are so proud of yourself right now huh?”

“Course I am, like who else could come up with such perfect titles?”

“Except, we’ll have to use different titles in any other people’s presence. So any other suggestions?”

“Linderre can be Northeast, and Mazel can be Southwest.”

“You are actually terrible at this, you know. But it’s okay. Fine so, I’ve considered all the options if Linderre… has the ace tag. We might just have it in our best interests to let it go.”

Riley raised his brow in question.

“That’s the no failure option, we have to acquire that tag,” he carried on. “Another option is if we decide to try to acquire it either way, then we’re going to need a big distraction, a very persuasive tongue and enough acting skills but that should be the last resort if they have the card. I really hope they don’t because that would make everything way easier. If Mazel, Southwest has the ace, then we have to acquire it before the other team does and once we get it, we’re taking whole other measures to guard it, go full on defense.”

“You really hold Linder in high regard don’t you?”

“I don’t know how you don’t see how smart he is. To me, he looks like he’s always scheming.”

Riley chuckled. “Sure, sure.”

“So we’ll start with hiding our tags,” said Jet.

“Where did you have in mind?”

Jet sat and thought for a while. “You can figure it out.”

Riley was already shaking his head before Jet could properly convince him. “With everything I just heard you say, I’m not sabotaging our chances of victory by hiding those tags, I’m leaving that to you. If you need acting or being persuasive or sabotaging, then I’m your guy but for anything else, no thanks. You’re going to have to leave me and my dumbass brain alone.”

Jet didn’t know what to say.

“I’ve got an idea though,” Riley got his attention. “The rules say nothing against it. What do you think about making exact replicas of our tags? Especially for Northeast’s sake?”

Jet didn’t give it much thought, but his eyes widened slowly. “That’s actually brilliant! And after we hide our real tags we have to guard the fake ones with everything we’ve got. Or someone is going to find out something is up. But once they are taken, then we couldn’t blow everything out of proportion and no one would still bat an eye. We’d only look like we are we were desperate to acquire even one!”

Jet had not thought anything about it but having duplicate tags? That was the game changer, it answered almost everything, covered all the loopholes. They’d figure out how to do it.

“I think I’ll hide the tags-”

Riley interrupted, “No. Don’t say where you’re going to hide them.” He handed his tag to Jet. I trust you.“

Yet again, Jet didn’t show his surprise.

Riley got up and held out his hand for Jet. “You come too, we’ve got work to do.”

“No need to rush, we’re winning this remember?”

“If you say so genius,” said Riley. “I’d go play basketball, but it’s getting addictive again so I won’t do that to myself. I’ll just use this time to jerk off instead.”

Jet’s eyes widened in shock. What

Did he not give a fuck about the rules? Riley wasn’t even smiling as usual, he looked like he was actually dead serious.

24

Zel was surprised to be leaving the house. Even more surprised to be leaving the house without the Master by his side or however the rules wanted it.

 "We'll be there shortly sir," the chauffeur told him. He'd been professional through out the entire event, keeping a cool head like none of this was strange. Making the suspense build the more they moved.

 "Don't call me sir!" Zel giggled. "That's silly! It's just Zel, please call me Zel."

 "Alright sir," the chauffeur whose name Zel came to quickly learn was Keaton, immediately replied. He vaguely remembered his face from the first day they'd come to the house.

 Zel harrumphed. "You're not even trying!"

 "Sorry. I can't do it," he finally gave up. 

 They would have driven in silence for the rest of the distance if it weren't for his continuous bickering and failure to stay still. 

 He managed to find out that Keaton was married to a woman exactly his height, and they had three daughters. Zel had already picked a favorite without ever even seeing her.

 By the end of the ride, Zel made Keaton swear that they were friends although they hadn't even spoken for more than an hour. The older man smiled at him and replied. "If I have a son, I want him to be just like you." 

 Zel's reply was an emotional flutter of words, he honestly didn't know how he was supposed to reply. 

 He was only distracted by the sudden sight of the Master pulling his door open.

 "Sir!" He said cautiously, and yet barely holding himself back. Then his arms shot wide as he moved forward until he was engulfed in the Master's embrace.

 "You're still mad at me right?" 

 Zel loved hearing that voice. No matter what the time or day was. It was quickly becoming like that. 

 "Don't get any ideas, I still am. It doesn't mean I can't be happy to see you." 

  He pulled away to look at his face but the Master wasn't looking at him. It was strange, almost like he was trying to hide his expression away from him. To Zel, it just didn't fit the man he was slowly coming to know.

 "Listen Zel, I'm uh..." he drifted off as he spoke.

 "Are you nervous?" Zel asked, genuinely trying to figure it out.

 The Master scoffed. "I'm sorry about... that," he sighed. "Fuck. I'm sorry, okay?" 

 "You have to work on that." Zel was smiling despite of it all. "But I'll take it."

 It was Zel looking up at the Master, and the Master looking down at him. An unreadable expression on his face, and a big boyish smile on Zel's. 

 Zel didn't see the Master's hands twitch by his side, as if itching to reach out. The Master didn't see Zel's mildly sweaty palms clasped together behind his back. Only the silence stretched between them until Zel broke it.

 "Daddy why did you bring me here? You could have done this at home right?" 

 He really could have, it wasn't even a really big deal. "There," he pointed to a huge building. The sign read 'TULE' in a way that looked as authentic as anything could get. It was a store, and an expensive looking one at that. "I wanted to bring you here." 

 Okay...?

 Zel was clueless, but distracted when the Master extended his open hand out to him. His chest squeezed as he placed his palm in his. 

 The larger hand swallowed his and tugged him forwards. Zel's cheeks turned the color of cherries as he giddily fell in step beside the Master. 

 "Pick all the sweaters you want," he said immediately they stepped inside. 

 "Really?!" He couldn't really be serious.

 "Mmm," the Master replied.

 Zel squealed loud enough that everyone in the store stopped what they were doing to look in their direction. 

 He covered his mouth with both his hands and turned to the Master with wide eyes like he couldn't believe what he'd done, but there was no mistaking the laughter in his eyes. 

 What he found was the Master directing a look to the people he'd just turned away from. The look was scary, and a little protective because no matter the angle one saw it in, it said nothing less than 'fuck off'. 

 Then he turned to Zel and smiled like he wasn't threatening to tear off someone's limbs just a moment ago. 

 The Master bent down to drop a kiss to his forehead and Zel's eyes shut as he felt them. The kiss lingered. "Go ahead princess," he said. 

 Zel couldn't describe how he felt, couldn't really put a finger on it. There were fireworks exploding in several areas inside him. He felt a little light headed.

 The shopping went by like a breeze. Zel was not so shockingly all over the place. He made the cutest sounds whenever he saw something he liked, tugged the Master adorably to show him anything he was marveling at. 

 "Look! It's got butterflies on it!" Zel was showing the Master a pair of sneakers he thought was way cooler than any he owned.

 "You want them?" The Master asked him. 

  Zel shook his head. "No, I just think they are beautiful. I don't have anything that would match with them.

 His attempt to check out every corner of the store failed. There was just so much to look at.

 "This store is way too big!" He admitted, "I'm so tired." 

 "Then you shouldn't have run around like that," The Master replied to him. "Are you ready to go?" 

 Zel nodded. "You can go wait in the car if you're tired, I'll be right there."

 "Okay."

 Zel blushed on his way back to the car because the lady at the store had winked at him when she saw him reply. Her eyes moved between them knowingly.

How could she actually know?!

 "Is the Master alright?" Keaton asked him immediately he was back, opening the door for him.

 "Yeah why would you ask that?"

 "He's not sick or feeling funny?" 

 "Of course not," Zel laughed. "Why, what's wrong?" 

 "I've worked for him a long time Zel, never once, have I seen him apologize to anyone," Keaton's voice sounded just a little resigned. "Do you know how strange that makes this?"

 "Oh," Zel laughed it off. "That obviously can't be true."

 "I'm not joking," he said seriously.

 "Maybe-"

 Zel stopped short because just then, the Master came up behind him and hauled him away in his arms. "You can leave Keaton, I'll drive him back."

 "What is it?" The Master asked when it was only the two of them in his car. Keaton had pulled away and left immediately. Only sparing them a minute to wish them a good day, his conversation with Zel cut short.

 Zel's hands fiddled with each other as he looked down at the passenger seat. "I'm, umm... thank you," he still didn't meet the dark eyes that were focused on him. 

 Much to his embarrassment, the Master found it funny and chuckled. "You get cuter with every second." 

 Zel slapped his hands on his cheeks. "I'll just die now." He turned to the other side. 

 "Relax princess, it's nothing." 

 "No it isn't," he said, ignoring the airy feeling in his gut.

 The Master didn't reply, he started the engine instead.

Zel watched his hands. The one on the wheel. His sleeves were folded, his eyes moved to his wrist, not missing any vein or manly attribute about him.

 At the back of his mind, Zel was horrified. The sole reason being that he realized the hardness that kept growing between his legs. 

 He watched the other hand too, the one with the watch, the one that touched the back of his headrest so that he could look back, then going back to expertly handle the gears while the other remained on the wheel.

 "You don't know where it is?"

 When he came back to his senses, the Master was speaking to him it seemed.

 He reached over and pulled Zel's seat belt to buckle him up. Only to stop. "What do we have here?"

 The Master let the seat belt go and skimmed his hand over Zel's bulge. "Looks like someone's excited."

  Zel shook his head no. 

 The Master fondled him where he was most sensitive at the moment, ignoring the fact that he'd denied it. If anything, it seemed to amuse him further.

 "Do you want me to take care of this?" Zel's hands were squeezed together tightly between his thighs as he felt his temperature rise. 

 He nodded. Of course he did. He couldn't resist him when he was that close, not with his scent wafting its way into his brain like that.

 The hand withdrew from him. "Get in the backseat right now," the Master said to Zel as he unlocked his own door. 

 It was a mess when they were both in contact again.

 "I'm really glad you wore shorts," the Master said and pulled them off in one swift move, his hand around Zel's waist holding him securely. He studied what he was wearing underneath for a second. "Ducks? How cute."

 Zel flushed when he realized the Master was referring to his underwear. In his defence, they were stylish. "They are purple," he said like it was answer enough for everything. 

 In a few seconds, the purple ducks too, were taken off his skin.  

 "Where did you get a condom?" Zel asked when he saw what the Master had retrieved.

 "Anyone else would have asked about the lube instead."

 Zel gasped when a finger coated in the cold liquid probed his entrance. He squirmed as his fingers fuddled over the Master's zipper. "You'll ruin it all together if you struggle like that."

 Zel didn't seem to listen, he only focused on getting his member out. Much like himself, the Master was hard, his shaft jutting out to stand right in front of Zel's face. 

 No matter how impossible it was, he was suddenly needier than he'd been just a second ago.

 He collapsed with a sigh when the finger entered all the way inside him. His cheek rubbing against the Master's length on its way down, then settling on along with his balls. 

 He stroked the length first when he got up again, his hand struggling and failing to close around it. Taking in the head had the Master cursing under his breath. 

 "Do you know how sinful you look right now?" The Master sounded a little breathless when he said it. Zel looked up at him. "Fuuuuuck..."

 Going lower would mean opening his mouth wider but he didn't get to do it. The Master gripped him by the hair until they were level. "Get on top of me," his voice rasped. 

 Zel was on his knees immediately, lifting one off to slowly go over the Master, straddling him. 

 "Come here," the Master pulled him forward and slid his lips over his. It wasn't like this was their first kiss, but at the same time, it was. Zel held on as his lips continued to move still locked with the Master's. 

 It churned his stomach as their cocks, rubbed together, the difference in their sizes accentuated. He ground on the Master shamelessly to create more friction, more sensations, more anything.  Just more. 

 He didn't have to expend all that energy, the Master held both of them and stroked. "That feels... so good Sir!" He broke off saying. 

 The other hand disappeared into his shirt, stroking every area of skin underneath. And then, the Master stopped everything and pulled him back for another kiss. 

 One hand traveled down his back and then a finger was inside him once again, as his back was still arched, Zel felt the second finger inside him. And then they moved. "Oh! Sir-Oh!" He moaned but the Master didn't stop fingering him. 

 "Tell me princess, what had you so worked up earlier?" He asked. "What sinful thoughts crept up that innocent mind of yours? Was it this?" The Master increased the pressure. 

 "Ngh... mhmm..." Zel replied illogically. 

 "Words."

 "Yes Sir."

 "What else?"

 "It's too dirty I can't..."

 "Then you don't mind if I stop right here do you?"

 "I... I can't  think... I mean... I-you sat where I was, but I was on top of you, just like this. I-I... I rode you Sir, and..."

  "And?" The Master rubbed a sweet spot inside him. 

 Zel yelped and panted, trying to catch his breath. "And-and... you called me your little princess..."

 "Hmm? You like it when I call you that don't you?"

 "I love it Sir... Please, I need more..."

 "Roll this on me."

 Zel took the rubber and ripped it off its casing, sliding it onto the Master's shaft. "Good, now sit on it."

 He did nothing but that, the length disappeared as he slowly impaled himself on the cock he'd just covered up. "Sirrr!" Zel scrunched up his shirt, the biggest pout on his lips, "I don't think I can move... you're so big."

 The Master smirked. "Ride me slowly, you'll adjust to it."

 Zel moved up first, then sat back down.

 "Fuck... keep going."

 Zel did it again, surer this time and faster than before, the burn faded pretty quickly and nothing but pleasure coursed through him. Until he was riding him like an expert. 

 The Master groaned and Zel felt a surge of pride. 

 He tugged his member once and Zel freaked, still bouncing up and down. 

 "Ahh! Please... I'm going to explode."

 "Not yet," the Master said. He let him go and Zel fell foward. 

 "Sir..." he whimpered.

 "Yes princess?" The Master ran his hand in a soothing manner along his back, causing him to relieve a little of the tension. 

 "Could you... could you spank me? Even just a little?"

 The reaction was chaotic. "I could spank you all day Zel," the Master speared in and out of him at a pace that just kept on building. "But I want to do it right... okay princess?"

  Zel tried to nod into the crook of his neck where he had stuffed his face, his heart hammering inside his chest. The Master on the other hand, didn't stop fucking him. The pace was becoming impossible.

 He grabbed hold of his leaking member. "Now princess, come for me."

 Zel shot out jets of come as soon as the Master's words registered in his ears. He rocked violently and shuddered, head falling backwards with all cares to the wind. "Oh s-sirrr..." Zel moaned.

 "That's my cute little princess," he whispered to Zel. Zel was helpless as his lithe body shuddered once more. 

 He took it up from there and rode the Master a few more times until he felt him still, before he shuddered and came with a rush. An urgency Zel was proud of being the cause of. He was coming while still inside him. 

 One hand wound its way around his waist and he was being crushed against the Master's chest the next minute. He loved it. 

 He felt bold. Zel cupped the Master's cheeks and brought their lips together while his orgasm racked through him. It caused pleasure sparks inside him as the Master's member filled him and twitched inside him.

 After breaking away, and several moments of trying to catch their breaths, the Master brought him head close to Zel's, their foreheads almost touching. 

 "That was amazing," his deep, breathy voice said.

 It took another short while and the Master made to pull out but Zel stopped him. "No, Sir... please," he sounded exhausted even to his own ears. "Not yet."

 The response he got was a soft chuckle. "Not so innocent after all huh?"

 Zel pressed his nose to the Master's chest and shook his head. He then wrapped his arms around the bigger man. 

 He leaned forward and closed his eyes, using the Master's chest as a pillow. "I like you Sir. I like you a lot." 

 His voice was drifting away, and the last thing he felt was the Master's fingers in his hair; gentle, affectionate, everything he ever wanted.

25

Mason looked at the Master and contemplated whether he was comfortable with the idea or not.

   He'd asked him to go to a gala, apparently one that involved socializing with a number of rich people. He didn't mention that bit of it, but it was a little obvious. He'd never been to a gala before. And hadn't a clue what the point of them was. Socializing, he knew that. Rich people, he wasn't so well versed about them.

When he was younger, they used to have family dinners and casual parties where many people came; mostly relatives to be precise. Nothing as big and as fancy as a gala. And looking at the Master, everyone was going to be rich or something like that.

“You’ll come with me,” he had said to him, sounding more like an order than a request.

Mason might have looked hesitant when he said it because then he added, “I’m not forcing you, if you would like to protect your privacy then we’ll end this discussion right here, and you won’t have to go.”

“Nice way to ask someone out on a date,” Mason said instead.

“It’s not a date,” the Master said firmly.

“And yet you want me to be your date on this gala.” The Master looked irritated but with no way to refute what Mason just said. “You want me to come with you… and spend all my time with you.”

“I do,” the Master said. He was now looking at Mason like he knew the argument would go no where.

“And I’m going to say yes, so it’s a date,” the man insisted.

“It’s not a date,” the Master said again. Mason ignored it like he didn’t hear that bit of it.

“I’ll try my best on this date but I don’t think I’m cut out for it,” it seemed like the Master wasn’t expecting him to say anything like that. Mason shrugged. “The last date I went for didn’t turn out well. Or several others for that matter.”

The Master shouldn’t even be interested in what he was saying. So why did he say it, what did he want from him? “What? Your date had bad breath?”

“I wish he had a flaw,” Mason laughed. “He was perfect. But after five or so, minutes of conversation, he just left me there. Told me I wasn’t worth it, got up and walked away. Imagine that.”

The Master did not reply him immediately. “Why are you telling me?” He asked him. His voice carried no emotion whatsoever. He regarded Mason silently.

“Forget it,” said Mason, he adjusted himself on his seat. “What should I wear?” He asked.

“Whatever you want,” the answer was immediate. “We have your measurements, so if you need anything else then I’ll get it for you.”

Mason nodded while getting up. “Yep. Definitely a date,” he said before excusing himself from the room.

He couldn’t deny that the Master grew more and more confusing by the day. And he was trying so hard to understand the type of man he was.

Leave it. His properly working brain told him constantly. He didn’t listen to it. People never did, and then they questioned why everything hurt in the end. It was just something about the man he’d left in that room, something that couldn’t leave him be.

Mason was having these thoughts, trying to make his way to his room, when he bumped into Zel. “Ow!” Zel rubbed his nose from where he had landed on the floor.

“Are you okay sunshine?” Mason asked helping him up. A worried look plastered on his face. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m okay. The Master told me to not to do this all the time, running inside, but here I still am, it’s my fault.”

“You should probably take that advice.”

Zel righted his clothes. Then his hair; it couldn’t really be righted as it was out of control constantly. Mason felt the urge to do it for him, but held himself back.

“You’re being careful right?” He asked. He wasn’t referring to this current situation in particular.

“Yeah, I really am.” The ball of energy that was Zel replied, already recovered. He sounded like he thought Mason wouldn’t really believe him.

“I’d watch Riley if I were you.” The reason why Mason had said this was not random.

He’d started to notice how close the two had become, and there was no other way he could put it, it was beautiful. Oddly, somewhere deep down, he loved the way they looked together, it made something in his stomach coil most times he saw it.

“You don’t have to worry,” Zel said reassuringly, and he believed him.

“Okay good,” said Mason. He ruffled the hair he’d been wanting to fix before continuing on his way and leaving Zel to go about his.

It came to his understanding that all the forces in the universe just didn’t want him to achieve something as simple as reaching his room. Because then, as if he’d been waiting for him, Riley suddenly backed him up against the wall.

“Hey…” his somewhat raspy voice said.

“Hey,” Mason replied. It was just the slightest bit, but he was turned on by such forceful behavior, and the strength that held him back. Just a little, nothing to worry about.

“I need your help with something,” said Riley.

“Yeah? What would that be?”

Riley leaned in and his breath fanned Mason’s lips. His breaths were going to become embarrassingly shallow if Riley didn’t stop such sudden stupidity.

“Come with me?” said Riley. It meant everything and it meant nothing. Mason was a little curious.

“I’d really want to, Riley. If you considered the fact that I am not stupid.” Mason’s reply earned him a look of shock; it was priceless. “I don’t have my tag with me. I know that’s what you want.”

Riley recovered really quickly. “Was I that obvious?”

“No, but I know bad acting when I see it, it’s not an ability many people have,” Mason aimed a smug look at him.

“But come with me,” he held Riley’s hand instead, when he was released. The latter got confused.

“I don’t have my tag either.” Riley held his hands up.

“Shut up, I’m not flirting with you.” Mason figured there’d be no point in wasting this opportunity to get to know Riley just a little. It’s not like there was much he was going to do in his room. “Let’s just have a drink together.”

“Why?” Riley was suspicious, anyone would be. It was understandable.

“What? I just want to. I promise I’m not trying to get your tag from you. And if I were, I would do a better job of it.”

“Ouch,” Riley finally sat down as Mason fixed them drinks.

“Relax, you are always so sure about yourself, this shouldn’t be any different.”

“No I just don’t know what’s going on,” Riley said. And from the sound of it, he really didn’t. He sounded like someone out of their element.

“So you become all nervous when you aren’t sure about a situation, huh?” Mason observed.

“Maybe,” said Riley stubbornly.

Mason put a drink in his hand. “So like, this is not poisoned?” He asked.

Mason took his glass from him and took a sip, then gave it back. The part he’d drank from facing Riley’s mouth.

Riley looked at the glass, then back at him, raising a brow in question. “Sure you’re not flirting with me?”

Mason shook his head and smiled, sitting back and enjoying himself. “Just tell me about you then.”

“Wait, are you serious?”

“I am, I kinda want to know about you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know I just do.”

Riley regarded him skeptically for a while, then sighed. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

Mason peeked a little bit of the man that was Riley. He wasn’t as confident as he liked to make people believe. In fact, maybe he was, but he had a little shy side about him as well. It was extremely cute to Mason.

He’d even averted his eyes when Mason had asked him his favorite colour. He’d never guessed he had such a soft side. He wanted to know more, but he’d do it over time, Riley would just have to be prepared for it.

He didn’t even know what brought it all up out of the blue. He was just going with the flow of the moment, not completely sure about what he was doing either.

“Mason doesn’t have the tag,” Jet said to Riley before he could get a word out.

“Yeah he told me, but how do you know?”

“I watched the whole thing. It’s all in his body language, he left so many openings you would have the tag right now if he had it. Next time don’t be so… possessive. Don’t be so all over him. And I know what you are thinking now, you want to get Zel’s tag, not now, that would be too obvious. Give it a little time.”

“Aye aye captain,” Riley replied, then confusion colored his face at the memory. “He invited me for a drink.”

“I know, I walked away after that. And don’t even bother I’m not interested in hearing it.”

Of course Jet would say that.

“Are you sure?” Riley asked.

The answer he got was Jet walking away from him.

“Fine,” he shrugged and muttered to himself. “Whatever.”

If anyone else saw this from another angle, it would look like Pierre was the interest of several suitors, everyone came after him one by one and he mislead them all one by one.

Linder asked him to tell him how each of them had acted.

“Jet was obvious to me, he really wanted to know where my tag was. He asked clever questions. Ones that the answers would have pointed him in the right direction,” Pierre told him.

“That sounds about right,” said Linder.

“I think I know where Mason’s tag is.”

Pierre’s moment with Mason was almost weird but very flattering at the same time. Mason stared at him like he was under a spell, he even mumbled mindless things at one point as if he wasn’t really listening to him.

Pierre didn’t want to sound egoistical but Mason had looked like he was ready to drool. He couldn’t really believe it, it had to be acting.

“I think he kept it at the rooftop bar,” Pierre finally said from his deductions. “We’d do well to check between the bottles on the shelves.”

“Let’s keep being careful,” said Linder. “You might have just earned us a tag. I could kiss you right now.”

Do it , Pierre thought.

And as if Linder had heard him, a kiss was dropped to his temple, and it warmed his insides.

Now if only there were more people to trick.

26

When Linder had talked about hating any strain on his delicate muscles, sex hadn’t been what he meant. Far from it.

 He loved the way the Master filled him up, the way he pounded relentlessly deep inside him, the powerful body that seemed to crush his every time they were at it. He loved it all.

 If you asked him, this was all the exercise anyone ever needed. 

 "Fuck!" He wasn't expecting such a forceful thrust all of a sudden but that was the way it was sometimes with the Master. 

 Perspiration was close to rolling off the both of them, but with all the adrenaline he felt, he could go on for ever. 

 "So sexy..." 

 Fuck

. Only one other person before had ever called him sexy, but somehow the way the Master said it felt a little more intense. Like high praise. He seemed to make it a point to let him know every now and then.

 Linder's hands roamed the Master's broad back, they rippled with solid muscle. His fingernails dug in when everything got too intense. 

 "Fuuuck! I'm going to..." 

 "Come?" The Master smirked looking down at him, holding his gaze while continuing to thrust roughly inside him. 

 "Please..." he should have told him to stop or just slow down. "More, please." 

 "As you wish." 

 The strong hands closed around his neck and squeezed, Linder whimpered but it came out as a struggle for air. 

 His nails dug in further and the Master grunted low and sensual. 

 Rough sex made his toes curl, and no one made him feel the way the Master did. Even now that he was holding back. 

 Sometimes it got unreal, so much that his legs didn't feel like his own after they were done. Sitting down became a real task. But how he loved the feeling.

 The length rammed harder into him. "Ye...sss." His air wasn't enough to properly get the words out. "I'm... ah! ah! a..."

Linder tried to take deep breaths. That was impossible.

The Master shot his load while brutally continuing his onslaught. “Fuckkkk!” He groaned, squeezing Linder’s neck just a little bit tighter.

Linder’s eyes rolled to the back of his head, his hips buckled and he came. Pretty generously. The pleasure almost felt like it could go on for ever.

The hand on his neck finally loosened and he pulled in deep breaths. His air was cut off again by the Master. The lips claimed his and his mind went blank. Every man should kiss like this.

Linder shuddered once more, just before the Master broke away. “Like I said, you shatter really beautifully underneath me.”

“Fuck…”

It didn’t take long before the Master had lifted him off to his large shower. The spray of water was like heaven against their fatigue. “You were the one doing all the work, how are you not tired as I am?”

“This is what happens when you hate working out as much as you do.” The Master shampooed Linder’s hair.

“Oh right, yeah,” he replied, basking in the feeling of his hands in his hair. “It’s such a drag.”

“Put your arms around my waist if you need support.”

Even if he was as energetic as a bull in a pit, he’d still do it.

He closed his eyes and his imagination took over. The hands in his hair belonged to someone else, they calmed his entire soul as he melted into his touch. They belonged to someone far kinder, someone far out of his reach, someone a little more Asian.

Shock opened up Linder’s eyes and he got a little shampoo inside them. “Son of a-!”

The Master chuckled and washed it off. “What tempted you to open your eyes?”

“It’s uh… nothing. I don’t know what I was thinking,” replied Linder.

The Master hummed. “Here,” he put Linder’s arms around his neck. “You are quite tall.”

“All the nerds in my gang are.”

“You have a gang of nerds?”

“Yeah, and we’re going to rule the world.” The digital world. But he wasn’t going to tell him that.

The Master kissed him under the spray of water. “How cute.”

“I’ve always been the tallest kid in the room,” Linder said, the sweet voice always contradicting everything he said. “Luckily I didn’t get bullied for it.”

He tried to take his mind off what he had imagined, who he’d imagined touching him while the Master washed his hair. Linder needed a distraction, he asked something he would ask eventually.

“You are keeping someone’s tags.” To be fair, it wasn’t really a question.

“How would you know that?”

“Because if I had thought of doing the same, then there’s at least one person that I’m sure already did. And it is a smart thing to do.”

“You are not trying to get them from me?”

“There’s no use, because you’d never give them up. And you’d never tell who it was.”

“Who knows, maybe I’ll make an exception for you.”

“We both know that’s bullshit.”

The thought kept Linder distracted until he was having a conversation with Pierre.

“Linder?” He asked calmly. “Shouldn’t we get a tag? We should right?”

“Yes…” he answered more distractedly.

“Okay, because I got one.”

That definitely had Linder’s attention. “You do?”

“Yeah, Jet’s, he didn’t see me.”

“You’re certain?”

Pierre nodded.

“You got it from Jet?”

“I did. What?”

Linder looked at him. “Something isn’t adding up about that.”

Riley had listened to what Jet said obviously. But the time was here, it was towards the end of the two weeks and he was trying really hard at the moment to figure out where Zel’s card was.

The flirting carried on with Riley flustering Zel more than anyone should. He had to admit, it was hard, even for him.

The only reason he didn’t take it to the next level was the threat of disqualification. He scolded himself continuously because he’d actually, stupidly considered it.

At that point he questioned whether they were even pretending anymore.

“Riley please stop it,” Zel pouted and fixed his eyes on him. “I just… this is not as easy for me as it is for you.”

That was where he got it completely wrong. He smirked on the outside, but that was only the surface. He was leaning in before he could think better of it. Until Zel averted his eyes and saved them both.

Riley knew where the tag was. Pretending to take things further, he lowered Zel against the shelf and snuck his hand around to retrieve the tag wedged between the books. It would have gone different if Zel hadn’t given it away.

All he left him with was a pat on his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

Riley left after that, trying to find Jet. The tattooed man was walking in his direction before he could ponder any further.

He held the tag out to him, clearly not in the mood to talk and Jet caught his wrist instead. “You’re angry. What is it?”

He was angry? So that was the unsettling feeling he had. Something in him bubbled even more with every passing second.

His body acted on its own accord. He broke his wrist free from Jet’s hold and pushed the tag to his chest, he might have done it a little forcefully judging by the way Jet took a step back, looking surprised.

“I’m fine.” Jet held the tag against his chest and Riley walked away.

He felt a little guilty for taking a little of it out on Jet. Something about lying to Zel like that rubbed him the wrong way, even if it was just a game. Even if it was a competition where if he wasn’t to end up with the four million, then every other player had to be gotten rid of.

He needed to get himself together because this wasn’t like him at all. He couldn’t start poisoning himself with his own cup of tea.

All because a pair of mismatched eyes couldn’t let his dick settle.

27

Exactly two weeks after the game had been announced, it was the last hour and the competitors were in the woods, trying to find the aforementioned clearing. Linder was pissed.

 The clues were obviously like drinking water to him. He had a pretty good guess about where the clearing was. What made him angry, was that he had let his guard down. And it had cost them a tag they had secured from Mason. 

 If anything, Pierre had done the most.

 He quickly explained to Pierre where the clearing was, then told him to go on without him. He'd be there in a short while, he told him. Pierre looked a bit skeptical, but he nodded, choosing to trust him.

 Linder hadn't been walking for long when he found Riley and he wasn't with Jet. 

 Perfect

 Riley would obviously be having their tags, especially at this stage, he was stronger, and could better protect their tags in the woods. 

 He stalked Riley, moving aimlessly, while he thought about what he would do when he got closer to him. 

 He tiptoed behind him, the tag peeked through his pocket. He could so easily grab it and make a run for it. 

 "I won't let you have the tag so easily." 

 Linder stilled, then thought that if he wasted even the slightest moment, this chance would be gone. He made to grab it either way. 

 Riley skillfuly stepped around him and held his hand to prevent him from falling forward. "You're welcome," he said, smiling at him. 

 "Oh shut up," Linder pulled his hand way. 

 His confidence was annoying because he didn't even bother hiding the tags from Linder. He was playing with him, not even considering that Linder might actually take it from him. 

 "This is futile," Riley kept moving backwards, "Why haven't you considered that I'm more athletic than you are." 

 That actually had Linder thinking. 

 "I could even give you a tag," Riley continued. "And a five second head start and I'd still catch up and get it from you before reaching the clearing. But I'm not evil like that." 

 Linder should have listened and let it go, but he wanted to do this for Pierre more than anything else. 

 It happened in what seemed like half a second. 

 "And now I have your tag," said Riley cheekily. 

 What the fuck?

How could he have been so distracted? It wasn’t even that he was that lost in thought, Riley was just very cunning and quick with his fingers.

 He went to reach out for it but just before he could grab it, Riley pulled the tag a little higher, and stepped into the clearing with his back to it, where he was untouchable. 

 "Oouu, lucky me," he said. 

Yeah right

. He was only toying with him. He knew exactly where it was. And where he was going, his movements had been precise.

 Linder felt like the biggest loser on planet earth. It was an ugly feeling. Pierre stepped into the clearing just after that, regarding him hopefully. It crushed him to think about how much he'd let him down. 

  At the end of it all, the winners had been announced.  

 It was Riley and Jet with four tags, their own and the two they stole last minute. Mason and Zel came last with no tags. Linder and Pierre would have tied at first place if Linder hadn't acted so rash. 

 They came in second because of the ace tag, which had been given to Linder all along, it also pissed him off that it could have been the ace tag that Riley had taken from him. But he was only lucky because he had no idea that he was carrying two. Linder hated owing anything to luck. 

 "I'm sorry Pierre," the look in Linder's face was defeated as he looked to the beauty before him. 

 He'd failed him after asking him to trust him. What sort of pathetic person did that? 

 "We have ten points each, and I had fun," replied Pierre.

 Linder thought he didn't hear it right. "What?" 

 Pierre nodded and smiled at him. "I really had fun. I like the team we make." 

 Linder's brows went up. "Yeah?" 

 "Oui

.“

 It was Pierre who walked towards Linder. It was Pierre who put his arms around him and held tight. Linder for the life of him held him tighter.

  Jet stormed inside the Master's room. "Hello birdbrain," he smirked. 

 There was instant amusement in the Master's face. A brightness that wasn't there before, took over his face.

“Is there something you want me to do?” Jet asked as he stalked towards the Master, getting on his knees between his parted legs. He placed each hand on each of his knees and looked up at him. He could feel the Master getting excited. He smirked. Jet’s hands skimmed up to the zipper and stopped, looking up at the Master expectantly.

“Pull it down,” the man on the bed said, getting riled up while he watched Jet on his knees before him.

Jet smiled delightedly. “No,” he said, then slowly got up to go look out the window. “You can’t do anything about it,” he added.

 "Is that why you're so happy?" asked the Master, a grin slowly stealing its way to his face. 

 Jet walked confidently around the room. "Mhm," he was smiling, and deep down he knew it had nothing to do with him winning the game. "Feels good. I could even jerk off right here and you wouldn't do anything about it."

 The Master leaned back and parted his legs, giving Jet all of his attention and ignoring how turned on he'd started getting him. "Do it then." 

 "Nope, I don't want to do it here." 

 "Are you shy?" The Master asked. "Why did you come here then?" 

 "No, of course not," Jet walked back to the window and almost ignored the other question. "Just to show you that I could. Anyway, I'm still going to jerk off." 

 Jet heard footsteps just before he was pressed to the glass of the window, the Master capturing his frame from behind, then teasing him by touching him in his nether regions. "You are going to jerk off huh? How fun," he teased. "Are you going to think about me while you do it?"

 "Not a chance." 

 The Master then let him go, nodding seductively towards his crotch. "You are such a bad liar." Jet looked down before his cheeks flamed. He groaned.

 "You—" He stormed out just the way he had come in before, at a loss for words now. The Master's laughter followed him in the background.

 The day was ending beautifully. For the first time, the entire house seemed to be in high spirits. Laughter floated around from where Mason, Pierre and Linder sat.

Riley was nearby and he should have heard it but he didn’t. He couldn’t focus on anything with the blood rushing to his ears.

Everybody’s voice sounded so far away. His ears kept ringing, his heart kept thumping and his body kept aching with want.

The door before him was blocking him from what he really wanted. So he flung it open. He was a little desperate.

“Ry!”

He fucking loved it when he called him that. Even if now it sounded accusatory.

Zel had a horrified look on his face because Riley has just caught him in the middle of wearing his shirt. He quickly pulled it on, hastily trying to cover every inch of skin that was exposed to Riley.

Riley walked towards him. The rules are suspended, he

recited in his head. The rules are suspended.

“Say something Ry, is everything alright? Of course it is, you just won. I’m happy for you! Even if I’d say you cheated,” said Zel. He was frowning at a wrinkle on his shirt.

The rules were suspended, he would not be disqualified for breaking another one. This wasn’t breaking the rules.

Surely this counted as self gratification? It didn’t matter, because t

hey were suspended.

“This isn’t like you. Seriously tell me, what’s wrong?” Zel asked then lightened up. “Oh I know! You want to read a comic together?”

Ever since they started doing that, it’s been torture for Riley. And no, it wasn’t torture he wanted at the moment.

“I’m at the end of my rope, Zel,” he finally spoke when he ran out of distance to close. Zel’s eyes wandered up to his. “You have such beautiful eyes,” he added.

Zel’s cheeks colored. “Ry…”

That

was

it.

“Put your arms around my neck,” Riley said, bending down for him.

Zel didn’t even question it, he did as he said. And when Riley lifted him off the ground, his legs crossed around his waist.

Pure bliss was only an inch away from him. “I’m going to kiss you now, okay?” He needed a taste like he needed breath.

When Zel nodded, Riley pulled him closer, and pressed his lips to Zel’s.

Just like he’d thought, they were soft, so soft against his. He could smell him and the soap from his shower. All of it was more intoxicating than he imagined it would be.

He thought he was doing a pretty good job of holding back, until Zel’s lips parted to let him in. That was when all hell broke loose.

27.5

MONTH THREE

28

The Master sat on a polished mahogany desk in his study, dressed in an impeccably tailored three piece suit. Across from him was Tadashi, comfy in one of the ox-blood colored leather arm-chairs.

 Alexander raised his cup to his lips and glanced momentarily to make a point before taking a sip of his tea. 

 Before Tadashi had come into his life, Alexander couldn't remember the number of times he had casually just taken tea. It wasn't something that ever really crossed his mind and he thought it unnecessary. But all it took was a week's time of sickness that had forced him to accept Tadashi to take over and do everything right down to spoon feeding him. He decided that tea was not so bad quickly after that.

Maybe there was some sort of bond between the two of them, because at that moment of his life, it had strengthened, but neither of them liked to talk about it.

They weren’t friends. He wasn’t going to call it that. And he thanked the heavens that the other man was on board with him on the matter.

One thing he could admit though, was that sometimes, he actually looked forward to their tea drinking sessions. It brought with it a kind of relaxation and a peaceful state of mind with company he actually liked.

“We were wrong about the number of families looking for Pierre,” Tadashi said while setting his cup down with a ‘clink’ sound. “Not so far off though, they are only two and none of them are his actual family.”

“Why are families other than his own looking for him?”

“I’m still not sure about the details. But one thing is for sure, Pierre didn’t lie about his name, and we’ve got the names,” he sipped once. “You might have heard of the famous Beaumont and Fontaine families.”

“Nicolas Fontaine,” Alexander said the name like he was mulling the words over in his head. They both have hosted the president and his family at least once before. On top of being two of the most powerful families in France, they are somewhat famous. Nicolas Fontaine is praised and revered for that tragic event where he ended up rescuing twenty one girls from a human trafficking scheme.“

“But rumors have it that it was all staged for the sake of publicity. People will do anything to gain political favor.”

Alexander nodded. “The Beaumonts stood by their side until the chaos died down. Together they founded ‘L’Aide’. Staged or not, you have to hand it to them, they’ve rescued hundreds more from the same fate, and have transformed thousands of lives of victims of abuse. They are national heroes.”

 "To some people," Tadashi agreed. "As for whatever their role in all of this is, we're ready. They just need to make the mistake of striking."

 "What would they want from Pierre?" Alexander asked.

 Tadashi shrugged. "It could be anything at this point."

 "Alright then, that's that. Until we find any other information."

 Tadashi finished his tea and crossed his legs. 

 "So they are left with about three other months... what do you plan to do if the threat comes after that—after the program, then what?"

 "Then it's not my problem Tadashi, I just don't like people taking what's mine when it's mine," replied the Master. 

 "I know that, and it's all good Alexander, as long as you know what you're doing and and it won't mean anything to you."

 The words fell like stones settling under water, they settled in the Master's mind like no one was going to be able to take them out. 

 He pictured Pierre in his head... he took his virginity. 

 It didn't matter. 

 He called him beautiful...

 It didn't matter. 

 Pierre was getting more comfortable around him by the day, and he liked it...

  It definitely didn't matter.

  "Alexander, are you okay?"

 "It doesn't mean anything," he replied to Tadashi before his mind could even begin to drift to the others. 

 His assistant studied him first, then finally nodded, resigning from the matter. He turned to business, checking his watch. "The meeting with the Hedvig group is in three hours. The jet will be ready to go in thirty. I'll meet you in forty five minutes."

 The Hedvig group was the latest pain in his butthole, so far. He told them to sack their poor excuse of a CEO. They didn't listen. And now she was rapidly driving them towards a resounding state of bankruptcy that would be impossible to recover from.

 He'd trust Tadashi to keep everything under control while he was gone. This one was a bit too urgent and sensitive to ignore for any longer.

 He'd predicted correctly, and now each and every investor was planning to pull out. The only reason they hadn't yet gone through with it was because Alexander hadn't. Yet anyway. If the CEO was not removed effective immediately after the meeting, he would withdraw completely and cut his losses. They knew they needed his help, so high chances was that they would listen. Then for him to actually help, he'd require an increase in his holdings by an additional five percent. He'd set that as the price for wasting his valuable time.

 He prepared really fast, just out of habit, the jet would be waiting, even if he still had plenty of time to spare before they were scheduled to take off.

 Zel wandered into his room right when he had just finished putting everything into place, as if they were watching him, the crew called him at that very moment.

 "We're ready in fifteen, sir." They confirmed.

 "Perfect," he said before hanging up and giving all of his attention to Zel.

 "Where are you going?" Zel hopped onto the bed. 

 "I've got an urgent business meeting to attend," answered the Master. 

 "Really? Why do you have to go?"

 "Because some people need a good talking to."

 "Call them then," Zel crossed his arms. 

 The Master let out a little laugh. "I can tell you're getting upset."

  "How can I not? I..." Zel's cheeks turned red. "I want to be where you are."

 Alexander felt a faint pulsing in his chest. Taking a look at Zel, he suddenly cussed the fact that he couldn't control time. Sometimes Zel said things that were pretty innocent, only apart from the fact that they always caused a reaction within him unexpectedly.

 Right now he wanted to grab him and fuck his brains out till he was screaming for him. It was a proper goodbye as any, and would have him remembering it till he got back.

 "Don't go saying things like that if you know what's good for you."

 "It's the truth." Zel suddenly got off the bed and wrapped his arms around him. "I'll miss you."

 "It's just for a day, I'll be back tomorrow and you won't even know I was gone. Two days tops," he said. 

  "Still don't like it. I'll still miss you."

 The Master returned the hug, resting his chin on Zel's head. "Princess..." his voice was a little husky. 

 "Think of me Sir, and..." Zel went to squeeze the Master's ass cheeks where his suit pants hugged him in a perfect way in his opinion. "I always wanted to tell you, you have a really nice butt," he giggled and dashed out of the room, letting his hair dance around him. 

 He left the Master staring after him in wonder, shoulders shaking, trying not to laugh.

      Zel opened his door to an awkward looking Jet. If he felt fine he would be jumping on his feet, there was so much excitement within him he couldn't express as he watched the impossible happen. 

 "Jet..." It might have been the first word he ever said to him.

  "Hey," Jet said awkwardly, in his seemingly naturally broody voice. He cleared his throat. 

 Zel's hands tightened into balls trying to keep himself calm, Jet was talking to him. He couldn't even understand his own excitement. 

 "Hi," he said back with all the enthusiasm he had, unfortunately he was getting weaker and weaker. "Oh... please come in!" He said to Jet. 

 "Oh." Jet stepped inside, his hands eased into his pockets. 

 "I know it's probably the messiest room you've seen so far, I'm just feeling a little lazy." Zel had clothes thrown everywhere. And he was honestly going to fix everything, he really was. Jet just came by unexpectedly, and he still felt terrible.

 Jet shrugged, "I don't really care, I haven't seen the others... anyway, the books, the ones with cartoons in them? You... uhh, you stopped leaving them at my door."

  Zel's eyes went wide as he tried to hide his smile. "You knew that was me?"

 "It's a bit obvious. Plus, if there was any doubt left..." he pointed to Zel's shelves. 

 "Ohhh," said Zel. "You want more?" He asked very elatedly, even while he narrowed his eyes at Jet. Just for this, nothing could bring him down today. 

 Zel lowered himself onto his own bed, it was more out of fatigue than happiness. "You can pick whatever you want, I mean it." 

 Jet walked towards the shelves and let an inked hand skim through a few titles before he withdrew his hand back and twisted his lower lip while looking at Zel on the bed. 

 Zel was a little confused with his behavior, but with the way Jet looked so sexy, he couldn't complain about anything. 

 The man shook his head, causing his earrings to glint with the movement. Zel's confusion got the better of him.

He wanted a book and Zel was offering him one, so why did he not just pick one?

 He started to frown until Jet was pulling the door open. He paused before he could walk out. "I uh..." He said. "I like your handwriting, so leave it at my door."

 Before Zel could answer, Jet was already gone.

 Zel leaned back, not knowing how to feel. It was sweet that he liked his handwriting it still didn't make sense. It wasn't even great.

 As he was still trying to decipher the words, his door swung open again.

 Pierre came in with a bowl and what looked to be face towels. He locked the door behind him, a soft smile playing on his lips. 

 "What is that?" Zel asked. 

 Pierre followed Zel's eyes to the stuff he was carrying. "It's for you."

 "Why?"

 "I know you are not well," Pierre was almost whispering. 

 "Says who?" Zel got defensive but he knew he'd always been a bad liar. "I, I'm perfectly fine," he almost stammered. 

 Pierre set everything down and walked over to him, taking up his hand. "It might not be much now, the fever... but it's only going to get worse. I know you are sick," he put his hand up to his forehead to feel his temperature. "You're starting to burn up. And I find it odd that you are on your bed, usually you'd be everywhere."

 Zel gasped inside his head. Pierre was paying attention to him! He might have been right anyway. "Alright, fine. I don't feel that great, but I'm going to be okay."

 Pierre looked like he didn't believe him but he asked anyway. "Does anyone know? Does the Master know?"

 Zel shook his head. "No one, please don't tell him, please. I'm going to be okay before he even knows it." His eyes were pleading as he looked to Pierre who had at least four inches on him. 

 "It's fine, I'm just worried about you so I'm only here to keep you company. I could not not do anything."

 Zel was touched, so much his heart fluttered. "Sorry I might bore the hell out of you but just for clarity I'm like a little okay so you don't really have to worry, I'll be completely fine by morning."

 "Then I'll be here till morning," said Pierre.

 He was shocked all over again. Pierre fixed his bed first, and straightened it out and then invited Zel to lie down. "Come here," he said. 

 Zel didn't object. It felt great. "You are really starting to burn up."  

 On top of that, he also felt like he had no energy left. "I think you are right." 

 "Try to get some rest," Pierre said and then he went ahead to tidy up the entire room, he went to pick up Zel's clothes and put them all in place. 

 "You don't have to do that Pierre, I'm really just grateful for you being here."

 "No no,

mon cherie, I’m doing this because I want to do it for you so just lay back and relax okay?“ He smiled at him. “I am happy to do it.”

 "Okay...thank you," Zel answered, truly grateful. "Pierre?"

 "

Cherie? “

 "What does that mean, mom sherry?" Zel asked with a voice that kept getting weaker. 

  "Oh," said Pierre. "It's an endearment... I'm calling you my err.. darling? I'm sorry if–"

 "Really?" Zel swallowed. "You might not tell because of this fever, but I'm pretty sure I'm blushing so hard right now."

 "You are really cute," said Pierre.

 It wasn't helping all the heat Zel was feeling, until a cold compress was on his forehead. "That feels heavenly." 

 "Mhm, it will help you feel better in a while," Pierre put a straw in a cup he had carried along. "Drink this."

 Zel took a sip and settled back down. The cold water felt amazing as it ran down his throat.

 "I squeezed some lemon into it," said Pierre while touching the side of Zel's neck. "My maman always said nothing helps a fever faster than some lemon. Although... I don't know if that's true. I'm hoping it is."

 "You have very gentle hands," Zel observed. "Please hold mine?"

  Pierre didn't spare a second to lace their fingers together. "You're really hot."

   "Hey don't flirt with me when I'm sick," Zel giggled weakly. "I just might fall for you."

 "In another time that wouldn't be so bad," said Pierre. 

 Zel didn't notice that he was gripping his hand just a little tighter. This felt really, really good.

  It started out as nothing, and now his temperature was getting higher with every passing moment. 

 "I hope the fever goes down." Zel's weak eyes found Pierre's worried ones. "Are you sure I shouldn't tell him?"

 Zel shook his head. 

 Pierre's hand was cold against his, their fingers still interlaced as they looked at each other. "Don't worry," said Pierre. "I won't leave your side. You can go on and sleep." 

 Pierre stroked his hand and it elicited a number of emotions within, as his eyes closed. It had him thinking of a once upon a time, when someone had made him fall so hard, and so effortlessly. And this was feeling so good, so familiar.

 The last thing he felt was the cool fingers stroking his hand. And then nothing but asleep.

29

The Master was back the next day. Just like he had said. He might have made the meeting briefer than it should have been. And it might or might not have been because someone missed him.

  However, when he got back, he couldn't find him.

 Zel was the type of person that was going to be everywhere at the same time. He'd know if the Master was back and he'd either run to him excitedly or creep up on him adorably.

 So why was he doing neither.

 Before he realized it, he was already walking towards Zel's room. 

 The sound of his ringtone halted his steps. In which a neutral voice explained to him that they thought twice than to bother him on a business trip of such importance. They then went ahead to inform him that Zel was ill.

 "I see," he replied then hung up.

 His mood suddenly changed. 

 He flung Zel's door open with more aggression than was intended and despite himself, didn't like one bit the way he startled.

 Pierre sat on the bed while Zel rested his head on his lap. 

 They looked so adorable. 

 "How long?" The Master asked. "Just yesterday, I saw you before I left. How long have you been sick?"

 Zel got up from where he was and searched the Master's eyes. "I'm fine now."

 "You didn't answer my question," the Master was close to seething.

 "Since before I saw you," said Zel hesitantly.

 "Why the fuck didn't you tell me?" 

 "You had important things to do Sir!"

 "And you think I can't what? Spare an hour for you? You think I couldn't push one meeting out of the way for you?!"

 "But...I- It was important..."

 "You-" 

 The Master didn't finish his sentence so the silence stretched awkwardly between them. Luckily, someone else spoke.

 "Zel is lying," said Pierre, putting on his most sincere face. "I told him not to bother you because I could take care of him myself."

  It didn't take two seconds for the Master to sniff him out.

 "No you didn't. You're going to have to do better than that. I mean, you two really suck at lying," said Alexander. "The truth, now."

 Pierre looked at Zel and he nodded back at him. 

 "Fine..." Zel started like he had any choice. "Okay... I'm sorry I kept it from you, but part of what I said is true. I fully made up my mind when you said you had to leave. But that's not all of it." 

 The Master's unwavering gaze told the blond haired man to get to it.

 Zel fiddled with his own fingers before looking down. "I didn't want to tell you... I really didn't want tell you because then you'd take me to the hospital. I hate that place," Zel looked up at the Master. "They stick these little needles into your arm and anywhere they like... It hurts and I don't like it."

 Big eyes widened and looked pleadingly up at him.

Jesus fuck…

 "Come here Zel," the Master said. And when Zel was in range, he pulled him into a hug and ran his fingers through his hair. "Next time, you tell me exactly that. You tell me truth, okay princess?"

 Zel purred and nodded into his shoulder. "You're not laughing at me," he said. 

 "Why would I?"

 "Most times I say that, they laugh and call me a baby," Zel was trying hard not to pout.

 "That would be absurd wouldn't it?" The Master replied. "Imagine a five foot tall baby."

 Zel giggled. "That would be silly!" And just like that, his mood was uplifted.

 They detangled from each other and the Master turned to Pierre. He held his out his hand to him and Pierre took it.  

 Being so good looking had a lot of perks, the Master thought. Like how he couldn't really stay mad just looking at him. "Pierre," he said.

 "I'm sorry Sir," said Pierre, he seemed to really mean it. "I'll accept any punishment you give me." 

 "No, I can't let you- I can't let you get punished because of me," Zel protested. 

 "It's okay Zel, I-"

 "No-"

 The Master let their bickering go on for about ten seconds before cutting in. 

 "I figured it would come to this," his voice stopped them both. The solution was actually really simple. "I'm punishing you both, and that's final."

 Zel tried to argue but kept it to himself when he saw the serious expression on the Master's face. He seemed to already be thinking about something else.

 "In less than thirty minutes, my personal doctor will come and check up on you Zel," he said.

 "But I'm feeling fine, it's all thanks to-" 

 "It's only to check up on you, to make sure everything's okay, nothing more. So don't fret."

 "Okay... but only if you're here."

<<<

 The Master's personal doctor looked like she'd just graduated high school. She had dark brown skin and a perfect set of white teeth that made her look even younger when she smiled.

 She walked in and set her bag down beside Zel's bed.

 "Hi Zel, I'm Jennifer but call me Jen," she said. She had a few freckles on her face, he noticed.

 Her curly black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that fell to one side as she looked down over him.

 "I'm Zel," he replied stupidly.

 "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what I called you," she said and Zel wanted to hide under the covers.

 "Uhh... sorry. You're so pretty!"

 She smiled at that. "Boy please, have you looked in the mirror? I'm even a little in love with your hair already."

 "I'm sorry but how old are you?"

 "Turned twenty eight last month," she smiled. "You're going to tell me I look ten years younger, I know, don't."

 "You look ten years younger!"

 "And you're the cutest patient I've ever come across."

 "Okay, could you two focus?" The Master said irritatedly. 

 Pierre clung to his side the entire time and now he nodded twice in agreement, not liking the interaction one bit. 

 "Oh my God yeah, chill," said Jen, and then she suddenly turned really professional. It was a little fascinating for Zel to watch. 

 She got a thermometer out and asked Zel to put it in his armpit. Zel giggled at the contact.

 "How do you feel now?" Jen asked.

 "A little cold," he replied. 

 "Seems like a mild one, it might be good for you. Have you been drinking water? Keeping hydrated?"

 "Not exactly... " Zel wasn't even sure. "But I think so."

 The thermometer beeped and she took it out. "Above normal, but you'll survive." She smiled at him.

 She wrote a few things down then prescribed some medication to Zel. 

 Pierre nodded along with everything she said. Zel was supposed to relax for at least two days and drink a lot of fluids. Preferably cold ones. 

 When she was done, she turned around. "Okay now I'm going to ask you two to wait outside, I need some time alone with my patient," said Jen, looking expectantly at the Master and Pierre.

 Pierre didn't think he had it in him, but he rolled his eyes before walking out with the Master. 

 The other two were now left alone about a minute later, and Zel was expecting some sort of doctor questions. He waited.

 "How is your heart doing?" Jen asked. 

 He didn't really understand her question. "I mean... it's beating and stuff," he replied much to her amusement.

 Jen made a face between a smirk and a smile. "I've known the Master for a few years, close to five now. I know what goes on in his house and I accept that it's none of my business. But there's something about you that makes me feel a little protective of you, even if I barely know you," she said.

 "I can take care of myself," Zel pouted. "And I don't know what you are talking about anyway."

 "I'm sure you can, Zel. What I'm trying to say is, don't fall for him, you'll only end up getting hurt."

 She hadn't even been here for an hour. 

 "I'm not falling for him," replied Zel softly.

He wasn’t. He wasn’t.

 Jen smiled at him with understanding in her eyes. She nodded, ready to let the matter go.

 "What if..." Zel started. "What if you can't help it? I honestly thought I was doing just fine but the truth is I'm trying really hard."

 "I get it," she said. "It doesn't even help that he looks like that," she shook her head. "I'm just glad you're actually being cautious."

 "I don't know," Zel looked down. 

 "If it's any help, you guys look really good together. Even the beauty who seemed to loathe me just for existing in the same room as you," Jen chuckled, it was rich, and contagious enough to make Zel smile. 

 "Pierre would never!" Zel said. "He's way too kind."

 "He rolled his eyes at me when I told them to get out. I think he likes you."

 Zel blushed lightly. "I think I like him too," he still couldn't look up. 

 "I swear to God if this was a tv show, I'd get my popcorn and call in sick just to watch it."

 "I don't know why I told you that..." said Zel. "You're really easy to talk to."

 "Hey, they don't call me the walking truth serum for nothing. Apparently it's really hard for people to lie to me."

 "It's true. You should become a superhero! I'll be your sidekick," said Zel excitedly.

 Jen chuckled again. "I'll definitely let you know. It was a pleasure to meet you Zel, I'm all finished here," she said and got her bag full of scary things ready to go.

 "Really? No..." said Zel. "I like talking to you."

 "Me too, but we'll meet again. See you sweets."

 When she got up, Zel got up too and hugged her. "I'm sorry, I get attached to people really fast," he said. 

 "I have a thing for clingy guys so you're in luck," she hugged him back. 

 The Master stood with Pierre when Jen opened the door. There was someone else too, who looked a little pissed off, like he was trying to hide it. 

 He seemed to be from the room right next to Zel's. She wondered who he was. She wondered why he was angry. She wondered if Zel liked him too.

 He followed the Master in as she made her way out to leave. Jen stopped when she heard a soft accented voice behind her.

 "Excuse me?" Pierre said, getting her attention.

 Jen turned around and noticed who it was. "Relax beautiful, Zel is exactly my type. But I didn't make any moves on him," she said. "I don't want all the trouble that comes with provoking that beast you call 'Sir'."

 "But he seems a little... wary of you," said Pierre. He hadn't seen anyone talk to him the way they felt like, apart from Tadashi. And now her.

 "Let's just say we have a bit of a... history. And I might have tortured him a little the last time he was sick, a few years ago."

 Pierre's eyebrows went up. That felt oddly good to hear.

 "I wanted to apologize for earlier," said Pierre. "I shouldn't have been so rude."

 "I wasn't really bothered by it. I get a little territorial sometimes too. I understand," she said. 

 "I wasn't being territorial," Pierre was blushing furiously. 

 "And I'm not attracted to Zel. That seem fair to you?" She asked him sarcastically. 

 Pierre sighed. Weirdly he wanted to be himself with her. "It's a little complicated, but I'm sorry," his voice was so sincere. 

 It was even hard to picture him rolling his eyes now.

Zel was right. He really is kind.

 "It's okay, don't sweat it. Oh and your remedy, impressive." She aimed a sideways smirk at him.

 "You think so?" His eyes lit up before looking down. "I thought in another life I could try and be a doctor. Thank you." 

 "I mean it," Jen smiled. "You could still be in this one if you want." 

 Pierre shook his head politely and smiled. 

 "I gotta go," said Jen. "But make sure Zel gets enough rest for the next two days. You can do that for me right?"

 "Yes, you can trust me," Pierre nodded.

  "I know, don't hesitate to let me know if anything comes up," she said before walking out.

<<<

 It was the same day that Jet took the Master on their first date. It started out well until everything took a downside.

 The Master settled down as he smirked at Jet from across the table. 

 "I really went all out, didn't I?" Jet said sarcastically. "Please, have a seat."

“This is so romantic I’m feeling bubbly inside,” the Master replied. His mood had lifted significantly after he’d seen that Zel was indeed fine. He left him resting after his worry had died down.

“I know. I’m good at these kinds of things,” Jet replied.

These days it was a little harder to read him. He didn’t seem as hostile as before but he wasn’t really friendly either.

The Master felt the urge to fluster him. “So how did your jerk off session go?” He hid his smile.

Jet almost knocked over a cup with wine inside it. He caught it just when a few drops sloshed onto the table cloth. He tried to compose himself. The Master was beyond amused.

“That good huh?” He said to rile him up further.

Jet cleared his throat and avoided the subject altogether. “I suddenly feel so glad there is extremely charred meat and crispy scorched pizza on the menu.” He then murmured. “Can’t believe I almost felt bad for you.”

“What do you recommend tonight little cub?”

“I recommend you stop calling me that unless you want some black crust shoved down your throat.”

“Oh I wouldn’t want that,” he mused. “How about no?”

I know where your family is.

The more the Master spoke to Jet, the further away his mind drifted off. He hadn’t known for long, but he finally got to the bottom of it. He knew where Jet’s family was. He knew what happened, he knew why it happened.

He’d been so inside his own head he didn’t notice the silence on the table. Jet was looking at him cautiously.

He’d worn a loose fitting vest that now exposed a lot of his arm tattoos. The Master didn’t stare at them; it was a trap.

He couldn’t help it sometimes, he’d stare at them when Jet was sound asleep next to him when the light came pouring into the room. Jet always hugged the pillow and buried his face in it when he was far gone and comfortable. And that’s when he stared until almost every tattoo was now burned into his mind and memory.

“Tell me about your family,” he blurted out, somehow sounding like he knew what he was talking about.

He didn’t expect the instant reply. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. It sounded like you gave a fuck.”

Jet’s hand was on the table and he noticed the other rubbing the back of it. He noticed it a lot. Enough to deduce that it wasn’t nothing at this point. Jet then cracked his knuckles.

“Tell me about your family,” Jet threw the question back at him.

“Fair enough,” said the Master. He wanted it to end at that, more than anything. But Jet had other plans.

“You’re lonely aren’t you?” Jet asked.

What the fuck was he getting at?

“You don’t have to answer, I know you are. Because I am too.” Jet leaned back. “But unlike you, I accept it, made my peace with it to a point where I’m in love with it.”

The Master tried to keep himself composed. He was getting angry. “What’s your point little cub?”

Jet continued. “You on the other hand, you just can’t accept it can you? Must be nice to have a lot of money,” Jet chuckled. “Imagine buying company for what? Six months? Does that help you sleep at night?”

The sound of glass shattering caused Jet to flinch in the slightest. The wine dripped down the wall, staining it red as it flowed down to the floor.

“Anger issues?” Jet asked. “No wonder you’re all alone.”

The Master got up. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had insulted him like this. Much less a competitor he could disqualify. And yet, he didn’t even begin to think about that.

Everything was on the table, and then everything wasn’t. They were in the air, then forcefully crashing against any surface they landed on. The table was empty. The room was chaotic.

The Master grabbed Jet by his vest until they were both at eye level. “Shut the fuck up while I’m still being nice,” he said. There was an edge to his voice that took all of Jet’s willpower to just keep looking at him.

In that moment he somehow seemed to snap out of it, like he was finally understanding that he had crossed a line.

He still stared back defiantly at the Master. Until they both heard Riley’s voice.

“I’m not sure what’s going on here, but according to some standard, I think I’m supposed to step between the two of you.”

Riley walked closer to them. “I swear to God if one of you punches me…” Riley closed his fist around the Master’s hand. “Let him go sir.”

The Master was so angry he’d completely zoned out until he felt other hands lightly squeezing his.

He dropped his hands, not quite believing that Jet had struck a nerve. He pulled hands to himself and turned around to leave.

Why the fuck was he angry? It wasn’t supposed to matter. A competitor’s opinion shouldn’t matter, he told himself. Especially if he didn’t even have a clue what he was talking about.

Maybe the confines of his room would bring him back to himself.

Not even ten minutes later, his door swung open and Zel walked in, worried.

“I heard all the noise downstairs, Jet’s pretty upset,” he said.

The fuck was he upset for?!

“Now is not a good time Zel,” he said but Zel didn’t budge. “Get out.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” Zel walked towards him instead, but stopped halfway there. “I’m here,” he said.

“Get on your knees,” the Master said.

Zel didn’t question it, wasn’t even surprised by it. He did exactly as he said.

“Crawl the rest of your way to me,” he said and again, Zel didn’t question it, he just did.

He needed this more than he could admit. How the fuck could Zel even know that?

Slowly, he was coming back to himself. He looked down at Zel where he knelt just before reaching the bed. “Look at me.”

Zel turned his eyes to him and bit his lip. He was always so oblivious to everything he was doing it was adorable as fuck.

“Take your shirt off.”

Zel took his shirt off and looked down.

“I didn’t say you could stop looking at me.”

The mismatched eyes quickly found his. “Now put it back on.”

As soon as Zel did, he told him to do it again. Whenever the Master got like this, it always turned brutal until he was satisfied. He wasn’t letting it go there tonight.

There was no need to scare him. Especially when he’d done absolutely nothing, and he wasn’t exactly well. So he stuck to light, harmless things. It worked well enough that he felt the last shred of anger leave him.

Stroking Zel’s face, he stared fondly. “That was good,” he said. He knew Zel was beaming on the inside. He was starting to know him that well. “Come here.”

Zel was now on the bed with the Master, clinging to him like a leech.

“Why did you come?”

“Like I told you, I’ve missed you,” Zel wrapped his hands around the Master and rested his head on his chest. He was basically using the Master’s body as his bed. “I couldn’t properly have a moment when you were mad at me for you know… lying.”

The Master ran his hands up and down Zel’s back. “That feels good… I’m really tired now,” the small man yawned.

“You weren’t tired just a few moments ago,” said the Master.

“Because you needed me,” Zel replied.

His hand stopped, but Zel didn’t move. He seemed to tighten his arms around him before the soft snores filled the quiet of the room.

It felt like a repeat of that day about ten years ago, of that moment when he got butterflies for the first time.

This was not bound to end well.

30

Riley was convinced that there was nothing as sexy as watching the Master wear his watch. His eyes remained glued to him now as he did just that.

 "Right when the tag game was announced, you broke a rule my darling. You didn't think I had let you off easy did you? Or did you think I wouldn't know?" Riley was asked.

“Now that I think of it, I was sort of hoping you would be watching.”

Riley’s boldness knew no bounds. It’s what everyone told him. He didn’t want to disappoint.

“Punishment, or disqualification. It’s your pick,” the Master told him.

“You know it darling,” Riley gripped the Master’s hips then sunk to his knees. “Punish me.” He said looking up.

Riley immediately leaned into the hand that fastened on his jaw. “Are people born with this kind of confidence or do they acquire it?” The Master regarded him on his knees before him, he looked up eagerly.

“I could ask you the same question,” he replied.

Somewhere in the last couple of weeks, being fucked by the Master had started to become addictive. He didn’t know when exactly, but here he was now, hoping to get another fix.

“Hmm.” The Master said. His hands went down to pull his shirt off. Riley raised his hands to comply and as soon as they were back, he was unbuckling the belt before him.

As soon as the hard length bobbed out, it disappeared right into Riley’s mouth.

The Master hissed and grabbed Riley’s curly hair.

“You seem a bit desperate for me today darling… you want it hard then?”

Riley pulled away to reply. “Maybe I just like your cock.” He stroked it hard, earning a deep groan from the Master.

“That’s enough,” the Master said. He pulled away and walked behind him. He ran his hand down Riley’s chest from where he stood. His pulse quickened.

He felt a hot breath on the side of his neck before the raspy voice spoke. “Take those pants off. Let me see you.”

If Riley was anyone else, he’d have gasped at the way the voice oozed sex without even trying. His pants were off and he was on his feet. Until he was being flipped over the big bed.

It took about a minute to prep him. And less before the Master was already thrusting deep inside him. He grunted with pleasure.

He didn’t understand the punishment at all, they were going too fast.

The Master tightly gripped his hands to the bed and rammed mercilessly into him. Slapping noises erupted from where Riley’s ass touched his skin at rapid speeds.

“You seem…desperate too…Sir,” Riley managed to say.

It earned him a harder thrust and he groaned out loud. Strong hands closed around his neck and squeezed. It wasn’t that uncomfortable, but it wasn’t gentle.

The Master definitely had a kink that involved choking particularly him. He wasn’t going to bring it up like that, he didn’t have enough information anyway. But he could tell he more than liked it. He felt so good inside him that he lost his train of thought for a second before coming back to it.

“Why…” he grunted. “Do you choke me so hard, sir?”

“Because you love it.”

True.

“And because you can take it.”

True.

“That’s all.”

Bullshit.

It has to be more than that. Riley’s brain couldn’t stop telling him that, and he could feel it. It was almost too possessive.

“You can let go now,” the Master’s breath was getting more ragged.

He didn’t understand why he was holding back but he did exactly as he was told. He could feel the moan grip him before it tore through his lips. The intoxicating pleasure of his climax as it exploded through him.

His release looked creamy against the brown of his skin.

And then the Master was cleaning it up with his tongue. Riley shuddered at the sensation of the softness and the action itself.

The Master hadn’t stopped fucking him, only slowed down. Even now that his orgasm had subsided.

Riley felt him stiffen first before the Master claimed his lips in a kiss that would have bruised if it could.

He felt something. Whatever it was, he felt it at that moment with the Master coming deep inside him while making love to his tongue.

Riley moaned and pulled him closer. He could taste himself off his lips. It was hot as fuck.

He couldn’t get enough of the Master’s lips and from the look of things, the Master wanted him as equally. It was one of the longest kisses in his life.

His lips were bitten, sucked and toyed with. His heart thundered inside his chest. Did it always feel like this?

Riley pushed himself away when it was getting too much. Too intense he couldn’t handle it. Riley Bridges couldn’t handle one kiss? Yeah no one would believe that.

It was a little awkward after that for a few moments before Riley spoke. They had both given more into the little act than they’d intended. It had to be uncomfortable.

“Punishment isn’t so bad after all,” the look on Riley’s face was dreamy as he pulled on his clothes. The last of the awkwardness floating away.

“It’s cute that you think the punishment has even begun,” said the Master. “That was what you call a quickie in case you didn’t know.”

“What?”

“Sorry I didn’t realize it would be so difficult to understand. I wouldn’t punish you without taking my clothes off it was sexual… or maybe I would. And it would have definitely been more intense-”

“I know what a quickie is! Thank you for the clarification,” Riley rolled his eyes.

The Master chuckled. “Seemed like you didn’t, so I just had to make sure.”

“What’s going on in that head of yours, sir?”

The Master smirked. “Oh not much at all,” he then cocked his head and looked at Riley. “Answer me this, who makes your favorite food?”

The question might have caught Riley a little off guard with the way his eyes slightly widened then went back to normal.

“Well,” Riley suddenly seemed shy, something that seemed impossible. “Don’t tell him or whatever but Mason makes heaven in a pot.”

He avoided looking at Alexander as if he was feeling ashamed of the admission. “Uhh… Pierre is amazing too, and Zel bakes like those little hands invented cake,” he shrugged.

He’d ended up naming everyone who could cook. Jet and Linder still had a long way to go but they were making some progress.

It was much better than what the Master wanted to hear.

“But yours is my favorite,” Riley finished.

He wasn’t expecting that. The Master’s heart might have skipped a beat.

Of course it didn’t, you’re just getting a little old. He told himself.

Riley looked like he was trying to look anywhere else as he took a finger and scratched at nothing at the back of his ear.

It definitely wasn’t cute like his brain was trying to convince him to think. What the fuck was wrong with him!

“Well it’s good to know that I can keep you satisfied.” He needed the distraction with the double entendre. “But you won’t have any of that for the half of this month. You’ll do your own cooking. And that’s your punishment.”

“You can’t be serious,” Riley’s face suddenly scowled.

“Where exactly is the joke?” The Master deadpanned.

He was seeing a lot of Riley he didn’t think was there before. His eyes were pleading and he oddly took satisfaction in that.

“You can’t be- Do you know how much that sucks?!”

Riley was yet to put on his shirt. His posture was perfect as he stood facing Alexander. The band of his sweatpants hugged his hips perfectly as the toned muscle disappeared into them. It seemed there was an itch that was getting harder to scratch out, because he wanted him again.

“Like breaking my generous rules?” He asked, ignoring all the excitement flowing southwards. The faster Riley got out, the better.

He took a moment as if he was contemplating something. The Master watched his brows furrow in stubbornness before he huffed and stalked aggressively to the door.

Thank fuck.

“Tread carefully darling, a taste of someone else’s food and you’ll be gone.” It wasn’t a threat, but he was dead serious.

Riley walked out and the Master released a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

‘But yours is my favorite.’

Who the fuck were these competitors?

Mason’s night wasn’t that comfortable, but he was just glad to finally catch some sleep.

The previous days had him overthinking. He was always thinking a lot, always. From the moment he arrived till now.

Now, it had to do with several men. It was confusing, difficult to even picture and most definitely weird. But that didn’t stop him or keep his thoughts away.

He wondered if any of them saw the things he was seeing. Felt the weird things he was feeling.

On the day they had ended the tag game, after a while, Mason had gone ahead to find Zel.

He wanted to apologize, probably for being the worst teammate out there.

What he found hadn’t been something he was expecting, not by a long shot. It was proven by the way he gasped first and took a step back.

And then he was ready to tear them apart for all the trouble they could be starting up. Only if his legs stopped being lead right where he stood watching.

Zel had his legs around Riley’s waist and they were both lost in one of the most passionate kisses he’d ever seen. So lost they didn’t hear the door open, or maybe they just didn’t care, either could be the reason.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Mason figured that Riley could do it, the rules were suspended to him after all. There wouldn’t be a problem if he had initiated the kiss.

He hoped to the heavens he was right because there was no way he was getting his legs to move anytime soon. He couldn’t stop them. Shamelessly he just kept on watching, excited and transfixed.

His hand was tight on the door and the sounds they made did not help one bit.

Riley’s shirt stretched a little over his defined muscles and wide but lean frame that was clearly taken good care of while Zel was all soft and tiny and way too adorable for his own good.

They were like exact opposites now that he thought about it. Everything about them contrasted. Why had that been sexy?

Mason couldn’t do it anymore when they moved over to the bed. They didn’t even break the kiss, not even once. But Riley seemed to now be crushing Zel’s weight under him, as the kiss seemed to intensify yet again.

It was so hot Mason couldn’t take it anymore. He closed the door and took a moment to just breathe. Maybe some cold air would be nice too.

Thankfully, no one would probably come around here. The owners of the two rooms were currently inside one, going about their own business.

All the forces at work decided it best to send Jet his way. The entire situation was fucked up. He had a very visible erection and no way to hide it.

He watched him open Riley’s door while he didn’t budge from the front of Zel’s.

“Move,” said Jet, standing before him.

“Uh… no,” replied Mason, making small movements restlessly.

Jet’s eyes looked both bored and excited he couldn’t place it. To his horror, the eyes travelled down.

“What are you looking at!” he said quickly.

Jet’s eyes flew to his. “You’re-”

“It’s a medical condition,” Mason cursed himself internally. “Not exactly fun to get your penis standing up randomly but that’s none of your business.”

That seemed to fluster him a little. He watched him swallow. “Have you… seen Riley?”

“I haven’t…” Mason’s voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I haven’t seen him.”

Jet nodded and turned to go. He then paused like he wanted to say something, then shook his head and continued to walk away.

World hunger, spiders, dirty fingernails, Thanos’s chin. Mason conjured all the unpleasant and disgusting things in his head until he’d gone soft.

He couldn’t understand it. And it kept him up at night, thinking why he loved seeing it so much. Or why he thought it was such a beautiful thing, or why he wanted to be a part of it.

In the dead of night, a figure crawled into Masons bed. For a short while, it had him thinking about how it was something his niece would definitely be doing.

He didn’t panic, and as soon as there was body contact, he realized he’d know that touch anywhere.

“Can’t sleep,” said Linder. His usually sweet voice was thick with sleep and had just the tiniest difference to it.

Mason sought him out in the dark and was immediately alarmed. “What’s wrong? Your face feels a little wet.”

He turned the light on to see that his eyes were red, and so was his nose. Linder looked away as if he was embarrassed. “Turn out the light please. Please… no light. P-”

“Okay, okay, I’ve got you,” Mason cradled his head against his chest. “Anything you want okay?”

Linder nodded and sniffled. “You’re so warm,” his voice cracked and Mason frowned in the dark.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked the distressed male in his arms.

“No…” Linder said and Mason’s heart broke.

“Okay then,” he said. “I’m here. Don’t hesitate to tell me what you need.”

“You,” Linder had listened, he didn’t hesitate.

How could one word, bring so much distortion to his mind?

“Linder…”

“Don’t dig into it Mason, at least not tonight. Just stay like this please?” Linder fingered the buttons of his pajama shirt while he not so subtly inhaled his scent.

Mason tightened his arms around him. “As long as you need baby.”

It felt nice, being there for someone, easing their burden. If he was actually doing that.

He’d only ever guessed Linder was fragile, now he knew it. There was no way he could mistake all the pain in his voice and eyes.

His heart ached too.

“I’m not sure how to make you feel better bu-”

Linder cut him short. “Do you mind if we cuddle?”

Mason’s thoughts ran wild. Of course I mind Linder! Because how am I supposed to control myself then?! I’m trying my damnest here you know…

“Sure Linder, anything,” he answered.

31

Zel had never seen Pierre naked before, and he realized he really wanted to. The anticipation filled his insides with a fire that would only go out once it happened.

It didn’t matter to him that there was going to be three of them naked in a few moments. It was going to be overwhelming, but he wanted it so bad he was fine with that.

He shuddered. “It’s been torture the whole day sir, please!”

Pierre moaned frustratedly next to him which did not help Zel’s arousal one bit.

The intensity of the vibrators inside them kept changing with the Master’s mood, and they had to act as if they were perfectly fine the entire day.

It was nothing short of torture. Especially while they all had dinner.

“I don’t think disobedience is your best suit here,” the Master said.

That jolted Zel back to focus. He inched closer to Pierre. The Master had told each of them to take off the other’s clothes and they were acting shy about it.

Right before Zel could do it, Pierre backed away from him. He was a little shocked until understanding washed over him.

He realized he was the problem here, the intruder. With the way Pierre’s eyes kept darting to the Master’s, he understood there was a level of trust there, so much that he sought comfort in his gaze every now and then.

Zel was the one he didn’t trust. It had to be because it would be their first time. He had to find a way to make him just a little more comfortable.

“You can take mine off first okay?” He told Pierre who nodded eagerly.

Zel felt his hands tremble slightly before his shirt was being slowly lifted off. He couldn’t look Pierre in the eye after it was off, even as he continued to stare at him.

Next, his pants were pulled off and it was now Pierre’s turn. He was excited and only prayed that Pierre would let him.

Relief washed over him when he did.

Pierre’s blush ran down all the way to his chest and Zel wanted to burrow his face against it and kiss him.

But he focused on the pants he was supposed to take off.

The Master watched while he tore his clothes off, then joined them on the bed, his cock growing harder by the second.

“Come here,” he growled.

It sent a thrill through Zel, and looking over at Pierre, he must have felt the same thing.

Pierre hurtled towards Zel when his ass was slapped. His whimper sent tingles straight to Zel’s dick.

“On all fours, both of you,” the measured, deep calculated voice said.

Zel’s knees were about to buckle with all the vibrations going on inside him. He was so ready to beg the Master to remove the devices, but maybe it was already happening. He felt his underwear being slipped off.

His shoulder brushed Pierre’s as they both knelt side by side. He felt a tug, and with the way Pierre arched his back, he must have felt something of the same sort.

Pain flashed against Zel’s butt cheeks when he felt the slap across them.

He moaned nonetheless, then felt another. Each spank became more painful than the last. Until he was writhing and begging the Master for something more, mixed in a haze of pain and pleasure.

“Sir… please! Please…” Zel cried out.

“Please what?” The Master asked while rubbing over the flesh he’d just abused.

“I don’t know if I want you to…slow down or if I want more? I don’t know…I’m sorry Sir. I’m really –”

“Save it for later. I’m not done with you yet.”

He had a moment to catch his breath while Pierre went through the same thing, but a little different. Because the Master did it while pulling the device out.

Zel wanted that too. He was almost at the point where he couldn’t take anymore of the stimulation.

He got lost watching Pierre’s flesh dance under the Master’s firm hand. It was hypnotic. He couldn’t hear much, until the Master was above him again, spreading his legs.

The vibrations stopped once the device was out and Zel felt like he could finally breathe, and yet he wanted more.

He spread Zel’s legs wider. And then he felt the cold lube at his opening, and the Master’s fingers pushing inside at the same time he watched the other hand enter Pierre.

Shamelessly, Zel couldn’t control himself, he started fucking himself on the Master’s fingers.

“So greedy,” the Master groaned while pulling out of him.

“No! I–I want your cock, please,” Zel begged.

“Hmm, and I wanted the truth. I wanted obedience, but what did I get?” He teased but to Zel, it stung.

“I don’t– I don’t want you to be disappointed in me please…” Zel started. “I love it when you praise me, when you’re happy with me…I’m s–”

“Fuck,” the Master closed his eyes and opened them. “I know princess, but you’ve been bad, so you’re going to be punished. It won’t happen again, will it?”

“No Sir! I won’t keep anything from you again,” Zel desperately wanted him to believe it.

The Master nodded. “Good. But we’re still not done.”

The Master went to stand behind Pierre. All the while he’d been talking to Zel, he’d been rolling on a condom, and now he couldn’t wait much longer either.

“Take his cock in your mouth princess,” the Master said.

If Zel was shocked by it, he didn’t show it. All he knew was he wanted Pierre so badly.

He only scooted over to where he was and lowered his head, Pierre watched him with the deepest blush he’d ever seen on his face and swallowed. He looked a little impatient, so Zel flicked his tongue over the head of the shaft and took it inside his mouth.

Pierre hissed and jerked a little violently at the action. But the Master had his hands trapped behind him, leaving him exposed for Zel to explore for a few seconds.

And then the Master suddenly thrusted inside him.

“Ah! Putain !” Pierre whined. Zel sucked more of him inside his mouth.

The Master thrusted inside him continuously in long, hard strokes.

“Si-sir… ah! Can I – can I kiss him? S’il vous plaît ?”

Zel paused and let the cock fall out of his mouth. Pierre wanted to kiss him? His own dick twitched.

“Please Sir,” Zel added, his voice sounded especially needy.

The Master barely nodded before the two rushed at each other. Especially Zel because he was free, but he felt the moment Pierre’s body jerked forward to try and meet him halfway. He held him tighter and fucked him harder.

Zel’s heart threatened to explode when Pierre’s lips were finally on his. The Master’s thrusts only added to the sparks—like he could feel everything he was putting into Pierre through his mouth.

Their lips moved in perfect sync as they tested the waters for the first time, like they’d done this before.

Pierre happened to be a really good kisser, a little contrary to Zel’s expectations.

He expected him to be way too shy to properly explore him. He expected for the kiss to be light, feathery touches of their lips. That still would have been enough for him.

But Pierre had even nipped his bottom lip and pulled him closer, he’d licked him, claimed him, groaned inside his mouth, and played with his tongue. Zel was lost and drowning in the pleasure Pierre was giving him. It was totally unlike him, unlike his shy nature.

“Fuck…” the Master said. Zel heard it when he groaned. “That’s enough.”

He pulled Pierre back to break the kiss and Zel wanted the softness back already. He couldn’t understand why the Master was asking that, when his face said something else.

The thrusts were now harder, and not as many before Pierre started begging the Master to let him come.

“Go ahead,” the Master whispered in his ear.

Just before Pierre could properly release, the Master pulled out of him and stopped any other stimulation on his body.

It didn’t feel quite right to Pierre. He was coming, but it felt horrible, like he wasn’t exactly coming. “What was that Sir? I didn’t like it at all.”

The Master smirked. “That’s because I’m punishing you,” was all he said.

Pierre had a sour look on his face as the Master moved over to Zel and did the same thing.

This time, Pierre was sucking him off, taking his mind off his own ruined orgasm and filling it with Zel’s cries. Zel closed his eyes because if he kept on looking at him, he was going to come and then the consequences would be dire. It was that bad. He’d never seen someone so beautiful in his life.

When he reached his climax, the Master did the same thing to him. And Pierre was right. It was not nice.

“That’s just mean sir!” Zel said while he tried not to pout. “So not cool.”

“I know,” the Master replied with a chuckle.

He’d done it again, and again and over and over until he’d reduced the two to a begging mess. But that was after anger, frustration, negotiation and irritation.

“Please Sir… enough,” Pierre’s eyes were wet with tears of frustration. “Really…need…”

“We’re not disobeying you again,” Zel’s voice shook. “Please…” Zel was sure he couldn’t take anymore. He’d probably die. It felt terrible to be over stimulated the entire day, and then be denied release at the last minute.

The Master smirked. “Very good.”

He fucked them slowly this time, long slow strokes, soft moans filled the room, they were kissing him, and then they were kissing each other and then they were coming. Finally.

Pierre looked like he was about to pass out, and Zel could barely get a proper word out.

They couldn’t even move when they were done. Pierre had already passed out after finally reaching his release.

Zel was half asleep watching him fondly as the Master cleaned them up, all the stickiness disappearing with the warm cloth passed over their bodies. He left kisses on random parts of each of their bodies, an indecipherable expression on his face. But he was so utterly tender.

When the Master left again, probably taking back the cloth, probably cleaning himself up, he stayed too long, and Zel still couldn’t properly sleep.

“Sir!” Zel’s sleepy voice called out, careful not to wake Pierre next to him, trying not to pay mind to how cute he looked in his sleep. “Sir!”

“What is it princess?” The Master climbed onto the bed, fixing the pillows for Pierre to be more comfortable.

“I thought you’d passed out in the bathroom. If you must know, I need you…here,” Zel threw one leg over the Master and settled his head against his shoulder once he was lying down.

The Master didn’t reply, frustrating him all the more.

“Say something sir,” he yawned. “I feel sleepy but I can’t sleep yet, that’s weird,” Zel giggled.

“You’ll get your bookshelves back after two weeks,” the Master replied.

“Jeez! You suck at being romantic,” said Zel, he turned a little and rubbed his cheek on the shoulder he was leaning on. “But you always smell so good, so I’ll forgive you.”

The Master lay holding the two warm bodies long after Zel had finally slept. He couldn’t really sleep for at least an hour, confused with himself, his behavior that wasn’t exactly normal lately.

When Pierre moved a little and made a few soft sounds, his chest squeezed. And when Zel moved in response to hold him tighter, his heartbeat spiked.

He sighed at looked up to the ceiling.

It’s just a phase. It had to be.

By the middle of the two weeks Riley was supposed to take his punishment, he was extremely angry to a point he actually considered disqualification.

He was very irritable and impatient, snapping at every living creature in his way. It was almost like his personality had turned the complete opposite.

“Do you want to read a book?” Zel peeked inside his room and asked him innocently.

For some reason he snapped. “Do I look like I want to read?!” He wanted to eat something for fuck’s sake. Anything made by anyone else.

Zel scrunched his face in irritation. “You don’t have to be so rude about it,” he said.

“Yeah? If you don’t like it then fuck off!” Riley said then walked out the door past Zel, like he couldn’t stand to be close to him.

Zel didn’t make it easy. He followed him instead, his quick steps trying to match Riley’s long strides.

“Calm down Ry! Are you pregnant or something?!” Zel called after him.

Riley didn’t stop, he kept walking while muttering something about babies under his breath.

“Are you hungry? I know you become annoying when you’re hungry, and you’ve been eating a lot less lately. Is everything okay? Can I fix you something?” Zel asked, still trying to catch up with him.

“I don’t want your damn food!”

They carried on bickering and fighting, snide remarks and whiny voices. They must have been loud because it brought a third person to their arguments.

“Would you two just shut the fuck up?!” Jet shouted, stunning the two into quietness for a little while.

Riley was quick to recover. “Why don’t you try–”

“Riley!” A gentle and yet commanding voice stopped him from possibly starting a fight.

There was absolute quiet. And then Jet stilled, like he was unable to turn and look at the Master. The Master didn’t react, but he noticed the glance he threw his way. He didn’t seem angry at him, so he wondered if they’d talked about their fight at some point. It was a weird tension between them, but before he could ponder it any longer, Jet seemed to be thrown back into himself and he walked away just as the Master approached.

The Master inspected him for a while before speaking. “Do you really hate feeding yourself that much?”

Riley rolled his eyes and crossed his arms where he sat on the couch.

“I think he’s hungry sir, he won’t admit he wants something to eat, even when I offered,” said Zel in what looked like a permanent pout.

“I already said I don’t want your fucking food,” Riley snapped again.

“Hey,” the Master searched his gaze. “Since when do you talk to him like that?” He furrowed his eyebrows.

If Riley paid closer attention then he’d understand the look on Zel’s face. He wasn’t, but he just knew it had to do with how the Master said what he did.

“Is it the punishment? Is that what you’re being so difficult about?” He was asked calmly.

“Ry is being punished?” Zel asked wide eyed.

The Master nodded, saying nothing about the way Zel had already shortened his name.

Riley turned his head the other way.

“You broke a rule darling, it’s only fair you take the punishment in stride, without stringing other people along.”

The Master’s tone had changed now. He crouched right next to where Riley sat. His brows raised in question while he looked up at Riley with patience in his eyes.

Riley knew he was right but it would just suck if he just agreed with him. So why the fuck was he slowly nodding his head?

“It’s been a week and you’re already doing so well,” the Master continued. He got up and bent down to kiss Riley’s forehead. A first. It was rare for him to be so nonsexual about a kiss.

The praise worked wonders. Or maybe it was his voice, maybe it was the kiss or maybe it was nothing at all. The reason for his anger had been the only person who could bring him back to himself. And that’s when he knew that there was a possibility he was fucked.

The Master made his way out again, going to the direction Jet disappeared into, saying there was somewhere he had to be.

He turned to Zel watching the Master leave. He figured there was a possibility that Zel too, was fucked.

“Zel,” he said calmly, ashamed at the way he had been snapping at the innocent male. Ashamed didn’t quite cover it. He was horrified at his own stupidity. He hoped to God it wasn’t the case but he would understand if Zel didn’t want to talk to him.

“Wha–” Zel turned to him, still seeming a little dazed.

“I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I’m sorry about all this,” said Riley. He felt like he was skating on thin ice. “Being such a douchebag.”

How could he have been such an asshole to Zel? Also, he was scared of the silence. Say something! He aggressively willed.

To his relief, Zel’s face softened and he only saw the warmth he was used to.

“It’s fine Ry, I didn’t know you were facing punishment. I have an apology of my own,” said Zel.

“No, you don’t owe me an apology.”

“Yes I do. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was sick. You can pretend all you want but I know it’s part of the reason you are so mad at me,” Zel pursed his lips then let them go, biting his lip.

“I’m not mad at that,” Riley replied, all of his focus on what Zel was doing with his lip.

“Yeah you are. You me told to… fuck off… you’d never say that to me. No matter what,” said Zel.

It was the first time he’d heard a cuss word leave Zel’s mouth. And it was just too cute. But Zel was right. He’d been so fucking mad, especially when he learned that Zel was seeing a doctor while Pierre and the Master waited outside his door. They were grumpy at the time but he was furious, but not anymore.

Why, was what he wanted to know. Why did it bother him so much that Zel kept something like that from him.

If this had happened in the first month they were here, it wouldn’t have meant anything to him. Sure he wouldn’t want Zel to die or anything but he wouldn’t have given a fuck. About Zel or anyone else.

Right now, he was starting to give more and more fucks everyday. About Zel. And about a bunch of other men.

“Okay. You’re right, but I’m not mad anymore,” Riley moved closer to him and opened his hands wide. “Come here.”

Zel excitedly wrapped his hands around him. He’d come to learn that the blond haired man was a really good hugger that even now he felt at ease. He really had to tell his hands to stop seeking out Zel’s waist all the time. Fuck.

“I can’t get it off my mind,” Zel said quietly. He knew exactly what he was talking about.

“Neither can I,” Riley replied.

They were quiet after that. Both thinking about their first and only kiss.

To Mason’s understanding, the gala was almost like a sort of a modern ball with the rule that everyone wore a name tag with a fake name. And you could only refer to people with the name on their tag. It was a little mysterious, and a little weird.

 The Master had asked him what he wanted on his tag and told him it couldn't be his actual name. When he'd asked why, he only said it was to keep him safe. 

 Vanilla. That was the name he'd chosen. Because he felt like being sarcastic. They'd even worn matching tuxes, as if to tell everybody; '

look! we’re a couple!“ He tried not to think about it.

 There was to be dinner, a dance and then an auction of some sort. It was all so fancy and new to him. 

 He'd never had so many people so desperate to take his picture before. Immediately they were out of the limo, he closed his eyes at the lights from all the cameras, he didn't expect it so he couldn't even know where to look.

 The Master had held his waist possessively whispered to him not to worry as they made their way in, him subtly shielding him from most of the paparazzi.

 There were a few people he'd ever only seen on TV, and a ton of other people who looked like they spent their baby days in cradles made from gemstones.

 Everyone looked so sparkly and shiny it made him feel a little self conscious.

 He didn't understand exactly why the Master had to be here, but it seemed like he had no choice. 

 Rich people had a different way they talked with each other. Almost everything they said was more complicated than it sounded. He had to admit, he kind of enjoyed it, creating several responses inside his head he'd dare not let out.

 Mason was wrong to smile back at the lady who approached them. "Hi!" She said excitedly.

 The Master didn't even smile at her, only spared her a glance and nodded.

Fuck, he’s so hot, Mason thought.

 It became clear to him what she was doing, she tried so much to wedge herself between them, pushing her chest against the Master to expose her cleavage to him. Acting like Mason wasn't right there. Embarrassing the hell out of herself, it was so sad.

 "The fu–" The Master started.

 "Excuse us..." Mason cut in. He didn't think the Master would've gone easy on her, and he didn't want to see it. 

 He read her name tag. "Umm... Uglisha, I can't say it's a pleasure to meet you because your hideous dress," Mason shook his head. "I can't do it to my eyes anymore. Sorry." It was a dismissal, and maybe a little bit of claiming his territory.

 She scoffed, shocked. "It's Ursula! And do you know how much this dress cost?!" 

 "Listen," Mason said politely. "Would you believe it if I told you I didn't give two shits?" 

 At her shocked expression, he pulled away and took the Master with him.

 "That was very smooth, I'm a little impressed," said the Master. 

 "Yeah?" Mason turned to him, looking at the name on his tag, it was expertly chosen.

Kink. It read, just the opposite of his.

 "Yeah," he replied. Right before they could properly have a moment, someone came up to them. 

 "Hey um... Kink, Vanilla," he dipped his head in a way of greeting. There was a halfway finished drink in his hand. 

 It puzzled him how no one here could finish one little glass. He'd emptied more than five glasses in the first five minutes they had arrived. 

 And then the Master had taken probably the seventh glass from him. "Calm down, no more alcohol for you," he'd said, and that was that. 

 The Master suddenly pulled him closer. The who approached them was Colossal. Or at least that's what the name tag said. 

 "It's really rare to see you with anyone Sir," Mason noted the

‘sir’ as Colossal spoke. “Are you guys…” his voice drifted away, trying so poorly to hide his disapproval.

 The Master spoke. "Vanilla and I were just discussing what sex positions made babies faster. He wants three."

 "Honey!" Mason played along. "I said at least seven."

 The Master chuckled. "Maybe you'll have to convince me when we get home," the Master leaned in and Mason pecked his lips. 

 "Now if you'll excuse us," he said soothingly. "I need to pay more attention to this beauty."

 Mason willed everything in him not to blush.

 After they were away, the Master's demeanor changed. "I acted the way I did because Colossal is... homophobic. He just tries to hide it most times."

 Right. That was acting.

 "For a man as smart as you, you really are stupid. I think he is in love with you, that was a little harsh."

 "Him?" The Master laughed. "He's not in love with me– how could anyone–"

 What? Love your dumbass?!

Mason wanted to lecture him about the fact that anyone could be loved, even his dumb self. But it would only turn the situation uncomfortable.

 "Ask him the next time you meet him, you've got the balls. Why do you think he hated seeing me?"

 "He's homophobic?"

 "Does he avoid you?"

  "No," the Master led him away from the main gathering, away from everyone.

 "Why do you think dumbass?"

 The Master sighed. "I see your point. You can shut up now."

 The Master had led him to an empty room and closed the door, then slammed him against the wall.

 "Wh- What are you doing?" Mason asked. 

 "Pushing your pants down, we wouldn't want them ruined would we?" The Master replied casually. 

 "I guess n- ahh!" Mason lost his train of thought. "There's still several things to do...fuck!" He felt a steady hand grope him.

 "If you make any loud noises," the Master said in a very low voice. "Someone will hear, and remember, we don't have the key to this room."

 Mason bit down on his lower lip to muffle his moans and nodded. 

 "You're going to cum from only my fingers," the Master extended his hand to Mason's mouth. "Spit," he ordered. 

 Once Mason's saliva coated his fingers, he felt them prodding at his entrance. His own cock twitching with desire. The Master built a rhythm with his fingers fucking into him. 

 "My name," the Master said, adding a third finger inside Mason. The other man moaned. "It's Alexander."

 Mason gasped.

 "Remember it." He demanded. "And when I'm deep inside you and you can't breath, it'll be the only name on your tongue, because you'll be screaming it, and I'll just keep fucking you."

 Already too stimulated, Mason came from only hearing that. He felt sorry that someone might find dried cum on the wall in the morning or ever but that wasn't what he could focus on. How could someone be so hot!

 Alexander...

It was a name fitting for the man halfway destroying his ass with his fingers. Mason doubted he’d have come right there if the name had been Bob. No offense. It just didn’t suit the Master.

 He moaned and braced himself against the wall, a good amount of energy leaving his body. 

 'You're not important enough to know that detail.'

Those words were probably the only reason he was still in the competition. They reminded him to never cross the line. Reminded him of the type of competition it was.

 Why did he tell him? Could it be-

 "Ahh..." his prostate was rubbed one last time before the fingers left him feeling empty. "You didn't-"

finish.

 The Master turned him around and assertively pressed their lips together. He did it while fixing Mason's clothes and tucking him back inside his pants. Like nothing had just happened.

 How the kiss didn't break throughout it all was beyond him. Mason didn't know what was going on. His mind always snuffed out every time the Master brought their lips together. 

 When he was fully clothed, they broke the kiss. 

 Mason watched for what he would do next. The Master's eyes were so full of desire for him and he wondered if his own reflection in his eyes was the same. 

 "That was enough of an appearance," he said, referring to the gala he was barely interested in. "We're leaving now."

 Oh thank God.

32

Getting out of the gala would have been tedious, hectic and almost impossible if Mason was alone. The sea of people socializing was just endless, the staff, the music, the gowns, the lights, it was quite a lot.

But the Master held his hand, interlaced their fingers, and didn’t let go. They breezed through at least more than fifty people on the way out. The Master acknowledged some people and didn’t make eye contact with others trying to get his attention.

Until they were back in the limo. The protective screen went up immediately they got in. It hadn’t even fully gone up when the Master cupped both his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss.

His frantic actions sent a very clear message to Mason; he was really hungry for any piece of him.

The way the Master kissed him, wasn’t like any other way he’d ever kissed him before. Mason felt a sweet coiling in his gut, a deep urge to somehow take care of this complicated man.

And then he was fiddling with Alexander’s zipper and pulling the rock hard shaft out. It bounced pleasingly at him.

Mason didn’t dare waste a second. He dropped to his knees and put it in his mouth. He found out limos were good for this kind of thing with all of the space he had to move around.

It helped that the driver could neither see or hear them. For some reason, it made the entire experience feel more erotic than it ought to. Everything was more than perfect.

The Master’s hands eased into his hair and tightened on the strands as his head bobbed up and down, squelching sounds escaping his mouth.

The grunts and groans coming from the man on the seat made his chest surge with pride. And by the time it was over, he was now fully hard in his pants. Again.

Mason was pulled up for a kiss that seemed to go on forever, it seemed to get tender at some points, and aggressive at others. That was until the car had come to a stop. They were at the mansion.

Even if they had left the gala earlier than mostly everyone else, it was still pretty late when they got out of the car to get inside the house, a couple of hours slightly past midnight to be precise.

The house was dark and quiet. And it gave Mason some sort of comfort to know that a number of men were fast asleep and safe within it.

He couldn’t control his yelp of surprise when he was lifted off the ground and up onto Alexander’s arms. He didn’t say a word, just kept walking and climbing the stairs until he was in his room, kicking the door closed before setting Mason down.

The touches were not sexual at first, they had more to do with just having body contact more than anything else.

That only lasted until they were tearing their clothes off, the clothes that could not get lost fast enough.

When the feat had finally been accomplished, Mason was backed against the bed. “I don’t like gentle,” he said to the Master in a flurry of urgency and desperation.

“I know, Vanilla pretty much spelt it out,” the Master replied, dropping kisses everywhere his lips could find skin.

Mason was breathless. “Think you can do that?”

“Well, they don’t call me Kinky for nothing,” the Master said before roughly throwing Mason onto the bed.

Talking like that felt thrilling to Mason. They’d been having rough sex from the start, but there was something about assuming they didn’t, just for the sake of it. For the utter anticipation of it.

“I’m going to have to ask you to stop staring at me like that Daddy, I think you owe me a good fuck,” said Mason.

The Master was prepping him in a heartbeat. “Say that again,” he demanded.

Mason moaned. “Say what, Daddy?” He asked innocently.

“Fuck.” The Master entered him.

Mason’s back arched at the force with which it happened, and taking the whole of him inside in one go, that in itself was another name for rough. “Holy sh–”

Before he could get every word out, the Master pulled out and thrust back inside him. “Ahh! Fuck yes…”

Each thrust was hard enough to rock the bed twice as hard as it should have rocked. Over and over, Mason’s body rocked harder than the bed did.

“A-Ale–xander…” Mason let out the strangled word, right next to the Master’s ear.

The slap that landed on his ass echoed across the room. It was so brutal. “Louder,” the Master ordered. Mason only wondered how he could be calm enough to speak well.

“Alexander!”

The Master wasn’t satisfied, and it earned him another slap, harder than the last. “LOUDER,” there was an edge to his voice this time.

“We’ll…ahh! Fuck… we’ll wake them up,” Mason tried to reason with him.

“We won’t. I’m going to ask you a favor,” the Master slowed his thrusts and leaned in until their lips were almost touching. “Do what you want, be as loud as you want to be, just be yourself and let me worry about the rest. Think you can do that?”

Mason couldn’t help himself when he pushed himself up so that their lips touched. He nodded into the kiss, feeling more emotional than he would admit. I

don’t care if he’s an asshole sometimes, I

want a man like this when I leave this place. He made himself a mental note.

The Master pulled out suddenly and Mason was pushed with his back to the bed.

A strong hand fastened around his throat and squeezed, and then two slaps, hard enough to leave bruises, were left against his thigh and ass. His eyes rolled to the back of his head when the Master got back inside him.

“Fuck, fuck! Alexander!” Mason screamed.

“That’s it,” the man inside him said. He approved with a smirk on his face, then slapped him hard.

Mason agreed, this was his dick’s hardest moment yet. Did people get high from being fucked? Because at that moment he could swear he wasn’t anywhere near the ground.

He mumbled unintelligible words until his mouth was covered with the Master’s hand. Muffling everything else that tried to escape.

Alexander then drove in and rubbed his prostate so hard Mason bit his hand.

“Fuck,” His victim said in reaction but still didn’t let go.

Only when he started shuddering did the Master let go of his mouth.

“Daddy!” Mason said, the first chance he got. “Alexander! Please…” he begged.

“Now.” The voice was the only piece of calm he held on to with all the madness going on in his head. “Let go.”

Mason did no less. “Uhh… fffuckkk… fuck Alexander…” his voice turned whiny and small.

He was so in it he didn’t notice the Master was coming, still inside him. How he wished they could do it without protection.

Tremors passed through his body until he was back to himself.

Two words. Holy. Shit.

The Master rolled off him after he was spent and they both stared up at the ceiling, breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” The Master asked, he sounded a little breathless.

Mason’s eyes widened in surprise. People didn’t usually ask him that. They just assumed that because he liked it rough, they could throw whatever they wanted at him, and he’d just take it, because he liked it.

It was just a little, but right there, his standards went up higher.

He nodded. “I’m perfect,” he said honestly.

“You bit my hand,” Mason watched his chest as it rose and fell from his side of the bed.

“I couldn’t control myself, you fuck like the devil,” Mason replied.

“Animal.”

The response was a laugh from Mason as he sought out the Master’s hand on the sheets, then examined it.

He saw red teeth marks lined in a semi circle and couldn’t really believe he’d done that.

“I know I bit you, I just didn’t think I bit this hard,” he said.

The same hand closed around his. “It was really hot.”

The Master pulled him on top of his chest and one hand travelled down to squeeze his naked ass. “Were you comfortable? At the gala?” Mason could sense a tiny bit of worry in his tone. “Did you have a good time?”

“Oh, you mean our date,” Mason corrected. “I got to see another part of you.”

“What else was there to see? I mean you already know I’m gorgeous, sexy, smart–”

“Oh shut up, there’s more to you than that,” Mason said. One logical part of his brain asked him what he was doing, but he quieted it.

“There really isn’t, really,” the Master scoffed. “And yet I know everyone was envious of me.”

“Of course they were,” Mason rolled his eyes, mistaking his honesty for arrogance. His chin rested on the Master’s chest as he looked into his eyes.

“Without a doubt,” Mason’s hair was pushed out of the way from his face. “I know they all wished they had you on their arm.”

He appeared calm on the outside, he wished it was the same inside. He was going crazy. “Shut up,” was all he could say as he felt even more needy and leaned into the hand stroking his hair.

“You made every single person in that gala wear a fake name tag to protect me,” Mason still couldn’t believe it.

“They don’t have to know the details why, so it can’t hurt them,” the Master answered.

“No, but I think you’re actually really sweet.”

“I’ve got a lot of people who would disagree with you,” the Master suddenly turned them around so that Mason was trapped beneath him.

He chuckled at the sudden motion. “Yeah?” Mason asked. “Like who?”

They were smiling at each other, without breaking eye contact. The Master was smiling at him, a genuine smile. And it was really beautiful.

“Like me,” he said then nuzzled his neck and caused Mason to laugh.

“Stop it! That tickles,” Mason was trying so hard to hold it all in.

“Oh you shouldn’t have said that,” the grin on the Master’s face turned evil.

And then he was doing just the opposite of what Mason asked.

Rich laughter filled the room as Mason tried to break free from his torturous hold. He laughed so much tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Until the laughter died slowly and everything stopped being funny as they stared beyond each other’s eyes into their souls.

And then they were kissing like they hadn’t spent a big part of the night doing just that. The tongue tasted magical on his own, like he’d never felt its particular sensation before.

He was hard. He blamed it on the way the way they couldn’t stop bucking against each other. Their cocks rubbed together until it was clear they were both hard.

“Again?” The Master asked him when he could spare a second away from his lips.

He put his hands around Alexander’s neck and pulled him back down. “Again,” he said, then kissed him.

GAME:

The Way Out

You will be given a colored cloth at the start of the maze. You are to find the other cloth of the same color within the maze, and find your way out within the time permitted.

Nothing of assistance will be provided for you, just use your head.

This is a race. Emerge first and you win.

This is a winner gets all, a number of privileges await the winner.

.Good luck.

Alexander sat working in his office when his phone started to ring.

He had a habit of answering without looking at the caller ID, but this time he did.

It wasn’t the first time Zel would be calling him. His princess called him a lot lately. To a point where he started secretly looking forward to his calls.

They talked about a lot of things, they made each other laugh. And then he’d scold Zel for calling him for no reason in particular. And when they hung up, he’d wait for it all over again.

It was getting a little out of hand.

“Hey!”

“What is it princess?” Alexander asked.

“I-uh… hows work going?” Zel asked.

“Is there something you’re calling me for?”

“Yes, don’t hang up. If you hear me out, then I’ll tell you at the end okay?”

The Master sighed and forgot his work for a while. “Alright then.”

“Okay… you didn’t answer. How’s work going?”

“I’m having the time of my life, princess, people aren’t even pissing me off.”

The sarcasm was wasted on Zel, he didn’t get it. “Well that’s great.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

The Master loved Zel’s voice. He even felt himself relax a little.

“Why did you buy me that skirt?” Zel suddenly asked.

It was a short, grey skirt with several pleats around it. A little cute to be honest. “You couldn’t stop looking at it at the store,” Alexander answered matter of factly, hiding the fact that he didn’t expect the question.

When he’d taken Zel out to get whatever sweaters he wanted, he noticed his eyes wander more than three times to the same place. Until he’d figured out what Zel was looking at.

“You don’t want me to wear it?”

“Wear it if you’re comfortable, if you want to, it doesn’t matter to me.”

There was a bit of silence that made Alexander question whether he’d said something wrong.

Apparently lately, he was graduating from asshole because that too, mattered.

“Is that why you called?” He asked.

“Not really. I called because I miss pizza.”

And I miss you. “Alright then, fifteen minutes. Is that okay?”

“No.”

“No?” Alexander rubbed his nape and sighed. “I mean, I could make ten minutes work if you’re that des–”

“No no!” Zel quickly said. “There’s a surprise, but I can’t tell you much. When you get home, please have enough pizza boxes with you…” Zel seemed to think for a minute. “Okay I’ll tell you. I found the movie room.”

It wasn’t really a secret, but the Master listened.

“We’re going to watch a movie. All of us. But don’t tell the others,” Zel whispered like anyone might hear him.

Shit . That couldn’t be good at all.

“That’s why I called. See you later sir, bye!”

He could have bailed out. He tried to convince himself that he should. But he wasn’t even listening to himself lately so it didn’t work.

And it sucked that he was at the point where he couldn’t even dream of breaking his princess’s heart like that. Not after hearing him sound so delighted.

After the movie . Just one movie, and after that he’d detach himself. This entire nonsense had gone far enough.

He felt like he was in a game, like all of them were. And this game had nothing to do with four million dollars.

When his phone rang again, he answered immediately. Wondering what Zel forgot to tell him? Wondering why it made him a little giddy inside and happy.

“Alexander.” The voice said. He’d know that voice anywhere.

He didn’t reply.

“I need to see you.”

“McClure,” the name escaped his lips.

“Since when did you start to use my last name instead?”

“I thought I told you–”

“Please,” he was pleading. “You need to understand…how it all happened.”

“Don’t you mean why?” Alexander’s voice was so bitter. “There’s a reason I don’t contact you. I don’t want anything to do with you or your family. Don’t fucking call me again.”

Alexander hung up. He didn’t know how he’d taken a pencil in his hand, but he only noticed when he’d already broken it in half.

He threw his phone across the office. It broke, or something broke. He didn’t care.

His heart hurt. God, his heart hurt.

33

Zel had somehow convinced everyone to be there for the movie. He believed part of his charm was getting people to listen to him.

Although he sort of bribed Jet. The man had told him a flat out ‘no’ when he’d asked.

Then he’d gone back to think about how he’d try again. By the time he’d made it back to Jet, the idea was perfectly planned in his mind.

‘If you come, I’ll leave you the best book yet, at your door’, was all it took for Jet to narrow his eyes and say he’d think about it.

He was the last to arrive but at least he was there.

Zel had selected a scary movie, of course he had. There was nothing more romantic than that.

Mason sat watching the movie. Zel’s thighs rested on his lap as his legs dangled carelessly on one side.

If he leaned a few inches forward, he’d bump shoulders with Riley whose big body seemed strung tight. Even though the way he held Zel seemed soft.

Together, they formed one human couch for Zel.

Zel watched too, but he seemed a little scared with the way he clutched the front of Riley’s shirt.

Mason didn’t miss any of his reactions as the movie played. He caught every movement until he had to admit that he was just flat out staring at Zel.

He forced himself to focus on the movie.

Mason absentmindedly rubbed Zel’s thighs. The pale skin was soft under his palm as his hand moved up and down.

His hand stopped when he reached the hem of Zel’s short shorts, a finger already under the fabric. He then realized what he was doing.

Mason took his hand away, a little shocked with himself and hoping Zel wasn’t thinking about him as a weird pervert or worse.

“Keep doing that,” Zel suddenly whined. “Why did you stop?”

Mason didn’t know whether Zel was unbelievable or it was the situation that was unreal.

He slowly, and cautiously put his hand back on his thighs as he made brief eye contact with Riley who had been unusually quiet all the while.

He suddenly had an idea.

Mason beckoned with his hand for Riley to come closer to him, like he wanted to whisper something to him. His arm going to rest at the back of the seat.

When Riley leaned closer to him, suspiciously unsuspecting of whatever was to come, Mason dropped a quick kiss to the side of his neck.

Riley quickly drew back, blinked and glued his eyes to the screen, clearing his throat.

Mason tried not to laugh as he watched his reaction with a smile on his face, totally laid back. He just loved flustering him. It was so much fun, especially since discovering his soft and shy side.

He understood then that he was the reason why Riley was on edge since the start of the movie.

“Ry! I didn’t know you could be so cute,” said Zel.

“Huh? Who are you calling cute?” Riley asked while he bent down to nibble the top of Zel’s ear. Which somehow always seemed to make him laugh.

Zel giggled while covering his mouth, trying to be quiet for the sake of everyone else.

“Oh my God,” Mason suddenly said, looking at them. Riley wouldn’t be wrong to imagine stars in his eyes, and somewhere there…something a little darker.

He avoided his eyes. Something was wrong with him. What was it with Mason? And what the hell was that?

He didn’t mean the way his neck had suddenly been assaulted, although the kiss still lingered, nothing playful about it to him.

He meant the sparks that traveled all the way down to his toes. Because of such a tiny act.

He was convinced Mason had a special ability. One that always left him shy and feeling weak. The last things that could ever describe him.

He focused on the movie again, feeling Zel’s warmth seep into him, and hyper aware of Mason’s knee that did nothing but rest against his own.

Jet could have sat anywhere else, there were enough free seats around the whole place. Big comfortable seats to be specific. But he didn’t even think twice when he settled next to Pierre.

He wasn’t really watching the movie, what took his entire focus was Pierre’s small reactions at every scene.

He didn’t show it but he didn’t miss even one. Pierre flinched every single time the sound went up, every time the scene changed like he was expecting something.

Jet could bet he was shaking like a leaf.

Pierre didn’t stop, he carried on for so long that without even thinking, Jet clutched Pierre’s hand on the arm rest and looked away.

Pierre gasped and flinched, really horrified at first before he looked at Jet. But Jet had turned away even from the screen so he couldn’t even see his face that was resting on his palm.

Pierre looked down at the tattooed hand covering his own and then he tried to pull his hand away and failed.

“Why won’t you even look at me?”

Jet didn’t answer him.

“Fine, let my hand go. You don’t have to force yourself to–”

“Why do you think it’s hard for me to look at you?” Finally Jet asked, his hand tightening on Pierre’s as he tried to break free, making it impossible.

“Is it not obvious–”

“You make me shy okay?” Jet said.

How Pierre wished he could see him properly at that moment but the room was dark, with only the screen before them to illuminate it. What were chances that Jet was shy? And it was all his fault?

This time when he looked at the tattooed hand covering his own, Pierre relaxed. What was one scary movie?

Alexander had made it home, with perfect timing and a compulsion to please Zel like no other.

Because he’d got everything he asked for and even added drinks to the mix. It was like he was excited for it himself, like he was the one who found the movie room, although told his mind otherwise.

Immediately the movie started, Linder walked up to him and nestled into his lap and hold.

Oh fuck me.

Linder went ahead to tuck his head in his neck and continue watching the movie.

“Scared?” The Master held him.

Linder only shook his head. “I’m not really scared of watching scary things. I’m just making sure you don’t get a heart attack.” He played with his fingers.

Maybe if you got off me first. His waist was squeezed in response. “I think I can take care of myself.”

“That’s the thing, I don’t think you can,” said Linder.

Alexander wondered if he was even talking about the movie anymore.

“You feel comfortable,” the Master told him.

“Let’s just watch the movie,” said Linder, sounding shy as can be.

Alexander chuckled. “Don’t let me distract you,” he said and tilted Linder’s face to him, kissing him hard. “Okay now. Don’t let me distract you.”

Who was he kidding? He wasn’t here for the movie and he knew it.

He had to stop this, one way or another. Before it all went too far.

Pierre wanted to be on his way, the game was already confusing as it was, but something grabbed his attention. And he couldn’t say he was good with puzzles like finding his way out of a maze.

Because he paid attention to such things, he knew that was Jet. Or it could be Jet’s other half of the cloth.

It was a fiery red, contrary to his ocean blue and its other half that he’d already managed to salvage in such a short amount of time.

If he’d gone on, he might have even finished first, but he didn’t.

He moved to where the corner of his eye had caught the movements of the cloth and what he saw, horrified him.

“Jet? Jet! What are you doing?!” He panicked.

Jet was halfway trying to climb up the maze wall, a few leaves fell to the ground recklessly, as a result of his endeavors.

He didn’t even turn back. “Winning,” he said.

Pierre’s worry only increased as he inched higher. “That’s dangerous!” He begged. “Please come down.”

Jet didn’t even pause. “Don’t let me distract you, go finish your game.”

Pierre couldn’t really take it, but there was nothing he could do. Except stand there and try to make Jet see reason.

“Jet please just listen to me, I’ll help you find your cloth okay?” He didn’t care about winning anymore. Just as long as Jet came down.

The wall couldn’t be strong enough to support his weight properly. And the higher he got, the more stressed out Pierre felt.

“Go on Pierre, let me play the game my way.”

Pierre moved forward and held his hands out towards Jet who was now far from the ground. He just had such a really bad feeling about this.

“Not unless you come down,” said Pierre.

And then he heard a snap.

It was like a strong twig. Pierre’s thoughts ran rampant as he looked at Jet, who was climbing just a few moments ago, was now falling through the air.

He knew this would happen, but he really wished Jet was right and it wasn’t going to. It was like a nightmare come to life.

He extended his hands higher, as the other man hurtled dangerously fast towards him.

34

Jet didn’t land as badly as he thought he would but everything was ringing in his ears.

 He saw the color red hit the floor in drops before he felt the dampness on his temple. 

 Everything moved slowly around him while he felt like all of his blood was rushing to his ears. 

 With the last of his strength, Jet scrambled off Pierre, probably the only reason he hadn't blacked out yet.

 He knew that they had rolled a few or several times with Pierre holding his waist in a death grip. And by the time they stopped, they probably had about a thousand bruises. 

 Jet was still stunned from his fall when he tried to check up on Pierre and make sure he was okay, but for a moment he couldn't lift a finger, much less go to him.

 He didn't know how long he stayed that way. Helpless and unable to do anything. But after a while, Jet felt hands around him as he got the feeling that that people were everywhere around him. 

 His blurry vision didn't help, he didn't know who had him. But something about the touch was very familiar. 

 When everything started to clear, Jet noticed that they were headed to the house as the Master's grim face came into focus.

 No sooner had Jet been set on the kitchen counter than he noticed Pierre in Riley's arms. 

 He tried to squirm out of Alexander's hold, trying to reach out to Pierre. He had to know he was alright. 

 Pain shot through his hand when he tried to move his arm. He retracted himself reflexively. 

 "Relax, Riley's got him," the Master said. When the words finally computed, he nodded his head.

 "What were you thinking? Were you trying to risk your life for just one game?" The Master asked. 

 "You wouldn't understand," said Jet somewhat defiantly. He looked like he wanted to add to it, say something more, but he held his tongue.

 "Anything could have happened to you," Alexander said while fishing out some alcohol.

 "I'm okay."

 "No you're not."

 "Did I scare you?"

    Fuck yes.

“You should be scared, for yourself. You could be in worse condition if Pierre had not broken your fall. He said he caught you, but somehow you still hit your head, you have bruises all over. Just think about it, if he actually wasn’t there.”

 "I'm okay," said Jet again. This time he sounded just a little out of it. He was a little distracted because he'd not even heard Pierre say anything.

 Mason brought towels and handed some to Alexander while he'd already started cleaning Jet's other bruises. 

 He wasn't saying anything, but he looked worrying, like he was going through shock. So much that when Alexander touched his hand to stop him, he flinched. 

 He took the towel from his hand, maintaining eye contact with him. "It's going to be alright. Are you okay?"

Mason nodded, but his eyes never left Jet’s hands. “I’ll uh…” his voice was so small. “Maybe I should sit…”

“Alright,” the Master said before going back to tend to Jet, and yet unable to stop thinking about how Mason was spacing out, he stole a quick glance at his retreating figure before turning back to Jet.

  He cleaned his temple, a lot of the blood had dried up and stuck to his hair. Alexander pushed the hair out of the way.

“You hit your head hard. You need stitches,” he said and turned his head to the side, checking for anything else. “The doctor will be here any minute now.”

Linder knelt by Pierre as Riley tended to him. They overwhelmed him with questions while they made sure nothing was broken.

Turned out, Pierre only had a few bruises and one cut. To everyone’s relief, he was fine.

“Can you move your arm?” The Master asked Jet while he tried to take his shirt off. Jet winced at the slight movement.

Then he noticed how rigid and awkward the angle of his arm was. It looked a little normal, but not quite right.

“Get me the scissors princess,” he said to Zel.

Zel hopped off like he’d been dying to do something all along and just got the chance.

The Master rolled his sleeves as he waited. The white of his shirt reddening with the blood still clinging onto his hands.

He didn’t even notice as he waited for the scissors. Jet was at the forefront and back of his mind. He knew Pierre was okay. Jet… not so much.

He was functioning properly now but for all they knew, he could be in need of medical attention immediately, even if he didn’t feel it.

Zel brought the scissors and pulled on his arm. “Thank you princess,” he said, taking them from him.

Walking to stand between Jet’s legs, Alexander took the hem of Jet’s shirt and started to cut.

That close, he was sure Jet was staring at him, but the ruining of his shirt brought him back to reality.

Jet clearly wasn’t expecting it. “I liked that shirt!” He said when it was too late and the shirt had already been cut all the way.

“I’ll get you another one,” Alexander said nonchalantly. All of his focus was on making sure Jet had no injuries underneath his shirt.

A few tattoos were caked in drying blood but he was mostly okay.

“Have you tried to move your shoulder? I think it’s dislocated, but not totally with the way it looks,” the Master touched the bone and Jet winced.

“I can pop it back for you or we could wait for Jen to get here,” he told him.

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you did?” Jet asked.

“No difference really, there’s nothing that medical witch cannot do,” replied Alexander.

Jet’s lips twitched for the first time. “Just do it then,” said Jet.

Alexander nodded. “You might want to distract yourself first,” he said while inspecting the arm, feeling to see where exactly the bone was trying to protrude from.

“How do you expect m- ahhhh!!! Fuckkk! Fuck! Fuck you!” Jet breathed heavily. “I swear to God, fuck you…”

“Like that. Done,” said Alexander. “Try to move your arm.”

Jet moved his hand easier, but the pain still lingered. “Maybe I should have waited for the doctor, she’d be gentler.”

“That’s funny,” said the Master. “For you to think that…” he shook his head like Jet had suggested something really dumb.

They all turned at the sound of a voice.

“So which one of you do I have to put back in one piece?”

“Jen!” Zel looked more than relieved as he hugged her.

“Zel! Glad to see you’re alright,” she said then looked between Pierre and Jet.

“Pierre? How are you feeling sweety?” She asked then went straight to Jet after hearing his reply. “Not so bad,” he said.

Jen put on her gloves and got a little flashlight out. Tilting Jet’s head to check his eyes with it. “What’s your name?” She asked.

“Him first,” said Jet. His eyes were all seriousness with a look that said he wouldn’t budge. He wanted Jen to tend to Pierre first or this was going to be a lot more difficult.

“Jet!” Pierre tried to reason with him, but he ignored him.

“Fine,” she said. “It’s adorable when you think you can tell me what to do, so for that I’ll do as you say this time.”

“Jet,” the Master squeezed his thigh as Jen turned over to Pierre. “This is the moment you start being careful with her okay?”

Jet only scoffed.

Both Riley and Linder moved out of the way to let her work. “Y’all did a great job, I just need five minutes and we’ll be done here okay?”

Pierre nodded and she got her stitching equipment out. The cut was at the side of his forearm and he made sure to expose it to her.

He only winced a little at the beginning but not again because that was the worst of it. She finished in less than five minutes and Pierre thanked her.

“There, good as new,” she said. Then walked back to Jet.

“Get down, if you can. I need you lower,” she patted a kitchen stool right next to her.

The Master carried an uncomfortable looking Jet in his arms and helped him down.

Before Jen could start, or continue what she’d started. She noticed Mason standing a few feet away, zoned out.

“Hey,” she waved at him. “You, come here,” she said.

Mason walked awkwardly to her as she wore a new set of gloves.

“Do you mind helping me with something?” She asked, then continued when Mason nodded, coming over to her.

 "Do you know what this is?" She got her blood pressure monitor out.

 Mason nodded again.  Then she went ahead to wrap the cuff around Jet's upper arm. After tightening it, she pressed a button next to the monitor then the cuff started to inflate and deflate. "Count to sixty, then tell me what the number says."

 Jet was reluctant at first which didn't help Mason's stress, it only added to it. 

 Jen pulled out an unnecessarily fat syringe and held it up, then pushed out a colorless liquid from it. "You better behave," she told Jet. 

 He went a little rigid and gave in before she could finish threatening him. 

 "Good," she told both Mason and Jet, then turned to the former. "Sixty seconds yet?"

 Mason snapped back to attention. "119/70," he reported.

 "Okay, that means it's normal," she replied. "One more time."

 Mason looked even more determined now. Better. "119/77," he said after a minute.

 "So his blood pressure is fine, I'm going to take good care of him now, okay? Thank you."

 Mason nodded, relaxing. As if finally coming back to himself. He walked away to stand where he was just a few moments ago.

 A few minutes later, Jen checked her watch and turned away from Linder whispering to Mason; calming words from what it looked like. 

 It was back to the stubborn man before him. He'd told her his name, it was Jet. And the man who'd been spacing out most of the time was Mason. 

  No one questioned how he was holding hands with Linder, especially since it was nothing platonic and anyone could see that. No one questioned how Riley was placating Zel wedged in his lap. Or how the Master whispered sweetly to Pierre. Or even how it was so obvious no one would move an inch out of that room until Jet was fine. They were all so visibly worried about each other. 

 Jen turned to Jet. "You almost had a concussion, luckily you got away with only minor injuries. I'm going to stitch you up now," she told him. 

 "Yeah just hurry it up," said Jet. 

 Jen paused irritatedly.

 The Master was quick to cut in. "Go easy on him, he didn't mean it."

 "Oh I'll go easy alright," she replied. 

 She got her needle ready but before that, she got a pair of scissors from her bag. "I'm going to cut your hair," she said.

“All of it?” Jet asked.

She nodded. “There’s no other way around it, I have to perfectly close the wound. Your hair is in the way.”

When she’d cut a few strands at the side making him look like he’d gone for shave then changed his mind after beginning. She stopped. “I think I can work with this,” she then set the scissors down and started stitching. “Congratulations, you don’t have to lose all your hair.”

Jet winced. “The cut is in a position where I can easily fix it without needing to cut a single strand of your hair. Now don’t get me wrong, most doctors would have done the same, even cut more than I did, but I’m just that talented.”

She watched the horror in his face with satisfaction. “So why did you cut it?”

“To give you an attitude fix. Think about it next time you almost disrespect someone trying to help you. You did also say ’ just hurry it up’. This is faster.”

Jet was quiet after that. But Jen wasn’t done.

“A resident was once stitching a patient with a condition almost exactly like yours. You see, with such cuts, it’s quite easy for the needle to come in contact with bone, really easy for it to deflect and break. So that’s what happened,” she paused dramatically. “He was never the same again. Now imagine this needle, thin as it is, breaking. You’ll be sure not to move, right?”

Jet didn’t move a muscle, he swallowed visibly.

“You should see some of the trauma patients, head injuries are usually the worst. There’s a lot of screaming and quiet and screaming again, a lot of pain that I can control however you want,” she was stitching slower on purpose. “Have you been in a trauma ward before?”

“No, and I don’t want to. Why are you telling me this?” Jet asked.

She shrugged. “I’m just making conversation. Usually, there’s not many people I can freely talk to about myself and my work,” she smirked. “It’s highly inconvenient that a qualified doctor is such a sadist you know. But I can assure you it’s a very rewarding profession,” Jen added.

“Shouldn’t that be illegal?” Jet was quick to ask.

“I didn’t link my tendencies with my profession,” she smiled, finished and gave Jet room. “I only said I’m a sadist. And being a doctor is very rewarding. No?” She asked while taking her gloves off.

Jet put as much distance from her as he could. “I know why you called her a witch.”

The Master held him. “She still likes you so you’ve seen nothing yet. I’m actually surprised she still likes you.”

“You called me a witch?”

Alexander put his hands up in mock surrender before returning them to hold Jet. “A beautiful one. And an insanely talented one.”

Jen narrowed her eyes at him before dropping them. To put her tools back in place. “Kinda like it.”

She then told them everything was okay after that, prescribed a few pain meds then left and let them be.

Pierre was tucked in later that night by the Master. But he was confused, so confused.

The Master was acting so extremely sweet. Running his fingers through his hair and repeatedly telling him how glad he was that he was okay.

By the time he had left, Pierre couldn’t stop thinking about all his little touches.

No matter how much he tried to quiet it, a part of him told him he was in love. And now he was starting to accept it.

Weirdly, it wasn’t with just one person. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how that worked. But he couldn’t stop it, and it was hitting him in gigantic waves.

There was a knock at his door before Jet’s head peeked in and Pierre’s insides flipped over.

Jet walked towards him, and sat at the edge of his bed, he looked so much better than the sight he was not too long ago.

“I’m so sorry for–” Jet started but Pierre didn’t want to hear it.

“Don’t say that.”

“I put you in danger,” he insisted.

“But that’s not how it happened, I could have walked away if I wanted to.”

“But you didn’t Pierre,” Jet cupped his cheek with one hand and stroked. “You didn’t, why?”

Pierre couldn’t answer, his insides were turning to jelly. Jet was so close he couldn’t think. His… his lips, they looked so…

“Pierre?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

He was falling so hard at the moment, he looked at him. Some of his hair was missing but it did nothing to his good looking face.

Pierre looked back down and muffled his laugh.

“What?” Asked Jet. “Ah fuck. It’s my hair isn’t it?” He smirked.

Pierre laughed and nodded.

“She’s kinda evil,” Jet said while shaking his head.

“No, she’s amazing. I like her,” Pierre defended.

“It’s that charm you have, Zel has it too. Anyone can’t help but love you guys.”

Pierre was quiet trying to read into his words and figure out what he was trying to say. They remained quiet awhile until Jet got up.

He sighed and walked to the door. “Thank you. For basically letting me fall on you.”

“Jet?” Pierre called before he could close the door behind him. “For you, I’d do it all over again.”

Pierre couldn’t see his reaction but he heard Jet cuss under his breath as his hand tightened on the door. Then without glancing back, he left.

Pierre rearranged the covers and prepared to go to bed.

“Hi,” he heard Linder’s voice. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m alright. Thank you for helping me out before.”

“Don’t mention it,” said Linder. He squeezed Pierre’s hand and the tingles were endless. “I was so worried.”

“No, I’m alright,” Pierre insisted. “So who won?”

Linder shook his head. “The game was cancelled so it really doesn’t matter who found their cloth and what not.”

“Oh,” said Pierre.

“Yeah,” said Linder. “Um… listen Pierre. What you did for Jet, that was amazing.”

Pierre suddenly couldn’t look him in the eye.

“You have to be a little cautious with him though, I really don’t want you to get hurt,” Linder said. This time, Pierre’s eyes shot to his.

“I’m so sorry but he’s got no respect for you. And I… I hate the way he calls you fat.”

34.5

MONTH FOUR

35

First hours of the night after

midnight

…

Mason was having a hard time trying to sleep that night, he’d been so fucking scared. So much for not liking Jet because it’d taken one accident to realize that maybe he wasn’t being so honest with his feelings.

 If it hadn't been for that doctor, he might have lost his mind.

 Jet was just next door, sharing a wall with him. He wished he could see through it, just to make sure he was alright. 

 Or you could just go over like a normal person.

 He couldn't do it for some reason. And the frustration was so much that he decided to go look for something in the kitchen. 

 It was dark and the house was mostly quiet. Mason didn't make any noises as he made his way down.

 Except that when he got closer to the kitchen he could hear very quiet sounds coming from it. He stopped to listen more carefully. 

 With a few steps forward, Mason understood that the sounds belonged to someone crying as quietly as they could. He immediately panicked and went ahead to find out who it was. 

 Pierre sat on a stool with a glass of water next to him and both of his palms covering his eyes. 

 Mason's heart sunk to the floor. For some reason it hurt him that Pierre was crying, he couldn't help but walk up to him and gather him close. 

 Pierre looked up at him with wet eyes and tried to back away weakly but Mason held tight. 

 Even in the low light, with his face wet like that, he looked like something out of a magazine or a movie. Something expertly photoshopped to look so achingly beautiful and then brought to life.

 From where he stood, Mason was a lot taller than him on the stool so that if they got any closer, Pierre's head would rest on his chest. 

 Without saying a word yet, Mason pushed Pierre's thighs apart and went to stand between them, taking his hands and guiding them to close around his waist.

 "What is it?" Mason asked. "It's hurting me to see you like this."

 Mason kissed the top of his head and hugged him tighter. Pierre was so upset that he felt hot to the touch.

Just how long had he been here like this?

 "I j-just don't understand..." he began. His accent loosened up even more when he cried. "Why is everyone the same to me?" Pierre finally hugged him tighter and cried into his chest. 

 "What happened?" Mason could feel his blood starting to boil.

 He didn't push Pierre, just waited patiently for an answer. Anything Pierre would give him. He'd spend the whole night like this if he had to. Definitely if Pierre wanted to. 

 The answer came after a while. He was running his hands comfortingly against his back, then Pierre told him everything.

 Jet woke up with his arm feeling fine, not completely, but anyone could live with a little discomfort.

 He still winced a little if he made any quick sharp movements with it but it was nothing. At least he wasn't going to wear something as annoying as a cast. And thank fuck he didn't need any crutches. 

 The first thing he thought about was Pierre, and everything that happened the previous day and how much he wished he could reverse it. If only he'd listened.

The worried looks on everyone’s face directed at him was almost too much to believe. He was generally an asshole to each and every one of them, so why did they care?

And the fact that the Master seemed to forget they were still rough around each other confused him. He’d disrespected him before but the man didn’t seem to have any memory of it.

It hurt him to think of Pierre. He hated being the reason he was hurt like that and yet he should be protecting him.

Jet contemplated going to check on him. That was the least he could do if he thought of it. And just maybe… maybe he wanted to see him too.

He finally decided he had to, he had to make sure he was alright.

While his thoughts were still trapped with the image of Pierre in his mind, his door swung open.

Riley’s tall, broad frame sauntered its way in. “Haven’t I got perfect timing,” he said, then looked at Jet more closely. “You have to fix that hair, you look hilarious.”

The tray shook slightly with Riley’s laughter. Yes a tray, he was seeing right. And everything on it looked delicious.

“Fuck you,” said Jet, he couldn’t help but smile.

He watched Riley pause to laugh at him but it touched his very soul, what he was doing for him.

No one usually cared about him. No one had cared about him in a really long time. And yet here was someone, amongst others, doing it like it came naturally to him.

It felt strange, but just for the moment, he could pretend like everything was perfect.

Riley placed the tray on his bed as Jet sat up. “You know I’m fine right?” He asked.

Situations like this always made him feel indebted to someone. He learned growing up that no one ever did for you because of a stupid reason like ‘they just wanted to’. That bullshit belonged in those lovey-dovey movies and books. Everyone always expected something in return.

“You know you almost lost your life yesterday right?” Riley asked, sitting on the bed.

“That’s overly dramatic,” said Jet, trying to fight the tempting aroma of the food.

In the most serious expression Jet had ever seen on his face, Riley spoke. “You were hurt, I don’t find anything humorous about that.”

Jet looked down at a bruise on his hand, then covered it subconsciously.

“Yes, I care,” Riley continued. “And I know you don’t want the conversation to go there so we’ll pretend I said nothing, if we can get some food inside your stomach.”

He was right, it was going to be extremely uncomfortable if the conversation strayed that way. He wasn’t doing that right now.

Riley then smiled his cheeky boyish smile— not that he was paying enough attention to know which one it was . “I figured your arm is still in pain. So I’m going to feed you.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He picked up the fork before Jet could think of reaching for it. “Your arm is in pain!”

His arm did hurt, and it would be irritating to eat with it. No no, Jet. Stop finding fucking excuses. “I have another perfectly working one.”

“I don’t care,” Riley answered matter of factly, making Jet scoff.

The tray was filled with a plate of the juiciest looking French toast, coffee, four halves of boiled eggs, a large glass of bright orange juice, bacon strips, triangular slices of waffles, a golden syrup glazed over them and a plate filled with strawberries cut in half, blueberries and orange slices. Jet couldn’t help but wonder if he made it all himself.

“Open wide!” Riley stabbed a strawberry with the fork and held it out to Jet’s mouth. “Do you like fruit?”

Jet tried to look anywhere else but at him, but it was futile. He finally sighed and gave in, taking the strawberry in his mouth, hoping with everything that his face didn’t look as hot as it felt. “Yeah,” he murmured before chewing and swallowing.

Riley looked so delighted. He sliced a piece of the French toast and fed it to Jet, looking more satisfied the more Jet ate, like he was the one swallowing the food.

After feeding Jet the entire piece of toast, he moved over to the bacon, fixing an orange slice in between.

“Good?” He asked and Jet ignored him, licking his lips.

“Did you make all this?” He asked. For me?

Riley looked so smug that Jet’s lips twitched, trying so hard not to smile. He nodded. “I’m a man of many talents after all.”

Jet wondered why he felt so giddy inside. He reached out for the juice and Riley beat him to it, swatting his hand away. He groaned. “This too? You’re going to feed me the juice too?”

“All of it,” Riley assured him.

He then wiped a drop of juice from the corner of Jet’s mouth and put the finger inside his own mouth, and Jet’s brain almost short circuited watching him.

He cleared his throat before taking another piece of French toast in his mouth. “This is not bad at all,” Jet said honestly before he could stop himself.

“Really?” Riley replied as he watched him eat.

“Yes. And you’re weird. Stop staring at me. It’s weird,” Jet wondered if his vocabulary was failing him.

“See that’s the thing, when you’re hot and you’re weird, that’s called sexy, so like, I’m glad you think so, thanks,” Riley wiggled his eyebrows.

“I didn’t call you hot, or sexy,” Jet shot back.

“But you’re thinking it aren’t you?”

Fuck. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“It’s okay, I think you’re hot too.”

“Fucktard.”

Riley moved closer and was now lying on his side after feeding him everything, very appreciative of his appetite, secretly wishing he could do this everyday.

With one hand supporting his chin, he used the other to feed Jet the rest of the fruit. “You cuss an awful lot, you know that?”

Riley found a full strawberry and used his hand to hold it out to Jet. It felt like the sparks would never stop when his lips brushed lightly on his fingers. Just what had he gotten himself into?

“So I’ve heard,” Jet said, looking down. He chewed for a full minute while Riley turned to look up at the ceiling, his back against the mattress. Then he suddenly turned to look at him again.

“What is wrong with you?” Jet asked.

“I…I don’t know…,” he answered honestly as he sat up.

Riley said that, then touched his arm and traced his thumb against the inked skin. Jet went rigid at the sudden contact.

Something was definitely wrong with Riley. Maybe him too, because the way the thumb moved on his skin made him want more. But he’d never admit that.

“This one’s my favorite,” Riley then added. “So far.”

The tattoo looked like a large tree devoid of any leaves, dry branches extending around his forearm and outwards to the crook of his elbow. Like a silhouette of the largest network of branches in an endless loop snaking around his arm. You couldn’t tell where it stopped or started from.

“So far?” Jet asked. “The nerve!” He wasn’t being truthful with his actions. It meant so much to him, more than Riley knew.

“Yeah. I haven’t seen them all, unless you want to get naked–” Riley was cut off by a pillow that landed hard on his face.

“Get your mind out the fucking gutter for a second,” said Jet.

“You didn’t let me finish. I was just going to say get naked and I’ll pick,” said Riley like that made anything any different. His cheeky smile was back.

“Can I just finish here instead,” Jet motioned to the plate then crossed his arms. “I want the rest of the juice.” He averted his gaze. It felt like he was admitting succumbing to Riley’s charm so easily.

Riley on the other hand, was more than happy to oblige. “I like feeding you,” he said while Jet slurped up the rest of the juice. “Can I do it again?” He then wiped his mouth clean and Jet’s temperature went a few degrees higher with how close he’d gotten, he was trying every single thing he could just not to look at his lips.

“Nah, get the fuck out of here,” he turned him down without a second thought. This was already more embarrassing than he liked.

“Pleaaasssseeeee?” Riley drew the word out like an eager kid who’d been denied playtime with their friend. And he looked right into Jet’s eyes when he said it. Then at his lips, then quickly back to his eyes.

“This was really delicious, thank—”

“PLEASEEEE?” Riley insisted. “Just until you’re fine.”

Jet first groaned, then seemed to think about it, then sighed. “Fine. I guess.”

“Yes!”

“You always get what you want, don’t you?” Jet asked. “You spoilt brat.”

“What I want?” Riley chuckled and his smile didn’t reach his eyes. The same eyes that now raked over Jet, oddly making him feel so exposed. “Nahh. Not always.”

Riley looked away like he was thinking about something, and Jet still didn’t know what to do with himself. Until Riley broke the silence again.

“Get up, I’m going to cut your hair.”

“What?” Asked Jet. Why was everyone obsessed with cutting his hair lately?

“Relax, I’m only helping you. I’ll make all the hair even. Although it’ll be shorter than it is now,” said Riley. “Come on, I’m trying to save you from whatever this is.” He pointed to his hair.

“I’m-I’m not sure,” said Jet.

“Yeah that’s good enough for me,” said Riley and in a few seconds, Jet was off the bed and up in his arms.

Nothing in his life could have prepared Jet for that. He clung to him as his voice almost dropped to a whine. “Put me down! What the fuck?”

Riley ignored him. “You’re much lighter than you look,” he said as he headed to the bathroom.

Riley finally sat a red faced and irritated Jet on the counter. “Careful with your arm,” he said. “Let’s see… scissors?”

Jet pointed to Riley where the scissors were, not really able to meet his eye.

“The most important thing between anyone and their barber is trust,” Riley told him. “So you’re going to have to trust me okay?”

“Just get it over with,” said Jet in a tight voice before clearing his throat.

Riley laughed. “Isn’t saying that what got you in this same situation to begin with?”

Jet groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

“That’s the wrong attitude Mr… wait. What’s your last name?” Asked Riley. He started to snip bits of the hair off.

“Carrera.”

Riley forgot the issue about the attitude. “You’re Italian? Wait are you like part of the mafia or something?”

“Why does everyone assume all Italians are part of the mafia?” Jet asked. His hair kept falling as Riley continued to cut. “You fucking idiots.”

“I mean, between the tattoos, the earrings and the brooding ‘I’ll fuck you up’ attitude, I don’t know… just throw on some rings on your fingers and you wouldn’t convince me otherwise.”

Jet felt Riley’s breath ghost over his cheek as he tried to pay it no mind.

“I could kidnap you and make a fortune off your ransom.”

“Sure. If there was anyone to pay it,” Jet said without thinking.

He felt Riley still on his head. “Jet–”

“No,” he said immediately.

Riley let it go and continued to cut. He said a lot of irritating things but never once did he bring up Jet’s personal business again. He was so grateful for that alone.

Jet had not felt like this in a long time; all of this caring, warmth. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to be a little nicer to everyone. No, that wasn’t entirely accurate. They made him want to be nicer. To show them himself, even just a little.

“And we’re done,” said Riley. He was clearly marveling at his own work.

Jet looked at his reflection in the mirror and tried to hide his surprise. He looked even better than before Jen brought her scissors to his head. He didn’t just look good, he looked fucking amazing.

“Not bad,” he said to Riley.

“Aw you like it that much?” Riley replied while scrunching his face a little. Jet looked away before he could stare.

They got back to the room after Riley made sure to tidy up the bathroom, refusing Jet to lift a finger.

“Uhh…thanks,” Jet said awkwardly, he meant it for everything the other man had done for him, even for just thinking of him.

Riley only shrugged. “You should go check up on Pierre, I think he’d really like that,” Riley said before taking the tray and leaving. And obviously winking at Jet.

Yeah. “I probably should,” Jet said after he was alone again.

He didn’t find Pierre in his room and he decided to just walk around aimlessly till he found him.

He was walking back towards the stairs when his eyes located Pierre and his heart beat faster.

Jet immediately went to him and poked him from behind, causing him to jump and turn around, Jet turned with him, still out of his sight and poked him again, this time standing there unmoving. He was dying to see Pierre’s reaction.

He just didn’t expect him to look so down when he turned around and saw him. His eyes turned glassy just at the slightest. He looked so sad and so beautiful.

He needed him to be fine. He needed to know what was bothering him. He needed to know if he might have to kill someone.

But when he tried to reach out, Pierre visibly flinched away from him. He stood frozen, so confused.

Just the night before, he could swear there had been a connection between them and now this?

“Pierre? Wha–”

“Just please, leave me alone,” Jet could have sworn his heart broke in that moment.

He was so stunned that he continued to remain frozen in that spot even after Pierre had already walked away from him.

He finally came back to his senses and decided to follow him. He needed to understand. But when he took a step in that direction, someone stopped him.

“Let him go, he doesn’t want to talk to you,” came Linder’s voice.

When Jet looked at him, he almost flinched a little from shock. There was nothing but venom in Linder’s eyes.

He wasn’t expecting it. Linder was someone he wanted to get to know, and after several times watching him when no one was looking, he’d finally decided that he was going to try.

Why was he looking at him like that? What the fuck did he do? First Pierre, and now him?

Linder walked away as if to catch up to Pierre, leaving Jet to stare after them in hurt and confusion.

The walls he was trying so hard to lower, started to build up again at that very moment, and he’d never hated anything more.

36

Waking up quickly became a chore for Jet because there was really nothing for him to do, nothing to look forward to. Just a new day with a new reminder that everyone was avoiding him like the plague.

 He understood that putting Pierre in danger like that was horrible, part of him still hated himself for it. But did it really warrant all of this animosity? Because everything was fine after the accident, and then it wasn't.

 This is what happens when you start to care.

 As much as anything else, going back to having breakfast at the table sucked. And Jet noted that the Master wasn't there. 

 He wasn't around a lot lately. And for the first time Jet could admit he would have felt better if he was.

 He couldn't help but stare at Pierre the entire time. Then his eyes strayed occasionally to where Linder sat eating quietly and adjusting his glasses.

 Linder didn't look at him but it was clear that Pierre was really trying not to look. And it stirred Jet's insides to see the hurt still very much visible in his eyes. 

 Pierre bit his bottom lip and inclined his head to stare at his plate.

 Jet hadn't yet touched his food, he was too distracted, he wasn't even hungry at the least. 

 It was too much. He also noticed that just like him, Pierre wasn't actually eating. 

 Maybe he was the reason. Maybe he was making him so uncomfortable, maybe he was so disgusted with him he couldn't even stomach his food.

 Why was he overthinking? Why did it even matter so much? Why did it feel like everything was collapsing and taking him down with it?

 Jet suddenly pushed back his chair back and got up. He got a few stares but only silence. Without a second thought, he walked away. Straight to the direction of his room.

 The awkward silence at the table had proven to be too much for him. Usually he would even put a single thought to it, but now it bugged him. More than that, it irritated him.

 Jet wasn't expecting it but someone followed him up. When he swung the door shut and no sound came to assure him he'd shut it, he turned to see from the bed he'd dropped on. 

 Mason stood crossing his arms and watching him. "Do you feel good about yourself?" He asked.

 Jet didn't even know where to begin to answer. He just stared back at Mason. 

 "You might think you're so perfect you have to make other people feel bad about themselves, and you might think it's so cool to say whatever you want to but people like you are like scum. You are disgusting," Mason walked towards him. "Next time, think twice about hurting Pierre, my patience tends to wear thin really quickly."

 "Yes I'm disgusting, you don't think I know that?"

Why was it hurting so much? “ I’m sorry about putting Pierre through all that danger, I really am. Why won’t anyone believe me?“

 "Even after saying such vile things about him, you won't admit it. How could you even say that?" Mason's expression sent a chill down his spine. "You know, I was really starting to like you, thought I was really developing the biggest crush on you, and then you turn out to be just another asshole." He scoffed. "I can't believe I was right about you."

 Jet finally stopped to think about it. What he said? "What the fuck are you talking about?"

 "Don't act like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about."

 "I really don't. The fuck are you talking about?"

 Mason uncrossed then crossed his arms again. Something like hope flashed across his face. But Jet wasn't going to so easily believe his wishful thinking. 

 "Well...well that's for you and Pierre to talk about," he said. 

 Pierre wouldn't even talk to him. How was he supposed to get anything out of him? To get him to stand his sight for even two minutes?

 The look on Mason's face when he looked back up wasn't so full of hatred anymore, it was just expressionless. In a way it was a relief.

 Jet knew who he could talk to instead. It hit him like an idea bulb going bright in his head.

 He walked past Mason, leaving him in the room. He wanted to get it all over with, in fact, he needed to.

Linder would just have to tell him, at least he didn’t hate him enough to still talk to him.

“Where’s Linder?” He asked when he got to the door.

When Mason didn’t answer, he kept on going. It couldn’t be that hard to find him.

Linder was making his way to what he assumed would be the library.

Jet despite himself stared at his skinny and tall frame. Linder was beautiful in the sort of way that he didn’t have a clue about it.

His chest felt painful. A little, but painful nonetheless.

That was when he realized he haboured some sort of feelings for him, whether he liked it or not.

He stopped being a creep and walked to catch up with him.

“Why do you hate me?” Jet blurted out whatever came first to his mind. “What is all this? What did I do?”

He couldn’t help himself as he gripped his Linder’s wrist in his hand to stop him.

“Let me go,” the other man said immediately he realized it was Jet, trying to break free.

He didn’t let go, his hand tightened instead. It fucked him up that he liked the feel of Linder’s hand in his.

Jet slowly loosened his grip then let him go when he felt Linder shaking slightly. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. “I’d never.”

Linder was oddly quiet. Way too quiet for Jet’s liking. He noticed he kept his gaze to the ground, although tilted a little to the side.

Only after he stepped closer did he notice that Linder’s eyes were shut tight through his glasses, like he was waiting for the blow that was never going to come.

“Linder?” Jet called worriedly. He didn’t have to bend to look at his face, Linder was at the least an inch taller than he was. Maybe two.

The amount of pain in his eyes stunned Jet when the eyes finally pried open to look back at him. He barely felt it when Linder punched at his chest.

“Don’t fucking touch me again!”

Jet didn’t budge, he was dumbfounded. He was hurt. If he was confused before, this didn’t even compare.

There was a familiar coiling in his gut as he stood there watching Linder leave quickly, his nails digging brutally into his palms.

37

The coaches at the basketball court totaled to three. The room was bigger than the one back home, but the court was exactly the same size. None of it intimidated Riley in the least bit.

 One of the coaches in a white polo shirt and a bright red tag dangling from his neck furrowed his eyebrows as he went over something on his clipboard while they waited for Riley to say he was ready.

The Master should have been sitting down, he’d been offered a good seat over and over but he declined every time. He was too pumped up to sit back.

He stood to one side watching Riley with so much pride swelling in his chest.

Riley was reluctant to agree to this at first. In fact, the first time he’d brought it up, he’d pretended not to hear even a word. But he finally got him to being comfortable enough to talk about it. They talked back and forth until Riley warmed up to the idea.

The Master asked him to try his chance at basketball again. He’d known when to push and when not to. And people like Riley, the best way to push them was the utmost subtlety. And you could see how much Riley wanted it, but there was something that seemed to hold him back from it.

When he finally got Riley to the stage where he was excited to talk about it, he could finally relax.

He didn’t even have to bring it up anymore, Riley would do it all by himself. And he was always more than willing to indulge him.

The uncomfortable part came when Riley suddenly asked him why he was going to such lengths for him. He always said it was because he wanted to, but the truth was that he never really knew why either.

Right now, the thoughts didn’t cross his mind, all he saw was Riley holding a ball, like he was in love with it. It was sexy as fuck.

There were several people sitting randomly in the stands. Some watched Riley, others didn’t. Others were focused on the other divisions of the huge court.

The media was being kept outside at his orders. Alexander had tried to do this as discreetly as possible but somehow a few reporters and paparazzi had caught a whiff of it. Annoying bastards.

Riley’s safety was the most important thing at the moment. The coaches knew that, and he hoped no one in there knew who he was. To them, he wanted to look just like another man in a suit.

He was glad there was another way to exit when they were done. One that didn’t have to involve several camera flashes and everyone trying to shout in your face.

He didn’t hate the media, but a little truth serum wouldn’t really hurt them. They just pissed him off.

If everything they said about him was true, then he might as well be an alien living in a mansion on the clouds.

Riley finished his warmups and started following the instructions as the coaches told him to.

Alexander paced back and forth along the outside of the line a little distance off.

Maybe he was the only one seeing it or maybe there was something wrong with his eyes but there was something off about Riley.

He couldn’t quite put a finger on it, and it was Riley, he acted just like himself. He could have anyone fooled, but there was something off about it.

He watched him critically like he was the one making the assessments and to no surprise, everything he did was fascinating. Everything was a major turn on. Especially just seeing him like that, in his element. Totally focused. Totally hot. Damn.

From what the Master observed, and according to the timing, Riley had at least one last shot to make and then they’d be leaving. If it was up to him, Riley outdid himself. He’d done beautifully.

But just when he expected Riley to take the shot, he didn’t.

Riley stood frozen with the ball in his hand, just like he was about to throw the ball, except he didn’t.

He couldn’t hear anyone it seemed. Because he didn’t even acknowledge that the coaches were trying to talk to him, didn’t even budge.

When Alexander saw his face, he oddly got the feeling that right there, Riley was stuck in another time, not quite able to get over some memory. He couldn’t take it, so he was already walking towards him before he knew it.

He took the ball from Riley’s hands and dropped it, letting it bounce away and without thinking, put his arms around him.

Riley’s hands went to grip the sides of his suit jacket as he buried his face in his shoulder.

A hush seemed to fall over the entire place but Alexander paid it no mind.

“You did good darling, it’s okay,” he soothed.

He signaled to the coaches that it was over and they immediately got to discussing amongst themselves.

Riley was silent as he felt his unsteady hands. “You’re okay,” he said and held him just a little tighter.

“We’re going to go home now okay?”

Riley nodded into his shoulder but didn’t move. They hugged for a really long time. Long enough for probably all the attention on the court to be on them.

Only Riley existed in that moment. Everything else became a blur, until he heard the click of a camera.

At first, Pierre had denied there was anything wrong with him but Zel wasn’t about to let it go.

He bugged Pierre until every word was out of his mouth.

Zel now sat with him after he’d heard everything. And if he was honest, nothing felt right with him.

It was really hard to believe and for that reason he had not made up his mind yet.

“Do you really think Jet would say that?” He asked Pierre.

“What do you mean?” Pierre asked.

Somehow Zel understood that it might have been confusing because Jet was in general, kind of a mean person where Linder was so sweet.

He would never believe they were lies coming from Linder’s mouth, but neither could he believe that Jet had said all those things about Pierre. And all of it confused him all the more.

“I don’t know… did he admit to it?”

“Linder wouldn’t just want to hurt me like that. I think… I think he cares about me,” said Pierre.

“I think so too,” Zel admitted but somehow kept the rest to himself.

He couldn’t even say he knew Jet all that well, but Jet wouldn’t. He couldn’t really let himself accept it.

“You’re perfect, you know that right?” Zel suddenly said, frustrated enough as it was.

He sat cross legged on Pierre’s bed as the other sat up, sharing a bowl of Doritos with him.

Pierre shrugged.

“Well I think you are, it doesn’t matter who said what,” said Zel.

It was instant, how color filled Pierre’s cheeks as he tried to avoid meeting Zel’s eyes. He munched cutely with his head turned down.

“Can I trust you?” Zel asked.

“Do you have reason not to?”

“I’ve got a secret. Promise you won’t tell,” Zel bit his lip in an effort to stop himself from smiling too much.

“I will not tell,” said Pierre. He held out a Dorito to Zel at the same time Zel held one out to him.

They both giggled and lowered their hands.

“Okay.” Zel got up on his knees and leaned in to Pierre’s ear as the other waited expectantly with his hands clasped together in front of him.

He covered the side of Pierre’s ear with one hand and bent to whisper softly.

“I think I’m in love with you,” he said.

38

RIGGER WARNING

This chapter may have mentions of self inflicted or physical harm; consciously or subconsciously.

•••

“Alexander Kane has finally found the one?” Tadashi read the headline of the news article from a tablet in his hand.

“So you’ve seen it too?” Alexander shifted in his seat and turned his attention to his assistant.

“Probably before you did. We couldn’t shut it down in time unfortunately, it was published in the blink of an eye.” Tadashi made himself comfortable on a leather couch.

The picture following the article was one of the Master and Riley lost in their own world. Hugging like they drew life from each other.

Thank small mercies Riley’s face was hidden in his shoulder.

“They’ll publish another one soon,” Alexander said. “To compare it with the first one.”

“Oh no one’s forgetting Kinky and Vanilla anytime soon. Did you know you had a fan page because of that?”

Alexander blinked. “And then what happened?”

“Got it shut down obviously,” Tadashi replied. “I’m a professional, sir.”

Alexander scoffed, but said nothing in return.

That particular article had made it look like he was married to Mason for the sake of pleasure. It even suggested that they’d rushed to leave because they couldn’t keep their hands off each other which was sort of true.

Mason had only smiled when he saw it. “They have no idea, we make quite the pair,” he’d said.

He noticed Tadashi looking at him expectantly. They stared at each other for a while.

“What?” Tadashi asked.

Alexander shook his head and got up, walking around his desk. “I’m leaving early today,” he said.

He knew how this looked. He’d left early the day before and a few days before that as well. It was becoming a habit and soon it might be too big to ignore.

“You’ve got a meeting,” Tadashi simply said.

“In about an hour or two. I’ll be there.”

“Are you– Is everything fine?” Tadashi asked.

Alexander nodded as his head went back to the men in his house. It was slowly becoming all he could think of lately. Every waking moment and throughout the course of his day.

He noticed a rift between them. Whatever it was, he chose not to comment on it yet, but he’d find out eventually.

Everyone did what they had to in order to win. As long as no rule was broken, he wouldn’t be obligated to intervene. But more than anything, this one really irritated him.

It didn’t make sense the way Jet was so sour all of a sudden. Almost angry.

Maybe he should take him out. Maybe that would help him cool off. But he’d talk to him first. Maybe he’d ask what was wrong first. God

, he was losing himself.

“I’ll call you,” said Tadashi.

“Hm.”

“Where have you been going lately?” His assistant asked. “Just out of curiosity.”

The words were out of his mouth before Alexander could think better of it. “I just want to see them.”

It wasn’t awkward silence that followed them like he’d expected. The other man only raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Maybe the media got it right this time,” Tadashi said before walking out to leave him to his devices.

No one was inside the house when Alexander got back, he figured they’d be somewhere in the back.

His desperation intensified in the anticipation of seeing them. Why’d he miss them when he wasn’t with them? What was he doing? What were they doing?

Because lately, they did that more times than often. Always found ways to be hang out and be together like being apart didn’t make sense anymore.

He more than liked it, but the way Jet was drifting away on his own worried him.

His feet carried him in the direction of the back door but then he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

It was more than tempting to keep walking where he knew Zel would jump in his arms the moment he saw him, but he stopped.

There was a sound coming from somewhere upstairs and for a minute he forgot the back of the house.

Taking off his coat and loosening some buttons from the white shirt inside, he walked up to find the source. He still couldn’t make out exactly what it was.

It got louder when he got closer. Then something smashed, making his heart pound.

When he got upstairs, he noticed the sound came from either Mason or Jet’s room; they were too close together.

He was at Jet’s door in a flash. Because it came first but mostly because it was Jet he was currently worried about.

As soon as he was inside, a few seconds in and something was thrown at him.

The shard of glass sailed swiftly through the air with sharp edges dangerously closing in in Alexander’s direction.

He caught it squarely in his hand, tilting his head a little to the side to dodge it at the same time. Two seconds later and the glass would have either nicked or cut the side of his face.

Opening his hand, he let the glass drop heavily on the ground. It fell among other shattered pieces but stood out for how it was distinctly stained red with his blood.

Every single thing in the room was broken. The table, nightstands and the lamps on them, the dresser, all broken.

With a quick sweep of the room, Alexander’s eyes roamed around for about two whole seconds.

For some reason or coincidence, the rules remained untouched on the wall where they were hung. The only thing untouched by the chaos of the room.

The bed was flipped over but from where he stood, he couldn’t tell if it was broken or not.

Anything else that couldn’t be broken was shredded or ruined in some way. It was a whole mess.

A million pieces of broken glass littered the floor, in every direction while a very tired looking Jet stood shirtless in the midst of it all.

Alexander couldn’t focus on them when he caught sight of Jet’s feet. He was barefoot and standing right on the shards like he couldn’t feel anything. And he was bleeding so much.

Alexander only hoped Jet would remain right where he was. That way he would keep pressure under his foot and not bleed excessively, but he moved unsteadily.

His hands were bloodied, and Alexander tried to keep a cool head at what he saw next. There was another broken glass in Jet’s hand. It was so huge it shouldn’t have fit in his hand but one end of it was cut small enough for his fist to close around it. And he gripped it so tightly in his hand that it looked like he was trying to cut his fingers off.

Alexander was more frustrated than ever. If he rushed, Jet might overreact and even end up doing something worse. And there was no way in hell he was going to just stand there.

The Master didn’t hesitate when he walked towards him cautiously. He kept a slow pace, but not too slow. “Put it down Jet, let it go.”

Jet breathed hard as his unfocused eyes looked forward but not actually looking at the Master.

Clearly he wasn’t getting through to him, and he needed that glass out of Jet’s hand, but the man was too far gone. He looked like he didn’t even know himself.

His chest heaved while he took shallow breaths as he gripped the glass even tighter in his hand.

Alexander finally got close enough to him. Words weren’t going to work, he knew. He went to his back and wrapped his arms around Jet, slowly but strong enough to restrain any sudden movements, especially from the hand that held the glass.

Jet jerked and it fell off his hand, then Alexander moved back with him quickly before he could drop it on his own foot.

Jet struggled in his hold, but he held him firmly. His body felt so hot against his, his breathing didn’t sound right, and he couldn’t feel his heart pounding like a thousand beats per minute.

Jet snapped his head back and knocked Alexander’s face with the back of his head with so much sudden force that he almost let him go.

“Fuck,” he muttered, then tightened his hold on him. “Jet, come on, please,” he whispered in his ear. “I’ve got you. It’s okay.” His voice sounded so thick, even to him. He knew he probably couldn’t hear him at all, but he had to try.

Jet fought so hard it didn’t feel like he would stop, and he was much stronger than he looked, but Alexander would hold on to him through to tomorrow if need be. That was not an option.

After what seemed like forever, Jet drew in a ragged breath, heaving in his hold, after trying to jump out of his confinement, he released short quick breaths before falling forward, completely pliant in his arms.

Relief briefly washed over him.

How the fuck had this happened?

He couldn’t help but pull Jet closer after turning around, holding him tighter than was necessary.

Jet’s breathing finally evened out as he lifted him in his arms, walking out and heading towards his room.

Alexander dropped Jet gently on the bed as he quickly got supplies to take care of him.

He needed to think. Jet’s condition wasn’t critical, he just had to act fast, needed to stop all the blood leaving his body. It felt like his heart could not slow down its beating.

Alexander wiped the blood off Jet’s hands, a lot of it dripping onto the bed. The cuts were a little deep, but not that deep. When he was done, he wrapped bandages to stop it from bleeding.

His phone rang suddenly and he ignored it.

He went ahead to remove every piece of glass stuck under Jet’s feet and cleaned the wounds, then bandaged them up the best he could.

His phone rang again.

“What?” He growled regardless of whoever was on the other side.

“The meeting is in fifteen, I said I’d call–” Tadashi said.

“Cancel it.”

“What? That–”

“Fucking cancel the meeting.”

“Hmm, it’s better if we settle for another date. I’ll get it done.” Tadashi was good at his job. Extremely good, so that there were almost always no setbacks whenever he had to do something like this.

“Tadashi,” Alexander said.

“Hm?”

“Sorry… uhh–”

“I don’t know what happened but I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed and I’ll call you later.”

The line went dead.

The Master was grateful. But he focused on Jet again. He dropped the phone as soon as the conversation was done and went to pull out one of his shirts.

He made sure Jet was no longer half naked then gathered him in his arms.

He kissed his cheek then his lips. “You’re going to be fine,” he said, even as he felt his hand slightly tremble.

He got up with Jet in his arms and walked towards the door. Jet was fine, he told himself again and again. He was fine. He had to be.

He still wasn’t going to take any chances.

You could just call Jen.

He wasn’t taking any chances waiting around.

It couldn’t happen all over again. It just couldn’t.

“Give him to me,” he heard Mason say from no where.

The Master shook his head and held Jet tighter.

“Then give me the keys,” said Mason. He was smart if he’d figured out everything that was going on.

His eyes darted from Jet to the Master and back again, assessing all the injuries he saw.

The Master didn’t budge.

“I saw the mess, then followed drops of blood to your room. If you haven’t even changed your bloodied shirt then it means it’s a desperate situation. You are not fine and that’s only natural at the moment, I’m worried too. Jesus, I’m trying so hard not to fall apart right now Alexander. So give me the fucking keys or let me hold Jet.”

He seemed to snap out of his daze. “I…okay, get in,” the Master said, to his relief, then put Jet in his arms and climbed in behind the wheel.

“I’m so sorry Jet,” whispered Mason. “I’m so sorry.”

Inside, Mason believed it was all his fault. He just hoped Jet could forgive him, because he was having a hard time forgiving himself.

More than anything, he just wanted him to be fine, even if he’d hate him when he woke up.

Please. He prayed.

39

The Master stared at Jet asleep in his bed, every feature on his face totally at ease as he let out steady breaths.

 They hadn't even taken a lot of time at the hospital when the doctors said that apart from the minor injuries, Jet was fine. He'd just lost a bit of blood, but nothing unfixable.

 They'd brought him back home but the worry never quite etched its way out. It probably wouldn't, for a long time.

 He noticed that Mason breathed easier on the way back. He saw the guilt in his face. He didn't want to ask but he did anyway. 

 Mason only shook his head and told him he didn't know how to face Jet when he woke up. 

 Whatever had happened, he knew deep down that he wouldn't overlook it. He'd just pretend it was none of his business until Jet became better, then he'd do everything to get to the bottom of it. 

 Thankfully, everything was clean when they got back and the sheets had been changed.

 There was no blood apart from the blood on his clothes which only reminded him that he'd been running around filthy.

 Once he'd made sure Jet was sound on the bed, he took a quick shower to clean everything and possibly the day off his skin.

 He'd been worried for nothing, apparently he'd played the role of doctor really well and had done everything they would have done anyway. They had no idea what they were talking about.

 He came out dressed to find Jet staring up at the ceiling. He was immediately by his side. 

 "Jet," he gasped out with everything his voice couldn't hide. 

 Jet winced when he tried to move and stopped. The confusion was clear in his face.

 The Master didn't know if it was because of his hands or feet but he was already putting a firm grip over him to still him. 

 He couldn't even stop himself when he leaned down suddenly and kissed Jet, pouring all of his relief into it.

 "It'll hurt less if you just remain calm and try to rest," the Master said while pulling away. 

 And then he climbed in right next to Jet on the bed. 

 "I'm...what..." the injured man said and trailed off as he raised his hand up to inspect the bandages. "Fuck."

 The way he said it made it sound like he was looking at something familiar. 

 "This has happened before," the Master realized as the words left his mouth. 

 When Jet didn't answer, he confirmed that it was true. The look of self loathing on his face threatened to pull a hidden part of him to the surface. 

 "How often?" He asked. "How bad does it get?"

 Jet turned a little to the side and breathed heavily. "It's nothing. Won't happen again."

 It wasn't what he asked.

“I’m not taking that for an answer. Look at me,” the Master waited until Jet fully turned to him. “You were so enraged, you needed an outlet. I get that. But I still want to know.”

Jet looked like he was trying to make up his mind. The Master had all the time, he could wait.

“I just wanted to punch something,” said Jet. It was a start. “Then the anger just got worse.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?”

“You’re not exactly a masochist.”

The Master laughed. “No. But I could stop you from hurting yourself, and anyone.”

“I wouldn’t,“Jet snapped. The realization seemed to hit Jet at the same time the Master tried to hide his hand.

Jet panicked. “I did that?!” He questioned as he tried to sit up, ignoring any pain he was in, but failing to hide it from his face.

If Jet couldn’t remember it then it might be worse than he thought. “This isn’t what I’m talking ab–”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Jet said, not quite listening to him.

It shouldn’t have shaken him the way it did. “I believe that.”

He couldn’t believe the reply came so naturally to him either. It was getting harder to understand himself with each passing day.

“But I still did!” Jet was getting restless and he wanted nothing more than for him to calm down.

The Master sat up with him and took his hands in his but Jet only shook his head. “I…” It came out as a gasp.

 He didn't even know if Jet realized that his face was wet.

“Take it easy,” the Master said, taking more pleasure than he should have, in the way Jet’s head easily leaned onto his shoulder. “You’re not at fault here.”

Jet sniffled. “But I hurt you.”

“You didn’t. Now stop crying okay?”

Jet nodded. It was the sweetest side of him that he’d ever seen so far. Crying because he thought he’d hurt him? Could it get more intoxicating than that? It didn’t even feel like it was Jet himself. He waited for him to quiet down.

“The last time it happened,” Jet started, trying to put some distance between them. It wasn’t going to be that easy. He wouldn’t allow it and Jet eventually gave up. “It was about two months before I signed up for this… thing.”

The Master cleaned the last of his tears. He remained quiet and let Jet talk.

“I woke up in a hospital… I had had a fall out with someone. Shitty job, shitty pay, shitty temper,” Jet stopped like he was contemplating stopping there. “The doctor said that people didn’t just attempt to break everything, including themselves just because their co-worker didn’t push the barstools in the right way. He said talking to someone might help…”

The Master hoped Jet didn’t notice the way he slightly stiffened. At that point it had finally hit him, how truly alone Jet was. Of course he might have had no one to talk to, given everything he’d found out about him so far.

“It wasn’t just that,” Jet continued. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

 The Master had stiffened and held his tongue because he held information that was vital to Jet. If he'd told him the truth, he'd have to let him go and he was so selfish he couldn't do that just yet. 

 It was almost like he needed him. So much that he wasn't ready to let him go yet. He wanted him here, he just did.

“It’s okay.” He let Jet slide back under the covers.

“I’m really sleepy. I think–”

“Go ahead, I’m right here.” The Master turned the lights out.

It had not even taken five minutes and Jet was already tossing and turning in the bed.

The Master moved even closer to him. It lessened, but Jet was still restless. After a while, he let out an exasperated sigh.

“I can’t,” Jet said into the darkness then paused. “The light…”

The Master was already reaching out to turn them on. “You can’t sleep without the light?” He asked.

That would explain why Jet never really slept easy, or why every time he woke up, the light on Jet’s side was always on.

He could have just told him. But he wasn’t about to complain because Jet was telling him now. It felt like progress. Progress towards what? He scolded himself.

Jet didn’t answer. He just turned his back to him like it was something anyone would or should be ashamed to admit.

The Master moved closer yet to him, but he left it at that.

Almost a whole week had passed by and Jet still couldn’t bring himself to talk to anyone. To face anyone.

He kept himself away from them, apart from the fact that Riley wasn’t about to take any of it. The man was more stubborn than a kitten with yarn, and a part of him was glad for that. And then there was Zel. He gave him worried looks that he wished he could wipe away from his face, and sometimes refused to leave his side for hours on end, especially when he’d just got back from the hospital. He didn’t seem to know that he wasn’t anyone’s favorite person at the moment, but he didn’t seem to be completely oblivious either. Jet didn’t want to admit it, but he didn’t exactly hate the attention he got from him. But it was hard to trust anyone.

By the middle of the week, Jet only felt the slightest pain when he walked so he moved around a little.

When he’d gone back to his room, he found Mason getting inside his then stopping suddenly at the sight of him.

Jet should have spared him a minute maybe, or just any amount of time because he’d never seen so much emotion on his face. Mason looked like he wanted to say so many things, he also looked like he wanted to cry.

Jet gave him no time, he slammed his door shut and left him standing probably staring after him. It was going to be a while before he got the image of Mason’s face out of his mind.

His room was perfect. Nothing was out of place, not even one blemish on it.

Despite it all, he wasn’t going to stay there. At least for a while.

It was the Master. In the past few days, he’d become like a refuge for Jet. He found that in his arms, he could truly relax. The warmth he offered was unexpected, unreal. And this time, Jet wasn’t going to be so quick to walk away from it.

He walked back to the Master’s room that was slowly turning out to be his too.

The morning after what was a whole week, Jet lay on the bed facing the Master as the man did the same.

“Everyone’s worried about you, you know,” he said.

Jet opened his mouth to tell him that wasn’t actually what it was, that he had it all wrong and if there was anything anyone felt towards him, it was hatred.

But the words that came out of his mouth were different. Not really what he wanted to say.

“What about you?” He asked. “Are you worried about me?”

The Master slowly hooked their fingers and brought their hands up to his mouth. The bruises on the back of Jet’s hand were already fading. He kissed them.

“I am,” he replied. “I want you to be okay.”

It sent a jolt down Jet’s spine. It’s what he wanted to hear and yet it still sent minor shockwaves through him.

“Well don’t be,” Jet said and snatched his hand back, groaning inwardly about why he sucked so much at this kind of thing.

The Master pushed his hair back and sighed.

“I’m going to tell you something I don’t really tell anyone,” the man before him started. He had Jet’s full attention. “Our situations are different, but every time I’m frustrated, every time something falls out of place, there’s only one thing that keeps my mind on track.”

“Punching a bag?” Jet was quick to ask.

“Control,” said the Master. “In that moment I need someone to walk upside down if I ask them to, no questions asked. I don’t care if I have to pay them to do it. That’s the only way it works.” His hand sought out his, they seemed to do that a lot lately; hold hands.

“And what if you can’t have your way?”

“Things get ugly, so I don’t let it get to that.”

He’d said it like it was not an option but a need. Maybe Jet understood that. But not all of it.

“Why do you need control?” He asked.

“I used to, but now I just crave it. It’s what I’ve been taught from a young age,” the Master said. “You lose control, you lose everything.”

Jet couldn’t believe his ears, the Master was opening up to him? Did seeing him in whatever state he was in affect him so much?

“My father would make me watch him while he worked,” the Master said. “He said it was the only way I would learn to run things.”

Jet was hooked, nothing could distract him from the words that left his mouth. There was a frown on the Master’s face, like he was back in the past, in a place he didn’t like to be.

“I was probably six when it started. I’d watch him even past midnight… sometimes all the way to three in the morning. It was easy to catch me drowsing off to sleep because all I had was a chair against the wall. But every time he did catch me, he’d take something I liked from me; a favorite shirt, a toy, meals… anything.”

Jet honestly didn’t know what to say, so he kept his mouth shut. But there was a tightening in his gut, like he suddenly wanted to bash a stranger’s skull in.

“I found my ways around it, but the consequences were worse. Eventually he destroyed himself for a number of factors but his words never stopped ringing in my ears.”

It sounded like there was so much he was not saying.

“Was he trying to turn you into himself?” Jet tried to simmer the anger bubbling inside.

“Don’t all fathers try with their sons?” The Master asked. “He is an awfully insecure man, no matter how rich he is.”

Jet wondered where he was. He wondered about his family, his mother. He didn’t voice any of it.

“Do you think he succeeded?”

“More or less. I mean, I’m perfect and all but–”

“Ugh I should have known,” Jet rolled his eyes then kissed the corner of his mouth. “You’re just a little hot, don’t let it turn your brain to noodles.”

“See? Perfect.”

Jet tried to focus when his fingers were kissed one by one. “So fucking h- stupid,” said Jet, even as his voice came out softly.

“I’m going to book you a doctor’s appointment, see if you’ve recovered perfectly fine,” the Master said when he found time to stop kissing him. “Or I could get Jen.”

That grabbed Jet’s attention, but he declined.

“You’re better off booking an appointment for Mason,” said Jet. “I’m fine.”

“Mason? Why?”

“He… uh,” Jet didn’t know how to say it. “He’s got this thing… a condition that… well he just gets boners randomly, that isn’t right… I think. Could you do that instead?”

“Hmm… he told you that?” The Master asked him. Why didn’t he sound fazed?

Jet nodded and the Master muffled a laugh. “What are you guys talking about in your spare time?”

Jet groaned. “Just do it okay?”

“You know, that’s awfully fishy for someone who doesn’t want anything to do with him.”

“Fucking hell, never mind then,” said Jet.

They should have gotten off the bed already, but somehow they both wanted to waste as much time as possible lazing around, being with each other.

“Jet,” the Master said.

“What?”

“I’m going to take you out tomorrow.”

Jet hesitated. He denied to himself the fact that he was a little excited. “What for?”

“You’ll see.”

Jet rolled to the opposite side of the bed to turn away from him.

“Whatever,” he said, then continued after a while. “Ever since that day, you know… that awful date. You’ve called me nothing but Jet.”

“Is it not your name?”

“It is. But that’s all you’ve been calling me.”

“Yeah, because it’s your name, or do you want me to call you Carrera?”

Jet groaned. “Never mind, Jet is my fucking name.”

He still had his back turned to the Master but he thought he heard a low chuckle.

“My fierce cub,” he heard him say finally.

There was silence between them for a short while until Jet finally spoke. “Don’t fucking call me that,” he said, trying to hide his small smile.

40

Pierre missed Jet.

 But he had no idea what he was supposed to do. 

 When he'd heard about what happened to him, guilt coursed through him, but he still had no idea what to do, what to say, or even where to begin from.

 More than that was the possibility that none of what he'd heard was true. Had Zel been right then?

 Oh mon Cherie.

Every time Pierre thought of him, he remembered vividly what had been whispered in his ears.

 The smile wasn't planned. It just creeped up on his face and his cheeks warmed a little at the memory. Pierre had been so bold as to whisper it back to him. And then they'd gone about giggling about it.

 It was so liberating to admit it, and to know he felt the same way. It made him so giddy to think about it.

 "What are you smiling about?" 

 Pierre nearly jumped out of his skin. For a minute there he had forgotten that he was the one who'd been tailing Riley around the house.

 He shook his head immediately while Riley regarded him with a glass of water in his hand.

 "Oh is that a blush? Now you have to tell me."

 "I can't tell you." He really couldn't. He had promised Zel to keep his secret. "Sorry!"

 Riley regarded him for a while before agreeing with a nod. "Fine, I won't push," he replied. "It's your lucky day."

 Pierre watched as he emptied the glass of all of its content. His lips, his throat bobbing with his efforts to swallow. The bare muscle in his biceps as he raised the glass. He was noticing everything against his own will.

 "

Merde. “

 "What?" Riley asked. Then saw Pierre's face more clearly. "Now what's wrong?"

 Pierre figured his face was doing something on its own. He thought about what he really wanted to tell Riley. "You're going to him aren't you? To Jet?" He asked. 

 "Yeah," Riley shrugged.

 "You'll tell me how he's doing?" Pierre couldn't control the way his voice changed.

 Riley was quick to answer. "Of course."

 "I mean... like how he's really doing? Is he... If–If he's..."

 "Hey, I get it," Riley set the glass down and pulled Pierre against him. "Don't worry about it."

 Pierre relaxed into his hold when he felt Riley's lips in his hair, then his fingers. 

 Pierre hugged him, wrapping his hands around his waist letting his head rest against his chest. 

 They remained that way for a few seconds before Riley finally asked. "What are you doing?"

 Pierre paused. Somehow his hands had found Riley's butt, he was squeezing and releasing the soft flesh over and over.

 He looked up innocently because Riley easily towered over him.

 "Zel said... If you're stressed, you should find butts to squeeze."

 Riley shook with laughter. "The two of you shouldn't be left alone together." 

 Pierre lowered his eyes and almost pouted.

 "Well is it working?" Riley asked. 

 "It does feel good, let me try again," Pierre answered. 

 Riley laughed a bit more at that and let Pierre 'get over his stress'. 

 "Yeah, it definitely helps," said Pierre and finally released his butt.

 "I have to go," Riley said. "Glad I could be of help."

 They disentangled and without thinking, Riley bent and leaned towards Pierre. He only stopped when their lips were almost less than an inch apart.

 His eyes widened a little before putting more space between them. "Sorry. Fuck–"

 He shouldn't have done that. But it felt so natural he was still cursing himself inside for not going through with it.

 The need intensified in that moment and if he didn't leave then, he was going to do something rash. He wouldn't care what it entailed as long as it involved shoving his tongue inside Pierre's mouth. 

 Pierre took a step forward and Riley took one back. What was he trying to do. 

 "Take it easy on me Pierre," he said. 

 Pierre seemed determined to get through with it. "You're kidding me," he said without tearing his eyes off the taller man's lips.

 "It's weird how you have no idea."

 "No idea about what?" Pierre asked. 

 "How tempting you are." 

 Pierre looked a little startled at his answer. 

 Riley blew out a breath and rubbed the side of his neck. "Jet..." he said, pointing backwards and trying to get away. 

 Somehow, by some slight, he managed.

Riley saw the Master first when he got into his room. He had his computer on his lap, completely focused on what he was doing.

Jet lay comfortably on one side of the big bed staring at the ceiling, then turned to watch Riley as he got in.

“I miss you walking angrily around the house,” said Riley with one of his most charming winks. Or as he liked to believe.

He got onto the bed and kissed the Master on his lips before crushing Jet with his weight.

“Maybe if you didn’t wink while you said it, I’d try to believe you,” Jet tried to move him off.

Riley shifted and gathered Jet on his lap. “How are you?”

Jet clammed up at the question.

“I’m also here to spy on you so I’m going to need answers,” said Riley.

He tried to look into Jet’s eyes. But Jet wouldn’t meet his.

 The Master was frowning at his computer next to them.

“It’s hot when he’s busy with his work isn’t it?” Riley asked.

 "He's alright," Jet shrugged.

 The Master scoffed but didn't even turn away from the screen. He didn't seem to mind the fact that Riley had made himself the third member on the bed. Why was no one pointing that out? Or finding it unusual?

 If he was being honest, he was comfortable right where he sat teasing Jet with light touches.

 "Is it okay if I kiss him sir?" Came Riley's sudden question. 

 He didn't miss the way Jet went rigid in his arms, and he definitely didn't miss the barely audible sound that escaped his lips.

 "Hmm," said the Master. "Let's see."

 Riley was distracted, trying not to hold his breath for an answer that Jet squirmed out of his hold. 

 The Master held his hand out to Riley while he placed the computer on the nightstand. Riley put his hand in his, quite happy that he got his attention. 

 The Master pulled Riley over to straddle him, then circled one arm lower than Riley's waist to pull him closer. 

 They didn't have to think about it, the kiss was instant, like muscle memory just kicked in and took over every sinew exacerbating his need for the other. Lately every kiss felt different from the other, every single one was somehow unique and special.

 This one felt like the desperation, need and relief that came with waiting for something for so long. And the strangest part was that it hadn't even been that long.

 The two men pulled apart to breathe, the eye contact between them was nothing short of intense, heated and pregnant with so much left unsaid. The Master then licked Riley's lips and he shivered.

 "I think you'll both come to an agreement," said the Master. 

 It was good enough for permission.

 When Riley looked to where Jet lay watching them, he couldn't help but think the tattooed man could use some fresh air.

 "We're not kissing," said Jet.

 "I don't know, you look like you want it so bad," said Riley.

 "You'll have to learn how to speak Jet at one point," said the Master, getting back to his work. 

 Riley put a finger to Jet's lips. "In that case, I'll wait. I'll save my kiss until you admit you want it too."

 Jet was a complicated person as Riley was beginning to understand. He felt his heart race as he went back to wrap his arms around him, not to mention the disappointment that flashed across his face.

 The words that came out of his mouth didn't even sound genuine to Riley's ears. "No need to save your kiss 'cause I don't want it," he said.

 "Sure you don't," Riley replied. 

 It was shocking how he could pull off such a casual tone while having Jet that close to him. 

 They talked so lightly and yet there was nothing light about how much Riley was trying not to fold. For whatever it was worth, Jet excited him more than he should have, even while he tried to hide it.

 He was a little disappointed in himself, he wasn't usually one to keep anything he felt hidden inside. He was bold and he took pride in that. Not now apparently, he didn't really know what he felt. And he cowered away before he could understand it. 

 Do better Riley.

He tried to convince himself.

 "Maybe tomorrow you'll want to," he said at last. "When I bring you breakfast and spoon feed you because I'll you know... I'll sweep you off your feet with my charm."

 "I can feed myself, I'm as good as healed," Jet said quickly.

 "Aw baby, that's not really healed now, is it?"

 Riley's hands fastened around Jet as his entire back squeezed flush against him exactly like they were cuddling.

 Jet's hands were on his, like they couldn't decide whether to push him away or not.

 "Now if you'll excuse me," said Riley. "I've got a grand breakfast menu to plan."

 He was only saying it because he wanted to give Jet space. He was really going to put a lot of thought into the menu but he didn't think Jet actually wanted him stuck to his back till morning.

 When he tried to move, Jet's hand fastened where his were clasped. He pressed Riley's hands tighter against him without saying a word.

 "Jet, you're not letting go," Riley wasn't even sure what he was supposed to say.

 "Yeah so what?"

 Both Riley and the Master chuckled. 

 "If that isn't the most romantic thing to ever come out of your mouth," said Riley. "I'm definitely going to kiss you tomorrow."

 Jet looked everywhere around him and tried to contain his excitement. 

 The air buzzed with sounds of restless animals flittering about in their cages just waiting for someone to come and claim them. Some were quiet, some shied away to the backs of their cages, and others seemed even happy.

 The Master stood close behind him so he leaned in to ask Jet. "Do you want one?"

 Jet watched some of the dogs that were previously at the front, move back trying to hide away from strangers, some looked at them with curiosity while others barked in hostility to the intruders in their space. 

 He fucking loved dogs. He couldn't really understand why but he just did. Immensely. He'd never really gotten around to owning one because he didn't know how he could properly take care of one, when it was already hard enough to take care of himself. He was already changing his mind, unable to resist.

 "I don't believe you have ever looked more beautiful," Jet heard the Master say and his breath caught in his throat. 

 He was going to ignore it because that was the only sensible thing to do. 

 Jet was so grateful that that was the moment a particular dog—puppy, caught his attention.

 It was a husky with black and white fur that was evenly distributed around its coat.

 It growled more ferociously as Jet crouched closer to it. He liked it already.

 The puppy barked when Jet put a hand with his palm flat to it, as if asking for it to shake his hand. Jet didn't make eye contact.

 The husky seemed confused but he barked less now that Jet seemed less of a threat. 

 Jet then extended his hand to rub his fur and pet him slowly until his tail was wagging almost uncontrollably. 

 The puppy leaned to his touch and barked so excitedly that it was all Jet could do not to take him out in that instant. 

 The husky had bright blue eyes that complimented his hide all the more. He licked Jet's hand where the bruises were now almost completely faded.

 "This one," said Jet while looking up at the Master but not taking his hands off the puppy.

 The Master crouched where he was and immediately he tried to lean in, the puppy barked menacingly. He seemed to be warning the Master not to get too close to Jet. 

 "You just had to pick a fierce pup didn't you?" The Master asked and for the second time ever, he got to watch Jet break out in a genuine laugh. 

 "You really are beautiful Jet," he said. He wasn't even smiling at him. 

 Jet recoiled and focused all of his energy towards avoiding the Master's gaze and petting the little puppy that just kept warming up more and more to him. 

 The Master had never seen him so shy before.

 "You must be special," said one of the pet store owners. She'd introduced herself as Melby earlier, wearing a blue jacket with a bright yellow paw on one side of it. Now she had their full attention as they turned to her. 

 "He wouldn't even let anyone get close before you got here," she smiled. "You must be really good with animals."

 It actually made Jet feel special. But he let the Master do the talking while he went back to playing with the husky. 

 Jet held him on the way back despite the plastic crate they were given. In it, were two harnesses with a leash.

 The crate was tossed in the back while he occupied the passenger seat with the puppy, not quite able to take his eyes off him. 

 The Master had to keep his eyes on the road, but if that wasn't the case, he'd be staring at Jet. He still stole a few glances here and there but not nearly enough. 

 "What do you want to eat?" He asked and didn't miss the way Jet's face lit up at the mention of food. That was good.

 "A lot of things," said Jet. "But I'll settle for anything."

 The Master nodded with a proud smile as Jet rolled his window down and a gust of air blew in. No doubt he did it for the puppy. 

 "I'm thinking we could fashion a collar for him," said the Master. "Have you decided on a name?" 

 Jet didn't answer immediately. "I was thinking uh... you could name him." 

 The Master was taken by surprise, but he laughed it out. "Unfortunately that is one of the few things I'm not good at, you're going to have to do it."

 "Hmm..." Jet held the puppy up and looked at it. "Don't worry, I'll name you," the puppy barked once. "He's just jealous you like me better."

 The Master scoffed in amusement. Him? Jealous because of a puppy? 

 He glanced at Jet and caught him smiling at the dog while in thought. 

 Fuck. He

was jealous of a puppy.

 "Hades," said Jet. "We'll call him Hades."

 We.

“I suddenly get the feeling the fierce cub and his pup are about to raise hell.”

 "You hear that Hades? He sounds jealous."

 Hades looked at him with his tongue out, wagging his tail. 

 "I do not," the Master said defensively.

They drove in silence for a while, with Jet completely focused on Hades, and the Master stealing glances at him every now and then. And then Jet suddenly broke the silence.

“About that food, I actually have something in mind,” he said, turning to look at the Master while scratching behind the puppy’s ears affectionately.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he replied, sounding like he’s never been in such a good mood before. “You trust me?”

The Master nodded while trying not to take his eyes off Jet, wondering what he had in mind, wondering why he didn’t hesitate to say he trusted him, trying to make sure they didn’t get into an accident at the same time because he couldn’t focus well enough.

Of course he’d do anything to make him happy, he wouldn’t have bothered with any of this to begin otherwise.

“Let me drive,” said Jet.

The Master agreed, but continued to look at him curiously. This was just another thing that had never happened in the history of the program. Not once ever.

 Jet might have been a little excited when he got behind the wheel, and he probably had a death wish. He drove like a mad man; no hesitation, and no regard for the brakes.

 Alexander clutched Hades against his chest before the poor dog could be jostled everywhere inside the car. 

 "Jesus you always drive like that!" He asked, even as excitement filled his blood.

 "Like... what do you mean?" Jet asked with the hottest smirk he's ever seen on his face.

 "I mean," Alexander used his free hand to reach across Jet's lap to grab the seatbelt, then clicked it securely into the buckle. "If you go on that way, Hades will definitely throw up."

 The little puppy wagged his tail excitedly, as if to contradict what he was saying. This pairing was bound to be a disaster. A cute one, a cute little disaster.

 "Jet?" Alexander looked questioningly at him. He still hadn't moved. 

 "Right," he snapped out it, then looked down at the seatbelt he was now wearing, hands tightening on the wheel. "Yes. Shoot, sorry."

 With a little help from GPS, he knew exactly where to go. He looked distractedly at the familiar surroundings he'd driven to, and in the distance, the benches by the water. Even before the competition, it'd been a while since he'd seen the place.

 "We're here," Jet said while slowing down. 

 When he stopped, Alexander looked out, and he saw a busy street corner facing the water. He saw several stands and carts and kiosks and stalls stationed every few steps. And just so much food! And so many people.

 When Jet parked the car, he got Hades' harness and put it on him, then he attached the leash and gave the handle to Alexander. While he accepted it, he dropped a kiss just below Jet's ear.

“Come with me,” he said, trying to ignore the heat where the lips had touched him, and the Master’s annoying knowing smirk.

 He followed where Jet led, coming to stop by a pleasant smelling stand.

“We’re starting sweet,” said Jet, regarding the Master in an unlikely setting. He looked more than curious, taking in every little thing he’d never been so close to before.

“Is that a banana?” Alexander asked in disbelief. “Fried? On a stick?”

“Exactly,” Jet smiled in that sort of way he didn’t know he was doing it. “Try it.”

Alexander took the stick from him in one hand, handling Hade’s leash with the other, and took a bite of the banana. It was hotter than he thought as he quickly chewed.

 "Careful," Jet warned a little too late. "They're really hot."

“Wow,” he said and Jet didn’t know whether he was talking about the heat or the taste. He took another bite, and then another. “This is actually a banana.” He took more bites until it was done. He put the stick in the trash and reached for his wallet. “How was that so good! Never even thought a banana could be fried.”

“Oh fuck no,” Jet immediately reached a hand out to to stop him. “This is all on me.”

Alexander wasn’t having it.

“But I’m the one who asked you what you wanted to eat.”

“Gimme that!” Jet grabbed the wallet from his hand, he looked at the notes he was trying to pull out then squeezed them back in. “You don’t even have change!” He laughed. “You’re so rich it’s adorable!” Jet closed the wallet and put it in his own pocket. “This is mine for now.”

Alexander looked at him sourly, seeming a bit restless all of a sudden.

“What?” He got closer. “You’ve never had somebody spend their money on you before?”

 Alexander looked a little embarrassed. "Not like this," he said in a thick voice. 

 Jet looked like he wanted to hold his hand but he restrained himself. "It's fine," he said. "I really want to do this."

 He couldn't say no. Not when Jet was looking at him like that. But why did his insides suddenly feel like they were being mushed up and turned, slowly by slowly? 

 He nodded at him, trying to appear calm, not nervous, certainly not out of his element.

They both turned back to find the old lady looking at them blankly, looking almost bored with her pipe held close to her lips. “Ready to pay now? Finished shootin’ yer movie scene?”

She put the pipe back in her mouth to accept the money from Jet and counted it. Then she smiled. “ Sakto, Tadtad .“

 Jet couldn't keep his smile away from the nickname. 

 "Got yourself a salaryman I see," she said with the tiniest nod of approval.

Jet ignored her comment. “Nice to see you again too, you mean old hag.”

Namiss

kita

! “ Jet heard her say above the noise, then more quietly. “ Idiot .“ It was just like old times, he barely understood her when she suddenly switched languages.

Jet moved him away from there after that. “Guess what my favorite thing is, it’s over by that stall,” he pointed to a tiny kiosk.

Alexander couldn’t even begin to guess from the amounts of various foods on display. “I don’t see the pasta.”

“Did you just….” Jet elbowed Alexander’s side and he folded forward with a chuckle. “Ugh. Again with the stupid Italian stereotypes. I don’t even like pasta…that much. Hades this is the part where you bite his ass.”

 They stood before the stall and Jet ordered for deep fried calamari and a sausage for Hades.

Jet finished an entire serving of squid rings while he watched Alexander devour his as well. “Good?”

He fed Hades half the sausage he got for him. The little puppy set to nibbling his treat where they sat.

“More than just good. I’ve never had calamari like this before, and this is the best one.”

Jet nodded. “I like this place because they’ve got almost everything, you just have to look hard enough.”

“You come here a lot?”

“I used to, a long time ago,” Jet replied. “I’m surprised not much has changed. And now you have me to thank for your first ever street food experience.” He smiled then got up. “We might as well try some dumplings.”

“I’ve had dumplings before,” Alexander noticed how Jet quickly changed the subject, but he let it go as they made their way all the way to the end of the line of carts and stalls. “It’s so crowded here.”

“Always is.” Jet said while he lifted Hades in his arms and took the handle from him. “And you’ve not had this kind before. You’ll see.”

Jet asked for steamed dumplings. “I picked this specifically because this chili-garlic sauce in particular, is just off the charts. There must be a secret ingredient they add to it,” said Jet. “You eat spicy food right?”

Alexander smiled. “Yeah. I like spicy,” he said before trying one.

“What’s going on? Everything is just so good. Oh my God!” It sounded like appreciation and complaint at the same time. “Is there one bad thing here?”

“There’s actually some,” replied Jet. “You’re just lucky you have me, so you don’t have to find out. But sometimes, street food is almost unrivaled.”

After that, Jet asked him if he’d ever had a corn dog before.

“No.”

“You really have tried nothing here before?”

“I used to think I had.”

Alexander wasn’t the biggest fan of the corn dog, but Jet would never get the image of his eyes widening with the cheese pull out of his memory. Nor when he extended it to Jet’s mouth excitedly to take a bite of it.

After that they shared a metal bowl filled with fish balls, then after that, they sat back on the same bench, holding dessert cups with fruits and jelly cubes in them. “You know, I don’t know the last time I ate so much. And yet I think I could still eat more.”

“Me too,” said Jet.

“You’re far away,” Alexander complained. “Come closer.”

Jet rolled his eyes and closed some space between them.

“Closer.”

“How close do you want me to get?”

“Closer.”

Alexander sighed when Jet’s thigh brushed against his. Then he wrapped a hand around his middle and hauled him onto his lap. “There.”

Jet startled but stayed still. “We’re in public!”

“Okay,” said Alexander, bringing his chin to rest on Jet’s shoulder. “But I only see you.”

That shut Jet up completely. He shoved a spoonful of cold fruit salad in his mouth.

 "My fierce cub." He whispered into the crook of Jet's neck. "I don't want to see you hurt again."

Alexander nuzzled his ear while Hades finished the other half of his sausage. “Also, about that stick banana…can I have one more?”

Jet chuckled. “I knew you really liked that.”

After the Master had devoured two more banana cues, and they sat in the car, fully sated, they kissed for so long that it was hard to tear away, to do anything else except mold their lips together, not when they felt so perfectly right against each other.

“So, how’s that store bought food sound now?” Jet teased moments later.

The Master chuckled. “Please don’t interrupt me when I’m kissing you.”

CHALLENGE:

Build And Set Sail

How to win;

Build a raft from scratch within the span of 7 days. Get from one end of the water body—which will be provided—to the other on the last day successfully. If more than one person is successful, then the fastest will be deemed the winner.

An assortment of less than perfect materials have been provided, and each competitor will be assigned an assistant they can call on only twice, so use this chance sparingly. You get extra points if you do it alone.

Discretion is the order of the game. You are allowed to sabotage another competitor’s progress, but only in secret. You lose if you are caught.

•••

The worst built raft gets 75 points taken off their total score.

The winner gets 75 points added to their total score. They will also be given the power to sit out the next game or challenge without consequence, or loss of a single point.

Note: If the winner chooses not to exercise this privilege, it will be lost. It cannot be transferred to another challenge. Nor can it be transferred to another competitor.

good luck with this one

Mason looked at the fingers entwined with his. They were lovely. The pad of his thumb moved in circles around the back of the hand.

All he felt for Linder was some sort of remorse.

The younger man had told him Jet wasn’t worth it and had been so horrible to him. There really was pain in his face, but Mason wasn’t so ready to believe him this time.

He only smiled at him like his feelings were hurt too.

“Linder, you can always, always talk to me,” he touched his cheek. “You know that right?”

He wasn’t sure if Linder really understood him. He seemed a little angry.

He wanted Linder to talk to him about the reasons why he was doing what he was doing.

What did Jet ever do to him?

“I’ve got these… feelings for you I think… I just need you to know that,” Mason said laughing a little nervously, his heart in a twist over how Linder would react. “I’m here, anything for you, remember?”

Mason was right when he thought Linder looked a little angry. The pain in his face didn’t disappear but all the softness that was there a while ago, vanished.

Mason reached out with his other hand, he wanted to draw Linder closer to him and tell him it would be alright. That he didn’t have to be nasty in order to be understood.

Linder had other plans. He withdrew from him completely before Mason could reach him. Then he got up and paused to look down at him.

“I feel nothing towards you,” he said then walked away.

41

“You’re becoming quite the man of the season,” said Tadashi. He extended and turned the tablet towards Alexander so that he could read the article.

 The headline was written in bold pink letters.

‘Romance Might Not Be Dead After All.’

 Underneath it was a more detailed subtext.

‘Multi-billionaire Alexander Kane buys puppy for tattooed mystery boyfriend?’

 There was a picture right underneath it; Jet hugged Hades against his chest while they walked back to his car, the plastic crate on his hand. It didn't help that Alexander's other hand snaked around Jet's waist so possessively. 

 Those fucks. 

 "They won't give it a rest now," Alexander stated matter of factly. 

 They were getting on his nerves. For their own sakes, they needed to stop. It wouldn't be the first time he destroyed a media house.

 "You got him a puppy? A puppy Alexander?"

 "What seems to be the problem here?" He asked his assistant. He knew perfectly well what the problem was.

 "You can't be serious," Tadashi said then regarded the Master carefully. "You're getting attached?"

 Was he? Was he really getting attached?

 "Fuck no."

 "You can't lie to me Alexander," Tadashi said calmly.

 The Master leaned back a little frustrated. "Maybe a little. But it's nothing I can't handle."

 "Tell me how I deal with this, I've never seen you like this before so I'm not sure how I'm supposed to. And I hate not knowing what to do," said Tadashi. 

 He had a right to ask. Every right. "It's not your job to deal with my decisions." 

 "That's the thing, it literally is," said his assistant. "Everything you do is tied to me one way or another. And when the competition reaches its end, they will leave just like the rest, but I'm not so sure we'll have a perfect finish this time."

 "It will be the same," Alexander said despite knowing the opposite. It was not going to be the same, not by a long shot.

 "Why did you do it?" Tadashi finally asked. 

 "I honestly don't know." This time, Alexander decided to go with the truth. 

 "You don't know, but you got him a puppy."

 "He likes dogs."

 "You knew that?" Tadashi was surprised that somehow the seemingly broody and closed up Jet had told the Master that. Until he saw the guilty look pass over his features. 

 "You read the information they shared?" This was definitely worse than he thought. "You never do that!"

 It wouldn't be a problem, to handle things in the next two months. There was nothing he couldn't do. 

 The only thing that got in his way was a folly of his own creation. Over the years, he'd learned to care for his boss beyond the boundaries of his job. 

 Alexander could more than take care of himself, but working for him for so many years and so closely meant seeing the vulnerability through the cracks. 

 When Tadashi had first come to work for him, the Master was only twenty six. Extremely young to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

 He'd met him at what could possibly have been one of the worst times of Alexander's life. It was a wonder to everyone that he'd even lasted a year.

 Alexander appeared cool and calm, like he was someone who functioned perfectly. It wasn't quite that simple. 

 Only Tadashi got to see how out of control he really was. 

 Alexander had the worst temper, it was like working for the devil on his bad days. He watched him manipulate the people who showed any sympathy towards him, then fired them. 

 No one lasted long enough, certainly not the assistants before him. 

 Everyone whispered about whatever had happened to him a bit before Tadashi's arrival but no one really got into detail about it. More like they weren't sure about it either.

 It further fed his curiosity.

 All he managed to put together at the time was that there was an arranged marriage. And seemingly, it hadn't gone so well.

 After about four months of putting up with Alexander, his time had come. 

 It happened on a day just like any other–in fact, on a night. And something seemed to frustrate Alexander more than things usually did. 

 Tadashi was working later than the late he usually worked to fix a tiny error he'd made. It was all Alexander needed to tell him he was fired. 

 "On what ground your majesty?" Tadashi had asked and walked straight towards him. "A tiny mistake? One that I'm fixing?"

 "A mistake nonetheless."

 A heated look passed between them until Tadashi lowered his eyes. 

 He told him he wasn't going anywhere, and then he kissed him. 

 No one would have dared to do that, but he'd reached a point with this man where his resolve wasn't weak. 

 Alexander could have easily pushed him away or punched him for his stupidity. It wouldn't have been so hard, the man was definitely stronger than he was, but he did neither.

 He seemed to falter when Tadashi pulled away. Anyone would have been shocked, he even shocked himself a little. But he finally had his attention.

 "All of this has to stop. I'll be a distraction if you want me to, but I won't leave until you get yourself together. What good am I, if I can't do at least that?"

 Tadashi would never forget what he'd whispered to him that night with his eyes so defeated, almost lost. Nor would he forget what he'd told him after. 

 "I miss him so much," Alexander had said distractedly. 

 Finally. Something out of that wall he'd built around himself with stone. 

 Tadashi didn't know who exactly. He didn't know why or what had happened but it was something. An opportunity.

 "If I were him, I'd be ashamed of you," Tadashi replied. 

 It was a petty thing to say. He'd never say that to someone who was clearly hurting so much. That would be cruel.

 But Alexander needed to hear it. And from what he knew, hard facts computed faster than soft words did when it came to his boss. 

 They never kissed again. But Alexander changed a little more with each passing day until he was back to himself. 

 Charismatic, quick witted and extremely intelligent. He could charm an entire board within mere seconds of speaking.

 He'd refined himself so much that Tadashi almost thought he had a crush on him. It didn't help that he was so unforgivingly good looking. 

 Tadashi's conflict with himself was resolved after about a month of going back and forth about it. It hadn't been a crush after all. It was just admiration, just someone he truly looked up to.

 Eight years later and the pain still wasn't gone from his eyes. The fire behind them had burned away to leave nothing but a coldness behind. 

 That was fine with Tadashi. Anything other than that hell he was living in before.

 He watched Alexander now behind his desk, clearly in debate with himself. 

 He knew that Alexander would follow every rule down to its core, even if it meant he hurt himself in the end. 

 It was just how he was wired. A little messed up no doubt, but that was one of the places he came in. They worked really well together. 

 With the little time they had left, he had the inkling that not everyone would be going home unscathed.

 If they'd grown any feelings whatsoever, they should prepare themselves for a disappointment. It would be the most they could do for themselves.

 Alexander's heart was one of the things that were unavailable to anyone. 

 He'd watched him reject and discard competitors over the years with a smile. Tadashi was even convinced he was enjoying it. 

 But with the way he wasn't smiling so much now, it was complicated. He seemed a little stressed even.

 But it was particularly odd that the competition was already more than halfway done, and not even two people had been disqualified.

 If Alexander's dark moods lately was any sign of pending doom, Tadashi wondered what he would do.

 It was way too little to be anything but there was a fair chance that his boss could be falling. 

 Tadashi smiled.

 "You agreed to meet with me," the green eyed man said, following Tadashi's movements.

 His brown hair curled naturally as some of it attempted to cover his eyes. His thin lips were pursed at the moment but otherwise, they sort of formed a heart shape.

He would have looked completely young and boyish if it weren’t for his poise, the pride and dignity with which he carried himself.

“To tell you to leave him alone,” replied Tadashi. “Can I get you anything?”

His guest shook his head and Tadashi frowned. “I insist,” he said.

No one had ever won that battle against him. After a little protest, he’d gotten water for the guest.

“I just need to talk to him, at least just once. He won’t even answer my calls.”

“He’s hurting McClure, he’s been hurting for nearly ten years now, or more, I don’t think he needs you as a reminder.”

“I know, Mr Ishii, but I think he needs this.”

“He doesn’t fucking need anything from you!” It took a lot for Tadashi to raise his voice at anyone.

He shocked himself with the anger that came out of his voice.

There was a pause as the McClure before him recomposed himself. All of his movements so proper. “I’m sorry if–”

“No,” Tadashi quickly dismissed his apology. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper, I’m sorry. And please, call me Tadashi.”

Dark eyebrows furthered away from the green eyes under them. “Only if you call me Eden.”

Tadashi cleared his throat. “Whatever Alexander had with your brother…”

“What they had was rare, beautiful. I’ve never seen people love so hard before, never seen such raw emotion…” Eden shook his head like he was trying not to get carried away.

Tadashi only watched him.

“There’s a letter,” he said.

“A letter?”

“From my brother, It’s what I’ve been trying to give him all this time. I think he needs to read it. I don’t know what’s in it, but it might be good for him, might finally set him free,” Eden looked at Tadashi hopefully.

“Or make him regress. I don’t know if I want to take that chance,” said Tadashi.

“I understand. But think about it,” said Eden. “Wouldn’t you rather he knew?”

Tadashi actually gave it thought. “You’re talking about a letter, only a letter? Is that even enough?”

“It could be everything. You’ve never seen them together, you should have, there was nothing like it,” Eden was so sure of his words.

Tadashi really thought about it. “An arranged marriage,” he sighed. “They were only engaged, from everything I’ve heard, they never got married. He doesn’t like to talk about it.”

“That was where it went wrong,” Eden said. He cast his eyes downwards. “Everything happened before they could get married.”

Tadashi didn’t string it out any further. “Fine,” he sighed. More out of frustration because he didn’t know if he was doing the right thing. “I’ll get you time alone with him. But no more than five minutes.”

“That is plenty. I’d have settled fine if you wanted to give him the letter yourself,” said Eden.

There was something so utterly pure and honest about him.

Tadashi shook his head. “That isn’t my place.”

He wouldn’t interfere because whatever needed to happen, didn’t need him there. He hoped only good would come out of this.

Eden’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Do you uh… do you mind if I ask you out?”

“Can I talk to you?”

Jet looked to see Mason standing at his doorway again. No. No way.

“I’d rather you just leave,” said Jet.

He noticed Mason’s eyes roam all parts of his bare chest. He hadn’t even thought of the state of undress he was in before swinging the door open.

He’d taken a quick shower and wrapped himself hastily to get to the knocking at the door. The towel now hung low around his hips.

Mason looked back up to look at him. “Just listen to me… for a while at least.”

“Why? So that I can hear you call me scum again? Or do you have new ones you’d like me to hear?” It had clearly hurt Jet more than he thought it would.

Mason took a step forward. “I didn’t mean any of that. I’m–”

“It really sounded like you did, why else would you say it?” Jet asked.

“I was wrong and–”

“I don’t want to hear it, and I don’t want to slam the door in your face, so just go–”

Mason was openly staring at his body now, almost like he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t get to stare his fill because Jet walked away leaving the door but instead of Mason leaving, he followed him inside.

“You got hurt. Again,” Mason said. It was one of the worst things he could start with. Jet still winced every time it was brought up.

 "It wasn't intentional, it wasn't so I could get your attention and I don't need it." 

 "I didn't say it was. You don't understand..."

 "You don't think I wanted to? I wanted to understand why you looked at me with so much contempt. You wouldn't even tell me," Jet laughed a little. It sounded a little scary. 

 "Jet–"

 "I said no, get the fuck out."

 Mason sighed. It was the most frustrated sound Jet had heard in a while. 

 "Fine, I'll go," Mason lingered by the door. "You should talk to Pierre. He is scared to try, but I think you guys need it."

 "I don't want to talk to him either." It wasn't entirely true. He wanted to, the same way he wanted to talk to Mason.

 Jet walked to the door to shut it behind Mason, but just then, Hades suddenly ran into the room, barking and running between Mason's legs.

 It was so sudden it startled him. As Mason tried not to step on the puppy, he lost his balance and fell forward. 

 Jet instinctively wrapped his arms around him to stop his fall, but the hyperactive puppy caused Jet to lose his footing and he fell, taking Mason with him.

 Jet's back hit the floor with a thud but his hand remained tight around Mason's waist. 

 Mason was on top of him, looking no where other than into his eyes, but trying to get up.

 Jet made a mistake. He rolled them until he was now above, looking down at Mason with his hands on either side of him on the floor.

 It was a mistake because at that moment, the towel unfastened around Jet's waist and his cock fell against Mason's stomach. They both looked down at it, then back up at each other. 

 Mason turned red as Jet felt heat rise in his own face. 

 "Fuck," Jet rolled off him and wrapped the towel tighter around his waist. Hopefully this time it stayed where it was supposed to. 

 He held a hand out for Mason to take it, then helped him up. The man was still a little red faced, mostly visible on his cheeks. 

 Jet turned back around. "Hades!" He yelled at the same time someone else did.

 Zel came rushing into the room to find the little dog. Hades immediately jumped into his open arms the minute he saw him, licking Zel everywhere he could.

 "There you are. Aww who's a good boy?" Zel asked and Hades barked, his tail wagging like he wanted to shake it off. "Sorry I was sort of chasing him around."

 Jet watched in fascination at how fast Zel had bonded with the puppy. It was the most adorable sight. 

 Maybe Zel had read the situation or maybe he paid them no mind at all, but he took Hades and closed the door behind him, whispering how he loved him and how they were going to be the best of friends.

 Jet looked at Mason beside him, fiddling with his fingers. "I...I'll go."

 Good.

Jet thought. He held the door open for him and without a word, Mason left.

 Jet leaned against the closed door and let out a long breath. 

 "I might be going crazy," he said and put his face in his hands. Then he went to find some clothes.

 "I don't usually ask people this but for some reason I really want to know," the Master moved to sit at the foot of his bed. "What's wrong?"

 He beckoned for Linder to come sit where he was. He couldn't help himself and pulled him close instead. 

 "Nothing is wrong Sir," said Linder. 

 The Master moved his hair out of the way and kissed his forehead. "Then why are you hurting people?" 

 Linder went rigid but regained his calm. The Master held him still. 

 "Why do you even care?"

 "You can stop with the act okay? Be real with me. Starting with the way you talk," said the Master.

 Linder gasped at that. The way he spoke, his voice dripping with sweetness. It was music to the ears but it was a facade. It wasn't real. The Master wanted to know why he'd go to such lengths. Was it to get people to like him? Was it more?

 If anyone had the toughest shell to crack, it would be Linder. He wouldn't open up so easily, but the Master had time. 

 "When did you find out?" Linder asked, disentangling himself from the Master. 

 He let him go. "There, you sound so much better. Like yourself."

 He pulled a hard expression on his face. It indicated that the Master was going to have to try a bit harder. 

 "When?" Linder asked again. His actual voice was just a little rougher and laced with so much pain. 

 "Your first week here," said the Master. 

 Linder was so tightly wound that it added considerably to the tension in the room. 

 "Why didn't you say anything? Why now?" He asked. It almost sounded like he was panicking. 

 At this point, the Master only wanted Linder to calm down, he needed to calm down in order to have a proper talk. "Come here," he added, making it sound like an order. If he had thought right, it would spark some defiance and distract the other man from feeling so trapped. He didn't intend for it come to this so quickly but here they were.

 "No," said Linder. He seemed to return to himself, contempt all over his face. The panic, completely gone.

 "Why didn't you say anything then? Or at any other time?" Linder insisted. 

 "I honestly didn't give a fuck. And it would be fine if you were just jealous or fussy... I've allowed that. But you're hurting the others. I don't find it acceptable."

 "Am I supposed to believe that ice box you call a heart actually feels something? I don't get it... why do you even care." The voice was vile, but at least it was his.

 "It's nothing personal," the Master said. "There's been multiple people over the years, and I've always liked it best when they are comfortable. That isn't about to change."

 "There are other ways to cause unrest among people, without making them feel less about themselves. Only someone petty would do that," the Master looked to him. "Are you petty, Linder?"

 "I didn't," said Linder. "I–"

 "You can't convince me you're that stupid, because I know you aren't. You're really smart. So what is the excuse for your actions?"

 Linder walked to the window and crossed his arms, his expression was now sour. "You'd never understand."

 "You know... Pierre begged me to let him go. Was that what you wanted?"

  Linder's gaze snapped to him. It definitely wasn't what he wanted. 

 The Master had told Pierre no. And to his relief, it seemed like the man had changed his mind just recently. Whatever had changed his mind, he was only glad for it.

 "You refused?"

 The Master nodded. "I have no intention of letting him leave."

 Linder studied him for a while before finally speaking. 

 "Your charade isn't going to work," he said. "This... act you're putting up."

 At the Master's surprise, there was a look of victory in Linder's eyes. 

 "What are you talking about?"

 "I've seen the way you basically undress Riley with your eyes every time he's not looking," Linder said and the Master bristled. "I know you'd do anything for Zel, he seems to have you trapped every time he talks to you, dancing in the middle of his palm. Mason is your little escape, isn't he? Your eyes never settle until they've located him," Linder rolled his eyes. "Jet." It was almost like he'd eaten something rotten and wanted to spit it out. "What do you see in that nutcase? And don't even get me started on Pierre."

 The Master regarded him coldly, not saying a word. 

 "I've seen the whole act. Just so you can what? Make them fall for you... hear them admit they love you then disqualify them?" Linder asked with all the resentment his voice could carry. "There's loose screws in that head Alexander, stop playing games and see a therapist."

 The Master stilled. Linder had called him by his name. Everything he'd just said also echoed inside his head with the weight of it all. Just how much of it was a lie...an act?

 "Yes, I know your name is Alexander. I'm smart right? So I figured it out."

 "This is the part where you stop talking Linder, and listen for a while," the Master said, approaching him slowly. 

 "I'm not done!" Linder raised his voice. If no one is brave enough to tell you, then I'll lay it down for you."

 The Master didn't stop approaching him. Linder boldly turned to meet him half way. 

 "They don't know the monster that you are," Linder laughed. "Men like you are like predators. People like Jet, people like you," he poked a hand at the Master's chest. 

 "Just what is your problem with Jet?" The Master asked. 

 Linder ignored the question. "The only justice you deserve is dying alone all wrinkly and ugly on your death bed. I fucking hate people like you," Linder was crying. "I fucking hate you Carl."

 The Master pulled Linder in to hug him. For whatever reason, it just felt right despite all this hurtful madness.

 "I'm not Carl," the Master said. Naturally, and given the circumstances, Linder fought him off. 

 He let him win.

 "I don't know if you'll ever be but right now, you aren't even half the man Jet is, nor do you have half the heart Pierre does," the Master stroked his cheek, trying to wipe away the tears that just wouldn't stop. "You're disqualified."

42

Linder was back to his room, most of his stuff were packed up, he wasn’t going to take much. Only what truly belonged to him.

A tear slipped out of his eye. Why the fuck couldn’t it just stop?

He didn’t regret anything he’d said. He was even glad he let it out. So why couldn’t he just stop fucking crying?

He was so distracted he didn’t hear his door open.

“I’m here to take you away,” Tadashi said and offered him a polite smile.

Another tear slipped out of his eye. Then the other. He tried to turn away before Tadashi could notice, but it was too late by the time he’d thought to do so.

The steady stream flowed.

Tadashi closed the door softly as he stepped inside the room. “You should cry less. It’s not a good look on you.”

Linder took his glasses off to clean his face. “Fuck off,” he told Tadashi.

“Oh and what are you going to do? Glare at me to death?” The man asked calmly.

“I just might,” replied Linder.

“I was waiting for the day I would get to hear your actual voice. You sound much better,” the man said.

Tadashi didn’t stop walking towards him, even after he’d gone to stare out the window. To maybe try to control the useless tears.

“Let me take care of you,” said a voice way closer than he’d expected.

Linder’s heart nearly stopped. Tadashi wasn’t even touching him, but he was close enough that his breath ghosted over the shell of his ear.

Linder turned and took a step away from him, eyes regarding the man skeptically.

At last he moved away to get the last of his things ready. “Take me home,” he said. “That’s your job isn’t it?”

“That, and pining after difficult people,” Tadashi said while shrugging lightly.

Linder wasn’t amused. “You’re doing very poorly at both,” he said with a condescending sneer. “Take me home.”

Tadashi smirked. “As you wish.”

43

Everyone might have known that Linder was disqualified and had already left, but not everyone had watched the latter happen.

Mason was one of the people who saw him go, and he’d first watched him with a pain stricken face. Then he’d rushed to Linder’s side trying not to let his heart break.

Linder refused to look at him, or acknowledge him until the car had actually pulled away. It was the coldest thing he’d done to him yet. It hurt worse than when he said he felt nothing towards him. He’d grown to be so attached to him.

Zel hugged him and refused to let go. He hugged back because if he hadn’t, he just might have fallen apart.

It was too soon for him to go. He just needed to talk to Linder a bit more. He wasn’t fine, he knew that deep down inside. Maybe something might have changed.

Nothing seemed to go right for him lately it seemed. Even now as the Master confirmed it.

He told them again about Linder, just to clear any confusion that might come about.

“You did what?” Jet asked. He’d heard him, but it still came as a shock to him.

“Disqualified him. I’m sure I was clear.” The Master glanced at Jet. A little surprised that it was him who seemed most affected, and yet if anything, he should have been the most relieved.

He wondered how Linder would’ve reacted to the way Jet took his news.

“Why?” He asked. He kept a bland expression on his face.

This should have been good, Linder gone should have felt like a relief. It didn’t. It was fucked up but he wanted to see him, here, with them. Together.

That couldn’t just be it, they didn’t even get the chance to properly talk. He didn’t even know why Linder seemed really adamant about keeping him well away from Pierre, or why he seemed so scared of him that time.

There were still so many questions, so many things he needed to know.

If the Master was confused, he hid it really well. Jet tried to keep a straight face all the while. He couldn’t understand himself. It hurt him that Linder was gone? Was he sick?

Jet got up. Not because he was angry but because his own feelings confused him and he needed to be alone.

Even as he reached his room, he couldn’t help his thoughts. They just flooded his head. Was Linder ever really okay? He couldn’t stop wondering.

Jet’s thoughts quieted at the sight of Mason. He hadn’t even heard him approach or follow him.

“I know how you feel,” said Mason. He folded his arms and leaned by the door.

“You don’t,” Jet replied quickly.

“I do. I like to think we were really close. Or if he was telling me the truth, then I imagined the whole thing.”

“What did he tell you?” Jet asked, forgetting that he was supposed to be mad at him.

“I told him I had feelings for him. He said he didn’t,” Mason said while he closed the door and leaned against it, regardless of what Jet might have said. “Bottom line, rejection hurts like a bitch. And it doesn’t mean those feelings just up and go.”

Jet watched him try not to show it, but the hurt was visible on his face. “Maybe he didn’t mean it?” What was he doing trying to make him feel better?

Mason smiled a little. “Aw stop it. It’s too much when you are being so cute.”

Jet looked down. “Whatever.”

“Well,” Mason started. “I can’t. Can’t go on like this, we’re going to talk about it.” When he wasn’t interrupted, Mason continued. “I’m really sorry Jet,” he let out a breath.

Silence followed. Jet couldn’t look him in the eye, but neither did he say anything.

He walked up to Jet and pulled him on his feet and off the bed, tugging gently until Jet stood with him, close to him. Mason took both his hands in his.

“Please,” he said. He brought the hands up to his mouth and kissed the tattooed knuckles before him. “I really didn’t mean any of it like that. I was just so angry, and thought you tried to hurt Pierre when I should have known better. You’d never do that, would you. God, how could I have been so stupid. I should have asked you first, not just assumed anything. I’ll do anything for you to say you forgive me. Just tell me. Please Jet.”

It felt like a whole hour where they did nothing but stare at each other.

No one spoke, and with each passing second, the air buzzed with electricity.

They inched closer and closer. Mason’s heart beat wildly inside his chest, and seemed to beat faster the closer they moved.

Jet suddenly pulled back and everything stopped at that moment. So much disappointment flooded Mason’s face.

“Even if I believed you… then what?” Jet went to sit back down on the bed. Mason waited to see where he was getting at.

“You’ve never really liked me, I’ve always known that for a fact,” said Jet. He cracked his knuckles, still not meeting his eyes.

Mason thought about the first times in the house, when he actually told himself he didn’t like Jet. It was so absurd right now he couldn’t even believe himself.

And to think Jet actually believed it to be the truth… it was horrific.

Mason got to Jet on the bed, but instead of sitting with him, he sat on his lap, straddling him.

Jet’s eyes went wide as he wasn’t expecting it. His hands went to steady him on the bed while his body tensed at the uncertainty of what Mason was going to do next.

“You’re going to have to change your mind about that,” he said, cupping both of Jet’s cheeks and framing his face. “I hope this helps.”

Mason leaned in carefully, inching closer as he inhaled Jet’s masculine scent. It made him heady to just be this close, and to know that Jet wanted it too.

The brush of their lips was what sent his mind into further turmoil.

Mason reveled in the pleasure as he teased, prodding Jet’s mouth open slowly enough to make it frustrating.

Several fires ignited inside him, burning his core with desire. How the fuck could something feel so good?

The kiss deepened, he felt Jet’s hands roam down his back and skim just over his ass, then he was pulled closer.

He gasped into the kiss as he felt Jet’s erection pressing against his own. They rubbed together until Mason was sure he’d die if he didn’t get some air in his lungs.

Jet smiled against Mason’s lips then they broke apart, both out of breath.

Mason realized the look on Jet’s face was one he’d never seen before. “You have a really beautiful smile,” he told him.

“Ugh don’t say that,” Jet turned away. “Makes me feel all weird inside.”

Mason laughed and circled his hands around Jet’s neck. “You’ve been making me feel weird inside since the day you tried to burn the kitchen down.”

This time Jet leaned into the other male as if trying to drink his scent in. He rubbed his face all over Mason’s neck and along his shoulders, making small kisses at every area of skin.

When he found a sensitive part at the base of Mason’s neck right where it connected to his shoulder, Jet let his lips linger as Mason moaned and pulled his shirt away, exposing more of himself to give Jet more access.

“We’ll probably get punished for this,” Jet said but didn’t stop.

Mason’s hips bucked and he moved closer yet, the friction multiplied while they rubbed together again.

“Fuck…” said Jet.

Mason smiled. “We probably will,” he agreed.

What they were trying to say hung in the air, unvoiced. What they should have said. What they should have asked. Why weren’t they stopping?

With Mason straddling him, Jet tugged his shirt further down his arm and placed a kiss on his shoulder.

His fingers traveled to the back of Mason’s neck, disappearing into his hair for a while before pulling him down to meet his lips until they were only a whisper away. “Fuck it,” he said in a near growl.

Goosebumps broke out across Mason’s skin as he got lost in Jet’s lips once again.

44

Trigger warning: Mentions of abuse

•••

 Tadashi sat behind the wheel and focused on the task he brought upon himself; taking Linder home. 

 He was required to, but he didn't have to drive. There were enough chauffeurs for that. Still, he took matters into his own hands and sat behind the wheel. 

 Linder's head lay against the headrest of the seat opposite him while he stared out his window quietly, clearly in deep thought. 

 "That was a little harsh," Tadashi began. "What happened back there... with Mason."

 Linder didn't even turn. "If this is you trying to start a conversation with me, it won't work."

 The drive back home was a long one, so Tadashi left the radio on. He figured they might as well talk. 

 Tadashi chuckled. "Maybe it is, but as far as I know, it's already working."

 "Prick."

 "Aren't you just the sweetest little thing?" Asked Tadashi rhetorically and completely unaffected.

 "If I tell you what you want to hear, will you leave me alone?" Linder asked.

 "If it's the truth, yes. But I can't say."

 Linder sighed. His fingers tapped on the armrest as he paid it no mind.

 Tadashi waited.

 "He deserves better, he has to accept that," Linder finally said. He was obviously talking about Mason. 

 "You're hurt," said Tadashi.

 "No," Linder replied and laughed the saddest laugh he'd ever heard. 

 Whatever it was, hurt him, Tadashi could see it. Anyone should be able to see it. The puzzle that was Linder got more complicated, and he wanted more of it.

 "Why do you pretend to be a bad person?" He asked. 

 The surprise registered. Linder's eyes widened before he could school his features again, but with a few glances, Tadashi caught it.

 "You forgot to leave me alone here," he sighed. "I

am a bad person.“

 "I'm not blind, just mildly interested."

 "Then shove your interest up your ass and sit on it. What do you want from me?" Linder got defensive.

 "Yikes, so spiky, but it's wasted on me. I've got a high tolerance for well... people like you."

 "Good for you."

 Irritated lines drew all over Linder's face. He looked like he was barely there, like his mind worked a thousand times per second.

 Tadashi took it as a sign to leave him alone then. Out of a hunch, Tadashi turned the music on the radio off and the car was quiet. 

 Linder relaxed further, as if even he didn't realize it.

 Tadashi decided he'd rather see Linder like this. It was better than his tear stained face and red nose.

 He didn't bother him again, he didn't know about Linder but it was a comfortable silence for him. 

 It could be the same for the man next to him, even if he twitched in his seat like he couldn't wait to get out of the car. Up until the time they stopped.

 "Well," Tadashi killed the engine and turned to him. "We're finally here just like you wanted."

 After a while, Tadashi held his hand tight, not willing him to go. Linder startled.

 "What?" He spat. 

 "You kind of zoned out there."

 It was clear Linder hadn't even realized it. Immediately the car had stopped, he'd stopped too and remained stuck with his hand on the car door. Completely still like he was in a trance.

 "You don't have to go if you don't want to," said Tadashi.

 Linder pulled his hand away and got out of the car immediately, leaving the man inside to stare after him. 

 He got out and pulled his luggage—one of the bags—because he couldn't actually carry them both with him. 

 He watched him disappear into the house then decided after a while that he might as well take the other bag. 

 Linder was taking a while.

 Yanking his door open, Tadashi got out and opened the trunk and pulled it out, then walked to the door.

 It was left open so he got in, the bag weighing nothing in his hands. 

 "Where the fuck have you been?!" Tadashi heard a rugged voice demand. 

 At the same time he placed the voice, shock rippled through him. He saw the big man fling Linder to the side like he was nothing. 

 His head hit the edge of the wall and Linder dropped to the floor, a little dazed as a stream of blood trickled down one side of his face. 

 Right in that moment, a girl ran down the stairs, she couldn't look older than fourteen. Thirteen possibly.

 "Lin!" She knelt by Linder, taking his head in his arms. "Linder! Stay with me." She sounded calm and seemingly mature for a girl her age.

 "Get back to your room you little bitch!" The man growled.

 She hugged Linder to her chest and defiantly turned her chin up to the man who could easily be three times her size. "One day I'm going to break all your bottles and curve your heart out with your favorite one," she told him.

 Everything seemed to happen in a second. In one very slow second.

 She got a punch directly to her face. Surprisingly, she took it well. Tadashi was in shock at such unwarranted violence. The man was fifteen times her size. 

 "No blood? You're getting sloppy," she said. Then she fucking smiled. 

 That seemed to throw the older man into a rage. Tadashi didn't even know when he'd dropped the bag but he was already moving.

 "I'm going to kill you, you little shit!"

 The man closed his hands around her neck and squeezed, tightly from what it looked like.

 She had to be struggling to breathe, but she didn't seem obliged to give him the satisfaction of showing it.

 Tadashi's blow came seconds later, stunning him enough to let the girl go and send him back a few steps.

 There was no way he was drunk, but this close, he reeked of alcohol. And like he could really use a shower.

 He was definitely going to need one when Tadashi was done with him.

 He didn't give the man enough time to recover, he hit him again, then dragged him a little bit further away from where Linder and the girl were. 

 "Who the fuck are–"

 He didn't get to finish, this particular blow sent him to the ground. Tadashi was on top of him punching over and over.

How had Linder been living like this?

 He didn't stop punching him. He had strength, and in this situation, the fact that he worked out and kept in shape gave him an advantage. The big man beneath him had that type of strength you are born with, and he might have been stronger than Tadashi, but he never really cared to keep it up. 

 The voices around Linder didn't make sense for a while, but his sight recovered first. Finally making sense instead of the things that had been swimming before him.

 Tadashi punched his dad on the floor. He'd never seen that expression on his face, nor had he ever seen him out of control like that. His eyes were wild and for a moment—however short—Linder basked in the situation. 

 Even as Tadashis knuckles turned red, he didn't stop. Linder watched. His dad deserved it, he deserved so much more than that. He deserved to suffer. 

 It felt so good to see him down for once, to see his blood gush out of him for once. A taste of his own medicine.

 He stopped moving but Tadashi didn't stop. No matter how much he didn't want to, Linder knew he had to stop him. 

 He rushed to his side. "Hey Tadashi, stop this," he said.

 Tadashi didn't respond to that.

 "Tadashi! You'll kill him!"

 "Good," he replied but didn't stop. Maybe Tadashi thought this was him giving a fuck about his father.

 "Please, you'll get into trouble," Linder said. He couldn't even think that clearly but he needed to stop Tadashi. 

 Lily's hand gripped Tadashi's forearms, making little difference. "You need to stop," she told him. 

 "What the fuck?!" The voice carried, then she came closer, a look of horror all over her face.

Great. His mom was here.

  "What are you doing to my husband?! Who are you?!"

 Things were probably going to get really ugly. Their dad was more important to her than anyone else. She placed him above everything, making excuses for all of his actions like she was blind.

 Tadashi finally stopped but made no move to get off. The damage would most likely buy them some days as his dad recovered, but after that, they'd have it worse, but he didn't know that.

 Linder must have been lost in his own thoughts not to hear the sirens blaring. The door flew open and suddenly footsteps rushed in. 

 Tadashi was being hauled off his dad by two officers. His mom might have called the police. 

 Of course she had, it probably looked to her like a stranger broke into her house and started to beat up her lovely husband, and she just had to play the role of hero.

 Linder followed them out after his dad was put on a stretcher and carried out.

He saw Tadashi’s tall frame pushed against a cop car as his hands were cuffed behind him. He wasn’t even resisting. If anything, he was letting them cuff him.

Until their eyes met.

He tried to move towards Linder, but the cop next to him, a burly man, tried to restrain him.

In one swift motion, Tadashi turned around and head-butted him and made his way to him anyway. “Are you okay?” He asked.

Linder wanted to laugh. What he just did was considered assault against a police officer. And all for what? To ask him if he was okay? He was the one being taken away for God’s sake.

The two cops that had pulled him off his dad, now pulled him back. Trying to back him against the car once again.

Linder was so tired. Of everything. Of letting everything just happen. He couldn’t understand what came over him in that moment.

“Leave him alone!” He screamed at them. “Leave him the fuck alone!”

“Calm down,” an officer said. “This man hurt you.”

What the fuck?!

How did he not punch them instead? He thought of his dad on the stretcher. How did he tell them it was the real monster they were saving?

“Leave him alone, he did nothing wrong,” he said. Linder tried to push them away, to get them away from Tadashi. But he wasn’t as strong as he was, and they held him in place.

“Listen, it wasn’t looking good, and we’ve heard some questionable things from your mother,” one said, blocking his path from Tadashi. “And you might be confused, but he won’t hurt you again.”

“The fuck is your problem? What about what actually happened before you got here, what about that?”

The cop didn’t answer immediately, like he was looking for the right words to say. “I understand you’re confused right now, and frankly this is a lot but let’s get you down to the station so you can write a statement.”

What the fuck was wrong with these people?

Lily was by his side. Her hand on his arm was the only thing that calmed him down. He let her lead him away.

“Let it go Linder, For Mikhail’s sake if anything.”

At the sound of his brothers name, Linder lost the fight in him. Lily was right. Like she always was.

There was no way he could make a statement, the last time they tried, it didn’t go well. His dad had somehow worked around it, and there had been hell to pay.

The police took Tadashi away. His mom left with the paramedics taking care of his dad.

He stood with Lily on the front porch, until everything was quiet again. It just happened suddenly. They both turned and hugged each other so tightly like the other wasn’t real and would disappear at any moment’s notice.

“I know what you are thinking,” said Lily. “We’ll find a way to help him, whoever he is. For now, I’m just glad you are back.”

She was talking about Tadashi. Linder wouldn’t just leave him like that obviously. “So good to see you,” he told her.

“Four months,” she said. “Not six?”

“I needed to get back. Where’s Mikky? How is he?”

“It’s been harder for him to sleep since you’ve been gone. He’s on my bed,” she said.

He saw that Mikhail had fallen asleep, his hands now loose over his ears but had he been awake, he’d be pressing tight.

He hated noise, and loud sounds. They always made him feel unsafe and uneasy. He once said the noise to him meant their dad was hitting someone and he didn’t like that.

Linder settled against his small frame and the little boy stirred awake. He looked dazed at first, and then his eyes finally focused on Linder.

He was a child, but his eyes had no spark in them, they lacked the playfulness that should have been there. Instead, they were dead all the time.

 It broke Linder every time he saw them.

 This was the result of them. This was what they did. Every single last one of them. Men like that, his father. Men like Alexander. Men who were stronger than everyone else. Men who had power to do whatever they wanted.

 Predators. Every single last one of them. 

 Thinking of what he did to Pierre still made him want to puke his guts out but if that was what it took to protect him from such a thing, then so be it. 

 Pierre was too kind, he reminded him too much of Mikhail. Of the light in his eyes before he'd died inside. He'd wanted to keep it that way. 

 "Lin! You're back!" Sleep laced his little brother's words.

 "Yes Mikky, I'm here."

 The little boy hugged Linder's middle and wrapped his legs around him.

 Lily got onto the other side of the bed and draped the covers lightly over them. 

 "You can go back to sleep now Mikky, we'll talk in the morning okay?"

 Lily kept staring up like she was in thought. "I'm just wondering," she started. "Who was he?"

 Linder wondered how he should answer her when he didn't want to get into details about the Master's game at the moment. 

 "I'll tell you everything tomorrow," he said at last, he noticed the little boy didn't show any signs of going to sleep soon. "Go on Mikky, go to sleep, I'm here." He kissed his head. It really had been a while.

 "I missed you so much. Please don't go away again."

 Linder wished the boy in his arms could cry, but Mikhail never did anymore. Their mom was the last draw, after she started giving their dad excuses and taking his side, he seemed to just break.

 "I'm not going anywhere okay?" Linder tightened the arm draped over him. 

 "You promise?"

 "I promise."

 This felt right. The three of them together again as it should be. The three of them against the world.

 He never should have left, it didn't help anyone, certainly not his siblings. For all he knew, his absence could have been an excuse for his dad to make them suffer even more.

 Lily seemed exhausted and the quietness meant she'd already fallen asleep.

 Tomorrow might be a good day, without the monster around. Who knows what would happen once he came back?

 When Linder closed his eyes, he saw blue and red lights flashing everywhere. And Tadashi stepping into a cop car with his hands held together behind his back.

44.5

MONTH FIVE

45

Zel called on his assistant the moment the challenge began.

 He was not the type to work quietly or remain quiet after meeting someone, for he was good at talking everyone's ear off. But now even as they worked, he remained quiet, lost in his thoughts. 

 He couldn't stop thinking about Jet, no matter how well he knew that he was fine now. Thinking about him came with connecting thoughts to the rest, and the divide amongst them that was eating away at his heart. 

 The assistant, whose only obligation was to help, did his job quietly, helping Zel carry logs and string them together. 

 When he'd done all he could, he left Zel alone again. This really wasn't his cup of tea. But he wasn't doing poorly at it. It was doable. But he knew he wouldn't win. And if he was being honest with himself, he didn't care about that. Any one of them could win and he'd be genuinely happy. 

 Just, when exactly could things go back to normal? Because if they didn't, he wasn't sure how much longer he could just keep his mouth shut.

 The moment Riley got onto his raft, he paddled once and then he sunk, drenching himself from head to toe, making his splash gear look tighter than it was. Two staff members came to take the raft out of the aforementioned water body, which was the largest and longest inflatable pool he'd ever seen.

You couldn’t even call it an inflatable pool because of the sheer size of it. A team had rolled out at least one hundred and twenty meters of grey and black vinyl, inflated it and filled it with water to the brim. It was double the length of two standard Olympic pools.

Now the handling of their rafts was not in their hands, all you had to do was wait to be called, then what you built would be carried onto the water and then you had to paddle fast to the other side, fast as you could.

Riley was more than good at this challenge, he’d been the most knowledgeable about it, he was good with building something so simple, and the materials had already been provided.

So to everybody’s shock, he emerged from the water with a big boyish grin, looking a little embarrassed, and walking away to sit and watch the rest of the challenge.

It happened overnight.

When Riley received the notification, he knew he’d already won. It wasn’t even a chore for him, and he hadn’t needed an assistant after all. He was too good at these things, the building part was easy and he could paddle pretty fast from his own experience, so from the start, this was no challenge for him.

The problem was, he saw almost everyone struggle and when he tried to help, no one wanted it.

They all refused to help from one another because they didn’t care who won in the end, and he knew without a doubt that that would be him.

Whichever way he thought about it, it hardly seemed fair. He only saw one solution. It wouldn’t affect his score too much if he lost and he certainly did not need the additional points. He knew what he had to do.

On the night before the official race, he went and destroyed his own raft, taking one of the unused logs, and trying to smash the places that held together.

He cracked a point where two held together, creating a big cracked hole big enough for what he had in mind, then he stomped on the rest of it.

When he was done, it still looked like a built raft, just beaten, bruised and battered enough to not make it to the middle of the long pool. And that was why a week later, he lost.

Later that day, Jet came to find him in his room after he’d already been announced the winner. He didn’t seem too happy about it.

Jet didn’t stop walking towards him, until his back collided with the wall, and there was no where else he could escape to. He leaned forward, making Riley uneasy.

He’d been allowed to kiss Jet, and he’d said he’d wait till Jet admitted he wanted it. So was this him admitting it? Backing him up just next to his own door? Bringing his face closer and closer, evading Riley’s space, as well as his common sense?

He couldn’t speak. He was motionless, staring down, right back at Jet’s calm black eyes. This was not how he expected it to happen at all.

He felt such a hunger for him in that moment, such a need that was difficult to understand, until the tatted man’s lips touched his own, and his knees experienced a moment of weakness.

Jet put his hands on either side of his waist and jerked him closer. Riley resisted the urge to moan. He cupped Jets face and kissed back like he was afraid of losing the moment.

A moment that ended much too soon. When Jet pulled away, Riley opened his eyes slowly, trying not to look too disappointed.

Jet’s gaze was a little scary, but he understood with the words that came out of his mouth.

“Don’t you ever, do that again.” Jet said before he walked out, leaving Riley hotter than when he found him.

How could he have known? Had he been that obvious, or was Jet just that smart?

Riley touched his lips at the memory of his on them. Either way, he wouldn’t have done it any different.

Tadashi opened his door to let in a frowning Alexander.

 He acknowledged Tadashi and walked past him, then made himself comfortable on his couch.

“So are you going to keep avoiding me? Or will you finally explain to me what happened?” Alexander asked.

Tadashi poured themselves drinks and settled on his couch, handing the Master his. Then he pulled out a small stack of paperwork to pretend to look at.

Alexander took the papers from him and looked at them himself. “Explain to me why I had to bail you out of jail. I don’t care much for what the police said.”

Tadashi frowned and downed his drink. “Can I get away with I swear I’m innocent?”

 The Master's face was grim as he fixed the look on Tadashi. He knew that look all too well, he wasn't getting away with anything. 

 Tadashi chuckled softly then got serious. He thought about the big guy he probably nearly killed. He remembered the way the little girl stood fearlessly against her abuser. His hands tightened together. He saw the lady who'd rushed in, no regard whatsoever for her children. 

 Before Tadashi was done telling him everything, Alexander was up in an instant. He got up too. 

 He knew what he was thinking, but Tadashi thought differently. "Leave this to me, let me handle it."

 Alexander stopped, the irritation on his face fading as he looked at his assistant. Tadashi didn't know if it was the look in his face or how serious he was about it, but the Master seemed to understand.

 They both settled back down.

 "I can't stop seeing it you know," said Tadashi. "The blood dripping down his face, the confusion in his eyes in that moment in his daze."

 "Is he okay?" Alexander asked. They wouldn't be having this conversation if Tadashi hadn't interfered. They'd be trying to save Linder, and they'd be going about it the wrong way.

 "It's been a week since the whole incident...I believe so. He's avoiding any contact with me deliberately so..."

 Alexander regarded him carefully. "You don't have to hide it, I know it's driving you crazy." 

 "She was just a kid," Tadashi said. "But unlike any other, she was so fucking brave." 

 Alexander was uncomfortable. It was a wonder he was trying to keep still after hearing everything he did. "He has a sibling... How did we miss that detail?"

 "I don't know," Tadashi shook his head. "When we did the background checks on them, his info could have been a little off, maybe intentionally misleading."

 Alexander tapped his thigh over and over. "He's out of the protection of the game. There's no loophole where we can interfere, the rules don't apply to him anymore." He laced his fingers together. "Anything we do from here on out becomes personal."

 Tadashi knew that. But he'd make him understand if he had to. 

 "I'm not stopping you," said Alexander.

 "Why?" He asked. "I'm your assistant. If this turns out badly, it won't reflect well on you."

 Tadashi envisioned it. There could be backlash if he went too far. The media was harsh, and if Linder's dad was rotten to the core like he displayed, together with his wife, they could have him labeled as a stalker, a sex offender with his eyes on their underaged son or daughter. It would be any fancy word of their choosing. And it would be a total disaster.

 The police hadn't exactly found him in the best position either, it would be painfully easy. The best he could do now was be gradual about it.

 If he rushed, he'd mess up. All of it would trace back to Alexander.

 The Master scoffed. "You really think I give a shit about any of that?" He asked. "Why? Because I'd readily do it myself. But this..."

 This was for him. 

 Tadashi swallowed his laugh. Of course he would. He knew Alexander, and yet somehow he'd almost doubted he'd get it. 

 Alexander continued. "His dad... Is his name Carl?" 

 Tadashi shook his head no. "Henry Reid."

 "He called me Carl, right before I disqualified him," the Master told his assistant. "Said he hated me."

 Tadashi's mind was already working. Was it the reason he couldn't stop crying when he found him packing his stuff?

Who the fuck was Carl?

 "You know," Alexander interrupted his thoughts. "I didn't– Before I could find out for myself, I only heard you'd been arrested by the police."

 Tadashi had assumed he'd found out, like he always found out everything. Like he was figuring him out this very moment.

 "You... heard?"

 "His voice was just as vile as it got on the phone," Alexander said.

 Tadashi tried not to smile. He failed miserably. "Linder called you," he completed for him. 

 Alexander raised his eyebrows, but didn't comment on his reaction. "Still, why didn't you call me?" He asked. 

 "I could handle those jerks," answered Tadashi. 

 "Of course. You were doing splendidly before I got there."

 "I hadn't even been there for an hour, so forgive me if I had other things on my mind," said Tadashi.

Alexander and his fucking protective streak.

 "If you were the one who got arrested, are you saying you'd call me? Or would you figure it out first?" Tadashi asked, a little riled up.

 "You'd know before I could do either of the two," Alexander answered. 

 "Right. It's my job." There was an edge to his voice.

 "That's not what I meant," the Master said immediately. 

 "Why exactly are we even fighting?" Tadashi asked. 

 "We aren't fighting."

 "This..." Tadashi motioned with his finger between the two of them. "Whatever this is, why?"

 Alexander didn't answer, he glared at his assistant instead. 

 "You really have a problem with admitting things. More so about yourself, so until then, you don't get to question why I didn't call you."

 He was right, Alexander knew. Why did it even irk him that Tadashi didn't think to call him?

 'He's just your assistant',

was the lie he told himself every time. ‘He’s more than that and you know it’ was the truth he kept buried deep down.

 "Fine," he said. He didn't deny the accusation. 

 Tadashi got up to refill their drinks, rolling his own glass around in his hand. When he got back, he pushed a glass towards Alexander.

  "I'm going to tell Jet," his boss said, taking the drink. "About his family."

 "Are you sure?" Tadashi couldn't help but ask. The argument already forgotten. 

  He wasn't sure. But he wanted to. "I think so."

  Tadashi studied him. "If you tell him and he decides to leave the game, you're going to have to let him go. I'm assuming you're ready to do that, I'm just not convinced you are."

 How could he possibly know that?

  "I don't... What is wrong with me?"

 Tadashi didn't look at him any different. It was one of the things he liked most about him; the way he never faltered every time Alexander let anything personal slip out. The way there was absolutely no sympathy in his eyes when he listened. Just understanding.

 "Try looking at it differently," he said. "It's not wrong to feel."

 Alexander felt himself get defensive. He wanted to tell Tadashi he was wrong. That he didn't know what he was talking about, but a sound cut him off before he could even get a word out. 

 A peculiar type of sound came from Tadashi's tablet. Alexander didn't really understand his surprise or why he was suddenly making quick movements. 

 "What is it?" He asked.

 His assistant's eyebrows furrowed as he tapped the screen about a thousand times per second. 

 "I set that sound up for exactly this purpose. So this is one of those times," said Tadashi.

 "You're not making any sense," he replied. It was a little frustrating every time Tadashi started speaking in code. 

 He watched his assistant abandon everything else and get up, tapping as he paced around.

 "I'm alerted whenever there's a search. One of the keywords I listed serves as a trigger..." he said like his mind was a hundred miles away. "Finally, someone who seems like they know what they are doing."

 Tadashi didn't stop pacing as Alexander watched him. "They've even done excellently to throw their address all over the place. Clever. Like a twisted type of hiding in plain sight. The–"

 "Tadashi!"

 He finally took his face away from the device at the tone Alexander used. There was an apologetic look on his face as his eyes settled on him. "It's a little thing, but it's suspicious," he said then reached for his computer that had been resting untouched on a table.

 "For the love of–"

 "It's possible they've finally noticed where Pierre is."

46

Zel tightened his fingers at the hem of his shirt as he thought of what to do. He sunk his teeth into his lower lip harder the more he got lost in thought. Old habits died hard.

 He couldn't bear it. Only the thought of it threatened to make him sick. He finally left his room to get to Pierre's. 

 "Hey Pierre," he spoke softly but audibly. "Could you please open the door?"

 At first there was no answer and Zel thought he might have to try again. He'd try as many times as Pierre wanted.

 He paused when he heard a movement, and then Pierre spoke. "You're not here to talk about that are you?"

 "I..." Zel tried for an answer but was at a loss for words.

 He'd come to the realization that Pierre wasn't actually eating anything. Not like he should have been.

 He'd only realized it but it could have been going on for longer than he knew. When he tried to talk to Pierre, this was what happened. It sucked.

 When he thought of it, there was only one explanation; Pierre never really got over what Linder had told him, even if they all knew by now that none of it was true. 

 Maybe he'd pretended to be okay, but this was proof he wasn't. Proof that it affected him more than he let on. 

 Zel's chest hurt. Everything did. He was in love with Pierre, he loved him with all his heart, so something like this threatened to break it into two.

 "Just give me some time

mon cherie, “ replied Pierre from the other side of the door. He didn’t sound truthful to him.

 Zel pursed his lips and looked up to blink a few tears away. He then looked back down and shook his head. "That's not fair... you can't call me that, then ask me such a thing."

 The other side was quiet.

 "Pierre please..." said Zel.

 He'd run his fingers through his hair so much he didn't notice the band had come off. His hair had grown a little longer than it used to be, it danced a little below his waist when he moved according to how frustrated he felt.

 "I– I can't," came the reply.

 Zel's fingers ran through his hair as he turned from the door. He was under a lot of stress.

 He saw Riley approach and breathed easier. The look on his face was a question. 

 Zel shook his head and Riley went to the door.

 The blond haired man's face etched worry all over it. He still couldn't bring himself to turn around.

 "Pierre..." he heard Riley speak behind him in a soothing voice, laced with pain.

 The rest of what he said faded in the background as Zel found his way back to his room. He just couldn't do as Pierre asked. He couldn't watch that happen.

 He picked up the phone on his bed and called the only solution he could think of.

 The Master's meeting would start immediately he landed. He'd be there for three days and then he'd fly back to resume his life. 

 About two years ago, he'd visited and taken interest on an island a long distance off the coast and bought it on a whim. He still couldn't figure out what to do with it until now. 

 A quickly rising aeronautical company was working together with the government and they happened to take interest in it. 

 The area was perfect for testing out aircraft prototypes and as they mentioned, spacecrafts. They'd obviously asked to buy it, and he'd said no. Anyone with a brain would. It was going to be worth more if they agreed to working together, and he was always hungry where an opportunity opened up. He wanted a part of it, the company, in exchange he'd let them use his property.  And that would only be the beginning.

 He shook his distracted thoughts off and looked back at his computer screen, absorbing every bit of information he could about the Beaumont and Fontaine families.

 He'd been using his free time in the past couple of days to get everything he could. But his free time was limited, so he was grateful for a few moments in the air where he could do what he wanted. 

 The ghost tracker trying to find Pierre had disappeared off the grid, so Alexander had decided he'd have to change his strategy. He'd probably do the opposite of what he said, he'd take the fight to them.

 The hostess walked up to him and offered to pour him a drink. Alexander dismissed her with a wave of his hand and she turned to Tadashi who smiled at her and indulged. 

 Tadashi sipped when she'd left and set his glass down. "Do you plan to confront Fontaine by yourself?" He asked. 

 "I might," he replied. How quickly the times changed. 

 "And then what?"

 Alexander looked up at him. "Don't overthink it, I just want to talk."

 "Doesn't sound like it," said Tadashi. He fixed Alexander with a thoughtful look, then got back to his own work without another word.

 As soon as the jet landed, the Master and his assistant were chaperoned around the villa as their light luggage was taken care of. He was meeting Suzanne Butler. So far, he knew she didn't say too much, but she was one you made sure you took seriously. Prior to this meeting, she'd had her own with an official representative from the government, now she was going to be discussing both of their interests with him. She didn't seem like she could be shoved or pushed around so easily. After all, it was admirable how people of science took their work so seriously.

 They were led straight to a huge room where the meeting was to take place. It was all formal greetings and light banter before the meeting started. It took nearly three hours.

 They lingered to exchange a few ideas afterwards, then parted ways. Alexander and Tadashi were shown to their rooms; two doors almost but not quite opposite each other. 

 The first thing he did was go for the shower. It had been an exhausting day with the only break being when they were flying. 

 Alexander wasn't a fan of hot showers but then there were days like this where it felt like bliss. 

 He closed his eyes to run his fingers through his wet hair. Then the unexpected happened, he saw Riley, then quickly opened his eyes. 

 It felt like he wasn't in control of his body and the way his cock was starting to get hard was all the evidence.

What the fuck.

 He reached down without thinking much about it and cupped his growing member in his hand. 

 God, he missed them.

 Alexander closed his eyes and stroked himself. It sent a ripple of chills down his back as images flooded his mind.

In them, he kissed Zel and pounded into Riley at the same time. The man beneath him moaned and tightened his grip on Pierre’s hair while the latter sucked him off.

Alexander stroked harder.

Right next to them was Jet kissing down Mason’s neck as he fucked him in slow, sensual strokes. Then suddenly going faster with each thrust, making Mason scream.

They were all so beautiful it was obscenely hot.

He couldn’t control his climax. He came way more than he expected from a jerk off session; they were never that intense. Alexander, powerless to the way his body reacted, panted and set the water to cold.

When the aftershocks were long gone and his body had calmed down, he stepped out of the shower and got dressed.

He was going crazy. He couldn’t even stop thinking about them for one second. Not when he got a few contracts to read and examine. Not when he ditched those and contemplated calling Nicolas Fontaine. His mind didn’t stop. He was fixated as fuck.

 Right before he could call, Zel did, and that alone had him smiling like a fool. 

 He answered in a heartbeat.

Godd

amn it.

 It didn't matter what time of the day it was when he called, he'd always want to hear his voice. He waited for it.

 It didn't come. 

 "Princess?" He asked, eager for what he had to say, and a little worried.

 "Please come home Sir."

His tone, and the desperation in it…it was so unlike Zel to be so down. He didn’t like the way it made his insides feel.

He thought of the meeting he had today, it was the most important one. It eased any doubt in his future partner’s minds and showed he didn’t take their collaboration lightly. But tomorrow’s meeting was the most crucial one. It was the true heart of the matter.

If the situation wasn’t as dire, he’d have laughed at how quickly it lost importance to him. How anything Zel said would outweigh any reason why he was here.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, already running a number of possibilities in his head.

“It’s Pierre,” he said. Two words, but he’d never heard such pain in his voice. “I’m scared.”

When Zel had finished telling him, his mind was made up. He was leaving. At least he hadn’t done any unpacking.

Alexander walked to the room opposite his. He found Tadashi sipping a green tea and clearly working.

All it took was one glance away from his computer to focus on the Master’s features and he had him figured out.

“Just go,” he said. “I’ve got it covered.”

“How do you even–”

“It’s been a long time Alexander, I know you.”

He really did. There was no one he could ever trust with such a thing. With a meeting of such importance. Only Tadashi. There was no assistant like him. Not here and not out there. Not even–

“Are you going to actually go or are you going to just keep standing there?”

Alexander pushed his thoughts away. “Right,” he made to leave but stopped. “Thank you.”

The lines of professionalism blurred day by day. He had no business thanking his assistant for what he was paying him for and yet here he was.

“I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you how it goes,” said Tadashi. “You should uh… It’ll do you some good to get some rest.”

Alexander sighed. “Yeah, yeah.”

“I’m serious,” said Tadashi. “If your health declines in the slightest, I’ll be the one calling Jen. I won’t hesitate.”

The Master turned to go. “I’m cutting your salary.”

Tadashi scoffed. “No, you’re raising it. Now go.”

Alexander couldn’t relax the whole way back. All his thoughts were flooded with Pierre. It felt like forever before he finally landed. It was already getting dark.

The drive back to the house was another strain to his sanity but that too, finally came to an end.

The first person he saw was Mason. He sat by the stairs just staring into nothing. The man looked up at him and startled.

“Mason? Are you alright?” He asked, crouching to his level. “How’s Pierre doing?”

“I don’t know what to do,” Mason answered. “I don’t…” He shook his head, trying not to cry.

“It’s okay,” said the Master, placing a kiss on his forehead. “You can leave it to me.”

He nodded and the Master made his way to Pierre’s room. The door wasn’t open, Zel and Riley leaned against the wall.

Zel ran into his arms when he saw him. “You came,” he said, relief pouring out of his voice.

The Master hugged him back. “I said I would.”

He’d never seen Riley look the way he did. And he knew talking to him wouldn’t ease his frustration. He went to him anyway.

“Where’s Jet?” He asked.

“Making dinner.” It was strange when Riley talked without even as much as a smile.

Alexander got to the white door. “Pierre?” He didn’t notice how his heart pounded in his chest.

He really tried to be patient with him and the entire situation. It was so hard. And it really wasn’t something he was good at.

“I’m not coming out,” said Pierre. “Just ignore me, please. Why won’t you all just go?”

Not a chance. “Not until you come out and eat something.”

Pierre didn’t answer for a long while. “You guys don’t have to pretend–”

“Open the door Pierre. Don’t make me break it down, because I promise you I will.”

The Master was trying to rein it in. He wanted to have control over the situation. He needed to, so badly. But Pierre wasn’t giving him any of it. It played with his mind. And he was scared of scaring him, of making this worse than it was.

How could he do it without hurting Pierre any further than he was already hurt?

“The rules don’t say anything about eating,” said the other man. “So leave me alone.”

“They don’t. But you will not disobey me. And right now I need you to come out and eat something,” said Alexander. How long has been like this unnoticed? His forehead rested against the door. “Please.”

Pierre moved several steps within the room.

His stomach flipped over at the anticipation. He moved when he heard Pierre move towards the door. And then finally, it was open.

He was held tight in the Master’s arms before he could properly get out. “Pierre…”

The man in his arms sobbed and finally hugged back. “I just–”

“Shh. It’s okay,” he soothed, trying to get him to quiet down. “We can talk after dinner, okay?”

Pierre nodded.

No one, not even the Master touched his food. He crossed his fingers and rested them under his chin, elbows on the table as his gaze locked onto Pierre.

He hadn’t yet touched his food either. The entire table was one nervous ball just ready to burst.

He was pissed. But not at the adorable man. He was pissed at himself for not knowing what to do in such a moment. It pissed him off that he didn’t even know what to say, and how to say it.

“This is the first real meal I’ve cooked, Pierre.”

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they diverted their attention to Jet. His voice sounded so raw. Even when things were still a little strained between him and Pierre.

The Master regarded him silently. Pierre too turned slowly to look at the person who had addressed him. Only to find that a forkful of lasagna was being extended to his mouth.

“It might be horrible, but it would really hurt my feelings if you didn’t try any of it,” said Jet.

He extended his fork closer, waiting for Pierre to decide what it was going to be.

47

Pierre’s eyes darted between the food and Jet. There was no such thing as pretense in his eyes, he meant every word he’d said. And yet still, he wanted to find a rock somewhere and hide under it.

He was aware everyone was waiting for him to make a move, to pick one or the other. But no one voiced it, they just waited. Pierre moved further away from the fork and looked around the table in the space of a few seconds.

He noticed how tightly Mason gripped his hands in anticipation. If anything he knew about him was true, then the entire situation hurt him possibly more than anyone else. Pierre didn’t want him to hurt, not even a little, not ever.

If the entire house was in harmony, there still was a rift between him and Jet. They weren’t exactly the best of friends at the moment and there was a lot of awkwardness between them.

And yet, when he looked at him now, there was only kindness in his dark eyes, and something else so intense he shied away from it.

Pierre finally leaned in, took a bite and chewed. The room seemed to let out a breath at the same time.

It almost didn’t taste like Jet’s cooking except it was. He still needed a lot more practice. “It’s… it’s actually, really bad,” he said.

Jet blinked and his face lit up as he smiled at him; something he ought to be doing more and more. He was so beautiful.

Everyone watched him, food forgotten. Zel had a pout like he was so proud he was trying not to cry.

“You’re all so cruel,” said Pierre, shocking everyone at the same time. But he’d noticed none of them were touching their food. “If you’re going to let me eat this on my own.”

There was relief, and laughter as everyone dug in. And in that moment, when they sat eating one of their most horrible dinners, they were happy.

•••

After dinner, Pierre knew he had to find Jet. What he didn’t know was that Jet also needed to find him. Alone. The other thing he didn’t know was that just like him, Jet was also nervous as hell.

They bumped into each other when Pierre was getting out to look for him and he was there to find him. Well…they.

Jet held Hades in his arms as he stroked his fur, making the puppy wag his tail and pant with his tongue out.

They both laughed at the situation as realization hit home. “Let’s talk?” Jet asked.

 "Yes," replied Pierre.

 They got inside the room and Jet let Hades go. He quickly ran to Pierre and settled on his lap, continuing to pant excitedly. 

 Jet sat down next to Pierre on the bed. 

 "Where do we even start?" Asked Jet. He curled his fingers in his hair, disheveling it, then let go. How nervous could he get? "I could swear we were fine, and then we were not. Why couldn't you stand the sight of me?"

 "It wasn't that," Pierre said and scratched Hades' head, looking a little sad. "I'm really sorry."

 Jet cracked his knuckles. "So why did you...you know...all of a sudden?"

 It didn't take more than two minutes for Pierre to lay out everything for him. 

 "What the fuck? He said that?" Jet was still a little confused. How could Linder...

  "Yes," said Pierre. 

 That wasn't the type of person Linder was. He couldn't believe it. "Motherfucker..."

 Pierre hadn't looked at him the entire time. He still couldn't meet his eyes.

 "I'm sorry you had to go through that. You should've just asked me, demanded an explanation, I'd never let him hurt you the way he did," added Jet. "Explains why you always looked so...well, sad. Especially when you saw me."

 Pierre noticed he wasn't even thinking about himself. "What about you? Aren't you even a little angry everything was pointed at you?"

 "Oh. Yeah, yeah. That sucks but you're more important than a few rumors about me." Jet put a hand up to his hair again. 

 It was already growing back to the way it was. Maybe Riley would want to cut it again. But who was he kidding, he couldn't bring himself to ask.

 When he turned to look at the man he was speaking to and Pierre's face was a dark shade of pink. 

 "What?" Asked Jet. He watched as Pierre tried so hard not to smile.

Way too cute.

 "Nothing," said Pierre. 

 With Hades comfortable on his lap, he moved closer to Jet and leaned his head on his shoulder. It was Jet's turn to try so hard not to smile. 

 "I'm sorry," he heard the beauty on his shoulder say. "I should've just–"

 "It's alright. I completely understand why you didn't," said Jet. "It's just that people have always

not liked me, and I’ve never given two fucks about it. I just… I can’t seem to control the hurt when it’s you guys.“

 Pierre searched his hand out on the bed and squeezed. "I don't even know what I was thinking, I don't want to do that again. I don't want to feel like that again."

 "And you don't have to," Jet started. "Pierre..." he grasped around for the words. "Locking yourself inside like that...locking us out, that was really scary." 

 "I know..." he replied, unsure of how to go on. "I didn't think it would matter."

 Their fingers found each other and teased with light touches. "It will always matter. I need you to know that no matter what anyone says, you can't look hotter than you already do. Every time I see you, I just feel overwhelmed, believe me, I don't know what to do with myself. And you don't even have to try." Jet ignored the heat rising in his face. 

 "You get overwhelmed because of me?" Pierre's voice was low, but loud enough for Jet to hear. Hades got off his lap to play on his own. Something at the door seemed to be more interesting than Pierre's lap. He leaned back and it took everything in Jet not to cage him in and take his lips.

  "You just have no idea," he replied shyly.

“Can I…hug you?” Pierre asked. His blush deepened.

Jet opened his arms and pulled him in, tucking Pierre’s head under his chin. It felt right, the two of them like that.

“You smell like Mason,” said Pierre.

Jet wasn’t surprised. “He needed a hug before I came to find you.”

“No, you really really smell like him.”

“He needed a really, really long hug, and a few comforting words. All things I’m terrible at, I suck at saying corny shit.”

“But you still tried?”

Jet made a noncommittal sound.

“That’s corny,” said Pierre. “And I think this hug is perfect.”

“Fuck Pierre…” said Jet. “Maybe I should make you food everyday.”

Pierre looked up in horror and Jet chuckled. “Relax, I’m only kidding.”

Pierre eased back against him. He was pulled closer yet. The beauty nuzzled Jet’s neck then sighed. His fingers roamed over Jet’s tattoos, until they were up against his chest.

“What are you doing?” Asked Jet after a short while.

Pierre squeezed the buds of his nipples through his shirt and pinched them over and over.

He stopped when Jet asked him. “Zel said… I should find nipples to pinch every time feelings overwhelmed me.”

Riley had never been in a skyscraper before, but here he was, in the Master’s very own, finishing up a late meeting with the coaches who’d watched him play.

They’d been given an empty office to talk. Clear glass walls you could look through like most of the offices in the building, or at least just the floor they were on from what he’d observed.

Looking through the glass passively, his eyes locked onto the Master’s outside. He had his arms crossed as he smiled, waiting for him.

To Riley, the meeting was as good as over. He suddenly felt self conscious. How long had he been standing there, watching him?

When the Master came in, it didn’t take too long and the meeting was adjourned. And then they were alone.

“How did it go?” He asked. He closed the distance between them and left a chaste kiss on his lips.

“Fine I guess. It’s got me thinking though.”

“What is it?” The Master frowned.

Riley shook his head. “Not now, not yet. But I’ll tell you.”

He nodded and closed his hand over Riley’s. “Ready to go?”

•••

Riley had had enough, watching the Master talk to someone he’d never seen before. He didn’t know what they were saying but his fists balled in annoyance.

The man leaned in too close. Too suggestive. He couldn’t watch anymore when his fingers skimmed lightly over the Master’s hand. He made it look like an accident. Fucking bitch.

He got in the backseat to wait for the Master and turned away from them, he didn’t want to see whatever the fuck that was. In less than five minutes, the door on his opposite side opened, but his growing excitement—however small —quickly died down when he realized it wasn’t the Master but the man who was with him.

Riley smelt his woody cologne before he properly saw him. The confusion must have been clear on his face.

“Hi there,” the man said. “I’m Oliver. Just one of his associates.” He pointed out the window to where the Master now spoke to someone else.

Yeah, just the one trying to jump his bones.

Riley thought.

“And you are?” He asked in a smooth voice.

Riley ignored him. “Why are you here?”

“I’m just having car trouble,” he said. He made his fingers walk along Riley’s thigh. “Says he’ll just be a minute.”

“What the fuck?” Riley said. He read his body language and the man clearly wanted him too. Before everything, he was used to this. This was literally his lifestyle. This was literally how easy it was for him to get some dick. But now…he didn’t want anything to do with it.

He inched closer and extended his arms at the back of Riley’s seat. “Come on…you’re hot, I’m hot…we should change how you feel about me touching you. Where’d he find a gem like you?”

This should have been such an easy situation. This was his playground, no one flirted harder than he did. But apart from the Master and four other men, there was no one else he wanted anything to do with. He was only so irritated.

Oliver didn’t stop leaning further into him, closing the distance inch by inch. Politely telling him to fuck off didn’t seem like it was going to work.

“Back the fuck up,” Riley turned to him. He could feel himself getting aggressive.

Just then, the Master swung the door open like he wanted to tear it off its hinges. “Out!” He barked.

“What?” Oliver answered casually and glanced over at Riley. “Just wondering where–”

He didn’t get to finish because he was hauled off his seat and thrown out of the car, much to Riley’s satisfaction.

Anger seemed to roll off the Master in hot waves as Oliver tried to keep a light tone, sounding embarrassed and a little scared now. “…just fooling around…” Riley managed to hear before he’d been completely dragged away.

He threw him against another car and Riley turned away. He didn’t want to watch their altercation lest his tempted to punch a stranger he’d known for little over two minutes.

The Master already probably got the wrong idea with the position in which he’d found them.

Maybe that was why for most of the ride back, he was so quiet until Riley couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s not what you think,” he said.

It was a devilish laugh, devoid of any joy whatsoever. “Please, tell me what I think,” came the reply.

The Master was driving. He’d strangle him if it wouldn’t put their lives at risk.

“You think I was into it.”

He didn’t get a reply. The car came to a grinding halt when they reached the mansion, both getting out at the same time.

The Master slammed the car door and stomped inside. Riley followed him then caught his door to get in behind him before he could think of slamming that too.

"I wasn't," he said firmly.

He moved until he was finally facing him, their eyes finding each other.

 The Master didn't say a word as his tie came off first, then a few buttons unfastened. He didn't break eye contact with Riley. It sent a chill down his spine, seeing him angry like that.

Then he was walking towards him until he had no choice but to walk backwards. His face an inch from Riley’s as he was finally backed up against the wall.

Without saying a word, he took Riley’s wrists in his hands and started to bind them with his tie. Riley was powerless to even move as he felt the smooth silk of the purple tie wrap securely around his skin.

It was soft, and then it wasn’t. His wrists were bound tight against each other. Then lifted above him.

The Master hooked a finger under his chin and leaned in then stopped. “Did you like it when he was this close?”

Riley jerked forward and kissed him with his hands captive above him. His actions were forceful but he couldn’t help himself.

The Master kissed back in equal measure. A hand traveled down to squeeze his thigh. Then they broke off.

“Were his hands here?”

Riley groaned at the pressure the Master applied.

“Tell me, because I’m going to erase every single memory of his touch, and when I’m done with you, you’ll know exactly who’s allowed to touch you like that.”

Riley tried to pull away. The Master pushed against him and pulled him flush against his body. “Don’t even try to fight me,” he said.

 He squeezed his ass and used the grip to wedge them together, impossibly close, grinding their arousals together. 

 "Think you're the only one with the right to be jealous?" Riley snapped. "Don't think I didn't see the way you talked to him. How he touched–"

 The Master's lips claimed his brutally, roughly absorbing anything he had to say. It felt like his lips would be bruised by the time they were done. It was a kiss so needy and so rough that his lips ached from the pressure of it all. 

 When they parted, the Master was breathing hard. "Nothing," he said. "That's what he is to me."

 He used his free hand to explore underneath Riley's shirt, stroking the hard planes of his chest. 

 His cock leaked further. Riley was so hard he was sure his dick could tear through his pants. But he was so done with this part. "Maybe he'd fuck me senseless faster if I'd let him," Riley goaded. 

 He watched the Master visibly freeze to his satisfaction. He should stop, but he wanted it. The more he thought about Oliver's hands touching the Master, the more it fueled his anger. 

 He was jealous out of his mind. And using it to make the Master angry was exactly what he needed. Riley smirked just for dramatic effect.

 "I'm going to make you regret every single word you just said."

 "Go ahead and try," said Riley.

 Riley dropped onto the bed with a small smile on his lips. The smile faded when the Master gripped his short curly hair and stuffed his face into his crotch.

 Riley felt the clothed hard length against his face. And then he was pulled away before he could do all he wanted. 

 "Do you want it?" A rough, thick voice asked.

 Riley licked his lips and nodded.

 It was the Master's turn to smirk. "On your fucking knees."

 Riley did as he said, and with his hands tied in front of him, he looked up expectantly at the Master. 

 The cock stretched his mouth wide, fucking into it, making him make gurgling sounds as it kept hitting the back of his throat until Riley's eyes watered.

The Master slowed down and took his own shirt off. Then took his cock out of his mouth and kissed Riley’s lips. Before he could even process the shift, the Master slammed the hard shaft back into his mouth.

Riley wanted more. His jaw already hurt from the oral exercise. But he wanted more than that. Thankfully, the Master pulled him to his feet.

Riley didn’t have enough time to ogle the glorious body now naked before him, before he was not so gently pushed and dragged up against the wall.

If walls could rock, this one would be rocking alongside him. He pushed up against it with every hard thrust inside him.

“Oh…fuck!”

The Master’s chuckle made the hairs on his arms stand up, the man sounded like he was a second away from insanity. Until Riley understood why he did it.

The thrusts came much harder after that. If he didn’t use the back of his bound hands against the wall, the whole side of his face could have been bruised by the time they were done.

 He couldn't string out a proper word, much less a sentence. The cock inside him played harshly against his prostate. He jerked every single time it rammed into him, until he was sure he was going to paint the wall with his cum. 

 Riley's knees buckled. They fucking gave out at the same time the Master slipped out. With a thud, he knelt against the wall, breathing like all the air in the world could never be enough for his lungs.

 The Master went down too, his hands on Riley's nape before pulling him to crush their lips together. By the time he took his hand off, Riley was the one leaning forward. He pulled away and left him wanting.

 "I just need you to know," the Master started, smiling his devilish smile and tracing Riley's bottom lip with his thumb. "No one can fuck you like I can."

 Riley didn't think his heart could beat faster than it did at the moment. No one even came close to fucking him the way this man did. And now that he...cared, it was breathtaking.

 He was lifted off the floor and thrown roughly onto the bed. "Do you want me to slow down?" The Master asked him.

 Riley spread his legs. "Fuck no."

 That had the Master smiling until he was back inside him again. 

 Riley moaned while he grunted. The Master didn't stop moving, making Riley cry out and snatch fistfuls of his hair. 

 He finally slowed just a little. His lips a few inches from Riley's, curling into a smile when watched Riley moaning under him. 

 Riley's eyes flew open and looked directly into his. The color of his eyes, blue or grey? He'd never been able to figure it out. He got lost in them as his body rocked gently, building to a sudden and unexpected climax.

 Riley couldn't do much with his hands, but he almost fully closed the distance between their lips. "I lov–"

 The Master closed the space between them, stealing the rest of his words with his lips.

 Riley kissed back until he felt himself orgasm, rocking with the force of the Master's thrusts, pleasure washing all of his senses away, replacing it nothing but a raw desire for the man who'd brought such bliss to him.

He still moaned as the thick cock filled him up, moving slower now inside him. The Master breathed hard, until he felt him shudder above him. Then groan as a hand came to close around his neck, squeezing it hard, pulling him up to meet the man’s needy lips, releasing everything inside him.

 They lay holding each other until either one had the strength to move again. This was more than just sex, it was something else entirely.

 The Master got rid of the rubber and took Riley's hands in his, then he started untying him. 

 "I have something to ask you," said Riley. He tried not to focus on how gently the Master handled his bound hands. 

 "What?"

 "Wear this tie when you go to work tomorrow okay?" Riley smirked. 

 The Master stopped momentarily, looked up, then back to continue untying him. He didn't reply.

 Riley took matters into his own hands when he took it upon himself to wash the Master in the shower. He was a little surprised that he let him. But he didn't show it. 

 He washed him like he wanted to study every inch of his body. He took his time, letting his hands linger where they traced his skin. The Master just kept watching him. 

 He'd almost admitted it. Almost said he loved him.

Fuck. There would have been no coming back from that.

 The Master didn't cut him off by some mistake, he was sure. But he couldn't decide if that was what he wanted or not. 

 For a minute there he'd allowed himself to believe he felt the same way. To a point where the words would have been blurted out if a kiss hadn't gotten in the way. 

 Riley made the Master turn around then washed his back too. He then put his forehead between the planes of his back and circled his arms around his front.

 The man in his embrace didn't react to the needy gesture, a part of Riley he didn't just hand out to anyone anyhow.

 They stood there for a while, quiet except for the spray of the water above them.

 Maybe it was all just wishful thinking and the Master didn't have any feelings at all. But holding him here like this...

 He was suddenly turned around and backed up against the glass. "Riley," the Master whispered and got closer.

 Riley tried to smile but it probably turned out sad. He felt the kisses everywhere; his cheek, his lips, his brow, his collarbone, the shell of his ear... 

 His body felt alive. Like it always did when it came to the Master. Jet, Pierre, Mason and Zel too.

 He wasn't going to be able to take it, so he asked him to stop. "Let's go to bed," said Riley, putting some distance between him and the wet body. 

 The water was turned off then they got out. And the Master didn't make it any easier, he never did. This time, it was harder than usual when he dried Riley and gave him what to wear.

 He was hyper aware of him, as if almost saying the three little words uncovered something he'd been trying to push down.

 They left the bathroom to find another surprise. The bed had been ambushed when they got back. Before they could even think to get under the covers, both noticed Pierre curled up against Mason with his head on his chest.

Jesus

Fuck.

 Zel's back was flush against Jet's front with their fingers entwined.

Double fuck.

 Riley's heart soared. This was so perfect he couldn't describe it. This was how it should be. Always. 

 He got in behind Jet and kissed the top of his shoulder. The bed was big enough for all of them. And they'd be touching. He cursed the dirty part of his brain that never slept. 

 "Well what are you waiting for, Sir?" Zel whined.

   Mason disentangled himself from Pierre and got off the bed, walking up to the Master. Riley thought even his walk was gorgeous. His heart was acting dumb, he knew that. And yet, he embraced it.

 Mason seized the Master's hand in his. He was on his tiptoes when he pecked his cheek. Riley couldn't help but think that they looked so good together. 

 "Let's go to bed," Mason told him.

48

Alexander opened his eyes to the dimly lit room some time in the morning. The sun had just come up, enough to expose the bodies huddled together on the bed.

 His legs were tangled with Mason's, his hand was around him while his shoulder supported his head. He looked breathtaking in his sleep, like something out of a fairytale.

 Funny how just yesterday he was angry seeing someone close to Riley and yet right now, seeing him wedged against someone holding them tight, only stole the breath from his chest. All it did was make his heart beat a little more chaotically.

 The fact that his eyes were open and staring softly at him didn't help much either. "You're a light sleeper," Riley said.

 He'd always been. Ever since a child, all it would take was for anyone to open his door and he'd be up. That was if he wasn't up already. 

 "Good morning, darling," he said. 

 "Morning," said Riley. He narrowed his eyes a little. "Alexander?"

 Right before going to sleep the night before, he'd told them his name. It was nothing big, just another tiny detail but he'd never done that before. And it felt better than he thought it would.

 "What did you expect my name to be?"

 Riley shook his head. "I don't know... something with 'rich' at the end of it."

 The Master bit back a laugh so he wouldn't wake Mason.

 "Aw, I thought you'd say something with 'hot' at the end of it," he replied.

 "It's just, I once had a one night stand called Alexander." Riley smirked and then whispered. "He had a really big dick."

 "Seriously?" The Master asked and Riley nodded. Alexander looked worried. "Was he at least ugly?" 

 Before Riley could answer, Mason got up and pressed his face to the Master's chest and nuzzled it.

 "Hmm...this feels good," he said with a sleep addled voice. It came out muffled by the broad chest. "Waking up like this."

 "Morning," Alexander said and pulled him closer, taking in the heat from his bare skin. 

 Mason purred and lay quietly for a while. Until  he noticed Riley watching him. He sent him a silent flying kiss and he quickly turned away to look at the ceiling, swallowing heavily.

 "I have to go." Mason suddenly said.

 The Master drew back to kiss him then pulled him back closer. He wasn't letting go.

 Mason laughed at the possessive gesture. "Have to..." he was interrupted by kisses to his lips. "...make us breakfast." He struggled to get out.

 "Yeah?" The Master asked like he wasn't the one stalling him. "Well..."

 "I'll go get it started since y'all can't help being horny," said Riley, smiling fondly at them. 

 It took him less than five minutes to freshen up before coming back to quickly peck Mason's cheek and make his way out. The Master watched him go, uncertainty covering his features before it was quickly gone.

 Alexander then continued to kiss Mason slowly, then the kisses became shorter and quicker. All the while teasing. 

 "How are they even..." Mason struggled to say again. "...asleep through all this...our lips are making a lot of sound." He tried to whisper the last part.

 "I'll bet the little cub is awake," Alexander paused to say then went back to kissing him. 

 "Who?"

 A pillow landed on the Master's face, followed by Jet's shrill voice. "I said not to call me that!" He half whispered. 

 "Awww...that is just too cute," said Mason.

 "It isn't cute, the fuck?" 

 "Careful when he gets feisty..." the Master started. 

 Jet groaned and moved over at the same time Mason moved out of the way. Whatever he'd planned to do to Alexander didn't work out as he'd planned. 

 The Master seized his hand and put it around his neck while the other circled his waist and pulled him close. Jet's free hand fell reflexively against his chest right before he gasped. 

 The Master chuckled at his surprise then pressed their lips together. "You're one fierce cub."

 Jet rolled his eyes blushing. 

 "I'm going to help Riley," Mason laughed. "This is too much for my poor heart." He clutched his chest.

Jet let the Master hold him as the other two slept undisturbed next to them. Zel and Pierre had their legs tangled, they were asleep with their foreheads nearly touching. Making a precious sight in the middle of the bed.

 "Can I take you on a date tomorrow?" Jet asked.

 The Master moved a little and regarded Jet. "Your final date?" 

 That stung. 

 A part of him didn't want it to be the last and it hurt him that the Master had just said it so lightly. So carelessly.

 He nodded anyway.

 The Master pressed his nose to Jet's neck and inhaled. "How can I refuse?" He murmured before his tongue licked the crook of his neck. Then left an airy kiss over it.

 Jet shivered.

 He took his time to slide his lips over every tattoo on Jet's skin. 

 The Master's hands escaped inside his shirt and stroked his chest and stomach. Everywhere he touched tingled and made it harder for Jet to breathe. 

 It turned into a desperate situation at the same time they heard Pierre and Zel shuffling next to them. They stopped.

 "Why did you stop?" Asked Zel. 

 Pierre remained quiet with a shockingly naughty look on his face. 

 In the next minute, a look passed between Jet and Alexander before they made the other two the center of attention on the bed.

 Mason found Riley at the counter with his back to him, shirtless like he'd left the room. Looking mouthwatering for no absolute reason.

 He stood there for a while, as if studying a detailed piece of artwork. Then he walked up behind him, and put his arms around him from the back.

 He felt the surprise register as he laid his head on his back. Then Riley relaxed, not saying a word.

 "Do you need any help?" Asked Mason. 

 "I got it," he replied. 

 "I'm still going to help anyway," said Mason, shrugging. "Did something happen?"

 "What do you mean?"

 "I mean last night, between you two," said Mason. The somewhat awkward behavior between Riley and Alexander didn't escape his eye, but that was hardly the right time to bring it up. 

 There was a pause before Riley answered. "Everything is fine, I just...have a lot to think about."

  Mason hummed and nodded against his back but didn't stop hugging him. "Do you want to get married?" He asked suddenly. 

 Riley stiffened and paused everything his hands were doing. "I... I–What?"

 "Oh relax, it's just a question," said Mason. "I think you'd make an amazing husband."

 "Why?"

 "Because you don't know how good it feels to hug someone like this. Someone making you breakfast."

That had Riley chuckling a little. Enough for Mason. A tight knot seemed to loosen within him. 

 Ever since he'd walked into the kitchen, there'd been a lot of tension in the way Riley stood, even the distracted way he acted. Even as he hugged him. He needed to see Riley at ease, or he wouldn't be either.

 "You know..." said Riley. "I've had enough."

 "What are you talking about?"

 Riley turned and hauled Mason up on the counter, he laid his palm flat on the cool marble on either side of him and stepped between his parted legs. "I've had it with all this...teasing, these light touches here and there," he gripped the surface harder, then leaned to whisper in his ear. "You're driving me crazy." 

 Mason felt like his insides could rapture at any moment. "Fuck..." he let out.

 "What, now can't say much?" Riley pressed in and inhaled wherever he could find skin. "You're sexy as fuck Mason, do you think you've been fair to me?"

 Mason was way too turned on to answer correctly. He just made a soft sound in a response that came out a little needy. 

"You've been teasing me for months now. Ive had it with such provocative behavior, Mason." Riley continued. "Not so fun, is it?"

 Mason had his eyes closed, and his head tilted towards Riley. The latter leaned down to meet him, he peppered kisses all over his neck and jaw, sending tingles down to his groin.

 "How about I tell you why I think you'd make an amazing husband?"

49

Right after the swimming pool at the back of the house, where the fire pit was, was perfect for what Jet had in mind.

 It was his chance to fix the date he'd destroyed the first time, and make things right. 

 Maybe it was a little cheating but he had Mason prepare a few things to eat for him, since anything he made wouldn't really be considered edible. The man had been delighted, and they'd chatted the entire time in the kitchen, making each other laugh and stealing a few glances at each other.

 He didn't have to do much. A bottle of wine with glasses by the fire, was already perfect enough.

 Alexander had kept his hair wavy but swept it back. Jet couldn't understand his obsession with white dress shirts but with his folded sleeves and the way the dress pants hugged his gorgeous ass, he was sexier than fuck. 

 Even with the worried, troubled look in his eyes.

 He didn't understand it, if something had happened but he hoped to find out. 

 He offered him a drink immediately he saw him. Handing him the glass and inviting him to sit down. "Hi."

 Alexander took his hand and pulled him in for a quick kiss. "Little cub," he said after they parted. 

 Jet settled down next to him but not quite close enough to be touching. "I'm no little cub." It brought a little smile to his lips and a few butterflies inside.

 Fuck, it'd never been this bad before.

 Jet sipped on his wine and turned to look at him and there it was again. He seemed far away, lost in thought, something was not quite right about him.

 "What is it?" Jet asked and for some reason, it came out sounding like he'd snapped. No wonder people couldn't stand him.

 The Master held his eyes for a few seconds before sighing and looking into the distance where the pool was. "I want to give you something," he said.

 Jet would never have guessed what he'd say or do next, so he waited. 

 The Master reached out and put his palm out for Jet to give him his hand. Jet put his hand in his, not expecting the touch to be so electric.

 He got a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and put it in Jet's hand, folding his fingers to close over it.

 "Don't open it now," he seemed so fucking stressed it fed Jet's curiosity and a little bit of his stress too. "At least after this date okay?"

 "Did you write me a letter?" Jet tried for a light tone. "Aw. You shouldn't have."

 The Master wasn't even smiling. He stared at Jet without uttering a word.

  "What?" Jet asked self consciously. 

 Alexander shook his head but didn't stop looking.

 Jet decided he'd cut to the chase, to prevent himself from getting overwhelmed by a gaze of such intensity. "Listen, I just want to make this date better than the last."

 "Hmm," Alexander responded. 

 Fucking hell, why was that sexy?

 "I'm sorry you know..."

 "Stop, I don't really care what happened that–"

 "But I do," said Jet. "So let me properly apologize, please." Alexander listened. "I'm sorry I snapped at you without reason. I called you lonely, sad, and yet I'm the one who is all those things. You are in truth, very kind, Alexander." He gave him his hand and the Master pulled him closer. "And this time, I want to tell you about my family."

 He couldn't even believe his own words, and that for the first time in decades, he was finally telling someone. 

 The look on Alexander's face made Jet a little curious and his next words, all the more. "Pour me another drink first."

 He did. He filled his glass midway with the wine, then got on with his story. 

 "I have a huge family," he said and Alexander had already finished his glass. He poured himself the next one and filled the glass to the brim. What the fuck was wrong with him?

 Jet continued. "We lived in a small space. We weren't so poor at first, but then we were. Two rooms and more than ten people. We were still happy then." 

 Jet took a sip then continued, the Master listened quietly. "I was seven when I lost them all. They were just... gone."

 The little cub shook his head. "Some nights, I got myself to the rooftop when everyone else was asleep. Stealing a few nights to enjoy the quiet of the world on the roof...I didn't have much to think about at that age but I loved being up there... I never should have done that. Because on this particular night, I got back and they were all just gone. Not a trace, not a sound, I still can't guess what happened."

 Jet blew out a breath. 

 "By some grace...some sort of power, I didn't panic so much. I didn't sleep the entire night and by the time the sun came up, the panic had almost completely faded, telling myself that this was reality and I needed to do something."

 "I'd used that time to try and think, I didn't understand. Still don't," he cracked his knuckles. "My thoughts were too many and of no use. I needed to find a way, buy some time and maybe get some money before someone could find out and anything happened. All the while I hoped I was dreaming."

 "I acted like everything was fine, got jobs from our neighbors and saved up as much money as I could. They thought it was normal, since that was just typical of my family to do in order to make ends meet sometimes. No one noticed for a little while. Until the lovely lady who lived next door brought a dinner home she'd made for our family, looking at me suspiciously."

 Jet had Alexander's attention. His eyes never left him, looking at either his face or his hands. "I told her my family was going through a hard time and she couldn't come in, she was understanding, and she left the food behind."

 "I was really hungry since I hadn't exactly been eating well, so it should have been good, but it was one of the worst meals of my life. I pictured the joy in my family's faces if we'd been sharing it. All the food in the world wouldn't be enough without them."

 "I figured it wouldn't be long before someone found out and they'd report to the authorities. Do you believe in God?" He asked suddenly.

 Alexander now had his temple resting on his fist as he listened. "I believe in...something. All this madness didn't come from no where. If it's labeled as God then so be it. I'm not crazy about it anyway."

 Jet nodded. "My family is religious, most Italian families are. We prayed together sometimes. Before meals, before bed or when my mamma caught me being a naughty child," Jet chuckled and he heard the Master cuss. 

 "No memory gives me warmth like that of her big hands engulfing my small ones while we prayed. She'd make our foreheads touch while she asked the heavens to keep her son away from the path of a rogue. Then she'd ask for the silliest things. A van for me to drive to the moon, a rainbow colored elephant to stomp around the city in. I always tried not to laugh and call her silly..."

 This time, Alexander pulled him into his arms. "Stop it, you don't have to go on if you don't want to." He wiped tears from Jet's face. He hadn't even noticed they were falling.

 Jet took a minute to gather himself. "Why," he laughed. "Why am I always crying around you, it's fucking embarrassing."

 "It's okay to cry, you've been through a lot," he said.

 "I think you've been through some things too, but you're strong, you don't cry."

 "Do you really think you're weak because you cry?" The Master asked with a frown on his face. "It takes courage to show emotion Jet, you're stronger than you think."

 Jet's chest squeezed, and as much as he wanted to hear the man holding him tell him he was strong, he still needed to get it all out.

 "I want you to know. I do want to tell you," Jet paused. "After that meal, I prayed for so long. My mamma always talked of the saints watching over us. I prayed to every single one I could remember. Then I packed up what I couldn't finish, I packed up a bag, and then I ran away. I've been looking for them ever since. So when you asked me, at that date, I got defensive and lashed out. I'm sorry. Fuck, I can't believe I said all that crap."

 "Shh, it's okay. My fierce little cub," Alexander said and brought their faces together. "You're very very brave, I'm so proud of you," he whispered and kissed the back of his hand. 

 The action made Jet feel a little special. 

 He didn't know those were the words he wanted to hear, but the moment they left Alexander's mouth, they brought him nothing but a deep calm.

 "You are?" He got off him and put more distance between them. 

 "I am," he answered. Jet traced no lie in his voice. "Always will be."

 They sat in silence for a while with their hands together. Jet loved every time that happened. He'd admit it over his dead body but holding the Master's hand, was one of his favorite things in the entire world.

 "This second date," he started and watched Alexander set his glass down. "There's only one difference between this and the first one."

 "Oh?" The Master smiled. "And what's that?"

 Jet answered. "On the first one, it's safe to say I barely knew you. Maybe just a little, and I couldn't tell what you were thinking."

 "And now you can read my mind?"

 "I mean, you want to kiss me right now...right?"

 "That's a little unfair, you could wake me up in the middle of the night and I'd want to kiss you."

 Fuck.

“Okay fine,” Jet appeared as calm as he could ever be. “But it’s still not the same. I was so nervous that day, just to be honest about it.”

 "And now?"

“I still am,” said Jet truthfully, he was fucking nervous. “But now… well… um, I love you.”

 The Master went completely and utterly still, the surprise vivid in his eyes. What he said clearly shocked him, Jet wasn't expecting it not to. "You don't mean that," he said. His voice sounded so thick, like he was pleading with him.

 "I'm serious." Jet did mean it, he knew the rules like the back of his hand, but he looked the Master dead in the eye and repeated himself. "I love you, Alexander."

 He'd never seen the expression on the Master's face before. Jet smiled. "Don't frown so much, you'll wrinkle all the good looks in your face." What he saw looking back at him was fear.

 "Jet," the Master started. He was as rigid as a thread ready to snap. Jet took it from there.

 "Look, I know the rules, but I've thought of this," he said. He'd thought so long about it, but sometimes desperation got in the way, and there was only so much a heart could take. 

 The Master pulled him back to where he was, his arms tightly wrapped around Jet's middle. Jet felt the hard chest against his back, then his face in his neck. "No... please, no," the words came out muffled. "Take it back."

 Jet savored the contact and shook his head. "Not with all these feelings just pouring out of me." His fingers traced Alexander's hard grip around him.

 "Every time Riley touches me, I just... I just melt, fuck," said Jet. The way he made him feel wasn't something that could be so easily put into words. He thought of all the glances he stole of him. The ones where the man noticed and winked at him, where Jet would put on his best scowl as his heart beat like crazy. 

 "Zel, Pierre, I'd walk the streets naked if they wanted," Jet smiled. "Have you tried resisting anything they said? No matter how silly? Have you ever been met with anything sweeter? They have me so fucked up and I can't help but want it that way."

 Alexander was listening, Jet could bet he had his eyes closed. But he noticed his breaths were shallower now, and he could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He continued.

 "Mason? I know he doesn't look it but he wants to be protected too... I thought I was bad at opening up but he's much worse, because of the need he feels to put everyone else first. I'd kill for him. It's weird because a part of me says I'm not just saying that. I love him. Simple as that."

 The evening was beautiful, contrasting with such a conversation. The small fire raged in its pit as it warmed the air around them. 

 "I didn't accept it at first," Jet continued. "That I could be feeling all these things for more than one person. I thought it couldn't be possible. I mean... how does it work right? How do you fall in love with more than one person, with more than two people... I thought it was just absurd. But I realized there was no use fighting it, I love them so much."

 He felt Alexander's hands tremble in the slightest. He'd never get used to seeing him so vulnerable. 

 "Then there's you," he began but the Master cut him off.

 "Stop it..." his voice cracked. "Fucking stop it."

 Jet didn't stop it, in fact he went on like he hadn't heard anything. "I've been beating myself up asking if you felt the same way."

 Jet turned his head and slowly, their lips touched, then moved in sync. He then pulled back. "I still don't know how you feel, but I'd never know if I didn't say it. Every time we kiss, I feel so fucking alive I lose all sense of reason. You make me feel like I'm intoxicated.

 "Please, say you don't mean it," said Alexander. 

 "I mean it Alexander," it was a fond and sweet smile on his lips. "I love you. Very fucking much."

 "Fuck."

 "If I said I didn't, then I'd be a liar," said Jet. "I said I thought this through."

 Jet untangled himself from the Master's grasp and got up. It wasn't as easy as it looked. He wanted nothing more than to stay where he was underneath him and let him have his way. Let him protect him, let him kiss the top of his head and fuss over him. But he had to.

 "If you check my room you'll find it empty, I've taken all my things. Keaton's waiting for me already, he's got Hades with him. According to the rules I have to go, so I'm going. But an irrational part of me wants you to stop me. And I understand if you don't, but I'm still hoping you will."

 Jet put the folded piece of paper the Master gave him in his pocket. "I'll read this letter in the car."

 Please...

 He turned to go, wondering how it would turn out. "Are you going to stop me?" He called without turning around to look at the Master. He was sure his eyes hadn't left him yet. 

 He knew he was disqualified the moment the words had left his mouth, but he still hoped. He didn't know whether this could be a beginning or if this was the end, but he took that chance. 

 There was no turning back now. So Jet kept walking.

50

Alexander gripped the glass in his fist. His mind was in turmoil, nothing inside gave him a sense of peace or calm.

 He looked into the glass absentmindedly, holding a false escape as his mind traveled to a time in the past.

 "The rules Alexander! The rules keep everything in order," his father said. 

 He stood stock still listening to him. Listening to his dad without interrupting, was the rule that went without say.

 He knew he wasn't allowed to make friends, occasionally he'd make a few 'acquaintances' but a friend was out of the question. 

 Like his dad always found out, he got wind of the news that Alexander was quickly becoming fond of the daughter of one of a quickly rising heiress. Everyone called it a friendship, so he felt the need to correct it.

 "You didn't master the rules well enough did you? We'll try another method. You're smart, I know you'll get it," his dad said and smiled. 

 He didn't know what he'd pay for his disobedience this time, but he didn't regret what he'd done. Her company was worth anything he'd be subjected to. But sadly, he might never see her again. 

 He followed his dad to a part of the house he didn't know was even there up until that time. 

 "You haven't seen this room before have you?" Alexander was asked. 

 He shook his head no.

 "You wouldn't have to!" His dad said in the few seconds he showed just how unhinged he was. He sounded psychotic just before he composed himself again. "If you just didn't break the rules."

 No matter how he sounded, Alexander wasn't afraid of him. His father had never hit him nor even tried to, so he knew he wouldn't hurt him. He just found other ways to do it.

 He focused on the room. It was so small and the lighting wasn't so good; a little dark but enough to make things out. No windows, but high air vents with the smallest amount of light seeping through them.

 His dad rolled a double sided whiteboard in front of him and turned it over, revealing all the rules scribbled on it. 

 He patted his son's shoulder. "If no one follows the rules, one by one, things start to crumble. You'll lose everything of any worth to you. What did I say about control?"

 "You lose control, you lose everything," Alexander answered. 

 "Exactly son. And rules... they are the only reason control is possible. So you see, it is essential you understand."

 "Yes dad."

 "Good, good," he said then patted his shoulder once more and walked towards the door. "I know you'll make me proud." 

 His father got out and he heard a click. He realized to his horror that he'd been locked inside. 

 Inside that tiny room, he knew he'd be expected to stay inside until he learned everything by heart, but he didn't actually think he'd be locked in. 

 He couldn't help it, the panic was instant. 

 He tried to calm down but the walls seemed to close in on him. He put his hands to his throat as his breathing quickened. 

 With a foolish ray of hope he tried to pull the door open but it wouldn't budge. He'd confirmed what he prayed wasn't true. He'd really been locked in. 

 His lungs couldn't seem to get enough air. Alexander fell to his knees and pressed his hands to his ears to stop the loud ringing in them. 

 Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he tried to push down the claustrophobia that threatened to surface. 

 He'd never counter his father if he started failing now. He had to find a way. Collapsing there in that room, wasn't a good move.

 He took deep breaths to start calming down, but it didn't work. 

 Exhausted, Alexander fell onto his back. His eyes were half open, trying to hold on but not quite strong enough.

 He couldn't breathe in enough air but he'd lost the strength to fight for it.

 His eyes landed on the vents as his entire body tried to go to sleep, eyes almost closing. He was calm now, but slowly drifting away, his chest rising and falling.

 And then he heard it, his mother's voice. 

 He shouldn't have been able to remember her voice, but it was a short video clip he'd watched of his first steps, his mom cheering him on as he fell into her arms giggling, his dad's laughter in the background while he took the video.

 He didn't know the last time he heard him laugh. Maybe if she was here, this wouldn't be happening. Maybe if she was here, his dad would be different. 

 He definitely would be, because he lashed out every time he brought her up. Then he'd drink himself to oblivion and then he'd pull himself together and life would move on. 

 The suffocating feeling dissipated as he heard her  laughter echo from a far place. His strength restored itself little by little as he came back to himself. 

 Things weren't blurry anymore and he could move if he tried. 

 Slowly, the ringing in his ears let up and he took some time to himself while he closed his eyes, making a decision. 

 In the next hour or so, Alexander memorized every single rule until it was engraved in his mind and memory. 

 He rested a little but time didn't seem to move. 

 He didn't know how long he'd been in there but it got to the time when his stomach was growling. He pushed the thought of food away and turned the board over where it was blank.

 The rules played over and over in his head, along with his father's voice. 'The rules Alexander, the rules keep everything in order.'

 He'd never forget it. 

 With sweat on his brow and a growling stomach, he fought to stay conscious through the weakness he felt. 

 He uncapped a pen and pushed a few strands of hair back with the back of his hand. With almost no light and shaky fingers, Alexander started drawing a skyscraper. 

 "Alexander?" The memory dissolved. 

 "Alexander!" Tadashi raised his voice next to him. 

 He turned to look at him on the barstool next to his, eyebrows furrowed. "You keep spacing out."

 Alexander didn't answer. His eyes went back to studying the drink in his glass.

 "Do you want me to drive you home?" His assistant asked him. 

 He shook his head. "I'll drive myself." 

 Tadashi ordered a drink then silently sat next to him. 

 The silence went on for so long that Alexander wasn't sure whether he wanted him to talk or not. 

 "You called me," Tadashi finally broke the silence. "What do you need?"

 Alexander shrugged and straightened. "I shouldn't have... You should go, it's really late."

 "Well..." Tadashi smiled. "I don't want to."

 "Don't worry I won't drink myself senseless." He hadn't even tasted the liquor. Ever since he'd ordered it he just sat gripping the glass and looking at it and zoning out.

 "That's not why," Tadashi said.

 Alexander went with the first thing that came to his mind. Maybe Tadashi felt obligated to him, he was his assistant after all. But he wasn't about to take advantage of that, he had his own life too. 

 "I'm not paying you for this–"

 "That's exactly why I want to stay."

 That had Alexander retracting any other words he might have said. He remained silent and Tadashi in turn did the same. 

 Before Alexander could get lost in his head again, Tadashi brought his focus to him.

 "Do you remember when I asked you about the final rule? I asked you why it had to be on the list... you remember your answer?" Tadashi asked. 

 The sole reason why that rule existed was for his satisfaction. It felt good to turn the tables around and reject them, every single last one. Because he couldn't get over the pain of his own. 

 "I meant it," he replied. He'd meant it and it had worked that way for a long while.

 "You don't seem happy."

 Alexander didn't reply. 

 Tadashi regarded him with uncertainty. What was he  supposed to tell him? With the way he seemed to be relapsing, he couldn't figure it out. 

 "It's fine to break the rules every now and then," said Tadashi.

 "No it isn't," said Alexander. "Rules are important. They have to be followed."

 Tadashi nodded. "They are important I agree, but you're really dumb if you think they should never be broken."

 "You wouldn't understand, just let it go. It's my own problem." 

 "I'll let it go for now... if you agree that you should go home." 

 He'd try to ask him to take the day off too but he knew that was one thing that really didn't help Alexander. In fact, he seemed to find his solace in work...until the past few months.

 Alexander looked one last time at the glass then pushed it away. 

 "I'll drive you," said Tadashi.

 "I'm not drunk."

 "I know," he said and unlocked the door. Alexander got in. 

 He got back at around three into the morning. The darkness meant everyone was probably asleep. Everyone except Jet. Jet wasn't here anymore.

 "It'll be alright," Tadashi said when he'd parked the car. 

 Alexander looked like he wanted to say something but decided not to, he only got out of the car. 

 He was acting like he'd lost a part of himself. A little like how he was eight years ago, but not quite the same.

 His hands tightened on the wheel as he watched Alexander walk inside before pulling away and driving home.

 Alexander didn't bother going to sleep in his room. He found an empty room that no one actually used and dropped heavily onto the bed. 

 He didn't even bother to take his clothes off. His mind was jumbled up with thoughts crisscrossing in all directions. 

 He couldn't find a wink of sleep as the early hours of the morning carried on. 

 He couldn't stop seeing Jet walking and not stopping. The pain in his chest raged on. It should get better, it had to.

 Four in the morning turned to five and five turned to six. He finally drifted off into a troubled sleep.

 It felt like five minutes had only passed when he opened his eyes again, when the door flew open.

 "Oh! You're here!" Zel strode in wearing loose fitting pajama bottoms and Riley's shirt. It looked so cute how it drooped down one of his shoulders.

 "Where were you two?" Zel looked adorably cute as he asked, pretty upset. 

 The guilt coursing through Alexander was the only reason he didn't grab Zel right there. 

 Zel looked around and didn't seem to find what he was looking for. 

 "Where is he?!" He demanded, panicking as the truth seemed to dawn on him. "Where is Jet!"

 It hurt Alexander to even attempt to answer. "He's gone, disqualified. He...he made a mistake."

 "What did he do?" Zel asked. He blinked and put the back of his hand against his mouth, trying to keep the tears at bay.

 "He broke a rule, he said he was in love with me," said Alexander.

 Zel laughed in disbelief as his eyes watered all the more. "Like you're not in love with him?" He asked. "Answer me! Because I love him too, and I love you."

 Fuck! Just fuck!

 "On my first night with you, you asked me how much I would be able to take..." Zel's eyes were glassy. "Well this is it. This is where I draw the line. Disqualify me now if you don't feel anything for me, Alexander. I'll take it, I'll go home and cry myself to sleep... I don't know. Broken hearts heal too... I don't know how... but I will. What I cannot do, is live this lie."

 Alexander tried to get to him but Zel moved away from his touch. It stung so bad he looked away.

 "Look at me," said Zel. 

 He looked up and all the pain felt like it was drowning him. 

 "I love you," Zel said while nodding. Then he stormed back out and slammed the door. 

 Alexander blew out a breath of exasperation.

Why are they breaking rules? Why are they hurting me?

 First Jet, now Zel? Who would be next? If it already hurt like this, what was going to be left of him in the end? 

 Alexander put his face in his hands, infinitely frustrated.

 By the end of the week, everyone was disqualified.

51

A week had gone by and it came as no surprise to Alexander that he wasn’t in the best of places.

 "You look like shit," said Tadashi. 

 "Thank you, I was going for that," he deadpanned without looking up at his assistant. 

 Alexander had to fill his mind with work, it was much more a necessity now like anything. It was the only way he knew he could function ever since everything that happened the previous week. 

 He just couldn't understand why suddenly everyone around him and anything they did was infuriating. The smallest things got on his nerves, even someone looking in his direction was enough to piss him off.

 Tadashi looked like he was analyzing him, assessing him for any data he might pull out. He tried to give off as little as possible.

 "You're going to have to stop," said his assistant. 

 "Stop what?"

 "You've been checking in and out of random hotels in the past week to spend the night. You have a house, with more than enough rooms you can choose from. If it's that bad then you can pick one of your penthouses. Anything other than putting yourself at risk."

 Alexander didn't stop focusing on his work. "I'm sure you didn't have to bother with that."

 "I have to know, I have to bother because anything could happen. Being powerful comes with a lot of consequences too, do you really think no one is out to get you?"

 "They are allowed to try," he replied, typing away. 

 Tadashi got close to him and pushed down the head of his computer to shut it and force all of his attention to fall on him. 

 "What the fuck?" Asked Alexander. 

 Tadashi studied him more closely. "Have you even been sleeping?"

 Alexander clenched his jaw and leaned back, folding his arms. "What's it to you?" 

 "No then," he sighed. "How long do you think you can go on like this?" 

 "Go on like what?" Alexander asked.

 Tadashi raised his eyebrows and regarded him further. "Really?"

 Alexander stretched his arms before him and let them drop back and fold over his chest again. "Really what? Why won't you just leave me to my work?"

 "Because no one runs a corporation as large as this one on barely any sleep. What are you trying to do, kill yourself?"

 "Then what would you call this? If not running it?"

 Tadashi shook his head and went to assume a seat. "God you're almost as difficult as Linder."

That oddly got Alexander's attention. "How is he?" He asked immediately. 

 Tadashi looked at him like he wasn't sure if it had actually come from his mouth before he answered. "He won't let me talk to him...but I think he's okay."

 Alexander nodded. "I really wish his dad had pressed charges, that piece of shit would be locked up by now."

 Just then, one of the employees came in with his coffee. Carrying a simple coffee cup to a table shouldn't have been a big deal. But she looked terrified like she was about to drop it and spill everything as she placed it on the table. 

 It was interesting, because everyone seemed to act that way lately. 

 When she was gone, Alexander unfolded his hands and took up the coffee cup. "Is it just me, or is everyone acting differently around me?" 

 They were generally a little scared of him, but just a little. This was a little extreme, she seemed about ready to piss her pants. 

 "What do you think," Tadashi answered. "Everyone's a little cautious after what you did to Oliver."

 Oh right

 "I held back, he is still working here isn't he?"

 "You destroyed any chances of him working anywhere else worthy. He was a bigshot in this building but you took that away from him. You made him grovel at your feet and then reduced him to almost nothing compared to his previous standing. The people who looked up to him now look down on him. Of course, apart from the fact that he had to report to work with a black eye," Tadashi paused. "I'm not sure what you think, but that's not what people do when someone breathes the same air as their man." 

 He felt a jab at the mention of Riley...Riley as his man. The knife twisted. 

 "I'd watch my back too if I were them," said Tadashi. 

 "You seem immune." 

 Tadashi smiled. "I'm immune to many things," he said, getting up. 

 Before Alexander could finish rolling his eyes, Tadashi pulled the coffee cup out of his hand. 

 "I'll be taking this. I don't need you pumping your brain full of caffeine right now, the faster you feel sleepy, the better." 

 Tadashi got out and closed the door behind him before Alexander could haul all the insults he wanted to throw at him. 

 There was no use fighting it though, Tadashi always knew what he was doing. At least even the way he was at the moment, he could trust him.

 He turned his chair around and was met with the gigantic window that served as a wall to his office. 

 He looked out of it, seeing thousands of tall buildings down below, staring at nothing in particular, lying to himself that it wasn't them he was constantly thinking about. 

 He'd already caught himself offguard several times, expecting Zel to call. Then he'd curse himself. 

 Alexander groaned at the direction his thoughts were taking before turning around at the sound of his door opening. 

 He bristled and got up immediately he saw who it was. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

 Eden's green eyes burdened hurt and caution as he bravely neared him, clutching what looked like an envelope in his hand. "Hi Alexander, it's so good to see you after so long, how...how are you?"

 "Why are you here?" He asked in a voice heavy with irritation.

 "Just to talk to you," said Eden. He rubbed his own shoulder, a habit they shared with his brother.

 "Get out."

 "Just five minutes, please. This is important."

 By some sliver of patience, Alexander found it in him not to stop him. 

 "Before my brother...passed away, he wrote you a letter... and he asked me to give it to you," Eden searched his eyes and only saw a quiet rage in them. He knew the pain but carried on. "For ten years, I've tried but you sort of disappeared and cut off all communication with us and when I found you again, you couldn't even give me a minute."

 Alexander gripped the table so hard he thought he might break it. When Eden mentioned him, even his legs wanted to give out. And yet for some reason, he listened. 

 "He...there's more, a few things he wanted you to know, but he insisted you had to read this first." Eden held it up, then gently placed it at the edge of his desk. 

 Alexander couldn't help it, all of his attention was drawn towards the letter. His eyes fell onto the handwriting at its back and it felt like a spike was skewered into his heart when he read it.

‘to my baby, the love of my life’

 He really didn't expect it to hurt as much as it did, it was nearly unreal. "Fuck!" He gasped and muttered as he turned around with the back of his fist against his lips. "

Fuck .“ He said into it.

 It made Eden sad to see him like that. All the pain he must be going through, even after all this time. No one deserved such a thing. 

 He tried to get closer to Alexander but he stopped him before he could get far. "No, get out Eden."

 He understood. He made to go but he needed to persuade him one more time at the least. This was really important to his brother. "Please read it."

 "Just get the fuck out."

 Eden left the letter in its place.

Ten years earlier…

 It was an arranged marriage, but love got mixed up in it. Polar opposites that taught each other how to love, like it was a match made in heaven.

The two fell so hard for each other that both the parents on each side started to worry if it was really the right business move.

Alexander’s fiancé’s parents were a little bit too traditional in the sense that they insisted the engaged weren’t allowed to be very intimate with each other.

They weren’t allowed to have sex until they were securely married. As if they were scared that the two would somehow have a child out of wedlock.

Eden was to be their chaperone. He was required to make sure they didn’t try anything whenever they were together, and kept it appropriate.

At first there was no need for such a thing, because there were absolutely no feelings involved. The two only seemed to tolerate each other, but that changed pretty quickly.

Eden and his brother were extremely close, they laughed about their families’ insecurities all the time the three of them hang out together. And on almost all the occasions he could, Eden made excuses to leave them alone just to give them some privacy, then he’d make up a story for their parents explaining in great detail how well behaved they were.

He was the best chaperone and as he claimed; the biggest fan of their relationship.

His fiance was three years older than he was, but his parents still worried Alexander would take advantage of their son, like they always said.

This particular night was no different. They met in the apartment Alexander had bought secretly for them after his fiancé had picked it out. None of their parents had any knowledge about it.

They spent a lot of time there, acting like they were a family that had already settled down to start a life together. As they let their parents believe they were out somewhere doing something sophisticated and not at all improper.

Eden covered for his brother as always. And immediately the door closed behind them, they were onto each other.

It had taken Alexander the shortest amount of time to become completely infatuated with his husband to be, obsessive in a sense after their last scuffle.

He’d grown addicted to hugging him, cuddling with him, kissing his lips and just feeling him around him.

He made him laugh, talked to him like he was the center of his world, he was soft with him in a way he wasn’t with anybody else, and always looked to him with love in his eyes. His fiancé wore his heart on his sleeve.

He had the most beautiful mind according to Alexander. He could listen to him talk all day, hanging onto anything he had to say with an eagerness he didn’t know he could come to possess.

“What would your father say if he saw us right now?” Alexander asked and smiled into the kiss.

His fiance broke them apart and leaned his face onto his shoulder before him, laughing.

“ Son, that is no way for a proper man to act, don’t let him corrupt you, “ he said in his best impersonation of his father’s voice. “ No coitus without a ring! “

Alexander laughed. “I love it when he says that.”

“He’s a charmer isn’t he?”

“I’m sorry I thought that was you.”

“You’re just a little biased because you love me,” he said and hugged him, squeezing his middle tighter.

“You’re right I do. So what am I supposed to do when I have you all to myself like this?” Alexander asked then skimmed his hand over his ass and lightly squeezed before trying to get his hands inside his pants.

His fiancé moaned but pushed away. “No, no. You’ve been working all day, a light dinner first, then you can corrupt me okay?”

“Hmm I don’t know if I can wait that long,” Alexander whined.

“I’ll make it quick baby,” he pecked his lips.

Alexander thought several times about seducing him but he knew he’d lose. For some reason, his fiancé was strict about getting food inside his stomach. He wasn’t impressed with Alexander’s disregard when it came to taking care of himself.

He stared at him all the way through their little dinner. His fiancé didnt make it easy, he sent him cute kissy faces and ate his food seductively from across the table, chewing slowly, licking his lips while maintaining eye contact with Alexander.

“You fucking minx,” he growled.

“Don’t act like it’s not a turn on,” he wiggled his eyebrows. “You want me so bad don’t you?”

“Do you want me to eat or not?” Alexander shoved more food into his mouth.

“I’m just saying, there’s more on the menu tonight…a lot more.”

Alexander pushed the food away. “Thank you for a wonderful meal my darling, but I think I’ve outgrown my patience,” he said then walked around the table and carried his fiance in his arms. “Can you even get any more appealing?”

“Actually yeah, when the clothes come off.”

Alexander nuzzled him in his arms. “Fuck, I can’t wait to marry you.”

“Stop! It’s what I think about all the time.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, in case you haven’t noticed… I’m a little too crazy about you,” he said as his green eyes found Alexander’s.

It was at these times when they forgot everything else in their lives, where only the two of them existed.

Alexander smirked at him.

“My baby,” his fiancé said cupping his cheek. “Who gave you the right to be so handsome?”

Alexander’s smirk quickly faded as he blushed.

“Aww, I can’t believe only I get to see this.”

They got inside the bedroom. “When did you get so mouthy? It’s my turn to make a fuss over you,” he said before nibbling his lower lip and tugging it a little. The man in his arms moaned.

“Promise me you won’t fall for anyone else ever,” his fiancé said as Alexander lowered him and his back touched the mattress.

“Is this a joke?” He leaned in. “You really think that’s possible?”

The green eyes found his. In them, he saw his life, his love and everything between them mirrored.

“Just promise me, I love you, more than I love anything in this world, Alexander.”

Alexander would do anything for him, anything he wanted no matter what it was. “You’re the love of my life, and I’m going to spend the rest of my years proving it to you. This is the easiest promise I’m ever going to make.”

He gathered him in his arms and kissed the tip of his nose. “You’re the one for me. I could never love anyone else but you. I promise you that.”

“I mean, you also promised you’d dance for me.”

Alexander groaned. “And you dare question my love for you.”

He knew his way around his body, so he touched all the sensitive parts of him. His fiancé squealed softly and made him laugh.

“Can I take advantage of you now?” Alexander asked.

“I think you’d better,” he laughed. “Before one of our dicks break from being too hard.”

Alexander laughed and kissed his lips then trailed in his way down the body shivering in his grasp.

He paused to look him in the eye. “I love you, more than I love anything in this world.”

51.5

MONTH SIX

52

The rain beat down on the windshield as the wiper blades moved back and forth, wiping the water off to create a view visible enough to drive through. Tadashi pulled up at the cemetery.

It was a weather fitting for such a place, providing enough gloom for a grieving heart.

He found the figure he was looking for, huddled not so far away from where he had stopped to look.

 Alexander's figure crouched in front of a headstone as the rain kept falling on them both. It wasn't a heavy downpour, but it was enough to make him wet. 

 This Alexander wasn't a repeat of the one he found eight years ago. This one was worse. He hated it, hated the way he was seemingly accepting everything. 

 The Alexander he knew was much stronger than that. Did he need time? Was it the letter? Did he really even read it?

 Tadashi stopped watching his unmoving figure and turned the engine off before grabbing an umbrella from the back seat. 

 Under the umbrella, Tadashi remained dry as he walked over to his boss. Close enough, he held the umbrella in place to shield them both from the rain. 

  The only acknowledgment Alexander gave him was a momentary turn of his head as if to look at his shoes. And with the way he turned back to stare straight ahead, he'd known it was Tadashi without looking at him. 

 "You're going to catch a cold," said Tadashi.

 Alexander didn't answer, nor did he move, so his assistant crouched too. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

 Water trickled down from Alexander's hair to the sides of his face and down his chin, the drops now falling slowly as he wasn't getting any wetter. 

 "I don't think there's really much to do at a cemetery," he answered, sounding tired.

Tadashi humored him with a scoff. “I mean what are you doing visiting a random stranger’s grave?”

The headstone read ‘Lydia McGregor’ below that was a short message. ’I probably owe you money…well bye.“

“She seemed like a good person.” The Master answered.

“Alexander–”

“I couldn’t get to his…grave, I just couldn’t,” Alexander finally moved. He breathed out heavily and pushed back the dark locks from his face.

Tadashi confirmed one thing at least; he needed time.

He looked at a single flower lying on top of the grave. Droplets of water kept rolling off of its white petals, making it look more beautiful than it already was.

“He liked tulips?” Tadashi asked.

Alexander’s facial expression didn’t change. “His favorite,” he answered. “He always liked just one…apparently many flowers weren’t as meaningful as just one to him. The things he said…I just found him fascinating.”

“That sort of makes sense the more I think of it,” said Tadashi.

Alexander made a sound between agreement and acknowledgement.

Tadashi closed the umbrella as the rain let up and waited a few moments before he spoke. “I think we should leave Lydia here to rest. We need to talk.”

“Talk?”

Tadashi nodded. “Before you ask, it’s serious.”

“What?”

“I’ll start talking when you are dry,” said Tadashi, he was already up and walking to the car, closed umbrella in hand.

He got there first and went to pull the door open for Alexander. He stopped instead and turned around at the same time Alexander neared him.

Tadashi pulled him against his chest and held tight against him with a hand wrapping around him.

The way Alexander didn’t react for the first few seconds meant that he’d been caught off guard.

He then moved. “I don’t need–”

“Shut up,” Tadashi said curtly.

It took a short while before Alexander just accepted the hug. Tadashi’s hand stroked the wet hair at the back of his head.

Alexander didn’t say a word. But the breath he let out as he let his shoulders slump was more than enough for Tadashi to understand.

In the next thirty minutes, Alexander was in his penthouse, away from the cold. Warmer because of the shower he’d just taken.

He didn’t catch a cold like Tadashi had suggested, but he didn’t look so great either.

He took the cup of hot tea Tadashi had made, then watched as he sipped his own.

Tadashi broke the silence when he thought the timing was right.

“Listen to me. I need you to take some time off. I’ve already had the Seascape resort prepared for you. I’ll handle everything on this end. One week… it is a reasonable amount of time, isn’t it?”

Alexander watched his movements. But he resigned from saying anything in response.

Tadashi stopped. “You’re not going to argue with me?”

The Master shrugged a little while something on the window caught his attention. “I’m just so fucking tired.”

It was perfect. “I’m glad you know that you need this,” said Tadashi.

“No phones, or any electronic devices… I know you’ll get tempted to find some sort of work to do,” his assistant said. “But don’t try it, you won’t.”

Tadashi was still a little shocked that Alexander didn’t protest. He should have already started disagreeing but he hadn’t done even as much as interrupt him. He went on.

“I need you to take this time off and think things over, and I mean everything. And when you’re back, according to how you’ve made up your mind, we’ll go find them.”

Alexander looked up at the last part, directly at him. It had rippled a current of electricity through him to hear that.

“If I’m getting such a reaction only from mentioning them, then you better get on with it. I’d say now was a good time as any, but I think you need this.”

Alexander set his cup down and rubbed his face with his hands. He groaned a low sound.

“I have already spoken with Rosetta, and she’s spoken with the staff so when you arrive, they’ll know exactly what to do.”

Alexander crackled his knuckles and waited for whatever came next.

You’re smart.

Tadashi wrote the text and sent it.

 He'd asked for some answers ever since he'd got a hold of Pierre's pursuer. They were being discreet but Tadashi had his ways. He could be persuasive when he really wanted to.

 'I do this as a hobby sometimes but thanks.'

They answered.

 He could at least count on their quick replies if nothing else.

 'Who hired you?'

 It was a little direct but they'd been going back and forth talking about unimportant things. The other person deflected any attempts of Tadashi trying to know something. 

 Maybe being direct would trap them. 

 'If you told me anything about you, I could trace you. You could do the same about me so I don't think I should tell you that,,,,'

 The person on the other side was still typing. 

 'you could be the government or some high class hacker who'd kidnap me and send pieces of my lovely toes to my employer as a threat. Bottom line: I like my toes. I like all of them.'

 Just who was he dealing with? Toes? Seriously? Tadashi's lips twitched in an attempt not to smile.

 'Well I'm not any of those things I can assure you, but I have a proposal.'

He replied.

  This time he was determined to get somewhere by all means. 

  '

Oouu I love proposals! But,,, I’m not sure I’ll say yes, you know ;(’

  Oh wow

. Tadashi didn’t know what he was supposed to say to that, the person was obviously toying with him. He ignored it and replied.

Let’s meet.

’ He hit send.

 This person was way too cheerful, like they were just playing a simple game and nothing more. At this point they could either say yes or no. 

 'Hold up let me get my pink cat inside.'

  Jesus Christ

 'You have a pink cat?'

Tadashi quickly texted back. It took the other person a while before they texted back.

 'No, course not. I thought we were mentionuing  impossible things. Plus I don't like cats :/

also ;((( what sort of typo is that ew.’

 Yep, Jesus Christ. And what the hell was that long pause for? Tadashi tried to persuade them.

 'It's a good idea. There's a few things you want to know, and a few I'd like to know. Since you already know where he is, this should be off the record right? It'll be any public place of your choosing. of course if you pick that then I'll pick the date.'

 Tadashi waited as they texted. He'd say the day after the next one, so that he didn't come off as desperate or something.

 'I don't like meeting new people unless it's absolutely necessary, but that does sound a little fair........do I get to pick the food?'

 It didn't matter to him either way.

 'If you want.'

He replied.

 'Oh this is prrfect, im going to I'm bleed your pockets dry.'

 That was a yes. Fucking finally.

 'I think I can manage' 

 The reply came after a few emoticons he couldn't really understand.

  'Fine then, see you. Don't say I didn't warn you'

 Tadashi dropped the tablet on his desk and leaned back blowing out a breath. 

  "That was a little exhausting," he muttered. Then automatically tried to picture who was on the other side of his screen. 

 A nerd definitely, possibly a kid. Or someone really young with the way they texted, the things they said.

 Nothing else came up, so he got back to work and waited for the text that would confirm their meeting place. 

 Hopefully as soon as possible.

53

Alexander arrived at the resort feeling a little peculiar. Lack of sleep, jet lag, too much caffeine and an aching heart. It all combined to make him look weary.

Eight members of staff were there to welcome him. The seven stood behind a woman whose uniform was a little different from there’s; a distinctive quality to indicate her superiority.

 "It's good to see you Rosetta," he said to the head of the staff before she could say anything. 

 At first he'd liked her because she worked harder than everyone else and took no bullshit, whether from her team or from the clients that frequented the resort. Now he liked her because of that and because he thought she was really cool as a person."

 "I'd say the same thing sir, but you don't look so...well," she said inspecting him warily. 

 Alexander acknowledged her team with a nod even as none of them seemed to be able to make eye contact with him. 

 She then signaled to them and they went on to get to work; some back to the resort while another handled his luggage. 

 It was only the two of them walking now. They took their time as she walked him in the direction of a little bar by the ocean. 

 "It isn't like you to... take a break, not at least one such as this one," said Rosetta.

 "I wouldn't dream of it either," said Alexander, drifting off.

 "But Tadashi..." they both said at the same time and sighed.

 Rosetta nodded as they kept walking. "I'm walking you to have a drink but you can go have time to yourself first if that's what you'd prefer."

 "A drink is fine," said Alexander. They reached the bar and he settled on a stool, leaning his elbows casually on the counter.

 "After this, I'll find you later to explain how your entire week has been planned out. There's a few things I'm sure you'd like," she said.

 He waved her off and gestured to a stool next to him. "Tell me now, I'll buy."

 She laughed at his poor attempt at a joke. But she settled on the stool next to him. "I mean, if you insist."

 They were served cocktails while they talked. 

 "You really look way off your game Alexander, you can talk to me you know," she told him. 

 "I know," he replied. "But I'd rather hear about how you've been doing."

 Rosetta was easy to talk to, that went without saying. He just wasn't good at talking to people, opening up to them. He doubted he'd ever be. 

 "You know the drill. Men of your caliber trying to get in my pants. Talking trash about their wives. Everything's fine. Same old same old."

 She was right, on some occasions, some of these men who knew him personally even went ahead to ask him to set them up with Rosetta. Alexander chuckled. "And you all claim to love working here."

 "We do. I for one know there's no where else I'd rather be, no one else I'd rather work for," she had a serious expression on her face as she said it. "You're a great boss. No one as rich as you stands up for people like us, but you did–"

 "Please stop bringing that up."

 Rosetta chuckled. "I do it on purpose, you seem to forget every good thing you do."

 Alexander felt uncomfortable every time he heard it. About a year ago, he'd found out one of Rosetta's team had been sexually harassed and threatened by one of their guests. It was utterly disgusting. And completely against policy.

 All she wanted was an apology after Alexander had talked to her. He really hoped she'd be more aggressive about it because it really wasn't fair for what he'd done because he thought he could. It was such a small price to pay. 

 And he'd said no. He told Alexander he wasn't apologizing to some bitch no one even knew about. 

 So Alexander told him about her; her name, age, a bit about her life and why she'd come to work for him. Then he'd pressed charges. 

 He'd gotten both jail time and a fine, but he was rich, so that didn't properly faze him. He found his ways around it. Alexander didn't care that he'd made an enemy, it was enough for him that his public image was greatly affected. And he was banned from stepping foot at the Seascape, or any of his other resorts again.

 Rosetta just didn't want to get over it, and neither did her team. Luckily they were too shy to even look him in the eye. So that lessened his burden. 

 "Tell me about the one week plan," he asked to take her mind away from it. 

 "Your first day is today, it's all to yourself," she explained. "No one will bother you as you do whatever you want," she paused to drink. "Tomorrow, I call a spa day. Complete relaxation including a few hours in between to yourself. It should be mostly a feel-good day. I can only tell you about the day after that, tomorrow. Tadashi said you might get restless if you already knew everything at once."

 "Well," said Alexander, already feeling an itch he wanted to scratch by finding some work. "Sounds like torture."

 "I had a feeling you'd think so," she said. 

 As Alexander sat there not even twenty minutes at the Seascape, he couldn't help but wish the week was already over. 

 He tried to take his mind off the horror coming his way.

 "How is Timmy doing?" Asked Alexander. The gentle breeze blew his hair to ruffle it a little, then settle right back. 

 Rosetta's eyes widened before she drank again, then she answered him. 

 "Apart from playing matchmaker and trying to get me to go on dates with random people," she said with a fond smile. "My son is great."

 The day carried on and the Master got settled in. He was given a room that might have been the largest in the place or not, he'd never stepped inside one of them until today. 

 Alexander took a shower fine, but everything else that came after that was difficult.

Sitting still? Who the fuck did that?

 He stood at an open window to look out at the ocean and the trees around, it didn't work out. It seemed to add to his stress. 

 He should have thought of this before letting Tadashi swindle him of a sound mind.

 Alexander walked out then thought of an idea. 

 He walked back in and tried to take a nap. He didn't know the last time he'd pulled that off successfully. Tired as he was, he couldn't manage even that. 

 Alexander's hands itched to do something, anything. He remembered sadly he didn't have his phone, and cursed why Tadashi had thought this so thoroughly. 

 He thought of a way. Of course he could find a device; a phone or computer from Rosetta or anyone else at the resort. He'd just check on a few emails and maybe do a few things, then he'd be fine. He'd rest easy.

 He didn't want to be left alone with his thoughts. Anything but that.

 Rosetta turned him down without a blink. She'd already been waiting for him when he attempted to cheat his way out of his rest period. 

 "No," she said, then crossed her arms. 

 "No?" Alexander asked. "It's important, won't even be ten minutes."

 "Yeah...no," she smirked. "With all due respect sir, this is for your own good."

 Alexander tried to figure out what to say to her.

 "No one is going to help you, there's a reason you're here and we already have a task," she said. "You have to relax, by all means. You've already paid for your time here and I'm not about to cheat you out of its benefits. This place is quite expensive, and you agreed to this. So you know, go on and get on with resting. If you need anything it will be brought up to your room, or anywhere you'd like it. You have a whole week ahead of you." 

 She shooed him away with a motion of her hands. 

 "I didn't think you were evil like that," he said sounding disappointed as Rosetta's smile got wider. 

 Alexander sighed in defeat and left her with her evil helpers, then decided he'd just have a walk. 

 It wasn't really hot because the sun was already beginning to set, but he wore black beach pants and a light white shirt. 

 His thoughts were inevitable, darting between a number of men and all of them together at the same time. He couldn't really stop thinking about them, even if he tried.

 Fuck this.

 It felt like his life had just been one slow train wreck for the past five months. With where he was right now, it definitely was. 

 Fine grains of sand got between his toes as he left footprints in the sand. It felt soft, and actually calming. He walked the length of the shore, keeping away from the water. The breeze was felt really good against his skin, finally, he was enjoying something. Maybe he could actually do this.

 After Alexander thought he'd walked enough, he found a random spot on the sand and sat down facing the water, his knees folded up as he watched nothing but the ocean and heard nothing but the cry of birds. 

 He had to make up his mind, one way or another. The waves of the ocean were hypnotic. He stared as his mind drifted off. 

 He saw the envelope, the one he hadn't even opened yet. He couldn't bring himself to read the letter and yet he couldn't stop thinking about what could be inside.

 All this time, and he'd left a letter for him? When did he write it? They never kept anything from each other, no matter what. Why did he write him a letter? What else was there that he didn't already know?

 Still, either way, he had to make up his mind.

 He heard the sound of seagulls before his eyes followed them. They rested on the dock pilings a good distance away from him. 

 He got back to looking at the water. The sun would set soon but already the light looked divine.

 "I don't need a week," Alexander muttered to himself.

 If all he could think about was going to be his men, if the only thing he could see was them, if they were all he wanted, if it was this bad... he definitely didn't need a week. 

   He was going to admit it to himself at least, he needed them.

Fuck . He couldn’t believe how simple the truth of the matter was.

 He closed his eyes and pictured his fiancé telling him he was the only one for him, he was his whole heart...he was everything. And yet, he didn't think he could want his men more. 

 The point hit home for the first time, a realization to be more specific. He hadn't known it before or he hadn't allowed himself to think it. But he was most likely falling in love. 

 He wouldn't believe it if anyone else was telling him, but it was different if he was thinking it by himself.

 Ten years, and the first time he thought of someone else other than his fiancé started a few months ago, and it hadn't stopped ever since.

 He wanted to call Tadashi right now and tell him all of this was pointless but he didn't have his phone. He might not even have any luck with Rosetta.

 He decided to take more time to think. He wasn't ready at all. He didn't know if he'd ever be but he wanted to convince himself he was.

 Maybe he shouldn't, maybe he should wait. They hated him, he was sure of that. It was frustrating as fuck, but he had to handle this more carefully than he'd ever handled anything.

 Maybe there was a point for the entire week, his thoughts were going haywire every time he thought he'd made up his mind. Only to get him thinking again. So maybe by the end of it, he would be completely sure. 

 Alexander never took a lot of time to make a decision, his life, his work required it. He made hard decisions all the time, every single day, so why was this taking so fucking long?

 He looked back and the sun had already dipped much lower, casting an orange glow on the water. It looked like a painting. Pretty. Zel would have loved it.

 "Beautiful isn't it?" Riley said next to him. 

 Riley. 

 Riley?

 Alexander's brain struggled to catch up with what his eyes were seeing. Was he hallucinating? 

 Riley sat leaning back on his hands with his knees folded before him towards the sea. A forlorn expression on his face.

 It could have been the reality weighing heavily on him but Riley looked more beautiful than the version of him in his head. Alexander immediately pushed himself forward without thinking. "Riley?" Disbelief colored his voice.

 Riley didn't move, he just looked ahead, as if genuinely admiring the sea before him. Alexander suddenly didn't care what it looked like, not when this man was right there.

 He wanted him closer, he wanted to touch him. But before he could reach him any further he stopped. It was the look on Riley's face when he turned to look at him. It was a warning. 

 He'd never seen the look before, especially directed towards him. His body was still relaxed, but he was fixed with a hard, cold and icy glare. 

 "Don't touch me," Riley said, then he looked away again, his eyes darting back to the beauty of the waves in the setting sun.

 What the fuck had Tadashi done?

54

After Disqualification…

 "Welcome to my humble home."

 The five men sat huddled together on the couch and on the floor. "Why are we here?" Asked Mason. "It's not part of the game is it?"

 Hades fell asleep while Jet held him, his hand absentmindedly stroking his black coat.

 "No," Tadashi answered him. "But I'd like for us to play a game."

 "I'm not sure what you're trying to get at but we've sort of had enough of games," said Riley. He'd lost the easy smile that had almost seemed permanent on his face.

 Tadashi made them all tea and handed each one a cup, then sipped on his own. 

 No one looked sadder than Zel did as he sat with his legs folded on Mason's lap, a protective arm wrapped around him as he looked a little stressed.

 Tadashi settled across from them. "I know," he said. "But I want you to listen to what I have to say, if you all don't like it then I'll drop it and each of you will be home in no time."

 He could tell they didn't like the sound of that. They wanted to be together, as unhappy as they looked. 

 They seemed skeptical after hearing what he said. As if weighing the options and trying to decide what was worth it and what was not.

 Jet finally broke the silence. "If you're going to talk about Alexander then... I think we'd rather not," he said.

 "Well...sort of," confirmed Tadashi and he noticed Mason already looking angry. "I just want us to...kind of make a deal." He shrugged.

 He'd try again if they didn't want to hear what he wanted to say. But he had a pretty good feeling they would.

 "I think...maybe we should," said Pierre. He seemed so shy as everyone listened. "I know we're all angry but it won't hurt to hear him out."

  Before Pierre even finished speaking, everyone was already on board with him. Tadashi was glad for that.

 "Fine. What?" Asked Mason. 

   Tadashi set his cup down and leaned back. "All of you need to talk."

  "I'm sorry but if he wanted to hear us out then we wouldn't be here. You realize he's the one who disqualified us right?" Countered Mason.

  "I know, but the reason why he did that was only because of the rules, it had nothing to do with his feelings," said Tadashi. 

 "What?" Asked Mason.

“It’s true, Alexander is just…” Tadashi drifted off then went straight ahead.

“Is just what? Finish the sentence,” said Mason.

Tadashi shook his head. “He’ll open up to you guys, I know it.”

“I’m fairly convinced he doesn’t feel anything for us. He’d have said so if he did,” said Pierre. He was clearly affected more than he was showing.

“I wouldn’t say so,” he replied. “You haven’t seen him lately,” Tadashi shook his head. “He hasn’t even stepped foot back in the mansion.”

That had faces of surprise from everyone. “Is he okay?” Jet asked.

“It’s what I’m trying to say, he really isn’t doing well but he’d rather deny it, that stubborn…”

Tadashi didn’t complete his sentence yet again.

“Either way, I don’t think any of this matters to him, from what I’ve gathered, he’ll just get more of us the next year. You know… replacements,” replied Mason.

Tadashi understood why he said that. But that wasn’t the case here. “The program has been cancelled. For good.”

He fully had their attention now. They didn’t expect that. Even when Alexander had first told him, he was shocked to hear it and yet he should have expected it. Tadashi continued.

“There was never any question of whether he was coming for you or not, I’m just trying to speed up that process.”

“Why are you doing this? You said it was a deal, what’s your end of the bargain?” Riley asked.

“That’s simple,” said Tadashi. “I get to see him happy.”

Riley raised his eyebrows. “He’s that important to you?”

“More than you might think,” Tadashi shrugged. “But don’t tell him I said that.”

They were ready to make a deal so he was really glad. As much as Alexander needed this, they did too.

“So one final game, what do you say?” Tadashi leaned back once more. “I’m open to ideas.”

꧁꧂

The breeze blew Alexander’s hair again, he pushed it back and sat back in shock, unable to take his eyes off Riley.

God, he badly wanted to kiss him, touch him. It was a task to just sit there doing nothing, knowing Riley was right there for fuck’s sake.

Still he had to do nothing, Riley looked so pissed at him the Master wasn’t about to make that worse. He’s never seen him so angry before.

“Do you want to guess why I’m here?” Riley asked. “Or do you want me to tell you?”

He didn’t answer him. He had questions of his own, added to the fact that he was having a hard time believing the current situation.

“I’ll answer you then,” said Riley calmly. “It’s because you sort of mean everything to me, the same way the others do.”

Alexander was frustrated. It brought both feelings of pure joy and pain to hear the words leave the man’s lips.

“Are they… they are here too?” He asked.

Riley nodded. “I just decided I’d see you first, I hate seeing all the hurt in their faces. I didn’t want it to get worse.”

Alexander flinched. The man next to him kept talking like his face itself wasn’t etched with hurt too. All of it, his fault.

“I’m so sorry Riley,” he said and got close to him.

“I said not to touch me,” the younger man repeated.

Alexander knew he deserved at least that, but it still stung to hear it.

“It’s fine, you’ll get to see everyone,” said Riley. “We have a week after all.”

Tadashi…

They really were here. What would they think when they saw him? What would they say?

“I just need to confirm something,” said Riley, he paused for a while before turning to Alexander. “I want you to look me in the eye and tell me you don’t have feelings for me.”

The Master’s breath was taken away, just looking at him. He got carried away just looking at him, he could do it all day.

“You really can’t do it?” The other male asked in response to his previous question. “Why’d you do it then? Everything we did, the few moments I could swear we were all truly happy, they meant nothing to you?”

“You probably won’t believe me if I tell you,” answered Alexander. “I’m sure you hate me now but they really meant–”

“I don’t hate you,” Riley cut him off. “I could never hate you. Do not even think for one second that as you sit there, I don’t want to feel you against me.”

“But you don’t even want me to touch you,” said Alexander.

“Because I’m mad at you. We all are. People get mad all the time, at the people they–”

Riley stopped and exhaled audibly.

“For a few days now, we’ve sat here like this, just staring at the water. Sure it was beautiful, but it didn’t feel complete. You are that missing piece. But don’t expect affection from me, or anyone else. The aim isn’t to punish you, you just have to earn it.” Riley completed.

Alexander hung on to his every word.

“Tomorrow after your ‘spa day’ as Rosetta called it, we’ll have dinner together…unless you have any objections to that.”

“No,” came the immediate reply.

Riley nodded. “The original plan was to push you to the extremes, but we’re not doing that anymore. We’re worried about you you know, you look like you could use some sleep.”

“Everyone keeps saying that,” replied Alexander.

“It’s true. I’m almost convinced you missed us,” said Riley. He did that thing where he scratched the back of his ear.

 "Of course I did," Alexander replied.

 "I'm not going to believe it just yet. You'll take the rest you were meant to, then when that's over, we'll all talk."

 "You expect me to relax with all of you here?"

 Riley's reply was cold. "You seemed to manage quite fine before you disqualified us."

 Damn.

He didn’t have to rub it in like that.

 "I deserved that," Alexander said while taking a hand to rub the back of his neck.

 "It's a little weird," said Riley. "You're right here but I miss you so much."

 Alexander groaned. "Darling, you can't just go ahead and say that."

 "What the fuck are you doing?" Asked Riley while slowly leaning back until the sand became a bed against his back. Alexander leaned closer yet into him. 

 "I don't know, I can't help it," he said and then in the lightest way he could, ran a hand through Riley's curly hair. It must have grown a little since the last time he saw him. 

 Riley blinked when their eyes met. How could he have hurt them like that? Apart from the hand trying to push his stray curls away, Alexander made sure not to touch him, even if it killed him to do it.

 "You have gold in your eyes," he said, looking into them. "They're beautiful." It felt like the tiniest parts of his breaking heart were already starting to mend.

 Riley looked like he was trying to find the words. "Well...thanks for noticing."

 He'd noticed them for the longest time, never saying anything, but the words just sort of tumbled out now. 

 Despite himself, Alexander chuckled then grew serious again, never taking his eyes off Riley. "Fuck it," he said. "I think I'm..." he paused, then shook his head and started again. "Riley, I love you," he admitted.

 Riley was clearly flustered when he heard it, but he tried hard not show it. Alexander hadn't missed the surprise on his face before it disappeared. And then the longing, and the need. And finally defiance.

 "Get off," said Riley. 

 Alexander did. He watched as Riley got to his feet, and while he craved to hear the same words said back to him, he knew he didn't deserve it. But still, he wanted to hear them.

 "Where are you going?" The Master asked. It was already getting dark, but the sun hadn't fully set yet. 

 "Back inside, but I'm not telling you what room," he said. 

 Couldn't he just stay a little longer?

 "When you get back to yours, Jet might or might not be waiting for you. For some reason he's not exactly mad at you," Riley said and shook off a little sand from his body. 

 "Jet?" Alexander asked. "He is even willing to see me?" He couldn't deny all the chaos it wrecked inside him to hear it. 

 And Pierre, Mason? What about Zel?

 "Treat him like fucking royalty or I'll rip your fucking balls off," Riley warned, looking straight into his eyes.

 Then he walked away and disappeared out of sight.

 Alexander had every intention of making things right, he did. It just wouldn't be that easy. 

 Not with all the butterflies swarming inside at the thought of seeing his fierce little cub.

55

Tadashi should have expected it, the person he was supposed to meet was late.

Of course they would be. Tadashi took off his jacket off and hung it behind his chair, then checked his watch then clenched his jaw subconsciously.

His phone dinged and he picked it up to check it, he had nothing else to do anyway. It said ‘message from thepinkcat’.

‘I don’t see you,,,I’m late aren’t I?’

Yeah you are.

‘Where are you? I’m pretty sure I can spot a pink cat in this place.’

Tadashi replied.

‘XDXDXD. I’m wearing a green shirt, black pants, and from how fassg I reply, I’m definitely looking at my phone.’

They sent, then immediately sent another after it.

‘Ew, typo.’

Tadashi looked around. Of course about a dozen people were looking at their phones.

He started to look down at his phone to text again when his head quickly snapped up.

He saw the green shirt at the corner of his eye. Black pants, check. He was definitely looking at his phone.

Tadashi got up at the same time he looked up from his phone, their eyes met and recognition registered. The pink cat walked over to him quickly.

“Fu- Are you… what are you doing here?” He was asked by a guy with curly-ish brown hair and greenest eyes he’d ever seen. It was Eden.

“Meeting someone, what are you doing here?” Tadashi immediately answered and asked.

“Meeting someone, what are you… sorry,” Eden said before he could stupidly ask the same question again. “Wait, wait a damn minute… the person you are meeting, is it thepinkcat?”

Tadashi slowly sat back down, looking in disbelief. “No fucking way.”

Eden’s eyes widened as he sat down slowly from across Tadashi. “This is so weird,” he said.

“Yeah, no kidding. Are you really the person I’ve been texting?”

“In the flesh from what it looks like,” replied Eden.

“Your personality… Sorry but the Eden I’ve met and the person I’ve been texting are worlds apart, two completely different people,” said Tadashi.

“I…yeah, my personality takes a total turn when I’m behind a computer,” replied Eden. “Or so I’ve heard.”

Tadashi exhaled and crossed his arms. His jaw was set in seriousness as he regarded Eden. “I hope you’re not into the habit of meeting random strangers,” he finally said.

“Really?” Eden cocked his head as if in question. “You say that like I’m the one who asked to meet.”

“I know, it’s just, it could have been anyone else.”

“Exactly how am I supposed to know that?” Asked Eden.

Tadashi shook his head and changed the subject. “Never mind, I’m just really surprised. Why aren’t you?”

“I am,” said Eden. “But coincidences happen all the time.”

A waiter came to take their order. Tadashi watched for four full minutes as he listened to Eden order basically everything on the menu. It might as well have been.

Even the waiter seemed a little surprised. Tadashi only asked for water and the waiter left after a while of scribbling. When he was gone, Tadashi’s eyebrows remained raised, directed at Eden.

“What?” Eden asked. “Just because we know each other doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep my promise.” Eden laughed. “I said I’d bleed your pockets dry, I like to keep my promises.”

“That’s not what I’m thinking about,” said Tadashi. “How is all that supposed to fit inside you?” His eyes quickly roamed Eden’s slender frame then skimmed back to his face.

He shrugged and then smiled at Tadashi as if an idea bulb had lit inside his head.

“What’s with that look?” Tadashi asked.

Eden’s small laugh could have passed for an evil one. “I asked you out and you turned me down, and now technically, you’ve asked me out. It’s fate isn’t it?”

This was another Eden he was meeting yet again. Tadashi answered him. “There’s no reason for us to meet again after this, so I wouldn’t agree with you.”

Eden frowned then sighed. “It’s someone else isn’t it?”

Tadashi slowly nodded, telling Eden the truth.

“The way you look at me is a little misleading. But you could have just said that, I get it,” Eden said with a smile on his face.

Tadashi didn’t know there was a way he looked at him. But he wasn’t about to ask. “So… you’re a hacker?”

“Not really,” Eden answered. “But I do some hacking in my free time, but only big databases or difficult ones. Of course I don’t do it cheaply.”

He would thrive if that was his full time job, but he knew Eden came from a rich family. This was just a hobby.

“Why do you do it?” Tadashi asked.

“Being a computer geek in my free time? It’s fun, plus I need the cash.”

“You do? You’re already rich right? What do you mean you need the cash?”

“Ohh? Did someone do their homework?”

“I like to be informed, consider it a habit. Besides, if your brother was in an arranged marriage with Alexander, then your family is definitely rich. His father would never have settled for less.”

Tadashi stared at Eden to find him staring back at him.

“What?” Tadashi asked. Eden was looking at him like he was seeing him again for the first time.

“It’s easy to miss, but I love the way your accent creeps in. To be honest, it’s kind of sexy,” Eden said with a somewhat dreamy look on his face.

Tadashi could never understand what was people liked about his accent the few times it seeped out. Riley had said the same thing the first time they talked. He still didn’t get it.

Tadashi sighed and decided to keep the conversation on the same topic. “So why do you do it?”

“I decided to move out, I love my parents to death but I wasn’t waiting around to be talked into a marriage for the sake of the business. I noticed they kept pushing me towards a prince from the Middle East. He was charming but I wasn’t really interested in the whole being a Disney princess thing you know.”

“I don’t know,” Tadashi chuckled. “But do carry on.”

“Of course you don’t. Well, we decided to be friends. He’s the type of person who could be fun but works way too much, always too busy and absolutely no time for romance.”

“I do know someone like that,” said Tadashi.

Eden nodded. “Oh,” he said. “Sorry I got a little side tracked. So my dad, extremely dramatic man don’t even get me started. He said I’d die if I moved out on my own, that I needed the family wealth to survive. So until I can prove that I can earn my own money they won’t give me their blessing to go.”

“You look conflicted,” said Tadashi.

“I’m not sure I want to go anymore, who’ll take care of them? You should see my dad trying everything to make me change my mind. I think it’s working.”

“You can find common ground right? They don’t want you to move out, you don’t want to marry a stranger. Isn’t that solved?”

Eden raised a hand towards Tadashi while he closed his eyes. A tad bit dramatic in Tadashi’s opinion. “Stop, you don’t want to hear about my dads theatrics when I brought that up.”

Tadashi chuckled as all the food was brought to the table. He looked at the food, then he looked at Eden, still not believing it.

He looked well, happy.

“What are you doing?” Tadashi asked as Eden held his phone up.

“Capturing the moment of course. I don’t think there’s a lot that shocks you, oh and this food looks sexy.”

Tadashi’s hand stretched to cover the camera and Eden sort of giggled, pulling it away then turned it to himself and smiled before waving and stopping the recording.

“I can’t believe you are the same Eden I’ve met,” said Tadashi. “Which one’s the real you?”

He shrugged. “Tell me when you find out,” Eden said before digging in.

He moaned as he bit into a burger and Tadashi’s hand tightened a little as he watched him.

“This is shhooo good,” he said after chewing for a while with his mouth full. “You have to try it.” He held it out to Tadashi still chewing.

Tadashi raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms again. “No thank you,” he said.

“Not hungry?” Eden asked and Tadashi nodded.

Eden finished the burger and picked up the next item of food. He picked the crème brûlée like he didn’t have a ton of greasy food still left to eat.

He put the spoon in his mouth with unfocused eyes, as if to test it out, then took up another spoonful and closed his eyes, tilting his head as he ate it.

“Fuck… you have to try this Tadashi. You’re missing out. Here,” he held a spoonful out to him.

Tadashi shook his head. “I’m sure it’s delicious but no thanks.”

“Come on, please please please.”

Just…what the fuck.

Tadashi noticed his cheeks were a little flushed. There was a little pink tinge on them, and so much hope in his eyes that he leaned forward and took the spoon in his mouth.

Eden watched his face for any expression. He was right. It was fucking good.

Eden smiled excitedly after he’d swallowed and waited for Tadashi’s approval.

“Not bad at all,” said Tadashi.

“Right? Do you want more?” Eden was already bringing another spoonful to his mouth.

Tadashi held out a hand and declined.

“Fine then.” The brown haired guy looked a little disappointed. “That’s as far as my generosity goes.”

He shrugged and watched Eden devour the entire table of food. He didn’t remember the last time he had seen such an appreciation for food.

The smaller man wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair. “Holy cow, that was good.”

He didn’t doubt it. Not with the display he’d just witnessed. Eden drained his cup of its drink before sitting back and smiling.

“You can order for more if you want,” said Tadashi. Where the fuck did that come from?

“I know, it’s part of the deal, and I will, in a while,” said Eden. “For now let’s talk.”

Eden didn’t look like someone who had just eaten a mountain of food, he looked very composed like he was just waiting for the order and hadn’t tasted anything.

“You know this…Pierre Leblanc? Who is he, seems like a really big deal,” he asked.

Eden got serious and looked at him, waiting for him to tell him who Pierre was.

“I can’t share that information,” said Tadashi.

He couldn’t start with giving out Pierre’s identity. He’d tell him other bits of details to be fair but just like he didn’t expect Eden to tell him exactly who hired him, he wouldn’t tell him who Pierre was.

“You really are hot Tadashi Ishii,” said Eden.

“Where I’m from, last names come first,” replied Tadashi.

Eden laughed a pretty sound. “So you can’t take a compliment huh?”

For the first time since he’d seen him, Tadashi looked a little uncomfortable. “That is irrelevant…What do they want with Pierre Leblanc?” He asked.

“I can’t share that information,” said Eden, echoing Tadashi’s words back.

Tadashi seemed like he saw that coming. “Touché,” he said.

Eden’s eyes lingered before he answered. “I’m just kidding, I have no idea.”

“You don’t know?”

“Nope, we just had a discussion because I was tired of seeing them go the wrong way about tracking someone,” said Eden. “Agreed on a price and I found him for them.”

Tadashi couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Eden… what if you handed an innocent person to criminals? You can’t just trust anyone like that.”

“I know, I know,” he replied. “I trust too easily but they gave me their word you know.”

“Oh my God,” Tadashi said under his breath.

“Tadashi, my gut feelings are never wrong, I don’t think they are bad people.”

Tadashi nodded. “That may be, or not. So what do they know now?”

“Everything. For a long while no one had heard from him, he was impossible to find, but people see things… walls have ears, that sort of thing. You’ll be amazed what descriptions and timing can do to help find a person.”

“Are you saying you physically looked for him?”

“At first yes. But after a few clues, I started the real work. Checking everything. Hacked into a few airports’ databases for information. I started from there. Then I hacked into a few public surveillance systems, a few private ones— and I was following a good trail, until every single trace just vanished. You know, like following a person by their shadow, and then it’s suddenly gone, and you run up against a brick wall. All traces of him just vanished, I even started to think he was onto me, toying with me. But then a few days ago, Pierre Leblanc reactivated his phone, and I had him. His location changed but as of now, he hasn’t moved.”

From when they flew to the resort?

“So you’re saying–”

“My work is done, I just gave them my findings before coming to meet you,” said Eden.

“Fuck,” Tadashi was off his chair in a split second as realization struck. “You’ve led them straight to him!”

Eden was confused at Tadashi’s sudden behavior.

“I have to go,” Tadashi said before dropping a more than enough amount of money on the table, and turning to leave.

Eden got up too.

“Wait!” He grabbed his jacket to give it to him but by the time he had taken three steps, Tadashi was gone.

56

Hi. Found a random picture of Hades. Just imagine the blue eyes though.

 Jet was indeed waiting for Alexander when he got back to his room. He stood looking at him with his arms crossed. 

  "Alexander?" Jet asked. He loved the name falling from his lips. "You just froze right there."

  Alexander didn't trust himself to speak. Jet should be mad at him. 

 He walked to Jet and ran his hands up his arms then to his cheek. "I'm sorry Jet," he said. 

 Jet licked his lower lip and nodded. "It's okay," he said. 

 "What?"

 "It's why I wanted to see you. I want to talk," said Jet. 

  Jet moved away and sat on the bed then patted the space next to him for Alexander to sit. He followed. 

 "I saw you when you arrived. The first day you came here, you looked so down and I have to admit, I fucking hate that," said Jet.

 Alexander watched him lean back on the bed. Tattoos running all the way from his knuckles and disappearing into his black shirt. 

  Jet turned to him again and his breath caught in his throat. Just how deep in love could someone get?

 "But that's when I got it," Jet continued. "Whatever that was, whatever it is going on with you, I want you to know that I understand. You don't have to feel guilty about anything, take all the time you need."

 Alexander didn't know what to say. Everything Jet was saying sounded unbelievable. 

 Jet motioned with his fingers for him to come closer. "Come here," he said. 

 Alexander relaxed in Jet's arms, he closed his eyes and just felt the man he loved hold him. "I'm so sorry."

 They stayed like that for a long while, before Jet got up to go. Alexander didn't like the loss of body contact but there was nothing he could do about it. 

 He watched the man walk away from him. 

 "Jet?" He called. 

  Jet stopped by the door and looked back at him, arching his eyebrow in question. 

 "I love you," said Alexander. 

 He saw the emotion flicker in Jet's face before he hid it. Then he frowned.

 "It's not Jet to you, you dumbass," he replied before getting out.

  Alexander knew what that meant. It meant he loved him too.

༻༺

  The table was laid out with all kinds of food and delicacies and possibly half of the resort's entire menu but Alexander was in no mood for a feast. 

 There was absolutely nothing he was celebrating. All he could think about were the people sharing the table with him. He wished there was a big neon sign above his head professing how sorry he was for hurting them. He couldn't say it enough.

He didn’t touch the food, and neither did they. But no one seemed to pay mind to that fact.

  Rosetta saw to it that he was pampered the entire day with each activity on that particular menu. But even in the spa, instead of focusing on feeling good, he was just tense the entire time. 

  He'd only seen Riley and Jet up until that time. He was dying to see them all, so there was no way he could rest easy.  

 He thought that maybe when the time came for them to eat together, he'd finally find some peace but strangely, it was all the worse. What with the stressed out, nervous looks they all shared between each other. 

 Riley openly stared at him with an unreadable expression, Mason looked a little angry but he learned to read the man so well that the underlying sadness didn't escape him. Jet and Zel were looking at each other while Pierre pretended not to look anywhere in his direction. If he were any of them, he wouldn't be thrilled to see him either. 

 Alexander then got up abruptly, everything remained untouched before him and everyone else as he pushed his chair back and straightened himself. 

 No doubt all the eyes now turned to him. 

 He walked away from the table, not saying a word. It wasn't because of his feelings, he was just trying to be considerate. Everything was his fault after all. 

 Alexander made his way back to his room. The least he could do was let them eat in peace. 

 He slid his door shut behind him and dropped himself on the ready made bed with a frustrated sigh.

 Hades barked and jumped onto the bed, coming up to his face. How had he not seen him follow him. Or was he already there before he got in?

 The puppy nudged his cheek and licked the side of his face. 

 "Hades, I thought you hated me," said Alexander. He laughed at the little dog's excitement. 

 After playing with him for a while, Hades lay down next to him, watching him. 

 Alexander stroked the dog's fur absentmindedly as he looked up at the ceiling. 

 He was genuinely happy. There was a lot of misunderstanding, everyone was angry but they weren't trying to get away from him. They wanted to stay. They fucking wanted to talk. 

 He smiled a little thinking about how deeply he'd fallen. Hades wagged his tail and raised his head then inched closer and lowered it again. 

 Alexander didn't understand Hades' sudden clingy behavior. This was the same puppy that always seemed to be pissed at the fact that he was in the room, or just next to Jet.

 "Aww are you starting love me?" He asked the dog. Hades attempted to climb onto his stomach and lay comfortably on his torso, making him chuckle. "I guess it's mutual then. Who's a good boy?" He panted with his tongue out and wildly wagged his tail as Alexander scratched behind his ears. 

 In the next minute, his door slid open and Zel walked in. He carried a tray full of what looked like fruit and dessert. 

 Hades rushed to his side and ran at least three times around his ankles. 

 "Aw look at my favorite puppy in the world!" His princess said and he felt fuzzy inside just looking at him.

 Zel set the tray on the bed and crouched to play with Hades for a little while. 

 Alexander couldn't take his eyes off him. Not even if he tried. 

 "Don't worry I got you a treat too," said Zel. He fed him some fruit, then some biscuits bit by bit till they ran out. 

 Alexander was sure he'd baked the biscuits himself. It was just so him. 

 He didn't realize anyone had moved until Hades was pushing his way under his hand, asking for attention. Alexander gave it to him. 

 "I brought you these," said Zel, nodding towards the tray. 

 He'd been so distracted looking at Zel before that he'd just glanced once and assumed what was on the tray. 

 Now that he actually looked, there was a variety of fruit and baked desserts. It looked amazing. Zel looked much better.

 "Did you just think we'd let you leave like that? I hope you like what I picked out for you. Or you just have to, you have no choice. I won't let you go to bed without eating something," said Zel. 

 The Master laughed at the stressed out look on Zel's face. "You're worried about me?"

 Zel turned his head and crossed his arms. "I'm merely concerned," he said.

 "You're overly cute," said Alexander. "Especially when you're pouting. Or trying to lie."

 Zel gasped. "I'm not lying." He got defensive. 

 "Anything you say," said Alexander. He then turned serious. "I'm sorry for hurting you princess."

 "Don't call me that," said Zel. Alexander heard more lies in his voice. "You still have a lot of explaining to do."

 "I know," replied Alexander.

 He owed him that. So he'd do as Zel asked and he wouldn't call him anything else, not until he wanted it again.

 With every passing minute, he felt like he was changing. Everything got clearer in his head the more he thought things over. It was almost safe to say he wasn't lost anymore.

 "Good," said Zel, clearly in conflict. His cheeks were reddening slowly as he tried to avoid all eye contact with him. 

 Alexander couldn't control his next words. "I shouldn't be saying this... but I want you so bad right now."

 Zel groaned. It was so cute his heart squeezed.

 "Stop it!" He whined.

 "Stop what?" Alexander's lips twitched upwards. He let Hades go and stood up.

  "I don't know... talking?"

 "You want me to stop talking? Are you sure?" Asked Alexander. 

 He suddenly pulled his shirt off without thinking, then his fingers went to loosen the strings of his pants.

  If Zels cheeks were redenning before, his entire face was now a tomato. "Wh-what do you think you're doing?!" He asked trying to get the right words out. 

 Alexander stopped. It was just habit, something he got so used to doing at the mansion. He realized it looked exactly like he was trying to trap Zel. 

 "I was just changing first," he said honestly.

 "Pfft. Changing...right," Zel replied. He was so proud of him for the resolve he was showing.

 Alexander tied the strings of his pants back again. He used the back of his thumb to scratch his brow, then finally looked at Zel and straightened, his hands going to rest on his hip. "Alright I'll do that later."

 "No, it's fine," Zel was quick to say. "I'm going to just go. The others must be done with dinner by now."

 "I understand," said Alexander.

 Zel took a few steps to the door and paused. "Why are you suddenly being like that?" He asked Alexander.

 "Like what?" 

 "Like... I don't know."

 "Mm, maybe I'm just starting to realize so many things. I want you here but I have to let you go. And I can't stop thinking about the fact that you're so beautiful. Or the fact that I'm so in love with you."

 Seeing Zel flustered was so satisfying, he looked lovelier by the second, but he meant every word he was saying.

 "Then why don't you stop me?" He heard Zel ask, much to his surprise. 

 "You'd like that?"

 "Maybe," replied Zel. It made him smile. 

 Alexander was behind him in the next few seconds. His hand held the door higher before Zel could step out, preventing him from going any further.

 "Zel," he said feeling nervous as hell. His heart was hammering in his chest as leaned closer to the mess of blonde hair. He felt the urge to pull off the hair band holding it together, but he didn't.

 "Would you please stay and devour a tray of fruit with me?" Alexander asked.

 "That depends," Zel said confidently. He turned around, but he was not expecting to see Alexander so close, it reduced him to a stuttering mess. "W-will you... will you f-feed me some of them?"

 The cutest

 Alexander couldn't help but smile. "I'd feed you anything you want."

 Zel shrugged and kept his gaze fixed on Alexander's naked shoulder. "Okay... I guess," he replied. 

 Alexander smiled and took his hand in his, the contact electric, then led him to the bed and placed the tray of food in between them. 

 He picked up a cookie and held it up to Zel's mouth, but he shook his head. "No, you try it first," he told him. 

 Alexander took a bite and was reminded of Zel's talented hands. "You made this didn't you?" 

 Zel suddenly looked shy. He nodded. "You can tell?" 

 "Of course I can. It's amazing," Alexander shrugged. He looked at Zel, and there was that smile he'd been hoping to see. 

 They fell into a steady routine to finish the food with both of them handing out a few bits to Hades every now and then, until he straight out ignored them.

 "You know, my first boyfriend–"

 Zel stopped because he saw Alexander go rigid at hearing his words.

 "Relax it's just a story. But if you want, I'll tell you about something else instead," said Zel.

 "No, no go on. I was just..." Alexander trailed off and shrugged.

 He was just jealous.

And all it took was the mention of a past lover.

  "Okay. So my boyfriend made sure he ate fruits in the house all the time so that my dad would like him. I don't know why but his opinion of people always changes when he sees them eating something he thinks is healthy. It's weird isn't it?" Zel asked.

 "You like greasy food, pizza and soda to be accurate," said Alexander. "What about you?"

 Zel shrugged. "I'm his son duhh, he has no choice but to love me."

 Alexander tried not to wince.

 Zel thankfully didn't notice. He giggled then swallowed. "I don't know why it was always so funny! He'd eat with this stupid smirk on his face while dad scowled the entire time."

 Alexander extended more food to Zel's mouth and he took it in his mouth and chewed. "Why did you break up?" The Master asked. 

 Zel shrugged. "Compared to what I feel here now, it's almost like I felt nothing for him. Maybe I realized since back then that the feelings just weren't strong enough, so we talked it out and broke up. He then said he didn't want to let me go so we're just friends now."

 "Didn't want to let you go?" Alexander asked, his tone getting a little aggressive.

 "We're just friends. It's not what you think. And just so you know, he doesn't have a disrespectful bone in his body, it's one of the things that drew me to him." 

 Zel cleaned a few cookie crumbs from Alexander's mouth. "Besides, if he ever tried anything my dad would break him in half." Zel made a chopping motion with his hand. 

 Alexander loved the sound of that. So he decided it was safe to let it go.

 "My dad never liked him, or at least pretended to have a giant dislike for him. Then again he hates any male who gets close to me. But I think he'll love you." 

 "You think? Why?" 

 "I don't know, I just think so," said Zel. 

 He wouldn't deny it, it felt good to hear that. He wasn't the type to care about what people thought of him and yet here he was, secretly hoping for the approval of Zel's dad.

 The sound of a helicopter suddenly caught Alexander's attention. Hades cocked his head up too next to him. 

 It was odd but he decided to pay it no mind. It could be Tadashi, but then again, what could be so urgent?

 "What is it?" Asked Zel. 

 Alexander shook his head. "It's nothing," he said. "You were telling me about your–"

 There was another helicopter sound, it kept on getting further away. 

 Alexander got up from the bed instantly. "That's just strange," he said. 

 He heard another helicopter sound for the third time. Before he could do anything, Riley got in. 

 "Please tell me Pierre is here. Is he?" He asked. 

 Alexander's blood ran cold as the realization hit him. 

 Mason filed into the room. "I couldn't get to him in time," he said with tears in his eyes. 

  He seemed lost as he found his way to Alexander, wrapping his hands around him. He held him tight and tried to calm him down. 

 "Some men just came out of no where and took Pierre!"  The tears spilled out of Mason's eyes. "They took him."

 Jet was there looking at them. Anger, pain and confusion etched all over his face. Alexander was going to murder someone. 

 "I'm going get him back, I promise you that," he said to Mason and kissed his temple. His mind was already calculating everything he was going to do. 

 Everything was happening at once but he needed to keep a cool head right now, even if it drove him crazy. 

 Rosetta first. She was going to have to agree this time. He'd first make contact with his pilots then drive to buy time. 

 Before he could break contact with Mason, something else caught all their attention. 

 The door suddenly slid open and Tadashi stood right there, looking a little shaken up.

 "I couldn't get here in time," he said, his eyes set and locked onto Alexander. "But we're ready to go."

57

Alexander rushed to the door without thinking, but Tadashi continued to stand in his way.

“Move Tadashi,” he said. Confused at how he was behaving.

“I know the timing is bad,” said Tadashi. “But I’d advise you to wear a shirt first.”

Alexander looked down at himself. “Shit.”

“The jet is forty five minutes away, enough time to prep for flight as we get there. The helicopter will be ready to go in five,” Tadashi said then excused himself as Alexander went to find clothes.

“I’m coming,” said Zel with a determined look in his eyes. He knew how hard he was trying to keep his composure.

“No,” said Alexander immediately.

“I can’t just stay here,” he pleaded.

None of them wanted to stay, he was sure of that. But he wasn’t taking anyone.

Alexander went on to pull on a shirt and change the beach pants he was in as quick as he could. He was losing his mind when his eyes fell to Mason’s teary ones.

Mason walked over to him.

Alexander tensed. “I don’t know what to expect Mason, it could be dangerous…please don’t make this harder than it is. I won’t take any of you. I just can’t do that.”

“I know,” Mason said while he buttoned up his open shirt. Alexander looked at his shaky hands, then at his face. He knew what he was doing; being so fucking strong for him and everyone else.

“I trust you,” he said. It meant everything to Alexander to hear those words. “I know you’ll bring him back to us.”

Mason held one side of his cheek. Alexander leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. Then Mason kissed him.

He basked in the strength it gave him.

When they broke apart, he turned to the rest, but before he could say anything, he felt several hands tighten around him.

Everyone’s heart was breaking, he didn’t need words to know that.

“Alexander and Pierre, they need someone to come back to,” Mason said to Zel. “We just have to be here for them, sunshine.”

Zel sunk into the embrace and closed his eyes, he finally nodded.

Riley linked his fingers with Zel and pulled him flush against him. “It’s going to be okay,” he reassured him.

Alexander was going to make sure it was okay. No matter what.

“You’re not coming either,” he told Tadashi when they got closer and were about to board the jet.

“Are you kidding?” His assistant asked.

Alexander expected him to protest. Naturally. “Hardly. You’re staying here,” he said firmly.

Tadashi sighed. “What’s gotten into you?”

A few weeks ago, he wouldn’t have been able to answer the question. Now was different. “I want you safe Tadashi, that’s all.”

“And what about you?” Asked Tadashi.

“I’ve already put together a plan if things go south. I’m just hoping I don’t get to use it, so I’ll be fine,” replied Alexander.

“When did you–” Tadashi looked around at a loss for words. “You know that I can take care of myself.”

“I know,” said Alexander. He didn’t budge.

Tadashi finally turned and looked at nothing in particular. “Are you sure?”

“You know I am,” said Alexander before walking away. “See you soon,” he said.

He got into the jet with Tadashi watching after him, a worried and uneasy expression on his face.

It was a long flight, but it had been enough time to think too. Torturous, because there’d been nothing to do, but a good thing too.

Contacting Fontaine had provided him with an address for a meeting point.

Whether it was legit or not didn’t matter to Alexander. He needed to get there first.

He couldn’t get answers over the phone. Like where Pierre was or why he was suddenly taken. So this was the only option at the moment.

Until he got his hands on them.

He arrived at a somewhat secluded area. It looked like an empty but well furnished warehouse, but like no one actually lived there. It clearly wasn’t used much.

Who he found there wasn’t Nicolas Fontaine. And there was absolutely no sign of Pierre.

Alexander took a few steps forward into the house.

“Nicolas said to expect you,” said Julien Beaumont. An accomplice from what it looked like.

58

Alexander was on him before he could even blink twice.

“Where is he?” He demanded. “What the fuck do you want with him?”

Alexander packed quite the punch, but he never needed to use it much. Except now, times like this. He broke his nose with the first punch.

Beaumont sputtered and tried to breathe, his eyes watering.

Did he really think Alexander would smile and ask to sit down and talk after he’d said that? He was a fool if he did.

He hurtled to the floor after the punch, clearly not expecting it. Alexander stood over him, then crouched.

“This is nothing compared to what I’ll do to you if you’ve hurt a single hair on his body,” he said. “And I’m not only talking about disfiguring your pretty face.”

Alexander curled his fingers through Beaumont’s hair and pulled it away from his face to look at him. Tight enough to hurt him and render him motionless.

He didn’t care that the man under his mercy might as well be royalty in this country, he’d taken Pierre from him, from them. He’d destroy him for that.

“Where the fuck is he?” Alexander asked again. He wanted to smash his face into a pulp but that did no good, he wanted answers.

For all he knew, Pierre could be anywhere, locked up and alone. Scared. He gritted his teeth.

What if they’d hurt him? Alexander wouldn’t stand it. He absolutely hated not knowing anything.

It seemed Beaumont was trying to say something and he had to get closer to listen. He might have hit him harder than he thought.

“Speak up or I cut your recovery time short, and we start all over again,” said Alexander. His patience grew thinner by the minute.

Beaumont looked horrified after listening to him, his lips started to move.

“…Pierre…he is… he’s fine,” he close to whispered. Then he tried to sit upright.

That shocked Alexander. He couldn’t be certain of the words he heard but nevertheless, relief flooded all over him.

“Lie to me and I’ll make you regret it. You practically kidnapped him. Unless kidnap translates to something else in your understanding, you better start explaining.”

He spat blood from his mouth and looked back. “ You are the one who kidnapped him, I should be asking for the explanation here. He is safe… now get off me,“ said Beaumont in his rich French accent.

What the fuck was he talking about? Alexander could tell he wasn’t lying, which was all the more confusing. He’d heard the sincerity in his voice and saw the honesty in his eyes.

“Not until you tell me where he is,” he said. He wasn’t eager to let him go so easily.

He could speak all the gibberish he wanted, but until he got actual answers, he wasn’t so ready to believe just anything. After all, some people were just good actors.

“I’m supposed to take you to him, fucking prick. You didn’t let me get to that part,” he said, trying to feel his nose and staining his hand red in the process.

A man dressed in black got in hastily and immediately tried to fight Alexander off.

He felt the kick to his side and immediately caught the foot before his assailant could pull it back. It was a well aimed kick, but nothing he couldn’t handle.

Alexander let Beaumont go for the moment.

He twisted his assailant’s ankle and flipped him, making him rotate before hitting the ground with a thud and immediately trying to get up.

Alexander helped him up, his build was lean, so he managed quite easily. He then kneed his ribs and let him fall back down, grunting in pain.

He gave him a few seconds before he crouched and took his arm, then twisted it behind him. “If this is your bodyguard, then you need to learn how to defend yourself,” he said to Beaumont before releasing the man.

He was a persistent one. He tried to resist and fight back. Alexander only twisted his arm again, harder than before. He didn’t cry out, he’d give him points for that. There was a good amount of fight in him.

Beaumont barked an order in French, telling him to stand down.

It was the only logical option. On any other day, he could have taken the two of them on at the same time and it would have been a fair fight.

Right now he was a man who’d just lost the most important thing to him. That was enough to turn the odds against their favor. The bodyguard listened to his boss.

A few more men filed into the room soon after. More bodyguards with the way they dressed.

Alexander stood up and straightened, fully turning in their direction.

Six men, he counted. They cautiously made their way towards him, probably part of their protocol. For all they knew, he could be armed.

They were taking too long to get to him, so Alexander walked to meet them halfway. He curled his hands into a fist.

He didn’t go for the one that looked like their leader, he went for the one that looked the strongest. If he turned out to be the leader, all the better.

Alexander didn’t know if he could take out six trained men at the same time, but he was about to find out. He wasn’t leaving without him. And if a dozen men followed after this, he’d fight them, over and over. Until he got to Pierre or he was beaten to death.

The tension in the room built up. Until Beaumont barged in.

His voice made them all still. He told them to get out, and that he was okay.

Alexander’s pick of the men locked eyes with him for about a second. He looked like he had a personal grudge against him, like he’d been looking forward to fighting particularly Alexander.

He saw his hesitation before Beaumont spoke up again.

“ Leave it, Marc, “ he said in French.

It looked like it was a difficult thing for him to do but the bodyguard slowly lowered his eyes and balled his hands into fists, then dropped them as his eyes fell on the first bodyguard Alexander had beaten up.

He walked over to him as everyone else watched.

This… Marc lifted him up in his arms despite the injured man’s protests and turned to go. The other bodyguards seemed to tense as they parted, creating a way for him to pass.

He glared at Alexander one last time before leaving the room.

“ Out, all of you!“ Beaumont shouted to the rest and they seemed to snap out of their daze. Soon they were left alone.

“Why did you dismiss them?” Alexander asked. He turned then crouched to his level.

“There’s not need for a pointless fight,” said Beaumont.

He was right, and he agreed.

“Good,” Alexander said to Beaumont. “Now get up.”

Beaumont looked up at him in disbelief. Clearly not used to this kind of treatment. This was in fact his territory, Alexander was the trespasser. If anything, their roles should have been reversed.

“Who the fuck do you even think you are?” Beaumont asked like he couldn’t believe the situation.

Alexander stood upright once more and righted his clothes. He then dropped a hankie on Beaumont’s lap for him to clean himself. “Someone you shouldn’t have crossed,” he answered.

Beaumont cleaned the blood off his face and got up.

“It sounds like you love making enemies,” said Beaumont. He pushed his hair back and closed his eyes like he was remembering something.

“Seems that way,” said Alexander. “Even your bodyguard seemed to have the hots for me, and we’ve only just met.”

Beaumont started walking. Alexander assumed it was to his car. If it wasn’t, this was going to go a whole lot different.

“You beat his boyfriend up,” said Beaumont. “Someone like Marc, naturally wants to kill you.”

Alexander shrugged as he saw that they’d indeed been walking to the car. “A good fight then,” he said.

Julien Beaumont lived in a mansion far larger than his own. Anything less wouldn’t have matched up to his name.

When they got in, he invited Alexander to sit at a table while he disappeared. Alexander saw a figure approach him soon afterwards.

“Sorry it took a while for us to meet. My wife and children are home so you know how it goes,” the man said and smiled cordially. “I’m Nicolas Fontaine.”

He looked to be around his late thirties or early forties. He was tall, short hair that was pushed away to reveal his rich, emerald eyes.

“I know,” said Alexander. “You’re quite popular. But I couldn’t care less. Where is he?”

Nicolas sat across from him on the table.

“Pierre? He’s here, in this house,” Fontaine said and looked around while motioning with his fingers. The way he was speaking, he was clearly trying to analyze Alexander. “You want to see him?” He asked.

He was cocky, and very gutsy for that.

The only reason Alexander kept his composure was because Fontaine was trying to get him to do the opposite.

“What are you playing at?” He asked.

“You shouldn’t have hit Julien,” he said instead. “He absolutely hates unnecessary fights.”

Was he protective? Or was he just stalling? Something told him it was the latter option, because he didn’t even bother to answer his question.

“Cut the crap,” said Alexander. He leaned forward. “Pierre is the only reason I’m here, I’m not interested in idle talk and you’re making me impatient, Fontaine.”

“What do you want with him anyway? For all we know you kidnapped him for the past seven months, we couldn’t find him anywhere,” said Fontaine. “And suddenly he was back on the grid again. That’s strange isn’t it.”

“You think after whatever happened yesterday, I’m the kidnapper here?” Alexander narrowed his eyes. “Who is he to you?”

“Pierre is family to me, more so to Julien. He’d never disappear without a word like that. What do you expect us to think?”

“What did he say?” Asked Alexander.

“That’s exactly the problem. He won’t say anything, he won’t explain. He just says he needs to leave. That’s not like Pierre. So forgive me if I come off as hostile towards you, it’s absolutely intended,” said Fontaine.

Beaumont came back from wherever he went and settled down next to Nicolas.

“He won’t speak to me either,” said Beaumont.

This was the problem here. He wanted Pierre to know that he was here. That he didn’t have to say anything he didn’t want to say.

“He’ll speak to me,” said Alexander.

They both stopped to look at him.

“What makes you think that?” Asked Nicolas. Beaumont glanced at him, his eyes fleeting to his mouth before darting back to Alexander.

“I’m not merely thinking it. I’m telling you,” he answered. “If you’re not lying about him being family to you, and refusing to open up, then something is really wrong. Pierre is tough. If he won’t even tell you why he left, then he’s protecting something.”

Alexander appeared well put together but he was worried inside.

He should have asked Pierre about this in the past. He just says he needs to leave. Alexander frowned.

“You actually seem worried. Exactly who is he to you?” Beaumont asked.

“I thought that was obvious by now,” Alexander linked his fingers on the table before him. “He’s the love of my life.”

Both of them looked shocked. They had to be joking. Why else would they think he was here?

Fontaine’s hand went to his phone on the table when it rang.

Beaumont watched his hand, then pretended not to. He might as well have been drooling.

Nicolas got up. “Excuse me,” he said before leaving them alone together.

Beaumont’s eyes kept glancing in his direction every two seconds until he was completely out of sight.

“If I had Fontaine in my clutches, what would you do to get him back?” Alexander asked Julien.

The blood drained out of his face but he composed himself quickly. “I’d, it’s obvious I’d do everything get him back. He’s my friend. You wouldn’t understand how deep the loyalties of our families go,” Julien looked up at him. “What are you trying to insinuate?”

“Does he know?” Alexander asked him.

“Know what?” He asked a little defensively although thoroughly subtle.

“That you love him,” answered Alexander.

Beaumont for one second looked like he was going through shock. He opened his mouth and closed it again, then licked his lips before speaking. Alexander would have smiled if the situation was different.

“You are aware he is a happily married man, yes? What you assume is… fairytales, figments of your imagination,” said Julien. He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s not an assumption, it’s an observation. Seems to me, like you’re in love with him, even if you know it could never be. He’s married, even has two kids. Because of his status, and yours too, the whole world is looking at him so there’s not much you can do. And yet still, here you are, hoping for the day a miracle will happen and he’ll be yours,” Alexander finished. “And that’s if he even swings that way.”

Beaumont’s breath sort of hitched.

“Love can be cruel, painful. But I’m sure you already know that. That’s why you should know that I won’t leave without Pierre. Fucking try your luck with getting me to do otherwise.”

“Unless it’s what he wants,” said Beaumont, ignoring every other thing he said.

When Fontaine came back, Beaumont had his guard up. He never looked directly at him or let his eyes wander.

He hid it so well there was no way Fontaine could notice. Or if he did, he completely ignored it. Either way, it looked like it was Beaumont alone with his feelings.

He acted like he wanted to prove himself around Nicolas, but the man was immune. He just wondered how much pain he went through each day, with how closely they worked, with how much they saw each other.

“My wife’s been complaining she’s seeing me less and less,” Fontaine said while putting his phone down. “I can’t be here long.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

And there was the dent in his picture perfect profile. Beaumont either didn’t notice, or he didn’t know but he’d been wrong. Fontaine’s marriage was not exactly a happy one.

“There is no need for a scuffle after all, Pierre’s only packing his things. He calmed down when I mentioned you,” said Fontaine.

Alexander felt his heart jolt.

“I’ve grown fond of Pierre over the years , it’s why I thought he’d been kidnapped or worse,” said Fontaine, completely different from how he was a while ago. “But he’s told me the truth, and I’m more than happy to hear it. Pierre deserves to be happy.”

It was a threat.

“Your brain is lacking if you think I don’t know that,” said Alexander.

A butler came into view first with luggage in his hands. Then Alexander saw Pierre.

He was out of his chair first before he could even think. Alexander lifted Pierre off the ground and rotated with a hand holding him securely around his waist.

He held him so tight, and for so long. “It’s okay Daddy,” Pierre whispered. “I’m right here.”

His heart beat wildly in his chest. “You’re okay?” He asked.

Pierre wrapped his arms around his neck and nodded. He kissed his neck and Pierre shrunk away from him blushing and giggling.

Alexander finally put him down. Then curled their fingers together.

Pierre squeezed his fingers and spoke so only he could hear him. “There’s something I have to tell them before we go,” he said.

Alexander knew what he was talking about. “Are you sure?”

Pierre nodded. “I want to.”

Alexander led him back to where Nicolas and Julien had been watching them. Both their expressions unreadable.

Pierre sat next to Alexander and looked at him first. He pursed his lips then turned to the other two.

“I want to tell you both why I left,” said Pierre.

The two were quite the parents when it came to Pierre. They both gave him their full attention and in the process, leaned towards each other without knowing it.

“My relationship with Gaston was a big waste of time,” he said. “But right after I broke up with him, I started receive threats. It started out as something small, but then he threatened my life.”

Alexander squeezed his hand. “Tell me who he is,” he said.

Beaumont cut in almost immediately.

“Gaston Beaumont?” Julien asked in disbelief. “He threatened you? Did he hurt you?” He was fuming.

“No, Gaston did nothing to me,” said Pierre.

“Then–”

“His new boyfriend. Right after we broke up, he started dating again. I assume he is dating a psychopath. I don’t know his name, but he knew every tiny thing about me,” said Pierre.

Alexander was strung tight as a drum. He’d put someone in the fucking ground before they could hurt what was his.

“You didn’t say anything,” said Nicolas.

“I couldn’t. I didn’t care at first because he threatened just me, he knew everything I did and wanted me out of the picture before he did something rash. I wasn’t bothered by it. The reason I left is because he started threatening my family.

“So what you’re saying…are you saying Maman Leblanc’s accident that didn’t make any sense was part of this?” Beaumont asked.

Pierre nodded.

“He said that was only the beginning. So I knew I had to go,” said Pierre.

“ Merde. Indeed, nothing else has happened since then,“ said Beaumont.

“Thank you for telling us Pierre,” said Fontaine. “We’ll take care of it.”

“No!” Beaumont exclaimed, looking angrier than anyone else. Even Fontaine seemed surprised. “Gaston is a Beaumont. I’ll deal with him, alone.”

Fontaine didn’t say anything, although he looked like he wanted to.

Beaumont wouldn’t budge, even when Alexander tried to take matters into his own hands. In the end, it had been left in Julien’s hands.

Both Pierre and Alexander got up to go. The other two got up too.

“Pierre?” Called Fontaine.

Pierre turned to him.

“Don’t ever be afraid to come back home okay? I’ll always be here for you,” said Fontaine.

Pierre ran back and wrapped his hands around him, hugging him.

Alexander didn’t miss the pain that flashed in Beaumont’s eyes. He saw the longing and loneliness and the love that brought the pain inside them.

Having what you wanted so close to you and yet so far, completely untouchable. It was two heads of two powerful families, and a love that could never be.

When Pierre went ahead to hug Beaumont, Alexander asked for a word alone with Fontaine.

They walked away to a foyer.

He couldn’t understand why his heart went out to him, maybe he felt bad for him, maybe because he was important to Pierre, but Alexander cut right to the chase. “Treat Beaumont better than you do. Treat him nice.”

It was a threat.

Nicolas raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. “I’m not the one who wanted to bash his face in.”

“He can take a punch. There’s more painful things than a broken nose,” said Alexander.

“Since when did you take a liking to him? You care for him?”

Alexander shrugged. He definitely liked Beaumont, precisely from the moment he called him an asshole. “I guess I do. Doesn’t matter. He deserves to smile more.”

“Am I being threatened?” Nicolas asked.

“Yes, Fontaine,” said Alexander. He smiled. “I’m threatening you.”

“You came for me,” Pierre said in the jet, thousands of feet in the air. He latched onto Alexander like he couldn’t get close enough.

“Always baby. I love you,” said Alexander. Feeling Pierre against him was an overwhelming sort of bliss.

“I love you too,” replied Pierre. He leaned forward and slowly brushed their lips together then pulled back, as if to deny Alexander any more pleasure.

 Had he always been such a tease? "I think I've got butterflies," said Alexander. 

 He crushed their lips together. Pierre opened up for him and he tasted his tongue. It made him hot, it made him hunger for more. 

 He nibbled Pierre's lip and pulled him closer. "Fucking hell," Alexander groaned before pulling them apart. 

 "You taste like heaven," he told Pierre, who bit his lower lip and smiled bashfully. 

 "You're one to talk," said Pierre. 

 Alexander smiled and shook his head. "So beautiful."

 Pierre rested his head on Alexander's shoulder. "Don't just say that all of a sudden."

 "I can't help it," Alexander ran his hands through his hair, then kissed that too. "Have you had any rest." 

 "No, I've been so restless I couldn't. I really want to take a nap now," said Pierre. He was too adorable.

 "After you've eaten something, you can nap right here, in my arms. We'll be back home before you know it."

 "Okay." Pierre kissed him once before burying his face in his neck and just hugging him close.

 He suddenly trailed a hand up Alexander's neck, then to his lips, then pushed a finger into his mouth. Alexander suddenly raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Pierre was quick to explain. “Zel said…”

59

Zel was already running towards the both of them when the helicopter landed. He jumped on Pierre the second he was in range. Both of his legs circled Pierre’s waist as his hands cupped his face.

Pierre tumbled backwards and immediately a hand wrapped around Zel. Alexander caught him before they could both fall down. He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Mon chérie!” Zel exclaimed. “I missed you so much.”

He kissed Pierre deeply before unhooking his legs from the beautiful man and getting down.

He then wrapped his hands around Alexander. Zel had never hugged him so tight before. Had he really been that worried?

He rubbed his hands up and down his back and kissed his hair several times. “You too,” said Zel. “I missed you so much.”

A sound from Riley caused them both to turn their heads. Zel detached from Alexander to watch. Riley lifted Pierre up in his arms and groaned. “I couldn’t even sleep,” he said. “They didn’t hurt you?”

“Of course not,” answered Pierre. “I’m fine.”

Riley buried his face into his chest like he was just breathing his scent in. “That’s good,” he said. “That’s good, I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” replied Pierre while smiling.

Riley kissed Alexander and his heart skipped several beats. He didn’t properly understand how much he ached with need for him until his lips were on his. The last time he kissed him was like several weeks ago, and yet this felt like the very first time.

Riley broke the kiss and looked him in the eye. “You look like you aren’t really seeing me,” said Riley.

Was he kidding? Alexander couldn’t tell. He only saw him in that moment, and he was way too head over heels.

“Pierre!” Jet twirled with him in his arms then set him back down and rained about a thousand kisses on his face.

Mason cried when he got to them last. “You’re all okay,” he said and sniveled, wiping a tear off his face and biting his lower lip.

Alexander walked to him to where he seemed frozen. It was the type of hug that said a million things in a second.

He squeezed tight before releasing him. “Mason…”

He looked up to stare at Alexander’s face, as if memorizing every feature of it.

“I really want to kiss you right now,” said Alexander.

Mason nodded like he couldn’t wait either. The Master bent down and pulled him closer. He rubbed their noses against each other first, lightly.

Then he finally latched their lips together in a needy kiss. Mason squeezed his side then his hands traveled up his back and then up into his hair, making him lean down.

Everyone was kissing everyone. Like they wouldn’t make it to the room if no one stopped them.

Pierre pulled his lips away from Jet as Hades barked and ran up towards them at a crazy speed. He got down and opened his hands wide. The puppy jumped into his embrace with more excitement than it usually had.

Pierre laughed as Hades licked the side of his face. He tore away to speak. “We’re going to talk right? We’re not waiting a week?” He asked everyone in particular.

No one seemed to have an immediate answer. Especially because it was Pierre who said it.

“Are you sure?” Asked Alexander.

“Yes. I’m fine. Are you okay with it?” Pierre asked. “We’ll wait if you’re not ready yet.”

Everyone waited for Alexander’s answer. He held Mason’s waist as he looked at everyone else. He did want to talk, but everyone had been insisting they wait on his behalf. He was ready.

He nodded. “Tomorrow,” he finally said. “I think everyone just needs to rest easy tonight.”

The bed was a little smaller than Alexander’s back at the mansion, but that only meant they could be closer to each other.

“Mason…” Pierre whined, “I’m not going anywhere okay? You’re making me tingle all over.”

“I know baby, but I don’t think I can sleep if I don’t hold you tonight,” Mason said and hugged Pierre tighter.

“There you go again,” said Pierre. He squirmed when lips touched his shoulders. Mason really wasn’t going to let him go, so he might as well have found another way to fall asleep.

It was hard to describe the happiness he felt inside. “I love you Pierre,” he whispered in the crook of his neck.

Pierre turned around so that he was facing Mason. He rested his cheek against his chest and this time hugged Mason before he returned the gesture. “I love you so much,” Pierre said back.

Jet got onto the bed and kissed them both before lowering himself shirtless on the sheets.

“What a beautiful sight,” said Jet. He leaned against the headboard and folded one leg up, watching the other two.

On his right was Pierre and Mason, and on his left, Zel slept while eliciting a series of very soft snores next to Alexander.

Riley was finishing up a change of plans at the resort, going over it with Rosetta.

“Stop staring at us like that, we’re supposed to go to bed,” said Mason.

“How am I staring at you?” Jet asked. He ran the pad of his thumb along his lower lip then bit the same thumb.

“You’re doing it on purpose you fucking tease,” said Mason, trying so hard to look anywhere else.

Jet smiled and lowered his hand when he saw the look on Pierre’s face. A warning. An adorable one, especially with the lust swimming in his eyes.

His smile dropped next.

“Listen to them and stop,” said Riley. He caged Jet and tasted his lips with his own. “You’re going to make me hard.”

It took at least ten seconds for Jet to finally move. He circled his hand around Riley’s waist and pulled him down. Then against his own body.

“Oouu, okay,” said Riley. “Someone’s a little possessive.”

“Shut up,” said Jet. Despite the fact that it felt so good to hold Riley like that.

“You’re so sexy, you know that?” Riley asked Jet. He traced his fingertips along his skin.

Jet didn’t answer him. He just made a non committal sound and kept holding him.

Riley turned to the side. “I’ve never seen him sleep like that before,” he said, looking at Alexander. “He looks so… not troubled.”

They all turned to where Alexander was already fast asleep. He slept peacefully and silently.

“I’ve never even seen him sleep,” said Mason. He yawned while he pulled a sleeping Pierre tighter against him. “He looks beautiful…” He settled back and closed his eyes. “Great now I want to kiss him, but I don’t want to wake him up because I want him to keep resting.”

Riley chuckled. “I know what you mean.”

Alexander stirred awake like he could hear everybody talking about him. “Why are you guys talking so much?” He asked in a scratchy voice.

Alexander looked around, then pulled the person closest to him. He pulled Zel as close as he could be and dropped a kiss to his forehead. “There,” he said before going back to sleep.

The blond haired man made a few sleepy noises before settling back in Alexander’s embrace.

Riley felt Jet stiffen when Mason turned the light out and they were shrouded in darkness.

Jet kissed him before he could say anything, he could probably guess what he was going to say. He kissed him till all Riley could do was moan. “It’s nothing,” he said when they broke apart.

“Nothing?” Asked Riley. He rested his head against Jet’s. “It’s not nothing, but I’ll wait.”

Jet didn’t reply him. He was only grateful that Riley seemed to let it go. For now if not any other time.

They lay breathing against each other. Until Riley finally rubbed his cheek against Jet’s chest. “I’m drowsy now,” he said.

“Go to sleep then,” said Jet. He absentmindedly put his hands in Riley’s hair. “Will you cut my hair again?”

“Mm? Of course,” said Riley. “I’m the only one allowed to do that from now on. Tell your barber you’re breaking up with him.”

“Okay,” said Jet. He chuckled. “I uh… love you.”

“I love you too.”

When everyone was asleep, Jet turned the nightlight on then pulled Riley closer against his chest and went to sleep.

 Alexander woke up with Zel in his arms. He heard voices first, then one eye peeked open before finally waking up.

 He could have been dreaming because it was only the two of them in the entire room. 

 Zel was awake too, but he was making the cutest of faces, not to mention he was also too red faced. It wasn't even like him to be so quiet. 

 "Zel?" Alexander asked. "What is it?"

 Zel wiggled his butt and he felt it. "Nothing," he answered in a timid voice. 

 How long had his dick been trying to wedge itself between his ass cheeks? He immediately released his hold on him. 

 "Sorry pr... I'm sorry," he said. 

 Zel shook his head. "No. I'm just..."

 Mason had perfect timing. He saved the awkward situation by excitedly getting into the room. 

 "This place has everything!" He said, walking towards them. 

 Alexander stared like a lovestruck adolescent. He knew what he wanted for the rest of his life;  them, like this, waking up together.

 Mason was in a good mood. He climbed the bed and kissed Alexander, then Zel. 

 "I didn't even know you could sleep that much," he said to Alexander. 

 He chuckled sexily. The sleepiness scratching his voice. 

 "You seem a little distracted," said Mason. 

 "I'm just thinking," Alexander replied. 

 Mason smiled at him. "You can't fool me you know. You're worried about something," he said while going to hold Zel's hand. 

 "Are you hungry, sunshine?" He asked Zel who tried to reign in a smile at the word he was using to refer to him. 

 He nodded.

 "Great. I came to get you two," said Mason. "Rosetta went all out with the breakfast, she's quite attached to Pierre." Mason sighed. "The others are waiting."

 Mason went back out and left the other two in the room to get themselves ready. 

 Alexander fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. It could have been a while but he couldn't get himself to stop thinking. 

  "He really was right, you are worried," said Zel. 

 Alexander really was worried. What would they think after he'd told them the truth? The reasons why he created the program? They'd think he was sick. 

 Zel inched closer to him. "You know we're here for you right?" He asked. 

 "I know that Zel," he said, then brushed his lips over Zel's knuckles. "I know." 

 "Just say the word and we don't have to do this today," he said. 

 Alexander shook his head. "I want to, but thank you for saying that."

 "What did I say?" Zel asked, completely oblivious.

 Alexander chuckled and pulled him closer. "You're unreal," he said. "Let's go, the others are waiting."

 After they'd had breakfast, in the privacy of their room, Alexander sat together with the loves of his life, and the tension that hung thickly in the air. 

 He'd told them that he'd fallen in love once before, and no one responded. They were waiting for him to continue. 

 "I lost him ten years ago," he said. Ten years and he still hated to admit it. "He passed away."

 Alexander ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't believe he was actually saying it. Pierre held his hand and used his thumb to rub over his knuckles. 

 "I didn't admit my feelings to any of you right away because I promised him that I'd never fall for anyone again. I told him it was impossible because he was it for me...he was all I needed but things turned out different," Alexander said. 

 "I shouldn't have let any of you go," he said and shook his head. "No, I'll talk about that another time, but I just want you all to know that I'm sorry and I never should have hurt you like that."

 "It's okay," said Riley. "It's clear now that you had your own reasons."

 Alexander nodded and kept going.

 "When my fiancé died, I didn't know he'd written me a letter. Until about a week ago," he said. "It's my fault for not even knowing. I pushed his entire family away and there was nothing they could do about it. His brother didn't give up until he gave me the letter. I just can't bring myself to read it."

 "Why?" Asked Mason.

 Alexander shook his head. "I don't know, maybe because that'd mean goodbye, maybe it's too much to hear his dying thoughts, or maybe I still feel a little guilty. Maybe I'm just a coward."

 "Not the Alexander I know," said Jet, looking at him with a frown. "Not by a long shot."

 Riley nodded. "He's right. Is that what you really think...why you can't open the letter?"

 Alexander looked at the envelope in his hand. He turned it over and back again. 

 "We'll give you some privacy if you n–"

 "No," Alexander said before Mason could finish. Anything but that. Anything but doing this without them. "Please stay... I just don't know if I'm ready to let him go just yet."

 "Aw darling, we're not asking you to let him go," said Riley. "He'll always be a part of you. Whatever's in there is important because he is important to you."

 Riley had said 'is' and somehow, that seemed to be the last push Alexander needed. 

 He thought he would hesitate when it came to opening it but he didn't. He only paused. 

 "Regardless of what is in here, I want you all to know, it doesn't change anything. I love you, and I'm not going to stop."

 Zel laid a soft kiss to his lips. "We love you too," he said. "Go ahead Daddy."

 Alexander finally did it, he opened the letter.

•••

Dear Alexander,

My baby, my darling, my everything,

How are you doing my love?

I wish I had the time to convey everything I’m feeling but I’ll save that for if I finish explaining everything. So I’ll cut to the chase.

(Turn this paper over when you’ve read it)

If you are reading this letter, then you obviously found out that I was sick, and you probably blame my family because you know I’d never keep anything from you. This time, I did.

Eden’s asked me over and over, trying to convince me to tell you the truth, but never once, did I agree to it.

Mom and dad too, they said you loved me (which I know) and that it was only fair I tell you…again, I refused.

It was a bad idea through and through. But I’m the only reason you never found out so if there’s anyone to blame, it’s me.

I didn’t tell you because no one has ever loved me the way you do. I didn’t want to see the look on your face when you found out. I didn’t want to see you break yourself trying to fix it.

I know you, you’d turn the world upside down first before you accepted that there was nothing you could do. And we’d never be happy. At least not as happy as we have been.

Please forgive me for keeping this part of me from you.

It started this morning, when I last saw you. You were late for your big day and you heard a sound. When you tried to get back inside, I didn’t let you, I told you I’d beat your gorgeous ass if you didn’t get to work. You told me you loved me and then you left. I’m sorry I lied to you, but I wasn’t feeling so good. Right after you left, I started to have the first convulsions.

The thing is, as long as I took my medication, I should have been able to live like any normal person, and even have a normal, healthy life. The doctors must have made some sort of mistake, they’re human too after all.

I hoped that was all there was to it but then before I knew it, I had another convulsion. I called you after, and I told you I loved you and I’m forever grateful that you gave me one of your precious chuckles. It was the last time I ever heard your voice. I called Eden after that. I couldn’t stop thinking of you, so I thought I might just explain everything in a letter.

As I am writing this, you’re out there celebrating because I know today, you close your biggest deal yet. But by the time you get back to me, I might be gone. That is harsh, my baby I know that but I want to be selfless for you like you’ve always been for me.

There was no such thing as a secret between us but this was the one thing I didn’t want you to know. It was just better off that way.

Remember when we talked about ghosts? You insisted that they existed and I told you they didn’t. I guess I get to find out first. If you were right and I turn into one, then I promise to watch over you, just like I promised. Don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.

I know I asked you to never fall for anyone else but I thought I had time on my side.

If you fall in love again, don’t fight it, I want you to be happy, always have. You deserve to be, don’t forget that.

Give my little brother a hug from me, that little bastard might wet your shirt with tears but tell him I love him.

This is goodbye baby. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. I’ll always love you.

Yours, forever.

I love you.

•••

 Alexander laughed sadly at the last part. A choking, desperate sound leaving his throat. 

 He turned the paper over before looking up. 

 "This part's for you," said Alexander while extending the piece of paper. "All of you."

 Zel climbed his lap instead, with tears in his eyes. He pulled the hem of his shirt up and wiped Alexander's eyes. 

 "Seeing you cry makes me want to cry," Zel said while wiping his tears. He pouted as his own tears started falling down his cheeks. 

 "I'm not crying," said Alexander. He cupped Zel's cheeks. "So don't cry okay?" The tears fell against his will. "I'm just..." 

 "Okay," said Zel. "But here's my shoulder if you want it, okay?" Zel used the back of his hand to wipe the rest of Alexander's tears. 

 He laughed. "Thank you my love. Go on, read it," he said to Zel and he joined the others who had sad expressions on their faces. 

 "I'm okay," said Alexander. "Honestly."

 Slowly they focused on the paper in Jet's hand.

•••

This part is only for the person you fall in love with.

Hi,

I know he didn’t read beyond that warning, it’s just how he is.

You might have already discovered that he probably holds your hand a lot, because he loves you (it felt weird to write that)… But there’s more.

Just between us, instead, hold his hand randomly. It drives him crazy but he won’t admit it.

He once got a nosebleed because I did. Okay well maybe that wasn’t the reason why but he did get a nosebleed shortly after.

I’m sure he didn’t read this part, but if he really showed it to you, then he definitely loves you. I know because he’d never share me with anyone.

I have to go now, duty calls, going bump in the dark and all.

Take care of my baby.

•••

“I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love all over again,” said Pierre.

“What does it say?” Asked Alexander.

Jet looked up. “You really didn’t read it?”

Alexander shrugged and shook his head.

“Then one thing’s for sure,” said Riley. “He really does know you.”

Zel re-assumed his place on Alexander’s lap. “Tell us about him,” he said.

“You… you want to know?” He asked. Yet again, amazed by them and all the things they did or said that made his chest flutter.

“Of course we do,” said Pierre.

Zel traced Alexander’s chest with his fingers, waiting for him to speak.

“Well,” the Master started. He didn’t think he’d ever let it out and talk about him in detail with anyone. “His name was Noah.”

It was the first step. And he found himself already wanting to tell them everything.

“Noah?” Asked Zel. His face morphed like he’d just discovered something. “Is that why Noah got disqualified?”

Alexander nodded. “Sort of. He called me a psychopath. I couldn’t care less if anyone did but I couldn’t stop thinking about how my Noah could never say that about me. It was a little unfair but I disqualified him for that. Although I guess he was right.” He shrugged.

“You are not a psychopath,” said Mason immediately.

“You say that because you don’t understand. Every single rule in my little game was connected to Noah one way or another,” he said.

“So what?” Asked Mason.

“You understand that every game, every task, every rule you had to follow was just so that I could see a little semblance to him, even if I couldn’t admit that, even if I knew he was gone?” Alexander asked.

“That just means you lost something important to you. You miss him, and the grief hit you harder than anything. I think what you created was a coping mechanism. A little unhealthy, but it doesn’t make you a psycho,” he answered.

“I love you,” he told Mason.

Mason answered almost immediately. “I love you too. Now talk about Noah.”

The Master smiled before deciding where to begin.

“Okay,” he began with a small laugh. “Well… Noah did the most accurate voice impressions,” he started.

60

Tadashi threw on a shirt on his way to open his door. His hand went to his hair that was still a little damp from the shower he’d just taken.

On the other side stood Eden with his jacket in between his folded arms. That’s right, in his rush he’d left it behind.

“May I come in?” He asked, searching his eyes.

Tadashi pulled the door wider. “Of course,” he said.

“I’m returning this,” Eden said and laid it on the counter when he got inside.

“Thank you,” said Tadashi. “I had to leave as fast as I could.” He poured Eden a drink without thinking to ask him first. “Sit,” he told him.

Eden didn’t hesitate. He eased himself into the chair and took the drink in his hands. “Did you resolve it? Whatever you left for, it’s Pierre isn’t it?”

“It’s fine now. Pierre is right where he needs to be,” he replied. “You were right. They weren’t bad people after all.”

“Told you I was never wrong about that kind of thing,” he said smugly. “And you didn’t tell me who Pierre was.”

Tadashi glanced at him momentarily before speaking. “Talk to Alexander. I know he’ll–”

“You know he won’t talk to me,” said Eden. There was a sad look in his eyes. Their relationship in the past was probably something strong for it to dampen his spirits so easily.

“Maybe he’s changed his mind?” Tadashi offered.

Eden shook his head. “Did he say something?”

Tadashi shook his head. “Maybe you should just forcefully talk to him or something. He can be stubborn sometimes but he listens.”

Eden shrugged.

After Tadashi refilled his drink, he disappeared for a while and came back with a hair dryer.

He sat on the couch and Eden followed. “Here,” he said. “Let me help you with that.”

“I’ve got it,” said Tadashi after shaking his head.

Eden wasn’t so easily convinced. He snatched it from his fingertips. “No you don’t,” he said and smiled cheekily, then motioned with a finger for Tadashi to turn around.

“Fine,” he replied and turned, leaving his hair to Eden.

After about a minute, Eden was starting to enjoy it. “You’ve got really nice hair.”

“It’s whatever,” Tadashi answered and shrugged.

Eden wasn’t only noticing his hair. It should have been normal, Tadashi was wearing a normal black T-shirt, nothing to be excited about.

But Eden had never seen him in such light casual clothing before. It sculpted his frame more accurately, all the muscle that was covered up by his suit were now visible with the loose black shirt.

Guys wore black shirts all the time. It was nothing. What Eden didn’t understand was why on Tadashi, it affected him so much.

He shouldn’t, Tadashi already made it clear he was invested in someone else. He really shouldn’t, but he was tempted to slide his hand past his shoulder and run it all over his broad chest.

Why the fuck was he so hot? Usually, Eden didn’t overstep. Tadashi just made it more difficult than anyone ever had.

His hand closed around his wrist and pulled it away. “You’ll give me a burn if you don’t stop blowing over the same spot,” said Tadashi.

“Right,” said Eden. “Sorry I was just thinking about stuff.”

Tadashi let out a small laugh and let his wrist go. “What has you so distracted?” He asked.

It burned where he’d touched on his wrist. “Cabbages,” Eden said in a moment’s panic.

Tadashi laughed again. “Cabbages…” he said and it sounded like a question. “Okay.”

“Yes, that,” replied Eden. He prayed Tadashi would leave it at that. Thankfully, he did.

He continued to dry the hair in silence before Tadashi spoke up again.

“Can I ask you about something?” Asked Tadashi much to Eden’s surprise.

“Yeah, of course you can,” he replied.

Tadashi paused like he was deciding what to say, then continued. “What would you do if you knew that helping someone would destroy whatever relationship you had with them, but might actually be what’s best for them?”

Eden thought about it for a moment.

“Do they want your help?” Eden asked.

“That’s exactly the problem, they don’t,” a frustrated Tadashi said.

“What matters more to you? Your relationship with them or their well-being?” He asked. “Because I’d say go ahead and get involved if the second option outweighs the other.”

“What if it feels like both are the same?” Asked Tadashi.

Eden finished with the hair and Tadashi turned to face him. He answered. “That’s when you go with your gut, or your heart or whatev–”

Eden stopped mid sentence when he heard the doorbell ring. “Are you expecting someone?” He asked Tadashi.

Tadashi got up and shook his head then pushed his hair out of the way before walking towards the door. Eden was a little stressed out.

Tadashi couldn’t think of anyone who’d be coming to see him. It didn’t help that it was already getting late. It might have been Alexander, but he was far away.

The moment Tadashi’s eyes landed on Linder, his heart skipped a beat as his hand tightened on the door.

He’d given him everything he could for the time being. His phone number, his address, anything Linder wanted to know, he didn’t have to look far.

He just didn’t think he’d ever use any of them. He’d made it clear he didn’t want to use any of them.

Linder held a little boy with a backpack by his hand. He seemed really shy because when Tadashi’s gaze strayed to him, he seemed to hide behind Linder.

“Linder. Hi,” Tadashi’s voice couldn’t hide his surprise. He waited for him to explain.

“I’m sorry for barging in like this–”

“You don’t have to be sorry about that,” said Tadashi.

Linder shook his head. “This is my brother, Mikhail.”

At the mention of his name, he peeked from behind Linder and Tadashi saw the resemblance between them.

The same chin and the same lips. They almost had the same eyes but where Linder’s eyes didn’t give away much, his brother’s just looked like they had the light blown out of them a long time ago. They were different.

Tadashi couldn’t hide his surprise yet again. “You have a brother?” A little brother, what the fuck.

“I know you probably have better things to do but could you watch him for me? Just for the rest of the weekend?” Linder asked.

Judging by the time of day and the fact that it was Linder asking, Tadashi knew it was no small thing, and Linder was desperate.

Eden came and stood by him at the door. Tadashi watched as their eyes met and they looked at each other. Then Eden’s eyes flitted to the little boy and Linder’s looked back at Tadashi.

“It’s just… I’m not sure where else to go. I’ll pay you back for this,” he said.

Tadashi thought he’d already said yes. But he was already thinking Linder paying him back could be very useful.

But why was Linder even asking in the first place? What was going on?

Tadashi nodded. “Okay,” he said. “It’s no problem.” He took a step towards him. “Are you okay?”

He should have expected Linder’s cold brush off, in fact, he did. But it still stung.

His question was completely ignored. “Thank you for doing this. I’ll definitely pay you back,” he said and bent to Mikhail’s height.

He whispered something in his ear then dropped a kiss to his forehead and ruffled his hair. Both Tadashi and Eden watched with different expressions on their faces.

Mikhail took shy steps towards Tadashi then stopped and turned back to look at Linder.

“It’s okay Mikky,” said Linder. “You can trust him.”

Hearing Linder say that did things to Tadashi but how did he get Linder to actually trust him?

Eden moved out of the way and Mikhail finally got in. They both disappeared out of sight.

Linder adjusted his glasses still looking at where his little brother had disappeared. “Thank you,” he said to Tadashi.

“Wait,” said Tadashi when Linder turned to go. He stepped away to reach Linder.

Fastening a hand on Linder’s forearm, he pulled him into a hug. Linder gasped in surprise first then held his hands to his chest.

“What are you doing?” He asked. The usual venom in his voice was gone. He just sounded tired.

“It’s called a hug,” said Tadashi. “I heard they make people feel better.”

Linder scoffed. Then he buried his face in Tadashi’s chest for a while. And for the first time, Linder wasn’t trying to run away.

He slowly pulled away from him and created some distance between them.

They looked at each other for a while as Tadashi ached for him. He wondered how Linder felt, the thoughts that went on in his head. Why he couldn’t just let him in.

“Don’t do that again,” said Linder. When he turned this time, Tadashi let him go.

When Tadashi got back inside, he found Eden talking to Mikhail. The boy was adorably shy, but Eden seemed to know exactly what to say to keep the conversation flowing.

He watched for a while. Eden’s smile came easily enough. But he couldn’t tell whether Mikhail trusted him or not.

Tadashi walked by the couch and crouched next to Eden, to look at Mikhail. “I’ll fix you something to eat if you want,” he said looking at Mikhail. “Are you hungry?”

Mikhail shook his head and looked down at nothing, deliberately avoiding Tadashi’s gaze. “L-Lin already did t-that before we got here.”

“I think he’s really tired,” Eden half whispered to him. “Drowsy even.”

Tadashi nodded and got up. “I’ll go prepare a room for him,” he said before walking away.

Tadashi had many rooms, but he picked the one closest to his and got it ready for Mikhail.

He didn’t think he’d taken long but when he got back, it was a sight to behold. Mikhail had already fallen asleep. Somehow he was on Eden’s lap holding his hand. It was the sweetest thing ever.

Seeing Tadashi, Eden carefully placed the little boy on the couch so as not to wake him. Then he quietly walked to where Tadashi was so they could talk.

“That was him wasn’t it?” Eden asked, talking about Linder.

Tadashi slowly nodded.

Eden pursed his lips and nodded. “He’s so tall. Why are you all so tall? And why do you have the same exact hair?” He asked.

They both had similar hair to be honest. The same color, same cut and even the same length or something close. Tadashi had never even noticed that, until now. “I’ve been thinking of cutting mine actually,” he said.

“No!” said Eden. “I mean… you know what, never mind.” Eden laughed. “Who am I to tell you what to do with your hair right?”

Tadashi shrugged as they walked towards the door.

“If he wakes up and misses me, you have to call me okay? I’ll come see him tomorrow,” said Eden.

Before he could finally turn, he felt tiny fingers curling around his own. Immediately, Eden looked down. Mikhail stared up at him with sleepy eyes and a bland expression on his face.

Eden looked back at Tadashi. “I spoke too soon?” He said with a skeptical smile.

Eden knew with the grip on his hand, Mikhail didn’t want to let him go.

“Hey,” said Eden. “You’re not sleepy anymore?”

He didn’t answer at first. He was holding Eden’s hand, and yet he couldn’t look him in the eye. “W-with you…” he said.

Eden bent down and Mikhail flinched when he raised a hand to put it on his shoulder.

Tadashi’s heart broke.

“Mikhail, I don’t live here, but I’ll come see you tomorrow, okay?” Eden said.

Mikhail nodded as his shoulders dropped and he looked down, slowly letting go of Eden’s hand. Too obedient.

It didn’t even take anything to convince him. He should have thrown a tantrum and screamed for not getting what he wanted or something. Instead, he walked back to the couch and stared straight ahead at nothing.

The two men watched. Tadashi looked like he could use some peace of mind. He looked tense and unable to relax. Eden couldn’t take his eyes off the little boy, it was a weird feeling. He didn’t just attach to random kids like he was already with this one. For some reason, his heart ached for him.

Tadashi rubbed a hand at the back of his neck and breathed out like he couldn’t be more frustrated. With the other hand on his hip, he turned to Eden.

“Listen uh… I know this is probably inappropriate and… you have every right to say no, but… would you stay the night? Please?” He asked.

The reply was immediate. “Oh thank God, I was working up the nerve to ask you myself,” said Eden.

Tadashi’s face lit up, just for a moment. But Eden was glad he caught it. It made him want to smile secretly.

Tadashi closed the door and Eden got back to the little guy.

“You’re going to stay?” Mikhail asked Eden. There might have been excitement in his voice but his face had the same bland expression.

“Mhm,” replied Eden. “Do you have what to change into?”

“In here,” Mikhail pulled his backpack against his chest and didn’t make any move to open it.

“I’ll help you change,” said Eden, already getting up.

The child stayed where he was. “Lin said I should do it on my own.”

“Why?” He asked, a little concerned.

The little boy shrugged and looked back at Eden, his face giving nothing away. Eden looked at Tadashi and he nodded.

“Well Mikhail,” he said. “We’ll tell your brother when he gets back okay? Will you let me help you change?”

The little boy looked back down. “It…it makes me u-uncomfortable,” he said.

A thousand things ran through Eden’s mind upon hearing that, he felt angry for some reason. Even if he didn’t know exactly what was wrong.

Mikhail looked like the most delicate thing he’d ever seen. He needed to be protected. And he’d never wanted to protect anything more.

He knew that if he insisted even once more, the little boy would just go with it. He was too obedient. That wasn’t a good thing in any little boy. He wouldn’t push him.

“Okay, don’t worry about it,” Eden said while smoothing his hair with a smile.

“Come on,” said Tadashi. “I’ll show you to your room and you can change there.”

He nodded and got up to go with Tadashi. “Just ask if you need anything okay?”

Mikhail nodded once again then Tadashi got back to Eden.

“I understand why you asked me what you did,” said Eden. “They are going through a lot, aren’t they?”

Tadashi eased onto the couch and rubbed his hands all over his face. “Yeah…” he said. “But he won’t let me help, I can’t understand why.”

“Maybe there’s more to it than you think. Maybe he thinks you’d complicate it all the more,” offered Eden. “I’ve never seen such tired eyes on someone.”

“It’s a little frustrating,” said Tadashi. “I can’t even tell what he’s thinking. I have to do something, but I’m not sure what, because he wants nothing to do with me.”

Eden crossed his arms in front of him and let out a breath. “He has to trust you first,” he said. “Bringing his little brother here is a step but it doesn’t mean it’ll be that easy.”

“I know. I don’t think he trusts anyone apart from his siblings,” said Tadashi.

“Did you say siblings?” Asked Eden.

Tadashi nodded. “He’s got a sister too. My best guess is thirteen years old.” Tadashi stopped. “Why am I even telling you all this? This really isn’t like me.”

“I’m just easy to talk to,” Eden laughed his pretty laugh. “He mentioned paying you back, I’m sure you can think of something. Use that to get closer to him,” said Eden.

“Yeah… I figured,” said Tadashi. Why was Eden even… “Why are you even trying to help?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “And before you draw any conclusions, I’m not trying to make a move on you while you’re into someone else,” he smiled. “I don’t do that.”

“It’s not what I was thinking,” said Tadashi. “I–”

“Tadishi?” Mikhail called from the room.

“Aww, that’s just cute,” Eden made a face. “I’ll go instead.”

“Quite attached, aren’t you?” Tadashi said with a smirk.

“I won’t deny it,” Eden said, looking in the direction Mikhail was. “He has my whole heart.”

60.5

MONTH SEVEN

AND THERE AFTER

61

Mason’s lips moved against Riley’s slowly, making the man under him restless.

A strong slap against his ass caused him to push up on Riley as he groaned. Alexander’s hand could be unforgiving. He loved it.

Mason continued kissing Riley. “I love it…” he said in between kisses. “When he does that,” he whispered against his lips.

“Yeah?” Asked Riley.

  "Fuck!" Another slap made a loud sound across the room. "Yeah," he answered.

 "It was always my dream, to be fucked senseless by someone who cared about me, you know," said Mason.

 "Was? What about now?" Riley asked.

 "Now...it's my dream to be fucked senseless by the people who care about me."

 It wasn't just someone now, and it would never be.

 "I think that can be arranged," replied Riley.

 Mason laughed. "You sound like you know all the filthy things that drive me crazy."

 "I'm a fast learner," said Riley.

 "And I can guess a handful of them," said Alexander. He squeezed his ass tight before letting go.

 "Let's plan a surprise for him darling," Riley suggested.

 "I'm right here, listening," said Mason. "What kind of surprise would that be?"

 "Trust me, you won't see it coming," said Riley.

 The Master angled Mason's head and kissed him deeply then grazed his teeth lightly down his back, nipping lightly along the way.

 "So what do you like exactly?" Asked Riley.

 "I love..." he moaned. "Rough treatment, I'm talking about really rough..."

 Two wet fingers eased inside him and his eyes closed as he felt every inch of them.

 "What else?" The Master asked while slowly moving in and out of him. Mason bit his lower lip before replying.

 "Dirty talk..." he said. "Slap me hard enough to leave a bruise, bite me."

 Alexander scoffed and kissed his hair, remembering how he'd once bitten his hand. 

 Mason fucked himself on Alexander's fingers, moving back and forth to create more friction. "Spit on me...call me a little bitch, degrade me," he said.

 "Fuck, damn," said Riley. "What else?"

 Mason's lips found Riley's and he tasted him, ready and waiting for him. 

 "Don't make it easy for me, deny me... don't let me come," he said and moaned. "Make me beg for it, make me go crazy for it... and when I'm finally there, kiss me like you know you'll never kiss again." Mason pushed up against the fingers then smiled. "And do it while you're choking the life out of me."

 "Fuck!" Alexander pulled his fingers out and rolled him over, until his back was on the bed. He was on him before Mason could properly breath, he claimed his lips.

 He groaned when they parted. "Only hearing that is driving me mad. Tonight isn't the night for it, but I'll make sure you scream till your throat is sore. You'll have a hard time talking the next day. How would you like that?"

 Pierre pushed the door open and got in, stopping in his tracks as he assessed them. 

 Riley smirked and bit his lower lip, looking at him, then motioning for him to come closer. He crushed their lips together before Pierre even got to the bed. 

 "Too many clothes on," he said, pulling off Pierre's shirt.

 Riley wrapped his arms around his waist once it was off and pulled him down. Their dicks rubbed against each other and Pierre cussed while Riley smiled. 

 Then he rocked his hips over and over until Pierre tried to push away. "Pl...please... stop it," he said. 

 "Not yet," said Riley. 

 He eased his hand into Pierre's pants and fondled him. His hips bucked above him. 

 "You can touch me too," said Riley. He guided his hand to his crotch.

 It was their first time, being so intimate. His body rippled with electricity.

 "

Mon Dieu, you’re so…big.“ Pierre stroked him and the smirk disappeared from Riley’s face as he arched his back and closed his eyes, groaning in pleasure.

 Pierre thought there could be nothing sexier at that moment. He decided to tease the man beneath him. 

 He ran his fingers along Riley's length, still clothed in his briefs. He felt Riley's dick jerk under his touch, he smiled.

 Pierre then ran his lips against the defined muscle on Riley's side and he felt him shudder and heard him hiss in a barely audible voice.

 He took hiss hand higher, running it against Riley's skin, slowly past his navel and against his chest. Pierre circled a nipple with his index then squeezed it between his fingers.

 Riley's eyes were still tightly shut, he moaned. He felt the fingers go higher still, up against his neck, against his lips then into his hair.

 Pierre leaned in and kissed his jaw. Riley opened his eyes with his body rigid as a pole, with a few parts more rigid than others. Pierre had done that, without even doing much.

 "Are you some sort of expert? Fuck!" Riley drew in a breath. 

 Pierre blushed. "I was only using your reactions to guide me," he said. "You...liked it?"

 "Did I like it? F– look at my dick!" said Riley.

 It looked painfully hard, the front of his briefs wet with pre-come, leaking and wetting the underwear.

 Jet walked in...actually stumbled into the room with Zel's legs wrapped around his waist.

 It was a wonder they weren't knocking things over with how lost into the kiss they were. Not to mention their eyes were obviously closed. 

 Everyone stopped to watch them navigate the room in such an erotic manner. Until they fell against the bed and Zel laughed, breaking the link between their lips.

 Mason looked back at Alexander. "I'll have whatever they are having."

 "Granted," was the only response he got before his lips were claimed and he was set ablaze. 

 He could swear his bottom lip was nipped hard enough to tear. He didn't know what he wanted more. To breath or to keep kissing Alexander. 

 When Mason was sure he was going to pass out, Alexander let him go.

 Mason drew in deep breaths, as much as his lungs could take in one go. 

 "Fuck... I can't even..." he said between breaths. "...I can't breathe."

 Alexander watched him with a smirk. "You asked."

 The kissing became more frantic when Jet went ahead to get the rest of Pierre's pants off as he pulled him from above Riley. 

 "Hi," whispered Jet as he held Pierre's gaze. 

 "Hey," Pierre replied shyly. But the smile on his face was so contagious Jet smiled right back before nuzzling the side of his face. 

 "I love you," he said as he slipped a finger inside Pierre. 

 "I... I love you... too,

merde, “ replied Pierre.

 Jet pulled his finger out to coat it with more lube and inserted two this time. 

 Pierre arched his back and moaned. "Yes! More... please," he cried. 

 "Your kind of beauty drives me crazy," Jet said against his lips. 

 Judging by the way Pierre's eyes rolled back, he knew he'd rubbed against his prostate. 

 "P-please..." he whined. 

 Jet lubed up his shaft before slowly entering Pierre. He groaned at the pleasure that exploded in all parts of his body. 

 "Oh fuck... Pierre," he ground out. 

 Riley stroked Zel while keeping his hands pinned above him, making him squirm adorably. 

 "I can't wait anymore... please," he said with his cheeks red. 

 "Me neither," said Mason. He looked into Alexander's eyes. "Get in me now!"

 "So impatient," Alexander smirked at him, then froze right before the tip of his member touched Mason's opening. 

 "Why are you hesitating my love?" He asked Alexander.

 "No, I'm just... a bit overwhelmed," he answered.

 Mason laughed a little. "Am I that sexy or what?" His fingers combed through Alexander's hair and scratched lightly while the Master buried his face in his neck. 

 He needed a moment to himself too, Alexander's vulnerability always caught him off guard. 

 "You are that sexy. But that's not it," he mumbled. 

 "What is it?" Asked Mason. "We've had sex before."

 "This is different," he said. "We've never done it without protection before."

And all these feelings he was drowning in.

 Oh fuck.

“And I can’t wait to feel all of you,” Mason said and pressed their lips together.

 "I love you," Alexander blurted out. 

 "Mhm, I love you too," he said with his eyes closed.

 Alexander pushed inside him. 

 "Holy fuck!" Mason cried. "You were right, this is overwhelming."

 Alexander put an arm around his waist and pulled him up, bringing Mason's ass higher and causing him to get deeper into him. 

 "I'm not going to hold back," Alexander warned. 

 "That's okay," Mason said while taking in deep breaths. "I like being wrecked."

 Alexander moved and Mason held his breath. He cried out when the thick cock was thrusted back inside him. 

 It was like a first time for every single one of them. Pierre wrapped his arms around Jet's neck and kept on kissing him as he pounded hard into him. 

 The little cute moans he let out with each stroke had Jet fighting for control. He was riding at the edge and trying not to fall over, trying to make it last as long as he could. It was so fucking difficult.

 He slowed his strokes and tried to catch his breath. Jet squeezed a handful of Pierre's ass while he laid kisses on the base of his throat and trailed them lower on his body. 

 Pierre jerked and it affected him more than it should have. There was no fighting it anymore, he was so close it was a wonder he hadn't yet emptied his balls inside the man. 

 Mason had a leg thrown over Alexander's shoulder as he felt the throbbing member deeper with every thrust. 

He moaned, cussed and thrashed around. And no matter what he did, Alexander's speed did not wane. 

 "Fuck, yes..." he cried out loud when he felt himself reaching his climax. 

 Next to them, Riley lay flat on his back while Zel straddled him. 

 Zel bent so that their chests touched while he held tight against Riley's neck. 

 Riley's hand was wrapped tightly against his waist as he pistoned in and out of him at an incredible speed. 

  "I'm... going to... come," Zel whispered into Riley's ear like he was one step away from crying.

 It was enough to send Riley over the edge. He groaned as he came hard inside Zel. 

 Zel cried out and splashed his seed all over their chests. He shuddered as his cock twitched. He couldn't feel his limbs as he collapsed fully on top of Riley. 

 There had been ceaseless moaning and in the heat of the moment, everybody came back to their senses to find that they'd come around the same times.

 Mason chuckled. "I've never felt like this in my entire life."

 He turned his head to the side and caught Riley's gaze resting on him. He had Zel's head tucked in the crook of his neck. 

 Running a hand through Zel's hair, he smirked at Mason without breaking eye contact. 

 Apparently a man that hot was somehow in love with him. "Fucking hell," he said before Alexander's mouth clamped down on his and he was lost in his feelings again.

 The next morning, Jet thought he'd woken up first. Alexander's bare chest rose and fell against the side of his face. 

  He looked up to find him already staring at him. 

 "Hey creep," said Jet as he placed his head back on his chest. 

 He felt Alexander's laughter as he heard it. "Little cubs are known to be grouchy when they wake up you know." 

 "Oh and you're the expert huh?" 

 "I am," replied Alexander. "I happen to be in love with one after all." 

The next thing Jet said, just sort of came out. "Will you come to meet my family with me?" He blurted. Alexander linked their fingers together and he continued. "I know you gave me the address, I couldn't properly thank you at that time because I only opened the paper after I left. Thank you–"

 "You didn't meet them yet?" Alexander asked in surprise, there had been enough time before coming to the resort, he thought he'd have been desperate, eager even. He didn't expect this.

 Jet shook his head. "Not yet...I'm–I'm nervous...scared," he said.

 "Aw little cub," Alexander replied and brushed his lips on the back of his knuckles. 

 "What if it's not them, I wanted to go with you...anyone. I just don't want to do it alone," said Jet. "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life and now that it's here, I'm stalling. It isn't as easy as I thought it would be."

 Alexander shook his head. "It's okay if you aren't ready yet."

 "What if they actually left me?" Jet asked. "What if they didn't just disappear but they left me? How am I supposed to handle that?"

  "Jet!" Alexander's voice was firm. "You're freaking out, take it easy." 

 Jet calmed down a little. 

  "Look, we're here for you. We'll be there if you want us to be, your call," he said. "And if they did leave you, then we'll handle it together, whatever you need."

 "You'll really come with me? I'll have to ask them first," Jet referred to the other men who were asleep. "Maybe they wouldn't want to, I don't want to force–"

 "Jet, I love you, but have you gone crazy?" Riley asked. 

 He sat upright and looked at Jet. Mason stirred awake next to him. "What's wrong?" He said groggily. "What's going on?"

 Next to him, Pierre looked up at the ceiling like he was lost in thought. 

 "Jet thinks we might not want to go and see his family with him," said Riley. 

  "Of course we'll come with you baby," Mason said and extended his hand to put it in Jet's. 

 "Do you hear that?" Riley asked Jet. "From the moment you said you said you loved us too, all your business became ours...your happiness, your sadness, and everything in between," he said. "So do you want us to come with you?"

 Jet nodded slowly. "I do."

 "Then we'll be there," Riley turned to face him. "I love you Jet, so please don't ever think like that again."

 Jet moved over and wrapped his arms around his neck and pressed their lips together. "I know, I'm sorry, I love you too," he said. 

 Jet looked to see everyone awake. Pierre crawled and settled on his lap like a little baby. 

 "You're worried about nothing," said Pierre. "They'll be delighted to see you, do you not know how amazing you are?"

 Jet watched him as his insides did back flips. 

 Alexander finally felt at ease as he watched them. He knew exactly what happened. But it was something Jet needed to find out for himself. He might not like it, it might hurt him, but it would be good for him.

 "I can't believe we're already leaving," said Zel. "He struggled to lift his suitcase. "Why won't...this...budge?!" He said then pouted. "I swear it was lighter when I got here." 

 Riley lifted it with one hand and walked away with it, leaving Zel dumbfounded and open mouthed. 

 Mason laughed at him. "Oh poor sunshine," he pouted to mock him. 

 "You're going to lift it when we get back home," said Zel. "You'll see, it's really heavy! Ry is just so strong." He complained. 

 "Sure, sure, I'll lift it," said Mason. "And if I do, you'll do as I say for a week."

 Zel thought that was pretty easy. He'd do exactly as he said anytime. That was just how deeply in love he was. "Fine. You'll see," he said. 

 Mason smiled coyly. "It's cute how you have no idea what you are in for," he said. 

 Zel swallowed. Maybe he'd add a few rocks inside when they were back before Mason could get to it. 

 "Where's Pierre anyway," Mason asked. 

 "Rosetta's stalling him, swear she could steal him if no one was looking," said Zel. 

 "I'll go get him," said Mason with a light laugh. 

 Zel walked in the direction of the helicopter with a smile he couldn't wipe off even if he tried. 

 It had been weeks since everything happened, but they were finally going back home, together.

62

It had been weeks since anyone had stepped foot in the mansion. Anyone meant Alexander and five other men. Not the thousands of strange faces they were currently seeing.

Zel was already everywhere.

 There were a lot more people at the house than they originally were. Zel almost didn't recognize anyone. 

 He walked back and hugged Alexander like he was shy. "There's so many people," Zel whispered. 

 "Don't worry princess they're only fixing a few things around the house," replied Alexander. "Well, some of them."

 "Oh," Zel cheered up. "Okay." He climbed up the stairs before anyone else. 

 Pierre laughed at Zel's quickness to let the matter go. 

 "Where do you think you're going?" The Master asked and Zel stopped in his tracks. 

 He was walking in the direction of his old room, probably out of habit. It had better be out of habit. 

 "What?" He asked innocently. 

 Alexander couldn't tell whether it was intentional or not. "That way," he pointed to the opposite side, where his room was.

 Zel kept walking anyway. 

 He screamed when he was suddenly lifted off the ground and over Alexander's shoulders. 

 "Put me down daddy!" He giggled.

 "No, you're having so much trouble finding our room, I'll just have to take you there myself," he said while swatting Zel's bottom once. 

 Zel yelped and felt his cheeks flame. Especially since he wasn't used to being under the scrutiny of so many eyes. 

 The bed was a little bigger when they got to the room. A shame, because he loved how they'd all squeezed together that night. And besides, Alexander's body was a comfortable bed too, he could use that every time they needed more room, which seemed unlikely.

 The house looked a little different but Zel couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly, it was like there were small changes everywhere but at the same time, he couldn't see them. 

 When he got to the library, it was definitely different. The fact that an entire section was dedicated to the books he liked.

An entire section .

 When had Alexander done that?

 Zel couldn't keep still, he dashed out of the room to find him. 

 He bumped into someone and immediately fell to the floor, stunned for a little bit.

 "I'm sorry," Zel apologized immediately he saw her on the floor just like him. 

 She was beautiful and young, her pigtails expertly done falling on each side of her shoulders. She looked so young. Way younger than Zel. 

 "I'm Zel," he said. "What's your name?" He wondered if she was one of the people making changes in the house. 

 "Greta, sir," she said. 

 Zel got up and helped her up. "Uh... call me Zel, sir is just weird," he giggled. 

 She had a kind, friendly smile. "The Master said to treat you exactly like we treat him, we always call him sir, that is unless he's being an idiot and you just have to get a point across–"

 She looked horrified, but she didn't have to. 

 Sure, if it wasn't for how fondly she spoke of Alexander, then he'd have a big problem with it. But it was okay, she even sounded kind. 

 Zel laughed. "Don't worry about it. Just call me Zel. Did you do your own hair? It's amazing!"

 She immediately brightened up. "I did! It's my finest work yet," said Greta. 

 "Will you try it on me?" Zel asked hopefully.

  Her face said yes, but her lips said something else. "A-are you sure? You're not joking are you?"

 "I'm not," said Zel. 

 Her face lightened up again. "Okay," she said before asking Zel if there was anything he needed, then saying she had somewhere to be and saying goodbye. 

 Zel remembered after some time that he'd been trying to get to Alexander. 

 He found him busy on his computer, with Pierre leaning on his shoulder and staring at it as well.

 "The library!" Zel approached the Master and he looked up. "The libr–"

  "Oh, that," he said and smiled. "I thought you might like that."

 Zel climbed on top of him to give him a big kiss. "I love you, you know that?"

 Alexander's smile widened. "I didn't catch that," he said. "What did you say?"

 Zel frowned. "You're doing it on purpose. But I love you." 

 "I love you too princess," he replied. 

 "I also bumped into Greta," he said excitedly. "She seemed nice."

 "She didn't talk your ear off did she?" Asked Alexander. 

  Zel shook his head and smiled. "Where is everyone anyway?" He asked. 

 Speaking of the devils, as soon as he asked it, the others filed into the room. 

 Zel dropped down against Pierre and tangled their legs together. 

 "

Mon chérie,“ Pierre said, causing Zel to blush really hard.

 Alexander could die from all their cuteness. 

 "You have that look again," Riley said when he got closer to Alexander. "What are you thinking so hard about?" He took the computer and put it away. 

 He thought he'd sit next to Alexander and look him in the eye but he was wrong. He sat alright, but between Alexander's thighs. He felt his chin on his shoulder as he was held possessively. 

 "I'm just thinking of visiting the cemetery...his grave..." said Alexander. "I've never been able to."

 Riley managed to hear him over the thunderous beating in his chest. 

 He knew Alexander said it like it was anything, but this meant a lot to him. He understood it was something he needed to do. And hearing that he'd never been able to made a part of him ache.

 "I'm wondering if you'd all come with me," said Alexander.

 The man currently burying his face in his neck waited for an answer. Riley realized he hadn't said a thing since he sat down. 

 Pierre spoke before he could clear his throat. "We will, obviously." 

 Alexander looked up and smiled. "Really? I...thank you."

 Jet scoffed. "Did you really think we'd say no? Really?"

 Alexander didn't answer. 

 Pierre crossed his arms and shook his head. "I should punish you for thinking that." He pouted, like the most adorable thing on earth.

Nearly a week and Alexander was actually doing it, he was walking towards Noah’s grave. And his feet weren’t having second thoughts and turning around like they usually did.

Maybe it was Zel’s smile, or maybe it was the way Pierre linked their arms together or it was all of them being there for him. Either way he’d found the peace within that he didn’t think he needed. Noah would have been so proud.

Alexander couldn’t help but sink to his knees when he finally got to the grave, his heart feeling almost too heavy for his chest.

He forgot about the single tulip in his hand when he saw the headstone.

It didn’t say Noah McClure like it should have. Instead, it read:

’Noah Kane

Don’t you dare cry’

Alexander laughed at the warning. They were never married, they never got to that part, but even in his death, even after everything, he made sure to do this.

“He… he…” Alexander was at a loss for words.

Riley knelt right next to him. “Really, really loved you,” he completed for Alexander.

He placed his tulip next to Alexander’s and then everyone else did.

It was silly but Alexander introduced each one of them to him. They laughed. The men he loved didn’t hesitate to call him out on anything Noah might have missed.

He’d never felt freer in his life. And he’d never been more in love.

In next few weeks, Mason also had a few things to sort out.

Jet found him minutes away from leaving. “Is everything alright?” Jet asked.

“I need to go back for a while, my sister called,” he had on an expression that didn’t sit well with Jet. “I’ll be back.”

“What’s wrong?” He asked Jet.

“I’ll tell you when I’m back,” Mason answered.

“Are you sure? Do you want me to come with you?”

Mason didn’t give him an answer, so Jet asked for it. “Let me come with you.”

Mason was looking anywhere but him. He had his face fixed on the floor. Jet lifted his chin up to look at him.

Mason pursed his lips and nodded.

Mason’s sister looked nothing like him, she’d introduced herself as Julie and seemed nice enough.

Mason’s niece on the other hand, looked like a female replica of him. Like he was her actual father. Genetics could be weird like that.

Jet waited with her as Mason talked to his sister in the kitchen. He could tell it was a big argument, but the voices were muffled apart from a few times they nearly shouted.

“They fight all the time,” the little girl said, combing a hand through her short hair. Mason had said her name was Anna.

Jet had no clue about how to act around children. He was even sure what he was supposed to say to that.

Thankfully she spoke next.

“Look at all the drawings on your arms,” she said in awe. “I heard those hurt. Did it hurt?”

“They do hurt,” said Jet.

The voices from the other room carried on to where Jet and Anna were.

“Let’s face it Juls, you only want her when you’ve got a new boyfriend! What sort of mother does that?!” Jet had never heard Mason sound so angry before.

He tried to keep distracting her with his tattoos. “See this one?” He pointed to a tattoo of piano keys on his forearm. Anna’s attention quickly snapped to it. “Hurt so much, but I didn’t even cry.” He said.

“Nooo…really?” She looked blown away. Her eyes wide as she looked up at Jet.

“I can’t just let you take her away from me all the time, she’s practically grown up with me. Can you even name her favorite color? Her favorite plushy? Every time you bring her back to me, she cries herself to sleep the first night and says she doesn’t want to go back, because the entire time you took her, you neglected her because your boyfriend was taking you out or some other fucking crap like that,” Mason was fuming.

Jet was pretty sure it wasn’t right for children to hear such things so openly. He got up and walked in on their argument.

“I can’t let my Anna have such an unstable life at her age–” Mason paused when he saw him.

“I’m taking her for a walk,” Jet said.

“I just met you today,” Julie started. “I can’t trust–”

Jet took a step towards her and placed his hand on the counter. “I’m taking her for a walk so unless your name is Mason, I don’t give a fuck about what you have to say. This argument alone is enough to tell who the child’s true parent is. It isn’t you.”

She seemed stunned that he talked to her like that. Jet knew he wasn’t right to say that. It wasn’t his place, but it made him angry to see Mason angry, and he acted without reason.

He knew he’d hurt her feelings, but he wasn’t going to take his words back.

Mason stepped in front of him and put a hand to his chest. He nodded. “She likes watching the ducks by the pond.”

It was a few yards away from the house. He’d seen it as they drove up to the house.

Anna was already by the door when he got to her, like she’d heard everything. As if excited they would be anywhere but here.

Jet saw the ducks before he even crouched by the pond, watching the little girl play.

He soon learnt all the weird names Anna had given them. “That’s Reykjavik and that’s Cruella.”

“What’s the first one?” He asked.

“Reykjavik! It’s the capital of Iceland! You know, where everyone lives in ice houses,” she said.

“I can’t pronounce it,” said Jet as he leaned back.

“It’s okay, I’ll teach you. I taught Macey too,” she said excitedly.

After Jet pretended to finally get it after a struggle, she sat down next to him.

“Ducks are the best,” she said and fixed her hair behind her ear.

“Are they now?” Jet asked. Zel had once said the same exact thing.

“They are, I wish I was a duck,” she said.

Jet laughed. “You’d look ridiculous!” He said.

His laugh died down when he saw her glassy eyes brimming with tears ready to fall.

“No no!” Said Jet. He was so fucking horrible at this. Not even ten minutes and he was already making her cry.

“I didn’t mean–”

She walked away from him and sat a few feet away, crossing her arms and pouting.

“Anna, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” Jet said with all the sincerity he could muster.

Who knew it would be so frustrating to have a little child mad at him.

She continued to ignore him and even went as far as turning his back on both him and the pond.

Jet sighed and got up and went to sit next to her. He continued to look at the water while her back remained turned to it.

“This is bad,” said Jet. “Reykjavik is hurting Cruella.”

Anna turned immediately. “He would never–” She stopped when she realized the trick. She looked at Jet. “I’m not talking to you.”

Jet smiled. “You looked.”

“Only because Reykjavik is the sweetest. Cruella picks on him a lot, and that’s when Drake comes to save him, I don’t know why he won’t come out today,” she said.

Jet took the moment to make amends. “Hey I’m sorry,” he said. “You’d make a very beautiful duck.”

She suddenly got stars in her eyes. “You really mean that?”

Jet nodded. “The best.”

That earned him a peck to his cheek and just like that, it was forgotten.

They walked further away from the pond, leaving the house behind.

“Can I have two dads now?” Asked Anna.

You can have six, said Jet’s thoughts.

“Are you and Macey married?” She asked again.

“I’m his boyfriend,” said Jet

“So does that mean you don’t want to marry him?”

Jet couldn’t tell her how absurd that sounded. He spoke without even thinking. “Fuck, I do want to marry him.”

Anna looked up at him. “Macey says swearing is bad.”

“Oops,” said Jet. “He’s right. I’m just really stubborn.”

“Can I be stubborn like you?”

Just how many questions could she ask in a minute?

“Nope,” said Jet. “But let’s go get something you like.” In one swift move, he lifted her to sit on his shoulders and she giggled excitedly. “What do you like?”

She answered immediately. “Ice cream!”

“Okay,” said Jet. He just hoped he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

He got carried away spending time with Anna. He didn’t think spending time with a child alone could be so fun.

Sure, she talked his ear off but it surprised him how keenly he paid attention to everything she had to say.

“She was in the middle of composing a whale song for him when he heard his phone ping with a message.

‘Where are you guys? Get back already’

“Come on Anna, let’s head back,” he told Anna as she finished her ice cream.

She ran to Mason the moment she saw him, completely ignoring her mom.

“Macey!” She hugged him. “Jet took me to the pond and we walked around and he said he wants to marry you, he even used a swear word because he’s stubborn then he got me ice cream and he liked my whale song and he–”

“Woah, slow down sweetie,” Mason stopped her from denying her lungs more air.

Julie walked over and crouched next to her daughter. “Come on, love,” she said. “We’re leaving.”

“What no!” Tears immediately filled her eyes, making the confusion in them swim. “Macey I don’t want to go please let me go with you,” she cried.

Mason couldn’t speak so Jet put a firm hand around his waist.

“Come on, Anna,” Julie cajoled her little girl.

“I don’t want to go with you!” Anna said. “I wanna stay with Macey!”

Juliet looked to Mason. He shrugged like he was trying to say ‘I told you so’. “Last chance,” he said to her.

She nodded once before getting out with the reluctant little girl.

The tears fell down Mason’s face immediately the door was shut. He threw his arms around Jet’s shoulder and sobbed into it.

“It’s going to be okay. Okay?”

Mason nodded into his shoulder. “I know children should grow up with their parents,” he cried. “But she…she doesn’t even care about her. I don’t think she even loves her. Not like I do.”

Jet ran a comforting hand down his back. “It’s going to be alright, she’s going to blow that chance you gave her, and then it’ll be over. I just know it,” said Jet.

“You really think so?” He asked.

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t,” answered Jet.

Mason quietened a little. “Do you really want to marry me?” He suddenly asked, still wrapping his arms around Jet’s neck.

“Both you and your niece ask too many questions,” said Jet.

A cross between a laugh and a sob escaped Mason’s lips. “That’s the weirdest yes I’ve ever heard.”

63

From all of Zel’s descriptions, Alexander had deduced that his dad is was apparently scary looking. A giant with a soft heart.

When he saw him, it was granted he was sort of a giant, he just wasn’t sure about the soft heart.

He seemed to sneer the moment he laid eyes on Alexander and if he was honest, it made him nervous.

“Papa!” Zel ran into his arms and was hoisted up into the air. He laughed heartily as he looked up at his son in his arms.

“I haven’t seen you in so long, I thought you abandoned me,” he said to Zel. His voice was like gravel whereas Zel’s was as clear as a flowing stream.

“You’re so dramatic,” said Zel while giggling. “I told you I might be gone a while.”

“I missed you a lot,” he said. They were so different, in fact, totally different apart from the blonde hair.

Once he set his son down, Zel looked to Alexander then back to his dad.

“Papa, this is Alexander,” said Zel as he put his hand out towards him. Alexander took it and walked closer.

He was aware of the murderous look sent his way but he pretended not to see it. At the same time he wanted him to like him.

“Boyfriend?” Zel’s father asked and Alexander could now understand the story about the previous boyfriend.

One of them. Zel wanted to tell his father. But he knew him. He was the step by step type of person so he waited.

“Yes, papa,” said Zel. “But this is different, I’m truly in love with him.”

Alexander smiled. He couldn’t help it. Whereas Zel’s dad didn’t look very convinced.

Zel walked towards him. “Alexander, this is my dad.”

Zels dad stuck his hand out for Alexander to shake. He shook it. “Nate Dawson,” he said as formally as it could get.

“Alexander Kane.”

Zel’s dad raised an eyebrow. “Firm handshake,” he commented. “Hm.”

Alexander didn’t know what that was supposed to mean.

“I’ll go check on the food,” said Zel. “I told you not to overdo it.” He looked accusingly at his dad then disappeared where Alexander assumed was the kitchen.

Mr Dawson didn’t even stall the conversation, he went straight to it when Zel was out of sight.

“Have you hurt him before?” He asked.

Alexander didn’t expect such a sudden question but he didn’t show it. He nodded as he tried not to think of the tears in Zel’s eyes on the first date and when he’d disqualified him. He was so stupid.

Zel’s dad nodded while taking a step towards him. Closer, Alexander could see he was at least a whole foot taller than he was.

He didn’t expect his large fist trying to crush his gut all of a sudden. He grunted in surprise. “Try ever hurting him again,” said Mr Dawson.

Alexander recovered quickly from his shock. “Hell would have to freeze over first,” he said and glared at him.

They both stared at each other like two mad dogs.

Zel came in and paused to watch the spectacle. “What is wrong with you two?” He stepped in the middle of them.

“He just told me he’s hurt you before,” said his father.

“And he believes I’m going to let it happen again, can you believe that?!” Alexander shot back.

“When did you even hurt me?” Asked Zel.

“I made you cry princess, twice. I’m sorry I hurt you,” Alexander said. He took a loose tendril of Zel’s hair and put it behind his ear.

Zel’s dad bristled at the affectionate name.

“No, Dad! Calm down,” said Zel.

“You heard what he called you. He has no right. Not after he hurt you,” he said.

“I’m okay Papa, it’s just…he’s gone through some stuff, but it’s all worked out now.”

“You don’t have to–” Alexander began.

“That’s exactly what I was saying sweetheart,” His dad cut in.

“Okay you know what? Everyone just shut up!” Zel’s tone changed and gripped the full attention of the other two.

It was still adorable and to Alexander he sounded like a cute angry bunny. He’d never even heard the tone before. It was all he could do not to lift him up and nuzzle his neck there and then.

“Sit down, the both of you,” said Zel.

“Sw–” His dad’s voice was already softening.

“Now.”

They sat down.

“Alexander, I don’t get how you managed to piss him off right after I left the room,” said Zel. “You looked like you were seconds away from fighting, did you think I’d want that?”

Alexander looked down like he was ashamed and shook his head.

“And you!” He turned to his dad. “I leave him with you for five minutes and you already want to tear him apart. What part of I love him wasn’t clear?”

“But–” said his father.

“No! You’ve sheltered me enough Papa, I know there’s lots of bad people out there but he’s not one of them. I know I can be naive sometimes but I think Alexander is right for me. I feel safe when he holds me. I love him. And if you punch him again I’ll I’ll… I’ll punch you back. I don’t know just don’t you dare punch him again.”

His father remained quiet.

“You’re both going to stay here and get along. I’ll be in the kitchen. And by the time I’m back, there better be rainbows and sunshine in the room, do I make myself clear?”

They both nodded.

“Good,” Zel hopped away.

When he left, his father turned to Alexander. “I’ve never seen that side of him before have you?”

Alexander kept staring at the door that Zel had disappeared through. His eyes were a little unfocused. “Fuck…” he said, voice almost a whisper.

“Hey that’s my son you pervert!” His hands tightened around Alexander’s collar.

Alexander did the same to his. “He’s mine you know,” he growled.

“In fact,” came Zel’s voice. They didn’t know how but somehow it happened, they were both holding hands and smiling.

“Yes sweetheart,” his dad said at the same time Alexander said “Yes princess?”

He dug his fingernail into Alexander’s hand.

“Never mind,” said Zel when he saw the state they were in.

From then on, it was murderous looks from each other.

Alexander spoke to Zel’s dad as they ate, but he was sure he was only responding because of the daggers Zel stared his way.

“When did you even fall in love sweetheart? And with him?” His dad asked. He said the last part with a lot of contempt. Alexander sneered his way.

“Oh no Papa, Alexander’s not the only man I’m in love with,” said Zel.

“What did you say?” He asked Zel and Alexander smiled.

“There’s a few others,” Zel replied nonchalantly.

They managed to get through dinner without turning the table over, so Zel decided it went well.

They sat in the car, ready to go. “Bringing everyone at once might have been a lot for him to take in at once,” said Zel.

“Yeah, if he already hates me that much,” replied Alexander.

Zel studied him with a worried expression. “I mean, he didn’t attempt to kick you out of the house so I guess he likes you.”

He’d been so sure this was the one person his father would get along with the moment they met, but it wasn’t so simple.

“You think so?” Alexander asked.

“Yeah,” he replied.

The distance between them closed little by little. “You look amazing by the way,” said Alexander.

Zel’s breath caught as their lips almost touched. Then a hand was pushing his face away from Alexander

Opening his eyes, another hand was spread all over Alexander’s face, pushing him further away.

“No! No kissing my son in my presence,” said Zel’s father.

In his presence? How the f–

“What the f–” Alexander had started.

“Oh my God dad! How did you even get in here?” Zel asked.

“You said you were in love with more people, I don’t know how that works but I have to see them,” he said in a voice Zel knew was hard to argue against.

“You want to meet them tonight,” he wasn’t sure he was asking or not.

“Exactly,” he confirmed. “Hey drive, Alexscoundrel.”

Alexander rolled his eyes as Zel went to squeeze his hand. “He likes you, I swear,” said Zel.

He turned to his dad in the backseat. “Papa, could you please let Alexander off the hook.”

“I will do no such thing–”

“It’s fine,” Alexander groaned, stopping them both. “It’s okay princess, “ he said with extra zeal, making sure Zel’s dad had heard him. “There’s more than enough room for him to spend the night.”

Zel’s dad leaned back and crossed his arms. Then sighed and looked back quickly. His father had leaned back and put his hands to rest on his thigh. “Papa is that a smile?”

“You didn’t see anything,” he said quickly. “Go on, drive.”

“See, I told you he liked you,” he whispered to Alexander.

Alexander just wasn’t so sure yet.

Just didn’t feel like changing much about this chapter.

Now I’d say the book is about 97% finished, so hang tight for the final few chapters

64

“I think I’ll stay a few more days,” Zel’s dad said as he sat down on one of the lounging chairs by the pool.

As soon as he’d arrived yesterday, he’d barraged the other men with questions and hadn’t let anyone off easy, no matter how late into the night it was getting.

The only exception was Pierre. He seemed to like him right away. Maybe he reminded him of his son, or maybe it was Pierre’s beauty, but he didn’t find any reason to be angry with him.

They went back and forth arguing until Riley decided to take matters into his own hands.

Riley just had to breathe and he was hot, but when he used his smart mouth like that, he was freaking lava.

 They watched in fascination as Riley started by arguing with him, to convincing him that falling in love with five men was the best thing that'd ever happened to them and his son. He'd even been able to make him laugh, which in turn made it feel like the whole room released a breath they were holding collectively. Mr Dawson had finally given him one long look before going to sleep without another word.

And now, after that late night scare, he wanted to stay a few more days…

“Absolutely not, you are leaving,” answered Alexander.

“Okay,” he said. “But right after you tell my sweetheart Zel. Or wait, should I do it?”

He was an evil man. Alexander was so irritated all of a sudden. “You–”

“Relax, I’m only joking,” he waved his hand to calm Alexander down. “I finally made up my mind. You really love him don’t you?”

“More than you know,” said Alexander.

“And at the same time you love the others? The same way?” He asked again.

“That’s right,” said Alexander.

“I don’t get it but I’m trying to,” he said. “I know my son, well enough to understand that he’s really fallen, for quite a number of people.”

Alexander scoffed. “You make it sound like we’re a thousand or something.”

Zel’s father patted the seat next to his. “Have a seat son,” he said. That was a first.

Alexander sat next to him cautiously. He never knew what came next with this man.

“You said you’d never hurt him again,” he told Alexander.

“And I meant it,” he replied.

“Has Zel met your parents? Where are they?” He asked.

“My mom passed away when I was little,” said Alexander. He didn’t realize the change of his voice, or the far away look in his eyes. “My dad is somewhere out there spending his money, staying as far away as possible, from his shitty son.” He smiled.

He hoped Zel’s dad understood and let it go.

“Well he’s wrong,” he said.

“What?” Alexander asked.

“That’s not right,” he said to Alexander. “The only thing that exists, is a shitty parent.”

“What are you doing,” Jet found Zel with his face plastered to the glass door. When he looked out he saw Alexander sitting next to his dad.

“Waiting to see if my dad punches Alexander, but it doesn’t seem like it,” he replied.

Jet looked at them. Zel’s dad finally looked a little happy actually. Alexander’s back was to him so he didn’t know what expression he had. His shoulders shook with laughter as Zel’s dad laughed too.

“Look, look! They’re laughing!” Zel said. He finally tore himself away from the door. “Finally, I can be at ease.”

“I swear your dad is capable of burning us on stakes for your sake.” Jet smiled. “And yet you’re such a sweetheart,” he said and gathered him in his arms.

Zel threw his arms around his neck and smiled, his cheeks coloring. Jet smiled back.

“You know, you should smile more often,” said Zel, feeling a little bold. “Or maybe not, you look so good it makes me…it’s just not good for me. Or anyone for that matter.”

“Okay you all need to stop saying stuff like that,” said Jet. His face felt hot as his hands tightened around Zel’s waist.

Jet took a step back and collided with a hard chest against his back. “Why would we stop?” Asked Riley. “You do have a beautiful smile.”

Jet felt like his cheeks were flaming. “This is so unfair,” he said.

“Aww, is Jet blushing?” Zel teased.

“Don’t provoke me Zel baby, I’ll make you regret it,” said Jet.

“He isn’t joking, Zel,” said Riley. “He’s wilder than you think.”

Riley kissed them both before pushing the door open and going out to where his father and Alexander were.

“You’re so cute! I’d never provoke you,” Zel said innocently.

Jet raised his eyebrows and regarded Zel like he was waiting for what else he had to say.

“Cutesy, cutesy, cutesy,” he said while poking his nose.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Jet said while walking away with him. “I’m going to find the nearest room and roughen you up.”

He planted a kiss on Zel’s mouth. “Then I’ll leave you alone for while. And then when your dad is gone, I’m going to find you, and we’re going to finish what we started.”

Zel didn’t know what he was in store for, but for now, it all sounded good to him. In fact, he looked forward to it.

“I want to talk to you about something,” said Pierre.

Alexander patted the space on the bed next to him. “Of course love,” he said.

“It’s about something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Pierre as if he was unsure of what he wanted to say, or if it was too soon.

“Yeah what is it?” Alexander asked patiently.

“I want to be a doctor. I’ve always wanted to. So I was thinking about getting into college to get my degree, now is a good time as any, I think,” said Pierre.

Alexander studied him for a little while before frowning, then answering. “No,” he said, shaking his head.

“No?” Pierre asked.

“No. Where do you think you’re going, looking like that?” Alexander asked.

“Looking like what?” Pierre asked and looked down around himself. He didn’t look like anything, he just had on sweatpants and a light black T-shirt.

“Looking like that,” Alexander gave him a once over. Then he sighed and leaned back on the headboard. “I just… I don’t want people looking at you, and getting any ideas, and taking advantage of your kindness, what if you get hurt out there? What if–”

“ Arrête ça,“ said Pierre, telling him to stop it. “I love you. And I’m not walking in front of a firing squad or going to war. Look at me.”

Alexander did as he said.

“It’s just college, I’m going to study, put all the work into it, and at the end of the day, I’ll come back to you. No one can take me away from any of you it’s even absurd to think it,” he said.

 "Can we hire–"

 "No," said Pierre immediately with a shake of his head.

“Was worth a try.” Alexander sighed, then nodded and pushed his hair out of the way. “I know you’re going to do amazing, sweetheart. I know…I’m just being paranoid…maybe for nothing, but at the same time I’m so happy and proud of you.”

“Really?” Pierre’s face was quick to heat up as he smiled.

“Come here,” he held his hand out for Pierre to take. “You have no business being this adorable.”

Alexander made Pierre straddle him and Pierre blushed harder.

“Say you love me,” he told Pierre.

“I love you,” he answered immediately.

“How much?” Alexander asked and Pierre giggled.

“A lot,” he said.

“Only a lot?”

“A whole lot,” said Pierre. “I love you more than the number of stars in the sky.” He knew he sounded so cheesy but he didn’t care.

“Oh that’s quite a lot,” replied Alexander. “How about a thousand universes?”

“I love you more than the number of stars in a thousand universes,” Pierre said without hesitation.

Alexander laid kisses on the palms of his hand. “Well, good,” he said. “Because I love you more.”

Pierre laughed again and Alexander felt those butterflies again.

The door swung open and Jet walked in. He got onto the bed and lay right next to Alexander, looking at Pierre’s red face.

“What’s going on here?” He asked while going to lean his head on Alexander’s shoulder.

“Pierre wants to be a doctor, he’s going to college,” said Alexander.

“Looking like that?” Jet asked.

“I’m having second thoughts,” said Riley.

He was talking about playing basketball because it had been on his mind for a while.

“Was this ever since the day you had a meeting with the coaches?” Alexander asked him, very much concerned.

Riley nodded. And he could have sworn he didn’t imagine the sad look on his face.

He really questioned going through with it, pursuing his dream. He just kept thinking that maybe it was too late.

The Master’s reaction wasn’t expected, how his spirits dampened, like it meant so much to him.

“You’re so talented,” Alexander said. “I wish the entire world could see that.”

No one had ever told him that. Not one person. He didn’t even need to think about it anymore. Suddenly all the doubt cleared up in his head.

“But if it’s not what you want, then I guess we’ll have to respect that,” Alexander finished.

“I just really want you all to be proud of me,” said Riley suddenly. “No one’s ever put so much effort in for me like this before.”

Alexander chuckled. “I always will, and already am proud, but I want you to be your own person. Whether you decide to play or not–”

His next words were drowned in Riley’s lips. He kissed him harder than he’d intended, then pulled away.

“What was that for?” Alexander asked with his fingers tracing his lips, touching where the kiss lingered on his lips.

“Just the simple fact that I’m head over heels in love with you,” Riley smiled at him.

He’d changed his mind faster than the flick of a switch.

Right now he sat down fixing a schedule on his phone. He was doing it mostly for himself but a part of him deep down, wanted to please the men he loved by doing something he loved with all his heart.

It was no pressure, but he so badly wanted to make them proud.

“Uhh…Ry?” He heard Zel’s voice say.

“Yes baby?” He replied while still trying to look away from his phone. Riley turned slowly as Zel spoke.

“I was wondering… if you could take my picture,” said Zel a little shakily while looking down.

Riley almost choked on his saliva as he looked away quickly. He seemed to say a short prayer before cautiously turning back.

Zel’s hair was braided in pigtails that reached past his waist—he wondered if Mason did that, he just loved having his hands in Zel’s hair. He wore a white shirt, Riley realized it was one of Alexander’s dress shirts, too big for Zel but fucking Christ he looked adorably sexy with the number of times he had to fold the sleeves up his arms.

Zel’s thighs were exposed, up until where they disappeared into a short, grey skirt. It was so fucking short, just like his patience suddenly.

“You– you… take your…y-your–” He tried to reply.

Riley’s phone fell off his hand, it was suddenly an ugly crack on the screen. Zel walked over quickly and picked it up, handing it back to him.

“My picture,” Zel said. “Y-you take really good pictures, so I was wondering if you’d take mine. Are you busy?”

Riley wrote one last thing in his schedule and turned back to Zel. “No, no. I’m not busy at all.”

“Okay,” he smiled.

Riley fetched his camera quicker than he should have…than he had to, but he couldn’t wait to get back to Zel.

He’d never had such a hard time taking pictures before, pun fucking intended.

He could swear Zel was teasing him on purpose.

Zel turned and looked back at Riley and he took a picture. Zel then leaned forward and pouted while Riley did his job. He tried to relax, he tried so hard.

Zel sat on his haunches and turned one of his pigtails in one hand.

“Wait,” said Riley.

He turned around and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, he hoped Zel didn’t notice just how much he was struggling.

He turned back like nothing had just happened and took the picture.

“You look like sin in a skirt,” he said while adjusting himself. He took another picture.

“And you look like sin in a skirt is your favorite food,” replied Zel. He kept posing as his cheeks got rosier by the minute.

“It is now,” said Riley. “And I’m starving.” He went to put the camera away.

“Wait wait, take this first,” said the blonde haired man.

He crossed his leg over the other and leaned back. “I should have worn the stockings right?” He muttered.

“Fucking hell, Zel,” said Riley. “You’ve got to be doing this on purpose.”

“Doing what?” Zel’s eyes shot to him.

He really was innocent with the sincere look in his eyes. It seemed giving Riley mini heart attacks hadn’t been part of his plan after all.

Riley used the moment to take the best picture out of all of them. Zel wasn’t expecting it and the innocent look in his eyes in contrast to what he was wearing was enough to drive anyone crazy.

“You look beautiful,” said Riley.

Zel blushed harder and he took another picture. Then looked at it and shook his head. “So fucking unreal,” he said.

Zel got off the floor and righted himself. “Thank you Ry!” He smiled and leaned in, tiptoeing to peck his lips. He took a step back.

He was fucking joking.

“You think I’d just let you walk away?” Riley asked with his eyebrows raised in disbelief.

His hand closed around Zel’s wrist and he pulled him back. “I said I was starving, Zel,” he said. “Are you really going to be so cruel?”

Zel gasped as he felt Riley’s hand fondle him through his panties. He whimpered as he fought not to lose his balance.

“Damn, you’re so hard,” said Riley. “Was all this turning you on?”

Zel shook his head and moaned when Riley squeezed harder.

“No? Then tell me why you’re so hard,” he said.

“Y…” he started.

“Mhm…” Riley urged him on after turning him around and licking a spot on his neck and pressing his lips to it.

“Y-you…” Zel struggled to say. “I was looking at you.”

“Oh you mean this?” He rubbed his bulge against Zel’s ass and he assumed his frustrated sounds were agreement.

“Get on your knees baby,” he said.

Zel did and unbuttoned his trousers then unzipped his fly. The cock that had been so painfully hard, sprang out.

Zel’s lips closed around the tip. Riley’s eyes closed and he cursed under his breath.

Zel ran his tongue along the shaft then put it in his mouth and pumped the length at the same time.

Riley’s hand moved to the back of his head and pushed Zel’s head to take him in deeper.

His tongue felt like heaven, not to mention the way his lips closed around it.

Zel kept on sucking him for a while before he felt his climax building. He pulled himself away from Zel’s mouth.

Riley then got down on his knees too, and bent Zel lower until he was on all fours.

He hooked a hand under the strip of cloth and pulled Zel’s panties mid thigh, then pushed the skirt up higher to expose his ass.

Zel moaned when he rubbed a finger against his opening.

“Oh fuck, the lube–” Riley started.

“I already prepped,” Zel said.

“You what?”

“Prepped,” Zel turned red. “I–I couldn’t help it…”

Riley got in before he could even finish. “Fine by me,” he said.

“Ry! Oh Ry…” Zel moaned with every inch the member entered him.

“Oh Ry…” he whimpered. “Please f-fuck me.”

Riley wasn’t sure he’d ever heard Zel use the word ‘fuck’ before. He pulled halfway out then rammed back into him.

“Ahh! Oh my…”

A hand covered his mouth as Riley thrust again and stopped. “This is what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

Zel nodded and whined. He moved back and forth to remind Riley of what he was supposed to be doing.

Riley chuckled. “You’re so eager.”

“Uh-huh,” Zel whispered.

Riley stroked him and began to move again. “You look so sexy with your skirt up your waist like this.”

Zel bit his lip to stop a moan from escaping, the moan came through anyway.

The pigtails bounced and swept the floor with every thrust. His knees and elbows were going to be very bruised after this.

Riley fucked him harder as he bent lower. The strokes so hard they made slapping noises with each one.

Zel didn’t know what he was saying exactly but he was begging for release.

Riley’s cock moved relentlessly inside him.

He pumped himself and tried to match the strokes to Riley’s cock. Zel lost the ability to speak when Riley decided to go faster still.

He could feel the cock rub against his prostate with each thrust, threatening to make him lose his mind. He wanted to come so badly. He kept on stroking himself even as the creamy liquid shot out of him. A tight knot loosened in his stomach as he failed to suppress his moans, turning to hot, shallow gasps.

Zel whimpered before finally collapsing on the floor.

He felt Riley’s soft cock pull out of him as he went down. His hole felt tender as it spasmed at the loss of Riley’s cock. It felt so good he could only keep his eyes half open in fatigue as he tried to catch his breath.

“I guess…you really…like my outfit,” said Zel.

He was gathered into Riley’s arms after his panties had been pulled back in place.

Riley didn’t stop smiling as their gazes met. He took Zels hand and put it in his mouth, sucking his fingers and all of the come off them.

The action sent electricity down Zel’s back.

His breath hitched before the arm around his waist tightened and the same lips found his.

Riley nibbled his bottom lip and smiled.

Alexander paused his work on his computer and put the device next to him when Riley showed him his phone.

He went over the schedule and nodded approvingly while assessing it.

Mason was looking at Zel’s pigtails with a frown on his face. He took one of the two long braids and turned it over in his hand.

“It’s a good schedule,” said Alexander while analyzing it. “Just explain to me why you have training on Tuesdays and ‘skirt’ on Wednesday.”

Riley quickly grabbed his phone from his hand to check. Oh shit .

“You dropped your phone?” Mason asked. “It’s very much cracked.”

Shit .

“Ry took a few pictures of me!” Zel exclaimed. “They’re really good.” He hopped off the bed to get the camera.

“He does take amazing pictures,” said Alexander. Both Pierre and Mason agreed.

“They’re not bad at all,” said Jet.

They huddled together as Zel brought the camera over and settled between them. He rubbed his thigh against Mason’s without paying it any mind.

“I’m not starting with the best one obviously,” Zel giggled as Pierre got closer to see.

“Here,” he showed them the first picture.

Alexander saw it, then suddenly, and accidentally knocked his computer off the bed.

65

Hello, thought I might give you a heads up. This chapter is mostly filled with smut (the kind Mason’s more into) and you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to.

You can go ahead and skip it if you’d like, it won’t affect the story in any way.

•••

 Riley currently had Mason's arms pinned behind him, his hand stretching to lock Mason's wrists in a tight grip, and it shouldn't have been hot, but all it did was feed his arousal. 

 "You're naked, no one else is..." Riley whispered against his ear. "Do you know how that makes you look?"

 "No sir," he answered immediately and Riley smiled.

 "Pathetic," Riley whispered against his ear. "But you sound hot when you call us sir."

 Mason could feel his dick pressing against his back, and hard as he was, he wanted it lower. 

 Riley held his hands behind with one arm as the other stroked Mason's cock, like he was putting on a show for everyone. 

 Jet alternated kisses between Zel and Pierre, before he made them squirm with little touches in the areas he'd come to learn were much more sensitive than others.

 Alexander sat on a chair opposite from Mason and watched him being fondled for a while. He had his legs parted as the side of his face rested on his fist.

 "Get on your knees and come here," said Alexander in a voice that bent Mason to his will without a second thought. 

 Mason crawled to him and stopped at his feet. Alexander pulled him up and laid his hands to rest on his thighs. He rubbed his thumb along Mason's jaw and he leaned into it. "Aw...just like a good dog." 

 Mason's dick twitched but he wasn't allowed to touch it. Not even to give it a quick little tug.

 Alexander leaned so that his crotch was closer to Mason's face. Then his hand was on his face again. 

 "Give us a safe word," Alexander said and Mason's pulse quickened. 

 "A safe word?" Mason's eyes were far gone, looking like they were blown out. "No one's asked me for a safe word before."

 Alexander's eyes turned stormy. "Fuck them," he said. Mason's heart squeezed at the concern and protectiveness that seeped through the voice.

 They waited for him to think about it. It didn't take a lot of time before Mason decided. "Chin," he said. 

 "Chin," Alexander raised his eyebrows. "Okay."

 "Take my cock out," he said after guiding Mason's head to brush his lips against his bulge. "Fast."

 Mason fumbled with his zipper and tried to get his fly open. He felt a slap against his ass when Alexander leaned in. He jerked forward with the impact. "I changed my mind, slow," he heard. 

 Mason slowed down and took his time. The cock sprang free extremely hard. Alexander took himself into his hand and shook it from the base. 

 "You want it don't you?" He asked.

 "Yes–" He was pulled forward and he lost his balance as his face fell against it. 

 "How bad do you want it?"

  "So bad sir, I want it so bad, please give it to me," Mason begged.

 "Put it in your mouth," he ordered. 

 Mason stretched his lips as he accommodated Alexander's cock, sometimes he forgot how big it actually was until it filled one of his holes. 

 "Fuck...Now suck it like the whore you are," he said and Mason almost lost control. 

 His dick couldn't settle. It jerked again and he extended a hand to touch it. 

 He was suddenly choked from behind and the backs of his thighs colored pink as pain flashed across them. "Don't even dare," said Jet.

 He grunted with Alexander's cock in his mouth and his hand went back to gripping his knees for balance.

 Jet's fingers curled into his hair and pulled him away from Alexander's cock, hard enough to hurt. Mason's lips remained parted even as they were empty.

 "Oh I'm sorry, were you having fun with that?" Jet asked and pulled his hair harder. "Answer me," he demanded and bit a sensitive spot on his skin. It was going to leave a bruise. 

 "Yes sir...I was sir," said Mason. 

 "It really does sound hot," said Jet. And then his face was shoved back onto the hard flesh. Jet didn't stop pushing until the cock was fully buried inside his mouth. 

 "Fuck!" Alexander threw his head back and cursed. 

 Mason tried to pull back but it was to no avail. He was forced to choke on the dick for as long as Jet liked. 

 He coughed and spluttered when he was finally released. "Did you like that?" Jet asked cockily.

 "Yes sir."

 "That's a good bitch."

 Mason wasn't thinking clearly. He touched his own dick and pumped it once. 

 "You probably didn't hear him when he said no touching," said Alexander. Mason wasn't given time to think before he was splayed ass up on Alexander's lap. 

 Fuck yes.

“What’s your favorite number?” His gruff voice asked.

 Mason whimpered. "Nine," he let out. He could feel his erection poking his side.

 He knew what would happen the moment Alexander started touching his buttocks. "Good," he said. "You're going to count down from that."

 Mason wanted to answer, but he screamed instead. The sudden smack came down harder and faster than he thought it would. And then there was another one, making him grunt, scrambling to find his senses.

 "I didn't hear you count, so we're starting over," said Alexander.

 Mason's eyes stung at the next slap. "Nine," he whimpered. 

 The hand landed again with no hesitation, and with the exact same amount of force. "Eight," he counted. 

 Alexander had never spanked him so hard before, but through the sting of the pain, he managed to keep counting down. 

 "T-two," Mason's voice was barely audible at this point. 

 "One," he said finally and his head drooped.

 "You took that well," Alexander said. "I'm a little impressed."

 Mason's ass was on fire, but he felt better when Alexander rubbed over his buttocks with the palm of his hand.

 "That was so hot," his sunshine said after Alexander had let him go and got up to take his clothes off. 

 "You look really beautiful Mason," said Pierre. 

 They both kissed him. Everywhere. And when they got to his lips, he kissed right back as his heart thundered in his chest, at a loss for words.

 Mason had Pierre and Zel on each of his nipples, sucking and playing with the buds when Riley got inside him. 

 He went still, trying to take in all the different sensations at once.

 It didn't feel like this when you fucked with people your heart didn't beat for. It was too dull compared to this. 

 This was just...too much. And he wanted more of it. 

 Mason's air was suddenly cut off when a hand closed around his throat, choking him. A thick cock slipped inside him before he could understand what was going on and Riley fucked into him with strength he didn't know he possessed. 

 He tapped his hand frantically to beg him to breathe, but it was an iron grip. 

 "Take it like a good little bitch," he said in a husky voice. 

 Mason let out a strangled moan and his throat was squeezed tighter before it was finally released. He coughed when let go and the hard cock slipped out of him. 

  "Hm," said Riley. "Not bad for a warmup."

 Mason struggled to catch his breath with his hands bracing him on the floor. 

 He felt Riley slather more lube around his entrance, before his cock was stretching him wider yet again. 

 When he had finally swallowed every inch of him, Riley's lips left sparks along his back, kissing him tenderly, a heavy contrast to what he was about to do to his asshole. 

 He felt the length pull out and slam back inside.

 Mason cried out and tried to use his elbows for support, he didn't even manage.

 Riley's arms locked against his own at his back and he couldn't match up to the strength that caged him. He couldn't break free. 

 Riley moved inside him slowly then...so painfully slow he wanted to cry. Coupled with the two mouths on his nipples, it was only a miracle he didn't unravel.

 His body seemed to adjust to it. He relaxed and begged for more while all his muscles lost the tension in them. 

 "...please more," he begged. 

 Riley grunted and continued his slow pace, then let go of Mason at the same time Pierre and Zel let him go.

 He thought he'd have enough strength to even stay upright. He didn't, he fell forward with his ass against Riley's crotch. 

 And that's when Riley gave him exactly what he asked for. He gave him more.

 "F-fuck!" Mason screamed. 

 His body rocked so much he couldn't see straight. He wanted to laugh but he moaned instead. 

 His next scream was swallowed by Pierre's lips against his own. 

 He wanted to ask Riley to go slower like he wasn't the one who'd been begging for more.

 It didn't help that Pierre's lips tasted like something he couldn't let go of. He kissed him back harder and took the big cock inside him.

 Pierre's hand snaked down and covered his erection, then gently stroked it twice. 

 Mason almost came, and the effort not to, nearly made him see stars. 

 "Fuck, fuck..." he tried to breathe right as he pulled Pierre's hand away. 

 "You'll regret it if you come," Riley said right next to his ear. 

 "Yes...sir," he responded. 

 Riley's thrusts became slower but harder. Mason fought to control his climax and somehow, he managed. 

 Riley's hand came down on his ass hard, as he fucked him. Mason was almost going insane. "Yes...y–"

 Another slap made him lurch forward. His hair was disheveled, he was a fucking mess. Just the way he liked it, just the way he wanted it.

 Riley came inside him with a groan of pure pleasure. His nails dug into Mason's arms and his eyes rolled back. It was almost impossible for him to believe how he didn't come.

 "Fuck," Riley said when he was done, trying to breathe. "Fuck...You're so sexy." 

 Mason pulled him by his nape to meet his lips. Riley kissed him till his lips felt a little swollen. "Do you know just how crazy you drive me?" He whispered. 

 Mason laughed into the kiss because that was a joke. He couldn't be serious, not when they all already had him so close to the edge he felt drunk with it.

 Riley got off him and went ahead to kiss Alexander. Mason didn't miss the way their cocks brushed together as their bodies pulled flush against each other. 

 A handful of his ass was suddenly grabbed and he gasped, slightly parting his thighs. 

 "I love the color on your ass," he heard Jet's cocky smile without even seeing it. 

 "Makes me want to fuck it, you know?" He said and Mason let out a sound he couldn't even understand. 

 Jet then ran a hand from his balls to his hole and inserted his finger halfway. 

  "What do you call this huh?" Jet asked him. "A hole or a pussy?"

 Mason's cock twitched and Jet didn't miss it. Of course he didn't. "The little slut likes the sound of it, doesn't he?"

 "Yes sir," he answered. 

 "I can't fucking hear you," Jet inserted another finger and pushed them in until they were fully buried. 

 "Yes... sir!" He said, louder than before.

He saw Alexander get on his knees and take Riley’s cock into his mouth.

 It was hot as fuck. Jet let him watch for a while before he was turned away. 

 "How fit are you?" Jet asked. 

 Mason wanted to see what Riley and Alexander were up to, but Jet suddenly had all his attention. "I don't know sir."

 "Let's find out then," he said before leading him over to the bed. 

 Jet folded his arms and put a hand to his chin like he was thinking. Mason waited for whatever came next. 

 "I want your legs stretched out together and straight in the air," said Jet. 

 Mason did it with no problem. His ass was left exposed for Jet to do whatever he wanted. He seemed to approve. 

 "Good, good. These legs don't come down until I say so, they don't even bend until I say so. You understand right?" 

 It shouldn't have sounded as hot as it did. "Yes sir."

 Jet got inside him and he felt it to the tips of his toes. His hands wrapped around Mason's thighs as he started to thrust inside him.

 Mason looked up to see Zel smiling at him. Every time he tried to smile back, Jet slammed hard into him and his facial expressions acted on their own. 

 "Give it to him baby," said Jet. 

 Mason didn't understand, but before he could, his mouth was filled with Zel's cock. And he found himself sucking without a second thought, like it was a natural instinct. 

 Jet let go of his legs and he found that it wasn't as easy to hold them up as he thought. 

 They bent a little and pain seared across his back and upper thigh when Jet slapped him with no mercy whatsoever. "Up," he demanded. 

 Mason put his legs where they were supposed to be. His legs were burning but Jet didn't seem to care. 

 His strokes became faster as he groaned. Somehow Mason knew he was close, the more Jet pounded his thick cock inside him, the hungrier he got for the one in his mouth, sucking harder. If he could only touch himself...

 He felt Zel go rigid before he came inside his mouth, letting out the cutest moans and trembling before trying to find some balance. He swallowed every drop and smiled when Zel pulled out. 

 And just before he could beg for it, Pierre was already filling his empty mouth with his. Mason moaned around it, taking it deeper yet into his mouth. Pierre then bent forward and started to thrust inside his mouth slowly. Mason groaned and nodded in deep pleasure and satisfaction.

It didn’t go on for too long before Pierre spilled his hot seed down his throat, his own orgasm taking him by surprise.

Mason stared up at him and smiled when he pulled out. Then Pierre kissed him and got off him. He wished he could protest, but Jet felt so good inside him that he began to lose focus, his eyes began to flutter, rolling back with each thrust.

 The smile faded when a tatted hand squeezed down the base of his cock to prevent him from climaxing. He'd never understand how he knew for sure. It was pure torture.

 Jet pulled out and his come coated Mason's thighs as he came all over them. 

 He could barely feel his legs when he was finally allowed to put them back down. His breaths were labored and he couldn't even sit up. 

 He gasped when Jet suddenly shoved his tongue into his mouth, coming to lie between his slightly parted thighs. 

 He moaned as they kissed and his dick moved on its own accord. He so badly wanted to come he was losing count of how many times he came close. 

 "Can I... can I please come?" Mason asked in a whiny little voice. 

 Jet looked him in the eye and smiled with an evil glint in his own eyes. "No." Then he was off him.

 Mason didn't get the time to bitch about it. 

 "I've been waiting," Alexander said while trailing his fingers from his feet to his thighs. "My turn."

 In a second, he was pulled to the edge of the bed, Alexander's face a few inches from his. "Fucked senseless, was it?"

 Mason nodded and went in for the kiss. Alexander denied him his lips and moved his face away. 

 His inner thigh was smacked so hard it made his eyes water. "Try again," said Alexander.

 "Yes sir," said Mason. He wouldn't forget any time soon. 

 Alexander smiled. "That's much better."

 Mason extended his lips and this time Alexander kissed him. He couldn't help the moan that escaped. He wanted more, but the lips broke contact with his.

 "Lean back, and spread out your legs for me," Alexander ordered. "As wide as you can."

 With every second Mason pulled his legs apart, he felt more and more exposed. To a point where it was humiliating. 

 He loved it, but it didn't touch his very soul like what Alexander said next.

“Oh you are beautiful,” he said as his eyes roamed every inch of Mason’s body.

 His gaze swept over his feet, legs, and thighs. Then his ass, his hands and his chest. Everywhere. 

 The eyes roamed until they finally rested on his, as Alexander closed the distance. "Like a work of art," he said. 

 Alexander got closer and crouched next to him, then he ran his tongue over Mason's hole. 

 "Fuck Daddy!" He cried and shuddered. 

 Alexander chuckled. "One flick of a tongue and you can't keep still. Such a slut aren't you?"

 "Yes sir," Mason answered immediately. 

 Alexander licked the sensitive hole and Mason squirmed. He put a firm hand on his abdomen to stop him from fleeing. 

 His reaction made Alexander heady, how responsive he was to his tongue. 

He added a little more pressure and Mason jerked back. "Oh my...fuck... please," he begged. 

 Alexander looked up and licked his lips. He smirked. "Please what?"

 "Please fuck me...please," Mason whined. 

 "Maybe I will," said Alexander. 

 He licked Mason's hole one last time and kissed it. Then he kissed his balls and his cock from the base to the tip. It twitched and he chuckled. 

 Alexander's kisses trailed along his stomach, he bit his nipples and licked over them, before claiming Mason's mouth. He was nothing but speechless.

  Mason had never been fucked in the position he was in at the moment. Both his legs were thrown over Alexander's shoulders as he held him up in the air against him. He wrapped his hands around his neck as their foreheads touched.

 Alexander was a like a beast when it came to sex. Like a stallion with inhuman stamina. Mason was already sure he was going to faint before he was halfway done with him. 

 With his brains being fucked out, he tried to hold on to him and breathe. 

 He screamed with every thrust because if there was one thing Alexander was horrible at, it was showing mercy. 

 Mason felt like he could be ripped into two. "Ah! F...Fuck..." he cried out. 

 Alexander bit him. His lower lip felt sore with it. His neck too, throbbed in several places.

“Filthy whore,” Alexander rasped against his neck. Mason nodded eagerly, making the man inside him chuckle darkly. “Used hole so full with cum and yet you still want more…you’re just a greedy little cock slut aren’t you?” Alexander pounded into him. “All you want is more cum to fill you up till it’s spilling out of you, isn’t it? Fucking dirty little bitch.”

“Yes sir!” Mason said out of breath. “I want…I need…please sir…”

 He felt someone pull his hands from around Alexander's neck. 

 His back now rested against Riley's chest as their fingers were laced together. 

 He saw them kiss as Alexander kept pounding into him. Because of the mere sight of it, Mason nearly came for the millionth time. 

 "Please daddy," he begged. "Pl-please please please let me come."

 Alexander walked over to the bed and lay him down. 

 Then parted his thighs and got back in. "Not...yet," he said between thrusts. 

 Mason did everything, he moaned, whined, shouted, and hurled curses at Alexander. He even begged but he was denied. 

 He was flipped over and fucked with reckless abandon, until he felt Alexander lose it, groaning until he reached his peak and emptied his balls inside him. 

 His thrusts slowed down as he felt his body shudder and Mason felt some of the come drip down his thigh. 

 He hadn't realized he was slowly falling to the bed until Riley's hands came in contact with his elbows and stopped him. "Whoah there," said Riley.

 Mason's unfocused eyes slowly turned to him, but at the same time he really wasn't looking at him. He didn't even speak.

 It was hard to tell if he even noticed that Alexander had slipped out of him and put a hand around his middle.

 "You've done such a good job baby," Riley praised. His thumb traced Mason's lower lip and he kissed his temple. "Come for us."

 Mason heard that, it was everything he thought he'd never have, it almost brought tears to his eyes. 

 Even after all the rough treatment, and pushing him to the limit, the only thing that poured out of Riley's voice was love. 

 He wasn't going to cry, he wasn't. He wasn't, he wasn't, he wasn't.

 Jet brushed his hair out of the way. "It's okay baby," he reassured him. His hand went to touch his rigid cock. Mason didn't know whether he felt it too much, or if he barely felt it. 

 His voice was like an echo as nothing but his release dominated all his senses. 

 He only saw Riley kiss Jet, but he never heard anything after that. He'd never been so hyper aware of his climax before. 

 It went on forever. 

 He'd have fallen down on the floor he was sure of it, but from the back, Alexander held him securely. A strong arm wrapped protectively around his waist.

 His back was flush against his chest while his body jerked violently with his release. 

 It felt like the tremors lasted for an hour before they slowly subsided, his cock finally, finally spent.

 Pierre's mouth closed around the tip and he shuddered, trying to withdraw from his mouth and get away.

 Alexander still held him tight. He chuckled by his shoulder. "Slower Pierre," he said and Pierre looked up.

Jesus fucking Christ.

 "He's still really sensitive," continued Alexander. And he was damn right, it was never that bad. 

 Pierre did take it slower, licking his highly sensitive tip with more consideration this time, then trailing down to his balls. 

 And then they got around to sharing his cock with Zel and Mason was just about ready to come again. 

 He didn't think it was happening but his balls were filling up again. Fuck. 

 The two tongues worked along his shaft and when Pierre gave his slit a small lick, he exploded all over his face. 

 Mason's hips bucked with his second orgasm but Alexander still held on tight. 

 Zel licked the mess off Pierre's face. It was the most erotic and yet innocent thing he'd ever seen. 

 He watched the small licks and kisses and he felt himself harden again. 

 Mason wanted to laugh at his ridiculous situation. Was he really going to–

 He came for the third time. Untouched. Fucking untouched. 

 "You came three times in a row, I don't think I've seen that happen before," said Riley.

 Mason couldn't even answer him, he didn't even know Alexander wasn't holding him anymore. He fell flat on his back and collapsed on the bed. 

 Everything happened in a haze after that. 

 He felt a warm cloth...or two, passed on his body. His thighs, his chest, his stomach and his ass. 

 He felt kisses on every inch of his skin, filling his heart with a kind of love that brought tears to his eyes.

  He didn't know if time was moving slower or faster, his eyes just felt heavy with fatigue. 

  His body was then turned slowly so that he lay flat on his stomach. 

 Alexander's hand rested on his butt cheeks before they were slowly spread apart and he felt something at his entrance. 

 He felt himself tense before relaxing again at the way it felt good. "Cold," he managed to get out.

 His voice was so hoarse it was painful to use it. 

 "I know," he heard the smile in Alexander's voice. "But it'll make you feel better. I have to make sure you're alright and we didn't tear anything my love," he said. 

 I love you.

He wanted to scream but couldn’t. I love you all so much I could die.

 "He looks so happy," said Zel as he regarded Mason half sleeping like a baby. 

  Alexander chuckled. "I assume we did it right, then."

 Riley draped the covers over Mason and leaned in to whisper to him. "Surprise."

 "Mmm..." Mason responded and his lazy smile broadened before his eyes closed completely, and he was asleep.

•••

I don’t really like the way I write smut like I’m not confident in my smut chapters lol. (could really learn from some constructive criticism) but thanks for reading.

66

“Businessman of the month?” Riley asked Tadashi.

 He shook his head. "Businessman of the year," he corrected. "He'll be on the front of the magazine, and there'll be a section with only his pictures. That is minus the interview section." 

 "What kind of questions?" Riley asked. 

 Tadashi shrugged. "Mainly business...his life, nothing personal." 

 "Relax darling," said Alexander. "I've done this before." 

 Riley turned to look at him sitting on the chair next to him. "Yeah well I wasn't there to fuss over you before."

 Alexander leaned forward to meet Riley. "You sound hot when you say stuff like that," he said in a low voice. 

 Tadashi's eyes darted between the two of them. It was no good. 

 Before they could kiss, he used one of the sample pictures to separate them and stop the act. 

 "You'll get to the lovey-dovey stuff when we're done here," he said despite the sour expressions in their faces. "Come on, I've got a long day ahead of me."

 Alexander leaned on the table and Tadashi continued. "They are thinking this outfit for the cover," he said. 

 Alexander would have to wear the stylish suit with nothing like a shirt inside. The picture would be completely normal except for the fact that his chest would be exposed. 

 Most of his hair would be swept to one side and he'd be asked to look nonchalant as he posed for the photos. 

 "The outfits are not bad," said Alexander while leaning back. Mason didn't seem to see the other empty chair right next to him when he came over. He chose Alexander's lap.

 He picked the picture up and studied the outfit. "What is this?" He asked.

 "The outfit," said Alexander. "For the magazine cover."

 "Outfit? Where's the rest of it?" He asked in disbelief.

 "What?" Alexander said.

 "Don't 'what' me," he turned around to face him. "You're not wearing that for the public eye. No one else is allowed to see you half naked like that."

 He tried to argue but was cut off. "It's not even–" 

 "Alexander," Mason said firmly. Then he turned to his assistant. "Tadashi, where's the next one?" 

 Alexander resigned with his hands up in surrender and let Mason handle it. 

 "Here you go," his assistant put it on Mason's hand with a smile of amusement on his face.

 "Much better," he heard Mason say. 

 "There's another request for an interview," said Tadashi, after the issue had been resolved. "A different magazine wants all of you on the cover. Apparently this relationship is all the buzz these days and every one is eager to get any kind of insight."

 "Are you serious right now?" Asked Riley.

 Tadashi linked his fingers. "I am. They've offered the option of doing the interview on TV...in fact it's what they are hoping for. Alexander has always hated being on air, but things could be different now. I'll leave you all to discuss it yourselves."

 Tadashi got up to leave and he bumped into Zel. "I can't show up on TV! I'm not famous!" He giggled as Tadashi righted him. As if he'd said the most absurd thing.

 Alexander leaned forward and his front rested against Mason's back. 

 "Nothing's been decided yet princess," Alexander turned to him. "Let's just say no, they don't have to know anything," he said. 

 Tadashi watched Alexander whine his complaints against Mason's back before he finally excused himself. 

 It was like looking at someone else entirely, how Alexander had changed.

 In the weeks following, finally made the final step and picked a day for when they'd meet his family. This involved several hours in the air, where he all he tried to do the entire time was calm his nerves, the only thing calming him down being the presence of five other men around him, showering him with affection.

 Driving up to an old manor house by the country side, something in Jet stilled, bringing waves of nostalgia, it was something so familiar about the place. It felt like he might have had memories of this place as a toddler, but couldn't quite put a finger on it.

 Jet fisted his hands to stop them from trembling as he felt several footsteps approach them in a hurried manner. He'd introduced himself and earned looks of shock, then he heard his mother's name being called, and all he could do was hold himself together.

 He barely saw her before she collapsed in shock. Instinctively, he rushed to her to the ground, along with several other people he'd never seen before. 

 "Give her room!" Someone shouted and a few maidservants stood back, watching the scene unfold in uncertainty.

 When she came to, she sought him out first but she didn't have to look far, because he was holding her, pushing the hair out of her face and trying not to cry. 
 
 "No no no no! Jet?" She gasped and shook her head, asking in disbelief. "My boy...my darling boy it is really you?" Her eyes were teary as she asked. 

 The last time she'd seen him he was seven, he was twenty eight now and she recognized him in a heartbeat. 

 She cupped his face and kissed both his cheeks as the tears finally spilled out of her eyes. 

 "Mama," he said, his voice broken, forgetting to hug her back and not quite believing they were together again. 

 "Oh Jet, my son my baby..." she paused for a while. Doing nothing but weeping silently. Even for anybody, it would have been too much to take. "I missed you so... so much." 

 "I missed you too mama," his voice broke. "I missed you all so much."

 "We thought you are dead! I visit your grave every single week! I'm not dreaming am I? I'm not dead?"

 Jet shook his head then completely lost himself in his mother's arms and let it all out. All the pain and frustration and loneliness he'd felt for more than twenty years of his life. 

 It hurt so bad his chest felt raw with emotion. They thought he was dead, he wondered if they doubted it, if they even tried looking for him.

 He watched as she dismissed everyone from the room, leaving them alone. She almost dismissed his men too, but Jet shook his head.

 Mason wiped his eyes and turned to Riley's chest. "This is a lot, I can't," he said. 

 Riley's heart ached for Jet as he watched, he dropped a kiss to Mason's temple and rested his chin on his head.

 "Mama, I wanted to introduce you," said Jet, his eyes were red from all the tears, but he smiled as he looked at them. "This is Mason, Riley, Pierre, Alexander and Zel."

They both turned to the men he loved with his whole being. “They’re my… my…”

 Jet hesitated because he hadn't thought if his mother would accept it, if it would be too much for her to take in all at once, after all, this situation in itself was already a lot.

 "They're your family now, aren't they?" She said to his surprise. "They look like they love you." 

 Jet laughed through his tears. "I love them too." What was he worried about? This was the fierce woman who once punched the shit out of one of his uncles for calling his older cousin sister names for saying she liked girls. 

 He'd always kept his mouth shut after that, and even apologized; an uncommon gesture for most of the grownup men in his family. 

 She'd always been the coolest person he knew, how did he forget that? She was the only person he ever knew truly loved him, truly always wanted him to be happy.

 She moved over to them and kissed each of their cheeks and it made Jet melt inside. Then she finally turned back to him. 

 She smiled again and another tear slipped out. "I can't believe it's really you..., you've grown up so much. I love you so much my baby boy."

 "I love you too mama," he said. Twenty years was a long time, and he noticed all the changes in her, causing a pang in his heart. Her hair was greying and her skin sagged more than it did before, reminding him of all the time he missed out on. But she was as beautiful as ever. 

 Jet let her fawn all over him and kiss him over and over. Riley might tease him about his bashful behavior later but at the moment he couldn't help it. He was just a seven year old boy before his mother. 

 "They said you were gone forever," his mother said. "They said they killed you, and any of us would be next. I should have looked for you Jet, but I didn't. I felt it deep within, something was not right, and yet I did nothing about it. Just accepted it, let you face the world alone. Will you ever forgive me? What sort of mother am I?"

 There it was. The ugly truth. It felt painful to hear it, but he wasn't about to waste any more of the time they now had together again. 

 She held him before she could sink to her knees. "Please please forgive me," she begged, but Jet only shook his head.

 "The past is the past mama," Jet said, unable to keep his curiosity at bay any longer. "What happened that day?" He asked. "When you all disappeared."

 "Sometimes I'm glad you weren't there when it happened," her face turned grave. 

 "What happened?" Jet asked again. 

 She led Jet to sit down and did the same to the other men. "We all woke up far away from you, tied up, we were kidnapped as we understood it. The mafia do know how to get a job done, and it was our lives on the line. I'm glad you weren't a part of that. They told us we'd follow you to the grave if your father so much as breathed in the wrong direction again. We were kept at an unknown location for nine months, like prisoners. They even gave us uniforms. All that just to teach your father a lesson."

 Jet held his breath. "You can't mean–"

 "You don't know this but we Carreras have always been linked to the mafia. You know your father and his stupid ego. He'd been at it again, crossing the higher ups because of that stubborn streak he can't seem to control. This time though, they decided to come for his family, just to teach him a lesson. They held us hostage for nine months. The only way they didn't get you was because you weren't asleep with us that night...but it didn't matter, they said they did."

 "Is everyone alright?" Jet panicked. He knew there were less people in the house, a lot of people he didn't recognize but he wanted to know about the others. 

 And this also meant that Riley had been right too, technically, he was linked to the mafia in a sense. 

  "You must be worried but they are not here because most of them have gone away to start their own lives," she said and Jet was reminded of how much time had passed. 

 "Your father came through in time and they let us go," she said and took his hands in hers.

 "I'm really sorry you had to go through that," said Jet. His father hadn't always been a constant figure in his life but he always managed to fuck things up consistently. He wasn't born poor, but he remembered how much they struggled at one point. He was to thank for that, although it now looked like they had it all back.

 "He's going to be happy that you're back," she said. "Your father."

 He could fuck right off. "Happy?" Jet asked in disbelief. "I don't even have any memory of him smiling. It won't change a thing for him," he said bitterly.

 "No. If there's one thing Antonio Carrera cares about in this world, it's his son. You," she said. 

 Jet shook his head. "He's never cared for anyone but himself," he said, a little irritated. 

 "That is not true, he got depressed when he learned that you were dead. I've never seen him like that before. And you know your father, he'd rather die than admit it. He disappeared with no word for about a year, because he knew it was his fault. When he got back, he was in really bad shape. He's going to want to talk to you, you both have some patching up to do."

"I'm not interested," said Jet. 

 "I know you are," she smiled. "I still see that kindness you've always had. But no matter," his mother said. "We don't have to talk about that now. You're back, we have to celebrate."

 "Mama..." Jet complained. 

 "Oh no you don't," she said. "I'll take care of my little boy the way I want to." She shook her head. "I'm so happy."

 To the other men, she ushered. "Come with me," she clapped her hands. "We're having a feast."

 "I got you something," said Riley. 

 "You did?" Asked Alexander. 

 "Yeah," he replied sheepishly. 

 Alexander was already touched before he even knew what it was. 

 "You know you don't have to right? It's not even my birthday. You guys are just stubborn and will not listen," he said. 

 "We missed out on that, so we picked a day. Today, deal with it," Riley said while folding his arms. "Are all thirty four year olds this difficult? Jeez." 

 Alexander's chuckle made him smile even when he didn't want to. He earned a swat to his bottom for that. Riley made a cheeky face at him. 

 "Look at you stalling because you're so flustered," Alexander knew him so well. 

 "I'm not stalling," Riley said defensively. "But this isn't your birthday present, that's stored for later," Riley smirked. "It's not what you are thinking."

 Alexander's pulse quickened before he understood the other man was doing it on purpose. 

 Riley got a black box out and went to open it.

“If you’re proposing it’s already a yes, you know that,” said Alexander.

“Rings don’t come in boxes this big you idiot,” said Riley.

 It was an extremely thin silver chain that wouldn't get past his collarbone. "Jet said you didn't like gold, so I got you silver."

 Alexander snorted. 

 "Okay, I also think you'll look amazing in it," said Riley. 

 "Put it on me," said Alexander. 

 As soon as he did, his hand was ceased and immediately he was pulled in for a smoldering and passionate kiss. 

  "Thank you. I love it," said Alexander, touching it. "And I love you."

 "You know I really can't think when you kiss me like that," Riley complained. "But I love you too."

 Alexander leaned in again and Riley put his fingers to his lips to stop him. 

 "We won't get anywhere if we continue," said Riley. His finger was suddenly engulfed in the warm, wet mouth. 

 "Alexander!" He scolded. 

 Alexander let his finger go. "Fine."

 They both got up and Riley took his hand in his. He turned when he heard a small sound escape his lips. 

 "Oh my God," he looked at Alexander, bewildered. 

 "What?" Alexander asked like he was trying to hide something.

 "You're..." Riley looked down at the hand he'd taken in his. "You're blushing. Do you like it that much?" 

 Alexander turned away from him and blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about. The others are waiting, let's go." 

 Riley laughed. "Fuck, you're so cute."

 "I am not," said Alexander. But he made no move to take his hand away. 

 "Right," said Riley while laying a kiss to the back of his hand. "Happy birthday darling."

67

With each day that passed, Mason got better. He was a little more of himself besides the eyes full of worry for his niece.

He laughed a little more and seemed to get over it, although he still hoped. But Jet felt he was right. It was only a matter of time.

He finally got to the part where he slept soundly and didn’t stir awake at nothing because of worry.

Jet woke up in the middle of the night in his arms. They were a little tight and a yet a little loose in his sleep so Mason didn’t move much when he extracted himself from his hold.

Jet got up and left the room quietly not to wake anyone up.

More quietly, he walked out into the dead of night and into the chilly air. He really loved the cold. It made him feel calmer somehow.

Jet sat on a few steps by the door.

He saw a shadow move and then someone sat right next to him. It was Alexander with a robe on his arm.

“Part of me knew I’d woken you up somehow,” said Jet. “Can’t you just sleep like a normal human being?”

His laugh was beautiful. “No,” said Alexander.

Jet thought after everything that happened, his fear of the darkness would just disappear, but it was somehow persistent, it didn’t disappear.

“You look a little angry, little cub,” said Alexander.

He was right, because Jet was so fucking fed up. “When will I get over this crap?” He asked with a little pain in his voice.

Alexander knew exactly what he was talking about. “Sometimes, you just need a little more time. Don’t worry, you will get over it.”

“I want to believe that,” said Jet. “But it’s hard to.”

Alexander watched him for a while before going to stand up. “Get up,” he told Jet.

When Jet did exactly like him, he took the robe off his arm and put it over Jet. Waiting for him to put his arms through.

“It’s okay,” said Jet, despite shrugging into the robe. “The cold is okay.”

“You like freezing, I don’t like you freezing,” Alexander said while he tied it securely. “There, that’s much better.”

Jet was glad Alexander couldn’t see the color of his face so easily.

He still avoided looking at him directly, nevertheless.

“I want to show you something,” Alexander led him to the garden and held his hand out to him at the gazebo.

Once he had it, he pulled him close and swayed their bodies like he was dancing, although there was no music at all. It was so sappy but it still made Jet’s cheeks warm.

The Master held the back of his head as his forehead rested against his shoulder. “Close your eyes,” he said softly.

The man complied, he knew. His hands trembling slightly as he held onto the Master. Swaying where he led. Completely comfortable in his strong arms.

“Now, open them,” said Alexander.

When Jet did, he saw the garden alight with the most beautiful lights everywhere, twinkling in the darkness like a thousand stars.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away. Every direction he turned was glowing beautifully, he even forgot about the darkness at the moment.

When he turned back to Alexander, his breath caught when he found that the man was already looking at him. His eyes so fucking intense that Jet almost looked down.

His expression looked almost pained, like the man in his arms meant so much he couldn’t bare it. When they’d first come to the house, Jet could never see this coming, he could never even picture it.

Jet tried to stop darting his eyes to that beautiful, beautiful mouth of his, it sucked for his self control that they were partly open.

The Master drew him closer, never taking his eyes off him. “There’s beauty in the darkness too, you just have to appreciate it,” said Alexander. “Tonight, I’m looking at it.”

Jet gasped as Alexander brushed some hair away from his face and soft lips met his. So soft he got lost in them.

The kiss alone, warmed Jet up to his toes. It was soft, and yet so fucking intense.

They finally pulled apart and Jet’s head went back to rest on his chest and shoulder, while he peered at all the little lights.

“Besides,” Alexander said. “I’ll always protect you.”

68

So it’s not exactly right but I found Tadashi. (Well the one that lives in my mind)

Also, please imagine him in any way you’d prefer.

•••

Alexander was on the road with Tadashi behind the wheel.

“How about it?” Alexander asked. “I could have the summerhouse in Maui ready for you guys, it’s perfect. He needs a break, his siblings definitely need a break.”

Tadashi was already shaking his head. “Absolutely not, I see what you’re trying to do–”

“What?” He asked. What did Tadashi really think he was doing?

The car came to a stop and Tadashi got out, Alexander followed suit.

They had arrived at Noah’s house. Alexander decided it was the perfect time for it. He had a few wrongs to right with apologies to his family, hopefully it all went well.

“You might be the wealthiest man I know,” said Tadashi. “But don’t forget I’m not fazed by it. It’s not exactly cheap to run around making sure your coattails don’t touch the floor. What do you think you’ve been paying me? Pebbles?”

Tadashi wasn’t even sure why this argument had come up. Alexander just wouldn’t stop being persistent.

“I want to do this on my own accord, I’ll court him on my own terms,” said Tadashi.

“Court?” Alexander asked. “What is this, the 1600s?” Alexander asked.

“At least one of us is trying to do this the right way,” replied Tadashi.

Alexander put him in a headlock and squeezed. “You fucking idiot,” he said.

Tadashi laughed and he laughed too. He let him go. It was weird behavior between them, but it felt good, normal even.

“This isn’t about money if you see past your pride,” Alexander said. “Why can’t I do something nice for you?”

Tadashi stopped at that, but he didn’t think much of it. He made up his mind. “No,” he said finally.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m going to do it myself,” he replied.

“That is hardly an answer,” replied Alexander. “Fine, I’ll let you think about it.”

Tadashi wanted to strangle him. He might have done it, but he stopped approaching Alexander when he saw Eden walking towards them.

The look on his face was uncertainty, eyes clouded in confusion as he kept coming closer. He was probably confused because as far as he knew, Alexander wanted nothing to do with him.

Tadashi cleared his throat and Alexander turned and finally saw him.

He walked towards Eden to meet him halfway.

“Alexander?” He said unsurely.

“Hi Eden,” he said, not quite able to look him in the eye. “Uhh…”

“Are you here to see me?” Eden asked cautiously. “My parents?”

“Well, yes and yes,” he said. “But I want to talk to your parents first…if that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Eden replied, it looked like longing in his eyes. He barely even noticed Tadashi. He looked so sad.

He walked him to the house. Alexander knew the house well enough, but he let Eden lead him to one of the living rooms.

“I’ll go fetch them,” he said and Alexander nodded.

It didn’t take more than five minutes and his parents were in the room.

“Alexander!” His once mother-in-law to be exclaimed immediately she saw him. “When did you grow so much?”

She hugged him like nothing had ever caused a rift between them. It just made him sadder.

Alexander closed his eyes at the feelings of nostalgia as he bent and hugged her back.

She still wore the same perfume that Noah had hated so much he stole every bottle and replaced them with other similar looking ones.

He’d obviously been his partner in crime, stealing the bottles and getting out of the house undetected. It had worked for a while until she caught on to their mischief.

Her husband hugged him next. “I didn’t think you’d ever come back here,” he said.

Alexander was reminded of the one key thing he’d allowed himself to forget.

It was that no matter what, this family had grown to love him. There was no need to ever question it, they just did.

He felt Eden’s father pat his back reassuringly and he realized he’d been hugging him tighter than he thought he was.

“I came to apologize,” said Alexander while releasing him.

“You lost the person you loved the most and there was a misunderstanding that no one could fault you for, there’s nothing to apologize for,” said Maggie.

“No,” said Alexander. “It wasn’t right of me to assume things the way I did, I’m–”

“Still our son. Just a little prodigal,” Noah’s father smiled at him. “If it’ll make you feel better then we forgive you. But you’ll always be a part of this family, don’t forget that,” he said and his wife nodded.

Alexander could only hug them. He’d missed them so much. Just feeling them hug him brought so much comfort.

“I’m going to talk to Eden on my way out,” he said when they stopped hugging.

“You’re not staying?” Maggie asked.

“I don’t know, I’m not sure I should,” said Alexander. Thankfully she understood.

“Okay,” she smiled. “You’ve really grown so much.”

“Why would you lie to the little boy Maggie? He’s exactly the same,” her husband said.

“He is not. Only blind idiots like you think that people remain exactly the same after ten years,” she shot back.

Alexander left them to argue. They always did, like it was their birthright. There was a possibility you’d go crazy if you spent all your time with them.

“Eden… I’m sorry,” said Alexander when he got to his room. He’d found him staring out his window, tension all over his shoulders, making his posture a little rigid.

The younger man turned and looked hopefully in his direction. His eyes slowly starting to tear up.

“I’m sorry for pushing you away for such a long time, I’m sorry for directing some of the blame to you. I’m sorry for being such a horrible–”

Alexander was cut off by Eden’s immediate reaction. His arms wrapped tightly around him. He hugged him back tighter.

“You read the letter?” Eden asked in a shaky voice.

“I did,” he replied.

“I’m glad,” he laughed while crying. “I’m so glad.”

“Noah says he loves you,” said Alexander.

Eden cried harder into his shoulder.

Alexander felt horrible. It must have been hard for Eden when he lost his brother, and he’d just turned his back on him. He’d let him deal with it alone and yet he was sure he needed him.

“I’m so sorry,” said Alexander.

Eden shook his head. “It must have been hard for you too, if not harder. It’s okay,” he said.

Eden was the little brother he never had. The one he was always going to love, the one he was always going to protect.

“I love you,” he said to him while smoothing his hair, trying to get him to calm down.

“I love you too,” he said and sniveled.

Alexander thought of Noah, and how this was exactly what he would’ve wanted. Not them fighting and torn apart.

It made Alexander happy to know that Eden was in a good mood while he walked him back to the car.

“So… does this mean you’re back to doting on me like a big brother? Eden’s hands remained wrapped around him as he looked up at him with a huge grin on his face.

“I was never out of it, I was just being difficult for a while. Sorry,” he replied.

“It’s whatever. Now that everything’s behind us, take me shopping,” he said cheerfully.

“I knew I was being cornered,” said Alexander.

“Come on! Take a whole day off, it’ll be fun,” he tried to persuade him.

“A whole day? What are you buying for a whole day? Forty five minutes should be enough,” said Alexander.

Eden gasped.

“What?”

“Take that back,” he said.

“Oh my God I don’t want to think about what will happen if you meet Mason. I shouldn’t introduce you to them,” Alexander said with a pained expression.

“Not introduce me to them?” He laughed. “You’ve forgotten many things about me haven’t you?”

“Never mind,” said Alexander. “I’ll introduce you. Jesus.”

“Good,” Eden smiled like he was content. “Besides, I think I owe Pierre an apology.”

Alexander smiled. “That’s going to make him uncomfortable, but he’ll love you.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that look in your eyes,” said Eden.

Alexander shrugged. “Yeah, yeah,” he said good naturedly.

“So that’s a yes? About the shopping?” They stopped walking.

Alexander sighed and rolled his eyes then looked at Eden clinging to him like a little child. “Can’t I just buy you a car or something?”

Eden seemed to think about it. “Tempting offer, very tempting. But I’m trying to spend time with you.”

“Oh,” replied Alexander.

“You’re so clueless sometimes.” Eden shook his head.

“Shut up. I’ll take a day off.”

“Yes!” Eden fisted his hand in celebration. Then his eyes fell on Tadashi who was waiting by the car, leaning on the hood and watching them, his hands in his pockets. “Wait till you hear about my new crush.”

“Oh God no. What do you mean new crush? Whoever he is, I’m going to send him death threats,” said Alexander immediately.

“Relax, it’s only a crush,” Eden laughed. “Those aren’t permanent.”

As if on cue, Tadashi got off the hood of the car and got inside behind the wheel.

“Excuse me sir,” said one of Eden’s household’s maids. “Mr McClure has insisted that you stay for dinner.”

Eden was both happy and nervous. It would be just like old times on one hand.

But his nerves would consume him on the other hand, because Tadashi would be right there, having dinner, in his house, on his table.

He decided to focus on the happy side of it.

As it so happened, Eden sat right opposite Tadashi, with his parents on one side of him. Alexander and his assistant faced them.

“I’m sorry you never got to engage in coitus with him, that was my fault,” his dad suddenly said.

Alexander choked on his wine.

Tadashi patted his back and handed him a napkin.

“Dad! Would you please stop saying coitus!” Said Eden with a hand on either side of his face, totally embarrassed.

Alexander laughed.

“Why,” his dad asked. “It is the right thing to say.”

“Yeah, if you live somewhere deep in the past,” Eden answered.

“Fine, sexual intercourse?” Mr McClure asked. “That’s weird. It’s too…twenty first century.”

Eden rolled his eyes. “The word is way shorter than that.”

“Fine… intercourse!” He threw his hands up. “There, I said it.”

“Do you know how weird you sound honey?” His wife asked.

“You don’t hear them do you?” He asked her.

“I hear them loud and clear, you’re still the weirdest,” she assured him.

“And yet you still fell for me,” he said.

“I did,” she leaned in and they kissed.

“Ew, Jesus Christ mom, dad… We eat here,” Eden reminded them and they completely ignored their son.

“Er…Tadashi right?” His mother asked. “You look dashing in that suit. You’re quite handsome.”

“I’m not as handsome as you are lovely ma’am,” replied Tadashi.

She laughed and Eden fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Oh stop,” she waved her hand and batted her lashes like a flustered maiden.

 "What did you just say to my wife?" Eden's father asked Tadashi.

It was what he threatened most people with. If you didn’t give his wife a good compliment, he’d have a problem with it, if you gave her a good compliment, he’d still have a problem with it.

Eden would just have to save him, like he saved most of his dad’s victims.

“The truth. She’s obviously lovely,” Tadashi answered immediately, not even fazed. “How else could she have ended up with a handsome and refined man such as yourself?”

Eden knew he would be in their good books for eternity. The smoothness only added to his charm.

Eden’s dad looked taken aback. “Well…Do you want to hang out with our son here?”

It was Eden’s turn to choke. His parents were going to be the death of him.

“Mom! Stop handing me out to every guy you meet,” said Eden before taking a sip of his water. “And he’s not my type.”

Tadashi smirked and raised his eyebrows, he regarded him with an amused expression as he waited to see how all of it would go.

“He isn’t?” His dad asked. “How do you know that?”

“He’s sitting right in front of me, I can see him. That’s how I know,” said Eden.

“So you like guys you can’t see?” His dad asked then laughed. “I’m joking E, so what’s your type.”

“Yeah what’s your type,” asked Alexander. “You’ve always stepped around the subject.”

Eden suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Well…that is…” His eyes fleeted to Tadashi before they were glued back onto the table.

“I don’t think he has a type,” said Tadashi, diverting everyone’s attention to him.

“Have you two already met?” His mother asked Tadashi with a hopeful smile.

“We haven’t,” answered Eden. If his parents got a whiff of the truth then it would be over for the both of them. They’d never get off their backs.

Alexander looked so confused as he stared back and forth between them. But thankfully he didn’t blow their cover.

Eden was wrong to think his parents were done with the questions. “What do you think of our son?” His dad asked and he wanted to kick him under the table.

“He is quite gorgeous,” Tadashi nodded, much to his surprise. “And I’m sure your son is amazing–”

“Excuse me, what the fuck?” Alexander asked with his hands open.

“But my heart belongs to someone else,” Tadashi finished, then he turned to his boss. “Language, Alexander.”

“Huh,” Alexander scoffed. “For a minute there I thought I skipped an entire episode.”

“Are you trying to say if our sweet Tadashi here didn’t have someone else you wouldn’t approve?” His mother asked.

They were already calling Tadashi theirs. Oh dear God.

“Yeah, is that what you’re saying?” His father backed her up.

Eden sent Alexander an apologetic look. He’d become really rusty if he’d so easily walked into that trap.

Tadashi watched as they argued over him and yet it was their first time meeting him. He’d never met such a warm family in his life.

He felt like he was watching everything in slow motion.

He saw Eden’s mom point accusing fingers at Alexander as he tried to defend himself.

Then Alexander motioned with his fingers and pointed at Tadashi but he wasn’t listening.

He was looking at Eden.

His dad said something and Eden was the first to crack up. They all laughed but he watched him as he felt blood rush to his ears.

Dinner went by like a breeze. Eden’s parents were really lovely and really easy to talk to. He actually really liked them.

Both Tadashi and Alexander went ahead before everyone else.

“So did you think of my offer,” Alexander asked Tadashi once they were in the car.

“I already said no,” replied Tadashi.

“I’m not taking no for an answer, this is my chance to do something for you,” Alexander insisted.

“Why? You don’t have to do anything for–”

“Alright get out of the car,” said Alexander.

“What?”

“Get out,” he opened his own door and Tadashi waited before he finally did the same and got out.

He looked over to Alexander and sighed while brushing his hair away. “What is it Alexander?”

“I just need you to listen to me,” he replied. “I don’t say it but I’m grateful that you came into my life all those years ago,” he started.

Tadashi felt himself still. It wasn’t something he was even prepared to hear.

“I’m grateful you didn’t leave like everyone else did, I don’t know why but you didn’t.” He paced. “You stood in meetings in my place, not because I was busy, but because you were buying me time to get myself together,” said Alexander.

“I know you pretended it was entirely work related every time you brought over takeout and focused on your computer in my house. It wasn’t pity but you didn’t want me to feel alone.”

Tadashi didn’t want to hear it.

“You genuinely worried about me even if you didn’t know me, even if it wasn’t part of your job,” he said.

“Alexander, stop it.” Tadashi said.

“No, you need to hear this. Sometimes it felt like the world was against me. But not you, you were always on my side, no matter what,” Alexander looked straight at Tadashi. “We spend a lot of time together but you still don’t know what you mean to me, so much that you won’t let me do something so little for you.”

Tadashi turned to get in the car but Alexander’s hand stopped him.

“Do you even know why I want to do this? It’s not because I feel like I owe you anything, it’s not payback for all the things you’ve done for me,” his boss clarified.

“It’s not?” Tadashi asked despite himself. It had been the only logical explanation he could come up with.

“No. You’re my family Tadashi. And that’s all the reason I need,” said Alexander.

Somehow, Alexander had let his hand go, and somehow, they were embracing. Neither of them even knew who made the first move. It just came as natural as breathing.

“So will you please let me be there for you, even once?” Alexander asked.

Tadashi nodded. “Yeah, I guess,” he said. “Just don’t ever make another speech like that again.”

Alexander laughed. “Okay now stop hugging me.”

“You piece of shit,” Tadashi scoffed. “ You’re the one who’s hugging me.“

“Isn’t bromance just beautiful, doesn’t bromance just make the world a better place,” said Eden in a voice that sounded like a voiceover for an advert. “Bromance, because why not? Bromance, because you just gotta love your bro,” Eden’s voice lowered. “Bro–”

“Eden!” Alexander groaned and disentangled himself from Tadashi.

“But I was being honest,” he said. “That was beautiful.”

He yelped when Alexander lifted him over his shoulder. “I’ll be right back,” he told Tadashi. “I’ve got to dispose of this loud menace first.”

“Please,” said Tadashi, surprising even himself. “Let me,” he said.

He watched how Eden squirmed on Alexander’s shoulder before he was put down.

He was playful and stubborn, he was also serious and a little emotional. He was proper, logical and reasonable too. He was also improper, illogical and unreasonable. Which one was it?

Tadashi walked Eden back, leaving Alexander with the same confused expression he had during dinner.

A little distance from the front door,“ they both stopped. Tadashi chose his next words carefully.

“What would you say if I asked you out on a date?” He said.

“What?“Eden asked, a little confused.

“I’m asking you out on a date,” he clarified.

Whatever was making him feel so feverish whenever Eden was close, he needed to get to the bottom of it.

“No,” came the reply.

“Why?” Asked Tadashi.

“One, because your mind is working so much I can almost hear it,” said Eden. “It’s almost like you’re not sure if you want to ask me out or not.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“Two, because I know it’s little Mikhail’s brother for you. I said I wouldn’t make a move on you, didn’t I?

It was exactly what he said. But Tadashi wanted to tell him it was the other way round. He was the one making the move here.

Despite that, Tadashi nodded. “I understand,” he said and put a reasonable distance between him and Eden.

He answered him without even an ounce of contempt in his voice, like he hadn’t just been turned down.

Maybe Eden shouldn’t have been so direct with his answer. Tadashi was hard to read, so he had no idea how it affected him.

An awkward silence stretched between them. It probably lasted a few seconds, but it felt longer than that. They both cleared their throats at the same time and Eden snorted lightly. Tadashi smiled at him.

He suddenly got the dreadful feeling that his parents were watching.

“Thank you for dinner,” Tadashi finally added and Eden nodded. He turned and walked back in the direction they’d come from.

Eden had never met anyone like him, but he was fastening the lid on that jar before anything else came out of it.

He too, turned to walk his own way into the house.

69

Zel sat in the middle of the pool completely dry. It was the seat in the water he still marveled at.

He’d never seen an inbuilt seat in a pool, complete with a table in the middle of the seats, completely untouched by the water surrounding it.

He was halfway through the bag of chips as he relaxed, watching Pierre out of the pool, on a sun bed.

Zel loved the fact that Pierre was more confident and comfortable with himself as the days went by.

He even walked around shirtless sometimes—something he’d never do before—and lay flat on Alexander’s back as he did his push ups.

It always started out as non-sexual, until Pierre was quivering with his dick in Alexander’s mouth.

He didn’t hide himself anymore, and it made Zel surge with pride and happiness.

Zel sent him a flying kiss while he munched on his chips. Pierre blushed then winked back at him and covered his face with his hands, as if he was shy.

Zel giggled at the same time Alexander emerged from the water behind him and startled him.

He yelped. “You scared me!”

Alexander shook his wet hair at Zel and sprayed water on him.

“Stop! My chips!” Zel squealed and held them away from the water.

Alexander shook his hair again. Zel screamed. “You’re getting me wet!”

“Kiss me,” Alexander closed the distance between them and stopped one inch from his lips.

He looked so hot with his bare chest and the thin silver chain around his neck.

Zel hugged his bag of chips to his chest. “No, you splashed all that water on me.” He made to go back.

“I’ll do it again,” said Alexander. He smiled as the threat seemed to work.

“No!” Zel looked horrified. Like the worst thing that could happen to him in a pool was to get wet. “Okay.”

Zel pressed their lips together and expected it to be as quick as it came. But he moaned and didn’t want to stop, it seemed.

“Aww, does my princess want more?” Alexander teased when he pulled away.

He nodded and abandoned his chips on the table and climbed onto Alexander, then latched their lips together again.

Jet sat on a sun bed too, watching the pool.

“Explain to me why you haven’t yet touched the pool,” Riley said, crouching next to him.

“I don’t tell you how to live your life,” said Jet adorably and defensively.

Riley lips twitched upwards and he cocked his head. “You can’t swim? This whole time?”

“I can swim, I’m just allergic to water,” said Jet as he kept his focus on Pierre getting into the water.

Riley laughed. “Well that’s not good,” he said. “Makes me wonder about the last time you showered.”

Jet’s breath hitched when he understood what Riley was trying to remind him of; the shower they’d had that morning. The way his cock had touched the back of Riley’s throat, the way he’d made him choke on it. He felt hot just to think about it.

“Fine,” he gave up. “I can’t swim. Never learned how.”

“Oh really?” Riley’s smile turned evil. He scooped Jet up in his arms.

“Riley put me down, don’t do what I’m thinking you’re about to do,” Jet warned.

Riley didn’t seem to listen. He laughed and ran towards the pool. “Lesson number one!” He shouted as he jumped in with the other male gluing his hands around his neck.

“Just hold on to me,” said Riley when Jet tried to convince him to get him out of the pool.

He didn’t have to tell Jet twice. He wasn’t going to let go of Riley, even if he’d asked him.

Riley then took him to one edge of the pool where it wasn’t so deep and he could stand without fucking spluttering for his life.

They both leaned at the edge of the pool as they watched Pierre, Alexander and Zel creep up on Mason.

He had his shades on as he lay peacefully facing up on a float designed like a watermelon slice.

Before he understood what was going on, it was turned over and he fell into the water screaming in surprise, failing to hold on in the nick of time.

Jet’s laughter faded when he suddenly looked at his hands and saw the fingers entwined with his.

When his gaze shifted to Riley’s face, their eyes met and in that moment, it seemed like too much it was unbearable. They both looked away.

“Fuck,” Jet laughed. “Why are we acting like we don’t know we’re in love with each other?”

Riley’s hold tightened. At first, it seemed like he had no answer. “Because this will never get old, even if it’s sixty nine years later–”

“Sixty nine?” Jet bit his lip in an effort not to smile. Riley was so damn sneaky.

Riley laughed. “I’m trying to be serious here,” he said with all the mischief in his face.

Jet laughed back. “If only you’d get your mind out of the gutter for a second.”

“You don’t make that easy, Jet,” he suddenly turned serious which caught the tatted man off guard.

Jet’s hands were suddenly gripping the edges of the pool as Riley’s lips claimed his and made his knees weak.

Six men sat by the fire as the sun began to set with nothing they needed more than each other’s company.

Hades jumped from Zel to Alexander’s lap and settled down on him calmly.

“I swear he is obsessed with me,” he said. Hades’ weird behavior could only be infatuation. He couldn’t even take his eyes off Alexander for long moments when he was in the room, or stay too far away from him.

“What a traitor,” said Jet while shaking his head. “He won’t even focus on me anymore. So cold.”

“Aw Jet,” said Zel while taking his hand and putting it on his head. “Here, you can pet me if you want.”

Zel didn’t get a petting on the head, instead, he got a kiss that sent all of his blood rushing to his cheeks.

He remained stunned for a while. “Okay,” Zel laughed breathily. “That works too.”

“You’re so cute,” said Mason and Zel got redder.

Alexander stroked Hades and laughed at how ridiculously good it felt to just be together like this.

“It’s not funny, sir,” Zel said accusingly.

He chuckled again and placed Hades next to him, then spread his arms open for Zel. Zel walked over and sunk into his embrace as he held on tight.

“I was going to introduce you to Eden tomorrow,” he said to them. “But his parents want to see you all too, so they’ve invited us for dinner.”

Zel played with the buttons on his shirt as he trailed his fingers along his jawline, listening.

“Then…I want to take you all on a date,” Alexander said, sounding shy. “A–after that of course.”

He’d prepared so many things that he’d had to remind himself to reign in it, that they had time, and more dates to come, and endless options. He’d rented a private island, hired a world famous chef, and prepared gifts in the form of jewelry—he couldn’t wait till Jet saw Hades’ new collar. The collection of vintage wines came with the housing on the island. Regardless, everything still worried him out of his mind.

“Are you nervous?” Mason laughed a little in confusion.

“No…okay, yes I am,” Alexander confirmed. “Is it that obvious?”

“It’s all over your face,” replied Pierre.

Alexander sighed. “I’m so nervous I could fuck it up. You might not like it…it could be too much…or too little I don’t really know…you’ll probably hate it.”

He’d planned a perfect evening, and then they’d spend the night and return the next morning, unless they didn’t want to. Personally, he’d vote to stay the entire weekend, but that part wasn’t up to him. He just didn’t know he’d be stumbling over his own feet when it came to telling them.

“How do you know we’ll not like it?” Zel asked and he realized he wasn’t just playing with his shirt anymore, he was unbuttoning it.

Alexander was confused. “Pri–”

“Yes, how do you know that?” Pierre asked while he felt his hands trail all the way to his fly, getting his pants open.

Jesus Christ.

Jet took his shoes off. “Did we say we wouldn’t like it?” He asked.

If Alexander could speak to animals then Hade’s tiny bark clearly echoed Jet’s question.

Riley helped him shrug off his shirt and firmly pinned his arms above him. “Did we already decide that we hated it?” He asked.

Alexander was caged and trapped with no way out. His breathing became laboured as they all touched him, his brain couldn’t seem to function enough for him to remember any words.

Mason gripped his jaw and looked him in the eye. “Answer us, Alexander,” he ordered calmly, before closing the distance between them.

»»»«««

END

Afterword

Thank you for reading this thing I wrote. Thank you for being here. I see you too silent readers❤️

W E L L,

Give me a review?

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Oh and I probably have a couple of bonus chapters (well like just two) But I’ve been thinking of making a book for bonus chapters like I’ve seen other authors do but I don’t know if that’ll be better than posting bonus chapters in their actual books or not. What do you suggest?

•••

Okay y’all, I’ve enjoyed writing this book but look at me actually struggling. Here’s a few screenshots

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