Kailin's Keeper

Trigger warning: tiny bit of attempted non-con.

OooO Training OooO

After the training session, Araz and Lukin were the last to leave the arena. Kailin had moved down from the stands at some point and was standing at the mouth of the tunnel which led out of the pit with his guards.

The suns glittered off his hair. Lukin had to force his feet to keep walking. It still felt a little unreal that Kailin was back and right in front of him instead of in a different country, thousands of miles away. A hard, cold weight that hadn’t even acknowledged over the last six months was lifted from his chest.

“Brother.” Araz greeted Kailin formally but pulled him in for a hearty hug a moment later, embracing the younger prince against his chest. “It’s good to have you back, Kailin.”

“It’s good to see you, Araz.”

“What are you doing here?” Lukin interrupted.

“What, I can’t be interested in the military training?” Kailin answered, bordering on belligerent.

“Looking for a way to beat off all those dominants trying to claim you?” Araz teased.

Lukin bristled. “What dominants?”

Kailin ignored Lukin, and answered his brother. “I can take of myself.”

Kailin had always had a way with pushy dominants, even when he had been young…

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Lukin was in the living room, reading about a new military manoeuver from the eastern countries. He was on Kailin-duty, but the 5-year-old had a friend over from classes. The two boys were chasing each other around Kailin’s rooms, and he kept half an eye on them as he studied.

He dropped the pamphlet when he heard a shriek from the bedroom. Kailin. In two seconds flat the 17-year-old keeper crossed the apartments to the bedroom, hand on the dagger he always kept in the holster at the small of his back. When he flung open the door, Kailin was on his bed, on his hands and knees, giggling and shrieking. The other little boy stood by the bed, watching Kailin with a sour expression, when he saw Lukin barge into the room, however his expression changed to abject terror, he looked ready to piss his pants. “Aaahhhhh!”

Though Lukin knew the little boy’s fear shouldn’t amuse him, it did.

Kailin immediately bounced off the bed to stand by his friend, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s…He’s…That’s an Arlonite!” the boy squawked.

“It’s okay,” Kailin looked confused by the fuss, “He’s my keeper.”

“Y…your keeper? Him?!”

Kailin nodded, “Mmm-hmm.”

Lukin thought it was time to interrupt. “What are you boys doing?”

“Playing.” Kailin answered simply. The other boy looked like his tongue was frozen in his mouth.

“Playing what?” Lukin questioned. “I could hear you yelling.”

“Oh,” Kailin explained, “A game Araz made up.”

“Araz?” Over the last few years he, against all odds, he had built a strong bond of friendship with the oldest prince. He was fairly sure Araz didn’t jump on the bed any longer.

“I heard Araz tell one of his friends that his favourite thing to do with a submissive was make them scream in bed.”

Lukin choked, trying to pass it off as a cough at the last moment. Oh, Burning Suns, that explained a lot. He was going to kill Araz. “Why don’t you come play in the main room for a while? Cook made snacks, I think.”

Both boys scampered from the room towards the main sitting room, there was a small table set up with drinks and snacks.

The boy grabbed a small canteen of some sort of green juice, sucking it down, “Do you want to play ‘Master may I’?”

“Okay.” Kailin readily agreed.

“I’m the master!” The other boy called out.

Kailin didn’t exactly look thrilled with this, “Ok, but I get to be Master next.”

The unpleasant boy ignored this and walked over to the couch. He pulled a cushion off the couch and tossing it on the floor by a big, grey arm chair. He then climbed up into the chair with a plateful of snacks.

Kailin followed after him, playing along. “Master, may I sit?”

‘Master may I’ was a popular children’s make believe game. The game allowed small children to try out their dynamic, mimicking the dominant and submissive rituals they see playing out around them – between family members, in books, in educational films, and in the wider world around them.

The young boy stuck his nose in the air. “You may.”

Kailin slid down, settling back on his heels, kneeling on the cushion.

In ceremonial circumstances and often formal dining events, adult submissives sat at their dominant bondmate’s feet, allowing the dominants to hold important discussion over their heads. Lukin imagined that’s what they were playing at. It set his teeth on edge to see Kailin on his knees for that odious brat.

“Master may I have a biscuit?”

“No, you may have one of these.” The boy handed Kailin the small, round, blue fruit.

Kailin frowned a little, but took and ate the sour fruit obediently.

Their game continued like that. The boy offering Kailin only the pieces of food he himself didn’t want, and making Kailin work for each one.

It had always been clear to Lukin, and he imagined others, that Kailin would be submissive one day. It was also clear that this other boy would one day be a dominant. A really, really shitty dominant.

Lukin grimaced slightly when he saw the boy grab a piece of durpas off the snack table and wave it over Kailin’s head. “Time for dessert.”

“Master may I…”

There was a traditional food, a sweetened, spongy cake called mirbal. At the end of formal meals, dominant bondmates were offered a piece of mirbal. If their submissive partner was in favour, the cake would be shared, the dominant breaking off pieces and feeding it to the submissive, a brief intimacy between bondmates. If the submissive was out of favour, or being punished for some matter, the dominant would refuse the dessert or consume it in its entirely. Of course, sometimes, to send a message, they would leave an uneaten portion on the plate and make a show of throwing it out rather than offering it to the submissive.

The origin of the tradition lay in the fact that in the ancient days mirbal was sweetened with a glaze from the sunfriut fruit, which was a strong aphrodisiac. It still was, for special occasions or for lover’s play. As a result, children and unbounded submissives were not given access to the dessert. With no access to real mirbal, Kailin and his friend were play-acting with the slab of durpas. The other boy was picking off pieces and tossing them at Kailin’s mouth.

Kailin was getting frustrated because the boy was deliberately throwing the bread out of reach, taunting him. Lukin wanted to step in, but he didn’t. Even though he was Kailin’s keeper, he couldn’t help the little prince out of every slight disagreement he got into; the blond would have to learn how to deal with these situations on his own.

He smirked a few minutes later when Kailin finally had enough. The prince scrambled off his cushion, reached up for his own piece of durpas… and then pelted the bullying boy in the face with it.

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Oblivious to Lukin’s preoccupation, Araz and Kailin continued their conversation.

“How have you been, Araz?”

“Very well. Father has been working me hard; he’s attempting to transfer some of his duties to me. I’m all in favour of it. I believe it will make the transition more seamless when he hands the crown down.”

Kailin wondered if his father was preparing to step down anytime soon. Though his father was still as robust and shrewd as ever, he was getting older, and no one would be surprised if he decided to step back and bestow the kingship on Araz, who was 34-years-old and more than ready to take over. It was the way of their people to hold successions when the current king or queen felt their heir was ready.

“I’m glad, Araz. I know you will make a magnificent king to our people.”

“Thank you, Kailin. That means a lot to me.” The crown prince smiled and patted Kailin’s shoulder. “Of course it will mean a promotion for Paniz, too.”

Kailin blinked, looking to Lukin curiously.

“I’ve asked him to become my chief military advisor.”

Lukin hardened his jaw. “And I’ve declined. My place is with my men, not stuck away in your office, Your Excellency.”

Araz rolled his eyes, clearly unconcerned with the rebuff; one he had heard several times before. “Oh, Kailin, before I forget, Axial and his bondmate are having a dinner tonight to welcome you back. You haven’t made any plans have you?”

“No, none.”

“Perfect.” Araz shifted his glaze from his younger brother to Lukin. “Paniz, you’ll accompany him of course. To provide extra security.”

“If you wish.” Lukin bite out the words, but clearly was not eager for it.

“Wonderful. At seven then. If you two will excuse me, I have some work to finish up before then.” Araz strolled off down the tunnel, his personal guards coming out of the woodwork, not far behind.

Lukin moved to follow before Kailin stopped him, “Paniz? I would like to try that exercise you were doing with the men, the one where you showed them how to disarm an attacker with a dagger. Will you stay and teach me?”

“I’m too busy for that.” Lukin dismissed him, trying to step around the blond prince.

Kailin let him go, allowing him to get five or six steps away before musing out loud, “I suppose I’ll just get one of the recruits to show me then.”

To show Kailin the exercise, the men would have to put their hands on him. Lukin stopped in his tracks, turning back slowly. “You will not.”

“If you don’t have time…”

Lukin stomped back, dust stirring at his boots. “You’re impossible. Some people have actual work to do and can’t just cater to your whims, Excellency.”

Kailin held his ground as Lukin entered his space intimidatingly, something many of even the bravest soldiers were incapable of doing. The young prince quirked his lips audaciously, “I was under the impression that catering to my whims was essentially your work.”

Fluidly, Lukin drew the dagger from his belt. He gave a nod to Kailin’s guards and both stepped back, out of the way. Still Kailin didn’t flinch. “You’re going to get your fancy clothes wrecked.” Lukin gestured to the fine tan pants and pristine, white, sleeveless shirt Kailin had on.

“I’m not worried.”

Lukin curled his hand up, “Come here there.”

Eyes shining with excitement, Kailin walked closer to his former keeper.

Lukin turned him about, pulling Kailin’s back against his chest. He reached one arm around the young prince’s torso, hovering the knife over Kailin’s throat.

“If an attacker has you in this position, you don’t have time to reach up.” Lukin instructed huskily, mouth near Kailin’s ear. “The second the knife comes up, you have to act. Drop your chin towards your shoulder, trapping my wrist. This will stop me from drawing or thrusting the knife. Understand?”

Distracted by the heat of Lukin’s body and the breath against his ear, it took a moment for Kailin to respond, “Yes.”

“Once you’ve done that, you twist towards me, exposing the front of my body. Once you’ve turned in, you punch to the arm to push the knife away and kick to the groin. Understand?”

Kailin understood the directions. He also understood being this close to Lukin shouldn’t make his knees weak and his core heat up with submissive desire. But it did anyways.

“Kailin? Are you paying attention?”

“Yes, Lukin.” Burning Suns, even that felt right. He had heard other subs talk about how good it felt to please and consent to their dominants. But Kailin had never been that way, at least not with Lukin. He had always liked pushing Lukin’s buttons, testing his limits. Rek, now that he was back from his travels, why would it feel any different?

“Okay, that’s it. We’re not doing this if you’re going to be distracted.”

Jerking out his musing, Kailin shook his head, “No.”

“Kailin…”

“No,” Kailin pushed stubbornly, “I’m paying attention, really.”

“Fine.” Lukin exhaled, exasperated, “Escape the hold then.”

Kailin started off well, dropping his chin and turning in at the same time, but then he made the mistake of putting too much weight behind his twisting punch, Lukin shifted out the way automatically and, missing his target, Kailin stumbled off balance.

If it was one of his men, he would have jerked them around, knocked them to their knees, and then nicked their throat with the knife, to drive home the seriousness of their mistake. But with Kailin, the commander caught him easily at the shoulders and steadied him so he didn’t fall.

Lukin trained with all of the princes. He never held back with Araz and Axial, but Kailin was a different matter altogether. He pulled his punches, gentled his touch, and caught the prince each time before he could fall. By holding back, he made the prince more vulnerable. But there was no way he could not protect Kailin in any and every way possible.

Even though he knew, knew, it was seriously unsafe because there was always a chance Kailin would be harassed or attacked when he was alone and would need more skill than food throwing to protect himself.

It had happened once already…

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Lukin stood by the doors which exited out onto the balcony. To blend into the surroundings, his military uniform had been replaced with a black suit. He hated it. The material was stiff and scratchy, the collar closed tight around his throat. And he wasn’t armed.

As was protocol during these events, he had been assigned specifically to guard Kailin. The prince was standing by the drinks table, a small group of admirers gathered around him. Having reached his majority only a few weeks ago, the 18-year-old prince was now able to drink the fermented wines and sparkling spirits being poured into red-hued glasses. Lukin kept a close eye on his consumption, but as of yet, he was only drinking from the blue glasses, which contain non-alcoholic beverages.

Kailin smiled at something one of his admirers said, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. He responded, his manner poised and gracious.

Rek, he really was all grown up now. He had grown into his drive, too. Lukin had known from the first meeting the boy would be submissive, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint the time when the submissive traits matured. It shone though in the way he held himself, the way he conversed, and the way he interacted. Strong, self-assured, submissive. Added on top of that appeal, was the fact he was handsome. Very handsome.

Lukin worked very hard to ignore this fact and he was moderately successful. However, when he noticed other people noticing, it was impossible to ignore. And that had irritated him. At dinners and meetings like this, he would be forced to stand in the shadows and watch others leer at the youngest prince. It was especially hard because the youngest prince’s drive.

Often dominant men looking to gain connections with the king coveted the youngest prince, some even going so far as to attempt to negotiate a bond with him.

Even now, a royal aide named Gage T’Av had cut Kalian off from the rest of the group, monopolizing his attention. T’Av had the lean and powerful build common to Arathrians, as well as the distinctive blond-gold hair, though rather than the customary straightness, it curled close to his head. It wasn’t the first time Lukin had seen T’Av sniffing around Kailin. From the first introduction, Lukin found the aide too polished, unapologetically pretentious. Unfortunately, Kailin didn’t seem to notice that, and the young prince continued to allow the man to approach him at gatherings like this.

Lukin even hated the way the conceited slug looked at Kailin. As if the young prince was some easy submissive you picked up at a party and took home to rek.

When he saw T’Av leading Kailin towards a backdoor he quickly crossed the floor and blocked their path. “Where are you going?”

Kailin frowned forced to come to a stop to avoid smacking into Lukin’s chest, “Out to get some air.”

“I don’t think so.”

Lukin could feel a headache coming on as he saw stubbornness hardening Kailin’s gaze. “Excuse me?”

“Stay in the main room.” Lukin couldn’t prevent the low growl in his voice.

T’Av didn’t say a word, standing behind Kailin’s shoulder, with that haughty, turned up nose, letting Kailin stand up to Lukin himself.

Kailin’s hands fisted, as they always did when he was being stubborn. “Did my father give the order that I wasn’t to leave the room?”

Lukin said nothing.

“Well, Paniz?” Paniz. It hadn’t been ‘Lukin’ since Kailin had become a teenager and he’d stopped being his keeper.

Grudgingly, Lukin answered, “No, Excellency.”

“I thought not.” Kailin took a step closer so they were toe-to-toe. “You’ll be letting us pass then.”

Tense with disapproval, Lukin took a step to the side, allowing enough space for the couple to access the door.

The worm gave Lukin a smug, dismissive look as they walked out. It took every ounce of Lukin’s self-control to stop from striking the man. He managed that much restraint, but there was no way under the Burning Suns he was letting them go off alone. He followed behind, just out of sight. T’Av took Kailin out onto one of the large balconies. There was a glass-walled greenhouse there and Lukin scowled as T’Av led Kailin inside. It was too small to follow them in without being noticed right away, which left Lukin outside, listening at the door.

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Kailin took a deep breath of the fresh air. The moon glowed in the eggplant-purple night sky. It was a mistake to come out here with Gage. There was something about the way the aide looked at him that made his hair stand on end. In the party, he had been about to let Gage know he wouldn’t go outside with him, but then he had seen Lukin move across the room to stop them. He had pushed the issue to get in a confrontation with his former-keeper, though the Suns knew why.

Now he was paying for it with Gage’s unpleasant company. He wondered how long was long enough to wait before going back in. Ten minutes would be enough time to really set Lukin off. He almost smiled at the thought.

“You look gorgeous.”

Whoa, when had Gage gotten so close? The other man was practically pressed against him. Kailin took a step back, and hit the wall beside one of the gardening benches. “Thank you.”

Closing the space between them again, Gage reached up and touched his hair.

Instinctively, Kailin flinched away.

It only made the man laugh. “Aw, it’s okay, you don’t have to be shy.”

“I think we should go back to the party.”

“Mmm, but this party is just starting.” Then he kissed Kailin, his tongue pushing past the prince’s lips which had parted in alarm. It felt like Gage’s tongue was choking him, making it impossible to cry out.

The kiss seemed to last forever. Kailin started shaking.

Gage finally pulled back a little, using his hand to try to pull Kailin’s shirt open, ripping several button’s off. Kailin cried out, “Hey!”

The same hand pushed under the open shirt, groping over a pec. The other hand grabbed lower, jerking down the fastening on Kailin’s pants.

“No. Stop it!” Panic burst in his chest. Kailin twisted, trying to knock Gage’s hands off.

The other man was stronger, leaning more heavily against him, using his weight to keep Kailin helpless. His hands were everywhere. “Don’t worry; this is going to feel good.”

“No!” Kailin whimpered, unable to draw in a steady breath.

Lukin had entered the room after hearing the first ‘no’, but it took him until the second ‘no’ to reach the couple. He ripped the body off of Kailin with a feral snarl. With one hand under T’Av’s throat, Lukin lifted him off the ground, slamming him back against the wall.

Kailin shook lightly, tugging his jacket closed in the front to hide the ripped shirt underneath. Fear and relief made his eyes tear up; he gulped and blinked them back, feeling stupid and foolish. He turned away, refastening his pants and taking a moment to collect himself. When he turned back around his expression was closed off.

“Call off your guard dog.” T’Av rasped.

Kailin barely spared him a glance, eyes instead locking with Lukin’s. They exchanged a look. Dismissively, the prince started back towards the conference room. He called back over his shoulder with cruel, but warranted, indifference, “Don’t kill him, Paniz. It might disturb father’s party.”

“Yes, Excellency.” Lukin answered without taking his eyes off the other man, blood lust clouding his vision.

T’Av pissed himself before Lukin even delivered the first punch.

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Lukin felt his anger rise just from the memory. He had wanted to kill that rekking worm just for daring to touch Kailin. His Kailin.

“Are we trying that again?” Kailin interrupted, oblivious to Lukin’s violent musings. “You’re holding my shoulders too tight…”

Lukin gave him that look, the one he had started giving Kailin in the months before the prince’s trip. The look was unfathomable, it always made Kailin’s skin prickle, as if Lukin was about to say something significant, but –

“Yes. Again.”

– he never did.

“We’ll keep doing it until you get it right.” Lukin continued, easing his hold Kailin’s shoulders.

The prince’s expression hardened with concentration, “Okay. I know I can get it.”

Lukin didn’t say anything, bringing the dagger up again. He didn’t have to say anything; Kailin was right. When the prince got it in his head to do something – there was no stopping him.

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After Kailin had mastered the defensive maneuver (after dozens of trials, some accidental bruises, and a lot of stubborn yelling from both parties), they both went back to their rooms to clean up and dress for Kailin’s brother’s dinner party.

Lukin was forced to put on his one and only formal suit so he didn’t stand out at Axial’s party. His intention was just to stand in the shadows and watch Kailin all night. Because that was his duty, not because he craved the proximity after the six-month separation. He tried to convince himself of this several times as he walked with Kailin down the maze of corridors towards Axial’s suite.

Kailin himself was wearing one of many of his perfectly tailored suits. The jacket stretched perfectly over his shoulders, clinging to his trim muscles. Lukin flexed his fingers, remembering the feel of those muscles under his hands only a few hours ago.

When they got close, it surprised Lukin that there was no one coming or going in the hall. Maybe they were early. Or late. Frowning, Lukin knocked at the entrance and the metal door slid opened for them. A guard stood aside and Kailin walked in, Lukin at his heels.

Lukin did a double take. The suite was not set up for formal guests. There was an intimate table set up for five, soft lights, and no one in the apartment but Araz, Axial, and Axial’s submissive bondmate.

Axial saw them first, a welcoming smile spreading over his face. He put a proprietary hand on his bondmate’s back and led her forward, Araz followed behind. Although all three brothers shared a similar appearance, Araz and Axial more closely resembled the king. Especially now, as neither man had shaved and both sported short, cropped beards.

“Kailin, welcome home,” Axial greeted his younger brother, stretching his hand out.

Taking his hand, Kailin gave a warm squeeze, “Thank you, Ax.” Kailin nodded to Axial’s bondmate next. “Good evening, Wen, it’s nice to see you again.”

Wen was the middle prince’s bondmate, a pretty and willowy Arathrian painter. She had a kind smile and her straw-coloured hair fell smooth and straight to her waist. Lukin noticed there were fine splatters of paint on a lock of hair she had tucked behind her left ear and under one of her nails. She stayed close to Axial’s side and practically glowed when he talked. They had been bonded for almost a year now, and it seemed clear they were very much in love.

Bowing her head respectfully, Wen spoke to Kailin, “It’s an honour, Your Excellency.” She snuck a peek at Lukin out of the corner of her eye and then quickly looked down, complexion blanching. “Commander.”

Lukin barely acknowledged her with a look.

Axial moved back out of the foyer, “Please, come in, dinner will be ready shortly.”

Kailin walked towards a seating area with Axial and Wen. Araz moved to follow and was brought up short as Lukin grabbed his arm, pulling him aside.

Lukin glared and hissed, “What is this?”

“Dinner.”

“I can see that,” the commander barked, and then demanded, “But if no one else is coming, Kailin doesn’t need extra security. I thought by dinner party you meant they would be a crowd, potential risk. This is just a family dinner. There’s no reason for me to be here.”

Araz flashed that maddening smirk of his. “You are family, Paniz, whether to like it or not.”

Lukin’s lip curled in a small sneer.

Araz slapped him on the shoulder jovially. “It’s only for a few hours. It’ll be mostly painless.”

“For you maybe.” For him however, it would be hell, having to spend even more time with Kailin.

Close, but not rekking close enough.

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Really curious what people think so far ?, so please review if you have a moment. I hope everything makes sense, I worry I don’t explain things because they seem clear in my head, but that might not translate.

Next chapter, Lukin gets...ur… frustrated and hooks up with another submissive (hopefully Kailin doesn’t find out :P). Also Kailin wants a sleep over. And if it’s not obvious yet; what Kailin wants, Kailin gets.

In conclusion, review, please and thank you!