Stormy Skies

Title: Stormy Skies
Chapter: Four - “Cornered”
Word Count: 10, 607
Warnings: Minor language, inappropriate touchies :3

Hello again ^^ Sorry it takes so long to get new chapters done, but I give myself a ten-page minimum requirement, and I use a small font size, and I edit/revise myself, so… yeah. Sorry it takes so long ^^’ But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Review replies!

Mitts: Good question ^^ I posted two pictures of Alex and the Storm King in the intro to the last chapter, so hopefully that can answer your Alex-hair-length question :D Though, I have to say I think I might redo the Raiser picture. I don’t think it looks enough like him =_= Thanks for the review :3

kasha: I’m glad you don’t find my story cliché! I makes me mucho happy ^^ Hahaha and don’t worry about the ‘autopsy’ - I loved reading your review, so nothing to apologize for! Thank you so much :D

ammeh: Hahaha what? No worries, it hadn’t even crossed me mind! xD Besides, I think if the Raiser did that, Alex would just be like, “…Wow. A library. Great. Just let me go home now.” :D Thanks for the review!

Black Sharne: No no, I didn’t think your review was shitty! I was happy to hear that you found my characters realistic and believable - I always worry about whether or not they are. Plus, I really love feedback, so your review was well appreciated. Thanks so much!

SeriouslyJoking: Yeeeaaaah I had a feeling the first bit was squiffy =_=;; Oh well. Must move upward and onward. And, oh! Those kissy dolls were so cute xD That is, of course, before Alex ripped them to shreds. He didn’t think they were so cute ._. Thanks for reviewing!

lambent: I’ll take that critique into consideration ^^ Constructive criticism is never a bad thing! I prefer the epithets because, in my opinion, I find the constant repetition of a single word disruptive, so I just use them to shake things up a bit. But I’m also glad to hear you like my story ^^ Thanks for the review!

Yacumo: Hmmmm I don’t want to ruin anything about the future of the story, but I will say that if you stick around you may be rewarded :D Thanks for leaving a review ^^

And thanks to everyone else for all the wonderful words you left me! They make me soooo happy @_@ Thank you, and do please continue! xD *shameless feedback whore*

And now, without further delay, here is the next chapter. Please do excuse any dumb typos or whatever you may find - I can never really catch them all.

Please enjoy!

~~~~~
Chapter Four - Cornered

The bed was slowly beginning to look more appealing.

Alex sat atop one of the many small tables that lined the perimeter of the Storm King’s chamber, his back slumped lazily against the wall behind him. He was dreadfully tired. Yawning loudly, he rubbed at the corners of his eyelids in a futile attempt to dispel some of his drowsiness. He was so very, very sleepy. The day had been exhausting - at least in an emotional sense - and, really, all he wanted to do was rest.

But he refused to allow himself the pleasure. The only place to lay down in the entire room - aside from the lushly carpeted floor - was the bed, and Alex was utterly unwilling to dare go near the large piece of furniture. The blond monster had still not returned. The Raiser had yet to make a reappearance after leaving Alex so suddenly that morning. The last thing he wanted was for the little terror to return and find him curled up and slumbering on the soft mattress. Alex wanted to be alert for the arrival - he wanted to be awake and stubborn and strong. As he’d decided earlier after his bath, the dark-haired man refused to roll over and play dead like he’d done before. Alex was going to defend himself as best he could, no matter the cost. He was going to let the smug little demon know he wasn’t going to obey without a fight.

Really, the thought scared Alex more than the dark-haired man was willing to admit. But, regardless, he was still going to try.

Glancing around the room once more, Alex searched for something to occupy himself with - it was a vain attempt to try and pull his attention away from his own fatigue. I wish there was a clock in here, he thought forlornly, eyes scanning the creamy walls, or a window, or anything. I don’t know if I’ve been in here for five hours or ten. Alex had realized long ago that he had not seen a single window since he’d first awoken in the bizarre palace. He had absolutely no idea what time of day it was, (or if it was even day at all,) or how long he’d spent idling time away in the locked bedchamber. After a while in waiting, the minutes had all seemed to mold together. It was most tedious. There was nothing in the room to busy his mind with. Alex would have killed to get his hands on a copy of the Sunday crossword puzzle. If he thinks this is how I’m going to spend the rest of my life, the man thought bitterly, then the brat’s got another thing coming.

He sighed, absentmindedly kicking his feet. God, what had he done to deserve this? What path had he taken in life to cause him to end up here? Alex ran his hands through his tousled hair, scratching at his scalp. “I’ve got to have the worst fucking luck in the world,” he mumbled to himself belligerently. He was trapped here, with no apparent way out - a pet, a toy. Alex was going to attempt to fight it for as long as he could, but the man knew he couldn’t battle the blond forever - nevertheless, he was damn well willing to die trying. At least, he thought he was.

After another short while - he couldn’t be exactly sure as to how long - the dark-haired man suddenly realized he had to use the toilet. He sat up a little, hesitating. Alex still wasn’t very friendly with the idea of being completely exposed while answering nature’s call, but, truthfully, he’d been pushing off going to the bathroom for quite some time. Now the need had returned in full force. So, with another of his weary glances towards the room’s closed entrance, Alex slid off the small table and made for the large lavatory.

The dark-haired man glanced around the bathroom once more as he crossed the threshold, the pads of his feet coming into contact with the cool, peachy marble. The cavernous area was chilly. Rubbing at his arms with his hands, he made for the back corner, where the toilet stood solitary and alone. Alex stepped up to device, looking down at the gleaming porcelain structure, regarding it with uncertainty.

With one last apprehensive glance over his shoulder, he undid the last tie of his robe, pulled back the lower half, and urinated.

A sigh of relief escaped the dark-haired man as he finally emptied his bladder - he’d been holding it in for a long while. He finished quickly, shaking himself off, and then carefully closed his robe and secured the tie once more. Walking over to the basin on the other side of the room, Alex washed his hands in the cool water, doing his best not to think about what would happen when he had to do more than just urinate.

Shaking his hands dry, Alex stepped back out into the bedroom. He stopped when he realized he wasn’t alone.

Looking up, his copper eyes flitted about in an attempt to locate the other. Alex spotted the King standing before the bedroom door. After having not seen the blond for so long, it was as though the Raiser’s bizarre beauty had struck him all over again, and he speechlessly observed the shorter man’s smooth features with a wrinkled brow.

When Alex was once more able to compose coherent thoughts, the first question to race though his mind was, How the hell did he get in without making any noise? The wooden entrance was heavy, and certainly anything but silent.

The blond stood primly before the door, hands tucked neatly into the large sleeves of his bejeweled robes. His expression was not one of anger or frustration, as Alex had expected, but rather one of mild interest and curiosity. The corners of his sculpted lips were turned delicately upward, and his hazel eyes twinkled mischievously. The expression was, the taller man decided, far more frightening than any scowl or sneer.

Alex sucked in a breath as anticipation grew in his belly. The blond appeared as though he was about to speak, his hazel eyes locking onto his pet’s face and his wily smile growing fractionally larger. But, as the minutes dragged, the King remained silent. A tension started to develop in Alex’s shoulders as the room’s quiet began to feel heavy. The Raiser seemed to be oblivious to the tense atmosphere.

At last, Alex decided to speak first. He swallowed the lump of uneasiness that had risen in his throat.

“Will you please let me leave?” he said flatly, not bothering with a greeting. His voice was gruff and demanding - or, at the very least, as close as he could manage to get it. Alex was determined to show the Raiser that he was no longer as fearful as he had been before.

At the taller man’s words, the King’s small, sly smile was gone. It quickly fell from his features, only to be replaced by another. The new grin was entirely different from its predecessor - it was broad, beaming, and genuine. In the quickest of moments, the blond had changed from a devious, subtly dangerous little monster into a bright, pleasant, beautiful young man. He had shed his threatening air. Alex blinked in shock at the sudden change in demeanor, completely befuddled. He hadn’t expected his new owner to be so pleased to hear those words.

“I see you’ve regained some of your self confidence,” the Raiser said, sounding genuinely pleased and elated. “I’m so delighted. I was afraid I’d ruined you.” The taller found himself at a complete loss for words. What did he mean by… ?

“Uh… what?”

“Nothing, my lovely dear. I am just pleased to see you.”

Alex eyed the blond suspiciously. “Will… you let me go?” In light of the blond’s surprisingly pleasant mood, the taller man felt hopeful.

“Oh, absolutely not,” his owner’s honey voice chirped in reply. “You are far too enjoyable. And, what’s more, I have a task for you.”

Alex felt an angry response bubble up in his throat as the King’s response reached his ears, but he quickly bit it back down. His goal was to show self-respecting defiance, not blatantly incense his much stronger captor. The taller wanted to try to avoid getting himself unnecessarily hurt - he feared it would happen often enough without him bringing it upon himself for petty mistakes, such as an unchecked temper. Briefly closing his eyes, Alex centered himself, allowing the anger from the King’s upsetting response to wash past him. When he once again trusted himself, the man spoke. “I… just want to go home. Please.”

“Yes, yes, you’ve already asked me that. My answer has not changed. You are staying, my pet.”

“I’ll give you anything. I don’t have much, but anything of mine that you want, you can have it. I’ve got some money saved up, I’ll give it all to you, if you want it. I just want to leave. I can’t stay here.” Alex spoke his words flatly, with a scrunched brow. The Raiser’s sparkling eyes observed him with amusement as the man offered up his businesslike proposition. Chuckling quietly, the blond stepped up to his pet, lifting his hand and placing a delicate finger on the underside of the toy’s chin. Alex recoiled a bit at the close proximity.

“Hush, you silly thing,” the Raiser spoke, the smile still resting on his lips, “what use would I have for your possessions or your money? Everything I want from you is standing right before me. Now, wouldn’t you like to know what your task is?” The finger gently tapped at the underside of the man’s chin, as though the blond found his pet adorably cute. The gesture made the taller of the two feel like a child.

Alex shook his head in an attempt to ward off the hand. “No,” he said flatly, though his heart jumped a little at his own defiant response. His shoulder still hurt from his earlier punishment, and he wondered absently how much disobedience the small King would tolerate before he decided his pet was worthy of another chastisement.

However, the blond’s only response to the rude answer was to cock his head slightly to the side, clearly intrigued, (and possibly even pleased,) by the man’s unruly response. He removed his hand from Alex’s chin. “No? Are you sure? You might like it,” he replied, playfully.

“I doubt that,” was Alex’s only answer. His heart was beating just the slightest bit faster, his small attempt at rebelliousness affecting his nerves.

The blond chuckled again. “Well, no matter. You must complete it anyway.” He turned away then, making for one of the two large, open entrances into to lavatory. “Come,” he spoke, not bothering to look over his shoulder, “your task is to help me bathe.”

Alex gave the King’s back an incredulous look, not having quite believed what he’d just heard. The man sputtered helplessly for a moment before he was finally able to assemble a coherent statement. “I’m going to what?” He managed, shocked disbelief heavily present within his voice. The Raiser spared a small glace over his shoulder, a teasing little smile sitting upon his pink lips.

“You shall help me bathe,” he repeated, patiently. “You are my personal servant, so you shall be used wherever I feel you are needed. Now, come along.” He was now standing in the entranceway to the large bathroom.

Alex said nothing for a moment, quickly summoning up the courage needed for what he was about to say. With a nervous, thick swallow, he balled his hands into fists at his sides, and spoke in as even a voice as he could manage. “I don… don’t want to.” His words had cracked a bit, despite his attempted levelness.

The blond’s lips pursed slightly, but the smile remained. “Well, I’m afraid that does nothing to change the fact that you shall do it anyway, my lovely.”

Alex set his jaw, fighting his nerves and becoming more determined. “No,” he replied, voice a bit more steady. “I wont.”

The Raiser’s green eyes narrowed the smallest bit as he took in the sight of his resigned pet before him. The man certainly had undergone some kind of change during the time of their separation. The smaller of the two found that he preferred this new confidence much more than the flustered fright his toy had displayed before. His smile twitched at the corners.

“You wont?” He questioned. “Is that the decision you are standing behind?” Alex took in the playfully warning tone of his owner’s voice. Thinking a moment, the dark-haired man decided he wasn’t fond of the tone at all.

Nevertheless, he nodded his affirmation, jaw still set and copper eyes hard and rebellious.

The King was silent for a long moment, appearing as though he was deep in thought. Quickly, the blond scanned his mind for possibilities. The Sage had warned him against using physical force to make his pet obey, so what other method could he use to coax the man into compliance? He considered several techniques. An ultimatum, perhaps? The King contemplated. Yes, that could work. But nothing too severe, I don’t wish to terrify him. Taking another moment, he decided on an appropriate threat, smiling to himself at the silliness of it.

Alex observed the Raiser’s features as best he could, trying to discerned the shorter man’s thoughts. He’s calculating, he realized after a long moment. What was the blond trying to work out? A way of getting me to do what he says? He wasn’t going to simply beat Alex into submission? The dark-haired man shuddered, just as worried over this new prospect as he had been over the idea of being physically harmed. What terrible thing could his captor be pondering to take the place of a beating? Despite himself, he felt his nerves crumbling a small bit.

At last, the Raiser smiled, refocusing on his pet. “Well then,” he spoke, voice filled with renewed glee, “if that is how you feel on the matter, I will not force you to aid me. However, if that was to be the case, then I’m afraid I would have to punish you for your insolence.” His hazel eyes twinkled with inward amusement. Alex’s already furrowed brow wrinkled further, worry working itself into his gut.

Punish me…? He thought, trying his best to reserve his confidence. Don’t let him intimidate you. Stay calm. You can do this.

“I require, of course, that you bathe yourself everyday,” the blond continued, “to keep you ready for my desires. If you do not comply and do as I say now, and assist me, then as your punishment I shall see to it that everyday a servant comes here to assist you in your own bath.” He paused to drink in Alex’s confused expression, then clarified. “That is to say, I shall see to it that a beast of Lightening comes to aid you.”

“A what?” Alex questioned, still perplexed. The Raiser exhaled shortly through his nostrils.

“A creature like the one who led you to me.”

Alex mulled over the threat in his mind, slowly blanching as realization dawned on him. If he didn’t help the blond brat take a stupid little bath, the King would set one of those… things on him? The dark-haired man’s stomach dropped as he recalled the monster’s appearance - the pallid, sickly yellow flesh, the terrifying height, the freakishly malformed facial features, and the dangerously menacing sinewy muscle that covered its entire frame - the terrible thing had the power to break him in half if it wished. And the thought of being forced to be in the presence of one - naked, of all things! - on a regular basis was not an appealing idea. And what on Earth did ‘assisting him in bathing’ entail, anyway? Would the thing actually have to touch him? A shudder ran down Alex’s spine.

The Storm King carefully observed his pet as the man slowly began to comprehend the meaning of his owner’s words. The blond had been disappointed at first, the threat not having had quite the effect on the taller man he had expected. But, after Alex had understood his meaning, the Raiser had been pleased to see the slight look of disgust and horror that had crossed his toy’s face. Of course, the threat was ludicrous. How foolish and comical it would look to see one of the large servants tending to his pet in such a manor! It took effort for the blond not to chuckle at the mere imagining of such a scene, but, nevertheless, the silly ultimatum seemed to be working nicely.

Earlier that day, the King had been aware of Alex’s uneasiness towards the Lightening servant that had led him to the Feasting Hall. It had been blatantly obvious when the man had been hesitant to simply walk past the beast to enter the large room. Though, he supposed it made sense, his pet never having seen such a creature before in his life, and so the blond could understand why the dark-haired man would be intimidated by its large form. The Raiser was glad he’d been able to put the childish fear to use.

“One of those… those big things?” Alex stuttered shakily. His voice had lost some of its rebellious strength, replaced by a tone of unease. This time, the Raiser could not hold back his chuckling.

“Yes,” he replied after the small bout of quiet laughter had passed. “I shall have it assist you everyday. And, should you refuse to bathe, I will inform it to see that you do so anyway.”

Alex swallowed thickly as he heard those last words. The King’s amused smile began to grow more devious as he saw his ultimatum working its magic.

Okay, so, think about this rationally. The taller man began to consider his options from this new perspective. I… I help the little bastard bathe, this one time… Christ! How much help does one need to take a fucking bath? Or… or, I don’t, and instead he sticks me with one of those… monster things. Lightening beast? Is that what it is? Fuck. Alex ground his teeth in frustration and anxiety as he reviewed the situation. Despite his deepest grievances, the answer was painfully obvious.

The dark-haired man swallowed, fists clenching nervously at his sides. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, he thought pitifully, upset at his own failure. At last, he spoke, his voice small and resentful, though cooperative. “…Fine. I’ll help you. Just don’t make me go near one of those things.” Especially not naked, he silently added.

The blond smiled triumphantly. “Wonderful. I suspected you would agree. Now, follow me.”

“I’m not doing anything - you know. Anything, uh, s-se… Well, you know. I’m not.” Alex tried his best to keep his voice firm. The Raiser merely spared him a brief glance as he turned and stepped into the lavatory.

“You are not the one who makes decisions on such matters,” he spoke, “and you’d best keep careful measure of what escapes that mouth of yours. I am not opposed to allowing you to speak freely, but I strongly suggest you refrain from being too bold in your demands.” He made a small gesture for Alex to follow him into the large bathroom. “Is that clear, pet?”

Alex began to step forward, toward the marble-lined room, but said nothing. The small chastisement had robbed him of some of his bravery.

“Pet?”

“…Yes,” the taller man finally answered, begrudgingly. The Storm King seemed satisfied with the confirmation, and the small smile returned to his lips. What’s he always smiling about? Alex thought bitterly. I guess I’d be pretty damn jolly too, if I had people to wait on my every whim.

“Lovely. Now, be a useful little pet and start the bath, wont you? Not too hot.” The blond’s keen eyes followed the dark-haired man as he made his way the to sunken tub. As he bent to turn the knobs at the edge of the basin, the small King spoke again. “And once you’ve done that, fetch a rag and towel. They’re tucked in the wardrobe beside the door.”

Alex grumbled angrily to himself as he adjusted the water temperature. He despised the commanding tone that ran thick in the smaller man’s voice. Does he have to sound so smug? he thought grumpily, watching the steady flow of water fall from the odd earthen faucet.

Carefully placing his hand beneath the stream every now and again, he turned each knob until the water was warm enough for bathing. He distantly heard the soft rustling of fabric somewhere off to his right, but was in too deep of a resentful, indignant tizzy to process the sound properly.

As he rose to retrieve the rag and towel from the bedchamber, he caught site of the Raiser.

The smaller man’s back was turned to him, but Alex’s gaze fell upon the blond just as the shorter man easily removed the first of his robes. The small King wore at least three, all very sheer and layered atop one another in a very stately, elegant fashion. The first thin robe slipped gracefully off his shoulders, the diaphanous fabric winkling and bunching with the weight of the jewels that were studded into its fibers. The Raiser slinked out of the garment with cat-like ease, and carefully folded it to place it onto the cold stone floor. As he started to undo the ties of his second robe, the blond flashed a quick, clever glance over his shoulder, catching site of his pet’s staring eyes. “Are you so easily distracted?” he asked quietly. The corners of his lips twitched deviously.

Alex’s face burned in embarrassment as he realized his eyes were still fixed on the small King. You idiot! He mentally shouted. Don’t give him the wrong idea!

Refusing to answer the blond’s coy question, Alex merely ignored it. He turned away just as his new owner slipped the second of his robes off his narrow shoulders, causing his pale golden skin to become lightly visible from beneath the nearly translucent fabric of his last remaining robe. Alex made his way out of the bathroom, stepping viciously into the bedroom. He made for the wardrobe in which the Raiser had told him the towels and washing rags were located.

The large wardrobe stood tall beside the bedchamber’s entrance, and was made of a dark, highly polished wood. The small knobs fastened onto its doors were made of smooth brass, and were cool to the touch. Carefully swinging the doors open, Alex’s eyes fell upon the elegant garments that resided inside.

There were many robes draped carefully upon hangers, all looking very much like the ones the dark-haired man had seen the King wearing that day. However, Alex found himself slightly surprised to see more traditionally masculine attire present within the closet as well - finely tailored button-down shirts, slim trousers in earthy, neutral colors, and several tasteful silken vests all hung neatly from the bar. Every piece of clothing was sewn perfectly, and all were carefully embellished with delicate, small details, such as jewel studding or intricate embroidery. Taking a moment to scan his vision over all the garments, Alex drank in the tame color scheme of autumn neutrals and stormy greys and blues. Oddly enough, every piece of attire within the wardrobe seemed to suit the Raiser perfectly.

The dark-haired man suddenly looked away from the garments, scanning through the rest of the closet in search of the towels. He thought it felt oddly personal to be staring at the smaller man’s somewhat normal clothing. The last thing he wanted was to begin thinking of the blond as being more human than he originally believed. Alex wanted the King to remain a monster.

Suddenly spotting a small pile of carefully folded white towels in the bottom corner of the wardrobe, Alex bent to retrieve one, and caught sight of another small pile of folded washing rags as he did so. With his two desired items tucked neatly beneath his arm, he closed the wardrobe’s doors and turned to head back into the lavatory.

As he crossed the threshold into the bathroom, Alex kept his eyes trained carefully onto the floor, not daring to glance towards the tub. From the corner of his vision, the man could make out the vague shape of the Raiser stepping slowly into the wash basin. His hazy form was made entirely of a pale golden hue, and all of his robes sat neatly folded on the ground. Alex waited until the smaller man was fully seated in the water before he tentatively made his way over. Hurriedly placing the towel and rag onto the marble floor beside the large sunken tub, he moved away quickly, keeping a respectable distance between himself and his new owner. The soft sound of disrupted water reached his ears as the small King plucked the washing rag from the floor. He seemed to have no intention of further acknowledging Alex’s presence.

The room became very quiet after that.

Neither said anything to the other as the Raiser lazily washed himself, lathering the rag with a creamy bar of soap that had been brought to his hand with a mere thought. As the minutes passed, Alex could catch passing wafts of the soap’s scent on the cool air - it had a somewhat herbal fragrance to it. The dark-haired man stood beside the smaller washbasin that sat upon the pedestal, his back slumped heavily against the wall. This isn’t so bad, I guess, he thought to himself, his copper eyes tracing the dark rusty-colored veins that patterned the marble floor. It’s better than getting attacked or being forced to bathe with one of those… things. I mean, granted, I’d rather be home, asleep in my own bed. But given the circumstances, I suppose there are worse things I could be forced into doing. He rolled his shoulders a bit, easing some of the stiffness that had grown there. Turning his head towards the ceiling, Alex allowed his eyes fall shut, trying to will his shaky nerves to relax.

Dragging the lathered rag carefully over the flesh of his arms, the Raiser allowed himself a glance at his pet. He nearly sighed in aggravation when he caught sight of him - the taller man wasn’t even looking at him! Violently dunking the rag into the bathwater, he rinsed it and re-lathered it with some fresh soap. The whole point of having the dark-haired man present was to tempt him to watch! Truthfully, the Storm King didn’t even have a real need for bathing. Not being human, a god’s body did not have many of the same requirements that a man’s did - his skin did not produce an overabundance of unsightly oils, and so he rarely ever found the need to wash himself. Immortals were naturally cleanly creatures. The entire purpose of this activity was to coax Alex into observing the smaller man’s bare flesh. The blind idiot! The blond inwardly sneered.

This would not do.

With the rag nicely re-lathered, the Raiser hastily finished washing the front half of his slight body. He supposed he would have to be a bit more brazen in his coaxing.

Alex’s earlier fatigue had been beginning to seep back into his bones when heard the quiet sound of the Storm King’s voice beckoning him. “Pet,” it called, “please come over here, my dear.”

Alex gulped, feeling his stomach drop the smallest bit. Oh, god, the taller thought with dread, here’s the catch. And I really wish he would stop with all the pet names. Despite the ominous sensation growing in his gut, he slowly peeled himself away from the wall and made his way to the tub. He refused to lift his gaze from the floor.

When Alex was still several yards away from the sunken basin in the center of the room, he stopped. He was facing the King’s back, the smaller man’s head and shoulders just peeking out from above the rim of the tub. Curiously, the blond looked over his shoulder to his stationary pet.

“Why are you so far away?” he spoke, slightly annoyed. “Come closer. You’re of no use back there.”

Alex hesitated a long moment, then reluctantly came closer, stopping several feet away from his owner. His eyes were still fixed onto the ground. The King seemed more satisfied with this new distance. Dunking the rag and lathering it once more, the blond held the cloth aloft and began to instruct.

“Wash my back, pet,” he said flippantly, his words blunt and unembellished. “If all you wish to do is laze about in my presence, I may as well put you to some use.” Alex gazed at the cloth in slight horror, but still refused to look upon the King’s unclothed skin.

“Ah… y-you want me to… ah…” The dark-haired man stuttered, then stopped himself. A grown man, stuttering! Man up! He mentally admonished. Hastily fidgeting with the small reading glasses that were still perched on his nose, he took several calming breaths, then tried again. “I… don’t really think that’s necessary,” he tried instead.

The Raiser responded with a sharp look over his shoulder. “That wasn’t an offer, pet,” he said, “that was a command.”

Already seeing that there was no room for negotiation, Alex bit his tongue and glowered at the ground. Choose your battles, he thought to himself, sternly. Save your fighting for when he wants you to do something really awful. Swallowing hard, Alex resigned himself. Warily plucking the washing rag form the blond’s grasp, he slowly lowered himself to his knees and sat back on his heels, raising his eyes to observe the King’s bare back for the first time.

He watched as the small blond sat up and leaned forward a bit, to expose more of his upper body from the water. Alex stared unblinkingly as the narrow, delicate expanse of pale honey-hued skin came into his view. His copper eyes followed the line of the smaller man’s spine as it moved beneath his skin, eventually disappearing into the sudsy cloudiness of the bathwater. He had a brief photo-memory of standing behind Danny in the shower, watching the subtle muscles in the other man’s back move as he washed his hair.

Alex closed his eyes tight. Don’t think along those lines.

Trying to rid the vision from his mind, the dark-haired man was brought back to the moment by the sound of the Raiser’s gentle alto voice. He looked up to see the blond gazing at him from over his wet shoulder.

“Come a bit closer,” he said very softly, “you still can’t reach from back there.” Hesitantly, Alex complied, nudging himself a small bit closer. He could see the tiny droplets of dampness collecting on King’s wet skin. The shorter smiled warmly at him, in a very non-threatening manner. “There there, my lovely. You are so worrisome. Do not fret, I won’t surprise you. Come a bit closer.”

“You wont try anything?” Alex questioned suspiciously, still uneasy. The King shook his head minutely, assuring him.

“No, my dear. Now come.” His voice was unusually gentle. Alex wasn’t sure if it worried him or not.

Cautiously, the taller scooted himself closer to the edge of the basin, until he was within arm’s reach of the King. His heart pounded with anxiety and - despite his strong distaste for the other - the site of so much naked flesh. It was the most he’d seen in a long while. Nevertheless, it did little to ease his lack of fondness for his new owner.

“Very nice,” the Raiser commended soothingly. He turned his head away from his pet and looked forward once again. “You may begin.”

Alex hesitated for a long while. His eyes flicked nervously between the soapy cloth in his hand and the King’s pale, moist flesh. The thought of touching that skin sent an unpleasant shiver down his spine. Oh god. I can’t do this, he thought to himself. He’s going to try something funny. I know it. Shit. Shit. The dark-haired man knew he had no choice. If he didn’t, the blond would almost certainly stick him with one of those… those… lightening things-

“Pet?” the King inquired. Alex jumped a little, realizing several minutes had passed him by. He glanced back down to the rag in his hand, which was now dripping lathered soap onto his lap, wetting his robe.

Okay. I’ve got to do this. I can do this.

He looked back up to the slicked skin of the Raiser’s shoulder blades. Swallowing thickly, he made up his mind, and slowly reached forward.

Alex gingerly grazed the wetted rage between the blond’s shoulders, feeling extremely uneasy and awkward at having to actually touch the King. It was odd to feel the smaller man’s bare flesh beneath his fingers, with only the thin cloth of a rag between his hand and his despised owner’s skin. Trying very hard not to think of the times when he done things similar to this with Danny, he slowly conducted his task, carefully dragging the washing rag over the blond’s shoulders blades.

The King sighed happily at the sensation of his pet’s touch brushing his skin so sweetly. Allowing his eyes to flutter closed, he decided it was both soothing and sinfully delicious in the same moment. So nice, my pet, he thought with a contented smile, it’s so nice to have you touch me so pleasantly.

Alex heard the King’s sigh, and chose to ignore it. He didn’t wish to think about whether or not the blond was enjoying himself. He merely wished to focus on finishing his unnerving task. Just get it over with. You can do this. His eyes were fixed steadily onto his own hand as it moved over the Raiser’s skin, leaving a sudsy trail in its wake.

As he worked, Alex mused over the small King’s new attitude. The blond’s demeanor had changed greatly from earlier that day. He no longer carried the same threatening edge he had before - yes, he was still equally as demanding an manipulative, but, somehow, he seemed less dangerous. Alex wondered absently what had inspired the change. Eventually, the taller man decided he didn’t much care. Alex found that he preferred this version of the Raiser much more than the previous one. Not that the dark-haired man had lost his weariness of him - he was still greatly troubled by the fear of upsetting the King into harming him - but the blond now seemed less inclined to do so than he had been before, for whatever reason. And Alex wasn’t about to argue with that fact. He sighed, refocusing his attention to his working hand.

As he finished washing the King’s shoulders and moved a small bit lower, the taller man noticed suddenly that he could feel the steady rise and fall of the other’s breathing. The blond’s breaths were deep and steady, and Alex could feel the minute expansion and contraction of the smaller man’s frame beneath his fingertips. The dark-haired man’s eyes briefly watched the Raiser’s narrow shoulders slowly bob up and down, in pace with his barely audible breaths. Observing this, Alex experienced another odd moment of the small King seeming strangely human, just as he had earlier with the wardrobe; in this peculiar and somewhat mundane context, the blond didn’t seem quite so god-like. But he’s a monster, the dark-haired man reassured himself, he’s proven it well enough. He’s trying to get my guard down on purpose. Just focus on what you’re doing.

Alex tore his eyes away from the King’s smooth skin and stared steadily at his own hand, ignoring the urge for his gaze to wander.

The Storm King’s hazel eyes were still shut as he concentrated on the various ways his pet was affecting him. The hand softly stroking his back was absolutely tantalizing in its timidity, moving in slow circles from one side to the other while the fingers twitched hesitantly. It caused his entire body to prickle delightfully. His precious little pet was so shy. Licking his lips, the King thought longingly about how satisfying it was going to be to watch the taller man gradually shed his shyness. He could hardly wait for the time when his pet would begin to crave him, and ache for physical contact as much as the King himself already did - All in good time, he told himself. The Sage had mentioned that the man may fall into the Raiser’s arms faster than expected. He could only hope she was correct.

Though, through the gentle static of pleasure that had surrounded him, the blond couldn’t help but notice a change in his pet’s thought patterns. Alex’s mind - which at the start of the task had radiated a sense of unease and bitterness - now seemed to have shifted. Reaching out with his own mind, the King had become aware of the fact that the man now seemed far more pensive and distant. The pet’s mind was wondering. Cocking his head slightly in curiosity, the blond wondered absently if his possession’s thoughts rested on him.

The minutes passed slowly as Alex worked through his task in silence. It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the landscape of the Raiser’s skin. Every ridge and dip of the smaller man’s back grew overly apparent to Alex’s twitching fingers. Annoyed, he set his jaw, determined to overcome the sensations. His body was going rogue again, and just as before, he was not enjoying it. It angered him. This is pathetic, the dark-haired man griped inwardly. I just want to get this over with. Moving his hand a bit quicker, Alex made to hurry through the rest of the task to spare himself the frustration of his own lack of control. I hate this bastard.

Something low in his belly fluttered as the small blond shifted suddenly, rolling his shoulders in response to the taller man’s faster pace. Alex closed his eyes. I hate him.

The pet continued to work quickly, finishing the task sooner than the Raiser had hoped for. Alex dropped the used rag onto the marble floor, glad to be rid of it. He nearly sighed in relief at no longer having to touch the blond’s pale skin. It was another moment or two before small King spoke again.

“That was very nice, pet,” he said in a voice that was just as gentle and quiet as before. He turned then, glancing over his shoulder knowingly. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

Alex gulped, not liking the look in his owner’s eyes. “No,” he firmly responded. The Raiser only smiled, and turned to face front once again.

“Fetch my towel,” he said.

Eyes burning holes into the back of the King’s neck, Alex reached over and snatched up the white towel that sat neatly folded on the floor a few feet away. The blond leaned back into the bathwater a bit, rinsing the soap from his back.

The smaller man had Alex hold the towel open for him to step into as he exited the bath. Alex, who had protested at first, finally relented only when the King reminded him of his earlier threat. With his seething eyes locked onto the peachy hued marble at his feet, the dark-haired man had reluctantly unfolded the towel and held it open, refusing to allow his gaze to catch sight of the blond’s unclothed body as he stepped out of the tub. He wrapped it around the smaller man’s waist with hands that were none too gentle, making his dislike for the task - and his owner - as apparent as possible.

“Drain the tub,” the King said dismissively before brushing past the taller man, heading back out into the bedchamber. Alex grumbled at being treated so rudely, but he didn’t protest having a moment alone. He took his time in bending over the rim of the sunken basin, moving his hand about beneath the water until he found the plug. Shaking his arm dry, he sat and watched the soapy water disappear down the drain.

He lingered for as long as he could in the large lavatory, not wishing to go and face his new owner again - all he wanted was to be left alone. However, it wasn’t long until he heard the blond’s voice calling for him from the other room. Closing his eyes and pressing his palms tightly against the lids, Alex took several shaky breaths before collecting himself and standing. He wasn’t going to let the brat get to him. He wasn’t.

Slowly crossing the bathroom, the man nearly collapsed when he reached the exit and saw the bedchamber.

The room had changed.

It was completely and utterly different than it had been before. Am… am I going crazy? Alex thought frantically as he observed the bedroom in its changed state.

The room’s arrangement had stayed the same - the large bed was still centered against the wall that connected to the lavatory, and the odd array of furniture still lined the room’s perimeter - but the room itself had… shrunk. It was much smaller than it had been before. There was barely enough space in the bedchamber to accommodate all the furniture that resided within it, and the large pieces took up nearly all the floor space. The only walking space left available in the room was a thin sliver of floor visible between the furniture lining the walls and the large frame of the bed. It was barely wide enough for Alex to squeeze through.

The Raiser stood at the end of the bed, on the small slice of available floor. He comfortably fit in the small space, the foot of the mattress at his front and that large wardrobe at his back, due to his narrower frame. He was no longer wrapped in the towel, but instead donned another thin robe, much like the ones he had removed before. This one was a creamy white color and had few embellishments, and was clearly meant for sleeping in. The fabric was silky and sheer, the pale gold color of his skin teasingly visible from beneath it, though the garment was not translucent. A clever smile graced the blond’s lips.

He made to answer the question Alex’s bulging eyes and gaping mouth silently asked. “I changed it,” he spoke, holding his arms aloft in a gesture that represented the room. “What do you think of it, my lovely?”

The taller man only replied with more gaping. How is this even possible? Alex remembered what the King had said about having control over his home, but… could he really do something like this? How did he do it? What was the point of it?

The Raiser chuckled at his pet’s awed response, lowering his arms. Flitting his gaze over the man’s lean body, he folded his arms to his front, and spoke again. “Come in,” he directed.

Alex’s copper eyes were suddenly fixed onto the blond. “I… I can’t. There’s not enough room.” He glanced down to the thin sliver of floor before him. He might be able to squeeze in, but… well. He didn’t really want to.

“There’s room enough,” the King responded. “Now come in, my dear.”

Tentatively, Alex tried to scoot in. Back pressed tightly to the large pieces of furniture behind him, he managed a couple of steps into the room, though it was a tight fit. He sighed, aggravated. “Why would you do this?” he questioned, annoyed.

“Watch your tone, pet,” the blond chided sternly. He then stepped up onto the foot of the bed, walked to the head, and sat down onto the plush mattress. He leaned his back against the headboard, his legs folded neatly to the side. “You shall sleep here, with me.”

And unpleasant feeling dropped into Alex’s gut. Instantly, his heart rate doubled. “I- I- no!” He stuttered, and suddenly his mind pieced it together. The Raiser had shrunk the room so Alex couldn’t sleep on the floor. The only available place to spend the night was in the bed. Glancing back towards the lavatory’s entrance - not that he wanted to spend the night sleeping on cold marble, but it was better than the alternative - he saw that the wall had sealed itself shut, nothing but cream-colored plaster staring back at him. “Hey!”

“Do not be insolent, pet. You shall spend the night with me. It is your only option.”

“I wont!”

“Pet,” the King’s voice lowered with warning, “I’ve already told you to watch your tone.”

“I can’t sl-” Alex’s words caught in his throat. Fuck! Why is this so hard to say? “-sleep with you!” He managed to force out.

The blond’s eyes narrowed perilously. “Can’t you?”

Alex’s resolve faltered a bit as he saw the look the Raiser was sending his way, but he quickly collected himself. He responded after only a brief pause. “No. No, I can’t. I wont.”

The small King looked as though he was about to snap off a swift retort when he suddenly stopped himself. He hesitated to chastise his pet too severely, still able to clearly recall the Mist’s words. Do not intimidate him, he thought, repeating the lesson to himself, allow my pet to come to me. All I have to do is plant the seed, and he’ll exhaust himself trying to discern his own feelings and desires. He will willingly gravitate towards me. Staring at Alex as the man’s copper eyes fixedly returned his gaze, the blond decided that perhaps it would be best to do exactly that - allow his pet to come to him.

Alex watched warily as the small King’s expression suddenly went from one of rising irritation to casual amusement. I don’t think that bodes very well for me, he thought worriedly. The dark-haired man had been nervous already - the Raiser had seemed to very briefly return to the more dangerous version of himself - but now, this new turn of events caused Alex’s anxiety to rise even higher. It was blatantly obvious that the smaller of the two had been struck with an idea.

“Alright then,” the blond quipped, something akin to amusement thick within his voice, “do as you please. You are not required to sleep in my bed.” He rose to his feet, once again stepping his way across the mattress, nearing Alex. The dark-haired man pressed himself closer to the large armoire that was at his back, watching fearfully as the blond descended upon him. As he reached his pet, the small King bent to bring their eyes level, placing a hand against the armoire’s door beside the taller man’s face. Satisfied that he had his pet’s undivided attention, the blond spoke in a tone that was hushed and teasing. “However, I do believe you will be hard-pressed to find a location more suitable to rest yourself for the night, my precious pet. But you may try if you wish. Now, I do know you must be very tired - if you were to share my bed, I can assure you that I would not try and rile you. I only seek for you to rest by my side. Is that such a hardship, my dear? Will you not rest your lovely head on my pillows?”

Alex was barely able to focus on his owner’s soft words, far too preoccupied with his own pounding heart. He was terribly uncomfortable with the smaller man’s proximity. Did he have to stand so close? The dark-haired man tore his eyes away from his captor, unable to meet the nearly electric gaze that caused his cheeks to burn. Doesn’t the brat know that it’s rude to stare? He thought belligerently, searching for another place to rest his gaze. His copper eyes quickly landed upon the King’s chest, partially exposed from where the fabric of his robe fell open as he leaned over. Taking in the delicate muscles and pale russet nipples, Alex looked away just as fast. Christ, he really is built a lot like Danny.

Eyes flitting nervously as he searched for a new visual target, the dark-haired man nearly jumped as he felt cool knuckles brush along his cheek. His gaze snapped back to the King’s face.

“How about I give you some time to consider the offer, hm?” the Raiser suggested, his voice like thick wine. Carefully, he brushed his touch over the taller man’s face one last time before moving away and walking back to the other side of the bed. There, the blond settled down and reached up to the small oil lamp set into the wall above the headboard. He lowered the wick until the room was shrouded in dim, flickering light. Lifting the sheets, he slid himself languidly beneath them. “You may sleep wherever you like, if you can find another place.” With one last smoldering gaze, he turned his back to the man, and rested his head on a pillow with a contented sigh.

Alex was slightly baffled by the abruptness of the King’s behavior, but nevertheless grateful to escape the situation unscathed. Releasing a long breath that had been trapped in his chest for far too long, he ran a shaky hand through his chocolaty strands. He only basked in the relief of being freed from the awkward situation for a short amount of time - the need to find another place to sleep was quickly taking priority.

Looking left and right, Alex found himself at a loss. With nothing but a plastered wall to his left and an impossibly miniscule amount for floor space to his right, he was stranded. He surely couldn’t spend the night squished between a bed frame and an armoire! If his body’s exhaustion was any clue, Alex knew he needed a place to lie down. Glancing at all the odd furniture that lined the room - wardrobes and night stands and boudoirs aplenty - the dark-haired man noted with dismay that none offered a surface large enough for sleeping on. Shit, he thought, what can I do? Pondering, he stared longingly at the comfortable-looking sheets of the preposterously large bed. Their creamy whiteness seeming to be so welcoming, in light of his tiredness. But, sparing a quick peek at the Raiser nestled neatly in their softness, Alex shook his head. No, I can’t do that. I can’t trust him not to try anything. The thought depressed him - he so wished to simply lay down and allow himself to sleep. His body needed it so badly.

Moving his gaze around the room, the dark-haired man couldn’t manage to locate another place to rest. The furniture took up too much floor space, both entrances to the lavatory had been completely sealed off, and the little bit of floor that was exposed was entirely too small for him to squeeze his frame into. Alex stared at the small strip of exposed floor that lie beside him. He regarded it for a long while, considering his options. Well, he finally concluded, maybe it isn’t too small. I can at least try. It’s better than sleeping - he glanced longingly at the bed once more, then to the King, and shuddered - sleeping on there. He’d spent a fair amount of time trying to think of a place to rest - a good fifteen minutes or so had passed since the blonde had laid himself down to rest - and the tiredness was once again making itself well known to Alex’s muscles.

He decided to, at the very least, try and lay on the floor.

Not having nearly enough room to lower himself onto his knees, the dark-haired man had an awkward time of getting himself horizontal. He’d had to place his hands on the bed for support, slowly lowering himself to the ground, mostly using the strength of his upper body. But, after a few minutes of struggling with the task, he finally managed it, finding himself laying awkwardly on the floor.

It was the most uncomfortable Alex had ever been in his entire life. With so little room, Alex had been forced to lay on his side, with the widest part of himself - his chest and shoulders - lodged painfully between the wooden bed frame and the armoire. His nose was crunched into the bed frame along with his chest, while one of the armoire’s claw-carved feet dug painfully into his shoulder blade. With some effort, he managed to shimmy upward a bit, escaping the foot. He was, however, still crunched painfully between the furniture. This is ridiculous, he thought resentfully, scowling as best he could with his own nose mashed into his face, but fuck if I let him win. I got down here - I might as well stay. Alex wiggled a bit more, in the hope of finding a more comfortable position. He eventually found it to be an impossible ambition, and so gave up, resigning himself to a night of utter discomfort.

Exhaling loudly in frustration, the dark-haired man willed his nerves to calm themselves. Just relax, and go to sleep. That’s all. Steady, deep breaths, and relax. He closed his eyes, still feeling very much like a packed sardine, and tried to drift.

Many long minutes passed. Alex remained wide-awake, finding it hard to focus on anything besides the extreme discomfort, but trying to ignore it anyway. His body was still exhausted and tired and in need of rest, but he was unable to actually grasp it. Nevertheless, he refused to give up. Cursing the blond a hundred times over, Alex wiggled a bit more, and again tried to sleep in his new-found position.

Repeating this process several times over, the dark-haired man still found himself wide-awake and exhausted. After thirty minutes of complete failure in managing to even doze, he was frustrated to the point of screaming. Wriggling some more, he once again hoped to achieve a better position.

However, all Alex ended up managing to achieve was clocking his head into whatever piece of furniture happened to be behind him now. Cursing quietly under his breath, he could already feel a bump welling up on the back of his skull. That’s it! He mentally screamed. I’m figuring something else out!

Getting up proved to be an even harder task than lying down had been. Lifting one arm up and bracing it against the mattress, the dark-haired man managed to pull himself high enough to free his other arm, and then somehow got the top half of himself free. Then, pulling up from there, he eventually managed to get himself back up onto his feet. All in all, panting for breath, Alex decided that standing had taken entirely too long.

He was back to looking about the room for options. But, just as it had been before, he came up empty handed. Damn brat knew what he was doing, Alex thought, shooting an annoyed glare at the now-sleeping form of the King. The blond’s breaths were slow and steady, and he laid unmoving on the plush mattress. Hands still braced on the blankets, the taller of the two curled his fingers into their soft warmth, wishing pitifully that he could just sleep in them.

After another long while of consideration, Alex felt a little more open to the idea.

It’s a big bed, he thought, as though he was trying to justify the idea to someone else by explaining his reasoning, and the brat’s all the way on the other side. I could just stay on this side and I’d never touch him, all night. And besides, he’s already asleep, so I know he can’t mess with me… and there really is no other place sleep. I mean, this really is the only option. And I’m so fucking tired. I just want to get some goddamn sleep. Is that really so much to ask? Biting his bottom lip nervously and scrunching his brows together in one last, long mental run-down of his logic, Alex decided. He’d just sleep in the damn bed. The Raiser was already asleep - what’s the worst that could happen?

Carefully sneaking up back towards the head of the bed, the dark-haired man gave one more unsure glance towards the Storm King, and began to make his move. Still squished between the mattress and the furniture, he tentatively lifted one leg and placed it gingerly onto the mattress. He let out a relieved sigh at how deliciously comfortable it felt. Shifting his weight to his hands and one knee, Alex slowly lifted his other leg and placed it onto the bed as well, ever-so-gently pulling back the covers and maneuvering himself into their warm cocoon of delight. God, he thought, this is so much better.

Reveling in the bed’s soft warmth, the dark-haired man turned his back to the blond and allowed his eyes to fall shut. The lids suddenly felt heavy and thick, and before Alex could even manage to count to ten, he began to drift into a world of blissful relaxation. Muscles going completely limp, Alex was in a deep sleep within a matter of minutes.

Shortly after, the blond carefully looked over his shoulder, observing his pet’s wide shoulders from where they peeked out from beneath the sheets. They moved steadily up and down with the man’s slow breaths, giving away his obvious state of slumber. The small King had felt Alex’s mind slip off into sleep, his thoughts loosing their emotions and becoming white noise in the back of the blond’s head. Tightly curling his mind closed to avoid the mental sensation of feeling his pet sleep, the Raiser rolled to face the taller man from across the mattress.

He had been right - Alex had eventually surrendered and crawled into bed. Smiling quietly to himself, he reflected on how easy it’d been. All the King had to do was feign sleep, to give the other man a false sense privacy, and he’d easily relented. Not that there was any other place to sleep. Unless the dark-haired man had planned on spending the night standing, his only option had been to choose the bed.

The blond observed his pet for several more long moments. How truly beautiful he is, he thought warmly, beginning to move himself. Carefully sliding himself towards his pet, the small King shifted to the other side of the mattress silently, to avoid waking his toy. He only stopped when he was mere centimeters away from his prize.

Inhaling deeply, the Raiser once again took in that deliciously human scent that lingered around his pet. The smell was bestial and musky and heady all at once. Soon I shall be able to smell this whenever I wish, he mused delightedly, inhaling again. Closing the last bit of distance between himself and the taller man, the small blond nuzzled his nose into the brunette’s hairline along his neck, cradling his head on the same pillow. He brought a hand up to Alex’s shoulder and stroked it down over the length of his arm, taking in each sensuous swell of every muscle as he did so. He finally allowed it to come to a stop on his pet’s belly, just above his navel. Curling his fingers into the fabric of the taller man’s robe, the small King fluttered his eyes shut and exhaled happily. Breathing in his human’s rich scent, he allowed himself to begin to drift into a litany of mouth-watering fantasies peppered with sultry pleasures. Feeling a slight stirring in his groin, the small King suddenly grinned wickedly, a thought coming to his mind.

Perhaps I can tease him, just a little. Immediately, his mind raced with a hundred different possibilities, but he a decided to keep his ministrations calm and subtle, not wishing to wake his pet. With another small grin, the blond curled himself even closer to his human.

Gently, he whispered several feather-soft kisses along the back of his toy’s neck, where the flesh was supple and soft. When the man displayed no reaction, the small King began to press his lips a bit more firmly to the skin, flicking his tongue out every now and again. Eventually, Alex sleepily murmured some incomprehensible words, and shifted a bit beneath the covers. The blond smiled at the taller man’s completely oblivious and innocent response, continuing his kisses upwards to breath against his pet’s ear.

“I hope you dream well, my little pleasure pet,” he murmured nearly inaudibly against it, his words barely more than soft exhalations. Nipping very tenderly at the sensitive skin, Alex shifted again, turning his head a miniscule amount toward the Raiser. The shorter man’s grin only widened.

Continuing his feathery kisses, the blond began to move the hand that rested on his pet’s torso. Slowly massaging Alex’s abdomen through the robe with his fingertips, he moved his hand in delicate little circles, leisurely traveling downwards. His touch was soft, so as not to rouse the taller man. Gradually moving his lips to kiss the smooth skin at the juncture of the dark-haired man’s neck and shoulder, he breathed hotly against the area as his fingers kindly kneaded the clothed flesh beneath his pet’s bellybutton.

Alex, still asleep, began to react more noticeably. He shifted his body once again, a long breath escaping his lips with a hint of his voice drifting on it. The Raiser bit ever-so-gently at the skin his lips occupied, and the muscle twitched in reaction, displaying its sensitivity. Almost chuckling in delight, the King lowered his hand even more, gently stroking his fingers over Alex’s clothed member.

The man’s whole body twitch in reaction, another drawn-out breath emanating from his lungs. Continuing to pet his toy’s slightly awakened member, the blond leaned himself up onto one elbow, to observe the human’s features. The taller man’s cheeks were tined the faintest of pinks, and his brow was slightly furrowed. Sighing happily, the small King gave his pet’s manhood once last, light squeeze before pulling away from it, laying himself back down onto the mattress. Alex gave a small, sleepy moan at the sudden loss of contact, but did not wake.

Wrapping his arm back around the taller man’s belly and snuggling his face into the chocolate strands once more, the Raiser closed his eyes, taking delight in having touched his pet so sweetly. All in good time, he thought contentedly, breathing in Alex’s heady scent with eagerness. He would soon have his pet’s desire. It was just a simple matter of seduction.

Before allowing his mind to drift into sleep, the small King made one last change to the room’s structure. It was something he thought his pet might appreciate, come morning time.

A large window now adorned the eastern-facing wall, ready to flood the room with light in just a few short hours. The blond vaguely wondered how the taller man might react to waking wrapped in the arms of his new owner, and smiled amusedly to himself at the thought before settling down into sleep.

It was sure to be a humorous event to witness.
~~~~

Well, there it was. I bit tamer than the last chapter, but no worries - things do pick up ^^

I hope everyone enjoyed it!

And, as usual, I implore you all to please review! I love you guys ^^