Possession

[Disclaimer:This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.]

. . .

The sun drained into the library from the large bank of windows to the west. In a graceful move Selix sat at the desk in the corner of the overly large desk that occupied the back of the library. The house could be a labyrinth and with the encouragement and guidance of Rae, Selix sought to work on his vocabulary further. Hopefully the addition of military terminology into his vocabulary would convince Master to continue to allow him to pen down Master’s dictation. After being assured by several members of the staff that the use of pen, paper, the back desk and the military academy handbook were not an inconvenience, he sat down and began to work.

Lionel entered the library, the attendant immediately pointed out Selix sitting at the desk nearly hidden behind book shelves. The darling pet looked positively adorable as he concentrated fully on his task. “Good afternoon, Selix.”

Selix bolted upright at the sound of Lionel’s voice. “I’m sorry General Lionel.” Selix bowed again, “I didn’t notice you there. I apologize.” Another sweeping bow accompanied his apology.

“Not at all. I was wandering about.” Lionel smiled disarmingly, “I’m afraid I underestimated your dedication to your task at hand.”

Shaking his head Selix, closed the book and set aside his pen. “I’m afraid I got a little caught up. I apologize for not greeting you sooner.”

“It’s perfectly alright Selix. You’re just the man I was looking for.” Lionel’s smile broadened as he brushed off Selix’s forth attempt at an apology. “I was curious as to how your adapting to your new surroundings.” Lionel led them both to the sitting area toward the front of the library.

Before he sat himself on the floor, Selix caught his actions and sat in a chair as Master would prefer. It felt odd to sit upon something so firm and cushioned at the same time. His body had yet to adjust from the customary sitting pillow of pets. “I’m enjoying myself immensely, General Lionel. I thank you for all of you help.” Selix bowed again, consciously keeping the chipper smile on his face.

Lionel studied the boy for a moment. “You may sit on the floor if you prefer Selix.” The small frame of the boy seemed too uncomfortable in the chair for Lionel not to notice.

“Master prefers that I sit in chairs, General Lionel.” A genuine grin passed over Selix’s lips for a moment at the thought of pleasing Masater. He quickly regretted the way his enjoyment at attempt to please Master seemed felt like a bitter lie on his tongue.

“I suppose he would.” Lionel agreed merrily. “What were you working on early?”

“Expanding my knowledge of military terminology.” Selix blushed at the admission.

“Oh? What for?”

Eyes lowered to his hands Selix sought to avoid Lionel’s eyes. “Master had allowed me the privilege of taking his dictation down for letters. I want to solidify my knowledge of Master’s work so as not to burden him during the process.”

“I doubt you have ever been a burden to anyone.” Lionel’s voice sounded like a warm fire in winter.

Selix averted his eyes back to his hands again. “Thank you, General Lionel.”

“If you are unhappy here you can always return to me, Selix.”

At that moment, Selix’s entire body grew taut like a bow string. His eyes captured Lionel’s for a moment before he once again stared at his hands. “I’m absolutely happy here, General Lionel. There isn’t any place I’d rather be. I’m sorry but I don’t wish to leave Master Vesperian.”

“Selix. Look at me.” Lionel’s calm voice made Selix’s inner self shake.

“Yes General Lionel.” Selix turned his eyes up nearly flinching at the expected disapproval in those eyes. He found none, only a calm warm gaze that faintly reminded him of Master Cruz.

“You are a wonderful pet. Mikhael is blessed to have you-“

“It is I that am blessed to belong to Master Vesperian. Truly it is the greatest gift imaginable.” Selix spoke urging his voice to remain warm and smooth like he’d been taught in the academy. A pet is always pleasant, always smiling, always bright. A pet pleases with his voice, with his body with his whole self. Who knew, long after leaving those halls, he’d finally need the little tricks and lessons they’d taught him? He never thought being a pet could be so difficult and so counterintuitive until he’d begun to serve Master Vesperian. Perhaps he was in need of more training. A pet is always pleasant, always smiling, always-

“Let me finish Selix.” That same warm tone broke through Selix’s private mantra. “I purchased you for Mikhael because I knew what type of man he is. He is stern and cold, but underneath all of that nonsense is a good kind man. He needed someone that would show him that side of himself again. I chose you that day because you were pure and sweet and lighthearted.”

“Thank you General Lionel. I’m truly grateful for all of your help.”

“But I also chose you because you were happy.” Lionel took one of Selix’s hands in his own. “I thought that your happiness would help Mikhael remember his own. I did not think that he would instead punish you for what makes you blissful.”

Caught completely by surprise at the blatant accusation against his Master, Selix stood up, “I’m afraid you must be mistaken, General Lionel. Master Vesperian has been nothing but kind and generous to me. Any punishment that I have received has been because of my own failings, not his. Though I respect your position I’m afraid I cannot allow you to insult Master Vesperian.” Inside his chest, Selix’s heart beat a million miles a minute. He’d never heard one Citizen insult another so boldly before. A pet will always remain loyal to his Master above all else. “I will ask your leave.” Selix turned and walked quickly toward the exit.

“Selix please wait.” Lionel bolted up and followed him, grabbing the smaller boy by the shoulder as the sound of footsteps approached and his time alone with Selix wore thin. “I mean what I said. If you are ever unhappy here-“ Lionel did not get a chance to finish the statement because Mikhael came bursting through the doors not ten feet away from them.

“There you ar-“

There was a long moment of pause as Selix’s now large round eyes took in the clearly shocked and soon to be angry face of Master. He pulled himself from General Lionel’s grasp and immediately fell to the ground at Master’s feet, desperately seeking to prevent himself from trembling.

Staring down at the figure in front of him and then at Lionel, Mikhael very carefully spoke through his teeth. “What exactly is going on here?”

“I’m afraid it was my fault, Master. I upset General Lionel.” Selix’s voice trembled briefly before it cut off entirely.

“Stand up Selix.” Mikhael nearly yanked the boy up by the arm.

“Mikhael stop.” Lionel walked a few steps forward.

“Don’t you dare tell me what to do. How dare you? While in the comfort of my hospitality to put your hands on my pet.” Mikhael accused, his tone become louder and more firm with every sentence he spoke. “What did you do to him?”

“Now Mikhael calm down.” Lionel held up both hands.

“I will not calm down.” Mihael spoke in a near roar. A brief cry came from the boy whose arm he now grasped with a bruising grip against pale naked skin.

Selix immediately stifled the cry of pain and attempted to stop his trembling. His eyes fell to the ground as Mikhael turned his fury toward him.

For a while Mikhael just stared now painfully aware of the fact that not only was he hurting the poor pet, but Selix seemed on the border of hysteria. Withought thinking he pulled the smaller man to his chest, burying the pet’s face in his chest and wrapping his arms around the trembling back of his pet. “Calm down Selix. You’re alright. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, Master.” Selix’s teary reply was muffled by Mikhael’s chest. “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.” He chanted even as Mikhael soothed and cooed at him.

For a long while they remained like that. Mikhael’s arms held the frightened boy tightly until the smaller frame melted against his own and the small sobs ceased to sound against his chest. Loosening his arms around the younger man slightly Mikhael tilted Selix’s face up to his own. “Go to your room and I’ll be there in a moment.”

A look of fear passed over Selix’s face.

“You’re not in trouble. Calm down.” With the pad of his thumb he wiped Selix’s tears away. “Just go and I’ll be there soon to talk with you.”

Selix managed a nod. Without even bowing to say goodbye he hurried from the room and down the hall, wiping his face with his hands as if he could erase the signs of his distress.

“Care to tell me what happened here?” Mikhael glared at Lionel who leaned against the nearest bookshelf with a proud smirk on his face.

“Well that wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for but it seemed to get the job done.” Lionel sighed his arms coming up in a slight shrug.

“And what, exactly, were you hoping for?” Mikhael stalked toward the other man.

“Oh come off it Mikhael,” Lionel scoffed. “We both know I have no intentions with the boy. While he is lovely, he’s absolutely smitten with you. I have no use for other people’s things.”

“I’m not sure that I buy that given the scene a moment ago.”

“What do you expect? You scared the boy half to death.”

“I was talking about before I entered the room.”

“Well you’ll be pleased to know that he wants to stay with you. Though who knows why.” Lionel moved back to the seated area with Mikhael on his heels.

“What do you mean?”

“I offered him a way out. I told him I would take him back if he is unhappy here, but he insisted that he stay with you.”

“He’s not unhappy here.”

“Oh and those tears a moment ago convince me entirely.” Lionel rolled his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve seen that boy genuinely smile since I delivered him here. He enjoys being a pet and you my friend have no tolerance for the poor dears.”

“So I should let him crawl around behind me like a human cat?”

“No. Talk to the boy! This conversation is getting repetitive Mikhael and I have no urge to tell you it all again. Go talk to your pet. Maybe he can get through that thick skull of yours.” Lionel threw up his hands as he walked to the door. “Good luck to the both of you! You’ll need it!”

. . .

In a flash Selix completely reapplied his makeup, changed his outfit and laid himself out on the bed in anticipation for Master’s arrival. Unsure of what exactly Master would say, he prepared himself for the worst. At the trainer’s they warned the prospective pets that those that didn’t obey would be punished. Often truly bad pets were whipped. He wore a long shirt that crossed in the front and tied up in the back after overlapping. It would be easy to undo if a whipping was indeed to be his punishment. His body trembled with the thought. He’s only seen one pet get whipped. An unruly boy with a foul temper called Aeric. After the whipping they’d healed him quickly, his screams could be heard through the halls but it was necessary to prevent scarring. He jumped as the door clicked open. “Welcome, Master.” Selix bowed low and waited to take his place on the bed again. There was nowhere else to sit in the room and he didn’t dare attempt the floor.

“Calm down Selix. You aren’t in trouble.” Mikhael approached the smaller man and uncomfortable sat on the edge of the bed. He felt completely out of place in a room of silks and finery such as this.

Selix told a seat beside him, his eyes down on his hands.

“Are you alright.” Mikhael asked, he reached out with one hand and touched the arm he’d grabbed in the library. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“You’ve never hurt me.” Selix smiled brightly, still starring at his hands. The lie didn’t taste right in his mouth.

“Lionel told me what you discussed.”

A look of sickness passed over Selix’s face for a moment before he looked up at Mikhael with a bright smile. “Would Master prefer that I go with General Lionel?”

“You don’t have to force yourself to smile, Selix.”Mikhael spoke softly, as if afraid to frighten the younger man.

The boy’s face visibly fell and his gaze returned to his hands. “I’m sorry Master.” The whisper did not sound well.

“Lionel said you do not wish to go.” Mikhael pried further hoping to lure the boy’s face up from its downward angle.

No reply.

“Is that true, Selix?”

“Yes Master, but if Master wants I will go.” For a moment Selix thought about pleading but quickly ignored the idea. This was far worse than punishment. Selix wanted to beg for the whip instead.

“But you want to stay?”

“Yes Master.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes Master. I want to serve you Master. I want to bring you joy.” Selix stopped himself.

“I don’t want you to be unhappy here.”

“I’m not Master. I could never be unhappy serving you.”

“You don’t seem to be very happy, Selix.” Mikhael forced the words out and resisted the urge to pull the boy to his side.

“I’m always happy when serving you Master.” Honesty felt like a cool shower after the lies that seem to creep up and out of his mouth. “I never considered being unhappy here.” Again honesty felt so good, but this time it brought a bitter wave of emotion with it. He hadn’t thought about it, but he was. He was unhappy failing Master so regularly.

Mikhael reached out and tilted the boys face up, meeting those large green eyes with his own. “I don’t know what to do with you Selix. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say or how I’m supposed to treat you. You’re still a child in so many ways and yet you are clearly a man and an adult.”

“I’m sorry Master.” Another failure.

“What will it take to make you smile again?” Mikhael asked.

“You need only ask, Master.” Selix grinned brightly pleased to be able to give Master what he wanted. His smile faded when he saw the disappointment in Master’s eyes. “I’m sorry Master.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I disappointed you again, Master.” Selix’s eyes went back to his hands again.

Letting out a growl of frustration Mikhael stood.

Selix flinched.

Kneeling between Selix’s thighs, Mikhael captured the boy’s face between his hands. “If you want to please me, be honest with me. I don’t want your fake smiles and your acted poses. I don’t want you to say things simply to please me and I certainly don’t want your feigned seductions.”

“but” Selix trailed off again.

“but what Selix?” Mikhael’s voice was a deep plea now as his hands dropped down to the boy’s sides his forearms lying on the boy’s thighs.

“You didn’t like it when I did any of that.”

Mikhael couldn’t hide the stunned look from his face.

“When I smiled before you got upset. When I sat at Master’s feet and tried to please you, you ordered me to sit beside you. When I… When I wanted to give you my… my body.” Selix swallowed heavily. “You said you didn’t want me to serve you that way. How can I be honest and make you happy Master?”

“You mean all of that wasn’t to please me?” Mikhael gaped openly.

“Of course it was Master. Pleasing you pleases me. I want to serve you, to write your letters, to sit at your feet. At nights I want to rub you back and bring you your coffee and brandy. I want to… go to your bed at night and serve you with my whole self.”

“Shhh….” Mikhael pressed his fingers to Selix’s lips to still them. “Be still for a moment. I understand.” Slience took over as Mikhael struggled to find words and reason.

Gently, Selix pressed a kiss to Mikhael’s fingers.

Mikhael gaped up at Selix in a complete loss for thought at the moment.

Selix pressed another kiss into Mikhael’s palm, and intertwined his fingers with Mikhael’s before pressing another kiss into the side of Mikhael’s wrist.

“Selix.” Mikhael hissed at the pleasure that bolted down to his groin. “You don’t have to.”

Selix smiled a lazy seductive smile. “I know Master, but I want to.” Leaning down Selix captured his Master’s lips with his own.

Mikhael stood still, unable to move as soft lips moved against his own.

“Please kiss me Master.”

Selix’s breathy whisper made Mikhael shudder and snapped the last of his resolve. His lips parted and he kissed Selix. It was gentle and sweet the way their lips moved in tandem. Consciously seeking not to push the boy, Mikhael let Selix lead the kiss and nearly stopped breathing when Selix’s tongue pushed into his mouth unexpectedly.

A groan passed through Mikhael’s lips and Selix swallowed it whole. He slid slowly down into Mikhael’s lap laughing when the large man ended up falling back from his crouched position onto his butt. Before Master had time to think, he captured Master’s lips again this time warping his arms around Master’s shoulders and pulling him close.

Panting as they parted, Mikhael urge Selix to release his lips, gently stroking the boy’s face as they both panted, resting their foreheads together. When Selix moved to kiss him again, Mikhael ducked back.

Selix whimpered in his throat desperate for more.

“No more.”

“Please Master. I want you so badly.” Selix kissed at Master’s neck eager to taste every inch of skin he could even if he was denied Master’s lips.

“Not tonight.” Mikhael asserted and moved away from Selix straightening his clothes as he moved. “I need to think.

Selix wrapped his arms around Master’s waist, nearly purring when he felt the smooth muscles of master’s abs under his palms. “Call on me tomorrow night?” Selix whispered his plee into Mikhael’s ear standing on tip two so he could rest his chin on Mikhael’s shoulder comfortably.

“Perhaps Selix. But not tonight.” Mikhael turned around in Selix’s arms and pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead. “I need to think on what you said. Goodnight Selix.”

“Goodnight Master.” As the door clicked shut Selix threw himself back on the bed. Master wanted him! Master kissed him and held him. Selix laughed joyously. He’d finally pleased Master and all it took was pleasing himself!

. . .

Avernion: I agree completely with your statement about Selix being misunderstood, both by readers and his costars. Most people’s real intentions are. Connor always has a special place in my heart but he certainly isn’t my favorite in the story (weird huh?). Darius Vesperian is a thorough man. I don’t think that he’s so much interested in his pet’s first capture because of Connor but for his own knowledge. If Connor had been lying about Kirotikri than things would be different between them. Next capture is served.

Gelly Belly: I didn’t feel like you were rushing me but I know that a lot of people get impatient for the next update, especially with the tendency of stories on AFF to die rather suddenly and without warning. I’m sticking in for the long haul.

Lambent: I really love that Mikhael is so stubborn as well, but in a way Mikhael uses slavery as a means to discredit the validity of slaves thoughts and actions. On the one hand they are abused people and on the other they are child-like naïve things. You can’t have it both ways either those that are in slavery are intelligent enough to make their own choices or their not. Mikhael is very much an advocate of fighting the system from the inside.

Takumi: More Selix coming right up. It was funny when I read you comment cause I was already three chapters ahead of this and I was like ‘oh man way to predict it’.

Jules: Tiananmen isn’t heartless he just likes his job and plays the game. A lot of people operate that way. As for being the one who killed the little girl, I think not. Leaders are generally the ones planning the battles and not in the heat of it. He enjoys the challenge of battle and the chance of death, not killing children. That would be too dull and easy for him. All life would be happier if people just blurted their true feelings to everyone else. Things just aren’t that pretty.