Bondage (9 page)

Phantom didn't waste time getting supper on after his shower, and Tobias let himself be lured into the kitchen by the scent of thyme, rosemary, and garlic.

"Just fancied up chicken, sir," Phan said, slicing a lemon. "Would you like it with pasta, or with roasted potatoes?"

"Whatever is easiest," Tobias said as he sat at the table. "I have some thoughts about this evening."

Phan nodded and grabbed a pot. "Do you want to talk about it now, or wait until after supper?" he asked, filling the pot with water.

"I think it would be a good idea if we both walk into that playroom with a basic understanding of what's going to happen."

Phan put the pot on the stove, turning up the heat under it. "Pasta," he said absently. "You're right, I think," he added, rummaging through the cupboards. "I'm a little... untethered at the moment."

"Exactly. Frankly, I don't think either of us is up for anything like a deep scene, and I wouldn't know where to start at this particular time. But you do need grounding."

Phan nodded again. "Yes, sir."

"What are your rules about tools and pain right now?" Tobias asked, knowing full well he could just check the contract Bradford and Phan had held. He preferred to get it from Phan, however; it was a better judge of the boy's headspace, and his reactions could tell Tobias a lot.

Phan sighed and leaned on the counter, his eyes down. "I can take a paddle, bare hand, and careful flogging. Dr. Brewer says that I need a certain amount of pain to keep me even, to... to balance me. It's not the pain, it's the discipline and submission. She says that the heavier tools are more about hurting and going deep; no bullwhips, canes, or the tawse. Crops are an unknown right now, 'cause I haven't tried to go deep, but I never used them for the hard hurt."

Tobias nodded thoughtfully. He had no intention of using a cane, and the bullwhip was for special occasions only, so that wasn't an issue. "We'll wait and see on the crops, then," he said. "I know you like the tawse, but it's utterly brutal; we'll figure that out eventually. I'm kind of thinking we'll go easy for while, do more mental work than physical. I do like crops though, so we'll experiment sooner rather than later, get a baseline. With Dr. Brewer's knowledge, of course."

Phan bit his lip but seemed to accept that. "All right, sir. Supper will be ready in about ten or fifteen minutes."

Tobias stood up. "Call me," he said, leaving the kitchen. "I'll be in the playroom setting things up."

"Yes, sir," Phan said quietly.

Tobias spent the time before Phan called him going through the paddles and crops, sorting out which of each were the lightest and best suited to merely grounding and which should be reserved for Phan's discipline or punishment sessions. It didn't take long, and he found himself swinging paddles experimentally, almost smiling as he got his head as ready as his body for what was to come.

He found he was rather looking forward to swatting Phantom's ass again.

Supper was quiet and fast. They didn't talk very much at all, Phan already stilling and becoming more settled, and Tobias keeping a careful eye on him. By the time Phan did the dishes, what little conversation there had been had dried up completely.

Tobias led Phan into the playroom and quietly said, "Strip, boy. Then lean over the spanking bench." He went to the paddles again and picked up the one he'd selected, watching as Phan calmly took his clothes off and folded them neatly.

"You're most of the way there already," he observed as Phan moved to the bench and draped himself over it.

"Yes, sir," Phan agreed. "But not all the way. I'm feeling... almost calm, but still a little twitchy. Like I could go the other way, easily."

Tobias nodded. "I'd like to use our litany." If nothing else, it would be an easy transition for them both. Not exactly a reminder of the way things had been, but instead a confirmation of who they were at that moment and what their roles were.

"All of it?" Phan asked, a little doubt creeping into his voice.

"No. I don't think either of us is ready to go over whom you belong to yet. Not at this kind of level."

Phan nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Count for me," Tobias ordered, touching Phan's back. "We'll begin now." He raised the paddle and brought it down firmly on Phan's ass.

Phan jumped. "One, sir."

Tobias nodded and spanked him again, not even bothering to remember what Phan's reactions had been in the past; the only safe way to approach this was to more or less pretend he was working with a new submissive, someone whom he had to learn.

"Two, sir."

By the time they'd reached five, Tobias was putting more weight behind his swing and Phan's voice had gotten tight. It felt good, bringing Phan's reactions on, and Tobias was pleased that they weren't doing anything heavier than a spanking; he wasn't sure he'd be able to deal with a Top's high right then.

"Who are you?" Tobias asked, paddling Phan again and beginning their litany.

"Phantom, sir. Six."

"What are you?"

"A sub, sir. Seven.... Eight.... Nine. Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Who are you?" Phan was gasping and his ass was getting red. "You may stop counting."

"Phantom Shaw, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Tobias kept it up until tears began to slide down Phan's cheeks, then he backed off a little. "What are you?" he asked softly, watching as clinically as he could, taking in Phan's breathing and the way he seemed to be settling down, getting smoother even through the tears.

It didn't feel like the past. It was very vibrant and present, and Tobias was glad.

"A submissive, sir. Thank you, sir."

"What do you need?"

"This, sir."

Tobias nodded and slowed his hand, still spanking Phan but bringing him down. "Feel better?" he asked, watching Phan's tears and his breathing.

"Yes, sir," Phan sniffled. "Thank you."

Tobias set the paddle down and gathered Phan into his arms. "Shh," he soothed. "Good boy."

Phan trembled. "Thank you," he whispered. "I feel better. Lighter."

"Good," Tobias smiled. "Let's go cuddle, boy. Then you can take another bath."

"Okay," Phan said softly, clinging to Tobias' chest. "Anything you say."

Tobias laughed. "Yes." He stood and carried Phan in his arms to the living room, settling them in his big chair to wait for Noah.

Tobias thought Phan might have drifted off into a contented sleep, but when he heard Noah's key in the door Phan shifted a little in his arms and lifted his head.

"Noah?" Phan asked softly.

Tobias nodded.

"Oh, good." Phan smiled and lowered his head. "Miss him when he's not around."

Tobias smiled as well. "Me, too."

Noah came in quietly. He was a minute in the foyer, presumably getting his jacket off, and then he appeared in the living room. When he saw Phan and Tobias there, he stopped short of actually coming in and lingered in the entryway. "Sir?"

"Come on in, pet. We're just relaxing. How was your evening?"

"It was nice, sir. Very productive. It's redeemed my faith in kids." He came in and started to sit, but remembered himself suddenly and knelt by Tobias' chair. "And yours?"

"Fine, thank you." He dropped a hand to stroke over Noah's hair, his fingers tangling in it nicely. Noah was leaving it longer for him these days; he could almost grab a handful at the top. "Phantom has a nicely warmed bottom, and there wasn't need for punishment. How about you? Do you need strokes before bed tonight?"

"I didn't earn any today, sir," Noah said simply.

Tobias nodded and petted him again. "Such a good boy," he said softly. "Do you want some?"

"No, sir." Noah smiled up in his direction. "Thank you for being indulgent, but I think they're better earned than owed for now."

"Okay," Tobias said quietly. "Why don't you go get changed, and we can all curl up on the couch for a bit before bed? Phan, go fetch some sweatpants or something."

"Yes, sir." Phan unfolded himself, wincing a little. He seemed to wait for Noah for a moment and then grinned. "Thank you, sir. Hurts like hell."

Noah snickered, getting to his feet. "You're as bad as I am," he said, heading down the hall.

"At least," Phan agreed.

Tobias shook his head and went to the couch, settling in with a sigh. He was glad to have them both around and glad that they seemed happy; he was also ready for a little pampering. He grinned and admitted to himself that he was always ready to be pampered; Mrs. Miller had once told him that he was "just saved from being an idle wastrel by the possession of a decent work ethic."

He wanted tea and cuddling and kisses, and then bed.

Tobias heard Noah leave the bedroom and knock on Phan's door, waiting for him. He was dressed in sweats and a soft cotton T-shirt, and Phan, when he appeared, wasn't dressed much differently. The pair made their way down the hall together and settled on either side of Tobias.

"So tomorrow we go to the farm," Noah observed, putting his feet up on the coffee table.

Nodding, Tobias rested his hand on Noah's thigh and slipped an arm around Phan, who'd had to curl up to avoid sitting in pain. "I'm not sure about logistics. I'd like to have the truck out there, but we can't all go in it. Why don't you two come out in the car, and I'll meet you there when I'm done at the clinic?"

"Yes, sir. The car can pick us up here. We'll be a little later than usual, because it takes me longer to get here after work than to my place." Noah took Tobias' hand in his. "Phan, I'm sorry that Dr. Brewer is concerned about this arrangement; did she say exactly why?"

Phan shrugged one shoulder. "She thinks it'll get my hopes up," he said, echoing his earlier statement to Tobias. "She thinks it's unsustainable, and that I'll grow to resent not having a contract, that there is no way Sir can balance us. She seemed mostly concerned that both Sir and I would try to go back to our past level of... well, she didn't say intimacy, but the implication was that I couldn't be here and not want that. She says we can't turn back the clock."

Tobias would have stared at the boy if he'd been at a better angle to do so. Phan really did open up to Noah, more than Tobias had expected or surmised.

Noah shrugged. "I get her. Those are all legitimate concerns, but I think she might be underestimating Sir a bit. Kind of shutting doors when she hasn't really seen past the threshold. Do
you
think you're trying to turn back the clock?"

"Nope. It would be a stupid thing to do, given how it ended. Things are too different now, I'm too different." Phan sat up a little, and Tobias had the curious feeling that he'd been almost forgotten as the two talked. "I'm not saying some feelings aren't there," Phan went on. "I mean, I've never denied how much I care about Sir, and that I admire him. But I really don't think I'm trying to go back in time. What do you think, kiddo? What's it seem like to you?"

"I was going to disagree with her. I don't see that happening at all, for either of you. And, if anything, I think you're both trying to avoid that. I don't recall Sir saying that you'd never get a contract; he's just putting it off a bit until you both decide it's the right thing to do. I think she's..." Noah laughed. "Well, I'd like to say talking out her ass, but to put it more kindly, I think she just doesn't understand the dynamic."

Phan looked smug. "She's a sub. I think she's jealous."

Tobias raised an eyebrow.

"Well, who wouldn't be, really." Noah laughed a little louder.

Tobias' other eyebrow went up. He coughed. "Still here."

Noah bit his lip. "Sorry, sir. But, really, I think she's upsetting Phan needlessly at this point."

"Maybe," Tobias said slowly. "But look what it's done. We're talking about the issue, and that can't be a bad thing. She's Phantom's doctor, and we have to let her do her job with as much cooperation as we can all manage. However, if she persists in being negative about the situation, past the point when a little skepticism is useful, I'll step in. Fair enough?"

Phan nodded and smiled, snuggling in again. "Thank you, sir."

"Well,
we
were talking about the issue. You were listening, sir," Noah teased, giving Tobias' hand a squeeze.

"Ah, yes. You were talking. And can I just say, I knew you two were close, but that was a rather impressive demonstration?" He hugged Phan a little tighter and squeezed Noah's hand back. "Thank you, both."

Noah nodded. "We've had some intense Tuesdays."

"Some wonderful Tuesdays," Phan said softly.

Tobias smiled. "Okay, boys. It's almost ten, and we have to go to sleep in an hour or so. I think it's time to talk about that. At the moment, there's only one chain. No shortage of plain collars, though..."

He could feel Phan's shudder.

Noah thought a moment and then finally said, "I think you should tell us what you'd like to do, sir."

Tobias took a breath and decided to simply explain what he was thinking, instead of just giving the rules this time. "Well, I think it would be useless to send Phan to another room tonight," he said. "He's had his spanking, we're all connecting well, and it would just cause distance. However, if he's chained to the bed and you're in it with me... then he's there, there is reinforcement of both my position and yours, and it's a preliminary to the weekend. At the farm, you're in deeper subspace; you'll both be chained to the bed."

Noah nodded but looked over at Phan to see his reaction rather than answering first.

Tobias followed the look but knew what they'd both see; Phan was almost vibrating against him. Sure enough, Phan was biting his lip and his fingers were twitching, the front of his gym pants doing nothing to hide his erection. "Please?" Phan whispered to Noah.

Noah smiled. "Of course; it's fine with me. Good, even. Sir is right, you've earned a place by the bed for sure today."

Phan colored. "Didn't do anything," he mumbled.

"Sure," Tobias said mildly. "Made breakfast, dressed me, cleaned the condo, went to therapy, blew Noah, made my dinner, cleaned up, took a spanking. Nothing."

"Sounds like service and submission to me," Noah teased.

"And me," Tobias said firmly. "Now. Before you come in your pants -- was there anything else to talk about before bed?"

Phan shook his head, still twitching a little.

"No, sir," Noah answered. "Just that I am looking forward to the weekend. I need one."

Tobias nodded. "I'm sure you do, pet. It'll be heavy, though. Saturday, I think. Friday night will be simple, as usual."

"And Sunday night cuddles and movies." Noah's statement was made more to Phan than Tobias.

Phan nodded and rubbed his palms on his sweats. "Okay. Um. Can I go riding?"

"Of course," Tobias said. "Four horses, lots to do. Dianna will be thrilled to see you."

Phan grinned. "That bitch."

"Ha!" Noah laughed so hard Tobias thought he might hurt himself.

Tobias sighed. "She's not a bitch," he said patiently, which sent Phan off into gales of laughter as well.

"She so is! Evil, nasty thing."

"I've finally reached a truce I think, Phan, but forget it if Tobias is around... ah." Noah winced. "Sorry, sir... if Sir is around, she's impossible."

Tobias didn't even bother raising his eyebrows. "One," he said softly.

Phan winced as well, presumably for Noah's ass. "Oops."

"Yes, sir." Noah didn't flinch, he knew the rules. "Anyway, I'll handle her if you want me to."

Tobias grinned. "I think you will, pet. And I'll let Phan turn out Crispin."

"Ah, Crispin's a love," Phan said with a smile.

"And Spot. And Ace."

Phan didn't even blink. "Yes, sir. Exercise, too?"

"When was the last time you rode?"

"Um. With you, sir."

"Just Crispin, then, until you get back into it."

"I'm sure Phan will get his seat back quickly," Noah said, getting to his feet.

"I hope so," Phan said, unfolding himself from the couch and taking Noah's hand for a moment.

Tobias decided he wasn't about to be left on the couch by himself, so he stood up and started walking to the bedroom. "Oh, collar, right," he said to himself, heading toward the playroom instead.

Behind him he heard Phan whimper. "I'm in such trouble," he whispered loudly.

"Did he tell you that you weren't allowed to come?" Noah whispered back. "Oh, he did, earlier, didn't he?"

"Nah, just that he wasn't going to get me off. And you're going to be in the bed with him. And probably having sex. And I'm going to be chained up. Like this."

Put that way, even Tobias had a sympathy twinge.

"Yeah, but we have permission to--"

"Please!"

Tobias grinned and took his time sorting through collars until he heard them get to the bedroom, a tell-tale thump as someone landed on the floor. Casually, he wandered across the hall to watch.

He watched Noah push Phan flat and lick up the boy's length, Phan's gym pants shoved down well below his hips.

"You're not going to last long, are you?" Noah asked darkly, in a voice that Tobias knew well.

"Nope. God, Noah. Suck me." Phan arched his back off the floor, and Tobias stepped into the room, showing him a selection of collars. "Oh, God," Phan gasped, his hips lifting.

"Pleasure." Noah braced a hand on one of Phan's hips and swallowed him down, humming around him until Phan's cock cut off his air.

"Pretty," Tobias observed. He palmed his own growing erection, knowing Phan was watching. "Phan, do you want the plain black leather one tonight, or a dog collar?"

Phan whimpered, his eyes closing as he thrust into Noah's mouth, one hand petting over Noah's hair.

"Hmm. No, on the other hand, I think I'll insist on the black leather one. I like the larger D-ring and a heavier chain."

"Sir," Phan gasped. "Oh, God, Noah!"

Tobias looked on as Noah palmed and fondled Phan's balls. Noah was always encouraged by the sound of his own name and this time was no different. He picked up the pace and his head bobbed fervently over Phan's hips.

"Oh, shit!" Phan yelled. "Gonna -- now, oh, God!" His body went rigid, only his abdominal muscles working as he shot.

"Very nice," Tobias said, fingering the collar. "Catch your breath, Noah, then strip and assume the position." He left the boys to calm down a little, getting the chain and a crop from the cupboard.

When he returned, Noah was naked, his hands braced on the wall and his legs spread wide as instructed.

"Hold like that a moment, pet," he said softly. He stripped off his clothes in an unhurried manner, ignoring his bobbing erection, and went to Phan with the chain and collar. "Knees."

Phan moved quickly, kneeling with his head bowed as Tobias put the collar on him. When he attached the chain and then fixed it to the bed frame, Phan shivered. "Oh, sorry," Tobias said. "Do you want to use the bathroom first?" Phan shook his head and Tobias nodded. "Strip off your pants and stay," he said, petting Phan's head.

He walked to Noah, crop in hand. "What are you being punished for?" he asked calmly.

"For disrespect, sir," Noah answered calmly, bowing his head a bit more.

"Right. One stroke this time. Next time you forget it will be two, and so on." Tobias smoothed one hand over Noah's ass and then hit him with a firm stroke, bringing up a bright red mark.

Noah hissed and his shoulders tensed, but one stroke was no hardship for him, and he recovered quickly. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, pet." Tobias stepped back and set the crop on the dresser. "On the bed, then. Face down."

From the floor Phan made a soft noise of approval.

Tobias grinned and went to the linen cupboard in the hall, fetching thick blankets and a pillow for Phan. "And you, get settled. Peek if you want, but straight to sleep after, understood?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

Tobias kissed the top of Phan's head. "Goodnight, boy."

By the time Tobias was finished getting Phan settled, Noah was right where he'd been told to be -- face down on the bed, his one red stripe standing out nicely against his smooth skin.

Tobias smiled and trailed a finger over the mark as he got the lube from the nightstand. "Nice," he said softly. "Spread your legs."

"Yes, sir." Noah opened them wide and moaned softly.

Tobias hummed as he slicked his fingers, movement caught out of the corner of his eye as Phan peered over the edge of the bed. He smiled to himself as he got on the bed, settling between Noah's legs. "Such a good boy," he purred, plunging two fingers into Noah's ass.