Love & Stitches at The Asylum: Part Twenty-Five

 

Happy Sunday! 

With the holiday aftermath, let's hope your home doesn't look like the Club after Parts XX to XXIV!

This one's an extra long, double installment. So have your favorite beverage at hand before you pull up a comfy chair. In true Asylum style, things are about to get even more interesting!

Happy reading!

PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
PART 6  
PART 7
PART 8 
PART 9
PART 10 
PART 11
PART 12
PART 13 
PART 14
PART 15
PART 16
PART 17  
PART 18
PART 19
PART 20
PART 21
PART 22  
PART 23

PART 24

*****

The last member finally cleared out, the whole bar the kind of quiet he enjoyed with his boy, Curtis swept a rag along the bartop. His muscles might be sore, his face tight from all the new cuts and sutures, but if he were honest with himself, getting into the ring again—for whatever reason—had felt right. Good. As if at least someone around here had remembered what it was meant for instead of taking a swing at him in the bar.

One of Danny’s tunes came up on Reed’s playlist over the bar speakers, the sub’s clear tenor singing soulful notes, and Curtis glanced up. “Turn it up, my boy.”

“On it, sir.” From where he’d been bent over one of the notebooks Keiran had made for him with all his recipes, Reed lifted his head, snatching up the remote to crank up the music. A small smile curved his lips as they moved along with the lyrics. He picked up one of the highlighters he’d scattered over the bar, adding to the formless sweeps of color on the back of his hand, frowning and shaking his head as his gaze went back to the notebook. “I hate it when he uses weight instead of just cups and spoons. Math and food shouldn’t mix.”

Reaching over, Curtis hovered his fingers at the notebook’s edge. “May I?”

“Please?” Reed breathed out a sigh of relief. “I seriously think I might summon a demon trying to make macarons. But they’re so freakin’ good and he never has the time anymore.”

Curtis snorted, pulling the notebook toward himself to gaze down on Keiran’s neatly looping cursive. “I used to feel the same way about measuring things and adding things like seven-eighths together with...” He waved his hand vaguely, scanning the ingredients list. “After a while you sort of memorize what plus what equals what and you don’t need a calculator anymore. Actually...that gives me an idea.” Pulling out his phone, he started to text Wren, then realized he probably didn’t have a phone, and shot a text to Noah instead. 

Hey. Would you let Wren make an ingredient measurement calculator app for Reed?

There was a brief pause, the little dots starting, then stopping again before the reply came.

I’ll see what I can do. Now is probably not the best time to bring it up. He finally let Jamie ice his hands. Believe it or not, my little bird can be stubborn sometimes.

Curtis winced, sucking air through his teeth. “He’d have to be to survive all of us.” 

Keeping that thought to himself, he texted Noah back a simple,

Ouch. Thanks. Whenever is good. I hope you and he have a better night.

Reed glanced up at him from where he was drawing plain, orange and purple flowers up the length of his arm. “It really sucks that Wren and Avery got in so much trouble. When I got to the security room, they were sitting there, dressed up all cute and looking like someone had just cancelled Freddy Kruger or something. I got Wren distracted telling him I’d mixed up all the Sci-Fi and Mystery books on Noah’s shelves. And getting Avery to take watch from the roof was a no brainer. But they...they both try to be so good all the time. It’s gotta be rough when one wrong step has it all falling apart.”

“Yeah... I remember when I went on a kick where I tried to impress Noah with how good I could be.” Lips pulling up despite the seriousness of the topic, Curtis’ gaze went distant. “He didn’t notice. Or he did, but I stopped getting all the attention. So I nailed his leathers to the side of the barn with my nail gun. The shout when he went out to get into his car that morning was epic.”

Lips parting a bit, Reed’s last purple petal ended up a crooked line down the side of his forearm. “Whoa, that was...ballsy. But I get it. I mean...kinda? Like, when you get frustrated and just have to do something. I never really want attention when ish goes bad, but...maybe part of me is...looking for a reaction. Even if it ain’t gonna be a great one. I don’t do it so much anymore, but where the other subs strive for perfection I end up doing the opposite. Not sure I know what perfect even looks like. But it would feel like...being smothered.”

“I know what perfect looks like. B-o-r-i-n-g.” Grinning, Curtis swiped a black permanent marker from the pile and grabbed Reed’s arm to scrawl HOT PROPERTY on the inside of his forearm. “Dog damn, I can’t wait to make love to your sweet body again. I miss you.”

Reed chewed on his bottom lip, adding the purple highlighter to the pile he seemed to have lost the caps to. “Quint said I can do stuff if I’m careful, it’s just...I still don’t always feel great and it’s not a fun pain. I wouldn’t want you or Lawson or Matt to...feel bad if we did something and it started hurting. But it’s gonna get better. I miss you, too. Tonight I...I was kinda hoping Jared would take a swing, just so I could show I’ve still got it. But that woulda been f’ed up.”

Fingers tightening briefly around Reed’s wrist, Curtis shook his head. “He’d be a dead man. Me, Lawson, Rhodey... Yeah. that would not have been good.” He set down the marker, straightening to finish loading the glasses that had been collected from the tables around the bar into the dishwasher. “The only thing that’s bothering me about this whole damned mess is that Danny felt like he had to take matters into his own hands because everyone here is out of control. My mind keeps going over what I might’ve said or done differently, or if maybe I missed something. It wants to find the place where I went wrong even though there’s no way to turn back time to fix it.” Gaze briefly going to the gym doors, he thought about Danny, then Stephan’s cell. “I wish that man could come up here. I wouldn’t mind sharing a beer with him right now.”

“I don’t think it would be a huge issue if we snuck him up?” Reed’s dimple dented his cheek with his crooked grin. He’d never been one to talk Curtis out of his more reckless impulses unless they were dangerous or might mess with Matt or Lawson. “And besides, you’re still technically in charge, so it’s like an executive decision. I bet him and Drew would have fun hanging out while things are sane. And Koda and Bram could have the run of the place. I think he’s got Fresco, too, so we can have our own little petting zoo.”

Scratching the back of his neck, Curtis contemplated whether the rewards would be worth the risk of ending the night with Lawson and Rhodey pissed at him on top of everything else. Reed looked so happy with the idea, though, when he’d had so little part in any mischief or fun lately, that Curtis found himself walking toward the gym before he’d really finished his thought. “Do me a favor and start the dishwasher? I’ll be right back.”

“You got it, Daddy-o.” Reed slid over to the middle of the bar, half his highlighters hitting the floor with little plinks, likely leaving colorful dots on the wood that thankfully, from experience, wouldn’t be too hard to clean up. He bopped a bit to the next song on the playlist, without the same energy he’d once had, but it was getting there.

The gym was a fucking wreck, with red cups and spilled beer everywhere, but Curtis forced himself to keep walking rather than grab the rolling trash barrel to start cleanup. Down in the pool area, the water was a serene blue. Soft light spilled from Stephan’s partly opened cell door. What kept the man there when he was more than experienced enough of a merc to have plotted a way out by now, Curtis couldn’t fathom. 

Keeping his footsteps silent, practicing those new skills, Curtis smirked as he played a game he’d learned at Vani’s of seeing how close he could get before someone noticed he snuck up on them. Except without a lethal weapon in his hand.

Stephan’s voice was the quiet, soothing one he used when he was trying to keep a session calm, but there was...something more to it. A tenderness he didn’t use with anyone else, the professional distance he kept while still showing compassion and understanding notably absent. “Drew, I need you to listen to me, very carefully. Just because Pauly was your friend doesn’t mean anything he did reflects on you. The other subs will see that you’ve steered clear of him and the others, now that you’ve seen their behavior isn’t something you want to be connected to. You are a kind, caring man and it shows in everything you do.”

A few moments of silence followed, like Drew let his Dom’s words sink in. Fabric rustled, then stilled. “Yes, sir... Is it normal that even though I am glad I see them for who they are that I miss having a group to hang out with? I feel like I’m always trying to fit in here...but there isn’t a place for me except with you, which is awesome...but someday—” His hard swallow was audible. “—I know you’re going to leave, and it’s going to go back to me being alone. Watching. Invisible. I don’t want to get the wrong kind of attention either, but sometimes it feels like I spend my whole life waiting for people to notice me in the right way.”

Stilling, Curtis debated whether to make some noise so he wouldn’t be eavesdropping on the conversation that echoed through the large space.

“My boy, I’m not going anywhere. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but...there’s a lot of good I can do here. And the idea of not waking up and seeing your face is unbearable. Unless they throw me out, I’ll be right here. And you do have a place. You were spending more time with Danny and that’s been going well. I’m sure he’d love to see you tomorrow when he’s feeling a little stronger. I’ll talk to Rhodey for you.” Stephan let out a quiet sigh. “Once I earn his trust, I believe things will be a lot easier for you. You’re paying for my mistake and I’m sorry for that. But the people here, the Core...they’re good. They’ll appreciate having someone like you around once they get to know you better.”

Retracing his steps, Curtis went up the staircase and then came back down without silencing his arrival. “Hello?”

The word was echoed back to him as Bram flew out of Stephan’s room, sweeping down to land on his shoulder, the bird’s beak automatically going to his hair in the strange grooming ritual he usually did with the puppy. Who came trampling out to bounce around Curtis’ feet. Last came Pike’s kitten, Fresco, seeming to have adapted to the way Koda followed Bram around whenever given the chance.

Except he was a kitten and not nearly as well trained. After getting bored of Koda’s tail, he pranced right up to the edge of the pool.

“Woah there, hello everyone. And you...need to be careful.” Curtis leaned over to pluck Fresco up from the poolside before he could decide to jump in.

Thoughts of the kitten tumbling into the water brought the image of Garet doing the same. Pressing Fresco to his chest, he let the sadness wash over him, recognizing the emotion for what it was and not pushing it away where it would fester and send him spiraling.

“Good evening, Curtis. Sorry for letting the little one slip away, Bram usually brings him back the second he steps past the threshold.” Stephan stepped past the doorway, whistling softly to the raven and calling him to his own shoulder. “He seems to like you. Socializing him a bit more has been good, but he’s running a little wild. I hope he didn’t create too many issues when he got into the bar?”

In a dark green plaid shirt, auburn hair a little mussed up, beard closely framing his jaw in a neat, but disarming style, the man had the look of someone who spent a lot of time outdoors, though his natural tan had faded from his time here. He had an easy smile, and it was rare that anything seemed to get under his skin, but from what Pike had said about his reaction to being lied to, it was more than possible. He was very good at what he did, but in the end, he was still a merc.

Smiling at the mention of having secured Bram’s affections, Curtis gave the bird a fond look. “I was never allowed pets. Hadn’t touched an animal ever until I lived with Noah at Tracey’s. I love how honest they are in their reactions to people.” He lowered his gaze to just beyond the doorway where Drew had appeared briefly before skittering out of view again. “I don’t mean to interrupt. Reed and I were just wondering if you and your boy would like to join us in the bar for a beer.”

The question brought a warm, pleased smile to Stephan’s lips. “Yes, we’d like that very much. I’m assuming this little field trip hasn’t been officially approved, but I won’t give Rhodey any reason to question whether or not you can handle me. If nothing else, he knows I wouldn’t put Drew in that position. And...it would be nice to see something other than my ‘cells’ and the pool, as pleasant as it is.”

“Probably a good thing to take care of the mental health of our mental health professional by making sure you don’t go stir crazy down here.” Slanting Stephan his most disarming grin, Curtis swept his hand toward the stairs. “We’ve had a helluva night, so just warning you that the gym is a wreck and I don’t know what will happen up there. If you decide to stay down here I don’t blame you a bit.”

Stephan chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ve been to The Compound. I doubt anything that happens here will surprise me.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “Come, Drew. Since you’re spending the night, you will come keep me company and spend some time with Curtis and Reed. Don’t bother getting dressed, you’ll be comfortable in your pajamas. And you won’t be cleaning. I’m going to indulge myself in keeping you by my side.”

Skirting up to Stephan’s side, Drew peered up at his Dom. The warm flannel pajama set he wore was a soft blue decorated with red fire engines that matched the color of his hair. His feet were bare, toes curling into the cement floor. “Yes, sir. Am I allowed to have a beer? Maybe Pike will be there? I wanted to ask him to draw some Chibis of you and me.”

“I think he’d enjoy that very much, my boy. After tonight, his Dom may be keeping him close, but if we don’t see him now, there will be plenty of chances.” Stephan stroked Drew’s hair, his expression soft, as though nothing in the world could tear him away from his boy, no matter how hard anyone might try. His reason for wanting to stay couldn’t be any clearer. “And yes, you may have one beer. Two if we’re there for long enough and you participate in the conversation.”

The sub’s expression brightened when Stephan gave him the task. Nodding eagerly, he slipped his hand into his Dom’s. “Yes, sir.”

Curtis led the way up the stairs, wishing the gym floor were cleaner for Drew’s bare feet. “Sorry about the mess. It’s usually all cleaned up by now, but we’re shorthanded. We’ll probably need to take care of it tomorrow. Watch out for broken glass. It happens sometimes, though we don’t allow anything but the red cups in here.”

Gaze going over the gym, Stephan clicked his tongue, sending Bram soaring up into the rafters before picking Drew up and holding him against his hip. He let out a sharp whistle when Koda began attacking the plastic cups and said something in German that brought the puppy to heel. “No need to apologize, I understand things can get very overwhelming at times. It’s better to leave it to when you’re all in a better place. Starting fresh in the morning may be very cathartic.”

“True. And the boys seem to enjoy gossiping and bonding as they work in here without supervision.” Looking critically at the mess, Curtis tried not to feel like he invited a guest into an unfit space. Company manners had been a big thing with Gran, and even in his training with Noah when they went to Tracey’s for dinner. It was difficult not to feel like he was failing both of them. “Reed?” He called out, holding the bar door open for Stephan. “They said, yes.”

The music that had still been blasting lowered to a level where no one would have to shout to be heard—other than Reed, who came around the bar with a ‘Whoot!’ Both his arms had highlighter flowers on them now, looking a bit like they’d come out of one of his comic books since he’d used the sharpie to outline them all. “Hey, Drew! You wanna try some of the donuts I made? I haven’t been able to pin anyone down long enough, except Pike, who’s not allowed to eat anything unless Quint or Seth’s checked the ingredients first and...I kinda forgot to write them down when I was creating a new icing. It’s kinda like chunky peanut butter with jam only I added walnuts and pecans and...uh...nerds I think. Keiran will be horrified, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt me.”

A giant smile spread across Drew’s face, seeming to light him up from the inside. With that expression, he was almost handsome. Still in Stephan’s arms, he turned a little as if seeking permission from his Dom. “May I, please, sir?”

For several years, Curtis had watched the boy flit from one-night-stand to one-night-stand, on the nights he was lucky enough to get a Dom to pay attention to him. When he’d fixated on Noah, it seemed like the guy was addicted to disappointment because there was no way a Dom like Noah would ever notice a sub like ‘Kirby’ whose own so-called friends couldn’t remember his real name. Except, seeing him with Stephan, Curtis was forced to admit he’d been wrong. Very wrong. A very strong and special Dom had found him and certainly seemed to care for him a great deal.

“You may, but you will be honest about whether you like them or not. Reed won’t take it personally and he’s not someone you’re trying to impress. He already likes you.” Stephan pressed a kiss to Drew’s hair. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

“Yes, sir...” A bit of hesitation entered his gaze, but Drew nodded after a moment. “I promise.”

Curtis rounded the bar, indicating Lawson’s stool. “Unspoken rule of the club. No one sits there except Lawson.”

That got him a thoughtful look as Stephan pulled out a stool closer to the center of the bar. “It’s interesting, the different pieces put into place here to make each one of you comfortable. I have to admit, part of me didn’t fully grasp how a place that’s a bar, and both a fight club and a sex club could possibly feel like home, but the longer I’m here and the more I listen to each member of the Core speak of it...it truly is.”

Checking the dishwasher, Curtis verified it was on. Since Noah had replaced the old one with a silent model, it was like driving an electric car. Sometimes, he opened the thing or tried to start it when it was already on. Always fun. 

He glanced up, smiling at Stephan’s assessment. “Well, when you think about it, people sometimes end up in fights at bars, where there’s alcohol and the sexual tension runs high naturally.” He shrugged a little. “We just give them a safe-ish way to have that outlet. And people who aren’t great at fighting have been known to come here to learn, so they can feel safer defending themselves from those who might want to harm them for who they are outside these walls. After you let me know what I can get you, I’d be interested to hear what you think those safeties are, for me and Noah at least. I get Law’s.” He pointed to the back bar mirror that would allow him to see the front door, and then the gym doors and door to the upstairs. “Nobody can sneak up on him and he can keep everyone here in line.”

“Which makes both you and Noah more comfortable. Likely other members of the Core as well. It’s a diplomatic choice. If Noah had claimed it from the start, I suspect there would have been more of a power struggle.” Stephan observed Curtis silently for a few moments. “I believe your family might be yours. Lawson, Matt...and Reed. Each of them in their own way gives you the structure you craved growing up, but without the toxicity and violence. But it’s just a slightly educated guess.”

“And not a bad one at that.” A pilsner glass and a Glencairn in each hand, Curtis held up one then the other like he weighed them. “What’s your poison?”

Stephan chuckled. “Just a bottle of whatever beer has some taste to it. I’m a simple man.”

Popping his brows, Curtis flipped the glasses in the air, catching them both neatly before he re-racked them. “Smart too. Not that I’d poison you. You’re keeping this place together.” He bent to the beer cooler, sliding open the door. “How about a winter stout? It has some hint of ginger to it.”

“That sounds like a decent choice...not a combination I’ve ever tried before, but I’m game.” Stephan relaxed against the back of the stool, the edge of his lips curving up. “You asked me about Noah’s safety net, but you already know the answer to that.”

The cap knocked off the dark brown bottle with its white and silver label, Curtis catching it as it arced in the air. He threw it in the trash, grabbing a coaster on his way past the stack on the shelf above the drink well. 

“I suppose I might, but honestly it’d be a guess. I don’t read him all that well.” He set the bottle on the coaster in front of Stephan. “Well, that’s not exactly true. I know he likes books, and that Jared is who he turns to. I’d guess those things, but they’d be a guess.”

Stephan inclined his head, picking up the bottle and taking a long sip, head tilting to one side as he tasted it. “Mmm, this was a good recommendation. Different, but I like it.” He placed the bottle back on the bar, turning it slightly in his hand. “This place. What it means to you all. What it provides. Each of you plays a part in that, and it’s become a more solid representation of his goals and dreams the more he shares the control. Whenever he speaks to me—and this is something he doesn’t consider a secret, so I don’t mind sharing it with you, it always comes back to The Asylum and what he needs it to be for those he loves.”

Pulling his own ale from the tap, Curtis nodded. “He has a lot of places in his heart that he could get hurt because of how much he loves and how many he loves, and sometimes I’ve wondered if that’s why he’s so often got barbed wire—electrified barbed wire—around it.” Leaning against the back bar, he took a sip from his glass, rolling the nutty richness over his tongue. “But...you’re not up here to work. Tell me, what do you enjoy doing when you’re not pasting skulls back together?”

“Thankfully, swimming is high on the list.” Stephan smiled around the rim of his bottle as he took a longer gulp. “I’ve always been a bit of an outdoorsman, so this has been a unique experience. I enjoy people. I spend a lot of time around all types in my life of work, but I began my career working with children. Teens. Some of them went on to become mercs and were comfortable sharing those details with me. It’s how I ended up working for Vani. I was also highly trained in martial arts and survival—army brat.” He let out a soft laugh. “I’m not often needed for the more brutal parts of the business, but after a decade and a half there’s not many roles I can’t take on as needed.”

Recalling what he’d overheard of Stephan and Drew’s discussion, Curtis let his gaze drift to where Drew sat in a booth across from Reed. Slumped down, one hand over his stomach the sub laughed wholeheartedly at something Reed had said. “And if some of those roles were needed here...?”

Stephan followed his gaze, nodding slowly. “I’d be more than willing to step up. But because of my skills and my connections, it will take some time before Rhodey’s comfortable trusting me fully. I understand that and I’m willing to wait. It’s given me an opportunity I haven’t had in...a very long time. To slow down and get close to someone. Actually explore the possibilities. Thankfully, I’m in a good position with Vani to claim some space for myself—though she might start being less patient about my absence if she doesn’t hear from me at some point. I imagine Rhodey’s already made sure she can’t access the cameras in the bar now that I’m up here. Just in case I might signal to her that I want to be extracted. Which I don’t.”

The only thing that kept Curtis from dialing Vani’s number on his own cell at that moment was the knowledge of how much he trusted Rhodey. If the man said they needed more time to be sure of Stephan, then they needed more time. Even the conversation with Drew could have been designed to gain sympathy with Curtis if the man had somehow heard him coming. Deep cover was something operatives developed the ability to sink into for years or longer, sometimes getting so embroiled in relationships and their backstories that they had trouble shaking them off when they emerged or were activated.

Meeting Stephan’s gaze, Curtis swallowed a sip of his ale. “You already know I want to help you... And you know why I won’t.”

“Yes.” Stephan set down his bottle, not looking away, but not doing the unnerving, lack of blinking thing some mercs developed that made them appear a bit less than human. “I won’t ask you to, Curtis. It wouldn’t earn you any favors from Vani and it would damage your relationship with Rhodey. I’d be a shitty therapist if I let either of those things happen to serve myself. And my reputation would be worthless. People trust me because I show them they can. With Vani, it took years. I don’t believe it will take that long for Rhodey to let me out of my cage that has no bars. The rest...will come when it comes.”

“I hope so. We need you up here.” Forearm along the bar edge, Curtis set his drink on his own coaster, jutting his chin toward Reed and Drew. “That one is blooming under your attention. And Reed...well, he’s steadier. Thank you.”

Stephan’s expression warmed. “It’s my pleasure. Drew is...he’s very easily misled, he wants so badly to be accepted and find his place. Especially here, because he sees how close knit some of the groups can be. He chose the wrong group to get close to. I realized when he started getting closer to Danny that they shared some of the same...eagerness to please and always see the best in people. I think they were doing a pretty good job of helping each other see it, but...from what I’ve heard of the situation with Pauly, Danny, at least, still trusts a bit too easily. And I’ve no doubt Drew would have done the same in his place.”

Thumb and forefinger at the heavy base of his glass, Curtis split his attention between Stephan and Drew as the man spoke. He nodded slowly, wondering how it was that a man who taught high school could be misled by a clique. Or a bully. It would seem he’d run into the situation often enough to be able to see it coming a mile away. 

“Does he...” Shaking his head, Curtis laughed a little. “Sorry. It’s none of my business. I don’t know him well enough to discuss his life with you, but if there’s anything I can do to help please let me know? He’s generally been well behaved up here, except when embroiled in someone else’s mischief. I can’t think of a single thing he’s ever done that I’d so much as smack his ass for.”

Sighing, Stephan picked up his bottle, tipping it to his lips. “No, I don’t imagine he would. And I won’t go into details, but people tend to return to what’s familiar, no matter how harmful it might be. Danny, for example, tends to respond to anyone who reminds him of Trevor. Again, not a secret, I’m sure you’ve noticed it, even if you couldn’t quite put your finger on what was happening. He’s working on that with me, but we’ll be having a few more sessions after what happened to see if he can catch himself next time. Familiar isn’t always safe, but our brains don’t always know the difference.”

“Wow.” Curtis blew out a breath, laughing a little. “That hit me between the eyes. My brain is going to gnaw on that one for weeks. Also, it explains why Drew was so fixated on Noah. He’d mentioned something about his own high school experiences once. Wanting to be on the inside. Noah is pretty much the key to the kingdom here. He doesn’t let many in.” Straightening, he motioned to Stephan’s beer. “Another? I have a darker one with chocolate and cranberry notes.”

Stephan polished off the last of his beer and slid his bottle closer to the other side, where it would be easy to place with the other empties. “Yes, that actually sounds like a tasty combination. Could you see if Drew would like to try it as well?”

“My pleasure.” Curtis knocked on the bartop, straightening to leave the bar. On his way past Reed’s lollipop bag on the end shelf, he grabbed a few of the candies, bringing them with him to the subs’ table. He held up one to each of the boys. “Candy for your thoughts?”

Using his thumb to swipe some icing off his chin, Reed grinned at him as he took one of the lollipops. “You know it, Daddy-o. My donuts got the stamp of approval from Drew. You wanna try a bite?”

“Sure.” Eyeing the pastries, Curtis wondered if this was a good decision but far be it from him to deny his boy the pleasure of his Dom trying the results of his hard work. “What’s the flavor again?”

“Nerds and nuts.” Reed picked up one of the biggest, strangely shaped donuts, which it looked like he might’ve set aside just for Curtis. “It sounds weird, but it’s sweet and crunchy and the flavors just burst in your mouth. You don’t know if you’re getting candy or nuts when you bite, so it’s a surprise.”

Closing his eyes as he plucked up a donut, Curtis popped it in his mouth and chewed. The flavors did, indeed, burst in his mouth. A strange combination of sour crunchy and nutty crunchy. Swallowing, he ran his tongue around his teeth to collect the stray bits of candy and walnuts. Then a honey peanut. 

“Mhm. Definitely...unique.” Curtis licked his lips in an imitation of Koda, who now that he noticed it was under the far end of the booth by Drew, a few pieces of uneaten donut under his nose. Where apparently the sub had been trying to feed him bites, though whether this was with or without Reed’s knowledge, couldn’t be known. “Would either of you like a beer?”

Relief in his mossy green eyes, Drew sat up then adjusted the back of his pajama bottoms that didn’t quite make the trip with him. “Yes, sir. That would be lovely.”

“Can’t, but I’ll grab myself some root beer.” Reed started to stand, then ducked when Bram swooped down like he was about to attack the donuts. Instead, he dropped down under the table and came waddling out, nudging Fresco ahead of him, making a scolding sound like a mother dealing with a toddler. Snickering, Reed watched the bird herd the kitten over to Koda. “I should film them. I bet I’d get a thousand hits. Start a YouTube career and...yeah, no. Scratch that. Just thinking about that whole lifestyle has me bored already. Imma text Matt, though. See if he wants me to make him some donuts for the café.”

The last part got a choked sound from Drew, who covered it up with a cough. Lips pressed together to hide his own smile, Curtis returned to the bar to grab Drew’s beer, knocking the cap off and handing it to Reed along with another one, this kind one that didn’t contain alcohol. “I bought you some new non-alcoholic beers. Higher end. In case you want to try them.”

“Oh cool, thank you, sir.” Reed grinned at him, taking a swig as his thumb tapped away at his cracked screen. He made a happy sound with his next sip. “This isn’t too bad. Makes me feel like a real grownup again.”

“It doesn’t even have one of those obvious ‘I can’t drink’ labels, which I admire. No one wants to have to explain to their nosy friends.” Winking, Curtis motioned Reed back toward Drew. “Don’t be surprised if Matt’s already in bed with Lawson.”

Reed wrinkled his nose, heading to the table with his eyes still on his phone. “True, but how am I gonna know if I need to get started on the dough? Or raid my candy stash?” He put his beer in front of Drew and Drew’s beer at his spot. “He usually answers pretty quick unless they’re fucking.” He lifted his gaze to Curtis. “I saved a free pass just for that one. Totally planned it out perfectly.”

“Hmm.” Giving his boy a level look, Curtis raised his brows. “Company manners, please. And the dough can wait. This isn’t a barn burner, as much as you might feel that way.” He waggled his pointer finger at the beers. “Switch those.”

“Huh?” Reed finally put down his phone, frowning as he picked up both beers and examined the labels. “Ah...sorry, my bad. I was making sure to tell Matt all the ingredients I can remember so I’ll know how to make these again. Gotta pay attention.” He gave Drew the right beer this time. “Here ya go.”

Blowing out a breath, Curtis palmed the back of his neck, massaging. He kept his voice low, meeting Stephan’s gaze. “Your dog doesn’t like them either.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Drew keeps trying to tempt him with ‘people food’, but he’s trained not to eat anything either myself or Bram hasn’t checked first.” Stephan’s lips quirked as he nursed his beer. “I was wondering if either you or Drew would have the heart to tell him his adventurous tastes aren’t for everyone. Matt won’t hesitate. Your boys have a very solid, balanced relationship.”

“I would have...before. Right now, he’s struggling with all these changes and his limitations. It seems easier to take from a peer than...” Curtis motioned to himself with his new beer, this one a bottle of something lighter he hadn’t really looked at when he pulled it out of the cooler. “Well, someone who has power and control over what he does. He’s already limited. I don’t want to limit him more.”

Stephan sat forward a bit. “There’s nothing wrong with that, my man. He’s exploring and finding ways to express himself within those limits. You’re encouraging that. And you’re accepting the different roles you and Matt have in his life. I believe that’s very healthy.”

“Thank dog.” Laughing, Curtis blew out a relieved breath. “I thought you were going to tell me I was building a shaky foundation for our future relationship and damaging his trust. I feel like my road to hell is paved with good intentions. Always has been since...I got this new name.”

Almost as though the mention of names had summoned him, Pike poked his head in from the gym, grinning at Curtis when he spotted him, then half skidded, half tripped to where Fresco had curled up on Koda’s back. He lost one of his untied shoes on the way and plunked a bit sideways on the floor. “There’s my baby. Has he been good? I should probably give him some milk while I’m here. Seth said I could stretch my legs and see who was around. And if there were any people with coffee making skills to get him some more because he’s using that as fuel.”

“On it.” Curtis turned partway, grabbing a coffee filter from the pile and pulling out the tray in the machine to set it inside. “I’ll get you boys some sandwiches and pie from the galley too.” He glanced over his shoulder at Stephan. “Would you like something to eat?”

Stephan seemed to consider for a moment. “We have plenty of leftovers in my fridge downstairs, but I wouldn’t mind a piece of that pie. Keiran mentioned bringing some, but I think the situation tonight made that impossible.”

“Likely...” Curtis flicked on the coffee maker, moving toward the galley. He keyed in the code and used the doorstop to prop the door open, speaking as he grabbed the pie and sandwich fixings. “We could use more cleanup crew. Rhodey probably hasn’t even had time to breathe, much less beat Avery’s ass. Poor man.” He emerged with a plate and sandwich knife balanced on top of everything else. “Pastrami okay with you, Pike?”

Over at the table now with Reed and Drew, Fresco balanced on his shoulder like a fluffy little parrot, Pike spoke around a mouthful of donut. “That would be awesome. And these are the best donut I’ve ever eaten, Reed. They look funky, but I like that, too. Can I have the rest?”

“If you don’t start swelling up.” Reed seemed to be holding his breath as he eyed Pike. “I was gonna tell you I’m not sure I put in you approved stuff, but you’re like a damn hoover.”

“Shit.” Setting the pile of fixings on the bar, Curtis pulled out his phone and texted Quint. 

Pike ate some kind of nuts. I don’t know what kind. Ok so far. What should I look out for?

The message came back almost immediately.

Damn it, I’ve told him to be careful for that. If he starts coughing or his lips swell, there’s an Epipen under the bar in the medkit. Use it and let me know right away.

Frowning at his phone, Curtis listened to the idle chatter of the subs and the percolating coffee, trying to remember what he’d heard about allergies and Epipens. He knew only that the injection wasn’t the end of the matter, and that Pike would need emergency medical treatment to keep the allergy at bay for several days. Something about IVs, steroids, and all sorts of hassle none of them had the bandwidth for right now with Danny in surgery.

Okay. Will do.

This fucking day.

“Pike, come sit on this stool where I can keep an eye on you. Bring Fresco.” Curtis tapped the bar in front of the stool. 

Making a face, Pike dragged his one socked foot, and one sneaker across the floor. “I’ve been behaving. You don’t gotta watch me.” He lifted himself onto the stool. “Keiran said anything he keeps in the galley is safe for me to eat. Quint’s overprotective. I don’t mind, it’s sweet and I love him, but I’m not gonna get in trouble in the empty club while it’s locked down like Fort Knox.”

“And I’m keeping an eye on you because Quint and Seth can’t, and you ingested things you know might be dangerous. So, let’s give everyone, including me, the peace of mind to be sure.” Going to the table, Curtis picked up Pike’s shoe, bringing it back with him. He crouched, putting it on his feet and retying both laces with triple knots and jerking them so tight he knew Quint would be cursing him when he tried to get them off Pike’s feet later. “Now. Let me make you that sandwich and the coffee for your Dom.”

Pike pouted, then blinked and stared at Stephan. “I got Fresco...while he was on Koda. He didn’t move and...I wasn’t scared. Does that mean I’m fixed?”

One hand up, Stephan shook his finger from side to side. “I’ve told you, that language isn’t productive. You don’t need to be ‘fixed’, you needed help managing your fear. Koda’s learned how to be still and calm around you. If he moved suddenly or barked, it might still have an impact. But yes, this is very good progress.”

Curtis dug around under the bar in a basket of odds and ends, coming up with a large travel Thermos. He unscrewed the cap, then filled it with the freshly brewed coffee. The glug-glug of the liquid being transferred from one container to the other released its rich aroma, and he breathed deep. 

Absently, he commented, “I’m terrified of worms.”

“You are?” Pike gave him a wide eyed look. “But...how do you go fishing? I always...I don’t know, picture you doing all the manly things and...not being afraid of anything. You’re like…” His cheeks reddened. “It’s f’ing corny, but you’re my hero. I mean, you still are even with this, but...yeah.”

Heart going all gooey, Curtis hid his awwww behind a huge grin. He turned, popping his pecs under his Henley in a mock show of strength as he placed the closed Thermos in front of his cousin. “Even Superman had his kryptonite. I fly fish. And don’t ever tell Noah, but weeding after a rainstorm was the most effective punishment he ever gave me. I cried like a baby the whole time.”

“I would never tell him something like that, cuz.” Pike drew a cross over his chest. “Stick a needle in my eye and all that.” He cringed as Koda stood, letting out a soft growl, the puppy’s gaze locked on the door. When the puppy started barking, Pike crawled onto the bar. “Yup, definitely don’t like that. What happened to calm?”

Curtis lifted Pike into his arms, petting his cousin’s blue mop of hair. “Maybe it’s a giant worm.”

Bringing his fingers to his lips, Stephan let out a sharp whistle, which brought Koda straight to his feet, where he sat quietly, but his hackles still raised. Bram flew down to him, the bird making soothing sounds. “Koda doesn’t bark unless he sees or hears something that feels off. He’s familiar with everyone here, so he wouldn’t be barking at one of your people. You might want to check in with Avery and have him do a perimeter check.”

“Pike, take the coffee to your Dom. I’ll bring you the sandwich when I’m back.” Curtis met Reed’s gaze. “Galley or gym. Your choice.” Bending, he lifted the floor mat, knowing he had the training to handle this and part of him also aware that Avery might not be in any condition. If someone had gotten past the perimeter, then security on the roof was spread too thinly. 

Pressing in the code to the safe, he opened the arms room underneath the floor and descended the steps to grab a gun and clip before he came back up. “Stephan, you might want to take your boy downstairs. Rhodey probably doesn’t want me to leave you alone here, and I’m not sure he won’t shoot first and ask questions later.”

Stephan nodded without hesitation, then caught Drew’s attention. “Take Fresco from Pike, my boy, he can’t bring him in the clinic. We’ll take care of him for tonight. I enjoyed myself, Curtis. Thank you. And watch your six out there.”

“Likewise, my man.” Reaching out, Curtis shook Stephan’s hand. 

Trusting everyone to go where they’d been told, he stepped to the door, listening for a moment, then slipped out quietly. While the rain had stopped, the night remained damp and cold, a rime of ice around the bottom of the security fence forming as temperatures dropped. His breath frosting the air, he kept his back to The Asylum wall, skirting the perimeter, gun pointed down. Gaze scanning the fence, the shadows, and even the lip of the fence, he cocked his head to listen.

A thorough perimeter check brought him around the back of The Asylum, then past the fire escape. Footsteps silent, he wished Rhodey had seen fit to give him his own earpiece. Communication would’ve been real nice about now, but maybe the man had enough on his mind without bringing him on as a half trained merc. 

Shut up.

Squashing the inner whine-fest, he reached the loading dock with its entrance to the clinic, where all of the vehicles that remained were parked. All belonging to the Core. He felt the hoods, finding the engines all cold, and peered underneath. Nothing. Fairly certain the dog had been spooked by noise outside the fence—after all, he’d been in the basement most of the time since he’d arrived, and the gang could be fucking loud—he stepped up to the outdoor equipment shed where the snow blower and other grounds tools were kept.

He opened the door, reaching in, and nearly shit himself when someone scrambled to their feet. Wearing a dark hoodie, face not visible, he couldn’t have been more than Jamie’s height, with a slight build. “Don’t shoot!”

Collaring the guy, Curtis hauled him out of the shed. He knocked back the hood, revealing a youth with caramel colored eyes and dusky skin. A series of homemade tattoos that looked like cascading numbers trailed down the right side of his neck, and appeared to emerge at his hands, where they disintegrated over his fingertips in flecks of black. 

“Who the hell are you?” Slamming the young man’s back against the shed’s metal siding with a loud clang, Curtis held him aloft by his collar.

Emitting a startled squeak, the trespasser wrapped his hands around Curtis’ wrist. “Don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me. Garet said to watch out. But there were good places to hide. Food. I didn’t take anything...much...yet. I swear.”

The mention of Garet had Curtis’ grip loosening, then tightening again. “I don’t think you’re helping your case.” He jostled the guy, leaning in. “I repeat. What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Like...” Choking a little, the guy gasped. “Existing?”

Curtis pulled back his hand that still held the gun, intending to pistol whip the idiot and hand him to Rhodey.

Running up to his side, Reed grabbed his wrist. “Don’t! Did he say Garet?” He looked at the guy. “Have you heard from him? Is he okay? Here.” He pulled off the thick sweater Lawson always reminded him to put on before coming out and draped it over the smaller man’s shoulders. “Here...just...everyone calm down. If he got past the gates, Avery and Keiran probably cleared it with Rhodey. He’s harmless.”

Yeah...harmless. 

“Right.” Letting go of the guy, Curtis shook his head. “The way this night has gone, with all the new people here? I don’t know about that, sparkles.” He softened his tone, not wanting to upset his boy, then tucked away his gun and snapped his fingers under the kid’s nose. “Name.”

 Gaze wary, the guy glanced toward the fence like he thought about making a break for it. Curtis was half tempted to let him, considering he wouldn’t get far, but their ability to dispose of bodies was limited by the number of mercs who were now distracted cleaning up the gang’s previous mess. 

“Um...my friends call me Lurk.” 

Which can’t be a real name. At all.

“Your actual name, dipshit.” Curtis flicked the side of his hand against thick brown strands that had a wild, uncombed look about them.

“Eric Gardner.”

Letting go of the young man, Curtis stumbled back a step, feeling around for something to lean against. “What?”

Steadying him, Reed stared at the man. “You can’t be… Shit. This isn’t a coincidence, is it?”

“I need...” Unable to leave Reed alone with the guy, Curtis looked around helplessly, trying to find words. “Do you have a... Did you have a...”

“Brother?” Lurk asked. “Yeah. I’m him. I mean I’m his...” He stared at his fingernails like they’d become the most interesting thing in the world, then dropped his hand. “I shouldn’t’a come here. I’ll go.”

“No way.” Reed put his arm around the dude, looking up at Curtis like he’d just brought home a new puppy. “We can’t just leave him out here. And...he’s hungry. We’ve got the spare bedroom. And plenty of leftovers.”

“Jesus.” Walking away, Curtis took a deep breath. “Just give me a minute.”

A few steps behind Reed, Lawson folded his arms over his chest, seeming to assess the situation. “He’s not staying with us.” He motioned the man to him, giving Reed a hard look when he tried to hold on. “But I will get him somewhere to stay that’s better than the shed.” He fixed the young man with a level gaze. “I will get you a room and food. You will stay where you’re told or you’ll be hunted down and our next encounter won’t be so pleasant. Are we clear?”

“Law...” Throat raw, Curtis wondered if it was possible to lose his voice from an internal scream. “He’s Andrew’s brother.”

Lawson gave a sharp nod. “I heard. But he’s not Andrew. I know this is difficult for you, my man. But I need you to hold it together. Stay with our boys. I told you, I have you. I meant that.”

Giving over control right now felt good...and bad. Head swimming, Curtis nodded, having enough experience to know that power exchanges weren’t just for kink. They were a contract. A way of taking care of each other in a way that smoothed out the rougher spots in this hard knock life. 

“Garet said he’s sorry. I should tell you.” Lurk’s hood moved like he looked up at Lawson. “Thanks for the offer, sir. I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t’a bothered you all, but he wanted me to so much... He said I’d be surprised because it’d make things better. I should know by now I don’t make things better. It was a stupid idea.”

Shaking his head, Lawson put a firm hand on the man’s shoulder, drawing him to his side. “That remains to be seen.” He met Curtis’ eyes. “I won’t be long. Keep our boys close.”

Curtis nodded, motioning Reed closer. “On it.”

Without another word, Lawson led Lurk to his car, opening the passenger side door for him like he didn’t fully trust him not to make a run for it. Once he was settled behind the wheel, he started the engine, the gate opening just ahead of him, letting him onto the road, where he drove out of sight.

“Phone.” Curtis held out his hand to Reed, watching them go.

 Nodding, Reed plucked his phone from his pocket and handed it to him. “It’s...this is good, right? Garet...did something good.”

“Yes, mo grá.” Curtis motioned toward the bar. “Go inside and finish up the galley. I’ll be in shortly.”

Reed’s eyes narrowed. “Sugar. I’m not leaving you to do this alone. Lawson had to deal with some shit that wasn’t planned, but me and Matt are still here.”

“Huh?” Confusion tightening his brow, Curtis frowned at his boy. “I just need...a few. I promise I won’t leave and I won’t do anything stupid.”

Reed stuffed his hands in his pockets, hunching his shoulders as he headed inside. “Fine. I don’t wanna stress Keiran out by leaving the galley looking like a whole fucking disaster. I’ll be inside.”

Blowing out a breath, Curtis squeezed his eyes shut. There were things he needed to do for his own mental health, and he couldn’t take care of Reed right now until he took care of untwisting his insides. There were only two people who might help him with that.

Dialing Tracey at first, he shook his head, and deleted the call. It was too late, especially in her condition. Taking second best, because it was the more volatile option, he dialed Noah’s number and pressed the green button.

“Hey, my man.” Noah’s voice sounded a bit worn out. “How are you doing? I should have stayed down there with you, but I needed to check up on things here. I’ll be down in a bit, I just wanted to keep Wren distracted. He seems to be in...a better place for now.”

Staring up at the star-smattered sky, Curtis thought about something he’d read that said the Universe was an ongoing explosion and that humanity were the observers of their own inevitable destruction. “Good. That’s good. I’m outside... And I know you’ve had a hell of a night, but I need a bit of an intervention.” He swallowed the tight feeling in his throat, distantly wondering how Noah had known he’d been the one on the other end of the line when he used Reed’s phone. “Andrew’s brother was here... Garet sent him.”

“I know. Keiran got the message to Rhodey. He checked in to make sure I didn’t…” Noah let out a heavy sigh. “Any other night, it might fuck with me more. Tonight? I can’t afford to lose it. I need to hold this place together, even if I’ve gotta do it by the skin of my teeth. I’ll be right there and we’ll figure out how to deal with this together, all right?”

Curtis nodded, though Noah couldn’t see him, lowering himself to the ground so his back rested against the storage shed. Damp seeped into the sweats, the sting of the sutures on his face registering dimly. 

“Yeah, okay.” He thumbed off the phone, hand dropping to his side.

The time passed in a blur, and he wasn’t sure how long, but Noah was standing next to him. There was a different air about him, but one Curtis had seen before. His control was on like a solid piece of armor, as though he’d found every single chink and hammered it smooth so nothing could get through.

It probably wasn’t a good time to make the observation that it looked a lot like what Lawson had been doing. In moments like this, the two had that in common. Their roles as Doms weren’t for show, it was part of who they were, a steel core that made it so they could lead. And protect.

“Did he tell you what he wanted?” Noah held Curtis’ gaze as he spoke, the way he did when he was making sure Curtis wouldn’t hold anything back. “Money?”

Thoughts going to Reed inside, Curtis tried not to feel like a failure as a Dom or a human, shoving the feelings aside so he could put himself back together and be more than a quivering mass and useful to someone as quickly as possible.

“No. Just a place to stay. He was...I think...homeless.” Hands draped loosely over his drawn-up knees, he tried to puzzle it out. “Which is weird, because the Gardners are middle class. Solid money. Lurk, I mean Eric, shouldn’t want for anything. His parents are good people.”

Noah inclined his head. “Yes, but tragedies like that tear some families apart. I was lucky, my mom worked hard to make sure I had something stable to come back to, once I was...the type of person who could appreciate it. And she gave that to all of us. It could’ve...gone the other way. If I hadn’t pulled myself together with Rhodey and Jared’s help? I don’t think… She wouldn’t have what she does now, for Ana and Coal. With Todd. She had to see that I’d come back to her before she was able to...really move forward. Andrew’s parents didn’t get that.”

Numb, hollowed out, Curtis lowered his head. “I’d almost started to like myself. I don’t know how to live with this. I can’t even be angry with Garet anymore... I just... How can you even let me be with Reed?”

“Curtis, I am going to sound like an asshole right now, but I don’t know how else to put it.” Noah gave him a level look. “I can’t convince you you’ve put in enough work to deserve a good life. I can’t forbid Reed to be with you, he’d fight for you until this thing we created was nothing more than a pile of ash, then keep fighting after that. So there’s no ‘let’. I love you and I love him. I believe in you, you’ve repaid your debts as far as I’m concerned, but if you still think you owe something? Only you can fix that.”

Silence resting thickly between himself and Noah, Curtis thought over the man’s words. This was the Noah he’d known at the dojo. The one who’d called him a friend and a lover, but with that bit of controlled distance that Curtis could always depend on leveling him out when he needed it most. There had been phases to their relationship, he recognized, not for the first time. The first, harsh and cruel, spiked with mistrust and electrified lines that he immediately saw when he ran over them. Then, later, more freedom and intimacy. Some moments of humor and camaraderie. Not until after they’d broken up and come back together had he really known Noah as an equal and a true friend. He never wanted to lose that, but having all three combined into a cohesive whole wouldn’t be bad either. Something new that might or might not ever crest their relationship horizon.

“Thanks...” Pushing to his feet, Curtis glanced toward the front of the building. “I know this isn’t the place for him right now, but I would’ve asked him to stay if someone had given me a minute.” But that choice wasn’t his to make, and he had to be all right with it, just like he had to be all right with how the last few hours had gone. Because there was nothing that got in the way of happiness faster than trying to change the past. “Thanks for coming out. I should help Reed finish up in the galley. The club is a wreck from one end to the other, and it’s going to be a late night.”

Noah studied him for a moment. “Yes, it will, but not everything needs to be perfect. Tomorrow is another day. And I’m making sure it’s a damn good one. Even if I have to give Reed a bucket of fucking sparkles to sprinkle on every motherfucker who tries to make it otherwise. Including at the board meeting.”

“Ambitious. If anyone can team up to accomplish it though, you two can.” Remembering the days when Reed had hung onto Noah’s every word, worship in his eyes, Curtis smiled softly. “You’re a great team when you’re fighting on the same side.”

A slanted smile curved Noah’s lips. “I like hearing that. I’m not sure he’d agree, but...things have been better since the road trip. He still has no problem giving me a piece of his mind. And I don’t want that to change.”

Coming around the side of the building with Noah, Curtis motioned to the door. “I get it. He’s more than a little pissed at me at the moment.”

Noah lifted a brow at him. “What the hell for? I swear, I need to have Jamie set up a drama bulletin board for this place so I can fucking keep up.”

That drew a rueful laugh from Curtis. “Because I sent him inside so I could level myself out? He non-scene safeworded with me and I didn’t let him take that control back. I needed to talk with you alone, to sort out my thoughts. It wasn’t...that I don’t need or want to talk to Reed, I just...” Shrugging one shoulder, he flipped up a palm as they stepped into the bar. “You get it. Me. There are parts that Reed has never seen, and it might be wrong but I don’t want him to. It’s important to me to not tarnish the me he does know as much as possible, as imperfect as it is. As I am.”

“Believe me, I feel the same. I’d never...want Jamie to look at me with disgust, or pity, or...hell, I don’t even know. I work my ass off to be a man he can trust and admire.” Noah lifted his shoulders. “Aside from what I can’t help, but that’s...not happening as often anymore. I can lock it down and be a Dom worthy of him.”

“You have no idea how much that boy worships you. Loves you.” Remembering the nights he’d told Jamie stories about Noah to comfort him, taking him somewhere outside of the cold, hard rock they slept on, Curtis smiled softly in the now dimmed light of the bar. “I love him so damned much for how much he adores you, my man. It was wrenching and beautiful to witness, and I know beyond a shadow that there’s absolutely nothing that could take him or that away from you.”

Lips curving, Noah glanced toward the galley doors, where the quiet voices of Matt and Reed could be heard between clanging pots and running water. “I think we both got pretty damn lucky. I’m going to go check on Jamie. You go be with your boys. And...don’t hesitate to give me a shout if you need me. That’s what I’m here for.” He gave Curtis a one armed hug. “Don’t let things weigh on you. I forbid it.”

Curtis chuckled through his, “Yes, sir,” winking at Noah. “At least Pike is in the clinic where Quint can keep an eye on his nut allergy. He ate Reed’s Nerd and walnut donuts. At least I think they were walnuts.”

“I admire your efforts with that boy, I really do. But he’s...something else. I know Jared’s tried to keep him in line.” Noah sighed and shook his head. “I’m starting to think it might be impossible. He’s...not a bad sub, in his way, but he’s got the discipline of a feral cat sometimes. It’s hard to draw hard lines with the rest of them when that boy’s trampling over ones we haven’t even thought of yet.”

Thinking about Pike, Curtis tried to find a lifeline to throw to Noah. “He’s scared, my man. That bravado? The energy? It keeps him a moving target. You can’t squash it because you’ll never know where it’s going to be next. You’re too busy trying to work out the next thing he’s doing to think about the last.” He chuckled a little. “It’s a more benign version of me burying Lawson’s books so you...and I...wouldn’t notice how much I wanted to fuck him.”

“I can see that.” Noah slid him a slanted look. “It saved me a whole lot in replacing them when you two started taking showers together. It took me a while to put two and two together. And...trust that you weren’t going to hurt him. Looking at you both now, it’s hard to believe I ever had a reason to worry. Part of me keeps wanting to protect the broken young man he was. And he hasn’t been that for a very long time.”

Except the core of your experiences always stayed with you, and there were moments when a poke could reactivate the memory of pain. “We all need to know we’re loved, Noah. It does me good when you come out and say it. He might look at you like you have two heads the first few times, but you might want to try that approach with him.”

Inhaling slowly, Noah nodded. “I’ll...try. I’m not going to lie, part of me prefers things this way to risking him rejecting me offering anything else. We managed all right on the road trip, but it helped to have Reed’s surgery to focus on. Giving him distractions. But when we came home after being at the safehouse it’s like...nothing changed. Except not having Reed up on the bar half the night. I miss that.”

Curtis glanced at Reed’s spot on the bar, picturing him there, sucking on a lollipop while drinking cereal milk. “I’ll build him a little set of stairs to use.” His lips tipped up. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.” Taking down a glass, he poured Noah a whiskey, handing it to him over the bar. “As for Lawson? He responds to vulnerability. You show him yours? He’ll show you his. Don’t expect it to get you anywhere until he trusts it’s not a game, but—as Jared would say—I think you’ve got enough emotional money in a reserve account with him to get there.”

“I hope you’re right, my man.” Noah lifted the glass to him in cheers before tipping it to his lips and draining it in a few long gulps. He put it on the bar with a clink. “ I’ll keep what you said about Pike in mind, too. I have noticed he manages not to add to the chaos when we’re drowning in it.”

“True...” Pouring his own whiskey, using Noah’s glass, Curtis glanced up. “Hey, Noah?”

Noah paused on his way across the bar, glancing back at him. “Yeah?”

Letting heat show in his gaze, Curtis set the whiskey bottle on the bar. “I miss feeling you throwing me down on a mat. The dojo’s been closed for a while now, and I’d like to get it open again. Let’s...work on that.”

“I’d like that, my man.” Noah gave him a warm smile. “It’d be nice to have something...normal to break up the days a bit. Consider it our next project. I’m sure Jamie will have some idea for bringing you in a good crowd.”

“I bet.” Grinning, Curtis sipped the whiskey, waving Noah off and turning toward the galley. He knocked softly before entering the code, to give the two subs fair warning. “Got room for one more?”

Reed grunted, his head half in a huge pot—likely the one Keiran had used for the stew. “Yes, sir. I’m just trying to wash this thing without scratching it so Keiran don’t end up throwing it at me.”

Jumping down from his seat on the counter, Matt looked a little relieved when Curtis stepped in. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Reed, I’ll finish washing the dishes. Right now, I was wondering if you and Matt would be a little sneaky for me.” What they needed around here, Curtis decided, before Reed took to wearing black shit again, was some good trouble.

“I’m not gonna go get that sub from wherever Lawson put him.” Matt scowled darkly at Curtis. “I swear to all that’s fucked up, you’ve been trying to get my ass into trouble since the day we met.”

Not exactly able to argue the point, Curtis shrugged. “At least most of it was enjoyable?”

Coming up out of the pot, Reed wiped his sudsy hands on a dishrag. “I’m good with whatever, no one’s spanking me either way. What do you need?”

Curtis looped his forefinger in Reed’s collar, tugging him close for a sharp nip to his lower lip. “Don’t think I haven’t been keeping count, boy. You and I are going to have a very interesting time in the dungeon in a few months.”

Eyes widening slightly, Reed stared at him. Then the edge of his lips twitched. “Even you can’t count that high, sir. I’m saving up my best stuff for when I’m feeling up to doing it justice.”

“Hmm...” With a little tug to the loop, Curtis used his free hand to give the curve of Reed’s ass a sharp slap. “Don’t underestimate me, sparkles. I’d hate to wreck this before I get to tap it.”

Matt snorted. “Dude. I am so sleeping downstairs when you get your fucking papers again.”

That got him an arch look from Reed. “Like fuck you are. You’re standing in line and you know it. I’m so collecting for all those times I let you use this pretty mouth.” His lips slanted into a smirk. “Oops. I think I just added to the count.”

Holding the back of Reed’s head hostage, Curtis tangled his fingers in springy curls. He tugged, angling Reed’s face to his and controlling the position of a deep kiss he used to silence his boy’s sass. Exploring the sweet heat of Reed’s mouth, scraping his tongue along molars with a slow, insistent fucking motion, Curtis made sure his boy felt every inch owned. Leaving him no doubt as to who had and would keep control of the very short leash he intended to snap on his collar as soon as it was safe to do so.

“Mmm, I was starting to wonder if you’d forgotten how to do that.” Reed’s eyes danced with mischief as he nipped Curtis’ bottom lip. “How sneaky is it you want me to be? I’ve got all kinds of moves I’ve been saving for a special occasion. You want me to get into Noah’s loft and put gorilla glue in Jared’s beard cream?”

“Worse...” Curtis breathed the word against Reed’s kiss-swollen lips.

“Ugh. Curtis. Dude. My ass is still sore from that cane. What the fuck, man?” Matt made a face at him, sticking out his tongue, but his eyes sparkled with humor much like Reed’s.

Curtis snatched Reed’s wrists, pulling them behind his back to arch his chest, continuing to steal kisses. Bundling them into one hand, he slipped his other down Reed’s front to cup his dick, curving his palm along the ridge of his erection for a few slow strokes. “I want you to convene a sub summit. In the bar. After hours. Tonight. Or in the morning. But before the board meeting.”

“Tonight?” Reed’s voice was breathless as he peered up at Curtis. “Like...everyone? Not sure how we can get everyone’s attention…” He frowned and looked around the galley. “I guess I could set off the fire alarm, but that’ll get more than the subs down here. And I think Rhodey might decide I’m healed enough to get my ass beat.”

“You’ll come up with something. You always do.” Squeezing and stroking, Curtis drank in the way Reed’s pupils ate up the color of his irises. “Everyone—the mercs, docs, and a bunch of the subs—are worn out. We need a fresh perspective, and alignment between the Royals to bring something to the board that we can all agree on, because I seriously doubt a bunch of tired and cranky Doms are going to be able to do more than growl at each other tomorrow.” He grinned suddenly, thinking of Noah’s threat about Reed and the glitter. “Even Noah was talking about arming you with sparkle bombs to keep the peace.”

Reed lost the lust-filled haze in his eyes, shaking his head. “Sir, please...stop. I need a minute. I get what you’re doing, but…” He brought both hands up to rub over his face. “Okay...okay, I think I might be able to…” He blinked and looked at Matt. “Sub 101.”

Having immediately stepped back when Reed asked for space, Curtis leaned against the counter. Matt, with his back against the door, had looked ready to become the world’s first human nail gun. If the things started spitting from his mouth, they wouldn’t have to replace the one Curtis had shorted out during construction. When Reed mentioned Sub 101, however, his mood shifted to something more contemplative and less combative.

“You mean, like actual training?” Matt poked the tip of his tongue at the corner of his lip. “Not just with Lawson? I don’t know... I doubt he’d go for it, and I’m not too jolly about the idea of someone like Jared getting his needles in me.” 

Reed rolled his eyes, reaching out to hook his fingers to the front of Matt’s collar and tug him in close. His lips slanted. “What if I promise to take any needles for you? For the power of love and all.” He flicked his tongue over Matt’s bottom lips. “Come on. Think about it. We’ll do some classes, learn about kinky stuff and how not to get spanked. And…” His expression turned serious. “We’ll be part of making sure what happened to Danny never happens again.”

“I can be on board with that...” Matt’s gaze skipped sideways to Curtis, then back to Reed. “If there’s a limit list and safewords apply outside of punishments.”

Standing back, Curtis stayed out of the conversation, wanting this to be something the sub contingent cooked up. They would be more invested in the solution if it was their own.

“I mean, it will be ‘Sub 101’. And I’ve never heard any of us safeword for nothing. Well, except Pike, but it’s flippin’ hilarious.” Reed tapped his fingers down the center of Matt’s chest. “You get to show off a bit. You know you’ll be in the top five of the class. Number one to me, but I don’t like perfect and too goody goody.”

Matt’s lips curved. “You’re a fucking flirt, and I love you.” Sighing, he mock rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’m in.”

“Excellent. Now we just gotta figure out how to round up the rest of the crew.” Reed rolled his shoulder, hand on the center of Matt’s chest as he smiled up at Curtis. “I’ve got this, sir.”

“Thank you, my boys... This place, all of us, we’ve come too far. We can’t lose this. It would suck more than the sting my pride took tonight in the ring.” Motioning to Matt, Curtis beckoned him closer.

“Jeez.” Hands jammed in his back pockets, Matt stepped forward into Curtis’ embrace. “If I’d known you were such a marshmallow, I wouldn’t have pissed myself when you came at me outside the police station.”

“I am not a marshmallow.” Speaking into Matt’s sandy blond hair, Curtis tightened his hold around the sub’s shoulders. “I’ve just learned a few things about subtlety and political maneuvering since then.”

Chewing on his bottom lip, Reed slid one arm around his waist, and the other around Matt’s. “I’m glad you were a badass enough to kidnap him and force him into manual labor, it turned out good in the end. And...I don’t want to lose pieces of...us. The whole Core. I’ve been liking adding to it a lot more. I...want things to feel solid again, I just...can’t see it yet.”

Including Reed in the Matt sandwich, Curtis wound his arms around both his boys. “We have a chance to get ahead of things, to change them around here for the better. Working together in ways we’ve rarely done. What happened tonight sucks, but it doesn’t have to be a tragedy. We can turn it into a triumph.”

“I like the sound of that, sir.” Reed rested his head on Curtis’ shoulder. “A lot of the times it seems like things...like things like this stick around a long time and we can’t shake it. I really want this time to be different.”

“I do too, sparkles. Very much. I’m enjoying having us all pulling together more.” Curtis glanced toward the galley door, mind working on a strategy to help Reed accomplish his mission. “As for Danny...for Jared, and Wren...everyone going off half cocked, sometimes it takes us all a while to see where we went wrong when we acted—or reacted—to protect those we care about.” Lips twisting, he met Matt’s gaze. “I know you know all about that, don’t you?”

Matt’s answering growl was predictably irritable. “I’m still pissed he did that to you in the ring. There should be some kind of rules against it, even if you did bump fists. I can’t believe you’re just forgiving him.”

“But...what he did was to Curtis.” Reed rubbed his hands on his jeans, drawing away a little. “And...because of the relationship between him and Lawson, I guess that would be something they gotta work out, but...he doesn’t owe me anything. I’m...gonna follow Curtis’ lead, man. He gets to say how he wants things to go down, it happened to him.”

Expelling a breath, Curtis tightened his arms. “It happened to all of us. The physical trauma might be mine and Danny’s, but the emotional trauma? It belongs to us all. You get to feel and react the way you want to and need to. I just...guess I can understand because I would’ve done the same in his shoes. If it had been one of you I thought had been put in danger by someone like me who has a history of playing some ill-considered pranks.”

Reed shot him a bracing smile. “That is my choice, sir. I’m with you. And I’ll talk to the other subs. I might...try to plan something closer to morning, though. If we can get in to see Danny? That’ll make a huge difference. They’ll see he’s good, you’re good, and we can actually contribute something positive.”

“It might not work, but dammit, we’re going to try.” Tightening his arms, Curtis swung his boys toward the galley door. “Now, let’s get some sleep before you have to try to sneak out of bed at some undogly hour.”

A crystal ball would’ve been great right now, but instead Curtis felt like he held one of Wren’s snow globes, all shaken up with the pieces floating around inside. After everything that had happened tonight, he had to trust that the flurry of emotions would settle at some point though and, even if they didn’t land in the same place, The Asylum would still be visible and whole somewhere inside. The idea of the sub summit and the board meeting—what came out of it—was the only thing keeping his internal snowstorm from becoming a blizzard. 

Change, he’d learned, was inevitable, but by taking steps to share a little of the same grace and forgiveness he’d been given by others, the storm might not just be survivable. It might be beautiful.

*****

Part 26

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