Love & Stitches at The Asylum: Part Forty
Happy Sunday, friends!
We're coming up on the end of Part 2 (yes, there will be a part 3) of Love & Stitches. We're waiting for the links to completely populate, but if you want to get a jump on the end of the volume, you'll be able to pick it up here: https://books2read.com/u/4Ap0Re. D2D will post the retailers as they come online, so keep your eye out.
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Have a great rest of your week. We'll see you in the Club!
xo
Tibby
*****
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
*****
I need my family...
Aware of Seth cuddling his boys, one on his lap, the other by his side, Jared looked around for Jamie and Wren automatically, needing to see they were well, but also part of him wishing for the small comfort their presence might afford.
Following Jared’s gaze, Noah was silent for a few beats. Then he turned to Jared, bringing one hand to his cheek. “You’re speaking to someone who didn’t think he had a soul at all. They haven’t been here that long, my lovely, huge hearted man. Maybe that’s where he’s keeping it now. But it doesn’t have to stay there. Maybe it can grow big enough for him to keep a piece for himself.”
“Maybe so.” Focusing on those sweet as sin gray eyes, Jared found a small smile. “But am I the person who should be giving it back to him? Or who can?”
Noah made a thoughtful sound, leaning in to brush a kiss over Jared’s lips. “I can’t think of anyone better for the job. You love him, so I don’t think you’ll be satisfied until you come at it from every angle. Don’t knock your own pieces off the board.”
Looping his arms loosely around Noah’s waist, Jared studied the peaks of his upper lip. “On a scale from one to ten, how bad did I fuck all this up?”
A teasing smile on his lips, Noah cocked his head. “Rhodey and I were working together to keep the other Doms from storming the classroom.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “That can’t be more than a two.”
Jared suppressed a bark of laughter, turning it into a snort. “That is a red letter day. I’ll take it as a win, then. And worry about the rest later... But perhaps in our loft. I think I’m not the most popular person around here at present.”
“Meh, you could’ve done worse, they’re just not considering all the options.” Noah caught Jamie’s hand on the way to the door, leading their subs along with them on the way out. “For my module, I’ll find a reason to beat on Danny. Then I can be the monster for a while.”
“Sir? Can I maybe dress up in his hoodie and you can beat me instead?” Jamie tugged on Noah’s sleeve, then held up his arms. “We can practice. I’ll let you carry me upstairs for a start.”
Brow lifted, Noah looked down at Jamie. “You’ll let me? I’ll carry you whenever I please, thank you very much. And beat on you. You can wear all his clothes and color your hair and I still couldn’t pretend you were anyone but you.”
“It’s your backside that gives you away.” Leaning down as he took Wren’s hand, Jared mock whispered in Jamie’s ear.
Wren smiled a little, glancing down at Jamie’s ass. “It’s all the cupcakes. May I ask Keiran to make even more of them for him, sir?”
“You may.” Giving Jamie’s bottom an affectionate pat when he wiggled it, Jared moved with Wren up the stairs. “How are you doing, little raven? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts on the class as well.”
Licking his bottom lip when Noah gave him a warning look after he started to bite it, Wren furrowed his brow. “I thought it was going quite well. I was looking forward to everything we were going to explore. I wasn’t very surprised with those who were taking longer to adapt at first. The last part was…unexpected. Can I get a new book to start Jamie’s food journal? I finished those medical books you suggested.”
Blinking at an abrupt topic change he should have been used to by now, Jared nodded as he entered their door code. “Of course. There are plenty in my study, in the cabinet with the carved cherubs on top.” The room wasn’t one he used often, because he did most of his work in his office at the General Clinic, but he’d spent a fair bit of time in there over the past several days planning the class. “You may take as many as you wish. Also, the books on my bookshelves are yours to read as well. Perhaps the one on metabolism next.”
“Yes, I would like to delve deeper into that. It’s fascinating.” Wren jumped when Noah’s phone buzzed, inching away as far as the stairwell would allow, as though simply being near the device might be a problem.
Noah took out his phone. “Settle, my little bird.” He glanced at the text, his jaw hardening. “I need to go take care of this. Jamie, before Wren gets all lost in his studying, show him that Dracula movie we watched last week. I think he’ll enjoy it.”
“Love at First Bite, sir? Or Twilight?” Jamie tipped his head to one side, then wrinkled his nose. “Or Interview with a Vampire?” A grin spread across his face at the last one. “I like how you demonstrated the different biting techniques. The last one was definitely the most realistic. We should watch Vampire Diaries next. There’s even a spinoff.”
Already on his way down the stairs, Noah called back to him. “Anything but Twilight. He’ll have fun with the rest. I’ll try not to be long.”
It was unlike the man to be secretive. Wondering if this might have to do with Wren’s birthday, Jared opened the door for the subs to go inside. He pulled out his phone to text Keiran,. “Do you have the time or inclination to bring my boys up some cupcakes?” He spoke out loud as he sent the text, not realizing he did so, then clamped his mouth shut when Jamie gave him a funny look.
I hope you are doing ok. I apologize for today.
The text came back quickly.
There’s nothing for you to apologize for, sir. Sometimes, things can be challenging. But I’m okay. I’m in the galley feeding Avery icing.
Chuckling, Jared removed his boots, using his heels to loosen them before he slid them off.
Carry on relaxing. I’m sure we have sweets enough here, and pretzels.
Another text came through a second later.
Sorry, sir, I was addressing the part of your text asking how I was first. I didn’t want you to worry. Of course I can bring up cupcakes.
Jared shook his head, rolling his eyes at himself.
You’re probably too young to remember telephones.
I, on the other hand, remember carrier pigeons.
Texting feels like carrier pigeons. What ever happened to talking to someone?
Feeling like he’d said too much, he frowned, wishing he could delete the text. “Boys, change into your pajamas.”
A text came back, a stream of laughing faces, shocked faces, then a purple thing.
Sorry again, Avery’s being silly. You are not that old, sir.
“Wonderful.” Leaving the text conversation off with Keiran’s last, Jared put his phone away, walking into the bedroom. “Wren...what does it mean when someone texts you an eggplant?”
Wren looked over from where he’d had his face pressed against the window. He blinked at Jared. “I believe it means they want dick, sir. Jamie would know better than I would.”
Hopping up and down, while somehow laying down on the bed, Jamie tried to peel off his jeans. “I ate too much cake.”
“It means you ate too much cake?” The text message world was confusing as hell. Approaching the bed, Jared took hold of the cuffs of Jamie’s jeans to shake him out of them as he’d seen Noah do many times. “Wren, get in your pajamas, love.”
A little breathless from all the shaking, Jamie sat up on his elbows, naked from the waist down when his underwear had come off with the jeans. “No, sir. It means what Wren said.” He pointed to his dick, which lay on his right thigh. “You want dick.”
Turning away from the window, Wren went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of plain, black cotton pajamas. “I hope Noah comes back soon. It’s cold outside and he’s not wearing a jacket.” He lifted his pajama shirt and smiled at Jamie. “These are the ones you got me. I like the fabric, it’s very soft. And the seams aren’t too thick.”
“Oh, awesome, dude.” Jamie bounced off the bed, pulling his own shirt off over his head at the same time. “Thanks for helping me, sir. I could’ve been beached like a whale for the rest of the night.”
Going to the window, Jared nodded in acknowledgement. He parted the sheer back curtains with two fingers to gaze out over the city, looking for a sign of Noah’s vehicle or him on foot. “Did he walk somewhere, little raven? I’m surprised Rhodey would let him.”
“No, sir. He was still in the parking lot when I was looking. I think he’s arguing with Reed.” Wren folded his shirt, placing it on the dresser. “Or Reed’s arguing with Lawson’s car. It was very hard to tell.”
Turning a little, Jared angled his body so he could tip his head to look down at the section of parking lot where the Core kept their cars without bumping up against the glass. Even through the thick double paned windows, the frigid temperature registered. The sky that had been clear earlier that morning had turned a slate gray, the tops of the trees whipping around like they sought to catch fragments of the sky.
Standing back a bit, Noah had his hands up as Reed faced him. He made a calming motion and Reed stabbed his finger through the air at him before turning and slamming his fist into the closest vehicle, one of the SUVs. When Noah tried to grab him, he ended up with an elbow in the stomach. But instead of trying for a firmer hold or taking Reed down, he let him go again.
“Right.” Unsure whether he was the problem they discussed so heatedly, Jared decided he didn’t care. Getting the two of them inside before frostbite or further injury happened was more important. “Let Keiran in when he comes up with the cupcakes and get started on the movies. I’d like cocoa with Bailey’s and make extra in case Noah would like some. Popcorn would be lovely as well.” He issued the instructions as he tugged Noah’s thickest winter coat and a second—one of his older coats that might fit Reed better—from his and Jamie’s section of the walk-in closet that was already overflowing. “Jamie, you’re going through these clothes tomorrow. This is ridiculous. Most of these things still have tags on them.”
“But I got them on sale!” Bandying about the word sale like it was a new vocabulary word Noah had taught him, Jamie appeared in the closet doorway, a horrified look on his face. “I’ll, I don’t know, do five wardrobe changes a day like I used to on press junkets. And for shows.”
“No.” Without time to argue, Jared swept past with the coats in his arms. “We’re going to be talking about this habit of yours, and by talking I mean your backside conversing with my belt if you don’t get a handle on your shopping impulses.”
Jamie followed, groaning. “It’s not even your closet, sir.”
Eyes narrowing, Jared stepped into his boots. “Don’t go there. You won’t win.”
“Fine. I’ll go naked if it pleases you, sir.” Storming away, Jamie slammed the bathroom door. “Fashion failure!”
In the bedroom doorway, Wren stared toward the bathroom, looking a bit stunned. His brow creased as he looked at the jackets. He fetched Jared’s newest one, with his gloves, and a new, black knitted cable, winter hat. “Jacks made the hat. He said it would look fabulous on you. It seems quite warm.” He rose up on his tiptoes to pull the thick knitted hat onto Jared’s head. “But yes, it’s very well suited to you, sir.”
“Thank you, my love. Please beat Jamie for me while I’m outside?” He shrugged on the coat, teasing. “It would please me immensely to not have to do it myself.”
Wren nodded slowly, glancing toward the kitchen. “With a spoon?”
“Spatulas make a much more satisfying sound.” Feeling a little evil, because it was apparent Wren had taken him seriously, Jared winked. “I’m thinking five-hundred swats on his naked ass should do it. I’ll see if I want to add more depending on how good of a job you do.”
“Yes, sir.” Wren went to the kitchen and started going through the drawers. “This one is a good size…”
Leaving Wren to his mission, Jared stepped into the hall and used the back stairs to get to the third level and the fire escape. The cold air hit him like a physical blow, easily an unseasonable below-zero day, the wind making it even more frigid. He picked up his pace to a run, coming around the corner like a coat waving matador.
Facing away from him, Noah used a placating tone as he watched Reed dent the side of his own car with a fist that was already in pretty bad shape. Noah clearly didn’t give a damn about the vehicle, even though it was one of his favorites. “This won’t make you feel better. Please, just calm down and talk to me.”
“What fucking good does talking do?” Reed shook his head, his face crimson with rage and the punishing gusts of wind. “I tried talking. I tried to do something and look how it turned out. What else is there to fucking say?”
“We could start by saying, ‘Yes, sir, I’ll put on a coat’.” Jared stepped up to Noah, handing him his gloves and jacket, giving him an unimpressed look, then held out the other jacket to Reed, along with a hat. “Put them on, please. Right now.”
For a second, it looked like Reed might argue, but then he let out a heavy sigh and took the jacket, tugging it over his arms. “Yes, sir. There, is everything all fucking fixed?”
The slap Jared landed on Reed’s face was hard enough to spin his head. “Let’s try that again.”
Not moving a muscle for several beats, Reed drew in a sharp breath. He turned to look at Jared. “Yes, sir.”
“Good boy.” Tugging Reed in by his jacket front, Jared wrapped him in what had to be an almost painful hug. “I’m looking forward to taking out my toys with you next week. Don’t make it into something more than a scene. Because I’m clearing you for the belt and I won’t hesitate to use it.” Though Reed wasn’t one-hundred percent healed, Jared made the executive decision. Mental health over the perfect physical. Reed needed lines. He’d get them. “Are we clear?”
Nodding again, his face against Jared’s shoulder, Reed slumped a little. “That should have been me today. If I’d just… No one would have thought anything of you caning me. They would still think the classes were a good idea.” His voice broke. “They were, weren’t they? You were giving us all what we needed.”
“I’m glad you think so. That means a great deal to me to hear.” Pulling back a little, Jared pulled the hat over Reed’s curls, then tucked a few strands under the knitted red brim. “Has someone said I won’t be allowed to teach the classes anymore?”
Reed tugged his bottom lip between his teeth. “No, but you saw how everyone reacted. How bad it got. How can things keep going after that?”
“Will you be there?” Jared tipped his head to one side, soothing the red mark on Reed’s cheek with light touches of his gloved fingertips.
The edge of Reed’s lips curved slightly. “Well, yeah. It was my idea. And I’m saving any points I manage to keep for the pain module.”
Smile spreading across his face, Jared experienced the first flutter of excitement and joy he’d found amid the nerves and trials of planning and carrying out the first classes. “You do realize it will make you the teacher’s pet?”
“Sir, you do know Keiran’s still gonna be there, too, right?” Reed lowered his gaze a little, a twinge of guilt crossing his features. “I had to poke at him a bit, I couldn’t help it. I can’t behave as well as he can. I can deal with him being better than me in the galley, but in your class it was…harder.”
Bringing his forehead to Reed’s, Jared mingled their frosty exhales. “But I’m not interested in Keiran as a sub, or more than a friend. Am I?”
Reed touched the tip of his cold nose to Jared’s. “No, but that wasn’t the point. He’s so good and you deserve that. Good subs. I’m not exactly bad, but…I have my moments. I knew in class wasn’t gonna be a shining example of subliness. No matter how bad I wanted it.”
“I would find it exceedingly boring if you were perfect, Reed.” Turning a little, Jared included Noah in the conversation. “This may be awkward with Noah here, but I think you’re old enough to have frank conversations around the adults who raised you. Neither of us is interested in perfection. We are interested in subs who like to go on a wild ride with us, who have the ability to say ‘how high’ when we say ‘jump’ but who have other talents...and a will of their own as well.”
Huffing out a laugh, Noah gave Reed a level look. “If he’s old enough to get in my face the way he just did and tell me he’s an adult and I don’t need to take care of him? Yes, I think he’s definitely old enough for whatever other conversations need to be had.”
Jared eyed the damage to the SUV, then lifted Reed’s hand by the wrist to examine it. “You’re going to be spending a lot of time with that toothbrush your Dom loves so much once your hands are healed, working to pay off that damage.”
“Yeah, that’s fair.” Reed inhaled roughly, following Jared’s gaze. “I was…really angry. And I didn’t want to snap at the wrong person or make things harder for Matt or Lawson…or Curtis. They’ve been dealing with so much. I figured the cars could take it.”
“Unfortunately, your hands couldn’t, and your Dom’s property suffered. All three of your Doms. In addition to now having the pleasure of taking care of you and making you feel every ounce of your submission, we will be worrying about what we could’ve done to prevent your getting to this place.” Kissing Reed’s fingertips, Jared held his gaze. “Remember when we talked about this? When you went to—” Jared’s lips twitched as he gave the club the subs’ favorite name. “—Club Rando?”
Ducking his head, Reed gave him a sheepish look. “Definitely not one of my finer moments. Do I get points for not even having been tempted this time? I prefer to avoid tetanus with my kink.”
“We will award ten points to Reed-in-claw.” Throwing back to Reed’s childhood obsession, or one of them, Jared pulled out the name Curtis had given to his ‘common room’ or bedroom. “But they are only good in the free periods between classes.”
Reed’s already red cheeks were practically glowing with color. He pressed his tongue to his bottom lip. “What am I allowed to use them for during free classes, sir?”
“That depends...” Bringing his lips to Reed’s ear to spare Noah mostly, but also to feel Reed’s shiver when he nipped the fleshy lobe, Jared growled softly. “On what kind of lessons you want to learn.”
Sucking in air through his teeth, Reed pressed against him. “All of them, sir.” He bit the side of his bottom lip, close to his lip piercing. “But you should probably know I haven’t…I can’t…since the surgery. Blowjobs, giving them, is fine. But the rest…I think I might be broken.”
“Then I’ll have to play doctor until we figure out what’s wrong.” This time, Jared used his tongue to skim the shell of Reed’s ear, then nipped hard at the tip in a quick strike.
“Mmm.” Reed hooked his fingers to Jared’s front pockets, like he needed to hold himself steady. “No problems there.”
Clearing his throat, Noah appeared to be studying the brickwork. “If we’re done abusing all the cars in the parking lot, I’m going to head in and make sure our boys are…doing…something.”
Jared choked on a laugh, pulling back from Reed. “I think we’d better come with you, love. I promise to behave while I patch this one up.”
“You’d better. I’d hate to have to report you to the Headmaster.” Noah slid him a sideways look, opening the door and shuddering a little as though a thought had just hit him. “Damn it, I think I just made it worse. And Rhodey’s having matching uniforms made for all the subs.”
“Kinky.” Unable to remember the last time he’d uttered that particular word, Jared nudged Noah ahead of him up the stairs. “You’re going to need to open the door. My fingers are frozen. Oh, and don’t freak out.” He glanced at Reed. “That’s what they call it, correct? Freaking out?”
Lips quivering and eyes dancing with laughter, Reed nodded. “Yes, that’s what we all say to Lawson whenever a bill comes in the mail that one of us ran up.”
“The patch on your uniform was nice. We should have some Core sub stationary made up with it on there. Maybe Sin could give you all tattoos.” Climbing the last couple stairs, Jared followed Noah to the door, his hand still around Reed’s wrist.
Opening the door, Noah stopped short at a shout, followed by a fit of giggles.
“Jamie, you have to stay still so I can finish this.” Wren sounded like he was trying to be firm, while huffing out a laugh. “Maybe it would be easier if I used the shackles? We only got to three. Here…do you know how to put this on?”
“Well, it’s three I won’t have to give him, on top of fixing Reed’s hands.” Winking at Reed, Jared tugged him inside. “It’s wonderful when subs follow orders. Isn’t it?”
Noah’s brow furrowed as he glanced over at Jared. “Three what? And why is Wren trying to shackle Jamie?” Almost to the door, Noah tripped back when it flung open, Wren chasing Jamie with the spatula.
“That was almost four!” Wren swung the spatula like he was trying to hit flies in the air. “This is not at all how this is supposed to be done!”
“You have to get him to bend over the couch arm. Or your lap, love.” Jared called the advice as Wren zoomed past. “Try saying ‘please’!”
Chasing after Wren, Noah managed to corner both him and Jamie, snatching the spatula from Wren’s hand. “My turn. Feel free to run. I like playing with my food.”
Shrieking with a combination of fear and laughter, Jamie leaped straight up, making a mad dash around Noah toward Wren’s office.
Reed watched them with his eyes wide. “And Lawson says me and Curtis and Matt are wild. Damn, ya learn something new every day.”
It was a good moment, with nearly all of his men in one place. Happy.
Jared pointed toward the kitchen. “It’s safest in there. Also clean.”
Stepping into the kitchen, Reed pulled out a chair and placed his hands on the table. He flexed them, sighing as he looked down at the mess he’d made. “I really am sorry I made more work for you. Another one of my decisions that felt really satisfying in the moment, but ended up being…a problem. Thanks for snapping my head back on straight.”
“Mhm...my pleasure.” Taking out the med kit from its special storage compartment Curtis had built into the kitchen entry wall, Jared motioned to the fridge. “We might have to improvise, but I think I can come up with something sugary enough for you.” He sat across from Reed, flicking the latch on the medkit to open it. “And I love taking care of you. Just...not for this reason. It isn’t fun for me to see you hurt like this.”
Reed brought his gaze up to meet Jared’s. “I will find better ways to…deal with it when I’m angry. I was just ready to explode. And not in a fun way.”
Studying the bloody gashes on Reed’s knuckles, some places where the bone showed white and pink, Jared nodded. “I’d say you did explode. Not in a fun way.” He held up one of his own hands. “Can you move them like this? Gently. Bend then rotate. It might sting but shouldn’t be excruciating if nothing is broken. If it is, we’ll need to go down to the clinic.”
Reed copied the motions, then lifted his shoulders. “I don’t think anything’s broken, sir. And not just because I’m a masochist. I’ve broken things before and this doesn’t feel like that. I’m lucky I learned how to throw a punch.”
“Yes.” Taking a blue absorbent pad from a sterile package, Jared laid it on the table. “You know the drill, my little pain slut. Hands on there. I need to clean you up.”
Hands flat on the table, Reed’s dimple appeared on his cheek. “You’ve said stuff like that when we were doing stuff that definitely was a lot more fun. And hurt so much better.”
“Yes, and I’m looking forward to saying it under better circumstances again.” Jared glanced up, shaking his head a little with his laugh. “You’re going to distract me. Stop with the grin.”
The effort Reed made only had both his dimples showing up and getting deeper. “Sorry, I’ll try really really hard not to think about playing doctor, and sharp objects, and pain that’s almost more than I can take. I’ll be a very good boy for you, sir.”
“Behave.” Trying to make his tone and expression stern, Jared knew he failed utterly. “I promise you won’t regret waiting. The better job I do, and the quicker, the less opportunity Wren will have to be the one who insists on doing your stitches.”
Reed tipped his head to one side as though thinking it over. “That was meant to discourage me, right, sir? Because it’ll probably be painful. I wonder if that’s why Curtis likes getting them from him so much?”
“Your Dom isn’t a masochist. He’s a marshmallow.” Filling a syringe with anesthetic, Jared glanced up at those sinfully delectable dimples. “You know, they come out when you’re crying too. And fill with your tears. It’s difficult to focus then as well.”
Lowering his voice a little, Reed leaned forward. “Are you planning to make me cry, sir? I love it when you get me there, and hate it so much and the same time, because it’s a slow kind of torture. I have to hold back so much, and I’m so afraid of failing, but you never let me. And in the end it’s just…like everything’s sparkling, inside and out.”
“That’s where the magic happens, between the pleasure and the pain.” Injecting the lidocaine a little at a time around the worst spots, Jared kept his focus on his work. “Some people are hedonists. Others, straight up masochists. You’re...someone who likes to indulge in the space in-between. Riding the waves, falling toward the crash. It’s easy to read you, but not easy to get you there. That’s what makes playing with you fun. Because I can take you along that line where one way or the other, you’d be buried under the water, and yet never have to worry I won’t be able to see where you are.”
Eyes closed, Reed seemed like he was imagining that place. Then his brow creased a little. “Do you think…? I mean, before the surgery, I still enjoyed other stuff. Now it’s… This is amazing, just talking about it. But when it comes to any kind of… I still get turned on, I want everything. I just kinda freeze up when it comes to the actual sex part. It’s like I’m giving myself blue balls.”
“Hmm...” Glancing up, Jared parsed several potential issues to explore. Occasional shrieks and laughter from Wren’s office told him they had time to delve into the subject without interruption. “Are you able to become erect?” He returned his attention to the knuckle he bandaged. “Or do you lose your erection when you attempt to engage in intercourse or masturbation?”
While Reed could deal with a great deal of pain, any kind of embarrassment had him blushing and shifting uncomfortably, as he did now. He inhaled slowly, his gaze locked on his hands. “I can get hard, definitely. But when there’s a lot of touching or I’m naked I just get…weird. Nervous and uncomfortable and I want to get away from everyone, but not…make them feel bad. It was kinda a relief when I couldn’t safely do anything, but now that there are some things I can do I just…end up avoiding it and feeling like ish about it. Curtis and Lawson are trying, really hard. I…hate this.”
“It sounds really frustrating.” Huffing, Jared shook his head, glancing up. “No pun intended. Or inference.” Switching to another roll of flexible bandage, this one with pink and white candy stripes on the outside, he thought through what he knew about physiological and mental response to trauma. “How’s your interest in other things? Manga, hanging out with friends, watching the fights?”
Reed cocked his head to one side. “I mean, pretty normal I guess? As soon as I was allowed to do more I was all in. I spend a lot of time in the galley, learning stuff from Keir and trying to keep up with the crazy schedule. It feels good that my Doms can rely on me to pull my weight around here again. And I’ve been reading a lot of different stuff ever since Seth…” He trailed off. “Sorry, but…yeah, he told me that trick about reading stuff upside down and it’s been helping me focus on pages with a lot of words for longer.”
“I’ll have to mention it to Noah for his reading work with Jamie.” Locking down on any reaction to hearing Seth’s name, the reminder of this morning’s dungeon debacle still a little too raw for him to contemplate, Jared focused solely on Reed and the people he might be able to make a difference for. “So, an afternoon hanging out with Jamie, Wren, Matt, watching movies and playing video games. Does that appeal?”
A soft smile curved Reed’s lips. “Yeah, that sounds like fun. Not sure when I’d have the time, but I’d be totally into that.”
“How about this afternoon?” The tape tore under Jared’s gloved fingertips, making a sharp sound that had L.D.—who’d been about to jump up on the counter, where he wasn’t allowed—looking around with a ‘Who? Me?’ expression.
Nodding, Reed shifted to the edge of his chair, almost like he had reached his limit in sitting in one, but was trying very hard to be still. As his energy slowly returned, he was getting his tendency to spring off of surfaces back, though his body wasn’t always quite up to the sudden movements. “I’d love that, sir. And I think it would be cool for Matt, too. We kinda get so caught up in keeping up with doing all the things, sometimes we don’t get much of a chance to just chill.”
“Good, because we’re having popcorn and hot fudge sundaes as soon as I spank Jamie.” Lips quirking, Jared let himself indulge in a moment of anticipated schadenfreude over the fact Jamie would be warmed up from whatever play he, Wren, and Noah engaged in and wouldn’t see the punishment coming. A Dom had to have some fun, after all. “But, back to the original subject... If you were naked, and I were giving you a back massage, how would you feel?”
Shoulders coming up, Reed made a face. “I should just enjoy it, but it…makes me uncomfortable thinking about it. I’m so freakin’ f’ed up. None of this makes any sense, it’s not like I look all that different.”
“Do you think about that? About your scars?” Taking out a suture kit, Jared decided to stitch the worst two gashes, which would need a little more than the glue and bandages to stay closed enough to heal well. “About your liver regrowing inside you, and the vulnerability of having people—strangers—have access to your body when you weren’t awake to stop them?”
Reed’s throat worked. “The scar isn’t…that bad anymore. But…yeah, when I think about the rest of that, it’s skin crawly. Wren likes talking about my liver growing back, and I don’t mind that so much, it’s cool how excited he gets about random stuff. But when I think about it on my own it’s hard not to just feel like…something’s missing. And I wanted to do it, don’t get me wrong, but the whole experience…I hope no one else needs body parts, I kinda wanna keep the rest of them and not have anyone’s…hands digging around inside me.”
“And this?” Jared held up the needle he’d threaded. “Are you alright with this? Or do you need something to help you?”
Staring at the needle like he was seriously examining his own reactions, Reed shook his head. “That doesn’t bug me. It’s like…familiar. And it’s you, so it feels…normal I guess?”
“That’s good. Somewhere to start.” Positioning Reed’s middle finger, Jared examined the tissue to determine the best alignment before he began. “Tell me if you need more anesthetic, though what I injected should hold you for a while given past experience...” He created a few small, precise stitches that were nowhere as beautiful as Quint’s but would suffice. “You know, our bodies are the boundaries to our selves. We don’t often think about it, but everything that enters our hearing, taste, sight, sense of smell and touch...has to cross that physical boundary. Sometimes, we don’t have control of what enters, and sometimes we allow things in because of a brain decision that our bodies are not on board with. It doesn’t make it wrong...only a conflict. And the energy of the body pushing back and saying, ‘Fuck no, never again,’ can wall out anything that vaguely resembles a loss of that physical control or a boundary being crossed in that way. It...” Tugging on the thread, Jared glanced up. “Needs to learn to trust us and others again.”
Meeting his eyes, Reed wet his bottom lip with his tongue. “But I’ll get there, right? I trust Curtis and Lawson, Matt, you…completely. I hate the idea of my body being all extra and making anyone doubt that.”
“It’s not being extra, Reed.” Gaze warming with sympathetic humor, Jared finished up his last stitch. “It’s being cautious. Right now, everything that looks like what you went through, even in a shadowy, vague way, is triggering your body’s autonomic fight or flight. It’s protecting you because it’s not sure you’re...awake, let’s say, for simplicity’s sake. What we need to do is take very small steps across your boundaries, so it knows you’re paying attention.” He snipped the thread, and set down the scissors to take off his neoprene gloves. “Think of it like creating a callous over a tender spot. You had a part of you exposed, physically and mentally. Now, we need to help you create a way to protect it, so your automatic brain can relax. So it can trust we’ve all got this. You included.”
Reed wiggled his fingers, inspecting the stitches with a small smile on his lips. “The way you explained that makes me feel a lot less…broken. Like it’s fixable. And this…” He lifted his hand. “Feels better, too. I’m not all torn up anymore. Thank you for that.”
“It is truly my pleasure, love.” Leaning in, Jared paused. “May I kiss you?”
“Always, sir.” Reed’s dimples came into view again. “I still really like kissing.”
“Excellent. Then we’ll start there.” Cupping the sides of Reed’s face, Jared ran the pad of his thumbs over Reed’s cheekbones.
The first touch of his lips was a tender exploration of the sweetness Reed always had on offer. Using only his mouth in little sips and nips, he took his time opening his senses to the man who smelled of the outdoors...and something undeniably...purple.
Laughing a little, Jared sat back a bit. “You’ve been eating a lot of grape lollipops lately. It’s starting to seep into your pores.”
Reed grinned, slipping off his chair and half sitting on the edge of the table. “I got all kinds of candy in bulk and for some reason, most of the lollipops were purple. Lawson was kinda shocked when he saw Curtis trying to help me find room for it all. He said I can’t get anymore until I finish it, so…I’ve been working on it. Nerds in everything I can think of and lollipops before, after, and between every meal. I gotta show him it totally wasn’t a bad idea.”
“Or...you could hide it in my office and come up here to grab what you want. Because I can’t have everyone thinking I’m a complete hardass all the time.” Making fun of himself, Jared stood to put away the medkit, cleaning up the mess Wren usually took care of. “I like sugarcane and candy canes in addition to the kind from the dungeon.”
That got a huge grin as Reed jumped off the table. “I’m so gonna tell Phil that. He’s always asking about what ‘my guys’ are into. I think he’s only met you once, but he likes knowing people’s favorite stuff. And it gives me an excuse to go see him.” He scuffed one sneaker against the other, dropping his gaze to them. “And…as for being a hardass, I think most of us know you better than that by now. You’re a hardass when you need to be. I don’t know how…everything from this morning is gonna play out, but whatever happens, I got your back.”
“Thank you, love.” Speaking over the rushing water from the tap, Jared looked over his shoulder as he washed his hands. “You and I still need to take our road trip, and we’ll stop at Phil’s on the way.” He tipped his face toward the most likely place for a camera, raising his voice. “Whenever your prison warden of an uncle lets us out of here.”
Snickering, Reed wandered around the kitchen, checking out some of the newer gadgets Noah had added since the last time he’d been up here…about a week ago. He poked at the cordless speaker that flashed with different colored lights and was completely unnecessary with the surround sound hooked up in the loft, but it apparently had the power to control…the rest of the loft. “I’m really looking forward to that, sir. I love it here, don’t get me wrong, but it’s cool to get a change of scenery once in a while.”
“Yes, at least I get across the parking lot once in a while. Has Matt been able to open his café since everything?” Jared dried his hands on a special ‘microfiber’ dishcloth that was supposedly designed to magically evaporate water into an alternate universe. “Or is it closed?”
Reed shook his head. “It’s still open most days, but Lawson finally got him to do all the interviews he’d been putting off. They chose a few really good people so he could cut back his hours. Rhodey’s not the one who had an issue with any of that, though. Lawson’s been keeping Matt close a lot more. I think they both need it.”
“Because of Garet?” A believer in not dancing around issues, Jared straight out said the young man’s name. “Have you heard how he’s doing?”
Blowing out a breath, Reed shook his head. “Rhodey’s taken Matt and Lawson aside a few times to give them updates and stuff, but…I figure when they’re ready to talk about it, they will. I try to keep things light for them whenever I can. It mostly works.”
“Remember to keep them light for you too. Or not.” Patting Reed’s thigh, Jared used his other hand to pluck his own cell phone out of his back pocket. “I’m going to tell your Doms where you are before they lose their minds. Now that you’re patched up, I won’t be worried about Lawson needing smelling salts.”
Reed tipped his head back. “Yeah, but he’s still gonna be all worried. I get it, but…ugh. I wish I’d thought of that before I beat up the parking lot.”
Dialing, Jared raised a brow. “That would make two of us.”
Before the first ring finished, Lawson answered. “Jared? Do you know where Reed went? I know he was upset and I wanted to give him some space, but now I’m thinking I should have put a leash on that boy instead.”
“Perhaps, yes.” Eyeing Reed, Jared suppressed a smile that had his lips twitching. “He’s fine now. I’m clearing him for lighter punishments so he’ll stop thinking he can run wild. I wouldn’t let him scrub floors with a toothbrush until his hands are completely healed, however.”
Lawson let out a heavy sigh, speaking to someone nearby, likely Curtis. “Jared has him.” His voice came closer again. “Thank you, my man. That’s very good to hear. I’ll get him back in line in whatever way he needs. And I have a nice new paddle that needs to be worked in.”
Glancing toward Wren’s office, Jared found himself grinning. “What do you say to a movie night, all of you and all of us, up here? I have need of that paddle myself. Maybe we can help you to settle that score with Jamie while I find a way to explain to him that calling his Dom a ‘fashion failure’ is not a compliment?”
“That’s an excellent plan.” Lawson let out an amused sound. “A good movie and a few good beatings. Yes, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the night.”
“Neither can I, my man. Neither can I.” Patting Reed’s thigh, Jared squeezed lightly. “Come up when you’re able. I’ll be putting together some sandwiches, beer, and snacks. Nothing big, but it will be tasty.”
There was a soft rustling, followed by a laugh from Lawson and a grunt from Matt. “Oh no you don’t, my boy. You’re coming. If you behave, you don’t have a thing to worry about. You made it through that whole class without any issue, I’m sure you can manage a movie.” His smile came over the line. “We’ll be up in a bit.”
“Oh! Bring pajamas for the boys. We have plenty of soft blankets.” Thinking of all of their subs piled under blankets, teasing and laughing while they watched a movie, along with the companionship of his friends and family, had Jared smiling himself. “See you soon.”
“See you soon.” Lawson repeated before ending the call.
This would be good, all of them together. A little bit of normal where nothing but family and fun were on the agenda.
Or, for once, no agenda at all.
****
And the healing begins...
ReplyDeleteSo sweet
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