Love & Stitches at The Asylum: Part Fifty-Three
Ready to start the weekend with one of the strangest games of poker you've ever witnessed?
It's The Asylum, so you know things are gonna get...interesting. ;)
Comment with your thoughts and any guesses on who you think will when who!
Happy Reading!
As a merc, timing was everything. Being able to gauge the wind speed and direction, exercising patience and fortitude, the ability to remain in one cramped position for hour upon hour, were all tools of the trade that were as useful on a job as they were in life. Fact of the matter was, this game and its outcome could affect both. Work and life.
Weighing a brown wrapped package in his hand, Seth stepped out of his SUV into a driving gale of ice and rain. The Asylum’s lights blazed, its warm haven his goal. Inside, the entire Core were gathered for the long-awaited poker game. A night of fun, supposedly lighthearted. But nothing around this place was ever what it seemed on the surface, and every moment presented an opportunity to advance his mission. His status. And protect the men he loved.
As he stepped fully out of the vehicle and slammed the door, the wind died down a little. He grinned. Yeah, timing was definitely everything. Protecting the package in the fold of his jacket, he didn’t bother avoiding the puddles or the mud. Black boots and denim were liberally splattered with muck by the time his slow jog brought him around the corner of the building to The Asylum’s front door.
Inside, music’s warm thrum and the buzz of conversation—Pike’s giggles and Quint’s warm laugh standing out among the rest—greeted him. Underneath a fuzzy blanket with a strange plush animal head sewn into one edge, Pike wandered around tables and stools as well as Doms, while Quint protected him with wide arms from walking into them all. They were happy. This was good.
Gaze scanning the room, he noted the location of each Core member. As predicted, the Doms had gone for pristine black leather and denim, except Shea and Jacks. The former had chosen a pair of worn black jeans to go with his white T-shirt. At first, he missed Jacks entirely, wondering who the man in the poet’s blouse with a spiky blond wig might be. When the Dom leaned down to check a hoodie hidden Danny, however, the deep green of his eyes gave him away. Apparently, he’d joined the subs in claiming a costume, one that appeared to be Jareth the Goblin King out of Labyrinth.
Boots gleamed in a profusion of newly added overhead lanterns, nearly every Dom with a drink in his hand. Swags of silk hung from the beams at intervals around the room, some of the subs lounging in them like hammocks and swings. At the room’s center, the green baize covered poker table with its hand-tooled leather edge had taken pride of place, while at the left side someone had moved in the two leather sofas from the cigar lounge.
Too busy to look up from protecting Pike from another trip to the clinic, Quint didn’t seem to immediately notice his entrance, but Seth had no doubt he was very much aware of everyone in the room and their exact distance from Pike.
Searching for Jared, he found him sitting at the bar, a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other. His leathers and boots were pristine, the precise cut of his hair longer but still giving him every inch the military edge he’d had as a C.O. He had the air of someone who believed himself thoroughly in control of his environment as he listened attentively to something Wren said.
Seeing the sub, Seth repressed a smile.
Target locked.
Time to set the mission to acquire in motion.
Moving a little closer to Pike and Quint, Seth called out. “Where’s my pixie?” He held up the paper wrapped bundle. “Someone needs a present.”
Pike perked up and moved toward the sound of Seth’s voice. “Right here, sir. I’m invisible, but I bet you can find me. Quint’s come close a few times.”
“Hm... Let me see...” Making loud, obvious steps that registered clearly above the conversational hum and music, Seth walked toward his boys, unable and unwilling to repress a wide grin. “Where could he be...? Quint? Have you seen my little prince?” Seth shared a grin with Quint. “I’ve got a very special delivery for him. Fit only for a pixie prince.”
Before Quint could say a word, Pike flipped the blanket off his head and promptly tripped over it, landing on top of the plush bundle, right at Seth’s feet. “I’m right here, sir. Do you like my new trick? It kept me out of trouble for a full day.”
“It apparently bends space and time.” Quint’s lips twitched. “But he hasn’t gotten into any mischief since we came down.”
Hand over his heart, Seth feigned surprise, eyes wide. “Fuck. You scared the shit out of me. Where the hell did you come from?” He looked under a hightop table, then shook out one of the sling-swings, pretending he expected more subs to fall out of it. “Well, it’s a good thing I brought this. If you can do that, I don’t want to get on your bad side. A trick like that deserves a reward.” Seth held out the paper wrapped parcel that was square and flattish, presenting it with a bow and a flourish. “Open it, my fae magician.”
“You could never be on my bad side, sir. Besides, I don’t have one. I’m pure as the driven snow. In Detroit.” Pike grinned, tearing off the paper in long strips, using his teeth to get at the tape when it didn’t immediately give. “What is it?”
“You’ll have to open it and see.” Seth licked his lips, as eager to see his gift on his boy as his boy was to open it.
At the bar, Jared narrowed his gaze, catching on quickly.
As you should, my man. As you should.
Fumbling a little with the velvet box, Pike inhaled sharply as he opened it. He gazed up at Seth, a bright smile on his lips. “For me? Seriously, sir? This is freakin’ wicked.” Inside the box, the cuff sent off reflections of light as Pike leaned in to admire it. “Thank you, I…I don’t even know what to say.” He bit his bottom lip. “Can I wear it now? Please?”
Gaze softening, Seth nodded as he ran his fingers through Pike’s blue spikes. “Did you look inside the band?”
Lifting the wrist band covered in blue diamonds out of the box, Pike held it up so the word PIXIE they spelled would be clear to all. Inside, Seth had the jeweler inscribe, Forever my prince. Love, your Daddy.
Pike blinked fast, then jumped up, almost cracking his head into Seth’s chin as he threw his arms around his neck. “Thank you, sir. I love you. Put it on me?”
“Of course.” Brushing his fingertips down Quint’s arm, Seth nodded for his other boy to sit so he could place Pike on Quint’s lap and pull up a chair. “Hold out your right wrist for me, my boy.”
Jared sat back, searching the room for Noah and raising his brows as he met his man’s eyes. Clamping his cigar between his lips, he clearly attempted to get a read on his mood as Seth made a show of decorating his boy.
Glass of whiskey to his lips, Noah observed Seth with the same look on his face that he had when he played a game of chess in the bar against Jared, after the club closed. Not only trying to read the next move, but all the ones after. His brow furrowed as though he couldn’t quite figure it out.
The purpose of the gift was threefold. Eventually, Noah would figure it out, but Seth put his money on Jared getting there first. Firstly, his boy deserved every present Seth could give, along with all the joy. Second, status around The Asylum was important, and having this around his wrist would make Pike stand out as one of those with whom absolutely no one should toy. Third, but not least, it put every man in this room on alert that Seth was making a power move toward claiming much, much more this evening than some might have thought he’d ever dare.
Wren.
Leaning in to hug Pike close, Seth brought his lips to his ear, making it look like he whispered endearments between kisses. “Remember what we talked about?”
“Yes, sir.” Pike tugged his bottom lip between his teeth, turning a bit to meet Seth’s eyes. He gave him a small smile, speaking in a whisper. “But don’t tell anyone I told you he said in class this morning he wants to play with you. I’ll get in the bad kind of trouble. Except…I don’t keep secrets from you anymore. Never again.”
Seth swung Pike up into his arms, holding him tight with an affectionate growl. “Only good trouble for you from now on. Or the adorable naughty kind.” He set Pike on his feet, glancing over his costume and pretending not to recognize it. “Hmm...” Forefinger to his lips, he frowned, tapping. “Who are you, again?”
“A go-go dancer, sir.” Pike lifted his arms over his head and wiggled his hips. “I was actually thinking of trying it out while I was in college, but Ez was like ‘Are you f-ing serious? Why?’ and he wasn’t cool with me doing it because I thought it would be hot. He got all grumpy and that sucked, so I didn’t do it. But here it’s just fun.”
Heat entered Seth’s gaze, and he made an appreciative sound. “What I’d very much enjoy is a lap dance later. Would you do that for me to show everyone what they’ll be trying to win?”
Tilting his head to one side, Pike made a thoughtful sound. “I could probably do a decent job of that. Not as good as Keir or the pop stars, but I got moves.”
Seth cast a sideways glance at the sofa, where Jamie sat playing with his fidget spinner. One shoe steadily kicked against the sofa edge, activating the tap plate with a click-clickety on each bump.
Seth executed the next phase of the plan that would have the entire core betting against him. On purpose. He returned his attention to Pike with a mock frown. “Remember, pixie, not all of us can be secure enough in our identity to want a sub who is secure in his own. You don’t need to change your look to make me appear stronger.”
“That’s really good, because padded boxers and cartoon T-shirts wouldn’t cut it, sir.” Pike’s brow furrowed, tugging so hard at Seth’s buttons two popped off as several gazes snapped in their direction. “And I don’t wanna give those up. I love that you get me.”
“Good boy.” Seth bussed Pike’s cheek with a kiss, then leaned down to plant a deep kiss on Quint’s lips. “Both of you.”
Quint’s brow lifted slightly as he spoke against Seth’s lips. “Have we decided to add ‘poke the bear’ to our entertainment for the evening, sir?”
“So perceptive. It’s one of the things I love about you, smiley.” Seth laughed, Quint’s warm breath mingling with his own as he claimed another kiss. “Apologies for the fallout.” He spoke quietly, then straightened to head over to the bar, giving Jamie—whose heel had started wholesale kicking the expensive sofa—a wide berth. “Hello, Drew. Whiskey, neat, please.”
One forearm on the bar, whiskey glass forgotten beside him, Noah watched Seth, his expression completely shut off, revealing nothing. “I think it will be good for you to spend more time around the club, my man. Maybe you’ll be exposed to some new ideas. You seem to be stuck with a few that are…out of date.”
“Hmm?” Giving Noah a mild glance, Seth accepted his whiskey from Drew with a nod of thanks. “Perhaps.” He sipped, gesturing to the room with his glass. “So many strong subs to throw down with here tonight. You looking forward to changing things up?” Taking another swallow, he shook his head with a thoughtful sound. “I’m torn between Curtis and Dallas, myself.”
Noah inclined his head, picking up his whiskey at a glance from his uncle and taking a long swig. “Yes, I think it’ll be nice to explore something different with Core subs I haven’t had the opportunity to get to know quite as well. Done right, it could change some of the dynamics around here.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” And that was no lie.
Having Pike on equal footing with Jared’s boys after claiming Wren would definitely alter the power structure in Seth’s favor. In little and big ways that would integrate Pike and himself more firmly with Jared’s quad. Quint being Jared’s was the wedge in the door. Now, he only needed to widen that opening to step right in.
Jared stood, setting his glass on the bar—which Curtis, dressed in a white and blue sailor outfit complete with cap, promptly and discretely moved to his coaster—and going to Jamie. He sat, pulling the sub into his lap, gently grabbing his ankle when he seemed about to continue kicking.
“We’ll begin now.” Addressing the room, Jared lifted his voice. “We start with the ground rules, and then we’ll show off what we have to bring to the table. The chips are colored with each Dom’s initials in the middle. If you have more than one primary sub to offer, you have more chips. If you don’t win any hands and lose all your chips, you’ll be given one chip to drop into a glass with the sub’s names on them at the end. If you beat out the other Doms with that one chip, you’ll still be able to play in the dungeon.” Jared met Seth’s gaze. “If not, we hope you have a good night or a good grip to amuse yourself with in your lonely loft.”
Standing beside Jacks and stroking the side of his neck, strands of the blond wig tangled around his fingers, Shea lifted his head, speaking loud enough to be heard over the soft laughs and resumed chatter from the subs. “Jacks and me are playing together, so I’m guessing we just combine our chips?”
Jared shook his head. “No. You each play at the table with your own stakes. If you decide to throw in on the same sub when you drop your chips in at the end, that is your prerogative.” He kissed Jamie’s cheek. “The number of chips you have at the end is the number you have to vote with. The Dom with the most chips on his chosen sub or subs wins. It is possible to win more than one sub if you choose to risk it. Though splitting your chips in that way makes it more likely you will win no one at all.”
“We’ll stick with our strategy.” Shea attempted to free his hand, tugging Jacks’ wig a little crooked. “Sorry, babe, I’m not used to all this hair staying on your head so long. Don’t move, I’ve got this.”
Darting over, Danny jumped beside Shea, trying to untangle his fingers and hold the wig in place at the same time, the bottom of his oversized, sparkly purple hoodie bouncing around his bare thighs, his sunglasses a bit askew. “You can’t keep tugging, sir, you’re making it worse. He had to tease the strands just right to get this look.”
"So, The Asylum is a piece of cake, is it? Well, let's see how you deal with this little slice...” Jacks chuckled, then started to laugh, making the situation even worse. “Does anyone have some scissors?”
Eyes wide, Pike stared at the trio, reaching out toward a snack bowl, which Quint slid out of reach. “See, this is why I ain’t into all the fancy hair and dress up stuff. It’s gotta be a pain in the ass. I mean, picture getting a mouthful of feathers, or going for a thrust and ending up with a whole bunch of fabric where the sun don’t shine. I don’t know how the straights do it.”
“Being focused on appearance can be a very good strategy for concealing weaknesses, pixie.” Seth put his finger to his lips. “Hush now, my prince. We’re going to be respectful.”
Quint picked up a few cookies from a tray Keiran had set out on the bar, laying them on a napkin in front of Pike. “There was a discussion in class about different interests and exploring them. Which can be enjoyable, but there’s also something in knowing what you like and expanding on it.” He kissed Pike’s cheek. “No one will put you in a boa, brat. Unless it’s for a disguise.”
Close to the other end of the bar, Blain had settled in with a beer, holding it up in a welcoming gesture as Connor came in, shaking dampness from his brown hair. The ‘toy’ shop owner seemed to observe everyone with calm interest, but he glanced over at Quint with a soft smile. “That is very true. It’s good to be open to different experiences, but there’s no harm in making it clear what doesn’t interest you at all.” He met Seth’s eyes. “I would like to request Quint join me at a few of my sessions. I believe he’d enjoy the interactions along with a few other caretaker types who’ve expressed interest.”
Unable and unwilling to hide his pleasure at Blain singling Quint out, Seth grinned at the man. “That would be very welcome, my man. Thank you for the invitation.”
Jared cleared his throat. “If no one has questions, we’ll officially put our chip collateral up now. Our boys. Who would enjoy presenting their sub or subs first?” His gaze went to Rhodey. “You have several. Would you like to start?”
Behind the bar, at some prearranged signal, Curtis put down the stairs he’d made for Reed, and brought out a rubber mat he rolled along the top of the bar—clearing drinks out of the way as he went—to make a type of runway. The lighting changed, as did the music, into something sultry, while fog started to drift up from behind the bar.
“Sure.” Rhodey snapped his fingers, motioning Avery over. The edge of his lips curved. “Make yourselves comfortable, this might take a while.”
Sauntering up to his Dom, Avery gave him an appreciative smile that was one part worship and one part conspiracy.
One hand out to hold Avery’s as he guided his boy up, standing by the steps, Rhodey let his gaze sweep across the bar. “Not many of you have the balls to play with my little snake, but if you do, you’ll find he’s flexible, sexy as fuck, and he’ll listen to you if…well, you say anything worth listening to. I don’t think I need to say more.”
On top of the bar, Avery stretched upward, his lean muscled torso elongating as he used the tips of his fingers to draw down a length of deep purple shimmery silk to perform an aerial routine. He undulated his body, snakelike, up the silk, wrapping it around his calves to hang upside down. The spinning momentum he built drew the silks tighter and his body higher until he flipped and spun the other way at a dizzying speed. Without missing a beat, he landed on his feet to perform several handsprings along the length of the bar. His finishing flourish on his return was a near double bend that had his face staring out at everyone from between his legs with a startlingly feral grin.
“Nicely done, my little viper.” Rhodey gestured for Avery to return to him, even as Keiran took his place on the steps, gliding against Avery and brushing his lips down the length of his throat. “Keiran is sweet and sensual and I’ve told him not to throw anything at anyone tonight unless they piss him off. So don’t.”
Keiran’s golden brown eyes danced with amusement as his body flowed across the stage in a smooth dance, moving to the music and stepping right up to the edge, bending down and stroking his fingers over Jacks’ wig, deftly freeing Shea’s still tangled fingers before spinning away on his knees. He rose gracefully, strolling back to where Rhodey waited, taking his Dom’s hand as he stepped down.
The flowing satin of Keiran’s trousers, tight at the ankle and draped in all the right places to showcase his sinuous movements, had Seth sitting up on his stool. Another night, this would be the man he would play for. Tonight? Everyone else would want to win him to rub their magic lamps and make their three wishes come true. Sipping his drink, he let the warmth of the alcohol join the pool of heat in the pit of his stomach.
“Dallas is not for any of you fuckers who like playing light and easy, and I’ll be pissed off if he’s bored tonight, so you’d better make it worth his while if you’re even considering bidding for him.” Rhodey patted Dallas’ leather clad ass as his partner made his way up to the stage. “He can take as much as he can give and a few of you know that already. But I’ve taught him some new tricks. Some are dangerous, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As if to prove Rhodey’s point, Dallas drew two long blades from his boots, and Curtis handed him another. Everyone backed up a little as he began to juggle their lethal lengths, the music increasing tempo along with his motions until the blades were nothing more than blurs. As the song abruptly cut off, he whipped all three across the room to land one on top of the other in the room’s main beam above everyone’s heads. The metallic reverberations cut across the sudden silence.
Having moved while everyone’s focus was on Dallas, Rhodey stepped up behind Danny, lifting him up and shushing his gasp as he sat him on the edge of the bar. He stayed close, giving Jacks and Shea a reassuring look that was oddly tender on the man.
Keeping his hands on Danny’s thighs, he lowered his voice so the lack of music or conversation was the only way anyone without very good hearing could make out a word. “We are only doing this once. Our little mouse doesn’t enjoy the spotlight, but he will give any Dom worth his leathers a night he’ll never forget. Because he’s honest, and open, and he’ll make you feel every inch of control and power because you need to handle it with care. If you’re not up to that, then don’t try to win him. But I think at least a few of you are.”
Stunned by the range and depth of Rhodey’s introductions, Seth ran his gaze admiringly over each man. Dallas’ sweat-soaked dark skin gleamed with beads of moisture that glimmered in the ambience of the overhead lights. He flashed a grin at his boy, making a kissing pout. Avery, who had climbed up onto a rafter, appeared content to cool down in the leather shorts and halter ensemble with its metal ringed suspenders that showed off his pecs and piercings to advantage. All in all, this group would be a hard act to top.
Chuckling to himself, Seth raised his glass to his lips. No pun intended.
Jared glanced over at Connor and Blain. “I neglected to mention. Without subs to stake, Connor and Blain have been asked to join us to fill out our numbers. It seems we’re rich in subs tonight. They’ll be awarded the same number of chips as a Dom with one sub.”
Both men lifted their beers in acknowledgment and thanks, sitting back in their stools and clearly enjoying the show.
Lifting Danny off the bar, Rhodey let Shea take him, his expression softening as Danny whispered something to him before hiding his face against the side of Shea’s neck. “You’re welcome, Fievel. And next time you’re worried about something like this? Come talk to one of us. We’ve got you, my boy.”
Rhodey might have chips for three or four subs to wager, but one thing Seth could bet on without fail was that the man wouldn’t wager for Jared’s sub. Though, Seth would’ve paid to see that, because the fireworks with Noah would be spectacular.
And if there was one thing he enjoyed even more than winning?
It was a good show.
****
Check back tomorrow for Part 54!
What if more than one Dom owns a sub?:Take Danny for instance. Do Shea, Jacks and Rhodey all get the amount per sub or do they split it 3 ways? And if a Dom owns more than one sub does he get a set amount per sub or is it one amount for the first sub and less with each consecutive sub on offer? If Rhodey is putting up 4 subs to everyone else putting up 1 or 2 he's going to clean up at the table lol.
ReplyDeleteSeth starting shit with Jared
ReplyDeleteSeems like Seth isn’t confident in his own Dom-ness and place in the asylum. He and Jared need to kiss and makeup already!
ReplyDeleteWaiting until things get really interesting. Maybe Seth going after Wren is going to make things better between him and Jared. It would be nice to see Jared, Seth and Quint together one more time and maybe Wren could join. That would be hot.
ReplyDeleteAlso Conner is joining, yay.
Loving Rhodey's introductions! Cant wait to see where this goes.
ReplyDeleteSeth scheming again... But he and wren would be 🔥
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I'm so glad Rhodey has Danny, it brings out his heart. Secondly, I love Seth <3 Thirdly, so glad we get to see more of Blain and Connor!
ReplyDelete