Riki's Submission

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Tomorrow, when I'm not so sleepy... The reviews are ALWAYS appreciated! **

~~begin chapter 14

Riki watched Iason peel off his clothes, dropping them on the floor carelessly. First Iason revealed his broad, smooth chest and beautifully curved, but powerful arms. The chest that accepted his head when he needed comfort, the arms that held him - sometimes keeping him from falling apart completely.

Riki shook away such thoughts and when Iason’s pants fell to the floor, he shifted his eyes, looking at the disarray of clothing. When Iason had first started taking him to bed, no such carelessness would have occurred. Daryl would have cleaned up after him or he would have demanded it from Riki. But he would never have initiated intimacy with his room in such a disorganized state.

For just a moment, a smile came to Riki’s lips as he realized the Blondie wanted him, but whatever satisfaction he had taken quickly disappeared, and he felt shamed that he should be pleased. Idiot, he told himself. I am an absolute idiot for letting the bastard have that kind of power over me. But the truth was, Iason could do anything he wanted. He already had all the power. The only power Riki had was what Iason permitted him. And the miracle was that Iason permitted him anything. Riki knew it, he was grateful for it – and he hated it.

But for tonight - at least, for tonight, he would not think about it. He would surrender himself to the pleasures Iason offered. Maybe it was the show, maybe its cold impersonal atmosphere raised a need to connect to some living person, a need to feel cared for. And, maybe, that was not what Iason offered. But for tonight, Riki would pretend.

He realized Iason’s eyes were on him. The Blondie seemed amused. “Are you planning to shower in your clothes, pet?” For just a moment, Riki felt his rage burn and was tempted to curse. But he swallowed it down. Not now. For tonight, he would pretend.

“No,” he answered softly. “I was just watching you.” By the time Riki’s sweater was halfway over his head, he felt Iason’s hands caress his waist, felt his pants being pulled down. “I don’t need your help,” Riki gasped. “I can undress myself.”

“I know.” Iason stepped back and took his own turn to watch. He admired the sight of Riki’s naked body, noticed the mongrel’s cock had begun to grow. Reluctantly, he lifted his eyes. “I’ll start the water.” Riki nodded and followed Iason dumbly into the bathroom, watching the subtle sway of his trim hips.

Iason stepped into the gentle spray first and extended his hand to Riki. Riki stared at it for a moment before he took it and stepped in as well. Iason pulled him close immediately, one hand touching his neck, teasing at the stray tendrils of hair, and the other sliding down the smooth curve of Riki’s hip. “You are so beautiful, Riki,” Iason whispered in his ear.

Riki laid his head on Iason’s chest. Fat lot of good it does me, he thought. But he didn’t move away and began to stroke Iason’s back. In turn, Iason’s hands began to roam over Riki’s backside, cupping his buttocks and playing in the crease. Riki moaned and pushed himself closer, feeling Iason’s huge erection against his belly. He soaped his hands, touched the tip, and felt it thrust forward and throb. “There’s no fucking entrance this way, you know.”

Iason laughed in his hair and thrust again. “You feel so good all over, Riki. I like to touch you.” Riki smiled against Iason’s chest and tongued his nipple. But when he started to kneel, Iason stopped him. “Not now. That’s not what I want tonight. Let’s finish washing and go to bed.”

Riki sighed and pulled away, and began to lather his hair. Iason watched the play of muscles under the tan skin but turned away as he realized he could not watch the mongrel and keep his hands to himself. He distracted himself by washing his own hair and body, and didn’t turn back until he was rinsed. Riki was finished, his short hair easier to handle, and he was leaning against the marble wall, one foot raised, watching Iason. At Iason’s nod, he cut off the water and they stepped out together to dry off. Iason pulled Riki’s towel away and picked him up. “I can’t wait any longer.” Riki nodded and let his head rest on Iason’s shoulder.

Once they were in the huge bed, Iason moved to the bottom and began massaging Riki’s feet. The mongrel lifted his head to watch. His voice was soft, at odds with his words. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Iason looked at his face and smiled. “Shut up, Riki.”

Riki shrugged and lay flat again. “Whatever.”

Iason’s hands slowly moved upward, caressing Riki’s calves and thighs. “Were you hurt when Anekin tripped you?”

“Just my head.”

“Well, that’s good. No damage possible there.”

“Bastard.” But there was no anger in the word.

Iason hid his grin and continued to massage Riki’s thighs. “Watch your mouth, mongrel.”

Riki was mute for long moments as Iason continued to work on his legs, just enjoying the soothing touch. And, when he spoke, he was immediately sorry he had… “Did you enjoy the show?”

Iason considered how to respond. He knew Riki had hated it, even before the boy told him. But his pet had been magnificent at the end, and Iason had been pleased and proud of his performance. He answered honestly. “As much as you disliked it, Riki, you did well. So, yes, I enjoyed it.”

“I hated it.”

“I know.” Iason did not stop his massage and he felt Riki’s body getting progressively tenser. “Calm down, Riki. It’s over.”

“For tonight.”

“Yes. For tonight.” Iason’s voice had resumed some of its stern, commanding tone.

Riki felt his gut spasm. Just for tonight. The prick will make me do it again. He fought to calm himself. He had known before he asked that Iason would always get what he wanted, had known this was hardly the last time Iason would force him to do things he hated.

And he knew he would fight again. But for tonight, just for tonight, he would surrender. He would take comfort from his beautiful, alluring captor. He took a deep breath and absolutely forced himself to relax. His erection disappeared, but so did the feeling of utter desperation. He began to feel Iason’s hands again. And he let himself feel nothing else.

Iason took care with him, being careful to make sure he was aroused and ready. Iason had been thrilled to find his prostate and to realize the effects he could create. And tonight, he used his knowledge and considerable skill to drive Riki to wild need and passion.

As usual, Iason controlled the pace and did not let Riki climax until just before he was ready. That final clench of Riki’s muscles and the boy’s vocal release always sent Iason over the edge and tonight was no different.

But afterwards, it was. When Iason pulled away, he turned Riki to face him and kissed him again. Long and tenderly. When they were cleaned and lying in the bed again, Iason stroked Riki’s hip. “Was tonight good for you, Riki?”

“The fucking show was awful, but this… yeah, this was good.”

“Enough to make up for the show?”

Hell, no, Riki wanted to say, but he refrained. “Can I have a cigarette?”

“They are bad for you, pet.”

“I’m not your pet, I don’t give a shit, and I want one. Can I have it?”

Iason smiled to himself. Riki was definitely being Riki, no longer cowed or subservient. But spitting with anger. “Just one, pet, and you have to go outside.”

“Yeah, whatever. Just give it to me and let me go.”

Iason rose gracefully, got the cigarette and lighter. He watched Riki dress before he handed them to him. “Come back to bed when you’re done.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever you say.”

Iason watched in amusement as his mongrel walked away in his fluffy slippers. Such a strange little pet. But enticing and enchanting. And I like him just the way he is…

Riki stood on the balcony, glad to be alone, and, yet not glad Iason hadn’t followed. “God damned Blondie,” he muttered. He wondered if he was forming some sort of attachment to the bastard, but he dismissed the thought immediately, most definitely not willing to go there. He finished his cigarette, tossed the butt over the ledge, and started to go back inside. Then stopped. Stupid disobedience, he realized. I’m cold and I’m tired. There’s a warm bed waiting… But Riki needed to be disobedient, needed to exert some control, so he stayed.

When he did rejoin Iason, his hands and feet were freezing. He put them on the Blondie’s back, taking his warmth. Iason shifted, though he did not seem to wake up. In time, Riki warmed and started to turn away. But he gave in to other impulses and wrapped himself against Iason’s back.

Comfort and warmth. And finally, he slept.

~~

As Iason dressed, he looked down at the small dark body in his bed. Foolish mongrel, staying outside until he was chilled to the bone. But this was his mongrel, and he had, after all, returned to his master’s bed. Iason found himself smiling as he left his bedroom.

The meeting today went much better. Iason found himself wondering if it was because the Aeger contingent was quiet, or because Riki had submitted himself so totally last night. He tore his mind away from that memory as soon as he realized he was getting hard again, but the strange feeling of contentment did not leave him.

He consulted with Katze at lunch and decided he could reduce some of the shipping fees by shifting some of the responsibility for unloading cargo to the receiving platforms. Festus positively beamed and the mood of the entire room lightened. Even Raoul complimented him. “Sometimes, when you give just a little, Iason, you get back more in return.”

Iason smiled. No doubt Raoul’s comments were addressed to conference matters, but they seemed to apply equally well to Riki.

The conference was officially ended the following day with a grand dinner. As Iason was deciding what to wear, he considered bringing Riki, but thought he would be pushing his luck, so chose Flick instead. The pale pet was thrilled, and dressed happily in the skimpy outfit Daryl brought. He was going out. He had been chosen to accompany his master. He beamed with pride.

Remy was distressed, and sulked on the bed watching Flick dress. “How come you get to go?”

“Because he usually takes you.” Flick looked in his friend’s eyes. “Come on, Remy. Don’t be upset. I almost never get to go anywhere.”

In the end, Remy cheered up, and helped Flick into his chains and collar. Both boys looked in the long mirror and admired Flick’s appearance. “You are so lucky,” Remy breathed. “Maybe you’ll get to show. Maybe you’ll even be paired.”

Flick smiled again and kissed Remy’s cheek. “I’ll tell you all about it when I get home.”

Riki watched from his bedroom door as Daryl was leading Flick to Iason. Glad it’s him and not me, he thought, but there was an ache in his chest. And he was very glad when Remy invited him to his room to play a game. Anekin was already there when Riki arrived, and they had a board game laid out on the bed. Riki snorted then. “Children’s game,” he muttered. “Let’s play cards instead.”

Both boys looked up. “We don’t have cards, Riki,” Remy said. “And we don’t know how to play.” Riki felt a pang of distress as he realized that was just what Dory and Donner had said, too. And that he hadn’t been allowed to see them again after he’d taught them to play.

He sat on the bed quietly. “Yeah. Whatever. Board games are good, too. But you have to show me how.”

In the end, it was an enjoyable evening. The game was simplistic and Riki was soon winning every round. Remy and Anekin seemed not to mind. They laughed and congratulated Riki each time. Finally, Riki looked for ways to lose. The other boys didn’t notice and Riki had found a way to make the game challenging for himself.

How stupid they are, Riki thought. But stupid wasn’t the right word. They were childish. And they delighted in childish things. By the time Riki left their company, he realized he could actually admire that about them. They wouldn’t survive in Ceres, but they weren’t likely to face it. They were just exactly right for the life they lived.

Still, when Daryl came to tell them it was time for bed, Riki was glad to leave.

~~

Festus approached Iason as everyone was leaving the grand hall. Flick looked down demurely and Festus admired him. Iason maintained his icy demeanor, making Festus even more nervous. When he spoke, his voice was supplicating. “Has Seth been pleasing to you, Sir Mink? I thought you would bring him back tonight.”

Iason was prepared. He kept his voice level and stern. “The pet has been very pleasing. I would like to keep him. Will 12,000 credits be sufficient to purchase him?”

Festus blinked in surprise. It was a huge sum for an untrained, off-world pet. He wondered what he had not seen in Seth, that would appeal to this Blondie Elite. “It is more than sufficient, Sir Mink. Indeed, it is a very generous offer.”

Iason cut off any further conversation. “Then let us find a computer and make the transfer.”

~~

Riki had not gone to bed when Daryl told him, and the young furniture had wisely not pushed the issue. He was on the balcony when Iason and Flick got back. He only looked through the window when they first came to the great room and watched them. Iason was speaking and Flick was looking up to him. Apparently Iason said something amusing, for Flick’s face lit with a smile.

Riki was startled at his reaction. He found he wanted to hit Flick, to hurt him. But he quickly turned his anger to Iason. And then to himself. I’m the same as Flick. As Remy. And even Anekin. Controlled by masters… Wanting their frigging approval. For a moment, Riki thought he would cry. But he pushed away the tears, held tightly to his anger and turned to watch the twin moons as they made their slow progress across the night sky.

His thoughts turned to Guy and the times they had ridden their bikes to the beginnings of the Wastelands. It was the only place he had ever seen the stars. In Iason’s penthouse, the moons were always visible, but the artificial lights were always on and the stars could never be seen. Riki wished he’d paid more attention when he’d had the opportunity.

When Iason opened the door to the balcony, Riki was startled and jerked away from the ledge. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Iason was surprised at the reaction, but he only stood quietly until Riki dropped his eyes. Then he stepped forward and held out the pack of cigarettes. “I came to be with you,” he said softly. “I thought you would like to know about Anekin.”

Riki took the cigarettes and lit one before he looked at Iason again. “What about Flick?”

Again, Iason was puzzled. “What about him? He’s fine. I sent him to bed.”

“What were you saying to him? That made him laugh?”

Iason canted his head. “Why, Riki, are you jealous?”

“Hell, no. Why the fuck would I be jealous?” But he turned away and looked at the moons again.

Iason laughed softly, walked closer and put his arms around Riki’s shoulders. “You have no reason to be jealous, Riki.”

Riki pulled away and Iason let him escape. “I’m not jealous,” he said defiantly. “I don’t give a shit what you do.”

“Of course.” Iason went to the ledge and propped his elbows. “The moons are brilliant tonight.”

Riki looked at them again. “Yeah, I suppose.” He took a deep drag from his cigarette. “How come they’re orange?” Iason gave a long scientific explanation and finally, Riki laughed. “Do you know every fucking thing?”

Iason smiled. “Hardly.” He moved closer to Riki. “I have a very hard time understanding you.”

“I’m easy. I just want to get the fuck away from you.”

“Is that all you want, Riki?”

No. That’s not all, Riki realized. He leaned into Iason’s body, and was relieved when Iason accepted him.

“What else?”

Riki twisted in Iason’s arms until his head was pushed against the Blondie’s chest. I want you to care about me. But even the thought was unsettling. “I want… I want you not to hurt me before you… you make love to me, Iason. I… I don’t want my body to confuse sex with pain.”

Iason stroked Riki’s back, thinking about his words. The boy hadn’t lied or tried to pretend he hadn’t been aroused by the pain. It had become apparent he was resisting it now and felt badly afterwards. Still, to hear him ask that Iason stop was unexpected. Iason kissed his hair. “If you will give yourself to me willingly, Riki, I will not hurt you again.”

Riki looked up. “It’s that fucking easy? All I have to do is ask?”

“Sometimes. Just don’t expect it to work when you ask me to let you go. That will never happen.”

Riki pulled away. “Yeah, I figured that out by now.”

Iason pulled him back. “I expect something in return.”

Riki tensed, but nodded. “What?”

“Behave yourself in public.”

Riki tried to be flippant. “Guess that means I can’t ask you not to take me out in public yet.”

Iason’s reply was gentle. “There are times when I have to be seen with a pet, Riki. And I would rather that pet be you. But I have to be able to trust you not to embarrass me.”

“Is that why you took Flick tonight?”

It wasn’t the only reason. Iason liked Flick. And he was well trained and well behaved. The boy was intelligent for an Academy pet, always cheerful and ready to laugh. The labs probably made a mistake. But he would not say all of this to Riki. “I was afraid you would cause a scene with Festus before I could secure ownership of Anekin.”

“Yeah. Probably.” Riki looked up. “So you were able to get Anekin away from him?”

“Yes, we transferred his registration tonight. He’s now officially mine.”

“Will he stay here?”

“For a while. Until I find him another home.”

“Why not send him to the warehouses? Let him work for Katze?”

“He’s too young for that, Riki. He should have a few years of fun before he’s sentenced to such drudgery.”

Riki pulled away again. “Fun? You think a pet’s life is fun?” The words were bitter. He lit another cigarette and looked over the balcony.

Iason sighed. “For boys bred and trained to be pets, yes. They know what’s expected of them. They are sensuous and enjoy sex. Most live comfortably, with few demands placed on them. So, yes, Riki. Most pets find their active years enjoyable.”

After spending the evening with the other boys, Riki knew Iason spoke the truth. He did not protest, but he wondered about the relationship other pets had with their masters. “Do owners – other than Blondies – have sex with their pets?”

“I suspect they do, although I’ve never seen facts and figures. Only Blondies are forbidden.”

“Do other Blondies break Jupiter’s stupid rules, too?”

“Jupiter’s rules are not stupid, pet. And I have no idea. We certainly wouldn’t admit such crimes to each other.”

Crimes? Iason commits a crime to be with me? Riki turned back to face Iason. “So, why the fuck are Blondies not supposed to have sex?”

Because we lose control too easily. Because we become obsessed. But these were also things Riki did not need to know. “We do not question Jupiter. She gives us great privileges and power. She expects our attention to be focused on our work.”

“But not you? You get to do whatever the hell you please?”

Iason took Riki’s cigarette and threw it away. Then pulled him close. “Shut up, Riki.”

Riki sighed, but let Iason hold him. At least he didn’t call me pet. And he defies his god for me. It was as close as Iason was likely to come to admitting feelings for him. Riki returned the embrace.

~~end chapter 14