A Voice in the Silence

By i_nv_u50

:mindspeech:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He woke up because the ground was pounding, and the violent vibrations were enough to wake even the most heavy of sleepers. There was also an increasing amount of smoke drifting over and around him; sucked into his nose hard enough to make him cough futilely. There was heat; it was so hot that he almost thought he’d pass out again because of it. Opening his eyes to see the sources of all the discomfort, he rolled onto his back to see that the ceiling was alight with flames, the heat almost blinding him.

He rolled over quickly, squeezing his eyes shut and prayed for a fast death.

Harder vibrations in the ground alerted him that someone was near, but he paid no attention, and huddled up into as tight a ball as he could.

A hand landing on his tense shoulder made him shriek with surprise and fright. The hand withdrew quickly and he curled up tighter, stifling the whimpers before they could escape through his clenched jaw. He wanted to die.

The other person in the room had no such ideas and grabbed his shoulder again, jerking him of his mattress; the thin and ragged blankets tangling up in his legs.

Daikyl screamed again, a muffled sound, and right next to him, the world burst into flames. The ceiling had fallen, and he had missed his chance. He stared blankly at the ruined hut as he was dragged away from it, before turning on his savior and trying to beat the hell out of him.

The young man, who was dressed like a raider, grinned and dodged the flailing arms. His lips moved, but Daikyl heard nothing. This didn’t bother him. He was used to it. What bothered him was the way the smile slipped off the other’s face, replaced with a frown instead. He sensed that the words had suddenly turned angry, but there was nothing he could do about it. If he tried to speak they wouldn’t understand him, and would probably laugh at him. He didn’t have to be able to hear to know that everyone else he attempted to talk to had laughed until they cried.

He made no attempt to try to read the lips of the other young man either; he didn’t want to know. If they were really raiders, then maybe they would kill him as well. The house he had stayed in was nothing but a bonfire now, likewise with the houses scattered around them. He stared back at the other with resignation and a gleam of anticipation in his eyes. It was only suiting that he die like this.

Nobody wanted a deaf child, one who couldn't understand what they wanted when they wanted it done. The house he had lived in was nothing but a small hut that they had originally built for a few stock animals. It had no special features, and while he wasn't starving exactly, he almost was. He hadn't eaten for at least a week, with everybody being too busy with the harvest to come and throw scraps at him.

He deserved to die. He shut his eyes slowly and stood waiting for the blow, slight vibrations running up his legs to let him know that more people were approaching.

Daikyl just stood there, waiting calmly for his turn to die.

Sef watched the captive with confusion furrowing his brow. The other young man was in horrible condition, dirty hair that Sef couldn't distinguish the colour of, eyes shut and a calm, almost expecting look on the face.

“Oi! Answer me, would you!”

Silence. He was really beginning to get on Sef’s nerves. Backup was coming, and Sef didn’t want the boy to be so willing to die in front of Roshaun, because Roshaun would be sure to take the invitation Sef couldn't quite bring himself to accept. He stepped forward and laid a hand carefully on the other’s shoulder, gratified but not quite, at the way the young man gasped and pulled away, stumbling in his haste to avoid being touched. Eyes opened then, eyes the colour of well-polished copper.

Sef blinked in consternation. There was still no fear in those eyes, only a slight wariness that was rapidly fading and it came as no surprise to him when the eyes fluttered shut. What did catch him off guard was that the young man stayed standing, not dropping into a faint as Sef had predicted. The calmness was back, and Sef made a decision a moment before a long fingered hand caught hold of his own shoulder.

“What’s up with him?” Came the familiar tenor voice, and Sef twisted his head to grin guilelessly at his friend and captain.

“Do you think we should bring a present for the master?” Sef asked quietly, making sure that no one else overheard the conversation.

Frank gold-flecked blue eyes regarded the silent captive. “You really think he’s pretty enough?”

Sef spent a brief moment trying to identify the tightness in the tone before he shrugged. “He might be, once he’s cleaned up a little. He certainly looks submissive enough, doesn’t he?”

Roshaun aimed a demonic grin at him. “Nah. He looks like he’d be all too happy to end his life. Do you think he’d prefer me to do it for him?”

Sef reached up and grabbed Roshaun’s wrist before he could attack the weak looking captive. “Leave him alone, Roshaun. Let’s take him to the master. Even if he doesn’t like it, you know he’d prefer to kill his toys himself.”

Roshaun heaved a sigh that sounded far too disappointed for Sef’s comfort, and smirked. “All right. But you take him then. I need to see to the others. Should we bring back the female prisoners for fun?”

Sef looked away, keeping his face and voice as distant as he could. “Do what you like. I need to see if I can calm him down.” He shook Roshaun’s hand off his arm and walked towards the still silent captive, leaving it in the capable hands of his friend to take care of the restless and excited men.

Daikyl felt someone coming closer and he smiled peacefully. Finally. He had waited for what seemed like an eternity of horrible anticipation for this moment to come…

When the footsteps stopped in front of him, and still nothing had happened, he opened his eyes a little, a touch of fear slithering down his spine. What if they didn’t want to kill him? What if he was forced to spend more days in this hellish life he had gotten?

The man standing in front of him was talking, the cautious eye flicks that he made hinted the fact that he wasn't entirely comfortable.

Daikyl stared at him in confusion. The stranger stopped speaking and eyed him expectantly; he was obviously waiting for an answer. Daikyl shrugged, silently communicating to the man that he had no idea what was going on.

The other man just looked thoughtful for a second, then shook his head and grabbed Daikyl’s wrist, pulling him towards the main knot of men that were a little way aways from them.

They turned when he and the other young man arrived, and the looks on their faces were not friendly. Instinctively feeling that the one who held onto his wrist was the safest person to be around, given that none of them seemed to have the inclination to kill him, Daikyl twisted his hand and caught a hold of the other man’s wrist. It looked disturbingly like they were holding hands, but he ignored it, as another, angry looking young man turned to them. His eyes were flashing gold, but that could have been the fire, because they looked like they were blue overall. Daikyl just blinked, then lifted his chin and closed his eyes, pleading silently for someone to just slit his throat before he had to make them do it.

Roshaun glanced with surprise at the almost defiant gesture. It looked terribly out of place because the expression wasn't defiant; it was resigned, almost eager. He turned to stare at Sef who just watched him silently. “Is he okay?” Roshaun asked quietly.

Sef shrugged. “Dunno…”

“Doesn’t he respond to you?” Roshaun asked, mildly curious, snapping fingers next to the prisoner’s ear.

Sef shook his head. “You wanna get the ropes? We’re taking him to the master, right? We should go now.”

Roshaun turned to the other men. “Leave this one alone. He’s a new one for the master, don’t incite his wrath.” He glanced almost imperceptibly at where Sef’s hand was still idly closed around the frail looking wrist, and his lips twitched. “I’ll take him, all right Sef? The master’s more lenient with me. He likes me better.”

Sef watched in amusement as Roshaun pretended to preen. “I’ll just bet he does. I also can't help wondering if I want to know why.” He removed the prisoner’s hand from his wrist with slight difficulty, and the copper coloured eyes flashed open with alarm. “It’s all right,” Sef told the upset young man. “Roshaun’s going to look after you. Take him ahead, would you captain? I’ll take care of the men.”

Roshaun nodded and took the forearm of the stranger. “Come on then,” he said roughly, and started off for the patch of trees where they had left their horses.

Sef watched them for a moment longer, then turned to the rest of the men. They had a village to plunder.

Daikyl found himself riding a horse behind another man, the man with the strange blue-gold eyes. How that had happened, he had no idea. He also had no idea where they were, or where they were going. He had been stuck in his own thoughts for too long now, and by the time he started feeling a little worried about their destination, the horse was already being pulled up.

He looked up in apprehension. They were at the mouth of a cave, where a few more men and a couple of women were running to tend to the horse he had ridden in on. The man he had ridden in on with was talking, hurriedly by the rapid movement of his mouth, to one of the older looking men. After a while of hurried debate, he came up to Daikyl and said something. Daikyl looked at him blankly, watching as annoyance filled the face. This was it. He shut his eyes and waited for the blow, only to find that when a hand touched him, it was to help him off the horse.

He gaped as his eyes flew open.

There, standing in front of him, was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. Thick light hair, coloured silver by the dim moonlight, cascaded over shoulders in waves, long fingers still held onto his arms from where they had helped him off, and eyes of an unidentifiable colour stared at him.

And suddenly, Daikyl wanted to talk. Needed to talk, but he couldn't, he couldn't because then what would they do with him. Nothing good certainly, because how could a bunch of violent raiders possibly be more kind to him than his own village folk?

The eyes narrowed as Daikyl gazed wordlessly into them, spell bound and enchanted until the other young man whirled around and started talking to the man who had brought him here. All Daikyl could do was stand there helplessly, blissfully unaware that there was a look of worship on his face.

Caelis turned to face his second in command. “Why did you bring me him? He’s not pretty, from what I can tell.”

Roshaun shrugged, entirely at ease with the master. “Sef’s idea.” He remarked, and then shook his head. “He might be pretty, once you’ve got him cleaned up. From what Sef said, I’d guess he had pretty rotten living conditions.”

The master blinked. Then frowned. “Why?”

Roshaun shrugged. “Why ask me? You’re the magic user of our band. You find out.”

Caelis narrowed his eyes. “Roshaun,” he warned quietly, “don’t make me beat you again.”

Roshaun stayed quiet then grinned. “I’m just annoyed, sir. It’ll be fine.”

Caelis nodded, and turned to order some people to take care of the captive for a while, when Roshaun carefully touched his shoulder. Caelis stopped and turned around again to face the captain. “What is it?”

Roshaun hesitated, and then sighed. “He… He wants to die. I can make out that much, he keeps offering me his throat, and Sef says he tried to attack him.” A flicker of anger flashed across his face. “And he won't speak. He refuses to. Doesn’t respond when we talk to him.”

Caelis turned a considering eye back to the captive, who still hadn't moved, who was still gazing at him with adoration plain on his face. “All right,” Caelis replied, and walked back to the young man.

He took him by the wrist and led him into the cave, trusting Roshaun to look after the less confusing, more manageable matters, deciding instead to get this boy to reveal his secret.

Once they were in his private wing, which was separated from the rest of the cave by a strangely built in doorway, Caelis sat the younger looking man on the chair his servants usually used.

He sat on the bed and decided to start simply. “Who are you?”

The prisoner remained silent, eyes glancing away for a quick moment before sliding back up to Caelis’. There was despair in the eyes now, and Caelis reacted to it without thinking, narrowing his eyes in thought and leaning a little forward now.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Silence. In the outer cave areas, people were moving around, putting provisions away and stabling the horses.

“Are you even listening to me? What’s wrong with you? Can't you hear me?!” Caelis stood up, irritation surging through him, a thrill of malicious glee making itself known in his blood.

The prisoner’s eyes grew more distressed; his brows bent upwards in confusion and pain.

And it suddenly hit Caelis, the blinding realization of what might be wrong with the young man.

Caelis crouched in front of him, sitting at his feet. “Is that it?” he asked slowly, not expecting an answer and not getting one. Copper coloured eyes watched him wearily now, upset; yet there was still adoration lurking in there.

Caelis sighed and moved up to kneel on his knees, almost directly on eye level with the other. “I didn’t want to do this, you know. I don’t like using magic… It reminds me of… Well… Never mind, hmm?”

Murmuring the words, Caelis carefully lifted his hands and cupped the dirty face in them, watching the already confused eyes go wide with panic. The younger man tried to pull away, but Caelis was holding on tighter now. He smiled. And the captive watched him suspiciously, tears welling up but not falling out. Caelis closed his eyes and opened his mind.

Daikyl, lost in a torrent of conflicting thoughts and feelings since the beautiful man had touched him, was utterly stunned when he felt something cool and comforting slide against his mind, caressing it almost. Despite the fact that he wanted to keep staring at the beautiful young man kneeling in front of him, his eyes fluttered shut without his consent, and a tiny sob escaped from his mouth as an overwhelming feeling of being heard flooded through him. Of being heard and more, being understood. There was no laughter, and he felt another cry escape before he wrenched himself away, almost falling off the chair in his haste to get away from comforts that had to be a lie.

Tears ran down his face, completely ignored as he stared up in horror and mortification at the other man, who just knelt there, watching him silently.

Sef yawned. It had been a tiring ride, as the village had had a lot more loot than they had thought. They were well stocked up with food supplies if winter came early, and even if it didn’t, the food was prepared for long term.

He swung off his horse and stumbled, almost falling into someone. The body obstructing his path moved quickly out of his way and he recovered quickly, looking up and grinning at Roshaun as the other marauder smirked at him.

“How’s the pet?” Sef asked nonchalantly, feeling as if he should. It had been his idea to keep the boy after all.

Roshaun scowled for a reason beyond Sef’s understanding, then shook his head. “The master’s got him. I guess we’ll see.”

Sef nodded wordlessly and groped for his horse’s reins, planning on staggering to the stables with whatever energy he had left. It had been his fifth raid in the past three days, and he was understandably tired. Bandit Pride, however, was the only thing keeping him upright on his feet.

Roshaun took the reins before Sef could start off. Sef blinked at him, then sneered. “I can do that myself, you know.”

Roshaun raised his eyebrows. “I know. You just have no sense. Go get some rest before your horse has to put you to bed. You can have me a game of cards later to pay me back.”

Sef thought about arguing, but decided it was a good deal. He always won at cards anyway. He started off as Roshaun prepared to lead the horse away, and then paused. Turning back, he called out. “Hey, captain?”

Roshaun stopped, but didn’t look back.

Sef continued. “Thanks!”

Roshaun grinned at him over his shoulder at that and continued on his way. Sef watched him until he was out of sight and then went into the cave, planning on getting into his own bed.

:Can you hear me now?: Caelis asked silently, one hand resting lightly against the soot stained neck.

The young man started and looked around hurriedly, trying to back away from the hand.

Caelis snarled through his teeth and shoved the young man against the wall, ignoring the sudden look of terror in the copper eyes.

:Don’t run away from me. You’re mine now. I asked you a question. Answer it.:

A strangled whimper left the dirtied throat under his loosely cupped hand, and Caelis realized that it sounded hoarse, rough with disuse. He backed up a little, tilting his head and scrutinized the other, noting the panicked way he held his body.

:You don’t talk, do you?: It wasn’t a question, but Caelis wanted it clear.

The head shook very clearly in a ‘no’ and the peculiar eyes fluttered closed, trying, Caelis sensed, to hide whatever the other was feeling.

:You can't hide from me.: he continued ruthlessly, unsurprised when a shudder raced through the body in front of him. :I can read your mind. I know everything about you. How mistreated you were. How they laughed at you for trying. How happy you are at knowing they’re dead. How guilty you feel because you’re happy about it. How long…: Caelis paused and stepped closer, pressing his body against the shaking, thinner one. :How long you wished for death to come for you. You tried a few times, didn’t you? But it didn’t turn out the way you planned. Something always made it go wrong, didn’t it?:

The other nodded helplessly, tears squeezing past his shut lashes.

:Daikyl. That’s your name, isn’t it? Daikyl. My name is Caelis. Let’s get this straight right now. You are mine. My men caught you and brought you here for me. You do not disobey me. If you listen and obey, you get rewarded. First thing I want you to do is to get clean. I will call someone in to help you if you wish. Would you like that?:

Daikyl’s eyes flew open at that, still tearful, and he caught hold of Caelis’ hand, squeezing it. Caelis glanced down and then slowly looked back up, a smile hovering around the edges of his lips.

:Very well. I will help you wash your hair, but someone else must do everything else. Understood?: Caelis didn’t wait for the acknowledging nod. :I’ll call Sef to help. He’s the one that first found you, my men say.:

Caelis smirked at the sudden hopeful look in the pretty eyes. There would also be an added benefit: if Sef really did get out of bed, then Roshaun would either have to be extremely protective and put his foot down and confess, or forget about Sef altogether.

Caelis had no doubt as to which he would choose.

Sef cursed blearily at nothing and stumbled down the hall, answering the master’s mind summons. He had told Sef something about their latest captive as well, and now Sef felt like kicking himself for bringing the master a flawed toy. Caelis had promptly told him not to be stupid.

Still, Sef felt a little stupid for not realizing it sooner. But then again, he had been very tired…

Was still very tired. He had no idea what Caelis was trying to do, but nobody really understood the master, not even his past pets. It was all beyond a tired mind to work out.

He bumped into Roshaun as he staggered down the hall, muttered an apology and kept right on going, not sure he’d be able to start again if he stopped.

Unfortunately, that was what Roshaun seemed to plan to do. He overtook Sef and stopped directly in his way. Sef gave him an unfriendly look as he halted, swaying slightly on his feet.

“Do you mind? I’m trying to go somewhere.” Sef told Roshaun, his words slurring ever so slightly.

Roshaun scowled. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”

Sef waved away that piece of information. “Need t’go help the master.”

“Do what?” Roshaun’s brows furrowed suspiciously.

“Clean his new pet.”

Roshaun cursed and stepped forward, making Sef blink and step backwards on pure reflex.

“Why do you like this new pet so much? He’s an idiotic orphan who didn’t even attempt to stand up for himself and he’s too stupid to even answer back when we talk to him! Why do you care so much? Tell me!”

Sef stared at Roshaun, surprised out of his sleepy haze by the outburst. “He’s had a miserable life so far, Roshaun. He’s also deaf. He can't hear us, which is why he never responded.”

Roshaun blinked, taken aback. “Oh. That doesn’t explain why though…”

Sef shrugged. “I dunno. It’s just…” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Look, it’s strange, all right? I’ll work it out later. I’ve got to go.”

“No.” Roshaun said quietly, in a tone that made Sef look up at him quickly, eyes narrowed.

“What was that?”

“No,” Roshaun repeated, and he took a deep breath. “I need to know now. Why do you like him so much? What’s so special about him? What does he have…”

“Look, Roshaun,” Sef started, but he was interrupted and fell silent when Roshaun continued.

“That I don’t…?”

Sef stared at his friend in complete disbelief. “Excuse me?”

Roshaun looked sheepish for a moment, then grinned and suddenly stepped out of the way. “Never mind. It wasn't that important anyway. Go help the master; it’ll earn you some favour. Maybe he’ll let you sleep next time.”

Roshaun hurried off in the opposite direction.

Sef hesitated, stunned, and took off after him, forgetting about his summons for the time being.

Daikyl was in heaven. The bandits had killed him after all, because he was in heaven because there was no way that anybody could care enough about him to wash his hair, to help him clean…

It had been years, many long decades since he had last had someone to help clean his hair, and she had been married off before anything could happen. But that was okay. Because now he was in heaven and someone was making the effort to be friendly and comforting…

It was more than he had ever thought would happen… And that he could hear, a soft, silky voice that sounded so much like the texture of the smooth material…

THAT was heaven, especially after an entire lifetime of hearing nothing but his own thoughts, of being stifled within his own mind…

He hadn't tried to talk yet, because he didn’t want it to end, but he was content with what he had at the moment. More than content.

He was… happy.

“Roshaun! Stop damnit!” Sef stumbled, then tripped and fell in his headlong rush after his friend. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact, because he didn’t have enough grace at the moment to try and stop falling.

Oddly enough, he fell straight into a body, whose arms went around him. Sef, not in the least grateful, and irritated and confused by the lack of sleep and Roshaun’s strange behaviour, glared up at his friend. Roshaun stared back, his face impassive.

“What did you mean? When you said that? What game were you playing?”

Sef’s eyes were flashing angrily, and Roshaun very nearly took off again, but he couldn't bear to do that. The master wouldn’t tolerate one of his pets being anything to anyone else but… If Sef really liked the new pet that much… Raiders weren’t above breaking rules.

Roshaun took a deep breath, still not answering. He couldn't stand it any longer.

He let go of Sef enough to allow the other to stand on his own feet, then grabbed the other’s face roughly and dragged him close enough to kiss.

Sef seemed to stop breathing; indeed, all Roshaun could see was confused wonder, with a growing sense of understanding.

“No games,” Roshaun murmured, and crushed his mouth to Sef’s.

Caelis contemplated the dozing figure before him. Daikyl had fallen asleep shortly after the bath, from which, as Caelis had predicted, Sef’s presence had been noticeably absent. But that was no matter. He had sensed Roshaun’s love/lust for years now. He had called one of the other servants to see to the rest of Daikyl’s cleaning, even though the young pet didn’t seem agreeable to letting the master out of his sight.

Caelis had refused to stay in sight after Daikyl’s hair had been washed; he had ignored the slight hysterics from the younger boy and left him in the care of the servant.

Keisha had let him know exactly how hard a task it had been, had been only too ready to. She had dressed the pet in suitable clothes for his new station, and now Daikyl was sleeping on the floor next to Caelis’ bed.

It was almost enough to make him angry, but on the whole, he preferred being amused. It was almost too easy. Slightly less tangible was the pity that the pathetic figure before him had arisen. Caelis had been in his mind when that overwhelming flood of relief and awe had crashed down on the tormented mind, and he was beginning to understand just how long Daikyl had lived that way.

The body twitched and made a soft sound that Caelis had never quite heard before. He didn’t like it well enough to hear it again, so he carefully reached out one of his bare feet and let it rest on the boy’s face. Skin to skin contact made it easier to talk.

Within seconds, he was inside Daikyl’s mind, and had to fight to maintain his composure.

He was being stoned, sharp rocks and pebbles and stones being thrown at every part of his body they could reach… No, not his body, not entirely, but Daikyl’s. And it was beginning to hurt, feeling far too much like he had when he had…

Caelis stopped his own memory before it started, and wrenched himself out of Daikyl’s body, out of his mind, jerking back from any contact with him. For a few moments he sat there, trying to ease his breathing, and then he carefully reached down, careful to only touch Daikyl’s loose shirt. He shook the pet awake, and Daikyl woke up with a cry of terror that echoed all too clearly in Caelis’ mind.

Caelis sat there, frozen, his hand still in the air where Daikyl’s shoulder had been a few seconds earlier and stared back into those wide fearful copper eyes.

Daikyl watched Caelis intently, his arms unconsciously going to hug himself as he tried to ease the memory from his mind. Caelis looked somewhat stunned, but no less beautiful, and Daikyl quickly turned his attention to memorizing the delicately beautiful face instead of reliving memories he’d rather forget.

Caelis reached out a hand towards him slowly, and Daikyl immediately switched his attention to that, regarding it with suspicion and caution.

He shivered as a voice touched his mind, coaxing yet ordering in the same sentence. :Take my hand, Daikyl. Now. I won't hurt you. I won't ever let anyone hurt you.:

Daikyl regarded the promise with a sort of ironic disbelief, but he tentatively stretched his hand out towards it, touching first the fingertips, then the fingers themselves. Then he paused, and looked up into Caelis’ face again.

There was amusement on that face yes, and he yanked his hand away, the skin still seeming to burn from where it had touched his. He might have known. He berated himself for ever assuming that anyone would want to help him, apologizing to Caelis mentally for being so worthless because he couldn't apologize aloud.

He closed his eyes and hid his head with arms that trembled with fear. Fear because of what Caelis might do to him, and fear that he might never be good enough. Ever.

Caelis watched in confusion as Daikyl curled himself in as small a ball as he could, before growling in anger, knowing the other one couldn't hear him. He stalked closer, and when Daikyl lifted his head reflexively, the helpless expression on his face made Caelis even angrier. Caelis clenched his jaw, took a rough hold of Daikyl’s upper arms and jerked him up, pushing the smaller boy against the wall in one smooth movement.

Daikyl squeaked, and turned his face away, seemingly most unwilling to look Caelis in the face.

:What?: Caelis asked roughly, gratified at the other’s automatic flinch. :Why do you hide from me? Answer me!:

Daikyl cowered under his hands and eyes, trying to withdraw into himself.

Caelis scowled, completely frustrated with the situation. Before he realized it, his hands had moved up from Daikyl’s arms to hold Daikyl’s face, tilting it roughly at an angle as Caelis violently locked his lips onto the younger boy’s. By the time he comprehended what he had done, it was too late to stop, and he forced Daikyl’s lips open with his tongue, his hands jerking the pet’s face into more of a tilt, allowing Caelis to access more.

Daikyl’s tongue squirmed back from his, too overwhelmed and terrified to even try to kiss back. The sharp, tangy taste of blood called Caelis back to his full senses and he pulled back, breathless, his hands still firmly keeping Daikyl’s face still.

There was a small trail of blood running down the pet’s chin. His copper colored eyes were dazed and glazed over.

Caelis searched his face urgently, narrowing his eyes as an unidentifiable emotion glimmered in the eyes, signifying the end of Daikyl’s daze. Surprisingly, the pet didn’t try to back away. The attempt would have been futile, but he still hadn't tried it. Caelis had a brief moment to contemplate the intricacies of that, and then Daikyl looked back up at him.

Daikyl was stunned. More than that, he was absolutely astounded. He had never had that done to him before, wasn't even sure he knew what it was that they had done, exactly. Certainly she had never taught him anything resembling that. He had only learnt the basics of the language from her before she had been sent away, and never once had…

He blinked at Caelis, forgetting his fear, letting his eyes ask the question his mouth could not.

Caelis must have understood, his tight grip on Daikyl’s face loosened slightly, and he stepped back, watching Daikyl thoughtfully. Daikyl waited.

:Have you never been kissed Daikyl?:

A… a kiss? Was that what it had been? A kiss… What a strange name. But then the act itself brought on some strange feelings, he supposed it only right. He shook his head slowly, his eyes wide and fixed on the face in front of him.

:Not even once? No, I don’t suppose you have.: Caelis paused, considering. He flicked his eyes up to glance at Daikyl’s expression again, then smiled slightly. Before Daikyl could get the wrong idea and flinch away from the presupposed ridicule, Caelis spoke again.

:I’m not laughing at you. Did you enjoy it though?:

Daikyl paused, thinking about it carefully. He had… but… He lifted a hand quietly and wiped his chin with a fingertip. It came away red.

Caelis smirked when he dared to look back up again, and Daikyl blinked. Wasn't he going to get into trouble for bleeding?

:Well, we could do it rough again as well…But let me show you how some other people like to do it… Even me, occasionally.: 

Daikyl watched Caelis approached, half eager and half nervous. Caelis smiled again absently and lowered his face to Daikyl’s, at first lightly brushing his lips over the bloodstained lips of the pet.

Daikyl froze, tensing up, his eyes still wide and staring. It felt odd, but in a good way. A nice, comfortable way; there wasn't anything threatening about it. He shouldn’t have been nervous about what it might have felt like.

Then Caelis coaxed him to open his mouth, and when he hesitated, followed it up with a verbal command.

:Open your mouth, Daikyl. Let me show you the delights of this world.:

The phrase confused Daikyl, but he obeyed, letting his lips part slightly. Then Caelis’ tongue was inside his mouth, and he neatly forgot everything. It was warm and wet and comforting, it was good, so good, and so terribly right.

He whimpered soundlessly into Caelis’ mouth and opened his more, welcoming the kiss and all it entailed.

Caelis hadn't expected the new pet to be so pliant and willing, but he was never one to say no to a good opportunity, and if Daikyl was eager, then who would Caelis be to deny him what he yearned for?

He could only hope that Sef was still too busy with Roshaun to think about coming to check up on them. Then again, he was willing to bet on it. Roshaun wasn't stupid.

Sef pulled back with a gasp that was mostly a laugh, and slapped Roshaun away playfully. “Give it a break, would you? I still need to sleep tonight!” He predicted Roshaun’s lecherous grin before Roshaun even made it, and continued, “And I’m going to bed virtuously chaste.”

Roshaun grinned at that. “What makes you so sure?”

Sef smirked back. “Well, you need me awake on the job, right?”

Roshaun paused, humming mockingly as he thought it over. “I could always get the master to give you a break, you know. Besides, I’m your captain, I get to say when you will and won't be going on duty.”

With that, he pulled Sef triumphantly into another kiss, much like their first had been… And their second… And their third. Their fourth had been slightly more gentle, but that had come after the declaration of tender feelings, so it was only right. Now they could back to the good stuff.

Sef felt Roshaun grin against his lips, and couldn't help it. He burst out laughing, interrupting the feverish kiss to pull back and catch his breath.

Roshaun watched in mock bemusement while Sef got it out of his system, and then, not even questioning the source of the laughing fit because he had a good idea of it himself, pulled Sef back into his arms.

Sef grinned at him and winked. “Don’t want the others to catch us, do we.”

“Nah. My suite’s empty, sir. Whenever you’re ready.”

Sef cast a glance over his shoulder towards his own bed and then shrugged. “I’m serious though, I should get some sleep. I won't last very long tomorrow without it.”

“I know,” replied Roshaun. “I’m not saying you can't. But sleep can always come later. We have the day off tomorrow due to the master’s new pet, and so there’s everything to do more things than sleep tonight.”

Sef laughed at that, and followed his best friend to his bed room. He was glad Roshaun had approached him. Sef had been suffering pangs of some previously unidentified emotion around his captain, and this cleared most of them up. It was a good thing too.

He wondered about one thing though. Had it only been the master’s whim that had called him out tonight? Or had the master planned it? Sef grinned at his captain’s back and hoped the master had more plans. If they all turned out as well as this one had, they would never put a foot wrong.