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Aug. 2nd, 2007 10:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kippurbirdSo an expanded version of the previous story I put up here a few weeks ago. And retitled. (Also, because I forgot last time. Special thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
canadianevil for the use of Orion.)
Title Submission
Rating NC-17 for non-consensual and violence.
Summary Orion breaks in his new slave boy
Notes Loosely based on an ongoing RP. The Alec presented here is not the "regular" Alec, but instead an alternate.
Submission
Alec rested his head on the side of the carriage wall, as the opulent vehicle bounced on the dirt road, a full complement of soldiers riding behind them as they went on their tour. Next to him, looking over reports sat the great general Orion; the man credited with single handedly orchestrating and winning the largest war the country had seen, as well as his master and lover. Occasionally, Orion would send him a smile and reach out to pet his leg. Adoringly, Alec would smile back before looking out the window at the rolling countryside, at the endless miles of fields and pastures of sheep. Fingering the collar he wore, his mind drifted off and back to how he had ended up consort to the kingdom's greatest general.
----
It had started in the slave markets. The one thing that he never forgot about the market was the smell. The smell of humans packed together like cattle. Sweaty and sour and fetid mixed with the perfumes of buyers and the must of their horses. They kept him in a small cage while the market was open, small enough that he couldn't stand, only sit, because he had tried to escape three times already. The only reason why he wasn't killed was because of his looks, his pretty, almost fey looks, with long pointed ears, a narrow face and messy black hair that fell about his face. His muscles cramped in the cage as he tried to find a more comfortable position. The sun reflected on the metal bars and made him squint.
A few potential buyers stopped by to look at him, but he glowered at them angrily and they moved on.
Then another man walked by, tall and important, wearing the uniform of an officer. The market’s leader led him around, showing him different slaves. The general seemed to be mostly disinterested with the selection, pretty and frightened young men and women in their mid teens to early twenties, until his eyes landed on Alec. He stared into the man's stormy blue eyes defiantly, as if daring him to do something. The general tapped the leader on the shoulder and gestured to him. The two of them talked for a moment and the general approached the cage.
"Aren't you the pretty one?" he murmured, a slightly crooked smile on his face, which Alec later learned meant that he was pleased with something.
Alec gave him a snarl.
"With spirit. I like him. Have him sent to my quarters," he said offhandedly before turning and walking away. He didn’t even ask for a price or bargain. Abstractly, Alec wondered if he had been given away for free or the price had been settled on before. Still, at least he was getting out of the cage.
The general's quarters did not look like they belonged to a general at all. They were practically luxurious. It had a large leather couch, thick rugs, bookshelves filled with books and all sorts of strange and sundry items, a fancy roll top desk and a round wooden table. A door led to what Alec assumed was the bedroom, but it was locked, so he couldn't look inside of it. He had tried the door, both to the supposed bedroom and to the outside, and they were locked, so instead he paced around nervously, not knowing what to expect.
Hours passed, and then, finally, the door opened and the general walked in, looking very pleased. He sat down in a chair and looked Alec over in a very possessive way, his gaze traveling all over him, making Alec step back and away from him. "Hello pretty," he said gesturing to the other chair. Alec didn't take it. "What's your name?"
"Alec. What's yours?" he asked boldly.
The general laughed. "Orion. But you will call me Master."
"I will not."
Again the laughter, and then quicker than Alec could follow, he found himself pushed up against the wall, Orion's hand squeezing at his throat. "Now listen to me pretty, and listen to me well. There's only one rule here. You obey me and make me happy and you'll be happy. You don't..." and he squeezed tighter, choking Alec. "Do you understand?"
Alec managed a frightened nod. The squeezing let up, but his hand still pinned Alec to the wall. The other hand reached up to stroke his face and hair. "Good boy."
---
The carriage jolted hard, going over a large bump in the road, knocking him out of his thoughts. Orion glanced at him with a small smile. "All right there lovely?" Alec nodded and then scooted closer to lean on Orion. The general's arm went around his waist, pulling him close, letting him snuggle into his jacket, smelling his musky almost smoky smell. The general’s other hand reached up to trace the scabbing spirals on Alec's face. Orion had decorated his face a few days ago, thinking that the tiny spirals looked pretty. While he didn’t particularly care for them, he accepted them whole heartedly because Orion had done them. They weren't the first scars Orion had decorated him with, merely the latest.
---
"You need a bath," Orion pronounced suddenly, stroking Alec's face with his free hand, fingers moving down his neck. He kissed the neck and gave it a nip, before releasing him. Alec tried to scramble away, but Orion grabbed him and picked him up as if he were a child. He squawked in alarm and squirmed, crying to be let go. Orion only laughed, taking him into the bedroom. Alec got a quick flash of a large bed before he was taken into the bathing room and dropped. "Strip."
Alec crossed his arms. "No."
"Strip or I strip you," Orion growled, indicating that if he had to do it, it wouldn’t be pleasant at all.
Hurriedly he stripped as Orion ran water for a bath. The general openly stared at him, his eyes holding a predatory and lustful look as he watched Alec take off his clothes. When Orion felt that the water was right, he picked Alec up and dropped him in the marble tub, splashing water all over the place. One hand held Alec firmly in place while the other roamed his body, scrubbing and touching him. "So pretty."
Despite the bath that he was getting... the first he had in months... Alec didn't feel any cleaner. If anything he felt dirtier than before. He tried to squirm away from the invasive touches, but the hand holding him down wouldn't let him. He refused, then, to make a sound. To not give the general any satisfaction in knowing how frightened he was.
When Orion felt that he was clean enough, once again he was picked up and set onto his feet. A large towel dropped on him, and the general started rub him dry. "You're quiet pretty, nothing to say? I won't mind you talking." He leaned down and licked Alec's neck. "I'd like it even."
"W-what do you want from me?"
"Something to keep me amused. A toy. I do get so bored sometimes. You'll be a good pet, I think."
"I'm not a pet!"
"Alec, you're my slave. You're whatever I say you are." He pulled the towel away and looked at him critically. Alec took a step back. "Come on pretty, time to make you look nice."
Look nice required tying a naked Alec to the bed. From a chest, Orion pulled a wooden box, finely made of dark wood. He ran his fingers lovingly over it as he walked to the bed. Alec eyed the box with extreme trepidation. He found it hard to breathe, and his face hurt where Orion had smacked him when he had resisted being cuffed to the bed. Orion set the box down so Alec could see the contents. Contents being a selection of fine knives, enameled in blues and greens. He picked up one of the smaller ones and ran the dull side down Alec's arm. Quivering, Alec tried to pull away, but the cuffs held him still. He whimpered instead.
"Shhh..." Orion soothed, stroking his hair. And then he started to cut into Alec's arm.
His breathing hitched and he swallowed as the knife slowly carved Orion's name. He did not scream. He clenched his fists. He closed his eyes and tried to take himself far, far, far away from where he was. But he did not scream. Orion, he heard, gave an annoyed grunt. The knife was put away and another one taken out. More cutting on his arm, more pain, eventually he cried out, softly, moaning, body trembling, mind awash in fear. Orion gave a pleased rumble, occasionally bending down to lick the blood, his tongue rough and scraping.
Finally, finally, after what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes, Orion put the knives away. Carefully, gently, he bandaged Alec's arm, making soothing noises like a mother comforting her child. "There now pretty, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked as he un-cuffed Alec.
---
Orion stroked his hair and Alec started to doze off again. It had been a long ride and a long day. They had gotten up early to make good time to the outlying fort. Normally they would have ridden by horseback, but Orion hadn't felt like it, rather wanting to spend the time catching up on paperwork. As night fell, they stopped at a roadside inn. The inn keeper, astonished to have such important guests, gave Orion the best room in the house. Of course, Alec knew, if he didn’t, there would have been trouble. Lamb stew and fresh bread made dinner, with weak wine for Alec to drink. Orion felt that he was still too young to drink anything stronger, though he did allow Alec to sip from his cup. After dinner he sent Alec up to their room.
Alec paced the room while Orion talked to his men downstairs. The room, he felt, was serviceable. Not like their rooms back in the palace, but it would do for the night. The bed felt comfortable, with nothing sticking out or poking. It had a private bath and fireplace. It could almost be called cozy, except for the cracks in the window panes and peeling paint. He undressed, slipping under the covers to wait for Orion to come to him. He knew his master's appetites, knew what he wanted and he welcomed it.
--
Orion petted him for a while. Slowly his pettings turning to strokes and he leaned down to kiss Alec. Alec turned his head away from him and Orion growled low. "Behave pretty."
"Don't touch me!"
"You're mine. Mind, body and soul. You may not realize it yet, but you are."
Alec tried to squirm away from him, but Orion's bulk and strength kept him pinned down. The general heaved himself on top of Alec, kissing and bitting his jaw and neck. He cried and begged for Orion to stop, but he wouldn't, apparently taking pleasure in Alec's cries of fear. His hands scratched at his skin, rubbing and sliding. He pushed himself into Alec roughly, hands running possessively over him, all the while asking for Alec to beg. As he thrusted, he worked on Alec until he cried and moaned with him, pressing and begging and wanting.
When he was at last satisfied, Orion kissed Alec lazily, wrapping his arms around him, murmuring sweet nothings and telling him that he was a good boy. Trapped there, Alec cried himself to sleep.
---
The morning came and Alec squirmed out of Orion’s grasp, squeaking when Orion grabbed his ass. He heard Orion chuckle at the squeak and roll over in the bed, pulling the covers over himself. Alec picked up his clothes, a sleeveless tunic to show off his arm scars and tight pants to show off his legs, struggling to put them on. His footwear was considerably easier to put on, being soft slippers, just enough to protect his feet, but not enough for long marches. But it didn’t matter because he either rode in the carriage or with Orion on his horse. Dressed, he found his bag and pulled out several small pots of makeup, placing them carefully in front of the mirror in the bath. Hesitantly he put on the make up. He still didn’t quite know how to put it on, never being shown how. But it pleased Orion, so he did it.
As he was putting the pots away, Orion came into the room and put his arms around Alec, nuzzling his neck. “You’re too damn pretty, you know that?”
“I’m sorry Master.”
“It’s all right. I forgive you.”
Alec laughed, tilting his head around to kiss Orion.
--
Alec awoke sore and alone. Every part of him ached and his right arm stung from the cuts. Slowly he slid out of the bed, shuffling to the bathing room to find his clothes. They were dirty, ratty and barely could be called clothes, but they were better than being naked. They were also not there. He retreated into the bedroom and searched the room for his clothes. He found nothing except Orion’s clothes, which were far too big for him.
Trying the door to the outer room, he was surprised to see it open for him. He stepped quickly outside, afraid of being trapped in the bedroom. Orion sat at his desk working on something. He looked up as Alec came into the room smiling. “Good morning pretty. Are you hungry?”
“Where are my clothes?” he demanded.
“Manners, pretty.”
Gritting his teeth, Alec said, “Could you please tell me what happened to my clothes?”
“Better, better,” Orion said, leaning back in his chair. “I got rid of them. You won’t need them any more.”
“But what am I supposed to wear?”
“You do need something to wear, don’t you now. I know just the thing.” He got up and walked over to a chest. After rummaging around in it he pulled out a box about the size that held the knives. He set it down and beckoned Alec over. With reluctant steps, he went to see what was in the box, which couldn’t hold anything wearable. It did however: a gold colored leather collar, complete with ring for a leash. “It’ll compliment your eyes, I think.”
“I’m not wearing that!”
Orion didn’t answer him. Instead, he grabbed Alec and forcibly put the collar snuggly around his neck. Alec gave a terrified squawk, afraid that Orion was going to do something besides put the collar on him. When let go, Alec’s hands went to his neck to take the collar off. Faster than he could see, Orion’s fist slammed into his face, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
Eyes wide, Alec stared up at him. Orion pulled him by the collar’s ring. “The collar stays on, pretty. Take it off and you’ll regret it.” He dropped Alec and his demeanor changed completely. “Now then, I’m sure you’re quite hungry. I had breakfast brought for you.” He gestured to the table where a covered plate sat. “I already ate, you looked tired and I wanted to let you sleep.”
He glanced at the food and then at Orion, wondering if this was some sort of trick. Gently Orion pushed him towards the table. Alec shuffled towards the table, ever few seconds glancing at Orion, waiting for the food to be taken away. But Orion just returned to his seat and went back to his paperwork.
Removing the cover on the tray, Alec discovered hot porridge with sweetening, fruit and juice. It smelled wonderful and his stomach growled eagerly. It was more food than he had gotten at any one time during the year he had been with the slavers. Licking his lips, he gobbled down the food, afraid that it would be taken away. When he finished, he put everything neatly back on the tray and covered it again.
“Good?”
“Yes, thank you,” he said softly.
Orion gave him a big, friendly smile and indicated that Alec should come over to him. Dragging his feet, Alec went and got pulled into Orion’s lap. Carefully, the general started to unpeel the bandages to check on wounds.
“So, I never did ask, how old are you?” he asked, breath soft and warm in Alec’s ear
“Sixteen.” And then, because he did say he didn’t mind questions, “How old are you?”
“Three hundred and twenty five. Hrm… these seem to be doing well.” And with gentle fingers he wrapped the bandages back up. That done Orion stroked and petted him, nibbling his ears. Alec held himself stiff at the touches, shivering uncontrollably when more sensitive parts were touched. Alec didn’t know how long he sat there, but eventually Orion shoved him off his lap and with a slap to his ass, told him to go amuse himself.
---
The innkeeper provided a large spread of food for their breakfast: freshly baked bread, newly picked berries, warm cereal, hot sausages and milk with cream. Alec sat at a table near the window, feet swinging idly as he ate some of everything. Orion sat across from him occasionally spearing something from Alec’s plate to eat as he continued to go over reports. Alec was used to this. Orion, he had learned, ate very little; which was fine because Alec tended to eat more than enough for the both of them. Orion drank a thick and dark coffee; Alec, the milk, once again because Orion thought him too young for the coffee. And once again, he would allow Alec to drink from his cup.
One of the soldiers came up to Orion, to give a report of the regiment’s readiness. The solider was smartly dressed in reds and dark navy, with black shining boots, holding a rifle. Alec eyed the rifle nervously and stared at his plate the entire time the soldier talked to Orion, letting out a sigh of relief when the man left.
--
A week passed with Alec locked in Orion’s rooms. He sat on the couch waiting for Orion to return from his duties as general, trying to read one of his books on tactics. Every few sentences he would write a word down on a sheet of scrap paper so Orion could define them later for him. The lock in the door clicked and Orion came in, carrying a stack of papers. He dropped them on the desk and smiled at Alec.
“Hello pretty,” he said. Alec gave him a slight smile, his heart leaping at the sight of him. When he realized how he reacted, he shifted uncomfortably and ducked his head, nervous and confused. “Give your master a kiss.”
Reluctantly, Alec put the book down and went over to Orion. Standing on his toes he reached up and kissed Orion, who slid his arms around him, holding him tightly. Breaking the kiss, Orion pushed Alec down onto his knees. Here, Alec swallowed nervously, hesitating. The hand on his shoulder tightened and Orion growled. Licking his lips, Alec lifted his hands to Orion’s belt and started to undo it.
“Good boy,” Orion purred as he fixed his pants. He ran his fingers through
Alec’s hair, holding him against his legs. “Hungry?”
“Yes. Please,” he said, shivering at the touches, his stomach growling. Orion pulled away, leaving Alec to sway on his knees before sitting on the ground, feeling dazed and confused as to how he should react. Repulsed at what he had to do or pleased that he had made Orion happy.
Hunger won over however and he stumbled up from the floor to sit in a chair to wait for food. Orion sat next to him, occasionally reaching out to stroke or touch him. “What did you do today, pretty?”
“Read… cleaned a little.” He shrugged. For some reason Orion liked asking him what he did during the day, even though his options were limited. He got an approving smile for that.
“You’ve been behaving quite well,” Orion said. He found himself perking up at the bit of praise, which he stopped once he realized that’s what he did. “I think you’ve earned a reward.”
“A reward?” he asked cautiously, not sure what that entailed.
Orion nodded, “Yes. Something nice for you. What would you like?”
Alec looked around the room trying to think and not look at Orion. His eyes landed on the gun case Orion kept locked. Guns from rifles to pistols hung for display, firelight glinting off the glass. “Could you teach me how to use a gun?”
The general laughed, “Why would you need to learn how to use a gun, pet?”
“In case I needed to defend myself.” From you.
He laughed. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.” The food came and Orion stepped outside to talk to the guard before bringing the tray. He set the tray down and lifted up the cover, presenting the food to Alec, who started in on it like a starved animal. “I talked to the guard; they should have the shooting range available for us in about an hour.”
Wearing pants again felt strange. Orion had gifted him with a pair of his pants to wear while they went down to the shooting range, as he didn’t want to go out and about naked and Orion didn’t want others looking at his property. He rubbed his hands against the fabric, feeling them over his legs, the soft swishrub of the cloth as it moved with him, the leg cuffs falling over his feet, covering part of them. His feet slapped bare against the stone and he shivered in the cool air, not being allowed a shirt. The leash tugged at Alec’s neck and he stumbled forward with a short yelp. Orion smiled at him, “Keep up pretty.”
The corridor in this part of the palace felt claustrophobic; under lit with doors evenly spaced and guards posted at every crossing. Each of the guards stood rigidly at attention when they passed, eyes staring at nothing but the wall in front of them. Watching them, Alec wondered how they could do their duty if they didn’t seem to be paying attention to anything. He didn’t have enough time to hold such thoughts for his leash got tugged again and again jerking him out of any sort of concentration.
At the end of the corridor, several floors down from where they started, the door to the shooting range stood, heavy and bolted. The guard at that door saluted Orion and opened it in one hasty motion. Without even acknowledging the guard, Orion pulled Alec inside. The shooting range was basically a large empty room, painted gray, with dummies tied to posts on one end of the room and lockers on the other side. After removing the leash, Orion opened one of the lockers and took out a gun. He held it out and explained the different parts for the gun, proper gun safety and then demonstrated how to stand to shoot the weapon.
Handing the gun to Alec he said, “Here, you try it.”
Carefully, remembering Orion’s lecture, Alec took the gun and held it out. Orion corrected his stance and said, “Now, squeeze the trigger gently.”
Aiming at the first dummy, Alec pulled the trigger. The loud bang startled him and he almost jumped back and dropped it. It hit the dummy with a solid thunk.
“Good shot.”
Alec smiled pleased at himself.
“Go on to the next one. Aim for the head.”
Puzzled as to why he had to move to the next one, Alec obeyed. He felt Orion’s eyes on his back as he pulled the trigger, again with the loud, echoing shot. It hit the chest this time, with blood splatter. Alec took a step back, “Um…”
“What’s the matter pretty?”
Pointing, Alec said, “It’s bleeding.” Orion shrugged.
“It’s to help the soldiers adjust. Go to the next one. Aim for the groin.”
Obediently, Alec shot at the next one. This time, the dummy groaned. So ever so slightly that Alec wondered if he had actually heard it at all. He glanced at Orion who appeared to be waiting for him to go to the next dummy. As he moved down to the next one, he noticed that they appeared to be held up by handcuffs. Again he looked at Orion and again, Orion just seemed to be interested in watching Alec shoot.
“Just shoot where ever this time.”
Again, he shot, aiming for the chest, getting used to the smell of gunpowder and the loud bang. The dummy sagged, blood spilling across its chest. Eyes wide, he backed up into Orion, who put his arms around him in a comforting hold, “What’s wrong, Alec?”
“It moved! And made a noise!” he said, his voice higher pitched than normal. He felt antsy and wanted to get away, but Orion held him tightly.
“How strange,” Orion said dryly, reaching up to stroke Alec’s hair to sooth away his panic. “Why don’t we take a closer look?”
Though phrased as a question, it was an order and Orion dragged a squirming Alec down to the other end of the range and the dummy. A dummy that had been up until a minute ago a man. Now he was only a sagging, bleeding corpse. His head hung against his chest, his arms still held high by the cuffs. The smell of urine and feces wafted up from him, mixed with the bitter tang of blood.
“Ohgodsohgodsohgods…”Alec began to ramble, dropping the gun and trying to pull away. Orion held him steadfast, making him look at what he had done. “Ohgodsohgodsohgods”
“What’s wrong, pretty?” Orion asked, nuzzling his ear, practically purring.
“I killed him!” he cried, nearly in hysterics. He tried to pull away, but still Orion held him.
“All of them. You killed all of them.” And he pointed down the line to the other bodies. The only thing Alec could do was tremble in Orion’s grip. The general stroked his hair. “It’s okay, it’s what you wanted to learn, isn’t it? You wanted to be able to do this…”
“No… no… I didn’t want to kill anyone!”
“But this is what guns do. This is what you wanted to learn, isn’t it?” he picked up the gun and shoved it into Alec’s unwilling grip, making sure he held onto it tightly. “You don’t want it any more?” And then he licked up Alec’s neck, the purring noise growing louder.
Wailing, Alec cried, “No…No… I just wanted to learn how to use it!”
“This is using it. Guns are death. You could have ended up like this if I hadn’t bought you, having run away all those times. Guns kill. You are a killer, Alec.”
Unable to form words, Alec whimpered incoherently. Choked sobs stuck in his throat and he struggled to free himself from Orion’s iron grip.
Ignoring this, Orion petted his hair, “It’s okay. I like that in a pretty.”
Still, Alec cried and still Orion held him. He took one of Alec’s hands and dipped it in the blood, Alec’s efforts to pull free completely unnoticed. The hand was dragged down Alec’s bare chest. “So pretty,” Orion crooned before licking the hand clean. Alec tried to rub the blood off of him, but Orion rubbed more on him. “Red’s a good color on you, love.”
“No… no…” Alec garbled, trying to pull him away from the larger man. Trying and trying with everything, but still always caught and claimed.
Orion held up a bloody finger to his mouth, “Don’t you want to taste it? So warm and full of power? Sharp and tangy?”
Afraid to speak, Alec shook his head, jaw tightly clamped. The finger was shoved against his lips, trying to force its way in, but still, Alec held it off, turning his head away. “Taste it, Alec,” Orion said with a snarl. When, Alec still didn’t obey him, he slapped him on the face, leaving a bloody handprint. “Do as I say!” And he painted more blood on Alec’s chest. Alec continued to refuse him. Orion forced his head down, smashing his face into the bloody puddle on the floor. “Taste it,” He demanded again. Alec only gave him a defiant look when he was pulled back up, glaring at him with a boiling and renewed hatred.
Orion cuffed him to the dead man.
It was such a sudden and random thing to do, that Alec froze in shock for a moment, his panic receding. Once the shook wore off, Alec started to struggle with the cuffs and the body, trying to free himself. He could see Orion watching him his face slowly sliding from impassivity to amusement.
Almost laughing, Orion asked “What’s wrong?”
Alec managed to shoot him a look that said, “You know what’s wrong.”
Smiling, Orion walked down the line of what Alec now knew were men, expertly shooting each one of them. Every time the gun went off, Alec cringed, trying to pull himself away from the noise and the weapon. Slowly Orion came back, carelessly holding the gun in his hand. Alec started to pull himself way from Orion, but went stone still when the gun was placed to his head. He could barely see Orion watching him, his face detached and alien.
“Don’t want to die?”
“No…” Alec said in a strangled voice.
The gun stayed at his head for a moment longer and then lowered. “Good.” He tucked the gun in his belt and uncuffed Alec, who took the opportunity to sag to the floor. He didn’t get to stay there long as Orion hauled him up and handed him the gun. “Do what you want with it.”
Confused, Alec just stared at him, not knowing what to say or how to react. He didn’t want to be holding the gun, but he was afraid to drop it.
“Do what you want with that. Shoot me if you feel like it.”
Alec swallowed before stammering, “I… don’t want to.” And he didn’t. He didn’t want to shoot Orion. The idea of it frightened him.
“Why not?”
“What good would it do?” he retorted.
Orion gave him a crooked smile, “It might make you feel better.” This earned an incredulous look. “I’ve been torturing you for days. You don’t want revenge?”
The only thing Alec could do is shake and whimper. He ducked his head, not wanting to look at that smile. Orion reached out to stroke his hair. “Don’t you just want to empty the rest of the clip into me? Some part of you must want to, Alec. You know it.”
Some part of him did want to, but he couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t drag himself down to Orion’s level. To the blood and pain. He dropped to his knees, unable to let go of the gun, unable to stop himself from shaking.
“What’s wrong pretty?” Orion cooed. Alec could only rock, eyes closed, wishing he was away somewhere far away. Orion kissed him harshly, hands running across his body. He pulled away as Orion stroked his gun hand, “Don’t you want to make me stop… at all?” he asked in a soft, encouraging voice, before kissing again, just as strong and harsh.
Curling up seemed to be the safest way to flee Orion, which he did, pulling himself into a tight ball. “Stop, please, stop,” He mumbled as Orion tried to uncurl him.
“Why?”
“Please… oh gods… please…oh gods oh gods oh gods…”
Finally managing to uncurl him, Orion placed the gun to his own chest, “It’d be so easy to shoot. Just move one finger. Just one little, tiny finger. Don’t you want to?”
Alec shook his head, trembling hard.
“I’ve hurt you, cut you, raped you. Don’t you want to hurt me for that?”
Oh and he nodded. He did, because it was so true. He did want to hurt Orion. He did. For the pain and torment.
“The trigger is right there… right under your finger.”
He wanted to cry. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. His vision blurring. He moaned and whimpered wanting to be a way.
“Shh… it’s okay. It’s okay to want to hurt people. It’s okay to kill them. You can hurt me. You want to,” Orion whispered encouragingly.
Alec pulled the trigger, hoping, dreaming that maybe Orion would stop. Maybe he would die. Maybe Alec would be free.
The hammer clicked.
But no bullet came out.
The gun was empty.
Orion laughed. Loud and insane. “See, you can do it. You can hurt who you want to pretty, just do it, it’s all you need to.”
He dropped the gun and curled up tightly. Gently, Orion picked him up and carried him back to his quarters, all the while stroking and petting him, whispering soothing words as he walked. All Alec could do was cry, deeply and hard. Tears falling down his face, sobbing into Orion’s shoulder and then the pillow as Orion laid him down on the bed.
He felt the bed creak as Orion sat on it, stroking him, still whispering those soothing nothings until he fell into an uneasy sleep.
---
"Up you go!" Orion said lifting Alec up onto the horse, a bay mare with a white blaze on her face and two black socks. Alec settled on the horse with practiced ease, as Orion swung up behind him. They had to leave the carriage behind them because it presented too much of a target as they got close to the border and their destination. He even got to wear armor for protection. It wasn't the heavy duty armor that the soldiers had, but armor nonetheless. He didn't like it very much, it felt heavy and made him hot and sleepy. Orion's arms reached around him to take the reins, squeezing at his sides to hold him snugly.
While not inside the comforting confines of the carriage, Alec still enjoyed the ride. The sun shined warmly without any clouds in the sky. The scenery still consisted of fields, the column of soldiers and pastures of sheep, but occasionally they passed by a grove of trees or an orchard. At one orchard, Orion left the column of soldiers to ride into the trees and pick several of the peaches for them to eat. The peaches were just ripe enough to make his fingers a sticky mess covered in peach pulp and juice. Laughingly, Orion sucked his fingers clean when he offered them to his master.
"My sticky boy," he murmured, kissing the top of his head. Alec smiled and leaned back against him, dozing in the sun. He had no fear of falling off, Orion would protect him.
When they stopped for the midday meal, in a pasture after the soldiers chased away the sheep, Orion had him sing for the men's entertainment. Before he had been captured by slavers he had been a bard's apprentice. Orion liked singing and music and continued his training. Singing was the only thing Alec could do for the soldiers.
Even though he sang to the soldiers, Alec sang only for Orion.
Orion showed his appreciation for the singing by dragging him off to a shepard's shelter.
Smelling of sheep and pipe smoke, they continued on.
They reached the Fort of Whistling Pines which stood on a high ridge over looking the kingdom of Tarten a few hours before sunset. No pines were visible and instead the ridge and fort were cleared any sort of thing that might decrease visibility. A runner went off to announce their arrival and the iron gates swung open to let them through. The clatter of the horses on the stone in the courtyard nearly deafened Alec. The fort’s commander rushed out to greet the general, personally holding his horse so that Orion and Alec could dismount. Or Orion dismount and Alec get lifted off. Orion insisted on doing this, even if Alec was perfectly capable of getting off himself. Just one of the things, Alec knew that he did to remind him of his place.
Supper had just been set, so they were led straight to the dinning hall, Orion being given the place of honor. After a short discussion they placed a chair next to Orion’s for Alec to sit. They shared a plate of food, as usual, though Alec got cider instead of the weak wine. The few serving girls seemed to fight over who got to serve the General, each time they passed by, they would flicker their eyelashes or bend over so that Orion would get a good look down their cleavage. Alec shot each one of them a heated glare. Orion belonged to him. No one else. As if sensing his thoughts, Orion leaned down and kissed him possessively.
---
Practically humming with pleasure, Alec returned to Orion’s rooms after a lesson at the Bardic College. Orion would be pleased with him and the new songs he had learned and he couldn’t wait to sing them. He smiled at the guard, who didn’t even look at him, and pushed his way into the rooms.
Where he stopped dead, dropping his books and papers so that they fluttered all over the floor. Standing by the fireplace, Orion had some strange boy about his age on his knees, hands in his hair as he let out groans of pleasure.
A surge of white hot jealousy burned through Alec as he stared at the boy. But he swallowed it and bent down to pick up his papers and books. He would be obedient and submissive, like his master wanted him to be, and not say anything. Not glancing at the two of them, he shuffled off towards the bedroom.
“Lovely, come here,” Orion called out to him after a climaxing gasp.
Alec looked at him and went over there, holding his books tight and ignoring the other boy. Orion took the books and papers from him and gave him a long hungry kiss. Pleased that he wasn’t forgotten, Alec returned it just as eagerly. Breaking apart, Alec leaned against him, resting his head so he could hear Orion’s heart beat. Orion held him for a moment before pushing him away.
“This is Trey,” Orion said, gesturing to the other boy, who had the glassy eyed look of a drug addict and the thin wasted body to prove it. Trey dressed as one of the street boys did who plied their trade in the slum areas of the city, clothes tight fitting with make up on their faces to accentuate their better features. The fact that he dressed like that, completely passed Alec by. After all, he belonged to the General and wasn’t some common street trash. Alec barely gave him a glance. The only thing he wanted to know was the other’s purpose there. And if he was being replaced. “Trey, this is Alec.”
“Hey,” Trey said in an almost dreamy like voice. Alec just glared at him.
“Be nice, lovely. Trey’s going to be with us for a while.”
The white hot jealousy burned back, and he clung to Orion tightly, his fingers digging into his master’s side. Orion laughed softly and stroked his hair. “You’re still my favorite pet, Alec. I just thought perhaps it might be fun to try something different.”
Different required the three of them; Trey touching him in places that usually only Orion did. He wanted to shove the boy away from him, but Orion kept him under a firm hand, preventing it. When Orion sated himself, Alec found himself left in the bed with Trey, who dozed with a slight smile on his face. Alec watched him, remembering the noises that Orion had made with him. Noises that only Alec could usually could make him cry. But then again, Trey was a professional. He did these sort of things for a living… while he had only be learning how to do them for the past couple of months.
No wonder Orion went and got himself a street boy… he wasn’t good enough at pleasing him.
He continued to stare at the boy, trying to figure out what to do. And then he remembered the knife on Orion’s dresser. Slowly, carefully, so not to disturb the other, he slid off the bed and quietly padded over to the knife. It would be quick… really. Orion had been showing him how to use knives after that one kidnapping attempt. He didn’t like using them, but he knew how. And besides, the boy would probably be better off. He picked up the simple hunting knife and walked back to the bed, just as quietly as he had left it.
Alec could see the boy breathing, his bony chest rising and falling slowly. The tilt of his head just so, with hicky marks on it, creating a line for Alec to draw the knife quickly across it. Blood spurted and Trey’s eyes flew open with a final gasp before collapsing, limp on the bed, bleeding.
The door opened and Alec spun to see Orion flicking on the light. He saw Orion’s eyes go from the body on the bed to the knife in his hands.
“I’m yours,” Alec said defiantly, daring Orion to punish him for killing the other boy. “You can’t have anyone else but me.” He lifted his chin up and held the knife proudly.
For a moment, Orion did nothing. Then with three quick steps he crossed the room and picked Alec up, kissing him hard and possessively, pushing him up against the wall. Alec dropped the knife to put his arms around Orion’s neck and push against him. Panting hard, Orion purred, “Yes. You are mine. Only mine. No one else but you. My boy.”
---
Alec snuggled in Orion's arms, feeling the sweat rub against him, listening to the general's breathing slow from a ragged pant to a purring rumble that Alec had learned to recognize as Orion falling asleep. He felt completely safe and content in his master's arms, knowing that he would be protected from any harm. Orion kissed him on the forehead and murmured, "Love you."
He sighed and yawned, "Love you too, Master."
"Good boy. My boy."
"Master?"
"Yes, lovely?"
"How long have I been with you?"
Orion shifted, pulling Alec closer against him, letting Alec to rest his head in the crook of his neck. "Six months, I think."
He let out another sleepy yawn, pressing himself close to Orion. "Really? It feels like a life time."
canadianevil for the use of Orion.)Title Submission
Rating NC-17 for non-consensual and violence.
Summary Orion breaks in his new slave boy
Notes Loosely based on an ongoing RP. The Alec presented here is not the "regular" Alec, but instead an alternate.
Alec rested his head on the side of the carriage wall, as the opulent vehicle bounced on the dirt road, a full complement of soldiers riding behind them as they went on their tour. Next to him, looking over reports sat the great general Orion; the man credited with single handedly orchestrating and winning the largest war the country had seen, as well as his master and lover. Occasionally, Orion would send him a smile and reach out to pet his leg. Adoringly, Alec would smile back before looking out the window at the rolling countryside, at the endless miles of fields and pastures of sheep. Fingering the collar he wore, his mind drifted off and back to how he had ended up consort to the kingdom's greatest general.
----
It had started in the slave markets. The one thing that he never forgot about the market was the smell. The smell of humans packed together like cattle. Sweaty and sour and fetid mixed with the perfumes of buyers and the must of their horses. They kept him in a small cage while the market was open, small enough that he couldn't stand, only sit, because he had tried to escape three times already. The only reason why he wasn't killed was because of his looks, his pretty, almost fey looks, with long pointed ears, a narrow face and messy black hair that fell about his face. His muscles cramped in the cage as he tried to find a more comfortable position. The sun reflected on the metal bars and made him squint.
A few potential buyers stopped by to look at him, but he glowered at them angrily and they moved on.
Then another man walked by, tall and important, wearing the uniform of an officer. The market’s leader led him around, showing him different slaves. The general seemed to be mostly disinterested with the selection, pretty and frightened young men and women in their mid teens to early twenties, until his eyes landed on Alec. He stared into the man's stormy blue eyes defiantly, as if daring him to do something. The general tapped the leader on the shoulder and gestured to him. The two of them talked for a moment and the general approached the cage.
"Aren't you the pretty one?" he murmured, a slightly crooked smile on his face, which Alec later learned meant that he was pleased with something.
Alec gave him a snarl.
"With spirit. I like him. Have him sent to my quarters," he said offhandedly before turning and walking away. He didn’t even ask for a price or bargain. Abstractly, Alec wondered if he had been given away for free or the price had been settled on before. Still, at least he was getting out of the cage.
The general's quarters did not look like they belonged to a general at all. They were practically luxurious. It had a large leather couch, thick rugs, bookshelves filled with books and all sorts of strange and sundry items, a fancy roll top desk and a round wooden table. A door led to what Alec assumed was the bedroom, but it was locked, so he couldn't look inside of it. He had tried the door, both to the supposed bedroom and to the outside, and they were locked, so instead he paced around nervously, not knowing what to expect.
Hours passed, and then, finally, the door opened and the general walked in, looking very pleased. He sat down in a chair and looked Alec over in a very possessive way, his gaze traveling all over him, making Alec step back and away from him. "Hello pretty," he said gesturing to the other chair. Alec didn't take it. "What's your name?"
"Alec. What's yours?" he asked boldly.
The general laughed. "Orion. But you will call me Master."
"I will not."
Again the laughter, and then quicker than Alec could follow, he found himself pushed up against the wall, Orion's hand squeezing at his throat. "Now listen to me pretty, and listen to me well. There's only one rule here. You obey me and make me happy and you'll be happy. You don't..." and he squeezed tighter, choking Alec. "Do you understand?"
Alec managed a frightened nod. The squeezing let up, but his hand still pinned Alec to the wall. The other hand reached up to stroke his face and hair. "Good boy."
---
The carriage jolted hard, going over a large bump in the road, knocking him out of his thoughts. Orion glanced at him with a small smile. "All right there lovely?" Alec nodded and then scooted closer to lean on Orion. The general's arm went around his waist, pulling him close, letting him snuggle into his jacket, smelling his musky almost smoky smell. The general’s other hand reached up to trace the scabbing spirals on Alec's face. Orion had decorated his face a few days ago, thinking that the tiny spirals looked pretty. While he didn’t particularly care for them, he accepted them whole heartedly because Orion had done them. They weren't the first scars Orion had decorated him with, merely the latest.
---
"You need a bath," Orion pronounced suddenly, stroking Alec's face with his free hand, fingers moving down his neck. He kissed the neck and gave it a nip, before releasing him. Alec tried to scramble away, but Orion grabbed him and picked him up as if he were a child. He squawked in alarm and squirmed, crying to be let go. Orion only laughed, taking him into the bedroom. Alec got a quick flash of a large bed before he was taken into the bathing room and dropped. "Strip."
Alec crossed his arms. "No."
"Strip or I strip you," Orion growled, indicating that if he had to do it, it wouldn’t be pleasant at all.
Hurriedly he stripped as Orion ran water for a bath. The general openly stared at him, his eyes holding a predatory and lustful look as he watched Alec take off his clothes. When Orion felt that the water was right, he picked Alec up and dropped him in the marble tub, splashing water all over the place. One hand held Alec firmly in place while the other roamed his body, scrubbing and touching him. "So pretty."
Despite the bath that he was getting... the first he had in months... Alec didn't feel any cleaner. If anything he felt dirtier than before. He tried to squirm away from the invasive touches, but the hand holding him down wouldn't let him. He refused, then, to make a sound. To not give the general any satisfaction in knowing how frightened he was.
When Orion felt that he was clean enough, once again he was picked up and set onto his feet. A large towel dropped on him, and the general started rub him dry. "You're quiet pretty, nothing to say? I won't mind you talking." He leaned down and licked Alec's neck. "I'd like it even."
"W-what do you want from me?"
"Something to keep me amused. A toy. I do get so bored sometimes. You'll be a good pet, I think."
"I'm not a pet!"
"Alec, you're my slave. You're whatever I say you are." He pulled the towel away and looked at him critically. Alec took a step back. "Come on pretty, time to make you look nice."
Look nice required tying a naked Alec to the bed. From a chest, Orion pulled a wooden box, finely made of dark wood. He ran his fingers lovingly over it as he walked to the bed. Alec eyed the box with extreme trepidation. He found it hard to breathe, and his face hurt where Orion had smacked him when he had resisted being cuffed to the bed. Orion set the box down so Alec could see the contents. Contents being a selection of fine knives, enameled in blues and greens. He picked up one of the smaller ones and ran the dull side down Alec's arm. Quivering, Alec tried to pull away, but the cuffs held him still. He whimpered instead.
"Shhh..." Orion soothed, stroking his hair. And then he started to cut into Alec's arm.
His breathing hitched and he swallowed as the knife slowly carved Orion's name. He did not scream. He clenched his fists. He closed his eyes and tried to take himself far, far, far away from where he was. But he did not scream. Orion, he heard, gave an annoyed grunt. The knife was put away and another one taken out. More cutting on his arm, more pain, eventually he cried out, softly, moaning, body trembling, mind awash in fear. Orion gave a pleased rumble, occasionally bending down to lick the blood, his tongue rough and scraping.
Finally, finally, after what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes, Orion put the knives away. Carefully, gently, he bandaged Alec's arm, making soothing noises like a mother comforting her child. "There now pretty, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked as he un-cuffed Alec.
---
Orion stroked his hair and Alec started to doze off again. It had been a long ride and a long day. They had gotten up early to make good time to the outlying fort. Normally they would have ridden by horseback, but Orion hadn't felt like it, rather wanting to spend the time catching up on paperwork. As night fell, they stopped at a roadside inn. The inn keeper, astonished to have such important guests, gave Orion the best room in the house. Of course, Alec knew, if he didn’t, there would have been trouble. Lamb stew and fresh bread made dinner, with weak wine for Alec to drink. Orion felt that he was still too young to drink anything stronger, though he did allow Alec to sip from his cup. After dinner he sent Alec up to their room.
Alec paced the room while Orion talked to his men downstairs. The room, he felt, was serviceable. Not like their rooms back in the palace, but it would do for the night. The bed felt comfortable, with nothing sticking out or poking. It had a private bath and fireplace. It could almost be called cozy, except for the cracks in the window panes and peeling paint. He undressed, slipping under the covers to wait for Orion to come to him. He knew his master's appetites, knew what he wanted and he welcomed it.
--
Orion petted him for a while. Slowly his pettings turning to strokes and he leaned down to kiss Alec. Alec turned his head away from him and Orion growled low. "Behave pretty."
"Don't touch me!"
"You're mine. Mind, body and soul. You may not realize it yet, but you are."
Alec tried to squirm away from him, but Orion's bulk and strength kept him pinned down. The general heaved himself on top of Alec, kissing and bitting his jaw and neck. He cried and begged for Orion to stop, but he wouldn't, apparently taking pleasure in Alec's cries of fear. His hands scratched at his skin, rubbing and sliding. He pushed himself into Alec roughly, hands running possessively over him, all the while asking for Alec to beg. As he thrusted, he worked on Alec until he cried and moaned with him, pressing and begging and wanting.
When he was at last satisfied, Orion kissed Alec lazily, wrapping his arms around him, murmuring sweet nothings and telling him that he was a good boy. Trapped there, Alec cried himself to sleep.
---
The morning came and Alec squirmed out of Orion’s grasp, squeaking when Orion grabbed his ass. He heard Orion chuckle at the squeak and roll over in the bed, pulling the covers over himself. Alec picked up his clothes, a sleeveless tunic to show off his arm scars and tight pants to show off his legs, struggling to put them on. His footwear was considerably easier to put on, being soft slippers, just enough to protect his feet, but not enough for long marches. But it didn’t matter because he either rode in the carriage or with Orion on his horse. Dressed, he found his bag and pulled out several small pots of makeup, placing them carefully in front of the mirror in the bath. Hesitantly he put on the make up. He still didn’t quite know how to put it on, never being shown how. But it pleased Orion, so he did it.
As he was putting the pots away, Orion came into the room and put his arms around Alec, nuzzling his neck. “You’re too damn pretty, you know that?”
“I’m sorry Master.”
“It’s all right. I forgive you.”
Alec laughed, tilting his head around to kiss Orion.
--
Alec awoke sore and alone. Every part of him ached and his right arm stung from the cuts. Slowly he slid out of the bed, shuffling to the bathing room to find his clothes. They were dirty, ratty and barely could be called clothes, but they were better than being naked. They were also not there. He retreated into the bedroom and searched the room for his clothes. He found nothing except Orion’s clothes, which were far too big for him.
Trying the door to the outer room, he was surprised to see it open for him. He stepped quickly outside, afraid of being trapped in the bedroom. Orion sat at his desk working on something. He looked up as Alec came into the room smiling. “Good morning pretty. Are you hungry?”
“Where are my clothes?” he demanded.
“Manners, pretty.”
Gritting his teeth, Alec said, “Could you please tell me what happened to my clothes?”
“Better, better,” Orion said, leaning back in his chair. “I got rid of them. You won’t need them any more.”
“But what am I supposed to wear?”
“You do need something to wear, don’t you now. I know just the thing.” He got up and walked over to a chest. After rummaging around in it he pulled out a box about the size that held the knives. He set it down and beckoned Alec over. With reluctant steps, he went to see what was in the box, which couldn’t hold anything wearable. It did however: a gold colored leather collar, complete with ring for a leash. “It’ll compliment your eyes, I think.”
“I’m not wearing that!”
Orion didn’t answer him. Instead, he grabbed Alec and forcibly put the collar snuggly around his neck. Alec gave a terrified squawk, afraid that Orion was going to do something besides put the collar on him. When let go, Alec’s hands went to his neck to take the collar off. Faster than he could see, Orion’s fist slammed into his face, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
Eyes wide, Alec stared up at him. Orion pulled him by the collar’s ring. “The collar stays on, pretty. Take it off and you’ll regret it.” He dropped Alec and his demeanor changed completely. “Now then, I’m sure you’re quite hungry. I had breakfast brought for you.” He gestured to the table where a covered plate sat. “I already ate, you looked tired and I wanted to let you sleep.”
He glanced at the food and then at Orion, wondering if this was some sort of trick. Gently Orion pushed him towards the table. Alec shuffled towards the table, ever few seconds glancing at Orion, waiting for the food to be taken away. But Orion just returned to his seat and went back to his paperwork.
Removing the cover on the tray, Alec discovered hot porridge with sweetening, fruit and juice. It smelled wonderful and his stomach growled eagerly. It was more food than he had gotten at any one time during the year he had been with the slavers. Licking his lips, he gobbled down the food, afraid that it would be taken away. When he finished, he put everything neatly back on the tray and covered it again.
“Good?”
“Yes, thank you,” he said softly.
Orion gave him a big, friendly smile and indicated that Alec should come over to him. Dragging his feet, Alec went and got pulled into Orion’s lap. Carefully, the general started to unpeel the bandages to check on wounds.
“So, I never did ask, how old are you?” he asked, breath soft and warm in Alec’s ear
“Sixteen.” And then, because he did say he didn’t mind questions, “How old are you?”
“Three hundred and twenty five. Hrm… these seem to be doing well.” And with gentle fingers he wrapped the bandages back up. That done Orion stroked and petted him, nibbling his ears. Alec held himself stiff at the touches, shivering uncontrollably when more sensitive parts were touched. Alec didn’t know how long he sat there, but eventually Orion shoved him off his lap and with a slap to his ass, told him to go amuse himself.
---
The innkeeper provided a large spread of food for their breakfast: freshly baked bread, newly picked berries, warm cereal, hot sausages and milk with cream. Alec sat at a table near the window, feet swinging idly as he ate some of everything. Orion sat across from him occasionally spearing something from Alec’s plate to eat as he continued to go over reports. Alec was used to this. Orion, he had learned, ate very little; which was fine because Alec tended to eat more than enough for the both of them. Orion drank a thick and dark coffee; Alec, the milk, once again because Orion thought him too young for the coffee. And once again, he would allow Alec to drink from his cup.
One of the soldiers came up to Orion, to give a report of the regiment’s readiness. The solider was smartly dressed in reds and dark navy, with black shining boots, holding a rifle. Alec eyed the rifle nervously and stared at his plate the entire time the soldier talked to Orion, letting out a sigh of relief when the man left.
--
A week passed with Alec locked in Orion’s rooms. He sat on the couch waiting for Orion to return from his duties as general, trying to read one of his books on tactics. Every few sentences he would write a word down on a sheet of scrap paper so Orion could define them later for him. The lock in the door clicked and Orion came in, carrying a stack of papers. He dropped them on the desk and smiled at Alec.
“Hello pretty,” he said. Alec gave him a slight smile, his heart leaping at the sight of him. When he realized how he reacted, he shifted uncomfortably and ducked his head, nervous and confused. “Give your master a kiss.”
Reluctantly, Alec put the book down and went over to Orion. Standing on his toes he reached up and kissed Orion, who slid his arms around him, holding him tightly. Breaking the kiss, Orion pushed Alec down onto his knees. Here, Alec swallowed nervously, hesitating. The hand on his shoulder tightened and Orion growled. Licking his lips, Alec lifted his hands to Orion’s belt and started to undo it.
“Good boy,” Orion purred as he fixed his pants. He ran his fingers through
Alec’s hair, holding him against his legs. “Hungry?”
“Yes. Please,” he said, shivering at the touches, his stomach growling. Orion pulled away, leaving Alec to sway on his knees before sitting on the ground, feeling dazed and confused as to how he should react. Repulsed at what he had to do or pleased that he had made Orion happy.
Hunger won over however and he stumbled up from the floor to sit in a chair to wait for food. Orion sat next to him, occasionally reaching out to stroke or touch him. “What did you do today, pretty?”
“Read… cleaned a little.” He shrugged. For some reason Orion liked asking him what he did during the day, even though his options were limited. He got an approving smile for that.
“You’ve been behaving quite well,” Orion said. He found himself perking up at the bit of praise, which he stopped once he realized that’s what he did. “I think you’ve earned a reward.”
“A reward?” he asked cautiously, not sure what that entailed.
Orion nodded, “Yes. Something nice for you. What would you like?”
Alec looked around the room trying to think and not look at Orion. His eyes landed on the gun case Orion kept locked. Guns from rifles to pistols hung for display, firelight glinting off the glass. “Could you teach me how to use a gun?”
The general laughed, “Why would you need to learn how to use a gun, pet?”
“In case I needed to defend myself.” From you.
He laughed. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.” The food came and Orion stepped outside to talk to the guard before bringing the tray. He set the tray down and lifted up the cover, presenting the food to Alec, who started in on it like a starved animal. “I talked to the guard; they should have the shooting range available for us in about an hour.”
Wearing pants again felt strange. Orion had gifted him with a pair of his pants to wear while they went down to the shooting range, as he didn’t want to go out and about naked and Orion didn’t want others looking at his property. He rubbed his hands against the fabric, feeling them over his legs, the soft swishrub of the cloth as it moved with him, the leg cuffs falling over his feet, covering part of them. His feet slapped bare against the stone and he shivered in the cool air, not being allowed a shirt. The leash tugged at Alec’s neck and he stumbled forward with a short yelp. Orion smiled at him, “Keep up pretty.”
The corridor in this part of the palace felt claustrophobic; under lit with doors evenly spaced and guards posted at every crossing. Each of the guards stood rigidly at attention when they passed, eyes staring at nothing but the wall in front of them. Watching them, Alec wondered how they could do their duty if they didn’t seem to be paying attention to anything. He didn’t have enough time to hold such thoughts for his leash got tugged again and again jerking him out of any sort of concentration.
At the end of the corridor, several floors down from where they started, the door to the shooting range stood, heavy and bolted. The guard at that door saluted Orion and opened it in one hasty motion. Without even acknowledging the guard, Orion pulled Alec inside. The shooting range was basically a large empty room, painted gray, with dummies tied to posts on one end of the room and lockers on the other side. After removing the leash, Orion opened one of the lockers and took out a gun. He held it out and explained the different parts for the gun, proper gun safety and then demonstrated how to stand to shoot the weapon.
Handing the gun to Alec he said, “Here, you try it.”
Carefully, remembering Orion’s lecture, Alec took the gun and held it out. Orion corrected his stance and said, “Now, squeeze the trigger gently.”
Aiming at the first dummy, Alec pulled the trigger. The loud bang startled him and he almost jumped back and dropped it. It hit the dummy with a solid thunk.
“Good shot.”
Alec smiled pleased at himself.
“Go on to the next one. Aim for the head.”
Puzzled as to why he had to move to the next one, Alec obeyed. He felt Orion’s eyes on his back as he pulled the trigger, again with the loud, echoing shot. It hit the chest this time, with blood splatter. Alec took a step back, “Um…”
“What’s the matter pretty?”
Pointing, Alec said, “It’s bleeding.” Orion shrugged.
“It’s to help the soldiers adjust. Go to the next one. Aim for the groin.”
Obediently, Alec shot at the next one. This time, the dummy groaned. So ever so slightly that Alec wondered if he had actually heard it at all. He glanced at Orion who appeared to be waiting for him to go to the next dummy. As he moved down to the next one, he noticed that they appeared to be held up by handcuffs. Again he looked at Orion and again, Orion just seemed to be interested in watching Alec shoot.
“Just shoot where ever this time.”
Again, he shot, aiming for the chest, getting used to the smell of gunpowder and the loud bang. The dummy sagged, blood spilling across its chest. Eyes wide, he backed up into Orion, who put his arms around him in a comforting hold, “What’s wrong, Alec?”
“It moved! And made a noise!” he said, his voice higher pitched than normal. He felt antsy and wanted to get away, but Orion held him tightly.
“How strange,” Orion said dryly, reaching up to stroke Alec’s hair to sooth away his panic. “Why don’t we take a closer look?”
Though phrased as a question, it was an order and Orion dragged a squirming Alec down to the other end of the range and the dummy. A dummy that had been up until a minute ago a man. Now he was only a sagging, bleeding corpse. His head hung against his chest, his arms still held high by the cuffs. The smell of urine and feces wafted up from him, mixed with the bitter tang of blood.
“Ohgodsohgodsohgods…”Alec began to ramble, dropping the gun and trying to pull away. Orion held him steadfast, making him look at what he had done. “Ohgodsohgodsohgods”
“What’s wrong, pretty?” Orion asked, nuzzling his ear, practically purring.
“I killed him!” he cried, nearly in hysterics. He tried to pull away, but still Orion held him.
“All of them. You killed all of them.” And he pointed down the line to the other bodies. The only thing Alec could do was tremble in Orion’s grip. The general stroked his hair. “It’s okay, it’s what you wanted to learn, isn’t it? You wanted to be able to do this…”
“No… no… I didn’t want to kill anyone!”
“But this is what guns do. This is what you wanted to learn, isn’t it?” he picked up the gun and shoved it into Alec’s unwilling grip, making sure he held onto it tightly. “You don’t want it any more?” And then he licked up Alec’s neck, the purring noise growing louder.
Wailing, Alec cried, “No…No… I just wanted to learn how to use it!”
“This is using it. Guns are death. You could have ended up like this if I hadn’t bought you, having run away all those times. Guns kill. You are a killer, Alec.”
Unable to form words, Alec whimpered incoherently. Choked sobs stuck in his throat and he struggled to free himself from Orion’s iron grip.
Ignoring this, Orion petted his hair, “It’s okay. I like that in a pretty.”
Still, Alec cried and still Orion held him. He took one of Alec’s hands and dipped it in the blood, Alec’s efforts to pull free completely unnoticed. The hand was dragged down Alec’s bare chest. “So pretty,” Orion crooned before licking the hand clean. Alec tried to rub the blood off of him, but Orion rubbed more on him. “Red’s a good color on you, love.”
“No… no…” Alec garbled, trying to pull him away from the larger man. Trying and trying with everything, but still always caught and claimed.
Orion held up a bloody finger to his mouth, “Don’t you want to taste it? So warm and full of power? Sharp and tangy?”
Afraid to speak, Alec shook his head, jaw tightly clamped. The finger was shoved against his lips, trying to force its way in, but still, Alec held it off, turning his head away. “Taste it, Alec,” Orion said with a snarl. When, Alec still didn’t obey him, he slapped him on the face, leaving a bloody handprint. “Do as I say!” And he painted more blood on Alec’s chest. Alec continued to refuse him. Orion forced his head down, smashing his face into the bloody puddle on the floor. “Taste it,” He demanded again. Alec only gave him a defiant look when he was pulled back up, glaring at him with a boiling and renewed hatred.
Orion cuffed him to the dead man.
It was such a sudden and random thing to do, that Alec froze in shock for a moment, his panic receding. Once the shook wore off, Alec started to struggle with the cuffs and the body, trying to free himself. He could see Orion watching him his face slowly sliding from impassivity to amusement.
Almost laughing, Orion asked “What’s wrong?”
Alec managed to shoot him a look that said, “You know what’s wrong.”
Smiling, Orion walked down the line of what Alec now knew were men, expertly shooting each one of them. Every time the gun went off, Alec cringed, trying to pull himself away from the noise and the weapon. Slowly Orion came back, carelessly holding the gun in his hand. Alec started to pull himself way from Orion, but went stone still when the gun was placed to his head. He could barely see Orion watching him, his face detached and alien.
“Don’t want to die?”
“No…” Alec said in a strangled voice.
The gun stayed at his head for a moment longer and then lowered. “Good.” He tucked the gun in his belt and uncuffed Alec, who took the opportunity to sag to the floor. He didn’t get to stay there long as Orion hauled him up and handed him the gun. “Do what you want with it.”
Confused, Alec just stared at him, not knowing what to say or how to react. He didn’t want to be holding the gun, but he was afraid to drop it.
“Do what you want with that. Shoot me if you feel like it.”
Alec swallowed before stammering, “I… don’t want to.” And he didn’t. He didn’t want to shoot Orion. The idea of it frightened him.
“Why not?”
“What good would it do?” he retorted.
Orion gave him a crooked smile, “It might make you feel better.” This earned an incredulous look. “I’ve been torturing you for days. You don’t want revenge?”
The only thing Alec could do is shake and whimper. He ducked his head, not wanting to look at that smile. Orion reached out to stroke his hair. “Don’t you just want to empty the rest of the clip into me? Some part of you must want to, Alec. You know it.”
Some part of him did want to, but he couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t drag himself down to Orion’s level. To the blood and pain. He dropped to his knees, unable to let go of the gun, unable to stop himself from shaking.
“What’s wrong pretty?” Orion cooed. Alec could only rock, eyes closed, wishing he was away somewhere far away. Orion kissed him harshly, hands running across his body. He pulled away as Orion stroked his gun hand, “Don’t you want to make me stop… at all?” he asked in a soft, encouraging voice, before kissing again, just as strong and harsh.
Curling up seemed to be the safest way to flee Orion, which he did, pulling himself into a tight ball. “Stop, please, stop,” He mumbled as Orion tried to uncurl him.
“Why?”
“Please… oh gods… please…oh gods oh gods oh gods…”
Finally managing to uncurl him, Orion placed the gun to his own chest, “It’d be so easy to shoot. Just move one finger. Just one little, tiny finger. Don’t you want to?”
Alec shook his head, trembling hard.
“I’ve hurt you, cut you, raped you. Don’t you want to hurt me for that?”
Oh and he nodded. He did, because it was so true. He did want to hurt Orion. He did. For the pain and torment.
“The trigger is right there… right under your finger.”
He wanted to cry. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. His vision blurring. He moaned and whimpered wanting to be a way.
“Shh… it’s okay. It’s okay to want to hurt people. It’s okay to kill them. You can hurt me. You want to,” Orion whispered encouragingly.
Alec pulled the trigger, hoping, dreaming that maybe Orion would stop. Maybe he would die. Maybe Alec would be free.
The hammer clicked.
But no bullet came out.
The gun was empty.
Orion laughed. Loud and insane. “See, you can do it. You can hurt who you want to pretty, just do it, it’s all you need to.”
He dropped the gun and curled up tightly. Gently, Orion picked him up and carried him back to his quarters, all the while stroking and petting him, whispering soothing words as he walked. All Alec could do was cry, deeply and hard. Tears falling down his face, sobbing into Orion’s shoulder and then the pillow as Orion laid him down on the bed.
He felt the bed creak as Orion sat on it, stroking him, still whispering those soothing nothings until he fell into an uneasy sleep.
---
"Up you go!" Orion said lifting Alec up onto the horse, a bay mare with a white blaze on her face and two black socks. Alec settled on the horse with practiced ease, as Orion swung up behind him. They had to leave the carriage behind them because it presented too much of a target as they got close to the border and their destination. He even got to wear armor for protection. It wasn't the heavy duty armor that the soldiers had, but armor nonetheless. He didn't like it very much, it felt heavy and made him hot and sleepy. Orion's arms reached around him to take the reins, squeezing at his sides to hold him snugly.
While not inside the comforting confines of the carriage, Alec still enjoyed the ride. The sun shined warmly without any clouds in the sky. The scenery still consisted of fields, the column of soldiers and pastures of sheep, but occasionally they passed by a grove of trees or an orchard. At one orchard, Orion left the column of soldiers to ride into the trees and pick several of the peaches for them to eat. The peaches were just ripe enough to make his fingers a sticky mess covered in peach pulp and juice. Laughingly, Orion sucked his fingers clean when he offered them to his master.
"My sticky boy," he murmured, kissing the top of his head. Alec smiled and leaned back against him, dozing in the sun. He had no fear of falling off, Orion would protect him.
When they stopped for the midday meal, in a pasture after the soldiers chased away the sheep, Orion had him sing for the men's entertainment. Before he had been captured by slavers he had been a bard's apprentice. Orion liked singing and music and continued his training. Singing was the only thing Alec could do for the soldiers.
Even though he sang to the soldiers, Alec sang only for Orion.
Orion showed his appreciation for the singing by dragging him off to a shepard's shelter.
Smelling of sheep and pipe smoke, they continued on.
They reached the Fort of Whistling Pines which stood on a high ridge over looking the kingdom of Tarten a few hours before sunset. No pines were visible and instead the ridge and fort were cleared any sort of thing that might decrease visibility. A runner went off to announce their arrival and the iron gates swung open to let them through. The clatter of the horses on the stone in the courtyard nearly deafened Alec. The fort’s commander rushed out to greet the general, personally holding his horse so that Orion and Alec could dismount. Or Orion dismount and Alec get lifted off. Orion insisted on doing this, even if Alec was perfectly capable of getting off himself. Just one of the things, Alec knew that he did to remind him of his place.
Supper had just been set, so they were led straight to the dinning hall, Orion being given the place of honor. After a short discussion they placed a chair next to Orion’s for Alec to sit. They shared a plate of food, as usual, though Alec got cider instead of the weak wine. The few serving girls seemed to fight over who got to serve the General, each time they passed by, they would flicker their eyelashes or bend over so that Orion would get a good look down their cleavage. Alec shot each one of them a heated glare. Orion belonged to him. No one else. As if sensing his thoughts, Orion leaned down and kissed him possessively.
---
Practically humming with pleasure, Alec returned to Orion’s rooms after a lesson at the Bardic College. Orion would be pleased with him and the new songs he had learned and he couldn’t wait to sing them. He smiled at the guard, who didn’t even look at him, and pushed his way into the rooms.
Where he stopped dead, dropping his books and papers so that they fluttered all over the floor. Standing by the fireplace, Orion had some strange boy about his age on his knees, hands in his hair as he let out groans of pleasure.
A surge of white hot jealousy burned through Alec as he stared at the boy. But he swallowed it and bent down to pick up his papers and books. He would be obedient and submissive, like his master wanted him to be, and not say anything. Not glancing at the two of them, he shuffled off towards the bedroom.
“Lovely, come here,” Orion called out to him after a climaxing gasp.
Alec looked at him and went over there, holding his books tight and ignoring the other boy. Orion took the books and papers from him and gave him a long hungry kiss. Pleased that he wasn’t forgotten, Alec returned it just as eagerly. Breaking apart, Alec leaned against him, resting his head so he could hear Orion’s heart beat. Orion held him for a moment before pushing him away.
“This is Trey,” Orion said, gesturing to the other boy, who had the glassy eyed look of a drug addict and the thin wasted body to prove it. Trey dressed as one of the street boys did who plied their trade in the slum areas of the city, clothes tight fitting with make up on their faces to accentuate their better features. The fact that he dressed like that, completely passed Alec by. After all, he belonged to the General and wasn’t some common street trash. Alec barely gave him a glance. The only thing he wanted to know was the other’s purpose there. And if he was being replaced. “Trey, this is Alec.”
“Hey,” Trey said in an almost dreamy like voice. Alec just glared at him.
“Be nice, lovely. Trey’s going to be with us for a while.”
The white hot jealousy burned back, and he clung to Orion tightly, his fingers digging into his master’s side. Orion laughed softly and stroked his hair. “You’re still my favorite pet, Alec. I just thought perhaps it might be fun to try something different.”
Different required the three of them; Trey touching him in places that usually only Orion did. He wanted to shove the boy away from him, but Orion kept him under a firm hand, preventing it. When Orion sated himself, Alec found himself left in the bed with Trey, who dozed with a slight smile on his face. Alec watched him, remembering the noises that Orion had made with him. Noises that only Alec could usually could make him cry. But then again, Trey was a professional. He did these sort of things for a living… while he had only be learning how to do them for the past couple of months.
No wonder Orion went and got himself a street boy… he wasn’t good enough at pleasing him.
He continued to stare at the boy, trying to figure out what to do. And then he remembered the knife on Orion’s dresser. Slowly, carefully, so not to disturb the other, he slid off the bed and quietly padded over to the knife. It would be quick… really. Orion had been showing him how to use knives after that one kidnapping attempt. He didn’t like using them, but he knew how. And besides, the boy would probably be better off. He picked up the simple hunting knife and walked back to the bed, just as quietly as he had left it.
Alec could see the boy breathing, his bony chest rising and falling slowly. The tilt of his head just so, with hicky marks on it, creating a line for Alec to draw the knife quickly across it. Blood spurted and Trey’s eyes flew open with a final gasp before collapsing, limp on the bed, bleeding.
The door opened and Alec spun to see Orion flicking on the light. He saw Orion’s eyes go from the body on the bed to the knife in his hands.
“I’m yours,” Alec said defiantly, daring Orion to punish him for killing the other boy. “You can’t have anyone else but me.” He lifted his chin up and held the knife proudly.
For a moment, Orion did nothing. Then with three quick steps he crossed the room and picked Alec up, kissing him hard and possessively, pushing him up against the wall. Alec dropped the knife to put his arms around Orion’s neck and push against him. Panting hard, Orion purred, “Yes. You are mine. Only mine. No one else but you. My boy.”
---
Alec snuggled in Orion's arms, feeling the sweat rub against him, listening to the general's breathing slow from a ragged pant to a purring rumble that Alec had learned to recognize as Orion falling asleep. He felt completely safe and content in his master's arms, knowing that he would be protected from any harm. Orion kissed him on the forehead and murmured, "Love you."
He sighed and yawned, "Love you too, Master."
"Good boy. My boy."
"Master?"
"Yes, lovely?"
"How long have I been with you?"
Orion shifted, pulling Alec closer against him, letting Alec to rest his head in the crook of his neck. "Six months, I think."
He let out another sleepy yawn, pressing himself close to Orion. "Really? It feels like a life time."
