Chapter 12

12

T obias got his little family home as quietly and quickly as he could without insulting anyone by rushing away. He thought he had some leeway, given that the Doms all understood that both Phantom and especially Noah needed him in the aftermath of the seminar. Bradford went out of his way to clear the decks, seeing to the guests and making sure that Jorge was waiting with the car as soon as Tobias had his submissives dressed for public.

The ride home was free of any catastrophe, and it was only late afternoon when he took Noah and Phan to the huge bathroom upstairs so he could give their wounds another good look in the best light they had. He kept Noah close to them as he went over Phan first, thinking that, given the sheer number of cuts, words, drawings and scratches he had, he might need a bit more physical care. Emotionally, he wasn't in the least worried about Phan.

"What shall we have for dinner tonight?" he asked them both as he dabbed at a still-oozing cut on Phan's chest. "You -- no lifting for a few days."

"Yes, sir." Phan nodded, his eyes drifting closed. Even tending to the damage made him hard.

"Macaroni and cheese and chocolate milk shakes," Noah offered from where he was kneeling a few feet away. The boy must have felt Tobias' raised eyebrow and incredulous look, because he quickly went on. "Okay. Maybe meatloaf and mashed potatoes? You know, comfort food."

Tobias smiled. "All right. Comfort food. Can either of you make Mrs. Miller's mac and cheese? If we're going to do it, we have to do it right."

"Phan can," Noah answered. "Well, usually. I'm not sure it's safe to trust him around a hot stove right now."

"Better me than you," Phan said without heat, his voice calm and teasing. "I can make it, sir. I think we have everything. Oh, and dinner rolls, too. Mmm, hot rolls with butter."

Noah practically swooned where he was kneeling. "Mmm. Butter."

Their comfort food was going to make him fat. Tobias shook his head ruefully and admitted to himself that it sounded wonderful. "Okay, dear." He kissed Phan's shoulder and let him up. "You go start that, and we'll be down in a little while."

Phan rolled to his feet, his chest, back, and thighs red with marks. He had to sting, but he walked as if there wasn't any damage at all, his cock still half-risen. "Yes, sir." He paused to kiss Noah and then left them.

"Your turn, sweetheart." Tobias got a fresh bandage and the antibiotic cream ready. "How are you doing?"

"I'm still processing, sir, but I'm fine. I'm just... not sure of anything yet. It was a completely different experience than I had expected."

"They often are." Tobias got him turned around and carefully peeled off the bandage. The cuts looked fine and likely only needed air in order heal up. "I'm going to leave this open with just some more cream on it. Do you want to talk about it?"

Noah nodded. "Phan and I talked a little, too, and he was really helpful. I think I'm mostly still thrown by how quiet it was. And instead of a sting, it was a slow burn... I've just never experienced anything like that. I... think I want to try it again. Maybe something deeper?"

Tobias considered that while he dabbed cream carefully onto his initials. "Deeper as in longer, or deeper as in deeper cuts? I'm not sure if I'm ready to scar you yet."

"Honestly, sir, I'm out of my depth here, and I think you should decide what you think is best. I just know I want to try it again sometime. I feel like I'm exploring this blind -- I don't know what the next step should be."

"Very wise." Tobias finished with Noah's shoulder and moved them around so Noah was mostly in his lap. "This is one of those things where I lead, then. I'll pay attention to you, and we'll go slowly. Just like always. I'm so proud of you, do you know that? You've come so far from the man who said he wouldn't use a safe word."

"I don't even know that person anymore. I can't imagine taking risks like that, making the kinds of bad decisions I used to make. You've taught me so much about the lifestyle and about myself." Noah shrugged and then grimaced at the sting, and Tobias did his best not to chuckle at his boy. "Believe me, that man had no idea things could be this good."

"But that man was special, too." Tobias rubbed his jaw along Noah's. "So eager to please, so full of wanting, so desperate to find the right path to follow."

"I guess you liked him well enough." Noah grinned and kissed Tobias gently. "Thank you, sir."

"I liked him just fine. I like you more, though." Tobias took a second kiss and then a third. "So. Are you ready for supper? I think the three of us should watch a movie later and go to bed early."

"I can't remember the last time you made it through an entire movie, sir," Noah teased. "I think the last time we got, what, twenty minutes in before we had to go to bed?" Noah slid off his lap and displayed, waiting to follow Tobias downstairs.

"Movies these days are far more boring than my bed." Tobias laughed and left the bathroom, glancing around the playroom as they went through it. "We need to redo the inventory in here next week, pet. Then the entire stables. If I'm going to have more and more people out there, I want it all neat and sure."

"Yes, sir. We have lists for both places. I did the one for the farm a while back, and Phan did one for here shortly after we moved in. I'm sure they won't be difficult to update." Noah fell in step behind Tobias easily. "I was thinking we should check the condition of your library table at the stables, too; it sounded a little creaky last weekend. How much longer before the renovations to the bunkhouse are done?"

"Another few weeks -- the tile mason we want is busy. I'm in no rush, really; I'd rather have Phan all settled before we do another large weekend. I think there's a small party of guests the weekend after next, though, just two couples. We'll make do."

As they walked down the stairs, Tobias could already smell onions cooking and hear Phan humming to himself. "Maybe you better make sure he doesn't try to do too much in there."

"I'll check on him. He's probably eating all the cheese. Take your time, sir. It takes a while to cook."

"But so, so worth it." Tobias laughed and kissed Noah on the nose. "I'm going to take a shower and put on something a little more casual. Off you go."

Noah grinned. "I like the tie, sir," he said as he walked away. "It's a useful item."

"That's why I never throw one away, pet. Even if they're hideous. Those ones just wind up in the toy boxes." The one he was wearing would be put away properly, however; it was rather nice. Still smiling, Tobias went into the master bedroom and set about relaxing for an evening at home.

He spent longer in the shower than he'd anticipated. The water was fine and he washed quickly, but his thoughts wouldn't settle. Belatedly, he realized he was still riding a bit of a high. He indulged himself, knowing that he had to process as much as Noah or Phan did. The scenes replayed themselves for him, from greeting to questions, and once more Tobias felt a wash of pride. His boys really were wonderful.

Clean and dry, dressed in soft jeans and a cotton T-shirt, Tobias followed the smell of supper right into the kitchen. Fresh bread and cheesy onions and garlic called to him as much as his lovers.

He was treated to a view of Noah's ass as he bent over to retrieve dinner from the oven. Phan was busy mixing something in a blender that looked suspiciously like chocolate.

"Oh, sir. Just in time." Noah sat the dish of macaroni on a hotplate in the center of the kitchen table. The table was set, so the boys must have decided the dining room was too formal for Mrs. Miller's comfort food.

"That looks fantastic." Tobias admired the crispy top on the mac and cheese, then went to peer at Phan's blender. "Milkshakes?"

"Yes, sir." Phan wiggled. "Ice cream, chocolate, milk, and a frozen banana for kicks. So thick I might hurt something sucking it up."

"Don't do that." Tobias gave him a pat on the bum. "I need you able to suck later on."

Phan wiggled harder.

Noah laughed. "With me, you suggest a movie with subtext, but with Phan, you take the direct approach. Fascinating." He set three pint glasses on the counter next to Phan. "What do you suppose that means, Phan?"

Phan grinned and bumped his hip on Noah's. "Means I don't do subtle."

"True." Tobias watched Phan attempt to pour what was really merely soft ice cream into the glasses. "You're a bit more refined, Noah."

"I'm refined sugar." Phan laughed and finally resorted to using a spoon to make the ice cream flow into the glasses. "Dinner is served!"

"I'm starving." Noah picked up two of the glasses and set them on the table. "Come sit, sir." He pulled out a chair and rested his hands on the back of it.

Tobias sat and let Noah push his chair in, feeling oddly amused by the gesture. He reached for the serving spoon and dished out huge portions for all three of them. "I'm rather hungry myself," he said with a grin. "You two can debate what movie we should watch, if you want. I'm going to eat." He grabbed a hot dinner roll and did just that, completely uninterested in whatever movie he'd wind up ignoring anyway.

Everyone ate well. Noah had a second serving and his entire milkshake and didn't look at all like he was going to explode. He took so long to eat that Phan started clearing the table before he was finished.

"Want help with the dishes?" Noah asked, finally bringing Phan his plate.

Phan was standing a careful distance from the counter, and it was pretty clear to Tobias why. "There's not much room at the sink," Phan answered quickly.

"What movie did you all decide on, then?" Tobias asked. He'd heard three or four mentioned and then a lighthearted argument about sappy romances, but had decided to stay out of it in favor of his milkshake.

"Phan wants porn," Noah said simply. "So I suggested we just skip the movie altogether. Phan, as you can probably tell, seems to like that idea." Noah reached with one hand and put his plate in the sink but his other hand slipped suspiciously between the counter and Phan's hips.

"I love it when you do all the work for me." Tobias watched as Noah played, the view particularly loved for the way his name was all over both of them. "Mind your restriction, however." He'd let them get to desperate and then make them wait -- or maybe not. He had yet to decide. Either way, he sprawled a little in his chair and let them entertain him.

"Restriction," Phan echoed. He said it, but it was pretty clear his attention was somewhere else entirely.

"Restriction. Of course. Does that mean you want me to stop?" Noah asked Phan, his fingers stroking slowly down the length of Phan's erection. He was clearly avoiding too much contact with Phan's back, but his lips sought out a clear patch of skin between Tobias' intricate designs.

"I'm not insane." Phan moaned softly and looked like he wanted to lean back into Noah. "Don't stop. Touch me."

Thankfully, Noah had as much showman in him as Phan when it came to Tobias, and he made sure that he didn't block Tobias' view of anything. He continued to stroke Phan slowly, and his lips explored every bit of unmarked skin he could find on Phan's back and shoulders.

"Oh, God." Phan shuddered a little, and Tobias saw the little hint of teeth that Noah used. The small amount of cloth covering Phan wasn't doing its job at all any longer.

"You better pause, Noah." Tobias unfolded himself from the chair and walked toward them, grateful that his jeans were roomy. "Sometimes, Phan, it's better to approach slowly rather than race to the finish line. Especially when the finish line can be moved farther away."

Phan whimpered and nodded. "Yes, sir. No racing, sir."

Noah took a step away from Phan and stood with his arms at his sides and his eyes low. "It's my fault, sir. He tastes good." Despite his apologetic words, Noah was grinning and didn't look the least bit contrite. "And his marks are beautiful."

"Of course they are." Tobias couldn't help leering a little at the marks. "Enticing, even. But Phan is in danger of going too fast, so I suggest you concentrate elsewhere for a while."

"Mmm." Noah stepped past Phan and closer to Tobias. "Elsewhere. Yes, sir." He reached slowly for Tobias and ran warm hands up under his T-shirt. "Will here do, sir?"

"Oh, no. Well, maybe. But I was thinking about something a little farther south." Tobias wished he'd gotten a little closer to the counter; Noah had very clever fingers.

"I can help!" Phan all but scurried to Noah's aid. "Sir. I can."

Noah pushed Tobias' T-shirt up and off over his head. "He could help."

"He could get me a chair." Honestly, he'd just left his chair. How annoying. But Phan was fast and there it was again -- too bad Phan was between it and Tobias.

"Or," Phan suggested, standing behind Tobias and helping Noah with his exploration of Tobias' chest, "You could just lean back a little. I won't let you fall."

"I know you wouldn't." Tobias knew very well that he could count on either of them, always. "But I don't want to rub your cuts open, dear."

"You two duke it out. I'm busy." Noah slid his hands lower and worked Tobias' jeans open slowly. First the button, and then the fly. "Very, very busy," he continued, sinking to his knees.

"Here is just fine," Tobias said immediately. He'd be damned if he couldn't keep his balance while getting blown.

Phan giggled behind him. "Noah, don't rush."

Fingers pushed at Tobias' jeans until they sat low on his hips and Noah's lips were so close to his skin, he could feel Noah's breath. "Never rush a good thing. Sir taught me that. Didn't you, sir?"

"I certainly hope so." Tobias looked down at his head and then shifted his hips a little. "There could be exceptions, though."

Again, Phan giggled. "Different rules." His fingers splayed over Tobias' chest and teased his nipples.

"Pretty much." Tobias grinned and willed Noah to move a fraction to the left.

Noah's tongue grazed over the base of Tobias' cock and continued outward toward his hip bone. "Different game, too," Noah agreed, circling Tobias' hip bone with his tongue.

"I think I could like this game." Tobias took a steadying breath and stroked his hand down Noah's neck.

Phan's hands moved. One kept teasing at Tobias' nipple, but the other slid down, over his abs and across the hip that Noah was neglecting. "Noah comes up with some lovely games. He really does."

"This one is called, 'See how long it takes before Sir's knees give out.'" Noah followed his tongue with his teeth. "It's a classic. One of my favorites." Noah's teeth dragged across his hip bone and back toward his belly.

"I like it, too," Phan put in as he slid his hand over to the base of Tobias' cock. "As much as I like this, I think."

Tobias gasped. "Boys."

"You got him, Phan?" Noah moved beyond Phan's grasp and lower, to tease at Tobias' balls with his tongue.

"Uh-huh." Phan licked at Tobias' shoulder blade. "I sure do." He stroked slowly, and Tobias' hips twitched. "He likes that, kitten. Do it again."

Tobias closed his eyes, trusted Phan, and went with it. What else could he do, really?

Noah painted Tobias' balls with a hot tongue before gently pulling one and then the other into his mouth. His hands slid up Tobias' legs and wrapped around his thighs. Teeth followed, gently nibbling here and there at the tender skin. "Sir," Noah breathed huskily.

Even with his eyes closed, they rolled back in his head. Tobias could feel himself breathing more heavily, and he had to make some fast choices about how, precisely, he wanted to get off. They were all a little too tired for a full-out hedonistic orgy -- at least without a nice long nap. There was, however, the middle of the night, and he could wake them up again. "Suck me, Noah," he growled.

Noah made no move to obey. "Is that an order, sir? Or a suggestion? Or maybe you're begging. Sometimes it's hard to tell."

"Just for that, you don't get to fuck Phan. Now, suck me."

Phan growled.

"Wow. I didn't even know that was on the table, sir, with our restriction and all. Sorry, Phan." Something about Noah didn't seem sorry. Probably the part of him that knew if it had been on the table once, it would be again. Damn smart sub. He didn't waste any time, though, and swallowed Tobias' cock into his mouth, along with a couple of Phan's fingers.

"Hey!" Phan jerked a bit behind Tobias, and then he did it again with a lot more deliberation. "Ohhhhhhh."

Tobias couldn't blame him. Fingers and cock both were getting a nice tongue bath and suck, and Phan had somehow managed to get his dick to rub along Tobias' ass in a way that he clearly liked. Tobias would have told him to cut it out, but it felt really good -- not as good as Noah's mouth, but good.

Tobias put his hand on the back of Noah's head and started thrusting, gently at first. He fucked Noah's mouth in long strokes and gasped when Phan's hand tightened. "That's it," he whispered. "Just like that, sweetheart. Take it."

Noah's fingers grasped Tobias' thighs and his throat opened wide. Now and then he was able to swallow and everything around Tobias' erection tightened up, but otherwise Noah was completely motionless, taking whatever Tobias chose to give.

Growling, Tobias sped up, spurred on by the supplication. Phan's fingers tugged and twisted at his nipple until it ached and felt hugely swollen, but it was a distant sensation compared to the heat in his balls. He shoved into Noah's throat, and the next time Noah swallowed, Tobias roared and came, his cock throbbing as he spilled.

Phan's thrusts were growing frantic against him, and Tobias was dimly aware of the dampness he was leaving behind. "Go," Tobias told Phan. He reached back and tugged Phan away from him and around his body. "To Noah." He stepped back, shaky and unsteady, to the chair. "Both of you. Go ahead."

Phan pounced.

Noah fell over backward on the kitchen floor with Phan on top of him. "Hot, hon?" Tobias could just see his grin.

With another, rather adorable little growl, Phan started rubbing on Noah. "You tell me, Mr. Hard Enough To Drill My Thigh. This aching?" Phan shoved his hand into Noah's thin pants and started jerking him off. "Hmm?"

Tobias tried very hard not to snicker. They were, after all, very pretty.

Noah tossed his head back so hard it made an audible thud on the kitchen floor. "Ow. Fuck! Phan." He was still out of breath from blowing Tobias, and it was pretty clear that Phan wasn't going to give him one bit of a break. He arched his hips into Phan's fist, which also, Tobias knew, offered Phan much more friction.

"Heh." Phan looked smug for half a minute, then his jaw relaxed and his eyes lost focus.

Tobias finally felt able to move, so he got up, made sure he was at least tucked into his pants, and got on the floor with them. "Later, we'll have more fun," he said, one hand on Phan's back, over a few cuts. "In the middle of the night. For now... I want to watch. Phan's close, Noah."

Phan pushed harder, his arm moving quicker. "Oh, God."

"Yes, sir. I see that, sir. Come on, Phan," Noah panted. "Shoot for me, beautiful."

"You first." Phan's neck was taut. Everything was taut. "Shit, shit, shit -- Noah!" His eyes closed and Tobias could feel his body shake as he climaxed.

"Very nice," Tobias said with a hum of approval. "Your turn, pet."

Tobias watched Noah reach down and wrap his fingers around Phan's, tightening Phan's grip on his cock. Noah jerked himself off, with Phan not much more help than just being gorgeous at that moment. "Sir!" Noah's eyes closed and he clenched his teeth. "Sir! Yes!" Noah came hard, his scent mixing with all the others in the room.

"You got my name mixed up," Phan panted as he curled up on top of Noah. "But that's okay. I know it's hard to remember."

Tobias snorted and kissed them both. "Silly."

"No, I didn't, I was trying to say thank you for letting Phan hump me like a horny goat." Noah groaned. "Jesus, that felt good."

Phan huffed. "Thank him after me. Or you could just kiss me."

"Right. Kisses." Noah reached up and grabbed Phan's face, kissing him hard.

Tobias slid away, rolling on the floor until he could stand without bumping into them or a chair or the table. "All right, my darlings. When you're cleaned up and the dishes are away, you can join me in the bed. I have plans for after a long nap, and I'll need you close by for them to work out."

"Which first, hon? Us or the dishes?" Noah shifted, helping Phan off of him and to his feet.

"Us." Phan went to the sink and got a clean cloth for Noah. "Just a quick wipe. I'll wash you properly in the shower before bed." He glanced at Tobias and smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, dear. Both of you." Tobias smiled back at him, including Noah. "You did me proud today."

Noah straightened his shoulders and smiled. "Thank you, sir. What an incredible day." He snorted as Phan went after him with a damp dishcloth. "Think you'll still be awake when we get there?"

"Oh, I can guarantee it." Tobias watched Phan do his job with a very impressive thoroughness. "Trust me." He turned and left them to their chores, smiling. A nap, boys in chains, and then midnight frolics. He'd absolutely stay awake until they were with him. After all, why waste a moment of his time when the day had been so perfect?