Chapter Sixteen

Chapt er Sixteen

L ess rattled after our talk, I exit the bedroom with Khazak. He leads the way to the dining room where everyone else is already seated around a large table. The room goes silent when we enter, all eyes watching as we take our seats. The only two open and next to each other are to the left of Ayla. Khazak pulls out my chair for me, placing me in the center, probably to act as a buffer. Yogik is seated to our left, the younger set of siblings to our right, and his fathers are on the other side of the table facing us.

Each seat has an empty plate in front of it and the rest of the table is covered in food, most of it meat: fish, pork, some kind of bird. They pulled out all the stops to welcome their daughter home. It all smells great. Khazak reaches for a pitcher and pours us some water, but no one is e ating yet.

“So,” Rurig starts, seated directly across from me. “How did you two meet?”

The men seated on either side of him groan, Orlun covering his face with his and Jarek turning his up to the ceiling. To my left, I hear Khazak choking on his water while I sit there wide eyed and slack jawed, unsure of what I’m suppos ed to say.

“I begged you not to make that joke,” Jarek pleads with the heavens, defeated.

Rurig is too busy laughing at himself to respond, and there are snorts of laughter from the rest of the table.

“What my husband means to say,” Orlun speaks to me directly, “is welcome to our home, David. We hope you enjoy the meal.”

“You laughed when I said it in the kitchen.” Rurig seems unbothered by his husbands’ exasperation. “Hope you boys are hungry because I have been cooking all day. Shit, forgot the gravy, hold on.” When Rurig stands from the table, I notice that one of his feet is missing, replaced by what looks like an upside-down cane handle in its place. Then I remember it’s rude to stare and go back to looking at my plate.

“I have to admit, I am curious,” Jarek starts next. “What brought you and your friends to this part of t he world?”

“A boat?” I joke, desperately trying to lighten the mood. “I just wanted to get out and see the world, I guess.” And leave certain people and organizations behind. “I, uh, promise we didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” I tag on s heepishly.

A hand squeezes my thigh under the table. Thankfully Rurig returns before I have to go into any more detail, bowl of gravy in hand. Placing it down with the rest of the food, he looks around the table, smiling. He claps his hands together and I half expect him to start saying an orc version of grace, but all that comes out is, “L et’s eat!”

I’m used to big family dinners so it’s no surprise when arms shoot out and begin grabbing at plates. Everything gets passed around, but I’m still feeling a little more timid than usual so I’m happy when Khazak notices and makes a point of making sure I get a little of everything that comes his way. I don’t even know where to start; I just tuck a napkin into my shirt a nd dig in.

The number of times I hear a food-muffled “thank you” directed at Rurig tells me he’s the main cook here, which probably means he’s also the one who taught Khazak—which checks out because the food is amazing. I couldn’t tell you what half this stuff is, only that it tastes delicious. Everyone else seems to agree because all around me are the sounds of chewing and swallowing. I want to eat until my stom ach hurts.

After the initial rush, things slow down and conversations pick up. I’m content to just sit and listen even though the fact they’re all speaking in Common is solely for my benefit. Jarek finishes saying something about work when I burp loudly, groaning happily as the pressure is released from my stomach. Then I realize what I did and quickly move to cover my mouth. “E xcuse me.”

“Thank you,” Rurig takes it as a compliment. I notice everyone else seems to be winding down their food intake too. “That reminds me.” Rurig clasps Orlun on the shoulder. “Gonna grab that ale we were saving for a special occasion. Get the mugs.”

Orlun stands as his husband exits the room, walking to a cabinet and removing a set of carved wooden mugs that are passed around the table. When Ursza and Ignatz see that they aren’t being given their own, they roll their eyes and scoff, pushing back and leaving the table.

“Ungrateful little...” Orlun retakes his seat. “Ayla, you have not told us anything about your trip yet.”

“Aw, come on, Dad. No one really wants to hear about that,” she says with all the bravado of someone who has a story re ady to go.

“It is literally the reason they are having this dinner,” Yogik deadpans from across the table.

Ayla huffs in response but doesn’t let that deter her. “I was gone for 14 months. Where would I ev en start?”

“Hopefully not at the beginning,” Khazak mumbles o n my left.

“What was your favorite stop?” Jarek asks as Rurig re-enters the room carrying two large pitchers of amber liquid. Mugs are filled, but I notice Khazak eyeing his warily and not drinking. Great job, David. You made the man afrai d of beer.

“Well, one of my first stops was to Shiveria,” Ayla begins her tale. “I wanted to climb through the mountains and see the crystal waterfalls. They were brea thtaking.”

“Sounds cold,” Jarek gripes, taking a swig of his drink.

“Freezing. We had to use magical torches to keep warm. The magic kept them lit—even if we dropped them in the snow—and also kept our body temperature at a safe level as long as we stayed near enough.” That sounds dangerous…and kinda fun. “After that, I bounced around a little until I ended up on the Fangbei Plains. I took a job helping a team of researchers tracking the migration patterns of cyclosauri herds. I was sort of like their bodyguard. It was my responsibility to scout for places to set up camp, close enough to watch the herd but far enough away that we wouldn’t disturb them. I had to get pretty creative when there weren’t enough trees for cover. We were out there for over a month, but we never stayed in the same place for more than a couple of days. If anything went wrong, my only concern was getting everyone ou t safely.”

“You always were a resourceful child.” Jarek sips his ale, impressed with his daughter.

“That sounds like work, when you’re supposed to be traveling,” Jarek adds. “Please tell me you did some rela xing too.”

“Well, the last boat ride I took was also the longest, but we stopped at many different islands. A lot of beaches, fishing, and a surprising amount of alcohol. They all had their charm, but for two days we were docked at this one chain... During the day the water looked like any other, but at night, it would glow . Not just the water, the animals living in it too. You could look down and see schools of brightly colored fish swimming by. I loved watching the sea turtles float by with their shimmering green shells before bedtime.” I’m in awe at her descriptions. I’ve heard the names, read descriptions, but never so much as seen a picture. “Actually, that reminds me. One of the last islands we visited was run by these gnomes who were trying to start some sort of zoo, only all the animals would be mechanical. I only saw some prototypes but… that place is going to be crazy .”

“Waterfalls and gnomes are well and good, but where was the best food ?” Rurig has his priorities in order.

“Oh, that’s easy. There was this halfling village in south Bhuvarsha. They called themselves the Yaksha.” Ayla sips her beer before she continues. “They had an outdoor food market with dozens of carts, each one serving something different. I ended up spending two extra days there just so I could try everything. They used spices I’d never heard of before. Their cooking was almost as good as you rs, Ruda.”

“Almost, huh?” Rurig grins at the compliment as he downs more ale.

“What about you, David? Have you traveled much?” Ayla suddenly turns her attention to me, as does the rest of the ta ble. Crap .

“Uh, not really. I’d like to.” Things haven’t exactly gotten according to plan, but that was the goal. “The trip here was my first. I came over here because it’s the place I knew the least about. I wanted to experience it for the first time myself.” It was also the cheapest and fart hest away.

“Is there a place you’d like to visit next?” Ayla seems genuinely excited when she asks.

“Unless getting arrested and ending up here was on your list of experiences,” Rurig adds wryly from his seat.

“Well, I figure I can squeeze in a few more jail cells before the end of the year.” You have to fight jokes with jokes, even if they’re at your ow n expense.

Rurig chuckles into his mug. “I like him.”

“I honestly have no idea.” I turn back to Ayla to finish answering her question. “I didn’t really think that far ahead. …Any recomme ndations?”

Ayla’s face brightens even more at my question. “Well, if you ever travel west, tucked away out in the Hayaki Desert is an oasis where crystals grow out of the ground like plants. Every color you could imagine: some even change throughout the day. You know how when light passes through something transparent, it leaves a colored shadow?” I nod. “There is something about the crystals, or maybe the land itself, but anything bathed in those shadows is dyed that color. It lasts maybe half a minute, but it affects everything. Rocks, plants, animals, people. There are rainbows all over the sand. It’s truly amazing.” She stops. “There is a group of people living there, a commune. I think they’ve been there a long time. They have these beautiful ceremonies a t sunset.”

“Wow.” I’m whispering, completely drawn in by her story. “What’s i t called?”

“Li’akwa. I think you’d like it there.” Ayla leans back in her seat. “Maybe you can convince my brother to loosen up and take you one day.”

Or I could just go by myself in two months. I look to my left and notice Khazak sitting stiffly beside me. How long has he been like that? Wait, is he jealous that I’m talking to his sister? At least he finished his beer, as he is now pouring himself a s econd one.

“How has work been, son?” Orlun senses the tension and redirects the con versation.

“Good, Orda.” I see Khazak’s shoulders relax, back on familiar ground. “We have almost finished the security upgrades I told you about. The old holding cells will be torn down n ext week.”

“Good riddance. I hardly ever remember using them.” That would have been good information to have two nights ago, but ignoring that, it sounds like Orlun used to be a ranger himself. “Are you due bac k in yet?”

“Tomorrow.” He is? Has it been a week already? “It will also be David’s f irst day.”

“It will? I mean, you’re taking me with you?” I do not remember talking about this. Did I space out again?

“Well, we talked about finding you something to do,” he reasons. “It seemed better than the alternative of leaving you home alone all day.”

“No, that’s okay. I just didn’t know that was a possibility. Or that it was happening tomorrow.” Or what they do exactly aside from arresting trespassers. Can’t imagine they would even want me there.

“You would be acting as my assis—” he starts t o explain.

“Ooo, is Khazak making plans without telling the other person about it until the last minute again?” Ayla cuts in, leaning forward on her elbow to look at her twin.

“That is not what I—” he tr ies again.

“Khazak, come help me and your fathers clean up.” It’s Rurig’s turn to prevent an argument, standing and starting to gather up dishes. “Your siblings helped us cook, a fter all.”

“Yes, Ruda.” Khazak sighs and sends me an apolog etic look.

Ayla pulls me to the side as the table is cleared and plates are brought into the kitchen. She leads me to a backdoor, and we head outside into the cool night air. There’s no grass (I haven’t seen much grass outside of the park now that I think about it), just a small fire pit with a few chairs around it. There’s also what looks like a vegetable garden off to the side. Stepping away from the door, Ayla leans back against the house.

“Easier to talk out here.” She offers me a smile. “Sorry about that. I love my brother, but it is just so easy to get under his skin sometimes. I can’t help it. He is such a contr ol freak.”

“Who, the guy that would only let me call him ‘Sir’ for the first five days? Never would have guessed.” She laughs and I relax, copying her stance against the wall. “Has he always been l ike that?”

“Honestly? Yes, ever since we were children.” She shakes her head a little. “He was the responsible one while I was always getting into trouble. My parents would put him in charge of watching me and Yogik even though we’re the same age. I’m technically older by two minutes!”

“We would do things together but in completely different ways,” she continues, her hands moving animatedly as she speaks. “I have never met a more prepared person. He’d have a plan, a backup plan, and a backup-backup plan. I’m the type to just roll the dice and jump in, but he always knew exactly what he wanted. He was so stubborn. Once he set his mind on something, he’d make i t happen.”

“I think I know what you mean.” Sounds a little familiar. Maybe that’s why we get along sometimes.

“Problem is, when he can’t be in control of a situation, or worse, when he loses control, he tends to...” She points her finger down and makes a twirling motion. “Spiral. I really shouldn’t provoke him like that. He normally handles i t better.”

I can’t bring myself to tell her that I’m probably the reason for that. It would explain why he’s seemed so off. Our fight and the “renegotiating” of our...relationship probably left him feeling all kinds of shaky. Hell, not even just that, but the way I drugged him, robbed him, and nearly got him fired…he’s probably feeling completely thrown off. “I think I understand that too.”

She nods to herself. “So, is he treating you well?”

“Oh. Yeah. He... We’re good.” I don’t think anyone’s actually asked me that before, and I’m not sure how to answer. This whole night has felt like it’s just a step away from something normal, then I get asked something about how my owner treats me, and I’m thrown off again.

“Good. We all knew he would, but you know, gotta ask.” She smiles and shrugs. I really wish I knew what she meant, but I don’t think Khazak would appreciate it if I told her about our rece nt issues.

“Can I ask you something that might sound rude?” It’s at least something that won’t get me in trouble. “Why is the way you speak Common so different from the rest of your family?” She’s a lot less formal than most of the other orcs I’ve met.

“I’ve spent most of the last ten years away from them. You travel the world, you pick up a few things.” She grins. “I speak eight different languages, but the one that pops up the most is Common. Especially the cursing. So v ersatile.”

“I feel a strange amount of pride in my people for introducing the word ’fuck’ to world.” Can’t wait to tell Khazak about our amazing accomp lishments.

We both laugh, standing there looking into the night sky a little longer before I feel the need to use the little human’s room. I only drank the one, but that ale has already worked its way through me. “Where’s the bathroom?”

“Go left when you go inside and it’s the last door on the right,” she directs me as I head in.

“Thanks.” The “for more than just the directions to the bathroom” go es unsaid.

I walk back inside, and you’d never guess that nine people just had dinner in here. The table has been cleared and looks spotless. I hear noises coming from the kitchen, but I don’t see anyone. Nature is still calling, so I make my way to the bathroom, spotting Yogik coming at me when I turn into th e hallway.

“David.” He meets me halfway and stops.

“You remembered.” Let’s hope he keeps it that way.

“Just having a little fun.” He winks at me before leaning in closer. “So tell me, has my brother started sharing you yet?”

“Uh, what?” What does he mean by “sh aring” me?

“I will take that as a no. Pity.” He frowns, still standing way too close.

“Um. I gotta...use the bathroom.” I awkwardly walk a round him,

Peeing is more difficult than it should be after that weird encounter but somehow I manage. When I finish and head back to the dining room, I see Khazak and Ayla talking together. Hopefully making up. I step over to join them.

“I missed you, Khaz.” She leans in t o hug him.

“I missed you too, Lala.” Aww, he has a nickname for her. “How long are you in town?”

“Not sure yet.” Ayla shrugs. “No real plans, so it looks like I’ll be crashing here for a while.”

“You are staying?” Did his voice j ust crack?

“Don’t sound too disappointed.” She scoffs but she’s stil l smiling.

“I am not— I did not mean—”

“Calm down.” She hugs him again. “You’re still too easy to work up.”

“And you are still a pain in my ass.” He returns the hug nonetheless. They finally notice my presence when they separate . “David.”

“He’s a sneaky one.” Ayla takes notice of me as well. “Might want to tie a bel l on him.”

“It was great meeting you Lala ,” I grumble. I thought we wer e friends!

“Low blow, David.” She shakes her head.

“I think we are just about ready to go home, eh David?” His hand lightly squeeze s my neck.

“Sounds good to me.” I am feeling a little overs timulated.

I hug Ayla before Khazak leads me into a very large kitchen. Orlun is bent over a sink washing dishes while Rurig and Jarek are off to the side dealing with leftovers. Everyone pauses when they see us, Rurig approaching first with a stack of wrapped dishes in his arms and both husbands right b ehind him.

“He is too skinny. Make sure he eats these.” He pushes the food toward his son before turning to me. “I expect to see some meat on these bones the next time I see you.” He pinches my arm f or effect.

“Yes, sir.” I nod my head, not even considering there might be a next time. “I swear I’m worki ng on it.”

“Good.” He gives me a toothy smile. Are all orc smiles technical ly toothy?

“It was nice to meet you, David.” Jarek steps around his large r husband.

“Try to stay out of trouble.” Orlun joins him.

“Yes, sir.” The more I say it, the more I feel like I’m back in school.

When it’s time to speak to their son however, they switch into their own language, the conversation between them flowing so much faster than it did in Common. God, they must feel like they’re dumbing themselves down so much when they have to talk to me. I should have asked Ayla if she had any tricks for learning new languages. The three of them walk us to the front door where Yogik waves his goodbye from a distance. Good. Ayla is there, but the other two are nowhere in sight, and after more hugs and goodbyes, we are outside, walking home in the moonlight.

Things are silent for a little too long, and I have to break it. “So.”

“So,” comes the oddly neutral response.

“Th at was...”

“A very interesting shitshow?” He turns to me and I can make out a wry smile.

“Something like that.” I’m glad to see he’s in good spirits. “I dunno. It could have go ne worse.”

“It also could have gone much better,” he grumbles. “Or preferably no t at all.”

“Oh my gods, that’s why you didn’t want me to come.” And here I thought he was trying to look out for me. “You were worried your family was going to embar rass you.”

“I may have considered that as a possibility.” I remember his sister’s words on the patio. Always a plan. “I sometimes find it difficult to be around my family but...you enjoyed your evening?”

“Yeah. I like them.” For the most part. “Your dads seem nice. Your sister is pretty cool, your younger siblings are weird, and uh, I think your brother h it on me.”

“He what ?” Khazak freezes in h is tracks.

“When I passed him in the hall, he asked me...” I really hope this isn’t something a brother usually asks. “He asked me if you had started sharin g me yet.”

In the dim light I can just make out Khazak’s hands tensing as they grip the leftovers. “I am going to strangle that little rodent.” He turns on his heel and starts walking back toward his paren t’s house.

“Wait, wait!” I pull on his arm to stop. “Next time. I’d honestly rather just go home tonight.” I’m not sure I’m up for any more family confr ontations.

“I am very sorry, David,” he apologizes with a sigh. “That is not something he should have asked you. That is not something even within the realm of possibility, and he knows that. I think he may have done it to get a rise out of you, or more likely me, but I do not unders tand why.”

“It’s okay. My brother can be a dick too.” And a smug one at that. “I understand what you mean by difficult to b e around.”

“Would that have anything to do with the real reason you traveled here all the way from home?” My body goes still. “Like say, a father you do not seem to like being nam ed after?”

I can only stare, mouth agape like I want to say something but haven’t figured out what.

“You do not have to tell me unless you want to,” he offers softly, encouraging me to continue walking with him, “but I would be happy t o listen.”

We walk in silence for a few minutes before I finally speak up. “He’s not the reason I left, but he is one of the reasons I did n’t stay.”

Khazak turns his face to me, not saying anything but stil l walking.

“I wasn’t happy with where it looked like my life was headed. A lot of other people seemed to be, but I wasn’t.” I stare at the ground as I walk.

“What direction was that?” It sounds like he’s actuall y curious.

A very boring one. “Finish the academy, join the military, find some girl to settle down with, and have some kids.” I shrug. “Same as my grandfather did. Same as my father did. And same as my older brother is in the middle of doing.”

“What did you want to do?” Good question.

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I just knew I didn’t w ant that.”

“Forgive me for asking, but...your older brother.” Joseph. “Why is he not named after your father instead of you? Is that not more tra ditional?”

“Because he was named after my grandfather. You could say sons seeking their father’s approval is a running theme in our family.” Dad was always trying to get Granddad to respect him. I’m not sure he ever did. “You’d think that not being the first born I might get a break from all that pressure, but because he named me after himself, my dad expected even more. It wasn’t enough for me to be as good as my brother. I couldn’t just come close. I had to be better. Had to be stronger, win more games, date mo re girls.”

“I know what it is like to do things to earn your fathers’ admiration.” Three times over , in fact.

“Yeah, but I get the feeling your dads actually tell you they’re proud of you sometimes.” I swear that sounded a lot less sad i n my head.

“I am sure your father is proud of you, David.” That sounded ev en sadder.

“That makes one of us.” Okay, let’s wrap this up. “It felt like I was turning into him, doing the same things he did with Granddad, fighting for every scrap of approval. And I didn’t want to be like him. I don’t want to be like him.”

“So you left.” He comes to the conclusion, and I’m happy to leave i t at that.

“Like I said, in the end it was more about not staying than it was leaving.” I am eager to get out of this spotlight. “So, what about you and your sister? What’s going on there?”

“I am not sure what you mean.” He stands a little straighter as he walks.

“One of the first things you did after not seeing her for over a year was insult the clothes she was wearing,” I helpfully point out.

“I did not insult her clothing,” he huffs.

“And that wasn’t you getting jealous when I was talking to her about traveling either?” I don’t know if he can see my side-eye in the moonlight.

“Why would I get jealous of you talking to my sister?” His tone gives away his annoyance.

“Cool, so you won’t mind if I head back and ask her to take me to that place in the desert?” I ask, hooking my thumb behind me.

That gets him to turn and look at me, eyes narrow. “No. We are alm ost home.”

Sure, t hat’s why.

“Well maybe tomorrow I could go back and—”

“ Okay , David.” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “I love my sister.” There’s definitely a “but” coming. “But it is difficult to feel like you still know a person when you almost never see them. The first time my sister left home was when we were your age. That was just for the summer. Then she was barely home two weeks before she was gone for three months . Every time she left, it would be even longer before she c ame home.”

“We got used to her missing birthdays and holidays,” he continues. “It was not a big deal. In the beginning she would write to us frequently. I got postcards from nearly every place she visited. But eventually that slowed down to every other place until one day it stopped entirely. We would go months without hearing anything. My fathers only got the letter announcing her return here y esterday.”

“Your dad made all that food in a day?” He managed to feed nine people like that on sho rt notice?

“He is very good at what he does.” Khazak lifts the leftover food. “At some point, it started to feel like what she was doing was collecting stories to impress us with. None of us have had any idea where she has been this past year. That is why my fathers were asking her about it a t dinner.”

“And why you were so eager to shut it down.” It came off as rude when he did it, but I sort of under stand now.

“My sister has never been the most responsible.” It doesn’t sound like he means it as an insult. “That is okay. It is who she is. I just wish that she would put more effort in where family was c oncerned.”

“Have you ever talked to her about any of that?” I’m willing to bet he hasn’t.

“Have you ever talked to your father about your issues?” he shoots back, un impressed.

“Oh look, we’re home.” I notice the house coming up on our left. Perfe ct timing.

He snorts a laugh, fumbling for his keys while awkwardly holding the stack of food in one arm. Stubborn. But I am glad t o be home.

“You know, where I come from, meeting your parents like that would be considered a pretty good evening.” Honestly, that went better than most of the times I met a girlfriend’s family back home, even if it’s not quite the same thing. “We should c elebrate.”

“Celebrate? Are you somehow still hungry?” Khazak piles everything onto the kitchen counter. “I think Ruda gave us enough food to las t a week.”

“Okay, two things.” I walk over, crowding him just a little bit. “One, who is this ‘we?’ I was given very specific instructions from your father to eat all of that food myself, Sir. And two... I wasn’t talking about celebrating with food. Sir.” Really hope he’s picking up what I’m put ting down.

“Oh.” I see a flash of desire on his face before it’s back to neutral as he starts to pack the containers into the icebox. “Are you certain?”

“Uh, yeah?” I laugh a little. “That’s why I brought it up. You okay?”

“Yes, I am just still feeling a little...cautious in regard to that aspect of our arrangement.” It’s the same hesitation I’ve felt since we talked things out yesterday. I was kinda hoping I took care of that this morning, but I guess I need more practice.

“I appreciate you wanting to take it easy on me,” I reach out and take a hold of the bottom of his shirt, “but you know, part of what I like about our ‘arrangement’ is you calling t he shots.”

That gets me a smile, but I can tell he’s still thinking about it. “I am not sure it is a g ood idea.”

“Why not?” All my ideas are good. Usually. “I thought we figured this out y esterday.”

“We also said we were going to take things slow, did we not?” Not this slow.

“There’s a difference between slow and celibate.” And I don’t plan on being t he latter.

“I am not suggesting we be celibate.” He rolls his eyes.

“Okay, well, I just asked if you wanted to go fool around—something I have never done with anyone before, by the way—and you had to ask if I was sure.” The rejection might have stung a little.

“I am only being cautious, David.” He’s starting to soun d annoyed.

“What are you afraid of happening?” He’s making it sound like he might accidentally fuck me to death or something. “I trust you , Khazak.”

“Well, I do not , David.” For a second I think he’s talking about me, but then I understand. He doesn’t trust himself. He really is afraid he might take things too far and push me to do something I don’t want. Fuck . It’s at least partially my fault he’s feeling this way. I don’t want him to be afraid to touch me. How do I fix this?

“Khazak. Sir. You’re not going to hurt me, or scar e me, or—”

“I think our recent history and your own words have already proved you wrong.” It’s like he’s not even willing to lis ten to me.

“Look, we both said and did some shitty things, but are you seriously letting that dictate everything else that happens between us?” I know I’m oversimplifying bu t come on.

“Yes. I am.” Oh my god this man is so fucking stubborn.

“Your sister was right about you,” I mutter without thinking.

“What is that supposed to mean?” He slams the lid of the icebox shut a little too hard. “What did my sister say about me?”

“Nothing, just...” Hold on, I think I’m getting an idea. “Just that you have contro l issues.”

He scoffs. “And I suppose she thinks herself an expert on my ‘control issues?’”

“I think her exact words were ‘control freak.’” I tell myself that snitching is alright if it’s for the gre ater good.

His nostrils flare as soon as the words leave my mouth. “What the hell would someone who has not been home for over a year know about my life?”

“I think I’m inclined to agree with her. You are definitely a control freak, ” I snark.

“What, exactly, makes me a control freak?” He takes a few steps toward me in the li ving room.

“I dunno, maybe the way you need to be in constant control of every aspect of any given situation, and when you can’t, you just wash your hands of the whole thing?” Now I know I’m oversimplifyi ng things.

“That is not what is happening here!” he shouts at the ceiling in fr ustration.

“Really? So you’re not still feeling bothered by everything we yelled about two days ago and are now trying to take things in the complete opposite direction?” I’m great at sounding confident when I’m pulling things out of my ass.

“No.” The single word is growled and I can see his fi st clench.

“Great. Thanks for clearing that up.” I roll my eyes much harder than I need to before I turn around. “Anyway, I’m just gonna go hit up a bar or something. Catch y ou later.”

“You are not going out, David,” he growls and steps toward me.

“Or what? We’ve already established that you’re too afraid to touch me.” Time to lay it on thick. “Not sure I have much reason to listen to you now.”

“Do not test me, David.” The threat is gr owled low.

“Oh no. The things you sister told me really helped paint a full picture.” I don’t shy away as he enters my space. “You’re not actually serious about any of this.”

“Keep pushing me, and I will show you just how serious I can be.” He’s right i n my face.

“Yeah?” Okay, time to go for broke. If what I say next doesn’t go over the way I want, Khazak may honestly never want to speak to me again. “You mean like how you showed me after I drugged, robbed, and humiliated you in front of your men?”

Before I even realize it, the front of my shirt is grabbed as Khazak pulls m e forward.

“I know when I am being provoked, David,” he growls in my face. “If you are going to insist on acting like an insolent brat, then I will be happy to correct you like one.”

“What the hell are you—HEY!” I’m half pulled, half dragged around to the front of the couch where Khazak sits and yanks me ove r his lap.

“Disciplining an infant, apparently.” Khazak grabs my arms to pin them behind my back before yanking my pants down unceremoniously, just under my ass. I struggle because despite having asked for exactly what’s about to happen, I still wish it wasn’t. “This is what you wanted, i s it not?”

And then he spanks me. He starts with quick, steady smacks from his hand, just warming up. Each slap of his palm stings, but I can handle it for now. He’s alternating sides, back and forth, but around twenty, things get uncomfortable. My breath starts to hitch, and I focus to kee p it even.

“Honestly, David, I tell you one time that I do not want to have sex, and you throw a temper tantrum ?” He speaks calmly while I’m fighting to hold back my whimpers. “Then, when that does not work, you decide to intentionally piss me off so I will pu nish you?”

To be fair, I didn’t know for a fact that punishment was how he’d react. Just kinda hoped. His hand is moving slower, but the blows are raining down harder. I struggle futilely, and for a moment, he stops, running his hand over the abused flesh and even kneading it slightly, which finally gets me to whimper out loud. Then his hand leaves me, and I bra ce myself.

“Ignoring the fact that we literally had sex this morning, ignoring everything that happened not even two days ago .” I cry out at the first blow and each one that follows. His arm isn’t even getting tired. “Did you not consider for a moment that maybe after navigating an incredibly stressful dinner this evening with my entire family, I might simply not be in the fucki ng mood?! ”

“I’m sorry!” I cry because no, I didn’t actually consider that. Not that I get him to slow down.

“Then you bring up my sister and use what you did the night of your break in all in an attempt to make me angry?” I’m sobbing into the couch each time his hand hits me. “So I would react like this ? I am once again astounded by your ability to commit to a half-ba ked plan.”

“Fuck, please! I’m sorry!” I’m not just saying it either. The only reason I brought up the night of the “incident” is because of how shitty I still feel about that night. I remember the way I hesitated, the way the guilt I felt grew the further I went with my plan. The way I had to push down every good feeling he gave me. Then I bring it up and throw it in his face just to get him to do what I want. He really might hate me a fter this.

I’m not sure when he stops exactly, before I start blubbering or after. I remember crying into the couch, another “I’m sorry” on my lips. Then I’m gathered up, turned and made to straddle his lap, my head brought to his chest. Instinctively, I squeeze myself into the crook of his neck, his chin resting atop my head. One arm is around my neck and the other thrown over my waist, the hand stroking small circles onto the sweaty skin o f my back.

As I come down from the endorphin high, I feel his chest hair poking out from his shirt, tickling my face as I mumble another apology against his skin. I can feel his rounder stomach against my flat one, my legs on either side of his meaty thighs. Once my heart is no longer pounding in my ears, I can hear him mumbling something above me, needing to focus to ma ke it out.

“...Good boy.” It’s said so softly I’m almost not sure I’m hearing it. I press forward again, almost dozing in and out as the warm darkness en velops me.

“That hurt,” I croak out once I find my wo rds again.

“You took it very well,” is the response. Then there is a hand on the back of my shirt collar, pulling us apart so that I can look him in the eye. “I do not like being manipulate d, David.”

“I’m sorry,” I repeat for the umpteenth time. If my face could get any redder, it would. “I was only t rying to—”

“I know.” He strokes the side of my face. “I can appreciate that you wanted to get me out of a perceived rut, but this is not going to work if we do not com municate.”

“Not just that.” I shake my head a little. “I’m sorry for all of it. All the times I’ve insulted you or acted like an ass, for everything I did to you that night. I’m just so sorry.”

“The purpose of punishment is to give you the opportunity to be forgiven for your infractions, and to allow for both of us to move on.” He’s still stroking my back as he pulls me back into his chest. “Think of it as absolution for your sins. A blank slate is the expression, I think.”

“You’re not still angry at me for any of it?” My voice comes out as a whine w hen I ask.

“Blank slate, puppy.” I feel a kiss o n my head.

“Are all future punishments going to hurt that much?” I grumble into his chest.

“Are you planning on a repeat performance anytime soon?” he asks wryly. “I do not want to punish you like tha t, David.”

“Yeah, you seem real torn up about it.” I nudge the back of my hand against the base of his very prominent erection, as if this man didn’t just light my damn as s on fire.

“And I suppose that half-hard lump I feel poking into me is where all that guilt you were feeling went?” He grabs my sore ass and grinds me forward into his crotch for emphasis.

“Shut up.” * spa nk * “Oww.”