50. Akira

CHAPTER 50

Akira

" W hat did you just say to me?"

Akira almost withered under Theta's scathing tone. He was still in a submissive mindset tonight, and it was difficult not to crumble to pieces at the other Master's feet.

But Sir had ordered him to say no. Sir was with him now, his strong arms around wrapped him. The encouraging nod he gave Akira was enough to fill him with the confidence to refuse the orders of the man he was in overwhelming debt to, for the sole reason that he didn't want it .

"I'm calling red," whispered Akira, and Kyle gave his hand an approving squeeze. He struggled to his feet, clawing his way back to a position where all three of them were equals. "You should leave, Theta."

"No, Epsilon, you need to-"

"He doesn't need to do anything you say," Kyle snarled, inserting himself between them. Akira hadn't realised how big he really was until he saw the two of them nose to nose like this, with the blonde rising to his full height instead of his usual relaxed, vaguely hunched, pose. It turned out that Kyle towered over his old Master, arms twice as thick and his stance resolute.

Theta's eyes widened as the other man drew near, and he looked gratifyingly close to panic.

Kyle cocked his head and softened his voice as he spoke over his shoulder. "Akira, sweetheart. Will you please run yourself a bath and get out of those wet clothes? I'll join you in a moment."

He'd have preferred not to leave them alone, but it was less out of fear and more in admiration for how Sir was being so protective and growly. Akira let himself drink in another second of that erotic sight before nodding and slipping from the room, shedding the damp jacket and shirt that were clinging to his skin and letting them fall to the floor without care.

With each step towards his private bathroom, Akira's heart grew lighter. He'd been at the whims of other men for so long that being free of it all lifted a weight he hadn't even known he was carrying. It didn't solve all of the problems they faced, he knew that, but being given express permission to say no, to put aside everything that compelled him into acquiescence and to make decisions based on his own wants and desires…and nothing else?

It was something that, without Kyle gifting it to him, Akira would never have dared to take for himself. How could he be so selfish when others counted on him to sacrifice for their health and happiness? Spreading his legs or going to his knees meant nothing when others were suffering far worse: at the end of the day, he'd live.

But now he could live happy.

Akira staggered as his head spun, a hand coming up to catch himself on the wall. The alcohol was kicking in, and on an empty stomach, it wouldn't do him any favours.

Diverting a floor down to the staffroom for something to eat, Akira paused in the doorway. He thought he'd heard something. But he was partly drunk and maybe it hadn't been…

There. A muffled thump downstairs.

He sighed. He was sure they'd prove to be fine, but if one of Kyle's cats had gotten into trouble, he'd never forgive himself for ignoring the noise of its distress. So with a longing look at the fridge, Akira padded down the stairs into House Epsilon's darkened foyer and glanced around.

"Mayhem?" he asked, guessing the most likely culprit for getting into something or somewhere he shouldn't. "Chaos?"

Something moved in his periphery. Assuming it was merely one of the cats, Akira didn't react quickly enough, turning slowly so the brandy wouldn't rob him of his balance.

It meant he was unprepared for the heavy blow across his shoulders that sent him sprawling, or the meaty arm which then wrapped around his neck.