* * * * *

"Frankie, I want to come to your house. To speak to you and Ellis."

"You want to tell me I'm not being fair on Ellis, don't you?"

I shrug, "Is that what you feel I would say?"

"Don't fucking psychoanalyze me, Gray. I know what I'm doing. I know what's good for Ellis. It's what I'm here for."

I want to ask him exactly what he thinks Ellis is 'here for' but decide not to push him here, on his own territory. He'll be on his own territory in his home too, but I'm optimistic he'll be less inclined to play the animal there.

Tonight, what I want to focus on is Owen, who is being nothing but perfect in every way. I haven't started to push him yet, but I want to take care of his wellbeing above all else.

"Have you experienced sub drop yet, Owen?"

"No, Sir, I've heard about it, but I don't think I've done anything intense enough yet."

Rather than fearful, his green eyes are looking at me with total trust.

"I would like to start doing some suspension with you, Owen, but it can be a little more intense than what we've been doing so far as it puts you in an incredibly vulnerable position. My concern is that it is much harder to give you back to yourself if you safeword, and any delays can affect your wellbeing. So I will only do it if you know the facts and are happy to continue."

"Oh, Sir, I would really like to. I love the bondage you do, I love the feeling of being bound and being at your mercy, because I trust you to look after me, and I've been hoping that you'd think I was ready for suspension, but Ellis told me that you don't do it with temporary subs so I didn't want to ask," he gasps and covers his mouth, concerned he's got Ellis into trouble with his free speech.

"Don't worry, Owen, Ellis won't get into trouble from me," besides, if he had that information it's only because Frankie has told him. "Whilst it's true I wouldn't do suspension with someone I was only with for a night, I would do it with someone I thought was ready and able to learn."

Funnily enough, I hadn't done suspension that often with Liam, as he was impatient and tended to suffer from sub drop from the intensity, hence my concern for Owen.

"We will start with a swing to get you used to the feeling of being suspended, before we start you on ropes and cuffs next time."

I know it's not my imagination that Owen looks disappointed, but I don't actually care, only because my responsibility lies with his wellbeing, not only what he thinks will get him off. I can give him something he wants though, and go behind him.

"Standing inspection, Owen."

He stands, putting his hands on the back of his head and his elbows out, his feet wide. In this position I can examine him, but the main reason I'm doing it is to give him some vulnerability, as he isn't allowed to move at all to follow me as I walk around his body and touch him. I walk around him for longer than necessary, building tension, occasionally stroking a finger along his soft skin.

Finally, I move in close, behind him, and growl in his ear, my fingers gripping his hips tightly.

"You do not sulk when I tell you I am doing something for your wellbeing. It is up to me to decide what happens to this beautiful body of yours while you are my submissive, and right now, I'm deciding where the marks of the cane are going to go."

He gasps involuntarily. We had discussed punishment and caning is allowed, though is considered severe. But, in my eyes, a sub not looking after himself is worthy of severe punishment (and it's worth bearing in mind that my version of a severe punishment is nothing compared to any one of my friends', so I suspect he's already had worse than what I will give him).

"Kneel on the bed, Owen, place your hands and forearms flat and rest your forehead on them."

This should keep his fingers safe, as an almost involuntary reaction to the first strike of the cane is often to cover the area with a hand. His backside looks adorable, round and high and just ready for fucking, but I have to hold off on that.

"Why are you being punished, Owen?"

"Because I sulked and it was showing I didn't trust that you were making the right decision with my wellbeing in mind. I'm sorry, Sir."

"Oh, Owen, that was a perfect answer, and I appreciate your apology. For those points I will remove two strikes."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I am going to give you four strikes, Owen, and you do not need to count," because it's the first caning, I need to explain, "it will hurt, but I will not strike the same place twice and I will not break the skin."

I strike fast, four in quick succession, so quick he's barely had chance to feel the first before the last has hit. But there's no doubt they hurt, and he lets out a little scream, tears springing in his eyes as the wave of pain hits. But he doesn't move, leaving himself high and exposed, and I have to adjust myself as I watch him panting heavily in that position.

I apply some cream to prevent too much bruising and soreness, though no doubt he'll be standing on the subway on his way to work tomorrow.

"When you're ready, you may stand Owen."

He does, turning to face me.

"How do you feel about receiving a punishment?"

"I don't think I was expecting that to be my first punishment from you, Sir. It hurt, but it wasn't too bad."

"Do you understand why I gave you one of the most severe punishments you will receive from me?"

"Yes, Sir, I do, and I appreciate you looking out for my health, Sir."

"Whether we scene now is up to you. If you're feeling a little sore we can put it off to another day."

"No, please Sir, I really want to do it. It's just...will there be something against my bottom, because that might be painful?"

"Only me, when I fuck you," I stroke down his defined cheekbone, "and I won't do that if it will make you hurt."

"Oh, no, Sir, I think I will definitely be able to cope with that, please."

I chuckle at his eagerness, and his horniness, and proceed to bind him into the swing that I've hung to the bars that descend from the ceiling, before lifting it to just the right height. His head hangs back, and his pale skin looks edible against the thick black webbing that wraps his hips and back, and around his legs and arms, that are pulled up and out.

It isn't quite as beautiful as seeing him bound with ropes will be, but it's close. Normally I would gag and flog him like this, but I won't do that because of the caning, instead I'm going to use his pretty, pouting mouth, and gag him that way.

I slide a small plug inside him before positioning myself at his mouth, pulling the binds to bring him to me. He holds a soft red ball in his hand in case he needs to stop, but I don't plan on going easy on him unless he uses it, I need to see how he reacts to suspension like this before we can move onto the edgier stuff I have planned.

I don't move, instead pulling him onto me, until I'm buried in his open throat. As I fill him I squeeze the bulb I hold in my fist, feeling his moan as the plug inflates inside him.

"Fuck, Owen, your throat feels so good wrapped around my cock, you like that plug in your ass, huh? Dirty little boy."

That gets another moan, and soon there is nothing but vibrations along my cock as I swing him back and forth, forcing him to take me into his throat over and over again as I squeeze the bulb, letting air out in between so he can get the repeated sensation of it stretching his tight passage out.

"You're going to drink my cum down now, like a naughty cum slut, and you're going to love it coating your insides," I let go then, releasing into his eager mouth, which sucks desperately to collect everything.

Even before he's come himself, he's floating now, upset when I remove my cock from his hot mouth. Whilst it's tempting to let him keep sucking it like a lollipop, I want to take him over the edge now, so I grab a cock gag, only small, but enough to give him something to suck on while I'm working on him.

I remove the plug after deflating it, which causes another moan of desperation. His entrance is still tight, but it's nicely opened him up inside so his walls are relaxed. I'd like to fuck him, but his ass looks sore and, despite what I'd said to him, I don't want to cause him more pain by rubbing up against him. Instead, I slide three fingers inside him, twisting and stroking until I've identified his bundle of nerves, rubbing at it as I swallow his cock into my mouth.

It takes a couple of minutes before I feel the incredible tensing around my fingers and realize he's waiting for my permission to let go.

I pull up slightly, just enough to whisper, "Come for me baby," and he does, shooting waves into my mouth, which I gladly swallow down because it's just as sweet as him.

* * * * *

I go to Frankie's huge double-fronted brownstone straight from work on Monday, ready to deal with what comes up. Ellis is wearing tiny booty shorts and a skin-tight vest, and his diamond studded collar – what I would consider club clothes – but I don't comment, wanting to observe for a while.

Ellis prepares dinner, gets us drinks, generally acts the flawless host, except he only ever makes eye contact when he's received permission from Frankie, never instigates conversation, and calls me Master Gray. This isn't the behavior of friends having dinner together, and it's exacerbated when Frankie feeds Ellis during dinner instead of allowing him to eat for himself. The fact that Ellis didn't even bring a plate for himself tells me this is a regular thing.

After Ellis has cleared dinner away we head into the den and Ellis pours Frankie and I scotch. The decanter is heavy and I notice his hands are shaky. It clashes against one of the heavy tumblers and I hear Ellis mutter a curse, his eyes flashing to Frankie with fear in them. I sigh. It's time to discuss the elephant in the room.

"Ellis, come and sit down. If Frankie wants a drink he can get his own."

Ellis looks horrified for a moment, but moves over to the couch when Frankie pats the seat next to him, and sits stiffly, with a straight back, staring at the floor.

"I'm sorry I haven't been to see you both in so long," I begin, "I was left shaken after Liam."

I figure in this situation, where I'm here as their friend, not as their therapist, I have to show them there's nothing scary in honesty, even though the last thing I want to talk about is what happened with Liam.

"I know, Gray, and we understand," Frankie's looking kindly at me, sympathetic.

"I want to have a conversation with both of you. Frankie, can you switch off the Dom for the rest of it?"

He knows what I mean. I want him to give Ellis permission to speak freely, something which I believe he should have at all times when they're not playing for mutual benefit, but I'm not here to push my opinions on them, just try to work out where they stand on this.

"Of course, Gray. Ellis, you can speak freely, and don't have to behave as a submissive."

"Really?" Ellis seems to almost not trust the statement, which breaks my heart a little. When the trust isn't there in a D/s relationship, you're in the danger zone.

"Really," Frankie intones seriously.

"Ellis," I ask, "we're going to chat about some things, as friends. I don't want you to consider me as a Dom, just as your friend, but I do ask one thing of you. If you respond to me, I want you to be entirely honest – if you don't feel comfortable responding to something, merely state that you don't feel comfortable, don't attempt to lie or tell any half-truths. I promise you won't get punished for anything at all that you say during this time. Can you do that?"

"I can...Gray," he already seems a little uncomfortable though.

"Ugh, if it makes you feel happier, you can call me Sir."

"It would, thank you, Sir," and he smiles now, just a small version of the smile that used to be broad and happy.

"How are you feeling, Ellis?"

"Uh, today?" I nod, "Okay, I guess. I've just been home today. François had to go out so I had to stay in all day, though I used the gym for a few hours."

I'm not surprised. I know Frankie likes Ellis' super hard body, and I don't blame him, the boy is gorgeous, and I presume intense gym sessions are part of his requirements.

"How do you feel about having to stay in if François goes out?"

"I don't know, Sir. It frustrates me sometimes, but then I remember how much safer I feel when François is around."

Frankie looks smug, but I don't propose to let him get too comfortable.

"If you were allowed to go out without François, what would you do?"

"Oh," Ellis' beautiful face lights up for a moment, "I think I might go for a run in the park – I miss being able to smell the flowers and hear the birds when I'm running. François comes running outside with me sometimes, but he's often too busy, training at the club or having business meetings, and when we do go together we normally have to rush through it.

"And I'd go to the Conservatory to practice with my friends. I'm only allowed to go for lessons and I miss spending time with them."

"Would you hang out with your friends other times? You used to be close to them, didn't you?"

"I would, we used to have so much fun together. We used to go and watch live music, and watch basketball games – Mateo loved explaining everything to us like we didn't know, it was funny, and we'd go eat together all the time, we used to say we were going to try out every diner in the city."

I know one of the reasons Frankie doesn't allow Ellis to spend time with his friends is jealousy – he's a ridiculously possessive man, though it always worked in his sub-only relationships. But Ellis is his boyfriend, and Ellis shouldn't be the only one who's making changes to make it work.

"Have you ever had sexual thoughts about your friends?" okay, this is veering a long way from casual conversation, but we need to keep moving so Frankie understands just how much he's taking from Ellis.

"Uh," Ellis has gone red.

"Remember, either tell the truth or tell me you're too uncomfortable to answer."

Ellis ponders, then seems to realize that they both amount to the same answer for this question.

"Well, yes, I have. In the past. Not since François became my boyfriend though. When I used to live in dorms I did have a relationship with my friend Eli, a casual one, there was never anything serious in it. But I never thought of him that way again once I met François."

I'm ignoring Frankie's scowl as I plow forward.

"Why do you think that may be?"

"Well that's easy," and the proper smile is back, just for a fleeting moment, and I see the way Frankie eyes light up at the sight of it, "I love François. I never felt the way about anyone else as I feel about him. He makes me safe, and happy, and I feel valued when I'm with him."

"Do you think it's because he's your Dom?"

"No, I don't. I like some of that stuff, sure. I mean, the sex is incredible, but it isn't the Dom stuff that makes me feel that way. It's just him, by himself."

I'm moving on to slightly risky territory now, but Ellis seems to have relaxed, sitting back against the back of the couch, his long legs curled up under him.

"But, I've watched the pair of you tonight. Frankie has been acting as your Dom all night, and every time I've seen you together lately you've very much been Dom and sub. So when are you getting 'just him'?"

Ellis' voice goes very quiet, "I don't know. I want him to be happy, Sir, and at the moment if it's acting as my Dom that makes him happy, then I guess that's okay with me," but there's a shake in his voice at the end that he can't disguise.

"How does the Dom stuff make you feel? Remember, either be honest or don't answer."

His face flushes now, and his voice is still quiet.

"I don't always know, Sir. I like it when François looks after me, but I sometimes feel as though he doesn't really see me as a person. Especially recently. When he asked if I would be submissive all the time, and I said yes, because I thought it would make him happy. But I don't know if it has made him happy. He seems angrier at me than he used to."

Frankie's head is hanging, I can feel the shame emanating from him. I still don't know what his motivations are, but I know they didn't start out being to make Ellis feel this way.

"How do you feel about the punishments you've been receiving?"

"I know I have to be punished when I do something wrong..."

"Yes, but how do the punishments make you feel?"

"Sore, mainly."

I chuckle, though I'm wondering if Ellis is being intentionally obtuse, "How do they make you feel emotionally?"

"Sad. I want to make Master happy. That's all I want. But I don't seem to be good at it recently. I don't mind that they hurt, I know it wouldn't be a punishment if they didn't. But, I feel ashamed when I can still feel it a few days later because I know I must have really upset him."

"Anything else you feel when you know you've done something that will get you punished?"

"Scared," Ellis' voice is so small I want to hug him, but I glance at Frankie instead, who I can tell is trying not to cry.

I pause for a moment, allowing Frankie to get control of himself. I can only even recognize the emotion he's feeling because I've known him since childhood. Most everyone else would think he was just pissed, or constipated.

"Frankie. I want you to tell Ellis how his words make you feel."

He doesn't answer for a moment, then lifts his head.

"Ellis...I'm sorry. If I'm making you feel that way then I'm definitely not being a good Dom to you."

"Frankie, why did you ask Ellis to be a full time submissive?"

"I'm not entirely sure, it just felt like the right thing to do at the time."

"And when did you do that?"

"It was just over two months ago."

I nod then, understanding. Understanding why Frankie hadn't told me – I'd been having my own turmoil at that time, though I'm feeling guilty I was too distracted to be there for my friends when it's becoming apparent they really needed me then. But more importantly understanding why Frankie had done it. He thought that having Ellis be a full time submissive it would make him feel safe.

Because that was the time Frankie had discovered that Ellis' mother, and others, had abused him.

* * * * *