* * * * *

Ellis and Owen are playing table tennis in the basement, which is done out like a games room – table tennis, pool table, even a couple old-school arcade machines. Ellis is sweating, unexpectedly having his muscular ass handed to him by this delicate-looking cutie.

"You're too good," he pants, laying the paddle on the table, "let's have a drink and play on the console. Pick a game."

Owen sifts through the multiplayer games on the shelf next to the television, finally selecting a fun driving game, while Ellis grabs juice bottles from the fridge behind the bar.

"Are you coming to Master Gray's birthday, Ellis?"

"Yes, I know he's invited all the Doms, and given them an open invitation if they want to bring someone, but he asked me specifically."

Ellis is beaming, he loves the fact that Gray considers him a friend.

"That's good, I was a bit nervous I might be the only submissive there."

"Worried Gr- Master Gray might ask you to perform for all of them?" Ellis laughs but Owen looks panicked.

"No, he wouldn't, would he?"

"I'm kidding, Owen, stop looking so worried. Although, I know he does like to do group stuff sometimes. Suzu told me they used to tag team subs together fairly often."

"Eugh, phrasing," Owen screws his face up.

"Sorry, that was my wording, not the way he put it at all. It actually sounded like a lot of fun."

"It does actually, I think it would be pretty incredible to be taken by two controlling men. Do you think he'll ever ask you?"

"I don't think Suzu would have it. He gets jealous, and I think it would be weird because Gray is my friend."

"I don't think Master Gray gets jealous at all. Not of me anyway." Owen doesn't seem upset, just like he's thinking.

"You might be surprised. He likes you, that's clear. But you're right, nothing Suzu has told me makes me think he's the jealous type at all. I think he's very trusting and open, and he deserves that back."

Owen looks at Ellis with a scowl, what is he trying to suggest?

"Christ, no, I didn't mean you. I just know he had a bad relationship, but I don't know much about it. You have to remember I haven't actually known him for that much longer than you, and he's been away a while. He's just so open it feels as though you've known him forever."

Frankie strides into the room and Owen does his best not to flinch back. Despite the fact that François did most of his training, he's always slightly terrified Owen, with his severe demeanor. He trusts him explicitly as a Dom, but is somewhat petrified of him as a person.

"I hope you're not saying things that will get Owen into trouble, Ellis?"

"No, Suzu, at least I don't think so."

"Maybe you should leave discussion of Gray's predilections for Gray himself, Ellis?"

"Oh," it's as if Ellis suddenly realizes, "of course, you're right, Suzu, that was too personal."

Owen is nervous, even more so now, as he's worried what he wants to say next is going to land him in hot water.

"Actually, Master François, I was hoping to ask you something, though of course, if it's inappropriate you will need to tell Master Gray and I will need to be punished."

"From what I hear, Owen, you'll like that, just plenty."

Before Ellis can react, François stops himself, a hand uncharacteristically over his mouth.

"Oh, god, I'm sorry. I just heard it. I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to say you can't talk about personal things, when clearly we Doms are doing that all the time. Just do me two favors – try not to do it in front of me, and be aware that you may not have all the facts – the rules about being open and honest still apply."

Ellis flings himself on François, kissing his cheek warmly.

"You're the best, Suzu, I love that you realized the double standard for yourself."

Owen watches the two of them interact. He hasn't known Ellis long, although he met him months ago and they quickly became friends, Ellis then withdrew, so they've only become close over the last two weeks, and it was at Master Gray's suggestion. He loves how they interact so lovingly with each other, even though Master François is still stern in the way he does it.

"Anyway, Ellis, calm yourself. Owen had a question."

Owen's eyes are firmly fixed on the floor, not just because they need to be, but because he doesn't think he could make eye contact with anyone right now.

"Master François, Sir, I want to buy Master Gray a birthday present. And I know you will tell me a don't need to, but I want to. He's being a very good Dom for me, and I want to show my appreciation."

"Owen, you know Master Gray can buy himself anything he wants? He wouldn't expect you to spend your money on something."

"I know, Sir, but that's why I need your help. I want to get him something personal. And, well, I want to get him something relating to the lifestyle. Just then, I considered organizing a scene with another person as a gift, after what Ellis told me, but I think he would rather do that himself if he wants to.

"And I thought about ropes and things, but of course, he's the expert, and I know he's very particular about what he uses because of the safety. But I was hoping you could suggest something appropriate."

Owen is flushing hotly, feeling Master François' eyes on him as he considers the request, before François bursts into unexpectedly loud laughter.

"Oh, Owen, you really are perfect for Gray. I can suggest several things, perhaps some clothing – he really is a fan of those tiny shorts you wear, have you thought of pairing them with a harness?" he thinks for a moment. "Actually, Owen, how did you find the expanding plug?"

Owen blushes even harder, okay, so the Doms really do talk about everything.

"Because I'm going to tell you something that will make that pretty pale skin blush ten times harder than it already is. Gray really loves watching his subs get stretched – temporarily, don't worry – but he has a real thing for the look on a subs face when it's happening... and I think, based on that little smile, you may have quite the thing for it yourself?"

"Um, I don't know, Sir, but I think, perhaps..."

"Okay Suzu, I think Owen is quite embarrassed enough, and you have had enough of a kick from his 'pretty pale skin', off you go," Ellis lightly kisses François and pushes him from the room.

"I'm sorry, Ellis..."

"Hey, I was only joking, I don't mind. I know he likes my golden skin the best. He is full of double standards though. Can you imagine what he'd do if I started talking about Gray's gorgeous smell, or how much I'd like to run my hands through his thick brunette hair?"

"Shhhh," Ellis and Owen fall about laughing on the couch.

Finally, when they've calmed down, Ellis selects a movie, and pulls Owen into a spooning hug, the smaller man's back pressed to his front. Owen has fallen into a doze, the movie not being very good, when Ellis tickles softly at his cheek.

"Hey Owen, wakey wakey. I've been talking to you for five minutes before I realized you were asleep. Says a lot about me! But you have to wake up because it's after five and you won't sleep tonight."

"You're right, sorry for dropping out on you."

"Not a problem. You dream any good presents for Gray?"

"Maybe. Can I borrow your laptop?"

Owen clicks away, finally turning the screen to Ellis.

"Wow, it's beautiful, but," he reads the description," you don't want him to use it on you, do you?"

"Oh, god no, it's purely decorative, I thought this to go with it," he clicks to a new tab and Ellis giggles.

"Oh, yes, he'll love that."

* * * * *

On the evening of Gray's birthday Owen is nervous. He dresses carefully, nothing too explicit, even though they are going to a restaurant owned by Master François, that is run by a sub who is a regular at the club, and they'll have a private room and understanding waiters. His jeans and shirt are very slim fitting, accentuating his lean but curvy body, and he's pleased how good his ass looks in the black denim.

He has a bag with some clothes more suited for the club, where they'll be going after dinner, and in it are two carefully wrapped boxes.

When they get to the restaurant Gray passes his key to the valet and puts an arm around Owen's shoulders, as he shifts slightly, trying to get comfortable.

"Hey Bunny, what's in the bag?"

"Just some clothes, and stuff, for later, Sir."

"Okay," but Gray is looking a little quizzical at the size of the bag for the tiny amount of clothing he knows Owen will be wearing later.

He's distracted when the maître-d' takes them into the private dining room and his friends all rise to greet him. He's lost in a sea of hugs and back slaps from the Doms while the various subs stay back, although he pulls Ellis into a strong hug.

Owen knows Nikolai, of course, and Dae, who is here with Master Chase, and recognizes the submissives that are here with Masters Xander, Dexter, and Christian as they're all club regulars, although he doesn't actually know them.

He's nervous about his present now, wondering whether he's overstepped a mark by getting it. Though Master François didn't seem to think it was the worst idea to get something, Owen remembered how much he'd laughed in joy, so he tries to quell the nervousness in his stomach.

The Doms all start passing Master Gray their gifts, while the jaw-droppingly handsome dark-haired waiter does the rounds, pouring champagne out for everyone. Owen notes with interest that all the Doms greet the waiter happily, and he isn't submissive to them, although he doesn't seem like a Dom; they obviously know him, but Owen doesn't recognize him.

"Open mine first, Gray," Master Chase demands, excitedly.

"So impatient," Gray tuts jokingly, as he tears open the decorative envelope to reveal ten tickets to the hottest show in town.

"Wow, thanks Chase, though is it that good, that I'm going to want to go see it ten times?" he laughs.

"No, I just thought you might have multiple good friends you might want to take with you," Chase leaps up for a hug, ruffling Gray's thick hair.

He opens the gift from Master François and Ellis, which is a small box of shells.

"I collected them from the beach, Gray," Ellis says, excitedly.

"They're beautiful Ellis, thank you."

"Are you going to ask which beach?"

"Okay, Ellis, you have me, which beach?"

"The beach outside Suzu's house on the island. You are welcome to visit, in fact we insist you visit, just let us know when so we can either leave you in peace or inundate you, whichever you prefer. Look under the shells."

Master Gray looks, and pulls out an open ended airline ticket.

"It sits vacant far too much, the housekeeper is bored, Ellis has convinced me we should start visiting more often, so this is the first step," Master François sounds sullen but he has a big smile when Gray hugs him and plants a wet kiss on his cheek.

"My turn," Master Xander grins, and Gray tears open another envelope, "it's a commission for Bordain Duleur," Duleur is an up and coming portrait photographer, very in demand, "he shot me for a campaign a few weeks ago, and I suppose I impressed him. Guess what the rest of you are getting for your birthdays?"

Everyone laughs, as Master Christian hands over his gift.

"I'm very envelope-heavy this year," Gray laughs, "but you're all doing a grand job."

"I'm sure they won't all be envelopes," Master François winks at a horrified Owen, who blushes furiously, he really hadn't expected the other gifts to be so vanilla – luxurious, but vanilla – and is wondering whether he's brave enough to hand his over.

Christian's gift is a series of anti-gravity yoga personal sessions.

"I thought it would be beneficial for you, I know you like to understand the emotions of your submissives, this will be a refresher in the sensation of weightlessness, and your instructor is a submissive herself so she really understands."

Master Christian is another one who Owen is slightly fearful of – he's always very severe with his black hair and almost black eyes, but he loves the way Gray is able to make him laugh and loosen up.

Master Dexter has got Gray a weekend at a luxurious spa upstate, and Master Landon brings out a large box, to Owen's sense of relief.

Gray unwraps it, revealing a stylish but inexplicable black cylinder, and looks confused.

"It's a recovery roller. You use it after any kind of intense...exercise, and it cools or heats and massages the muscles. I thought you'd find some use for it."

Gray laughs joyfully, "Oh, I will, and so will others, I'm sure."

Now Gray has opened all of the presents, Owen is thinking he definitely doesn't want to hand his over here, in front of everyone, but François isn't having that.

"Owen, don't forget your present."

"Um, Sir, I'm not sure..."

François is seating to Owen's left on the long banquet, and leans to pat his back reassuringly.

"Ellis told me what you got, he will love it, I guarantee," he whispers.

"Okay, Sir," Owen gulps. "Uh, Master Gray, Sir, I have a gift too," he lowers his voice, "but I'd super appreciate it if you didn't wave it about when you open it."

"Okay Bunny," Gray calls the waiter over to repour champagne, and, whilst most of the others are occupied, he unwraps the larger of the two boxes, to reveal an ornate carved wooden box.

He flips the lid to reveal a strange contraption, seemingly made out of bronze or some similar burnished metal.

"Is this what I think it is?"

"Oh, I should have said, that's definitely just for show, it's an ornament, not to be used at all, ever," Owen is in a slight panic, as he'd forgotten to mention that.

"Thank you Bunny, it's very beautiful, and it will look excellent in my study at home, where I have several other ornamental...items displayed."

Gray closes the lid on the Pear of Anguish nestled within and goes to hug Owen, but he whips out the last box and hands it over, blushing.

"That's the last one, I would appreciate it if you didn't tell everyone." he whispers.

Gray nods seriously, trying to calm Owen's nerves, and just carefully opens the end, looking in the suspiciously light package to note it's empty. He looks with confusion at Owen, who leans forward.

"That's because it's in already," his voice is husky, finally feeling relaxed about this whole endeavor, just excited for Gray to find out just what he's talking about.

Gray looks at the expression on his face and carefully tears the wrapping paper down the side, to read ''Open up' Glass Tunnel Plug' on the side of the box. His eyes darken instantly, lust flooding him as he pulls Owen toward him, whispering harshly in his ear.

"Is your naughty little hole all stretched out for me?"

"Yes, Sir," Owen squeaks.

"Good, I can't wait to slide my fingers inside that tunnel and feel your insides, all hot for me, all aching to be filled by my cock."

Owen whimpers in desire, he wants that right now.

"Get under the table, Owen, you're a very bad boy, making me so hard for you now, when we're meant to be civilized, you've turned me into an animal. I might have to give you a special punishment for that later," Gray sucks Owen's lobe between his teeth, before pushing him so he slides down the seat to his knees.

"Fuck!" Chase shouts, laughing, "Daddy Gray is in the house, watch out everyone!"

Everyone laughs, but Gray can't even tell Chase to fuck off, because Owen already has his pants unzipped and has taken his length deep, working it hard, safe in the knowledge that he's mainly hidden by the tablecloth, not that he thinks he'd care. In fact, the idea of the others being able to see him suddenly seems really hot, and he palms himself through his pants, though he's definitely going to save coming for later.

Gray is so turned on by the thought of Owen pushing the stretching plug inside himself earlier, that he's ready to blow almost immediately, only holding off to allow himself to fantasize about making Owen do it in front of him so he can listen to the whimpers and moans.

He lets go when he sees the two waiters bring the appetizers out, filling Owen's eager gulping throat before tucking himself away and pulling Owen back up, softly kissing his cheek.

"Did you like your appetizer?"

"Yes, Sir, it was delicious, as always."

"Good boy. You are a lovely little slut, you know that?"

"For you, Sir," Owen moans sexily, scooting back on his seat as the waiter places his food before him.

* * * * *