* * * * *

Xander's problem is brought into sharp relief a couple of weeks later at the club. Or do I mean that? Perhaps it's my own problem.

Since Ellis got back to his old, happy self, he's been making a real effort to connect with the other subs. Of course, he was already friends with River, so their bond is unsurprising, but he gets on very well with Nikolai and Dae as well, and has become even closer to Owen since Amir left.

I won't pretend I didn't watch Owen while I was in the club last Saturday. Dancing, with Ellis and Nikolai and Dae, and I told myself that wanting to dance with them was why he stuck to the small dancefloor instead of going upstairs where there would be more action and more Doms looking for something.

This week they're there again, and Frankie comes to sit next to me.

"He is adorable, you know?"

"Ellis? Of course I know, you don't have to rub it in."

"I don't mean Ellis and you know it. He's been in several times this last two weeks, since Amir left, and I have lost count of the number of Doms he's rejected."

"Why doesn't he just wear a white cuff?" such cuffs are available from the coat check and denote that someone doesn't want to be approached.

In fact, to my surprise, Gabriel comes in now, just behind Chase, dressed casually in jeans and a black t-shirt, wearing a white leather cuff, not one of the club's though, and I suspect it's one Chase has given him.

"Because he does want to be approached, dummy," Frankie laughs at my confused face. "You should be very happy that he feels comfortable enough to reject when he feels like it. It's a big check for you, isn't it?"

I don't quite know what Frankie means by that, but, yes, I suppose I am happy that he can, though the idea that he's still sifting through, looking for a suitable Dom, doesn't make me too happy. I was meant to help him.

Chase and Gabriel enter the VIP area and I hug each of them, Gabriel gently.

"Would you like to go and dance, Gabe?" Chase asks quietly.

"Maybe later, Sir, I mean Chase. May I just sit for a while?"

"Of course," and Chase waves a waiter over to get some water for him, and a large whiskey for himself.

"How are things?" I ask Chase lowly.

"Amazing, but I'm a bit worried about him being back here. He sort of insisted."

"And you let him?"

"I'm not his Dom, Gray, I'm just his friend."

"But you want to be, don't you? What's holding you back now? He seems to be in a much better place."

Chase sighs and runs his hand through his fair hair as Gabriel leans over and asks permission to go dance.

"Of course, Gabe, don't leave the dancefloor without telling me though," we watch Gabriel make his way over and hug the others. "I don't know if he can take it. And I don't know if he can give me what I need."

"By which you mean?"

"You know I like things a bit rougher sometimes, and after what he's been through, I don't know if I can even suggest some of that stuff. And I won't be able to settle without it. And that's beyond the point that I don't even know if he wants to be a sub anymore. But I like him so damn much..."

It's true Chase likes things rough, rougher than me, anyway, but he certainly doesn't get complaints about it, the subs he works with love it. But then I remember, Chase didn't see the show Sawyer put on with Gabriel, so he doesn't know that there were aspects that Gabriel did enjoy...

"Have you worked out why you like him?"

"No, but it's getting worse...or better, I don't know. I think at first I just had this white knight urge, which I'm feeling pretty ashamed of now, especially the way I was around you. I'm sorry, Gray."

"It's forgiven and forgotten, bud. You have to stop apologizing every time you see me."

"Thanks. You know that's why I hate you though. You're so damn understanding it makes me sick."

"I'll bear that in mind," I say, patting his shoulder with a laugh.

"But since we've been spending time together I just like him. He's funny, and he's kind of like a kid with how much wonder he has about things around him, because I think he's been held back for so long, being ignored in foster care since he was a baby, being turned into some kind of violin prodigy, and then that creep he was with before Sawyer."

"So you like him. That's good. You told him yet?"

"No. I don't want to freak him out. He knows I'm a Dom, it's more of a pressured statement than it would be from anyone else."

"But he asked to come tonight, without you suggesting it?" he nods. "So, it seems likely he doesn't want to leave the life. Think on it, Chase. Think on it and make your decision. But don't take too long," I gesture subtly toward where the boys are dancing, a few Doms glancing over as respectfully as they can manage, although the boys are putting on quite the show, "if he comes back to it, he will be snatched up in no time, and if it isn't by you it's going to make my life a lot more complicated, making sure he's being cared for properly."

Chase chuckles, but watches Gabriel dancing with a smile on his face as Ellis rubs against him, and groans, dropping his head into his hands.

I leave him to his thoughts, and wonder out into the main area. At the bar I take my drink, turning, to see Owen has approached with his eyes down and his hands behind his back. Frickity-fuck he's so adorable.

"Good evening, Master Gray, you look well."

"Thank you, Owen, please look at me, and you look perfect, as ever."

His clear eyes make contact with mine and, as usual, I just stare for a moment at the honesty in them.

"How are you, Owen, since Amir left?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking, Sir. Master Amir has emailed me two times, to check I'm okay, and he said he's settling into his new apartment well, which I was pleased to hear."

"Did Master Amir ask if you would go to London?"

"He did, Sir. But I had to turn him down. He made it very clear that he was looking for a twenty-four/ seven D/s relationship, nothing deeper, and I don't want either of those things. He accepted my decision straight away and did not pressure me."

I'm pleased, but unsurprised, to hear that Amir didn't pressure him.

"Did you ever regret your decision?"

"Not at all, Sir. My requirements have changed, which I don't think is too surprising as my time with Master Amir is the first time I'd put a lot of my assumed preferences into action."

True, I suppose. I want to ask him more, but I'm distracted by Xander's arrival.

Xander's arrival is often distracting, with him being six three of hot model, but more so tonight, as he brings with him a new sub. And when I say new, I mean 'new'. The kid might be wearing leather booty shorts that barely cover the cute curve of his ass, and a harness with a leash clipped to it, casually looped around Xander's fist, but he clearly hasn't been in a club like this before.

He looks directly at everyone he passes, with his eyes narrowed and a smirk on his lips. I sense Owen gasp by my side at the boy's flagrant disregard for the club expectations, but I just sigh. This is so Xander.

"It's okay Owen. He's Master Xander's to worry about."

But I can't help my own worry. I hate to see Xander getting hurt. I know what he's looking for, and I just wish he could find it.

They approach and I hug Xander before waiting for an introduction.

"Timothy, this is Master Gray, say hello."

He does, looking right into my eyes, and I note his eyes are as green as Owen's, but not as clear, and almond-shaped, and the color contrasts with the electric-blue dye of his hair.

"So where did you meet Timothy?" I ask Xander, just knowing that the answer will not be at another club or event night.

"He's my student."

I roll my eyes, "Xander..."

"It's okay, he's a senior."

Yeah, sure, because that makes it just fine. As well as being a model and influencer, Xander lectures in classical literature at NYU.

"It's okay Master Gray, I only took the class to get into Xander- Master Xander's pants."

"Oh? And how are you liking it in there?" I ask with a raised brow.

"We've done some fun stuff. This is okay, I don't mind clubs, and I only wear about this much to a regular club anyway."

I'm feeling a little mean, maybe it's due to his total disregard of the expectations, or because Xander isn't even correcting him. I lean closer.

"If you've only done 'fun stuff' he hasn't even started with you yet. Come give me an answer after you've been punished for your behavior this evening."

His almond eyes widen a little at that and, as if he's suddenly remembering, he drops his eyes to the ground.

"Owen, stay here with Timothy and don't let him go anywhere, Xander I want a word."

I take Xander to the other end of the bar, where we can still see the boys.

"Listen Gray, Owen's free now, you don't have to Daddy me, you can Daddy him instead."

"Don't even...Xander did you at least have him sign an NDA?"

"Of course, I'm not stupid."

"Aren't you? What are you doing bringing a non-sub in here, who isn't even willing to pretend...?"

"You're wrong, Gray. He is a sub. He's just not used to a lot of the requirements."

"So, you think he is?"

"Fuck yeah, you should see the way he reacts."

"But have you done anything that you like to do? Or have you just spanked him a bit?"

"Gray, he's wearing an expander plug right now and earlier he came spontaneously with his hands tied behind his back while I deep-throated him."

Oh, okay, that does make it a bit different, in fact I'm kind of excited for Xander.

"You'll have to train him up though – hard. He's going to be tougher than Dae, and that's saying something. I suspect he'll fight you every step of the way, and you'll have to be careful not to break him. You should get advice from Frankie and Dexter, they know the best ways to deal with the feisty ones. And it will be up to you to make sure he isn't a bad influence on the others."

When we get back to the boys they're talking excitedly and giggling.

"I'm pleased to see you getting along with Owen, Timothy, he's very important to us."

"Have you...?"

"I've scened with him, yes. He is an excellent submissive. You could do worse than accept his advice on how to behave, both during scenes and out of them."

Timothy has a light scowl on his face but he keeps his head lowered to hide it, which is an instant improvement, so I'm impressed already. Although, if he's going to have an issue with every sub Xander has ever scened with, he's going to have a big pile of issues.

We head to the VIP area and I note the boys from the dance floor heading over too, undoubtedly dying to meet Xander's newest sub.

"Owen, would you like to come in?"

"If that would be okay with you, Sir, I'd like it very much."

"Sir, may I kneel?" he asks once we're inside.

I know what he means, as he isn't my sub, even for the evening, he doesn't need to kneel, and as I invited him, he would be well within his rights to sit normally, but I appreciate that, most of the time, the subs feel more comfortable following the more restrictive expectations, especially in here.

"Yes, Owen, you could show Timothy some good behaviors," and he smiles, kneeling neatly by my side, as Ellis, Nikolai and Dae do the same to Frankie, Landon and Dexter and Gabriel sits quietly next to Chase when he pats the seat.

As Ellis and Nikolai spend almost all of their time in here curled up on, or against, their respective masters, I know they're doing it for Timothy's sake, and I appreciate what a good group of submissives we have surrounding us.

Timothy is standing, looking uncertain, and Xander whispers something in his ear.

"Why do you get to sit in a regular chair though?" Timothy complains loudly, shifting from foot to foot and looking around slightly manically.

Ellis glances at me out of the corner of his eye with a grin, I know he's thinking about how much Xander will have his work cut out, and so am I, but possibly for different reasons, as I evaluate his reactions.

"Don't argue with me, Timothy. We discussed this. You agreed to come into the club and try to show the appropriate behaviors, yet you've barely shown one since you got here, despite being surrounded by many others showing a textbook example. I'm going to have to punish you for this."

Timothy's eyes go very wide, again, at that word, and I'm recognizing something in his reaction, and put my hand on Xander's arm to calm him.

"What? You're going to spank me like a naughty little boy? With or without the huge fucking plug that's in my ass? And for the millionth time, it's fucking Tim, not Timothy."

He suddenly bursts into tears, great gulping sobs as his head drops and his shoulders shake.

"Ellis, sweetheart, will you go with Owen and take Tim to the restroom? I need to talk to Master Xander."

Ellis and Owen jump up, and I'm actually not even a little surprised that Dae and Nikolai both ask their masters if they can go too. They stick together. Then Gabriel whispers in Chase's ear and follows them out.

"Xander, I try to avoid doing this without a lot more time and a lot more information, but you know your boy's got something going on, right? Has he told you?"

"Like what?"

"I can't diagnose yet, but unofficially I'm going to go with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it seems the most likely and he's exhibited several restlessness symptoms. And I have a feeling there's something going on with his upbringing too, that could make what you're doing more dangerous- "

"The way he reacted to the idea of being punished, right? You think he was abused?"

"If I'm right about the ADHD, he may be undiagnosed. His family might not have coped well with his behaviors..."

I don't really want to get into assuming things about that, not without talking to Tim.

I go with Xander to the restroom, find Ellis with one arm over Tim's shoulder while he listens intently to Nikolai. When he sees Xander he slides out from Ellis and approaches, his eyes down.

"I'm sorry, Sir, that I behaved inappropriately. I understand that you need to punish me, Sir, but would request that you don't spank me."

"Of course not, Tim. We can discuss appropriate punishments at some other time. I won't be punishing you until I understand you a little better."

"No, Sir, you have to. You told me you would, you have to, right?" he looks to Ellis with panic in his eyes and Ellis approaches him, taking his hands firmly in both of his own.

"Master Xander, may I speak with Tim?"

"Of course, Ellis," Xander looks dazed with confusion, and though we both expect Ellis to take him away, he stays right there, and I think it's because Ellis is trying to help Xander with the learning process.

"Tim, you find a change in routine difficult to deal with don't you? You need people to do what they say they will? Maybe people in your life haven't always been reliable?"

"I- I- it's just my head hurts. I just can't focus when things change, I make mistakes. I made so many mistakes tonight, it was all so new, and I couldn't remember the things Xa- Sir told me I needed to do, there were so many things to remember. I always get into trouble for not remembering," his voice is a whisper and I can see tears glinting on his long lashes.

"Do you have medication, Tim?" I ask

"Not since I was a kid. My doctor told me I wouldn't need it, said I'd grow out of needing it. I didn't take it that much when I was a kid anyway, we didn't always have it because it was expensive. My dad just said I needed discipline."

"Is that why you were attracted to Master Xander?"

"I didn't know what he did, but maybe, subconsciously. He is very controlled, I thought he could make me more organized."

I blow air through my lips. Somehow, Xander has landed on his feet with a submissive who will adore being controlled and in a routine, and, apparently, is kinky enough for Xander's needs. Although the punishment side could be a problem.

* * * * *

A/N: right, I'm very conscious that this story is dropping in on the relationships between the other Doms and subs without giving much information about the way they are with each other - it's really so the overall dynamic and how it affects Gray can be explored. But I have decided I'm doing a separate book - possibly a series of short stories - that will go into more detail for each of the other pairs, so please don't feel hard done to :-)