* * * * *

Owen loves Saturday nights at the club. He always dresses extra sexy for Gray because he knows how much he loves the tiny-leather-shorts-and-combat-boots combos, especially when he pairs it with a leather harness. Tonight has an extra layer of kink because they've been discussing Owen piercing his nipples, which he totally wants to do, even though it'll put them out of action for a couple weeks, and Gray is so hot for the idea. So when they were getting ready he attached some light clamps to Owen, which are sending him crazy.

He's wearing his 'loved' and 'owned' cuffs and is on fire on the little dance floor in the main room, making sure to dance as seductively as possible – and he knows he's capable of dancing very seductively – with the other subs, all of whom are here tonight. He looks around his friends as he dances and wraps his arms around Ellis' neck from behind.

"We are a group of sexy fuckers, aren't we?"

Ellis laughs, turning and planting a loving kiss on Owen's neck.

"Are you drunk, Sweetie? You're straight into sub space tonight – Gray is going to have a field day with you. Frankly, if you don't stop grinding your hard cock into my ass, I might have a field day with you."

"Shhh," Owen giggles, "it's Master Gray in here, young man."

Ellis is about to retort when he stops moving, his eyes going wide.

"Shit."

Owen looks up in surprise and sees an incredibly cute brunette walking past them toward the bar, with a couple other guys. But the reason why Owen's eyes are stuck on the piercing blue eyes and toned biceps of that guy is because he recognizes him. He doesn't know him, but he knows who he is. No wonder Ellis said what he did.

Owen's eyes flash to Gray in the VIP area. He hasn't seen Liam yet, caught in conversation with Francois and Xander, though he notes Chase, who's eyes are never far from Gabe, with them on the dance floor, has seen him, and looks almost as panicked as Owen feels.

"What do I do?" Owen whispers to Ellis.

Ellis holds his arms, before pulling him into a hug and whispering into his ear.

"You do you, boo. You are a strong, confident sub. Gray is utterly crazy about you. You don't let this get to you."

It's just in time, as Liam and his friends approach the dance floor.

"Hi, Ellis," Liam says, friendly but nervous.

"Hi, Liam," Ellis cocks his head to one side, "I'm kind of surprised to see you here."

Liam blushes, and Owen is struck by how pretty he is. His eyes are such a bright blue, surely they're contacts?

"I got invited. I thought it might be time for me to face up to things and apologize to Ma- to Gray. I'm hoping enough time has passed that he doesn't hate me anymore."

Ellis just shrugs and takes Owen into his arms, dancing flirtatiously, glancing over at the VIP area, where Dexter and Christian have also noticed Liam's presence and seem to be debating whether to let Gray know.

Owen can't take his eyes away from Liam though. He looks sweet. Naïve, even. He realizes that Gray has a type, because, he suspects Liam probably is around his age, but just like himself, looks younger and unaffected. He wonders if Liam is as kinky as him in bed. Or even kinkier? But he doesn't like that thought, the idea that Liam might have been offering Gray more than Owen can.

"Turn off your brain, Owen," Ellis whispers in his ear.

Just then Owen is saved, sort of, by the voice that he adores, although the words aren't what he wants to hear.

"Liam. Why are you here?"

"Sir, I was invited," Owen is impressed by Liam's submissiveness to Gray, but he's instantly concerned, what if Gray is impressed too?

"That's an excuse, Liam. It is not a reason. Why did you come?"

"I wanted to see you, Sir. I wanted to apologize."

"I don't think that's necessary. I said everything I wanted to say then, and presumably you did what you wanted to do," Gray sounds frighteningly cold, and Owen can't help his feeling of empathy to Liam. He doesn't know if he'd ever be able to cope with that tone from Gray.

"Sir, I wanted to try again."

Owen's empathy dries up in record time. But his fear increases ten-fold, especially at the look on Gray's face, which seems to be of consideration. Ellis squeezes his hand as all of the subs stand, watching the scene, Liam's two friends to one side, looking embarrassed. Owen recognizes one of them as a regular upstairs but he looks positively terrified in this environment, in front of one of the most well-respected Doms in the place, and when Francois walks over he almost looks as though his legs will give out.

"Gray, give the boy a chance, perhaps he's just looking for some punishment for what he did," Francois' deep voice can be heard clearly and Liam flushes brightly.

"Frankie, don't be cruel," Gray shoots him a disapproving glare and Owen's heart sinks at the defense.

"Are you working with someone, Sir? You can punish me if you like," Liam sounds a little desperate.

Gray's face instantly calms when he looks past Liam to find Owen.

"Owen, baby, come here."

Ellis grabs Owen's hand before he can move, hissing 'stand tall' in his ear. Owen remembers, and walks as confidently as he can to Gray, who puts an arm around his shoulders.

"Look at me, Bunny," Owen's eyes flick up to him and he almost gasps at the look in Gray's eyes.

There's hunger in the gaze, but it's more than that. Adoration, and need. He darts a small pink tongue over his plump bottom lip, chasing it with his top teeth, a move that makes Gray groan and lean in to taste the sweet flesh momentarily.

"Liam," Gray finally says when he can break away, "this is Owen, who is my submissive. I hope you will understand why I can't punish you."

"Yes, Sir," Liam whimpers, a fat tear escaping that bright blue eye.

"Gray, take Liam to my office if you want to talk to him," Francois suggests.

Gray nods, walking in front of Liam, and Owen watches them leave, his heart sinking.

* * * * *

When we reach Francois' office, I tell Liam to sit in a comfortable bucket chair. I wish Owen had come too, but of course he wouldn't, not without an instruction from me. I wish I didn't have to do this, I just want to be out there with Owen, but there is something in Liam's eyes that I cannot ignore, must not ignore.

"So, Liam...you have something to say?"

"I just want to apologize. I never got the chance – before. I understand why you were angry, but I really wanted that chance."

Liam's hands are expressive, the opposite to the controlled submission he was showing in the club, his speech and his actions slightly panicky.

"Calm down, Liam, I will give you your chance to apologize. And I'm sorry I didn't do it before, but I'm sure you understand why."

Liam slumps, whether in relief or despair I can't tell, but I spot something and reach forward, grabbing Liam's forearm, pulling it toward me, painfully, stern.

"What's this, Liam?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I just needed..."

"No, Liam. You were clean, for so long. And even when you weren't... What is it? Heroin?"

My thumb flicks over the red sores of the track marks as Liam nods dully.

"It makes the emptiness go away," he whispers.

I'm torn by the sadness in his voice, like he's given up. There's more to this than him just apologizing, way more than just what happened between us at the end. I feel the desperation in Liam, the cry for help.

"What do you need to say, Liam?"

I can't help the coldness in my voice though. The fury, that I'm keeping below the surface, that Liam has chosen now to make amends, or, if not quite that, to come to me for the help he needs. Maybe that's my fault – in a way it certainly is, I pushed him away hard, forcefully, with no room for sympathy. If he's become so desperate now that he's willing to risk the anger he must know I feel toward him then things are bad.

"I'm sorry it happened the way it did, Sir. It's my fault Gavin died. Master Amir's face...his sorrow. I couldn't deal with it, I just wanted to make him feel better."

"What do you mean, it's your fault?" I'm wary, about what this means, about Liam being in the accident with Gavin.

"We argued, on the way to the party. I can't even remember what about, but you know how passionate Gav could be. He was distracted. I distracted him. It's my fault he crashed. It's my fault he died."

"No...Liam. It was an accident, even if that's how it happened. Have you been blaming yourself this whole time? Is that why...?" I gesture to the marks.

Liam just shrugs, sadness emanating from his hunched figure.

"Listen, Liam, you cannot be blaming yourself, you cannot be taking on self-destructive behaviors. I forgive you for what happened. It's taken time, but I'm fine now. But I think it's more important you forgive yourself. If I get you into a rehab program will you go?"

"It's not..." he looks at my face, which I'm trying to make caring, empathetic, but I know is still severe, won't accept excuses, "Yes, Sir, I will."

I make some phone calls, not able to look at Liam while I do. If I'm honest with myself, I'm scared, scared of opening up those wounds that have only recently knitted together. Seeing Liam here, like this, reminds me of what we had. Reminds me of how perfect I thought it was. I know Owen and I aren't the same, that I don't have to fear him. I think.

"It's sorted, Liam. I'll take you now."

"Now? What about my job, clothes?"

"You still a barista?" Liam nods. "Don't worry, they might fire you, but I'll make sure there's something waiting for you when you come out. And I'll bring clothes when I visit. You'll be there for a month. It's the best program in the state: I pulled some strings."

While we're waiting for the valet to bring my car Owen surprises me by appearing by my side, dressed in his street clothes, looking edible in black jeans and a tight blue t-shirt that doesn't hide his nipples, still hardened after their evening of torture. Damn it, I had plans for that boy tonight, and I'm sulking that Liam's arrival has interfered with us.

"Sir, I'll get a cab home. Please send me a message if you want to see me."

His voice is low, trying to hide upset.

"Owen? No, I want you to come with me. I'm sorry we couldn't go to the playroom this evening. Are you annoyed?"

"Sir, no. Of course I'm not annoyed. I just thought- "

"Come with me then. Come home with me."

"No, Sir, you'll be busy- I don't want- I have work tomorrow. Just send me a message."

Before I can react further, my car has arrived and Owen has slid into the back of a yellow cab, and I try to ignore the fact that he didn't kiss me goodbye before walking away from my side.

It takes hours to settle Liam into his temporary home and it's the early hours before I get home, exhausted. I message Owen, apologizing again, thinking he'll get my message when he wakes for work.

* * * * *