A/N: so this was originally meant to be quite a short tale, but, huh...

There's almost two parts to the story - and the scene in the club was the climax of part 1, and this is the partial resolution before we build up for part 2. 

Once again, something that was in 'Colors' but I've taken free liberty with because it isn't in the final version. I say that a lot, and I even feel guilty when people read Colors here, because so much was changed, but it will never get taken down because I'm too much of a whore for comments and votes 🤣

Xander followed Gray to the subs' locker room, noting that Mike tagged onto them without a word. Gray knocked tentatively, glancing apologetically at Mike, who shrugged. He'd probably seen the whole thing and, whilst Doms weren't usually allowed in, and he was the guardian of that safe space, he was luckily flexible enough to adapt. Plus, there wasn't another space in the club that Xander thought would be appropriate – a playroom, especially Xander's medical-equipped space, or François' office, could tip Tim over the edge.

Dae opened the door – shooting another glare at Xander but moving aside to let them in. Ellis was hugging Tim while Nikolai was soothing him. To Xander's surprise, Tim approached without hesitation, tear tracks on his cheeks.

"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."

Ellis and Nikolai were sharing worried glances, and Xander suspected Tim was going off script from what they'd discussed. It didn't matter though. Xander was going to have to rectify his error and make sure Tim was trained. Punishment was a long way away.

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

Xander was pleased with himself. A first step in setting things right. But Tim stepped forward, panic in his eyes.

"No, Sir, you have to. He has to right?" He turned to Ellis as if seeking agreement.

Ellis came forward, taking Tim's small hands in his.

"Master Xander, may I speak with Tim?"

Xander nodded, beyond confused at how his was still getting it so wrong. Did his boy want to be punished, or not? Ellis' eyes were hard as they stared intently at Xander for long enough that he thought he'd combust with the shame.

"Tim," he said finally, "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."

The look Tim gave Ellis broke Xander's heart. He looked so lost, so forlorn. So confused.

"My head hurts. I can't focus when things change all the time. I make mistakes. I made so many mistakes tonight, it was all so new, and I couldn't remember the things Sir told me I needed to do. There were so many things to remember. I get into trouble for not remembering."

"Do you take medication, Tim?" Gray asked, and Xander recognized that he'd moved into medico-mode.

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

Alarm bells rang at that, but luckily Gray spoke again before Xander could say or do something regretful.

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

So, they were having some kind of impromptu therapy session, which Xander wasn't sure was a great idea. Tim deserved that kind of conversation when he wasn't surrounded by the people who were likely (hopefully) to become his closest friends, given time.

"I don't know what he did. Maybe, subconsciously, because he's really hot and strict."

Xander held down a snort at his perfect angel.

* * * * *

Xander got him away as quickly as he could. No one was surprised, but he wouldn't have cared if they had been. He had more important things to think about. His guilt, for one. Now that Gray had said there was something real, something diagnosable, happening, all he could think was of the signs he must have missed. The things Tim hadn't said, and he'd simply let it go instead of identifying it as something that his boy needed more attention about.

He'd seen that Tim fought down negative emotions and, like a fool, he'd been proud of his boy for staying strong when he was overwhelmed. Well, that would stop now. But first, he had to come up with something to deal with the problem that Tim had talked himself into the idea of punishment.

Tim stumbled away from Xander's arms when they entered the apartment, leaning on the kitchen counter and staring back at Xander with conflicted eyes, his movements jerky and panicked.

"You will, won't you Sir?"

"I will what, Angel?"

"I know giving punishment for the subs doing the wrong thing is important. I read about it on those links you gave me. I did the wrong thing tonight. I embarrassed you in front of your friends. So you have to punish me, otherwise things won't be forgiven."

Damn him for just sending Tim away with all that information. It hadn't ever been anything but a mistake. Every time they came up in conversation, Xander wished he'd just sat down with Tim and properly discussed that stuff. It wasn't too late though.

"Tim, before anything else happens, you need to know you're more important than my friends' judgement. Yes, you didn't behave how I'd hoped, but I don't care that they saw."

"I didn't behave, right? So you have to punish me."

Tim's mind was clearly on a solitary track on the matter, and Xander would have to deal with that before they could move forward.

Problem was, Xander didn't know what to do. He wasn't obsessed with punishment like some Doms, even given his need for control. He was far more patient in getting a sub to understand his requirements, rather than relying on enforcing them more viscerally. So a bit of spanking, with hand or paddle, occasionally with a cane, was generally about as far as he bothered with. When he pushed a sub to discomfort, he preferred it to be in intense pleasure, not pain. He was going to have to use his imagination for this, though, as spanking was pretty clearly off the table, for the time being at least. But Tim clearly needed it, even as his pale face and shaking hands showed how terrified he was.

He had a sudden idea, biting his lip as he pondered the ways it could go wrong if he'd misread.

"Drop to your knees, boy," he commanded – demanding but no anger.

Tim dropped almost comically fast, strings cut, and with a sharp crack as his knees hit the kitchen tiles that made Xander wince. Another thing he'd not taught Tim. Positioning and posture wasn't something he needed at home, but he'd had to teach Tim for the club, if nothing else.

Xander could see the deep breaths Tim was sucking in as his head stayed down, the tattooed birds across his pec almost seeming to fly, the tiger on his torso poised to pounce.

"When you are in the wrong, Tim, I am your Master. I am the one who determines whether you need punishment, and what form that punishment takes. It is not your decision, and you will not question me, other than to safeword if required."

"Sir?" Tim's voice trembled, nervous to push for more, but his breathing began to calm.

"My choice," Xander reiterated, "not yours. Do you understand?"

"I, I think so, Sir."

"On your hands and knees, crawl to the main bedroom. Strip, everything, including the plug. Kneel on the bed, face down, ass in the air. And wait. For as long as I deem fit. Anytime you wish to safeword out of the punishment, you may come in here and do so and the punishment will be over. Otherwise, you will wait until I tell you it's over."

"I, er, Sir, may I ask something?"

Tim seemed almost completely calm, and Xander breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

"You may."

"I just have to wait? I'm not sure how that's a punishment. It won't hurt."

"Tim, punishment certainly doesn't have to hurt."

He debated with himself whether to say the next thing, still unsure what Tim's triggers were going to be, but couldn't help himself, his own desires leaping forward.

"You're a needy little slut, with a needy hole, and you won't enjoy waiting for me. This is your punishment."

Tim whimpered pathetically, and Xander had a moment of fear that he'd pushed too hard, but then the boy looked up, and his eyes were blown dark.

"You still want me."

There was some wonder in his voice, and Xander couldn't help the stunned snort.

"Yes. I will want you forever, Angel. You're mine. Now...crawl."

Tim's mouth curled into the smallest smile, and he wriggled out of the room, his cute round ass wiggling side to side in a way that made Xander want to take him right there, surprise him against the hard floor and demand he give it up. But it needed to be done right, or Tim might unravel further before Xander could collect him up.

* * * * *

"How's it going with him?"

Gray sounded genuinely concerned, and Xander could admit to himself that he needed some validation from someone who he'd always turned to.

"I think it's okay. I'm punishing him by making him wait for me. He's impatient, but he's been okay for twenty minutes so far."

"That's a great idea. He clearly needed something, and you've achieved that without the need for anything physical. Good job."

Xander laughed. "Thanks, Captain Patronising."

Gray was silent for a minute, before letting out a strained chuckle. "Sorry, buddy. I'm pleased for you. If you can resolve the punishment issue he could be a great sub. And it'll be good for him too, possibly."

"That's why I'm ringing. Will you see him for a few sessions? Next week?"

There was a much longer pause that time, to the point where Xander looked at the screen to check he hadn't been cut off. But there was finally a deep sigh, a mutter that sounded a lot like 'I must be fucking mad', but the words that followed were bright enough.

"Okay, I will. But even if you hope there'll be a quick solution to this, I'll only agree to one session, and make recommendations for future sessions based on it."

"Thank you."

Xander knew he couldn't expect anything more than that, not yet.

* * * * *

Xander managed, just, to not go to Tim as soon as he was off the phone. He wasted time scrolling through his phone, listening intently, not sure whether he was hoping Tim would or wouldn't pad into the living room, wanting to safeword.

When he finally went to the bedroom, Xander expected to find Tim asleep, exhausted from his emotion, uncertain of how to deal with the punishment. He expected Tim to be curled into an adorable ball – the way he slept whenever Xander slid out of bed before him – but he wasn't. Tim was perched, knees at the end of the bed, his ass high and his chest down, exactly how Xander had instructed. His eyes were closed, but it wasn't sleep. They popped open the moment Xander made a low noise in his throat, unfocused but conscious.

"Angel, you've done so well."

Xander didn't want to express just how impressed he was. He didn't know, yet, how much fortitude it might have taken, so didn't want to put pressure on Tim to always achieve that much. But he was impressed. Even then, Tim didn't move, blinking slowly with a small smile.

"I did?"

"Yes, darling boy, perfect. Do you feel better? Your punishment is over. You waited patiently, and you're forgiven."

"We know what that means, don't we?" he continued.

"Please, Sir."

"Can you tell me what you're hoping for? Use your words."

"Please, Sir...show me that you forgive me."

Xander ran his hands over Tim's hips, down to his thighs, which were finally quivering with the pressure of holding the position for so long, pulling a whine from the boy.

"You know I can take what I want, right?"

Tim's focus sharpened, and Xander could see him thinking, pink lip held between small, white teeth.

"I'm so sore, Sir. I don't think I can."

"But you will. Because I want you to, and you're mine. Mine to do whatever I want to."

Xander's movements became more forceful, massaging the tense flesh; Tim whimpering but staying almost completely still.

"Does my beautiful Angel like me being in charge?"

"I'll be good, Sir, I promise. I'll do anything you want."

Xander bit down on Tim's exposed ass, barely able to hold himself back.

Tim's cry of shock galvanized Xander, who pulled him up easily, still surreptitiously pressing into the stiff muscles as he yanked down the embroidered wall covering, revealing the glossy dark wood of the St Andrew's Cross embedded into the bedroom wall. A cross Tim hadn't seen before, but he just eyed it with desire.

The cuffs Xander pulled from a drawer were thickly padded. Tempting as his iron manacles might be, Xander suspected it would be a while tonight before Tim could properly take his weight, and he wasn't planning on marking his angel up that way.

Xander fastened him high, barely able to touch the ground, though that wouldn't be an issue for long. Tim's eyes were dark and lustful, watching Xander's movements with hope, looking a little shocked when Xander pulled more cuffs from the drawer, fastening them to Tim's slim ankles, with a spreader bar between them, leaving Tim taut and stretched out, on his tiptoes.

"Color, Angel?" Xander asked, running his hand up the straining muscle of Tim's thigh.

"I'm green, Sir, now. But I don't know how long for."

"Good boy. Don't worry, I'm going to make you feel so good, after you took your punishment so well."

Xander stayed crouched, his hand twisting around the back of Tim's thigh, squeezing and massaging, fingers creeping to his hole, still wonderfully loose from the plug he'd been wearing. They slipped inside as Tim's eyes closed and his head dropped against the wall accompanied by a high whine.

"So loose for me. Such a good little slut, Angel. So ready to be used."

"Sir..."

"Too eager, baby, too easy."

Xander swallowed Tim down, working him rapidly, his fingers pressing inside to bring him off as quickly as he could.

"Sir, I can't..."

"Come for me," Xander instructed before diving back down and gulping Tim's release.

Before the boy had any chance to recover, Xander fished one more thing from the drawer, pressing the tight ring over Tim's now limp cock, until the stretchy material was tucked snuggly against his base.

"Sir," Tim gasped into Xander's neck when he stood and pressed his entire length against his bound boy.

"I seem to have stolen almost all your words, Angel."

"Yeah, well," Tim huffed, laughing, "I never had many to begin with."

"That I don't believe," but Tim was pressing his nose into Xander's shoulder, as if seeking comfort, so Xander didn't push the thought.

Xander could feel Tim filling again already, loved that his boy had such a primitive reaction to him.

"How much can you take?"

"I don't know, Sir. Everything you give me, I promise I'll do my best."

"I want you to lose your mind when you come."

"I can't though? You put the ring on."

Tim looked adorably confused, his head tilted and his eyes worried.

"Of course you can, Angel. Hopefully it will make things last longer and be more intense when it happens, but a cock ring won't stop you from coating me with your cum," Xander told him, nipping at his exposed neck.

He moved down so he could mouth at Tim's pretty barbelled nipples, pale at first, but taking on a beautiful rosy hue as Xander took each one in turn between his lips, pulling them and gently twisting as Tim writhed in his bonds and pushed his chest against Xander's mouth.

When they were firm and red enough to sate that part of Xander's demands, he ran his hands down Tim's sides, over the snarling tiger on his stomach.

"You like to mark yourself up?" he purred in between sucking a bruise into the crook of Tim's collar bone.

He felt the shudder in Tim's narrow frame, the vibration of a hum against his lips.

"Please, Sir, make it hurt good," he whined, trying to get more with his thrusting body.

Xander was surprised, didn't know if it was a corner turned, or something more insidious. It certainly wasn't something Tim had asked for before, and after the night they'd had... Anyway, Xander would take Tim, and show him who he belonged to, but anything more would need a lot more conversation.

What he could do was send Tim out of his mind with pleasure, make sure he wasn't making it back to the bed on his own two legs. He dipped the end of a long, slim vibrator into the pot of lube on the dresser, sliding it inside Tim's relaxed hole to a frustrated whimper from the boy. The whimper became longer, and more desperate, when Xander flicked the switch, sliding it in and out, making sure to press the length against Tim's prostate until he was begging incoherently.

Xander crouched, one hand still on the thrusting vibrator, unclipping the spreader, though leaving the cuffs, easily flipping Tim's legs over his shoulders before deftly rolling a condom on. When he stood again the legs came with him, to an amusing sound of consternation from Tim, who was bent almost in half, his beringed cock rubbing against Xander's and his own abs. In a smooth move, Xander removed the vibrator and replaced it with himself, sliding deep. It wasn't the easiest position, but he waited for Tim's needy moans to raise to a crescendo before sliding the toy back in, alongside himself, both of them feeling the incredible intensity.

Tim's sounds were utterly incomprehensible, deliciously so, and Xander reached between them for Tim's cock, flushed almost purple with want. He couldn't get a good grasp, but he didn't need to – only a few tickles with the fingers that could reach, and he could feel Tim's hole constricting viciously around him as he came over Xander's hand. Xander only needed a few more strokes, thankfully, because Tim's head was lolling in oversensitive euphoria, before he finished inside his angel.

Xander raised his cream-coated fingers to Tim's mouth as he careful slid free and let Tim's legs gently down to the ground.

"Clean up your mess, little slut," he purred, as Tim's small tongue kitten licked as his eyes fluttered with a losing attempt to stay focused.

As ever, Xander worked efficiently to free his boy, to carry him – as hoped, there was no way his legs were going to do it – to the bed and clean him up, tucking him in safe and warm after sipping water, Xander curled around his small body protectively, where he belonged.

A/N: now, Xander really needs to find out why Tim has such issues with punishment