Friends and Family 14

Chapter 14

“Blade, are you doing OK over there?” Joshua asked. Joshua was lying on the floor, fiddling with some wires. He was the only one of the four who had skill with electricity. Sheldon had spent six months working for Josh when he’d first moved in with Milton, and Sheldon could manage basic carpentry, but he left plumbing and electricity to the experts. Blade was unpacking a box of track lights, scattering cardboard and tiny screws across the floor.

“I can manage boxes. I don’t think it takes a degree.”

“You’ll be the one looking for the screws if you lose them,” Josh warned mildly.

“Fuck you!”

Blade, Sheldon thought. That wasn’t the thing to say, not to Josh.

Josh stood up slowly. He was a big man, and when he stood at his full height, he towered over Blade. “Come here.”

Blade sat frozen on the floor, vacillating between defiance and tears. Steve had turned away from Blade and was concentrating hard on painting the windowsills. He’d been moving gingerly today and had looked on the edge of tears several times. Sheldon expected Steve had been spanked for some reason this morning. Blade still hadn’t moved from the floor.

“Come here, boy.” Joshua repeated.

Sheldon walked over to his brother, bent down, and grabbed his hand. “I’m here. He won’t kill you.”

“I don’t want to be spanked.”

“I don’t always like it either.” Sheldon ruffled his brother’s hair. “But I like the other parts, and it does work for me. We’re a lot alike. That’s probably why we’re trying to kill each other right now.”  

Milton had a zero tolerance policy for sibling rivalry, and Sheldon had been dramatically reminded several times that even a smirk was going to earn him a hard swat. Milton was more than fond of reminding his volatile boy that Sheldon had wanted this, and now he could live with it. It had been the right thing, even Milton acknowledged that between dragging them off to corners or assigning ridiculous chores. Sheldon couldn’t remember how many years they’d been discussing turning the room over the garage into a finished apartment. Now it had become a priority. “Busy boys are good boys,” Milton had said with that slight smile he used when he was at his most toppy.

Since that fateful night, Milton had been radiating toppiness. Except under the direct supervision of another top or trapped at work, Milton hadn’t let Sheldon out of his sight. As promised, he’d kept the rail pass and was escorting Sheldon to and from work. To be honest, Milton’s tall, strong presence on the train was more pleasure than punishment. The train was full with the holiday rush, and Sheldon leaned into his top as they swayed in the aisle. Sheldon enjoyed the extra private time with his partner, no other boys, no tops with concerns.

Josh beckoned again to Blade. “Come here.”

Sheldon half dragged his brother toward Josh. Making a top come get him, always landed Sheldon in more hot water. Milton would be counting by now, and three wasn’t a number Sheldon liked to arrive at.

Joshua was calm, his hands hanging limply at his sides, his expression quiet. Sheldon had a lot of experience reading tops, and Joshua didn’t look irritated; he looked patient.

Blade finally arrived in front of Joshua. “Fine, I’m here. What do you want?”

Josh reached out and put one hand on Blade’s shoulder. “You are a mess, little boy.”

“I’m not a little boy.” Blade tried to glare at Josh, but it came out more of a pout.

“It’s a term of affection.” Joshua unexpectedly bent down and kissed Blade’s forehead. “Compared to us geezers, you’re a little boy, and Blade, sweetie, be very glad I consider you young and new. I would have already spanked any other submissive in this house for that kind of behavior. I’m being more generous with you unless you need me to spank you.”

“I don’t want to be spanked,” Blade mumbled and wiped at a tear.

“To a top, your swearing performance looked exactly like a sub looking  to be in a little trouble. How come you did something that you knew would focus my attention on you? Hmm?”

Blade shuffled his feet and stared at the floor.

“That’s not much of an answer.” Joshua turned Blade and landed three fast swats on the young man’s hip. “Since you said you didn’t want a spanking, think about what brought you this close.

Blade nodded, swiping at his eyes. 

“Get back to work, kid.” Josh’s tone was gruff but very kind. “I’m here if you want to talk.”

“Whatever,” Blade mumbled.

“Blade,” Joshua said, turning the boy back to face him. “Look at me.”

Blade continued to look at the floor. Sheldon watched. His brother was leaning across the line of no return. Joshua kept trying to push Blade back to the side of no major punishment, and Blade kept striding forward. Why couldn’t his brother see that? Josh, who was never a pushover, was being as gentle as Sheldon had ever seen him. Sheldon would either have been dragged back to Milton, or Josh would have scorched Sheldon’s ass for this kind of behavior. Of course, Sheldon thought wryly, everyone knew it worked with Sheldon, and he wasn’t considered fragile or confused. At least that’s what Milton said when Sheldon thought he’d taken the lion’s share of the punishment for their latest spat. Milton had clamped down on Sheldon so hard that he couldn’t butter his toast without Milton interrogating him.

Sheldon bit his lip. God, for a moment he wanted to see his brother spanked, see him crying. “Blade, please look at Josh. He’s trying not to spank you.”

“Everybody wants to spank me.” Blade wiped viciously at a tear that was running down his face.

Sheldon stepped close to his brother and hooked an arm around his neck. “Munchkin, they want you happy.”

“And spanking makes me happy. You must have your wires crossed, but I don’t, bro.”

“Blade, it’s not like that. Listen to me, please. We’re like this; we want this.”

“Fuck you!,” Blade snarled. “Why did I ever think coming here was a good idea? I hate this.”  Blade jerked away from Sheldon with a hard shove that sent the older brother tumbling backwards. Joshua grabbed Blade with the speed and efficiency of experience and with a practiced flip tumbled Blade over the top’s raised knee and landed six hard spanks on the jean covered butt. 

“Enough. My tolerance for ill behaved bratting boys has come to an end. Now do I spank you for that episode, or do I get Milton?” Joshua pulled Blade to his feet and draped an arm over the boy’s shoulders. “Talkative—I see. Sheldon, are you OK?”

“No harm done,” Sheldon said with a grin, “except to a few light bulbs.”

“Blade will clean those up in a few minutes, and Sheldon, you don’t have to pretend to be cheery. If my brother just pushed me down when I was trying to be nice to him, I wouldn’t be too happy.”

“He’s afraid. He doesn’t know what to do.” Sheldon said softly. “I can still remember the early times with Milton. It was awful.”

“And you were lovers. Blade doesn’t have that.” Joshua brushed the red hair off Blade’s forehead and kissed him. “I’m not mad at you, boy, but you don’t get to behave like that. You do that in front of the wrong person, and you’ll end up either beat up or arrested. Neither of those is a good option.” Joshua ruffled Blade’s hair and pulled him close. “I’m in practice with teenage wild things. I do know what to do, and I won’t hurt you. Where is Steve by the way? Joshua asked, looking around.”

“I’m out here.” Steve poked his head around from the hallway.

“I haven’t killed anyone. Come back in here,” Josh said with a smile.

“I don’t want to interfere,” Steve said, still hanging back by the doorway.

“You’re not. I want your help. You and Blade here are in a similar situation, and I’m hoping you can explain things to our young Zath. He’s currently convinced I’m going to feed him to the lions.”

“I’m not. I just don’t want this so called help you’re offering,” Blade blustered.

“Yes, you do,” Sheldon said. “I was older than you when I started this gig with Milton. I had a job. I’d had a boyfriend or two; I was supposed to be a man of the world. I was so fucking good at protecting myself that my boss damn near raped me.” Sheldon swiped at a tear. “I wanted someone to tell me to eat my pudding and find my keys in morning. I can do all those things. I know enough now that I can even make assholes who want sexual favors run for cover, but I like being under Milton’s protection. I like giving everything to him. Yes, I have to suck it up and go over his knee sometimes. Yes, I am subject to his whims, and shit he owns soul, but it’s worth it. You’re like me. Go with it.”

“It’s different. Milton’s your husband. What am I? The kid brother who gets a girl knocked up and can’t take responsibility.”

To Joshua’s credit, he didn’t flinch at Blade’s revelation. Sheldon didn’t think Milton had told Joshua more than the generic story that Blade had fallen into trouble at college. Gordon knew and therefore Landon knew, but it wasn’t general knowledge. Sheldon nodded a quick conformation when Josh looked over. 

“Little one, you do have a full plate, and you’re not only the kid brother with a girlfriend. Where is the young lady in question, by the way?” Joshua asked Sheldon.

“With Milton’s granddad.”

“Good choice. Blade.” Joshua shook his head and ran his fingers through the red waves. “You are so much more than the kid brother. You are a proud owner of the Zath name, the youngest of your generation. You are going to be a father. You are Milton’s brother-in-law. You are a young man trying to find your way in a world that can be hostile to young submissives. You’re part of our family now. Every one of us will look out for you just as we expect you to look out for us. It’s not just the dominants who look out for the submissives. The subs aren’t second class citizens. An experienced submissive will offer guidance. They see the world in ways that I can’t always fully understand. Your brother understands how this works, or if he’s too close, there’s Jer or Landon or even Mace if you can get him to talk.  Steve’s the odd man out in our little family. Talk to him. I think he has a pretty good understanding of what’s going on except for whatever he was doing this morning.” Josh smiled at Steve.

“This morning was stupid, painful and stupid.”

“Jer tried to warn you. You’re better now though, right?”

“Yes.” Steve gave Josh an embarrassed smile.

“Blade, you were pretty ugly to both me and your brother. That behavior is not acceptable. Do you understand?”

Blade stood there, shoulders hunched around his ears. Sheldon willed his brother to say  “yes, sir.” Joshua expected it, and he wasn’t going to tolerate silence.

“Blade, I expect an answer.”

“Yeah,” Blade spat.

“Young man, I know your brother. I don’t think either of you were raised by barbarians. That is not an acceptable answer.” Josh softened his tone. “I know you young people don’t use these words much, but it can be done. Steve manages fine.”

“I get it. What else do you want me to say.”

“Yes, sir,” Steve said softly.

“You call him sir?” Blade asked incredulously. “I’m not in the army.”

“It’s an acknowledgment and acceptance of authority and your role in this relationship. It’s an acceptance of the power exchange that can be used in public.”

“Good boy,” Joshua said, and Steve flushed at the praise. “Milton doesn’t require it? Sheldon, I hear you use it.”

“Gordon taught me and with not as much patience as you’re teaching Blade.”

“I expect not. He’s a traditionalist. I’m surprised at Milton. He understands the rituals.”

“He works with college kids every day,” Sheldon said, defending his partner. “They don’t use sir.”

“They’re not his submissives.” From Joshua’s tone, Sheldon expected his partner was going to get pulled aside and get an earful from Josh and Gordon. “Blade, do you accept that your behavior is unacceptable, and do you understand that in this relationship unacceptable behavior results in consequences.”

Blade hesitated and then Sheldon heard a soft, almost whispered, “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you. Blade, we don’t know each other very well. Would you prefer for me to punish you or for me to get Milton?”

Blade looked at Sheldon and Steve and then back at his feet. “You won’t both do it?”

“That wouldn’t be fair. I’ll let Milton know, but he won’t punish you again.”

“Go ahead,” Blade whispered, tears already coursing down his face.

“Sheldon, Steve, will you give us a few minutes?”

“The bathroom needs painted. We’ll be there.” Sheldon snapped on the radio as they passed it, and Steve grabbed the paint and a couple of brushes.

“Is your brother always this crazy?” Steve asked when they entered the bathroom.

Sheldon flopped down on the toilet and ran his hand through his already messy hair. “I’m too old for this. I kept trying to get him to stop.”

“Sometimes we don’t listen. Jer tried everything this morning by practically picking me up and shaking me, and I still ended up over Josh’s knee.”

“What was it about?”

“Nothing really. I was just picking a fight, which never ends well with Josh. I’m still sore from the bar hopping. You’d think I’d know better.”

“Nope, I still do it with Milton. He says I find it reassuring. Over his knee, the only thing I notice is the pain. I guess I never learn.” Sheldon smiled. “We better at least pretend to paint. I’m not getting much leeway right now.”

“Did you get in a lot of trouble for that night?” Steve asked shyly.

“A lot is not half of it. Milton’s got such a tight hold on me right now I practically have to ask permission to breathe, but it’s OK, kid. We’re good. We’ve done this before, and I know how it works. What about you?”

“Josh was very sweet.”

Sheldon laughed. “I’d never call Josh sweet. Fair, yes, but sweet, never. He blistered your ass three times, didn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Steve said quietly.

“You’re among friends. You don’t need to be embarrassed. That’s one of the cool things about being a Green Mountain Boy and living here. Everybody does it, so you don’t have to feel like you’re the weirdo.

Steve flinched as a wail pierced the drums of the overloud rock music Sheldon had put on the radio.

“Come here, kid,” Sheldon said, pulling Steve into a hug. “You haven’t heard anyone get spanked before. We try to give each other privacy, but it’s impossible not to know. Doesn’t Jer get in trouble?”

“He doesn’t seem to,” Steve said, not trying to get out of Sheldon’s embrace. I did see Josh put Jer in the corner once, but usually all Josh does is look at Jer. You know that look Josh has?”

“Yeah, I know. Milton’s got the same one. It can curl my toes. Josh and Jer have been together a long time. I think Jer was in graduate school when they first met. They probably understand each other so well that it only takes a look. I don’t think Jer’s like me. I don’t think he needs much physical discipline.”

“God, I worry about my dad. Can you imagine the first time Josh showed up with Jer at a family picnic?”

“I don’t think they advertised the spanking part of their relationship. It might be why Jer is so sensitive to Josh’s expressions.”

“It’s not only that.”

“You mean they’re gay, and Jer’s black, big as a mountain, and will blow the socks off most white dudes intellectually.”

“Talk about being different. Josh tells me it’s like pulling teeth to get me to talk about who I am, and the world is pretty welcoming now.”

“Being gay doesn’t turn many heads, but this stuff still makes many people uncomfortable. I heard Gordon and Milton talking. Gordon was arguing that it’s tougher for young couples than it was fifteen years ago. Something about a lot of false information and the older couples no longer thinking there’s a need to mentor.”

“I guess I’m lucky with Josh.” Steve slipped out of Sheldon’s arms and picked up the paint brush. The sounds from the other room were again muffled by the radio. “Do you think I’ll ever find what you have?”

“Sure, kid. You’re young. There’s no hurry.”

“How’d you end up with Milton?”

“Not the recommended way. I was one of those kids the old guys worry about. I knew enough to have an inkling I was a boy, but I didn’t know how to do it, and I sure didn’t know how to find a top.”

“How’d you find Milton? Gordon didn’t arrange it?”

Sheldon snorted. “I think Gordon thought I was a walking disaster. I got in enough trouble that Milton noticed me, and then I got lucky. I let him spank me when I didn’t know him and didn’t know what to expect. Thank God he knew what to do.”

“I see you’ve gotten far.” Josh said from the doorway.

“What do you expect? we’re free labor.”

“About what I see—one brush stroke.” Josh had one arm around Blade who still looked teary eyed and red cheeked but was leaning into the older top and looking more relaxed than he had earlier. “Go wash your face, sweetie. Josh gave Blade a small push toward the sink and caught Steve’s shirt tail pulling him close. “Are you all right? I don’t think you’ve ever heard it before.”

“Sheldon helped.”

“Good.” Joshua raised an eyebrow as Sheldon as if to ask how he was?

“I’m OK. I know it’s my brother, and it’s harder.”

“Good boy. I sometimes can see why Milton finds you so attractive and doesn’t throttle you every minute of the day.”

“Talk about a backhanded complement,” Sheldon said with a smile.

“Take what you can get, boy. We need to make headway on the room. I did promise dear Milton that we’d get this done before Christmas.” Joshua chased them back to work. He left them to their own devices, but Sheldon couldn’t help but notice Josh checking on Blade a little more often, the hand on the young man’s shoulder, the remeasuring of the board, the search for the correct nail length. Sheldon dropped his head back to the trim board in front of him. The older tops would take care of Blade.

****

Milton poked the wood on the fire. The blaze was already crackling, but it gave him something to do. Bryce and Mark had specifically requested an interview with the young unattached submissives. Mark had said he wanted to understand what drew people to this lifestyle and who better to answer that question than two youngsters. Milton couldn’t come up with a viable reason to deny the filmmakers’ request, and perhaps for Blade putting his feelings into words would help him understand and accept this relationship better, but Milton wasn’t leaving the young men unprotected. He was in the room along with the two most senior couples. 

Steve was between Josh and Jer on the sofa that was now looking doll house small with  those two large men occupying each end. Somehow Steve was giving the impression that he was curled up on both men’s laps. His head was against Josh’s chest, and his legs were draped over Jer’s thighs. Josh was amazingly good with these young boys. They instinctively trusted him. Josh had managed to settle Blade, which was a feat that was escaping Milton. 

Landon and Blade had taken the love seat. Blade stayed well clear of Gordon, a man who Milton guessed Blade put in the category of evil ogre, but Blade liked Landon, and Landon could tell tales about Milton’s younger days, which Blade found extremely funny. The young submissive relished the idea of Milton wearing stripes from the cane. 

Gordon was occupying the big armchair by the fire, looking like an executive overseeing his minions. As always his shirt was starched and buttoned to the final collar button. He had a green, gray, and white tie, the colors of the Green Mountain Boys, and Milton could see his cufflinks peeking out from his jacket sleeves. Milton started to move to the chair on his far side of the room when Gordon softly clicked his fingers and glanced at the sheepskin rug at his feet. It had been years since Milton had sat at Gordon’s feet, but it was the most comfortable place left in the room, close to the fire, and the soft sheepskin was wonderful to stretch out on. Milton dropped to a cross-legged sit, his back against the corner of the chair.

“They’ll be fine,” Gordon whispered to Milton. “We won’t let anything happen to them.”

Mark looked at the assembled men and gave them a false, bright smile. “Hey, I’m going to admit here that I’m nervous. You’ve made it very clear that Steve and Blade are under your protection, and that I’m here only under a promise of good behavior. I don’t want to find out the consequences of bad behavior.”

“We’d only escort you out of Massachusetts,” Josh said with a small smile.

“We’d miss Trent and Mace’s fine dinner. I heard they were making prime rib with all the traditional trimmings.”

“Considering the number of potatoes I peeled, they better be making mashed potatoes with gravy,” Landon groused.

“Josh offered to have you help him,” Gordon said.

“With two Zaths, I was bound to get myself in trouble.”

“Please,” Mark said, “this small talk is very interesting, but tonight we want to talk with Steve and Blade.” Mark flipped through some cards. Milton had seen the questions and nothing looked too outrageous. As long as Mark stuck to the script, the boys would be safe. “Steve, can you tell us when you first realized you were a submissive?”

“I didn’t; Josh did.”

“What do you mean?”

“Milton and Tilden have been doing a series of informational lectures on power exchanges—the reality versus the television myth. I went, probably because somewhere I realized I wanted something, but I wouldn’t admit it. I about got in a brawl with Mike,” Steve flushed. “Josh grabbed me and took me home that night.”

“Is it common for dominants to forcibly abduct stray submissives?” Bryce asked, his face slightly flushed, and he wiped a bead of perspiration off his lip. It wasn’t hot in the living room, and unlike the USBC crew, Bryce and Mark hadn’t brought a gaggle of cameramen and lights. The room was its always chilly winter self despite the fire.

“Not anymore. You don’t have to worry,” Gordon said with a wolfish smile.

“I’m not a sub.”

“You could have fooled me,” Gordon said, still smiling, but there was a predatory gleam in his eye. He was going to corner Bryce and force an admission.

“The whole start of the relationships are handled in a more subtle fashion than they were in the past,” Milton said, launching into a history lecture to divert Gordon. “Even when Gordon and Joshua were young, it was becoming uncommon for young dominants and submissives to serve an apprenticeship with an experienced couple acting as a model of the relationship. Submissives were taken into families to provide stability and protection and young tops to learn their role and the discipline necessary to be a safe top. I’m one of the last people I know of to be fully traditionally trained as a top. Gordon and Landon trained me, and I still respect their role in my life.”

“Have you taken Steve and Blade into your families in this traditional role as you describe it?” Bryce asked, relieved to have escaped Gordon’s scrutiny.

“Yes,” Milton said simply before elaborating. “Blade is slightly different as he is my partner’s brother. He is family in both the traditional sense of the word, and in the way we would define it. It’s a new experience for me to act as a dominant for a relative.”

“In our tradition, taking younger siblings into the fold is not unheard of,” Gordon said. “Until the early nineteenth century it was a relatively common practice either for a top to mentor his own siblings or the siblings of his partner. Of course in those times it wasn’t openly discussed. Instead the family members were described as residing in the household to provide extra labor or because of their unmarried status.”

“Blade, when did you realize you were a sub?” Mark asked.

Blade looked at the tops, his eyes pleading. 

“You don’t have to say any more than you want,” Landon said, hooking an arm around Blade and tugging until the young man moved closer.

“I knew Milton from my brother,” Blade said and fingered the throw pillow. “I don’t know if I would have called him a top, but I knew he was calm and could handle messes. I’d seen him with Sheldon. I don’t know, but it was all I could think of. Everything was a mess.”

“Come here, kid.” Milton said, opening his arms.

Landon gave Blade a gentle push. “Go on. Milton’s got you now.”

Milton watched but tried not to stare. The kid begged for comfort, but Milton wasn’t sure Blade would come to him. Blade was still fighting his submissive instincts, while at other times demanding that Milton take charge. 

Blade still hadn’t moved when Gordon stood up with a sharp breath, marched over, grabbed the stunned boy’s wrist, and deposited him on the rug next to Milton.

“Shit,” Blade said under his breath and rubbed his wrist. “Is he always like that?”

“Yes,” Milton said with a choked laugh. “Welcome to the Gordon school of training. You’re supposed to come when your top invites you over.”

“Great.” Blade rolled his eyes.

“Can you explain that interaction?” Mark asked, making an admirable effort to hold on to his professional demeanor.

“It is the submissive’s role to obey and submit gracefully and cheerfully to the top’s request,” Gordon said. “Young Blade is only beginning to learn his responsibilities so I provided some assistance, and perhaps more to the point he’ll be happier and more secure if you continue to interrogate him with his back against Milton. Milton right now is his dominant. While this is not a permanent relationship, for the time being Milton should symbolize security, safety, love. Blade was uncomfortable. He should be with his top. Landon’s experienced; he could provide that role if Milton hadn’t been here, but Milton was sitting across the room.” 

“Do you expect a submissive to obey any top’s request?” Mark asked

“Hell no!” Landon said before anyone else could answer. “I can top most of the tops out there, and some are downright dangerous, but I would yield to any of the tops here. I don’t think Trent would try, but I’d obey him if he asked, and I wouldn’t want to upset Tilden. He’s too nice by half. One of Gordon’s and my roles as head of the Green Mountain Boys is to help submissives understand their rights and what requests are reasonable. Milton is currently Blade’s dominant, and Milton can be trusted. Most subs will instinctively obey him, and unlike us old fogies, he’s around young college kids enough he can actually relate to them. Bryce would sub for Milton if Milton didn’t have the good manners to not assume a dominant role with him.” 

“I’m not a submissive,” Bryce snapped. “I don’t know why you guys keep implying that I am. I’m not good at taking orders.”

“No, but I’ve seen your films.” Landon smiled; it was easily as predatory as Gordon’s smile had been earlier. You’re looking for something. You tried the two weeks living on an ice flow, the four weeks as a hermit, the pseudo bootcamp, and I don’t know what else. I haven’t watched them all. I’ve seen your relationship with your partner. It’s ugly right now. You try to hide it, but you were having a shouting match outside my window this morning, and I’ve done this too long to be fooled. Now we’d have to work to teach your partner to top, but I think it could be done. He’s been stepping in and covering your unpredictable temper and smoothing the wake you’re leaving in your tracks. You wanted to know how these kids knew they were submissives. You need to ask yourself that question first. You should try it before you condemn it.”  

“We’re not condemning it,” Mark said, struggling to keep his tone calm and level. “We’re trying to understand it.” 

“The only way you’re going to understand it is to try it. You lived in the bush for six months with medical help only available by airplane, and you won’t try this. Are we that dangerous?”

“No, but I’m not a top. I’m not interested in telling my partner when to go to bed or what to eat.”

“It’s not about that. It’s about giving your partner what he wants, providing the lattice to grow the relationship. If Gordon monitored my meals, I’d probably spit in his face.”

“I should hope not, boy. Landon, I think you’ve gone far enough. To browbeat Mark and Bryce into trying a lifestyle they’re not comfortable with is as wrong as the false information in the tabloid press that is getting so many kids hurt. I had hoped when our lifestyle was finally allowed out of the virtual closest that it would be easier for the next generation. Instead, it may have become more difficult. Young men watch television or read books written by purported experts and get themselves hurt. Being a dominant is not always easy and certainly not always popular, but done correctly it can make some people very happy.

“It’s about love,” Milton said and pulled Blade close. It’s about my love for Sheldon, my admiration for his quirks, our desire to form a partnership together that fulfills both our needs, including his need to submit and mine to dominate. Those needs can be frightening and raw and not always fit for network television. They can also be beautiful and fulfilling. It’s about my love for the other men in this house. My relationship with them is very different than with my own partner, but it’s still love, respect, and admiration. My grandfather taught me that family is created by love and nurtured by hard work, not by an accident of birth. Blade and Steve may not be able to describe their submissiveness or what being a sub means, but I hope they understand that they are loved and accepted here. For a true top, making a young submissive happy makes the heart sing. I can’t look at either of them without wondering how I can make it better for them. Blade might hate me right now, but if I do this right, he’ll remember this time fondly and hopefully share his life forever with a deserving and supporting dominant.”

Milton kissed Blade, brushed the red strands off his forehead, and studied the green eyes. “Do you understand that you’re loved and you belong?” Milton asked in an undertone which was too soft for others to hear.

“Yes, sir”

Milton smiled. “Go run and see if Trent needs some help. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Thank you. I’m lucky to have you and Sheldon,” Blade whispered.

“It’s still not easy. Run along now and help Trent.” Milton watched the slight redhead dart into the kitchen. That kid was going to be OK and so was everyone else. Mark and Bryce might never figured out the parts of themselves they slammed deep into the cellar and covered with thousand of kilograms of cement, but the men around Milton understood. They would survive and thrive.

Sometime during Landon’s blazing lecture, Tilden had drifted into the living room. Milton watched his friend’s calm certainty as he hung a pelican on the Christmas tree. Luke was at his side, and Mike at his heels. No matter what happened with either the planned barbarity of Meet Your Mate or the  confusion of two filmmakers struggling to find their own identity, it had been the right thing for those three men, and the positive energy that flowed around them had touched so many lives. Steve hadn’t been left to sink into the morass of failed freshman expectations. Blade was going to find his way through the thicket of his own submissiveness. Brad and Cotton were still together. Milton only last week had received an invitation for an engagement party for Xavier and Eric, and even that crazy lawyer Sean had called last night and excitedly told Tilden about the wondrous Kevin. 

Milton smiled. This was a twenty-first century family. A role model for everyone. 

The End