Beating Around the Bush

Beating Around the Bush

“Blade!” Milton hissed between clinched teeth. Twenty plus years as a top and almost a decade with a volatile Zath and Blade could still make Milton’s blood pressure enter the stratosphere. He had to refrain from jerking the young redhead over his knees this instant, innocent bystanders be damned. “What are you wearing?”

“A leaf,” Blade said with a cheeky grin. “It covers all the important areas.

“Where are your shorts?” Milton asked, struggling to keep his voice level.

“Over there.” Blade waved his arm vaguely, pointing to the row of trees they’d been looking at earlier.

“Boy, you aren’t fit to go out of the house without a leash and collar.”

“I know.” Blade batted his green eyes and grinned hugely. “Please.”

“Blade, I can’t, you know that. You’re a beautiful boy, but you can’t be mine.”

“Sheldon’s OK with it. Even Gordon would give his blessing if it would keep me out of trouble.”

“Kiddo, I can’t.” Milton pulled Blade close, shielding him from any unsuspecting shopper. “This might be a nursery, but you are too natural right now.” Milton stripped off his shirt and dropped it over Blade’s head. “I love you, kid, but we will be discussing this at home.”

Blade ran his hand down Milton’s chest, tangling in the dark curls.”

“No.” Milton captured Blade’s wrist in his large hand, easily encircling the finer bones. “We don’t do this.”

“You want to.” Blade rubbed against Milton’s crotch. “You’re hard.”

“Stop it!” Milton spun Blade around and pulled his arm tight behind him. 

“You’re hurting me! Please.” 

Milton could hear the tears in Blade’s voice. He wrenched Blade’s arm again, intentionally being cruel. He needed Blade afraid, not in erotic subspace. The kid was gorgeous; it would be so easy. Everything about Blade drove Milton into top space, but this was his brother-in-law, and he had Sheldon. Sheldon wouldn’t cope in a triad. 

“I’m sorry. I’ll be good.” Blade was crying now. If anything he was more appealing when his cheeks were wet with tears and his skin was pale with fear.

“Blade.” Milton pulled the boy into a bone crunching hug. He shouldn’t be touching the boy this way, but he couldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t force the boy away with fear. No matter the reason, using fear was wrong. He’d have to pull Blade out of headspace and have a real discussion, but what he’d almost done wasn’t right. 

“I’m sorry,” Blade sobbed against Milton.

“So am I, kid.” Milton ruffled Blade’s hair. “We’ll work this out somehow. I promise, but for now, we are going home before we get arrested. Local professor and young college student arrested for indecent exposure at garden center is not a headline I want to see. Home now,” Milton said, hardening his voice to a harsh tone that he knew would be obeyed. They had hard work ahead of them, but for now Milton could do damage control by being the dominant but sympathetic top.