Noah grinned and took Phan by the shoulders, turning him around to face Tobias. "You may kiss the bride," he said with a laugh. "Sir."
Phan didn't even protest the word "bride," simply threw himself into Tobias' arms, his eyes closed and his face upturned.
Tobias laughed, delighted, and kissed him deeply, taking his mouth with powerful and bruising passion. "Love you, boy," he said when he released him.
"Love you, sir," Phan said, beaming at him, his arms looped around Tobias' neck.
"Your collar is gorgeous," Noah started to say, but apparently caught sight of something else. "Oh. Wow." Noah cleared his throat and pointed discreetly to Tobias' left where Bradford and Nikki were engaged in much the same activity. Bradford had given Nikki a soft, loose shirt, long enough to cover his sore back and ass. Bradford had one hand on the boy's jaw and was kissing him gently, and Nikki had all but melted into Bradford's silk and leather.
Tobias smiled as he watched them, more at Bradford's obvious tenderness to his lover than anything else. He had an arm loosely around Phan and with the other he reached for Noah, pulling him close. "They look happy," he said softly. "It's been a long time coming."
"Are you two ever going to join the party?" came a familiar voice from the doorway. It was Logan. "Our champagne is getting warm!"
Bradford broke it off with Nikki and turned around to look at Logan. "Oh, very well," he said with a sigh, as if a party were a great hardship for him. "Come along, Nikki, darling. Bring your boys, Tobias." Nikki snapped to his heel and followed him from the room.
Tobias looked at his boys, still smiling. "Let's go make them swoon with envy, boys." He took Phan's lead and attached it to his collar, then led them from the room, fully aware that they were holding hands as they walked at heel.
As they should.
Tobias raised an eyebrow and sank deeper into the tub, waiting for his boys to join him. If he didn't know any better, he'd think Phan was lingering on purpose, preening with his new collar.
On second thought, he did know better; his boy was a peacock and he'd do well not to forget that. "Phantom. It's lovely. We all know that. Get your ass in here and let Noah pour the tea!"
Phan grinned and turned to the tub immediately. "Yes, sir," he said, climbing over the edge and curling into Tobias' side. "Sorry."
Tobias couldn't help smiling. Phan had been floating for the entire day, clinging to him and smiling non-stop. He kissed the top of his head and looked over at Noah, just in time to accept the two mugs of tea. "Thank you, pet."
"My pleasure, sir. Anything I can do for my Master and his newly collared boy." Noah grinned and slipped into the tub with them. "Oooh. Hot," he said with a long sigh.
Phan squeaked and Tobias could feel him smile. Rolling his eyes, he relaxed into the water, tangling his legs with Noah's until he could finish his tea and hold him. "We know how Phan is," he observed. "How are you, pet?"
"I'm good," Noah said thoughtfully. "Still kind of riding on last night, you know?"
Tobias nodded. "We all are," he said with a smile he thought might be a smirk. "And there's nothing wrong with that at all." He gave Phan a squeeze. "There is life after collaring parties, however, and we've got a lot of changes going on."
"Mmhmm," Noah hummed, sinking low in the tub. His voice was relaxed. "You're about to be a teacher. That's pretty cool. Are you looking forward to it?"
"I am, actually. It kind of surprises me how much."
"Why?" Phan asked softly. "I mean, why the surprise? You're as good with people as you are with animals. Well, unless the people are stupid."
Tobias laughed just as softly. "I guess I never thought about living the lifestyle to the point where it would be a full-time thing. I thought it might be restrictive... instead, it feels freeing. Well, at this point, anyway."
"Surrounding yourself with an environment where you can be completely you?" Noah smiled. "I bet it feels great. I think you'll do really well. And you and Bradford will work well together, don't you think?"
"If we don't kill each other or become raging alcoholics," Tobias replied with a wink. "No, I think we'll do fine. We're pretty good about staying out of each other's way unless it's important to interfere. And even then, the one who needs a push usually seeks it out."
"Like you calling him when it all got too big," Phan said softly, pressing a kiss against his chest.
"Yes," Tobias agreed. "Like that. Plus, Bradford really likes the business side of things, running the club. I'll like making sure everyone who walks in those doors knows what to do." He grinned. "Plus, I'll get to watch you get taken down fairly often, brat."
"Oh, joy," Phan deadpanned.
Noah laughed. "You and Bradford will probably see little of each other anyway, with Bradford running the club at night and you running your training and interviews during the day, you know? I don't mean to sound selfish, but it's really going to be nice having you home again, knowing your schedule, you know?"
"That's the general idea." Tobias sighed, sipping his tea. "Home for supper every night... Get to leave in the morning at a normal hour... "
"Ten is not normal, sir," Phan put in.
"You don't leave until ten?" Noah stared at him.
Tobias nodded. "I get to watch you dress, every morning," he said with a grin. "And then I get to linger over breakfast. Take a long shower. Spank Phan. And then... then I drive to a sex club to interview and screen Doms." God, it sounded better every time he said it.
"And I'm out of the house by seven-thirty." Noah shook his head. "I'm doing something wrong." He grinned and sat up straighter. "You're going to do other stuff too, right? Plan workshops and things like that? Is that where the farm comes in?"
"You've been paying attention," Tobias teased. "That's one thing Bradford and I'll probably work on together. It's outside of membership issues, but part of the expansion. Essentially, when I'm ready, we'll take one or two Tops up to the farm for a weekend and put them through their paces, or I'll give extended lessons on whatever they want to work on. You and Phan'll be part of that, too, and Phan's going to help with the screenings."
Noah looked at Phan. "You're okay with that? Other Tops and all?"
Phan giggled. "Hell, yeah. It'll be like a party on my back." He sobered up a little. "Seriously, Noah. For me, it's not a big deal. They can't have sex with me, and I can tell Sir exactly how good they are, both with the tools and with a random sub they've never met. It's... well, it's kind of my thing, you know? And he'll be right there, or in the security room."
Tobias nodded. "They'll know the rules, dear," he promised.
Noah studied him for a bit. "It's odd, I guess. I went through so many Tops before I met Sir, you know? But I don't think now... I don't think I could do that."
"Makes sense to me, pet," Tobias said softly. "You were looking very hard for something specific. Phan's broader... you're deeper." He leaned over and kissed Noah softly. "I wouldn't ask it of you, honestly."
Noah nodded. "I'll be happy to let them watch," he said with a sly grin. "But no touching."
Tobias laughed and kissed him lightly. "All right."
"I get to touch," Phan said insistently. "Noah. Tell him I can touch."
"Is that a pout?" Tobias asked Phan, trying not to grin.
"No. But I need kisses. Noah kisses."
"You're another matter entirely, hon," Noah assured him. "You can have anything you want from me." He glanced at Tobias and quickly added, "As long as Sir says it's okay, that is."
"It's nice that one of you remembers who the boss is around here," Tobias teased. "And here I thought that because I'm the only one without a collar that it was perfectly obvious."
Phan quivered beside him and Tobias had no doubt that the boy's cock had just gone rigid at the mention of his collar.
"I have matching chains in my room...." Tobias tempted.
Phan nodded, his eyes wide. "Please, sir? Noah?" He leaned forward and twisted, one small hand sliding up Tobias' thigh, the other, no doubt, landing on Noah's leg. The mug he'd been holding slowly sank to the bottom of the tub, the water changing color. "Oops."
Noah took Phan's fingers in his and lifted them to his lips to kiss them. "You're still so floaty from last night; it's adorable."
"Apparently so," Phan said with a grin. He darted forward and kissed Noah's mouth. "Sir, I think we better get out of the tub," he said earnestly, his hand finally wrapping around Tobias' cock. "There's tea in the water."
Tobias grinned and nodded. "All right, dear. If you really think it's best."
"Oh, I do. Sir. Really. Tea is for drinking. Not bathing in." He looked amazingly serious, but he was bouncing a little with every word.
"Noah?" Tobias asked politely. "Do you think we should take Phan downstairs and do nasty things to him?"
Noah pulled himself up so he was sitting on the edge of the tub, his feet still dangling in the water. "You mean more nasty things?" He winked and swung his feet out as well and reached for the towels.
"Of course," Tobias said, sliding out of Phan's grasp. "I was thinking about taking a nice crop to his ass, chaining him to the bed and making him watch me fuck you. Then, if he's a very good boy, maybe I'd let you suck him off." He stood up and ignored Phan's whimper as he took a towel from Noah.
Noah set a towel on the edge of the tub for Phan, too. "I'm liking the sound of that, sir," he said, a teasing tone to his voice. "Oh, are you going to chain him to your desk at work?" He looked over at Phan and Tobias saw him wink.
"More than likely," Tobias said conversationally. He smiled and started drying himself off. "Probably gag him, too, just so I can get my work done. That would look nice, don't you think? A man of my position with a pretty sub all tied up for me?"
He heard Phan moan and then splashing as the boy stood up and climbed out of the tub. Phan's towel flicked over Tobias' legs as he dried himself in record time.
"Oh, sir, that would be lovely. All tied up." Noah approached Phan slowly, his voice dropping in pitch. "Gagged. Chained to Sir's desk. Probably half-naked." He stopped in front of Phan and took his towel from him. "You'd love that, wouldn't you, hon?"
Phan nodded and moaned again. "Sir?" he pleaded.
Tobias shook his head and smiled. "Not yet, dear. Noah, be a good boy and take the tea things down? Phan and I are going to select a crop. We'll meet you in my bedroom."
"Yes, sir." Noah turned and brushed past Phan, fondling him quickly before stepping over to the tea tray. He turned off the jets and reached into the tub for the mug Phan had dropped.
Tobias admired Noah's ass for a moment and then watched Phan admire it as well. Grinning, he cleared his throat. "Phan. Playroom."
Phan jumped and nodded, then practically ran out the door. Tobias laughed and followed him; it was going to be a fun night, the perfect end to their weekend. A fitting kick off to his new career.
Noah spent most of Tuesday afternoon walking instead of working. He toured his beat, walking up and down sidewalks, waving now and then to familiar faces but otherwise lost in his own thoughts.
He was out of uniform, wearing just blue jeans and a T-shirt. His badge, his gun, and his pager were all sitting on his Captain's desk. He knew he'd made the right decision. It wasn't as abrupt or sudden as the Captain seemed to feel, it had actually been on his mind since that horrible day when Carol had been shot. Sure, he was going to miss the beat, and there was a lot to miss about his job, but in his heart, he knew he couldn't do it anymore.
The Captain had very kindly left the conversation open with regard to whether he was retiring or taking a leave of absence, but Noah knew he wouldn't be back.
He arrived home long before his usual hour and Phan was still out at his therapy appointment. He poured himself some Coke and sank into the couch, turning on the TV and flipping channels.
He wasn't even really aware of the time passing, only looking at the clock when he heard the front door open and shut, Phan's voice low and indistinct coming from the hall. He was mumbling to himself, but it wasn't until the coat closet closed and Phan came around the corner that the words made any sense.
"Cream for coffee, milk for cereal, and loose tea. Cream for coffee, milk for cereal, and --" The litany broke off with a bit of a cry. "Noah! Sorry, kitten, didn't know you were home." Phan came around the couch and peered at him. "You're home. Are you okay? Feeling sick? Want me to call Sir? Can I--"
"I'm fine." Noah interrupted. He looked at Phan and waved his hand. His voice seemed strangely distant, even to himself. "I'm fine. You better write that stuff down."
Phan stared at him and sat on the couch, one hand reaching out to rest on Noah's thigh. "I'll remember," he said. "What's wrong?"
Noah shook his head. "Nothing's wrong," he said, more or less truthfully. It wasn't so much that anything was wrong, just that he was feeling a little bit lost. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do now that I've turned in my badge."
Phan didn't say anything for a long moment. "Oh, Noah," he finally breathed. "What happened?" Phan's arms went around him, pulling him close.
Noah shrugged letting himself be coaxed into Phan's arms. "I almost had to pull my gun again this morning," he told Phan, leaning a bit into his arms. "I really didn't want to. I hesitated. If I had to pull it, then that would mean that I'd have to threaten to use it. And
that
... that would mean that I might actually have to back up that threat with action. I didn't want to. I don't want to."
Phan urged him to lean even closer. "I'm sorry, sweetie," he said quietly. "It sounds... huge and difficult."
"It is huge." Noah sighed. "It's really huge. I think that's what I'm so... overwhelmed about." He shifted so he could look at Phan. Maybe if he could explain it better. "It's not the part of the job that I enjoy. I think I made a mistake, Phan. I'm not into 'law enforcement'." He made little quote marks with his fingers around the words. "I wanted to be a cop so I could help people, you know? Get kids back in school. Keep drugs out of their hands. Help little old ladies cross the street. Sounds corny, I guess. But I didn't become a cop so I could chase down thieves or direct traffic, and I didn't become a cop so I could fire a gun."
It did make sense somehow. Carol had said almost the same thing to him in the hospital. "My new partner, he loves it. 'Hunting down the bad guys,' he says. I'm in the wrong career."
Phan's eyes were wide and Noah wasn't sure he'd ever seen him concentrate so hard before, outside of a scene. "Okay," Phan said slowly. "That's... that's good, right? That you see it and want to... to... to make a change? What did they say when you told them?"
"The Captain told me he respected my decision but that he hoped I'd be back." Noah shrugged.
Phan bit his lip. "What did Sir say?"
Noah looked at Phan. That was a worry. "He doesn't know yet."
Phan's mouth made a perfect O and he took a deep breath. "Okay," he said slowly. "Um. Maybe we should. You know. Call him. He'll want to know."
"Well, yeah," Noah sank back into the couch. "I guess we should call him. He's probably deep into something with Bradford though, don't you think? I'd hate to interrupt."
Phan stared at him.
Noah blinked at him. "You think I should interrupt him."
"Duh." Phan tilted his head. "Do you seriously think that he'd thank you for letting him work in peace over God knows how many stupid files while you're sitting here dealing with a major life change?"
Noah shifted in his seat. It just wasn't a phone call he wanted to make. It would be so much easier just to tell him when he got home, wouldn't it? "Well... when you put it that way..."
Phan reached for the cordless phone, resting on the coffee table. "I'll call him if you want. See if he can come home."
Noah sighed. "Just don't make it sound like he has to, you know? I'm fine. Really. It can wait. He doesn't have to rush home like it's some big emergency."
Phan snorted and started pushing buttons. "His line is direct, yeah?" he asked Noah. Before Noah could say anything, Phan blinked. "Oh, hey, Joe. Phantom. Still sorting out the freaking speed dial. Can you switch me to -- yeah, thanks." Phan rolled his eyes. "Joe says 'hey.'"
Noah waved absently, watching Phan. "Joe screens for them now. That's what happens when you get popular and busy."
"Ah." Phan winked at him and tucked his feet up under Noah's butt on the couch. "Hi, Sir!" he said cheerfully. "How's your day going? ... Uh-huh. ... Oh, good, thanks. We talked about a couple of things, went over what's been coming out on canvas and how it relates to pain ... Yeah, she thinks so. ... Sure, if you want. Haven't even looked in the kitchen yet. ... Okay. ... No, no, just wondering if you'd be able to sneak home early. Noah's had a rough day and I think he could use a ... Yeah, but-- ... He's fine, really. Just thought you should know— ... Sir. ... Yes, sir."
Phan turned off the phone. "Um, he's coming home."
Noah rolled his eyes. "Everything with him is so dramatic," he said with a sigh, but he couldn't help but grin a little. "Not that I'd change him or anything."
Phan grinned back. "It's kind of cute really. Don't you think?"
"It is. It's nice to feel taken care of. Unless he runs in the door in a panic." Noah winked.
"He does do that, doesn't he?" Phan laughed. "It'll be fine, kitten. He'll ask a million questions, then take you upstairs and either bring you down or bring you off." He stood up and headed for the kitchen. "Hungry?"
"On that note, maybe I shouldn't eat." Noah grinned, but he got up and followed Phan anyway. "Maybe just some peanut butter."
"Spoon or bread?" Phan asked, apparently serious as he got the jar down.
"Spoon." Noah answered just as seriously, getting one from a drawer. "So I overheard -- you had a pretty good session? Did she swoon over your collar? Because she should have."
"She did," Phan nodded, grabbing a spoon for himself and digging into the peanut butter. "She found a word in it, but wouldn't tell me what it said. I got some serious time with a mirror coming up." He winked and started licking the peanut butter off his spoon, his tongue flat.
Noah nodded. "I noticed one Sunday night. Sir is clever that way. Ever read my cock ring?"
Phan shook his head. "Usually too distracted by the time I get down there. Show me?"
"Now?" Noah asked around the spoonful of peanut butter in his mouth. He licked the spoon clean and stood up. "Okay." He set the spoon down and popped his jeans open before tugging his cock free for Phan to inspect. "It's pretty, yeah?"
Phan snorted and went to his knees. "And you call me a peacock?" He looked up at Noah and grinned. "Prettiest cock ever, kitten."
Noah snorted. "Yes, but I meant the ring, hon."
"Ah, well just let me see, then," Phan said, his voice teasing. One slim hand gathered his cock up and tugged gently, the other touching the ring and his balls and Phan took a look; a very long, close look. "Uh-huh. Very, very pretty."
Phan's inspection segued into admiring and playing rather quickly, his hands warm and knowledgeable. "Lean back, kitten."
Noah leaned back against the table. He wasn't asking for this, he certainly hadn't expected it, but he wasn't particularly inclined to dissuade Phan either. Phan's touch was reassuring and affectionate, and Noah wasn't ashamed to admit that he needed a little bit of that. He felt his blood heading south and decided not to fight it at all. Still, he felt like politeness required him to put up at least a weak protest. "Hon, you don't have to..."
"Shut up," Phan growled, the sound an adorable imitation of what Tobias gave them. "Never have to, always want to." Phan's tongue slid up the side of his cock and over the head, wet and hot. "Taste like peanut butter," Phan giggled before going down the other side.
Noah felt his cock spring to life at that growl. Imitation or no, Phan did it well. He also did this well, and God, did it feel good. He gripped the edge of the table with his fingers and moaned. "Love your tongue."
"Yeah?" Phan sounded like he wasn't really expecting an answer as he licked his way around Noah's cock ring and down to suck on his balls. He made a short noise of pure pleasure and his knees spread wide as he nuzzled and licked at Noah's sac.
Noah groaned and closed his eyes. His cock filled and tightened and he didn't much feel like talking anymore. He dropped one hand to Phan's head and when he spoke, his voice was much more unsteady than he'd expected. "God, please."
"You got it." Phan licked right up him again like he was a candy stick and then set to sucking his brains out his cock. His mouth was hot and loose, then damn hot and tight, the sounds Phan was making just adding vibrations and hunger.
Phan sucked the head of his cock and played with his balls; his fingers traced the ring, and the palm of Phan's hand slipped and slid over hard, wet skin. "Love you," Phan whispered, looking up at him. "Everything is going to be just fine." He opened up his mouth and started sucking again, looking up at Noah with wide eyes.
Noah hung on to the edge of the table to keep from losing his balance completely. He knew the fact that he was ready to come so soon made him shameless, wanton, a fucking horny slut even, and he didn't care. He moved both hands to the table as his breath became ragged and looked down at Phan again. He was beautiful. "Oh, fuck. Fuck! Yes!" Noah grunted and started to come, groaning and shooting into Phan's mouth.
Phan moaned and swallowed, going down on him fast and furious as he took it all, his hands tight on Noah's hips.
"So... not so much an emergency?" Tobias said from the hall, leaning on the wall as he watched.
"Oh, fuck," Phan gasped, his eyes rolling and a wet patch rapidly forming on the front of his trousers, the smell of his spunk rising up fast and strong.
Noah stared down at Phan, still panting. "Jesus, you just made him shoot, sir."
Tobias chuckled and walked into the kitchen to stand next to him as they looked down on poor Phan, panting and blushing like mad. "And he made you shoot," Tobias said as he took a kiss. "Hello, pet."
Noah kissed him back, leaning into it a bit. "Except he meant to do that." Noah smiled, tucking himself back into his jeans. He looked down at Phan again. "You okay, hon?"
"Uh-huh. Forgot to read the ring, though." He closed his eyes and sighed. "I gotta change. You talk."
Tobias smirked, pulled Phan up off the floor and dropped a kiss on his swollen mouth. "Hello, boy."
"Hello, sir. Make him talk to you," Phan said as he walked away muttering about damp denim.
Tobias shrugged and slipped a hand around Noah's waist. "Let's see. Home early, eating peanut butter from the jar, out of uniform, and getting a distracting blow job in the kitchen. What happened, sweetheart?"
"I quit." Noah blurted out. For some reason it didn't feel like such a big deal anymore. "Turned in my badge and my gun this morning."
Tobias gave him a long searching look, his head tilted to the side like he was looking for something. "Okay," he said, nodding. "Are you all right? Need centering?"
"For now I just need to sit down, sir," Noah said, taking Tobias by the hand and leading him into the living room. He sat facing Tobias and went on. "It's like I was telling Phan. I think I made a mistake. I didn't really mean to get into law enforcement. I meant to get into some other kind of public service. I don't want to chase crooks down and intimidate them with my firearm. I want to help people, kids mostly. Like what I do in the evenings. I enjoy the counseling so much more than I do my job."
Tobias nodded again and brushed his jaw with one hand. "Are you going to be able to keep doing that?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, that's through the YMCA. I guess maybe if I'm not working I could even pick up another shift or two. I won't be able to pay you for the mortgage anymore, but I guess you don't care about that. I'm not sure what I'm going to..." He looked up at Tobias. "I guess I'm feeling a little manic now that I feel like everything is going to be okay. I was kind of overwhelmed earlier. I think I freaked Phan out. There's a lot more to the story."
He blinked, feeling a great deal better. Huzzah for Phan and his magic tongue. Centering might be exactly what he needed.
Tobias didn't disappoint; his Master didn't. Slowly, with the same deliberation Tobias always showed when he did something important, he leaned forward and kissed Noah carefully. "I think it's time to go upstairs, pet. We'll do some work, then have a nice long soak, and maybe I'll join you and Phantom for your movie tonight. We'll order in supper and you can simply not worry about anything at all until tomorrow."
Noah nodded, gratefully. "Yes, sir."
"Tell Phan to order in Chinese," Tobias said, standing up. "Then go wait for me in the playroom. Strip and kneel, pet; I'm going to change."
"Yes, sir," Noah said again, and left the room quickly, hurrying up the stairs to find Phan. He poked his head in Phan's room.