Men called horse - chapter 8 - Voiced and unvoiced
This story is rated explicit, for warnings, please check out chapter 1.
Here is chapter 8, which can also be found on AO3.
Peter wakes to an uncomfortable feeling. He moans to give an out to the pain. He startles a bit by the sound. Someone must have heard him.
“It´s OK., Peter, I upped your pain meds. Try to relax, they will kick in soon. The operation went very well.”
Peter is shouting for them to leave Neal alone. For some reason, they have it in for Neal. They work them both hard, but Neal definitely gets the brunt of the abuse. They haven´t fed him for some time. He saw Neal pass out already twice. Blood has dried on his face and he is on his knees in front of his tormentors.
He isn´t broken yet, but Peter has a bad feeling it won´t take long anymore. He is really at his breaking point and the men working them over, realize it. They focus solely on Neal at the moment.
He can see one of the man take a baton and swing for Neal.
“NEAL! WATCH OUT!”
Neal ducks under the swing aimed for his arm. He stumbles upright and tries to run, but the lack of food and water is taking its toll. One of the guards tackles Neal and he hits his head hard when he goes down. He stays down, probably knocked out.
“NEAL! You son of a bitch. I…”
“You what?”
“I will fucking kill you. I…”
The man turns away and calls out to one of the other´s.
“I´m done with your yelling and warning this one.” He gives Neal a kick with his boot, but Neal stays limp, “get the vet.”
“They will find us, the FBI will not leave a stone unturned when you take two of their agents.”
The man gives a sinister laugh but doesn´t say anything. Peter struggles in his restraints. Whatever they are planning, it can´t be good.
“Bring him over and take the other one as well.”
When they come closer to unfasten him, Peter kicks out and hits one of the men in the thigh. The man´s howl sounds like music in his ears. But the victory is short lived when he feels a sting in his upper arm and the worlds just drops from underneath him.
When he wakes up, he feels that he is doped up. There is no real pain, well it is far away, distant. At the moment it is more like a discomfort.
Peter tries to make sense of it all. Where is he? What happened?
It isn´t until the stench of wet and molten straw assaults his sense of smell that he flights the drugged feeling and he tries to open his eyes. The first thing he sees, is Neal. He is on his side and he is pale as a sheet. He has vomited and there is a mess of blood and bile. Luckily, he is on his side or he could have suffocated.
“…”
Pain shoots through his throat when he tries to call out for Neal. But what makes his heart thump in his throat is that there was no sound only air displacement. Panic builds in his gut, his brain catching up with what has happened.
They cut his vocal cords and by the look of it, Neal´s as well. They are so screwed. This takes their kidnapping to a whole new level. These guys have no scruples. He needs to think. He takes a couple of deep breaths but for some reason, the anxiety keeps gnawing at him.
He tries to move closer to Neal and nudges him, but he is out cold. What worries him is Neal´s paleness and the flush on his cheeks. It appears that he has a fever.
Peter crawls closer and puts his face against Neal´s. He is shocked, Neal is burning up.
Peter staggers upright and starts kicking the door of the stable. It doesn´t take long before the stable door opens and two men enter. Peter points with his head towards Neal but one of the men already kneels next to Neal.
“Shit, he developed a fever. Cool him down.”
The other man grabs Peter´s stud chain and pulls it roughly, so Peter can only follow if he doesn´t want to be choked;
One of the other men has taken a bucket of water and dumps it over Neal, but he doesn´t respond at all.
Peter´s worry skyrockets.
“Fuck, call the vet back. The boss will be pissed if something happens to this one.”
Someone tries to rouse Neal and Peter wants to approach, but he is restrained against a wall while they keep trying to wake up Neal. A cattle prod is pushed against Neal´s side and he jolts awake. His mouth opening in a cry, but there is no sound. Peter can see that Neal´s eyes are unfocused from the ragging fever. He is pulled upright, but his legs are not carrying him and he drops down hard, blood and drool is seeping from his open mouth.. Peter is shouting but there is no sound leaving his lips.
* * *
Peter wakes up to pain. He mans without opening his eyes. Neal! Where is Neal!
“Neal?” he croaks.
“Peter?” Don´t talk. Can you open your eyes?”
“Peter slowly opens his eyes. They made sure to dim the lights in the stable, so he isn´t blinded.
“Hey gorgeous. I guess you were dreaming, well, it sounded more like a nightmare. Are you in pain?”
Peter nods.
“I will take care of it. Remember, let your voice rest.”
“peter doesn´t understand until suddenly the click is there. Peggy must see the realization on his face. She laughs.
“Yes Peter, we were able to restore your voice. That moan was you. But please, the swelling is decreasing and I want it to go down some more before we try for you to talk, OK?” I will get you some pain medication.”
Peter nods again. He hears hooves and turns his head to see Neal walking in and laying down next to him. He slowly puts his head against Peter´s.
Peggy also enters an injects something in Peter´s IV. The pain almost immediately retreats and Peter feels much better.
* * *
“Peter, I want to do a final check-up before you can try to talk.”
Peter nods and looks up at Neal´s worried face.
Peggy checks his vitals, checks his vocal cords with a laryngoscope. When she finishes, she smiles and Peter let´s out a breath he has been holding. Peggy smiles.
“Hi…. Hi.” Peter says breathy.
Neal gasps and Peter looks at him, just in time to see tears spilling.
“Neal.”
Neal blinks against the tears.
“Neal.” Peter smiles;
He looks at John and Peggy and swallows against the lump in his throat.
“Thank you.”
Peggy kneels down next to him.
“Oh sweetheart, you are so welcome. Drink something. I know you have lots to talk about, but remember you are still healing.”
“Sure, can you free my arms?”
Peggy looks up at John, who hurries to comply. Peter sighs when he puts his arms in front of him.
“Can you free Neal as well?”
“Sure.”
Once Neal is free of his restraints, they fall into each other’s arms. Peter whispers something in Neal´s ear, who nods. Peggy and John leave them some privacy.
* * *
“So, you never entered the life voluntarily?”
“No, Neal and I were working undercover to take down a big player in the scene. I went in as an owner and Neal as a trainer. I don´t know what gave us away or who snitched on us, but we were taken from our hotel. When we woke up, it was in some stable.”
John and Peggy look shocked.
“That explains why we couldn´t find anything on you guys.”
“You researched us,”
“When you were brought in after the rescue, we assumed that you were just two stallions who got an abusive owner. We tried to find out about your history but we couldn´t find anything. We always assumed you were unfortunate victims, but we also assumed you entered the system legally and willingly. I´m sorry.”
“For what? You took great care of us. Look at Neal. I can´t thank you enough. You took us in and took care of us. You healed him, you took care of him, you took care of me.”
“It is our pleasure.”
Peggy turns to Neal.
“You are next, you OK with that?”
Neal nods.
“Good, I asked the team to prepare your surgery as soon as possible.”
Peter puts his arm around Neal, who leans into the touch.
“Is there someone we should contact? Family?”
Peter thinks and studies Neal.
“Not at the moment. We have been away so long…” Peter trails off, “or do you want us to leave now that we…”
“Peggy looks shocked.
“No, absolutely not. We love having you guys here. Our home is your home.” John states firmly.
“But is there nobody we should warn?”
Peter thinks, it is all a bit too much to comprehend. Rationally, he knows he should contact the FBI, but on the other hand, he wants Neal to have his voice back, before…Maybe he should take Neal to a renowned hospital. On the other hand the team that took care of him did a great job. He is not sure what to do. After all this time where he was not allowed to think and just had to react, it is difficult to take charge. He…
Neal puts his arms around him and kisses him gently. Peter knows what Neal wants to say. Relax, stop worrying. Everything will be alright.
“Do you want to sleep in the house? I mean, we can´t make you sleep in the stable now that we know you are not really into this.” Peggy sound uncomfortable and unsure.
Peter studies Neal who also looks unsure about the whole thing.
“Maybe it would be nice to sleep in a bed. Not that your stable is not comfortable. It…”
“It´s OK, you don´t need to explain. I will ready the guestroom. But There is only one double bed.”
“That´s fine, thanks.”
* * *
The next morning John gets up and goes downstairs to make some coffee. Peggy left early for a consult at a neighboring farm. John walks into the kitchen and can see the door to the stable is open. Neal and Peter are sleeping on their warm water bed in the soft hay.
John gives a small sad smile. They must have decided somewhere during the night that they were more comfortable in the stable.
please check out chapter 9.
Here is chapter 8, which can also be found on AO3.
Peter wakes to an uncomfortable feeling. He moans to give an out to the pain. He startles a bit by the sound. Someone must have heard him.
“It´s OK., Peter, I upped your pain meds. Try to relax, they will kick in soon. The operation went very well.”
Peter is shouting for them to leave Neal alone. For some reason, they have it in for Neal. They work them both hard, but Neal definitely gets the brunt of the abuse. They haven´t fed him for some time. He saw Neal pass out already twice. Blood has dried on his face and he is on his knees in front of his tormentors.
He isn´t broken yet, but Peter has a bad feeling it won´t take long anymore. He is really at his breaking point and the men working them over, realize it. They focus solely on Neal at the moment.
He can see one of the man take a baton and swing for Neal.
“NEAL! WATCH OUT!”
Neal ducks under the swing aimed for his arm. He stumbles upright and tries to run, but the lack of food and water is taking its toll. One of the guards tackles Neal and he hits his head hard when he goes down. He stays down, probably knocked out.
“NEAL! You son of a bitch. I…”
“You what?”
“I will fucking kill you. I…”
The man turns away and calls out to one of the other´s.
“I´m done with your yelling and warning this one.” He gives Neal a kick with his boot, but Neal stays limp, “get the vet.”
“They will find us, the FBI will not leave a stone unturned when you take two of their agents.”
The man gives a sinister laugh but doesn´t say anything. Peter struggles in his restraints. Whatever they are planning, it can´t be good.
“Bring him over and take the other one as well.”
When they come closer to unfasten him, Peter kicks out and hits one of the men in the thigh. The man´s howl sounds like music in his ears. But the victory is short lived when he feels a sting in his upper arm and the worlds just drops from underneath him.
When he wakes up, he feels that he is doped up. There is no real pain, well it is far away, distant. At the moment it is more like a discomfort.
Peter tries to make sense of it all. Where is he? What happened?
It isn´t until the stench of wet and molten straw assaults his sense of smell that he flights the drugged feeling and he tries to open his eyes. The first thing he sees, is Neal. He is on his side and he is pale as a sheet. He has vomited and there is a mess of blood and bile. Luckily, he is on his side or he could have suffocated.
“…”
Pain shoots through his throat when he tries to call out for Neal. But what makes his heart thump in his throat is that there was no sound only air displacement. Panic builds in his gut, his brain catching up with what has happened.
They cut his vocal cords and by the look of it, Neal´s as well. They are so screwed. This takes their kidnapping to a whole new level. These guys have no scruples. He needs to think. He takes a couple of deep breaths but for some reason, the anxiety keeps gnawing at him.
He tries to move closer to Neal and nudges him, but he is out cold. What worries him is Neal´s paleness and the flush on his cheeks. It appears that he has a fever.
Peter crawls closer and puts his face against Neal´s. He is shocked, Neal is burning up.
Peter staggers upright and starts kicking the door of the stable. It doesn´t take long before the stable door opens and two men enter. Peter points with his head towards Neal but one of the men already kneels next to Neal.
“Shit, he developed a fever. Cool him down.”
The other man grabs Peter´s stud chain and pulls it roughly, so Peter can only follow if he doesn´t want to be choked;
One of the other men has taken a bucket of water and dumps it over Neal, but he doesn´t respond at all.
Peter´s worry skyrockets.
“Fuck, call the vet back. The boss will be pissed if something happens to this one.”
Someone tries to rouse Neal and Peter wants to approach, but he is restrained against a wall while they keep trying to wake up Neal. A cattle prod is pushed against Neal´s side and he jolts awake. His mouth opening in a cry, but there is no sound. Peter can see that Neal´s eyes are unfocused from the ragging fever. He is pulled upright, but his legs are not carrying him and he drops down hard, blood and drool is seeping from his open mouth.. Peter is shouting but there is no sound leaving his lips.
* * *
Peter wakes up to pain. He mans without opening his eyes. Neal! Where is Neal!
“Neal?” he croaks.
“Peter?” Don´t talk. Can you open your eyes?”
“Peter slowly opens his eyes. They made sure to dim the lights in the stable, so he isn´t blinded.
“Hey gorgeous. I guess you were dreaming, well, it sounded more like a nightmare. Are you in pain?”
Peter nods.
“I will take care of it. Remember, let your voice rest.”
“peter doesn´t understand until suddenly the click is there. Peggy must see the realization on his face. She laughs.
“Yes Peter, we were able to restore your voice. That moan was you. But please, the swelling is decreasing and I want it to go down some more before we try for you to talk, OK?” I will get you some pain medication.”
Peter nods again. He hears hooves and turns his head to see Neal walking in and laying down next to him. He slowly puts his head against Peter´s.
Peggy also enters an injects something in Peter´s IV. The pain almost immediately retreats and Peter feels much better.
* * *
“Peter, I want to do a final check-up before you can try to talk.”
Peter nods and looks up at Neal´s worried face.
Peggy checks his vitals, checks his vocal cords with a laryngoscope. When she finishes, she smiles and Peter let´s out a breath he has been holding. Peggy smiles.
“Hi…. Hi.” Peter says breathy.
Neal gasps and Peter looks at him, just in time to see tears spilling.
“Neal.”
Neal blinks against the tears.
“Neal.” Peter smiles;
He looks at John and Peggy and swallows against the lump in his throat.
“Thank you.”
Peggy kneels down next to him.
“Oh sweetheart, you are so welcome. Drink something. I know you have lots to talk about, but remember you are still healing.”
“Sure, can you free my arms?”
Peggy looks up at John, who hurries to comply. Peter sighs when he puts his arms in front of him.
“Can you free Neal as well?”
“Sure.”
Once Neal is free of his restraints, they fall into each other’s arms. Peter whispers something in Neal´s ear, who nods. Peggy and John leave them some privacy.
* * *
“So, you never entered the life voluntarily?”
“No, Neal and I were working undercover to take down a big player in the scene. I went in as an owner and Neal as a trainer. I don´t know what gave us away or who snitched on us, but we were taken from our hotel. When we woke up, it was in some stable.”
John and Peggy look shocked.
“That explains why we couldn´t find anything on you guys.”
“You researched us,”
“When you were brought in after the rescue, we assumed that you were just two stallions who got an abusive owner. We tried to find out about your history but we couldn´t find anything. We always assumed you were unfortunate victims, but we also assumed you entered the system legally and willingly. I´m sorry.”
“For what? You took great care of us. Look at Neal. I can´t thank you enough. You took us in and took care of us. You healed him, you took care of him, you took care of me.”
“It is our pleasure.”
Peggy turns to Neal.
“You are next, you OK with that?”
Neal nods.
“Good, I asked the team to prepare your surgery as soon as possible.”
Peter puts his arm around Neal, who leans into the touch.
“Is there someone we should contact? Family?”
Peter thinks and studies Neal.
“Not at the moment. We have been away so long…” Peter trails off, “or do you want us to leave now that we…”
“Peggy looks shocked.
“No, absolutely not. We love having you guys here. Our home is your home.” John states firmly.
“But is there nobody we should warn?”
Peter thinks, it is all a bit too much to comprehend. Rationally, he knows he should contact the FBI, but on the other hand, he wants Neal to have his voice back, before…Maybe he should take Neal to a renowned hospital. On the other hand the team that took care of him did a great job. He is not sure what to do. After all this time where he was not allowed to think and just had to react, it is difficult to take charge. He…
Neal puts his arms around him and kisses him gently. Peter knows what Neal wants to say. Relax, stop worrying. Everything will be alright.
“Do you want to sleep in the house? I mean, we can´t make you sleep in the stable now that we know you are not really into this.” Peggy sound uncomfortable and unsure.
Peter studies Neal who also looks unsure about the whole thing.
“Maybe it would be nice to sleep in a bed. Not that your stable is not comfortable. It…”
“It´s OK, you don´t need to explain. I will ready the guestroom. But There is only one double bed.”
“That´s fine, thanks.”
* * *
The next morning John gets up and goes downstairs to make some coffee. Peggy left early for a consult at a neighboring farm. John walks into the kitchen and can see the door to the stable is open. Neal and Peter are sleeping on their warm water bed in the soft hay.
John gives a small sad smile. They must have decided somewhere during the night that they were more comfortable in the stable.
please check out chapter 9.