Title: Scarlet Bound Titanium [Power Rangers LightSpeed] 1/2
Main Post
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Yes, you need to get out more and this will be fun,” Dana added as she hugged her brother from behind.
Ryan just swallowed hard before turning toward Carter, “Fun? That’s a lot of people,” he added as he turned back toward the club they were standing outside of.
Carter had to admit that it was a lot of people. It was Friday night and the line out the door reached halfway down the block. From what little they could see, the inside of the near windowless building looked full. And Ryan still looked like he was overwhelmed in the Aquabase’s mess hall some times, “We’ll be right there with you. Give it a half hour and if it’s still too much, we’ll split, deal?” he offered as he wrapped his own arm around the younger ranger.
“Half an hour?” Ryan asked glancing between Carter and the club before he nodded and looked resolute toward the building. “Okay. I can do this.”
“Dang man, we’re not fighting demons, it’s just a club. Lighten up or no one’s going to come near you. Smile,” Joel offered his advice as he, Kelsey and Chad headed for the front of the line, flashing the bouncer a toothy grin before walking right in.
“Smile, right,” Ryan repeated as he gave Carter another look, “I can do this.”
“Yes, you can, Ryan,” Carter said giving Ryan a smile.
“Carter’s right, now lets go before you change your mind,” Dana said before she all but shoved her brother and Carter into the club, as the bouncer just waved the Rangers through.
And if not for Carter’s arm about his shoulder, Ryan would have run right back out once he saw the mass of people packed into the space.
The sunken dance floor didn’t look as if it could hold a single person more and Ryan wasn’t sure how Joel and Kelsey made managed to get on it so fast. Even the raised table filled back half of the club, which looked almost empty next to the dance floor, was filled with only a handful of empty seats scattered about.
Ryan really wanted to turn around and run back out, “Having so many people in here has to be breaking a fire code, doesn’t it?” he yelled over the thumping music hoping the firefighter in Carter would help him get out of here but the Red Ranger only smiled.
“Nope, that’s why they have the line so they don’t end up with too many people,” Carter told him somehow not yelling but still making himself heard over the noise before he started pulling Ryan toward the side and up a spiral staircase as Dana broke off in another direction. “I think the VIP section will be less crowded.”
“I don’t see how it could be more crowded,” Ryan threw out trying to keep track of all the other rangers and still hear Carter over the music, missing Carter’s smile.
“Good point. Well, welcome to the VIP area, less people and better view,” Carter announced when they exited the top of the stairs to a long balcony that over looked the rest of the club two floors below.
“Not as loud too,” Ryan commented as he lets out a breath glancing at the three other people up here with them, and ignoring them, before looking back at Carter, “Thanks. Hordes of demons; no problem, few dozen people; problem,” he said with a half smile.
“After 15 years of sharing a whole dimension with only five others it’s going to take some time to adjust,” Carter said, not for the first time.
“Yeah,” Ryan just agreed before turning his eyes down toward the crowd below them but he glanced back up a moment later when he saw someone walking toward them.
It was a woman wearing a form fitting and low cut dress that looked to match her shoulder length dark hair at first but as she moved close and it caught the light of one of the strobe light it turned a deep blue before looking black again when the light moved on.
“Hello, Sirs and welcome back to Club Dual Mr. Grayson,” the woman greeted Carter before turning toward Ryan, “and it’s a pleasure to have you here Mr. Mitchell. My name is Brianna and I want to make sure you understand that if there’s anything you want or need you have but to ask and I will see to it, drinks” she explained gesturing a tray full of drinks being carried by a young man that just seemed to appear next to her, a feat more impressive given the sliver shirt he wore that seemed to shimmer and catch every stray light near him, “we can also make light snacks to order. And should you want company you need just point them out and they will be invited to join you up here Sirs,” Brianna went on motioning to the dance floor.
“Your Fireman’s' brew, Brunette, Sir,” the server said the moment Brianna was done. He held out the tall glass filled with the dark beer to Carter
“You remembered, thanks Andrew,” Carter said as he took the glass giving the man a smile in return.
“We do our best Sir,” Andrew responded smiling even brighter then before. “And you Sir,” he asked turning toward Ryan.
“I uh, I’ll have the same as Carter if I could,” Ryan requested as he looked at the tray full of unfamiliar opinions.
“Right away Sir,” Andrew answered before vanishing through a doorway discreetly hidden a few feet away before reappearing moments later with his tray empty save for a tall glass just like Carter’s. “Your beer Sir. And if you need or want anything else you have but to ask Sir,” he said as he lowered himself to one knee presenting the tray, and drink, to Ryan.
“Thank you,” Ryan said to Andrew as he took the glass, clearing his throat looking toward Carter before turning back to Andrew, “I’m good for now, again, thanks,” Ryan
Carter just smirked, drinking his own lager while Andrew nodded before rising and backing away, “Smooth,” he added with a chuckle.
“I wasn’t expecting that. It doesn’t happen often, right? I mean you don’t…” Ryan trailed off not sure what to say.
“Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, you’re an attractive, eligible Dom and a Ranger. The only reason you don’t get more offers is you’re not always the most approachable,” Carter answered with a humorous smile.
“What? Really? How do you deal with it?” Ryan asked unhappily as he looked down at the floor below them seeing all three of the other Rangers were dancing or talking with someone, or multiple some ones.
“They know it’s a long shot when they ask. I’m sure Andrew wasn’t suspired when you didn’t take his offer but he didn’t lose anything by trying. And who knows, you could have said yes, you still can. So don’t worry about it and try your drink,” Carter said taking a swallow from his own glass.
Ryan looked down at the floor below them for a moment more before he turned back toward Carter and took a small sip “Chocolate? I thought he said it was beer?” Ryan asked in surprise at the taste
“He did,” Carter said with a chuckle before taking another drink from his own glass, “It’s a double bock which means it’s sweet and some darker ones, like this one, taste a bit chocolaty,” he explained holding up the glass. “It also means it has a bit more alcohol but we don’t need to worry about that,” he added smirking.
“It’s better than the beer we had at the bar Joel picked out,” Ryan commented taking another drink enjoying the taste.
“Well that was a country bar; they normally don’t have a lot of lagers. Lagers are broad sub-category of beer,” Carter added to his explanation at Ryan’s puzzled look.
“Are you teaching my brother about beer? Really Carter,” Dana mock scolded as she came up the stairs, “What next, cruising for subs together?” she asked smiling.
“It doesn’t look like I’ll be the one teaching him that,” Carter joked back as he caught sight of the man following behind her, “Good to see you getting out of the infirmary, Robert,” he told the Aquabase’s principal medical doctor.
“Just because you never date doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t,” Dana said back as she led her date to one of the armchairs by the railing.
“Hello, Sirs,” was all Robert said as he dropped down to the floor in front of the seat and snuggled his compacted wiry form between her legs facing out.
Carter and Ryan watched as Dana ruffled the doctor’s hair as Andrew appeared next to the medical professionals with two drinks on his tray.
“Just how long have they been together?” Ryan asked as he watched his sister and her date talking.
“I’m not sure if they were together when Lightspeed recruited me and the others but they were definitely together when you showed up,” Carter answered as he thought back before turning toward Ryan, “but I don’t think it’s too serious for now, he won’t be wearing a collar any time soon, not that Dana would offer it until after Bansheera gone anyways” he added.
“You think…he would wear a collar?” Ryan asked as he looked over at the doctor. Frowning as he watched Robert massaging the Pink Ranger’s feet and legs giving them light kisses every so often all while she chatted with Brianna.
“Maybe, but lets not worry about it tonight you need to relax, let see if any of the subs down there look interesting,” Carter suggested leaning over the railing.
“Yeah, sure Carter,” Ryan said giving the doctor one last look before he joined Carter at the railing.
“And it looked like Dana’s not the only one having fun tonight,” Carter said as he pointed to where Kelsey was letting a couple latch something around her neck.
“What is that?” Ryan asked as he looked from Kelsey to Carter confused.
“Pretty sure it’s a night chain,” Carter answered, starting to turn back to the crowd but stopped when he realized Ryan still looked confused, “it like a collar but only for the night. They’re normally chain necklaces, something simple and easier to tell everyone that Kelsey’s off-limits unless you ask them first. For tonight,” Carter added.
“Kelsey could take them both without even having to morph,” Ryan told Carter before trying taking a closer look at the couple, seeing if he’d missed anything.
“I don’t doubt it, which is why I’m not worried,” Carter said as he went back to scanning the crowd.
“She’s not a Dom, but she could take them both…,” Ryan just whispered watching the women lead Kelsey down toward the dance floor.
“Kelsey as a Dom?” Carter said hiding his laugh under the guise of a cough before taking a drink, “I just can’t…ever see her enjoying that.”
“But she’s so strong,” Ryan questioned still watching Kelsey while sipping at his drink
“Yes, she is, but could you really see her as a Dom?” Carter asked his fellow Ranger.
“I…I don’t know,” Ryan answered as he looked from the Yellow Ranger to Carter then to his sister.
“Do you think she’d enjoy being like Dana? Just relaxing and let someone else pamper her after a hard day?” Carter asked as he looked over at Dana who was talking with someone as her submissive was still lovingly kneading her legs. It first it looked like she was completely unaware of him but then during a pause in her conversation she leaned forward and kissed Robert whispering something neither of the men could hear but caused Robert to smile before she went back to her chat.
“She’d get bored wouldn’t she,” Ryan said not really asking as he looked away from his sister.
“She wouldn’t last an hour. And her personality is nothing like the Captain or Dr. Fairweather so there’s no way that would work for her,” Carter explained. “She just wouldn’t have fun having to check not only her own impulses but someone else’s to, nothing wrong with that.”
“Nothing wrong,” Ryan just repeated softly to himself before finishing his glass in one shot, “did you see where Andrew went?”
“I think he’s in the back,” Carter answered, looking toward curtain covered doorway and raised his voice, “Andrew.” The Red Ranger called.
“Did you need something, Sir?” Andrew asked as he responded to the call within moments to stand before the two men.
Ryan shifted nervously before clearing his throat when Carter looked his way and Andrew, despite having his head and eyes bowed and unable to see the move turned his way as well. “I need a refill please. And you said something about light snacks?” he requested from the submissive.
“Yes, Sir. We have assortment of snacks I can bring you, did you have something in mind or would you like a menu,” Andrew responded, this time glancing up at Ryan, just in time to see Ryan shoot Carter his own questioning look.
“Some chicken wings and potato wedges would be great,” Carter answered with a broad smile, handing over his glass when Andrew reached out for Ryan’s.
“Coming right up Sir,” the young man said before vanishing once more.
Ryan turned back toward the crowds below them, letting his eyes drift over them trying and take it all in as they waited for Andrew to return.
“So what did you do with all your time?” Carter asked suddenly, keeping his own eyes in the dance floor.
“You mean…?” Ryan inquired in return; wanting to make sure the Red Ranger was asking what it sounded like he was.
“With Diabolico and the others. Fifteen years is a long time and you were a kid. What did you do with all your time?” Carter said, confirming that he was asking what Ryan thought he was asking.
“I trained, a lot,” Ryan answered honestly thinking back on his life. His first memories of the demon’s dimension was of fighting, first Batlings, then Loki and Vypra and finally once he was ready, sparring with Diabolico himself. He was still proud of that distinction, of earning that right even if he never won. “Fight a lot.”
“What did you do for fun? You know, relax?” Carter asked, pressing for more details with an easy smile what showed his curiosity.
“We didn’t…Demons aren’t like humans. They don’t…relax,” Ryan answered at last before bracing himself for the look of pity he knew was coming just like when he’d told his sister something similar.
“Well then it’s a good thing you have us to make up for Diabolico being a bad parent,” Carter answered his smile wider as he draped an arm over the Titanium Ranger’s shoulders. “Now let’s go see what’s taking those drinks so long then invite some subs up here to dance.”
Ryan smiled back, he couldn’t help himself, just leaning into Carter’s shoulder feeling less out of place then before but even more unsure of just what his place was; but tonight…he’s just follow Carter’s lead and deal with the rest later.
***
Right punch, left arc kick, left punch right punch, side kick- no front kick he growled at himself stomping his foot down harder then he needed to in frustration at the mistake.
It was the third time he’s failed to complete the kata this morning and it wasn’t even one of the more difficult ones Diabolico had taught him. But it did require focus and right now he couldn’t, not on training anyways.
Not after last night, but he had to train anyways.
The more time he spent in the human world the more and more it just confused him. So many people and the rules were so different it was just baffling. And that was the wrong punch this time, he needed to clear his head and that wasn’t going to happen here he knew as he glanced around at all the others working out, they always gave him and the other Rangers their space but he could see the curiosity and even worry from the other base personal.
He was never this bad at his morning routines and they knew it. He needed to get out of here and just think.
***
“Hey, Alex, spot me?” Carter asked as he slipped the last round weight into the barbell just as the corporal walked over to where the Red Ranger was going thought his workout.
“Of course Sir,” Alex answered at once, stepping behind the weight bench to spot Carter who was lying down on the bench.
“Thanks,” Carter said before starting his bench presses.
Three sets and a few minutes later Alex was fidgeting and looking more and more uncomfortable until Carter just had to do something about it, “what’s wrong Alex?” He asked standing up and facing the nervous man.
“Sir?” Alex asked almost jumping in surprise.
“You weren’t coming over here to offer to spot for me and whatever it is you did want is making you nervous, obviously,” Carter dropped a hand on Alex’s shoulder forcing the man to stop moving around, “something you want to get off your chest?” Carter asked looking the submissive in the eyes.
“Yes, Sir, and no, Sir,” Alex answered conflicted, “there is something I want to ask, tell you, but it’s personal but not about me so…I feel like I’m going behind one Dom’s back to another and that feels wrong Sir,” Alex said at last.
“I can understand that Alex and in general I’d agree if you have something personal to talk about you talk to the person, Dom or sub, it’s about; but your worried about whatever it is aren’t you?” Carter asked stopping only long enough for Alex to nod, “is it a matter of safety, someone in danger?” this time Alex hesitated for a moment before he shook his head at the question. “Well your coming to me so it’s about one of the other Rangers?” another nod, “then your not going to a Dom, you’re going to their team leader and if there is something to be worried about, I should know,” Carter finished and then watched the other man as Alex thought about it for a moment.
“Well then Sir, it’s about the Titanium Ranger,” Alex started to explain.
“Ryan?” Carter asked surprised.
“Yes Sir, he was in here earlier for his morning workout, only…he didn’t seem able to do it. He seemed out of it and then he just took off. A few of us were worried about him,” Alex confided in Carter.
“He didn’t finish his workout, yeah that is odd for him. Thanks for letting me know Alex. I’m sure he’s okay but I’ll check into it,” Carter said thinking back to the night before to try and figure out what may have happened, if anything.
“We just hope he’s okay. We know he’s had a hard life but he’s Lightspeed now Sir.”
“And we look after each other,” Carter added with a smile ,”I’ll let you know what I can but first I need to find him,” the Ranger stopped for a moment before smiling a bit more, “and I think I know where to look.”
***
Ryan just ran, just letting one foot drop in front of the other without thought.
This he could do even with the pitiful focus he had today. Unfortunately the scenery around him was doing nothing to help him regain his lost concentration.
Mariner Bay’s main park was filled with people. Couples, families, and individuals, far more crowded than it was during his normal crack of dawn or middle of the night runs and for the first time Ryan felt like he was really seeing them. Really seeing how they interacted with each other.
By the picnic table a woman was laying out a morning snack of fruits and vegetables for her family, something he had seen before but how his eyes were drawn to the well worn collar around her neck.
At the water fountain a teen boy was kneeling presenting a simple plastic cup already filled to a girl around his age; even after the boy ducked his head Ryan could tell he was grinning madly when the girl took the glass and bent down to give him a peck on the check before taking a drink.
A father wrestling with his kids and losing as the three small children ‘overpowered’ the large adult bring his to the ground and today Ryan saw the chain and pendant about his neck and realized what it likely was.
He knew that submitting was a choice to humans. He knew that even when he had fought for Diabolico and not with his family, he’d seen it as a weakness as did the Demons. To submit was to be weak, to be unable to force the other to submit to you. And that may be true for demons but plainly not for humans.
It clearly wasn’t that way for them. Proof was all around him but he’d never really see it, not until last night. Ryan stopped himself and just looked around him. People who were making a choice to serve and please others, and there was nothing wrong with it, which meant that he-
“You okay Ryan?”
Ryan knew he jumped as he spun around toward his friend’s voice. He’d been so lost in his thought’s he hadn’t even realized anyone was near him, heck Bansheera herself could have snuck up on him giving how distracted he was and that wasn’t good. “Carter! I’m good, I’m fine.”
“If you say so Ryan,” Carter just said calmly as he started to slowly walk down the foot path they were standing on.
Ryan just forced himself to take a deep, centering breath before he started to follow him down the trail copying Carter’s jog when the Red Ranger picked up the pace.
And all he could think about was that Carter didn’t jog, he didn’t run. He didn’t like it. Carter likes sparing, lifting and scenarios but he was running now because…of him
“Alright you win, everything’s not fine,” Ryan said as he slowed to a stop when he realized Carter was just waiting him out.
“I know,” Carter answered, breathing a bit hard as he also slowed and then walked back toward Ryan, “you want to talk about it.”
“If I say no does it means more running,” Ryan asked as he headed toward one of the water fountains.
“Yep, I’m hoping you don’t say no,” Carter said with a smile.
“I’m just…it’s still an adjustment. Living in the human world, that’s all,” Ryan admitted as before getting some water.
“It’s only been a month Ryan; it’s a lot to relearn and being on the base all the time isn’t helping. Military bases, especially one like the Aquabase, aren’t the best place to learn about humans. Or human interactions.”
“How?” Ryan asked as he gave Carter a sharp look, how did he know was it was.
“I know something at the club last night have to be that’s throw you for a loop. I don’t know what but I can tell something did. And given it’s still on your mind this morning I’d say it’s something big,” Carter explained as he lead Ryan toward an empty bench and took a seat. “So what was it?”
“Do you know how who’s dominant and who’s not is decided between demons?” Ryan asked as he sat down next to Carter resisting the urge to reach out and do something he was fairly sure Carter wouldn’t appreciate.
“No, I can’t say I do. The demons don’t share much and I hadn’t really thought about it since they’re all adults and it’s fairly clear who’s in charge,” Carter confessed to his friend.
“It’s not, not really but I’ll save that for later. I need to get this out and…and you need to know this. I need you to know this,” Ryan forced himself to say glancing at the fountain visible over Carter’s shoulder, but no, his dry mouth had nothing to do with being thirsty.
“Anything you need Ryan, I’m here for you,” Carter said as he patted Ryan’s leg in support to try and comfort him.
Ryan closed his eyes for a moment as he felt the touch. Carter touched him more than anyone other than his Sister and had since he joined the Rangers; but now knowing what he knew, it felt so different…better. And that’s why he needed to Carter to know, if he could just get it out.
“I know and that’s part of it. But first the Demons,” Ryan said after a long moment and a deep breath.
“Okay Ryan, so how do Demons figure out if they’re Doms or subs since I’m guessing they don’t have high school and college,” Carter asked, trying to keep his tone light.
“Yeah, not high school,” Ryan actually felt the laugh he let out, even if it was brief, “And they don’t figure it out like you-us. It’s about power, plain and simple. Those with it control those with less of it and those without any belong on the bottom,” Ryan explained gluing his eyes to the ground before him as he remembered all the lessons on the subject. How it felt the first time he beat a Batling and proved he didn’t belong on the bottom to Diabolico, how it felt to go toe to toe with Vypra and Loki.
“So they don’t- it’s just a fight to the top?” Carter asked baffled by what Ryan was telling him.
“Yes, that’s why the Star Power is such a big deal. Diabolico is still one of the most powerful Demons without it, but Vypra and Loki aren’t that much weaker than him. With it Vypra and Loki can’t take him even trying to work together, Bansheera is the only one that can match him and since the Star Power a reflection of her power…she’s the Queen for a reason,” Ryan finished explaining finally lifting his eyes to Carter.
“Your whole life you’ve had to…wow,” Carter said as he fell back against the bench just staring ahead for a second before he reached over and pulled Ryan into a short hug, “I had no idea just how much…no wonder this world seems so different.”
“Yes well it is different but before last night,” Ryan started before stopping just relaxing into the arm Carter still had wrapped around him, “before last night I didn’t realize how much. Fighting has never been a choice. Letting someone else take charge was never…” he trailed off not sure how to go on as he looked up at Carter, meeting the Red Ranger’s eyes.
“Lightspeed has a hierarchy like the Demons, just not violent, which means you didn’t,” Carter said as much to himself as anyone as everything started to click, “and last night at the club, Kelsey, Robert, everyone else…”
Ryan could see the suddenly understanding in Carter’s eyes even as the Dom’s voice drop off. Then he felt Carter’s arm shifted, cupping his head as he was pulled in closer, “You’re not really a Dom are you?”
The words were calm and soothing and just what Ryan needed to hear, to say, but he knew he couldn’t do that himself just yet but he could agree, “No, I don’t think I am.” He didn’t want to let Carter go but just forced himself to a moment later, “I’ve just always thought I had to be.”
“And everyone assuming you were. Treating you like you were, that didn’t help, did it,” Carter said with an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay Carter, you didn’t know…I don’t think I even knew. I just…I thought I was one of them, had to be like them, and then it had been so long since I’d ever thought about it, I didn’t question it,” Ryan said slowly getting everything out. He felt as if the world had been lifted from his shoulders, a weight only noticeable when its’ presence was gone and he felt relieved as he just leaned back on the bench.
“What you are is up to you Ryan, no one else. The high school comment may have been a joke but it’s also true. A lot of us spend most of those years figure out who we are. You didn’t get that,” Carter reassured Ryan.
“I bet you didn’t. You’re too natural at being a Dom, Carter,” Ryan replied then frowned turning his head toward Carter, “I should be calling you Sir shouldn’t I.” he asked.
“You don’t have to,” Carter told his friend, “Joel, Kelsey and Chad don’t and most of the subs, and Doms, on the base don’t do it because I’m a Dom, they call me sir because I’m the Red Ranger which means I outrank them and Lightspeed is part military,” Carter explained with a smile.
“And in the city…they all seemed to call you Sir,” Ryan said remembering Andrew from the night before, making the choice to ignore the way the memory of the sub smiling at Carter made him feel.
“I’m the Red Ranger and well, they were flirting, with both of us,” Carter answered, ruffling Ryan’s hair with a smile.
Ryan smiled at the feeling of Carter’s hands in his hair just letting himself relax even more, “So if I wanted to-“
*BEEB BEEB*
“Carter here,” the Red Ranger called into his morpher before the “Beebs” that had cut Ryan off had fully faded while Ryan was up on his feet looking around them to make sure their area was clear.
“We have detected a monster in the Historic District.”
Part Two