Fic: Tangled 12/14
Title - Tangled
Characters - Danny/Steve, Kono, Chin, OC's (Rick Steadman, Kau'i Keahi, John Dawson, Michael Petersen)
Rating - NC17
Warnings - BDSM, established Dom/sub relationships, torture, abuse, dark themes, slash
Summary - A case hits close to home as the team work to track down an attacker who has a personal vendetta against Richard Steadman.
A/N - Sequel to - ' Wear No Disguise'. A revised version of this fic I began months ago. Has had some scenes removed and is a completed work.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten : Eleven : Twelve : Thirteen : Fourteen
~
(Two Weeks Later)
Rick still wasn't happy about it, but he parked the car in the driveway and cast Kau'i a wary glance. He'd said little on the drive over from the hotel. Physically he was doing much better, body healing as it should be and he'd spoken to his office saying he'd return to work the following week, though they assured him his case load was covered. Rick couldn't tell him what to do, but if he had his way, he'd keep him safe with him somewhere, away from anyone or anything that could hurt him. But he knew he couldn't wrap Kau'i up in cotton wool or keep him a prisoner of his possessive tendencies.
"You sure about this?" Rick asked to get his attention. Kau'i turned to him with a genuine smile, looking out to the house before reaching out and resting a hand on his cheek.
"About coming home?" Kau'i asked with a grin. "I'm pretty sure this is where I want to be."
Rick had suggested they rent a beach house, Kau'i had brushed off the idea. Their stay at the hotel had been long enough, though money wasn't a problem, Kau'i knew it was an extravagance they didn't need to continue indulging in. Rick wasn't one to brag or show off in any extreme way about how rich he was, nor did he lord it over him about his wealth, he didn't to anyone. He owned flash cars, a large mansion, uptown apartments and had recently enquired about purchasing a yacht, but he didn't go throwing his money around like confetti in peoples faces. Kau'i had had to argue his way into paying for some of the bills despite Rick's protests.
Rick had already been back to the house over the last weeks and it had taken a few fingers of scotch for him to go back to the cell and put it to rights. All the while the haunting presence of what had happened to Kau'i had plagued his thoughts. He'd returned the cell to its usual setting, before drawing the blind on the window, shutting off the light and inter-com and locking the door securely. The key was in his safe, but he wasn't sure he'd ever allow it to be used again.
Even in their own private play room, nearby the bedroom, Rick had pushed the andrews cross he had in there to one side. It was rare they played with it any way, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of seeing Kau'i tied to something like it again. He wasn't sure about anything anymore concerning that part of their relationship. But it had been an eye opening experience realising just how connected they were, how strong their bond of love for one another was after the last month or so. That stripping away everything that their relationship had consisted of, no titles or roles to play, just them was enough. He knew he'd never loved anyone the way he loved Kau'i and that that love was returned so deeply was something he truly treasured.
For the rest of the day he shadowed Kau'i all around the house, sitting with him while he ate, watched TV, made phone calls, sat by the pool. At first Kau'i had been okay with his constant presence but eventually he sighed and turned to him with a soft but reproachful look.
"Rick, you can't guard me forever," he told him gently. "We need to get back to normal and I don't remember you following me everywhere I went before the attack happened."
"I just," Rick said solemnly. "I'm sorry but, it's your first day back baby. I need to see you're okay."
"You want me to be honest?" Kau'i asked him, moving closer. "I'm glad I'm home, but I'm also nervous okay? I want to be here but I'm glad you're around. I'm not sure how I'll be when I'm here by myself but that wasn't very often any way with me out all day at the office and you working from home. I appreciate you're worried but I need to face this fear for myself, knowing you're there for me but not holding my hand twenty four seven. I rely on you, but I can't expect you to carry me and shield me from everything and you'll end up resenting me for it. And I'll end up hating your constant watchfulness."
Rick nodded with a grim smile. Kau'i was right, they needed to get back to normal, at least sort of.
"You’re right, I'm sorry," Rick agreed. "Just indulge me for today okay? I've got nothing else to do. Tomorrow I've got two clients coming over in the afternoon so I'll be out of your hair but still in the house."
"Good," Kau'i smiled with a nod. "You're getting back into work?"
"If I keep filtering them off to other people I'll not have anyone left who'll want my services," Rick explained teasingly.
"You'll always have me," Kau'i smiled and there was a look in his eyes, one of promise and hope. Since the attack they'd not been very physical, some heavy kissing and petting but nothing more.
At first he'd been okay with it, but more and more he was needing their physical relationship to go back to normal as their daily lives were. Rick seemed more reluctant than he was to get intimate, especially as his Dom. Even as he spoke Rick flinched and pulled back a little, guarded, when all Kau'i wanted him to do was pin him to the counter and kiss him possessively and hungrily. Kau'i sighed and sank back against the counter, understanding fully. He wasn't even sure how he'd react if Rick suddenly launched into full Dominant mode, but even a sprinkling of it would be nice to settle that part of him that needed to submit. He stared at Rick wondering how they were going to get past this barrier that had erected itself between them when it came to sliding into their roles. If he let David break that, like he'd tried to break him, then that meant he won. And the bastard wasn't going to get away with it.
"Will you take me upstairs?" Kau'i asked quietly. Since they'd gotten home they'd wandered the downstairs from room to room, four hours and neither of them had ventured up stairs. Their bags still lay in the front lobby. Rick swallowed down and looked at him sharply, about to make an excuse not to venture up there. "Please Rick. We can't hide down here forever, this is our home, we need to get past this."
Rick set down the bottle of water he'd been drinking from and gave a reluctant sigh, squaring his shoulders and turning away from him.
"Okay," he surrendered.
Kau'i smiled, reaching out to him before he walked away, sliding his hand into his. Rick may have been reluctant in taking the Dominant role but Kau'i was determined to make him remember and feel his role all the same, as leader and protector of him. He lagged a little behind, just to feel the pull as Rick took him into the hall to the stairs. Rick led them up to the top balcony, Kau'i fell silent, remembering the last time he walked those stairs. He'd arrived home, finding the house empty and had short cutted through the cell rooms to get to their wing. Rick led them the long way around, the doors to the cell rooms firmly closed and Kau'i tightened his fingers into his as they neared the Master suite.
That was where David had been waiting for him.
Rick turned the handle and pushed the door open. It was still bright outside and the blinds were drawn back, flooding the room with light. Kau'i remembered thinking he'd shower, change and wait for Rick to come home.
He let go of Rick's hand and wandered around the room. There was changes, little changes that would be missed to anyone not familiar with it. Because it was their private room where nobody but themselves, a maid and John ever ventured. Usually there was a constant reminder of their roles for him to focus on. Chains or bondage ropes hanging from the posts of the bed, his wrist and ankle cuffs were always slung over the headrest for quick retrieval. All were missing. He turned away from the bed to look at the wall opposite, where usually a crop, paddle, flogger and cane hung as a reminder of his fate if he was disobedient. He wondered if he crossed to the small cupboard in the corner where they kept toys and supplies, if that would be bare also.
He scoured the room with his eyes, taking in all the losses, like their roles had been stripped away, searching for the one thing he'd been missing more than anything. It was a relief to see the dark mahogany box sitting on the dresser where it usually sat. He went to it, picking it up and opening it just to make sure his collar was still there. He turned to Rick with a soft but accusing expression.
"Rick, why -," he started, waving a hand around the room in disappointment.
"I just wasn't sure what you would be ready for baby," Rick said to him, drawing closer.
"You've taken everything away," Kau'i said solemnly, fingering the collar where it lay curled in its velvet surroundings.
"No, not away," Rick said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Just out of sight. To be honest when I came here the first time after what had happened, alone, I couldn't bear to look at them, that's why I put it all way."
"But it represents us," Kau'i implored quietly. "It's who we are."
"It isn't all that we are," Rick shook his head, hand trailing up to cup his neck. "It's part of who we are to each other. But it isn't everything."
"I don't want to lose you," Kau'i said fearfully. "But it's like you don't want that part of us back. And I get it Rick, I do, you're afraid, so am I. But I never realised until now just how much being a submissive is part of me, how much I enjoy living with that part of me, submitting to you, having you in my life as my partner and my Dominant. I know it's going to be hard but I can't stand the idea of that not consisting anymore."
"Hey look at me," Rick said to him firmly, fingers framing his face to make him focus on him. "That is still part of us okay? It's just going to take time for me to trust that part of me, because I need to make sure you aren't going to be suddenly bombarded with memories of what he did to you. Part of my job, as your lover, your partner, your Dominant, is making sure you're in the safest of hands, physically, emotionally, mentally. You're still my pet baby, I still own you and you still own me but I need us to take things slow, understand?"
"Yes Sir, I understand," Kau'i said quietly, enjoying the small hint of power reaching Rick's eyes as he explained himself and was replied to so meekly.
"I love you," Rick told him, leaning in and kissing him firmly.
"I love you too," Kau'i replied when his mouth was relinquished, lips left tingling and tasting of his Dom.
"Later, if you really want, you can get things back out," Rick assured him. "Just don't rush okay?"
"Okay," Kau'i agreed with a small nod. "Maybe, later, I can wear this too?"
He held out the box to him hopefully and Rick brushed fingers down his face with a warm smile. "I'll put it on you tonight, I promise baby."
~
“You said things would change for them,” David said bitterly over the telephone. “That this would break him.”
“You think this hasn’t affected him in some way?” His Master replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “You have to be patient boy. What were you expecting? Richard Steadman to become some emotional wreck? I doubt since your - visit - that things have gone smoothly for him and his relationship with his pet. It isn’t what you did physically David, though you did a beautiful job, but the mental and emotional torment which will take its toll. Understand?”
“Yes Sir,” David replied meekly, still thrumming with impatience. He wanted to hear news of Richard falling apart, not of him continuing on as if what had happened was a mere bump in the road. Thoughts turned to himself and his new Master, of their continued separation. “When can I come to see you? I miss you Master.”
“I miss you too,” came the honest reply, carrying a dark undertone of just what his Master missed about his presence. “Have you been a good boy, pet?”
“Yes Sir,” David sighed regretfully. Three weeks of chastity was becoming increasingly frustrating, but he knew the consequences if he disobeyed his Master’s strict instructions on that score.
“Good,” His Master replied, sounding pleased. “Give me a few days to ensure you’d be safe to come back to me. Then I’ll send for you.”
Characters - Danny/Steve, Kono, Chin, OC's (Rick Steadman, Kau'i Keahi, John Dawson, Michael Petersen)
Rating - NC17
Warnings - BDSM, established Dom/sub relationships, torture, abuse, dark themes, slash
Summary - A case hits close to home as the team work to track down an attacker who has a personal vendetta against Richard Steadman.
A/N - Sequel to - ' Wear No Disguise'. A revised version of this fic I began months ago. Has had some scenes removed and is a completed work.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten : Eleven : Twelve : Thirteen : Fourteen
~
(Two Weeks Later)
Rick still wasn't happy about it, but he parked the car in the driveway and cast Kau'i a wary glance. He'd said little on the drive over from the hotel. Physically he was doing much better, body healing as it should be and he'd spoken to his office saying he'd return to work the following week, though they assured him his case load was covered. Rick couldn't tell him what to do, but if he had his way, he'd keep him safe with him somewhere, away from anyone or anything that could hurt him. But he knew he couldn't wrap Kau'i up in cotton wool or keep him a prisoner of his possessive tendencies.
"You sure about this?" Rick asked to get his attention. Kau'i turned to him with a genuine smile, looking out to the house before reaching out and resting a hand on his cheek.
"About coming home?" Kau'i asked with a grin. "I'm pretty sure this is where I want to be."
Rick had suggested they rent a beach house, Kau'i had brushed off the idea. Their stay at the hotel had been long enough, though money wasn't a problem, Kau'i knew it was an extravagance they didn't need to continue indulging in. Rick wasn't one to brag or show off in any extreme way about how rich he was, nor did he lord it over him about his wealth, he didn't to anyone. He owned flash cars, a large mansion, uptown apartments and had recently enquired about purchasing a yacht, but he didn't go throwing his money around like confetti in peoples faces. Kau'i had had to argue his way into paying for some of the bills despite Rick's protests.
Rick had already been back to the house over the last weeks and it had taken a few fingers of scotch for him to go back to the cell and put it to rights. All the while the haunting presence of what had happened to Kau'i had plagued his thoughts. He'd returned the cell to its usual setting, before drawing the blind on the window, shutting off the light and inter-com and locking the door securely. The key was in his safe, but he wasn't sure he'd ever allow it to be used again.
Even in their own private play room, nearby the bedroom, Rick had pushed the andrews cross he had in there to one side. It was rare they played with it any way, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of seeing Kau'i tied to something like it again. He wasn't sure about anything anymore concerning that part of their relationship. But it had been an eye opening experience realising just how connected they were, how strong their bond of love for one another was after the last month or so. That stripping away everything that their relationship had consisted of, no titles or roles to play, just them was enough. He knew he'd never loved anyone the way he loved Kau'i and that that love was returned so deeply was something he truly treasured.
For the rest of the day he shadowed Kau'i all around the house, sitting with him while he ate, watched TV, made phone calls, sat by the pool. At first Kau'i had been okay with his constant presence but eventually he sighed and turned to him with a soft but reproachful look.
"Rick, you can't guard me forever," he told him gently. "We need to get back to normal and I don't remember you following me everywhere I went before the attack happened."
"I just," Rick said solemnly. "I'm sorry but, it's your first day back baby. I need to see you're okay."
"You want me to be honest?" Kau'i asked him, moving closer. "I'm glad I'm home, but I'm also nervous okay? I want to be here but I'm glad you're around. I'm not sure how I'll be when I'm here by myself but that wasn't very often any way with me out all day at the office and you working from home. I appreciate you're worried but I need to face this fear for myself, knowing you're there for me but not holding my hand twenty four seven. I rely on you, but I can't expect you to carry me and shield me from everything and you'll end up resenting me for it. And I'll end up hating your constant watchfulness."
Rick nodded with a grim smile. Kau'i was right, they needed to get back to normal, at least sort of.
"You’re right, I'm sorry," Rick agreed. "Just indulge me for today okay? I've got nothing else to do. Tomorrow I've got two clients coming over in the afternoon so I'll be out of your hair but still in the house."
"Good," Kau'i smiled with a nod. "You're getting back into work?"
"If I keep filtering them off to other people I'll not have anyone left who'll want my services," Rick explained teasingly.
"You'll always have me," Kau'i smiled and there was a look in his eyes, one of promise and hope. Since the attack they'd not been very physical, some heavy kissing and petting but nothing more.
At first he'd been okay with it, but more and more he was needing their physical relationship to go back to normal as their daily lives were. Rick seemed more reluctant than he was to get intimate, especially as his Dom. Even as he spoke Rick flinched and pulled back a little, guarded, when all Kau'i wanted him to do was pin him to the counter and kiss him possessively and hungrily. Kau'i sighed and sank back against the counter, understanding fully. He wasn't even sure how he'd react if Rick suddenly launched into full Dominant mode, but even a sprinkling of it would be nice to settle that part of him that needed to submit. He stared at Rick wondering how they were going to get past this barrier that had erected itself between them when it came to sliding into their roles. If he let David break that, like he'd tried to break him, then that meant he won. And the bastard wasn't going to get away with it.
"Will you take me upstairs?" Kau'i asked quietly. Since they'd gotten home they'd wandered the downstairs from room to room, four hours and neither of them had ventured up stairs. Their bags still lay in the front lobby. Rick swallowed down and looked at him sharply, about to make an excuse not to venture up there. "Please Rick. We can't hide down here forever, this is our home, we need to get past this."
Rick set down the bottle of water he'd been drinking from and gave a reluctant sigh, squaring his shoulders and turning away from him.
"Okay," he surrendered.
Kau'i smiled, reaching out to him before he walked away, sliding his hand into his. Rick may have been reluctant in taking the Dominant role but Kau'i was determined to make him remember and feel his role all the same, as leader and protector of him. He lagged a little behind, just to feel the pull as Rick took him into the hall to the stairs. Rick led them up to the top balcony, Kau'i fell silent, remembering the last time he walked those stairs. He'd arrived home, finding the house empty and had short cutted through the cell rooms to get to their wing. Rick led them the long way around, the doors to the cell rooms firmly closed and Kau'i tightened his fingers into his as they neared the Master suite.
That was where David had been waiting for him.
Rick turned the handle and pushed the door open. It was still bright outside and the blinds were drawn back, flooding the room with light. Kau'i remembered thinking he'd shower, change and wait for Rick to come home.
He let go of Rick's hand and wandered around the room. There was changes, little changes that would be missed to anyone not familiar with it. Because it was their private room where nobody but themselves, a maid and John ever ventured. Usually there was a constant reminder of their roles for him to focus on. Chains or bondage ropes hanging from the posts of the bed, his wrist and ankle cuffs were always slung over the headrest for quick retrieval. All were missing. He turned away from the bed to look at the wall opposite, where usually a crop, paddle, flogger and cane hung as a reminder of his fate if he was disobedient. He wondered if he crossed to the small cupboard in the corner where they kept toys and supplies, if that would be bare also.
He scoured the room with his eyes, taking in all the losses, like their roles had been stripped away, searching for the one thing he'd been missing more than anything. It was a relief to see the dark mahogany box sitting on the dresser where it usually sat. He went to it, picking it up and opening it just to make sure his collar was still there. He turned to Rick with a soft but accusing expression.
"Rick, why -," he started, waving a hand around the room in disappointment.
"I just wasn't sure what you would be ready for baby," Rick said to him, drawing closer.
"You've taken everything away," Kau'i said solemnly, fingering the collar where it lay curled in its velvet surroundings.
"No, not away," Rick said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Just out of sight. To be honest when I came here the first time after what had happened, alone, I couldn't bear to look at them, that's why I put it all way."
"But it represents us," Kau'i implored quietly. "It's who we are."
"It isn't all that we are," Rick shook his head, hand trailing up to cup his neck. "It's part of who we are to each other. But it isn't everything."
"I don't want to lose you," Kau'i said fearfully. "But it's like you don't want that part of us back. And I get it Rick, I do, you're afraid, so am I. But I never realised until now just how much being a submissive is part of me, how much I enjoy living with that part of me, submitting to you, having you in my life as my partner and my Dominant. I know it's going to be hard but I can't stand the idea of that not consisting anymore."
"Hey look at me," Rick said to him firmly, fingers framing his face to make him focus on him. "That is still part of us okay? It's just going to take time for me to trust that part of me, because I need to make sure you aren't going to be suddenly bombarded with memories of what he did to you. Part of my job, as your lover, your partner, your Dominant, is making sure you're in the safest of hands, physically, emotionally, mentally. You're still my pet baby, I still own you and you still own me but I need us to take things slow, understand?"
"Yes Sir, I understand," Kau'i said quietly, enjoying the small hint of power reaching Rick's eyes as he explained himself and was replied to so meekly.
"I love you," Rick told him, leaning in and kissing him firmly.
"I love you too," Kau'i replied when his mouth was relinquished, lips left tingling and tasting of his Dom.
"Later, if you really want, you can get things back out," Rick assured him. "Just don't rush okay?"
"Okay," Kau'i agreed with a small nod. "Maybe, later, I can wear this too?"
He held out the box to him hopefully and Rick brushed fingers down his face with a warm smile. "I'll put it on you tonight, I promise baby."
~
“You said things would change for them,” David said bitterly over the telephone. “That this would break him.”
“You think this hasn’t affected him in some way?” His Master replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “You have to be patient boy. What were you expecting? Richard Steadman to become some emotional wreck? I doubt since your - visit - that things have gone smoothly for him and his relationship with his pet. It isn’t what you did physically David, though you did a beautiful job, but the mental and emotional torment which will take its toll. Understand?”
“Yes Sir,” David replied meekly, still thrumming with impatience. He wanted to hear news of Richard falling apart, not of him continuing on as if what had happened was a mere bump in the road. Thoughts turned to himself and his new Master, of their continued separation. “When can I come to see you? I miss you Master.”
“I miss you too,” came the honest reply, carrying a dark undertone of just what his Master missed about his presence. “Have you been a good boy, pet?”
“Yes Sir,” David sighed regretfully. Three weeks of chastity was becoming increasingly frustrating, but he knew the consequences if he disobeyed his Master’s strict instructions on that score.
“Good,” His Master replied, sounding pleased. “Give me a few days to ensure you’d be safe to come back to me. Then I’ll send for you.”