Pierre missed Jet.

But he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

When he'd heard about what happened to him, guilt coursed through him, but he still had no idea what to do.

More than that was the possibility that none of what he'd heard was true. Had Zel been right then?

Aw Zel. Every time Pierre thought of him, he remembered vividly what had been whispered in his ears.

The smile wasn't planned. It just creeped up on his face and his cheeks warmed a little at the memory.

Pierre had been so bold as to whisper it back to him. And then they'd giggled about it like silly school girls.

It was so liberating to admit it, and to know he felt the same way. It made him so giddy.

"What are you smiling about?"

Pierre nearly jumped out of his skin. For a minute there he had forgotten that he was the one who'd been tailing Riley around the house.

Pierre shook his head immediately while Riley regarded him with his glass of water in hand.

"Oh is that a blush? Now you have to tell me."

"I can't tell you." He really couldn't. He had promised Zel to keep his secret.

Riley regarded him for a while before agreeing with a nod. "It's your lucky day because I'm not going to push."

Pierre watched as he emptied the glass of all of its liquid. His lips, his throat bobbing with his efforts to swallow. The bare muscle in his biceps as he raised the glass.

"Merde."

"What?" Riley asked. Then saw Pierre's face more clearly. "Okay now what's wrong?"

Pierre figured his face was doing something on its own. He thought about what he really wanted to tell Riley.

"You're going to him aren't you? To Jet?" He asked.

"Yeah," Riley shrugged.

"You'll tell me how he's doing?" Pierre couldn't control the way his voice changed.

Riley was quick to answer. "Of course."

"I mean... like how he's really doing? Is he... If–If he's..."

"Hey, I get it," Riley set his cup down and pulled Pierre against him. "Don't worry about it."

Pierre relaxed into his hold when he felt Riley's lips in his hair, then his fingers.

Pierre hugged him, wrapping his hands around his waist letting his head rest against his chest.

They remained that way for a few seconds before Riley finally asked. "What are you doing?"

Pierre paused. Somehow his hands had found Riley's butt, he was squeezing and releasing the soft flesh over and over.

He looked up innocently because Riley easily towered over him.

"Zel said... If you're stressed, you should find butts to squeeze."

Riley shook with laughter. "The two of you shouldn't be left alone together."

Pierre lowered his eyes and almost pouted.

"Well is it working?" Riley asked.

"It does feel good, let me try again," Pierre answered.

Riley laughed a bit more at that and let Pierre 'get over his stress'.

"Yeah, it definitely helps," said Pierre and finally released his butt.

"I have to go," Riley said. "Glad I could be of help."

They disentangled and without thinking, Riley bent and leaned towards Pierre. He only stopped when their lips were almost less than an inch apart.

His eyes widened a little before putting more space between them. "Sorry. Fuck–"

He shouldn't have done that. But it felt so natural he was still cursing himself inside for not going through with it.

The need intensified in that moment and if he didn't leave then, he was going to do something rash.

He wouldn't care what it entailed as long as it involved shoving his tongue inside Pierre's mouth.

Pierre took a step forward and Riley took one back. What was he trying to do.

"Take it easy on me Pierre," he said.

Pierre seemed determined to get through with it. "You're kidding me," he said without tearing his eyes off the taller man's lips.

"It's weird how you have no idea."

"No idea about what?" Pierre asked.

"How tempting you are."

Pierre seemed a little startled at what he said.

Riley blew out a breath and rubbed the side of his neck. "Jet..." he said, pointing backwards and trying to get away.

By some grace he managed.

༻༺

Riley saw the Master first when he got into the room. He had his computer before him while he focused on whatever he was doing.

Jet lay comfortably on one side of the big bed staring at the ceiling, then turning to watch Riley as he got in.

"I miss you walking angrily around the house," said Riley with one of his most charming winks. Or as he liked to believe.

He got onto the bed and kissed the Master before crushing Jet with his weight.

"Maybe if you didn't wink while you said it I'd try to believe you," Jet tried to move him off.

Riley shifted and gathered Jet on his lap. "How are you?"

Jet clammed up at the question.

"I'm also here to spy on you so I'm going to need answers," said Riley.

He tried to look into Jet's eyes. He wouldn't meet his.

The Master typed away on his computer like he was doing the most urgent work out there. He was totally focused and almost frowning.

"It's hot when Daddy's busy with his work isn't it?" Riley asked.

"He's alright," Jet shrugged.

The Master scoffed but didn't even turn away from the screen of his computer.

He didn't seem to mind the fact that Riley had made himself the third member on the bed. Why was no one pointing that out? Or finding it unusual?

If he was being honest, he was comfortable right where he sat teasing Jet with light touches.

"Is it okay if I kiss him Daddy?" Came Riley's sudden question.

He didn't miss the way Jet went rigid in his arms, and definitely didn't miss the almost inaudible sound that left his lips.

"Hmm," said the Master. "Let's see."

Riley was distracted enough that Jet squirmed out of his hold.

The Master held his hand out to Riley while he placed the computer on the nightstand. Riley put his hand in his, quite happy that he got his attention.

The Master pulled Riley over to straddle him, then circled one arm lower than Riley's waist to pull him closer.

They didn't have to think about it, the kiss was instant. Lately every kiss felt different.

This one felt like the relief that came with waiting for something for so long.

The two men pulled apart to breathe while they kept the most intense eye contact. The Master then licked Riley's lips and he smirked.

"I think you'll both come to an agreement," said the Master.

It was good enough for permission.

When Riley looked to where Jet lay watching them, he couldn't help but think the tattooed man could use some fresh air.

"Don't kiss me," said Jet.

"I don't know, you look like you want it so bad," said Riley.

"You'll have to learn how to speak Jet at one point," said the Master, going back to his work.

Riley put a finger to Jet's lips. "In that case, I'll wait. I'll save my kiss until you admit you want it."

Jet was a complicated person as Riley was beginning to understand. He felt his heart race as he went back to wrap his arms around him. Not to mention the disappointment that flashed across his face.

The words that came out of his mouth didn't even sound genuine to Riley's ears. "No need to save your kiss 'cause I don't want it," he said.

"Sure you don't," Riley replied.

It was shocking how he could pull off such a casual tone while having Jet that close to him.

They talked so lightly and yet there was nothing light about how much Riley was trying not to fold. For whatever it was worth, Jet excited him more than he should have, even while he tried to hide it.

He was a little disappointed in himself, he wasn't usually one to keep anything he felt hidden inside. He was bold and he took pride in that.

Not now apparently, he didn't really know what he felt. And he cowered away before he could understand it.

Do better Riley. He tried to convince himself.

"Maybe tomorrow you'll want to," he said at last. "When I bring you breakfast and spoon feed you because I'll you know... I'll sweep you off your feet with my charm."

"I can feed myself, I'm as good as healed," Jet said quickly.

"Aw baby, that's not really healed now, is it?"

Riley's hands fastened around Jet as his entire back squeezed flush against him exactly like they were cuddling.

Jet's hands were on his, like they couldn't decide whether to push him away or not.

"Now if you'll excuse me," said Riley. "I've got a grand breakfast menu to plan."

He was only saying it because he wanted to give Jet space. He was really going to put a lot of thought into the menu but he didn't think Jet actually wanted him stuck to his back till morning.

When he tried to move, Jet's hand fastened where his were clasped. He pressed Riley's hands tighter against him without saying a word.

"Jet you're not letting go," Riley wasn't even sure what he was supposed to say.

"Yeah so what?"

Both Riley and the Master chuckled.

"If that isn't the most romantic thing to come out of your mouth," said Riley. "I'm definitely going to kiss you tomorrow."

꧁___꧂

Jet looked everywhere around him and tried to contain his excitement.

The air buzzed with sounds of restless animals flittering about in their cages just waiting for someone to come claim them.

The Master stood close behind him so he leaned to ask Jet. "Do you want one?"

Jet watched some of the dogs move back trying to hide away from strangers, some looked at them with curiosity while others barked in hostility to the intruders in their space.

He fucking loved dogs. He couldn't really understand why but he just did.

"I don't believe you have ever looked more beautiful," Jet heard the Master say and his breath caught in his throat.

He was going to ignore it because that was the only sensible thing to do.

Jet was so grateful that that was the moment a particular dog—puppy, caught his attention.

It was a husky with black and white fur that was evenly distributed around it.

It growled more ferociously as Jet crouched closer to it. He liked it already.

The puppy barked when Jet put a hand with his palm flat to it, as if asking for it to shake his hand. Jet didn't make eye contact.

The husky seemed confused but he barked less now that Jet seemed less of a threat.

Jet then extended his hand to rub his fur and pet him slowly until his tail was wagging almost uncontrollably.

The puppy leaned to his touch and barked happily.

The husky had bright blue eyes that complimented his hide all the more. He licked Jet's hand where the bruises were now almost completely faded.

"This one," said Jet while looking up at the Master but not taking his hands off the puppy.

The Master crouched where he was and immediately he tried to lean in, the puppy barked menacingly.

He seemed to be warning the Master not to get too close to Jet.

"You just had to pick a fierce pup didn't you?" The Master asked and for the second time ever, he got to watch Jet break out in a genuine laugh.

"You really are beautiful Jet," he said. He wasn't even smiling at him.

Jet recoiled and focused all of his energy towards avoiding the Master's gaze and petting the little puppy that had already warmed up so much to him.

He had never seen him so shy.

"You must be special," said one of the pet store owners. She'd introduced herself as Melby earlier. Now she had their full attention as they turned to her.

"He wouldn't even let anyone get close before you got here," she smiled.

It actually made Jet feel special. But he let the Master do the talking while he went back to playing with the husky.

Jet held him on the way back despite the plastic crate they were given.

The crate was tossed in the back while he occupied the passenger seat with the puppy, not quite able to take his eyes off him.

The Master had to keep his eyes on the road, but if that wasn't the case, he'd be staring at Jet.

He still stole a few glances here and there but not nearly enough.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked and didn't miss the way Jet's face lit up at the mention of food.

"A lot of things," said Jet. "But I'll settle for anything."

The Master nodded with a proud smile as Jet rolled his window down and a gust of air blew in. No doubt he did it for the puppy.

"I'm thinking we could fashion a collar for him," said the Master. "Have you decided on a name?"

Jet didn't answer immediately. "I was thinking uh... you could name him."

The Master was taken by surprise, but he laughed it out. "Unfortunately that is one of the few things I'm not good at, you're going to have to do it."

"Hmm..." Jet held the puppy up and looked at it. "Don't worry, I'll name you," the puppy barked once. "He's just jealous you like me better."

The Master scoffed in amusement. Him? Jealous because of a puppy?

He glanced at Jet and caught him smiling at the dog while in thought.

Fuck. He was jealous of a puppy.

"Hades," said Jet. "We'll call him Hades."

We. "I suddenly get the feeling the fierce cub and his pup are about to raise hell."

"You hear that Hades? He sounds jealous."

Hades growled then barked while wagging his tail.

"I do not," the Master said defensively.

꧁___꧂

Mason looked at the fingers entwined with his. They were lovely. The pad of his thumb moved in circles around the back of the hand.

All he felt for Linder was some sort of remorse.

The younger man had told him Jet wasn't worth it and had been so horrible to him. There really was pain in his face, but Mason wasn't so ready to believe him this time.

He only smiled at him like his feelings were hurt too.

"Linder, you can always, always talk to me," he touched his cheek. "You know that right?"

He wasn't sure if Linder really understood him. He seemed a little angry.

He wanted Linder to talk to him about the reasons why he was doing what he was doing.

What did Jet ever do to him?

"I've got these... feelings for you I think... I just need you to know that," Mason said laughing a little nervously, his heart in a twist over how Linder would react. "I'm here, anything for you remember?"

Mason was right when he thought Linder looked a little angry. The pain in his face didn't disappear but all the softness that was there a while ago, vanished.

Mason reached out with his other hand, he wanted to draw Linder closer to him and tell him it would be alright.

Linder had other plans. He withdrew from him completely before Mason could reach him. Then he got up and paused to look down at him.

"I feel nothing towards you," he said then walked away.