Today I present a new story to you. Not sure how many have read "Forever Caged" (not fully posted on FF) but a scene in it made my mind wonder and come up with an interesting story line that I decided to explore.
I am going to warn that as with my previous, there is memory manipulation in this story. But it's different than the previous. Apparently, I like playing with memories.
Disc – I do not own ANK
A puff of blue smoke floated away from Riki as he exhaled the smoke from his lungs. He sighed as he looked up at the stars in the sky.
"Riki," Iason said as he walked out onto the balcony.
The mongrel peaked over his shoulder before returning his gaze to the night sky. "Hey," he said with a deep breath. After a second, he tossed the butt over the balcony.
Iason silently walked up to Riki and wrapped his arms around the others chest from behind. He pulled his lover close and held him tight. "Tomorrow."
"Yea," Riki exhaled as he leaned back against Iason's body. "What will you do without me here for two weeks?"
He remained silent for a moment while he processed the thought. "It will be a very long two weeks. Why did I permit this?"
Riki smiled as he tilted his head back. "Because you and Katze agreed that you want shit done right, and I'm the best for the job."
"Acceptable answer," Iason mumbled. "I'm not sure I will be able to accept you being gone for so long."
Riki smiled as he leaned his head against Iason's shoulder. "I've been by your side for 6 fucking years. I'm sure one short span of time while I'm with Katze won't kill you."
The blond smiled as he released his pet. "Come inside," Iason said as he turned and walked into the lavish apartment. "I believe Cal has dinner ready."
He waited an extra minute before following the other to the dining room. "I need to go into Ceres tomorrow and get some stuff ready. Make sure my gang is ready to go," he said as he sat down at his spot, around the corner of the table from Iason. "I'll be gone two hours tops, then back here for a bit. We aren't taking off until later in the afternoon."
Iason was silent as he took his seat and waited for Cal to bring in the plates.
Once the teen set the plates down, he walked quickly to get the drinks and set them before everyone. "Anything else, Master?"
"No," Iason said as he watched Riki take a sip of the amber liquid.
Cal nodded before taking his seat to Iason's left. "Riki, I made a dessert I think you will like as well."
"Awesome," Riki said with a smile. "This is one of the many things that is going to suck. Dehydrated meals," he said with a sigh. "I'm taking a bottle of this," he added as he held up the glass.
Iason chuckled as he sipped his wine. "I warn you now, Riki, I do not want to hear that you and anyone from Katze's team did anything unspeakable."
He tilted his head a little while looking at Iason, with a fore lone look on his face. "Oh please. After four years of torture, my body only responds to you," Riki said firmly. "No point to even try."
"For that comment, I'm leaving the ring on," Iason said as he started eating.
"Oh come on! That's not cool," Riki mumbled. "What happened to the trust? Thought we had a good thing going."
Iason continued to eat for a few more moments before speaking. "I trust you, Riki. It's the people you will be traveling with that I don't."
Riki took a deep breath as he started eating again.
During the last two years, their relationship had grown. The incident at Dhana Bahn helped show just how much they loved one another.
Lucky for them, Katze had already called for help before Riki and Guy were outside. It took a long time for help to arrive, but the droids were just in time to save them.
When Riki woke up a few weeks later, he had been confused. He thought for sure that he was in hell, even as Katze tried to convince him otherwise. It wasn't until three days later when Iason was able to see him did he finally accept he was still alive.
Once he returned to the apartment, he and Iason had sat down for a long talk…after a few careful rounds of sex.
They had agreed that things between them needed to change. There was no reason that they needed to be at each other's throats all the time. They each cared for the other, and it was about time that it became the only thing that mattered.
"Riki," Iason whispered as he kissed the sleeping mongrels head. "It's time to wake up. You don't need to sleep all day, my love."
"But sleep is good," Riki cried as he rolled from his side to his stomach. "Lemme sleep longer."
Iason smiled as he pulled the blankets back. "Time to get up. Go shower then come out for breakfast," he said before turning and walking out of the room.
The shower took Riki all of ten minutes, then he was walking through the apartment five minutes later. He paused when he heard the door chime, signaling a delivery. "I got it," he called out as he walked to the door.
After a quick conversation with the delivery person, he accepted the small box and closed the door. "Iason, you got a box. What's in it," he called out as he walked into the dining room where Iason was already sitting.
The blond raised a brow as he held out his hand. Once the package was in his hand, he knew by the weight exactly what it was. "Nothing for you to worry about, Riki," he said as he set it off to the side.
"Now I really want to know."
"It's nothing."
"What happened to no more secrets," Riki asked softly.
Iason stared up from the tablet he was reading. He glanced at his pet, then at the box. With a deep breath, he set the tablet down and picked up the box. Without a single word, he held it out to Riki.
Taking the package, Riki plopped down and opened the box. He had to open another box which had a small case inside of it. He eyed Iason who hadn't stopped watching him.
Slowly he opened the silver case and stared at the item inside. "You're fucking shitting me," he whispered.
"I had it created before our conversation. As a custom order, there was no way to put a stop to it," Iason said with a static expression on his face. "I had no intention to let you know about it."
"So, keeping secrets," Riki whispered as he took the pet ring out of the case. This was the first time he had actually been able to hold one of the D Type rings.
Iason let out a sigh as he watched the other. "I don't believe it would be keeping a secret from you, to not tell you I ordered a pet ring and wasn't going to give it to you."
The mongrel narrowed his eyes. "The way this works…isn't it whoever puts it on is the only one that can remove it?"
"It is."
"How about I put it on you? Hey, where's the control ring that goes with it," Riki asked as he looked in the box.
Iason shook his head. He picked up the tablet and continued reading. "It has been programed to work with my existing ring."
He sighed as he looked up when Cal brought in food. "I'm holding onto this," he said as he slipped it past his hand and onto his wrist. Once it came in contact with his skin, it shrunk around him.
"This was good, Cal," Riki said before finishing his drink.
"Thank you, Riki," Cal said with a blush. "Would you like more? There's plenty left."
Riki shook his head as he covered his mouth to burp. "If you could pack some of it for tomorrow, that would be awesome. Not like Iason here will eat anything considered left overs. But Katze and I would be happy to attack it."
Cal nodded happily. "Of course. I will have everything ready to go for you." He paused when the chime went off alerting them to someone at the door. "Excuse me," he said as he ran to the door.
"Wonder who would think to interrupt my night," Iason asked as he finished his wine.
"Master Iason, Lord Am and Katze are here to see you," Cal said as he stepped into the dining area.
Raoul walked into the room and nodded to his friend. "Iason, I hoped to have a moment with you."
The lead blondie nodded as he stood. "Shall we go to my office," he said as he led his friend to the room.
Quietly Katze and Riki locked eyes. After a moment Riki stood and glanced at Cal. "Get those two wine, then us something better. Then come join us," Riki said as he started out towards the balcony.
Cal nodded before running off.
"Getting your last bit of fresh air for a while," Katze asked as they walked into the cool night air.
Riki smiled as he plopped down in a chair next to a small table. "Hell yeah. We have to be in a stupid ship for what, five days? Five days of breathing someone's old air."
"Four and a half. If we get there according to the set course, we should arrive early so everyone can have half a day to get used to the gravity and air content. If though, we end up delayed, no such time," Katze explained while he leaned on the railing.
The other let out a sigh. "So how did Raoul take knowing that you were going on this trip?"
The red head stared at Ceres so far away. "My ass hurts," he mumbled. "I don't want to talk about it."
Riki smiled as he leaned back on the chair. "Iason is going to work me to hell tonight. Take off is going to suck." He looked up when Cal came out with a small tray holding three drinks. "This poor kid is going to be left all alone with the big bad blonde. Think it will be the first time you've been left with just him too."
Cal nodded slowly as he offered Katze a glass of amber liquid. "Yes it will," he said as he walked up to Riki.
"Why are there just two glasses of water on here," he mumbled as he took one.
"Master's rules still apply regarding your nightly alcohol intake," he replied as he took his glass and slid the tray under his arm.
The mongrel rolled his eyes as he set the glass down on the small table. "I'm getting drunk while we're gone," he said with a sigh.
Katze chuckled as he downed his drink. "Just don't let Iason hear you, and no drinking on the job."
"Kind of sucks to fly for five days just to be there for four."
The red head turned and looked at the relaxing mongrel. "You want to ask Iason if you can stay longer?"
Thinking about it, Riki shook his head. "I'm good."
"Katze, we're going," Raoul called from the living room then he and Iason entered the room.
Katze let out a sigh this time as he set the glass on the small table. "I wish you well, Cal."
Riki snickered as he watched Katze head towards the open door. "You would almost think he was a pet, the way he responds to Raoul's callings."
He narrowed his eyes as he passed the younger and entered the residence. "Master Iason, Riki wanted me to share with you that his is bored, and has some extra energy," Katze said with a bow.
Iason smirked at the comment as he turned to his brother. "Tomorrow then."
Raoul nodded before turning to the door and leaving swiftly with Katze right behind him.
Once the other elite was gone, Iason walked out to the balcony. "Cal, you are dismissed for the night," he said as he walked up to his pet.
"Thank you, Master," Cal said as he quickly stood. He grabbed his glass and Katze's discarded one and ran into the kitchen to finish cleaning up.
Riki waited a minute before looking up at the blond. "Hey, can we sleep with the windows open tonight," he asked softly.
"Of course," Iason replied. "Come Riki, I want to hold you tonight."
Slowly Riki stood and walked with Iason to the bedroom.