Chapter Nine
A Master Cares
—
Riki pried open his eyes, the dim lighting even seeming bright. With a few complicated blinks, his eyes lazily skimmed the room. They landed upon blonde locks that were upon his arms, that were attached to a head that was laid upon the bed.
As if sensing his movement, the blonde haired head lifted and two azure orbs gazed into the dark eyes. "Riki," Iason whispered, relief thick in his voice. He immediately perked up and held onto the pet's hand tighter. "How are you feeling?" he queried, pulling his free hand's glove off with his teeth and laying the palm upon the forehead.
Riki attempted to talk, but his throat was so dry he almost could cough up dust. He winced as it felt like he was swallowing razor blades.
Iason reached over to the bedside table, pouring a cup of water for Riki and then helped prop him up to drink. Such an act was supposed to be a nurses', but he had requested to be alone with his pet, as it was the wee hours of the mornings. He carefully brought the cup to the mongrel's lips and tipped it. "Go slowly," he commanded.
Finally relieved of his thirst, Riki regained his thoughts and aligned them with his words. "How long...have I been out?"
"Four days," Iason answered softly, returning the cup to the table. "The medical team had to pump your stomach and filter your blood." He motioned to the machine that was still attached to Riki by tubes. He paused, gently caressing Riki's hand. "Why did you do it?"
Riki cringed at a sharp pain that pierced his head. "I..." he stammered. "I don't...—I didn't..."
Iason grasped onto his hand tighter, urging him for a reason. But he caught a glimpse of Riki's eyes, immediately concerned. "Look this way," he ordered, grabbing onto Riki's chin. He analyzed the dark eyes, detecting that one pupil was smaller than the other. With a sharp intake of breath, he summoned the medical personnel and returned to Riki's side.
"It's all right, pet," he assured, still holding his hand. "We'll get you help."
"W...what's...?" he managed, his head hurting intensely. "Ughhh..." He felt something was wrong, he was forgetting something.
Iason was perplexed and worried. Had the drugs caused the damage, or had he hit Riki too hard and damaged his head? Did he permanently damage Riki's brain or body? Blondie's were known to underestimate their strength. But when had he hit him?
Iason paused. How many times had he hit or slapped Riki, hard? Had he caused accumulate damage along with the drugs?
"It wasn't my intent," Iason whispered, glancing up at the medics that arrived. "Check him immediately!"
—
Nori peeked out at the surroundings, scowling as his Master was again absent. After Riki had been transported to the Tanagura Hospital, Iason hadn't returned once.
It irked him, that his Master abandoned him for a damaged mongrel. Masters were supposed to dispose of damaged pets! It was a waste to revive Riki, especially with how it appeared that the mongrel attempted suicide to get even with his Master.
Nori sighed, heading back into his room. He'd have to plan again soon. When Riki returned and had recovered, they'd have to copulate. And Master Iason would probably favour Riki snd allow him to top Nori. Angrily he entered his room, brewing over his future, unaware a Furniture was watching him from the shadows.
—
"As you can see," the doctor concluded. "There is no brain damage or other head traumas. The scans show no abnormalities."
Thank Jupiter! Iason scanned the results, his brow furrowing. "Then what has caused his pupils to be uneven?"
"It could be a side effect of the overdose attempt," the doctor simply stated. He reached into his white coat pocket and pulled out a flashlight, which he shone into Riki's eyes. "It's starting to balance out again as we speak."
"Is he fit to return home?" Iason demanded.
"Yes," the doctor agreed. "However, he is to refrain from physical activity for a week. Stress will not aid the recovering of his body." He pointed to a chart. "We'll provide medication and pain relief to ensure his body is functioning properly to boost the recovery."
Iason nodded. "Very well," he decided. "I'll take him and any medication back with me today."
—
"I'm fine," Riki protested, as Iason attempted to help him out of the landed vehicle. "I can..."
Iason ignored him, guiding him upward and from the vehicle. He then supported Riki's weight by wrapping his arm around his back and pulling him closer so he had the young man leaning against him. "If you refuse again, I will throw you over my knee," he threatened. "Behave, I need to get you home and let you rest. Do not be difficult with me, pet."
Riki bit back his retorts, his body aching. Iason had said they circulated blood through his body, but he failed to mention it was laced with a powerful antidote that had a side effect of causing pain as it cleansed. He gulped down a moan, not wanting to appear weak in front of his tormentor.
When they arrived at the penthouse, Daryl immediately rushed forward and aided Riki in moving.
"Take him to the Master bedroom," Iason commanded. "He'll be staying there until he is recovered."
Daryl blinked back his shock, carefully leading the mongrel to the luxurious bedroom. "Lean on me more if you need to, Sir Riki."
Nori's blood boiled, but he remained composed as he entered the room. "Welcome back, Master Iason," he greeted.
Iason barely glanced at him, shedding his cloak and hanging it up. "Was your injury taken care of?" he questioned, remembering that Riki had hit him. He would let that transgression slide, as he was in no condition to take abuse.
"Yes, Master."
"I trust you behaved while in Daryl's care," Iason stated.
"Yes, Master," Nori answered. "Is there anything I can do for you, Master Iason?"
Iason flexed an eyebrow. "Are you offering to service me, Nori?"
Nori immediately turned to ice. "If...if there is anything I can do for you, Master, it is my duty to please you."
The Blondies features turned glacial. "Your only purpose is to copulate with Riki." He glared more. "Return to your room for the night," he ordered, turning and leaving the violet eyed boy to silently rage at failing his mission.
—
Iason entered the room as Daryl exited with a mildly lessened tray of food. He glanced over to Riki who was sitting on the bed grumpily. "You hardly ate anything," he sighed.
"Untether me!" Riki growled, yanking on his chain that was attached to the bed hook.
"And risk you attempting an escape?" Iason scoffed. "No physical activity is allowed, pet. I will not have you running around and ruining your recovery."
"I'm not gonna run," Riki hissed.
Iason sat down on the bed. "Oh? You're turning a new leaf?"
Riki murmured under his breath, averting his gaze. "I just want some fresh air."
Deciding to coddle his pet a bit, rather than be firm and unyielding with him, Iason gave into the request. "Very well," he softly agreed, rising up and approaching the mongrel. He unhooked the chain, then reached his hand out to Riki. "I will accompany you." Riki had nearly died, and he still had to find the reason. Maybe he had been to hard on the mongrel? Perhaps, he should try to spoil him into obedience?
Riki bit back his snarky reply, fearing that his chance for air would be cancelled. He accepted the hand, allowing Iason to lead him from the room. He winced at a pain in his chest, leaning more into the Blondie.
Iason felt a shimmer of pleasure as his pet put more of his weight into his grasp. Finally allowing the Blondie to aid him more.
Finally reaching the balcony after a slow walk down the hall and through the living space, Riki greedily inhaled the fresh air as soon as the door opened.
"Sit," Iason commanded, guiding and lowering Riki into a chair. He then sat down in the accompanying seat, relishing the experience.
This was nice. Sitting with his pet on the balcony, letting the sun warm their skin, while a mild breeze fluttered through the air. He inhaled, immediately noticing the sweet scent of the blossoming fruit tree in the corner.
"Don't the eclearel blossoms smell wonderful?" Iason comment, hoping to entice the mongrel into a conversation.
"The what?" Riki spat.
Iason remained calm, rising and reaching past Riki to pick one of the ripened fruits from the branch. "Have you ever tried one?"
Riki shook his head. "They...they look weird." He spun the bright pink fruit with a blue leafy stem around in his hands. "Can you really eat it?"
"Not the seed inside." He demonstrated, pulling the fruit in half and showing the large dark brown seed. "You eat the inside and the skin."
Suspicious of the new discovery, Riki took a small bite. A sweet and refreshing taste filled his mouth, pleasantly surprising him. He eagerly took another bite, as he hadn't had any appetite until now.
Iason silently watched his pet devour the fruit, a smile slipping onto his face. "Do you like it?" he asked softly.
Riki paused, realizing his error. "Uh...yeah," he answered, averting his gaze. "It's...pretty good." Horrified he just admitted that, he swiftly reverted to his normal bitterness. "How come I didn't see this before?"
"I ordered it for you while you were in the hospital," Iason explained, setting the fruit on the table. "Eclearel are known to cleanse the body of toxins and are full of vitamins."
Riki swallowed the last bit of the fruit and placed the seed in the small waste basket beside the chair, feeling a bit touched that Iason had bothered to buy him something to help him recover. Not wanting to humble himself, he remained silent.
Nori was enraged to find his Master and pet sitting outside without him after he had eaten breakfast alone. He hurried over, halting just at the edge. "Master, may I come out on the balcony?" he asked, sweetly.
Iason glanced back at him, almost forgetting the other pet dressed in a revealing outfit existed. "You may..."
Nori entered the space, leaning against the balcony railing. "It's such a nice day," he whispered.
"Indeed," the Blondie concurred, looking out to Tanagura.
Riki met Nori's eyes, suddenly overcome with a splitting headache. He grasped onto his temples, his brain reeling as it tried to recall something. "U...ugggh..."
"Riki?" Iason immediately called, concerned. "What's wrong, pet?"
"Head..."
Without a moments hesitation, Iason lifted Riki up and carried him inside the penthouse. He was extremely worried, as the mongrel would have usually put up a fuss. Riki was in so much pain, biting back screams that he couldn't even manage to protest.
Nori watched the two of them leave, feeling nothing but satisfaction. He had wormed his way deep into Riki's brain, with just one look! Nori chuckled menacingly, stepping back out on the balcony and leaning far over the railing while imagining the day that he would be the sole pet of Lord Mink.
