He should be glad.
Sebastian watched Dave eat, his own meal gone cold long ago. The last round changed surprisingly a lot between them. At least that's how he felt. Dave seemed more at ease and comfortable with him. Sebastian smiled at the memory of unexpected kiss he got this morning. He should be happy. That's how it was supposed to be, them living together in harmony and fulfilling each other's needs. So why couldn't he just enjoy their little development? He wanted to, gods, did he. To just shut his thoughts down and indulge in pride over Dave and his handling of him. But the success was stained with bitter awareness of the fact that his sub wouldn't be so affable, should he know what happened.
"I'm thinking about paying a visit to Hummel," he blurted out.
"Cool." Dave's response was simple. There was nothing to fear at Hummel's mansion. The submissives there were pampered beyond belief and there were no blank-eyed girls to haunt his dreams. "I thought you didn't like him, Sir."
Sebastian grinned. "What's the point in having frenemies if you can't ruffle their feathers from time to time? Besides, I thought... Wouldn't you like it?" He reached down to pet the man's head. "Having a friend there? That sub of Kurt seems nice. Basic, but nice."
"I guess. He didn't exactly like me bleeding all over his Master's stuff and acting ungrateful for it." Dave huffed as he leaned up into the stroke along his hair.
Sebastian's fingers threaded through Dave's hair, caressing the man. That night will also haunt him for eternity. Sebastian cleared his throat. "Well, then we both can entertain ourselves by testing their patience."
Dave snorted at the idea. It was like they were a team of irritants. It actually sounded kind of fun to torture a sub with his Dom's permission. It had been too long since he had any real physical competition. Maybe he'd get Sam out of being the perfect sub long enough to get a real wrestling match. He missed competitive sports.
"Sounds fun, Sir. I wonder if we can get them a matching color of red."
Sebastian laughed and held the saucer with his cheesecake down for Dave to devour. "As far as my experience goes, nothing can match Kurt's complexion when he's really pissed off."
Dave looked wide eyed at the treat. His own saucer was licked clean on the floor in front of his knees. Dave took the extra treat from Sebastian with a wide grin. He made sure to kiss and nuzzle at Sebastian's hand before he accepted it. "I look forward to seeing that."
Sebastian tenderly brushed his fingers over Dave's neck, scratching lightly behind his ear. "Me too."
/
"So... It's just a friendly overnight? With Sebastian?" Sam didn't hide his skepticism. He straightened the material of his shirt -much too fancy shirt for this occasion, not that Kurt bothered to ask his opinion- and shifted impatiently against Kurt's leg.
"I had reservations as well, but it's clear he's in need of some advice. I am one of the very few trusted sources on submissive care and well-being that he knows. I can't blame him for being sceptical of so called 'experts' on re-training. They simply treat submissives like animals with no independent needs or thoughts of their own." Kurt looked ready to launch into a well-worn rant on the state of submissive care.
Sam huffed but kept his head down. He didn't want Kurt to discover just how much the sudden change of plans has hurt him. "And he stays for two days," he murmured against himself. He knew he was being selfish. His Dom had the right to do with their time whatever he pleased but... that fest happened once in a year.
"Yes, two days. It's not like we are going to spend the entire time near them. I know you don't care for David, but we can assume that his injuries the first time he was here played a large role in his... acidic nature." Kurt finished off the perfect placement of his safety pin with charms hanging from the bottom on his lapel. He leaned down to cup Sam's cheek. "You aren't usually this resistant, darling."
Sam relaxed under his touch, his jaw working before he responded, voice a little rough. "I just thought... that you cared for our tradition as much as I do," he said not meeting Kurt's eyes.
Kurt frowned deeply, trying to pull up what Sam was talking about. "Darling, the festival gala will still happen. The Smythe family is always invited anyway. They are simply arriving early." He looked into his love's eyes. "Our tradition isn't going to change because they are in the other wing."
Sam released a deep breath, visibly relaxing. And now he felt silly for assuming Kurt would just change their plans. "Thank you, Sir."
"You are the most important person in my life, Angel." Kurt pressed his forehead against Sam's. "After the gala is over you and I will have our celebration. It's my favorite part of the holiday."
Sam smiled at the nickname and stole a surreptitious kiss. "I'm looking forward to it," he whispered, the excitement boiling inside him. Here's to hoping Smythe won't upset his Sir meanwhile and ruin their time together.
Speaking of the Devil, Sam thought hearing the engine cutting off outside the window. He suppressed his final sigh for his Dom's sake and stood up to follow Kurt out and greet the guests. As he rounded a corner he felt a swat on his backside for the stolen kiss and couldn't hide the smallest of grins.
When the Smythe Dominant and submissive stepped into the foyer, Kurt was immediately struck by the stark difference in their interaction. David was no longer barely keeping pace and passively resisting his Dominant's presence. The sub moved along at a slight half-step behind Sebastian, walking more like a shield to his Master than a tag-along pup. Sebastian even seemed calmer, somehow more comfortable in his role as Dominant than Kurt had ever seen him.
"It's good to see you again." Kurt moved forward, his eyes slid past the Dominant he greeted to examine Dave from the small distance. "Refreshment has been set in the parlor."
Sebastian shook the hand with a genuine smile. "Thank you. You don't look that awful yourself," he grinned seeing the familiar scowl on Kurt's sub's face and nodded his welcome without missing a beat. "Shall we move there then?" He asked looking around. He wanted to speak with Kurt alone but there was no way to ask for it without raising suspicions.
"Why don't you show David the rooms so he can settle his Master's things?" Kurt instructed Sam, knowing his sub would easily understand.
It was Dave's turn to scowl, but Sebastian jumped to the possibility. He laid his hand on Dave's back, and seeing the frown on his boy's face tried to placate him. In his own way. "Yes, why don't you settle all of our things and prepare the room for later before joining us, David?" He said quietly as his hand slid down the man's back to pinch his asscheek.
One would think Dave would be used to his Dom's sexual overtures by now. He'd never experienced the playful side of Sebastian's personality in front of an elite. Especially not when Dave was the center of Sebastian's enjoyment. Dammit. Dave's face went red. "Yes, Sir."
Sebastian's grin followed the two men until they disappeared inside the house. He loved how his sub's cheeks would always blossom after every innuendo, no matter how much they did together. Well, and there was the additional joy of seeing Kurt the Prudish squirming under tension. "I do hope you don't mind us enjoying the evening together. Dave can get a little loud sometimes," he said carelessly as it seemed, but his grin faltered. He really needed to have that talk.
"Elegant as always. I am putting you as far away in the east wing as I can manage." Kurt glared and swept into the parlor. A tray of brandy and light finger snacks awaited. "You sounded a bit harried on the phone when you asked to come."
"I... yes." Sebastian sat down by the coffee table, suddenly serious. "I didn't really came to enjoy your company, can you believe?" He gave a faint grin but his nerves were showing.
"Please, Sebastian. There's no need to parse words with me. Tell me how you and David are progressing. You seem better together. And by better I mean he is no longer bleeding and about to pass out." So Kurt was a bit sharp, he had years of resentment built up. "He does seem honestly accepting of your power over him."
Sebastian winced. "Okay, you didn't meet in the best circumstances, will you let it go?" His voice was just as sharp. He didn't like to remember that night, especially since his questions had all to do with his Domship as well.
"Letting it go was never a strong suit of mine." Kurt admitted as he took up a tea for himself. "How is it going?"
"Good. Bad. I don't know," Sebastian tapped his fingers on the glass. "Sometimes I think it's getting better and then... it's not." He looked over at the other man. "Do you enjoy sex with Sam?" He asked as if inquiring to know the weather. "Does he like it?"
"Non specifics are..." Kurt leaned forward to pat Sebastian's knee. "...you'll be shocked, unhelpful." Kurt took a calming breath. "Of course he does. I wouldn't push him to have any form of sex he didn't enjoy. The few things we do that he doesn't prefer he does to give me pleasure. I do the same."
"But do you fuck him when he's in subspace?" Sebastian's eyebrows were knitted in concern.
"Yes..." Kurt answered delicately as a single word could be spoken. "Have you?"
Sebastian exhaled a long breath. At least now he knew it wasn't completely wrong. "I tried. I," he gritted his teeth getting ready for Kurt's mockery, "I didn't realize for a moment that he was under and I tried." He gulped down the alcohol. "Funny how they change us, huh?"
Kurt didn't even think about mocking Sebastian for that change. His smile was warm, remembering back to his younger days with Sam. "For the better I think. Does David mind your wish to..." Kurt waved his hand as he attempted to find the word. "Not breeding because that implies you were asserting pure aggressive Dominance instead of enjoying each other. But you understand?"
Sebastian sighed. "Dave doesn't know. He was unconscious. That's the problem." He poured himself a new glass. "Just... what is going on with me?" He asked seriously. "I want to tell him about it. But I can't."
"So he never agreed. You know this is actually extremely positive. You're becoming conscious of his needs instead of just your own. You want to make him happy." Kurt was smiling honestly.
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Right," he drew out. "But I'm making myself miserable in the process."
Kurt diplomatically held back his eye-roll. "Why don't you think you can't tell him? It seems like a fairly common sexual desire. No doubt he expects it."
Sebastian glared. "I can't tell him because it'll hurt him. Do you not understand the words I say? He..." Sebastian twirled the gold liquid in his glass. "He can't have penetrative. That incident is eating me alive. Normally I'd spill about it just to calm down my conscience but I know that doing so will benefit only me and make him feel bad." Sebastian drank his brandy avoiding Kurt's eyes. "And I'd put his comfort above mine," he said it like a bizarre revelation.
Kurt placed his hand over his own heart. Listening to Sebastian's change was like reading a romance novel, only with less bodice ripping and more honest self-discovery. "Oh, Sebastian. That's beautiful. It's better like this. I promise. Talking about desires, about what makes you and him happy can be very freeing. You are supposed to rely on your submissive and be open with them. At least I've found it the best policy."
Sebastian swallowed down the insult formed at Kurt's mincing. "I don't think we're good at being open," he said quietly. "He doesn't even..."
The sentence was cut off by -as Sebastian assumed from the height- a kid of one of the servants rushing into the room. The young boy dropped to his knees before Kurt, visibly scared. "Master Kurt, Master Smythe, I deeply apologize for interrupting but they're fighting and told us to not interfere but it's getting very violent and people are starting to bet on them and I don't know what to do," he said in one breath.
"Of all the low-brow..." Kurt pushed up from his chair and started in fast steps down the long hallway. "What has your submissive incited this time?"
Sebastian jolted out of the room. "How can you know it's not Sam's fault?" He asked accusatory while preparing to reprimand Dave. He didn't mind if his sub indulged in some healthy teasing, but getting into a fight...?
"My Samuel is an angel and highly obedient to my wish for harmony in the household." Kurt snapped back as his thin legs took the stairs three at a time.
"Oh, I guess then Dave just got sick of his sycophant mentality," Sebastian shot back not appreciating the implication that his sub was a savage.
Dave unfortunately looked exactly as Kurt implied. His lip was dripping blood and his fists were swinging in a wild haymaker style as he charged the thinner submissive. If he could just get Sam on the floor he could easily use his bulk to pin the man and punch until that pretty face wasn't so pretty anymore.
Sam squirmed out of the grip and sent his elbow under Dave's ribcage. He didn't hear much over their labored breathing and chanting of few subs gathered in the corridor. All that mattered was knocking the sub out and winning. One wrong move later he dropped on the floor, Dave following after. Sam kicked widely trying to escape the grip.
Dave finally had the advantage of pinning the blond pedigree sub below him. He raised his fist, it came down with a sickening crunch. He didn't hear the shrill scream from behind him. He never saw the other subs scatter. All that mattered was destroying the perfect, pretty, high price, desired submissive below him.
Dave raised his fist again before Sebastian got to him but the Dom's hand clenched around the wrist in time. Fuck, his sub was strong. Sebastian's nails dug into Dave's skin as he tried to keep the arm in place. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He spat.
For a terrible moment Dave's anger turned toward Sebastian. He was the cause of all of this after all. Sebastian brought him to this fancy place, to mingle like a high class sub and expect him to know how to act. He'd forced Dave to be shown off to Blaine and Dave endured having his air cut off like Sebastian swore he wouldn't. He'd left Dave alone with this show-sub and let him hear all of his inadequacies. He should have known Dave wouldn't be able to keep his temper. He wanted to fight. He didn't lower his eyes for a long moment. When he did his entire body bowed inward, defeated. He couldn't attack Sebastian.
Sebastian tried not to cower at the pure hate he saw in Dave's eyes. He released the wrist when his sub hunched. He looked around, at Kurt and Sam, bleeding down his chin. He could feel his hands trembling with rage. "You will pay for this." Sebastian said, his voice deceptively quiet. "Go to our room."
Dave obeyed immediately. He didn't look at the damage he caused as he walked. He would be in pain tonight... but it was worth it.
Kurt held Sam's head in his lap as he tenderly inspected the damage. "It looks broken. Right before the festival... I swear."
Sam sobbed, humiliated. "I'm so s-sorry, Master," he winced at the pain speaking caused.
"Shut up, Samuel." Kurt's voice was sharp as a slap would have been. "You have not earned the right to be absolved. After you are tended to you will tell me what happened without sparing a single detail. Understood?"
The sub nodded barely keeping himself from crying. He could deal with pain, but the disappointment clear in his Dom's voice was killing him. He shook realizing he wasn't completely without a fault which meant he was going to upset Kurt further.
Sebastian observed the men without a word until familiar silhouette of the house's paramedic showed up at the end of corridor. Partially because he was sure if he got a handle on a whip right then, he'd shred Dave's skin off him, but also seeing Kurt act like a Dom for a change... was interesting. He didn't even think Kurt had it in him to sound so in charge.
"I can't express how sorry I am for my sub, Kurt," he said before the doctor got to them.
"As am I. I have no doubt this was both of their faults. Samuel is my angel, but he has a mean side against other submissives. I had thought it was under control." Kurt had never intended to reveal any of the less perfect sides of his and Sam's union to Sebastian, but circumstances change. Sebastian was the only Dominant who seemed to want to care for their sub as deeply as Kurt did.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at that, accepting the confession as sign of Kurt's trust in him. His eyes settled on the sub, looking miserable and frightened. "I don't think there's anything about David I have under control. Don't be too harsh on Sam, he's pissing his pants already." Sebastian said but the words lack usual sneering tone. He turned to go to his room. He still wasn't ready to confront David, but couldn't stand Kurt seeing him so powerless and resigned either.
"The punishment room is in the third door past your guest chamber." Kurt offered before turning his attention to his injured submissive.
"Thank you," Sebastian threw over his shoulder and disappeared inside his room.