Author's Note: So...yeah. Not to let them off easy or excuse they very evil things these two did to a whole lot of people, but I am giving you a bit of their backstory and a look at their future. I wanna say that even if I am explaining some of why they did what they did, I'm not trying to say that it was any excuse. It's just...life is like this sometimes, guys. Bad people get off easy sometimes. It happens.

At the same time, I do think they each suffered a good bit in their own way, so thanks for the effort there, Karma old pal. :)

A Dog's Life

A prison warden sees the roughest and the lowest dregs of humanity, those born with all the cards stacked against them, who enter their cell with an air of dull expectancy – they knew this was coming. But, if he's around the job for long enough, a warden also sees another type – the fallen. The ones who come in desperately trying to conceal their shock at being caged…but who never succeed. Those who were born and bred to come here can always smell a stranger. So can the warden, if he's been there long enough.

Barret Wallace had been prison warden in this city for 15 years. When a newly sentenced convict walked through his doors, Barret knew better than the prisoner did what the next years would hold.

"Cid, that man is used to ruling the world, and he thinks he can crush prison scum just like he crushed everyone else." Barret nodded at the new arrival, a dark-skinned, white-haired man with a smooth, haughty face – almost beautiful, in a way. "He's gonna find out real quick that all his power and money out there don't mean shit to the big guys in here."

Officer Cid Highwind gave the newcomer a once-over and nodded. "That's the CEO I helped round up, ain't it? The dirty pervert? He's here for life."

Barret snorted. "A whole new life he's never dreamed of. That arrogant attitude won't last till Christmas."

He knew what he was talking about. Xemnas entered prison on a life sentence – 25 years. He got out in six, on strict parole, partially for good behavior and partially because his company – a major financial player in the city – was floundering without him. However, the leniency didn't save him. When Barret released Xemnas into the custody of his parole officer, he couldn't help a wry smile – his prediction had been deadly accurate.

The arrogant, icy man who had looked down his nose at the "prison scum" around him had changed in those six years. Oh, he walked out of the prison with his head held high enough, shoulders square and handsome features expressionless. But the warden could see through the sham. That posture was too rigid, that stride too quick – like he was reining himself in hard to keep from running in terror. And those glittering golden eyes – they had no edge left, no sharpness to cut through the fog of fear hovering in them.

"Pretty Richie Rich ain't so tough now," Cid observed.

"Yeah," Barret agreed. "Told ya they'd break him."

~o~

The master was no master anymore, but his dog was still waiting.

For six years, Saïx maintained KH Corporation and all Xemnas' holdings, taking charge of the company and doing everything possible to keep things running and out of bankruptcy. Try as he might, however, his best results were only a gradual, steady decline. Whatever else was true of Xemnas, he'd been quite the brilliant business leader. Saïx wasn't quite the same, but he stuck to the job tenaciously for six years. He would have done it for 25 if necessary, and if he slowly lost everything until all he had left was a one-room rented office, he'd have been waiting in it on the day Xemnas was released.

As it was, however, Xemnas was able to return to work – and only to work; his movements were all monitored and restricted enough to make his former hobbies impossible – far sooner than his sentence had set. Saïx still had his boss's mansion clean and maintained, though certain parts of it had been closed up, and the company, though somewhat the worse for wear, was still recoverable, with effort. And the lackey – the loyal, unshakable dog – was waiting.

Xemnas stepped out of the car in front of his house and ran his eyes over the building, taking it in as if he almost had forgotten it…before his eyes rested on his right-hand man. Saïx bowed slightly, speaking softly and without expression as Xemnas stepped forward and moved to pass him, "Welcome home, Sir."

"Hmph." No other response. Xemnas swept inside so fast that no one would have time to catch the slight, involuntary shudder he couldn't suppress at hearing that voice.

Empty yellow eyes trailed after him silently before Saïx moved to follow. Follow, and watch. As always. After all, he'd been watching silently for a very, very long time.

Years ago, Saïx had been the first to notice Xemnas' interest in some of the male employees at the company. Before Xemnas had even begun to take action on his thoughts, Saïx knew what he wanted. Looking back, the lackey often thought that perhaps that time had been his first and only chance…but he had only watched. He had thought, then, that if he made a move before Xemnas was ready to admit what he wanted…well, it was his employer he was thinking about, after all. He hadn't wanted to lose his job.

So he'd waited, and when Xemnas had begun to make advances on young men, Saïx had believed it was his chance. He should have had the upper hand, right from the first time he "accidentally" interrupted Xemnas and the pretty little intern fucking in the man's office. He should have been able to blackmail his employer, threatening to tell others if Xemnas didn't submit to him. He should have been able to dominate that proud, beautiful man, breaking Xemnas down over time until the man would want only Saïx, would beg to be taken, would surrender himself with a mixture of humiliated pride and burning need, drowning in their mutual passion and lust, never looking for any other…

Nothing had happened the way it should have, but the dreams of what might have been never stopped tormenting the loyal dog.

Xemnas had shown himself to be surprisingly impossible to threaten. Perhaps, after all, Saïx should have known. The man was a shark in the business world – that strength had to stem from somewhere, so maybe he shouldn't have been surprised that Xemnas found a way to turn the situation around and threaten Saïx instead. The man was too strong, too aggressive and powerful and unrelenting, and Saïx became nothing but a lackey to him, and he couldn't even fight it. That smooth, deep voice giving him cold, dispassionate orders…it made him breathless.

But Xemnas wanted more than willing little interns, and as he began to try coercion and threats to have his way with the less willing, Saïx began to understand the fundamental problem – the reason it couldn't be him.

Xemnas didn't submit. He dominated.

The financial giant sought to conquer, always to break and control…and Saïx was already controlled. What was more, Xemnas always took the active role in his sexual relations with men. The more Saïx saw, the better he understood that Xemnas would never allow himself to be taken. The dog's fantasy was impossible.

But the dog remained loyal. He couldn't help it. He worshiped the man's strength and power, and he was addicted to those cold orders, especially when they began to become even more illicit. When Xemnas calmly directed him to rape a young man in the company and film it, Saïx nearly lost control of himself just listening to the order. When he carried it out, it was all he could do to keep from screaming Xemnas' name as he raped the unlucky employee. When Xemnas watched the tape, Saïx couldn't tear his gaze from those icy golden eyes, coolly studying the writhing, naked bodies onscreen – including Saïx's. The flat, emotionless, "Well done," nearly broke him apart.

From that point on, Saïx was a willing slave, and he unhesitatingly followed Xemnas down into his depravity. Young employees were traded for whores, but whores were too willing. S&M became a favorite fetish for a time, until Xemnas got bored with playing within its boundaries and started to really hurt the toys. The high-class prostitution houses banned him, so he found other places to play, other whores to try breaking. And he sent Saïx looking for new toys, boys who could be coaxed out of the protection of the whorehouse and brought into Xemnas' territory.

Then there was the boy Xemnas decided not to let go after he'd used him.

He'd been new to the job, easy to fool. He was naïve enough to think there was no harm in a little side work, going home with a client. The abusive sex had shocked the poor kid, and for a little while afterward, his only reaction was to cry and cower mindlessly. He pulled himself together, eventually, and cussed his client out for treating him like shit, but that only served to ignite Xemnas' interest. Such a pretty little spitfire… He wanted to see the boy broken again, only more…permanently. He told Saïx as much, when he ordered the prostitute locked up in a small, dark room rather than returned to his workplace.

Saïx had been occupied from then on with converting his master's basement into a play area and prison. By the time the basement was ready for new occupants, its first prisoner had already lost his mind. Xemnas kept him around for a diversion until he realized he could sell off his broken toys. He was never very happy about the results of his first experiment, however. Insanity was ugly, and didn't sell for much. Xemnas began a study of psychology in his free time in an effort to cultivate a better process – a way of breaking the spirit while leaving the mind intact, creating the perfect sex slave.

It was just like him to find a way to turn his hobby into profit. Saïx worshiped this, too, even as it drove him mad to watch Xemnas amusing himself with so many frail little boys. The man was a god in his own eyes, cruel to his toys and cold to his slave, who spent years watching others receive all the attention. It was unfair, unfair to the boys who didn't understand anything about the man and didn't want his touch, unfair to the lackey who understood and wanted and could not have.

Then one day, it was all over. The master was taken away, the dog left with nothing but an empty house to guard, hollowly satisfied with himself for covering his own tracks better than his master had and thus escaping jail…even though that success seemed cold and worthless without Xemnas there to commend him for good work.

Now… Xemnas was back. After meeting his long-absent master at the door, Saïx stepped back into his role as lackey as if he'd never left it. He saw to Xemnas' personal comfort – food and rest in a once-familiar environment. Later, he presented a compiled report of the company's current condition and progress, or lack thereof, over the last few years.

"My deepest apologies, Sir. I have failed to maintain acceptable results in your absence." No excuses.

"Clearly." The voice was flat. Not angry…no, Saïx couldn't even hope to become a target of Xemnas' wrath. Nor would he be granted punishment. Xemnas was disappointed in him, and that was agony enough.

Saïx dared not look higher than his employer's shoes. "I will vacate your home tomorrow, Sir, unless you wish me to leave this evening…"

Xemnas had been the one to order Saïx to live in the house. It had been a demeaning command before he went into jail: "You will be my live-in housekeeper and caretaker until I return." The voice darkened with a trace of scorn. "Keep my toilets clean." Saïx had silently obeyed and spent the last six years occupying a room next to Xemnas' – which he had left exactly as it had been.

He expected that now, with Xemnas back and certainly displeased with his failure with the company, the man would dismiss him from the mansion and have his belongings destroyed before he could come back for them. Xemnas, however, suddenly looked up, and there was a strange, unnamable expression flickering in his eyes as he looked at his dog. "No," he looked back down at the papers of Saïx's report, "you will remain on hand, here. See that my black shoes are shined by morning."

Saïx felt lightheaded. He was being told to stay…to stay as a servant, yes, but he could only regard that position as a paradise. To live in Xemnas' house…while the master was here! Almost like living together…

"Yes, Sir."

~o~

"Hnnn…nnn…nnh!"

The sounds were soft and muffled through the wall. Barely audible…but Saïx had exceptional hearing. From where he knelt on the carpet, forehead pressed against drywall, the suppressed noises were agonizingly clear.

"Mmmm…a-ah!"

Saïx knew Xemnas no longer had access to his old hobby and his old toys. As cold as the man was, he still had needs, and Saïx had fantasized a thousand times about how Xemnas would handle those. But he'd never, ever dreamed that the man would be so careless as to allow his dog to hear something like this. He had to be aware that Saïx still occupied the room beside his own… Is he doing it on purpose? The thought was a fresh torment. But why? Why would he want me to hear…?

For two weeks, the lackey had been trapped in a living hell. On the surface, Xemnas was busy with resurrecting his company and satisfying the demands of parole, while Saïx was busy assisting his boss at work and waiting on him hand and foot at home. He'd known, from the moment it became clear that Xemnas would not let him move out, that he was in for tortures he had never yet imagined. He would be around the man all day, so near to him all night, forced to wear his mask of submission 24/7. It was obvious to Saïx that he was going to be spending a lot of time masturbating, just to release some of the tension and frustrated desire.

He had not expected that he wouldn't be alone, however.

"Haaaa…ahhh…nn, nn, nnn!"

"Oh God…Master…" The breathless whisper escaped his parted lips as he tightened his fist around his member, jerking hard in time to the little sounds from the other side of the wall. Eyes closed, he could see the dream so vividly – dripping, amber skin rippling over tense muscles beneath him, white hair plastered damply to a broad back, that haughty face twisted in agony and pleasure, biting a pillow to stifle moans and gasps as Saïx took him hard from behind, pounding relentlessly into him, his master's hole sucking and slippery and wet and so, so hot around him…

"Hnnnnooooohhhh, please, please…!"

The low moan and the pleas came from an even tighter voice, strained with the approach of orgasm. Saïx knew. He could sense it, somehow. And his own cock was already leaking, ready, so ready for climax, just waiting to hear…

"Nn-nn-nn-ahhhh!"

The hoarse voice broke on the final cry, even as Saïx did. His burning cock pulsed, ejaculating on the wall that separated them as Saïx bit his tongue dangerously hard in order to keep silent. He eased himself down when he was done, trying not to collapse audibly on the floor. He curled on the carpet, panting for breath, and listened for any other sounds from his master's room.

And he struggled to understand. Begging? He was begging… He's never begged in his life, I'm sure of it. Finally, after a long pause, some indistinct shuffling reached the dog's ears, followed by a low voice mumbling something. It sounded like, "Shit, shit, shit!" But it didn't make sense, and Saïx was confused. Was his master angry because his climax was unsatisfying, now that he had no little boys to rape? Yet he's never voiced his anger so openly, so out of control… And again, why had he done this when he could be overheard in the first place? To torment me? If he knows…no. Even if he did know, my desires are beneath him. He would not lower himself to taunt me. But then…why?

Questions without answers. At least, none that Saïx could hope to find on his own.

~o~

A month – a long, slow, torturous month – after Xemnas' release, Saïx remained at the office to complete some overtime work while the boss went home early. He didn't ask why; he just obeyed.

When he finally returned to his employer's house that evening, he couldn't find Xemnas to report to, at first. After scanning through several rooms, he finally located the man in a little-used – but ornately decorated – parlor. A suit jacket lay crumpled on the floor, a tie hung haphazardly off a lamp, shoes and socks were scattered. The man himself was sprawled on a sofa – an uncharacteristically laid-back posture – with a glass of wine in his hand and a mostly-empty bottle on the nearby coffee table.

Saïx shuddered, swallowing hard at the sight, but he calmly entered the room and began to gather up the discarded clothing. Yellow eyes, however, could not help flashing up every few moments to stare.

Xemnas half-lay there, drinking, in nothing but black slacks and a white button-down shirt. And…he was really far too beautifully sculpted to be allowed to wear his shirt like that, hanging open, only half the buttons doing their job. Saïx felt saliva pool in his mouth at the sight of a tanned chest and stomach…but he forced his voice to remain even when he spoke.

"Would you like dinner now, Sir, or if you've already eaten…"

"Get out." The monotone order cut him off, and Saïx froze.

"Sir?"

Golden eyes blinked apathetically at him. "Get out of this house," Xemnas elaborated flatly, his articulation slightly slurred, "and don't come back. Never show me your face again. Get out."

Time stopped for the dog. His heartbeat ceased and his stomach froze into a lump as Saïx stared ahead, uncomprehending for a moment before panicked shock began to wash through him in fast-building waves. This can't be happening, can't be happening, he can't, I can't, can't, no!

"S-Sir?" He swallowed again. He could barely get his voice out through his rasping, dry throat.

"You heard me." Xemnas' voice was still expressionless, but his eyes had focused a little, watching the devastated dog with a glimmer of interest.

For another long moment, Saïx stood in shock, mind blank but racing. And there was pain inside, pain as he realized what the order had meant, pain as he slowly set down the clothing, pain in one long, last look at the master he idolized and adored…

"Yes, Sir." He couldn't manage more than a whisper. He turned and walked to the door.

He stopped in his tracks, however, when Xemnas spoke again, calling blandly after him, "You know, that's the most irritating thing about you. You've always been like that. You'd lie down and die on my order, wouldn't you…Saïx?"

His broken heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name on those lips, but Saïx didn't dare to hope… Still, the sound of rustling made him turn back. He had to. Xemnas was standing now, leaning unsteadily against the armrest of the sofa for a moment before he gained his balance and stood straight.

Feverish brightness glittered in gold, watching him. "You'll never get anywhere like that. That's the reason you couldn't run the company as well as I can. That's your problem. A man has to have the ability to stand up and take what he wants for himself. You…" He shook his head, a wry, mirthless smile on his lips, "you'll never get what you want if you wait for it to come to you. Either you get your fists around the thing you're after and never let go…or you walk out the door, beaten and weak. Worthless." Still wearing that cruel smile, Xemnas stepped slowly forward, carefully keeping his balance as he moved to pass Saïx and leave the room.

Saïx remained standing by the door for several minutes. Through the shock and the disbelief that he had even heard those words, he finally reached a conclusion. He had been ordered to leave, but he had also been…dared to stay? He wasn't sure. It might only be his hope, and there was no way to be safe and make certain. But… He told me to get out. I don't…I don't have anything to lose anymore.

With that thought, Saïx turned abruptly from the room. He strode through the mansion rapidly, eyes flickering into rooms as he passed, just making sure they were empty as he headed for the destination his instincts told him to seek. And when he reached that door, he only paused a moment, blood rushing loudly in his ears, before he turned the handle and stepped into Xemnas' bedroom – without knocking.

Bright gold regarded him calmly from where Xemnas lay stretched out on his massive bed. Neither of them spoke. Saïx drew in a deep breath and shut the door behind himself, then took a slow step toward the bed…and another…and then a quicker step, and quicker. Before he knew it, he was crawling across bed sheets to the man who still hadn't moved, whose eyes betrayed nothing – only watched.

There was the faintest tremor in his hands as Saïx reached forward, brushing white fabric aside to touch his master's chest… In a flash, his hand was violently swatted away. Those golden eyes were hard with anger…but the dog only hesitated for one uncertain moment. Obedience now will only end everything. And if it's already over…take him. Take him now…you will never see him again.

Resolved, Saïx moved faster this time, launching forward and grasping Xemnas' shirt with both hands, tearing it open and away from the man's body. His advance was met immediately by a hard shove to both shoulders throwing him off…but only for a moment. Just as fast, Saïx reacted to the struggle and threw himself forward again, shoving Xemnas down onto the mattress and planting a forearm against the man's throat, pinning him. A long, low growl rumbled in his chest, his lips pulling back from his teeth as his free hand immediately found the front of Xemnas' slacks and violently tore the button and zipper open. It only took a heartbeat, and then his hand was fumbling to get underneath fabric…but he was stopped by a sudden slashing blow across his face, quickly followed by a knee in his stomach throwing him off.

Xemnas was fighting. He still said nothing, but there was no violence held back in his struggle.

However, Saïx had already made his decision. Now, fighting only aroused him more. He felt heat surge through him at the challenge, and he wanted, needed to possess this man, to take him by force. He growled louder, grasping the arms that struggled to throw him off again, and slammed Xemnas down, then lifted him up again and practically threw him over onto his side before the man could react. With another shove he had Xemnas on his stomach, a fist around the back of his neck pinning the man on his face as Saïx dragged first the shirt, then the loose slacks down and off, stripping his master completely. Xemnas writhed, trying to reach back and hit him, but he couldn't reach. The best he could manage was to claw at the forearm that held his head down, and Saïx was above even wincing at that small amount of pain.

He laved his tongue over his own hand quickly, then pressed his fingers into the cleft in Xemnas' ass, groping toward the opening and digging into it immediately. He heard Xemnas' breath catch, and then, finally, words.

"How dare you! How…dare…you!" The voice was muffled in a pillow and came slowly, ground out from between clenched teeth – but they were already past the point of no return. Saïx could feel his master's hole stretching almost too willingly around his fingers…like the intrusion wasn't all that unfamiliar. He didn't answer except with another threatening growl as he released the man's neck, quickly grasping his hips instead – hard enough to bruise, easily – and raising Xemnas onto his knees.

Now he was open, vulnerable, and his struggle did not deter Saïx in the slightest as he leaned forward and probed the loosened hole with his tongue. And now he could plainly see – Xemnas may fight and curse, but his cock was erect. The member hanging between his legs was flushed and looked painfully hard…and Saïx felt even more blood rush to his own groin as his lips curved upward in a satisfied smirk. Yes Master…I won't make you wait anymore. He sank his teeth into the firm curve of Xemnas' ass to show his approval. Then he straightened to his knees and tore his own clothing off as if it were tissue paper.

"If you even think about ahhhhhh!" Another growl from Xemnas ended in a scream. Saïx didn't stop, however – he ignored the man's convulsions and continued driving into him, not stopping until his hips were crushed against that tight ass. Then, leaning forward, he pressed himself against his master's back, gripping his upper body to anchor himself and growling into the man's ear.

"I will not leave. Never." He drew back slowly, then rammed inward again, fast. "If you want to be rid of me…" Another hard thrust. "…You must have me arrested for rape." Another thrust. Another. Moans wrenched from Xemnas' throat, muffled in the sheet he was biting. "Have me hauled away to warm the cell you just left." He rammed in harder, biting the ear before growling into it again. "But when I'm released, I'll still come back." A choked groan. "Because you. Are. Mine." Thrusts punctuated his every word now as he ravished his master. "Mine. Mine. Mine! Until…you…die. Mine!"

The proud, arrogant man was writhing, incoherent sounds of pain and lust breaking from his throat with every thrust. The dream was so deliciously real – sweat and dark skin, a slippery opening gripping Saïx as he pounded into that wet heat, cries of desire and fury and need filling the otherwise quiet room in the empty house. Moans of pain when his claws dug into arms and chest, gripping tighter, thrusting harder, racing toward orgasm. His teeth sank into tense flesh – a firm shoulder, the back of Xemnas' neck – breaking the bronze skin and decorating it with ruby drops. So beautiful…Master…

He was ready. He couldn't wait anymore. With one hand still holding Xemnas against his body, Saïx moved the other down, grasping his master's erection with a tight squeeze and jerking a few times, quickly. His body quivered almost at once, his cock pulsing as he climaxed in Saïx's hand, the sheet doing little to quiet his scream. Saïx made himself wait – just a little longer, just until Xemnas was finished. Now…feel me as I mark you, Master.

He released, shooting his seed into Xemnas' body. It was burning hot and throbbing – a thousand times better than any other orgasm in his life. And it was final, now. Even if he had wished to return to his obedient role, Saïx knew. He would claw his way back; no matter how far away Xemnas threw him, he would always return…for this man. His master could not say or do anything to stop him, not now, not ever again.

"You are mine," he breathed, his body relaxing and withdrawing. He made no move to lie down, however. As sated and relaxed as he felt, Saïx fully expected to be punched as soon as Xemnas had enough strength back to hit him. So he remained where he was, kneeling, arms braced on either side of Xemnas and holding himself up, waiting for the lash of indignant rage.

What came instead shocked him even deeper than being told to leave had.

Saïx felt and saw the tremors begin in Xemnas' body, and before he'd had time to realize and believe in what he was seeing, the man was shaking like a leaf, curling in on himself and trembling like a beaten child. He still didn't make a sound, however – his teeth were grinding together, desperately determined to remain silent.

Brow furrowing in uncomprehending fear, Saïx shifted, leaning down a little and carefully resting a hand on smooth white hair. "Master?" he began, worried.

His whole body tensed, almost jumping, when Xemnas moved suddenly and shaking hands snapped up to grab Saïx's hand. The next moment Saïx's heart skipped a beat as his palm was pressed to Xemnas' face. Hot breath exhaled shakily against his hand, which Xemnas almost crushed against his face, eyes closed, expression tortured. Voice…breathless and weak.

"Say it again."

Uncertain, Saïx tried – "Master…"

Another shudder shook Xemnas' body and he clutched tighter at the hand he held. "Again." His lips moved against Saïx's palm, overwhelming him.

"Master." The arm he supported himself on wavered weakly.

"Again!"

Saïx broke down, his arm giving way and he sank toward the trembling man, covering him with his warmth and repeating over and over, "Master, Master, Master, Master…" He didn't understand at all, but he couldn't suppress the desperate urge to help, to soothe. Whatever was wrong, he longed to fix it. He longed for Xemnas.

Again and again he whispered the word, closer and closer until he was speaking right in Xemnas' ear. Finally, the man moved. Saïx's hand was released, and golden eyes looked into his own. Haunted. Still-shaking hands reached for his face and grasped him, insistently tight. Why does he look so haunted?

A harsh pull dragged him down…and trembling, cold lips crushed against his own.

A…kiss? Saïx felt like he might faint. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. They had never kissed before.

Now, Xemnas wouldn't let him go. He kept kissing, biting and sucking and desperate, and Saïx let go of his confusion and just responded on instinct, matching the furious pace of the kiss and pressing his master down into the bed again. When they finally parted, they were both gasping breathlessly, lips bruised and even bleeding, and Saïx felt like he was drifting in a haze of perfect bliss. "Master…" he sighed.

"Silence." The order was curt, and Saïx blinked in surprise. Xemnas was glaring at him, his eyes and tone no longer cold, but angry, and even though Saïx had expected anger at first, after that kiss…well, he was surprised all over again. Then Xemnas' expression changed, becoming aloof and haughty again, and his next order was delivered in a matching tone. "Go and make me a cup of tea."

It was just like every order he had given Saïx all month…except they were still naked and in bed together. But after only a moment of hesitation, Saïx slowly nodded. "Yes…Master." Not "sir." Not anymore…at least not here.

He rose and reached for his pants, only to be stopped by another command. "No. Do not cover yourself."

But the kitchen is all the way over in the other wing… He paused again, and again nodded. "Yes Master."

Saïx walked across the house naked, made tea, and brought it back. He felt like a sex slave, serving his master in the nude, and it thrilled him body and soul. He'd watched so many others given this privilege, he'd coveted this place for so long… And though he understood nothing about Xemnas' actions or behavior and had no idea what to expect next, Saïx didn't care. He returned with the tea and served the beautiful man who reclined in bed as if he owned the world, with his body on full display as if daring anyone to touch the untouchable.

And Saïx did. As Xemnas sipped his tea, his dog crawled forward and bent to kiss his feet reverently, whispering "Master" and growing aroused again as Xemnas permitted the touch.

They did not sleep until the early hours of the morning.

~o~

Saïx was never ordered away again, and they seemed to fall effortlessly into a pattern after that. In public, at work, Xemnas was "Sir" and his commands were absolute. At home, he was "Master" and Saïx was just as obedient a personal slave as he was an employee. But in bed…Xemnas was still "Master," but Saïx gave the orders. The master had become submissive to the point of greedily begging to be taken. And it was a thousand times better than the dog's best fantasy.

Xemnas never spoke a word of explanation. He never told his story, never mentioned his time in prison, and acted as if the new arrangement were obvious and had always existed. But over time, Saïx came to understand. As he shared the man's bed and saw his fears – when they gripped him and how he sought to drive them away – he figured out roughly what had happened.

After breaking dozens of boys' spirits, Xemnas had received a rather devastating crack in his own.

Saïx didn't think he'd ever broken…but he'd come close. He must have been claimed by some thug as soon as he entered prison and spent six years as a heavily abused bitch. The experience had changed him – he seemed to have forgotten how to dominate another sexually. What he'd once treated as unthinkable was now all his body seemed to know – being fucked roughly enough to border on rape was ingrained into him so badly that he didn't know what to do without it. At the same time, he was terrified of sexual contact – too many times being taken against his will, Saïx guessed. Xemnas couldn't bear to be touched without the reassurance of being the one in control. He found it in the worshipful reverence of his slave, in being addressed as "Master" even as he was ravished.

Saïx had waited so long that circumstances had finally turned to his favor, and the one he'd been dying for finally needed him, and no one else. And, under their unspoken arrangement, Xemnas was gradually liberated from his fears and became…insatiable. Or almost so. Saïx was certainly up to the challenging task of trying to satisfy his master, and considering that Xemnas never sought another partner after that, Saïx must have done well enough.

~o~