Warning: This chapter includes M-rated content.

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Part 6: Trust

Aki followed Divine reluctantly, less than thrilled at having to meet Yusei yet again. Why Divine insisted on her making friends with him was beyond her, it wasn't like she really needed anyone else and surely Yusei had other friends to spend his time with. From what she'd gathered he was quite popular.

But it was Divine's wish and she would not deny him. She would try, even if she already knew the end. Maybe when it was over Divine would not make her try again.

He lead her to a room she didn't know, somewhere among the sleeping quarters. It was a fairly regular room, looking not particularly lived in. The bed was bigger than average though and on it sat the very person she'd worked so hard on avoiding for weeks. His hands rested calmly next to his legs and he wore his usual red and black tank top and jeans but no shoes or socks and his jacket was folded over the back of a chair nearby.

Divine closed the door behind them and locked it.

"I want to work on trust today, Aki, and Yusei kindly agreed to help me.", he explained and Aki immediately tensed up. She didn't like these kind of exercises. She wasn't very good at them.

Divine walked over to what looked like a built in closet, the doors to which swished open automatically when he touched them. She couldn't quite see what was inside, but as Divine turned around her eyes widened and her shoulders began to tremble. The items he held were unmistakable, and their purpose seemed obvious: there wasn't really that much you could do with shackles and ropes.

Divine went over to the bed where he placed the bondage equipment – because that's what it was, no mistake – next to Yusei. Aki didn't dare move so much as finger. She was scared.

"Aki."

She winced despite Divine's calm voice.

"Come here, please, Aki.", he said and held out his hand to her.

Hesitation. But this was Divine. He would never harm her. He'd protect her. Aki believed that with all her heart. Only that conviction enabled her to walk, stiffly, to Divine's side where he took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. With his free hand he lifted up one of the shackles. It was made of padded leather, black on the outside and soft beige within. There was also a prominent metal d-ring where bonds could be attached. She had to work hard not to flinch away.

"I want you to help me put this on Yusei, would you?"

It took her a moment to realize what he had asked her to do. The bonds were for Yusei? The boy looked up at her with those calm blue eyes, apparently at peace with the idea of being tied up.

Still confused she reached out to take the device from Divine. It felt heavy in her hands.

Yusei lifted his right hand and offered it to her. But why?

"It's okay.", he stated. "Go ahead. I trust you."

Why would he trust her? All she had ever done was hurt him!

"Aki.", her eyes fixed on Divine. "Take a deep breath. Calm down. It's alright.", his green eyes were full of caring, unconditional support. "You can do this.", he stood close, but didn't touch her. He wanted her to do this herself. And he believed in her.

It was more than she did for herself, but it was enough. She took Yusei's hand and put the shackle around his wrist, pulling the straps through their respective loops to close them.

"It's a little loose.", he remarked, "Can you make it tighter?"

She did as he asked and when Divine handed her the second shackle she didn't hesitate to put it on Yusei's left wrist. Through the whole process he sat there peacefully, unafraid. For a brief moment Aki wondered how that might feel.

Divine regarded them both, looking pleased. He touched Yusei's shoulder and asked him to lie down, which he did at once, hands over his head without having to be told. Aki noticed his wiry build, thin but not weak. His eyes were closed in surrender.

She heard the distinct sound of a chain that had somehow managed to escape her notice earlier. There was a heavy padlock at one end, other than that it was an ordinary chain, if an item like that could ever be ordinary. Divine explained how to use it to bind Yusei's shackles to the bars of the bed's headboard and she knelt on the bed next to Yusei to follow his orders.

Doing what Divine told her to was easy. She could do this.

Yusei was completely passive now, letting her work without the slightest interference. When she was done the movement of his arms was almost completely restricted, with little leeway.

"Well done, Aki.", Divine praised her, tipping up her chin with just a finger and playing a kiss on her cheek. "One more thing now.", from his pocket he drew a knife and handed it to her, "I need you to get rid of his shirt, can you do that for me?"

Aki took the knife reflexively, but she wasn't at all sure she could do what Divine demanded of her.

Yusei didn't share her scruples though. "Please, Aki?", he asked, "I want you to."

She didn't understand him, not one bit, but with one last glance in Divine's direction she knelt once more on the bed and bowed over Yusei to cut off his shirt. She began tentatively at first. She had never handled a knife like this and the cloth was surprisingly strong, she needed more force than she had originally thought. One cut under each of his arms, the last down the middle, straight from neck down to his stomach. With the final jerk of the knife she nicked his skin a little, causing a sharp intake of breath from Yusei.

The shirt fell apart and exposed smooth skin, the tiny drop of red blood standing out like a rose in a field of concrete.

"I...", 'I'm sorry' she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come. It was an eerily entrancing view.

"Aki."

Divine's voice. She snapped out of her trance with a jolt.

"We're not done.", he petted her head and let his hand rest at her neck, gently stroking, "You're doing great so far. I'm proud of you. But there's more to do. Can you go on?"

She wasn't so sure. "Will you help me?", she whispered, looking down at her feet.

"Of course, Aki.", he assured her, "Always."

She braced herself. "I can do it."

He smiled and that alone was worth all the work. He took both her hands in his and guided them to Yusei's stomach, hovering over it but not quite touching. Only when he breathed in could she feel his warm skin under her fingers and the drop of wetness that was blood. Her fault.

But he didn't shy away from her, in fact he didn't even open his eyes and his face was perfectly relaxed. She let her hands rest on his body with Divine standing close by, his side pressed against hers. "Go on.", he urged without haste, giving her a friendly nudge in the right direction.

His jeans, though tighter than she'd seen most boys their age wear, were opened easily enough and he willingly lifted his hips so they could lower his pants and pull them off completely. Yusei was left in a pair of white boxer briefs as he opened his eyes to regard the two of them without even a hint of unease or discomfort.

"Please step back, Aki.", Divine said after a while and took up what Aki had originally thought were ropes of some sort and what now turned out to be straps made of leather.

She did as he had asked, not sure about the straps' purpose.

Divine let the leather strap run through his fingers, apparently for the boy to see. "Turn around.", he ordered and Yusei obeyed at once, the chains that tied his arms over his head leaving him just enough freedom to do so. "Do you love me, Yusei?", he asked and the answer came at once.

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"I love you, Divine."

The strap fell with a loud sound like a cry, bright and as surprising as lightning, leaving an angry red welt on his thigh. Yusei's scream followed it like thunder, then he went silent.

"Tell me again.", Divine demanded and Yusei answered as he had before.

"I love you, Divine."

Twice more Divine hit him before he stopped, waiting.

"I love you."

And the beating started once more. This time Divine targeted his calves and just as before Yusei's cries followed each hit. He was breathing heavily when Divine let up, his eyes pressed close and pain obvious on his face.

"I love you.", he repeated.

Aki stood as if paralyzed, numb and hypersensitive at the same time. She felt unable to tore her eyes away from the display in front of her. She could see how much Yusei hurt and yet... and yet...!

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"I love you.", and this time it was a whisper, rewarded by a kind hand, cool on a warm forehead.

Divine had let the strap fall and knelt by Yusei, petting him like a small child. "It's okay. I love you, too. I love all my children."

And he knew them well. He knew Yusei's limits, and they weren't quite there yet. He knew what Aki needed, and right now that was to hurt Yusei. She might believe that he would forgive her for hurting him accidentally. Once, maybe even twice, but not indefinitely. She believed that he'd never forgive her for hurting him intentionally, but he could prove her wrong.

He stood and looked at the petrified girl.

"Your turn, Aki."

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She shook her head. Slowly first, then with more determination. "No.", she took a step back, "No, I won't.", how was she ever going to control those awful powers of hers if she started unleashing them with the sole intention of hurting someone?

It was Yusei who spoke up. "Don't be afraid of your powers.", he turned his head as far as he could, looking back at her over his shoulder, "I'm not."

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"Then you're a fool!", she exclaimed loudly and even Divine hadn't seen her draw the card she was suddenly holding.

There might not be anything to see, but Yusei certainly felt the effect if his scream was any indicator. Again and again Aki's powers lashed out at him like whips set with thorns, making it impossible for him to remain silent. His agonized voice filled the room as his body convulsed under the onslaught.

Aki was breathing heavily and even one who wasn't sensitive in that respect could tell that she was practically radiating something. Something very powerful indeed.

Divine watched her closely while also keeping an eye on the boy on the bed. There was no reason to be too concerned for Yusei, he told himself. Of course, no normal fifteen year old could have dealt with Aki's attacks, but Yusei was far from normal. He had the talent to withstand pain and the training to back it up, to that Divine had seen personally.

It didn't take too long until Aki stopped. Her uncontrolled powers tired her out quickly and she sank to her knees, eyes wide and shivering wildly. A few of the lashes had broken the skin but Divine was sure that if his wounds were treated soon enough, they could avoid scarring. For the moment however he needed to finish a lesson.

He went to Aki and knelt by her side, carefully laying a hand on her shoulder. She twitched, then the shivering ceased as her eyes came back into focus. She looked at Divine with fear bordering on panic.

"What... what have I done?", she whispered, "It happened again..."

Divine shook his head and pulled her to her feet. "It's okay, Aki...", he began but she cut him off.

"It's not!", she cried out, "I hurt him, and he let me! And...", she grasped at her chest, "And my heart beats so fast...! Like it was the most fantastic thing I've ever seen!", she was crying now, "He was right, the other time. I do enjoy my powers. God, what is wrong with me!?"

He lead her to the bed without her really noticing. "There is nothing wrong with you, Aki.", he said with the force of belief behind his words, "Not more than with him, anyway.", he pointed out and put a hand on Yusei's hips to shift him to his side. The boy groaned uncomfortably but obeyed. "Aki, look at him."

She did and a gasp escaped her just before she blushed a bright scarlet. Yusei was hard and his erection showed clearly against his white boxer briefs. The tips of her feet suddenly seemed increasingly interesting.

"Don't look away.", Divine instructed with a surprisingly strict voice. "Yes, you did this. Your beautiful powers did. Our powers. Do you hear me, Aki?"

She nodded but took a moment to raise her eyes at Yusei who had finally opened his. His cheeks were wet with tears, but there was no hatred in the look he gave her. She swallowed. "Yusei...?"

Was that a smile? Almost, but not quite? "I trust you.", he said sincerely.

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It was as if something broke in her. Like a burden that had dragged her down under the water, that weight left her and she took a deep, freeing breath. It was a wondrous feeling, one that so far had been limited to the part of her that was Divine.

She turned to him and there he was, taking her into his warm arms and placing a kiss on her mouth. That was new. But right, and perfect. She wasn't shocked or even seriously surprised and started to return the kiss as best she could, taking her lack of experience into account.

Divine didn't seem to mind, at least his body didn't, that much Aki could tell. Her cheeks were flaming red but she would have to lie to say it didn't feel good. A moan that was neither hers nor Divine's broke them apart. Yusei was watching them, blue eyes filled with lust and longing, but no shame.

Divine smiled, the way he did when he was proud of her and caressed her face ever so gently. "Turn around, Yusei.", he said without looking away from her and she heard him obey. He then began to undress her, slowly, taking his time with every piece of garment. She trembled a bit, but his continuing soft touches helped her relax.

Only when she was completely naked did he start to undress himself, not rushing but not hesitating either. Yusei had the decency not to openly stare at her; or maybe he just found Divine more interesting. Aki thought he was handsome and willingly allowed him to pull her down onto the bed which urged Yusei to carefully move his legs out of the way. Divine cast him an approving glance before his attention settled back on Aki.

His fingers traced invisible patterns across her skin, making her tremble in all the right ways. He started with her shoulders and went on down her arms, caressing her hands and lifting them to his mouth to kiss them. His eyes locked with hers and he let go of her hands that came to rest on his chest, sliding down slowly all on their own. His skin was lightly tanned, smooth and warm as if he had just stepped out of the sun. His nipples were of a darker brown and only when she reached them – at which point she could feel the blood rushing to her face once more – did he touch her there as well.

It didn't feel at all awkward, not even all that uncomfortable. She realized she'd been afraid, but it only gave her the familiar feeling of trust that came when Divine held her. So she let him hold her closer yet, relishing the sensation of his arms around her and returning the embrace with all her heart. "Please...", she heard herself whisper, but what was she asking for?

Divine seemed to know – he always did – and he let her go just enough to let one of his hands slide lower down the front of her body. "Spread your legs a little.", he spoke against her ear and she responded without conscious thought.

She clung to him when his hand went between her legs. Her heart hammered so hard in her chest she thought it had to burst.

"You're wet.", Divine breathed and it seemed to be a good thing because he kept going...

"Oh god!", she clawed at his back. She could feel him inside and it was weird and new and unexpected and wonderful and it made her head spin. "Divine!", she called out. Her mind went blank and left nothing but his name.

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Divine made sure to go slowly, easing Aki into every step of their love-making, taking his time. Like so many things with her he couldn't hurry, not and get anywhere. He prepared her carefully, looking out for signs of discomfort. She seemed to be completely lost in her pleasure though, the boy next to them on the bed was forgotten. It was all right. He'd remind her in time.

Yusei was breathing heavily, his cock hard and begging for attention. His self-control was admirable for someone his age. He had earned himself a reward, Divine thought.

When he deemed Aki ready for more he withdrew his hands, the girl's sighing moan like music to his ears. He kissed her again, lingering longer this time to give her the chance to respond in kind. He waited a moment until he had her full attention, looking into her brown eyes. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her earlier embarrassment seemed to have left her for the moment.

"Aki?"

She nodded, realized he hadn't even asked anything yet and blinked. She really was adorable, confused but oh so willing to follow his lead.

The sound of Yusei's chains rattling slightly finally got her out of the trance and she looked at the painfully erect boy who had a hard time retaining his cool and was breathing more heavily now while watching them intently.

"Are you ready, Aki?", Divine asked calmly and his words sent a shiver through the two teens' bodies. It was beautiful to see how Yusei unconsciously mimicked Aki's reactions despite the fact that no one was touching him as of now.

"Yes.", she whispered at once without breaking eye contact with Yusei.

"Good.", Divine fished a small almost lost package out of the folds if the bed sheet and rolled a condom onto his cock before he carefully lifted Aki into his lap. She followed his movements easily as he slipped inside of her for the first time. Slowly, oh so slowly he entered her, encouraged by her soft moans and sighs. "The first time might hurt a little.", he warned her, "It will pass though, I promise."

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It hurt, yes, but it also felt oh so wonderful! Aki had no words for the feelings that flooded her body and that overwhelmed her mind. Her eyes were wide open and her arms securely locked around Divine's shoulders. She wanted him closer, impossibly closer! It took her a while to realize that she was chanting his name like an endless litany. Right now, there was nothing but him.

Then he moved.

And sent her flying.

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Yusei thought he had never seen anything as absorbing and spellbinding as this. Nothing else had ever captured him in this way, his whole body was on fire and it had never been so hard to hold still. He wasn't wild by nature but now he wanted to thrash and squirm in his bonds, futile as it may be. It was so hard to be right here and still so far away, to be kept away, unable to touch!

Divine held Aki like she was the most precious thing in the whole wide world and she grasped him like a life line in a storm, only he was the wind and the ocean and the current that swept her away. She was lost in him and he was right there for her.

He moved slowly at first, careful, as if he were handling a fragile piece of china. Then, after a while that was heaven and agony for Yusei, he picked up the pace, pushing into Aki's welcoming body. Yusei wished he could be Aki. Or Divine. Just be with them. He hardly felt the sting in his back and legs, only the dire need of his erection and the craving for contact with the two people in front of him.

Divine's deep voice and Aki's clear sounds of abandonment made him groan in frustration and for a second Divine cast him him a knowing smile. Of course, he hadn't forgotten him. He kissed Aki's throat and shoulder and she pressed into that touch, wanting more.

And her hands responded, too, timidly finding their way over his arms and shoulders and down his back. Yusei's eyes followed their trails, mesmerized, imagining his own hands roaming over Divine's skin. If it were him, he would not be shy to explore the whole of Divine's body, learn him like he would a complicated machine only to find ways to return the pleasure.

The rattling noise of his chains reminded him to lie still, to be patient, but oh it was hard.

Divine whispered something into Aki's ear that Yusei couldn't catch, but whatever it was it made Aki shift and go faster, more on her own and yet still within Divine's guidance, and soon – too soon and not soon enough – he called out her name and she gasped, then moaned, her face full of wondrous disbelief, as if she hadn't expected anything could ever feel so good.

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Aki thought she had to have wings. Surely she had to be flying! It felt like Divine was going deeper with every trust into her body, chasing her to soar higher yet. There was an end coming though and whatever it was, she longed for it as much as she loathed it. She wanted this connection between them to never end, this wonderful, indescribable feeling within her.

But the end came inevitably and as Divine cried out her name Aki came and the world exploded, an unbelievably bright white star.

It took her a while to come to her senses. She was still out of breath when she realized that Divine had withdrawn from her and had moved the two of them up on the bed so they could lie next to Yusei. The boy seemed far lass collected now than at the beginning, the eyes were glazed over with... longing? Desire? Lust?

"I think you should help him, Aki.", Divine said, softly petting her back ad shoulders, "Look at him."

She did, and her eyes settled on Yusei's member, now an angry red with drops of pre-cum dripping from the tip.

Before she could decide on a course of action Divine had taken her hand in his and directed her to the leaking organ that until now had gone so devoid of attention. It felt hot under Aki's hand, hard yet soft and so very alive as her simple touch send a tremor through Yusei's body that ended in a loud groan from his throat.

Divine was still so very close to her, murmuring little words of support and advice. Curious and with the incentive to give pleasure to Yusei as well she began to move her hand up and down, further encouraged by his needy yet restricted movements and helplessly aroused sounds, open mouthed moans and little whimpers that quickly turned into one, ending in a wordless scream as his seed covered both her and Divine's hand and his own stomach.

And she knew exactly what she had to do. What she wanted to do. Separating herself from Divine just enough to bow over Yusei she placed a single, chaste kiss on his lips.

And then he really smiled and said, his voice still somewhat hoarse: "Thank you. For letting me trust you."