Disclaimer: Characters and story not mine! Not making any money out of this.
AN: 1st and foremost we would like to say thank you on all of the pips that gave support, comments and suggestions, it really helped us! Thank you! Finally after much deliberation and soooo much debate, we decided that if we can't make a compromise then we'll just skip it sparing a lot of anguish on both our parts and honestly, though we did delete almost 7 chapters it made the 2 of us much happier, so without further adieu Chapter 13!!! Hope u enjoy!!!
For the past months Chase had been showering young Jack with gifts of clothes, jewelries and trinkets. He wanted to show Jack that he was of great value to the baron. He was treated with care and love that he was supposed to received from the very beginning. Jack was removed from the dungeons and was now staying in Chase's chambers.
The baron had even prepared an entire new dresser complete with all the most expensive clothes and accessories known to man. He made sure that the boy lived like a prince. (Lemonade: well queen actually since Chase would be the king. Pink: *hits Lemonade's head* stop interrupting the story!)
Jack, not being used to such luxuries felt overwhelmed and uncomfortable every time the baron gave him gifts. He felt that he wasn't worthy of such beautiful things.
He was happy that he was being fed regularly now and his chores had lessen to accompanying the baron in strolls and merely assisting the older man in his daily activities that consisted of running the land that Chase owned but everything else just simple overwhelms him.
The baron also became very kind and caring towards him. That was the best for Jack. He had seen a side of the baron that no one else had. He simply felt privileged over that fact. But of course even though he is being treated nicely now he does not forget the fact that he is still a slave and he knows he must act accordingly. That no matter what happens he will never be equal to the baron. He still fears the baron. He fears that one day the baron would cease to be kind to him and go back to hitting him. It was his greatest fear.
He also has the tendency to distance himself from the baron, fearing that the older man would hit him. He still has not forgotten the times he was beaten and hurt. Though he knew he was merely being punished for wrong actions abut he couldn't help by tense up and shiver when the baron suddenly comes too near without warning.
But if the baron approaches slowly or tries to kiss him he doesn't mind, Jack blushes at the memory. He loved the baron's kisses. It made him feel of giggly and warm. It was like floating on air but anything else he just freezes up.
Chase's soul was in turmoil. His most precious mate was afraid of him, so very terribly afraid. Whenever he tries to suddenly get near him the boy would just tenses up and start to tremble. The only thing he could do was back away. Though there had been small improvements since their 1st encounter, it still didn't change the fact that the boy was still afraid of him.
He didn't want to scare his most precious person anymore. He loves him. Loves him so much and it hurts to see the one that you most care about this way.
He knew that it was his entire fault. He knew and he was only reaping what he sown. He was full of conflicting emotions. One day his heart would soar seeing the boy smile then only plummet when he would see the scars that had been left on the delicate body.
The one thing that disturbed him the most was the boy's left hand.
He had asked the boy if he still felt pain. The boy would quiet down and say that because of the elixir he had given the child the pain was gone. The only thing left was the discomfort of the scar tissue and the misalignment of the bones because it was not allowed to heal properly. It was the cause of his greatest lament.
Clay had once told him that the boy played the flute very well.
Oh how Chase would've loved to hear the boy play. He bet it was wonderful just like the one playing it. But he knew that the boy's music was lost forever due to his own stupidity and he would never be able to hear the boy's sweet music ever.
He wanted to right everything. He wanted to give back everything that he had stolen from the boy. He wanted his mate to be happy, his instincts and his heart dictates it! but he had no idea how.
Then an idea struck him.
One day in the garden the baron and Jack were having a picnic as usual. The boy was gaining more weight as he was fed constantly now but it was still not enough for the baron's liking.
They were under the tree seeking shade from the afternoon sun. Jack was sitting a small distance away from the older man making garlands and Chase was sitting against the tree reading a book. They were enveloped in a comforting silence. Then Chase suddenly asked, "Jack… can I dare say that you would be happy if you could use your left hand again?"
Jack stopped at what he was doing and looked down sadly "… yes Master Chase, I would and it would make doing chores much easier too…"
There was a moment of pause. "I wasn't talking about chores Jack…."
"Oh?" jack cocked his head to the side looking at his master in a confused expression.
"I heard from Clay that you play the flute… I was wondering… if it was possible, … If the function of your hand would somehow return then maybe perhaps you would be kind enough to play a small tune for me?"
Jack was speechless, he had already accepted the fact that his left hand would never return and here was his master saying such things, it only made the feeling of the sense of lose greater.
"Please master… saying such things to me like that, I do not wish to think about the unchangeable facts …"
The sad expression on the boy's face made the baron's chest constrict. "I know you don't have any right to say or even ask that… but if somehow you could … would you play for me?"
Jack looked at his master's face. It seemed so long ago the only emotion that his master could evoke was fear, only now it also radiated a sense of warmth, acceptance and … something much deeper. Making Jack's head feel all light and fuzzy, not to mention his heart would skip a beat and he knew his face was flush again. If he really could, he would love to play for his dearest master.
With a smile and a sincere voice the boy said "Yes, I would… for as long as you wish"
Those words made the baron's chest soar. He closed his eyes calmly for a moment and then looked deep into those red orbs and slowly caressed Jack's face.
Jack knew what he was being asked and he knew he could never deny the baron. He closed his eyes, lifted his chin and slightly parted his lips. Soon, soft lips met his and kissed him gently. Nipping and sucking the lower lip then he felt the tongue swipe across. Jack could only moan for more.
Chase was all too happy to comply. He took the back of Jack's head and pulled him into a deeper kiss. Oh how he loved this boy.
Jack could feel the baron's tongue caressing his own and mapping out every crevice in his mouth. He felt dizzy and light headed as his master kissed him. He could feel hands moving along his sides making him shiver as he presses close to the sturdy and broad chest, wrapping his arms around the older man's neck.
As they parted, it was only then that Jack became aware that he saw now sitting on the baron's lap with his arms around Chase and the older man's hands had rested on the boy's waist not ceasing with his caresses. It made Jack blush even harder and lower his head in embarrassment at his brazen actions. But he couldn't help it. It just felt so good and so… right being with the baron.
Chase merely smiled and embraced the boy tightly as if his life depended on it.
The following days, Chase kept most of himself in his study. He would usually rise up and have breakfast in bed with Jack as usual but instead of the two of them spending time together like always, Chase would tell Jack to play in the garden with Clay and he would continue working all day till dinner time where he would eat with Jack. He would always put on a small smile for Jack and ask him how his day went and the kid would relate his day in an enthusiastic childlike way. Then the two of them would sleep in the same bed as always, though they would start off with a respectable distance at night, Chase not wanting to scare the boy only wanting Jack's presence to be near him was enough but come morning it would seem that they would gravitate towards each other. Usually with Jack snuggling tightly against Chase chest with the older man arms protectively wrapping themselves around the boy that could almost be described as sheer desperation.
But as it turned into weeks, Jack became very worried and if he was honest he was beginning to miss the baron's company. Sure he was somewhat still scared of him but that was not the only thing he felt for his master now especially when the master had begun to be kind to him.
He had seen a softer side of the baron, a caring and almost loving side. It was like his sister but not quite, it felt something deeper and more profound. The way he would treat him in such a gentle fashion, how he would always make Jack the priority. It made him feel special, loved.
But as the days passed, he suddenly felt anxious. The baron was spending less and less time with him and he felt so alone. It was as if he wanted to call him back with him. He felt incomplete without his master. Even though Clay was with him it didn't feel the same. He was suddenly afraid that the baron had forgotten about him or that the older man no longer care for him or maybe… the baron hates him now! That could be the only explanation. Jack knew he was no one special and for the life of him he couldn't understand the way the baron treated him specially. The baron was a handsome, powerful and intelligent man. Maybe the baron is already tired of him and hates him now because he had seen Jack as a pathetic small weakling of a child since Jack didn't meet any of the baron's expectations. It made him feel like crying. He thought of the baron no longer being with him and hating him, his chest suddenly felt life they were being squished, they hurt very much like he couldn't breathe.
Clay saw the boy's pained expression and began to panic. If anything happens to the boy, it was going to be his neck! He was sure of it!
"Jack… Is there something wrong?" Clay asked gently.
Large crocodile tears suddenly poured down his cute little cheeks. Plop. Plop. Plop.
"Clay *sniff*… does Master Chase hates me now?" Jack asked in the most softest and desolate voice Clay had ever heard.
Clay's brain went into overdrive. If the master saw the boy like this, the baron would think that it was his fault and hang him! He quickly looked around just too see if the master was near and awkwardly patted the boy. He so did not want to see the master touching the boy, considering how the baron acted when he merely LOOKED at the boy. He shuddered as he remembered. Not that the master had anything to be possessive about. He only saw the boy as a little brother nothing more, sheesh but he can't very well argue with his master, that is if he still wants to keep his head in place… literally.
"Now, now kid… please don't cry! I beg you! If not for you then for ME! What do you think the master will do if he saw you crying while with me?!"
Jack made a little sniffing noise then whimpered some more.
"Ok! Alright! Let's try to analyze the problem shall we? First things first. WHY, do you think that master hates you? I would think with the way the master treats you, you're someone very special to him" Clay said in a desperate attempt to make the boy stop crying. Then added mentally, because he loves you
Jack sniffed then said "That's true… b-but for the past few weeks , he rarely spends time with me like he used too…"
"Well… did you ASK him why?"
Jack looked shocked then shook his head.
Clay sighed "You know what, why don't you just go ahead and ask him. I'm sure if it's you, he wouldn't dare refuse you anything."
"Really?" jack looked up full of hope
"Really. Besides its much better asking him than crying over that could most probably be nothing. It saves you the tears , not to mention my neck" clay said mumbling the last part.
Jack smiled up at the blond and nodded.
It was mid afternoon when Jack finally decided to ask the baron. He was standing in front of the doors to the study. It was slightly ajar and he knocked softly. Getting no reply he slowly entered to see if the baron was there.
Hearing the door opened made Chase's look at the door and snapped "WHAT?!"
Hearing the baron's yell made jack trembled again. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Chase's eyes widened seeing the small trembling form, he gave a sad sigh and closed the book he was reading.
"Jack, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. Is there something you want?" Chase asked in a softer tone.
Hearing the baron's change of voice made Jack look up unsurely at his master.
Chase gestured Jack to come closer with his hand and Jack followed. He lifted Jack earning him a small 'eeep' then made the boy sit on his lap.
Jack look at the raven haired man and when he saw that the baron smile . He relaxed and gave one of his own smiles.
This made Chase smile even more "Is there something you want Jack?" he asked softly
"well… uhm…" the boy fidgeted.
Chase chuckled "You know, if there's anything you want just tell me and you know I'll get it for you"
Jack blushed and looked down, "There's nothing I want, really, you've already been so kind to me it just that…."
"Just that?"
"Master chase… do you hate me?"
Chase was startled at the question. Did he do something to upset the child. He quickly began panicking, thinking and cataloging his interactions with the child thinking where and when he could've hurt him. Thinking of none, he grumbled low in his throat. But considering his past actions he didn't trust himself too much at not hurting the boy.
Jack hearing the grumble became tensed again. Chase noticed this and nuzzled the boy's hair in a reassuring gesture.
"Why? Did I do something to hurt you recently to make you think that I hate you?" Chase sounded sad. Something that Jack didn't want.
"No! NO! It's not that! It's just that… you haven't been spending time with me like the usual,…. AH! of course I'm not saying that you should spend all your time with a boring kid like me! It's just that… well… I miss you…"
Not only did those words put the baron at ease it made his feel so elated that his mate had said that he had missed him. Even the beast purred in happiness. He felt like he was on top of the world. His mate cared enough for him that his absence had affected the boy to some extent. Maybe there's still hope.
Chase embraced the boy carefully not knowing how the boy would react.
"1st, I haven't been spending time with you because I'm busy working on something, 2nd I don't think you're boring. The time I spend with you are the ones that made me happiest" that earned a small blush from the child "and lastly, I don't think I could ever hate you"
Looking at the baron's sincere face, Jack felt relieved. "Uhm… can… can I ask what you're busy with?"
"Hm… it's a surprise!" Chase smiled.
"A surprise?" that peeked the child's curiosity
"Yes,"
"uhmm… not even a little hint?" jack made a space between his index finger and his thumb
Chase chuckled and shook his head.
"a tinsy winsy hint?" he made the space even smaller that it looked liked only a speck of dust could pass through
At his Chase laugh and ruffled the boy's hair. He placed the boy down and gave him a pat on the head. "All I can say is that you'll know when the time comes, now go back and play with Clay. I'm sure he's worried sick looking for you now"
Jack giggled and nodded. He ran out to find Clay.
Jack felt really good now. And having the baron pat his head with his large and warm hand was very comforting, like everything will be alright.
ChaosGirl08 – yeah, i have the same sentiments. And don't worry Chase will make it right ^_^ Pink and I will make sure of that. Thank you for your wait and i hope that this chapter wasn't too much of a disappointment. _ Thank you very much for your support it really helped us a lot!!!
Shadir – yeah, Jack starting a new life was actually one of the options before but since Pink and I loves a helpless cute Jack with a dominant and protective Chase at the back well... _. I'm sorry to say that there will no longer be any reappearance of the father in this story, i just hate his guts too much hehehe _
I dont give – yeah, we get that a lot too, but like we said it's already finished just trying to tweak a few errors or two ^_^ hope you liked this chapter.
Freaku – things will take on its natural path don't worry and Chase will make everything right. Or else we'll beat that lizard to a pulp heheh =) thank you very much for the support you have given us up till now, you're one of our inspirations to continue, the story is close to the end and i hope you liked this chapter ^_^