Chapter 27: Kinjirareta Asobi (Forbidden Play)

Nathaniel took off his shirt, put it in the hamper, jogged to his room with the shirt and cock ring Trent had sent him and put them in his bedside drawer, then went to the door and opened it.

"Glad you could make it," he greeted George, gesturing for him to come in and leading him to the massage room.

George noted the state of undress Nathaniel was in; it made his eyebrow lift a bit. "Thanks for the invite, Nathaniel." He followed Nathaniel into the massage room and looked around. He noted a few of the new toys were set out. This night could be very interesting indeed, but first, rules needed to be set so no lines were crossed.

Nathaniel smiled and closed the door behind George, then went to him and slowly, seductively, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

"That looks good on you," he murmured.

George couldn't believe that this was actually happening. He felt himself grow warm as Nathaniel unbuttoned his shirt, warmer still at the unexpected compliment.

"Now… Ground rules," Nathaniel began, before George could bring it up. "As I said earlier, there's a divide between what happens in here and other areas of our lives. You can sleep over, if you want, but on the couch unless I happen to invite you to bed. I will warn you beforehand if I take anything to loosen up, but if I start to go loopy, we'd better stop. I don't want to blitz out again and wake up covered in marks that I don't know how they got there.

George nodded. "I think I can live with that. I will be sure to let you know if I have any issues keeping to that as well. Communication is the key, I have come to realize. But are you sure you should take anything to loosen up, since your pills ran out? Just asking because I know you were wanting to keep clean."

"I never said I wanted to keep clean," Nathaniel said crossly. "That was everyone else forcing their opinion onto me. Look, I may have used pills a little more than I needed to, to deal with…things. But that's been mostly resolved." He felt his cheeks heat. He didn't want to mention Trent, lest George take offense, and definitely wasn't going to tell him he figured out where the toys came from.

Hearing the anger rise just a bit in Nathaniel's voice, George made a mental note not to mention such again. If he wanted to take pills…his girlfriend could bitch him out about it, or the rest of his friends. Not his place unless Nathaniel did something entirely bad for himself.

Nathaniel continued, "I have a safety gesture, and it's two finger snaps. I would prefer to be gagged, so a word wouldn't work. My only hard limit is, no scat. So… What about you?"

George tilted his head slightly as he took a moment to think what he was into. "I am pretty much into anything. Except for scat and golden showers. I have never really had any chance to explore, and what happened before was basically all instinct. You asked, I provided."

Nathaniel tipped George's chin up and kissed him. George was not expecting Nathaniel to kiss him, and he froze for a moment before he returned the kiss.

Hmm, George was a good kisser, Nathaniel noted. Passionate, yet tender. Then Nathaniel whispered in his ear, "I want you to tell me… if I really should be eating more acidic fruits." And he unzipped his slacks and pressed gently on the other man's shoulder. George shivered in delight as Nathaniel whispered into his ear what it was he desired. Feeling the pressure upon his shoulders, George dropped to his knees. Nathaniel also noted, when George was on his knees, that he had really nice, soft dark brown hair. Nathaniel couldn't resist running his fingers through it curiously.

George was good at what he did; he'd had a boyfriend or two before, and so knew how to please Nathaniel. He had learned the things Nathaniel had liked over the few months they had spent together, and George made sure to hit and tease every spot. Using sometimes only his tongue, he tickled and slid around Nathaniel's cock till he felt it jump and using a little bit of teeth on the up pull and finding just the right amount of suction, George sent out to make Nathaniel come completely undone for him.

As George teased him, Nathaniel's fingers fisted involuntarily in the other man's hair. He moaned, feeling himself get really worked up, then fumbled for his filler gag and gagged himself. Now he could say whatever he wanted without holding back and George would be none the wiser. It was hotter this way, when he didn't have to consciously hold himself back. He bucked needily into George's mouth as sounds of pure pleasure bubbled out from his throat. Ohhh yes, this was a good solution. He alternately petted and pulled at the other man's hair, letting him know just what a good job he was doing.

The sounds Nathaniel made, gag or no gag, made George feel powerful. He sought to totally ruin the man before him with just lips, teeth and tongue. Looking up at Nathaniel on a particularly hard up-pull, George growled as the feeling of Nathaniel's fingers running through his hair made him shiver. On the next downward thrust, he loosened his throat, grabbed ahold of Nathaniel's buttocks and took him all! He closed his eyes to make it easier to hold his breath as he swallowed once…twice…thrice around Nat. Giving the sensation of the quivering of a womb as he held him in place. Only when he needed air did he pull back, but he never stopped. Not till Nathaniel lost it.

Nathaniel screamed out and automatically clutched the table! Holy fuck… He closed his eyes in ecstasy, tossing his head back. He could hold out just a little longer… But behind his eyes, visions of that movie he had watched twice, and torrented to watch a third time, coupled with memories of Trent purring in his ear, brought him so close, so close to the edge… He bit down on the gag, trying to hold out just a little more.

George could feel how close Nathaniel was, in the way his body trembled, in the way he tasted, in the sounds of his screams as he struggled to hold on just that bit more. George purred deep in his throat as he used his hand to slowly pump him in time to his mouth, licking and sucking on only the tip of Nathaniel's cock, which he knew was the most sensitive place upon the man. "Come for me….!" he growled, ordering him in that tone of voice that he had used before as he looked back up at Nathaniel. He wouldn't stop, not until Nathaniel found his pleasure.

Nathaniel exploded on command, crying out for Trent, not that anyone could decipher that through the gag. He almost fainted, this was so good!

George was very much pleased by Nathaniel's reactions, and he shivered in delight when he felt Nathaniel find release. He swallowed every drop of him too, and licked him clean as Nathaniel recovered. His smile was positively full of malice and wicked delight as he looked up at the man before him.

Then Nathaniel sat up on the table and pulled his partner up by the hair with one hand, pulled the gag off with the other, and kissed the other, hard, tasting his lover and himself. George winced but followed as commanded and was taken aback by his kiss, but only for a moment.

Nathaniel pulled the man close and wrapped a leg round him, cupped the back of his head and deepened the kiss, moaning pleasurably. George deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue lightly over Nathaniel's lips, seeking permission and at the same time, he hoisted Nathaniel up onto the table, shoving his things on it aside as he groaned into the other man's mouth. George arched his hips a bit and rubbed his growing erection against Nathaniel's body, nuzzling and nipping down Nathaniel's neck and shoulders. "What does my good boy want? Hmmmmm? Now that you can tell me….ask…!" He rasped in that deep voice of his.

Nathaniel waited until he could catch his breath to answer. "Fuck me," he panted. "Tie me up, blindfold and gag me. Fuck me hard. Bite and choke me. I want to feel and remember everything this time."

"Your wish….my command." George crushed his lips to Nathaniel's again as he hoisted him up into his arms and set him on the massage table properly. Laying Nathaniel gently down onto the soft padding, he took his shirt off fully and wrapped it around Nathaniel's eyes—Nathaniel was about to point out that he had a brand-new blindfold in the drawer, but he decided not to ruin the moment—then George shoved the filler gag back into the man's mouth and locked it behind his head. "Arms…!" he commanded as he took first one, and then the other arm into his hands and lightly kissed from Nathaniel's wrist upwards as he positioned it just where he wanted Nat: arms tied behind his head, in the same three places he had tied before. Nathaniel shivered as he felt his limbs kissed and tied. He whimpered softly in anticipation, stretching up into the kisses and touches. Yes… this was nice. He realized he should have specified that he wanted it rough, but he decided to lean in and just trust the process.

Next were Nathaniel's legs. George kissed and nipped up his thighs and calves slowly, savoring each tingle he got from Nathaniel before he tied Nathaniel's ankles to his calves and then tied that to the table. "Now my good boy….I shall worship you…." He slid up onto the table and positioned himself just in front of Nathaniel's cock. He leaned over Nathaniel and slowly kissed down the center of his chest, paying attention to one nipple and then the next, licking and nipping at his sensitive skin before he continued onwards. His hands trailing his form slowly, just light enough to tickle. Slowly, those soft kisses turned to bites. George sat between Nathaniel's bound legs and his fingers dug into the man's soft skin, leaving tiny red marks the harder he dug in. He knew what Nathaniel liked from last time, but it was slow to building and he knew to go right in, would cause more harm than good. He growled as he kissed down Nathaniel's chest and into the area of his stomach, biting hard as he gripped Nathaniel's hips in a dominating grasp, holding him still.

Nathaniel's whimpers turned to panting. God, this felt amazing. He enjoyed being helpless, imagining it was Trent teasing him and using his body like this. He squirmed and arched, as much as he could, body begging for more, and he purred softly when he felt the pressure of the bindings on his limbs.

George took his time, finding every place upon Nathaniel that would earn him a reaction or a groan. Slipping his hand down, he cupped Nathaniel gently before squeezing him hard as he started to stroke him again. First going slowly, and then picking up speed to tease and then slowing down again. He felt himself get harder with each tease, with each nip of Nathaniel's sweet skin. Gods, the man was beautiful to him, but none more-so than when he was this way. With his free hand, he spit on and found his opening, playing and teasing Nathaniel as he leaned down and took him back into his mouth as he stroked him.

Nathaniel moaned and pressed his head back into the table, trying to arch up. Yes…this was good, this was heaven… He begged for more, still unintelligible through the gag, which was good because he was mentally begging Trent for more. But his tone was understood. He was a plaything now, oh, how he loved it! Oh and— oh God— yes— he remembered, in the hospital, how Trent had toyed with him, the feeling of a man's mouth on him as he lay, prone and helpless, the threat of more… What would have happened if Nathaniel hadn't pulled away from that kiss? Would it have been like this? Would Trent have made Nathaniel his lover, claimed his body entirely, and if he had, how enchanted would Nathaniel have been by him? And if he hadn't, how disappointed would Nathaniel have been? He imagined it would have been like this, and he started losing himself to pleasure once again.

Seeing and feeling Nathaniel's building desire, George didn't wait and instead slid closer to him on the table and pressing softly on his legs, after pulling his mouth off him, growled low in his throat as he positioned himself and shoved into Nathaniel with a feral groan! "That's my good boy! Take it! Take it and love it!" he snarled as he reached up and grabbed hold of Nathaniel's neck and dug his nails into the soft skin, careful of the pressure, and where he held Nat, George choked him as he rocked into him. Biting him on his sides, his chest, with each thrust. He controlled the sensations he felt himself as they moved together.

Nathaniel cried out as the other shoved into him, shivering pleasantly. So good! He felt his heart race as his throat was grabbed. God, YES! He wanted— needed— to be choked and fucked! His body moved involuntarily, writhing against the other, crying out as much as he could every time he was bitten, begging through his gag. Harder, faster, more, please—!

George heard what Nathaniel didn't say as his body reacted to his attentions. Bearing down on Nathaniel's legs, opening him a bit more, just enough to cause pain but not enough to actually hurt Nat. He was learning how much pressure to put on the man's body. Growling, he increased his thrust's as he felt Nathaniel's body give into him, knowing how far he could go and how fast as well. "You want it harder?" He positioned his knees and using the leverage he had with his toes, he moved faster and deeper and harder into Nathaniel as he rocked into him, rocking the table as he moaned and cried out himself in unintelligible nonsense. He was so close!

Nathaniel truly was up for anything, his body forged and trained in pain as he had forced himself into a state of near perfection. He nodded gratefully when asked if he wanted it harder, hungry, starving for more! He was insatiable, a clinging black hole of need, he never wanted to stop, always wanted to be fucked like this, this passion, this—! Oh God, he was getting close, so close, so….

George pushed himself like he had never pushed before as he tightened the hold upon Nathaniel's neck and hips as he arched his hips and thrusted deeper. He felt himself slip deeper into Nathaniel and the sensation was unbelievable! Nathaniel's body quivered around him, and he cried out as he felt himself shudder atop the bound man before him. He leaned down and bit the hell out of Nathaniel's stomach and side as he held Nathaniel's head still with one hand, in which he increased the pressure to his throat, still careful but enough to leave marks. He held on as long as he could, and gritted his teeth, grunted and groaned as he felt his body buck and undulate as he quivered, finding his release with a scream of Nathaniel's name! He gasped as pleasure, the likes he had never felt but once, filled him and left him positively numb!

Nathaniel screamed out in earnest now, loving every second of this. He was once again grateful he was gagged; he literally couldn't say anything he would regret, could only make noise. He liked the feeling of being invaded, being impaled, being full! God yes, he would have to do this more often, he would have to do this every day and every night, every hour if he could swing it! He didn't need to breathe, to eat or drink or sleep or work, he just needed this, forever!

Those were the last thoughts before his mind turned to mush and he reached orgasm, mentally blinded with lust, still dreaming of Trent, whom he loved more than ever now!

Gasping for breath, George slowly came back down from his euphoria-induced high and slowly, pulled out and sat back from Nathaniel's body, gently rubbing his arms and legs as he slowly untied the man, one appendage at a time. Legs were first as he slid off the table and released Nathaniel's feet and caressed and massaged them to get blood flow back into them, lying them down onto the table as he slid his hands lightly up Nathaniel's skin. Arms were next as he kissed up Nathaniel's body slowly, untying his hands from behind his head and untying his arms at the elbows. He kissed down each arm gently as he laid Nathaniel's hands on the table. Nathaniel gave a light groan of disappointment. He had never wanted this to end. He lay limply on the table, allowing the other to massage him and kiss him, preening lightly in the afterglow.

Reaching up, George removed both the gag and the blindfold as he leaned over Nathaniel and kissed him, passionately but tenderly. Nathaniel blinked his eyes open as the blindfold was removed, and immediately his eyes welled up with tears as he recognized George. This part was the most bittersweet, the crushing reality.

"That…was amazing, Nathaniel," George whispered to the man who he still loved so much. But he knew the lines not to cross now, and he would keep to it and his word. "Want me to draw you a bath? It's nice to soak a bit after things like this." He intended to give Nathaniel some space after he drew said bath.

Nathaniel nodded silently in assent, but otherwise stared into space, not dissociating but also not wanting things to be exactly as they were. Yes, the sex itself had been great. George did know what he was doing. Technically everything was fine… Wasn't it?

Seeing the tears well in Nathaniel's eyes, George knew. Knew who he had been pining for and for once, he didn't feel the glimmering hints of anger that normally would come when he realized that it wasn't him that Nathaniel had been thinking of. He knew, and he understood and strangely…he wasn't upset. Oh he hurt, but he hurt for Nat, not himself. Knowing how the man felt about Trent, and now knowing that this was who he had probably been thinking of, George's only job right now was to make Nathaniel feel better. Nothing more. Rising up from where he stood, George scooped Nathaniel into his embrace and nuzzled him slightly. "It's alright, Nathaniel." He whispered softly. "I know…I know…and it's alright. I am sorry though…I really, really am." He carried Nathaniel to the bathroom and helped him stand on his own two feet while he started the bath. Nathaniel was surprised that George was strong enough to carry him. Point for him. He was also surprised that George seemed to intuit what he was feeling and why, and for once wasn't mad at him for it.

George added some scented Epsom salts that would relax Nathaniel's muscles, and added some of his favorite smelling soaps that would make his skin so soft to the touch. He hoped it would be enough and help soothe him. "Ready?" He moved to take Nathaniel's hand, to encourage him into the tub and when he was settled, George gave him a small smile. "Should I stay or….?"

"It's okay, you can stay," Nathaniel said as he lowered himself into the tub. "Could you bring me my phone, though, please?"

The sex was great, but the comedown was awful. He loved Trent so much, so much, and the oxytocin release from being with the only man who would have him only made him love Trent more. He knew Trent had been trying to be a good friend, but he was so confusing.

He sighed as he leaned back into the tub. This was hell, some fresh hell, hell was empty, and all the demons were in his head, and none of them were in his bed.

George nodded and leaned over to kiss Nathaniel's forehead before he went to get him his phone. He grabbed it off the table where Nathaniel had dropped it, then took it back and handed it to Nathaniel as he settled down beside him on the floor next to the tub. He wasn't sure what to do or say, so he stayed and lightly watched Nathaniel out of the corner of his eye. He knew what Nathaniel was feeling, knew who he pinned for, and it didn't make what George was feeling any better, but…he had promised Nathaniel not to be jealous. It was harder than he thought it would be, when he knew how much Nathaniel pined for a man he could never have. Not as long as Rebecca made it quite clear that she wouldn't share. George knew how she felt.

"Shall I wash your back? You have a lot of scratches on you this go round," George asked.

Nathaniel leaned forward. "Okay," he said.

George was gentle with Nathaniel, in his guarded affections and in his attempts to be understanding. He knew the man was hurting and wasn't really sure how to help him. Nathaniel was in love with Trent. It was glaringly obvious. But Trent was a taken man. George knew enough of Rebecca to know that being still a little mad at Nathaniel right now, wasn't even about to venture thinking about sharing Trent with him.

George had also hoped that sleeping with Nathaniel would help him in some way, but in the end, it hurt him too. Seeing Nathaniel cry over someone he couldn't have, when George was right here and so willing and eager, broke him. But he wouldn't let it show. Maybe he shouldn't have come tonight? Maybe it had been a mistake? They were both going to constantly keep doing this to each other and George didn't know how long he, himself personally, could make love to someone he loved while he knew that person pined for another. It was a vicious, nasty, endless cycle…unless something gave, and George just didn't see that happening. Both he and Nathaniel deserved better. But he was nothing if not a good friend and would stay as long as Nathaniel requested of him. He didn't think Nathaniel should be alone right now at all with the way he looked. George hurt for him.

Once he had finished washing Nathaniel's back, he sat back on his heels and simply watched him. Wondering… "Nat…? Please don't be upset," he said gently. "Things work out the way they are supposed to in the end, even if they aren't the way we want them to be. I believe things will be alright, for us both, but you have got to give it time…" He paused. "I know you're hurting now, and I am sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help make you feel better."

"It's fine," Nathaniel said automatically. "But George… Mona used to call me Nat. I cheated on her with Rebecca for almost an entire year. So please, call me something else."

George actually blushed at remembering he wasn't supposed to call Nat that. "Sorry, Nathaniel. I forgot."

"I miss Rebecca," Nathaniel continued, "and I want Trent, and I think I could possibly grow to be more than fond of you," he said softly. "I don't regret what we just did. I'm sorry if you do. You're…nice." Nathaniel grimaced. The compliment sounded hollow even to him.

"Nathaniel…." George sighed. "I don't regret what happened between us. I just don't want either of us to get hurt again. I know how you feel about…Trent…and I know that you can't help thinking about him when we—Just…it still hurts a little to know that, you know? I'm not blaming you; you did say to be honest, and I am trying to."

Nathaniel reached out and made a motion of tucking George's hair behind his ear, although George's hair wasn't quite long enough for that yet. "I like you well enough," he said. "But you're right. Next time— if you want there to be a next time— I should just focus on you and me, in the moment, without fantasizing about anyone else."

George smiled faintly at Nathaniel's gentle touch and nodded. They were both right. They needed to talk more about what they both wanted and what they both should do. It would work out; George knew that for sure. One way or another, it would all work out. He smiled slightly at Nathaniel and patted his back gently. "When they get back, go see her, Nathaniel. Go talk to Rebecca. She probably misses you too but is too proud to say so."

"We'll be seeing her anyway, remember? The merger," he reminded George. He, Rebecca, and George would be representing Mountaintop; Trent would be representing Mad Tech. "Talking to her before then… I don't know. It'd be a tight squeeze between her flight getting in and work."

"Ohhh. Right, I had forgotten about that too. Man, we have a lot of stuff going on in a short order of time, huh?" It was going to be a hectic few days in the coming up time. He settled back onto his heels and reached out to take Nathaniel's hand into his and kissed the back of it. "Are you hungry? I can make you something while you bask a bit, if you want?"

"Thank you," Nathaniel said sincerely, "but I'm not hungry. I think I'll just go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow?" He left it up to George whether George wanted to sleep in the massage room or go home.

George nodded and stood, stretching a bit before he leaned over and actually kissed Nathaniel's forehead. "You sleep well, Nathaniel, I will see you in the morning." He turned to leave, heading back to the massage room to clean up and then pulled out the pull-out couch. After cleaning himself off with some of his wipes he had brought, he redressed and slipped into the bed. Fading into dreams slowly as he sighed softly. Today had been a big day for them both.

xoxo

Once George had left him alone, Nathaniel texted Greg: [Hey. You were right, I'm an idiot. Trent and Cat are half siblings. I'm in love with Trent.]

He closed his eyes at the pain that speared his heart typing that, but continued: [Trent said we can be friends. He's going through a lot lately, and I think he's a little confused about what friendship means. But he did sign over his entire inheritance to Cat. He's not a monster, and Rebecca isn't blind in her love for him. Cat is ok with an open relationship, and I guess I'm also sort of seeing George, in a FWB capacity.]

He thought about airing his concerns that he had thought the sex would help, but once the afterglow had faded, he'd been even more muddled, but George was taking good care of him and was being surprisingly understanding. But he thought that was a better conversation to have with Darryl and/or White Josh, and at another time.

xoxo

Greg looked down at his phone when it beeped, and he thought he was seeing things. Everything he read made his head spin!

Nathaniel loved Trent; that had been glaringly obvious. Trent and Cat were half siblings, and he was in a ship with Cat and his assistant George? What!? He shook his head to clear it and sighed.

[We should talk when you have time, man. I think this is something that needs to be said face to face. So I can see what you think, and how you feel. It's all a bit much to take in right now. But I trust you. Give me a call and we can meet up sometime. I really want to know what's going on with you and that you are really ok. You are still my friend, man. That won't ever change.]

Nathaniel's phone blipped. "Well, Greg's not mad anymore, at least," he mumbled as he read the message. He typed back: [Tomorrow, after work?]

Greg smiled and nodded, before replying: [Yeah, man, sure. I don't have to work tomorrow so I can meet you at Home Base soon as you get off.]

[Tomorrow at 6, then], Nathaniel texted back.

[See you then, man. Have a good night and don't worry about things so much. I can tell you are, because you said a lot in that one text. Things will work out], Greg sent back before he too, turned to head to bed.

xoxo

Nathaniel read Trent's text. Trent hadn't acknowledged Nathaniel's scolding over the sex toys, but to be fair, he had a lot going on right now.

[Cat told me about your dad], he texted back. [You're right. I'm truly sorry for both of you. You lost your father long before he died.]

xoxo

Trent smiled wanly at Nathaniel's return text. He knew what it was like to have a distant, unloving father who used money as a substitute for parenting.

[At least we have each other], he wrote back. He didn't know if he meant himself and Cat, or himself and Nathaniel.

His phone pinged back.

[I love you], the text read. Trent's lips parted slightly. That was a bit of a non sequitur.

It pinged again: [Both of you.]

Trent sighed. Was Nathaniel drunk, or worse? Maybe he'd slept with George again and realized substitutes didn't work. There was a reason Trent had never tried sleeping with any woman other than Rebecca. It would have been hollow, pointless, not the same.

[Call me when he goes home], Trent typed back.

He put on his favorite Celine Dion CD, A Decade of Song, and lay back down on his bed as The Power of Love played. The music made him feel better, helped him sort through things in his mind, as he waited for either Rebecca's call or Nathaniel's. He could lay here peacefully listening to music, and everything would be alright. And when Rebecca felt like coming up— he assumed she was having girl time with Catherine and his mom— they could try out their new outfits.

The thought of sex with Rebecca always cheered him up, and he sat up in bed, cross-legged, still clutching his blue pillow and smiling dreamily.

xoxo

Cat looked up at her phone as it beeped and she almost screamed in happiness, but managed to clap her hand over her mouth as she showed her phone to her aunt. Trent would be so excited!

Bethany beamed as she saw the text from Rebecca. "Excellent! I knew she could do it!"

After she pulled into the driveway, it took Rebecca a moment to settle herself before she got out. She walked over to the back of the trailer, opened it, and tried to remember how to breathe. "It's okay, girl. You are home now," she whispered breathlessly. She walked inside the trailer and untied the lead from the trailer wall. She felt so scared and so unsure as she led Paladin out of the trailer and into the stables. This was big for her, but…Paladin didn't seem so bad.

Rebecca got out a brush from the stables and started to brush Paladin off, trying to make her feel better as well. "You aren't so bad, you know, and I know Trent will be so happy to see you…" She couldn't wait to see her beloved's reaction.

Cat just happened to look out the window and smiled brightly upon seeing Rebecca with Paladin. She told her aunt and went to get Trent.

She knocked on his door and called out for him. "Trent? Can you—can you come downstairs please? I need to show you something."

Trent paused his music and followed Catherine downstairs wordlessly. What could she possibly have to show him?

He followed her to the stables and gasped, his hand flying to his heart.

"Paly!" he cried. He restrained himself from breaking into a full run. "Cat, get me a bucket of suds, please. Rebecca, you—? You got my Paly back! Oh! My brave, sweet babygirl!" He hugged Rebecca tightly from behind.

Rebecca smiled faintly to her beloved, taking in his reaction. The look of pure joy on his face made her heart sing in love for him, to have been able to make him so happy! She even forgot her fear of horses, seeing the way Trent lighted up. She leaned lightly into him, still holding Paly's lead. "It took a while, but I tracked her down. Sorry I didn't tell you, babe. I wanted it to be a surprise. I know what it's like, to lose something you love, truly love and—I didn't want that for you."

"Are you kidding?" Trent asked. "I love surprises, as long as they're good ones, and this is definitely a good one! THANK you so much, babygirl!"

Paladin nickered and moved her head to nuzzle Trent. He smiled and rubbed her nose.

"You're filthy," he said in dismay. "My poor girl, but at least you're alive, and you can stand!"

He turned to Rebecca. "You should see her clean. She's majestic. She's a very pale— well, you'll see. She's almost white. By coincidence, Catherine rides a similar horse in California."

Cat went to grab a bucket of suds. Rebecca nodded and just happened to look at her own hands and clothes; they were dirty, too. "I did it though…, went into a stock pen full of horses." She snickered as she let Trent take his horse's lead. Her hands still shook, but she put them behind her. "I bet she is beautiful. She seems sweet and didn't give me any trouble on the ride home."

When Catherine came back with the suds, all three of them washed the beautiful horse off, revealing a shining pale coat underneath. Paladin huffed appreciatively at her friends, old and new.

"Next time we're in town, we can see how you feel about getting to know her a little better?" Trent suggested.

Today had been a wild day. His father's incident, arguing with his aunt, the estate administration, the shopping and showing off Rebecca, and now his horse was back. He almost forgot he'd asked Nathaniel to call him, until his phone rang.

"I should take this," he said, and walked a little way away.

"Hey," he said gently once he was out of earshot. "Firstly, are you okay?" He couldn't think of a sensitive way to ask Nathaniel if he was on another bender.

"I don't know," came the truthful response. That was fair.

Trent looked round and made sure the girls couldn't hear him, then lowered his voice anyway and whispered into the phone: "I killed him."

xoxo

Nathaniel felt his heart almost stop. Killed?

"Why?" he breathed.

A pause. Then, so quietly Nathanial almost missed it: "Because I couldn't take it anymore. He talked about Rebecca like she was a piece of meat, and that's on top of all his other sins. I didn't even know that he cut his own wife and daughter out of his will, or that he tried to sell my horse to a glue factory." The words came tumbling out, but never above a whisper.

Nathaniel sat up straight with a splash. "What an asshole! God, no wonder you're so fucked up."

"Thank you," said Trent dryly.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Yes, you did. Everyone does."

Nathaniel had to admit he was right. People had expressed similar sentiments to him when they learned what his family was really like.

"Trent?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"What I said to you before…"

"…"

"…"

"Yes. I…" Trent sighed, and took a moment to choose his next words. "… You're not alone in that. But don't say it again, not like that. Texts and emails can be hacked, as you well know."

"And phone calls?"

"This is a secure line." Trent's tone was just slightly teasing; he didn't know if Nathaniel knew that if you call an insecure line from a secure line, it compromises the secure line.

Nathaniel smiled to himself, and proceeded to spill his guts, while stroking himself, hoping he would feel better at the end. His voice slurred as he spoke. "I love you, Trent. I love the way you tease me and the way you seem to instinctively know how to arouse me, even though you say I'm the first man you've ever touched. I love how your devious little mind works, and how you can look so innocent and act so devilish. I wish you were the one tying me up and fucking my brains out, then carrying me to the tub and bathing me after. I wish I'd woken up to you in my bed. I wish I could forget about you and just enjoy what George is willing to do with me. I love that your scent is still on that shirt you gave me even after we washed it. I love that you sent me toys at work even though that was completely inappropriate, and I— ohhh… Oh god—"

The line went dead.

xoxo

Trent pocketed his phone, took a deep breath, and walked back over to the girls.

"Rebecca, we need to go home," he said gravely. "Nathaniel is on some kind of bender. I don't know if it's drugs or something else. George is with him, but I think he needs the both of us to ground him. We're all going to the hotel merger meeting tomorrow anyway."

Rebecca looked up. She was still flying high from her anxiety, and anyone could see it, but she managed to swallow it and nodded slightly. "Nathaniel? Is he ok?" she asked. Even though she was mad at him still, she still worried about him.

Cat looked up at hearing Nate's name and frowned. "What's wrong with my Nate?" She asked. "On a bender? But he promised me…." She shook her head, patted Paly, and nodded. "I'll go pack."

"He sounded…weird" was all Trent could say in reply. "I don't know if he took anything, but he is not making healthy choices."