Chapter 8: If That's what it takes
It wasn't long before Throttle and Charley married. It had only been two weeks since the general announced that she would have to get remarried. She was constantly under surveillance by various Martian mice. Charley had been stripped of her freedom and many of her various rights. Luckily, Throttle intervened when they were getting ready to demolish her garage. He made a point about how important her work was for their people and their specialized motorcycles. Their bikes didn't trust anyone but her to work on them. If her building was destroyed there would be no one to work on their bikes.
It took place in one of the newly built government buildings. This building was still under construction. The building was only two stories tall. The building was constructed out of red clay into a mound. The building blended well with its Martian landscape. Built-in the middle of town, it served as a reminder of the past. Reminding its people that it was meant to be the center of all things.
Upon entering the building, there was a massive staircase in front. Off to one side of the first floor were a library, courtroom, and a school. The second floor was still incomplete. It was said that it would be another year or two before it was done.
Charley, Throttle, and Carbine waited downstairs. They had to wait on an elder so their marriage would be made one hundred percent legal. From what Throttle explained to her, she would be forced to wear a decorative bracelet, showing everyone that she was a second wife. The bracelet was to be locked in place by Throttle, effectively showing his dominance over her and her willingness to allow it. Neither of them made an effort to hide their disdain for the old ways.
What made this even worse was that General Carbine seemed to have it in for Charley. They had always assumed that Carbine and Charley were on the same page. That all changed immediately after Vinnie's untimely passing. It was as though Carbine was attempting to turn Charley into a Martian slave who would forever be held in a gilded cage. That cage was Mars and Charley had her wings clipped.
You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there
Carbine insisted on being a witness to their marriage. She wanted to ensure that neither of them tried to bail out. She didn't trust either one of them to be there. Throttle and Charley made a habit of finding ways to dodge everything related to their upcoming wedding. While somehow managing to get everything done just in the nick of time.
As much as Throttle and Charley wanted to run, they knew they had to put on a good show. Standing there, face to face, Charley did her best not to shed tears. It was hard for both of them. Her having lost a husband. Him having lost one of his closest friends. Both of them still mourned the gaping hole left behind by Vinnie's absence.
Throttle held her hands and watched as the emotions ran across her face. Throttle could sense the turmoil brewing with her but maintained a calm facade. Tiny tremors cascaded from her hands as she nibbled on her lower lip. Throttle saw a fine mist cling to her long lashes as she lowered her eyes. Knowing from experience, she held her tears back.
Taking a deep breath, Charley blinked back her tears. Schooling her face, she raised her eyes to meet his. Blind eyes hidden behind shades. Eyes that knew her better than anyone else in that room.
Not much longer. We'll leave as soon as possible. Throttle allowed his thoughts to travel to hers.
I can't wait to leave this place. Charley grimaced as her thoughts flowed.
A door creaked open, causing both of them to turn their heads. An older mouse made his way toward them. He hobbled slowly towards them and then cleared his throat.
"I'm glad to see that you're adapting well," he said to Charley with a slight frown on his face, indicating his disapproval of her dress.
"Well, I've had a lot of help" Charley barely whispered the words, making a gesture towards Throttle. She really did have Throttle to thank for ensuring that she wouldn't be a total disaster.
"I see. But, I also see you chose to forgo a second bride's dress" he sighed, knowing all too well that the human female was a force to be reckoned with.
"I told her it was fine. There's no law against what she's wearing" Throttle growled, letting the old mouse know to choose his next words very carefully. Throttle knew what the old was referring to and he wasn't about to let him make his bride feel bad for wearing a dress that made her happy on such a sad occasion.
When Throttle picked up Charley from Big Rig, he watched her as she stepped out of her temporary home. The Martian winds gently blew, causing the split to open up, giving him a view of her long legs. Throttle knew he shouldn't want her but he did.
His marriage to Carbine had become a sterile one over the last month. Even before they got married, sex between them was few and far between. He thought that it would be enough that they supported each other. Even that disappeared with her recent personality change. The fighting was so bad that Throttle resigned himself to sleeping on the couch. He couldn't even bring himself to think about her sexually.
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
"You are correct. Shall we" he quickly recanted as he held his hand out.
"Let's get this over with. Charley and I both have places to be and work to finish up" Throttle grumbled as he pulled out the bracelet from his vest pocket.
Charley looked at the bracelet in awe. She expected something similar to a chain with a lock on it. What she was getting was a stunning silver-colored metal with exquisite pave cut blue-green gems all around it. Charley wasn't sure if this was a traditional second-bride bracelet or not. She wasn't about to start complaining about the price but, she knew she would have to talk to Throttle about spending too much money.
She felt the cool metal close around her wrist and lock into place. She never felt so trapped in her life as she did at this very moment. She was now bound to Throttle until something happened. She prayed that nothing would happen because she was not willing to go through this again.
"You are now the second wife of Commander Throttle. Remember to honor and obey your new husband" was all the old mouse said before walking off, leaving the newly married couple standing there.
"Well dear, I'm off to work. I'll see you this evening. Do you want me to pick up dinner or cook you dinner?" Charley said with a smile so sweet that it would probably cause cavities.
"I'll grab dinner tonight sweetheart" Throttle quickly caught on to the game she was playing and decided it was best to go along with it. Especially since they both looked over at Carbine who looked like she swallow a lemon.
"See you this evening, honey," Charley said as she leaned up and gave Throttle a quick peck on the cheek. She felt him return the tiny gesture in earnest. They both knew it was for show and were ready to give it their all.
You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
'Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
By the way, you look so amazing in that dress. Throttle conveyed.
I do have a surprise for you when I get home. Is there any way to get Carbine out of the house for tonight? Or should I save it for our honeymoon? Charley quickly relayed her message to Throttle so no one else would catch on to their ability. They only trusted each other at this point.
Point taken. I'll boot her out of the house for the night. I know we both need privacy for this. Throttle knew all too well with the way Carbine had been acting lately that she would attempt to demand an inspection of Charley to make sure she was truly dominated. Throttle was going to make damn sure that Carbine was not anywhere near them tonight. Charley deserved privacy for something this intimate.
He just hoped that he could make up for his abnormal cock. Physically, he was what many females desired. Until the pants came off and they rejected him out of fear. He got used to the rejection. Even after he and Carbine got together, she would find excuses as to not be intimate with him. He realized that they all had one thing in common. Knowledge of how painful his cock would be once it penetrated their bodies. He just hoped that he could make Charley not run away in fear.
Thanks, big fella. Looking forward to tonight. Charley relayed the message as she walked out the door. Truthfully, she was looking forward to tonight. It wasn't as though she thought about having sex with other men or males. She just wanted one normal even without all the pomp and circumstance. No more red tape. No government interference. Just a man and woman figuring things out on their own.
She had seen the way Throttle looked at her earlier. It was a look of primal hunger. It was heated. Even through his shades, she could feel it. She knew things between Carbine and Throttle were rocky at best. She also knew that it might have something to do with what he carried below deck.
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend till I break
Till there's no more to give, if that's what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
She understood that everyone deals with death differently. And this may be Carbine's way of dealing with it. Keeping it bottled up inside in front of everyone else. But, once she was alone, she would let out all her frustrations. Carbine wasn't one to allow others to see her sadness or her fears.
Making her way over to the still-standing Last Chance Martian Garage, modeled after the one in Chicago, Charley pondered her life. As of now, she was a second wife to Throttle, Vinnie's widow, and pregnant with her late husband's child. Tonight, she was expected to spread her legs to her new husband and allow him to conquer her body. Allowing his scent to mingle with hers. Marking her as his property.
Walking into the garage, she groaned as she thought about what to expect with Throttle. She knew that he was cursed with an odd dick but what else was there. Sighing, she resigned herself to the fact that she was going to put forth all the effort she could into making this marriage work between them.
"Well, many couples start out with much less. At least we're friends and that's a start," Charley stated as she went to the back room and quickly changed into her regular work uniform. Making her to the front, she turned on the lights and opened the shop doors. She was about as ready as she could ever be for customers.
Today didn't disappoint her. Many customers came in to have their bikes worked on. Everyone gave their sympathy and somewhat of a congratulations on her new marriage. She still didn't completely understand what it meant to be a second wife but she was quite sure that Throttle would tell her if she asked.
It was sunset before she finished up with the last customer of the day. She more than made enough money to make up for this morning's delay at the wedding. Charley locked up the shop and took a quick shower to wash off all the grease and oil. She wanted to great Throttle with a clean body and a somewhat happy face.
Exiting the shop, she saw Throttle waiting on her.
Wanted to make sure my new bride made it home in one piece. He conveyed as he handed her a helmet. She smiled as she took it from him and climbed on the bike. Wrapping her arms around him, he wrapped his tail around her still tiny waist.
My hero. Smiling, Charley pressed herself up against his back. She allowed her fingers to run through his thick golden fur. She felt his hand move over the top of hers, letting her know that she was safe with him.
Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
I will hold on all night and never let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
"Let's go home. I ordered pizza. Figure that would be a good comfort food. Since we both need it" Throttle said, feeling guilty for just these small moments that should have been Vinnie's to share with Charley and not him. He felt her head nod against his back, letting him know that she was ready to hide away from the world of prying eyes.
Speeding away from the garage, they didn't notice a set of eyes staring at them from the shadows of the garage.
If that's what it takes
Every day
If that's what it takes
Every day