Page 60 of Designation: Null

“Robert,” he breathes, fumbling to get his pants open, but Robert stops him, eyes closed, hand hard to keep Logan from jerking him off.

“Not here,” he grits out.

Which is awful. It makes him feel sick to think that Robert can stop. How can he be wanted if it’s that easy?

“How long should I pack for?” Logan asks, shrinking into himself.

Robert clears his throat. “I don’t know. If you need to come back for something you can, but it will need to be with me.”

Logan can’t help but laugh. “That’s… excessive.”

Robert’s voice is hard. “No, it isn’t. I might feel differently in a few days, but not right now. You’re mine and I don’t like you being here. Nothing good has happened to you in this apartment. So you get your bag, you get your things, and then we leave. Don’t come back here without me.”

Logan opens his mouth to protest. Why is he going to protest? It’s a little extreme but Robert is technically right. And he hates being in this apartment. He hates how much he hurts when he’s here. And he wants to be with Robert. It makes something settle inside him to know that he’s being whisked away to go be with his Dominant.

As if that’s where he belongs. Like some submissive fairytale ending.

“Okay. Yes… Robert,” he says, but it doesn’t sound right. It isn’t enough. But how on earth can he say the word Daddy? “I don’t think I want to call you Sir. Do you think home can be a person?” Logan asks before Robert can answer.

He suddenly realizes just how revealing the question is.

“I do,” Robert says, so sincere that Logan can’t even look at him.

Logan turns on his heel and goes into the bathroom to get his toiletries.

“Then don’t call me Sir. There are other options. What would you like to call me?” Robert asks as he trails after Logan.

Logan blushes and studiously runs his thumb over the bristles of a new toothbrush to avoid meeting Robert’s gaze in the mirror.

Robert leans against the doorway. He’s big and imposing in the small space, and Logan puts his hand on the counter so he doesn’t get down on his knees. What would he even do down there? What would Robert let him do?

“You called me boy.”

“I did. My good boy.” Robert waits.

Logan’s lips press into a hard line so he doesn’t give himself away, say what he wants. “You said… I can’t say that other word.”

“You can. You deserve a Daddy, Logan. I want to be that for you. And the fact that you find it a difficult thing to say is important.”

“How would I get used to calling youthatand then be let go?” Logan asks.

“Logan, listen. Ifyouneed me to let you go, then I will. But this is real for me. I don’t want it to be temporary. Or provisional. I… I won’t make the choice to let you go.” Robert looks away from him. Almost a flinch.

“What?”

“You should know….” Robert’s arms are crossed tight around his middle. It’s not a typical posture for him and Logan studies him, cataloging the tells of his uncertainty. Robert licks his lips; his eyes go side to side and he tries to smile before he meets Logan’s gaze again.

“I beat the hell out of Hank for coming after you. He was trying to hunt you down and I just… snapped. The case could be made that I’m not handling what happened to me as well as I might be. And I think some people might think you’re getting a shitty bargain here since I’ve just been held captive, tortured, et cetera, and now you’re stuck with me.” Robert takes a step back, as if he’s ashamed.

Logan grabs him, keeping him close. “Don’t back away from me. I’m worried you’ll let me go,” he confesses, maintaining eye contact. “I don’t want anything that feels like goodbye, not right now. Besides, it sounds like it’s better for you to have a submissive then, doesn’t it?” Logan demands, turning away from him, using one hand to put his toothbrush in his wash bag. His heart is in his throat.

“True. That would probably be better for me. It might not be better for you. It needs to be said, Logan. It isn’t what I want, it’s just—”

“Good point,” Logan retorts sarcastically. He takes a step toward him, hoping Robert can feel how serious he is. “We’re not having this conversation anymore,” Logan says furiously. “Just remember that if you decide it’s in my best interest to let me go, then I’ll come right back here,” he murmurs.

“Logan,” Robert responds, voice low.

“Where all my toys are.” It’s a threat.

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