Page 33 of Steel & Thunder
“It’s good. Thank you.” I hand the mug back, at least until it cools off some.
“You are welcome.” Ironstorm nods and grabs a piece of bacon in his free hand, bringing it to my mouth.
“Seriously?” I sigh at being fed like a child again. “My hands aren’t even tied this time.”
“Humor me.” There’s the hint of a smile on his lips as he holds the piece to my lips.
I sigh again but lean forward and take the piece nonetheless. It’s still bacon. I swear I can feel the stress leaving my body with each crispy crunch. Damn, have I missed bacon. And steak. And bread that isn’t a week old. And cheese you don’t have to scrape the mold off of.
I open my eyes—they closed as soon as the bacon hit my tongue—to see I’m being watched, an amused look in the orc’s eyes as he chews on his own piece. He says nothing, just leans over to grab a book from the table next to the couch.
“Why do you do that?” May as well ask questions at this point.
“Do what?” He puts the book down.
“Feed me.” I cross my arms.
“I like it.” He crosses his with a smirk.
“You like making me feel helpless?” I narrow my eyes.
“I have other ways to keep your mouth full if you would prefer,” he responds with a leer.
“Fu—” Another piece of bacon is shoved in my mouth before I can retort. Whatever. I’ll take bacon over his dick any day. Tastes way better. Probably.
I look up, happy to see he is once again engrossed in his reading and not watching me as I contemplate the flavor of his cock. What is wrong with me? I mean, given the events of the last 48ish hours, it’s understandable, right? The ritual, the shower, the mornings in bed, the “punishment” last night... It’s not like I’ve had a choice in any of it.
But why does that fact seem to make me like it even more? Being tied down, held in place, manhandled... Shit, I’m starting to get hard right now. I have to use my thighs to keep my cock trapped between them. Seriously, David, this is not normal. This is not like that time when you were sixteen and you got drunk at a party with Rich Fulbrush, and you thought he was going to kiss you, but all he ended up doing was puking all over your shoes. This is a stranger, a monster, holding you against your will. He’s beaten you, humiliated you, practically raped you. So if you could maybe stop wondering what it would feel like for him to fuck you while chained to his bed that would be great.
A piece of bacon in my face refocuses my attention, right before a knock at the door draws away Ironstorm’s. He slides my legs off his lap and places the mug on the table, walking around the couch to answer it still as naked as when we woke up. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m surprised when he opens the door without a second thought. There’s a greeting and some words exchanged with the person on the other side, before Ironstorm is handed a lot of packages wrapped in brown paper. He takes a step back and gestures his head in my direction before the orc at the door pokes his head around the corner to stare at me. After bidding the delivery person farewell, Ironstorm then removes a paper seemingly stuck to the front door before closing it.
“What was that about?” I ask as he walks the packages to the kitchen.
“Butcher. I have a standing order delivered every other Ignisday.” He drops the meat onto the counter so he can open the lid on the icebox. “Seeing your appetite these past few days, I told him I needed to start doubling it.”
“...Sorry.” A joke about having to feed your pets dies on my tongue.
“Nothing to apologize for.” He starts loading the packages inside. “I take it you have not been eating very well on your travels?”
“No. Not really.” I hope I’m not about to get a lecture on human nutrition. “I used to be a little bigger.”
“I can tell by your frame.” Satisfied with his organizational skills, he shuts the lid. “Hopefully while you are here, you can regain some of your mass.” He rejoins me on the couch, lifting my legs to his lap once more.
“Why did he want to look at me?”
“He wanted to know if the ranger captain’s new avakesh was as attractive as he had heard.” He feeds me another piece of bacon before unfolding the paper he pulled off the door. “He agreed.”
The compliment makes me feel a little warm, but like so many other times, I’m not sure what to say. I just chew my bacon. Ironstorm retrieves the mug and takes a few swallows before passing it to me. I do the same now that it is finally cool enough to enjoy.
“I have some news for you.” The paper is refolded and placed to the side. “Your friends are to be brought before a council member in the morning.”
“They ar—” A hand held in the air cuts me off.
“A proclamation of guilt has already been signed and submitted, so this is largely for determining any penalties or disciplinary action. As the ranger who made the arrest, I need to be there,” he continues before putting his hand down. “I want to make a deal with you.”
“What kind of deal?” I eye him suspiciously. Not sure I trust deals made around here.
“If you behave today, if you will willingly submit to some training—which includes following my instructions and not talking back—I will take you to see your friends tomorrow.” He trains a stern look on me. “But you have to actually try, David. I do not want to spend the day fighting you.”
