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I don't rush him, letting him sob in my arms for as long as he needs. I never hush him or try to tell him to calm down. Sometimes I rock him side to side or hum softly to him or stroke his back, but I never try to stop his emotions from pouring out. They’ve been bottled up for far too long.
When he finally cries himself out, I lower him into his spot on the bed, giving him a warm smile when his tired eyes find mine.
"If you need the bathroom at all tonight, you will use it. You're allowed to go whenever you need to, and you don't have to ask my permission. Just go and then return to bed, okay?"
He nods.
"This is where you belong at night," I tell him, brushing a curl off his forehead as the boy settles into his pillow. He blinks slowly, struggling to reopen his eyes more each time. "Get some rest now, little one."
Casey nods again, his eyes finally closing for good.
Just a minute after I've turned the lamp off and settled in the bed, I feel the boy shifting beside me. I crack one eye open to find that Casey has turned to face me, his face outlined by the soft glow of the under-bed lights that Travis gave me shit for installing after stubbing my toe for the fourth fucking time. Casey immediately averts his gaze so he's not looking at my face when he realizes I've seen him. It makes me smile. It's kind of fucking adorable.
Sue me, okay? I'm a fucking daddy dom who has never gotten to have a boy, and Casey is hitting all of my buttons tonight. It’s impossible to ignore my instincts, but it’s not like I'll ever act on them.
"Need something, little one?"
"Do you… want me to show you how grateful I am, Master?"
I fight a groan as I realize what he means. Definitely not.
"That's alright. I'm tired. I just want to sleep. And I want you to sleep, too."
Casey’s eyebrows pull in. "It would… please you for me to sleep, Master?"
"Yes."
"In… your bed?"
"Yes."
"All night?"
I force a smile. "As long as you need. This isn't a trick, little one. I know it will take time for you to trust me, but I do not enjoy cruelty for the sake of being cruel, and I despise those who set others up for failure. I mean what I say, always."
Casey seems to consider this for a moment. Then he releases what seems like a very deep breath and forces his eyes to meet mine again. I smile in encouragement. The boy blushes, but he doesn't look away. "G-good night, Master."
Having a feeling that's not something Casey would have been allowed to say before, at least not without prompting, I feel a warmth form in my chest at the little bit of progress we've made. "Good night, little one. Sleep well."
Chapter Nine
Casey
When I wake up after a startlingly good night’s sleep, I’m alone. I can’t decide how I feel about that. My old master never left me alone like this. I was always in a cage or chained to something or too injured to move even if I tried. Now, I’m feeling plenty good enough to walk around and I’m in Master’s bedroom where I could do… anything.
It must be a test, right?
I eye the corners of the room, checking for cameras. Master seems smart. He would probably hide them well. I should play it safe and just kneel. But the chance to look around, to find a weapon, is too good to pass up. I quickly get out of bed, not bothering to make it after. I might be dead in a few minutes anyway.
The thought isn’t as comforting as it was a few days ago. I try not to dwell on that. It’s probably just nerves, right? People probably get cold feet all the time before doing something so extreme. Something so permanent.
I check the bedside table first, stopping short when I see there’s a note on it. It’s folded up beside a bottle of water, a protein bar, and two white pills. I take the paper with trembling hands, careful not to rip it.
Good morning,
I’m very busy today so I can’t stay in the room.
The water and bar are yours.
