Absence makes the heart grow fonder

      Looking up at Riko’s furious face, Kevin really wishes to turn back time because maybe then he wouldn’t make some stupid mistakes. Like running away from the Nest, for example. His back and head are still aching with dull pain from being slammed against a wall.       “You thought you could get away?” Riko snarls. Despite their height difference, Kevin feels small in Riko’s presence, like he might get crushed. “You don’t belong with the Foxes,” says Riko and jabs his finger against the “2” on Kevin’s face. “You’re mine.” Riko puts more pressure around Kevin’s neck, not fully cutting the airflow yet but enough to elicit fear. Kevin fights with his instinct to push the other away because it really wouldn’t be helpful now. Instead, he presses his back more against the wall as if trying to go through it. Maybe it would save him from Riko’s wrath, he thinks.       “Riko, I’m sorry-” Kevin tries, but is immediately shut down.       “It’s ‘Madam’ to you, mutt.”       Kevin’s breath hitches at the words. ‘Madam’ was their thing only, a secret even Jean doesn’t know about. Sometimes, when they felt bold enough, Riko put one of his skirts on, normally hidden in the back of their wardrobe. One of them adorns Riko’s body now – a long black one, with a side cut showing Riko’s leg and hip. Kevin still remembers the day they bought it – the fear gripping at their throats and excitement making them grin at each other when they walked out of the store. He wonders if Riko still has the other skirts.       “Of course, Madam.” Kevin exhales, his breath shaky from emotions. Maybe he didn’t fuck this up so much after all. Whatever ‘this' between him and Riko is. During his time with the Foxes he started realizing that he missed his life at the Nest so much and most importantly – his Madam.       Riko looks at Kevin for a minute, his gaze assessing. The dark eyes stare at him, as if judging his very soul for any speck of insincerity.       “So you do remember who’s in charge here.” The smile on Riko’s face sent shivers down Kevin’s spine. “And here I thought you claimed Minyard as your new master by the way you’ve been following him everywhere.” Riko leans in so that their faces are a breath away. “Even to his bed.”       The last words feel like a slap. Kevin swallows hard, but his throat is painfully dry. So, Riko knows. That shouldn’t surprise him really. An odd mix of fear and happiness rose in his chest. Riko’s been keeping tabs on him, even when Kevin abandoned him, so surely that must mean something, right?       “What, nothing to say?” Riko taunted.       Kevin closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Madam.” He chokes as his neck is squeezed even more. This time his hands grab at Riko’s wrist, but they are batted away. At least the pressure eases up a bit and Kevin can breathe again.       “Oh, you will be sorry.” Riko lets him go and Kevin crumbles on the floor. While he’s gasping for breath, Riko’s boots enter his peripheral vision. Kevin remembers them - black, reaching the knee, with a short heel, enough to gain some height, but still comfortable to wear. They were the first pair Riko ever got, and they were from Kevin nonetheless. The fact that they haven’t been thrown out fills Kevin with warmth.       Something presses down between his shoulder blades, pinning him to the ground. Riko’s shoe, Kevin’s mind supplies. “This is where you belong.” Kevin blushes at Riko’s words, which makes the other laugh. The boot presses down more on Kevin’s spine as Riko leans down. “Or maybe you forgot?”       “No, Madam,” Kevin chokes out. The pressure on his chest makes it harder to breathe. “I remember.”       Riko hums, contemplative. Kevin can’t see the other’s face from his position on the floor, so he doesn’t know what Riko is thinking. He waits anxiously for the verdict.       The boot is lifted from Kevin’s back, but Kevin remains still. He doesn’t even dare breathe too deep.       “Get up,” the single command makes Kevin get up to his feet quickly. Riko’s face remains neutral, but Kevin notices the corner of his mouth twitch. It’s barely noticeable and most people wouldn’t probably pay it any mind. But Kevin has years of experience in learning Riko’s body, so of course he notices even the smallest twitch.       Apparently Kevin’s gotten lost in his thoughts, because he hasn’t noticed Riko moving towards him. The slap to his face brings him back to the present. “Eyes down, mutt,” Riko snaps. Kevin quickly obeys, the burning pain on his cheek a shameful reminder of the mistake. Not looking his Madam in the eyes is one of the most important rules and he’s broken it.       “On the bed,” Riko’s voice remains cold. He stands with his arms crossed, his chest not covered by anything. To Kevin he’s beautiful - all his muscles from harsh training and scars from past failures. His very presence captures Kevin’s attention every time they are near each other.       Soon, Kevin lays on the bed, Riko’s long hair tickling his face. He keeps his hands fisted in the sheets because he doesn’t have permission to touch. Riko leans over him, his hands placed at the sides of Kevin’s head. This is a familiar position to Kevin. but this time it’s mixed with anticipation because he doesn’t know what Riko has in store for him.       After a while, Riko breaks the silence. “You’ve been away for a few months and you’ve already forgotten some rules.” Kevin can hear the disappointment in the statement and he hates the feeling of shame that comes with it.       “I’m sorry, Madam,” Kevin says in a small voice.       “ ‘Sorry’ is not enough.” Hearing Riko’s words, Kevin bites at his lip nervously. “I let you stay with those idiots for a while, worrying constantly about you,” says Riko, barely containing his anger, “and you come back with some nasty habits.” Kevin’s lip is pulled back from his teeth. “My property needs to be in top condition. Do you understand?” Riko leans closer, making Kevin squirm.       Riko’s possessiveness is nothing new. Their relationship has always been like that – with Riko pulling the strings and Kevin obediently following him. Some people frown upon it, others marvel at their ‘special bond’. Though, nobody really understands, in Kevin’s opinion.       Underneath the anger, there was something else in Riko’s words that caught Kevin’s attention. Riko was worried about him and the realization makes him feel thrilled. All this time he was worried that Riko would replace him, but now he has proof that he’s wanted.       Kevin can’t help himself anymore and his arms surge forward, quickly encircling Riko and trapping him. He struggles, but Kevin holds Riko tightly against his body.       “I missed you, too.” The whispered confession stops Riko’s trashing. Kevin feels nails dig into his chest, but he doesn’t let go. They both lie in silence, basking in each other’s presence. Maybe Riko won’t forgive Kevin, but he’s glad that he’s allowed to have this moment, even if it’s the last time ever.       Kevin’s time with the Foxes showed him that nobody really understands him like Riko does. Andrew came close, but they didn’t share a bond like that - it was protection and hurried sex to get out their frustrations, no deeper feelings involved. While with Andrew, Kevin’s mind kept wandering to his brother he abandoned at the Nest, and the guilt kept eating him away. The blond didn’t mind and only told him to ‘get himself together.’       Kevin’s heart and soul belong to Riko, whether Kevin likes it or not. The tattoo marked him as Riko’s, but he didn’t really need the physical reminder. Even with new bruises, the love for Riko will be there still and the thought scares him sometimes. ‘You’re a hopeless case, Day,’ Andrew once said after Kevin’s one-of-the-many breakdowns and maybe he was right in the assessment.       The moment of bliss is cut short when Riko sits up, straddling Kevin’s lap. With his back straight and raised chin he looks magnificent in Kevin’s eyes. “You will repay me.” Riko holds out his hand, his gaze stern and leaving no room for discussion.       “Of course, Madam.” Kevin takes the hand delicately and lays a kiss on top. It’s familiar, practiced hundreds of times in the privacy of their room. This time though, the kiss means so much more - it’s an apology and a declaration of his love, a vow to do better from now on.       Riko looks pleased by his actions so far and Kevin applauds himself in his head. Riko’s hand gently goes through Kevin’s hair, and the man has to fight with himself not to lean into the touch. Suddenly the hand grips the strands at the back of his head, making him look up at Riko’s face.       “First, I’ll need to clean you.” Kevin’s mind blanks at the words. He can imagine what it meant for him. “Their filth is all over you and I won’t tolerate it.” Riko tugs at the hair and the spikes of pain make Kevin hiss. But it also sends warmth down his body, for which Kevin berates himself in his thoughts. Now really isn’t the time for this.       “Madam, I don’t think it’ll be necess-” Riko’s hand muffles the rest of Kevin’s sentence, which really doesn’t help Kevin to keep his arousal at bay.       “Then,” Riko continues like nothing happened, “you’ll show me how sorry you really are.” The challenge makes Kevin more determined to show Riko that he can be the best companion for his Madam.       “And after that I’ll decide if I forgive you.”       Kevin won’t lose this chance. He’ll do everything in his power to not fuck up again because his place will always be at Riko’s side.