Belong To Shadow

Summary: Snake follows Tommy to attempt to heal the rift between them.
Warning(s): Disciplinary Spanking of adults; non-disciplinary spanking; D/s; M/m; explicit; spoilers for G.I. Joe Origins: Snake Eyes; AU; rough, consensual sex

###

Tommy had ended up retiring for the night in a hotel. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the window. To say he was feeling lost was an understatement. Truth be told, he was feeling a whole myriad of emotions; chief among those a sense of hurt and betrayal. And anger, too. He'd lost everything since meeting Snake and all he could think about now was getting revenge on the man. Taking his pound of flesh for what he'd been put through.

Snake felt horrible... guilty. He'd ended up making the right choice in the end, but his choices prior to that had been all wrong and had ended with events unfolding that led to Tommy losing. Tommy had only done what he had to protect his family; Snake could understand that fully. But apparently, reasons didn't absolve him. Snake couldn't help but feel it was his fault and he needed to make things right with Tommy. Needed to try and calm the other man down before he took a path he couldn't return from. So, he'd gone looking for him. Tommy had pretty much promised to kill him the next time he saw him, but it didn't matter. He needed to try and make things right between them. It wasn't easy- Tommy knew how to hide- but Snake had connections from his years of attempting to find his father's killer and one of them contacted him to let him know they'd seen Tommy and where. He quickly made his way to the hotel, slipping onto the balcony before knocking to announce his presence.

Tommy glanced up at the sound of the knock. It was coming from the balcony, not the door...so not room service; not that he'd ordered any. And someone coming to try and kill him wasn't going to be knocking to announce their presence.

Standing, Tommy grabbed his weapon and headed to the balcony. And as soon as he saw who it was, that anger and hurt and sense of betrayal came bubbling to the surface. He drew his weapon and said, in a low, intense voice, "I warned you what would happen the next time I saw you."

"I... I couldn't leave things the way they were. I tried to make things right, but everything went wrong... I... Is there nothing I can do to earn your forgiveness?" Snake whispered, making a point not to draw a weapon, or even take a defensive stance.

"How can I trust anything you say?" Tommy demanded. "How can I believe anything you tell me? I trusted you already and I lost everything."

"I don't know how to earn your trust again..." Snake said softly, unhappily. "I don't know how to prove that I'm telling the truth now, but... I'm willing to do anything to try."

"Anything?" Tommy repeated.

"Whatever it takes..." Snake said somberly. "I owe you."

Tommy slowly lowered his weapon and stepped back, motioning for Snake to follow him into the room. He didn't take his eyes off Snake as he moved the pillows towards the middle of the bed. As he put his weapon down and began to remove his belt.

Snake followed Tommy inside. When he saw what the older man was doing, his eyes widened and he audibly swallowed, but he didn't say anything, instead toeing off his shoes, then moving to the side of the bed and unbuttoning his pants, letting them drop into a puddle at his feet. He waited to see if Tommy would require his underwear to also be removed.

"Those too," Tommy confirmed, nodding towards Snake's underwear. He doubled the belt over.

Taking a shivering breath and giving the belt a nervous look, Snake pushed his underwear down to join his pants, leaving himself completely bare and vulnerable from the waist down. He looked forward, noting the positioning of the pillows and, taking another shivering breath, moved onto the bed, laying in such a way that the pillows raised his backside up higher than the rest of his body. It was an easy target.

Tommy moved to Snake's side and placed a hand on the other man's back, holding him steady in place, before he raised the belt and brought it down firmly against Snake's backside.

Snake couldn't stop the whimper that escaped as the belt lashed his bottom, but with Tommy's hand holding him in place, he managed to stay still. He shifted slightly, but stayed in position. Tommy would tell him when he'd had enough.

Still keeping his hand on Snake's back, Tommy brought the belt down a second and third time, each stripe landing just below the previous.

By the third stripe, Snake was hissing and shifting, tiny whimpers escaped each time. He didn't try and move away, though. He would accept this if it was what was needed to be forgiven, even if Tommy striped him raw.

Tommy delivered the stripes down to Snake's thighs and then began again from the top. "I believed you were on my side. That you were my friend. My brother." He didn't sound angry, not anymore. Instead, the undercurrent of pain was clear in his voice.

"I was... am... but I didn't behave as such. I was a bad friend. I let my need for vengeance overcome me..." Snake said, in a tight voice. The pain of what was occurring was clear in his voice. So were unshed tears and guilt.

"You told me you were sorry before," Tommy said. "But that was only a ploy to get my blood. So, you could take from me."

Snake closed his eyes at the reminder of his wrong deed. He couldn't deny it. It was the truth. He let out a tiny sob. "I did... I was sorry. Not sorry enough. Not sorry enough to change my behavior... to alter my plans. I was so wrong..." He moaned softly.

"I wanted you in my home. In my life." Tommy's own voice was shaky. He was still delivering the stripes from the belt, but they weren't as hard as they had been. The anger was seeping away, replaced by hurt. He was near tears himself.

"I wanted that... want that... but I don't deserve it...." Snake's voice caught and he couldn't stop the sob from escaping. His backside ached... burned... by this point, but it was the emotional pain that caused him to lose control.

Tommy's own vision blurred. Hearing Snake sob...it didn't make him feel good. It didn't feel right. He looked down at the belt, clutched in his hand, and opened his fingers, letting the belt drop to the floor.

Releasing a shaky breath, Tommy sat on the bed and he reached out, grasping Snake and pulling the other man across his lap.

Snake shivered as he was repositioned. The only comfort he gained from it was the knowledge that this was more personal; if Tommy was punishing him in a personal manner, maybe he was starting to care about him again. He stayed where he was put, reaching down to hold onto Tommy's leg. "I was horrible... I can't ever make it up... I'm so sorry..." he choked out, now crying and unable to stop.

"You hurt me so badly, Snake." Tommy's voice was barely above a whisper. "I almost wished my uncle had succeeded in killing me, because I wouldn't have had to feel the pain of my brother betraying me." He began to swat, this time using his hand...holding Snake over his lap, pressed against his stomach.

Snake immediately slumped in acceptance of Tommy's punishment. He deserved it. He deserved worse. "I hurt you... I can't make up for that... need you to make me pay... hurt me till I've paid and you can forgive me... need to be punished... I'm sorry!" Snake began to babble through tears. He was afraid that this wouldn't be enough- that he'd never be forgiven. That Tommy wouldn't be able to forgive him and he would have lost the older man that he viewed as more than a brother… that Tommy wouldn’t even be able to consider him a brother, let alone more, after this.

It was hard, nearly impossible, for Tommy to hold back his own tears. His swatting hand slowed, stopped, began to rub the heated skin. "I love you," he whispered. "You're my brother and I love you." His voice was low, intense, filled with emotion.

At those words, Snake began to sob helplessly. The rubbing was gentle, but it still hurt. He didn't try and move away from it; he needed the comfort, even if it hurt, because it meant he was close to being forgiven. "I love you too... please forgive me..." he begged.

Tommy took a deep breath and slowly moved Snake into his arms, on his lap, needing to hold the other man...needing to feel that closeness between them. His hand continued to gently rub over Snake's bottom and thighs. "I have to," he whispered. "Because if I can't forgive you, I'll lose you. And that's a wound I won't recover from."

Snake immediately gripped onto Tommy, letting his head fall onto the older man's shoulder and clinging. He shivered hard, unable to stop crying. "Need to be okay with you..." he whispered uncertainly.

Tommy hugged Snake tightly, his one hand still rubbing his brother's backside and his other rubbing down Snake's hair and the back of his neck. "I've lost everything else," he whispered. "I can't lose you too."

"You're all the family I have..." Snake whispered, when he was finally able to calm his crying down. He snuggled close as possible, the highly personal action of rubbing his backside calming him further. It was an act of submission, in a way... accepting the personal touch. It meant Tommy was in charge still, choosing to comfort instead of punish. He could easily return to punishing if necessary.

Tommy pressed Snake as close to himself as possible, still gently rubbing his bottom and thighs. He positioned Snake enough to make it easier to continue the gentle and comforting touch, his other hand gently gripping the nape of Snake's neck.

"I owe you my life..." Snake whispered. "...I owe you everything."

"I can't let you go again," Tommy murmured. "I thought I could. That I could live with the pain. But I can't." He gently squeezed the nape of his Snake's neck. "I won't be able to survive it again."

"I'll follow you... go where you direct... obey you. You will be my leader..." Snake promised solemnly.

Tommy nuzzled against Snake's head. "Your leader and your brother," he said quietly. He held Snake a few more moments and then turned his brother back over his knees. He didn't swat, though, instead using that position to rub a bit more firmly. "In charge of you. In control of you. I expect you to submit to whatever I do."

Snake took a slow breath, whimpering softly in the back of his throat, before reaching down and holding onto Tommy's leg again. "More than your brother…” he admitted very softly before promising more loudly, “I will submit to you whatever you command". The rubbing was a mix of comforting pain; his bottom very sore from the belting, but the rubbing soothing to a small degree.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that." Tommy continued to gently rub Snake's bottom. "Because you now belong with me and to me."

"Yessir... till the end of time..." Snake whispered.

While he continued to rub over Snake's bottom and thighs with one hand, Tommy moved his other hand to the nape of Snake's neck once more, squeezing gently. The actions were deliberately possessive.

Snake felt himself relaxing, slumping in submission to the possessive touch. Being forgiven eased the fear he'd had.

Since Snake was already half-naked, Tommy gently pulled Snake's shirt free as well. Something about making his brother bare and vulnerable to him eased the small amount of pain that had lingered.

Snake succumbed to Tommy's decision. Being naked and vulnerable felt natural. "I'm sorry I lied," he finally whispered. "I will do whatever I can to earn your trust again."

"If you lie to me again, then before I turn you over my knee for a spanking, I will wash your mouth out with soap," Tommy said. "I won't tolerate it again. But I won't ever let you go again."

"Yessir..." Snake found himself relaxing, feeling comforted, by the promise.

"I love you." Tommy spoke the words in a whisper, but the emotion behind them made his voice intense. "I don't know where we will go from here, but I know that we will be together. Your place is with me. You belong with me."

"I belong by your side," Snake agreed. "I... I left my belongings on the balcony. If you allow, I will sleep on the floor, by your bed."

"There is no reason for you not to sleep in the bed with me," Tommy said. "It will allow me to keep you close."

"If that is what you wish," Snake said quietly. "I am yours to command."

"I wish to keep you close," Tommy replied. "Where I can touch you with affection...and correct you, should that prove necessary again." He gently cupped Snake's backside. "While we are alone, while it is just us, you will stay like this. Naked and vulnerable to me."

Snake flushed slightly, but didn't argue. "Yessir..." he whispered. He couldn't imagine that there wouldn't need to be at least one more punishment. After what he'd done and caused, Tommy had gone considerably lighter on him than he'd expected.

"Have you eaten?" Tommy asked, still lightly squeezing the nape of Snake's neck. Still gently rubbing his backside.

"No, sir," Snake admitted. "I was afraid if I stopped to eat or rest, I'd lose you completely."

"I will order room service," Tommy said, gently squeezing low down on Snake's thigh. "You will retrieve your belongings from the balcony. Then we will eat and rest." He rubbed and squeezed a little more, allowing himself to feel the sensations of his brother with him...Snake submitting entirely to him...and then helped the younger man to stand, turning him towards the balcony and giving Snake's backside a gentle smack to move him forward. He then went to pick up the phone and order.

Snake had never been the submissive sort; it was what kept him alive all the years alone, searching for his father's killer. The only time he'd submitted was for subterfuge. Except now? Now, he was willingly submitting and it wasn't an act. It felt right to obey and submit to his older ‘more-than-brother’. Good. Necessary. At the gentle swat (and it stung a little over the semi-fresh spanked skin), he went and retrieved his bag. Returning to the room, he picked up his discarded shoes and clothing, folding them neatly and putting them in his bag. He then went to stand in front of Tommy, head bowed respectfully, deliberately standing so he was exposed and vulnerable to Tommy's gaze; and grip, if necessary. "May I bathe, sir?" he asked softly.

Tommy had finished ordering room service and now, he reached out, settling his hand at Snake's neck, thumb rubbing gently over the pulse point. The grip was gentle, for all that it was possessive. "Yes," he replied. "The food will be here within half an hour."

"Understood, sir..." Snake responded to the non-verbal order to be done and out by that time. He waited, though. As long as Tommy gripped his neck, he would stay in position. He was being claimed, it felt; it wasn't his place to pull away first.

Tommy guided Snake into a brief, though tight embrace and then released him. As he had with sending his brother to the balcony, he turned Snake and gave him a gentle swat towards the restroom.

Snake immediately moved when swatted. He briefly wondered if this would become Tommy's favored method of directing him when they were alone: point and swat. He found himself hoping so. The hands-on approach helped ease his fear that Tommy couldn't forgive him and he'd be sent away forever. He went into the bathroom, leaving the door open, and quickly showered. He'd just finished toweling his hair dry and combed it neat when the food arrived. He moved out of sight of the door, but still within Tommy's sight.

Tommy opened the door, taking the food from the hotel worker and arranging it so the two of them could eat. Making sure the door was fully closed, he moved towards his brother and gently swatted Snake's backside, to encourage him to move towards where the food was laid out.

Biting his lip to hide the sudden smile forming on his face, but unable to hide the bashful blush creeping over his body, Snake moved where Tommy directed.

When they reached the table, Tommy did the same form of directing he'd already started: gently smacking Snake's bottom to get him to sit down. Tommy sat, too, and began eating...after a glance at his brother, to make sure Snake was eating too.

Snake obediently ate what he'd been given. His bottom felt tingly and it was difficult not to squirm, the gentle swats reigniting the sting of the belting each time they occurred. Snake was grateful for that. He felt like he'd got off easy, so that alleviated some of the guilt.

When they'd finished eating, Tommy moved the plates outside the room, to be collected later. Returning to his brother's side, he guided Snake to his feet with a hand on his shoulder, gently gripping his neck. His other hand smacked lightly as he walked his brother over to the bed.

Snake shivered as he was directed to the bed, shoulders slumping with each swat. By the time they reached their destination, his body was completely submissive, not just his behavior.

Pulling back the bedsheets, Tommy guided his brother into the bed. He pulled Snake in close, one hand still gripping his brother's neck while his other kept up the light swatting to Snake's bottom.

Snake crawled into the bed where Tommy directed. He then lay loose and pliant as his brother scruffed him and continued to swat his bottom back into a stingy ache. He took a slow, shivering breath, surprised to find himself crying; it didn't hurt so badly for tears. It felt like a relief, though, feeling Tommy heating his bottom repeatedly while holding him in place by his neck. Within moments, he was boneless, completely submitting to the 'punishment'.

Tommy pulled Snake more firmly against him. He didn't swat any harder, but knew the repetitiveness would be effective enough. He gripped Snake's neck firmly, moving his hand a little bit lower to give his brother's sit spots and the tops of his thighs the same stinging attention.

Snake kept quiet through most of the punishment, only his quick intake of breath when a particularly sensitive area received attention and his tiny whimpers and whines when it finally reached a point that all areas swatted were sensitive, giving away how he felt. Until he finally whimpered out, "I'm sorry. I can never make it right and I'm sorry."

Tommy's swatting hand paused, beginning to rub the warm, heated skin. His other hand gripped that much firmer. "This is not just about punishing you, Snake. As during the first trial, you need to submit to my will...to my control. Even when it's hard. Even when it's painful. Even if my decision is that you will not be able to sit until I decide." He gently squeezed each of his brother's thighs.

"Yes, sir..." Snake's voice was shaky, but clear and certain. "I will obey you...."

Tommy rested his hand against Snake's bottom, feeling the warmth that he'd been responsible for putting there. The fingers of his other hand glided gently over Snake's pulse point. "Sleep now," he directed, voice firm.

Snake wasn't sure how he was meant to sleep when his emotions were all over the place, his bottom was sore and he couldn't stop thinking. Still, he obediently closed his eyes. Bone weariness took over from there and he soon was asleep.

Tommy didn't let go of Snake, either his neck or his bottom, as he too closed his eyes. Within moments, he was fast asleep.

***

Tommy's sleep hadn't been restful. By the time morning's light came, he was shifting in his sleep. He was too well-trained to actually cry out, but the whimpering was obvious.

Snake was too used to the signs of nightmares in himself not to notice what Tommy was going through. He very carefully woke the other man. "You dreamed..." was what he said, his unspoken question of 'What about?' clear.

"I dreamed...." Tommy confirmed, his arms wrapped around Snake. His voice was hoarse with emotion and pain as he said, "I dreamed of my uncle, trying to kill me. That I was alone again."

Snake winced at that. It was his fault that Tommy's uncle had even got close enough to try and kill him. And he probably had felt very alone after leaving. Something he wouldn't have had to do if not for Snake. Every bad thing that happened to Tommy recently was a direct result of Snake's lies and machinations. Swallowing hard, Snake only gave it a moment's thought before he'd pulled pillows under his hips so that his bottom would be raised high again. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, his intentions to submit to another whipping clear.

Tommy sat up slowly and reached out, placing one hand on Snake's back and the other on his brother's cheek, encouraging Snake to look at him. "This still affects you?" he asked softly, studying his brother's face to read him. Choosing to believe Snake when he promised he wouldn't lie again.

Snake looked into Tommy's face, letting his emotions, his guilt, be seen clearly. "How could it not? I hurt you because of my selfish single-minded pursuit of revenge. Everything could have been different. Better. If I'd been honest. If I had sought your help instead of..." He swallowed hard and looked down, unable to face Tommy any longer.

Stroking his hand down Snake's back, Tommy carefully repositioned Snake, moving his brother across his lap instead of over the pillows. "It did hurt me," he said quietly. "You could have come to me at any time. Told the truth at any time. You didn't. It was a choice you made." He reached down to pick up the belt he'd dropped the evening before.

"...Bad choice. Wrong choice. Don't deserve to be your family... don't deserve to be yours..." Snake choked out, wrapping his arms around Tommy's leg.

"You are mine." Tommy spoke in a low, intense voice. "My family. You came back to me." He wrapped his arm around Snake's waist, holding him tight against his stomach, and brought the belt down in a stripe that was tempered, even though it was far from a token stroke.

Snake gasped out a moan as the strike sent a wave of ache through his buttocks and his arms clenched around Tommy's leg. "I am yours... your family..." he agreed. "But I don't deserve you."

"Deserved or not, you are mine and I will not let you go." Tommy delivered a second and third stroke, each landing just below the first. "And we will continue to deal with your actions for as long as is necessary."

Snake moaned softly, slumping over Tommy's lap in acceptance. It hurt. But it was what he needed.

While he was using the belt, Tommy kept his other arm wrapped firmly and securely around Snake's waist, pressing his bare arm against his brother's bare back. "You are mine," he said again, the strokes from the belt acting as an emphasis to what he was saying. "And you will no longer make those choices that will pull you away from me, will you?"

"No, sir. Won't do things that will pull us apart..." Snake sobbed out a promise.

"And I'll make sure of it. Make sure you never forget." Tommy covered Snake's entire backside, down to mid-thigh, with stripes from the belt twice over. Then, he put it to one side and began to swat with his hand "I will be taking you over my knee every morning and every evening for the next week. To make sure you never forget where you belong."

"Ye... yessir. Need to be reminded..." Snake sobbed, in a tone that sounded both forlorn and unhappy, but relieved at the same time.

"But you don't need to earn my forgiveness or my love," Tommy said. "Both are yours already."

At those words, Snake just cried. Knowing that he was forgiven, loved and wanted even after everything he'd done wrong was a burden removed from his shoulders.

Tommy delivered some final swats to Snake's sit spots and thighs and then stopped. He gathered him into his arms, on his lap, hugging him tightly. As he had before, he scruffed Snake's neck with one hand; began rubbing his brother's bottom with the other. "I love you," he reiterated. "I believe that you're sorry. I believe that you will not lie to me again. I believe in you."

Snake clung to Tommy, desperate to show him how grateful he was for the third chance. Desperate to show the older man that he loved him and would be loyal.

Allowing himself to nuzzle Snake's head, Tommy tightened his embrace around his brother, still rubbing his backside. Still scruffing his neck. "What happened when you left, before you came back?" he asked softly. He hadn't asked before, but now, with his brother in his arms, he wanted to take care of Snake emotionally as much as physically. After all, Snake had come back to fight alongside them. Did that mean Cobra hadn't given him what he needed?

Snake quivered, holding tight. When he finally calmed enough to talk, he confessed. "They gave me the one who'd killed my father. I was going to kill him, but... I didn't completely trust them. Plus... I needed to know why. So, I asked. He said because Cobra ordered him to... my dad was a Joe." He let another tiny sob out. "Cobra killed my father and I ended up helping them."

Tommy gently gripped Snake's neck that bit tighter, still gently rubbing his backside. "You did the right thing when it truly came down to it," he murmured. "You didn't have to come back, but you did. You didn't have to fight alongside us, but you did. And you didn't have to come here...but you did. And now you have somewhere to belong. Someone to belong to."

"Belong to you..." Snake said, in a very tiny voice.

"For always." Tommy moved his hand to the side of Snake's neck, thumb gently stroking over his pulse point. "I need you, Snake."

"Thank you for taking me back..." Snake whispered, leaning into the touch.

"I felt that we belonged together from the first," Tommy replied. "No matter what's happened, I've never lost that feeling. Not taking you back could never be an option." He brushed a gentle kiss against Snake's forehead.

"I will be your man forever, will give my life to protect and serve you..." Snake's voice was hoarse from his sobbing and he couldn't keep from snuggling as close as he was able, seeking out the gentle kisses and leaving as much of his body as possible open and vulnerable to the one who owned his allegiance.

Responding to Snake seeking out the kisses, Tommy continued to do so, kissing his forehead and his cheeks. His hands stroked, rubbed and squeezed over his body. "I love you, my brother. We will not be parted again," he promised.

"I will follow you..." Snake agreed, finally able to relax and let go of his guilt as he realized he was forgiven and his behavior would be addressed for however long Tommy felt necessary.

"You belong to me and with me." Tommy gently squeezed Snake's backside. "You are my family. We have a chance to start over. To do things right. No secrets between us." He paused, looking into Snake's eyes, and said quietly, "The Baroness wants me to join Cobra."

Snake winced at that. "Scarlet wants me in Joe..." he said quietly. "I won't fight against you. Not again..." he whispered, making it clear he'd turn Scarlet down if Tommy told him to. It was also clear the idea of his Master working with those who killed his father hurt.

"I had said yes, but that was before. Before you came back to me. Before you told me who was truly responsible for murdering your father." He gently rubbed Snake's backside as he said, "The best way to destroy Cobra might be from within."

"I couldn't get close enough to them. They'd never trust I'd willingly work for them..." Snake said hesitantly. Tommy wasn't wrong that they could work to take them down, but he wasn't sure how.

"No. But they would believe it of me." Tommy placed his hand against Snake's cheek, rubbing gently. "It would be hard. We'd have to pretend to be on opposite sides, only able to meet up in secret. No one else could know the truth. To everyone on the outside, we'd have to appear as enemies. You'd have to convince even my family of that. But knowing that Cobra was who took your father, took your past, from you...knowing what they've been responsible for...I don't want to let them get away with it."

"If we fought, you'd have to hurt me or they'd figure it out. I could probably make an excuse for not hurting you that the Joes could buy, but Cobra would never accept it if you didn't try to kill me," Snake warned. "You couldn't hold back."

"I know." Tommy looked into his eyes. "Which is one of the reasons I don't want us to make a decision like this without talking things through first. Because you are mine...and despite the fact I have spanked you and will do so until we both feel like you've paid for your actions, I do not want to hurt you. But Cobra won't stop unless someone stops them." He pulled Snake tighter against him, knowing that if they were doing this, the only times he could hold the other man was when they could be sure they were alone and safe.

"They have to be stopped. I can handle it; as long as I know at the end of the day it isn't real and you don't truly hate me," Snake said, actively cuddling now.

"I don't hate you. I could never hate you." It was the truth, after all. Tommy would never have been so hurt if he'd hated Snake. Tommy took a tighter hold on Snake, continuing to gently rub his bottom. Resumed scruffing his neck. "I love you." He pressed a kiss to Snake's cheek.

"I love you too, Sir. Belong to you..." Snake promised, nuzzling Tommy's shoulder.

Tommy pressed his lips against Snake's head, closing his eyes for a moment. He leaned back on the bed, pulling Snake down with him, running his hands over Snake's back, down over his bottom and legs.

Snake continued to nuzzle and cuddle, only shifting and making tiny whimpers when a particularly sore part of his bottom was rubbed or squeezed. The soreness only helped him feel like he belonged more and he pressed closer. Hesitantly, he kissed Tommy's cheek.

In response to the kiss, Tommy gently squeezed Snake's waist. "Touch, explore, if you want," he invited. He squeezed Snake's thighs, gently rubbing over his bottom.

Snake swallowed, taking in a quick breath before he obeyed. He let his hands gently rub over and explore Tommy's chest and arms, but was careful not to pull out of the older man's possessive grip.

Tommy angled his head, enough to capture Snake's lips with his own; to kiss him, even as he continued to rub, stroke and squeeze, gently parting Snake's legs for better access to more sensitive areas.

Snake whined. He was so sore, but what Tommy was doing also felt so good. He left his legs parted, obeying the older man and offering everything.

Kissing Snake, a bit more firmly, Tommy began to gently rub and squeeze his inner thighs along with his bottom and legs.

Snake groaned at the actions, shivering. He felt a warmth seeping through his body and loosened up more.

"You are mine." Tommy whispered the words against Snake's lips. He carefully rolled them over, so that Snake was under him, pinning the other man to the bed.

Snake whimpered again as he found himself pressed to the bed under Tommy. The ache in his backside radiated and only increased the warmth pooling in his belly; it was a sign of belonging to the older man.

Tommy took hold of Snake's hands in one of his, holding them up and above his head. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the side of Snake's neck, teeth grazing gently along the skin.

Snake groaned, feeling Tommy's teeth on his neck. He slanted his head so his neck was completely open to Tommy's wishes.

As he began to suck on the skin, leaving a mark behind, Tommy moved his hand down Snake's chest, over his stomach.

Snake's breathing sped up and he whined, pressing into the touch. He opened his legs further, drawing them up slightly, trying to make it easier for Tommy to lay claim.

Tommy's fingers glided between Snake's legs, stroking and gently caressing the younger man's member. He gently licked the mark he'd left on Snake's neck, then moved to make a similar mark on the other side.

Snake gasped as his member was gripped, his hips pushing up reflexively. "...T.. Tommy..." His voice was raw and full of need. Every part of him that could harden immediately hardened for the other man and tears pooled in his eyes. Tommy was making sure he knew who he belonged to. Snake desperately needed that.

"I have you." Tommy moved back to Snake's lips, kissing stronger and deeper this time. He pushed his tongue into Snake's mouth, seeking the other man's surrender, as his fingers closed around Snake's member, beginning to stroke firmly.

Snake opened to Tommy's demand, surrendering completely. His body flushed and he began to leak precum as his master fondled him.

Tommy kissed deeper, harder, as he continued to stroke Snake's member, his other hand gripping Snake's own above his head.

Snake was gasping in air between kissing. He felt like he was being devoured; like he only drew breath because Tommy allowed. His life belonged to the older man and that aroused him further than he'd ever been. By this point, his member ached as badly as his bottom, although for different reasons.

"Let go." Tommy whispered the words, the order, against Snake's lips. To further encourage the ordered release, his fingers gripped that much firmer on Snake's member; not enough to cause pain, but enough to give truth to his next words. "This belongs to me as much as the rest of you."

Snake groaned at the words and then he was shuddering, spasming in release and giving everything to the one who now owned him. When he was spent and could give no more, he lay limp; open and exposed for Tommy to take his own pleasure.

Tommy gently nipped at Snake's lips and then shifted, reaching for one of his supplies. He still had hold of Snake's hands, even as he removed his own pants and underwear, used what he'd retrieved, and then began to push inside Snake.

Snake whimpered and moaned as Tommy pushed in, the pressure and stretch something he'd never experienced before. Along with the soreness from the spanking, it was an exquisite pain that he wanted more of; which was obvious in the way he opened his legs further and raised his knees to his shoulders so Tommy could push in as deep as he wanted as easily as possible.

Tommy let go of Snake's hands, silently giving the other man permission to hold onto him, and moved his own hands towards Snake's hips. He grasped tightly as he began to thrust.

Snake gripped onto Tommy's shoulders tightly, letting out tiny hisses and moans with each thrust, even as he began to clench around Tommy's member to pull him in and hold him deep inside.

Tommy's grip tightened, almost to the point of bruising, as he thrust deeper, harder, faster. He kept looking into Snake's eyes, one word repeating over and over. "Mine."

The look in Snake's eyes went from uncertain need to eager acceptance at Tommy's words. Soon, he was responding, "Yours," to every possessive declaration, his voice soft and breathy.

Tommy leaned down and kissed Snake, hard and deep, as his thrusts grew harder and more desperate. Finally, his own release came over him and he slumped over Snake's body, nuzzling into his neck.

Snake finally collapsed under Tommy as he felt his master's release flood inside of him. It soothed where the thrusts had rubbed and chafed inside. Outside, his bottom and thighs still stung and ached. He gave Tommy a tired, contented, completely submissive look. "Yours..." he whispered once more his voice hoarse.

"Mine." Tommy stroked his fingers through Snake's hair; leaned in and kissed him. "Even when we have to pretend to be on opposite sides, you will still always be mine." He gently gripped the side of Snake's neck.

"Forever..." Snake agreed. "I love you," he added, snuggling close again.

"I love you, Snake." Tommy took one of Snake's hands; pressed it against his own heart. "This. This is where you belong. And if pretending is too painful, then we don't have to continue. If ever it's too much for you to act as if we're enemies, you can tell me. In whichever way we decide to communicate. And I'll come for you. Take you away. I promise."

"Yessir. If it is ever too much, I will tell you. I belong to you, my master..." he whispered, before grinning happily.

Tommy smiled, stroking his fingers along Snake's cheek, wrapping his arms around the younger man. "You do belong to me." He murmured the words into Snake's ear. "And I won't let you go. Every time we meet in secret, I'll prove to you who truly owns you, no matter what face we have to put on outside."

"Good. It will be easier to pretend if you can remind me when we are alone together..." Snake admitted.

"Is anyone expecting your return soon?" Tommy asked. "I told the Baroness I needed at least a week to make arrangements. I assume you knew you weren't being followed when you tracked me down."

"I made sure I wasn't followed. I didn't trust Cobra... no one is expecting me. I told the Joes I was willing to help them when needed, but I needed time to think about joining them full-time," Snake admitted. "Scarlet said she would contact me when they needed me and if I decided to join full-time, I could let her know then. I figure I have at least a week. They'll probably call me when they realize Cobra recruited you. Do... do you want the Joes to know the truth?"

"No," Tommy answered. "The less people who know, the safer both of us will be. The more people who know, the easier it will be for something to be let slip. And if Cobra was ever able to find out how much you really mean to me, they would use you against me. For now, it should only be us who know the truth. That might change in the future. I will get us a burner phone each so that we can keep in contact, using codenames and voice changers. We'll make use of passwords when we message each other. Codes for if it isn't safe to talk openly."

"Yessir. If... if we have to fight, I'll do my best to miss," Snake said.

"Do what you have to," Tommy said seriously. "It has to look real. And if there's ever a time, I have to hurt you, I'll take care of you as soon as it's safe to do so." He gently rubbed down Snake's back, over his bottom. "We have a week, at least. During this time, we should train together. Practice making a fight look real while holding back. Less chance of one of us hurting the other seriously."

"Okay... that makes sense..." Snake reluctantly agreed. The thought of hurting Tommy again, after what he'd done, bothered him, but he couldn't deny the older man was right.

Tommy stroked the side of his face. "Remember what I said. If it's too much, either one of us can call a halt to it. If there's a line...if it comes to a choice between you and my cover...I will always choose you," he said seriously.

"I'll remember. I'll do the same. Even if we have to run for the rest of our lives." Snake snuggled.

Tommy ran his hands down Snake's back and over his bottom, squeezing and rubbing gently. "We'll eat breakfast in a few minutes. This time, you'll sit on my lap. I want to feel you." He gently patted Snake's backside.

Snake whined softly in the back of his throat and nuzzled in response to the patting. "Yessir..." he whispered.

Tommy gently squeezed Snake's backside and then stood from the bed, helping the younger man to stand as well. He guided him to one of the corners of the room, out of view of the door. "Stand here while I order room service."

Biting his lip, Snake nodded and obeyed, making sure he was out of sight of everyone except Tommy.

Tommy ordered room service and then quickly cleaned himself up, in time to collect their breakfast. After he'd put it out on the table, he returned to Snake and gently grasped the younger man's neck, drawing Snake with him over to the table and, as promised, settling him on his lap, one hand possessively squeezing his thighs.

Snake only squirmed a little as he sat, the stinging ache on his bottom finally easing enough that it didn't pain him too much.

Wrapping his arms around Snake's waist, Tommy moved the plates close enough that they could both eat easily. He brushed a kiss against the side of Snake's neck before beginning to eat.

Snake began to eat as well, finding he was hungrier than he thought he'd be.

Tommy ate, still keeping his hands on Snake. He was stroking and rubbing, gently squeezing. Every so often, he'd press a kiss to Snake's neck or his shoulder.

When Snake finally finished eating, he leaned back against Tommy so the older man could finish eating unhindered.

When he finished eating, Tommy turned Snake's face towards him and kissed him, tender and lingering.

Snake returned the kiss gently, before pulling back and smiling. "May I take a shower, sir?"

"Yes, you can." Tommy stroked his fingers through Snake's hair before helping him to stand. As he had done the previous evening, he sent Snake in the direction of the bathroom with a gentle swat.

Snake managed to avoid whimpering at the swat and quickly took a shower, cleaning thoroughly. He didn't want to be away from Tommy any longer than necessary. When he finished, he quickly dried off, then walked back out, not attempting to dress. If Tommy wanted him clothed, he'd tell him.

Tommy had cleared the table and put the items outside the room for collection. He now sat on the bed and held a hand out to Snake.

Snake quickly moved to Tommy's side and took his hand.

Tommy drew Snake onto his lap, gently stroking down his lover's hair and back. He glided his fingers along Snake's inner thighs. "I want to mark you," he said suddenly. "With a brand, or a tattoo. Something that will help remind you of who owns you when we're not together."

Snake looked up at that. "Something no one else sees? Just between us?"

Tommy nodded. "On your inner thigh. Or the back of your neck. Or both. Two markings that would connect in a way only we know."

"Will you be the one putting them on me?" Snake asked curiously. Hopefully.

"I wouldn't allow anyone else to," Tommy answered honestly. "I won't let anyone else touch you, ever."

Snake smiled at that. "Can one be here?" he asked, letting his legs fall open and shifting his member out of the way to point at a spot on his inner thigh that was maybe two inches from his privates. It was high up and in a very sensitive spot, so would be painful, but also no one but Tommy would ever easily see it.

Tommy gently ran his fingers over the spot. "That will hurt. I might need to tie you down, so you don't make any involuntary movements."

Snake bit his lip and flushed slightly. "I'd be at your mercy..." he whispered, almost suggestively. He wasn't trying to arouse his master in this moment, but he couldn't help feeling warmth and an emotional need run through him at the thought of being so controlled by Tommy. "You would control everything."

"At my mercy and under my control," Tommy replied. "Which is where you belong. I should keep you tied up at other times, too. Might have solved a lot of problems if I'd done that earlier."

Snake blushed at that and looked down, ashamed. "Yessir. Would have stopped a lot of problems..." he admitted hesitantly.

"I won't hold back anymore," Tommy promised. "You are mine. Whether we're in here or out there. And the marks will help you to remember when we're apart." He squeezed the nape of Snake's neck. "I already have the tools for what we need. There's no reason to wait."

Snake gave a tiny smile at that, pressing his neck more firmly into Tommy's hand. "What do I need to do, master?"

"These are going to be markings you'll be wearing for the rest of your life," Tommy said. "It seems only right that you have a say in what those are." He stroked over the area Snake had asked for. "Here should be the most personal."

"I... I'd like something that represents you... a symbol or initial or something, that just one glance and I think... You..." Snake said seriously, not surprised in the least when Tommy's gentle stroking had him going half-hard nearly immediately.

"My initial, then, here." Tommy continued the gentle stroking. "Forming into a snake. Showing we are now entwined together." His fingers stroked the nape of Snake's neck. "Here, a replica of the gift I gave you. Your blade."

"It sounds perfect, master..." Snake's voice was breathy and he shivered at the stroking, hardening just a little more.

Tommy moved his hand towards Snake's member, grasping it gently. "After I have brought you to release again, I will tie you so I can put the marks in place."

Snake whined softly in the back of his throat, but didn't pull away from Tommy's grip. "Yessir..." he whispered, swallowing when he hardened completely in Tommy's hand. If he had any doubts about belonging to the older man, his body was putting them to rest; it never reacted that quickly to anyone before, even when he was attracted to them. He normally had an iron control over his reactions, but with Tommy, he had no control over himself at all.

Tommy began to stroke more firmly and surely, leaning in to capture Snake's lips with his own. Pushing his tongue into the other man's mouth.

Snake immediately submitted, opening his mouth to Tommy's claiming, letting his own tongue dance around the older man's, in acceptance of his ownership. He groaned softly, his hips automatically thrusting, pushing his shaft more firmly into Tommy's hand.

Tommy gripped Snake's member a little more firmly. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make it clear he was in charge and in control. He gently nipped at Snake's lips his other hand positioned at the back of his lover's neck.

"Y... yours... b... belong to you..." Snake gasped out against Tommy's lips, opening his legs further in offering.

"For always." Tommy whispered the words in a low, intense voice. He pulled back from the kiss and pressed one to Snake's neck, gently nipping with his teeth.

"Will be all marked up by you with a sore bottom provided by you... when we have to part, it will help me not feel so lost and alone..." Snake whispered.

"I'll leave you marked, to the point that you won't be able to move without feeling my ownership and control," Tommy promised. "I will make sure you never forget who you belong to. The Joes can use you, but only for as long as I allow."

"No one can have me without your permission," Snake gasped out, having reached a point his member was fully hard and leaking for his master.

"No one else will have you." Tommy's voice was a low, intense, possessive growl. He gently squeezed Snake's member. "This belongs to me. Your whole body and soul are mine."

Snake let out a tiny sob at the possessive words and touch. The feeling of helplessness and being controlled caused his emotions to plumet. He needed Tommy in control. Needed to belong completely and the fact that Tommy was not reluctant to claim control and make it clear that he owned him... it made it easy to surrender. "No one else owns me. No one else will ever have me. My entire being, body...soul... everything I am... is yours to do with as you wish..." His voice caught and he sobbed softly again.

"And even when we're apart, that will still be true," Tommy promised. He leaned in to kiss and gently bite more of Snake's neck, leaving behind marks. He continued to grip and lightly squeeze Snake's member. His other hand scratched lightly down his lover's spine.

Snake shivered and moaned softly at the actions. His member ached and it was all he could do to not thrust wantonly into Tommy's hand, wanting to not do anything unless Tommy ordered it first.

"Let go." Tommy whispered the words into Snake's neck, allowing his teeth to again graze the sensitive skin. "Let go for me. Let go for your master."

At those words, Snake spasmed, his body immediately releasing on Tommy's command, the streams of fluid spurting out onto Tommy's hand and Snake's belly and chest. When he'd reached the end of his climax, Snake collapsed weakly against his master. "All of me belongs to you..." he whispered.

Tommy wrapped his arms tightly around Snake and kissed him. "Every part of you," he agreed. "I'm going to clean you up and then shave you, so I can put the tattoos in place."

"Yes, sir..." Snake's voice sounded slightly unfocused and the glazed look in his eyes contributed to proof that he'd slightly dropped.

Tommy helped Snake to stand and led him through to the bathroom, so he could clean him up and then start shaving where he needed to.

Snake was quiet while Tommy cleaned him, moving where needed. He didn't comment when his older mate began to shave him either, even when it became clear Tommy was shaving more than just the small area where the tattoo would be. By the time his master was finished, Snake was completely smooth around his upper thighs and private areas. The action served to make him feel more controlled and he dropped a slight bit further, turning slightly to offer his backside to Tommy. "Master?" he whispered hesitantly. His master hadn't cum, after all; if he wanted to lay claim again before marking him....

Responding to Snake's offering, Tommy retrieved what he'd used before. He removed his own clothing and coated his member. Then, he took a firm hold of Snake's hips and pushed inside.

Snake moaned softly as he felt himself stretch around Tommy; as he felt his master fill him up. The feeling of fullness felt so good to him and he opened his legs wider so Tommy could push deeper.

Gripping Snake's hips tightly, Tommy began to thrust deeper and harder. He leaned forward and lightly bit the back of Snake's neck.

Snake whined at the bite, slanting his head so Tommy could bite harder.

Tommy did bite harder, almost to the point of drawing blood. One hand slipped round to Snake's front, tugging lightly on one of his nipples.

Snake moaned loudly, pressing his neck back to Tommy's mouth and his chest forward into his master's fingers. The roughness was giving him feelings of being owned and he loved it.

Tommy stopped short of drawing blood, but he bit the same way along the rest of Snake's neck and his shoulders, ensuring there would be marks. He tugged and twisted the nipple he held, then moved to do the same to the other.

Snake let out a tiny sob of need as his neck began to sting wherever Tommy bit. His nipple was swollen and the other was quickly joining it. He found himself hardening again at feeling the harsh treatment while Tommy continued to thrust inside.

Tommy continued to bite, twist and a squeeze, stopping short of causing any real damage, but taking his lover roughly. Enough to leave marks that wouldn't immediately fade away. His own member grew and swelled inside Snake.

"M... master... feels good..." Snake sobbed out softly, beginning to push back against Tommy so that the older man would thrust deeper, his hips smacking Snake's sore bottom.

Tommy did thrust deeper and harder, continuing to bite Snake's skin, continuing to twist and tug at his nipples. It didn't take much for his release to hit him and he released inside of his lover, fingers digging into Snake's skin.

Snake sobbed a little louder, a little needier. When he felt Tommy release in him, his master's seed coating him inside and filling his belly, he immediately released in response, his body clenching tightly around Tommy's member as his own release sprayed in front of him.

Tommy gently squeezed Snake's hips and then withdrew, moving to clean both of them up. Then, taking Snake by the neck, scruffing him, he led his lover back through to the bedroom, settling him on the bed before retrieving what he needed from his supplies; to tie Snake and to tattoo him.

Snake lay back on the bed and parted his legs, raising them far enough that the spot Tommy planned to tattoo was easily reachable. "Should I put my hands above my head?" he asked quietly.

"Yes." Tommy moved and began to tie Snake, doing so in such a way that his lover wouldn't be able to move until Tommy released him. Then, he glided his fingers down over Snake's chest and stomach, leaned in to kiss him gently, and then settled in place to begin work on the tattoo.

Snake had never felt more vulnerable and out of control than when he found himself tied and unable to move at all. He trusted Tommy, though. His emotions were getting hard to contain, though, so much submitting and accepting Tommy's decisions causing him to slip.

As he began to do the tattoo, Tommy spoke softly. "These tattoos will make sure you remember who owns you, even when we have to separate. They'll remind you that you have a master. That you have someone to belong to."

"When I get lonely or scared, I can look at them and know that I'm not alone and I have someone to go home to..." Snake quivered. At first, it didn't hurt. Tommy was just drawing out the design that he'd follow with the tattoo gun. As soon as he began to inject the ink into Snake's skin, it began to hurt. It hurt worse than Snake had expected, to be honest; a burning ache that set the sensitive skin of his inner thigh on fire. Tears sprang to his eyes: a natural response to the pain.

Noticing the reaction, Tommy paused. He reached across and gently squeezed Snake's hip, opposite to where he was working. "It hurts, I know. But once it's over, you'll have something that will remind you of where you belong. I told you I could give you that; that I could give you a home. Somewhere to belong. And you have it now. I am your master. You belong to me."

"I belong to you and have a home and any pain is worth that..." Snake choked out, the tears sliding down his cheeks. He was glad he was tied. He wasn't certain he could hold still if he hadn't been.

Tommy continued to tattoo, going carefully. He touched and stroked Snake periodically, murmuring soft words of praise.

By the time Tommy finished the tattoo, Snake had dropped, his focus so keyed into Tommy and what he was doing- and the pain- that he couldn't notice anything else. He lay limp, pliant, moaning softly as tears streamed down his face.

While he was planning to do the second tattoo as well, Tommy noticed that Snake had dropped. He put a dressing over the tattoo, keeping it protected and covered, and then stretched out alongside his lover, fitting his hand against Snake's cheek, thumb stroking over his lips. "That one's finished, Snake," he said softly.

Snake whined softly, turning his face into Tommy's touch, the older man's voice drawing his attention, even if he didn't fully register the words.

"I'm here. Your master has you. You're safe." Tommy's voice was soft and reassuring. He kept speaking softly, calling his lover back to him, still stroking Snake's lips.

Eventually, what Tommy was saying became understood by Snake. Whimpering softly, he kissed Tommy's fingers. "Yours, master... you have me."

Tommy leaned in and kissed him tenderly. "The tattoo on your thigh is done. I've covered it to keep it protected, but after I do the one on the back of your neck, you can have a look."

Snake returned the kiss before giving a gentle smile. "I'll like that... thank you, sir."

"Are you ready for the second one?" Tommy asked. "Or do you need a bit of time first?"

Snake gave the question serious thought. It really did hurt, but waiting wouldn't make it hurt less and he wanted the neck tattoo sooner than later. "I think I'm ready," he said quietly, not trying to hide that he hurt but also making sure he sounded ready.

Tommy nodded and carefully turned Snake over. He began to work on the tattoo on his lover's neck.

Snake clenched his hands and focused on keeping his breathing even. A tattoo on his neck was very painful too, but it was slightly more bearable. Having Tommy in full control of his body, deciding how he'd be marked, providing the mark... even the fact it was Tommy causing him pain... reinforced the feeling that Snake was owned by the older man. It left him with a sense of safety and belonging he hadn't felt since he was young and his father was alive. Tears pooled in his eyes again- he felt very emotional from the feelings- and he sniffed, swallowing hard, trying to not lose control, because that would make him move and he didn't want to move.

Tommy worked as quickly and carefully as possible, wanting to make sure that the tattoo was perfect, but also knowing that it was hurting Snake.

"Good. You're being so good for me. So good for your master." Tommy murmured the words softly to his lover.

Snake continued to monitor his breathing and control himself enough that he didn't move his neck. The focus on holding still kept him from dropping again, but it also enabled him to hear and take Tommy's words to heart. "Wanna be good for you, master...."

Tommy continued speaking softly to Snake, praising him for being good and holding still and submitting. Finally, he said, softly, "It's finished."

Snake let out a shuddering breath and let himself slump, no longer needing to hold still. "Thank you, sir..." he mumbled, swallowing again and blinking away the tears that had pooled in his eyes. The pain would eventually ease and now that it wasn't actively occurring, he was able to calm.

Tommy carefully untied Snake, kissing his head tenderly. "Do you want to see now? Or nap first?"

Snake gave Tommy a pained, groggy smile and whispered, "Can I see?"

"Of course." Tommy shifted Snake so he could see the tattoo, then brought over a handheld mirror so he could show his lover the tattoo on the back of his neck. All through it, he made sure Snake was either supported by pillows or propped up against Tommy's own chest.

Snake looked at the neck tattoo first, admiring how much the sword at his neck resembled the actual sword Tommy had given him. No one would know the true meaning behind it; that he belonged to the man who had given him the blade. They would just think he was inordinately fond of the sword. "It looks good..." His voice caught and he had to clear his throat before shifting to look at the other tattoo. He leaned back against Tommy's chest for support and spread his legs again. He glanced into Tommy's face and asked, with a tiny blush, "Can I touch myself and remove the bandage?" He didn't want to undo the bandage without permission and the tattoo was blocked from view by his privates.

Tommy nodded, hands resting gently against Snake's hips. "Go ahead. I'll put the bandage back on and another one on your neck before you sleep."

Nodding slightly, Snake carefully removed the bandage, holding himself to the side so he could see the tattoo. He smiled happily as he saw the way Tommy's initials were arranged so artfully; and in a way that made it clear it was a mark of ownership. He felt warmth pool in his belly at the knowledge that he belonged to the older man. He owed Tommy his obedience and loyalty and he had no doubts his mate would return such with his own loyalty and protection. "Yours..." he whispered softly, staring at the mark.

"Mine." Tommy kissed his cheek and then the side of his neck affectionately and tenderly. "As soon as you're ready, I'll cover them again to keep them protected. And I'll sit on the bed so you can lay across my lap. Warm your backside until you fall asleep." He combed his fingers gently through Snake's hair.

Snake shivered slightly at the words, at the gentle caresses and promise of a warm, stinging bottom. Swallowing, he finally dragged his eyes away from the tattoo. "I'm ready, sir," he said huskily, before fighting a yawn.

Tommy touched and caressed a little more, then covered both of the tattoos. Settling himself on the bed, he carefully draped Snake across his lap, making sure his lover was fully supported. Then, he began to gently smack Snake's bottom.

When Tommy put him over his knee this time, it was different than the other times. For one, it wasn't for punishment, so emotionally, he was able to focus more on the feelings of being controlled and accepting what Tommy chose to do to him. But also, he wasn't hanging over his master's lap. He was comfortably, laying on the bed, his entire body supported. Even though his bottom was slightly higher than the rest of him, it wouldn't prevent sleep.

His member, pressed between Tommy's thighs, might prevent sleep. His wandering thoughts about how this position would enable Tommy to touch, fondle, or insert fingers or other items (if he chose) might keep him awake for a little while. His stinging, warming bottom might keep him awake. But the position itself was very comfortable. The position would make sleeping easy.

Tommy let his other hand rest against Snake's back, periodically rubbing, stroking and squeezing, while his other hand continued to gently smack his lover's bottom and thighs. Every so often, he paused to rub or to squeeze. To feel the warmth, he was causing.

Snake felt himself going lax at the attention to his back and bottom, slumping completely over Tommy's lap, his legs falling open. The soft moan he let out sounded pleased rather than pained, even though the gentle smacks were reigniting the sting from his prior punishments.

"I've got you, Snake. You're safe, with me. Your master has you." Tommy pitched his voice low and reassuring, allowing the gentle smacks to emphasize his words.

"Safe... where I b'long..." Snake agreed, voice soft, slow, sleepy. He shifted slightly, the movement making it clear why he wasn't yet asleep. His body liked its master claiming too much to sleep.

"Sleep, Snake." Tommy's voice was soft, for all it was a command. "We have a week. We have time for me to take you and take care of you. But for now, you need to sleep."

"Trying, master..." Snake whispered, embarrassed and ashamed that he couldn't immediately obey. The erection did go down- it was hard to be aroused when he felt guilty for disobeying- but his mind still wouldn't calm enough for him to actually sleep. He kept thinking of all the things Tommy had done and what he could potentially do.

"I know." Tommy moved the hand that wasn't swatting to Snake's head, beginning to stroke his hair and the back of his neck, though he was careful to avoid the bandaged tattoo.

Snake made a happy, murmuring sound as Tommy stroked his head. Focusing on that, and how it felt, finally enabled him to calm his thoughts. Soon, he was blinking, and then... he fell asleep.

Tommy didn't move Snake from his position over his lap. After he was certain his lover was fully asleep, he reached to pick up what he'd retrieved along with the bandages, his medical supplies. And he began to carefully treat the bites and bruises he'd left on Snake's skin. While he hadn't drawn blood, he knew they would be sore once Snake woke again. He even checked inside Snake, using some of the ointment to reduce swelling and soreness.

Snake didn't stir from his slumber. It was clear he trusted Tommy implicitly, believed the older man would keep him safe and protect him, so even when Tommy shifted him to check him intimately and treat his wounds, he didn't wake.

Tommy carefully treated every injury, only shifting Snake enough to allow him to access every part of the other man's body. Once he was done, he still didn't move Snake. Instead, he resumed the rubbing, stroking, squeezing...the gentle smacks and rubs and squeezes to Snake's bottom and thighs.

Snake let out a happy little sound of contentment as he was moved back into position. Even asleep, he felt better in his master's hands.

Tommy didn't try to wake Snake, or to do anything that would arouse him. He just kept touching, stroking, rubbing, squeezing, lightly swatting. His hands explored and mapped out Snake's body, taking advantage to get to know every single part. Memorizing his lover.

****

Snake didn't know how long he slept. What he did know was that when he woke, every single part of his body was vibrating with sensitivity and he felt closer to his master than ever.

Tommy felt when Snake woke, felt the shift in his lover's movements, and gently rubbed Snake's lower back. "How are you feeling? You lost a lot of fluid earlier. I want you to drink some of the Gatorade I have."

"Feel floaty..." Snake admitted. "S'gonna be hard leaving you. Feels so right being in your hands."

"Even when we are apart, I'll still be your master," Tommy promised. "You will still be mine. And we'll stay in touch wherever it's safe to do so. See each other when it's safe to do so. You'll be able to come home to me whenever you need to."

Snake twisted, needing to hold Tommy. "I love you, sir. Wish I could be like this with you all the time, forever."

Tommy helped him up, onto his lap, holding him tightly. Wrapping one arm around Snake's waist, he reached for the bottle of Gatorade with the other. "We don't have to go through with this," he said quietly. "Pretending to be on opposite sides to bring down Cobra. If you want to stay, you can stay."

"It would be the easiest thing in the world to say yes to that... but taking down Cobra is important. And your idea could help do that," Snake said, a bit unhappily. He felt a responsibility to try, but the idea of leaving Tommy made him miserable.

Tommy brought the bottle of Gatorade to Snake's lips, encouraging him to drink. "They only get to borrow you for a while," he said softly. "No matter what it looks like to anyone on the outside, you belong to me. And you always will."

Snake obediently drank the Gatorade. "Always and forever," he promised.

"It'll be hard on me, too." Tommy spoke the words honestly, wanting Snake to know he wasn't the only one going to be affected. "It was hard before you came back to me. Being apart from you. I felt that connection to you from the first. I wanted to share my life with you."

Snake sniffled. "Wasn't in a good place. Nearly ruined everything. Nearly lost you... got lost myself...."

"You didn't lose me." Tommy placed his hand against Snake's cheek, thumb stroking over his lips. "And you didn't ruin everything. You found your way back to me. And we'll take down Cobra together. Even if it doesn't look like we're together on the outside. But when Cobra is taken care of, I can lay claim to you in front of everyone."

"Everyone will know I'm yours..." Snake whispered hopefully.

"Everyone." Tommy kissed him, allowing his hands to gently stroke over Snake's hair, back and bottom, down over his thighs.

Snake shivered. He'd never felt so sensitive before. Tommy barely had to touch him and he could feel it down to his bones.

Brushing a kiss against Snake's neck, Tommy murmured, "Later, I'll tie you again. So that you're at my mercy. So, I can touch, squeeze, caress...do whatever I want and you have no choice but to take it."

Snake groaned at those words, slumping against his master in acceptance. "Yessir. Will have to accept anything... everything... you choose to do." His member stirred at the thought of being so helpless and at Tommy's mercy. The older man could touch him wherever he wanted, however he wanted. He could be gentle or harsh. Snake wouldn't be able to stop him or hide. Just the thought of Tommy having such complete control over him... he was fully hard within seconds of realizing the potential.

Tommy noticed Snake's reaction, that he was growing hard, and gently squeezed his waist. "I'm not going to bring you to release again just now. Too many times of that will cause pain and discomfort that I don't want to give you."

Snake took a slow breath before saying contritely, "Sorry, master..." He tried to will the erection down, but as with most things related to Tommy, he wasn't able to control himself the way he normally would.

"It's not bad, Snake. How your body reacts. How it reacts to me," Tommy said softly. "You aren't being disobedient when it responds. And that you respond to me is a good thing."

"You aren't upset?" Snake looked up, biting his lip.

"Of course not," Tommy replied. "Not about something you have no control over. Now, if you were to touch yourself, bring yourself to release, without my permission, then I would be upset."

Snake nodded. "I won't, sir. Every part of me belongs to you. Not allowed to touch unless you give permission." He swallowed and blushed before asking, "When we are apart, am I to avoid touching myself too? I will be celibate even with myself?"

"Yes," Tommy answered, without hesitation. "Unless I give you permission or direction to do so, you won't touch yourself while we're apart. And you certainly won't allow anyone else to do so either."

"No one else will ever touch me again, unless you order it... even then, don't know if I could obey such an order..." Snake admitted uncertainly. "Even the thought of it feels wrong."

"You belong to me and only to me," Tommy said. "And no one but your master should ever touch you."

"No one but my master ever will..." Snake promised.

"Good." Tommy stroked his fingers through Snake's hair. "Tomorrow, we'll have a training session. Practice for when we have to convince those on the outside that we're enemies."

Snake pressed into Tommy's hand. "So tomorrow, I have to pretend to be against you and fight...."

Tommy nodded. "It will be good to practice getting your body under control, too. It's not a problem that it responds to me automatically when we're alone, but when we have to pretend to be enemies, it won't look good to those outside if you become aroused." He gently squeezed Snake's neck, indicating he wasn't unhappy about that fact.

Snake blushed, giving a sheepish smile. "Wouldn't help either of us, for sure...."

"We'll work on that during this week as well," Tommy said. "Work on your body responding to me when it needs to...but also having it obey me when it's not the right time, too."

"I hope I can be trained..." Snake sounded skeptical.

"You've trained to fight," Tommy said. "You learned and trained in every skill you have. This is no different." He paused and then asked, "How easy is it for you to will your arousal down?"

"I've never had a problem before... dunno why I am now..." Snake admitted hesitantly.

"Your body's responding to me," Tommy commented. "You know I'm your master. Your body knows who it belongs to. We just have to work on training your body to resist arousing when I command."

"Yessir. I want to obey you, so maybe it won't be as difficult as I think..." Snake sighed.

"When I told you to sleep, the arousal went down," Tommy said, letting his fingers gently scrape down Snake's back and over his bottom. "We will figure out a punishment and reward system to train your body. To train you."

"Yessir. I would like to think I could control it when we are undercover, but... maybe a word that I immediately associate with calming down might be good..." Snake bit his lip.

"Or a word that lets you know it's safe to react...to respond," Tommy said.

"Yessir." Snake nodded.

"Are you hungry?" Tommy asked. "We can eat before we begin the training."

"A little bit." Snake smiled bashfully.

"I wasn't sure when you would wake up, so I ordered in food that would keep." Tommy carefully stood them both up, then walked towards the table, holding Snake firmly against him. He sat and guided his lover onto his lap.

By this point, Snake was used to his bottom being sore, so he didn't even wince. He sat on Tommy's lap and snuggled back.

Tommy wrapped his arm around Snake's waist, drawing his lover back against him firmly, and moved the plates close enough for them both to eat.

At Tommy's urging, Snake began to eat. He made certain to eat everything he'd been given.

Tommy ate his own food, one hand idly rubbing and stroking Snake's chest and stomach. Every so often, he nuzzled into Snake's neck.

"Do... do you want me to fight being aroused?" Snake asked quietly, as Tommy's actions were beginning to cause a reaction.

"We're not training yet," Tommy replied softly. "I'm touching you because I want to. For no other reason."

At those words, Snake sprang to arousal again, giving Tommy a pleased grin. "I like being touched by you," he whispered.

Tommy pressed a kiss to Snake's lips, cupping his face in his hands. When he pulled back, he said softly, "I like touching you. Feeling you. Having you close like this."

"Please, Master? Make sure when... when we part that my body will remember you like my heart and mind will?" Snake begged.

Kissing him firmly, Tommy said softly, "I'll tie you up so that you're helpless and at my mercy. We'll work on your body responding to me first before making sure it stops when necessary." Squeezing the nape of Snake's neck, he asked, "What reward would you like for being good?"

Snake blinked, not sure how to answer. "Wh... what type of reward am I allowed?" he finally asked.

"Anything that is within my power to give you or do to you or for you," Tommy replied.

"So, if I... asked you to finger me? Rub deep inside... if I was good..." Snake blushed dark. The thought of being over his master's lap while the older man played with his bottom was appealing, but admitting he wanted that still felt odd.

"If that's what you want as a reward," Tommy answered. "Then that's what I'll do."

Snake wrinkled his nose playfully. "I'd always want you to touch me, in whatever way you wanted. But... maybe a reward should be something more difficult to do, so it's different. Spending time with you is a reward in itself... I dunno."

Tommy wrapped his arms around Snake's waist and kissed his shoulder. "Maybe it should be a gift. An object. A possession."

"Something I can keep with me, even when we're apart?" Snake smiled at that. "Like a necklace or ring?"

"Or a bracelet," Tommy commented. "Like a charm bracelet, with different things I could add to it."

"I'd like that..." Snake responded, smiling.

Tommy drew him in for a deep, tender kiss before asking softly, "Are you ready for me to tie you?"

"Yessir..." Snake said, in a husky voice.

Tommy stood them both up and led Snake back to the bed, where he tied his lover in place once more.

Snake shivered as his ability to move, even a little, was taken from him. He was completely at Tommy's mercy.

Tommy settled on the bed next to Snake, reaching out to caress his lover's body. After a moment, he said, quietly, "I'm your master and you belong to me, but I want to be clear that I won't do something that upsets you. If you need something to stop, then it will."

"How do I let you know?" Snake asked seriously. "It... would feel weird telling you no or stop, even if that's what I needed."

"Wait?" Tommy suggested. "If you said wait, it wouldn't seem like you were telling me no or to stop. But it would tell me what you needed."

"I can do that, I think..." Snake smiled.

Tommy nodded before saying, "Perhaps we should try it out. So, you feel more comfortable saying it if you need to."

"Now?" Snake asked, with a hint of teasing amusement.

Tommy's mouth quirked into an amused smile. "You might want to let me start doing something first."

"Okay..." Snake's amusement turned fond.

Tommy leaned forward to kiss him, tender and languid. At the same time, he moved one hand towards one of Snake's nipples, fingers closing around it and tugging gently.

Snake returned the kiss, a tiny whine escaping as his nipple was claimed.

Tommy kissed a bit deeper, a bit harder, before pulling away and leaning down to engulf Snake's other nipple in his mouth.

Snake arched as much as the ties would allow, gasping at the feel of Tommy's lips on him.

Tommy gently bit the nipple he was sucking, even as he tugged and lightly pulled on the one his hand was on. His other hand moved between Snake's legs, grasping his member.

Snake moaned softly at the actions. He didn't want Tommy to stop. He was meant to practice, though; and part of him did need to see if Tommy would listen or ignore a request. "W… wait!" he blurted, not entirely sure how to say the word. It felt wrong giving his master an order. Even if Tommy had said he should.

Tommy pulled back immediately, dropping his hands. "Good," he murmured. "That's very good. I'm proud of you for saying that."

"I did good?" Snake asked, feeling better about giving the 'order' at hearing Tommy was proud of him.

"Very good," Tommy confirmed. "And when you start feeling uncomfortable, or distressed, you need to remember to say it."

"Yessir..." Snake said, feeling more confident at the praise and instruction.

"Would you like me to continue?" Tommy asked. 

"Yes, please..." Snake said, his voice shaky.

Tommy leaned forward again, this time using his mouth on the nipple he had been pulling with his fingers. Tugging and gently twisting the other nipple.

Snake groaned softly. He could feel his member beginning to harden.

Tommy worked on Snake's nipples until they were red and swollen. He grazed his teeth along the sensitive skin and then kissed his way down his lover's stomach, towards Snake's member.

Snake shivered and moaned, his body giving tiny jerks in response to becoming more sensitive.

When he reached Snake's member, Tommy took his lover into his mouth.

Snake's member twitched as Tommy took it in and he let out a tiny sobbing gasp. "Master..." he moaned.

Tommy gently grasped Snake's hips, beginning to suck. He allowed his teeth to graze the tip, but was careful not to bite or even nip; just to add a bit more pressure.

Snake gurgled at the not quite painful but still stinging action. His hips would have bucked upward if Tommy hadn't had hold. His member completely filled at the action and began to leak precum.

Tommy squeezed Snake's hips, beginning to suck more firmly. His nails dug into his lover's skin.

Snake's moans were interspersed with whimpers and all he could say was, "Master," over and over again, in a needy voice. Eventually, though, he knew he was about to let go and couldn't stop. Not without help. "Wait... gonna come..." he gasped.

Tommy pulled back, looking into his lover's eyes. "You can let go, Snake. If you want to."

"It’s, okay?" Snake looked into Tommy's face uncertainly.

"I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't." Tommy moved to take Snake back into his mouth.

Snake gasped, then groaned as his master took him again. This time, he didn't try to stop it. When he reached the edge, he let himself go, falling over into what felt like never ending quakes and spasms, his climax resulting in a long, streaming release that left him weak, quivering and empty under his master.

Tommy held on until Snake was completely spent, then slowly released him. He wrapped his arms around his lover, holding on tightly, sudden emotion and feeling making him need to feel Snake in his arms.

Snake gave Tommy a tired, dopey, sex-drugged smile. "Yours..." he said, with more than a hint of satisfaction.

"Mine." Tommy stroked his hands down Snake's back, pressing gently along his spine. "When we're apart, I'll miss you," he murmured softly.

"I do not know how I'll be able to hide my loneliness and longing. If it weren't so vital...." Snake admitted.

Tommy gently rubbed his lover's backside and down over his thighs. "I know you asked me to make sure you felt me even when we're apart, but...just for now, I need to hold you. To feel you in my arms. After we'd been apart...that connection that was between us, not having you with me felt wrong. So wrong."

"Being held by you will be the most wonderful thing. I can think of it when I'm alone and wishing I could be held..." Snake whispered.

Tommy reached out and untied Snake, so that his lover could respond to the hug. He wrapped his arms tightly around Snake, kissing the side of his neck. Squeezing his nape. Possessively cupping his backside. "I love you," he whispered into Snake's skin.

Snake quickly wrapped his arms around Tommy, holding him tight and snuggling close. "And I love you. Forever. My master..." he whispered and gently kissed Tommy's chest, before closing his eyes and focusing on the one he belonged to.

The End