Escape

Summary: Follows Punishing The Traitor. Snake gets away from Cobra.
Warning(s): Disciplinary Spanking of adults; non-disciplinary spanking; D/s; M/m; very explicit; consensual rough treatment; mentions of branding; voyeurism; violence. Potential spoilers for Snake Eyes.

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It was three days after he'd put the brand on Snake and Tommy carefully removed the covering so that he could apply some more cream and check that it was healing well. "It's healing as well as it can be," he said softly. "How is it feeling?" He didn't ask Snake if he wanted to look at the brand yet, figuring that Snake would let him know when he was ready. He did rub gently low down on Snake's back, providing the comfort he could only give his lover when they were alone.

"It's still really sore," Snake admitted. "But not as bad as it was. I don't feel sick." He let out a tiny sigh at the affection. When the Cobra agents were around, Tommy was brusque; hands off unless it was to roughly move him somewhere. Luckily, none of Cobra had indicated a desire to watch Tommy do more than that, though Snake wasn't sure how long that would last.

"I'm glad to hear it. In a couple more days, we'll be ready to organize your rescue." Tommy carefully rebandaged the brand and stretched out alongside Snake, wrapping his arms tight around his lover. "If the Joes see it, it'll only cement their belief that I'm on Cobra's side. I don't think you should hide it from them."

"I'll make sure one of the doctors sees it. If Duke or Scarlett see it in the process.... I'm not going to put my ass on display to anyone without good reason, though."

"I wouldn't ask you to," Tommy replied. "Since it, and the rest of you, belongs to me."

Snake grinned at that. "Only you get to see...."

"No one else." Tommy gently gripped the back of his neck. "You're mine."

"Yes, Master. Only and forever yours..." Snake breathed out, pressing his neck into Tommy's hand.

Tommy kissed him tenderly, letting his other hand rub gently down Snake's back. "I love you."

Snake nuzzled against Tommy, returning the kiss. "I love you too. So much." He paused. "Does it look good? Right" he asked curiously.

"It looks right that the mark is there, making sure everyone knows who owns you. Even if we have to put on an act, we will know the truth. And that's all we really need." Tommy spoke the words against Snake's lips, kissing every other word.

"Feels right... carrying your mark on me," Snake whispered, opening his mouth for his master.

"It shows who you belong to when we're apart." Tommy glided his fingers down Snake's spine, letting his tongue push into his lover's mouth.

Snake didn't say anything, instead welcoming his master's tongue, letting his own slide playfully against the older man's, as if inviting him to dominate more fully.

Tommy kissed him harder, nipping gently at Snake's lips. His hands stroked and squeezed down Snake's spine, pressing along his lover's skin with his knuckles.

Snake groaned softly, leaning into Tommy even more. He brought his hands up to rest on his lover's shoulders.

Tommy deepened the kiss, pressing hard and with almost bruising force. One hand kept rubbing, squeezing, pressing against Snake's spine. His other hand gripped Snake's neck firmly.

The show of dominance caused warmth to pool in Snake's belly, and he whimpered softly, slanting his head to bare his throat in submission.

"You are mine." Tommy spoke the words in a low, intense growl against Snake's lips, gripping his neck firmly. His other hand parted Snake's legs, for better access to the more sensitive areas.

Snake groaned softly as Tommy took over. He parted his legs the way Tommy demanded, leaving every one of his most vulnerable parts open and exposed to Tommy's wishes. His master could use him, tease him, pleasure him, hurt him... it didn't matter what Tommy wanted, Snake was offering it and submitting willingly. He belonged to Tommy.

Tommy began to gently smack Snake's inner thighs, pausing every so often to rub and squeeze the skin. At the same time, he began to bite along his lover's neck, hard enough to leave marks behind.

Snake shook slightly at the rougher treatment but didn't pull away or use his word. He held still and took it, his member filling, hardening from arousal as his master took and did what he wanted.

Tommy could feel Snake's member hardening and he moved one hand towards his lover's erection, gripping it firmly. He continued to bite and swat, pausing every so often to rub and soothe after the rougher treatment.

Snake whimpered again, his legs becoming shaky as his arousal grew. The only reason he hadn't sunk to the ground in boneless submission was Tommy's grip on him. He felt hot from desire... he wanted Tommy to take him apart, touch, tug, pull, and probe every atom of him until there was no part that couldn't be called his master's.

Tommy moved them over to the bed, settling on it and laying in such a way as to be sure that none of Snake's weight rested on the brand. He resumed biting and swatting, biting Snake's neck and down over his chest...swatting his backside, thighs, and inner thighs, though he avoided the area where the brand was.

Snake began to wiggle at the treatment, squirming with need, but not to get away; to make his body available to Tommy's every urge.

Tommy grunted with satisfaction at Snake's reactions, working on marking every part of Snake's body: whether with bites, or with smacks. He wasn't gentle but did pause regularly to stroke and soothe the flesh.

Snake's body was hypersensitive by this point and all he could focus on was Tommy touching him, biting, caressing, devouring.... "Please, master..." he finally whined softly, opening his legs as far as he could and shifting so it was clear what he was offering. All Tommy had to do was push in.

In response, Tommy reached for the same muscle cream he'd used before. He'd enjoyed the feeling of heating Snake up inside...of making his lover more sensitive on the inside...and saw no reason not to do so again. He coated his member in the cream and pushed inside Snake, slowly, so that the cream would heat up gradually. At the same time, he continued to bite...continued to smack, warming up Snake's bottom and thighs. Turning them pink and then red.

Snake's eyes widened and he sighed happily as Tommy stretched him open with his cock. When he felt the cream heating inside him, he began to babble sweet words of love, appreciation and need for his master. He didn't know exactly what he said, but the words were devoted surrender. His own member was red, swollen, leaking precum. Feeling his master stretch him, rubbing him inside, was exactly what he needed.

Tommy leaned forward and pressed kisses to Snake's face and neck, his possession turning gentle as he began to thrust inside his lover. "Mine," he whispered. "My pet. You belong to me." He began to gently rub the heated, reddened skin of Snake's bottom and thighs; let the fingers of his other hand glide over Snake's member, the touch gentle even as he grasped it.

"Your pet..." Snake agreed, with a small, shaky voice, before adding, in a more possessive tone, "And you are my master. My owner."

"Your master. Your owner," Tommy agreed. "Forever and always. No matter what." He kissed Snake, tender and lingering, still making slow, almost gentle thrusts inside his lover. He was drawing it out, taking his time.

Snake purred happily, his body loose and accepting of his master's possession. "Will feel you for the next day..." he said, in a pleased tone. "Love feeling you in me."

"I want you to feel me as much as possible." Tommy whispered the words against Snake's lips. "We don't have to pretend right now. It's just us. I can show you; I can tell you, how much I love you. How much I need you." It was hard on him, to be cruel to Snake around Cobra. It was an act, but still. The act warred with his instinctual need to take care of and protect his lover. When they were alone, he didn't need to pretend.

"Help me to feel you even when we have to pretend. It helps... reminds me you love me and don't want to hurt me..." Snake whispered.

"What do you want me to do to you?" Tommy asked softly. "When it's just us...you can ask for whatever you want and as long as it's within my power, I'll give it to you."

"You're doing it, love..." Snake breathed out, clenching gently around Tommy's member as his master continued to thrust and stroke inside of him. "It feels so good when you touch me where no one else has touched is allowed to touch. Feels good having my body adjust to fit you. Feels good having you go slow and gentle, making it last...." He leaned up, giving Tommy a breathless kiss. "You are all I need to survive."

Tommy kissed him back, gently, and lingering, a tender brush of lips against his. "I need you to survive, too," he murmured, gently grasping Snake's hips. "You are everything to me. My world, my life. I wish I didn't have to hurt you when we're here, but I can't deny being happier with you here, with me."

"E... even when it hurts..." Snake gasped as Tommy stroked over his prostate. "Even when it hurts, you are so careful that it feels good. And you take such good care of me after..." He quivered. "I wish I could stay with you. Even if we had to pretend outside this room. Even if I had to be your slave."

"I don't want to hurt you like they want to see." Tommy kissed the side of his neck. "I don't want you as my slave, as a toy to be used. You're my pet. You belong to me. To protect, to look after, to love. As much as I don't want to be parted from you...I don't want to pretend I hate you, or to hurt you for them."

"I know. That is the only reason I will leave as soon as it is safe to do so. Because I know it is what you want. Otherwise, I wouldn't even attempt it," Snake admitted.

"And after you leave, we will make arrangements to meet," Tommy murmured. "When it's just us and we don't have to pretend." He began to thrust a fraction harder inside Snake, his member growing and swelling inside his lover.

"When my submission will be completely yours alone and not given to put on a show..." Snake groaned as he felt himself stretch further to accommodate Tommy's arousal.

"Exactly. When you can be mine openly." Tommy kissed him. "I'll arrange for us to go on a date. Somewhere that neither Cobra nor the Joes will know about. So, you can submit to me fully and we don't have to hide or pretend."

"I will look forward to that..." Snake gasped, then let out a tiny moan.

"Let go for me." Tommy gently squeezed his member. "I want us to release together."

"Y... yes, sir..." Snake gasped, before he obeyed, letting go of his control, his orgasm rocking through him. His body shook and clenched under and around his master, a high pitched but soft wail accompanying it.

Tommy's own release came over him at the same time and he let out a quiet groan, slumping over Snake's body. He pressed a kiss to his lover's neck and then to his lips. "I love you," he whispered once the waves of his orgasm had receded.

"I love you too. So much..." Snake whispered back weakly, as his heartbeat returned to normal.

Tommy kissed him tenderly and then frowned as he heard his comm go off. He picked it up and a concerned look came over his face. "Cobra Commander wants to see me. I'm running out of excuses to avoid going after the jewel. I have to hope Akiko's been able to arrange it being moved."

Snake looked worried. "They have to know that it's a high target. Don't hold off if it puts you in danger. Please...."

"I won't willingly put myself in danger," Tommy said. "But if Cobra gets their hands on it, a lot of people will die. I have to play this carefully." He slowly stood, reaching out to caress Snake's cheek. "Will you be all right staying here?"

"I have to be, unless you want to take me with you..." Snake pressed his cheek into Tommy's hand, before turning slightly to kiss his palm.

Tommy stroked his thumb along Snake's lips. "If we weren't here, I would. I could take you with me and have you kneel at my feet. But I can't show my care and love for you in front of Cobra. I'm not prepared to hurt you if I can help it."

"You think they would make you hurt me if I went with you? Cobra Commander only seemed to care that you had me under control..." Snake said quietly.

"I don't know," Tommy admitted. "But I don't want to risk it if I can help it. At the very least, I wouldn't be able to touch you. And when I have you within touching range, it's all I want to do."

Snake nodded. "Okay... what do you want me to do till you return?" he asked. He'd take a position and stay there until Tommy returned, if told.

"Just rest," Tommy murmured. "No escape attempts, unless you want to be punished harshly." He moved to put the cuffs on Snake's wrists, making sure they weren't tight at all...but would look as if they were, even to a more than cursory glance.

"I won't try to leave... I don't like being punished for disobeying..." Snake whispered. "May I lay on the bed?"

"Of course." Tommy leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you. So much." He lingered a little longer before slipping out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Snake settled on the bed, making sure the cuffs were visible and that the branding was visible. If anyone dropped by unexpectedly, they'd see that Tommy had marked him.

A few minutes after Tommy had left, there was a knock on the door and then it was opened by the Baroness. She slipped into the room, closing the door behind her, holding a small knife in her hand...one that was small enough to be hidden easily.

Snake shifted away from her uneasily. Cuffs or not, he'd fight if she came after him. He regretted that he hadn't asked Tommy if he could put on underwear, at least. The branding was visible, but so was the rest of his ass. At least the fading handprints would make it clear Tommy regularly 'punished' him.

The Baroness watched him for a few moments before she said, "You're right. I'm not cruel." She took a step closer to him, reaching out and placing the knife on the bed between them. Her eyes moved towards the brand, then away from it again. "I waited for him to leave, so I could give this to you. And let you know that you'll need help to escape."

"Y... you want to help me get away?" He couldn't keep the skepticism out of his voice.

She frowned. "You're his prisoner. And it's clear he doesn't treat you well. I can't help you officially, you understand. But I can give you a weapon. It's small enough that you can hide it. You can defend yourself." She paused. "I can let you know when the next guard changes are too."

"That'd... why? You gave me to him so that he'd get you that jewel... why help me now?" Snake swallowed. Was this a trap?

"I didn't realize what he would do to you," the Baroness replied. "I didn't anticipate how he'd take his revenge. Or that he'd break you so thoroughly to do so."

Snake let his gaze fall, flushing. "You just thought he'd kill me..." he whispered hollowly. If she thought him broken, that was to his benefit. Especially as it had caused her to develop at least a small bit of a conscience.

"We're on opposite sides," she said. "If he killed you as revenge, it would have been justified. This is not. Neither is branding you as his property." She glanced at the mark and then away again. "I'm not sure there is any way to remove it."

Snake grimaced at the idea of removing it- he didn't want it removed- though chances were she'd think he was grimacing at the thought of it being permanent. "You'd help clear a way for me to try and escape?"

She nodded. "Two of the exit points are underwater. All three are heavily guarded, but I can arrange for an emergency to call away most of them. You will likely still need to fight your way out. I can't help you with that."

Snake nodded. "So... I just listen for emergency signals and then make a break for the non-underwater exit?"

"Yes." She told him the direction to go for the exit he could escape from.

"I'll keep an ear open, then..." he said lowly. He wasn't going to thank her. He wasn't sure he could trust her; besides... she was the reason he was caught in the first place.

The Baroness just nodded and slipped out of the room once more.

Snake lay in the bed waiting for Tommy to return. He had to ask his opinion... his decision... on what he should do. In any event, Baroness would expect him to at least try.

It wasn't long before Tommy returned, opening the door, and slipping back into the room. He raised his eyebrows as he saw the knife. "You had a visitor?" He moved over, quickly checking Snake for any signs of injuries or distress.

"Baroness." Snake paused. "She doesn't agree with the way she thinks I am being treated. She was fine with you killing me for revenge, but making me your slave, breaking me, and branding me offends her conscience." He explained her plan to help him get away.

Tommy sat down on the bed and reached out, letting his fingers stroke through Snake's hair. "Do you think she was honest about her intentions?"

"She seemed to be. I guess we'll find out if the emergency sirens go off..." Snake sighed, leaning into the caress.

Wrapping his arms around Snake, Tommy said softly, "Then if you're going to take this opportunity, you'll need to hurt me."

"I... I don't want to hurt you..." Snake's voice was horror filled, small, reluctant. "The kind of hurt I'd have to do to be believable could really harm you...."

"I know, pet." Tommy leaned in to kiss him tenderly. "But this might be the best chance to get you out of here. And hurting me is the only way I can still play my role. If you don't, it will raise too many questions."

Snake's eyes teared up as he realized Tommy was right. "Yes, sir..." he whispered. "If I have to...."

Tommy gently drew Snake onto his lap. "If it makes you feel better, then when we see each other again, I'll take you over my knee," he murmured.

"Promise?" Snake snuggled close.

"I promise." Tommy stroked his hands over Snake's hair and down his back. "I know you don't want to hurt me. It's necessary, but I'll help you deal with the guilt when we're together again," he promised.

"Okay..." Snake whispered, nuzzling, and kissing against Tommy's chest.

Tommy kissed the side of his head. "You can make use of any of my clothes, any of my possessions, when you make your escape," he murmured.

"Thank you, master..." Snake sniffled. The thought of escaping didn't fill him with relief. He found himself missing Tommy already.

"We'll be together again." Tommy murmured the words into Snake's hair. "I'll contact you as soon as it's safe to do so. And then, after we deal with your guilt, I'll take you on a proper date." He reached for the knife and put it in Snake's hand, wrapping his lover's fingers around it. "I know this will upset you but remember...I want you to escape. By doing this, you're not disobeying me. You're doing exactly what I want you to."

Snake nodded and blinked back tears. "I'll obey you..." he promised. "Even if it hurts."

"I know you will," Tommy replied. "You're being so good for me, my pet. I love you so much."

Snake leaned up and gave Tommy a desperate kiss. "I love you..." he answered back, in a throaty voice.

Tommy kissed him hard in return...and glanced up as an alarm blared through the base, along with flashing lights. He squeezed Snake gently. "It's time."

Snake nodded and reluctantly, but quickly got up, grabbing clothes from Tommy's drawers. He didn't match, wanting it to seem as if he was moving quickly in an unplanned manner. He finished dressing, then swallowed hard. He held the knife tightly before giving Tommy a hurt look. "Do I have to...?"

The expression on Tommy's face was one of love and understanding. "You're doing this to obey me," he murmured. "And we'll deal with it when we're together again. When I can take you out on a proper date where we don't have to hide. You just have to get through this hard part first." He gently clasped Snake's other hand, the one not holding the knife.

Snake nodded, shifting to face his lover. "I love you...and I'm sorry!" He moved closer, kissing Tommy. Tears streaming down his face, he sunk the knife into his master. He made certain to avoid vital organs or arteries, but it would give Tommy an excuse for not stopping him. He'd have to get medical attention. Leaving the knife behind, unable to force himself to keep the item that he used to harm his mate, he quickly slipped out the door and ran toward the exit Baroness had said she'd try to clear.

As the Baroness had promised, there were a lot less guards along the corridor. Snake would have to fight a few guards, but nothing like as many as he would have if the alarm wasn't blaring.

***

Tommy didn't raise the alarm immediately. He needed to give his lover time to get away. He pressed a cushion against the wound to staunch the flow of blood, then began to tear bed sheets and drop his own blood everywhere...scatter his belongings all over the floor. He made it look like there'd been a struggle...a fight.

By the time he was done, he was weak from pain and dizzy from blood loss. He had to call for medical attention. He could only hope that he'd given his lover enough time to get away.

***

It took every ounce of willpower and his underlying need to obey his lover for Snake to continue his escape. While he'd done his best to not give a critical injury, the knife had gone deep and he wasn't certain that, in the chaos, Tommy would get help before it became critical. Only the fact Tommy wanted him out of this situation, ordered him to take his chance, enabled him to keep going. It wasn't a cakewalk, either. Baroness' actions had cleared maybe three-fourths of the guards. There were still enough to slow him down, especially given his distraction worrying about Tommy. He finally got past them all and made it to the surface, though, stealing a helicopter and quickly flying in a direction that he hoped was a Joe base, or at least civilization. The Cobra base was out in the middle of the ocean and he was having to use the sun to navigate. If he miscalculated and got lost, ran out of gas, he'd be going down and having to use the emergency life raft he'd noticed stashed in the cockpit.

The Joes hadn't been idle while Snake had been a prisoner. They'd used both ships and helicopters, searching for any sign of Cobra...searching for any sign of Snake.

Another helicopter came into view, hovering away. A voice came over the channels to Snake's helicopter. It belonged to Scarlett. "Snake? Is that you?"

Snake had expected to be warned off... asked for his identity. He hadn't expected to have Scarlet blurting over his radio, asking if it was him. Laughing, he answered, "It's me. Got a place I can land this thing?"

"Yeah. Follow my 'copter." Scarlett began to fly towards the landing pad. "We've been looking for you. You're in better shape than I thought if you managed to steal a helicopter."

"Yeah... you won't believe what happened..." He didn't say any more, aware that someone could be listening in on the radio.

"You can tell me the details at the base. I've radioed ahead for a doctor." Scarlett landed the helicopter, quickly moving off the landing pad so that Snake could land too.

Snake landed, then gingerly got out of the chopper. The time spent flying and not moving had allowed his injuries to stiffen up; the cuts had clotted into his clothing, which caused them to rip open anew as he stood and stretched. He might not have been as badly injured as he could have been, but he'd still had to fight his way to the chopper.

Scarlett quickly headed to Snake's side. "Do you need help getting inside?" she asked, voice filled with concern.

"I think I can walk..." he said uncertainly before his head started spinning and he had to clutch onto her for support. "...Or not..." he said ruefully. "Got hit on the head a few times...."

Scarlett quickly drew his arm around her shoulders. "The medical room isn't far." She quickly guided him inside the base and to the medical area.

****

With Scarlett's help he'd quickly gotten medical attention. Three hours later, after numerous scans, washing, bandaging, and stitching wounds, Snake was in a bed being monitored. The Joes had sent Scarlett, Akiko, and Duke to debrief him. It hadn't taken him long to tell the story of what happened. Since Tommy had forbidden him letting the Joes know he was really on their side, he couldn't explain anything in detail that might give that away. As a result, the debrief set Tommy up as Shadow: his torturer.

He knew they knew about the branding; it was listed on his medical chart as one of the wounds he'd returned with. He could tell that Duke and probably Scarlett, at least, thought he'd been raped, since their examination also indicated rough sex at some point. They had no reason to think Snake had wanted it. It made Snake sick inside that anyone could believe that about his mate. Tommy had only gone as far as he had to, to protect both their roles and get Snake out alive. And even then, any injuries from their sexual activities were superficial.

He looked at the three of them, noting the varying degrees of worry, anger, and poorly hidden disgust (he knew that was aimed at Tommy and not him, but still). "C'mon, guys..." He gave a crooked smile and tried to cajole them out of their moods. "I made it back in mostly one piece. I'll be fine in a day or so. I'm only staying in the infirmary because you insisted!" He wrinkled his nose. "No need to act like I died!'

Duke glanced at Scarlett and then moved over to Snake's side. "We can look at options for getting some of those lasting injuries removed." He didn't reference the brand explicitly, but it was clear that was what he was thinking about.

Akiko's expression was more worried than anything else. The only other one who knew about Snake's true relationship with Tommy, she wasn't just worried about Snake...she was worried about his lover, too. But she couldn't ask for details. Not with the others listening in.

Scarlett shook her head. "I never would have believed Tommy would sink to these levels. You're lucky you were able to escape when you did. Lucky that the Baroness decided to give you the tools to escape. We need to make sure you aren't visible enough to Cobra so that they can come after you again."

Snake shook his head at Duke. "I'll just keep any scars covered," he declared. "It was hard enough letting the doctors do what was needed. Having to let them do things for a purely cosmetic reason..." He shuddered.

He turned toward Scarlett. "As hard as it is to see... if he hadn't done what he did, the only other thing he could have done was kill me. I'm not a big believer in there being fates worse than death. If I was alive, I had a chance to escape. My injuries will heal. And I'll be stronger for what happened. They thought me broken." He knew they'd assume he meant Tommy. "I wasn't. I was just waiting for my opportunity. I survived." He paused. "I agree that getting caught by Cobra again is the last thing I want to do."

Duke frowned at the response. "He left his initials on you. Branded you like property. I can't understand why you would willingly still carry that mark."

"Maybe we'll get lucky," Scarlett said slowly. "He might have been too badly wounded for medical aid."

Unseen by the two Joes, Akiko glanced down. Her face was troubled, but only Snake would see it. She knew that, unless something had changed drastically, Snake wouldn't have struck to kill...but any wound could become infected and kill, even a minor one.

Snake couldn't keep the look of sickened anguish off his face at the idea Tommy died. He hoped they attributed it to the branding. "I... I hurt him badly. He blamed me for his losing everything..." he said hesitantly, voice filled with guilt. "Wearing his initials will remind me to not be so careless with other people's lives...." He hoped they didn't push more; let them think keeping the brand was a misguided attempt at atonement for his own part in what Tommy was doing.

"That's not likely to be healthy for you," Duke said. "I'm going to recommend you get evaluated by a therapist. Even if you choose to keep the brand, getting help to let go of this guilt will be better."

"Tommy made his decisions, not you," Scarlett said softly. "You can't blame yourself for him turning on us all."

"Is seeing a therapist going to be a requirement to stay with the Joes?" Snake asked hesitantly. He wasn't going to refuse; he knew Tommy most likely would insist on him seeing one if he knew about it. But he felt he needed at least a token protest.

"I believe it should be," Duke replied. "I don't like that you have this misplaced guilt. You need help to heal emotionally as well as physically."

"Please... I have to stay with the Joes... if I have to see a therapist to do so, I will..." Snake sunk back into the pillows. Being with the Joes was the only thing that made being apart from Tommy bearable.

Duke nodded. "I'll get a list of available therapists for you to look over."

"Is that all you need to know?" Snake asked wearily. Lying about his lover was tiring him out.

"For now," Duke replied.

"Get some rest," Scarlett said. "If you experience any pain, let us know."

"I'll stay, for a bit," Akiko said quietly.

"I will... thanks..." Snake gave them a crooked smile. He waited until Duke and Scarlett had left before turning to face Akiko. "Is there any way to find out if he's okay?" he asked. Guilt and worried fear thickened his tone and he blinked back tears.

Akiko moved over to him. "I think all we can do is wait for him to contact you," she said softly. "He will. As soon as it's safe to do so. He won't do anything that would risk taking him away from you."

"I... I had to stab him, Akiko!" The tears slid fast down his face. "No matter how careful I was, it could turn deadly. I would have gladly stayed there to not have to hurt him, but he ordered me to...." His voice trailed off as he swallowed back a sob.

Akiko reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did what he told you to do. And he'll reach out to you when he can. I know he loves you, Snake. I know that brand wasn't given to you against your will. That he didn't take you against your will."

"He said he didn't want to hurt me the way they expected him to. That he'd rather I hurt him and get away..." Snake whispered.

"Because he loves you," Akiko said. "And you don't want to hurt the ones you love."

"I love him... and I might have killed him..." Snake cried.

"Tommy would have got medical attention as soon as possible," Akiko murmured. "I know it's possible he'll be seriously hurt, but he wouldn't neglect himself. He'd know what it would do to you."

Snake took a shivering breath and nodded. "I... I know you are right. Waiting to hear is hard, though."

"Wait to hear back," Akiko said. "If you don't, we can figure out our next move then."

Snake nodded before yawning. "Doctor's put me on antibiotics..." he grumbled. "Those make me sleepy...."

"Tommy will feel better to know you are taking care of yourself," Akiko said. "You should rest."

"Yeah... sleep sounds good. See you later?" He watched her through half closed eyes.

She nodded. "I'll bring you some food when you wake up."

"Thanks..." Snake's eyes closed and he was quickly asleep.

Akiko left, going to collect what she thought Snake might need when he woke up. It hadn't escaped her notice that he was wearing Tommy's clothes, but she figured he wouldn't want to raise any awkward questions by continuing to wear Tommy's clothing where the rest of the Joes could see.

*****

It had been a week since Snake's escape, and he hadn't heard from Tommy. Somehow, Scarlett had learned that he'd ended up badly hurt during the escape, but no details. Snake wanted to call him, but if he was badly injured, he might not be able to answer his phone; and if someone else answered....

The worry was affecting him, though.

***

It had taken a week for Tommy's wound to be healed enough that it wasn't in danger of reopening. It had been stitched and was healing well, showing no signs of redness, or swelling or pus.

Tommy had managed to use Snake's escape to claim he was too angry to go after the jewel and needed time away to recuperate. He'd left the base, claiming that he planned to get some intel from another Cobra agent. Which he would do, to keep his cover, but first, he headed to an out of the way hotel. Once he was settled in one of the out of the way rooms, he sent a coded message to Snake's phone with coordinates to where he was.

***

As soon as Snake had received the message, he was searching out Scarlett and Duke. "I need to take some time off. Get away. I'll lay low, so Cobra won't find me, and I promise to call if something comes up...." He wasn't exactly asking permission. It was clear he would go whether they agreed or not, but he was trying to leave without an argument or anyone following him.

Duke glanced at Snake with a frown. "Take a tracker with you. If you get captured again, we should be able to track you."

"You aren't gonna interrupt my vacation and come get me, are you?" Snake asked, with a hint of amusement. He didn't let on his worry that they would follow him and discover Tommy.

"So long as you check in with us every day while we're gone, then it won't be necessary," Duke said.

"Yeah. I'll check in..." Snake easily agreed. "If there is nothing else, I plan to go pack and leave after lunch."

Duke nodded. "Call when you arrive safely."

"Will do!" Snake quickly dismissed himself and went to pack.

****

Five minutes after lunch started, Snake was loading his pack onto his bike and was taking off.

***

Tommy was resting on the bed in the hotel room, feeling a bit winded. He drank some water, careful not to put too much strain on his wound, and then glanced up as there was a knock on the door. Frowning, he stood and walked over to the door, pulling it open to reveal the Baroness standing on the other side. "What are you doing here?" he blurted.

She stepped into the room, quickly glancing around before turning to him. "You're lucky I was the one who found you after you'd been stabbed. If Cobra Commander had heard what you said, you wouldn't have walked out of the base alive."

***

Snake had arrived at the motel, but before he could go to the door, he'd noticed Baroness making her way to the door. Luckily, she didn't see him. He moved so that he could go around back to the balcony; if she attacked Tommy, he'd make his presence known. Otherwise, he'd just listen in.

****

Scarlett had an odd feeling, listening to Snake make his request. Something was up. Because of that when he'd left, she'd followed him, all the way to the non-descript motel. She saw Baroness walking upstairs, heading to one of the rooms as well. It took no thought at all to follow Snake to the balcony. The look of fear and uncertainty in his eyes when he saw her hurt, but before he could say anything, Tommy was opening the door and Baroness was entering. And making her remarks to Tommy. Snake obviously was confused. What had Tommy said?

***

Tommy gave a pained laugh, putting a hand to his chest as if the wound hurt him. "He stabbed me and left me for dead. It was only luck that the blade didn't hit any of my vital organs. I've been in and out of consciousness while they operated on me." He shrugged. "Whatever I said, I wasn't in my right mind. I don't know what you believe you heard, but...."

The Baroness closed the door and turned fully to face him. "I should have seen it. You tended to his wounds so carefully. Took him from the cell, so that you could keep him safe. You put on a good act, Storm Shadow. But the pain and the blood loss loosened your tongue. You couldn't hide it when I told you we hadn't caught Snake. Your relief."

"You saw the room. You saw the struggle," Tommy said.

"Window dressing." She looked at him. "The room wasn't ruined in a desperate struggle for freedom. You ruined it."

Scarlett looked at Snake in surprise at what Baroness had revealed. Was it true? Had Tommy been protecting Snake? Before she could ask, she had to reach out a hand and stop Snake; he was preparing to barge into the room, obviously afraid for Tommy. She shook her head and motioned him to wait... then prepared to go in with him if needed.

The Baroness turned to face Tommy...then stopped short at the gun he held aimed at her head.

"I can't let you carry it back to Cobra Commander." Tommy spoke in a calm voice. "I don't know why you had a change of heart and let him go. It made it easier for me to get him out. But I have to protect him. And I have to protect myself." He cocked the gun.

She looked at him. "I'm not going to betray you."

Tommy's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "If only I could believe that."

Scarlett almost went through when she heard Tommy's words and realized he was planning to shoot Baroness in cold blood. Before she could, Snake was already going through the balcony door.

"Tommy-san... you aren't a murderer..." Snake said softly.

Tommy looked at Snake. He didn't lower his gun, but he didn't shoot either. "I can't risk the truth coming out, Snake."

Scarlett had followed Snake into the room. "If she's in the Joes' custody, she would have a difficult time telling anyone."

Tommy took a step back, lowering the gun. He glanced at Scarlett and then towards Snake. "Who else is here?"

"It was only supposed to be me!" Snake glared at Scarlett. "I was told that I wouldn't be tracked as long as I did regular check-ins."

"Only I followed. You were acting oddly. My sixth-sense was tingling," Scarlett said unapologetically.

Tommy took a deep breath and sank down onto the bed, lowering the gun and putting a hand to his chest, looking pained, as the actions he'd taken had pulled on his stitches.

Baroness raised her hands and turned to Scarlett. "Well. If Storm Shadow plans to kill me and you only intend to capture me, I should surrender to you, I suppose."

"It would seem that way." Scarlett smirked. "Cuff her, Snake. And check to make sure there aren't any trackers or bugs on her."

Snake quickly did so, not wanting to risk Tommy bring found by the wrong people in this condition.

The Baroness smirked, shifting slightly to allow Snake to check her over and cuff her. While she was carrying weapons, she didn't have any obvious trackers or bugs.

Once Baroness was secured, Scarlett looked at Tommy. "You need medical attention?" Finding out exactly what was going on was secondary to making sure no one died.

Tommy shook his head. "The wound's been stitched. I just pulled on it."

"So... is this why you were so scarce on details and avoided blaming Tommy, even when you couldn't defend him?" She turned toward Snake.

Snake swallowed and didn't answer, instead looking toward Tommy for permission to talk.

Tommy nodded to Snake but spoke to Scarlett. "I decided that it would be easier to bring Cobra down from the inside."

The Baroness noticed the way Snake looked to Tommy. "So, your submission to him isn't fake."

Snake looked at Baroness and straightened proudly. He wasn't ashamed that he submitted to, obeyed Tommy. He was proud that the older man wanted and accepted that from him. And he was finally able to admit it to someone with Tommy's permission. Just in case, he glanced toward Tommy again for a nod of approval before saying, "That was not an act. Fighting him... begging him to stop... was. I was never afraid of my master... only afraid for him."

Tommy reached out and wrapped his arms around Snake's waist, gently pulling his lover onto his lap...though he was careful not to aggravate his own wound. "And I would never have taken him against his will. He's mine." His voice was very possessive.

Scarlett looked bemused at the information. "Well, that explains your quick refusal to remove the branding. Can I inform at least Duke about this? Knowing we have someone on the inside we can trust will help a lot of our planning. Plus... he was very angry at what he thought was true torture. I'm not sure he wouldn't go after you on Snake's behalf if we didn't tell him."

Snake looked worried about the idea of Duke targeting Tommy. "I wanted the brand... wanted his initials to show who I belonged to. Plus, some thought he was being too soft on me for supposedly hating me, so it helped cement his role and protect him."

The Baroness snorted softly. "You certainly had me fooled. And Cobra Commander too."

Tommy glanced at Scarlett and nodded. "If you know, then there's no reason to keep it from Duke too. Akiko is also aware of the truth." He gripped Snake a bit tighter, seeing no reason not to hold onto his lover.

Scarlett nodded. "Is there anything else you need? I will take Baroness with me, but I can arrange a safe spot to leave items for you. Also, I recommend finding a new hiding spot, since... you know... both I and Baroness found this one."

Tommy nodded. "I have other places we can go to. Other safe spaces. We'll move on to one after you leave. As for anything else that's needed...not for me personally...." He looked down at Snake. "What about you?"

"I have everything I need. I even brought the medication the doctor put me on," Snake said softly.

Scarlett nodded. "In that case, let's go, Baroness..." She took hold of her arm to gently lead her out.

The Baroness went with Scarlett without argument.

Tommy turned Snake's face towards him. "What medication did the doctor put you on?"

"Antibiotics. I wasn't able to get away without fighting..." Snake admitted. "And sleeping pills. I was having nightmares about losing you and it was affecting my healing...."

Tommy kissed his shoulder. "When do you need to take your next dose?" he asked softly. "We can see if you need to continue taking the sleeping tablets."

"I don't need my next dose till tonight before bed," Snake said quietly, carefully snuggling against his mate. "What about you? Can I help?" His guilt and worry were obvious.

"I've been stitched up. There's been no sign of infection. I do have pain medication." Tommy stroked Snake's hair. "We should find somewhere else to stay. Then we can rest. I can take care of you like I promised."

Snake nodded. "I rode my bike here. Should I find a place to hide it and go with you? Or follow you on it?"

"I don't want to let you out of my sight," Tommy admitted. "We could take the bike together. You pressed as close to me as possible."

"I like that idea," Snake agreed, automatically handing Tommy the key to his bike.

Tommy took the keys, gathering up the few belongings he'd brought with him and reaching out to take Snake's hand, leading him out of the room and out of the hotel, towards the bike. "I have something for you. Something for you to wear when it's just us. I'll give it to you when we get to where we'll be staying."

"I look forward to it, master," Snake whispered. He'd left his belongings in the bike's compartment; there was plenty of room for Tommy to add his belongings. As soon as Tommy had added his things, locked the compartment, and then got onto the bike, Snake crawled on behind him, pressing as close as he could, needing to feel his mate.

Tommy clasped Snake's hands for a moment, raising them to his lips to kiss, before he started up the bike, driving towards the place he'd decided on as a backup.

***

Scarlett was quiet for the first several minutes after getting into the car with Baroness. Once on the highway and on the way to Joe headquarters, she finally spoke, "I expected you to fight more than you did... being captured."

"It wouldn't have done any good," the Baroness replied. "I was outnumbered, considering Storm Shadow is actually on your side."

"True. Had I not heard what you said, I would have expected him to fight. Still. It isn't like you to knowingly put yourself into a dangerous position. Confronting him like that.... If Snake and I had not been there..." She left unsaid that he would have killed Baroness to protect his secret.

"I didn't anticipate him trying to kill me to protect himself," the Baroness said. "Although I probably should have done. I gave Snake a knife so that he could defend himself and get out of the base. I believed the act they put on and I didn't want to remain responsible for someone being put through that."

"Finally found a line you wouldn't cross? Guess there's hope for you yet..." Scarlett said, with a hint of surprise.

The Baroness shrugged. "I didn't expect the actions when Snake was captured. It doesn't matter that it turns out it wasn't true. It was wrong to witness; wrong to be a part of."

Scarlett frowned. "Do... do you think Tommy hurt Snake unnecessarily? That he used Snake's capture and the need for Cobra to believe them enemies to allow himself to be cruel? Is Snake allowing unhealthy behavior?" She believed the two cared about each other and would do whatever necessary to protect the other. But Tommy had branded Snake; and Snake apparently had wanted it. Were the two feeding off and enabling each other's worst impulses? Was she worried about nothing? After all, the brand was clean and well-taken care of. Other than the danger of infection and extra pain, it wasn't that different from a tattoo.

"The first thing he did when he saw Snake was treat his wounds," the Baroness replied. "He claimed it was because he didn't want to see any injuries there that he hadn't put there. But he was gentle." She paused. "I didn't think anything of it at the time, but after using certain words...Snake's reactions changed. As if his body was trained to respond to certain signals." She paused again before saying, "I went to check on Snake while Tommy was there and commented that he didn't look as well-used as he had previously. In fact, he looked comfortable. At ease. Though he played it off by saying that toys last longer if you take care of them."

"It seems that they had planned for if Snake was captured. Perhaps there is nothing to worry about." Scarlett sighed. "Now we just have to figure out your position. You've been cooperative so far. I have no doubt you are looking to escape, though. I won't allow you to blow Tommy's cover and cause his death. If it looks like you may do that, I'll end you myself."

"I'll attempt escape," the Baroness allowed. "But I wasn't planning to blow Tommy's cover. If he was what I initially thought, then I wouldn't hesitate."

"I'm not gullible, Anastasia. Don't think for a minute that I'd believe you would allow a spy to sit in your organization without telling Cobra Command," Scarlett scoffed.

The Baroness shrugged. "When you know there's a spy and who the spy is, it makes things a lot easier. Get rid of the spy you know about and there comes the risk of one replacing them who you don't know."

Scarlett snorted. "And if the spy knows that you know he is a spy?"

"Storm Shadow already knows I helped Snake to escape," the Baroness answered. "Even if he wasn't mistreating Snake, he still had to put on act for the rest of Cobra. I stopped that being a necessity."

"So, he may not completely hate you. Doesn't mean he'd trust you knowing their secret. He was ready to kill you to keep it, after all. Maybe you shouldn't escape. I'd have to warn him if you did and then if he got to you before you could tell anyone, whether you intend to or not...."  Scarlett shrugged faintly. If Baroness stayed put and didn't try to get away, it would make her life much easier.

The Baroness snorted softly. "You know I have to at least try to escape. I can't roll over and show my tummy to just anyone."

Scarlett laughed outright. "Of course not. And if it causes problems for other people, you like it even more."

"Besides, I have to say, the thought of being a prisoner against my will really doesn't appeal to me," she added. "I like a certain amount of freedom."

By this point, Scarlett had pulled into the base and the car was surrounded by Joes, ready to take Baroness to a holding cell. "Well... that just means we'll have to be on our toes..." She smiled, before nodding to one of the soldiers to begin escorting Baroness.

"I'm sure I'll see you soon," the Baroness said mildly, going with the Joes without protest.

"Count on it..." Scarlett sighed, then went to find Duke. There was a lot of information to divulge and unpack.

***

It didn't take long for Tommy and Snake to get to the other safe hotel Tommy had made use of. After getting off the bike, Tommy quickly checked for any followers and then took Snake's hand, collecting their belongings and then leading his lover inside.

Once the door was closed, Snake was gently tugging at Tommy's shirt, needing to see with his own eyes that the wound he'd inflicted was healing cleanly.

Tommy let Snake remove his shirt, so that his lover could see for himself. "I'm all right," he said softly, but didn't attempt to stop Snake from checking for himself.

Snake swallowed hard. The worry eased at seeing the wound healing cleanly, but that only allowed the guilt to push to the front. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, in a broken voice. It didn't matter that Tommy had ordered him. He'd hurt the man he loved. He couldn't forgive himself.

Wrapping his arms around Snake, Tommy kissed his lover's shoulder, then guided him over to the bed. He sat down and began to strip Snake slowly, touching and caressing and kissing every part of his body as it was uncovered.

Snake went along, giving complete control to Tommy. He shivered at the gentle affection, gently caressing, and kissing when he was able as well.

"I love you. So much." Tommy murmured the words into Snake's skin, stripping his lover completely. Then, he reached for the pack he'd brought. Took out the collar and leash. Drawing Snake between his thighs, he put the collar in place.

Snake took in a startled breath, giving Tommy a happy smile. Relaxing, he knelt between Tommy's thighs, looking up into his mate's face.

Tommy leaned down and kissed Snake, tenderly and lingeringly. "You are mine." He whispered the words against his lover's lips. Slid his hands down over Snake's shoulders. "My good pet."

"I love you..." Snake said, in a small, quivering voice.

"I love you so much." Tommy kissed him a bit deeper, a bit harder. "I will always take care of you. You belong to me. You're mine."

Snake returned the kiss fervently, letting himself submit while participating fully.

Tommy moved his hand behind Snake's neck, squeezing it, as he gently nipped at his lover's lips. Then, he helped his lover to stand and gently bent Snake over his knees.

Snake followed the direction easily, moving over his mate's knee and relaxing, ready to accept the full punishment without tensing up or any other fight.

Rubbing Snake's back gently, Tommy murmured, "I know you feel guilty, pet. But I told you to hurt me. I wanted you to get out, so you could be away from Cobra. You did a very good thing by obeying my order, even though it was hard." He still rubbed Snake's back as he delivered a firm smack with his other hand, then repeated it.

"It didn't feel good. Felt wrong!" Snake was already crying. He felt so guilty.

"I know," Tommy soothed, settling into a pattern of smacks down to Snake's thighs, before starting over from the top. "I know it was hard for you. I know it was painful. But I'm still here, with you. The wound wasn't serious enough to put me in danger. And it let me get you out. I was able to make sure you'd be safe. So that I wouldn't be forced to keep hurting you."

"You didn't hurt me even close to as bad as I hurt you..." Snake sobbed.

Tommy rubbed and stroked Snake's back, even as he completed the second circuit of swats and began a third, going a fraction harder and faster. "It did hurt, pet. But that physical pain is something I was able to handle. If you'd disobeyed me, that would have hurt emotionally, a lot more the physical pain."

"I... it would have?" Snake choked out, in a confused voice.

"Yes," Tommy replied. "Because when you obey me, it makes me feel good. Knowing that you trust me to make the best decisions for both of us."

Snake was still crying hard, but it was obvious he was listening. Some of the tenseness left his body. "Why was me hurting you so I could get away better than my staying and accepting hard spankings from you? Everything you did, you kept control, so it didn't damage me...and I wanted the brand... I don't understand..." His voice was almost childishly confused. He'd done as Tommy ordered... obeyed... because he did trust the other man with his entire being and knew Tommy was trying to do what was best for both of them... but he couldn't reconcile the idea that him putting Tommy into the infirmary was less damaging than Tommy spanking him. Even if there had been an audience.

"It wasn't just about the spankings, pet." Tommy paused in the swatting to begin gently rubbing Snake's bottom. His other hand moved to Snake's neck, gripping it firmly. "It was about how I was expected to treat you. Like all you were was an object to me, a toy to be used. When I had the meeting with Cobra Commander before you escaped, he said some things that worried me. That made me think he would start pushing for me to give you more pain, more humiliation. I had to make sure you were safe. Nothing else mattered."

"...Oh..." Snake said softly, before swallowing and sniffling. "So... it wasn't about what you had done... but what you would be expected to do?" He shifted slightly as Tommy rubbed his bottom. His backside stung, but not unbearably so, and the rubbing felt good. Only the training Tommy had given kept him from rousing.

"Yes," Tommy replied. "I knew you were okay with what we'd already done, but I didn't want to risk having to give you more pain...more humiliation. Not with others around we had to hide it from. I needed to be certain you were safe. I can't live without you, Snake. You are so very important to me."

"I love you so much... I would withstand any pain to protect you..." he admitted. "Any humiliation for you...."

"I couldn't," Tommy admitted, in a low voice. "I couldn't stand to hurt or humiliate you. Even if it was for my own protection. Because my first instinct is and always will be to protect you."

Snake sniffled again, then sighed. "So, if it comes to a choice of you treating me more harshly or you being badly hurt... I'm expected to let you be hurt?!" His voice got less relaxed and more querulous as he spoke. "That's not fair!"

"I need you to be safe and well more than I need to be," Tommy said. "If there's a choice between us, I will choose you. Always."

"Am I not allowed to choose you?!" Snake was agitated.

"Of course, you are," Tommy replied gently, his voice tender. "But even though you stabbed me, and it did hurt, it hurt so much more to consider having to hurt you, to degrade you, in a way that neither of us would feel good about or enjoy. The emotional pain of that outweighed the physical pain." He gripped Snake's neck a bit tighter, a bit firmer. "I hope we won't be in a similar situation again. If we are, then we can decide together what the best course of action is. I'll protect myself and stay safe...just as I would expect the same from you."

"I can't lose you..." Snake's voice was rough and he pushed his neck back into Tommy's grip, the firmness helping only slightly.

"I'll make sure you don't," Tommy replied. "I have no intention of letting go of you, whether through pretending to be on opposite sides...or through death. You are mine." He gripped Snake's neck a bit firmer, a bit more tightly. Leaned down and bit Snake's shoulder, then the opposite one.

Snake whined softly but didn't pull away, relaxing again at the possessive actions. "Yours..." he mumbled.

"Mine." Tommy's voice was low and very intense. "I'm not upset that Scarlett was there to see how you respond to me. I was tempted to put the collar on you there and then, so that they'd know who you belonged to."

"I wasn't ashamed how you owned me in front of her. Having her see you own me? Felt good..." Snake admitted bashfully.

"I want to show that I own you." Tommy continued to gently squeeze Snake's neck. "I found a club, where people in similar relationships to ours go to meet. I could take you there, wearing your collar in full view of everyone."

"What would we do there?" Snake asked, interested.

"We could take a look around," Tommy commented. "See if there's anything either of us would like to try out. And there might be somewhere I could sit, with you at my feet, where I could touch you and give you affection."

Snake smiled at that, even if Tommy couldn't see. "You could treat me like your pet...."

"Yes," Tommy agreed. "I could feed you from my hand. And if we chose, if it felt right, I could be more possessive in front of the people there."

"I would like that," Snake admitted.

"I would as well," Tommy said. "I love you, my pet." He let his knuckles press down Snake's back.

"I love you, Master..." Snake squirmed slightly. He wanted Tommy to lay claim to him, to take him apart like he'd done before his escape. He didn't want to put stress on his master's wounds, though, so kept his wishes to himself. Just being touched was enough. He'd been afraid he might never have Tommy's touch again.

Tommy leaned down and began to bite and kiss parts of Snake's shoulders, neck, back and arms, marking him as he had done when they were alone.

Snake quivered in place. "Love feeling you... need you in control," he whispered.

"I love feeling you under my control," Tommy whispered, continuing to bite and kiss over every inch of Snake's backside. Then, he turned his lover over to do the same to Snake's front.

Snake let out happy sighs at the treatment, nearly purring.

Tommy bit and kissed every bit of Snake's front side, whispering, "Mine," every so often. He didn't move Snake from the position over his lap, needing the contact with his lover.

By the time Tommy had finished, Snake was quivering and fully aroused, his skin sensitive. "Yours..." he whispered, in a hoarse voice.

"Mine," Tommy whispered in return. "For always." He squeezed Snake's hips. "I want to take you. Hard and fast."

Snake shivered. "Please?" he all but begged.

"Are you up to it?" Tommy asked softly. He'd seen the healing wounds on his lover's body; had avoided them when he'd marked his claim.

"Yessir... can take it, wasn't hurt inside... not really," Snake asserted.

"Not really?" Tommy immediately zeroed in on that phrasing.

"Got bruised ribs... but can handle it if I'm positioned right..." Snake said softly.

Tommy nodded and began to carefully move them both. He settled Snake face down on the bed, moving pillows under his lover to provide some support for Snake's ribs.

Snake moved to where Tommy placed him, making sure to let his lover know what the most comfortable position was. He was completely open for the taking.

Tommy pressed a kiss to the back of Snake's neck and then moved to collect what he needed. He coated his member and pushed inside Snake, grasping his lover's hips firmly.

Snake groaned happily as he felt Tommy push in. He always liked the feeling of stretching for his master. "...So good..." he moaned.

"You feel so good surrounding me," Tommy whispered. "It feels so good being inside you." He began to thrust deep, hard and fast.

Snake gripped the comforter under him and held on as Tommy began to move, jackhammering into him, relentless. He continued to moan and groan softly, the sounds from his throat blending with the sounds of their bodies joining.

Tommy gripped Snake's hips firmly and tightly, leaving marks from his own fingers in his lover's flesh. He thrust deep and hard, resuming biting his lover's flesh...leaving more marks behind.

Snake was close... so close… but Tommy hadn't given permission, so he held on.

"Let go." Tommy whispered the order, nearly growling, into Snake's skin. "Let go for me, pet."

Snake's body began to spasm under and around Tommy as he lost all control on the order. When he finally collapsed, spent, the sheets under him wet from his release, he was limp, unable to do more than moan softly and pant.

Tommy's own release came over him at the same time and his grip tightened on Snake's hips. Once he was spent, he slumped boneless on top of his lover, kissing the side of Snake's neck and then his shoulders. "I love you."

"Love you too... so much..." Snake whispered.

"You've been so good for me. Such a good pet." Tommy turned Snake's face to him so that he could kiss him.

Snake returned the kiss, almost dazed, not moving at all from his position.

"Do you need anything to eat or drink before we take a nap together?" Tommy asked gently, stroking his lover's face.

"Maybe a lil’ water..." Snake said quietly. "Just wanna be held...."

Tommy kissed his ear gently and then moved just enough to get some water, before wrapping his arms around Snake in a tight embrace.

Snake drank what he was given before settling into Tommy's arms. He was contented and felt safe.

Tommy held his lover close, kissing the side of Snake's head. "Sleep now, my pet," he murmured. "I've got you."

Snake slept, feeling safe for the first time in a long time, knowing both he and Tommy were together and didn't have to hide.

The End