Chapter Eight

Understanding Between

Riki rose from the bed, finding it empty but hearing clattering in the kitchen knew Iason was busy in there. He stretched, his body feeling very flexible as the blonde's promised massage had definitely paid off.

Not surprisingly, Ryker hadn't come out at all for dinner and he probably wouldn't come out in time for breakfast before Riki ran off to work quick. Seeing a notepad and a pen, he began scribbling down a message to Ryker. He hoped maybe if he told him that Iason meant a lot to him, and in time he would explain more, he would put up with it and maybe realize Iason wasnt a threat.

Riki shoved the note under the door, and then slipped on his clothes. He peeked into the kitchen, and found Iason making omelettes. "Woah there," he exclaimed. "I teach you to do the pancake flip, and you take it to a whole next level."

"Good morning," Iason smiled, leaning over and giving a gentle kiss to his partner. "I wanted you to have a proper, nutritious breakfast."

"Are you telling me," Riki started, his voice full of sarcastic anger, picking up a fork and holding it out accusingly at Iason. "That my chocolate chip pancakes are not a proper, nutritious breakfast? How dare you."

Iason carried an omelette to Riki's plate, and then set one on his own. "Is Ryker going to join us?" he inquired.

"Let me check," Riki suggested, then leaned back his chair, and yelled at the top of his lungs toward his bedroom. "Ryker, if you want food it's your only chance to get it now!" There was a pause, and no sound, so Riki leaned back to the table. "Negative on that."

"Really, Riki, you could've gotten up."

"And leave my delicious meal, fuck that!" Riki hissed, adjusting his grip on his fork. "Thank you for the meal!"

—

"Be safe," Iason pleaded, worrying about Riki having to work. He really wanted to tell Riki that he didn't need to work, that he had enough so they all could live comfortably. But he knew how much Riki needed work to feel independent.

"I should be saying that," Riki scoffed. "Don't let him kill you."

Iason rolled his eyes. "Hardly. Now get going." When Riki had gone, he closed the door and headed for Ryker's room. He knocked on the door. "Ryker, I am not upset about anything. But it would make me feel much better if you came out and ate and drank something."

When silence met his ears, Iason began to worry. But he heard a soft shuffle and sighed in relief that Ryker was still moving and breathing. He moved away from the door and decided to go wait in the kitchen, and read up on some of the books and news articles he had been putting off.

—

Ryker emerged from his room, needing to piss and take a shit so bad. He peeked out from his doorway, and saw the cost was clear but stopped when he saw Iason on the couch. However, he noticed that the blonde was fast asleep, a book in his lap, so he moved to the washroom silently.

When he finished his business, he saw a note that there was food for him. He took the food from the fridge, and the utensils, heading to his room again. When he turned the corner, he saw that Iason was still asleep, so he headed back to his room.

Iason stirred, seemingly uncomfortable as he murmured something. He tossed his head sideways. "Riki," he muttered, his body tensing up.

Ryker paused to watch the ordeal, wondering why the blonde looked like he was about to cry while dreaming about his brother. He knew something wasn't right between these two, and he needed to find out dammit. He plunked down on a chair, continuing to watch Iason in subconscious distress while he proceeded to eat.

Suddenly Iason popped awake, terrified and on his feet while not being at all steady. "Riki!" he yelled, petrified.

"He's at work," Ryker returned, his mouth full.

Iason looked to Ryker, his heart beating fast and his chest heaving with pants. He had just seen his last moments alive, a beam crushing them both before he was suddenly back here. And now here was a part of his beloved before him. "Ryker," he wheezed, then wobbled back into the chair.

Ryker then took notice of the state Iason was in. "All right now. Breathe in and out, big man. Breathe," he commanded, getting up, and approaching the seemingly now harmless blonde.

The blonde obeyed, trying to calm himself but it had been so long since he dreamed that dream it had shaken him up way too much. He reached out and touched Ryker's hand, then gripped it. "Stay," he pleaded.

The mongrel nodded, unsure why he felt compelled to grant the wish. He even got closer to Iason before straight up being enveloped in a hug on his lap. It felt strange, but oddly familiar. Like he had been hugged against this man's chest a million times, which he knew he hadn't.

"Thank you," Iason whispered, then gently let out a long sigh of relief feeling a heartbeat next to him.

"Who are you?" Ryker whispered back, memories of unknown origin flooding to him.

This took Iason a moment to process, wondering what he meant. He pushed Ryker back to study his face, and saw that this time Ryker knew something was different. "Do you remember me?"

"I feel like I've met you before you..." he started, frowning as he grew uncertain and afraid.

Iason gently held him close. "Please, please tell me," he beseeched. "I will explain but please tell me first what you remember so it might help."

Ryker hesitated, but went on to explain the bad things he had been recalling about Iason and why he had been on edge the entire time. And with each memory he brought forward, he watched as Iason winced in understanding and apologetically gave him a gentle pat. "So when did this happen?"

The blonde took a deep breath. "Firstly, you have to trust me when I say things are different now," he announced. "I do not have the same relationship with Riki as I did once. But I think it will always be a connection that pegged us together." He tried to read Ryker's expression but just found him confused and disturbed. "Riki and I died together in a past life on the planet Amoï. I used to be a Blondie, a son of the artificial intelligence named Jupiter and I took Riki, a mongrel from the streets of Ceres, as my pet."

Ryker's expression went dark. And he opened his mouth to speak, but Iason cut him off.

"I was a different person back then, and the methods used to keep Riki as my pet, were not the best," he added. "Which you might be recalling. I always loved Riki, but was unable to express it properly in the society of Eos or Amoï. I made many errors in that life, but when it came to the last moments of it, Riki and I spent it together and our feelings were mutual."

The dark haired young man got off of Iason's lap, staring at the ground. "You kidnapped me...and...hurt me," he whispered.

Iason blinked, realizing that Ryker really did have all of the negative memories of Riki. "Yes, and I am sorry. I want to make it right this time," he insisted. "You have your freedom, I will not hold you back. But I will still care for you."

Ryker frowned again, his eyes looking to one side. "You... you love my brother, not me," he reminded. "So why do I mean anything to you?"

"Because you also have part of the past Riki within you," Iason explained, rising up and giving him a soft hug. "And I love Riki, and the hurting part of him is still in you and I need to make it right."

—

Riki walked in the door, finding Iason lounging on the sofa, flicking through the news channels on the television. "I'm home," he announced.

Iason got up and enveloped his beloved in a hug. "How was work?"

"Fine," he answered, tossing his bag to the side. "How was babysitting?" He headed to the fridge in search of a drink.

"Ryker remembered today," Iason revealed, watching as Riki paused mid grab for the juice bottle. "He...he has all of the negative memories of your past. That is why he fears me."

Riki didn't turn around, but closed the fridge and held the juice bottle. "I see."

Iason moved up behind him, giving his mongrel a gentle hug. "We made peace," he offered. "I am going to try to make things right with him."

"That's good."

"But you're unhappy?"

Riki turned around. "I'm not unhappy about you trying to make it better, it just sucks that he has only those memories," he sighed.

"I'm sorry," Iason whispered, stroking Riki's free hand softly.

"It's all right, it just means you can't fuck it up this time," Riki insisted. "You have to make him forget the bad memories with new good ones. Don't do the mistakes of the past in this life."

Iason nodded. "I understand."

Riki looked to the living space and didn't see anyone. "So where is he?"

"He went to a friend's for the night."

"He did, did he?" Riki scoffed. "Little shit. Getting out of work again."

Iason chuckled. "Give him a break, I think he needed space."

"Whatever."

"Come now," Iason whispered, his voice soothing. "We have the place to ourselves, and I don't think the walls are as thin as you make them out to be."

Riki blurted out a laugh in response, and soon found himself and his juice carton whisked away to the bedroom.

—

Ryker took a long drag from a cigarette his friend handed him, then accepted the newly opened bottle of booze he had been offered too. He grunted a thanks, and let the bottle dangle from his fingertips.

"So this guy, is a lover of your brothers?" Ryker's friend, Jun, asked, plunking down next to him. He leaned against the dark haired youth, his shaggy silver hair brushing against him as he did so.

"Ya, he is," Ryker returned, taking a long hard swig of the booze. His face scrunched up in disgust at the taste, clicking his tongue to get the taste out of his mouth. "What the fuck is this shit? It's nasty?"

Jun just shrugged, a mischievous smile curling his lips. "I heard it was good. Make you feel great," he purred, sliding a hand up his friend's side, just teasing the skin between his shirt and pants.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ryker jolted, a scowl on his face as he got up and moved away. "This isn't funny man."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Ryker felt a chill crawl up his spine, as those words seeming echoed familiar to him. His eyes focused on Jun, but he could swear he saw Iason looking straight at him, a threatening gaze as he said, 'Do I ever joke with you?'

Jun stood up, and Ryker responded by doing the same and backing away from him. "I've always wanted you, but you're untouchable, keeping everyone at a meters distance, so I decided to just take you."

Run, run goddamit. Ryker's insides were screaming with alarm, as he turned and bolted.

"You won't get far, Ryker!" Jun yelled after him, chasing close behind. "You drank too high of a dosage to get far!"

Dosage? Fuck! Ryker started to panic, running around a corner, then a left and then taking another left and hiding within an enclave. He gasped for breath, his vision getting full of black spots. Shit, he was a goner.

"Oh Rykerrrrr," Jun called, strolling casually toward the area he was in. "You can't hide forever."

Fuck. Ryker pulled out his cellphone, and with shaking fingers texted Riki their emergency safe word for come save my ass. He pressed send, his vision cutting out for a second and prayed to the gods that Riki didnt have his phone on silent.

"Got you," Jun whispered.

Ryker didn't even scream as the arms grabbed onto him, and he was thrown over Jun's shoulder who soothed him like a child as he was carried back the way they came.

—

Iason caressed Riki's face, gently gliding a thumb over the plump lips. His mouth curled into a smile of satisfaction to see his beloved asleep after being embraced multiple times in many ways. The mongrel let out a soft sigh, nuzzling into the pillow further, perfectly relaxed and in a deep slumber.

The blonde planted a soft kiss on the tan forehead, then rolled over and sighed blissfully. He closed his eyes and relished the feeling of being together with Riki. A soft chiming sound met his ears, which had him pry one eye open and when he didn't see the source he slowly sat up and saw a flat phone screen flashing.

Ever so carefully, Iason removed himself from the bed, careful not to disturb Riki. He made his way to the dresser and picked up the phone, spying a message from Ryker. He tried to view it, but the screen demanded a password.

Iason paused, thinking through what Riki would have for a password. He tried Ceres, denied. Bison? Denied. It wouldn't be Eos. Dana Burn? No. "Hmm," he hummed in annoyance, glancing back at Riki with cold eyes. Bitterly, he typed the word Guy, and thankfully it was denied.

Running out of options, Iason debating waking the mongrel to get the password to see if Ryker needed anything. But then...just maybe. Iason held the phone, maybe he was flattering himself. He began typing, Iason Mink, and was utterly shocked to see the next screen pop open.

"You are so charming," he purred, then tapped onto Ryker's message which had another screen immediately pop open indicating an address. The message on the top read: PICK UP IMMEDIATELY

Iason frowned, wondering if maybe Ryker needed a ride back from his friends? Maybe they couldn't meet up properly. The blonde didn't have the heart to wake Riki, so he would handle it.

—

Ryker emerged from the darkness, his head feeling heavy and hollow. His eyes could barely stay open the first few times he blinked.

"Hmm, you're awake," Jun whispered, sliding his hand straight up the tanned chest that was devoid of clothing.

"Off..."

"What's that, baby?"

Ryker huffed, jerking against his hands that were tied above his head. "Get the fuck off me!" he growled, thrashing against Jun, his teeth gnashed and his eyes glinting in rage.

Jun barked in laughter. "You are a wild one, aren't you?" he grinned. "I like that. You are going to be fun."

"I'm gonna fucking cut your throat!"

"Is that right?"

Ryker tried to kick Jun, but the stronger youth caught his leg and dug his fingers into it. "You'll regret this!"

"I don't think I will," Jun denied, fastening the leg to the bed post.

—

Iason approached the home, confused as to why he was called out to this address. It seemed just like a tiny apartment home like the one that Riki and them were living in. Could Ryker possibly be in there?

He approached the door, which was beat up and a bit rusty around the edges. The windows were barred up, but could still be viewed out of. The paint was peeling off of the white brick walls, and the shingles where in need of a replacement but it was a stable home he supposed. He reached out to knock on the door, but pulled back as he heard a shout on the other side.

It sounded like a muffled moan, one of suffering from pain...or pleasure? He couldn't tell. Was...was Ryker having sex in the other side of the wall.

"Mmmmn! Nnnnfff!"

Iason shivered, feeling as if Ryker was in danger. He tried the door knob, but found it locked. Guess it was going to be broken down. He back up a few steps and took a deep breath, then charged forward, and planted his foot below the knob. The door busted inward with a loud crashing sound, and he flew forward into the home with it.

"Ryker!" he yelled, and then desperately began looking around.

"Mmphnnn!" Ryker pleaded, screaming into his gag.

Iason hurried through the clutter, small home, and found Ryker tied nude to the bed. "Ryker! What's going on!"

"Bnnphh mmm!"

The blonde hurried forward, but then saw a flash of a figure charge at him from the side. He caught the wrist of the silver haired youth who was armed with a knife, and trying to stab him. "You dare, to hurt...what's mine?" Iason hissed, gripping tighter and tighter onto the man's limb.

Jun screamed in agony, his wrist spasming. "Fuuuuuuck!"

The knife dropped, and Iason slammed him into the wall, then proceeded to punch the living shit out of the dirty youth. When Jun didn't respond anymore, Iason let him fall to the ground like a ragdoll.

Ryker was wide eyed and terrified.

"Shhh," Iason soothed, turning back to him, after wiping the blood off his hands. He cut Ryker free, and then took off the gag. "It's all right, I've got you. I've got you."

"Holy fuck," Ryker shivered, then gasped, his body on fire from the drugs. He moaned and writhed in agony. "Fuck, it hurts." He tried to hide his erection, completely embarrassed. "Are my clothes nearby?"

"Yes, here," Iason answered, handing them off. He noticed the state of Ryker, and sighed. "He drugged you?"

Ryker flinched. "...Ya. I told him to fuck off." He put on his shirt, biting back his feelings. He thought Jun was his friend, but it turned out he was wrong. He had trust issues in people, and here he thought Jun was a good friend. But no. It was all a lie. "It was a lie."

Iason gently wrapped Ryker into a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didnt get here sooner."

Ryker's eyes filled with tears, and he wrapped his arms around Iason. "Don't leave me."

"I won't," Iason promised, gently kissing the top of his head.

—

Iason carried Ryker into the house, noticing that the youth was still very much still erect and in pain from the forced arousal.

"I'll start you a bath," Iason suggested, setting Ryker down on a chair. He went to run the bath water, but Ryker grasped onto him. "Yes?"

"Help me," he pleaded.

"A bath will help," he promised, going to run the lukewarm bathwater for the young man.

He waited until the tub was somewhat full then went back to get Ryker. Ryker had stripped himself of clothes again. "OK, here we go," he announced, carrying and setting the youth into the tub. "That should help ease you."

"Wait," Ryker called, as Iason turned to leave. When he turned back to him, the youth continued. "Please...please help."

"I...I can't..."

"Please..."

Iason hesitated, but knelt down beside the bathtub. "Sit on the edge," he beckoned softly.

Ryker obediently did so, accepting help from Iason to sit on the ledge with his help. The Blondie gently grasped onto his erection, and then stroked it a few timee making him gasp loudly. He looked down for a moment, then next thing he knew hot lips were caressing his shaft. "Oh fuck!"

Iason sucked on Ryker, trying to see if he enjoyed any of the same techniques as Riki did. And not surprisingly — he did.

Soon he felt fingers weave into his hair, and he looked up into the dark feverish eyes. And he sent Ryker off to his climax.

He swallowed all that came out of the youth, then licked his lips and rose up to his feet. "Let's get you into the bath now," Iason insisted, helping the flushed Ryker into the tub.

Ryker nodded, dumbfounded and obediently following the order. He went into the tub and sunk under the water, he turned his head as Iason turned to leave. "Iason?"

"Yes?"

The youth blushed. "T...thank you."