Chapter Eight #2
As Terry entered the living room, his gut clenched at the sight of Marco on the sofa, his legs drawn up with his arms wrapped around them, his face hidden with his forehead pressed against his knees.
He didn’t seem to be crying, but it was clear how frightened he was from whatever was happening.
Or he thinks is happening. Terry’s two main goals at the moment were to comfort Marco the best he could and find Master Gerard, so he could take over.
“I’m back!” Terry kept his tone cheery as if nothing unusual was going on.
He dropped onto the couch, making sure he was close to Marco but not infringing on his personal space.
His phone almost flew out of his grip as Marco launched himself at him and crawled back into his lap.
Terry held his breath as Marco shifted around until he seemed to find a comfortable spot.
Marco remained curled up with his head resting against Terry’s shoulder, then let out a heavy sigh.
“Thank you, Terry. I’m so tired, but I’m afraid to fall asleep. I hope Master comes to get me soon.”
“Yeah, me too.” Terry woke up his phone and tapped the icon to Phil’s number.
“Do you want to get rid of me?”
Terry paused right as he was about to make the call. “What?” He drew his eyebrows together. “Why would I want to get rid of you?”
Marco peered up at him, tears filling his eyes. “It’s just… Well, I thought you liked me.”
Oh God. Terry set the phone on the cushion next to him and embraced Marco.
“No, that’s not what I meant. All I was trying to say is that I’m a sub too, that I need my Master here to help figure this out.
I wish I could make things better for you all on my own because I do like you a lot, but hey…
” Terry gave Marco a squeeze. “You know how that goes with us subs, right?”
Terry grinned at Marco, and Marco’s features lightened.
Phew. The lock in the door clicked then the wood panel stopped short as it was opened, banging against the brass latch that held it fast. Terry tensed instinctively, Marco flinging his arms around Terry’s neck as he crushed his face against his shoulder.
“Terry?” Phil peeked through the crack in the door then frowned. “What’s going on?”
Oh shit. He attempted to pry Marco off his neck, but the terrified sub clung to him with an iron grip.
“Long story.” He chuckled shakily. “Uh, how about I come let you in then you can take over.”
Phil made a choking sound. “Take over what?”
Yeah. This probably appears highly questionable. “Figuring out where Master Gerard is and alerting him that he should come here immediately.” Marco nodded against his skin.
Phil sighed. “He’s parking his car, so he’ll be here any minute. I’m sure he’ll be curious over what’s going on too.”
Marco went from clinging to struggling. “Master is here? Terry! Let go!”
Terry gladly gave Marco his wish, following him to the door so he could let his own Master in.
Once he’d undone the latch, Phil crossed the threshold as Marco darted past him.
Terry fell to his knees, his customary greeting when Phil arrived home, but instead of the usual calming touch of Phil’s palm on his head he received a different response.
“Why don’t we do a check-in before moving on to regular protocol?”
Terry swallowed past the lump in his throat. Mentally, he knew he’d done nothing wrong. But he’d also discovered that the routines he maintained with Phil were a vital part of the dynamic they shared, as well as being a comfort.
“Yes, Master.” He rose to his feet, keeping his movements as graceful as he could.
Along with keeping his eyes lowered, he could at the very least convey his submission in other ways.
“I had no idea Marco was going to be here, he showed up out of nowhere. When I answered the door he was freaking out, begging to come in, so I didn’t know what else to do. ”
Phil cupped his cheek. “Look at me, please.”
Terry lifted his gaze. He’d never been so relieved to see a fond expression from Phil. “You’re not mad, are you? Because seriously, I’m just as confused as you are right now.”
Phil chuckled, rasping his thumb over Terry’s late day stubble. “I can see that. Shall we find out what has Marco so upset?”
Terry let out a groan of relief. Awesome. Master back in control. “Yes please. As long as you’re the one in charge.”
Phil let out a snort. “As if that would ever be in question.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured you’d say that.”
Phil arched an eyebrow. “Are you disappointed that you might not get punished for all this?”
“Who me? I’ve been on my best behavior. I’m even making mom’s shepherd’s pie baked potatoes.”
Phil pulled him in for a hug. “In that case, I’ll give you a snark hall pass.”
Terry ran his palms up Phil’s back, the charcoal gray suit coat smooth beneath his hands. He inhaled Phil’s masculine scent, then let out a sigh. “Thank you, Master.”
All he wanted in that moment was for Marco to feel safe again and for him and Phil to enjoy the rest of their night alone.
****
Phil sipped some coffee from the doorway of the kitchen while observing Terry and Marco playing cards in the living room.
He hadn’t even known there was a deck in the house, but Terry had dug around in the desk until he’d found a set that he’d been given after finishing work on a film.
The cards all featured the actors from the cast and were probably a collector’s item.
As far as Phil was concerned, they were being put to a better use instead of languishing in a drawer.
He tried not to be anxious for Gerard to finish making some calls, so he could find out what the hell had Marco so terrified.
He’d offered Gerard some privacy by showing him to their guest room, but he’d been in there for almost thirty minutes and Phil was about ready to jump out of his skin.
He may have learned a lot of patience during the time Eric had trained him as a Master, but his natural curiosity and desire to be kept informed of everything in his sphere made the wait almost torture to endure.
At the sound of the guestroom door opening, Phil set down his coffee cup on the counter so hard, that some of the liquid sloshed out of the cup.
Gerard gave him a quick dip of his chin as he headed his way, stopping briefly as he passed Marco to bend down and give him a kiss.
He whispered something into his sub’s ear, then continued to the kitchen.
The pained expression that passed over Gerard’s features tugged at Phil’s gut. They’d become even closer friends now that they’d begun working together, and he hated to see him so visibly upset.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Phil kept his voice low.
Gerard indicated toward the dinette set on the other side of the kitchen, undoubtedly to keep their conversation from drifting to the living room. Once they’d both taken a seat, Gerard leaned in, folding his hands on the table.
“There’s something I want to tell you, so you can better understand Marco.
I typically don’t feel the need to explain him to people because I fiercely guard his privacy, as you may have noticed.
” Gerard gave him a tight smile. “But I believe we all share a special connection, which is why I think now is the appropriate time to open up. To be honest, Marco has been asking me to discuss some of his challenges with both you and Terry. He feels our connection too and doesn’t want either of you to make incorrect assumptions about him or his behavior. ”
“Whatever makes you or him more comfortable. I cherish the relationship we all share, and I think I can speak for Terry too when I say we both want what’s best for him.”
A smile spread across Gerard’s features.
“I sensed that. And I want you to know how much I appreciate it.” Gerard averted his gaze, then scrubbed his face with one hand before turning back to Phil.
“Marco is on the autism spectrum. In his case, he expresses his emotions very well, but only with a select few. Without complete trust, he remains locked inside himself.”
Phil drew his eyebrows together. “He’s always seemed quite sociable to me. He did an excellent job of showing me and Terry around on our first visit to your home.”