Minor
Qualin wasn't used to our minds being linked. He didn't know how to keep his thoughts to himself. It was kinda cute. I liked hearing everything that popped into his head.
But as we made our way over to his acquaintance, I kind of regretted it. Knowing he'd slept with others was one thing, suddenly being confronted with one was another. This wasn't one of the people who'd hurt him... which was good, but that meant I couldn't kill him. This was someone he saw as a sort of friend. What was I supposed to do with that?
I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of someone shouting at Qualin. It only took a breath to realize what had happened. Qualin was clearly distressed, probably because he'd realized I had heard his thoughts. He must have tried to rush to me and another man walked into him, but was putting the blame entirely on Qualin.
I snapped before I could think. The words barely left my mouth before the man's hand struck my face. It didn't hurt. I hoped he'd hit me again. I had been feeling uncomfortable and frustrated for a while and could use a distraction.
But before anything else happened, Qualin was in front of me. I felt his protectiveness and anger at the man for hitting me, but he was doing his best to keep calm and handle things smoothly. I was simultaneously impressed with his cool headedness, and enraged at how he was acting. I hated seeing him cower and placate some arrogant ass, even if it was an act.
Even worse, was the sense of defeat in his mind. Like this was normal or acceptable. And I could see the sadistic satisfaction on the other man's face. Seeing him make a fist and raise it, just for the sheer joy of hitting my partner, was intolerable. The last straw. No other thought could form. All sense of reason just... shattered. I'm not sure what I was going to do. There wasn't a plan; everything just went red.
Qualin's arms wrapped around me. He was holding me back and trying to calm me, while also shielding me. 'Just let him hit me, he's weak and not worth whatever you're about to do!'
In the moment I was distracted, Galaxy caught the man's arm before it could connect with the back of Qualin's head.
"That's enough." My brother spoke calmly.
The man roughly yanked his arm away, looking indignant. He was lucky to still have that arm.
"Are these beasts yours?"
"They are my responsibility."
"If you can't keep them in line, then keep them on a leash. Especially that one." He gestured to me. "This one clearly hasn't learned any manners yet. If you aren't man enough to teach him, I'm happy to lend a hand." He smirked and gripped a rod hanging at his side.
Qualin flinched and his mind fought to keep memories suppressed. I wondered how many people this man had hurt and I wanted to hurt him.
Galaxy responded with a cool authority that reminded me of Dad. "If you touch one of mine again, there will be consequences." I could see the power radiate from my brother. It poured out almost like smoke instead of the usually thin threads I was getting used to seeing in this form, and surrounded and pressed down on the man. He clearly couldn't see it or understand, but the arrogant look on his face was replaced with doubt and fear.
***
Qualin
I was grateful for Galaxy's intervention. And was reminded of how powerful he was; his power was suffocating. Thankfully, as far as I knew, only those from my home world could see energy. Anyone else would likely think of this merely as him having an intimidating presence, but an attack.
He certainly has the confidence to back it up. After a thinly veiled threat that left the man that hit Minor speechless, Galaxy turned and walked away without another word or glance in that direction. We followed without further incident.
After a few moments, I remembered our objective and looked around; Hor'rom was gone.
'Shit. But I bet he just ducked into that alley.'
'Go find him.'
I gave a curt nod to Galaxy and headed that way.
The alley was just a narrow space between shops with empty crates and a dumpster. As I snaked my way through, I realized Minor wasn't with me. I hesitated for a moment, but then heard his soft voice, 'It's alright, just go. I won't be far.'
I pushed aside the mix of emotions and focused on the task. Thankfully, as I predicted, Hor'rom hadn't gone far and was crouched just behind some empty crates on the far side of the dumpster.
"Well, that was something." He chuckled in his usual deep, jovial way. "I was sure you were in for a good beating."
"Your concern is touching." I crouched a few feet away from him, making a quick check that no one was around to overhear us.
"I think that's my line. I've never seen you jump in front of someone else like that, I was really moved." He placed a hand over his heart but never lost the teasing tone in his voice. "So who is the new cutie? Never seen him around before."
"He's new and... special to me. But not what I want to talk about."
"Oh come on! Spill! There aren't too many of us around. I'm just curious."
Hor'rom was good natured, generally speaking, but I didn't care for the glint in his eyes. His thick, black ears were twitching with interest. "And, I couldn't help but notice you're running with a new master too. What happened to Murkoross?"
Well, he wasn't dense. He also held no loyalty to masters. No sense trying to lie, but I'd only share what was necessary. "Probably rotting in a LaMihinnian cell." I shrugged. "Him and his crew got busted, and I'm running with a new group now."
"Ha! Well, good for you. And this new group comes with a tasty piece of ass." His laugh was playful, but I growled slightly despite myself. Which just made him laugh harder, to the point that he had to cover his mouth to stifle the sound.
I took a breath to compose myself. "Let's just talk business. This group has deep pockets, and they're looking for a meeting with Abujar. So can you point me in the right direction? I can make it worth your while."
"Sure, no problem. And you can just pay the usual price." He reached out to grab my tail, but I swatted his hand away.
"Come on, I'm talking about a real pay out. gold, gems. I know you've got your own side hustles and could make use of real valuables."
He just shrugged. "Business is good and I'm not greedy, that's why I'm able to stay under the radar." That was true, it was one of the reasons I had always liked working with him. "Besides, I've always enjoyed our arrangement." He grabbed for the base of my tail again.
I jumped back a foot and flicked my tail to stay out of his reach. "No. I'm not doing that anymore."
His expression was almost hurt, but mostly confused, then amusement colored his eyes and grin. "Oh come on, you were real quick to lift tail for me last time so I'd help you into the ship dock. And I've always made sure you cum too. Plus, it's not like you've never taken a turn at me as payment for info and contraband. It's always been a good game of reciprocity."
This time, he caught my hip with his left hand so I couldn't pull away as easily, and managed to catch the end of my tail. I knew he wouldn't force anything, but he could be persistent in his own playful way. Before, it had seemed like a price I could always afford.
I grabbed both of his wrists and pushed him back.
He started to pull me forward onto his lap with a laugh, "I don't mind if you want to straddle me."
"No!" I pushed away from him.
"How about--" his words and advance was abruptly interrupted.
"He said no!" Minor was sufdenly next to me and snarling.
"Whoa! Well you just came out of nowhere." Hor'rom shook his head and dismissed the sudden appearance. "And calm down. We're just negotiating." He chuckled and gestured to me, obviously expecting me to back up his defense.
"I told you, I'm not doing that anymore. If you want to negotiate a different payment method, fine, otherwise we'll go elsewhere."
"Huh. You're serious..." His ears dropped and he pouted slightly. "Well, that's not as much fun."
Minor was still snarling. I took his hand and pulled him next to me as I took a step back.
Hor'rom laughed and gave a charming smile, wiggling his eyebrows and swishing his tail. "Any chance you'd be into a three-way?"
The look of shock on Minor's face was hilarious. At least his surprise broke the tension.
"Like we'd want your ugly ass." I scoffed. Truth was, he was actually a handsome guy, well built, muscular, and a bit taller than me. Just not exactly my type. Of course, now no one except Minor was my type.
***
Minor
Qualin's 'friend' was strange and I hated that he wanted Qualin. I really hated that he'd gotten to touch him, even top him, and experience sounds and expressions I hadn't even gotten to enjoy yet. Eventually, I would make certain every part of Qualin was mine, and that he'd experience pleasure like he never even imagined before. Exactly how, I'd have to figure out.
I made sure to keep all those thoughts suppressed and blocked from anyone hearing.
After Hor'rom's very untactful suggestion of a three-way, which I did not even know how to process, Qualin quickly shot him down. I could feel his eyes on me and his loving thoughts about only wanting me. That did wonders towards calming the anger and jealousy I'd been feeling: the past didn't matter. Qualin was mine. As long as he wasn't in danger, it didn't matter if someone else wanted him; they couldn't have him.
"Man, you got it bad. And I thought I'd seen you whipped before."
I was about to snap at him, but Qualin's laugh cut me off. "Haha! No master's got shit on this one! He can wreck me anytime." His mischievous gaze caught my eyes and he leaned down and kissed my lips tenderly, but the image in his mind wasn't quite so tender.
A small whine escaped before I could stop it. The thought of actually biting his neck from behind while grinding against him made my face feel like it was on fire.
'That would be a first for me; I've never let anyone bite my nape.'
Had he heard my thoughts? I definitely had those blocked. And I hadn't actually let myself picture anything dirty.
His voice hummed in my head. 'Well, now I know you've thought about it. I just wanted you too know there are things that only you will get to do with me.'
As if totally unfazed, he turned back to Hor'rom. "So, do you want to get paid or not?"
"Well...I mean, I'm kinda disappointed now."
"Ugh." I sighed, refocusing my thoughts. "Look, this is ridiculous. Just give us the info we want and we'll take you anywhere you want to to go. No more slavery, how about that?"
"W...what....?"