Dominion (BDSM AU) • C.A.L.M. ✔️

Chapter 25

Me: *emerges from the depths of Hell*

Me: *posts this chapter*

Me: *slinks back into Hell*

>>>

When Ashton entered the house, it was already dark and the place was silent.

He winced at the lack of noise. Normally, he would have been greeted by one of his submissives but, considering the circumstances, he was not at all surprised to be met with nothing. With a sigh, Ashton made his way to the kitchen to fix himself a cup of tea. He'd rather be downing a bottle of whiskey but being inebriated while simultaneously slipping into emotional wreckage did not seem like a great idea.

So, tea it was.

He slowly stirred his drink, breathing in slowly and keeping the effort of trying to calm himself down. His heart ached and he was physically tired, as well. He could not fathom Calum's reaction to Luke's pregnancy. Calum adored children. He was always friendly to them and they naturally loved him, despite his intimidating demeanor as a dominant. They both wanted a big family with multiple children running all over the place.

At least, that is what Ashton had always thought.

"Daddy?"

Ashton snapped his eyes up to meet the soft, green one of his smaller submissive.

Michael inched towards him slowly and the dominant opened his arms in response. The submissive sighed happily and crawled up into his lap, nuzzling his face into the taller man's collar and settling his legs on either side of Ashton's thighs.

Neither of them spoke for a little while as Ashton began to softly stroke Michael's back in comfort. He was quite certain that the little submissive was just as emotionally scarred from Calum's sudden departure. When Ashton's hand fell to gingerly grip the younger boy's waist, he noticed Michael flinched and cursed internally.

"You boys didn't receive the proper aftercare," he stated, mouth set in a deep frown. "I'm sorry, kitten. I should've attended to you two, first. Especially, Luke. Christ, he's probably aching now."

Before Ashton could move Michael off of his lap, however, the dirty blonde shook his head into his neck and tightened his hold on the bigger man.

"Lukey is okay," he said softly, voice just a tad bit muffled by it's position against Ashton's skin. "I made sure he bathed and I rubbed lotion onto any marks he had received from his punishment. He's asleep now."

The taller man sighed in relief, leaning down to kiss Michael on top of his head.

"Thank you, kitten."

Michael nodded before pulling back and peering up at him.

Green met hazel and it took several seconds to process that Michael was staring directly at him. It was something he had never encountered with the younger boy being as shy as he was but Ashton felt no malice or defiance in his gaze. Instead, his eyes were soft with worry. A moment's breath is what it took to realize that the smaller boy was concerned for him.

"Daddy? Are you okay?" Michael asked, lifting his hands up to palm at Ashton's neck and jaw.

The older man took a moment to respond because he was unaware of the answer to that question.

Was he okay? He could almost laugh. He most certainly was not okay. He was a wreck. Calum was not just his partner or his best friend, they were soul mates. Like two halves of a whole. They loved each other in a way most people could not even begin to understand and now he was gone.