SCHADENFREUDE// LASHTON AU

Chapter 19: Visiting Hours

"I wonder, if I hit you with my ring on, would I be punching you or biting you?" Luke asked, casually running his fingers along his pet's newest scar; a thick, jagged X right over his heart. The wound was barely healed, and it stung Ashton's flesh when the man touched it, but he didn't dare complain. 

"I think punching," Ashton answered honestly. "I don't think you could bite with just one tooth."

Luke's fingers trailed toward the deep, carmine-speckled bite mark on the boy's collarbone, prodding at it with an odd twinkle in his eye. "You're cute when I bite you."

"I-I am?"

"Of course, sweetheart. When you cry, when you bleed, when you beg. It really turns me on."

Ashton blushed, feeling his master's cock hardening against the nape of his neck. "Heh, j-jeez, sir. Would– uh, would you like me to give you a–"

The little slave was cut off by someone knocking at the door, startling both him and his keeper. Luke tossed Ashton his clothes– which had been discarded an hour or two earlier– giving the boy permission to put them on. The man then rose from the living room couch, making his way to the door and looking through its peephole.

Ashton watched as his lord grumbled something to himself before opening the door, revealing an all-too familiar face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Luke asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he towered over the guest.

Upon seeing her face, Ashton ducked down, trying to hide himself behind the sofa. He'd hate to be caught in a lie.

"Ashton said he'd been staying here. You're his... fiancé, aren't you?" Kyra asked, skepticism in her voice. "I was wondering if I could speak with him."

Luke exhaled loudly through his nose. "He's at his aunt's."

"I can see him sitting right there," the woman shot back, pushing past the blond and barging into the manor, making her way to stand over the couch. "Ashton. What the hell's going on?"

The boy cowered, gulping anxiously. "Um, I-I..."

"I tried calling, like, a dozen times. You're avoiding me, aren't you?"

Fuck. It was a perfect out, but Ashton desperately didn't want to hurt his friend. Or, ex-friend? He wasn't really sure anymore, but he knew he'd have to lie. It wasn't to be cruel, he reminded himself. It was to protect his and Luke's relationship. "Yes."

A look of absolute sadness washed over Kyra's face. "Why? I never did anything, did I? Is it because of the eating disorder thing? Because I apologized for–"

"That's it," Ashton interrupted, trying to sit up straight. "I'm sorry, it's just, um, a touchy subject."

Kyra kissed her teeth. "Okay, uh, it's cool, I guess. I'm not mad if you aren't," she said, a frown crossing her face as she reached down to touch the metal collar on her friend's neck. "Why the fuck are you wearing a dog collar?"

It was Luke's turn to come up with an excuse. "Ever heard of BDSM?"

The brunette physically recoiled. "Oh. Heh, I never really saw you as the type, Irwin. But to each his own, I guess..." She trailed off for a moment, her eyes scanning the estate's interior. "This place looks like a medieval castle. Don't you work in a bakery? How can you afford this place?"

Again, the landlord answered, taking a casual seat on the couch and gesturing for Kyra to sit as well. "My Ashton quit that place months ago," Luke stated, throwing an arm around his pet's tense shoulders. "He doesn't have to pay for anything anymore. Do you, baby?"