La Maison 2: Differences (Complete: BDSM mxm)

February 17

François

I don't know what it is about Saturdays lately, but I feel as though Ellis purposefully tries to push every button. Maybe it's over-excitement, because it's been the only day I let him go to the club for a while. He's still seeing the therapist, and it's helping, I think. He still has nightmares, but they seem to be less frequent, though I've had a few business trips this last month and he did admit that the worst ones happen when I'm away. It might be more proof that he needs my dominance in his day-to-day life, except I have noticed his best nights' sleeps seem to happen when we've had an intense session in the playroom. I want to give him that today, and at the club, but he's been pushing me all morning.

He didn't used to get so eager, like a puppy. Uncontrollable and silly. And then sulky when it doesn't go his way.

"Pet, go to the music room and practice your piano until lunchtime."

"Master, I practiced all week. Can't I have the day off?" He sounds whiny and bratty, and I take a deep breath. I need to stay calm. I received something nasty in the post yesterday but Ellis doesn't know, so I can't take my heightened stress out on him. It was the drained corpse of a cat. Fortunately, Connor opens any parcels that come through, so Leeanna and Allie didn't see it either. There was no note, but it was an obvious threat, and now Dex is worried Andrei Volkushkin is going to up the ante. Sending the body of an animal, although thank goodness it wasn't a pet that was taken, but rather a stray, according to Dex's man, is a clear death threat.

I finally agreed for Dex to put another team on the house, so we have four men now, including Connor. But I'm tempted to send Ellis away, until this issue is resolved, one way or another. The only thing that's stopped me is the idea that I feel like I can keep Ellis safer if I keep him close, but I'm no longer sure I can protect the little brat, with the way he keeps fighting me. But I'm dreading his reaction, and now it's terrible timing, with his end of year exams approaching.

"Pet. Your agreement is to practice every day. The only reason not to is illness. Are you sick?"

"Maybe?" Ellis pouts. God he's sexy. But so fucking frustrating right now.

"That's a shame. I was looking forward to taking you to the club tonight. But obviously I can't if you're sick."

"No, I think I'll be fine. I'm sorry Master, I'll go practice now."

"Did you lie to me, Pet?"

"No, Master. I'm sorry, I just got it wrong. Please don't punish me." I hate the whimper in his voice. I have been trying not to punish him so hard lately. But the normal ones just don't seem to be getting through. But then I'm not sure the harsher ones are either, only making him truly dread punishment instead. He used to almost revel in them, because he enjoyed showing me he could learn from his mistakes, but with all the mess ups lately he's taken to begging against them, which isn't the point and not something I can let happen. And, of course, there's Gray's judgmental words ringing through my head every time I do it. Since he made his feelings clear, I have stopped using sexual punishments, but strangely, it seems to be making things worse instead of better. Ellis is jumpier, and flinches when I come close.

Maybe a sexual one would be better. I try to get my head in the right mindset, like I used to before things started going wrong, when punishments had a clear purpose and were just a reminder.

"Come here, Pet."

"Why? You're just going to make me stand in the corner or something. What's the point? I said I'd practice, didn't I?" He doesn't even look shocked at the words that flow out of his mouth, like I'd expect. And here's another one. Backchat. I can't let these things go. He might as well not be my sub if I'm going to let things like that go. I take a breath and try to stay calm.

"Forgiveness, Pet." I have a moment of fear that he's simply going to ignore my instruction, but after a pause, he drops gracefully to his knees before spreading his arms along the floor in front of him, and my breath that time is one of relief. "You will be punished for lying and talking back to me, Pet. Go to the playroom and strip. Wait for me there in forgiveness." He gets up then, biting harshly at his lower lip. I know he's worried I'm going to whip him again, but I can't do that after Gray's words. Plus, it didn't give me any pleasurable feelings of control like it should, so I'll keep this simpler.

He's waiting beautifully when I get to the playroom and I fasten him to the spanking bench, leaving him perfectly exposed.

"I'm going to spank you twenty times, Pet, and then you will receive the paddle thirty times. I will not tolerate lying and I will not tolerate backchat." I match my actions to my words, leaving his ass bright red and with a sharp imprint of 'Master's' across it from the paddle. It's already bruising and will be sore for days, but he kept his whimpers quiet and thanked me for correcting him at the end. Just like the punishment the other day, it's a perfect response but something feels wrong about it and it leaves me cold. I rub cream to try and minimize the purpling marks and send him to get ready for the club.

When we get there, he gets ready in my room. His shorts cover his bruised ass and I can see he's struggling a little to walk.

"Would you rather stay at home tonight, Pet?"

"No, Master," he insists, "I'd like to spend the time with you." I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not sure how much he means it, as his eyes are lifeless as he says it.

I can tell Gray is pissed because Ellis is limping, but he manages to hold it in and just tells me again he wants to speak to us about it. He's said that before, but he really seems to mean it now. I know I'll take him up on it – he's very good at what he does – but there's something that feels very alien about someone coming along to tell me what a bad Dom I'm being. I know I have to suck it up though, if I ever want to think of myself as a good Dom again. 

A/N: a short one, because it looks like Gray has finally got through Frankie's thick skull