Promising Submission

Now beta'd

Chapter 13

Days past and Harry was becoming increasingly frustrated with the punishment he ordered. At the time, he assumed he could still use his kitten, he would just withhold climax from Nathanial. However, not far into the first week, he found out how traumatizing it was for his kitten. He’d found his kitten in the bathroom on Wednesday morning, scrubbing at his flesh with a wire brush so hard, he bled from multiple wounds.

He rushed in and took Nathanial's hands in his own. "Nathanial! What's going on?" His voice was louder and harsher then he usually used with his fragile kitten, but he didn't notice for the terrible things flashing in his mind. Had he forced his kitten to this? How had he missed this?

Nathanial broke down in his arms, sobbing, and he held him, trying to focus only on the fact that the wounds were superficial and he could easily heal them.

"I can't stop. I can't control myself. I'm such a fuck up."

"Nathanial, you need to tell me why you did this." He forced a measure of control into his voice, hoping to reassure him. What could be bad enough to cause this reaction from his pet?

"I can't even obey your orders for two weeks. I'm worthless and I don't deserve to have you." Nathanial mumbled into his chest and Harry just waited. He knew eventually the leopard would explain he just had to have patience. He pushed up his occlumency shields, leaving only calm and collected Harry.

After a few moments of random rambling Harry finally caught something he knew he had to respond to. "I already came once when you told me not to, and you were so kind. I can't be your pet anymore."

"Nathanial, you will be my pet as long as that contract is in one piece. You said you already came once, does that mean you came again?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

Harry assumed, since he found him in the bathroom, that he'd jacked off in the shower.

"I'm disappointed Kitten. You should have come to me if you needed it that bad."

Nathanial's sobs returned in force and Harry sighed. He didn't try and move him, or heal him until he had the full story. He rocked slowly and rubbed his back softly, trying to reassure him. He checked the wounds and found that they weren't as serious as he'd first assumed. Merely scratches, they'd already stopped bleeding.

When Nathanial's crying calmed down, Harry noticed that he hadn't gotten the story yet and asked for it again. Nathanial's answer was barely whispered "I knew that I was hurting, but that's the point of a punishment so I didn't mention it. But when I woke up this morning, I'd cum in my sleep. I am weak, and don't have any control."

Harry chuckled, feeling some of the horror and self-doubt leave him. "This was all because of a wet dream?"

"A what?" Nathanial looked up clearly confused and Harry paused. "A wet dream, you know, when you have exciting dreams and your body reacts? Didn't you have any when you were growing up?"

"No? I don't think I've ever had a dream like that."

Harry frowned, was he serious? He looked serious. Nathanial was 21, how could he have lived through adolescence and not had any wet dreams. "Where were you and what were you doing from ages 12 to 16?"

"Oh well for most of that I was turning tricks on the street, and high all the time. Gabriel and Reina found me when I was 15, I think, and started paying me to use in their movies and stuff."

Ah, well that explained it. "Well you probably had so much sex in your life, and I'd imagine you came at least occasionally, plus the drugs probably messed with your natural body processes. It’s safe to assume that you could have had wet dreams and never noticed them."

"Oh." He didn't look upset or, thankfully, worried that Harry would be disgusted with him for what he'd revealed about his past. He looked contemplative. "So, it’s okay?"

Harry chuckled again. "Yes kitten; this is why you need to come to me with these things. I know more then you about some things." He huffed looking at the scratches on his body, "What were you trying to do? Scratch off you skin?" Nathanial's cheeks flushed and Harry shook his head. "This probably won’t scar because of your healing, but I'm going to heal it anyway. I don't like looking at it." His kitten looked despondent again and he wondered at the cause. Sometimes his kitten came to conclusions using leaps of logic Harry couldn't follow.

"What's rattling around in that pretty head of yours pet?"

He gave a small relieved sigh at the smile he got. Nathanial always reacted well to harmless flirting. Harry suspected it was because he didn't have any ingrained reactions to it. Every one who'd wanted something from him had been either, rude and mean, or used double meanings.

"I'm sorry you have to see it." Again Harry considered; he didn't halt his actions because he'd learned early on that his kitten reacted more strongly to actions then words. If he'd paused, the crazy cat would most likely think he was right. This way he'd have time to figure out what his kitten was thinking. His hand glowed faintly as he mumbled weak healing spells under his breath.

"I don't like looking at them because I don't like seeing marks I didn't cause. If they're not mine, then I can not be sure how damaging they are or the reasons they are on you. When I mark you, it is a measure of your strength and my reliance on you." He looked up from his healing and focused on lavender eyes. "I need you as much as you need me. I need you to trust me and obey me and be strong for me, so I can be clear headed enough to keep you safe, healthy and whole." He wasn't good at the whole sharing feelings thing, so usually he let his actions and orders portray his feelings, but he knew that, at this moment when Nathanial was so needy, he should at least try. He wanted to reassure both of them, that even though Harry loved seeing the leopard writhe in pain and pleasure, that didn't mean it was all about the pain or the marks. Even though Nathanial nodded and smiled, Harry wasn't sure if his point had gotten across.

He pushed it aside. That's what this retraining period was for, to insure that Nathanial knew how important he was.

He stood up and held a hand out to help his kitten to his feet. It was time to address the reason he'd searched out the leopard in the first place. It was time to talk about Asher. Harry was nervous about the situation with the vampire. Their relationship was longer, more flexible, and Harry tried hard to suppress his jealousy. It was next to impossible. That day when he'd realized how deep Asher's feelings for Nathanial were, in the hall outside Jean-Claude's office talking with that crazy hyena bitch, Harry assumed that if it came down to a choice, he'd loose to the blond god. So instead he invited him into their relationship.

He saw how much Nathanial enjoyed Asher's attention when they were together, and decided that he'd have to talk to his pet and find out how much of Asher's feelings were reciprocated. If it came out, that Nathanial would prefer Asher, Harry promised himself he'd step aside with out too much of a fight.

They walked side by side to Harry's office and sat together on the love seat where they'd first discussed their contract. "Nathanial," He paused and swallowed. How was he supposed to bring this up? He didn't notice how badly Nathanial started shaking at his serious tone. Finally he decided that being blunt had worked for him in the past. "I want you to know how much our time together has meant to me." Nathanial's shakes started to move the whole love seat, but Harry didn't notice. "I also want to remind you that we never put any stipulations for other partners in our contract. Having said that, I'd like to know what you think of Asher." He turned to his kitten and frowned at the tears slipping down his face.

"What's this?" He reached up with one finger to catch a tear and put it up to his mouth to taste it. Even distressed, his pet was beautiful. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that Asher would be a wonderful partner for you."

Harry made a face, "I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for you."

"Oh," This time Harry noticed the shakes, and hands, white from clenching so hard, and he furrowed his brow in confusion, but didn't say anything. He gathered it had something to do with holding in his excitement. "I don't know. He's a good friend. I always thought he was kind of lonely. He has always been kind to me, and has looked out for me." Harry leaned back and sighed; just as he thought, his kitten wanted the vampire to take care of him.

"And the other night?" He asked just to be sure.

"He was very attentive. But then he's been doing it for longer then either of us have been alive."

A bubble of jealousy fueled rage welled up in his chest and he had to clear his throat to force down a growl. So his pet thought he wasn't experienced and wanted someone with more. Fuck, he couldn't compete with a 300-400 year old vampire on experience. Eyes closed he didn't see Nathanial gazing at him lovingly, as though this would be the last he saw of him and wanted to drink his fill.

Harry took deep breaths to calm himself before he spoke, eyes still closed. "I will not stand in your way if he is what you want. Just know that I have spoken to him about becoming part of our contract if you can stand that."

Shock, wariness, and then confusion flashed across Nathanial's face, and if Harry saw it, he didn't understand it. He waited with baited breath for Nathanial's response, slowly loosing hope that the leopard would want him to stay with them, when he had Asher.

"Master, I think...no, I don't understand. I think we are having another misunderstanding."

Harry opened his eyes and tilted his head a little to glance Nathanial's way. "What do you think we're misunderstanding?"

"I thought you were telling me that you wanted Asher instead, but then...you said you wouldn't stand in my way...like you think I want Asher? I just don't understand. Did he say something to you? Did I do something that displeased you? Tell me what I did and I'll do better. Was it the elves? I'll leave them alone. I thought you wanted me to be like that?" His voice crescendoed and became increasingly rushed as he grabbed hold of Harry's shirt and tried to climb into his lap.

"No, no kitten. I should not have to tell you this many times in one day, I will not get rid of you. The only way I will stop fighting for you is if you rip apart that contract in front of me." He used his head to gesture to the desk where the contract was safely stored. "I got information that Asher has deep feelings for you. I know that you've known him longer than me, and wanted you to know I would step aside if you wanted."

He was stopped by Nathanial’s forceful replies in the negative. "He's been kind to me, but he never really took care of me. Not like you are. Not like you want to. Also," here his voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm a little afraid of him, Anita told me what he did with Belle Morte and I don't know if I'd survive him. He knows so many terrifying things." Harry nodded softly and clutched his kitten to him, secure in the knowledge that he was needed.

A sliver of empathy slashed through the bubble of rage stored in his chest and he felt it dissipate. If Asher knew Nathanial was afraid of him, it would tear him up. "Were you afraid the other night?"

"No master," the rest of the jealousy faded at the term, "You were there. I knew you wouldn't let anything happen you didn't want." Peace enveloped him. Here was the first spoken proof that his kitten was beginning to trust him. "You know it wouldn't matter if I was there or not right?" Nathanial smiled in bemusement, "No, really, I've got a few tracers on you since you ran away." He winced at the reminder; he was still being punished after all. "I know when you’re feeling serious emotions, when you’re in danger, and where you are at any given time. It's how I knew you were upset with Jason. I didn't come immediately because I knew you weren't in danger." Harry noticed Nathanial felt faint as though he felt his privacy was being invaded so Harry said, "You are mine kitten. I will do whatever I think is necessary to keep you safe and protected. Your privacy isn't as important to me as keeping you safe."

Nathanial nodded, but as he bowed his head Harry saw the question in his eyes. "Never be afraid to ask me questions kitten, I will not hide things from you, or lie to you."

He smiled when Nathanial looked up, determination shining in his eyes. "Can you do the same for me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well could you let me know what you’re feeling and when you’re in danger?"

Harry shook his head, "I do not want you putting yourself in danger trying to come after me, when I don't need help."

"I won't, I'm no good in a fight, but I could call Damian or Jean-Claude or Micah."

Harry hummed and thought, while Nathanial waited patiently. Harry hoped he was waiting because he knew Harry would at least consider his wishes. "It is only fair but it will be different. There are times I will need to leave, and I may not want you to know where I am in case you are captured." He tried to create scenarios as if he was still in war. There was a whole magic population out for his blood, and being associated with vampires wasn't a peaceful existence. "I could do a ritual which would create a link similar to what you had with Anita. We could feel each other's emotions and proximity to danger or harm. As the dominant, I would know where you were at all times and probably who you are with. You, as the sub, would have a better read on what I need at any given time, whether that be a drink, or how exactly to pleasure me." Nathanial looked exited and hopeful. "There are some other things, it would be permanent. I couldn't remove it like I could with Anita's link. If we filed it at the ministry it would be considered a marriage bond, though we won’t be filing it. It also can be cast over many people, but can only be cast once."

Nathanial bit his lip, "So if, after we did the ritual, we wanted another, they couldn't be in the bond?" "Right."

"Like...Asher?" Harry chuckled, so his kitten does have feelings for the vampire. It was both reassuring and depressing at once. He'd grown fond of the blond Adonis. He was witty and passionate and possessed many layers, although, parts of Harry still wanted the leopard to be solely his. "Yes kitten, like Asher. You should tell me how you feel about him now. So there's no misunderstandings."

"I knew he had a crush on me, and I wanted to approach him, but Anita wouldn't let me. I thought about becoming his pomme-de-sang, but...it didn't work out."

"Hmm" Harry wondered about that part to. All those he'd been intimate with had his affection, but he knew that if he was to get into a lasting relationship with someone, he needed stability and dependability. Asher would need to feed, and he was a sensual being. He could let the vampire feed from his kitten, but the relationship wouldn't be as deep as a pomme-de-sang would be. He couldn't let go of Nathanial enough to allow that. These thoughts caused his latent possessiveness to rise. He pulled Nathanial more securely into his lap, so his hips were spread wide to straddle Harry's waist, and fisted a hand in his braid, forcing Nathanial's head back and making him gasp. Nathanial grabbed a hold of Harry's shirt tightly and the power the position gave him made Harry's body hum.

"You are mine pet."

"Yes, yours master, always."


He latched on to his pet's skin where the neck met the shoulder and bit hard enough to bruise, causing Nathanial to cry out 'master'. Drunk off the feelings his pet's automatic submission created, he thrust his other hand down the back of Nathanial's shorts. Without a moment's hesitation he forced two fingers into his pet dry, reinforcing his claim. Nathanial rocked back on his fingers, abandoning all pretenses and withholding nothing. Harry loved his pet like this; needing the pleasure and pain, wanting the domination and control. He didn't want to go slow or wait for gentleness. He craved the loss of self, the breaking of all society's molds and restrictions put on him by himself and his friends and his past. He became moldable, shapeless and ready to be recreated into the perfect receptacle for Harry's pleasure.

Unwilling to wait to undress his pet, Harry simply grunted out his desire, and Nathanial was naked. He reached under Nathanial to unzip his jeans and pull out his hot and heavy cock. Lubing himself up with the wave of a hand, he growled out, "Get ready pet," just before he forced Nathanial down on top of him. Tears slipped out at the rough entry, but Harry knew he could handle it. He knew that thoughts of how his master couldn't wait for proper preparation to be inside him would increase the leopard’s desire.

He was a wild thing, arching and crying out on top of him. Harry didn't have time to order him before the leopard was riding his dick. It earned him a slap on his own bobbing cock for impatience. Harry groaned as the muscles tightened painfully in reaction to the slap. Harry knew his kitten was already over sensitized by the days without completion, so he didn't touch him. He just helped him lift himself up and thrust just as Nathanial slammed down. He watched his beautiful pet and felt fierce pride that the man had chosen to stay with him. Now there was no power on this earth that could separate them. Harry wouldn't allow it.

Rage and anger crashed threw him at the thought that anyone might try and take his kitten from him. He stood, threw the love seat aside with a burst of raw power, turned and fucked Nathanial into the wall, biting at his neck. The leopards shout and cries, his arms scrambling to find purchase in the wall, passed over his head and he lost himself in reclaiming his pet. He heard his pet scream out his completion right before he felt the warm splash of his cum between them. The pulsing tightness around him caused his own orgasm and he shouted his pet's name.

He stood there holding up his kitten until their heart rate slowed and then he slowly set the other man down and reset his office. They collapsed on the returned love seat.

"Pet." Nathanial looked up at him tiredly, and he smirked at him. "You came." Nathanial's wide excited eyes forced a laugh from him. "Oh yes, that deserves some kind of punishment. But later, I'm tired now."

While he dozed, he could feel Nathanial brushing his hair from his face and watching him. He felt at peace.