The Dark Angels: Tied Together (22 page)

“Favorites?” Josh asked.

“Yeah, any favorite stories or writers from our fan sites.”

Josh laughed giving him the party line. “I don’t read those stories.”

Dusty smirked. “Yeah, right. I like that writer DarkJustine28.

She’s an awesome story teller.”

“Oh, I am sure she’s a favorite of yours. In every story she writes you’re the most attractive of the group.”

“Thought you didn’t read fan fiction.” Dusty grinned at having tripped up Josh.

“Must be the pain meds.” Josh frowned. Granted, since he just took them he doubted they affected him at all, but it was the only excuse he could come up with.

“Yeah, whatever you say, dude. Just admit it. Confession is good for the soul.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Fine. I admit it. It’s been the only consistent outlet I have!” He tilted his head and looked at Dusty.

“How do you know DarkJustine28 is a girl?

“She may have emailed our fan site, once or twice.” Dusty stopped meeting Josh’s eyes. “I saw her picture. She’s beautiful.”

“Do you have a stalker?” Josh asked, half serious.

“No. Gawd, no! She is a true Red Sox fan though, and we are far and few between! We stick together.” He laughed in an uncharacteristic oddly uncomfortable way.

Robin walked through the door. Josh breathed a sigh of relief.

Dusty smiled. “Well, that would be my cue to leave.”

Dusty walked past Robin but not before he stopped for a hug. Josh couldn’t hear what was whispered. It was a quick conversation ending with Dusty saying, “Stop letting bullshit control you, and do what you want.”

Robin gave him another big hug. Dusty waved at Josh and left. Robin lingered at the door for a moment.

Robin realized he had left Josh in the house alone for hours.

Filled with guilt, he rushed over and began apologizing. “Oh, Josh. I am so sorry for leaving you here when you need my help.

I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Josh certainly didn’t mind when Robin’s arms came around him, hugging him close. He felt himself melting into the heat and love but he needed to set things straight.

“So sorry, Josh.” Robin placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Josh choked. Robin was rejecting him. “It’s okay.” So that was it. He’d done his thinking and come to the conclusion it was over.

Robin’s eyes went wide and he giggled. “No, I mean sorry for leaving you. That was thoughtless. And sorry for needing time. I mean I didn’t really need to decide.” He sighed. “I knew…I just needed time to adjust to getting my head on straight. I needed to figure out how I could have what I wanted.”

“You mean…”

Robin nodded his head. “I mean I want you. I love you. I want this to work. I want to be with you. I always have.”

“Be with me.” Josh repeated the words. “As in…” his voice trailed off not believing it could be real.

“As in
be
together; you are mine and I am yours.”

“Oh!” Josh exclaimed happily and pushed Robin down on the sofa to kiss him deeply. “I think there are some things we need to discuss.”

It was Robin’s turn to look worried. “What?”

Hard to be dominating when one didn’t have hands but Josh gave it his best shot. “I want this collar to mean you are mine— and I want us to get married.”

Robin’s eyes went big but he stayed silent just looking up at Josh.

“I know you aren’t looking to be a slave boy twenty-four seven, but you need some boundaries. You need someone to watch out for the tigers and to give you what you need.” Josh’s voice automatically seemed to drop lower. “Give you what you crave.”

Robin’s response could be seen and heard in his rapid breathing. Below his waist, his tight pants showed the outline of his very hard cock that also answered loud and clear. But he stayed silent.

“I want to marry you because I will be the one to fulfill these needs you have. I want it legal. I will fill the voids you have inside with love.” Josh stopped to watch Robin for a moment. “And discipline.” Robin’s eyes shut as he shivered. Josh smiled, liking his response. “I want you to know you never have to worry about me leaving you. You will be completely mine.”

“You want to be my Dom?” Robin asked quietly.

“When you need it, yeah. Master, Dom, Dominant, Alpha, whatever you want to call it. As your submissive needs come out, I will be answering them. Problems?”

“Ah, no I guess not.” A smile of happiness brightened Robin’s face.

Josh nodded his head pleased with the progress he had made.

“We will pick out a safe word.”

“Death.”

“What?”

“Death, that’s my safe word.” Robin blushed just a little.

Josh was surprised. “You have a safe word?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, yeah.”

Josh shrugged and thought for a moment. “I guess that’s a great word that wouldn’t be said normally, and a real downer.”

Robin giggled. “Exactly the point.”

Josh kissed those lips tenderly but was careful not to get carried away. “So when did you pick out your safe word?”

Burying his head into Josh’s shoulder he whispered, “When I was thirteen.”

Josh didn’t know what to say to that. So he got back to the bigger question. “Now that we have a safe word. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” Robin cried out before kissing Josh. “Yes.” Kisses rained down on Josh’s face. “Yes.” Josh loved the answer.

Chaste kisses went to hot sex in a matter of moments. But it was the best way to celebrate their new understanding.

At the hotel where the band was staying for their last Saturday night show before the holiday break, Josh and Robin invited the band and Megan to a celebration of what Robin was referring to as ‘their declaration.’ They would share their news with Uncle Leo when they visited on their upcoming vacation, but they were sure he would be pleased.

Josh put together the ceremony. He wanted to make sure Robin would know that he was tied to him, and that those ties were so strong there was no getting loose. He collared Robin in front of their friends, who were more like family to them. They used the original leather pieces they had given to each other years ago and had them retooled to include the Celtic designs for love.

During the ceremony, he and Robin unveiled their engagement tattoos. The scrolling tattoos encircling the fourth finger of their left hands ensured they were permanently marked as taken.

It was a short but sweet demonstration of their commitment to each other. Afterwards, room service catered food for the celebration. Everyone got a little bit drunk and had a wonderful time just talking into the early morning.

Josh noticed when Robin was nervous or distressed, his fingers went to his newly designed leather. When his fingers felt the Celtic designs, a tiny smile would touch his lips and he became calm. The little strap of leather allowed him to believe in the knowledge that he belonged to Josh and Josh wasn’t going anywhere. Looking down at his finger tattoo served the same purpose.

A few weeks after their holiday break before their concert schedule started up, Josh walked into the living area of their practice space. Darius was sitting close to Robin so he could see the computer screen. They were so engrossed in Darius’s laptop that neither of them looked up when he sat in the red chair in the bay window.

After clearing his throat twice to no avail, Josh simply asked, “What are you guys reading?”

Both Darius and Robin jumped. Robin gave a little bit of a girlie shout of surprise; which made Josh smile.

Robin’s eyes went big as he tried to fib. “Nothing.”

Angel slipped up behind them. “Hmmm, I guess fan fiction by DarkJustine28 is nothing.” He was quiet for a moment then he looked up at Josh and said one word, “Fuck.” It carried so many meanings.

“What?” Josh was up and crowding next to Angel to read over his Robin’s shoulder.

Darius had grabbed Robin’s hand to stop from clicking the window closed. He still clutched it as everyone read the super hot story about the twins.

The basic plot had them falling together in a passionate heap. They could no longer stand the tension and after a long hard practice, DarkJustine28 had them give into temptation.

DarkJustine28 was a damned good writer and even better at guessing at what happened between them.

Dusty sauntered up. “What are you bums reading?” When he saw, he chuckled. “Yeah, that’s a good one.”

Angel looked up at him. “You mean you already read it?”

Chuckling again, Dusty said, “Hell, yeah.” He shook his head.

“I happen to care about what’s out there on the band. I read that hours ago.” He patted Josh on the back. “Happy ending, and not the massage parlor kind.”

Everyone groaned at Dusty’s spoiler without warning.

“Whatever. As if the two of you wouldn’t have a happy ending!”

Robin looked up at Dusty with his big green-blue eyes and asked, “You think?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely. I think those freaking ring tattoos force you to get married and be happy.” Josh looked down at his fourth finger on his left hand and agreed with Dusty. A beautiful scrolling ring design that matched Robin’s was prominent.

Darius bumped into Robin’s side as a show of agreement and support. Dare whispered loudly, “Yeah, I agree with Dusty for once. Between the collaring and ring tattoos I would say you are well on your way to being tied down. Now if you would just set a wedding date.”

Robin looked up past Angel who was grinning at him to Josh.

His eyes were shining and Robin looked really happy and content.

His fingers moved up to trace his collar. Robin shouldered Dare back but didn’t say anything as he smiled at Josh.

Josh wasn’t pushing the marriage thing…yet. It had just become legal in New York and everyone was running to do it. He was fine waiting. Robin was marked as his, twice over, so he had time. If Robin wanted a long engagement, that was fine with him.

Relief flooded Josh. He hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath because usually fan fiction would have sent Robin into a downward spiral about their relationship. But he didn’t seem to be all that bothered by it. Maybe the circlet of leather was working its magic, giving Robin the security he needed to deal with it. Hell, he actually seemed to be enjoying the fan fiction!

Robin staged whispered to Josh, “It is pretty hot. I don’t want to ruin it for you but several toys I have never heard of are involved.”

Dusty and Angel started laughing when Josh said, “As soon as you guys are done with the computer, let me know. I need to do some shopping.”

By the end of the following week, they were someplace in the mid-west. Angel shouted out the name during the show, but damn if Josh could remember it. Megan breezed into the open dressing area they were given. “Hello, pretties.” She laughed at Dusty’s frown. “Water, everyone?”

Everyone just lifted the bottles in their hands to show they were hydrating.

“You going to tell us if the rumors are true?” Dusty asked the same question he had every single time he seen Megan in the last few weeks. He was hoping to wear her down so she would admit she was in negotiations for an overseas tour.

Megan grinned. “That you’re gay? I think you are closer to the source to know if that’s true or not.”

“Oh, snap!” Dare chortled happily. Angel grinned up at him then buried his face in Darius’s neck.

Dusty sputtered a bit. Josh cracked up when Angel emerged to shout out, “I knew it! Told you so.” Then quickly reburied his face in Dare’s neck.

Pushing Josh to the side, Dusty said, “Argh! You are a one trick pony, Luv.”

“Um, nope. Angel’s got lots of tricks,” Dare chimed in. Robin blushed and giggled as he shoulder bumped Darius but he turned to catch Josh’s eye to share the joke.

Megan sighed dramatically. “You are wearing me out with this question, you know that right?” Throwing her hands up. “Okay.

You are a smart guy, or at least you pretend to be. What do you think? Your first tour was wildly successful through the US.

You’ve sold a shit load of music overseas. Radio and TV shows all around the globe are promising to blow me if I agree to get your asses over there. Hmmmm, would I try to go after more of the foreign market with a world tour?” She grinned at all of them before turning to Dusty who had his mouth hanging open. “I love getting head, Dusty, so what do you think?”

A couple weeks later, Robin and Josh had almost escaped into the unmarked Town Car. Josh hired one to get them back to the hotel with as little fuss as possible. But Megan stepped in their path blocking freedom. “Hey, you guys. Got a second?”

she asked, but saying no really wasn’t an option. No matter how bad they wanted to get back to the hotel room and try out those new toys.

“Sure, Megan. What’s going on?” Clearly something was up otherwise she would be off celebrating their concert with one of her many boy toys.

“Your father.” Looking at Robin she amended, “and your stepfather, is giving an interview.”

“What?” Josh was surprised. He couldn’t imagine what that asshole would say but he knew it couldn’t be good! Robin just pressed in closer to him as he traced the patterns on his collar.

Megan put her hand on both their shoulders to try to calm them down. Okay, probably more to calm Josh down. “That new show
Rock News Now
is doing an exclusive with him.”

“I don’t believe this. What is the fucker going to say?”

“I don’t know honey.” Megan’s hair of curls tossed about indicating she was rather upset with this development.

Robin inhaled but he kept quiet. Robin kept touching his collar, as if he were a child looking to his teddy bear for safety.

“It’s going to be okay, Robby. Regardless of what that fucker says.” As Josh spoke those words he could only hope they were true.

Robin didn’t respond to Josh but turned towards Megan to ask, “Can he hurt us, Megan?”

She shrugged. “I wish I could answer that. I just don’t know what will come out of his mouth.”

Josh could feel Robin wanted to run. But instead of putting distance between them, he turned to Josh and asked, “Can
we
go now?”