"I can heal the pain

That you’re feeling inside"

Kian woke up with a start. There was a dull pain in his back and the events of the previous day came flooding back to haunt him. The smell of food lingering in the air made him get out of bed, find a bathrobe, and make his way downstairs.

Shane looked up as he entered the kitchen.

"Morning…" Kian said as he yawned.

Shane smiled, "Morning."

Kian walked over to peep over Shane’s shoulder, "What you doing?"

"Bacon, eggs, toast and sausages…" Kian’s face lit up and Shane laughed slightly. "Yes Ki, I said sausages, now, go sit down on the sofa and I will be in in a minute."

Kian smiled slightly as he nodded and retreated to the living room.

The breakfast was nice; Kian had to admit that Shane was a good cook. And, he’d remembered that Kian loved sausages too… Kian tried of think of some one who had ever gone to so much trouble for him, but he couldn’t think of anyone.

Instead he rested his head against Shane, his gaze resting on the television but his hearing directed at Shane’s heartbeat. It made him feel nice and relaxed. Safe even.

The doorbell interrupted the moment. Shane eased himself out from under Kian, "Just stay here and rest."

Kian nodded drowsily, he was half-asleep and not really aware. A familiar voice brought him back to reality though, as he froze, his concentration fully directed at the voices in the hall.

---

"Where is he?"

"None of your business," Shane was clearly irritated as he bit back.

"He is mine. I never believed you to be one to steal other people’s slaves…. Uath."

Shane laughed slightly, sarcastically. "Oh, yeah, then show me the contract."

"What contract?"

"The contract that says he’s yours." There was a slight silence and Shane continued. "You know, the contract you signed when Kian became yours?"

"I don’t have a damned contract!" He sounded as he was ready to hit Shane, but something kept him at distance. Kian wondered what made him respectful towards Shane.

"Well, then he’s obviously not yours. At least you can’t prove it." Shane was still calm and collected, knowing he had an advance over the man in front of him.

"I told you once and I’m not telling you again, give him back, he’s mine!"

"Hell he is, until you hand me the contract signed by you and him where he agrees that you’re his superior, he stays with me. You know damned well that if you can’t prove that he’s yours I have a right to keep him. Now, if you’d please leave my house and stay away until you find that contract…"

"You fucking thief! I’m not leaving without-"

"Stop accusing me and get out." The door slammed without another word and Shane made his way back to Kian.

---

Kian looked at Shane. "What contract?" he said slowly.

Shane looked at him. "You were eavesdropping, bad habit Ki," the slight curl at the edges of his lips showed he was just teasing. Kian directed a demanding gaze at him. Shane sighed.

"When a slave gives himself to a master, or however you’d like to put that, both parties will sign a contract that spells out all the rules the slave must obey, the rights he has, how long he has to stay with the Master and any other conditions that’s attached to it."

"I never signed a contract like that?"

"I know Ki, that bunch are too unprofessional to have stuff like that in the picture. Luckily, because you can just leave, he has no right to keep you."

"Oh," Kian said, feeling rather relieved at the way things developed.

"So, I can stay here with you for a while?"

"If you want to."

"They can’t get me here?"

Shane ruffled Kian’s hair. "Nope, you’re totally safe with me."

Kian rested against Shane’s chest. "Good…" he mumbled sleepily.

Chapter 9 >>