La Maison 5: Darkness (Complete: mxm BDSM)

Chapter 4.2

Gabriel hadn't thought they be somewhere like this. The place had a maître d' who was dressed better than him, though fortunately he'd at least put a shirt on instead of the graphic tee he'd been wearing when he got Sawyer's message.

Sawyer seemed at home, ordering for both of them with assured confidence while Gabriel just tried to look as small as possible.

"How are you feeling?" Sawyer asked after water had been poured and the waiter had let them know their food would be with them shortly.

"I'm okay."

"Still sore?"

"There's a lot of bruises." Gabriel flushed at the memory.

"Oh? Well maybe you don't hate that so much."

"Please don't," Gabriel whispered, tearing bread into tiny chunks onto his side plate.

Sawyer's hand came to rest on his, stilling him.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, you know?"

"Easy for you to say. You don't...you don't feel that way."

"Who says I don't?"

"Do you?" Gabriel lifted his head, jaw dropping.

"Well, no. I'm more on the other side of it."

Gabriel was still staring, trying to work out what that meant, when their food arrived. He picked at his alfredo, not really hungry, though he managed to nibble a few bites when he saw Sawyer looking with a frown.

"You don't eat enough."

It wasn't a question, but Gabriel nodded. "I don't usually have much of an appetite." He was going to apologize, but Sawyer suddenly got a shark-like expression, leaning in.

"I bet that makes your pale skin bruise very easily."

Gabriel shoveled another mouthful in, just so he wouldn't have to respond. It didn't seem to bother Sawyer though.

"It's a shame your- Henry doesn't feel that way."

Gabriel felt defensive at once. "How do you know he doesn't?"

"Does he?"

Gabriel shrugged, miserable all over again.

"It doesn't matter," Sawyer soothed. "Not everyone is a fit. And there's nothing wrong with how you feel."

"I didn't know." Gabriel wasn't sure why he felt like he needed to clarify to this man, who he didn't even know, but he did. "Before it happened."

"But there was something. I bet you've been aware for a long time that something's been missing." Sawyer leaned back, smirking, and Gabriel sort of hated how the man apparently knew him better than he knew himself.

He sighed, coming to a decision that he didn't trust, but felt necessary.

"Henry has always been very careful with me. He treats me like I'm precious, and I've known for a while I wanted more. I wanted rougher." He whispered the last three words, shamed, but Sawyer just nodded sagely.

"And now – it's even more, I can tell. What happened- new doors have been opened in your mind. The need will get more; it might not be yet, but it will."

Gabriel wasn't going to admit that it already felt as if it was out of control, like he felt like he might burst if he didn't get something. He suspected Sawyer already could tell, anyway.

He was surprised by a change in subject, thinking Sawyer was the kind of person who would take pleasure in prodding and poking each of Gabriel's weak spots. But he took a sip of water instead, putting his hand back on Gabriel's. "So, why were you free today?"