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Warning 1, for the faint of heart: This chapter contains spanking, nonconsent and discipline that (combined with the non-consent) could be considered abuse. If you don't like this, you are probably reading stories at the wrong site, or at least in the wrong category ;)
Warning 2, for the pervs: This chapter contains philosophical musings, quite a bit of dialogue and brings the story forward in a *mainly* non-erotic way. If you are reading this as stroke-fiction, you may want to skip it, or at least read only the bottom quarter.
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I'm sorry you've had to wait this long for an update. I had two chapters uploaded, both of which were rejected for the same reason; I had interspaced song-lyrics in the story, and although I credited the original authors the quotes were considered too extensive. Seeing that I used the entire song, I guess I must accept this judgement. ;)
I lost quite a bit of momentum (read: had a writer's block) while rewriting the pieces without the lyrics. This was harder than one might think; as every section was written to mirror the quote it was based on.
As it is, I've left only the key sentence from the chorus in place. If you really want the full experience of this chapter - read it while listening to Depeche Mode; "Master and Servant", written by Martin Gore.
We left chapter 3 on a cliffie, with LO stepping in through the door to Adrian's study and finding not one but two men there. In this chapter (almost entirely in Adrian's POV) sees the introduction of Kai, Adrian's little brother and partner in crime. A little bit of back-story for the brothers and a little bit of back-talk (with consequences) from Little One.
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I am sorry for the longass authors note, I'll try to avoid that in the future :)
Now, enjoy chapter 4!
/Loth
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Chapter 4 - The Beauty, The Brother, The Beast
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As he reached his study and poured himself a generous glass of quality bourbon, Adrian sighed contently to himself. His Little One fell asleep about 20 minutes ago. He waited until he was sure she was in deep, dreamless sleep before carefully unwrapping her limbs from his body and getting out of the bed. He sent her a fond, possessive smile before exiting the door; his Little One, she has so much potential, he's glad he found her.
It's been years, decades, since he last indulged completely in this side of his personality, one that, as far as he knows, he shares with all his siblings. Perhaps this also mirrors the differences between then and now, he mused. He would never have thought to refer to himself as a dominant lover as a young man. Not because he was not, but because it would not have occurred to him that there was any other way for a man to be.
He is fond of his Little One, he really is. She was surprisingly and delightfully responsive to his ministrations. He was not looking for a pet when he found her, having pets is more Kai's thing. And, of course, Charlotta's; although her pets are of a different gender.
Adrian rarely took one. Oh, it happened, but his pets were few and far between.
That said; his Little One came into his life at a point when he needed to regain control, on many levels. Allowing any mistakes, allowing a measure of control to slip from his fingers, was a rare occurrence. But, he believes there may have been a good excuse for losing his equilibrium this time. After all, his closest confidant turned out to be after his empire and was plotting to have him, along with his entire family, exterminated. It was not that he could not handle the crisis; still, losing a friend of more than 700 years was bound to sting.
So, excuse him if he's a little bit off his game right now.
There was a muted knock on the door, just a single rap, quiet enough to need his enhanced hearing to be noticed. Adrian did not question who this would be, immediately recognizing the familiar scent of his visitor that sneaked through the thick oak of his front doors. He felt no tension or fear, only relief tinged with a smidgen of happiness. He had missed his little brother and had asked Kai to come stay with him for a little while, or rather; as long as he wished to stay.
Though aware that Kai may be anything but in tune with the modern times, he was still Adrian's baby brother. Where others saw insanity or megalomania, Adrian saw a youth from his own youth, still true to the values imprinted in them by their elders; values that in Kai's case had not adjusted to how the world changed while millennia passed by.
Despite common beliefs, Kai is not crazy. Kai is not a psychopath. He is simply a violent, outgoing warrior; the younger brother in a leading clan who was expected to lead the men and show great courage, to uphold the family's honor. His duty had never been to be socially skilled, instead he was expected to die young and gloriously. Kai had been told from early childhood that he was better than his prey. That he and his family belonged to a special group, better, more worthy, the leaders, the predators. It should come as no surprise he still believes it.
Regardless of past wrongdoings, Kai is still his baby brother, as well as his responsibility and his charge. Adrian is slowly beginning to bring his sibling into this new age, utilising all the gentleness necessary not to frighten the wild horse that is his brother.
He opened the door and stared at his brother's face for a moment, reveling in seeing him still alive after all the drama that so recently transpired. Kai stared back at him, the same emotions mirrored in his eyes.
"Hello brother, welcome Home."
Adrian decides to step out on the limb and trust in his brother's love, saying the words and opening his arms in greeting. Kai stares at him suspiciously for a moment, trying to read his face, until finally deciding to take things at face value. His posture relaxes and he looks so very young, falling into Adrian's arms and returning the bear hug his oldest sibling bestows on him.
"Thank you, brother, it is good to be home. May I ask entry and welcome into your house and home?"
The age old warriors greeting slips from his tongue as if it was yesterday he spoke it last, when in fact the words had gone unspoken for nearly nine centuries. He chooses the formal wording, as if he was not known to the lord of the area. Adrian knows that the formality is born from respect and worry, and so he decides to calm his brother in the most complete and formal way possible.
"Of course brother. My house is your home, my hearth is your heat, my lands are yours to roam and hunt. Please, step inside and stake your claim." he concludes, with the closest, warmest most open invitation their society allowed, telling Kai without a doubt that he was welcome for as long as he wanted to stay, and that whatever Adrian considered his in this place, he considered his brother's as well.
Adrian was rewarded with the sight of his younger sibling relaxing, giving him another quick (and manly) embrace before walking into the house. The codes of the olden days had been followed and were now no longer necessary. All that needed to be said has been -- their family bond has been affirmed and for the first time in as long as he can remember, Kai allowed himself to feel "home". Adrian never betrayed him. If his eldest brother claims he is safe, he is safe. Kai has no doubt about this.
A few minutes later Kai is seated in the Winchester leather couch across from Adrian, one arm carelessly flung over the back of it, the other holding a tumbler of 55 year old whiskey.
"So, brother, what have you been up to since sorting out the contender-issue?"
