FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Master of Hearts

Promises and Duties

Mystic winds washed in like warm waves as Connor's stride broke through the threshold of the hospital and past the air lock. The sun baked his clothes and though much of the solar burden was lessened by the ward around Red Rock tower, it was still easily ninety degrees with a stifled humidity thanks to the living greenery and the steaming morning garden water; but for all the heat the warmth was a blessing that banished the hospital's cold embrace. The differential helped Connor stretch as he took a breath to relax, finally free of the handsy healers; glancing down at Banavi his short mate and smiled, as he stuffed his hands into his pockets his fingers wrapping around cold plastic and stiff artic metal. The familiar chain link silenced him before he could speak, his heart cried and begged for him to tell the truth, it left him ragged and his muscles tense as his heart paced, and his mind was drawn to the precipice. The cutting omission sitting on the tip of his tongue, until Banavi glanced up at him, his verdant gaze ruining every hope of revealing the truth.

“Something wrong Connor?" Banavi so simply asked, his words prying, gentle and assuring, arrows to Connor's heart.

Connor's mind reeled as it tried to recover and form any coherent statement, but all that escaped his lips was evasion, “I'm sorry if I insulted you Banavi… when I was mating with Lilen; I liked it… I loved it… but I don't love him."

“I know," Banavi nodded, tethering his fingers together behind his back, his knuckles dipping into the fluff of his bushy brown tail, “It's ok, you don't have to apologize. I gave you permission, if you liked or loved having sex with Lilen doesn't matter. What would upset me is if you never came back home and kissed me." His words escaping a soft smile that was only recounting familiar pain, and old memories. The broken smile cracked Connor's heart and barely thinking he reached out and picked up his mate by the armpits.

Banavi flinched, his body locking into place as he watched vigilantly, as if waiting for an attack until he was sitting on Connor's shoulders, “I promise I won't sir… just… promise me you won't leave me either."

“You're my heaven in eternity Connor, were tied together by brands." Banavi promised as he exposed the underside of his wrist as if to prove that their bond still existed. The white runes were emphasized with thumb strokes, Banavi's arms hugging his head lightly as he leaned forward, before pulling back and leaning on Connor's head with his forearms, his hands cupped Connor's eyes. “Do you trust me?"

“Of Course, Banavi." Connor answered pausing his walk because of the soft mask.

“Then let me be your eyes, I'll lead you home, you just have to obey my every command to the letter." Banavi purred, as he rolled his body into a helmet around Connor's head, his knees pulling up Connor's head, while his thighs locked the head in place. “Don't I already do that?"

Banavi chuckled and his hands tapped Connor's eyes, “You obey me because you want to, but this is more than merely bending over my knees, this is giving up your fear and trusting me to lead you down the right path. Let me be your senses, just relax, breathe and take ten steps forward."

Connor gripped Banavi's knees, tense and reluctant to step forward until he took a breath and took his first unbalanced step, his feet wobbling from the blindness as he tested the ground with each step. “Connor, walk, I'll protect you, I promise you'll never fall." Banavi lectured with nasal finger taps, creating soft hollow thuds that Connor could feel in his head.

“Sorry… just a little scared."

“I know, and that's why were doing this. I never want you to feel scared when your around me, or that you can't trust me. I will always protect you… Five steps forward, the third is a drop off, walk with confidence, walk like the slave I trained you to be." Banavi directed, his exhaled words quiet and assuring, whispers meant only for the two of them; and though Connor hands vibrated with fear, he pulled them off Banavi's thighs and wrapped them behind his back and breathed, exhaled in and out with deep breaths and straightened his posture, and counted his first step.

His foot wobbled as it landed on the ground but he took a deep breath and counted a second step… Then came the ledge of the sidewalk, a cliffs edge in his mind and he teased his foot forward to test the lip, “Connor, it's there, trust me, step forward and just fall." Banavi pressed, scolding the lack of faith.

“Yes… Sorry," Conor exhaled as he gathered his mindset and stepped forward, he felt himself fall and his mind flared in fear, his hands reached out in defense, but they were chained to his side with magic, his leg was clamped in a cast of wind, his foot fall guided with subtle movements, and then all movement stopped, Connor's foot found purchase and rooted in place. Connor's heart was racing, throbbing in panic, almost crying from shock but he smiled and laughed at himself for the unnecessary fear, Banavi would really protect him.

“Ok, two more steps." Banavi directed and Connor obeyed with a bit more of a resolute confidence, and counted out the steps, and he could feel Banavi hug him. “Wonderful, just obey and I'll guide us home."

“Of course sir, thank you." Connor whispered with a soft breath as he stood tall and waited for his next directions, thankful that he got the chance to experience the awkward trust fall.

“Seven steps forward the last is a step-up," Banavi praised silently with a hug.

“Sir-“ Connor was silenced by a soft sound.

“Shhhh, silence, focus and relax, we can talk when we get home." Banavi smothered as he pet Connor's forehead with his thumbs. Connor relented with a sigh and a smile, and just straightened himself up again and obeyed Banavi's directions, allowing Connor to walk blindly across parking lots, through the mall and back into Sanctuary Hills. Mincridarins approved with muffled praise, humans thought it was more of a walking show and took small videos, laughed, mumbling excitement and confusion as he passed. Connor had walked for so long, blindly obeying his master that the very phrase “Blind obedience" had a completely new meaning, and when the hands came free, light washing into Connor's eyes it almost felt wrong to see. He had gotten used to the darkness, the focus and with all that gone his mind just felt empty, it staggered under the amount of information it had to process on it's own once again. The sensation was so strange that Connor had to admit his feelings with a laugh, “It feels so weird to see again sir, that was actually kind of fun."

Banavi just rolled off of Connor's shoulders and landed firmly on the ground behind Connor, “Well that's something we can always try again, maybe we could do some morning jogs like that."

“Ehhh…" Connor shook his head, “Are you sure… Walking is one thing but jogging feels like it would be too hard."

“I know, but I'm your owner, my job is to train you and I will. So that is something we can always build up too." Banavi corrected as he nodded Connor through the front door, which opened with the current of air that wafted off the gesture.

“Thank you sir," Connor added as he stepped inside and removed his shoes, “But now that were home Banavi… What were you talking about back in the office? You said you had something else in mind?" Connor asked, speaking over his shoulder as Banavi shut the door, physically before walking to the living room.

“I've been working on something ever since we started your training… or rather its been a project of mine since I've come to America. I'll show you, just go sit down on the couch and I'll get it." Banavi vaguely answered as he walked off towards the garage, Connor barely uttering a “yes sir," before he was out of sight.

All kinds of ideas were dragged across Connor's mind, but he shook off the overwhelming thoughts and went to the kitchen instead to make some tea, dropping in tea bags and filling the cups with water, a mere hand gesture boiled and mixed everything together in the ceramic glasses that he brought out to the living room on a small tray with milk, honey and cookies.

Banavi had yet to return so Connor stretched again, his body still trying to adjust to the weight and feeling of armor. Peaking beneath the shirt Connor looked down at the black plates, smiling at the scales that made him look the slightest bit draconic. Rubbing the seam of the armor's collar Connor rolled his neck and watched as the familiar perky ears of his owner bobbed into view, most of his body hiding behind the couch until he came around with a tall black box in his hands. Something akin to an oriental Japanese jewelry box, but the size of Banavi's chest, and without the excess details, just notches for handles and visible slits for drawers; all of which were tied closed with thick red ribbons, a bow bouncing on top until it finally rested on the coffee table in front of Connor.

“What's this sir?" Connor asked leaning forward on the couch.

“Please, for right now Connor, just Banavi; I'm not playing right now this is kind of important." Banavi corrected, raising a hand to stop everything.

“Ok…" Connor exhaled, feeling the building tension Banavi expressed with his stiff formal correction, “What is it…Sir… I mean Banavi?" The quick correction made Banavi smile but he came closer and pushed the box towards Connor, “It's a present regardless, so open it."

“Present? Banavi I told you, you've given me so much already. This is too much-"

Banavi shook his head, before grabbing Connor's jawlines, “Connor, I get it, I know you want to work of your debt, you can do that; and I promise other than sex this will be the last gift I give you in awhile. I promise." He smirked and stroked Connor's ear lobes before pulling away and picking up a cup of tea, pouring in some honey as he patiently watched Connor pull back the red ribbon and untangle the bow allowing everything to fall away.

Flipping over the top lid Connor watched as blue velvet glistened, in the center, sitting in a small recess was a softball sized ball of warped and twisted metal designed to look like ocean currents. A shimmering blue silver line crystal glowed with bubbling white magical particles, it was extravagant and picking up the orb Connor could tell it was enchanted because it was near weightless. “What is this?"

“It's called an Aranium… it's—um well," Banavi became flustered looking away in embarrassment before looking up at Connor, “It's kind of like a wedding ring." Banavi explained the best he could before putting down his cup and kneeling, “Connor, as a formal request, will you please be my eternal mate?" Banavi bowed his head, his ears falling back as his nerves broke his will and ability to retain his formal presence.

Connor glanced at the orb, systems in his head crashing, creating an awkward silence that lasted for several moments as his mind recovered, and eventually the realization dawning on him, he struggled to breathe because he forgot how to, and had to make a conscious effort to do so as he smiled. “Yes… Banavi, of course I'll marry you." Connor clutched the orb against his chest as Banavi raised his head and came back to his feet, Connor dragging him closer and into a kiss. “Thank you Banavi… I love it." Connor kissed, whispering his words between the rabbit's lips.

Banavi pushed back Connor's head after a moment, “Connor, it's something you wear." He added, adjusting the orb, he pressed the gemstone against Connor's neck and metal floated away like the tentacles of an octopus and wrapped around Connor's neck. Thin metal bands creating a chocker of silver metal that bent with his gulping breaths. Connor rubbed at the blue crystal and watched and felt a peculiar sensation as something wrapped around his fingers, pulling his hand away Connor looked at his finger tips to see them veil in blue light, veiled in magic.

“It's an enchanted Collar, every Aranium is designed to best fit the personality of the mate that wears it, yours stores the magic you don't use, essentially giving you a small battery of magic you can draw from. But most of all this collar will tell everyone that you are mine, and that our joining is going to happen." Banavi explained as the magic from Connor's fingertips was drawn back into the Aranium.

“Thank you, sir... Banavi… I love it." Connor whispered as he rubbed the slender metal that wrapped his neck, “I wish I had something I could give you… a ring or something."

Banavi stroked Connor's thigh, “I know, but don't rush yourself, I know in time you'll pay me back for everything; and I'm more than happy to wait for that day. But for now, there are a couple more things in the box I want you to look at." Banavi thanked before nodding Connor's attention towards the drawers.

Wondering what Banavi might have added, Connor leaned forward and opened the top drawer to expose to silver shackles, a little thick with the inside lined with runes and a strip of glistening silver. Pulling one out to find it near weightless as well Connor watched as a seam formed down the side and opened for him like a wide metal cuff. Just about to put it on, Connor was stopped by Banavi, “Don't put it on quite yet not until I explain what it means." Both alarmed and confused Connor paused and pulled his wrist away from the metal and looked at Banavi for answers. “Ok, so what is this?"

“These are something I developed… for slaves specifically." Banavi started as he took the cuff, “When you put this on it's supposed to never come off, not unless I, or a member of the Tribunal removes it… Dagia essentially, but regardless, once you put it on this thing will bind with your body, anchor itself to the bones in your wrist and never let go. Even if you cut off your hand it'd never come off. It won't slide around, you can twist it, but it's permanent… Or at least mostly permanent... I know I don't have the right to ask you to wear something like this after what I did, but this time. I'm making it your choice, I'll wait, and you can put these on at any time." Banavi exhaled nervously, trying to smile but he just couldn't, he was to ashamed to even look Connor in the eye for more than a moment.

“But you can take them off right?" Connor asked, and Banavi nodded.

“Of course, any time, but I don't want to. When you put these on I'd only want you to take them off for emergencies, meaning you'd wear them to work, you'd wear them at home, when you sleep, train. This isn't something I want you to just put on and think it's ok to just take off whenever you want. You said you wanted to be my slave, well that's kind of what these symbolize… Even more than the brand, this is something everyone will see and something you won't be able to deny, even amongst other humans. So I want you to be sure that this is what you want, I'll be happy if you never want to wear them so don't feel pressured to do it." Banavi breathed tiredly as he clipped the bracelet closed.

The permanence ate at Connor's mind because this was exactly what he didn't want, but… he stroked the wrapped metal around his neck, he was getting married too, to Banavi, his owner. Nothing could be more permanent than that. Plus, Banavi really wasn't forcing these bands on him, he was doing his best to make that distinctly clear, even though it was clearly something he deeply wanted; if not, why create the bands in the first place? “I get it," Connor started, nodding his agreement as he reached out to rub the dropping ears of his mate, who glanced up at him seeming almost scared of him, or at least his reaction. “Thank you for making these for me Banavi, I really do appreciate it."

“So here's the deal, if I have to wear these. I want you to wear one too, one that only I can take off. If you're going to put something permanent on me, I want to return the favor, ok?" Connor proposed, and Banavi perked up the nervousness quickly fading, “Of course, what do you want me to do."

“If I buy the materials will you make a wedding ring…?" Connor asked, and Banavi smiled, smirking as he nodded, chuckling, “Yes, tell me what to do and I'll make it exactly to your specifications."

“Alright, perfect… I'll draw up some designs and I'll try and pay for it as soon as I can, ok?"

“I understand." Banavi agreed all to happily as he tucked the binding away in the box and closed the drawer, before coming up to Connor, wrapping his arms around the human and dragging him closer. “It's going to be about five hundred for the materials and my working fee."

“five hundred it is, I should be able to get that kind of money by the end of the month."

“Good, I don't work on credit, so just pay me when you can." Banavi finished before pulling away, “But if you're not going to wear the bands I'm going to need to wrap your limbs in training bandages."

“Kinky." Connor chuckled, “Mummify me then." Connor joked as Banavi rolled his eyes.

“One day, I promise, but you have to get to Dagia's to do your chores. I'll expect you back before lunch, washed and ready to eat." Banavi ordered dragging Connor off the couch with a flick of his finger. “Bathroom." He directed with a stiff command.

“yes sir," Connor answered sensing the return to the provocative norm.

No passionate sex was shared, not even a kiss as Banavi worked on tightly weaving the bandages around Connor's limbs, and through his toes and fingers; thirty minutes of diligent silence before Connor was sent off with a smack on his ass. Connor would have loved to return the sentiment, but only expressed himself when he left, “I'll return as commanded sir, if you need me you can text me." Banavi nodded and said nothing else before going back to the living room to finish his tea.