“I do, Sir.”
“We do this here and now. This is not some grand public gesture, Landon. If you agree to this, it’s ourlife. Not on the weekends, not until you get mad at me, this isus.”
“It’s us,” Landon confirmed.
Gregory held the collar open between his spread legs, and with a quiet whimper, Landon lowered his head reverently until his neck met the cold and shiny metal. Gregory brought the two ends together and turned the lock, a tiny click marking the start of the rest of their lives.
Gregory set the key on the arm of the couch, and Landon didn’t move his head from its bowed position. Gregory ran his fingers through the back of Landon’s hair and around his neck, tracing the places where the collar met his skin. Landon leaned into his touch, chasing his fingers as they danced around his neck.
“I love you,” he told Landon, and it was as sure as the sun was shining. “I promise to do right by you.”
“I promise to deserve it,” Landon said, daring to lay his head atop Gregory’s thigh.
Gregory allowed it and ran his thumb gently over Landon’s swollen cheek.
“May I go draw you a bath now?” Landon asked, after what felt like an eternity of peace between them.
“Alright,” Gregory conceded. “Let’s go have a bath.”
* * *
Hours later,the sun halfway to the horizon, Landon reluctantly rolled away from Gregory and stretched his arms toward the ceiling. Gregory reached out and ghosted his fingertips across the wiry hairs of Landon’s thigh.
“Time for work,” Landon lamented, bending down and dragging his lips across Gregory’s cheek.
“I know it’s only been two weeks, but it feels like an eternity since I haven’t had to go to Rapture.”
“Oh, you’re coming with me,” Landon told him with a wagging finger.
“Excuse me?”
Landon was halfway to the door and he looked over his shoulder and batted his eyelashes innocently. “Oh, please, Sir, would you accompany me to work this evening?”
Gregory’s lip twitched. “Well, when you asksonicely.”
They dressed in near synchronicity with each other, moving around Gregory’s room with a comfortable familiarity. A casual touch in passing, or a deviant smile from Landon had Gregory’s libido amped up and ready to go before they’d even gotten to Rapture.
Once they’d arrived, Gregory was helping Landon count the bottles behind the bar when a sour-faced Callum stomped into the club.
“What’s wrong?” Landon asked him, poking his head up from behind the bar.
Callum’s face brightened temporarily then quickly darkened. “Nothing. Glad you’re home.”
“Was Gregory so awful?” Landon teased. Gregory assumed Landon was trying to pull a smile out of his typically jovial bartender.
“He was fine.” Callum threw his bag into the under bar cabinet with much more force than was necessary.
“Callum,” Gregory finally said, lowering his voice, his tone slow and serious.
Callum cocked his weight onto one side, hands braced on his waist, and he exhaled dramatically, eyes staring toward the ceiling. He blinked rapidly a few times, then shook his head and offered Gregory a conciliatory smile.
“I’m fine, I swear.” He wiped a finger underneath his nose and sniffled. “It was just a guy.”
“Anyone we need to put on the blacklist?” Landon offered helpfully.
Callum shook his head with a snort. “He doesn’t live here.”
“Well, if you want to talk about it, let me know.” Landon set the clipboard down on the bar. “Did you need to take a night off or something?”
