“You’re…not…”
“I talk a lot around you, yeah. And Allister and the ‘rents. But at school, if I don’t talk, then they won’t have to endure the crazy.”
I guess he had to make up for the lack of talking. And he didn’t have to worry about me talking to him about things he didn’t like.
Then, my mind returned to something he said a few minutes ago. “I’m like a brother?” I’ve never been that to anyone. Ever.
“Uh yeah. Is that okay? Unless you have a crush on me?”
“Uh…no. Brother is fine. I’ve never had one.”
“Cool. No crushing on me. Good to know.” That time, he was joking. He moved to reach for one of the many snacks. Sir always made sure food was readily available for me at any time.
Some things still bothered my throat, but I was getting better at eating. I think I was even gainingsome weight, but that was hard to tell. I didn’t feel as tired, at least.
“So, ask me something. Anything.”
Oh, that was a bad idea. I wasn’t good at asking things. My mind went blank like it did a handful of times when Sir would tell me to do the same thing.
“You ask. Then you answer it too.” That was what Sir started with me. It was easier to let us both get to know one another. If a question would come to mind, then I’d ask it.
“Alright,” Asher shifted again. This time, he laid down, placing his head in my lap and staring up at me. He didn’t care that his face was now almost a table for the tablet I was using as a distraction more than anything. “Did you ever go to school? You know that I go.”
“Through middle school, I think.” I gave a half-shrug. “My parents owed money to a drug dealer. I never made it through ninth grade.” A dealer took me, who then sold me for over double what my parents owned, and the rest was history. “No, maybe it was tenth? I don’t know. Things kinda blur together now.”
“So, about four years for you, you’ve been…whatever?” I nodded. I was glad he skipped the word that was at the front of his mind. “It’ll get easier. You suffered more than me. Given someone really fucking wanted you and went to the end of the earth to get you back. But yeah…It gets easier. Eventually.”
If he said so.
Well, it was getting easier. I wasn’t always on alert for the next slap or demand to take a cock. I didn’t fear Sir, not that I was scared of him as much as many others over the years. I was still a slave, but I was starting to think for myself, so that had to count for something.
“I…I don’t know how to…be what you are?”
“What do you mean?” Asher lost his joking, teenage attitude. This kid here was wise beyond his years and only deferred to the teenage side when he felt safe, apparently. But now, he could give me answers I didn’t have.
“I don’t know how to be…human? I’m a slave. Sir’s slave. But, I think he wants me to be…free?” Did that make sense?
“Of course, he does, Dakota,” Asher said. His tone was soft as he spoke. “You aren’t a slave. Allister wants you to be happy. I want you to be happy. Be who you want to be. Try things out. Make stupid choices. Explore the world.” Did he not know me? I wouldn’t make stupid choices. And exploring the world would be one of those stupid things. “Human slavery one-oh-one here. The men in the past can’t get us here. No matter how many nightmares we may wake up from covered in sweat and tears at night, they can’t reach us where we are any longer.
“We are safe. We got out. We’ll have our bad days. Everyone does. But we have someone who will lift us back up when we fall. So yeah, that man saved you, and in turn, I want both of us to get our feet under us and find what we want to do. If you feel your purpose is to be still whatever it was you called yourself, then so be it. If it brings you peace and joy, then do it.”
But what did I want? Other than anything that involved Sir. I really could be happy with just him andserving him. But at the same time, I wanted more. I just couldn’t put my finger on what it was.
“It’s also okay to be uncertain. You’ve been through a lot. You’re healing. It’s okay to take it one day at a time. While doing so, test out new hobbies and find ones that you like, like painting, cooking, puzzles, and sewing. Heck, maybe you want to work in a daycare with crying toddlers all day. Whatever your jam is.”
“I do like to cook.” When Sir lets me go back to that.
“Then explore it more. Who knows, maybe you’ll make cool things to sell at craft shows or the farmers' market. It doesn’t have to be food. It could be just about anything at those things. Just..if you get into taking pictures, for the love of all, that is good. Please don’t sell naked pictures of that man in there. I don’t need to see that. Ever.”
I cracked a small smile, letting the slightest laugh fill me at Asher’s look he made at that.
Yeah. I wasn’t sharing my Sir that way. Ever. He was mine to look at.
Chapter 39
Dakota
“Do I want to know what you are thinking so hard about?” Sir asked, handing me a bowl of ice cream before taking a seat beside me. There was yet another movie playing, which wasn’t holding my attention at all.
