Page 58 of Collin: Episodes 7-9
Collin grinned. “Please check my closet. If I’m not in it, the answer’s probably yes.”
One of the reporters groaned. “Please just tell us you’re in love with your boss and his husband. After the footage last night, I think you’ll crush several million dreams if you say no.”
Collin blushed. “So, what I’m hearing is that I’m not allowed to date and disappoint everyone?” He shot Mr. Reevesworth a smile.
“Indulging the media’s fantasies is not part of your job description.” Mr. Reevesworth stepped in smoothly. “Now, before Collin sues me for allowing sexual harassment in the workplace, does anyone else have a more serious question?”
“Do you think the act yesterday evening was a sign of the state of mental health in the city or a criminal act?”
“Actually, I think it’s both.” Mr. Reevesworth shrugged elegantly. “Desperate people turn to all sorts of things to help them cope. Extreme and imbalanced forms of religious fervor is one of those coping mechanisms, just as much as drugs or alcohol. Like I’ve said for years, caring for mental health is not merely having enough hospital beds or therapists but also creating human environments and social norms that value living balanced, healthy lives.”
Collin nodded. “Crimes of all kinds go up during periods of social unrest and economic pressure. We all want to create change in our communities for the better. But when we give up hope in our greater social ties and cling to our insular ties, we end up with incidents like last night.”
At home that evening, Collin collapsed on the couch as soon as his shoes were off. “That’s it, I’m done peopling.”
Damian threw himself down on the floor beside Collin and pulled off his belt, dropping it on the coffee table. “Agreed. Unless I count as people.”
“No one here counts as people.” Collin raised his face and accepted a kiss from Mr. Moreau.
“What am I, then?” Mr. Reevesworth inquired. He leaned over the back of the couch beside his husband, looking down at his two submissives.
Collin fell back on the pillows. “You’re Master, he’s Sir, and Damian is Pup. See? Not people.”
Mr. Moreau chuckled. “Dinner is sushi, and it’s arriving in fifteen minutes. Collin, you were supposed to have your first therapy appointment, but I had it moved back to next week. She couldn’t add you to tomorrow, and you’re traveling after that.”
Collin groaned. “I completely forgot. Thank you. I don’t think I could handle any more talking.”
Mr. Moreau kissed the top of Collin’s head. “Would you like to not talk for the next hour?”
“Speech restriction?” Mr. Reevesworth said.
Mr. Moreau nodded.
Collin rolled the idea around in his head. And actually, it felt nice. “I’d like that, sir.”
“Very well then. No more talking. If you need something, you know how to ask for attention. Richard, I’m going to go bathe the kitten and do his medication. I already took care of Artemis. What can I do for you?”
Mr. Reevesworth leaned forward and kissed his husband. “Hold me tonight in bed.”
Damian giggled on the floor. “Somebody’s daddy dom is showing.”
Mr. Moreau walked around the couch and squatted down over Damian’s head. “Takes one to know one, doesn’t it?”
Damian opened his mouth, then sputtered. “I’m not a daddy dom.”
“There’s time. I can’t wait to see you tied up in knots over a boy and spoiling him rotten.”
Damian shook his head. “Nuh-uh! You’ll be old first. I’m way too young.”
Mr. Moreau smirked. “Age has nothing to do with being a daddy.”
Damian flushed. “Stop it. You just want to be a pervy kink grandpa.”
Collin giggled. He could totally see Mr. Moreau being a kinky grandpa and feeding a horde of subby boys and girls while Mr. Reevesworth lectured their doms and dommes about proper care and handling.
“Pervy is in the eye of the beholder. Now what do you need, Damian?”
Damian’s face softened, and he actually looked up at Mr. Moreau. “Are you worried about me holding down the fort while you’re all gone?”
