Free Bondage by Chris Owen, Jodi Payne Page A

guest is you, I assume. Bradford will likely invite the three of us. Did you have anything specific in mind?"
    "No, I just wanted to know how you thought you would handle invitations... if you were planning on taking us both out, or just one of us."
    "It would depend on the event," Tobias said. He leaned forward. "Noah. You're my sub. I have no definition of what Phantom is becoming, none of us do. But unless or until I contract with him, you're it. I won't leave you home alone, and likely won't leave him either -- hell, Jean-Pierre would happily come over to take Phan to a party with us."
    Noah laughed. "Jean-Pierre would love Phan." He seemed to like Tobias' answer.
    "Michel would hate him," Tobias said with a wink. "Phan's prettier."
    "Who's Michel?" Phan asked. "And I don't mind staying home."
    "Liar," Tobias said with a smile. "You live to show off."
    "Well, yeah. But not if it's going to make Noah unhappy."
    "We're so damn ingratiating it's starting to give me a headache," Noah joked. At least, Tobias thought he was joking. Mostly. "What about you, Phan? What's on your list?"
    "Money. Apparently, I have some. I'm better at saving than I thought, and Bradford took my accounts and did... something. I don't know. Anyway, I want to buy groceries and stuff."
    Tobias groaned and sank into his chair.
    Noah just grinned. "Phan, could you try explaining to Tobias why it's important that we contribute to the household? He doesn't get it. I had this same argument about the mortgage."
    Phan blinked. "Um, 'cause a person has to feel like they're contributing? Like they're productive and a part of something? Because it's good manners?"
    Tobias held up a hand. "I will not get into this. You want to buy groceries, fine. Noah wants to pay for the house, fine. Write me a check, I'll deal. Badly. And I'll frown a lot. And maybe pout."
    "I gave up, Phan. He's not even trying to understand it anymore."
    "But he'll take the money, right?"
    "Yes, but you know what he's going to do with it. No grocery store or lender is ever going to see it."
    "What did I tell you about talking in the dark?" Phan scolded. "And, yeah, I know. But I'll still feel better, and I can still do some actual shopping. Wanna come with?"
    "Sounds good." Noah started packing up pizza boxes. "So money... anything else? Are the fundamental things you were missing with Bradford going to be met here? What else do you need?"
    "I need to know that I can come back after therapy and fall apart safely for an hour or so. I need to know that I'll be disciplined. I need to know that I'm safe." Phan looked around the room and said softly, "I need to know that I matter."
    "You matter, Phan," Tobias said, just as softly. "You matter a great deal."
    "This entire evening is about you, Phan. Believe me, you matter, hon." Noah kissed him on his way to the kitchen with the pizza boxes. "And you can fall apart all you like at my place." He disappeared into the kitchen.
    "You can, you know," Tobias said quietly. He slid out of his chair onto the floor and sat with his back against it. "You can fall apart now, if you want."
    Phan shook his head. "Don't want to now. It's a good day."
    "Okay. Then you can let me hold you for a minute. I'd like that."
    Phan hesitated for a moment, then scooted over and leaned against him as Tobias put an arm over his shoulders.
    Noah returned and collected plates and napkins and other remnants of dinner. "You okay, hon?" he asked Phan, picking up his empty glass.
    Phan nodded. "Just... not falling apart."
    Noah let that go a moment and left the room again with his hands full. When he came back he had a box of tissues that he casually dropped into Phan's lap before putting coffee mugs back on the tray. "You're allowed to fall apart if you need to."
    "I know," Phan said. He nudged Tobias. "Is he always like this?"
    "Yes, pretty much," Tobias said with a smile.
    "Cool." Phan wiggled a little more and pressed closer. "I can really stay?"
    "Yes."
    "Thank you," Phan