Tyler lounged in a lawn chair in Eddie and Andrea’s backyard, content to watch Donovan manage the food on the grill and listen to kids’ joyful shrieks. They’d come up to Grand Rapids, along with some of Tyler and Eddie’s Army buddies, to celebrate Daniela and Isabella’s birthday. 

​

“Now that’s a sight for sore eyes,” Jackson said. 

​

Tyler followed his friend’s gaze to Eddie, who was bouncing on the trampoline with Daniela and a couple of other kids. He was using his heavier weight to send them flying sky-high. All of the kids giggled madly, and Eddie’s smile stretched ear to ear. 

​

He looked great. His cheeks had color in them, and his eyes were bright. Best of all, every time Tyler saw him, his smile came easier. 

​

Andrea’s tense shoulders had softened too, and her gaze was warm as she looked at her husband playing with their kids and some of Daniela and Isabel’s friends.

​

“It is a sight for sore eyes,” Andrea said with a happy sigh. “It really, really is.”

​

“How are you feeling?” Tyler asked. It was the first chance he’d had to talk to her since they arrived at Daniela and Isabel’s birthday party a few hours ago.

​

“Relieved,” Andrea said. “It’s been rough but … I’m starting to feel optimistic again. I know there’s a chance he’ll backslide, but it’s like having my husband back home again. For so long, even when he was here, he wasn’t really here, you know?”

​

“I know,” Jackson said. 

​

“The kids are so much happier now and we’re all just … enjoying the time together. This is the first time we’ve all been home together as a family without that cloud hanging over us. It’s good.”

​

“I’m so glad.”

​

She glanced over at Donovan who flipped a burger up in the air, making a couple of kids laugh and cheer. “How about you two?”

​

Tyler grinned. “Oh, we are doing great. I honestly had no idea a relationship could be this good.”

​

“You picked a good one,” she said with a knowing smile. 

​

“I did, didn’t I?”

 

Donovan was grilling ribs and burgers and hot dogs, all while patiently talking to a kid who had latched onto him from the moment he’d arrived. 

​

It made Tyler laugh to think about all of the friction between them a year ago. Now, between working together and living together, they spent more time together than apart. 

​

Tyler touched the day collar that lay under his green T-shirt and saw Johnson give him a little smirk. 

​

On a camping trip with the guys earlier this summer, Tyler and Donovan’s kinky relationship had come out. They’d endured a whole lot of teasing—especially from Gordo—but they were pretty respectful of it. Or, as respectful as that lot was. 

​

Tyler looked around the backyard with a sense of contentment.

 

His parents liked Donovan too. They had dinner with them semi-regularly and Donovan had helped his dad with a few projects around the house. His mom was in love with Donovan’s cooking.

 

Tyler had met the Ryan family last winter. They were kind and welcoming enough, and Tyler would always be grateful to Kate Ryan for representing Eddie in court. But Tyler could see why Donovan wasn’t exceptionally close to them. 

​

They seemed to approve of Tyler though. Tyler had worried they wouldn’t, but he'd overheard Phillip say that he liked Tyler better than Jude. 

​

Tyler felt just a tiny bit smug about that.

 

Although he didn’t have any animosity toward Jude anymore. He was happily settled down with his two guys and Tyler felt completely secure in his relationship with Donovan.

 

Still, it was nice to hear. 

​

Eddie walked toward him, laughing, a little red in the face as he mopped sweat from his forehead. “Well that was a hel—heck of a workout.”

​

Tyler grinned. “Well, if you weren’t so out of shape …”

​

“Ouch.” Eddie settled on the bench between Tyler and Andrea. He draped an arm over Tyler’s shoulder. “Hey, I want to talk to you about something later, okay?”

​

“Sure,” Tyler said, though he’d already ducked away from Eddie. He was so sweaty his shirt was damp. “And gross. Get away from me.”

​

Eddie lunged toward him, laughing. Tyler had never heard a sweeter sound.

 

***

 

After Happy Birthday was sung, the cake was cut, and presents were opened, Tyler finally found a quiet moment to talk to Eddie. The kids, and most of the other guests were watching a movie that Eddie had set up in the back yard, projected onto a white screen hung from the wooden fence. 

​

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Tyler asked. He scrubbed at the serving platter, sticky with barbecue sauce. 

​

“Andrea might have, uh, some questions for Donovan about things.” Eddie leaned against the counter next to him, staring intently at the pitcher he was drying a little too carefully. 

​

Tyler frowned. “What kind of things?”

​

Eddie grimaced. “You really gonna make me say it aloud?”

​

“Apparently yes because—” Tyler blinked at him, hands frozen in the soapy water. “Wait, are you talking about kinky things?” He kept his voice low, even though he didn’t think anyone else was in the house.

​

“I … yeah.” Eddie set down the pitcher and ran a hand across the top of his head. “Those kind of things.”

​

“Does that mean …”

​

“Okay, so what you said last fall stuck in my head and after I got back from rehab and things settled, I started thinking about it more. Andrea and I reconnected, if you know what I mean.”

​

“I know what you mean,” Tyler said with a laugh. 

​

“And it was really good, but we started talking and, um, we’re both kinda curious about more.”

​

“Cool.” Tyler dried his hands, trying not to crack up at how shy Eddie looked. That was not something he was used to. “I’m sure Donovan would be more than happy to talk to you guys about it. Is it safe to assume you think you might be, uh, inclined like I am?”

​

“I think maybe. Dunno that I would even have considered it if you hadn’t talked about it, but I definitely want to at least try, you know?”

​

“I get it.” Tyler reached out and squeezed Eddie’s shoulder. 

​

“They said in rehab not to start anything new too soon, so we’re gonna wait a bit. Take some time to talk more and get comfortable with the idea. Go slow once we do.”

​

“I think that sounds great,” Tyler said honestly. Hearing Eddie talk about the future in any way was fantastic. “And yeah, Donovan’s the perfect guy to talk to about this stuff. He’s got all sorts of books we could loan you too.”

​

“How are you two doing?”

​

“Great.” Tyler’s smiled stretched wide. “We’re actually going to a party tonight.”

​

“What kind of—oh, a kinky party?”

​

“Yeah. There’s a regular one in Grand Rapids and when it fell on the same weekend as this and we were able to wrangle a weekend day off … figured it was worth trying. I’m nervous but excited.”

​

“I wish Frenchie and Rafe could see how well we’re all doing now.”

​

Tyler smiled, though it was tinged with a little bit of sadness as always. “Me too. You’re feeling good though?” When he turned his head, Eddie’s smile was radiant. 

​

“Yeah, I think I am. And I think it’s just going to keep getting better.”

​

Tyler had to blink back a few tears. “Me too, man. Me too.”

 

***

 

Tyler stared at the building in front of him, mouth half-open. “The party is here?”

​

Donovan laughed. He’d been expecting this reaction. “I knew you’d find that funny.”

​

“They hold kink parties at VFW halls?” He sounded a little scandalized. 

​

“They hold them wherever they can find space,” Donovan said. “You have no idea how difficult it is getting a business to host an event like this. Zoning and liability make it tough.”

​

“Huh,” Tyler said. “Or maybe veterans are just kinkier than we realized.”

​

Donovan chuckled. “Based off what you said about Eddie, I’m thinking there’s some truth to that. But that’s a topic for another night. Let’s discuss the plan for the evening.”

​

“Yes, Sir.” As always, Tyler’s posture changed when he slipped into a submissive mindset.

 

“You know the rules for tonight?” 

​

“Yes. We’ll spend about an hour just watching, speaking with people in the community, enjoying scenes. You’ll check in with me after and see if I feel ready to play publicly. No one else is allowed to touch me and I can change my mind about doing a scene at any point.”

​

“Very good.” Donovan squeezed his thigh. “Let’s go in.”

​

Though there was no hiding the fact that the building held a VFW hall, it made for a surprisingly nice event space.

 

At least half of the tables and chairs had been cleared away and kinky furniture ringed the room, with plenty of space to swing a whip without hitting an onlooker. The light had been dimmed and while it wasn’t a luxurious, kinky dungeon, low music throbbed in the background and the energy was good. Couples in kink-wear or various stages of undress wandered from station to station, stopping in front of Saint Andrew’s crosses, spanking benches, and wooden frames for shibari and suspension. 

​

Donovan let Tyler lead, enjoying the sight of him in a pair of leather chaps, jockstrap, and nothing else. He paid attention to which scenes made Tyler pause and which he walked by without a second glance. Unsurprisingly, he lingered on the ones with heavy pain play, his gaze drinking in the sights of submissives being whipped or caned. 

​

Donovan felt Tyler’s mood change the longer they watched, his expression serene but his breath quick with excitement. People’s gazes lingered on him, and Donovan was glad for the heavy black leather collar around his neck. 

​

They spoke to a few people they knew to from the munches, but for the most part, they simply watched. They stopped in front of one scene for a while, where a tall, lean man with brown hair wielded two floggers at once, whipping his sub in a dazzling display of Florentine flogging. Donovan wrapped his arms around Tyler, pulling him closer. 

​

“You’re hard, Sir,” Tyler said softly. 

​

Donovan rubbed his cock against Tyler’s firm, bare ass. “I am. I’m enjoying the show and thoughts of what I’d like to do to you.”

​

“After this is over, Sir?” Tyler asked. “If it pleases you.”

​

“Very much.”

​

The scene ended a short while later, and the dominant carefully wrapped his sub up in a blanket and held him for a few minutes, murmuring in his ear before handing him his glasses. He left him after a few minutes to clean up the toys and play space so someone else could use it. 

​

As they left, Donovan recognized them as a couple who lived in Pendleton and occasionally came to the munches. Alexander and Neil, if he remembered right. He and Alexander nodded to each other in greeting but he was occupied with taking care of his submissive, who had a dreamy, blissed out look on his face. 

​

“You ready?” Donovan asked Tyler when no one else stepped in to claim the cross.

​

“Please, Sir.”

​

“Kneel in front of the cross, facing me,” he instructed. 

​

Tyler sank to his knees gracefully, expression calm. If he was nervous, he wasn’t showing it. 

​

Donovan pulled out his toys, lining them up on the nearby table in full view of Tyler. Sexual penetration wasn’t an option, but he could still make Tyler orgasm. He grinned as he set down the controller for the plug that was in Tyler’s ass.  

​

Tyler continued to look straight ahead. Donovan pushed the button, turning it on, and saw the brief jerk of Tyler’s body before he settled, his expression smoothing out again.

 

His posture was beautiful, torso straight, shoulders back and down, palms resting against his muscular thighs. Every inch of him was gorgeous, and the controlled energy in his body was something incredible to behold. 

​

His strength was humbling. 

​

When Donovan was ready, he walked over to Tyler. “Stand.” 

​

He did, his gaze filled with a peaceful, joyous excitement that let Donovan know he was ready for their first public scene. No hesitation, only watchful stillness. 

​

Donovan cuffed him to the cross, his fingertips tingling every time they brushed against Tyler’s skin, securing the leather cuffs around his inked wrists. When all four limbs were restrained and he leaned back against the cross, Donovan ran his hands across his body, raising goosebumps and letting him settle into the right headspace. 

​

“So perfect,” he murmured. “Are you ready?”

​

“Yes, Sir.” 

​

There wasn’t a bit of hesitation in Tyler’s voice, and Donovan rewarded him with a kiss.

 

“What’s your safeword?”

​

“Eddie.”

​

He hadn’t changed it, even now that his friend was doing well, and they’d let the Dungeon Monitors know when they’d checked in. Just in case. Though Donovan didn’t expect they’d need it, it never hurt to be over-prepared. 

​

“And what is mine?”

​

“Red, Sir.” 

​

“Very good. Are you ready, soldier?”

​

“Yes, Sir.”

​

Donovan reached for the front of Tyler’s leather jockstrap, unsnapping the pouch and exposing him to the crowd. Even with the music playing, Donovan could hear Tyler’s quick inhale. 

​

He reached for the first toy, a heavy spiked metal cuff that he wrapped around Tyler’s half-hard dick. It had spikey little screws that faced inward, and the harder Tyler got, the more it would hurt. Donovan grinned at the thought and the feel of Tyler’s cock, warm in his hand. 

​

Next was the dragon’s tail. He began with Tyler’s torso, just light little flicks that whispered and teased over his broad pecs and firm abs, drawing sharp little hisses and gasps from his lips. 

​

Donovan warmed Tyler’s skin, enjoying it as it flushed red, and he worked his way down, moving over his thighs and edging closer and closer to his dick and balls. He was hard, and the screws must have been digging in, but his cock leaked steadily and his eyes were closed, expression filled with bliss. 

​

Donovan worked his way up again, putting a little more force into it until Tyler twisted, writhing, gasping occasionally. The tip of his cock was shiny with precum now, leaking steadily, and Donovan took a moment to stroke him until he was trembling against the cross. With his free hand, Donovan turned up the vibration and heard the first broken cry escape Tyler’s lips.

​

Donovan was dimly aware of the gathering crowd behind them, but his attention was focused on Tyler. He slapped his cock and balls until he cried out again, panting as he rocked into the touch. 

​

Tyler was stunning like this, sweat glistening off every taut muscle, cock hard and reddish purple with blood.

​

Donovan pressed closer, pushing his thigh between Tyler’s, applying pressing to his balls and the toy buried inside him. “Grind against me until you’re almost ready to cum.”

​

Tyler did it without hesitation, eyes tightly shut, face a mask of agonized concentration. 

Donovan raked his blunt nails over Tyler’s chest, tweaking his nipples, twisting cruelly. 

​

The broken sound Tyler let out sent a surge of lust through Donovan and he absently realized he was painfully hard too. It mattered less than getting Tyler off, however, and he wrapped a hand around his throat, pressing against the collar. 

​

He tightened his grip on the sides of his throat, cutting off his air, then leaned down to bite at Tyler’s wide shoulder. He dug his teeth in and pressed harder with his thigh, crushing Tyler’s balls between their bodies and making the spikes dig into his dick. 

​

Tyler let out a grunt, which Donovan knew was his signal that he was close, and he kept his hand around his throat but backed his body up enough to stroke his cock. Donovan spat, slicking his dick further, and a handful of strokes later, Tyler shook, trembling and sweat-slicked. 

​

Donovan growled, “Now, soldier. Come for me now!”

​

Tyler did and it was glorious, a spine-arching, full-body orgasm that ripped from his throat with a strangled sound that settled into Donovan’s bones and made him press forward to capture his mouth in a desperate kiss. 

​

He felt the spurt into his palm, the helpless jerk of Tyler’s body, and tasted his desperation. He stroked him through it, teasing him, dragging it out and controlling his breath until he was red in the face. When he let up, it was with a reluctant sigh, and he brought his messy hand to Tyler’s lips. 

​

“Clean me.” 

​

Tyler did, with a grateful expression in his eyes. 

​

After, Donovan turned off the plug, carefully unhooked the spiked metal ring, and released Tyler from the cuffs. 

​

He was panting, expression dazed, and Donovan wrapped him in a blanket and guided him to a chair. “You were so good for me,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to Tyler’s lips, just because he could. 

​

He gave him a sports drink to sip while he cleaned up the space, then guided him over to a nearby couch. They’d attracted quite a crowd, and he knew many of them would want to talk to them about the scene, but for now, they gave the two of them space. 

​

Donovan gathered Tyler close as he stroked his arms, whispering how well he’d done and how pleased he was. 

​

“Thank you, Sir,” Tyler said, dark lashes lifting to reveal contented gray eyes. “Thank you.”

​

“Thank you,” Donovan said. “You were perfect.”

​

“Only because I’m yours.”

 

Tyler tucked his head against Donovan’s neck, and Donovan hugged him tighter, too happy to manage words beyond, “I love you.”