(no subject)

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor was having far too much fun with the Ethics assignment. Of course, it helped that Phoebe seemed to be enjoying it as well.

Following the rules, he had discussed boundaries with Phoebe and agreed that he would not do anything to cause her harm or humiliation (not that he would want to anyway). The French maid and harem girl outfits were right out (except in the bedroom). Phoebe didn't want any of the other masters to be able to touch her; he agreed and amended it to be no one could touch her without his permission. Phoebe trusted him enough not to want a safe word, but heeding the rules again, they decided on one.

His "Bright One" he decided to call her; she addressed him as "Beloved Lord." That had been her choice, and what could he say, he liked it. "Don't let it go to your head," Beka had warned him sternly. He was trying not to, but at least with Phoebe it was easier to enjoy the assignment than rail against it like others had been.

After class he'd found the gift Phoebe had sent him, the silver bracelet with inset wolves. It pleased him, so he decided to reward her with a special night out. There was a restaurant he remembered in Colorado, a fancy mountainside place where the Brotherhood had once had an above ground meeting. It was private and away from school, and when you could shimmer out to avoid paying the bill, cost didn't matter much.

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

"You have taken on a lot," Cole said, "but why does he think you need counseling?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe sighs. "Apparently he thinks that I am being irresponsible and need help. Somehow, the stalking became my fault."

[demonbelthazor]

"Exactly how much time has he spent with you to determine this?" Cole said, growing angry now. "As for the stalking being your fault, that's insane. Where does he get off insinuating that?"

[sensethevisions]

"I don't know if that's how he meant it to seem," Phoebe said. "But that was the impression I got. He wants me to drop all of my extra-curricular activities because I'm supposed to be readily available whenever he needs me."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole reached across the table again and took Phoebe's hand. "That's not the kind of person you are," he said in a serious voice. "We may be playing at this Master/slave thing, and maybe you like me taking care of you, but I doubt you would want to be at my beck and call 24/7. You're too independent for that. You'd be suffocated. You're a wild and free spirit, Phoebe. No one is your master. Don't give him that power."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe's eyes fill with tears. "Cole, it just seems that no matter what I do, he's not satisfied and there is nothing I can do right. I defended the weapons locker the weekend of the zombie attack because he asked me too. I was there alone until Piper and Paige went against my orders and joined me there."

[demonbelthazor]

"Don't cry," Cole said softly. He got up again and walked around the table, pulling her to her feet and into his arms, hugging her tightly. Even as the feel of her pressed against him made his human heart soar, the demon in him twitched, wanting to punish the one responsible for her tears. "I won't let him hurt you, Phoebe," he promised.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe held him, wondering if he realized how much she had gotten accustomed to having him near her? She didn't want him to think she had come too dependent on him...but the fact of the matter was that when she was feeling like everyone hated her, her was her one touchstone.

"He made me feel like I was letting everyone around me down."

[demonbelthazor]

"You're not, you're not," he insisted. "You haven't let me down. You haven't let your sisters down. Nobody that matters feels that way about you." He tilted her head up. "I've never really met this Spider guy, but he's pissing me off. He doesn't appreciate what he has and he's making you upset."

[sensethevisions]

"I'm sorry," Phoebe whispered, pulling back and trying to dry her eyes. "I shouldn't fall apart on you like this...not tonight."

[demonbelthazor]

"It's okay, sweetheart," Cole said softly, reaching out to caress her cheek. "I'm here for you." He gave her a tender kiss, then guided her back into her seat. "Try to enjoy dinner. Get your mind off things."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded and sat back down and wiped her eyes with a napkin.

"I can't believe I'm falling apart like this."

[demonbelthazor]

"You've had a rough couple weeks," Cole said. "I don't blame you one bit for getting upset."