Page 16 of The Toymaker

Riju certainly felt a little better at breakfast the next morning since Kit had woken him with a blowjob. He figured he’d go downstairs to cut leather and make cuffs since they were running low on the kind lined with fur, so he had a lot of sewing ahead. The repetitive activity would be pleasant so he could think more.

“Kit, you're going to sleep in your own room from now on,” said Trig. “You’re not to sleep with Riju anymore.”

Kit paused as he washed dishes in the basin at one end of the work counter.

“He doesn’t bother me,” Riju said quickly.

Trig raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you let him again last night. It needs to stop unless I say. It’s not good if he’s in there all of the time.”

“Why? He's not in there every-”

“Have you even told him what happened before?” Trig asked in a low voice.

Riju glanced at Kit who was still washing with slumped shoulders. “Why does it matter?”

“So you haven’t.”

“Maybe I’m just not ready yet.” Certain memories weren’t fun to revisit.

Trig picked up his teacup. “You still have nightmares once in a while.”

Maybe he would too if a few others had tried to beat him to death. Riju was about to speak, but Trig continued.

“I know it’s not all of the time, but I don’t think it’s fair if you wake Kit because you’re crying.”

“It won’t bother me, Master,” said Kit.

“Be quiet,” said Trig. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Kit’s face pinched before he turned back to the basin, and Riju swallowed. “I’ve slept in your room. He can sleep in mine if I want him.”

“I said no, and if I catch him in there again without my permission, I’ll whip his ass.”

“It’s my private space, so he only needs my permission, not yours,” hissed Riju. “You don’t control my space.”

“This time I am. It’s not fair to wake him up when he doesn’t understand everything, and I doubt he’s used to comforting someone in the middle of the night.”

Riju’s face grew hot as Kit started drying the dishes. “I don’t have them very often. How about if you mind your own business when I’m in my bed? I don’t tell you what to do in your room.”

Trig’s jaw tightened as his eyes bore into Riju. “It’s better for both of you.”

“Maybe I like it,” hissed Riju. “Did you think of that?”

“But I can’t sleep in there with you?” Trig sipped his tea.

That’s what this whole thing was about? Riju pushed away his teacup. “I’m not stupid.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

“You must think I am. You won't say it, but you’re jealous, and I don’t think it’s very mature of you.”

Trig huffed before he got up and went into the shop. Riju wasn’t sure what to say to Kit who was quiet, and he ended up being called into the shop once he’d finished drying.

“Get downstairs,” came Trig’s voice. “The floor needs a good sweeping.”

Riju scowled at his remaining tea while Kit’s footsteps faded down the stairs to the basement. If he simply brought Kit into his bedroom, he’d get punished, and he couldn’t let that happen. Trig was jealous and trying to break them apart. He’d also expect sex at some point with Riju, and he couldn't do it.

He hadn’t said anything to Kit last night, but with the tension between them all lately, it might be best if he simply left with Kit. Screw Trig’s precious cock cage. If Trig refused to let Kit go, Riju could threaten to tell The Edge because they wouldn’t like what he was doing. That would shut him up pretty fast.

He didn’t want to leave like that, but it might be best. Why did everything have to go to shit? To avoid fighting over the damn cock cage, they could possibly stay as long as Trig didn’t overstep boundaries. But he might.

What should he do?

Trig came into the kitchen. “Riju, it’s best for you, okay?”

“You’re trying to separate us because you’re jealous. Don’t pretend like you always know what’s best for me.”

Trig kneeled by him and took his hand. “I wish you’d trust me. Maybe we’ll talk more about it later. Come on.” He stood and tugged on Riju’s hand to make him stand. “If you do a good job and suck my cock, I’ll tie you up and suck you off afterward. I’ll open the shop after we’re done. Anything you want, I’ll do.”

Riju ducked his head to avoid the kiss. “No. I don't want to suck your dick.”

“You had me all excited yesterday, and I’d rather have you instead of Kit any time. You know that.”

“I don’t want it.” Riju pushed up his spectacles.

“Would you rather fuck me?”

“No. In fact, I’d rather we take a b-break from sex and everything for a bit.” Riju hadn’t quite meant to blurt it out so randomly. He hadn't expected Trig to bring up sex right then either.

“Excuse me?” Trig looked like Riju suggested they eat worms for breakfast.

He knew to brace for the disbelief and potential anger. If he could keep himself together-

“I bet Kit did more than sleep in your bed. You’re not always quiet when you cum, and I'm pretty sure I heard you this morning.”

“So? It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve done anything.” Riju shrugged. “It’s different for us, and I need a break from intimacy with you after the fight because-”

“You’re going to cut me off while you keep fucking Kit? How would you like it if I did that and neglected your needs?”

Riju hadn’t quite expected his tone to be that rough, and he bumped his chair as he stepped back. “Once Kit’s gone, and you’ve got the cock cage, I’m leaving. I need time on my own to think about stuff, and this isn’t working out so well right now. There are things we don’t agree on, and I don’t see us meeting in the middle. Sex won’t help, and I can't see myself fucking you like nothing happened. It’ll be better if I’m away and can-”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Riju narrowed his eyes. “Yes, I-”

“What do you expect to do?”

“I’ve told you this already. I want my own shop and-”

“You’re not taking the money.”

“Can you stop interrupting everything I say?” Riju lifted his chin. “We’re not having sex in the meantime. I also have my own savings, in case you forgot.”

And he wasn’t coming back at all now, but saying so to Trig might be a bad idea. The money Riju had saved from his wages wasn’t enough to set up an entire shop unless he was lucky to find one with a cheap license, but it could get him started with a small flat and materials. While working another job, he could spend his nights building an inventory. He'd buy a stall later. Somehow, he’d get what he wanted.

“You can’t just walk out whenever you want, and you’ll only end up crawling back in a few months anyway. I’d rather we skip the bullshit. Did you think about how you could end up on the street again?”

If everything failed and he ended up homeless again, he knew enough and could survive. Trig had found him at one of his lowest points, and Riju hadn’t forgotten it didn’t take much to get there. He also knew it was possible to get out. Hard, but doable since he wasn’t a child who barely knew a thing about the world. He was different now compared to years ago, and finding work wouldn’t be impossible.

He and Kit could likely stay with each other and find work to avoid being homeless in the first place. As long as Kit still wanted him. Riju wouldn’t tell him he wasn’t allowed to leave.

“Well?” asked Trig. “Are you going to cut the shit and come into the bedroom with me?”

“I don’t want to have sex with you. Especially when you're angry.”

“Maybe I do since it’s been a few days, and I think you need something to distract you. Consider it stress relief.”

Riju rolled his eyes. “I don’t need sex to distract me. I can think my own thoughts without you trying to control them.”

Trig lifted his hands. “Do you hear yourself? I know you pretty well by now, and this is another thing you’re obsessed with. It’ll pass, and you need to learn when-”

“Just stop. I’m not going to stop making and liking dolls. We’re also not going to work out as a married couple, and it’s not working out now. It’s certainly not going to get better with you treating me like this and making everything seem like it’s entirely my fault. I’m not fucking you, and I’m not staying. Everything-”

Trig made a noise and stepped back. “After this many years, you're going to kick my legs out from under me one morning because of one fight? That’s how you repay me?”

“One fight?” Riju gestured between them. “We’re fighting right now again because you can’t let me go. You can’t let me finish speaking half of the time. I can’t even just be lately without you picking. Also, how many discussions have we had where you ignored my concerns and rolled right over my thoughts? This isn’t like we’ve had an entirely perfect relationship with one little squabble over a minor issue. This has been building, and it's only a fight because it's about time I push back on things. I put my foot down, and you can't stand it. The contract, no safety word-”

“You know damn well why I did that, and that’s not the point. I already told you you’re not mature enough to be on your own. If it seems like I ignore what you want, it’s because I know better, and I can’t always follow what you think should be done, or whatever you’re currently obsessed with.”

“Maybe if I spend some time on my own without you trying to lord it over me, I’ll mature since it’s rather hard with someone hovering over my shoulder,” Riju said with a hint of sarcasm. “I need this, I’m getting it, and we can discuss getting back together after I’ve had time without you. If I think you’re not-”

“You can’t even look half of the customers in the eye! How are you going to run a business by yourself?”

“I need this, Trig,” insisted Riju. “I need to make my own decisions too, and it’s not fair for me to be stuck here for the rest of my life just because you said so. If we got married, you still expect to have thirds and to do what you want. How can you not see this isn’t working anymore? If you want what’s best for me, then I need you to hear and listen to me because I’m tired of reiterating the same shit while you argue with the same shit in return. And then you wonder why I get upse-”

“I’ve spent years taking care of you. You’d possibly be dead on the street if I hadn’t taken you in that day. You hadn’t eaten in a while, you were dirty-”

“You can stop hanging the past over my head,” Riju said as he kept his chin up. “That was then because I grew up on the street. I’m not a child, and I’m not the man you met that day. This is me now, and I want to live my life in a new way. You should be happy I’m well enough to do something new and big by myself. If you help someone when they’re down, they shouldn’t owe you their independence, and that’s what this feels like.”

“If your business fails, I don’t have to let you back in here.” Trig folded his arms.

Riju pressed his lips. “Fine.” It seemed Trig could dump him even faster since he wasn’t going to be a good pet and trophy. “Staying with you isn’t the only way for me to have a good life, and maybe if you shrunk your ego a bit, you’d see it.”

If Kit wanted to be with him later, they could manage the business together too, and Kit could work with him if he wanted. They wouldn’t scold each other and make the other feel bad if one decided to go a different way.

“You’re not leaving,” Trig said slowly.

“Watch me,” snapped Riju. “You’re mad because you won’t be able to control me, and I might find someone else who loves me and doesn’t expect to change me. I'm done!”

Trig grabbed his arm. “Don’t you fucking dare talk shit and act like I don’t love you. After everything I’ve done for you.”

Riju tried to yank his arm away. Trig’s fingers were digging in so hard, they hurt.

“You wouldn’t be standing here and running your mouth if it wasn’t for me. It’s a new thing for you to focus on, like Kit, and you’ll get over it later. You’re not doing anything with him either until I say so-”

“I’ll do what the fuck I want. You don't own me.”

Trig suddenly jerked him forward. “I fucking saved your life and made you into the man you are today.”

Riju dug his heels in. “Let go of me.”

Trig snatched the collar of his coat to tug him closer. Riju’s forearm ached, and his chest grew tight. One of the men had grabbed him the same way when he’d tried to flee the warehouse, and he’d snarled that Riju was a piece of shit who needed to be tossed in a midden. Retards didn’t need to be sucking up the local charity.

“You’re acting like a total brat, and I should beat your ass like one,” said Trig.

How could he hurt Riju if he loved him? “You’re scaring me.”

“Good, because the real world is a whole lot scarier, and you can barely handle it even with me.”

“Yes, I can. You won’t give me a chance.”

Trig’s eyes bored into Riju as he tried to lean away. “I don’t know if Kit told you any bullshit or what, but if you think I’m letting you go out on your own when you can barely look at someone's face for two fucking minutes, you’re insane. This right here proves you’re not mature because you picked a new thing to be obsessed with, and you’ll come crawling back after a bit. I’m done with this shit, and I better not hear one more word about you leaving or your damn toy shop.”

Riju pulled back with every ounce of strength as Trig tried to jerk him toward the hall. “I’m not going to be your pet.”

“Right now, you’re acting like a retard.”

“Fuck you!”

Trig suddenly released him, and the slap came so fast, Riju didn’t have time to try to fend it off. Wicked hot pain burned across his left cheek as he fell to the floor and nearly hit his chair. His spectacles, crooked from the force of his head getting whipped to one side, barely managed to hang on.

For a moment, he could barely breathe as his mind reeled more from shock than pain.

Trig’s blurry form froze. “I’m sorry.”

Riju drew in a shuddery breath as he sat up. His right forearm throbbed, and his chest grew tighter. Trig had never hit him before. He’d promised never to hurt Riju even before he started working for him.

“I’m sorry,” said Trig. “I-I didn’t mean to hit you.”

He’d sworn.

“I didn’t mean it. I just snapped-”

Snapped? Riju scrambled to get up as he adjusted his spectacles. Thank Elira they weren’t broken. People didn’t slap those they said they loved. He stumbled back as Trig came at him. He appeared regretful, but he wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Riju pushed his chair between them. Part of him wanted to run out of the store or anywhere as long as he got away.

“Stop! I said I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to slap you.”

“G-get away from me,” Riju forced out.

“It was an accident-I swear-”

“You didn’t hit me by accident!”

“I swear I did!”

How was it an accident? None of his words or actions had been accidental, and if he hit once, he’d do it again. Trig’s promises meant nothing. Perhaps not tomorrow, or even next week, but it would happen again. Riju darted around the table and into the hall.

“Wait. I’ll get a cold cloth. Talk to me. Damn it, Riju. Stop acting like this!”

How could he not be terrified of the one who’d just slugged him hard enough to knock him down? Riju sucked in a breath as his left wrist was snatched, and pain shot through it.

Trig dragged him closer, and he finally screamed. “Get off me!”

Trig spoke as his fingers dug in, and Riju didn’t hear as he kicked him in the shin.

It was enough to loosen Trig’s grip. “Ow!”

Riju ran down the hall, slammed his bedroom door shut, and locked it.

His cheek still stung, and his wrist throbbed so hard, he wasn’t sure if it was broken. The door handle rattled as he backed into his bed and sank to the floor. He had to keep quiet that time so Kit wouldn’t hear him and panic.

“Open the door.” It rattled again as Riju struggled to get his thoughts in order. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any of that. Come on. Riju, please!”

It didn’t matter because he had wanted to hurt Riju, and he’d done it twice in the space of a couple of minutes. Riju shoved the back of his right hand against his mouth as he tried to stay quiet and breathe even though his eyes were pricking with tears.

He couldn’t stay there any longer, and neither could Kit. Riju couldn’t abandon him.

Trig swore and stomped down the hall. Riju wiped his face as he shook, and his wrist kept throbbing. He tentatively moved his hand which didn’t help. He was sure it wasn’t broken since he could move it.

He carefully lay on the floor and pressed his ear to the floor to listen. Kit would scream for him if anything happened.

He wouldn’t need to tomorrow. Riju was getting them both out.