Baxter had only flown twice before, once with his parents when he was just a kid to visit Disneyland and three years ago with his parents to visit his grandparents in Florida. Robert had been pissed as hell about Baxter spending money on that, but he had been adamant, knowing his grandparents were deteriorating in health. He wanted to see them in good health one last time, and in hindsight, he would forever be grateful for making that choice. It had been a wonderful week with his parents, and when his father had passed away only a year after, he'd been so happy for the time they had spent together that week.

And now he was on a plane to California, sitting right next to Daddy, who was holding his hand. Baxter had been worried about people spotting them, recognizing them, but Daddy had argued the chances were small and that he was willing to take the risk. It was the first time they were out in public as a couple, and pride kept rushing through Baxter to be by this man's side. He didn't care if people would think something of the age difference. He wasn't worried about that in the least.

No, his worries were about what was waiting for them in California. Daddy had taken his time to prepare him, explaining in detail what the club was like, what Baxter could expect, and what was expected of him. He'd kept stressing that Baxter had nothing to worry about, that all he needed to be was himself and that everything would be okay, but that was not so easy. Baxter did worry.

He worried about making a faux pas. He worried about meeting Bertrand, one of Daddy's best friends and also the grandfather of Jake, Daddy’s ex-boy. And of course, he worried about meeting Jake.

Jake would be there, Daddy had told him, seeing as how he was still a member of the club with his new Dom. Moreover, they’d have lunch with him tomorrow, something Daddy had set up with his friend Bertrand. Rationally, Baxter knew he had nothing to fear from Jake. Not only was the guy involved in a committed relationship with someone else, he had left Daddy. The chances of him wanting Daddy back were slim. And it wasn't even that Baxter was scared of Daddy wanting Jake back. He didn't, Baxter knew that for a fact. Daddy was happy with him, and he showed it every single day.

What Baxter was scared of was his own reaction to meeting Jake. Jake had something Baxter didn't have: experience. He was a trained submissive, Daddy had told Baxter. Someone who knew how to treat Doms with the proper respect, someone who could take whatever they were throwing at him. Someone who was now in what Daddy had called a total power exchange relationship. He had explained it to Baxter in brief terms, and even though nothing about that appealed to Baxter, it still worried him that he would look inadequate and fall short next to Jake or other subs, and that would reflect negatively back on Daddy.

"What's with the worry frown?" Daddy asked, rubbing the wrinkles between Baxter's eyebrows.

Baxter sighed. It was useless trying to keep stuff like this from Daddy. The man saw everything on his face, and he would prod and poke until he knew what Baxter was thinking. "I want to be perfect for you," he said softly. "I'm scared of making a mistake. I have no experience at all with that environment, and I'm worried that I'm gonna walk into that club and do something stupid without knowing it, embarrassing you."

Daddy lifted his hand and pressed a soft kiss on it. In the row next to them, an old man hissed a disapproving sound, but Baxter shifted in his seat so he couldn't see him anymore. There were bigots everywhere, he had learned a long time ago, and the best thing to do was to ignore them.

"Baxter, baby boy, you keep forgetting something important. What's the one rule we agreed on, the most important one?"

"Obey Daddy," Baxter whispered. It was the single thing Daddy kept telling him every day. All he had to do was do as Daddy told him, and then everything would be okay.

"That’s it, my sweet boy. As long as you obey me, you won't ever embarrass me."

Baxter bit his lip, a habit Daddy tried to discourage, but there wasn't a heck of a lot he could do about it now. "But all the boys there, all the subs, they will be trained and well-mannered and schooled in protocol and stuff like that. They will be perfect, and I will look like a clumsy, uneducated idiot next to them."

Daddy leaned in, bringing his mouth close to Baxter's ear. "First of all, if I see those teeth abuse that beautiful lip of your one more time, I'm gonna lock your dick up in a cage and not let you come for an entire week. Am I making myself clear?"

Baxter's eyes widened, the rush of that sheer dominance flying through him. Why did he find that so hot? "Yes, Daddy."

"And second, Baxter, and this is something I want you to remember. I don't want a perfect, well-trained boy. I want you. None of the trained subs I have ever worked with, played with, or had sex with have ever brought me so much joy as you do. Don't make light of that."

Baxter's heart felt like it would burst with feelings. "Yes, Daddy," he whispered, and his worries were gone. Almost.

They chatted on the flight, then switched planes in Chicago and settled in for the second leg of their trip. Baxter read, napped a little, and in general, enjoyed being in public with Daddy. He was strangely tired when they arrived in L.A., despite sitting on his ass most of the day, but Daddy assured him that was normal. Traveling wears you out, he told Baxter, and Baxter was happy when they arrived in their hotel. Daddy made him eat dinner, telling him it would help with adjusting to the time difference, and then they went to bed early.

The next day was the event at the club, but they would have lunch with Bertrand, Jake, and his boyfriend and Dom, David, first. "What do I call them?" Baxter asked. "Do I have to call them Sir?"

"You can, but Bertrand won't mind if you call him by his first name. I don't know David, so I can't speak for him, but technically, you're not a submissive, so you have no obligation to call them anything. Do whatever you feel comfortable with, and if they have issues, they can take them up with me."

Bertrand, who was rather well off, Daddy explained, had rented a suite at another hotel, and that's where they would meet. It was more private than a restaurant, Daddy said. That implied they would need privacy, which had Baxter worried a little, but he didn't say anything.

The man who opened the door of the suite was the epitome of a grandfather, silver haired and with a wrinkly face, but he radiated kindness and Baxter liked him immediately. "Baxter, it is such a pleasure to meet you," Bertrand said, ushering them in then shaking Baxter's hand.

"You too, Sir," Baxter said.

Bertrand held his hand for a second or two longer. "You can call me Bertrand if you wish. I'm not big on protocol, as Hagen may have told you."

Baxter smiled. "Thank you."

Then Bertrand pulled a younger man to his side, and that had to be Jake. Baxter wasn't sure what he had expected, but unconsciously, it must have been that Jake would somehow look like him, that Daddy had a type. That wasn't the case, because he and Jake looked nothing alike. Jake was small, blonde, and the epitome of a twink. A pretty one, absolutely, but they couldn't have been more different in appearance. Baxter didn't know why, but it made him feel better.

"Baxter, this is my grandson Jake," Bertrand said.

Baxter extended his hand automatically, then wondered if that was even customary. God, he was so flying blind here. But Jake took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you."

Then Jake turned to Daddy, and Baxter almost held his breath. "Sir," Jake said, but that one word was loaded.

Daddy nodded at him. "Jake."

Jake licked his lips, then looked at another man, who had to be his boyfriend, David. David nodded at him, Baxter saw, as if encouraging him to do something. Then Jake shocked Baxter by dropping to his knees in front of Daddy, his posture perfect as he bowed deep for him, pressing his face against Daddy's shoe. Baxter gasped in surprise, but Daddy did the same, and their eyes met for a second before Daddy lowered his eyes to look at Jake.

It meant something, this unexpected gesture from Jake, but Baxter wasn't sure what. Was it respect for his former Dom? Was he somehow apologizing? Baxter waited for Daddy to respond, but he took his time, staring at Jake for close to a full minute before saying anything. All that time, Jake lay motionless at his feet, his eyes averted, his cheek pressed against Daddy's shoe.

"Kneel, boy," Daddy finally said, and it physically hurt Baxter to hear him use the word boy for someone else. He jerked in shock, and Daddy must've seen it from the corner of his eye, because his gaze switched from Jake to Baxter. Something happened on his face, something that told Baxter he understood. Baxter had never been jealous in his life, but he was now, and it blazed through him, this knowledge that Daddy shouldn't call anyone else boy. He was Daddy's boy, and Jake no longer deserved that word.

Jake changed position with a fluid move, kneeling while still avoiding Daddy's eyes. "Look at me, Jake," Daddy said, and Baxter could've wept with relief that he was using his name. This was how it was supposed to be. He didn't begrudge them what they had shared, but hell if he would allow Jake the honor of being called his boy again after what he had done to Daddy.

"Did you have something to say to me?" Daddy asked.

"Sir," Jake said, and then, surprisingly, he looked at Baxter as if asking him for permission to use that word. Baxter discovered he was fine with that, because that wasn't how he thought of Daddy anyway, so he nodded. "Sir, I owe you an apology," Jake said. "I not only hurt you by leaving the way I did, but I disrespected you as well. I should have talked to you about my concerns and needs and given you a chance to work things out. I’m profoundly sorry for what I did, and I hope you can forgive me."

Daddy's eyes traveled from Jake to David, who none of them had been introduced to, but whose identity seemed obvious. Besides, the dominance radiating from him was clear. "Did you have something to do with this?" Daddy asked David.

David stepped closer. "Yes and no. Yes in that I encouraged him to make things right with you and gave him permission to kneel for another Dom. No in that I didn't order him nor tell him what to say."

Something heavy fell off Daddy's shoulders. Baxter couldn't explain how he knew it, but it was like something was taken off of him right there and then. There had been a veil of sadness over his eyes, even when he had been with Baxter, and Baxter saw it disappear in that moment.

"Thank you," Daddy said to David, and then he focused his attention back on Jake. "I accept your apology, Jake, but I hope you will accept mine too." He held out his hand to Jake and after a brief hesitation, the man took it and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.

"Sir, I don't understand," Jake said.

"I failed you as much as you failed me," Daddy said, his voice filled with regrets. "My failure is that I didn't see what you needed, not until recently."

"I should have told you, Sir," Jake said.

Daddy smiled at him, a soft, regretful smile. "Yes, you should have. But I should have seen it."

"Even if you had, Sir, it still wouldn't have worked between us."

Daddy's eyes found Baxter's, and the sadness in his smile made place for joy and love. And in that moment, Baxter realized that he had nothing to fear. Not from Jake, not from Bertrand, not from any of the boys or subs he would meet. Daddy chose him, and he was perfect the way he was.

"No, it wouldn't have. But I would've liked to end things better, Jake."

Jake let out a sigh that spoke of relief. "Me too, Sir."

Hagen leaned back in the distinctly uncomfortable reading chair in their hotel room, watching as Baxter got dressed. The lunch had been a success, not in the least because of Jake's dramatic apology. Beforehand, Hagen had been nervous for that lunch—not that he’d admitted that to Baxter. He hadn’t wanted to add to his obvious anxiety. But Hagen had been tense, seeing Jake again for the first time in over three years. He’d hoped they would be able to talk things out, but he’d never expected that apology.

The boy had always had a sense of flair, but Hagen had no doubt it had been genuine. It had been a huge relief, hearing Jake utter those words. Hagen had hoped for them, but not counted on them, so Jake's spontaneous apology was already making this trip into a big success. It felt like a weight had been taken off his shoulders, and when he thought back now on his time with Jake, it was more with melancholy than with regret, which made all the difference in the world.

David had turned out to be a good guy, exactly as Bertrand had said, and conversation had flowed smoothly. Baxter had merely widened his eyes as he saw that Jake didn't sit at the table like the rest of them, but kneeled at David's feet, hands behind his back and head bowed, only eating what David fed him. He had looked deeply content, though, and Hagen had no doubt David was treating him well. That, too, had been a relief, to know that he was looked after. That made it possible to let go of him completely now and focus on Baxter.

He'd thought it had been good for Baxter as well, meeting Jake. Baxter's jealousy had surprised him, but in a good way. He'd seen his knee-jerk reaction when Hagen had called Jake boy, more out of habit than anything else. Baxter's eyes had spewed fire, and Hagen had instantly realized what the issue was. He loved it. He loved that Baxter wanted to claim that name for himself and refuse to share it with anyone else. Baxter had earned that right, and so Hagen had switched to calling Jake by his given name effortlessly. Bertrand had smiled at him with understanding, and even David had winked at him. They all understood that the dynamic had shifted, and Hagen was grateful for it.

Now they were getting ready for the whole reason for the trip, the charity auction at The Basement, followed by the open house with all the demonstrations. He had prepared Baxter as well as he could by reading through the demonstrations with him and trying to describe what they would look like. It was one hell of an introduction, Hagen had to admit, and in hindsight, maybe it would've been better had he taken Baxter to a club in Massachusetts first. But alas, that couldn't be helped now.

"How do I look, Daddy?" Baxter asked, presenting himself to Hagen.

Usually, most of the subs in the club were either naked or scantily clad, but first of all, it was an open house, meaning there would be a lot of strangers, so Hagen expected more of them to dress a little more conservatively. And second, Baxter had no experience with being in a club and Hagen had zero desire to have everybody ogling all of his body. Enough to tease, but the intimate details were for his eyes only. He'd never been this possessive of a boy before, but it was the honest truth.

Still, Baxter would have to wear something suitable, so Hagen had picked an outfit with him online. He himself was dressed in his leather pants that fit him like a glove. They weren't the most comfortable, but he loved the way they clung to him, showing off his body. He would wear a shirt until they reached the club, and then take that off, proud to show off his upper body.

For Baxter, he had suggested a pair of black, snug hotpants, with black suspenders. Baxter's eyes had bulged when he'd spotted the picture on the screen, and Hagen had laughed.

"Daddy, I can't pull that off," Baxter had protested, but Hagen had insisted he could. Well, the truth was that he had kissed him until Baxter had run out of energy to protest, and then Hagen had simply one-clicked.

And now Baxter was standing before him, that bubble butt on perfect display in the hotpants, his cock outlined in a way that made Hagen wants to peel those damn shorts off and feast on him. He looked absolutely perfect. Sexy, sinful, and seductive.

"Kneel for me, baby boy," Hagen said, because the boy needed one more thing to complete the outfit.

He loved that Baxter obeyed without asking why, but simply sank to his knees and took position, bowing his head. Hagen let him sit like that for a full minute, admiring his form. He had worked hard to get it right, and Hagen appreciated the time Baxter had taken to make his Daddy proud.

"Eyes on me, baby boy," he said, his voice rich with warmth and pride.

Baxter’s chocolate eyes found his, and for a second, Hagen forgot how to breathe. How had he lost his heart this fast? It shouldn’t be possible, but he knew Baxter had become everything to him.

“It’s our first Valentine’s Day together,” he said, and Baxter’s face softened in a sweet smile. “And I have never been more proud of anyone by my side than I am of you.”

The words I love you almost forced themselves out, but he held them back. He couldn’t scare Baxter off. He had to allow him the time to get there himself. Just because Hagen knew this quickly didn’t mean Baxter did. All the evidence indicated things were going well between them, and Hagen wasn’t about to fuck that up by dropping the big L-word.

"I’m excited about this evening together, and I have a little present for you." He held out the thin, black collar to Baxter so he could see it. It was undecorated except for the thin silver plate at the front that showed Hagen's initials. He needed everyone to know Baxter was his. "I know you're not a submissive, but we’re entering a BDSM club. That means I want to signal to everyone you are off-limits. Will you please allow me to collar you, just for tonight?"

Baxter nodded. "Yes, Daddy. It would be my honor."

And with those words, Baxter signaled that he understood what it meant, to have Hagen's collar on him. "I bought this one for you," Hagen said as Baxter bent his head so Hagen could tie it around his neck. "No one else has worn this. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Baxter waited till Hagen was done, then raised his head. "Yes, Daddy, I understand. You're saying I'm yours. Only me."

Hagen's eyes filled unexpectedly at that simple statement. "Yes, you're mine. Just like I'm yours. This collar means that you don't obey anyone but me. You don't kneel for anyone else but me. You don't owe anyone anything except me. You're mine, and I will take care of you."

"Yes, Daddy."

He leaned in for a kiss. “You’re gonna make me so proud, baby boy.”

Baxter put on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie over his clothes so they wouldn't get arrested for public indecency, and then they took an Uber to the club. There was a long line at the door, but Hagen took Baxter's hand and walked up to the doorman confidently.

"Master Hagen," Jeff, the doorman, said with genuine enthusiasm. "We haven't seen you in far too long."

Hagen shook his hand, then pulled him into a quick embrace. "Right back at you. How’s Master Larry been treating you?"

Jeff smiled. "He's been riding me hard, Master Hagen, just the way I like it."

Hagen smiled. "Just the way you need it, you mean," he teased. "I'd like you to meet my boy, Baxter. Baxter, this is Jeff."

Jeff didn't extend his hand, as Hagen had expected, and he was happy to see Baxter took his cue from him and merely nodded at him. "Nice to meet you," Baxter said.

"You too. Go on in, I hope you still know the way," Jeff said, gesturing at the door.

Hagen breathed in deeply as soon as he stepped in. The smell hit him instantly, bringing back so many memories. It was hard to describe, what the club smelled like, but to him, it was the combination of leather and sex, with a little sweat and blood thrown in. It smelled like heaven.

He took Baxter by the hand and led him to the dressing rooms, where they both quickly got rid of the clothes they didn't want and shoved them into a locker. "Are you ready?" Hagen asked Baxter, who was looking a little pale and nervous. "I've got you, baby boy. Don't you worry about a thing."

Baxter raised his chin. "Yes, Daddy."

Hagen grabbed his hand and took him inside, where it was already filling up nicely. As he had expected, most members were dressed like him, still showing their preference for leather while being a little more conservative than they would have normally been, the subs especially. Though Hagen did spot a few naked ones, but those were the ones who either had no objection to being seen naked, or whose master wanted people to see them naked.

It only took a minute or two before he'd spotted the first friend. "Hagen, what a wonderful surprise to see you," Tim said, hugging him fiercely. "I'm delighted to see you again."

"That's entirely mutual. Tim, I'd like you to meet my boy, Baxter. Baxter, this is Tim."

He hoped Tim would pick up on the fact he hadn't introduced him as Master Tim, and he did, extending his hand to Baxter, which he would've never done had Baxter been a trained sub. "Baxter, how nice to meet you."

And with that, the tone was set. Everyone he introduced Baxter to seemed to understand what Hagen was communicating, and all of them treated Baxter with warmth and respect. Hagen could see his boy losing his nervousness, though he still clung to Hagen's hand like a lifeline.

The second friend he connected with had his sub with him, who kneeled at his feet. Baxter shot him a look, questioning if he wanted him to do the same, but Hagen shook his head. He didn't need to Baxter to kneel for him here. He wanted him right next to him, proudly by his side.