Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

by then you had become known as Constantine's boy."
    "Con's boy", Ren whispered softly and Con, his heart near bursting with love, quietly kissed the boy's head and stroked his cheek.
    "I can't tell you when it happened exactly but I do know that your kiss that night before the last battle convinced me that I needed to make you my own."
    As if a light had been snuffed out, Con felt Ren stiffen and begin to pull away from his grasp. In response Con tightened his hold on the boy but to no avail. Ren thrashed about, saying, "Let me go."
    "Ren, what is it? What did I say?"
    Con held on, but it wasn't easy. Ren had somehow grown stronger during his time in the lower realm prison. Just as he was about to break completely free, Con's voice thundered over him in an angry command.
    "Stop that, boy!"
    Ren froze and then twisted around to face Con, his face red and his breath coming in panting gasps. Anger blazed in his eyes.
    "Let me go! You have no right to hold me. I've already been someone's fuck toy and I won't be yours."
    Con blanched at Ren's words but rather than let go, he tightened his hold on the furious boy. When Con spoke this time, his voice was firm and sure but held no censure.
    "I don't recall saying I wanted you for a fuck toy. Beware, boy, I'm a far cry from that bastard who's been hurting you all these months."
    "You're just as bad as he is! You use what you can and then toss it aside. What is it about me that appeals, Commander? Hmmm?? Is it the way I grovel and obey every command you bark at me? Well, having the shit beat out of you for months is good for something then isn't it?? As long as it makes me a better boy for the high and mighty Commander Aurelius!"
    Ren was nearly panting, his eyes blazing with unchecked fury and hate. Hate for Anzel and his harsh cruelty. Hate for the fact that he was used goods, not fit to sit at Con's feet much less share his bed. Hate at the weakness that even now threatened to send tears flowing down his face. He clenched his hands into fists and sat immersed in his anger, nearly vibrating with the need for someone to take him in hand and tell him that everything was going to be all right.
    "Who's poisoned your mind against me Ren? Tell me, so I can find them and bring them here and prove to you that I only want what's best for you, god help me, that I love you."
    "Love? Ha! You don't love me Commander." Con reared back at the venom in Ren's voice. "Just how many boys have you had?? Wasn't it you who prided himself in having 'a different boy every night'?? And I'm supposed to believe that somehow, from among all my illustrious peers, there's something special about me? Right! Well, listen to me Commander! I may be damaged goods but I'm not anyone's boy! Gah! I should have listened when Gael told me to forget you. He knew I was nothing more than an easy fuck to you. I should've never expected anything else."
    Ren's voice broke as the tears began to fall down his heated cheeks. Con's face reflected the shame he felt at hearing his own words, which he had once spoken with such pride, thrown back at him. ..."a different boy every night." It was true. Con had delighted in the knowledge that no one ever got close to him. No one until Ren, that is. Con felt a sharp and sudden anger rise up inside him against Gael. How dare he talk to Ren that way! Gael had no right…no right.
    Con stopped cold. What had Gael really done after all? He had merely been telling the boy the truth. Con felt himself shrink a bit inside as regret coursed through him. He dropped his hold on Ren, allowing the boy to step away. Ren immediately did so, only to stop and turn to look at Con, confusion apparent on his face.
    "What's wrong with you? Why did you let me go just now? Don't tell me the high and mighty Constantine Aurelius actually feels sorry about how he treated one of his epic fucks."
    With his head lowered so that it was nearly impossible for Ren to see his face, Con spoke quietly.
    "I let go because I don't deserve to hold you, Ren. You are, as usual, very perceptive and very accurate. You're right. I've prided myself on never having a relationship beyond one night. I've moved from one bed partner to another and reveled in the power it gave me. All I had to do was snap my fingers and someone would step up to share my bed. I thought I had the perfect life until you came along and showed me how very empty an existence I was living. You changed everything. You somehow pierced through all my