Chapter 7

Brock sat by himself off to the side of the hotel's dining room, sipping his morning coffee slowly. His head was lowered and he was careful not to turn it or look up even when someone sat across from him.

"Hi."

Surprise made Brock suddenly look up. He had assumed it was Zach or one of Zach's friends. After all, no one else spoke to him anymore. However, the identity of his new companion was completely unexpected. Across from him sat Raven.

The brunette's gentle expression changed to a small frown as he saw Brock's face and the large blonde ducked his head. Unfortunately, it was already too late, Raven had seen the black eye.

A gentle hand cupped his chin and Brock did not resist as his face was raised. However, he did keep his gaze lowered, trying to ignore the warm sensation that went through him at the soft touch.

"Are you happy?" Raven's voice was soft and inquisitive.

Brock did not even think as his standard answer came out. "I'm fine. Just an accident."

Raven chuckled softly as he tapped Brock's nose, gently, playfully. "That's not what I asked. Anyone can tell you're not fine. I asked if you were happy." Brock raised his eyes to meet Raven's hazel gaze, searching for condescension or laughter. All he could see, however, was sincere inquiry. "I think I can take you're silence as my answer." Raven's finger gently traced Brock's jaw.

Brock knew he should pull back. Zach would be furious if he saw or heard about this and he would be right to be angry. Brock was with Zach. He loved Zach and Zach loved him, even though Brock was always screwing up. So, why couldn't he force himself to pull away from the fingers softly tracing his face, carefully avoiding the bruises.

"I...I'm not unhappy. I mean, I AM happy. I love Zach and I'm very happy." Brock wondered if he sounded as defensive as he felt. A glance at Raven's face told him he did.

"Such a pretty mouth shouldn't spout such bitter lies." Raven stood and Brock barely suppressed the urge to stay. "Love shouldn't hurt like that but to fly requires taking a risk."

"Speaking of risks, you're taking a big one touching my property." Brock shivered at the fury in Zach's voice. "Get your hands off him, Raven."

Brock watched as Raven turned to look at Zach with an amused expression. "Is he really yours? Heart and soul yours? Or do you just keep his wings clipped?"

Zach was glaring at Raven in fury as he searched for a comeback. However, a light giggle from behind distracted him. Turning his head slightly, Brock realized the three of them weren't alone. The Flock stood just to the side and it was Billy who was giggling.

The small man looked different as he knelt beside Scotty, one hand wrapped around the dark man's calf. His hair wasn't brushed away from his face and he wasn't in his usual preppy clothing. He knelt in cut off jeans and a t-shirt with a cartoon figure on it. His eyes were outlined in black and black leather cuffs with silver studs and rings encircled each wrist, matching the collar around his neck. The biggest difference, though, was the sheer joy. Billy's eyes shone with it and his smile radiated it as the man beside him held Billy's leash in one hand and petted the cruiserweight with the other. Brock could not help envying the small man even more.

Zach's angry glare switched targets and he raised a hand threateningly, hissing, "Don't you fucking laugh at me, you bitch!"

Billy only giggled again as Scotty and Hammer tensed and Raven's hand shot out slapping Zach hard across the cheek. "Do NOT speak to anyone in my household like that."

At this point, yet another side was heard from as Taker stepped up with a growl. "Not only a thief but beatin' up on cripples as well? Damn, you're scum."

Raven spared the tall man a glance, raising an eyebrow in question. "Thief?"

"What else would ya call it?"

Raven continued to stare at him in question. "Depends. What did I supposedly steal?"

"Billy. `Nd ya can just release `im right now, `cause he's comin' home with me."

"He is, is he? Interesting fact for you, dead man, Billy came to me uncollared."

"That was an error on the part of my groom. I didn't release him. He's mine."

"Really?" Raven drew the word out, his disbelief obvious Turning, he stepped closer to Billy, reaching down to caress the smaller man's face. Billy immediately leaned into the caress, kissing Raven's palm. "Birdling, is what he says true?"

"Sort of, master. He didn't remove the collar, the groom did. But, I'm not his, master. Don't want to be. Want to be the Flock's."

Raven and Scotty continued to stroke Billy's hair soothingly as Raven turned his head to look at Taker. "Any problems of control in your household are your problem. Not mine. Billy is mine."

Taker's face darkened in anger. "You're makin' him say that! Billy is my angel and if he could, he'd tell ya that."

Raven shrugged then turned back to Billy. "Birdling, listen very closely. Taker is going to speak to you and you will answer truthfully. Whatever is in your heart, you will say without fear. You will not be punished for anything you say and do while you and he talk today. Understood?"

Billy nodded. "Yes, master."

Raven stepped out of Taker's way and motioned Hammer to also step back. Scotty, however, remained where he was, prevented from moving by Billy's arm wrapped firmly around his let.

With another glare at Raven and a speculative glance at Scotty, Taker stepped forward to crouch in front of Billy. "Angel, I want you to tell them to let you go so you can come home."

Billy stared straight into Taker's eyes as he said, "Mister Taker, I am home."

"No, angel, tell the truth. I'm orderin' ya t'tell the truth. You want t'come with me. You're mine." He reached out to touch Billy but the small man quickly pulled away.

Scotty immediately grabbed Taker's wrist and Hammer took a step forward, stopping only when Raven reached up and placed a hand on his chest.

Pulling his hand free, Taker glared at the younger man. Scotty, however, did not back down. He stared back in silent challenge as Billy retreated further behind him.

Taking a deep breath, the Undertaker gentled his voice again, speaking coaxingly to Billy. "Angel, ya know I'd never hurt ya. Why are ya afraid of me?"

"I'm not afraid, mister Taker."

"Then why do ya pull away?" Pain and confusion was obvious in Taker's voice and Brock actually felt sorry for the big man.

"I don't want to give you hope, mister Taker. I'm not yours anymore. I won't be ever again."

"You said you loved me," Accused the large man, growing angry at the sub's continued resistance.

"I love the Flock more, mister Taker. I always have. Please, mister Taker, forget about me. Let mister Sean find you a new sub. I wish you both happiness but my happiness, my place, is here."

"Billy-"

"Please leave, mister Taker, you're upsetting my groom and my trainer."

Looking at the other men, Brock could see the truth of Billy's words, though the terms were strange. Scotty's body was tense and his fist was clenched tightly around the chain leash. Hammer's hands opened and closed into fists as he glared at Taker through narrowed eyes. Raven, meanwhile, was watching in amusement, one hand in his jacket pocket and the other one playing with Hammer's nipple and the ring piecing it. Some time during the discussion, Raven had nudged Hammer's mesh shirt over enough to expose the hardened bit of flesh and Brock felt himself grow aroused at the sight.

"You have your answer, Taker, Billy is mine because he wants to be. Because he's happy. Everyone deserves happiness. He's found his, go find yours. Somewhere else." Once again, Raven's words were meant for others but still struck a chord within Brock as well.

Taker growled low in anger as he stood up. Green eyes glared into hazel. "This isn't over." Raven shrugged at the implied threat and Taker stalked out of the room.

Scotty continued to stroke Billy's scalp as Raven stepped back over to them and kissed Scotty softly, one hand trailing down the dark man's arm, over his hand to hold the chain. Releasing Scotty's mouth, Raven used his grip on the chain to tenderly pull Billy to his feet. The smaller man rose immediately, pressing himself against Raven's body while the brunette claimed his mouth in a slow, deep kiss. They both gasped for air when their mouths parted and a soft tug on the leash had Billy kneeling once again. Hammer's arms encircled Raven from behind and Raven leaned back into the strong embrace as he met Hammer's lowering mouth with his own.

Brock dropped his gaze as the four men walked off but knew he had not been quick enough to hide the emotions in his eyes. The sound of flesh hitting flesh rang out as Zach's hand slapped across his face, close enough to his bruised eye that pain flared white across his vision.

"You liked that, didn't you, Brock?"

Brock stared up at his lover pleadingly, "No, Zach. I didn't do anything."

"That's the point, you idiot, isn't it. You didn't stop him from touching you or even try to protect me. You just sat there panting over those animals like a bitch in heat." Zach's hand gripped Brock's jaw, fingers digging into tender skin. "You got off on them, didn't you, you sick fuck. I saw you last night, jerking off to that disgusting sight and, today, drooling over that whore and those animals. I'm surprised they didn't just start fucking on the table. And you would've enjoyed that, huh? Probably joined right in."

"No, Zach, I-"

"You calling me a liar now?" His fingers dug in harder. "Do you think I'm stupid? That I'm blind?"

Brock hated himself as he felt tears sting his eyes. "No, Zach, love, I'd never-"

He didn't get a chance to finish as Zach released his jaw and slapped him again. "Get the hell out of my sight, Brock. I don't even want to look at you!"

Eyes burning, Brock fled.

Read Chapter Chapter Eight of ? of Silverahra's Saved By Darkness