“Why so glum, sugar plum?”

Despite the pit that was ever widening in my stomach, I couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter as that wonderful, friendly, teasing voice asked me that question.

“I…” I gave my head a shake, “It’s nothing. I don’t…”

“Hun, your face looks like a thundercloud about to burst.” I turned towards her at that, my slightly burning eyes finding soft, placid blue ones. They almost seemed to collect my own into themselves, drawing me away from the gaping pit inside myself.

“I…” but I couldn’t do it. I tried for the words and failed. And she seemed to realize it. Instead of asking again she just settled onto the bench next to me and wrapped me into a tight hug,

“Shhhh…it’s alright. Whatever it is, it’ll be alright.”

It was fairly classic Mandy. Going from teasing and playful to soothing and comforting in the blink of an eye. And all without any real verbal communication either. She was by far the most empathetic person I knew, and the only one who I had left to talk to anyway at this point. I settled my head onto her offered shoulder and just…sat. And tried to take some strength from her support.

“I got let go.”

“What?” Her arms tightened around me for a moment, “Oh. Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

“Should’ve seen it coming,” I mumbled, my chest feeling tight, “I put in God knows how many extra hours, pumped out twice my normal productivity, and I barely got a pat on the back for it. And now…” I tried to shrug, but shuddered instead inside her hug, “Now…nothing. No references. Severance that’ll last a few weeks if I stretch it.”

“Can…Can you find something else?” Mandy asked softly. I opened my mouth, a snarky retort bursting at my lips, but then just clamped them shut and shook my head.

And so there we sat. Me, mired in self-pity, doing my best to try to mentally think through how I was going to live over the next month or two. And Mandy…Mandy just sat there with me. Quietly supporting me with her hug, and her gentle presence. It meant a lot.

I had met her only about six months ago, and we had hit it off. Which was odd, as I ordinarily would have been far too shy of someone as confident, attractive, and outgoing as Mandy to even dare to approach her. But she had solved that in her typical fashion. I had been engrossed in the latest novel in a fantasy series I was going through, and Mandy had plopped herself down in the booth with me, and declared her interest in the book and the start of our friendship. I hadn’t entirely known how to respond, and for that day, and the next, was convinced that I was being pranked. No one was that friendly. Or at least, that interested in being my friend.

 But she was. And she had been. The one part of my life that was worry-free was our friendship. I could let go of my other cares and worries too, around her those sorts of things just naturally melted away. Unable to withstand the sheer joy she seemed to bring to life.

“And…” I gulped, concentrating on my voice not quivering, “I’m losing my place too. Landlord got bought out by someone who’s turfing everyone. I can’t…” My body shook a little as I fought down a sob of frustration, “I just…can’t catch a break this year, y’know?”

Mandy’s grip on me tightened for a moment, and she made a soft sound of frustrated discuss, “Bastards.” She had never sworn before, and I couldn’t help but let out a disbelieving giggle at that.

“Bastards.” She said again, hugging me and then finally backing off a bit to look at me, “They shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“Well…” I barked a harsh laugh, “I’m in agreement with you there. Not much for it. I guess I’ll see if someone can take me in. Probably have to move.”

Mandy was silent for a moment, mulling something over. I was still staring out into the middle distance, trying to plan, when she gave a firm nod to herself and poked me, “Come stay with me.”

“Huh?”

“Sure!” She grinned and gripped my shoulder with one hand, the other flicking her brown hair out of her eyes, “Cathy will hardly mind. We’re friends! And friends help each other.” That last bit was said with such conviction I almost agreed on the spot.

“Look, Mandy I appreciate the offer I really do, but it’s hardly fair…”

“Don’t.” She flicked a finger up, hovering a couple inches from my mouth, and I snapped my jaw shut in surprise, “Don’t do that. No stupid self-sacrificing crap with me. You need help. I’m helping.” She gave me a look. It said, quite clearly, that she was not to be budged on this topic, “A good meal in you, and a night’s rest will do wonders. And you can stay as long as you need. We’ve got a big rambling place, and it’ll be no trouble at all.”

“I…” I took a breath, and then gave a tired smile as she raised an eyebrow, “Sorry. I’m just…I’m not used to…help.” I rolled my shoulders a little, “Thank you, Mandy. Seriously. It means the world.”

She grinned and gave me another rib-creaking hug before springing to her feet, “Well lets go then! We can swing by your place to get some essentials, and leave the rest for another day. I’ll drive!” And she spun away. Almost skipping.

It was damned impossible to stay angry around Mandy. Or to wallow in despair. I shook my head slightly, a small grin tugging at my mouth, and followed her.

We packed up a single bag of my stuff, really just an overnight bag plus my laptop and phone. While I packed Mandy idly tidied up around the small apartment. Even though I was about to lose it. It was just her thing. Once packed she hustled me down to her car and headed out to her place on the edge of the city. We talked as we went. Or rather, Mandy talked. Expertly navigating the conversation so that there was no mention of jobs or landlords or anything like that. Just a fun conversation with my friend. So much so that I could actually forget, for a little while, the problems that had been crushing me under their heavy weight.

I dunno, Mandy just seems like one of those special people who can make just about anybody forget their cares. At least for a little while.

It took a while to get to her place, and by the time we had arrived, my mood had been considerably improved. Mandy’s place was, well, incredible. There were acres of forest surrounding it, making for a relaxing drive up a small laneway from the main road. Untouched thick woodland eventually gave way to an elegant bungalow, built in such a way that it seemed a natural part of the forest. There was no crass human effort to dominate the natural surroundings. Everything blended and fit, and I felt further bits of my stress bleed away as I took in deep breaths of clean, crisp air.

I followed Mandy up the beaten track to the front of the house, my pack slung across one shoulder. As Mandy made the front step the door opened in front of her. Another woman stood there. A little shorter than Mandy, her black hair knitted into an intricate braid vice Mandy’s free-flowing brown locks. There was a quiet intensity to her that seemed to mesh seamlessly with Mandy’s energetic friendliness, and I paused for a moment on the step as the lady gave me a once over before turning to Mandy and raising her eyebrows in polite inquiry, “I didn’t realize we were having company over…”

Mandy barely paused, a slight colouring of her cheeks the only evidence of chagrin, “Oh. Right. Sorry, um…Cathy this is my friend I was telling you about? I offered to put him up, ‘cause he lost his place. As long as it takes to find a real home.”

There was an odd emphasis on the last bit, and I stood awkwardly behind Mandy as the two women seemed to communicate something between them. Eventually Cathy gave what was not quite a small sigh and stood back from the door, beckoning us inside, “Well welcome of course. I just wished I had some notice. Dinner’s not anything fancy I’m afraid.”

“Don’t worry on my account Ma’am,” I smiled as I stepped through, my nerves tingling from Cathy’s presence. The woman just radiated…something. I dunno. It sure as hell made me want to get off on the right foot, “I’m really grateful just for Mandy’s offer. I promise I won’t be any trouble.”

“Manners.” Cathy remarked, faint surprise colouring her tone, “A happy surprise. Well…”

“Oh, uh, sorry. Nathan.” I flushed a little, and Cathy’s lips quirked for a moment.

“Nathan. Of course. I’ll leave you with Mandy to freshen up. We were planning an early dinner anyway.” She turned slightly to Mandy, “I’ll see to dinner and clean-up. I imagine you’ll want to help Nathan here settle in.”

“Definitely!” Mandy bounced forward and gave Cathy a peck on the cheek before grabbing my hand and heading down a short hallway. She showed me into a nice, cozy little bedroom with a decent sized bed, wardrobe, writing desk, and a comfy armchair. We unpacked, Mandy still burbling away with friendly conversation. I hardly managed a few questions of my own, and mostly talked about our varied interests. Our shared love of fantasy novels. Her fascination with psychology. My growing skills with sketching and drawing. Just normal, friendly chatter. It was refreshing.

Dinner was an intimate affair. A small dining room with a few platters of potatoes, vegetables, and meat arrayed along a sideboard. The three of us sat at a small table that could fit four comfortably, and ate and drank in a companionable atmosphere. Cathy politely inquired about my background and how Mandy and I had met, and I happily answered every question put to me. The good food, comfortable companionship, and the general surroundings relaxed me. I felt a growing peacefulness infuse me as the meal continued, and found myself happily listening as Mandy quietly talked.

I couldn’t quite follow all of what she was saying, but it didn’t matter. Her words and tone washed over me, smoothing away my stress and letting me sink into my chair, the remains of dinner on my plate happily forgotten. The heavy weight of my cares temporarily parked. I could just listen and relax. Listen and relax. Forget my cares. Let the both of them lighten my heavy load.

I could find peace here, and contentment.

“Ready for bed?”

Mandy’s soft voice broke through the gathering fog of my thoughts, and I sleepily looked around. The table had been cleared and cleaned. Soft warm light from a brace of candles was the only lighting in the room. The flickering warmth playing over Mandy’s features in an alluring shadowy way, and I smiled up at her.

“Did I fall asleep?” She grinned and nodded, and I flushed, “I’m sorry, I didn’t…”

“Hush.” My mouth closed and Mandy helped me to my feet, “You were so tired that we thought it best for you to doze. Don’t worry, Cathy and I both understand the strain you’ve been under.” She smiled and brushed her fingers lightly through my hair, “Now I think its best that we get you into bed.”

She guided me back down the hall, one arm wrapped around me and supporting my frame as I sleepily staggered back to my room. I guess I hadn’t realize just how tired I was. I tried to summon up some sort of conversation, to thank Mandy again for what she was doing for me, but my mind couldn’t find the words. Mandy for her part just leaned into me as we want, murmuring quietly into my ear. The words buzzed against my mental fog, nothing coming through clearly apart from her soothing tone. I liked that. It was…nice. Relaxing. Peaceful.

Before I knew it I was being laid down onto the bed. I felt warm all over, enough that I was happy to just be lying on top of the blankets. Mandy sat on the bed next to me, the buzzing of her words now broken up, and coming through clearly to me as she ran her hands along my temples. There was an appealing rythym to her hands, timed with her words, and I found myself idly following it. Letting it fill me. That was what I was supposed to do…I think? Someone had told me that. The beat of her words and hands were good. Mandy was good. Relaxing. I could let go my heavy burdens…I could…

“Go to sleep. Sleeeep, my sweet boy. Lay down your heavy cares. Sleeeeeeep.” Her gentle words carried an edge of command, and my mind happily agreed. Nothing else needed to be thought of tonight. I could just lie here. Mandy would look after me. She had promised. I had…had…heard her…

“My gooood boy…” her soft fingers trailed over my face, gently passing over my eyelids time and again, “You will sleep for me. A deeeeeep sleep. You will not wake until tomorrow, when everything will be better. You are safe now. Tonight, and always. I promise. Safe. Sleeeeeeep.”

As I faded into the warm embrace of a slumber deeper than I had ever experienced before, I could be content. I was safe. Nothing could get to me. Mandy would see to that. The last feeling, the last thought, through my mind before I slipped into a dreamy sleep brought a slight smile to my face.

Peace.

Later that Night

The guest bedroom was dark and quiet, the silence within broken only by relaxed breathing. Then, soft voices from outside dame drifting through, though no reaction came from the bed’s occupant.

“…such a sweet boy though.” The door silently swung open and Mandy and Cathy entered, the latter carrying a large duffel bag. Both were dressed in silky pajamas the softly rustled as they entered the room. Mandy settled onto the bed and looked down at Nathan, who continued to slumber. She brushed a hand over the headphones she had put in place, faintly hearing her own voice crooning from the recordings she had made. The boy was naked. She had stripped him out of his old clothes once he had headed off to dreamland. He wouldn’t need those anymore anyway.

“I just…” she turned her head back to Cathy and grimaced before looking back at Nathan, “He’s just so lost right now and…”

Cathy let out a tired sigh and gently placed the duffel bag on the floor next to the bed, before hugging Mandy from behind, “I thought Gwen was meant to be scratching this particular itch of yours.”

“She is!” Mandy hurriedly assured her, patting Cathy’s arm, “She’s wonderful, and has been an absolute angel. This is more of a…rescue.”

“Rescue.” Cathy pulled back from her and stood back up.

“I don’t want the world to keep hurting him.” Mandy’s voice was quietly ferocious as she glared for a moment at something only she could see. Her stroking hand trembled briefly, the desire to seize and hold the sleeping form of the boy she had brought back momentarily overcoming her calming massage. As though she intended to personally throttle anything that came at the poor soul she had put to bed, “He deserves better.”

Cathy gave another sigh. She seemed to have been doing that a lot today, she idly reflected. She bent down and slowly unzipped the duffel bag, and dragged out a thick rubber catsuit after a few moments of rummaging, “You are so lucky you’re cute and I love you, you know?”

Mandy turned and gave her a blindingly beautiful smile and a fierce hug, “Heh. Yep.” The two women shared out handfuls of talc powder and began massaging it into Nathan. Mandy had already done a fair bit earlier, so this was just to touch up her efforts.

“This is a long term commitment, you know? It’s not something you just jump into willy-nilly.” Cathy began to firmly pull the catsuit over Nathan’s body, with Mandy assisting.

“I know.”

“Gwen at least signed up…initially.”

“I know. I’ll train him.”

Cathy cocked an eyebrow at that.

“What? I can do it. He’s…” A pause while the two women got the thing over his waist and each grabbed a sleep-heavy arm to begin forcing into the suit, “He’s special to me.”

“Uh huh.”

They worked in silence for a few minutes, finishing with the catsuit. Cathy ducked back down and then tossed the duffel up onto the bed. She grabbed thick leather cuffs and began to buckle them around Nathan’s ankles. Mandy did the same with his wrists.

“What sort of follow on is going to be needed?”

“Clear out the apartment,” Mandy calmly noted, using a couple of locks to secure the wrist restraints, and then reaching into the bag for rope, “He’s already pretty isolated. With everything going on, probably just need to monitor social media for a while.”

Cathy grunted, already lashing Nathan’s ankles to the corners of the bed. Soon enough he was splayed out spread-eagled and vulnerable. Mandy bit at her lip as she gently pressed a soft spongy ballgag into his mouth, barely drawing a grunt from the sleeping boy as she buckled it tight. She leaned in to kiss his gagged lips and then scooted down on the bed as Cathy inspected the boy’s bonds. Evidently satisfied, she then straddled Nathan, a thick leather collar in her hands.

“Point of no return here.”

“We passed that when he agreed to come back home with me. The moment he got into the car he was always going to end up in a collar.”

“Well aren’t you being a saucy little thing tonight.” Cathy snugly buckled the collar around Nathan’s neck and then stood up to glower down at Mandy, a hand on one hip, “How’d you know I was going to say yes to another slave? A male slave at that?”

“Because I am cute, clever, and you are madly in love with me…Mistress.” Mandy wrapped her arms around Cathy, Mistress Catherine, and grinned her patented Mandy-grin.

Cathy glowered down at her for a few more moments before a slow smile stole over her face, “Well there is that I suppose. But!” She grabbed Mandy’s hands and hauled her off the bed. Cathy spun the girl to face away from the bed, and slapped a pair of handcuffs on her wrists, “I still think you need to be taught about the consequences of showing your Mistress so much sass.”

Mandy moaned as her mistress’ hands massaged her breasts through the silk of her PJs, “Ooooooohhh. Of course Mistress.”

“If his training is going to be your responsibility,” Cathy brought her lips up to Mandy’s ear and, in a fiercely sensual whisper that made Mandy’s knees buckle a little, “I’m going to spend the rest of the night reminding you who owns you. And Gwen. And this silly boy now too.”

Mandy moaned and nodded, and Cathy forced her towards the door, “I hope you weren’t planning on orgasming tonight my sweet slave, because you and Gwen together will be spending your night with a rather ingenious T&D setup I’ve been working on. Let me tell you…”

Cathy’s breathy voice, and Mandy’s horny moans, faded into the quiet of the house once more as they left. Back to the master bedroom where another slave waited, also clad in rubber and stringently bound. Her purpose in life reduced to giving and receiving pleasure from her Mistresses. Originally hired to meet Mandy’s occasional desires to dominate, she had long ago been suborned and subjugated by the two women who owned her now. A single month contract was now a permanent position for Gwen, who now had to use the money that she was still being paid to purchase (at exorbitant rates) little things like orgasms. Her account was often overdrawn as a result, necessitating (as Cathy calmly explained) repeated contract extensions. She had long ago given up the idea of ever breaking even. Cathy and Mandy were simply too good at what they did.

In the guest room, Nathan slumbered on, secure now in snug bondage. Mandy’s voice keeping him lulled in an enjoyable dreamy sleep, where he was gently being told and reminded again and again that the only place of safety from the heavy burdens and cares of the world was with Mandy. Preferably at her feet. She was too much for him after all. He really just needed to be at her feet, and let her care for him. Keep him, pamper him, protect him. It was for the best after all.

His new life, sheltered from the world, started tomorrow.