Bonding Band

Kay navigated the endless throngs of the city streets, ducking, skipping, and side-stepping his way through the dawnlit crowd of shift-changers, business suits, and loud talkers. The diminutive GearHeart could not see over the crowd. He did not need to. He had been doing this his whole life.

Angular tattoos that ran from Kay's head to his toes shifted and pulsed with dull blue. The markings flashed a warning red whenever he had to sidestep an individual too occupied to see him. He was familiar with the dance; dodging both people and augmented reality advertisements. He grimaced at the holograms pushing whatever efficiency-boosting supplements and stress cures that were the new fad.

His dance of social avoidance only ceased when his hand grasped at the rail of his apartment entryway. Ah, his only escape from the corporate purgatory his parents seemed intent on trapping him in.

[Alto] "\Hope you had a good day! Be ready for a treat. See you soon! \"

"Oh, that's an ominous amount of emojis." Kay quipped to no one in particular. His ink flowed to a playful pink, reflecting his amusement. He drafted up a response while unlocking the lobby door with a swipe of his hand.

[Kay]"\Comin' up right now, big boy.\"

He wasted no time, eager to see Alto's surprise. He stepped onto the lift and pinged for his floor. The only hint that it was working was the tingle of gravity that hit his stomach.

He browsed the day's news on the way, each second of Kay's life had to be filled with some sort of stimulation. Surprise, it was nothing good. Just the same old soul-sucking business news and droning virtual reality articles that his father sent him to try and excite him about 'the future of his company!' Can't fault the old man for trying.

The lift slid to a halt, and he disembarked. With each step towards his apartment door, his mood brightened. A smile grew on his lips, the happiest part of his life was right beyond that door. Probably plotting something, too.

[Alto]"\Got you.\"

Kay had just enough time to absorb the message before its intent was made clear. A looming presence stood behind him. Sharp claws toyed at his jacket sleeves, trailed by soft furred fingers that grasped at his shoulders and held him secure. Alto’s massive white tail wrapped snug around Kay's midsection, ensuring his capture.

"There's my little pocket rocket." Alto’s deep voice cradled Kay's ears, piercing his subconscious. Without a thought, he leaned back into the hands and the chest that cradled him.

"Can't even wait for me to get inside, huh?" Kay joked, his neck craned to the ceiling so he could lock eyes with the purple pools looming above him. Altos' ears swiveled forward, absorbing each of Kay's words.

"Fuck no." Alto bared his smile, the faintest of growls escaping from behind the pearl cage of his teeth. Leaning in, he granted Kay a brief and tantalizing kiss. "Let's get you inside." Alto suggested, running a palm down Kay's chest. He opened the door with his tail.

Kay broke his stare to peer inside his corporate-subsidized single-bed abode. Flower petals, some recognizable, all colorful, floated down from the ceiling to collect on the ground before fading away to repeat their journey. Kay eyed the small holographic emitters putting on the romantic show.

"You lovely sap, managed to set those up without my help?" Kay teased, it was one of his few defenses against the relentless assault of adoration and amorosity.

"You know I'm more than a big cock and muscles, love." Alto chided without hesitation, emphasizing his point with a step forward. A rigid pillar pressed flat against the center of Kay’s spine. A familiar warmth seeped through Kay's jacket, coaxing his inhibitions out and away with a shiver. "For now though." Alto followed through with another step, guiding Kay into his own apartment.

The door closed behind them and revealed their folding dinner table. Their meal was laid out immaculately, a diorama of delicious dishes presented in a way that each complemented the rest. The feast mesmerized Kay so much so it made him uncertain if Alto was using his Helyk abilites. Not that he would mind. A rebellious grumbling from his stomach ordered him not to question it.

"Wow, okay. Checkmate, Alto."

Alto, still tucked snug behind his human, worked his hands up to peel the jacket from Kay’s body. The Helyk’s nostrils flared, taking in his lover’s scent; it was more tempting than anything on the table.

“I’ll be your king later, but for now, I’m starved.”

The dinner went off without a hitch, a romantic platter that included both Human and Sazashi fare. Synthetic lobster tail, fried flect, and stir-fried greens and squashes. All over a glass or three of Valuser'an wine.

"I know you don't like to cook often, but you need to do it more." Kay leaned back in his chair, nursing his last cup of wine against his pursed lips. Kay's tattoos radiated a gradient of greens, matching the tint of the libations within his glass.

The Gearheart's organic light reflected off Alto's eyes, the Sazashi's diamond-shaped pupils glimmered with brilliant gold. The eyes were locked on Kay; they radiated a warmth of protection, of adoration, of desire both intimate and carnal. Alto never broke his gaze, savoring every little detail; the way Kay twirled his chopsticks after eating, the way Kay always licked his lips when he smiled, the way he didn't use his CommLink when Alto talked to him, and the way Kay’s tattoos thrummed to hot pink, giving away his building arousal.

Alto entranced Kay, caressed the human with his very presence. Alto played his tongue across his fangs, capturing the human's eyes. It was no doubt sexual torture for his poor Kay, but humans are so cute when they are aroused!

Kay jumped back in his chair, his tattoos pulsed red with alarm. They faded back to soft pink the next moment as Kay deduced the noise.

"Alto! You horny animal. You made me break my chopsticks!" he protested, tossing the splintered utensils on the table.

Alto's ears flicked. "Well why were you squeezing them so hard, dear?" His playful chide came with that 'I'm too sexy to stay mad at' smile.

Heading off Kay before he could rebuke, Alto followed up. "But I'm glad it happened, because I think it's a good time for the main event."

Kay perked up, still unsure just what his Helyk had tucked under his sleeve. "Main event?"

"Oh yes, Kay." Alto said, an ember of excitement spreading into a wildfire. Alto’s tail wormed unseen to wrap itself around Kay's hips. "It's been hard to bottle it up this long." The tail squeezed, tightening around Kay like a hungry anaconda.

Alto stood from the table, legs sliding the chair back without a care if it toppled over. His fingers outstretched to Kay, an offer which Kay accepted with no delay. Alto's tail pulled taut while his hand hoisted Kay upwards. Kay submitted, allowing Alto to manipulate him until Kay was basking close enough to absorb Alto's body heat.

Kay took the opportunity to form himself to Alto's front, succumbing to the Sazashi's overwhelming presence. Kay's hands slid to Alto's waist. Fingertips tugged at the hem of Alto's shirt, until they slipped underneath to savor the coat of plush silken fur that graced Alto's belly. Alto always was an immaculate self-groomer.

A soft passionate red covered the two, setting the atmosphere for their intimacy. "Alto, you know you already have me. You're what keeps me alive through all the shit we've been through."

"So let's make it official." Alto murmured, leaning in so the faintest licks of his heated breaths caressed Kay's ear. Kay closed his eyes, ready to savor the incoming bite at his ear lobe. The familiar fangs never came, instead a rustle of cloth and the soft rush of fur across his face. Kay found himself staring at the white censor bar of Altos fanned tail tip. "No peeking." Alto's voice teased Kay with the Helyk's excitement. Must be a big deal.

Kay, feeling clever, attempted to access the apartment's security camera. The corner of his eye lit up, only for his feed to show Alto's hand-drawn rendition of Sazashi genitalia taped to the lense. 'No cheating!' It read.

"Alright, you ready, Boy Toy?" Alto's voice trembled with anticipation. His mind played out all the scenarios he could imagine. What would Kay say? How would he respond? How would Kay respond to his response?

"Damn right I'm ready!" Kay blurted out, pulling Alto out of his trench of 'what-ifs?' Alto's tail lowered, the broad white fan teasing down along Kay's chin like the bristles of a brush. There stood Alto, with those same hypnotic purple eyes. In his hands, he held a thin and long box. The entire length was decorated in Hedon symbolism, a carved rose adorned the center, with inset vines coiled around the entire package. Kay's eyes fell to the box and widened, he heard rumors of what a box like that could contain.

"You didn't." Kay hesitated, his mouth trying to seek words that his mind had no intention of providing.

"I've spent months on it." Alto stepped forward, once more leaving but a finger of distance between the two. "Kay, I think you already know what you mean to me, what I would do to protect you, what I would do to possess you."

Kay's tattoos faltered into a cascade of blues, growing brighter with each tear that welled beneath his emerald eyes. "Oh Alto, fuck, me."

"I plan on it." Alto's ears twitched in excitement. Long fingers picked at the fasteners of the box, until with one final ginger pull the Bonding Band was offered. It was a fine metal band fitted perfectly to Kay's lithe neck. On the front, the Bonding Band held a ring that looked perfect for Alto's finger, a way for Alto to guide Kay. Inside the Band, Kay could just see the engraved Consenti. He couldn't read the language, but he saw his name and he saw Alto's name.

"Is that a yes?" Alto held firm as a statue, holding the box before his human.

Kay’s answer only took seconds, but for Alto it may as well have been decades of torturous uncertainty. "You're goddamn right it's a yes."

Alto's tail whipped back and forth in excitement, spurned by the acceptance. It took all of his control to not rush Kay and claim him right then and there. Instead he cleared his throat, and licked his fangs in preparation. "With the Wheel as our Witness, and Lady Hedon and her Princes as our patron, you are mine Kay. Body, mind, and soul."

With one hand, Alto lifted the metallic band from the box.

"We are bound together." He set down the empty box, both hands now on the band. "I will care for you." Alto's hands moved forward, teasing the cool texture against the silken flesh of Kays nape. "I will ensure your safety and take your enemies as my own." Both sides of the Band, guided by Alto's trimmed claws slid into place around his Human’s neck. "I will pleasure you in ways unimaginable, and we will experience the world together. All I ask in return is your loyalty and affection." Alto paused, peering down at his little human who stared back with such a cute smile.

"I'm yours, Alto. Damn my old life, you are all I have ever wanted. No matter where you go, I'll be right beside you." Kays hands reached up to caress Alto's. As one, they pushed inwards until with a soft hiss and a beep, the band was sealed. Now Alto was the only one able to remove it.

Alto took a step back, looking at his human. Seeing that choker glow with Alto's pink luminance was too much. A tear hit Alto's eyes. Such a beautiful sight to behold, and he helped make it. His Akjhe filled him with a contentness that flowed into adoration.

"Well fuck Kay, right now I want you below me." Alto reached a delicate finger forward, slipping a claw into the ring of the band. The Helyk pulled the human into a kiss with a soft pull. Alto assaulted Kays lips, overpowering Kay with his determined tongue. They were locked together for what felt like an hour; wrestling with tongue, fang, and breath. Alto's finger tightened around the ring, keeping Kay pinned against him. Alto parted, leaving Kay panting with a glisten of shared saliva on his chin.

"I'm glad you say that though," Alto pulled Kay close, until the tip of the tent in his pants ground against Kay's sternum. Kay could feel the damp patch of Alto's arousal, a heady aroma of Sazashi musk followed, rich and spicy. "I got us some tickets off-world in exchange for my shop." Alto continued, leaning in to nibble at the inviting lobe of Kay's ear, tugging at the soft flesh with his fangs. "We don't have to be trapped here anymore. We can see anything, experience everything."

"Fuck yeah, Alto," Kay proclaimed, his passion bubbling over with the ivory daggers tugging on his flesh. Kay combed his hands up Alto’s belly, exposing the wonderful plane of his furred stomach inch by inch. "I'm done with this concrete prison, but what about my job? Our Apartment?"

"Already taken care of," Alto replied, voice a husky near-growl. His eyes closed, savoring the sensation of the metal ring around his finger, the warmth of the throat behind it, the hands that roved his soft underbelly. He wished they would just travel south to his aching need below. "The Mephistian will take care of it."

"So does this mean I get tomorrow off?" Kay guessed hopefully, his fingertips cresting at the border between Alto’s stomach and chest. They began to slide back down until, fast as a viper, Alto grabbed both of Kay's hands with one of his own.

"Yeah, but you won't be walking tomorrow either." Alto promised, hoisting him up by the band and into a ravenous kiss. Kay surrendered to Alto, and Alto invaded his mouth, tongue dominating tongue. Kay's salacious moans vibrated Alto’s lips, enticing the Helyk further.

Their combined passion erupted into an inferno of lustful energy. Alto cradled Kay, Kay clung to Alto. Neither had any intention of letting the other go. They had a new life to start, filled with countless risks and trials, but it would be their life to spend together. Their first act of their new life; to consummate their new bond.