#voltronbingoworks

Once Pike’s crimes were read to him, the man rolled up his scroll and tucked it away before walking toward him. And it was then that everything became very real.

He was trapped, unable to escape, and someone was about to turn him in.

“Stop right there!” a familiar voice called and Pike could have cried. It was Gyro. “Who are you and what business do you have with our party member?”

The man turned toward him and lifted an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Block and the others appeared. Now he was completely outnumbered. “Your friend is a wanted man,” he said in that deep voice of his.

“Wanted?” Valayun furrowed her brow.

“On what charges?” Meklavar asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Once again, the man listed Pike’s transgressions. “Across multiple kingdoms,” he added this time. And that was when Pike noticed his uniform. It was unlike any guard he’d seen – or taken advantage of – in their travels.

This man was a mercenary.

But that didn’t matter. Because there was no way his comrades were going to let this guy take him. No way. Even if they were all in a huddle… Whispering to each other…

“Um…” Pike cleared his throat. “Guys…?” He swallowed and faced the other man.

“How much did you say his bounty was again?” Meklavar poked her head out from behind Block.

The mercenary simply pulled out another roll of parchment. This time, when he unrolled it, he held it out to show them. Pike had to admit that the artist’s rendering was spot on. But below that… Well… Wow, that was a lot of zeroes…

“All right,” Meklavar disappeared into the huddle again and after a few seconds, they broke. “You can take him,” she said.

Oh, good. He knew his team wouldn’t let him down.

Wait.

“What?” Pike’s eyes grew large. “You guys can’t be serious?”

“My apologies, Pike,” Valayun began. “But it is a great sum they’re offering.”

“So?” Pike gesticulated wildly as best he could while trapped against the tree. “It’s not like you have to pay him! Shoot him with a magic arrow or something!”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that, Pike.” It was Gyro who spoke this time. His tone conveyed finality, though his expression was almost sad. Maybe he’d argued in favor of rescuing Pike? Maybe.

Then again, Gyro had a giant, blazing sword that could have easily downed the entire tree, let alone the two measly arrows holding Pike captive.

“Sorry, Buddy,” Block chimed in.

Pike looked at each of them, expecting at least one to come to his defense. But nothing. Nada. Zilch. They were seriously just going to let this mercenary take him and turn him in. All over a few gold coins.

Okay, a lot of gold coins.

“Wow.” Pike’s shoulder’s slumped in defeat. “Fine then.”

Flash forward to hours later. Pike had been following his thus far unnamed captor for miles, his hands tied together, the other end of the rope gripped tightly in the man’s hand. Pike had plenty of stamina, he liked to think, but even his legs were starting to get tired.

“Hey,” he called, knowing he probably wouldn’t get an answer. “Don’t you think we should set up camp for the night?”

To his surprise, the man stopped and turned to face him. “You tired?”

Pike released a breath and nodded. “Exhausted.”

The mercenary grunted and looked up at the sky before giving the rope a tug, leading Pike off of the path and through a thicket. Pike winced as the thorns on the bushes poked into his skin, hooking onto his clothes and tail.

Once he broke free of the vicious shrub, he found himself in a clearing. It was quiet, save for the gentle sound of water. He was certain they were quite a ways downriver from where they’d started hours earlier.

Not that he expected his friends to show up.

Pfft. Friends.

Well, Pike had gotten himself out of worse situations.

“So,” he began, but didn’t get to finish as the man yanked on the rope, which would have sent him sprawling, if not for his catlike reflexes. “Hey!”

“We’ll camp here,” he said before tying his end of the rope to a nearby tree. He whispered something which caused the knot to glow bright before dimming back to normal.

“You know magic?” Pike gaped. Just great. No wonder he had those arrows earlier. Pike had just figured he’d stolen them off of an archer like Valayun.

But, once again, the man didn’t answer. He just set to gathering up kindling for a fire.

With an aggravated huff, Pike crouched down beside the tree, miffed at being ignored. This man was proving to be quite the tough nut to crack.

Fire ablaze, the man pitched a tent – large enough for only one, Pike noted – then sat down and pulled out a small pouch. When he opened it, Pike perked up at the delicious aroma of dried meat, cheese, and crusty bread. His mouth watered. He hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before. And even though his captor had been kind enough to give him sips of water during their journey, that wasn’t going to cut it.

“Hey,” Pike began, moving closer. “You think maybe I could get some of that?”

The man looked up at him, brought the bread to his lips, and bit into it before turning back toward the fire.

Rude.

“Fine then!” Pike puffed his chest out. “I’ll just die of starvation and you’ll lose all your reward money.” He harrumphed, crossing his arms over his chest and sticking his nose in the air, his tail swishing angrily from side to side.

The mercenary chuckled. Chuckled!

“What’s so funny?” Pike glared at him, too cheesed to notice how handsome the other looked when he laughed. Well, mostly.

He pulled out the poster again and pointed to the bottom. “Dead or alive.”

Oh, great.

“But,” he continued, rolling the ad back up and stuffing it into his pocket. “You’re worth more alive, so…” He tossed a chunk of bread Pike’s way. And, pride be damned, Pike pounced on it, bringing the stale treat to his lips and devouring it before licking the crumbs from his fingers.

After that, they sat in silence while Pike tried to formulate a plan. There had to be something the other man wanted. More than the large sum of money he’d get if he turned Pike in. But what?

“You got a name?” Pike asked. Maybe if they got to know each other, the other man might think twice about handing him over. Not that mercenaries were known for their soft hearts. “C’mon,” he continued when he received no answer. “If we’re going to be traveling together, I need to know what to call you.”

That seemed to get his attention. He turned Pike’s way, his dark eyes and skin lit orange by the fire’s glow as the sun dipped behind the trees. “Ryan.”

Pike blinked. He figured the other man would be named something like King or Lightning or Big McLargeHuge. But Ryan? Hmm…

“Well, Ryan…” Pike drawled, arching his back as he gave a stretch. The other looked at him before returning his attention to his meal. But now that Pike had something in his belly, he was less distracted by hunger and ready to make a deal. “I wonder how much they’re offering for me,” he mused, bringing bound hands up to tap a finger to his chin.

Ryan cleared his throat, but Pike couldn’t be sure if it was in acknowledgement of his talking or if the other man had simply tried to swallow too large a piece of bread at once.

“I can’t imagine it’s a fortune greater than the one up in the Feldakor mountains…” He puckered his lips, waiting for Ryan to take the bait. When he didn’t, Pike continued. “Gold as far as the eye can see. Coins, baubles, trinkets, rare items-”

“Not interested,” Ryan said flatly, not bothering to look up from the fire.

Pike bristled. What kind of mercenary didn’t want more money?

But then Pike grinned. If riches weren’t what tempted this man, perhaps it was the thrill of the chase. The challenge. And Pike was as competitive as they came.

“So, you’re pretty good with that bow, huh?” Pike gestured toward the weapon nestled between the quiver of arrows and the small tent. “You missed me though. That first time.”

Ryan looked his way, eyebrow raised. “I wasn’t trying to hit you.”

“Sure, sure.” Pike raised his palms and nodded along. “Of course. Every MERC wants to give their target fair warning. You know, so they can escape or whatever.”

“You didn’t escape,” Ryan pointed out, narrowing his eyes.

Ah-ha! He bit.

Now to reel him in…

“Well, where’s the fun in that?” Pike replied, studying his nails – easier said than done with his hands bound the way they were – then he glanced up with a smirk. “Bet you can’t hit that fruit over there.” He pointed, best he could, toward a dangling appauava high up the length of a tree toward the very edge of the clearing.

Ryan turned his head toward the fruit and then looked back at Pike. “Not much of a challenge.”

Pike could practically taste his freedom.

“What say we make a deal?” Pike began, barely containing his glee. “If you can knock it down in one shot, I’ll go quietly the rest of the way.” He paused, tail flicking excitedly. “But if I hit it-”

“I don’t cut deals with wanted men,” Ryan interrupted, grabbing a stick and poking at the campfire.

Pike bit his lip. Hard. Internally screaming. What kind of man was this Ryan? Couldn’t be bribed. Couldn’t be challenged. What in all of Aurita could tempt him?

Then Pike got an idea. A wicked idea.

He got into a crouched position, tugging feebly at his bindings. “Ryaaaaaan…” he whined, jutting out his lower lip. “Can’t you loosen the ropes? My wrists hurt…”

Ryan scoffed, shaking his head as he continued to ignore Pike.

“I think it’s broken the skin,” Pike continued, standing up.

Still no response.

Fine. Time to up the ante.

“And I’m cold…” Pike shivered. “The fire’s too far away and I’m freezing.” He made a show of puffing up his tail, his teeth chattering. “I think I might die, Ryan.” He raised his hands, closing his eyes and striking a dramatic pose.

Suddenly, his bound wrists were pushed up over his head, gripped tightly and held against the tree behind him. Pike’s eyelids fluttered open, going wide when he realized just how close Ryan was to him now, the other’s breath warm against his face.

Maybe Pike was kind of cold, after all.

“Do you ever stop talking?” Ryan ground out, dark eyes narrowed, pupils blown in the low light.

Pike swallowed, large eyes staring up at Ryan. He knew he was tall, but up close like this…

“Um,” Pike faltered, his ears drawn back. “I, uh-” He tore his gaze away, his cheeks growing warm. This was embarrassing. He was never without a witty comeback.

“Run out of things to say?” Ryan challenged, releasing Pike’s wrists before making his way back to the campfire.

“I’ve been told I can get pretty noisy,” Pike managed, finally collecting himself now that Ryan was a safe distance away. “But there’s one way to shut me up.”

This was it. Pike’s last ditch-effort. If money and winning didn’t do it for Ryan, maybe sex would. And Pike liked to think he was well-versed in the art of seduction. Besides, once Ryan had his pants down, Pike could make a break for it.

It seemed Ryan had returned to his stoic, less-than-talkative self. And Pike was about to give up hope until the other made his way over, a small blade in hand.

Shit.

Pike tried desperately to get away, but whatever enchantment Ryan had put on the rope held firm. He lowered his ears and ducked his head. But instead of feeling the sharp blade against his skin, he felt the taut rope go slack.

He opened one eye and saw that Ryan had cut through the knot tying Pike to the tree. The rope and knife glowed briefly before dimming. Ryan put the blade back into his pocket and gripped the end of the rope, giving it a pull and leading an astonished Pike toward the fire.

Ryan sat down and when Pike didn’t immediately follow suit, he looked up at him and quirked a brow.

Quickly recovering, Pike smirked, easing himself down beside Ryan, close enough so their shoulders and thighs brushed. At this distance, he noticed how the light from fire danced on Ryan’s high cheekbones, illuminating the golden rings that decorated the braids in the other’s hair. “How kind,” he purred, wrapping his tail around himself and leaning into the other. “But you know,” he whispered in Ryan’s ear, “you’re even hotter than the fire.”

A bad line, sure. But it was the truth. Never mind that the mercenary was extremely good-looking. His body temperature was also relatively high in comparison. And if they’d met under different circumstances, Pike would have gladly let the other be his bed-warmer.

Then again, it wasn’t too late for that…

“I thought this would shut you up,” Ryan replied, using Pike’s earlier phrasing. “Since you were so cold,” he deadpanned.

“Yeah, about that…” Pike let his lips brush against Ryan’s ear. “I thought of a better way to warm up.” He gave his lobe a teasing nip before pulling back.

Ryan was looking at him with an unreadable expression. But the blush on his cheeks gave him away. And Pike rolled with it.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Big Bad Mercenary?” he asked, cocking his head to the side. “Flustered by a little flirting?” He moved quickly, maneuvering himself so he was in Ryan’s lap, one leg on either side of the other’s hips. He bumped their foreheads gently. “Or am I too much for you?”

Pike sat, quite pleased with himself.

“You’re wrong,” Ryan breathed, his hands finding Pike’s hips and gripping them tight.

“Oh?” Pike let himself be pulled against the other. He looped his bound arms around Ryan’s neck and drew close enough that their lips nearly touched.

Ryan reached up, wrapping his fingers around the base of Pike’s tail and giving it a pleasurable tug. Pike tipped his head back and let out a low moan while Ryan pressed curved lips against Pike’s neck, chuckling lowly. “Yeah.”

Pike’s head swam. When was the last time he’d been in this situation? Well, not this exact situation. He didn’t often let himself get tied up. Maybe a few times. But that was neither here nor there. What was he saying?

Right. When had he been this close to another without interruption? The rest of the team was always barging in on them when he and Gyro-

“You’re pretty desperate, huh?” Ryan’s hot breath caressed the sensitive skin of Pike’s neck.

“Y-Yes…” Pike whined and then cleared his throat. “I mean, no. What?”

Ryan chuckled and drew back. “Come on, now,” he teased, the slight lilt in his deep voice doing things to Pike. Delightfully sinful things. “You’re the one who came on to me.”

“Yeah,” Pike purred, rolling his hips. “I was, wasn’t I?”

“Mhm,” Ryan hummed, canting to meet his thrust. And wow. Okay. So, he was packing.

Pike shivered, his tail curling at the mere thought of anything inside him. Let alone something so…substantial. It had definitely been too long. And once he got back to his team – if he felt like gracing those slimy traitors with his presence – he was going to rub it in Gyro’s face.

“You know, you don’t look like you’d put up too much of a fight,” Ryan said, bringing Pike out of his own head.

“Huh?”

“Yeah.” Ryan rubbed his palms up and down Pike’s sides, gazing at his form appreciatively. “But maybe you got away from me,” he added. “Sneaked off during the night or something like that.”

Then Pike caught on. “I am pretty sneaky,” he breathed, brushing their noses and wanting so badly to close the gap between their lips.

“You’re going to get me in so much trouble,” Ryan said with a slight shake of his head. And Pike readily embraced this new flirty version of his captor.

“Yeah, I do that,” Pike snorted and then let out a startled squeak when Ryan pressed their lips together, the hands on his waist lowering to grip his backside and pull their hips flush. “A-Ah,” he gasped, opening his mouth and letting Ryan inside.

It had been way too long and this was so good. No, better than good. Amazing. Ryan’s earlier blush had given Pike the idea that he was flustered. And maybe he had been. But now he was in control and Pike was loving it.

“Mmm…Ryan,” Pike moaned, rutting against the very obvious tent in the other’s pants. He pulled back, panting, and glanced down. Then he licked his lips, not missing the way Ryan’s dark gaze followed the motion. “Hey, do you think I could-”

“Pike!”

Both Ryan and Pike straightened, their heads whipping toward the direction of the shout. And there, bursting through the brush in full armor was none other than

“Gyro?” Pike blinked, confused as to why he was there. But, more than that, disappointed that he and Ryan had been interrupted. He’d really wanted to get his mouth around the other’s-

“Get your hands off him!” Gyro snapped, his glare directed not at Pike, but at Ryan.

Oh, great. A few nights together – or a few dozen, maybe, Pike had lost count – and now Gyro thought he needed to fight for Pike’s honor or something. Ah well, time to set the paladin straight. But Pike had barely opened his mouth before Gyro continued.

“I went along with the plan and followed after you two-”

Wait. Plan?

“-but I lost you at the bend in the path-”

Hold on.

“-and then I come to find-” Gyro faltered, wildly gesturing toward them. “This!” He shook his head. “And even though I was supposed to let him turn you in and then take the reward money-”

Ah.

“-which, honestly, didn’t seem like the right thing to do, but Meklavar had phrased it in such a way-”

Of course.

“-anyway,” Gyro paused, raising his sword and getting into a fighting stance. “I demand you release my teammate this instant!”

Pike sighed. He couldn’t be mad at Gyro. Well, yes. Yes, he could. But Gyro was only trying to do the right thing. Pike let his head fall back. Gyro was noble to a fault and a great comrade, but damn, why did he have to show up before it got good? Well, maybe Pike could convince the paladin to make it up to him later.

With another sigh, Pike lowered his chin so he was looking at Ryan once more. The mercenary simply raised his eyebrows and Pike gave him a sheepish smile. “Raincheck?”

At that, Ryan’s lips curled, revealing perfectly white teeth. “Or…you could convince your friend to go for a walk around the woods,” he suggested.

In his periphery, Pike saw Gyro’s grip on his sword slacken. “…Pike?”

“Or…” Pike began, mimicking Ryan’s tone. He glanced over at Gyro, flicking his ears and curling his tail. “I could convince him to join us.”

Once they’d made camp, however, his interest had become evident, he was sure. Pike had offered him riches for his freedom. He’d even challenged him – which had been even harder to resist, as Ryan loved a good challenge, especially when the stakes were high. But what had done him in was Pike’s put-upon desperation.

That was why Ryan hadn’t put up a fight when Pike had crawled into his lap, looping his bound arms around his neck and rubbing against him just so. Ryan had even entertained the idea of releasing him, though he would have much preferred if Pike stayed with him – without being forced. They could use someone with Pike’s skillset in their party. And since his own had so readily handed him over…

But all thoughts of Pike joining up with them flew out the window when his old team’s paladin showed up, demanding that Pike be released.

The exchange was tense. Pike was clearly quite upset with them for abandoning him and then even more upset when he found out it was all a ruse. Not that Ryan could blame them. There was quite a bounty on their thief’s fluffy little head.

“Sir.” Ryan was pulled from his thoughts when Gyro spoke to him. “Hand him over.”

“Stop talking like I’m some rare item!” Pike growled, his tail bristling. He refused Ryan’s help as he stood up, his wrists still bound. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You,” Gyro began, sheathing his weapon, “are going to come with me. Now.”

Ryan immediately noted the shift in the mood. Pike shivered slightly, his tail curling. He looked surprised, maybe even a little frightened. But also…something else.

Without waiting for a response, Gyro grabbed the end of Pike’s rope, giving it a tug as he walked toward the edge of the clearing and the bushes that surrounded it. He ignored Pike’s startled and rather indignant squawk, but paused when Ryan spoke.

“I did not agree to release him, Paladin,” he said. After all, Pike’s bounty was his. Though, at this point, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. If Pike didn’t want to go with him…

“I will return him once we’ve spoken,” Gyro replied, glancing over his shoulder. “You have my word.”

That was as good an answer as Ryan expected. He owed the man nothing, but Pike appeared as though a talk was in order. He’d spent the last few hours assuming his team had left him high and dry. This would be good for him.

Ryan nodded and then they were gone, navigating through the thorny bushes and back toward the main path. He sighed and picked up a stick, poking at the camp fire. Things had just been getting good with Pike before Gyro had shown up. He wondered if the mood would be completely ruined upon his return.

Then he chastised himself. They were nothing to each other. And maybe Pike was at the end of his rope – both figuratively and literally – when he’d offered himself to Ryan.

He sighed again, long and heavy, and waited for Gyro to return with his captive.

Ryan was a patient man. He’d spent hours, even days, waiting for his target to come out of their hidey hole for capture. He was no stranger to biding his time. But it was when the last light of day was completely swallowed by the cover of the trees, that he noticed just how long Pike had been gone.

He wanted to give them their time, but something wasn’t sitting right. Ryan knew to trust his gut. It had never let him down before. He didn’t think a paladin would go back on his word, nor did he think Pike would just run off after…whatever it was they had going. At least, he hoped.

So, expecting he’d only be interrupting an argument, Ryan extinguished the fire and headed out of the clearing and to the main path.

When he arrived, he took a glance in both directions, putting what he knew about Pike and had gathered about Gyro together to make an educated guess. However, before he could conjure a supposition, he heard something from just across the way, where the wood was denser and the trees grew taller.

Ryan couldn’t be sure, but it had sounded like Gyro’s voice, though it was muffled. He stepped closer and what he heard next was undeniably Pike.

“G-Gyro…Gy…aww, fuck!”

Heat flooded Ryan’s cheeks. There was no mistaking what was going on, given how breathless and wanton Pike’s voice was, paired with the slapping of skin from their obvious coupling.

“You’re mine,” Gyro said, sounding almost animalistic. “This ass is mine… You belong to me…”

“Yessss…I’m yours.”

Now, Ryan knew he should have turned back, given them time to finish up. It wouldn’t be right to intrude on their private moment. But that was his rational side. A different, more primal part of him wanted to burst through the overgrowth and demand – well, he wasn’t sure. But that side was winning and, without thinking, he was marching forward.

Ryan only stopped when he heard Gyro mention his class, the two now speaking in voices much quieter and more controlled than earlier.

“Were you really going to have sex with that mercenary?”

Perhaps he could spare a few tics to hear Pike’s answer before interrupting them.

“I was trapped, he was hot, and it had been a while.”

Ryan’s shoulders sagged. So, that was it, huh?

But Pike continued. “Would you really be mad if I did?” A breath. “If I still want to?”

He still wanted to? Even after being with Gyro? Ryan should have been upset that he wasn’t Pike’s first choice – obviously – but he wasn’t. The more he thought about it, the more he found himself…intrigued.

In fact, he was so distracted by his thoughts, that he’d missed whatever it was they had said after that. The only thing on his mind being that Pike still wanted him. Of course, his rational side came back, reminding him that nothing was going to happen if he just stood there all night, so he chose that moment to make his presence known.

Their heads snapped in his direction as he pushed past the leafy lower branches and into their private space. He crossed his arms over his chest, trying his best to keep his gaze trained on their faces, as opposed to their naked lower halves. But it was hard, considering, sweet ancients, Gyro had not even pulled out yet.

“I thought you were just going to talk?” He managed to keep his cool, quirking an eyebrow.

“My apologies,” Gyro said, extracting himself and easing Pike down on unsteady legs. His release dribbled down Pike’s thighs and Ryan lost his battle, unable to tear his gaze away. “Things escalated.”

Well, they certainly had.

“Yeah,” Pike added breathlessly, his leg muscles quivering. “Probably my fault.”

Undoubtedly.

“Well, I suppose we should atone for our actions,” Gyro offered, stepping behind Pike and pulling him against his chest. And that… that was puzzling to Ryan. “Sound good?”

Pike made a show of looking Ryan up and down before purring, “Sounds great.”

Call Ryan crazy, but hadn’t Gyro been staking his claim over Pike just moments earlier? Was this some sort of trap? Did they intend to distract him long enough to make their escape? No. They would have done so already. They’d had plenty of time to-

“What do you say, Ryan?” Gyro broke him from his reverie, sneaking a hand under Pike’s knee and lifting it up. He easily spread Pike’s legs, opening him up for Ryan to see. “Would you like a turn?”

Pike had been nearly irresistible fully clothed. And now, half-naked and dripping, he was…

Ryan looked up from between Pike’s legs, gaze flicking from his cock – which was a twitching mess – and then up to his face. The thief appeared smug, his smirk wide. But there was an uncertain vulnerability in his eyes, almost as if he was fearing Ryan’s answer.

As if he could reject him.

Still, Ryan said nothing as he stepped forward, bending down to grip the end of Pike’s rope. He could practically feel Pike’s spirits deflate, the way his brow creased and his ears drooped. But Ryan simply smiled, pulling hand-over-hand until the rope was taut.

Gyro, sensing the change in mood, released Pike’s leg, but didn’t move from behind him.

Ryan had only meant to tease them a bit – get them back, in a way, for what they’d done – but it was obvious that both really thought he’d intended on simply bringing Pike back to the camp.

“Come closer,” Ryan said when Pike still hadn’t moved.

Pike bit his lip. “I didn’t… I thought-”

“I can’t untie you if you won’t come near me.”

At that, both Pike and Gyro relaxed, the former quickly walking toward Ryan on shaky legs. Pike’s lips curved in a soft smile as he held his bound wrists up.

“I didn’t think you and the paladin had that kind of relationship,” Ryan mused as he made quick work of the complicated knot.

“Does it bother you?” Pike asked, rubbing his wrists once they were free.

“Not at all,” Ryan answered. And it didn’t. He took Pike’s hands in his, moving to brush his thumbs against the reddened skin. “And, even after that, you still want to…with me?”

Pike, despite being pantless and sticky, had the decency to blush, his ears folding back and his tail swishing from side to side. “I do.”

Ryan bit back a pleased smile before bringing Pike’s wrist to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss there. “Then, shall we?” He took a step back, pulling Pike toward him.

Pike cocked his head to the side, his ears twitching. “Not here?”

“Not here,” Ryan confirmed, his gaze flicking to Gyro before he focused on Pike. “I thought you might prefer the warmth of the fire.” As if on cue, Pike shivered, the crisp night air finally getting to his rapidly cooling body. Ryan drew him close. “Can you walk?”

“Back to camp?” Pike raised his brows and no amount of false bravado could cover up the way his limbs trembled. Gyro had certainly done a number on him. Something Ryan would have to outdo, he supposed.

Ryan didn’t answer, but scooped him up. Pike let out a surprised purr and then wrapped his arms around Ryan’s neck. He took two steps forward before glancing back over his shoulder at Gyro. “You coming?”

And Gyro, who had begun to pick up Pike’s discarded clothing, snapped his head up. “Me?”

Ryan allowed himself a smirk. “I wasn’t talking to the tree.”

 The walk back to the camp was short, as they hadn’t wandered far. Ryan gently set Pike on the leaf-covered ground before getting the fire going once more. He grabbed a blanket from his bag and rolled it out. Then he noticed Gyro looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Since you were both offering,” Ryan began, “I thought you might want to stick around.” He paused. “And watch?”

Even in the low light given off by the fire, Ryan could see the way Gyro’s eyes widened, his sudden intake of breath, and the way his body shuddered. Perhaps that, like his jealous streak, was another interest Gyro hadn’t known he possessed.

“Ooh, I like that idea,” Pike said as he crawled over onto the blanket, closing his eyes and basking in the warmth of the fire. “You wanna watch us?” he purred, blinking up at Gyro.

“Yes,” Gyro breathed, taking a step closer.

Ryan hadn’t given it too much thought, but as he watched the exchange, saw Pike arching his back under Gyro’s gaze before glancing over his shoulder at him, well…maybe he held an interest, too.

“C’mere,” Pike beckoned, moving to sit on the blanket, and pat the empty spot beside him. “The fire’s warm, but I think you can make me a little hotter.” He winked.

Pike had used a similar line on Ryan earlier, but it was no less alluring this time around. In fact, Ryan was pretty sure that the thief could toss any sort of praise his way and he’d lap it up eagerly. Not that he’d let on to that fact. Not yet anyway.

However, instead of accepting Pike’s invitation, Ryan thought it best to drag the moment out, if not just for a few more minutes. Pike was ready, probably still as hot as he was wet inside, but Ryan wanted this to be more than just a quickie. He’d need to report back sooner or later and he wanted to remember this. Make it worth remembering.

“Ryan?” Pike cocked his head to the side, but Ryan was already untying the straps of his protective armor, carefully removing it and setting it down. His shirt was next and he took his time pulling it over his head. He was nowhere near as bulky as the paladin sitting across the flames, but he’d been complimented on his physique and he hoped Pike approved.

Of course, Ryan didn’t have a chance to catch Pike staring since, the moment his shirt was off, the thief was on his knees in front on him, his long fingers ghosting over Ryan’s abs before he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his pants.

Ryan raised his eyebrows, noting that Pike was now completely nude beneath him, his own shirt and scarf tossed to the side and resting near Gyro’s feet.

“You’re keeping me waiting,” Pike accused, but Ryan’s only response was a slight curve of his lips. After all, Pike was talkative enough for the both of them. All three, actually. Unbothered by his silence, Pike went on, “I’ve been wanting to get my mouth on you since you untied me from the tree,” he admitted.

Someone moaned and it took Ryan a moment to realize it was Gyro. He glanced over at him. He was seated with his back propped up against a fallen log, his eyes on Pike’s hands, drinking in the scene.

Ryan had different plans. He’d wanted to please Pike first, spread those long, long legs and take him into his mouth. But if this was something they both wanted… Well, how could Ryan deny them? He glanced down, opening his mouth to give the go ahead, but Pike had read the mood and was already divesting him, tugging down the fabric until Ryan’s cock sprung free.

He wasn’t the least bit embarrassed that he was already half hard. Hell, he’d been sporting since Pike had straddled him earlier, if he was honest. And Pike didn’t seem to mind.

“Knew he was big,” Pike breathed, probably speaking to Gyro, given the way the paladin moaned in response.

Now, Pike may have been the one on his knees, but Ryan knew he held all the power. He had both of them exactly where he wanted. All eyes on him. And Ryan wasn’t about to complain. He could watch Pike all night. But when Pike wrapped that smart mouth around Ryan’s cock, it was all he could do to keep his eyes open.

“Fuck,” Ryan grunted, tipping his head back as Pike damn near swallowed him whole. The thief’s tongue was surprisingly rough at first – like a cat’s, he thought – but the moment the image manifested, Pike retracted his papillae, lathing the now smooth and slick appendage along the underside of Ryan’s erection.

He could lose it very quickly like this, Ryan knew. But he was also aware that Pike wanted more. And that Gyro did, too. So, he placed his hand on Pike’s head, toying with one of his soft ears before gripping his surprisingly silky hair and easing him back.

Pike gasped, sucking in air as he released him. “What’s wrong?” He looked up, a worried crease in his brow.

“Nothing,” Ryan assured him, stroking along the length of one of his ears. “I just thought…” His cheeks grew hot. For as much as he thought about it, saying the words was something else entirely.

“Oh.” Pike’s expression changed, his lips curving up into a wicked little grin. “Well, in that case…” He drew back, getting onto his hands and knees and curling his tail. “Let’s get to it, Big Boy.”

The blush on Ryan’s face spread to his ears and down his neck, but he cleared his throat. “Not like that,” he said and, once again, Pike looked confused. Ryan stepped out of his pants, setting them to the side before he dropped down beside Pike. “Don’t you want your paladin to see everything?”

At that, Pike turned toward Gyro and Ryan followed his gaze. The other man was watching them, his face flushed and his hand between his spread legs, palming at the very obvious bulge there.

“Then,” Pike began, swallowing, his eyes still on Gyro. “How do you want me?” He glanced back at Ryan, his ears flattened…in submission? Yes, they were.

“Like this,” Ryan began, placing a hand on Pike’s shoulder. Pike went boneless, letting Ryan manhandle him until they were lying side by side facing Gyro, Ryan’s front against Pike’s back, his cock pressed into the warm and slick cleft of Pike’s ass. “This good?” he asked Gyro, who simply wet his lips and nodded.

“Make sure to watch,” Pike told Gyro breathlessly, arching his back and exposing his neck. Ryan took advantage, placing a kiss there and reveling in the way Pike shuddered, moaning his name. So he did it again. “Ryaaaan…” Pike whined, pushing back against his cock. “Please…”

Ryan would have liked to tease him. But he was at his limit, pressed so closely to Pike’s heat with Gyro’s eyes on them. So, he kissed his way down Pike’s neck, giving one last lingering press of his lips to his shoulder before he pulled back just far enough to line himself up.

Pike was still dripping with Gyro’s release. But instead of getting jealous, it only made Ryan hotter – something he’d need to revisit later, when he wasn’t so close to entering the other man – and once he was in position, he slid forward, his eyes rolling back as Pike’s tight heat wrapped around him.

“Ah…Ryan…” Pike reached back and gripped Ryan’s hip, his tail wrapping around his thigh. “You’re so big…”

“Hey,” Gyro breathed, his eyes still glazed.

“Sorry, Gyro.” Pike bit his lower lip. “Don’t get jealous now, baby…”

“Not jealous,” Gyro argued, almost pouting. “But don’t forget who you belong to, Kitten.”

Pike moaned, tightening around Ryan’s cock. “This is so hot,” he said, almost under his breath. Then he turned to face Ryan. “Fuck me hard, okay?”

Ryan reached under Pike’s knee and lifted his leg up, spreading him open and pushing even deeper. Pike trembled, his eyes slipping closed and his brows knitting together. “You got it,” Ryan agreed and then got to work.

Pike felt amazing. He was so responsive, moaning Ryan’s name or a curse with each thrust. Ryan knew that Gyro was still there, watching their every move, but he was focused on the way his cock sunk into Pike’s welcoming heat. That sight alone was enough to send him over.

How could he have ever thought of turning Pike in? And, if he had, would Pike have used his wiles to gain his freedom then? A jolt of something unfamiliar surged through him at the thought. And after a few particularly forceful thrusts, which caused Pike’s moans to rise in pitch, Ryan realized it was jealousy.

Gyro was one thing. But the idea of Pike’s detainers taking advantage of him made his blood boil. Later, he’d realize that Pike would have been the one taking said advantage, but for now, Ryan wanted, no needed Pike to know he was theirs.

“Fucking…fuck!” Pike’s grip on Ryan’s hip became painful, his claws extending and, yeah, Ryan found that sexier than he would have imagined, too. “Ryan!”

Gyro cursed, drawing Ryan’s attention. Their eyes met and Gyro nodded in approval, as if saying, “Fuck him good for me.” And Ryan did just that, raising Pike’s leg higher and whispering all manner of filthy things in his ear.

But what finally sent Pike over was when Ryan practically growled at him, “Touch yourself,” he ordered. “Make yourself come for us.” And Pike’s fingers had barely wrapped around his cock before he was coming in hot spurts, some landing on his belly and the rest soiling the blanket below them.

Ryan was quick to follow, burying his face in the juncture of Pike’s neck and shoulder, moaning deep and low. And when he finally came back to himself, Pike still shaking deliciously in his hold, Ryan looked up and saw that Gyro had finally pulled his cock out and was stroking himself.

“Wait,” Ryan said and Gyro, taken by surprise, stilled his hand. “I have a better idea,” he promised and then whispered it into Pike’s ear, the other perking up immediately. His stamina was something else.

Pike angled himself toward Ryan, not pulling off completely, and beamed at him. “Absolutely,” he purred.

With Pike’s permission, Ryan faced Gyro again, repeating his own words from earlier. “What do you say, Paladin?” But Gyro either didn’t believe they’d offer or he was so far gone, he wasn’t picking up on what he meant.

“C’mon, Mr. Holy Knight,” Pike began with a teasing lilt. “Let me have you both at once.”