Page 74 of Reforging Onyx

Onyx watched as Dominic tapped the screen, looking completely perplexed. “...you can do that?” he asked as he took the tablet and the controller. “It would be so much easier if you just had a TV in here, you know. But thank you." He set the tablet on the coffee table in front of them and perched on the edge of the loveseat so he could intently watch the screen.

Dominic chuckled. “Perhaps." He opened up his book. He rested a hand on Onyx’s back, idly caressing him as he started to read.

Between Onyx’s game and his book, time passed quickly, and he gave Onyx’s shoulder a light squeeze before standing to go to his desk.

“Any requests for dinner?” Dominic asked.

Onyx blinked back into the moment, staring blankly at Dominic for a moment. “Oh, um. No.” He went back to playing, far more interested in it than in deciding what to have for dinner. With how food-motivated the Rayne witch was, it had to be quite a good game.

“Lemon chicken, rice, mixed vegetables,” Dominic ordered for them before returning to the seat to watch Onyx play his game. He was amused at how intently the younger witch was focused on the game almost to the exclusion of everything else.

Including himself, which was a follow-up thought that didn’t bring nearly quite as much amusement.

It made him want to snatch the tablet away just to have Onyx’s attention on him again.

Dominic watched for a few more minutes, idly stroking Onyx’s back, before picking his book back up and reading again until a servant arrived with their dinner.

“Your astronomy tutor will be here in about half an hour." Dominic got up again to go to his desk, where the plates had been left. “I’ll observe for the first part of the lesson.”

Onyx turned the game off so he could meet Dominic at the desk for dinner. He poked at his food with an irritated sigh. “Yeah, okay."

Dominic frowned at Onyx’s apparently sour mood. Certainly this lesson wasn’t something that was perhaps as exciting as magic lessons, but he had let the Rayne witch pick his own subject. The Alexander witch Dominic had found to serve as a tutor had been brimming with energy during the interview that Dominic had conducted. He would see whether that would engage Onyx’s interest in the subject. There was rarely someone better to learn from than someone truly passionate about their subject.

“Dominic?” Onyx asked between bites. “Do you think I could do the lesson outside? Maybe if Shane stood guard or something?” He eyed Dominic.

Dominic hummed thoughtfully. “That is the plan for later lessons. I haven't yet decided whether obtaining a telescope is advisable, or if illusion magic is enough to help you see particulars of the sky.” He ate a few more bites. “For tonight… perhaps. We’ll see how the first part goes.”

Onyx got up, standing behind Dominic and wrapping his arms around him, kissing his cheek. “Please?” he wheedled. He nuzzled Dominic’s neck. “I’ll behave.”

Dominic chuckled, glancing up over his shoulder at Onyx with amusement. “I said perhaps, my tiger. If the first part of the lesson goes well, it is very possible that the rest may be conducted outside, but I’ll not promise beyond that until we see how well it goes.”

“All right, all right,” Onyx grumbled, releasing Dominic and returning to his chair to finish his mostly-eaten meal.

It was good to know that going outside was such a motivation for Onyx, though. That was something that he could add to his repertoire of things to negotiate with the younger witch with.

He could never have enough leverage.

Chapter 31

Onyx

The light sheen of sweat that clung to his forehead was worth it for the time spent in Dominic’s gardens, which could quickly become as addictive as the rec room. He’d had to negotiate for an additional fifteen minutes, and while he was already dreading what the price might be, it felt worth it.

For now.

The tutor hadn’t been terrible, all things considered, though Onyx’s attention had wandered several times — partially because of the plug in his ass, and partially because he’d been keenly aware of the fact that he was outdoors.

It sent him back to so many months earlier, when he’d been a part of the rebellion. Housed in the bayou, nights out in the elements had been normal, and he still missed the peace of the middle of nowhere.

He doubted Dominic would ever let him do anything like sleeping outdoors, and he couldn’t imagine the Bancroft witch sleeping anywhere but in a fancy bed, but it might be worth a try.

Mulling that over as he trailed after Dominic to return inside, he swatted idly at a mosquito. No, Dominic would definitely not agree to sleeping out under the stars.

Onyx paused by Dominic’s office instead of continuing on toward the bedroom. “If I want the plug out without… things… I have to have it out here, right?” he asked. He wasn’t going to be forgetful twice and end up in Dominic’s bed with the witch reminding him that he couldn’t say no there.

Dominic arched an eyebrow as he turned back to where Onyx had paused at the door, with a faint smile on his lips. He hummed thoughtfully. “We’ll take it out upstairs, afterwards.”

Onyx eyed Dominic, not liking the sound of that. “After what? Lesson is over. You promised.”