Page 8 of Pieces: A Companion Piece

From James

I had a couple of days to think, and I’m guessing a lot of friends are telling you—or pleading with you, perhaps—to stay strong. To fight for your life and never quit. I did that too. Hell, I will do it again. Never give up, all right? Keep fighting.

That said…

When we started our relationship with Ash and Nathan, it wasn’t the humiliation kink or the sexy playtime that reeled me in the most. As time went on, I realized how freeing it was to have a space in which I could be “weak.”

Defenseless might be a better word.

When you return to safety, I hope you will allow yourself those moments too. Moments to let go of everything and trust your partners to make the right choices for you.

From Jordan

PS: I made some mandalas for you if you wanna color!

FROM THE FINLAY FOUR

From Corey

It’s me again, Shay. Corey.

Do you remember the time we discussed books on the front porch? I sat there reading a book about the Roman Empire, and you said you struggled to get into history in that way. Since it was an interest of River’s, you wanted to try, but you said you wanted action and excitement, “some horror won’t hurt,” and… I remember how you smirked and went, “In books, I will dance with the devil.”

I snickered at the time and didn’t think much of it. Instead, I went on a quest to find you books about guts and glory, battles that could bring you that horror and excitement. And I succeeded, didn’t I?!

Anyway.

You’re not living in a book now. You’re out there somewhere, dancing with the devil for real.

Please kill him.

From Archie

Oh, Shay. We miss you so much. What’s Mclean House without the Tenley Triad? As Mr. West pointed out the other day, the balance is off. It feels strange to say this too, but Reese established structure and order that’s absent now. Who would’ve thought? We think of Master Lucian and Doms like him when we picture a structured community. At least I do. Even my Owner and Master Aavik and… I can go on. But it turns out, Reese plays a key part in the foundation out here.

Now? Bloody hell, some are parking on the lawn, right in front of the house.

At the risk of throwing Master under the bus, he’s one of them.

Nobody cares at the moment.

Mclean House has never been so vanilla. (We stowed away all kink furniture and all the photography so that we could bring our children out here.)

I won’t ramble further. I’ll just say, I hope you come home soon, and preferably without a scratch on your skin or trauma in your heart.

Pipe dreams, right?

All the hugs,

Archie

From Sloan

When words fail, I tend to open my sketchbook instead.

I remember when you told me the story behind the Japanese art on your body, the koi and what they represented, and how your stepdad inspired you to fight.

Did you know that the Japanese use the dragonfly as one of their most important symbols for warriors? Because dragonflies never retreat. Likewise, the crane is deeply rooted in their folklore as a symbol of peace, healing, and longevity.