A Better Way To Be

(Natasha's RC Universe Characters Used under the following agreement: 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/)

A Better Way to Live
Pairing: Jonah/Samuel
Implement: belt
Type: Slash
Series: Reality Check

Jonah knew he was going to have to crack down hard on Samuel soon. He could see
in Samuel's eyes that he was beyond tired and that he was so excited he was
almost vibrating. This was not a good combination. They had been traveling for
three days, changing trains four times. Each train took them further north;
Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and then the final train New York to
Vermont. The farther north they traveled, Jonah could see the difference in the
culture. People became more relaxed, and in Jonah's opinion, more outlandish.

They had even seen two men kissing! In public! And none of the other travelers
had seemed to notice. Jonah had to yank Samuel's arm to keep him moving as he
had stopped, jaw dropped, and just stared. Jonah had been on edge the whole
time, waiting for someone to revoke their work visas and send them back to
Texas. No one had even looked twice at them, but Jonah couldn't help but worry.

As the taxi traveled up the long tree lined path to the resort, Jonah sat for a
moment and stared at the huge resort. `This is it,' he thought to himself.
`After I pay the driver, I'll have about a hundred dollars left. That might get
us a night or two, here. I hope they have a restaurant or a gift shop, there's
nothing else around here where I can get work.'

He had to push these thoughts to the back of his mind as a more immediate worry
came to the forefront. Turning to Samuel, he said, "Samuel, I don't want you to
say anything. You hear me? Let me do the talkin."

"But Jonah," Samuel protested.

"But, nothing Samuel, we don't know these people. I don't want you to say
anything until I am sure we are safe," Jonah ordered. "I mean it, if you say
anything I'll take my belt to you."

"Jonah, please! You can relax now. We're in America. Nothing's going to happen
to us now."

"Samuel," Jonah warned and as usual when he used that tone Samuel quieted.

Jonah made sure he positioned himself in front of the smaller man using their
luggage as a shield to protect him; he knocked on the large double door.

"Hey," a man about Jonah's age greeted them. "Come on in."

"I would like to speak to Gordon Lewis, please," Jonah requested formally.

"Gordon's in his office. Go on back, dude, I don't think he's busy or
anything," the man invited.

"Gary, I am sure Gordon isn't busy and even if he was, I am sure he would take
the time to discuss the proper way to answer a door," an older man said as he
came down a large staircase. "He might have you practicing proper door etiquette
until dinner is ready."

Jonah watched as the elder man reached a hand around Gary and gave his backside
a small pat. "Listen and learn, my boy."

When he turned to face toward them, Jonah could see the smile in his eyes,
"Hello, my name is Landon. How may I help you?"

"Yes, I would like to speak to Gordon Lewis, please," Jonah again requested
formally.

"Follow me, I'll take you to him. Here, let me take a couple of those bags,"
Landon said as he took a step toward Samuel and tried to take the bag he was
carrying.

Jonah moved to place himself between this man and Samuel. "We're fine, we got
`em. If you could just please, take us to Gordon Lewis."
Jonah tensed as he saw the older man give them a curious look as he beckoned
them to follow him. He turned and gave Samuel a warning through his eyes. He
tried to keep as close to Samuel as he could without tripping either of them as
they followed Landon down a hall and into a darkly paneled office.

"Gordon, I think we have some visitors from Texas," Landon said as they entered
the room.

Jonah saw a big man come from behind a large desk. Jonah sized up the man as he
walked around to meet them. The man was big, with grey hair that was showing
definite signs of male pattern baldness. Jonah saw him take in their disheveled
appearance. Jonah wished they would have stopped somewhere and cleaned up. He
knew first impressions were lasting. He tried to hide the nervousness he felt. 
This man was the description of the word Top he had read about in the pamphlet,
his posture and manner radiated power.

"Hello," Gordon voice was deep and richly cultured. "I'm Gordon Lewis, how may I
help you?"

"Hello, I'm Jonah Walker, and this is Samuel Roberts. I have been told that you
help some couples." Jonah said, trying to not reveal his and Samuel's
relationship until he was sure that what he had heard was indeed the truth.

"Yes, we do. The resort is designed for gay men to come relax and just enjoy
themselves. It is also a place for Tops and Brats to learn more and have
fellowship with others. More importantly it is a sanctuary for a Top and his
Brat who have come all the way from Texas."

Jonah felt himself startle that Gordon could so easily tell who and what they
were. Jonah had always taken care to keep that part of them hidden.

"Hey! How'd you know we're from Texas? We saw a leaflet about the Green
Mountain Boys. Is that you? Can we stay here?" Jonah could feel his entire
protective instincts roar to the surface as Sam all but jumped out from behind
him, telling this stranger everything. Then stared in shock as the big man named
Gordon wrapped his arms around Samuel saying. "Yes, Samuel, we are a part of the
Green Mountain Boys and yes, you can stay."

"Quiet, Samuel," Jonah commanded and reached to take Samuel away from Gordon.
Then felt someone's hand on his arm. He followed the arm up to Landon's face and
saw the caring and compassion in his eyes.

"It's ok, Jonah. He's safe. Gordon is at his best when he is caring for a scared
Brat." Landon assured him.

"But," Jonah started to say but Landon interrupted him.

"I'm sure it's hard to see someone else take care of Samuel, you've been doing
it all on your own. But it's different here. You have people who understand and
want to help."

"He is promising him something that may not be possible," Jonah said. He never
promised Samuel anything unless he was positive it could really happen. He
hated to see disappointment in Samuel's eyes.

"Why wouldn't it be possible?" Gordon asked his arms still around Samuel.

"Well, I am not sure where I can get a job and I only have enough money for a
night or two." Jonah had kept these worries from Samuel and he hated to bring
them up in front of him. But, he also couldn't let Samuel get his hopes up and
then have them dashed.

"Jonah," Gordon stated in a firm voice that had Jonah believing all the things
he had been reading about Tops. "Those details will be worked out. We will
worry about money and a job later. For now, I think it is best that you and
Samuel take some time to relax and become acclimatized to your new home. Let's
take you to your rooms and you and Samuel can unwind, take a nap. I am sure you
have been on guard for a long time."

Jonah gathered Samuel in his own arms when Gordon released him. He could feel
the exhaustion in Samuel's body. He heard Gordon pick up the phone and request
some help carrying the bags.
Jonah and Samuel followed Gordon up the wide staircase with Landon and another
man behind them carrying their bags. Jonah's thoughts were scattered and
running wild as they went down a long hallway.

"This is our largest suite," Gordon said when they came to the end of the
hallway. "It is designed for couples who need to stay several months."

Jonah tried to still his expression as he saw the large sitting room. He saw
Samuel's jaw drop again, this time from the pure opulence of the suite. Jonah
saw that the suite not only had a sitting room but a bedroom, a bathroom, and a
small kitchenette. The furnishings were as tasteful as they were expensive. 
Jonah could barely afford the necessities on his small state salary that he
received for his work as a professor back in Texas. Neither he nor Samuel had
seen such luxury. He wouldn't be able to afford one night in this place.

"I think something a bit smaller would be more appropriate."

"Jonah, enough," Jonah felt himself instantly obey Gordon's command. "I told you
we'll work out the details later. You have to trust me on this. The only thing
you need to do is take care of your Brat. And the only way you will be able to
do that is if you let us help."

Landon put his arm around Samuel and said while steered him towards the
bathroom. "The bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub as well as a shower. Samuel, I
suggest the tub, you can soak away the strain of traveling for so long."

Jonah could only stare as once again someone took his Brat into their arms. 
They touched and hugged each other so easily; he doubted he would ever be that
comfortable.

"Jonah, come look! This bathroom is bigger than our apartment back home!" Jonah
watched as Samuel came rushing back into the main sitting room.

"Please, rest," Gordon told them as he and Landon walked out of the suite. "We
will come up and get you when it is time for dinner."
Jonah went to unpack their meager belongings telling Samuel to come and help.

"This place is so wonderful!" Samuel exclaimed as they finished. Jonah took a
breath steeling himself for what had to come next.

"Samuel, what did I promise you if you didn't let me do all the talkin?" Jonah
asked. He knew Samuel would be expecting the upcoming punishment. Jonah had
always kept his word. If he told Samuel he would do something, he did it. It
didn't matter if it was an ice cream or a punishment, Jonah always kept his word
to his young lover.

"That you'd belt me," Samuel said softly. "But Jonah, you heard
Landon. He said it was different here. We're safe."

"Well, Samuel, it may be different here, but I'm not. You know I say what I
mean and I mean what I say. I told you to let me do the talkin or you'd get a
beltin. And you just jumped right in telling a man we had only just met that we
have defected from Texas. He could have just turned us out!"

"But he didn't," Samuel argued.

"Samuel, did you know that," Jonah wanted to make Samuel understand why it could
have been dangerous.

"He was nice to me," Samuel said.

"Yes, he was but you didn't know that he would be. For all we knew, he could
have thrown us both out the door. Then where would we be?"

"Oh, I guess I didn't think about that," Samuel spoke fearfully. Jonah knew by
the tone of his voice that he finally understood.

"Let's get this done," He kept his voice firm as he pulled his belt from their
loops. "I really didn't want to punish you the first night we're here but you
heard me; you understood; now you take the consequences."

Jonah led Samuel to the small kitchenette where he had seen a table. He helped
Samuel undo his pants but left Samuel the task of pushing them down. Once the
pants were down, he guided him over the table.

"Why am I belting you?" He asked as he laid the first stroke across the small
white backside.

"Oh," Samuel expelled a breath at the first stroke. "I put myself in danger."

"How?" another stroke.

"I talked!" Samuel gasped.

"Yes, you talked, when I told you not to!" Jonah brought the belt down with
every other word he spoke. He gave three more strikes to the backside bringing
the total to ten. He wanted Samuel to learn but he also knew when he had
learned the lesson that was being taught.
He held Samuel tight as he sobbed into his chest. He knew Samuel was tired. 
Although, the belt hurt Samuel didn't usually break down so hard from only ten
licks.

"Samuel, come on, let's get you into that big ol' tub, then you can take a nap."
He started the water flowing into the tub as Samuel undressed. Jonah rubbed
Samuel's back as he slowly lowered himself into the steaming water. Jonah knew
that the warm water stung on a belted backside, but he knew too that the warm
water would relax Samuel even more.

Samuel was more asleep than awake as Jonah lifted him out of the tub. Jonah
quickly dried off his tired boy, lifted him in his arms, and carried him to bed.
Once Samuel was settled in the bed, Jonah took a quick shower and then lay down
by his partner. He would just lay here and think about the next step he would
have to take, he promised himself.


The knocking on the door startled Jonah awake. He hadn't meant to fall asleep;
he must have been more tired than he thought. He opened the door just enough to
peek out then swung the door open wide as he saw Gordon holding two garment
bags.

"I've taken the liberty of bringing you and Samuel a couple of suites. I am
sure you were only able to bring the basics with you. I have a long standing
rule that dinner is a formal affair here. It teaches Tops and Brats proper
etiquette," Gordon said.

"We're already beholden to you. Samuel and I can just rustle up something to
eat here. You can take the clothes back to whomever you got them from," Jonah
was really worried about what all of this would cost. For as long as he could
remember, he had paid his own way. He had been washing dishes at a local diner
at the age of thirteen and had always held a job since then.

"Jonah, this has become tiresome. As a Top it is your duty to take care of your
Brat. But as head of the Green Mountain Boys, it is my duty to take care of
Tops as well as Brats. If you persist in battling everything we do for you, you
and I will have a discussion that I am sure you will not find pleasant."

Jonah shut the door to the bedroom where Samuel still slept then turned to
Gordon. "I have a hundred dollars in my wallet. A Republic of Texas driver's
license that I'm sure is not valid here in Vermont. And how am I going to find
a job? Your resort is in the God forsaken wilds of America."

Jonah watched as Gordon came farther in the room and spoke into a phone that was
on an end table. "Landon, I need you to come and help Samuel get ready for
dinner."

Jonah tried to keep eye contact with him as Gordon looked at him. He quickly
let his eyes drift to the floor, finding it impossible to stare down this Top.

"Landon, please wake Samuel, help him dress, and take him down to dinner. Jonah
and I will be in my office. We may be awhile so please do not wait dinner for
us." Jonah couldn't believe that he just allowed himself to be taken by the arm
and led back down to Gordon's office.

"Right. I did want to give you time to get your bearings but you are determined
to be difficult." Jonah couldn't believe how easily Gordon could make him feel
like a naughty child. `I'm a top,' he thought then said it aloud.

"I'm a Top!"

"Yes, you are a Top. You're a Top that is out of his element, exhausted, and
with no idea of how a power relationship works. You have done your best, I can
tell by the way Samuel looks at you. But there is more for you to learn. And
you know it, otherwise you would have never risked yours, or more importantly
Samuel's, life by defecting."

"Yes, you're right," Jonah said to the floor then quickly brought his head up at
Gordon's command to do so.

"You are going to have to put aside your pride. You have no money, right? Well
I haven't asked for payment yet but I will now. The cost for you and your Brat
to stay here is your willingness to work with me, with us. You have a lot to
learn and I want all your attention on learning how to be the best Top you can
to Samuel. Believe me, you will more than earn your keep."

"But, I have to pay you something, I have to get a job," Jonah protested then
found himself propelled to a paneled corner.

"Stand here and think about what I just told you," Gordon said.

As Jonah stood in the corner his first thoughts were that he couldn't believe
that he allowed this big man to talk to him like that and stand him in a corner.
Then as he stood, he did think about what Gordon had said. He was out of his
element, he didn't know the culture, he didn't know how to openly live with his
Brat. He turned to face Gordon when he heard the big man tell him to.

"Do you know what your job is now?" Gordon asked him. "And how you will be
paying?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Very well, then. Why did you leave Texas?" Jonah heard Gordon ask but from
Gordon's tone Jonah knew that he was asking more.

"I knew there was a better place to be," he told the man.

"Yes, this is a better place to be but more importantly there is a better way to
live," Gordon said. "Now, give us the chance to show you how. It won't be easy.
I lost my home and my country at fifteen. We do understand more than might be
apparent right now. You are both safe here, but let me make this very clear from
the beginning, we will interfere in your relationship with Samuel if we feel
that you are failing to adhere to our principles. Don't interrupt." Gordon
raised his hand, stilling Jonah's protest. "You love that boy; it is obvious,
but this is Vermont, not Texas. You will both need to learn new ways, and in my
experience it is easier for the brat than the top. I will demand your undivided
attention, and I am not an easy task master. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, sir."

"You will do fine." To Jonah's surprise, Gordon brushed back the hair on his
forehead and kissed him firmly. "Welcome to the Green Mountain Boys. We will
teach you how to live, not hide. You've done enough hiding for a life time."

Jonah smiled to himself and thought, a better way to live. That was why he had
taken the risks, why he had to get Samuel and himself out of Texas. Not just
for a better place to be but for a better way to live.

"Please, show me," Jonah said simply.

"We will but first dinner. Setting and establishing a routine will be vital for
both of you. A daily menu and meal times are posted outside the dining room.
Landon and I take some meals in the dining area, and Gary, the young lad who
answered the door, attempts to prepare the others. I believe all young brats
should learn proper table service."
Jonah listened to Gordon talk easily about a life he could only imagine a few
days ago and knew that it would be all right as he followed Gordon to the dining
room and saw his love sitting next to Landon. They may have arrived here today
but their journey was just beginning.

The end.