Blaine wakes up back in his cell on the mat, naked but uncuffed. There was also a light blanket draped over him, making him feel much less exposed than last night. He feels a bit light headed and sore, but surprisingly not as bad as he was expecting. He reaches the back of his neck and feels a large wad of gauze stuck on with some kind of tape. He presses lightly, and a wave of dizziness takes over, making him pause to catch his breath. Of course it would hurt, how much of an idiot was he to press it?

After the room stops spinning, he removes the blanket and takes a moment to assess any other damage. His knees have huge grazes from when he was pushed into his cell after the appointment, and he expects his face does as well. Although his knees look like they will heal fairly quickly, so he isn’t worried about them. His hair is a mess, with day old hair gel having been tussled in his sleep. One of the major things he will miss will be his hair gel, but maybe it will be a good change. He doubts its worth this great of a sacrifice for such a small change though.

His biggest concern however is his need to urinate again! Surveying the light coming into the room, he estimates it to be about midday, and although he hasn’t had anything to drink he is still bursting having not gone for 12 hours. He crosses his legs and looks meaningfully at the camera, hoping there is someone watching who will understand the message and send aid.

Within about 10 minutes, Puck turns up.

“Come on 5226, let’s take you to the washroom and get you sorted out.” Puck waits with his hand outstretched, clearly to grab onto Blaine’s arm but making no move to be forceful like previously. If anything, he sounds fed up. Blaine gets up and walks over, slightly embarrassed after remembering what happened last night. Puck gently takes his arm before leading Blaine out of the cell.

“Can I ask a question, umm… Sir?” Blaine cautiously asks.

“Well, I suppose we are just meant to hold subs to the end of the month, not teach ‘em. Yer, go on, you can. Although I don’t promise to answer.” Puck definitely sounds fed up.

“Are… are you ok? Sir. You sound tired.”

“Humf. I guess I am. I’m in charge of you and the other sub here, but 9103 is driving me crazy. He won’t do as he is told, he keeps fighting, and just generally being a nuisance. Which in fairness they normally do. But we have had him here since the 1st, and he has only got worse over time rather than better. Half of me can’t wait until he goes, but the other half of me doesn’t want him to, as everyone knows what happens to subs that don’t cooperate. And the thought that I am part of the process that will lead him to being put down is something I can’t think about. I hate this job and everything it entails, but I’m meant to act as though I can’t stand you lot. And that’s how I put up with it normally, by pretending the people sent here aren’t people. I objectify you like everyone else does to make my life easier. I’m not against the slavery of subs completely, but I really don’t agree with the treatment you are subjected to.”

“If you don’t like it, why do you do it? Sir.” He hastens to add the title, not wanting to cause Puck to do something he hates, namely punishment.

“I need the money. It pays the bills and pays for my child. And there aren’t many jobs that allow people with a criminal record to work, especially not one as well paid as this.” Puck smiles. “Anyway, you really can’t tell anyone any of this. I will get the sack no doubt, and you would probably face some kind of punishment for some stupid reason. Sorry about that, dude. I shouldn’t have put you in this position.”

“I promise I won’t tell, and I’m sorry I can’t help you.” Puck pauses at that and looks at Blaine.

“See, you seem like such a decent lad. And you are still being so kind towards me even though half of what you have suffered already is because of me. I don’t deserve it. If it wasn’t for this stupid situation, I would probably ask if you wanted to hang out, try out for the football team I’m in.” Puck sighs before pulling out a key and unlocking the door they had stopped by.

“That’s alright, I don’t enjoy playing sports.” Puck chuckles and shakes his head.

“Come on, I’m surprised you haven’t wet yourself on the walk over.”

“Oh thanks, Sir.” Blaine says playfully, “I had managed to push the thought to the back of my mind until you brought it up again!” This causes another chuckle from Puck.

The room they walk into is for all intents and purposes was a large bathroom. There are two toilets at one side of the room, with a sink in the middle, and three showers opposite, with a counter along the far wall between the two sides. The thing that takes Blaine attention most (after the strange, seemingly unusual ratio of appliances), is that there are no stall doors or partitions, allowing no privacy. Although he has already been paraded down several corridors fully naked, so it’s not as though there is anything left to hide.

Puck let’s go of Blaine’s arm, so the first thing he does is rushes to the toilet. He feels so much better once he has gone, even if he did experience a bit of shyness having to go in front of Puck. He washes his hands before looking at Puck, who had been stood barricading the door, which had been shut but left unlocked. He still doesn’t make eye contact though, despite the feelings Puck had just shared.

“Do you need to do anything else?” Puck hints. Blaine shakes his head. “Ok, come over to the counter with me and I will take the gauze off before having a shower.” They walk over and Puck starts pulling various bits and bobs out of the cupboards below. He pulls on a pair of disposable gloves before turning Blaine around. Without comment he removes the gauze and bins it. He then starts inspecting the brand, carefully prodding the skin around it trying not to cause unnecessary pain. Blaine flinches when Puck touches a bit to close. “Sorry dude. I just have to make sure it’s all healing and isn’t infected. It all seems ok. A lot darker than they normally are, but I think the iron was hotter than normal, which is a good thing. It looks like it will come out very clear, good news as it means you are worth more.” Blaine wonders if Puck means it is good news for Blaine, or if it’s only good news for the OSO, but he doesn’t ask as he’s unsure he wants to know the answer. “I would expect you to be the most expensive sub at auction for your month, if not for several months.” Blaine thinks Puck intends it as praise, but instead it just reminds him that in a years’ time he will be somebodies play toy, something they can fuck and then force to do work. And that’s assuming he survives the years training at the sub house – a surprising amount don’t.

Puck walks over to the central shower and pulls the shower head off the wall before twisting the dials to bring it up to the correct temperature, strangely keeping the gloves on.

“Come on over. Make the most of the hot water, the sub house rarely allows it, only as a reward.” Blaine internally cringes at the thought. He was starting to enjoy Pucks company, and then he will say something like this, which reminds him of his limited time left as a human. But Puck is his only ally, and he really wants a shower, so he heads over to Puck who angles the water spray in his direction. Once he is happy that Blaine has been covered in water, he hangs the shower head up, causing Blaine to be just outside of the spray. Puck then squirts a bit of shower gel from the shelf into his hands.

“Um, Puck, my back doesn’t hurt that much… I, umm, I could wash myself.” Blaine says, not really wanting Puck to touch him.

“Firstly, I’m sure your back does hurt enough that you wouldn’t be able to reach everywhere, although I’m sure that wouldn’t stop you trying. However, it’s part of my job, the rules.” Puck says, sounding as though he would rather it wasn’t the case.

“I thought us subs were meant to do everything for everyone else, not have others do stuff for us.” Blaine says, prompting an answer to a question he is too afraid to ask.

“That’s true. But they believe that if you are forced to lose some of your independence during holding you will be more susceptible to commands during training. It’s manipulation at its simplest.” Blaine thinks Puck doesn’t agree with it, but as he explained earlier, he will do it because he needs the money.

He lets Puck start to massage the shower gel into his skin, starting with his left arm then his right. Puck goes down his front, skipping over the area normally covered with his boxers, going down to his feet before working his way back up behind Blaine (skipping the same area). He also skips the fresh brand, Blaine grateful that the soapy liquid is kept away from the raw skin.

“I’m sorry again, but I’m going to have to ask you to lean forwards slightly so I can clean everywhere.” Blaine gets the gist, and even though every part of him is against it, he turns round and leans forwards, bracing himself against the wall. He also decided to spread his legs slightly, hating himself for doing it but knowing staying on Pucks good side was more important than his already lost modesty. “Thanks.”

Puck quickly gets to work, not breaching his virgin hole but seemingly covering every other inch of skin.

“And the other side as well please.” Puck says. Blaine turns a quarter circle so he is facing Puck. Instantly Pucks hands go to his hips and continues rubbing in the gel. The first instant the hands touch his cock, Blaine’s breath hitches. The only thing that could make it more embarrassing happens. Blaine’s dick starts growing. He looks up at Puck in panic, unsure of what to do or say to make the situation less embarrassing. Puck speaks first once he notices Blaine’s embarrassment.

“Don’t worry about it; it happens all the time with you gay subs.”

“How… What makes you think I’m gay?” Blaine stutters.

“What? Are you not?” Puck says in panic.

“No, I am. I just didn’t think I emitted a ‘gay vibe’. Or so every gay guy I’ve had a crush on has told me!” Blaine chuckles.

“Oh.” The relief evident in Pucks face. “I don’t know, I just thought you were. Ok, I’ve done here. Do you want the water colder while I do your hair?”

“Please.” Puck adjusts the temperature, and Blaine steps half into the ice spray. He feels Pucks hands in his hair, washing out the old gel. Before long Puck is finished – Blaine is sure he hasn’t got all the hair gel out, but he doesn’t want to mention it – and Blaine’s hard on problem had shrunk. Puck walks back over to the counter, Blaine following behind once he was sure all the shower gel had been washed off. Puck pics up a towel and starts drying Blaine, gently dabbing and rubbing until he is no longer dripping wet, although not completely dry.

“I’m going to put some cream on your brand, and it will sting I’m afraid.” Blaine hears movement behind him before he feels the touch of Pucks fingers on his brand. He starts thinking maybe Puck had exaggerated, but then it all comes instantly. He leans on the counter for balance. Puck doesn’t say anything about his reaction; instead he continues applying the cream.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.” Blaine chants. However Puck seemed to have finished anyway, and was taking his gloves off.

“Again, I am sorry I have to say this, but no swearing. Good news is, I’m not going to punish you for it, bad news is, normally you will be. So take it as a friendly warning.” Blaine sees Puck picking up a fresh piece of gauze before he feels the pressure of it over his mark. Puck quickly tapes it on before the pain of the cream mixed with the pressure causes Blaine to either vomit or pass out. “Come on then, time for your lunch. You will get to meet 9103 too.”

Puck leads the way out of the bathroom, without holding on to Blaine, trusting him to follow without attempting to run off.