Ben was miserable through the night. Tyler slept soundly though. Despite his misery, Ben dutifully stayed at Tyler’s feet until the alarm clock on the nightstand read 4AM. Then he quietly went into the other room, powered on his laptop and worked on his paper. It went very slowly at first but as Ben read through the notes he’d taken at the library everything came into focus and it took much less time to write than he thought. He finished the first draft around 6AM and had it edited and corrected by 7AM. He logged into his college account and submitted the paper electronically. He decided to re-read the last chapter in one of his other courses until it was time to wake Tyler. But he was so tired he quickly drifted off to sleep.
“Dude wake up,” Tyler said shaking Ben awake. “Huh,” Ben said groggily his eyes flickered open. “You were supposed to wake me at eight,” Tyler said. “What time is it,” Ben asked sleepily.
Tyler glanced at his new watch, “Almost 9:30AM” “Sorry,” Ben apologized.
“I’m going to miss my 10 o’clock class now,” Tyler said crossly. “I’m sorry,” Ben said. “I fell asleep. I was up all night remember?”
“Whatever,” Tyler said dismissively. “Guess I might as well order breakfast. You want anything?” Ben was hungry. “Sure. Scrambled eggs I guess. With bacon. Oh and some orange juice.”
Tyler called room service and order what Ben wanted along with an omelet and a waffle for himself. “They said it will be about 30 minutes,” Tyler informed Ben. “What time is checkout?”
“I don’t know,” Ben said without moving from the couch where he’d fallen asleep. “Probably 11AM. That’s pretty typical.”
“Go check,” Tyler said.
“Why don’t you go check?” Ben snapped in exhaustion.
“Are you pissed off or something?” Tyler asked.
“Well yeah,” Ben responded without thinking, “I mean, I’m just really tired and I think you’ve been taking things too far.”
“How so?” Tyler asked innocently.
“Like kicking me in the face for one thing,” Ben said hotly. “You can’t do that.”
“Obviously I can,” Tyler quipped.
Ben sighed, “Well yes, you physically can. I get that. But it’s wrong.”
“Seemed pretty effective on you last night,” Tyler said with a grin. “You even thanked me for doing it.” “You made me say that!” Ben said. “You make me do all this crazy shit!”
“You can always say no,” Tyler said with a shrug.
“Bull!” Ben said, “You never take no for an answer. You just keep pushing or adding time or whatever.” “You’re doing all this to join the frat right?” Tyler asked.
“Yeah,” Ben said.
“Well there’s your choice. You don’t have to put up with any of this bullshit. You can tell me to fuck off right now,” Tyler said.
“But at the cost of not joining the fraternity, right?” Ben asked knowingly.
“Of course,” Tyler said.
“But that’s what I want,” Ben said in a small voice.
“Then it sounds like you already made your choice doesn’t it?” Tyler asked.
Ben didn’t answer.
“So what’s it going to be Benji?” Tyler continued. “Going to tell me to fuck off or going to come over here and kiss my feet?”
Ben and Tyler locked eyes for a second and then Ben got up off the couch and came over and knelt before Tyler and bent down and kissed both of his feet.
“Yup, that’s what I thought,” Tyler said smugly from above. Tyler went and lay on the couch where Ben had been. He propped his feet up on the arm of the couch.
“Let’s start off the day with a nice foot massage Benji,” Tyler ordered. Ben didn’t say anything. He just came over to the end of the couch and knelt down and began rubbing Tyler’s feet. Tyler smiled and closed his eyes and enjoyed the relaxing sensation while he thought over the situation with Ben. He’d
won another round in the battle of wills but he knew his hold over Ben would be gone once he found out he didn’t get in the frat. Tyler wasn’t ready to lose his new little buddy.
Ben continued to massage Tyler’s feet until breakfast arrived. Then they ate and chatted together like nothing had happened. Tyler seemed to easily switch between treating Ben like a friend and treating him like a slave. Ben didn’t know what to make of it. He’d never had any close friends before. But this weird relationship with Tyler was simultaneously the best thing and worst thing he’d ever experienced.
Once breakfast was finished Tyler decided to hop in the shower. He still had to put his clothes from the day before back one when he was done but he felt fresher. Ben just wanted to head back to campus and skipped the shower. Breakfast had automatically been charged to Ben’s card so there was nothing to sign. They just hopped in Tyler’s car and drove back to school. Tyler dropped Ben at his dorm.
“See ya this afternoon,” Tyler said.
“This afternoon?” Ben asked. Then after a second he said, “Oh. You want to meet up after you go to the gym don’t you?”
“Cheer up,” Tyler said chuckled in response to Ben’s crestfallen expression. “It’s the fifth time so that’s the last.”
“Finally,” Ben said in relief.
“Gee since it’s your last time maybe I should make sure they’re extra sweaty and dirty,” Tyler joked.
“Please Tyler,” Ben whined. “Don’t do that. I just finished licking your feet for hours. Can’t you take it easy?”
Tyler actually felt a little sorry for Ben. “Okay, just normal then and I won’t run barefoot.”
“Thank you Tyler,” Ben said gratefully before heading upstairs, slipping into bed and falling asleep. He was awakened by a knock at the door. He glanced at his alarm clock. It was almost 5PM. It was Tyler, fresh from the gym. He came in and just lay on Ben’s bed without asking.
“Whew I’m tired,” Tyler said.
“You could just go home and take a nap,” Ben suggested.
Tyler chuckled. “And deprive you of the joy of being at my feet? Nah, I don’t think so. Besides it’s your last time from that stupid chess bet you made. You want to get this over with right?”
“Yes, I do,” Ben admitted.
“Alright then I guess we’ll just say one hour,” Tyler said. “Per foot?” Ben asked cautiously.
“Nah, I figure I’ll let you off easy,” Tyler grinned.
“Thanks,” Ben said really meaning it. He was so ready to be done with this whole ridiculous foot licking thing. He knelt down and unlaced Tyler’s sneakers and peeled off his gym socks.
“Hey,” Ben said in surprise, “you said you weren’t going to run barefoot.”
“I didn’t,” Tyler said. “What? Are my feet dirty?”
“Yes,” Ben complained.
Tyler checked the bottoms of his feet. “Well yeah, they’re a little dirty. Not much. I was barefoot back at the house for a bit and in the locker room. It’s no biggie.” He stretched out his legs again.
“That wasn’t the deal,” Ben argued. “I shouldn’t have to do it if they’re dirty.”
It was if someone flipped a switch on Tyler. He was from being perfectly chill to seething. He stood up immediately and towered over Ben.
“The only deal is the one where you agreed to lick my filthy fucking feet Benji boy and I never said shit about them being clean today.” Tyler snapped. “All I said was that I wouldn’t run barefoot and I didn’t. And the only reason I didn’t run barefoot is because it hurts my fucking feet not because I give a fuck about how much dirt your tongue has to scrape off my foot. Got it?”
Ben held up his hands as if surrendering. “Yeah yeah I’m sorry Tyler. Of course I’ll do it. Just lay down.” “No,” Tyler said taking a seat in the chair at Ben’s desk. “Now you pissed me off.”
“I’m sorry Tyler,” Ben said again.
“Just hand me my socks and shoes,” Tyler said.
Ben did as he was told but asked, “So what? You’re leaving?”
“Yup,” Tyler said simply.
“So now you don’t want me to lick your feet?” Ben asked trying to figure out what Tyler wanted.
“No, I mean I’m not letting you lick them,” Tyler said.
“What do you mean ‘not letting me’?” Ben asked suspiciously.
Tyler stared at Ben. “Just that. I’m not letting you lick them. Which means you can’t complete the bet which means you can’t do anything else to earn point which means you can’t get in the frat.”
“Wait, that’s not fair,” Ben complained. “I said I was willing to do it.”
“Yeah but I’m not letting you,” Tyler said.
“You… you can’t just make it impossible,” Ben argued.
“I think I just did,” Tyler said smugly.
“You’re only the vice president,” Ben said boldly, “I’ll talk to Jeff.”
Tyler laughed loudly. “Seriously dude? You’re going to go tell the guys at the frat that you’re upset because I won’t let you lick my feet? Do you have any idea what kind of a freak that makes you sound like?”
“It was part of the bet,” Ben said weakly. “It’s like fraternity hazing stuff.”
Tyler shook his head. “I told you before dude, it wouldn’t matter how strong I was or how many times I kicked them in the face. None of the guys in the frat would ever kiss my feet. They probably wouldn’t even believe me if I told them you did it. So far I’ve kept all your our bets and punishments private but if you think telling the rest of the guys what a pussy you are will make them vote for you then by all means march into the frat house and tell them how you’ve been willing to lick the dirt off my feet just to get in.”
“So none of the other pledges…?” Ben asked leadingly. Tyler shook his head. “No Ben. Just you.”
“Ok I won’t say anything,” Ben admitted in defeat.
Tyler shrugged. “I don’t give a fuck if you do one way or the other. All I said is that I wasn’t going to let you lick my feet and you tried to threaten me.”
“What do you want?!” Ben pleaded. “I said I was sorry. I said I’d lick your feet.” Tyler sat back and looked at Ben for a moment. “Ok then, beg for it.”
“Huh?” Ben said.
Tyler pointed to his bare foot. “I mean actually begging. Kiss my feet and beg me to let you lick the dirt off them.”
“Oh sure,” Ben said. He quickly got down at Tyler’s feet. “Please let me lick your feet,” he said as he kissed Tyler’s feet.
“Nope,” Tyler corrected. “I told you to beg to lick the dirt off my feet. Get it right or I’m leaving.”
“I’m sorry,” Ben said quickly as he quickly kissed Tyler’s feet again. “Please Tyler, please let me lick the dirt off your feet.” He kissed Tyler’s feet again and looked up at him.
“I didn’t tell you to stop did I?” Tyler said.
“Um no,” Ben said as he bent back down and repeated, “Please let me lick the first dirt off your feet,” over and over as he kissed Tyler’s feet. Tyler made Ben beg for over an hour before he finally relented.
“Fine, I guess you can lick now,” Tyler said standing up and going to lay down on Ben’s bed. “Thank you Tyler,” Ben said hoarsely.
“Yeah, just get busy,” Tyler ordered as he picked up Ben’s tablet and began reading while Ben slaved away.
Ben spent a half hour on Tyler’s right foot and then switched to his left. Tyler was right Ben told himself. He was a pussy for licking Tyler’s feet. He should have stood up to him even if it meant getting his ass kicked but that just wasn’t Ben’s nature. Ben was embarrassed at the thought that only he had been forced to endure these degrading punishments. He had just assumed the other brothers were treating their pledges just as roughly as part of the whole fraternity hazing culture. Ben had just steeled himself to endure it figuring if generations before him, including his father, could take it then so could he. But
Tyler has shattered that illusion. It was only Ben who was willing to go so low to get into the fraternity. The others didn’t have to. They could actually compete against each other.
Despite all the shame, part of Ben’s brain said, ‘You’ve come this far. You’re almost there. You can endure it. Just shut up, lick his feet and get in the frat. Then it will be over.’ Another part of Ben’s brain he wasn’t quite so conscious of also pushed him to comply for different reasons: reasons that had to do with Tyler’s dominant personality and alpha male qualities. And so Ben was the obedient slave at Tyler’s feet.
“I’m done,” Ben announced when an hour had passed.
“Hmmm what?” Tyler asked looking up from the tablet.
“I said I’m done,” Ben repeated as he stood up.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Tyler said wiggling his toes.
“You said an hour because it was the last time,” Ben explained.
“Things change,” Tyler said. “You’re done when I say so and by the way this isn’t the last time.”
“What do you mean?” Ben demanded, “Are you adding more times or something?”
“You’re starting to sound like you’re getting mad Benji,” Tyler said with a smirk. “You’re not getting mad are ya? That would be a mistake.”
“No it’s just that…” Ben snapped.
Tyler interrupted him, “Remember last night how I slapped your face around with my foot? We can do that again if you want. It’s kind of fun for me. Not so much for you I’m guessing.”
Ben paused and collected himself. “I’m sorry I raised my voice. I’m not mad.”
“Smart choice Ben,” Tyler said.
“Can I ask a question?” Ben asked.
Tyler grinned and put his hands behind his head. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Could you please explain what you meant when you said this isn’t the last time?” Ben asked calmly. “I mean you’re going to do it whenever I tell you to,” Tyler said simply.
“Why?” Ben asked.
“Because I like it. I mean I like having you grovel at my feet. It’s kind of a fucking trip,” Tyler admitted honestly.
Ben was taken aback by this stark revelation. “And you just expect me to go along with this?” he asked. “If you want in the fraternity, yes,” Tyler said bluntly.
“I thought we were friends,” Ben said numbly.
“We are,” Tyler said. “Sort of. Just kind of unequal friends you know. For some strange reason I like you Ben but I also like making you grovel. And I know you like hanging out with me because, “a” I’m a cool fucking guy and “b” why the hell else would you put up with everything I put you through. So yeah, we’re friends.”
“But you still want me to lick your feet,” Ben said.
“Oh yeah,” Tyler grinned cockily. “Actually I want you to do pretty much whatever I tell you. I’m you’re incredible, awesome, smart, good looking, martial artist friend and you’re my little devoted foot licking friend who does what I tell him and who buys me stuff.”
“I have to buy you stuff?” Ben asked incredulously.
“Think how happy it will make you to give me stuff,” Tyler said with a smirk.
Ben could not believe what Tyler was proposing. It was ludicrous and yet Tyler made it seem like it was the most natural thing in the world. Ben wanted to tell him to just get the hell out of his room right now but he just stared at Tyler as he lay there with that cocky grin on his face. Ben sighed. He’d licked Tyler’s feet so many times now what difference did it make if he had to do it some more. The whole fraternity issue would be over in a month and he’d either be in or out and either way he wouldn’t have to submit to Tyler’s demands any more. Also, there was just something about Tyler that Ben couldn’t say no to. He didn’t understand it.
“Okay,” Ben conceded.
Tyler hopped off the bed. “I know that was hard. Gimme a hug.” Ben came over and Tyler clasped him in a tight bear hug. It really did make Ben feel better. Tyler let him go and smiled at him. “You okay.”
“Yeah,” Ben said. He paused then looked at Tyler. “You’re still going to make me lick your feet some more aren’t you.”
Tyler grinned, “Yup.” He stretched back out on the bed. “Fine, how long?” Ben asked as he knelt down.
“Oh just keep at it,” Tyler said casually. “I’ll let you know when you’re done.”
Ben resigned himself to his fate and went back to licking Tyler’s feet. Tyler busily began searching the net using Ben’s tablet. After a bit he announced, “Okay, I’ve got a pretty decent wishlist going on Amazon so you can start there.”
Ben realized that’s what he had been doing. Shopping. If shopping was really the right word since he was really just picking out gifts for himself that Ben was expected to buy. Not that it would be any hardship for Ben. He really was rich. At least his father was. But all of Ben’s credit card bills were paid without question and he could write a check for any amount needed and his father would never care. Most likely his father would never even see it. He had swarms of accounting firms for handling the family’s finances. Ben’s meager expenditures were nothing. Unless he tried to withdraw millions, nothing would raise an alarm. So while the actual cost of whatever Tyler was picking out probably wasn’t an issue the presumption was something else. Ben had always lived rather modestly. He’d been at boarding schools and had never gone in for expensive clothes or cars or even travel.
Ben was suddenly startled by the sound of someone trying to open the door. He’d locked it when Tyler had entered.
“Ben it’s Joseph. Let me in,” Joseph said loudly as he knocked.
Ben looked at Tyler in panic.
“It’s cool. I’ll handle it.” Tyler said getting up off the bed. Ben also stood up and moved away from the foot of the bed as if to distance himself from where he had just been licking Tyler’s feet.
Tyler opened the door and Joseph looked at him in startled surprise.
“Ben’s busy,” Tyler said simply. “Come back in an hour.”
Joseph looked annoyed. “Hey this is my room too you know,” he squeaked at Tyler.
Tyler took a step forward. His muscled bulk dwarfed Joseph. He leaned in very close to Joseph’s face and said, “Now I don’t want you to come back for two hours.”
Joseph backed up quickly. “Okay,” he said as he hurried down the hall. Tyler laughed as he closed the door.
“What if he comes back,” Ben asked worriedly.
“I doubt that will happen,” Tyler said confidently as he lay back on the bed.
“He’s right though. It is his room too. You can’t just keep kicking him out,” Ben said.
“What’s he going to do? Kick my ass?” Tyler scoffed.
“He could complain to the RA,” Ben pointed out.
“He probably would too,” Tyler said.
Ben realized if Tyler didn’t want him coming to the frat house and he couldn’t come to the dorm there really wasn’t a good place he could force Ben to grovel at his feet. He wouldn’t have time to drive out to the hotel all the time. This could work to Ben’s advantage. Ben got lost in thought.
“Hey,” Tyler called out, “get back to licking my feet.”
“Oh right,” Ben said absently.
Tyler went back to searching the web while Ben licked. Another hour passed before Tyler spoke, “I got it Benji.”
“Got what?”
“This,” Tyler said proudly as he turned the tablet around to show Ben. It was a photo of a house. As Ben looked he saw it was on a real estate web site.
“What’s this?” Ben asked.
“Your new place,” Tyler said.
“What are you talking about?” asked Ben.
“You’re going to rent this place tomorrow,” Tyler explained.
“You think I should rent a house?” Ben asked.
“No, I don’t ‘think’ you should rent a house,” Tyler said. “I said you are going to rent this house tomorrow. I’ve already set up an appointment for you with the realtor.”
“But I don’t need a house,” Ben protested.
“Are we really going to go down this road Benji?” Tyler asked. “You know I’m going to get what I want anyway. Just give in now.”
“I don’t even know anything about it,” Ben said stubbornly.
“It’s vacant. It looks decent. What more do you need to know?” Tyler asked.
“Where is it?” Ben asked.
“About a mile from campus,” Tyler said.
“Well I don’t have a car,” Ben argued.
“You can buy one,” Tyler said.
“I don’t want to buy a car,” Ben shot back.
“Then buy a bike or fucking walk. I don’t really fucking care,” Tyler said.
“You’re seriously going to make me do this?” Ben demanded.
“Yup,” Tyler said with smirk.
“Just so you can have someplace to make me grovel at your feet?” Ben asked in annoyance.
Tyler shrugged. “I’m okay with you groveling at my feet in public. Let’s head over to the cafeteria now and see if anyone tosses their cookies when they see you licking my feet.”
Ben slumped. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
Tyler patted Ben’s cheek gently with one foot and smiled. “Of course you will Benji. Now put my socks and shoes back on. I gotta jet.”
