As winter gripped the Texas countryside, Cee grunted as it stepped out of the barn and into the brisk January morning. The sun had not risen yet, though the sky was just beginning to brighten with only a few clouds visible low on the horizon.
"What do you think, Alpha?" Nutless asked as it appeared beside the slave. "Are we gonna have snow this year?"
Cee shrugged.
"Who knows?"
The older slave pulled on its boots and adjusted the hat on its head. They each were wearing thick rawhide chaps and vests that were lined with fur. It left their chests, genitals, and ass exposed but gave just enough warmth to make it through the frosty mornings and evenings this time of year.
"I've lived on this farm for over a decade now," Cee said. "I've seen a few hard frosts, but no snow. It doesn't seem to do that down here anymore. Not like back home."
Nutless smiled as it put on its work gloves.
"Thought you told me not to think about your life before."
Cee chuckled.
"Yes, well, this time of year brings a little unintended nostalgia."
"Why is that?" Nutless asked.
"My purchase day is today," Cee replied. "I was sold as a slave eleven years ago."
"Oh, wow," Nutless replied. "So, do we celebrate or something? Morn?"
Cee laughed.
"It is just another day. Sometimes Lord and Master have marked the occasion, but more often than not, it passes without a thought."
"Well, if nothing happens, Cubby and I will do something for you," Nutless replied.
Cee turned and looked at the slave. The hardened criminal who had yet to be broken months ago seemed to be gone. Sure, Nutless fucked up from time to time, but the aggressive streak that had colored the first weeks of its life as a slave seemed like a distant memory. Part of that was the loss of its balls. The plasticized remnants still hung around its neck, a visual reminder of its former life, but the reduction of testosterone had produced a profound effect. Cee still gave it injections each week, but it was only enough to ensure its bones remained solid and its muscle mass was maintained. Its body had changed slightly, becoming softer around the edges, but the major change was because of its will. It had finally been broken. Like thousands of stallions before, it had lost the will to fight. It became dependent upon Cee in ways that the older slave had only begun to realize.
"I appreciate that, Nutless," Cee replied. "You ready for the workday?"
"Yeah, the tractor still needs a lot of work," Nutless replied. "I made a lot of headway yesterday, but I think we need to rebuild some of it."
"You have a knack for that, you know," Cee said as they started walking away from the barn. "Machines, I mean."
Nutless smiled. "You know, when I was younger, when I wasn't breaking into things or trying to fuck something up, I liked to help a guy down the street with his motorcycle. I was always fascinated by the engine. The power of it... it just... I don't know... it was a thrill."
Cee grinned back. "Too bad you didn't pursue that as a career... be a mechanic, I mean."
Nutless shrugged. "Just was dealt a bad hand."
Cee stopped and faced the slave, placing a hand on its shoulder.
"Nutless, you chose the life you had before," Cee said firmly. "You can't blame the environment. Sure, it might have been bad, but the things you did?"
"I know, Alpha," Nutless said as it lowered its head. "I deserved this life."
"Hey," Cee said, lifting Nutless's chin. "I forgave you a long time ago. So did Cubby. You need to forgive yourself, but you also need to let go of that life. Focus on what you have here. Okay?"
Nutless nodded. "Thanks, Cee. You know I never had anyone care for me as you do. If you were my big brother, I don't think..."
"Nutless.." Cee said as they started walking again.
"Sorry," Nutless replied.
The younger slave looked down and felt the pouch that hung around its neck.
"Do you think I will have to wear these the rest of my life?"
Cee shrugged. "I don't know Nutless."
"I know it's a symbol of my defiance, but it is also a reminder of my former life, you know?"
Cee nodded. "I can see that."
Nutless let the pouch drop and sighed. "Focus on the present. Focus on what I can change. Be the best slave I can be."
Cee grinned and put its arm around the slave. "That's the spirit, buddy."
Nutless smiled.
"I like that, you know," Cee said. "That smile. You know you should do it more often."
Nutless laughed. "Uh-huh."
Cee patted the slave's back and then turned. "I have some work to do on the back fence, but after I am done, I will come and help you with the engine. Okay?"
"Thanks, Alpha," Nutless replied.
***
Back in the main house, the wind battered the sides of the building, scraping branches against the siding like skeletal fingers. The kitchen always felt colder in winter, even with the heater running on full tilt and the range burners left on after supper. Frank stood at the counter, preparing a ham sandwich from leftovers in the fridge.
He heard the heavy tread of boots in the hall before the door swung open. Burt's presence filled the kitchen immediately. He carried the cold with him, a smell of diesel, sweat, and outdoors. For a second, Frank tensed, hands tightening on the knife, then forced himself to keep slicing.
"Put that down and sit," Burt said, voice gravelly.
Frank looked up, wiped his hand on his jeans, and obeyed. The chair scraped against the linoleum. Burt didn't sit across, but stood at the end of the table, looming over the space. He had aged little in the years Frank had known him, maybe deepened the lines on his face, but still had the solid, unmoving quality of a man who survived by making his own rules and never, ever giving in.
"You're wondering what this is about," Burt finally said.
Frank shrugged. "Whatever, Burt. I'm here."
Burt grunted. He leaned his fists on the table. "Six weeks back. I hit you."
Frank stiffened, unsure what response was expected. "Yeah."
"I shouldn't have," Burt said. He didn't sound sorry, just factual.
"I know you have a temper," Frank replied.
Burt shook his head once. "There is a difference between having a temper and losing control."
Frank said nothing. The clock ticked loudly, counting off seconds in the silence.
"My old man... your granddad... You remember him?"
Frank nodded. The man had died when Frank was still in middle school, but the stories had stuck. Hard as coffin nails, never a smile for free, believed in pain as a teacher.
"He was mean as hell," Burt said, voice flat. "But he believed that's what made a man. You take a beating, you earn respect. You don't cry about it. You don't fucking whine. You get up and you do your job. That's how I was raised."
Frank watched his uncle's eyes. They were cold, blue, and steady.
"When you started coming here," Burt said. "I wanted to do the same thing. I wanted to make you tough. I wanted to make you better than me, even if I had to break you to do it."
"You're not your old man," Frank said. "You don't gotta be."
Burt's lips twitched. "You're right. But you aren't me, either. That's the goddamn problem."
Frank frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you got fire," Burt said, voice rising just a little. "But you burn too quickly. You don't know how to hold it. I see it when you're with the slaves. I'm not the only one with a temper. You go from zero to rage in a second, and then you just... fizzle. You don't finish the job. You don't see it through."
Frank felt his face heating up. "You said I did well with Nutless last month. You said..."
"I lied," Burt cut in. "You handled it, but you didn't control it. You got lucky. I don't want you relying on luck."
Frank looked away. His hands curled into fists in his lap. He hated this. He hated being lectured, being called out. His useless father liked to lecture him. It felt like losing, and he had spent his whole life trying not to be a loser.
"You know why I never married?" Burt asked suddenly.
Frank blinked, thrown by the shift. "No. I just figured it was because you were gay, like me."
Burt laughed. "Not all gays are single."
"True," Frank replied.
"It is because I don't like people in my space. I don't trust anybody to get it right but me." He straightened up and rubbed his chin. "But I took you in. Raised you. Because I thought I could teach you something. I thought... hell, I thought I could give you a better home than what you had with your deadbeat dad."
Frank swallowed hard. "You did."
Burt snorted. "Did I? Have you ever felt like you're just a shadow of somebody else? That you could do everything right, and it still wouldn't matter, because you're not them?"
Frank was silent for a long time. He didn't want to answer, but the truth forced itself out. "Yeah. All the time."
Burt nodded, satisfied. "I think that is why I lost control. That's why I hit you. Not because you fucked up. Because I saw myself in you. Too much of myself. The part I hate."
Frank stared at the table, tracing a scar on the surface with his thumbnail.
"I don't want you to be me," Burt said. "I want you to be better. But you gotta learn control. You gotta know when to push and when to hold back. Not everything is about being the hardest bastard in the room."
Frank risked a small smile. "Could've fooled me."
Burt did laugh then. "Shut up. I'm serious."
They sat in silence a while before Burt finally eased down into a chair. For the first time, he didn't seem so much larger than Frank. He seemed tired, maybe even a little afraid.
"World's changing," Burt said. "What we do here... how we live... ain't the same as it was for my old man. Hell, it ain't the same as when you were a kid. It's all moving too fast, and if you're not careful, it'll chew you up. I want you to last, Frank. I want you to own it, not let it own you."
Frank nodded.
Burt looked over at the counter, at the slices of meat arranged on the sandwich.
"You know why the old ways work?" Burt asked. "Why you salt meat, why you break a horse, why you break a man?"
Frank looked over at the plate. "So it keeps."
Burt nodded. "Nothing worse than rot, Frank. Nothing."
Frank waited, figuring this was leading somewhere.
"That slave... Nutless. Remember the day we picked it up? Have you ever seen a slave with that much hate in its eyes? It would have killed us both if we were weaker men."
"Then why did you buy it?" Frank asked.
"Because there's more profit in breaking it," Burt replied. "You take something wild, you beat it down, and if it survives, it's better for it. More loyal. More productive."
Frank flinched at the word. "Productive."
Burt gave him a long look. "That's the job, Frank. That's the world we're in. You think anybody gives a damn about kindness out there? In this reality?"
"You sure don't," Frank replied.
"That is because I have become hard," Burt agreed. "Slaves need discipline. Some don't make it. But the ones that do? They know who owns them. They don't step out of line because they know the cost. That's what keeps the rot away. That's why you don't let a slave think it's a man."
"You ever think about what we would be if the roles were flipped?"
Burt didn't answer right away.
"Doesn't matter," he finally said with a sigh. "Because they aren't. We're the ones with the power. You think too much about it, you go soft. That's how you end up like..." He stopped himself, then shook his head. "That's how you end up nothing."
Frank just looked at him.
"You wanna run a place like this someday?" Burt asked.
"Yeah," Frank said. "I do."
Burt nodded, satisfied. "Then you gotta know when to be cruel... when to be hard as nails. You gotta know when to put a beast down, and when to put it to work. Same with slaves."
"You think I'm too soft?" Frank asked.
Burt snorted. "I think you don't know yourself yet. That's dangerous. For you, for the stock, for anybody under this roof."
Frank set his jaw. "I'll learn."
"Yes, you will," Burt replied. "But you also need to learn restraint. And, apparently, it is something I still need to learn."
"What do you mean?" Frank asked.
"A hard hand is necessary, but a tempered hand is equally important," Burt replied. "Cee, for instance. It is the best damn slave I have ever seen. It is obedient, respectful, and has never shown an inch of rebellious behavior. When it has asked for little things, like growing some pot for its own use or extra time at night on its own, I have granted it. Its devotion deserves a reward."
"But, it could also lead to a slave expecting rewards," Frank replied.
"Exactly," Burt replied. "Which is why you have to have a hard exterior. You only reward on occasion. It doesn't happen every time."
"Would you ever reward Nutless?" Frank asked.
Burt paused before answering. "It would have to be something truly noteworthy. Nutless has made a lot of progress. I have broken most of his will, but I still see a fire there. You have seen it, too."
"Yeah," Frank nodded. "But I have also seen how it has integrated with Cee and Gimp. Cee has done a lot of good with it. It seems more like part of the herd now than ever."
"That is what I am talking about, Frank," Burt said. "That sort of thinking is soft. You have to be on guard. It may be true that Nutless is broken and changing, but what if it isn't? What if it is biding its time? You need to be watching always. Never assuming."
"I see," Frank replied.
"And when you do see positive behavior, if it ever happens, choose how you react carefully," Burt replied. "Would a reward be worth it? Does it even deserve anything other than your boot?"
"A tempered response?" Frank asked.
"Now you are getting it," Burt replied. "We are going to have our differences. I see too much of myself in you. But, from this point forward, we talk those out like men... alone and one-on-one. I was wrong to strike you in front of the slaves. That shows weakness. I was out of control."
"But, why were you so upset?" Frank asked. "About me using that stuff on Cee?"
Burt sighed. "Frank, I did that drug once back in the day."
"You did?" Frank asked, astonished.
"Yes," Burt replied. "It makes you cum so fucking much. It really increases your libido, and in certain doses, can make you high. But the dosage is critical. Too much and there is pain, and you have to keep fucking through it till it is out of your system. We need it for milking slaves to make them productive. You are welcome to use it on your slave. But, I want Cee clean. It needs to be focused and disciplined to work the fields, make good decisions, and, as you said, control Nutless."
"That makes sense," Frank replied. "I am sorry I didn't tell you."
"Apology accepted," Burt replied with a wave of his hand.
"Thanks for talking to me like a man, Burt," Frank said. "I mean it."
"Just think about what I said," Burt replied. "And maybe we can both learn a thing or two from each other."
"You want a sandwich?" Frank asked as he nodded towards the counter.
"Sounds good," Burt replied with a smile.
***
As the winter sun made its short path to the horizon, Nutless and Cee found themselves covered in sweat. They had shunned all of their clothes and wore only their boots as they wrestled with the engine block of the farm's ancient tractor in a metal utility building on the back of the property.
"Motherfucker!" Nutless exclaimed as it tossed a wrench on the floor.
"Calm down, Nutless," Cee exclaimed as it pulled on a chain to lift the engine once more.
They had partially rebuilt the heart of the machine, but it had refused to reseat itself correctly, and they had been trying for an hour to put it back together again.
"I can't with this thing," Nutless groaned as it collapsed on the dirt floor, its arms covered in grease and grime.
Cee slowly let down the engine and secured it before walking over and rubbing the slave's shoulders from behind.
"Let's take a break, okay?" Cee replied.
"How do you stay so calm all the time, Alpha?" Nutless asked as it looked up at the slave towering over it. "I have never seen you upset. Well... except that one time when we met."
Cee laughed. "You did have me seeing red that day."
"You sure tore my asshole open after," Nutless joked as Cee moved around and sat cross-legged across from it and handed it the canteen of water they had brought.
"I have to admit," Cee said as Nutless drank, "for being the first ass I ever fucked, you had a nice tight one."
"A virgin ass," Nutless snorted.
Cee smiled. "Glad you can joke about it now. I was afraid back then..."
"Eh," Nutless replied as it passed the canteen back. "Like we said, best to look forward."
Cee nodded. "Yeah, but you got me thinking."
"Oh?" Nutless replied as it leaned back on its arms. "About what?"
Cee shook its head.
"Never mind."
"Oh, no!" Nutless exclaimed. "You can't do that, Alpha. You may be the pack leader, but even the omega should be able to lend an ear. Spill it."
Cee smiled as it put the canteen between its legs.
"I had that dream again."
"The one about your cousin?" Nutless asked.
Cee nodded.
"It is wrong. I know better."
"What is wrong?" Nutless asked.
"I have no cousin," Cee replied. "I have no family other than you and Cubby. Hell, Master and Lord could be included in that."
"Fuck that," Nutless said with a wave of its hand. "We may be your family now, but you cannot forget the one you left behind."
"But that is what is expected of me," Cee said. "It is what is expected of all slaves."
"Listen, Alpha," Nutless said as it leaned forward. "The idea of a slave forgetting its former life and looking forward is noble. Hell, it's probably necessary for us permanent slaves. We have no life to return to. But it doesn't discount the fact that we are human beings."
"Nutless..." Cee began.
"No," Nutless interrupted. "Fuck that. I know we are supposed to think of ourselves as property. Mindless beings that obey and work, but we have brains. We have independent thought. It is like our pronouns. I know we are to refer to ourselves as it and its, but I still slip up from time to time. You do it too. Our former lives still matter. We had families."
"That kind of thinking only leads to heartbreak, Nutless," Cee said. "You know that most of all."
"Maybe," Nutless replied. "But maybe it is good to remember your humanity from time to time. I know your kindness is the only thing that kept me from losing my sanity."
Cee smiled and reached over and patted Nutless's leg.
"But, Alpha," Nutless continued. "Don't beat yourself up over memories or dreams of your former life. They are a part of you as much as your life now."
"I guess," Nutless replied. "I just miss Patrick. We had our fights and arguments over the years, but he was always my best friend. Seeing him like that... strapped into that machine and treated as nothing more than cattle to be milked... it did something to me."
"Your cousin will be okay," Nutless replied. "Look at Cubby. Sure, Beta's balls are the size of a softball now, but it doesn't seem to be suffering much from being milked regularly."
"Cubby doesn't talk about it much," Cee replied. "But I know that there is pain involved. Not a lot, but it has told me that cumming is not enjoyable."
Nutless nodded. "At least Cubby can cum. Look at me."
Cee shrugged. "I just wish I could talk to Patrick again. I still see him as a human being... as my cousin. I know Patrick is property now. Something that someone owns, but he won't always. One day soon... in nine years, in fact, he will be free again."
"Do you think he will be able to adjust to life again after twenty years of being a milking slave?" Nutless asked.
"Yeah," Cee said with a nod. "Patrick has always been resilient. And my family will welcome him back."
"See?" Nutless said. "You even agree that he will be okay."
Cee laughed.
"You trying reverse psychology on me, Omega?"
"Not me," Nutless said as it held its arms up. "I'm a dumb ass red-tag."
"You aren't dumb," Cee said with a smile.
"Well," Nutless said as it moved to get up. "I am smart enough to call it a day."
"Fair enough," Cee said as it got up too. "You up for some light aerobics in the gym? Might do us some good to limber up after battling this thing for the past few hours."
"Yeah, that is fine," Nutless said as it wiped its hands and went to grab its chaps and vest to put on.
"Cool," Cee replied.
Back at the barn several hours later, the three slaves sat in their respective stalls, preparing to wind down the day and start another one. Gimp was sore. It had produced three large loads of cum earlier, and Frank had fucked two of his own into the slave's ass. Nutless had cleaned the showers and bathroom after the workout it had with Cee, while its fellow slave prepared a dinner of stew and baked bread for the three of them.
Properly fed and exhausted, only the light of the small lamps by their hay cots illuminated the barn.
"Cee!" came the voice of Frank as he appeared in Cee's stall area.
Instantly, Cee got to its feet, spread its legs, and stood at attention. Behind Frank, Nutless, and Gimp followed suit.
"Yes, Master!" Cee called out.
"At ease," Frank replied as he smiled and looked around. "All of you."
Cee relaxed its body but remained in its original position.
"Do you know what day it is?" Frank asked.
"It was another wonderful day to serve you, Master, and my Lord," Cee immediately replied.
"Yes, but it is also your purchase day!" Frank replied.
Cee smiled. "I didn't know if you would remember."
"I know I have forgotten some years, but this is an important day," Frank said. "You may be property, but I've known you most of my life. I have grown up around you. You have shown me what a true, disciplined slave can be. You even have turned Nutless around."
"I am honored by your praise, Master," Cee said as it bowed.
"Well, I don't have any presents or anything," Frank said, "but I would like to do something for you. Is there something that you would request of me?"
"As a slave, that is not my role," Cee replied. "As you said. I am property. I am a tool. Would you ask the tractor what it wants?"
"Fair point," Frank said with a smile. "But I am asking, nonetheless. And I expect an answer."
Cee stayed quiet.
"Master, may your humble slave speak?" Nutless asked.
Frank turned and saw Nutless on its knees and bowed.
"With that attitude, I think you have earned my attention," Frank replied. "Rise and speak, slave."
Nutless nodded and stood at attention.
"We are property, as was said," Nutless said calmly as it looked forward. "We have no rights. We have no lives beyond what is asked of us. But I know that my fellow slave brother and alpha would like something."
"Nutless," Cee said under its breath.
Frank turned to Cee, curious.
"Now I am intrigued," Frank said, turning back to Nutless. "What is it you know of my slave that it is afraid to ask of me?"
"Master, we are devoted to you and our Lord, but I hope you can forgive us when we have weaknesses," Nutless replied. "There are times when we remember who we once were. That happened to Alpha Cee when it went to the milking farm and saw its cousin."
"Oh, yes!" Frank replied as it turned back to Cee. "I had forgotten about that. That was amusing!"
Cee nodded.
"Wait," Frank replied, turning to look back at Nutless and then at Cee. "I get it. You want to see that slave again, don't you?"
"Master, I..." Cee began.
"You know that is not like you," Frank said. "You usually are so disciplined."
"I apologize for talking to Nutless about it," Cee said. "I am prepared for punishment."
"Why?" Frank asked. "I mean, I am amused you think about your former life as a permanent slave, but I don't give a shit. What have you ever done to make me ever be mad at you?"
"Master, I..." Cee replied.
"Does it want to see its cousin?" Frank turned and asked Nutless.
"I believe my Alpha would appreciate that honor, Master," Nutless replied.
"Is it correct?" Frank asked Cee next.
"Master, this is very difficult," Cee replied. "Please don't tease your slave."
Frank rolled his eyes.
"Listen, if you want to see your cousin again, I will see what I can do," Frank replied. "I will have to clear it with Burt and with Lewis, but I will ask."
"Thank you, Master," Cee said as it got on its knees. "I live to serve you."
Frank turned and saw that Gimp and Nutless were on their knees as well. He smiled as he walked over to Nutless.
"On your feet, slave," Frank said.
Nutless immediately did as he was commanded, and Frank reached out and grasped the pouch containing its former balls.
"Why did you speak up for Cee?" Frank asked.
"Alpha is my pack leader," Nutless replied. "It taught me to embrace my life. It taught me service to you, and my Lord is all that is important. I would do anything for Alpha. It and Gimp are my family now."
"Interesting," Frank replied as he felt the plasticized organs. "And what if I sold one of them and brought in a new slave?"
"Then I would treat that slave with deference as well," Nutless said. "I am the omega here. I am the lowest of the low, but the slaves you and Lord own are my family, no matter who they are."
"And what if I asked you to beat Cee for an infraction, if that ever happened? What if I asked you to bend it over and violate it with a pole? Beat it until it bled. What would you do?"
Nutless was quiet before dropping to its knees again and then putting its head on the floor to kiss Frank's boots.
"I would ask you to terminate me, Master," Nutless replied. "This slave never wants to harm another person. I would rather die than be put in a position to disobey you, though."
"Up," Frank replied by shoving his boot.
Nutless rose to attention again, and fresh tears were on its face.
"You really mean that, don't you?" Frank asked. "You would ask me to kill you?"
"Yes, Master," Nutless replied. "I never want to harm anyone again."
Frank paused and considered the conversation he had with Burt earlier in the day.
"Know when to do it and when not," Frank said softly.
"Master?" Nutless asked, confused.
Frank's concentration was broken as he looked the slave. He grabbed the pouch and slipped it over Nutless's head, and then placed it in its hands.
"Bury those somewhere," Frank said. "You have earned the right to move beyond your past. But I warn you. Burt and I will end your life if you ever disobey us."
"Yes, Master," Nutless replied. "I live to serve you and my Lord. Thank you, Master."
Frank stepped back and, with a breath, smiled again.
"Well, I am off to bed. Sleep well, my slaves!"
And with a wave, he was gone.
Cee looked over and saw that Nutless was now openly crying as it looked at the testicles in its hands. The older slave walked over, flanked by Gimp, and hugged him.
"Thank you, Nutless," Cee replied.
"That was amazing, Nutless," Gimp added. "I didn't think..."
"I had it in me?" Nutless finished with a sob and a half laugh.
"Well..." Gimp replied.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Cee asked.
"Huh?" Nutless asked.
"To bury those," Cee said as it pointed at the pouch in Nutless's hands. "I know it will be hard letting them go. You complain about wearing those all the time, but they are your balls."
"No," Nutless said. "They are Master and Lord's balls, and they have commanded me to bury them."
"Well?" Gimp asked.
"I would like the company Alpha... and Cubby," Nutless replied.
"I'll grab the shovel," Cee said as it turned.
"And I know the perfect spot," Gimp replied. "The big oak on the other side of the barn, where we smoke pot after a long day."
Nutless laughed.
"That sounds perfect, Cubby."
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