Chapter Text
“Hanzo, focus. I know you can do this.”
The man at Akande’s feet only grunted in response, still gathering himself, eyes cast down. It was difficult to train a dragon, mostly due to the fact the dragon must also train himself. Kneeling was no difficult feat for Hanzo. No, the trouble lie in why he kneeled, who he kneeled for. Hanzo had never before kneeled for another man, and getting him down on his knees had taken plenty of time on its own. His pride was crumbling. He had never been seen in such a weak position before. Even when the elders challenged his leadership and attempted to bully power from beneath him, he never—
“Hanzo.”
Softer, this time. Grounding him. Reminding him. He didn’t have to push himself like this. He could tap out at any time, call his safe word if another anxiety attack gripped him. Akande was understanding last time. And, well, the time before that. It had been a slow-going process. He had been taught his entire life not to appear weak, to be the leader he had been groomed to be. Now he was here, at a man’s feet, being commanded to obey.
And it was a simple command, too. Simpler than the very first one of ‘kneel’.
Look at me.
A large hand rested atop his head before running its fingers through the loose black hair, finding the scalp beneath and scratching lightly. Hanzo nearly melted at the contact. It seemed unfair to be rewarded before he had even obeyed. Then again, it probably was only meant as encouragement. But personal contact was so foreign to Hanzo before, not counting his clingy little brother. It felt like a reward, to be so lovingly touched.
He finally pushed his head back against the hand lightly as his gaze rose. The hand dropped to caress his cheek, the thumb lightly stroking the thin beard still attempting to thicken there.
“Yes Sir,” came the almost-whispered reply from Hanzo’s lips. Akande’s eyes almost shone at the pride he felt. Hanzo had needed no prompting for the verbal response; Akande was not even planning on enforcing it. This was the first time he had said yes sir without gritting his teeth and forcing the words through them.
Hanzo’s eyes threatened to close when the fingers returned to scratching lightly at his scalp, but he held his gaze with Akande’s. He wanted to dispel his selfish pride. The pride Akande expressed at his progress was more than enough for him now. Akande’s hand finally fell away and his words quickly replaced Hanzo’s source of bliss.
“Good boy.”