for catwithhammer;

[looktothesun]

[U'rajul is maddeningly close to being ready to go back to work. Most of the bruises have faded. The ankle is coming along. He can walk now. He just can't do anything complicated...like dancing.

Worse. Sneaking out is not an option. Not only does he see Allont's disapproving face every time he considers it, but in the absence of his mother, there are at least a dozen Keeper women who scold him every time he tries to leave the building. The same women who eye Rejeh'li with great suspicion when he comes asking after U'rajul, and only after giving him the third degree, reluctantly, point him in the right direction.

It's half past noon when the knock at the door startles the dancer awake. With nothing better to do, he had been napping. He sits, confused for moment, but after the second series of knocks, he finally mumbles some acknowledgment, picks himself up, and limps his way to the door to open it.

It's pretty obvious what he's been up to. He's got bedhead, he hasn't bothered to put a shirt on, and the bed where he'd been curled up just moments before is clearly visible behind him. His sleepy expression gives way to surprise when he sees who it is.]

Rejeh'li? What are you doing here...?

[He's going to let him in regardless. It's not an admonishment. He's just honestly at a loss as he steps aside to let the other man in. Clients don't usually come to him.

It's a nice room. Not lavish, but it's clean, comfortable, and there's a cute little balcony that's more of a ledge with lattice doors that he can open to the cool night air and watch the city lights. He's decorated with various colorful fabrics, pillows, and cushions. The building itself may not be in the best part of town, but U'rajul clearly does well enough for himself.]

Comments

[looktothesun]

Look in the far corner. [ He's referring to what appears to be a pile of costumes, in various states of disrepair. None of them are his, and it's obvious that most are meant for women. ]

Nothing interesting, but I've managed to keep myself busy. There's no shortage of work around here for someone skilled with a needle and thread. [ Skilled enough to mend rips and tears anyway. He's had plenty of practice over the years.

He pauses, dropping a kiss to the skin beneath his hairline, then presses his thumbs against the back of Rejeh'li's neck, tracing the line of his spine. His hands are soft, but strong. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ He's relaxing well under U'rajul's hands, so it's fine with him that he has only to lift his head to see the pile, and then he lays it back down, satisfied — both with the answer (no one was here except dancers wanting costumes mended, good) and with the knowledge that U'rajul was able to do something to keep himself fed and under a roof.

He would've preferred it to be his own roof, but this is better than nothing. ]

I made something for you.

[ His tail rises, bumping against U'rajul's back, since he can't touch him otherwise, at the monent. He'd meant for it to be a surprise, but he's never been good at impulse control. ]

The stone reminded me of you, and I didn't know what else to use it for.

[looktothesun]

Did you?

[ U’rajul can’t hide the surprise in his voice, and his hands falter for just a moment before they resume their work.

Yes, he’d teased Rejeh’li about it. Refused to take anything from his work table, and coyly told him to make him something. To surprise him.

But he’d never actually expected Rejeh’li to do just that. Clients have given him gifts in the past, but this is above and beyond, and it gives him pause. He likes Rejeh’li very much. The man had fast become one of his favorites, and then as the Keeper bought more and more of his nights, very nearly his only favorite, being almost his only customer. Arrangements like these aren’t unusual, but it’s much more than he’s ever had with a client. ]

Are you sure you want to spoil me so much? Be careful. I’ll start to expect it from you.

[ He’s teasing again, but his tone is warm, and there’s an edge of truth to his words. ]

[catwithhammer]

Can't think of a fate worse.

[ Rejeh'li turns over, making a staying gesture at U'rajul — get up, yes, but only just enough — and settles onto his back.

He makes himself comfortable again, reaching for U'rajul's thighs, giving his bare skin an intense once-over. Not that it'll matter if he can find any lingering marks, from what happened, but he wants to catalog them if they exist, burn them into his mind, for when he finds out who did it. ]

[looktothesun]

[ U’rajul lifts himself up onto his knees and moves to stand, but pauses as Rejeh’li reaches for him. Still straddling one of his thighs, he looks down at Rejeh’li, head tilted slightly, wondering what he’s up to. ]

Is something wrong? [ He’s nowhere near as bruised as he was weeks ago. Most have faded away to nothing, but there are still traces of the beating he took on his hips and legs as well as his back. It’s clear that someone had tried to hold him down. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li's hands smooth over the faint marks on U'rajul's hips, as if he might divine by touch where they came from, his bright eyes shadowed with intent. ]

Aye. [ His thumb traces the faded, mottledd edge of one of the bruises, like watercolor on U'rajul's skin. ]

When I find him I'll carve beads from his teeth, and gild his skull for a mantelpiece.

YOU'RE MAKING HIM FEEL FEELS AND IT'S CONFUSING.

[looktothesun]

[ U'rajul doesn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't that. He stares at Rejeh'li and something in his heart stirs. That's a red flag. He should run.

But he doesn't run, instead lowering himself over the man, and nipping lightly at his bottom lip, affectionate, a lovebite more than any attempt to entice. It's also a gentle rebuff. ]

It's over. I'm fine. Don't trouble yourself with things that are in the past.

[ He's trying not to. It's easier to forget than to face what might have happened had he been less guarded or not nimble enough to escape his attackers. ]

Beside that, it would be an ugly mantelpiece.

[catwithhammer]

It isn't over, because the bastard still lives.

[ His voice is low, calmer than his words. He can read between the lines, regardless, and it reads like U'rajul would really like to change the subject. Rejeh'li looks up at him, his thumb sliding down to the inside of his thigh, and affects a wicked grin. ]

I'll forget about it if you tell me what you want me to do.

[looktothesun]

[ U’rajul doesn’t believe it for a second and the look he gives Rejeh’li reflects that, but he won’t pursue it any farther. Not now when they’re both naked and there are so many other things they could be doing.

He pretends to give Rejeh'li's offer serious thought, then smiles, and in an incongruously sweet voice, answers: ]

Show me what you made for me, and I’ll wear it while you fuck me

[catwithhammer]

[ Heat glimmers in Rejeh'li's eyes, and he looks back at U'rajul for a long moment before leaning over the edge of the bed to dig in his tunic.

The collar is thin and delicate, flattened on the inside curve to sit against the neck without pressing into it. The colors have been chosen with U'rajul's coloring in mind: gold for most of it, then moving seamlessly into dark forest malachite, and then squared-off ends carved out of milky jade, spaced apart, to sit above the hollows of his collarbone.

Rejeh'li sits up wordlessly, brushing U'rajul's hair away from his neck to put it on. ]

[looktothesun]

[ He looks appreciatively at the piece. Everything that Rejeh'li has offered thus far has been beautiful. His lover has a real gift. What's different is that this time he doesn't move away when Rejeh'li moves to put it round his neck.

The significance of the act isn't lost on him. The metal is cool around his neck, and his lips curl into an amused smile. His ears twitch. ]

Did you just collar me?

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li stares at him, eyes widening a little.

He didn't mean it that way, but now that he's looking at it — a slow grin spreads over his face. He reaches for the space between the ends of the collar, fingertip brushing over U'rajul's throat. ]

Wouldn't a collar normally have something here? Something to grab?

[ ...And yet it'd be easy to tie something, a cord or a ribbon, between the two hooked ends, and those hooked ends are just about the right size for his fingers. He slips two of them in the gaps now, experimenting, and purrs: ]

Oh. It looks like I did.

[looktothesun]

[ U'rajul laughs at the expression on Rejeh'li's face, but his tone is low and sultry as he leans in closer following the trajectory of the fingers hooked through his torc. ]

Was that not what you originally intended? I might be insulted if you didn't look so very pleased with yourself right now.

[ He strokes the back of Rejeh'li's wrist with his fingers thoughtfully, then smirks. ]

You can't keep me. [ A deliberate tease and a challenge all in one. His eyes are bright with mischief. Catch me if you can. ]

But I think it's obvious by now that I can be bribed. [ He lets his hand drop and leans in to whisper hotly against his lips. ] I want you to take me.

[catwithhammer]

Oh, I will.

[ He throws his weight into flipping them over, and suddenly he's between U'rajul's legs, looking down at him, moving over, rolling him bodily onto his stomach, pulling him up just a little by the hips.

His breath is warm against U'rajul's ear as he leans down to whisper— ]

I wonder if you're going to feel different, now that you've been cooped up here for so long. What do you think?

[looktothesun]

[ Rejeh'li takes him by surprise, but U'rajul is nothing but delighted by the turn of events. He's soft and pliant under Rejeh'li's hands, crossing his arms and propping his head on a forearm as he looks back at his partner. He moves his tail, batting lightly at Rejeh'li's chest, playful.

The gold around his neck is beautiful against his sun kissed skin, and only a ghost of the bruises on his lower back remain. ]

After my unplanned period of involuntary celibacy? Maybe I will. Or maybe you've just missed me that much. You'll have to tell me, won't you?

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li lunges hungrily for the collection of oils, looking for something he can use, one hand still possessively on U'rajul's hip. ]

How do you want it?

[ He's sure to make noise with the oil, slicking his fingers more than strictly necessary. ]

Should I be gentle?

[ There's a mockery in his tone: he would very much prefer not to be. ]

[looktothesun]

Don’t you dare.

[ A slight scowl on his face. U’rajul is serious. Nothing would irritate him more at this point. Rejeh’li would know by now that he liked it rough. At first U’rajul was subtle about it. Now, he actually complains if Rejeh’li is too gentle. ]

Fuck me hard or not at all.

[ He flicks his tail at Rejeh’li, obviously impatient. ]

[catwithhammer]

Oh, good.

[ He asked out of rare caution, but that was where it ended. It feels like he hasn't seen U'rajul in half a year, and he's especially impatient.

Two slicked fingers press inside U'rajul without warning, pushing down where he knows he'll get a reaction. At the same time he lets the tip of his cock rub at the edge of that ring of muscle, glistening, even as his fingers are working, so U'rajul can feel how hard and ready for this he is. ]

[looktothesun]

[ U’rajul groans and arches his back, inhaling sharply and twitching when Rejeh’li finds what he’s looking for. ]

That’s not very nice. [ Chiding. Playful. He doesn’t really want nice. He’s just as hard as Rejeh’li is, and he wants this, desperately wants to feel Rejeh’li inside him. The metal of the collar isn’t cool anymore, but he’s still keenly aware of it. He uncrosses his arms and fists a hand in the bedsheets in anticipation. ]

[catwithhammer]

[ Rejeh'li pulls his fingers back, but there's only a second in between before he pushes inside U'rajul, stretching him with a grunt. ]

Tight—

[ He plants on hand by U'rajul's shoulder and presses deeper, an appreciative rumble low in his throat. ]

Tell me— have you ever seen me, even once, after fucking someone else?

[looktothesun]

[ U’rajul shudders and braces himself against the mattress, grip tightening in the sheets. He is tight, and Rejeh’li feels huge. It would be too much too fast if he didn’t want it so badly.

He glances back over his shoulder at the man, an amused smile touching his lips. ]

Do you want me to lie and say never? Or a list of my customers? Not often. You’ve been buying most of my nights as you may recall.

[catwithhammer]

[ He props his other hand on U'rajul's side, too, penning him in, and his words are punctuated with pauses necessitated by the effort of moving. ]

I want to know— mm— if anyone's fucked you— before me. By a day, mayhap.

[ He only has to dip his head a little to get it close to U'rajul's ear, and he lowers his voice to a husky near-whisper, hips moving a little more easily, thrusting harder into him. ]

If another man's fucked you once, I want to fuck you twice. If another man came in you, I'll do the same— twice. I want to erase what other men do to you— and leave you smelling like my sweat, my bed, my— bath, whatever it is. Mine.

[looktothesun]

[ It’s not the first time someone’s whispered demands in his ear, but it’s the first time they’ve ever affected him so strongly, and U’rajul loves it. Every filthy word of it. His ears twitch and he moans low in his throat. ]

Sounds like... you want to mark me. [ He gasps out in between thrusts of Rejeh’li’s hips. ] By a day? Or cumulatively? If it’s the latter- ah- you’ve got a lot of work to do.

[catwithhammer]

By a day—

[ He picks up one hand and lets it travel down between the plane of U'rajul's stomach and the sheets, slowly. ]

But I've not seen you in some time, see, so now I've got to mark you for that.

[ His hand wraps around U'rajul's cock and strokes, a little too firmly, at first too slow, but then picking up the rhythm of his thrusts. ]

[looktothesun]

Mm...

[ U’rajul’s breathless laughter cuts off abruptly, and he cries out as Rejeh’li takes him in hand, cock twitching in his grip. His hips move involuntarily and the direction doesn’t matter. Rejeh’li has him either way. ]

You’re greedy... but I like that about you...

[ Full sentences are getting harder to form, words turning to wanton cries of pleasure. It’s been too long, and he could come easily like this, but he holds back, letting Rejeh’li set the pace. ]