essea | [ ELVES CATCHALL POST. ]

[ Good. And yet-- everyone should worship the ground Iorveth walks on. Stuck between these two ideas, Astarion hums thoughtfully, pressing his mouth to the underside of Iorveth's jaw, his throat, his collarbone. ]

Mmm, do you like the way I speak to you?

[ Better to just focus it on Astarion. Other people don't matter, anyway. They're the only two people in existence, as far he's concerned. Everyone else is just set dressing.

He places a hand on Iorveth's chest, letting it wander downward, down the flat plane of Iorveth's abdomen where his fingers splay out, savoring the feeling of something precious beneath them. ]

Do you enjoy hearing how beautiful you are? How much I adore you?

[ Honestly, he's not sure if Iorveth finds such comments uncomfortable or not. He's only just begun to accept the compliments as they are without argument, after all. Of course, he's still going to say such things. One day, he thinks, his comments will make it through Iorveth's ridiculously thick skull. ]

Sometimes I think of tying you up and praising you for hours.

[ The only way Iorveth would let him get away with it, probably. ]

[ The expected (and instinctive) response is to say something along the lines of "you'd only have material for a few minutes at most", but Iorveth refrains. It seems a shame to ruin the sweet, comfortable mood with posturing― not to mention that it would be criminal to say anything that would stop what Astarion is currently doing.

Iorveth breathes. Feels that hand on his stomach move up and down in time to his inhales, his exhales. His pulse skips and jackrabbits a bit, the beginnings of expectant arousal sitting just under his skin, waiting and wanting. ]

I could do the same for you, [ he finally manages, ] but with less rope.

[ A light squirm under Astarion's weight, with the fingers exploring Astarion's back pressing inwards just a fraction. A manifestation of how has to fight himself a bit to say the next words, which still feel strange in his mouth. ]

I... do, like being loved by you. [ Uncharacteristically mealy-mouthed. He's told Astarion about his hangups, about how others have left or died, how he feels that everyone he cares for eventually dies or regrets it; Iorveth is fine with loving, but it always seems like wanting it back ends in the kind of disaster that he doesn't want Astarion to experience.

But he can only ever be honest, especially with someone he cares for so much. Another slight shift, and Iorveth presses his face against Astarion's neck. ]

You've accused me of being besotted, but you're the one who makes me so. Every time you speak. More and more, with each passing day.

[ Very rude of Astarion. If he wants Iorveth to be less obsessed, he could stand to be less lovable. ]

[ With less rope, he says. Astarion isn't sure if it's because Iorveth doesn't want to suggest he'd do anything to make Astarion feel trapped (even in ridiculous fantasy), or because there's no way Astarion would ever need to be tied up and forced to listen to praise when he demands it on the regular.

He laughs at 'every time you speak', because the gods know it isn't every time. All the same, he shifts, hand snaking down further between their bodies to wrap loosely around Iorveth's cock. Out of practice, he'd said, and Astarion wants to ease him into it. Relax him as much as possible. Iorveth seems to enjoy some level of pain in his intimacy, but discomfort is as unsexy as it gets. ]

You sound as if you're under my thrall. [ Then, teasing: ] Perhaps you are.

[ More shifting, as that touch trails down and wraps around the beginnings of a semi. It should probably be more embarrassing that sweet words and gentle cuddling in bed were enough to make his dick feel a little stupid, but it is what it is. A hitched breath and a low sigh through his nose later, Iorveth relaxes, letting the mattress have his weight. No tensing, no immediate move to reciprocate as a distraction. ]

You're a vampire, aren't you?

[ Half-laughed, even as he tries to reconcile the teasing conversation with the hand around his cock. Both are nice. ]

But, mm. I'll not be a mindless servant who doesn't challenge you. [ Obviously. ] Being foolishly besotted doesn't exclude me from getting on your nerves.

[ Another low laugh, and he moves his hips under Astarion's scrutiny, humming in time to that little ripple of friction. ]

Get on my nerves enough, and I'll have to punish you.

[ Only idle teasing, the suggestion of a punishment undoubtedly sensual in nature. To accentuate his point, his hand squeezes gently, beginning to stroke lightly, up and down. The movement is lazy, casual, as if there's nothing more natural in the world than giving a handjob to Iorveth while they talk in bed. ]

—But not tonight.

[ A maybe another night, if you're into that sort of thing. ]

I think tonight you should be rewarded.

[ Iorveth deserves to be rewarded every night—and every day, too—for putting up with Astarion the way that he does. Besotted or not, he puts up with quite a lot. ]

How do you want it, darling? Do you still like it rough, or would you like to be treated gently?

[ It's sweet that Astarion always asks. Iorveth has noticed it, and attributed it, perhaps, to the fact that no one ever thought to ask Astarion what he wanted.

Again: it's sweet. Especially since the answer is always going to be "I want whatever you're willing to give", as unhelpful as that is. Iorveth understands the necessity for it, and it makes his heart grow three sizes in the cynical chasm of his chest― he turns into the touch, lets himself accept it and respond to it, hot and hardening between lukewarm fingers. Not conceding, but accepting.

Which is why his answer is: ] Gently. [ Not the choice he usually goes for, weird freak creature that he is. It's easier to mix pain into pleasure because it gives him an excuse not to be treated softly, but he doesn't want excuses when it comes to being around Astarion. ] ...The world won't be kind to us, but we can be kind to one another.

[ They still have vampires to contend with, and a cloak to win. Everything is a struggle, but they don't have to be. ]

[ He'd hoped for that answer, although he hadn't been sure it would be the one he would get. Iorveth is, after all, a freak, and Astarion had thought that perhaps rough would always be his preference. He enjoys it either way, just pleased to be the recipient of Iorveth's touch, but he favors gentleness, always has. Thousands of conquests, but none of them were ever gentle or loving. Iorveth had questioned if Astarion minded his tactility, but in fact, there's nothing that brings him more happiness than being touched kindly by someone who loves him.

All way too embarrassing to say, of course. Still, he dips down to kiss Iorveth, light and gentle as requested. A few more languid strokes of Iorveth's hardening length and he sits up, creating space for himself between Iorveth's long limbs as he reaches for the vial of stolen oil, uncorking it and depositing a generous amount on his fingers until they're suitably slick. ]

You ridiculous sap. [ (Affectionate). With the nudge of a knee, he urges Iorveth's legs open wider. ] Luckily, you're the only one I want to be kind to.

[ On the cusp of being pleasantly sex-brained, Iorveth has to make a conscious effort to coordinate the lower half of his body to do as he's prompted. His limbs are comfort-heavy and relaxed, and his legs take a bit of nudging to spread enough to let Astarion sit between them. ]

You can be kind, [ Iorveth laughs again, despite the very vulnerable position he's in. ] But I will sulk if you kiss someone else.

[ Astarion can and should have friends, many of them, but Iorveth might have to rescind previous statements about not minding if Astarion goes and finds his pleasures elsewhere. Sure, Astarion still can, but more and more, Iorveth is finding that he might feel Some Type Of Way about it if it happens. Terrifying.

A low breath, and Iorveth tries to lift a leg and rest his calf on his partner's shoulder. Playful. Not exactly the most elegant position for what they're about to do, but at least his cock is hard enough now that it sits comfortably (?) on his stomach, giving Astarion easy access to the rest of him. ]

[ You can be kind, as if he has any inclination to do so. The only thing he has less inclination to do is to kiss someone else. It's oddly very sweet that Iorveth takes umbrage with the idea of kissing someone else and not having sex with someone else, although he imagines neither would be received particularly well. Still, he enjoys the idea that such chaste, nonsexual contact could be special enough to Iorveth to warrant being singled out.

He's not that interested in chaste, nonsexual contact right now, though. His hand dips between Iorveth's legs, fingertip brushing against him, circling the rim. Less teasing and more languid, taking his time. He's often rushed his way through sex just to get it over faster, but he doesn't have anywhere else he wants to go right now. ]

I do like the idea of you in a fit of jealous rage.

[ Not how Iorveth would truly react, he knows. That's probably why it's a fun fantasy and not a dreadful one. ]

—But you know I have no interest in any lips but yours. No one else's scowl quite as attractively.

[ Pinpick thrills run up Iorveth's spine at the feeling of questing fingers: not pleasurable, per se, but interesting. He finds a pillow to stuff under the small of his back (since they're going for care and comfort), hips angled upwards as he relaxes into the touch. One hand rests on his own stomach, then drifts down to his now-erect cock to give it languid attention. A bit of a show for Astarion, if he's into that sort of thing.

A huff through his nose, warm and deep; for a moment, he forgets how to speak, distracted by everything happening to his lower half. He makes a pleased sound of half-acknowledgment, 'hm?', then remembers to use his words. ]

I have perfected the art.

[ It's economical, being able to tell someone to fuck off just by looking at them. Iorveth has it down to a science by now, though it's impossible to attempt the look here, even just to demonstrate.

Instead: a content nuzzle into purple-burgundy bedsheets, damp bangs sticking to his jaw. Turned on, skin hot, eye half-lidded. He swallows, and his tattoo ripples along his throat. ]

―Though you're stiff competition.

[ Use of the word 'stiff' intentional. That said, Astarion is incredibly cute when he pouts. ]

[ Astarion is into that sort of thing. Of course he is; Iorveth's hands are one of his favorite parts of him, and the sight of his fingers brushing against his erection makes heat pool in his stomach, 'stiff' becoming more accurate by the second.

All of that aside, he reaches out to remove Iorveth's hand, replacing it with his own free one. ]

Sweetheart, [ he says, the endearment full of warmth as he moves his featherlight touch up and down, ] I know this may be a difficult concept for you—

[ Gently, as he'd promised, he pushes a fingertip inside, a shallow breaching at first. 'Out of practice', Iorveth had said, and so he deserves to be prepared tenderly, softly. He feels warm and tight, and Astarion savors the feeling for a protracted moment before exploring deeper, both hands matching that slow, unhurried pace. ]

But I want you to lie back and do nothing but feel pleasure.

[ A very difficult concept. Iorveth was not built to be a pillow princess. ]

[ Coaxed out of touching himself, then coaxed to lie back and just feel. It's definitely an unfamiliar request, and one that puzzles him even while his body reacts to the careful, slow intrusion happening between his legs.

A soft exhale and a conscious effort not to tense around that pretty digit later: ]

―What of yours?

[ A strange thing, to be told not to reciprocate. It would worry him if not for the gentle way Astarion is handling him, giving him welcome shivers of pleasure from his cock to offset the initial strangeness of being relaxed open. He remains achingly hard, toes curling and eye flitting closed every time his partner pets along the underside of his flushed erection or strokes something inside of him that feels far too sensitive to be reasonable.

Fuck, it's starting to feel good. Slowly, terrifyingly. Already, Iorveth can tell that this is going to make him utterly stupid by the end of it. ]

[ 'What of yours', Iorveth asks, and Astarion laughs a little. It's a fair question. He's used giving pleasure without reciprocation as an excuse not to be touched more times than he can count. It isn't the same now; he adores Iorveth's touch, but just not as much as he's adoring the sight of him relaxed and limp right now. ]

This is mine.

[ Another thin finger pressing in, curling, seeking out the spot that makes Iorveth react and brushing against it, light enough to be pleasurable but not overwhelming. He does have the thought of being almost punishing with it, at pressing against that spot over and over until Iorveth trembles from it, but, well. Another time. Tonight is for being kind, and for making Iorveth feel loved. ]

Do you think that I don't enjoy touching you?

[ Oh, he mouths as a response to "this is mine", both as an answer to the statement and an involuntary huff at the feeling of another finger. Is it embarrassing that it's getting easier to accept the intrusion, that he can feel his knees parting another inch for better access, that his hips hike up a fraction from the mattress to chase the buzz he feels every time Astarion grazes against that spot that makes him feel raw, too good?

A little. There's something to be said about trusting a partner with pain, but he's finding that the trustfall of allowing someone to be careful is just as intense. Nowhere to hide, stripped bare in all senses. Pre-Astarion, even in more halcyon days, he might have shoved someone away and masked it as a playful push-and-pull.

It's scary, being loved. Loved like this, more accurately. He flushes hotter, his lust-stupid erection making a bit of a mess on his stomach already, and chokes back another too-honest sound. ]

You're insane. [ Affectionately. Only Astarion could find joy in touching such a weird, jagged elf, and Iorveth loves him for it; it makes him writhe around those fingers again, tightening around them as he reaches up with one hand to try to touch Astarion's perfect face. ] ―If you want to spoil me, kiss me.

You deviant.

[ Astarion leans forward, the movement gently pushing the leg still perched on his shoulder closer to Iorveth's body. His hands are practically trapped between their bodies like this, so he relinquishes his hold on Iorveth's cock, allowing it to brush against his own erection instead so that Iorveth can feel just how much he's desired, jagged edges and all. His fingers keep up their steady work between Iorveth's legs; he'll complain about having a sore wrist later, but it feels worth it right now.

He knows that kisses are special to Iorveth, so he takes his time with soft, light pecks against his mouth to distract and relax and pamper him, tongue only darting out to wet his lips without pushing inside. A third finger enters that tight heat, a ring of muscle stretching around his knuckles in a way that's dizzyingly satisfying. ]

You're doing so well, [ he coos, and he would know. He's had plenty times of his own not 'doing well', tensed up and anxious. ] Does it feel good?

[ For once, not fishing. ]

[ A lot of limbs to negotiate, but they get there. Iorveth hums at the feeling of soft lips against his, infatuated with Astarion's mouth as ever; Astarion doesn't have to breathe, so the intimacy of sharing exhales and inhales is slightly undercut, but it matters very little in the grand scheme of things. It feels good, and lets him acclimate to the third finger pressing inside him, the stretch momentarily verging on the edge of uncomfortable but never quite getting there. Subsumed by trust and the eventual spine-shaking feeling of clever digits rubbing just right. ]

Good, [ he murmurs against lips warmed by his breath. ] Good all over, hells.

[ An elf puddle on the sheets, boneless (minus the part that counts) but vibrating all over. The press of their bodies and the slide of their cocks against each other makes Iorveth see stars momentarily― like the first sparks of an orgasm, but not quite. He knows Astarion can feel that tremble from where Iorveth squeezes around his fingers, not from tension but involuntary pleasure.

A whisper of a moan, and Iorveth closes his eye. He feels like his brain is leaking out of his ears. ] Can't think, [ he corroborates. ]

Good.

[ That's the goal. Thoughts are terrible, nasty things, and Iorveth has far too many of them. Astarion wants him mindless, empty-headed. That's the kindest possible thing he could do for Iorveth. ]

Perfect, [ he corrects, leaning down to coax Iorveth's mouth open with his tongue, just as exploratory as he is with his fingers. His weight presses against Iorveth, but he's careful not to be forceful with it, the way that he sometimes is when he tries to trap Iorveth underneath him and smother him with affection.

Iorveth's erection feels warm and wet against his own, and he rocks experimentally against him, fingers curling. ]

Do you feel ready?

[ It's obvious by the hardness rubbing against Iorveth what his preference is, but— If all Iorveth wants is this, he can live with that, pleasure him before rolling over to touch himself to completion if he has to. No one was ever willing to make that sacrifice for him, but he certainly would be for Iorveth. ]

[ Correction: he can't think about anything except how much he wants Astarion, in him and on him and against him. Iorveth feels opened all over, like Astarion has found the right string keeping him together and tugged it just enough to unfurl him; he huffs and nods against Astarion's mouth, one limp arm draping around his partner's shoulder for something to hold.

He should say something poignant, probably. Something about how he was made ready, or about how he's never been so eager to have someone pry him open. Instead: ]

Yes. [ A single syllable, yet he manages to slur it. ] Astarion, please.

[ Not even begging as a treat. Reduced down to base desires, all he can articulate is the only thing on his pleasantly slow-moving mind, which happens to be the man currently holding the proverbial keys to his kingdom. Iorveth bucks up, grinding his slick cock against Astarion's, his next breath almost as close to a whine as someone like Iorveth can allow of himself. ]

Astarion, [ he slurs again. The most important thing he can think to say. ]

I do love to hear you say that.

[ 'Astarion' or 'please'? It's unclear. Maybe both. He straightens up, withdrawing his fingers with careful slowness, cognizant of the discomfort Iorveth might feel from the action and wanting to minimize it as much as possible. He never wants Iorveth to feel uncomfortable with him, only pure, mindless pleasure in whatever form that might take. Gentleness, roughness — what his love wants, his love gets. He's never been interested in someone else's pleasure before Iorveth, but being with him is an endless procession of new experiences.

He reaches for the vial of oil again, drizzling it liberally until his erection is adequately slick. Gods bless Gale for his fancy oils, although something tells him that the poor wizard wouldn't be pleased if he knew what an integral part he played in their intimacy. He's hot with anticipation as he lines himself up against Iorveth, not unlike the way he feels when he's particularly hungry, but he's used to denying that feeling to avoid scaring others, too; he pushes inside slowly, eyes cast downward to watch Iorveth stretch to take him in until he bottoms out, hips bumping against the back of Iorveth's thighs.

An unnecessary breath in and out. He doesn't move even though he desperately wants to, body kept still to allow Iorveth the chance to adjust. ]

Oh, [ he sighs. ] You're perfect.

[ Made for him, one would think, if he believed in such things. ]

[ Discomfort is the farthest thing from Iorveth's mind. It's corralled somewhere that he can't access even despite the fact that resistance should be his body's first instinct, consumed entirely by the love-stupid sentiment of "finally". The impossible feeling of Astarion pushing inside him is slow, agonizing, and everything Iorveth has ever wanted.

Which is why he hooks his legs around Astarion's waist, keeping him close with the sort of stupid vehemence that's characteristic of someone who is stupidly committed to this moment, to feeling the way Astarion pries him open, to molding himself around that shape.

Clinging, arms around Astarion's neck and his entire body vibrating with an energy he can't describe, Iorveth tries to breathe, to speak. He only manages a very eloquent: ] Fuck, [ which comes out as a strained half-laugh, bemused and thrilled at the same time at Astarion's use of 'perfect'.

A lot. He tightens himself around the warm obstruction currently occupying 150% of his brainpower, and closes his eye. ] ―Slowly, love. Make me feel it all.

[ Astarion's not sure he's ever had sex like this, unhurried, the journey more important the destination. For someone whose sexual experiences until recently were the exact opposite, it feels terribly scandalous. His neck flushes pink with pleasure as he leans his weight on Iorveth again, pressing kisses to his cheek, the bridge of his nose, his mouth. He opens Iorveth's mouth with an intruding tongue again, eager to be inside of him in every way possible. What he wants most in the world is to cut Iorveth open, stuff his love inside, and sew him back up so that he can never doubt how deeply he's loved. This will have to do, though.

'Slow' is agonizing to his body, but his mind wants nothing more than to please Iorveth, so he rocks against him at a pace that feels agonizing, pleasure building and receding. He loathes being told what to do in bed, but he finds it doesn't rankle when it's Iorveth telling him.

Grinning against Iorveth's mouth, fangs peeking out to press against the soft skin there: ] I couldn't possibly deny you. My love, [ he says in poorly-accented Aen Seidhe.

He couldn't. He's had centuries of being forced into obedience against his will, but there's only one person he'd ever willingly obey. ]

[ Overwhelming. Iorveth feels their bodies rock together as Astarion starts to move, and every single nerve in his body lights up at the feeling. Pleasant friction everywhere, all-consuming: it makes Iorveth's mind go completely blank for a few beats, thoughts conveyed in electrical signals that blissfully go nowhere. He warms even more, ruined face flushed red, but he's too far gone to wonder if he doesn't feel uncomfortably hot against Astarion's cooler skin.

More kisses, open-mouthed and indulgent. There's another half-whined breath when Astarion grazes against that same sensitive spot that clever fingers have primed, and Iorveth shifts to chase that feeling during the next careful in and out. ]

Fuck, Astarion.

[ If his crafty cat wanted Iorveth to be completely empty-headed, well. Goal achieved. The world dials down to Astarion and how their bodies fit together, how much Iorveth loves him, how good it feels to be loved by someone so impossibly perfect. His legs wind tighter around that eminently grabbable waist, though his lower half feels－ for lack of a better word－ too fucked out for the squeezing to have any consequence but for him to cling around Astarion's cock.

He huffs something in his native tongue, then nuzzles up against Astarion's jaw. ]

So good― I love you, [ in much better Aen Seidhe, but with less composure. ] Astarion, beloved. My only. You're everything.

[ Babbling a bit. He's pretty sure that Astarion could make him come without touching his cock at all, at this point: his whole body feels like it's on fire. ]

[ Not uncomfortably hot. Well, perhaps uncomfortably hot, but it hardly matters. Iorveth could be as warm as the surface of the sun (and gods, sometimes it feels that way) but Astarion would still press their bare bodies closer together, soaking up every bit of heat. It's inside that really feels hot, overwhelmingly so, but he finds it only heightens the sensation. He's chronically allergic to any sort of work, but not when it comes to Iorveth; he seeks out that spot again, the tip of him rubbing up against it, and presses into it over and over again, chasing that whine.

He can barely tell if it's been a minute or an hour since they started, but he does know that it's the slowest build to a crescendo that he's ever had, and all the more powerful for it. Like every instrument in the orchestra playing, first impossibly quiet and then at full strength, just like the finale of that stupid opera he made fun of with Gale. He feels himself stutter, tremble, and— no, no, no. This is about Iorveth, and Astarion will just die if he finishes before him.

Mouth pressed against Iorveth's preciously pointy ear, he says, a little breathless and a little desperate, ] Be a good boy and come, darling. I want you to.

[ Iorveth would laugh himself into an early grave, probably, if Astarion ever told him that fucking someone is far too much work. Then again: fair. They're both oversized elves with long limbs, and they'll both probably be sore in weird places tomorrow.

Worth it, though. Iorveth shifts, rocks, and makes soft noises in the back of his throat, close, closer, too close to his edge without even paying attention to his cock; all he can think about is the spine-achingly good spot inside himself that Astarion keeps giving attention to, and how full he feels.

Being told to come in that sweet voice is really the last straw. Iorveth wasn't exercising much restraint anyway, but being coaxed makes him fall apart almost immediately (embarrassing); any advance warning of his orgasm is swept away by the numbing wave that hits him, and he winds up opening his mouth for a choked half-moan that gets broken down into desperate huffs as he comes, and he comes, and he comes.

Intense, in a wholly unfamiliar way. His fingers scrabble at Astarion's back, at his shoulders, blunt nails raking along pale skin until he passes the highest point of his peak and slumps, limp, onto the mattress. A messy, sweat-slicked elf puddle.

(His legs remain hooked around his partner's middle. Obstinately keeping him in, refusing to let Astarion finish anywhere but inside him.) ]

[ Fucking someone is too much work, if that someone isn't Iorveth. With Iorveth, though, he doesn't mind the ache in his thighs at all, and he barely notices his hair sticking to his forehead. All he pays attention to is those glorious sounds Iorveth makes. Astarion follows quickly after—conspicuously quickly, probably—with a few shallow jerks and a noise that gets muffled in the back of his throat.

He does start to notice the ache in his thighs soon after that, and he lets himself slump against Iorveth's body, draped over him like a weighted blanket. His arms wrap around Iorveth, squeezing him, trapping him so that he can't go anywhere.

After a moment of silence, letting the afterglow wash over him, he laughs and says, ] Next time, we should do it like we hate each other.

[ He contains multitudes. ]

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