Faramir Fiction Archive

Love is... (NC-17)

Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean

19 November 2009 | 145965 words

Chapter 16

The few days following their second argument in the garden and Faramir’s illness from being read were spent allowing Faramir to recover. The headaches and nausea finally passed on the third day but Rahl had still kept his distance somewhat.

The pair hadn’t had sex in almost a week which was strange given they sometimes had sex several times a day. Faramir knew Rahl still wanted him but was struggling with a new emotion… guilt. He could see it in his eyes when Rahl would look at him. He’d see the desire, flare in the man’s eyes immediately followed by a look of guilt that made Faramir feel almost as guilty for having pushed him in the first place. But now… Rahl knew. Faramir no longer had to hide how he felt and it felt wonderful to be believed for a change.

As dawn crept closer, Faramir awoke, his body pressed close against his lover’s. His body had responded to the heat and closeness of Rahl’s but also from the dreams he’d had. He missed being touched, it didn’t matter that Rahl sometimes caused pain with his touch because Faramir enjoyed that as much as his gentle touches. He just wanted the man and loved him even more now since he’d waited so long to allow Faramir to recover. He smiled sleepily and snuggled closer, pressing his lips against the back of Rahl’s neck. The man still wore protective spells but not nearly as strong as before.

“You wouldn’t happen to be awake would you?” Faramir asked as his hand ghosted over his lover’s abdomen and his lips teased across a strong shoulder.

Slowly opening his eyes, Rahl had to fight back a shiver the soft kiss against the back of his neck threatened to bring on. He was grateful that the hand wandering over his stomach never delved down further than the waistband of the breeches he slept in and had nearly even began to relax when Faramir explored the exposed parts of his body. The gentle touch made his usual morning arousal even more prominent and his hand drifted down to cover his lover’s. An entire week without sex was nearly unheard of for Rahl, and he’d considered sending for another slave until Faramir recovered, but none held the same appeal as the man beside him. “If I hadn’t been, I would be now, with you practically molesting me in my own bed,” he teased.

Faramir laughed softly. “Molesting you? Oh, you have no idea the things I’d love to do with my mouth and my body and yours… mmm,” Faramir whispered. “I’ve missed your touch… I feel much better now you know,” he added, as his thumb caressed Rahl’s hand over his own.

Rahl sighed and licked his lips, nearly moaning as his already swollen cock brushed against the crease of his groin. Turning over to face Faramir, he couldn’t keep from smiling, though his eyes were dark and his face already slightly flushed. “I do not think I have ever gone a week without sex,” he mused, leaning over Faramir and nipping along his jawline. “So you better not be teasing me.” Rahl’s hand ran down Faramir’s body and encountered an erection that was just as impressive as his own. “No… it seems you are quite serious.”

Faramir was smiling too when Rahl turned to face him. It was dark in the room but not so dark that he could not see his lover’s eyes and smile. Faramir arched into his touch and gasped when a strong hand wrapped around his arousal. “Mmm, no teasing… I’ve missed this… missed you.” Faramir leaned forward and brushed his lips against his lover’s cheek, his nose and finally his lips. “I want to feel you inside me, want to know exactly who I belong to, claimed and marked as yours and no one else’s,” he whispered.

At Faramir’s words, Rahl growled and nearly climbed on top of him. “Oh, I will mark you, Faramir, and there will be no doubt to whom you belong.” The room darkened even more as he spoke and it was nearly black despite the early hour before he slipped out of his pants. There was a soft shuffle, then the clink of golden chains as he spelled open a drawer and a long gold chain with several tiny matching clamps suddenly appeared in his hands. He still didn’t like to let Faramir’s hands wander too much, especially when they were having sex, so he captured both wrists and held them together on Faramir’s stomach. “Can you keep them to yourself and on the headboard, or shall I bind them?” he asked settling on his knees between wide spread legs and finding Faramir’s eyes even in the darkness.

Faramir shivered when Rahl spoke of marking him and quickly the room darkened and he knew that his lover was undressing. He moaned a little as bare skin touched his thighs and Faramir heard the drawer open. The golden clamps caught in what little light there was and glinted in the darkness and his arousal throbbed between them at the thought of what they might be for. He spread his legs for his lover and obediently nodded his head. “Yes, my lord, I can keep them to myself,” he whispered, determined to do just as his lover wanted him to. He was already so hard he practically ached, and arched his hips up.

A drop of precome leaked out of Rahl’s slit and landed on Faramir’s stomach as he leaned forward. He brought their straining flesh together, shifted his hips and, keeping his eyes locked with his lover’s, he thrust out his tongue to lick a teasing circle around Faramir’s right nipple. As soon as it got hard, he covered the small nub of flesh with his mouth and applied suction, pulling and reddening already sensitive skin as he backed away just enough to cause Faramir the first twinges of pain.

Faramir moaned when hot flesh met his own and then cried out arching his back as his nipple was teased a sucked. His fingers tightened on the headboard as his body strained for even more. Rahl’s mouth was hot and sensual, and then sharp teeth tugged at his nipple, sending a jolt of pain mixed with pleasure all the way to his aching cock. A low moan fell from his lips as he watched the dark head at his chest. Gods, this man had no idea what the simplest of his touches did to him. “Gods,” he murmured, rocking his hips, enjoying the friction of his body moving against Rahl’s.

Rahl released Faramir’s nipple and quickly brought the clamps to the now swollen skin. Each clamp was fitted with a small rubber-like cover that gripped the flesh and wouldn’t slide off. Pinching the back of the first clamp, Rahl fitted it over the hard nub of Faramir’s nipple and released it, letting it pinch down hard and fast.

The feeling of the clamp biting down on his already swollen nipple made Faramir cry out and arch his back even more. The feeling seemed to travel straight to his groin and a drop of precome leaked out against his lover’s shaft. “Gods, yes…” he breathed as his hands tightened even more on the headboard railing. He already wanted Rahl more than anything he could ever want and yet couldn’t wait for more. His hips rocked again, letting his lover know that he was certainly enjoying things thus far.

Chuckling softly to himself, still amazed that Faramir so obviously wanted what all the other slaves only tolerated, Rahl gave the first nipples twin the same treatment. When both clamps were attached, he attached one more to his navel, then held up the remaining three. He sat back on his knees and let one finger trail over the vein on the underside of Faramir’s weeping flesh. “Now, my lovely little slave, wherever shall I put these?” A bit of flesh just below the head of Faramir’s cock was pinched between thumb and forefinger and Rahl watched Faramir’s reaction closely. “Here perhaps?”

Faramir was almost squirming under his lover, but forced himself to settle as the initial pain and jolt of desire flooded through him. He was breathing hard as he watched his lover sit up. What little light was in the room, made Rahl’s skin practically glow and Faramir again thought how handsome the man was. He bit his lip when Rahl asked where to place the other little clamps, and Faramir hissed from the pinch, his cock leaping between them almost violently. “Oh Gods, if it pleases you, my lord,” Faramir said softly, knowing the words would please Rahl.

Rahl’s breathing became quicker at Faramir’s words and the heat pooling in his groin seemed to spread. “Oh, it pleases me,” he said softly, wrapping his fingers around Faramir’s cock and tugging gently with one hand even as his other attached the vicious little clamp to the delicate skin just below the cockhead. “And, judging from the way your cock is as hard as stone and leaking against my fingers, I’d say it pleases you as well.”

Moaning as the little clamp was set, pinching the sensitive flesh, Faramir looked up at his lover and smiled a little, even as his body thrummed with desire. “Oh yes, my lord, very much so,” he answered obediently. He moved his legs slightly, bending his knees and giving his lover even more access to his body. “But I am yours, my lord, your pleasure gives me pleasure too,” he whispered, letting his lover know that he wanted to make him happy.

For the first time, Rahl completely believed Faramir’s words. Faramir could – and certainly would – change his mind, at some point, he was certain, but for now… Gods, it was arousing having a willing partner he didn’t have to spell into a near coma just to enjoy himself. A thick leather cock ring appeared in his hand and he held it up so Faramir could see it, then it was quickly fastened in place. “Then I think there will be a lot of pleasure for us both over the coming months,” he murmured. His fingers moved down further and he cupped Faramir’s testicles in his palm. “A week without sex for you as well. Your balls are so full and heavy, pet. They must hurt already, and I haven’t even put the last clamps on.”

Normally, Rahl would have been angered by Faramir’s words but this time, the wizard knew they were true. It felt good to be able to speak the truth without being hurt or disbelieved. He gasped when Rahl’s magic flared and a leather ring was in his hand. Oh, he had enjoyed that before. His cock surged at the memory and he whimpered as it was fastened in place. “Gods, yes, but I have a feeling it will have been well worth the wait,” he whispered, wriggling a little as a strong hand cupped his sensitive flesh.

“Indeed,” Rahl whispered, his voice hoarse and low. His middle finger and thumb met just above Faramir’s balls and pulled them far away from his body. The last two clamps were attached quickly, each just over the lower part of his scrotum, so each tug of Rahl’s hand would pull at the chain, causing all the clamps to pull and bite down even harder. He was so aroused, he could barely think, and reached down to stroke his shaft a half dozen times as he watched his slave writhe before him. “If you think they hurt now,” he said softly, “wait until I come all over your cock and balls. They’ll get even fuller and harder and all the while, I’m going to be tightening each of the clamps, one by one.”

Faramir whimpered when the last two clamps were put in place, it wasn’t comfortable in the least but the pain wasn’t unbearable either. He enjoyed these games with Rahl and even when Rahl hurt him, sometimes badly, he always healed or took care of him afterwards. So it was always well worth any pain at all… and shamefully the pain seemed to arouse Faramir more. He writhed under his lover, watching and licking his lips as Rahl stroke himself. “Oh Gods, just the very idea makes me want to come,” he whispered honestly. He practically ached with want, he wanted to feel Rahl all around him, inside him, touching him, his body rubbing against his own, his mouth… he wanted everything.

Licking his lips and panting for air, Rahl leaned over Faramir, resting his weight on one arm. His other hand slipped between them and he fisted himself in earnest this time, avoiding Faramir’s erection except for a teasing brush of the back of his hand now and then, over the heated shaft, or, more often, just above the clamp hooked beneath the head, so that the chain would pull on every clamp that was attached. “You’re not going to be coming for a long while,” he whispered, brushing the swollen tip of his cock along the crease of Faramir’s thigh. “So I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much just yet.”

Faramir was writhing under his lover, his eyes unsure what to watch, Rahl’s eyes and face or his hand fisting his own shaft. He moaned when the clamps bit into his flesh, especially the most sensitive areas that left a sting behind even as the pleasure coursed through him. “Gods… yes, my lord,” he whispered. He knew that Rahl would keep his word too, but the anticipation and holding back was often well, well worth it.

Rahl rubbed his thumb over his slit and gathered a drop of moisture. The digit then moved up to run lightly over Faramir’s bottom lip, spreading the fluid from side to side before he reached back down and tugged harder on his shaft. He was even more aroused when he realized Faramir wasn’t even considering fighting him or pulling away. This was, he thought, the first time he’d had sex without any type of spell on his partner, and even though they’d just gotten started, it was turning out to be one of the best, most erotic experiences of his life.

Faramir moaned and licked his lips wantonly, tasting his lover and desperately wanting more. He wanted Rahl so much he was almost dizzy with need, his aching shaft pulsed against the tight leather band and the clamps on his sensitive skin were biting into him and sending jolts of pleasure and pain through his body. “Gods, you taste so good…” he whispered, licking his lips again and shifting his body under his lover. “I’ve missed you so much, your taste, your touch…”

“No one has ever…” Rahl’s voice trailed off and he closed his eyes, biting off the last words. He sealed his mouth over Faramir’s to quiet them both and carefully wrapped his fingers around both their cocks, squeezing them together and this time, avoiding pulling on the clamps. When he pulled away, he settled back on his legs, surprised and somewhat irritated at himself for being so open. One hand rested on the inside of Faramir’s thigh as the other worked furiously between Rahl’s own legs. In a matter of moments, he was moaning loudly, his release spurting out over Faramir’s shaft and stomach.

Faramir was surprised by Rahl’s passionate kiss, it stole his breath and then his lover’s long fingers wrapped around his own shaft. He looked incredible, even in the darkness, Faramir could see and feel what Rahl was doing. Faramir was whimpering into the kiss and breathless when Rahl finally drew away. “Yes…” he whispered as he saw how close Rahl was, his eyes unable to look away and biting his lip, wishing he could come too but despite how much his body was ready for it the binding on him prevented anything more than a few drops to escape.

Leaning back, his backside resting against his heels, Rahl closed his eyes and milked himself through the last of his orgasm. It was unsettling how much Faramir truly seemed to want him – a feeling he didn’t understand completely since it was apparently much more than lust – but one he was reluctant to jeopardize. Part of his plan to at least explore Faramir’s feelings involved taking him to new heights in bed, which is exactly what he was getting ready to do. His index finger trailed through his own release as it cooled on Faramir’s stomach, then he moved his hand down to rub the liquid over his lover’s opening. “I read that, as pleasurable as magic is, fingers are better to open you up,” he said softly, returning to gather more of his come and barely pushing it inside the too tight
passage. “Is that true?”

Faramir stared at his lover for a moment, completely caught up in the sight of Rahl’s pleasure. When his lover’s hand moved between his legs, Faramir widened them even more and shifted his hips so that his lover had better access to his body. He was surprised though when Rahl spoke of using his fingers. He’d never in all their times together touched him that way. “It is true,” Faramir said softly. “The magic is a bit cold and… somewhat rough though I’ve never really minded it.” He gasped when fingers slipped inside him. “But your fingers are warm and solid and… oh, yes… mmm, yes much better.”

Never having bothered with preparing someone without magic, Rahl was shocked and amazed at how tight Faramir actually was. His cock was still half hard and as he worked a second finger in beside the first, he felt himself quickly getting fully hard again. It didn’t seem possible that he could fit into such a tight place, as Faramir’s muscles were already constricting around his digits and he’d just gotten started. He did his best to keep his composure however, and managed a sigh and a “but this takes so much longer,” before he added a third finger and began stroking himself again.

Faramir gasped as another finger was added and relaxed his muscles as much as he could, though his lower body was still tense from the need to come. He found himself chuckling a bit when Rahl complained about how much time it took, but rocked his hips a little, his body loosening enough to take another finger. “Yes, but this way you get to feel just how tight I am, how hot I am and how much I want you,” Faramir whispered huskily as more precome dripped from his own shaft onto his stomach.

Rahl’s slowly thrusting fingers faltered for a moment before he laughed softly under his breath. “You, my handsome slave, are a tease,” he declared. “And while I admire your tenaciousness in speaking your mind…” His hand turned and he found Faramir’s sweet spot easily, as the descriptions in all the books he’d read were quite helpful. “I would, if I were you, pick my battles carefully.” As he spoke, he rubbed hard over Faramir’s prostate, his fingers relentless for nearly a minute before he paused. His tone had been amused, and not angry in the least, which would have shocked him had he had the presence of mind to notice.

Faramir had smiled at his lover but then Rahl’s finger moved and found that perfect spot inside him and he found himself gasping and almost thrashing under his lover as he tortured him sweetly with it. Gods, he ached to come and wanted to so badly but the binding and Rahl’s warning not to had held him in check. Faramir’s fingers slipped against the headboard; sweat making it difficult to hold on. “Gods, oh…” he mumbled as he shifted his hips of their own accord. He knew he looked wanton and knew he looked every bit the part of a whore right now but he didn’t care. He wanted Rahl to desire only him, and he would do anything to make sure of that. “Please… my lord have mercy and please fuck me,” he whispered urgently.

Nodding as he pulled his hand away, the dark wizard reverted back to magic again. A pillow suddenly appeared beneath Faramir’s lower back and Rahl’s cock was slick a heartbeat later. He reached up, pulled the clamp chain lightly just above Faramir’s navel and pressed the tip of his cock to his lover’s entrance. “Take me in,” he coaxed, knowing that as soon as Faramir moved down to engulf his aching flesh, the tug on the clamps attached to his cock and balls would increase tenfold. “You want me, come and get me, Fara.”

The sudden feeling of the pillow under his body made Faramir yelp a little and laugh though his laughter was short-lived when Rahl’s fingers pulled on the chain. He gasped and squirmed and then moaned when Rahl spoke. “Gods, yes,” he whispered. Pushing against the headboard, instead of holding onto it, Faramir shifted his hips and felt his lover’s slick shaft that was pressed against him begin to slip inside his passage. “Oh yes…” he moaned, rolling his hips again and feeling his lover slip deeper inside. The warmth and heat was incredible. The clamps on his cock and balls were biting him but the pain was muted and overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure of being filled.

Something about Faramir’s moan made Rahl think he might as well just come right then and save himself all the exertion. Apparently, the other man could perform his own brand of magic, because he could make Rahl nearly desperate enough to beg when he wanted to. He met Faramir halfway, thrusting in deep and forcing the last few inches of his cock into his lover’s incredibly willing body. Before Faramir could even begin to adjust, Rahl reached up and twisted the right nipple clamp off, then, while the flesh would still be sensitive and sore, he worked at pinching and tormenting it with his fingers, knowing he would be overloading Faramir’s senses.

Faramir cried out as Rahl thrust into him deeply, it was a bit rough but he didn’t mind rough at all. The burn and stretch of his inner muscles made another wave of need rush through him and then suddenly a clamp was gone, the release making him whimper and squirm and then Rahl was pinching him. He screamed and arched his back, drawing his lover even deeper as his inner muscles contracted around his lover’s shaft. “Gods, please oh please… love please…” he whimpered almost nonsensically as his body hovered on the edge, binding or not he was so close to coming it was painful.

Rahl stilled, shaking with the exertion of holding his release back and tried to regain control of himself. His hands ran up Faramir’s body, soothing him as best he could, and he moved his hips back just slightly, so only the very head of his cock was still inside his lover. “You beg so beautifully,” he said softly, “but I don’t think you’re ready to come yet. I don’t think you want it quite enough.”

Faramir’s hands pushed against the headboard trying to force his lover back inside him. He was desperate and needy and growing more frustrated as Rahl teased him. He growled at Rahl with frustration and then whimpered when his arms were stretched to their limits and Rahl was still just barely inside him. “Gods, please… please move,” he murmured. “I need you… fuck me. Fuck me hard so I feel it for days.”

Even beneath the haze of his lust, Rahl was impressed with Faramir’s self control in keeping his arms up. Without a word, he slammed back in hard, lifting Faramir’s hips up off the pillow with the force and tore the second nipple clamp off with his teeth. As soon as it dropped from his mouth, he was sucking the abused skin and thrusting deep inside the body of this man who inexplicably loved him… and was obviously willing to give him anything. “Days,” he panted in agreement. “You want to feel me for days…”

Faramir screamed as he was filled again roughly and at the same instant the clamp was gone and a hot mouth was sucking hard at the abused nub. Rahl was inside him, around him, it seemed like the man was almost inside his head, Faramir’s body, everything he was belonged to this man, this wizard who had claimed him. He cried out again as his body arched under Rahl. “Please, my lord, my love… let me come… please,” he begged.

Rahl pounded into Faramir just as he’d asked, drawing closer and closer to the edge with every inward thrust. Sweat dripped from his forehead and temple down onto his lover’s skin, and he forgot about everything – hiding his scars, killing the seeker, his inability to understand the feelings he had stirred in the man beneath him.

His body had a mind of its own at that moment, and took completely over. Long fingers trailed down to the cockring that prevented Faramir’s release and as he thrust especially deep, he snapped the ring open and commanded Faramir to come.

Faramir was almost incoherent with lust as Rahl pounded into him, his body was aching and sore from the clamps and the cockring holding back his release and his arms ached from the strain of holding them above his head but Gods, the pain was all worth it each time Rahl’s cock slammed into him and brushed his sweet spot. He was moaning and babbling nonsense by the time long fingers slipped between their bodies and he arched so hard he almost threw his lover off his body as he came between them, screaming out. It was so incredible it felt as if his very soul was being ripped from inside him as his body strained under his lover. After a few moments, Faramir collapsed against the bed, panting and on the very edge of passing out.

Holding on hard to Faramir’s hips, Rahl practically rode the man through his orgasm. He held their bodies flush, his cock staying buried balls-deep inside his lover and crying out as Faramir’s inner walls clenched around him. Even though he held back as long as he could, with the last twinge of those muscles around him, he came with a loud cry, filling Faramir’s passage so full, he knew as soon as he pulled out, his come would be leaking from the well used opening and down onto the bedsheets.

He leaned back on his haunches, regarding Faramir quietly. One hand trailed over Faramir’s stomach, then carefully, gently, Rahl released the clamp from beneath the head of his cock, this time letting his thumb run lightly over the swollen skin, soothing instead of tormenting.

The feeling of Rahl’s cock throbbing inside him as his release pulsed into Faramir’s body made his own incredible orgasm last even longer. Gods, no one had ever made Faramir come like that before. His body felt completely wrung out and relaxed, even the twinges of pain from the clamps and rough handling were nothing compared to how boneless and dreamy he felt at the moment. He whimpered when the clamp on his cock was released and then lay moaning softly in pleasure as Rahl’s fingers almost caressed him, gentle and sweet against his abused skin. He licked his lips and looked up at his lover. “May I move my arms now, my lord?” he asked softly. His shoulders ached horribly but he wouldn’t move them until he had permission.

Rahl’s smile couldn’t be seen in the near-darkness, but he was again impressed with his lover. “Yes,” he said softly. “You may relax.” As he spoke, he slowly slipped from inside Faramir’s body, and, thinking that the man had been through enough and sounded exhausted, he put one finger on each of the remaining clamps that decorated Faramir’s scrotum. He numbed the area and the clamps disappeared. A moment later, the drawer across the room clicked shut, the clamps and their golden chain nestled safely inside.

Faramir’s arms fell to the bed instantly when Rahl told him yes. He tried to move them down from above his head and cringed in pain and decided to let the muscles relax first before he tried again. He lay there panting and still trying to catch his breath. The feeling of the last two clamps being released was different, Rahl had used magic then and Faramir sighed in relief as the slight sting of the clamps biting into he sensitive flesh was gone. “Mmm, Gods, good morning,” he teased sleepily as he looked up at his lover from heavily lidded eyes.

Amused at Faramir’s good humor, Rahl laughed softly, cleaned them both and lay down beside his lover. He lay so they weren’t touching but he had to admit he’d grown used to Faramir’s arm wrapped around him at night, so he wondered about reaching out and bringing it to his arm at the very least. “Good morning to you as well,” he murmured, pulling the sheets over his lower body and slowly letting the sun’s rays fill the room. “Obviously, you have fully recovered.”

Faramir grinned as Rahl laughed and tried again to lower his arms. It was a bit easier this time but still they were quite sore. He rolled his shoulders a little as Rahl cleaned them with his magic and then lay beside him. “Yes, I feel much, much better… especially now,” Faramir grinned rolling to his side to face Rahl. His hand reached out weakly and rested against the center of his lover’s chest. “I really did miss your touch these past days… but I think you came close to making up for that loss this morning. Perhaps later today I could get on my knees and show you how much I have missed your taste as well?” Faramir asked, arching his eyebrow. “Do you think you can get any work done with me under your desk pleasuring you?”

Rahl’s hand was just resting over Faramir’s forearm and making its way up to his biceps when the mental image filled his mind of Faramir beneath his desk. His fingers twitched and he moaned softly. “By the gods, Faramir, I think you are trying to kill me after all, despite your declarations of love,” he laughed. “But I am more than up to the task, as I am sure you will find.” He could feel Faramir’s arms trembling and frowned. “You said you wanted to feel me for days, yet I will still offer to help you should you need my magic. It costs me nothing to heal these small hurts and you suffered beautifully for me when you needed to.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl laughed and then looked at his lover seriously for a moment. “You should not waste your magic on me,” Faramir said softly. Now that he knew that it cost his lover his magic for even a short period of time, Faramir wasn’t comfortable with the idea of him healing him. He had asked for what he got and the pain wasn’t horrible. “I did ask for this and honestly just your touch, your hands on me just like that is comfort to me,” he admitted.

“It is only the larger things that affect me,” Rahl said, gently squeezing Faramir’s upper arm. “Something like this, I would barely notice. That is why I never heal broken bones and terminal illnesses. I would be defenseless for hours or days if I even tried that. That is how my father…” His words trailed off and his frown deepened. “I know my limits, but… if my touch truly does help, then I would not deny you it right now. You offered yourself to me freely this morning, and the least I can do is give you what you want, even if I do not understand it.”

Faramir watched Rahl’s face carefully and nodded. “All right… if you are sure, but I am not miserable and I would certainly still want you later even if you do not do this… I did after all… ask for the pain,” he teased as he looked at his lover mischievously. “If you do take away the pain now though… we can always get up to more fun things later tonight too… perhaps something to look forward to at the end of a tiring day?”

Rahl’s eyes widened and he thought for a moment he might swallow his tongue. He uttered the spell, however, and shook his head at the man beside him. “I shall have to remember to never let you have a slave of your own,” he mused. “I thought I was rough on them, but I am beginning to think you would just wear them out long before my little games could affect them!”

Faramir started laughing and shook his head. “I am more than happy with just you, my lord. Besides is it so bad to have someone want you as I do? I am attracted to you not just your body but your mind and intelligence you know. I love learning about your magic even if I cannot completely understand all of it since I have no magic of my own. I find you fascinating and I am attracted to men who intrigue me, perhaps that is why I am so drawn to you? The only way to show you how much I am attracted is by giving myself to you in any way possible.”

Rahl rested on this side and let his hand slip down to lay on Faramir’s hip, though he kept his arm crooked so Faramir’s hands couldn’t reach past his waist. “No, I am not complaining,” he chuckled, resting his head on the pillow and using his free hand to brush a few stray strands of hair from his lover’s cheek. “I just… have never found anyone who truly wanted me back. I think we are a good match in that respect. I enjoy taking you often and you, for whatever your reasons, enjoy giving yourself to me. I could not ask for a better gift at the moment.” His thumb trailed down Faramir’s jaw and he sighed. “You distract me from the seeker, though. On one hand, I am grateful, for I have been able to think of nothing but him for years. On the other, however, I am concerned that my distraction might be just the opportunity he has been waiting for.”

“I don’t mean to distract you,” Faramir said softly. “I would defend you with my very life,” Faramir added, despite the fact Rahl might disbelieve him. “I care for you and I do not want to lose you. I would do anything to make sure you stay in my life… and I promise to try not to distract you too much. I… I can help you with plans if you need, you have said before that I have a shrewd mind for strategy, use me in any way you need, not just my body, use my mind too. I want nothing more than to keep you alive,” Faramir said firmly. His last plan had failed but not because it was a bad plan and Rahl knew that. He hadn’t punished Faramir but he felt sure that the soldier Krenn may no longer be among the living after disregarding the plan of a ‘slave’ and letting the seeker get away because he waited to long to attack.

Pausing for a moment, Rahl thought over Faramir’s offer. He had many loyal guards, ones he knew were only with him for the sense of power they felt or who craved his protection. And it was well known that if anyone displeased him, they would suffer, so nearly everyone scrambled to do his bidding and keep him happy. But Faramir – Faramir and his proclamations of love, his ability to make Rahl laugh, his smile, the way he gave himself so freely and asked only for Rahl’s touch in return? That was, Rahl thought, the true test of a man. Though it was against his better judgment, he found that he did trust Faramir. Coming from a man who trusted no one completely, it felt like a monumental breakthrough. “I can think of no one I would rather have with me,” he said honestly. “You, at least have pure motives for however long you love me, so I believe you to be trustworthy in that respect. When we go to the office today, I will set you up a desk of your own. You may help me with the books, the collection of taxes, the inventory, and most of all, a plan to destroy the seeker.”

Faramir leaned up on his elbow and smiled brightly. “Really? You… you trust me?” he was so happy he hardly thought of not touching Rahl without permission. He leaned forward and kissed his lover impulsively, still smiling when he drew back. “Thank you, I promise to do a good job, better than good and I will help you formulate a plan against this seeker. I want him out of your life, I find myself jealous of how much time he takes up in your mind that I feel I should be the focus of,” he grinned then.

Rahl jumped a bit as Faramir kissed him and the hand that had rested on his lover’s hip automatically slipped between them to cover his scars. Faramir didn’t seem to notice, however, and Rahl was soon so caught up in his words, he relaxed again. “Jealous.” He said the word softly once, then again. “Most people would do anything to escape my notice, but you… as I said before, Faramir, you are an enigma. You want my attention, you want my touch, you actually want to be with me. I… tell me, were you considered ‘normal’ in your world?”

Faramir almost burst with laughter and shook his head. “I… my father did not think I was,” he said amused. “He often thought I was what one might call the runt of the litter. Gandalf also thought me to be… unique when I was his student so perhaps I am not entirely “normal”,” Faramir said with a slight shrug.

Shrugging, Rahl actually leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Faramir’s forehead. “Good. Had you been normal, I most likely would not have picked you, and I certainly would not have kept you, and then I would not have been able to find out more about this being-loved theory.” He yawned, and stretched, and his pants were back on a heartbeat later. “It is still early. Do you wish to nap a bit more before you start the additional duties you volunteered for, or do you want to go now?”

Faramir was so touched by the kiss to his forehead that he hardly noticed that Rahl used his magic to cover himself again. He too yawned and stretched out sore muscles. “Mmm, sleep would be nice but I think it would be best to begin the day on such a nice note, especially since I have much to learn about today,” Faramir said smiling. He sat up, completely oblivious to the marks on his body or the pain from them. His stomach growled and he laughed. “It also seems my appetite is completely back as well.”

Rahl sat up as well, thinking that Faramir was exactly right – the day had gotten off to an especially good start already. He reached out, trailed a finger over one of the bruises on his slave’s hip and smiled, feeling more than a little possessive. “You pleased me this morning,” he said, reaching for his robe and slipping it over his shoulders. “Both with the sex and your offer to help. Since I am doing my best to be kind and reward good behavior, I will offer you…” Pursing his lips, he looked around the room, then let his eyes wander to the window. “Would you like to have breakfast in your garden, perhaps?”

Faramir smiled when Rahl touched one of his bruises, not minding in the least. He watched as his lover dressed and stood, Faramir moved to follow and then paused smiling happily. “In the garden? Oh, I would love that… you will join me right?” Faramir asked, his smile faltering a little. He was slightly worried that Rahl planned to eat elsewhere or go straight to his library.

Arching an eyebrow, Rahl looked faintly surprised at the request, but finally nodded. “If you wish, I will join you.” He rested one hand on Faramir’s shoulder and gave him a faint smile. “You truly do enjoy my company,” he mused. “It is a bit disconcerting, but… .I think I like it. A little anyway.”

Faramir smiled and looked up at his lover. “Good. I much prefer the beauty of the garden with you in it with me,” Faramir said softly. He stood slowly and moved past his lover to retrieve one of his robes from the wardrobe and dressed, letting the soft fabric skim over his body. “I will be glad to do some work you know… I feel so decadent and lazy since I’ve come here… I believe the only thing keeping me fit from eating all the wonderful foods your cooks prepare is the sex we have,” Faramir teased.

Rahl laughed softly and squeezed Faramir’s shoulder. “None of the other pleasure slaves work. They just wait in the carriage house for my call,” he explained. “Besides, I could never trust them with anything of importance. After they leave my bedchambers, they usually wish for me to die a long, painful death, so…” He shrugged, trying to act as if it didn’t matter. “Anyway, this is a bit of a change and quite unexpected, but we shall see how it goes today.”

“I fail to understand that. You treat me the same as you do them… for the most part do you not? Especially when I first arrived here?” Faramir asked. “I suppose my taste for enjoying pain with pleasure is… a bit… more unusual than I thought it was. Men in my world talked of it sometimes… often whispered about it because it was thought of as a perversion really but I know I wasn’t the only man who enjoyed it… or woman really,” he added looking up at his lover. “I’m grateful though… I do not think I would like having to be sent off to be replaced by another slave every day or every few days. I could not argue of course, it is your pleasure that matters but I believe I would feel jealous of the other slaves.”

“I treated them… perhaps a little differently,” Rahl conceded, not wanting to explain how he had often taken his anger out on the slaves and how he had never healed them. The door locks began twisting one by one and when the door opened, Rahl reached for Faramir’s forearm as he always did, still concerned about loosing him in the castle. He began walking toward the garden, keeping his lover closer, Bergan following close behind them. “And as for the other slaves, I must admit you have kept my interest longer than any other ever has. I have no desire for any other. And, since you have foolishly developed feelings for me, I intend to explore them, to try and understand. As I said, you have done nothing to make me wish to see you sad, so I will have no other slaves for as long as these feelings persist.”

Faramir moved his arm slightly so that Rahl’s fingers slid down from his forearm to first his wrist and then the curve of his hand. He shifted again until Rahl’s hand was wrapped around his and he smiled. “That’s better,” he murmured. “Less likely to lose your grip on me this way,” he added as an excuse as Rahl looked at him oddly. “Thank you for this… for breakfast in the garden and… and for not taking any other slaves. I will continue to make it worth your while as well,” Faramir said grinning mischievously, letting the wizard know yet again that he desired him. It didn’t matter that they’d had sex less than half an hour before, nor that he was still sore because he’d distracted Rahl from healing him, he still wanted the man.

Rahl’s fingers felt… odd wrapped around Faramir’s, but he made no move to pull away. He was completely entranced by the other man’s smile and stopped so suddenly, Bergan nearly ran into them. Twisting Faramir’s arm just behind his back, Rahl held tightly on to his hand and pushed him up against the wall. “I’m sure you will,” he growled before he opened his mouth, pressed his lips over the full ones before him and kissed Faramir until neither of them could breathe. “And since we seem to have come to a mutual agreement regarding what we enjoy, I foresee it being worth both our whiles for quite some time.”

With that, he moved away, tugging Faramir alongside him and smiled. “Just remember… you promised to tell me when your feelings change. I will reward you for your good behavior by not forcing you to stay in bed after that. I might even send you home.”

Faramir almost squeaked at the sudden movements and his breath was forced out of him as he was pushed against the wall. The kiss was heated and incredible though and had caught Faramir completely off guard. He melted into it, despite the sharp pain of his arm twisted and pinned behind him that way. He even rocked his body against his lover’s wantonly for a moment and was breathless and smiling when Rahl drew away from him. He didn’t want to respond to what Rahl had said though when he spoke of his feelings changing. Faramir didn’t see that happening but he nodded anyway. “You are good to me… no matter what, that I will never forget.” They reached the garden stairwell and Faramir found himself for the first time actually looking forward to returning to the beautiful sanctuary Rahl had created for him.

A simple spell had assured them that their breakfast would be waiting in the garden. Rahl led Faramir over to the small table by the most colorful rosebush and sat down on the bench. Before Faramir could sit down opposite him, he moved over to the edge of the bench and tilted his head to one side. “You may sit here if you are cold. The Gods know you steal my warmth every night, so I suppose the daytime shouldn’t be different.”

Faramir had smiled happily upon arriving in the garden, it was as beautiful as ever and the table with their breakfast sat in one of the most beautiful spots. He found himself laughing and somewhat touched by Rahl asking him to sit close. Leaning over to the deep red rose bush, Faramir snapped off a beautiful rose and sat down next to Rahl, offering it to his lover. “I have nothing else to give you in thanks besides my willing body and my love and loyalty… so this will have to do as a gift of thank you for everything you have done for me,” Faramir said softly.

Rahl stared at the rose for a moment before taking it. When he did, he was nearly overwhelmed with emotions he didn’t understand at all. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he pretended to be studying something on the other side of the garden, his fingers clutching the rose so hard, the thorns would have cut him deeply had it not been for his spells. “Thank you,” he said softly, wondering how Faramir saw anything good in his situation since he’d been taken from the only home he’d ever known in the middle of the night without warning. “The gifts I usually receive are from those who wish to buy my favor – usually gold or gems or fine art. But this rose is by far the most beautiful. I think I shall cast a preservation spell so its beauty will never fade. Even after you return home, I will look at it fondly and think of you.”

Faramir’s smile faltered only a little when Rahl spoke of him returning home. His throat grew tight and he leaned over and brushed his lips gently against Rahl’s cheek. “And you wonder how I could love you?” Faramir said softly. He turned back to their breakfast and as always, poured juice for his lover first and then himself and pulled a bowl of fresh berries closer to them. “I noticed you enjoy these,” he said softly. “I like them as well, I’ve never had this sort of berry in my world but they are delicious.”

“I wonder indeed,” Rahl said under his breath, turning his attention back to their meal and the man beside him. He relaxed as much as he ever did and actually enjoyed having Faramir sitting so close from him. By the time their plates were empty, he was feeling more content than he could remember ever feeling – satiated sexually, full from their decadent breakfast, laughing and smiling in ways he didn’t even know he knew how to do. If he had ever truly known the feelings, he might have even said he was happy.

Their breakfast had been perfect, and Faramir found that he finally had a memory of this wonderful garden that he could truly cherish. When they finished their meal, Rahl seemed happy and relaxed as they began to leave and Faramir found himself smiling foolishly when he realized that Rahl still had the rose he’d give him in his other hand as he led Faramir to his study. It was for the first time a day that they hadn’t argued at all and Faramir hoped to keep it that way so that Rahl had no regrets about keeping him after all.

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