“I see ya bought some new ropes.” Sebastian eyed the long length of rope that his lover was holding. 

Artemus hummed in response. As much as he loved seeing the marks of his ministrations on Sebastian’s deliciously bronzed skin, the anti mage was keen on avoiding rope burns that weren’t just painful but also tended to attract unwanted attention and the curiosity of folks who knew they were banging.

“These are softer and made of cotton. I had them specially made for you,” he said while glancing at the sandy haired mage. Artemus had often favoured more feminine looking men to play as his bunny but that had only lasted till an episode he’d had with Sebastian. Breaking a gorgeous masculine specimen so fine as his mage had given him a rush of adrenaline like he hadn’t had since the first time he had done this. There was no returning to soft and mewling bunnies who were all too pliant and prone to tears. 

Sebastian blushed just a little bit when he imagined Artemus, at his office, thinking dirty thoughts about him and going so far as to have a special rope made only for the purpose of sex.

“Mmhmm,” he nervously replied while taking a bite from the warm pie. Sure, he liked pushing Art into exploring his depravity to new and uncharted depths. He enjoyed it as much as the anti mage did. But it was like leisure boating down a waterfall. His trust in Artemus’ ability to assess the situation and make the right decisions for both of them was the safety net that the mage was relying on.

___

“A-mu-” Sebastian let out a throaty groan.

“Shh, all you have to do is tell me when you feel you’re about to orgasm.”

Sebastian was restrained to a chair with the special cotton rope binding his arms and feet to the seat. His breaths were getting shallower as the anti mage’s fingers did delicious things to his cock.

“Shit- A-mu, why?” Sebastian opened his eyes and asked the anti mage who had taken his hand off the mage’s erection just when he was about to orgasm.

“Why? Because you’re not allowed to orgasm till I tell you to.”

Sebastian breathed out through his nose, knowing that this was going to be the most challenging day of his life. How could he not orgasm when he was being touched so intimately by the gorgeous, sexy, brooding childhood friend he was in love with. Even the indifferent dark gaze that was mocking his control made him feel some kind of way. He was well and truly whipped for the man. 

“What-” the torturous hand was back on his cock, rubbing gentle circles on the tip where Artemus’ thumb was wet with pre cum. “What do I get for holding out till the end?”

The anti mage enjoyed the sight of a flushed Sebastian, panting and completely under his control. “I’ll kiss you, Bastian. And then I’ll fuck you just the way I like it. That’ll be your reward.”

Artemus was an asshole. The mage tipped his head back and let out a moan. Artemus was an asshole and a mean lover. But that was what Sebastian was attracted to. The next time he topped the anti mage, the mage vowed to give him a taste of his own medicine.

“Fuck you, A-mu.”

The anti mage chuckled. “Not today, Sebastian.”

Since it was the mage’s first time being edged like this, Artemus went easy on him and decided to push it for just another ten more minutes.

“Stop! Stop!” Sebastian warned, his voice cracking. He was so close to release.

Once again, Artemus released him, giving him a few seconds to cool down before the torture began anew.

“Look at you,” the anti mage purred as he trailed down fingers over the broad flushed chest. “So much power in this body and yet you let me tease you till you’re begging for release. Do you enjoy feeling powerless, Sebastian?” Long pale fingers lifted his chin so the mage was staring into Artemus’ hungry eyes.

“Only with you,” he admitted without shame. Artemus was the only person in this world that Sebastian was willing to surrender to.

The anti mage felt his stomach curl with something akin to happiness. He was starting to think he was in love with Sebastian. Again.

“A-mu, I don’t know how I’ll ever move on if ya dump me for someone else.” 

“I won’t,” Artemus realised that his inner thoughts had slipped out and coalesced into words. 

Even Sebastian was surprised by his admission. “Does that mean-?” The mage didn’t know what he was asking from Artemus. The anti mage wasn’t exactly known for doing permanent relationships. Well, neither was he. But this was different.

“I won’t dump you, Sebastian.” There, some honesty, Artemus told himself. “I’m happy the way we are and I don’t see myself leaving you anytime in the foreseeable future. I mean as long as you don’t do something stupid like run off with someone else and cheat on me.” 

“Oh my god,” Sebastian gasped, his eyes wide and round. “Are you okay, baby? Did ya hit your head or somethin’?” 

“Or somethin’,” Artemus replied, mimicking Sebastian’s accent perfectly. 

“Are- are we a permanent and lifelong thing? Cause I’ve wanted this for so long and just couldn’t tell you.” Sebastian knew it was still too early for the big L word. “A-mu, you’re like my dream come true.” 

Artemus had the breath stolen from him by Sebastian’s confession. He let out a sigh of regret because he couldn’t possibly continue this any longer today. Sebastian had done it and now he just wanted to kiss the man senseless while making love to him.

“We’re stopping?” The mage asked when Artemus began undoing the knots on the ropes that restrained his very pleasing physique, which the anti mage deemed was both proportionate and powerful.

Artemus couldn’t possibly explain the feelings he was going through at the moment. He wasn’t good with emotions and words. His white-knuckled fingers worked fast to release the final knot that bound the mage’s right hand.

“Why are we stoppin’?” An edge of worry crept into Sebastian’s tone. Had he said something wrong? “Have I upset you, A-mu?”

Artemus raised his head to look into the mage’s worried eyes. “Bastian, you are just absolutely perfect. You did nothing wrong.” All he wanted to do was kiss the frown away from those pretty lips.

“Then why are we stoppin’?”

“We’re skipping straight to your reward, that’s why. Blame it on my impatience.”

The mage smiled, a corner of his lips lifting from the thrill of knowing that Artemus, one of the most disciplined and strong-willed men he knew, had lost control. It was the first time such a thing had ever happened during their romps together. And Sebastian was going to sear this into his memory.

“To the bed then?”

“The table is sturdy enough,” Artemus replied. He had checked.

The very second that the ropes fell off, the anti mage was upon Sebastian with a savage grace that came from his feline blood. His lips were kissed with a violence that was demanding and fierce. Somehow between letting Artemus control the situation and keeping up with his fervour, the duo ended up against the table that the anti mage had wanted to fuck over.

Sebastian reached down and grabbed two fistfuls of beautiful tight ass so he could tilt his hips and meet the hardness that was straining through black pants.

Artemus made a sound then that was both beastial and lustful. And Sebastian was very pleased to know that the shapeshifter’s inner animal had decided to come out and play.. There was nothing hotter than an intensely turned-on shapeshifter whose entire focus was zeroed into pleasure and mating.