Ch 17: Keep at a Simmer -- Do Not Boil
Obviously this kidnapping isn't going how Trouble thought it would. I'm sure Kiv is torn between placating his new tormentor and sneaking away to rejoin his old ones. It doesn't help that they both have the social skills of potatoes. Terrible roommates, really. They need a couples counselor therapy.
Anyone wanna place bets on whether or not Kiv makes it out of this one alive? 😏
I don't have a beta, but @doomeddestination gets to read ahead of yall and the reactions I get fuel me writing more and more of this haphazard situationship. Go show them some love.
Read it right here, or over on ao3. 1786 words. Enjoy 🪢
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“As good as this feels, you’re a warmer blanket than I’m used to.” Trouble pressed a kiss to Kiv’s shoulder. Plus, if you lie down on your side of the bed, I’ll be able to pet you.”
Kiv grumbled something that sounded an awful lot like, “fuck off,” as he extricated himself.
“What?” Trouble snorted a laugh. “It’s not like anyone but me will know how much you like it.”
Slumping facedown into his usual spot, Kiv shivered. Then he groaned and looked up at the nearest bedpost and wormed toward it to fumble with the rope knotted off there.
Trouble blinked in surprise at Kiv’s back, then scooched and twisted until he could get his teeth on the other rope. It only took a moment for his jaw and teeth to thicken, and very little pressure to bite through the synthetic braid. Free from the bedpost but still cuffed, he examined the tie Kiv had used.
“Ffffffuck.” Kiv’s head drooped into his pillow, the knot still snuggly tied.
“See, this is why I tried to give you food first instead of booze,” he teased.
“Gimme a sec.” He’d turned his head to get the words out.
“You’re good, mean boy.” Trouble already had his right wrist free. “Decent knots,” he complimented. Needing the slack for his other wrist, he spooned up to Kiv. His jaws were almost on the other rope when Kiv chose to glance over his shoulder.
Kiv gasped and froze in a cringe.
Trouble’s smile shrank at the fear in Kiv’s eyes. He frowned, shoving down the impulse to glance away. “Why look at me like that? I already said I wouldn’t bite.”
“Yeah?” Trouble frowned, then raised the rope cuff to his mouth. He made himself stare right back at Kiv as his teeth went through the rope with a loud snap.
“Why d’you wanna go and ruin things, huh?” He put his arm around Kiv, palm sliding up Kiv’s sternum to rest against his throat. “You know, I never fully untie the human boys I take,” he murmured, bringing his lips to Kiv’s ear.
Kiv whimpered, shuddering.
”Unless I feel like running them down.” He smiled, let his jaw shrink back to human proportions, and gave Kiv’s earlobe a gentle bite. “I usually only risk that if we’re in a warehouse district and it’s after business hours. I like to keep things intimate with my food.” He brushed his nose up the V behind Kiv’s ear and drew in a slow, deep breath.
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple butting against Trouble’s loose hold.
“I’m greedy that way about their screams. And it doesn’t hurt that there are usually industrial-sized dumpsters around for after. Depending on how much they upset me before I tell them to run,” he traced Kiv’s jugular with a thumb, “usually determines how messy it’ll be when I make the catch.”
The first thing Kiv managed to get out was a breathless squeak.
“I don’t need blood, flesh, or marrow, but I enjoy the mouthfeel and taste. Disrespectful boys have the best crunch.” Trouble kissed the soft spot below Kiv’s ear.
“Yeah, mean boy?” he purred, then kissed Kiv again. Trouble released Kiv’s throat to wrap an arm around his waist, keeping their bodies flush, Kiv’s back to his front.
“You’re just as warm.” He trailed deeper, wet kisses down Kiv’s neck, along his shoulder. “And soft.”
“You.” It came out a whimper. Kiv gulped. “You said that you w-wouldn’t--”
“I said I didn’t want to hurt you, not that I wouldn’t.” Trouble grazed the point of Kiv’s shoulder with his teeth.
“When you look at me like they do,” he growled, hooking his chin over Kiv’s shoulder, “I don’t need to hear you call me a monster, or a freak -- I can feel it.” Trouble worked his other arm under and around Kiv’s chest to clutch him closer, tighter. “If you’re gonna act human, why shouldn’t I treat you that way?”
“Please don’t? I...I’m not--”
“Oooh, no. I don’t want to hear it. You’re done.” Trouble looked around, scanning the bed until he saw what he wanted. He let go of Kiv to fetch up the blindfold, then sat up. Stretching the black strip of fabric taut between fists, he straddled Kiv’s hips and glared down at him. “Open your mouth.”
Tears spilled over as soon as Kiv blinked. His breathing went unsteady as he fought not to whimper.
“Open,” he ordered quietly, smiling, “or I'll do it for you.”
With his mouth open, Kiv couldn’t help sobbing.
“This is what you’re used to. Head up,” he snapped. Trouble’s hands shook as he fought to be gentle, winding the strip of silk twice around Kiv’s head before knotting off the cleve gag. He rubbed Kiv’s lower lip with his thumb and pressed until his head lowered onto the pillow. He straightened with clenched teeth, fists on his thighs. “This is what I’m used to. Happy now?”
Kiv shook his head, still crying.
“That’s right, I forgot. They strap you down first.” One at a time, he placed Kiv’s arms to either side of the pillow. He smirked when Kiv shot a wide-eyed look at the rope still dangling from a bedpost. “We both know I don’t need that,” he whispered, gripping Kiv’s wrists firmly but not painfully. “Should I squeeze until you bruise? Will that complete the picture?”
Kiv shook his head once and sobbed into the gag.
“No?” Trouble’s lip curled in a silent snarl. “Ah. Now I remember. I skipped this step when we first met. I don’t always, but you were so biddable and sweet.” He leaned in and kissed Kiv over the gag. “I tend to save it for the boys who deserve it,” he murmured, slowly tilting his head from side to side, lightly brushing their lips together.
He inhaled sharply around his gag, tense and shaking.
“The ones that think they’re stronger than I could ever be and they can’t wait to get me alone.” He closed his eyes when the limited contact made something pinch behind his ribs. Trouble knew he was being too rough when Kiv whined into his mouth, but he couldn’t bring himself to let up until he needed air more than Kiv’s taste.
Kiv gasped, going limp as the kiss came to an end; he’d been squirming against Trouble’s hold.
“Is...” Trouble pulled back to catch his breath, to blink back the haze that had settled over him. Seeing the flush in Kiv’s cheeks sent a tingle to where he was already wet. “Is that what you want from me?” When Kiv only laid there trembling, his face a mix of fear and confusion, Trouble’s eyes narrowed. “We are alone. Want me to stick it in you? Fuck you bloody?”
Both offers earned flinches. Holding Trouble’s gaze, Kiv shook his head. “‘E-ease noh.”
“Noh,” Kiv begged, voice thick with tears.
Glowering, he finally tightened his fists. The moment Kiv grimaced and bit down on the gag, Trouble let go and straightened, resting his weight on Kiv’s lap. He crossed his arms, still scowling, then uncrossed them and looked away.
It took a few shaky breaths before Kiv risked moving. He touched trembling fingers to Trouble’s hand and, when no violence came, covered it.
The rigidness eased from Trouble’s shoulders as Kiv’s thumb glided back and forth on his wrist. His gaze flicked to Kiv’s, then he sighed. “That...looks uncomfortable. You should take the gag off.” He climbed off Kiv and settled back on his own side of the bed, staring up at the ceiling while he listened to Kiv obey.
“I d-d...” Kiv broke off and fiddled with the damp silk cloth.
“Yeah?” Trouble’s voice was soft. Tired. He ran a hand down his face and sighed.
“I didn’t mean to...look at you how I did.” The words came slowly and in a whisper, so they didn’t waver. “When you shifted.”
Trouble closed his eyes. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat, but the stinging lump remained. “It’s fine.” He sighed again, frowned. “I shouldn’t have...been shitty to you.”
“I’m not human.” When his eyes burned even behind closed lids, Trouble turned onto his side, facing away from Kiv. He tried to keep his breathing even, but the ache in his throat only grew.
Kiv hesitated as the silence stretched between them, then he set the silk gag aside and cautiously reached out.
Trouble flinched in surprise when Kiv’s fingers found his ear. As the touch turned into a caress, his shoulders hunched.
The gentle stroke came again. And again.
The lump swelled until Trouble thought he would choke on it. He covered his face with both hands and sniffled.
Trouble rubbed at his eyes, then turned his head enough to glimpse Kiv out of the corner of his eye. “Kiv?”
Kiv gulped, hand stuck in the air where Trouble’s ear had been.
“You don’t have to.” He looked away again before Kiv could see him cry. “I’m not gonna hurt you. I said that stuff to scare you.” Trouble swiped at his eyes. “I’ll get up and figure out something for you to eat, I just need a minute.”
The gentle ear strokes resumed.
Trouble bit down on his own fist as he silently wept. The sharp ache in his throat and chest seemed to dim as he concentrated on Kiv’s touch. He tilted his head after a while, leaning into the soft stroking. He whined when Kiv’s caresses lengthened to include his head and neck.
The petting slowed gradually. The lines on Kiv’s brow deepened and his arm shook harder the longer he kept at it.
“You’re tired,” he mumbled. Though he wished it could go on forever, he made himself add, “You don’t have to, Kiv.”
Trouble sniffed, a hint of his smile returning. “Even a human could smell the lie in that. It’s okay to stop. Really.” He closed his eyes when Kiv finally let up and sighed. “You shouldn’t have to suck up to me. When I change, every human looks at me the way you did. My real ears and teeth. My tail.” He shrugged one shoulder.
“I was surprised.” The admission was hesitant.
“Yeah. It’s okay. I don’t know why I can’t get used to it.”
“You can,” Kiv’s inhale was deep, “make yourself get used to something, and still hate it.”
Trouble eased onto his back and looked at Kiv. “Maybe we both need to try something else.” He looked at the ceiling when he noticed Kiv tense. “Something we won’t have to get used to.”
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