InsaneJournal

James
My heat isn’t as long as yours, it seems. It only lasts a day or two.

Tema
Lucky you. Mine has always been mild but long.

James
They were much more intense when I was younger. Then I did hypnosis. It worked a treat.

Tema
Hypnosis??

James
Yes. It helped with other vices.

Tema
I shouldn’t be surprised. What other bad vices did you hypnotize yourself out of?

James
Smoking. [He shrugs] Crippling anxiety. A penchant for alpha orgies.

Tema
[The mention of smoking makes Tema’s finger itch, he hasn’t had a cigarette in hours.] I think the only part that surprises me is anxiety. I can’t imagine you being anxious about anything.

James
Well now you can’t. But it’s why I meditate daily.

Tema
I guess I just always imagine you springing out fully grown and in possession of all your faculties. A modern day Athena.

James
It’s not far from the truth.

Tema
We’re you ever soft? Vulnerable? Or did you hypnotize that away too? [Its not said in any accusation but soft curiosity, trying to find more pieces of what made James tick. Tema wants to know everything about him - it feels obsessive sometimes.]

James
[He runs his hands up and down Tema’s side, just loving to touch him] I was never allowed to be, I suppose. My father expected an Alpha son. I could be nothing else

Tema
[He props his head up on an upturned hand to look down at James, but still pressed close to him.] Was he hard to please? [He thinks of his own father, nearly mute but full of quiet love.]

James
Extremely [He knows they’re edging closer to the discussion as to what James actually did, but he’d told himself@he would be truthful]

Tema
I’m assuming you took over his business? I can’t imagine that kind of expectation.

James
Yes, I did. [Getting even closer] I was only 19 when he died. It’s been my burden since.

Tema
So young... [Murmurs, using his fingertips to lightly trace against James’s face] No time to go out and be a stupid teenager then, I suppose.

James
Mmm. None at all. [Smiles] I bet you indulged, however.

Tema
Not a lot. [Shrugs a little, wrinkling his nose.] I was the weird Russian omega growing up, not a lot of friends. Got a little better once I joined the military, made friends with all the other omegas who liked to piss people off.

James
[He smiles, loving that little wrinkle] then you started to make trouble?

Tema
[Smirks down at him, pressing a thumb against James's bottom lip.] What makes you think I only started then? I just had more company.

James
Well you did just say you didn’t indulge in too much trouble until you joined the military.

Tema
I didn't enjoy the trouble I got into before then, but there was still trouble. [He holds up a hand, mimicking a talking mouth.] Always doing this.

James
Oh well I imagined you’ve been running your mouth since you were in the womb.

Tema
An accurate assessment. [Laughs.] You were probably able to hold your tongue when you were mad and just get quiet revenge later.

James
Were? It is still my way
But it’s rare for people to cross me now

Tema
I can imagine. You get this little line here... [He touched a finger between James's brows.] ...when you hear something you don't like, and there's something kind of scary about it. Well, scary for some people maybe. [He grins, obviously not counting himself in that number.]

James
[Laughs, then furrows his brow in approximation of this supposed scary expression. He knew what Tema was speaking of, however, even if Tema didn’t know the full depth of how scary James could be] But not you?

Tema
[He grins proudly at making James laugh, shaking his head all the while.] No, not me. Maybe I should be but I got most of my good sense trained out of me - and I think you like it. I'd be boring if I was scared of you, wouldn't I?

James
I wouldn’t say boring [He teases]

Tema
[Laughs, poking his shoulder.] Less of a headache, then.

James
Mmm, I don’t think that’s the case

Tema
So you do want me to be scared? [He grins, teasing.]

James
Maybe occasionally [He slides his hand into his hair and jerks his head back roughly, revealing his throat]

Tema
[Perhaps another person might be scared, but Tema lets out a hitching gasp and then seems to melt into it, even tilting his head back further.] Gonna have to try harder than that.

James
Yeah? [He tugs hard again, and moves his hand up to wrap around a Tema’s throat, squeezing, letting his fingernails bite into his skin]

Tema
Fuck- yeah, harder- [Tema gasps - and there is a tiny frission that goes through him, a small bit of fear, but he finds that he likes it. James could hurt him dearly with just his hands alone and no matter how well trained Tema is, he'd never be able to get the heavy weight of James off of him on his own. That knowledge only arouses him though, because a bigger part of him has decided to trust that James wouldn't. He doesn't like to think about what could happen if that trust is misplaced. Instead he gives himself over into, pliant under James's hand, a hand curled around his wrist but not trying to pull him away.]

James
[James loves the thrill of danger when he does this to Tema, loves knowing that Tema would let him find his limit and then push just a little bit harder. He adores the completeness of his surrender, a part of him wishing that he could let go as easily as Tema even while he revels in the fact that he is the one inspiring the surrender. Fulfilling Tema’s wishes, he tightened his grip, leaning in close] You’re mine. I could use and abuse you and destroy you right now and you would beg.

Tema
[Tema's free hand flails out to hold onto James, a purely instinctive reaction to the lack of air. He sucks in air in tiny halting gasps and he can feel the edges of his world going hazy and it's so good. James's voice just heightens the thrill because it's true, every word of it. All Tema has ever really wanted was to be someone's and James's open possessiveness feels like a drug, thick and cloying in his veins.] Please.

James
[That pleading whisper was utterly mesmerizing to James, as was the ragged, halted way in which Tema was now sucking in air. He tightened his grip again for a moment, before withdrawing slightly so that he could whip Tema around, pressing his back to his chest. It would give him a moment's reprieve to breathe but he was being tossed around so it likely only knocked the wind out of him even more. James quickly resumed the choking, pulling Tema's head back against his shoulder, squeezing tightly. At the same time, his other hand came down to Tema's trousers, mercifully already loose, shoving them down. His hole was wet around the plug still inside him. James wrapped his hand around the base and started fucking him with it, even as his hand tightened dizzyingly around his throat. If Tema passed out, so be it]

Tema
[The tiny rush of air Tema inhaled was just enough to put everything in startling clarity and for arousal to shoot straight through him. For a second he found himself fighting James's grip, flailing, until the choking pressure made him go limp. He couldn't fight it so instead he gave himself into it, his hands curled around James's wrist as if it was an anchor. He was hard and aching and every push of the plug was made even more intense as his head spun due to the lack of air. He found himself at a mental precipice that he threw himself over. Tema came quietly, untouched, just as the world began to go dark.]

James
[Tema's trust in him was so exquisite that James honestly needed nothing else as Tema came, unotuched, and went limp in his arms. He released him as soon as he came, loosening his grip around his neck, bringing it across his shoulders to support him. He gently slid the plug back in one last time, before scooping down to pick up Tema bridal style. He held him against his body, cheek pressed against his forehead, ensuring he was still breathing. Then he carried him to bed, gently draping his body across the soft mattress. He kissed his lips, as if breathing life back into his body, before leaving him for only a few seconds so he could get a washcloth to begin washing him]

Tema
[Tema came back to himself in bits and pieces, just as James returned to him. He felt like his head was stuffed with cotton but it didn’t seem important to get worked up about it. His throat was tender but he didn’t really need to talk, just reach out for James with eyes barely opened.] Hi. Come back.

James
[James was returning with a soft washcloth when he heard Tema rasply whisper for him. He moved quicker to him, sitting down on the bed next to him and peering at him with soft eyes] Are you alright, my love? [He began gently wiping off the cum that had splashed unto Tema's bare thighs]

Tema
Mmmm. [He curled a hand into the cloth of James’s shirt, as if to make sure he couldn’t leave, but otherwise couldn’t bring himself to do much but lay limp. He did manage a smile, soft and obviously tender.] I’m fine. I feel like a noodle.

James
[Looks down at the hand curling into his shirt, like a child seeking a security blanket. He didn't mind, if anything he scooted a little bit closer, reaching over with his other hand to stroke his forehead] That was very intense, wasn't it?

Tema
Understatement. [The fuzz was slowly clearly from Tema’s brain, enough that even though he closed his eyes, a grin played around his mouth.] I need a cigarette.

James
[Smiles] Want me to carry you outside so you can have a smoke?

Tema
No, I can get up. [He does manage to get upright but even that is enough to make his head spin a little, and he drops his head against James’s shoulder.] In a second. My bones feel like jelly. I’ve never done that before.

James
Mmm [He catches Tema and lets him lean against his shoulder] Was that alright? I realize I didn’t ask...

Tema
No, but I didn’t stop you. [He sits up to look at James and meets his eyes, lays a hand against his jaw. Tema isn’t the best with words so he hopes that the immensity of what he feels can be felt, sensed.] I liked it. I liked... putting myself in your hands, literally. I didn’t have to think about anything. All I had to do was... let you have me.

James
[Leans into the hand on his jaw, eyes closing as the weight of Tema’s words sunk in] I liked it too. Having your complete trust in me. [He kissed his fingertips] Its intoxicating

Tema
It’s also kind of scary. [Tema sighs a little, rough sounding against his sore throat, but watches James with something warm and clenching in his chest.] But I do trust you, with everything. I like having you take me apart and put me back together. I like knowing you will.

James
I will [He promised, leveling Tema with as sweet and warm a gaze as Tema was giving him] No need to be scared, I’ll take care of you.

Tema
[A smile blooms over his face and then Tema laughs, uncomfortable with how strongly he feels in that moment, so he draws away from Janes to flop back down onto the bed, covering his face with his arm to hide his flush.] Well now I’m hungry. Feed me.

James
[James only chuckles. He knows why Tema pulled away and flopped down. He too was sensitive to the intensity of the moment, an extension of the intensity from earlier. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Tema’s forehead] I’ll have something delivered. [He finishes wiping him clean, dropping a kiss on his belly before stepping back and up] can I get you anything else?

Tema
Something from the Gentleman place, the menu sounded really good last time I saw it. [He didn’t drop his arm, still flushed.] And water, please. And then let’s take a nap.

James
Alright. [He exited the room and thought for a moment about calling someone to place the order, before deciding to do so himself. He went through the menu to identify vegetarian items he thought Tema would enjoy and submitted the order. Then he went to get water for him with a tablet of the electrolytes he’d had delivered to aid Tema’s heat. He had never done anything like this before - caring for a partner through heat. He himself did not like being attended to apart from sexually when he was in heat - so this was all very new. But he found himself not minding it. He returned to the bedroom, and helped Tema sit up again so he could drink]

Tema
[Tema spent the time alone trying to organize this thoughts into coherence. It was hard; he found himself unable to stop touching his throat - would it bruise? - and replaying the encounter again and again. His brain told him he should be scared, unsettled, but he couldn’t bring himself to be. When James returned he accepted his help without argument.] You’re gonna spoil me if you keep this up.

James
[Laughs, low in his throat] What other purpose do I serve now?

Tema
Hmm... [Makes a show of thinking about it.] I guess none, now. This is all you have to do, spoil me needlessly.

James
I’m sure I’ll be busier than ever before...

Tema
I’ll make sure to take up all of your time.

James
If we keep on doing what we’ve been doing, I don’t mind at all

Tema
Don’t you have a business to run? [Grins, letting himself slump comfortably in the bed again]

James
I can run it while still being buried inside you.

Tema
Ugh, stop, I might actually be tired of orgasms now. [Because Tema’s dick makes a valiant effort to get hard at the image, James buried deep inside of him while nonchalantly carrying on a business call. He groans and turns over to his stomach, laughingly hiding his face. The plug still inside of him doesn’t help either.] No more sex before food, please.

James
[Chuckles and sits down near the bottom of the bed, taking Tema’s foot in his big hands and beginning to gently massage] No more sex, got it. How about a foot rub then?

Tema
[He doesn't actually purr but he would've if he was shifted and does go a little more lax in the bed.] Fuck, yes, do that. And my back because I swear it still twinges from you twisting me around.

James
Hmm [He frowns] Do we need a safe word? For when I about to throw out your back?

Tema
[Tema laughs into the bed and then looks over his shoulder at James] Maybe not for my back, that's embarrassing. But should we have... safe words, in general? I only have a vague idea of how that works. [He'd never had more than passing vanilla sex after Gerald, and even with him they hadn't been especially adventurous.]

James
We likely should. I could have crossed a line earlier and have been none the wiser. [He continues massaging his foot] we can start with the basic stop light system. Green is fine, yellow is a warning, red is a hard stop

Tema
[He lays his head back down again, on crossed arms.] That makes sense - we can do that. I didn't even think of it before because I guess it never crossed my mind that you could cross a line. I guess I just put the burden of worrying about that on your shoulders and let my brain take a vacation.

James
You can still...[He runs his hand up and down his calf, working at the tight muscles there] surrender. The safe words are a precaution. It is unlikely we will ever need them.

Tema
[He groans, wincing at the sting of loosening muscles, and then left more and more relaxed as it faded.] I guess it's good. Just in case. I'll use them next time you wanna turn me into a pretzel.

James
No more back bending, got it. [He smiles and bends down to kiss his calf before moving on to the next leg]

Tema
Like maybe a little back bending but like - age appropriate bending. [He snorts.]

James
Age appropriate back bending? [His eyes wrinkle with his pleasure at this] and what is age appropriate?

Tema
Maybe like... not try to throw my own legs over my head but I could still get my knees to my chest? [He's glad his face is hidden because he's trying not to laugh.] And maybe only before 8 because I get sleepy at night.

James
[James himself lets out an undignified snort] Acrobatics only before 8, got it.

Tema
[That makes Tema start laughing, the sound muffled into his arms, his shoulders shaking.] A-and none before 11 am either c-cause I gotta take my morning nap.

James
Lord have mercy on us. So, a basic 12-8 work day.

Tema
[He can't answer because that makes him bust out laughing and he has to lift his head to keep from suffocating himself, rolling onto his back still laughing.] Could you imagine?

James
[He grins and bends down to drape his body over Tema’s, knees on either side of his hips] can I imagine fucking you for eight hours straight in contortionist positions? Possibly.

Tema
[He lifts his arms to twine his arms around James's neck, grinning back up at him.] Oh I'm sure you could. But could you imagine if I put you on a schedule like that? We're only fucking during these times only.

James
As long as it’s regimented and agreed upon, I can schedule my other work around Fucking Tema

Tema
No way. [He shakes his head, wrinkling his face in distaste.] That'd be so fucking boring if we could only fuck during specified times. Also I'd be so sad if you were like, really hot one day but it was 8:03 so I had to just suck it up and wait til noon the next day.

James
[Cups his face in his hand, stroking it] Indeed that would be sad. But if I want to fuck you at 10:30 in the morning?

Tema
Nope, sorry bud. No fucking before 12, you're gonna have to suffer for thirty minutes. [Grins, nuzzling his cheek into James's hand.]

James
Alas. It will test my patience but I am willing to make this sacrifice.

Tema
For me?

James

For you. Anything for you, my darling.

Tema
I bet no one knows you're this sweet. [He tilts his head.] Besides Mason, obviously.

James
Don’t tell anyone. Or I shall lose my edge.

Tema
It'll be our secret. Not that anyone would believe me. Henry doesn't even seem to believe you have a variety of facial expressions. Besides taciturn and and stern.

James
[He makes a soft sound of agreement and kisses his forehead] Lets keep it that way. [He doesn’t know enough about Percy Lancaster to be entirely comfortable with Henry’s presence in his life]

Tema
[He catches James by the jaw to bring him down for a proper kiss before letting him go.] For a bit. Henry and I would love to have dinner with our respective... partners? [He says the word slowly, obviously looking at James as if to ask is what what we are? before he keeps going.] Some day and then he can see your face do all kinds of new things.

James
Hmmm. Perhaps a day out in the water would be more fun.

Tema
So you two can compare "boat" sizes?

James
Mine is obviously bigger

Tema
This is exactly what we predicted. [He laughs, playfully pushing James's shoulder.] We're going to meet on neutral ground. No comparisons.

James
We?

Tema
Us and Henry and his... whatever Percy is. We'd like to get dinner with everyone sometime.

James
Yes but who is the ‘we’ who predicted a..match about boat sizes? You and Henry?

Tema
Oh yes, obviously. We're only a few steps away from being wine sipping gossiping housewives.

James
Indeed. [Rolls off him, looking thoughtful] Mason will have to attend

Tema
[He blinks because he hadn't considered that, and then instantly feels bad, and then just as instantly determined.] Of course he will. He and I can laugh at you and Percy's inevitable rich guy battle.

James
I’m not sure he’ll find it very amusing, my darling.

Tema
Yes he will. He needs to laugh more. [He isn't sure why he feels that way but he does and he's just stubborn enough to think he can make it happen by will alone. He nods decisively.] He's too serious,

James
If you can make him laugh then you are surely the most amazing wonder.

Tema
[He narrows his eyes because he can't turn down a challenge and nods again.] Sounds like a plan. I bet he looks gorgeous when he laughs. [He muses out loud, then catches himself and makes a face.] I mean. You know. Objectively.

James
[Looks over at Tema with a surprised expression, then smiles] he does. You are attracted to him?

Tema
[Tema flushes a little and doesn't say anything for a moment. It's weird and he feels oddly guilty for thinking that "James's man" was attractive but he was also James's? So he shouldn't feel guilty? He wasn't sure. He'd been prepared to think of them as two separate groups that occasionally interacted, it's not like he really had anything to do with James's relationship to Mason. But he supposed he shouldn't feel guilty, James's didn't sound very put off by the idea. Tema finally decides to just shrug and be truthful.] He's very good looking, I'd have to be dead or dying not to realize that. Not very hard to be attracted to guys with all of his... everything going on.

James
[James smirked, feeling very pleased about this development. He moves to be close to Tema again, sliding his body against his] Have you thought of him, when we’re together?

Tema
[He narrows his eyes at James because his pleasure at Tema's answer is pretty obvious. Tema is starting to slowly understand James seems to have a plan for everything he does and to be able to recognize his pleasure when things are going according to those plans. He tries hard not to smile himself, because instead of feeling manipulative he thinks it's... cute. Instead of answering, he answers with questions of his own.] Do you want me to think of him when we're together? Do you want me to want him?

James
[Tema’s expression reveals he is catching up to James’ machinations, and seemed not to mind its implications] I want him. And I want you. It is simple, is it not? [He asks, touching his face sweetly]

Tema
[Tema can't stop himself from laughing a little.] No, not really. Physical attraction aside, you can't make us like each other. And I'm not fucking someone I don't like or doesn't like me, even for you. [He softens though, kissing James's hand.] Lets just try for friendship first. I feel... bad. Like I stole something brilliant from him. I want to earn his trust, that I'm not here to turn you from him. Because I feel like even if he knows that rationally, you can't always control how fucking stupid your emotions are.

James
You have stolen nothing from him, my darling. [He takes Tema’s hand in turn and kisses his fingers] He still has me. He knows he still has me. I would not have either of you be jealous of the other.

Tema
Just because you don't want us to be jealous doesn't guarantee we won't. Not even you can control human emotions. [It's a strange feeling but Tema wants to wrap him up and give him anything he wants.] Don't push him too hard, okay? Let us come together on our own, make our own peace with each other.

James
[Even though Tema is in effect telling him to slow down and back off, the outcome is exactly what he would have happen. That Tema himself would work together to grow something between him and Mason. For it was never James’ true intent to force them together. If Tema was successful - and James had no doubt he would be - then the outcome he wanted was the outcome he would get.] As you wish.

Tema
Thank you. [Tema leans up and kisses him, pleased, unaware of the machinations he’d fallen into that he had thought he uncovered.] Stable boy.

James
Oh you think you’re so cute. [His watch buzzes on his wrist, alerting him that the food is arriving] For that comment alone I’m going to eat all your food

Tema
You wouldn't, I'll pout at you. [He props himself up, for once completely confident in his body as he lounged back on his hands, and grins at him.] And I know you think I'm cute.

James
But do I think you’re so cute as to not eat your food?

Tema
Yes, absolutely. You wouldn't put this much work into me and then starve me.