Wednesday - January 28th, 2009
who: bas and syn when: evening where: syn's apartment then bas's apartment what: conversation and a little play rated: nsfw and still in progress
It had been a week of avoidance. Almost a week, and enough was enough. As soon as Bas was through with the kitchen, granted it was late in the evening, he was walking across campus to Syn's dorm. The night was cold, and Bas was glad that he'd taken the time to stop for a quick shower and warmer clothes as he stood in front of Syn's door. While Syn had the freedom to come and go in Bas' home, the shifter had not been granted the same permission. Instead, he pounded on the door, hands shoved in his pocket for warmth. ~~~ It wasn't just Bastian that Syn had been avoiding, but that was a part of it. It felt like a lot of things were going wrong in his life right now and the escape that had worked for him for so long as out of reach simply because, well, that was a part of the problem. Or the escape wasn't, rather, but the man with whom he preferred it was. And he just couldn't bring himself to face it right now, but it appeared as though he wouldn't have a choice. He knew who was there the moment that he heard that heavy knock upon the door and his stomach immediately tensed. He thought about pretending that he wasn't home but that seemed incredibly immature, so with reluctance, he moved to answer the door, opening it and stepping aside so that Bastian could enter. This was the first time Bastian had been here and he would find the place to be very sparce and somewhat cold, though not in temperature. ~~~ Bastian gave a quick nod in thanks at the allowance inside, though it wasn't a warm greeting. He glanced around, but it was the man more than the furnishings that caught his attention. Syn looked tired, stressed and Bastian knew part of it was his fault. "I know you don't want to, that you've been avoiding me, but the longer we go without settling this somehow, the harder it's going to be," he said softly though not without command. ~~~ "I haven't..." Syn started to say, then he stopped and rethought those words. "I haven't been avoiding you, just this. And, you know, other things." He pursed his lips in a frown. "But you're right. We should talk. Uhm..." He glanced around, feeling like a terrible hostess. "Do you want.. something to drink? I think I have... water and possibly some vodka." Ikon had a taste for vodka. ~~~ You. That was the word Bas had to hold back, to bite his tongue. Because if they were finally going to talk, he shouldn't distract them, no matter how much fun it would be. "Water would be fine. It was hot as hell in that kitchen today." He could sense Syn needed something to do, so the water was a way to give him that. ~~~ Syn smiled a little. "Make yourself at home then." He then disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve a glass of water for Bastian and a shot of that vodka for himself. He needed a bit of liquid courage if he were to make it through this conversation, that much was for sure. ~~~ Bastian waited until Syn had turned away, nearly to the kitchen before muttering, "If only." Still, he shrugged out of his jacket, making his way over to the sofa and perching on the edge. The coat was tossed over the back, Bas leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees and staring unseeing at the carpet. ~~~ Syn returned from the kitchen almost soundlessly, hovering near the edge of the living room for a moment simply watching Bastian before he took a breath and moved forward. The man looked somewhat distraught and Syn didn't really like that look on him. He placed the water down on the table in front of him, his glass of vodka on the rocks to the side of it, and then he moved to take a seat beside him. He was quiet for a moment before he decided to begin, "I'm not very good at thinking for myself, at making decisions for just myself, at giving mych thought to what I want. It's never just been me. It's always been me and Ikon and thinking for just yourself is a lot different than thinking for yourself and another person." He frowned. "Maybe that's why I'm having such a hard time with this." ~~~ Bastian raised his head the moment he heard Syn, though he didn't realize he'd already been watched. Listening, he waited then nodded his agreement. "I'm the opposite. I'm used to just thinking for myself. Scenes are one thing, but something more long term?" He shook his head. "It's always been just me. But as difficult as it is for you, this isn't a decision I'll make alone." ~~~ "I'm not suggesting that you should," Syn corrected him quickly, and then quieted for a moment, though there was the feel of something more he had to say clearly tangible in the air. "I'm angry with you." This was not an admission he made lightly, or one that he even wanted to make, but it needed to be said if they were going to move beyond this rut they seemed stuck in right now. "And not just angry, but also... annoyed." He exhaled a breath. ~~~ Bastian's stomached tightened in reflex, almost as if Syn had suckerpunched him rather than simply speaking. It wasn't unexpected, but neither did that make it easy to hear. "So we're both on the same page, tell me exactly why." ~~~ "Okay," Syn agreed somewhat reluctantly, shifting a bit uncomfortably as he inhaled a breath to compose his thoughts. "Ikon is my best friend. We've been together since we were teenagers. I've never gone anywhere or done anything when he wasn't involved and vice versa. But I stayed here and left him to go to Finland alone." He paused, just the significance of that could settle for a moment. "And then there's Will, whom I've adored for years, but have completely alienated, who will barely even speak to me now, because I left him in Ibiza to come back here where you were." He inhaled a breath and exhaled slowly. "I'm annoyed because you don't seem to rezlike what every action I've taken recently has made perfectly clear and I'm angry because now you've made me second guess why I'm even still here." ~~~ Licking his lips, Bastian nodded. The reasons were exactly what he'd suspected and he didn't blame Syn for being upset. "It's one thing to have your actions, which speak perfectly clear. But it's another entirely to hear you say it. I would have made you mine weeks ago...if you only said it." Bas licked his lips, not wanting Syn to feel like he was trying to shift blame. He was at fault for this, knew it and accepted it. "I made the mistake once of reading more into something than was there. I didn't want to do that with you and push you away." ~~~ Syn was quiet for a moment, leaning forward to pull his glass toward himself though all he did was busy himself for the moment with a finger circling the rim. "So is that why we're on the same page?" He asked, chancing a look at the other man. "Because I haven't.. said it?" ~~~ Bastian shook his head slowly. "No. We're on the same page. But we won't move forward unless you say it. I'd happily make up for wasted time, but not without fully knowing it's what you want." There were times when Bastian would throw caution to the wind, just do whatever he wanted and damn the consequences. But those decisions affected him alone. This involved the two of them, and needed both to be in complete agreement. Bastian didn't take relationships or responsibility lightly and he'd take on both with Syn. He wanted both. ~~~ "It is what I want, obviously." There was a but hanging in the air at the end of that sentence, and he took a moment before he managed to continue. "But I don't know if... I feel like maybe..." Scooting back on the couch, Syn folded his legs indian style beneath him and then forced himself to say what he needed to say whether he wanted to or not. "I've always been part of a whole and when you push and you want to know things about me and I don't have answers because I've never really taken time to know who I am without that other half I start to doubt that I, as I am now, am enough." ~~~ Nodding, Bastian held back the sigh of relief because he felt that hesitation. As he listened he frowned. "Baby, I don't know Ikon, but I know you. You're the one I want." Was Syn calling a halt to them before they'd even gotten started? ~~~ Syn wanted to believe him. The truth of the matter was, Syn felt lost when he was on his own. That was why he looked stressed and tired right now. It was almost like he didn't know how to even take care of himself when he wasn't doing it for someone else's benefit. And perhaps that sounded crazy, and perhaps that was indicative of some severe psychological defect on his part, but for as long as he could remember, he'd been that way. And for as long as he could remember, he'd had someone, even if it had only been Ikon as a friend who needed him. "Are you sure?" He asked in a small, soft voice. "Because you really seemed to want something else the other night." He paused for a moment and then added quickly, "Not that I'm jealous. It's fine, I guess, or it would be, as long as I felt like.. like I meant more than anyone else you may be interested in." ~~~ Reaching out, Bas grasped Syn's hand, bringing it to his mouth and pressing a heated kiss into the palm. He swirled his tongue over the skin, trying to impart what he felt through the touch. "I'm sure," he murmured. "I wasn't sure where I stood with you." He shrugged, leaving the explanation as that simple. "Now I do." ~~~ Syn could feel his skin flush from that simple show of affection. He smiled a little, though a pout formed upon his lips mere seconds later as he said in the same soft voice as before, though this time there was a hint of playfulness behind it, "I was really just disappointed because I baked for you, and then I didn't even get to stick around to see if you liked it." He'd made strawberry cheesecake muffins. Syn didn't fancy himself much of a cook, but he'd wanted to do something for Bastian that he could appreciate and, since he was a chef, he thought that he would appreciate something like that. ~~~ "You and me both." Bas licked the tip of Syn's finger, catching it in his teeth for a moment. "I would have enjoyed them more from a better serving platter." The glint in his eyes, if Syn was paying attention, would clarify his meaning if it was needed. ~~~ A sound very akin to a whimper came from the smaller man's lips. The look that Bastian gave him, of course he noticed it, and he smiled somewhat shyly in response. He said nothing but he then unfolded his legs so that he moved over to his feet, but only momentarily before he moved onto Bastian's lap. "Let's roleplay. You can be the submissive and I'll be the dom just until one of us says that we're through. Okay?" ~~~ Releasing his hand, Bas allowing Syn to settle in his lap, smirking at the request for a role-reversal. Bastian rested his hands on lean hips, fingers just slipping beneath the waistband to stroke smooth skin. Confident in his own role, Bastian didn't have a problem playing along for a few minutes. "Sure," he said with an easy smile. "Whatever you'd like." ~~~ Syn could feel goosebumps form upon his skin in repsonse to Bastian's touch and he nearly changed his mind right then and there. But since the other man was willing, he should take advantage. "Close your eyes," he said in a soft yet demanding tone. He waited for Bastian to oblige before he leaned in close to him, lightly ghosting his lips against Bastian's own, tongue darting out to tease their fullness as fingers moved to dance along Bastian's abs teasingly. He wanted to make him feel that desire for a change, that momentary anticipation that Syn always felt just before Bastian gave him what he most desired. ~~~ Bastian closed his eyes, waiting for what Syn wanted to bestow upon him. He felt the brush of lips against his own, the fingers darting over his stomach. He tightened in reflex, wanting to continue the touch, have Syn appreciate the body under him. The anticipation on this side of the game was intense, but not yet maddening. ~~~ Sliding fingers further up Bastian's shirt, Syntax then moved his lips down along the line of the man's jaw, giggling slightly at his five o'clock shadow tickled his lips. His tongue darted out to tease his earlobe, tracing the conch of his ear before capturing that lobe with his teeth and giving it a slight tug. He pushed his narrow hips against him and moaned. ~~~ Bastian licked his lips, letting out the soft groan teasing his throat, because it was his role and he knew Syn would want to hear it. Of course, right after the groan the giggled echoed in his ear. Bas sighed. "Laughing at me now, are we?" At the kiss to his ear, Bas' fingers tightened, slipping furthter underneath the material, following the line of Syn's hips around to his ass which was held in warm palms. ~~~ "You tickle," Syn remarked simply, then rolled his body back into those warm hands before growling softly. "Did I say you could touch? Or talk, for that matter, you bad, bad man." He was grinning from ear to ear as he licked a path down along Bas' neck and then nibbled his way over to his throat. ~~~ Bastian grinned as well. "You also never said I couldn't, Sir." He dropped his head back, giving Syn more room to explore while he never removed his hands. Instead he started massaging in time with the nips on his neck, squeezing and releasing with gentle pressure. ~~~ Syn continued this for a few minutes more before he moved abruptly back and placed a hand in the center of Bastian's chest. He shoved him back against the sofa and proclaimed, "Enough." At this point he also removed himself from Bastian's lap and took a few steps away from him, watching him for a moment before he smirked ever so slightly. "Take me home and play with me," he said, trying to sound demanding but it came out more like a request than anything. ~~~ Aw, now that was just cute. Syn trying to give orders. Rising slowly to his feet, Bas stalked forward, predator seeking his prey. "You are home," he murmured. Still, he doubted that was what the sprite meant. "You've got two minutes to grab anything you might think you'll need. Change of clothes, toothbrush." He paused, then added with a smirk, "Pain killers." ~~~ As Bastian rose to his feet and started to stalk toward him, Syn took a few steps back to keep some distance between them. He was grinning, knowing that Bastian was toying with him and anticipating what was to come. The smile upon his lips brightened as he was given directions, and he was off like a light, buzzing through the place like a hummingbird to gather up the things he may need for an overnight stay with Bastian Rhodes. It took less than two minutes. ~~~ Bastian was counting the seconds. He said two minutes and he meant it. The moment Syn walked back, he was waving him off again. "You've got forty seconds to use the bathroom. Once I pull out my rope, you're not getting out until I say." This was his only warning to heed the call of nature and he would be wise to do so. ~~~ Syn let out a little sound of surprise before he shuffled off once more, after tossing his overnight bag in the floor near Bastian's feet. He was as quick as he could be with still being hygenic which may have taken a bit more than forty seconds but... if he was to be punished for that, so be it. ~~~ Bastian appreciated hygiene, but he was also a man of his word. Syn walked out of the bathroom just in time to see Bastian glance over his shoulder, walking out the door and leaving it open behind him. He didn't go far. Just around the corner so he could startle the other man when he dashed after him. ~~~ A slight frown formed upon Syn's lips when he came out to see Bastian leaving. He moved to quickly grab his back and follow after him, the door closed and locked behind him before he rushed to catch up. ~~~ As soon as Syn bolted around the corner, Bastian caught him in his arms, hoisting the sprite over his shoulder and delivering a sharp slap to his ass. "That's for making me wait." It was merely a teaser to what would happen in a few minutes. Ready, Bastian headed for the stairs, going home. ~~~ That was unexpected. Letting out a yelp of surprise, Syn had to bite his lower lip to keep from giggling. He accepted the smack and, in response, gave his cute little ass a wiggle. And then he went limp, simply hanging over the other man's shoulder, allowing himself to be carried away as if by caveman. That mental image made him snigger. ~~~ Bastian heard the snicker and delivered yet another spank to the readily available ass. "Be careful with what you say when you are in such a position, my dear." He took the steps quickly, making sure not to bounce too much, just enough to make sure Syn knew who was in charge. It didn't take long for him to cross the grounds and reach his apartment. He stopped to fumble in his pocket, pulling out the keys and even tossing a wave at the security camera on his floor, just in case anyone was watching. Bas carried Syn inside, kicking the door closed and walking all the way back to the bedroom, dropping Syn on the mattress. ~~~ "And why would I want to do that?" Syn asked, followiing the question with a wicked little laugh before it was cut short by Bastian jostling him ever so slightly. This must have looked odd to anyone who happened to be paying attention, Bastian Rhodes carrying Syntax over his shoulder across the dark, snow covered grounds, but he just enjoyed it, enjoyed the feeling that came along with it, a smile ever present upon his lips. And it was still there when he was dropped onto the mattress, flopping back like a ragdoll then peering up at Bastian with wide, bright eyes. ~~~ Bastian didn't even bother to answer the question. Syn knew the answer, he just wanted it. A better threat would be to deny Syn what he so obviously enjoyed, but that would deny Bastian of that pleasure as well. Fortunately, there was more than one way to punish a submissive.
Watching Syn on the bed, Bas unbuttoned the top button of his shirt one-handed, giving himself more freedom, and someplace for Syn to look. "Out of curiosity, how attached to those clothes are you?" It was good that there was a change of clothes brought along, because the way Bas was feeling, they would be needed come morning, and not because this outfit was dirty. ~~~ Of course he did take advantage of that slight exposure, eyes traveling down the man's form and then back up to quirk a brow slightly at the question. With a smirk, he gave a soft and coy reply, "Only as attached as you'd like me to be." Was that not the perfect answer? He sure thought so. ~~~ It was most assuredly the perfect answer. He made his approval known, eyes darkening, smile turning just a bit more predatory. "Excellent," he breathed, turning to the chest in the corner of the room. He had items stashed all over the place, depending on how they needed to be stored. From the chest Bas grabbed a few long strips of wide, soft cloth, handcuffs and something Syn wouldn't see aside from the light's reflection. Bastian came back to the bed, setting the object out of line of sight, working instead to wrap the cloth gently around Syn's wrists. He didn't want the other man to have to explain the bruises and welts from cuffs in the morning. ~~~ That single response coupled with the way his eyes darkened and that grin was enough to send a flush through Syn's form. Eyes followed the other man as he moved around the room to gather up a few items, trying to catch sight of all of them and failing to capture the one. Did it make him nervous? A little, but in a good way. He smiled as Bastian took his hands and started to wrap the cloth around his wrists. He was so thoughtful. Syn wouldn't have really minded all that much if he were left with bruises and welts, but it would be much easier to maintain professionalism without them. ~~~ He remembered the promise he'd made when they first got together here on campus. That they'd both maintain professionalism outside the bedroom. Sure, Syn could wear long sleeves to hide the marks, but this way he wouldn't have to. Not to mention it was one more reason to get close. Once the cloth was secured on both wrists, Bas had Syn lay back down, locking the cuffs around one of the metal rods in his headboard. Highly convenient. The last piece of cloth, Bas settled next to Syn's head, to soon use as a blindfold. Reaching out to the other object, he slipped it on, finally bringing the knife and claw combo into view. ~~~ Oh, well, far be it from Syn to contest anything that brought Bastian closer to him. He was pushed back down on the bed and went quite willingly, raising his hands up above his head to be cuffed to the metal rod. Yes, that really was convenient. He had a feeling that was intentional on his part. He noted the placement of the cloth and could guess what that would be for later but he was most curious about the other object that Bastian had. It was shiny, he knew that much, and he was anticipating a blade of some sort but nothing quite like what he saw. A sharp breath was inhaled and held as bright eyes assessed the new, or at least new to him, piece of... would you call that jewelry? He squirmed a little in the cuffs, both from anxiety and anticipation, capturing his full lower lip in his teeth to moisten it. ~~~ Bastian noticed the squirming and smiled at it. He brought the dragon's claw to his cheek, drawing lightly with the tip of the claw, not the blade. It was enough to make most people nervous. He was curious how Syn would react to it. "Like my new toy? I got it at a convention." Reaching out, he stroked Syn's cheek, taking care to keep the blade from his skin. For now. ~~~ Syn immediately stopped moving the instant that the blade came close to his cheek. The last thing he wanted to do was make Bastian cut him on accident. "What type of convention did you have to go to to find something like that?" He asked once it was safe for him to speak. And then he swallowed hard and admitted, "I think I do like it, very much so." ~~~ Bastian trailed the claw over cheek, down throat to play with the neckline of Syn's shirt. He was hyper-aware of the blade's location and extremely careful not to cut where he didn't want a mark. Of course, Syn wouldn't know that, which made it all the more fun.
"A fetish convention, of course. I found a website that I signed up with and now know all sorts of interesting things." When Syn admitted just how much he liked the new toy, Bastian smiled darkly. "I thought you might. The knives before were spectacular but this?" He took a moment, sliding the blade between them and slicing through the fabric down to the middle of Syn's chest. "This is so much more intimate." He let the blade graze skin, raising a light welt, but no blood. ~~~ "Should have known," Syn replied with a grin, tensing slightly beneath the claw's touch. He held his breath when the blade came into play, lips parting in a silent gasp as it sliced down the fabric of his shirt. He swallowed hard and nodded his head in response, biting that lower lip to keep a whimper from forming as his wrists twisted against the cuffs with nervous energy. ~~~ Bastian kept an eye on Syn, making sure he wasn't uncomfortable with what was going on. Still, he was nervous, more than he probably should be. Leaning over, clawed hand braced on the mattress, Bastian brushed his mouth over Syn's, silently offering comfort and reassurace with the kiss. Once Syn was more secure, he brought his hand back into play, still kissing. This time, he lets his fingertips trail over the revealed flesh, slipping under the shirt with a gentle touch while the claw lightly scratched. ~~~ Nervous, yes, but perhaps not in the traditional sense of the word. Tonight had been a big night, an eventful night, and this was sort of a defining moment in their relationship and Syn was worried that he would do something wrong, anxious to do everything right. He allowed a whimper to issue forth in response to that kiss, relaxing in his restraints slightly. A groan managed to form as that claw began scratching at his bare skin, able to feel the fine red lines left behind, wanting more and yet, at the same time, being just as afraid now as he had been earlier in the night. ~~~ Bastian wanted Syn nervous, but for reasons that Bas created, not whatever was going on inside his head. Syn needed to be distracted, pulled out of his own mind, control taken from his hands. He was more than willing to accomodate. Dropping his head, Bastian bit down on Syn's shoulder, digging his teeth in and swirling his tongue over the skin. "Mmm," he murmured, rising once more. "You, my dear, are overdressed." Picking up the blindfold, he rested it over Syn's eyes, knowing the man would leave it there even if it wasn't tied. Bastian gripped the shirt, slicing it open, making sure the flat of the blade touched Syn's stomach, not the edge.