Work Text:
There was something addicting about the process. A thrill that took hold in the safety and trust and respect that flowed both ways when the length of red cording was brought out. It was soft in a way that Tiernan had never imagined rope could be before, sliding along his skin in kisses. His hands were almost always first. The suspension of his control to keep from interfering with the rest of the process.
The cord made delicate patterns down his arms, the almost silent process interrupted with periodic inquiries of whether or not it was too tight. They were doing this to have fun, not to cause unintentional and potentially irreparable damage. Tiernan still had feeling in all of his extremities, and so they continued.
The weaving of the harness was the part that never ceased to surprise him. His reaction to it, that is. Strong hands making intricate knots, each motion painstakingly methodical. Tiernan tensed as it wrapped his neck, plenty of room to not choke him but flirting with the knowledge that it would be terribly easy to do so. These fears were immediately soothed by the warmth of the person responsible for causing them to begin with. Trust. Bull made it so easy to trust him. The loss of his former life had seemed to give him a new resolve in being true to who he had decided to be. Tiernan respected that. He saw kinship in that. They had something in common with that discovery of identity.
He always gasped the first time the rope slid along where his thigh met his groin, tender flesh teased with friction, the cording then made taut. Tiernan closed his eyes and swallowed audibly as the motion was repeated on the other side, his crotch now framed by crimson and his ass cheeks caught in the web and made more prominent. As though his body was made into an idol to be worshiped, but not the way those beyond this bedroom often did. This was something far more physical, intimate, unholy in its way. Worship not for faith but for love. How easy it was to confuse the two. Here, kneeling was not for prayer but respect. Expecting nothing in return but the sweet sound that passed through swollen lips when pleasure was made. The simple joy of connection.
The rope spread him apart, ankles bound to the legs of his bed, his arms to the canopy. For a while Bull admired his handiwork, smiling at the art that he had made of his lover, the way muscle tensed beneath rope and the fat on Tiernan's thighs gently bulged between the lacework of the knots. A small waiting game for Tiernan to fully relax into his bondage. It was always signaled by an involuntary sigh, his eyes going unfocused but not dissociative. And then the ceremony could begin.
Bull stepped forwards and tenderly cupped Tiernan's cheek, brushing against scarred skin with his thumb. Tiernan looked up at him in reverence. Something like bliss was already overtaking him. The sex mattered less than the process. It was this that Tiernan relished, the feeling of being with someone who saw him for who he was, in all of the vulnerable and naked glory that came with it.
Bull trailed his fingertips down the lattice, catching briefly at each knot and worshiping the skin it held tight. He kneeled and brought his lips to Tiernan's flesh and smiled against him with each soft sound that his lover made. And then he placed his hands at the cord between Tiernan's thighs. His thumbs hooked the cording and gently pulled, tightening the lacework and bringing Tiernan's hips forward slightly for a better position. And then he buried his nose into the hair of Tiernan's crotch, his tongue flicking out to part the petals that were already warm and wet with desire.
Tiernan tensed but said nothing as his hips twitched and tried to thrust into his lover's mouth. The tip of Bull's tongue found his clit, teasing the underside before his lips wrapped around it and he sucked hard. He pulled off with a loud smacking sound. A hand gently massaged his thigh, thumb resting in the ditch between leg and cunt. Tonight was for gentleness. Tonight was for reverence. The touch lingered and Tiernan's head tipped to look down so he could watch the careful dance of fingers along his skin. There was a tension in his core, one part the flexing of muscle to hold him upright to save from pulling on his wrists while the other was a heat. Scars on his chest were traced with calloused digits. The seam that held him together. Tiernan's eyes closed as he savoured the touch, and then snapped open to stare at the ceiling when he felt Bull's lips close around him again.
There wasn't much there, an inch and a bit when erect, perhaps. But Bull took him as though it could fit down his throat. His tongue teased the tip as he maintained some amount of suction, hot breath through his nose against Tiernan's skin. The tension in him built and built before it was cut short by the sudden lack of touch. He throbbed almost violently, losing what balance he had and being caught by his restraints. Tiernan swallowed and panted as he caught his breath, hands and thighs trembling as Bull smiled at him.
"Not yet." His voice was low and smooth as melted chocolate, dripping off his lips. Tiernan stared up at him and then his eyes unfocused and his lids closed as he was tenderly kissed, his own wet smearing on his mouth and chin.
His lower belly clenched tight and he grunted as his restraints were adjusted slightly, pulling his arms further up and ankles spread so that there was no chance of alleviating the rising pressure by himself. A careful inspection that the damage was minimal, and then the commencement.
Tiernan tensed as he watched Bull pick up a crop, the handle in one hand while the other teased the leather switch between thumb and index finger. Bull ghosted the switch against Tiernan's cheek and down the front of his chest before hitting the bedpost with a sharp snap. Tiernan all but whimpered, his heart now racing from the small shock of adrenaline. He half cursed himself for reacting so intensely to the fake-out, but was delighted by Bull's chuckling.
"I have you exactly where I want you." He'd dropped almost an octave and was trailing the switch along the inside of Tiernan's right thigh, drawing the edge up between a gap in the ropes so that he could feel it against his skin. Legs shook as it moved upwards, the sound of the leather softly skirting across the braided rope so loud in his mostly silent bedroom. Tiernan's eyes widened as it reached his groin and between his folds, then caught on what little erection he possessed. Bull pulled the crop slightly back, then gave a simple tap to Tiernan's clit.
"No," Tiernan breathed. But it wasn't really a no. Both of them knew it. The fear was part of the play. There were stronger words they used for when it stopped being fun. Tonight they had stayed out of each other's mouths.
Bull smirked at him. "Oh?" He tapped again.
There was no force behind it, but the threat was there. The potential allowance that set him apart from anyone else Tiernan had ever had a relationship with. The ropes were one thing. They were sensual and tender and Bull loved the delicacy of it. Tiernan loved being touched and the surrender. As he stood there, held nearly immobile, he could picture the sharpness of the pain that could follow and he swallowed hard. The pain was a different part of the process. The sensation setting his nerves alight and his body rushing with self made chemicals. It was a high that he couldn't deny was intoxicating.
He was braced for the hit, and it was this that tortured him further. The denial of pain turned to the sensuality of the switch tracing the shape of his bindings, mixed with the threat of it turning on him at any moment. The knowledge of who it was that held his life in his hands at that moment. The freedom of surety that everything here, even the pain and manipulation, was Tiernan's own doing through the act of consent. Permission was his shield and was empowering in a way that a mark on his hand never could be.
Tiernan yelped as it caught him on the inner thigh. A quick thwip that left behind a stinging sensation that left chills running across his limbs. He tensed before swallowing, finding the will to relax as he was teased again. There would be several more before Bull might deign to give Tiernan what he wanted. The head of the crop caressed his clit, almost cruel in how it played with him before trailing up along his bindings. He knew where he wouldn't be hit, Bull had explained where it might be dangerous, but the sound of leather against wood so close to where his hand was made his fist ball up, knuckles tense with what could have been a near miss. But it was just as calculating as everything else. Bull touched the crop to his cheek and grinned at the way Tiernan's flush contrasted the ram leather.
"Status?" Bull asked.
"Elfroot," Tiernan replied. They could continue as they were.
Bull smirked and leaned in as though to kiss him, his nose gently brushing against his cheek before slipping past to breathe against his ear. "Good."
The sensuality only lasted for the briefest moment before Bull landed a firm hit to Tiernan's left ass cheek with the crop. The immediate grunt turned into a sigh as the rush traveled up along his spine. He caught himself on the restraints grabbing the cord in his palms to allow him to lean forward without putting too much pressure on his wrists, a bit of the weight caught by his own muscle.
He breathed deeply, eyes closing temporarily. Bull still stood before him, toying with the crop between his fingers. The next hits followed each other, each on the outside of Tiernan's thighs between the interlacing web that held him. A brief pattern followed, predictable but still maintaining tension, each fake-out against the bedposts cracking like lightning. Tiernan's short yelps seemed to delight his lover, rewarded with the briefest teasing along his groin. He could feel the welts beginning to rise along his skin, pale flesh reddening in the firelight. He felt the throbbing in his skin and the swell against the cording and his legs trembled as they held him upright while spread. His core muscles were straining to compensate for the poor balance of his wide stance. He'd be sore in many, many ways later.
Bull took a seat on the couch that he'd pulled over for the night. For a while Tiernan watched his own experience reflected in a returned gaze. Satisfaction at whatever design had been bruised into him, delight in the relinquishment of power to ease a burden that was left behind outside of these walls. There was a fond tenderness glimmering in Bull's eye. Tiernan watched him until the rush began to fade to numbness, and he let his head bow as he settled again into the restraints. When he sighed, he heard Bull sit up.
The crop was left behind, purposefully left in sight as a reminder of what it had achieved that evening. With the fire at his back, Bull seemed to glow as he approached before kneeling. He took Tiernan into his mouth again, this time with a hand accompanying. One finger entered him, sliding up along slick walls and curling. At the same time, Bull's tongue traced careful shapes against the tip of Tiernan's clit as he kept the suction pressure against him. He pulled off and licked up the length of his cunt. Tiernan's moans filled the room as he was sucked off and a second finger was inserted, opening up his walls and pressing hard along his ridges. He couldn't hold back the breathless swears as he dripped down Bull's chin, his lover drinking him in with pointedly noisy laps. The pressure continued to build and build, the tension in his lower belly growing tighter with each stroke and digit added to the mix. He cried out as he flexed and pulled against his bindings, until finally he came. Waves of pleasure washed over him, drawn out by the unrelenting onslaught upon his clit, radiating from his center and sending tingles up his spine. Every muscle in his body seemed to tense and then suddenly relax. His mind was taken by the rush, swimming in the new chemicals.
Tiernan's whole body shivered and his vision briefly clouded as he fought to hold onto his senses. He felt like he was floating as Bull finally stopped and looked up at him, licking ejaculate from his lower lip.
"Tee?" Bull asked, standing up. "Status."
"Elfroot," Tiernan managed, sincere in his assertion despite the newfound instability. He was barely supporting any of his own weight, pulling now against the red cording so that it bit into his skin.
Bull lifted a brow but smirked at him, trusting his partner to withdraw consent whenever it was needed. He took his chin between his thumb and forefinger, gently tracing along Tiernan's skin. A kiss was placed upon placid lips before he reached to untie Tiernan's left wrist from the bedpost. It went limp at first before being flexed to check for sensation and mobility. Good to go. Then the right. The same. Tiernan wobbled but stood on his own. Bull took the loose cord and delicately bound his forearms together, not finished with him yet. His legs were freed from the spread that had held them only so briefly. Bull's large hands took Tiernan's waist as he turned him around to face the bed, then pressed him forward into the mattress. Tiernan tried to glance over his shoulder before feeling a smack at his ass indicating him to face ahead.
He shook beneath Bull's touch as his cunt was teased yet again, this time by something warm and smooth. The head of Bull's cock slid between Tiernan's thighs, picking up some of the wet left behind to reduce the friction. It wouldn't be nearly enough, and Tiernan winced as he felt the resistance. "Shit," he couldn't help but swear, eyes shutting tight.
Bull let out a thoughtful hum before releasing him briefly to get the little bottle of oil from the toy box. Tiernan watched from the bed as he slathered the length of him until it glistened in the firelight, the orange of the fire reflecting off the sides as though providing highlight. Bull's hands were as massive as the rest of him, and some parts even moreso. Tiernan quivered as he felt the tip press into him. Bull had him firmly grasped by the hips, fingers digging into the lattice. He nearly cried out as he felt himself be stretched to his limit, Bull filling his cunt completely and sure to reach the hilt with enough work at it.
Tiernan was pressed into the mattress, his bound arms caught beneath his chest and digging into his sternum. The bed shook with each thrust and he closed his eyes as he allowed himself to be taken, enjoying the aftershock of his first orgasm and allowing the size of his lover to stretch pleasure into him. He didn't mind the exchange, hearing Bull grunting from behind him and praising how handsome he was and other simple affirmations was a joyful experience. His lover didn't ask for much from their scenes. There was a visceral satisfaction that was taken from bringing Tiernan to that headspace where nothing else mattered, where there was only safety and control relinquished. Getting off at the end was an enjoyable side benefit from this play.
It didn't take especially long. Tiernan gasped as Bull managed to draw a second orgasm from him, his body only getting more tired. Bull pulled out just before he came and made a mess on the inside of Tiernan's thighs instead. Tiernan slumped off of the bed playfully to lay on the floor, holding his hands up to Bull to be untied. Bull chuckled and ignored the silent request in favor of cleaning his cum from them both. A warm washcloth with a bit of soapy water tidied up the mess on his skin. Once Bull again had his pants, he began the process of untying his partner.
Tiernan stared half-lidded at the ceiling, making up shapes in the woodgrain to pass the time as Bull took his time carefully undoing each knot and rewinding the cord around his hand for future use.
"And with that," Bull said, "you are free."
Tiernan immediately stretched and rolled out his limbs. "Maker, I ache."
"That's half the point," he teased. "Anything hurting too bad?"
"Not this time, thank you.”
"I like to be sure." He smiled and moved to hover over Tiernan, seeming to wink though with one eye it didn't convey the expression particularly well. Tiernan smiled back and was met with a tender kiss, his lower lip caught for the briefest instance before being let go. "What do you need now?"
"Has the fire warmed up my blanket yet?"
"Lemme check." He got up and inspected the rack by the mantel. "Yup."
"I would like that, please."
Bull smiled and lifted the simple cotton quilt, wrapping Tiernan in it and playfully lifting him up onto the bed. Tiernan's eyes closed as he felt his tight muscles eased by the cozy material, sinking into the pillows as Bull came to sit on the mattress beside him. He poked his hand out from beneath the quilt to curl around Bull's wrist and pull him closer.
"Is it okay to cuddle?" he asked.
"I would never deny you that," Bull said. He got himself comfortable against the headboard and Tiernan moved in to fit inside the curve of his torso and press against solid, warm skin that was scarred from a lifetime of fighting other people's battles.
Tiernan's hand wandered Bull's chest. His fingertips lingered along each scar, most slashing wounds and a few from stabbing. He found the one from a few months back, given to Bull as a permanent reminder of how he'd been marked as other. He lingered until his lover caught on to the thoughts that surfaced.
"I don't," Bull said.
"I didn't even say anything," Tiernan smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes.
Bull scanned his face and took the hand that had been retracing his life's journey, pressing thin lips to fingers that had until more recently spent their time turning pages in a library while an instructor taught them how to produce sparks or to heal. Tiernan closed his hand around the meat of Bull's thumb.
"I don't have any regrets about what happened," Bull clarified openly.
"I know."
"But you were wondering."
"Curiosity is an occupational hazard," Tiernan joked, his smile crooked as he looked up and kissed Bull's cheek.
A mirror of that smile met him, and a gentle head shake. Not disapproval. Just quiet disbelief that he'd been given the opportunity to find joy and peace in a place like this. It was far more than either of them could have hoped for.