Just One More Shot Before We Go

by DevHasIssues (Diamondisbackbitch)

Summary:

Sejanus didn't go out expecting to meet someone, far less to take someone home, but he can't stand the thought of leaving the drunk stranger alone when it doesn't seem like he has anyone else

Coriolanus was just interested in the notably large bulge in this stranger's pants and a night in a bed more comfortable than his own, he wasn't trying to get stuck with an overly-involved dom constantly checking in on his 'needs'

Notes:

catch me not finishing any of the updates or oneshots I have going on and posting a new multichapter fic instead... whoops (sometimes my hands just slip)

also yee fics are unlocked again! Switched to using a new site skin to help with scraping and the lore.fm stuff is shut down for now, so apologies and welcome back my sweet guest readers <3 I apologize for the short disappearance

Chapter 1: When we met at the bar I think all of this started

“You’re going in that?” Lysistrata stood in his doorway, half an hour late for their designated meet-up before their intended night out—really just a ploy for Sejanus’s one outgoing friend to drag him from his apartment once a month.

 

Sejanus looked down at himself, suddenly second guessing his choices of black jeans and a simple red button up. “What’s wrong with it?”

 

“I thought your vibe was to not attract attention.” Lysistrata raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. “You’re gonna have every sub in this place crawling over you.” Her smile quirked. “Mmm, maybe tonight’s the night we take someone home?”

 

Sejanus brushed her aside to walk out the door and pull it shut behind them. “I’ve told you; I’m only interested in a real relationship. Quick hookups don’t work so well for the whole communication thing.”

 

Lysistrata shrugged. “You never know. Could meet the love of your life by blowing him in a bathroom. Sometimes you just gotta give a good thing a chance.”

 

Sejanus could only huff silently. He didn’t have a lot of failed relationships, most of them never even digging deeper into his sexual preferences, but giving things a chance had only ever turned sour for him.

 

“Or,” Lysistrata continued with a nudge against his arm, “Sometimes it’s just fun to let loose for the night and have some fun.”

 

-

 

“Oh my god,” Sejanus felt Lysistrata's hand stopping him from turning from where he sat at the bar, “Okay, don’t freak out, but that one crazy sub is here.”

 

‘That one crazy sub’ as he had been dubbed by Lysistrata in her many recounts of the various exploits the mysterious blond man had gotten up to during her much more frequent visits to the sex club, was the one regular Sejanus had been lucky enough not to meet. Lucky, at least, if anything he’d heard about the man was true; he came without a dom, apparently fucking the club’s owner to bend the rules to allow him to do essentially whatever he pleased, offering himself to anyone who would put their hands on him, and never safewording out no matter how far things wound up going.

 

Sejanus had begun to assume Lysistrata was making most of it up, but when his eyes turned he was met with a practically nude blond man standing at the other side of the room, chatting up some woman who wasn’t bothering to hide as she reached under the scrap of white fabric masquerading as a loincloth around his waist. All-too easily pushing it aside and putting his ass on display to the entire room.

 

“Maybe he’ll be your soulmate.” Lysistrata laughed as she flagged down the bartender for a drink. “You never know; sometimes people with issues just click together.”

 

“What’s that supposed t-” Sejanus bit himself off before snapping at her. “Just for that, I’m going to walk around.” He’d regret it in a moment, when he was suddenly far too awkward to speak to anyone, but he took his own drink and gave Lyssie a nod and receiving a surprisingly confident smile and a thumbs-up in return.

 

“Go get ‘em.” She said, slapping him on the arm. “Text me if you get lost somewhere.”

 

Sejanus didn’t feel encouraged, but he swallowed another sharp mouthful of alcohol and picked a direction to wander in, almost wishing it was more crowded if only to be able to lose himself among a group of nameless people who wouldn’t give him more than a second glance.

 

The room was smaller than he’d remembered, all-too quickly making his rounds and finding himself in front of a display he’d intended to avoid.

 

The woman was getting far more handsy with the blond, pinning him against the wall and having stripped him of what little fabric had once kept him covered. His thin frame looked even weaker surrounded by people who could hold him down with ease, poking and prodding at his body as though it were merely a game. Entertainment.

 

Sejanus had been staring too long, evidenced by the sub’s eyes glancing across the room to find his, meeting for a few long moments before Sejanus forced himself to look away. Even if it was public, it wasn’t for him.

 

Sejanus clenched his jaw at the thought, almost startled by the realization he would be far more interested if it was for him. The concept worming its way into his brain in a way certain not to leave any time soon. Directing the scene instead of having it play out unwittingly in front of him, with the beautiful blue-eyed blond making a proper show—A well appreciated masterpiece instead of being groped and shoved around for meaningless fun.

 

Stop it. It wasn’t his place to fret over someone he didn’t know, or start obsessing over someone who didn’t need his attention.

 

Not again.

 

He tried to shake away the immediate memories of his ex that threatened to flood, pushing his feet to move and letting his mind melt into nothing with the pulsing music overhead.

 

-

 

Sejanus went back to the bar a bit too quickly, trying to keep the buzz of alcohol flowing to prevent anything else from perturbing his mind in the meantime.

 

He’d lost sight of where the blond sub had disappeared to, proving a mistake when he slid up to the bar and found his foot striking something, looking down to see a pale knee extending back to the now very much nude form of the blond on his knees, taking the man next to his’s cock between his lips and sucking, swallowing steadily in a smooth rhythm.

 

“Fuck.” The man pulled out after a moment, dragging the sub’s head back by his hair to free his soft cock. “Ain’t known another whore who would do that without complaining.” The praise was only punctuated by a small slap against the sub’s pale cheek, making him gasp.

 

It was the faint smell, along with the lack of any evidence of cum in the sub’s hanging open mouth, that clued Sejanus in to what he’d truly just witnessed.

 

Sejanus clenched his fingers against the bar, gritting his teeth to keep from saying something when the man simply walked away, leaving the sub on his knees, wiping the stranger’s piss from the corners of his mouth.

 

I can’t believe anyone would leave him like that.

 

“Are you alright?” Sejanus tried to be soft, non-threatening, though it was harder in his position standing over the blond at the bar. He could get to his knees, but he’d cramp the meager space the man had to kneel, and he wasn’t sure how he’d react to the closeness. “I’m Sejanus.”

 

“Coriolanus.” The sub offered out his hand which Sejanus happily took to pull him to his feet. “Here to please, however you like me.” He purred out the practiced line, his lips dripping with a sultry level of want, his eyes darting over Sejanus’s body as though it were as bare as his own.

 

“You want something to drink?” It couldn’t be a pleasant taste on his tongue, even if he’d swallowed it so casually Sejanus found himself questioning just how far Coriolanus was going with strangers.

 

Do they even know his safeword?

 

Sejanus only grew more concerned when Coriolanus chose to move over to situate himself between his legs and move a hand to the fly of his jeans. “You have something to give me?”

 

“I was thinking I’d buy you one.” Sejanus grabbed for his hands before he could find himself exposed by Coriolanus’s nimble fingers. “Wash down the taste of the last guy before we get to know each other.”

 

Coriolanus snorted. “Oh-kay, mister gentleman.” He patted Sejanus’s crotch, his eyes lighting up almost immediately. “Are you soft? Fuck, I could see you through your jeans, but you know, that’s normal-” He flicked back his blond curls, somewhat stuck together with loose strands of semen and tousled beyond any form of style. “Alright. I’ll let you ‘get to know me’, if it means I’m finding out what you’re packing in there at the end of it.”

 

There wasn’t a hint of shame in Coriolanus’s eyes as he eased his way back to his feet and took his place next to Sejanus at the bar. “So, what’s the poison?” He made eyes at the bartender who rolled her eyes as she made her way over.

 

“If you scare one more person off of the bar to go screw you in the bathroom.” She muttered it under her breath, but Sejanus heard it clear enough even over the thrumming noises of the club music.

 

“Jack and coke, and whatever he wants.” Sejanus nodded to Coriolanus with a friendly smile in return to the questioning look the bartender gave.

 

“Dirty Shirley, with every extra cherry his tip’ll buy me,” Coriolanus winked, nudging Sejanus with his knee. “So, what brings a sexy piece of man like you to a place like this?”

 

“It’s a thing I get dragged to by another dom friend of mind. She thinks it’s good to ‘keep me in the scene’ even though I don’t have anyone right now. And I don’t really scene with people I’m not in a relationship with, just so you know.” Sejanus put out a few bills for the drinks, brightening Coriolanus’s blue eyes when the additional tip earned him an extra handful of cherries slide across the bar on a napkin with an audible sigh from the bartender.

 

“Well, lucky me we wound up crossing paths this time.” Coriolanus kept up his flirty aura as he popped a cherry between his lips. “I’m always good for a simple round of fun.”

 

Sejanus tried not to choke on his drink as Coriolanus turned, letting him see the black writing on the back of his shoulders. Reviews on his performance, scrawled hastily and promising his body to be worth the time it took to use, if nothing more. “You sure get around a lot.” It sounded more shaming aloud than he’d intended. Sejanus tried not to let his wince be too noticeable. “Not that- that’s a bad thing, I actually prefer partners with experience, who know what they want.” Why am I talking like I’m trying to take him on a date?

 

“Well, that’s good then, because I’ve had plenty of experience.” Coriolanus downed nearly half of his drink in one long sip, followed by plenty more cherries with the stems plucked off. “I’m not picky myself.”

 

“Your dom doesn’t mind?” Sejanus already knew the answer to the underlying question, but it didn’t feel right even to think that Coriolanus would be there alone, with no one watching over him but mildly annoyed club staff busied with other patrons already.

 

“Well, if you’d like to apply, you’re welcome to make an offer.” Coriolanus teased, finally plucking a cherry with a long stem and making direct eye contact as he swirled it around his tongue. “But I’ll warn you, I don’t tie down easily.”

 

Sejanus knew before Coriolanus even revealed the knot, but found himself fully impressed by the speed at which it appeared. “You come here all the time without a dom? You’ve got to have someone taking you home, at least.”

 

Coriolanus shook his head once sharply, his smile never faltering, “It’s cute that you’re concerned, but I don’t do that kind of talk unless I’ve had your cock in me. I prefer to sample the merchandise first, if you know what I mean.”

 

Unfortunate, but it happened often enough that requirements around discussing a scene might differ too much for two people to get together. Still, he couldn’t help the pang of regret at the idea of sending Coriolanus off back into the fray of strangers. “We could set something up, if you’re ever interested. Sorry, this isn’t so much my scene to play in.”

 

“Pity. It truly is my scene… but I’ve been known to make exceptions.” He looked not-so secretively toward Sejanus’s crotch. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know you in a more intimate setting, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

 

“Could I get your number?” Coriolanus’s returned smirk set Sejanus spinning between whether he’d been too forward, or even not forward enough considering how directly Coriolanus put himself out there.

 

“Maybe once I’ve had a few more drinks.” Coriolanus downed the rest of his with a sparkle in his eyes. “Lets see what you’ve got big boy.”

 

-

 

Three drinks in and Coriolanus was a mess, leaning on the bar until the bartender started giving them looks and Sejanus had to pull him up only to find himself with a lap full of the drunk blond.

 

“Let me buy you something to eat, I don’t think the cherries are helping you sober up any.” Sejanus gave up on trying to rearrange Coriolanus onto his own bar stool and settled for just keeping him upright. “Or I can call you a cab, but I’d really feel better if you were able to walk on your own first.” I shouldn’t have let him have so many. Sejanus hadn’t really paid attention to the drinks Coriolanus ordered so much as the way he drank them—licking his lips afterward as if the way he tipped back his head to show off the bob of his throat when he swallowed wasn’t lewd enough.

 

Coriolanus batted his eyes, his head lolling against Sejanus’s shoulder. “Aren’t you gonna take me home?”

 

He probably doesn’t even realize how gone he is. Sejanus pressed the back of his fingers to Coriolanus’s damp forehead. “Is there somewhere I could take you? I’m- I mean you’re safe with me, I’ve got a couch I can crash on if you want to go back to my place.”

 

“Yours.” Coriolanus’s hands played with the buttons on Sejanus’s shirt, too sloppy to do much more than tug. “You promised.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, let’s just-” The bartender had stopped paying them any mind but to throw him a look now and then. Sejanus sighed. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll make you something to eat there I guess.” Probably safer than whatever fare the meager kitchen behind the bar could provide, still his added an extra few bills to the counter and gritted his teeth to wave down the bartender once more.

 

“Could I just get a bottled water?”

 

“You’ll probably want this, if you’re driving him somewhere.” She slid a small bag across with it. “He writes his locker combo under his wristband, don’t let him forget his shit here again.”

 

Sejanus nodded, distracted by Coriolanus’s pawing so much he didn’t notice her walk away until she’d disappeared. This can’t be happening. Anyone normal would see him dragging a naked drunk stranger around would probably call the cops and rightfully so. I don’t even know his last name, or what he does, or where he lives, or-

 

Coriolanus grabbed the sides of his collar and yanked him in for a sloppy, wet kiss. His mouth was mostly lax, seemingly trying to tease Sejanus into deepening it for him while he pressed their lips together.

 

“Hey…” Sejanus tugged him back, keeping his voice soft to prevent from drawing any more stares. People had been looking over at them all night, like they were waiting for something to happen. Some show to be put on, apparently inherent to Coriolanus’s presence. He pressed the water into Coriolanus’s hands, tucking the bag into his pocket just in case. “C'mon. Let’s go get our stuff and get out of here.”

Chapter 2: when I brought you home it all got complex

Summary:

morning after :) Sejanus is starting to realize just what he's in for

“You took him home?!” Lysistrata’s voice over the phone made him wince, even louder than his own during his scant recounting of the night’s events. “Sejanus, please tell me you at least wore a condom, because you and I both know he was with easily a dozen people last night alone.”

 

“He’s really sweet,” Sejanus admitted quietly. “I got really worried about him, I couldn’t leave him there, he was practically passed out already. And we didn’t even have sex, I just cleaned him up and tried to get some food in his stomach.”

 

Lysistrata was silent for a moment. “You’re a really good guy, you know that? I hope that cumslut knows he’s got it made if he doesn’t fuck this up.” She spoke it with a fondness that promised she knew more about Coriolanus than she might have let on, but before Sejanus could probe further she hung up the phone.

 

“Who was that?” Coriolanus was a vision stepping into the living room, rubbing his bleary eyes with a mess of mussed blond hair and Sejanus’s large unbuttoned shirt practically sliding down his shoulders, covering remarkably little of his pale skin from Sejanus’s view.

 

“My friend from last night, just making sure we both got home alright.” Sejanus shrugged, “Are you feeling alright?” He’d had at least a few drinks, Sejanus wasn’t quite sure how many over the course of the entire night, but he’d left plenty of water and Tylenol on the nightstand for him to find to hopefully aid the oncoming hangover.

 

“Better than usual.” Coriolanus’s face didn’t read as though he took it as a positive. “Guess having a fire hydrant for a cock only works when you know how to use it.”

 

“We didn’t hook up last night. You were drunk and out of it, I just took you home since I don’t know where you live and you said you weren’t there with anyone. I had to make sure you were alright.” It was even more concerning, past the assumption, that Coriolanus would seemingly be fine with a complete stranger taking him home and using him when he was far from a state of being able to consent.

 

Coriolanus rolled his eyes. “Of course, I had to wind up with mister chivalry one of my only free nights to get properly fucked up.”

 

“You wouldn’t call last night at the club ‘properly fucked up?’ because I don’t think I’ve ever even met someone who’d go so far-” I’m not here to pass judgments. “Look, I just wanted to make sure you were safe, alright?”

 

Coriolanus eyed him suspiciously, his mouth twisting from disdain more to intrigue. “You’re fucking serious about being my dom, aren’t you?”

It had been a while, and the promise that Coriolanus had enough experience to handle him was certainly exciting when most partners balked at the mere thought of taking his cock anywhere inside of them. Size queens did seek him out, but even then he had to be careful of those who were in over their head having never experimented with anything close to his size properly fucking into them.

 

Additionally, selfishly, Sejanus enjoyed helping people, even if they were stubborn about it. And if anyone in the world needed guidance he could see the man in front of him did.

 

“I think you seriously need one, before you wind up in some serious mess. And I’m not opposed to sharing, so long as we work out some boundaries around it.”

 

Coriolanus continued to study him for a few long moments. “Alright. Well, you know my rules about this kind of talk.”

 

Sejanus chewed on the inside of his lip. “You’re okay to do that hungover? We could schedule something late-” His breath hitched as Coriolanus immediately moved to strip out of the loaned boxers and button-up he’s wrangled him into the night before, draping both across a chair. “-er...”

 

“I swear if I don’t feel your cock in me in the next five minutes I’m walking out of here.” Coriolanus was already bending himself over the side of the couch, raising his ass with a lewd shake. His legs spread open to show off the dusty pink hole between his legs.

 

Sejanus had to hold himself back for a moment just to regain his composure at the sight. He’d seen Coriolanus plenty naked already, but just between the two of them now it was even more thrilling to have the gorgeous blond stretched out for him.

 

“You’re fucking stunning.” Sejanus didn’t resist the urge now to grab handfuls of Coriolanus’s ass, spreading him even further. “Come on, we’ll be more comfortable in my room. Gotta grab my stuff anyways.” He gave Coriolanus’s cheek a soft slap, grinning at the immediate responding moan before hooked his arms around Coriolanus’s body and pulling him back against his chest.

 

Coriolanus was surprisingly limp in his arms, letting himself be carried with ease back to Sejanus’s bed where he promptly rolled over upon being set down, once more presenting his ass with his face buried in the covers.

 

“Do you have any limits I should know about?” Sejanus grabbed a bottle of lube and a condom from the dresser. “I’ll stop if you say stop, since we’re not in a scene or anything, but if you have a safeword you prefer…?”

 

“Don’t worry about it.”

 

Sejanus set everything to the side with a frown. “Alright. Look, we have to talk about this first.” He was pushing his own rules too far already, and it was beginning to show that whatever personal boundaries Coriolanus was setting weren’t the healthiest. “Let me make you some breakfast. I only got a few bites in you last night before you passed out, you’ve got to be hungry.”

 

Coriolanus didn’t move, leaving them in silence until a quiet growl broke it and he sighed. “Fine, but I don’t eat overly-processed nonsense. Or cabbage.” He shoved off the bed with another huff, not bothering to cover himself in the slightest as he moved to brush back his hair, followed by a quick grimace. “Could I use your shower?”

 

Relief flooded through Sejanus at not having immediately scared him into running off. “Of course! Bathroom’s through there, towels are in the cabinet, feel free to use anything you need.” He pointed out the slightly ajar door across his room. “I’ll make us some eggs and toast, and I probably have some sausage, if that’s alright?”

 

Coriolanus only nodded affirmatively on his way to the bathroom, grabbing two towels from the cabinet before shutting the door behind himself.

 

What have I gotten myself into?

 

Sejanus focused on preparing to make food, instead of the spiral of thoughts whirling inside of his mind. It was easier to simply let his hands move in the therapeutic motions of cracking eggs into a heated pan and letting them sizzle and pop in a bit of fat alongside the sausage before popping a few pieces of buttered bread into the oven to toast.

 

The smell in the kitchen was making his own stomach growl by the time Coriolanus wandered back, clad in a towel wrapped low around his hips though his appearance was strikingly put together in comparison to the night before. If not for the remaining bruises, and the burning memories, Sejanus might not have known at all what he’d gone through so recently.

 

“Feel any better?” Sejanus plates up half of everything to offer in front of his guest with a smile that was not returned. “I hope the water pressure was alright, at least.”

 

“Divine, actually.” Coriolanus stabbed into the pile of eggs with his fork. “Fuck this smells incredible.”

 

Sejanus chuckled, still shaking his head in confusion as he piled up his own plate and sat down. “Well, dig in. I’ll make more if you’re still hungry.”

 

Coriolanus ate in careful, calculated bites. Somehow managing to demolish nearly the entire plate in a matter of minutes regardless, not once breaking the still silence between them.

 

“I’d still like to talk, if you’re willing.”

 

Coriolanus stopped mid-chew. “Alright, talk.”

 

Sejanus grappled for a moment for the correct words. “I want to help you.”

 

“I’m not a charity case.”

 

“I know, I don’t mean it like that. I just…” Sejanus sighed. “Playing around without safewords or someone watching over you that you trust, that’s really dangerous. It does not have to be me, I know plenty of doms I could introduce you to, but it’s pretty clear you do need someone. Or at least a new perspective on what you’re doing, because it is not healthy.”

 

Coriolanus threw down his fork with a glare. “And who are you exactly to tell me what I need?”

 

“Someone with enough experience to see that you’re hurting yourself, or you will without help. This isn’t the kind of thing you toss yourself into without a guide. Or shouldn’t be, anyway.” Plenty enough people did regardless. Sejanus cursed himself for not considering that Coriolanus wasn’t fully aware of what he was doing. Of course he wasn’t, with how far he was going on simple whims. “How’d you get into this, anyway?”

 

“None of your business,” Coriolanus snapped back. “None of it is any of your business what I choose to do with my life. Anyway I don’t see why you’d care. Pretty clear you’ve got more than enough to take care of yourself here; you could find someone decent, pay for someone to your tastes if you wanted. Don’t see what you’re doing with me.”

 

Maybe I just care too much too easily. “I’d like to help,” He repeated, smoothing down his legs in a poor attempt to regain his soft composure and work out what it was Coriolanus even wanted. “You deserve better than-” He was an idiot, getting so involved with a stranger who didn’t want anything to do with him. “I’m not out here to just pay for someone to do whatever I want. That’s not- I’m not interested in something like that.”

 

Coriolanus’s expression shifted somewhat, now more intrigued than annoyed. “You like a challenge before stabbing back into his pile of food. “Can’t say I’d be too mad at the perks if you cook like this all the time.” He smirked at Sejanus’s responding blush, quirking his eyebrows playfully. “If you think you’re up for it.”

 

Should’ve known he was a brat. Sejanus let himself fill with a small amount of confidence. “You think I couldn’t handle wrangling you?”

 

“Plenty enough people have tried.” It didn’t sound like those were experiences Coriolanus was too keen on repeating, from the grimace he poorly held back from his face.

 

Sejanus couldn’t help his own desire to reach out and push away the bad experiences the other had gone through with positive memories they’d create together. In time. “Did any of them make breakfast as well as I do?”

 

Coriolanus snorted, shaking his head. “Usually I sneak some cereal before they wake up. Sometimes they’re bougie and have something frozen I can heat up.”

 

“If you make a list of what you like, I’ll keep things around to make for you. But you have to do one thing for me,” Sejanus bargained, smiling at Coriolanus’s immediately piqued interest. “Make a list of things you do and don’t like doing or having done to you. As thorough as you can be. I’ll give you my number, you can text me whenever you’re ready with it, and we can go from there.”

 

Coriolanus swallowed down the last bites of his breakfast with a thoughtful look. “Alright. But if I’m doing something for you, you owe me something in return.”

 

Sejanus nodded, though he wasn’t sure what constituted a reasonable demand for the bare minimum, it was the least he could do to hear him out.

 

“You don’t tell my cousin about any of this.” Coriolanus’s face was solid stone and Sejanus had to hold back from praising him for laying down such a firm boundary for himself. “If you meet her, we’re just friends, maybe more if it some to that, but I don’t need her knowing what I get up to.”

 

“Absolutely.” Sejanus wasn’t one to broadcast the nature of his relationships anyway. He’d certainly prefer his parents never found out what he was up to in his spare time. “Do you live with her then?”

 

“Mostly.” Coriolanus shrugged off any further questions about the matter easily, grabbing his plate to take it to the sink. “When I’m not somewhere else.”

 

Was it too much to ask already? “Do you need a place?”

 

Coriolanus’s face twisted into a thin line before shifting back to a more neutral expression. “I’ve got things worked out. Don’t worry about me.”

 

He would anyway, Sejanus knew himself well enough to be sure of that, but he nodded affirmatively regardless. “Want me to drive you home? Or I’ll give you money for an Uber.” The brightening in Coriolanus’s face all but answered the question for him and Sejanus moved back to grab his wallet from his coat.

 

He scribbled his number down on a scrap of paper along with a short stack of bills, more than enough to get Coriolanus anywhere in the city, rolled together with only the hope that Coriolanus wouldn’t disappear with them and the part of his heart Sejanus was already carving out, ready for him.

Notes:

oh noooo Sejanus not the gay pining, that's your #1 weakness

Chapter 3: Now there's only the hope we don't fuck this up

Summary:

Coryo and Sejanus have their second... date? Meeting? Encounter?

Whatever it is, it's bound to get messy

Notes:

kinks/warnings for this chapter, kink discussion, bondage, massages, mentions of daddy kink, mentions of a past teacher/student relationship (not underage but definitely sus, only brief tho), size kink, praise kink, safewording

“What are you working on?” Tigris poked her head over his shoulder and Coriolanus had to be quick snatching away the papers on the small desk. It was difficult to find any sort of privacy in Tigris’s tiny studio apartment but there wasn’t exactly anywhere better for him to sit and make a list of everything he’d ever allowed someone to do to him.

 

It was a long list. Some of them wound up crossed out and added along the list of thing he wasn’t comfortable with that Sejanus had requested as well, since after some reflection he had little desire to revisit those experiences, particularly with the newfound stranger-turned-potential-dom. Oddly enough he hadn’t once shown the spark of self-absorption that Coriolanus had grown so familiar in picking out in others, even using to his own advantage. A few stroked egos had taken him far and gotten plenty a hot meal in his stomach.

 

“A job application.” Coriolanus slid the papers into his lap, turned so the words wouldn’t be visible. “Speaking of which, aren’t you late for yours?”

 

“Fabricia closed the shop for the afternoon, she has some important date in town. Some guy with money she really want to impress. Pity she’s not taking me, I could try my hand at turning his eye.”

 

She laughed, though Coriolanus could feel her eyes peering down his high collar, hiding the fresh marks he’d picked up the night before. He knew she had her suspicions, though they were usually so far off as to imagine it was one single person facilitating his abused state. It was a fine balance to keep, to prevent her from worrying so much, but still enough to keep offering the meager space on the tattered couch in the corner of her apartment that prevented him from being reduced to the streets.

 

Maybe he would do as well to chase after someone with money. Not that any of them might be truly interested in the mess he’d become with the years wearing down his pride in much other than his ability to offer others a night of release at the expense of his body, giving his own mind a place to sink where his worries had no reason to exist. Not his past nor his present tormented him there, only a blissful emptiness interrupted by bursts of pure ecstasy flowing underneath his skin.

 

“I didn’t see you in last night.” Tigris continued to leaned over the back of his chair, as always far too invested in business that wasn’t her own, but Coriolanus could hardly blame her when she listened to gossip practically nonstop at work. She must be desperate for her own sources.

 

“Sorry, I meant to call, got a room with a friend for the night.” Coriolanus only shrugged, offering her the same vague half-truths he’d relied on, even knowing she was rolling her eyes without having to turn. “As much as I appreciate it, you know that couch kills my back after too many nights.” It was his main excuse to be crawling back into strange beds night after night. A bit of respite. A taste of the life he should have, wrapped in thick, warm blankets in a house with proper heating and lights that didn’t flicker or shut off randomly. A fridge and pantry full of food.

 

Sejanus better not complain if my list of foods is longer than my list of kinks. The man clearly had enough to take care of himself, even if things at his place weren’t lavish he hadn’t blinked an eye at handing Coriolanus fifty dollars for a cab ride that only cost him twelve, and he hadn’t thought much about the more expensive drinks Coriolanus liked to work up toward at the bar.

 

“Someday, I’m going to meet this ‘friend’ of yours,” Tigris grumbled, shaking her head and finally turning away. “And learn why you’re being so secretive about someone who lets you stay over basically every weekend and nights you don’t want to be here.”

 

“Tigris, it’s not that-”

 

“I know, I know, but you know I don’t mind you telling me anything, right? And I’ll save up for another bed, I promise. Maybe if the job works out we could look into a bigger apartment, so you could have your own room again, wouldn’t that be nice?”

 

It would be, if it wasn’t a senseless dream. Coriolanus hadn’t been able to afford a proper education to award him any decent employment, and generations of his family would turn in their graves if he ever accepted some meager paying service job that would surely strip back whatever remained of his pride. Coriolanus forced himself to smile regardless. “It does sound nice.”

 

Tigris pulled him in for a quick hug. “I’ll let you get back to it then, I know you’d prefer to write in private. I’ll just be on the bed with my headphones if you need anything.”

 

It was the closest to privacy he’d get, so Coriolanus smiled gratefully, though it still didn’t thrill him to do such writing with his cousin only a few feet away from him with only headphones in to prevent her from hearing his soft muttering to himself as he wrote out as thorough a list of his sexual history and interests he could conjure.

 

This better not all be for nothing.

 

-

 

In the end he waited three days to text the number Sejanus had given him. Tigris’s paycheck had run out so there was nothing left in the kitchen but dried beans and some flour. He’d worked on refining the lists quite a bit in the meantime, admittedly using the list of foods he’d like to have around as a bit of a personal fantasy of everything he could imagine waiting ready for him in the mornings when he woke up with a growling stomach.

 

He hadn’t expected a reply at all, if he were honest, but less than five minutes later his phone was buzzing with a message alert.

 

I’m free this afternoon, want me to pick you up? -S

 

Coriolanus considered telling him he’d pay for a car again, but the few bills he still kept tucked away in his lockbox would only cover him to a few blocks away and if this was going to go much further he’d find out about the rundown state of the Snow’s living situation eventually.

 

He texted Sejanus back his address with a winky face and turned his phone over in favor of staring back at his list of kinks, trying to imagine how it would feel to have Sejanus replace the near faceless figures who had performed such actions before.

 

Does he even have it in him to degrade someone else? Or strike me and use me the way that makes me really lose myself?

 

It had been too long since he’d seen those stars behind his eyes. Every time he went out it felt harder and harder to reach. Maybe soon it would be entirely gone.

 

His phone buzzed, drawing him from the moping thoughts.

 

Outside. Want me to come in? -S

 

Coriolanus glanced around the apartment. Tigris was at work and unable to comment on his going out unexpectedly, but even as clean as she kept her scant apartment, it was hardly a living space he’d be proud to show off, Particularly with the implications he didn’t live alone in the minuscule space.

 

Be out in a second. -C

 

There wasn’t much for him to grab aside from a change of clothes and deodorant in a bag. The stack of papers felt heavy, rewritten to remove all the cross-outs with the waste shredded thoroughly and tossed into a dumpster away from the apartment complex and the perfected list kept hidden until the moment his could safely take it out once more.

 

Sejanus was leaning against the side of his car when Coriolanus walked out, breaking into a grin and fumbling back for the handle to open the passenger door when he saw him. “It’s good to see you again.”

 

Better to see me now, anyway. Coriolanus knew well enough he was attractive, but from what he recalled of his most recent night out told him Sejanus hadn’t seen him until he was properly a mess, and even after the shower he didn’t look nearly so put together as he did now in a freshly washed shirt and tight jeans that only looked better for how worn they were. He was lucky when it had come back into fashion in time with every one of his nicer pairs wearing to near rags.

 

It was the car more than Sejanus that caught his eye; he hadn’t caught such a good look at it before, but even being a more sensible model couldn’t hide the luxury brand. Sejanus’s apartment was sensible but nice as well, not to mention his nice, newer clothes.

 

Maybe I could find a man with money after all.

 

He flashed his flirtiest smile as he slid into the car, running his hand across the expensive leather. “Good to see you too.”

 

-

 

A more sober look down Sejanus’s street only proved Coriolanus’s suspicions that he came from a solid amount of money. He accepted Sejanus’s arm to guide him inside even though the steps were familiar enough. It almost felt like being someone proper for a moment, escorted by his rich boyfriend in for an evening of fun.

 

“I figured we could order in some food if you want, while we go over things.” Sejanus unlocked the door and held it open, ushering him inside.

 

The folded up papers still weighed heavily in Coriolanus’s pocket. Practically slicing his palm when he pulled them out to unfold, still too unsure to hand them over until they’d wandered a bit further inside and Sejanus indicated to them with an inquisitive glance.

 

He let out a whistle after barely a second of thumbing through them. “That’s… an impressive list, not gonna lie.”

 

I should’ve known it’d be too much for him.

 

“They’re mostly just suggestions.” Coriolanus shrugged. “Don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, of course.” It was usually others trying to push him into new things, testing his intrigue and his limits. It might have been a comforting change if it didn’t threaten to bore him beyond reason.

 

“Are you comfortable with everything on this list?” Sejanus continued to push, even with the clearly labeled lists of dos and do nots in front of him.

 

What more does he want from me? “Do you think I would’ve written it down if I wasn’t?”

 

“Fair enough.” Sejanus flipped to the second page, nodding as though he’d anticipated a good protion of it. “Any thoughts on praise kinks?”

 

“Huh?” Coriolanus raised an eyebrow in confusion. “I already wrote degradation, I feel like that should answer that question.”

 

“They’re not mutually exclusive,” Sejanus explained with a simple hum, flipping over to the final page with a smile immediately tugging on his cheeks.

 

Coriolanus blushed and looked away as no comment followed immediately. “They’re just suggestions.”

 

“Who knows,” Sejanus shrugged, “If this starts to work between us, I think there’s plenty of things we could get around to eventually.”

 

Flirting was far more up Coriolanus’s alley, so he met Sejanus’s gaze back with a sly smile of his own.

 

“Have you thought about a safeword at all?”

 

Coriolanus’s smile dropped just as quickly. Why does he have to be so difficult about this? “What if I used ‘Sejanus’, would that work?” He expected a biting retort to follow, or perhaps to simply be expulsed immediately, but his breath seemed to linger in time, seconds passing without any retaliation until Sejanus began to smile.

 

“Alright.” Sejanus set aside the papers and gestured back toward his bedroom. “If that’s what you want it to be, sure. But remember: the second that word passes your lips the scene is over, understood?”

 

Coriolanus nodded.

 

“Yes or No, I want your answers verbal so long as it’s possible for you, understood?”

 

“Yes.” Coriolanus wanted to roll his eyes. He’d always hated this part. Doms bossing him around before they’d gotten anywhere near the fun stuff, acting like they knew what was best for him and how they could help while still taking everything they could to benefit themselves.

 

Sejanus put a hand around him to push him forward, keeping it at the small of his back to lead him to the bedroom. “We’re just going to keep things simple for this time, but you have your word if you want things to stop.”

 

Coriolanus nearly snarled from the teasing, Sejanus’s fingers trailing further up his back with only the lightest of touches. “I can handle it.”

 

Sejanus hummed softly as he circled around to Coriolanus’s front. “Oh, I’m not worried about that.” His hands drifted upwards, stroking up Coriolanus’s neck to cup his chin. “I think you’re going to take me better than anyone ever has.”

 

Coriolanus shivered, catching his breath when Sejanus’s other hand twisted around to collect his wrists behind his back.

 

“Go ahead and take your shirt off, then put your wrists back like that,” Sejanus directed, dropping his hands as he stepped back. “I know it’s unlikely, but I’ll give you one warning now to behave yourself if you expect to get what you want.”

 

At least he knows what to expect. Coriolanus snorted, moving quickly to strip off his top while he watched Sejanus walk over to the wider chest of drawers on the other side of his room, barely catching a glimpse of a surprising collection of toys. “How often do you do this, anyway?”

 

“Now and then.” Sejanus turned back to him, twisting a bit of rope around his hands. “I got into a while ago. I had a partner for a long time, we went to all sorts of classes and stuff together. I guess I started collecting some stuff.” He shrugged. “It’s all clean, if you’re worried. I’m pretty thorough about that.”

 

Somehow, Coriolanus truly wasn’t concerned about that. Sejanus’s apartment was probably the cleanest he’d seen since the days of housekeepers and maids in his childhood and he clearly had an attentive eye for such details. Maybe he hires someone out to come clean, he must have the funds for it.

 

“Hands together behind your back,” Sejanus reminded him, smirking even wider when Coriolanus jumped in response to him snapping the rope between his hands. “Actually, come bend yourself over the side of the bed too, it’ll make this easier.”

 

Coriolanus waited with interest to see what would follow as he didn’t respond to either command. After a minute Sejanus quirked an eyebrow and after two he cleared his throat. “Would you like me to repeat that for you, or do you have a question?”

 

Coriolanus swallowed. “No, I heard you.” His body was already moving before his mind even solidified the decision. He crossed his wrists as he bent over the bed, sliding to his knees to keep himself balanced while Sejanus moved around his back.

 

“Good,” Sejanus purred and put one hand flat on Coriolanus’s back to push him just an inch further into the mattress and nudging his knees apart with his foot. “Just hold yourself like that.”

 

Coriolanus attempted to squirm anyway but Sejanus’s hands offered him no leniency to shift his weight.

 

“I said stay,” Sejanus snapped, lifting Coriolanus’s arms enough to begin looping the rope below his elbows and crossing it between them. “Let me know if it’s too tight or your arms start to cramp.”

 

Coriolanus grunted in response then sighed when Sejanus ceased his movements. “ Yes , okay? I will.”

 

“Good.” Sejanus’s voice was instantly chipper again, finishing the knots with a final tug. “I’ll be back in just a second. Just relax, try and get comfortable if you can."

 

Coriolanus could hear the smirk in his voice, grateful enough that his own expression was hidden by the bed at the notion of getting truly comfortable before they’d even begun. Admittedly his arms weren’t wrenched uncomfortably, and the bed was quite nice, but his anticipation only left him getting more and more impatient waiting for Sejanus to return from retrieving whatever else it was he’d decided to implement on him.

 

“So what, or who I guess, got you into this then?” Sejanus sounded far too conversational over the pop of a cap, pouring lube over his fingers when Coriolanus looked back.

 

It was hard to shrug with his arms tied so effectively, so Coriolanus sighed and forced himself to search for a reasonable response. “I just…” He’d been a teenager, trying to put together enough money for his University career while still attempting to graduate. Desperate. His ten dollar handjobs in the bathroom had gotten poplar enough, but it was hardly enough to cover the lack of scholarships he was offered. It all came to a head when he’d finally gotten caught for going further and stepping down to his knees. He remembered that call to the headmaster’s office all too well in how it had ended.

 

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Sejanus assured, suddenly quiet as though he realized he’d stepped onto something that wasn’t meant to be asked. “I didn’t mean to-”

 

“I fucked my high school principle,” Coriolanus cut in with an annoyed hiss. “Alright? Let him bend me over his knees and called him daddy just so I’d graduate instead of getting expelled over some bullshit. Not that it meant much when I still got shorted on scholarships and I know that stupid little man was behind it.” He sounded bitter, certainly but it wasn’t nearly as bad as his ranting and raving directly after the fact. He hadn’t been able to end the frustration in him for days, itching to throw something, break something and tear it to utter pieces, but there was nothing he could sacrifice.

 

Other than himself, in the end. He wasn’t quite of age for clubs, but being eighteen had convinced more than enough men out for a smoke or a piss to give him their time and attention until he forgot the never ending worries running in his mind.

 

A hand on his back made him jerk suddenly, drawn back into the present by the warm touch soothing against his bare skin.

 

“Sorry to touch on something sensitive,” Sejanus apologized, “But I’m here if you ever wanna talk about it more.” His clean hand massaged more firmly down Coriolanus’s back, pushing down the knots of stress long formed under his skin. After a moment his other hand joined, still somewhat slick but doing wonders to assist the pressure on Coriolanus’s spine.

 

Something popped in the deep ache of his back and Coriolanus found himself moaning. Sejanus just kept moving his hands with a level of experience that Coriolanus chose not to question in favor of relaxing into the jello-like feeling in his limbs. “Fuck , you’re good at this.”

 

Sejanus chuckled under his breath. “I took a class awhile back. Thought it’d be useful to know how to do, then… well I didn’t get the chance before things got complicated,” He sighed, stilling for a second before he continued on to Coriolanus’s shoulders. “Glad I can still put it to use.”

 

I wouldn’t mind getting treated to this more often. Coriolanus groaned happily, letting Sejanus work his magic while he stretched out further, trying to encourage him down to the enticing swell of his ass. One of his best qualities, at least by the report of dozens of pleased strangers. “I think you could put something else to use,” He teased, finally rocking back with enough force to hit against Sejanus’s crotch where he was positioned behind him. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

 

“I’ve got you, don’t worry,” Sejanus assured, keeping his hips flush against Coriolanus as he pushed him back onto the bed. “Just stay right there, let me take care of you.”

 

Wouldn’t that be nice. Coriolanus had entertained plenty of offers to ‘take care of him’, usually winding up satisfying theirs well enough and settling for what he could get in the messy rounds that might follow to satiate himself. He’s been full of surprises so far. Not to mention what had drawn him to Sejanus initially promising to be larger than most toys he’d taken.

 

He was tempted to simply request Sejanus to get on with it when the cap popped again to pour out more lube, since he’d already taken the time to clean himself out and take a few of his own fingers to prepare for the evening, but the second those fingers pressed against his rim he was biting his tongue and groaning as Sejanus sank two inside of him with little resistance. He continued to work the same magic with his hands inside as he had down Coriolanus’s back. All too easily massaging him open further, seeming to have a certain goal as he efficiently scissored Coriolanus open before nudging a third finger against his entrance.

 

“I should’ve expected you’d come prepared,” Sejanus hummed softly, “But you’re going to need just a bit more if you want to take all of me.”

 

Coriolanus whimpered at the new stretch, rocking back before Sejanus could take it as a signal to hesitate and causing himself to gasp again once Sejanus sank in to his knuckles. “ Nngh- Fuck, S-” He bit his tongue hard, remembering the game he was playing seconds before it was too late.

 

“What was that?” Sejanus teased, slowing his fingers for a moment. “Didn’t quite catch that last thing.”

 

“Shut up and fuck me like you promised,” Coriolanus growled.

 

“Well that’s no way to get what you want,” Sejanus chided, stilling his hand entirely. “Why don’t you try asking nicely?”

 

Bastard. Coriolanus relented after a few seconds, mostly after realizing he wasn’t able to move his hips to fuck himself with how Sejanus was holding him down, and turned his face so he could glance back at Sejanus over his shoulder. “Fuck me, please,” He huffed, adding after a moment with a slight smirk, “Daddy.”

 

Sejanus’s face twisted into a grimace even as his fingers slowly shifted and began to move once more. “Maybe don’t call me that actually, but I do appreciate you asking more politely this time.” He patted against Coriolanus’s hip before his fingers began to thrust properly inside of him again.

 

Coriolanus turned back to the covers to roll his eyes and try to melt back into the relaxing feeling in his body. It wasn’t difficult in the end, tugging on his wrists to remind himself o the firm restraint he was held in while Sejanus all-too expertly worked him open to take a fourth finger. He really thinks he’s that big. Coriolanus bit back a fresh whimper, considering the large outline he’d admired before he protested the additional preparation.

 

“You think you’re ready?” Sejanus spread his fingers, drawing out another moan as Coriolanus found himself unable to even writhe underneath him.

 

“Please,” Coriolanus gasped, abandoning any teasing reply at the tantalizing sound of Sejanus tugging down his fly and sliding open his belt. He nearly sobbed when Sejanus’s fingers left him gaping while he pulled back a moment, the familiar sounds of a condom package tearing open promising there wasn’t much longer to wait. Still, more pleading words threatened to form in Coriolanus’s throat as he fought back tears, desperate suddenly for any physical stimulation while he waited impatiently for Sejanus to return.

 

“Fuck, you’re hot.” Coriolanus glowed immediately from the earnest praise, keening once Sejanus’s hand found his hair to pull his head back, arching his spine just as the tip of his cock pushed against his entrance. He leaned down over Coriolanus’s back as he slowly pushed inside of him, tickling his ear with his breath as he bent to whisper close to him. “Gorgeous, aren’t you. And those sweet noises you make, just desperate for my cock.” He rolled his hips, sinking in several inches and Coriolanus realized with a swallow he wasn’t even close yet to taking all of him.

 

Already he was more than some men Coriolanus had bothered to spend his time with, considering it wasted the second Sejanus began to thrust, slowly teasing more of his thick length inside with every pulse of his hips. Why couldn’t I have met him sooner. Coriolanus couldn’t even bury his thrilled scream when Sejanus finally found his prostate, clenching tight around him and whimpering further as Sejanus took it as a signal to continue pounding near relentlessly against the spot.

 

“Most people won’t even take me this far,” Sejanus grinned against Coriolanus’s neck, nipping on his skin as he pressed him harder into the mattress, the weight of his chest leaving him entirely immobile on the bed, simply taking everything Sejanus had to give. “Fuck you’re incredible, Coriolanus. Just keep like that. Let me hear you.”

 

Coriolanus moaned louder, barely even hearing Sejanus’s request through the rushing in his ears. None of it mattered in comparison to how full he felt. More than that, complete, as though he’d been long lacking something inside of him that managed to settle into place once Sejanus’s hips finally sat flush against his ass. His weight bearing down only barely shifted once he began to thrust achingly slow, still somehow pulling out gasps from Coriolanus’s throat as he adjusted to the stretch.

 

I’m entirely at his mercy. He could do whatever he wants- Coriolanus sobbed, breaking from the forming trance as Sejanus’s body stilled, pulled back with only the head of his cock still teasing Coriolanus’s hole.

 

“Beg me for it.” Sejanus’s voice sent fresh shivers down Coriolanus’s spine. “I wanna hear how badly you want it.”

 

Coriolanus’s lips were moving ahead of his mind, babbling out his sheer desperation to continue without a care for how pathetic he must seem. “I need you, please, I’ve never felt anyone so perfect, I- please just fuck me- ” His words tumbled into a pathetic whimper as Sejanus offered him a single thrust in reward for his efforts.

 

“Oh I’m going to fuck you, pretty boy, don’t you worry,” He growled deeply, fixing his hands on Coriolanus’s shoulders to shift his weight up and sink down impossibly further inside of him. “I’m gonna- oh!” Sejanus groaned, squeezing tighter as he began to chase his own pleasure.

 

Coriolanus squealed. For all the things he was used to being called during sex, pretty and gorgepus weren't things he’d heard too often and he couldn’t deny it stroked his inner pride over his looks. They were the only asset that had yet to be stripped away from him and he worked hard to keep his features appealing, offering him his variety of choices in partners who were more than happy to take what they were allowed.

 

There wasn’t much time to ruminate on what Sejanus would inevitably take from him when the man continued to slam into him with such force he could barely keep a breath inside his lungs for long enough to moan out more than a single syllable, still unable to stop begging. “Plea- Oh! Please-” There was a wet spot in the sheets from how he’d drooled on the fabric, surely a matching one between his legs from how much his cock was surely leaking with how painfully hard he was, rubbing against the edge of the bed with every pounding thrust.

 

“That’s it,” Sejanus groaned out in further encouragement, “Coriolanus!”

 

Coriolanus scrambled, fighting in attempt to twist and claw his hands against the restraints. He was so close to the edge it was boiling inside of him until he finally screamed out in pure ecstasy, his mind too far gone to think on his choice of words. “Fuck please that’s so good, Sejanus-!”

Notes:

mmmmm, sorry to end off so suddenly, but unfortunately since this is already the length of the previous chapters combined we shall have to pick up next time back with Sejanus's POV

also, heads up for my wonderful regular readers, I will be taking a month off of posting in September so I can prepare for kinktober, but I will be back with many many exciting things which will more than make up for it I'm sure :) There'll be one more post next week (probably another catboy au if I still can't manage to finish the sacrifice au by then) but after that I will be on hiatus until October

oh, yeah, and feel free to leave suggestions for things that are on Coriolanus's lists :P

Chapter 4: So I hold you in my arms and hope for the best

Summary:

The rest of Coryo and Sejanus's night together

Notes:

Chapter kinks/warnings: safewording, kink discussion, gentle choking, aftercare, feeding, flogging, masturbation, subspace

The first thing he’d made sure to drill into his head when he took up being a dom—the first advice he ever gave to anyone else asking about doing it themselves—was always, always listen when your sub safewords. It was the one rule he’d never so much as hesitated over in the past. Admittedly it had never truly been so difficult as realizing his foolish attempt to teach Coriolanus a lesson meant he’d now have to follow through.

 

Sejanus pushed aside his feelings after only a second though, managing to pull himself out with only a small whimper as he leaned further over the bed to check on Coriolanus as he untied the ropes restraining his arms. “Are you okay? What happened?” His voice filled with concern easily at the realization that it might have been more genuine of a request to stop when he realized the blond was crying. “Sweetie, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you. Can you tell me what it was?”

 

Coriolanus let out what sounded like a downright growl before one of his arms shot out, just barely missing a swipe at Sejanus’s face. “You asshole! How dare you fucking-”

 

Sejanus backed away a bit, swinging between hurt and confused as Coriolanus continued to swear at him relentlessly. “Hey!” He snapped back after a moment, trying to keep his tone calm as much as it was commanding. “Look, if you don’t talk to me, I can’t know what I did wrong.”

 

Coriolanus sat up after a moment, chewing on his lip as he stared down into his lap. “You made me say it. When you knew I didn’t actually want to stop.”

 

Sejanus sat on the edge of the bed, settling a leg’s width away from where Coriolanus had propped himself up. “Well I can’t read your mind, so I didn’t know that.” He sighed. “But I am sorry. I wasn’t sure if I could make you understand how important this was otherwise and that’s no excuse for deliberately trying to make you safeword. But I want you to know… I will stop. It’s not some useless thing people do for show; I mean if you’re ever uncomfortable or unsure we can always stop and talk things out for a bit. …Doesn’t even mean we have to stop altogether, if that’s not what you want.”

 

Coriolanus’s face brightened a bit at the last statement. “You mean it? We don’t have to stop?”

 

Sejanus chuckled quietly and shook his head, silently accepting he’d be going back on his earlier threat. “If you talk to me about it and we get to a point we’re both comfortable moving forward, then yeah. But we need to be able to trust in each other , alright?” He held out his hand as a peace offering between them. “So I swear, no more tricks or games. Ever. ”

 

Coriolanus slid his own palm against Sejanus’s with a gentle nod. “I’ll think of something better.”

 

“How about using ‘red’ for tonight? We can brainstorm something more tailored to you later,” Sejanus offered, scooting closer to close the gap between them. “That is, if you still want to keep going.”

 

“Yes.” Coriolanus was climbing into his lap with no hesitation, wiping his eyes quickly and straightening his face into a more reassuring smile. “Please. I didn’t mean to freak out like that.” He chuckled, trying to brush it aside like it was nothing even though Sejanus could see it affecting him still.

 

“It’s okay,” Sejanus promised, grabbing hold of Coriolanus’s thighs and squeezing enough to get a small gasp in response. “I promised to take care of you, didn’t I? ‘M not gonna leave you over one little thing.”

 

Something relaxed in Coriolanus’s shoulders as he whimpered from the continued massage, leaning forward against Sejanus’s chest and allowing him to maneuver his body easily in his hands. He’s so perfect for this. Sejanus could only mourn that so many others had brought the man down such a reckless path, taking advantage of how easily and willingly he submitted and taking their own pleasure without concern for how they abandoned him in the end.

 

I won’t leave you so easily. Sejanus hummed, nuzzling down to kiss at the faded bruises on Coriolanus’s neck from plenty of past hickies, sucking and nibbling until he was leaving red marks of his own to cover them. His cock had softened a bit during their talk, but it wasn’t long until he was rolling his hips up into the slick spot between Coriolanus’s thighs. He waited until Coriolanus was panting with his own heavy moans before picking him up and letting him sink down slowly on his cock, holding up Coriolanus’s thighs to keep him from moving any faster than allowed.

 

“Please,” Coriolanus whined with a gasp. “-Sejanus!”

 

Sejanus felt him freeze again at the word and immediately moved to massage the tension from Coriolanus’s thighs, letting him sink down another inch in reward and biting harder along the side of his pale neck. “Good boy. That’s it, just relax. Doing so good for me.” He continued to babble on with soft, encouraging nonsense as Coriolanus slowly seated down flush with his hips. It was remarkable how effortless he made it seem despite how few others Sejanus knew could do the same.

 

He’s remarkable. Sejanus itched to drown him in the praise, but didn’t want to risk making him too uncomfortable if Coriolanus truly wasn’t into that. As it was, he seemed to be enjoying the sweet nothings Sejanus liked to mutter under his breath to encourage him. Something about the way his head rolled back, panting out soft moans with every rock of Sejanus’s hips and whimpering at every affirming word that slipped from his lips made it utterly impossible to stop.

 

Something stirred in Sejanus’s stomach seeing Coriolanus’s neck so exposed and open to him, darker marks blooming fresh from the spots he’d dug in his teeth to hear the delighted gasps it brought from Coriolanus’s lips. It was on his list. Sejanus’s hand rose rather hesitantly, tracing small circles up Coriolanus’s chest before settling his hand loosely around his throat. “Is this okay?”

 

Coriolanus was already leaning into his grasp with an eagerness shining in his eyes. “Please.” He licked his lips, tilting back his head even further in open invitation while taking in a deep breath.

 

“Don’t hold your breath,” Sejanus directed immediately, squeezing in with his fingers on the sides of Coriolanus’s neck as he murmured, “You take what I give you.”

 

“Oh- ooh,” Coriolanus released a moan so guttural it made Sejanus’s cock throb, somehow managing to squeeze tighter around him while the rest of his body went half limp in Sejanus’s hands. Allowing himself to be maneuvered and bounced in Sejanus’s lap with ease.

 

It was hard not to go further than a gentle squeeze, but Sejanus wouldn’t risk truly cutting off Coriolanus’s air until they had a better system to communicate without words and he could ensure the other would truly use it. As it was Coriolanus was leaning into his palm hard enough to restrict his own air at the peak of every thrust of Sejanus’s hips, his eyes rolling back and sputtering out moans with every ragged breath.

 

It felt simultaneously as though Sejanus could fuck the blond forever and like he was seconds from bursting over the edge every time he sank inside of Coriolanus’s desperate form. When his lips parted in the echo of another drippingly sweet moan Sejanus couldn’t resist but to lean in and taste it off his lips. Kissing him so deeply he could feel Coriolanus begin to truly struggle for air, the blond stubbornly refusing to allow him to pull away as he rode down harder on top of him until his movements began to stutter with his rapidly oncoming orgasm.

 

Sejanus released his throat and grabbed back at Coriolanus’s hair to drag his head backwards, practically forcing him to breathe in before his body began to shake and grow loose in Sejanus’s arms as his cock spurted hot ropes of cum over both of their stomachs. Sejanus wasn’t far behind him with the way Coriolanus tightened and spasmed around his cock. Even continuing to grind down in Sejanus’s lap past the length of his orgasm once he’d collapsed against Sejanus’s chest and immediately glowing with delight at the warmth of cum spilling inside of him.

 

“Fuck,” Sejanus gasped, pushing his arm out behind him on the bed to steady their bodies while the other came up to wrap around Coriolanus’s back and rub slow gentle circles down his spine. What I wouldn’t give to do this on the regular again.

 

He was so done for. One little taste and he was addicted to the sweet blond squirming in his lap.

 

“Mmmmhm,” Coriolanus purred. His blue eyes fluttering closed while he barely reacted to Sejanus shifting him up beyond a small whine at the loss of Sejanus’s cock inside him. It was difficult to roll the condom off with one hand, but Coriolanus didn’t seem quite willing to separate yet so Sejanus leaned to toss it into the trash before dipping back on his bed and rolling to the side to allow Coriolanus to get comfortable in his arms.

 

“So how long does it normally take you to go again?” Coriolanus asked it so casually that Sejanus couldn’t help but snort.

 

“Seriously?” Sejanus let out a soft chuckle, nosing along the back of Coriolanus’s neck and pondering the true answer. Maybe half an hour or so on his own, but having a partner tease him so thoroughly certainly helped. Coriolanus was already grinding himself back against his soft cock, clearly hoping for a reaction to follow. “Give me a few minutes, alright? We can go take a shower… Make a bit more of a mess while we clean ourselves up.” He kissed the back of Coriolanus’s neck, adding in a playful nibble that brought out a hopeful gasp from the blond.

 

“Mmmmm,” Coriolanus hummed with another teasing grind of his hips. “Just don’t keep me waiting too long… I might have to go rummaging through that drawer of yours and find something else to play with.”

 

Sejanus rolled his eyes, keeping his smile hidden between soft kisses and bites on Coriolanus’s neck, using one hand to distract him with a teasing slide up his thigh while the other stretched back to reach for his phone and mentally running down what he recalled from Coriolanus’s list of desired foods. Even if it didn’t seem high on his submissive’s priority list, Sejanus knew sooner or later he was going to remember he needed to eat. “Don’t you worry baby,” He purred, “I’m gonna keep you satisfied all night long.”

 

-

 

Sejanus didn’t hold back on his promise. By the time their shower was finished Coriolanus could barely stand up from how thoroughly he’d been pounded against the shower tiles and he had to lean into Sejanus’s arms once more, hardly resisting being swept off his feet and carried out to the plush-looking couch out in the living room. No sooner was he settling into cuddling with the other man on the couch than someone knocked on the front door.

 

“I didn’t realize you were expecting someone else,” Coriolanus joked, holding back a twinge of annoyance at the idea.

 

“It’s just the food delivery,” Sejanus explained quickly, clambering up from his seat as the knocks continued. “I’ll be just a sec, okay?”

 

Coriolanus hadn’t even realized how hungry he was. He’d been hungry when he got there, now the mere thought of freshly delivered warm food had him salivating in his seat, hardly able to sit still while he waited for Sejanus to return with the promised sustenance.

 

The smell was heavenly. Coriolanus was out of his seat the second Sejanus returned with bags in his hands, rifling through the first one he set down, intent on devouring the first thing he found that was edible. Sejanus had ordered quite a bit, so it hardly seemed selfish to take a full container of noodles and chicken before sliding back to his seat, hoping to seem at least somewhat casual as he barely held himself from tearing the package open and shoveling it down his throat.

 

Thankfully, Sejanus seemed equally interested in in own selected meal, kicking back on the couch with a heaping forkful and smiling back at Coriolanus once he noticed his glance. “Take as much as you want; I didn’t know what you wanted and I know I can’t get through all these leftovers.” He chuckled as though it was nothing. Like the half dozen meals spread out before them weren’t more than Coriolanus ate in some weeks.

 

Coriolanus swallowed, the food suddenly sinking like a stone in his gullet as he pushed the remains away. “I don’t need your charity.” What he’d managed to eat would calm the pains of hunger until he got home, at least. Maybe Tigris had scrounged up something edible on the way home from work.

 

He’d barely moved to get to his feet before he heard Sejanus huff in frustration.

 

“Sit down.” Sejanus’s voice was perfectly calm and level despite the firmness of the order sending Coriolanus sinking back into his seat. “You remember your safeword?” He stretch out his hand, cupping Coriolanus’s chin with a questioning look.

 

“I do,” Coriolanus promised quietly, more intrigued now at the prospect of continuing their fun.

 

“Tell me.”

 

Coriolanus hesitated, wondering it it was another sort of test that would cut off any further interaction, but Sejanus was giving him a firm look to pair with his order. “Red. It’s red, but I-”

 

“It’s okay,” Sejanus smiled back at him, “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop, just checking.” He leaned back on the couch and patted his thighs. “Come here.”

 

Coriolanus was quicker to obey this time, sliding over on the couch and crawling up to straddle Sejanus’s thighs. He wasted no time in bouncing in his lap, somewhat confused to find him entirely soft inside the loose sweatpants he’d changed into.

 

“Tch tch,” Sejanus shook his head, still with the same amused smile. “Maybe if you're good for me now we can go for another round after we eat.” He took Coriolanus’s hands in his own, guiding them down to rest on his thighs before reaching around him to grab the container of food he’d pushed away. “Are you gonna be good?”

 

Coriolanus nodded, biting his lip when Sejanus continued to stare questioningly into his eyes. “Yes sir. ”

 

Sejanus hummed in response, twirling the fork around in the noodles to get a proper bite and holding it up to Coriolanus’s lips. “Open.”

 

It was all too easy to follow Sejanus’s instructions with the man’s hand digging fingers into his side, rewarding him with the scrape of his nails up Coriolanus’s back once he opened his mouth to accept the bite.

 

“That’s it,” Sejanus whispered in encouragement, wiping the side of Coriolanus’s mouth while he chewed. “Good boy.”

 

Coriolanus tried not to grow too eager under the mix of praise, pain, and the delicious bites of food Sejanus offered him between bites of his own meal. Every time he tried to grind down against Sejanus’s hips he found himself softly reprimanded, forced to still himself and ignore the erection growing painful in his jeans in favor of savoring every bite Sejanus placed to his lips.

 

“Do you want desert?” Sejanus offered, scraping out the last bite to hold out in offering, already having cleared his own plate in large bites in between the ones fed to Coriolanus. “I got some cheesecake, or there’s ice cream in the freezer.”

 

Coriolanus considered it for a moment, but ultimately shook his head, far more eager for the other treat he’d been promised.

 

“I couldn’t hear that.” Sejanus reached up to grab at Coriolanus’s hair, dragging his head back and stroking his other fingers down the exposed length of his throat. “What did you say?”

 

“No, sir.” Coriolanus swallowed, feeling Sejanus’s grip tighten almost painfully in his hair. “Th-thank you, sir.”

 

“There you go.” Sejanus slapped him lightly across the cheek, just enough to provide a pleasing sting. “Now was that so hard?”

 

Coriolanus felt frozen in place, unable to stop the desperate moan he let out the moment his was struck and silently hoping he might get another if he kept obeying Sejanus’s directions. “No, sir.”

 

“Sir. Hmm, I like that,” Sejanus hummed with a soft smile, stroking across the spot he’d hit to sooth the skin. “Do you want to stay here tonight? Because if I take you back to my bedroom now I sincerely doubt you’ll be leaving until morning, at least.” It was more of a promise than a threat, but the way Sejanus bared his teeth in a grin had Coriolanus shivering down his spine in anticipation.

 

Tigris wouldn’t be thrilled he hadn’t mentioned he’d be out for the night, but nothing sounded more appealing in that moment than discovering just how hard Sejanus could pound him into the deliciously soft mattress waiting for them back in the bedroom.

 

“Yes,” Coriolanus couldn’t resist grinding down his hips once more to emphasize his eagerness. “Please-oh!” Sejanus’s thumb slipped between his lips and Coriolanus didn’t hesitate to suck down around it, using his tongue to run across the underside and fucking his mouth up and down the short length of it.

 

“You’ve got a real knack for that, huh?” Sejanus sounded more than a little pleased, the twitching Coriolanus had felt between his legs growing into a tent that he didn’t deny Coriolanus the pleasure of grinding himself against. “Wonder what other little talents you’re hiding…”

 

In one swift motion, Sejanus removed his thumb and swept his arm underneath Coriolanus’s hips while he stood, flipping him over his shoulder and letting out a laugh at his surprised squeak. “What? You said you wanted to go back to the bedroom, didn’t you?”

 

Coriolanus couldn’t deny that, nor the fact that it was thrilling to be carried so effortlessly over one of Sejanus’s shoulders like he barely weighed anything. He was only able to wonder what else the man might have in store for him just waiting in the bedroom. I might be addicted to his cock already and it’s only been a few rounds. He needed to be careful before he found himself unsatisfied by anything less, entirely dependent on getting his fix and crawling back time after time to the same man like a pathetic whore.

 

Not as if everyone doesn’t think that of me already.

 

His reputation around the club was hardly a secret. Not that he ever paid much attention to such things during the course of searching out his own pleasures in the company of strangers and copious alcohol. But it was hard not to see when it was more often than not scribbled across his skin or spat in his face by people he’d never seen before in his life but seemed more than knowledgeable of what he’d allow them to do without resistance.

 

Sejanus brought him back to his bedroom and closed the door, but instead of the bed Coriolanus was set on the floor next to it and ordered to strip while Sejanus moved back to his drawer of toys. It was hard to sit still under the growing anticipation and Coriolanus was sure it was intentional how long Sejanus spend humming to himself over his selection, leaving him to squirm in his place on the floor.

 

“I better not find you touching yourself back there,” Sejanus warned sharply. “I promise you’ll find it far more rewarding to behave, in the end.”

 

He’d certainly shown that to be true throughout their interactions, but Coriolanus could never resist to test others’ limits when he got the chance. Besides, it was painful how hard he was already. Surely nothing could be worse than denying himself while Sejanus continued to waste time rummaging around in a drawer he surely had meticulously organized to his desires.

 

I’ll stop before he’s finished, Coriolanus told himself, holding back a soft whimper, I just need a bit-

 

Sejanus cleared his throat and Coriolanus froze, looking up to see Sejanus’s face gazing back at him through a mirror sitting above the dresser.

 

Coriolanus swallowed and snatched his hands away. There was no use in feigning innocence when Sejanus had fully caught him in the act, only hopes that his punishment would still fall in line with his fantasies of what Sejanus might do to him.

 

“I didn’t mean to,” Coriolanus murmured in apology, bowing his head and tucking his hands behind his back. “I won’t do it again.”

 

“No, you won’t.” Sejanus declared it decisively, snapping a soft leather flogger in his hands. “Now, I want you to be honest with me, Coriolanus,” He turned around to look him firmly in the eyes, “Do you enjoy getting hurt?”

 

“I do,” Coriolanus said, likely too quickly for Sejanus’s taste, but he didn’t even need to consider it. He wanted to feel something, and even simple handcuffs and spanking didn’t do much for him anymore.

 

This is why strangers are so much easier. They never care enough to ask questions.

 

“Then you should know that with me, it’s a reward, not a punishment. I don’t see any point in punishing you with something you enjoy, do you?” He snapped the flogger against his own arm with a sharp slap.

 

“No, sir,” Coriolanus felt himself tremble, still eyeing the flogger with some hope. “Please, sir, I’m sorry-”

 

“I’m not going to punish you tonight,” Sejanus promised, stalking up to him. “However, your reward isn’t going to half of what it could’ve been if you’d managed to keep those pretty hands on your thighs, do you understand?”

 

Coriolanus nodded, unable to keep himself from shifting in nervous excitement seeing Sejanus twisting the flogger in his hands. “Yes sir.” He’d proven himself to be generous, so Coriolanus wondered if there might be potential yet to earn back some of the proposed reward he’d lost if he was pleasing enough to the dom going forward. He batted his eyes, arching up his back in a way he knew was appealing from the angle Sejanus looked down on him and licked his lips. “ Thank you, sir.”

 

Sejanus only chuckled, running a hand down through Coriolanus’s curls. “Now if only you were this sweet all the time, and not just in favor of getting what you want.” He tickled the end of the flogger up Coriolanus’s side, listening to the hitch of his breath in reaction and moving it up to tip Coriolanus’s chin even further up in the air. “I want you to turn over, onto your hands and knees and spread your legs, then you’re going to have two minutes, during which I’m going to give you ten strikes. You can touch yourself all you like during that time to help you along, because if you don’t cum, I’m going to that needy little cock of yours in a cage for the rest of the night, understand?”

 

Coriolanus swallowed, feeling the flogger shift with the bob of his throat. “I understand.”

 

“If you have any objections to that, I’d like to hear them now.”

 

Coriolanus shook his head, lowering his gaze as he shifted to move into the requested position. “I don’t, sir.”

 

“Good,” Sejanus purred, grabbing a generous handful of Coriolanus’s ass as it was pushed out in offering to him. “Let’s get started.”

 

Coriolanus yelped loudly at the first strike, not expecting it to be nearly so harsh from how gently Sejanus had insisted on treating him up to that point. Almost automatically, his hand moved to touch his cock, not minding in the slightest that he had to rest his cheek against the carpeted floor to keep his balance with his ass in the air and his legs spread to give Sejanus an egregious view of his self-pleasure.

 

Even unable to see Sejanus behind him, Coriolanus was confident he was enjoying the show when he was rewarded with two more sharp, stinging hits on either side of his ass. Fuck, Coriolanus hissed out a whimper, struggling to keep his position through the delightful sensation of Sejanus’s firm strikes.

 

Seven left. Coriolanus moved his hand more quickly, knowing his time was ticking away far too quickly as Sejanus drew back for another hit. As hard as he was, it was rare to get himself over the edge so quickly. The time limit was certainly interesting, particularly because Sejanus had neglected to mention what might happen if he succeeded in cumming before time ran out, almost like he didn’t expect Coriolanus to succeed.

 

And there was nothing Coriolanus enjoyed more than living up to a seemingly impossible challenge.

 

The fourth strike landed squarely on the top of his ass, followed by one on the inside of each of his thighs landing dangerously close to where Coriolanus’s hand was bobbing up and down his cock

 

“Only a minute left,” Sejanus teased, running the end of the flogger gently across Coriolanus’s balls and making him freeze for a moment in fear of what might happen. “Better make it count.”

 

He was close, Coriolanus could feel it tickling in his nerves, building further as Sejanus followed through with a single strike to the sensitive underside of his cock, not as harsh as the other but still enough to make him yelp and reflexively pull away from the stinging shock. Fuck. He couldn’t hold back a sob even as his hand went back to stroking his weeping cock, knowing how little time he had remaining to finish and desperate not to fail.

 

He tried not to think about how the time limit or how few strikes Sejanus had yet to deliver, instead focusing on the prospects of what else the night might entail. Coriolanus was already finding himself impatient for Sejanus to finally fuck him again, knowing the man must be capable of more than he’d shown already.

 

I wonder how rough he’ll get once I can finally convince him he won’t hurt me in a way that I don’t want.

 

As though hearing his thoughts and desiring to challenge that belief, Sejanus drew back and delivered the eighth and ninth hits with far more punishing strength behind them to the soles of Coriolanus’s feet.

 

“Agh! Oh-” Coriolanus practically screamed, his body jumping in attempt to shrink himself away from the pain but he settled himself quickly back into position, holding himself diligently in place to await the last promised hit. “Please, Sejanus!”

 

There was a soft rustle and a creak and suddenly Sejanus’s hands were on his feet, massaging them down with soft, apologetic whispers. “You’re doing so well, baby, look at you…” One of his hands brushed up Coriolanus’s bare leg and in between his thighs to wrap around his hand and join in jerking him off at the same brutal pace his own hand had set. “Are you close?”

 

Coriolanus moaned, his face sliding on the wet spot of drool he’d created on the floor. “I’m so- Oh!” Sejanus squeezed harshly around him and Coriolanus’s vision turned to stars, his body collapsing without the strength to hold himself up and finding Sejanus’s hands holding his hips to keep him from falling to the floor entirely in a mess of cum and spit.

 

“That’s it,” Sejanus purred in encouragement, petting down his back with warm tingles sparking out from every gentle tough. “Such a good boy for me, aren’t you?”

 

Coriolanus whimpered, pushing himself up a few inches off the floor with trembling hands to look back at Sejanus. “Th- that was only nine.” He swallowed, suddenly reconsidering if him bringing that up was meant to be another test. “I- I think, I could be wrong…”

 

Sejanus chuckled, pulling him up into his arms to rest back against his chest. “No, you’re right. I didn’t forget, just thought you might want a moment.” He pressed a kiss to Coriolanus’s cheek. “You ready now?”

 

“Mmhmm,” Coriolanus nodded immediately in agreement even though his head was still swimming and his body swayed unsteadily as Sejanus moved to set him against the foot of the bed. He didn’t appear convinced in the slightest. “I do… Ssir.” He couldn’t keep his voice from slurring even without any alcohol in his system. Fuck. He never could get everything he wanted when it came to Sejanus, could he?

 

“How about this—I’ll give you a choice,” Sejanus offered, “You can have you last hit now, where you want to take it.” He stroked down Coriolanus’s cheek and down his thigh with each of his hands, keeping them steady and soothing. “Or, I’ll give you twenty more, any time you choose, after tonight of course, and I’ll even let you pick the tool I do it with. What do you think?”

 

I think I’m not an idiot. No matter how he’d looked forward to that pleasant sting, he was already twisting in his fogged mind the possibilities Sejanus’s offer presented him with.

 

“Twenty.” He said with a smile and leaned further into Sejanus’s pleasant hands wandering his body, already promising more of the gentle touches he seemed to enjoy showering Coriolanus in after they fucked. “Whenever I want.”

Notes:

I guess the chapter lengths are getting longer in this fic now bc I just couldn't hold myself back once again and this one ended up much longer than the first two :P Oh well, more room to let them go at it in creative ways ig

I'm kinda getting really inter writing this story, so hopefully the next chapter won't take nearly as long <3 Sorry for the long break once again but I am back at it!

Chapter 5: And wonder when the fantasy fades

Summary:

Coriolanus has to go home eventually, and things only get worse from there

Notes:

TW for this and likely the next several chapters dealing with Coriolanus's substance abuse, it will get better for him, but he is still a mess, unfortunately

It wasn’t rare for Coriolanus to spend the night enraptured in a pleasant dream of losing himself in the pleasure of his body, but for the first time he could recall it wasn’t some faceless, emotionless body pounding into him throughout his fantasy. No, instead it was Sejanus’s warm face smiling down at him, praising him for how beautifully he took the pain, and holding him tight even as his body lost control.

 

Usually though, it was shower noises or being roughly pushed out of a stranger’s bed that woke him up, not a gentle arm shaking his shoulder and a soft voice in his ear. Coriolanus groaned and blinked open his eyes to see the same eyes he’d been dreaming about staring down at him.

 

“Hey, your phone’s been ringing nonstop for a few minutes.”

 

Coriolanus shot upwards, finally hearing the annoyingly loud buzz coming from the nightstand. Fuck. He grabbed it and ran for the bathroom, barely considering his lack of clothing or Sejanus’s calling after him the second he saw Tigris’s name on the front.

 

“Hey,” He picked up once he was finally safely closed in the bathroom, trying to sound casual even though it was hard to stop himself from shaking. Fuck, I need a drink. “What’s up?”

 

“I thought we talked about you telling me if you were going to disappear on me again?” Tigris sounded pissed.

 

“I’m just with a friend, alright? I didn’t get kidnapped.” He still didn’t understand why Tigris was so protective of him after he’d been an adult for years now. “I’m sorry, I just forgot to text you that I was staying over. Everything is fine, okay? I’ll be home in a bit.” Maybe after another round or two, if Sejanus was willing.

 

“Is this the same mysterious ‘friend’ of yours you’re with basically every weekend and yet I’m never allowed to meet?”

 

Coriolanus had known a long time ago she’d grow tired of that excuse. And this time it’s almost half true, too. “Can we talk about this when I get home? I’ve got to go.” He didn’t give her time to protest before ending the call with a sigh. Maybe it would be easier if I tried being on my own again. It was tough, finding a way to safely lug around his things, but he’d made it through hopping from bed to bed instead of returning to Tigris’s apartment during their arguments before, surely he could again.

 

Sejanus did ask if I needed a place.

 

Coriolanus shook away the thought as quickly as it appeared. The last thing he needed in his life was to be indebted to a stranger who had already shown enough judgment over his life choices. He had a phonebook’s worth of contacts in his phone of people who would happily take his company for a night or three with no questions asked or eyebrows raised, many of them more than happy to let him get as inebriated as he wanted no matter what hour of the day and certainly not wasting time on dumb formalities like safewords.

 

And not a single one of them with a cock half as nice. Truly, even thinking of it Coriolanus couldn’t imagine calling anyone else when he knew what he’d be missing. Knowing how soft and yet harsh Sejanus could be in the most perfect of ways.

 

He was so, truly, utterly , fucked.

 

There was a gentle knock on the door and Coriolanus heard Sejanus’s voice rumbling through it. “Hey. Just wondering if you were alright?”

 

“I’m fine,” Coriolanus insisted. “Just my cousin being nosy.” He pushed the door open and tried his best not to look too uncomfortable as he tucked his phone away.

 

“I do need to take you home soon anyway,” Sejanus smiled apologetically. “I’m going out with my parents for lunch in a few hours and helping them around the house after, so I'll pick you up some breakfast on our way back to your place, but no more fun for me today.”

 

Coriolanus pouted out his lip and tilted his hips to a more inviting position. “Not even a little? ”

 

Sejanus chuckled, shaking his head while he leaned in for a kiss. “I guess a little couldn’t hurt anyone.”

 

-

 

It was hard not to notice how quiet Coriolanus was on the ride home. He’d seemed exited in his silence on the way over, keeping a smile perked on his lips and his eyes over at Sejanus every time he glanced over, but now his gaze was firmly in his lap where his hands were twisting together nervously.

 

Sejanus knew he shouldn’t push. What was happening between Coriolanus and his family wasn’t his business and the blond had made it clear he didn’t enjoy Sejanus poking about in his life beyond their sexual encounters. It was important for him to respect the man’s boundaries if he ever expected to earn his trust.

 

It wasn’t until he turned into the cheap apartment complex and saw a tall, blonde woman standing outside who made Coriolanus gasp and freeze uncomfortably in his seat when he saw her that he got truly concerned.

 

“Just drop me off here,” Coriolanus said quickly, grabbing his things and unbuckling his seat belt before Sejanus even stopped the car. “I’ll text you sometime later.” He was scrambling out of the car the second it stopped, not even bothering to wait for Sejanus’s response or a goodbye.

 

I hope I didn’t get him in too much trouble. Sejanus’s first thought was to leave, knowing it was what Coriolanus likely wanted him to do and feeling rather intrusive seeing Coriolanus walking up to who must be his cousin, with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face directed not toward Coriolanus, but straight through his windshield to stare daggers through him. She stepped forward, just enough to not give him room to keep driving without backing up and going around her, Coriolanus at her side clearly trying to get her to follow him inside.

 

The woman turned back to him and said something Sejanus couldn’t make out, but whatever it was had Coriolanus shrinking back, mumbling something himself before he turned and stormed into the apartment.

 

Fuck, the worst thing he can do is hate me. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d gotten too involved with a submissive’s personal life and scared them off. Sejanus put the car in park and stepped out with a hesitant smile and a wave in the woman’s direction. “Hi.”

 

She crossed her arms again. “And who are you?”

 

“I’m Sejanus. You’re Tigris, right?” Sejanus stepped forward and held out his hand, doing his best to remain calm under her critical gaze. “It’s nice to meet you.”

 

“Coriolanus hasn’t told me about you.” Tigris’s face remained tight as she accepted his hand in her own. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”

 

“I met him over the weekend, actually. We have some mutual friends who introduced us.” It was true, neglecting what environment had drawn them together and the lack of formal introduction in the way he might have implied. “I’m sorry if I kept him out longer than he told you he’d be.” It was only fair that he took some of the blame, after all.

 

Tigris’s eyes only narrowed further. Clearly she didn’t trust him, and considering how many marks of abuse Coriolanus carried without explaining his proclivities to his cousin it was only understandable what she must assume.

 

From what little he’d learned of Coriolanus’s past with dominants, it didn’t seem she was entirely wrong, either.

 

“Do you plan on seeing him again?”

 

“I’d like to,” Sejanus admitted, unsure how exactly he could convince Tigris he wasn’t abusing her cousin without breaking his promise to Coriolanus. “If he decides to call me back, of course.”

 

Tigris nodded, her stance not relaxing.

 

Sejanus sighed. “I know you’re worried about him.”

 

“Should I be?” Tigris raised an eyebrow and took a single step forward. “Because I’ll have you know, if I ever find out you’re the one hurting him, I-” Her had rose while she was talking, clenching into a fist before she saw it and immediately yanked it back. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

 

“Good.” Sejanus nodded firmly. “It’s good to know he’s got someone looking after him. I know I’ve only known him a little bit, but he’s a really great guy and I want you to know I only want what’s best for him. I’d never do anything to cause him harm.”

 

Tigris eyed him one last time before stepping back onto the sidewalk. “I suppose we’ll see.”

 

It seemed as close to approval he was going to get, so Sejanus gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile before slipping back into his car with a sigh, only able to hope he hadn’t just fucked things up beyond repair.

 

-

 

“He seems nice.”

 

Coriolanus cringed as soon as Tigris walked back into the apartment. The longer she’d been out there the worse the bubbling anxiety in his stomach had gotten, almost to the point of walking back out himself just to make sure Sejanus wasn’t out there spilling all his secrets the moment his back was turned.

 

Why couldn’t he just drive away? Most everyone does.

 

He should’ve insisted on a cab. If Sejanus hadn’t offered to pay he could’ve just walked, it would be far better than the alternative of Tigris knowing what he truly got up to whenever he snuck away.

 

“He’s alright.” Coriolanus shrugged nonchalantly, though mentally he was doing a thorough check of his cousin’s expressions of any sign of suspicion over his activities. He knew his neck looked like a crime scene and there was little to be done to hide it, but truly there were few times that it didn’t and it seemed to be yet another thing she’d gotten used to glazed over when he slunk home at strange hours of the night. “Drives a nice car.”

 

Tigris hummed, the floorboards creaking underneath even her light footsteps as she strolled into the kitchen. “Did you have a nice night?”

 

She was testing him, certainly. Coriolanus remained passive, uncaring for how her eyes slid down across his bruised neck. It’s not like it’s any of her business. Yet she continued to pester at him about his personal life regardless. “He’s not some crazed killer, alright? We just hung out and had dinner. You don’t have to worry so much.”

 

“Don’t bullshit me, Coryo.” Tigris snapped. “This is the third time just this month you’ve gone off with some stranger and come back looking like you were in a fight!” She took a deep breath, leveling her rising tone as she so often did. As if any noise too loud would be too much for Coriolanus to handle. “I just wish you would tell me what’s going on. If someone out there is hurting you, you know I’ll do everything I can-”

 

“I’m fine! Tigris!” Coriolanus shouted. Why can’t she just stay out things that don’t concern her? “I don’t need your help!”

 

Tigris’s face changed, shifting from concern to an anger he rarely saw behind her eyes as they flitted about the apartment. The pathetically small and run-down space she worked seemingly endless hours just to afford. It wasn’t nearly large enough a space for two, but they’d made it work for years on Tigris’s pittance of a salary and what Coriolanus could swipe and pawn from the bathrooms of a hundred hookups.

 

“You don’t mean that.” Tigris was seething. “Coriolanus, I am here for you with whatever is going on between you and that man but do not come back here and act like an entitled child-”

 

“Well at least he is not being a pain in my neck over a stupid little mark!” He’d likely gone too far already, but it was impossible not to scream over the thundering rush in his veins. It was the closest thing he’d had to a drug for the better half of a week and he was desperate for that kind of high to pair with the satisfaction Sejanus had offered him still thrumming under his skin. “I’ve told you, I can take care of myself. If someone tried something, I’d take care of it, alright? Either way I sure as fuck wouldn’t involve you.”

 

Tigris gasped in exasperation, pinching the bridge of her nose before she swung around towards the chest of drawers where Coriolanus kept his things. “I don’t have to take this from you. You’re probably not even in your right mind right now-”

 

“Fuck off!” Coriolanus stormed up to her, stepping in front of the chest where she couldn’t get into it. “I’m not on drugs again, Tigris! You can’t just go poking through my things because you’re pissed I told you the honest fucking truth!”

 

“Get out.”

 

Too far. Coriolanus swallowed. “Tigris, I didn’t mean it like-”

 

“What? That you don’t need my help any more?” Tigris pushed him to the side, sliding open the drawer with his clothes and gathering a pile into her hands. “That you can take care of yourself now? Because the last time I checked you weren’t the one doing everything around here! And I wasn’t the one coming home several times a week either drunk, high, or too hungover to function just to spend the rest of my time being miserable about my life instead of ever looking for a way to make things better!” Tears were streaming down her face but her voice didn’t break from the swell of anger that had bubbled inside of her. “And I have tried everything to make things better for us, Coryo, but there is only so much I can take!”

 

Coriolanus’s voice was stuck in his throat as a bundle of his things were pushed into his hands. It wasn’t even the first time she’d kicked him out over the years, always swayed by the inevitable mess he’d be the next time they saw each other, more fueled by substances he could bum off of others at the club than any amount of food and surviving bed to bed, stranger to stranger until it became all too much to handle once again and he was forced to come back with an apology and promises to be better, knowing his cousin wouldn’t ever turn him away if she didn’t believe he had somewhere to go.

 

“I’m sorry.” He struggled to get the words out, looking down at the bundle of clothing in his arms. “I’m… I’m not fucked up right now, I swear.” It was hardly believable when he was shaking worse than the last time he’d tried stimulants.

 

Tigris shook her head with a look of disbelief. “Sure. Because that would make everything alright, wouldn’t it? That you just said all of that, and meant it.”

 

“I didn’t-”

 

“Go call one of your ‘friends’,” Tigris huffed. Coriolanus had barely noticed before how deeply sunken the dark circles under her eyes were. It wouldn’t be the first time Fabricia kept her at work overnight only to expect her back the next day, the long additional hours doing little to boost her meager pay. “I can’t deal with this right now.”

 

Coriolanus was boiling inside as he clutched the bundle to his chest, trying to force out words that wouldn’t come and finding himself inching back towards the door. Hopefully things would calm down, as they always had, after a week or a few, but Coriolanus was never sure. Every time it seemed to take her longer and longer to pick up his calls. Certainly leading to a day eventually when she’d leave him entirely alone.

 

He stayed in the shade of the porch to pull out his phone, scrolling through a list of numbers, most of whom had a note attached not to contact them again, but there were still a few he hadn’t burned all bridges with quite yet.

 

It was a pity Sejanus had made it clear he’d be busy for the day, because even thinking about some of the shitholes he’d stayed in overnight made him miss the simple luxuries of Sejanus’s home already.

 

Maybe I’ll have better luck trying to pick up another stranger.

 

It was a bit early for any real action, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’d spent the length of Arachne’s entire shift leaning over the bar, batting his eyes or opening his legs in hopes someone would buy him a drink and he’d get lucky on a decent fuck and a good night’s sleep, maybe even a free meal or two.

 

He could only hope the entirety of his luck hadn’t already run out in the fading bliss of the night before.

Notes:

also sorry for all of the comments I have yet to reply to, work and life have been trying as of late so it's hard to get to small stuff like that sometimes when I barely have energy for big stuff. Thankfully, I actually have quite a lot of stuff prewritten at this point for a lot of my fics, so I'll still be posting every other week for the forseeable future, and plz know I still treasure every one of them <3

Chapter 6: But you told me you could almost love me

Summary:

Coriolanus Snow... is a mess

Break up with your loverboy already? -Clem

 

Sejanus frowned at the message on his phone, trying to understand what she could mean. It had only been a few hours since he last saw Coriolanus and it had seemed to go about as well as it could have, all thing considered.

 

Wdym? -S

 

“Who’s that, honeybun?” His mother reached across the table toward him. “Is everything alright?”

 

Sejanus shook his head, though accepted her offer to slip his hand into hers. “It’s probably fine, just a friend being super vague.” He wasn’t sure, though. Clemensia might text him some strings of nonsense, but loverboy could really only mean one person, and whatever information she had, clearly he didn’t.

 

“You’re worried though,” His mother observed just as easily. “I’m sure it’ll be alright, whatever it is.”

 

Came back to the club for a drink after lunch and saw him giving someone a blowie in the corner -Clem

 

Her text came with an image which he had to quickly click away from, his eyes no doubt already blown wide from the lewd shot of Coriolanus’s ass sticking out while he bounced on his knees sucking someone off in a corner behind the bar.

 

His father looked up from where he’d been calculating the tip at the same time his mother seemed to recognize his reaction. “Is someone in trouble?”

 

“Maybe,” Sejanus admitted, barely knowing himself what it all meant. I should just leave him be, right? He’s already been mad enough about me overstepping bounds. Not that he’ll admit to having any. “Would it be alright if I went and checked on somebody really quick? I can meet back up with you guys at home.” He’d been meaning to spend more time at his parents’ house anyway and help his ma get back on top of the more laborious chores he’d always done through his youth anyway, refusing to allow them to hire someone else for help when he still had free time and working hands.

 

“Of course, honey,” His mother smiled and his father nodded in approval. “Of course.”

 

-

 

He drove faster than he normally did, feeling a bit strange driving with haste to a sex club in the middle of the day, but the anxiety growing in his stomach wouldn’t let him focus on anything but knowing what had gone wrong.

 

He flashed his I.D. at the door and got inside without any further trouble. He spotted Clemensia at the bar still and gave her a wave, his eyes till darting around trying to locate his true target. Luckily, the blond was hard to miss; already having shed everything but his skin-tight ripped jeans and leaning suggestively over a table while the couple across from him poured shot after shot down his throat.

 

Fuck. Sejanus groaned inwardly, suddenly debating if he should even try at all or just turn on his heels and admit defeat, but in the end he couldn’t abandon the hope he’d put into what they’d built. He took a chair from an empty table as he walked across the club and set it backwards to sit casually between Coriolanus and the man trying to wave down Arachne for more shots.

 

“How’s it going?” He smiled at every member of the table, but pointed his question directly at Coriolanus with an inquisitive quirk of his head.

 

Coriolanus froze in place, staring back at him like a deer caught in headlights.

 

The couple also turned to stare, more confused than anything. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” The man cut in with a frown.

 

“No, sorry,” Sejanus apologized with a smile, “But he on the other hand… Tch Tch.” He looked back at the stark look of guilt crossing Coriolanus’s face, offering him a bit of satisfaction that his sub hadn’t intended to leave him entirely. “Mind if I steal him back long enough for him to explain himself?”

 

Neither of them objected to him taking Coriolanus’s arm and ushering him back to a corner near the bathrooms. It wasn’t entirely private, but it was the best he could do without just dragging him outside.

 

“I’m sorry.” They were the first, almost desperate-sounding words that came out of Coriolanus’s mouth. He was quickly starting to shake, unsteady on his feet and seeming almost frantic in Sejanus’s arms. “I’m sorry, I didn’t meant to- I mean, I-”

 

“Breathe.” Sejanus put his palms firmly on either side of Coriolanus’s face, “It’s okay. You’re okay, Coriolanus, just breathe.” He looked closer at Coriolanus’s panicked eyes and the redness therein. Particularly combined with the jitters under his skin and the way he couldn’t get words out when Sejanus knew already what it sounded like to hear him slur his words.

 

I shouldn’t have left him like that.

 

“Can you tell me what happened?” Sejanus tried not to let his own frustration come through in his tone, knowing Coriolanus must be on edge enough as it was. “And I say this with no judgment whatsoever—do you know what you’re on right now?”

 

Coriolanus’s face twisted with a range of emotions, almost pulling away before Sejanus pulled him back closer.

 

“I just want to help, okay? Just be honest with me, baby, I wanna make sure you’re alright.” If anything, Sejanus’s anger was settling on the couple who was now glancing at the from across the club who’d seen fit to get an already drugged-up stranger significantly drunker. Assuming they weren’t the ones who gave him whatever else he’s on as well.

 

“’m fine,” Coriolanus shrugged, his head lolling a bit to the side. “Just wand-ted a good time, knew yower busy yanall…”

 

Definitely more than alcohol. Sejanus sighed. “Why don’t I get you some water, something to eat, and you can tell me all about it on the way home, huh?” He patted Coriolanus’s shoulder with what he hoped was reassurance on his face even though the blond didn’t appear eager to agree. “I’m sure you don’t wanna skip out on Tigris two days in a row now.”

 

Coriolanus nearly growled at that. “M’not going back t’ her! That…” His face contorted again, the strain only making the redness in his eyes appear worse. “Bitch.”

 

Sejanus frowned. “Don’t say that about her, she’s just looking after you.” Regardless it seemed like it would be better to give Coriolanus more than a snack and a short car ride to sober up before trying to bring him back to his cousin. “Come on, you’re not going to feel any better hanging around here all day, even if you wont let me take you home, let me get you out of here.”

 

It was barely even a question with how easy it was to lead Coriolanus out on his arm—He wasn’t even sure Coriolanus knew where he’d agreed to go or if he even cared particularly who’s car he was climbing into by the time Sejanus got him outside. He was careful to make sure he was buckled in before closing the door, mostly just praying Coriolanus could keep himself together enough for a short car ride.

 

There was a drive thru at the other end of the block that seemed fine enough to get some calories into Coriolanus without too much fuss. Sejanus hoped he didn’t make a mess in the car, but they’d probably give him some extra bags and napkins there just in case, and secretly he kind of hoped for the excuse to pay someone else to detail his car for once.

 

Is that wrong? Sejanus groaned. His morals had been all but thrown out the window considering he’d basically kidnapped Coriolanus for the second time now.

 

“What do you want to eat?” He turned to look at Coriolanus as he pulled through the parking lot. His head was pressed against the window, blinking repeatedly and tapping on his thigh. “Can you talk to me?”

 

Coriolanus managed to turn towards him and just stared, his eyes half blank as he met Sejanus’s gaze. It was a few more moment of silence before he finally spat out a question. “Why’r you like this? Huh? What’s it do t’ you if you ‘help’ me?”

 

The quotes around help nearly made Sejanus’s blood boil before he remembered what his mission was. “Because I think you deserve to be helped. And I have the means, and the time, so it would make me kind of an asshole not to, wouldn’t it?” He slowed as they reached the speaker. “Last chance for a request, otherwise I’m ordering for you.”

 

The threat wasn’t intended to be serious, but Coriolanus sat up nearly immediately, his eyes scanning over the menu in front of them. His cheek sucked in and he chewed on it while he decided what he wanted. Just another one of his little tics that Sejanus found himself slowly memorizing.

 

He’s going to be alright. Sejanus smiled as he reassured himself of the fact. I can’t give up on him just because he had a moment of weakness.

 

-

 

His parents were not impressed by the high stranger draped around his arm when he finally got back to their house. Sejanus did his best to smile through it as he got Coriolanus settled on the couch with a blanket over him and a trash can in case he had to puke before finally letting them lead him out onto the porch with serious looks on their faces.

 

“Baby, who is that?” His mother’s voice was soft, but clearly concerned as she took his hand and glanced back to his father. “Is he okay?”

 

Sejanus hesitated, sucking in a breath as he looked back himself, catching a glimpse through the front window of Coriolanus wrapped up on the couch. “He’s a friend, he ah… he’s going through some stuff right now,” He admitted, grimacing at the look on his father’s face from the weak explanation.

 

“You don’t have to beat around the bush, Sejanus,” His father’s arms crossed, shifting his weight between his feet. “Is he using?”

 

Sejanus shook his head before he even considered the fact that Coriolanus most likely was making it a habit of doing what drugs he could get his hands on, considering how desperate he seemed for any kind of feeling instead of allowing himself to remain in his own thoughts. “He was at a bar he goes to a lot, another friend saw him there, I think someone offered him something and he just took it, but he doesn’t… It was a mistake. I don’t think he even knows what it was.”

 

His parents shared a look, clearly concerned for the situation, but thankfully not outright ordering him to drag him out of their living room immediately.

 

“He doesn’t have anywhere else to go right now,” Sejanus admitted softly. “I can’t just leave him like this.”

 

His mother’s arms wrapped around his shoulders, patting him gently on the back as she pulled him into a hug. “It’s alright, honey. I’m proud of you, looking after your friends like that.”

 

“We both are,” His father confirmed with a nod. “Just, maybe give us a heads up next time.” He chuckled.

 

“I would have, if I’d known,” Sejanus bit his lip, not truly wanting to admit why he’d actually rushed down to get Coriolanus so quickly. “Clemmie texted and said she saw him and was worried, I don’t think she knew what was going on either, just knew he was acting off.”

 

“Oh! He’s Clemensia’s friend? Do you two know each other from school? Why haven’t we met him before?”

 

Sejanus couldn’t help but laugh at his mother’s barrage of questions, shaking his head. “She knew him before I did, I’m not sure how they met.” That was true, at least, though he couldn’t help but suspect she’d first seen him the same place he had. Possibly even in a similar way. Even if he didn’t love to think about it, he had little doubt he could walk up to most if not all regulars at that club and hear tales of Coriolanus’s promiscuity.

 

“You should keep an eye on him, we’ll get things done out in the garden,” Pa urged him.

 

“Are you sure?” The entire reason he’d come there, and not simply taken Coriolanus back to his place instead, was to keep his promise of helping them.

 

“Of course,” His ma agreed, “Someone should stay with him, at least until he’s sober, and I’m sure he’ll be more comforted by someone he knows.”

 

He knew better to argue with her with the look she had in her eyes as she nudged him back towards the door. “Just let me know if you need any help, alright?” He insisted as he moved to step back inside.

 

“We will!” They both promised, though all three of them knowing they wouldn’t be making such a request. It surprised Sejanus they even still let him offer to help, when they always protested about how busy he must be.

 

He wished he could be a little more honest about what he did in his spare time as of late, but it seemed once again, like when he’d dodged around them in college while he was with Marcus, there would be a lot of excuses as to why his usually free afternoons were going to be occupied.

 

“You alright in here?” Sejanus asked, taking the seat next to the couch where Coriolanus was still laying right where he’d left him, one arm now hanging off the side but otherwise unchanged.

 

“MmmHmm,” Coriolanus muttered from against the cushion where his face was half buried. “It’s soft.”

 

Everything his parents saw fit to furnish their home with was comfortable, so Sejanus had to agree. Nicer than mine, certainly. “Do you wanna watch a movie, or something? Since it looks like you’re not going to sleep.” Or whatever it was he was on might be making it impossible, for all he knew, but it looked like Coriolanus had barely closed his eyes.

 

“Whatever,” Coriolanus gave a half shrug.

 

Sejanus sighed and shook his head, reaching forward to pull the table closer to the couch where Coriolanus could reach where his drink was sitting on a coaster. “Get some more fluids in you, it’ll help you feel better.”

 

Coriolanus lifted his head just enough to smirk suggestively. “You wanna order me around like that come over here an’ take my clothes off, why don’t you?”

 

“No.” Sejanus stated firmly, rubbing his fingers together nervously as he saw the hurt it caused on Coriolanus’s face. “I’m sorry, baby, but I won’t do that sort of thing while you’re under the influence. That’s a red on my end, okay?”

 

Coriolanus continued to frown, managing to sit up while clutching a pillow against his chest. “You’re no fun, y’know?”

 

Maybe. Sejanus flipped through channels on the TV, looking for anything decent while forcing himself to ignore Coriolanus’s pouting face. “Anything in particular you like to watch?”

 

“Porn.” Coriolanus snorted a laugh. “Been in a few myself, too.” He waited until Sejanus looked back at him to wink.

 

“We’re at my parent’s house!” Sejanus tried not to snap even through his frustration, whipping his head back to ensure they hadn’t come back inside while he wasn’t paying attention. “Please, can you just try not to mention to them we’re having sex? And especially not how.” He grimaced. If anything, his parents might react worse than Coriolanus’s cousin upon finding out he was tying the man up and hitting him, even consensually.

 

Coriolanus hummed, still with a teasing look on his face. “Mmmmm, are you out to them? They seem pretty alright, you know…” His arm reached out, making a beckoning motion with his fingers. “We don’t have to do anything nasty, we could… cuddle, or something.” His eyes widened just enough to look pleading. “Pleeeease?”

 

There was probably some deeper reason that Coriolanus craved attention so deeply, but Sejanus didn’t want to assume things he wasn’t qualified to address, particularly when it would mean facing his own issues in his inability to not indulge the man.

 

“Alright,” Sejanus relented with a sigh, stepping over to the couch. “But you’re going to keep your hands to yourself and behave, you got me?”

 

Coriolanus bit his lip as he nodded, sliding over to give Sejanus room to lay down next to him only to immediately roll over half onto his chest the second he’d settled down into the cushions, resting his head directly against Sejanus’s shoulder. He met Sejanus’s half annoyed look with a shrug and tucking his hands back behind his back. “Y’ said we could cuddle.”

 

I did. As compromising the position might look, it was frankly better than what he’d expected Coriolanus to do the moment he got close. “Anything appropriate you’d like to watch with me?” Sejanus flicked the remote back to the list of channels, flicking through for any decent movies about to start. “You like action? Sci-fi?”

 

“Anything with hot guys in it.” Coriolanus shrugged again. “Nice muscled brunets with commanding voices…”

 

Sejanus actually did feel a smile growing on his face despite himself at being described as exactly Coriolanus’s type. “I think there’s an Indiana Jones movie, but it’s halfway through.”

 

“’T’s fine, I’ve already seen them all.” Coriolanus yawned, struggling to keep his hands together behind his back while he snuggled closer against Sejanus’s chest. “I bet I’d sleep faster ‘f you choked me a bit…”

 

“Yeah, I bet you would.” Sejanus shook his head in disbelief. “I also think you can survive one afternoon without sex.”

 

“Dunno,” Coriolanus muttered quietly, “Fucking sucks, sleeping outside.”

 

Oh. Sejanus felt the crashing wave of guilt hitting him as the words registered in his mind. God I’m an idiot, no wonder he’s like this. He dropped an arm down to wrap around Coriolanus’s waist and pull him up a bit closer. “My place is always open to you,” He promised, leaning down to press a kiss to the crown of Coriolanus’s head. “And if it’s a question of drugs or sex, you can text me any time you need something, and I’ll make you you get so much of the latter you don’t even think about the first.”

 

Maybe it wasn’t the best solution to Coriolanus’s problems, but it was what he had to offer for the time being, assuming Coriolanus wouldn’t be too keen on talking about any form of rehab or detox in his current state, no matter how much he clearly needed more help than Sejanus was truly qualified to give.

 

Coriolanus smiled up at him through a haze of drugs and tiredness, his lips moving before soft words even began to slip through. “Y’know, I think I could almost love you.”

Notes:

Hope y'all enjoy the chapter! <3 I keep swearing this one is gonna be full of smut and yet the angst and fluff seeps out of my hands uncontrollably, I don't know how to stop it

Notes:

Yeah, sure, it's just another excuse to write smut as if I need that, but feel free to leave suggestions for kinks that Coriolanus makes Sejanus try out with him :P

you can always find me on Tumblr!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 28 of The real Plinth Prize (Coryo/Sejanus fics)