[I put the warning on the last chapter by accident, knife play ahead in this one]
"Good boy." Jim purrs, letting his hand stroke down Sebastian's spine. "I think we need a way to remind you of that when you're out." He pulls his fingers free from Sebastian's body and reaches up to undo one of the cuffs.
"On your back now, let me see you."
Sebastian maneuvers himself over, his right arm still fastened into place. Once he's done, Jim locks his left arm back into place and settles himself across the older man's hips, surveying his chest with a critical eye.
"Here," He says, and taps his forefinger against the hollow of Sebastian's neck. "would be the perfect place. But too obvious I think. You'd only be able to wear turtle necks." His fingers dance down Sebastian's chest, tracing over scars, analyzing the skin. "Your sternum, maybe?" He brushes his fingers over the reddish brown hair dusted across his chest. "I think the hair right there might cover it up too much. How about…" His fingers slid to lightly pinch one nipple briefly before moving slightly higher. "Over your heart. That feels appropriate." He cocks his head to one side. "What do you think?"
He hesitates before responding. "For what, sir?"
Jim clucks his tongue disapprovingly. "For your tag. I'm not going to collar you, but I think you need a marker. Now," he reaches for the bedside table and pulls a long knife from the drawer. He lifts the blade and inspects carefully. "Over your heart?"
Sebastian barely hesitates a moment before he nods his head in agreement. The tip of the knife is pressed to his skin, sliding in a slow horizontal line barely an inch in length. He strains against the cuffs, head pressed back against the pillow, breath coming in a sharp hiss through his teeth as it slices through his skin.
The knife is pulled away for only a moment, when Jim licks the tip clean before returning for a second cut. A longer line starting in the center of the first, sweeping down into a curve. He sits back to admire the neat 'J' and leans down to drag his tongue across the lines welling up with blood, his eyes not leaving Sebastian's face as he does.
Sebastian refuses to meet his eyes, looking anywhere else that he possibly can. He doesn't avoid Jim's eyes out of fear, but because he's fairly certain he might just come right here and now if he watches the way Jim's face lights up with sadistic pleasure. It's so wrong and that's what makes it so good.
Jim lets out a huff of frustration at the apparent lack of attention from Sebastian and makes the next four marks quickly and roughly, scratching out a jagged 'M' next to the first letter. Sebastian is whimpering and writhing underneath him, eyes closed now, still refusing to look at him.
He snarls and swings the knife suddenly, catching Sebastian hard across the side of the face. "Look at me when I'm punishing you!"
Sebastian's eyes snap open and he can't stop the sharp cry as he feels the skin across his cheek split, a long gash from his cheekbone down to his jaw.
"S-sorry, sir." He manages to gasp out, chest heaving as he struggles to pull in air. He forces his eyes to meet Jim's and his expression is so violent yet so petulant, like a child who doesn't want to share his toys. Jim wrinkles his nose slightly and tosses the knife to the floor.
He leans forward and grips Sebastian's chin tightly, turning his face so he can look at the cut. He flicks his tongue lightly over it and Sebastian shudders under him. "That was cruel of me." He says softly against the skin, and it almost sounds like an apology but Sebastian knows better than to expect that out of his boss. Jim doesn't apologize for anything. He just takes what he wants and he knows Sebastian will let him have it every time.